Chapter Text
Ethan strode into Tony Stark's office head held high. The tightness in his jaw was the only tell that the confrontation was not ideal. This was Tony's high ground and Ethan merely the 'help'. It would have been a complete lie if Ethan said it didn’t chafe a little.
"Hunt," Tony acknowledged the other man formally and waved to the chair in front of his desk. "You remember Miss Potts?" He gestured to the blonde beside him.
"Of course," Ethan replied with a genuine smile to her.
"I'll get these down to the lobby right now Tony," Pepper said. "It was good to see you Ethan." She smiled at him and hurried across the office to leave the two men to discuss the set up for the night.
"Pepper has security badges for the rest of your team and will leave them at our front desk. When will they arrive?" Tony asked tersly.
"Who says they're not already here?" Ethan replied brusquely. "I mean one breach has occurred. Why not another?"
Tony's lips pressed into a thin line and his eyes flashed dangerously. "So this is a big joke to you?" Tony said scornfully. "If anyone gets their hands on that tech, especially Justin Hammer, our government is certainly not going to be the first place he tries to peddle it."
"Why do you think I'm here?" Ethan fired back. "You made it perfectly clear to all the right people that this was something only our department could handle."
"I called in a favor for a favor," Tony snapped indignantly. "I believe it was in the contract I signed last time."
"So what; this is just to wipe the slate clean?" Ethan declared spitefully. "It took you eight years to call in a favor?"
"Does that mean you've been counting Hunt?" Tony meant it to come out facetiously but, what resulted was something bitter and accusatory.
"Have you?" Ethan retorted.
《So much for not bringing up the past.》Tony thought sulkingly.
Flashback
Tony couldn't help but be disappointed.
Of course it was never just about him. It was always about his money, the company, his tech.
Dammit he thought.
This one had ticked all the boxes too; charmingly articulate, roguishly handsome, and those eyes! Tony's libido had went into overdrive the minute they locked gazes.
"Ethan was it?" Tony asked dismissal coating the words. "I don't think I can help you. As you can see I'm on holiday. And you know what they say " all work and no play etcetera etcetera..."
Still, there was no sense in wasting a future opportunity and Tony handed Ethan a card. "Call my offices. I should be back in the states in a couple weeks. Maybe we can discuss your proposal then."
"You don't understand," Ethan asserted. "This isn't some business venture. It's so much bigger than that.This could potentially effect the whole world."
Tony frowned while finishing his martini "Look Ethan, if that's your real name, If dear old Dad was still alive you might have had better luck. He was all for saving the world, well in his own way, but me? I'm not interested in your little crusade. So thanks for the drink; see you around maybe, when the fate of the world's not at stake." Tony responded not hiding the "air quotes" his fingers made in derision at his parting statement.
Tony got up to leave the bar and wasn't completely surprised when Ethan fell into step beside him. Normally, Tony enjoyed the thought of the chase but his mood had soured.
"Tony," Ethan said smoothly. "You're the only one that has the skills I need."
As they approached the valet, Ethan took Tony by the arm stopping him abruptly. "What can I do to make you change your mind?"
"For starters you can let go of me," Tony snapped pulling his arm free of Ethan's hold. "No means no pretty boy."
Ethan tilted his head slightly, amusement tugged at the corner of his lips. When the valet drove Tony's shiny red Bugatti up to the gate, Ethan pressed forward and took the door from him holding it open for Tony.
The Billionaire rolled his eyes petulantly dropping into the driver's seat. "Good manners won't get you anwhere."
"Never hurts though does it?" Ethan responded cheekily.
"Unbelievable," Tony muttered shaking his head. He jerked the door closed and stepped on the gas. The tires squawked and Ethan jumped back as Tony sped off.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
The next morning as Tony was driving through the Tizi n'Tichka pass towards Ouarzazate his cell phone rang.
"Come on will you at least hear me out?" Came a familiar voice when he answered.
"How did you even get this number?" Tony asked tersly.
A black sportcar raced up beside him and Tony glanced over. "You've got to be kidding me," he exclaimed when Ethan gave a little wave and cocky smile.
"So will you pull over so we can talk?" Ethan asked coyly. "I promise I can make it worth your while."
Tony slammed on the gas and the Bugatti roared ahead. "Tell you what pretty boy," Tony retorted. "You want to talk? You gotta catch me first!"
Cutting the call,Tony downshifted as they hit an incline. Ethan cursed and matched the other man's speed. Halfway up the incline Tony hit a sharp turn and Ethan was forced to drop back behind him as they passed other vehicles coming toward them.
Ethan grabbed his seatbelt as a truck whizzed by horn blaring. "Sorry!" He yelled. He became immediately aware of the steep drop-off on his left and quickly took stock of his options. There was no way he could out pace the Bugatti so he was going to have to play dirty.
Tony looked back toward Ethan behind him for an instant smirking when he saw that the other man was falling back. They went speeding into another tight curve and Ethan got a panic stricken expression when Tony barely missed an oncoming sedan. He heard the tires squeal and gunned the car catching the Bugatti on the rear fender. Tony corrected and swore as he felt the contact causing his car to skid dangerously close to the edge.
Ethan managed to get alongside Tony and forced the vehicle away from the cliff. They threw gravel and dirt violently but somehow both came to rest mere centimeters from going over.
Tony sat dumbstruck in the car; hands still white knuckle gripping the steering wheel. Ethan hopped out and ran up to the passenger side and jumped into the open seat.
"Hey," Ethan said softly reaching out to pry Tony's hands from the wheel. "You ok?"
Tony glanced over at him, "Guess you caught me huh?" He replied with a shaky chuckle.
Ethan pulled the man toward him until their forhead's were touching, "So you ready to have that talk now?" He asked voice ragged, lips inches from Tony's.
Tony gazed into Ethan's half-lidded eyes, the rush of adrenaline only serving to heighten the sexual tension between them.
Who knew near death was such an aphrodisiac?
"Who needs to talk?" He asked. "I'm sure there are better things to do."
Ethan rewarded him with a slow wicked smile, "You know," he replied huskily. "You're absolutely right."
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Fint Oasis offered a quiet retreat, beautiful palm groves and comfortable accommodations. Tony was glad he'd taken Pepper's advice and added it to his itinerary. Right now though, the desert tour he'd planned was the furthest thing from his mind.
As soon as they were alone, Ethan pressed against him claiming Tony's mouth with his own.
Tony moaned as Ethan's tongue slid past his lips and threaded his fingers into Ethan's hair giving an experimental tug.
Ethan growled softly, wrapping his arms around Tony's waist. He wasted no time maneuvering them to the bed and they fell into it in a jumble of tangled limbs and partially removed clothing.
*********
Feeling petty, Tony scoffed at Ethan's question. "Is that really important right now?"
"You brought it up," Ethan taunted.
Tony's phone rang before he could give a suitable retort. "Yes? What is it?" He asked irritability. He listened for a moment then hung up. "Looks like the rest of your associates have arrived."