She’d been looking for trouble honestly, for once. Depressed and frustrated, angry for no particular reason, and itching for a fight.
Her taekwondo master would be ashamed of her.
Summer just latched on to the dark beacons of similar anger and went hunting.
But she’d sated that need, leaving a few bodies sprawled in the darkness of unlit corners, aching and unconscious and unburnt for once, and she was deep into regret now. Regret for losing control, giving in to the shadows that haunted her heart. Not at all paying attention to anything much around her until she walked right into someone else.
“Sorry,” the figure muttered, sincerity sliding off the word.
“You might want to look where you’re going, place like this,” Summer replied mildly, half admonishing herself as well. “It’s not safe.”
“I would hardly be here if I was looking for safe, now would I?” The words came out a bit more snappy that Tony had intended, and internally, he winced: that’s why being diplomatic and being drunk (and in pain, but that was the lesser of two factors) was never a good mixture to have when dealing with people. Like now, with the pain only adding oil to the fire of irritation.
“Anyway,” the genius made sure he sounded normal this time, carefully enunciating every word – and just succeeding in sounding reasonably sober (well… just a bit tipsy, at most) “Shouldn’t I be the one telling you that? Not to be sexist or anything, but you ARE statistically more likely to be attacked and all,” Tony gave the girl a meaningful look, subtly noting her… somewhat ruffled appearance, and her overall posture. On the other hand… “Okay. I take my words back. Guess you’re one of those that can take care of herself?”
“Smart man,” Summer murmured. She returned the assessing glance and deliberately raised her eyebrows. “I definitely think I’m safer out here alone than you are — without your suit. Mr Stark. And that’s without using my powers, either. With those, I could walk down this street naked and nobody would bother me. It’s sweet that you’re so concerned, though.”
She didn’t mean to sound quite so arrogant, and winced inwardly. But the words were said now, hanging in the air between them. She tucked the stray lock back over her ear and into her plait, watching Tony.
“Hey now, don’t diss me out just because I don’t happen to have my tech on me. Ain’t a good thing to do. And not just me. Heck, I know people who can take your head off with nothing but a… Okay. Shutting up at that point, because my imagination is, apparently, firmly set on ‘disturbing’ right now.” Tony shook his head, clearing out that last remaining bit of the alcohol haze that seemed intent on making sure he was acting the blubbering mess. Not an easy thing to do – but hey, the engineer had years of experience dealing with the board, Pep, reporters, Pep, one-night partners, Jarvis and his snark and last, but not the least, Rhodey after some wild nights out and this? Didn’t have nothing on any of the above.
“And I wouldn’t be too sure about the naked part – but hey, be my guest. I’m just pretty sure there WOULD be a few morons who would try their luck – there always are – but then again, there are quite a few people who deserve to have a nice show once in a while.” The words were accompanied by a more Tony-ish look, complete with crossed arms, semi-steady posture and the arrogant smirk. “Then again, there is press to consider, and no matter what they claim – that thing is a savage bitch one shouldn’t touch with a long pole. Or ever.”
“The press only knows me when I wear the mask, darlin’,” Summer drawled. “/You/ just happened to catch me on a night when I was going vigilante. As it happens, I’m absolutely certain about the naked part.” Teasingly, she added, “Would you happen to be thinking of yourself as one of those people who deserves a nice show?”