This is another part of my Daemon!Verse series. It has no strict timeline and in mostly bits of interaction from the perspective of the Daemons. Most specifically, the moment when Stark Tower begins to feel like home to them.
Disclaimer: I do not own. No amount of willpower, sad sighs, glaring, daydreaming or scheming will change that.
Tony Stark was confusing. That was Malchior's thought as he watched the man from where he was concealed, wrapped around Bruce's neck. His thick coils decently well hidden under his shirt. Anyone who looked could tell that he was a snake, but there was no indication of species or gender. And that was how they both liked it. But right now it felt strange. With Tony twisting in circles, trying to find a screwdriver he'd put in his pocket not five minutes ago. Waving away Dum-E who was trying to reach for the screwdriver and directing Butterfingers. Jarvis was trying and failing to point out the screwdriver, exasperation evident even though his voice was the same as always. But it was Amarisa that Malchior was watching closest. The polecat was scampering around, over furniture as if it wasn't there, through holograms, over Tony's shoulder. Chittering the whole way. Bruce was almost frightened of them. The complete chaos they embodied, against the serenity he had sought out for years.
"I do hope your not planning to run away again Bruce. Because you just might have to leave me behind." Malchior hissed in his ear, sliding carefully down his arm. It had been years since he had left his hiding spot in front of other last time had been with Betty, after her there had been no one they trusted enough. So as Malchior touched the cold surface of the table, Bruce gasped, jerking as his eyes widened in faint panic. The sound was drowned out by the chaos of the room. And Malchior shivered, sending a quick reassurace to Bruce as he began to move across the table. It was Jarvis who noticed first, naturally, and the AI fell silent.
And after Jarvis, it was Amarisa. Coming up the table at top speed, before skidding to a screeching halt when she saw him. She let out a single delighted squeak, seeming conflicted between pouncing on him and giving him space. It was her shock that finally caught Tony's attention, who's eyes, instead of going to Malchior, went to Bruce. That was what cemented the decision. Because when Malchior finally revealed himself, Tony's first thought was of Bruce. It was a sign of safety, a sign of someone who actually cared. And Malchior wasn't concerned about the excitement, the chaos that Tony radiated. Because for once, they were around people who might actually be able to control the Hulk. And once, just this once, Malchior wanted to put their happiness first. Just this once after the evidence they'd seen that they were around people who could handle them. That they wouldn't hurt people. It felt like it might just be worth the risk.
"The screwdriver is in your back pocket Tony. And I don't suppose you know somewhere warm around here Amarisa?" His cultured voice was silky, with a subtle hiss that came with all reptiles. He sounded dangerous, and it was to their credit that Amarisa only bounced in excitement, chatting at top speed in her eagerness to show him her favorite spot. Leaving Bruce and Tony to trail behind them to keep from pulling on the Bond, while Tony checked his pocket for the missing screwdriver. "Come on Mal, right this way. It's part of the machinary that runs the house, so its always warm. Plus, if you add a couple of pillows, comfy." She danced across the tables, making flying leaps from one surface to the next before she landed on the pillows she'd mentioned.
Malchior made a slower pace, noticing everything that was normally blocked from his vision when he was in hiding. There was only so much you can see while trying not to be seen. And half of his mind was aware of Bruce, trying to return to watching Tony, despite his Daemon's abrupt decision. Feeling vulnerable and shaken, and still trying to pretend that everything was okay. But Bruce needed to feel vulnerable, needed to let someone in. And if Malchior had to leave the only place he felt safe to do it, then he would. Amarisa bounced in place as he reached the small concave, that looked as if Tony had subconsciously had his daemon in mind when he designed it. It was often the case, people designing things that suited their daemon's needs without even thinking about it.
"You like?" She asked, settling down, half curled on top of one of the round pillows. "It's perfect." He wove carefully between the pillows, winding around one of them. The hot metal surface was better than any warm fabric. And just a few feet away, Tony was back at work, with Bruce watching him, clearly amused as he began to relax. They were used to change of all sorts. Different places, people, customs, food, languages, climates. And now they were changing the only constant in their life. And it was scary.
"Tell me about Tony, Amarisa." He said softly, eyes at half mast, still watching the room, but willing to let his guard down. "Please, call me Risa. Or Amy. But no one calls me Amy except Pepper and Cyrilla. Anyways, first thing you need to know about Tony is: He's an idiot. No joke. Can't feed himself, forgets to sleep, forgets that he's injured. And don't ever ask him what day it is, chances are he doesn't know what month it is. Hey Tony! What month is it?" The last part was shouted, causing Tony to stutter to a stop as he tried to come up with an answer. And Malchior laughed quietly, a rasping sound that was harsh on the ear and more unnerving that his hiss was. "Its.. still April right?"
Risa snickered, while Bruce reminded him that the month was in fact, June. "See what I mean? If it weren't for me and Pep, he'd probably forget his pants every morning. Malchior didn't answer, just lowered his head and dropped his eyes the rest of the way shut. Content to listen while she rambled on about Tony and his many mishaps. Stories that he couldn't miss, were so carefully chosen to make Tony seem harmless, like he needed all the help he could get. And it was true, it was so true that it broke Malchior's heart. But he had a nose for danger. And Tony? Tony reeked of it. But so did they. Someone like Tony being dangerous just meant that he could protect people from them, if it ever became necessary. And as well as danger, he could see the desperate loneliness. And that, they could understand better than anything.
So he stayed, so very much in the open and away from Bruce. Listening to the rambling stories of a hyperactive polecat, with Tony waving his arms in flamboyant gestures while he explained some gadget to Bruce. It already felt like home.
Hope you enjoyed~ And as always, reviews are appreciated. Greatly. Reviews are like gold. Diamonds if they consist of more than a few words.