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“Well,” Pepper said. Her lips were pursed and she was examining his resume with the same attention she might SI business. Part of Stephen wanted to laugh; only Pepper Potts would decide to request applications for the position of Tony’s boyfriend.
He didn’t laugh, though. He doubted that was something Pepper would appreciate. And he fully intended to fill this position.
“You’re certainly qualified,” she said after a long moment. She looked up at him, scrutinizing. “Why do you want the position, Doctor Strange?” She straightened the papers on her desk before folding her hands together. “You’ve had opportunity.”
“Tony seemed to want to take time to come to terms with the end of his last several relationships.” After Tony and Pepper had broken up, Tony had gone through a string of relationships in what Stephen suspected had been a desperate attempt to convince himself he didn’t have to be alone. It hadn’t lasted long before Tony had ended his spree, but Stephen had thought Tony needed time.
And he hadn’t wanted to be another relationship that Tony regretted.
Pepper pursed her lips again, but nodded. She glanced down at his resume again.
“Could you love him?” She met his gaze.
Stephen paused, tried to decide how honest he’d be. “You know I can’t guarantee that.”
“Could you, Doctor Strange.”
Stephen met her eyes. “It’s Tony,” he said finally. “I have a hard time imagining anyone who truly knows him not loving him in one way or another.” It was as honest as he was willing to be, at the moment.
And some things Tony deserved to hear first. Given time.
Pepper stared at him. “Well, I think that finishes our interview,” she said finally. “You’ll hear back from me soon.”
Stephen nodded, standing gracefully. “I look forward to it.”