Chapter 9: The Aftermath and the New Era
Starling City was a mess. Buildings were scarred, streets were torn apart, and the air still carried the faint scent of smoke and shattered dreams. The battle with Slade Wilson had left an indelible mark, physically and emotionally. Arrow S03E01: "The Calm." This was the "aftermath" episode, where everyone tried to pick up the pieces, and Oliver, predictably, went back to his default setting of "brooding and emotionally unavailable."
"Well, that was a fun little apocalypse, wasn't it?" Adam quipped, surveying the damaged cityscape from a rooftop with Felicity. "Definitely more exciting than my old life. Though, I do miss having reliable Wi-Fi. And, you know, not constantly fearing for my life. Small sacrifices, I suppose."
Felicity leaned against him, a weary sigh escaping her lips. "It was terrifying, Adam. So many people died."
"I know, Smoak. And it sucks. It really, truly sucks," Adam said, pulling her closer. "This is where it gets real. The consequences. The trauma. And Oliver, bless his perpetually tortured soul, is going to bury himself in his mission even deeper. Which means more brooding, more secrets, and more opportunities for me to annoy him."
Back in the Arrowcave, the mood was somber. Oliver was already back to his grim routine, poring over crime scene photos, his face a mask of determination and self-blame. Diggle looked tired. Thea was trying to find her footing.
"Alright, team, let's get this place cleaned up," Adam announced, clapping his hands together. "Operation: Post-Apocalyptic Tidy-Up is a go! Felicity, you handle the digital debris. Diggle, you can supervise the heavy lifting. Oliver, you can... brood stoically in the corner. It's your specialty."
Oliver shot him a look that could curdle milk. "Adam, this isn't a game."
"Everything's a game, Oliver. Some are just more deadly than others," Adam retorted, then pulled out his Pen of Creation. "Now, for the actual cleanup. This little beauty can help. Think of it as a very efficient, very magical construction tool."
He began sketching plans for repairs, for new security systems, for more efficient layouts. With the Storage Ring, he discreetly moved rubble and debris, making the daunting task of rebuilding the Arrowcave surprisingly efficient. Oliver watched, a flicker of grudging admiration in his eyes, mixed with his usual confusion.
Oliver (POV): He saw Adam and Felicity together, laughing, even in the face of such devastation. It was a stark contrast to his own internal turmoil. He was happy for Felicity, truly. But a part of him, a dark, selfish part, envied their easy connection, their shared humor. He was trapped in his mission, in his secrets, while Adam seemed to navigate the chaos with a casual grace, even with his bizarre "tech." It was infuriating. And a little bit heartbreaking.
Adam, meanwhile, was acutely aware of Oliver's internal struggle. "Poor Oliver. Always so dramatic. He's looking at me and Felicity like we're some kind of alien species that actually knows how to be happy. Don't worry, Ollie, your turn will come. Probably after another five seasons of angst and questionable relationship choices."
He also noticed the subtle tension between Oliver and Felicity. Oliver's commitment to his secret identity, his inability to truly open up, was creating a rift. Adam, however, was Felicity's constant. Their relationship was easy, fun, and refreshingly honest. They were a team, both in the Arrowcave and out of it.
One evening, after a particularly grueling day of "rebuilding" (which mostly involved Adam drawing blueprints and Felicity implementing them), Adam found Felicity curled up on the couch in the Arrowcave, looking exhausted. He sat beside her, pulling her close.
"Rough day, Smoak?" he asked softly, running a hand through her hair.
"Just... everything," she sighed. "The city. Oliver. His secrets. It's just... a lot."
"I know," Adam said, his voice unusually gentle. "But you're not alone. You've got me. And I promise, my secrets are mostly just about how I manage to stay so incredibly charming despite the constant threat of global annihilation."
She chuckled, leaning into his embrace. "You're ridiculous."
"And you love it," he repeated, kissing the top of her head. "We'll get through this, Felicity. Together. And maybe, just maybe, we'll even make Oliver smile. One day. Probably when pigs fly. Or when he finally admits he likes my jokes."
[PASSIVE LP GAIN: RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT. REWARD: 150 NON-PLP.]
[PASSIVE LP GAIN: POST-CRISIS REBUILDING. REWARD: 500 NON-PLP.]
[PASSIVE LP GAIN: MAINTAINING TEAM MORALE. REWARD: 50 NON-PLP.]
"One hundred and fifty for being a good boyfriend? Five hundred for cleaning up Oliver's mess? Fifty for being a professional comedian? This System really is the best. I'm basically getting paid to be myself. Who knew being a sarcastic nerd could be so profitable?"
Adam felt a renewed sense of purpose. Starling City was healing, slowly. Oliver was still Oliver. But he had Felicity, he had his artifacts, and he had a growing pile of LP. The new era had begun, and Adam Stiels was ready for it, armed with his wit, his luck, and a very comfortable couch.
System Status After Chapter: Non-PLP: 1608. PLP: 3.
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