17 years ago
When Five felt that someone was shaking him awake he assumed it was Vanya urging him to get up because he slept in and the alarm would start soon. It had been 2 weeks now that he had been sharing a bed with her, and he grew so familiar to someone sleeping next to him, it felt impossible that he would ever be able to fall asleep alone again. It was like his body had memorized Vanya's breath, the warmth of her presence, the weight of her hand on his side and every time something was off, that she shifted in her sleep or turned the other way or got up because she wanted a glass of water, his brain signalled him to wake up because something was wrong.
However, as he sensed one of her hands secured under his over his side and one most likely touching his chest, his eyes flew open and looked up only to find Ben looking down at them.
His heart speed up, panicked, 'What?' His first thought was that they were discovered and that now they would have to separate and he was surprised how intensely that scared him.
'Uh, Klaus decided that we could sneak out today to do something fun,' he said looking between him and Vanya clearly confused. When his eyes landed on Vanya they momentarily stayed there and Five felt this strange stab inside his heart and the urge to cover her. She was asleep in her most vulnerable state. She shouldn't be eyed by anyone let alone someone who was not invited to see her like he was.
He frowned at Ben signaling that he shouldn't look at her even lifting his arm to block his brother's gaze. He felt oddly possessive about it. He was the only one Vanya allowed to share a bed with her, to sleep with her, to see her as she slept. He didn't want anyone else to see her.
'Oh, right, sorry. She looks cute when she's asleep-'
'Get to the point!' snapped Five making sure his frustration was clear even if he kept his voice down for Vanya's sake.
'Right. Klaus told me to get you and Vanya, but you weren't in your room. Guess, now I know why,' he said shooting Five a small smile which made him even more upset. He felt his face getting hot and like he wanted to stand up and run away, but he wasn't a child anymore. He told himself as much as he forced himself to stand his ground.
He got out of the bed, 'I will wake her up and tell her to get dressed.'
'Okay,' said Ben chuckling one more time before he was out.
Five felt humiliated that he caught them like this. Ben shouldn't have seen them. They should have been more careful. Five should have been more careful. He felt oddly more responsible about the whole sharing the bed than Vanya like since he was the one who could teleported he should have been more careful and make sure their secret was safe. He should have been the one protecting it more, so he would protect Vanya from bad dreams.
He shook Vanya awake earning a displeased groan from her, 'What? What is it?'
'Wake up, we're going on an adventure,' he told her and she blinked before she chuckled, 'What?'
'Just get dressed and put a scarf,' he told her before he teleported into his room and quickly threw on his uniform. He got out and rushed to Ben's room. Ben was still getting dressed.
'Listen about what you saw…you can't tell anyone,' he said actually letting his worry show which made him feel weak. He knew that even though their father no matter how careless he acted toward anything they did would not have approved. He was always being his typical asshole self toward all of them, but it felt as if he actually bitter toward Vanya in a way. He ignored her sure, but those things he something caught him to say. It felt even worst for her then for the others. He told her she was ordinary on daily bases, making it sound like it the worst thing in the world to be something like that. Five had a suspicious though. Sometimes, when one of them failed to deliver some sort of result their father would have this look. It was the same look he all so often gave Vanya. Five wondered if perhaps, their father did not consider her to be his greatest disappointment. He adopted her just like he did the rest and she turned out not to have powers. For someone who apparently took the only pride in his work, it must have been his great failure. Five despise him even more for that. Vanya was innocent in all of that. It wasn't like she could have make herself have powers, so he shouldn't be treating her like this and making the others see her like that as well.
He shook his head feeling that he was getting worked up by it again without a reason. He couldn't do anything about it tonight, but he could do something about Ben. He looked up at him not sure if he should use pleading or threatening tactic on him.
'Alright –alright already I won't. I'm just surprised. I mean I noticed you hang out with her often and like to be around her, but I didn't know this much,' said Ben and gave him a grin which made Five want to punch him just a little bit.
'Just don't tell anyone. Especially Klaus. He can't keep a secret for the life of him,' said Five trying to calm down.
'W-what are you t-two girls doing?' asked Diego from the door, 'Let's go a-already.'
Five rolled his eyes at him before he spotted Vanya walked passed Ben's room with a small smile.
He felt Ben step closer and whispered, 'Don't worry. I promise I won't tell.'
Now
Five woke up feeling more tired than he ever did with the events from last night not even leaving him alone in his dreams. Sighing he rolled over to face Vanya again at least in her sleep she looked relaxed, and careless to what happened before. At least someone should have a good rest. She deserved at least that much.
He watched her face for a moment just taking it in. She was older and younger than him at the same time. He didn't really pay attention to it before because he simply didn't have time for it, but after last night it was something he became painfully aware not as it was her flaw, but more like his own. He was the one who left grew old without her and came back looking like a child.
Still, if he didn't return to his thirteen year old body, he still would be twenty eight years older than her. Wouldn't that cause the same feelings he was feeling now? And what was he feeling now anyway? How could he be stressing about something like that when he wasn't even sure if there was something to be stressing about?
He quickly shook his head. It was not the time for this. He got out and went to change before she would wake up, but the moment the bed bounced with the lack of his weight, Vanya sat up, her eyes half closed making her look kind of funny.
'Good morning,' he mumbled before he swallowed a bit, 'You can sleep-in a bit. It's too early anyway.'
He saw the exact moment, reality and the events of last night came back to her as her eyes widened like a deer caught in the car lights, her usual pale face went redder than the communist flag and she looked away.
Oh dear.
He hadn't even thought about the awkwardness of the whole aftermath of last night.
For a moment it was incredibly hard to look at her and he turned around feeling ashamed. He felt ashamed that he let things get so out of control that now it was like they couldn't work on daily bases together. If he fucked it up and they wouldn't be able to look each other in the eye anymore or be close, he would commit self-violence or something.
'I will go change-'
'Five?'
He turned around. He could tell it was hard for her to look at him for a moment before she said, 'Do it later…let's just laid down for a couple of more minutes.'
He watched her for a moment before he nodded and slowly walked toward her. It felt like she was miles away even if it was like three small steps back to the bed.
He laid beg down, but there was no ease in it as it was during the night. He supposed it was easier to hid himself in the night, so expressing his conflicted feelings was easier.
From the way she was lying next to him tensely it was obvious she felt the same. He wondered what could he possibly say to make this better? To make them not act like this or feel like this?
The knock on the door was a blessing to the both of them based on the relieved sigh which escaped Vanya's lips.
'Hey, are you awake? Mom made breakfast,' said Allison from behind the door.
Five looked over at Vanya.
'Breakfast?'
17 years ago
They all stood up in front of one of the windows.
'It will be better than taking the door, trust me,' said Klaus as if he knew exactly what he was talking about which made the rest of them wonder how often he did this.
They went by one slowly climbing outside. Five purposely stayed behind the help Vanya offering her his hand and shoulder to lean on.
Once they were outside he felt the thrill of knowing they were doing something forbidden together. He kept close by Vanya sensing that Ben sometimes stole a glance at them, but even if he felt embarrassed enough to try to put some distance between them so Ben would stop with the looks, seeing Vanya looking so happy and smiley about their little adventure just wouldn't let him.
'Excited?' he asked her although he already knew the answer to that.
She didn't say anything, but nodded enthusiastically and he couldn't help a small smile. Screw Ben. As long as Vanya was happy, he was happy as well.
'Where are we going?' asked Allison after they passed the street.
'This awesome doughnut shop,' said Klaus proudly earning a groan from Diego, 'S-seriously? I would think you had something more daring for us today.'
'Alright, we can go to this other place, but we would have to ditch the uniforms.'
'Let's stick with simple and not lawbreaking for today,' said Luther suddenly.
'Pussy.'
'Hey-'
'Will you just keep it quiet, knuckleheads?' asked Five finally ending the bricking for a moment.
He watched the dark city around them. People were walking by. He noticed some looked suspicious about a group of kids walking down the city while others paid them no mind. No one stopped them though which was good.
The doughnut shop was still opened and Klaus walked in like he owned the place, which made Five think that he might have been there often.
They had to squeeze themselves a bit, but they fit into one booth.
'It's nice here,' said Vanya only quietly enough for him to hear. He smiled over at her. He let her sit first and made sure that she had enough space while he kept bumping into Diego's elbow. It was annoying, but he managed it.
'Do we even have cash to afford all this?' asked Allison suspiciously before Klaus pulled out a pile of nicely folded bills.
'Where did you get that?' asked Luther immediately, but Number Four just waved at him as the waitress came looking from him to the rest of them, 'I see you brought some friends?'
'Family actually.'
'Okay, sweetie, what will be today?' asked the waitress. It only proved Five's theory that Klaus was here often because she seemed little to not at all bothered by a bunch of thirteen year olds being there so late at night.
'I want like seven out of each,' he said grinning at the woman.
'Are you sure? It will be a lot,' she said, but his grin only grew wider, 'Bring it on!'
That night it was the first time, Five ever felt like they were somewhat of a normal, or ordinary if you like. They were just some stranger kids, misbehaving in the late hours eating too many doughnuts while laughing and chatting and acting like real kids should act. It felt good. It felt freeing in a way, and it made Five realized a bit that even if their father raised them with the sole purpose of doing what he wanted them to of being competition to each other while still a team, not a family, they actually liked each other and could be with each other.
'Oh, I can't eat anymore,' whined Vanya by his side trying to push the small plate with the half eaten doughnut with red colored frosting on top away from her.
'Now, come Vanya,' said Diego and pushed it back toward her over Five, 'Don't be a quitter. We don't allow that kind of behavior in this family.'
She let out another whine, but smiled and took the sweet, 'I wonder which of you will hold my hair when I will be puking.'
Five barked out a laugh trying not to choke while eating.
'And mine,' agreed Allison looking almost with hate at the last piece of a doughnut on her plate.
'Mine too,' said Ben.
'Bro, you got like three hair all together.'
'Shut up.'
'Hey, no fighting tonight, remember?'
He felt Vanya snuggled closer to his side and he wondered if maybe he should give her more space before he looked over at her and she smiled at him. Neither of them said anything, but with the way he smiled back at her. It was clear they were all the happiest they ever felt as a family. It made him wonder how much easier would it be to be happy if it was just the seven of them. No abusive father to criticize them every step of the way and tear them down. Just seven kids supporting and goofing around with each other. Despite their flaws, none of them actually hated the each other. They were a family after all.
By the end of the night, Five was positive that if it was just the seven of them it would be very nice. As Vanya brushed her teeth after throwing up on the payment in front of the house along with Allison and Diego, he even wondered if it wasn't even nicer if it would be just the two of them.
Now
They were all downstairs and Five couldn't help, but wonder if maybe he died yesterday and ended up in some hell where he had to relive the most awkward family breakfast in the history. All of them were sitting behind the table while Grace was humming a song while making breakfast. To say that it was bizarre was an understatement.
At least he had coffee. He kept his eyes on his hands holding the mug trying hard not to glance over at Vanya wondering if she was doing the same while the rest of their siblings were looking from one another to him and Vanya trying to catch their gaze.
'Alright, this feels like after a one night stand when you're force to sit with them and wait for their cab to come,' muttered Klaus.
Five rolled his eyes and looked up at him.
'Do I maybe have some pills left over?' asked Vanya suddenly Grace turned around to look at her, her smile a little strange.
'I don't recall, but I can check for you, dear,' she said.
'Thanks, mom,' mumbled Vanya and looked back down at her mug. It was the first time she spoke since they came downstairs.
Allison was the first to put her hand on hers and ask, 'How do you feel? All things considering?'
'I'm good. A bit overwhelmed, but I think I'm good.'
'Could you maybe tell us what happened?' asked Luther slowly, not in a way, that he wanted to push, her but with a voice which made it clear it was important for her to speak.
Vanya opened her mouth before she looked over at Five. He saw the lack of courage in her eyes and without thinking about what his siblings might take it as, he just reached out and touch her other hand. She needed him. That was all that mattered.
She nodded and started talking to her best knowledge of what happened. It was clear from how she wouldn't meet their eyes that she was ashamed she had fallen into a trap like that. She got to the part of him following her in order to hurt her to hurt them and Five once again felt the burning desire inside him to fucking butcher the man while keeping him alive to feel it all.
He kept his eyes on Vanya the whole time, but sense how their siblings awkwardly stilled or looked at each other realizing that it was them who played a big role in what happened and could have happened to her.
'He was a fucking lunatic,' said Diego finally after Vanya took a breath to sip some coffee.
'I think we should go and find dad's journal,' she said.
Luther shook his head, 'We already went to the house. The journal wasn't there, but we found something else.'
'What?' asked Five frowning as he felt annoyed that they went without him. He wanted to see it with his own eyes that the fucker was dead, but then again if he would see where he was planning to hold and hurt Vanya he would probably lost it.
Allison pulled out her phone, 'We found someone. A woman. Is this the Helen Jones who got missing a few days ago?'
Vanya blinked, 'You know about that?'
Allison nodded and showed her the picture she had taken. Five felt Vanya squeeze his hand tighter before she nodded, 'T-that's Helen. So he…'
'Yeah,' said Allison slowly. Five saw how pale Vanya got all of the sudden and he didn't blame her. Apart from last night she never even saw a dead body, let alone someone she knew. This was still new and traumatizing for her.
He let his thumb brush her knuckles a bit for comfort.
Vanya swallowed a bit, 'God, everyone was so confused why didn't she showed up for the auditions. It was so not like her.'
'We should probably talk about what you want to do now,' started Allison again ignoring Five's frowns.
'Because of Helen the situation changes. We need to get the police involved,' said Allison and Vanya nodded, 'I understand that.'
'No,' said Five suddenly and they all looked at him, 'Accident or not the police can take her in which would mean she wouldn't be with me. That's exactly what the Commission wants.'
Vanya looked over at him confused, 'What?'
He pulled out the order he had been carrying around in his pajamas now and showed it to her. Vanya let go of his hand and read it, her confusion furthering. She turned the paper around and then back before she looked at Five, 'I don't get it.'
'This is a direct order from the person responsible for the Apocalypse. For whatever reason the only way for them to know to actually cause the Apocalypse is for you and I to be separated. That's why they showed up two days ago and offered me a job to get away from you, and look what happened.'
Vanya looked back at the paper and then at Five. He knew her well enough to guess what was running through her mind.
How could someone like me stop the Apocalypse?
She looked at him again and then at the others, 'I don't understand it.'
'Maybe there is a point to. If Five didn't came back,' started Diego, 'We wouldn't be looking for you and find you. You would probably ended up in the police station in holdup.'
'Exactly which means you cannot end in the police station for whatever reason, understood?' asked Five his voice dominate. He saw Vanya frown a bit and something flash behind her eyes, but she held her tongue. He was almost curious to ask, when Allison spoke.
'It makes sense, think of all which happened to prevent it. The Commission lured Five away, try to get out an order for you guys to stay separated, Peabody kidnapped you-'
'Five got shot,' added Luther suddenly.
Vanya let out a gasp and turned immediately to Five her voice high pinched, 'You got shot?!'
If looks could kill Luther would have been a goner with the draggers Five shot at him before he felt Vanya yanked him by the color of his pajama shirt pulling him to look at her, 'You were shot?'
He looked at her momentary confused why was it so…interesting to watch her be so upset on the bridge of angry. Especially in his teenage developing body.
Jesus this body had teenage boy hormones, doesn't it?
'I was scratched,' he corrected her trying not to show how much it was affecting him.
'Technically, he had a shrapnel,' cut in Klaus earning the second glare from Five as he grinned at him like the daredevil that he was.
Fucking siblings!
'I knew you didn't just wear pajamas,' said Vanya and suddenly they all felt all the silver and glasses in the kitchen shake lightly.
'What was that?' asked Allison suspiciously, but no on looked wiser about it.
'It was nothing, and I'm better now, and you should have kept that to yourself since it's not your freaking business,' said Five to Vanya and then to Luther.
Vanya looked ready to tell him something else when Pogo showed up.
'I'm sorry to cut into the family meetings,' said Pogo, 'But it appears that there are a couple of police officers heading to the house.'
Luther, Diego and Five stood up at that.
'I should go talk to them,' said Vanya.
'No,' said all the siblings united.
Five shook his head, 'We have to get you out of her before they come.'
'What are you insane?'
'Vanya, the apocalypse happens because the two of us are separated. I can't be with you if you are taken by the police,' said Five firmly.
Vanya shook her head before she looked at the rest of her siblings. It was clear they were all on the same page as Five on this one.
'What do I do?'
'Just go upstairs for now. We'll text you in case they actually start to search the house,' said Luther and already handed Five his phone.
There was a loud banging on the door, before Five took her hand, 'Just take a deep breath, alright?'
She gave him a short nod before suddenly he teleported with her to the attic.
He caught her as she almost felt backwards the shock of being teleported while she was still sitting to a standing position as well as the fact that she was actually teleported was clear on her face and posture.
'That was…oh God. How do you do it?' she asked her voice a bit squeaky.
He guided her down to sit on one of the old dusty chairs while he stood next to her the phone in his pocket in case Luther texted him, 'You'll get used to it eventually.'
Vanya brushed her arm a bit trying to calm down. He got used to the claustrophobic feeling of being sucked into something a size of a keyhole, but for her it was a new experience all together.
She looked up at him after a moment of composing herself, 'It's a new trick though. Dad always wanted you to take some with you, but you never did.'
Five rolled his eyes, 'Dad was an arrogant prick who wanted us to do things he himself did not understand,' he went quiet for a moment before he said, 'In the post-apocalypse, when I found Dolores I tried to teleport with her. I figured if I could do it with my clothes still on an occasional small object I could do it with her as well.'
Vanya smiled at that. This time she didn't try to hide it behind her hair. Five had the oddest feeling of pride that she was coming out like that, 'You didn't want to leave her behind.'
'Of course, I didn't,' he said as a matter of fact, 'She's was my only friend there, and she was just as alone as I was. I would never leave her behind. It took me a while. Way longer than dad always assumed it would before I finally got to it. Still, I was a bit surprised I teleported with you. I didn't have time to try it out on a person with a beating heart and everything.'
Vanya gasped looking shocked, 'You didn't know if it was safe-?'
'I knew it was safe, I just didn't know if it would work, but then again I'm really good at it, so,' he shrugged his shoulders with a smug grin.
Vanya shook her head before she chuckled and sighed, 'It's a good trick though. Apart from the feeling of wanting to puke, it's very interesting.'
He smirked smugly at her, 'Oh, it's more than interesting. Admit it, there's a bit of a thrill to have yourself be pushed like that through such a small space.'
She giggled clearly forgetting all about the danger of being taken by the police.
'Oh, please,' she said and there was no way in hell that he could let that go by just like that. It was a challenge.
He grabbed her hand before she could object, and teleported them closer to the window of the attic. She let out a startled yelp before she covered her mouth. She didn't look too amused, 'Five, knock it off.'
'Say that I'm right.'
'You're a control freak, that's what you are,' she said, but not in a mean way. It was like she was teasing him a bit.
He pulled her closer to him making sure she knew he was holding her hand signaling that he could easily teleported them again if they wanted to.
He gave her a warning look, 'Say. It.'
She opened her mouth. There was daring in her eyes. He almost expected her to purposely fight him on this to cause a reaction. He found it very alluring, thrilling in a way he couldn't really explain.
She leaned closer and opened her mouth, and suddenly he had the strangest urge enter his mind. He wanted to kiss her. With her eyes shining with defiance and them alone in the dim light of the attic and her so close. He just…wanted to kiss her again.
For a microsecond her eyes landed on his lips or maybe it was just his imagination, but it was as if something shifted behind Vanya's eyes. Something not so sweet, innocent and pure. Something a bit rebellious, wild and unstoppable, he never saw inside her before, but craved to see even more because of it.
Her hand felt warm inside his and he wondered that if he kissed her now. In his thirteen year old body, in the daylight, how would she react? Would she accepted it, or stop it? Somehow, he felt more draw to the first possibility of that dilemma.
'No-Oh my God,' she said looking out of the window.
He quickly looked outside as well only to see the police pulling Diego outside in handcuffs.
'What the-?'
The phone went on and he picked up.
'What's going on?' he asked quickly.
'Patch, the detective lady friend of Diego's who was killed by Hazel and Cha-Cha. They think it was him. They're taking him into custite for now,' said Allison and both Five and Vanya looked at each other.
Well shit!
17 years ago
Number Five waited until the next day before he confronted Number Six.
'Did you tell him?' he asked furious. With not being able to be with Vanya anymore and her getting almost turned into a zombie with her pills, Five spent a lot of time thinking about two things time travelling and how the hell did Reginald find out, until he remembered that there was one other person who knew about them.
Ben looked up from his book, 'Tell who, what?'
'Dad came to my room the other day and made me promise to never step foot into Vanya's room and her into mine again,' said Five growing angrier with each word, 'He said he knew she was sharing a bed with me for a while. A while. Want to explain how the hell did he know that?'
Ben put the book down marking with a dog ear the page, 'Look, I'm sorry dad found out, but that wasn't me. I promised you I wouldn't tell him-'
'Yeah, like you promised Klaus you wouldn't tell dad, he has been communicating with our old nanny?' he snapped at him. This occurred a week ago. No one knew about it, but Klaus has started to be bothered by their old nanny who wouldn't let him sleep telling him about how she fell down the stairs when they were four. Five didn't even remember that someone had died in the house, and neither did the rest of them. They all assumed she just left and was replaced with Grace who was more obedient than anyone else to take care of them.
'That was an accident-'
'Yeah, which got you out of the testing for that day. I know about that too. You snitched on Klaus and got a reward. Did you do that to me as well?' he asked frowning at his brother.
Ben stood up and shook his head getting upset as well, 'Shut up! It wasn't like that. I have been begging dad for months that I didn't want to do it anymore. Can you imagine how much it hurts? I don't get to jump whenever I want or throw a knife or make a rumor. I have this thing inside me which hurts like hell and makes me feel sick every damn time-'
'Did you tell dad or not? This is serious he said he would sent Vanya to a boarding school in England. Do you understand what you could have done?' demanded Five.
'You know what,' snapped Ben upset, 'Screw you. I didn't snitch on you, but I don't care what you think and for that alone, I wish he would sent Vanya away so that maybe you would finally shut up about her and realize there are more siblings in this house-'
That was the first time in Five's life he ever punched his sibling if it wasn't because of practice. It was the first time he actually wanted to cause them pain. It was also the first time he ever felt so sick to his stomach from it.
His eyes widened and he got down on next to Ben, 'Oh God, Ben-I-'
Ben took a couple of deep breaths before he put his hand away, 'Is it okay?'
Five checked for damage, 'Yeah, no blood or broken anything. Maybe you will have a shiner though.'
Ben sighed shaking his head.
'I'm sorry,' said Five looking at him, 'I just-'
'Save it. I'm sorry too. That was probably the worst thing I ever said to you,' said Ben looking away, 'I swear, I didn't tell dad. I don't know how he found out, but I can help you figure it out.'
Five shrugged his shoulders, 'It won't change anything. The only thing which will is for me to go back in time and stop dad from finding out all together.'
Ben blinked, 'Is that why you were so desperate to figure it out? So you can…be with Vanya without dad sending her away?'
Five shook his head feeling a bit embarrassed, 'No, well, a little bit, but I always wanted to time travel. This is just one of the things which I would change I guess. The first on my list.'
Ben nodded before he smiled a bit, 'Sounds good.'
'Thanks. I still don't know if I have the right equations though. I need to work more. I'm sorry again,' he said and helped Ben up.
'Don't sweat it.'
Now
Five got finally dressed and left his room. It was the first time he left Vanya alone that day after she assured him that as long as he was in the house it didn't count as leaving.
They still did not agree what to do about Diego, who went on his own with the police claiming he would figure out a way to get out on his own. Despite their differences, Five trusted Diego's skills and knew that if anyone could do it, it was him. Still, he would feel better if he could help.
As he was on his way to find Vanya, he spotted Allison and Luther talking about something in hushed voice by the end of the hallway. He couldn't hear them, but they looked nervous and worried about something.
He walked toward them, 'Everything okay?'
They instantly stopped talking before they nodded, 'Sure, we're just talking about what to do with Diego.'
Five frowned a bit. He wasn't sure he believed them. Something was once again off.
'You sure?'
Allison gave him a confused look, 'Yeah, why? Is everything okay with you?'
Unlike Luther and Diego who he could read clearly, Five had no idea if Allison was lying or not. Maybe it was the former rumor thing, or the good actress career, or maybe her own talent of being a good liar, but he honestly didn't know. He just had a weird feeling.
'I need to call my ex,' she said suddenly and turned around to nod at Luther who looked shifty, but nodded as well. Maybe they were talking about their situation with each other and her daughter and ex. Still, he had a weird feeling about it.
They both went to the direction of the stairs and Five really felt like something was going on which they purposely were not telling him about.
Despite the fact that he knew he was always welcome, he politely knocked before he opened the door.
Vanya was standing in front of her bed looking down at her violin inside the open case. She didn't seem to have noticed him as she just stared at the object in front of her. Five noticed that the storm was getting worse outside with the added wind.
'Hey, are you alright?' he asked slowly.
Vanya turned around jerking a bit. She really did not notice him.
She was quick to close the case and set it down under the bed before she herself sat down on the bed,
'Yeah, just thought about…well everything,' she confessed her previous shyness returning.
'I heard you got the first chair,' he said and Vanya sighed, 'Yeah, because apparently my competition was killed off.'
'Don't say that,' said Five shaking his head and stepped closer.
'You got it because you're that good. Both of us know it,' he told her openly. He should know how good she was. He used to hear her all the time when they were kids. And that day he went with the commission? It was breathtakingly beautiful.
She didn't smile but nodded all the same.
'Do you feel like playing?' he asked slowly, not wanting to upset her too much.
'Maybe a bit later, if that is okay?' she asked and he shook his head, 'Everything is okay if you want it that way.'
Vanya nodded, 'Good.'
Five felt once again the same awkwardness in her presence. She was still dealing with all that had happened and he didn't know how to help her, how to ease her mind. He felt so…useless sometimes when it came to her. How was it that he had a mad set of skills, could teleport and was the smartest person in his whole family and yet when it came to Vanya he just…got nothing sometimes.
'Hey, can you explain to me the whole…orders from Commission?' she asked suddenly her voice not so weak as it sounded before cutting his train of depressing thoughts.
'I still don't' get how does you and I being together stop the apocalypse,' she said sounding curious.
He nodded and sat down next to her on the bed, 'Well, the management creates a very details scenario of the event they wish to achieve using mostly analyses and observation as well as all the information they get from the field agents to secure the timeline,' he started to explain calmly.
Vanya looked like she was thinking about all, and it made him feel a bit self-aware that he was letting her into this part of his life. The life he rather not think about when he was with her.
'So they give orders to kill the people like Martin Luther King and -'
'No,' said Five and shook his head, 'They create a scenario where the most likely outcome is to …let's say kill Martin Luther King. They do things like cause engine problems, or poison your local meat guy to cause someone to be late for work. In fact they kill literally anyone except the person who needs to die.'
'That sounds like going the long way instead of the shortcut,' she pointed out.
'True, but the key is to make it look like an accident or like someone else did it. It's forbidden in anyway way for anyone to know that the Commission is real and what it does.'
'So how do you think we stop the apocalypse by being together?' she asked and Five shook his head, 'It could be anyway. Usually it's the smallest of the thing which leads to such events you would never imagine. Whatever Dot, the person responsible for apocalypse events, thought up would only worked if we were separated.'
Vanya sighed before she looked down at her hands, 'I don't get it. What could I do? I'm not special. I'm…ordinary, Five. No powers or anything useful to add.'
Five watched her for a moment. All her life this was the main struggle of hers. Being ordinary. Something their father burnt into her brain with his words and actions making it sound like being ordinary meant being useless, worthless, powerless. Something Five never wanted Vanya to feel every again.
He touched her arm for a moment, 'Well, apparently, when it comes to the Apocalypse you're one of the two most important people in the world,' he told her earning a surprised look, before her lips pulled into a warm and sweet smile.
'That's a nice thought even if a bit scary.'
'You don't have to be. I'm here now. And there is literally nothing the Commission can do to take me away from you,' he said looking at her. He wondered if she realized that he didn't just mean it because he wanted to stop the Apocalypse.
Something shifted behind her eyes again, and he was sure she knew.
'So the Commission, your formal employees are the bad guys in this story? Well, them and Le-Peabody,' she said suddenly. He hated how her voice broke a bit when saying that assholes name, but she was still looking at him not shying away.
'Yeah, they're messed up like that. They have their belief system and nothing can break through it,' he said and shrugged his shoulders.
Vanya watched him for a moment and he wasn't sure what was going on through her mind, 'For what it's worth. I know we haven't talked about it before with Luther there, but I don't think you're a bad person because you did what you have to do to get back. I know you…I really know, Five. So if you feel like you need to apologize or make up for whatever you needed to do. You don't. Not to me, or anyone in this family at least. You were forgiven the moment you did it by us,' she told him catching him completely off guard because there was still this small part of him which was wondering how she was accepting all of it and he was worried if she ever would. He wondered if maybe she wasn't just pushing the whole thing away so she wouldn't have to deal with it, just like they were pushing everything else away.
He leaned toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace. He wasn't a hugger. God knows, he hated when people touched him without his permission, but Vanya. He wanted her close. His body, mind, even soul if he had one, wanted her as close as possible.
She immediately hugged him back. With the way she stroke his hair and back, so tenderly and lovingly, there was no way she saw him as a monster. There was just no way, she saw him as anyone else than Five, just like he always saw her just as Vanya.
'You're also not marked by defending yourself, okay?' he told her suddenly and she nodded against him.
'I mean it. You did what you had to do to survive, and I'm so proud of you for that,' he told her and turned his head to kiss her cheek. It was a nice sensation to do so.
Vanya nodded again before she gently nudged him away, 'There's something I want to tell you though. About yesterday. About what happened.'
He felt panic rose inside him. Could she honestly want to talk about last night and what it meant? Now? He wasn't sure he was ready. He wasn't sure he would ever be ready.
Vanya took his hand, 'When I was in that basement,' he didn't feel relieved by her words though, 'oh Five, I can't even explain it. It…I was fighting him on the ground. He was on top of me, and then this screwdriver cut his neck and landed next to my head. I…Five whatever happened, that…I don't know but I was on the ground and the screwdriver came from behind him, and that wasn't me and there wasn't anyone around.'
Five blinked confused. She didn't tell them about how exactly she got out, so this sounded very strange. Based on the others said, he assumed she fought him and got the upper hand, but this sounded strange.
He looked at her face carefully studying it.
'What are you saying?'
Vanya shook her head looking almost like she was ready to give up, like she thought her idea was insane and stupid and that she shouldn't even say. Something he always hated when she did as a child dismissing her idea simply because she had such low self-esteem, 'I don't know, but this is ridiculous.'
His other hand was on her cheek, 'Tell me. Whatever it is - just tell me.'
Vanya shook her head again before she opened and closed her mouth several times, 'He sounded…he made it sound like he thought that I wasn't ordinary. And I felt…ever since a couple a days ago I felt this…pressure inside of me and how it was slowly building up inside me more and more until it would be ready to burst only every time it did something happened. I can't explain it, but it almost looks like I…like I have-'
'Hey, can we talk?' asked Allison busting in which caused both Five and Vanya to jump away from each other even if they weren't doing anything.
Five felt his face warming up, but by the serious look on Allison's face, he quickly recorder.
'What's this about?' he asked. He wondered if it was so important that she had to barge in, not to mention he wanted to hear what Vanya wanted to say first.
'I need to speak with Vanya,' said Allison firmly.
Vanya blinked before she looked at Five and pat his knee, 'It's okay, we will…talk later about this. No rush.'
He felt like arguing. He felt like he should pressure her more to tell him what she wanted so say, but with the calm look on her face and plea in her eyes it was obvious she wanted to talk to Allison first.
Five got from the bed and slowly walked out as if he was hoping she would change her mind, while Allison walked in and closed the door.
He watched it for a couple of moments before he made his way downstairs still feeling uneasy about the abruptly cut short conversation.
Downstairs Klaus on the couch while Luther stood by the window. He could see the look on his face and the tension in his posture. Something was going on. Something they were hiding from Five.
'Alright, what's going on?' he snapped causing Klaus to jerk almost spilling his water? Seriously? Five didn't even know he could drink non-alcoholic drinks.
Luther turned toward him, 'I don't know what you mean.'
'You and Allison were whispering about something before and now you look like a tiger inside a cage. What's wrong?' he demanded.
Luther swallowed a bit hard, 'I-I don't know what you mean.'
'Jeez, bro, you suck at lying,' said Klaus and got up as well, 'You and Allison have secrets now? I thought we were bonding nicely.'
Luther shot him a desperate look, 'It's nothing.'
'It's not thing if you're all worked up about it. Spill it out,' said Five getting frustrated.
'Yeah,' said Klaus joining in.
Luther looked from one to another before he said, 'We…we went to Peabody's house and found dad's journal,' he started slowly.
'I thought you said it wasn't in the house,' said Klaus confused.
'He lied,' filled in Five now seeing thought his brother's secrecy.
Luther sighed, 'Yes, but…look there are stuff you don't know, so we couldn't tell you yet.'
'You and Allison or also Diego-'
'Just Allison and I, look, we're just trying to figure this out-'
'FIGURE WHAT OUT?!' shouted Five ready to punch Luther again if he didn't freaking start getting to the point.
'Vanya apparently has-'
Suddenly two windows broke with the force of the wind and the chandelier on top started to shake. The storm outside was bad.
'What the hell is that?' asked Klaus looking around.
'He sounded…he made it sound like he thought that I wasn't ordinary. And I felt…ever since a couple a days ago I felt this…pressure inside of me and how it was slowly building up inside me more and more until it would be ready to burst only every time it did something happened. I can't explain it, but it almost looks like I…like I have-'
'Vanya apparently has-'
Five's mind came to the only conclusion when the third window cracked, 'Powers.'
He didn't waste time and teleported upstairs in front of her room seeing the whole house was shaking before it suddenly stopped.
'Allison! Vanya!' he heard Luther shout as he was running through the stairs.
Five teleported inside the room only to find Vanya trying to lift the large piece of wall which separated her room from Ben's old one that had collapsed and fallen right on top of Allison who was lying on her stomach not moving.
'Jesus,' he breathed out before he went to help her, but not even with the two of them they couldn't move her.
Luther finally showed up and got her out.
'What did you do?!' he yelled at Vanya who stood up shaking her head. She was crying and she looked panicked the wind around them returning.
Five had the worst feeling that if Luther wasn't holding onto Allison for dear life he would actually hurt Vanya.
'I didn't mean to. I swear I didn't mean to. We talked and she…and she …and the room …,' she said putting her hands into her hair pulling at it. She looked so terrified Five let go of Allison's hand and got in front of her. She was standing in the middle of the storm, the chaos desperate for salvation, and he couldn't not save her.
He pulled her hands out of her hair, 'It's fine. It's not your fault. You need to calm down, now.'
Vanya shook her head and he saw her brown eyes started to change color becoming brighter, 'I can't-I can't….I…Five?'
Without a second thought he teleported them to the kitchen where he brought out a paper bag from one of the draws.
'Oh dear, what's wrong?' asked Grace, but he ignored her and handed her the paper bag, 'Just breath, alright. Nice and steady. Just breath. Allison will be fine. She will be fine, Vanya, but you need to calm down.'
Before you tear the house apart.
Vanya used the paper bag and closed her eyes. The house didn't stop to shake though.
Five held her shoulders, 'Listen to my voice. I'm here with you, and it's going to be alright. Whatever it is it's going to be fine. Just nice and steady breathing, alright?'
She nodded several times, but when she opened her eyes they were brown again, and little by little he felt the house go still.
He couldn't help a big smile broke into his face, 'Good girl.'
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead putting all of what he felt in that moment into, 'You did well. Keep breathing, alright?'
She nodded and after a moment pulled the bag away from her mouth, 'God, oh, god, Five…what did I do?'
He brushed her hair and kissed her one more time on the forehead, 'It's okay. You lost control and got it back. It's fine.'
She gazed into his eyes looking as if she was seeking for some sort of fear or doubt, but there wasn't one. He didn't know what was going on yet, but he knew that he could deal with it and so could Vanya and that was that mattered.
'I'm scared,' mumbled Vanya.
'You can be, but I'm not. So I will be brave for the both of us, alright?' he asked and looked at her adoringly. Knowing now more than ever that there was nothing Vanya could do which would make him…love her less just like she wouldn't care less for him after what he did for the Commission.
She knew him. All of him. She knew he could be an asshole, pragmatist looking for an easy way out. She knew he could be a killer, a monster who hurt innocent people if it was what needed to be done, and yet she gave him forgiven like it was the most easiest thing in the world. She let him into her life, her apartment, her bed. She let him do whatever he wanted and needed always by his side. She just…God.
Now holding her and looking into her brown eyes filled with panic about something she did. Something destructive she could do if she wasn't careful enough if she wasn't in control enough, and yet something so incredible and beautiful he couldn't help, but feel amazed by.
He should be scared. He should assume the worst. Vanya had powers. Powers which could not be controlled. Powers which could hurt people, kill people even. But none of that scared him. He didn't even feel worried about it. He felt….he just fell…he couldn't even explain it what he felt as he stood there with her.
As he watched her eyes all he wanted to do was lean down and kiss her again and convince her it would all be alright. In that moment, he just knew that it was true what everyone assumed, some with some without words, but almost everyone knew when they looked at them.
With that thought sinking in and someone coming downstairs, he realized what he knew all along.
No, he never saw Vanya as a sister.
A.N: Hi guys, thank you again for the continuing and growing support of this story. I am happy to hear you like it so much and still want to read more and that I did not fucked up with the last chapter since I was so worried to disappoint. Hopefully this one is good as well. I know I usually switch POVs and now it was supposed to be Vanya's but I decided to mix it a bit because it felt easier to write Five these past few days. I think I will make the next one Vanya's POV but it will also slowly lead to the events which did not happen yet in this chapter. Next chapter will be up until Friday maybe sooner, but I have work and I do not want to get your hopes up. Anyway, thank you for all the positive words, and for caring about my mental health. It's very sweet.
Enjoy