sortofanobsession

[sortofanobsession]

The Prick Upstairs (Roy Kent The Bubble AU roy/jamie to roy/jamie/keeley)

Author's Note: I know this is long overdue. I teased it forever ago, but here it is. I'm still working on the 911 Bubble AU, that one is a bit more complicated than this one. Unbeta read because it is already overdue.

Ao3

Ted Lasso Masterlist

Important notes: Roy was injured pre-Richmond for this, but lives in the area because of his sister. Jamie and Roy don't know each other yet. Jamie sucks less but is still a prick. His relationship with Keeley is less one sided. Roy works for Sky Sports and hates it just as much as he did in the show but sticks it out because he doesn't have Richmond.

Inspired by Carol (Karen Gillan) and her plotline with Zaki (Raphael Acloque) in Netflix's The Bubble (2022).

Roy/Jamie, Jamie/Keeley, Roy/Jamie/Keeley (established Jamie & Keeley, if you've seen The Bubble you know why this AU exists).

Content warning: Anger, self-loathing, PTSD, drinking, alcohol as a coping mechanism, humor as a coping mechanism, cheating (but not really), misunderstanding, arguing, complicated relationships, Covid Quarantine, isolation, mental illness, anxiety, depression, injury, broken bones, angst, swearing/cursing/cussing, (I'm sure there is a lot I am missing but I'm sorry)

The constant noise from the room above is driving Roy up the wall. He knows he isn't supposed to leave his bubble. Between the fucking mess with his personal life and his professional one. This little annoyance was threatening to break his sanity. But he might genuinely lose his shit if it doesn't stop. He shouldn't be surprised to find it's one of the teams he's there to cover.

“Heads up!” He hears and he reacts on instinct. You can take the man off the pitch but can you really take the pitch out the man? He knocks it with a header, it bounces off the wall and he catches it. He growls as cheers erupt from the group of players.

“He's here, he's there, he's every fucking where,” a few chant. “Roy fucking Kent!”

“Not bad, for a grandad,” says a player that Roy easily recognizes as Jamie Tartt. Fucking Jamie Tartt. He was exactly the type of player that got on Roy's nerves on and off the pitch. Yeah, he was done. “You fucking pricks know people actually have fucking shit to do and don't want to fucking hear your fucking childish behavior. It a fucking hotel, not the bloody pitch.” Roy growls, as he sends the ball forcefully back at Jamie. Jamie, being Jamie, sends it right back at the irate former midfielder. Roy catches it with a growl again. He was done playing. He had slept like shit because Phoebe had called him saying she missed him and it had killed him that he's stuck so far away because of this stupid job. Why had he agreed to do a fucking job that would require him to be stuck in a fucking hotel for this fucking long. He wasn't even that far from home. It was infuriating being less than an hour from home. So close that he could easily go see his niece, but he wasn't fucking allowed. Stupid fucking quarantine. She was in his fucking bubble as they fucking called it. He was her fucking guardian. He was so fucking annoyed. And this fucking prick wanted to play games. 

“Fucking Muppet,” Roy grumbles, but he gets an idea that should get his point across. He pulls the Swiss army knife he'd gotten years ago from a sponsor. He stabs the ball earning shouts of protests from the players, except Jamie who has an amused smirk on his face. “Next time it won't be the fucking ball!” Roy shouts as he heads back to the stairs. 

Jamie Tartt chuckles as he picks up the deflated ball from the floor where Roy fucking Kent had let it fall. 

“He's here, he's there, he's every fucking where,” Jamie says, his tone filled with amusement. He holds it up to the others. “He's Roy fucking Kent.” 

“What a fucking prick,” one of the others says.

“Yeah,” Jamie grins. “Bit fucking hot, innit?” 

It earns him a few groans and one of his mates shoves his shoulder. 

“Fuck off,” the player says.

“You're fucking stupid, Tartt,” another says. “Kent’s gonna headbutt you next time.”

“Or make good on that threat,” his mate gestures to the ball. 

“Well, wouldn't expect less from Roy fucking Kent.”

Roy had seen the players a few more times over the next couple days as press events, done annoyingly one by fucking one because of the quarantine conditions dragged on. Tartt never failed to miss the chance to give him an infuriating smirk or comment on his age. Calling him grandad or old timer. Roy wanted to punch the prick. But that would break the two meter social distancing shit. But technically, everyone involved in the match was in a weird sort of bubble. A fucking production more than a match prep. 

Roy needs a fucking break. They'd just been told the international match he was there to cover was delayed a-fucking-gain because one of the Welsh fucks had spiked a fucking fever. This was a fucking disaster. They couldn't leave. They couldn't do their fucking jobs and even Roy was getting fucking restless. And the fact the team he once fucking played for is just a floor up was making him itch. He missed being part of a club. 

He usually didn't hate being alone. He liked the quiet solitude of his life. But quarantine was too much. He missed his fucking family. He missed Phoebe. He would never fucking admit it but he missed fucking hugs. He missed having a mate shove his shoulder because he was being a prick. And that was fucking something. Roy fucking Kent missed people. Fucking hell he was going soft.

Jamie was wondering who he pissed off now as a fist slammed repeatedly against his door. He was even more curious when he saw Roy fucking Kent through the peephole. And fuck, that man was fucking hot even through the tiny circular view. 

“Evening, grandad,” Jamie says with a smirk. And something in Roy breaks. 

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” He snaps. Shoving Jamie back into the room. Jamie stumbles but keeps himself upright. He was a bit worried Roy might kill him before he can make his debut with the National team, but something in Roy's eyes makes him rethink that. Because sure Roy's eyes might be blown wide because of adrenaline from an impending fight. But Jamie knows that fucking look. 

Jamie chuckles. “Oh you're fucked, old man, I'm in your head,” the striker teases. 

“I’ll show you fucked,” Roy growls and Jamie's dick twitches because fucking hell. This is like every fantasy he had as a teen as his mind drifted to Roy Kent's Chelsea poster hanging on the wall in his room.

“Old man thinks he still ha-” 

Roy cuts off his insult with a bruising kiss. It's angry and it's fucking hot. Jamie enthusiastically meets his energy. Where Roy is anger and pent-up frustration. Jamie is enthusiasm and pure fucking energy. And it's electric to Roy. It's addicting to Jamie. 

Roy fucks like he has something to prove and Jamie gleefully gives as good as he gets. 

Jamie isn't surprised when Roy leaves with barely a fucking grunt afterwards. Stings a bit but he just spent hours making Roy Kent go to fucking pieces and it's not like he had expected Roy fucking Kent to be a cuddler. He also was well aware of what the tabloids had been saying about Roy's life. It had gone to shit after his knee injury. It had been a painful, career ending injury. Jamie had wanted to throw up as he watched it happen live. Still does now when he sees it. As a kid with a shit home life, he admired Roy Kent's no fucks given and no shit taken attitude. Jamie had longed for even half confidence and courage to stand up for himself the way Roy always did. No one pushed Roy Kent around. He would have killed to have Roy fucking Kent's attention. And he apparently had it now. 

He grabbed his phone and dialed it.

“Do you have any idea what time it is, Jamie,” Keeley's tired and annoyed tone says.

“Babe, you will never believe what just happened,” Jamie starts. 

Keeley is still very much annoyed at the fact it was 2 am, but Jamie sounds fucking giddy and that has her curious. He was supposed to be in quarantine, what could be this exciting for him. He hadn't been this excited since he found out he made the national team. “Spit it out, babe, I'm knackered.”

“I just fucked Roy Kent,” Jamie giggles. He giggles. And Keeley can understand why. They had a somewhat open relationship. It usually meant threesomes. Usually when they slept around they did it together. Because Jamie loved Keeley. He might be a dick and he screwed up a few times in the beginning but they had worked it out. As long as no one lied, they were good. Communication was key. But they had a system for times like this. They both had a very small list of people that they had agreed they both wouldn't get mad at the other for having a fling with. It existed because, honestly, there were things that they both knew they couldn't always give their partner. Jamie knew he was a prick and as much as he fucking worshiped Keeley in the bedroom, and out of it, he was not an ideal partner. Emotionally he was a fucking disaster. And once Keeley had learned about his past, his father, whatever anger she had for him being a prick dimmed. Sure, he did things that pissed her off. He did things she couldn't understand, but she knew Jamie loved her. He would always come home to her. And after they had worked that out Jamie had put a big fucking ring on her finger. The press had lost their minds. 

Roy fucking hates himself. He took a long pull of the bottle. He had the bar send up a full bottle of whiskey. They had sent a glass and ice but he went straight for the bottle. Jamie was famously engaged and Roy had slept with him. He must have lost his fucking mind because he was not a fucking homewrecker. He was Roy Fucking Kent! He had nearly killed his sister's ex for shit like this. He was a fucking hypocrite and it ate at something in the ex-footballer.

Jamie’s brow furrowed when he saw Roy Kent on his phone outside the lobby as he got back from training the next day. His mask was pulled down and Roy looked like shit. He was arguing with someone on his phone. Not even noticing the people around him. It tugged at something deep in Jamie. Roy looked unwell and he didn't like it. He wanted to go to him. He feels one of his teammates nudge him forward. And Jamie shakes himself and keeps going. No one but Keeley knew what happened between himself and Roy. Except maybe the lad in the room next to his. But if his teammate had heard anything, he didn't say anything.

“Hey, Babe, how'd training go?” Keeley asks when he calls. He had called her as soon as his door closed.

“Quarantine training sucks. It's mostly just modified drills and it's fucking boring,” he tells her. “But something happened.”

And that has her attention. She could tell a lot from Jamie's tone. They had no secrets. It was the only way their relationship worked. So she knew something was worrying him. He usually only talked about his past in that tone. Or fears he had for his future.

“What's wrong, Jamie?” She asks, concerned in her tone. “Are you alright?”

And Jamie's chest feels warm at how much Keeley Jones cares about him. He had never had anyone care like that other than his mum and Simon. No one. And he falls more and more in love with Keeley every time she shows how much she gets him. How much she cares for him.

“I love you, you know that, yeah?” He says.

She chuckles at his sudden change in tone. Jamie was so easily distracted by his thoughts. And whatever was bothering him clearly took a backseat to his love for her. And that is why she stays with him. Despite what the tabloids say about him, she knows that no one has ever loved her like Jamie does. He might flirt around but that is part of his persona. The Jamie Tartt the world saw was nothing like the one she knew. It was all a facade sculpted to appease his father. And she loved him. 

“I love you too, babe,” she says with total honesty. She loved that man. “Now, do you want to talk about what’s bothering you or do you want a distraction?”

Jamie can hear the offer in those last few words. He knew she meant the fun kind of distraction. The kind that has his cock twitching. He closes his eyes but his mind betrays him. All he sees is how miserable Roy Kent looked. 

“I'm worried about Roy,” he says.

And that has Keeley’s attention. She knew how Jamie had looked up to Roy most of his life. He had told her so much about him. She always envied that devotion a bit. She also wished she had been there with Jamie because that would have been a fun time. Roy Kent was fucking hot. And from what Jamie had told her, he was amazing in bed. But no one either of them had been with, together or not, had a spot in Jamie's heart like Roy did. And she didn't know if she should be jealous or not. But she couldn't give Jamie the things someone like Roy could. Even with toys and shit like that, it wasn't the same as having a full grown man fucking you into a mattress. She knew that more than anyone. She'd had more than a few flings with other women. Her and Jamie were both bi. And apparently so was Roy Kent. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I just saw him and he looks like shit,” Jamie tells her. “It's like whatever ledge he had been on before, he's off it now. I don't know, if it's because we- I don't want him to- he's-”

“You want to help him,” she says, her tone sweet. Because that's actually who Jamie was. He wanted so much to please people. It's why he acted the way he did. To please his terrible father. And knowing that Roy had seemed okay before they slept together, and now he was a wreck. Well, Keeley could understand why Jamie felt the need to look after him. 

Jamie sighs because he had really hoped she would understand, and she does. Like always. 

“Yeah, I do,” Jamie says. 

“Then what are you talking to me for?”

Jamie's heart hurts at how sad she sounds. 

“Because I love you and I wanted to make sure that you-”

“Jamie,” Keeley starts, her tone still a bit sad but now more determined. “I know you love me. And I love you too. But Jamie Tartt has always loved Roy Kent. I know that. If you want to have something with Roy Kent, I'm…I'm not saying no. I just don't want you to get hurt. Roy Kent is brutal and unapologetically Roy Kent. And I can't be there to help you if he breaks your heart. I don't mind sharing you, Jamie, but your heart has been used and abused enough. I just need to know, that if Roy goes too far, or anything you don't like happens, Jamie, you will tell me. That you won't hide it or keep it to yourself. I love you.”

“Fuck,” Jamie sniffles. “I always think, I can't fucking love you more than I do, and then you go and say the sweetest thing I've ever heard and I think this is it. This is the fucking best. I just want to ask you to marry me again.” 

She laughs because that was just peak Jamie. Her Jamie. “And I will say yes, every time,” she assures him. “But if you want to help Roy, you should probably go do that.”

“You're right, as you always are,” Jamie grins. “I love you.”

“I know,” Keeley chuckles. “Now go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Roy growls at the knock on his door. He ignores it and hopes they go away. When they don't he gets up and goes over. 

“Fuck off,” he snaps, venom in his tone. 

Jamie doesn't flinch. He had expected this. But the way his heart races and his mind screams at him to run is a well ingrained instinct honed from years of abuse. Jamie takes it as a small win that Roy doesn't immediately slam the door in his face. 

“Sorry, mate,” Jamie says. “Not going to happen.” He brushes past Roy. 

Roy growls as a confusing mix of emotions flood his chest. His heart fucking races just feeling Jamie's body so close to his. 

“The fuck you want,” Roy grits out.

“You look like shit,” Jamie says as he sits on the edge of Roy's bed.

“Fucking hell,” Roy grumbles. “Need a fucking drink.” He doesn't miss the way Jamie momentarily tenses. His body goes rigid and the look in the younger man's face has alarms going off in Roy's head. Even as the striker quickly recovers. 

“Sure your liver can handle it, old man?” Jamie teases. And Roy’s fingers tighten around the glass of bourbon in his hand. He is only using the glass because Jamie is there and Roy would fucking die before he lets Jamie fucking Tartt see how low Roy has fallen. 

“Fuck off, ya prick,” Roy says. 

“No,” Jamie says, his tone defiant.

“Fucking what?” Roy asks, pure anger slipping into his tone now. “Who the fuck do you think-’

And Jamie is in his space. “You want to fight me, fight me, but I'm not fucking leaving until you tell me what is wrong.”

And sends Roy for a fucking loop. Jamie had come here because he could tell something was wrong with Roy. How the fuck did he know? He must have said that out loud and not realize it because Jamie answers.

“Because you look like haven't fucking slept since you left my room, you look pale. And-”

“I'm not fucking sick,” Roy grunts.

“Do you think I'd be in your face if I thought you were?” Jamie counters and that's fair. Jamie is a footballer with a very important match coming up. 

“You could just be that fucking stupid,” Roy states.

“Insult me all you want, I can take it, but I'm still not leaving, not until-”

“You can't be fucking serious,” Roy snaps. “What if someone saw you come here? What if someone-”

“So? Not like you're a ref,” Jamie shrugs. “Not breaking any rule except quarantine, but fuck that. Not like I'm running off to-” and that pisses Roy off. Jamie cares so little about how this looks. He just keeps fucking shrugging. He slams his drink on the desk. 

“You have a fucking fiancee!” Roy finally snaps, punching the desk. 

Jamie can't help it. It's one of the few reactions he has never been able to hide. The combination of booze on Roy's breath and the pure rage in his eyes has Jamie flinching away and putting distance between them.

Roy's blood runs cold like someone dumped the ice bucket over his head. 

“Jamie,” Roy starts, and the way Jamie's eyes flick to his and then towards the door twists something deep inside Roy Kent. Roy has seen a lot of things in people's eyes when they look at him. And this is the one thing he always hates unless he is on the pitch or dealing with someone so stupid or so vile, they deserve to fear him. But not Jamie Tartt, not like this. As angry as Roy is, he would never. He'd jam his pocket knife in his own eye before he willing hurt the striker and fuck, that's a thought. 

“Look at me,” he tells Jamie, but Jamie just shakes his head, his face and ears red from embarrassment. And Roy slowly takes a step towards him. That has Jamie's eyes snapping to him. Roy raises his hands like he's dealing with a cornered animal. Because he kind of is. “Fucking hell,” Roy breathes at the look in Jamie's eyes. If Roy's hunch is correct, that means someone had hurt Jamie badly in his past. Someone put that fear there. And the way the younger man keeps looking at the open bourbon, Roy wants to dump the whole damn thing. Because Jamie isn't even hiding his fear now. And that shatters the former footballer’s heart. “I fucking swear to you, Tartt,” Roy states. “I would never-” he is cut off by a scoff. 

“Heard that before,” Jamie mumbles. And Roy squashes down the annoyance at that, because he needs Jamie to understand. 

“I'm serious, Tartt,” Roy says. “as angry as I might be, I will never fucking touch you unless you fucking want me to. And never like that. I would throw myself off a fucking cliff before I let that happen. Do you understand me, Tartt?”

And Roy stays where he is as Jamie searches his face. Looking for any sign that Roy is lying. That he's drunk and just making false promises. And he must find it because Jamie nods and seems to relax. Roy sighs. He grabs the glass and dumps it. He goes over and caps the bottle and puts it out of sight. And that seems to help because Jamie is sitting on the edge of his bed again. And Roy feels keyed up despite how exhausted and sleep deprived he feels because now he has a million questions.

Roy sits on the end of the bed leaving a good bit of space between them. Roy sees the way Jamie's hands are bunched up in his shirt and it makes him want to reach over and hold his hand. And that is fucking stupid. They didn't even spend a whole night together and now Roy wants to fucking comfort the guy. Wants to find out who hurt him and hunt them down. 

“Keeley knows,” Jamie says. 

“What?” Roy says because he couldn't have heard that right. 

“Keeley, my fiancee,” Jamie says. “She knows. I told her after you left. And…” Roy is confused at the way Jamie chuckles. “She actually kicked me off the phone just now so I could come down here to check on you.”

“What the fuck…” Roy says, his brows furrow. 

Jamie huffs a laugh as he moves to sit beside Roy. 

“Keeley and I have a…weird relationship,” Jamie says. He gets a dopey grin on his face just thinking about it. “Not exactly open, it's usually threesomes. I wouldn't just sleep with anyone.”

Roy scoffs, because that couldn't be true. He had slept with Roy after all. No fiancee involved.

“I'm not a fucking side piece,” Roy growls. “Like a fucking mistress. I won't be a fucking weapon either. I won't let you use me to hurt her. I have seen that shit and I-”

“That's not what this is,” Jamie is quick to say. The striker sighs. He is so fucking tired. Training had been shitty. He hates modified drills. And the adrenaline from fear has left him knackered. “You’re not- you wouldn't-” Jamie runs his hand through his hair for lack of anything else to do. He tugs at the longer stands to try and ground himself, to focus. 

“Don't fucking do that,” Roy grunts as his fingers go over Jamie's and the younger man grip relaxes. He latches onto Roy's hand. Trying to convey the odd feelings Jamie has. 

“You know,” Jamie starts to say. “I had a poster of you on my wall when I was a kid. Used to love watching you play.”

“Fucking hell,” Roy says. “Some City fan you were.” 

Jamie chuckles. “Well, they weren’t you, so…”

“You’re fucking serious,” Roy can’t help but say. 

“Told you, you're not just a quick fuck, Roy Kent. If you were, do you think I'd be here now?” 

Roy grunts but doesn't say anything else. Jamie squeezes his hand. Jamie can tell he isn't convinced. Jamie manages to dig out his phone and unlock it without letting go of Roy’s hand. He pulls up Keeley's contact. “Ask her yourself.”

“Fuck off,” Roy says. Dropping Jamie's hand and getting up. He would usually go and grab a drink when he feels this off keel, but he won't do that if it might upset Jamie. So he goes to stare out the window. Jamie decides this needs to happen. He hits the call button. 

“Hey babe,” Keeley answers. “How'd it go?”

“He doesn't believe me that we talked about this,” Jamie says. “That you told me to come down here.”

“Wait, are you still there? Is he there?”

“Yeah,” Jamie says. “To both,” he adds for clarification. 

“Put me on speaker,” she says.

“Sure,” Jamie says. He lowers the phone and switches to speaker.

“Oi! Kent!” Keeley demands his attention through the speaker making Jamie grin. 

“Fucking hell,” Roy says as he turns around, realizing what Jamie was doing. “What the fuck, Tartt?”

“You wouldn't, so I did,” Jamie states.

“And I'm glad he did, why is he sad, Kent, what did you do?” 

“Keeley,” Jamie starts, he hadn't realized she had noticed. 

“I told you I wasn't going to let him-”

“Fucking let me?” Roy bristles, taking the phone and taking it off speaker. He could already tell this was not going how Jamie planned and the guy was getting upset. Roy puts the phone to his ear and continues. “I don't know what kind of fucked up thing you-”

“Don't you fucking say shit like that to him,” she hisses. “He has been through so much and fought to be where he is. You don't get to make him feel like shit because you think you know either of us. I know he loves me, Kent. I'm not an insecure nobody. I'm Keeley Jones. I'm the one he tells everything, and I mean everything. I know that you hate fucked him because you’re a frustrated prick. But you don't get to fuck him and then treat him like that. Judge me all you want. I told him when we decided how our long term relationship was going to be that if he ever got his chance, especially with you, to take it. You want to know why?”

Roy grunts because he didn't know what else to fucking say. No one talks to him like this. Fucking no one. Keeley Jones must be fucking fearless. And he can't lie to himself. He kind of gets why Jamie had that dopey look in his face before. She is a fucking force. He kind of likes it. 

“Because in a weird way he loves you almost as much as he does me. Because just watching you be the way you were when you were with Chelsea and he was a kid gave him something to aim for. That if you could be a fucking unapologetic asshole and not give a shit, then maybe he could too. If he could just be courageous and confident like you, then he could maybe be something that his dad would be proud of. That-” she stops herself from saying too much. “You are his fucking hero, Roy Kent. And I’m not stupid enough to think I can be everything he will always ever need. I know he has things he likes I cannot do for him. You can, but only if you don't fuck this up. If you break his heart, I will find a way to ruin your life. I don't know what you did before he called me but fix it.” 

“Fucking fine,” Roy says. 

“Good,” Keeley says. “Take care of him.” She says before hanging up.

And Roy is beyond fucking shocked. She wasn't just okay with him and Jamie, she was demanding he step up. 

“Fucking hell,” Roy says as he tosses the phone on the bed. Jamie grins because Keeley just has that effect on people sometimes. She was not someone to mess with. Jamie knows she will throw around her own fame if she need to. She has just as big a facade as Jamie did at times. He knew the real Keeley. 

“I know right,” Jamie laughs. “She's amazing.”

“She’s fucking something,” Roy grumbles. 

Jamie grins. “So you believe me now?”

Roy grunts but nods. 

“What’d she say?” Jamie asks.

“To fucking fix it,” he says. “Take fucking care of you.” 

And the soft look and smile Jamie gets on his face has Roy understanding what she meant when she said she knew Jamie loved her. Roy can see she was right. 

“You know this is fucking insane right?” Roy asks. Jamie looks at him. 

Jamie shrugs. “I know that no matter what happens, I still have Keeley. But I also know I saw you outside when you were on the phone. You looked miserable and I didn't like it. And I thought we had a good time. And I don't expect anything, but I'm up for it.” 

“This could really fuck up your career, you know that right?”

Jamie shrugs. 

Roy stares at Jamie. How was this real? This gorgeous fucking idiot. He was somehow both infuriating and fucking fascinating to Roy. 

Jamie’s phone buzzes. He has a team dinner he can't miss soon. “Just, think about it, yeah?” He goes over to the desk where there is a pad of paper and a pen. He scribbles down his number. “I got to go. Team shit. You know how it is.” And the way that Roy hadn't told him to fuck off or kicked him out makes him bold. And a bit cheeky. So with a grin he kisses Roy. And Roy gives in and kisses him back. 

“That shit is boring, so text me.” Jamie winks.

“Fuck off,” Roy says but the the way the corners of his lips tick up in a slight smile berays him. Jamie laughs as he leaves. 

And Roy cannot believe he is doing this. He looks at the contact now in his phone. Jamie Tartt. Was he really going to do this? Start a relationship with a guy he barely knows outside of what the tabloids say. But that wasn't true. He had already seen the cracks in the striker's persona. And for some reason Roy wanted to know more. Craved it. And he thinks about how miserable he had been and how he felt just having Jamie risk getting in trouble by breaking quarantine just to check on him.

Jamie's phone buzzes and he has two texts from an unsaved number. He hopes they aren't junk. He hopes they are what he wants them to be. He can't help but smile when he reads them. Roy had texted him. Jamie quickly saved the number. 

Roy fucking Kent: team dinners more or less boring then they were a few years ago

Tartt: way worse 

Tartt: can't even sit at the same table as most of the lads 

Roy fucking Kent: fuck social distancing

Tartt: so is this a yes

Roy fucking Kent: on 1 fucking condition

Tartt: name it 

Roy fucking Kent: I won't be what tanks your career

Tartt: not up to us 

Tartt: but what do you suggest 

Roy fucking Kent: we need a reason to spend time together that the public won't question

Jamie ignores the coaches as they talk. They tend to assume Jamie is only half listening anyway. He's good on the pitch, but he's not the best when he gets bored at times like this. But that actually gives Jamie an idea. He was on loan from Man City when not with the national team. Jamie didn't know if Roy was still in Fulham or Chelsea area anymore. He just knew Roy had been annoyed he was so close to home but couldn't leave. He let that slip the other night. He got an idea. 

Tartt: coach me 

Roy fucking Kent: you have 2 technically 3 sets of coaches already

Tartt: you want a cover

Tartt: its the best I got

Jamie sees the three little dots come and go a few times and he wonders if he had pushed too hard too fast. That Roy was changing his mind. But he is relieved when he gets Roy's reply.

Roy fucking Kent: fine 

Tartt: 😏

Roy fucking Kent: but it won't be a lie 

Tartt: 🥺

Tartt: I don't actually need a coach

Tartt: I'm already on the national team 

Roy fucking Kent: fuck off

Roy fucking Kent: you're good Tartt

And Jamie cannot believe how much that tiny bit of praise from Roy makes Jamie's heart soar. And he has to bite his tongue to keep from laughing out loud at Roy's next text.

 Roy fucking Kent: but you could be the fucking best and we’ll get you there

And Jamie fucking feels something he usually doesn't let himself feel. Unbridled hope. That Roy fucking Kent wants to not just spend time with him but to make him better. 

Tartt: sounds good

Tartt: Coach 🫡

Roy fucking Kent: fucking hell

Roy fucking Kent: don't make me regret this

Tartt: 😬

Roy fucking Kent: no more fucking emojis

Tartt: fine

Tartt: …for now

Roy fucking Kent: Fuck off Tartt 

Roy grunts as he tosses his phone on the bed beside him and tries to focus on what Sky Sports was saying about an updated schedule for the upcoming matches and for them to hopefully start back soon. They might be playing to empty fucking stands but it beats staying home to most of the players. Roy doesn't care as long as he gets to actually go home soon. Especially if he’ll be working with Jamie in his free time. Fuck. He was really doing this. 

“The fuck?” He says out loud when Jamie sends him an emoji of a squirrel.

Before he can actually figure it out there is a knock at his door. He lets Jamie in. Before he can say or do anything Jamie is in his space and kissing him. And Roy kisses him back because what else would he do?

He didn't hate the way Jamie not only stays after they both come down, but snuggles into Roy's side. And Roy doesn't hate the way Jamie leans into his space even when they aren't in bed. They start spending more nights together despite the risk of someone saying something. But no one does. The night before the long awaited match Jamie is a ball of restless energy. So Roy does something he hadn't done much of. When Jamie starts to get antsy again after they shower, Roy pulls Jamie until the striker's back is tight against Roy's chest. He holds Jamie as tight as he dares because he still doesn't know what might accidentally set him off. He doesn't know Jamie's trauma yet. But he will someday, even if he has to do the digging himself. But Jamie seems more than happy to be where he if the way he relaxes as Roy wraps his arms around him is any indicator.

“You are going to be fucking fantastic tomorrow,” Roy says. “You deserve to fucking be there.”

Jamie can feel Roy's breath on his ear as he speaks and it sends a shiver down Jamie's spine and makes his stomach flip. Because Roy fucking Kent was telling him he belongs on the national team. If Jamie had any doubt, which he didn't really, he knew he was good, that would have made him believe. Even now it makes him feel like he could take on the Welsh team alone and he could win. He doesn't trust his voice enough to say anything so he hums. He falls asleep warm and feeling safer than he had in a long time. It felt like nothing could hurt him.

Jamie whines when an alarm goes off. He buries his face in the pillow before his brain realizes it's not a pillow. It was someone. Not just anyone though. It was Roy Fucking Kent. He buries his face in the man's neck because he's come by because this was the last chance he would have to be with Roy before the match. And once the match was over, Roy was free to go home. He didn't have to stay. He could go home to his life. And that had made Jamie uneasy. Sure they had plans. But making plans and acting on them were very different things.

The match was like a fucking dream to Jamie. It was the most exhilarating feeling. Especially knowing, without a doubt, that Roy was watching. And he wanted to make Roy proud. Because Roy believed in him. Roy had told him as much. 

Jamie felt like he was fucking soaring as he celebrated the win with his team at the hotel bar. His mood boosted when they were finally allowed to see their loved ones. He spun Keeley around, making her laugh. He had missed her so much. He had wanted her to meet Roy so bad, but he had told Jamie that morning, after Jamie showered again because he couldn't show up to the match smelling like wake up sex. Because he had absolutely taken advantage, consensually of course, of Roy’s morning wood. Roy had said that he needed to get back to his niece. It was just Roy, his sister, and her caregiver, looking after her. And that was so sweet. Roy was a better dad than Jamie's dad was and Roy wasn't even the girl's dad. He was her uncle. And it was just another thing to love about Roy. 

The first time Roy shows up obscenely early to train Jamie, he is shocked to find both Jamie and Keeley waiting for him. Keeley was less enthusiastic about the early morning, but it had been worth it to get to actually face Roy Kent face to face. There was a bit of negotiating because they both clearly had their doubts, but Jamie couldn’t have been happier. The more Jamie trained with Roy, the closer the three of them would get. It helped that Roy often showed up with coffee, tea, or whatever Keeley had wanted that morning to make up for the early morning wake up. 

When the league restarts the media is already well aware that Jamie Tartt had somehow convinced Roy Kent to train him one on one. That earns Roy a lot of jabs from his co-workers behind the desk in Sky Sports but Roy does not give a fuck. He still calls them on their bullshit. Keeley, who Jamie had been right, the two got on like a house on fire, texts him constantly. And it is probably the only reason he hasn't fucking killed one of his co workers. And it all goes fine until everything goes to shit during a match. Man City vs. Richmond. It was Jamie's current club vs The one he was on loan from. And Jamie is playing like he has something to prove and that worries Roy. The jabs from the pricks he works with tear away at the worn patience Roy had. And it must show because Keeley texts him to breathe during an ad break. But not even she could talk him down for what does happen. A nasty foul has Jamie going down. And he went down hard. The camera may not capture the sound of a bone break, but Roy’s brain fills it in for him. Or it's the sound of Roy's stomach dropping. And the analytical and impartial way the others at the desk speculate on not only Jamie's possible injuries but how it might impact his career. Something in Roy snaps. He is on his feet pulling his mic off and tell them all to get fucked. 

Roy ignores them all and storms off. His phone rings constantly but he only answers it when Keeley calls.

“How is he?” Roy asks. He's already behind the wheel and on the road. 

Keeley huffs. “He's glad it was his arm, and not his leg or foot.”

Roy curses. “Broken?” 

“In two places,” she tells him. 

“They take him to the hospital?” 

“Yeah.”

“You there?” 

“Of course,” she answers. “Better question is where are you?”

“Be there soon,” is the answer she gets before he hangs up.

Jamie had looked at Keeley with a confused look as she walked through the curtain that separated the hospital beds. He held his phone in his good hand. 

“What?” She asks. 

“Colin sent me a clip from Sky Sports,” he says.

She knew what he was talking about before she even looked at his phone. But the thumbnail of the video confirmed it. “Ah,” she says with a nod. “Figured you'd have questions.”

“What happened?” Jamie asks.

“You got hurt, Jamie,” she tells him.

“I know, Keeley, I was there,” he snarks but she doesn't let it get to her. She sighs. And that's enough for Jamie to know that was not the smart thing to say.

“That was mean, sorry,” he says. 

“I know, babe,” she says, running her fingers through his hair. 

“Why would he do that?” Jamie asks.

“Because he knew this match was tough for you before the bloody foul. And he’s annoyed by those pricks on a good day. They said one too many stupid things and he just couldn't take it.”

“I know but���”

“But nothing. It's probably a good thing he left the way he did. Knowing Roy,” she says, amusement clear in her tone. “Could have been much worse. Everyone still has their teeth. No one was bleeding. And he didn't say anything he would regret.”

“He might regret the whole thing,” Jamie mutters.

“He didn't sound like he regretted anything when we talked.”

“You talked to him?”

“Of course I did. I knew he would want to know how you were.”

“And?”

“He cared more about you than anything,” Keeley grins. “He didn't even say hello, just asked how you were.”

“Really?” 

“Ask him yourself when he gets here.” 

“Good, you're here.”

And Roy relaxes a tiny bit knowing his sister was on shift and most likely had details he needed. 

“How bad is it?” he asks.

“Looks like he broke his ulna and scaphoid,” she tells him. And she isn't surprised when he curses. “He's okay,” she assures him. 

“With you, I don't doubt that,” he says. And he is glad he doesn't have to explain why he is there to anyone. But any relief he has vanishes as they hear shouting. And Roy is running, despite the ache in his knee when he recognizes Keeley's voice. What he hears has his blood boiling. 

“Call fucking security,” he tells his sister. 

She is already giving instructions to the people around her as she grabs a phone on the wall. 

“How dare you fucking tell me I can't see my own son,” James Tartt seethes. “You stupid bitch. I’ll fucking-”

He's cut off as Roy grabs him by the back of the collar and slams the man against the wall. Keeley had filled him in a bit on Jamie's childhood trauma. Jamie had told him the rest when Roy said he was going to drive to Manchester and kick the man’s teeth in. Jamie had begged him to not make it worse. And as much as Roy hated it, Keeley had helped talk him down. Because that might end up with Roy in jail and that would help no one. 

“You have some fucking nerve showing up here,” Roy growls. “You pathetic fucking waste of space.”

“Roy,” Keeley says, she puts a hand on his arm.  James Tartt sneers at him. “You should listen to my son's stupid bitch.” 

Keeley huffs but doesn't give the cruel man the satisfaction of being angry. She focuses on Roy. But before she says anything. James kicks at Roy's bad knee. And Roy'd have gone down if Keeley hadn't taken his weight. Roy lost grip on Jamie's dad but before he could get away Roy’s fist had met the man’s face with as much force as Roy could manage. The former midfielder was oddly satisfied by the sound of James Tartt’s head made as it cracked back against the wall. 

“Roy!” Both his sister and Keeley shout. As security and staff rush over. His sister is shouting for a couple nurses to check Jamie's dad. She rushes to her brother. “I've got him, go check on Jamie,” she tells Keeley. 

“Are you-” Keeley starts to ask but Roy's sister is nearly as intimidating as her brother when she needs to be. 

“If he heard half of what I did, he-”

“Right, yeah, okay,” Keeley says before hurrying into Jamie's room. 

“Couldn't just wait for that security could you?” His sister helps him over to a bench in the hall. 

“And just listen to him talk shit, or worse, hurt her, fuck no.”

“Tell that to your knee,” she says. “Because now I'm going to have to admit you too. And Phoebe is-”

“Don't,” he glares. He knew his sister wasn't above playing dirty but to use her own kid against him was low.

She sighs as a nurse brings over a wheelchair. “Come on,” his sister says, ”let's get this over with.” 

“He what?” Jamie feels like he might throw up. Keeley had told him about the scuffle in the hall once she had gotten Jamie back into bed. Roy's sister had been right. Jamie had gotten out of bed when he realized his dad was starting shit in the hall. The pain meds had slowed him down enough that Keeley could intervene. 

“He got Roy in the knee, but Roy bounced his head off the wall.”

“Where is he? Is Roy okay?” Jamie tries to get up again. 

“His sister was looking after him,” Keeley says but that doesn't satisfy him because Jamie goes to get up again. 

“You fucking leave that bed and we will have a issue,” Roy says. And Jamie's heart rate monitor spikes. Roy is in a wheelchair and that is not something Jamie ever wanted to see. Keeley helps him and the nurse get Roy in the bed next to Jamie's. 

“Figured you'd both fight my staff less if you were in the same room,” Roy's sister says as she walks in. 

Keeley laughs, earning a glare from Roy. 

“No fighting in here either,” she levels her brother with a glare. 

And Keeley bites her lip to keep from laughing again. She hadn't met Roy's sister before they got to the hospital and she introduced herself as not just Dr. O’Sullivan, but as Roy Kent's sister. And that had Jamie’s attention real quick. They had met Phoebe a couple weeks after the Wales vs England match. And now they finally got to meet her mum. That has helped a bit of his bad mood about not being able to finish the match. 

Roy growls when his sister tosses a hospital gown at his face. “We’ll give you a minute.” The door closes behind the doctor and nurse. Roy gets off the bed, despite his knee and moves closer.

“Roy,” Keeley says, moving the grip his torso. 

“Just fucking help me with this fucking thing,” he he sways a bit as he grips the back of his collar and pulls his shirt over his head. Even Jamie moves to steady him with his uninjured arm now that Roy was closer.

“Sit down you maniac,” Keeley huffs. Nudging him until he sits on the edge of Jamie's bed.  She begrudgingly helps him because she knows he won't be able to do it himself easily. 

“Why am I not surprised,” his sister shakes her head and laughs at the way her brother had refused to stay in his bed. 

“Because you're the smart one,” Keeley grins. Roy just grunts because she wasn't wrong. 

“I like her,” his sister says with amusement. “Come on, tough guy,” she gestures to the wheelchair. “You know the drill.” 

“Fucking hell,” he mutters but let's Keeley help him into the wheelchair. 

“Someone will be in to make sure your cast has set enough that we can get you taken care of,” the doctor tells Jamie. 

“Okay, thanks, doc,” Jamie says.

As soon as the Kent siblings are gone, Jamie drops back against his pillows and rubs his eyes. 

“How you feeling, babe?” 

“This is a fucking mess,” Jamie says and Keeley can tell he is barely keeping it together. I can't believe he would do that to Roy.”

“I can,” Keeley grumbles. “I'm just glad I was there so Roy could recover and take him down a peg. I was not going to let him in here.”

“You should have just let him in,” Jamie says. “He could have hurt you.”

“He would have hurt you,” she counters. “He always does.”

“I can handle him,” Jamie says.

“You are already hurt, Jamie,” she shakes her head. “You have a broken arm, the cast hasn't even fully set yet.”

“Better me than-”

“Better no one!” Keeley says. 

“Do you really think Roy would have just-”

“Roy would have done so much worse if your father had gotten in here and hurt you. He might have actually killed him.”

And that twists something in Jamie. He hadn't seen how Roy had reacted. He knew how Roy had told him, every time Jamie had a bad reaction to something or that Jamie's childhood came up some how, that he'd kill James Tartt if he ever tried that shit again. Jamie had hoped it wouldn't happen. That his dad and Roy would never cross paths. It was stupid of him to think it would be that easy. Now Roy was hurt, might need another surgery or worse, it may have done permanent damage. And that hurts more than the fact he will be out of the game until his arm heals. That Roy might never be the same because Jamie's father is a prick.

“Oh babe,” Keeley says when tears start to fall as Jamie shakes his head. She hugs him.

“Good news,” Roy's sister says as she comes in after he gets the imaging done on his knee. “You didn't kill your boyfriend's dad.” 

Roy is glad no one is there to hear that other than her. 

“Not so sure that is good news,” Roy says. 

“Well, I'm sure Jamie will think it is.”

“Jamie is also convinced that somehow deep down that fucking menace loves him.”

“And you're not so convinced.”

“I know better, no one that truly loves their kid treats them like that.”

“I know, but you can't just kill the guy,” she says. 

“Look at what he did to my knee,” Roy glares.

“About that,” he puts the images up on the display. “Also good news, it won't require surgery this time,” she states. 

“Fucking bad news?”

“Not much to do that you don't already do.”

“Back to the stupid fucking brace,” he groans. 

“Bandages first week or so, then the brace.”

She takes him back to the room. 

“How bad is it?” Jamie asks. And Roy does not like the way Jamie’s eyes are puffy and red rimmed. 

“It’ll fucking heal,” Roy tells him. 

“No surgery?” Keeley asks.

“No surgery,” Roy's sister nods. And Jamie seems to relax at that. She doesn't even bother even pretending her brother would listen to her and just parks the wheelchair by Jamie's bed. “I’ll be back to do your knee, then you guys just have to wait on discharge papers.” 

“Thanks, Doc,” Jamie says. Roy nods. 

“You all right?” Roy asks, looking at Jamie. 

“Yeah, been waiting on you, grandad,” Jamie smirks but Roy can tell his heart isn't in it. 

“Right,” the older man says and gets up.

“What the hell, Roy?” Jamie leans and shifts to get up but stops when he realizes that he's getting into Jamie's bed. And Jamie just moved over to give him room. Roy’s bad knee ends up over Jamie's leg to keep it at a less painful angle. Though Keeley is skeptical that one exists with how swollen and painful his knee looks. But she doesn't say anything because this is such a sweet moment. And they must both be on strong pain killers or because they are exhausted from the rollercoaster of a day. She hadn't even told them the team rallied thanks to the penalty that happened because of the play that took Jamie down. She had kept the team informed though. It was the only reason half the team wasn't there now. Keeley just covered them with a blanket. And let them sleep. Roy's sister quietly laughed when she came back. But being the younger siblings has no remorse to waking up her brother. He needed his knee taken care of. The sooner it happened the sooner they could go home. So despite some minor grumbling and Jamie actually taking over the wheelchair because “hospital rules and what not.”

With practiced ease, much to her brother's annoyance she made quick work of his knee. Keeley and Jamie paying close attention to how she did it. Though Roy insisted he'd be able to do it himself. No one argued, but they still made sure they knew how to do it. She leaves to get their paperwork. 

“She's too fucking good at that,” Roy sighs. 

“She's a doctor,” Jamie says.

“That's not why she's good at it,” Keeley says. “Is she?”

“Too fucking right,” Roy grunts. “Could put fuck all on it weight wise before the surgery, fucking torn to shit. Practically fucking lived with her and Phoebe.” 

“So she just knows your knee,” Jamie says.

“Fucking guess,” Roy says.

“I'm sorry, Roy,” Jamie says. 

“Fuck off, you didn't do shit.”

“I know but-”

“Fucking stop, Tartt. You didn't do this. You were right fucking here,” Roy jams a finger into the bed. “You had no fucking say in any of it. I left myself open to a cheap shot from your fucking prick of an old man. Not your doing. Fucking adorable that you care, but don't feel guilty over this shit.” He gestures to his knee. “Was bound to end up here someday. At least we were already here when it happened. No fucking ambulance or fucking press around.”

Jamie isn't sure what to say. He knows Roy means every word he said. Roy doesn't say shit he doesn't mean, but to them at least. 

“He's right babe,” Keeley says. 

“Of course I fucking am,” Roy states. 

“You are adorable, Jamie,” she teases as she stands, kissing the top of Jamie's head as she passes. “And so are you, Roy-o” she reaches over and rubs her fingers through Roy's hair before he can argue. The grumpy man's eyes fall shut and leans into her touch. 

Jamie can't help but smile. He loved these two people with everything he had. Every beat of his whole damn heart.

[sortofanobsession]

In the absence of light (Umbrella Academy Season 2) Chapter 4

Author's Note: This one is a bit all over but I didn't know where to separate it. So I just decided to post the section mostly as is.

@crazycatmaddy

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Series/TUA Masterlist

Content warning: Canon typical drama, manipulation, firearms, arguing, violence, PTSD, sibling rivalry, the usual stuff.

But I still have a heart

Diego pulls his powerless sister behind him when the four of them are met by Elliot with a very distinct firearm. Five makes quick work of disarming the man. The female Hargreeves can’t help but feel useless and helpless again. Diego and Five deal with Elliot, not even noticing how their sister hugs herself.

"You alright?" Lila moves to stand in front of her.

"Yeah, just a fun reminder I am powerless and no help to anyone," the lowest of the Hargreeves siblings admits.

"I doubt that; if you can fight half as well as either of these idiots, then you are fine,” Lila says, gesturing to Five and Diego. “Please don't leave me with this lot."

The Eighth Hargreeves nods, but she is distracted. She finds the same photographs of her siblings that Five had seen. She looks at them one by one.

“Are these your other siblings?” Lila asks.

“Yes,” the saddened sibling states. She ignored her own pictures and focused on the ones of Klaus, Viktor, and Allison. She was used to worrying about Klaus, but she also knew her brother was pretty good at landing on his feet when he was sober enough to do so. And he had been completely sober when she last saw him. She missed him, but she knew he’d survived time travel once. No, she worried about Viktor and Allison the most. Viktor hadn’t even been conscious when Five started to use his powers on all of them. Allison’s vocal cords were too damaged for her to use her powers. Hopefully, her sister healed better than she had.

“Is this you?” Lila asks as she points at the photos of Y/N in the alley.

“Not my favorite day to think about,” the eighth sibling admits.

“If this was your state before you had dropped here, I can see why he was desperate to find you. Good thing the article didn’t have any photos like these.” Lila’s tempted to show them to Diego now, just to see his reaction. A painful reminder of his failure to protect the one person he had spent most of his life trying to protect. That would be entertaining. But the brothers seemed too caught up in whatever the creepy photographer guy said. Creepy to have pictures like this of people he didn’t know hung up in his home. And this was the guy Five trusted? Go figure.

Y/N is in shock as she sees the film, especially when she notices that their father is in it.

"He's here," she mutters to herself as Diego and Five discuss if he killed JFK. She hears none of it as the pulse in her ears drowns them out. Her hands started to shake as she thought about the last time she had seen her father. He had been livid that she was leaving. That she refused to spy on the others. He had tried to stop her from leaving. Demanding Luther as Number One stop her. Luther couldn’t have known back then why their father had tried to keep her leaving more than the others. Their father had already said all sorts of terrible things about her succumbing to weakness. That she was as pathetic as Klaus and no one out there would accept her. She was too different. He hadn’t been completely wrong. Very few people had accepted her. Viktor’s book at least helped her be viewed with sympathy. Sympathy wasn’t acceptance. She thought about Grace and Pogo finding small ways to help her and the others despite risking their father’s ire. They weren’t there to help them anymore. The weakened Hargreeves was more afraid of the fact their father would probably want to find out why her powers failed than she was of the idea she might never get her powers back. She doesn’t notice how Lila watches her. The newest member of their little group easily picks up on the shift in behavior.  

“Diego,” Lila calls. Diego wasn’t used to her calling him by his actual name. No snark. He looks over at her. She nods towards his sister. He sees what she trying to call to his attention instantly. Luz was staring at the image on the projector, but it didn’t look like she was actually seeing it. He’d seen plenty of damaged people in the psych ward with that thousand-yard stare. He calls her name. Five and Elliot look over when she doesn’t answer. Five tries, but she still seems lost to them. The brothers exchange a look before a worried Diego goes over to her.

"Luz?" Diego is in front of her. She finally looks up at him.

"Hmm?"

"Called your name a few times," he says.

"Oh, sorry," she says, " What's up?"

Five shrugs when Diego glances over at him. "Nothing,” Diego says, not wanting to make things worse. “You okay?"

"Dad's in Dallas," she says, her crestfallen tone doesn’t sit well with either of the brothers.

"He is," Diego agrees.

She looks away. "He would be mad if he knew I lost my powers. Without Pogo and Mom, No one will- He'll pick me apart and-"

"That won't happen," Five is quick to stop her.

"He doesn't even know us yet," Diego tries to soothe her worries.

"We don't exist to him." Five is quick to add. "Your anonymity will protect you."

"I'll protect you," Diego quickly offers, brushing his fingers across her cheek. Lila throws a balled-up piece of paper at his head. He corrects himself, “We'll protect you."

“You’re okay, Y/N/N,” Five tells her.

She wants to believe them, but can she? They can’t be with her 24/7. Diego and Lila were on the run. Five was too young, or at least looked like it, and Luther wasn’t always at the club. But she wasn’t going to tell them that. They had enough to worry about. She looks at her watch. “I should go,” she tells them as she get up. “I have a shift to prepare for.”

At the end of her shift she pulls Luther aside.

“Why are we doing this here?” he asks. “I’ll be home in-“

“Because the clock is ticking again, Luther,” she insists. “You wouldn’t believe what Five found. It’s-“

“Don’t care,” Luther says as he starts to walk back towards the club.

“I’m serious, Luther,” she cuts off his path as best she can. “Five and Diego need our help.” He could easily move her out of his way, but she is still his sister, and he still has the task of looking after her here. “Lila and Elliot are helpful and all but-“

“I’m serious too, Y/N,” he states. “You are in no condition to be going along with whatever half discussed plan those two have. And I’m too busy trying to keep a roof-“

“We don’t need the roof here if we can go back-“

He reaches for her arm and starts to lead her towards the car he had been loaned. “You need to go home, and forget-“

“THIS ISN’T OUR HOME, LUTHER!” She screams at him and tries to shove his hand away but it’s a futile effort. “HOME IS WITH OUR FAMILY!”

Luther is keenly aware of the few people that linger outside the club are now looking at them. Watching to see what the giant of a man is going to do to the comparatively tiny waitress. He drops her arm and takes a step back. He tries to think of how to calm her down, but he hadn’t seen her this mad since he locked Viktor in the bunker. He never knew how to handle her temper. Their siblings did, but Luther usually just let the fire in her fade. He should probably feel guilty that he’s glad she didn’t have the Wisp. She couldn’t burn him alive with the thing now. She was already drawing enough attention to them by arguing with him in the damn parking lot.

“Say what you want, just stop screaming,” he demands.

“This is bullshit,” she practically hisses at him, but she had lowered her tone enough that no one would know what she was saying. “You think that things aren't fair for you because you do all the work to keep me safe. That’s your damn job, Number One! You were so bitchy last time because no one respected you as Dad’s Number One! I did, Luther! I did and look where we are now. Look at me, Luther!” She snaps. “The Wisp is gone. My powers are gone, but even I am trying to fix this mess. Why aren’t you? Last time you were all about fixing shit, saving the world. Now? Nothing. You don’t care. Well I do. Don’t you miss the others? Don’t you miss Klaus? Viktor? I know you miss Allison.”

“That’s not-“ he starts but she isn’t finished.

“You wanted us to rely on you. Now I’m asking you, as the one sibling that does, to do the right thing. Please, Luther.”

“No,” he bluntly states as he shoves the car keys into her hand. She stares at him with angry, tear-filled eyes. But he won’t let her sad eyes work this time. “Go home. Better yet, go tell Five and Diego sending you to beg for them won’t work this time. You shouldn’t even be involved in any of this. Without your powers-“

“That’s right! I don’t have my powers, but I still have a heart. Did you lose yours when you landed in that stupid alley? Are you even happy here? Because I’m not. Do you think I enjoy being degraded by old creepy men that think how a waitress responds when they grab a girl's ass determines her tip? I am cold and scared, and I miss my family. And that roof you mention, my tips pay for most of what’s under it. I do everything you tell me to. I run your errands. You won’t let me take a break, let alone try to find the rest of our family. We need to find Allison. I need to find Klaus and Viktor. They-“

“You think I haven’t tried to find them? And all I do now I do is to protect you,” he counters. “You needed someone to take care of you, and I stepped up. Would you rather still be in that hospital or on the street? You’d probably be a warden of the state or, worse, dead. No powers. No documentation. Don’t act like you don’t need me.”

She was taken aback at the familiarity of his statement. It was very similar to the one that just seeing her father had brought back. Then again, what did she expect. He was Number One. “Then let me make this a hell of a lot easier for you,” she says as she shoves the keys into his chest. “You’ll be so glad when I’m someone else’s burden again, won’t you?”

He grips the keys tight and groans. He didn’t actually hate that she relied on him. She was one of his least annoying siblings. She’d just hit a sore spot with some of her points. Sure, he missed Allison, but he thought they had been doing okay before Five showed back up. They had a life here. “Come on, Y/N/N,” He starts to backtrack, but she is already halfway across the parking lot. “You know I didn’t mean it like that!”

She ignores him and hails a cab. Thankfully, the driver didn’t ask questions beyond where she was headed. She gave him Elliot’s address. He’d probably seen his fair share of tearful women trying to leave a painful situation. Probably thought she was a pathetic dame who caught her husband at the gentleman’s club one too many times. He couldn’t possibly know the truth.

Diego takes one at her after Elliot lets her in and sees red. Just seeing the mascara-stained tear tracks and red rimmed eyes is enough. He is ready to fight whoever has upset her. He’d burn Jack Ruby’s club to the ground if he must. His rage only grows when she tells him she had fought with Luther. Five barely manages to talk him down as Lila takes her to the bathroom and helps clean her up.

"There's that lovely face," Lila grins as she wipes the last of the makeup from the other’s face.

"Thank you," the female Hargreeves manages now that she is calm and clean.

"Anytime," Lila winks before she leads her out. The waitress is still in her skimpy little work outfit, and Diego can't remember if he'd ever seen her in anything like that before. His mouth goes dry. Even with her hair pulled back, no makeup and no powers, he still thinks she’s perfect.

Lila rolls her eyes.

"Easy lover boy, your girl is fragile," Lila says in a low tone as she pushes past him to sit on the couch and watch TV. Diego glares at her. But for the weaker sibling, that breaking of eye contact is like breaking a spell. She feels uneasy again. Like she still doesn't know who she really is. Diego sees the way her shoulders slump and she looks at the floor. Suddenly shy, despite the scandalous outfit for the time.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?” Diego asks. “Five says Luther is different, that he-"

She shook her head. "He just doesn't listen," she says as she sits down at Elliot's kitchen table. Her face in her hands for a moment. "And I don't get it. Last time stopping the apocalypse was his biggest priority, and now, he just doesn't care. He doesn't care if we ever go back. He doesn’t get that I have nothing here. This isn’t home. I want the chance to go home. Even if I never get my powers back, I just want to go home." She feels like she might cry again. Not thinking she reaches out for Diego. And without hesitation he goes to her. He kneels in front of her, one hand in hers, the other on her knee. It reminds her of when she sat in the infirmary while giving blood to Allison and wanted nothing more than to touch him. So, she does. She ghosts her fingers along the scar on his brow. He closes his eyes as she does. Just trying to believe this isn't some dream, and he'll wake up still in that damn padded room. He catches her wrist and kisses her palm.

"I'll do everything I can to get us back home. So, you can go back to that shitty boss of yours that doesn't respect your time. I'll give your stupid neighbors something they can’t ignore, and we can figure the rest out from there, how does that sound?"

"Eso suena como el cielo, cariño," she smiles and leans her forehead against his. "Absolutamente perfecto."

"Tu eres perfecta, mi luz." He pulls her forward and kisses her. She kisses back but pulls back far too soon in Diego's opinion.

"What about Lila?" she asks in a harsh whisper.

"Lila know I've been fighting to get back to you, she's-"

"Just a bit of fun, love," Lila says from where she watches the two of them with a grin. "Although, it still could be fun." She winks at the pair and disappears down the hall. Diego hadn't exactly expected that, but Lila was anything but predictable. And he found it adorable the way his luz blushed all the way to the tips of her ears at the suggestive comment.

"I mean, the outfit does give off a certain vibe, Luz," he grins. She blushes again and buries her face in his neck. He can't help but laugh.

"I missed you," she sighs against him.

"I missed you too, Luz. More than you could ever know."

She spent the night wearing Diego's shirt and in his arms. And after promising they would all behave and that it was only practical since there was only one room, Lila on her other side. She fell asleep safe, happy, and warm for the first time since she lost her powers.

Rough Translations:

"Eso suena como el cielo, cariño" = That sounds like heaven, darling

"Absolutamente perfecto." = Absolutely perfect.

"Tu eres perfecta, mi luz." = You are perfect, my light.

[sortofanobsession]

Finally fixed that story title typo.

Spoilers (a tiny bit) if you haven't read Will o' the Wisp or the start of the follow-up.

Originally I was going to leave it because the entire story revolves around her having lost the Wisp. It's like losing half her sight.

But it seemed silly the more I added to the story.

So I fixed it.

Next part will be out today.

[sortofanobsession]

In the absence of light (Umbrella Academy Season 2) Chapter 3

Author's Note: I was going to post this a bit earlier, but I just kept adding more to it. It's probably double the amount of internal turmoil for our lovingly misguided Diego than I originally wrote.

@crazycatmaddy

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Series/TUA Masterlist

Content warning: Canon typical drama, manipulation, sort of kidnapping, being on the run, doubt, fear, crime (because our boy Diego is back! And Lila is Lila)

Whiplash of a Reunion

She is in the process of running errands that Luther had told her needed to be done when the last thing she expected to happen happens. She had just dropped off a couple uniforms at the cleaners and stepped back onto the sidewalk when she heard her name called.

She knows that voice. It has her turning around so fast that Diego thinks she might get whiplash. And before his brain can even wrap itself around the fact he is seeing the person he loves most for the first time since she couldn’t even stand on her own two feet, he is nearly knocked to the ground in a hug.

Diego smiles to himself. "Missed you too, Luz."

"Hate to break up the lovey dovey reunion, but we have to go," Lila says.

He was confused by how fast the woman in his arms pulled away from him. He just wants to hold her again because the last time he saw her, she was covered in her own blood. He had held her as tight as he possibly could without breaking Five's circle. Then, thanks to his smallest brother, he was dropped in that stupid alley without her. It had been jarring to have her tucked into his side one second and without her the next.

"Just give me a minute, Lila," he insists, trying not to let the desperation he was feeling at the moment show. He had fought so hard to get to her he couldn't let it end so quick.

"We don't have time for this," Lila counters, her impatience unmistakable.

"Then we make time!" Diego glares at his fellow asylum escapee before turning back to the light of his life. "Luz, are you okay? I saw your article. No one would tell me if you were okay. Five barely told me anything."

“Five?” the confused woman asks. “He didn’t-“ She shakes her head. "He's almost as bad as Lu-"

"Diego," Lila cuts her off.

The female Hargreeves tenses and puts more distance between them. "I'm fine, Diego. Your friend said you need to go. So, you should go."

Diego cannot believe what he is hearing. She didn't expect him to just walk away. Not after everything they went through. "Not without you, not again." He refuses, because of course he does. She's the light of his life.

"For the love of-" Lila grabs her by the wrist and drags her with them towards a car. Diego looks at his Luz as Lila forcibly leads her. Was she in heels? Did his sister ever wear heels before? He had to admit that the 60s looked good on her. A fitted blouse hinted at her figure, which she had often kept concealed in their modern time with jackets and sweaters. But the highlight of the outfit for the man didn't stop there. He should remember to compliment her skirt. Or her in general. He'd missed out on doing that a lot in his life. Her pleated skirt fell just below her knee, and sheer tights hugged the line of her calves and disappeared into the pointed pumps. He was shocked she didn't stumble in as Lila pulled her along. He almost couldn't believe it was her. Nylons and heels, she'd never been much of a fan of when they were younger. She always said the dolled-up look that Allison enjoyed and Grace never failed to achieve was just too exhausting and not worth it. She had clearly changed her mind.

The now powerless Hargreeves doesn’t argue as she gets in the car. She goes without a fight for Diego's sake despite not knowing how she feels about this new person pushing her around. She really didn’t like the way she and Diego were acting. Diego hadn't said anything since his friend had taken charge and it bothered her. He never liked working with anyone. Her, Luther, Klaus, it had always been with begrudging acceptance that he let them tag along. He wasn't even attempting to call the shots now. That was unlike the Number Two she always knew. She didn't like it. She missed HER Number Two. Her other siblings would probably tease her and call her jealous, but honestly, she’s just insecure all around. But what could she do about it? Nothing. Everything was painfully different now. So, she focuses on the one feeling that she can handle. Annoyance. Annoyance at the fact that she can see the pity in their eyes. The pity and uselessness are infuriating, but she has one advantage over her old self. Her siblings don’t know how to read her anymore. The Wisp used to broadcast her emotions. Now, she can mask them like everyone else. She does just that. She slaps on the same smile she uses when waiting tables.

“This is unnecessary,” she says as she straightens out the wrinkles in her skirt as best she can. Diego takes a good look at her, and as much as he likes the outfit, he does not like what he sees. She looks like she is aiming at unbothered, maybe slightly amused, for the most part, but her eyes don't match the expression. Before he can ask her the many questions he has, she stops him.

 “I’m fine, Diego,” she repeats. And again, he doesn't know if he believes her, but her eyes look...less in a way he can't actually pinpoint, and it bothers him. Her words are only somewhat reassuring as she continues. “I am as healed as I will probably ever be. I have a job. A place to say. And I’m not the one clearly on the run.” What does that even mean? She'll often be as practiced as he is with her words, and those seemed very specific.

Lila rolls her eyes. She didn’t even know the woman, and she could tell that it was a lie based on her nervous energy and tone.

The female Hargreeves ignores her. They don’t need to know it eats her alive at night. That she is terrified of the dark and the cold. But what can they do about it? Nothing. So, she tells herself that what they don’t know can’t hurt them. Is that hypocritical? Yes. Is it a coping mechanism? Probably. But it is all she has, and good luck to anyone who tries to take that from her. The more she thinks about it, the more the entire situation, the more it threatens to swallow her whole. It was a darkness she had been fighting since she came to in that awful alleyway.

"Luz," Diego calls, but she doesn't hear him. "Luz, look at me." He hates how she flinches when he touches her, but she focuses on him. The novelty of the fashion is gone. He realizes how little of the woman he recognizes. Sure, her features are all still there. The same ears, nose, brows, and lips. He'd studied them enough when she wasn't looking to know it was very much her. Who was he kidding? Dreamed about them, too, but it was unnerving how different she looked. It makes his chest feel tight, and something twists in his gut. It was something he was failing to put a name to, but he pushed that aside to process later.

"Talk to me, Luz," Diego says. “I’ve got you.”  

She bites back the knee-jerk reaction to correct him. To tell him she isn’t anyone’s light anymore. “I’m fine, Diego. We have more important things to focus on.” She insists, but he's not having it.

"You are important,” he shakes his head. “Especially to me."

"I get that, but I need to do something real quick." She takes a small, wrapped package out of her handbag. Diego eyes it skeptically. He watches her as she leaves them in the car and enters a restaurant. Luther had given strict instructions on what to do.

“So that’s her,” Lila grins at him. “That’s the light of your life. You didn’t tell me she was-”

“Don’t start, Lila,” Diego glares at her as he watches the building they are parked across the street from. “She’s been through shit you couldn’t even imagine.”

Lila has to stop Diego from going after Y/N when Five appears and catches him up on what he is willing to share since he has visited his no longer institutionalized brother. Five couldn’t believe Diego could be so unobservant that he hadn’t realized she no longer had not just the Wisp but her full power set. She was powerless and relied almost completely on Luther to keep her safe.

“I know your skull is a bit thick at times, but I expected you to at least notice the glow was gone. No Wisp and no glow. Not even that subtle hint in her irises. Not even a flicker.”

“YOU TOLD ME SHE WAS FINE!” Diego snaps. His instincts had been practically screaming at him that she was missing something. He just hadn't expected it to be so painfully obvious. It hurt knowing her calm exterior was mostly a façade. That she was keeping something from him. He thought they were past that. Then again, that must be what she meant by she was as healed as she would be. He should have seen it sooner.

“What was I supposed to say? Oh hey, Diego, new hair cut? You remember how you would literally kill to keep Y/N/N safe? Well, she’s got brain damage and has no one but our brute ape of a brother looking after her?”

“Yes!” Diego glares at him. He wondered how she was still on her feet, let alone navigating Dallas, alone, in fucking heels. He could kill Luther for sending her out to run errands ALONE in this time and place. Lila had found the arguing siblings somewhat amusing.

“You were hard enough to keep there when everyone thought you were crazy, trying to save the president. If I told you she was struggling in the slightest, let alone Wisp-less, not even Klaus there with her, and worried about you? You’d have done something even dumber than what you are doing now.”

“He has a point,” Lila says. “You fought a guard because they wouldn’t let you keep the article about her.”

“See, even she gets it,” Five points out. Diego quits arguing and glares at the door of the restaurant the light of his life has disappeared through.

"See? She's fine," Lila said when Y/N walked out of the door. The former private detective studies her every move as she carefully checks the road, waits for a clearing, and makes her way back to the car. He couldn't believe he had missed how painfully different she looked without her glow. He couldn't imagine how that would feel. He doesn't have too much time to dwell on it as she opens the rear door.

“Oh, Five,” Y/N was surprised to find Five in the backseat beside her. “You’re here? That’s great.” Five gives Diego the most unamused look possible as if to ask if Diego really hadn’t noticed how much she had changed. Diego hated how right Five was. It was almost as annoying as knowing Luther had been the one looking after her. Especially after what had happened with the bunker. He hated it. He hated he hadn’t been there to do it himself.

[sortofanobsession]

In the absence of light (Umbrella Academy Season 2) Chapter 2

Author's Note: Unbeta'd. It has been a while since I saw Season 2 so please forgive me if I mess something up. I have been busy with 2 jobs, trying to find a 3rd, and just kind of trying to make ends meet. It has been a struggle.

@crazycatmaddy

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader (still no Diego yet, this is the build-up)

Chapter 1, Chapter 3

Series/TUA Masterlist

Content warning: crime, mentions of illegal fighting, misogyny (it is the 60's), drunks harassing waitresses, manipulation, history of abuse and neglect, all canon stuff

Number One and Number Eight

Luther cuts a deal with his boss and manages to get them both moved into a small apartment in exchange for her joining the staff at the club. He somehow negotiates for her to have one of the more tame jobs at the club as a waitress. He doesn’t give her details. It probably helped that when she was out of the hospital, he had to bring her with him. She was exhausted and recovering. The dark circles under her eyes made her look like a dame in need. It also helped she was just as fit as most of the well-trained siblings had always been. The job isn't much, but she gets to keep most of her clothes on and her tips, so they both consider it a win. A full face of make-up and stylish haircut would have her fit right in with the rest of the girls. One of the ladies helps get her all set up once she has recovered enough to work.

She does some digging at the library and manages to find an article about Diego. He was arrested, and she wasn’t surprised. The number of knives he kept on him at any one time would be concerning enough for most law enforcement agencies. Knowing his knee-jerk reaction was to fight anyone and everyone, it was bound to get him locked up. She asks Luther if they can go see Diego, but Luther tells her to just focus on getting better and making money. Then maybe they could help him somehow. She thinks there is something her biggest brother isn't telling her. Even with as upsetting the idea of leaving Diego to possibly suffer alone while they lived a mostly quiet life Luther set up for them, she has little choice but to do as Number One suggests.

But quiet, doesn’t mean it is easy. Her life was virtually unrecognizable compared to her old life. Not just because they were stuck in 1960’s Texas. It was so much worse than that. She was still constantly cold and her eyes sometimes struggle to adjust to the darkness at night. She used to be paranoid about how people looked at her because of her powers. Now, she was worried about being powerless and too weak to stop her average clientele from getting too handsy, let alone if they tried to pursue her. Thankfully, she had Luther for that. She would rarely go anywhere without her brother. Luther saw no issue with that. He was already a hired hand at the club. The staff turned the other way if, now and again, a patron got worked over for getting too familiar with his sister. The one line in the sand Luther had drawn was the fights. She didn’t go to the fights. She hadn’t actually wanted to go. Luther always made sure she had a shift those nights. That wasn’t a place for her, and he wasn’t going to risk it. Or risk her trying to go see Diego while Luther was busy. He doesn’t tell her why she shouldn’t go. Not when just telling her to get better and save up what she can to help him eventually seemed to be explanation enough for her. He doesn’t tell her that it is because he knows that Diego will do something stupid if she goes to see him. Diego always does something stupid, especially when she is involved. Luther can practically picture it. Diego would get one look at how broken and powerless their sister was and would stop at nothing to get out of wherever he was. Even if that meant making a whole lot of trouble for all of them. And Luther couldn’t have his idiot brother drawing attention, especially the legal variety, to the two of them. Ruby would be the least of their problems. Nope. That cannot happen. So, Luther made sure his sister was plenty busy inside and outside the club. He always had her doing something. Thankfully, she rarely questioned it.

Five looks at the photos that Elliot had taken of his sibling and though they all were concerning on some level. There are two that really worried him.

He says his usually fiery and bright sister’s name as he studies the pictures. In one she was face down on the pavement. In the second she was sitting against the wall with a stranger kneeling beside her. From what he could tell she looked worse than when he’d last seen her.

“Oh, that lady was in bad shape. It made the news,” Elliot says. “I have the newspaper clipping here somewhere.”

“Show me,” Five demands.

Elliot shows him the clipping from a 1963 paper about a Jane Doe found near death in an alley. The police and the papers were asking for help identifying the hospitalized woman. It was more of a lead than he had on most of the others.  

She was serving drinks at a table when she saw someone she didn't expect. She hurries after him.

"Five!" She calls out to him before he can leave the club.

Shock is clear in his tone as he calls her name, almost as if he is checking to see if she is real. She looked so different than how she had always been. Sure, she looked like she had healed well enough compared to how she had looked in Elliott’s pictures. There was one obvious change, and he didn’t like it. He had never seen her look so normal. It was unnerving. He has to ask, "What happened to you? Your light…"

"I…lost it." She admits before trying to change the topic. "Did you see Luther? He is around here somewhere." She looks out towards the busy club, looking for the familiar form of their brother. Five has to grab her wrist to get her focus back on him in the loud venue.

"I did,” he tells her when he has her attention again. “He failed to mention you were here. What do you mean lost it?"

"He has gotten…he…" she tries to think of the right word, her excitement making her mostly recovered mind struggle a bit. "Jaded, I think he thinks he is protecting me. Between the concussion from the academy ceiling, going up against V, and being unconscious for days on end, and I guess blood loss, well, the doctors said I'm lucky to not be a vegetable. Though Luther thinks it will come back if only because of how quickly the doctors said I burned through medication and rejected like two blood transfusions. Didn't help that I had given so much to Allison…"

"But you're okay, right?" Five asks. He hadn’t even realized it was possible to lose what made them the way they were. It was worrying, to say the least.

"Luther says I seem better every day." She shrugs. "And, I mean, Luther got me this job, somewhere to stay. We do the best we can."

"What do you say?” Five skeptically asks. “You keep saying Luther says."

"He…means well,” She starts to defend their brother’s actions as best she could. “He really does. Guys around here, they don't see ladies like me as-"

Five cuts her off. "I get that, but Luther isn't from here."

"I know,” she sighs, the smile she had on her face for most of the conversation fades. “He keeps me safe. I haven't had anyone else to rely on. It’s just us. And it isn’t easy. It makes me miss Diego and the others. But you're here now."

An angry shout from a table has her glancing towards the bar.

“I should get back to work,” she laments.

"What time does your shift end?" Five asks.

"In an hour or so," she answers.

"I'll meet you then," he states as he turns to leave. “Don’t tell Luther.”

“That your kid?” A man demands as she get her notepad out to take his order. “Irresponsible,” he grumbles.

She knows better than to argue. She doesn’t even correct him. It isn’t worth explaining. She apologizes for the delay and takes his order.

She waves off the security guard as she leaves the employee entrance. She smiles when she sees Five had stayed and was waiting for her.

"Luther won't listen to me,” he says as she reaches him. “But you were always smarter than most of our siblings."

"Smarter or not, I'm powerless, Five. I'm not sure I will be any help to anyone."

"I'm sure they will listen to you,” Five insists. “They did last time."

"Okay, I can try I guess."

“That’s all I’m asking,” he assures her.

“Do you have somewhere to stay?” she asks. “Because we have an apartment, it’s not very big but-”

“I’m fine,” he waves off her concern.

“Well, if you change your mind,” she hands him a napkin she had taken from the bar and written their information down before she left.

Five takes it and reads it before putting it in his pocket. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he assures her. “Just be careful, okay? Without the Wisp-”

“I know,” she says. “Luther makes sure I’m okay.”

[sortofanobsession]

In the absence of light (Umbrella Academy Season 2) chapter 1

Author's note: Since people have encouraged me to post more for the WIll o' the Wisp series, here is what I have for Season 2. Unbeta'd Let me know if you want to be tagged in the future parts. I have most of it done but I have to check some canon points to make sure the story works. Enjoy part 1.

@crazycatmaddy

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader

Series/TUA Masterlist

Content warning: blood, pain, hospitals, needles, injury, head trauma, concussion, fear, angst

Separated and scared

Pain courses through the Eighth Hargreeves sibling as she hits the cold dark pavement. She groans in pain. She blinks a few times to clear her vision enough to look around. She had no idea where she was or what had happened. Last thing she knew Five was using his powers to send them through time as she clung to Diego for support. She forces herself to sit up. It’s painful and it makes her head spin causing her to retch. She shivered.

“Diego,” she calls out for him, but he isn’t there. She calls louder hoping they were just separated. When no one answers she starts to panic. “Klaus?” Nothing. “Five?” They had been right beside them. “Luther? Allison?” No response. “Viktor...” She knew that one was a long shot. A sob leaves her as she realizes she is alone. “Anyone?” She can see a street. She manages to get to her feet but barely makes it a few steps before the pain and dizziness gets to be too much. It’s unbearable. She grunts as she hits the wall, and her shaking knees give out. But someone must have heard her because she hears shouting and sees blurry faces.

“Someone call an ambulance!” She hears someone shout.

“Miss,” she feels a hand on her shoulder. Her head lulls slightly to the side as she looks up. She reaches out to the person. “Try not to move, help will be here soon.” She lets her hand fall.

“What happened to her?” Another blurry figure asks.

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” the first person says.

“Can she talk?” the second asks.

“How should I know?”

“What is her name?”

Before she can answer the sound of sirens draw closer, and people start shouting again. They ask her questions she doesn’t have the strength to answer. She feels people touching her but her limbs feel heavy, like they aren’t fully hers. They ask her how she feels. She manages a single word answer.

“Cold,” she says in a weak tone.

Her vision goes dark around the edges as they shift her. She blacks out when they try to move her.

Y/N comes too with a bright light in her eyes and hushed voices surround her. She looks around and is confused by what she sees.

"Diego?" She calls out. Her voice sounds small and broken. She tries to sit up and falls back as her head throbs, her vision spins, and she gasps in pain.

"Easy, miss," a voice says as hands gently keep her from trying again. "You are in no shape to be moving around."

"Where am I? Where's Diego?" She looked around in confusion. Anxiety clawed at her as the pain in her head increased. "I don't understand." Panic grips her chest like a vice. She tries to call out to her other siblings, but nothing comes out but gasping sobs.

"Doctor!" The voice shouts followed more voices and hands.

She feels the sharp prick of a needle and the world seems to slow.

Consciousness returns slowly the next time. Her limbs are heavy, and she can't seem to move them.

"Welcome back," a male voice she doesn't recognize says. "We were wondering when you would join us."

"Where am I?"

"You are safe in the hospital," he tells her.

"You're a doctor?"

That earns her a chuckle. "That's what the paper in my office says." When she doesn't say anything, he adds. "That's a joke. How are you feeling?"

"Like I hit a brick wall at the speed of…wait…" she looks at her surroundings and it all looks retro. Very retro. The IV in her arm is ancient by medical standards. The lights, even the equipment, is old.

"Yes?" He asks.

"What year is it?"

"What year do you think it is?"

"2019," she says honestly. Earning an initial look of shock, followed by concern as the doctor pulls out a light to check her eyes.

"The trauma to your head must have really been something, that's quite the jump."

"What…what year is it then?"

"1963," he tells her. She begins to panic. They end up sedating her again.

"Luther!" She shouts when she sees a very recognizable silhouette in the hall. She nearly cries when he calls her name before making his way into her room.

"What happened?" She asks him.

"I couldn't tell you if I tried," he admits.

"How did you find me?"

"Newspaper story,” he tells her. “A couple of garbage men found you bleeding heavily and barely conscious. A woman in such a terrible condition, seemingly left for dead. Shocked a lot of people. Headlines were something else."

“Where’s Diego?” she asks.

"Sorry, no mention of him in the article,” Luther answers. "Don't worry about him, okay? You focus on you," Luther insists.

“What about the others?” she asks. “You had Viktor. Did he-”

“Got separated, like you and Diego. No idea. You’re the only one I’ve found so far.” She lets her head fall back against her pillow and takes a deep breath. She can’t let it get to her yet. She still has so many questions.

"Luther, is it really 1963 or did I really fry my brain back at the recital?"

He sighs. "Honestly, it seems like a bit of both. And you're lucky, I've been here for a year."

"Lucky?" she blinks at him. "They were debating drilling a hole in my head to release pressure from bleeding. They didn't expect me to regain consciousness because I was bleeding from my eyes and ears."

"Yeah," he says, and he frowns at how terrible that sounded. "I mean no, but okay, point taken."

"What do you remember?"

"Diego keeping me in the circle, holding Klaus’ hand, so Five could make the jump. Five miscalculated again, didn't he?"

"By a lot," Luther nods. "Then what?"

"Then I hit the pavement hard, everything hurt and I’m pretty sure I puked," she says. “Then some people found me. I’m guessing the guys from the article.”

"What about the Wisp?" he asks in a hushed whisper. "You don't have a glow."

"Remember when I said I had one shot, well I missed, and I think it was just too much damage. I can't summon it. I try and it's like someone is stabbing my brain with a needle, and I can't breathe and-"

"Okay," he reaches out to calm her. "It's okay, we'll figure it out."

"I really did fry my brain," she closes her eyes and rubs them. "Want to know the worst part?"

Luther hesitates but ultimately knows she’ll just tell him anyway. So he asks, "What?"

"I've never felt so cold and empty in my life," she tells him, with a sniffle. "It was shitty and lonely before, Luther, but now I don't even have the Wisp and-" she is cut off by a sob catching in her throat.

And that reminds Luther of how absolutely messed up everything really is. The one sibling he had that didn’t fight him on every little thing. He also realizes that he was more like their dad than he realized. He’d pushed her too hard more than once in the past, well, before they made the jump. They had been desperate but from the look she paid the price for most of it. He can’t help but feel at least a bit guilty about it. "It's okay, we'll figure it out," he repeats, awkwardly rubbing her shoulder to comfort her. It was the least he could do. That and help her get back on her feet. That was something he could do. She leans into him as he continues. "But you have to get better first so you can get out of here."

She nods.

[sortofanobsession]

I read your will o the wisp tua insert on AO3 and loved it. Are you going to continue it??

I will try to get that out soon.

I interviewed for a third job last week. Before that I injured my shoulder, then I had bronchitis.

It has been a rough few months.

I only just healed from a mishap with an e-bike.

My leg still has a knot in the muscle that is nearly a month old.

I have the worst luck.

But I have them mostly done.

So expect them soon.

[sortofanobsession]

I did another thing

[sortofanobsession]

Working on one of those long overdue X-Men fics

This chapter for Muddled has been in my drafts for a long time. But here is a self-loathing snippet from it. I'm sure without the context it will seem borderline OOC, but the XMFC Magneto was always fascinating to me. And in my weird little melded timeline of a story, well...he is a moody bitch. So here is a bit of the most recent addition to the draft.

Erik stepped out to a spot he had made sure was there when they rebuilt the mansion. He leaned against the low wall that was overlooking the grounds. The grounds where a large satellite dish had once stood. It felt like a lifetime ago, timelines rewritten. Damages that could never be undone. Losses they would never really recover from. Now, a permanent scar on his soul. Like the numbers on his skin. He would carry them until he was nothing more than dust. As much as he could try and atone for his actions, there was nothing that could erase them. They were consequences he deserved. He deserved so little of what he has. Given to him despite the atrocities he had a hand in and the betrayals he dealt to those who hadn’t truly been against him. A sinner with a misguided sense of purpose and unwarranted righteousness. An arrogant fool with a damaged heart and a thirst for vengeance. It sometimes pained Erik to deal with Scott Summers. He knew more than most what the team leader had lost. Erik has had a role in the traumas the team has faced than most. But what had happened to Alex was a particular hardship he knew he could never fully atone for. Erik didn’t need to see the younger Summers’ eyes to know what the disdain in them looked like. He’d seen it clearly on the older Summers’ face plenty, usually directed at him. Scott was like his brother in many ways. They both struggled with control on some level. Alex had struggled with direction, whereas his brother seemed to struggle with control in general. Both had been willing to step in and do what needed to be done when needed. Alex had done what he thought was right until the very end. And Erik had been on the wrong side for most of it. He had appreciated how Havok and Beast had stayed loyal to Charles. Alex’s loss might not have been as painful as losing Raven. Raven and Erik had turned to each other when they felt they didn’t really have anyone else. Allied with people they knew had hurt them and their friends. Alex, and now Scott, had every right to have hated Erik. Everyone did. Erik had made choices that had hurt all of them. He gets that knee-jerk reaction to leave again. To take himself back out of the equation to not make things worse, but he couldn’t leave. It felt too much like that first mistake he couldn’t undo. It felt too much like it had that day on the beach. Only Erik knew better now. If he left now any of the goodwill, he had established would be gone. Not only with his children but also with the one person who had always been willing to look past his horrible life choices. Charles had always been the one to pull Erik back from the edge. Now Charles was doing the same for the twins. Erik’s twins. His children. He had already lost his family too many times. He wasn’t going to leave the one he had now.

[sortofanobsession]

If anyone is curious I submitted 2 prompts for the gotcha for Gaza. This wonderfully filled request was based off a Ted Lasso Roy/Jamie prompt, Bright Lights and futures.

But OP did an unbelievably good job. Seriously, go follow this very talented and generous writer that did this for the love of not only 9-1-1 but humanity. Because this was for charity. So this very talented human deserves all the support.

The other prompt was a soulmate art prompt here. You know how much I love soulmate fics.

911action is still accepting donations until June 17.

Find more info here!

Gotcha for Gaza Prompt: i told my future by reading your lips

Happy to say I have completed and posted my first fic for @911actions - as submitted by @sortofanobsession!

This used to be called "All In Good Time" but I decided to go with a lyric from the song rather than the song title itself.

Hope everyone enjoys, and there's still lots of time left to submit those prompts!

Summary:

In 2018, on their way to a call at a child beauty pageant, and feeling a little strange, Buck and Eddie are suddenly thrown into a fast-paced look at some key moments from their future. And, what they see? Well it can only lead to one logical conclusion.

Snippet:

Eddie and Buck stand open-mouthed in the rain, necks craned up at an awkward angle, watching Other Eddie’s futile attempt to lift Other Buck by the rope alone.

“There’s no point,” Buck whispers. 

“Hey, no,” Eddie says. 

“He’s… I’m… Dead.” Buck struggles.

“It’s not real,” Eddie says. “It’s not real. I’ll… He’ll save him.”

“CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Other Eddie shouts. 

It makes Eddie want to cry. 

He sounds so broken. 

Eddie cares about Buck, for sure. They’re friends, maybe they’ll become really good friends, based on the way Buck has turned up for Eddie and Chris lately. But the way Other Eddie is screaming for Other Buck right now? It’s bone-chilling. Like...

“BUCK!”

Like Buck is one of the most precious things in this iteration of Eddie’s world, and the thought of losing him is simply unacceptable. 

---

Tagging:

@epicbuddieficrecs @theotherbuckley @sevenweeksofunrepression @slowlyfoggydestiny @buckleybabyblues

@diazsdimples @exhuastedpigeon @aquamarineglitter @loserdiaz @steadfastsaturnsrings

@your-catfish-friend @incorrect9-1-1 @hawaiianlove808 @babytrapperdiaz @watchyourbuck

@lyricfulloflight @tizniz @aroeddiediaz @estheticpotaeto

@buddieswhvre @l0v3t0hat3y0u @mage8

[sortofanobsession]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday

Thank you to @your-catfish-friend @tizniz @bidisasterevankinard for tagging me!!!

Here's a little bit from an upcoming WIP I am working on for @911actions as submitted by @sortofanobsession - working title "All In Good Time"

---

“I’m so confused,” Eddie complains. 

“Same here,” Buck nods. “But maybe we should help?”

As Buck says this, Eddie notices a figure climbing the outstretched ladder up towards the burning building. And listen, Eddie hasn’t known Buck for very long, so the fact that Eddie recognizes the silhouette and movements of the man ascending the ladder as Buck’s has no reasonable explanation. Especially considering that Buck is standing directly beside him. But he does. He just knows. 

“Um, I think you already are helping,” Eddie says, pointing to the man on the ladder.

Buck follows his gesture. 

“What? That’s not me.” He protests. “That’s just someone who kinda… Has the same shape? Basic man shape.”

There’s nothing basic man about the way Buck is shaped. 

Eddie has no idea why he just thought that. Why would he think something like that? There’s something wrong with his brain. 

“Well, let’s get closer and see, shall we?” Eddie asks, wiping rain off his forehead. 

---

No pressure tagging @pantsaretherealheroes @jeeyuns @exhuastedpigeon @aroeddiediaz @theotherbuckley

@steadfastsaturnsrings @mangacat201 @daughterofscotland @madneywedding

@evanbegins @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @wildlife4life @buckleybabyblues @adarkermiserablecrow

@epicbuddieficrecs @fortheloveofbuddie @watchyourbuck @buddieswhvre

@l0v3t0hat3y0u @lyricfulloflight @kwills91 @diazsdimples

[sortofanobsession]

Would you ever do a 911 sickfic with buddie? Or like they come back from a bad call and buck shuts down and Eddie is there to pick up the pieces?

I have written that for other fandoms, mainly Ted Lasso. I am not opposed to doing it if you have something you want to see, let me know.

I have written a few close calls and health scares for Buck:

Breath in, Wheeze out  (Ao3) - Asthma fic

Fear in the Shadows (Ao3) - Cancer scare

Never going down without a fight (Ao3) - Buck gets tased in this one.

Saving and Losing (Ao3) - this one is intense. Involves a call with a chemical spill. Buck being declared dead and waking up in the morgue.

So yes, I do write that kind of stuff

[sortofanobsession]

Tony the Kid (911 fic)

Author's note: not as long as my usual story but I had fun with it.

Ao3

911 Masterlist

Summary: Buck's work with the livestock animal rescue ends up with him taking care of a goat. A baby goat. A kid if you will. Eddie has opinions but unfortunately Eddie was the one that told him to participate in the poor little creature's rescue. Christopher is very much not on Eddie's side.

Mostly Eddie's side of things.

Pairing: Buck x Eddie (more than friends if you read between the lines). Christopher and his dads.

Eddie tries so hard not to laugh as he takes a video of his best friend. Buck is just standing there talking to another volunteer as a small goat repeatedly bleats and rams its tiny horns into the blond firefighter's leg. Christopher was going to love this video. They were all working at a community event. The animal rescue Buck often worked with after the ducklings incident was there as well. He and Buck had gone over to say hi, and the little petting zoo goat must have recognized Buck because the darn thing was not happy about being ignored. The kids around, at least the human ones, thought it was hilarious. “You look far too serious,” Eddie says as he puts his phone away, and they head back to rejoin the team. “Margo's truck broke down last night, which means the pick-up she was supposed to do tomorrow afternoon isn't going to happen unless someone else can drive.” “And they asked you?” Eddie guesses. “Yeah,” Buck nods. “And that would be fine...usually.” “But you have Christopher tomorrow,” Eddie says. “Already told him he didn't have to help your cousin move,” Buck says. “Take him with you,” Eddie shrugs. “Some of these turnovers can be risky,” Buck says. “I'm sure if you tell him to stay in the truck, he will,” Eddie argues. “He's old enough to see how the world works, Buck. Just put the idea to the rescue team. If not we can see what Hen and Karen have going on. Or your sister.” “Fine,” Buck takes out his phone and texts the rescue team. “That's assuming he even wants to go.” “When has he ever turned down a chance to visit the rescue? He loves those critters almost as much as you do.”

Eddie regretted his suggestions when he got home the following night. He had barely closed the door before he heard a noise that shouldn't be in his house. “Oh hey, you're back,” Buck says. “What did you do?” Eddie asks, his gaze narrowed at his friend. Eddie groans when he sees his son bottle-feeding a tiny goat that is in a tub on the floor. “Dad! Look! It's a baby goat,” Christopher eagerly says. “Why is it in my house?” Eddie asks. “It has a name, Dad,” Christopher tells him. “I’m sure it does,” Eddie’s annoyance was clear in his tone. “It’s Tony,” Christopher elaborates. “Technically, it’s Antony,” Buck states. “Of course it is,” Eddie sighs. “Couldn’t be a normal name, could it?” “They tried Anthony,” Buck says the name quietly, “But for some reason, he tends to bite when you call him that.” “That’s insane!” Eddie responds. He takes the tiny creature from his son. “Hey!” Christopher glares at his dad. “He bites,” Eddie argues. “Goats don’t even have top teeth in the front, Eddie, and it’s a baby.” “Seriously, Buck!” “For the record, you told us to go on the rescue.” “I didn't tell you to bring anything home, Buck,” Eddie hisses. “It's only for a few days, a week maybe.” “A week?!” “Don't worry I will take it home with me,” Buck says. “You live in an apartment,” Eddie states. “And he currently lives in a box,” Buck counters. “Buck!” “I'm serious, it’s not that much different than a normal pet,” Buck assures him. “You say that now,” Eddie shakes his head.

Eddie wasn’t surprised when Buck and Tony the kid shows up at his house a few days later. “What happened now?” Eddie asks as he lets them in, once the door is closed Buck sets Tony down. And Eddie laughs. “Oh look, it has a diaper now.” Eddie can’t believe how ridiculous his life has gotten. “He cries less if he can run around,” Buck says. “I need to ask you a favor.” “No,” Eddie says. “I didn’t even-” “I know you,” Eddie says, arms crossed over his chest. “You can say, ‘I told you so’ all you want. It’s a few days. I’ll even crash here. My neighbors complained and my landlord threatened to throw me out.” “He’s a trip hazard, Buck,” Eddie states. “Christopher-” “You didn’t tell me Buck and Tony were here!” Eddie sighs. “I promise, I will make it up to you, Eddie,” Buck says. Eddie looks between his best friend and his son who was now sitting in the living room with Tony the kid on his lap. Christopher looked so happy to have his little friend back. “A few days, that’s it, and you have to find away to keep him in one room. I’m not taking my son to the emergency room because he tripped on a goat.” “That’s fair, I can do that,” Buck grins. “And its 3 days, tops.”

It was not 3 days. Much to Eddie’s annoyance, Tony the kid was still around. He would be loath to admit it but having Buck around even more than usual wasn’t a bad thing. Sure, their relationships took a bit of a hit. But the goat now had a little pen in the living room when he wasn’t supervised. And after Buck had told Christopher that ‘the goat ate his homework’ was not an acceptable excuse and Buck would definitely not take Christopher with him when he took the goat for his little socialization play dates if his grades dropped. Eddie would admit the threat was shockingly effective. And the play dates were more like barn yard time with the other goats used to raise money with a local yoga studio that did goat yoga. Eddie didn’t understand the appeal but it meant the goat learned how to be a goat or ended up with his little friends at a farm, Eddie was happy to help out. He just hoped the thing would be out of his house soon.

Eddie walks into his home and hears a squeal of laughter from his living room. He smiles. “Need a hand?” Buck says as he meets Eddie in the hall and takes the pizza box from the home owner. “Jee-Yun sounds like she is having fun,” Eddie says as they head into the kitchen. “Oh yeah. I think Tony has met his match energy-wise,” Buck grins. “Well, I’m glad she’s having fun. I guess having a little baby friend, even of a different species, makes new places easier,” Eddie states as he grabs plates and hands them to Buck. He grabs a tiny plate and a breadstick from the box and with a well-rehearsed dad move cuts it into tiny toddler-sized pieces and plates them. He grabs a few other food that had been sent by Chimney and Maddie had sent for her to eat. Buck failed to suppress a grin at how at ease Eddie was. Buck had definitely thrown his best friend’s life for a loop last week by showing up with a goat. He hadn’t batted an eye when Buck told him he also had to watch Jee-Yun for the weekend while Maddie and Chim were out of town for the weekend for a party for one of Maddie’s coworkers. The Diaz house was busy for the weekend. Buck was going to have to do something really big to thank Eddie for all the help.

Buck sits back and wonders how his life has him to a moment like this. He smiles as Christopher helps feed Jee-Yun. It’s really more Christopher convincing the tot to finish her dinner since the others had finished eating at least 20 minutes ago. And it’s an adorable moment, made even more precious by the fact Eddie was absentmindedly petting the tiny goat sitting in his lap as he watched the kids. Buck thinks his heart might actually explode. He manages to snap a few pictures.

“I hate to admit it,” Eddie says. “I think I’m going to miss that little guy.” They watch Tony run around with his new family. A farmer who often partners with the rescue was able to give the growing goat a more appropriate home. “Me too,” Buck says. “Dad, look!” Christopher shouts. They both turn to see Christopher in a barn. Eddie sighed when he realized what his son had found. “Aren’t they cute?” Christopher says as one of the puppies jumps against the short barrier to play. They looked to be some kind of terrier mix. “Well, at least they don’t wear diapers,” Buck grins.

[sortofanobsession]

Will o’ the Wisp - Ch. 11 (Umbrella Academy Complete) Diego x Reader

Author’s note: The last chapter. I'm sorry this took so long. Rough translations in the end notes. (I'm not Spanish and haven't taken a course in it in 14 years, but to be fair neither of these characters are native speakers either. They would have learned it like anyone else.) While I was trying to finish this I did actually write most of the stories for season 2 and 3. Not sure if anyone would read those if I posted them. This one might get a POV shift and repost if I post those.

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader (Slow Burn Season 1)

Series/TUA Masterlist

Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10

Summary: Events of Episode 1x10 The White Violin: The siblings deal with the crumbling academy. They regroup and make a plan that ultimately leads them to The Icarus Theater to confront their soloist sibling.

Content Warning: building collapse, canon character death, canon typical violence, head trauma, concussions, fighting, gun violence, bleeding, injury, language, history of abuse, PTSD, knives, anger, angst, family drama, failure.

Chapter 11: A Standoff and a Show

Y/N focuses back in on the Wisp as Viktor seems to have a conversation with himself. She wishes she could say something. That the Wisp could actually convey something helpful. But she can’t. 

"Thank you for trying, Y/N/N,"  Viktor says, glancing at the Wisp. "I hope this won't hurt you." He apologizes to the Wisp before he uses his powers to take out the bunker wall. He ends up taking out the Wisp in the process. 

It feels unusually painful when the wave of destruction hits the Wisp, causing Y/N to gasp violently. She would have stumbled if Diego hadn't been dragging her along. No one had ever essentially snuffed out one of her forms before but her. 

"Hey!" Diego shouts after trying to get her attention for a few seconds. "You okay?" She stared at him wide-eyed. "No one has ever…the Wisp it-" she shivered, and he pulled her closer to him. They are too distracted to notice the ceiling above them give way. She and Diego are knocked out cold as part of it hits them. Klaus shouts for them. A larger section begins to separate. Klaus manages to pull her out of the way, and luckily, Ben somehow manages to pull Diego out of the way as a huge slab of the ceiling falls and would have crushed them. Klaus manages to get his sister up, but she’s still confused and off-kilter so he half drags her with him. His other arm pulls his half-stunned brother. Thankfully, Diego recovers enough to move on his own quickly. She seemed so bewildered as they make it outside. They beg Grace to come out, to try and save herself, but she doesn't.  It's too heartbreaking to think about. So Klaus focuses on his sister.

“Come on, Sunshine. You’re freaking me out more than this place falling apart.”

“Sorry,” she mumbles. She reaches up to get a look at the cut on her brother’s forehead.

“Want me to?” she holds up her hand, but before she can even try to see if her powers she can control her powers while this out of sorts. They both turn their attention to Diego as he clamors over into the rubble of what was their childhood home.

“Mom, mom! Guys, come here. Help me search!” Diego looks around the rubble frantically searching for Grace. Klaus looks at his sister and she shakes her head. 

“Diego,” Klaus starts. “Just stop.”

“What?” Diego looks up at him confused as Klaus tries to pull him away. Y/N moves closer. Diego tries to go back to searching. “What are you-” Diego resists as Klaus continues to try and pull him away. Y/N cringes at the way Klaus pulls on their brother’s injured arm. But it doesn’t seem to phase Diego. “Let me go! What are you doing?” Diego’s eyes snap to hers. “Y/N, help me, mi luz.” She smiles sadly, and despite the uneasy feeling and pressure behind her eyes, she decides to help him her own way. Ignoring her doubt and pain, she draws on the Wisp. It takes her longer than usual to pull enough strength, but she manages. She uses the weakened orb to search the rubble at light speed. 

“Diego,” she starts as her vision adjusts, but Klaus has managed to pull him to his feet.

“Stop, stop!” Klaus tells him. “She’s gone. She’s-she’s gone, okay?” Diego doesn’t want to believe it. He looks over at their sister. 

“I’m sorry, Diego,” she puts a hand on his chest. “I checked. It’s just rubble.” She lets that sink in. "I know this is hard for you. No one loved her as much as you did. But we need to focus. I need you to focus. Because we can’t lose anyone else." 

“What do you wanna do?” Diego challenges. “You wanna... wanna…w-w-walk away from this? What about Pogo?” 

“He didn’t make it,” Luther says.  

“What?” Diego asks as they all turn to their approaching siblings. Allison goes over to hug her sister. The silent sister pulled back to get a look at the other. The blood on the usually glowing sibling was a stark contrast with her unusually pale completion. Allison tries to wipe off some of the blood. She also doesn't like the way their brother is supporting most of her weight. Diego keeps a tight grip on her as he talks to Luther. Glancing over at the sisters now on and off.

“Viktor killed him,” Luther states.

“But Viktor wouldn’t…” their brother says.

“No, I saw it,” Luther insists. “Just before we got out.”

“I'm mostly just tired,” Y/N assures her as she continues to check for worse injuries. 

The brothers continue. “Mom. Now Pogo.” Diego, consciously or not, pulls his luz closer as he tries to process everything that has happened. It finally registers how shaky she is. He ignores the ache in his bad arm as he reaches his hand over and takes her wrist. Solid pulse but her temperature seemed off again. Chilled for her. Allison was clearly onto something, fussing over their sister. But he didn't have time to figure it out. Five shows up with unsettling news. 

“Guys,” Five starts. “This is it. The apocalypse is still on. The world ends today.”

“I thought you said it was over,” Luther says.

“I was wrong, okay?” Five admits. “This newspaper, I found it in the future

the day I got stuck. The headline hasn't changed.”

“No, that doesn't mean anything,” Diego insists.  

“Time could've been altered since that newspaper came out this morning.” 

“You're not listening to me,” Five continues. “When I found it, I assumed this place came down along with everything else. But here we are. The Moon's still shining, the Earth is in one piece.”

“Five…” his closest sibling starts. 

“But not the Academy.”

“I'm confused,” Klaus states.

“Then listen to me, you idiot!” Five shouts. “Viktor destroys the Academy before the apocalypse.” Five sighs. “I thought Harold Jenkins was the cause, but he was the fuse. Viktor is the bomb. Viktor causes the apocalypse.”

“We have to find him.”

Sirens can be heard in the distance as well as the whirling of helicopter blades. 

“We gotta go, now,” Diego says. He takes his sister's shaking hand in his and squeezes it. He gets an uneasy feeling in his stomach when he realizes the wisp is still nowhere to be seen. Something that only usually happens when it rains or she is in a crowd trying to blend in. She rarely kept her light to herself. Her lack of a bright glow didn't bode well, but he didn't have time to do anything about it now. Once they got where they were going, he would deal with it. 

“Regroup at the Super Star. Go!”

“Whoa, hey,” Diego asks as they make their way into the bowling alley. In the bright lights, he gets a good look at her and it worries him. “You don't look so good.” He leads her to a bench near the door and helps her sit. “How are you feeling?” He brushes the hair out of her face and tips her head back slightly to see her face. He barely gets a look at her bloodshot eyes as she winces at the harsh fluorescent lights.

“Head hurts,” she admits. “But it's fine.”

“It's not fine, you got knocked out. Where exactly-” he lets her lower her head as he runs his fingers carefully through her hair for serious injuries. Her breath hitches and she whimpers as he finds a nasty bump. It tugs at something in his chest as her shaking fingers grip at his jacket.

“Lo siento, mi luz,” he says as he shifts. He gently guides her to lean into his shoulder when he sits down beside her.

“Lets just regroup,” she tells him. “Then figure it out.”

“Right, okay,” he keeps her tucked into his side while he keeps an eye out for the others. He ignores the odd looks from employees. 

Klaus comes over when he sees them. 

“Boy am I glad to see you guys,” he says. 

“Stay with her,” Diego says in a slight whisper.

Klaus gives him an odd look at how she didn't protest to being shifted around by her brothers. She just leans into Klaus much like she had in the car.

“How hard did that ceiling hit you?” Klaus mutters as Diego leaves. It seemed odd that Diego was up and moving like barely anything happened but she was practically out cold again. No one around them can hear how Ben complains she needs sleep as he worriedly studies his sister. 

Klaus hums in agreement but doesn't say anything else until Diego comes back and tosses a bag and some bowling shoes on the bench. 

“Come on,” Diego says as he wakes her up enough to get her on her feet. He takes most of her weight again as he does. “And bring all that.” 

He leads them to a lane and gets their sister settled on a bench. 

“Put those on,” Diego gestures to the bowling shoes as he grabs the small duffle bag.

“Where did you get that?” Klaus asks. 

“Locker,” Diego tells him as he tugs a zipper hoodie out of the bag. 

“What are you doing?” Klaus asks.

“Will you just do what I told you to and keep an eye out for the others?” Diego grits out before turning back to Y/N. “Work with me here, Luz.”

Klaus watches as his brother helps her get out of her jacket. He shakes some of the debris and dust off it as he tosses it aside. Klaus wasn't sure the last time he saw his grumpy brother act so gentle. Even Ben finds it interesting as Diego adjusts the clearly oversized hoodie on the female and carefully zips it up. He pulls the hood up to shield her eyes from the light.

“Los demás llegarán pronto. Sólo relájate por ahora,” Diego quietly tells her. He goes to pull away to make sure Klaus had actually done what he asked when her hand grips his.

“Don’t leave me,” she begs. And whatever he was planning on doing doesn't matter. 

“Not going anywhere, Luz,” he assures her as he sits down beside her. “Not going to let anything happen either.” 

He puts his arm around her and she snuggles into him. Klaus is damn near giddy when Diego looks up at him.

“Don't start,” Diego cautions. “She's exhausted and hurt.”

So Klaus doesn't ask about the fact the two siblings used to hate each other are now cuddled on a bench. “Why am I not surprised you have a locker here with a bug out bag? That is just the most you thing ever.”

“It's called being prepared,” Diego states. “Be useful and put names in, will you?” 

The rest of their siblings join them, except of course Viktor. 

Allison goes over and tugs her sister up and leads her to the ladies' room. Allison raises an eyebrow at Diego’s sweatshirt. The slightly glowing sibling shrugs because she didn’t hate it. And she was too exhausted to be embarrassed. It was clean and warm and it smelled like Diego. Allison’s amusement disappears at the amount of dirt and blood that comes away as Y/N washes her face as best she can. 

“I’m mostly just tired,” Y/N tells her sister.

Allison scribbles on her notepad. ‘Because of blood loss.” Then Allison points at her throat.

“It’s not that,” the light bender assures her. “It’s from the Wisp. It was in the bunker when V took it down.” Allison looks like she is about to ask another question. “We should get back. We need a plan.”  

Their names are on the scoreboard above the lane as they return. Y/N drifts in and out where she is stretched out across one of the three-seat benches. Her jacket under her head. It's not comfortable but she doesn't have to hold her head up. Without getting up she uses an orb to knock the pins down when it is her turn. She doesn’t care if draws extra attention. Diego takes a frame for her when she is too out of it to notice. She tries to listen as they talk. 

"How you feeling, Sunshine?" Klaus kneels next to her. She cracks one eye open at him and regrets it. He puts his hand up to shield her eyes from the harsh lights, tugs the hood back over her eyes with his other hand. "That bad huh?"

"Honestly, I've never felt anything like that, Klaus. Worse than when Dad would try to drown the Wisp in training. My fully formed Wisp was snuffed out like it was nothing. Not just dampened or forced to shift. It was stamped out. Extinguished. It wasn't like when I let one fade it was like…you know when you put a lid on a candle and the flame dies as it burns through the only oxygen until it can't sustain it?"

"Yeah," Klaus says.

"The smoke builds up, and the oxygen is just gone."

"I'm following," he says.

"It was like that but in an instant. The Wisp was gone, and it was like nothing was there, then that build-up was in my head. Like my powers didn't have what they needed to work, and my brain couldn't process it for a moment. Then it came back, but the pressure had done its damage."

"Okay,” Klaus nods. “Forget the bowling. You just take it easy."

“You sure?” she asks.

“Yup,” he assures her. “Let the Wisp recover.”

"I'll do my best," she smiles. 

Klaus takes her next frame, but slowly the siblings begin to focus more on the planning than the bowling. 

“Hello! I hate to intrude…” the female employee says to them. “But my manager says if you’re not gonna bowl, you gotta leave.” To emphasize the point, the manager slaps a set of bowling shoes on the counter. 

“Whose turn is it?” Diego asks.

“Oh for-” Luther hurls a bowling ball like it was made of nothing without looking behind him, and it clatters a few lanes over towards the pins. It would have been comical if their situation wasn’t so dire. 

“We're the only ones capable of stopping this,” Luther states. “We have a responsibility to Dad.”

“To Dad?” 

“No, I've heard enough about-”

Even Y/N groans because she is done doing anything for the man who used to use her against her family.

“He sacrificed everything to bring us back together,” Luther argues. 

“I'm with Luther on this one,” Five says. “We can't give him a chance to fight back. There are billions of lives at stake. We're past trying to save just one.”

“Hey, you know, guys, uh maybe I could help,” Klaus offers. That gets his lounging sister's attention. She sits up and pulls the hood back to fully join the conversation. Five and Luther seem very annoyed by that offer. 

“Now is not the time.”

“No, let him finish,” Diego interjects to support Klaus. “He saved our lives today. Mine and Y/N.”

“Is that true?” their brother asks, looking at the three of them. 

“Why would Diego lie?” Y/N asks.

“Yeah, yeah, I did take credit for it. And I did save Sunshine,” Klaus says, smiling at her. “But it wasn't all me. In fact, the real hero was Ben. Today. Listen. Today, he punched me in the face.” Y/N didn't think he was lying but still looked at him in confusion. He continues. “And earlier at the house, he was the one who saved Diego's life, not me.” 

“You are unbelievable, Klaus.”

“Come on, you guys. He has a point, I think. I mean, I was out of it,” she shakes her head. “How could he have saved both of us on his own? I was already dead weight. How could he have gotten me out and Diego?” They still look like they don’t believe him.

“You want proof, is that it? All right. I'll give you proof.” Klaus picks up a bright pink bowling ball. “All right, it's showtime, baby. Catch!” He throws a bowling ball, and nothing happens. The ball just hits the ground and bounces away. She sighs. She loved her ridiculous brother and she didn't think he was lying. She just didn't know what to believe. 

“Is there any way to silence that voice in your head that screams out to be the center of attention?” Luther asks him. 

“You know, I liked you a lot better before you got laid,” Klaus retorts without thinking. He tries to backpedal when he realizes how Allison reacts. “Which was a complete It It wasn't his fault, 'cause he was ridiculously high, right? And the girl, she thought he was a furry.”

“Stop!”  

“Okay.”

“Allison, wait.” Luther goes after Allison. Y/N shakes her head and lays back down, and mostly tunes out. Using the same sort of focus on her surroundings as her body gets when she utilizes the Wisp. The only difference is her powers are still inside her. It isn’t something she usually let herself do. It would usually make her paranoid, but Diego and Klaus had made it clear they wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Five was there too. Nothing was getting past all three of them. Her glow was masked by the harsh fluorescent lights and the neon lights around them. She tunes back in when an unfamiliar voice speaks.

“Excuse me!” The overly cheery woman’s voice says as she approaches. “It’s my son Kenny’s birthday today. And wouldn’t your son be happier with kids his own age? Assuming that’s okay with your two dads.” Diego just stares at the woman as Klaus looks over at Diego. Y/N tries so hard not to laugh from where she is sprawled out across the bench of seats across from them. Her eyes closed against the fluorescent lights.  

“I would rather chew off my own foot,” Five hisses.

“Let’s go, Kenny,” the woman says as they hurry away.

“If I were going to date a man, you’d be the last one I would date,” Diego tells Klaus.

“You’d be lucky to get me,” Klaus teases. “But you're sweet on Sunshine, aren't you, tough guy? What do you call her, your light?”

She tunes out the two as they argue. She doesn’t even open her eyes when she feels someone standing over her. She doesn’t need to in order to know who it is. She can just tell it’s Diego. “You worry too much. It radiates off you more than I do light.” She reaches up blindly and pats his chest, the handle of a knife cold against her palm. “I’m fine, just not feeling the bright lights.”

“Come on, sit up,” he says. 

“You just don’t want to be mistaken for Klaus’ boytoy again,” she grumbles but sits up anyway. She leans back against him once he sits down. He rubs her temples like he always sees her doing. She groans and pretty much melts into him.  He grins to himself.

“When I asked you two to get along, I didn’t mean that well,” Five states. 

“Fuck off,” Diego says, as he keeps the pressure on her temples.

“Well, you get what you get, and you don’t get upset,” she mumbles.

“It’s almost more annoying than when you two constantly fought,” Five says.

“Nah, you missed the worst of it,” Klaus tells him. “It’s amazing Diego didn’t spontaneously combust some days from her glaring. Especially one time he cut off a chunk of her hair in training. I’m shocked no one had to call the fire department on that one.” Klaus kept talking, she ignores him.

 "Cariño," she says as she pats Diego's leg. "Agradezco la ayuda, pero tienes que seguir jugando a los bolos o nos echarán." 

"Está bien,” he nods. “Está bien." He helps her sit up and kisses her forehead. Klaus smirks at that and nods when Ben says he'll watch her so she doesn't fall over.

Klaus and Diego take turns bowling.

She is pretty sure she dozed off for a few because she wakes up to dark lenses of sunglasses covering her eyes and leaning against Diego. She isn't sure who managed to put the sunglasses on her without her even feeling it or waking up. But she gives up on that line of thought as Luther asks. "All right, where's Five?" 

"He left." She looks around, not sure what she was expecting. Their brother has seemingly vanished again. Something else she slept through.

"Oh, for the love of-Where'd he go?" Luther asks. 

"Didn't tell us."

"Well, we're not waiting around for him."

"The concert starts in 30 minutes."

"All right, so what's the plan?" 

Diego gets up to make sure he's ready now that he wasn't being used as a pillow. He checked his knives were all in place. 

"Well, I think that," Luther says. "Uh We go to the Icarus Theater."

"That's a location, not a plan." Diego points out.

"What?"

"Is that all you got?” Diego asks. “Look, you wanna be Number One, fine, but you're gonna have to get us on the same page, because right now, we're all over the place."

"You're right. We need a plan."

The bullets start flying as soon as the armored, glowing-eyed and gas-masked gunmen enter the bowling alley.

"Get down!" 

They all scramble for cover.

"Who the hell are these guys?" Diego asks. He pulls Y/N tight to his chest as they shelter from the bullets. She is sandwiched between Diego and Luther. Both keeping her blocked. She has one hand gripping the arm around her torso. The other grips the arm that Luther had thrown out to help cover them. Or keep her upright. She isn't sure. 

“Maybe they’re here for Kenny’s birthday!" Klaus shouts from where he and Allison hide.

"No, I'm pretty sure they're here for us!" Luther argues.

"They're blocking the exits."

"Diego," she says. He looks down at her. 

"I got you," he says. "Just stay close and don’t let go." He throws a knife with enough force to knock one of the gunmen out. The masked figure taking out the lights as they did. Black lights, neon signs, and the persistent glowing from Y/N's powers light the area. She takes advantage of the darkness and throws out multiple forms of the Wisp to try and confuse and disorient their attackers while the others use whatever they can find, including Kenny's birthday cake, to make an escape. Diego takes her hand and leads her while both continue to defend and defect any oncoming attacks. They made their way up the lanes without falling somehow. The Wisp hold the gunman off long enough to keep anyone from getting shot. Between adrenaline and her little nap, she was managing better than she had been before.

Diego's hand has barely left hers since he took it so he could pull her along with him. He let go only long enough for her to get past the machinery of the lane. And again when she superheated both hands to melt the lock on the door they ran out of in order to slow down their pursuers. She quickly found his again once her's were cool enough to touch. If anyone noticed they haven't mentioned it. Even as they pass under the brightly lit marquee. 

Allison stops Luther making all of them stop as they clear the lobby and reach the stairs. 

“Wha…” a confused Luther starts but stops when she holds up a note saying she needs to go alone. 

“Allison, I can't let you do that, all right? She's beyond reasoning.”

“You hear the music?” Diego asks. Y/N nods. He turns back to the others. “It's started.”

“Do you honestly think she's gonna listen?” Luther pushes. “After everything that's happened?”

“We don't have time for this,” Klaus says.

“Okay,” Luther agrees to let Allison go in alone. They watch as Allison leaves. 

“You're using her as a distraction, aren't you?” Diego asks Luther.

“It's our best chance to incapacitate Viktor,” Luther reasons. “She'll thank us later.”

“For the record, I hate this plan,” Y/N states as Diego starts up the stairs, a slight tug at their joined hands has her following.

“Noted,” Luther says as he starts to go as well. 

“So, what's the plan?” Klaus asks. 

“Uh,” Luther turns back to tell him. “You wait out front.”

“What?” Klaus asks.

“Yeah, you’re the lookout.”

“The lookout?” Klaus asks in disbelief. He looks up at his sister, who had forced Diego to stop, much to his annoyance. She looks back at Klaus.

“You and Ben, two sets of eyes,” she assures him as Diego tugs again to get her moving. “You’ll do great!” She adds before she is dragged too far for him to hear. 

Diego drops her hand and opens the backstage door. She hurries inside and moves to get a good look at the stage. 

She looks on in awe as Viktor plays. She feels Diego step beside her. She looks at him. He looks back at her. He thinks for a second how this all might end with them all dead and this may be their last moment of peace, ever.

"Fuck it," he mutters before pulling her into a kiss. She is shocked but recovers quickly and kisses him back. They pull apart for air. He notices the light coming off her is warm and golden for the first time in over a decade. 

She wishes they could stay like that forever. Unfortunately, their little bubble is shattered by an object hitting the floor beside the. They look up to see Luther glaring at them and gesturing towards Viktor. Diego looks over at her one last time. 

“Stay here, maintain visual, use the Wisp if you see an opportunity,” Diego instructs.

“Be careful,” she tells him. He nods. They both look at Luther. Diego signals he's ready. 

While Viktor has his focus on Allison, Diego and Luther go in for the ambush.

Viktor knocks them back with a blast. Y/N curses but stays in the wings. Not willing to risk a move too soon.

“She's stronger than expected,” Diego says as he sits beside Luther. 

"Yeah," Luther agrees but is distracted when something hits him in the head. He turns to see Allison. “Yeah. We're fine, thanks for asking," Luther says to a clearly frustrated Allison. Luther continues trying to rationalize their actions.“Look, I almost lost you once, all right?” Luther tells her. “I wasn't about to lose you again.”

“Well, so much for the element of surprise,” Diego complains. “What else you got?”

Allison hit the seat to get their attention. She mimics playing a violin. 

“No shit, Allison,” a frustrated Diego says, “Tell us something we don't already know.”

“She's talking about the violin,” their brother says. “It's her lightning rod. If we can take it from her and stop her from playing, we might have a shot.”

“I told Y/N if she gets a shot with the Wisp to take it,” Diego tells them.

Allison throws a shoe that was near her at him.

“Believe me, I don’t like it either,” Diego glares at her. “But what was I supposed to do, tell her to stay outside with Klaus? She still only listens to me about half the time. She’d never have gone for that.” 

Still backstage Y/N doesn’t bother summoning the Wisp. She slowly makes her way on stage. She puts her hands up as she nears the conductor. Trying to signal for him to leave but he and the musicians looked more scared of what their soloist might do if they stopped. So they kept going. Viktor’s eyes locked on his glowing sister's. She lets her light show, attempting to distract him long enough for their siblings to come up with something. 

Allison hits the seat again to get their attention. They look at her and she points at the stage. The glow from Viktor now joined by their sister’s. 

Diego curses. “I told her to stay put.”

“She’s made it closer than we did.” Luther states. 

They watch as Y/N reaches a hand out to Viktor. Viktor’s gaze narrows at her but is drawn away as the armed gunmen storm in. Whether intentional to get her off the stage or to just knock everyone back, Viktor sends out another burst that sends Y/N offstage. Diego doesn’t hesitate to run towards her. Allison and Luther not far behind. 

“Luz!” Diego helps her sit up. “Talk to me, Luz.”  

She groans. “Hurt less than the first time, but damn. I think my concussion has a concussion,”  

The gunmen shoot at the area around the. Y/N throws a fully formed Wisp out to get an better vantage point, as Diego pulls her down to cover her. She curses as her usual tricks don’t work because of the lighted goggles. 

“What the hell happened to Klaus,” Diego shouts Luther. “He’s supposed to be our lookout!” 

“Yeah, are you surprised?” Luther asks.

“Those stupid goggles! I can’t do shit like this!” Y/N shouts. Her body no longer glowing but her eyes shine bright. She continues, “I either have to go hands-on or-”

“Don’t even think about it!” Diego refuses. 

“You want me to just sit here and do nothing?” She hisses.

“Be a better lookout!” he suggests. 

She looks over at Luther. “Can’t hurt,” Luther adds, “You can at least tell us where they’re at.”

“Fine!” She shouts. Just as Five reappears in the aisle.

"What's with all the lollygagging?" Five asks.

"Five, get down," their brother demands.

"Y/N, do it,” Luther tells her. 

She and Diego share a look before she seems to steady herself and starts to pull away. He knows he told her to do it, but his instinct is to pull her back and keep her sheltered, but he sees the way her fists are starting to glow, her eyes bright to match. She nods. He nods back. They had to do something. The Wisp glides above them with ease. As she start to relay numbers and locations, Klaus comes running in. “Guys, it’s Cha-Cha! It’s Cha-Cha. She’s come!” He ducks as the gunmen take aim at him. Five teleports onto the back of the nearest gunman. The Wisp drops in front of another one. She superheats the Wisp and pushes it forward, focusing the heat on the masked figure’s ammo clip. Igniting the gunpowder in the rounds, sending shrapnel into the air and the gunman. She goes to repeat the process but she’s not sure how long she can actually keep it up. She’s out of practice, recovering from being shot, she has a concussion and a desperate need for sleep, but she keeps going. Adrenaline flows and she knows she needs to focus. Her attention is drawn as she hears her siblings.

"Is that?"

"Ben?" 

Klaus had managed to summon Ben with his powers, and Ben uses his powers to take out the gunmen. She pushes Diego off of her to get a better look. To confirm what she is seeing from the Wisp. 

She half sobs her mind trying to wrap around not only seeing her lost brother but at seeing his power from dual perspectives. She wants to never forget that moment. The ghostly tentacles whip past her and the Wisp with precision as they find their targets.

“Now who’s the lookout?” Klaus says, clearly proud of himself.  

“Me you dumbass, since when could you do that?!” She shouts at him.

Diego sees his opportunity as his siblings argue and goes after Cha Cha when the assassin stepped on stage. Cha Cha was focused on the chaos the siblings were creating. He glances at his siblings, Klaus and Y/N now together. Diego knows this is probably his only shot at revenge. So he takes it. After a bit of a scuffle He manages to get the upper hand and Cha-Cha is at his will. He could kill her. He should kill her for Patch. For all the people she has killed with no remorse. They had injured not just him but his siblings. She deserved it for what she did to Klaus. But what Five said to him gives him pause. He had meant it when he said that Eudora had seen the good inside, despite seeing the worst in the world. ‘Well, I'm sure she'll be proud to know that you're killing Hazel and Cha-Cha as a way to honor her memory’. That is what Five had said. In that moment, when the academy still existed, Diego had looked to Luz. She didn’t admonish him. She didn’t say anything. She just gave him a sad smile. She had always been the one to challenge him when he was about to do something stupid. If the world wasn’t ending and she wasn’t fighting her own fight, would she try and convince him not to do this? She would probably tell him to focus. That she needed him. That he could still make the right decision.   

The eighth sibling looked over at the first. As they started to refocus on Viktor. 

"You got closest, see what you can do!" Luther tells the one sibling who seemed to actually be willing to take orders from him right now. She nods and splits her attention to the Wisp to try and get to Viktor. She starts to get that uneasy feeling she felt at the academy.

"Luther!" Her glowing eyes lock on his. "I'll try, but V has taken the Wisp out once already today, I'll have one shot at that violin! No recovery time! This is it!”

"If we fail it won't matter!" 

"Well then, I guess I'll see you on the other side, Number One!” She splits her focus and inches both the Wisp and her glowing physical form down the aisle.

"What did she mean about the Wisp?" He asks Klaus. 

"Viktor snuffed the Wisp out in the bunker. Her powers freaked out, saying it was like putting the lid on a candle and it dies from lack of oxygen. It was like her powers didn't have what they needed to work, and it took a minute to get them back. That’s why we were trying to get her to rest instead of bowling."

Allison glares at him.

"Why didn't she say anything?" Luther asks.

"She did to me. And Allison probably would have asked if she could. You just didn't.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?!” Luther shouts.

“You were mad about Five and then bullets!”

"That would explain why she said she'd have one shot," Luther admits. They look over at their glowing sister. “She’s our best shot right now, If she fails or worse dies-” Allison shoves his shoulder despite it having little effect.

"Let's not find out," Klaus says. "Apocalypse be damned, Diego might kill all of us if that happens." He looks at Luther. “Especially you.”

“Why me?”

“You told her to do it,” Klaus says. Luther looks at Allison and she shrugs. 

Luther goes to say something but stops when Diego rejoins them. 

"Oh, welcome back."

"Where were you?" 

"Honoring a memory," Diego says. Allison squeezes his shoulder. 

"What is she doing?"  Diego asks as he looks over both Y/N and the Wisp. 

"Trying to use the Wisp to get the violin from Viktor. But she said Viktor took the Wisp out already, and she has one shot."

“And you all are just going to sit here and watch?!”

"Well, let's give her a hand."

"How?"

"We surround Viktor."

"All right? We come at him from all angles."

"So it's a suicide mission."

"Yeah, but one of us could get through."

"And Y/N has a head start and the best odds."

"It's the only chance we've got."

"Are we all in?"

"Yeah."

"All right."

"Allison?” 

“Stage left,” Luther says nudging Diego. He indicates himself. “Stage right..

"You guys back Y/N up and take the front."

Allison tries to get his focus. To try and get him to consider Viktor and other options. 

"I'm sorry,” he tells her. "There's no time, Allison. If she finishes this concert, the world goes up in flames. Do this for Y/N. We can save her.”

She hears Klaus's voice in her ear. "Stay behind us." She nods and shifts enough of her concentration to move when he does. She barely had it in her but she does it. 

The rush of air from the constant vibrations and force of V’s powers had her straining. Viktor was strong, but their powers had been dulled for years. Y/N always had hers. She should be stronger.  

“Now!” her brother calls.

She gives everything she can spare over to the Wisp. She could feel her body struggling, but she ignored it. Ignored how every little scrape and bruise, even the air in her lungs, seemed to burn. But she pushed forward until Viktor’s power latched onto the Wisp. Quickly draining the lighted form. The shock of the loss has her body falling but never hitting the ground. She feels someone has caught her. 

“I can’t-it’s-,” her voice is broken and almost too quiet, but the figure holding her hears it tightens their grip. She tries to clear her vision, and it takes a few tries before she is successful. 

“Ben,” she sobs when she realizes who it is. Ben had gotten Klaus to true again when he realized what was happening. Klaus hadn't argued when he'd glanced back to see fresh blood drops in the floor. He wished he could see her face but her eyes had been too bright. So he focused and let Ben help. 

She stares at her long lost brother, but can only focus for a second before she feels Viktor's powers latch on to her physical body this time. The ghostly form of Ben fading. She strains to see others suffering from the same treatment. She can barely keep her eyes open.

Allison puts an end to Viktor's rampage by firing a gun next to Viktor's ear. Y/N can't brace herself enough as she hits the ground. Y/N tries to pull on any energy she still has left in order to stand up but she fails, causing her to whimper.

"Shhh, it's okay." Klaus gently rolls her onto her back and Diego  drops down beside her and pulls her against him. Klaus would almost laugh at how possessive it seems if everything didn't seem so desperate. Diego holds her so they can get a look at her. She looks so fragile and drained. Diego has never seen her push so hard. He carefully wipes blood away from the corner of her eyes before he pulls her tight against his chest. Kissing the top of her head. Klaus goes to checkmon the others. She curls up against Diego and hides her face in his neck. It feels like a part of her is missing. Like a piece of her soul is damaged. He manages. He holds her tight, but he feels her weakly push against him. He pulls back enough to see her.

“V…” she starts, trying to get to her feet. And he couldn't tell her no. Not after what just happened. Not with her blood stained cheeks and tear filled eyes. He doesn't have it in him. Diego helps her over to Viktor. She picks Viktor’s hand up off the floor and holds it tight. 

"Sunshine," Klaus smiles down at her before sitting beside her. 

“Klaus! Ben, he caught me. You-”

“He did, didn't he,” Klaus chuckles. “He watches over you when we're around just like you always did us.” She rubs at her face as the blood and tear mixture blocks her vision again. Diego stops her. She looks like she might go to tears again.

Klaus takes pity on her. "Oh Sunshine, what did you do?" He takes the edge of his vest and tries to clean some of the blood off her face and neck.

"Not a good look for me, huh?" She jokes. 

Klaus tuts. "You always look good, right, Diego?"

"She does," he agrees. She feels his answers rumble in his chest as she leans against him. 

 "And I'm the one with head trauma and maybe internal bleeding." She uses a shaky hand to wipe at her sore eyes again. This time Diego catches her hand and pulls it away. He knows her other one won't be letting go of Viktor's anytime soon. 

"You're gonna make it worse,” he tells her as he intertwines their fingers. “We'll get you cleaned up soon.”

She looks past him at the moon, Klaus follows her gaze.

"Well,” she does her best to look at Diego as she gestures weakly to the sky with their joined hands. “You won't have to worry about it for long, cari."

"Uh, Guys?” Klaus says. “You see that big moon rock coming towards us?"

"That's not good."

"So this is it, huh?” 

“So much for saving the world," Klaus says as he looks down at the dog tags.

"If only Sir Reginald could see us right now, huh?" Diego says. "The Umbrella Academy A total failure.” He stares up at the fractured moon. 

“At least we're together at the end,” Luther says. “As a family.”

“This doesn't have to be the end,” Five tells them.

“What? What are you saying, Five?”

“I think I have a way outta here,” Five says. “But you gotta trust me on this.”

The three brothers all reject that idea. Y/N smiles despite herself. These were her brothers after all.

“Well, then, we might as well accept our fate,” Five states. “Because in less than a minute, we're gonna be vaporized.”

Diego looks down at Y/N. She gives him the sad smile he’d only started to decipher because it’s heartbreaking for both of them. He’s pretty sure he’s right when she squeezes his hand. All he knows is this cannot be the end. He looks back at Five. 

“What's your idea, then?” 

“We use my ability to time travel,” Five starts to explain. “But this time, I'll take you with me.”

“You can do that?” Diego asks.

“I don't know.” Fives answers honestly. “I've never tried it before.”

“What's the worst that can happen?” Diego asks.

“You're lookin' at it.” Five states. “A 58-year-old man inside a child's body, so there's that.”

¿Qué te parece, luz?” He asks as he looks down at her again.

“No puede ser peor que esto,” she tells him.

“We’re in,” Diego says. 

“Yeah, whatever.” Klaus says. “I'm in.”

“Me too,” Luther agrees. “Allison?” Allison nods her agreement. “What about Ben?”

 “Great, yeah,” Klaus answers accurately for once. “He's in.”

“Okay, great,” Five says. 

Diego goes to pick Y/N up but she shakes her head.

"I think I can stand or...at least lean," she assures them. Klaus helps Diego get her up on her feet and she curls into Diego's side. Her head lulls against his shoulder. "I'm okay, I know you've got me," she assures him. She feels his lips press against her temple. 

"Luther, grab Viktor," Five tells him. 

Luther does it but he ask. "Wait, should we be taking him? I mean, if he's the cause of the apocalypse. Isn't that like taking the bomb with us?"

"The apocalypse will always happen,” Five states as he gets them to start joining hands. “And Viktor will always be the cause, unless we take them with us and fix them."

Diego puts wraps his arm just under Y/N's shoulder to keep her there. He wasn’t going to lose her now. Her hand searches blindly until Klaus grasps it tight. They anxiously watch as Five draws on a larger portion of his powers than usual. Diego hadn’t realized how much light was involved with so many of their siblings’ powers. Y/N, Viktor, Five. Even Klaus’s power had a glowing aspect to it. 

"Ah! It's working!” Five tells them. “Hold on! It's gonna get messy!"

They all vanish under Five’s powers.

[sortofanobsession]

Final chapter of Will o' the Wisp (Season 1-Diego/Reader)

A/N: I will post it here properly later but I finally finished Will O' the Wisp.

[sortofanobsession]

Of Hunters, Gods, and Hooded Vigilantes (Moon Knight/TVA Hunter Reader)

Author's Note: I have been sitting on this one since (and a few other loki ri) since Loki ended. @selfryed suggested I post it . Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. I know not everyone likes Reader Inserts. But you all know how much I love Moon Knight crossovers. I'll write those boys into anything. Suggest away if you wish. Unbeta'd and Posted on mobile so please forgive any errors.

Sylvie, B-15, Casey, and OB pop up but no Loki or Mobius in this one. Sorry guys. Random letter and number combos for non important hunters.

Content warning: canon typical violence, some swearing, mentions of death, crying,

You track the rogue variant that had been messing with time, not quite as dangerous as He Who Remains. But somehow this guy had an artifact that he couldn't be allowed to keep. B-15 had sent a team that consisted of you and two other hunters.

It turns into more of a scuffle than expected. Hunter L-24 was calling for backup as you gave chase. You hated the fact you weren't in your actual armor. You had been trying to blend in. But you regret that now with the cut on your temple, dangerously close to your eye, and probably bruised rib. It hurt but that's the job. And you had the guy in the ropes until… until you didn't. Time was iffy with what this guy had taken and one second you were running through a side road through the highly populated area, but thankfully sparsely-filled street in what you knew of consisted of public housing. Next, you are cut off from your team in an alley. A manic laugh has you turn on your heels. You had really hoped you wouldn't have to use the pruning stick. This was supposed to be easier. Your hands move as if on their own with practiced movement of charging the weapon.

“Listen, buddy,” you said with false confidence to hide your unease. “We tried doing this the nice way, but you’ve forced my hand.”

“You still think you have the upper hand,” the man laughed, pulling a pistol. Oh that was not good. Those weren't even allowed in this country, you knew that. You hear the click of the weapon. But out of nowhere, the gun is knocked out of his hand by a metallic object. You lunge towards the weapon. And you can't reach it, but you do the next best thing. You pruned it. It disappears. Let the Void Lokis or Alioth have it. You turn towards the scuffle behind you, expecting to see your team. You are surprised to see a masked figure easily taking down the variant. You watch as the figure knocks the guy out.

“Uh…thanks,” you say as the vigilante turns to you as you power down your weapon.

You can feel eyes on you as you go over and pick up the artifact. The masked figure hasn't said a word. Just watching you. The wind kicks up as you place a pair of cuffs on the variant.

You grab your tempad and report in. “Variant secured, B-15,” you say. You look back and the hooded hero is gone. You hear the sound of rushed boot falls as your teammates meet you. You pick up the curved blade that had saved your life. You admire it as a timedoor appears.

None of you noticed Moon Knight in the shadows watching you.

— ◍☾ —

Marc couldn't believe what he was seeing. You were supposed to be dead. Everyone had said you were dead. It had torn him up not knowing what happened to you. What you went through. He always wondered if you suffered. If you had missed him. If he could have saved you if he hadn't left. But he had pushed that pain away and forced himself to move on. But that pain tended to pop up at random moments. He did not expect it to come up now. And it had Marc pulling back and letting Jake take over. But he kept watching. You looked so young. Like he remembered. Like time had barely touched you. How was that possible? Then again, they hadn't really aged much since Khonshu. But you weren't an avatar. He would have known or the bird would have.

And any doubt Marc had was gone when he heard your voice again. It was one he still heard in his dreams. One he couldn't forget. But Jake was wise enough to be cautious. If something seemed impossible and too good to be true, it probably was. So Jake removed them from the situation.

The next time Moon Knight was better prepared. There were too many questions they needed answered. So he started by seeing if you were you in the simplest way first. He called your name. And something in Marc shifted when you reacted by turning towards them. But his heart aches when you look at him and ask if they knew you. Even more so when you said you didn't even know you. And that was enough.

— ◍☾ —

The next time you are in that part of the timeline after you spent a few days working with the others at the TVA. You were in Eastern Europe tracking down a secondary artifact that was created alongside the one you collected in London. The same group of rogues. The same branch. Your ribs still ache from the last time. You were in full gear this time with a larger team. But you weren’t the only one with increased numbers. The variant had friends with the new artifact you were pursuing. Mid-fight again, out of the night drops the figure you now knew was called the Moon Knight. You hadn't read the hero’s file but you knew where he got his powers now. What you hadn't expected was what the caped hero did next.

He called your name. Well, not your name. It was what had been your name before you were taken from the timeline. You knew it was your name, but it didn't really feel like yours. Most everyone just called you by your hunter designation.

“You know me?” You ask because when you had skimmed your file to make an informed decision on staying at the TVA you think you would have noticed if it had mentioned a hooded hero with the power of a literal god. Then you laugh at your own statement. “I don't even really know me.” And before you know it you feel arms around you and with speed you couldn't even comprehend you find yourself somewhere else. You stumble back as you look at your new surroundings.

“What…what did you do that for?” You reach for your weapon.

“I'm not going to hurt you,” Moon Knight says, his mask disappearing to reveal a face. One that seems oddly familiar, but you didn't know for sure.

“Then why did you take me from my team?” You glare.

“I just want to talk,” he says.

You say nothing as you reach for where your tempad is secured.

“Don't you remember me?” he says. The whole suit vanishing now. He stands in front of you in jeans and a henley.

“I'm sorry,” you tell him but for some reason there are tears in your eyes. You don't know why but the look on the man's face breaks your heart. “I’m not…I'm not who you are looking for. I'm…I'm just a hunter.”

“But you are, you answered to her name, you're-” He's cut off as a slight woosh and shimmer of a timedoor appears. Moon Knight’s suit is back and he moves between you and the door. You actually find it rather amusing. As if he was protecting you. Too bad he is protecting you from your team. Your friends. Your work.

The timedoor opens and you are stunned to see Sylvie walks out in the god's fully armed glory.

“Sylvie,” you say in shock. Last you knew she had returned to her fast food life.

“B-15 called,” Sylvie states. And that tracks.

“How long?” You ask wondering how long had actually passed at the TVA if Sylvie was called in.

“Long enough,” Sylvie says and you sigh.

“Who the hell are you?” Moon Knight snaps at Sylvie.

“She already said who I was. I'm Sylvie. And you took my friend here against her will and I hoped that avian god of yours would know better. Stupid bird,” she spits as she summons her sword.

“What the-”

“He didn't mean it, Sylvie. He's confused he-”

“You defend this broken puppet?” Sylvie asks in amusement. And Moon Knight clearly didn't like that because you notice a slight shift in his stance and suit as a fight breaks out. And it's an interesting fight.

“Your bird god is weak, his hold is pitiful,” The silver tongued variant snides, “To need a human puppet.”

“Avatar,” Moon Knight corrects.

“Same thing, a human shield to hide behind,” Sylvie grins.

You gasp as Sylvie gets close enough to put a hand against Moon Knight's chest. And she sees it.

You hear a deep growl and Sylvie is shoved back. “Stay the fuck out of my head!” Moon Knight snaps.

You expect Sylvie to return to the fight but instead she appears next to you.

“Now, now, lover boy, no one is going to hurt anyone.”

“Speak for yourself,” he hisses.

“Your anger is misplaced, puppet,” she says before looking at you. “He does know you, knew you, the timeline you.”

“What?” You look between the female god and the hero. You see the masked hero’s shoulders go tense.

“I can show you,” Sylvie grins.

“Wait, hang on-” Moon Knight says, his mask dropping.

Sylvie takes your lack of a refusal an answer, her hand touches your temple.

You gasp as your mind is flooded with images. A history you didn't remember. It brings tears to your eyes and steals the breath from your lungs.

Moon Knight shouts your name again as you stumble back against the wall.

You’re overwhelmed. You hear shouting and the recognizable sound of Sylvie’s laugh.

“I did you a favor,” the female god of mischief says, her focus back on the unmasked man.

“No one asked you to,” a voice you now recognized as a version of one you knew lifetimes ago. You knew his name.

“Marc,” you don't even realize you say it out loud. You really did know him. His head snaps to look at you as you say it.

“You're welcome,” Sylvie says before she and the timedoor vanish. Marc curses Sylvie as he moves beside you in an instant.

“You're okay,” he says, his eyes full of an emotion you can't pinpoint. “We’ve got you.”

“Marc?” you say again, needing confirmation. Your hand raises but is hesitant to touch.

“Do you remember me now?” he asks, a slightly hopeful look on his face. His gloved hand grips yours.

“I…I do,” you tell him.

“Okay,” he says. “Good.” The suit drops away. His hand squeezes yours and he leads you into a building. An apartment building you realize. You follow him into a studio apartment with a large fish tank drawing your attention. Two goldfish swimming around. You approach it with amusement. You almost forgot that people really do keep pets. Pets aren’t really a thing at the TVA. No time. Not really.

You hear Marc moving around behind you, then his voice, hushed as if talking to someone. But when you glance at him through your periphery he doesn't seem to be talking to you.

“Make yourself at home,” he calls over to you, but his accent is different. You look at him with amusement. All your years, centuries, eons maybe, of hunter training has you fully turning to observe him. You had seen him change in flashes as Sylvie showed you what she deemed important. Conversations with mirrors. Changes. Shifts. He was like a variant with variants of his own in his mind. This is what she had meant by him having a broken mind.

“You're not Marc, are you?”

The man looks momentarily stricken. And you wonder if you should have phrased that differently. “Sorry, that sounded accusatory.” You carefully remove your helmet and move to set it on a nearby table. Your weapon too. “Sylvie didn't show me everything, so I…I don't know your name.”

“Steven,” he says without hesitation, now knowing that you aren't too afraid. Knowing that him fronting hadn't ruined things.

“Okay,” you nod. You activate your tempad and send a message to B-15 that you were okay and that if they needed you to just let you know. You contemplated leaving it with your weapon and helmet but you were still unsure what to expect. So you kept it secured in its spot.

“What do you remember?” Steven asks.

“Bits and pieces,” you admit. “But honestly, it's more like watching an old movie with some of it. It doesn't feel real.”

“I know the feeling,” his voice is kind and there is a sympathetic look on his face.

“I'm sure you do,” you nod.

“You're not afraid?” He asks.

“I mean, I have spent an unknown number of years, maybe millennia, lifetimes, as a hunter. No name, just a letter and a number. Reporting to superiors that worked for a lie. Made to believe I was always like this.” You say. “It's more jarring than anything to have real memories again. To think I had childhood. A real life.”

You sense a shift and his old, more familiar accent is back.

“What happened to you?” He asks.

“It's a very long story,” you say. “What's the last thing you remember of me?”

“While I was gone. You vanished, they said you ran away, but that was bullshit. You would have told me. Left a letter. Something. Then I come back to missing persons posters all over the city. But it's Chicago. No one was confident they'd find you. I couldn't find you. They wrote you off as dead when no traces of you were found anywhere. It was like there was nothing to find.”

“They wouldn't have, still won't,” you say sadly.

“What?” He frowns. “The hell does that mean?”

“It means I read my file, well, skimmed it. My nexus event was before that point. But the sacred timeline me. The me you knew, I'm sorry Marc but she’s gone.”

“But you're right here,” he states.

“Like I told you, I'm not actually her. I'm…from a different point in time. Before you left. Before…”

“What do you mean a different point in time? How is that possible?”

“Because the people I work for, the place I was, it's like a city outside of time.”

“How can anything exist outside of time?”

“How can a man fly and survive death?” You ask. “The details are complicated and honestly, I understand it less now than I thought I did before. We exist to protect time from those who tamper with it.”

“So you can time travel?” He asks.

“Yes, but,” you know you need to draw the line in the sand now. “But whatever you are thinking, please don't.” And he studies you. You look so tired. And sad. Very sad.

“It's not as easy as you would think. Changing time has horrible consequences. The things I've done. The people I sent to that monster. I thought what I was doing was right. That I was protecting the timeline. Preventing something terrible. Turns out. We were the terrible ones. All those branches. All those people. Feed to Alioth.” You were crying now. It was the first time you ever let yourself think about the all devouring monster you had sent so many to face.

“Oh darling,” you hear the British accent back. “You didn't know. We’ve all done things we regret. Especially us,” he glances at the reflextion of Marc. “You didn't know what you were doing, you said so-”

“You don't get it,” you tell him. You dug out the engraved token and placed it on the table. A coin, a momento Dox had given you once as a reward after a partially difficult mission. It looked like a souvenir coin. Embossed edges. You ran your fingers over the seal and motto.

“For all time. Always,” you repeat the motto you had molded your life to follow. The atrocities you helped orchestrate. “Anything any of you have done in your life is a fraction of what I was part of. I shouldn't be here. I don’t deserve to have this.” You grab your weapon and open a timedoor, you rush though. The door closes behind you.

Steven walks over and picks up the helmet you left behind and the coin you had placed on the table. Time Variance Authority. He looked at the others in their reflections. They all agree. They were determined to find out everything they can about time, especially time travel.

— ◍☾ —

Marc was angry. That woman just showed up, literally out of nowhere, and then nearly ruined everything. First she fights them. Then she gets in their mind, and Jake had violently objected to that. Having Khonshu in their head was bad enough. And it was already crowded with three of them in there already. But the real line was crossed when the woman that you considered a friend showed you the painful history you guys had. You had been so mad at him for leaving. Your tears were like ice picks in their heart. And he just got more angry with himself as you broke down over what you had been through. Everything he couldn't save you from. He didn't know what a nexus was but if it was anything like the turning point in their life, namely slowly dying in the desert until Khonshu stepped in, it couldn’t have been pleasant. So Steven takes over to let Marc process while someone tries to help you. The British alter had tried to comfort you but it hadn't worked. You explain a bit more and then like a switch flips, you panic. And you leave. Marc pulls further away to brood. They can't let this be the end.

— ◍☾ —

Time passes and your heart hurts less but you cannot forget them. You are helping look through pages of readings you were still not the best at analyzing. You were a hunter, not an analyst. But with fewer people now that many had left to live in the timeline, you had offered to help. To stay busy. You looked up from the file as Casey hurried towards you.

“We have a problem,” he says.

“Let me grab my gear,” you say.

“No need, no time anyway,” he says as he opens a timedoor. You follow him into the main monitoring bay. And the monitor is tracking a branch growing dangerously fast.

“I thought we didn't prune branches anymore,” you say.

“This isn't your normal branch,” OB says.

“Then I should get my gear, where's the team,” you look at B-15.

“You’ll be fine,” OB says as he opens a timedoor. You make sure your tempad is in its place. “Hold on, a solo mission but i-”

“Only you can handle this one,” OB says and guides you to the door. “You'll do great.” A gentle push and you are through the door. There is a large open tunnel before you.

“Oh, Loki, what did I get into this time,” you mutter looking up at the sky. “You'd probably enjoy this mess.” A woman walks towards you in the tunnel. You had seen pictures of her when you had been at Marc’s.

“I'm Lilah, come with me,” she says. You look at her outfit.

“You’re an avatar, right?”

“I am, and a friend of Marc and Steven,” she says.

“Are they okay?” You ask.

“Why don't you see for yourself.”

You follow her until you are in a giant temple. Statues and hieroglyphics surround you. You see Marc in front of a number of people on a dais.

Your footsteps are louder than you would want them as all attention turns to you.

Marc's eyes go wide for a moment and he calls your name. But before you can answer him. You are greeted by name by the woman in the middle.

She introduced herself as the goddess Isis. And you do your best to bury your nerves and act appropriately. You lower your gaze out of respect.

“At least this one knows respect,” a man says. He is scolded by another.

You are made to kneel beside Marc.

“I'm sorry,” he says.

“You did this? You made the branch?” You whisper. You can't believe it.

“You must be curious why you are here,” Isis states. You lower your head again and stare at the floor. She seemed to be expecting an answer.

“I…was sent to the timeline by my superiors, they said that I was the only one.”

“Your companions are not wrong, but it was more we believed it was only fair you had a say in your fate.”

“My fate, your grace?” You cringed. The only god you knew was Loki, and he hasn't made you act in servitude.

The goddess hums in amusement. “Spector here cares very dearly for you it would seem. Even willing to travel forbidden planes to find you again.” You look over at Marc but he is starting a hole in the floor.

“Why?” you ask him.

“You left, and we didn't want to lose you again,” he admits.

“Osiris, Thoth and Horus are not pleased with your meddling, Spector,” the goddess says. “Be glad it is me before you and not my beloved.” She grins. “The passage of time is not yours to hold, Marc Spector, Khonshu knows better.”

“He wanted no part of it,” Marc admitted.

“The only reason you are not facing harsher penalties for your actions is because you have honestly done worse. And your heart was in the right place. Love makes fools of most mortals.” The goddess grins. “But you step outside your station, Marc Spector, once more and your punishment will not be so lenient.”

She dismissed everyone.

You turn to find Lilah is gone.

“I'm sorry,” the recognizable voice of Steven says. “I am so sorry. I didn't know they would care so much. It wasn't like we moved the stars again. Not that noticeable.”

You turn to look at him. “I told you guys that messing with time is dangerous. Then what do you do, you go and mess with time. Have you lost your mind?!”

“Well, by typical diagnostic specifications, technically we did a long time ago, when I came into existence,” Steven notes.

“Steven!” You shout. “You can't just change reality because you missed me. That’s not-”

His expression changes. His tone and accent too. “And you can? Do you have any idea what it was like to have you show up years after being told you were dead and then you just leave. Gone to somewhere we couldn’t follow. And you thought we would just let you go? A heart can only break so many times. We failed last time. We weren't going to fail again, not when we could actually-”

You silence him with a kiss.

“Take me home,” you tell him when you separate for air. They don't have to be told twice.

— ◍☾ —

Marc hadn't thought he could have happiness like this again. Even after he had found you again. The three of them had agreed that having you in their life was important, but he couldn't have anticipated having you literally in their bed.

You snuggle closer and bury your face in the warmth of his neck. Whining at being woken. So abruptly. You feel the laugh from the body beneath you as he turns off the alarm.

“Rise and shine, sweetheart,” Marc says.

You grumble incoherently as you try to bury yourself in his warmth.

“You keep squirming like that, sweetheart and we are going to have a problem.” You giggle. “I'm serious, baby.” He moves the hair off your face so he can see you. “Donna will kill Steven if he's late again.”

You weigh your options. You shift your weight again earning a groan from Marc. “I could just use a timedoor and get him there on time.”

“Lo siento, mi amor,” Jake says as he takes over. “But you always say we shouldn't mess with time.”

You groan but don't stop him as he gets out of bed. You settle for stealing his pillow.

You yelp at the playful swat to your sheet covered behind. His hand rubs the now stinging skin through the sheet as Jake laughs. You glare at him but the face that greets you is one far too soft to be Jake Lockley.

“We’ll make it up to you, darling,” Steven says as he leans in and kisses your forehead. You pull him in for a proper kiss.

“Do we have time for pancakes?” You ask against his lips. And how could he say no to that?

You let him go and he looks at you like you hung the moon. Extra funny considering the lunar deity they serve. “We can make time for pancakes,” he assures you.

“You still want to watch that movie tonight?” Steven asks from the kitchen as you get dressed. You didn't have much other than your uniform so you had really just stolen a shirt that was far too big on you, his clean boxers, and a pair of socks so your feet wouldn't get cold on the hard floors.

You laugh as you remember you had stumbled upon one of Brad Wolfe’s schlocky films on a streaming service.

“Gods yes,” you laugh again. “X-5 was such a prick. Mobius said I have to watch them. They are hilarious, and they aren't supposed to be.”

“Are they scary?” Steven asks and you know in some reflection Marc or Jake is probably rolling their eyes, or laughing. You couldn't be sure.

“I'm sure Jakey will take over if it's too scary,” you wrap your arms around him as he cooks. He scoffs slightly but grins as you kiss his shoulder. “We've both fought worse than whatever monster Brad deals with in this one.” You grin. “Besides, we could take ‘em.”

“I'm sure we could, love,” Steven grins.

[sortofanobsession]

Tired of Fighting was absolutely freaking brilliant! YOU ARE AMAZING!

Thanks. It's the one fandom right now I feel like I can write without "picking a side".

I'm going to put a tiny rant under a read more now...

The fandom stuff is giving me some college Team Vampire/Team Wolf flashbacks from Twilight and True Blood here. The True Blood fandom crap got so bad I stopped watching AND reading the books.

I just want to write what people ask for. I don't care if it's Team Edward or Team Jacob. Team Eric, Team Bill, Team Sam or Team Alcide. I was Team Quinn in the books. Quinn was the best. A weretiger would be sooo freaking huge.

But I digress...

Some of my fics I'm writing multiple endings. A more recent Petty Eddie request might get 2 or 3 endings. I really don't care who ends up canon. I like Tommy. I like Eddie. I'm just going to sit here and know most likely everyone is either going to be happy (or dead because it's 911 and the writers love drama and have a meh feeling about us sometimes). I can live in my own non canon world where everyone is eventually happy.