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He didn’t have a name; only a number and a label of being “too snarky”.
Though all his snark dwindled the second he realized this was a hell he could never escape. A torturous reality that he was born to endure, with scars that striped his back in rows, and a plethora of wounds that tattooed his skin, he would always be a thing, never a man.
He was recognized as 5642 not the name he had before being taken.
The memories of the world before this damp bunker that hydra thought were nonexistent painted his mind with the small amount of pleasure he would ever know.
He could still feel the chilled air on his skin. And the voices of people he presumed he had once known. A man’s cologne so strong it stung the hairs inside his nose, and a gentle warmth that engulfed him. How he missed this feeling, he hoped he would one day feel it again.
However that was a dream- and dreams were strictly prohibited. To wish for something other than control wasn’t allowed.
To be fair though, nothing really was allowed. He was allowed to breathe, but that was only sometimes. Same with food, and sleep, and well anything.
This was a hell he was born to endure.
5642 was strong. He was agile and had inhuman reflexes.
The scientists named that ability his ‘6th sense’. It was an innate ability to feel when something bad was about to happen. Tests showed the reliability of it, proving how he could dodge anything if he chose too.
Keyword: chose. Sometimes 5642 would just.. stop.
He would quit trying to dodge and get hit. A harsh scolding would happen immediately after, but losing just felt too good to stop.
He had obtained these powers after so many tests.
The only person to ever survive them stood with his hands soiled with the blood of the kids who had died from the same serum that made him special.
He didn’t want to be special.
_____________________
Tony Stark had it all, he really was the playboy billionaire the media knew him as. Though they always forgot the genius it took to be so carefree.
Anyways, he sat on the far end of kitchen island with a cup of expensive whiskey rested in between his hands.
The Avengers were supposed to go on a mission, one none of them wanted to do.
It involved hydra. Bucky was reluctant for obvious reasons, Steve because of Bucky’s hesitance, and the rest because they were tired.
Tony was especially exhausted after staying awake all night working on his suit. He would admit it was his fault that he didn’t get any sleep, it was his responsibility to go to bed at a reasonable time before missions, but insomnia doesn’t rest so neither can he.
The rest of the team walked into the kitchen talking about something Tony couldn’t bring to pay attention too.
Clint made a snarky comment about Tony- a jab at him.
The others laughed, what did he even say?
“I find it hard to listen to you when you sound like you’re in the middle of getting fed by your momma bird Clint.” He started, “You need to take a leap out of the nest sometime soon, living with you is like having to take care of a child.”
Tony smirked.
Clits mouth opened just as he was about to snip another insult at him, but Steve spoke faster.
“Save it for when we get back, we have a mission and I don’t want it delayed for some banter.”
Tony signed, he really didn’t want to go on this mission.
But he didn’t have a choice.
.
Once they arrived to the base, they huddled at the door. Different emotions swirled through the air. Clint looked at it in fear, Steve in apprehension, Nat in-well nothing really but the point still stands, and lastly Tony in hesitation.
“Do- do we have to?” Clint eyed the door.
“I vote no! This is inhumane to make me go back into this nasty place.”
“You’ve never been into this base before.” Natasha quipped.
“The cave? Remember. Gosh my trauma is real too by the way” Tony huffed, crossing his arms.
“I’m done with the conversation.. we have to go in whether it reminds you of your trauma or not. And frankly we don’t care.”
“Are you going to ignore how Steve blatantly attacked me?”
Natasha sighed, “Yes, just open the damn door.”
And so Steve did. The creak was so loud Tony was sure it notified someone of their presence but again what did Tony know, not that he’s a genius or something..
Anyway, they all crept in like the creeps they were and disbanded in different directions. They all had something to do in that base and Tony would try to remember what the others jobs were but honestly he couldn’t be bothered to. It was a Christmas miracle he remembered what his job was. But it was April, so maybe he should be wishing on a Easter miracle instead.
He was walking down a damp hall and it was freaky. It was identical to the only spook house he’d ever been to, and he wanted that experience to stay only, but again it’s Easter not Christmas so he can’t wish for anything apparently.
There were sounds coming from all directions, and Tony froze. His heart was beating almost as loudly as the person was moving-or well what he assumed was a person.
“Show yourself, I don’t have all day to just.. sit. Or well it’s fine if you don’t wanna show yourself you might be insecure, judging by the fact that you’re a Hydra solider. You probably have metal coming out of you.”
“Do you ever stop talking?” 5642 questioned. His carrier told him not to talk to the avengers, but he was genuinely curious.
Tony froze.
Not because he was scared. But because the soldiers voice was.. weak.
Child-like.
What was Hydra doing? Was this just a man with a baby voice or was it actually a baby? There was no way to tell, judging by the fact the person was still in the shadow. He had lure him out.
“Ha, well I don’t take kindly to insults but I’ll let It slide, so umm you have a name? Wait no let me guess is it.. Timmy? Come out the shadows so I can give a better one.”
5642 tilted his head, he was in his Hydra issued suit, so a sleek black suit with goggles. The suit covered his entire body and has their logo stitched with black thread. He was made to stay hidden.
“Nope. I like where I am right now, thank you.”
“Okay that’s fine, I won’t push. But I would however like to put a name for a face.. or shadow in this case..”
“I don’t have a name.”
“Fuck you mean you don’t have a name? You really don’t have to be secretive.. here I’ll even tell you my name if it helps.”
“Anthony Edward Stark”
“Wow am I your idle or somthing? I don’t even think my dad knew my entire name.”
“It was in your file, you will never be my idle I prefer someone admiral to look up to.”
“Do you always insult others?”
“Yes.”
Tony sighed, he couldn’t get a read on this guy but he sounded so.. little.
“How old are you?”
The shadow didn’t respond.
“Okay fine so no questions at all I see.”
“Listen. I should be killing you right now but I personally don’t like to get blood on my hands so if you and your team would just leave, that would be great.”
“Ehh I don’t know if cap would be pleased with that plan and bold of you to assume you can even beat me! I am strong you know, back in the real world they call me the sexiest man alive. And the strongest.”
“Should I give you a cookie?” The guy laughed. He didn’t know Hydra soldiers knew what that was, Bucky didn’t laugh for months and even now it’s still a rare occurrence.
Tony sighed. Again. “Fine, I’ll leave. It’s not like I can get past you and I don’t even know what you’re capable of so better not push my luck..”
He started walking back toward the door, “See you around, kid.”
Tony signed to the others, “Abort. I’ll tell you why later, just please listen.”
Steve’s voice cut through the coms, “What! Why?”
“I’m glad, this place is freaky!” Clint said, heading toward the door along with the others.
“Fine Tony I’ll listen but I need a good explanation when we get back.”
“Thanks Steve..”
Tony didn’t know who or what that person was but he was sure of one thing now.
That Hydra soldier was a child.