Every Breath You Take [RDJ Fanfic] - COMPLETED

Four

Right now, there's nothing I want to do more than curse LA.  It's hot...at least for me.  Not humid, thank God.  But not helpful, either.  I need cold air...a breeze, something.  But all there is is the musty smell of the city streets surrounding me as I press my back against the cement wall of the hotel and shut my eyes.  I take a breath, then two, and count them after that to focus on something else.

At the same time, I can't really hate LA.  The past few days have been more than eventful, and here I am, in a back alley with none other than Mr Tony Stark himself.  Yeah, that isn't helping, either.

When I finally blink my eyes back open and my breathing steadies, I notice the look of concern plastered across his face, his arms crossed over his chest as he stands mere feet in front of me.

"Panic attack?" he asks.

I'm sorry, isn't that obvious?

"No shit, Sherlock," I snap, then immediately grin and start to laugh, probably more than I should since all he does it raise an eyebrow and watch.  "Sorry, sorry...  I honestly forgot who I was talking to..."

"You do know I'm not actually Sherlock Holmes, right?" he asks with hesitation.

I roll my eyes in response.  "Are you sure?  I mean-"

"We're totally different!" he protests.

I hold my grin at his childish banter and press further.  "Maybe him, but Tony?"

He pauses and his eyes burn into me with amusement as he silently admits defeat.  I gotta hand it to him, he knows how to distract well, and it's obvious that's what he's trying to do.

"Tony's more...of a playboy.  Something I'm not."

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks when he says this and try to think about anything besides that comment...or Charlie's news.  At least he's good at the distraction.

"Thank you," I finally say, much more quietly.  "You have one before?"

"Panic attacks?" he questions.  "Used to.  Not much anymore.  But I've gotta act them for my next role, so I'm refreshed in my expertise, I guess."

I smirk, realizing he's set to film Iron Man 3 soon.  "Right, what would you possibly have to panic about?  The entire world loves you."

"And yet I have no one."  He lets his arms lose and points at me, as though scolding.  "That doesn't mean Tony and I are the same!"

I look down and shuffle my feet, smiling as I shake my head.  I honestly have no idea what to say...half of that statement is depressing as hell, but the other is just trying to lift my spirits, and I'm glad he came out instead of Devin.  He's pretty easy to chat with, too, despite the whole famous actor superhero thing.  I mean, sure, earlier today he was driving me mad, but I guess he knows when it's time to be serious, which is something more guys lack these days.  As for Dev...she can be a little pressuring to get the full story before she gives advice, and right now, that's not what I need.  Later, she and I will probably wind up making a game plan on what to do about Charlie, but for now, I need to center myself and remind myself that I am in charge of this situation...he is the unwanted guest, he is the one who is going to leave.

But then he touches on it.

"So, what?   Problem with that guy again?" he asks, narrowing his eyes as he tries to decipher my reaction.

I turn my attention down the alley and away from him, looking at the lit up street to my side.  I focus on the shadows on the ground, purposely not meeting his eyes.  He takes it as a sign.