Chapter 7 - Give A Little

Tony had finally gotten used to Thor travelling via the Bifrost every so often, leaving a horrible patterned imprint on the surface he would use to transport himself. Tony had managed to create a designated station for him at the house, one that been tested and exposed to the most potent alien magic they had access to, which Tony had seen in the form of a cube. It looked like pure electricity was inside it, he could definitely feel the power that it held.

Thor joined them as though he knew when they would be meeting, which Tony was starting to think that he did. He had mentioned someone called Heimdall being able to "see everything" so maybe he was just being punctual on purpose.

Thor had his serious face on when he returned, which made them all sit tighter together. Thor's sombre face never brought anything but despair and bad news.

"There are six Infinity Stones," Thor began, wasting no time.

Natasha quickly withdrew her notebook and started transcribing for future study. It helped to have things written down and structured.

"From what I hear, Thanos has two of them already. I believe there are at least two stones here on Earth and that's why Thanos is so interested in us."

Steve nodded. "We know that already, he said he came here on a scouting mission. Maybe the Stones can sense the other Stones."

Thor shrugged. "It's possible. We need to start searching for where they might be."

Clint threw his hands up. "That's impossible. Even if they were both in the city that's a huge ask."

"I'm not asking, Clint," Thor snapped. "It is an absolute imperative that we do not let Thanos acquire the rest of these Stones. Do you all understand?"

Bruce looked around them cautiously. "What happens if he does?"

Thor sank into a seat. "If Heimdall is correct, it means the destruction of the Universe. Together, in the wrong hands, the Stones have the power to wipe out the Universe. And remember that's not just Earth. Asgard, Xandar, everywhere. Gone. With a snap of his fingers."

Tony stood up. "So how do we find them?"

"I was hoping you would have an idea," Thor grimaced.

"I'll think it over. Once we have the Stones, what do we do with them? Use them to fight Thanos?"

Thor shook his head wildly. "The Stones are bonded together by their similar power source. They react to each other, Thanos would know that we had them and would do anything to steal them. We have to keep them away from him at all costs."

Tony nodded. "Do you think Thanos thought they were in New York? And that's why he came here?"

Thor shrugged. "Perhaps. But he knew who we were and that we would show up. Perhaps he simply thought that we were the most likely protectors of the Stones. When he realised we didn't have them on our persons, he retreated."

Steve sighed. "He's been watching us. Or he has an informant. And he might show up again, maybe somewhere else. The Stones are our first priority, of course, but we have to come up with a plan for if Thanos comes back. We know he's powerful even without the Stones but, with them, he could cause real damage here."

Natasha looked at him. "Which one do you think it is?"

"I think he's done it himself. If he wasn't going to attack, surely he wouldn't have come all this way. He knows we're a threat." Steve looked around suddenly. "Is Kurt here?"

Tony shook his head. "I arranged for him to study at Sam's house once we knew Thor was returning. It's best for him not to know this."

Bruce smiled lightly. "He'll probably ask me about it tomorrow during our session."

"And you're to say nothing about any of this as we agreed."

Bruce nodded. Tony gave him a warm smile.

Thor sighed. "If this gets any worse, he'll have to be informed."

Tony gritted his teeth. "Let's hope it doesn't reach that point. He's finally at a point where he's actually being a kid, you know? I don't want to get in the way of that with some world-ending crisis."

Bruce listened to the ticking of the clock as he appraised Kurt, hoping that this session would be more fruitful than the last. He tried not to think about the impending doom that Thor had brought back from Asgard or let it show on his face, so he schooled his features and settled in for another hour of intense staring and silence.

Until Kurt opened his mouth to speak.

"Anything I tell you you have to keep confidential, right?"

Bruce, with wide surprised eyes, nodded vehemently. "Unless you pose a danger to yourself or others, in which case I will have to inform Tony."

Kurt nodded succinctly. "Right. That's not the case. I was talking to Sam about this the other day at his house and his mom told me about her experience with therapy. She said that it had really helped her as a teenager through some of her issues and that she probably wouldn't have been in the right place to start a family if not for talking to someone back then. I figured if someone as awesome as Mary Evans did therapy, maybe I could too."

Bruce clicked his pen and flipped to a new page in his notebook, something that he hadn't thought he'd be doing today with Kurt. He gave Kurt a warm smile. "You know, Kurt, it doesn't have to be this scary thing. You like me, right?"

Kurt nodded.

"Then consider it two friends having a discussion. I will not judge you, you are free to say anything that is on your mind. I also want you to know that if I ask something you're not comfortable with or don't wish to answer, you don't have to. This is a safe, trusting space, Kurt. Okay?"

There it was again. That way of speaking that made Bruce a great communicator, but something that irked Kurt more than a little bit. He knew it was his superiority complex talking and that Bruce wasn't trying to condescend, but he couldn't help but grit his teeth just a little bit.

"So how do we start? Do you ask a question or do I think of something to say?"

Bruce flicked his pen against the pad. "I can begin. I want to know how you've been doing since our last session."

Kurt hummed. "You've seen me since then."

Bruce conceded that with a nod. "Since your party then."

Kurt sighed. "It's been okay. I have a friend now, at least."

"Tell me about Sam."

Bruce definitely did not miss the way Kurt lit up at the mention of his best friend's name. Kurt sat up a little higher in his seat and smiled as though he'd just been told the best news in the entire world.

"Sam is the best! He doesn't get mad at me for wanting to read instead of playing, whenever I talk about something he genuinely listens and doesn't just pretend to, even if he doesn't know what I'm talking about, and he makes me happy."

Bruce leaned forward a little. "But…"

Kurt raised a brow. "How did you know?"

Bruce winked. "There's a reason I'm well-regarded, Kurt."

Kurt blew out a frustrated breath. "I'm worried about our friendship."

Bruce waited for more.

"Sometimes I worry that we're too different, or that he'll just get tired of me talking about things he doesn't like and will just want to play kickball or something instead."

"Has he ever given you a reason to doubt him?"

Kurt glared. "Of course not…oh."

Bruce smiled slightly, the corners of his lips twitching. "You see my point."

"Yes," Kurt replied through gritted teeth.

"You hate this, don't you? Me being right."

Kurt studied Bruce closely. "How are you doing that? Reading me like I'm a book."

Bruce clasped his hands together. "I'm going to be quite real with you, Kurt. You and your Uncle Tony have a fair few things in common, but he wanted me to talk to you because you're very much like me when I was your age. Hell, you're a lot like me now."

Kurt had come to learn that that wasn't the compliment he had previously thought it was when adults said that. It just meant that he would be even more inaccessible to Sam.

Bruce sensed no interruption, so continued. "You're highly intelligent, almost always the smartest person in the room, including the adults. You're confident in yourself but shy around others. You have duelling superiority and inferiority complexes, and there's nothing you hate more than being wrong."

Bruce could tell by the discontented expression on Kurt's face that he'd hit the nail right on the head.

"You're mostly right. But there are a few things I hate more than being wrong."

"Care to elaborate?"

Kurt struggled to breathe. "Sometimes I don't know how to explain what happens, but…it's like I have too many thoughts about something that doesn't even matter and they build up until I can't think about anything else. I read a lot of books but there aren't any answers to why that happens."

Bruce swallowed. He didn't want to diagnose on the spot, but he was fairly certain he knew the answer to Kurt's problem. "Could you provide any more examples?"

Kurt nodded slowly. "Like this thing with Sam. I'll momentarily consider the idea of Sam not wanting to be my friend and then all of a sudden it's like it's happening. Then I start thinking 'what if I go back to having no friends?' It just feels like my thoughts are coming too quickly and I can't stop them even if they're ridiculous."

Bruce tilted his head. "Kurt, this is quite indicative of anxiety. It's quite common in intelligent children and adults. I myself have quite a severe form of it. You'll find that a lot of adults do. With some treatment or medication, it can be manageable."

Kurt swallowed, eyes wide like he'd been told the world was ending. Bruce suddenly hated that particular simile. "How do I get rid of it? I don't like it."

Bruce sighed. "The truth is, Kurt, that you may never completely get rid of it. But it is fully possible to live a functioning life with anxiety."

Kurt sat for a moment, thinking long and hard about something. Then, he had a lightbulb moment. "This is why I can't breathe when Uncle Tony leaves, isn't it?"

Bruce clenched his jaw, nodding. "Most likely, yes. Kurt, have you ever found yourself struggling to catch your breath like the walls are closing in and you can't get any air?"

Kurt hung his head, nodding.

"It's okay, it's nothing to worry about right now. I just need to know how to help you. What you experience is a panic attack. I can go through some countermeasures with you for if that happens again."

Kurt looked up at Bruce, surprised. "Why haven't you asked me about my parents?"

Bruce frowned. "I'm not following."

"I'm assuming the reason I'm even undergoing therapy is to talk about them."

Bruce adjusted his glasses. "Therapy is a long process, Kurt, as you've witnessed a simple conversation about your friend can trigger things that warrant a longer discussion. What you've been through is a huge trauma for anyone, let alone someone so young. It'll take time to approach that in the right way. Unless there's something you'd like to discuss about them."

Kurt breathed in. "Do you think the…anxiety and panic attacks are genetic? I think my mother may have…I don't know."

Bruce dipped his head. "Potentially, though I don't know your mother's history. Mental disorders such as anxiety or depression can be genetic, yes, though they can also be triggered through environmental factors like…"

Kurt smiled grimly. "Like my parents dying?"

Bruce's lip wobbled. "Well, yes. It's a lot to process, Kurt, and I know we've run through a lot of things today. How are you feeling about this?"

Kurt took a moment to consider that. "A little restless. But good. Thank you, Dr Banner. You make this seem not at all scary."

"Much better than sitting in silence for an hour."

Kurt snorted. "I wouldn't go that far."

Bruce chuckled. "Well, the session is over for today. I can see you same time next week?"

Kurt nodded. "I'd like that. If I have any questions…"

"Just ask your Uncle Tony to give me a call, or I can come by if you're really struggling."

Kurt made a motion to stand.

Bruce held up a hand. "Before you go, Kurt, I wanted to say that I'm proud of you. You've gone from not saying a word to making really great progress. Remember that admitting you need a little bit of help isn't weakness. It can turn out to be your greatest strength."

Kurt nodded his head in gratitude and left the room without another word.

Tony grumbled as a loud, playful knock sounded at the door. He mentally ran through a list of people he knew that would come over without prior warning. Nat rarely knocked, Thor could usually be heard from miles away so that only left…

"Clint," Tony greeted him as he opened the door to the man.

Clint was decked out in his S.H.I.E.L.D uniform, bow strapped to his back, sunglasses draped over his eyes.

Tony's anxiety flared up for a second. "Is it time?" He whispered.

Clint shrugged his sunglasses off and grinned. "Not yet, man. I'm here for Archery 101 with Kurt."

Tony rolled his eyes, forgetting that he had arranged this. "Go on through to the training room, I'll send Kurt over in a minute. You want some waters?"

Clint nodded. "We'll need 'em."

Tony eyed Clint carefully. "Be careful."

Clint waved his hand. "I won't take my eyes off him for a second. Scout's honour." Clint walked through the several doors into the training room.

Kurt followed not longer after, kitted out in the dance clothes that Nat had gotten him for his birthday, his new bow hefted over his shoulder.

"Hey buddy," Clint nodded not a little awkwardly. He had taken a tip for Nat not to address Kurt directly as though he was a small child like Fury had done, but he wasn't too familiar with the boy so it left him in an awkward middle place.

Kurt waved a small hand. "Hi, Clint. Thanks for agreeing to teach me."

"Are you nervous?"

Kurt rubbed his hands together. "Maybe a little."

Clint actually chuckled. "Let me guess. You still feel guilty about shooting an arrow at your party."

"Are all of my Uncle's friends psychics?"

"Nah, but we have all been kids before. As much as you love to swear you're not one, you certainly are. The important thing is that nobody got hurt. Once I teach you the basics and go over the safety precautions, you'll be doing well in no time."

Kurt looked around the training room that Tony had set up. There were two separate archery stations that pointed towards the targets. Kurt noticed the distance was quite far between the target and where he was stood. He couldn't imagine himself making the shot.

"You sure you wanna do this? You don't look very sure."

Kurt nodded. "I have doubts, but Sam told me I should take the chance to learn. It was something that my dad had been interested in whenever it was on at the Olympics. He said that he'd learned it when he was young. Sam said it might make me feel closer to him."

"I think your friend Sam is a very smart boy," Clint said.

Kurt felt an embarrassing tear run its way down his face and he wiped it off. "Sorry."

"I don't want you apologising for feeling things, Kurt. That's how end up like…just, you're allowed to feel whatever you want. And I know what you're going through."

"You do?"

Clint sighed heavily. "Your Uncle Tony didn't want me telling you this but I think you might get something from it. My parents died in a car accident too when I was around your age."

Kurt covered his mouth with hands, eyes begging Clint to continue.

"Now the circumstances were a little different but I understand what you're feeling."

Kurt removed his hands and steeled himself. "Who raised you instead?"

Clint's eyes darkened. "I didn't have any other family who would take me and my brother, so we went to foster homes."

"You have a brother?"

Clint smiled shyly. "I'm not surprised nobody's mentioned him. He's not a good person, Kurt." Kurt didn't miss the implied "I'm not a good person" but decided to let it pass by him as a passing comment. "I know Bruce has been helping you and Tony too, but if you need someone to talk to who might actually get it, I'm around."

"Thank you, Clint."

Clint cleared his throat. "You're welcome. Now let's talk about your new bow."

Clint described the bow in detail to Kurt, pointing out the different parts of the weapon and how everything was assembled. He went on to describe the safety precautions again, in a firmer tone than he had last time, certain that Kurt would receive that message loud and clear this time.

He had Kurt repeat the instructions back to him so Clint was sure that he knew them before Clint allowed him to pick up the bow.

"How does that feel in your hand?"

Kurt nodded. "Surprisingly good. It's not too heavy."

"That's good. Now I'll show you how to notch an arrow."

Clint did as promised before letting Kurt try it himself. He was a little wobbly, but just needed to relax and concentrate on what he was doing.

"Okay now very slowly, raise your bow and point it towards the target."

Kurt swallowed heavily and did as instructed. "Like this?"

Clint moved towards him. "You mind if adjust your stance a little?"

Kurt initially looked mortified, but focused on Clint's easy smile and relaxed. "Okay."

Clint repositioned Kurt's feet and angled the bow a little lower.

"Okay now pull back the arrow so there's tension in the string. And whenever you're ready, just let it fly."

Kurt winced at the arrow being so close to his face before letting the arrow sail forward. It dropped onto the floor several yards away from the target.

Kurt stomped his feet. "I can't do it."

The archery range Tony had installed sensed the presence on the floor and began to move so that the arrow rolled back towards Kurt and Clint.

Clint stood behind Kurt, judging the distance. "It's a little further than I would've had it. Jarvis, is there any way to move the target closer to Kurt?"

"Certainly, Mr. Barton," Jarvis answered immediately, the target inching forward slightly.

Clint smiled. "Thanks, Jarvis. Try it again, Kurt."

Kurt notched the arrow and…missed again.

Kurt carefully placed the bow on the ledge before folding his arms. "It's useless. I'm no good."

Clint leaned against the wall, arms folded in the same way as Kurt's. "Kurt, you're pretty smart so I'm not gonna bullshit you. Did you really expect to hit the bullseye today?"

Kurt gritted his teeth, huffing. "No! I just…I don't…"

Clint nodded. "You're not used to things not coming naturally to you."

Kurt flapped his arms against his sides, deflated. "I suppose. I've always been good at everything I do, I don't like not being able to do something."

Clint grinned. "So that's why you set your mind to it. You focus, you practise, and you get good. I can come by a few days a week after school if you want to train at it. But I want you to promise me that you won't come in here without an adult present."

Kurt nodded. "It was kind of fun. I'd like to learn. I'm sorry for whining."

"Don't worry about it," Clint laughed. "With my help, you'll be great in no time."

Kurt clicked his tongue. "Were you really in the circus? I heard Natasha say it at the party."

"That's definitely a story for your teenage years, Kurt."

Kurt shook his head. "No, I mean…would you show me something cool?"

Clint actually beamed. It was rare that he got to show off to someone so easily impressed by him since the other Avengers had more to offer, so he milked this whole moment. He grabbed his bow and turned away from the target. He leaned backwards, aiming upside down at the target, letting the arrow loose and grinning as it slammed into the bullseye.

Kurt clapped his hands. "That was amazing."

Clint bowed playfully and retrieved the arrow from the ledge where the automated system had left it.

Kurt yawned. "I know we haven't done much but could we leave it for today? I'm tired after therapy."

Clint nodded. "No sweat. How about I come over Thursday after dinner for an hour or so?"

"I'd like that. Thank you."

Clint ruffled Kurt's hair as he left the room, to the boy's shock and dismay.

Kurt was still fixing his hair when Clint left.

"How was your first lesson?"

Kurt pouted. "I'm not very good."

Tony grinned. "Excellent."

"How is that excellent?"

Tony took a sip of his water. "You've finally found something that you're not naturally gifted at. This will mean that you get to learn about the wonderful world of practise and hard work. It's going to be so much fun.

"I know how it feels to have everything come naturally to you in your childhood, but having something to work towards can be so rewarding."

Kurt shrugged. "I suppose so. You mind if I go to bed early?"

Tony smiled. He knew Kurt had had a long day. Bruce hadn't filled him in on the particulars but he gathered that Kurt had had a particularly strenuous therapy session that had harvested real progress from his nephew, which was so pleasing to see. There was a part of Tony that hated that he couldn't be there with Kurt through the process or sort out the problems he was facing.

What was worse was the Thanos situation. He and the rest of the Avengers had organised a plan to enlist S.H.I.E.L.D to help with the recovery of the Infinity Stones, so he just had to hope for the best until they were found. He would patrol the city when Kurt was at school, putting Happy on Kurt emergency duty while he was out, and then return home to pick Kurt up from school.

As Kurt trotted up to bed for the night, Tony placed his head on the counter, sighing. He was used to praying that everything was going to be alright, but the threat seemed more real than he could've imagined. A world-ending alien race was more than a little troublesome and Thanos' knowledge of Earth scared him.

Tony drifted off to sleep with his head on the kitchen counter, thoughts of monstrous blue titans and sparkling green gems floating around his mind.