Work Text:
Tony dropped a large binder on the table, glaring at it as he sat down.
Stephen eyed it, but didn’t comment as he flipped a page in his book, resuming his read.
A grumble pulled him out of his reading ten minutes later. Tony had opened the binder and was glaring down at a resume of some sort.
“What are the applications for?”
Tony let out a low groan. “They’re not… It’s ridiculous.”
Stephen raised an eyebrow in expectation.
Tony caved. “Pepper thinks everything can be solved with the right paperwork.” Tony gestured at the binder. “Including my chronically single status.”
Stephen blinked as he took in the words. “Those are applications to be your boyfriend?” He snagged the binder, ignoring Tony’s protests. He flipped through the pages, taking in the different pictures and skimming through the date-me qualifications. Handwritten notes in Pepper’s handwriting rated each of them. “Should I be offended Pepper didn’t ask me to fill out an application?”
“Be grateful.”
Except now Stephen was bothered. “Does she not think I’d be a good boyfriend for you?”
“You don’t want to be my boyfriend,” Tony pointed out.
“Says who?” Stephen asked. “I’d be better than anyone in this binder.” He paused as he landed on Rogers’ application, rated 9/10. He looked up. “I thought you liked your men tall, dark, and handsome?”
“I do; that’s not—”
Stephen shut the binder. “Give me an application.”
“I— What?”
“To be your boyfriend. I need to fill one out.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No,” Stephen said. He found an empty application at the back of the binder. “I assume the interview process is with Pepper?”
“You’re ridiculous,” Tony muttered. “But yes.”
“Good, I expect I’ll be your boyfriend by the end of the month, then.”
“Ridiculous,” Tony repeated, but he sounded pleased.