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Dante wasn't surprised. Tony had known his identity the moment he had walked out of that elevator.
"Your voice gave it away," Tony said with a confident tone. "I've been binge-watching every piece of footage I could get my hands on. Digital compression is crap, sure, but it's not that bad. Add in your similar builds and the whole 'random nobody to international CEO' thing… Anyone with half a brain could connect the dots."
Dante revealed a faint smile. "You're right about that."
He put on his Skullfire visage. The black outfit replaced the formal suit. Blue and golden flames roared around his head, turning his head into a skull.
Tony froze up. He had guessed Dante's identity, but seeing it up close was something else entirely. The genius sat there for a few more moments, his eyes wide as he processed the sight before him.
"Okay…" Tony finally whispered. "Mr. Skullfire, it seems like we both want something from each other."
"I do. Build me a space station around the size of a mansion."
Tony blinked, then let out a chuckle like he couldn't believe the request. "Shouldn't you be knocking on NASA's door for this? Why is the magic specialist asking a weapon manufacturer to build him a vacation home in orbit?"
"This job isn't for Stark Industries. This is a personal request to Tony Stark."
Tony's eyes flickered with a strange emotion, then his posture eased. The man studied his burning skull for a moment, then put on his sunglasses like the dramatic bastard he was.
"Personal favor, huh? Alright, I'm in," Tony said, flashing a grin. "The compensation better be interesting. Don't insult me with a few billion. I've got enough of those to build my own empire."
"What do you want then? Superpowers?"
Having a gigantic brain and obscene amount of money was Tony Stark's superpower. Anything else wouldn't suit this genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.
Tony folded his hands. "I want knowledge."
"Be more specific."
"I'll send you my list of curiosities later. It's… pretty long." Tony waved it off like it was nothing. "Let's talk about this space station first. The mansion-size you're talking about? You're looking at four hundred to five hundred billion, easy, once you factor in design, materials, launch logistics, and assembly. But I can optimize the hell out of it and get it under a hundred."
The gaze he gave Dante was like asking him if he had enough funds to build his dream space station. The confidence in Tony's posture conveyed that he sure did.
Dante arched an eyebrow. "What if we remove everything associated with the launch process? I can get the entire thing into orbit myself."
The space station wasn't just going to be his leisure place to accumulate solar radiation. Technically, he could borrow some skiffs from Asgard to have a base in space, but having a mansion was what his heart yearned for. He could use it as his lab for both magic and science, where nobody would be able to distract him in his scientific and mystical pursuits.
A peaceful home far away from the clamor of Earth.
"You can just… fly a building into space. Of course, you can," Tony muttered, rubbing his face. "Strip out all the launch infrastructure… we're talking somewhere around four billion. Maybe less, depending on how fancy you want it."
The insane cost of space stations had always been tied to the impossible engineering challenge of getting them off the ground. Removing that constraint dropped the number by an insane amount.
"That's more manageable. Tony, use your funds. I'll pay you once the project is finished."
Tony stood up with a smile. "Then we have a deal, Skullfire."
Dante gestured toward the chair. "Sit back down. I have another project."
Tony dropped back into the seat and scooted the chair closer. "Alright, hit me. Custom tech armor? Upgrades for that Ghost Spider girl? I've got some ideas to make her arsenal more versatile."
"No. It's about a new gaming console."
Tony glanced dramatically over his own shoulder, then pointed at his chin. "Wait… me?"
Dante was glad to have the mask on his face. "Yes. I want you to create a generational console. It has to be more powerful and efficient than the PlayStations and Xboxs on the market."
Tony stared at him in disbelief. "You fight aliens and lead a superhero squad. Heck, you can reverse time on a whim. But this is your big passion project? A video game console?"
2008's gaming industry generated roughly $40 to $60 billion annually. It sounded like a lot of money until you realized it included console sales, game sales, every gaming subscription, arcade revenue, and some small niches.
Tony couldn't believe Dante wanted to invest in such a field.
The billionaire had no idea how big this media would explode in 2020 and forward, becoming five times as large as it was now. And even without it, Dante would've still gotten into the field. It was something he always wanted to do.
"I love games," Dante said with a shrug. "So do my girlfriends."
"Girlfriends?" Tony's eyebrows shot up. "How many are we talking here?"
"Five."
Tony leaned back and gave him a look that conveyed both awe and doubt. "My limit is about two women per night, then I need a full recovery day. I guess superhumans are built differently."
He shook his head. If he wanted to, he could satisfy even a dozen women. Biokinesis provided him with endless vigour. The only limit was his own excitement.
He put his illusion away, returning to his comfortable casual clothes. "Tony, isn't there a woman you want to settle down with? Someone who cares deeply about you and prioritizes you over anyone."
Tony gave him a skeptical smirk. The smirk of a man deep in his wild years with zero intention of being tied down to anyone. "I appreciate the life advice, but I don't think I'll find anyone like that."
Dante could only sigh. He had given his piece. Now, whether Tony got together with Pepper or someone else was his own business.
Tony pulled out a sleek business card and slid it across the desk. "I'll stay in touch with your orbital station and super-console. That list of question—"
DING! Both men turned toward the elevator as the doors slid open. Emma Frost stood inside alone, radiating icy elegance in a pure white pantsuit. Her private jet was supposed to land an hour later. That was a blatant lie.
She showed no reaction to Tony's presence in the room. But when her eyes found Dante, her gaze softened. The cold mask melted away, replaced by a warm smile.
She approached him with slightly hurried footsteps. Dante rose from his chair to greet her, only to be pulled into a fierce, soul-crushing hug. Emma clung to him like they had been apart for months, not days.
Being away from him would've given her a lot of time to consider their relationship, which also meant a lot of time for her feelings to torture her.
The strength of the embrace said everything about her feelings.
Emma giggled softly. "Surprise!"
"Is this why you lied to me?"
"There is no point picking me up. I'm not a pick me girl."
"..."
Tony cleared his throat. "Emma. It's been a while."
Emma stepped back from Dante to acknowledge Tony. "Why are you here?"
"Discussing a business opportunity."
"Wonderful." Her tone suggested she found it anything but that. "It's time for lunch break. Why don't you discuss it later?"
She didn't care if they were in the middle of something important. Nobody would stop her from getting some alone time with Dante after not seeing him for a while.
Tony revealed his signature smirk. "No need to be territorial, Frost. We've already wrapped everything up."
"Great," Emma said in a flat voice, gazing at Tony until he stepped into the elevator. The moment Tony's face disappeared, she walked back into Dante's arms, pressing herself against him like she was returning to a place that belonged to her. "Did you miss me?"
Dante stroked her back. "I couldn't stop thinking about your… ass. It's burned into my heart right next to Psy's."
She pinched his waist. "Jerk."
He chuckled and pressed her closer to his chest. "Seriously though… I'm being tortured here. I don't want to let you go. I also refuse to force you. Tell me what to do."
For a moment she stayed silent, simply holding him. Then she gently pushed against his chest and stepped back with a calm mask. "I'm tired."
Which roughly translated to "I'm still not ready to give up… or walk away."
"Well, how did things go for Shaw Industries? Any trouble?"
She revealed a predatory smirk. "I dissected every piece of meat and bone in that miserable company. We got two billion euros and some change."
"Lovely. Emma never disappoints."
She shot him a sharp sideways glance. "Unlike someone else I know."
"Not the passive-aggressive talk," he groaned. "You know it's impossible for me to leave everyone."
Emma turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows and crossed her arms, staring out at the city skyline. "I met a gentleman while I was in Europe. He's older than you. A bit less handsome, maybe… but very wise and mature."
He didn't like where this was heading.
Emma ended her dramatic pause. "We had a long chat. He liked me a great deal, which escalated into a proposal for marriage. He wanted to keep me in his castle as his bride."
He felt an uncomfortable twist in his chest. They weren't officially together. He had no right to feel possessive. And yet…
He took a deep breath to steady his mind. "Did you accept?"
She glanced at him. The playful smirk clearly toward this being a provocation. She was testing him, poking at him for a reaction. He would've thought of this as teasing if his telepathy wasn't running passively the whole time. She hadn't spoken a single lie.
"I rejected him for you." Her voice softened a great deal. "Which was completely pointless…"
He stepped closer. "Emma…"
She faced him fully and flickered his forehead. "Silly guy. I'm not getting together with someone. I'm not fond of vampires. Lord of Vampires Dracula—he was drenched in red flags."
"Wait. Dracula? What did he want from you?"
Europe was Dracula's territory, so it wasn't unreasonable for him to approach Emma Frost for an explanation about her visit.
"He obviously wanted me. When I turned him down, he said he had some business opportunity for me. I don't know what that's about."
"Promise you won't meet him without me."
Emma gave him a strange look, clearly not taking the warning as seriously as he wanted. "Calm down, dear. I'm not going to marry him. I already rejected him."
He moved closer and placed both hands firmly on her shoulders. "Emma, listen to me. Dracula isn't just some old rich bloodsucker. He's also an ancient sorcerer. He is powerful and cunning as hell. If he does something to your soul or binds you in some way… even I might not be able to bring you back."
Emma's playful expression faded. "No wonder my senses were tingling. He screamed bad news to me."
"He is."
For a moment, she looked at him as though savoring his concern. Then she let out a quiet sigh. "I won't meet him without you."
The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. He gently hugged her. "Thanks."
"You're awfully possessive for someone who refuses to make it official," she murmured, though there was no real bite in her tone. "Sometimes I wonder how things would've gone if you took my offer that night at the club."
He recalled how she had offered him money and women to leave Silvija's side. "Should've offered yourself instead of some random hoes."
"You meant nothing to me back then." She snorted. "Did you talk to Magneto?"
He welcomed the change in topic. If they weren't going to draw a hard line and define whatever this complicated thing between them was, they might as well keep dancing around it.
"Not yet, but I'm planning to recruit him. He'd be pretty helpful against our enemies."
Emma's bright laughter filled the office. She laughed for a good moment then whispered breathlessly, "I didn't know you were doing deadpan comedy now."
"I'm not joking," he sighed. "How about we make a bet?"
She realized he was completely serious and revealed an intrigued smile. "You're actually serious about recruiting him. Sure. I'll agree to the bet, but you have to promise you won't use telepathy or get help from Death."
"I promise." He reached down and gave a playful tap on her ass. "Guess what I'm about to ask for."
Emma's eyes sparkled with wickedness. She leaned in closer and whispered in a sultry voice, "Careful what you wish for, darling. You might win this bet… and then have a billion dollar problem on your hand."
He grinned, refusing to back down from this game of push and pull. "Does that mean I can pay you a billion to own you? Because if yes… consider yourself officially my property."
Emma showed an amused look, enjoying this just as much as he was. They flirted for a few moments, then she laughed and pushed him away.
"Alright. That's enough games for today. I'm heading back to the academy to check on the kids."
"Wait," he said, catching her wrist before she could turn away to leave. "I need your help."
She paused, turning back to him with an eager look. "What is it?"
Somehow, someway, this business-oriented, calculative, selfish, and proud woman seemed overly excited to help him.
He wasted no time and filled her in on what had happened with Mr. Sinister and what he had done to Raven.
"Unbelievable," she muttered. "A centuries-old mutant has been pulling SHIELD's strings this entire time. What the hell does he even want?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. Even he was embarrassed to reveal Essex's motivation. The crazy mutant wanted a young man and a young woman to get together and create a baby. Such a motivation was quite embarrassing regardless of the circumstances around it.
Emma looked up at him. "And who could've thought your receptionist is Mystique in disguise. Any ideas what she wants from my friend?"
"We'll find it soon if you help."
"Dear, I was willing to die with you that day. This small favor is barely worth mentioning in comparison." She reached out and touched his collar. "Now I'm starting to wonder just how many abilities you'll collect by the end of this year."
"Over a dozen, probably. But what's the point if I can't have you?"
Her lips curled up deviously. "Sometimes, we have to lose something to gain something better. Unfortunately, we're both selfish, egoistical bastards to consider a trade-off."
"Emma, it's not on you."
What she wanted was normal. What he wanted was unreasonable. Even so, he was going to try and see if he could make the impossible possible.
She pressed a finger against his lips, silencing him with a single touch. "One thing at a time, darling. First, we help Mystique remember who she is."
***
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