Tony
Tony uses JARVIS to help him get around without alerting T’Challa, feeling guilty that he had turned the man down but it was the right thing to do. The prince deserved someone who was closer in age to him and would have the chance of actually growing old together. He was already over the hill while the prince was barely in his thirties (he made a note to find out how old he was later). Tony also had a lot of baggage he didn’t need to make the kid deal with.
On top of that, he still had duties as an Avenger and at SI that he couldn’t do remotely. Sure he can build things in Wakanda, but he wouldn’t want to get used to using things not found in New York and make building things most costly or near impossible for R&D and all other department to replicate. His place was in New York, not Wakanda.
Sure he loved the kisses, but that didn’t mean he was suddenly going to tie himself to T’Challa. Tony knew how much he sucked at relationships, and knew it would only get worse when distance was involved. He would gladly be friends with benefits, but nothing more. He wasn’t even going to entertain that thought.
Tony figures he should cut his long vacation short and head home. He probably learned enough from Wakanda by now to exponentially help his company grow even further. The engineer also already created the defense weapons for the Milaje, the Border Tribe, and the War Dogs, so the scientist here can easily manufacture them. Probably even improve them.
Yes, going home was the best option. It would let him preserve his friendship with the prince and let said man get over the notion of courting Tony. He just needed to convince the kids now; so he sneaks his way to the rooms Harley and Peter stay in, knowing his little mini mes were more than likely awake right now planning on doing something crazy. (Like glitter bombing the Dora Milajes again).
A quick check around the corner and the older gentleman rapidly makes his way to Peter’s room and knocks. “Peter, it’s Tony. Let me in.”
A few moments go by as he continuously checks over his shoulder before the teenager opens the door. “Mr. Stark. What are you doing here so late?” Peter moves aside to let him in and shuts the door. “If this is about our prank of using robot spiders on Shuri, I just want to say she started it.”
“What? No kid.” He shakes his head: he honestly didn’t want to know. “I’m here about something else. About us going home early."
“Why would we do that?”
“I want to get back to SI and the kids. Plus we shouldn’t wear out are welcome.” Tony tries for nonchalance but it’s sure if its coming off right.
“I thought Ms. Potts had Stark Industries under control. And I’m sure Prince T’Challa wouldn’t mind getting Dum-E and them over here. Bet Shuri would want to take a look at them.”
“No one messes with my AIs.” He made that mistake once with Dum-E, and he’ll never make it again. “Their code is only for me and them to know.” The one he gave to T’Challa even had a full wipe out program in it if someone other than him even so much as looked at it.
Peter holds his hands in a non-threatening manner. “Sorry, Mr. Stark. That wasn’t what I meant. I just meant she have fun watching them and puzzling out how they work.”
The engineer coughs self-consciously and rubs at the back of his neck. “Right. Sorry for snapping at you. I just…… I just need to get home, ok?”
He could see the concern plain as day on Peter’s face who slowly walks over to him. “Are you alright Mr. Stark? Has someone hurt you or threatened you? I know I’ve been busy but if someone is trying to harm you, I will protect you.”
Tony could see and hear the sincerity from him, and wasn’t that just a punch to the gut? He worried the kid all because he was trying to guard himself from being hurt again.