AN: Little longer than usual. Enjoy!
After weeks passed, Scott slowly got use to his new pattern. Cassie had gone through surgery and was recovering from that before beginning chemotherapy. The odds looked good and she was beginning to look better, not as skinny with a bit more color in her cheeks though she was still obviously sick. Scott was often at the hospital when not at work or Darren's place.
He'd barely gone to his apartment at all, usually just grabbing a change of cloths while there. He'd talked to Lisa and the girls only briefly as well, not really having the time to fully explain everything that was going on.
As for work, Scott had certainly made a few mistakes and gotten away with more than anyone else would have in a normal situation. However, Scott at least had the pleasure of saying he never made the same mistake twice. It helped that he was not only a quick learner but also truly enjoying what he did.
Still, Scott didn't fully understand Darren's position on the entire thing. Was Scott just some pet project? Was Darren just setting him up and watching him go like a toy? It was difficult to tell and it didn't help that Scott never really got a chance for a heart to heart with the man. He saw more of Darren than he had before as he actually worked for the man but he honestly felt he knew and understood even less about him.
Or perhaps that wasn't completely true. He saw the mask, the CEO in his crisp business suits. Scott knew a lot about the CEO. But as far as Darren Cross was concerned, Scott only knew he enjoyed driving and liked his coffee black (and extremely sensual sex like holy shit). Other than that, the man remained a mystery.
Scott did have to say that he at least succeeded in breaking the charming CEO mask a few times. Usually it was when Scott did something the opposite of professional, like calling the man Darren instead of sir or boss or whatever. That charming exterior would break into a smirk as he gave some sarcastic or asshole-ish comment. Scott was pretty sure he got a kick out of releasing that side of himself, particularly with Scott as he always had his own comeback and didn't seem to shy away like others did.
Which definitely added on to the stares. Seemed like every time Scott talked to Darren like an actual person people were expecting a beheading. He'd thought it ridiculous at first until actually being present when Darren talked to others. Those times it was clear that Darren thought himself better and the employees complied with that whereas Scott seemed to drag himself up to Darren's level.
There was only one other person that seemed to talk to Darren like he was an equal and that was Hope van Dyne, the daughter of the founder of the corporation. Scott had never talked to the woman but he'd seen her often enough with Darren.
He'd done the mistake of asking Darren if she was his secretary which had the man using that low, dark chuckle. Darren had replied, "You're lucky you said that to me and not her. She probably would have taken your head off."
Nevertheless, Scott's time to talk to the woman came sooner rather than later. A formal event was being held at a museum in town. Though not actually connected to Pym Technologies, plenty of influential businessmen and women would be there and it never hurt to rub elbows with those kind of people. Darren Cross, Hope van Dyne, some other man that was high enough up but Scott didn't know him, and Scott himself were going.
And why was Scott there? Because of Darren of course. He was fairly certain that the purpose was to show him off, almost like 'look at this thing I found'. That and Scott was fairly certain that Darren knew it would make him uncomfortable and that he'd feel out of place which Darren seemed to relish on.
Nevertheless, Scott had an odd feeling that Darren actually wanted someone there that he…trusted? Maybe that was the right word, maybe it wasn't, but Scott was fairly certain there was an oddly personal reason hidden behind the others.
Dawning a tux that Darren had gotten him for such reasons, Scott rode with Darren to the event in the back of a car chauffeured by the usual man. Scott voiced his concern of what others might think but Darren quite clearly stated he didn't care as long as Scott didn't show up in a cab or his ratty truck like he certainly would have if he hadn't rode with Darren. Scott didn't know which was worse. People assuming something about his livelihood by showing up in his truck or a cab, or people assuming something about his relationship with Darren.
Either way he really didn't have a say in the matter.
Scott simply kept quiet and followed Darren around, not really having much to add to any of the conversations he heard anyways. After the brief discussions, the guests gathered in a larger room where an orchestra played several songs and a woman occasionally sang in some unknown language. Never really one for opera or classical music, Scott busied himself with studying the people around him.
Most reminded him of Darren and Hope in the way that they kept their appearance, clearly putting on a show for everyone else. Nevertheless, those with oddly shaped faces or interesting suits and dresses caught Scott's attention and he lingered on them a bit longer before moving to someone else. There was one man that stood out a bit more but Scott only got a few glances at him as the man sat behind them (didn't want to make it to obvious). He was older than the general group and wore an outdated three piece suit. His face was extremely familiar but Scott couldn't figure out where he'd seen it.
When the concert ended, Scott politely clapped with everyone else and hoped he could get a better view of the man afterwards but it seemed that chance was stolen as the next time he glanced back, the older man was gone.
"Someone catch your eye?" Darren asked, seeming amused.
"No, just someone oddly familiar," murmured Scott as he ignored the implication. "Though granted, I'm sure most of these people have shown up on television or some magazine cover at some point or another."
"Very true. What did he look like?"
"Well he was older than most of the people here, full facial hair, and he wore a three piece suit…too?" Scott ended his statement in a questioning tone, confused at the sudden stiffening of Darren.
"Stay here. I'll be right back."
"But—wait! What if—urgh!" Scott let out a disgruntled groan as he watched Darren rush off without another word.
Wishing he hadn't said anything, Scott watched as people started to float off and into smaller groups. However, before he could be the awkward guy on the edge of everything, a figure moved next to him and asked, "Did Darren finally ditch you?"
"What? No," muttered Scott as he turned. Hope van Dyne stared back at him and he suddenly wished he hadn't used such a sulky voice. "I mean, he just uh-someone he knew or something. He went off to look for him."
"Hmm," she mused. The look she was giving Scott made his skin crawl. It was extremely analytical, similar to Darren's, but there was a lack of amusement that Darren often held. "You've been working for us for two months?"
"Yeah-Yes. Yes I have," Scott stuttered, trying to be more formal and not wanting to give a bad impression. "I don't believe we've talked before. I'm Scott Lang."
"I know," she replied. Her head cocked to the side as she continued to stare. "You didn't go to college. How did you meet Darren Cross?"
Well that was rather blunt. Scott's mind raced to figure out how to reply but before he could, Hope's attention was directed elsewhere. "I'm sorry, we'll have to continue this conversation another time."
"Oh-well alright…" muttered Scott, utterly confused. He watched Hope leave and quickly realized where she was headed. Eyes lighting up, Scott quickly followed, his interest peaking.
Darren was there talking to the man Scott had spotted earlier. Getting closer, Scott had to make an effort to fully understand the look on Darren's face. It was different from anything else he'd seen before, almost a mixture between a Rottweiler getting ready to tear the man's face off and a Golden Labrador hoping for a treat.
And then before Scott could get closer he froze. Like a ton of bricks, it suddenly hit him who the man was. Looking at him standing across from Darren and now next to Hope, it was almost painfully obvious.
It was Hank Pym.
Before Scott could force himself to move though, it appeared that the conversation was over. Hope squeezed Darren's arm, an almost comforting gesture, as she followed her father. Before they left Scott's line of sight though, Hank seemed to zero in on him. His gaze was oddly deep and Scott had the suspicious feeling that the man knew who he was. Which honestly made even less sense seeing as he was no one.
But with that said, Scott watched them go before sprinting to where Darren had remained. That certainly got some looks but it was better than standing alone with a stunned expression on his face.
Darren noticed the rushed movement and looked at Scott curiously. "That desperate to see me again?"
"Better than just wondering around by myself. Was that really Pym?"
"Yes," he responded coolly with an odd mix of hatred and admiration underneath. He seemed to pause for a second, as if he wanted to say something else, but unexpectedly changed subjects and said, "I think it's about time we retire. There's nothing more for us here."
Wondering if the whole reason for coming had actually been Pym or if that had just been coincidence, Scott had to actually skip to catch up with the longer strides and rather quickly they were out of the museum and the car was brought along. Once in, the car was off and was swiftly brought back to Darren's apartment. The ride was silent and somewhat awkward. Afterwards, Scott automatically followed him, unsure of what Darren wanted.
When they were in the penthouse, Scott stayed near the door which quickly became a smart move. The first thing Darren did was grab the nearest object and throw it across the room. Items crashed and papers flew back and forth as Scott watched.
Once the air seemed to settle and Darren had stopped moving, Scott asked, "Should I leave?"
Darren shook his head though the fact that he didn't speak certainly proved that he wasn't completely under control. He loosened his tie, throwing it off and towards the ground. He stepped over broken glass (courtesy of a clock face) and moved into the kitchen. When he didn't reappear immediately, Scott carefully walked in, half expecting something to be thrown, but was surprised when instead he saw Darren with his head in his hands.
The way his shoulders slumped and the ragged breaths that escaped his mouth was strangely…open.
The moment should have been important. Scott felt like he might have just found a door to understanding the man. He knew Darren had taken the reigns from Pym but not much else. Had there been a horrible falling out? What was Pym to Darren? What had they—
Scott didn't get any farther with that thought process as Darren was suddenly attacking him, his hands desperately undoing his tux. It was so out of nowhere yet Scott was almost positive that he was simply trying to forget what had occurred between himself and Pym.
Scott actually tried to stop him. Talking was never a bad idea yet when Darren seemed to catch on, he shoved Scott against the wall, told him to shut up, and then quite effectively forced him to do so.
Once again, another door of Darren Cross was closed as unanswered questions rose up.