Work Text:
Stephen is a fast walker, especially when he thinks his time is being wasted. This is probably why he arrives outside the hospital administrator’s office before the man has finished giving his introductory spiel. Stephen stops and listens, because eavesdropping has proven to be a useful skill for someone in his position.
“...might not be what you expect.”
“Look, is he the best neurosurgeon in the country or not?” someone says.
Stephen’s spine stiffens. He stifles the urge to step into the office to defend himself.
“He is,” Doctor Rand says, but it’s an admission rather than a proud declaration. “And he’s well on his way to being the best in the world. We wouldn’t have hired him otherwise. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’d be a good fit for your research team.”
Rand said he wanted Stephen to meet a VIP. That usually meant kissing ass, not research. Stephen frowns.
“The fact that you’re trying to talk me out of getting more involved with your hospital is setting off some alarm bells, Doctor Rand.”
“Of course we’d like you to be more involved,” Rand says quickly. “I just want you to know that if Doctor Strange isn’t a fit, there are other—”
That’s enough. Stephen pushes open the door and steps into the office, smiling sharply. “Doctor Rand,” he greets the hospital administrator. Then he turns to their guest.
Tony Stark.
No wonder Rand was so squirrelly. Stark is the donor that every institution wants. “Doctor Stephen Strange,” Stephen says. He extends his hand and wonders if Stark will actually shake it. Common wisdom says that alphas are highly reactive and likely to react violently to non-sexual contact, even with omegas. Alphas are also expected to be much more sensitive to pheromones, and while Stephen is wearing the nose filters mandated by the hospital—even if he’d never needed them before taking this position—pheromones can also be transferred by physical contact.
“MD and PhD, I understand,” Stark says, turning to Stephen and taking his hand without hesitation. “In half the usual time.”
Stephen smiles and ignores the flush of heat that the touch of Stark’s hand sends through him. “It would have been faster, but you can’t test out of clinical courses.”
“More interested in the research than the practical application?” Stark asks, raising an eyebrow. He lets go of Stephen’s hand, and Stephen makes himself do the same. It’s harder than he’d expected, but he’s sure it doesn’t show.
“Not at all,” Stephen says. “But patient interaction isn’t my strong suit. I’m much better in the operating theatre. Which isn’t to say I’m not interested in research.” He’s betting Stark will enjoy the idea that he’d listened in.
He’s right: the omega grins broadly. “I think you’ll fit into my research team just fine.”