For being one of the wealthiest and most well known corporations in America, Stark Industries felt drab and dull. Gray steel walls, with fake smiles etched on weary faces.
Pitiful, really.
One would think that with someone as eccentric as Tony splashing news covers everyday with his breakthrough ideas and immoral attitude, that the company he boldly owns would have at least a bit of the same charisma and originality.
Evidently not.
Instead, when he walks through the glass doors and into the main lobby of the facility, Aldrich is greeted by an overly enthusiastic brunette omega in her late teens with a grin that shows every one of her pearly whites.
"Hello, sir, and welcome to Stark Industries," She waves to the surrounding area, as though the polished gray on black walls and floors should be compared to a priceless work of art, "How may I assist you today?"
Something about her cheerful persona irritates the hell out of him, and he has to hold himself back from pulling each of her brighter-than-neon teeth out. No one in this day and age should be that happy.
"Yes, I have an appointment with Ms. Potts."
"I see," She flashes him a bright smile and... ugh... "Is this for business or pleasure?"
Ah, nosy aren't we? "Business."
As though he would waste his time with a beta. A sterile beta, no less.
"Alright, please have a seat. Ms. Potts should be with you shortly."
He moves aside, allowing the stout, grimacing man behind him to approach the desk. Instead, he wanders the small waiting room, catching sight of one of his more well known guards sitting in the uncomfortable looking chairs, reading a magazine. Something flashy, with a nearly anorexic woman on the front.
Rolling his eyes, Aldrich seats himself opposite. Unfortunately, he was correct in his observation, the cushion's hard and painful against his back.
Oh yes, he had many changes to make to this building. He didn't even want to imagine what the tower was like. Hopefully they hadn't 'fixed' too much of it after the invasion in New York. Reconstruction on the tower would need to be reissued and re-evaluated, they would need to find a stronger material, in case something like that happened again.
Aldrich sighs, rubbing his tired eyes irritably. That was another matter entirely, one he would need to discuss with Tony before anything was to be decided. Who knows? Maybe the omega had been thinking about it too.
Tony was good about that. Or so he heard.
Potts may be an issue, however. As the main voice and current CEO of Stark Industries, she was very unlikely to simply step down now that he's re-entered the picture. No, Pepper seemed like a fighting beta, one who finally found a calling, given everything up for it, and would refuse to lose it. While there were other ways of convincing someone to loosen their control, Aldrich didn't particularly have anything against Pepper, and therefore had no reason to see her injured.
In fact, he really should be thanking her. Without her, Tony probably would have lost his company.
The American justice system is truly a wonderful enigma for the clever mind to unveil. An omega, if caught breaking the law, will be treated like that of a child. Given a slap on the wrist and sent home, under the false pretence that he or she didn't know any better.
Seems like a wonderful life, until you consider the implications this involves for the working world.
Most citizens saw omegas as "birthers." Creatures raised only to mate and create young, with very little intelligence or further need. Many even treated their omegas like servants, forbidding them from learning to read or write. All because a few big wig alphas in Washington feared the risk of an uproar. God forbid an omega try running for a political position without an alpha to guide them through the tough decisions. To hold their hands and take over when the job get's too hard for the 'poor pitiful baby-maker.'
It made him sick.
Tony was lucky, having been born into his fame. Due to his father's impeccable talent and need by the government, Tony was never removed from the household to be raised as a well-groomed omega. Or, he didn't have the naive nature beat into his subconscious, living the remainder of his life as a dog begging for attention. Of course, this also meant that he was criticised by countless newspapers and glamor magazines for being an omega, without the decency of at least being a good omega. The clamor only grew worse when Tony was accepted into MIT at the age of fourteen, horrifying elder traditionalist businessmen and politicians. Massachusetts Institute of Technology received several hateful letters that year damning their cruel joke.
It was more widely accepted that the Dean was simply making fun of the dull boy, completely bypassing the fact that he graduated top of his class at fourteen.
After the initial attacks did nothing to stop Howard Stark from naming his son the heir of his empire, the tabloids attacked his reputation, inadvertently pushing the young omega to attempt suicide at the delicate age of fifteen.
Opening his now clenched fist, Aldrich watches as the crescent bloody markings on his palm's vanish in brilliant flashes of orange. Skin stitched itself back together, leaving a completely unscarred hand behind. He breathed out his anger through his nasal cavity, knowing his irritation would likely draw attention from his shaven comrade.
He didn't particularly care.
When Howard died tragically, the world mourned the loss of a great hero. However, with the only man keeping Tony in college dead, the wolves once again circled the fallen sheep. This time, however, not a single scratch landed on the omega. The bald man (He hates him. He hates him. He hates him.), Obadiah Stane, stepped up and took the helm. Protecting the sacrifice, at least until slaughter.
After the fiasco with Stane, the hounds once again demanded Tony step down, with no suitable alpha to take heed of the unruly omega. By this time, Tony already ran Stark Industries, though the board had the final say on all production.
Aldrich still doesn't know how Tony kept in power for so long, the news articles and online web pages weren't too kind to the rebelling omega and tended to focus on his shortcomings as opposed to his accomplishments. However, this all came to an end when Tony willingly handed to role of CEO to his close personal assistant.
Virginia Potts.
Pepper.
Sadly, there is only one way for a beta woman to be allowed to run a corporate company.
The woman must either be sterile, or have her tubes tied, to eliminate the terrible possibility of having something to distract them from their work for more than two minutes. He can't help but pity the strong, beautiful redhead.
He knew what it was like to have biology screw you over. The only difference is while he was able to overcome his defects, she would likely have to live with them for the rest of her life. His serum wouldn't be capable of fixing something so delicate, so fragile. Not without running the risk of overheating it. It couldn't fix a failed vital organ, at least not yet. And her tissue would have been changed years ago...
A sad existence indeed.
He had actually feared that her and Tony had been in a relationship, and he would have to murder her for touching his mate. Luckily, an alpha with a minor leather fetish dissolved that theory quickly enough.
Clicking sounded down the hall, drawing his attention from his depressing thoughts. He glanced at his "bodyguard" who had stood up to anticipate the threat. Rolling his eyes, Aldrich listened to the approaching footsteps.
"...complaints have raised 300%, Happy." Came Ms. Potts frustrated voice, most likely directed at whoever this Happy person was. He couldn't blame her, who would be pleased to be near someone named Happy?
"Thank you," Aw, so that had to be Happy. Well, he certainly sounded pleased with himself.
She sighed, "That's not a good thing-" He cut her off.
"Their probably the ones breaking the rules," Doubtful, considering the huff that followed his statement, "Besides, I'm just doing my job. Not my fault they don't wear their badges."
Another sigh, "Happy, look. I don't have time to deal with this. I have an appointment with the CEO of Advanced Idea Mechanics." It was wonderful to know that he hadn't been forgotten out here, "The meeting was scheduled to take place five minutes ago, and I'm not looking forward to seeing him. Last time we met, he had a massive crush on me..."
They'd met before this? Huh.
Perhaps he was drunk. That would explain the crush theory.
As though he would crush on a beta.
He decided to make his presence known, "Hello, Pepper." Stepping up to meet them before they had a chance to turn the corner, Aldrich held out a hand to the red head. She looked almost exactly the way he remembered seeing her in magazines. Tall, much taller than most beta women he'd seen, vibrant orange hair, with a business like curve to her lips.
A magnificent specimen, he would have to consider her for the serum trial.
Next to her stood a pudgy man, though it was clear that he was stronger than he looked. He glared suspiciously at Aldrich, even as Pepper blinked in recognition.
"Aldrich?" She placed her hand in his, "Oh my god, what happened? You look so good."
"Thanks," He politely kissed the knuckles of her hand, "It's a thing I've been working on. Not that hard, just a new haircut, and a group of hair and makeup artists. No big deal."
Shocked, she took her hand back with a small smile, "Well, you look great."
They watched each other for a moment, languishing in the silence and content to stand in the peaceful aura. Though, while her eyes took in all the changes to his body, his were sizing up the possible level of threat she could be.
Someone cleared their throat, breaking their content lull. Aldrich turned to see Happy glaring at him. If looks could kill, Aldrich was pretty sure he'd be flambe by now.
To be fair, he was leveling the same glare back at him.
"S-Sorry, um," She's flustered, a bright pink flush coating her cheeks and ears, "How about we talk further about this in my office."
He nodded. Smiling awkwardly, she steered them through the glass doors, dismissing the angry man when he tried to follow.
"We're fine, Happy." Closing the door, the two were left with nothing but the see-through walls and the still glaring man.
What had Aldrich done to piss him off so much? He didn't even know this guy.
"Sorry about that." Pepper sighed, shoulders sagging in relief, "He just had a promotion. He used to be Tony's bodyguard, now he's the head of security." Funny, he should have been demoted rather than promoted, if half of the things he's read are true, "He, uh.. takes the job very seriously."
"It's fine. I'm just pleased to be meeting with you at all." The waiting list had been so long, he would have had to wait years to make an appointment. That is, until a few of the patrons ahead of him dropped their meetings, after a fat check was deposited into their accounts. "I'd actually been hoping to meet with both you, and Tony, however."
"Oh, are you a fan of his work?" She tilted her head with a small smile.
You could say that, "The biggest, he's my inspiration for all this."
It's true, technically.
"I'm sorry," She sympathized, eyes somewhat glazed as though in remembrance, "Tony rarely comes to meeting's having to do with the meeting, unless the involve something he has to sign off on. I apologize if you were looking forward to talking with him."
It would have been referred, honestly, though he'll take what he can get from this woman. "Can't say I'm not disappointed. But then I just think back to an old saying my dad use to tell me 'Failure is the fog from which we all glimpse triumph.'"
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know," Aldrich chuckled, trying to remember a single thing about his father that didn't end in backlash and disappointment, "He was kind of an idiot."
She laughs, covering her mouth with her hand, though that does little to stop the loud guffaws from escaping her lips. When she calms down enough to talk, she says, "Well, shall we begin?"
"Why yes, that sounds like a great idea."
It started with a brief sound, itching his eardrum as he explained the benefits of the change to his could-be contributor. It was strangely pitched, holding a nostalgia to him that confounded him for a few minutes, mulling over what it could possibly be. There were few truly memorable times in his life, even fewer that warranted any amount of distraction.
But, whatever it was, it it called to him. It begged for his attention, demanded he follow it to the ends of the earth. This sound, this noise, promised something precious, though what that wonderful thing was he couldn't begin to tell you. Something about it drew him in psychologically, whisking his mind away from the present and back to a better time.
He knew that sound, but where-
There! There it was again.
"Hap-"
"Aldrich?" He curses under his breath, plastering over his annoyed expression with a fake grin.
"Yes, Ms. Potts?" Turning back to the beta, he tries to put the small diversion from his thoughts.
"What-"
There... What was that?
She sighs, "Look, I like you. Your idea could revolutionize the industry, and the world." She pauses, eyes locked firmly on his forehead, "But I could also see this being weaponized, and Tony-"
Tony.
Tony.
Tony!
That's it, Tony's voice in the building...
Tony's in the building?!
"Um, Ms. Potts, "He begins, ignoring the abashed look now coating her features, "Just a question... Is To-er Mr. Stark, scheduled to be present in the building right now?"
Jumping to her feet, Pepper made her way to the door, "Is he out there?" She growls under her breath, "How's he supposed to be on vacation, if he keeps popping up at work. God, he doesn't even come in when he's supposed to."
Slamming through the doorway, she glared around the room, clearly trying to see whatever she thought he saw. That's when he heard it again, calling in beautiful notes of color, singing to him in shades of red and gold.
"Look, I... I'll have to, ugh, Steve, STEVE." Aldrich instantly walked towards the chubby man, where the noise was coming from, "No, I'm sorry. I can't do this babe. Yes, I'm.. I'm sure, Steve. Maybe later, but I feel really tired right now."
The man opened his mouth to speak, but Aldrich got there first.
"Tony?" He asked, yanking the device from the man's clasp and earning himself a 'what the hell?' in return. For a brief second, one brief, timeless second, Tony gazed at him. They looked at each other, taking in the years that had weighed heavily on each other. Without the makeup and the glitz and glam of hollywood, Tony looked worn down. Tired, as though carrying an enormous burden upon his shoulders.
Yet the deep seated adoration overwhelming his eyes were enough to dispel the aging of his features, bringing back the mischievousness he knew the man was well known for. A part of him, a dark, twisted, mangled part, was somewhat happy that his mate had been miserable. It was only fair that he suffer in the same way Aldrich did.
But he knew this wasn't the case. If hadn't left, maybe he and Tony would already have pups or... No, now was no time to think about what if's. This may be the only chance to talk to his omega without hostility between them.
Tony's expression quickly changed from one of unadulterated happiness, to fear, to horrific sadness, quickly averting his eyes from the alphas.
Aldrich blinked, confused by the omega's refusal to look at him.
"Tony, I-" Aldrich started and stopped, realizing he had no idea what to say. What do you say to a lover who doesn't love you anymore? They may be soulmates, but he couldn't blame Tony for being mad at him.
"Tony?" A deep voice offscreen called, catching the omega's attention. Recognizing the voice as that of Tony's new alpha, Aldrich growled,"Who's that?"
"Oh, he's..." Tony finally met his eyes, though his brown burned through Aldrich's blue, "He's nobody. Just somebody I used to know."
Then the image was gone, and Aldrich was left staring at the black handheld device.
He felt numb.
Refusing to release his claim on the item, Aldrich heard his bodyguard paying the fee for it. He never felt himself being ushered through the door. Barely felt a twinge of anything at the cheap puns he left in his wake.
Instead, he felt cold. He felt a writhing emptiness within him, beating at his soul and looking for a place to sizzle and die. Turning to ash in the wake of something that was once so beautiful, now lacking in color and promise.
Like the walls, gray and dull.
You got me, and I've got you. Yeah?
From within the ashes, however, he felt an ember. A small fire, burning weakly within the death and destruction surrounding it. And like the phoenix, it too grew from the ashes, to create a better future for itself. Anger boiled in his veins hot and fast, burning through his bones to leak from his skin.
He felt himself become distant to anything but the sweet taste revenge would bring, the addicting grace of retribution echoing through his very soul.
It wasn't over. Oh no, not even close. If anything, this was a new beginning. Up until now he had been using restraint, waiting and simply letting Tony come to him. Clearly that wasn't going to work anymore.
Aldrich kissed Pepper's cheek in farewell, walking to his car as his chauffeur opened the door. Sliding onto the black leather upholstery, Aldrich closed his eyes.
Perhaps it was time to initiate part B of his plan.
They wouldn't know what hit them.
(He never noticed the camera phone taking a picture of the back of his vehicle, nor the triumphant look on the angry man's face.)