Chapter 40: The Vibranium Test

Jon's voice echoed in the small, cluttered shop, his tone laced with a bitter edge. "So, can you find your watch in there?" He gestured towards the drawer, its contents laid bare for all to see. A few simple maintenance tools, nothing more. No watch in sight.

Coulson's gaze followed Jon's, landing on the drawer. His response was simple, a single word that hung in the air between them. "No."

Jon's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He leaned in, his voice a low growl in Coulson's ear. "Listen to me, Mr. Coulson. Whatever you're planning, whatever you're trying to do, it doesn't involve me. If you dare to meddle in my life again, I won't hesitate to take this to the authorities."

His threat hung in the air, a palpable tension that seemed to suck the air out of the room. Jon released Coulson, stepping back and watching as the man flexed his hand, a grimace of pain crossing his face.

Coulson nodded, his voice soft but firm. "I understand your stance, Mr. Vinson. I apologize for any inconvenience I've caused. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't bother you again."

His smile was still in place, but Jon could see the disappointment etched into his features. Coulson turned, heading towards the door. Before he left, he paused, his voice carrying back to Jon. "The watch was meant as an apology. A token of my regret."

The door closed behind him, leaving Jon alone in the shop. He moved quickly, securing the door before turning back to the room. His Elder wand was in his hand, a spell on his lips. "Fidelius Occultum!" The charm was a powerful one, designed to keep secrets safe from prying eyes. It was a necessary precaution, one that would keep Coulson from spying on him again.

With the charm in place, Jon turned his attention to the watch. It was a simple piece, nothing out of the ordinary. But Jon knew better than to trust appearances. He disassembled the watch, inspecting each part carefully. Despite his thorough examination, he found nothing unusual.

His mind raced, trying to figure out Coulson's game. Why give him a watch to repair when he had two brilliant scientists at his disposal? It didn't make sense.

Unless...

A realization hit him, his eyes widening as he looked at the largest part of the watch. It was the one that had been broken, the one that had started this whole mess. He examined it closely, his wand at the ready. "Diffindo!"

The Severing Charm hit the part, a bright blue light illuminating the room. But when the light faded, the part was unscathed. Jon's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing. The part was incredibly hard, able to absorb energy. There was only one thing it could be.

"Vibranium," he whispered, the word echoing in the empty shop. It was one of the hardest metals in the world, the same material used to make Captain America's shield. But why would Coulson give him something so valuable? What was he trying to prove?

The answer hit him like a punch to the gut. Coulson was testing him, trying to see if he could repair the nearly indestructible metal. It was a bold move, one that could have cost him dearly. But it also gave Jon a newfound respect for the man.

With a sigh, Jon packed up the watch, his mind already on the next task. He had a shop to run, after all. But as he worked, his mind kept drifting back to the Vibranium. It was a reminder of the world he was a part of, a world of superpowers and secrets. A world he was determined to navigate, one step at a time.

***

The rest of the day passed in a blur, the shop quiet as usual. Jon was just about to close up when his phone rang, the shrill sound jolting him from his thoughts. He picked it up, his heart sinking as he heard Annie's voice on the other end.

"Jon, can you go to Ayla's school? She's in trouble."

His heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing. "Is she okay?"

"She got into a fight with a classmate. The teacher wants to speak with a parent. Can you go?" Annie said.

Jon didn't hesitate. "I'm on my way."

***

The school was a flurry of activity, students rushing to and fro. Jon made his way to the office, his heart pounding in his chest. He found Ayla sitting in the hallway, a serious expression on her face. Across from her was a plump girl, her face covered in freckles.

Jon ignored the girl, focusing on Ayla. "What happened?"

Ayla's voice was low, her words filled with anger. "I got into a fight with Tina."

Jon glanced at the girl across from them, his mind piecing together the story. "Why?"

Ayla's voice dropped to a whisper, her words filled with hurt. "She said my parents left me, that no one loves me."

Jon's heart clenched, his anger rising. "And what did you do?"

Ayla's face lit up, a hint of pride in her voice. "I pushed her into a mud pit."

Jon couldn't help but laugh, patting her on the shoulder. "Good job. We'll go to the amusement park later."

With that, he left Ayla in the hallway, heading into the office to speak with the teacher. When he emerged, Ayla was waiting for him, a hopeful look on her face. "You promised the amusement park."

Jon smiled, ruffling her hair. "I remember. Let's go."

***

As they walked away from the school, Jon looked down at Ayla, her small hand tucked securely in his. He could still see the remnants of the day's events in her eyes, a mixture of hurt and defiance. He squeezed her hand gently, drawing her attention.

"Ayla," he began, his voice soft. "I want you to remember something. You are loved. More than you can possibly imagine. You have me, you have Annie, and you have all the people who care about you. Your parents may not be here, but their love for you is still alive. It's in every breath you take, every step you make."

Ayla looked up at him, her eyes wide. "But Tina said..."

Jon cut her off, shaking his head. "Tina doesn't know anything, Ayla. She's just a kid, like you. And sometimes, kids say mean things because they don't understand. They don't understand what it's like to be you, to have gone through what you've gone through."

"But it's not fair," Ayla protested, her voice small.

Jon nodded, his heart aching for her. "You're right, it's not fair. Life often isn't. But that doesn't mean you have to let it define you. You are not an orphan, Ayla. You are a brave, strong, and loved girl. You are so much more than the circumstances of your life."

Ayla was silent for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "So, what should I do when someone like Tina says mean things?"

Jon smiled, proud of her for asking the right questions. "You stand up for yourself, just like you did today. But remember, Ayla, there's a difference between standing up for yourself and seeking revenge. Don't let someone else's words make you act in a way that you're not proud of."

Ayla nodded, taking in his words. "So, I should be nice, even when they're not?"

Jon chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Being nice doesn't mean letting people walk all over you. It means treating people with kindness and respect, even when they don't do the same. It's not always easy, but it's the right thing to do."

Ayla looked up at him, a determined look in her eyes. "I can do that."

Jon smiled, pulling her into a hug. "I know you can, Ayla. I believe in you."

As they continued their walk, Jon couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Ayla was growing up, learning to navigate the world in her own way. And he would be there, every step of the way, to guide her, to support her, and most importantly, to remind her that she was loved.

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A/N: I know this work is still very new, but your opinions matter a lot to my progress, please write a review 🙏.

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