Orphanage [APH AU]

Dry Job

Arthur was sitting in one of the newer sofas in the older living room, the floor scuffed and the wood looking like it would start rotting at any second. He had his hands around the silver thermos - his best friend over the years. He took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth burn his throat with content.

Beside him on the couch, two boys were leaning against him, curled up and sleeping under a new polyester blanket. He sighed lightly - Trigger had picked out the superhero print. He was glad he was warm, they couldn't afford a fleece one for them.

Trigger was more energetic of the two boys that he looked after. He had a cowlick on his golden blonde hair. He was lucky to be a morthling in Arthurs opinion, at least he looked human most of the time. Of course, he thought dryly, it would be best for all of them if they didn't have a baby bison roaming around London.

Gust was much quieter and had paler skin, his hair also lighter. It had a strange curl that he didn't question. Subconsciously, he ruffled his hair, letting out a possessive growl as he pulled the two boys closer. They were only 9 and been in his care for a year.

Arthur - no, he was called Albion here - knew all too well he shouldn't become attached. There was so much risk by merely existing, their line of work was forced to be dangerous. He could die any day. He hated the thought, but these two, who he considered little brothers, could die.

It was unfair, but then he'd always told the boys life wasn't fair.

Albion looked up to see Sunflower, a broad-shouldered Russian who always refused to take off his scarf.
"We need to go and see the Boss', comrade"
Albion frowned, "And who will look after my boys?" he shot back. He and Sunflower were both Guardians, essentially second-in-command under the two bosses.

"They will send someone, da? Come along, we don't want to upset them"
"They know, Sunflower," Albion hissed, "They'll panic if I'm not here when they awake"
"They are asleep. And Kāihuā is here now."

Albion sighed as she looked at the Asian girl, who waved back with a smile. She had pink flowers adorning her brunette hair and the boys were fond of her. Albion sighed, but stood up and gave of the sleeping children a kiss on their heads, Gusts grip tightening on his cuddly toy polar bear.

He and Sunflower walked in silence. The whole place was in silence. Venice had died two nights ago and no one had left the Orphanage since. Crossroads and Cotton had been mourning the loss of their brother and there wasn't a single one of them not terrified that they were going to meet the same fate as the soup. He'd been killed at 5pm while visiting a park. The beetle had come and shot him. The other two had been lucky to get away and manage to not leave a trail.

Soups were in the most danger; they were merely children who hadn't learnt how the Orphanage worked. They forgot the precautions sometimes. And a small mistake had left one of the italian twins brotherless. Their older Orphanage sister, who had adopted them much like Albion had adopted Trigger and Gust, was heartbroken and no one had been able to console her that it wasn't her fault.

It wasn't the first time someone had died, but it didn't help numb the pain. Their members had been slowly depleted over the years. The Beetles wouldn't stop until every single one of the experiments were dead and this was another grim reminder. All of them wanted a normal life.

Albion found himself standing in the dusty office. He stared into the amber eyes of Grandpa. He looked tired, his eyes red and puffy like he had been crying. His brown curly locks were messier than usual. This death had hit him hard; he had always cared about every single one of them. He was risking his life merely by sheltering them, feeding them. And that's why they were all too happy to take jobs. They understood there was no other way, but Grandpa had always refused jobs that were too dangerous. He always bought them medicine and treats. He never harmed them.