✧ WE ONLY SEE EACHOTHER AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS ✧

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On the first day of October 1989, forty-three women around the world simultaneously gave birth. None of the women showed any prior signs of pregnancy. Sir Reginald Hargreeves, an eccentric billionaire and playboy adventurer, made it his personal mission to find and adopt as many of these children as possible.

He got eight of them.

These children were raised to save the world and become tiny vigilantes because these children are special enough to possess unique abilities.

Time flies fast and 30 years have passed for these peculiar ones.

Number One is on the moon.

Number Two continued to fight crimes.

Number Three became a celebrity.

Number Four was in rehab.

Number Five's status is still unknown.

Number Six died.

Number Seven became a musician.

And Number Eight was trapped inside her own force field, comatose.

Welcome to The Umbrella Academy.

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(Y/N) Hargreeves

IT'S COLD. IT'S COLD HERE. How long has it been? 2 years. 2 years of this freezing place. It felt like centuries being alone in the darkness. Actually, this isn't even darkness. I see nothing, not black or white. I see nothing. There's no way to describe it, and no one wants to know what 'nothing' looks like. If I'm lucky, I'd be able to hear what was going on outside, but it was just obscure sounds I can never make out of.

There were periods where I am able to see something, but it was just a blockade space of whiteness. I just sit at the corner and stare at the uninhabited place.

Fortunately, I just identified the sound of a static sound of television just now. "Moments ago, police-reported the death of the most eccentric and reclusive billionaire. The cause of death has not yet to uncover to the public. A rainy day this night for all of us and the Umbrella Academy."

"Did dad die? What's happening outside?"

"Is everyone okay? Hello?"

My voice echoed through the expanse of nothingness. I used to reach out to them using my voice even though it was strenuous to speak. They always seem to be unaware that I was responsive.

The television's speaker became inaudible, its frequency went high. The ringing sound pulsated in both of my ears it felt like my eardrums were about to explode. "Agh! What's that?" The high-pitched sound became increased its volume. "Make it stop!".

Emerging from nothing, I saw a vision. It looked like an apocalypse just occurred. It looks as though a setting that got thrashed by some nuclear weapon. I know I've seen this place before; it was a devastating place. Buildings were crumbled to pieces, there were no signs of living, flames were dispersing, and it smelled like burnt metal.

It almost looks as if it's... the end of the world?

Unexpectedly, screams were perceived, it was familiar screams. I recognized it almost immediately. My perception was vanishing and noises were getting louder.

It was my siblings screaming.

Raged and horrified ones. Despite the circumstances, I was in; I called out for them. "Allison! Vanya! Diego! Luther! Where are you guys?!" But it continued to roar to the point that I can't take it anymore.

And then, for a moment, Five's voice resonated.

"Eight?"

POP! THUMP!

"Ouch! God, that hurt." I arched my back in pain and laid my hand on the part where it stung the most. I tried regaining my balance, but my whole body felt like pins and needles. The bubble I created trapped me. I fell from a few feet above, I assumed I was floating just like the day before it went downhill. Hissing in pain, I looked around. The (F/C) wallpaper pasted on the barricades, vandalism of numbers on some parts, and a small bookshelf full of comics. I'm back.

It's my room. This is my room. It looks different though. Withered flowers and petals were scattered along the floor. Picture frames of me and the others were leaning against the wall along with the words 'We miss you' written in cursive black ink.

The crispy air entered my nostrils in a graceful manner and then my ears hearing the chirps of a mother bird feeding her children on the nest they have on the tree near my window.

It feels so good to be alive again. Well, I always have been alive, I didn't die in the first place; I could sometimes barely hear them talking. There was that one time they held a brief ceremony for me, in hopes of me to come back. And after that, it has been awfully silent for months.

I set my arms on the wooden floor slowly taking a hazy breath.

I'm actually feeling something! I'm seeing things like actual things!

Once I regain my full-on consciousness, I stood up and fixed myself. It was the same uniform I have worn ever since I got stuck in my own power. I exited the room.

"Vanya! Allison! I'm back!" Sprinting through the corridors, there weren't any signs of anyone. I entered everyone's room. It looked as if it wasn't touched for years. It was strange since they'd always leave some kind of a mess. I entered Allison's room in hopes to find a trace of where she could have been, but to my luck, there weren't any.

"Ms. (Y/N)...?" A voice looms in the area.

"Pogo! It's been two years! How are you? Where are the others?" I plunged myself to hug the old chimpanzee. As I nuzzle him away, he still held an astonishing impression. "What is it?".

"If I heard you correctly, you said 2 years?" He asked as he adjusted his glasses and composure.

"Your father's theory was right. A decade would only feel like almost a year to you..." I heard him murmur as he examined my face.

"What do you mean theory? What are you talking about, Pogo? And where the hell is everyone?"

He took a deep breath, gathering the courage to let out the words he wanted to release. "I'm sorry to say this, but your father just passed away yesterday."

"Huh, what do you mean dead? And what are you saying about a theory?"

"It was not just 2 years..." He was hesitant.

"What? No. I'm sure that it was 910 days."

"Ms. (Y/N), you have been in a coma for 12 years... You're 29 years old and no longer 16." He justified with his gentle old man voice.

"What no..." I took a step back. Everything was getting weirder and weirder. Is this even Pogo? The last person—Well, monkey—I talked to? Then that explains the news I heard...
"Stay back, please." My sight was getting hazy, and I was breathing manually.

"I suggest you stay calm, Ms. (Y/N) I will try my best to tell everyth—"

"Ms. (Y/N)? (Y/N)!"

With that, I fainted. I couldn't handle everything he was saying at once, and the best thing to do was to faint. Yey me.

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"So, are we going to have two funerals in one day?"

"Diego!"

"What? I'm just saying!" Someone exclaims as sounds footsteps went further.

"I can't believe she finally got out of that bubble. Must've been really dark, and scary inside, ey (Y/N)..?"

"Ugh..." I groaned, fluttering my eyes open, trying to reattain my vision.

"She's waking up."

"What happened?" I yawned and rubbed my eye. Blinking a few times for a much clearer view. 3 adults who I have never seen before my entire life focus their gazes on me in my room. "Who are you? Why are you in my house?" I said, still stuck in my muddled state. Nothing made sense ever since I woke up.

"Don't tell me you forgot about us." The woman in a stylish blue shirt with curly hair gave a short, awkward giggle. Her look dazzled me. She looks like someone you would see in a weekly magazine. I examined the three's faces. Don't tell me they are, actually...

"A-Allison?" She shot a beaming smile before she dashed herself to give her a tight hug. "B-But how... W-Wha—" I muttered still unable to comprehend what was happening.

Behind her was a tall man with a hulk-like figure for his top and long legs "You're Luther right? Since when have you gotten..." From top to bottom, I scanned him. "... taller?" The blonde boy just gave a gawky smile. "We're glad to have you back, kiddo." He said patting my head.

"(Y/N)! Oh, how much I missed you! Why did it take for dad's death to have you back?" Klaus dropped and plunged himself to me fake crying. He looks miserable.

"Nice to see you too, Klaus." And he smelled weird—No, he smelled strange.

"How long was I trapped?" I asked as my tone lowered. I was in dismay that I didn't age and they did. "12 years," Allison answered while putting a piece of my hair behind my ear. She always does that when we were kids. Guess it comes naturally. I couldn't believe that quarter of my life was taken away. They all saw how my expression was saddened with the truth. "I'm sorry (Y/N), we tried to save you—"

"It's fine Luther, It's okay we don't have to talk about it." A grin found its way on my lips as I hold on to the hand he placed on my shoulder. The silence was getting uncomfortable as the last memory I have with them played in my mind.

"And about dad, is he really dead?" I asked casually while Klaus is still lying down my arms indolently. Both of the two nodded. "I see...".

"Did Five ever came back...?" I felt my heart increased its pace. I was not prepared for either of the two answers I'm about to hear.

All of them shook their heads in a 'no'. "Oh..." I murmured in despair.

"Where's Vanya and Diego?"

"They're downstairs. But first, let's get you a bath and new clothes, okay?" Allison lead me out and took me to the bathroom to wash.

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Home. I never liked this home, but it's my home. It looked the same, but only with the members growing beards and wisdom teeth. It's the same old gothic mansion that is still filled with artifacts, graven images portraying rural forms, and whatnot. My sister updated me regarding their status and updates of the world while I was gone here and then.

I went to our living room by the fireplace after changing back in the same clothes since it was the only thing I have ever since it happened. And there we the others who were sitting, in pure awkward silence. Only the crackling sound of the flames below Five's portrait was reproduced.

"Did I miss something?" I said anxiously approaching them. The woman with a tiny figure in casual clothes seems staggered to see me. It was obviously Vanya, I could just tell it was her. She stood up from her comfortable position on the couch to hug me.

"Welcome back, (Y/N)." Vanya was the same timid girl I know, I've always seen her as the little sister of this chaotic family. It was no surprise that I'm a few centimeters taller than her.

She's a fragile girl. "Glad to be around again, Vanya." We break apart when someone interrupted us by the fireplace.

I wanted to catch up with Vanya as well about her job and how she's doing, but I figured that this time wasn't a good time to have a chat.

"Hey, you're back sissy." He tediously said avoiding eye contact. Diego gave me all sorts of 'weak' kind of names you can think of. He has the award of good-at-pissing-me-off.

"Way to dress for the occasion, Diego.—Like the beard by the way really brings out the flavor." I rolled my eyes after examining his Kevlar-reinforced black bodysuit as I took a seat next to Vanya. "Lovely seeing you in that uniform too, (Y/N)." He sneered.

Once again, intolerable silence filled the room. 'Jesus, since when was the last time they've even seen each other?'

"Um—"

"I thought we could have the memorial service at sundown. Say a few words, out on dad's favorite tree." Luther finally spoke, dithering.

"Dad had a favorite tree?"

"Yeah, the oak tree."

"We used to sit out there all the time. None of you ever did that?" He asked in defense, low-key showing-off while I raised a brow. "Daddy's little boy." I awed in a mocking tone, teasing Luther. "What? No, I'm not." He was always staunched when it comes to dad.

From behind, Klaus snickers, carrying a drink he got from dad's liquor cabinet and a cigarette.

"Will there be refreshments? Tea? Sones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a winner." Klaus was looking inebriated after raiding dad's beverages. I remember that he started sneaking 'candy' when we turned 13. I didn't expect him to carry this habit as an adult—Scratch that, I kinda do.

As for Spaceboy here, he didn't pay attention to what Klaus said; he confronted him about him smoking inside since dad didn't allow it. I noticed the skirt that Number Four was wearing. If I'm not mistaken, it's Allison's.

"Listen up. Still, some important things that we need to discuss, all right?" Luther declares, and everyone shot him with a confused expression. "Like what?"

"Like the way he died," Luther explains.

"That's it, I'm out. I don't wanna hear it." I quickly stood up from my position, raising both my arms as if I got caught, immediately walking out of the 'family gathering' we were having.

"Where do you think you're going?" I turned on my feet to face the gigantic man in a coat that looks like it's about to combust with a single swing of his muscular arm. "You're getting suspicious." He looks at me intensely in hopes of me revealing something regarding dad's death.

Everyone was confounded by what Luther just said, it's almost as if he was accusing me of dad's death. "Luther, don't be silly. I've been in a coma for years I have some catching up to do and a good rest. Just call me when the ceremony starts. So, adios."

"You know for someone taking a nap for 12 years, she's handling everything so well," Diego commented.

I left the scene and went upstairs. From the corner of my eyes, something caught my attention on the other side. It's our family portraits throughout the years. The first one we have was when we were 13. I was between Five and Allison, with Luther behind me. I reached out for Five's face as if it was his cheek I was touching. I miss that bastard.

The second one we have, we grew a bit, but it's still our faces. It looks the same, but without Five in it.

The third time was the year that Ben died, and I went into a coma. We were included in the take before we went our separate ways.

And finally the last one, without Ben and me now. You could tell how incomplete it looks without the other members. They all look dull. But I always wondered why Vanya wasn't included, she is part of the family. For some reason, dad seemed to push her away.

This is my family. The Hargreeves family. We're a fucked up one too if I may add that. With our father being a mad weirdo married to a robot mom with a monkey as a butler, things didn't raise right for us, resulting in a terrible family. Because of horrible parenting skills, we weren't all sunshine and rainbows as the public portray us to be.

I do try my best to be close with my siblings, we would argue and curse at each other from time to time, but it's any other brother or sister communication you have for, really. We're not that awful, but it's not the family I had in mind, but mostly dad was the problem. Scratch that—He is the problem. He implemented the act of cruelty in our young minds.

I remember One and Two always fighting, as Diego being a competitive little bitch and Luther acting like a golden boy, they weren't compatible. Klaus was cunning and did many unruly acts, there was this one time he pissed on dad's gas tank. Sometimes I'd even join him if it were messing around on dad's stuff.

Allison was always a fan of superstars and showbiz, she and I used to hang out too. We'd even do a fashion show of our own in her room during our free time; Both of us religiously studied magazines and Lolita stuff. And then Vanya, there weren't many memories with her, she's always isolated playing the violin but if I could I'd watch her play with it.

After giving a nice long inspection of these portraits, what's inside in all of them never really changed. Luther giving the 'teacher's pet' vibe because of the smile being present in every shot; Allison with her fierce look, I freaked out earlier when I found out she became a celebrity; Diego with his rebellious aura; And then finally Klaus with his apprehensive composure.

Suddenly, a woman stands nearby, her blonde hair perfectly curled in buns, wearing a blue dress that complimented her thin build. "Mom!" I cheered as she gave a welcoming grin. I put my arms around her back, giving her a complimentary hug. It was nice hugging people.

"Hello, (Y/N) dear, it's good to see you again." Her lively intonation never changed. She might be a mechanical thing, but it's her and Pogo that cared and looked out for us. "Want me to make you a peanut butter with marshmallow sandwich?" She asked nicely, putting a strand of my hair behind my ear. "No thanks, Mom. I'm good." I gave a sheepish smile before taking my leave.

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I headed to my room. To be honest, I didn't feel like listening to the entire conversation. I didn't want to hang out with dysfunctional adults talking about how dad died. Don't get me wrong, I missed my siblings, I really did, every one of them, but 12 years was just a lot to take in, I need some time for myself. I wanted to be alone. I just couldn't believe that to me it felt like 2 years and to the actual world, it was a decade.

I mean, me being 29 and looking the same. Five still not coming back and then dad... Dad might be an asshole, but he's still our father. His death was a bit hard to swallow. Why would he die? Why did he die? He couldn't die because of just some mere heart attack.

Old withered flowers were the scent of my room since they filled it with it; I recalled hearing an occasion of them saying their messages and goodbyes, so that must be the time they offered flowers. This area seems secluded than the others.

By the chair stand lies a newspaper. I picked it up.

'WHERE IS NUMBER EIGHT?' I gulped, preparing myself for whatever will soon unveil. A grunge photo of me wearing the mask we always wore was above it. I scanned the paragraph below the headline. '—The sudden disappearance of Number Eight caused a commotion with the fans—Scandals and conspiracies