Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The news that eccentric billionaire Reginald Hargreeves had died broke on the twenty third day of March. It was a cold, gloomy day but despite this the amount of people who were sad about his death was minimal. The man had raised seven children and of those who had survived into adulthood only one cared, though even he only cared out of a sense of duty.

Vanya Hargreeves heard of her adopted father’s death on the way home from violin practice at the theatre. Vanya was a petite woman with thin brown hair and forgettable features, in fact everything about Vanya was quite ordinary. She was an okay violinist in a mediocre orchestra, she live in an area that was fine in a flat that was bare and just enough. She led a modest life, playing and teaching violin and taking her pills on time.

A whispered “Dad.” was her only reaction to his passing.

Klaus Hargreeves was very unlike his sister, he was the definition of middle child syndrome, which is to say very bloody annoying. He was a very tall and thin man with thick curly hair and a very bold taste in fashion. He was also almost never seen without some kind of illness, a result of drug use and homelessness that had plagued his younger years. His life was also far more manic than his sister’s, flickering from commission to commission as a sort of artist. His reaction to his father’s passing was a simple text sent to his favourite living brother.

Allison Hargreeves found out in perhaps the cruelest way. Very early on in her youth she had become obsessed with the idea of fame, of acting and making a living making others’ stories come to life. She lived in California, as all good actresses should, with her husband Patrick and her two children, Claire and James.

She floated along the red carpet, a wooden smile carved into place upon her painted face, as she heard the news. Faceless flashes blinded her as voices called out until one broke through the sound.

“Allison, have you heard the news?” The voice had called. “When was the last time you saw your father?”

Her assistant finally got to her and she quickly walked away.

Diego Hargreeves was placing towels and cloths over the last of his doughs when the text came through from his brother. In their youth Diego had been one of the most violent and quick to anger of the siblings but as an adult he had found peace in baking, a career he had been encouraged to pursue by his girlfriend. Diego was well built and tan with hair cut short to his head and a thick scar running along his face towards his eye, for a baker he did not look like one to me messed with. 

He read the text with a smile, biting into a doughnut he muttered “I hope you burn, father.”

Luther Hargreeves sat alone on the moon, as he had been for the past for years. He was a tall man, once handsome but now corrupted by the toxins that had saved his life, and so dreadfully lonely. He had no direct contact with another living being for four years but as the new cane to him of his father’s death he was somewhat relieved. He could not do research for a dead man. He mourned the loss of a father but was hopeful to come back down to earth.

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Vanya arrived at the house by taxi the following day to find it exactly as she had left it twelve years before. It was as dim and lifeless as she had remembered, full of priceless ornaments that held no purpose and musty rugs and curtains that soaked up any natural light. It was an expensive hell.

She entered slowly, scared to disturb anyone or announce her presence. Vanya was well aware she would not be welcomed warmly after what she had done. Good, she thought, they deserved it and far worse.

She found her mother by the fire in the living room, as synthetically beautiful as ever. But her calling had the undesired effect of alerting her sister to her presence.

“Vanya?” Allison called, not unkindly. Of her living siblings Allison’s chapter had been perhaps the least cruel. 

“You’re actually here.” So perhaps her sister was less okay with everything as she had first thought.

“Hey Allison.”

“Hey sis.” Allison approached her, lingering a few feet away as if debating whether to hit her or not, before pulling her into a very awkward hug. It was impersonal, almost clinical, as if Allison was just going through the motions that’d keep the peace.

“What is she doing here?” And just like that all sense of peace was gone. Diego walked in to the hall, dressed in black jeans and a soft black jumper which surprised his sister’s who had expected a police uniform or vigilante gear. “You don’t belong here. Not after what you did.”

“Diego.” Allison turned to her brother, her voice that of a weary mother. There was no defence of Vanya in that tone, Vanya noted, just that of someone who wanted to be done with it all as soon as possible.

The sisters watched as Diego stalked through and up the stairs, probably to get reacquainted with his childhood room. Or his brothers.

“You know, I uh-“ Vanya stumbled. I’m a grown woman, Vanya thought, getting ready to leave. I don’t have to deal with their bullshit. “Maybe he’s right-“

“Forget about him.” Allison said softly. “You have as much right as the rest of us.”

They lingered awkwardly for a few seconds before Allison walked away.

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“I can save you some time.” Diego entered the room where his brother stood, searching through their father’s room for any signs of foul play. It was strange seeing his brother again after so long, strange seeing any of his family outside of Klaus but seeing Luther was something else altogether. Gone was any bitterness he still held in regards to their childhood rivalry and all that was left was pity, pity for the one left behind.

Luther was far bigger than he remembered and also far clumsier but the looks of things. He looked strange, as if his whole body had been stuffed like a teddy bear and they had just forgotten to do the same for his head.

“They’re all locked, no false entry, no sign of struggle, nothing out of the ordinary.” He strolled into the room to lean against a cabinet, he wasn’t there to start a fight. Not this time.

“What do you want?” It’s a shame Luther didn’t hold the same sentiment.

“The autopsy report.” Diego held the crumpled paper out to his brother, tugging it away before actually handing it over. He may not be there to start anything but he couldn’t resist teasing.

“And you have this why?” Luther asked, skimming over the page.

“My girlfriend was in charge of his case when they still suspected something.” He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Eudora. “And surprise surprise, dad’s death was normal. Just a boring old heart failure.”

“Yeah, so.” Luther asked, tense.

“So why are you in here,” he responded “checking all the windows?”

“Was she the first one on the scene?”

“Pogo found him.”

“Yeah I talked to Pogo.” Luther said, less tense this time as if he was getting used to his brother again. “He said he couldn’t find dad’s monocle.”

Oh, shit thought Diego.

“And your point being?”

“Can you think of a single time you saw dad and he wasn’t wearing that monocle?”

“No.” Diego replied, reluctantly.

And so Luther launched into a theory about how that proved their father had been murdered. Diego had always believed it was childish pettiness that had led him to resent his brother, now he was starting to think it was his apparent love of conspiracies. Diego grew tired quickly and wished his brother good luck in his murder mystery, going to find his mum and maybe the missing monocle.

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To say Vanya was surprised when Pogo told her that their father had never read her book would be a lie. Whilst her siblings, or at least the two she had come across, obviously had she had no expectations that her father would do the same. That didn’t change the well of anger that bubbled up inside of her when she saw a mini shrine to her siblings, photos of her siblings at the height of the academy and not a sign of her existence anywhere in the house outside of her closet-sized bedroom.

Seeing Pogo again washed away a lot of the bad memories of the house. He had always been unendingly kind to her, slipping her treats and turning a blind eye to any of her rule breaking where he wouldn’t for any of the others. He seemed nostalgic when they discussed Five, whilst Vanya could feel the bitterness crawling through her bones.

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Klaus had heard the door open to his father’s study he just chose to ignore it. He had realised that he would look suspicious just on merit of being the family junkie in his father’s office, despite not having even drunk for the past four years or so. In fact he wasn’t looting the office, as tempting as that thought was, but rather searching through their father’s notes; if he found the ones on his powers he might finally get a good night sleep that wasn’t drug induced, four years of poor sleep was not good for the skin.

“Klaus.” Oh, Allison, great. “What you doing in here?”

“Oh, Allison,” Klaus breathed the words “Wow, is that you? Hey, come here.”

He pulled Allison into a light hug, barely touching her in fear she’d push him away but she didn’t just lightly hugged back for a second before they both pulled away.

“Long time. Too long.” He held her back as if to get a good look at her, his smile becoming less fake as she giggled at his antics. “Hey I was hoping to, uh, see you actually cuz... I was hoping to get your autograph added to my collection.”

Klaus upped the anti steadily. He was testing the waters, seeing where his different siblings’ lines were at for his bullshit. He long ago found that whilst Diego was with Eudora his was infinite but beyond makeovers and gossiping he could not remember Allison having a similar sort of patience with him.

“So what are you doing in here Klaus?”

“I just came down here to prove to myself that the old man was...really gone.” Klaus said, mock-sadly. “And he is! He’s dead! Yay!”

Allison rolled her eyes as Klaus danced around clapping and joking about their dad who had been dead for less than a week. She laughed at some of his jokes and drama, doubtlessly believing him to be drunk or high or both but nonetheless humouring him. Klaus was, dare he say it, touched.

“Get out of his chair.” Ordered Luther from the door.

“Oh, wow Luther.” Klaus stood, gesturing with his thin bare arms. “You really filled out.”

“Klaus.” Luther’s tolerance had apparently not changed in thirteen years.

“I- save the lecture. I was already leaving.” He headed towards the exit “You guys can, uh, talk amongst yourselves.”

Luther grabbed his collar. “Drop it.”

“Ex-squeeze me.” Oh, so that’s what he thought he was in their for. “From where?”

They both looked down at his slim waistcoat and skin tight leather trousers, his coat was hung on the rack in the hall with his shoes below it because he had manners unlike the rest of his heathen siblings. Just like that he was let go but not before his dear siblings started talking.

“So Klaus is still Klaus, in case you were wondering.”

Well wasn’t Luther sweet.

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They all sat in silence, the tension thick as custard. They were waiting for number one to start leading, or the funeral to start depending on which came first. Occasionally Diego and Klaus would exchange a look, a raised eyebrow between the only two who had stayed in contact, or Allison would take a drink from her glass. Beyond that the room was still and quiet.

“Um, I guess we should get this started. So I figured we could have our sort of memorial service in the courtyard at sundown.” Luther stood, taking control whilst Klaus fiddled in the bar making some strange mocktail. “Say a few words, just at dad’s favourite spot.”

Once again everyone became startlingly aware of the inequality they were treated with. Everyone looked blankly at Luther, the favourite child, who of course new their father beyond observations and training.

“Dad had a favourite spot?” Allison asked blankly.

“Yeah, y’know, under the oak tree.” He paused as everyone continued to look blank. “We used to sit under there all the time, none of you ever do that?”

Klaus interrupted, taking pity on his brother and chasing away any awkwardness with a quip about sandwich. The conversation quickly derailed into how he’d stole Allison’s skirt, which also begged the question of where was what he had on previously.

Luther quickly plunged into his conspiracies about their father’s death whilst the others tried to dissuade his theories. Luther asked Klaus to summon their dad but before he could begin to actually refuse and finish his, admittedly bullshit, excuses Allison was already accusing him of getting high. Luther went on about the monocle and how it proved them as suspects in their father’s death, causing Diego to storm off with Klaus close behind. Soon only Luther was left standing there, realising he’d messed up.

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A tremendous thunder-like sound shook the old mansion as blue light sparked as if in some sort of flash storm. The five siblings charged outside to see what had caused the ruckus only to find a huge ball of fluorescent energy sparking and spluttering.

“What is it?” Called Vanya.

“Don’t get to close.”

“Yeah, no shit.”

“It looks like some sort of temporal anomaly.” Luther said “Either that or a miniature black hole. One of the two.”

“There is a slight difference there, brother dear.” Klaus pointed out.

It began to splutter more dramatically causing the siblings to back away and for Luther and Diego to step in front of their less testosterone-fuelled siblings. It began to look like a figure was emerging from the vortex but before any of them could work out who or what it was the light closed up, leaving just a small figure in its place.

It was a young boy, about twelve or so, dressed in an oversized suit and with his dark hair in disarray. The child got to his feet at the others began to approach him, the sky cleared up so they could finally see his face all coming to the conclusion that the boy was...

“Does anyone else see little number five or is that just me?” Klaus asked.

“Shit.” Five said, looking down at himself.

xxxxxx

The siblings sat around the table as Five hopped around the kitchen making a sickly sweet sandwich. He explained how his consciousness had been projected through time into a far younger version of his body and how he had been sticking in the future for forty five years making him the oldest of his siblings whilst still looking thirteen.

Klaus had expected his brother to change in the time that he had been gone but he hadn’t seemed to. He was as blunt and sarcastic as he had ever been, though Klaus would admit he was a little harsher, a little rougher around the edges. Klaus saw the glint in his eye, the one he’d only ever seen on the faces of men in the streets when he was in deep shit. In his time away Five had begun to unravel.

The compliment on his attire was welcome though.

xxxxxx

Vanya was cautious when approaching her brother. It was strange seeing him again but she was worried too. All the rest of their siblings hated her, for speaking the truth about the abuse she had endured in a house where the only way to get by was with powers. If Five hated her too then she’d be distraught.

She doubted he would though. He had always been so nice to her and besides he was always the smartest so would probably be on her side, he’d see that they were being selfish and that what she had faced was way worse than what they could even begin to imagine.

“Nice to know Dad didn’t forget me.” Five said, still staring up at his portrait. His tone was neutral but Vanya had always understood him better than the others, to her he was smiling. He must of missed her as much as she missed him. “I read your book by the way. Found it in a library that was still standing. Ballsy, giving up the family secrets. Sure that went well.”

“They hate me.”

“You went too far.” This comment surprised her. Out of all of them she had been sure that Five would understand. “Especially what you said about Ben.”

That confused her further. She had been complimentary about Ben, never saying a word against him. He had been a good brother, led astray by Klaus sure, but always kind and welcoming. Before she could ask Five to explain he was gone.

She didn’t see anyone again till they were in the courtyard for the funeral. Luther tipped out the ashes and they landed with a thud on the wet ground. Vanya looked across at her siblings, taking in their reactions to the affair.

Five was neutral, as to be expected, whilst Luther looked a little bit upset but not greatly as Vanya had thought. Allison looked concerned at their mother but nothing more. Diego looked smug but also like a drowned rat, his delicate masculinity to fragile for an umbrella, Vanya narrowed her eyes slightly. She glared harder when her eyes turned to Klaus.

He stood in that stupid skirt that he had stolen like some sort of hobo, shivering in a thin coat that was once again made for a woman, holding that ridiculous pink umbrella like some sort of child playing dress up. This all coming to a head with his stupid cigarette because her brother couldn’t even be bothered to stay sober for their father’s funeral.

Vanya listened intently to Pogo’s words, enjoying his calm voice explain who he had known. She knew she wasn’t the only one listening so carefully. Luther was standing there probably agreeing with every word, she shook her head at her brother’s naivety. It still seemed rude when Diego cut across Pogo’s lovely speech with a comment that he knew would only end in an argument.

The destruction of Ben’s statue was awful, her stupid bull headed brothers had destroyed one of the only relics of their dead brother. The head tumbled away with a clang and Vanya gasped in pure horror at what her brothers had done. Klaus and Diego stood looking apathetic whilst the rest of them were rightfully shocked. Vanya could not stand to be out with the careless stupidity of her family so stormed in, hoping that Five would follow and she could catch up with one of the only people she could honestly say she still loved.

xxxxx

Pogo watched as Vanya stood alone in the entrance hall taking her pill. He was surprised she still took it, having read her book and finding little respect for the man who had placed her on it. It concerned him, somewhat, that she still had such a reliance on the pill despite her deteriorating mental state that had been clear to him in her book. It seemed Reginald had misjudged the long term effects of such a drug and that her powers being suppressed had begun to put pressure on her brain.

He walked in loudly, not wanting to surprise his most delicate charge. 

“Don’t waste your time,” she said, resigned “Diego’s right, I shouldn’t have come.”

Despite half wanting to agree with the knife flinger Pogo said “This is your home and always will be. Should I get you a taxi?”

“I already called one but thanks.” A car beeped outside. “That’s me.”

“I hope you know your father loved you very much.” Pogo lied, hoping some positivity may help the girl in some small way. He also wouldn’t admit it but he was growing sick of all the abuse that was being aimed at his dear friend. “In his own way.”

“Yeah well, that’s kind of the problem isn’t it.” She mumbled. “Take care of yourself.”

“You as well miss Vanya.”

xxxxx

“Where’s Vanya?” Asked Allison, walking into the kitchen where Five was hunting through all the cupboards.

“Oh, she’s gone.” Klaus replied, hugging the guitar that Diego used to play. The annoyance of her druggie brother never failed to amaze Allison.

“That’s unfortunate.” Five said in a tone that made it clear it wasn’t.

“Yeah.” Allison agreed, coming to stand at the table.

“An entire square block, forty two bedrooms, nineteen bathrooms but no, not a single drop of coffee.” Five complained. It seemed shocking to Allison, her brother had never used to drink coffee but he complained about it in the exact way he used to complain about other things in their youth, like if there were no eggs left or they only had the cheap cereal.

“Dad hated caffeine.”

“Well he hated children too and he had plenty of us.” Klaus gave a painfully fake laugh. 

Allison stood, unsure of how to respond to the bitterness of her brother. Klaus had never been harsh, careless and dark sure but in no way sardonic or cold. He had always been the most caring, ready to comfort or give physical contact in a way the others had never been but it seemed that being away from the academy had changed him. To Allison it seemed almost as if he was done with letting others treat him like shit, as if he had acknowledged how bad their childhood was in a way that only Five and Diego had in their youth, in the way that Allison herself was now only just working through (with the help of her therapist).

“I’m taking the car.”

“Do you even know how to drive?”

“I know how to do everything.” And with that he left.

“I feel like we should try and stop him,” Klaus got up as if preparing to do so, “But then again I kind of wanna see what happens.”

Diego entered, now wearing a coat and carrying Klaus’s. He turned to Allison and said “Alright, guess I’ll see you in what? ten years when Pogo dies.”

“Not if you die first.” Allison teased.

“Yeah, love you too sis.” He took a marshmallow. “Have fun playing housewife. Klaus, you ready to go?”

“Yeah, give Clare and James our love, sister dear.”

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“Has Ben been around?” Diego asked as they got in the car.

“No, he stayed home.” Klaus replied with a grin. “There was an all day Harry Potter marathon on ABC he wanted to watch, he’ll be happy to hear about the statue.”

“Good, you think you’ll be free to come for dinner tomorrow? Patch misses Ben, something about civilised conversation.” Klaus laughed and agreed to come round.

Diego knew Klaus would be suspicious but he still stopped at the dock to ditch the monocle, he knew that Luther’s suspicions would be far more annoying than his annoying brothers. He stood there for a few minutes, unsure. It was the last thing of his father’s that actually meant something, it was complicated. The hand that hits was also the hand that feeds, so do you bite, run or accept? Diego had never been sure.

He dropped Klaus off and declined the invite to come in for a coffee and a catch up with Ben but instead went home to the flat he shared with Patch, unsurprised that she wasn’t in yet despite her shift ending a half hour prior. He knew she’d be there in the morning when he got up to open the bakery and he knew she’d be free for dinner with Ben and Klaus. They saw less of each other after his career change despite living together but it was good, they had time together and were living the good life. Her mother came round regularly with pies and casseroles and Christmas was no longer the rigid affair it had been in his youth.

Diego was happy.

xxxxxx

In another universe Luther truly mourns his father, searching for answers to it all from the moon he was sent to. He resents it.

In this one he mourns who his father could have been but welcomes the love from his siblings. He misses the moon some days.

In another universe Diego is bitter and cold, with no one to return home to and nights spent saving those who the police could. He hasn’t seen his siblings since he was seventeen.

In this one he goes home to Patch and wakes up early to open his bakery where old ladies coo and call him a gentleman and a sweetheart. His brother has an open invitation to his house and was the one who named their pet cat.

In another universe Allison is divorced and not allowed to see her baby girl grow up. The man she loved had the locks changed.

In this one she has two beautiful children who are growing a little more everyday. The man she loves waits up for her return.

In another universe Klaus hasn’t been sober since he was thirteen and hasn’t had a home since he left his father’s. His dead brother is the only one who can stand to look at him.

In this one he manages the ghosts and the call of drugs from inside his crappy apartment. His fellow students tease him for being a teachers pet, despite already failing the course twice.

In another universe Five gets home to the past and a doughnut shop gets shot up. He then goes to his normal sister and tells her Armageddon is coming; she doesn’t believe him.

In this one the doughnut shop still gets shot up. He then goes to Klaus’s apartment as his sister’s book makes him scared but reading between the lines made him reconsider the others.

In another universe Ben has to watch his brother self destruct, unable to do more than nag from the sidelines.

In this one he has long conversations with his other brothers girlfriend about books and tv shows they like, he watches his brother fail but he also watches him try again anyway.

In another universe Vanya is okay, she teaches violin and her new student is older than the others, he smiles at her in a way no one ever has before. She says yes to a date.

In this one Vanya is not okay, she teaches violin and her students begin to quit. They tell their parents that Miss Vanya is scary, she grabbed their arms to hard or yelled to loud. No one asks her out, no one talks to her if they don’t have to. She starts to lose her grip.

A miscalculation was all it took, a number that hadn’t been carried mid way through and Reginald had messed up the suppression drug. A butterfly began to fly. A bat of the wings and Vanya wrote a book worse and more naive than what was possible before. Another and Diego picked up the book and decided to save his brother. Another and Five picked up the same book and a few more on mental health and child abuse, he studied and grew to fear his sister and want to save his other siblings. A bat of the wings of a butterfly and a hurricane did not begin turning but stopped. No books flew out of windows but a domino effect had begun.