Die With A Smile

1.6

Klaus wanted to go back to the Umbrella Academy, which Nico had to quickly drop him off before heading back to the apartment. The boy let out a sigh, dragging his feet through the halls. As he walked past Vanya's door, it opened and a man came out.

At the sight of him. Nico eye's slightly widened before they quickly went back to normal. The man had short brown hair with matching brown eyes. Along with a stubble beard, red cardigan, beige slacks, and a green jacket.

"Oh, hello." A man said, smiling at the boy, this caught the attention of Vanya, the woman peeking her head out. The man moved over so that the woman could stand beside him, the two looking at the boy.

"Hello." Nico said. The sight of men startled him, something about him was familiar...but it was impossible.

"Leonard Peabody." The man, Leonard, introduced, extending a hand out for the boy.

"Nico." The boy nodded, slightly shaking the man's hand before the pair dropped them back to their sides.

"Nice gloves." Leonard commented, his smile never faded as he continued to stare at the boy.

"Thanks...they hold a sentimental value to me." Nico held a soft smile as he looked down at the leather material. This caught the man's attention as he stared at them.

"If you don't mind me asking, how so?"

"They were a gift from my brother before he...disappeared." The once warm smile quickly turned grim at his own words.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that." Leonard had an apologetic look, Vanya as well, her eyes downcasted at the lone boy.

"It's fine, it happened some time again...can't cry over spilled milk." The boy shook his head before turning over to the woman.

"Vanya, I'm making lasagna tonight, I was wondering if you wanted me to bring some over." He wondered, his lips twitched in amusmnet when the woman's eyes brightened at his words. 

"Yeah, that would be nice, thanks Nico." Vanya gave a smile to the boy, who nodded and turned to the man.

"Next time, I'll bring some over so you two can have some during your next lesson." With that, the older pair watched as the boy opened his apartment door and headed instead.

"Nice kid." Leonard pointed out, turning to Vanya who had a soft look.

"Yeah, he acts more like an older brother, he takes care of me and my brother, Klaus. Sometimes I forget he's the same age as me but it's nice being taken care of." Vanya held her soft look.

With that the man, Leonard took his leave, his brown eyes giving the boy's door a final look before turning the corner.

—

The next day, Nico was dragged back to the Academy by Klaus to help him find very important documents that the man had managed to throw away. The boy was seated on a green tin bin, leaning against the brick wall, watching as Klaus argued with himself and his ghost buddy. A sigh left his lips, trying to wrap his head around how the man managed to do something so idiotic but he wasn't surprised.

The bored boy wore a blue cardigan (button-up), a white shirt, and blue jeans. Wearing his leather gloves and heeled boots. His hair was in its usual style, swiping a hand to push his bangs to the side as he read a book.

"Damn it, where's Dad's stuff?" Klaus whined, throwing black trash bags out of the dumpster. The boy ignored him, turning a page of his book.

"Shut up! I'm trying to find whatever...priceless crap was in that priceless box so that Pogo will get off my ass! Nico help me!"