The Umbrella Academy Preferences

He Helps You During Recovery

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of eating disorders, addiction, relapse and top surgery

Diego: Binge Eating
It wasn't a shock to Diego when you told him your diagnosis, he secretly knew, he just didn't know how to bring it up to you. He watched you skip meals and then eat a ton, then skip more and then just eat more. He saw how it was tearing you apart and it broke his heart that he didn't know how to help.

It wasn't until he lightly suggested you get some help after he had enough of just standing back and watching you destroy your body that you knew he knew. You were very hesitant but he encouraged it and seeing his distraught face was enough to convince you.

After your therapist gave you a brand new lifestyle of eating, Diego adopted it with you. Given a portion adjustment? He'd adjust his portions. You only can eat a certain calorie number? He was eating the same number. You could only eat a certain amount of snacks? Je was right there to gently remind you. You had to adopt new ways to deal with your emotions? He was right by your side.

Of course you had slip ups and Diego knew you were going to have them. He was already on stand by for when you needed his emotional support. He was so proud of you for getting help and was always ready and willing to help you through what was driving you that day to eat.

"Baby you're so strong, look at you! I'm so proud of you for taking this step. You have my support every step of the way."

Luther: Alcoholism
You loved to drink but it wasn't in the way Luther thought. He just figured you liked to party but what he didn't know was how much you actually drank. It wasn't until he discovered your hidden liquor bottles that he grew worried.

He immediately confronted you about it, worried for your health. You broke down in tears after an hour of denying your problem. He didn't hesitate to hold you while you cried and tell you everything was going to be okay. He convinced you to go into support group/therapy to help you cope.

Whatever the therapist suggested you try out to deal with your emotions, Luther was right there. He always made sure you knew he wasn't going anywhere and this was a team effort. He would help you find new hobbies and new ways to solve your cravings and help your withdrawl. It pained him to see you on your bad days, but he pushed through for you.

He dealt with your anger, your sadness, your depression, and every single bad thing you had to go through. He witnessed you at your lowest points and never once judged you for it. He encouraged you and praised you every chance he got for making the changes you were.

"Honey I know it's bad, but I'm not going anywhere. We're going to do this together, we got this."

Five: Self Harm
You always wore hoodies and jeans and Five couldn't understand why. One day when you were at the Academy and fell asleep, he rolled up your sleeve and his suspicions were right. He even saw some fresh ones and for the first time in a long time, he really wanted to cry.

When you woke up, he was gently drilling you for answers. He was close to tears and that's what made you start to lose it. He held you and allowed you to cry. You were so afraid he was going to leave you or he thought less of you, but you were wrong. He immediately promised that he was going to help you through this, starting with getting you a therapist.

From the day he found out and forward, he checked your wrists, thighs, and stomach everyday. He knew you weren't going to be perfect every time, but he still praised you. Every chance he got he would remind you how beautiful you were and how much he loved you. He became very soft and gentle towards you and listened to everything you were going/went through.

Anything he found out he could do to help he did. He encouraged you to try new things and find new hobbies to cope. He encouraged you to open up to him and to share whatever you were feeling. He knew you needed him and he wasn't about to lose you.

"Darling I am so proud of you. Scars or no scars, I still think you are the most beautiful girl in the world."

Ben: Anorexia
He knew you were skinny but he thought it was just your genetics. It wasn't until he found out how much you actually ate that he got scared. It got worse when he found you passed out and took you to the doctor only to find out you were malnourished. He cried when he heard the doctor say you were Anorexic.

When you saw Ben crying, your whole world came crashing down. You felt terrible and felt guilty for making him cry, but he assured you that it wasn't your fault. When you went to rehab, he visited you from the time visiting hours opened to the time hours ended. He would praise you for everytime you ate and tell you how amazing you looked every time he saw you.

When you got out, he watched over you like a hawk. He ate with you, he enouraged you to listen to your body and to eat what your body wanted. He helped you on your bad days and kept track of your habits for your therapist. He even researched ways to help you feel better about eating. He always assured you that you were doing great.

He saw you at your worst and even then he refused to leave your side. Even though he didn't understand your disorder, he tried his best to be sympathetic and patient with you. He never pushed you and still praised you, even on your bad days.

"Sweetie, you are glowing. I am so proud of you, you are the strongest person I've ever met."

Klaus: Top Surgery
You have always had issues with your breasts. No matter what they were very comfortable to you and you hated them. You didn't want to be a boy or girl, you just wanted to be comfortable in your own skin. You expressed this to Klaus and he was fully on board.

He helped you arrange a consultation with the doctor and was there when you came out of surgery. He helped you change your bandages and rubbed medicine on the areas. He helped you pick out a new name and helped you find better fitting clothes. He was so proud of you for taking this step.

Of course you were still having identity issues but he was fully understanding. He made sure to always ask how you felt and how he could help you. He knew this was an overwhelming experience for you, so he knew to be patient. He would be vigilant of any sign of doubt you expressed and would always be right there to help you out.

When you came out as (trans or nonbinary) he happily accepted you. He didn't treat you differently and was proud so call you by your new name and pronouns. He showed you off to anyone who would look or listen to him. He was prideful of his relationship with you. No matter who you decided to be, he knew his love for you would only grow.

"Angel, you're stunning. I don't care what your pronouns are or name is, I care that you're happy."

To all of you out there struggling with addiction, disorders, identity confusion, self harm, or whatever it is you are going through, you are safe here. You are not alone. If you ate today, if you kept clean another day, if you're one step closer to figuring out who you are, I am so proud of you. If you haven't eaten today, had a bad relapse, are struggling with yourself, I am so proud of you for being here.

Be proud of yourself for making it this far. It's not easy but you are strong enough to get through this. You got this, I believe in you, this is a safe place to express yourself and to share your struggles. You are not alone. 💙