“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?”
“I might be,” and Tony was pretty sure the words ‘I dare you to say otherwise’ were printed big and bright on his face, but it wasn’t like he minded that… In the least. Telegraphing his thoughts was never a bother – what with that thing filtering his expressions actually existing, unlike his brain-to-mouth one, which has gone obsolete and was therefore removed and never re-installed somewhere around the age of 6.
“Thanks for the tip-off, though. Will be on the look-out for any ‘hero-dressed’ girlies out there when I hack into law enforcement. Quick question – do you wear spandex, too? Is it some kind of fashion among you lot? Because, let’s face it: there IS an element of distraction there, so long you can pull it off… Think I can pull it off? Never mind, though.” Grinning, Tony promptly backtracked, enjoying the slightly-glazed look on the woman’s face as he went on with the talk. That… Happened way too often for him not to know what he was doing. “Of course I would. No ditching the suit, though…” The engineer shrugged elegantly, dismissing the matter entirely with that one sentence.
By the third sentence Summer was grinning, suppressing laughter. By the time he finally stopped talking she couldn’t hold it back anymore. In between chuckles, she asked, “Do you /ever/ stop talking? No,” she held up a hand, “it’s my turn, stay quiet, don’t answer that.” With a final snicker, covered by tapping a finger against her lips, she considered him. “I think I had better escort you home, Mr Stark. Anything could happen, and we really can’t afford to lose you.”