"You look tired…"
T'Challa didn't even bother to try and hide it. The young Wakandan rubbed his face, sleepily.
"I was up late, last night," he told Tony as he sat down at the table.
They had put all of the leaves in the table to make it big enough to accommodate everyone and there was already coffee and tea both ready for whoever needed it. Tony and T'Chaka were both drinking coffee – although T'Challa knew his father was just as fond of tea – and there was an open box of donuts of all kinds.
"Because the bed was uncomfortable?" Tony asked with a slight smirk – he knew the answer to that, having already received an update from Jarvis on how late Peter stayed up – in order to get a good idea of how late the boy might sleep in, that morning.
"Because I asked your son what it was like living with you," he replied with a self-deprecating smile. "And he was more than willing to tell me all that he knows."
"What did you learn?" T'Challa asked.
His son smiled.
"I will tell you when you have many hours to spare. Where is mother?"
"She's getting a tour of the estate," Tony answered. "Shuri wanted to show her Peter's playset and Pepper offered to go with them."
Under the watchful eye of Okoye and Natasha Romanoff, off course.
"The playset that you and Steve Rogers built this past spring?" T'Challa asked. "Similar to the one that Steve built for him at the avenger's compound?"
An amused look.
"You really did get a complete report, didn't you?"
"I did." The prince reached for a donut. "When are we going to the compound?" he asked. "I am curious to see what a ball pit is."
"He didn't tell you?"
"He described it."
"We'll head out after breakfast," Stark said. "Your dad and I were just discussing it. We'll eat lunch out there and then go to the airfield from there."
"Despite the reason for being here, I am glad to have had the chance to come."
"We're glad to have you," Tony told him, sincerely. "You're welcome back, anytime," he added, turning to T'Chaka as well. "All of you. We can make it a real visit."
"Complete with politicians?" T'Chaka asked.
The billionaire shrugged.
"They're a necessary evil, sometimes." Not too often for him, of course, but he wasn't a visiting royal. "The only reason they aren't breaking my door down to see you is that your visit was so spur of the moment."
"And because Jarvis won't let anyone in unless he wants them here," came Peter's addition to the conversation. The little boy was dressed for his day, already, wearing jeans and his football jersey, which was tucked into his pants to keep it from hanging. Yes, football season was over for him, now, but he still liked wearing it. "No matter who it is. Huh?"
Tony smiled his greeting to the boy, noting that he'd already combed his hair without needing to be told. Or maybe Jarvis had reminded him that he should get ready as soon as possible since they were all going out to the compound.
"Right."
Peter didn't stop for a hug like he might have, normally. He smiled at T'Challa and T'Chaka but turned to Tony.
"I'm going to go outside, okay?"
"Yeah. Stay out of trouble."
Obviously, Jarvis had told him that Pepper was outside with Shuri and Ramonda – or maybe he'd been more interested in the fact that it was Natasha outside with Pepper. Either way, he was clearly ready to go out and see what they were doing.
The boy grabbed a donut from the box, waved, and went running toward the kitchen, the back door slamming as he went outside.
"That is what I told Shuri before we left her at the palace," T'Chaka said. "Hopefully your son pays better attention to you than Shuri does to me."
Tony smiled.
"That's what Jarvis is for," he told them.
T'Challa smiled at that, but since the opening was there, he took it.
"Peter told me much about your AI, last night," he said. "And Shuri tried to explain it, as well, before. Is it, truly, quantum reactive as I have been told?"
"It definitely is," Stark said. "Jarvis?"
"Here, sir."
"Where are Shuri, Ramonda, and Pepper?"
"Out by the pool. Peter is going their direction."
"Thanks." Tony looked at his guests, forcing himself to not be smug at being able to make such a showing of the technology at his command – but it was hard. "Jarvis and Pepper are pretty much what keep Peter and me from getting lost or starving to death because we forgot where we put the dishes."
T'Chaka chuckled at that, but noticed his son's interest in the topic. Shuri was the technical genius in the family, but T'Challa understood it, as well. As much as he could find time for, anyway, as he learned how to be a good ruler when it was his time to lead Wakanda. Or maybe he just wanted to try and keep up with his sister who was miles ahead of the rest of them – and her tutors.
"Tell me more about Jarvis," he requested.
"Peter told me Jarvis is also in your Ironman suit."
"He is," Tony confirmed. He settled himself in his chair, deciding how much they would want to know – and how much to even tell them, since it was a complicated technology. "We probably have time before breakfast if you're really interested."
"I am," T'Chaka confirmed.
"As am I."
"Let me get another cup of coffee and I'll tell you what I can…"
OOOOOO
Natasha was the first to notice Peter heading their direction, but Okoye wasn't too far behind, both women looking over at the house and seeing him jump off the back porch and running toward them.
Okoye tensed, looking from the approaching boy back toward the three who were standing at a raised flowerbed near at hand.
"He's not a threat," Natasha reminded her, her expression amused, even though her eyes weren't.
"Everyone is a threat," Okoye replied. Then she shrugged, watching the little boy running over to them. "Some are less of a threat than others, however."
Natasha smiled at that, and turned her attention back to what she was doing.
Pepper had been showing Ramonda and Shuri (mostly Ramona) some of the flowers that she'd planted near the ornate fence that went around the pool. The two women had been discussing what kind of landscaping was at the Wakandan palace and the conversation had turned to the plants and flowers that were native to the part of the country that they were now in. Pepper wasn't someone who ever really considered herself to have a green thumb, but she'd never actually had a yard to grow anything in – not since she was a very young child – and she was finding enjoyment in choosing what would be planted and trying to nurture it into a full bloom.
It wasn't a hobby that Tony, especially, enjoyed – although he tried to show an interest. Peter didn't know anything about gardening or growing anything, but he loved Pepper and was always willing to spend time with her, no matter what she was doing.
Especially if it was digging in the dirt.
"Hey, handsome," Natasha said, smiling a greeting when he ran over to her, first, since she was closest. "It's about time you got up."
Peter grinned.
"I was tired. What are you doing?"
"Watching Pepper."
Peter turned to Okoye.
"Hi."
His smile was bright and cheerful, but she didn't return it. She did unthaw enough to give him a slight nod, aware that she should be polite and not do something that might cause a diplomatic issue.
"Hello."
"Want some of my donut?"
He held it up to her and Romanoff was forced to hide a smile.
"I do not. Thank you."
"What are you doing?" Peter asked, taking a bite.
"I am watching the Queen and Princess."
"Jarvis can do that."
"It is my responsibility."
"Oh."
"Peter." Natasha decided to rescue her. "Your mom's out by the pool."
"I know. What's she doing?"
"Showing Ramonda around. Did you see your dad?"
"He's talking to T'Challa and his dad. And eating donuts." He held up the one that he'd taken before going to find them. "Is Nick here, yet?"
"No. He'll be here around breakfast. In an hour, or so." She gestured toward Pepper, who had noticed him, now. "Go entertain your guests."
"Okay."