the elevator is a paid actor
Clenching your teeth, you opt to take a few deep breaths and count to ten. Instead of screaming and punching Tony several times like you want to. Like you should, it would probably knock some sense into him. And make you lose your job.
Taking one last deep breath, you slam your phone on the workbench, done staring at the comments, much less the rising numbers of the new trending hashtags.
“Stark,” you call one last time.
If he doesn’t answer this time, you resolve to drag him by the ear to wherever Pepper is. Maybe then he’ll listen.
He finally rolls out from under the car wrench in hand, and a shocked face to go with it. “Did you just last name me?”
“I sure as hell did, and I won’t hesitate to full name you either Anthony.”
He sighs, standing up, “You’ve been hanging out with Peps too much.”
“Much better influence and reputation than you that’s for sure,” you say.
“I’m paying you to give us a good image, not sass me.” He says, catching the rag you toss. “What do you want ASTRA?”
You glare at the nickname but slide your phone to him anyway. “Had a good workout this morning?”
He shakes his head looking at the post. “Only 4 million likes? I can do so much better.”
“Not what I’m showing you,” you point at the picture he posted “Look at the mirror.”
He raises his eyebrows, “Damn I look good.”
“Not the point! You’re trending right now, and not in a good way!”
He whistles and reads off the most popular ones, “Tony Stark 🍆, double cheeked up, Girthy Stark.”
“You need to take the picture down.” You say, snatching your phone back.
“Why? People love me, I thought that was the whole point.” He shrugs, lying back down on the creeper roller.
“My job is to stop you from making an ass out of yourself!” you yell, pointing at your phone. “Posting accidental nudes is making a huge ass out of yourself!”
“A damn hot ass,” he smirks, rolling back under the car. “Why don’t you just delete it yourself? Hacking into my twitter should Swiss cheese for you.”
“Tony,” you breathe. “This is the last time I ask you, or I’m calling Pepper. That is if she hasn’t found out already.”
He rolls back out. “You wouldn’t.”
“Watch me,” You pull up the speed dial on your phone.
He glares at you. “I’m calling your bluff.”
You smirk, pressing Pepper’s contact. She picks up on the first ring.
“I know, I know, I’m heading down right now!” She yells loud enough for Tony to hear.
“Well then, guess that’s solved." you smile, dusting your hands.
"Please, I'll do anything." he sits up.
"He’s in here Pepper!” you call out when you hear the elevator.
“Good luck, you’re gonna need it!” You smirk, walking out.
You lean against the elevator rail, checking your messages. Your next target, according to Natasha, should have arrived earlier on the quinjet.
The elevator slowly creaks up from the basement to the main floor, and squeaks to a halt.
“Damn, Tony really needs to get this elevator fixed.” You mutter.
The doors open, revealing the main lobby. The hottest man to have ever existed steps on. He nods in greeting, and you smile back. He hesitates for a moment, before pressing the button for his next floor and leans on the railing opposite from you.
You try not to stare, but dammit, the man just pulls off the strapped leather jacket and gloves so well. You didn’t even know you were into leather jackets. You dare a second glance at his face and find the most gorgeous blue eyes staring back at you. Shit you were caught drooling at him. Double shit, because he smirks, and it makes him even more impossibly attractive.
“First time here?” You ask in a vain attempt to save face.
“Second actually,” he says. “What gave it away?”
“I haven’t seen you around here.” It was your turn to smirk, as you nod to the napkin in his hand. “Also, if that’s not a very poorly drawn map of the compound, then I don’t know what it is.”
He laughs, lifting it up and turning it around. “I know, I’ve gotten lost like five times in the past hour.”
“You need to get a better cartographer,” you click your tongue, shaking your head.
“Seems so,” he agrees.
The elevator dings and jumps to a stop.
“That’s my stop, good luck finding your way Indiana Jones.” You smile, stepping out.
He raises a confused brow but smiles anyway. “And if I get lost? I mean…” He raises his napkin map and shakes his head with a twisted mouth.
“Follow the yellow brick road.” You smirk and risk a wink as the doors close.
You wait for Wanda and Nat to finish debriefing in the lounge area. When they do walk out, Wanda sports a butterfly bandage above her eyebrow, and a dark bruise is starting to color Nat’s cheek.
“Tough mission?” You ask.
They both drop down beside you, sandwiching you in the middle.
“Motherfuckers had reinforcements,” Nat groans.
“Do you guys need to be checked by medical?”
Wanda leans her head back on the couch, “Ugh, no I just want sleep.”
“Ditto,” Nat says.
“You needed me?” Wanda asks, tilting her head to look at you.
“Yeah, but it can wait, you guys need rest.” You say.
Nat snorts, leaning on your shoulder. “You should see the other guys.”
“Speaking of seeing people,” you lead, “I just saw a man too illegally hot to even look at him.”
Wanda sits up, “You have my attention now. Did you catch his name?”
You shake your head. “But I’m thinking he’s probably a new recruit, he had a map and was headed up to the living quarters.” You say.
Wanda and Nat share a look and you realize maybe you should’ve kept your mouth shut in the first place.
“Describe him,” Nat says.
“I don’t know…” you trail off, pursing your lips. “Dark short hair,” you say imitating his messy hair.
Nat raises a brow.
“Leather strap jacket?” you offer, “leather gloves.”
They share another look, and you just want to sink further into the couch.
“Don’t tell me he’s taken,” you sigh, covering your face.
You spread your fingers apart, and Wanda is smirking at you. She looks at Nat.
“You want to tell her?”
“Tell me what?” you ask, uncovering your face.
Nat laughs and shakes her head like the evil friend she is. “Nah, I think she should figure it out on her own.”
“What?” You sit up, as they start standing. “Figure what out?”
“You know, I think I’m going to take a nap now.” Wanda stretches.
Nat agrees with her, following Wanda to the elevator.
“Nat! Wanda! You guys can’t leave me like this!” you exclaim as they board. “He’s taken isn’t he?”
Nat blows you a kiss, and Wanda does a little finger wave as the doors close.
“Not fair guys!” you yell, flipping off the closed elevator.