To Be An Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D (Marvel)(MCU)

Tony snapped his fingers. "See? No difference. You already run the place. Might as well have the title."

"But the board—"

"Won't argue," James cut in. "Our stock is nearly maxed out. There's nothing to complain about. Besides, I own three percent now. You've got my vote."

Pepper sighed. "Fine. Let's get to work."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Stark Industries in California, Tony Stark was sparring in the ring with his bodyguard and driver, Hogan. James was watching from the sidelines, or more accurately, trying not to fall asleep from boredom. Clearly, the two of them were still enjoying their match.

Pepper entered with a woman trailing behind her. James recognized her right away as Natalia Alianovna Romanova or most known as Agent Natasha Romanoff, the infamous Black Widow. She was indeed a beauty, but a little shorter than expected, slightly older, and her iconic roman nose. That was about it.

"Tony, she's come here to notarize my appointment to CEO. I need your signature and handprint," Pepper said. "Hi James, I noticed you this time." James almost wanted to cry. 'Was I even playing hide and seek with her?'

He didn't answer, he was too busy enjoying his feast. The coffee table in front of him was packed with burgers, hot dogs, and pizza. All while he was watching amateur sparring.

Pepper, noticing the table in front of him, exclaimed in surprised. "Wow… James, aren't you an agent? How can you eat like that and not get fat?" Pepper stared in disbelief.

"Would you believe me if I said I can burn through all this food like I ate air?" James said casually.

"Is there a secret?"

"Nope. Special constitution." Then he kept eating.

Meanwhile, Tony had Natasha step into the ring to approach him. They stared each other down briefly before Tony backed off.

"Pepper, where's she from?" he asked.

"The legal department. And if you keep staring, you'll be hit with a harassment lawsuit."

"I need a new assistant."

"I've got three options lined up. We can talk after the interviews."

"I don't have time for that. I'll take her."

"Absolutely not."

James raised an eyebrow. 'This is starting to feel like the first wife choosing a concubine.'

Then with a loud thud, Hogan fell off the ring, landing in an awkward angle during his fall. Tony was surprised but amused. James barely glanced up and went back to eating. He needed high calories daily. Cortana took care of digesting and converting it in high efficiency.

When the match ended, Tony strolled over and grabbed a slice of pizza.

"James, we're heading to Monaco. Big race is coming up. Get ready."

"No problem. You're racing yourself, aren't you?" James asked.

"Oh, you figured it out?" Tony whispered.

"Of course. Like I said, there's a way to solve the palladium poisoning. It'll take some time. You don't need to keep overworking yourself."

"It's just a hobby."

"You planning to send out another Iron Man suit?"

"You want one?"

"No, it doesn't suit me. My ability is not suitable for the Iron Man Armor. I can't simply use it at all." James' ability lies in his body. Wearing the Iron Man Armor is equivalent to sealing his ability. Moreover, he is not interested in letting Cortana try to absorb energy in the current Palladium reactor. 

"Hey, Man, this is about life or death."

—

In Monaco, police motorcycles cleared the road. Tony's Rolls-Royce followed behind. Inside sat Tony, Pepper, James, and the portable Iron Man suitcase.

When they arrived, Tony stepped out to the applause. Hogan opened the door for Pepper. James followed from the passenger side.

"James, hear that? Cheers for me," Tony grinned.

James chuckled. The four of them went in. Natasha, under the alias Natalie Lohmann, had everything arranged. James sat, while Tony and Pepper started mingling.

Meanwhile, League Games were ramping up fast. The Expo helped boost its visibility, and $150 million in ads hit streets and screens across the U.S. League of Legends began its full-scale propagation. Samira also started entering everyone's daily life everywhere. Users just passed 1.5 million and kept climbing.

With success came attention. Studios started offering licenses for films, TV shows, and music. Revenue split 50/50 per click or download. A membership system launched. In just three months, League Games turned profitable.

James's name was spreading in tech circles. But he stayed out of the spotlight, leaving day-to-day work to Kyle.

—

"James," Tony whispered, "toxicity's at fifty-three percent. I'm dying."

James was enjoying steak. "Then it's about time. We'll head back. But Fury's going to show up first. You'll have to talk to him."

Tony sighed. "Fine. I'll meet him. But first, the race."

His mood lightened immediately.

"Can you really fix him?" Natasha appeared suddenly.

James jumped slightly. "Seriously? Don't sneak up like that."

"Don't change the subject, answer the question."

"What does it have to do with you? You're just a legal worker, don't worry about your boss's business, okay?"

"I'm Natasha Romanoff, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, and technically your superior."

James raised an eyebrow. "And so? What about it?"

"I'll report this to Director Fury. He'll have instructions before you go back." With that, she walked off.

The race was about to start. James finished his meal and moved toward the field's edge. Someone dangerous was about to make a move, and James was ready, his pistol already loaded.