Kissing Ben was not my intention today. Dad and Luther's actions though... triggered me. I don't want to lose him or any of my other family. The few missions I got to lead were more than successful. They were more flawless than our very first and the media only got the scoop on two of those missons I led. I told our Father that we had to have some secrecy otherwise the media would follow us around everywhere and threats would start to come to us. To that he listened, but he then gave the team leadership position back to Luther. Probably with hope that he learned from me. Luther learned nothing still. And today, his little team paid for his minimal planning.
Kissing Ben felt heart-pumping and just...right. We don't have to steal glances and spend all of our time together to know what we feel. Our feelings are different compared to classic romance. Built on mutual feelings...or so I thought.
17 Years Later
Billionaire Reginald Hargreeves has passed away. Resources say that it was a natural death and that ...
Well the old bastard is "dead" they say. Time for the long awaited family reunion I guess. Another event to make a mess. It's been 12 years since I've seen most of my siblings and I cant say that I'm looking forward to it. But why not go than to make sure it isn't some joke by our father?
Oh how things have changes. Five disappeared. Ben...Ben... he's gone. Diego is a vigalante. Allison became a Hollywood star. Klaus has been in and out of rehab. Vanya has been living in seclusion, I call her at least once a year to wish her a happy birthday. The last time I saw her was shortly after her book came out a few years ago... I was the only one not offended. I've always been a fan of honest. Klaus, I've seen the most of in the past 12 years. A few times it wasn't expected. I'm not sure how he always finds where I live. But he doesn't steal from me. Klaus learned that the hard way. If he's going to steal to feed his drug addiction, he's not going to take anything from my house. Lastly, there's Luther. Haven't seen him in years and apparently dad sent him to the moon. The image of him with his chest puffed out in pride of dad sending him on such an important mission has been ingrained in my brain. We haven't talked in 12 years, but he remained with dad while the redt of us who are living moved out and made our own lives. Luther never did heed my advice from when we were teenagers. Who knows what would've happened if he had.
Arriving at the Mansion
You wouldn't think that this house is a mansion. But it has always been too big and empty of real happiness. I stare at the gates, they're unlocked. I wonder who else is here. I can't really say I'm happy to be back here or that I'm overjoyed at the impending reunion, but I take a small breath before walking up to the door.
Knock knock...knock knock knock...knock knock knock...knock
Within moments, the door opens and I see a face that doesn't bring back painful memories.
"Pogo."
I say simply with a smile. He returns a saddened smile and allows me in.
"Miss Sophia... it's good to see you...you look well since we last saw each other."
Taking off my thick black coat, I caress Pogo's face gently in rememberance before looking around the main hall. Pogo knew my question was coming and said,
"You are the second here, Miss Sophia."
A small smirk fell on my lips as I nodded,
"Diego."
Pogo took my coat and I roamed the house. I went into the library to see Diego looking through shelves of books. He looked older since I last saw him, but there was an edge to him. Diego doesn't want to relive the memories too. With all the bad, there was little good in this house. His look of concentration didn't fool me for a second.
"Say what you want to say."
Slightly jumoing, Diego pulled a knife and turned my direction in a defensive position. Seeing that it was only me he relrelaxed as mich as Diego relaxes, and twirled his knife in his hand.
"Still light on your feet I see Sophia."
I smirked and sauntered over to Diego dramatically,
"Still in that vigilante get up I see."
He stopped tossing the knife,
"Still a bitch huh?"
"A good bad bitch Diego. Remember that when I end up aaving your ass again."
"Whatever little pop star...or should I say ex-pop star."
I rolled my eyes,
"You say that like I got booted out of the industry. I got bored of the safety...just like you got bored of playing by the rules, Mr. Police Academy dropout."
An annoyed but amused look settled on Diego's face,
"Whatever. What in the hell are yoy even wearing?"
I spun around and posed with a mischievous gleam in my eyes,
"Oh this dress you mean? It's my favorite black dress. It has lace and ends just above the knees. Perfectly within dress code."
"HA! That dress is all lace and I can see your bra."
I scoffed,
"It's fashion Deigo. You're one to talk, you're head-to-toe in leather. Is it comfortable for you to constantly dress in your kinky outfit?"
I asked him teasingly and his face tured a shade of pink. Whe he didn't reply in a matter of seconds I burst out laughing and began to turn away when Diego gently grabbed my arm, stopping me,
"You've changed Sophia. But some parts of you are still the same. More bite to that sting. Maybe I should blame it on your bad girl music phase."
Pulling my arm out from his grip and looking into his eyes, I smiled a small smile,
"No, I just grew up."
Leaving the room, I went through the empty main hall and made my way into dad's study to find a dancing Klaus talking to himself. He stopped suddenly and turned to me. How he knew I was here when I just entered quietly, I wasn't sure. But a smile that only Klaus can do was on his face. Closing the doors behind me I returned with a slighy mischievous smirk and a mini pose.
"There's my pop diva! What dress is that? Can I fit into it?"
Giggling and standing normally I made my way to Klaus. Eloping him into a hug, I held him tight.
"I thought you were in rehab."
My tone was full of mock disappointment. I was used to him rehab hoping in order to stay alive only to get high another day. Letting go, Klaus sighed ans threw his hands in the air dramatically,
"Alas, for I was discharged and heard the news about dear old dad from the back of a highly secure vehicle."
I groaned and walked towards dad's desk,
"You overdosed as soon as you got out didn't you. Seriously? Again, Klaus?"
I was now serious and sister mode was activated. Klaus on the other had looked distracted. He was staring off across the room with his expression looking conflicted. After a moment I called out Klaus' name and snapped my fingers twice before he turned to me,
"You know...looking again, I don't think I'd fit that dress."
My jaw dropped at his change in subject and he flinched, holding his left ear before glancing across the room again and shivering. But somehow I knew he wasn't flinching at my reaction.
"What's wrong Klaus? Don't you dare say nothing."
His eyes fixed on me, Klaus looked like he was about to cry. Dropping my stern composure, I rushed to Klaus. Placing a hand on either side of his face and letting him focus on me.
"Klaus. Focus on my voice. Breathe. Focus on my eyes. Breathe. I'm right here. I'm in front of you. You can hear my voice. Just breath."
After repeating this mantra two times, Klaus visibly relxed. There was a slight chill in the air. Klaus fell onto my shoulder and I held him comfortingly. Having let him live with me for 2 years, I learned how to calm Klaus during some of his episodes. It didn't always work but Klaus said it helped regardless. Klaus was muttering and all I could make iut was "don't be jealous." Pushing Klaus to stand on his own, I looked him over.
"Klaus. Are you better now?"
He nodded without meeting my eyes. Gently putting a hand behind his head, I gently stroked the back of his hair like I've done since we were kids after dad locked him in a crypt. Sighing, I stopped and made my way to the main doors of the office,
"If you're ever having a hard time Klaus, I am still you're sister. You were sober, clean, and better when you lived with me. You may me my older brother, but I take care of you better than you take care of yourself."
"I left because you shouldn't have to waste your life keeping me clean Sophia. You stopped putting out music when I lived with you. I won't drag you down again."
"You can't live this way forever Klaus...if you don't keep trying then the next funeral we got to will be yours..."
Leaving the room I closed the doors behind me and made my way upstairs to see what became of my room
Meanwhile, in Dad's study
"Why didn't you tell her what I said?"
"You asked that question 10 years ago...why ask it again?"
"Because she doesn't know...you have to let her know
"You didn't have to yell though...I don't think you've ever yelled at me."
"I'm sorry Klaus... it's just been so long since I've-- we've seen her. I miss her. So much that it hurts to see her act like that."
"It wasn't me who got her on those drugs, you know that. I wouldn't ever encourage anyone to do what I do... especially her."
"She doesn't know though."
"What doesn't she know?"
"You don't even know Klaus. No one doess... except maybe Vanya..."
"Ah, know what Ben? You're usually the more straightforward type."
"Okay but you can't tell anyone else. It's too late to have our happily ever after, but... Sophia and I were what Allison and Luther never got to be..."
"...are... are you saying that...you and Sophia? Sophia who was the most serious and level-headed? You, who wanted to explore the world in peace?"
"Yes, since we were 14. Then on and off until a few days before I died...I love her man. So much. All this time and I still feel it. Can you believe that? If anything, my love and adoration has gotten stronger. If only I had just listened to her. If we'd just had pushed dad to let her stay in charge... I'm in love with her still."
" Then what happened that made you two break up? She didn't get over your death r6or years and I don't think she's exactly moved on Ben."
"We had our complications... I'm going to follow her around a bit. Give you some quiet time. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
"Of course not."
