Sins And Sinners (Marvel X Male!Reader)

Chapter 2

Driving to the office after 11pm feels weird enough to bring you out of autopilot. The driver side window is down, air cool on your skin. You can't help but admire the beauty of a night drive. The feeling of wind on your skin has a soothing effect, despite the lack of freshness. It's times like these when you miss Malibu, even if only a little. Late night drives along the coast, with the feeling of fresh air on your skin and in your lungs was a pleasure, a respite that you craved time and time again since you left. Regardless, you still like drives, especially ones at night. So, overall you weren't too worried.

In your opinion, you and your father are acquaintances at best, not even friends. You were the result of one of his many conquests. Uncle Rhodey said that your father was very happy to see you for the first time. You were a cute kid. You don't doubt Uncle Rhodey, he'd never lie to you, but you're positive that he was happy only because now, he had someone to do the boring company work for him. You'd say it was inconsiderate of him because you have your own company to look after, but he doesn't know it exists and let's face it, when is Tony Stark ever considerate.

Once parked you take a moment to relax your head on the headrest, closing your eyes. Taking a deep breath and mourning the sleep you're sure to lose tonight, you also try to savour the nice and peaceful feeling from the drive. It's a shame that your mind is not one for remaining calm for long. Running your hand through your dark hair, you sigh, because you're probably not going to know peace until after this has been dealt with, maybe not even then - another thing that shouldn't be the job of an ordinary 16 year old.

The returning noisiness of your mind is indication that you're not getting any more peace tonight.

You grab your phone and put on your jacket as you step out of your car and begin making your way to the conference room, mindlessly once again, going through all the security.

Then again Starks, no matter how young, have never been ordinary. To the general public you're a perfect prince charming, a sunny humble genius with a do-good attitude.

To the upper classes of the businessmen and socialites you're practically royalty, with you being half the brains behind the business and the full brains behind the non-weapons divisions.

You see Pepper standing outside the elevator on the conference room floor waiting for your arrival. You greet her with an affectionate side hug as soon as you step out, which is also meant to comfort her as you both make your way to the conference room. The anxiousness looking out of place on her usually confident person.

Stepping into the conference room, you see that most of it is set up as necessary. For that you nod to Pepper in gratitude. Looking at her you can tell that she did all the setting up herself, even if she didn't have to, most likely just so that she had something to do. You make a mental note to check on her once this is done. 

Throwing yourself into the seat at the head of the table, your transition to what you call prince-mode is swift and experienced, with Pepper anxiously hovering even after you gesture for her to take a seat."Pull up all the information we have on this." You speak to PAM in your ear as you activate JARVIS on your watch. "JARVIS, is there anything you know about this?"

"No sir, I have the same results as PAM."

"Okay...,

both of you keep an eye out for any information. Also scan for any suspicious activity in the past 3 months, start from the company and the military then expand parameters as needed."

"You think someone from the company did this?" Pepper questions, the though of it being true scaring her even more.

" No, not really. I asked them to look into the company because I wanted to know if we've had a security breach, however unlikely that may be. Or to see if it was something that we missed the first time."

"Kai, there's an incoming call from an unknown military network in Afghanistan." PAM informs you through the speakers in the room, having connected to them as soon as you entered.

You share a look with Pepper.

"Accept."

"Kai -"

"Uncle Rhodey, what exactly is going on?"

"Kai we-... We were attacked. I'm okay, they left as fast as they came. I've already called the base for help. I'm looking through the bodies with the remaining team, but Tony isn't here. They came for him. Kai, they knew what route we were gonna take, they were prepared. They had weapons, I'm talking advanced weapons, with bombs and missiles.

Kai, I think- I think they had Stark tech."

Silence follows, with you and her being in complete disbelief as you look at each other trying to make sense of the situation.

"Stark tech...? Are you sure it was Stark tech? Because that's impossible."

"I know, I know. Look, I'll send the scrap to you and you can check for yourself. But Kai, the guns. The guns looked like Stark tech."

It isn't entirely impossible, but they don't know that. Still this situation is unexpected and slightly concerning, but it shouldn't pose too much of a problem to you, if your inkling of what happened is true.

"Shit, this is bad",you pause, "how is that even possible?" You mumbled.

"I don't know, I don't know okay, I'm staying here for now. If I find anything I'll keep you updated. You handle it on your side."

"Ya, if I find anything I'll keep you posted too. They took him, which means that they want him alive, at least for now. Hopefully we'll get a call for ransome soon enough. You take care of yourself, ya?"

"Yaa, I will." The call disconnected with a beep.

Time to figure out what the hell is going on....

Both of you sat there in silence, you calmer than Pepper. You shook your head, rubbing a hand over your eyes, struggling to stay awake thanks to years of routine sleep at 11pm on the dot.

"Pepper, please get me a cup of tea, Earl grey preferably, but green tea will do just as well." You say as you turn to face her, breaking the silence and interrupting her anxious pacing. Giving her something to do is a good idea.

"You.. want.. caffeine...?" She draws out her words,her shock apparently not exhausted for the day.

"Yes, I think I'm gonna need it, if I'm not getting sleep tonight." You say to her with a small curl of your lips and a tone way too light for the current situation. Accepting the answer she nods before leaving you alone in the room.