a mannequin and a boy • the umbrella academy ON HOLD

volume one, issue 8

Out of the thirteen years he spent with his siblings, Five couldn't be surprised by a lot of things. He has walked into many scenarios where anyone else would be freaked out, or terrified. Yet, he could never show any real shock. The only emotions he usually conveyed were anger, envy, and sometimes even twisted joy.

This never really changed, even if he did travel sixteen years into the future. However, the only joy he could think to convey at any time was of success, or if he was around Dolores, or as he was making progress. Other times, he was more concentrated on getting back home.

He knew that the end of the world involved a "Harold Jenkins". He knew that he should probably look for Vanya too, but he had his focus on the name.

Yet Five also had a sinking suspicion that Dolores was involved in the apocalypse. As much as he hated to think that way, what other conclusion could he reach? She shows up right before the end of the world, and he's just supposed to believe everything she says?

However, Five also knew that he should trust family and those close to him. And he had trust in his siblings; he needed to, if he wanted to prevent the apocalypse.

All signs point to Dolores not being a threat, but her being blood related to one of Five's adoptive siblings makes things a bit complicated.

Five quickly jumped into the kitchen later that day because he forgot his coffee, but he noticed one thing in the atmosphere: tension, and shock. Just like when Dolores first walked in.

"Five! What a pleasure to see you!" Klaus exclaimed before Five could evade any small talk. Klaus looked genuinely relieved to have an actual sidetrack to whatever situation was going on.

Dolores seemed heavily concentrated on something, staring dead into the air with narrowed eyes and her lips pursed.

"What's up with Dolores?" He asked defensively, gesturing to the seated girl. Klaus made a few noises at the back of his throat (Five couldn't even distinguish them), and blinked.

"Well, you see, she's made a startling revelation, and-"

"What kind of revelation?" Five cut him off, his eyebrows furrowed. A boy in blue pajamas, glaring at a grown man with a goatee. How amusing. Alas, not a surprisingly thing to see in the Hargreaves household.

"Well, you see-"

"I found my long-lost twin brother, apparently. And he's also your deceased, adoptive brother." Dolores was the one to cut in this time, finally standing up and clearing her throat. She opened her mouth to continue, but didn't, instead frowning.

Five took that in for a second, not exactly knowing what to say. There wasn't anything to say; he's seen and heard weirder things.

"Oh, well, that's not too uncommon, I suppose. Does this mean we're related? That would be kind of awkward seeing as I made you my wife once upon an apocalypse," Five told her, trying to joke around. She blinked, her expression showing a look as if Five just said the weirdest thing ever.

She started laughing, especially at Klaus's horrified expression. "That was funny, I'll admit. But we can't afford distractions. We've got a world to save, and a Vanya to find."

With that, Five grinned and took Dolores's hand and jumped them from the kitchen to one of the bedrooms, his old one. Dolores gagged, still not used to the whole 'spatial jumping' thing.

"I suppose I should catch you up," Five announced, thinking over all that happened over the past few days. He could leave out some parts, like carrying around a mannequin head, obsessed over the original Dolores, killing people, or blowing up an entire commission just to get some notes.

"Well, I'll make it short, actually. Over the past few days, I have been trying to save the world. That's obvious. Day one, I met the family, and all, day two, I went on a-"

"Okay, and when will carrying me around come into play?" Dolores asked Five, a sort of accusatory yet amused expression on her face. Her mouth was curled into a little bit of a sly smile, but her eyes were trying to find something out of him. Five hesitated to find a response.

"What do you mean? You only found me not too long ago-"

"You know what I mean. You carried me, Dolores the mannequin head, around. Got drunk, which I know you hate, all with me in tow." Five stopped, knowing this was true.

"You're right and... I can't deny that. Everything will be clear eventually, Dolores, I can and will promise you that. But for right now, I need to-"

"Yes, Five, I know. Get Harold whatshisface, find Vanya eventually, and then proceed to save the world! I got that, Five, I did just say it two minutes ago," Dolores mentioned, sitting back against an office chair with her cheek on her fist.

Five was a bit taken aback by the sudden honestly and blunt qualities Dolores had shown. But he couldn't blame her; it's a bad time, and Five was way more selfish than her.

Dolores sighed, getting back up. "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated, is all," she apologized, standing a bit closer to Five, as it was more of a serious conversation.

Five sighed too. "It's okay. I get it, it's been hard for all of us."

Dolores half-smiled, and seemed to have pondered an action for a few moments. Five himself was deciding whether he should hug her or not, but she did so first.

Five felt her soft arms wrap him in an embrace, and he felt so warm in just those few moments. He felt whole, and like he was receiving the most love he ever had. It felt peaceful.

This didn't last long.

Because when he looked back at Dolores, her eyes were closed, and her body fell limp and unconscious in his arms.

author's note
this is so late and I'm so sorry y'all I really fell uninspired and this chapter is proof of that. ik it's bad, but I have a plan and all, don't worry. it's not very good, but eh.

Question of the chapter: are you excited for season 2 of tua?
My answer: of course!

until next time!

Edited on June 21st, 2020- I added some more wholesome moments :)