Chapter 1
The first time Tony met him, he barely registered his existence in the room.
The clean energy project was in full swing and Tony was meeting with experts from all fields. The Marine biologist after introducing himself as Dr.Mark Garrison was looking at the stark blueprints and suggesting modifications.
“ Placing 60% of the units in these areas can maximise our output” A new voice said
Tony looked sideways at the new arrival. The man was looking thoughtfully at the display murmuring something to the Doctor who was nodding along.
“Ah, yes of course. The rocks here and here can be used for anchorage and the waves breaking here will ensure longer durability” Garrison continued
“I’m sorry, who is this again?” Tony asked intrigued
“This is my intern Mr.Stark, weren’t you present when introductions were made?” Garrison asked knowing fully that he was
“All the new faces, I must have gotten confused” Tony said refusing to be embarrassed
“Very well. Mr.Stark, this is my intern Percy Jackson.” Garrison said pointing to the black haired man.
Jackson just gave a small smile and a nod before continuing to point out more details on placement and reducing harmful effects to marine life.
That should have been Tony’s first clue that he was something special.
The second time Tony met him was on site. With the white safety helmet on Tony almost didn’t recognise him.
“Jackson right?” Tony asked, walking towards him “The intern?”
“Yup” He replied not taking his eyes off the machinery
“What are you doing here? Your job was done weeks ago when we finalised the plan.” Tony asked, turning his own eyes towards the workers.
“I could ask you the same Stark. Isn’t supervising something you have people do for you?”
“Man of little words, are you? This is a personal project. I wanted to be here”
Jackson turned to face him, his unique sea green eyes looking at him as if in a new light.
“I am here to see if the plant will cause any unseen damages to the marine life here”
Tony just hummed , fully immersed in the proceedings before him.
The construction of the plant gave Tony many other opportunities to meet the ‘intern’.
Tony couldn’t really place him. Jackson neither grovelled at his greatness nor did he outright hate him. He seemed very self assured whenever Tony talked to him, acknowledging that Tony sometimes knew things he didn’t and also not shying away from pointing out things he got wrong.
“How long is your internship exactly?” Tony asked one day
“My internship was over a few weeks ago. I have 1 year left and then I can get my Doctorate.”
Jackson was slowly becoming less guarded around him he realised.
“You know we have a research department at Stark industries right?”
“Are you offering to hire me Stark?” Jackson asked a small smile on his face
“First of all, call me Tony. And second of all, could I have been less obvious?”
“Then you can call me Percy, and about the offer - why?”
“It takes a job offer to be able to call you Percy?” Tony asked laughing
Percy looked unimpressed
“I have been around you long enough to know you are very passionate about what you do and you do it very well too. Not to mention you were the only intern Dr. Garrison had. You must be at least somewhat competent.”
“Somewhat competent, is that the qualifying factor for getting into Stark tech nowadays?”
“Most people would just thank me and accept, you know?”
Percy sighed “Thank you for the offer St- Tony, But I want to be accepted for my talents. Ofcourse I will send in my resume but hire me only if my qualifications are up to Stark standards.”
Tony was speechless. Jackson definitely was something special.
The Wave energy Harvesting Plant was up and running without a hitch. Pepper had suggested a party to celebrate the progress of the clean energy project. Something about good publicity and transparency. Tony was all in. Not only was it for a good cause, he damned well deserved some congratulations for all the work he had done.
That is why Tony found himself alone at the bar on a Saturday evening looking at the crowd of well dressed socialites wearing bland smiles and sharing fake pleasantries.
“You know by now everyone was expecting you to be in some room doing your own version of a celebration” A smooth voice drawled from beside him.
Tony looked up and he felt his mouth go dry. The messy ‘intern’ had somehow transformed into a sauve greek god in a blak tux.
“Sorry to disappoint” Tony managed
Percy just raised his eyebrows and ordered his own drink.
“Should I be addressing you as Dr.Percy Jackson yet?”
“Wow” Percy said laughing “I’ll never get used to hearing that. But to answer your question, yes I got my doctorate”
“I’ve got to admit Doctor and Percy do not sound like they go together,Dr.Jackson on the other hand..”
“You know my name is not actually Percy?”
“What!? You lied to me!?” Tony asked with an exaggerated look
Percy just rolled his eyes and said “Percy is short for Perseus”
“I really don’t blame you for going with Percy.” Tony said patting his back in fake sympathy
“So what is the man of the hour doing in a bar alone ?” Percy asked
“All this, is just not me anymore.” Tony said waving in the general direction of the party “The fake happiness and people getting close only because I am a Stark.”
“Let me get you a drink”
“Are you propositioning me Dr.Jackson?” Tony asked, challenging
“And what if I am?” Percy replied not backing down
“Then I’d say we better go find one of these rooms you were talking about and get to my version of a celebration”
Percy replied by capturing his lips in a kiss.
Tony was usually annoyed when his one night stands didn’t make themselves scarce before he woke up. He was surprised he felt no trace of irritation while looking at the man beside him. Percy looked so relaxed with his dark hair sprawled over the pillowcase and blanket half covering his body.
All the staring seemed to have woken up the man in question.
“I haven’t slept that well in a long time” the raven head said softly without opening his eyes.
Despite his rising panic Tony smiled.
“I would be insulted if our activities last night didn’t tire you enough for that.”
Percy just smirked and opened his eyes.
Tony suddenly realised that not only was he not irritated, he was glad that the man was still beside him. His anxiety must have shown on his face because Percy’s face shifted from relaxed to concerned.
“Are you okay?”
Tony quickly flashed him a confident smile and got out of the bed.
“I just don’t do pillow talks, not really my area. Tell you what though, send in your resume and I’ll make sure it is fast tracked.”
Tony thought that he felt disappointment and hurt flash through those verdigris eyes.
“So, that’s it then?” Percy asked
“Was there anything else? I thought you wanted to be hired based on merit or something. Has that changed?” Tony asked pretending that he didn’t understand what the other man was getting at while he got dressed.
“No, that hasn’t changed but I won’t be needing that job anyways” Percy said, sounding resigned. He also got off the bed and pulled on his clothes.
Tony felt like there was something heavy on his chest at the sight of Percy hunched looking dejected. But he couldn’t risk it, he wasn’t made for relationships and despite not knowing Percy really well he knew Percy deserved better than what he could give. His rejection of a research position at Stark technologies did surprise him though.
“Why?” Is it because of last night? He wanted to ask
“I..My dad found out that I have a degree in marine biology and about my doctorate and hired me” Percy said awkwardly rubbing the back of his head
“What do you mean your dad found out?”
“Um.. we aren’t really that close. I barely meet him a few times a year so he didn’t know much about what I was doing.”
“Oh… where were you hired?” Tony asked
“Atlantis Industries”
“ The greek company?”
“Yeah” Percy said with a smile
Tony was impressed. Atlantis Industries was one of the most revolutionary companies in the field of marine technology. They were known for their eco-friendly projects that worked seamlessly with the local flora and fauna. The founder Daniel Olympian was very popular because he was genuinely passionate and his work reflected that. If Percy were to work anywhere other than with him, he was glad it was at Daniel’s company.
“I am happy for you, Percy.” Tony said smiling “Will you be moving to Greece?”
“No, They have a few branches here and I’ll be working in New York. Thank you for the offer Tony.”
“Guess I’ll see you around then Dr.Jackson”
Percy laughed and Tony felt his heart lighten.