[ It's a shithole. There's nothing else to say about it, really. Damp and falling apart like almost everything in the Down besides the bits that people are trying to scrape a living out of, which is probably the point, since it's an easier way to keep them all struggling and not doing stupid things like trying to overthrow the government. Tony's just glad he didn't wear his good shoes.

Laura's room feels like being back in the dorms at MIT, except even MIT's worst student digs didn't have damp spots the size of dinner plates and cracks in the ceiling. Tony can hear the pipes rattling as someone down the hall takes a shower. The whole place is begging to be renovated, or maybe just demolished.

He pulls his gaze down off the walls to look over at Laura, his own coffee cup still warm in his hand. He's sitting on the other end of the bed, which makes the whole thing feel even more like he's visiting someone's kid sister, or maybe his college intern. Not exactly bad, as far as vibes go, but he's not going to mention it to Laura. ]

I do, actually. [ He sips his soy caramel latte (he hasn't been doing so well with dairy lately). ] I'm trying a new thing, it's called being responsible. And.. [ His expression falters a bit, becoming more serious. ] I hurt you, and that sucks. So I'm sorry. Genuinely.