Everyone was in high spirits after nearly the entire world burned to a crisp. Ben and Diego were arguing about how they were both idiots with Lila taking her partner's side, Allison couldn't stop turning things against Viktor, and the happy couple watched as they couldn't say anything to calm anyone down. Five watched over the balcony, trying to ignore all the bickering going on behind him. Their final day on Earth and this was how they chose to spend it.

What was even the point anymore? Five did everything he could think of. He murdered an entire board of people, survived alone for over 40 years, transported his whole family to a completely different era, he bent Time for fucks sake! Yet he couldn't stop one floating rock in outer space from blowing up?!

There was only one thing he never tried. Giving up. It's what his other self and Cielo told him to do. And honestly? He was exhausted. Those 2 days, those measly few hours, that he thought the Earth was safe and his family was safe, he felt... he didn't how he felt. It was a mix of accomplishment and emptiness. Would it be guilty to say that he re-found a purpose when the Kugelblitz started to show itself?

Maybe he was being punished for being addicted to apocalypses. Klaus had said it before. Who better than him to know about the dangers of addiction? This is what he wanted but it wasn't. Giving up didn't look too bad when he was on the brink of collapsing.

On the other side of the hotel, Cielo woke up to what felt like a thousand pounds on her body. Yet with all that drama that's been happening, she could reason that everything was finally taking a toll on her body. The ball of flame lighting up the room's window gave another clue as to why she was so tired. It was a bit weird that she couldn't remember it going off. Last she remembered she was working on the briefcases. How she ended up sleeping in a random hotel room was drawing blank.

"I really slept through that thing exploding? Why can't I remember even going to sleep? I doubt Five was able to bring me up here. He would have scolded me for disappearing before the whole operation. I couldn't even fix my briefcase in the end." Suddenly scanning the room in a panic manner she realized that her briefcase wasn't with her.

It didn't matter if it didn't work. Her briefcase was meant to remain in her care at all times. It was the bane of her existence yet it was what saved her on multiple occasions. She couldn't let it disappear. If only one briefcase, it was all she needed.

In her rush she ran off in a random direction in the hotel. Her instincts about these kinds of things were usually right. No matter what state of mind she was in, Cielo was the person to get drawn to them. What she didn't expect was to find Allison holding onto it.

"Rumor!" The woman in question flinched at Cielo's voice. She didn't even wait for Allison to say anything before snatching the briefcase out of her hands. "Thank you for finding it for me! I don't know what would have happened if this got lost."

Allison took a step back on fear. It was clear from Cielo's attitude that she didn't remember what she admitted while under her control but that didn't ease anything. Somewhere in Cielo was a desire to kill them for the sake of the world. The bruised lip was proof that what happened yesterday was real.

"Rumor? Is something wrong?"

"N-no, I need to get ready for tonight so I have to go now."

"Oh wait a second. While I have you here, I was hoping we could have a chat. I haven't had breakfast yet so how about we talk over that. I only ask for your attention and no alcohol."

A chill ran up Allison's spine. Even without her memories, she kept pestering her. Almost as if she was following a predetermined script that she couldn't break free from. If that was true about a simple conversation, then what does that mean for her what she is meant to do? Five always told them that she was a mystery. That she had this instinct and weird way of sneaking back into his life. And just as she said, the Kugelblitz exploded. There was no other option than to have her kill them. Or whatever Oblivion was.

"There's nothing to chat about."

"On the contrary, I believe there's a lot we need to discuss. Like what happened between you and Violinist? A lot of the comments you said yesterday were a bit-"

"Uncalled for? No wait let me correct myself, harsh. Is that what you wanted to say?" She finished off the sentence with the same words from yesterday.

"It was along those lines but-"

"Save it. Are you serious right now or are you playing another one of your sick games?"

"I- I'm sorry if um I'm confusing you but I am completely serious. Did I do something wrong? You seem a bit upset with me." The tension was rising in Allison but Cielo had no clue as to why.

"You want to know what you did? You talk to me like I'm some idiot! You treat me like a villain! So what if I killed one man? Viktor ended the world. Three times! Five and Lila are kid assassins. You would have been his boss. None of us are innocent. Yet I'm the bad guy? No, killing Harlan didn't solve my problems but it sure felt good to get some payback. And if that burns this world? I'm not alive here so what do I care?"

"Not alive? Sure, you don't have a life here but you are alive. Right now you're breathing. You have emotions, desire, will. How are you not alive? I'm not here to compare kill count or question your morale."

"Then what are you here for? Besides to give me some sappy pep talk about family? You literally appeared out of thin air, spoke some secretive mumbo jumbo and criticize all of us, except for the one that actually caused our problems. You can side with Viktor all you want but that's nothing new to us. Back in the Superstar lanes you did the same. You keep pitying us but we don't need it. We were completely fine before you and Commission started fucking up our lives!"

Something ticked in Cielo at the insult of her work. "We fucked it up? I saved you and your family mind you. If it wasn't for me joining Commission you wouldn't have gotten a briefcase to get back here in the first place. Your family would have been chased to the ends of the world for their crimes if it wasn't for me. You, yourself, would have died if I didn't find you after your throat was slit! And you have the audacity to blame me because a briefcase I left in your family's care was taken the minute after you arrived and started fighting?"

"No you left that in Five's care. This all started with Five coming back. If he never-"

"I never said I didn't put some blame on Five. That I didn't hate his actions. I never said that I completely understood Violinist. That I think his actions need to be forgotten. Even your siblings and I have made mistakes that we've had to fix for this timeline to be liveable for you to show up. I am not saying that all of you have to be best friends and have zero bad blood between you. What I'm trying to tell you? Now? Is that your actions are of grieving but at some point what you do will no longer be excused and it becomes you. You are a murderer. It doesn't matter if he killed your moms, it doesn't matter that the world is ending, or that your daughter is gone, your hands are covered in spilt blood from malice intent of your own doing. Take responsibility for that rather than blaming every person you make contact with!"

"And what will that change?!"

"You will change! You will learn that the world is not black and white. You will learn who your true family and friends are. You can grow to be someone that asks for help." She released a heavy breath. "Let me ask you this. If I brought your daughter and 1963 husband here, could you proudly tell them the crimes you committed to bring them back? The person you became for their sakes? Because the lives I ordered to be taken stays with me alone. I take no pride in those deaths that persisted Time. You don't know the extent Five went through to save you all. You don't understand why Violinist is so desperate to help you this time around. None of us forgive ourselves. Do you? Are you proud? Are you happy? Exactly what is your goal now? Can you answer any of these?"

And she was doing it again. Same as last night, Cielo was cornering her to admit what she had done was a mistake. Her eyes pleaded with her to understand while her voice spoke confidently of the mistakes made. No, no Allison didn't make any mistakes. Harlan was nothing. Killing him meant that the two families merged. They had access to the Kugelblitz and they stopped if not only temporarily. She didn't do it solely for revenge. She was trying to save the world like the rest of them.

If Raymond and Claire were here they would understand. Wouldn't they? They would. Eventually they would. Because it was Allison. She was a wife and mom. A superhero. They would come to understand her. They would easily accept her despite all the faults. Because they loved her and she loves them. They were family. The Umbrellas were her family.

She shook this idea out of her head. Though it was true it didn't mean the same. It's not like they ever isolated her because of her powers. Or were raised in the same painful childhood home. Disowned by the same man. Found out that their mothers died before they got a chance to meet them. It wasn't like they didn't try helping her with this new timeline while they were all confused. That kind of family... it was a fucked up version of the word. She had to get over it.

"I'll be happy when I can see them again."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"With your briefcase." Cielo tightened her hold on it.

"It's broken."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem for you to give it to me. Have Five or Sloane look at it. Maybe even dad."

The idea of giving a Commission briefcase, even a broken one, to Sir Reginald Hargreeves gave an ill feeling to her stomach. "With all dwindling respect, Monocle is not getting my briefcase."

"I can take it by force. There has to be a reason why you're so protective over it."

"It can't be for sentimental reasons?" She hated that look of Cielo's face. Cielo was a nobody. She didn't have powers or crazy intelligence or anything of use to them without that briefcase. Despite her shortcomings she was able to stand straight against Allison. With each decision she made, she stuck by it no matter the consequences. That confidence was annoying.

Allison pulled her close by the collar. "I heard a ru-"

"Allison!" The two turned to the balcony where Five had shouted from. He had heard them shouting earlier and came to check out the noise. Last thing he expected was Allison and Cielo together in what appeared to be a very heated conversation.

"Stay away from me. Consider yourself lucky that Five would be up my ass if anything happens to you."

Roughly being thrown back, she stumbled to catch her footing. Only to be caught by the arm by Five. He held back a glare towards his sister. "What is going on here?"

"Nothing. Keep an eye on your girlfriend. She's not as perfect as she appears." Allison kept her eye on Cielo as she walked past them.

"Are you okay?"

"R-right as rain." Cielo slowly regained her footing to stand up properly. She wanted to chase after her but couldn't find the strength to. That brief second of getting 'rumor-ed' was suffocating. And though she was mentally still awake, it was almost like a thick fog covered her. That the only voice that she could hear to lead her out was Allison's. She had felt fear that she couldn't scream out. If she had given the briefcase in that scenario, there was no way to get it back.

She turned to Five who was conflicted in who he should support between the two women. Not wanting any more unwanted fighting between the siblings, she turned Five's attention onto her. Her thumbs pinched his cheeks, pushing them upwards. Smiling in return, he couldn't help but smile too. "You look cuter when you aren't frowning, you know that?"

"Don't try to distract me. Why was Allison so pissed at you?" He removed her hands from his face but still held onto them.

"I was talking to her about what happened yesterday between her and Violinist. I didn't mean to upset her or get into such a stressful conversation. Though I admit I may have said a few things that were a bit too close to a mark."

He sighed. "Allison has been a bit on edge since coming back. Can't exactly say I blame her though. You missed a lot in your sleep. The Kugelblitz, dad and Klaus being besties, Luther and Sloane are having their wedding tonight, this fight seems to be the tamest part of it all. What do you think she meant by 'you're not as perfect as you seem?'"

"No idea. Did I ever give her the impression of that? Do you think I'm perfect?" She jokingly batted her eyes at him to ease the tension he had built up since they last saw each other.

His eyes trailed down to her bruised lip. It was fairly fresh but there was no way that it came from this conversation. Whatever she was doing on the sidelines was something he couldn't follow.

They were so close. Right in the arms of one another. Still a part of him felt that something was standing between them. He couldn't see eye to eye with her like he once could. "Can we talk?"

Seeing how serious he was, she squeezed his hands. "Of course. Shall we sit down first? I'm still wobbly after that whole back and forth."

He nodded, allowing her to hold his arm as they walked over to the lounge chairs placed in a circle. The moment she sat down he took notice of the briefcase she set to the side of her chair. Commission practices were drilled into her. It was difficult to say the least to remove that part of her now. Even without seeing the sigil on the side he knew it had to be her briefcase. Though he wasn't any better being the potential founder of the whole thing.

He rubbed the back of his neck, choosing to stand in front of her rather than sit for this conversation. "I... this morning, I told my family that um I'm giving up saving the world."

"Oh. Wow. Why- I mean I support your decision and I personally don't see an issue with it but why the sudden change?"

He took a deep breath. "I don't want to give up if I'm being honest. I just don't have any other option. I don't want the end of my life to be us fighting some invisible force that is so insistent on us failing. That or follow dad into whatever Oblivion is and that doesn't feel much like an option. I don't want to bring up mine and everyone else's hopes up just to crash it down again. If I try again, I'm only going to hurt them again."

The main reason he couldn't fight anymore was because of his family's state. In the original 2019, he dropped in to their settled lives. In 1963, they already re-established their lives before he showed up again. Both times he forced them to follow along because he didn't approve what was to come. They never were all happy at the same time and never satisfied with their conditions. Even now what they all wanted was different. He couldn't make them all happy. He just kept hurting them and expecting them to understand. He didn't want to hurt them.

"I need to ask you. Tell me honestly. Do you know how to save the world?"

She hesitated in her answer. Holding her arm, she looked away from him. She wanted to avoid the answer as she did the past few days but couldn't with how desperately he needed it. "I have a feeling of what it includes, yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I understand everything that you're saying now. You want to protect your family? You want them to be happy? I want the same for all of you. Is it so bad that I can play the bad guy with all the secrets because I don't know for certain what goes on in my head? What if I guessed that Bargain point killed your moms; if I was wrong? If I guessed that Chatterbox would die but I only created useless fear into everyone to give up? And if what I think is going to save the world is correct, I can't do it. I don't have that conviction to make this irreversible decision. I can't practice on the ISB for this. I can't get you a happy ending with my guess. This one is not… Giving up, to stop fighting, I want to continue being selfish and keep my hunches to myself."

"Then only tell me what they are. I'll do whatever it takes. You don't have to do any of the dirty work ever again."

She leaned back into the seat. "You don't get it. It's not about dirtying your hands or who makes the order. You are not willing to sacrifice everything. You've always had your head on straight except when it came to your family. I've seen the horrors that you're willing to commit for them. You've told me in person the sacrifices you made. All of it resulting in nothing. Not even a thank you from them. Your ultimate goal was never in saving the world or in praise. It was in them."

He was starting to piece together what she was implying the answer included. It wasn't that she didn't want to do the dirty work or drag them down with her. She was the former Commission co-chairperson; her morals became questionable the moment she signed off her first kill order. Talking about the harsh demands of Time didn't throw her off.

Instead, she knew the effect that it would have on Five if she told him the truth. That's what was stopping her. It was the same as Five putting his needs second to his family. She was doing the same for him.

"The extent that you go through is filling you with guilt that is destroying you. None of it is working. I've been trying everything on my end to keep them safe and yet your so called nice sister starts to rumor me the moment the things don't go her way. Two of your brothers are off trying to create a whole new family. Two of them are desperate to befriend your abuser. The last one being the biggest question mark of how they will blow up this time. But you're set on saving them despite having trauma older than any of them have been alive? I am not going to be the one to set into stone what you fear and I hope that you see that you are not prepared as you claim to be. So I want to give you the chance to stop now. If you don't want to save the world and get belittled every- single- fucking- time you try to save them, then why can't you be selfish for once to stop sacrificing yourself?"

"Because I'm a frozen acorn!" He took a few steps to pace himself back and forth. With his back turned to her, he recalled what other Cielo and his dad said the day he first jumped. He wasn't ready. He still wasn't ready. He'll never be ready.

"I was selfish once and it cost my family everything. If I was there at the Jennifer incident I could have saved Ben. If I stayed with Viktor, then he wouldn't have blown up the world in the first place. If I didn't betray Commission and jump back to 2019 then they would have died completely unaware and peacefully. I was supposed to be the smartest of the academy but I can't even figure out what the old man's plan for us is then or now. My life was shit and it only got worse when I jumped. My one time being selfish cost me everything. They may be trying to create a new life; I'm grasping at straws to get some form of mine back. I don't need anything. Only to make it up to them."

He couldn't keep still. Everything was irritating him. If he stopped moving now he would fall. He knew what Cielo was saying was logical. It was out of care for him and his family. But that didn't change his mind. He was the one that failed them.

"Dying is not heroic. Compromising your morals and values does not mean you have earned redemption." Before she could react to him suddenly gripping her shoulders, his head fell in defeat.

"Please Cielo. Anything... I will do anything." He whispered out.

"I know you believe that but I'm sorry."

"D- don't- say-"

Five was crying.

He couldn't control himself. He was shaking. Everything, all of it, it was too much for him. Right now he couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. He couldn't save himself or them. All he could do was cry despite knowing it won't change a damn thing. It hurt so much. It all just hurt and he couldn't handle it.

"I don't want to give up. I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to see them dead. I don't want to fight. I don't want to be dad's puppet. I don't want any of this. I don't- I just don't..." his wavering whispers into her ear were so loud.

This is why he couldn't save the world. None of them, not even his so-called cold-hearted self, were willing to do everything.

Slowly she slid herself off the chair to sit on the floor with him in her arms. Holding back her own tears, she wrapped her legs around him. Only to have him bury his head against her chest in an attempt to drown out his cries. He barely registered the pats on his back. All he could feel was his weakness overcoming him at once.

He could hear himself crying. It was similar to Lila's parents cries of pain that night. The same as his first kill. And the second. The third. Fourth. Eventually he grew fond of using a sniper as his main tool. Those people were crying for their lives. He caused that pain to others. For nothing.

The silence of the apocalypse or the screeching of cries. He wasn't sure which one he wanted to avoid more. All he knew at this point was that he wanted it to stop. But when it all comes to a stop, he had no idea what comes after. It scared him. Everything.

This was the second time he's cried in front of her. That time in the library paled in comparison to this. He had nothing to hold onto besides her. There was absolutely nothing he could do. The world was gone. He had to accept the one thing he dedicated his life to reject. It wasn't a sudden realization that he came upon this morning. It was a defeat. And it hurt so much to say that one thing that no one understood the weight it came with. Except her.

"Calling all bachelors to the fireplace!" Klaus's joyous voice over a microphone echoed out throughout the hotel.

Sucking in a quick breath, Five forced himself to push Cielo back. Standing up fast, he harshly rubbed his face clean of the many tears that wouldn't stop. "I need to go."

"Oh no you don't." She grabbed his arm to pull him back down to the floor. This time she was embracing him from behind.

"Cielo, Luther's gonna kill me if I don't show up." He hiccuped. Why the fuck can't he stop crying?

"And he'll be even more worried if he saw you like this." She held onto both his hands so that he couldn't use his powers without dragging her along.

"I'll just tell them that I was cutting onions or something."

"Forcing yourself to stop crying only makes it worse. You held back for years that slamming that wall back down is not going to work. What you can do is give yourself a moment to collect yourself. Can you breathe in and out for me?" She demonstrated what she meant by slowly raising her connected hand up and down with her breathing. With her other hand she would fix up his appearance.

A brush of his hair out of his face with a breath in. Flattening his suit's collar with a breath out. Another breath in as she straightens his tie. She didn't need to see him to know he was a mess. With each breath he took, she brought him back to his usual, outwards, self. Out and in. The simple process gave him back his ability to breath properly without stuttering. A hiccup coming in between the pattern. He scoffed at himself while she giggled.

"I know it hurts but don't think of this as the last few hours with them. You are not giving up. You didn't fail to protect them. You are doing what gives them the most freedom. This is the first time they ever had that responsibility removed from their shoulders. Trust me."

She rested her head against his. Her slow breath tickled his ear. From the corner of his eye he could see her smiling. Grabbing her hands again he raised it to his face. Coincidentally pulling her arms around him closer. He loved this feeling. His body was fully relaxed, warm, and safe.

Poking one finger out of his hold, she tapped the tip of his nose as if it was a button. An automatic smile and blush gracing his face. "What was that for?"

"For that reaction. Now your eyes are still a little red but that should go away in a few minutes but at least you aren't hyperventilating anymore. You can go to the bachelor party now. And if they give you any shit about being- what- 3 minutes late, you can tell them that I was the big bad guy keeping you with me. That's the perk of being, maybe, hated by your siblings. Honestly if they knew how much you hated me at the beginning, they would be way less teasing."

Leaning more against her, he realized that he wasn't as upset as he was a few minutes ago. Hiccup. Besides that little bother. Crying was such a hassle. Still. He won't deny that it felt nice to let it out. The woman he was looking at from the most uncomfortable angle didn't judge him at all felt nice to lean against. No matter the differing views they had on saving the world, gosh did he want to be with her. Smiling for the remainder of their time together. He wanted to be with her.

"I love you."

Five didn't plan for it to come out that sudden nor so easily. But he knew it to be true. That he couldn't and wouldn't take back his words. He knew it before their first kiss. He knew it when they found her alive in the bunker. He knew it now. Five loved Cielo. And she had to have known it too.

Cielo recoiled at his confession. Her mind went completely array that she stood up in panic. With her sudden disentanglement of them, Five fell forwards flat to the floor. Quickly realizing what she did she kneeled back next to him. Notably she didn't offer him a hand to sit back up.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't- Are you okay? I'm so sorry. I just- I didn't expect-"

"It's fine Cielo." He stood back up with a groan. Though he was a bit offended over her reaction, he couldn't blame her for being caught off guard.

"Five, I didn't mean to-" she didn't know how to respond.

He placed a hand on the top of her lowered head. "I get it. I just had to say it so don't think too much about it. I should be going to the bachelor party before they throw a fit anyways."

"R-right um I'll see you later then. Have fun." He nodded before blinking away.

Cielo looked at the tear marks that stained her dress shirt. Her fingers tracing over the watermarks. A maximum of 10 minutes is not enough time for him to fully let himself go. How was it even possible to shut that wall back down so quickly?

I love you.

She shuttered at the heavy words. It never occurred to her that Five would openly say it with all that was going around. Out of all the things that could surprise her, she didn't picture it would be Five crying and confessing. How childish.

She turned to her briefcase standing next to her. Pulling it onto her lap, she closed her eyes. Her hands moved expertly played around the controls. She didn't need her sight for this. The dents, rough fabrics, cold metals, she knew this briefcase like the back of her hand. The sole thing she missed was the tingle of energy that every briefcase had.

Her hands stopped over the buckles. It was an easy flip to unlock it. It opened and there was a whirl of gears. A minute passed. Nothing. Opening her eyes, the inside was the same as she last remembered from the night before. She knew it didn't work. But she really hoped that for once that she could be wrong.