[He's kind of far out, and hoofing it, so it takes a little longer than he likes, but eventually there's a tentative knock at the door. Sure, he could let himself in, but being invited (no, it was more told) to come back was still a bit confusing for him.
He hasn't stayed in one place for very long in years. Certainly hasn't had a welcome last this long. How is he supposed to even react to this?]
[He waits, fidgeting uncomfortably for longer than it should really take to answer the door. Finally he knocks again, uncertain if maybe Richard didn't hear him the first time?
No?
Still nothing?
Before long someone's going to call the police if someone doesn't break, so finally, after far too long waiting and fidgeting about on the doorstep he cracks open the door and peeks in. Almost like he's afraid of getting caught trespassing.]
[He shouldn't laugh. It would be cruel to laugh. He manages to keep it restrained to a quirk of one corner of his mouth as he catches sight of the kid through the crack in the door.]
[Sometimes he works himself up so much he imagines things being worse than they are, or imagines not being wanted where he is. It's a hard habit to break okay.]
Ah.
[Yeah, don't want to be doing that. He's quick to slip inside, again like he thinks he's getting into trouble or sneaking in somewhere. Even though he's been there for over a month.]
[Cue the rabbit caught in headlights look. He freezes, stands up straighter like he's trying to look bigger but also leaning away like he's darn ready to bolt.
Oh shit, did he make Richard mad?]
...Late?
[He does not understand the question sorry Richard.]
[Tony nods, reasonable enough. Very reasonable, considering. And he definitely takes suggestions better than hard rules. Something in his nature just makes him contrary to rules.]
[He's lost his cornered rabbit demeanor by now, Richard's never given him a reason to be so nervous himself, it's just uncertainty that makes him react that way.
Now that things are back to more understandable norms he's fine.
[He catches the tossed object deftly, blinking in surprise once he realizes what's in his hands. He shoots Richard a look somewhere between confusion and shock.]
W-what, really? You sure?
[Obviously he's sure but Tony still has to ask. He's not used to this kind of thing from anyone but Dirk.]
[He's obviously teasing and the grin says as much. Yeah, yeah, well it might not be much to Richard but it means a lot to Tony. That's a huge bit of trust put on him, okay.]
You know me, all about the wild parties with my friend Mister Mumbles and Dirk.
[He's all wound up and stressed out over nothing, and he knows it's nothing, but that doesn't make him any less stressed about it.
He shifts a little uncomfortably. Oh, yes, that.]
Yeah, he did. Don't know if I'm really cut out for something like that, though. People generally don't take too well to people like me around food, or around them for that matter.
[Sometimes you get so used to rejection you don't know how to accept an opportunity anymore.]
[He's kind of already bankrupt, but he doesn't mind paying what he costs for upkeep. Hopefully he'll be making enough he can start saving as well. It'll come in handy later down the line.]
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[Action]
He hasn't stayed in one place for very long in years. Certainly hasn't had a welcome last this long. How is he supposed to even react to this?]
[Action]
So that's why he doesn't answer the door at first, just to see if Tony will come in on his own.]
[Action]
No?
Still nothing?
Before long someone's going to call the police if someone doesn't break, so finally, after far too long waiting and fidgeting about on the doorstep he cracks open the door and peeks in. Almost like he's afraid of getting caught trespassing.]
Hey, uh, can I come in?
[Dumb kid.]
[Action]
If you're gonna. You're letting the heat out.
[Action]
Ah.
[Yeah, don't want to be doing that. He's quick to slip inside, again like he thinks he's getting into trouble or sneaking in somewhere. Even though he's been there for over a month.]
[Action]
[Richard folds his arms loosely, one eyebrow arching high.]
What the hell kind of time do you call this, Anthony?
[Action]
Oh shit, did he make Richard mad?]
...Late?
[He does not understand the question sorry Richard.]
[Action]
Close enough. I'm gonna start expectin' better, alright? Don't make me start puttin' a curfew on you.
[Action]
Y-yeah, sure. Curfew? [Would he really do that?] Sorry, won't happen again. [Probably maybe.]
[Action]
[Both eyebrows lift briefly, fingers lightly tapping his elbows.]
And if you're gonna be late or elsewhere, what do you do?
[Action]
Shoot a text?
[Action]
[Richard grins, approving, dropping his hands down and giving a small gesture for him to come over.]
C'mere, I've got something for you.
[Action]
Now that things are back to more understandable norms he's fine.
Curious, he meanders over.]
What's up?
[Action]
[Scooping something up from the coffee table, he tosses it over.]
Can't always be waitin' up for you. Just make sure you lock up.
[Action]
W-what, really? You sure?
[Obviously he's sure but Tony still has to ask. He's not used to this kind of thing from anyone but Dirk.]
[Action]
[He waves him off. God, don't make it more than what it is.]
Just don't go throwing any wild parties.
[Action]
[He's obviously teasing and the grin says as much. Yeah, yeah, well it might not be much to Richard but it means a lot to Tony. That's a huge bit of trust put on him, okay.]
You know me, all about the wild parties with my friend Mister Mumbles and Dirk.
[Action]
[Smirk.]
Didn't even save any for me.
[Action]
[He snickers.]
I'll try to keep Dirk from eating them all next time, deal?
[Lies it was all Tony's bottomless gut and everyone knows it.]
[Action]
[He thumbs over his shoulder to the couch.]
But uh, I got somethin' to talk about with you. Sit down. [A beat, before he clarifies.] You're not in trouble.
[Action]
What's up?
[Action]
I was speakin' to Lazarus, over at the coffee shop the other day. He mentioned he'd offered you a job there.
[Action]
He shifts a little uncomfortably. Oh, yes, that.]
Yeah, he did. Don't know if I'm really cut out for something like that, though. People generally don't take too well to people like me around food, or around them for that matter.
[Sometimes you get so used to rejection you don't know how to accept an opportunity anymore.]
[Action]
Instead, he just goes for a simple route.]
I think you should go for it. It'd be good for you.
[Action]
You think so?
[He still sounds doubtful and uncertain, but...]
I guess I can't hurt to try.
[Action]
[Okay, colour him surprised a little, here.]
Just like that? No argument? .. Are you sick?
[Action]
[He'd hate to think he wasn't being bratty enough of a teenager.]
Nah, I mean I've been looking for a while as it is, it'd be nice to get something solid, you know? Maybe save a little cash.
[Action]
[He grins slightly. You're plenty bratty, Tony, don't worry about it.]
But hey, maybe I can start chargin' you rent.
[Action]
[He could be more bratty if you need! This just happens to fall under the jurisdiction of things he already wants to do.]
How much you thinkin'?
[Action]
[He doesn't want to bankrupt the kid.]
[Action]
[He's kind of already bankrupt, but he doesn't mind paying what he costs for upkeep. Hopefully he'll be making enough he can start saving as well. It'll come in handy later down the line.]