• GARDENER • Five Hargreeves

t h i r t e e n

Before anyone could leave, Edith awkwardly cleared her throat, gesturing to her outfit. "Can I get changed first?" The group agreed that Edith could change, waiting as the girl found some clothes to wear, this time soe of Allison's. Unfortunately, teenage Allison had hardly any pants, and the ones she did were not Edith's type. She grabbed a white turtleneck sweater, accompanied by a black denim skirt that reached her mid-thigh and a pair of tights. Naturally, she kept her shoes and jacket.

Once Edith had finished changing, she rushed back to Five's room, joining the four boys. The group of five all left Five's bedroom, a concrete plan in mind. While Edith had been changing, the boys had found a commission-looking briefcase and filled it with an array of heavy objects. They strolled through the house, making their way to the car. Five and Luther in the front, Edith, Eli, and Miles in the back.

Luther drove the group to the meeting spot, not saying a word during the car ride. Five didn't say anything either, just listening to what the Gardener siblings were talking about. Edith had complained about how uncomfortable she found sitting in a denim skirt was at least five times, but each time she complained her brothers just told her that fashion isn't always comfortable and that some people need to re-evaluate how to make clothes. They also talked about their mutual hatred for the handler, creating multiple insults for the white-haired woman.

When the car finally came to a stop, Five sighed, looking out of the window. "You know, I never enjoyed it." Five admitted, confusing Luther.

"What?" Luther asked, turning to Five.

"The killing. I mean, I was... I was good at my work, and I... I took pride in it. But it never gave me pleasure. I think it was all those years alone." Five told his brother, prompting the Gardeners to speak.

"Solitude can do funny things to the mind." They all muttered the phrase, each having spent time away from their family, even though they weren't separated for a long time. Edith was separated in the way she joined the commission first, Eli was separated in the way that he had hardly spent any time with their parents before they died, and Miles was separated in the fact he has to act as if he's the oldest, even though he just wants his big sister's help.

"Yeah, well, you were gone for such a long time. I only spent four years on the moon, but that was more than enough. It's the being alone that breaks you." Luther said to Five, once again going on about the moon.

"You think they'll buy it?" Luther continued, running his fingers over the briefcase that sat between him and Five.

"Well, what I do know is that they're desperate. It's like a cop losing his gun. If the Commission finds out, they'll be in deep shit." Five explained to Luther, showing the importance of the briefcases the members of the Commission carry.

"Oh, not to mention the fact that they'll be stuck here until they get it back. Not the best predicament to be in." Eli joked, moving forward in his seat so that his upper body was between Five and Luther. Miles and Edith did the same, Miles beside Luther and Edith beside Five.

"Well, I should hold onto it. In case they make a move on you." Luther said, being a protective 'older' brother.

"Okay, Luther, but be careful. I mean, I've... I've lived a long life, but... you're still a young man. You got your whole life ahead of you. Don't waste it." Five said to him, the pair going into a serene yet awkward silence. Edith leaned closer to Five, grinning.

"Really showing your ancient self, aren't you old man?" She mumbled, causing Five to turn to her. Their faces were close, almost touching, but neither moved.

"That's because I physically aged too, dimwit. Unlike you, whose been stuck as a sixteen-year-old for a hell of a long time." He responded wittily, gaining a laugh from Edith.

"That's right, Hargreeves." She stated, the pair moving away from one another.

"Here we go. This'll be fun." Five said to the group as Hazel and Cha-Cha drove by, the five getting out of the car- Luther with the fake briefcase in hand.

"If this all goes sideways, do me a favour and tell Delores I'm sorry." Five said aloud, not aimed at anyone specifically. Nobody said anything, but they all acknowledged his words. If it all went sideways, they would all tell Delores that he was sorry.

The group dispersed when Hazel and Cha-Cha began to come closer, Five directly meeting them, Luther staying at the car and the Gardeners stood between Five and Luther, close enough to hear the conversation between Five and the assassins, but also close enough to Luther to protect him. They also stood as a shield, as they all had their weapons concealed but ready for use.

"The masks really necessary?" Five began the conversation, looking at the two masked assassins. They pulled their masks off and threw them aside, prompting a comment from Edith.

"You guys look hideous either way!" Edith yelled from where she stood with her brothers, a smirk on her face. Hazel and Cha-Cha ignored her, keeping their eyes on Five.

"So where is it, kid?" Cha-Cha asked, her tone serious as she got straight to the point.

"Wow, that's how you're gonna start. You know, we can get right back in our car and call it a day." Five said, a half-smirk on his lips as he looked back to the car.

"You won't even make it halfway there." Cha-Cha threatened, pulling a gun from inside her jacket.

"Maybe. But as I'm sure you found out in your previous foray; my brother is not your average giant. And well, you know the Gardeners." As the trio heard Five say that, Hazel and Cha-Cha glanced their way, so they pulled out their weapons, smiling sadistically.

"He's right. You dropped a chandelier on him, got right back up. And yes, we know the Gardeners." Hazel quickly inputted, leaning closer to Cha-Cha as he spoke.

"By the time you took him out he'd smash your precious briefcase to a pulp." Five said, developing his previous claim in response to Hazel's words.

"Probably us too, right? So, how do we help each other?" Hazel asked, moving his hands as he spoke- one of which held a gun.

"I need you to get in contact with your superior so I can have a chat with her. Face-to-face." Five told them, keeping his tone neutral as he held his hands in his pockets.

"About what?" Cha-Cha said, her tone a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

"Well, I don't believe that's any of your concern." Five said almost cheekily, smiling sarcastically.

"Just don't tell her about the briefcase." Cha-Cha warned, keeping her gun held at Five.

"Fair enough." Five nodded slightly, ending the conversation. Hazel and Cha-Cha walked off first, the latter going to the payphone near where they stood to call the Handler. Once Five made sure they were actually calling her, he turned, going back to Luther, as had the Gardeners.

"What happens now?" Luther asked once all five of them were back at the car, looking over to where Hazel and Cha-Cha were contacting the Handler.

"Now we wait." Five said, leaning against the car.