Sins And Sinners (Marvel X Male!Reader)

Chapter 4

It's a little over 3 in the morning when the meeting is done. The people from the company are the first to leave, followed by Frank and James, who leave you with a nod. That leaves Pepper, you and Obadiah, alone in the room. Turning to Obadiah you say, "Obi, you can go home, take some rest and come back after lunch. Staying up so much and the stress isn't good for you. You can handle the rest on your side, I trust?"

"Yes, yes. I'll handle everything on my side. You don't have to worry. We'll find him", he says putting a firm hand on your shoulder, "I'm sure that everything is gonna be okay. You should take some rest too. This must be stressful for you. Don't worry about it, I'll handle his job till then."

"There's no need for that, I couldn't put so much stress on you. You've been with us so many years. Anyway, I'm still young. I can handle it. You don't have to worry."

That was code for, if you think you can take over his part in the company then think again, I'm still here. Even if he isn't. And you are getting old. The both of you maintain the facade of politeness, but you both still get the message. The hand still on your shoulder gets tighter for a second, but you don't let it show, still looking right at him with all the concern of a worried junior. Finally he breaks the moment, loosening his hold and proceeding to pat you on the shoulder with the same hand, the smile of an appreciative senior on his face.

"You're doing well. You make your father proud." It was a low jab, considering it's an open secret that Tony barely even thinks of you. But this isn't the first time someone has made a comment like this. When you were younger and far less experienced in the art of verbal war, you probably would've smirked in order to show your indifference to Tony and what he thinks. You would have said something along the lines of - 'I don't work to make him proud or to make him see me. I work because it serves me.' But you're not young anymore or inexperienced. You know when to drop the mask of civility, show your hand or tell the truth and now isn't that time.

Instead, you smile and nod, humbly accepting it as a compliment, with no outward show of the sheer annoyance you feel at the statement.

Have your fun for now, I'll deal with you eventually.

He gets up from his chair, finally takes his hand off of your shoulder and leaves the room with a goodbye and a take care that he doesn't mean. You relax into the chair, deflating like a balloon, the lack of sleep and plan changes, leaving you more tired than you usually are. That left you and Pepper in the room.

Turning to look at her, you see that she's lost in her own thoughts, eyes glazed over, absentmindedly chewing at the inside of her cheek. Moving your chair closer to her, you lay a hand on hers, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

"I'm.... I.. I don't know..." A sigh escapes her as she tries to put words to what she's feeling. You wait patiently, as your thumb runs over her hand in light and soothing touches.

"I can't believe that this... something like this happened. I'm worried, I'm beyond worried. I...and I don't know what to do. I know that there isn't much I can do here, but doing nothing doesn't seem right, and God.... God," she exhales, a small self deprecating smile on her face, "I'm ranting to a kid. I'm sorry Kai, this must be so much worse for you." She seems to deflate a little at that, shaking her head and looking down. You squeeze her hands in a show of comfort.

"First of all, I'm not just a kid. You and I both know that. Secondly, you're allowed to feel stressed. You care about him, no matter how obnoxious he may be," that manages to bring out a small chuckle out of her as you smile ever so slightly. "Yaa, so very obnoxious. How does all that ego fit in that head?!" She smiles wider as she says, promoting a breathy smile out of you as well.