Time

☂ Chapter 5: For now, you have me.

A/N: CTTO of the picture above. Not mine.

"Time is the architect of reality; every moment shapes the future."

☂Raven's POV

While Vanya was busy preparing tea in the kitchen, I focused on tending to Five's injured arm. The silence between us was not awkward, it was simply characteristic of our relationship. We had never been particularly close, at least not in the conventional sense.

Ben was the sibling I was closest to, while Five had always had a stronger connection with Vanya. Back then, it seemed like each of us had our own "buddy." Ben and I had each other's backs through everything, until we lost him on a mission. We all had our favorites, I certainly did. After Ben and Five disappeared, Klaus became the sibling I was closest to, but that was only until I left the Academy.

Five and I had a unique understanding, a connection built not on friendship, but on a mutual recognition of our differences. As kids, we often ended up talking or more accurately, debating, always agreeing to disagree. Our arguments would usually escalate, and just as we were about to use our powers to prove a point, the adults would swoop in, ready to hand out punishments. That was our strange version of bonding, chaotic but oddly fun. Vanya always played the mediator, trying to keep us out of trouble, but where was the fun in that?

When we snuck out of the Academy, it was usually the four of us, Ben, Vanya, Five, and me huddled together in a corner at Griddy's. Luther and Allison would find their own spot to have some "quality time," Diego would be outside, busy with his vigilante antics, and Klaus, well, Klaus was being Klaus. We'd try to have normal conversations like other kids our age, though it was mostly Vanya and me talking. We tried to involve Ben and Five in the conversation, but it never went quite the way we intended. Still, those were good times.

"What's with the smile?" Five's sharp voice cut through my thoughts, his eyebrow arched with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

"Nothing, just a thought," I said, releasing his arm and returning the medical supplies to the kit.

"Let me guess, daydreaming about your boyfriend?" His tone was deadpan, but there was a subtle edge to it that almost made me laugh. I cleared my throat, trying to keep a straight face as his expression shifted into that familiar look of irritation. The slight pink tinge on his cheeks didn't escape my notice.

That was it, I couldn't hold it in any longer. A genuine laugh burst out of me. Five scoffed and turned away, clearly annoyed, but I saw the blush deepen.

"Some things never change, do they?" Vanya said with a soft smile as she sat down beside me. I took a deep breath, knowing Five was about to bring up the real reason we were here, subtly steering the conversation back on track. I just shrugged.

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