A/N: Hope you guys enjoy :)
Chapter Three: It's For Science!
Diego could feel Five's eyes burning a hole into the side of his head, but he refused to turn his attention away from the road, his eyes were glued straight forward, his hands gripped tight on the wheel, he had vain hopes that Five wouldn't open his mouth and say something. They were in his car driving to the manor so Five could change into a clean uniform, the very same ones all of them had to wear in the academy. Five's been staring at him from the moment he situated himself in the passenger seat, turning his entire body to face Diego's and tucking his legs underneath him in a crisscross apple sauce pose, Diego was trying and failing to pretend he didn't notice.
"You plan on picking up the mess you made, right? Because the assumption that you are is the only reason I haven't kicked your ass yet." Five wanted to give Diego the benefit of the doubt, he didn't know the full story of what his siblings got up to well he was away, but paying extra close attention to his brother allowed Five to see a certain spark in Diego's eyes when they looked at Vanya. A spark that didn't take very long for Five to also see reflected in Vanya's eyes when she looked at Diego, and being the best brother that he is of course Five wants her to be happy and if Diego is what's going to make his sister a little bit happier in life then who was he to judge that. Their family was all kinds of fucked up sideways anyhow so what difference would this make in the grand scheme of things, not a bit of difference in Five's opinion.
Although he does have to admit that the pairing took him by surprise, he never thought in a million years that Diego and Vanya would ever be able to get along long enough to be proper siblings to each other let alone to be whatever it is that they are which Five is still confused over, but adding his niece into the mix obviously spoke of at least one area they got along just fine in. To say they've always butted heads is an understatement, they were one step away from declaring hatred for each other when they were kids, in a weird way though he could see where their opposite personalities could mesh well together.
"The mess with Vanya?" Diego was stalling, he knew what Five was asking, he wanted to avoid talking about Vanya with him though. If Five knew how things got started with Vanya and why he went to her to begin with, Diego was sure he wouldn't live to see another day. Five has always been protective of Vanya, he would always defend her, constantly getting into altercations with Diego and the rest of their siblings in their younger years because they often upset her. She would go off crying and Five would be the one to find her and dry her tears up before coming to find whoever was responsible and laying it on them just what he thought of their bullying. Diego who was more often than not the bully had been on the receiving end of a few punches and spitting words from Five more then he cares to admit.
"Yes, you're going to fix it." Five meant to phrase it as a question but it came out as an order, he wasn't going to take it back though, Diego needed to fix whatever it was between him and Vanya. Not because of a potential for a good romantic relationship but because of Luna, that little girl deserved both her parents in her life, without them fighting and/or glaring at each other out of anger for unresolved tensions. Plus, Vanya has been through an entire pregnancy, birth, and raising of a toddler by herself and as far as Five is concerned, Diego needs to grow some balls and step in so Vanya isn't parenting on her own anymore. It was understandable why he hasn't stepped up to be a dad until this point, how could he when he didn't know about Luna, like the rest of them finding out they have a niece out of the blue, Diego was finding out he had a daughter, but now he does know about Luna and there's no putting the cat back in the bag when it comes to her, there's no excuse now.
"I'm hoping to." Diego whispered, he was going to try and fix his relationship with Vanya he just hopes she'll let him. He wants to be a father to Luna, he doesn't want to miss another day of her life, he's already missed so much, her birth, her crawling stage, her first steps, her first words, her first smile, etc. and he doesn't want to miss anymore. He also wants to be with Vanya, he loves her, and he doesn't just want to co-parent with her, he wants to be in both their lives not just Luna's. Though if that's all Vanya wants then he'll have to accept it and move on, but he can't lie to himself or anyone else and say he doesn't want more with her.
He kicked her out of his life because of an overwhelming sense of guilt on why he brought her into it to begin with. He knows now he could have handled that in a better way, one that didn't leave Vanya running from his place sobbing, one that didn't leave her by herself when she needed him there. At the time he thought he was making a good decision when he kicked her out, he thought he was deciding that she deserved better then to be his balm for the scar Eudora made in his heart, and he was right she did deserve better than that from him, but she also deserved better then how he went about "resolving" the situation.
"Good," Five told him nodding his head in approval, "But just so we're clear, if you don't or you make things worse for her, no one's going to be able to recognize your body when I'm through with it." Five gave him that huge creepy ass smile that Diego absolutely hated, it made Five look like a murder child that was ready to dismember your body and feed your remains to wild animals, it creeped him the fuck out.
"Understood." He wasn't planning on screwing it up, relief went through his body when Five turned his murder smile in another direction.
Pulling his car into the manor and turning the engine off, Diego sat in silence with Five for a minute, both of them staring up at the manor from their seats. He resisted the urge to turn the car back on and drive away, he didn't like being here, it was a place that held little to no good memories, he didn't like reliving those memories. Beyond the way they grew up Diego was still upset about the fact that him and Eudora hadn't worked out in the end, and it was ultimately because of this place. He didn't feel what he used to for her anymore and as selfish as it is to think it was for the best that they broke it off, had he and Eudora worked out he would have never contacted Vanya and that's not something he can fathom having never done.
It was still difficult though to connect this place to his relationship with Eudora and his relationship with Vanya, as angry as he was at her at the time of their fight, he did come to see the truth in Eudora's words. He has and still is trying to live up to a legacy that he hated and never wanted to be a part of, yet somehow even knowing that he can't stop trying to honor it. He would never admit it out loud, to embarrassed by the roots of his problems but she said no lies in her words when she told him he had "daddy issues", his father was a jackass and Diego hated him with everything he was. Those issues that stemmed from his father's fucked up parenting extended into Diego's adult life and his decisions and behavior but even knowing that didn't mean he could use his childhood as an excuse to screw up and decide how he lived his life now.
Walking into the manor, Five took off without a word to go change his dirt and blood stained clothing, Diego lingered in the foyer unsure if he wanted to go the rest of the way into the house, or just stay by the front door for a quick escape if he needed it. Being here last night was different than being here right now. Last night was supposed to close a few chapters in his life, what with his father being dead and his siblings only coming together for his funeral, he thought everyone exchanging information and saying they'll keep in touch was a show, but now he wasn't certain that was even a possibility anymore even if it had been a fabrication of pleasantries.
"You're back?" Allison's surprised voice sounded at the top of the grand staircase, everything in this artificial home was fancy, to much so for his tastes. Diego could see that she was upset about something, she had frown lines littering her otherwise flawless face.
"Yup, came so Five could change." If it was possible Allison looked even more surprised to hear that, the surprise morphed into doubt, he knows he's not the most social of their siblings, he could possibly win first place for the angriest but definitely not the most talkative and outgoing. Certainly not enough so that his siblings are willing to be in his company voluntarily, especially not Five.
"Did you talk to Vanya?" She asked, her dark eyebrows scrunching up with her question, she chooses to ignore the weirdness of Five and Diego deciding to be in each other's company, maybe her brothers were finally maturing.
"Briefly, but some things came up and me and Five have some stuff to take care of." He wondered for a second if he should tell her of the upcoming apocalypse but decided against it for now, he would rather the decision to say anything to anyone else be made by all three of the people who currently knew. Allison looked back at him with a silent question of what was more important than talking to Vanya, but Diego kept quiet.
"You should have a full talk with her soon Diego, you don't want to miss anymore of Luna's life, trust me it's a horrible feeling not being able to be a part of them growing up." Allison was choking up with tears trying to advise him, he didn't know the full story on why she couldn't see her daughter or what happened for the courts to take away custody from her, he only knew it had something to do with her rumors, but regardless Diego knew she was speaking from her heart, and he knew she was right, he was just thinking something similar to what she said in the car.
"Are you okay?" He shifted in his place still by the front door, he felt awkward asking if she was okay, him and Allison were never close growing up, he didn't outright bully or outcast her like he did to Vanya, but Allison tended to stick to Luther's side, and he rivaled with their brother far too much to try and get along with the one person who seemed biased when it came to Luther's opinion's, ego, and actions. He couldn't very well ignore that she looked torn up over something that went beyond what they were discussing though.
"Yeah," she said reaching up to wipe away a few tears that had escaped her eyes, "I just got off the phone with Patrick, Claire's father, and he told me I can't see her yet." Diego didn't know what to say to that, he didn't know how to be sentimental to a sister that he hasn't seen or talked to in years. It didn't feel right to tell her everything will be okay, or everything will work out because he didn't know if it would be or if it will, and he didn't want to give her false hope. Thankfully, he didn't have to because Five space jumped in front of him and nodded to the door in a signal to leave.
"Allison." Five nodded his acknowledgment to her, but looked impatiently to the door.
"Where are you guys going?" Allison asked, curiosity getting the best of her, it was unusual to her to see them together and going somewhere together to top it off.
"Shopping," Five answered, so Diego wasn't the only one who thought not saying anything about the world ending was probably best for right now, "I need some stuff and Diego agreed to take me." Allison nodded her head and Diego used that moment of silence to slip out the front door with Five.
Unfortunately leaving the house only meant that they encountered one of their other many siblings, it was inevitable, there was far too many of them, Klaus was casually leaning against his car, no doubt looking for another ride.
Diego had given him one last night, taking Klaus with him to dump their father's monocle into the lake water, not that Klaus knew that bit of information, he had been far too busy having a conversation with the space next to him to pay any attention to what Diego was doing. Afterwards he dropped Klaus off at one of the many shady houses in a bad part of town and went home only to toss and turn in bed with thoughts of Vanya and Luna taunting him.
"Diego! My favorite brother in the whole world!" Klaus excitedly clapped his hands and did a little jump in the air upon seeing Diego walking towards him, "I need a ride so can you pretty please with a strawberry on top give me one?" Klaus was smiling ear to ear.
"Get in the car." Diego didn't have the heart to tell him no, and even if he did Klaus would just get in anyways so there really was no point in trying to tell him no, just a waste of breath.
"Yes! I call shot gun!" Klaus shouted as he ran to the passenger side but Five had already beat him there by space jumping into the seat, he completed his childish move by sticking his tongue out and wiggling in his seat to emphasize that he has shot gun and not Klaus. Is Five sure he's an old man?
"That's not fair Five! I called it!" Klaus complained but he got into the backseat without having to be told to, Diego swears sometimes that he has children for siblings. He got into the driver's seat and pulled away, he glanced at Klaus through the rear-view mirror and noticed that like last night his brother was looking and speaking to the empty seat next to him, unaware of Diego's eyes on him.
"You heard me call it, right?" He was asking the empty space and pausing for an answer. Diego wondered who he was talking to but didn't ask, he never asked despite the many times he's been curious as to who was talking to his brother. It's something that all of them avoided talking about, Klaus's abilities, it was no secret to any of them that Klaus turned to his addictions to escape his abilities, it was too personal of a topic to touch.
"Where are we going?" Klaus looked at him for an answer but still had his body turned towards the space next to him.
"Where do you want to get dropped off?" Diego questioned back to avoid answering but before Klaus could answer his question, Five cut him off.
"Doesn't matter right now, we'll drop him off afterwards, it's getting late and we can't afford to waste valuable time." Five had a point, they were on a time crunch, and giving Klaus a ride to wherever he wanted to go couldn't be their top priority right now.
"Ooh, I'm going on a joy ride." Klaus excitedly told the space next to him.
"So, where's this joy ride leading to guys?" Klaus asked them, leaning over into the middle compartment between them.
"A company." Five blankly answered, his tone flat and unwelcoming, Klaus nodded like it made complete sense. He kept eyeing Diego, glancing at him and pausing in his assessment before looking away and then doing it again, it was getting on Diego's nerves, he was relieved when Klaus finally got the courage to open his mouth to say what was on his mind.
"So, you got a mini me huh?" Klaus looked elated with his choice of topic; Diego wished he shared his enthusiasm. It felt like everyone was bringing it up just to see how much they could make him squirm, enjoying his discomfort.
"Looks like it." He uttered back, his hands tightened white on the wheel.
"You and Vanya boinked, did the dirty, got down in the sheets like a couple of freaks..." Klaus was going to go on, but Diego gave him a look through the rear-view mirror which made Klaus laugh but he stopped. It was quiet until Klaus had another question, to which he whispered to the empty space.
"What do you mean I shouldn't ask that?" Whatever the space said back clearly did not compute with Klaus, confusion laced his voice.
"How is that to personal, believe me you honey-boo-boo that is nowhere near the level of personal I can get on." Diego didn't know what the conversation was about, but he did believe Klaus's statement, he did have a very unique talent of making people squirm with the level of personal information he was willing to share and extract from his victims. The space must have said something back to him because Klaus was nodding back in mock understanding.
"None of my business!" He shrieked unexpectedly which caused Five and Diego to flinch, "It's for science!" Five doubted that very much.
"I'm going to ask." Klaus firmly stated to the space with no shame, rolling his shoulders back as if to prepare himself to give a speech.
"Let me ask you something Diego, is Vanya a moaner? She looks like she could be, I mean I'm just saying you know what they say about the quiet ones." He wiggled his eyebrows, his smile turning dirty.
"What?" Diego did not just get asked by his and Vanya's brother if she was a moaner, she was indeed a moaner, a loud one at that Diego openly thought to himself, stroking his own ego but Klaus did not need to know that information.
"Yeah, you know does she make a lot of noise, is she loud? Does she sound sexy or like a dying whale letting out one last mating call, because I've had one of those before and let me tell you, it was weird." Klaus shuttered, getting lost in the memory of that disturbing picture he just painted.
"Klaus, I do not need to know, nor do I want to discuss how Vanya sounds during intercourse, frankly it's slightly concerning that you would like to know that information." Five told him, shuttering himself when an unwanted image of his siblings popped into his head, he violently shook his head, banning that image to the fiery pits of hell from whence it came from, he wanted to get off the subject, never to visit it again in his life.
"I'm not answering that." Diego shook his head, why Klaus would want to know that piece of information he had no clue, but he wasn't going to get an answer.
"You keep your snobby "I told you so" to yourself." Klaus playfully snapped at the space, waving his arms around for emphasis.
Diego was beyond relieved to get away from the conversation when they arrived at the Company "MeriTech Prosthetics" that produced the fake eye, he's not sure he could deal with more questions in that area of his life with Vanya from their brother.
"Stay in the car Klaus." Diego ordered, the last thing they needed was for Klaus to go in there with his black leather pants, bright top, and glazed eyes demanding things, the cops would get called long before Diego or Five could get the information they were there for.
"Awe man." Klaus pouted, he wanted to know what they were up to and so far, they've been all secrets about where they were going and doing, but he didn't try to follow them or protest when they exited the car.
Walking through the sliding doors to the company and getting into the silver elevators that played over the top pop music Five asked, "So how are we doing this?" Five thought about maybe coming up with some fake story about finding the eye somewhere and just wanting to be a good Samaritan and return it to its rightful owner, it wasn't the most thought out or elaborate plan but he thought it would get the job done.
"Don't worry about it, I got this." Diego replied, Five highly doubted he had it, but it couldn't be worse than his own poor plan, so he nodded. When the elevator door opened, they walked towards the service desk, sat behind the large counter of the desk was a receptionist that looked terribly bored and ready to jump out the glass paneled windows behind her.
"Welcome to MeriTech Prosthetics, how can I help you?" The girl droned her words, she didn't even look up at them, instead focused her eyes on the blank screen of the laptop in front of her, Five guessed this wasn't the most exciting job on the market. Diego reached into his pocket to pull out his fake detective badge that he had made to make it easier to interview witnesses and save people in the dead of night. People got shifty when you couldn't provide a badge for them to see, he learned this the hard way, so he always carried it with him.
"Hello, I'm Detective Hargreeves, I'm working a case and I was hoping to be appointed to someone who would be able to give me information on one of the prosthetics that your company produced." Diego tried to sound confident, as he always did when he pretended to be law enforcement. The receptionist perked up after hearing Diego was a detective, she glanced at them before setting her sights on the badge, the giddy hunger in her green eyes growing.
"I can actually help you with that detective." A voice came from behind them, both Diego and Five turned around to see a tall brown-haired male doctor smiling at them.
"That would be wonderful doctor, thank you." Diego put fake gratitude into his voice, he was glad the doctor jumped in to help him so fast, but this was just a job and he wanted to rush it along, Vanya was still at her house with that strange guy. The doctor waved for them to follow him to the back room.
"Is this your son?" The doctor asked, he gave Five a small smile, but he was clearly bewildered on why a detective had a kid on the job. Five smiled his murder smile back which made the doctor flinch slightly backwards, Diego understood, that smile could give nightmares.
"Yeah, I'm sorry it's just I really needed a break in this case and his mother had some things to attend to, so I agreed to bring him with me." Diego hoped it was a sound explanation, he was sure plenty of parents had unexpected occurrences come up that they needed to bring their kids to work with them.
"I know how that goes." The doctor chuckled; Diego faked a laugh back. The doctor led them to a computer that was already set up and ready to go, Diego handed him the cringe worthy fake eyeball.
"What kind of information did you need?" The doctor questioned as he started inspecting the eye and typing into the computer.
"Anything you can give me, name, address, number, etc." Diego looked to Five who was surprisingly keeping quiet throughout the exchange, content to take a seat on a swivel chair, twisting himself back and forth, acting very much the child his physical appearance made him appear to be. Diego was just glad to know he trusted him enough not to intervene, it would make this much harder if his "son" started asking questions.
"Alright let's see here," the doctors eyes squinted at the computer screen, going line by line reading, as his eyes took in the information though the more confusion his expression bore, "This is very unusual, this prosthetic doesn't exist." He said.
"What do you mean?" Diego demanded, didn't exist? How could something that was clearly here not exist?
"I mean that it's still in its manufacturing stage, it hasn't been produced yet, let alone administered out to people." The doctor was puzzled over this, suspicion started to cloud his tone.
"Where did you get this eye?" He couldn't figure out how the detective was in possession of something that hasn't been made yet.
"At a crime scene, thank you for your help doctor but I really have to get going now." Diego snatched the fake eye out of the doctor's hand, he pulled Five out of the swivel chair, steering him in the direction of the door where they both tried to look like they weren't in a rush to leave.
Back down at the car, Klaus was outside in front of the building doing some messed up looking voodoo dance, talking to the space next to him that it needed to let loose and not be such a tight ass. Diego rolled his eyes at the scene but didn't comment on it, just grabbed Klaus's bony wrist and put him in the backseat of his car, he pulled away from the curb and drove off, wondering what they were supposed to do now that the only lead they had fell through.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed, feel free to drop a review :)
