Y/n's POV

I held Five's hand as we entered the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and headed to the venue where the Hargreeves event was talking place. I looked around the grand high-ceiling room. Dozens of round tables were beautifully decorated with white roses and high golden vases and four lit candles in each bouquet. The place was extravagant and opulent, exactly how I imagined an event hosted by someone like the Hargreeves would be.

"Good evening, Y/n."

Speaking of the devil.

Luther greeted with his Siblings by his side, except Diego, all of them wearing broad smiles on their faces. I could tell they all were in their element.

"Five," Luther added, nodding politely at Five.

"Good evening, everyone." I said, and Allison hugged me as a welcome.

"Evening everyone," Five stated as they all exchanged looks.

I wasn't sure if I was more dazzled by the remarkable venue or the hosts. The whole Hargreeves's family looked straight out of a magazine. Luther and Victor both wore a white shirt under a worthy-of-a-king, black-damask tux with gold lapels with a bow tie, and Allison, a splendid long-sleeve velvet red ball gown with gold crystals worthy of a queen. Klaus was wearing a Bronze Royal blue floral Tuxedo, with a sharp vest and matching color pants.

"Thank you for coming. We're all excited." Viktor chuckled, snapping me out of the awe.

"Your date look bewitching too," Klaus commented, his eyes on me. "No wonder my brother is head over heels for you, love," he added, smiling slyly before the waiter offered us a glass of champagne.

I felt weak in my knees and nearly dropped the glass to the floor when I spotted my father and my sibling's heading our way. I knew Five's family sent them an invitation, but never in a million years did I think he would accept.

"Ah!" Klaus exclaimed the second he noticed my father. "What an extraordinary evening ! What a sight to see the Sparrow family attending one of are legendary events."

My family approached us, all of their facial expressions so dark and gloomy as if they were attending a funeral. I watched Fei nervously swiped the nonexistent dust from her emerald-green dress while my father sent the other Hargreeves family a death stare.

"Reginald, sir," Luther said, his tone shaken up as ever. "You look good. It's been ages, hasn't it?"

Despite the show Luther decided to put on, the atmosphere was so tense and dreadful it was painful to watch, and even worse, to be a part of this ridiculous facade.

"Thank you for inviting us," my father finally spoke, his tone as cold as a North Atlantic iceberg. "It's a... pleasure to be here tonight."

"Sure it is." Allison added, sipping her drink. I had the impression that, for some twisted reason, she found this amusing. "The pleasure is all ours. Enjoy your evening," she said before they all excuse themselves and left to greet other guests.

"Good evening, Misters and Misses. Hargreeves," Five tired to sound as polite as possible despite his hatred for my father.

My family weren't so well mannered because they ignored Five as if he were thin air or a ghost. I was annoyed that they couldn't forget their judgements and be human for once.

"How are you doing, Y/n?" Jayme asked, her brows furrowed and eyes filled with concern. Ben, in contrast, didn't even try to look bothered.

"I'm doing fine," I said dryly, unable to fight the irritation. If I had to choose, I prefer Diego's sarcastic games rather then my fathers"brusque behavior. "Better than ever. Would you excuse us?" I added as I grabbed Five's hand, and we moved to the other side of the room.

We sat at the table prepared especially for us, and I caught myself staring numbly at the man playing the piano on the stage; its sound soothed my nerves.

Five overlapped his hand with mine, leaning toward me. "I know how it feels, baby," he whispered, smiling softly. He put his hand on my cheek, stroking it gently. "I know it feels like you're all alone fighting against the world."

"How do you know?" I said softly, my brows furrowing faintly.

"I feel the same way. It may not seem like that, but it's exactly that way," he replied, his tone low and subtle. "But hey, now we have each other."

I couldn't fight the smile curling up my lips. It felt like Five was the cure, taking all my worries away, medicine for my pain. I looked into the eyes of the man I was falling in love with more and more with the each passing day, grateful that he blinked into my life, apart from the undeniable physical attraction and lascivious desire that I felt for Five. For the first time, I felt precious and loved.

Five kissed my cheek before saying, "I forgot to tell you. I booked you a session with a fortune-teller. It's in half an hour."

"A fortune-teller?" I was puzzled.

Five chuckled softly. "Yeah, my family hired a fortune-teller for tonight to add variety to the event."

"Your family loves being extravagant, don't they?"

"Oh yes, they do." Five grinned, shaking his head.

"But I wouldn't peg them as someone who believes in fortune-tellers," I stated. It didn't fit the Hargreeves family I knew.

"They don't. It's just for fun. Also, to raise more funds apart from the auction," he clarified. "What about you? Do you believe in fortune-tellers?"

I tilted my head slightly to the side, pondering. I'd never really thought about such things. I always assumed everyone was in charge of their destiny. On the other hand, I did believe some things were meant to be. "Hmm... no, I don't believe someone like a fortune-teller can predict your future. But I do believe some things are written in the stars, as they say. You?"

Five smiled. "No. I'm a practical and realistic type of man. I believe in hard facts."

"So I thought," I joked, and we both chuckled.

Suddenly, his mood changed, and within a fraction of a second, he went from joyful and relaxed to serious and tense. His gaze followed a short brunette in a alluring velvet dark-purple suit with matching pants and black open up black shirt underneath. A pitch of me felt worried rushed through me, but I didn't want to show it in front of Five, and didn't want to feel threatened. Despite knowing him for just a few weeks, I trusted him more than anyone else in my life.

"Excuse me for a moment." He pressed his lips together, forcing a smile, but his dry tone gave it away that the man wasn't good news.

"Okay," I said softly. "Just don't make me wait for too long."

"I would never." He kissed my hand, giving me a charming smile before he headed toward the table with refreshments where the brunette man with hypnotizing russet eyes and tanned skin was sipping his champagne.

I watched Five talking with him, he was tense and deadly serious, unlike him. She seemed relaxed.

"Good evening, Miss..." I instinctively stood up and turned to meet the face behind the silvery voice rumbled from behind, completely distracting me from my thoughts about the mysterious man.

I fully turned around and meet the gaze of Diego standing behind me, with a glass of champagne in his hand.

"Diego." I extended my hand to greet him.

"Ah, Y/n Hargreeves." He shook my hand, but a weird chill swept the length of my spine as a sly smirk appeared on his face when he shook my hand.

"We meet again" I said, intimidated by his presence.

"Diego." Five's voice reached my ear while he held me around my waist. It was incredible how Five's presence made me feel safe, boosting my confidence like nothing else. "Did you just arrive here?"

"Yeah, I had to do some things before arriving." Diego smiled, this time in polite, acknowledgment way. "I'll leave the two of you alone. I'll say to the family. It was seeing you again, Y/n."

"It was nice seeing you, too, Diego."

The Hargreeves brothers exchanged sinister gazes before Diego sized me up, head to toe which made me feel uneasy before he turned on his heel and disappeared in the crowd of elegantly dressed people.

"He doesn't like me, does he?" I turned to look at Five.

He clenched his jaw, letting out a quiet sigh. He didn't have to say anything because I already knew that answer to that question.

"Because I'm an Hargreeves too?" I pressed my lips together.

Five grabbed my chin with his fingers, lifting it gently so that our gazes locked. "It doesn't matter, Y/n. They don't understand that a name doesn't define a person. They just need more time to see you for who you are and not through the prism of your father.

"Why did my father do to your family that they hate him that much?"

Five smiled faintly, caressing my cheek with his thumb. "We'll talk about it later, okay? Now it's your turn to see the fortune-teller.

"Sure," I agreed despite not being satisfied with his sly way of avoiding the topic.

I ENTERED THE ROOM decorated with purple fabrics with stellar constellation patterns. The thing that caught my attention, though, was the crystal ball sitting in the middle of a round table surrounded by tarot cards and candles. I found it funny, and I didn't take the whole thing seriously because it all seemed to extra. The room was dim, and there were also two purple chairs. I sat in front of the older lady with burgundy hair reaching her chin, pale complexion, and icy-blue piercing eyes. Her lips were painted a deep shade of purple, and she was dressed in a black turtleneck with heavy, layered stone pendant around her neck, matching her color eyes, and a floral wraparound skirt.

"Hello dear," the lady spoke, her voice modulated. "I'm Aura."

"Y/n," I replied, skeptical about the whole experience.

"Let's unravel your future, Y/n. Please let me see your hand, dear."

I cleared my throat, adjusting myself on the chair before I stretched my hand out to her. I thought she would be looking at the crystal ball or using the tarot cards, but instead, she gently took my hand and carefully scanned it for a few seconds before speaking.

"I see a thrilling time in your near future," she started with such a clichè phrase that I barely fought the smile desperately forming in the corner of my mouth. She seemed as if she was hypnotized. "Something unexpected will happen tonight. It'll usher in the dawn of a new era in your life. You have a secret admirer ar your fingertips who helps you when you need it. His intentions aren't clear to me, though." As she continued, she kept proving me right when all she would say were the typical things said by someone like her until she said something that piqued my interest, making my hair stand on end. "Blood-related men fighting for your affection. I see forthcoming nuptials, but they are blurry. I see darkness approaching you. A storm, a devastating hurricane. A new life overlapping with death."

I snatched my hand away, looking at the lady with anger in my eyes. That was not what I was expecting to hear. It was supposed to be fun, not terrifying. "Okay, that's enough." I shrieked, abruptly getting up from the table before I rushed out, my heart pounding.

I stormed out to the hallway, breathing heavily. Luckily, it was empty as everyone had a scheduled appointment with the fortune-teller, and mine ended early. There was only Five waiting for me. He was on the phone when I left, but soon as he noticed, he frowned and ran toward me with concern written over my face.

"Are you okay, baby?" He put one of his hands on my arm and the other stroking the top of my head, watching me carefully.

"Yes," I replied, a little out of breath. I didn't want to worry him with someone as ridiculous as a fortune-teller's predictions, most likely a bunch of horseshit she repeated to everyone else. "It was just too stuffy in there. I couldn't breath."

"Are you sure?" My explanation didn't seem to convince Five, but I put a forced smile on, hoping I would sound more assured this time.

"I'm fine. I just need some air. Can we go outside?"

"Of course, babe. Let's go." He took my hand, still scrutinizing me as he led me down the hallway.

FIVE AND I stood on the hotel's balcony above the gleaming Park Avenue. I inhaled slowly, intensely focusing on the starlit sky, and then exhaled a few times. I couldn't get the fortune-teller's words out of my head.

A devastating hurricane?

Life overlapping with death?

I shook my head, dispelling the haunting thoughts.

"What happened in that room, Y/n?" Five's husky voice reached my ear from behind as he slid his hands around my waist, kissing the top of my head. "You got scared, didn't you?"

I let out a quiet sign. "Maybe a little bit."

"I'm sorry, Y/n. I shouldn't have booked you a session with her." His tone was apologetic. I turned to face him, our gazes locked.

"No, Five. I shouldn't have taken her word so seriously."

"What did she say?"

I frowned, shaking my head slightly, my lips curled up in a soft smile. "It was some rubbish talk. Never mind."

Five tilted his head to the side. His eyes darted between mine. He rested his hands against the railing behind me, trapping me between his arms. "Y/n," he started, his voice low and tone soft. "No matter what she said, I'm here with you. For you."

I nodded, appreciating his words that meant a little too much to me. Five bit his bottom lip as if slightly nervous. I frowned, watching him carefully because it was something new to me. He put his fingers under my chin, tilting my head back.

"Y/n, I fell for you," he whispered, looking deeply into my eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. My eyes wandered all over his face as if looking for some kind of confirmation that it wasn't just a dream and I wouldn't be waking up in a moment. I brought my hand to his face, gently caressing his cheek. My breath was ragged and heavy, the excitement, a feeling of unearthly joy rushing through my veins. Five covered my hand with his, turning his head to the side to leave a soft kiss on my hand that he kept holding in his. He focused his eyes back to me. "I fell pretty damn hard, and there's no turning back for me. And it scares me..."

"Scares you?" I asked quietly, startled.

He softly nodded his head yes. "I've been stone cold my whole damn life. Immune to that shit they call love. I thought it didn't exist... until I met you." He paused, our eyes connecting. "You're like a fire melting the ice I've surrounded myself with. And it scares me because, at this point, I can't imagine my life without you in it."

I looked at the devilishly handsome man before me, feeling like the happiest woman on earth. Five was a perfect balance between a big bad wolf, who'd kill for me in a heartbeat, and a Prince Charming, who knew know to make me feel like the only girl in the world. Add to it a perfect lover- quite a deadly combination. I fell for him too. I fell got this dangerous, reckless man, a criminal. Unconditionally. Irrevocably. I fell for him despite knowing the risk that love could entail. But I didn't care. Five knew how to make me feel alive. He knew how to embrace the demons lurking inside me so that I forgot they existed. I fell for him, despite knowing this love would be a constant dance with the devil. Yet, I couldn't resist him. I was willing to take that risk because before him, I didn't live. I only existed.

"I can't imagine my life without you either, Five," I whispered before he crashed his lips to mine like the hungry wolf he was.

We were kissing each other softly. Five put his hand in the back of my neck, which sliding his other hand on my cheek, and Five pulled away, breaking are kiss. He looked at me. His eyes were sparkling, filled with sinful lust, his breath ragged. He slid his hand back up my neck, stopping at my jawline, tilting my head back, and our eyes locked again. I was breathing heavily, squeezing my hands on the railing behind me.

"Five, there are people everywhere. And reporters. What if someone catches us?" I whispered.

"I don't care," he hissed "I could be be front-page news tomorrow and I wouldn't give a damn," he whispered into my ear, his voice low and husky, before he brushed his lips against the sensitive skin of my neck, causing goose bumps in their wake.

Uncaring of those around them, I just had begun running my hands through Five's hair when I heard someone cleared their throat near them. Not breaking are kiss, Five cracked his eyes open to see Zachary standing there with unease. Five disconnected his lips with mine, leaving a smacking sound as he did so, before I opened my eyes.

"Zachary?" I barely vocalize his name, rooted to the spot.

How long has he been there?
Did he see us?
Did he watch us?

My heart was pounding wildly, and I attempted to swallow around the dryness in my throat. I felt dizzy at the thought that he'd been there the whole time, watching us.

"Zachary?" Five frowned, slightly abashed. "What are you doing here? I ordered you to wait downstairs."

"I did." Zachary cleared his throat, his face unreadable. "I just got here, Your family sent for you."

I wanted to believe that he just got there, but there was something ominous in his gaze that told me it was a lie. I turned my head to the side, avoiding his gaze, although I was sure my cheeks flushed red.

"We're coming," Five said, his tone flat, and Zachary nodded before stepping aside to let us pass before he followed us, and I could feel his burning gaze on my back.

꧁----------------------------------------------꧂

"Thank you." Luther's low voice, followed by a wave of clapping, snapped me out of my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, searching across the crowd of people. I didn't catch single word out of Luther's speech. I was too dizzy after the wicked moment I had with Five and even worse  after Zachary's unnerving gaze. I shook my head, waking up from the haze. I stood on the stage a few inches above the floor of the banquet room, next to Five, between Diego and Allison and Claire holding her mom's hand and Viktor and Klaus beside her. All eyes were on us. I knew I had to grin and bear it. Five insisted on me joining them, and although I thought it was a little out of piece, I couldn't say no to that man. The clapping eventually fades away, and Five stepped up, clearing his throat.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to announce something," he said loud and clear, and the room fell silent. I frowned, watching him, a little confused. I didn't expect he'd be making a speech too. "There's a woman by my side tonight. A special woman." He smiled as he turned to look at me. "It's not only because she's incredibly stunning, and damn, she is." He peeked at the guests, and they chuckled. "But because she doesn't pretend. She doesn't play any games. She's unapologetically herself," he stated, the last part slightly softer as if it was meant only for me. As if he didn't care about other people in the room, only me. His eyes locked with mine as he continued. "I love that woman. With all her worn edges, fractures, scars."

My heart skipped a beat, and my breath became heavy and slow. I looked at Five with my eyes growing wide. He reached his hand to me, and I took it it as if in a trance. I took a step toward him, everyone watching us with anticipation.

"Y/n, you're a warrior. I know it." Five's tone was low. "You're the strongest woman I've ever known. You don't need a man to bring the world to its knees. But I don't want you to fight the battles alone anymore. In this crazy, fucked-up world, I'm willing to be there for you for the rest of my life."

"Five..." I hesitated, my lips parted in awe.

Five reached into his pocket, a mysterious smirk on his face. He opens a black velvet box, and a huge diamond ring glittered before my eyes. I looked Five in the eyes, completely taken aback, before he dropped down on one knee.  "Y/n Hargreeves, will you marry me?"

Question of the day:

"What will Y/n's answer be?!?!"

...

"If you had one superpower to fight with the Umbrella Academy, what would it it be?"

☂︎︎

                               𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐩

    
                         𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟖