La Sombra [Ben Hargreeves]

The News

A few months later

I let out a curse as I dropped the pillow for the fifth time, clearing my vision to see the red digital number steadily go upwards. The large cardboard box in my arms was blocking my view in the elevator and the pillow on top that Five added wasn't helping any. My arms and back were aching from having to carry so many things into the apartment. I could hear Five snickering from beside me.

"Shut up." I grumbled. Five adjusted the box he was holding to his left side, propping it against his hip. He awkwardly grabbed the pillow with his hand and held onto to it. "It was your fault for thinking we could carry it with these boxes."

"It's your fault for having too many damn pillows." Five huffed, side eyeing me. His fingers nervously drumming against the box. "What is with woman and pillows?"

"What's with you holding a small ass box and me having a bigger one?" I retorted with a narrowed gaze.

"Diego said he needed me to go back down to go help with the food." Five merely shrugged.

"So? And Diego needs help with the food?" I scoffed. "It's pizza. He can carry the boxes up here."

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. We walked out and took a right. Luther gave us a two finger salute as he headed back to the elevator to grab more boxes. I eyed him as I saw the corners of his mouth twitch slightly upward.

"He has the baby and Lila is still recovering from labor, dumbass." Five smacked my arm with the pillow. I stuck out my tongue out at him and mocked him as he led the way. "And I think Klaus somehow convinced Allison to come over. How, I don't know. His texts are horrible to read. It's like trying to decipher a cryptic message written by a baby. Anyways, Claire and Ray are coming, too."

"I still don't fully forgive her." I muttered as we stopped at the door.

"I think we're all in the same boat...but we're healing, right?" Five stated. There was a small gleam of sorts in his eyes. Since we finally adjusted to living in this new timeline with no powers, he's been big on spending time as a family. "Plus, I'm finally catching up with Claire."

"You spoil her rotten." I chuckled out as he knocked on the door for someone to open it for us. "I think you're her favorite uncle."

"Don't let Klaus hear you, he thinks he is." Five gave me a smug grin. Footsteps echoed from the other side of the door. It swung open to reveal Ben. Five huffed and shoved the box into my boyfriend's arms. He then placed the pillow back onto the top of my box. I groaned. "Here. I've got to go help downstairs."

"Wait!" I called over my shoulder as Five headed back to the elevator. "Is Vik bringing the drinks?"

"He should almost be here." Five said, glancing at his watch. "Said he had to go to another store because they didn't have napkins or some shit like that."