“We just fuck up,” Tony agrees. Neither of them are dealing well with what’s happening and they’ve just overplayed an intense physical relationship over one that’s been cracked for a long period of time. Sex isn’t the way to fill in the spaces but that’s what they’ve done. Maybe it’s the only way Tony even knows to be, inserting a human sized stop gap in the middle of his anxiety riddled existence. “We’re really good at it.”

Too good.

“We just don’t have the luxury to push each other away anymore. We’re all we’ve got, like it or not. I like it right now. And I want to keep on liking it. So I think we have to change the subject, finish eating, and get down to the Jersey shore so we can win ourselves some bank.” Their mission has only just started and if they keep teetering on the edge, they’re going to fall over before they can fix anything. “Jesus, I can’t be the responsible one. It’s really bad for my brand,” he complains, mostly trying to get Steve to smile again.

The guy has the weather tied to his emotions, Tony is positive of that.

It might take some coaxing, but Tony somehow makes sure that they make it to the bus depot. He’s not a fan of travel this way but they don’t have a credit card to use to rent a car and this is much more anonymous than that option would have been.

He takes the aisle seat and does his best not to touch anything, gingerly dropping himself beside Steve. It takes some effort to calm down and not just hover on the edge of the seat, though his shoulders refuse to relax.

“First thing we’re doing with our winnings is getting a car.”