sixthiterationtexts | UN : The Mechanic

A lot of people feel that way. Not among qunari because we're not allowed to feel that way. It would be against the Qun. And if you go against the Qun you become Tal-Vashoth, a traitor and get hunted.

A lot of blood's been shed over it. On all sides.

[ Bull notices that change, stopping and turning to watch Tony. Had that been what it took to make this fall apart? ]

...Part of me wants to ask where you stand on that, but in the interest of not fucking up our arrangement? I don't want to know.

[ He rolls out his shoulders, tries to shake that tension out of his spine.

I hope they remember you.

That's going to linger in his bad dreams for awhile. ]

What was that backspin you did earlier? [ He looks back over, smile strained but present. Work, work's safe, right? Better to stick to that. ] Need to make sure I can have the balance right so you're able to follow through easily.

You think you'll be able to trust me without knowing?

[ Bull doubts it. His voice is quiet. ]

I am Tal-Vashoth, I disobeyed an order and chose the lives of my non-Qunari men over Qunari soldiers and an alliance that would have benefitted the Qunari.

[ He shows Tony again, slower this time and more controlled. ]

This one?

No offence, Big guy, but I didn't exactly trust you before either. It's nothing personal.

[ And yet willing to slip into a simply navigable arrangement none the less. ]

It's not something I hand out easily. Whoever you were, whatever you did- not worse than what's got me...contemplative. It made me think of the guy that stabbed me, that's all. [ Trying to give him an easy out and Bull...explains anyway. Tony takes a moment to absorb what he's shared- the hunting, the choosing to protect his men over-

Huh. ]

Yeah, that one. [ Some playful fluidity returns to his handwriting and sketches, tension in his shoulders winding down. ] And the overhead swing?

[ Bull does that whole motion again too, nice and slow as well. Then he looks over at Tony, happy to see that the other seems in a better mood. ]

I take it that person isn't here? Or are they?

God, no. Then this really would be hell instead of maybe hell.

[ As it is, Barnes is here but not terrible, Rogers is and he's...Rogers. Peter's here so maybe it isn't, Peggy's here and she doesn't deserve half the shit she's dealing with-

Barton's here but they're alright, he thinks?

Nat's. Not someone he's about to trust again half so easy, shouldn't have in the first place, lesson learned. ]

A lot of people from back home where It's Complicated would be the most accurate relationship status applied are here, but not that fucker.

Edited 2018-09-13 18:18 (UTC)

That sounds familiar. Not that I have anyone here that I know from back home but I got plenty of complicated relationships.

And good. Or rather too bad. I would have liked to have a chat with him when you're done with that axe.

Feeling protective?

[ he dips his head, crackling a quiet laugh as he adds a few more notes. ]

It is a flaw I have.

[ Well it was also something he had always been raised to do. Protect the larger Qunari society. Now he just applied it to the people in his life. ]

Who are the people you know?

Not according to most. Well. Misplaced if you're feeling that way about me. I can take a few hits, I'm fine.

[ Nevermind that he'd almost bled out on arrival, they're not talking about that. ]

Mm? Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, James 'Bucky' Barnes, Steven Rogers- [ His voice isn't at all cold and flat on that last one, oh no. ] Peter Parker, and Peggy Carter. That one's a little...weird. I will know her? She's a friend of my father's before he gets married. I know her when she's older, kind of was like an aunt to me.

And...right now she's young enough to be my daughter. It's. Weird.

You can take a few hits sure, but I was bred to be a wall between those hits and a civilian. I never became a soldier because I wasn't obedient enough but it doesn't change the fact that protection was my life's purpose.

[ Bull listens as Tony lists the names, nodding slightly. He does notice the tone clear as day but he doesn't say anything. He hasn't talked to them yet, at least not a lot but now that he knows the names he is curious. ]

I can imagine. How does that happen?

...Bred to be a- okay. Yeah maybe don't mention that around...anyone from where I'm from? We had a few historically huge issues with people that had that same philosophy in the worst sort of way.

[ That earlier tension doesn't return, though. It doesn't sound like the same way of handling it.

Doesn't make it better, but. ]

We're pulled from particular points on our individual timelines. So. She was pulled from way early in mine, but what was present for her. I guess? I think. I'll need a bottle of something strong to start entertaining time travel to be honest.

[ Bull raises an eyebrow at that. He can imagine a few things that would make that way of doing it badly. Then he shrugs. ]
It seems like a logical thing to do when you view your people as tools. It...It is a very different way to think than what a lot of people are used to. Humans seem to value the idea of freedom a lot more than we do.

[ He blinks at the idea of time travel as well. He's heard of things that make his brain hurt more thanks to magic though. ]
Maybe some sort of blood magic.

What do you do with tools you consider inferior or worthless?

[ Tony sets down his paper, shaking his head. ]

Genocide. A lot of genocide, based on the idea that the people they were killing weren't worth enough to keep alive. Wars were fought. Questionable choices made on both sides. Ancient history but that shit? Sticks.

Ah, Qunari don't see it like that. Everyone has a place. We...They will kill those we consider a threat but not those that submit to the Qun. They'll find a place within the Qun, everything else is a waste.

[ But he shakes his head as well. ]

But if that is the history your world have, I can see why people are touchy about it.

Context matters. Peggy, especially- she's not far out from the war where the worst of that happened.

[ he wipes his hands off on a rag, eyes flicking over. ]

So- if people get...weird or tense. That's why.

[ Bull nods. This is good information to have. Even if he is from a world that is very different than Tony's. ]

Alright. You got the measurements you need? I figured I was going to head to the inn to grab some lunch if you want some.

Just need to measure your shoulders and then shoulder to floor for the haft.

[ the right length for leverage is kind of key to half the shit Bull seems to like pulling. ]

Mm? No, I'm good. I've got a list to work through and a less basic design to get roughed out for you.

[ Bull comes over to let the other guy take the measurements easier, but he does give Tony a look when he does so. ]

Yeah? When was the last time you ate?

...Couple of hours ago?

[ He. Thinks. He had breakfast or something close to it with Peggy sometime today.

Maybe?

Time flies when you bury yourself in work.

Tony shrugs off the question and hooks his foot around a stool to stand on it, holding the tape measure across the impressive span of Bull's shoulders. ] Less than ten, more than five?

[ Bull gives him a look and shakes his head. ]

Once we're done here I am taking you with me. If we are going to fool around I want you to be not starving. Besides, we can't have half as much fun if you fall over from exhaustion.

I don't starve- [ He mutters, rolling his eyes as he jots down the measurements. ] I forget a few meals sometimes. Not like I don't have fat to burn.

[ More than he'd like thanks to age catching up with him- but probably not as much as he should. ]

[ Bull rolls his eyes and reaches up to bury his hand in Tony's hair again, tightening enough that the other can feel it. ]

You should eat, or at the very least have some tea.

[ His tone makes it clear that it isn't a question this time but rather an order. ]

[ Bull may have been the first person to figure out the best way to get Tony some kind of compliant. Or at least been the quickest about figuring him out. ]

...Guess I'm due for a break.

Good.

[ Bull leans in to give him a quick kiss before he helps Tony down. The hand slides down to settle at the back of Tony's neck, stroking gently. ]

Am I going to have to come get you for lunch every day?

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