This story's 30 advanced chapters have been uploaded on my Patreon.
Here's the link: patreon.com/Hussain678 — all 30 advanced chapters are available there.
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On the screen…
A new title appeared:
"Pepper's Christmas Gift"
Stark Tower.
Pepper raised an eyebrow at the title. She was a little surprised.
After all…
In previous Christmases, she had always bought her own gifts.
Who could possibly give her a present?
She glanced at Tony.
Tony?
No way!
The guy's only ever focused on work. After hours, he's off in casinos or nightclubs chasing other pretty girls for one-night stands.
How would he even remember when Christmas was?
Even if he did remember, he'd probably make her buy herself a gift using the company account.
Noticing Pepper's look of disbelief, Tony looked slightly uneasy.
So… he spoke.
Tony: "Hey, Pepper, why are you looking at me like that?""This is a Christmas gift, isn't it?""What do you want? I'll get it for you right now.""And honestly, I can tell just from the title—it's for you."
Pepper rolled her eyes at him.
Pepper: "Oh, that would be wonderful, my dear boss."
On the screen, the video continued.
One day, Pepper drove a luxury car to Tony's home.
[After the Battle of New York, they had officially started dating and were now living together.]
When Pepper got out, she saw… a giant bunny, its chest adorned with two prominent spikes—utterly impossible to miss.
Pepper stared at Tony, speechless.
Pepper: "Is this… really your Christmas gift!???"
Tony gave an awkward laugh.
Tony: "Th-this can't be… cough, it must be a prank."
Actually… he had long suspected he was the one who bought it.
After all, it suited his terrible taste perfectly.
Happy looked excited.
Happy: "Hey, shouldn't we discuss who sent this giant bunny?""Obviously more importantly, the screen shows you two are living together and dating!!""Ha, Tony, didn't I say it before? I always knew you and Pepper would end up together!!""Don't worry, Tony, I'll watch out for your lady. I won't let any other guy near her!"
Tony saw Happy practically bouncing with excitement.
He tapped his forehead.
Tony: "Hey, what are you saying? We haven't even talked about this yet, right, Pepper?"
He teased Pepper with a glance.
Feeling Tony's mischievous gaze, Pepper deliberately avoided his eyes and stammered.
Pepper: "Hmph… y-yeah, fine."
Tony grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction.
Entering Tony's living room, Pepper saw someone sitting cross-legged on the sofa wearing Iron Man armor.
Pepper: "W-what is this?! You're wearing this at home? Which model is this, Mark XV?"
[Mark XLII stood and greeted Pepper.]
Tony: "Pretty close. It's one of my little hobbies."
Pepper arranged papers on the table.
Pepper: "Oh? You really have to show off your hobbies in the living room?"
Tony: "It's a habit. At first, it feels a bit awkward, especially around the… uh… crotch area.""By the way, did you see your Christmas gift?"
Pepper: "Oh, of course. How could I miss such a huge Christmas gift?"
Pepper gave Tony a look full of mock resentment.
This time, Tony avoided her gaze, chuckling nervously.
Tony: "Heh, at least I've made some progress.""Like before, I didn't get you a Christmas gift… but at least I'll give you one in the future."
Pepper stared at Tony's stubborn face, feeling like a scolded child.
She smiled to herself.
Pepper (muttering): "Well… it's true. After all, this is Tony's first Christmas gift to me, even if it's full of a man's terrible taste.""But… if I stay with Tony a few more years, maybe he'll eventually give me a gift I actually like?"
Stars seemed to light up in her eyes as she imagined the future with Tony.
[Mark XLII stepped forward and lightly squeezed Pepper's shoulder, trying to relax her.]
[Pepper was still CEO of the company. Even though Ivan Vanko had been defeated, there was no need to transfer the company to Pepper.]
[According to Tony, he preferred to develop weapons in the lab rather than serve as the company's public face.]
[So… after the Battle of New York, Pepper remained CEO, handling countless business affairs every day.]
[By around 4 PM, she met someone both unfamiliar and familiar—Killian.]
[This was a former colleague who had repeatedly asked her out; she had always refused.]
The meeting was naturally awkward.
But what surprised Pepper…
was how much Killian had changed.
[Tall, handsome, clean-cut hair.]
[Nothing like the messy, limp, Frankenstein-like Killian she remembered.]
Pepper: "Wait, that's Killian!???""No, I remember him walking with a limp, needing a cane.""Even if he exercised, studied, and combed his hair later… his body shouldn't have changed!"
Of course, her shock was understandable.
Anyone seeing a previously disabled person suddenly walking normally would be surprised.
Happy looked at Killian on the screen.
Happy: "Hmm… let me see… his knees don't bow out when he walks.""So he shouldn't be wearing an exoskeleton like Tony's Iron Man suit.""Did he really undergo some kind of special therapy to fully recover?""Medical technology isn't that advanced, right?!"
Pepper patted Happy on the shoulder, agreeing.
Pepper: "Yeah, it's impossible… this is really strange!"
Tony watched Pepper and Happy animatedly discussing.
He felt a little lost.
He still didn't recognize the rich, scientist-looking man.
So he asked Happy:
Tony: "Wait, what are you talking about? You know this guy?"
Happy explained:
Happy: "Tony, remember that science conference we attended in 1999, in Switzerland?""Oh… vaguely. Why?""Did you meet anyone memorable there?"
Tony recalled: "I remember sleeping with a botanist that night; an extreme virus she was studying caused a small explosion in our room."
Happy: "No, I mean a man in an AIM shirt gave you two business cards. Did you notice him?"
As they talked, Tony remembered Killian.
Messy hair, rough demeanor, unsure how to handle situations…
Before he could get involved with the botanist, he was stuck at the elevator.
He recommended his think tank—the Advanced Idea Mechanics company, aka AIM.
At the time, Tony didn't like the intruder and was even annoyed.
So he put Killian aside, went to the room, and… well, dealt with the botanist.
Years later, Killian had changed dramatically.
[In the conference room.]
[Killian showed Pepper his team's latest research: "Extremis."]
He threw three small spheres onto the table.
[They projected a brain-like shape in midair, resembling a galaxy.]
[It was a real-time scan of Killian's brain.]
He placed a hand on Pepper's shoulder, explaining further.
Killian: "Extremis fully develops and controls the neural potential of the human body, enhancing DNA."
[The team's goal was to allow the virus to invade the human body and replicate DNA.]
Pepper was shocked.
However, considering this didn't align with the company's current direction—super soldiers, private military projects—she decided not to cooperate with Killian… for now.
[Killian didn't seem discouraged. Before leaving, he kissed Pepper on the cheek.]
Tony saw this and felt… jealous.
He twisted slightly in his chair, smiling despite himself.
Tony: "Yo yo, Stark geniuses… not jealous now, are you~~"
He turned his head aside.
Tony (thinking):Not really… but…
He was a little envious, but he was also intrigued by Killian's biotech.
Introducing "Extremis" into the human body…
Could it replicate DNA?
It's basically cloning.
And the "Extremis" virus seemed related to the extreme virus the botanist mentioned in 1999.
Could it be connected?
Did the botanist later join AIM to study the virus's effect on plants?
Years later, the research matured… and moved into humans?
Absurd.
If true, the virus healed Killian's disability.
He could now walk normally.
This must be an incredible medicine.
The inventor deserves ten Nobel Prizes.
Why come to Tony's company, seemingly seeking collaboration?
Tony pondered deeply.
On the screen…
[Back at Tony's home.]
[After enjoying Mark XLII's massage, Pepper felt… romantic.]
Pepper: "Tony, why don't you take off the mask and kiss me?"
[Mark XLII bumped its head.]
Tony: "Oh… it won't open. Or, you could kiss this… the mouth slit?"
Pepper: "No worries, I'll go check the garage for a wrench to pry it open."
She turned and went to the lab.
Tony: "Wait, wait!!!"
Underground Lab.
[Pepper saw Tony doing pull-ups while remotely controlling Mark XLII and chatting with her.]
Pepper: "My God, Tony… you are so incredibly boring."
She stared at him in disbelief.
Pepper: "Seriously, after all this time together, you don't even want to meet me in person!???""You're controlling Mark XLII remotely to chat with me?"
She almost kissed him moments ago.
She punched Tony's chest in frustration.
Tony endured Pepper's pink fist.
His mind wandered:
He's probably controlling Mark XLII remotely because he's worried the suit can't fully protect me.
If this were a military situation rather than flirting…
He imagined controlling the suit on a battlefield, enemies dodging his bullets…
And at home, he could control it safely.
No worries about personal safety.
…This is actually a brilliant idea.
Moreover, because the suit is self-controlled,
its responsiveness and freedom far surpass Vanko's remotely controlled armor.
Seems like… after the Battle of New York,
I really came up with some fun stuff.