𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ─ family reunion,

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Emelia greeted Pogo with an awkward embrace and quickly stepped inside her childhood home. Not much had changed, if anything, the same eerie beauty coated the mansion and the detailed architecture brought a smile to her face. She made her way through the entrance hall, the walkway carpet clean yet old-fashioned. She could almost see her fondest memories coming to life amongst the coridors and passages.

She glanced down and gave a grin, she could hear her sisters in the next room along and she excitedly quickened her pace.

"Allison, hey," said Vanya, her voice was low and shaky - unsure whether she should've even been in the old house.

"Hey sis," replied Allison, her voice was stuffy and her nose was just the slightest bit red, nonetheless she chuckled softly and embraced the much shorter girl.

Emelia felt her heart jump as she heard her sisters but froze with a yelp as she felt something hard and metallic press against the back.

"Who are you?" She recognised that voice, it was dulcet and straight to the point. Emelia didn't answer, only putting her hands up and slowly turning around, ending up face to face with her brother.

He'd barely changed. His dark brunette hair was cut short, so it couldn't fall into his eyes as it did when he was a teenager, his hair was natural and spiked up with a thin scar near his ear completely hairless and would be forever. He'd grown a little facial hair and his brown eyes seemed older than he was. Emelia internally sighed, she thought Diego had left behind his obsession with being some kind of vigilante - apparently not, he wore a thick, black jumper with matching, tight jeans and boots. Over that he wore a holster vest that curved around his arms and allowed him to store his never-ending knife collection on him. She knew deep down that he had his mask too, the one he'd worn when they were children. A simple black mask with white, opaque almond shapes where their eyes would be, the academy children could see through them but others could not. Those damned masks haunted her.

"Emelia," the two said at the same time, Emelia to confirm his thoughts and Diego out of shock, he'd missed her so damn much.

He pocketed his blade right away and brought Emelia into the tightest, warmest embrace he could. She melted into it, tears forming in her eyes as she realised just how much she'd missed being around him.

He rocked her side to side, his chin resting atop of her head, her baby hairs tickling his nose.

"Diego," she whispered, sniffling, her face buried in his chest. "I know this families dysfunctional but a call would've been nice, "she mumbled, not really caring whether he heard her remark that she'd told his chest rather than him.

"I know kid," he said, pressing a small kiss on the crown of her head and pulling away.

"I missed you," she offered, her fuchsia eyes watery with tears threatening to spill. Her voice cracked.

"I know sis," he brought her back into a quicker hug, "I missed you too."

They pulled apart and while Diego's face was completely free of tears - unlike Emelia's - the corners of his lips were unturned in a smile.

"What're you wearing?" He asked, a laugh bubbling in his throat.

"Don't question it," she replied, wiping her fingers across her eyes - ridding them of tears.

"C'mon," he said, gesturing ahead of him. Emelia followed where he'd pointed and she came face to face with her sisters.

"Vanya," she gasped, racing towards her sister and pulling the tiny woman into a hug. Vanya hadn't really grown much, she was still only five foot one but her inky hair had grown a little past her shoulders and was tied up in a bun, Emelia loved it. She stuck true to herself and wore no makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through and wore baggy clothing. A pair of dark leggings and a black jacket, zipped all the way up as if to protect herself.

Vanya had whimpered her sisters name, accepting the genuine embrace and feeling warm and welcome already.

Allison stood waiting for her turn. Her dark skin was perfect, no blemishes or spots and her thick, kinky hair was was left loose. Black at the roots and fading to blonde further down, Emelia thought it suited Allison to a tee. She was dressed much more elegantly than the other Hargreeves siblings; a tight-fitted pair of dark jeans and a top in the most beautiful shade of blue Emelia had ever seen, she also wore heels that thudded against the wooden flooring.

"What's she doing here?" Diego asked rhetorically, finally joining the three ladies in the main hallway and turning to face Vanya. "You don't belong here, not after what you did," he spat, not slowing down his stride in the slightest.

Allison grumbled, shoving her manicured fingers into her front pockets. "You're seriously gonna do this today?" Her eyes narrowed as Diego just walked away from her and up the stairs, sending a stiff grin back down to Emelia before leaving their sights. "Way to dress for the occasion by the way," she yelled after him, rolling her eyes at his vigilante suit.

"At least I'm wearing black," retorted Diego, intentionally storming up the stairs.

Emelia blushed, astutely and suddenly aware of the fact she was wearing sleep shorts and vest, each imprinted with tinkerbelle. Her dark-skinned sister looked her up and down, the smallest hints of a smile playing at her lips.

"Come over in a rush, did we?" She asked, bending over to share a short hug - Allison was easily the tallest of the three girls. Although, Emelia pretended not to notice Allison purse her lips at her choice of clothing - as though she had a choice!

Emelia blushed bright, she just couldn't stop today. She nodded, pulling at the threads again.

"Y'know what, I- maybe Diego's right," Vanya stuttered out, crestfallen. "I shouldn't -."

"Forget about him," Allison said, her powerful voice interrupting Vanya, "I'm glad you're here."

"I love you Vanya, and you deserve to be here just as much as any of us," voiced Emelia, keeping eye-contact.

Vanya's lips twitched up into somewhat of a smile before she pointed to their mother, Grace, sat in front of the log fire, and told them she was going to say hello. That left Allison and Emelia together.

"Still barely aging, huh?" Laughed Allison and Emelia shook her head awkwardly but with a smile. She could barely put her thoughts together never mind say them, she'd never realised how much she'd actually missed her family until they were with her.

"Is anyone else here yet?" Emelia asked, finding the floor quite interesting.

"Klaus and Luther are here, upstairs probably. Klaus is high, just a fair warning." She replied, losing part of her award-winning smile.

"Thanks Ally," Emelia gestured to the stairs. "I'm gonna go and see if I left any old clothes here."

Allison nodded and went her own way, quickly disappearing with a stride away from Emelia.

The girl took a slight detour through the old house to find her room. She passed Vanya and their mother by the fire; she seemed unresponsive and she note a mental note to ask Pogo to check her wiring. Emelia paused outside of the main living room, she knew what would greet her right upon entering, she took a deep breath and pushed the doors open with her fingertips and she felt tears come to her eyes immediately.

A portrait of her twin was sat upon the wall, it was absolutely huge - she couldn't have bypassed it even if she wanted to and she felt her walls crumble. Being reminded of both Ben and Five in the most painful way on the day her father passed send shooting pains through her entire body. Emelia choked on a sob, tears streaming from her eyes and a restricting burn in the back of her throat. She raced from the room, failing to notice how her mother had responded to her daughter crying and had come to find her. Grace sighed.

After a few minutes of wondering aimlessly, trying to stop her tears, Emelia found herself outside of her old bedroom. She expected it to be exactly how she had left it, clothes strewn everywhere, a unmade bed and ripped wallpaper - like in the movies. It was nothing like that, the walls had been repaired, the bedsheets washed and changed and her clothing (all uniforms) were hung neatly in her wardrobe. There was no dust collection or any other signs that she hadn't lived there since she was eighteen. Grace had always been the one to look out for the Hargreeves' siblings, despite her only being a robot she loved the children and they equally loved her. Emelia's fingers grazed over her desk, falling into dints and cracks from where she'd studied her skill relentlessly - in a way she was glad Grace had never gotten rid of that.

Emelia opened her wardrobe and was met with the same uniform ten times over, some from when she was as young as eight and latest from when she was seventeen. She assumed that one would fit, she hadn't grown much sense then. While her brothers and sisters were both mentally and physically thirty years old, she had a small mishap. Five had wanted Emelia to go with him when he tried to time jump, she was more than happy to oblige but it didn't quite work out. Five was catapulted into the future and Emelia was left behind, aging at half the rate she should've been, leaving her twenty-two years old, but had been alive thirty years. It was confusing to everyone, and because of that she was treated as the baby of the family.

Sighing, she undressed, leaving herself in just her underwear with a pile of pyjamas next to her. Emelia took out the biggest sized uniform her wardrobe had to offer and pulled it on. A white, button up shirt covered by a checkered red, white and blue jumper and a blue skirt. She pulled on a pair of thigh-high socks and black kickers before adding on the final things. She pulled on her blazer, which matched the colour of her skirt with red hems, the umbrella academy logo and three buttons which she'd leave open. Finally, tied her tie around her neck, tucked it under her collar and jumper. Emelia looked in the mirror and laughed outright at herself. The uniform was a little tighter and shorter as it had to slide over her curves but apart from that it fit fine, she gave a little spin in the mirror, giggling as she did. The uniform reminded her of all those missions she did with her family and while some memories brought her happiness, others, like Ben and Five, stabbed right at her heart.

Bypassing the masks, thinking it to be overkill, Emelia finally left her room and bumped into Diego, he looked her up and down, arching his brow in confusion - again - at her choice of clothing.

"I had no other clothes, don't say a thing," she responded to his look. "I suppose its fitting really," she added, brushing down her skirt. "The Umbrella Academy back together for his funeral," Emelia said sadly.

Diego didn't question any further, but squeezed her shoulder for comfort. Number Two hated Reginald and would until the day he died, Emelia knew he had nothing even remotely kind to say about their old man and so he opted to keep his mouth closed on the situation. Diego's eyes, however, honed in on the left side of Emelia's face.

There had always been a thick, long scar there that followed the entire length of her jawline but it just seemed worse. Emelia had done it to herself when she was much younger and trying to master her skill - she summoned a dagger at the wrong time and mutilated her jaw. There was little scars all over her body from when she'd conjured something as a baby and played with the pointy end - Grace stayed with Emelia most nights to ensure she didn't kill herself.

"What happened?" Diego asked, his thumb tracing the raised scar.

"You know what happened," she answered, pulling at her fingers.

"No," said Diego. "I know how you originally got it, why does it look worse?" He asked again.

"Bar fight," the younger girl mumbled, "got pretty violent, pretty fast apparently. I don't really remember."

Diego rolled his eyes, today was not the day to be scolding her, so instead he told her to go to their mother and left her with a small upturn of his lips and another shoulder squeeze.

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Emelia found herself back in front of Five's portrait, that lay above the fire, shortly after her change if clothes. It wasn't a good idea on her part, seeing her brother in his uniform and she, herself wearing hers - it felt surreal. The dark haired girl could feel her mind trying desperately to remind her of that one frightful dinner.

"How long has it been," Emelia faintly heard Vanya ask, "since Five disappeared?" Her voice was low, as though she didn't want Emelia to hear.

"It's been fifteen years," began Pogo, adjusting his hand on his walking stick, "four months and five days."

"Fifteen years, four months and fourteen days." Emelia whispered to herself before Pogo had told Vanya, her eyes were once again glassy but she fought to remain strong.

"You're father insisted I keep track," the chimp told the ordinary girl.

Emelia felt a single tear drip down her freckled cheek. She'd kept track too, every morning since Five had lost himself, she would look at her reflection and tell herself how many days it had been. How many days, exactly, it had been since she'd laid eyes on her partner in crime.

"You wanna know something stupid. I always used to leave the lights on for him, I was scared that he would come back, it would be late and the house would be dark and." Vanya paused to take a shuddering breath. "He wouldn't be able to find us, so he'd leave again. So every night, Emelia and I would make a little snack and make sure all the lights were on." She gave a small laugh.

"Peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches - his favourite," Emelia spoke up, her voice wavering a little.

"Oh yes." Chuckled Pogo. "I remember those snacks, I'm pretty sure I stepped in half of those sandwiches."

Emelia made her way over to the pair and Vanya rested her head on her shoulder right away while the other girl wrapped an arm around her.

Smiling, Pogo continued. "Your father always believed that Number Five was still out there somewhere, he never lost hope," the chimp shook his head to emphasise his point.

"And look where that got him." Vanya replied grimly, pulling away from her sister.

"I know he's not dead," demanded Emelia. "I would've known, but I can feel that he's still alive out there." She paused. "Somewhere."

Vanya gave her a look that Emelia couldn't quite decipher and she took that as a hint for her to leave. She gave a small wave as she walked away, wondering much like before. Although, this time she knew exactly where she wanted to go.

Her fathers study.

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Sir. Reginald Hargreeves office was quite the spectacular room. It was decorated with knick-knacks and memorabilia. The old man sat at his desk, a quill in his hands as he scribbled down reports on his 'children' behind him was a portrait of himself in all of his strict glory and candles were strewn across his desk.

There was a quick rat-a-tat-tat on his wooden, slider door before his android maid entered (the children's mother) with a beautiful smile. Her lips were painted blood red, her perfect blonde locks tied away in a 1960's style up do that matched her old-fashioned clothing. A three quarter length, buttoned up blouse with a pastel pink skirt. It was stylised with random black specs and came up to her waist, fanning out and stopping by her knees. Along with that she wore a pair of pristine, white heels that clattered along the floor as she walked up to Sir. Hargreeves desk.

"The children are ready for bed, Sir. They wanted to say goodnight." Grace's voice rang like a bell and even from a young age Emelia found comfort in the android mother, she was practically human.

Alas, Sir. Hargreeves didn't look up from his work at all, but Grace paid no mind as she hurried back to the door and opened it, showing the eight children waiting by it.

Luther, Diego, Klaus and Five stood at the back, they were the tallest, while Ben, Vanya, Allison and Emelia were ushered to the front. All of the young children were visible to their father, in their matching blue pyjamas. Not a thing was different about them, they all wore button up, long-sleeved shirts and baggy pants. In perfect uniformity.

Once again, Sir. Hargreeves paid no mind to the eight children he had bought and his quill flew across the parchment ridiculously fast. The Academy children waited for a few minutes for his acknowledgement, but they should've known better as Grace lightly pushed them out of his office. Their father didn't care about them, not in the slightest, but Grace did and that was all that really mattered.

"Okay! Time for bed kids, come along now," she said, but Allison wouldn't move. She remained by the door, glaring at her father.

"Come along now dear, your fathers busy," explained Grace.

"He's always busy," spat Allison, slamming the door herself and quickly finding Luther amongst all of her siblings.

Emelia and Five walked together, they were attached at the hip just like Klaus and Ben were. Diego walked slightly behind the twins while she and Luther walked in front. It was always the same, at that point, it was safer to simply expect the bare minimum.

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The study was exactly the same as it had always been, albeit a little dustier. The same painting hung behind his mahogany desk and not an inch of any of the walls remained uncovered.

Emelia was almost to afraid to step into the office, too scared of ruining the peaceful atmosphere that probably inhabited the room for the very first time. But she did, her footsteps slow and shaky as though she'd disturb his grumpy, old sprit.

"Where's the cash dad?" A very familiar voice called out, rattling around the pad-locked desk drawers. "Where's the cash," he elongated the final syllables as he grew more and more frustrated.

Hardly able to contain her excitement, Emelia raced over to the desk. "Klaus!" She yelped.

"Emmy?" Her brother reiterated at her, standing up shakily from the floor. "Is that you? My favourite sister, I've missed you." Klaus practically fell into Emelia's arms, his wrapping around her tightly and he took a deep breath and she buried her head into his fur coat.

"I missed you so much Klaus." She whispered, sniffling up.

Klaus toyed with the idea of asking her for money but decided against it, it didn't matter how much he needed something to smoke or snort or inject - he refused to mar his reunion with his sister.

The two pulled away and Emelia really took her brother in. It was clear that the past years hadn't been kind to him, by any stretch of the imagination.

Klaus' hair was still the deep brown it had always been, his curls were unruly and sat uneven on his head. He'd grown himself a small moustache and beard, but Emelia questioned whether that was a choice or whether it had just happened because he couldn't afford a razor. She noticed he wore a long, black leather coat with a thick, faux fur trimming along with a ratty blue scarf that was far too long.

Before she could examine him any further a band on his wrist caught her attention. Emelia grabbed his wrist and Klaus saw no need to fight back, she flinched, dropping his hand back down to his side.

"Just out of rehab, huh," she asked, failing to keep the disappointment out of her tone, but she only wanted him safe. Klaus was such a sweetheart and the world had given him such a cruel fate, drugs were likely the only thing that kept him from going insane.

"No no no, no no no." He repeated that a few more times before he just wrapped his hand around his wrist. Out of sight, out of mind. "I'm done with all that." Emelia scoffed. "I just came down here to prove to myself that the old man was really gone." Klaus faked tears and a stuffy voice causing Emelia to let out a mirthful chuckle she wasn't aware she needed. "And he is! He's dead! Yay!" Klaus clapped his hands enthusiastically, still not allowing any room for Emelia to get a word in edge-ways. "You know how I know? Because if he were alive not one of us would be allowed to set foot in this room. He was always in here, our whole childhood, plotting his next torment, right." Klaus chuckled again, plonking himself down into the velvet chair behind the desk.

"Oh yeah," Emelia agreed, her ringed fingers faintly traced the objects on her fathers desk.

"God," moaned Klaus, "you remember how he used to look at us? That scowl." He thrust his finger towards the painting behind him. "Thank Christ he's not our real father so we couldn't inherit those cold, dead eyes." He finished his speech with a silly voice and his fingers went up to his eyes and stretched the skin around them.

Emelia gave a real belly-laugh, doubling over. Klaus always knew how to cheer her up, even if she didn't realise how much she needed it. The young girl regretted not being able to keep in touch with her family, but then again, Klaus had sold his phone three hours after buying it the first time around. Emelia didn't want to know how much his willpower had shrunk.

"Number Eight," Klaus drawled in the funny accent, his eyes still popping, causing Emelia to lean against the desk for stability.

"Get out of his chair." Came a deep, aggressive voice from the door. Emelia immediately recognised it as Luther.

He'd grown so much since they were teenagers, he was at least six feet four inches and was built like a body builder. His hair was practically completely shaven and his dark sweater and jeans were covered by a long, green overcoat that fell to his ankles. Emelia felt like he was hiding something with that thick fabric, he was usually so keen to show off his strength.

"Oh wow Luther." Gasped Klaus, his voice normal again. "You really filled over the years." The slim brother made a body-builder pose which made Emelia snort and Luther's eyes dart over to her. She could almost feel the cold coming from him.

"Number Eight." He said stiffly, nodding his head in a forced greeting.

"Emelia," she said. "Say it with me; EM-E-LI-A." She wasn't a dick usually, she loved her siblings with all of her heart and she would do absolutely anything for them, but she and Luther hadn't got along since the death of Ben.

Luther tended to act as though he barely knew her, despite the two being close when they were much younger, and Emelia followed his lead more often than not. If he was (on the off chance) kind to her, she would repay the favour but if he was immature and childish, so was she.

"There's no need for that Emelia." He snarled, tugging on his overcoat.

"Ugh." Emelia yawned. "I'm too sleep-deprived for this shit."

Klaus took her hand and dragged her from the room, whilst Luther stayed behind in the study, a sad glare on his face as he watched his brother and sister leave.

So much for the family reunion.

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