It takes them another two hours' walk to make it to the train station. As Monday approaches, the platforms are crowding with commuting people. Smokescreen holds (Y/n)'s hand tightly as they walk through the main entrance. As one of the busiest stations that connect to different parts of the city, it is relatively easy for the two of them to blend in by sticking close to the adults. His eyes keep track of their surroundings, avoiding the guards and remaining unseen else they will be sent back home with no questions. That place will never be a home for them. (Y/n) feels overwhelmed by the people around them, afraid that she will be lost amidst this sea of people. Her only reassurance is her big brother's hand and the promise that he will never let go. Soon, the train to the main city arrives. The two siblings board in quietly, hiding inside one of the small bathrooms until it finally departs.
One day later, they finally make it to the city. (Y/n) gapes at the sight before her. Just outside the train station, there is a traditional market crowded with people. Stalls line up by the side of the road; food, clothes, toys, it feels like you can just find about anything in this place. The sidewalk becomes a bit muddy because of yesterday's rain, but people don't seem to be bothered by it. The young siblings slip into the crowd once again, hoping to go unnoticed. She halts in front of a food stall that sells her favorite food—it is also when she notices that her stomach is grumbling.
(Y/n) tugs on Smokescreen's hand again, making him stop walking as well. "I'm hungry." She murmurs, looking up to him.
He shifts his eyes to the stall where the seller is currently cooking on the spot. It just comes to his mind that they haven't eaten anything since yesterday. The boy reaches into his pocket, pulling out some crumpled bills that he managed to snatch yesterday. It is not much but should be enough to buy food just for her. So, he nods then turns to the seller, asking her to give him what she can with that amount of money. The excitement is visible in (Y/n)'s eyes when Smokescreen hands her the bag of food, letting her hold it while they search for a spot to sit and eat.
"Aren't you going to eat too?" (Y/n) asks with her mouth still full of food.
He shakes his head, reaching up to wipe the corners of her mouth with his sleeve. "Don't worry about me, just eat." He chuckles. "Slow down or you'll choke."
In the end, the younger sister forces her brother to eat with her. It is evident that he is hungry as well, but he tries to keep it in because there is not enough for both of them. In the midst of it all, a familiar-looking truck drives to the street. The logo displayed on its side is enough for everyone in that area. Officers in uniform start jumping off the truck, and chaos ensues. The sellers start to hastily pack up their things, while others ran as far away from the premise. The homeless and street beggars also start to scramble away, but the officers in black manage to catch some of them before they flee. He notices the commotion instantly, eyes widening in recognition.
"We gotta run."
(Y/n)'s heart beats faster as she watches Smokescreen hopping off the raised platform they have been sitting on, ushering her to get down as well. She takes his hand and starts running with him when he tells her so. They can be mistaken as one of those street performer children that roam around the market if they stay. Running along with those who escape, the siblings finally find themselves hiding behind one of the huge pillars that supported the highway from below. Completely out of breath and depleted of energy, they sit there keeping close with one another. (Y/n) steals a glance behind, noticing that nobody is on their tail and they are safe.
"I'm tired." She says between her heaving breaths.
"Let's rest here for a bit."
The rest of their day goes on in hiding. Chatting the night away with occasional jokes and laughter, everything that just doesn't seem unfair is completely forgotten for a moment. Soon, the rain starts to pour again. The cold is getting to them with the thin rags they are using. (Y/n)'s small body trembles, her thin arms hugging her own body in an attempt to keep the warmth with her. It pricks into his skin too, this unforgiving night wind, but Smokescreen pulls his sister into an embrace to keep her warmer. To his surprise, (Y/n) falls asleep rather quickly. A smile spreads on his lips upon reaching out to fix the crooked hairpin that adorns her short, (h/c) hair. Her sleeping face is rather angelic, one would say, even in such a trying time for both of them. When he looks to watch the droplets wetting the ground, Smokescreen is reminded of yesterday; a life he does not want to have for his baby sister. The atmosphere is rather peaceful this time, it's slowly lulling him to sleep.
Someone's footsteps in his ears alert him, and the sleepiness disappears completely. His sudden movement stirs (Y/n) awake too. She yawns before turning to look at her brother. To her surprise, something is catching his attention.
Out of the shadow, a tall figure appears. He is skinny, shielded by a black umbrella above his head. Those sharp, crimson eyes peer down when he stops in front of them. He squats down in an attempt to take a closer look. From this distance, (Y/n) can make out his black hair with grey streaks in the front, the scar on his right jaw, and the smirk that is forming on his lips.
"What are you children doing here?" The lanky man asks. "It is cold, and the rain will not stop until tomorrow."
His way of speaking terrifies her. (Y/n) thinks that he looks like the cunning bad wolf in one of her storybooks. Smokescreen's arm around her shoulders tightens protectively.
The boy shakes his head politely. "We're okay, Sir."
"But your sister says otherwise." He points out before rising back up. "Come with me, I can give you both a home."
Shivers run down her skin along with a sneeze. The older brother tears his gaze away from the stranger to his sister, noticing that pleading look (Y/n) is giving him. Smokescreen knows that they need a safe place to stay, and this stranger is willingly offering them one. Obviously, he doesn't want to go with someone who shows up out of nowhere in this secluded part of the city. He might be dangerous to him and his precious sister; he might be a violent drunk like his uncle, the very reason they escaped the house in the first place. But if this man is dangerous, there's no way he would offer them his home to stay in, right?
"Smokey, please?" (Y/n) finally whispers, her gaze is still on him.
Finally, he caves in and agrees to the offer. He just cannot refuse the pitiful look (Y/n) is giving him. The satisfied smirk that tugs on the other man's lips went unnoticed when the siblings slowly get up from the ground. Nervously, Smokescreen nods and takes a step forward. The three of them walk away into the night.
Maybe, he and his naivete try to justify the decision, maybe it will be the new start of their life.
YOU ARE READING
Dear Brother (TFP/RID & Reader)
أدب الهواة[Human AU] Smokescreen and (Y/n) are inseparable siblings. After the death of their parents, they lived with their abusive uncle and aunt somewhere far away from the city. In hopes for a better chance in life and future, they ran away. Upon arriving...
