"The end of a gathering is often bittersweet," T'Challa said, addressing the crowd of nobles of every tribe in his country. "It is always enjoyable to spend a few days with all of you. To have a chance to catch up in a less formal setting, and to spend time with you." He smiled. "The challenges are also enjoyable," he added. "Testing ourselves against each other. Learning what each member of each tribe is capable of doing. Knowing that if the need comes, that ability will be there when called on, ready to protect this great land, and those people who live in it – no matter what tribe they are from."

"He's pretty good at speeches, isn't he?" Peter whispered to Tony, making sure that he spoke very softly, to avoid distracting the young king.

"He is a king," Shuri reminded the boy – also speaking softly. She was standing beside Peter, with Natasha beside her and Azoru on the other side. All were in attendance, as it was the final meeting of the gathering, and the host tribe had thanked all for coming with a flowery speech, and then each tribe had had a representative thank them for being host. Now, however, it was T'Challa who was speaking, and from what Peter understood, it was the final speech that would close the gathering and send everyone home. "He is supposed to be good at speeches."

"It was also a chance for all of you to meet those members of our newest tribe," T'Challa continued, although he glanced over at his sister, who was not quite as quiet as Peter had been. The girl smiled, sheepishly, and her brother continued – addressing the crowd, once more. "We had a chance to learn about their history, and gave them the opportunity to learn more of each of you. They are tribe, after all, and that means it is only right that you know more about them."

There was a murmur of agreement in the crowd, and Peter saw Pepper nodding her head – also agreeing with what T'Challa was saying. He smiled, broadly, and raised his hands. The speech wasn't supposed to be a long one, after all, and he was ready to call it a gathering.

"I proclaim this gathering completed – successfully – and will remind all of you that the next will be hosted by the Jabari."

A pleased noise went through the crowd at that, and Peter grinned, too. Now that he knew what to expect, he was going to make sure that Ned came to the next one – and maybe MJ, if she was interested. They were both part of the Avenger tribe, after all – and had the tattoos to prove it.

Besides, he thought that they would have a lot of fun, too.

"We will have it in the Gorilla City," Azoru told those around him, while the rest of the crowd started breaking up. Apparently that was all that it took to end the gathering – telling everyone where the next one was going to be held. "My uncle is already making preparations."

"I am sure it will be incredible," Shuri said. She gave the young Jabari noble a hug. "Do not wait until then to come and see me, however," she ordered him.

"I will find a reason to come to the capitol," he assured her. He hugged her, and then Natasha, and Pepper – taking advantage of the goodbyes to get hugs in with all the females, including Carol, to Peter amusement. He offered the men his hand, telling them all goodbye cheerfully. A far cry from the stiff-necked youngster he'd been when he'd first met them. Then he turned to Peter. "I will keep in touch with you, as well."

Peter hugged him – making it as manly as he could, but still a hug, because a handshake wasn't enough for him. Luckily, Azoru didn't seem to mind.

"You have the cell phone," he reminded him, referencing a new phone that he'd brought with him specifically for Azoru – even though the Jabari did not embrace technology as much as some of the tribes. It was a concession that Azoru would make to be able to keep in touch with Peter and the others – and even Shuri. "Make sure you use it."

"I will."

The young man bowed, respectfully to all of them, and then vanished into the crowd, apparently making room, because there was suddenly the minor chaos that comes with a large group of people gathering around to say goodbye to each other. Members of the other tribes were saying their own farewells to the avengers, and presenting final gifts to individuals, who would thank them and assure them that they would see them the next gathering – although they definitely hoped it would be sooner.

Peter found that he was the subject of a lot of hugs – many from the young women of the other tribes, who were also taking advantage of the formal goodbyes to have a chance to hug him when they normally wouldn't dare with Shuri right there guarding him. Of course, the young princess had her own goodbyes to say and she was subjected to easily as many hugs as Peter, although it wasn't just the young men of the other tribes doing the initiating. It was also those other nobles, and all of those on her brother's council.

Peter finally hugged the last one – a little girl from the water tribe who had given him a small fossil of a long dead water creature that was prevalent in Wakanda's dryer areas. She ran away, happy, and the boy grinned.

"It's kind of like the end of the Olympics," he said, mostly to Pepper, who was closest. "They're just lacking the torch to hand over to the next host."

She smiled, and nodded her agreement.

"It did sort of seem that way, didn't it?" She looked at Tony. "T'Challa asked if we would be interested in taking the gathering after the next as the Avengers' first hosting gig. I told him I'd ask and let him know."

"That would give us almost a year, right?"

"Yes."

He looked at Peter, and then the others.

"Interested?"

"I think it'd be fun," Peter said. "We have a pretty good spot out near the mines that could hold everyone."

As long as they made sure to keep protect the opening to the mine holding the power stone.

"Plenty of time to figure that out," Alec assured him.

"I'll let him know, then," Pepper told them, deciding it was a unanimous yes. She looked at Stephen. "I'll expect you and Wong to both be there."

The sorcerer supreme smiled.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world."

They'd already eaten, and everything was already packed, so it was a simple matter for them to all get into the land sleds – the Avengers mixing easily with the people from T'Challa's camp for the ride back to the capitol. Tony and Pepper shooed Peter away when he started to get into the same sled that they were settling into. T'Challa and Ramonda were both in that one, but Shuri had taken Tony (her puppy) and was walking to a different one – probably seeking a final chance to be away from the responsibilities of being a princess for the shirt ride back to the city.

"Go spend some time with Shuri," Pepper said. "We'll have you all to ourselves when we get home."

The boy had done as he was told, cheerfully, and Tony and Pepper watched as he walked over, and scooped Tony (the puppy) easily up into his arms to get him into the raised sled. Then, he jumped up into it, and offered her a hand up to help her get in, as well.

"What a gentleman…" Tony said, approvingly.

"He watches how you treat me," Pepper pointed out. "And is acting accordingly.

The billionaire smiled, seating himself on one of the comfortable seats, patting the one beside him, in invitation.

"I treat you how you should be treated," he reminded her.

The comment made her smile, and she looked over in time to see Shuri sit beside Peter, with Tony cheerfully licking both of their faces whenever he had a chance.

"Like a princess?" she asked, pointedly, sitting beside him and leaning into his side, easily. It had been a long week.

"Like a queen," Tony corrected, an arm going around her. He stole a kiss, but didn't let her go, even as the other sleds finished getting loaded with people and possessions, and they started off, leaving the river and heading back to the city. "Like my queen," he added.

"You're so sappy, sometimes…" she accused.

He didn't deny it.

"You like it, though, right?"

"I love it. And you."

Which made him feel like warm goo inside.

"It'll be nice to be home. I enjoyed this, but I definitely missed sleeping in a real bed."

"And taking long, warm, showers."

"Yes."

OOOOOOOOO

Time zones being what they were, it was mid-morning when the large portal that Stephen created brought them all back to the compound. The ride back to the city had been uneventful and swift, and the goodbyes at the palace had been heartfelt, but tearless. They would see each other whenever was necessary, after all – and Peter and Shuri had had plenty of time to chat about nothing on the way, so even they were talked out, for the moment.

Fury was waiting for them when they arrived in the middle of the field, and several SHIELD recruits stepped up to help carry the supplies that had been tossed through – or carried through – the portal. Clint was there, as well, and he grinned at the others as they emerged.

"How did it go?" he asked, cheerfully.

"It was fun," Carol replied, since she was closest. "You should have come with us."

"Next time."

"Bring the family," Tony told him, looking around and taking a deep breath. Wakanda was amazing, but this was home, and he felt a cheerfulness swell through him. "There were plenty of little kids running around. They'd have a good time."

"I might do that."

Fury looked at Peter.

"When you get a moment, would you take your kitten aside and ask him where my watch is?"

"He took it?"

"So the security footage shows. Right off my night stand. But I can't find it in any of the usual places."

Peter rolled his eyes, amused, and that made the others smile. He didn't look stressed, and that was always a good thing.

"I'll have a talk with him."

"Thank you." Fury looked at Stark. "What are you doing, today?"

"Unpacking and taking a shower, and sleeping."

"A package came for you. I took the liberty of checking it out – just for security reasons, of course – and when you go to your quarters, you will find a very fine – and expensive – bottle of scotch waiting for you."

"From whom?" Pepper asked, curiously, also looking around.

"Elmer Rupp, looks like."

"Is there a card?"

"Yes."

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"Did you read it?"

"Would I do that?" the former director SHIELD asked, looking as innocent as he could.

"What did it say?" Natasha asked, curiously, answering that question, immediately.

"Said it was a thank you. Apparently you told him about the liquor while you were snowed in at the cabin, ad he thought he'd surprise you with a bottle."

"That's amazing," the billionaire said, feeling a little pleased at the courtesy. Not that he couldn't buy his own booze, of course, but it was much better when it was coming from someone else. "I'll have to call him up and thank him."

"Yes."

"If none of you need anything, else," Strange said. "I'm going home, and I'm going to sleep for a week."

"So am I," Wong agreed."

"I'll see you, tomorrow?" Natasha asked Stephen, smiling.

"Of course."

The two sorcerers vanished, taking all of their supplies with them, and Tony shook his head when he looked for Peter – automatically – and found him being wrestled to the grass by Clint.

"When you're done, Barton," he said, sliding his arm around Pepper's waist. "You can help Peter carry some of his things to his room."

"I got you a souvenir," Peter told the archer, trying to wriggle free without utilizing his superior strength. "But now I'm going to keep it for myself and give you a rock."

Tony chuckled, and he and Pepper turned back toward the compound, with the others ranging in around them – except Peter, who was in the process of trying to avoid the grass that Clint was trying to stuff down his shirt and into his mouth. The sky was sunny and bright, and they'd made it home safe.

It was a good day.