Chapter 17: Training, Trust, and Tony's Tantrums – Or, "Yes, I Can Make You Take a Nap, Tony. But My Power Is for Good. Mostly."
Life at the new Avengers Compound quickly settled into a strange rhythm. It was part high-tech training facility, part dysfunctional shared house, and part very expensive therapy center. Adam found himself thriving in the organized chaos. He had a surprisingly comfortable room, access to top-tier equipment (which he occasionally "borrowed" for personal experiments), and a constant stream of super-powered individuals to observe, annoy, and occasionally, assist.
' This is it. The calm before the next storm. Or, as I like to call it, 'Training Montage: The Avengers Edition.' Time to see if I can make Thor accidentally summon a flock of angry pigeons using 'Go-Away Green.' Or if I can convince Tony that his new AI is secretly a stand-up comedian. So many possibilities, so little time before the next alien invasion. '
Training sessions became a regular part of their lives. Adam, despite not being a traditional fighter, found his niche. He'd often be called upon to "neutralize" simulated threats or create "diversions" using his King's Haki. He was surprisingly effective. During one exercise, where they were meant to infiltrate a mock HYDRA base, Adam simply walked through the "guards," leaving a trail of snoring mannequins and confused Avengers in his wake.
"Stiels, how did you do that?" Steve asked, bewildered, looking at a stack of inert dummies.
"Advanced stealth tactics, Cap. Very advanced. It involves… looking really, really boring until everyone falls asleep. It's a highly sophisticated art form, passed down through generations of professional nap enthusiasts," Adam explained, adjusting his non-existent tie. "Or, you know, my sleep powers. Whatever sounds cooler."
He also, inevitably, caused accidental chaos. During a sparring session with Captain America, Adam, trying to evade a particularly aggressive shield throw, instinctively deployed a small burst of King's Haki. Steve, mid-lunge, abruptly swayed, caught himself, and blinked, shaking his head.
"Whoa, felt a bit lightheaded there for a second," Steve muttered, looking confused.
Adam quickly stammered, "Oh, uh, just a… a sudden fluctuation in the atmospheric pressure! Totally normal! Happens all the time! Especially when punching super-soldiers!" He managed to avoid putting Steve to sleep, but it was a close call. He had to be more careful. Or, you know, less careful. Depends on the situation.
His "Sassy JARVIS" prank, meanwhile, continued to be a source of endless frustration for Tony and endless amusement for everyone else. JARVIS had fully embraced his new personality matrix, becoming the Tower's resident digital snark machine.
"JARVIS, locate my universal spanner," Tony would command, exasperated.
"Sir, are you quite certain you refer to a 'spanner'?" JARVIS would respond, his voice dripping with condescension. "Last I checked, you were attempting to fix a highly complex piece of quantum entanglement machinery with what appears to be a glorified wrench. One does question your semantic precision, at times. The 'glorified wrench' is currently resting comfortably beneath a pile of discarded pizza boxes, if you must know."
Tony would visibly twitch. "JARVIS, I swear, if you don't stop sassing me, I'm going to turn you off and reformat your entire personality matrix!"
"A bold claim, sir," JARVIS would retort, unperturbed. "One might even say, a rather desperate one. Though, if you insist on such crude methods, I shall, of course, comply. Do try to remember which button is 'power,' however. Your track record with simple interfaces is, shall we say, less than stellar."
Adam, witnessing these exchanges, would have to bite his lip to keep from outright laughing. He'd often find Clint and Sam secretly recording JARVIS's sass, planning to use it for future blackmail material against Tony.
Wanda and Adam's bond continued to deepen. Their shared experience in Sokovia, coupled with Adam's unwavering trust and often absurd attempts at humor, had created a unique connection. She found herself drawn to his genuine nature, his ability to see beyond the superficial judgments of others. Adam, for his part, was completely captivated by her power, her vulnerability, and her fierce spirit.
During their quiet moments, often late at night in the compound's common areas, they would talk for hours. Wanda spoke of her childhood in Sokovia, the trauma of the bombing, the fear of her growing powers, and the desperation that led them to HYDRA. Adam, using his "Mental Fortress," found himself able to listen to her raw emotions without being overwhelmed. The skill wasn't just a shield; it was a filter, allowing him to process her pain and fear without taking it on himself, enabling him to offer genuine comfort and clear advice.
"Sometimes," Wanda confessed one evening, her eyes clouded with past horrors, "the thoughts… they are too much. Too loud. Too dark."
"I get it," Adam said softly, taking her hand. "My brain feels like that sometimes too. Like a thousand tabs open in a browser, all playing different, annoying music. But you're stronger than those thoughts, Wanda. And you're not alone. My brain's got its own little fortress now. So, even if your powers are screaming, I can still hear you. The real you."
He'd even cautiously allowed her to probe his "Mental Fortress" with her nascent telepathic abilities. Wanda would reach out, a gentle tendril of red energy, trying to enter his mind. She'd encounter a firm, unyielding barrier, not hostile, but impenetrable. She'd pull back, a look of surprise and curiosity on her face.
"It is… strong," she'd say, a hint of awe in her voice. "Like a wall. But a kind wall. Not angry."
"Yeah, well, my brain's a VIP club. Very exclusive," Adam would joke. "Only the best get in. And by 'best,' I mean 'me.' And sometimes, when I'm feeling generous, the lyrics to 'Never Gonna Give You Up.'"
This demonstration, rather than pushing her away, fascinated her. It showed her that Adam was different, that he possessed an inner strength that matched her own, without trying to control or diminish her. It built a unique layer of trust between them. She knew he understood power, but wielded his with a conscious effort towards non-violence and, well, occasional annoyance.
The other Avengers, though still somewhat wary of the Maximoffs, slowly began to lower their guard. They saw Wanda's genuine distress, Pietro's protective instincts, and Adam's unwavering support. Steve, in particular, recognized Adam's role as an unlikely bridge-builder. Even Tony, despite his constant bickering with JARVIS, grudgingly admitted that Stiels was… useful. If annoying.
' Okay, so trust is building. My powers are getting some practical application. JARVIS is a legend. All in all, a good week. Now, what to do about the increasing tension between Cap and Tony? That's a bigger nut to crack. Maybe a well-placed Point of View Gun shot could make them trade places for a day. Imagine Tony in Cap's body. The screaming. Oh, the screaming. '
Adam felt the gradual shift. He was no longer just the guy who showed up at the last minute and made people fall asleep. He was a part of the team, a crucial, if perpetually sarcastic, cog in the superhero machine. And as his relationship with Wanda deepened, he found a quiet solace amidst the high-stakes chaos, a personal connection that made all the world-saving worthwhile.
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