Chapter 86: Sweet Taste

Gwen didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive.

Luckily, we were only around five minutes from the house, so the silence didn’t last long.

The moment I stopped the car, she removed her seat belt, opened the door and sprinted toward the house.

She didn’t run.

She sprinted like her life depended on getting inside before I could say anything.

I watched her disappear through the entrance and almost laughed.

I didn’t know how embarrassed she was after everything she’d done in the car, but apparently it had finally caught up with her now that we were home.

While I was thinking about that, I unconsciously licked my lower lip and tasted something sweet.

I stopped before looking at myself in the mirror.

The place where Gwen had bitten me was already healed, but there was still some color on my lips.

It was almost exactly the same color as the lipstick she’d been wearing.

Oh.

So that was why.

I licked my lip again and tasted the same sweetness.

I had no idea what flavor it was supposed to be, but I was still trying to figure it out when a voice suddenly appeared in my mind.

“Sir.” Diablo.

I immediately stopped thinking about Gwen and answered through our connection.

“What happened?” Diablo replied, “I have found Killmonger. I have also assumed his identity and appearance. Everything is proceeding as planned.” I stayed quiet for a moment.

A few minutes ago, I’d been thinking about Gwen kissing me, and now Diablo was talking about Killmonger.

My life really wasn’t normal.

Today had probably been an exception, but if I wanted days like this to continue, then I needed to become strong enough that nobody could decide otherwise for me.

“Okay.

Continue, but take care of yourself.

If you need help, tell me.” I thought for a moment before adding, “And if possible, don’t use magic.

We still don’t know what the Ancient One can notice, and I don’t want her suddenly paying attention to you.” Diablo answered, “Understood, sir.

I will be careful.” The connection became quiet again, and I stayed in the car for another few seconds before getting out and walking toward the entrance.

I thought about wiping Gwen’s lipstick from my lips, but then stopped myself.

She had spent the entire drive teasing me, so I could have a little fun too.

Instead of opening the door myself, I rang the bell.

Helen opened it after a short wait, and the first thing she noticed was my mouth.

Her eyes stayed there for a second before she moved aside and asked, “Why are your lips a different color?” I made sure to answer loudly enough that my voice could carry upstairs.

“Gwen gave me some lipstick because my lip was dry and injured.”

Helen stared at me for a few seconds before saying, “Oh.” She didn’t believe a word of that.

I walked inside while Helen closed the door, and she looked toward the stairs before asking, “What happened to Gwen?

She came inside and went straight to her room.” I started removing my jacket and answered, “She’s tired.” Helen’s eyes moved toward my lips again, but thankfully she didn’t comment on them.

Instead, she noticed my clothes.

“And this suit?” I looked down at the cream suit.

“Emily chose it. Sara chose the one I wore earlier, and Gwen chose another one for tomorrow.” Helen raised an eyebrow.

“They were choosing clothes for you?” I nodded.

“I chose dresses for them too.” Helen was quiet for a moment before simply saying, “Okay.” She then asked, “You’re not eating, right?” I shook my head.

“We already had dinner.” I glanced upstairs and asked, “Gwen hasn’t come back down?” Helen answered, “No. I don’t think she’s left her room.” That wasn’t surprising.

I went upstairs, changed into something more comfortable, then walked toward Gwen’s room and knocked.

There was silence for a few seconds before I heard her voice from inside.

“I want to sleep alone tonight.” I answered, “Okay,” and didn’t tease her anymore.

I went back to my room instead.

I still wasn’t tired, so I sat on the bed and started thinking about the reactor again.

Knowing how to design something wasn’t the problem anymore.

Actually making every individual part was taking more time than I wanted.

I spoke in my mind, “Research Assistant, can you make skills that would help me create something after I’ve properly studied its parts?” The answer appeared almost immediately.

Possible.

Multiple Common Skills can be created.

Complete replication of complex technology will still require suitable materials, tools and sufficient analysis.

“Show me.” Several skills appeared.

Material Analysis would make understanding different materials much easier.

Precision Fabrication could help with smaller components, while another skill could focus specifically on electronics and circuits.

None of them would suddenly let me create an Arc Reactor by snapping my fingers, but together they could remove a lot of the slower work.

More importantly, as they improved, I would have to depend on other people less whenever I wanted to build something myself.

I started discussing different combinations with the Research Assistant while writing down ideas for the reactor and its parts.

By the time someone knocked on my door, several pages were spread across the bed around me.

I said, “Come in,” and the door opened.

Gwen stood there in her sleep clothes and stayed near the door for a few seconds before saying, “I can’t fall asleep.” I moved some of the papers aside and told her, “Come in.”

Gwen walked over and only then noticed all the pages around me.

“Did I disturb you?” I shook my head while gathering them together.

“No. I was going to stop soon anyway.” That wasn’t completely true, but I didn’t mind stopping.

Once I cleared enough space, she climbed onto the bed and lay beside me.

She moved close almost immediately before putting one hand against my stomach again.

I looked down at her hand.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Gwen rested her head against me before answering, “Because you’re warm, and I can feel your heartbeat when I’m lying like this. It’s comfortable.” I almost pointed out that my heart wasn’t in my stomach, but I understood what she meant and decided not to argue about it.

“Okay.” Gwen moved a little closer after that, apparently satisfied that I wasn’t going to make her move.

We stayed quiet for a minute before Gwen suddenly said, “I’m sorry.” I looked down at her.

“For what?” She didn’t lift her head when she answered, “The car. I probably went a little too far.” I smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you pay me back with full interest.” Gwen’s fingers moved once against my stomach.

“That sounds threatening.” I answered, “It is,” which only made her settle against me more comfortably.

Her apology reminded me of what I’d told her earlier, and after thinking about it for a moment, I said, “I should apologize too.” Gwen finally looked up.

“For what?” I answered, “Earlier, when I told you I treated Sara and Emily that way only because they’re your friends.

That wasn’t completely true.” Gwen stared at me for a second before saying, “I know.”