savetheearth | (no subject)

"Are you having fun running into walls?"

Shou was waiting just inside the first hall, a slight smile on his lips. He had heard the thunk of Tony against bricks and noticed the blood under his nose. Reaching over, he wipes at the smear and takes a taste and then makes a little face. He was right; Tony really wasn't his type, at least blood wise.

"So, what kind of weird things did you wake up with today?"

Oh geeze, Tony jerks a little in surprise. He hadn't expected Shou to have been so close, much less close enough to hear his embarrassing little stunt.

"Not really..."

Smashing his face and all it's not a lot of fun, that. And you know, that would be weird, but he has offered. Still gives Shou a raised eyebrow look at being taste tested. No dice? Well, demons probably aren't the most delicious option.

"Well it wasn't so much today..." As a week ago and he's been trying to deal with it himself and failing miserably. As per usual. He thumbs over his shoulder. "But you know, making friends with walls. Not making friends with doorknobs, that sort of thing. Figured you might have a tip or two on how to deal with that? The world is my China shop right now and it's really kind of a pain."

"It is a little hard to get use to something like that, isn't it?"

Well, Shou was still hungry, having been interrupted from his feeding, but he can understand the importance now. Tony needed help with control and he of all people knew that it can't just be shoved off like getting a new hair cut or something. Especially when one is suddenly not a squishy human any more.

"Strength and speed kind of things? Suddenly breaking world records by breathing?"

"No kidding, it's crazy. Kinda worried I'm going to break something you can't just replace for ten bucks."

Or someone. That was more the urgency driving him to seek help now, rather than continuing to try to deal with it himself. If he made a mistake, didn't know how to handle this, he could break a person's bones easily. Wouldn't he just feel like a monster then? Sorry, Shou, but still the offer stands even if he does taste gross.

"Hah, yeah... not too fond of it either. You know how hard it is to make an egg when you can't even pick one up?" Or a glass, or anything even remotely fragile?

"Yah, I know."

He had been still human when he started getting his monster upgrades. Part of the reason why he didn't have as much of a problem as Tony was because he already studied a few martial arts that taught gentleness as well as power. He just used their principles to help control himself with.

"You're worried about hurting someone, aren't you? Like a lover or something?"

He's just guessing and teasing a little, glancing over at Tony with a slight smile on his lips. He changed directions, deciding to take this to the large gym area.

"I think first we need to figure out your limits."

He huffs a little, more flustered than he really should be about the tease. It's been a rough few weeks okay?

"Pfeh, I'd have to have one of those," He grumbles more to himself than Shou. Shhh no don't talk about those things Tony you need to learn to filter better. "Anyway, yeah, I don't want to hurt anyone. Bad enough it's doors." He did kind of smack L in the face on accident when he was freaking out. What would happen if that happened now?

Despite his grumbling Tony's hot on his heels. Curious about what Shou may have in store for him.

"My limits?" Oh that sounds dangerous.

"You can't tell me that it hasn't crossed your mind, right?"

Sorry bro, Shou is a terrible tease. He would even grabbed him for a quick kiss before pulling away and throwing open the gym doors. The equipment inside was in various stages of either 'hard used' to 'brand new that it still shines' and Shou moved over to weights first, humming a little.

"I should thank you for the paintings of the sun," he said, selecting weights and loading them onto the bar. "They're really nice."

"...Maybe."

Shaddup. More huffing, because Tony is forever petulant. Although that quickly turns into a bit of sputtering in shock and confusion at suddenly being kissed. Shou, Shou please. Not that he's actually complaining he's just trying desperately to hide how red he's suddenly turned. It's dark he can't tell, right?

Fortunately Shou is more distracted with the lesson at hand than giving Tony a hard time, so hopefully he didn't pick up on the fluster. Tony himself is quickly distracted with the drastically changed gym. Last time he was in there there was just an old dusty mat, and a big empty room.

"You like 'em?" Tony sounded genuinely pleased, and a little touched by that. He'd not had a chance to show them to Shou himself, but there was no doubt he'd seen them by now. "Thought it might be nice to have around." Since he couldn't see the real deal anymore. Added some color and character to the old building at least?

Also woah that seemed like a lot of weight, was Shou sure he knew what he was doing?

"Were you afraid I wouldn't? I love sunrises."

Shou laughed and continued to pile on the weights until he was satisfied. Then he stripped off his coat and kicked off his shoes and picked the barbell up. He was huffing a little at the weight, but still it looked like an impossibility - he was just a skinny Japanese guy holding a huge barbell and lifting it over his head before putting it down.

"Try lifting that. Slowly, don't go for anything fancy just a simple lift."

"Well I didn't know for sure, but I had a feeling you might. You know?"

That's why he painted them after all. Otherwise he wouldn't have even bothered, and just left it at L's sterile white, ugly primer, and whatever other colors haven't been covered up yet.

Tony couldn't help but gape a little at the weight Shou was able to lift with relative ease, he certainly didn't look strong enough to do it, but looks were deceiving. Especially when dealing with non-humans. Should he take his shoes off too? He doesn't know, and continues to look a lot confused and lost when Shou tells him to lift the thing. It didn't look possible. "You won't let me crush myself right?" He murmured as he shuffled over to size up the weight. It certainly didn't look like something he should be able to lift, but...

After a bit of uncertain waffling Tony gave it a try. It was definitely heavy enough that he could feel it, but it was more inexperienced muscles protesting having to work than the weight itself. Tony didn't do anything quite as fancy as lifting it up over his head, he's not balanced enough for that yet, but up to his chin was hopefully good enough for now. "Huh, would you look at that?"

Surprised himself here.

"I know. Thanks for thinking of me when you started painting them."

He would probably kiss Tony if he could but he figured that Tony would drop the weights on his foot and that wouldn't be the best thing ever. He took the barbell from Tony and set it down and then gave Tony a look at wasn't actually menancing but certainly a far step away from his normal cheerful grins.

"Okay so I think what we have is a problem with the fact you never did workouts before, and you have no idea in how to control your body. Which means, we're gonna hafta start from the ground up. You might wanna take off your shoes and stuff and we'll start with warm ups."

"'Course, you deserve somethin' nice. You do so much to help everyone else it's the least I could do. Luca helped, he's not half bad."

Of course Luca probably didn't care who it was for, but that he didn't have to keep mopping the bathroom for the next hour. But yes, kissing would probably make him drop the weight and that would be extra embarrassing.

Oh no, he's in for it now isn't he?

"Why do I have this sense of foreboding?" Because you're going to be tired and sore by the end of this, Tony. He's got the endurance, he's done plenty of agility and stamina training for fun, but nothing like strength training. This will be an entirely new ballpark. Idly he kicks off his shoes, setting them out of the way before turning back to look up at Shou expectantly. Alright, you're the trainer here.

"Hey, don't sell yourself short, man. You do a lot of things too, even if they don't seem big."

Well, now that the barbell was out of range for a drop, Shou does give him a peck on the cheek. That quickly changed though as he took off his shirt and twisted his back a little, and rolled his shoulders, getting comfortable to start training.

"I've been told I'm a maniac when it comes to workouts, so maybe you're seeing a lotta pain in your future? We're gonna start with the basics and you can hum along when you finally know the notes, okay?"

"Do I?" He sounds rather doubtful and glum about that, but he'll just focus on trying to learn not to break down doors for now. One step at a time.

On the bright side, he's getting a little more used to Shou's affectionate kisses and only blushes a little this time. Without spluttering or anything, he's getting better! Also trying not to stare but that's a little harder to manage. At least, until the real training starts, then it's all focus on a startlingly difficult regimen that leaves little to no room for enjoying the sights.

"I'll try." Famous last words.

By the end of it all his muscles feel like jelly, and Tony's not even sure if he can walk well enough on his own to get home without collapsing in a ditch somewhere. Tony was not ready for this, by any means, but at least with his muscles refusing to function at all he won't be breaking anything. Ugh. He'd done his best to keep up, hadn't by a long shot, but boy if he wasn't determined.

But now he's just going to lay here and melt. Just mop him up he's done.

Shou might be tired - the point in a workout was to give his muscles something to work against - but he was barely at the drop into a pile of goo point of tiredness. He stood in the center of the room frowning a little at Tony before huffing and nudging his side with a bare foot.

"You are gonna wake up stiff and sore if you stay here."

Tony is not designed for this. He's never tried to sustain something like this in his life, and while he kept up valiantly he's in no way practiced enough to walk it off so easily. Maybe after a few sessions, but not right off the bat.

He just grunts softly at the nudge, peering up at Shou out of the corner of his one eye. "That's gonna be true no matter what isn't it?" He's pretty sure he's sore now, actually. Is it going to get worse?

Tony might not have been, but everyone's got to start from some where. And if Tony wanted to gain control over his sudden powers, the best way for that was to learn training. The best way to get that training was to start from the bottom. Unfortunately for Tony, the bottom to Shou was probably about middle-ranged for most Olympic athletes.

"Sure, it'll be worse, but if you don't wash off and soak in some soothing hot water, you'll be sitting in traction for a couple weeks."

He doesn't go to carry him, but he does squat down to be face to face to Tony, grinning. "Unless you want me to wash you where you lay."

Fortunately he the supernatural capability to keep up, in that case. Since Shou was determined to push him to limits someone his size and age shouldn't be able to do. Of course, that was the point wasn't it? To see just how far he really could go.

That didn't make it any easier starting out, however.

Ugh. Smug jerk. Tony flaps an arm at him lamely, not coming anywhere near to swatting him away, and huffs in irritation. Alright, no, he's not just going to give up now. He sucked it up so far he can keep going. "If that means you're gonna dump a bucket of water on me, I'll pass," He grumbles, shakily pushing himself up. Okay. Sitting, we're doing better.

A little more huffing and he gradually manages to push himself to his feet. Unsteady, but there, he's not on the floor anymore are you happy? "Y'know, when it comes to this stuff you're kinda scary." Oh god just let him die standing is misery.

Shou looked like a scrawny guy with no muscles, but he worked hard to keep his waistline and his agility. It was fitting that he trained in a manner that would help Tony.

He laughed at Tony trying to shoo him away, and let his grin get wider. There was still a touch of manic cheer to his face, the same kind of manic cheer that was on his face during the training even when he was yelling like a drill sergeant on acid. He actually looked Tony up and down before licking his lips and leering.

"No. I mean with a wash cloth and warm water."

He got to his feet and leaned in, giving Tony a big wet kiss before moving out of reach and heading for the stairs. "C'mon, a soak in the hot tub will do you wonders."

Can vampires gain weight? Tony could understand when he was still human, but now? Eh, who is he to argue he doesn't even know what his own physiology is anymore. Sharp teeth and bad tempers, that about sums it up.

You are insufferable sir. Not that there's any sincerity behind Tony's pitiful attempts to shoo him, it's all token protest because being disagreeable is mandatory. Can't act like he wants to learn or anything, right? That grin though, he's going to learn to dread that grin.

"...Oh," Oh god but that look. That was an entirely different kind of intimidating. Despite his exhaustion Tony couldn't help the slight pink tinge to his cheeks. He'll huff and act flustered but really... he kind of liked being looked at like that. Not that he could admit that out loud. Of course Shou never gives him a chance to be properly embarrassed without a kiss, thus leaving him even more flustered.

"Pfeh, what am I gonna do with you?" But he's grinning, and definitely chuckling softly as he shuffles after Shou. That does sound like a nice idea.

Who knows? Shou wasn't about to test that theory and let himself go after spending all his time training like he had been doing. It would be stupid to think that he might need the training even if he was no longer putting on weight.

For him Tony, fear that look. He was going to make you dread practice time until you learn. Shou led the way downstairs to a proper locker room, one with showers and a hot tub and a sauna and places to rest inbetween. He was serious about cleaning up after a heavy workout, especially about soaking away the stiff and sore muscles from working like they haven't been worked before.

He also was going to start stripping off the remainder of his clothing and leave them on a bench.

"Okay, now first you want to wash off and then you get into the tub. The hot tub is to help with relaxing, not with getting clean after all."

That's a good point. After all that work better not to take the risk, besides as a vampire it's probably even easier to work out like he does.

What did he get himself into this time? Tony shuffles along behind, too exhausted for much in the way of commentary. Besides, a shower would be heaven right now with how sweaty and gross he is. At least he'd been smart enough to take Shou's lead earlier and get rid of the shirt, otherwise he'd be going home a stinking mess.

Now Tony isn't the type to normally be especially concerned about nudity in general, but when it's someone he's kind of got a huge and embarrassing crush on? That's a little different. Still, he makes a point of not staring and tries desperately to not be overly conscious of his own less than impressive build in Shou's presence. You spend a lifetime malnourished you're just not going to look like a body builder, that's all there is to it. Being clean is a lot more dire a need than avoiding nudity around your hot friend right now anyway.

Just don't mind the impressive bright red he turned for a minute before following suit once more and skittering off to go hop in a shower. "I get you, damn I don't think I've wanted a shower this bad in a while."

He gotten in way over his head, that's what Tony got himself into. Shou was going to push him and keep on pushing him until his body caught up to the powers he had been Echoing back. Control meant that he had to learn how his body moved and that was where the working out came from. Learn how his body moves, figure out the changes and adjust. That's all Shou had been doing when he got weird Echoes like Tony.

"It feels good to get the sweat off," he said in agreement and there's no shame in how he just gets under a shower head and cleans himself off. There was still a bit of posing with the way he held himself - Shou knew he was good looking and he was no self-conscious at all, so he showed off all the time. It was also a good way to see that he does have a few odd scars, including the puckered bullet scar right over his right lung. It looked really faded but still was there.

Then after making sure the soap was all rinsed off, he went into the hot tub.

Well it certainly wasn't the first time and won't be the last. The first time that the benefits will almost definitely outweigh the consequences, however, so that will be a nice change of pace. In the end he'll be better for it, even though it's difficult at first.

"No kidding," He was grateful for it, really this was a good place for working out. Showers nearby were a definite need after the kind of work Shou put him through. Tony took some extra time just standing under the water, letting that help to begin soothing his screaming muscles. Shou's posing hadn't gone unnoticed, and he knows what you're doing there and you are terrible sir. But he doesn't stare, because that would be creepy and rude, and frankly he's a little more concerned with not being stinky than checking Shou out too much. Too much doesn't mean his eye didn't wander a little, though.

It's strange, in a way he'd not expected there to be scars, but that didn't make much sense. He didn't know if Shou had healing like his own, and apparently not quite as Tony was conspicuously without scars. When he had certainly had them before. The mafia had left more than their fair share of marks on him, and now one might think he'd never even skinned a knee before. And though he kept his 'bad' eye closed, it might even be a safe bet that perhaps that wasn't as it had been anymore either.

Clean and rinsed, Tony trots after a little further behind. The shower had been nice and he hadn't quite wanted to get out, but the hot tub promised to be even nicer. Shou has the best ideas.

Shou did heal, slower than Tony, but still he was able to recover from anything that was not sunlight burns in a few days. However, his scars were stuck after his change, especially the bullet wound which was the killing wound of his other. It stayed because that would always be a reminder of the life lost to the change. Not that Shou knew that.

Climbing into the tub, Shou moved over to the side so there was room for Tony, sinking down until only the top of his head was visible. He stayed under water like that for a minute before popping out and exhaling, stretching out and then leaning back against the side of the tub. Eyes closed to mere slits, he watched Tony.

"You know," he said once Tony was settled. "I just realized something stupid."

That explained it. Shou's other's changes were also from a human into something else, so scars remained. I Tony's case he was becoming another creature entirely, what his other had been which was never human. At least not fully, so his scars were up for reworking once the healing factor kicked in.

Tony paused to collect his eye patch. He'd left it out so it wouldn't get soaked in the shower, but it should be fine in the hot tub. Awkwardly and with some wincing he clambered in, sinking to his chin and staying there. Yes, that was better, if he concentrated hard enough maybe he could dissolve entirely and then he won't have to worry about stiff muscles.

His one eye cracked open, eyebrow raising in mild curiosity. "Yeah? What's that?"

Edited 2015-02-20 05:03 (UTC)

Shou looked at Tony through narrowed eyes, making it the kind of look one would expect from a hot date than a friend soaking in a hot tub. He also smiled slowly and scooted over a little bit closer. His voice dropped an octave as well, going smooth and deep.

"I haven't had sex in over three months."

That's not a look Tony's accustomed to receiving. He'd probably have laughed it off in most situations, but soaking in a hot tub makes that a little more difficult and awkward than say, in a diner over lunch or something. He's not sure how to take it, or if he's even interpreting right.

Regardless he does start to look a little like a deer caught in headlights when Shou shifts over, and even more so at the way his voice drops. No, okay, yeah he's not imagining it. Is there a how to book on responding when your brain has shut down and your heart's decided it's marathon time? No?

"Wait," Hang on. He leans back to get a better look at Shou, expression incredulous. "Really? Why not?" Shou's the kind of guy who could have whoever he wanted, isn't he?

Man now Tony's just all kinds of confused and not sure how he feels about the whole thing.

He slid a little closer, really getting into Tony's space but not yet touching. The workout they just did was rather normal to him and he was not a sore pile of muscles like Tony was, so he was recovering faster. He was also back to his old tricks of playing the tease, and it felt nice to be able to play. It had really been a long time.

"I've got turned into a vampire and wanted to make sure of my limits before I picked up someone," Shou said, making his eyes a little wider. "But I am really getting frustrated."

Tony straightened to pick himself further out of the water, lest he slip in his nervousness and end up half drowning himself. That wouldn't be very impressive at all. He was very aware of Shou's proximity, how it wouldn't take more than a little shift to close the space between them. He didn't pull away, didn't move nearer mind you, not yet at least, but he definitely didn't want to pull away.

Well, that reasoning made a lot of sense. He nodded sympathetically, relaxing a little. Nervous as he was, he knew the last thing Shou would want to do was hurt him. "Yeah, I get that. Same reason I'm here, don't wanna hurt anyone, right?" So many moral dilemmas with being a monster and all. He kinda felt bad for the guy, it wasn't so hard for Tony because he didn't know what he was missing out on. But Shou? Had to be going stir crazy. Still... He shifts a little, still uncertain but calming down. "Can't say I really know about that though. Never had sex, fooled around a little but that's about it."

Yeah, sorry, you're dealing with a complete noob, Shou. He gives a little sheepish grin and a shrug. Don't be mad?

"You never had sex?"

There should be a law about the way he voice gets even smoother and deeper. He looked at Tony, gave his lips a slight lick and leaned in close enough that Tony could feel his breath. It also didn't help that he reached a hand out to touch his face. Maybe it was a little bit of the blood getting to him, or maybe it was just how he was, but now that Shou was thinking about sex, he was actually considering it.

"Wanna try?"

"Nope."

There really should be, how does he even do that? Is it magic, voice magic? Even if it wasn't actually magic it was working almost the same. Tony couldn't help the faint flush that touched his cheeks, while shy he wasn't typically the especially bashful type, but with Shou so close and his voice so smooth...

He didn't pull away at the touch, in fact he rather liked it, even leaned into it a bit. After an initial little twitch that was, more surprise than anything. Even if he did realize how silly that was all things considered. Shou, after all, was not shy in the least. Made especially clear with that question geeze Shou.

"...Kinda yeah," Not that Tony's going to complain. Oops. He realized he was probably volunteering to get in way over his head as usual, but you know when you do actually want something it was generally a good idea to eventually stop mincing around the subject and admit it. "Yeah I do."

Tony do you ever do anything that isn't incredibly reckless?

Shou never saw any reason to be shy. There were times when he was - Thorir could probably tell Tony all about how Shou wood his daughter back when, but shyness wasn't needed right now. They were already naked in the tub. What good would being shy do them now?

"Tell me to stop if it gets too much."

That was probably the only warning Tony was going to get right now as Shou got in really close and kissed him. This wasn't like the friendly little pecks from before, this was a full on kiss, hard and deep and a little wicked.

Now that's a story Tony would love to hear, the time Shou was actually shy. And tried to court someone, something to be remembered for the ages. But here? Not really any reason to be, given that yeah they'd already seen each other naked for a while now and were sitting in a tub together. You really can't get away with being bashful after that.

Well you could try but it was kind of silly.

Oh, that was very different from what he was used to. The little friendly surprise pecks that left him blushing and flustered didn't even begin to compare to this. Tony couldn't say he'd ever been kissed like this before, and the way he briefly tensed in surprise probably said as much. It was more than he was expecting, but it definitely wasn't 'too much'. Once the initial surprise faded he found himself melting into the kiss, closing the small distance between them as he pressed himself up against Shou in invitation.

Yeah, he was probably getting in way over his head, and for once he wasn't even slightly worried about it.