It was all over. Vanya's and Harlan's powers were settled enough to not cause another apocalypse. The Handler and Lila were gone. The latter disappearing, hopefully, from the Umbrella Academy's members' lives. After over 40 years plus 2 even more stressful weeks, it was all over. Five never thought he would see the day come. Now all they had to do was get back to the right timeline. That shouldn't be too hard as he and Diego approached the two Commission members.
Herb and Dot watched their steps over the fallen Commission members. Though Herb had seen it earlier, it didn't fully hit how horrific this looked in reality. All this damage, including the potential to ruin the rest of the world, was caused by six people alone. They couldn't believe it themselves. Now they were here to clean up the mess.
"Now that the Handler's gone, what happens at Commission?"
Herb stuttered in his answer. "Just tell them."
The two got curious as Herb started to speak properly. "Er well um we need to elect a new board of directors. But, until then, I, um, I've been voted in as acting co-chairperson."
Dot gave him a tiny applause while squealing softly. Now that he was in technically in charge of the Commission, Time was in good hands. "No shit. Congrats Herbie. That's huge."
"I'm just so goddam nervous."
"You'll do fine."
"Oh, thank you." It was a huge praise to hear that from one of the best operatives they ever had.
"Herb, we need a favour."
"Oh, sure, anything."
"A briefcase. Get back home, where we belong." He snapped his fingers. The two members slowly turned around to the massacred field of former agents.
"Take your pick."
"Is it really okay? Just like that?" Five was a bit skeptical of how legitimate this could be. Not that he thought Herb or Dot would do them dirty but more so how easy it was. Thousands of briefcases for their picking. They were finally going to go home.
"W-well I'll have to run it by the co-chairperson but surely she'll agree."
"Who is she by the way? Dot?" She politely shook her head.
"She should actually be here in a minute or two. She had a lot more responsibilities put on her than I, that she let us go first. I'm more in charge of the members and connections while she handles a lot of the cleanup with the board." There was a blue flash behind the brothers. "Ah speak of the devil, there she is now."
It didn't surprise Five that the co-chairperson was none other than Cielo. She obviously had high standing to be at the board meeting. His eyes went to the briefcase in her hand. It wasn't the standard one that everyone used. This one had a collection of squares that seemed to have formed some sort of pattern. He saw this exact one in 2002. Of course she had it. First the green watch and now the briefcase. The only thing left was to break said watch and she would be the woman that he met back then.
"Cielo, you're the co-chairperson? That's awesome. The two of you will be a great pair to work out everything."
"Thank you Kraken. So far it's sounds like it's going to be a real headache but everyone is really supportive of us. One era at a time, we will bring the Commission back to what it was meant to be."
"So is it really okay for us to be taking a briefcase ourselves?"
"I assumed that Grass already gave you clearance?" He nodded beside her.
"I wanted to make sure that you were okay with it as well."
"I see. Well as we are in equal standing, and I have no personal concern with the matter. I'll follow in your lead. Though I will admit that because of the troubles your brother has caused to time I was considering denying that access so do not push your luck by playing around with it. It's going to take a lot to get everything back on track enough as it is. Handlebar really left her mark on the members. Both positive and negative. Her death really set apart the members' loyalty. Those remaining are very motivated to get started."
"And Lila?" Diego quickly shut his mouth as the words came out faster than he could process.
"That Copycat is now a wanted fugitive. Not only did she take part in Mister fish head's assassination but she also took an unauthorized briefcase. I can easily track her and we will detain her as fast as we can."
His face quickly displayed that he was against the idea. "Is there any way that you can- I don't know- not do that?"
"She bewitched you that much? Kraken, she literally drugged and kidnapped you. This being after she almost let you be killed by the Swedish Triplets. Before she tried to kill all your siblings and destroy all of Time."
"She only did that because of her mom. Lila didn't have a choice. She didn't have anyone that told her differently. That she could be more than what her mom reduced her to. I know it. She doesn't deserve to suffer her mom's punishment." The two acting co-chairpeople glanced at one another. Their eyes telling each other that this situation was difficult to control at the moment.
Lila was a criminal. Murder, theft, identity fraud, vandalism, kidnapping, possession of illegal substances, use of said substances, etc. Even without the Handler around, she knew too much about the Commission, was highly lethal and too unpredictable. With a briefcase and powers to add on top.
On the other hand, they knew that the Handler was the reason to blame for creating the monster that she was. They both experienced how overwhelming the woman's demands were. Imagine being raised with that. That that woman's twisted version of love was the only thing she knew. The two were not that heartless to ignore that. They both saw that moment of hesitation through the ISB.
"He does make good points. The Handler ordered all these agents as well. We can't blame every single one for not fighting back. What's your call?"
"You are way too nice Grass. However, seeing as we do not know Copycat's intentions and Commission currently having bigger problems, the best I can do is prolong the search for her. I won't promise that she gets off scorch free but out of respect for your character, we will try our best to pass judgement based on her true self. Does that seem doable?"
Diego let out a sigh of relief. "That's reassuring from you. Thank you. Both of you."
"I, however, do have a favour to ask of you since you are asking one from me." She asked him directly.
"Uh yeah sure, what?"
"Stand between me and your brother. Right now." He looked at the two of them in confusion. He listened and took a step to cover his younger-older brother from her sight. Cielo took a deep breath in. Gently placing her briefcase down on the ground, letting her professional smile drop.
Suddenly launching herself at Five in a fit of anger that Diego had to hold her back. "You son of bastard! I'm going to rip you to shreds! You hear me Five?! You're going to wish that Handlebar actually killed you the first time! At least that would have been a quick death!"
"M-Miss Cavallone!"
"I don't think the co-chairperson should be acting this way towards a former operative. Congrats by the way." Was the only thing Five said to her.
"Drop the tough guy act you young-old man! I'm only in this position because someone wouldn't listen to me and killed Mister fish head! Where did that get you? Huh?! Saving the world from an apocalypse only to doom Time! Ever think of that you fucking idiot?!"
"Hey! Hey! Cielo chill!" Diego pushed her off. She huffed out a few times as she cleaned up her appearance. Everyone carefully watching her next move.
"You should have let her attack me." Diego had to grab Cielo again before she jumped at Five's comment. Like taming animals, he held out his arms to keep them at a distance.
"Stop it you two! Five shut the fuck up before you get us trapped here. Cielo don't listen to my dumb brother. Whatever he did, and I have a good idea at how bad it was, please just ignore him. He's an idiot."
"That he is." She huffed out. Coughing to clear her throat. "I apologize for that. It was unsightly of me. Thank you for stopping me."
"Uh no problem?" Even though it was her that requested the restraint.
"Anyways, regardless of the obvious crimes that were committed, as acting co-chairperson, I will allow your family to take a briefcase home. As long as you keep your siblings in check, I suppose we can try to handle doomsday. We'll work out the details so when you guys return so that you can live your lives stress-free. Well, to the best of our control. How you live your lives from this point out is up to you all. Right?" She turned to Herb who nodded in agreement.
"Thanks again you guys. We really appreciate it."
"It's the least we can do after everything you went through but I think I'll leave that up to Grass to handle. I only came to check out the scene. It's still a mess back at Commission that we can't leave them alone for too long. Think you can handle it Grass?"
"Oh yes! Dot and I will also take care of the clean up here so you can head back now."
"Before you head back," Five spoke up, walking in full view of her, "can I speak to you alone?"
She glared at him still acting so bold. "Depends. Can you stop me if I try to kill you?"
"I have a bit of juice left in me to run away if need be."
Cielo stared at Five's rough appearance. Nearly dying, then actually dying only to come back to life. He was already running low before the death game started. It wasn't easy to be standing up right now. Still he wanted to talk to her. He made a mistake. He knew he did the moment he gave AJ to the Handler. In the end, that deal was a complete bust and he may have lost the only person in this world that he could trust whole-heartily that wasn't family.
"Fine. I'll listen to whatever bullshit you have to say." She gestured to everyone to leave them be. They were a bit hesitant after that display of aggression but they all knew that they would eventually have to talk. Better to do it now. Herb directed the two towards the house behind them, leaving them alone.
"Cielo I-" she slapped him across the face. He rubbed the spot with a bit of annoyance. "I deserve that."
"You deserve a lot more but I don't need a bunch of emotionally distraught super powered people up my ass. You saved the world so I'll let it slide. This time. Does not mean I forgive you." She set her briefcase flat on the floor to sit on.
"Cielo I really am sorry that I did... everything."
"That's all you have to say?"
"Well I want to ask more about your position in the Commission but I thought an apology should be at the top of the list."
"You really know how to win a person over, you know that?"
"I mean it though. My apology and my congratulations." She sighed. His way of speaking was too formal sounding. His words were sincere though and had no reason to lie this time. As much as she wanted to remain mad at him, there was logic in his thoughts that she could sympathize with.
"Sit down Five. Ask your questions. You always do. At least this time I'm actually a part of the Commission like you accused me of when we met." He slowly walked over a bit to grab a briefcase to sit on for himself.
"Diego already gave me the brief run down of how you got into the Commission and about the Frankel footage. The Handler said that AJ Carmichael headhunted you himself. Is that all true?"
"It's true. I told you Mister fish head entrusted me with everything. Remember back in 2019? After you jumped us into the theatre and I was having another one of those headaches you cause, some Commission members took me outside where he offered my position. He didn't really give me much of a chance to deny it or be killed by the apocalypse."
"Were you two close? AJ and you?" She chuckled as she shook her head.
"No not at all. Mister fish head is a good Commission head for a reason. He's strict with what needed to be done. Shoved centuries worth of history down my throat. Made me study complex equations and systems for days without any break. Always dangled the end of the world threat over my head if I messed up. He runs the place without anyone doubting his skill because his control is- was... so strict. They all trusted him. I guess that's going to have to be me now."
"You're going to do fine."
"You don't know that. Unlike Grass, I'm still new. I never talked to the members before the Résistance started. Even then he did all the recruiting. I didn't even tell them that you murdered the board. Already lying to them. A great start for Commission co-head."
This surprised him. No wonder Herb and Dot were so willing to help them out. If the two soft members knew that he was the cause of all their problems, they would have shown more fear. Cielo was furious with him. She could have left him and his family in 1963 without a briefcase as a punishment for his crimes. Now with her position, she could have them hunted down for the rest of their lives. He knew she knew that too.
"Why didn't you tell them?" She propped her head up with her arm on her knee.
"I don't know. What would that have done? The remaining Swedish Triplet killed off Handlebar. We can't bring Mister fish head back to life. We just have to move on. The Commission will start anew. Your family the same."
"Then what about us?"
"Us? There was never an 'us'. We spent 6 days-not even that long- together. More than half of it, you accused me of ending the world. Under good reason but still. Then at our grand reunion, you fish-napped my mentor so that he could be killed. I was begging you but you never listened. In the end you got what you wanted. Your family, no Handlebar, right timeline, and best of all you won't have to deal with me. You'll retire and I'll be dealing with the aftermath. I don't think we'll be seeing each other again. Forgive or not, we're going our separate ways. You no longer need an ally like me. Not that you ever actually considered me as such."
"That's not true."
"So you betray everyone that trusts you?" She snapped.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I just didn't expect you to be there. See all of that."
"Say it."
"What?"
"Even if you knew I was there, you wouldn't have spared the board. Don't kid yourself saying you only feel bad because I saw it. Say it Five. It's not like I haven't already relieved you of your crimes. No excuses or reasons this time. What did you do that was so bad? Speak clearly." She was pissed. She wanted to have him confess everything.
Every action he did always had a reason. For the sake of his family or the world. Someone else's orders. Being young and traumatized. Having no other option. He killed someone close to her. That was a fact. Five never wanted to admit to feeling guilty for what he did.
That was until he saw the effects on Cielo. She was right in front of him. He took AJ straight from her believing hands. Sang sweet words to make her lower her guard. And she did when he was drenched in blood. After knowing all his bloody history and knowing that their relationship was never close, she wanted him to choose her. She believed in the good in him despite everything. She always did.
"I took your trust for granted and killed the board of directors. I killed hundreds more before that. I viewed you as an enemy all the time. Unknowingly blaming you for a lot of my suffering. Caught up in my ways as always. This time, involving and pushing away people that I cared for. That being my family and you. I was stupid. It isn't enough to say that I betrayed you. I hurt you. I can't ask you to forgive me. I only ask that you know that I am sincere with my apology. I am sorry Cielo."
"You say all of that, but if Handlebar's briefcase worked, you wouldn't have regretted your choice."
"I would have found another way to make it up to you."
"That's not what I was saying. I'm saying you wouldn't have regretted it. Deny this statement."
Above all, Cielo was hurt. She was thrown into this position now because of him. If he hadn't given AJ- if he hadn't been insistent on involving her back in 2019, she would have been completely oblivious to all of this. He dragged her further and further in without ever once being of help. For all of her transitioning, there was a part of her that relied on the idea that Five would somehow return into her life. Only to have him do it in the worst fashion. Pushing her to her ends met. Betrayal only comes from people you trust.
"I..." he dropped his head, "I won't lie to you."
She slowly placed a hand on his head. Rubbing it an obnoxious way. He could faintly hear her giggling. "I hate your blunt honesty at times too. Don't forget that."
It wasn't like she wanted to pick a fight with him. She didn't want to be mad at him. For someone that now practically owned Time now, she still knew that it was limited. It was true that she was bothered by his decision but she knew he was trying his best to make it up to her. She said it herself, there was nothing that they could do now to change it. It was frustrating that they could change the entire world's past but not their own.
"It's not like I didn't know what your job was. You told me back in 2019. The fact that you retaliated against the board should have been expected given how much you hated them. You love your family. I know that. Just... understand the consequences of your actions." He was going to say more when he saw her hesitating to continue.
She wasn't looking at him. Cielo was the type of person to ramble with excitement. She loved people and only saw the best in them. But whenever she spoke quietly, forcing herself to not make eye contact, she was holding back. Same as when she saved Allison or was faced with the Handler the first time. Wearing her emotions on her sleeves unless it dragged down others, then she went silent.
Five stood up to wrap his arms around her. Letting her face bury into his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Hearing that broke through her fragile screen. She screamed as loud as she could with tears starting to soak his blazer. Clutching his back as tightly as she could so that he couldn't run away. Her words were so choppy and rushed that he couldn't understand half the things she tried to say. She blamed AJ and Hazel's death on herself, she was scared to be the co-chairperson, worried about Time and most of all she hated Five for only making her panic.
"I'm sorry." Was all he could say. She pushed him away. As unclean as always with her red nose, tears running down her face and scrunched up forehead. The first time he saw her eyes today.
"I hate you Five! You're so stupid and childish and a liar and and- I hate you!" He nodded along. Using the cuff of his sleeve to wipe her cheeks as her screams quieted.
Her breathing still being stuttered, pouted at him trying to calm her down. "I hate that you're like this too."
"Like what?"
She puffed out her cheeks at his usual tight smile. He knew what he was doing. Cielo knew better than anyone that Five was kind beyond all his harshness. She was only frustrated in his actions. That she could never find fault in his actions. She couldn't hate him. "Ever betray me like that again and I will throw you into the ice age with nothing but your boxers. Understood?"
"Got it, Miss co-chairperson." She roughly pushed his shoulder for his way of joking. Cursing that he could make her smile so soon after fighting him.
"Shut up you childish brat." Wiping away the last of the wetness on her face with a sniffle.
"You know you called me that before. In 2019. Childish. I never did figure out what you meant."
Her tilted her head in confusion before gasping. "Did you listen in on my conversation with your partner?"
"Maybe a little."
"You can't do that Five! That was meant to be a heart to heart girl conversation. You just tainted the sanctity of it!"
"Pretty sure you did that when you fell asleep mid-conversation."
"I was tired, okay? And if she was here she would agree with me." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not so sure about that. You don't have the history we have."
"I don't need to. We girls stick together. Especially when dealing with annoying old men trapped in a preteen's body. Seriously I give props to her for dealing with you for so long. Give her my regards when you get back, will you?"
He nodded. "She'll like that."
Cielo stretched her arms above her head giving a big sniffle. Though more tears threaten to fall, she felt that she had enough of letting him pity her. "Once everything is settled I should really take a vacation. Thinking about fixing everything you and your family caused is tiring enough. Don't lose this briefcase and don't break the timeline again. That's all I ask."
"I am one of your best operatives. I know how to protect briefcases. Apocalypses not so much." She placed a hand on top of his.
"I'm serious. I'm giving you one of the most dangerous items in this universe. Don't let some tiny sparrow take it away. Keep it in your sights at all times. Do you understand me?"
"Sparrow? You couldn't pick a bigger bird at least?"
"Five." She sternly warned him.
"I understand. I'll watch it at all times."
"Is this really our last time meeting?"
"Going to miss me?"
"I will." She blushed at how bluntly he said it.
"Um well I do co-control time management now but Grass and I have a lot to do before we can take fun time travel trips. You, however, will have a briefcase in your possession. As a former operative, you know how to work it. Come visit us whenever you want. Actually, can you wait a little before you visit? I can't get distracted right now. Unless you want to help? No, I can't ask that of you. You should retire in 2019. Live your childhood. Adulthood. I don't know. Oh I should probably add getting you a more suitable body to the list to do. Ughhh more work."
He laughed. Not a snarky chuckle or a giggle to be polite. He was laughing. Loudly. Since the day he first time travelled, he never allowed himself to fully enjoy himself. Laughing meant not being able to breath, too loud, and, in some cases, start crying. Five wasn't someone that laughed with all of his might. It was uncontrollable and so beautiful to hear.
Five really was childish in her eyes. He saw everything too black and white. Either an enemy or ally. For Cielo, she may have started out as an unknown enemy but she made her way to be his best ally. Everything was up to him to fix. He could rely on no one. Except, her.
He was childish for being so closed minded. If he just allowed her to help a little, things would have gone much smoother. Only a child would believe everyone was against him when he had so many people beside him. That's why she had to be the only one willing to scold him. Help him more until he sees the bigger picture. She wanted to keep him by her side a bit longer.
"It's nice to see you relaxed after so long." He took a deep breath to try calming down. He turned to her, surprised that she had such a warm glow to her. She had a small smile on his face from watching him laugh. As if that was all she wanted.
Cielo. The woman that appeared in 2002 to stop him from ruining his life. The woman who wouldn't stop trying to help him in 2019. The woman that tackled him before he could be betrayed again. The woman that now gave him the briefcase that would bring him everything he ever wanted. The one that always brought him back to reality. Now that the apocalypse was gone, the only thing on his mind was her.
Next thing he knew his hand was on her cheek. She didn't flinch from his touch. Instead she giggled like this was a joke to her. Despite everything she had experienced, she still had zero fear towards him.
"Cielo." His thumb roughly pushed her cheek of the dry tears reminding him when he drunkenly cried to her. Holding her in his hand now, he knew that he didn't ever want to let go.
She was so beautiful and pure. She didn't brush away any of his problems but, instead, accepted them and gave him a hand to move on. To be more than what his dad and Commission tried to create. All he wanted was to be close to her. The words bubbling in his chest were so easy to speak out.
"Yes?"
"I want to kiss you and you have five seconds to stop me if I do not have your consent. Five."
"Wait, what did you just say?"
"Four."
"You know there are more roma-"
"Three."
"Oh just do it already!" And he did. Carefully placing a hand behind her neck to pull her closer until their lips met.
Physically there was nothing special about their kiss. Just two pieces of their bodies meeting. They both had lovers in the past. It didn't explain why the butterflies in their stomachs were starting to calm down. A sense of serenity washing over them after all the hardship they went through. Not only the lost they suffered but for each other. They found the one person that understood everything.
It was the first time in so long that they let themselves be vulnerable. So open to another person. But for the two of them, it only felt right that it was the other. This single touch let the other know what words couldn't say. They cared for each other. They wanted to stay close for as long as they could. They were going to miss each other.
Pulling back slightly to relax their foreheads on each other's, they smiled with their eyes closed. Letting them treasure how close they were in the moment. It was stupid that one person could cause such an effect.
"I can't believe I'm considering re-joining Commission if you're the co-chairperson." He whispered, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her neck.
"As co-chairperson, I forbid you returning for official work."
"Then I'll use my briefcase to cause trouble for you again." They shared a small laugh.
"Childish boy." She was the first to break their contact with a sigh. "I should really be getting back now."
"I know."
Stepping back a few steps, she checked the time on her watch before picking up her briefcase. The image in front of Five too similar to the woman he met in 2002. Being this version of her, he almost forgot how they met in the second place. All the unplanned reunions that brought them together.
"I hope you and your family finally get the life you wonderfully deserve. Thank you for saving Time and the world. I'll see you sooner than you can count." Closing her eyes, she disappeared with the flash of her briefcase.
Leaning back onto his hands, Five stared up at the clear orange sky. The day was ending but there was going to be a tomorrow. His fingers traced over his lips, feeling the smile that naturally came. His heart rising with excitement. Been a while since he felt that kind of rush. "See you soon, Cielo."