A/N: Sorry this took so long, I've had it ready for a while and forgot to get up on here. I hope it's alright? We're going to get more detail on the Twilight project and we'll be seeing more Clint and Nat!

While Bruce continued in front of the screen, Natasha went out to pick up some clothes for Nicolas. They didn't exactly have children's sized wear lying around. He couldn't stay in that one oversized shirt and sweatpants forever.

There was a quick tour of essentials for Nicolas: the bathrooms, kitchen, medical wing, who were in neighboring bedrooms besides Bucky and Steve. It ended in the common room once again where Clint insisted they sit down for movies. A normal activity the adults agreed on, especially since Clint had already decided they were watching The Emperor's New Groove. Kid friendly and funny.

A very strange movie for them. Talking llamas, weird villains, and Clint cracking up at "WRONG LEVEEEEERRRR!"

"Okay…" Was Steve's answer to how he liked it. It was a strange movie, and he was still trying to understand modern humor. He grew up with one-liners and slapstick comedy. This was on a whole other level.

Despite their assurances, Nicolas sat on the floor against the wall the entire movie, angled for a good view of the door as well as the screen. He didn't really seem to actually watch the cartoon itself. Instead, Steve would catch glimpses of the boy watching them in the television's reflection when it went dark.

It wasn't far into the credits that Natasha had the fantastic timing of arrival.

"I got the kid some clothes, a few outfits that should last him a week without washing." Natasha set down the bag, ignoring Clint's comment on how he can go a whole week in one t-shirt.

She beckoned him over for the boy to see for himself. In the bag sat a few t-shirts, both long and short sleeved, jeans, a new pairs of sweat pants, and a couple of hoodies. He picked up a black shirt delicately, his fingers gliding over the fabric. It was certainly nicer material than he was currently wearing.

"They're yours. It'll be more comfortable to wear." The redhead stated simply when he put it back neatly in the bag. He merely just continued to look over the clothes. "You can go get changed if you want."

Natasha then held out the bag for him to take and he stared at it. "It's your clothes now. You can wear them." Taking them gingerly, Nicolas returned towards his room still close by Bucky's side. No one thought he'd be letting him out of his sight anytime soon.

It was set down on the foot of the bed. One by one he pulled them all out, looking over every stitch and detail.

"The dresser will fit it all." Bucky offered, "I can grab hangers if you want to use the closet." He didn't wait for a reply, thinking it natural to hang up the jackets at least.

He knocked before entering. The kid didn't need to get startled. He already had a start when he was woken up. Bucky thought back to that. He was clearly asleep, but the moment Steve touched him he was up and ready to fight. The flip to pin down Steve was fluid and done on instinct. There were definitely more in the boy's fighting skills than that. More surprises could be hazardous.

Again the door went unanswered. He tried his metal hand. The louder clang went without answer. Friday told Bucky that she announced his presence to Nicolas, but the boy merely stood inspecting his new hoodie without acknowledging.

Bucky shook his head and entered anyways. The boy turned suddenly at the movement, readying himself for a fight. He stood fists up and feet positioned to move. The realization that it was a friendly face he lowered his hands.

"I knocked a few times." He jabbed his thumb at the door. "And Friday said I was there. The random voice can be strange, but didn't you listen? You need to keep an ear out."

Nicolas stiffened, his hands balling back into fists at his sides. It didn't go unnoticed. "Is it Friday that's bothering you?" Yeah, a disembodied voice watching you constantly gave him chills if he stopped to think about it too.

A shake of the head came, bouncing the dark hair over his eyes. It wasn't Friday. Maybe knocking? What ever it was that was bothering Nicolas, Bucky wanted to find out. The kid was biting his split lip nervously. "You need to tell me what's wrong." His voice went softer.

Nicolas dropped his chin to his chest, shaking his head again. Before Bucky could continue to coax, he was shocked to hear the boy's voice coarse from disuse. "I… I can't..—" He struggled around the words, peaking back up at the man through his dark bangs. "—Hear. I can't hear."

That was not what Bucky expected at all. He was thinking something was making the kid anxious. A twelve year old mess in front of him was not only anxious, underweight, and vitamin deficient, but couldn't hear. He didn't understand why Hydra would do such a thing, but it was sickening. As if they already hadn't done enough to the boy.

Promptly after making the announcement Nicolas tensed further, shrinking in on himself. There was clear fear in his eyes at this point. Bucky had taken him in, but now he was scared he'd be rejected or punished for this condition. It didn't help that the soldier merely stood there with his mouth gaping like a fish as he tried to figure out what to say. All he could manage at the moment was a soft "I'm not angry. It's okay."