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The Arcanum of Serov's Keloid	By : AkumaKawa Category: Marvel Verse Movies > Avengers, The Views: 2116 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
- 1-The Arcanum of Serov's Keloid
- 2-chapter 2
- 1
- 2
A/N The answer you were looking for.

The Arcanum of Serov's Keloid

Chapter 02

Clint went through the door first.

Natasha ran into his back as Clint was standing completely still in shock. “What...the...fuck?!” Clint exclaimed as the sight that met his eyes was not something that he was prepared to see.

“Clint?” Natasha queried and turned her head to where she had a clear view of what Clint saw. Surprise took her but it was barely visible on her face. “Well, that's not something you see everyday.”

“What the fuck is going on there? Is Stark dead or alive?” Fury exploded across the com.

“Other?” Clint questioned looking towards Natasha.

Natasha rolls her eyes. Clint knows that she did that in response to what he said, but come on it's not like she can blame him. Even she's surprised.

“Sir,” Natasha begins, “something unexpected has occurred.”

“Oh,” Fury sing-song replies full of sarcasm. “Something unexpected has occurred. Like I couldn't fucking tell that from Barton's goddamn non-answer. What fucking form of something unexpected are we looking at?”

“Something,” Natasha pauses as she looks at the something unexpected still sitting there on the ground not but a hundred feet in front of her and Clint. “Something that defies logic, sir.”

The silence on the other end of the com was palatable. “Are you,” Fury began to say then halted. “Are you fucking tell me that something related to magic has done something to Stark that you find yourself completely the fuck unable to describe? At all?”

“Yep,” Clint chimed in. It was fucking unbelievable. Well it was and it wasn't. SHIELD has been dealing with the strange shit since its inception but only since Thor and his hammer dropped out of the New Mexico sky has things taken a fuck turn for The Twilight Zone and Harry Potter by equal measure. As if the world couldn't get any more strange with humans, politics, mutants, biological experiments run amok, and advanced weapons technology backed superheroes now there has magic to fuck around with.

“Barton!” Fury snapped over the com. Clint was unapologetic and left the description of the situation to Natasha as they cut him out of the conversation while curiosity drew Clint closer to the something unexpected. Though that seemed to be a misnomer as it was more along the lines of someone unexpected as it was a person they were all staring at. A small person in big clothes in the middle of a circle etched into the floor that looked like it might be magic related.

He, at least Clint thought it was a he – it's hard to tell sometimes when they're that young – was staring right the fuck back at them. It was creepy and reminded Clint of all those horror films like The Shining, The Grudge, Children of the Corn, and so forth with the creepy kids who kill people.

Yet, it wasn't the creepy stare that sent chills down his spine. It was the dead glassy look in his eyes that reminded Clint of Natasha on her bad days. Something bad happened to this kid and he was completely shut off.

Taking that one step towards him – after Clint stowed his bow with his arrows over his shoulder – had garnered Clint the direct and exclusive attention of the kid. Not even raising his hands in a placating manner to show him that Clint meant him no harm released him from his watchful gaze. Clint turned to look behind him to see if anyone else was going to make a move for the kid or give him ideas on what the fuck to do.

They had all come bursting into this room expecting to find Stark's tortured and mangled body with his captors but instead they find this kid sitting in this strange magic array and no one else around. The sci-fi fantasy geek in Clint – normally this would be a bad thing to be but considering who he hangs out with and what FUBAR situations he deals with on a daily basis he considers it research and team cohesive building materials – tells him that he knows exactly who that kid is but the pragmatic side of Clint is vehemently denying it.

They can't deal with this situation if what he thinks happened actually happened. It's not in his repertoire and since New York he has a whole 'nother skillset for dealing with the fucking unexplained yet even this would take the cake.

No one else is making a move for the kid. Not one single person. Natasha is talking to Fury and the other SHIELD guys are standing around 'assessing' the scene. Cowards, Clint thinks snarkly. Afraid of a fucking kid.

Then again, it's not like he can blame them. When Clint turns back around to the kid he's realized that the kid hasn't moved an inch or even blinked his eyes. He's just sitting there in a pile of tattered clothes that are vastly too big for him staring at Clint.

It's those hazel glazed eyes that Clint sees when he walks a few more slow steps towards the kid that does Clint in. Jesus fuck. Oh holy fucking christ. It's him, it's really him. Clint turns back around towards Natasha pointing at the kid and trying to convey with his slack jaw what he can no longer deny but she's still busy talking to Fury and barely glances at him. She knows. She has to know. She knows Stark better than me. I can't be the only here that has realized who that is, right?

Even the realization and acceptance of what he is looking at doesn't stop the shock coursing through his body. She said the spell failed. That it wasn't his worst memory. What the fuck does that even mean? What the fuck were they trying to accomplish?

It's when Clint gets a few more feet closer that he realizes he's smelling blood and it's coming from the kid. He can't seen any wounds or blood on him due to the tattered clothing still covering him, but Clint knows what he's smelling. Clint squats down to the kid's eye level and with the calm steady and soft voice that they train you to use when confronted with victims in shock and distress and queries, “Kid, are you alright?”

In reply the kid just tilts his head slightly to the side as if in wonder that Clint is addressing him. Shock? Has to be. I would be.

“Kid, Tony...” That gets a reaction but not one that Clint expected. The kid gets this weird frightened look on his face and loses the slacks as he drags himself backwards away from Clint as if he's suddenly terrified of him. What the fuck!? I only said his name?

“Kid, I'm sorry! I won't call you that.” He stops. Just like that, the kid stops in his frightened escape. Clint breathes a sigh of relief and wonders why saying his name got a reaction like that.

“Kid, you okay?” The kid looks up at Clint with a clear what the fuck do you think look that was pure Stark.

Clint felt at once a bit of joy and sorrow burst inside him. It was Stark but it wasn't Stark. This was some kid who resembled him and may act similar to him, but it wasn't him. Their Stark was gone. Maybe for good. There is no way to tell with science and magic experiments. There is always some variable that fucks everything up sideways and you're stuck in this new situation that you never expected and now you have to deal with it. Banner being the poster child for that.

Clint slowly moves so he is a few feet in front of the kid and points towards himself. “My name's Clint.” The kid tilts his head once more. He recognizes me? Clint points towards the kid. “What's yours?”

The kid looks at Clint quietly for several minutes with a judging gaze that is slowly losing the deadness in his eyes. He nods his head a tiny bit and then opens his mouth and tries to speak but only a little hoarse croak comes out. The kid makes a frown and tries again. Still nothing but a harsh croaking sound. He's starting to look frustrated and tries once more but ends up coughing harshly. It continues for a little bit and then turns into a hacking gasping cough. The kid covers his mouth and continues coughing, very deeply. He sounds like someone with pneumonia or emphysema unable to get a solid breath in.

Clint wants to comfort him but he knows that touching him right now might make things worse so he waits for him to calm down. Eventually, the kid does, but he keeps his mouth covered with his hands.

“It's okay,” Clint reassures him. “You don't have to talk right now.” The kid glares him at him balefully in a hunched position from his coughing fit. “Yeah, I know. Not helping.” The kid rolls his eyes.

Clint leans forward. “I know you're scared.” Another baleful look. “Are you hurt?” Another questioning head tilt. “I can smell the blood.” A frightened look and a glance down at the array on the concrete floor that lies before them both before he glances back up and stares straight into Clint's eyes sending him a so the fuck what look. Classic Stark. It brings a small bittersweet smile to Clint's face.

Clint holds his hands with his palms facing up in front of him.“See, I'm not going to hurt you.” Another eye roll. “I'm not dangerous.” Another judging gaze. “Okay, I am.” A snort. “But not to you.” The kid looks at him intently. “It true, you're safe with me.” For the first time the kid glances away from Clint and towards the SHIELD commandos. “They're with me.” Another eye roll. “We came here to save you.” A sharp look of disbelief. “It's true kid. We came here to rescue you.”

The kid looks at Clint dead in the eyes and he must've seen the truth that Clint was speaking, but he must've also picked up the lie behind the truth that Clint was trying to convey. Because they came here to rescue 'Avenger member and all around pain in the ass genius billionaire philanthropist Tony Stark' not this...this little kid version of him.

“Okay, maybe not you precisely, but the you who you used to be.” That gets Clint the what the fuck are you talking about look that he thought it would. It brings another diminutive bittersweet smile to his face. The kid rolls his eyes once more. Probably thinking he's in a room full of idiots and I'm the biggest one. Not exactly true but not exactly false either. Come on kid, let me look.

“Kid,” Clint begins and the kid tilts his head in reply, “let me look.” The kid glares at him balefully and throws a fuck off, I'm not hurt look to him. Another Stark classic. “We both know you're hurt and bleeding somewhere.” He gets another glare. “We aren't staying here all day either.” A snort this time. “We're here to pick you up and take you someplace safe.” That gets him another deep look and doubt crosses the kid's eyes as Clint meets his gaze. “It's okay. Let me help you.”

There is soft tiny nod and then the kid slowly lowers his hands to his lap. Clint's eyes widen a little as he spots blood in the palm of the kid's hands and realizes that it must've happened in the midst of the coughing fit. Not good. Lung damage? Throat damage? From the screaming? He schools his face to hide the worry and nods his head to the kid.

“Okay. That's good. Now I'm going to move closer to you and take a look...” The kid gets twitchy at that. “Just a quick glance to see where the blood is coming from.” A twitch in the kid's shoulders. “Nothing invasive.” Another twitch. “I promise. Okay?” At that the kid calms down once more and nods his head again.

Clint is starting to get a very bad feeling about all of this. This is nothing like what he expected or was prepared for. This kid is Tony Stark, he knows that with all of his instincts. But there's something very off about the way the kid is acting. It's almost like...He feels like Natasha and that sends a chill down his spine.

If the screaming they heard on the way to rescue Stark was the spell in action and the woman and her 'scourge' didn't see the results until it was over then more than likely this kid's off behavior may not have anything to do with an after affect of the spell. It might be...Is this normal behavior for Stark as a kid? Jesus does anyone know what Stark's childhood was like?

Clint pushes those thoughts away and looks the kid over. He's within touching distance now but he doesn't want to touch him without the kid being aware of it. The kid's eyes are glued to his hands. “I'm going to lift the shirt and look underneath. Okay?” The kid takes a swallow and nods his head slightly. “It's okay. I'm not going to touch you.”

Clint pulls back the front of one of Stark's fancy dress shirts and glances at the skin underneath. This is all kinds of fucked up. The kid was covered in bruises. Black, purple, yellow, that ugly phlegm colored green, and there were scratches, cuts, and some bleeding, but nothing like what he was smelling. It didn't add up. He was smelling a lot of blood and it was stronger since he moved closer to the kid. The back. It has to be the back. Otherwise... Well that didn't bode thinking about. “You're doing good kid.” Another snort. “See, I didn't touch you.” Clint lets go of the front of the shirt.

“Now, I just need to take a peek at your back.” At that the kid grabs his hand and turns a pleading gaze to Clint. “It's okay. I won't touch you. I'll be careful.” The kid squeezes his hand. “I just need to take a look. Okay?” The kid stares at Clint trying to read something in his gaze and then slowly nods his consent again.

Oh yeah, this is so fucking not good. Clint takes a deep calming breath and slowly maneuvers himself behind the kid. The kid hasn't let go of his hand and Clint isn't going to pull it away from him. The kid needs something to anchor himself and for now that just happens to be Clint. Jesus he's trembling. Stark, christ what did they do to you?

Clint sees blood spots seeping through the back of the shirt. Fuck. Shit. Who or what did this? He takes a slow steadying breath. He needs to know how bad it is. The kid needs him to be distant and do his fucking job. I can do this. I have to do this. He needs me to do this. Clint slowly peels back the collar of the shirt and tries to peek in. It's worse than the front with more darkly colored bruises, cuts, and raised marks upon his skin. Is that whip marks? A belt? What the fuck!? When Clint tries to pull the back of the shirt away from the skin even more so he can see all the way down to find out where the blood is coming from the kid squeezes his hand tightly and softly whimpers. Fuck. It's dried to his back.

“It's okay. It's okay. I won't pull it off.” Clint sighs deeply. He looks up and spots Natasha looking at him. He shakes his head. No, he's not okay. Yes, he needs medical attention. Natasha nods her head sharply and turns to SHIELD commando leader standing near her.

Clint slowly moves back to the front of the kid again. He meets Clint's gaze with small tears in his eyes that he's refusing to let fall. “Hey. It's okay.” The kid glares up at him with the tears welling up in the corner of his eyes. “I know, it hurts, but it's going to be okay.” That gets him a snort. “It is. Because I'm going to make sure it will be.” That gets him another assessing look. “I'll do my best to make sure, trust me.” The kid looks down at where he is still gripping Clint's hand. A bright red spot shows up on his cheeks. Aw, he's embarrassed. Clint smiles a little tightly at the kid and the kid sends him another baleful look.

“Listen, we have to go.” That gets him a fearful look. He doesn't believe me? That we're here to save him? Why? “You're coming with us.” The kid looks doubtful at that. “Stark,” Clint speaks in a soft rebuking voice to gain him the kid's attention. He gets a startled look in return but overtly dramatic nothing like the reaction he had to 'Tony.' “I'm going to get you out of here. Okay?” The kid looks at him with a deep scrutiny and Clint feels like his soul is being examined. Then the kid nods his head.

It's a start. Now to get him to safety. “Okay. Can you stand?” The kid looks down towards his legs and then up at Clint and shakes his head once shamefully. “Alright, I'm going to pick you up.” The kid looks up startled and squeezes Clint's hand tightly. “It's okay. I'm going to pick you up.” That gets him a glare. “Gently. I'll be very gentle. Okay?” The kid looks doubtful but nods his head and lets go of Clint's hand.

Clint sends a quick glance to Natasha. She's ordering the men about. They are planning on moving out. Clint bends down and puts one of his arms against the kid's shoulders – above the area where the shirt gets red and sticky and the other under the kid's knees. “Ready?” The kid loops his arms over Clint's head and nods his head once then Clint slowly lift him up. Even though Clint tried to make it as painless as possible it still hurt as he felt the kid squeeze his neck tightly and suck in a quick sharp gasping breath.

Clint softly pats the kid's shoulder gently and whispers, “It's okay. We're done. Easy there,” softly into his ear. It's in this position that he can finally see the kid's legs as they are peaking out from under the dress shirt. Like his chest and back they are covered in bruises and cuts, but it also looks like one of them might be broken. Fuck. What the fuck happened to him?

As soon as Clint stands up and starts to walk away from the array one of the SHIELD commandos walks towards them. The kid tightens his grip once more as the commando walks past them. Clint turns his head and sees that he's picking up the clothes from the pile in the array and taking pictures of it. The kid squeezes his neck again and Clint starts to walk towards Natasha once more.

“Easy does it kid. It's okay.” The kid squeezes his neck considerably more tightly before and Clint knows it's a rebuke taking the place of his baleful glares. Clint chuckles. “Now I'm going to introduce you to the one woman you never want gunning for you.” A sharp squeeze. “I mean it, kid. She's lethal.” A slower squeeze. Smart move, Clint. Just go ahead and scare the terrified abused kid more. Fucking idiot.

“But she's also the best person you want on your side.” A little quicker squeeze. “If she considers you one of hers she will do anything and everything in her power to protect and avenge you.” A short squeeze. “Let me tell you something.” Clint whispers into the kid's ears, “you're one of those she considers hers.” A strong squeeze.

“I know you don't believe me, but you are.” A small huff. “You're right, it is the you who you used to be.” A slow squeeze. “But she also has a soft spot for kids.” A sharp squeeze. “You'll be fine. Just give her your most pathetic puppy dog eyes.” Another little huff.

“Clint,” Natasha says as they reach her. She glances towards the kid and Clint knows that she sees the bruises as the skin around her eyes grows tight in distaste. “Natasha, this is kid.” A sharp tight squeeze. “Kid, this is Natasha.” Another tighter squeeze. Clint chuckles at the kid's ire. At least it keeps his attention off of what's happened to him.

Natasha glances at them both. A little smile twitching at her lips but her eyes are still that professional stare as they gaze at the kid. “We are ready to pull out. Fury” the kid squeezes tightly at the name “will meet us at the hellicarier when we arrive. We are to take him to medical and then to be debriefed.” The kid tightly squeezes him.

“It's okay, kid.” The kid squeezes back softly. Scared? Nervous? Worried? “Understood,” Clint replies to Natasha and then readjusts his grip on the kid. The kid softly gasps. “Sorry,” apologizes softly to the kid.

The commando leader walks up to them. The kid squeezes Clint's neck. “Easy does it. He's safe,” Clint whispers into the kid's ear and in reply the kid relaxes his grip. “'Mam we've gathered what we could and are ready to pull out.” Natasha nods and presses the com unit in her ear, “Sir, Clint has the boy and the team is ready to pull out.”

More of the team members walk over to them and the kid squeezes tightly. “Easy,” Clint whispers and the kid relaxes once more. Natasha glances at Clint and he nods his head. She then sends a sharp non-verbal command for them to leave.

Four of the commandos are at the door and as Clint walks the other four walk behind him. It's a tactical position for the best position to protect the kid (and Clint as he is carrying the kid in his arms), but the kid is nervous because of the proximity of them to him. “Easy. They are there for our protection.” The kid squeezes him again. “Okay, mainly you but I'm carrying you so it's both of us.” The kid snorts.

Natasha takes up the position at the front and they move out. It takes them twenty minutes to make their way back out of the building. It's slower going than when they ran in. The mission is to extract and protect the kid and get him to the Quinjet safely. While the team knows that the captors left by magical means the team don't know if there are any traps they left for them that would be activated after they left. Magic was still something that SHIELD had no real preparation for. On Earth, so few people have the gift or skill for it to be a real threat instead of just a nuisance. Mutants and science freaks are what they usually run up against so insanely powerful magical users that make the Death Eaters look tame is still out of the far left field and something they aren't equipped to deal with. Especially, when they aren't expecting it.

They make it to Quinjet without an incident and Clint is about to put the kid down and strap him into a seat on the bench but he won't let go. “Kid, I need you to let go.” The kid only tightens his grip. “Kid,” Clint says a little more strict and yanking at the kid's hands. Then the kid whimpers and Clint sighs and lets go. “Fine, you can stay there hanging off of me like a little monkey.” He gets a snort in return for his comment.

Clint turns towards Natasha but she's already in the pilot's seat with the leader of the commandos seated next to her. Sighing Clint sits down and straps them in. “Okay, kid. Just you and me now.” The kid squeezes his neck. “And seven SHIELD commandos,” Clint finishes. The kid squeezes him again. “And the leader and Natasha up front.”

The kid squeezes his neck again and Clint realizes what the kid wants. “I won't leave you. Okay?” The kid squeezes him tightly. “I promise. I'll look out for you.” The kid squeezes him softly and places his head under Clint's neck.

Clint readjusts his hold of the kid and bundles him up in his arms so he can pet his head. “It will be okay. Shhh. I got you. It's going to be okay.” The kid softly squeezes him back as they take off.
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The Arcanum of Serov's Keloid