THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY
fractured || five hargreeves x reader

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: JEALOUSY IS A STORM IN THE MIND...

Written By: peachyhxlland

°•.☆.•°

"Claire?!"

Allison burst into her home, her voice thick with panic as she scanned the living room. Her breath came fast, her heart pounding as she called out for her daughter. She had rushed home immediately after Claire's frantic call about Klaus, leaving everything behind to be there. The sound of soft voices from the living room caught her attention, and she followed the noise. She saw Claire kneeling on the floor with shards of broken glass scattered around her. Beside her, Danielle was crouched down, carefully helping pick up the pieces.

"Dani?" Allison's voice softened in surprise as she stepped closer, her shoes crunching slightly on the stray glass fragments.

Danielle looked up sheepishly, offering a timid smile. "Hello, Mrs. Chestnut," she greeted. "Claire asked me to keep her company while waiting for you."

Allison let out a shaky breath and gave Danielle a grateful look before focusing on her daughter. She stepped carefully over the mess, her maternal instincts overriding everything else. "Honey, are you okay?"

Claire looked up at her mother with glassy eyes, her frame trembling slightly. "I tried to stop him," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Allison froze. She didn't need to ask who Claire meant. She could tell it in her daughter's eyes.

Without hesitation, Allison knelt beside her daughter and pulled her into a protective embrace. "It's okay, it's okay," she whispered soothingly, brushing Claire's locks back as if trying to shield her from the weight of the situation. "It's not your fault, alright? None of this is your fault."

Danielle, sensing the moment, quietly finished gathering the glass, careful not to disturb them.

The sound of the front door opening startled everyone. Claire's head whipped around, and her expression instantly brightened. "Dad!" She broke free from Allison's arms and dashed into Raymond's waiting embrace. The relief in his smile was palpable as he held her tightly. "Hey, Baby Bear," he murmured, rubbing her back gently. "How are you?"

After Claire muttered a small "fine" against his chest, Raymond glanced at Allison, his expression a mixture of concern and unspoken questions. Allison gave him a small, hesitant smile. "Let me talk to your mom for a bit, okay?" Raymond said softly to Claire, pulling back just enough to look at her.

Claire nodded, her eyes flickering briefly to Allison before she turned to help Danielle carry the trash out of the house. Once the room was empty, Raymond sighed heavily and placed his hands on his hips. "Did she see where he went?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

"No," Allison replied, crossing her arms protectively over herself. "He couldn't have gone far."

Raymond stepped closer and enveloped her in a warm hug. Allison leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder as the tension in her body began to ease. "We'll find him, okay?" Raymond promised, his voice firm yet gentle. He pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands. His gaze softened as he noticed the small cuts and bruises on her skin. "Are you okay? What happened to you? Where were you?"

Allison managed a tired laugh. "Long story," she replied. "Let's just say it started with a family reunion."

Raymond raised a brow, a small chuckle escaping him despite the situation. "Ah, yes. The famous Hargreeves reunions. Never a dull moment."

Allison shook her head, a rueful smile tugging at her lips. She moved to the couch and sank into it with a sigh. "I don't know why I still put up with him. Klaus has been like this since we were kids-making a mess, getting himself into trouble, and who does he call? Well, (Y/n) and me. It's exhausting." She stated tiredly.

Raymond joined her, sitting close enough for their shoulders to touch. "Maybe it's time to work on those boundaries," he said gently. "But look, babe, I know you. No matter how annoyed or frustrated you get, you love him. You're worried about him, and that's okay. He's family. And right now, he needs us. He needs you."

Allison's eyes softened as she looked at him, her hand reaching up to stroke his cheek. "How did I get so lucky with you?"

Raymond chuckled and kissed her palm. "You mean, how did I get so lucky with you?"

They leaned their foreheads together, sharing a quiet moment of comfort and connection. "Thank you for not giving up on me," Allison whispered. "For not leaving."

"If I'd left, it would've been the biggest mistake of my life," Raymond replied earnestly. "I'm glad I stayed. I'm glad you let me back in."

The sound of footsteps brought them back to reality. Claire and Danielle re-entered the room, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. "Uncle Klaus is immortal, right?"

Allison nodded slowly. "Yeah?"

Claire frowned thoughtfully. "Then why do you keep trying to save someone who can literally save himself?"

Raymond turned to look at Allison with a surprised look and grin while Allison raised a brow and smirked at Claire. "When did you get so smart?"

"Guess I got it from the both of you." Claire playfully rolled her eyes.

Allison chuckled fondly and stood up to approach her daughter and give her a kiss on her forehead. Allison stared at the house for a few minutes before turning to look at Claire and Raymond. "So are we gonna go look for him... or?"

Raymond chuckled while Claire crossed her arms and shrugged with a smile. "Maybe just this once."

"Yeah, I'll go ahead and change." Allison immediately rushed out of the room.

°•○●○•°

"Five!"

The scream was sharp, echoing in Five's mind like a cold shiver racing down his spine. It was faint, and distorted, but he could hear the pain in your tone. His pulse quickened as he felt the echo of your distress. The words weren't clear, but the agony in your voice hit him like a freight train. His heart clenched painfully, though he knew it wasn't real. The sound wasn't coming from the physical world. But it felt so real. It was real to him. It felt like you were right there, so close, yet unreachable.

Five was exhausted─his body had been through so much already, exploring endless timelines with Lila. Each one is a new version of their reality, each stop more exhausting than the last. But this, this... hearing you in pain, your voice seeping through his dreams, was too much. The urgency in your cry made his pulse quicken. Five couldn't focus on the timelines anymore. He couldn't focus on anything else when you were in trouble. His heart pounded in his chest as the image of you, helpless, replayed over and over. He had to find you. He couldn't wait any longer. He couldn't focus. He had to find you. Immediately.

"Help me!"

Five's chest tightened as he clutched his seat in the subway train, fighting the urge to stand and search for you right then and there. His head throbbed, the ache of his fatigue mixing with the urgency of your cries. He needed to get back.

Lila, sitting beside him, unaware of the internal turmoil that was overtaking Five, broke the silence. "So, what do you think the next timeline will be like?" Her voice was casual, light. "Hopefully, this one will be it. I mean, how many timelines are there anyway? Do you think we'll visit every single one?"

"This is it," Five said suddenly, his voice firm and final.

Lila turned to look at him, startled by his abrupt response. "What? What do you mean?"

Five exhaled heavily, rubbing his temple as exhaustion threatened to consume him. He met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of fatigue and determination. "This is the last timeline, Lila. After this one, we're done. We're going back home. No more timelines."

Lila blinked in surprise, disbelief creeping into her expression. "Wait, what? Are you serious? We can't stop now, Five. There's still so much to do. You can't just─"

"I can and I will," Five's face hardened, the weariness in his eyes deepening. "I'm done. I'm so done." He retorted. "This whole timeline exploration bullshit is pointless from the start. A stupid idea that was never going to work. I thought we could make a difference, but I've had enough."

Lila scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "What the hell are you talking about?" She demanded, frustration rising in her voice. "If it's so stupid, then why did you agree to do it in the first place? You agreed to this mission. You signed up for this. You can't just give up now because you're tired─"

Five clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. "Because you're family, Lila," he snapped. "I did this because I care about you. You're my brother's wife. My sister-in-law. I knew you needed space from him, from your life, and I thought I could help. But this... this is too much. I can't keep doing it."

Lila's expression softened momentarily until her eyes flashed with anger, but there was something deeper there─something that made her voice tremble when she spoke. "I don't need your pity, Five!" She snapped, her voice rising in volume as she stood up abruptly. She paced in front of him, her frustration building. Lila wasn't sure why she was so angry─perhaps it was the exhaustion or the weight of her own frustrations. "I genuinely wanted to stop this fourth apocalypse. I'm trying to help."

Five met her gaze without flinching. "Pity?" He scoffed. "I care about you, Lila. I do. But sometimes, you make it damn near impossible to not want to kill you."

Lila stood up abruptly, facing him with fire in her eyes. "Oh, yeah?" she challenged. "Then go ahead. Kill me now!" Her words were sharp, cutting through the tension that filled the air.

Five glared at Lila but didn't stand up. He stayed silent instead. His silence only made Lila's anger grow. She marched over to him, grabbing the front of his collar and yanking him toward her. "Go on," she spat, her eyes blazing. "Finish me off, Five! I dare you!"

For a moment, the tension between them was suffocating. Five's expression never wavered, but the storm brewing inside him was palpable. Yet, despite everything, he said nothing. He simply pushed her hands off him gently and leaned back into his seat. Lila's breath came in ragged gasps, frustration and anger warring within her. Her hands shook as tears began to well up in her eyes─she hadn't realized how close she was to breaking until that moment.

Five watched her silently. The room was thick with unresolved emotions. Finally, after a long silence, Five spoke again, his tone calm but piercing. "You can't keep running from your problems, Lila. You have to talk to Diego. I'm not your therapist. I can't always be the one to listen to your problems, be the one who's here for you. I have my own life too, and right now, I need to get back. I need to find (Y/n)."

Lila's gaze softened as his words sank in. She lowered her head, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. Her voice was barely a whisper, and she repeated your name. "(Y/n)..."

A small, sad chuckle escaped her lips as she sank back down into her seat. The frustration in her expression faded, replaced by a weary understanding. She met his eyes, her own filled with unshed tears. "You're right," she sighed, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm such a mess... I tried to change, Five. For Diego. For the kids." Her fists clenched at her sides as she continued, "But here I am... still running away. Still avoiding everything instead of facing it."

She paused, a heavy silence falling over them once more. Then, with a soft smile, Lila looked at Five. "I'm sorry for everything. For dragging you into this. I was so used to (Y/n) being strong, and handling things on her own, that... it slipped my mind that she could still be in danger. I was selfish, Five. And I'm sorry."

Five exhaled slowly, a tired but genuine smile appearing on his face. He leaned back, his body sinking into the seat as if the weight of the moment had finally caught up with him. "Thank you for understanding, Lila," he said quietly, his voice weary but sincere.

Soon, Five and Lila arrived at their last timeline to explore. They stepped out of the subway station, and immediately, the overwhelming sight of a crimson sky greeted them. The atmosphere was oppressive, the thick red hue of the sky casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. Ash floated in the air like snowflakes, drifting aimlessly as a bitter wind cut through the empty streets.

Lila looked up at the sky, squinting against the harsh color. "That's new," she commented, her voice almost drowned out by the distant sounds of wind and crumbling debris. She hesitated, glancing at Five. "So... should we keep moving or...?" Her words hung in the air as she waited for Five's decision.

Five stood still for a moment, his instincts telling him something was wrong with this timeline. But he pushed it aside. The need to keep moving, to finish what they'd started, outweighed his doubts. "We keep moving," he said with quiet resolve. "We finish this."

Lila sighed but followed him, her footsteps dragging as they walked past skeletal structures of buildings and debris-laden streets. Bodies littered the ground, some half-buried, others sprawled in unnatural positions as if they had been caught in the chaos of some unholy event. The world felt empty, save for the distant rumble of the wind and the occasional groan of crumbling infrastructure. "I can't believe I'm saying this but this is officially the worst timeline I've ever explored."

Five didn't respond. His eyes flicked over the wreckage, his mind racing. Something about this timeline felt familiar, like a memory he couldn't quite place. He wasn't sure why, but it unsettled him. They rounded a corner, and Five's blood ran cold. Ahead of them stood a towering pyramid of twisted, mangled bodies, stacked high into the sky. Atop the pyramid sat a figure, their silhouette outlined against the red sky. A throne made of bones and skulls loomed over the pile of bodies, and the figure sitting on it seemed almost at peace as if they were untouchable.

Lila caught up to Five, her breath catching in her throat as she froze beside him. "I reckon you don't know who that is?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper, though the figure hadn't moved.

Five frowned and felt his stomach twist, a feeling of dread settling over him. "But I might have a guess." He was cautious, every instinct telling him to be ready for anything.

As soon as they took a step forward, the figure on the throne snapped their head towards them, their eyes glowing bright red. In the blink of an eye, the figure launched themselves toward Five and Lila, faster than the eye could follow. Five and Lila barely had time to react before the figure shot toward them with terrifying speed. Five and Lila quickly spatial jumped away from their assailant. Five appeared a few feet away, while Lila landed a little farther. Lila groaned, watching the figure recover with unnatural swiftness. "Ambushed again? Seriously? I'm starting to think this is a personal vendetta." She said, exasperated. "Guess it was a good call that this will be our last."

Five didn't respond, his focus entirely on the figure before them. He grabbed a large metal rod that was wedged into a nearby stone, twisting it free with ease. "Then we need to get out of here alive," he said, his tone grim as he gripped the rod like a weapon. He spatial jumped above the figure, raising the rod to strike, but before he could land a blow, the figure flicked their wrist, and a red mist enveloped the weapon. Five froze mid-air, the energy around him locking him in place. His eyes widened as he recognized the mist. "That's..." he started, his mind racing to make sense of what was happening. He recognized the red mist now was familiar.

The figure flicked their wrist again, and Five was sent crashing into the rubble, the force of the impact rattling his bones. "Five!" Lila screamed, her voice filled with panic. She quickly jumped closer to the figure, unleashing laser beams from her eyes, but the figure effortlessly summoned a shield that absorbed each strike.

Lila gritted her teeth in frustration, realizing her attacks were futile. The figure's shield seemed impenetrable. The figure then used their power to manipulate the ground beneath them, summoning large chunks of stone to encase Lila. She cried out as the rubble wrapped around her like an unbreakable cage, slowly crushing her under its weight. "Five!" She screamed, her voice strained with pain. "Get me out of here!"

"Lila!" Five shouted, desperate. Five's heart hammered in his chest. He couldn't afford to lose Lila, not here, not now. He teleported next to her, his hands glowing with energy as he tried to break the rocks surrounding her.

"(Y/n)!" Five yelled, his voice rising above everything else. "That's enough!"

For a moment, the figure faltered. Then they turned toward him, their red eyes glowing like embers. As the wind blew, their hood fell back slightly, revealing a face that shattered Five's heart.

There you were.

The sight of you, aged and worn by what seemed like endless years of torment, broke him. The recognition hit him like a ton of bricks, but it wasn't the same. The soft, gentle expression he remembered was gone, replaced by a hardened face filled with pain and sorrow. Your eyes, once filled with love, now burned with an unrecognizable fury. Five could see the traces of the person he loves.

Lila, still trapped beneath the rubble, gasped in recognition. Five couldn't speak at first. His mind was a blur, but the one thing that was crystal clear was the pain in your eyes. The energy crackling around you only made the situation worse, but Five knew─he knew who you were. Even though you were standing here, an enemy, this was still you. Five cautiously took a step forward. "It's us. Remember?"

You didn't move for a moment, your body rigid, like a statue carved from stone. But then, with deliberate slowness, your fists clenched tighter. The rubble encasing Lila shifted ominously, groaning under the force of your power as it compressed further. Lila let out a sharp cry of pain, her body writhing as she struggled against the crushing weight. Five's eyes widened in alarm, his hand shooting out as if to physically reach you. "Wait! (Y/n), please─stop!" His voice cracked slightly, desperation bleeding into every word.

You didn't stop. Your gaze burned with an intensity that made the air feel thick and suffocating. "How are you two still alive?" you asked, your tone cold and distant, as if speaking to a pair of strangers. The venom in your words was unmistakable. "I thought I killed you both."

Lila's strained voice broke through the tension, weak and breathless. "K-Killed?" she stammered, her face contorted with pain. "W-Why would you kill us?"

A bitter hiss escaped your lips, the sound like steam rising from boiling water. Without a word, you flicked your hand sharply to the side and chucked Lila towards Five. The two of them tumbled across the ground, skidding to a stop amidst the dust and rubble. Groaning in pain, Five pushed himself up onto one arm, his body aching from the impact. He turned his gaze toward you, his breath hitching as he finally saw your face fully illuminated by the blood-red sky.

You stood there, tall and unyielding, the wind pulling at the tattered edges of your cloak. Your eyes, glowing faintly with the crimson hue of your