Tony didn't argue with her – even though he was pretty sure that he remembered having that exact conversation with her – right after Stephen's cloak had slapped her hand away when she'd been checking on Peter. Instead, he exchanged a look with the boy, and then with his wife, who was smiling at the statement and clearly waiting to see if there was going to be a discussion to the contrary. True, Stephen wasn't there to give a demonstration, but Peter had proven on more than one occasion that he was more than capable of representing the magical community – even though he wasn't, by any means, an official member of it.
He did, however, decide to test her mettle just a little.
"What about the Bifrost?" he asked. "The bridge Thor uses to get himself from point A to point B? Wouldn't you say there's magic in that? Instant transportation isn't a tech we have – short of a Star Trek episode."
She shrugged.
"Thor's people are much more advanced than ours – they have been around much longer from what I understand. Extreme technology might look like magic, but it is not. If I showed my cell phone to a Neanderthal, he would almost certainly believe me to be a god, or a witch or some sort. But I am not."
"You most certainly are not a god," T'Challa agreed. "A witch…? That remains to be discussed."
Peter chuckled at the way Shuri rolled her eyes, clearly amused by her brother's teasing – and obviously used to it. Before he could say anything, or Shuri could pop up a rejoinder of her own, they were interrupted with the arrival of several servers, who were carrying massive trays of food. Platters of meats, cheeses, breads and several side dishes that Peter didn't recognize.
"We generally eat our heaviest meal at mid-day, Peter," T'Challa explained, as they were served. "Lighter meals in the evening to keep a full stomach from making us lethargic."
"That makes sense." Peter didn't mind.
As a matter of fact, he approved, completely. At least, he did, just then. He hadn't been lying when he'd said that he was hungry. He didn't know what all of it was they were putting in front of him, but it smelled great.
"We're going to have a little down time after lunch," Tony told Peter, in case he hadn't been told. "There's a presentation of some of the tribes' more traditional dances and visual story-telling this evening, and we want to make sure you're awaken enough to enjoy it."
"We saw some of it when we arrived," Pepper added. "It's very impressive."
"Yeah. Shuri told me. It sounds like fun."
The conversation over the meal was relaxed. T'Challa wanted to know more about the lessons that Peter had been getting with the spear the boy had won from him in the chess match, and Tony wanted to know more about Shuri's workroom, so Peter was finding that his conversations were a mixed bag. T'Challa knew who Wong was, of course, but he'd been introduced as a librarian, and it certainly didn't sound like that was the case.
Peter let Shuri take the conversation with Tony, and he focused on T'Challa for the moment, explaining in between bites of his meal that Wong could be described as something like the martial monks of Tibet, or something. Definitely a scholar – and he probably knew more about pretty much anything than anyone Peter had ever met – which was saying something considering the folks that he lived with.
"If he can teach you so well in only the short amount of time since you were introduced to the weapon, then he is, indeed, a master," the young king said, approvingly. "I should contact him and offer him a job as an instructor here."
The boy smiled.
"I bet he'd love to come and visit to look around," Peter replied. "I can pretty much guarantee that he wouldn't stay. He was offered a… well, I guess it was a job… as a… curator in a place in London that would have been deal. But he turned it down because he likes New York."
"A shame."
He continued his questions, though. Not just about Wong, but about everyone Peter came in contact with during his day. He knew many of the Avengers by now, of course, but he wanted to find out how Peter viewed them, and his relationship with them. He liked the boy and had only had a few moments of time to speak with him and learn more about him. This was a good chance to do just that, over a leisurely meal. Besides, it was also entertaining to hear some of the anecdotes the boy shared about what life was like living with such an interesting group of people. Including being the son of such a daunting dual personality that was Tony Stark and Ironman.
By the time the meal was finished, T'Challa was certain of a few things. Peter was an exceptionally bright young man; well mannered and far more serious by nature than his little sister was. Peter liked the challenges that came with living where he was, and Peter loved and admired Tony Stark.
"Did you enjoy your meal?" T'Challa asked, once the dishes had been cleared.
"Yes. I'm not completely sure what some of it was," he admitted. "But it was good."
"Local fare, for the most part. Per Tony's request, nothing with cinnamon or nutmeg."
Peter smiled; Tony was always looking out for that kind of thing. It wasn't annoying, though. Just another way the man proved how much he loved him. He glanced over at the man, who was dividing his attentions between conversation with Shuri and Pepper.
"Thanks. I'm not allergic to cinnamon, but it's close enough to nutmeg that Tony worries."
"There is nothing wrong with that," T'Challa said. "It is his job to look out for you, after all."
T'Challa had already had several conversations with Tony Stark, after all, since the man had come to Wakanda. He was well aware that the man loved Peter and was exceptionally proud of him.
"He's pretty good at it," Peter conceded. "I've been known to get myself into some interesting situations. He and Pepper get me out. With a lot of help from the others."
The young king nodded, but before he could say anything more a look from Okoye reminded him that he had a busy schedule that afternoon and didn't have time to spend it all engaged in conversation. No matter how much he wanted to. Kings sometimes seemed to have less freedom than anyone, he thought, sourly.
"I am afraid my day is waiting for me," he told Peter – and the others at the table. "I will send someone for you for dinner, but please enjoy the hospitality of the palace until then."
They all got up, leaving the room in different directions as Tony, Pepper and Peter headed for their suite, while T'Challa and Shuri went the other direction with Okoye and a couple of their court members trailing behind.
"Did you enjoy your conversation with Peter, brother?" Shuri asked, amused that her brother had monopolized Peter throughout the entire meal.
"I did. He is remarkably well grounded for someone who has the potential to be spoiled beyond belief."
"What do you mean?"
"It is obvious Tony dotes on him," T'Challa said. "If he asked, I imagine the boy could have anything that he wanted."
"He would not ask, however. Peter has everything that he wants."
The king of Wakanda smiled, suddenly amused.
"But what if he did ask?" he said to her. "What if – for some reason – he decided that he really wanted something outlandish. Do you think Tony would let him have it?"
"As long as it was not dangerous. I bet he would."
"Funny you should phrase it that way, little sister. I think it would be interesting to see just how far Tony would go to indulge Peter."
She gave him an odd look. One tinged with suspicion.
"What are you thinking?"
"I am thinking that sometime this evening, I am going to have another talk with Peter. Without Tony at hand."
She just shook her head, well aware that he wasn't going to tell her what he was going to talk to him about – no matter if she asked a million times. The most annoying thing about big brothers, after.
OOOOOOO
They didn't need a guide or a guard, so Tony, Pepper and Peter walked down the hall toward their suite, just the three of them. Peter was walking between them, feeling content. He was with them, he was on summer break without any worry about homework or school, and he was pleasantly filled with probably more food than had actually been good for him. Yes, he was also pretty tired, again, but that was fine, since he had every intention of taking a nap.
Tony's hand was resting comfortably on Peter's shoulder, but he was talking to Pepper.
"What's the plan for this afternoon, momma?"
"I'm going to take advantage of the time difference and get a little work done with the Asian market – just a little," she added quickly. "I want to make sure of a couple of projects I have in the works, and the timing is perfect for me to make a couple of calls. I'll go hide in our bedroom for a little while and join you guys when I'm done."
"Peter?"
He smiled; loving – as always – that he was being included in their conversation.
"I'm going to relax so I'm more awake this evening for T'Challa's show."
"But you can do that with me, right?" Tony asked, making a point to let the boy know he wanted to spend time with him.
"Yeah."
Stark beamed.
They reached their quarters and Pepper kissed them both – one was a bit more heated than the other – and immediately vanished into the bedroom, door closing behind her. Peter and Tony settled on the plush sofa in the living room and Tony put his feet up on the coffee table.
"I could get used to this place, you know?" he said, putting an arm around Peter, affectionately.
"Yeah? What do you like best?"
"The people. The tech. The weather. You know we haven't been rained on once the entire time we've been here?"
"I like the rain."
Stark rolled his eyes, and the arm holding him tightened into a hug.
"Yeah. But everyone knows that you're weird."
Peter chuckled and relaxed against Tony. He might normally have just gone into his room and sacked out on the bed – it was comfortable, after all. But they'd been apart for too long, really, and he needed that chance to reconnect with him. He smiled, though, when he felt the toddler inside him chortle with glee at being cuddled by daddy, and he had to bite back the word. Instead he closed his eyes, knowing Tony wouldn't care if he didn't hold a conversation just then.
"Only a little…"
Tony snorted, softly, and gathered Peter into his arms, tucking the boy's head under his chin.
"Are you going to nap?"
"I think so," came the already sleepy reply. "It's okay?"
Which Tony understood Peter was asking if he needed him to let him up so he could do something else.
"It's fine," Stark replied.
There wasn't anything else he'd rather be doing, just then.
They were silent, each simply enjoying the company of the other, and reminding themselves just how lucky they were to have found each other. The universe wasn't fair, all that often – both of them knew it, because they'd learned it the hard way – but this time it was. And they were grateful.
Peter eventually fell asleep, and by the time Pepper came out of the bedroom after her calls were made, Tony was asleep, as well. She smiled and left them to their nap, figuring she'd get a little more work done since neither of them needed her, just then.
They had each other.
OOOOO
A/N: just a little cuddle/daddy and me time because I wanted to put some fluff out there. Thank you for allowing me to indulge myself.
