☂︎ 𝔱𝔰𝔲 | ❛ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ❜

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❛❛ 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊, 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 my father's funeral. You know, I'm pretty sure the court recognizes that as extenuating circumstances,"

The grip on the phone in Allison's hand grew tighter as her hushed words were thrown into the receiver. She hadn't ever remembered feeling so livid or fearful as she felt now-than having her daughter threatened to be taken out of her life. It just couldn't happen.

The phone call in question wasn't even meant to last longer than five minutes. But she had been calling around the city all morning trying to get in contact with her sister, and she only just now got ahold of Patrick to explain why she wouldn't be home for their scheduled court date right away. But Allison was quickly realizing things weren't ever simple anymore with Patrick.

"Is Claire there?" She asked, trying to maintain a level voice. The lump growing in her throat was tempting to give away her true feelings, something she wouldn't allow her ex-husband the privilege of having.

"What, you want to talk to her now?"

"Yes, I would like to say hello to my daughter if that's all right with you,"

"I don't think that's a good idea,"

"--No--!" she pleads, the grip on her heart tightens in fear and sadness.

"--Goodbye Allison,"

"--Patrick! --Don't!"

But the dial tone had already reached her ears, as had her daughter's sweetened voice seconds before the call ended; is that Mom--?

The hole in Allison's chest expands, dashing her hopes and stealing the air from her lungs. She wasn't quite sure how much longer she could go without seeing her baby girl. Especially now.

The woman's shoulders sink as she registers footsteps at the end of the staircase. Or rather, the absence of footsteps treading down the stairs. Darting her tongue over her drying lips and relinquishing the iron grip on the phone hanging on the receiver, Allison sighs sharply at her feet.

"Dumb question, but... are you okay?"

Her eyes dart over to Vanya in great surprise. She stands hugging the banister at the foot of the stairs, her hair falling down to her shoulders and curtaining the look of worry on her face.

"Vanya," Allison straightens, wincing at the slight crack in her voice. She hadn't even been aware of the lump forming in her throat. "I didn't--" her eyes jump to the payphone as she gestures a thumb over her shoulder. But she stops, the words falling away midsentence when a bigger question begs to be answered. "You're here? I've been calling all over town looking for you."

"That's weird. I didn't get any calls," Vanya says, looking apologetic. "You should have just swung by. I only just left about a half-hour ago,"

"I would have," Allison smiles awkwardly. "but I don't have your address. I was actually just about to try again-try and track down your place. After I, uh, well..."

Vanya nodded in understanding and for only a moment the two sisters stood in silence. It didn't have to be spoken aloud, but they were quickly realizing the rift between their relationship was bigger than they thought.

"Are you sure you're okay? I mean, I've never met your ex-husband but... for what it's worth he sounds like an asshole." Vanya finally offers.

Is that Mom? Allison fights a wince at her daughter's voice still lingering in her mind. "That's one word for it."

"You know what? You're probably better off here,"

Better off here. The thought of being marooned here, again, terrified Allison. The anger and fear from that phone call was still brewing in her chest and that comment sent it boiling over.

"No, Vanya," explained Allison, taken aback. "I'm probably better off with my daughter,"

"That's not what I--" Vanya pleads, embarrassed having been caught with her foot in her mouth. "I mean I... I didn't--"

"You know, if I wanted advice-no offense-it wouldn't be from you."

Vanya fell quiet, swallowing whatever apology she had been trying to spit out. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you don't have a child. I mean, you've never even been in a relationship."

"That's not true," she says, her voice growing hard.

"So you know what it's like to love someone like this?" Asked Allison, the lump in her throat now creeping up in her voice. "Like, when you're apart from her you can't breathe? Like you would--you would die-and I mean it-actually die to know that she's okay and happy."

The only answer Allison received from Vanya was silence and a hard, teary glare pointed at an aimless spot on the floor. The air was thick with unspoken things; accusations, fights and so many petty jabs they had made at one another in their youth that suddenly returned to their minds in their anger. Until the sound of a pair of footsteps treading down the stairs cut through it like a sword.

"Jesus, who knew dad wore his trousers so tight? What's this for again? And more importantly, how much am I getting paid?"

Neither sister looked up to acknowledge the newcomers until Klaus spoke up after with a smirk and a quick look between the two.

"Hey, you found her!" Klaus chirped. He trudged past Five at the bottom of the steps and gave a little spin, showcasing their father's pinstripe suit that now hung off his shoulders. "Say, Vanny, what do you think? Too douchey?"

"Klaus, they're not in the mood to be cheered up," Ben sighs, hands stuffed in his pockets as he leans against the stairwell.

Sure enough, both Allison and Vanya refused to meet his eye. They hardly acknowledged his presence in the current state of their fight. Ben's words finally sank in and Klaus's smile fell away, not without a lingering sting.

"Alright then." Said Five, shattering yet another awkward silence to pieces as he gives the banister at his side a firm pat. "As much as I'd love to hang around and over stay this...very uncomfortable intrusion I'd prefer to know little about, I've got to get going. Klaus, let's go."

The man in question parts his mouth to protest after Five as he makes his way to the front hall, but Allison beats him to it.

"Five, wait," he stops, hands slipping into his pockets as he looks to his sister in curiosity. "Where are you going, didn't Klaus talk to you?"

Five would be lying if he said he wasn't in the least bit surprised. It wasn't uncommon for Klaus to blow things out of proportion, but for Allison to say something it must be serious.

"He did...?"

"So I need you to stick around," Her eyes linger on Vanya with a knowing look before settling back on Five. "All of you. Something huge happened last night, and we need everyone here for a family meeting."

Five looks around, biting back the protest wanting to jump off his tongue. For God sakes he didn't have time! The clock was ticking, but then again, this just might have everything to do with doomsday. So Five reluctantly shrugged, and let out a contemplative sigh.

"Well, this better be quick,"

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Y/n? Y/n, it's me,"

Emerging from sleep on a sharp plunging breath, you fought against the light with squinting eyes, unaware you had drifted off at all. A gentle but calloused hand was leaving the back of your shoulder and it was then you registered you had once again found your way onto the wall. Without losing your grip, you craned away to find the man to have brought you here.

He offered a weak smile. "Hey,"

Diego was perched on the side of the bed, clear as day, even after you wiped the sleep from your eyes. One glance behind him told you everything that happened was still real; Luther was still here as well, standing across the room and leaning against the metal railing to give you two space. Your eyes snapped back to Diego and quickly you angle yourself so your legs returned to the mattress and you were kneeling beside him.

"Gone a long time," you said, voice stern and hard.

"I know," He folds. You had studied him as he paused, raking a hand down the stubble on his face. "I know. I'm sorry."

Confusion flashed across your face.

Diego was taken aback. He had considered what it meant leaving you alone so long when that's exactly what you were used to. But it dawned on him now this was likely the first time someone had apologized.

"Yeah, I don't like what I did last night. I don't like that I left you here. Believe me, I tried--" you eye him curiously when the words catch in his throat. Finally, he shakes his head and sighs. "It doesn't matter. I'm sorry."

Maybe Diego was seeing things, maybe he was hopeful. But he swore he saw the ends of your lips twitch up, fighting a smile.

That was over half an hour ago. With Diego back at your side, the outside world seemed a little more bearable, as it needed to be.

While a breath of fresh air from the same four walls to have cased you in for 28 years, the boiler room had quickly run out your patience. So needless to say, when the opportunity for another trip out into the city presented itself, you gladly took its hand. Specifically, Diego's.

Dread settled into your gut the moment you crossed the threshold and back out into the wind. It was gratifying and eery, being out in the daylight. Things were brighter, clearer. And while the sun was hidden away behind numerous curtains of clouds, its light persevered in a chromatic glow that cast over the entire city and burned your eyes.

He had explained that the three of you would be returning to the academy briefly to meet a few people and talk. Hence the dread. It was hard to believe him when he said nothing more was happening-that you would never have to see G.R.E.G.O.R.Y or those white walls ever again. And the only people you would be talking to were more of his siblings. It made sense to you that they needed to know about you too. But you were scared. What if they didn't like you?

What if they were afraid of you like the Monocle was?

Luther catches you eyeing him, and he offers a small smile. But your attention is already torn away to the open car door waiting for you.

Droplets from last night's rain were shifted out of place and running down the sleek black paint like tears. Morning condensation was collecting in the corners of the windows, trying to escape the glass. The sound of rain thundering against the pavement was building like the thumping of your heart as your body seized up. Somewhere a child was crying-they were wailing to be heard over the storm with no one to help them but one frightened voice reaching out one last time. Y/n!

"Y/n?"

The storm was gone-it was never there. Merely an echo of a dream. Your heart was still struggling to slow its pace as you turned to face Diego's worried gaze and you realized both Hargreeves brothers had caught on to your panicked stare.

"You okay?"

Taking in a long and uneasy breath, you shook your head no.

"I know it's a lot to ask," Luther says suddenly, shocking both of you. "But from there we can get you the help that you need."

Reluctantly, Diego nods. "Look, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Shock was written all over your face at that statement. But all Diego was did was shrug, looking sad and tired.

"We just want to try and make up for what our father did to you. We want to help." His eyes subtly tighten up at Luther. "Right?"

The man straightens with a clearing of his throat, his lips jumping up in a tight smile. "Right."

The weight fell on your shoulders again. Maybe it was you making it happen maybe it was just the dread. But you realized something; nothing was keeping you here. And while he hadn't come back as soon as he said he would, he was still true to his word; here you were again. Out in the open, wind hitting your skin and rifling Diego's sweatshirt on your frame. You were in control. For now. And if they tried anything, you were ready.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The itch was getting stronger-Five needed to leave. He couldn't sit still like this, and certainly not with doomsday drawing closer with every squeak of Klaus' shoes. His feet hadn't stopped bouncing since he stole a seat on the couch beside Five; Vanya across from them, her arms folded and her fingers picking at her lip in thought. Five remembers hearing the old grandfather clock chiming out one o'clock but that was over half an hour ago. And still no change.

Allison was determined to keep everyone in place as she paced the living room floor. Any attempt at prying the information out of either her or Klaus wasn't helping him much. Something about the previous night; evedidently, something monumental that, coincidentally, neither one of his siblings could shed any light on. What were they waiting for, anyway?

At least Vanya was in the dark with him.

He'd catch her eyes once or twice and they'd share a shrug or flash a tight-lipped smile that immediately fell away as their eyes continued their journey around the living room. They were both growing impatient, and, Five noticed, so was Allison.

For the past few minutes, she had been sharing hushed words with Pogo in the entrance hall. Five was able to make out snippets here and there.

"...any minute now. ...be taking so long? Do... something happened?"

"Have faith, my dear. ...when your brothers have to work together," there was a sudden scoff Five was certain he'd heard. But their words fell quiet once more. "...we'd notice."

"Are you sure? Pogo, ... meeting everyone... you should be there?"

There was a small pause that perhaps held a sigh on Pogo's behalf.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Miss Allison. ...precisely my concern. ...been through far... I'd imagine... to others, ...myself. Best not to overwhelm her."

"I guess..." Allison trailed off.

Five felt his brows knit together in confusion. Who were they talking about? Unfortunately, he never got an answer. With a comforting pat on the arm, Pogo disappeared down a corridor, leaving a contemplative Allison in his wake. She wasn't left alone long. The sound of the front doors opening accompanied the sudden swell of white, outside light stretching across the glossy floors for her feet.

About time.

Now, it wasn't just Five craning forward on the couch to catch a glimpse at who he had to lecture for making him wait. But no sooner had he heard Luther's out-of-breath voice "we got here as fast as we could." did Klaus shoot up from the couch and flash an uneasy smile to his impatient siblings.

"Un momento," in the next instant, he had scurried to join their brother and sister in the hall.

"What do you think's going on?" Vanya asked between the two of them.

But the question remained unanswered as Five kept his attention on the front hall. He was surprised to find himself wrapped up more and more in his curiosity than he was in paranoia. He had to strain his ears but he was almost certain he counted five pairs of footsteps-including Klaus who had just joined them. And of course, excluding Pogo. Their figures were somewhat obscured from the pillars but he could see Luther, Allison, and Klaus huddled together in a tight circle and hushed voices. Everyone kept glancing over Klaus's shoulder, including himself only feeding the flames of his curiosity.

It was no use now, trying to make out what they were saying. Everyone was talking over one another and nobody seemed to be able to make up their minds. And just like that, his impatience came back with a vengeance.

"Okay, just wait here," Said Luther to the two unnamed figures.

He practically threw his back into the cushion of the chair, reeling back before propelling to his feet in an intimidating huff. Luther and Allison came flooding in just in time-Klaus trailing behind them-surprised to see Five standing. The shock left Allison quicker than anybody.

"Five, you said you'd hear us out,"

Cockily, the boy shoved his hands back into his pockets and set his jaw. "And you two said this wouldn't take that long," he fires, looking between Allison and Klaus who had now returned to his side.

"Well, it didn't," she said, flatly. She had enough to deal with, she wasn't about to take Five's impatience personally. She had learned not to long ago. "But we're all here now."

One look in his sister's eyes and the anger tightening his shoulders reluctantly melted as he sighed back into the couch with Klaus. Leaning forward on the loveseat opposite him, Vanya cut in.

"Whatever it is, can you guys tell us?" Vanya asked, her voice fighting back her anxiety. "I'm not trying to be rude here, but I've got a lesson at quarter after, and I still have to make the drive."

Her darting eyes weren't lost on either Vanya or Five. They were distracted-nervous.

"Yes, just--" Allison rubbed tiredly at her eyebrows. The strain from the past twenty-four hours was building. "How do I explain this?"

Luther jumped in to help. "I know it's... inconvenient but you two need to hear this. It's about Dad,"

"Surprise, surprise,"

"Five," he lectured, sounding equally tired. The boy's brows shot up and down in surrender, and he leaned forth, propping his elbows up on his knees letting his hands dangle off the couch, trying to keep his legs from bouncing anxiously. Luther had already shaken it off. "Do you remember what he used to tell us when we asked about the tremors?"

Like bait on a line, Five's attention was hooked on their elusiveness once more. Again, Vanya and him shared a look; neither of them knew where he was going with this.

"He-- He didn't," said Vanya thoughtfully. "I always just figured it was some advanced generator of his or something. But-- I," she shook her head, at a loss as realization crept up in her. "Where are the tremors? I've been here all morning, there haven't been any. Is that what this is about?"

Five leaned further in his seat. His mind had been so preoccupied, he hadn't realized until she said so just how right Vanya was. He hadn't experienced one either. Finally, that itch was getting some semblance of relief. Finally, something was going right. The sooner he got out of here, the sooner he could save the world.

And the sooner he could find her... Whispered a quiet voice in the back of his head he long since been repressing. Delores, too.

Embarrassed, he shook the thought away and redirected his focus on what mattered here and now.

"... the point is," continued Allison, shaking off whatever side-tracked explanation Five had zoned out of. "We found it. We found," she shares an uneasy look with Luther before finishing. "someone."

Neither Five nor Vanya had anything to say to that. Frankly, they weren't sure they had heard her right.

Vanya shook herself out of her daze and gave a forced chuckle. "What?"

"Down that old elevator shaft--," Luther clarified. He was growing grimmer with every word. "It wasn't some generator, it... it was some sort of-I don't know-a chamber..."

"Luther, what are you saying?" Vanya pressed. Worry was already leaking through her voice and giving her away.

They couldn't be implying what she thought they were implying, she told herself. She was just jumping to the most outrageous possible conclusion. And now, as she leaned further in her seat-her grip on the couch arm tightening-her gaze would occasionally flicker to Five. He wasn't saying anything. His face was hardened in a bushy frown and his eyes were somewhere far away in thought.

But Luther wasn't disputing anything. Neither were Allison or Klaus. Luther looked at a loss-his grave expression weighing down his gaze to his shoes. They noticed his hands folding, his right gripping his left anxiously and they knew instantly he was nervous; He always fiddled with his hands when he was nervous, but tried to play it off as some 'professional stance'.

He cleared his throat, cutting the silence in half. Peering over his shoulder, he called out to the two unannounced figures and beckoned them over.

Diego was no surprise to Five. No, the surprise came moments later. It was the kind of heart-stopping, stomach-plunging, reality-spinning surprise with shock so numbing it was like falling through ice.

Diego had stepped into view, his eyes trailing over the hidden figure coming into view. He wore a soft, barely visible but encouraging smile as he held out his arm. "It's alright,"

He could only see the figure's moving shadow on the floors as you reluctantly entered. Time didn't slow, but it was as if all sound cut away as the impossible unfolded before his eyes.

You were cast in the afternoon sunlight streaming in from the mosaics, and Five felt the nervous drop in the air that plugged his ears.

"Everyone," Diego said, leading you into the front room and back into Five's life. "This is--"

He couldn't believe it. After all these years, here you were. Standing in his living room with his siblings with that same, deceptively lost look in your eyes and the frightened determination burning bright underneath. Just like the day he met you. The disbelief came tumbling past his lips before he could stop it.

"--Y/n,"

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I REMIND YOU TO BE CAUTIOUS OF ALL RESOURCES YOU FIND REGARDING AIDING THE UKRAINE--IF YOU SUSPECT ME OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS OVERLOOKED SOMETHING THEY ARE SPREADING, MAKE IT KNOWN!

Visual Verification Tips

'To slow the spread of misinformation, follow these tips that will help you verify images and videos that you see online.'

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Trans Rights Are Human Rights Carrd

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Crisis Text Line for Trans Youth**

'Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment'

**please note, as I provide this source, I am unaware of how things have changed or how this affects you if you live in Texas--im not fully educated on how things work there or if such phone records will put you at risk but know you are so dearly loved and who you are is beautiful. Please work on keeping yourselves safe and if you aren't directly affected, I urge you to research and help

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