Chapter Text
The expo was loud around him, and Tony was reminded of the first expo he had gone to. It had been so different then, being in a small booth exclusively with the other people specializing in weapons like the ones he was trying to bring to the market. There were a few differences though. Like the very noticeable lack of one Parker Industries and any of their subsidiaries. Tony was rather proud of that one.
They were also in the main hall with one of the largest displays this time and Tony could barely catch a minute to himself. At least until people started listening to what he was saying. Then they all smiled awkwardly and excused themselves.
“Tony, you have to stop scaring them away,” Peter said as the latest group of curious expo goers walked away.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, love,” Tony retorted, flashing his most brilliant smile.
“Uh huh-” Peter started to say only to get cut off as another group walked up. These ones were likely investors if the expensive dark suits were any indication.
“Ah, gentlemen, welcome to the Stark Industries booth,” Tony said, offering his hand. “I’m Tony Stark, and this is my mate, Peter.”
“Nice to meet you, Alpha Stark.” The main investor shook his hand, then stepped back to let the others do the same. Tony noticed that none offered to do the same with Peter or even acknowledged his presence at Tony’s side. His smile turned a tad sharper, and he heard Peter sigh softly. His mate knew him so well.
“So how can I help you gentlemen?” Tony asked.
“I was hoping you could give us a bit more information on what's coming down the line for Stark Industries,” the other man said. “An insider’s perspective so to speak.”
“We have a lot of projects coming down the pipeline,” Tony said, gesturing around him and stepping towards the closest display. “There’s the medical adhesive Peter here designed to support our medics on the streets and in the field abroad. It mimics a spider’s webbing for tensile strength while being completely sterile and capable of being applied with topical antibiotics and localized painkillers to give patients the best chance to get someplace safe.”
“That’s a very civic minded pursuit,” the alpha investor said. “You must be very proud of your Omega for contributing to the company.”
Tony fought back a growl, simply smiling wider and stepping to the next display while Peter coughed discreetly to cover a snicker. In their many years together, Tony always got more offended on his mate’s behalf, while Peter just found it amusing.
“This is one of our clean the ocean initiatives,” Tony said, pointing to a small bot that looked like a roomba. “It can be dropped in problem areas where it sucks in plastics and dissolves them to their base components using a new biochemical that Peter developed. The full size version has easily removable containers where the system sorts the chemicals, releasing those like oxygen and nitrogen that can be isolated, while containing the more destructive compounds like any chlorofluorocarbons until they can be retrieved and properly repurposed.”
Tony turned and gestured to the next case.
“Speaking of those, Peter is already working on a way to repurpose or fully break down those components so they can be disposed of properly this time, while also trying to find alternatives for companies to use so that it doesn’t become a persistent problem.”
“Your Omega is quite industrious,” the alpha said, nodding magnanimously. “Truly an asset to your company.”
“Oh, Peter is very much an asset to all of my life,” Tony said. “And frankly, he’s the genius behind much of SI. 80% of these projects are his, after all, or were greatly influenced by his work.”
Tony drew himself up to his full height while pulling Peter up against him.
“Look, I’m going to be straightforward with you,” Tony said. “Peter is the future of this company. He’s smarter than anyone I’ve ever met and in time, he will fully outstrip me if he hasn’t already. If you gentlemen have a problem with that, you can find someone else to throw your money at, because frankly, we don’t need it. I won’t tolerate you treating my mate with disrespect when the most impressive thing I’ve done is convince this amazing person to be my mate.”
The alphas looked uncomfortable, though none were willing to speak first. Tony just rolled his eyes and pulled Peter into a kiss that was probably better suited for the bedroom if Peter’s whines were anything to go by.
“You guys can leave anytime,” Tony said when he realized the alphas were still standing around awkwardly. “I tried to give you an opening to run away but apparently you were too dumb to take it.”
Tony took great pleasure watching their faces twist with barely controlled outrage before they stormed off in a huff.
“That was mean,” Peter chided, though the omega didn’t pull away.
“It was exactly what they deserved,” Tony countered. “And I wish you’d let me do the same to the board more often too because they forget about once a quarter who the real brains of the operation is.”
“Tony.”
The omega’s tone was full of censor but Tony could see the suppressed amusement in his love’s eyes.
“You know, if you stopped worrying about appearances and how we’re supposed to act in front of people, you’d be a lot happier,” Tony said.
“Society won’t change overnight just because you want it to or because you love your omega,” Peter whispered, curling into Tony’s tight hug.
“I don’t care about them, I just care that you’re happy,” Tony murmured back. “And that they treat you with the respect you deserve. You’re the best of all of us.”