Dumb & Poetic || The Umbrella Academy

005: distrust

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Rory had breakfast the next morning after getting dressed into her uniform, reading her current book as she made her way down the steps. 

She noticed the strange air as soon as she entered the room, and looked up from her book, seeing her Mother standing by the stove, looking across the table at Allison and Luther, who were looking at her expectantly. 

But her Mom had a blank, confused, almost pained look on her face as she looked at them.

"Hey, Mom." Rory walked over to her, standing beside her. "Breakfast almost done?"

Her voice made Luther and Allison jump, and give each other a look she didn't understand. 

Grace's face fell into a smile. "It's ready! Sit down with your brother and sister, Rory."

She did as she said, and her mother placed plates in front of each of them, with two eggs and a rasher that made a smile. 

"Eat up. All of you. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

Grace began cleaning up, and Luther and Allison's attention was turned to Rory. But neither of them said anything.

Feeling a strange feeling of courage in her chest, she continued looking at her egg, which she began to cut up, as she spoke. 

"So, you two planning on staying here forever?"

"Well . . . I've got a lot to organize." Allison said awkwardly.

Luther nodded, but he, too, was stiff. "I'm probably going to be here for the time being."

Rory sighed, and picked up her book again, and began reading. But she could see them giving each other looks again. 

"Um, Rory," Allison cleared her throat. "What exactly do you remember from the night Dad died?"

She ignored the usual feeling of anxiety in her stomach. "I already told you."

Luther sighed. "Aurora, you've really told us nothing."

". . . Rory."

"What?"

"I go by Rory." She didn't look up from her book. "Aurora sounds pretentious."

"I thought it was just a nickname Klaus had for you." Allison said. 

"It's not."

Luther grunted as he adjusted in his seat. "Look, Rory, then, this is serious. I . . . " He looked at Allison.

"We . . . get it if you didn't like Dad. If you even hated him sometimes." She said softly, looking across the table at her.

"I didn't hate him." Rory still didn't look up.

"It must've been horrible. I mean, we all had each other. And not only being here alone, and going through training, but everything with Klaus . . . it must've had a knock-on affect. And that's okay."

She looked at her. "What's that supposed to mean?" 

Her voice came out harsher than she meant it to be. But also, she felt as harsh as she sounded.

"We've all looked after Klaus before. We get how hard it is. And the things he must be up to these days?"

She thought of a comeback, but couldn't think of anything. so, she just cut up her second egg, eating it. 

"Look, you've had a hard life. And some might think Dad's to blame. And if you were one of those people, it would be okay. He never helped you with Klaus or anything." Allison continued, though her tone was a little impatient.