Gregory || Drabble
The last bit of advice Tim had gotten from Bruce was, "Don't get too friendly with the Starks." And how he would lie awake at night wishing he had taken that advice, particularly when it came to Gregory Stark. Gregory was everything that Tony was and wasn't. All of the intelligence, in a ruthlessly ambitious being with arrogance that boarded on a god complex. So naturally, like anything that seemed dangerous, Tim charged in blindly. When the elder Stark bid Tim work for him, retaining his SHIELD position, but having a seat on the Starks Global Solutions Board, Tim agreed. It wasn't nearly as important as it sounded, but Tim ignored all logical reasons why he should wash his hands of Gregory. He was already in too deep. Their first kiss was a power play and nothing more. And although it left the young agent stars truck, he knew better than to put his affections on the fickle hands of a powerful businessman. Still feelings did grow. For as cold as Gregory was, he was familiar and even at times, deserving of the respect he demanded he be shown. Tim strived for his approval and for every milestone reached, a small bond formed, or so the youth believed. When Tim told Gregory he loved him, Gregory laughed in his face. Harshly, coldly, and then asked "So what?" And although it stung, Tim learned then that loving someone dispute their flaws doesn't mean they have to reciprocate it. Or even that it suddenly gives you a say in their life. All this time, he though he followed Bruce for love, for acceptance, because it was right. Tim followed because Bruce led and he chose to follow. Just as he chose to go work for Gregory. True, the Stark had offered Tim some monetary incentives, but he didn't want the money. It was always about staying close to Greg. Gregory taught Tim about life. Cold, hard truths. Like that it didn't matter how talented or gifted, or smart he was, that he was still just a babe playing grown up games. It didn't matter that by the time he could legally drive he'd lead teams in battle or been a CEO for a Fortune 500 company, he didn't understand the politics. That having good intentions and wanting to help people doesn't excuse you from occasionally having to get your hands dirty. Tim hated those lessons most of all. No matter how well he did his job, Gregory could toss him out without warning and all his hopes of making a difference would be just that, meaningless, hopeful wishing. They parted ways unexpectedly. Just as suddenly as Gregory had become a fixture in Tim's chaotic life, he was gone. Tim returned to SHIELD, and although the rumor mill had some pretty unkind things to say about the Starks and their interest in the particularly gifted agent, no one could prove, or disprove, those claims.
