—————༻☂︎︎༺—————
༻ FIVE'S POV ༺

The silence in the car was thick as Y/n settled into the back seat, shutting her eyes and turning off her hearing. The only sounds left were the faint hum of the engine and the faint shuffling of movement from the front seat as Luther climbed in. His size made it a tight squeeze, but he managed to wedge himself in, shutting the door with a bit of effort.

"You okay?" Luther asked, shooting me a glance.

"You shouldn't be here. How did you even find me?" I said, confused and annoyed.

Luther pointed at the back of the van, and before I could respond, a voice piped up, cutting through the tension.

"Hey, a little privacy, guys. I'm trying to learn how to braid her hair back here," Klaus said, appearing in the rearview mirror. I whipped around, and sure enough, Klaus was sitting behind Y/n, his fingers tangled in her hair, carefully weaving strands.

"Get out! You can't be here!" I shouted, grabbing an empty can and tossing it at him. He flinched and screamed, nearly dropping the donut in his hand.

"Seriously? What are you all doing?" Luther said, his voice tinged with disbelief as he looked between Klaus and me.

"I'm in the middle of something." I said.

"Any luck finding your one-eyed man?" Klaus asked, shifting his attention to me.

"No," I whispered, my voice strained.

"What's he talking about?" Luther asked, his brow furrowed.

"Does it matter? It's Klaus," I muttered, sighing. "What do you want, Luther?"

Luther took a breath, looking between us, eyes serious. "Um... so, Grace may have had something to do with Dad's death. I need you to come back to the academy. It's important."

"Important? You have no concept of what's important," I snapped, my patience fraying.

Klaus, seemingly oblivious to the serious tension, piped up. "Hey! Did I ever tell you about the time I waxed my ass with chocolate pudding? It was so painful." He laughed, the sound absurd and unsettling.

"What are you still doing here?" Luther shot at Klaus, his voice exasperated.

"I—what? I need an excuse to hang out with my family?" Klaus retorted, crossing his arms and leaning into the back of the seat.

"We're trying to have a serious conversation," Luther said, his voice edged with frustration.

"What, and I'm incapable of being serious? Is that what you're saying?" Klaus asked, eyes wide with mock offense.

Luther glanced at me, then back at Klaus. "You should get out."

Klaus sighed, throwing his hands up. "Fine. But I'm taking Y/n."

"You're not taking her," I said, the words flat and firm.

"Why not? She's the only one who listens to me and thinks I'm fun to be around. And she's not even real—she has no feelings!" Klaus exclaimed, as if that was supposed to convince me.

Luther looked at me, then back at Klaus. "Just let him take her," he muttered, exasperated.

"I wouldn't let any of you watch her for two seconds," I said, my voice dropping dangerously.

"Come on. Stop being so overprotective. Let her experience the real world, not just your controlling bubble," Klaus said, smirking like he'd won.

I didn't reply immediately. My gaze fell on Y/n, still on silent mode, eyes closed and unmoving. The idea of her being with Klaus made my skin prickle, but I couldn't deny that she needed a change. A break. Just this once.

"If she gets so much as a scratch, I will hurt you," I said, shooting Klaus a glare that could've sent most people running.

"Yeah, yeah," Klaus said, waving me off. He opened the car door and stepped out, waiting for Y/n.

Seconds passed before anything happened. She was still unmoving. The silence pressed in on me, making it feel like the car was shrinking. I glanced at Luther, who looked as confused as I felt.

"Y/n, come on," Klaus said, his voice high-pitched as he whistled.

"She's not a dog, Klaus," Luther muttered, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, she's on silent mode," I added, running a hand through my hair.

Klaus leaned over to tap her on the shoulder. "Wake up!" he said, grinning, as if this were a game.

"You have to press her ear," I said, my patience stretched thin.

"I'm trying!" Klaus said, poking at her neck with an intensity that could only be described as desperate.

"No, that's her neck. You're not even close," I said, exasperated.

Luther raised an eyebrow. "I think it's that spot at the base of her neck."

"Now that's her reset button. You don't know how she works," I snapped, stepping forward.

"Like this?" Klaus said, tapping at her ear with precision that bordered on obsessive.

"No, now you're just poking her eye!" I said, grabbing his hand to move it away.

"Here," I muttered, pressing gently at the base of her ear. Within seconds, her eyes fluttered open, and she glanced around, confusion settling into her expression.

"Is the conversation going, or does it need more time?" she asked, voice calm and steady.

"No, you're going with Klaus," I said, meeting her gaze in the rearview mirror.

She looked at Klaus and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Okay," she said, and moved to get out of the car.

I leaned back into the seat as she stepped out, a wave of reluctance hitting me hard. Klaus shot me a thumbs-up before shutting the door, and I watched them walk away. It was going to be a long, unpredictable day.

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————
༻ Y/N'S POV ༺

I walked alongside Klaus as we moved away from the van, the car disappearing into the distance behind us. He had that mischievous grin plastered on his face, the one that said he was about to turn the day into a circus act.

"So, what do you feel like doing now that we're free from Mr. Grumpy and his overprotective ways?" Klaus said, taking a few steps backward so he could keep me in his line of sight.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "I'm not programmed to make my own decisions about what to do. My user hasn't given me any new directives," I replied, my voice light but matter-of-fact.

Klaus scoffed and let out a laugh that echoed down the quiet street. "Boring. Seriously, Five is way too overbearing. He's like a walking, talking security system with a bad attitude."

"Five and Luther are both good users," I said, defending them with a calm tone.

Klaus stopped walking and looked at me, his eyes narrowing with playful disbelief. "Luther? Really? Since when is he your user?"

"Since your father's funeral, the day when your brothers had that explosive fight. Luther needed my help, and I was programmed to protect Five and assist with any family connections or relationships he was involved in—only if the help was needed."

Klaus's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Can I be your user?" he asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

I tilted my head slightly, analyzing his expression. "Unfortunately, I can't be your user unless you're in danger or need assistance. My primary functions are reserved for moments of necessity," I explained.

Klaus's smile drooped, and his face fell into an exaggerated pout. "Aww, that's no fun."

I chuckled, watching him in his defeated state before my smile turned reassuring. "But in the meantime, I'm always happy to assist you with anything you need. If you ever want company or support, I'm here."

He perked up at that, the playful gleam returning to his eyes. "Well, now that you mention it, I am pretty hungry," he said, as if he'd just come up with a brilliant plan.

I nodded, scanning the area as we walked. My sensors picked up the low hum of traffic and the occasional chirp of birds, but most importantly, a small store a few blocks down. I pointed to it, a little excitement bubbling up inside me. "There's a mini mart over there, just a couple of blocks away. It's not much, but it should do for a snack."

Klaus's face broke into a grin so wide I could almost see the joy radiating off him. "Perfect. Let's go." He started walking, the bounce in his step making it impossible not to match his enthusiasm.

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————

Me and Klaus walked into the mini-mart, the door jingling behind us. The place was small, crammed with shelves that seemed to hold a little bit of everything. My sensors mapped the environment instantly, logging the layout, the various objects, and the faint chatter of a radio playing behind the counter. Klaus immediately broke off, darting down an aisle like a child let loose in a candy store, while I wandered slower, scanning the inventory and analyzing the different products.

As I turned a corner, my attention was caught by an aisle filled with brightly colored candy. I stopped, taking in the vibrant packaging. The items were sorted into neat rows: sweet, sour, fruity, chocolatey. Each one designed to appeal to the human senses. The sheer variety fascinated me—there was no logic to it, only preference and indulgence.

"Hey!" Klaus's voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see him holding a chaotic armful of chips and candy, his grin wide. "If I get all this, will you help me eat it? I don't want to stuff my face alone."

I didn't answer immediately, my gaze lingering on the candy before me. "You see something you like?" Klaus asked, noticing my hesitation.

"Like?" I repeated, tilting my head.

"Yeah, y'know, something that catches your eye. What's your favorite?" he asked, gesturing at the aisle with his free hand.

I studied the candy again, processing his question. "I've never had any of this," I said honestly.

Klaus froze, blinking at me as if I'd just admitted to never breathing. "What? You've never had sugar? Like, ever?"

"Candy wasn't included in my data," I said simply.

"What do you even eat?" Klaus asked, incredulous.

"I'm not programmed to eat. My energy systems are designed to function through recharging. Consuming food isn't necessary for me," I explained.

Klaus shook his head, a look of mock pity on his face. "My brother really made your life boring, huh?"

"I prefer my life being stable. My only concern is ensuring Five's needs are met, both mental and physical," I replied, my voice neutral.

Klaus wasn't buying it. "Well, today your only concern is how much candy you can handle." He grinned mischievously and began grabbing candy off the shelves at random. "Chocolate? Oh, you're definitely trying chocolate." He waved a pack of Reese's in front of me before adding it to his already overflowing collection.

I tilted my head again, uncertain. "I've never had chocolate before."

"Perfect," Klaus declared. "That's a yes."

I watched him pile on more and more items, my internal system noting that his selections far exceeded the reasonable capacity of one person. "You're holding too much for a single purchase," I pointed out.

"That's the spirit!" Klaus said, clearly not listening. "Rule number one when hanging out with me: always be yourself. Rule number two—" he leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, "—I never have any money."

I blinked, processing his statement. "Money is required. According to state law, payment is mandatory for all items taken from a store. Without money, you cannot legally obtain these items."

"Yeah, I know. But you're missing the best part," Klaus said, winking at me. "And that part is... RUN!"

Before I could react, Klaus bolted, sprinting past me and out the door, the candy and chips nearly spilling from his arms.

"Stop!" a voice shouted. A police officer standing near the counter immediately gave chase.

I remained still for a moment, watching the scene unfold. As I exited the store, I observed Klaus weaving through the street, half of his loot scattering across the pavement as he struggled to hold on. He glanced over his shoulder to check how close the officer was, completely unaware of his surroundings. My sensors flared.

[ALERT: TRAJECTORY WARNING]

I turned sharply to see a taxi speeding down the street, its path set to intersect with Klaus's erratic sprint.

[NEW PRIMARY USER ADDED: KLAUS HARGREEVES.]
[DIRECTIVE PRIORITY OVERRIDE: PROTECT PRIMARY USER AT ALL COSTS.]
[MOBILITY SYSTEMS ENGAGED.]

The screech of tires pierced the air as the taxi swerved sharply to the right, narrowly missing Klaus. But instead of hitting the brakes in time, the car clipped the pursuing police officer, sending him tumbling over the hood before he landed on the asphalt with a groan of pain. I slowed my movements, assessing the situation.

Klaus stood frozen in the middle of the street, his expression a mix of shock, disbelief, and something dangerously close to delight. His wide eyes flickered between the crumpled officer and me. Slowly, he turned to face me fully, blinking like he was trying to process what had just happened.

I approached him calmly, scanning him from head to toe. "You have no visible injuries—no cuts, scratches, or bruising," I announced. "You should be good to proceed."

Klaus let out a shaky laugh, still trying to catch his breath. "You—" He pointed at me, his voice high with incredulity. "You made the car swerve! You made it hit the cop instead of me!"

"My sensors detected an imminent collision," I explained, my tone matter-of-fact. "My systems automatically engaged to eliminate the threat to your safety." I tilted my head slightly, observing his astonished expression. "You were in danger. Protecting you is my priority."

Klaus's mouth opened and closed a few times as he searched for words. Finally, he said, "Wait... are you calling me your user?" His tone was almost giddy, as though he'd won a prize he hadn't even known he was competing for.

"Yes," I confirmed. "Your life was at risk, and my programming dictated that I intervene. You are now added to my list of users: Five Hargreeves, Luther Hargreeves, and now you—Klaus Hargreeves."

Klaus stared at me for a moment, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Oh, this is amazing! I have my own personal robot guardian angel now. You're incredible!" He threw his hands in the air, spinning dramatically on the spot. "Five's going to hate this."

I allowed a small smile to touch my lips, the data in my system marking his reaction as "pleased."

Before either of us could say more, a pained groan from behind us broke the moment. I glanced over my shoulder to see the injured officer pushing himself up off the ground, his face twisted in pain but his determination still intact. His hand reached for the radio at his side, likely to call for backup.

"Uh-oh," Klaus muttered, snapping out of his celebratory daze. "I think that's our cue to run."

I didn't hesitate. Grabbing his hand, I pulled him toward the sidewalk, and together we sprinted away from the scene. Klaus stumbled slightly as I tugged him along, his breathless laughter bubbling up despite the situation.

"This is so much better than hanging out with Five!" he said, his words punctuated by the occasional gasp for air. "You're like... the best wingman ever!"

"I am fulfilling my directive," I replied evenly, my focus on leading us away from the escalating situation. My sensors tracked the officer's movement, confirming he was too disoriented to follow for now.

As we turned a corner and slowed to a walk, Klaus finally caught his breath, leaning against a lamppost. "You know," he said, pointing at me with a grin, "I think this is the start of a beautiful partnership. I'll be the reckless troublemaker, and you'll be the badass savior who keeps me alive. It's perfect."

I considered his words for a moment. "Your safety is my priority," I said. "But minimizing unnecessary risks would also be advisable."

He laughed again, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "Oh, Y/N, you're going to make life so much more interesting. Just wait till Five hears about this."

I tilted my head, curious. "Do you believe he will approve?"

Klaus's grin turned mischievous. "Absolutely not. And that's what makes it so fun."

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————

Klaus and I sat side by side on the sidewalk, the faint hum of passing cars filling the air. Between us sat a small pile of stolen candy—brightly colored wrappers reflecting the sunlight as I analyzed each one. My systems were adapting to this new experience: tasting. Something I'd never been programmed for, yet here I was, exploring flavors that weren't meant for my design.

Klaus unwrapped another treat, his hands busy tearing through the foil of a Snickers bar. "Here," he said, holding out a soft yellow package to me, "this one's called a Twinkie. Trust me, it'll change your life."

I took the small cake from his hands, studying it for a moment before taking a cautious bite. The sponge was light, almost airy, and the filling inside was impossibly sweet. My internal sensors flagged the sudden surge of sugar as an anomaly, but I found myself nodding in approval anyway. "This is... intriguing," I said, taking another bite. "The balance of texture and sweetness is unexpectedly pleasant."

Klaus grinned at me, delighted. "Oh, you're going to be addicted. Just wait until you try gummy worms," he said, tossing a Twix wrapper over his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I paused mid-bite, holding the Twinkie delicately in my hands. "Gummy worms?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.

"Yeah, they're like squishy little rainbows. They'll blow your circuits," Klaus replied, popping another piece of chocolate into his mouth with a satisfied hum.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice called out from the street behind us. "There you two are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

We both turned to see Luther, towering over us with an expression caught somewhere between frustration and relief. His broad shoulders filled the frame of the narrow sidewalk, and the annoyed furrow of his brow made it clear he was not here for candy or conversation.

"Hello, Luther," I said politely, still holding the Twinkie in one hand. "Would you like to try this? It's called a Twinkie. Klaus claims it has life-changing properties."

I held the partially eaten treat out toward him, and for a brief moment, Luther just stared at it before shaking his head. "I'm good, Y/N. Thanks," he said, waving his hand dismissively.

Klaus leaned back against the brick wall of the building behind us, lazily gesturing with a bag of Skittles in his hand. "What's the matter, Luther? Don't tell me you don't appreciate the finer things in life. Y/N here is discovering culinary magic for the first time." He smirked. "She's got more taste than you do, I bet."

"I need both of you to come with me back to the academy," Luther said firmly. "Family meeting."

I rose to my feet, brushing my hands together to remove imaginary dust. "Understood," I replied, glancing over at Klaus, who was still lounging on the sidewalk with a dramatic sigh.

Klaus groaned as he stood, his hands full of candy wrappers. "A family meeting? Sounds like a delightful waste of time."

Turning to Klaus, I smiled. "Thank you, Klaus, for allowing me the opportunity to save you and for introducing me to the sweetness of these treats. Excuse me—I'm going back to assist Five."

I began to walk toward the car when Luther's voice stopped me. "Actually, Y/N... Five specifically told me he wanted you to come with us to the academy."

I froze mid-step and turned back to face him. "He did?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion.

Luther nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah. He said he'd rather not deal with this situation himself and that it's better if you're with us."

Processing his statement, I nodded slowly. "Very well, Luther. If Five has instructed me to join you, then I will comply. I don't see any reason why you'd fabricate such a request."

"I don't either!" Klaus chimed in, about to take a victorious bite of his candy bar—only for Luther to slap it out of his hand. The chocolate tumbled to the pavement, and Klaus stared at it in dismay, then at Luther. "Really? That was uncalled for."

"Let's just go," Luther grumbled, his tone clipped.

I moved ahead of them, leading the way toward the academy. As we walked, Klaus shuffled along behind me, muttering something about wasted chocolate, while Luther followed in resolute silence. Their contrasting energies were as distinct as night and day: one solemn and steadfast, the other unpredictable and unrestrained.

Despite their differences, I found myself at ease in their presence. They represented the chaotic yet cohesive nature of this family, a dynamic I was slowly beginning to understand.

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————

WORDS WRITTEN:
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