The Hidden Number (008) | F. Hargreeves

Five is Back

Yo. New chap. Hope you like!

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"What's the date?" Five asks them, "the exact date."

Five's siblings watch him carefully as he sets down a wooden board at the end of the table opposite from where they're currently crowded around (or in Klaus' case, sitting on top of).

The only one not crowded around that end of the table is Max, who's pulled up a chair near where Five is beginning to prepare his food. Although he believes that Five is really back, he's still wary—now that he's back, he wants to be as close to him as possible to ensure that he'll never lose him again.

"The 24th," Vanya answers and Max sighs in disappointment whilst Five just bristles in irritation. Didn't he just say the exact date? Or is he the only one listening here?

"Of what?" Five asks sharply.

"March."

Five unrolls the package of bread he's retrieved from one of the cupboards, still not looking at his siblings. "Good," he says ominously, much to his siblings' impatience; although Max is barely paying attention right now. He's too busy keeping his eyes groaned on Five's every move, the little motions and mannerisms his best friend makes that feel nostalgic. It's almost—surreal, having him back.

"So, are we gonna talk about what just happened?" Luther asks, acknowledging the elephant in the room; in other words, Five. Max turns to his fellow 14 year old, who stays quiet, setting down two pieces of bread on the wooden board. Max hides a smirk. He's probably making his favourite sandwich. Peanut butter and marshmallow.

Better than it sounds, Max can attest.

His siblings exchange awkward glances at his lasting silence and Luther finally seems fed up with this because he stands up, towering his large self over Five. "It's been 16 years," he states hardly. Max tenses up; the last thing any of them need is Luther ruining another family meeting—especially since Five is now back.

He keeps himself seated but pins a cold stare on Luther, one that does not go unnoticed by the big brute himself, who eases off of his authoritative stance in response.

It wouldn't have mattered anyways though; Five doesn't seem the slightest bit intimidated by Luther's actions. Instead, a harsh, indescribable looks fills his eyes as he steps forwards and meets Luther's hard stare with a better one of his own. "It's been a lot longer than that," he says with a little scoff, before promptly teleporting up onto a step stool behind Luther.

Max once again stiffens, but this time out of fear. Five seems to have no qualms using his powers, despite them being the reason for his disappearance in the first place—and even though he's only teleporting, not time travelling, he's still afraid of losing him again.

Five seems to sense his discomfort because he turns back to give him a questioning glance of concern. Are you okay?

Max only smiles weakly back. I'm okay, he assures within the smile.

Five seems skeptic but he lets it go. Luther just sighs in irritation. "I haven't missed that," he mutters to himself. Max does his best to ignore that comment and not snap at him for sharing an opinion nobody asked for.

"Where'd you go?" Diego asks, speaking up for the first time in a while.

"The future," Five responds, teleporting back to his awaiting sandwich with a bag of marshmallows in his hand, "it's shit by the way."

"Called it!" Klaus comments, pointing a finger up for emphasis. Max smiles softly. Well, at least one sibling is back to acting like themselves (they're non-controlling, annoying selves—cough, cough, Luther).