THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY
fractured || five hargreeves x reader
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: WHAT A NIGHTMARE
Written By: peachyhxlland
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Five gasped awake. His body jerked forward as if he had just surfaced from drowning. His chest heaved, breath coming in short, his limbs heavy like he had been asleep for too long. Five blinked rapidly, eyes adjusting to the brightness. He glanced down. A blanket lay tangled around his legs, as if he had been tossing and turning all night.
'What a nightmare.' Five thought, running a hand over his face. 'I don't even remember what it was about...'
The unease lingered, clinging to him like a ghost of something important, something he should remember. But no matter how hard he tried, it slipped further away, leaving only a faint, nagging emptiness in its place. Pushing the thought aside, Five tossed the blanket off and swung his legs over the bed. He stood, stretching stiff muscles before heading to the bathroom. The hot water did little to ease the weight in his chest, but at least it helped clear his head.
Five pulled a crisp white dress shirt from the neatly arranged stack in his closet, shaking out the folds before slipping his arms through the sleeves. He buttoned it up with ease, though he left the top button undone. Reaching for his black vest, he shrugged it on, adjusting the fit before smoothing out any creases. His black slacks followed, fitting perfectly as he smoothed out the fabric. He fastened his slacks, adjusting them to sit just right before running a hand through his hair. His sharp eyes stared back at him, clouded with thought. There was something thereβa heaviness in his reflection he couldn't quite name.
Exhaling through his nose, Five grabbed his black coat from the chair, draping it over one arm as he made his way downstairs. Descending the stairs, Five made his way to the kitchen, where he grabbed a metal dog bowl and filled it with kibble. He tapped the edge of it lightly.
"Mr. Pennycrumb!" He called out.
A rapid patter of paws echoed from the hallway before a small golden-brown pug came bounding into the room. His tiny legs moved with impressive speed, ears flopping with each eager step. The moment he spotted his food bowl, he made a beeline for it, nearly skidding as he came to a stop.
Five chuckled, crouching down as he reached out to ruffle the soft fur on Mr. Pennycrumb's head. The little pug barely reacted, too busy devouring his breakfast. His small snorts and chomps filled the space, his tail wagging furiously behind him.
"You eat like you haven't been fed in days," Five muttered with amusement, watching his dog inhale the food. He grabbed the second bowl and filled it with fresh water, setting it down beside the first. "I'll be back in a bit, okay?" He said, scratching lightly behind the pug's ears. Mr. Pennycrumb gave a short grunt of acknowledgment but remained focused on his meal. Five smirked, standing up and brushing off his vest. "And don't chew my shoes while I'm gone," He added with a pointed glance.
He strode to the coffee table, grabbing his motorcycle keys and helmet in one motion. Five let out a quiet sigh before stepping outside, casting a last glance at his tiny dog, now happily lapping at his water. He shut the door behind him and locked it securely before heading toward his sleek black motorcycle parked just outside.
Swinging a leg over the seat, he adjusted his grip on the helmet before sliding it on, fastening the strap beneath his chin. His fingers curled around the handlebars as he twisted the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, the deep, steady hum filling the air. Without hesitation, Five kicked up the stand, revved the throttle, and sped off toward the city.
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The warm scent of sizzling bacon and buttery eggs filled the kitchen as Luther hummed to himself, skillfully preparing breakfast. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he tossed the scrambled eggs into the air, watching as they flipped effortlessly before landing neatly back in the pan. A satisfied chuckle escaped his lips.
"Good job, Luther," He muttered to himself with a grin. He then answered in a deeper voice, "Why, thank you, Luther."
Shaking his head in amusement, he finished plating the eggs alongside the crispy bacon and took a deep breath, savoring the aroma of his handiwork. Just as he was about to grab the toast, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, a familiar warmth pressing into his back. "Smells good, honey," Sloane murmured sleepily, her voice still laced with drowsiness.
Luther turned around, smiling as he saw her standing there in her nightgown, her hair slightly tousled from sleep, her eyes half-lidded but filled with affection. It was clear she had just woken up, and yet, to him, she looked as radiant as ever.
"Hello, wifey." Luther grinned.
"Hi, hubby." Sloane giggled.
"How was your sleep, sweetie?" He asked softly, reaching up to gently cup her face, his thumb brushing along her cheek.
Sloane leaned into his touch. "Slept like a baby... actually, feels like I slept for years." She let out a small yawn.
Luther chuckled at that but didn't comment further. Instead, he guided her to the dining table, pulling out her chair before setting a plate in front of her along with a slice of perfectly buttered toast.
"How about you, hon?" She asked, glancing up at him as she picked up a piece of bacon. "How was your sleep?"
Luther paused for a moment, his hand hesitating over his fork. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes before he shook his head lightly. "Had a weird dream, but it's alright." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the side of Sloane's head before settling into his seat across from her.
Sloane eyed him curiously but decided not to press. Instead, she took a bite of her breakfast and let out a pleased hum. "This is really good."
Luther smirked. "Of course it is. I made it."
Sloane playfully rolled her eyes before asking, "What time are you heading out later?"
"After this breakfast and after taking a bath," Luther replied, taking a sip of his tea.
Sloane reached across the table, slipping her fingers into his and giving his hand a small squeeze. Her smile was warm, filled with quiet gratitude. "Thank you for preparing breakfast."
Luther turned his hand over to lace their fingers together, squeezing back. "Anything for you, Sloane."
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world outside the cozy kitchen didn't matter. With a soft chuckle, Sloane leaned forward, and Luther met her halfway, sharing a short but tender kiss before returning to their meal.
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Diego stepped into his home, kicking the door shut behind him as he yawned loudly. He stretched his arms high above his head, rolling his shoulders until he felt a satisfying pop. He then cracked his knuckles one by one, sighing in relief. "Damn, I'm gonna be sore tomorrow," Diego muttered to himself, making his way to the kitchen. He grabbed his tumbler from the counter, twisting the lid off and taking several long gulps of water, the cool liquid soothing his dry throat.
"Hey, love!" Lila's voice rang out from the kitchen. A second later, her head popped out from behind the fridge door, her messy hair indicating she had just woken up. "How was your morning jog?"
Diego wiped the back of his hand over his mouth and smirked. "Great. But I hit the gym too. It's been a while since I had a proper workout."
Lila frowned, closing the fridge and crossing her arms. "I thought we were doing that together."
Diego chuckled and made his way to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Well, I can join you next time."
Lila huffed as she poured milk over her cereal. "Damn right, you will." Diego leaned down, resting his chin on her shoulder. Lila instantly flinched, groaning as she tried to squirm away. "Diego! You're all sweaty, come on! That's disgusting!"
"Oh, really? I didn't hear you complaining last night aboutβ"
"Oh, my God! Diego!" Lila gasped, her face heating up. Before she could react, Diego scooped her up with ease and spun her around. Lila erupted into laughter, kicking her feet playfully. "Alright, alright! Stop it, you brute!"
Diego finally set her down, and she rewarded him with a quick peck on the cheek. Still grinning, he turned to the stove, grabbing a pan and pouring some oil into it. "Since we're both off today, are you going to join your bandmates and practice your drums?"
Lila grabbed her cereal bowl and took a bite while standing, swaying slightly in place. "Nope. I'm joining you later. It can be our dateβmuseum date, to be exact. Besides, the kids are at my parents' house today. We have the whole day to ourselves, darling."
Diego raised an eyebrow, glancing over at her. "Look at us, planning our day-offs together like a responsible married couple."
Lila wiggled her eyebrows. "Sexy, isn't it?"
Diego chuckled, shaking his head as he focused on the stove.
Lila, intrigued, set her cereal bowl down on the countertop and leaned over Diego's shoulder. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, resting her chin against his shoulder as she peeked over at the pan and inhaled the aroma of sizzling spices. "What are you making there, mister?"
Diego smirked, his grip steady as he expertly flipped something in the pan. The sound of the crispy shells sizzling made Lila's stomach growl in anticipation. "Your favorite."
Lila blinked before realization hit her. Her mouth fell open, eyes wide with disbelief. "No way."
Diego turned to her, a smug grin tugging at his lips. "Golgappa."
Lila gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if he had just swept her off her feet all over again. "Oh, sweetie!" She gushed, bouncing slightly on her toes. Then, without warning, she practically launched herself at him, wrapping him in a tight embrace before planting a firm, exaggerated kiss on his cheek. Diego chuckled, shaking his head as he returned his focus to the pan. "Best husband ever," She mumbled against his skin, still grinning.
Diego smirked as he continued cooking. "I know."
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Allison sat on the couch, carefully braiding Claire's hair, while the teen sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air as Ray sat nearby, flipping through his newspaper. He took a slow sip of his coffee before lowering the paper slightly, glancing over at his wife and daughter. "Allison, sweetheart," He started, his voice filled with warmth. "What do you think about going out later as a family?"
Claire immediately perked up, twisting around in excitement. "Mom, can we? Can we?" She pleaded, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Allison chuckled and gently turned her daughter's head back forward. "Hold still, or your braids will be all messy." She teased. "Just let me finish this, okay?"
Ray watched the two of them in silence, a fond smile playing on his lips as Allison expertly worked her fingers through Claire's curls. Soon, she secured the braid and leaned down to kiss the top of her daughter's head. "Alright, all done," She said, patting Claire's shoulders. "Go pick out your outfit."
Claire grinned and bolted from the room, her footsteps thumping against the stairs as she raced toward her bedroom.
Allison sighed wistfully before glancing over at her husband, noticing the way he was still watching her with a tender expression. "What?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, though a smirk was already tugging at her lips.
Ray shook his head, his smile widening as he set his newspaper down. "Just feeling real lucky to have you and this family," He admitted, his voice laced with sincerity. "I couldn't ask for more."
Allison smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes, and walked over to him. She slipped onto his lap effortlessly, her arms draping around his shoulders as he instinctively rested his hands on her waist. His coffee sat forgotten on the table as she leaned in, pressing her forehead lightly against his. "Same," She murmured, her voice quiet but firm. "I'd do everything to have this family over and over again in my many lives."
Ray sighed, his teasing expression melting into something more serious as he studied her face. His fingers continued tracing along her legs, grounding her. "You sure you're okay?" He asked, his voice softer now. "You were crying last night from a nightmare."
Allison hesitated, inhaling deeply as she remembered the feelings she had of a dream that felt too real. But then again she had forgotten about it, and the details slipped through her fingers like sand, leaving behind only a dull unease. She closed her eyes briefly, pushing the feeling away before she met Ray's gaze again. Allison nodded with a reassuring smile. "Of course, I'm okay..." She said softly, her fingers brushing against the back of his neck. "I always will beβwhenever I'm with you."
Ray's smile returned, small but full of warmth, as he pulled her closer. "That's all I need to hear." He whispered against her temple, pressing a lingering kiss there as if sealing a silent promise between them.
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"Klaus! You got a customer requesting you!"
"Coming!" Klaus called back, emerging from his office with a flourish. He smoothed out his loose, long-sleeved multicolored striped pattern button-up shirt before greeting the two men browsing through the thrift shop. "Ahh, interested in something? Or perhaps..." He wiggled his eyebrows. "You're in need of a consultation with yours truly as an event planner?"
The shorter man beamed, nudging his much taller boyfriend excitedly. "See? I told you he does event planning too!"
The taller man raised an eyebrow, looking Klaus up and down before glancing around the eclectic shop. "Then why are you running a thrift store?"
Klaus grinned, spinning in place dramatically as he gestured to the shelves filled with carefully curated antiques, handcrafted dΓ©cor, and odd trinkets. "Oh, this lovely little haven? It actually belongs to my fiancΓ©, Dave. He takes over in the afternoons while I run the mornings." He plucked up a vintage candle holder, inspecting it before setting it back down. "Some of these beauties are our own creations. And, get thisβwhenever I plan events, we incorporate some of these pieces as decorations, with the client's blessing, of course."
He leaned in slightly with a smirk. "This business? It's for all the quirky, wonderful souls out there." He spread his arms dramatically. "A little mix of past and present, just like love itself."
The shorter man clasped his hands together, clearly charmed. "Oh my God, I love that. Honey, we have to hire him."
The taller man sighed in amusement, shaking his head but unable to hide the smile creeping onto his lips. "Alright, alright. Tell us what you've got."
Klaus clapped his hands together, bouncing on his feet. "Fabulous! Now, give me the rundown. Are we thinking grand and luxurious, or something more intimate and cozy? A themed extravaganza, perhaps?" He waved his fingers dramatically.
The shorter man laughed. "Actually, we want something more on the intimate side. A vintage-inspired engagement partyβwarm lighting, rich colors, something that feels timeless."
Klaus gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "And you have come to the right place." He spun toward a shelf and grabbed an ornate, gold-trimmed mirror. "Picture thisβsoft, glowing candlelight, deep jewel tones, antique centerpieces that tell a storyβmaybe even some of these treasures repurposed for dΓ©cor." He wiggled the mirror. "We could use this as a centerpiece with a gorgeous floral arrangement reflected in it. It'll look divine in photos."
The taller man rubbed his chin, considering it. "That actually sounds... really nice."
Klaus beamed. "Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty details, is there anything in this little wonderland that's catching your eye?" He gestured around the shop. "A keepsake to mark this special occasion?"
The shorter man hummed as he scanned the shelves before his eyes landed on a delicate porcelain music box. He lifted it carefully, twisting the tiny key at the bottom. A soft melody filled the air, and his expression melted into something nostalgic. "This... reminds me of the one my grandmother had."
Klaus placed a gentle hand over his heart. "Then it was meant to find you."
The taller man smiled fondly at his fiancΓ© before nodding. "We'll take it."
Klaus grinned. "Excellent choice. And as for the engagement party, consider me officially your planner. We'll make magic happen, my loves."
After wrapping up the consultation with the couple and seeing them out the door, Klaus barely had a moment to breathe before the shop's bell jingled again. Two identical young men stormed inside, voices already raised in a heated argument. Klaus didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. Klaus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, Benjamin, Benedict, I cannot keep starting my mornings with you two barging in and squabbling like wild raccoons."
Benjamin, the slightly more put-together of the twins, adjusted his glasses with a sharp huff. "He started it by being an absolute asshole."
Benedict scoffed, arms crossing over his chest. "Oh, boohoo, you gonna cry about it to your mommy?"
Benjamin's eye twitched. "We have the same mother, you moron!"
Klaus groaned, already regretting his decision to not pretend he wasn't here. "Alright, alright, enough!" He clapped his hands together, stepping between them. "Benerinos, as much as I love you both, you really need to figure out how to coexist without trying to murder each other. I honestly don't know how your girlfriends put up with this."
Benjamin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "To be honest, Jill is getting annoyed by it."
Benedict grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "And Jennifer's been giving me an earful every night lately... and not the good kind."
Benjamin shot him a glare. "Maybe if you stopped clubbing and partying all night, she wouldn't."
Benedict's head snapped toward his twin. "I wasn't talking to you, bookworm!"
"Hey, hey!" Klaus waved his hands between them before they could start up again. "You know what? I know exactly how to fix this." A mischievous grin stretched across his face as he draped an arm around each of them. "You two are coming with me. We're gonna take a little trip into the city, spend some quality time together, and maybeβjust maybeβfigure out how to not be at each other's throats every five minutes."
Benjamin and Benedict both muttered under their breath, visibly unenthused.
"Oh, I wasn't asking." Klaus grinned, then grabbed both twins by the ears, dragging them toward the door as they yelped in protest.
"OW! Okay, okay! We'll go, jackass!"
"Let go of my ear, Klaus!"
"Nope!" Klaus exclaimed loudly. "Not until I see some brotherly bonding!"
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Viktor wiped down the bar with practiced ease, the cloth gliding over the smooth wood. The bar wasn't officially open yet, but he kept the doors unlocked for the early regularsβthe ones who preferred coffee over cocktails, the ones who just wanted a quiet place to sit before the city fully woke up. Viktor liked it, too. It was peaceful, predictable.
The sharp ring of the telephone broke the silence, and Viktor picked it up, answering with his usual measured tone. As he spoke, a soft chime of the door was heard. He glanced up, expecting to see Mr. Lancaster, who usually shuffled in around this time, grumbling
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