Tony stepped out onto the rooftop and stopped like someone had unplugged his brain.
The scene was stunning. Soft candlelight flickered across the tiles. A table for two sat under a canopy of warm hanging bulbs. The city lights burned around the house like a private galaxy. And Natasha stood at the center of all of it.
Natasha stood near the table in a dark red dress that looked engineered for distraction. The fabric hugged her shape with a confidence only she could pull off. A clean side leg cut revealed smooth skin with every shift of her posture, and the neckline displayed enough cleavage to make Tony rethink the concept of oxygen. Her hair was loose, her makeup subtle, and she looked nothing like a world-class assassin. She looked like a woman who had decided tonight mattered.
Tony paused for a moment. He took her in completely: the dress, heels, the faint shimmer of gloss on her lips, and the vulnerability hiding under the confidence.
"You look breathtaking," Tony said, voice lower than usual. "I genuinely do not know what kind of deity I bribed to get you on my roof, but I should probably send them a gift basket."
Natasha gave him a slow smile. "You clean up well yourself." She stepped closer and ran a finger along the lapel of his blue suit. "Classic Stark. Sharp, handsome... Slightly arrogant but in a way people make excuses for."
Tony laughed softly. "I will accept that review."
The joke faded from her face, replaced with something gentler. "Tony," she said with a small, trembling breath. "I need to show you something."
He lifted an eyebrow, waiting for the punchline.
Natasha held his eyes for a moment longer. She reached for his hand and guided it gently toward her stomach.
Tony froze. Every thought in his head stopped mid-sentence. He could feel it.
A tiny flicker. A faint rhythmic pulse.
Life.
His breath caught.
He looked up at her. She nodded once, trying and failing not to let a tear slip.
Her lips trembled. "I found out this morning."
Tony did not hesitate. He pulled her into him with both arms, firm and protective, as though the universe might try to take her away if he left even an inch of space. Natasha pressed her forehead against his shoulder and exhaled shakily. He kissed her head first, then her cheek, and finally gave her a slow kiss on the lips.
When he pulled back, his voice was barely above a whisper. "We are having a baby."
Natasha let out a small soft laugh that cracked at the edges. "Yes. We are."
Tony kissed her again before saying, "I'm so happy. Haha. You are going to be a strict mommy and I'm going to be a cool daddy. I love you so much."
...
[After dinner]
Dinner had ended hours ago.
Now they were curled together on the living room couch. Natasha rested her head on Tony's chest. One of his hands settled on her waist while the other held the remote. An old movie played on the giant TV.
Natasha shifted slightly, snuggling a little closer. "I forgot how comfortable this couch is."
Tony kissed the top of her head. "You say that every time you steal my side."
She gave a tiny scoff. "This is objectively the better side."
"I paid for the couch. Therefore, both sides are mine."
"You invited me to sit here."
"I invited you to sit on the couch, not annex half my personal space like some sexy redheaded empire builder."
Natasha elbowed him gently. "You like when I take your space."
Tony sighed theatrically. "I do. Unfortunately for my dignity."
She smiled and drew a lazy circle on his chest with her finger. Her voice softened. "I still cannot believe I am pregnant."
Tony wrapped his arm around her a little tighter. "I still cannot believe we are going to be mom and dad."
Natasha tilted her head up. "I already know you are going to spoil the kid."
"I absolutely am. It is my sacred duty. They will have toys that break the laws of physics."
Natasha narrowed her eyes. "No. They will have safe toys. Toys that do not explode or teleport, and no lightsaber."
Tony protested. "It's fun. Kids love lightsabers."
"No, I don't think they are safe for kids."
Tony gasped in mock offense. "You think I would give our kid a real lightsaber?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation.
Tony opened his mouth, then closed it. "Okay. That's fair. I hear your concerns."
Natasha poked his chest. "And I am not letting you give them a suit before they can even spell the word suit."
"I was thinking age seven."
"Tony."
"Fine. Eight."
She stared at him until he groaned dramatically. "Alright. Ten. Happy?"
"Closer."
Tony shifted, trying to glare at her while still holding her close. "You are going to be the strict parent. I can already see it."
Natasha lifted her chin with mock pride. "Someone has to be."
"I can be strict."
Natasha made a sound halfway between a laugh and a hum. "Really. You. Strict."
Tony nodded. "I can set boundaries."
"You do not even set boundaries for yourself."
"I do. Sometimes."
Natasha arched an eyebrow. "Name one."
Tony thought for a moment. A very long moment.
Natasha tapped his forehead. "See? This is why you are going to be the cool parent."
"Cool is important. Kids need cool."
"Kids need structure."
"Kids need fun."
"Kids need discipline."
Tony pointed at her with the remote. "You just want to be feared."
Natasha smirked. "Respect. Not fear."
"Same thing but with a nicer font."
She groaned and shoved her face into his shoulder to hide her laughter. Tony wrapped both arms around her and held her while she shook with quiet giggles.
When she settled, he kissed her hair again. "You know what I think?"
Natasha lifted her head. "What?"
Tony smiled, soft and certain. "I think our kid is going to get the best of both worlds. You will keep them safe and smart. I will keep them curious and happy."
Natasha rested her hand on his cheek. "You really mean that."
Tony held her hand and kissed her palm. "I do. You are going to be amazing."
She leaned up and kissed him slowly before settling back against him. They just lay there in silence for a few minutes before...
"I've been thinking," She spoke. "Do you think our kid is going to have powers? I mean, you have cosmic power, so... You know, just a thought."
"Don't know yet. But maybe we should run a few tests later just to be safe," He replied after thinking for a bit.
She nodded, "Yeah, okay."
After talking for a bit, they just lay there and fell asleep.
...
[Meanwhile...] [Wakanda]
In Wakanda, the situation had deteriorated far beyond anyone's expectations when the famine first began a few weeks ago. Fields that used to be rich and fertile are now dry and cracked. Livestock are getting weaker and dying, even with the best care from Wakandan technology. Water supplies are running low, and the busy marketplaces are now quiet as people struggle to find enough to eat.
Anxiety spreads through the streets and even into the royal palace. Citizens are asking their king for answers, hoping for guidance, solutions, and hope.
T'Challa spent long hours in the ancestral hall, meditating in the presence of his forebears. The spirits spoke in whispers and visions, offering guidance but no simple remedy. Even the most advanced Wakandan technology had failed to reverse the famine or replenish the failing crops.
The strain was unlike anything Wakanda had faced in generations.
T'Challa made a decision. He would temporarily leave Wakanda to ask Tony Stark for help. Stark's intelligence, resources, and unique way of solving problems might provide a solution that Wakanda's science and traditions could not. If the smartest person in the world could offer insight, it was a risk worth taking.
[2 days later]
Tony had decided to take a drive tonight instead of flying. It's been a while since he took a drive around the city. As he walked toward his car, a prickling sensation ran down his spine. He could sense unknown technology and vibranium.
"Boss. Intruder detected. Vibranium technology. Force field has been deployed around the building," Hermes reported.
Tony didn't hesitate. He spun on his heel and threw a punch, his fist connecting with solid force. The figure flew across the parking lot and crashed against the wall with a heavy thud.
The impact had deactivated the stealth mode. Slowly, the figure stood up, rubbing their shoulder as a ripple of blue glow swept over the black suit.
Tony cracked his knuckles. "Stealth tech from Wakanda, interesting," he said.
"You know about Wakanda?" The intruder asked.
"Yeah. But you're far from home," he said, tilting his head. "And I'm guessing you weren't planning on a social visit."
The figure straightened, voice calm but wary. "I am here on behalf of Wakanda. I mean no harm, but time is short." The figure retracted his mask, revealing his face. "I'm King T'Challa and I require your assistance."
---
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