Stark

MHA #8, Wednesday evening

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:03:32 GMT

Stark had spent his assigned birthday as a mostly usual Wednesday. At least a usual Wednesday these days.

His morning had started with squirrels and radio. Then there had been Glitter. Then he'd gone to the animal shelter to visit some dogs. Visiting with Noctra and her father had been a bonus.

He'd taken himself (but not any dogs) for a walk in spite of it being winter and then he'd gone to JGoB for a cupcake. Birthdays needed dessert, didn't they? The staff at the bakery had handed over multiple cupcakes for the price of one, and candles.

That was why Stark was now seated on his couch with a cupcake on the table in front of him, complete with lit candle. There was no singing. But he did make a wish. Maybe more than one.

[it was meant to be a quiet chill day at work and it was for part of the day but not the end and the afternoon/evening got weird and busy and with no data from Verizon so this is hours later and not a townies post heh. Could be open but almost certainly establishy at this hour]

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Outside MHA #4, Tuesday morning

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:23:40 GMT

Summer was leaving. Stark wasn't really ready for that but he was as ready as he could be. And she'd told him before and he had a chance to say goodbye (and some other things that might need to be said) and it wasn't the same as any other time and he was going to remind himself of that as often as necessary.

So they were going to go to brunch, this morning, before she left. Before he want and played paintball without her and started to try to adjust to this latest shift in their dynamic.

So he was here, knocking on her door as he'd done so many times before. It was the same and it was very different and he was going to try his best not to be weird about it.

[For she who lives there...until later today anyway *sob*]

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Onboard Moya, Tuesday Fandom time

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:43:02 GMT

They'd left Fandom early this morning in Summer's ship which had been loaded up with as much Christmas as they could fit into it.

Pilot had cleared them for landing and as soon as they'd done so Stark and Summer were scrambling out of the ship and starting to unload. It was going to take a while.

When the others made their way in to the docking bay and stood, staring, as the contents of the ship were proudly displayed. There were wrapped gifts. There were wreaths. There were trees. There were so many lights. There were so many cookies. There was a cooler with eggnog. There were ornaments. There was tinsel. There was a bag full of ugly sweaters but that would come later.

"Astro! You rob a store or 12 on the way here? What is all this?" Crichton asked, eyes wide.

"We brought Christmas," Stark said. "I don't know if it's the right time here but it was the right time at home, on the island, and so...we brought it with us. I told you we were coming."

"Yeah but you didn't say you were gonna puke up Christmas all over Moya."

"Is it okay?" Stark asked, voice suddenly small and worried.

"It's frelling amazing, Stark. You did good. You too, Summer." Crichton flashed her a smile. "Y'all need help unloading?"

[NFB on account of it's in spaaaaaace. For the girlfriend but I can hardly stop anyone from calling or texting cos I'm not the boss of you]

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MHA #4, Sunday Morning

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:24:22 GMT

Experience dealing with an unusually young Summer had made it relatively uncomplicated for Stark to earn access into her apartment for the morning. Relatively. There had been some negotiations but gifts for the cat had certainly helped his case.

Once inside the apartment he had given Pancakes an apologetic pat (or 12) and some of the good catnip and then turned his attention back to Summer.

"So we're going to eat something that counts as real food," he said, knowing full well how ridiculous that sounded coming from him. "But maybe there could be ice cream later? Or cupcakes. But first real breakfast. Pancakes? I brought bacon, and eggs, and we could have pancakes but not the cat Pancakes or french toast? Or...I don't know. Something else entirely? I don't want you to be hungry. I don't want Pancakes to be hungry either."

Hopefully the catnip would mollify the cat for the day though. Hopefully.

"Do you want to help cook?"

What could possibly go wrong there?

[for the tiny gross ginger girl who lives there, obvs, but it's a free island you can always knock]

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A Private Stable, County Kildare, Ireland, Sunday Afternoon

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 17:02:54 GMT

Yesterday had involved a trip to a day spa after sleeping in. A fancy dinner back in Dublin after that and then another club.

Today Stark had arranged for a trip to visit some fancy horses and then a horseback riding tour at a nearby farm.

"So now that you've seen the very fancy horses," he was telling Summer as the walked in to a stable, "I thought you'd like to ride one. Not so fancy as the ones we just saw, but you're not allowed to ride those. These ones you can ride, on the trails here, and there's a guide to help us and..."

He looked over at Summer a little anxiously. "But we can always leave early, if you don't want to do this. But I thought you'd enjoy the horses and we've never done anything with horses before and these ones are beautiful and you, you could send a picture to your mother? Or more than one. If you wanted to. To show her the horses."

He reached for Summer's hand then, giving her a little crooked smile, "happy birthday. Again."

[NFB for distance, there is literally nothing stopping anyone from sending texts or calling, and for the favorite ginger]

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Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin, Friday Evening

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 20:55:25 GMT

Stark had been distracted all through his class and up until it was time to catch the portal to Dublin. But class had been fine, there had been no nonsense with any phone messages today, and now he and Summer were in a hotel room in Dublin that Stark had researched and booked himself and managed, somehow, not to spoil any surprises. It had been difficult but somehow he'd restrained himself.

He had opened up his bag and was unpacking. He held up a shirt, metallic black. "This will work for tonight, I think. For when we go out?"

No, he hadn't told her where they were going yet. He was waiting for that reveal. He was very proud of the destination he'd found for the evening, after the whiskey tasting.

"I couldn't ask my stylist for her opinion ahead of time. But I think it works."

[for the girlfriend who just had a birthday]

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MHA #4, Saturday Morning

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 15:11:46 GMT

Last night had been a good night. Stark's suit had suffered a little once they made their way from the party back to Summer's apartment but that was to be expected. The suit, along with Summer's dress, was on the floor of the bedroom while Stark and Summer were quite cozy and comfortable in her bed.

It was a good day for a nice, quiet lie-in. Neither of them had any plans or anywhere to be and they had a vague plan for a trip to discuss. Sure, they might need food or coffee at some point but until then they could just enjoy a peaceful morning, together.

"I said I would show you the hotels I looked at," Stark said. "Here." It had taken a minute to locate his phone but he was now back in the bed where he belonged, snuggling back up to his favorite person, and holding out the phone for her approval. "The restaurant in this one I think you'll like." Because it was pink.

[For the scandalously modded owner of the apartment and obviously nobody else who else would be there? Honestly. Although, like, I guess people could knock.]

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MHA #4, Friday 5 PM. EXACTLY.

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 05:23:43 GMT

Stark had spent the day keeping busy. Not like that. He'd gone for a walk which had turned into a jog and then back into a walk. He'd gone to the store for the items requested yesterday. He'd gone for another walk. He'd taken a very, very long time getting ready to come down here. He'd showered, he'd considered shaving and decided against it eventually. He'd taken care to buff his mask and the buckles on it. He'd tried on and rejected several shirts to go with the requested blue suit. And finally, finally, he'd waited long enough and it was time to go downstairs.

He thought he looked good. He had flowers, chocolate, and a bottle of whiskey in hand. He'd waited until just before 5 to go down the stairs and now he was knocking on Summer's door feeling oddly nervous about it, and not just because he was awkwardly juggling all the things in his hands to have the ability to knock. This felt different. Maybe because it was this week, or the end of this week, or because he'd spent the better part of two days now not actively participating in this week, or maybe because there had been something of a shift in his worldview over those same days. Whatever the reason, or reasons, he was feeling jittery as he waited for a response.

[for she who lives in the apartment and posted early for drugged up probable SP and because I can't sleep]

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Onboard Moya, Sunday Fandom Time

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 15:27:07 GMT

It was there last day on Moya, for now, and Stark was giving Summer a more thorough tour of the ship which was ending now. They'd gone back to Pilot's Den, looked in the maintenance bay, seen some of the nearly invisible scars from the fire (and Stark had stood silently for a long moment with his hand on Moya's bulkhead there), and now they had reached the final planned location.

"This is my favorite place on the ship," he said as they stopped outside a door. "It's...you'll see. A very good place to just sit. It's beautiful and it's quiet and none of us come here very often. It's peaceful. Should we go in?"

That was the whole point of being outside this particular door, but Stark was still Stark. He was nervous even if this trip had gone better than he ever could have hoped.

[For Stark's very favorite person, NFB for distance, there are no laws preventing calls and texts because that would be really weird]

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Hynerian Royal Planet, Saturday Fandom TIme

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 19:12:46 GMT

After getting settled on Moya (in Stark's quarters despite Chiana's continued offers of other arrangements), Stark and Chiana had taken Summer on a tour of Moya and then there had been a little get together to welcome Summer to the ship.

Noranti had emerged from wherever she'd been hiding, asked uncomfortable questions, offered highly questionable beverages which everyone warned Summer off of, and made a meal. They'd eaten, Stark had tried his best to not be too weird about anything, and they'd shared a lot of chocolate.

Today they'd boarded one of Moya's transport pods and headed down to Rygel's palace. A perk of having a Dominar for a former shipmate was that royal welcomes were always possible, even for quick visits.

"Some of his guards can be a bit jumpy," Stark was saying to Summer as the door to the pod opened. "But we'll be fine. We're not criminals here at least, and everyone knows us. Not you, yet. but they will. And Rygel himself is...he's Rygel. You get used to him. Mostly."

He was a tiny green jerk at times but he was decent when it mattered. Usually.

"And he adores little D'Argo." Wait until Stark explained why, Summer!

[NFB for distance, obvs, and for Stark's favorite ginger, though I suppose if you're in the mood for calls/texts that could totally happen I am not the boss of you!]

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Summer's Ship, Hynerian Space, In Sight of Moya - Friday Fandom Time

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:00:57 GMT

Stark had been fretting about this trip for days but it was too late for fretting now. Not that had ever stopped him before...

They'd stocked Summer's ship with plenty of chocolate and other snacks to deliver to Chiana and the others. Stark had worried about that and about what clothes they ought to be bringing and if they needed to bring gifts besides food. It was too late now to change anything though. They had taken off from Fandom and gone through a portal to Stark's version of Hynerian space. Both the Royal Planet and Moya were in sight.

"There!" he said, face lighting up in the metaphorical sense rather than the literal one as he pointed to the Leviathan now visible. "She's there and she's beautiful. I should call Pilot but he's probably already seen us. Or Moya sensed us. Perhaps both. I wonder if they're waiting."

He paused, looking over at Summer. "Are you ready?" Sure, Stark was far more likely to not be ready for the next few days but he could still ask.

[For the gently modded un-dibsed ginger flying the pink spaceship, obvs, and NFB for distance]

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Baltimore Chef Shop, Baltimore, Sunday evening 1/14

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 18:19:24 GMT

Stark would have been more than content with just his party last night but apparently his official birthday deserved celebration as well.

That was how he found himself at a cooking class with Summer that evening. He had suggested doing something, just the two of them, and this was where they'd ended up. At a couples' cooking class (which made sure to note that it could be for any two people) where they could learn to make Maryland Favorites including a chicken dish that involved bacon and bananas.

This was new for him. So many things still were. But he was looking forward to it and he was excited to learn something new, especially with this particular person by his side.

"I feel like I ought to apologize to Stabby," he said very softly to Summer. "For the crab cakes."

[Ginger totally-not-a-girlfriend modded with permission. NFB due to distance, alas. But, you know, they have their phones if you wanna be like that.]

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MHA #4, Monday very late morning (or maybe early afternoon)

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 15:13:09 GMT

It had been a very good (if artificially long) New Years Eve. After leaving Caritas Stark and Summer had headed west for celebrations in Chicago and Boulder and Los Angeles and finally one on a beach in Hawaii before they had stumbled back to MHA in the early hours of the morning. Every midnight had found Stark smiling softly at Summer after kissing her and telling her just how lucky he was to be starting another year with her in his arms. And every midnight found Summer reacting to that in different ways though none were unhappy with the sentiment.

Late that morning, after not enough sleep, Stark had woken up and found himself still entangled with Summer. "'M still lucky," he said quietly, more to himself than to her. "Morning, Summer." He didn't want to wake her if she was still asleep. He would be happy to stay right here as long as she was willing to even if he was meant to be at the clinic today. The nurses would understand or he hoped they would. He could always make it up to them later.

[For the scandalously modded woman in the bed with him. Although if you want to knock on the door or send a text nobody's gonna stop you.]

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Sandals Resort, Grenada, Sunday 12/24

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 15:14:58 GMT

Stark didn't always take initiative when he ought to. Yesterday had been an exception and given the reaction he was feeling like he ought to take initiative more often.

For the moment, he and Summer were taking in the absolutely ridiculous suite he'd managed to book. He'd promised a private pool and somewhere warm and he'd delivered.

"So," he asked after watching her explore their new surroundings for a bit with a grin on his face, "will this suit you for the holiday? The pool and the other pools and the beach and...all of it?"

He knew she'd seen every corner of the suite. He'd watched her and delighted in her reactions to every new thing she discovered.

Not bad for a 'situationship,' eh?

[NFB for distance, obvs. Spoiled ginger not-quite-girlfriend modded with permission or this would be real weird...]

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MHA #4, Thursday Night

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 23:50:57 GMT

Summer had gotten them back to Fandom almost immediately after Stark had retrieved the portal gun after their arcade adventure.

She'd gotten in to the shower almost immediately to wash off the bits of alien still stuck to her. Stark, having not fallen onto any people who exploded all over him, was just sitting on the couch waiting for her to emerge.

She was fine. Everything had turned out fine. He knew that. He also knew he had no desire to be alone tonight. He needed to reassure himself that everything truly was fine. Until he could do that he was just going to pet Pancakes who was being very accommodating while occupying far more space on the couch than a single cat ought to be able to manage.

[Ginger Not-Girlfriend and apartment modded with permission, of course.]

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MHA #4, Sunday Morning

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:37:56 GMT

Gladio had walked Stark downstairs after the incident with Liliana. He'd needed the escort. He'd been frightened and confused and weak.

Gladio had offered Cup Noodle(TM) and made sure Stark ate and then made sure he was in bed. Gladio had decided that Ignis and Liliana needed to be alone and Stark absolutely did not so he'd stayed. Unfortunately for Gladio Stark was already prone to nightmares and he'd woken up screaming several times during the night. At some point in the very early he'd fallen into a deeper sleep, briefly, and then Gladio had drifted off on the couch.

Stark was awake again, now, exhausted, and he'd snuck out and dragged himself down the stairs to the hallway outside Summer's apartment. He'd lifted his hand to knock and then belatedly remembered to take out his phone. So, standing in the hallway he sent a very quick text.

please open the door i need to seeyou

[beefy chocobro modded with permission, of course, and this is for the gross ginger lady who lives behind the door]

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MHA #8, Thursday Evening

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:54:01 GMT

Stark had suggested a celebration for Summer last night and Summer had latched on to the idea and so Stark had spent the better part of the day putting one together for her. He had a lot to live up to after the surprise he'd arranged for her birthday but this didn't have to be so elaborate. It just had to be something fun. And nice. And surprising. But there was no pressure. (Of course there was pressure. Stark nearly always felt pressure. It was just often internally provided)

Still, he'd gone out for ingredients to make dinner for a dinner recipe he was quite pleased to have found and it was nearly finished and hopefully just the right level of gross.

Dessert was totally finished and waiting to be served later, assuming dinner went well. He'd even gone out and purchased a bottle of something bubbly because that was the sort of thing you drank to celebrate.

Now he just hoped the guest of honor would show up when he expected her to. And, more importantly, that said guest of honor would enjoy her surprise.

[Expecting a certain gross ginger lady but also could be open before her!]

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Outside MHA #4, Saturday Afternoon

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 16:49:42 GMT

Stark had been freed from the House by Travis.

Once he'd managed to leave that area, reasonably assured that he was actually outside and this wasn't just another trick, he'd headed home. Except not quite home. He stopped one floor lower than his apartment and pounded (albeit weakly) on Summer's door.

When she didn't answer he'd slid to the floor and leaned against the door frame. He couldn't call her or text. His phone was very dead.

He ought to go upstairs and change his clothes and bathe and charge his phone but he found himself unable to muster the energy to do any of that. He was just going to wait here for her. That seemed best. He would wait here and she would come home and he could be assured that she was all right. Then maybe he'd make his way back upstairs. Once he was sure.

For now there was a very exhausted alien slumped against Summer's doorframe. Waiting.

[I know it's a shock but expecting the ginger who lives in that apartment!]

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That Space Spa That Summer Never Shuts Up About, Monday, June 19

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:34:36 GMT

Stark had, somehow, managed not to spoil this birthday surprise for Summer despite wanting to several times. He was good at keeping secrets. This was just one he wanted to tell someone about and Summer was the person he told most things to. Still, she'd been surprised. He thought she was happy with everything so far. He hoped she was.

They'd arrived and checked in. He'd dropped off his bag to be delivered to the room later. He'd worn his leather pants as requested though he'd changed out of them and into one of the very lovely robes provided by the spa.

The only issue so far had been that while he'd scheduled two massages it had somehow been recorded as a couples massage with the two of them in the same room. Stark, extremely flustered, had stammered out that they were friends and not a couple. The spa staff had been unimpressed and pointed out that they really didn't care about the nature of their relationship (or lack thereof) and there were not any single massage rooms available so it was this or one of them would miss out entirely. Summer, naturally, objected to the idea that Stark was just going to go mope in a hallway or something and told him to stay.

After that massage that had been somewhat less relaxing for Stark than anticipated they'd headed to the strawberry-scented mineral pool for a soak. Stark was trying not to give Summer too many nervous glances. He wanted this all to go well but it wasn't about him. It was about Summer having a day where she had people to take care of her every need and whim.

"Have you decided what you want to do next? Whatever you like, remember. Anything they have. It's your birthday and you should have what you like." Stark had said similar things already today. He would likely say them again.

[For that gently modded birthday girl and NFB for distance]

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MHA #4, Friday morning

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 14:01:45 GMT

Because Summer was (almost) always right Stark had stayed, and smoked, and giggled about the word gross, and eventually fallen asleep on Summer's couch with her.

He'd woken up before her, carefully disentangled himself, and headed to the kitchen to try and make breakfast. It just seemed like the thing to do. He was almost tempted to try and make pancakes but thought better of it and was just going for scrambled eggs for now. And bacon, because bacon was always good and it would smell good and he was hungry this morning. The cupcakes, while delicious, hadn't quite been enough.

He was hoping Summer would enjoy waking up to breakfast. Very much hoping that this wasn't a mistake but he thought she would be hungry as well.

[for the gently modded gross redhead who lives there]

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MHA #4, Saturday Morning

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 13:27:46 GMT

Summer had been very right last night about good things coming to those who wait. It had been a very good night though Stark's poor new waistcoat and shirt were going to need some buttons replaced. Waiting, it turned out, was overrated at certain times. Like once you'd gone to a friend's apartment for the remainder of the evening, for example.

There had been a distinct lack of space at the dance and afterwards. There was still a lack of space this morning in Summer's bed. Stark wasn't sure how long this was going to last but he'd fallen asleep with an arm around Summer and he was waking up in the same position. Happily waking up in the same position.

He opened his eyem let out a contented little noise, and pulled her a little closer. Maybe they could stay like this all morning. Right here.

"Morning, Summer."

Was he allowed to kiss her awake? He wanted to. He'd settle for very gently stroking her hair which had certainly suffered last night but was still extremely tempting.

[For the gently modded owner of the bed and maybe some other people who knoooows]

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MHA #8, Tuesday evening after class

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:59:55 GMT

Class had ~~presumably~~ gone well and once things were cleaned up Stark had headed back to his apartment where, he assumed, there would still be a squirrel waiting for him. Hopefully just the one squirrel he was expecting and not any stray wildlife.

“Summer? I brought snacks back with me,” he called out as he opened the door. “Plenty of nuts to share.”

Had he said that on purpose to see if he could inspire another fit of squirrelly laughter? Maybe he had.

“Are you back to yourself yet? Or still a squirrel?”

He stopped in the kitchen to put down the food he’d brought back before heading to the living room to look for his temporary resident squirrel. There were plenty of blankets lying around to make cozy squirrel nests in. Not quite as many blankets as there were in the bedroom but he didn’t think she would be in there. He’d find her soon enough. The apartment really wasn’t that all that large.

[For that ginger squirrel!]

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MHA #4, Sunday Morning

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 13:52:15 GMT

There had been cupcakes last night and there had been sangria, as expected. What happened after had been unexpected. Perhaps not entirely so but unexpected all the same.

Now it was morning and Stark, having slept deeply once he'd finally gotten around to sleeping, was waking up in an unfamiliar bed next to a familiar body. More familiar now than it had been before last night. Still unfamiliar enough to be mildly startling when he realized who he was holding on to while he slept. That was Summer. This was Summer's bed. That was Summer's chest his arm was currently thrown across.

Should he just creep away and hope she had no regrets? Should he wake her up? Should he lie here and try not to panic over the thought that he might have irrevocably ruined a very important friendship?

For the moment he was going to try and remove his arm from its current position (tempting though it was to keep it there) without disturbing her.

[for the gently modded woman whose bed the alien is in...and maybe mildly NSFW?]

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MHA #8, Saturday morning

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 13:11:44 GMT

After having pizza ~~and~~with Raiden yesterday, Stark had headed to the fire station with more pizza and ended up visiting Travis's office for a while. He'd had some very pleasant office visits this week and that had been no exception.

Upstairs at the station, Travis had plenty of leftover food that had been delivered at various points during the week so he and Stark managed to eat well and enjoy themselves thoroughly. At some point, because Stark's apartment had a nicer shower, they'd gone back there for the night. They'd even managed to fall asleep, eventually.

Falling asleep, of course, meant that eventually they'd have to wake up. Something they were very unprepared for this morning. Completely unprepared.

Stark was rarely a heavy sleeper. This week was something of an exception to that rule and so when he started to rouse he just moved closer to the source of warmth in his bed. He did love cuddling in the morning. But something seemed off today. They didn't seem to fit together easily the way they normally did. He was used to pressing his back into Travis's chest. He wasn't used to that chest being so...soft.

"Travis?" he mumbled sleepily, not opening his eye yet.

[for that firefighter currently acting as the big spoon]

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MHA #4, Sunday Morning

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 17:36:29 GMT

Stark had had far more jello (and some of Eliot's mystery cocktail) than one glowy alien could handle last night. Stark had also had more positive attention from more people than he was used to having (which may have lead to the overconsumption).

As a result Stark found himself waking up on Sunday not in his own bed but on Summer's couch, where he had apparently fallen asleep last night rather than attempting to make his way up his apartment. Waking up somewhere somewhat unfamiliar threw him for a moment and he let out a confused little "wha-where-huh?" noise as he sat up a little too quickly.

Once he realized where he still was, and smelled the coffee being made in the kitchen, he relaxed and called out "Summer?" tentatively.

At least he hoped it was Summer making coffee.

[Apartment and coffee modded with permission omg, and expecting the hostess. Obvs.]

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