Wonder • Five Hargreeves

15

Run Boy, Run

Winnie had barely arrived home before she picked up a paintbrush and began painting. Her vision kaleidoscoped on the way back and she needed to get the image on canvas as fast as she could.

Five helped her into her room and then swanned off to deal with the rest of the prep work. For that, he needed a particular family disappointment with an affinity for taking drugs and pissing away money.

He found Klaus trying to smuggle out one of Winnies old original paintings. Unsuccessfully of course, as he couldn't quite figure out how to carry the huge painting inconspicuously.

"Hello." Five said.

"Ah!" Klaus screamed and the painting slipped from his grasp, landing flat on its face. "Five!"

Klaus stepped in front of fallen piece of art, neglecting to pick it up. If only he had... then Five would have seen it.

The image of a fragmented moon in flames probably would have helped in the long run.

"I don't really want to know what you're doing." Five commented quickly, before any explanation was offered.

The hand Klaus had lifted up after he dropped Winnies work, fell back to his side. His jaw snapped shut as well and he shifted his shoulders haughtily.

"So what are you here for?" Klaus asked.

"A business proposition. One that Im sure even you can handle." Five replied.

His posture was relaxed and his hands were in his pockets, but even Klaus could recognize the edge in the situation. Five needed something.

"Ooo Ooo OOooo!" Klaus said excitedly, "Go on.."

Five was already deeply regretting this.

"I need you to pretend to be a parental figure for a bit so I can get some vital information in order to stop the apocalypse."

"So...what do I get out of it?" Klaus asked.

"Besides potentially aiding the prevention of worldly destruction?" Five countered tiredly.

Honestly, he knew the answer before the question had fully left his mouth. Humoring this idiocy was certainly the unfortunate side affects of spending too much time with Winnie.

"Yes, besides that." Klaus agreed.

Five stared blankly at him for a moment before responding, "Ill give you 20 bucks."

"Yay!" Klaus cheered and clapped his hands. "Money!"

"Yeah.. go put on something nice." Five said boredly and turned away. It would have been a smooth getaway too, if not for Klaus's hand rooting him in place.

"Not so fast baby brother."

"Im older than you-" Five began to argue, slapping away his hand.

"Hows Winnie?"

Klaus's tone had changed from his usual high-as-a-kite voice that lead most people to undermine his message. Instead, his voice sounded much more calm and much more pressing.

If Five was surprised by this, he didn't show it.

"What do you mean?" Five asked.

"I mean," Klaus rolled his eyes, "Her long lost love did suddenly turn up the day of her fathers funeral."

"Shes fine." Five replied. Klaus chuckled airily.

"Are you sure? Winnie likes to put the weight of the world on her shoulders when it comes to us."