"I want... I need to learn."
Skye slapped away Jack's wandering hand with a mock glare. "I'm serious! I want to pick up a few self-defense moves. You know, in case some creep tries something."
Jack smirked, holding up his palm as golden light began to swirl in the air above it. "Didn't you say it was creepy just now?"
"N-No!" Skye's hands flew to his shoulders as she panicked, sensing what he was about to do. "It's not disgusting! I changed my mind, just stop that thing from wriggling!"
Ahem.
A not-so-subtle cough came from the studio doorway.
Two girls stood there: one was a black-haired Asian girl in a slim hoodie, and the other, a striking white-haired young woman with a teasing smile curling on her lips.
"Well, this is awkward," Felicia Hardy remarked with a smirk. "Looks like we came at the wrong time."
"Oh, Cindy. Felicia." Jack chuckled as he quickly withdrew his hand from Skye's thigh and straightened up. "No, no. You came at the perfect time. There's always room for more students."
He gestured to the couch with a mischievous glint in his eye. Felicia gave him a sly look but, true to her name as the elusive Black Cat, chose not to pounce right away.
And yet—before Felicia could react—Cindy Moon had already walked across the room and plopped herself right into Jack's lap.
"Jack~" she greeted softly, settling in comfortably like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Her petite form pressed gently against him, her legs swinging playfully as a green crescent-shaped anklet around her ankle sparkled under the light.
Jack glanced down and gave her a warm smile. "That's a nice touch. The anklet really suits you."
Cindy blinked. "You gave it to me, remember?"
"Did I?" Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess I've been a little too generous lately..."
It was true. Between all the gifted jewelry and enchanted trinkets, Jack had long since lost track of who got what. Not that he minded.
"Wanna try this out, Cindy?" he asked, summoning another orb of electric current in his palm. The shimmering sphere pulsed gently, blue lightning lacing like a living current. "This one's an upgraded version. I promise, it's better than the last."
Cindy leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. "You better have a lounge set up, because we're going to need it."
On the other side of the couch, Skye watched the glowing sphere in Jack's hand with narrowed eyes. "This can actually be trained?"
She still had her doubts. The thing looked more like a fancy gadget than a practical combat skill.
"We're supposed to be here for painting lessons, remember?" Felicia grumbled as she settled at the studio's workbench. She picked up one of Jack's custom brushes and twirled it between her fingers, more annoyed at being outmaneuvered by Cindy than anything else. "This studio was advertised for art, not... whatever this is."
But her curiosity got the better of her when she saw the dancing light on Jack's palm.
"Wait, what is that ? Are you moonlighting as a magician now?"
"Magic," Jack replied smoothly. "You want in?"
Cindy and Felicia exchanged a glance, then nodded together, chins up and eyes gleaming with interest. Painting could wait. Whatever Jack was doing? Way cooler.
And so, inside what was supposed to be a quiet, art-focused studio, three young women began practicing martial arts basics under Jack Kadere's careful instruction. Thankfully, the space was large enough to accommodate the impromptu dojo without breaking anything valuable.
Outside, a sleek black Audi came to a slow stop along the curb.
"Happy, pull over here," said Tony Stark, lounging in the passenger seat. "Let's see if that art guy's around. Might snag a piece or two for the Malibu house."
Truth be told, Tony wasn't deeply into paintings—but rich people collecting art was practically a sport, and the guy who ran this studio, Jack, had a reputation for eccentric, stylish works that matched Tony's aesthetic.
As Tony and Happy stepped inside, he was greeted not by abstract canvases—but by a spinning whip kick that sliced through the air just inches from his nose.
"Whoa—what the hell?"
"Tony, down!" Happy yelled, already reaching for the piece holstered under his blazer.
"Hey, whoa, Happy!" Tony threw out an arm to block him. "Let's not escalate this."
The one who had delivered the kick—Cindy—froze mid-move, eyes wide. "Oh God—are you… Mr. Stark?"
She'd seen him on the news, at expos, in press conferences. Blushing furiously, she bowed her head. "Sorry! I didn't know anyone had walked in—I was just practicing. You surprised me!"
Jack stepped forward, raising a brow. "Guess she's learning faster than expected."
Cindy was naturally agile, and thanks to her enhanced reflexes—courtesy of her spider DNA—she'd caught on to Jack's movements better than the others. Fortunately, her spider-sense had kicked in just in time to pull back the full force of that kick.
Tony straightened his suit and offered a chuckle. "Well… that's partly on me. Shouldn't sneak into places without knocking."
As always, his tone turned effortlessly charming when addressing young, attractive women.
His eyes drifted to Jack. "Still running this place like a minimalist cave, I see. Told you to let me sponsor a remodel."
Jack smiled wryly. "And I told you I like it how it is. Besides, aren't you a little too busy to be window-shopping for art?"
"I wasn't window-shopping. I thought I'd find a painting or two. Didn't expect to walk into a kung fu class."
Tony's eyes wandered briefly over the girls—Skye, who looked cautious; Felicia, confident and poised; and Cindy, still trying to disappear into her shoes. He smirked.
"You've got quite the roster here. Different types, all stunning. That one"—he pointed at Cindy—"might be a little young, but I guess she fits your whole Zen mentor aesthetic."
Jack narrowed his eyes just a bit. "That sounded exactly like an accusation."
Tony shrugged. "Relax. I meant it as a compliment. Kinda. You've always been good at finding rare talents… or trouble."
"Mostly trouble," Jack muttered.
Skye leaned over to Felicia and whispered, "Is it just me, or did Iron Man just get roasted in his own armor?"
Felicia stifled a laugh. Jack, meanwhile, stood his ground, the faint glow of energy still dancing between his fingers like a magician hiding a trick up his sleeve. Tony had seen a lot—but something about that golden current... it didn't look like any tech he recognized.
"So, Jack… you never did tell me where you picked up those fancy hand tricks."
Jack only smirked. "Wouldn't want to spoil the mystery, would I?"