Chapter Notes

Finally! Tony Stark!
Also, I have exactly zero idea how companies are run. After an hour of googling, this is my best guess. :)

Chapter 4 – Cosplaying as a responsible adult 101

Being back in NYC with two weeks left until Stark returned, I decided to take it easy. Just learning magic and getting used to life in this city on the agenda for now. I went shopping for utilities, downloaded a shit load of music on Ree (sweet, sweet music, oh how I missed you!) and discovered how weird it is to be frequently hit on by both people who were totally not my type and those that were.

So freaking weird man.

Also, Americans are so forward, my poor european sensibilities!

All in all, I adapted well. Having a package between my legs was still distracting from time to time, but not having to wear a bra and the lack of backpains made up for that. I hadn´t run in to any situation where I accidentally misgendered myself either. Never wanting to use public bathrooms (in New York, ugh) helped with that.

I laid back on my couch listening to a playlist and reviewed what information I gained during my fight with the Sorcerer Supreme. I knew the only reason I had won was because she a) wasn´t serious and b) didn´t know what exactly I could do. I didn´t leave her any opportunity to use her vast knowledge in spells, but still, I held up really well for a beginner.

Humming I stared at my ring. I had yet to figure out it´s mechanics. It didn´t have the same weakness as normal Green Lantern rings, of that I was sure. After all, I had had plenty of panic attacks in space and that had no effect on the rings function. My constructs should have been fueled by my willpower, but they were not … - I think.

I circled through some simple constructs while trying to analyze them.

Because I did notice the craters after my thunder-staff attacks from above being bigger than they had been in training. So maybe my emotions did play a role? Maybe my determination? I decided to investigate this issue later.

The rest of my impromptu vacation went by fast. I met up with Domi once, who was now finally in the New York Sanctum, apprenticing under Master Drumm, and had a second meeting with Mr. Murdock, letting the lawyer in on the existence of magic and sorcerers. That last one took some explaining, even with opening portals to prove that I was not in fact bullshitting him.

Sitting in first class on a flight to the other side of the country was a new experience. I prefer flying myself for sure. I don´t even remember how I survived the 12-hour flight in a normal seat in my life before. I wrinkled my nose when the flight attendant brought me a champagne glass. I covered my irritation quickly though and put a friendly smile on my face.

"No thank you, I don´t drink alcohol.", I said. She smiled back and not asking if I wanted something else - probably sensing my barely restraint annoyance - went to the next occupied seat. I felt a flash of guilt at making her job a bit more difficult, but my mood was not very good.

In May had been the press conference. It went great. Stark announced SI would shut down the weapon production and a lot of investors panicked. It had been 4 months of training in magic since then and ignoring any rules of diverse investment completely I bought a lot of stock. I spent nearly 200 million dollar (Ree had been funneling and laundering money from shady sources for months) and now I owned a whopping 27 %, second only to Stark. Which was great.

What wasn´t great, was having Stane (that ass) pester me. Of course, his plan of ousting Stark would only work with the majority of the board of directors behind him. Well, I just bought out more than a few of those directors that got cold feet. Ergo Stane needed to convince me. Which is why I was on a plane towards California. And because I had to expect some scrutiny, I couldn't just portal there or fly. Can´t just turn up out of nowhere you know. Shit sucks.

Leaving the airport in the early afternoon (my flight left at 7 in the morning, at 7! I thought rich people didn´t have to get up early anymore!) I was welcomed by a driver holding up a sign with my name.

Huh. Turned out he was hired by Stane. Persistent fucker. I suppose he was being nice but at this point anything he did would piss me off.

We made a short stop at my hotel and then went directly to SI. I arrived shortly before the chairmen meeting was supposed to start, so I had to make conversation with Stane.

Yay.

Can you tell I´m a fan?

"Mr. Ravenstock!", Stane proclaimed with broad smile, that did not reach his eyes. He came towards me trying to shake my hand. I cringed away and smiled equally fake back.

"Hello, excuse me, but I don´t like handshakes."

I saw his eyes tighten in irritation and wow, did that man rub me in all the wrong ways. Is it just because I know him to be evil and cruel? Or are people like him just too common in the business world? Or is it because he made me get up early?

After a round of strained introductions the room had filled in and Stane began with an introduction round for my benefit. Then he quickly came to his main concern.

I had to admit that he did a great job at portraying Stark as slightly deranged and not stable right now. Looking around, I was the youngest here by probably over 30 years, a room full of old white men. They trusted Stane to pursue their common interests, they did not trust Stark. Anyone who did not trust Stane had probably already jumped ship at my generous offers.

I still felt them to be shortsighted, what exactly would become of Stark Industries without a Stark? Most companies like this survived a change in leadership just fine, sure. But for SI the genius mind of first Howard and then Tony was what made the company successful. Without that it was just a matter of time until they sank. They had been over reliant on Stark.

I decided to keep my musings to myself. I didn´t need to convince anyone here. Without my agreement Stane´s plan was in shambles.

When the vote inevitably ended in failure Stane looked like he had bitten on a lemon. I didn´t bother suppressing my smirk. I could see he was searching for a way out of this, so I decided I wouldn´t give him a chance. Standing up I readjusted my jacket and announced: "Well, after this waste of time I´m going to excuse myself, gentlemen. Have nice day."

I was out of the door before anyone could say a word. I just made a horrible impression on the rest of the board, but that didn´t faze me.

"Ree, while we´re here, get that video of Stark off of Stane´s computer and any incriminating evidence you can find.", I told my ring while making my way outside.

"Time to pay Stark a visit."

One hour later, I stood in front of Stark´s door. I had changed my clothes to a more comfortable shirt & jeans combo, in my one back pocket was a brand-new USB-stick with all of Stane´s dirty little secrets, in the other a pitcher with alcohol and in my hand I had two pizza boxes.

I rang the doorbell. Not two seconds later I heard JARVIS voice for the first time through an intercom: "I´m sorry, but we have not placed any orders with a deliverance service?"

I chuckled sheepishly.

"Yeah, you didn´t. I just came from a meeting with the board of directors at SI and I have some important info for Stark. This is the fastest way of contacting him that I have. Oh, and the pizza is a sort of get-well-soon-slash-I-hope-you´re-better gift? I thought he would appreciate it more than flowers."

It took a minute, but then a slightly ruffled Stark opened the door with a sceptic look. Uff, even exhausted and unwell in a dirty black muscle shirt and grease-stained jeans– he was very hot. I stared. His eyebrow lifted. I felt my face color red in embarrassment. He smirked. Dammit.

"So why are you really here? Just taking a look at awesomeness?", he asked. I huffed.

"I´m being entirely truthful. The name´s Al Ravenstock, as of a few months ago – after you masterfully tanked SI´s stocks – second biggest holder of stocks of your company. And I really just came from a meeting with Stane and a bunch of other old men. Felt I should warn you. Didn´t know how though. Stane wasn´t all that exited by the idea of me meeting you. Look it up, I had to declare my intention to purchase publicly."

That wasn´t even a lie. Before the meeting started, I had asked for a way to contact Stark, but Stane just waved my request away. He insisted that Stark did not want to be contacted. That may even be true but still. And that declaration existed too, thank God I had Ree. I had no idea that was a thing.

Space tech/magic made for one hell of an assistant.

Stark hummed and narrowed his eyes at me for a moment and then he made space to let me through.

"Come in then. Mi casa es su casa and all that jazz.", he said breezily gesturing towards the inside with one hand. With a mumbled thanks I followed his invitation. He stole the pizza from my hands and sauntered in the direction of what I guessed to be the kitchen.

"This is mine though, no take-backsies!"

I snorted and followed, shaking my head.

"Sir, is that wise?", came the concerned voice of JARVIS.

"Ma, you worry too much Jay. And we are talking pizza here. I will never not be appeased by free pizza!", Stark exclaimed. I was full on smiling now.

"I think he has a point though. Want to introduce me?", I asked. I raised an eyebrow when Stark twirled around, open pizza box in hand.

"Sure, Al, this is JARVIS, JARVIS, this is Al. I think. Maybe he´s lying, haven´t investigated his claims yet. Anyway, Jay runs my home here." He pointed at me with a piece of pizza margarita, then at the ceiling, then back at me and then finally took a bite.

"It´s nice to meet you JARVIS. And my condolences, I´m sure it´s hard to be Stark´s voice of reason when you can´t even scream into pillows occasionally.", I snarked and smiled at the ceiling. Always liked JARVIS. Stark seemed to be surprised first before snorting in indignation at the latter part.

"Thank you for acknowledging my suffering.", JARVIS replied dryly.

I laughed, first at his comment and then even harder at Stark´s expression of betrayal.

"Traitor!", he shouted, pointing accusingly at the walls. "I should donate you to the tech support division!"

"Oh no, please have mercy.", came the deadpan reply.

I was crying now. I had not been prepared for this comedic duo. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself down and sat down next to the kitchen counter. Ignoring Stark´s protesting squeak I opened up the second box and inhaled the sweet, sweet scent of my salmon pizza with goat cheese, spinach and barely any tomato sauce.

That´s the stuff.

Next to me Stark was staring at my order in horror.

"What kind of abomination is that?! That doesn´t even look like pizza!", he whispered with wide eyes. I shrugged my shoulders and dove in.

"More for me."

I shot a grin at him before turning more serious.

"How about we eat first and then we get to the business talk? Because that part might ruin your appetite.", I said and grimaced at what I had to tell him. He grunted in agreement and fiddled with the counter until a screen and keyboard popped up. Probably checking for information on me.

We ate mostly in silence. I made polite conversation with JARVIS and told Ree discreetly to scan Stark. Nothing unexpected, shrapnel in his chest, the first beginnings of what would become heavy metal poisoning and a few cuts, bruises and strains that hadn´t healed yet. Probably from his tests with the armor. His liver was surprisingly healthy.

"Seems like it´s true, you´re really a major share holder now, why did you buy in when everyone else wanted out? And what did you mean, Obie didn´t want us to meet?", Stark questioned when the boxes were empty. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Apparently, he couldn´t figure out my motivation.

"Well, all of that and the meeting today actually connect. See, I know you have a brilliant mind-", I started to explain and ignored his preening at my words. "-and as much as you have done in the weapons sector, that stuff doesn´t interest me. But what else could you do if you had to find a new focus? That´s also why I didn´t agree with the rest of the board. They wanted to file an injunction against you to get control over the company. You got them mighty scared for their money. I don´t have a problem with losing a bit of money, got plenty left."

I watched him to see if he had any questions so far. He seemed to be in thoughts, cursing under his breath.

"An injunction, huh? And Obie couldn´t talk them out of it?"

I let out a pained hiss.

"Stane is supposed to be your man on the board? I don´t know how to tell this, but… He was the one pushing it. Explained how you were traumatized and couldn´t make any rational decisions for the company right now. He was not pleased when I crashed his parade."

Stark looked startled and concerned. He obviously couldn´t quite believe what I was saying yet. Wordlessly I took out my phone and pretended to select an audio file while letting Ree play the recording of the meeting.

I could see the hurt steal itself on the inventor's face, before he smoothed out his expression to a neutral one. I grimaced in sympathy. He remained silent when the recording ended.

"I know that sucks, but I´m afraid this is not the worst.", I told him. He drew an eyebrow up in question. I made a face again.

"Soo, please don´t sue me for this? Stane seemed kind of shady, so I kinda hacked into SI´s servers while I was in the building?"

I shot him what I deemed to be my most charming smile. I was fairly certain he would not be mad about this, but it could bite me in the ass real fast. Luckily, he looked more amused than scandalized. I pulled out the prepared USB-stick.

"Here. There was a lot. Stane was dealing with weapons under the table. Sold to terrorists and all that shitty stuff. There´s orders, routes and all sorts of dealings there. He didn´t hide it that well when you know to look. But that still isn´t the worst."

We were making our way down to the lab now. Stark took the stick and sat himself in front of his screens. He was pissed as he looked through the first few files. Then came the video. He started it before I could protest. I didn´t know how I could soften the blow anyway. I just stood next to him and translated what they were saying in a quiet tone. I wasn´t sure Stark spoke the language.

After a minute he pressed stop. I chanced a look at his face. His eyes were wet but he didn´t cry.

"He… Obie?", he choked out, swallowing the rest of the worlds.

"I´m sorry Mr. Stark. Stane was the one to put a hit out on you.", I said.

Instead of the expected anger he just seemed to deflate. Stane´s betrayal hit him hard and right now there was no life-threatening situation he had to power through like in the movie. I wasn´t sure what I was going to do now. I couldn´t just hug him. He wasn´t really a hug-person. I pulled out my flask of alcohol and offered it to him.

I may dislike alcohol, but Stark had earned himself a drink. He wordlessly accepted and downed a good portion of flask. I winced, I wasn´t even sure what kind of alcohol I put in. I had been some of the harder ones from the hotel mini bar in my room. Stark didn´t seem to mind.

I pulled up a chair and just sat with him for a while.

Eventually he sucked in a breath of air and sat up putting on a weak smile.

"What are you still doing here, worried about little ol´me? Don´t, I´ll be fine.", he said, trying to put on a façade and made to give me back my flask. Giving him a small smile back I puffed up my chest and put on a haughty look.

"Now, whyever would you think that? I`m just protecting my new investments of course."

Slumping down again I continued: "But seriously, I don´t want to leave you alone for now. Especially until the law enforcement gets involved. Imagine Stane tries to pay you a visit. I´ll stay. Keep the flask, I don´t drink alcohol anyway."

He hummed a vague agreement and looked at the screen that still showed him in captivity. I sighed discreetly.

At this point in the movie, he had had a kind of falling out with Rhodes over the military contracts. JARVIS wasn´t enough and Pepper was still just a PA. Not to mention how many Pepperony moments I had already destroyed, they weren´t that close yet and I had just destroyed his interest in a romantic relationship for good while if I had to guess. I liked Stark, but I really wasn´t the best person for this.

Screw it. I drew back my shoulders and put on a look of determination. Time for a round of mother hening. I´ll just imitate Domi and improvise the rest.

"First up,", I announced, "you get a round of comfort, then we´ll call the authorities. Do you like hot chocolate? I´m totally gonna make you a hot chocolate. Who do you call for this shit anyway? That´s not police stuff, right? So, the alphabet soup? The FBI? That sounds kind of right…"

I started to ramble while hording a devastated and increasingly confused Stark upstairs.

When the first agents arrived, they were greeted by a Stark disappearing in comfy blankets, nursing a cup of hot chocolate and a tup of ice cream, while I was making chicken soup in the kitchen.

Ok, maybe I only had experience caring for friends who were sick or on their period, but hey! Better than nothing!

Their looks were priceless though.

Chapter End Notes

When it comes to Jarvis: I run on the Fanon that Tony in 2009 is still more or less keeping Jarvis on the down low in fear of people being scared of a Skynet, so he introduces him as the one "running his house" or his "secruity system". That is why he is surprised by Al greeting Jarvis so friendly. Al isn´t supposed to know how capable Jarvis is. So he kinda goofed that. Thankfully, Tony is later way to distracted to question him about it, Al doesn´t even notice he did something wrong.