A/N: PHEW! It's LATE, but I couldn't go to bed without updating. (chuckles)

THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for all your reviews, love and support! You have NO IDEA how much they mean to me, especially when I'm starting a new story. (HUGS)

Awkay, before I get all mushy… Let's go! I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the ride.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR MENTIONS OF CHILD-ABUSE IN THE FLASHBACKS.

Chapter 2 / 10 - And Then There Were Two

/ When Will became tossed into his new life he was completely and utterly lost. For such a long time he had only his brother, mother and whatever little she could provide them with. And suddenly he was thrown into a life of luxury, without neither of the people who were his whole world.

For the first time in his life he had all the things he needed, or at least his new parents imagined that he needed. More food than he could've ever stomached. Massive piles of clothes. Toys and books he didn't want but also didn't dare to refuse.

It was important to be obedient, after all. To be a good boy. Because otherwise… What if these people would tell him to go away, too? He didn't want to let down his second family as well.

For the longest time his life consisted mostly of two people. And then, all of a sudden, there was what felt like a small army around him. Babysitters. A 'ridiculously expensive', as his so-called father scoffed, private school with its students and teachers. And a therapist who smiled sweetly at anything he said, because he only said the things she wanted to hear. He was good at being what people wanted him to be.

He didn't tell anyone that he cried himself to sleep every night because he missed his brother and mother. Or how hopelessly lost he felt, everything he'd ever known having been snatched from him. That he only smiled politely all the time because it was better than screaming out loud. Nor did he tell anyone that he was bullied mercilessly at school because he was new and weird, because he couldn't adjust quickly enough. He didn't succeed in tricking the kids, wasn't able to stop them from attempting to break him like it was a fun new game. Adults were easier.

His therapist and teachers all smiled, complimenting what a charming, well-mannered boy he was. His adoptive father tolerated his presence with curt, accepting nods and occasional grunts. If the man wasn't pleased with something he did or said it was expressed in no uncertain terms with a fist or an open hand. If someone from the man's work or other important people were around Will was placed on a pedestal like a trophy, called John Jr. Him having been adopted was never mentioned with even a single word, and Will came quickly to the conclusion that it was something to be ashamed of. His new mother was all smiles and spoke to him in a tone that would've been more proper when interacting with a baby. She fussed around him constantly, in the same manner he saw many people fussing around their pets. Like he was a cute new puppy. Desperately affection-starved, he clung to that attention with all his might, no matter how insulting its quality was.

And like puppies he grew up, quickly. Suddenly he wasn't cute enough to earn all her care anymore. Especially after she got pregnant. When a stunningly beautiful baby-girl was born she seemed to barely remember his existence.

Will had never felt quite so alone in the world. So abandoned. And he deserved it all, didn't he, if his own brother hated him enough to yell at him to go away. His only comfort was that at least it couldn't get worse. Until things got far worse. /

/ Will remained in his favorite hiding place, even though he knew that his adoptive father had passed out a long time ago. His face still hurt, and he didn't want his new family to see him weeping. He couldn't afford showing weakness.

So there he sat high on a tree-branch, looking at the tiny, miserable looking house he was supposed to call a home. It didn't bother him that they had hardly anything. He'd always had barely more than his brother and mom. But it would've been nice to feel safe for at least once in his life. It was exhausting to always keep his guard up, to always have to fight. But what else was he supposed to do when that fight was what kept him alive and sane?

He was the angriest at himself. He was the one who let his mom down, who let his brother down. Whatever he was getting, he deserved it and would face it like a man.

Didn't his adoptive father always roar at him to take it like a man?

It did feel unfair, though. All of it. He wanted to go back home, to Will and their mom, their real mom, but knew that the opportunity and right were both lost.

"What are you doing sulking up there?" a familiar voice inquired, amused. His adoptive brother Barney stepped into view, stopping under the tree. "You're not a baby enough to get scared and hide from dad, are you?"

Clint sneered, the best as he could with his bruises. "I'm not a baby", he spat. Then hunched back the best as he could, pulling his legs to his chest. The sun was going down and it was cold. Why was he stupid enough to not grab his coat? "Why does he hate me?"

"He hates pretty much everyone." Barney shrugged. "And why should he love you? You're just a stray mom wanted to bring home."

It was the truth. Which didn't make it hurt any less. Clint shivered, looking at the grey sky to hide the tears filling his eyes. "Why did she take me here?" Why did she insist on adopting him if she didn't care about him enough to defend him, to keep him safe?

"Dunno. A lot of the stuff she does doesn't make sense." There was a pause before Barney went on. "But I guess you're my brother, now. And brothers stick together. Don't ever forget that."

Clint nodded. Because what else could he do? He had no one else left. His only comfort was that at least it couldn't get worse. Until things got far worse. /

It was so many years, far too many, since the last time they heard each other's voices. In truth, considering the circumstances in which they parted ways they fully expected to never talk again. They definitely never wanted it to be under these circumstances.

Will swallowed thickly, his muscles so tense that he began to tremble. His throat felt horribly dry and so tight that he could barely breathe. "Mom's… gone?" It was feeble, barely audible.

It all came back to him in a flood. The good. The bad. It'd all felt so very distant and now…

Will swallowed twice and rubbed his face with one hand. In a clearer mindset he might've wondered why his eyes and cheeks felt moist. "How…?" He couldn't bring himself to voice the rest, no matter how hard he tried.

"Massive stroke." Clint sounded choked and cleared his throat. "They sent a letter."

She carried them. Brought them into the world. Raised them for years. She was their mom. And when she was gone all they had was a letter. Or well, Will didn't get even that much. His adoptive parents made sure that he'd have no connections to his previous life, no way of communicating with his birth-family. He had no idea how Clint found his number. Or what, exactly, he was supposed to say.

In the end Clint couldn't stand the tense silence any longer. There was a long, shuddering sigh. "We… I guess we need to bury her." Those words would've been harsh if his brother didn't sound so completely, utterly lost. There was a clear, unvoiced plea. I need you.

They had a distant, colorful and painful history. But he had only one answer. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Clint sighed. Sounding far older than his age. "Thanks. I'll send you the address." There was a brief, uncomfortable pause. "Will, I…"

All of a sudden Will felt like there wasn't enough air in his lungs. Like he was suffocating on dry land. His hand trembled horribly while he loosened his tie. "I've… I have to go. Just… Send the address. I'll be there." He hung up before he had the chance to consider it twice or before Clint had the opportunity to prevent the motion.

Will had no later memory trace of the following five minutes. He only knew that afterwards his knuckles hurt horribly, his eyes stung and he was still gasping. And of course the universe decided that he didn't get to pull himself together in solitude.

He didn't realize that he was no longer alone until Ethan spoke, startling him. There was a frown on the agent's face. "Brandt?" The man nodded towards the phone still in his unsteady hold. "Who were you talking to?"

Will felt dazed. Maybe it was the shock over it all settling in. He gulped and blinked. "My, ah… brother. Just… family issues." He took a deep breath and, with well-trained self-control, perfected his composure. Buried the heartbreak, buried the agony. "Let's go and finish that mission report so we can finally go home."

Clint waited for two days, gathered his courage if he was honest, before he finally made his move. Staring at the small bag he'd just prepared, he once again wondered how to tell his team about his mother and brother. Because he knew he'd have to. As some kind of a cruel, cosmic joke his mother's last care facility was in the very city where he spent so much time. The team would definitely find out about the funeral and they wouldn't appreciate having been kept in the dark. He already hid one family from them for a long time – how well would they take him having hidden another? He just didn't know how to do it. How to find the words, strength and courage.

Laura wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his neck. "Look, I can come with you. You don't have to…"

"I know." He leaned closer to her warmth, instantly finding a hint of comfort. "But the kids need you. So… You keep the troops safe. I'll come back home as soon as I can."

"You're preparing for this like for one of your missions."

"I know." And he hated it, he really did. Loathed himself for feeling so much that he absolutely wasn't supposed to be feeling, for letting all those memories still get to him. "I wish…"

"I know." She kissed him again, several times over. "The kids are asking about uncle Will, you know. One of them heard us talking, most likely Lila."

Clint shivered. There were far too many people involved in this royal mess. "How am I supposed to explain this to them?" The kids had known that he used to have a brother and that they couldn't grow up together. But the whole story… It definitely wasn't something he wanted to share with children.

Laura swatted his head playfully. "You keep forgetting, genius", she scolded gently, meeting his eyes. "You never have to face anything alone ever again."

Somehow that succeeded in giving him enough comfort to help him breathe and start moving again.

Will waited for two days, gathered his courage if he was honest, before he finally made his move. He had every intention of heading towards the address his brother gave him in a secrecy. He'd never really had a holiday so, as he put it with a shrug, maybe it was high time he had one. His new team didn't know him well enough to question anything. (Then again, did anyone know him very well?)

He had every intention of doing this alone, since that was what he was used to.

Apparently his team had no intention of letting that happen. Because when he sat to the plane that'd take him to New York he realized that Ethan occupied the seat next to his. He frowned and tensed up. "What are you doing here?"

Ethan shrugged. "What does it look like? Taking a vacation." The man's eyes studied him briefly before returning to a book. "Unless this isn't a vacation."

Will gulped. Worked his hardest to keep himself in check. "No", he finally admitted. "This isn't." No matter how badly he wished otherwise.

Ethan nodded. "I know." Of course he did, because he was infuriating that way. "Which is why Benji and Jane are already in New York."

Will probably should've been furious over the insult to his privacy. But he didn't have enough energy for that. And if he was fully honest with himself… Wasn't it, in a way, heartwarming that he finally had people around him who cared?

"Do you want to share what this trip is about?"

"So you know where I'm going but you expect me to believe that you don't know why?" Will tried to make himself more comfortable, even if his stomach was in knots and there seemed to be a rope around his throat. "Who notified you?"

"Nick Fury. Old… friend of mine." There was a long pause. When he didn't react Ethan went on. "I take it you don't want to talk about it."

Will shook his head vehemently. "Not yet." Neither of them was much for sharing, which was a big reason to their communication issues. He was sure that his friend understood.

Ethan did. The silence that ensued was heavy but comfortable. As the plane took off Will wondered just what he was getting himself into. And if he'd be able to handle it.

Tony Stark was just about to start some… private adult-time with Pepper when a computerized voice spoke. Effectively breaking the mood. "I apologize, sir, but… It seems that agent Barton is outside the main entrance, waiting to be allowed in. The nightshift security guard is on a break."

Tony swore and groaned. Loudly. And came up with some creative ways to punish his friend for this. "Since when has he ever used the door, anyway? I swear, when I get my hands that guy I'm gonna…!"

"Tony." Pepper's voice was somehow firm and purring at the same time. "Just let him in. And then…" She smirked and winked. "… I'll give you a reward for your patience."

Tony had never moved as quickly without his suit as he did then. Nonetheless reaching the entrance floor seemed to take ages and by the time he got there his left eyebrow was twitching. Sure enough, Clint stood behind the door, wearing an expensive looking suit. "Feathers, you'd better have one hell of an explanation for this", he growled far from pleasantly as soon as the man was safely inside. "Did you have a fight with Laura or something?"

The other man quirked an eyebrow. Genuinely confused. "Feathers?"

"Uh, Tony…?" The voice didn't come from the man in front of him, rather from behind him. Peering over his shoulder, he found a familiar archer in jeans, black shirt and a coat of the same color. There was a shockingly open and broad display of emotions on the man's face. "Surprise?"

Tony blinked five times. Looked from one man to another, slowly. Then exclaimed the only coherent thought that came to his head. "Holy shit, there's two of you!"

TBC

A/N: GOSH! Poor boys. (whimpers) But how sweet is it that, no matter how subconsciously, Clint trusts his team enough to meet his brother in their lair? (Although I think he wanted to break the news BEFORE Will appeared…) We'll see just how this tale continues, and how many old wounds are torn open…

Thoughts? Comments? PLEASE, do leave a line or two! I'd LOVE to hear from you.

IN THE NEXT ONE: As the funeral-preparations begin emotions run high, and bitter memories arise. The confused teams try to make sense of the recent revelations.

Until next time, folks! I REALLY hope that I'll see you all there.

Take care!