✎ mads' note !
i have returned from the void and the editing will continue
also please lmk if I happen to miss correcting one of Viktor's pronouns so I can fix it!! :)

✎ info !
1K words (estimated)
published on apr 6, 2019
edited jul 10, 2022

꒰ CHAPTER I.I. ꒱

WHEN THEY WERE SURE your father wouldn't notice, your siblings crept out of their bedrooms.

You stirred as the groaning floorboards disturbed the previous ambience of your surroundings. Gently removing your brainwave monitor, you got out of bed and threw on a jacket to follow them. But, before doing so, you stopped by Viktor's room. You opened the door a crack to find him still asleep.

"Hey. Hey, V," you whispered, carefully shaking him awake. "Everyone's up and about for some reason. Let's go with them."

Ignoring his protests as you soon dragged him out the door, you saw your siblings farther down the sidewalk. They went at a playfully fast pace, racing each other as they proceeded to wherever they planned on going. You noticed how Five trailed behind the group at a less rushed speed.

Viktor didn't want to run, either —it would have been far too tiring and pointless— so you settled for speedwalking as to not lose track of them.

"So, this is fun, right?" you said, looking down at your feet so you wouldn't be prone to tripping yourself.

"Actually, I think I was having more fun sleeping," Viktor replied. "I'm really tired."

"We never go out and do things, though! We're always cooped up at home. Even if it's a mansion, it feels like there's nowhere to go sometimes. And we don't get the chance to hang out with the others, either."

"It's not like they included us when they planned this little trip of theirs."

"It's alright! We've still got each other anyway, don't we?"

"I told you I didn't sign up for this, (Y/N), but fine. I think the least you could do for me is give me a piggyback ride."

"Okay!" You hoisted him onto your back and he sleepily rested his head on your shoulder. "Now this is fun!"

After continuing on a little more, you heard your siblings' laughter from a distance as they set foot in a shop. The glowing sign on display read "Griddy's Doughnuts," and the thought of food made you smile. Five was holding the door open by the time you and Viktor reached the entrance; he figured it was about time he repaid you for your efforts of being kind to him.

"Thanks," you told him as you walked in.

He nodded. "You two tagged along?" he questioned in turn.

"Yeah, uh, I hope they don't mind..."

"It shouldn't be a problem." Five averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks heat up a little as he straightened his blazer. He then rejoined the rest, who were seated at the counter. You brushed off his hesitation when you noticed it.

You and Viktor followed behind shortly. "Is there room for two more?" you asked hopefully with a smile, setting Viktor on his feet.

Diego, being the closest to the empty stool you were near, hoisted his leg onto it. "Actually, no, there isn't," he spat.

"Oh." Hurt flashed across your face but you quickly covered it. Instead of arguing, you opted to grab Viktor's hand and lead him to a booth across the room. You both slid in on opposite sides, and he gave you a look that said he was anticipating a response like that from the start.

You let out a huff of annoyance. "Okay, maybe you were right. But we're still here right now. Let's just make the most of it."

"This is a café and we came here without money."

"We could always—"

"You think I wanted to walk here? I'm not getting back up. I might as well go back to bed in this booth."

"Okay then," you sighed, throwing your arms up in defeat. Your optimism was dwindling but you tried to keep it present. "Okay. We can still talk."

Viktor raised his eyebrows, and you immediately got the hint that all he'd do was rant about the situation. However, your next response was cut off when Five took a seat on your side of the booth. The coffee in his mug sloshed around as he placed it down in front of him.

"You two need doughnuts?"

Your eyes lit up. "Yes, please!"

In a flash, Five had teleported back to the counter. Leaning onto it from the space where he previously sat, he stole one of your siblings' plates of stacked doughnuts. "I'll take that, thanks." He warped back to the table and set it down in the center of it, waving his hand as if he was presenting it to you. "Voilà."

You immediately grabbed a doughnut and took a bite, humming in delight when you tasted it. "Thanks so much, Five! But coffee at night? That's eccentric."

Viktor smiled at your antics when you spoke with your mouth full, using etiquette that all of you were sure your father wouldn't appreciate. He then took a treat for himself from the plate.

The three of you spent the night delved in friendly conversation, snacking between topics, which was a nice change in pace for you. Viktor put in his fair share of rants, not forgetting his earlier plans, but it was still enjoyable.

"This isn't the first time we've done this, but it's a lot better with you two here. It felt wrong not having everyone," Five said.

"Even though they're all over there, completely ignoring us," Viktor added. "It is nice to be out of the house, though."

"I think so, too," you chimed in, holding your stomach. "Maybe had too many doughnuts, though..."

Viktor and Five laughed, agreeing that no one quite savored the taste slowly enough. The night was wonderfully spent, though, and since then, there was a happier aura amongst the three of you. You realized that you were more alike than you thought. You realized that you could find what you were missing in each other. You realized that even though your siblings would consider you outcasts, ignore you, brush you aside, you'd have each other.

But that was only the beginning.