I think it's funny how Riri writes about Xavier in her diary (or how Iron-Man remarks how Xavier took "notice" of her before Iron-dading, vetting him out like he's a potential match for her or something — seriously what was that Tony?), and we just kind of gloss over that.
Matter of fact, their relationship is extremely cute. It reached the point that I thought Xavier was being set up as her love interest or kind of ship-teased several times. And honestly? After debating with myself (aka me gaslighting myself saying how characters can just be friends) and friends who are fellow comic readers (some who knocked on my skull with the obvious point that there is clearly something that was being brewed between them at times), I'd argue, he is. There have been a few too many scenes that suggested a budding foundation.
I wouldn't be surprised if they continue or maybe even double down and advance whatever this is in MCU's Ironheart. A character named Xavier will be in it, and in Black Panther Wakanda Forever's script, Natalie (Riri's other best, closest, and first friend) was also named dropped. Although, his surname isn't King. Curiously, it's apparently Washington, like Natalie's. I wonder why?
Anyway, Xavier and him with her in general aren't talked about, even though he is a core support she absolutely needed in her Iron-Heart Volume 1 series. He is her other best friend and ride-or-die (even when they disagreed, he was always right there in her corner. He knew what she needed or meant without her having to speak it with her emotionally constipated self, lol). A crying shame.
I could maybe write a piece on their relationship because I'm breaking my silence. It's so vital to Riri's character development and beautiful. It ticks all the boxes. He was so funny in the Wakanda part of the volume, too, on face call talking about their food. Xavier please 😭.