Hello there! Welcome to my new story. This story is about the kids of the Avengers. I came up with the idea, but I have some friends that are helping me write this. I'd like to thank them for all their help. I know some of you have probably read some of my other stories. My original goal for this summer was to continue Into Hiding, but upon review, I didn't really like it that much. So, this story was started. I hope you like it and leave me any feedback you have.
Warning: There is some violence inn this chapter.
Disclaimer: Last time I checked, I have no ownership rights over the Marvel characters put into this story. My friends and I only have ownership of our OCs.
Anastasia Barton closed her locker and headed off towards her next class. It was the first day of her junior year of high school. She was determined to make this year different. As she was hurrying to class, she ran into someone. She looked up and blushed.
"Hi Austin," she said.
Austin Stark smiled at her. He looked almost exactly like his father, minus the eyes. They matched his mother's. Tony and Pepper Stark were like family to Ana. Her parents had a lot of friends. Of course, their friends weren't exactly normal.
"What's up Ana?" Cool and suave, the sophomore leaned against the locker, his aviator sunglasses tucked into a white t-shirt worn under a leather jacket. Stonewashed jeans and boots completed the ensemble, and his messenger bag was slung across one shoulder.
"Just heading to class," she said, not meeting his eyes. She tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. Why was she such an idiot around him? As kids, they played together all the time. But recently she turned into an idiot around him. She didn't understand it at all.
Austin smirked at her, "Well, don't let me get in your way, Princess. By the way, can you text me later and remind me to pick up Jack from middle school? It's my turn."
"Yeah, sure," she said, "Well, bye." She scurried off towards her class. Jack Rogers was another kid she'd been growing up with. His mother had died when he was a baby. He was a tiny baby, a sickly little thing. Tony had managed to recreate a weaker dose of the serum and gave it to him. It made him healthier, but he was still a little smaller than the rest of the kids his age.
Austin laughed as he watched her leave. He looked around for a familiar face. He saw Danielle at her locker. She was a freshman this year. He walked over to her.
"Hey Danny," he said. Danielle Banner turned around and looked at him. She pushed her glasses up her face. She was adopted. She had light brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Hello Austin," she said, "How are you?" Austin was like a big brother to her. He always looked out for her. Especially when people tried to bully her, which usually happened quite frequently. She was a nerd after all.
"Good," he said, "how does it feel to finally be in high school?"
"It feels great," she said, "Although, I'm mostly in advanced classes. So some of the kids could be older."
"If anyone gives you trouble, send them my way," Austin said.
"Thanks," Danny smiled.
"No problem, little cuz. I'm always here for you and Jack. Now get to class," he said.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Danny said, shutting her locker and hurrying off to class.
At the end of the day, Austin headed outside to wait for the felt someone grab his arm and spun around to see Anastasia standing there.
"Hey. Don't forget to pick up Jack," she reminded him. 'Again,' she wanted to remind him.
"Oh shit!" Austin swore. He jogged to the middle school, thankful it wasn't too far.
Jack was waiting outside the school. Austin was supposed to be picking him up today. He was reading a book on the various weapons used in WWII when Alex, the school bully came and knocked it out of his hand.
"Loser!" He said, throwing him against the wall. He held him down and gave him an Indian burn, that actually burned his skin as Alex was holding a lighter. Jack growled and struggled, which made Alex laugh and set his pants on fire, then hold him down and keep him still as the flame licked at his leg, burning it badly. Jack was screaming in pain, trying to get free.
"Hey! Get away from him!" Austin yelled. He was older than the boy and more muscular. He worked out in the gym in his free time. Alex and his cronies looked at him and ran off. Jack looked up. his blond hair was messy and his baby blue eyes were full of unshed tears. Austin enveloped the younger boy in a hug. Jack started crying, pressing his chest into Austin's jacket. He was shaking with leftover fear.
"Come on. Let's get you to Uncle Bruce. He can look you over."
Jack nodded, "Austin, don't forget my stuff." He tried to stand, but because of his burnt leg, he kept falling. Austin grabbed Jack's backpack and threw it over his shoulder. He helped Jack up to his feet. Jack leaned heavily against Austin as they headed home.
By the time they got to the neighborhood where they all lived, Jack was whimpering with every step and could hardly keep going. He didn't notice his father waiting for them at the end of the street. Steve hurried over to the boys and picked up his son like you would a baby.
"Austin, what happened?" Steve asked, a hint of anger in his voice. Jack pressed against his father and started crying again.
"Some assholes set him on fire," Austin said, his voice full of anger.
"I'll get him to Bruce," Steve sighed, "Go home, Austin."
"Here are his things," Austin said, giving Steve the backpack before walking home.
Jack looked up at his father, "I'm sorry."
"It's alright, Jack," he said, "It's not your fault. I'm not mad at you."
"It is my fault! I should be stronger, like you, Dad."
"You're still young, Jack. You'll fill in. In the mean time, I'll teach you stuff to defend yourself," he said, carrying him toward Bruce's house.
"Yes, please!" Jack exclaimed. They reached Bruce's house and Steve knocked on the door.
Bruce opened up the door, "Hello Steve. What's up?"
"I need some help. According to Austin, some bullies burned my son," Steve said simply.
"Come on in," Bruce said, "Set him on the couch. I'll go get my bag." Steve set his son on the couch as Bruce hurried off. Jack clung tightly to his father.
"It'll be okay, Jack. You'll be okay," Steve said, trying to reassure his son. Jack nodded as Bruce returned with Danny and his medical kit. Steve got up and moved away from his son.
"Can I help with anything?" Steve asked the pair.
"Just give us some space," Danny said nicely. Steve nodded and moved away, but made sure he could still see his son.
"Now, where does it hurt the most, Jack?" Bruce asked him. Jack whimpered and pointed to his grabbed the medical scissors and carefully cut off his pant leg His leg was bright red and in some spots, the outer layer of skin was gone in some places, leaving the under layer exposed.
"He needs to be moved over to the bathroom," Danny said, "It needs to be cleaned with soap and waters and then dressed." Steve picked him son back up carefully, with Danny's instructions and carried him the bathroom and put him gently in the tub. Danny turned on the water and got it to the proper temperature.
"Jack, this is going to sting a bit," she warned him.
"Okay," Jack said, trying to be brave. He bit back the pain that was already radiating in his leg. Danny filled a cup with water and carefully poured it over his leg. Jack whimpered in pain. He gripped the side of the tub.
"I'm sorry, Jack," Danny said, "I have to do this though. It could get infected if I don't."
"It's okay," Jack said, gritting his teeth. Danny finished with the water and got special antibacterial soap used for burns. Jack saw it and shook his head, sniveling.
"I have to or it could get infected," Danny said. Jack kept shaking his head.
Danny sighed, "Uncle Steve, you need to hold him down." Steve nodded and held his son down as Danny put soap onto his leg and rubbed it into his wounds. Jack screamed and thrashed around. Steve had to hold him down did her best to ignore the clear noises of pain that he was making and his moving around. She tried to reassure him, but she had to focus on treating his wounds. After she was satisfied with her cleaning job, she rinsed his leg off with more water.
"We're almost done," Danny said. She shut off the water. Danny dressed his leg up in gauze and and ace stayed silent as she did this.
"So you can go home now. Get lots of rest and stay hydrated. I'll be over to change the dressings. If you need painkillers, you can take them," Danny said. Jack nodded and struggled to his feet, but he couldn't stand up on his own.
"I have an idea," Danny said, "Jack, how tall are you?"
"About 5' 7", I think," Jack said.
"I'll be right back," the older girl said and hurried off. She returned a few minutes later with a pair of crutches, "Here, try this."
"Thank you," Jack said, trying them out.
"Well, what do you think?" Danny asked.
"They're wonderful!" Jack exclaimed, "You're awesome, Danny."
"Go home. And no school for you tomorrow," Danny said.
"But football tryouts are tomorrow! It's my last chance to be on the team!"
"You can't even walk," Danny pointed out.
"But maybe this year I'll make the team!" Jack exclaimed, close to tears.
"I'm sorry, Jack, but it'll take weeks for you to heal." Jack broke down crying at this comment. Danny hugged him, trying to calm him down. Jack cried louder.
"It'll be okay. You'll be okay. I promise," she said awkwardly. She wasn't good with people, just their injuries. Jack nodded, trying to calm himself down.
"Come on, Jack," Steve said, "let's go home." Jack nodded and followed his father out of the house on his crutches.