fandomhigh | Coworkers? Still Jerks, Thursday, August 18, 2016

"Meetings can be productive things that allow you and your coworkers to be on the same page for projects or the day to day activities involved in your job," Tony said, ever so slightly manic in his smile. He in no way had enough coffee to function as a proper adult for class today. But he was going to soldier no through it like he'd been doing all week. "Or... they can be hellish experiences that waste precious time better spent doing more productive things."

Like braining yourself on your desk.

"Sometimes they start as one and spiral into the other," Steve said. "Especially if a Power Point presentation is involved." And the presenter reads them aloud. Slowly. The worst.

Tony shot him a look and mouthed 'really?" at him. Because that had to be covered in the Geneva Conventions, right? "I can never look at SHIELD the same way," he muttered. "Unfortunately these might just be part of life and the best you can do is get through them without getting into a fist fight."

"So today we're looking for productive solutions to getting through those meetings that isn't sending your AI and pretending to be sick."

Tony. Steve's version, but still.

But now he went and gave this Tony the idea for it. For shame, Steve.

"But creativity is always good," Tony said with a more genuine grin.

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But then she'd make him go.

"Maybe I should stick to boxing and running."

And rappelling.

Just go work on your balance and your core, Steve. God. Tony was just lucky he couldn't get dragged to a class by Jan for now. It better stop being a fad by the time he wasn't a wanted criminal.

"Maybe try yoga. It's relaxing."

He could totally go underground as a pilates teacher! No one would ever look for him there.

"That seems...bendy," Steve said. "Not sure I'm ready for that kind of bendy."

Steve, no. No one would survive those abs.

"Bendy."

True enough.

"Is that not the right word?" Steve checked.

"No, it's the right word. Just not one I pictured you using."

Steve blushed. "I can move with the times."

Slowly, and with great internal bitching, but yes!

Well, at least he wasn't trying to bring 'moxie' back.

"Relax," Tony said with a laugh. "It's just unexpected. Next you'll be quoting Beyoncé."

Unless he was talking about Peggy, and then there's really only that word to describe her.

"I like her!" Steve said. "She's good for working out."

Bringing it back! Before she dies and Steve goes off the fucking deep end.

"Please tell me you know the lyrics to Single Ladies. It would seriously make my day."

Steve's cheeks went pink. "Maybe."

That meant yes.

Tony practically crowed with glee over that.

"It's good music," he said obynce he got himself under control. "Everyone likes Beyoncé or they're secret evil."

And thus, HYDRA was exposed. By pop music.

Steve laughed. "Really?"

"I don't make the rules," Tony replied with an exaggerated shrug.

There was a long pause. "There's not really a rule, right?"

Just checking.

"Only if you ask Jan." True story.

Steve burst out laughing. "Of course she'd have that rule."

"The rule also applies to people who wear crocs." Which meant Barton was shunned once.

"What are crocs?" Steve asked, pulling out his little notebook.

"Type of shoes," Tony said, craning his neck a little to see what else was on there. "Offends Jan's delicate sensibilities."

"So, ugly shoes," Steve concluded, writing "crocs" under "AquaNet" and "ET."

"Up to the 80s?" Tony guessed.

Steve nodded. "I read the politics, now it's time for the movies and music. Michael Jackson's pretty good!"

Tony grinned and nodded back in agreement. "It's a good time. But I'm biased because I grew up in the eighties."

And he was going to delete every picture of himself with a permed out mullet he could find. HE WAS YOUNG AND DUMB THEN.

But that sounded amazing. Don't remove joy from Steve's life, Tony!

Steve shook his head. "I never dreamed I'd see the '80s."

Beat.

"And then I didn't."

Smartass.

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

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