ROSES AND FLAMES - Five Hargreeves

50. rekindling the flame

2 years ago

"I know you're angry—"

"Angry? Fuck; five I thought you were done with all of this! I wanted to move past the chaos, move past the apocalypses and just enjoy each other!"

Their apartment was feeling like a broken home, Josie finally finding out the truth of where five had been. For a while she wondered if he was cheating on her, thinking he could do better than her.

"My love, don't do this. It's just a side gig." Five said Josie scoffing at him, getting up off the couch as she paced back and forth. "A side gig where you don't come home at night. A side gig where you leave early in the morning and sometimes not home for dinner."

"I'm still me." Five said, standing up and holding her hands, Josie frowning at her. "Did I do something to make you do this?" She asked, ignoring the tears in her eyes.

"I was going to tell you, I just couldn't figure out how." He explained, Josie shaking her head. "How long have you been doing this?"

"A year."

"Fuck off five— A YEAR?! A year of lies and manipulation? A year of me sitting alone? You didn't even spend Christmas Eve with me! We love Christmas— I made you love it."

"There isn't a single day where I don't regret the decisions I made. But there is one, that I married the woman of my dreams, the woman that never left my side with my stupid family." Five said, holding both of her hands.

"Well the woman of your dreams wants you to quit your job, go back to the country club and let's the get the dog we want, the labradoodle we've been saving up to." Josie begged, squeezing his hands.

"I can't do that my love." Shaking her head, Josie let go of his hands, putting them beside her. "Then I'm breaking up with you." she finalized, walking away from him, grabbing her purse.

"No— fuck Parker don't!" Five begged, coming with to her as Josie opened the door. "I'm not enough for you five, I never was." She said, slamming the door behind her, nearly falling down the stairs with all the tears coming down her face.

Breathing heavily, Josie stood outside, letting the rain fall down on her, needing to call someone. "Lila? Can you pick me up?" She sobbed, hearing the line go dead.

She didn't deserve to be in a warm space, needing the rain to fall on her, looking up as people were staring at her. Her life was crumbling down.

present
The siblings all finally arrived in New Grumpson, using Sloane while she stretched her legs; needing balance. "Sleep good?" She asked, Josie blushing a little. "Uh yeah, legs hurt a little though." Wishing she could sit down and begin to stretch again, Josie was about to speak again when she saw five come over.

"You weren't really sleeping were you?" He asked her, Josie letting go of Sloanes shoulder. "I was sleeping, why do you ask?" Pretending to be dumb, five tilted his head at her.

"We spent 8 hours in that car, and you're telling me you slept the whole time?" He questioned, Josie tilting her head with him. "Five I'm not about to discuss this with your family around, they already know too much." Josie demanded, trying to walk away as five held her arm.

"This is the first time I've seen you since the twins birthday, don't shut me out." He told her, Josie melting into his touch, her stomach hurting. "Don't act like this, not now." She begged, on the verge of tears again.