CHAPTER TWENTY: THE MARK IS DEAD

"Love is such a powerful force, it's there for everyone to embrace, that kind of unconditional love for all of human kind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others to take risks for what they believe in"

---

You, Five, Diego and Klaus had been searching the whole Academy for Vanya, but with no luck.

"No sign of Vanya" Five said as you four met up on the second floor by the stairs.

"She is not in any of the rooms" you said "She's not downstairs, either" Klaus said "Then where is she?" you asked.

"Well, I'm out" Diego patted Klaus' shoulder before walking towards the stairs "Wait, Wait..." Klaus said.

"Where are you going? Vanya's still out there, and so are Hazel and Cha-Cha" Five said "I know, I'm gonna get my things and then I'm outta here. I got some unfinished business with those fools" Diego said before he walked away and Klaus let out a sigh.

"Hey" Five said before he turned to look at Klaus "Did Dad say anything about the apocalypse when you spoke to him? Any clues as to how it happened?" he asked "No. No clues. Truly terrific shave. But no clues" Klaus answered and Five let out a sigh "Well, I need a drink" you said before you walk down the stairs.

"Jeez" Five said before he walked down the stairs "You know, come to think of it, he did mention something about my potential, and how I've barely even scratched the surface of my--" "How did he know about the apocalypse?" Five asked, cutting Klaus off "I don't know, but listen. This whole jumping through time thing of yours, how did...How did you know how to do that?" Klaus asked as they got to the bottom of the stairs.

"I didn't. You'd realize that if you were actually sober" Five said before he walked past Klaus and towards the living room.

"Hey, I am sober" Klaus said, turning around "I've been sober for two--almost two days now" he said and Five turned around to face him "Yeah, two days" he said "It feels like 45 years" Klaus said "Who are you kidding, Klaus? I've seen you fidgeting all day" Five said and Klaus turned to Five before he took a couple of steps towards him "Well, I guess we're both fighting our addictions, then" he said "I'm not an addict" Five said "Yeah, you are. You're addicted to drug called the apocalypse" Klaus said "You're wrong" Five said "First sign. Denial" Klaus said and turned away from him.

But Five blinked in front of him "You and I, we're not the same" he said while he had his finger pointed at him and Klaus chuckled "I've seen that look in the eye of someone who doesn't know who they are without their high anymore" he said and Five put his hand down "Trust me" Klaus said as he put his hands close to his chest "You gotta just let it go. I mean what would Tilly say if you---" he said, but he cut off by Five who threw the prosthetic eye against the wall causing it to shattered into pieces.

He then walked past Klaus towards the living room "Figuratively, but yeah, that works, too" Klaus said before he sigh "One day at a time" he said before walking away.

---

The sound of a blender whirs was heard as you were making a margarita to you and Five.

You then poured some down on Five's, yours and Delores' glass.

"Well, do you think we really did it?" Five asked as he handed a glass with margarita to Delores. "Think we actually stopped the apocalypse?" Five asked Delores that was sitting next to him with a margarita while jazz music was playing on the radio "Now what?" he asked before he turned to look forward "I don't know" he said and chuckled "I'm open to suggestions" he said before he looked at you who was sitting next to him, staring ahead.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked causing you to snap back to reality and look at him "Hmm?" you asked "You okay?" he asked again "No" you said "Then what's wrong?" he asked and you pulled up a file from your inner pocket.

"What is that?" he asked "The file Reginald wrote about me" you said as you put the file on the counter before you push it towards Five.

Five grabbed the file before he opened it and his eyes widened "Woah" he said "Yeah" you said.

"The old bastard always has secrets, Nat. And he never even bothered telling us" Five said "Nope" you said and he looked at you.

"You seems pretty calm about all of this" he said "I don't think that my body knows how to react. Beside now I can finally relax, most of my questions is answered" you said and he nodded.

"You know I am actually really happen that we found each other again" he said "Me too" you said before you let out a sigh.

"You okay?" he asked "I know people are afraid of me. They're scared of my powers. Of what I can do" you said "People will always be scared of what us with powers can do, because we're different. But being different isn't bad. It's actually good being different" he said.

Right from the start, he lured me in
Took me the places that I've never been
I think I'm in love
I think I'm in love

Five then took a deep breath "Okay" he mumbled before he looked at you again "Nat" he said "Yeah" you said but it was like he couldn't say the words.

"I have feelings for you" he blurted out and you looked at him "I have had feelings for you every since we were kids and even after meeting you after I had forgotten about who you are, those feelings never disappeared and I think that is a sign that you shall not ignore" he said.

He might have bent me but I didn't break
He rearranged the map I made
But I think I'm in love
I think I'm in love

"Five. I care about you, a lot, but I'm scared of hurting you" she said "You're not gonna hurt me" he said "Five, we both know that I'm not like you and your siblings. There is something wrong with me" you said.

Now am I crazy, why can no one understand
That I'll never find a better man? (Oh no)
I'm just imagining a life without my baby
And I know, I know
This life ain't meant to be live without him
Without him
I know, I know

"There's nothing wrong with you and that's truth" he said and you looked at him "We have a fate that we now required to accept" he said "Let's me guess, that's the end of everything?" you said "Not everything, some feelings I will carry with me eternally and I know you're afraid of feeling the same way because you are scared. But we can find a middle ground, Nat, if you let me in" he said.

This life ain't meant to be live without him
Without him
This life ain't meant to be live without him
Without him
I know

"Five I'm not the type of person to fall in love with, not anymore. I will hurt you and break your heart and I can't be responsible for that" you said "Nat..." "Five" you said cutting him off before you look at him.

They say this is America
Free speach, free will
But I don't even care at all
Can't seem to fight this
Needing him every day and night
Why can't I just try to speak my mind to him

"I'm like a grenade. One day I'm going to lose control and blow up and hurt everyone and everything around me and I don't want to hurt you" you said as you looked down.

"I'm a monster, a witch, a walking time bomb" you sighed.

Tell him all the things that he probably thought was coming
But didn't want him thinking that
I'm trying rush him
Please dear God give me the words
'Cause you know my tongue ties
As soon as I see him, blushing

"Nat, listen to me, you're not any of those things and one day I'm going to prove you wrong" he said and you looked at him.

I get my thoughts put it on a page
I might get to find a way out the maze
That I built for myself
In some kind of haze
And if the right words come to me one by one

"I'm not okay Five. My brain and mind is getting worse and worse. I'm scared that it might get to the point that I might forget you and your siblings or maybe even forgetting everything" you said.

I hope he tells me that he loves me the same
I hope he don't laugh or worse, walk away
'Cause the honest to God
Truth of the matter is
I just can't live my life without you
(Without you)

"Hey" Five put his hand on your hand "We'll figure it out together, okay? And if that ever happens, I promise you I will do my best in helping you remember, just like you did to me" he said and you let out a small smile "You will never be alone. I will always be right here by your side, I will always support you and have your back in every and any situation. You will never have to go through anything alone ever again. You will always have me, all day, everyday, in every timeline and in every universe" he said as he looked at you.

Everytime he looked at you or was just near you, his feelings grow stronger, he was acting sweet and soft when he was around you. He could feel that now when he was with you, his humanity was slowly coming back.

Right from the start, he lured me in
Took me the places that I've never been
I think I'm in love
I think I'm in love (Oh no, oh no)

"Are you only saying that out of pity?" you asked "No, I care about you, a lot. I have cared about you since the moment I met you and every since that day, you have being the most important person in my life. I'm sorry if I have not being great at showing it" he said "Is it just me or are you going more soft?" you asked "That's what you always do to me. You're making me soft when I'm around you" he said and you let out a chuckled.

He might have bent me but I didn't break
He rearranged the map I made
But I think I'm in love
I think I'm in love (Oh oh no, oh no)

"You know what I like about you?" you asked and he looked at you "Being annoyingly stubbon, being caring and supporting, protecting and being a cute guy" you said "You like me?" he asked "Sorry, I blurted that out too" she said "Well, I have like you since we were kids" he said "I have liked you since we were kids, too" you said.

Now am I crazy, why can no one understand
That I'll never find a better man? (Oh no, oh no)
I'm just imagining a life without my baby
And I know, I know
This life ain't meant to be live without him
Without him
This life ain't meant to be live without him
Without him
I know

"I know that is a lot to ask, but....You wanna...go...out?" he asked nervously and you looked at him "With you?" you asked and he nodded "Sorry, I have never tried asking someone out before. I have being practicing about asking you out since we were 12 and I have being practicing for a year, but then all shit happen and now I have forgotten how to ask you out?" he asked before taking a deep breath.

I'm not one to really talk at all
Speak up only when the time is right
Or when it call for the big guns
Problem is where to speak from
I hear it's your heart that does all the talking

"So Natalie Eversun, would you go out with me. On date. Tonight?" he asked "Five..." you said "I know what you said before, but maybe this can help you" he said and you looked down.

Hurry up you got no time to waste
'Cause this is the man I'm loving for always
And the honest to God
Truth of the matter
I just can't see my life going on without you

"Five, I care about you so much and it's because of that, that I'm scared of hurting and losing you. I mean I hurt and lost Toby and Sabrina and I can't handle losing you too" you said "What happen to them wasn't your fault and I promise, I'm gonna be here all the way, no matter what. I will do my best in helping you" he said and you looked at him.

"Five, I'm scared of hurting you" you said "You wouldn't hurt me--" "You don't know that...Everyone loses control eventually...And I'm scared that these powers I have will hurt you" you said "That wouldn't happen. I promise I will help you with this. I'm not afraid of you, I know you're not gonna hurt me. You are not a monster, a witch or a bad person, Nat, you're a good person which bad things have happen to. Everything it's going to be okay, trust me. I will always be here for you. I will be here, all the way" he said and you let out a sigh. 

"I know you're scared" he said "I'm actually totally terrified all the time? I walked outside and suddenly for the first time, people really like me. But I'm always thinking that...I don't know like it's...like it's just a matter of time before somebody figure out who I really am. But then when I see you and I'm with you. You're the person who make me feel good....about who I really am. When you're like scared and insecure that's when you need your people the most" you said and he smiled.

"I just don't want to rush into anything and I don't want to hurt you" you said "I understand you and if you need time, I get that and I will wait, no matter how long it take" he said.

Now am I crazy, why can no one understand
That I'll never find a better man?
(Oh no, oh no no no no)
I'm just imagining a life without my baby
And I know, I know

"I'm just not ready for you know..." you said "I know" he said before he let out a sigh "And I understand" he said before he looked down.

"But that doesn't mean I don't want to go on that date with you" you said and he looked at you before smiling "Tonight then" he said "Tonight" you said as you looked at each other.

You knew that you were safe with Five, as long as he is with you, you would be safe and fine, he was your anchor. You know that he will do anything he can to make sure that you are safe and happy. He will protect you from everything and everyone that will hurt you.

This life ain't meant to be live
Without him, without him
This life ain't meant to be live
Without him, without him
I know

"So what's your plan?" he asked "I'm gonna talk to my mom, tell her everything and then I don't know...I don't want to go back to my apartment" you said "Well, how about staying here?" he asked and you looked at him "What? Really?" you asked "Why not, you are a member of the family, and by staying here you will always have someone to take care of you and I would be able to watch out for you" he said.

"I would love that" you said "Great, I can help you pack if you want?" he asked "That would be nice. We can start tomorrow" you said "Great. I'm glad you want to stay 'cause I need you around" he said "You do?" you asked "Yeah, you know so I can handle people better and also so I can keep you safe and protect you. But most important I'm not ready to let go of your amazing coffee" he said and you chuckled.

"How are you not scared of me?" you asked.

Five thought for a second, his brows furrowing before he held his hands out and let his own powers radiate through his hands. It was a bright blue and it warbled like waves around his hands. 

He reached for yours "Five, I don't want to hurt you" you said "You are not, trust me, trust yourself" he said and you looked at him.

You could trust him, it was like as long as you were near him, you could control the witch in you, so you nodded before you reluctantly handed them over. Together your hands held onto each other, color dousing the room, reflecting off each other, spilling the walls with bright red and blue. You looked up the majesty of your powers together.

Psionic Energy and teleportation.

He held out your hand, examining your powers which contrasted his own, his more soft and elegant than yours chaos and disorganization.

"See your powers are beautiful" he said before letting go of your hand as you both powered down before the two of you then looked at each other.

Five's face light up as he stared into your beautiful Y/e/c eyes.

You were his sun, you are the only one who could turn his dark days into bright again.

You were his hope and happiness. He needs you, you were keeping his sanity and you were giving him strength.

You were the person who made him and his heart smile. You were the air that he breathe.

He then lifted his hand before he slid a piece of your hair away from your face.

"I just hope that one day, you will see yourself as I do and I hope people will see it too" he said.

Five felt like he could be himself with you, he could tell you everything and you would never judge him. He could act soft and kind with you and you wouldn't tease him or make fun of him.

He feel like he could tell you everything. Just like he did when you were kids and he was happy over that the connected and the feeling between you and him never changed.

But there was one thing he couldn't tell you, no matter how much he practiced in front of the mirror in his bedroom when he was a kid, he could never tell you and never got the chance, never had the courage to tell you the most important thing he wanted to tell.

How much he really love you and what you mean to him. He couldn't tell you face to face, no matter how hard he tried. It was like he couldn't say those three words.

He was scared in telling you, scared that it would be too soon after everything that has happen between the two of you. If you haven't forgotten about each other he don't think he would have any trouble telling those three words to you right now. But now it have all changed. 

Five couldn't figure it out and that something that very rarely happens. What was it about you that he felt so draw to?

Sure he wasn't any cassenova but it's not as if his few wasted years at the Commission were completely lacking. He had gotten attention from a few women, granted a few of them were older than he was, and others too young. But with you...it was odd, new and maybe it was because for the first time in his life he didn't have an apocalypse to worry about. He didn't have a Commission hunting him down or a family to save. He is just him, in a peaceful world, with the attention of a very beautiful woman next to him and he reveled in it.

It stroked some long forgotten part of his soul that had never entertained the idea of a romantic partner. In life he lived and the household he grew up in, the only real example of love was a robotic mother and less than there father so at some point he dismissed the idea.

Chocking it up to the fact that people who loved simply lived in delusion. They simply chose not to see the flaws of their partner, made excuses for the lack of feelings and deluded themselves into thinking that they feel something for another human when all along it was just a concocted illusion.

Love was also for idiots, no Five was far from being in-love, it was just attraction. The teenage hormones he had sworn to have grown out of, going crazy and wonky around a pretty girl. Love-like-and any of that was for idiots.     

Five kept his eyes on you with his heart beating fast, and you could feel him melting by just looking at you. You felt the same when you were looking at him, you felt your heart beathing fast and you could feel yourself melting by just looking at him.

You meant what you said before, by being scared and not being ready, but it was like by just looking at those soft, beautiful, warm eyes green there were staring right back at yours Y/e/c ones, made you forget everything, it made your pain and problems go away.

Five's eyes moved down to look your lips before looking back at your eyes.

He then put his right hand up on your left cheek and you both smiled as you two started leaning closer to each other.

You and Five rested your foreheads against one another so your lips were inches apart while your eyes was closed, "Thank you" you said "For what?" he asked "For you" you said and you both let out a small smile as your nose was brushing against each other.

But when your lips were few inches from his there was a knock on the door causing the two of you to pull away "I'll get it" he said and you nodded.

Five let out a sigh before he grabbed his margarita and walked over to the main door.

He put his hand on the door handle and he opened it to reveal Hazel on the other side with a gun pointed at him and Five let out a sigh.

"Hey, old-timer" Hazel said "Do you have my sister?" Five asked calm as he was holding his margarita "And...if not, would you like a margarita?" he asked and a confused look appeared on Hazel's face "Come on" Five said before turning around, walking back into the living room, leaving the door opened.

Your eyes widened when you saw Hazel stepping into the living room "What is he doing here?" you asked "Calm down" Five said before he looked at Hazel "You're here to kill me?" Five asked as he sat down on the counter where you were sitting. 

Hazel furrowed his brows before he realized that he still had the gun in his hand "Oh. Shit. Sorry. Old habits" Hazel said as he put away the gun.

"Well, I can understand why you might feel that way, you know..." Hazel said "Well, You attacked our house, tried to kill my family, and kidnapped my brother" Five said to Hazel "Shot and hit me" you said.

"Well, there's not much I can do about the past. And don't forget, I'm not the only killer in this room. You got your own bloody history, pal. Speaking of which, that job you did in Calhoun, that shit's legendary. Can't believe I'm actually standing here talking to you, after all--" "I don't need the flattery Hazel?" Five cut him off "Why are you here?" he asked

"Well, I'm, you know--" but Hazel was cut off when Diego ran into the room and kicked Hazel in the back sending him falling forwards onto the floor with a grunt.

"Diego, stop!" Five said as Diego jumped over Hazel "Get up" he said to him and Hazel put his hands under himself. But as soon as he was on his hands and knees, Diego swung a kick at his face causing Hazel to let out a groan as his body jerking backwards.

"Come on Diego, let him talk" you said but Diego swung another kick to at his face "You know, before you kill him, you might wanna hear what he has to say--" Five said as Hazel punched Diego in the stomach, causing him to fall backwards.

Hazel stood up just as Diego got up too before he pulled out a knife "I'm gonna kill you for what you did to Patch" he said.

Hazel turned to Five and put his hand out, trying to say something, but Diego lunged forward, swinging his knife at Hazel causing him to jumped back, to not get hit.

"Or don't. See how that goes" Five said as him leaned back in the chair while watching the two fighting.

"Shouldn't we help?" you asked "In a minute, let's just see how this plays off" Five answered.

"Are you gonna--" Hazel said as he jumped backwards again before he grabbed a hold on Diego's arm as he swung at him again "Come on" Hazel said while you and Five sighed before continuing to sip on their drink as you were watching the fighting.

Diego threw the knife in the air, before grabbing it and swung it at Hazel, stabbing him in the leg causing Hazel to let out a scream making Five to inhale sharply "That's gotta hurt" he said as Hazel punched Diego in the face while you rolled your eyes.

"Now?" you asked "Soon, this is just so funny" Five chuckled. 

Hazel then took the knife out of his leg with a groan and Diego let out a yell as he jumped forwards, punching Hazel in the face making him drop the knife to the floor.

Five let out a sigh as Diego kicked and punched Hazel a couple of times.

Hazel grabbed Diego and lifted him up before he squeezed him. Diego opened his mouth and leaned forwards before biting Hazel's ear, causing Hazel to let out a yell.

"Okay, I have seen enough" Five said before he looked at you "Nat will you draw the line at biting or shall I?" he asked "I will do it" you said.

You lifted your finger and some red mist-like shapes whisps appeared around the finger and as you spun it around, some whisps wrapped around a vase making it float up in the air. You then pointed your finger towards Diego and the vase got thrown towards him, knocking him out causing him to fall to the floor.

"Hazel, whatever you came here to say, I suggest you make it quick, before he comes around" Five said "I left my partner, quit the Commission, came for volunteer" Hazel said "For what?" you asked "To help stop the apocalypse" Hazel said and Five chuckled as he took a sip of his margarita.

"What on earth could be so funny to you right now?" Hazel asked "Before I answer that, why do you wanna help us?" Five asked "Let's just say I have a vested interest in a doughnut shop" Hazel answered "Well, I hate to break it to you, pal, but you're a day late and a dollar short. The fact that you're here right now means, without a shadow of a doubt, that the apocalypse is over" Five said "Really? How do you know?" Hazel asked "The mark is dead. Found him this morning. You were the last know unknown left in the equation" Five said and Hazel chuckled "Shit. Really?" he said "Mhmm. And you're out, then Hellrider ain't riding" Five said before putting his glass down on the counter.

"Oh" Hazel said and breath deeply "All right" he said before he sat down next to Five, grabbing the blender and took a sip of the margarita.

"So now what?" Hazel asked "You know, to be honest, I don't know. I've been chasing this thing for so long, I...I never really thought about the day after" Five said, looking at Hazel before he let out a chuckled "I don't know" he said before he looked at Hazel "What about you?" he asked "I'm done with all this madness. Time to start over. You should do the same" Hazel said "That's easier said than done" Five said.

"It doesn't have to be hard. I mean, think about it like this. If you never time traveled, if you never got caught up with the Handler, what would have happened?" Hazel asked and Five took a quick look at Diego that was still passed out on the floor and he looked back at Hazel. "I guess I would have grown up to be an emotionally stunted man-child like everybody else around here" he said and Hazel chuckled softly "Well, there you go. Now you can grow up. Good luck" Hazel said before getting up.

"Hazel" Five said as he turned to him "One more thing before you go" he said "Shoot" Hazel said "Which one of you was the trigger man for Detective Patch?" Five asked "Trigger woman" Hazel said and Five let out a sigh "Huh. That's too bad. That gun could have cleared my brother's name" he said and Hazel grabbed two pistols out of the back of his jacket "Well, today's your lucky day, amigo" he said, showing the two pistols before putting them on the counter "Take 'em both" he said and sighed "I'm done with this life" he said before he turned around and left.

"Well, I need to talk to my mom. I will be back later" you said "Shall I go with you?" he asked "No, I will handle it" you said "Okay" he nodded.

"Be careful" he said "You too" you said before you jump down from the chair.

You then let out a secret whistle which caused Five to smile before he respond with a secret whistle and you smiled as you walked away.

"A second chance doesn't mean anything if you haven't learned from your first mistake"

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