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[ Open post | Tomorrow is another day, And you won't have to hide away ...]
What: Five being Five and also done with having a child body, so he does something stupid about it.
Where: Umbrella Academy House.
When: End of S2 but ignoring the last 5 minutes of episode 10.
Warnings: Again, Five being Five.
Who: Five + anyone foolish enough to walk into the hot mess that is his life
A ] Nothing surpasses the beauty and elegance of a bad idea.
[ From ceiling to floor, the walls of Five's old room are covered with equations. They're not the ones Luther found him writing a month ago -For Luther that happened a year and a month ago, time travel is funny like that- but new ones that Five keeps adding daily. Allison, bless her motherly heart, mentioned something about Claire drawing on the walls when she was a toddler, and yesterday a huge, movable chalkboard had found its way into Five's room.
Klaus had been half right when he accused him of being addicted to the Apocalypse. His fixation wasn't interest in the End of The World on itself but the by-product of an obsessive mind that needed something to focus on. After 45 years with a clear goal in mind, spending decades thinking of ways of going back, to save his family, Five has no contingency plan, no idea what to do now that doomsday has been adverted. Some days he still can't believe it and most nights he doesn't want to fall sleep fearing that he will wake up with the taste of ashes in his mouth and the smell of burning flesh in the air, back in the remains of the library.
And yet, it looks like this time the apocalypse had been stopped for good. The Temps Commission, now under new management, is happy to leave the Hargreeves alone, lest they piss them off and people starts getting murdered. Vanya has better control of her powers and seems happier than before. It's good, not perfect, but more peace and happiness than Five ever dreamed to have. More than he ever thought he deserved.
Naturally, it's driving him a little insane.
Because things just don't go well in his life or with his family, and he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Shortly after they all came back from Dallas, Five had crashed and he spent the next 2 days sleeping like a brick. It was really embarrassing and only reminded him of how inconvenient it was to be stuck in a child's body that is nowhere near as durable as his older one. And that was when a new obsession and the equations started.
See, Five has a theory. One that he didn't bother to share with his siblings because they wouldn't understand anyway and there is no point in worrying them unnecessarily. Said theory is based on the idea that his powers had, so far, allowed him to travel through time but it stands to reason that the opposite could happen and he would be able to move time through him instead. Case in point: Child's body that shouldn't be here, yet somehow is, while his mind is the one of an adult.
Finding the right equation to use and apply it to his power is tricky because if he messes things up, he can go overboard and age too much too quickly and kill himself in the process. Quantum Physics are a pain in the ass but not as much as having to go through puberty a second time, or dealing with old ladies that call him 'darling' and then try to pat his head. So there goes nothing. Once he is 99'98% sure that he has the right equation, Five shifts his wrist and concentrates, a familiar blue light surrounding first his hands and then the rest of his body.
It's a different sensation from time traveling or spatial jumping. For starters, it hurts a whole lot more. His head feels like it's being split in two and there are bulls doing the merengue on his grey matter. His muscles burn and there's no air in his lungs when he tries to take a deep breath, chest seizing up as if he's drowning. Small drops of sweat run down his temple and neck. It feels as if he's an elastic cord, the tension growing exponentially until the stress is too much and something has to snap. His bones are melting and reshaping and Five hears his clothes rip and tear as his vision goes blurry.
All that, he had anticipated.
The door of his room exploding, not so much.
Oops. ]
Klaus had been half right when he accused him of being addicted to the Apocalypse. His fixation wasn't interest in the End of The World on itself but the by-product of an obsessive mind that needed something to focus on. After 45 years with a clear goal in mind, spending decades thinking of ways of going back, to save his family, Five has no contingency plan, no idea what to do now that doomsday has been adverted. Some days he still can't believe it and most nights he doesn't want to fall sleep fearing that he will wake up with the taste of ashes in his mouth and the smell of burning flesh in the air, back in the remains of the library.
And yet, it looks like this time the apocalypse had been stopped for good. The Temps Commission, now under new management, is happy to leave the Hargreeves alone, lest they piss them off and people starts getting murdered. Vanya has better control of her powers and seems happier than before. It's good, not perfect, but more peace and happiness than Five ever dreamed to have. More than he ever thought he deserved.
Naturally, it's driving him a little insane.
Because things just don't go well in his life or with his family, and he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Shortly after they all came back from Dallas, Five had crashed and he spent the next 2 days sleeping like a brick. It was really embarrassing and only reminded him of how inconvenient it was to be stuck in a child's body that is nowhere near as durable as his older one. And that was when a new obsession and the equations started.
See, Five has a theory. One that he didn't bother to share with his siblings because they wouldn't understand anyway and there is no point in worrying them unnecessarily. Said theory is based on the idea that his powers had, so far, allowed him to travel through time but it stands to reason that the opposite could happen and he would be able to move time through him instead. Case in point: Child's body that shouldn't be here, yet somehow is, while his mind is the one of an adult.
Finding the right equation to use and apply it to his power is tricky because if he messes things up, he can go overboard and age too much too quickly and kill himself in the process. Quantum Physics are a pain in the ass but not as much as having to go through puberty a second time, or dealing with old ladies that call him 'darling' and then try to pat his head. So there goes nothing. Once he is 99'98% sure that he has the right equation, Five shifts his wrist and concentrates, a familiar blue light surrounding first his hands and then the rest of his body.
It's a different sensation from time traveling or spatial jumping. For starters, it hurts a whole lot more. His head feels like it's being split in two and there are bulls doing the merengue on his grey matter. His muscles burn and there's no air in his lungs when he tries to take a deep breath, chest seizing up as if he's drowning. Small drops of sweat run down his temple and neck. It feels as if he's an elastic cord, the tension growing exponentially until the stress is too much and something has to snap. His bones are melting and reshaping and Five hears his clothes rip and tear as his vision goes blurry.
All that, he had anticipated.
The door of his room exploding, not so much.
Oops. ]
B] I walk around like everything is fine, but deep down inside my shoe, my sock is sliding off.
[ Once the screaming, the yelling and the 'are you out of your fucking mind????' accusations had died down, and there had been a lot of those, Five is left trying to adjust to his new body.
It's still a little younger than he should be, much closer in looks to his siblings than his actual age, but he had tried to be cautious with the change and not age himself too far. Part of him, even if Five doesn't want to admit out loud, likes the idea of fitting in more with his family. The body seems to be fully functional, all his limbs are responding as they should, his powers working just fine and the headache of the first 3 hours is now gone.
Five has only stared at his face in the mirror briefly, trying to decide if he needed to shave and then not bothering with it. He didn't really pay attention to how he actually looks like, more concerned with finding clothes that fit him because the uniform doesn't anymore, thanks all the gods he doesn't believe in. The idea of checking for anything useful in Luther or Allison's closets is quickly discarded, the clothes too big or too colorful for his linking.
Diego's wardrobe is mostly all black, which suits Five just fine, but it isn't perfect either. The sweaters are nice but the sleeves are a tad too long and the open collar leaves part of Five's collarbone and the curve of his shoulder visible. He refuses to wear the turtlenecks on principle, so this is still a step up over walking around the house covered with a towel. Beggars can't be choosers. The pants, however, are a no-go. Too tight in some places and too loose in others, and overall too long. Five might have an older body and longer legs now but it looks like he will never really be properly tall.
In an act of pure desperation, while wearing one of Diego's old black sweaters that is surprisingly comfortable, Five checks Klaus' room next. It's either trying his brother's clothes or Vanya's, and Five actually respects her privacy enough to leave her room alone. ]
It was easier to find clothes in the Apocalypse. [ The man grumbles while holding a pair of leather pants. They're clean and they're his size but they're also leather pants.
Five tosses them into the pile of clothes already present on top of the bed. He finds a skirt next, that he's pretty sure belonged to Allison at some point, and actually gives it some thought before putting it back where he found it. In the end, Five slips into a pair of skinny low-rise jeans, frowning down at them when they still leave his belly button exposed. The sweater should cover it but it still feels weird when he walks. ]
How does he even move in these!?
It's still a little younger than he should be, much closer in looks to his siblings than his actual age, but he had tried to be cautious with the change and not age himself too far. Part of him, even if Five doesn't want to admit out loud, likes the idea of fitting in more with his family. The body seems to be fully functional, all his limbs are responding as they should, his powers working just fine and the headache of the first 3 hours is now gone.
Five has only stared at his face in the mirror briefly, trying to decide if he needed to shave and then not bothering with it. He didn't really pay attention to how he actually looks like, more concerned with finding clothes that fit him because the uniform doesn't anymore, thanks all the gods he doesn't believe in. The idea of checking for anything useful in Luther or Allison's closets is quickly discarded, the clothes too big or too colorful for his linking.
Diego's wardrobe is mostly all black, which suits Five just fine, but it isn't perfect either. The sweaters are nice but the sleeves are a tad too long and the open collar leaves part of Five's collarbone and the curve of his shoulder visible. He refuses to wear the turtlenecks on principle, so this is still a step up over walking around the house covered with a towel. Beggars can't be choosers. The pants, however, are a no-go. Too tight in some places and too loose in others, and overall too long. Five might have an older body and longer legs now but it looks like he will never really be properly tall.
In an act of pure desperation, while wearing one of Diego's old black sweaters that is surprisingly comfortable, Five checks Klaus' room next. It's either trying his brother's clothes or Vanya's, and Five actually respects her privacy enough to leave her room alone. ]
It was easier to find clothes in the Apocalypse. [ The man grumbles while holding a pair of leather pants. They're clean and they're his size but they're also leather pants.
Five tosses them into the pile of clothes already present on top of the bed. He finds a skirt next, that he's pretty sure belonged to Allison at some point, and actually gives it some thought before putting it back where he found it. In the end, Five slips into a pair of skinny low-rise jeans, frowning down at them when they still leave his belly button exposed. The sweater should cover it but it still feels weird when he walks. ]
How does he even move in these!?
no subject
I'm very happy with the woman I'm with now. Something dangerous in Vanya is very pleased to hear that. She tries to punch it down in her head. It's not right, it's not right. He's just saying that because she's his sister.]
I'll keep you safe. No flirty attendants for you.
[And then there's the changing room. Vanya gestures towards it, grateful for the distraction to stop from thinking too hard about her feelings.] Okay, let's see how these clothes hold up.
no subject
My knight in a shiny white suit. [ Five gives her a pleased look and before he steps into the changing room he mutters a quick, Don't go too far.
It's not a request but it still sounds like there's a clear 'just in case' attached to the end of the sentence. The blond lady might just be a shop assistant but Five is still concerned that someone from the Commission will show up one day to fuck up their lives again. Vanya can defend herself better than anyone but old habits die hard and Five would feel better knowing she's around.
Time to try on some clothes then. He starts with the blue suit first, happy go get rid of the terrible sweatpants and slip into something truly comfortable. The size seems right, the jacket framing his waist and the shirt not to tight or too loose but he's not sure about the ties. He tells that much to Vanya when Five pulls away the curtain and steps out so she can give him a good look. ]
...the ones here don't seem good enough. A tie pulls the suited look together and these just don't work. What do you think?
no subject
Her eyebrows go up when he comes out in the suit. This is just unfair.]
The suit looks really good. Try this.
[Vanya walks up to him, untying his tie and slinging it over her shoulder before she undoes the first two buttons on his shirt. She's just giving her brother fashion advice she's just giving her brother fashion advice she's just giving her brother fashion advice--]
Check the mirror now and see what you think. I think it fixes the tie problem and now you look more casual.
no subject
I'm going to look ridiculous. Five protests but turn anyway, ready to face disappointment. He's greeted by surprise instead. A 58 years old man wearing a suit with the top buttons of his shirt undone would be laughable. Except, his body isn't 58 years old anymore, without wrinkles and scars. He has to admit that it's not a terrible look for a 30 years old man. Looking up, blue eyes meet brown ones through the mirror and he gives a smile that would be called shy if it came from anyone but him. ]
Not bad?
no subject
You see? I know a thing or two about fashion. I think that suit is definitely a yes.
[Vanya gestures at the pile.] Give the other ones a shot too. If you don't like the tie, just see how it looks with a couple buttons undone.
no subject
It shows. It's really a shame that your sense of fashion wasn't a trait that was also passed onto Klaus.
[ Nevermind the fact they're not blood-related. After a nod, Five gets into the changing room again to try the rest of the suits. He asks for her opinion every now and then, less because he's all that concerned about the clothes and more because he likes to include Vanya. After all the suits, shirts and sweaters are tried on, that only leaves the jeans.
Five eyes them critically for a few seconds but tries them on as promised. They're surprisingly comfy, hugging his legs in a different way than the pants suits. The waist is much lower too, which is why he steps out of the changing room to look at Vanya for advice. ]
Are these supposed to fit me this way? I can see my underwear.
[ Perhaps he should have put on a shirt but then, how was Vanya going to tell for sure if the jeans were too low cut? ]
no subject
[But Vanya freezes when Five walks out without a shirt. Five, she talked to you about the shirt. Jesus Christ.
Her cheeks become red and instantly her eyes veer off to the side.]
Yeah, those kinds of jeans fit pretty low. They look good with a shirt. [Also without one but that's just Five.]
no subject
[ Did we actually talk? I forgot.
Five grew up used to wearing whatever he felt like in the Apocalypse, usually tons of layers of clothes because otherwise he got badly burned, and now he doesn't want to wear so many.
Plus he thinks he has a reason now and that reason is showing Vanya how the pants are lower than his bellybutton. That can't be right. ]
Not with the shirts I have here. The style clashes. [ And that sounds like a terrible offense to him. It's hard to miss Vanya's blush this time, not even Five is that clueless about people's reactions. ] Are you feeling all right?
no subject
Just... try it with a shirt. I can find one that'll look good with it and still meet your old man standards.
no subject
Are you sure you don't have a fever?
[ He even leans in to give Vany a better look, the suggestion about the shirt registering but not all that important right now. ]
no subject
Vanya's cheeks burn, and she flicks her eyes to the ceiling, refusing to look at Five's face. It's wrong for her to think like this, and she doesn't want to risk her relationship with her brother by drawing attention to the issues she's having again. She's lucky enough it didn't become a big issue after her last outburst.]
No fever! Just--you know. You should put on a shirt.
no subject
Right, ehm....I'll just take me a moment. We still need to go get your violin.
[ This time, when Five closes the curtain behind him, he feels like he's trying to hide something. Before, he blamed his odd body reactions to certain people on the fact he was going through puberty again. But now that his body is older, there's no reason to explain why he's feeling both flushed and frustrated by Vanya's rejection. It's confusing and he hates confusing.
Five changes clothes quickly, grabbing a shirt as Vanya wanted but also switching the pants for the suit ones and then putting on the jacket. No tie, and he remembers to leave unbuttoned the top buttons of the shirts. When he steps out, he's holding all the clothes he wants to keep, the jeans included. ]
I don't suppose there will be a problem if I wear the clothes I pretend to buy? [ His tone suggests he would make it an even bigger problem for the shop if they refuse his request. ] I don't want to go keep looking like a clown in Luther's pants.
no subject
She scrubs her face with her hands before he comes out, blessfully dressed. Although now she's regretting giving him fashion advice, because he's still too attractive.
She takes a deep breath, struggling to just focus on his face.]
No, that should be fine. Especially with how much those girls were ogling you.
[Did she sound a little resentful? No, she was teasing him. Absolutely just teasing him.]
no subject
Ogling...? [ He still thinks they were up to no good instead of flirting so the choice of the word makes Five think of the Handler's usual behavior. Which almost makes him frown in disgust. But again, Vanya herself sounds annoyed (for his sake, perhaps?) and that is charming in its own way. He shrugs and gives here a casual smile. ]
The sooner we pay and get out of here the better then. [ He offers Vanya the arm that isn't holding the clothes for her to take. ]