Wherever You Are (Umbrella Academy Five x Reader)

being satisfied

AN: song is unrelated but I listened to it on repeat while writing lmao.

Reader's POV

Vanya and I sat in uneasy silence on the grand staircase, waiting for something to happen. There wasn't anything in particular for us to do except wait. The other Hargreeves were off doing their own thing throughout the house, and Vanya hinted that she didn't mind if I ventured off to spend time with one of them, but I refused. She and I hadn't really had any time to catch up yet. Now all we needed was one of us to finally break the ice.

"Five mentioned... when you two first got back, that he read my book. I was wondering if... I- did you ever read it too?" Vanya asked in a hushed tone.

I chuckled, "Of course I did. We read it together." I looked up at the beautiful chandelier and ceiling and sighed. "It was tough, y'know? To hear about everything that happened while we were gone..."

Vanya looked over at me with a familiar kind look in her eyes and suddenly I was overwhelmed with guilt for being away for so long, knowing she probably needed me. Even if it was out of my control, that didn't stop my heart from aching  whenever the subject was brought up.

"It must've been so difficult..." Vanya mumbled, sliding closer to me.

I scoffed, "What about you? I can't imagine how... lonely it got after-" I paused and chose my next words carefully, "...after everything. And after reading the book, I just- I couldn't stop worried about you-"

"I'm sorry," Vanya huffed in amusement, "You were worried about me? (Y/n), we were all dead worried about you. I mean- Ben never stop writing those notes until..." Vanya's expression harded and her brows furrowed together in sorrow.

I shocked my head solemnly and linked my arm through Vanya's. This small gesture seemed to provide a little comfort to her. "Hey, do you remember how we'd always link arms when we went places?

She chuckled softly, "Yeah, then everyone else insisted on doing it when we'd sneak out to Griddy's and stuff."

"Ugh, I miss Griddy's. Is it still around?"

Vanya nodded, "Although- I doubt they're as good as they seemed back then."

We both laughed for a moment before returning to silence. I leaned my head on Vanya's shoulder. Out of context, she probably looked like my adopted mom, or sister maybe. It was hard for anyone to imagine I was (mentally) older than her.

"(Y/n)..." Vanya began timidly, "My book... was it really the right thing to do? My brothers and Allison-"

"They don't understand, Vanya." I sighed angrily, "Hargreeves hurt all of you. Just because you weren't a part of the academy doesn't mean they can dismiss your trauma. If I had been there I could of..." I trailed off.

Vanya placed a hand on my shoulder, "You can't make everyone happy, (Y/n), that's practically impossible. You already did so much for us before."

I huffed, "Vanya- no- I know, but-"

"I know you, (Y/n). Even when we were kids... You can talk to me."

I sighed, thinking about all of the shit Five and I went through over the last 45 years. The apocalypse, the commission, getting stuck in the bodies of 13 year olds, and now stuck with the task of saving the world. Time was running out for us, and Five stubbornly refused to seek help from his siblings. That was the Hargreeves siblings' curse: sucking at communication.

"I'm just happy to be back." I sighed. Perhaps their curse was rubbing off on me too.

Vanya frowned, "You keep saying that, but I know you're not satisfied. This whole thing with Five-"