The Stark Expo stretches out like a city of the future. Glass pavilions gleam under the June sun, each one showcasing something that makes my inner tech-nerd do backflips. Holographic displays float above booths where engineers demonstrate everything from clean energy solutions to medical nanotechnology.
Jessica walks beside me, her eyes wide as she takes it all in. She keeps reaching for booth pamphlets and then stopping herself, like she's still getting used to being treated like a normal person instead of a mind-controlled weapon.
"Look at this place," she says, voice carrying that edge of wonder I've come to recognize. "It's like walking through the future."
I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Couldn't leave you out, could I? Not after everything."
She bumps my shoulder with hers, that small smile playing on her lips. "You're impossible."
The Digivice in my pocket buzzes. Gatomon's voice comes through, calm as ever.
"Peter and Gwen are running final diagnostics on EDEN. They'll meet us at the opening ceremony."
Jessica tilts her head. "Where are they now?"
"Working on final checks," I reply, keeping my voice even. "We've got time to kill."
We drift through the crowds, past a demonstration of anti-gravity platforms where kids float a few feet off the ground. Jessica stops to watch, genuinely fascinated. That's when the real trouble starts.
A group of photographers rushes past, chasing Tony Stark who's apparently doing some last-minute PR circuit. They barrel into us like a tidal wave, and suddenly Jessica's pressed against me, her hands on my chest for balance.
"Sorry," she mumbles, but doesn't move away immediately.
"No problem," I say, my voice cracking slightly.
She finally steps back, cheeks pink. "This is... weird. Being here. Normal."
"Yeah, well." I clear my throat. "Normal's overrated anyway."
She laughs, that bright sound cutting through the noise of the expo. "Since when?"
"Since I started hanging out with a girl who can bench-press cars and a Digimon who thinks he's God's gift to everything."
Impmon's voice crackles from Jessica's Digivice. "Hey, I am pretty amazing."
"See?" I point at her pocket. "Your partner's already proving my point."
Jessica's smile softens. She's quiet for a moment, watching a demonstration of holographic interface technology. "He's been different lately. Less... chaotic."
"Growing up sucks, doesn't it?"
"Says the guy who's literally building a digital universe."
Touché.
We pass a robotics exhibit where a sleek silver android is performing origami. Jessica stops again, mesmerized by the precision of its movements.
"You ever think about how weird our lives are?" she asks.
"Every day."
"Before all this, I mean. When I was just... me. Invisible Jessica who ate lunch in the library."
I glance down at her. "You were never invisible."
"Liar. I was the girl who disappeared into the background. Now I'm Jewel. Or I was. Now I'm..." She trails off.
"Now you're Jessica. Which is pretty damn amazing."
The moment stretches between us, charged with something that's not quite friendship. Before either of us can figure out what to do with it, a vendor calls out about free samples of some energy drink. Jessica's stomach growls loud enough to hear over the crowd.
"Food first," she declares, "existential crisis later."
"That's the spirit."
We head toward the food court, but the expo's layout has other plans. A demonstration of crowd control barriers has gone haywire, and security is herding people away from a section that's supposed to be closed. We get caught in the flow, pushed together again.
This time, Jessica's arm is trapped between mine and the barrier rope. She doesn't pull away.
"Ethan," she says softly.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For today. For..." She gestures vaguely at everything. "For not treating me like I'm broken."
I don't know what to say to that, so I just squeeze her hand briefly. Her skin feels warm through mine.
The crowd shifts, and we're free again. Jessica immediately drops her arm, but her smile lingers.
"Come on," she says. "Let's find something that actually feeds people instead of just impressing them."
"Lead the way, partner."
The food court's chaos reminds me why I prefer digital spaces. People jostle for samples while vendors shout over each other. Jessica somehow manages to get us both smoothies, which is impressive given my complete lack of coordination in crowds.
"Peter said they'd be near the main pavilion," she says, handing me a blueberry disaster. "Want to go find them?"
I take a sip and grimace. "Your cooking's better than this."
"That's not saying much."
We weave through the crowd, and I spot Peter's unruly hair above the throng near the Stark Pavilion. He's talking animatedly to Gwen, who's trying to look interested while clearly calculating structural load limits on the temporary stage.
"There they are!" Jessica calls out.
Peter turns, his face lighting up. "Ethan! Jessica!" He jogs over, Gwen following at a more measured pace. "You guys made it!"
"Wouldn't miss the debut of our digital baby," Gwen says, adjusting her glasses. "Though I'm still not convinced we've stress-tested it enough."
Peter laughs. "Relax, super-genius. If it breaks, we'll just blame Ethan."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Gwen rolls her eyes. "Peter, focus. The ceremony starts in ten minutes. Let's head inside."
The ceremony isn't in some stuffy auditorium. It's outdoors on the main lawn, with this huge stage set up like something out of a sci-fi movie. VIP seating means we get front row access to what's basically the biggest tech showcase in the world.
Tony's already up there doing his thing, flashing that billion-dollar smile while reporters snap photos. Gwen's practically vibrating with excitement, and Peter keeps adjusting his tie like he's going to prom instead of a business event.
"Relax, nerd," I tell him. "It's not like you're the one presenting."
"Easy for you to say," he mutters. "You're not the one who might accidentally web-shoot the mayor."
Jessica snorts. "Please. I'd pay to see that."
Gwen elbows her. "Focus, both of you. This is important."
The emcee takes the stage, and the crowd settles.
***
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