After All We've Been Through (Steve x reader)

Hoodwinked

Pepper places a hand on Tony's shoulder as he eases into the leather seat.

Across the desk, the eyes of the man sitting there glint with cold light.

Tony grips the handle of his briefcase a little tighter, and slowly a smirk slides onto his face.

If this is a hoax, they wont get the best of him.

"Welcome Herr Stark!" A long hand extends toward him.

Tony stares awkwardly, before returning the gesture.

The air of the man is very much like that of an old timey vampire. His skin is so pale as to be almost translucent. Every stitch of clothing hangs loosely on his almost skeletal frame. The fingers gripping his are ice cold.

Should I worry that he's gonna try and drink my blood?

"Itsht someting wrong, Herr Stark?

"You're German?" Tony is unsuccessful at covering his surprise.

"Indeed!" His host chuckles "They did not tell you?"

A nervous laugh escapes Tony's throat, and he feigns more ease then he actually feels "I should be used to it, most of my clients are foreign buyers."

   The hosts expression never waivers, but Tony is sure he's not buying it.

"Ah, Herr Stark! You've beat me to the....punch? I am very interested in Stark Industries and the wonderful things you have done with technology."

Pepper raises an eyebrow "I don't remember this being part of the reason for this meeting."

"You must forgive me, Frau Potts, but if I give all the information up front, what will there be to talk about?"

Pepper bites down on her lip and glances sideways at Tony.

"Well, to begin with" Tony leans back in his chair "A name would be helpful, since you already know me."

The man gestured at the air "Forgive me. I am Jonathan Smith."

"You are joking" Tony restrains a snort.

"Of course not!" The man's sparse brows furrow.

John Smith? This guy's a joke.

Pepper side eyes Tony and he pulls himself together.

"What exactly do you want, Mr. Smith? I'm a bit indisposed at the moment."

"I want to hire you to design our weapons." The other man takes a swig from the long stemmed drinking glass at the corner of the desk.

Neither Tony or Pepper hides their surprise. Fortunately, Pepper recovers quickly "Mr. Stark is no longer in the weapons business."

Mr. Smith glances sharply at Pepper "I'll leave that to Herr Stark to decide. We will compensate you handsomely."

Tony shakes his head, and grips the briefcase a little tighter "She's right! I gave up on that several years ago, and nothing will induce me to go back."

   "But I must insist you consider it Herr Stark!"   Mr. Smith protests "I represent a lot of wealthy buyers, who would find your services invaluable."

   Tony gets to his feet "I'm sorry, but no! Come on, Pepper."

   Every step toward the door scolds the angry inventor.

   He should have known it wouldn't be so easy to rebuild his life!

   "Not so fast, Herr Stark!" Mr. Smith rises from his chair, towering over both of them.

   A woman with the same complexion as he enters from a side door clad in a long black evening dress. Apart from her jet black bobbed hair and pale make up she's also hefting a large machine gun.

   Acid rises in Tony's throat "Oh, come on!"

  Peppers nails dig into his arm and he drops the briefcase beside him.

  Without Friday, his suits have become little more then metal skins, fortunately he always has a contingency plan.

   The alternative tech suit works faster then he imagined, and just in time as the first volley of gun fire whips up drywall dust around him.

   "I've studied your work, Herr Stark" Jonathan says, loudly "I know what you're capable of."

   "Yeah, yeah!" Tony's voice is muffled by the suit "Waste my time later, why don't you?"

   A jet powered projectile hurtles through the glass window and assembles itself around Pepper.

    "I admired your father very much. He was the beginning of an great era. Too bad he didn't live to see it."

   Tony swallows the acid in his throat "I'm not my father."

   Mr. Smith smiles as the dark woman aims her weapon at Pepper "I know, and that's what makes you so easy to beat."