Chapter 19
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November 16th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Lunchtime.
"Here, back to you room." Natasha tells Vance, who has just undergone his medical tests with Doctor Cho, something which he very much didn't like.
'Thanks for walking me." Vance says gratefully before hurrying into his room and over to the reading corner that he has set up for himself, while Natasha walks several steps inside.
"I'm going to go talk to Tony and Doctor Cho, but then I'll be back." Natasha assures Vance.
"How long?" Vance asks, not at all surprising Natasha but the question as one thing she has learnt in the last two days is that Vance likes to know the timing of things, he likes to know when to accept thing, likely so he can prepare himself for what's coming.
"No longer than half an hour." Natasha explains, being generous.
"Okay." Vance says and he picks up a book and starts to read.
"Okay." Natasha says before heading out of the room, "FRIDAY alert me in exactly twenty-four minutes." Natasha requests.
"Yes, Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY answers.
A couple of minutes later Natasha walks into Tony's office where Tony and Helen Cho are waiting, and Helen is holding a folder.
"How bad?" Natasha asks as she walks forward.
"Worse than we were expecting." Tony admits as Helen hands the file over to Natasha who immediately opens it and starts to read.
Even though Natasha is an expert at hiding things both Tony and Doctor Cho see fury and pain on Natasha's face as she reads.
"How did no one see?" Natasha asks, looking up at Tony and Helen once she's read, "His teaches should have picked up on this!" Natasha says, sounding angry, which shows just how angry she is as usually they wouldn't be able to tell.
"I just got a file from, Mel." Tony reveals, "He was down as home-schooled. His piece of trash step father just submitted lesson plans he got off the internet." He explains, "Though from what they found at his house it looks like Vance was studying."
"He loves to read, remembers everything, reads quickly too." Natasha reveals.
"That makes sense. Mel said that there was full of books. Due to the fact that it was the one room that wasn't a complete mess Mel and her team suspect that the books belonged to Vance's mother." Tony explains to Natasha.
"Would make sense. We should collect them. It may help Vance to have them." Natasha comments.
"We already are." Tony assures her, "They'll be here in a few days."
"What's his long term prognosis?" Natasha asks Helen.
"He needs to eat more, and more regally." Helen explains to Natasha, "I'm going to come up with a diet plan that he should stick to. In the coming months we should also look into catching up on his immunisations, but I don't think that's something he would be comfortable with right now." Helen explains, "He needs to keep the cast on his wrist for the next two weeks, and his ribs and other current injuries will heal with time, rest, and getting the proper nutrition." She explains, "The long term effects of the years of abuse he has suffered is another matter altogether, but I don't have to tell you that. He's got a long road ahead of him." Helen reveals, "And he's going to need you." She says looking at Natasha.
"He's got me. I'm going to do everything I can to help him." Natasha explains, "He wants me close, but after going through all this I'm not exactly sure why." She admits as after everything Vance has gone through she was expecting him to not let himself get close to anyone, and yet he's clinging to her.
"From what we've discovered it seems like you're the first person since his Mom died to show him kindness, that's why." Tony tells Natasha.
"Which means I cannot let him down, otherwise he'll never ever trust anyone." Natasha realises, being determine not to let the teenager down.
"Exactly." Helen confirms, and the three of them drift into silence, all of them thinking about the telekinetic teenager.
November 16th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
It has been a couple of hours since Natasha, Helen and Tony talked about Vance and ever since Natasha has been sitting with Vance as he reads as her presence helps the teenager.
"Natasha." Vance says, looking up from his book.
"Yeah, Vance?" Natasha asks curious.
"I think I'm ready to meet some of the other people here." Vance reveals, looking nervous, "Maybe not everyone, just someone, or a couple of people." He reveals.
"Okay." Natasha says with a nod, trying to think would be the best person for Vance to meet, "How would you like to meet Peter? He's about your age and he likes to read too." She explains, being pretty sure that Peter may be the person who Vance can be the most comfortable around.
Hearing that Vance looks worried but then he gives a small nod.
"Vance I can promise you that Peter will not hurt you, you can trust him." Natasha says, though she knows that he won't believe her.
"I want to believe you, but I don't know if I can." Vance admits, not meeting Natasha's eyes.
"I know." Natasha says with a nod, "Do you want me to go get Peter?" Natasha asks.
"Yes please." Vance asks, not looking completely comfortable with his decision, but he is looking determine.
"Okay, I'll be back soon." Natasha says before getting up and heading out of Vance's room.
A few minutes later, having asked Friday where Peter is, Natasha is walking into the library where Peter is doing his homework.
"Peter?" Natasha asks as she walks towards him.
"Nat? How are you? How's Vance?" Peter asks, seeing her.
"I'm okay, and so's Vance." Natasha answers, "He wants to meet you."
"Sure." Peter says with a nod, "What do I need to know? What shouldn't I do?" he asks, "What should I do?" Peter asks as he doesn't want to do anything that will hurt Vance, hearing that Natasha can't help but smile.
"You're pretty great, Kid." Natasha informs the teenager.
"Thanks Natasha." Peter says with a smile.
"So, you should move slowly, be as open with him as you can, make sure that you don't touch him without warning or move to touch him." Natasha explains to Peter, "Apart from that treat him how you would treat anyone else new here. He likes to reading, you two have that in common, and you also know what it's like to suddenly have new powers, that you don't understand or know how to control, which is exactly what Vance is going though right now." Natasha explains to Peter.
"When do you want me to talk to him?" Peter asks curious.
"Now, if that's okay." Natasha tells him.
"Sure." Peter says and the two of them head out of the library.
A few minutes later, Natasha and Peter, Peter walking behind Natasha walk into Vance's room.
"Vance this is Peter Parker. Peter, this is Vance Astrovik." Natasha introduces.
"It's really nice to meet you, Vance." Peter greats, slowly walking forward, though he makes sure to keep his distance.
"You…. Too…." Vance says, his voice stuttering, and as he does Peter notices the book that Vance is reading.
"Oh, I've just read that. What do you think of it?" Peter asks Vance, sounding interested.
"It's good." Vance says, "I'm… only a few chapters in, It's fascinating." Vance admits, "I'm hoping that it can help me learn to control my powers." Vance reveals, Natasha and Peter both being able to tell that Vance isn't completely comfortable.
"You're telekinetic right?" Peter asks and Vance nods, "Well I was doing some cataloguing of the library a few weeks ago and I can give you the list of the books that will are likely to be the biggest help." Peter explains, "And If you want I can help too, I recently got powers too, powers that when I first got I really didn't understand." He explains.
"Really?" Vance asks, looking interested
"Really." Peter says, walking forward.
"What kind of powers?" Vance asks, looking more interested than scared.
"Well…." Peter says, walking forward and as he does Vance tenses, "Do you mind if I sit here?" Peter asks, pointing to the chair near Vance, "I won't move closer but I can go back if you'd like." Peter offers.
Hearing Vance looks at Natasha, it being clear that he is asking her what to do.
"It's your choice, Vance." Natasha tells him, "Whatever you want, whatever makes you most comfortable." Natasha says, stressing the you both time, it being her way of trying to get Vance to get used to making decisions for himself.
"You can sit." Vance says, his voice nervous and quiet.
"Great." Peter says with a smile and he sits down.
"So, your powers?" Vance asks curious.
"I'm a lot like a Spider." Peter reveals.
"Like a Spider?" Vance asks, sounding disbelieving.
"Yep." Peter answers and he begins to explain all about his powers and as he does Natasha notices Vance becoming slightly more comfortable, making her realise that having Vance meet Peter first was the right decision.
November 19th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
Since meeting Peter, who Vance spent hours talking with, he has also meet the Barton family, Hope and Vision. In fact, the only people Vance hasn't meet yet are Rhodey and Bruce and that is because Natasha isn't sure how Vance is going to react to them as he's been the most uncomfortable around Tony who he's seen only a couple of times since coming to the compound.
In his room, where he has been spending most of his time, surrounded by his books that S.H.I.E.L.D retrieved and then they were brought to him, Vance is sitting on the floor, in a corner, where he is the most comfortable. As he finishes another book Vance closes it and looks around.
"Um, FRIDAY?" Vance asks, sounding uncertain.
"Yes Mr Vance?" FRIDAY asks.
"Where's Natasha?"
"Miss Romanoff is in the gym." FRIDAY answers.
"Oh."
"Would you like me to informs Miss Romanoff that you were inquiring?" FRIDAY asks.
"No, it's okay." Vance answers standing up, "Um, is there any way that you could help me get to the gym, without seeing anyone?" he asks, not thinking that it a real possibility but wanting to try as he wants to see Natasha, but doesn't want to keep asking her to come to him.
"Of course. I can give you directions of a path to the gym where you won't come across anyone, if you would like." FRIDAY offers.
Hearing that Vance is torn as he hasn't left his room without Natasha, but at the same time he doesn't want to keep being a hassle to Natasha.
"Mr Vance?" FRIDAY asks.
"Um, yeah." Vance says, taking a deep breath, doing what Natasha has been teaching him to do to deal with his nightmares, "Tell me where to go." Vance requests.
"Of course." Friday answers and basically forcing himself to Vance heads to his door and out of his room.
Having taken longer than it would usually take, because FRIDAY was directing him a way where no one else was, Vance finally walks into the gym where Natasha is punching and kicking a punching bag.
Even though he has seen news reports on the Avengers, there having been a few times where his stepfather forced him to be in the living room when the TV was on, so he knew how good of a fighter Natasha is it is another matter to see her train.
As he watches there is a part of Vance that tells him to run, to run as fast as he can and he is just about to do that when he hears,
"Vance."
And he realises that Natasha has stopped what she is doing.
"Vance, are you okay?" Natasha asks concerned.
"I think so." Vance says, sounding uncertain.
"Did you come down here by yourself?" Natasha asks curious, walking slightly forward.
"Yeah."
"That's good, Vance, really good." Natasha assures him, with a supportive smile.
"Yeah." Vance confirms, "Um I had a question." Vance reveals.
"Sure, you can ask whatever you want." Natasha assures him.
"Does everyone go to dinner?" Vance asks curious.
"Most of the time." Natasha answers, "Sometimes some people miss dinner."
"Oh."
"Why do you ask?" Natasha asks curious.
"I think…. I think… I want to go to dinner tonight." Vance reveals, sounding nervous as ever since coming to the Avengers compound he has been having dinner in his room.
"Sure." Natasha answers, "Do you want to meet Rhodey and Doctor Banner first?"
"Um, yeah." Vance answers, becoming even more nervous.
"Okay." Natasha says with a nod, "Do you want to meet now or later?"
"Now." Vance says, wanting to do so before he loses his nerves.
"Okay." Natasha once more confirms, "FRIDAY can you ask Bruce and Rhodey to meet us in the living room." She requests.
"Of course Miss Romanoff."
"You ready to head up there?" Natasha asks the teenager.
"I think so." Vance says, sounding uncertain, "You'll be with me the entire time, right?"
"Of course." Natasha assures him, not at all surprised that she needed to reassure him of that.
"Okay." Vance says, nodding, "I'm ready."
"Then let's go." Natasha says before she and Vance head out of the room, Natasha walking next to Vance rather than behind or in front of him as she knows that that makes him most comfortable.
A couple of minutes later Natasha and Vance walk into the living room and neither Rhodey or Bruce are there.
"Why don't you sit down. It might make you more comfortable." Natasha tells Vance, "But only if you want." She adds.
"Yeah, I might do that." Vance says and he walks over and sits on the couch.
Not long after he sits down both Rhodey and Bruce walk into the room, as they do Natasha notices Vance tense.
"Vance this is James "Rhodey" Rhodes and Doctor Bruce Banner." Natasha introduces, "Bruce, Rhodey, this is Vance." She introduces.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Vance." Bruce says, trying to be as kind as possible.
"You too." Vance says nervously, "You're hurt." He realises, looking at Rhodey.
"Yes, I'm paralysed, but learning to live with it." Rhodey explains to the teenager.
"Oh." Vance says, not really sure how to respond to that, and the group drift into silence.
Hours later everyone is sitting together around the dining table, Vance sitting between Natasha and Peter, the two people he is most comfortable around.
"If at any time it gets too much just get up and leave." Natasha whispers to Vance, "You don't have to stay if it makes you too uncomfortable." Natasha assures him.
"Okay." Vance says with a nod, though he is determine to try and make it through the entire dinner.
"Vance, would you like the potatoes?" Tony asks curious and Vance just gives a nod and so Tony hands the plate over, which Vance hesitantly takes and he serves himself as little as possible.
"You can take a little more if you'd like." Natasha says in a quiet voice, "It's okay." she says and Vance grabs a tiny but more before passing the plate onto Natasha, and as he does Vance realises that nothing feels as horrible as he thought it was going to be.
November 20th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
Just like he's spends most of his time, though he's not quite as terrified to leave his room anymore, Vance is in his room reading when he hears a knock on his door, one that causes him to tense.
"Come in." Vance says, nervously looking for a way to run but the second he sees Natasha walk in he relaxes a little, "Is something wrong?" Vance asks, fearing the worse.
"No." Natasha assures him, walking over, and sitting down, as she's learnt that having a person sitting near him makes Vance more relaxed, "I want to talk to you about your powers." She reveals.
"What about them?" Vance asks, wondering why Natasha would want to talk to him about that.
"There's a room here, that Tony made, that you can use your powers in without worrying about hurting anyone." Natasha explains, "If you're willing I'd like to take you there so that you can get used to using your powers, and I'll help you in any way I can."
"I'd like to learn control." Vance admits as he's still causing things to fly around without meaning to.
"I know, which is why I think this is a good idea." Natasha explains, "I'll stay with you Vance, and you can get use to using your powers, you can start to get some control."
"What if I hurt you?" Vance asks worried.
"You won't." Natasha assures him, "And the sooner you get control the sooner you can worry, just a little less, about hurting someone by accident."
"That's what I want." Vance tells Natasha, "I don't want to hurt anyone."
"I know." Natasha assures him, "Do you want to come to the room, try to get some control?" she asks curious.
"Yeah." Vance says with a nod, standing up, "I don't want these powers to be something else that controls me."
"They won't be." Natasha tells him, standing up too and the two of them head out of the room.
A few minutes later Natasha and Vance walk into a room that is full of objects made of foam as well as pillows and other things that won't hurt if broken.
"There is nothing in this room that will hurt to be hit with and all the windows and walls are made of materials that cannot be broken." Natasha explains, "You have nothing to worry about in this room." Natasha assures him, "But I've talked to people over at S.H.I.E.L.D and there is a chance that your powers could have negative effects on you."
"What kind of negative effects?" Vance asks concerned.
"Weakness, or some pain, maybe nosebleeds." Natasha explains, saying what she learnt from Melinda and Agent Simmons, "If you start to experience anything like that I want you to tell me right away." She informs Vance.
"I will." Vance assures her, "So, um, how do I get them to work?" he asks Natasha.
"I don't know, I'm not the one with the power." Natasha tells Vance, "Think about the other times you've used your powers, and try and replicate what you did." Natasha explains to Vance.
"Okay, I can do that." Vance says with a nod.
"I know you can." Natasha tells him, giving Vance a supportive smile.
"Okay." Vance says with a nod and he just focuses on one of the foam cubes and moves his hand, causing it to go flying into the window, "I did it!"
"Yeah, you did." Natasha says, proudly, "Keep practicing moving things, and once you're comfortable with that you can try to start doing more complicated things."
"How long do you think it will take me to learn that kind of control?" Vance asks.
"I don't know for sure." Natasha admits, "It's just going to take time, practice and patients."
"Okay." Vance says with a nod and he goes back to practicing.
An hour later Vance is still practicing with his powers and Natasha can tell that he is starting to get more control and he is starting to become tired.
"Vance, are you feeling okay?" Natasha asks, concerned.
"I'm just a little tired, like I haven't slept." Vance reveals.
"Okay, maybe that's enough for today." Natasha comments.
"I want to keep practicing." Vance informs Natasha, and even though Natasha doesn't want him to keep pushing himself she knows that it is a big deal for him to actually ask for what he wants.
"Miss Romanoff Mr Peter and Mr Cooper are outside, asking to come in." FRIDAY reveals.
"Okay." Natasha says, "Let them in." She requests and the door opens and Peter and Cooper walk in, "Did you two need something?" Natasha asks them as Vance tenses slightly, though not as much as he would have done a few days earlier.
"Um, we're going to get Lila and Nate and head out and play in the snow, we thought Vance would like to join." Cooper explains, "Would you?" he asks, looking at Vance.
"I'm not sure." Vance admits, looking uncertain.
"I think that's something that could be a lot of fun." Natasha reveals, trying to encourage Vance.
"Um, okay." Vance says, still not sounding very excited.
"Great. We're heading to the courtyard now." Cooper explains.
"Okay. I'll meet you there." Cooper responds before he and Peter leave.
"I don't know if this is a good idea." Vance says to Natasha.
"You should give it a chance." Natasha explains to them, "But if any time it's too much for you can just leave and head back to your room, or go anywhere you want, Peter, Cooper, Lila and Nate won't mind."
"Okay." Vance says with a nod, "I guess I should head out there."
"Yeah." Natasha tells him and Vance heads out of the room, clearly worried.
Ten minutes later Vance is playing in the snow with Cooper, Peter, Nathaniel and Lila. As they play Vance actually finds himself having fun and smiling, something which he cannot remember the last time he did.
November 22th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
As she's been awake for a while Natasha decides not to lie in bed anymore and instead decides to get up and go for a run and so she gets changed and as she heads out of her room Natasha finds an envelope stuck to her door.
Taking the envelope off the door Natasha opens it and inside she finds tickets to every ballet performance in New York for the next year. Not being able to help it Natasha smiles as she knows exactly who would have left that,
"FRIDAY, where's Tony?" Natasha asks, once she puts the envelope inside her room.
"Boss is in his lab." FRIDAY answers.
"Thank you." Natasha says before heading there.
A couple of minutes alter Natasha walks into Tony's lab where he is working on something and as she walks in Natasha stands just inside the door for a few moments and watches him.
"Tony." Natasha says as she walks towards him.
"Tash, hi, is it morning already?" Tony asks, telling Natasha that he hasn't slept.
"Yeah, it is." Natasha informs him, "Thank you." She tells him.
"It's your birthday, you get presents, it's kind of a rule, even if you don't want people to know what day it is." Tony says, standing up, "Which reminds me, Happy Birthday, Tasha." Tony says before pulling her into his arms and kissing her, something which Natasha gladly responds to.
November 24th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
Having gotten very little sleep the night before Tony is making his second trip into the kitchen, holding as many shopping bags into as he can carry which he puts next to the bags he's already brought in.
"FRIDAY wake everyone up, tell them to get into the kitchen." Tony requests.
"Yes Boss." FRIDAY answers.
"Thank you." Tony says as he starts to take everything out of the various shopping bags, and it doesn't surprise him one bit when Natasha hurries in about a minute later, clearly scanning the room for signs of danger.
"What's going on?" Natasha asks.
"I'll tell you when everyone is here." Tony tells her, "It's nothing to worry about." He assurers her.
"I think we've got different definitions of that. Especially if what I think is going on is." Natasha says as he walks over, having a suspicion about what is going on.
"It will be good." Tony assures her and Natasha just looks sceptical.
For the next few minutes Natasha and Tony wait, until everyone is finally in the kitchen, Rhodey being the last to walk in, which isn't surprising as it takes him time to connect his device that helps him to walk.
"What's going on Tony?" Hope asks, asking what they are all thinking.
"It's thanksgiving." Tony reminds them, "So, I thought we could all make Thanksgiving dinner together." He explains.
"Don't most of us not know how to cook?" Peter asks curious.
"Yeah, but that won't be a problem." Tony answers, "I got recipes and some of us know how to cook. We'll make it work."
"It could be a really good thing for us to do." Bruce realises.
"Exactly!" Tony says, looking excited at the possibility, "So, we'll all meet back here in fifteen minutes." He instructs and everyone but Natasha leaves.
"Have you ever helped make a thanksgiving meal before?" Natasha asks curious, suspecting that Tony has a very specific reason for doing this, though she isn't sure of the reason.
"Once." Tony answers sadly, "I was about six or seven, it was before I was sent to boarding school. Dad was away so Mom, Jarvis, Anna and I cooked together and Aunt Peggy and her family came and joined too." Tony explains as Natasha walks over to him, "It's one of my best memories." He reveals, "One of the few times we felt like a real family." He reveals, sadness in his voice and hearing that Natasha reaches over and takes his hand.
"And you want to give that to everyone." She realises.
"After everything that's happened, everything we've all been through, we deserve it, the kids especially." Tony reveals.
"Yeah, they do." Natasha confirms, squeezing Tony's hand before walking away.
Hours later everyone, even Vance who isn't completely comfortable, is still in the kitchen working together to make their thanksgiving meal.
"Okay. That means that basically everything is in the oven or being cooked." Laura comments.
"That means it's football time." Cooper says with a grin.
"Football time?" Vision asks, confusion in his voice.
"We always play football on Thanksgiving while waiting for food to cook." Cooper explains, "We are going to play, right?" he asks, looking around in confusion.
"Yeah, I think that's a great idea Kiddo." Tony says with a smile, "We have more than enough people for two teams."
"Un even numbers, though." Bruce comments, looking around.
"I'll sit out with Nathaniel." Rhodey offers, "And keep an eye on the food." He says as he is pretty sure that he wouldn't be able to play football.
"You sure?" Natasha asks.
"Positive." Rhodey assures her.
"Okay. Then let's head out to the courtyard. Cooper grab a ball." Tony instructs, "Oh, and absolutely no using powers!" Tony says in a warning tone of voice, as everyone heads towards the courtyard.
"I've never played football before." Vance whispers to Natasha.
"It's okay. You'll pick it up quickly." Natasha assures him, and as she does she realises something, "You're looking forward to this."
"Yeah, I think it could be fun." Vance admits, and truthfully it is something he's always wanted to try.
"It will be." Natasha assures him as they head out of the room.
November 24th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Night.
Hours later, well after everyone has gone to bed, Tony is in his office doing the paperwork that the needs to get done. When he hears footsteps Tony isn't at all surprised to see Natasha walks in.
"Hiding from washing up?" Natasha asks.
"I thought that was done hours ago." Tony comments.
"There's still more." Natasha reveals as she walks over.
"Oh, I didn't realise." Tony admits, feeling a little bad.
"Hope and Rhodey said they'll finish it in the morning." Natasha reveals as she leans against Tony's desk, right near where he is sitting.
"Good." Tony says with a nod, "Today was good, wasn't it?" He asks Natasha.
"Yeah, it was." Natasha says, smiling down at him, "Did it give you another good family memory?"
"Yeah, it really did." Tony confirms and the two of them drift into silence.
"I want to adopt Vance." Natasha reveals, breaking the silence after a few moments.
"I thought this was coming." Tony admits, smiling up at her, "What can I do to help?" he asks.
"Help me get a lawyer, and help me arrange everything." Natasha asks, "Technically Vance is in Avengers custody at the moment, which may either make things easier or harder." Natasha reveals and hearing that Tony stands up as he realises what she is really saying.
"Tash, anyone who's seen you around Vance knows that you are the best person for Vance. You get him, and you care about him. Anyone will be an idiot not to see it." Tony assures her, "I am going to do everything I can to help Vance officially become your Son, and not just because you helped Peter become mine." Tony assures Natasha.
"Thank you." Natasha says, standing up and she just kisses Tony, feeling incredibly grateful for his friendship.