The day we found you (a bad batch modern au)

Holding Out

Ages:
Hunter: 10
Wrecker: 9 1/2
Crosshair: 9
Cobalt: 8
Tech: 6

Hunter fett couldn't sleep, just how could he.
His little brother Tech still hadn't returned from when Nala Se had taken him away that morning.
This was hardly new for Hunter or the rest of his brothers.
At random Nala Se would take them away and perform whatever experiments it was she performed on them, the aftermath always leaving said brother scared, tired and depressed.

It tore Hunter apart seeing his brothers suffer this way, and he hated himself for how little he could do stop it, the most he could do was comfort whichever brother it was that was subjected to Nala Se's latest round of horrors, but Hunter still didn't feel he was doing enough.

He was brought out of his thoughts by somebody stirring next to him. He looked and saw a pair of blue eyes staring directly at him.
"Cobalt, I thought you were asleep." Hunter said.
"Can't sleep, miss Tech." Cobalt said.
Hunter nodded and stroked his hair.

"Yeah, me too, but he'll be back soon, just sleep and the time will go faster." Hunter said.
"I'll try." Cobalt said.
Hunter let his younger brother curl up closer to him and sure enough the sounds of soft snores told him Cobalt had fallen asleep again.
Hunter looked and saw Wrecker and Crosshair were both still asleep.

Hunter sighed rubbing his eyes, trying to stay awake for his brothers, but he was just so tired.
All Hunter had ever wanted was for him and his brother's to have a normal life, too not be prodded and poked and treated as though they were merely objects.

Hunter didn't know at what point he fell asleep, but the suddenly awoke to the sound of a door opening, the others waking up alongside him.
They saw their mother as well as Tech in the doorway.
"Breakfast is in an hour." She said emotionlessly before pushing Tech into the room and leaving.

The batch all got up and hugged Tech.
It was during this hug Hunter muttered to himself "We've got to go".