The Sparks Between Us | Five Hargreeves x Reader

THIRTEEN

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————
༻ Y/N'S  POV ༺

The air in the academy's living room was heavy with tension, the kind that seeped into every corner of the space. I sat quietly in a single chair, watching the Hargreeves family unravel as they debated the unsettling footage displayed on the small TV perched on the bar table. On the screen, Grace stood over their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, in what appeared to be his final moments.

"I mean, do you really think Mom would hurt Dad?" Vanya asked, her voice uncertain.

Luther, standing tall with his arms crossed, glanced at her. "You haven't been home in a long time, Vanya. Maybe you don't know Grace anymore."

Diego leaned closer to the TV, rewinding the tape with a focused expression. "If he was poisoned, it would've shown in the coroner's report."

"Well, I don't need a report to tell me what I can see with my own eyes," Luther shot back, his tone defensive.

Diego smirked. "Maybe all that low gravity in space messed with your vision."

Ignoring the jab, Luther gestured toward the screen. "Look closer," Diego said, rewinding again. "Dad had his monocle. Mom stands up, and the monocle's gone."

Klaus chuckled from his spot. "Oh yeah.

Diego ignored him, his tone turning sharp.

"Then where is it?" Luther shook his head. "I've searched the house. Every room. Including all of Mom's things. She doesn't have it."

"That's because I took it from her," Diego said suddenly.

The room fell silent.

"What?" Allison's voice broke the tension, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "You've had the monocle this whole time? What the hell, Diego!"

Diego shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"Give it to me," Luther demanded, his hand outstretched.

"I threw it away," Diego admitted nonchalantly.

"What?" Luther's voice rose, incredulous.

Allison scoffed.

Diego remained calm, explaining, "I knew if you found it on Mom, you'd lose your shit. Just like you're doing right now."

"Diego, you son of a—" Luther started, his voice low with anger as he stepped closer.

Before he could act, Diego raised a fist, and I immediately sensed danger toward Luther. Without hesitation, I stood abruptly, ready to intervene.

"Hey, no! Let's all just calm down," Vanya interjected, her voice pleading.

Allison placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, pushing me back into the chair. "It's okay, Y/N. Stay out of this one."

I hesitated but complied, settling back into my seat.

Vanya glanced around, her voice softer now. "Look, I know Dad wasn't exactly an open book. But I do remember one thing he said—Mom was designed to be a caretaker, but also a protector."

"What does that mean?" Allison asked, leaning forward.

Vanya frowned, clearly grappling with the implication. "It means she was programmed to intervene if someone's life was in jeopardy."

Luther's face hardened. "Well, if her hardware is degrading, then we need to turn her off."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a second." Diego held up a hand. "She's not just some vacuum cleaner you can throw in a closet. She feels things. I've seen it!"