CHAPTER EIGHT: THE FIRST HUG

---

"You want me to protect Five?" Lila asked as her and The Handler was eating pancakes.

"It's not that complicated, honey" The Handler said "If anyone deserves to die, it's him" Lila said "That's true, but--" "The most wanted man in the Commission" Lila said, cutting The Handler off.

"Yes" The Handler said "Now you want me to protect him" Lila said "That's correct" The Handler said "After everything he's done to you? He's the reason you got demoted" Lila said "Be that as it may...he's worth more to me alive" The Handler said before she poured herself some wine in her glass.

"If you want to kill somebody why don't you kill Diego?" she asked and Lila shook her head "No" she said "You sure? I think it'll make you feel better" The Handler said "Nah" Lila said before taking a bite of her pancake.

"Suit yourself. Pass me more syrup, will you?" The Handler asked and Lila grabbed the syrup before she poured some syrup on The Handler's pancakes.

"By the way, I ran into some trouble at the asylum, during the escape" Lila said as The Handler poured some more syrup on her pancakes "These three blond guys. Total cowboys" Lila said and The Handler froze for a second before looking at Lila "They're here already?" she asked "Wait, you know those freaks?" Lila asked "Commission muscle. Triplets. Like Huey, Dewey, and Louie, only a little more meshugahs" The Handler said "You sent them?" Lila asked.

"Of course I did" The Handler answered "Why? They nearly killed me" Lila said "Well, they have to make it look good. Right? Otherwise, people might suspect that we're working together" The Handler said "So they know I'm on the job?" Lila asked "It's all a performance. Look, if they wanted you dead, you would've been long gone by now, little one" The Handler said "You need to stop calling me that" Lila said "Aww" The Handler said before getting up "Listen to me" she said as she walked over to Lila "No one is trying to kill you" she said as she stroke Lila down the cheek "We're all working towards the same goal" she said "Which is?" Lila asked "Well, that's the thing about the Commission, isn't it? Some things just don't make sense... until they do" The Handler said before she brushed Lila's bangs "I like the fringe" she said before she patted Lila on the head.

"Protect Number Five at all costs" The Handler said.

---

Luther was laying in his bed as he grunt softly "Luther?" Vanya asked as she was holding a towel "Allison?" Luther asked weakly and she began opening his eyes to see Vanya.

"Sorry to disappoint" Vanya said with a smile "Here. For your face" she said as she handed him a towel.

"Do you need a pillow or...an...an aspirin?" she asked "Wait, uh...why are you here, Vanya?" he asked "You're my brother. I mean, apparently" she said and chuckled "Five found you" he said "Yeah, him and someone name Y/n. They're downstairs waiting with the car. Said you're be better off alone" she said while he was groaning softly as he sat up.

"Yeah. He's an asshole" she said "Such an asshole" she said and sat down next to him "Right?" he said "Right" she said and they both chuckled.

"Um...How much did Five tell you?" he asked "Um, well, he filled in some gaps. Uh, seven children, a talking chimpanzee...a very warm and cuddly father. An apocalypse" she said "He told you about that, huh?" he asked "Well, not all of it. Because I think there's something he left out. About me" she said "Huh" he said "What caused the apocalypse?" she asked "You did" he answered and she looked down "But not alone. I was part of it. I mean, we all were" he said "How?" she asked "Uh, you got angry, lost control, and you...blew up the moon. It slammed into Earth, wiping out everything" he said.

"Why would I do that?" she asked, her voice trembles a bit "It's complicated. Look...you had kind of a bad childhood" he said.

Then the door slammed opened and Jack Ruby rushed in "Why the hell did you throw that fight?" he asked angry "Jack" Luther said, getting up.

"Answer me!" Jack shouted "Sorry...I had a bad night" Luther answered "Bad night, you son of a bitch? You could take that chump's head off in your sleep!" Jack shouted before he grabbed Luther's shirt, pressing him against the wall "I owe a lot of money right now. Luther, to people that can make things very hard on me!" he shouted "Leave him alone!" Vanya said "Shut up and mind your business!" Jack shouted at her.

"Jack, look...I'm sorry. All right? I'm gonna make it up to you, I promise. Okay?" Luther said "I treated you...like a son" Jack said "Jack, come on" Luther said "No. You and me...we're done" Jack said and let go of him "Jack, please" Luther said but Jack just turned around before leaving.

"Luther?" Vanya asked "Would you, uh...just get out, please?" he asked "Well, I don't mind staying, and I have some more questions" Vanya said.

But Luther let out a shout before he punched the brick wall, making a hole.

Luther looked outside to see Five, with his back leaning against the car with his arms crossed over his chest. Five leaned forward a bit as he narrowed his eyes to look at the hole that Luther had made. He shook his head with a smile while letting out a softly chuckled while you looked up.

Vanya nodded before leaving.

"I wonder what pissed him off" you said "Luther have always had the one with the biggest temper" Five said.

Then the door opened and you both saw Vanya walking out of the building.

"Well, that clearly went well" Five said sarcastic he walked over to Vanya who walked past him a little fast.

"You ready to go?" Five asked with his hands in his pockets as he follow Vanya who was walking towards the car.

"I'm going back to the farm" Vanya said "Hey" Five said as he started running to catch up with her "Hey. Unacceptable, Vanya" he said as he caught up to her "Remember, we need to stick together" he said.

"Oh, why, so I don't end the world again?" she asked as she turned to Five causing him to let out a scoffed before he looked back at the wall.

"Stupid" he muttered as she grabbed the handle "Were you even gonna tell me?" she asked as she turned to Five and he turned to her "You know what? In my defense, no. All right?" he said as he leaned towards her, putting his hands in his pockets "And can you blame me? When you...you get angry, shit blows up" he said.

"Great" she said with a nod before she turned around to the car so only see you standing in front of her.

"Vanya, even so I don't know much, I know enough, so please just listen, this is a matter of life and death" you said "Get out of the way" she said "Not until you listen to him" you said.

Then Vanya's eyes turned an icy blue color and her skin also turned the same color causing your eyes to widened as you remember what Five told you about Vanya's powers.

Five's eyes widened when he could hear his sister's powers. So he immediately grabbed her shoulder before he turned her around so she was facing him "No, Vanya" he pointed his finger at her "You don't try to use that on her. You don't try to to use that against her. You hear me" he pointed his finger at her.

Vanya powered down and she turned back to you who step aside and she opened the door to the car.

"So is there other family secrets you failed to mention?" she asked before she got into the car and closed the door "A boatload, Vanya, which I don't have the luxury of sharing them with the--" Five said and he let out a sigh before he knocked on the window as Vanya put the key in the car.

Five sighed as Vanya rolled down the window "The clock is ticking on doomsday. Just tell me that when I need you, you'll be ready" he said "I can't help you. I don't even know who I am" she said "You're our sister" Five said as Vanya started the engine "And a member of the Umbrella Academy. Like it or not, that's who you are" Five said "Look, that's who I was, okay? New timeline, new me" she said as she pressed on the gas "No, that's not how it work--!" Five shouted after her as she drove away.

"Let her go Five. Let her figure herself out for now. I think she is just confuse. You will find her when you need her or she will come to you" you place a hand on his shoulder.

"I hope so, I'm just worried that she don't understand the situation she is in" he said before he let out a sigh.

"I just don't get why my siblings don't understand that we are in danger, the world is in the danger, they are never there when I really need them, only if they have no other choice" he let out another sigh and you could see that he was actually sad, even so he tried not to show it.

You looked at him and bite your lip, a little nervous about what you were about to do, unsure how Five will take it, how will he react. But only one way to find out.

Without saying anything. You slowly wrapped your arms around him, your fingers gently ran through his dark brown hair which caught him by surprise, his eyes widened as his heart rate increasing while he started blushing.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he flinch angrily as he pulled a little bit away. 

"It's called a hug" you said "Hug, rigth. I may have reacted...poortly downstairs. It's the side effect of 24 years without any physical contact" he said "Poor you" you pulled him more into his arms and he let you do it.

"I know this is stressful for you and I can't even begin to imagine how you feel, it doesn't take a genius to see that you really care about your family" you said.

Five wasn't used to hug, he have actually never gotten a hug.

He was stuck in the future in an apocalypse for 24 years and never got to hug anyone. He didn't really care about hugs and it was the last thing he needed until today.

So it actually felt nice and he was glad that the first hug he have gotten was from you. Someone he actually have a soft spot for.

So Five let out a smile before he slowly wrapped his arms around your waist bringing your body some sort of closer to him. He hadn't had this kind of contact his whole life.

The hug wasn't anything but calming and you both enjoyed the contact and the warmth of the other.

"This is nice" he said quietly as he was hugging you tighter while you let out smile.

"Well sometimes a hug is all you need. All you need to feel complet"

Both you and Five felt whole when you were hugging like this.

"It's going to be okay" you whispered in his ear.

After a minute with the two of you just hugging, you pulled away "Yeah, well, you don't know my family" he said "I'm starting to" you said and he smiled.

Then he turned to the building, looking up at the hole to see Luther looking at them through the hole and he put his middle finger up and Five moved his head to the side as he glaring at Luther.

"ASSHOLE!" you shouted at Luther before giving him the finger back which cause Five to smirked.

"He is not worth it" he looked at you and you lower your hand "But thanks for backing me up" he said "Of course" you tilted your head with a smile.

Five then put his hands in pockets and turned around "Wonder if it's too late to be un-adopted" he said as he walked away "Careful for what you wish for" you said as you followed after him.

"One day it might come true" you said "Actually right now I don't mind" he said.

---

While you and Five were heading back to your dad's apartment. Five have caught you up on everything, this whole apocalypse mess, how Vanya blew up the moon, which had been a pretty shocking revelation. Five have told you how they'd all ended up here, scattered across different years in Dallas, Texas. And there was the story of their adoption, how they were all brought together by their father, Reginald Hargreeves, that explained why they didn't really look like a 'normal' family, no shared features, no obvious connections aside from the bond they seems to have, however strained it might be.

"So...it's always like this with you guys? The whole Saving-the-world thing?" you asked "Pretty much. It's kind of our thing" Five said as he glanced at you "It wasn't always like this. We used to just be...well, not normal but less apocalyptic, but then things got complicated" he said "Well, at least you've got each other, right?" you looked at Five who just glanced down on his feet "I actually don't know about that" he put his hands in his pockets as he kept walking.

---

"So, what, you just let her go?" Diego asked as he was sitting on the couch while Lila was sitting next to him, changing the bandage on his stab wound.

"Well, Vanya had a lot to process" Five said as he walked behind the couch Diego and Lila was sitting on before stopping by a table.

"She'll come around. I know she will" Five said with a sigh as he stopped at the table.

"What about the guys that went after her?" Diego asked "Those guys with white hair?" you asked "The Swedes" Five said "Yeah, I mean, how do you know they won't go after her again?" Diego asked as Elliott came into the living room and handed Lila a mug of coffee before he put another mug of coffee on the table for Five.

"We don't" Five said "Mm, any idea who sent them?" Lila asked "Oh, I have my suspicions" Five said and sent Lila a trademark smirks as he picked up his mug from the table.

You were about to take a seat but by accident you sat down on Five's lap which caused you to get surprise and your face turned bright red while you immediately stood back up "Sorry" you said in embarrassed.

"It's---I--It's fine" he mumbled into his cup trying to use it as a shield to cover his bright red face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you sit there. I will..." you stuttered "It's alright" Five said as you walked stand by one of the desks. 

"Anyway right now, our priority is finding Dad and getting answers, 'cause everything else depends on it" Five said.

"Which, for the record. I found him already" Diego said "And then let him go before we could have a meaningful conversation" Five said as he crossed his right leg over his left "Yeah, he stabbed me" Diego said "I'm surprised he waited this long, Diego. We've all had the urge" Five said causing Elliott and you to let out a chuckled while Lila let out a laugh.

"Good one Five, but he is your brother" you said while Lila laughed.

"Good one" Lila said, putting her hand out so Five could high five her making him looked at Lila weirdly as he leaned forward.

The highfive wasn't invented till 1977, during a baseball game which is why already there Lila blow her cover.

Five knew that the high five wasn't invented till 1977 which caused him to get more suspicious of her.

"What are you doing?" you asked Lila as you raise a brow in confusing and Lila lowered her hand.

Five then looked at Diego "Good thing I know where Dad's gonna be tonight" he said before he pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and he leaned more forward, giving it to Diego.

"Where'd you get this?" Diego asked Five "Found it at his office while he was busy stabbing you" Five said and Diego let out sarcastically chuckled while you giggled and that caused Five to look at you before smiling.

Everytime you smiled, chuckled, giggled or laughed, Five couldn't help but look at you while smiling, it was like he was put under a spell every time and it was hard to get out again.

"Yeah, Five grabbed it right before he got scratched by a baby monkey" you said and Five sent you a sarcastically smile.

"'Hoyt Hillenkoetter and the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas cordially invite you to a gala'" Diego read out "Whoa, wait. Hoyt Hillenkoetter?" Elliott asked and the four of you looked at him "Are you serious?" he asked "You know him?" Five asked "We should go. Says there's gonna be a seafood tower" Lila said.

"No. Hillenkoetter is...is one of the Majestic Twelve" you explained as you pointed at the invitation in Diego's hand.

"The hell is the Majestic Twelve?" Diego asked "What? It's a...a secret committee" you said as your dad put down his mug before he walked over to a desk in the corner of the room. 

"Uh, scientists, military, uh, deep state. No one know what they really do" he said as he went through the desk, searching through all the papers on the desk.

"Wait, so they're government?" Diego asked "Shadow government" you said before Elliott walked over to another desk "Yeah, Kennedy was the first president to try to push them into the light, but these guys are not to be trifled with" he said.

You knew what your dad was looking for, so you walked over to one of the desk before you opened the first draw and pulled out a picture from a pile of papers.

"Dad" Elliott turned to you "Here. First draw dad. Always the first draw" you said before handing him and he grab it.

"Oh, here we go. Ah, right here" he said and walked over to the others before he put the picture on the table and the others leaned forward to see the picture better "This, uh...Oh, right here" he said, pointing at the picture "That's Hoyt right there" he said "Huh" Five said as Diego let out a grunt and sigh as he sat up slowly.

"I only count 11" Lila said as she looked at the picture.

"Well, that's because they've only identified 11 so far" you answered "Who's the twelfth?" Diego asked and Five looked at Diego with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you guys think that your dad is one of them?" you asked and Five nodded "I wouldn't be surprise if he was" he said.

"It seems like we're going to a gala" Diego said "Well, I will go out and steal a dress" Lila said.

"So you guys are going to a gala" you said "And you're coming with us" Five looked at you "Why?" you looked at him "Because I need you there" he replied with a flirting smile but then quickly blinked a few times with his eyes. "I mean I need you there because I don't want to be the only young looking person there" he said before he looked at you "So you wanna come?" he asked "Are you asking me to be your date?" you asked "Do you want to come or not?" he asked.

"Well, I have never been to a gala and I did promised to help you so why not" you said.

"I'm sorry Y/n, but I can't let you go" your dad said "What? Why?" you looked at him "I understand you're excited but this is dangerous. These men are not to be underestimated. I couldn't bear the thought if something happened to you" he said "Dad, please. I never get opportunities like this. You know I'll be careful, I promise I won't get into trouble" you said "I'm sorry Y/n, but it's too risky. I can't let you go" he said "I can handle it. I know I can" you said "No, Y/n. I can't risk it. You're staying here" he said "Dad, please, I'm not a little girl anymore, sometimes you have to trust me" you said.

"I'll make sure she's okay" Five suddenly said, which caused you and your dad to look at him "You will?" Elliott asked "You will?" Diego looked at his brother.

"I will keep an eye on her and we'll bring her back here safely" Five said.

"See, I have Five and his brother is there to look out for me. So can I go?" you asked as you looked at your dad.

"I have never been to a gala before, so please" you beg.

"Okay" Elliott sighed "Thank you" you rushed over to hug your dad "Thank you, thank you" you smiled.

"Please be safe and careful" he said "I will" you nodded before pulling away and Five let out a small smile as he watched you walk into your bedroom.

Five's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. Seeing you so happy and excited, despite the chaos that surrounded you all, brought him a sense of relief. He was glad to see that you were getting a moment of joy. With the world on the brink of disaster, at least there was a chance for some normalcy, and he would make sure you had this experience. After all, he had bigger concerns to address. As for now he'd let you enjoy this brief escape before dealing with more pressing issues ahead.

"You know, you're a lot softer than you let on" Lila said "What is that supposed to mean?" Five snapped his head at Lila.

"You care more than you think, I've seen the way you look at her. Like you want to protect her or something" she said "I don't have time to care about anything. Especially not her" he said "Sure, keep telling yourself that. But you and I both know she's different. Otherwise you wouldn't be so bothered" she said "She is right, Five" Diego said.

Five felt a surge of irritation rise within him. He had no intention of explaining himself to anyone. But Lila's words struck a chord, one he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge. He wasn't attracted to you, not in the way Diego and Lila were suggesting. He had a mission, a family to save, an apocalypse to stop, and you were just....in the way. That's all it was. It had to be.

---

You were in your bedroom when it knock on your door and you turned to see your dad holding up a green dress.

"For you" he smiled "Dad that is beautiful" you smiled "Where did you get it?" you asked "I bought it" he replied "Dad, it must have being expensive" you said "Not really, beside this is your first gala, you deserve it" he smiled "Thanks" you said before hugging him.

"Never thought that your first gala would be a gala that you have to sneak into" you chuckled as you pulled away "And I have a date, I don't go all alone" you said.

"I know you like him" he said "What?" you snapped your head at him "No...I--No--I don't know what you're talking about, dad" you said "Come on, I know my own daughter, Y/n" he smiled.

"I have never seeing you smile the way you are smiling when you are near that Five guy. He must be really someone special" he said.

"I don't know I just feel drawn and connected to him" you said before you looked at Elliott "Is that wrong?" you asked "Listen to your heart and instincts 'cause they never lie" he said and you nodded.

"I will let you get change, be careful, okay?" he asked "I will" you nodded and smiled before leaving.

---

After have picking up a dress and changed, you walked out of the bed room.

Five stared at you, his eyes going wide as you walked out of the room.

"So how do I look?" you asked as your hair was sat up and you were wearing a dark green dress.

As Five's eyes met yours, you felt a rush of warmth. Though he was still in his uniform, there was something different about him. Maybe it was the soft smile he was giving you or the way his usual stern demeanor seemed to soften. You felt your cheeks flush, but you couldn't help smiling back. His smile was genuine and surprisingly comforting. 

"Can that boy make it more obviously?" Lila whispered to Diego.

"Pick your jaw up off the floor, brother, and try not to made it that obviously" Diego whispered to Five and he cleared his throat.

"So do I look okay?" you asked "You look---That dress look---" Five said, not having the words to finished the sentence.

"I hope the ending to those sentences are good" you said "I think I understand the different between pretty and beautiful" Five said as he staring at you with a smile and you smiled back.

"You look nice" Five said "Thank you...you look the same" you replied.

"Would you mind zipping me up?" you turned your back so it face Five "Uh...no" he walked over to stand behind you.

You looked down for a second and then looked at the small mirror hanging on the wall, watching as Five's hands grabbed the zip and slowly started to pull it up. You could feel his soft fingers caressing your spine as they went and it made you shiver. He looked over your shoulder at you in the mirror, his frame only being slightly taller than your own.

You smoothed out your dress. It was dark green.

"You look beautiful" he was finally able to say as he whispered it in your ear and slowly stroked his hand down your shoulder and to your hand then bringing it up to make you twirl around.

"I know there is work do to tonight...but I do hope you'll save me a dance" you nodded at him then froze as his face came closer and closer to yours. You could feel his breath on your skin and shivers returned throughout your entire body. 

He then kissed your cheek softly which caused your eyes to widened.

"Let's go" he said and you scanned him up and down "Are you gong to change?" you asked as you noticed that he was still wearing his old school uniform "What is wrong with my clothes?" he asked "We're going to a ball not your first school day, you look like a little kid that is looking for his mom" you said "Shut up" he said. 

"Before you guys go, let me take a picture, this is my daughter's first gala after all" Elliott smiled as he grab the camera.

"I'm not a picture guy" Five said "Just let him take the picture Five" Diego said.

You and Five step closer to each other and when Elliott lifted the camera up, Five put his hand around your waist which caused you both to blush as your dad took the picture.

"Perfect" he smiled "Can we go now?" Five asked and the others nodded.

"Have fun, but be safe and careful" Elliott said and you nodded as you walk towards the stairs.

"Five" Elliott said and Five stopped while you, Diego and Lila walked down the stairs.

"I can see the way you look at her" Elliott said "I'm not looking at her in any way" Five said "You sure about that?" Elliott asked "Yes, I'm sure" Five nodded lightly.

"No need to lie to me, I have being in your situation, you care about my daughter" Elliott said.

"I didn't think that even existed someone like Y/n" Five said "You promise to take care of her" Elliott said "I don't think she needs someone to take care of her" Five said "I know she can be tough, but she needs someone she can trust" Elliott said "She can trust me" Five said "Tell her that sometimes the answer is right in front of her" Elliott said and Five nodded before he turned around and walk down the stairs and out the building.

Five opened the door for you and you nodded a thanks as you slid into the back seat. Five followed and took his place beside you while Diego went behind the wheel.

You couldn't help but smile as you, Lila, Diego and Five drove to the gala.

What was wrong with you? You can't fall for a 37 year old man in his teen body while you are only 16. It's wrong and gross. But it was like your body didn't care, it was like it didn't see a 37 year old man, but instead saw a teen.

Besides, even if he was the same age as you, it was still wrong, he was from the future. As soon as he gathered his siblings and found a way home, he wouldn't stay, he was going to leave and you know that you would be hurt and heart broken.

Besides, he couldn't stay and you couldn't go with him. You belong in this timeline, he belongs in the other. You can't fall for him, you can't go through the pain and heartbreak you will feel when he leaves.

You just can't, therefore you can't get too attracted or attached to him, but it was like no matter how hard you tried, you can't ignore it. It was like a thread and magnet was pulling you towards him.

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