"But I want to be able to see—"
"We're not there to watch, Allison. Move me—"
"Five can see, even Seven's coming—"
"I can help more from the door—"
"Just swap me with Five—"
"Switch me and Allison—"
Luther let the words roll over him. He'd known it was a mistake to announce the positions that morning but they needed to prepare. They were set to leave in just fifteen minutes and still Allison and Diego were badgering him for changes.
He couldn't change it, even if he'd wanted to move them—which he didn't. Telling them this wouldn't help, he'd already tried that.
"Why do you even want to move, Diego? Your power is literally throwing things, you're supposed to be further away."
"Because watching whatever the hell's going on stage is an important consideration?"
"It doesn't even matter where you are! Nothing's even going to happen!"
And on it went. At least they were arguing with each other as well, it certainly made them easier to ignore. The positions were smart, strategic, he'd taken the plan to his father who'd given it a cursory glance and nod of acceptance. The plan would not change. Could not change. As long as everyone was where they were meant to be, nothing would go wrong.
"—right, Luther?"
"Actually, I need the loo." It wasn't the best excuse he'd ever made.
Allison's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Well hurry up, I'm not explaining to Pogo why Number One's gone MIA." He hurried away.
Diego's snort told him his hasty retreat hadn't gone unnoticed.
He'd spent the entire night thinking about mission and the morning trying his best not to. He checked his watch. Ten minutes.
Allison thought he was stopping her from being able to watch the show. She didn't know that she was at the door because she had to be. Any journalists, TV crews, they would run into her at the door. She was the best of all of them, she didn't space out like Four, wasn't shy like Six or rude like Five, wasn't broken like him. She didn't stutter like Diego.
One news report a year ago, a five second clip of his brother trying to get his words out to a reporter after a particularly rough rescue, that was enough. Their father had made it clear the Umbrella Academy could not afford to show weakness.
The bathroom was quiet. He stood before the mirror and splashed his face with water. His reflection stared back at him. The large white sling stood out against the dark uniform. It was difficult, getting used to one working arm. Pogo had told him his bone was mending as well as could be expected, perhaps even faster. That didn't help when they were sparring and half his body was left defenceless. Or when he tried to eat his food using only his weaker hand. Simple things were rendered nearly impossible and he was surprised Allison and Diego had even let him go to the toilet alone.
The domino mask clutched in his useless hand grew heavier. He lifted it with his other arm, smoothing the fabric across his face. His eyes were blue, you wouldn't be able to tell with the mask. He wasn't sure if that made the missions easier.
Minutes passed and he almost wished he'd stayed downstairs. The silence was too loud.
"Luther!" He started at Allison's shout, stumbling back out into hall.
Allison shot him a winning smile. He narrowed his eyes.
"Since it's just us," she began, "and you know how much I love theatre—"
"Look, Allison, I would if I could—"
"What's the problem? It's not like it's even that important—"
"Of course it's important!" She flinched away and he realised he'd shouted. He took a deep breath. "Father's counting on us. We're there to protect people."
She blinked back at him, seeming to compose herself. "Yeah. I'm sure Dad really cares."
"Allison, wait—" She shrugged off his arm and hurried downstairs. He tried to follow, nearly bumping into Seven as she raced out a doorway to his left.
"One!" Her smile dropped as she registered his face.
"Seven?" He lost sight of Allison but tried not to let his frustration show too much. His other sister looked down, saying nothing. "Are you ready?" She nodded vigorously at his question but didn't speak. He sighed and made to step around her. "Look, just get outside and make sure you're ready to go."
He didn't spare a backward glance but hurried downstairs.
A lanky figure leaned against the wall at the bottom of the steps, bent over something outside Luther's view.
"Four?" His brother started at his question but turned round, offering a not-at-all suspicious smile.
"Number One!" Luther narrowed his eyes at the enthusiastic tone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Have you seen Allison at all?"
"Ah," Four nodded knowingly and Luther clenched his jaw to keep from saying something he'd regret. "I think she's waiting in the car."
He closed his eyes, realising he wouldn't be able to speak to her in private now until after the mission. "Right," he sighed, "is everyone else ready?"
"Two left with Allison," Four was checking off the numbers on his fingers, "Ben's probably sulking in the kitchen till we have to go, no idea about the others."
Coordinating the Umbrella Academy felt a lot like herding cats. Muffled voices could be heard from the stairs. "Alright, I need you to go get Five and Seven—" Four opened his mouth but Luther ploughed on "—they're upstairs. I'll get Six. Hurry up."
Looking particularly disgruntled, Four nevertheless turned to follow his instructions. It was going to be a long night.
——————————————————
The car ride was both too short and far, far too long. Allison wouldn't look at him, neither would Diego, they seemed to have moved on from their own argument by blaming him for not moving either of them. Four and Six were huddled together at the back, discussing something in low whispers. Five and Seven sat in silence, the former staring out the window while the latter focused at the book in her lap.
He hoped Seven realised how lucky she was to be coming. As he'd said to Allison, they weren't there to enjoy themselves, well, the Academy wasn't. He supposed there wasn't much else for Seven to worry about. Five had fought tooth and nail with him about her inclusion and in return, he'd advocated on her behalf to their father. Unfortunately, this meant he was playing babysitter.
The car finally pulled to a stop. His siblings piled out, spreading across the pavement, but he leaned forward to briefly speak to Pogo about pick-up arrangements.
When he eventually stepped out, it was to the sound of arguments. Again.
It took far longer than he would have liked to them all in order but eventually, the Umbrella Academy were marching smartly up the steps, masks on and ready to do their jobs. Seven trailed behind, just about keeping up, but far from the polished team image the rest presented. Several passersby stopped to stare but the children ignored the attention, reaching the main entrance of the theatre and quickly filing in.
He'd seen photos of the theatre, upon their entrance he noticed all the small differences. The curtain surrounding the ticket booth was now a pale green, the posters advertising new productions—though no less colourful than their predecessors. But the structure was the same. The steps leading through to the lower seats still lay to his left, a concessions counter built into the wall opposite.
Allison was the first to peel off, remaining by the door. The remaining group split, Diego and Five hurrying up the stairs to the higher seating while he and the others headed down to the main viewing area.
As they stepped from hardwood to carpet, Four and Six moved off together, Luther guiding Seven to her seat. He ignored the stares people shot at them, but couldn't stop from curling in on himself slightly to shield his cast from their prying eyes.
Seven's ticket was still tightly fisted in one hand, though no one had asked to see it. Luther watched as her eyes darted round, looking for the right number before quickly settling herself into the chair.
Luther scanned the room. There were still many empty seats but just as many were occupied. He wondered why the Academy hadn't been there all day. It made little difference in the end, and he'd never admit it to Allison, but this felt far more like one of their press sessions than a genuine effort to help people. Even more reason not to screw it up.
The world's eyes would be on them. A simple security job.
He glanced back at Seven, who had barely moved. She was staring straight ahead at the large curtain that obscured the stage. Her skin was pale, perhaps more than usual, he wasn't sure.
A blue flash caught his attention and he narrowed his eyes at the figure strolling across the balcony above. He wondered what Five and Seven could have been arguing about, remembering the glares they'd exchanged as he'd left the car.
"Excuse me? Hello, excuse me?" A nasally voice broke the silence.
A small blonde woman was marching towards them, elbowing people out the way as she moved along the row. She flashed Luther a dazzling smile and he was grateful for the mask to help hide his expression.
"Hello," she pushed past Seven who was torn between staring in shock at the woman and steadfastly refusing to make eye contact. Not that she could, since the stranger was completely focused on Luther. "Are you one of those—oh, what was it? Rain School, no, something about rain—" she was muttering to herself now.
A short black dress and shawl highlighted her tiny frame. It was hard to reconcile the twig-like limbs with the mini-hurricane that had flown towards him seconds before. Her face wouldn't look out of place on one of the magazines Allison kept scattered round her room, but the manic gleam in her eyes gave him pause.
"Umbrella!" Seven jumped at the woman's sudden shout.
Luther was still trying to figure out what was happening. It wasn't that he was unused to dealing with the public, more that he'd hoped to stay out the way with Seven. He slowly extended his good hand which she grabbed, shaking and half throwing it down to reach something behind her. That something turned out to be a boy. Matching blonde hair, same delicate features, the most notable difference was the roundness of his figure.
"Kenny, look, look I found one of them for you," she'd turned her wide grin to the child whose face mirrored Luther's own shock and confusion, though with a hint of embarrassment. She sighed at the silence, rolling her eyes and looking back at Luther as though they were sharing some kind of inside joke. "Well, come on, I didn't get tickets for nothing. Lord knows your father moaned enough about it."
"Ma'am," he'd finally found his voice. He was trying to find a polite way to ask her to leave them alone.
"Please, call me Elaine. My Kenny," she pulled the boy forwards as Seven squashed further back into her seat, "well, he's such a big fan of yours—which one are you?" Kenny looked rather mortified.
"Number One?" He hadn't meant it to be a question.
She stared at him expectantly. He shifted slightly.
"Super-strength, Mum," Kenny muttered quietly to his mother, his tone pleading.
"Oh, of course. I remember now." Luther didn't think that was the case but said nothing. "Yes, well, as I said, he simply loves your little superhero group." He bristled at the words. "And he was just so excited to meet you." Kenny didn't look excited. In fact his skin was growing progressively redder as his mother continued.
Elaine turned to his sister who's head was tilted down. Clearly admiring their shoes, he thought sarcastically.
"Oh, you must be such a fan as well, look Kenny, she's even got one of those adorable little suits."
He didn't know who looked more confused. The only person who seemed oblivious was Elaine herself.
"Are your parents here, dear?" Seven shook her head, eyes wide and unblinking. "Oh, goodness, that's simply awful! Why don't you come with us, we'll get you sorted, see if anyone's looking for you?" It hadn't crossed Luther's mind that a typical twelve-year-old wouldn't visit the theatre alone.
He gave Seven a chance to respond, trying not to sigh when he realised she wasn't going to speak. Her fingers were almost white, gripping the cushioned arms of her chair as if afraid Elaine was about to drag her away. In fairness, she might.
"Actually, I'm looking after her." He placed his hand on Seven's shoulder, noting how tense she felt.
"That's so precious, such a lovely idea, is it some kind of charity event?"
Luther almost stepped back at the question, completely stumped as to how to respond to such a blunt statement. He smiled tightly, hoping they would leave. Kenny's face now clashed horribly with his light hair, his skin seeming to have absorbed all the colour Seven had lost through the conversation.
"Mum," Kenny tugged his mother's sleeve, "Mum, I need the toilet." She batted his hand away. "Mum, I mean it, please!"
A huff of frustration. Luther neatly side-stepped as Elaine pulled her son out of the row. He waved aside her apology, trying to keep the relief off his face as they moved away.
By the time they came back the show would be close to beginning. Hopefully they would return to their seats without feeling the need to finish their conversation. At least she hadn't mentioned the cast, he thought wryly.
"Sister." The voice was quiet, though that was typical, but there was a conviction he hadn't expected. He turned to Seven, her eyes firmly fixed on the empty stage. He hadn't noticed the curtain had been drawn back. "I'm your sister."
He tilted his head, wishing she would look at him if she wanted to say something. "I know," he wondered why she was stating the obvious.
At his reply, she turned to him, something he didn't recognise flashing across her face. In his defence, it was hard to notice Seven's emotions given how rarely she expressed them.
He stared straight back, refusing to blink, though she wouldn't be able to see past the mask. Her mouth was set in a straight line. He wasn't sure how much time passed, Seven scanning his face for something. Without warning, she moved back, stiffly returning to her original position. She looked smaller, hunched over on herself, hands twisting together in her lap.
He remembered a fight with Four, years ago. They'd been paired up for sparring and his brother, who never took anything seriously, spent the hour hurling the most ridiculous insults at him, yelping when Luther landed a blow despite carefully reigning every ounce of his strength in. The frustration built and they'd finished when he'd told Four in no uncertain terms that he was going to get either himself or one his siblings killed if he couldn't learn to fight properly.
He knew it was worry motivating his harsh words, Four didn't have a defensive power (sometimes he wondered if he would be better to stay home, look after Seven) but Luther had never been great at communication. Some team leader. For once in his life, Four had fallen silent, eyes wide at the unflinching expression. Somehow that was worse. It felt like something in his gut had twisted, not enough to cause pain but he couldn't ignore it.
He didn't know if Four had told any of the others about the argument, but the feeling stayed with him.
After a week he'd cornered Four to apologise. One awkward, stilted conversation later and his stomach finally returned to normal. He realised how awful he'd been feeling.
He recognised the lurch from his lower intestine for what it was as he scanned the room again.
He pushed it down, it wasn't important at the moment.
Almost all the seats were now filled, once the show started it it would be easier to focus.
Pressure presented itself in different ways. Sweating was fairly common. Luther remembered one poor bank manager wetting himself, not while he was a hostage, but several hours later on live television surrounded by the Umbrella Academy.
Luther was lucky, when he was nervous he fidgeted. Fidgeting could be stopped. He wasn't sure how old he'd been when he learned to stop.
It might have been when he overheard a reporter mocking Diego's stutter and realised heroes weren't allowed to have weaknesses. Not physical ones.
It might have been after a particularly rough mission, when his hand wouldn't stop shaking hours later and Allison had firmly held it, figuring it was better for Dad to scold them for impropriety than let him see the tremors.
He stared at the only fire exit for the ground floor, clasping his hands firmly behind his back and digging his feet into the ground to keep from rocking back on his heels.
Luther nodded politely to Elaine when she returned, wiping his face clear of the horror he felt when she informed him that 'the lovely old dears' who were supposed to be sitting next to Seven had kindly swapped with her and her son. After all, Kenny was 'such a fan'.
Soon after the lights dimmed, a hush falling over the whole room and Luther finally had room to breathe. He checked which siblings he could see—Six skulking in the shadows at the back; Diego leaning across the balcony to scan the hall; Five stood to attention in one of the empty private seating areas.
He tuned out as an actor staggered onto the stage singing. Luther wasn't sure how long he stood, refusing to let his guard drop as everyone around him watched the show unfurl.
There was still some chatter, he could hear Kenny and Seven talking in hushed whispers. A friendship he hadn't anticipated but a part of him was quite glad Seven was enjoying herself, especially if it meant she wouldn't distract him.
At what he assumed was about an hour in, he caught sight of two lone figures on the balcony. Forcing his muscles to relax as he recognised Five's crossed arms, he frowned instead. The other shadowy figure pointed something at his brother.
Luther rolled his eyes as he realised it was Diego. He wanted to go and chew them out. They weren't where they were should be. But he needed to stay with Seven. He trusted them, they knew what they were supposed to be doing. He looked away.
Though he wasn't listening to the words, he figured the current song was quite important. Lots of people were on stage, singing on top of each other. Seven stared with rapt attention. Maybe he was missing something.
Luther didn't hear the first scream. A fact he blamed on the singing. He froze at the second. It was muffled and slightly tinny, but unmistakable to him. No one else had reacted yet.
He took a step forward.
BANG.
More screams. People had heard that. The singing had stopped. For a moment, silence.
He grabbed Seven's shoulder, pulling her to her feet.
Then panic descended. Shouts of confusion. Rushing to leave. Too shocked to move. Luther gritted his teeth.
He was about to shout, to call for calm but someone beat him to it.
Six was stood in the centre of the floor, having climbed onto a chair to make himself more visible. Calling for calm and, amazingly, people were listening. He nodded when Six caught his eye, a warm feeling spreading through his chest at the reminder that it wasn't just down to him.
The danger, as yet, was still unknown, the only certainty that someone had fired a gun. No shots had rung out since the first, but that wasn't a guarantee of safety. He thought the scream had come from the upper floor, though if people had entered through the main foyer, they could easily get to the ground level. Members of the audience swarmed past as he kept a firm grip on his sister, thinking.
With the evacuation already underway and capably managed, his main priority was keeping Seven safe. He could get her outside, there was no doubt that would be the safest. Staying inside wouldn't be, but the danger would be balanced by the fact he was with her.
Allison was by the door. They had to have made it past her. He wanted to check on her. He needed to look after Seven.
The decision was made for him.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
He'd shoved Seven to the floor before he'd even realised what was happening. There was a worrying stillness. Seven pushed herself up, stumbling backwards as her head swung round wildly. Someone yelled his name. A large crack sounded from above him.
Luther looked up.
He dived at Seven.
He felt the large chunk of ceiling hit his back.
The next few minutes were a haze. He couldn't see, dust clouding his vision as he retched. A loud ringing filled his ears as he tried to regain his bearings.
As he'd knocked Seven down, his arm had flown out to brace his own fall to the side of her. When he came to himself, it was to a crushing weight bearing down on his back. At full strength he could have easily lifted the large block, but he was lying, not standing, with only one functional arm and a very breakable person beneath him.
Seven was shaking.
He called her name, though his voice seemed raspier than normal. The ringing was beginning to fade. She was staring at nothing. "Seven," he coughed, trying not to think about the creaking from above when he moved, "Seven look at me!"
He needed her to focus. Luther lowered his neck, in weak attempt of a head butt.
His arm was beginning to ache. "Vanya!"
She jerked forwards, which would have been fine if she wasn't directly below him. His shoulder, in turn, was knocked slightly causing another large groan from above. They both froze. A small whimper.
"Hey," he made sure she was looking at him, "we're fine, you're going to be fine."
Seven didn't look convinced, but she was listening. It was dark, but not to the point they couldn't see each other.
"Okay, okay," Luther wasn't sure if he was talking more for Seven or himself. He tried his best to look round, noting the small crack of light barely peaking through the rubble in front. "There's a lot of rubble, but that's okay, most of this stuff looks small enough to move."
To be fair, he could move far heavier things than the rocks around them but he was trying to reassure Seven.
"Can you—" He tried to push himself up a tiny bit in an effort to help relieve twinges in his arm. "Can you see what's on top of me? How big is it?"
A shaky nod. Seven gently shifted her head to the side, eyes flicking around and widening. Her breathing began to increase.
"Vanya!" She reacted better to her chosen name.
Blinking up at him, "There's, it's a big, I don't know—" Her eyes had started to well up.
"Alright," she was trying, he knew that as he tried to keep his voice understanding, "I think part of the ceiling collapsed. Can you see how big the main bit is? Where does it reach?" Perhaps direct questions would be better.
"It's quite big, I mean," she took a deep breath, "there's a crack up there, I mean, past your shoulder. It's, I think it's a panel."
"How big is the crack? Does it look like it'll break?" Seven moved towards it. "Stay away from it! Just, don't get too close."
"From about your head to," she craned her head, "maybe below you're feet? I don't, I'm not sure."
"Okay, that's good."
"Is it?"
He snorted slightly at the question he was pretty sure she hadn't meant to say aloud. "Well, at least we know how it's gonna break if I move." As if to remind him, the slab began to groan again. They didn't have much time.
"Alright, Vanya," he made sure she was looking at him, "there's not enough room to try and dig out. I need to push this thing off my back."
Easier said than done but he didn't tell her that.
"Is there anything else supporting it?" He needed to tell her which way to roll.
"I don't, I don't think so."
Well, that would have to be good enough. "Okay, I'm going to count to three and then I'm going to push this off me." His arm was starting to shake and he wished now more than ever that the other one wasn't hanging uselessly across his chest. "When I do, that crack's gonna break the panel."
"Won't that, won't the other part fall?"
"Yeah," he grimaced, "so it's really important you stay underneath me when it does." He could almost hear himself telling their father he'd keep Seven safe.
"Okay."
Luther felt the corners of his mouth tilt up as he'd watched Seven's face fill with a determination he'd never seen before. "And as soon as that part hits the floor, you need to get out." He was banking on the fact there was nothing above the panel and Seven would be able to roll out through the gap created. The plans had showed only the roof above where he and Seven had been and he hadn't seen any of the pillars fall.
"What about you?"
An eyebrow lifted at the concern. "I'm going to push this off me." Well, he was going to try. "But, just in case it comes back down, you need to be out the way."
"But," her forehead furrowed, "what about you?"
"I'm a bit more durable. I'll be fine either way." He hoped. Getting Seven out was the priority.
She didn't look convinced, but he didn't give her a chance to argue.
"One." He slowly bent his elbow, lowering his body and with it the large panel on top of him. "Two." He tensed. "Three!"
Luther was strong. He'd always been strong. And he trained, his whole life. So if anyone could do it, it was going to be him. He pushed up as fast as he could.
A groan, then a moan, growing to sharp cracking sound. He didn't look over. As his arm straightened the weight lifted off his back, propelled upwards by the contact. The other half the panel slammed into the floor.
"Go!"
Seven rolled without hesitation. He knew the panel would fall back on top of him. He hadn't been strong enough. But as Seven disappeared into the blinding light let in through the gap, he figured he'd done enough.
Luther braced himself as best he could.
The weight never came.
"Come on, we haven't got all day!"
"Five?" He broke off, coughing as an arm shot out to help yank him to his feet.
"I know, I know, I shouldn't be down here."
"No," he agreed, trying to sound reproachful, "but I can't say I'm not glad."
His eyes were still adjusting, he caught a glimpse of what he through was Seven's silhouette. He sighed. A loud crash had him swinging round. He squinted as the figures who'd just dropped the large panel down swam into focus.
He did a double-take as he recognised Elaine amongst the other strangers looking just as cheery as earlier. She nodded at him, an action he returned even as his mind scrambled to catch up. He wondered where Kenny was.
Five was still gripping his arm as he cleared his throat. Looking down, Luther realised how completely covered in dust he was. A glance at Seven confirmed he was not the only one.
He met Five's stare, eyes watering slightly and grateful when his brother picked up on the silent question.
"Seven hostiles. Armed, all entered through the main entrance. Two and Three are still dealing with a few. I saw Four take out at least one."
He tried to communicate his unease about leaving only two siblings upstairs with his eyes. Either he did a great job or Five knew him far too well because he rolled his eyes and stepped back from Luther.
"They're fine, from the looks of it, you guys weren't."
BANG.
A scream. A very familiar scream.
"Allison." It was a statement.
Five swore.
Luther looked at him, then Seven, trembling off to one side.
He wanted to find Allison. He needed to keep Seven safe.
He caught Five's eye. Five wanted to make sure Vanya was safe. Five needed to find Three.
A flash of blue.
Luther stepped closer to Seven. He was going to get them out.