Meet and Greet: Heart in a Knot verse

[starknaked]

Friday night. Tony had actually dressed for the event - with Pepper overseeing him the entire day - and had arrived on time. With Pepper on his arm. She wasn't taking any chances. The building was lit up, STARK emblazoned on the side in brilliant white light that was like a beacon. It was bright. It was gaudy.

He loved it.

Wine was being served but nothing harder, Pepper insisting they not ruin another home. Not yet.

So it was, at about eight, Tony was lurking by the door, waiting until he could get a real drink without Pepper keeping him corraled. Yep, that's right. Jarvis was on her side tonight, notifying her when he tried to leave the public floor of the party.

Comments

[starknaked]

He caught that look and smiled wider, nodding to those they passed as he downed his wine and reached for another glass from a passing tray.

"I'm fairly certain you never agreed either. I just am loving that by now they've told Pepper," he said, leading the way into an office. "And she's trying to decide if she should break in or not."

He turned to look at Arthur. The room was obviously for show, Tony much prefering the lab but it had been insisted he have an actual office. "So. You're the great and powerful Arthur.'

[specification]

Arthur watched as Tony downed the wine and reached for another as he lead them into an office. With the door shut behind them, Arthur studied the room they were in before he returned his gaze to him. He didn't need to ask who Pepper was, she had come up in his research just as much as Tony had in relation to Stark Industries.

He hummed and took a drink from his wine. "Afraid that I will try to blackmail you or something more scandalous?"

"And you're Anthony Stark," he said, extending a hand to shake with Tony's. "It's nice to meet you, Tony. Officially." Mallorie had told him some things about the man underneath the suit and then there were things she hadn't told him explicitly but he had gathered from what she didn't say.

[starknaked]

The room was exquisitely done, the perfect office for a billionaire CEO but it was utterly not Stark. Not in the least.

"Nope, not even worried. Mallorie wouldn't have recommended a blackmailer or a bastard. That means you come very highly regarded. I trust her opinion," he admitted with a shrug. "I admit, I wasn't sure you were going to come after our talk. Happen to bring the flask," he asked, obviously a challenge to see what Arthur would do.

[specification]

Arthur smiled despite himself. "I meant more in regard to Pepper's worries," he admitted. But he was glad that Tony didn't have a worry about him and his merit.

He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the wine glass in his hand. "I'm thinking I should keep it for myself since you've already got a good head start on the night." But Stark's drinking was Stark's drinking alone and not exactly any of Arthur's business. He reached into his inside pocket and slide out a flask filled generously with scotch. If Stark wanted to get trashed, that was his prerogative. Technically being off the clock meant Arthur himself could have a drink or two and with that in mind, he opened up the flask and took a sip.

"I did give it some thought but thought it would be worth meeting you first before I do what I'm hired to do." Delve into the psych of the man standing before him, that was.

[starknaked]

"She might worry about that, yes. She'll just lecture me latter and then I'll mention Mallorie and I'll get a snort and she'll storm off. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't call Cobb," he admitted.

"Is that so? Horrible man," he said, downing his wine. "I'll have you know I'm barely buzzed. Horrible state to be in with this party.

"Well, I plan to be sober for that. That won't be tonight," he said cheerfully, taking the flask and a drink. "So tell me. Does Cobb know Mallorie is smitten with you or is he clueless?"

[specification]

Arthur chuckled and started to walk around the office slowly. He had a feeling it wasn't going to be used very often, if at all. Tony Stark didn't seem like the sort of man who used offices. "How long have you and Mal known each other?" He turned to face the billionaire as he leaned against the desk.

"I could see how it would be unbearable without the alcohol," he granted him with a grin. It was the sort of function that Arthur did not envy nor did he miss.

Arthur grinned and allowed him to take the flask but his eyebrows flew up when he asked that question. He was nearly at a loss for words. Honestly. Smitten?

"Smitten with me?" He voiced the question. She was beautiful, undoubtedly so, and truly beautiful not only on the outside but inside as well. She had been there for him when he needed someone and he would go at long lengths to protect her but still. "He's blind to anything but her, their children and dreaming."

[starknaked]

The desk was massive and mahogany, covered with leather accessories. It was beautiful and stunningly crafted and likely no one had ever sat in the leather chair behind it.

"Mallorie and I have known one another since... she was a freshman in college." He smiled fondly thinking about it. "I was a visiting speaker and she attended my lecture. We had dinner after," he said, not saying more about it than that.

"I wouldn't call it love. I don't think the two of you have been together because Cobb wouldn't keep you around. It is obvious she adores you, and I'm willing to bet you feel the same about her. Am I right?"

[specification]

Arthur felt a smile cross his lips at the story and nodded. That was truly all he needed to know about their meeting. He had no urge to know more of what happened after that.

He felt himself nod in response to his question. "Yeah, I do." He paused before nearly blurting out, "she adores you too, you realize." But, Tony probably knew that already - he did seem to know these sort of things very well. It was his own little way to skew the attention away from himself. Besides, Arthur wasn't romantically interested in Mallorie despite his fond feelings toward her.

[starknaked]

"Good. I won't have to worry about you hurting her," he said with a nod, showing more emotions than Tony Stark was capable of. He figured if the guy was going to be in his head, he had to be more open with him. Why hide secrets when they would be ferreted out.


"How much discretion am I guaranteed with this," he asked, getting right down to business.

[specification]

"And I assume I won't need to worry about you hurting her either," Arthur said in kind. He watched Tony Stark intently for a good few moments before he nodded. They would have to be clear with each other and open in order to share a headspace with each other.

Arthur slid off the desk and walked over to the older man, taking the flask from him. "Complete and utter discretion, Mr. Stark. I can assure you that no one will know other than those who need to know and I will personally never set out to invade your mind after our business dealings are complete."

[starknaked]

"No. That isn't going to happen. Not that I'm as close to her as I once was," he pointed out. "But even if I was, I wouldn't do it. No way I would do that to her." Her and Pepper. That was the women that meant the most in his life.

"And who are those that would need to know? I wonder about that wording so do explain it," he said, giving over the flask and watching Arthur intently. He might be a lot of things but he wasn't less than careful.

[specification]

Arthur nodded. He didn't figure he had to worry too much about Tony hurting her but still, it needed to be asked. He'd kill anyone who tried to hurt her or did hurt her.

Stark was smart, that much was certainly obvious. Least he asked questions and asked for specifications. "I meant people like Pepper, if she needed to know why I was meeting with you with a silver briefcase." He wasn't sure what their relationship was, if there was a relationship but that wasn't his business. Still, at the most they would need five to fifteen minutes per day or at intervals to get Tony's militarization completed. "People who would be in need of contact with you as we complete this."

[starknaked]

He considered that and then nodded. "Fair enough. First thing, anything that goes on can be spoken to Pepper about. She is the only one. I don't care what Rhodey says, you tell him nothing," he said with a nod. "If someone named Fury or Coulson approach you about this, tell them that you don't rat out to the government," he added, considering. "In the end, only one that ever hears about this is Pepper. Otherwise, I will tell lies about why you're here, and no one will ever know," he said with a smirk. "Like being my date."

"I don't suspect you would work against me. I can find you and end things, especially if the suit ends up in the hands of the government. Which, so you know, is why I'm doing this." He suspected one day they would come for it. "I have a lot of secrets, some of which I expect you to keep secret but that suit I will defend against anything and anyone."

[specification]

"I can assure you, Mr. Stark, that I have no allegiance to the government. What I do is under the government radar and we're not exactly on speaking terms. Even if they were to approach me, I wouldn't say anything," Arthur said, firmly. He made a note that Pepper could be trusted with this but others to be wary of. By nature, Arthur wasn't a trusting man - it took a lot for him to trust a person so his lips would have been sealed either way. Still, it was good to know those Tony trusted.

Namely Pepper.

Tony's threat wasn't exactly knew to him. In his line of work, it was fairly common place with those that felt they were big time thugs. In this case, it was his protectiveness concerning the suit and from what he read and knew about it, Arthur could see why he would want to militarize his brain. "And, for good reason too," he said. "Militarization will make it extremely difficult for anyone to access and steal secrets from your mind. It's an exceptionally smart choice for a man at your standing. Not only from the government but other criminal organizations who might want access to your secrets."

[starknaked]

Tony nodded at that, reaching for the flask. "Good. We're not entirely on speaking terms, the government and myself. I won't give them the suit, and I won't join their little team. They're not entirely happy with me," he noted, sounding downright amused to admit that. Not only amused, happy about it.

That Arthur agreed with him on why he wanted to keep this from the government made him nod, relaxing a bit with a smile and another drink from the flask. "Good. That's what I need. I had forgotten about it, the things Mallorie told me, until recently. Now though, I'm not taking any chances."

[specification]

Arthur took a last drink before he handed the flask back over to Stark and nodded his head. "Then looks like we're in agreement," he said. Not only about the government, though he was pleased to hear that, but also in what he needed militarization for.

He licked his lips tasting the scotch and took a look around before returning his gaze to Tony. "So then we will start as soon as we can." He knew Tony was busy going from event to event or working on new technology. "It's a good idea to not take any chances," he said. "You can't be too careful."

[starknaked]

'Monday. Once we're back in Malibu," he said with a nod. "All worked. Glad to have it settled then. I hate doing business when I'm drinking," he said, smirking because even he knew that left a thin window for business. "Speaking of, you're going to want me sober for this, aren't you?"

He already knew from Mal that he would. "Nope. Why I went to Mal to recommend someone. She told me it was a shame neither of us were into men." He couldn't help himself but to share that.

[specification]

"I do expect you to be sober for this, yes. It makes it just that much harder when you're under the influence of narcotics or alcohol," Arthur said with a nod.

He raised his eyebrows at that. That little minx. "Did she now," he asked. "She told me that we'd get along swimmingly." Arthur didn't bide by any sort of label. If he liked a person and was attracted to them, he was attracted to them. It didn't exactly matter about the sex of said person. Tony -- well, he was the sort of guy Arthur could see himself become very interested in. As far as he knew though, women were what did it for Tony and thus, Arthur wasn't going to allow himself to think about that one for too long.

"Do you have a date you wanted to be finished by?" It was dependent on the person how long it took for militarization.

[starknaked]

"Never narcotics," he said, as if that made all the difference in the world. To Tony it did but likely not for the rest of the world.

"She did, wicked thing," he said, laughing and sounding very much amused by her antics. "And we do seem to be doing well, don't you think," he asked, taking the flask and a deep drink before holding it out to Arthur. "Making compromises and everything. Darling Pepper would be shocked," he said with a smirk. 'Though I'm sure she'd be shocked by the few things I do keep from her," he said, knowing that Mal knew he had a proclivity that he kept from the world and the media. She hadn't made it clear whether Arthur did or not, though he was tempted to feel him out.

Someone with his discretion could be very, very entertaining for Tony.

"Nope. I'll have other work I'll need to do, and might get distracted with a few things, but no schedule that I'm working towards."

[specification]

Arthur took the flask from him and took a drink from it. After swallowing the drink, he gave Tony a nod. "Surprisingly we are doing well," he said. Instead of irritating him as he might have thought about for second or two, it amused him. He could certainly see why Mallorie thought they would get along well.

He raised his eyebrows at the mention of secrets and keeping things from Pepper. "So you do keep things from her," he asked, a bit surprised by that to be frank since she was trusted with everything else. Arthur couldn't help but wonder just what secrets she wasn't privy to.

Arthur took another drink from the flask before handing it over to Stark, letting him have the rest of it. "She did tell me about that. What kind of hours do you usually keep? Any time during the day work better or worse than the other?"

[starknaked]

"Does it surprise you? You don't find that people tend to be at ease around you," he asked, arching a brow. He looked him over slowly, head canting to one side. "It's the suit. I'm betting the suit. Most see it, see your manners, and find you intimidating." He smiled, leaning in a bit closer. "I don't intimidate," he pointed out, offering a bright, teasing wink.

"Of course I keep things from her. Mostly things that are none of her business, or things that I keep from everyone so deeply that I share with no one." Except he realized he couldn't hide them from Arthur. Not if he was going to be in his head. "So when you get in there, and you see things that maybe I wouldn't do here, act a certain way, then you'll know the things I keep from Pepper."

He leaned back, shrugging like it had never happened. "Whatever suits. I can work with things. I prefer not mornings," he admitted. "Not a fan of them."

[specification]

Arthur watched Tony as he looked him over slowly and couldn't help licking his lips lightly. He was into women. Womanizer. Playboy. It just wouldn't work. "No, not typically," he said, honestly, clearing his throat a little. Mallorie and Dom were different, of course. They knew him. Knew how he was and what have you. But for the average person, no -- people usually weren't at ease. He chuckled and sent him a wry smirk. "And what if that's exactly what I was going for?"

Arthur nodded, understanding that. There were things he kept from Mallorie as well, no matter how much he adored her and loved their friendship. Sometimes, you just had to keep some things to yourself. "Whatever I may or may not find out stays between us and that's it."

"So, afternoon then?" Arthur was usually up early in the morning anyway to go running so it didn't bother him much, if at all.

[starknaked]

Tony caught that flicker of tongue and it surprised him. He honestly hadn't expected him to be even curious, though maybe he should have. Was that why Mallorie had recommended him? No, he had to be the best, but that didn't mean she didn't know of proclivities they both have. She knew of his own after all.

Taking a chance, Tony took the flask and a deep drink before setting it on the desk. He moved in to stand toe to toe with Arthur. "It isn't intimidation I'm feeling," he said, figuring the worst thing that happened was he was wrong and he could blame it off on alcohol and a test. Something. Anything.

"I'll take your word about staying between us," he said, his hand moving suddenly, cupping the back of the point man's neck and pulling him in for a kiss. It was hard and sudden, tasting of scotch.

[specification]

If Arthur hadn't wanted it and hadn't wanted Tony Stark's attentions, he would have pushed him away or broken his arm. He was properly trained in self defense after all. But instead, when Tony stood toe to toe with him and cupped the back of his neck, bringing him in for a hard kiss, Arthur went with it and returned his hard kiss.

That. Minx. Did she know that this would happen? Could happen? But no, he was the best at what he did. He could militarize Tony's mind better than anyone he knew. Still, she could have told him that Tony may or may not have been interested in men. Instead, she didn't and here he was with his lips on Tony's and tasting the lingering taste of scotch on his lips. He groaned low and cupped the back of Tony's neck in return.

[starknaked]

That groan was all the encouragement Tony needed. His hand slid down further, jerking Arthur flush to him. That was all it took. He hadn't been with a man in so long and he had nearly forgotten how much he liked the feel. The sensation of a body without curves, the brush of stubble on stubble.

Pushing him back against the desk, head canting to deepen the kiss.

[specification]

Arthur made a soft sound when he was pulled flush against the hard body and moved his other hand to Tony's shoulder. Shit, this was not what he had expected when he came here tonight. There were a crowd of people just yards from where they were. Even knowing that and realizing that, Arthur couldn't bring himself to pull away from the kiss to deny themselves this.

Instead, he backed up against the desk and deepened the kiss further. His lips felt bruised and the skin around them would undoubtedly be pink from the brush of Tony's stubble and mustache.

[starknaked]

Stark wasn't thinking about the people on the other side of the door, though if he did it would definitely just do more for him. Especially as he undid the buttons on Arthur's coat, moving to push it off his shoulders.

"I've got a damn good idea for sealing this deal," he murmured between kisses.

[specification]

Arthur shrugged out of his jacket and allowed it to pool behind him on the desk. He returned his hands to Tony's body and started unbuttoning his jacket in turn; it was only fair after all. He pulled away from Tony's lips in order to catch his breath and nodded. Despite what his nod was saying, he couldn't help but add on. "Not very professional," he murmured.

Christ but he couldn't find himself caring very much about that which was very unlike him, truth be told.

[starknaked]

"Not professional at all," he agreed, fingers starting to undo the buttons on Arthur's shirt. "That doesn't mean it's going to stop me from having you over this desk," he admitted, pulling back to look Arthur in the eyes. He was curious to see if he'd deny that it would happen, if he'd tell him now.

"And then I may just do it again on the plane in the bathroom," he admitted.

[specification]

"You are awfully arrogant," he couldn't help but say with a smirk, however he wasn't denying that it would happen. "I don't suppose you have something with you then, do you?" Arthur pushed Tony's jacket off his shoulders and started untucking his shirt.

[starknaked]

"Damn right I'm arrogant. And you're letting me undress you in the middle of a party," he noted, smiling at Arthur, smug and amused.

"Are you asking if I plotted this," he asked, arching a brow. For a moment he thought to lie and then he shook his head. "Nope. I didn't plan this but maybe there's something in the desk, yeah."

[specification]

"I am," he said, not denying it. Already, his shirt was half unbuttoned and he was sure he looked like a mess. "Should move this away from the party. Especially if you don't have anything in the desk."

He pushed Tony back a little in order to walk around to the other side of the desk and look through the drawers. "Every drawer is empty," he said, looking over at Tony and couldn't help the way his eyes traveled down over his body slowly.

[starknaked]

"Why move it away from the party," he asked, arching a brow. He came around to stand behind Arthur, nimble fingers starting to work on the shirt once more. He nibbled at the curve of Arthur's ear.

"I have a condom in my wallet and lube I can manage," he whispered, the words heavy with need. "You know you want here and now. Admit it."

[specification]

Both hands rested on the desk in front of him as he tilted his head a little, groaning softly when Tony nibbled on his ear. His eyes darkened when he heard those whispered words, pressing back against him.

"I want it," he whispered needfully, because he did. Fuck but he did. It certainly wasn't the time nor the place but he couldn't exactly find it in himself to truly care about that. Later on he would. He would probably wonder what the hell he was thinking for being so unprofessional but then he'll shift in bed and remember just how good this would undoubtedly be.

"Are they going to miss you?" It had to be asked. He didn't want Pepper or someone to bust through the door to see what was keeping Tony from some speech or another.

[starknaked]

His hand slid over Arthur's chest, nails lightly turned against his skin. He started nipping and nuzzling at the back of his neck, groaning as he let his hand slide lower, undoing Arthur's belt.

"They won't come in here. Pepper knew what I was meeting you for," he admitted. "So she'll keep them out of here," he admitted, nipping at his shoulder as he undid the top button of his trousers. "I want you naked," he whispered. "I want you here and ready to take it," he murmured. "You'll just have to be quiet so no one hears you."

[specification]

Arthur licked his lips and made a soft noise when Tony slid his nails lightly against his skin and nipped at his neck. "So we're alone for a little while," he whispered with dark eyes. It looked like they were well on their way to getting him naked and he couldn't really be bothered by it. Not right now, anyway. "Mm, I can be quiet," he murmured as he made to turn around, shrugging his shirt off to join with his jacket. He had half the man to pick up his jacket and shirt, placing them away from the desk so he could put them back on afterward.

[starknaked]

"As long as I want you alone," he said, turning his head to lightly bit the side of Arthur's neck as he undid the fly on his trousers. "Then that's all we need," he whispered. "Just the two of us, this room and you clawing at that very polished surface of the desk," he said, loving the idea of it enough he rolled his hips, grinding himself against Arthur's ass.

He let him turn around, pushing his hand down past his trousers to stroke him through his underpants.

[specification]

Arthur bit back on a groan when Tony ground himself against his ass. Fuck. "And mess up your brand new desk," he asked, his voice huskier and lower. Oh but he did love that idea. Still, he turned around so he could help remove the rest of Tony's clothing, or at least get access to skin. He got as far as undoing his belt before he bit down on his bottom lip hard enough so only a low groan escaped in response to his stroking. He bucked into Tony's hand and jerked at Tony's belt.

[starknaked]

"Such an eager thing," he purred, curling his fingers around the shaft. "Looks as if our Mallorie knows us better than we know ourselves," he pointed out, smirking and not seeming at all bothered about bringing her into their moment of foreplay.

"Might as well enjoy our work, right," he asked, pushing Arthur's pants down.

[specification]

He was already hard and hardening even more in Tony's hand, groaning low. "She'd be proud of herself," he muttered after a long moment of silence. He flicked open the button on his trousers and shoved them down and off him.

"Not typically the sort to mix pleasure with business," Arthur said and licked his lips, looking at him with darker eyes. Despite what his mouth said, Arthur's hands returned to Tony's shirt as he started unbuttoning it and shoved it down, off of his shoulders.

"How do you want me?"

[starknaked]

She wasn't the only one feeling proud of themselves. Tony was damn well feeling proud he'd gotten this, was going to have this beautiful, straight laced at least in a suit man naked and mewling. Mewling was entirely his goal.

"Well, you don't typically work with me," he pointed out, smiling as he stepped out of his trousers and kicked them aside. "And down over that desk. Sure the edge is curved enough not to hurt," he said, making it clear that Arthur's comfort did matter to him.

[specification]

Arthur stepped out of his trousers and leaned down to pick them up so they wouldn't get wrinkled. He had to wear them out of here, after all and head home later to sleep and pick up his things for tomorrow's flight. "No, I don't usually work with you," he agreed and set his shirt, jacket and pants off to the side away from anywhere they could get ruined.

As he made his way over to the desk, Arthur slid his hand over Tony's bottom and licked his lips.

[starknaked]

"Exactly. Never worked with me before. Now I have to make it memorable, don't I," he asked, watching as Arthur cleaned up after himself. "You know, even if your trousers were a mess, no one would believe anything happened in here." Who would believe that Tony Stark was involved with a guy, after all?

Murring at that touch, he moved to get two things out of his jacket. A small packet and... "You okay with lotion," he asked, so casual about it.

[specification]

Arthur bit out a laugh and looked at him. "No, they wouldn't, would they? Still, it's not your reputation or you wearing the ruined trousers out of here, it's me." In other words, he had an image to uphold. It was one thing to have sex with your client before the job started and it was another to have sex with your client and wear ruined trousers out of the room and into a event for the duration of the evening.

He licked his lips. "It's better than the alternative," he said which of course he meant something like 'spit.' He returned to the space between the desk and Tony that he had vacated and leaned in to press his lips to Tony's again. He had always been insatiable when it came to physical contact with another person and because they were doing this, he had no qualm about showing how much he wanted to feel Tony's lips on his again.