[Third Person Pov]
Holograms began to appear in front of Tony inside the limousine, translucent screens forming in midair as lines of code, maps, and targeting interfaces flickered into existence. He casually manipulated them with both hands, swiping, rotating, and expanding different panels as if he were simply organizing files on a desk rather than operating something far more dangerous.
"Tony, what are you doing?" Maria asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes as she watched the shifting lights reflect off his face.
Tony wore a warm and light smile that seemed innocent at first glance, the kind that could easily fool someone who didn't know him well. "I'm preparing to send an orbital strike to all those bastards," he said casually. "Don't worry, I'll be quick."
"Wha—Tony!" Maria exclaimed as she leaned forward to look at the screens more closely. What she saw immediately confirmed that he was being completely serious. Coordinates, satellite markers, and weapon systems were all being primed. "Your speed isn't the concern here, please stop trying to resolve everything with violence. Violence is never the answer."
"You're right," Tony sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as if he had suddenly realized the error of his ways.
Maria sighed in relief, happy that she had managed to get through to him so quickly.
"It is a question!" Tony suddenly declared dramatically, raising one finger upward while one of the floating screens displayed a large red button. "And the answer is YES!!"
"Tony!!" Maria immediately reached over and slapped his hands away from the holograms before he could touch anything else.
Howard and Kane were both cackling with laughter at the scene unfolding in front of them, thoroughly entertained by the exchange. Meanwhile Melissa, Momo, and Eric simply stared with stiff and awkward smiles, unsure whether they should laugh, intervene, or pretend none of this was happening. Despite the tension, they couldn't help but be amused by the spectacle.
"I was only joking," Tony pouted, rubbing the back of his hand where Maria had smacked him.
"You think I don't know you? No you weren't," Maria scoffed, crossing her arms while shooting him a sharp warning glare.
"…Fine, I won't," Tony admitted with a sigh before casually dismissing the holographic displays with a wave of his hand. "Instead I'll do it when you aren't looking and without your knowledge."
Maria pinched the bridge of her nose, looking thoroughly exasperated. "Why are you like this?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Tony asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.
"What?" Maria questioned.
Tony released a charming smile that highlighted the handsome features of his face. "Because you're my mother and I love you."
"Ughhh!" Maria exclaimed as if she had just been physically struck. She quickly looked away while blushing slightly. "As sweet as that is, don't think I'm just going to suddenly turn a blind eye to this. You sweet talker."
Tony merely scoffed before casually pulling out his phone. His fingers began moving across the screen in a relaxed and nonchalant manner, giving the impression that he was simply texting friends or scrolling through something unimportant.
Melissa shook her head with a faint smile. She, just like Maria, knew Tony all too well. Despite how relaxed and carefree he appeared, she was perhaps the only one who noticed the calculating glint hidden within his eyes.
There was no way he was going to let this go simply because his mother asked him to.
…
It wasn't long before they arrived at their restaurant and were escorted to a private booth with a circular table that allowed all of them to sit comfortably together.
They ordered a variety of dishes ranging from different kinds of pasta to pizza and several other Italian delicacies.
While they waited for the food, and even after it arrived, the group spent their time talking about everything and nothing.
Howard, Kane, and Maria mostly spoke about business matters and family affairs, the kind of conversations adults naturally drifted into when catching up after a long time apart. They talked about recent developments, shared updates, and filled each other in on things they had missed since they last spoke.
Meanwhile Tony treated Eric like an old family friend rather than someone he had just met today. The way he spoke and joked with him made it feel like they were cousins who had simply lost contact for a few years before meeting again.
"Wait," Eric said, pausing mid-twirl with his fork wrapped in pasta. "Are you saying you weren't the one who convinced them to date you at the same time?"
"No, believe it or not I hate harems," Tony replied with a completely straight face while holding a slice of pizza in his hand. "I literally had a nightmare where I ended up as a harem protagonist and woke up in a cold sweat."
Eric immediately burst out laughing as he lowered his head and shook it in disbelief.
Their conversation continued in the same casual and lighthearted manner until their stomachs were full and their appetites completely satiated. Plates that had once been piled high with pasta and pizza were now mostly empty, leaving behind only a few scattered crumbs and traces of sauce.
As the meal wound down, the group naturally began discussing what they were planning to do next for the rest of the day.
Kane shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to get back to work. I still have some responsibilities to take care of."
"Didn't I say I'd pay for your day off?" Tony scoffed, leaning back in his seat.
"Yeah, except things don't exactly work like that," Kane replied with a lopsided grin. "I could be gone for a minute sure, but not for the whole day. I'm still a teacher and I have students depending on me."
Tony couldn't help but sigh as he understood the reasoning. Despite his playful complaints, he genuinely respected that kind of dedication. In fact, he was honestly starting to like his uncle quite a bit.
"Maybe you can come over and stay for dinner when you come pick up Eric," Maria suggested warmly. "You can even bring Leslie with you this time." She was referring to Kane's wife and Eric's mother. As someone who valued family deeply, Maria always cherished the rare opportunities she had to spend time with her older brother and his family.
Kane nodded at the idea without hesitation. "That sounds great. She always did like you. I'm sure she'd love the idea too."
After finishing the quick arrangement for dinner later that evening—despite having just finished lunch—they all stood up and made their way out of the restaurant together.
…
"Welcome to Casa Stark!" Tony exclaimed dramatically as soon as they arrived home, taking the lead and welcoming Eric inside as if he were the master of the entire estate.
"Gibleee!"
"Eevee!!" x2
"Beep!"
"Aww, did my little babies come greet me at the door?" Tony asked theatrically, extending his arms forward as if he were about to embrace them all at once. Fake tears even gathered at the corners of his eyes.
Eric stood completely frozen in place as he stared at the creatures gathered near the entrance.
"Well you kids have fun. Tony, don't accidentally kill your cousin," Howard casually said as he and Maria continued walking further into the house without a second thought.
"Don't worry, I'll figure out a way to revive him if I do," Tony called back, glancing over his shoulder toward Eric to see how he was reacting.
He blinked in confusion.
Eric's gaze had never once left the creatures now gathered around Tony's feet and arms. His eyes were wide, almost shining, while his entire body trembled as if he were trying to restrain himself from doing something drastic.
"Are they—" His voice cracked slightly. "—Are they real? They're not just machines or robots you created, right?"
Tony blinked once before a smirk slowly spread across his face. "Oh yeah, they're real alright. One hundred percent authentic."
"C-Can I hold one?" Eric asked, his voice trembling along with his hands.
Tony casually lifted Gible and held him forward. "Careful with this one. He bites."
Eric gently took Gible into his hands. The moment he did, he felt the warmth of the small creature's body, the rough texture of its skin, and the solid weight resting in his palms.
Gible tilted his head slightly before flashing his signature toothy grin. "Gible!!"
Eric's legs immediately gave out beneath him as he dropped to his knees while still holding Gible up carefully, almost reverently.
Melissa and Momo stared at the scene with open disbelief.
"What is happening right now?" Melissa asked slowly.
"Just like I thought," Tony said with a laugh as he shook his head. "Eric is just like me."
"What?" Melissa asked in astonishment, her mind racing. 'He's a reincarnator?!'
"He's a history buff," Tony explained smugly. "A fellow researcher of the era before quirks. Unlike you uneducated dweebs, Eric is a man of culture!"
'Oh…' Melissa thought as she looked at Eric, who was still kneeling on the ground while holding Gible like he had just been handed a sacred artifact.
'Well… I sure jumped the gun on that one.'
(A/N: Lol imagine… Unless 🤨)
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