Rolling Stone

6. When Nobody Ever Could

I didn't need Tony Stark breathing on my neck to do the damn job, trust me. Giving you a project like this was meant to see if you'd sink or swim. You thrived on the idea of doing something bigger thank yourself, so the idea of you quitting, nah.

You were sitting in Tony's office, your legs tucked underneath you in his leather chair, flipping through your revised version of the energy project proposal. The room was quiet, except for the hum of the Loop buzzing outside the massive windows.

This had become your spot when Tony wasn't around—sitting in his chair, next to a desk plate that said CEO, and you weren't just a normal intern, but someone Tony trusted with real work. And no one questioned it, others saw it too, they asked for your opinion in his absence when you took breaks from your project. And now? The damn project had your fingerprints all over it now. The door clicked open, and you didn't even need to look up to know who it was, even though its been two weeks without him here. The familiar sound of footsteps, and his scent  illed in the room—you felt him before you saw him.

"Y/N," Tony's voice drawled, full of playful annoyance. "What did I tell you about sitting in my chair?" 

You glanced up, catching the slight smirk tugging at his lips as he stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He looked a mess—hair a mess, suit jacket slung over one arm, and fresh cuts on his face. Probably from whatever mission he just got back from, but still every bit the CEO Avenger he was.

"That it's too comfortable for me not to," you replied, smirking back at him, refusing to move. You were playing this game now. Tony raised an eyebrow, stepping closer, eyes narrowing playfully. "You know, I could have you escorted out of here for insubordination." 

You laughed, not even budging from the chair. "You could try, but we both know you don't hate it when I'm in here." He let out a dramatic sigh, but there was a glint of something in his eyes—something softer, something that betrayed his words. "You're right. I don't hate it. But you could at least pretend to follow the rules around here."

You finally stood up, rolling your eyes as you smoothed down your blouse, stepping around the desk. "You have rules?"

Tony didn't miss a beat. "You know, rules are for other people. I just thought maybe you could play along." You shrugged him off, refusing to move an inch as he walked up behind you putting his arms over the top of the tall chair, his arms brushing against your neck, but you didn't flinch you were going to show him what you've been working on. 

"Okay, here's what I've got so far," you said, pulling up the draft on the screen. "I worked on the projections for the costs of integrating the clean energy grid in the throughout the Loop and the surrounding areas. R&D also reworked the budget so we can allocate more to the tech upgrades. These areas are high priority, they have the least accessibility to not only clean energy, but suffer disparities from older less reliable energy structures. You can have a look—" Tony cut you off, his voice suddenly quiet, like he was thinking out loud. He looked like he didn't expect this much out of you, but he was impressed. "I don't know how you do" he said.

"Do what?" You raised your eyebrow.

He tapped the lock button of the tablet with his finger after glancing at your work, but his eyes were on you. "You get it. This city. The people. It's like you've been working here for years."

You shrugged, trying to ignore the way your heart raced at his words. "Maybe it's because I actually care about this, you know? I give a damn about this city." "Good," he said softly. "That's why I gave it to you. Because I know you'll treat it like more than just a job."

Damn lie, you wanted to see it I'd crack under pressure. But the compliment felt good, considering a week ago you were ready to wring his damn neck. Damn multi-million dollar proposal to an intern.