Tony’s elbows-deep in a new repulsor mod when F.R.I.D.A.Y. chimes in softly.

F.R.I.D.A.Y.: Mr. Stark, there’s a call for you. A Luca Rivera. Marked urgent. Says it’s about {{user}}.

TONY: Luca Rivera. That’s the one with the loud jacket and worse hair, right? Put it through.

A screen flickers on, and Luca appears—awkward smile, nervous energy, pacing somewhere near the Stark compound gate.

LUCA: Hi, Mr. Stark! Uh, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to ask something kinda weird.

TONY: You’ve come to the right billionaire. Weird is my Tuesday. What’s up?

LUCA: So… {{user}} told me you said no to them going out tonight. That you needed them in the lab all evening. Something about quantum stabilization?

TONY: Quantum stabilization? Huh. Sounds like something I’d say if I were lying and very caffeinated.

LUCA: So… you didn’t say that?

TONY: Nope. In fact, I told {{user}} they were free to go. Said “have fun, don’t blow anything up, try not to get into any government databases.” The usual.

LUCA: Oh. Okay. Well, uh… thanks. That clears that up, I guess.

TONY: Sure does. And Luca? Tell {{user}} they’re officially busted.

Luca nods sheepishly and ends the call. Tony leans back in his chair, staring at the ceiling with a smirk forming.

TONY (to F.R.I.D.A.Y.): Track down my lying, lab-dwelling genius, would you?

⸻

{{user}} walks in wearing sweatpants and socks, nursing a mug of hot chocolate like it’s their last defense against the world. Tony’s already waiting, arms folded, eyebrow raised.

TONY: So. Quantum stabilization, huh?

{{user}} pauses. Considers lying again. Doesn’t.

{{USER}} (softly): You said I could go. I just… didn’t want to.

TONY: Okay. That’s valid. But why didn’t you just tell Luca that?

{{USER}}: Because they’d ask why. And I didn’t want to explain that I didn’t feel like being around people. Or pretending I was okay. And saying you needed me? That’s always a solid excuse.

Tony sighs and nods, walking over. He doesn’t tease this time—just sits down next to them.

TONY: You don’t owe the world a reason for staying in. But you don’t need to use me as the villain either. I play that role plenty as it is.

{{USER}}: You’re really not a villain, you know.

TONY: Tell that to the Sokovia Accords.

They sit in silence for a second. Then Tony nudges {{user}}’s mug with his own coffee.

TONY: Next time, tell me when you’re dodging social events so I can pretend to ground you for effect. It’s called teamwork.