“Mr. Stark,” Peter burst into the lab, nearly tripping over his backpack. He flung his sunglasses onto the floor, the plastic cracking with a sharp snap. “You will not believe my day.” He winced at the sound, muttering, “Cheap sunglasses. What can you do?”
Tony looked up from a holographic display filled with intricate diagrams. “Must you throw your belongings everywhere? This is a lab, not a McDonald’s play place.”
“Okay, but hear me out,” Peter said, taking a long sip of iced coffee. Tony’s eyebrows shot up. When had Peter started drinking coffee? “Ned and I were talking, and he goes, ‘Dude, what if we made real lightsabers?’ My brain just…exploded!” Peter mimed an explosion with exaggerated hand gestures. “So I called Shuri—”
“Dear God, you what?” Tony rubbed his forehead. “Does T’Challa even know you did this?”
“Probably by now,” Peter took another sip, unfazed. “Apparently, she accidentally destroyed part of T’Challa’s room. I don’t think it was an accident, though. I’m not going to call her out on it.”
“So,” Tony stood up, sighing heavily. “You’re telling me Shuri actually built a real lightsaber?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“She made two,” Peter held up two fingers. “The other one should be in my room by now. She shipped it here.” Tony paused, his gaze fixed on Peter, his intentions clear. “Wait! Before you make any rash decisions, I really want to be Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
“Fine,” Tony said, his jaw tight. They stared each other down for a moment. “FRI, I need the boots!” Iron Man boots shot across the lab, and Peter knew he had to run.
“Wait, Mr. Stark, I really want to keep the lightsaber!”
“FRI, lockdown Peter’s room.”
“FRIDAY, I thought we were friends!” Peter yelled as FRI confirmed the room was sealed. He didn’t stop running, though; he had a plan.
“I’m sorry, Peter,” FRIDAY replied in her usual monotone.
“Override Mr. Stark. Reason: I forgot to water my succulent,” Peter yelled as he neared his room. He scaled the walls, swinging down the hallway as Tony maneuvered through the narrow corridors.
“Overriding,” FRI said, and Tony scoffed.
“FRIDAY, remind me to get rid of that,” Tony muttered, watching Peter dive through his door and land on his bed. Peter ripped open a box, revealing a metallic hilt.
“Oh my god,” Peter breathed. He pressed a button, and a blade of pure light erupted from the hilt. “It’s like a glowstick!”
“Don’t touch it! No touching!” Tony barreled into the room. “That is a weapon, and you are sixteen. That is not safe.”
“It’s a lightsaber!”
“Put it down.”
“I need to FaceTime Shuri!” Peter turned, carelessly waving the blade. “FRI, FaceTime Shuri. Can you put it on the TV?”
“Of course, Peter,” FRI replied, and a ringing filled the room. Tony braced himself for a lecture. He kept a careful distance from Peter, waiting for Shuri’s face to appear on the screen.
“Hey, Pete!” Shuri waved enthusiastically, then her face fell slightly when she saw Tony. “Hiya, Tony. Looking good. Not a day over sixty.” Tony’s eyes widened in offense before remembering why he was even talking to her.
“A lightsaber? You gave Peter, the kid who can’t even tie a tie, a deadly weapon from a movie?”
“Yes,” Shuri nodded, then yelled over the noise of someone screaming in the background. “Um, that’s the King. He seems to be having a minor meltdown. I gotta go. Bye, Pete! Bye, Stark!” Shuri’s face disappeared, and Peter yelled ‘bye’ even though she was gone. Tony turned to Peter, who was still grinning in awe.
“I have a deadly glowstick!”
“I’m going to die,” Tony groaned, burying his face in his hands.