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❛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙ. ʙ. ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ ʀᴇᴠᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ( ʙᴜᴛ 
ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪʙʟɪᴄᴀʟ ᴋɪɴᴅ ) ꒱　


❝ DAD NEVER TRAINED YOU
TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
FROM EACH OTHER ❞

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November 6, 1993

Number Eight's powers— or power, for that matter— have become more prevalent. The girl has always had an aversion to sharp objects so there was a suspicion of what her ability might be. Today, The Umbrella Academy was assigned to get their annual shots in order to be stronger for the winter season is coming as crime does not rest for illness. When it was Number Eight's turn, the girl was complacent as usual but when Pogo placed the needle to her skin, it broke. After trying several others in succession at varying strengths, it was determined that none could pierce her skin. Thus, we have determined that the girl's power is invulnerability. We will be testing the variations of this ability over the coming days. . .

[an excerpt from Reginald Hargreeves' journal]

At the scheduled time of Eight's training session, Reginald brought Five and Two along as well for practice purposes. It had been two weeks since the girl's powers manifested fully and their father-figure had worked several nights on ways to discover the extent of her ability. The blonde sent a puzzled look to Five, who shrugged— neither knew why the extra Umbrella Academy members were there.

When they entered the training room, Two's knives were set up neatly on a table with the only other furniture in the bare room being a chair with a bundle of rope next to it. Sir Reginald turned his attention to the girl first. "Number Eight," he said sternly. "Today we will be practicing your control on your abilities. I believe you are able to not only have them protect yourself but also project them outward onto others." He then looked at the two boys. "Two, we have been practicing your accuracy so you should have no trouble with the target, which will be Five."

The boy's eyes widened and the 'target' gave his so-called father an angry look. "You can't make me a target. What about an actual target?"

The man gave him a cold one in return. "Eight will be more encouraged to stretch her potential when someone she cares about is in danger." He looked to the girl then to see that her blue eyes were wide and scared. "Eight, sit in the chair."

Obediently, the girl did as she was told despite wanting to refuse. Five was going to get hurt and it would be because of her! Eight had never tried protecting others and was terrified she wouldn't be able to do it. Reginald seemed to pick up on this, for as he bent to wrap the rope around the girl's legs, he said severely, "you must strive for greatness, Number Eight. It is the only way the Umbrella Academy will succeed. If you do not push yourself beyond the known limits you will never grow and will hold your siblings back. You don't want that, do you?"

The blonde remained quiet and bit her lip as her father moved to bind her arms to the chair. No one said anything as he finished with wrapping the ropes tightly around her shoulders. Standing fully, he turned to the two boys before he moved Five so that he was parallel to the chair and Two stood behind the table, nervously picking up a knife for each hand.

"Now," Reginald said to Five. "You will not move as Two throws the knives. If you do, I will have to bind you as well." Both of them knew that Five wasn't that strong enough to escape yet. Gritting his teeth, he gave a sharp nod. Normally he would argue but for the sake of his two siblings, he remained quiet. "Good," Reginald said. "Begin."

On the first throw, Two made his knives go wide out of nervousness. Hearing his father's disapproving scoff, the next was closer but still off the mark. Eight struggled against her bonds as her eyes flicked between the two boys. The third knife sailed towards Five and several things happened. 

First, the 'target's' eyes widened and he fought the urge to not jump away. Second, at the same time, the hair on Eight's arms stood on end and her focus zeroed in on the imminent danger approaching the boy. And third, a startled cry of 'no!' escaped her mouth as a flood of blue light exploded into the room, causing the knife-thrower to be blasted back and the knife itself to be vaporized.

As the light died, Eight slumped against her chair her and eyes closed in exhaustion. Five ran over to the girl to worriedly check her over as Reginald scratched his pen in his journal. Shutting the book with a snap! when he was done, he examined the damage done to the parties involved before he said sharply, "again."

Five whirled around, opening his mouth to argue, but a gentle brush of his hand stopped him and he turned back around. Eight shook her head, knowing that while the boy was capable of going head to head with their father, it wasn't a necessary fight. After all, she'd have to learn to use her power anyway. The boy fell into an angry silence and they reset their positions as Eight prepared herself for a long night.

☂☂☂

Alexa sighed, which was something she seemed to be doing often now and leaned her head back against the seat of the van. "We're spending the night here, aren't we?"

Five glanced at her. "You don't have to."

The blonde rolled her eyes. "I don't want to either, but the commute sucks so I'd rather just sleep here." She glanced back to the nearly-empty van. The only items there were the stolen bag, Vanya's book, Dolores, and empty bottles. "There's not even a pillow!"

The boy rolled his eyes and disappeared.

What a useful skill to have, Alexa thought sarcastically. He was probably tired of her complaining. To her relief, though, he reappeared sometime later with his hands full. "I got stuff," he said.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "I see that. What's the stuff?"

She was surprised when he handed her a brand-new blanket and a few crinkly bags of chips. "You're the best!" she exclaimed excitedly and then— "thanks, grandpa."

Five gave her a faintly amused look and said, "yeah, yeah, whatever."

After having her snack, Alexa climbed awkwardly into the back. "I'm just gonna kip out under here, yeah? Wake me if there's trouble."

When he nodded, she curled up under the blanket and balled the bag up as an uncomfortable pillow as she apologized to the mannequin. "Sorry, Dolores. I need this more than you do right now."

After what seemed like hours— which it was— the isolation was finally cracking him. Even with Alexa's soft sleep-breaths, the idea of being alone was so unpleasant that it drove Five into action and he climbed into the back carefully so as to not wake the sleeping blonde. He glanced down at her and despite the darkness in the van, he could tell her face was smooth and relaxed, free of the strange heaviness he'd noticed that she carried. He frowned slightly though when he noticed that she was curled up in a ball, almost as if she were trying to make herself as small as possible. 

That's strange, he thought. Alexa had never done that; she'd always sleep spread out and the few times they'd 'accidentally' shared a bed, she somehow ended up sprawled on top of him as if she were trying to be a human shield.

In a sudden spur-of the moment decision, he carefully moved the bag from under her head and sat down before he placed her head in his lap like they had when they were kids. She didn't even stir as he began gently running his fingers through her short hair. Like he always did, he watched as the golden strands fell through his fingers like water. 

There are some things that never change, he thought fondly.

Almost accidentally, his fingers brushed the smooth skin of her cheek and she shifted subconsciously in her sleep. He took in a sharp breath when he realized she moved toward him. This normally wouldn't be a big deal but he recognized the movement and, ever the scientist, he tested out his theory as he gently moved his fingers across the side of her face. The same reaction occurred and a small smile formed as a response. Five knew that she'd been careful about touching him but he'd thought it was just because of their weird ages.

He didn't even want to think about the other reason but it entered his mind anyway— Lexa, his Lexa— was touch starved. If he were a weaker man, he might have cried then but as it was, he roughly shook her awake. The woman to jolted upright and her blue eyes widened as she asked frantically, "what? What's wrong?"

He felt a little guilty about startling her. "Everything's fine, Lexa." (It wasn't, though.) "I need to ask you something."

Her expression turned grumpy as she realized they weren't under attack. "What the hell's so important that you had to wake me up at god knows what hour? I won't be able to get back to sleep now!"

Five waited until she stopped ranting and he studied her carefully. She hid it well, he realized suddenly. All of his siblings dealt with their pasts differently, some better than others and Alexa best of all. She acted like a normal person and even he had been convinced that she was okay, but when one looked closer, it was really just the same story. Guilt twisted in his chest before he quickly pushed it away. "Sleep isn't important." Alexa opened her mouth to argue with him but he didn't let her start. "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.

Confusion showed on her face. "What didn't I tell you?"

His expression was hard, almost angry as he stared at her, causing her to shift uncomfortably. "I think you know."

"It's too late— or early— for this, Five. I don't want to play word games. What didn't I tell you?" she snapped.

Surprise showed on his face as he thought, maybe she doesn't even know? But no, that wasn't right. He was pretty sure she did and she was just trying to deflect. Not one to beat around the bush, he announced flatly, "you're touch starved."

Alexa's guilty expression flashed across her face briefly before she quickly covered it with a goofy one. "Are you sure you're talking about the right person?"

He found her avoidance frustrating. "Klaus said you hadn't been with anyone for fifteen years, Alexa," he reminded her, almost sternly. "I can recognize the signs."

The woman sighed and looked at her hands. "It doesn't matter."

Five gave her an incredulous look. "It doesn't matter?"

"Why do you even care, anyway? It's not like you've been here to understand." She knew it was a low blow but she was tired and nervous.

The boy seemed to know that too and ignored her question in favor of reaching out his hand to grasp hers. Immediately, her body tensed while her hand tightened around his and she sighed in defeat. She was caught. So, she changed tactics. "It's my burden to bear."

Five scoffed at that and released her hand. "I know all about burdens to bear, so don't try that shit with me."

Alexa refused to meet his eyes as she finally admitted in a whisper, "I don't deserve it."

The irritation quickly left him. "What?" 

Of all people, she did deserve it.

Her eyes quickly flicked up to meet his before they darted back down. "Please, Five." She really didn't want to tell him, but his expression didn't change and so she forced out: "I'm a monster."

He couldn't help the shocked laugh that escaped his lips as he stared at her in surprise. "Of all people, Lexa, you're not a monster."

Suddenly angry, the blonde's eyes met his and her hands fisted in her lap. "How would you know, Five? You don't know what's happened since you left."

At the same time, he was wondering what the hell have I missed? 

He sat in silence and studied her, knowing that saying nothing would be more effective than questioning. Alexa could never stand heavy tension.

Alexa tried to force herself not to bend, knowing Five's tactics all too well— and that she'd break regardless, which she did: "I tore my family apart, Five. I'm supposed to protect them and everything fell apart."

His expression softened but he remained quiet as she continued almost furiously: "I tried to convince you not to leave and when that didn't work, you got stuck. I never got along with Diego after that training session. Luther hates me, Vanya thinks I'm an idiot and a coward and the rift between me and Allison has only grown." She paused to gather the courage to force out the next statement, knowing that this would be the end of their new partnership: "and I killed Ben." As always: Ben, I'm sorry. It's my fault. All mine.

Alexa forced herself to watch his expression change. It was what she deserved, after all, for killing her own brother. She knew it would kill her to see the disgust and hatred on his face but that was little compensation to what she did to one of Five's favorite siblings. Standing up, she bent awkwardly at the short height of the van. "I'll go now." And then she added more softly, "I guess Vanya was right."

She turned to go, reaching for the van's door as Five finally spoke: "you didn't kill Ben, Lexa."

She didn't face him. "How would you know?

"Vanya told me. It wasn't you. It was Dad."

Alexa didn't believe him, of course. She didn't think that she'd believe it even if her dead brother came back and told her he didn't blame her. "Yes I did, Five. I knew Ben wasn't comfortable with his powers— he told me as much— and I just let Luther push him," she added furiously. "I was supposed to protect him."

"Dad never trained you to protect your family from each other. But that still doesn't explain why you're touch starved."

She turned back around finally and sat down, looking at her hands. "After Ben. . . died, the first thing that happened when I came home was that Mom tried to make me feel better." She looked up at him with a broken expression. "Do you know how monstrous that is? She was comforting someone who'd just killed her son. I just felt so wicked and I realized I didn't deserve her comfort and amplified it to avoid any touch at all." Her voice cracked on the last words. 

He was quiet for a long time after until he finally said, "I don't know if this helps, but it wasn't your fault that I left. It was stupid of me to jump through time like that and my own damn fault that I got stuck." He didn't even begin to start on what he'd done since escaping the apocalypse, but something told him Alexa wouldn't be as horrified as he'd feared she would be.

The blonde sighed. "What a pair we make, huh?"