Title: Stratagem
Author: pocketnin
Notes: A bit experimental, and I've never written Tony before, but I think I got what I wanted across. Also, there's a pretty large spoiler for the last split second of the movie in here. :D
Tony recognized it in Bruce because it reminded him of himself -- only more so -- the attempt to fit in and stand out all at once. The slow and empty smile directed at him from across the room put Tony instantly on edge and gripping his glass hard. The other billionaire playboy in the room eased his way across it with well-disguised grace that Wayne had somehow acquired since the last time the two of them had crossed paths in business suites. The sharp edges of the suit reminded Tony of the black Kevlar of the night before, and his mouth quirked into half a smile that turned to a grimace.
"I don't like visitors in my city," he'd said, and when Tony recognized the voice it only confirmed what he had already known.
When Bruce finally fought his way across the room, after dodging sycophants and reporters alike with that same empty grin and dumb laugh, Tony was ready for what he guessed – knew – was coming. The show of power before had not been enough, apparently, and Tony wondered if Pepper were right about men and dogs and the shared need to piss all over everything to show that it was theirs. Probably; she was right about everything else.
"Hiya, Antonio," Bruce Wayne greeted, and their shoulders brushed muscle against muscle as Bruce reached behind Tony to grab a glass of champagne. Tony shifted further down along the bar in order to regain some lost personal space, knowing it was a concession and not caring. It was Wayne's city, in more ways than one, and he was willing to bare his neck to the alpha male. Let Wayne keep his crazies.
"It's Anthony, actually," Tony corrected, but Bruce ignored him in favor of pretending to drink his alcohol. Despite the fact that it was Wayne's party and Wayne's drink, Tony had the urge to take the glass and lecture him on wastefulness.
"I hear you're a superhero now, eh?" Tony looked out over the Gotham skyline without comment, debating on how best to play Wayne's game and, behind his eyelids, seeing Ty Stone laughing at Tony as he seized Tony's queen. He blinked wearily and the world returned to as close to normal as Gotham ever got.
"Uh-uh. Off-duty here, though. You guys have your own." The razor under Bruce's eyes dulled with Tony's words, and some of the tension drained if only for a moment. Bruce did not move out of his personal space, but Tony relaxed anyway and cast an appraising glance through his eyelashes. He met Bruce's eyes over the rim of his glass, and he wondered how no one else sees it, because the intensity of those eyes cannot be completely hidden. Tony's equally sharp eyes – only slightly red-rimmed from lack of sleep and drink – met the gaze unblinking. Understanding crackled between them, like a flash of lightening in the instant they were Batman and Ironman rather than the pair of socialites that turned as one to give the same toothy, empty grins that appeared on the society page the next morning.
-END-