Chapter 14: The Brave and the Bold (Part 2)
Starling City. It lived up to its reputation. Grittier. Darker. More brooding. Even the rain seemed to have a more existential quality here. I was still recovering from my impromptu superheroics during the Flash-Arrow brawl, my body aching with a profound, bone-deep weariness. But duty called, and Captain Boomerang, a villain with a penchant for explosive projectiles, was our next target.
"Great. More explosions. My body is going to start protesting with a union strike soon. Still, at least I don't have to deal with any more mind control. Hopefully. And maybe I can finally get a decent cup of coffee that doesn't taste like burnt ozone."
We were in the Arrow Cave, a stark contrast to the brightly lit S.T.A.R. Labs. Oliver, still a little stiff from his mind-controlled fight with Barry, was outlining the plan to track Captain Boomerang.
"He uses specialized boomerangs," Oliver explained, pointing at a schematic. "Each one rigged with an explosive device. He's precise. And he's planning something big."
"He's planning to hit multiple targets simultaneously," I interjected, leaning against a rough-hewn stone pillar. "Probably landmarks. Or places with high civilian traffic. And his boomerangs aren't just explosive; they're designed to return to him. So, they're not just weapons, they're also tracking devices. If you can disable the return mechanism, you can track him." Just logical deductions, Oliver. Totally not from watching the episode.
Felicity, who had quickly taken a liking to my "insights," beamed. "That's brilliant, Adam! Cisco, can you whip up something to disrupt the return mechanism?"
"On it!" Cisco exclaimed, already pulling out his tablet.
Oliver looked at me, a flicker of grudging respect in his eyes. "You're surprisingly useful, Mr. Stiels. For someone who just 'observes patterns'."
"It's a gift," I deadpanned. "Or a curse, depending on the day. Mostly a curse when I'm trying to have a quiet night in."
As the teams split up to track Boomerang, I found myself walking beside Oliver, a rare moment of quiet between the chaos. He was still brooding, his gaze fixed on the rain-slicked streets.
"This life," he said, his voice low, "it's a heavy burden. Knowing you're the only one who can stop the bad guys. The weight of all those lives."
I nodded, understanding him more than he could possibly know. He has no idea. He thinks he's alone in this. But I'm right there with him, carrying the weight of a future I can't fully control.
"Yeah," I said softly. "It is. It's isolating. You know things others don't. You see things others can't. And sometimes, you have to make choices that no one else would understand. But… you don't do it alone, Oliver. You have a team. People who trust you. People who believe in you." I glanced at him. "And sometimes, just having someone to talk to, someone who gets it, even a little bit, makes all the difference."
He looked at me then, his intense gaze softening almost imperceptibly. "You speak from experience, Mr. Stiels?"
I gave a small, wry smile. "More than you know, Mr. Queen. More than you know."
He didn't press, but a silent understanding passed between us. It wasn't friendship, not yet, but it was a bridge of shared burden, a mutual respect forged in the fires of impossible choices.
The mission to disarm Boomerang's bombs was tense, but successful, thanks to our combined efforts and Cisco's quick work with the boomerang disruptors. As the last bomb was disarmed, and Boomerang was apprehended, a collective sigh of relief swept through the teams.
Back at the Arrow Cave, after the debrief, Caitlin found me leaning against a wall, looking utterly drained. She came over, her hand gently touching my arm.
"You did good, Adam," she said softly, her eyes filled with warmth. "You were amazing out there. And… thank you. For everything."
"Just doing my part, Doc," I said, a genuine smile on my face. "Someone's gotta keep the brooding heroes from brooding too much."
She chuckled, then leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder for a moment. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. A quiet intimacy, a shared sense of relief and connection that transcended words. The dangers of the crossover had only deepened our bond, solidifying the unspoken feelings between us.
Okay, Adam. You survived a mind-controlled fight, dodged explosive boomerangs, and had a heart-to-heart with the Green Arrow. And now Caitlin's leaning on you. This is… this is actually pretty good. For a guy who died by chip.
As the S.T.A.R. Labs team prepared to head back to Central City, I felt a strange sense of belonging. This wasn't just a mission anymore; it was my life. These weren't just characters; they were my friends. And even though Oliver Queen was still a bit of a grump, and Diggle still gave me the occasional suspicious side-eye, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. Ready for whatever insane, metahuman-fueled chaos the Arrowverse decided to throw at me next.