Crashing Through the Feelings
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Chapter 2: Adoption
Crash was asleep outside of the Shawarma's building, bundled up inside a blanket, laying inside a cardboard box. He was completely oblivious to everything that had occurred, because he had been so far away from it.
Tony and the rest of the Avengers were tired and sore after taking on the Chitauri and Loki in the city. As they walked out of the building, Bruce saw the box start to move just a little, then heard a slight noise coming from inside. He turned around to see if the others had heard it too, or if it was just his imagination. Tony and Steve had heard it, and were moving over to behind Bruce. Tony crouched down and moved the flap covering Crash, and saw the blanket covering him.
Crash had started to slowly wake up, and started to see the sunlight coming through the blanket after Tony opened the box. Crash moved his hands from behind his head, and rubbed his eyes. Tony saw movement under the blanket and started to pull it back, to see who or what was under it. Crash looked up and freaked out, not knowing who the person was that found him. He had thought it was someone with foster care who had found him and had come to take him back in. Crash started to get up to run, but Tony grabbed him and sat him down next to the box.
"Hey, hey. Kid settle down. Where are your parents at?" Crash made himself as small as possible and buried his head between his arms. Tony looked back at Bruce and Steve, who were standing over him. Clint walked around to the side of Tony and knelt next to him.
"Buddy, where are your parents at? Why are you out here alone?" Crash looked up to Clint, and then looked at Tony. He stared at them for a few seconds, then rubbed his eyes.
"Holy shit! You're Tony Stark!" Steve standing behind Tony looked at the kid who looked to be not much older then six.
"Language!" Natasha and Thor looked at him and chuckled. Crash looked up and saw everyone else, then stood and pointed to them each.
"You're Captain America! One of the greatest soldiers to fight against the Nazi's, along with Sergeant Barnes. And you're Thor, the God of thunder. And Dr. Bruce Banner! You are like, one of the main reasons I like science. You guys are so freaking awesome. But you can't forget the best duo, Black Widow and Hawkeye!" Everyone stood smiling and laughing at the kid's wits. Tony smiled at the kid and stood up.
"So, kid. What's your name?" Crash turned and looked back at Tony.
"My name is Crash." Crash looked in awe at everyone standing in front of him. These were his heroes standing right there, talking to him.
"What's your full name Crash?" Bruce walked forward some to study the kid for any signs of hesitation. Sure enough, there was some signs from the kid, and Bruce took note of it.
"I… I don't remember. I've had so many over the past two years that I don't know anymore." Tony shook his head and walked a couple feet away.
"Jarvis, what is this kid talking about? How does he not remember his last name?" As Tony talked to Jarvis, Bruce and the rest of those standing around Crash stood in shock.
"How old are you Crash, and why are you out here all by yourself?" Crash looked down at his feet, and kicked a rock with his bare feet. Clint looked down and saw the kid had no shoes on. He had on some torn up shorts, and a shirt that was almost too small. Clint walked over to Natasha and whispered something to her, then they both ran off to find him some clothes and shoes that fit him.
"I'm eight. My mom was killed by my dad when I was six, then I had to go into foster care. But I ran away a lot and no one wanted me anymore, so I ran away so that they couldn't find me, and I've been living on the streets ever since. I do go to school though, right down the street from here. Sometimes the teachers bring me new clothes and food and stuff. They don't know that I don't have any parents though. They just think they don't care about me, but my momma did. She cared a whole lot. My dad didn't though. He would always hit me and momma and she'd take us for car rides for the whole night." Crash looked up and saw that Bruce was sitting next to his box. Tony was still talking to Jarvis and Steve and Thor were standing in front of him.
"I'm sorry. I kinda talk a lot, cause I don't usually have anyone to talk to. I don't have many friends. I don't mean to annoy you guys." Bruce looked up to him and pat the ground next to him. Crash sat down and looked up to Steve, who had been quiet the entire time except to scold him for cussing.
"You can talk to us. You aren't annoying at all Crash. Sometimes it's best for people to talk to other people. We are here to listen. Tell us about your mom. What was she like?" Bruce watched as Crash's face lit up while talking about his mom. He told them all about her job, and her personality and the three just smiled listening to him talk. They knew this was what the kid needed; someone to listen to him and not judge him or shut him down.
Clint and Nat came back with some clothes and a brand new pair of high tops. Bruce walked him into the restaurant as he changed into the new clothes. He came back out and stood in front of the crew. Everyone stood and complimented his clothes and his shoes. Tony walked back over and squatted down in front of Crash.
"Is your last name Reed? Crash Booker Reed, is that your full name?" Crash looked to his right with his brow furrowed, trying to think long and hard. He slowly started to remember and then nodded.
"Yeah, that's my name. How'd you know that?" Tony nodded and put his hand out towards Crash.
"We gotta take you to a police station or something. You've been on the missing persons list for almost a year and a half." Crash stopped when he heard the words police station. He shook his head and looked over to Bruce.
"I don't wanna go back to foster care. No one cares about me there. You guys are the only ones that care." Bruce stood up and pulled Crash to his feet. He put his hand on his shoulder and looked over to Tony.
"Cap, can you watch Crash while I talk to Tony for a minute. Crash, you're gonna be fine, buddy, just stay here and we'll figure something out okay?" Crash nodded then turned around to face him.
"Okay." Bruce walked over to Tony and grabbed his arm and dragged him over to the side to talk.
"So, Crash, what do you like to do during your free time?" Crash shrugged and looked up to him.
"I like to do some science projects and stuff. Last year, when I was with a foster family, I built a model of an ARC reactor, and then I made it light up with some of the LED's I got from one of my previous families. They didn't think I should look up to people like Tony, or Dr. Banner, because they are 'ignorant' whatever that means. And then at school, at the science fair, I made a miniature version of the Iron Man suit, and I made it out of actual metal. It was really heavy, but I could still walk in it." Crash paused and looked up to Steve.
"Can you tell me about Sergeant Barnes? I look up to him as a role model too." Steve smiled, reminiscing the days before he went into the ice and Bucky had fallen off the train.
"Sure kid." Steve went on talking about how amazing Bucky was, and how he would have loved to meet a kid as nice as Crash. Crash stared at Steve as he continued with his old war stories and was fascinated with every part.
"Tony, we can't take this kid back to foster care, if you had heard what he was telling us, you would probably want to adopt him." Bruce was trying to convince Tony that what this kid needed was a constant family where everyone loved him and gave him the attention he needed. Bruce was being sarcastic when he mentioned Tony adopting him, but Tony took it seriously.
"Bruce, that's it! I could adopt the kid, and he could live with me. Bruce, you're a genius." Tony clasped Bruce's shoulder and watched Crash's reactions to everything Steve was saying. He smiled and walked over to him.
"So, Crash. We aren't going to take you back to foster care," Crash pumped his fist and giggled. "But, we can't just leave you out here on the street. You are only eight and New York isn't very safe for a kid your age. So, that leaves us with only one option." Tony paused and looked around at everyone looking at him, confused as could be.
"Tony, what other option is there?" Steve tilted his head and looked inquisitively at Tony.
"Crash, I'm gonna adopt you." Crash stood up and still looked confused. He had no idea what the word adopt meant.
"What's that mean? Is that another word for arrest?" Tony laughed and walked closer to him. He knelt down in front of him and took his hands in his.
"No, that means that we are gonna sign some papers, then you are gonna come and live with me. Full time. And I'm gonna be your new dad. You okay with that?" Crash slowly started to nod as he started to comprehend what was being said. Once he fully understood, he looked around and looked up to Tony. He threw his arms around him and held onto him tightly. He launched himself onto Tony with so much force that he almost lost his balance and Bruce had to keep him from falling.
"Oh, gosh. Okay then. I guess you are." Everyone started to laugh as Tony picked Crash up and they started to walk away from the restaurant. Crash pulled back out of the hug, and whispered into Tony's ear. Tony nodded then let him down, and watched as he ran into the Shawarmas. They waited a couple minutes and saw him run out with a backpack and a hat on. Tony read the hat as he came running towards him. "Stark Industries". Tony smiled and braced himself with his arms wide open to catch Crash when he jumped.
"So, wait. What is my name now?" Crash had no prior experience with being adopted and was extremely confused with the whole process.
Tony shrugged and looked at him. "Well, if you want, you can keep your name now, Crash Booker Reed, or you can change your last name to the name on your hat." Crash had forgotten what was on his hat so he reached up and pulled it off to look at it.
"So, Crash Booker Stark?" Tony nodded and put the hat back on Crash's head. "I like that."