One:
We Only See Each Other at Weddings and Funerals

Seventeen years ago

"Nietzsche once said, 'Man is as a rope, stretched between the animal and the superhuman. A rope over an abyss. It is a dangerous crossing, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting.'"

The words of the Hargreeves children's father that had been permanently stained into their adolescent minds echoed as Vanya blew the shrill whistle, the seven children instantly bolting up the tall twisting staircase; pushing and shoving to get to the top first.

"As much as you must strive for individual greatness, and strive you must, for it won't come to you of its own accord; you must also remember, that there is no individual stronger than the collective."

Halfway through the mad dash up the stairs, Five smirked and blinked, almost instantly moving from his position stuck uncomfortably in between his siblings; to the front of the group.

"That's not fair. Five is cheating!" Diego complained as he huffed, irritated.

"He adapted!"Addison pondered for a moment, grinning madly before taking the leap of faith; and almost quite literally.

The platinum-blond had pushed herself up onto the polished banister and jumped, up, continuing to do so without feeling the toll of stamina loss; as her body produced next to no fatigue toxins.

Except for those days, of course.

But life will be hard.

It will be painful.

And there's not much she can do about it.

—

"You okay dear?" Addison asked Five, placing the bloodied steel blade on the table beside her.

The brunet nodded, inspecting the blinking tracker in his hand; clenching his jaw a fraction as the girl wound his ebony tie tightly around the clean-cut.

"What about you?"
"I'm as fine as I'll ever be."

"Where is it?"

The platinum blond grinned, defeated, and lifted her bloodied fedora (although you wouldn't be able to tell as it was already crimson) revealing the already healing bruise the ran along the top of her brow.

"My leukaemia is playing up a bit, but you know what will make it all better? A kiss!"

Five rolled his eyes again, covering her vibrant eyes with his hand and pecking her on the forehead.

"We should pay Vanya a visit."

"Let's hope that your eyes don't drop out with all this rolling it's doing."

—

"Hey dear, I think you just scarred Vanya; you know with the whole cockroach and end of the world talk." Addison double-checked for the quiet breaths from beyond the door, smiling and sliding away from the door the sleeping violinist was behind.

"She'll be fine, but what we need to do now is get out of here." Five said as he retied the bloodless tie, the blond skipping towards him and finishing it off with a grin; patting his chest afterwards.

"All done. Now take me away to Meritech Prosthetics, I've got a feeling that the eye in your pocket has something to do with the apocalypse you were talking about."

"Once again you make excellent presumptions." The old teen observed, extending his arm for the platinum blond to hold onto.

She hesitated.

"But first.

Look me in the eye, and truthfully tell me if you're alright or not. Those last four decades couldn't have been easy for you dear."

The brunet smiled almost sadly, gazing into Addison's forest-like orbs.

"In afraid that I can't do that love, putting my experiences and emotions onto your shoulders is only going to burden you further."

She pulled Five into a tight embrace, easily doing so as the boy was barely taller than her by a few centimetres.

"So you're not okay, huh?"

"....I am now."

—

"Reginald! Little Five. What brings you to our home?"

"I'm here to take your child, as I discussed over the phone the other night with your partner Mrs Lynsky."

The woman chuckled and replied with 'of course.' inviting him and the brunet in, calling for the child.

"My husband is at work, so he cannot meet today; unfortunately."
A little girl neatly dressed in a tailored skirt and dress shirt stepped into view, hands clasped in front of her.

"Yes, I found it interesting that I had not previously known that this girl lived across the street. I would like to see the powers she possesses."

"But of course, Addison; bring it over." The platinum blond nodded dejectedly and walked off, Mrs Lynsky grinning widely as she tossed her buttercup curls.

"I'm curious about why you have brought your child, Reginald."

"It is only sensible to show you an example of what your daughter may become like, well-tended and well-trained." Five gave a large dimpled smile.

"How adorable, yes; now pass it to me, Addison." Mrs Lynsky held the knife in her hand, the little girl's hands spread out for her; the sharp steel dragging along the tips of her strangely soft-looking fingers.

Reginald watched with interest as each one efficiently sealed itself, Five internally cringing as he watched the little girl bite her inner cheek in pain.

"Ah yes, she'll be a useful asset to the academy."

Mrs Lynsky gave a wide, faux grin that seemed to stretch to the crow's feet at the corners of her suddenly greedy looking eyes; grasping the white envelope of cash and quickly pocketing it.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Run along now Addison, Mr Hargreeves will be your new guardian."

Addison. Five thought, he didn't hear it clearly the first time; but was sure to make sure her name stuck in his mind.

Now now, he can't go around living with someone he doesn't even know the name of; can he?

"Yes, clothing shall be provided for you so there is no need to waste time to bring your own; follow me."

Addison waved her mother farewell one last time, and followed the two Hargreeves out; her warm cheeks immediately feeling the bite of the cool winter breeze.

Then she frowned.

That insolent mother of mine just sold me, like I was a sack of potatoes.

"My name is Five, for your information."
The platinum blond reflected the grin the brunet gave her, introducing herself.

"My name is Addison, as you already know; nice to meet you."

"You will no longer be called by your given name in my presence." Reginald shot out, unlocking the tall looming gates with an old-looking brass key.

"Welcome to the Umbrella Academy, Number Eight."

Great, and now I'm a number.

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