The air seemed to freeze.
In the lab, only the hum of machines and the faint clicks of instruments filled the space.
Tony stared at Pepper, so close now, seeing the softness in her eyes.
For the first time in a long while, the chaotic storm inside his mind seemed to calm.
He realized that his heart, weighed down more and more by the mantle of Iron Man, had finally found a harbor where it could rest.
Slowly, he drew Pepper into his arms.
This embrace carried no desire—only genuine emotion.
Pepper leaned against his chest, gently patting his broad back.
Minutes—or perhaps hours—passed before Tony finally let go.
His usually irreverent expression was still slightly awkward, but his eyes had regained their usual determination.
He turned back to the two suit models on the holographic display.
He knew he had to act.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.," he said,
"pull up all files on nanotechnology. Maximum access. Leave nothing out."
Pepper paused, looking at the determined side profile of Tony, a hint of concern in her voice. "Tony… what are you planning?"
Tony didn't turn back. His gaze remained fixed on the suit designed for Henry.
"Henry's been carrying the load all this time," he said calmly, each word heavy with meaning.
"He healed me, resolved the company's crises, even paved the way for our future.
Now, it's my turn to do something for him—as his older brother."
Pepper watched him, listening to the heartfelt words, her eyes misting slightly.
The Tony Stark she knew had returned—not the playboy wrapped in media gloss and haloed fame, but a man with the sharpest mind on Earth and a heart burning hotter than anyone's.
She didn't question him further. Instead, she poured him a glass of his favorite whiskey at the bar and pulled up a chair behind him, quietly sitting down.
"Need a hand?" she asked softly.
"Of course," Tony replied without turning. His fingers began flying across the holographic keyboard.
"And get me a jumbo pizza—double Italian sausage. Looks like we're pulling another all-nighter."
Pepper watched his fully focused back, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"Got it, boss."
Time in the lab quietly slipped by.
Over an hour later, Tony still stood before the holographic display, empty pizza boxes scattered around his feet.
Fatigue tugged at his face, but his eyes remained steadfast.
After more than an hour of study, he and J.A.R.V.I.S. had analyzed and optimized Henry's nanotechnology designs.
"I'll admit it—the kid's got something in that brain of his," Tony muttered, pride hiding beneath his habitual sarcasm.
"Sure, the design is a disaster aerodynamically. And the look… like a bodybuilder ready for competition, not exactly my refined gentlemanly style. But—"
He paused, excitement creeping into his voice.
"The concepts of particle recombination and liquid-metal memory? Pure genius! Two geniuses, actually. J.A.R.V.I.S., see this?! He wants to use… a field of this magnitude to control nanomaterials! How the hell did he even come up with this?!"
"Sir, according to my data analysis, Mr. Henry's concept is theoretically feasible. Only, with current materials technology…"
"I know!" Tony cut him off. His mind was already racing.
"We need a new material. Something that can handle enormous energy, repair itself, and reconfigure its shape at will—a super metal!"
His mind flashed to an image. A circular shield, red, white, and blue, adorned with a star.
"Vibranium," he murmured.
…
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, the atmosphere was perfect.
Soft candlelight lit Helen Cho's slightly flushed face.
Classical music filtered out surrounding chatter, creating a private cocoon for them.
Henry rested his chin in one hand, swirling his wine in the other.
He observed Helen, sitting upright, slightly restrained, and a playful smile tugged at his lips.
The woman hadn't said much about what she wanted to do; instead, they'd been talking about everything under the sun. Henry found it amusing—and relaxing, like stretching after a long exercise session.
"Dr. Cho," he said, his lazy, magnetic voice breaking the quiet,
"are you sure you didn't bring me here just for the food? I should warn you, I'm not that picky. Even a street-corner cheeseburger, as long as the patty's thick and the cheese is plentiful, can make me happy."
Helen laughed at his blunt, teasing words.
Her remaining nervousness melted away. She found talking to him effortless and fun.
No awkward silences—he could always use his wicked sense of humor to diffuse any tension.
"Of course not," she replied, mimicking his motion with her wine glass. Her gaze met his, warm and lively.
"I'm far more interested in your brain, Mr. Stark. I can't imagine how much you must fit in there to achieve so many remarkable things across so many fields."
"Oh? Complimenting me?" Henry raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "You've got taste."
"Thank you. But I prefer 'genius.' 'Brain' sounds too biological, lacks a touch of art."
"Very well, Genius," Helen played along, realizing she was starting to enjoy their playful banter.
"So, can this great mind satisfy my curiosity? How do you do it?"
"Simple." Henry shrugged, looking as if it were no big deal.
Then he leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.
"Every night before I sleep, I take my brain out, soak it in formalin, kill the viruses, level up a bit, then put it back in the next morning. Cool method, huh?"
Helen burst out laughing.
She felt all the education she had absorbed over two decades turn into a joke in front of him.
"Mr. Stark, I see you're not only a genius but also an excellent storyteller," she said.
"Oh? Really?"
Henry smiled back at her radiant expression, feeling the moonlight outside soften just a little more tonight.
"Interested in hearing an even more exciting story?"
"How exciting?"
"You'll have to guess."
Their dinner continued slowly, wrapped in this playful, teasing tension.
***
69 stones for bonus as usual
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