Against the odds . Five Hargreeves fanfic

Chapter twenty one

The morning light crept through the curtains, casting soft rays across the room. I woke to find Five still sitting beside me on the bed. Our hands were still entwined, and the warmth of his grip was a stark contrast to the chaos of my mind. I quickly withdrew my hand, feeling a rush of embarrassment and confusion.

Five's eyes fluttered open, and he regarded me with a mix of irritation and something else, something softer. "Still clinging to me, huh?" he muttered, his voice rough. "Can't you just sleep on your own?"

Ignoring his gruff tone, I slipped out of bed and went through my morning routine. After a quick shower, I dressed in my usual simple attire—white tee and jeans. I looked in the mirror, taking in my disheveled appearance: green eyes tired and red, long black hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.

I made my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Five was already there, focused on making his coffee. As I started on breakfast, we bumped into each other awkwardly, each of us trying to navigate the small kitchen. A clumsy moment almost had us tripping over each other, but I managed to keep my balance.

Klaus and Diego, lounging in the living room, couldn't resist poking fun. "Nice morning you two," Klaus said with a grin. "You know, you're looking pretty cute together."

Diego chuckled. "Maybe you should take it as a sign."

I shot them a glare, feeling my face heat up. "Shut up, Klaus."

Klaus continued, unfazed. "Allison and Victor went back to their houses for the day, but they'll be back tonight. They had some things to take care of, but don't worry—they'll be back."

The day wore on with the usual mix of tension and awkwardness. I couldn't shake the restlessness that had plagued me since learning about Nyx. My anxiety drove me to the gym, where I pushed myself to the limit, determined to release the pent-up frustration.

Five appeared at the gym, his eyes shadowed with concern. "You're going too hard," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "You're going to hurt yourself."

I ignored him and kept punching the bag with relentless force. My knuckles were already badly bruised, but I didn't care. I was angry, scared, and needed to channel it into something productive.

Five tried to intervene, but his attempt to grab my arm caused me to wince in pain. "Damn it, Evangeline," he muttered, his voice softer now. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

I glared at him, tears of frustration blurring my vision. "Why do you keep interfering? I need to do this!"

Five's expression hardened. "Because you're pushing yourself too hard. You're already hurt. Look at your hands—they're a mess."

I clenched my jaw, unwilling to back down. "I don't need your help," I snapped.

Five's patience was wearing thin. "Fine. Do what you want. But I'm not going to just stand by and watch you destroy yourself."

He walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The pain in my hands was excruciating, but I continued to train, driven by a need to prove something to myself. My knuckles were now badly damaged, blood seeping through the bandages and bruises spreading across my skin.

Eventually, I decided to take a break. I sank onto the floor, carefully placing my hands into a basin of cold water. The pain was sharp and unbearable, but I gritted my teeth and tried to focus on the soothing sensation of the water. My hands throbbed and ached as I tried to clean and tend to the wounds.

As night fell, I noticed Five in the corner of the room, preparing for bed. He looked at me with a mixture of frustration and something more tender. Without saying a word, he grabbed a blanket and pillow, settling them on the floor.

I watched him, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. The space between us felt heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Five's actions spoke volumes, but he kept his distance, maintaining his cold exterior while offering a rare glimpse of concern.

The room was quiet, filled only with the sound of my breathing and the occasional rustle from Five. I felt a strange sense of comfort despite the turmoil inside me. Five's presence was a complicated mix of frustration and care, and it was clear that he was struggling with his own feelings.

I finished tending to my hands, my injuries a painful reminder of the day's events. As I lay down, my thoughts were a chaotic mix of fear, anger, and a deepening sense of connection with Five. The tension between us was palpable, and the uncertainty of our feelings left a heavy weight on my chest.

The night was filled with restless moments and strained silence, the room echoing with the unspoken emotions between us. Five's choice to sleep on the floor was a silent testament to his conflicted feelings—he was there for me, but maintaining his own boundaries.

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my hands and the complex emotions swirling within me. The road ahead was uncertain, but the night's quiet tension was a reminder that, despite everything, Five's presence was a constant in the chaos of my life.