Chapter 5
“You let Asset’s on your couch here?”
All the adults in the room froze, completely shocked by the simple seven words this random kid had just said. Kitty was just confused, looking at the kid with pure innocence, something Wade was wishing he had at the moment.
“Kid, what do you mean ‘Asset’s’? You ain’t a weapon, you’re barely thirteen.” Logan asks, seeming to have recovered much quicker than the other two men in the room.
“Of course I’m a weapon, what else would I be?” The kid asked, looking confused as they stayed on the floor at Wade’s feet, who looked increasingly concerned and more than mildly horrified.
“You would be a child, a very fucked up child.” Wade said, putting a careful hand on their shoulder and sliding off the couch to crouch in front of the kid.
The kid looked incredibly confused, but they leaned into the touch unconsciously as their brows furrowed as they thought about the fact they could be human.
“Um, can someone explain what an asset is and why it’s so concerning?” Kitty asks, seeming very lost.
“In this case, an asset is a living weapon, someone trained and used for killing and collecting information.” Victor said, looking pissed at the thought of a child being a fucking living weapon.
“Oh… that’s, terrible.” Kitty whispered, looking at the kid with more concern.
“я чертовски знал это.” The kid mutters, scowling and looking away.
“Knew what?” Wade asked, sitting down crisscrossed in front of them.
“I knew that wasn’t normal, I just never had proof.” The kid says bitterly, crossing their arms and suddenly realizing they weren’t wearing the outfit they thought they were, they could feel skin touch skin, all of the scars on their forearms were exposed, along with their neck and part of their collar bone, the brand felt weird when it was out in the open, the burns spelt out Alexander on their entire throat.
“Jesus kid… do you know what psychopaths did this? Cause this is some bullshit.” Logan asked, making the kid freeze, jaw clenched.
“That’s a stupid question, they have brands on them. Whoever the hell Brock, Pierce and Alexander are did this.” Wade said, staring at the name on their neck with distain.
“They have more?!” Victor asked in disbelief.
“Hey, um, have they eaten? And how old are they?” Kitty asked, clearly feeling a little awkward and concerned.
“Shit. Okay do you have allergies or something? Fuck who here can even cook?” Wade looked a bit more stressed now that he realized the kid hadn’t eaten.
“…. I think I’m almost fourteen.” The kid muttered, making everyone pause for a second.
“I hate to doubt you here, but you’re… pretty underweight if you are fourteen.” Logan said, looking a little confused.
“I am?”
“Yep, did they even feed you?-“ Logan gets cut off by Wade gently pulling the kid onto the couch, and heading for the kitchen with Kitty.
“Let’s deal with that possible eating disorder later, for now me and Kitty are gonna make something for them.” Wade said.
“Please don’t set something on fire.” Kitty said.
“Did Logan tell you about that? It was one time.”
Logan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Alright, I’m sorry in advance for whatever war crimes they’re gonna commit in there. Are you in a good enough headspace to think of a name for yourself?” Logan asked.
The kid thought about it for a long time, probably a good two to three minutes.
“River. James, as a middle name.” The kid says, sounding surprisingly sure considering the situation.
“I like it.” Victor says confidently, nodding in approval.
“Okay, River it is.” Logan sighed.
Probably ten minutes later, Wade and Kitty came out of the kitchen with a salad and a burrito (Wade made the salad), both of which they handed to River. They didn’t start eating.
“Not that you have to, but are you gonna eat?” Wade asked, sitting next to them, River almost immediately started eating.
“Huh, is it good?” Kitty asked, River nods.
“So, they chose a name.” Logan said casually.
Wade gasped, looking excited.
“What is it?”
“River, James as a middle name.”
“…. No offense kid but that kinda su-“ Wade is cut off by Kitty elbowing him in the ribs.
“It’s beautiful.” Kitty says softly.