Ava stroked the heads of the four children around her.
They nestled up next to her on the white carpet. Ava smiled at each of them in turn. None of them knew why they were here. None of them knew what they were going to help achieve. She had always wanted children. Precious beautiful children. It was a shame to think of what would happen to them.
"Where's mum?" A young boy with beautiful blond bangs asked with wide eyes. Ava hauled him onto her lap and he curled up into her body. He would be Newt.
"She told me to take good care of you, okay? I'm her friend. And I'm your friend too," Ava said with tight lips and a sad expression.
"Are you my friend too?" Another boy with dark hair who was slightly older. A few months more. Thomas. She smiled as best as she could and nodded.
"I'm thirsty," He said. Ava's eyes deepened with sorrow. She reached for one of the four sippie-cups next to her.
"Me first!" A tall Asian toddler with shiny black hair jumped in front of Thomas, waving his chubby arms around. A giggle escaped Ava's lips. Minho. He screwed up his face in a pout, jutting out his lip and puffing his cheeks.
"Me first!" He said again. Thomas crossed his arms and glared. Ava grabbed another cup, which was difficult with Newt's arms around her neck. She hesitated briefly, glancing at the drugged liquid inside. It would take away their memories, slowly. For a second she wondered if she shouldn't give it to the children. But no. It was for the better. Most of these children would likely die. But it was for the best.
She handed the cups to Minho and Thomas at the same time. They drank with greed, spilling some onto their shirts. It wasn't the Swipe. It wasn't that strong. They didn't need that yet.
But it would erase their parents from their young minds. Siblings. All family. And of course, their names.
Ava felt a small hand grip onto her finger. The youngest. A little girl with wispy raven hair. Teresa. She looked up with glistening eyes and a quivering lip.
"Oh, what's wrong?" Ava whispered, playing with the girl's hair. She tightened her grip and balled her other hand into a fist.
"Please tell me what's bothering you," Ava said smoothly. Minho and Thomas were play wrestling now. Newt was watching the girl with interest. Teresa squinted her eyes. She was trying not to cry.
"I miss my bwothow!" She finally squeaked with a slight lisp. Tears burst from her eyes and she angrily tried to wipe them away. Ava stiffened. She didn't know how to comfort children. Not sincerely.
Newt's eyes widened at seeing the other child crying. He slid off of Ava's lap and took Teresa's hand in his. She gasped, looking at him.
"I'll be your brother," He said softly. He was crying too. Teresa smiled and hugged him. The other kids took notice and stopped fighting. Thomas jumped into the huddle.
"I'll be your brother too!" He laughed, hugging the child. Minho looked shocked. Then he balled his fists.
"What about me! I want a brother!" He stomped. The other children grabbed him and pulled him into the group hug. He squirmed, than gave in.
"We can all be bwothows!" Teresa giggled. Ava looked on with pride and an unusual feeling. Love?
Her heart throbbed for the children. But it was for the best. And she never should have allowed herself to get this close to them. And in a few years they would need to be separated. Two of them would start their work here. And the other two would be prepped for the trials.
But for now, she would watch over them. And protect them. Maybe even learn from them.
Soon, the kids were all playing together. Ava watched them for hours.
"I'm tired," Teresa yawned at one point.
"Me too!" Minho chimed in. Thomas just nodded and Newt smiled. He made everyone lie down on the carpet, before taking his place in the middle.
Teresa sniffed, wiping her eyes. To everyone's surprise, Minho placed an arm around her.
Ava watched as the kids slowly began to fall asleep. She was about to stand up when Thomas' eyes blinked open.
"Story?" He asked. Ava smiled.
She went to sit near the pile of toddlers and placed a blanket over them.
"Once upon a time there four beautiful children who all loved each other very much," She whispered. Newt smiled and mumbled something in his sleep.
"And together they would help save the world. But first," Ava ran a hand along each child's face. "First they would go through a lot of different obstacles.
"Some of them would be brilliant scientists, and some would live in a wonderful meadow surrounded by a huge castle. They would slay the dragons in the castle, and free the people. Or they would be doctors, and create entire worlds from nothing."
The children stared at her with wide eyes.
"Like magic?" Minho yawned.
Ava smiled sadly, tucking his wriggling body further into the blanket.
"Yes. Like magic," She whispered. Then she stood up and turned quickly. Crying was not an issue for Ava Paige. She had forgotten how to cry a long time ago. But all the same, her heart trembled in its stone case.
"Are you sad?" Newt asked softly. Ava shook her head. She stared into the brown eyes that looked at her in concern.
"You sound sad," Thomas said. Newt nodded in agreement. Ava smiled nervously.
"No dears, I'm not."
"Do you want a bwothow too?" Teresa piped up. Ava bit her lip.
"Thank you but I'm not-"
"Sometimes I get sad. But then I hug myself," Minho said suddenly, looking down. Ava froze, feeling a wetness behind her eyes that she hadn't felt in years. She gritted her teeth against the grief that washed over her.
The she felt hands wrapping around her legs. Newt hugged her tightly and soon she was in a pile of toddlers. She stroked their heads as they all fell asleep together.
Beautiful, precious children.
Please review! Tell me what you think! I already have the next chapter written out, but I want this story to be yours just as much as mine. So please, please request one-shots! I will do everything except slash (sorry!). But heavy bromance is definitely allowed!
Wolf Out...