The Hidden Number (008) | F. Hargreeves

I'm Better Than You (Obviously)

Hey guys, I'm back! Honorary chapter for the premier of season 2! Has anyone watched it yet? I had a long day away from home yesterday so I'm only on part of episode 2—but I'm really enjoying it so far!

Hope you like this chapter!

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𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚

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Max helps Five clean and sew up his wound before the two dress for the start of a new day. Today is going to be very uneventful in the way that it's objective is a stakeout—Five's plan is to wait until Lance the prosthetics man gets off from work so that they can follow him and inquire him about the eye again, because Five thinks he's hiding something. Max doesn't mind though—it'll give him plenty of time to think.

Like about his relationship with Five for example and where it stands, or is heading to at least (if it's even heading anywhere, that is).

Yes, he's still dwelling on the man child's words from yesterday; but can you really blame him? He's having an existential crisis here, and he's not even thirty yet! Nor is he used to caring enough to have an existential crisis on the first place!

Max sighs to himself, waiting patiently as Five packs Delores into a large bag along with some other things. He hates the way he feels the need to blush whenever Five so much as looks at him—he despises the way he feels all jittery when he looks at him himself.

He needs to fix this—having a crush on Five is a huge no-no in his head and he refuses to let it happen (more than it already is).

So his personal objective today? Find a way to stop his feelings from growing anymore dangerously and hopefully, to stop them from existing altogether.

Yep, sounds like a solid plan to him.

"We're going out the window," Five says, slinging the bag into his back. He doesn't provide any further explanation as to why, not like Max cared to begin with. He just follows Five's lead, scaling down the fire escape ladder on after him.

"Dammit, where's dad's stuff??"

Max and Five Look to the side to see Klaus rummaging through the trash. Both disregard it. As depressing as this sounds, seeing Klaus digging through garbage is nothing unexpected of their brother's behaviour.

The man sighs in irritation. "Shut up!" He yells to no one in particular. "I'm trying to find whatever priceless crap was in that box so that Pogo will get off my ass!"

Max doesn't know whether he's talking to his inner demons out loud or his possible drug-induced hallucinations, but he doesn't bring himself to care much. He just continues climbing down the ladder, with Five below him giving Klaus a semi-odd look.

"I'd ask what you're up to Klaus, but then it occurred to me; I don't care," Five says, jumping down to the ground. He stands by as Max follows his lead, in case he needs to steady his fall. Of course, he doesn't—Max is the most agile out of all of them, even Diego—but it's the thought that counts.

Klaus looks over to them and smiles. "Hey!" He greets in his usual dopey voice. "You guys know there are easier ways out of the house."

"This one involved the least amount of talking," Five says, hiking his backpack up on his back. "Or so I thought," he adds in a deadpan tone.

Max looks at him and shrugs. "It's our family. What did you expect?" He says idly.

Five nods, cocking his head. "True," he agrees, the two of them beginning to walk away.