Tell Me When You Know

A Few (Necessary) Changes

—FIVE MONTHS AND TWENTY DAYS LATER—

Whoever said that playing Candy Crush Saga was easy had not gone beyond the four-hundred-and-seventieth level — looking at you, Pepper. Winning those levels was no easier than taking down bad guys (terrorists; not the Loki kind, the human sort) which was to say it was very difficult. Luckily, Tony was a genius and his brain computed faster than an average person's. It was a fact, he wasn't bragging!

"Mr. Stark?"

And how dare Pepper call Candy Crush Saga a useless time pass? Was she aware of the numerous benefits that playing the game entailed? For example, it instilled the value of patience. Pepper didn't need that, she had plenty. How else would she cope with having to handle Tony's mess regularly?

"Mr. Stark?"

The game also instilled the skills of critical thinking. Pepper did not need that either.

Uh, what else? It helped with improving cognitive behaviour...which was also something that Pepper did not need.

"Mr. Stark!"

Maybe that was why she found it pointless.

Perhaps if he—

Tony's normally genius brain — that saw attacks coming from miles away — registered the strike only once it was over, uncomprehending eyes staring at his phone's screen that was currently flashing his home screen. A picture of Adina and him taken at the recent-most Maria Stark Foundation Gala instead of the four-hundred-and-seventy-second level of Candy Crush Saga .

His head snapped up as soon as the brief foggy moment passed, a scowl marring his forehead as he glared at the woman he called his best friend. His eyes narrowed, his expression undoubtedly promising revenge, but her only reaction was to lean leisurely to her right as she brought up a delicate palm to support her chin.

"Mr. Stark?"

"Yes, dear?" Well, well, wasn't that just déjà vu?

"Are you with us?" Adams quirked a single brow, presumably to appear intimidating. The only thing he succeeded at was to look even more constipated.

"Of course, Director." Tony made sure the smile he gave the man was perfectly pleasant and innocent. "Sorry, I had to answer an important email. You know the urgent nature of the work SI is doing these days in every field."

"Right, Mr. Stark." Adams reciprocated with a tight curl of his thin lips before he trained his questioning gaze on Adina like he was waiting for her to confirm whether Tony was being honest or not.

Which was so stupid in so many different ways Tony couldn't even begin to count!

Adina's response was — as expected — nothing. She merely cocked her head as if she were confused. Why on Earth would the man think that Adina of all people would rat Tony out was something that completely eluded him.

Adams breathed a heavy sigh, giving his head a little shake before he straightened up, adjusting his cuffs as he cleared his throat. "Okay, everyone! As we were discussing, we need a proper organisation to review the actions of, and oversee the limits and boundaries of, the group of superheroes we know as the Avengers. They can not be allowed to operate in a private capacity as this would not only pose multiple security risks within America but also be hazardous to international relations. Not to mention, the fear and apprehension in the public if they were to operate as vigilantes."

Vigilantes? What shit!

"Since SHIELD is no longer operational," ( Right! ) "I want to hand over the responsibility of the Avengers to one of you."