Chapter Text
Jonas nodded once before turning on his heel and striding out of the room.
Chapter 7 - An Egotistical Narcissist
“Tony, are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Of course it is, I used to watch The Brock Report all the time,” Tony replied, totally not listening as he and Pepper headed down the hall to his office. “He’s a good kid. A bit anxious and squirrely sometimes, sure, but who isn’t?”
Pepper sighed. “Tony, I don’t think you’re listening-”
“Of course I’m listening.” Tony waved her off. “I’m gonna get interviewed and get to show off all my stuff.”
“Tony.” Finally he stopped at the firm, unyielding manner in Pepper’s tone. “Eddie Brock is good at what he does.”
“I’d sure hope so.”
“I mean ,” Pepper stressed. “He’s good at digging into things people don’t want brought to light. He’s going to ask you questions you’re not going to want to answer and if you avoid them, he’s definitely going to put that in his article. Stark Industries used to manufacture weapons, he’ll ask about that. Stark Industries is the primary financial support for the Avengers. He’s going to ask about that. There are eighty-five Iron Man suits in your basement, he’s definitely going to ask how you’re paying for that.”
Tony opened his mouth to argue but Pepper’s stern gaze cut him off. “Yeah, alright, so...he’s gonna ask some not so nice questions.”
“Eddie Brock was the one who brought down The Life Foundation.”
“They were shit,” Tony pointed out. “We’re not The Life Foundation.”
“No, but my point is, they were hiding stuff from the world and he figured it out,” Pepper pointed out. “Tony.” She sighed. “Anything you’re hiding, he’s going to find out.”
Tony was silent for a moment. “Okay, anything I should be worried about?”
“Aside from literally everything I just mentioned?” Pepper asked, exasperated. “He’ll probably ask about that fight you had with Captain Rogers, in the airport. He’ll probably ask about your interns, how Stark Industries affects the environment, how much work you actually do for the company, how much your employees get paid, about your alcoholism.”
“I’ve recovered.”
“Doesn’t mean it can’t still influence you,” she told him.
Tony huffed as they entered his office and he moved to drop down into the seat behind the desk. Pepper came to a stop in front of him, an unimpressed look on her face.
“Brock will be here in two months, so yes, you have time to prepare,” Pepper told him. “But don’t prepare too much or he’ll know and don’t prepare too little because you’ll just end up screwing up and saying something you don’t mean.”
Tony scowled. “I’m confused now,” he remarked. “How did you convince me to agree with Fury on this?”
“For whatever reason, Fury thinks Brock is in danger,” Pepper replied. “He wants to bring him to New York to keep a closer eye on him, figure out who might be thinking about going after him-”
“And the best way to do that is to schedule an interview with me?”
“Two interviews.”
Tony stared at her. “Aw, really?” he whined.
“One with you as the head of Stark Industries,” Pepper replied. “And one with you as Iron Man of the Avengers.”
“Oh, he’s interviewing the Avengers too?”
“That’s right.”
“Wh-now hang on,” Tony began, getting to his feet while Pepper just raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “How come I’m the only one getting lectured about questions?”
“Because the others are trustful, responsible, mature adults.”
“Hey!” Tony snapped. “I’m-”
“An egotistical narcissist who doesn't realize just how good Brock is with words and how easily he can dig into one one bad aspect and tear down your entire company,” Pepper supplied. “I’m helping you, Tony, and I really don’t have to.” She eyed him. “Try not to get yourself fired, alright?”
And then she was gone and Tony groaned, falling back into his seat. After a few moments, he shifted.
“Hey Friday?”
“ Yes sir?”
“Get me everything there is to know about Eddie Brock.”
“Right away, sir.”