Chapter Text
There’s a child snarling at his Sentinel.
Alejandro looks at the horde of half a dozen children, then the angry one standing between them, and finally to Rudy who is in the middle of it all. In the bond there’s fondness for him but resignation over the rest. It’s not the first time he’s brought home strays. But they’re not usually this aggressive.
He knows that Ale, after a long day, is seeing the logistics of the small group in front of him. Mouths to feed, families to find and reunite, and guard rotations to increase in case the putas who stole them in the first place come back. His partner doesn’t dislike children, but knows all too well how fragile they are. Their work is dangerous and if the children are here, they are in danger. The other soldiers can defend themselves but these small ones he knows must be driving his Sentinel’s instincts up a wall. Rudy sends amusement over the continued growling, a freshly online Sentinel who is ready to take on the tall Prime who is at least four times larger.
The Pack pings back, watching the stand off with equal amusement and care. The children will be close to him tonight, most clinging to him in earnest and he’s not sure they can be pried loose. But in time, the Pack is ready to receive them as he has. A child in his arms yawns, causing a cascade of sleepiness in the group. The bond in the group is weak, fragile being created by a few enhanced that are still growing and one very weak but determined Sentinel. But he sends soothing through it, not enough to send them to sleep, but to reassure them. There’s no effect on the Sentinel though who still wants to fight Alejandro.
Barely 5ft tall, her teeth are bared with brown eyes narrowed. Dark hair is braided back, flyaways escaping the ties and wisping around her temples. Thankfully their clothes aren’t ragged, but the way they’re loose on her body speak of less than ideal conditions. She’s lanky and still so small as one of the oldest in the group, but ready to pounce.
“Míriam, please don’t fight my bonded. He’s an old man, you’ll injure him.”
Decorated Colonel Vargas snorts and there’s poorly smothered laughter around them. But the tiny Sentinel relaxes at his voice and turns to look over her shoulder. Her voice is a squeak, but the disdain is clear not trusting the looking figure one bit. “Your bonded?”
The children watched her just like they had when he’d first coaxed her into letting the group be rescued. That had been a trial and a half, but he’d brought Alejandro out of plenty of furious states. Compared to him, her being lost to half developed instincts to kill what came through the door was easy. Like him, Rudy wrapped her in love and safe to where he could hear his words.
“Si, my Sentinel.”
Fighting sleep, the children look at him in amazement. Even in their weary state, they are still wide eyed and curious. A few steal a few glances at Alejandro, who is fatigued but worried as he observes if any of the children are injured. He shakes his head slightly, which he knows the other catches as the bond relaxes.
Shy Izan leans out from behind his knee, pulling on his pants leg. Innocent green eyes blinked at him. “He has el gatito?”
Calling Adelita a kitty cat is comparing a slingshot to a grenade launcher, but their trip to the base had consisted of stories about the Vaqueros. The Pack could be intimidating, especially for a group that was held specifically for their possible enhanced skills, and their leader cut a fierce figure. So if he described her as an overgrown cuddler, it wasn’t out of malice and to be fair, she was when it came to him.
More smothered laughing comes from around them and the bond is filled with amusement and delight. Alejandro grinned, crouching to be at eye level with Mìriam but looking past her to avoid a confrontation. She was still so early into her journey that it was best to be cautious. Her hackles rose at the movement, but relaxed alongside Rudy sending safe and love through the fledgling bond.
The group of children looked at the Prime, less nervous now that he wasn’t towering over them. Alejandro kept his voice soft when he spoke. “Adelita is my Affinity, you can meet her tomorrow.”
There’s a general groan and frustration from the group, most looking forward to meeting the jaguar. Zephyr and Gloria had been well loved, but it was the correct call to wait. Again a yawn swept through.
The defiant Sentinel stuck her chin out, making eye contact with the Colonel. It was a strong move, one that neither of them would have expected from a child or a newly online enhanced. But in a way she was protecting a Pack, so perhaps it wasn’t that strange. “Who are you, where are we?”
Rudy rolled his eyes, he had told them this in the vehicle. Perhaps she wanted to hear it from the top; he stopped questioning the irrationalities of Sentinels a long time ago. Alejandro sent safety and support, which he passed through to the children. Most were still too young, but the enhanced and barely online would feel the difference in source. She certainly did as the Colonel spoke, choosing his words carefully. He didn’t want to coddle them, but also avoid intimidating them. “My name is Alejandro, I am the Sentinel Prime of The Vaqueros Pack. We offer sanctuary to you, by my last breath.”
The mentioning of the Vaqueros caused hushed whispers, as it had in the ride over, and the Pack bond was satisfied and warm. Even if the days were hard, they were making an impact down to the smallest members of the community. It was clear she wasn’t happy at the situation being outside her control, but the shakiness of exhaustion was clear in her small frame. Still, it seemed she wouldn’t back down. Perhaps stubbornness was a Sentinel trait.
“Ria, stop being an imbècil!” Rudy was treated to the rare sight of his knight in shining armor almost falling over at the outburst. Mìriam was equally shaken, eyes growing wide as she looked towards the source of the irritated voice.
Fàtima had her arms crossed, the youngest on her hip as she expressed her displeasure. In the weak link between rescued children, she was a bright spot alongside the young Sentinel. The young girl had not fully bloomed but he was sure she would be a Guide.
Hazel hair curls around her face, sharp eyes cutting across to stare at her target. Rounded cheeks are showcasing frustration, a frown on thin lips. Though slouched with her passenger, she is taller than Mìriam and likely older. It was on Rudy’s list tomorrow to confirm their ages.
Caught off guard, the proud protector faltered and looked like the pre-teen she was.“Fàt-“
The other wasn’t having any of it, clearly done with the posturing. “¡suficiente! We are tired, they are here to help. Let it go!”
“That’s what the others said!” There was discontent in the Pack bond, anger at those who would take advantage of children.
“You trust Senor Rudy no?” Clearly the answer was yes from the way she and the others had clinged to him after calming the group down. But she hesitated, looking back at his Sentinel who, even devoid of his gear, looked like a GI Joe action figure.
“You can beat him up, Si?” Fàtima looked expectantly at him. He pointedly avoided looking at Alejandro knowing he would burst out laughing. Never mind that the other man had several inches on him and much more muscle. Very seriously he nodded, not trusting his words. She turned back to her grumpy companion, letting her expression and tone soften. “Plus they are bonded. You have not slept in days. It is time to rest.”
There was a noise of protest and the energy spiked even as her strength was fading. But still her friend cut off any response at the pass, using logic. “The big one said we are safe or he dies.”
That was one way of interpreting the greeting.
The Pack bond cooed at the sight of two children debating whether to trust their leader. The two stared at each other, seemingly glaring. With a glance towards Rudy, to which he shrugged being weighed down with sleepy children, the Sentinel stepped in.
“Anyone attacking my Pack must get through me.” Alejandro nodded, funneling the need he had to protect as a blanket of safety. It stretched between the bonded pair, enveloping the rescued group. Mìriam visibly deflated, near stumbling and with a little coaxing Rudy moved the group forward to meet her.
His Sentinel stood with little resistance from her, seeing his size as a benefit rather than intimidating. The child in his arms asleep, he passed them to his bonded before offering support to the weary girl. She swallowed, but a look from Fàtima calmed any static in the bond. She was light in his arms as he pulled her up to cradle against his chest. Nearly moments afterwards her presence became muted as the child fell to sleep, lulled there by the safety of the Pack.
The others were nearly all asleep, Izan being scooped up by Alejandro’s free arm, but with pokes from the other girl they made it to their destination. Due to it being for two officers, they were afforded a larger space than most. A queen size bed was a luxury, but as each was tucked in by the watchful eye of Fàtima it was one he was glad for.
Once free of his charges, Alejandro stepped outside to avoid intimidating the group. They were likely past that, but it had been a long day. Finally he was allowed to lay the troublemaker down, who curled around the others with little change in her breathing. Fàtima waited for him as he tucked the group in, leaving space for her on the opposite side of Míriam. There was a larger space at the foot of the bed where he would reside after debriefing, but for now he ensured they were warm and soothed any fear that appeared in early dreams.
“I have to speak with him, we will be right outside.” She nodded, allowing a small amount of weakness to slip through when there was no one else but him to see it. Her lip wobbled and she reached out to grab at his shirt. Tears were threatened, eyes watering but she swallowed.
“Please come back.” She was so brave, but still so young and the entire time she had been sparring to keep Míriam in check. For a girl who wasn’t yet a Guide, but knew she had the faintest precognition, she had fought and now her own feelings could come to light.
Gently, he crouched to look her in the eye and held her hand in his. In the bond he sent the same love that had calmed the other. In the Pack bond it reverberated, wrapping the group tighter as they slept. “Of course niña, I promise.”
The calm seeped into her frame, eyes drooping and he saw her to bed. Tucking her in, she watched him as he checked on the rest and moved to the door. He would be back and even with hesitation, she closed her eyes to rest. The light turned off, soft moonlight coming through the room’s window.
He was different, she thought, they were different.
“ Fàtima.” A hushed whisper came from next to her and in the dark she could make out a small figure reaching towards her. Rubèn’s hand slipped into hers and again tears came to her eyes. They were safe, her hermanito was safe. “Is he coming back?”
His voice was so quiet, afraid it would bring their captors although they were now dead. She squeezed his hand, and pulled to hug him. “He promised.”
There was happiness and sleepiness overcame him, the small burst of energy to check on her fading with the confirmation. Around her the group reflected it, the barest of an echo and even if it didn’t make sense she basked in it. Her eyes drooped and she let herself settle into the safe that made the unfamiliar space warm.
She likes the Guide, he reminded her of someone she thought long dead.