Number Five Imagines

The Empty Chair

Five Hargreeves x reader

A/N: I've decided to only post on Mondays. I just think that makes a lot more sense at the moment. I hope you aren't disappointed because of this.

Warnings: none

The Hargreeves dining room was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, a soft and inviting ambiance created by flickering flames that danced across the walls. Plates and dishes were carefully arranged on the long wooden table, the aroma of a lovingly prepared meal wafting through the air. It was a rare occasion when the siblings managed to gather together, a break from the chaos and unpredictability of their lives. Yet, despite the warmth and togetherness, a somber note lingered in the air, manifesting in the empty chair that stood starkly at the table.

Y/n Hargreeves sat quietly, her gaze constantly drifting to that vacant chair, its absence a glaring reminder of who was missing—Five. The table was bustling with chatter and laughter as his siblings tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy, but Y/n's heart ached for the man who should have been sitting beside her, his sharp wit and wry humor adding his unique flavor to the evening.

Luther was at the head of the table, carving the roast with his usual precision. He caught Y/n's eye and offered a sympathetic smile, but it did little to alleviate the heaviness in her chest. Diego and Klaus were bickering playfully, their voices overlapping in a spirited debate about who had done the most daring thing that week. Allison and Viktor were discussing a new movie, their faces animated with excitement. Ben was teasing Diego, he chimed in with a sarcastic comment.

Yet, despite the lively conversation and the efforts to keep the mood light, there was a palpable tension, an unspoken acknowledgment of the empty space that haunted the room.

Diego leaned back in his chair, waving a fork at Klaus. "You can't seriously believe that fighting a bear with a switchblade is more dangerous than defusing a bomb!"

Klaus snorted, taking a sip of his wine. "Oh, please. You just want to be the hero in every story, don't you? Besides, the bear was huge. And I didn't even have a switchblade. It was more like a really angry squirrel."

"More like a hallucination," Ben quipped, rolling his eyes. "You probably imagined the whole thing."

Allison chuckled, shaking her head. "Let's just agree that both of you are equally reckless and move on. How about that new movie we watched, Viktor? What did you think of it?"

Viktor nodded, his eyes lighting up. "I loved it. The storyline was so gripping, and the cinematography was stunning."

As the conversation flowed around her, Y/n forced a smile, trying to engage, but her mind kept wandering back to Five. She could almost see him there, his usual scowl softening into a rare, genuine smile as he made some sarcastic remark about Diego's bravado or Klaus's outrageous stories.

Y/n's gaze lingered on the empty chair, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. She couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that gnawed at her, a void that the evening's laughter and chatter couldn't fill. Five was out there, somewhere, caught up in his work with the CIA. She knew it was important, that he was doing what he had to do, but that knowledge did little to ease the loneliness she felt in his absence.

Luther, noticing her distraction, cleared his throat. "So, Y/n, how's work been lately? Anything interesting?"

Y/n blinked, snapping out of her reverie. "Oh, it's been busy," she replied, her voice soft. "Nothing too exciting, just the usual stuff."

Allison leaned forward, her eyes filled with concern. "You know, Five will be back soon. He always finds his way home."

Y/n nodded, managing a small smile. "I know. It's just... I miss him. We all do."

Klaus reached across the table, placing a hand on hers. "Hey, we get it. That little bastard is a pain, but he's our pain. And he'll come back with some ridiculous story about how he saved the world single-handedly."

The table erupted in laughter, and for a moment, the heaviness lifted. Y/n chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

As the evening wore on, the laughter and stories flowed more freely, the family finding comfort in each other's company. They shared memories, recounted old adventures, and teased each other mercilessly, the bonds between them growing stronger with each passing moment.

Y/n found herself relaxing, the warmth of the evening seeping into her bones. She laughed at Klaus's antics, rolled her eyes at Diego's bragging, and joined in the playful banter with Allison and Viktor. For a little while, the emptiness seemed to fade, replaced by the love and camaraderie that filled the room.

But as the candles burned low and the conversation began to wind down, her gaze inevitably returned to the empty chair. The evening's laughter had been a balm, but it couldn't completely erase the ache of Five's absence.

As the others began to clear the table and gather dishes, Y/n stood and walked over to the empty chair. She ran her fingers over the backrest, her heart heavy with longing. She could almost feel his presence, a ghostly echo of the man she loved.

Luther approached, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "He'll come back," he said softly. "Five's always found a way to return to us."

Y/n nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know. It's just hard sometimes, not knowing where he is or when he'll be back."

Luther squeezed her shoulder, his expression filled with understanding. "We're here for you, Y/n. We're all in this together."

Y/n smiled, wiping her eyes. "Thanks, Luther. That means a lot."

As the family began to disperse, Y/n lingered a moment longer by the chair. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the wave of sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. She knew that she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for Five as well. He needed her to be his anchor, to keep the light burning until he could find his way back to her.

She walked to the window, lighting a single candle and placing it on the sill. Its warm glow flickered against the glass, a beacon of hope in the darkness. She knew it was a small gesture, but it felt like a way to reach out to him, to let him know that she was waiting, that she would always be waiting.

As she watched the flame dance in the darkness, she whispered softly, "Come home soon, Five. We need you here."

The night outside was cold and silent, the stars distant and indifferent. But the candle's light burned bright and steady, a symbol of the love and hope that would guide him back to her.