[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]
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.]