Time's on Fire

Dodici

☂︎ THIRD PERSON POV ☂︎

"Oh, thank God." Vanya sighed, seeing Five and Serafina looking out the window of the former's room.

"I was worried sick about you two."

"Sorry we left without saying goodbye." Five apologized, glancing back at Vanya as she entered the room.

"No, look, I'm the one that should be sorry," Vanya argued as the two walked over to her. "Yeah, I was dismissive, and... I- I guess I didn't know how to process what you were saying. And I still can't, to be honest."

"Maybe you were right to be dismissive." Five scoffed. "Maybe it wasn't real after all."

He turned, avoiding Vanya's gaze.

"It felt real. Well... like you said, the old man did say time travel could contaminate the mind." He explained.

"Then maybe I'm not the right person for you to be talking to," Vanya said. "Look, I used to see someone. A therapist. I could give you her information."

Serafina remembered when Vanya had once offered her the very same thing. She thought the idea was unnecessary. After all, bottling up certain emotions was better, not to mention cheaper.

"Thanks, but... I think I'm just gonna get some rest." Five told Vanya, glancing at the bed. "It's been a long time since I've had a good sleep."

Vanya sighed. "Okay."

With her hands deep in her pockets, she left. Five followed after her, making sure she got all the way down the stairs before checking on the guy in the closet.

"That's so..." Klaus stumbled out of the wooden doors, causing a dozen things to clatter to the ground. "... touching, all that stuff about family and Dad and time. Wow!"

"Would you shut up? She'll hear you." Serafina hissed at the man, staring at his immoderate clothing choices.

"I'm moist," Klaus whined.

"I thought I told you to put on something professional." Five said, looking him up and down.

"What? This is my nicest outfit."

Five sighed. "We'll raid the old man's closet."

"Whatever. As long as I get paid." Klaus said, following after Serafina and him as they walked out of the room.

"When the job is done." She reminded.

It was her money, after all.

"Okay, but just so we're clear on the finer details, I just gotta go into this place and pretend to be your dear old dad, correct?" Klaus asked.

"Yeah. Something like that."

"What's our cover story?"

"What? What are you talking about?" Five asked.

"I mean, was I really young when I had you? Like, 16? Like, young and... terribly misguided?" Klaus asked, placing both of his hands gently against his chest.