EMBERS : the umbrella academy [2] [COMPLETE]

III

     CARLA ALWAYS PREFERRED crying in the rain. She wasn't exactly sure why.

     Perhaps it was partly down to the fact that while extremely upset, her hands had an awkward habit of catching fire, and the water helped cool her down.

     However, as Carla sat on the steps outside the building the other Hargreeves were still inside, she especially liked the fact the rain hid her tears from the occassional passer-by.

     Although she had been angry minutes ago, that had faded to a genuine and heart-wrenching upset.

     "Carla?"

     She hastily wiped her cheeks with the palms of her hands, "What do you want, Klaus?"

     "To check if youre okay," he sounded hurt at her harsh tone.

     "I'm fine," she said simply.

     Klaus sat down next to her, putting some space between them, "Yeah, right."

     Carla tried to hide the small sob that escaped her, but the man next to her heard it, his brows creasing with concern, "Carla... I know you're angry at me right now - and I get it! Words cannot amount to how sorry I am. But please... know you can at least talk to me."

     At his words and earnest gaze, Carla felt herself break down again, holding her head in her hands, shoulders shaking.

     "I hate myself."

     The first words to tumble from her lips made tears well in Klaus's eyes, "Oh... don't say that, Carla, please."

     "It's true! I feel so..." she tried to find the right words, "So... disgusting, Klaus. I feel trapped in my own skin."

     Klaus stared at her helplessly.

      "Before, I couldn't even look at my reflection without seeing Sarah staring back. Do you know how hard it is to lose a twin? It's like losing a part of yourself," Carla tried wiping her cheeks again, but the tears were falling thick and fast.

     "Now when I look in the mirror I don't even recognise myself," her voice was quiet, "I hate what I see staring back."

     "I'm sorry," Klaus blurted again, "I'm so, so, so sorry that I wasn't there for you while you were struggling. I got caught up with the cult and I- I shouldn't have."

     Carla slowly shook her head, "I shouldn't have blamed you. As much as I hate him, Reginald had a point."

     "No he didn't-"

     "He did," she sighed, "It's not fair to constantly be blaming others for what happened to me."

     "And what did happen to tou?" Klaus asked tenderly, "It's been three years for me."

     "Two for me," she said, "I was homeless for one of them."

     His face fell, "I'm sorry."

     "That's where it started," she muttered, "Day 47."

     Klaus frowmed, prompting her to continue.

     "I thought I could sleep alone, just for one night, you know? But I woke up with my hands pinned down and him on top of me."

     The man next to her let out a small sob, "Oh, Carla..."

     "I haven't told anyone about what happened then," her voice was wavering, "But I know it was what started the... usage."

     They stared at each other, years of heartache and troubles radiating from the other. They were both crying, and broken in many ways, but finally they had each other.

     Carla outstreched her arms, and like stars colliding, the pair fell into each others embrace, tears streaming down their faces, clinging to each other.

     Forgiveness.

     Klaus let out a sob, and as the pair continued to hold each other, he came to a realisation.

     Perhaps home had never been a place, but was a girl called Carla Jenkins.

     "You should come to see the cult with me," Klaus said eventually, before holding her at arms length.

     "I was going to go and see Marie and Quentin," she started, before pausing, "Actually... I'm sure I can see them tomorrow."

     "Atta girl!" Klaus grinned widely, helping her to her feet, and slinging an arm around her shoulder, "We make quite a pair, don't we, Firecracker?"

     She laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder as they started to walk away, the rain suddenly less of a problem than it was before.

     "Yeah, I guess we do."

     THE WILSON MANOR, THAT NIGHT:

     Losing a sibling was an incredibly hard thing to have to deal with, especially after the three Swedes had been raised in such a close-knit way.

     The obliteration was a tragic incident that left Otto and Axel devastated and seeking revenge. So, when they received a grainy photo of a couple (mere hours after the burning of the brothers body) they wasted no time before heading towards the house.

     They assumed the Wilsons must have been involved in Oscar's death somehow, based off what the Commission had suggested.

     Axel knocked once on the door, waiting a few seconds before it was opened by a maid. She smiled, before spotting the knives the brothers were holding, and letting out a startled squeak.

     Almost instantly, Marie and Quentin were by the door, the butlers Jerry and Martin hovering nearby.

     Quentin regarded the Swedes for a few seconds, before letting out a small sigh, "Lucy, I think it's best if you leave. You too, Martin, Jerry. Thank you all for your service."

     The three figures scurried past the two Swedes and into the darkness, not looking back.

     Marie reached down, her hand intertwining with her husbands, and the two exchanged a glance.

     "Well, my love," she said softly, "It appears the Handler found us after all."

a/n: LMFAO bet you guys didn't see that last bit coming 😈

also i got my gcse results today and im very happy 🏃‍♀️💨

i hope that you guys all had really good days too! much love!!