Days passed and the phone rang during breakfast. Joyce got up from the table to answer it as to let her boys eat.

"Byers residence."

"Oh hey Mrs. Byers, it's Robin. I really need to talk to Aidan, it's urgent."

Joyce nodded and looked at Five, motioning the phone and mouthing 'Robin'. He raised his eyebrow but nodded and took the phone from Joyce.

"Hey Robin, what's up."

"Did you not hear the news? Someone set fire to the mall and it's damaged pretty badly."

Five's eyes widened as he ran into the living room to check the news. Sure enough that was the top story on the news, arsonists burned down the mall. He slumped down onto the couch and knew he had to be out of a job. Despite him thinking of quitting, it seemed the arsonists made a choice for him…shit.

"Looks like the three of us are out of jobs huh?" he finally spoke in a despondent tone.

"Hey you were thinking of quitting anyway, same with me honestly. Anyway Steve lined us up with jobs at Family Video, at least an interview with the manager Keith. He's a bit of a perverted sleaze but nearly as horrible as our last boss. What do you think? Do you want Steve to get you after school and apply?" she questioned.

Five thought for a moment and honestly it didn't seem like a bad job. Stocking tapes, rewinding them, helping customers and other less messy jobs than the ice cream parlor. He was going to miss the free ice cream but a video rental place has its own perks he thought.

"Sure why not. I still need cash so it would be a good job. Plus I've gotten used to seeing you and Steve so it would be weird not working together again."

Robin laughed at that and commented,

"A sentimental yet smartass dingus. I'll relay the message to Steve and we will pick you up after school. Fingers crossed."

Robin hung up and Five sighed deeply at the sudden shift in his plans today. Will joined him in the living room and his face fell as well at the news coverage of the arson.

"I'm sorry Five. I know how much the Scoops Ahoy job meant to you."

Five shook his head laughing a bit.

"There are other jobs, so that's not the loss. It's just I hope the mall's damage isn't too severe so that it could be repaired….Guess Robin's right about me being sentimental since the mall is more than just a place for fun but…the place of my arrival in this part of time."

Will smiled a bit, even chuckled softly at that since he didn't expect Five to find that mall so precious. He did however think it was the place they met and…yeah Will kind of feels the same. At least while the mall is being repaired local business will get traffic now. Five saw Will's playful face and he mused,

"You're thinking I'm a sentimental sap?"

Will cowered a bit with a blush and he shook his head. Five chuckled and added,

"I like it if you're getting a bit of snark. It means I'm rubbing off on you. Not sure if that's a good thing for everyone but I like it all the same."

"Well you seem to care more about others so it's a mutual rubbing isn't it?"

Guess it was Five thought and the word rubbing when Will was kind of making him feel weird. He felt a slight tingle and he wondered just what he was feeling.

"Anyway, stop by the Family Video often if I do get the job. I can set you up and give you discounts on movie rentals and candy." he grinned

"You just like to spoil me." he laughed.

He didn't do that for all their friends, just Max, El, and himself. Yet it felt nice to get a little special attention and Five was giving him so much attention that it made him feel so good.

"Always Will, always."


Steve drove him, Robin, and Five to the Family Video rentals; all with resumes in hand. Robin was rambling to the manager Keith about how they weren't fired but the mall was recently burned down. Five had to nudge Robin to shut up since her panicking wasn't going to help. Keith looked down at Five and he raised an eyebrow.

"What are you 11?"

"Just turned fourteen actually and I really need the job." Five spoke with as much politeness as he could.

"Good to know…okay three favorite movies, go." Keith said and he pointed to Robin.

Robin thought for a moment and stammered,

"Uh The Apartment, Hidden Forests, Children of Paradise."

All classics Keith thought and she would be hired.

"Okay you're next kiddo, favorite movies. Go." Keith said, pointing to Five.

Five gritted his teeth and wanted to stab this guy. However he looked young so he needed to be nice, his potential job depended on it. Five wanted to say Back to the Future but it just came out and it wouldn't be something this punk wanted to hear. He racked his brain for a few seconds and came up with,

"Halloween, Seven Samurai, Wizard of Oz."

Keith was impressed with the range and he could understand his picks; Halloween was a good horror classic, Wizard of Oz had the technicolor innovation, and Seven Samurai a wonderful film with heart by a great director. So this young kid was in too.

"Last up go, 3 movies." Keith said, pointing to Steve.

"Uh favorite movies?" Steve questioned.

"Did I stutter?'' Keith asked.

"Uh okay um…Animal House."

Five scoffed at that since that wasn't going to bode well with the asshole interviewing him. Robin chuckled a bit at that too since that was a very obvious movie he would like but very low brow. Five knew at this rate Steve was going to blow so he needed to help his ass. Five decided to whispered so only Steve would hear,

"Tell him West Side Story and The Godfather."

Keith snapped at Steve and said,

"Eyes up here Harrington."

"Uh right right…Um West Side Story and…The Godfather." Steve answered.

Robin looked to Five and he gave her a nod that he pulled those movies from him. Keith looked at the trio; he was impressed with Five and Robin. Steve he didn't really want to hire but maybe there would be added effects to him being here, more traffic from ladies and maybe he could be useful.

"Okay all of you start Monday. Work on your schedules since at least two or three people are always needed here at a given time." Keith shared with them.

All three of them smiled and Steve gave Five and Robin a high five. Five was running the dates in his head and he knew one Saturday he was going to need off for sure despite it being a hectic day for movie rentals.

"Letting you all know now I will need March 22 of next year off." Five stated calmly.

Robin raised a curious eyebrow as did Steve but Keith just looked a bit baffled but nodded.

"K…weird but okay. I will put that in the system. Now let me go over what you will all be doing."


Five had to admit that this job was so much better than Scoops Ahoy in most areas. Thank god the uniform wasn't nearly as cheesy and he could pretty much wear his own clothes underneath the required vest. Sure there wasn't ice cream but the popcorn and snacks made up for that. It wasn't as harsh a job and he could even sample movies here in the back room. The job was going well as he made it through his first week. He was finishing up a rental with a girl and it was clear she liked him. She batted her eyelashes softly at him and twirled a loose strand hair sweetly.

"You know I could use some company watching this movie tonight…maybe you know someone who can?" she asked sweetly.

Five glanced at her with a blank and bored expression. Was she trying to get a date he thought? He glanced at her overly made up face and kind of good looking body but he didn't want to indulge in her company. He had no desire to watch a movie with her.

"Maybe ask Keith or Steve. Not really a fan of Breakfast at Tiffany's." Five shared with a plastered smile.

The girl looked at him strangely but nodded as she took her movie and went towards Steve. Robin noticed this and was very confused. The girl was very cute and seemed interested in Five and yet he tossed her off to Steve. This wasn't even the first time Five did this and she couldn't understand it. His expression was blank with little life or interest in the girl.

"Okay Aidan, that's like the second girl today and what the sixth one this week you turned down. What's up?"

Five raised an eyebrow at her since he didn't understand what she meant. He really didn't want to get involved with customers, bad business and he didn't see anything in her he liked.

"Just not interested. I know it's hard to believe that a guy maybe doesn't want to be a horny animal and go out with a bunch of women…it's just not me nor how I was raised."

"Yet I thought you wanted to run away from your dad and not live up to what he wanted from you?" Robin questioned.

Five sighed and shook his head.

"That doesn't mean I should string women along and not be invested in the time I am with them. If I don't feel anything for them, I'm not going to pursue them further. If nothing intrigues me about them then why bother with them at all. Plus I'm only 14; not everything has to be all about girls you know." Five expressed

Robin put up her hands in defense and gave Five some space. While she backed away from him she noticed Will and his brother Jonathan walking in. Five's whole presence changed when Will walked in and he jumped over the counter to greet him.

"Hey Will."

Will chuckled and glanced at Five in his uniform.

"I kind of miss the sailor outfit." Will teased lightly.

Five scoffed at that and shook his head.

"I don't, it made me look like a dork or a mini Steve. Now want to look for a movie with me since we will be watching one tomorrow since we got Hellfire tonight."

"Yeah let's find something fun to watch or maybe a horror."

Five grinned softly and placed an arm around Will's neck playfully and they checked out some films on display. Robin observed how Five and Will were hanging out and some things seemed…too friendly even for close friends. Five did at light hair flip and gave warm smiles while Will was complimenting Five and was a bit close to him. Robin's gears were turning and her eyes widened a bit at the pair. with their lingering stares. Both pairs of eyes were unknowingly soft and even maybe heated. Robin perhaps figured why Five's eyes weren't on girls.

"Shit." she whispered as she went to talk to Steve.

He was talking with the girl Five passed on and grinned as he got the girl's number.

"Never thought Aidan would be a good little wingman. I have dates for the next two weekends and they all seem pretty cute…nice."

Of course Steve wouldn't question all the girls Robin thought with a scoff.

"Yeah well there might be a reason for that dingus." Robin whispered.

She motioned her head to have Steve look at Five who was looking at movies with Will. He was confused and he questioned,

"Okay, why are we watching Aidan with Will, they are friends."

"I know that Steve but just…look at them." she whispered.

Steve raised an eyebrow and watched as Five and Will were hanging out for a short while. Five's smile was soft yet playful, eyes carefully glancing at Will with equal parts warmth, interest, and protection. He took Will's hand to get to the counter and chuckled as they bantered and talked. He threw in Will's favorite candy and placed it on his tab, and ran his fingers in his hair, something Steve often did to women he wanted to impress. It dawned on him what Robin was saying and his eyes widened a bit.

"Shit Robin…You think…you think he's…"

Robin shushed him since she didn't want to out Five if maybe he was gay or at least questioning. Both knew Five didn't have the best life and he was under house arrest from his father when they didn't sneak out or were doing hero work. Robin expected Five to maybe never got a chance to explore the sexes since mostly he saw his family. Now that he was in the general population he was able to make connections and check people out. Robin knew what it was like to wonder what was wrong and not connecting with the opposite sex. This was perhaps Five dipping his toes in the same sex with someone he's close and safe with. Robin also had a feeling Will was gay for sure but again she didn't want to impose or influence anything. She would however want to be there for Five in case he needed it. Be subtle yet warm, she thought. Steve could see Robin thinking and studying the pair and asked,

"Yeah you're probably better for him to speak with about that."

"I know Steve but he might not be aware he's flirting with Will. It's a bit subtle and laced heavily in friendship. Just want to be there if things start getting messy for the kid." Robin told him.

Steve smiled and he admired Robin for her kindness and support. Ever since she came out to the both of them, she was able to be her true self with the boys. He got to see that behind Robin's sass and wit there was this warm, open, supportive, and comforting person. Five needed that Steve thought and he patted her shoulder.

"Maybe take him in the back room for the talk. Don't want anyone to hear." Steve told her.

"That will spook or freak him out Steve. I want him to be able to come to me and not think I have an agenda. We will talk after Will leaves but it will be brief."

Steve nodded as he went to rewind some tapes in the back while Robin went to the checkout counter where Five was. He was checking out tapes for Will and Jonathan and ringing up the order. Will smiled as he got the rental VHS for Ghostbusters and Five smiled.

"You know we're going to own that tape eventually so you didn't have to rent it." he mused.

"I know but you haven't seen it and you need to, no exceptions."

Five chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"I will meet you at the house before Hellfire so I can take you. I should be getting off at six. We will have dinner home and then we're off to beat whatever sadist monster Eddie planned for us."

"See you then." Will told him as he left with his brother.

Five sighed happily but then noticed Robin beside him. He raised an eyebrow and asked,

"What's up?"

Robin shrugged and commented,

"Nothing's up. You and Will are such good friends, its very sweet."

Five smiled and nodded.

"I would be lost without him…literally since he found me at my lowest point."

Robin nodded and knew this wasn't the time or the place to go deep into Five's exploration of himself. But, she did want Five to know he could trust her like she trusted him.

"You know how it was a lot for me to be vulnerable and share that thing with you and Steve?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Five knew that was code for her coming out and nodded.

"Well…if you ever feel you have something big that worries or concerns you, you can come to me. No judgment, no worries, just an ear and advice if you need it."

Kind of out of the blue he thought but he did like Robin like an older sister. Since everyone in the academy was the same age, there wasn't that dynamic among them. However he did like that he could maybe have someone to go to if he needed advice from someone that wasn't anyone in the Byers. He did have concerns as to why girls weren't grabbing his attention but he was young and that would change as he got older…it should he thought.

"Thanks, although I am clearly fine and nothing's wrong with me." he defended with a light chuckle.

"No one is saying there is but I know how being at that academy kind of halted and slowed things for you. Just want you to know you have people to reach out to for different things. We have trust and I am going to be in your corner if you need me."

Five appreciated the thought and Robin was one of those people that would mean those words. Despite how much he knew, he was still just a 14 year old boy. He was going to deal with scenarios that Reggie hadn't prepared him for solely because he wanted a superhero team as a contribution to society and less of them being functional normal people. Reggie never spoke of love, relationships, friendships; only of missions and the greater good. Five knew he didn't understand a lot of the social aspects and despite Robin's awkwardness at times, she did know more than he did.

"Thanks Robin, if a internal crises comes up you're the first person I will come to."

"Just so long as it's not during my precious sleep in the early hours of the morning or I will end you and yes even with your training." Robin sassed.

"Yeah I know, we don't want you looking like a corpse." he teased back.

Robin scoffed at him and shot back with,

"Hey I will admit I need my sleep. Sleep is good, sleep is great. You should really sleep in on the weekends when you can and really embrace what you are now, a teenage boy discovering himself."

Discovering himself Five thought…right since up until his arrival here he was just one of Hargreeves seven adopted children. He had an idea on how each of them had to be and he didn't want anything to differ or go of course. Well this was probably quite a ways from what Reggie wanted and Five loved it. Normal life, friends, school, a job, and being able to figure out what he truly wanted to be.

"Yeah well this teenage boy is going to have fun clocking out soon because he has a hellfire of a night ahead of him. Wish me all the luck Robin thought I might not need it."

"Take it anyway dingus, it will help regardless for your fantasy dice game."

He didn't expect Robin and him to be close, yet here they were bantering and trusting each other with big secrets. Five did wonder and was curious on the specifics on Robin's sexual awakening and how Steve loved women so much. Something was different about him but he couldn't figure out what. He hoped age will fix that but until then he was satisfied and content with his current life.


Sorry if this took long, but I do have a process with this one and this is a story I am passionate about. This is a slow burn but I am leaving breadcrumbs at least. Thoughts about this story are always welcome since it does help me and the story develop. More updates will be coming in the future.