a mannequin and a boy • the umbrella academy ON HOLD

volume two, issue 14

The gunshots still rang out despite Five's best efforts to kick his past self back to 2019, but he really wasn't surprised. The biggest surprise came from seeing his brother dart down the street, tackling his dad over-- who, as it turned out, wasn't his dad.

That certain surprise was short lived, though, as Five caught sight of Dolores, who was appearing and disappearing at a rapid rate. When he did see her, she was battered and bruised, scared for her life.

Something, like a protective instinct, ignited in Five as he hopped over the fence, Dolores running away from him. He groaned internally, picking up speed. Luckily, she was slow and his powers were faster.

When he finally did catch her, he was pretty angry. Not at her, but at her state. He could never be mad at her, though he could certainly act like it.

"No," Five told her, even if the scared look in her eye turned him away from it. "Not this time. You don't get tp run away from me," he continued, loosening his grip slightly.

"You... you don't understand, Five... it's not my fault..." she replied, her gaze avoiding him. He lifted his hand under her chin, gently and slowly, so he could observe her bruises.

There was a faint cut under her jaw, lined with a slap mark that was almost blistering. Her cheeks were puffy, perhaps with swelling, but her bloodshot eyes told him that it was probably from crying too.

Five felt guilty. Guilty that he didn't take her home, dead and all, and guilty that he didn't try to take her from Reginald.

Reginald. So he did this, that was the only possible explanation. He knew his dad was awful, but abusing a kid? Even if she wasn't exactly a kid, that's a new low.

"Let's go somewhere private," he finally said, leading her away from the open area. She kept looking around her, as if she was paranoid, but he tightened his grip around her, trying to show her that she was safe.

No matter what, he wouldn't let her go. Not again.

By the time they got back to the refuge building, Five was exhausted, and he laid her down on the sofa. Taking a seat across from her, he drifted off to sleep.

By the time she woke up, he was already awake, barely able to get enough sleep. She looked like a mess, and he was sure he probably did too. 

"Five..." she timidly said, and his head shot up. He jumped up and sat beside her, cautiously, watching her every move to make sure she was okay. 

"Dolores. I can't begin to tell you how happy and sad I am that yore here. Happy, because you're here, and alive, but sad and mad that you're in the state you are. How did this happen?" He asked, without thinking twice. Judging by her reaction, he felt guilty for bogging her down with so many questions.

He gently raised his hand, observing the fading scar on her forehead from the gunshot. His fingers brushed against her forehead, then moved to her hair, pinning it behind her ear as he leaned his forehead against hers.

After a moment in each other's presence, she started to cry, and Five, even if he wasn't good with sorrow or comforting people, just held her in his embrace. He dug his head into her neck, and for the first time in a long time, he felt safe. 

"Five, we're here!" And there Luther was, just to ruin the moment. Five sighed, begrudgingly letting her go and going down the stairs to greet his siblings. 

"Not a good time, guys," Five mentioned, annoyed as he stood near Allison. 

"Yeah, well, it's not a very good time for the nation, either," Klaus rebutted, before going into a bedroom to rest.