"That was pretty entertaining…"
Pepper nodded, her arm tucked, lightly, through Tony's as the two of them walked back toward the Avenger camp after saying good night to T'Challa and those who had been at the bonfire listening to their young king and his own story. It had been about unity, and welcoming those who would be allies – a clear recognition of the newest tribe to join Wakanda in untold generations. Other people were leaving the area, as well, heading for the ferry and their own camps, while those who were staying at the king's camp were returning from their visits to the bonfires of the other tribes.
One young boy came running up to them, and completely surprising Tony – and Pepper – he threw himself against the billionaire, hugging him closely for a long moment. Pepper let go of her husband, freeing him to smile, confused, and put his arms around the little fellow. He recognized him as one of the young pages that generally ran messages between the various functionaries of T'Challa's court, but couldn't for the life of him think of what he'd done to deserve such a happy embrace.
The boy smiled up at him, eyes shining in the mixture of moonlight and artificial light that was making it easy for everyone to find their way back to where they were going.
"You are a good man, Tony Stark," the boy said, cheerfully.
Which, of course, made Tony smile, too.
"Thank you, Maren," he managed to remember the name just in time. His hand rested on the boy's head for a moment, while the youngster released his hold. "You're a pretty good guy, too."
The child grinned again and took off, running back the way that Tony and Pepper had come, and Pepper frowned, looking at him.
"What was that all about?"
"I'm a good man," Tony echoed, although he looked baffled, she could tell. "You didn't hear him?"
"I did," she said, smiling, and tucking her arm back into his. "I was just wondering how much you paid him to say it."
Stark rolled his eyes.
"Would I do that?"
They both chuckled, and continued back to the Avenger camp.
OOOOOOOOO
Natasha was sitting by the bonfire with Wong and Stephen when Tony and Pepper walked into the light of the waning fire. Wong and Strange were watching a small display – presumably a bonfire story from that evening, and maybe Peter's. Natasha was the only one who looked up at their approach. She smiled.
"How was bonfire with the king?"
"It was interesting," Tony replied. "How did Peter do?"
"He was amazing. Had everyone crying – even me," she added, smiling.
"He was so good he had them in tears?" Pepper asked, raising an eyebrow.
Stephen looked up from what he was watching, and now that they were close enough, Tony was sure it was Peter's voice coming from the device.
"It's a pretty good tale," the sorcerer said.
"I'm tempted to ask you to adopt me," Wong added, not looking up.
Tony frowned at that, but decided that he'd just wait and watch it for himself. He looked around.
"Where's Peter?"
"He and Shuri are walking Azoru back to the Jabari camp. Then he'll make sure she gets to her camp, safely, and said he'd be back here, as soon as he could."
"They might stop for some refreshments at the Jabari camp, though," Wong reminded them.
"And maybe a little alone time?" Natasha said with a sly smile.
"Not too alone," Pepper replied, frowning.
"They're not going to do anything inappropriate," Stephen assured her, only now looking up from the display. "Peter's so shy – even with her – that she'd have to be much more assertive than she is to get him to do anything that involves more than a kiss or two."
"Not to mention he's responsible enough that he won't do anything he knows you two wouldn't approve of," Wong agreed.
"Which is why I'm not sending Steve out with Jack to hunt them down," Tony said, sitting down beside Stephen. "Can we see that?"
"Your AI doesn't have a copy of it?"
"Not until I get it on something that she can take it from. Romanoff's camera isn't set for automatic Bluetooth."
"I'd like to see it," Pepper said. "Three people hugged Tony on our way here, just now, and while I agree he is a fun person to hug, he really isn't that charismatic."
"Agree to disagree," Stark said, taking the display from Stephen when it was offered. "Is there anything to drink left?"
"Water?" Natasha suggested, well aware that wasn't what he was asking about.
Sure enough, Stark rolled his eyes.
"I'm thirsty, not dirty."
A cup of coffee appeared in Stephen's hand, and he gave it to Pepper, then handed another to Tony, who had been thinking of something a little stronger, but accepted the coffee. It would go down well, too. Then he went quiet as he hit the play function and the recording started.
OOOOOOOOOO
Peter and Shuri didn't leave the Jabari camp, immediately. As expected, they did get offered refreshments by M'Baku and Azoru's parents, as well as the other elders of the Jabari tribe. Not surprisingly, really. Not only was that the proper way to treat a guest – and the Jabari were very sensitive to making sure that Peter was treated as a proper guest for obvious reasons – but Shuri was a princess, and Peter was a noble of the Avenger tribe.
They spent a long time by the dying bonfire chatting politely and Natasha (Azoru's young dog) settled her big, bulky, body in between Peter's need, begging shamelessly for attention. Peter, of course, was more than willing to give it, and as he listened to the conversation around him, contributing to it when he could, he rubbed her ears and baby-talked to her.
There was a final ceremony in the early afternoon before everyone would be leaving, so they didn't say their final goodbyes as they finally got up to leave, but they did make sure that Azoru wasn't planning on leaving until they had a chance to say goodbye the next day. As they left the light of the Jabari camp, Shuri reached for Peter's hand.
"I really liked your story," she told him.
He smiled at that, even though it was dark enough in the space between the Jabari camp and the Merchant one that she probably couldn't see it.
"Thanks. I noticed there was a them kind of, about beginnings, and I thought it would be a good one for me to tell."
"I think it was, too." She squeezed his hand. "I did not know that Tony saved your life when you were a child."
"Yeah. He didn't, either. Not until I told him."
He told her the story of the time that he'd been with his adopted father in the car on the way back from Stephen's and had finally told Tony. He didn't mention the fact that it was right after Tony had told him that he wouldn't stand in the way if he wanted to be a magician. As intelligent as Shuri was, the one thing that she was fairly close-minded about was the existence of magic. She just assumed that the things that Stephen (and Wong) could do were all technology. Alien technology – like the cloak – which explained to her why she couldn't figure out how to duplicate it. It wasn't a long tale, but she asked him several questions about the expo, and the drones that had been unleashed on the crowds, and that took time to tell.
They passed several people as they walked back to the ferry, greeting everyone, cheerfully, and thanking the River tribesmen who were manning the ferry for staying up so late to be available to those who needed to cross. Both the men on the ferry that Peter and Shuri were on had been to the Avenger bonfire – it was closest to their post – and both made favorable comments to Peter about his story, making the boy blush with pleasure at the compliments. Luckily, it was dark and none of them could see it very well.
"When are you guys leaving, tomorrow?" Peter asked as he took her hand to make sure she didn't stumble getting off the ferry.
Neither minded that he didn't let he go after they were on solid ground.
"They will break camp in the morning," she told him. "But we will not leave until after the closing at the River tribe camp – and probably lunch. You and the others are all invited," she added. "In case T'Challa forgot to tell Tony and Pepper."
"I'll make sure they know," he replied.
Rather than stop at the Avenger campsite, they stayed closer to the river, walking in the near darkness and simply enjoying the rare chance to be alone, and together. Shuri's movements were, naturally, very well controlled for the most part, despite her independent nature. She was a princess, after all, and as such needed to have a bodyguard presence, if nothing else. Peter – of course – was Spiderman and did have some freedoms when in that role and out by himself in the city, but he was also always in touch with his AI, who was always in touch with Tony's. So he had the freedom, and some independence, but he was also Tony Stark's son, and needed to be protected.
Surrounded by only Wakandans, and a shield that would keep out anyone who might try something against either teen – presuming that person, or persons, could get into the country at all – they were as secure as they could be. As such, they were also allowed to spend time away from the careful, and continuous scrutiny that both were used to living with.
"Did you enjoy your first gathering?" Shuri asked him as Tony (her dog) came running out to greet her as they approached the main tent that housed T'Challa, his family and their personal servants.
"It was great." He leaned down, slightly, to pat Tony's sides, cheerfully. "Is this how they usually are?" he asked. "Or is this one bigger – or smaller – because of us being here for the first time?"
"It is always like this," she assured him. "But more people did attend, due to you and your tribe attending, as well. The novelty may wear off, eventually…" she didn't make it seem like it would. "But for now, there will be more who find a reason to attend, when they may not have, before."
"We'll probably have more people who want to come, next time," Peter said. "I know Bruce would have come if he hadn't already made a prior commitment."
Maybe Clint would bring his family, next time, Peter thought. There were plenty of young people, and Clint could really show the Wakandans how a bow should be used.
"All are welcome," Shuri told him, almost formally. She noticed that T'Challa had spotted them, but hadn't left his place where he was sitting by the dying bonfire, and she smiled. "I recorded your tale," she said. "You do not mind if I show T'Challa?"
"No. Of course not."
"Kiss me goodnight," she told him. "And then go to your camp before Tony decides that something terrible has happened to you and comes looking for you."
Peter smiled – and blushed.
"He wouldn't need to come looking for me," he replied. "Friday can find me, anywhere."
He settled for a quick, very chaste kiss, and then smiled.
"I'll see you, tomorrow."
"Definitely."
Still blushing, he turned and headed for his own camp.