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He was working at the youngling center, in the daycare wing, when the attack happened. Everyone had been sort-of braced for it, though no one had thought the entire Senate building and most of the surrounding neighborhoods would be taken out, and it was almost a relief not to be waiting anymore.
At least until he realized that several of the younglings in his care had parents that would have been working in the Senate hall or for businesses that supported the staff there. He and those younglings sat and waited for hours, long past when the others had been picked up either by frightened parents or sobbing relatives. Then they waited just a little longer, just in case.
But when the enforcer rolled up, all black and white and intimidating and so damn weary, he knew no one was coming for them.
“Are you the caretaker, sir?” the enforcer asked.
“Yep.” He put his hand on little Whirl’s shoulder when the youngling looked like he was going to charge the officer. “You can call me Kup.”
The enforcer nodded. “I have to take these younglings into custody. They will need to be placed in foster care and–”
“Stop right there.” He shook his head. “You ain’t taking these younglings anywhere. They’re gonna go home with me, and I’ll take care of ‘em til I can’t. And by then they’ll be grown and takin’ care of me instead.”
Whirl looked up at him with a confused tilt of his head. The enforcer looked too tired to fight him as he shook his head. “Sir, I am afraid that I cannot allow that.”
“Yeah?” Kup stared back, ready to pick up the younglings and run if he had to. They deserved better than being separated from the only person they knew while waiting to find out if their parents were alive or dead. “And who’s going to stop me?”
“Sir, please!”
“We both know there’s a lotta younglings who need foster care more than these three.” Kup kept staring, until the enforcer looked away. “You go focus on them, I’ll take care of these. And I’ll do it whether you say I can or not.”
Little Arcee creeped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his leg. She was the smallest of all the younglings that had used this daycare facility, and she would probably have the toughest night tonight. Though they were all going to cry, even Kup himself.
“Fine. But don’t be surprised when youngling protective services arrives at your door.”
“Oh, I won’t be.” And he wouldn’t, but he’d fight those fraggers to keep these kids together, too. “Good night, officer.”
The enforcer took the dismissal for what it was and turned away. Once he was gone, Kup crouched down and pulled Arcee and Whirl into his arms. A moment later, little Springer joined their group hug, wrapping his arms around the smaller younglings and holding on tight.
There might be trouble later, but Kup’s spark was lightened by the way they were supporting each other now. “Come on, younglings. Let’s get back to my place.”