𝐖𝐄'𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐍, five hargreeves¹

𝟏𝟎 the umbrellas engraved on our skins

⠀

⠀

⊹⊱ № 𝟎𝟑.𝟏𝟎 ⊰⊹
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐒
𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐒

"you're one of us, here's exactly
what you'll need to make it
through: good times and hard
times. we're here to fight for you."
one of us; mayday parade

⠀⠀

⠀

            THERE WAS ONLY ONE OTHER TIME that all of them had been in sync. And no, it wasn't amidst their missions; Vanya had never been to one of those. It wasn't during their outings to Griddy's; Five had always been adamant not to join them on the dance floor. And it was definitely not during any of their family gatherings; because at least one of them would end up throwing hands when it comes to those.

It happened one night when they were still twelve.

There had been a citywide blackout in the middle of the night past their bedtime. And a power outage meant that they were free from their father's surveillance, at least for a short while.

Number Eight had snuck into Five's room, thinking it was the perfect opportunity to watch the stars with him. They shined brighter amidst the darkness after all.

The two children sat side by side on the platform of the fire escape, arms leaning against the railing as they watched the dark skies. It was a habit they formed amidst one of her sleepless nights, after the first time the boy snuck her out of her room.

Five points towards two constellations in the sky before telling her the story of Perseus, the warrior, and Andromeda, his beloved. He spoke of the hero who saved the damsel in distress that was sacrificed to a monster.

Eight says it's overrated for the princess to be saved by some knight in shining armor.

Five rolls his eyes, muttering something about how it was just like her to nitpick such details.

But for what it's worth, they get to talking about how perhaps it was meant to happen.

The woman ought to be chained because had she freed herself, they wouldn't have met— Because if things didn't play out the way it had, they wouldn't be together until even after death.

Had it all played out otherwise, their stars wouldn't be scattered beside each other in the night sky.

Like constellations, their paths may part but their destinies will always be aligned.

They continue to converse, even engaging in some banter despite having met for the sake of watching the stars with each other. It's only when they heard a scream from the attic that the peace in their little solace felt threatened.

"Did you hear that?" Eight asked, unsure whether her mind was playing tricks on her. She's unable to distinguish whether it was the sound of someone's mind.

Five was the one who helped her find the answer.

"I think it's coming from the attic."

Before she knows it, he teleports with the girl in tow.