Arrowverse: I'm a Hero

Chapter 11: The Aftermath & The Awkward Double Date

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Objective: Strengthen Barry Allen Friendship. Sub-objective: Initiate Geek-Out Sequence. Primary Skill Acquisition Target: Super-Speed. Emotional Triggers: Trust, Urgency, Shared Enthusiasm. ]

The scent of burnt ozone still lingered faintly in the National City air the next morning, a subtle reminder of the previous day's superhuman shenanigans. Adam, however, was already back to his routine, which mostly involved strategizing, drinking questionable coffee (despite his best efforts, truly good coffee remained elusive), and trying to figure out how to gracefully land a 10% proficient flight. His penthouse now had a few suspicious scuff marks on the ceiling. Artistic expression, he told himself.

Barry Allen, to Adam's delight, hadn't immediately zipped back to Central City. Apparently, the DEO had kept him for some debriefing, and Kara had insisted he stay the night (in a guest room, Adam noted, suppressing a childish grin). This was prime bromance real estate.

"So, The Flash, huh?" Adam drawled, finding Barry in the DEO's remarkably sterile cafeteria, trying to make sense of the nutritional values on a protein bar wrapper. "Still trying to figure out if you're a really fast dude or just really, really good at disappearing acts."

Barry jumped, nearly dropping the protein bar. "Adam! Uh, hey. Just... trying to figure out if this thing is actually food or glorified cardboard." He gestured vaguely at the wrapper.

"Likely both," Adam said, pulling up a chair. "They try to make it appealing for the super-powered demographic, but mostly they just end up with something that tastes like regret. Speaking of which, you holding up after yesterday's little... electrifying encounter?"

Barry sighed, running a hand through his perpetually messy hair. "Yeah, I guess. It's just a lot to process. A whole other Earth, with a whole other me, and a whole other Supergirl. And then you, with your... network." He looked at Adam, a genuine smile breaking through his exhaustion. "Seriously, thanks for the heads-up yesterday. And the pizza. That pizza was a lifesaver."

"Think nothing of it," Adam said with a dismissive wave. "My 'network' is always happy to provide essential intel and caloric sustenance. It's in our mission statement: 'Saving the world, one slice at a time'."

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Lock-on: Barry Allen (Friendship/Trust, 30%). Progressing. Your ability to combine strategic genius with snack recommendations is truly unparalleled. Or just weird. Hard to tell sometimes. ]

Adam felt the delightful buzz intensify. His Super-Speed proficiency was slowly but surely climbing, a subtle hum beneath his skin, like his very cells were vibrating with possibility. He mentally cheered. Soon, he'd be able to win arguments just by talking faster. Oh, the power!

"So," Adam continued, leaning forward conspiratorially, "I was thinking. Since you're stuck here for a bit, and Kara needs a break from saving kittens from trees and entire cities from rogue robots, how about a very non-world-ending activity? A double date. You, me, Kara, and... is there a Mrs. Flash back in Central City? Or a Ms. Future-Reporter-Who-May-Or-May-Not-Be-Your-Sister-But-Also-Your-Wife?"

Barry choked on his protein bar. "Iris?! You... how do you know about Iris?" His eyes were wide with shock.

Adam blinked innocently. "My 'network,' Barry. It's extensive. Very extensive. It knows everything from global warming solutions to who's dating whom in Central City. Though, I must say, the whole 'keeping it a secret' thing seems to be more of a suggestion than a rule in your world. Just saying."

Barry slowly recovered, a blush creeping up his neck. "She's... well, she's Iris. My best friend. And, uh... well, complicated."

"Complicated is my middle name, Barry. Right after 'danger' and before 'sarcasm'," Adam deadpanned. "So, Iris it is. Excellent. I'll arrange something for tonight. Something decidedly mundane. No supervillains. No alien invasions. Just good food, awkward conversation, and possibly me trying to subtly embarrass you both."

Later that evening, the four of them found themselves at a relatively quiet, upscale restaurant. Adam had chosen it for its low-key ambiance, good food, and the distinct lack of giant glass windows that could be easily shattered by a rampaging meta. Barry, clearly still a bit overwhelmed by everything, was trying his best to act normal, which mostly involved talking at warp speed and occasionally vibrating cutlery. Kara, meanwhile, was beaming, clearly enjoying the novel experience of a "normal" date.

Iris West, even in civilian clothes, had a vibrant presence. She was observant, quick-witted, and possessed a journalistic curiosity that Adam immediately found intriguing. He knew she'd be a good person to have on his side.

"So, Adam," Iris began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, "Kara tells me you're an international investor. What exactly do you invest in?"

"Oh, you know," Adam said, swirling his water glass dramatically. "The usual. Disruptive technologies. Emerging markets. The occasional inexplicably valuable piece of modern art that looks suspiciously like a discarded bathtub. And sometimes, good deeds. I have a soft spot for good deeds."

"He means," Kara interjected, a fond smile on her face, "he secretly helps people. And then makes fun of them for needing help."

"It's a very specific brand of philanthropy," Adam corrected. "Think of me as a financially robust, morally ambiguous guardian angel with a penchant for dry humor."

Barry, who had been listening intently while subtly nudging his fork back into place after it had vibrated halfway across the table, chimed in. "He's also really good at... hunches. Like, really, really good."

Iris raised an eyebrow, a flicker of journalistic interest in her eyes. "Hunches?"

"Oh, just a talent I picked up," Adam said, waving a hand dismissively. "Comes from years of predicting whether my favorite show would get cancelled. It's a dark art, Iris. A very dark art."

The conversation flowed, surprisingly easily. Adam and Barry found themselves falling into a comfortable pattern of shared geek-outs. They debated the merits of various fictional universes, discussed theoretical applications of obscure scientific principles, and even got into a heated (but friendly) argument about the best way to calculate the terminal velocity of a falling pigeon (Adam argued for factoring in the pigeon's emotional state, Barry insisted on strict aerodynamic principles).

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Spike Detected: Amusement/Camaraderie (Iris West). Proficiency: 5%. Slight gain. You're endearing her with your unique brand of chaos. Well done, you agent of anarchy. ]

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Lock-on: Barry Allen (Friendship/Trust, 35%). Increasing steadily. He's genuinely enjoying your company. Avoid mentioning future love triangles. For now. ]

Adam felt the continuous, delightful hum from Barry, and a new, faint resonance from Iris. He knew he wouldn't be copying anything from Iris, but gaining her trust and amusement was a key step in building his network of allies.

Later, as they were leaving the restaurant, Adam walked with Barry, Kara and Iris a few paces ahead. "So, my 'network' also tells me that you, Barry Allen, are a connoisseur of meta-human research," Adam said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "And that your S.T.A.R. Labs facility is probably filled with all sorts of fascinating gadgets and gizmos."

Barry's eyes lit up again. "It is! It's amazing! You'd love Cisco, he builds all the tech, and Caitlin's a genius at bio-engineering..." He trailed off, realizing he was gushing.

"Sounds like my kind of place," Adam mused aloud. "Perhaps, if our paths cross again, I could extend my 'philanthropic busybody' services to Central City. Just for a brief visit, of course. My 'network' indicates there might be some... interesting vibrational anomalies brewing over there as well. Possibly involving yellow lightning. Just a hunch."

Barry stopped, turning to Adam with a look of genuine awe. "Yellow lightning? You... how do you know about...?"

Adam just smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Like I said, Barry. My 'network' is very extensive. And very, very good at predicting future headaches. Especially when they involve a certain, rather irritatingly fast, reverse speedster."

Barry stared at him, then slowly, a wide grin spread across his face. "You're... incredible."

"It's my burden to bear," Adam said with a dramatic sigh. "Now, off you go, Speedster. Don't want to miss your last train back to Central City. Or, you know, just run really, really fast. Whichever works."

He watched Barry say goodbye to Kara and Iris, then zip off in a flash of red and yellow. Adam turned to Kara, who was looking at him with an expression of profound affection and a touch of bemusement.

"You really hit it off with him," Kara observed, leaning into him as they walked.

"He's a good kid," Adam agreed. "A bit of a dork, but in a charming, saves-the-world kind of way. We had a profound conversation about pizza. It was beautiful."

He knew the double date had been a success. He'd strengthened his bond with Barry, intrigued Iris, and further cemented his role as Kara's indispensable, if slightly unhinged, partner. Central City was calling, and he was getting closer to answering that call. The timeline was bending, slowly but surely, to his will. And he was having the time of his life.