A/N: Sorry for being so terrible at updating, I can only blame real life. Here is just a small update, hopefully I will be able to update more regularly now. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Chapter Two
The boy sat rigid in the seat Steve had guided him to, he hadn't seemed to be bothered by actual flying part of being in the jet but, when Steve had leaned over to check his belt was still tight enough he tensed up immediately sending an accusing look the Captain's way. Steve tried not to let his anger at the way this boy had obviously been treated show in his face. The last thing he wanted was to scare the poor kid even more. He gave the belt a gentle tug before slowly sitting back in his own seat smiling slightly at the boy.
The kid hadn't said one word the whole flight which was enough for Tony to understand something was obviously wrong with him other than his bruised face and scraped hands. As soon as they got back he was going to take the kid and Bruce down to his lab and start running brain scans. He might not be a doctor but his tech could repair anything. And what was the brain? Just another machine that he could fix, so why shouldn't he? It'd be fun, and besides capsicle had taken a liking to the boy. Tony didn't like disappointing national treasures. He was thwarted in his doctoring attempts however by Barton of all people. He had been ushering the boy off of the jet and towards the elevator calling over his shoulder for Bruce to meet them in the lab when the archer had blocked his way. "Why don't you let the kid get something to eat before you start poking at him."
Tony's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and Clint realised he hadn't even noticed the look in boys eyes as Thor had scoffed down two power bars during the flight. The kid was starving, anyone could see that even if Banner hadn't already told them he was malnourished. He laid a hesitant hand on the boys shoulder, his flinch made Clint cringe. It brought back memories of a different boy who used to flinch from loud voices and hard hands. He shook off the cloud those memories brought with them and lead the boy towards their communal kitchen. He sat the boy at the counter and was relieved to find that only Banner had followed them from the helipad. That relief was then followed by the sinking feeling that perhaps the Doctor had followed him to tell him not to interfere in things he knew nothing about. Banner just smiled at him though and made his way over to fridge. "Thanks for that, sometimes I hate always having to be the one to try and corral Tony, he always looks so betrayed when I keep him from the lab." The older man gave a dry chuckle as he pulled out a container of left over soup.
"Better give him something light, when someone hasn't eaten in a while they can get sick if they eat too much." Clint already knew that from experience but he didn't tell the doc that, he just nodded and pulled out a bowl before filling a glass of water and setting it in front of the kid. He had been watching the two and glanced between them before chugging the whole glass. Well, at least he knew the basics thought Clint, even if he did spill a quarter of it down his chin and shirt. Without thinking Clint grabbed the dish towel and reached over to wipe his chin. He was surprised when the boy just let him do it. Huh, he must have enough mental capacity to realise when someone isn't a threat. Or maybe he remembered that Clint hadn't hurt him when he lead him by the shoulder and figured he wouldn't do it now.
As the boy gulped down the hot soup Clint studied his face, he seemed familiar somehow but with his face as messed up as it was it was hard to tell. Clint was sure that once the swelling went down they'd be able to id the kid.
Rather than follow Clint and Bruce to the kitchen with the kid Steve Tony to his lab. Tony was muttering about scans and machines and data bases, Steve caught up with him and stopped him at the entrance to the lab. "Hey Stark, I'm glad you want to help the poor kid I do too. But, Stark, Tony just remember he's a living breathing boy not an experiment." Tony quirked an eyebrow at him and entered the code to gain access to the lab, leaving the door open for Steve to follow. "Look, cap. I'm not completely clueless y'know, I just want to help the kid. I want to find out who he is and get him back to his family, if he has one. And if I can I want to heal whatever damage has been done to him. That good enough for you capsicle?" Steve nodded his approval and bid the older man good night before going to try and find the boy and the others. In the back of his mind there was still a niggling feeling that he knew the battered kid, perhaps it was the dark hair or the piercing blue eyes. But, he put Steve in mind of another boy he had met more than two years ago now. That boy was dead now though, caught up in his guardians world of privilege. Steve took a deep breath trying to calm himself as he remembered hearing about the boy's kidnapping and ransoming on the news. He felt especially bad as he had never had a chance to reconcile with Jason or the others boys after he had accused Mr Wayne of abusing them. No this boy was not Jason, his resemblance to him was merely coincidental and once the swelling in his face went down and his features were more distinguishable Steve was sure he would wonder how he ever thought the boy looked anything like Jason Wayne.
