sixthiterationtexts | UN : The Mechanic

I am not. When the monster attacked we got as many people as we could to the inn. The thing was right outside.

Right. Village defenses just got bumped up the list.

...define 'monster', what are we talking about?

Well there is that big dude with horns. You've seen him?

[ Next text a minute later. ]
That's me. No this was a big thing with claws and it was attacking people. Black fur, walks on two legs, glowing eyes.

I need to stop being surprised by the shit I run into here.

[ Horns? Horns. Okay. He can deal with that. ]

Seeing as it'd be use in the defense of the village and it's unlikely you'll go on a murder spree-

I can make you that axe.

Good. What are you looking for in a trade?

Items or labor, what are you good at, what do you have?

I don't have much. As for what I am good at. Most of that I doubt you'll need, but I can show you how to fight.

[next text]

Or I can trade labor. Mostly unskilled but I pick things up fast.

If you can swing a hammer or provide firewood? That'll be enough.

Mostly I'll be needing strikers until I get a power hammer set up- and even then I'll need people to help with the heavy lifting.

I can do both of those. And the heavy lifting as well. That is one of the benefits to keeping a qunari around.

Big guy with horns, huh? I'll need your measurements for the ax. Swing by the southern Smithy, we'll talk about it.

All the measurements?

[Next message]

I am on my way over.

[ Not too long after a tall, grey-skinned, shirtless man walks into the smithy. he ducks his head so the horns won't hit the ceiling. He grins as he looks around. ]

Hello?

All the relevant ones?

[ Was that flirty? That might've been flirty. He's been out of the game so long- nah.

When Bull wanders in Tony's got a stick of charcoal in one hand, writing out a list of all his requests on the wall. ]

Give me one second- [ Springs, gears, winding key- he notes those down before turning and blinking at a large, grey chest before tipping his head up...and up...and up to see the rest of Bull. ] ...holy shit.

[ Of course it had been flirty. Bull will gladly flirt with just about anyone. He waits while Tony finishes and then chuckles at the exclamation. ]

Usually, people call me the Iron Bull, but I'll take Holy Shit.

[ He offers the other his hand to shake. ]

As for the measurements... Well, you can have any you'd like, handsome.

Holy something. [ There's a twitch somewhere in Tony's hind-brain that's been dead and buried for the better part of two decades starting to roll over and wake up. Which.

Isn't helpful. This is a professional consultation. He is a grown ass man.

Nevermind the logistical problems this is going to cause RE forging anything, holy shit. Tony takes Bull's hand, momentarily distracted by how much of his wrist gets swallowed up in the motion. ]

Right. Glad I had you come over because you must need all kinds of special toys to work, huh?

More than you'd think. [ The grin turns into a smirk as he looks Tony over. He's not a bad looking man at all. ] But I don't need most of them, they're just a good addition to have.

[ He lets the handshake drop, still grinning. ]

What I need is an axe and if you have a chance for an ankle brace. What I want, however... Well, that is up to what you think you can handle.

[ That? That is a look he hasn't had turned on him for awhile which- flattering? And distracting. Figures he decides to be a responsible, productive member of the village and get this dumped in his lap. Forge. Whichever. ]

Well if it exists, I can probably make it. Eventually. Right now I'm in the building the tools to make the tools to make the thing stage which'll last about...a few weeks for everyone else. Specialized requests take specialized tools.

[ He dusts his hands off, eyeing Bull's- everything under the pretense of sizing him up for a brace. ] I know I can handle plenty- but my doctor was very strict on the 'no strenuous physical activity' and buddy? You've got that written all over you.

[ Bull laughs at that, a real warm laugh. ]
Oh yeah I do, but when your doctor clears you, if you're interested, I'll be around. And trust me, I'll give you a workout.

[ He glances around the forge. ]

You'll be needing help around here then too, right? Last I checked working a forge is hard work. I am not a smith, I was never trained for that, but tell me what to do and I'll do it.

Yeah- definitely making this a raincheck situation.

[ Because alcohol is limited and so too is his favorite means of not coping- with Peggy and Elena and Peter trying to make sure he doesn't work himself to the bone that's also out the window. He's been good, relatively, for awhile.

Overdue this kind of mess, which- from as frank as Bull's being? Doesn't seem like it'd be much of a mess. ]

So you like being bossed around? [ He smirks. ] Old timey terms is 'striker'. I point where you need to swing, you hit it with a hammer. I figure you've got a lot of force you can offer, right? How are you with more delicate work?

[ Bull looks him over again, the smirk back on his face when he meets Tony's eyes again. And deciding to see which ones of Tony's buttons he can push, he steps closer, reaching up to cup Tony's chin and tip his head up to meet his eyes. His voice holds a slight growl he's perfected for situations like this, a tone meant to send shivers down Tony's spine if he is into it. ] When it comes to the bedroom, I usually do the bossing around.

[ He smiles, dropping the growl but not the hand. ]

But in the smithy... You know this better than I do, so I'll do what you tell me to. Delicate work is not my forte, but I can do it if I have to.

[ There's a brief, momentary tension that locks his jaw up when Bull's hand goes for his neck and a flicker of resignation in his eyes that fades as soon as it comes but- it's. Not going for his neck. His chin tips up and he's loomed over in a way that's the farthest thing from threatening and-

Damn his reputation being so out of date, he might blush a little. A lot. Skin pink and eyes wide, more than a little knocked off center by how much of Bull there is, by his tone rumbling down his spine like a hand smoothing over skin and he is very, very fucking out of practice. ]

...noted. [ He licks his lips, mouth suddenly dry, swallowing down a whimper that would be far too undignified to let slip free. ] I- have someone for smaller things, but the more rigid alloys? I'll need your help.

[ Bull's other hand goes to his waist, more on pure instinct than anything else. He isn't going to let Tony fall. He's happy he read Tony the right way, not that it would have been a dealbreaker if Tony wasn't into this but rather that it would have been uncomfortable.

He lets his fingers stroke Tony's chin, playing though the little beard. ]

I should be able to help with that. You just tell me when you need me.

I take it you like this? You interested in keeping this going until your doctor says you're alright or do you rather want to keep it professional?

[ It's been awhile since Tony's felt delicate, since he's had anyone look at him with real interest (being with one of the most powerful women in the world kind of cuts down on appreciative leering) let alone had any kind of inclination for the harder sex. But with the idea that Pepper might not exist anymore back home and a fairly good memory for how well his mind can wind down to a crawl after a good round with someone that knows what they're doing-

And every sign that Bull knows exactly what he's doing?

Tony finds himself leaning in, a little. ]

Normally I'm all about compartmentalization. Work in the workplace, play anywhere else- [ He's about to reach up and rest a hand on Bull's arm but- right. Soot. Charcoal. Bit of a mess. ]

I can work with that.

[ Bull strokes his back gently, a soft touch as a reward for being honest with him. And for leaning in. His other hand sneaks up into Tony's hair, gripping lightly. It is light enough that he can twist away, but still enough to be felt. ]

In here, we work together, you're the boss and all that. Outside, I'm in charge. Unless you want this to be something we keep strictly to the bedroom? No touches or anything to make anyone suspect? It's your call.

[ He takes a breath. Thinking and then he releases Tony's hair. This he needs an answer to as equals. ]

I don't do relationships or exclusivity. We'd be friends with great benefits but nothing romantic. Is that going to be a problem?

[ Knows exactly what he's doing and is very, very good at what he does. This could be trouble. Or at the very least a potentially complicated distraction if he decides to complicate shit but-

It could be as simple and straightforward as two consenting adults. Not the best way to cope but a fair sight better than drinking a crate of scotch and getting A) Nothing done and B) miserable and maudlin. Of his available options? This is the least of all possible evils.

Tony shivers, a little, tipping his head back into Bull's hand, eyes dropping closed. ]

I'm not exactly a public figure here and not in the habit of keeping people as dirty little secrets. If you want discretion, I'm alright with it. Otherwise? Don't really care. [ He blinks himself back into the moment and- huh. That is both remarkably pragmatic and straightforward. Terribly appealing. ]

Honestly? I'm in no place to even entertain a relationship or throw stones about people getting their fun around town. So non-exclusive friends with benefits? Works fine me.

I am not going to be a 'little' secret. [ Bull chuckles. ] Until you get cleared, think about what you like and let me know alright? I wouldn't mind pushing your limits, but everyone has a few hard limits that should be respected. I'd like to know what they are.

[ Then he leans down to kiss Tony firmly. He decides to keep it soft, nothing too forward, but still very much in charge. When he pulls back he holds the other steady for a second longer before he releases him. ]

Alright. So work. You needed measurements?

[ Tony had said he'd wanted this place for work after all ]

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