▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
THE silence was as chilling as the room. Peter, feeling out of place, sat awkwardly before Tony Stark's desk. His chocolate orbs glanced around the room, although there was nothing much to gaze at. He swallowed hard, regarding Mr. Stark concentrate on the device before him. His brows furrowed as his fingers repeatedly clicked the mouse compared to the computer various times.
"Parker," Tony's deep voice sliced through the stillness. His eyes didn't leave the glittering computer screen. Peter questioned how long it had been since his school friends left, and was slightly hurt that none of them were worried about where he was. But he kept his focus on Mr. Stark. "Or better yet, Spiderman."
Peter sighed exaggeratingly, sinking back in the office chair he was sitting in. He rolled his eyes in annoyance, why did Mr. Stark insist on mentioning it every time they met? "Mr. Stark-" Peter was about to complain but was rudely interrupted.
"How do you do it? Does that web, stringy-stuff come out of you?" Mr. Stark was standing now, pacing slowly behind his extravagant table. He held a frowned gaze at Peter, almost as though he was disturbed by Peter's webs.
Peter was hot with embarrassment. He could feel his cheek reddening with each passing second. He believed he was a superhero, not a boy some rich-prick like Mr. Stark could poke at. Peter pushed back his chocolate locks and rolled his eyes for a second time. But Mr. Stark clearly noticed the high schooler's disrespect.
Tony slammed both of his hands on the front of his desk, leaning over to peer into Peter's alarmed eyes. Anger rolled through his skin, "Roll your eyes at me one more time," Stark clenched his jaw, not finishing the sentence.
That was a threat. Peter thought wickedly. A sly smile slipped onto his pale face. He liked challenges, especially when it made others hostile. Seeing Mr. Stark worked up was a pleasure to Peter. He inclined forward, "Or what?"
The two men held a strong gaze; the intensity between them could be sliced with a knife. The atmosphere of the office suddenly became very hot as only Peter and Tony's eyes spoke. Tony, the first to break away, moved from the backside of the desk. His fingers trailed on the table as he moved, teasing the countertop. He moved his way to the front of the desk, just before where Peter sat. He gazed down at him. "Or I'll get angry," He stated quite boldly. "And trust me," He said less loudly. "You don't want to see me angry."
The truth was, Peter did want to see Mr. Stark get angry with him. He was starting to love the attention, feeding off every tense movement between him and Mr. Stark. Before he could say anything else, or roll his eyes again, the two large doors leading to the office opened. And came through was a young woman, simply one of Mr. Stark's many assistants. She gave a shy smile, "Mr. Stark, you're next meeting is about to start."
Tony dipped his head, honestly wanting her to disappear as quickly as possible. "Cancel it." He was strict, almost a bit scary. And with that, the young lady left, closing the doors behind her. However, the tense moment was ruined and probably wouldn't return.
Peter, feeling rather frustrated and tired, questioned with a hint of bitterness, "Why am I here? What do you want from me?"
I want you. Tony thought to himself but didn't dare say. He and Peter weren't there...yet. He exhaled, "I like you, Peter. I think you're smart and you're obviously great at science." Tony spoke what he believed was the truth, he didn't sugarcoat anything. "I think you'd make a great contribution here-"
"Wait," Peter cut through Mr. Stark's speech. "If you want me as another one of your henchmen," He said quite spitefully, glancing towards the door where the woman was just standing, referencing her. "My answer's no."
Tony's dark eyes flashed. He liked Peter, a lot, but his attitude needed fixing. Though Tony knew Peter would soon learn. "You're not a henchman. More like an apprentice, you'll be under my wing."
Once again, their discussion was intervened by another woman. She was different from the first, she was really tall and blonde. She looked as though she could be a model. Peter stared at her, not stunned by her looks, but wondered why everyone who worked for Tony Stark was so beautiful? He felt a bit out of place. "You're coffee's ready, Mr. Stark."
Tony nodded once more, "Wonderful. I'll be out in just another minute." Almost paralleling the lady from before, the woman acknowledged Mr. Stark and closed both doors.
Tony turned to face Peter once again, the interruptions obviously signaling he was running out of time. "You'll think about it, Peter." Peter recognized that wasn't a question; it was a demand. Tony was demanding Peter would think about his offer; about him. "Now," He clapped his hands together, ending their previous discussion. "Would you care to join me for some coffee?"
Peter stood from the chair he was leaning into, standing beside Mr. Stark. "No, I'm sorry Mr. Stark. I really need to get home."
Instead of forcing him to stay, Mr. Stark was understanding. He dipped his chin, "Very well." Inside, he didn't want Peter to leave. He wanted him to stay forever. "I'll call my chauffeur."
Peter smiled, turning to leave down the hallway he came from. He didn't say anything else, just laughed to himself. How did a high-school nobody such as himself end up in the hands of millionaire Tony Stark?
Tony, also smiling, called back to Peter. "I'll see you around, Parker." He hoped deep in his bones he would see the handsome boy again. He was pulling at as many strings as he could to keep Peter near to him. And now it was Tony's new mission to make Peter his. Tony wanted Peter. And the thing with millionaires: they always get what they want.
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
