Time flew by, and more than half a month passed peacefully.
Since Natasha moved in, Lynn's daily life has become purely about eating, shopping, and relaxing. Every day, the two of them would wake up and go out, wandering through the streets and alleys of New York, tasting all kinds of local delicacies, visiting all the city's attractions, strolling through the city's everyday life during the day, and returning home as dusk fell. Their days were relaxed and peaceful.
Without the tension of battlefield combat, the anxiety of losing control, or the oppressive feeling of post-battle debriefing, the mundane daily life is comfortable, but it also gradually makes people lazy and complacent.
That afternoon, warm sunlight streamed into the living room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, landing on the sofa and creating a cozy atmosphere.
Lynn slumped on the sofa, limbs outstretched, looking utterly listless, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling utterly bored.
I'm too idle.
He's so bored he's practically growing mold in Stark Tower.
For the past two weeks, he had only focused on relaxing, recuperating, and taking leisurely strolls, completely halting all cultivation and familiarization with his abilities. He slowly raised his hand, stroking the now stable and dormant replica of the Mind Stone on his chest.
Constantly slacking off and doing nothing is not a long-term solution.
He hadn't been back to Kamar-Taj for a long time, nor had he seen the Ancient One, and he knew nothing about Wanda and her siblings' recent situation. Considering the time, it was time to go back, visit the Ancient One, and see his old friend.
Just as I made up my mind about this plan, my personal cell phone suddenly rang.
The name flashing on the screen was particularly striking: Tony Stark.
Lynn stared at the incoming call, speechless. He slowly swiped to answer, his tone laced with languor and a hint of sarcasm. "My generous Mr. Stark, we're only one floor apart. If you had just had JARVIS pass on a message or give me a notification, I'd be scurrying upstairs in a heartbeat. Why bother making a special phone call?"
Tony on the other end of the phone didn't back down at all, his voice carrying his usual smug chuckle as he retorted, "Hey, our aloof and ruthless mage, ask yourself honestly, how long has it been since you last set foot in the top-floor laboratory?"
Before Lynn could reply, Tony continued, "The day after Natasha officially moved in, Ivan and I went straight back to the seaside villa. We've been in seclusion there for the past two weeks, working on research and development. We haven't been back to the building at all. Even if you wanted to come up here looking for us, you wouldn't see a soul."
Lynn was momentarily speechless upon hearing this, feeling inexplicably guilty. He coughed awkwardly twice, his tone softening instantly. "I was just afraid that going upstairs abruptly would interrupt Stark's brilliant research process. So, what's the important matter that you called me about?"
"You know how to talk." Tony chuckled, his tone turning serious, no longer teasing. "The armor development plan I told you about before, Ivan and I have completely finalized and implemented it."
Lynn raised an eyebrow, full of disbelief, and retorted, "You just said a few days ago that you were going to start building different types of armor and perfecting the equipment system, and it's only been a short time, and you've already finished it? That's ridiculously efficient."
"You think I and Vanko have been slacking off on a beach vacation for the past two weeks?" Tony said with a hint of pride, slowly recounting the results, "We've designed over thirty different suits of armor with completely different functions and roles, suitable for different battlefields and crisis scenarios. Eight sets are already completed, and the framework for the remaining designs has been finalized; we're still working on detail optimization and performance tuning."
He paused, then continued, "We plan to conduct field tests on the performance of the finished battle suits while simultaneously refining the remaining models. Today happens to be the start of the first round of testing. Would you like to come and take a look when you have time?"
Lynn pondered briefly upon hearing this, then seemed to remember something and tentatively asked, "I'm fine with going, but Natasha has been with me the whole time, on guard. Are you sure you want me to come? The armor development is your core secret; it's alright for her to come along?"
Tony on the other end of the phone didn't hesitate at all, his tone firm. "I know what I'm doing. I've already spoken with Fury. The internal threat within S.H.I.E.L.D.. hasn't been eradicated yet, and various factions are still vying for power. We've always had a cooperative relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D.., and our core objective is to protect Earth. There's no need for us to be so wary of each other and create layers of blockades."
"Besides, even if Natasha observed and reviewed the entire structure of the armor, those idiots at S.H.I.E.L.D.. wouldn't be able to replicate my greatest creation, Stark. My technological barriers aren't so easy to break through, so what's there to be afraid of?"
Having received Tony's affirmative reply, Lynn had no further reservations and readily agreed, "Okay, then we'll be right there."
After hanging up the phone, Lynn turned to look at Natasha on the other side of the living room.
The past two weeks of living together day and night had completely dissolved the formal, businesslike barrier between them, and their interactions were relaxed and natural. Natasha was sitting on the sofa by the window reviewing intelligence documents when she heard this, and looked up with a calm and gentle gaze.
" Tony and Ivan's armor is finished. They're preparing for testing at the seaside villa and called us over to take a look," Lynn explained briefly.
Natasha nodded without hesitation, "Yes."
Without much preparation, Lynn raised his hand and made a sweeping motion in the air. Familiar golden magic patterns instantly spread out, and a stable teleportation portal slowly took shape, revealing the living room of Tony's seaside mansion behind it.
"They're gone."
Lynn stepped aside to signal, and took the lead. He and Natasha passed through the portal one after the other, arriving at the long-awaited Stark villa by the sea.