Chapter 7: Public and Private Lives

Tony sat in the quiet of the Wakandan lab, scrolling through diagnostics on the Mark 52 suit. The neural interface had integrated perfectly, and after a full day of testing, the results were even better than he'd expected. Everything felt seamless—his body and the suit had become one. But despite the victory, his mind wasn't solely on the suit anymore.

Shuri had stepped out of the lab for a moment, giving Tony a rare few minutes alone. He hadn't realized just how much time they'd been spending together. Every day, every night, they were either working or discussing new ideas, and when they weren't, they were... something more. There was no denying it now. The kiss had changed everything.

Tony wasn't sure how to handle it. He was the guy with the reputation—the one who didn't do "serious," who didn't let things get too close. But with Shuri, it was different. The banter, the brilliance, the way their minds fit together—it was as if everything in his life had been building to this.

The sound of the door sliding open broke Tony's thoughts. Shuri walked back in, holding a tablet in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. She was focused, as always, her eyes scanning through the data she had collected. For a brief moment, Tony just watched her, appreciating the way she moved with effortless grace through the lab, as comfortable here as he was in his own workshop.

She glanced up, catching his eye. "You're staring, Stark."

Tony grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Just admiring the view. You know how it is."

Shuri rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. "If you're trying to flatter me into another late-night work session, you'll have to try harder."

Tony smirked, tapping the side of his temple. "I've got neural interface tech running through my brain. I think I've earned at least a little flattery in return."

She walked over to him, setting her tablet down on the workstation. "You've earned it, sure. But if you're going to keep wearing that suit, we need to talk about something more important."

"Uh-oh," Tony said, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds serious."

"It is," Shuri replied, her tone shifting. "This suit—it's incredible, Tony. But the level of integration you've achieved with the neural link? It's not just tech anymore. It's you. And that means we need to start thinking about how it's going to impact you in the long run."

Tony frowned, her words sinking in. "You're worried about the feedback loops? I thought we solved that."

"We did, for now," Shuri said, leaning forward, her voice steady but firm. "But long-term use of a neural link this advanced? It's going to have an effect on your brain, your nervous system. We need to monitor it closely."

Tony exhaled, knowing she was right. The neural interface was new territory, and while it worked now, they hadn't tested it over long periods. Still, the idea of anything compromising his mind was... unsettling.

Shuri watched him carefully, reading the tension in his face. "I'm not saying we need to stop. I'm just saying we need to be smart about this."

Tony met her gaze, appreciating her honesty. She wasn't just saying this as a scientist—she was saying it because she cared. "You're right. We'll keep a close eye on it. No going rogue with the suit."

Shuri's expression softened, and she nodded. "Good."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. But as the quiet stretched on, Tony couldn't help but feel the pull between them again. The unspoken connection that had grown over the past weeks. It was more than just the work. It was... everything.

Tony shifted in his chair, glancing down at the floor before speaking. "Shuri, about... us."

She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "Yeah?"

"I know we've been spending a lot of time together," Tony started, trying to find the right words. "And I'm not exactly the most... emotionally stable guy. But I feel like—no, I know—this is different. You're different."

Shuri didn't say anything at first, but the slight softening of her features told Tony she understood. Finally, she set her tablet aside and stepped closer to him. "Tony, I get it. This thing between us—it's not easy. We've both got responsibilities, and we've both been hurt in the past. But I think we both know we're in this together now. For better or worse."

Tony smiled, a genuine smile that wasn't laced with sarcasm or bravado. "Yeah. I think so too."

There was a pause, just long enough for Tony to feel the weight of his words settle between them. And then, in a moment that felt both inevitable and perfectly timed, Shuri reached out, her hand brushing against his.

Tony stood, his heart beating a little faster than he'd like to admit. The closeness between them was undeniable now. It wasn't just about the work, wasn't just about the suits. It was about them, about what they could build together, both in and out of the lab.

Shuri tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "So, what now?"

Tony grinned. "I was hoping you'd have an answer for that."

She laughed softly, the sound light and easy, cutting through the tension. "Of course I do. But for now, we've got work to finish."

Tony chuckled, nodding. "Back to the grind, huh?"

"For now," Shuri said, stepping back and picking up her tablet again. "But later... we'll figure it out."

Tony watched her for a moment longer, feeling the tension in his chest ease. She was right, of course. They had a lot to figure out, but for now, the work came first. And besides, the thought of exploring what came next—both in their work and in their relationship—was something that filled Tony with a sense of excitement he hadn't felt in a long time.

They spent the rest of the afternoon deep in their work, running more simulations and refining the Mark 52's systems. But the atmosphere had changed between them. It wasn't heavy with unspoken tension anymore. Instead, there was a quiet understanding that they were in this together—whatever "this" was.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the lab, Tony found himself thinking about Pepper. She had been his anchor for so long, someone who knew him better than most. But their paths had diverged. He and Pepper were still close—she had even visited Wakanda a few days ago to see what he was working on—but the shift in their relationship was undeniable. They were friends now, and that was how it needed to be.

Shuri was something new, something unexpected. She challenged him in ways he hadn't anticipated, and with every passing day, he found himself wanting more of that challenge. Not just intellectually, but emotionally.

He was about to bring it up when FRIDAY's voice broke the silence.

"Mr. Stark, there's an incoming message from Miss Potts."

Tony raised an eyebrow, glancing at Shuri. "Speak of the devil."

Shuri smiled, stepping back to give him some space. "Take it. I'll keep working."

Tony nodded, stepping away from the workstation as the holographic display shifted to show Pepper's face. She looked calm, her usual composed self, but there was a hint of something in her eyes—curiosity, maybe.

"Hey, Tony," Pepper greeted, her voice warm but professional.

"Hey, Pep," Tony replied, leaning against the wall. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to check in. I saw some of the designs you sent over—the vibranium integration looks... impressive, to say the least."

Tony smirked. "You know me. I like to overachieve."

Pepper's smile softened, but there was something else in her expression, something that made Tony pause. "You seem... different. Happier."

Tony blinked, surprised by the observation. "Yeah? I guess I've just been busy. This project with Shuri—it's groundbreaking."

Pepper nodded, but Tony could tell she knew there was more to it than that. "I'm glad, Tony. I really am."

"Thanks, Pep," Tony said, his tone genuine. "And hey, I couldn't have gotten here without you. You know that, right?"

Pepper's smile brightened slightly, and she nodded. "I know. But it's good to see you moving forward."

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before ending the call, and when the hologram blinked out, Tony found himself thinking about what Pepper had said. She was right. He was moving forward. And for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't just chasing something—he was building something real.

As the day came to an end, Tony and Shuri finished up their work, the lab growing quieter as the machines powered down. They didn't need to say much—just exchanged a few smiles and knowing glances before calling it a night.

But as Tony lay in his bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change. And this time, he wasn't afraid of it.