Five woke up gasping for air, his throat burning as he tried to steady his breathing. His vision was blurry at first, but it quickly cleared as he took in the scene around him: his family's lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground. His heart sank with each sight until his gaze landed on the one that broke him the most—Y/n.

She lay motionless, her eyes closed, her form so still it seemed to defy the world around her. Five's chest tightened with a sharp, unbearable pain. He felt a tear slip down his face as he reached out to her, his hands trembling. How had it come to this? Why did she have to be caught up in this mess? He cursed himself silently for dragging her into his world of chaos and danger.

The Handler's footsteps echoed as she approached, her presence a cold shadow looming over him. "Fitting, isn't it?" she said, her voice dripping with cruel satisfaction. "You bring a sweet girl like her into your life, just for them to leave you so quickly."

Five's eyes burned with a mix of anger and grief as he glared at the Handler. His pain and sorrow were almost too much to bear.

"Lucky you, you got to see how this all played out."

Five choking on his own blood couldn't say anything back. So, he look at The Handler as she rose the gun to his face really to pull the trigger. Just as five thought his life was about to over with Y/n by his side.

The bullet struck The Handler with a sickening thud. Her eyes widened in shock as she stumbled back, her weapon slipping from her grasp. She looked at the Shakespearin, her expression one of disbelief.

The Handler's words were cut short as she collapsed, her lifeless body hitting the floor. The Shakespearin, his face a mask of grim satisfaction, lowered his weapon and approached the fallen antagonist. The chaos around him seemed to slow, each moment stretching into what felt like an eternity.

Five, still on the ground, struggled to stay awake. His vision blurred with tears. With extreme difficulty, Five slowly start to rose his feet, charging forward as each of his family's and Y/N's body rose back up. When time resumed, Five had blinked to the entrance of the barn, the conversation between Diego and Lila repeating.

  ______________________________

                              Y/N'S POV

I was still trying to process everything that had happened. Diego's voice was filled with a desperate plea as he tried to reach Lila. "I know we could be your family, if you just let us," he said.

Then, a noise behind us made everyone turn. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Five, somehow having taken The Handler's weapon. He aimed it directly at her, his face set in grim determination. I was stunned—Five had been right by me only moments ago. How had he moved so quickly?

Lila looked at The Handler with a mixture of hope and anger. "Is it true, what Five said?" she demanded. Her voice was sharp and insistent.

The Handler remained silent, her expression unreadable. "Answer me!" Lila's tone was now filled with desperation. "Is it true?"

Before The Handler could respond, a sudden shot rang out. My breath caught in my throat as The Handler fell to the ground, her body hitting the dirt with a final, resounding thud. I staggered backward, my mind racing. The scene before me felt surreal, like a nightmare I couldn't wake from.

I watched in shock as Five stood over The Handler, his hands trembling slightly as he lowered the weapon. The chaos around us seemed to blur into the background as I focused on the fallen figure. The barn, once a place of frantic hope, now felt like a graveyard for our shattered dreams.

Lila's expression was a mixture of disbelief and relief. She looked at Five, her eyes searching for answers. The Shakespearin, who had appeared out of nowhere, stood by with a solemn expression. The weight of what had just happened was starting to sink in, and the reality of our losses hit me hard.

The Shakespearean figure, the man who had tormented my father and me, stood in stunned silence as he watched The Handler fall. The sight was surreal, almost too much to process. When he shot her, I saw the briefcase she had been holding drop to the ground. Without hesitation, Lila sprinted toward it.

"The case!" Luther shouted, rushing after her.

"No, Luther!" I cried out, but he was already moving. Diego tackled him to the floor, preventing him from reaching Lila.

"Luther, stop!" Diego's voice was urgent, his grip firm on Luther's shoulders.

Lila glanced back at me, her eyes wide with determination. I nodded and gave her a small, encouraging smile. Understanding, she blinked away, taking the briefcase with her.

The tension in the barn was palpable as Five and the Shakespearean man faced each other, guns pointed. The silence seemed endless. My heart raced, my body frozen with fear. Why weren't they shooting?

Five, after a moment of intense concentration, let his gun fall to the floor with a loud clatter. I was bewildered. What was he doing? "Enough," Five said, his voice firm but strained. The Shakespearean man's gaze moved from Five to the rest of us, and the silence stretched on, thick with anticipation. Finally, the man also dropped his gun, saying "tillräckligt," in a language I didn't recognize before walking away, leaving us in stunned silence.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. He had let us go. My confusion and relief were overwhelming.

Luther, now freed, glared at Diego from the floor. "I almost had her. Why the hell did you stop me?"

"Because I love her," Diego replied, his tone steady and resolute.

"Who the hell was that guy?" Klaus asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment.

Before we could get any answers, Sissy's desperate cry cut through the confusion. "Vanya! Help!"

"Harlan," Vanya whispered as she rushed out of the barn, followed by the others. I started to follow them, but a hand grasped mine, pulling me into a tight embrace. I looked up and saw Five, his face etched with worry.

"Five?" I managed to say, barely processing the whirlwind of emotions.

"I thought I lost you," he murmured, his voice thick with relief.

"I'm right here," I said, trying to reassure him. "Why would you think otherwise?"

His eyes were intense as he held my face in his hands. "When I saw you lying there, I thought... I thought I'd lost you forever. The thought of it—it was unbearable."

I could see the pain and fear in his eyes, and it made my heart ache. "I'm okay," I said softly, touching his cheek gently. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm here now." I said as I cupped his face.

I tugged Five's hand, guiding him towards the group. As we approached, I saw Vanya kneeling beside Harlan, her hands glowing as the blue energy around him gradually faded. Within moments, Harlan was back to his normal self. Sissy rushed to him, her eyes brimming with tears of relief, and enveloped him in a tight embrace. I watched their reunion with a smile, feeling a pang of warmth in my chest. It reminded me of my own family, of the bond I shared with my father. I tightened my grip on Five's hand, sharing this brief moment of joy with him.

"Hey, Y/n," Klaus's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Isn't that your dad?"

I followed his gaze and saw a familiar figure stepping out of a car parked in the field. It was my father, his arm encased in a cast. My heart leaped into my throat, and my eyes welled up with tears. I could hardly believe it—my dad was here, and he was awake. Without a second thought, I released Five's hand and sprinted across the field towards my father.

"Dad!" I called out, my voice breaking with emotion. My father looked up, his eyes widening with recognition. He opened his arms, and I flew into them, wrapping my arms around him tightly. The relief and joy of seeing him again overwhelmed me, and I began to cry as we embraced. For a few precious moments, we clung to each other, our tears mingling as we shared this long-awaited reunion. The rest of the world seemed to fade away as we held each other, our sobs echoing the depth of our feelings.

Eventually, we pulled back slightly, but I kept my arms around him. My father's face was streaked with tears, but he managed a soft smile. "Hi, beautiful," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch tender.

"I missed you so much, Dad," I said, my voice trembling as I looked up at him through my tears.

"I missed you too," he replied, wiping away my tears with the back of his hand. "I almost forgot how beautiful you are."

I let out a small, joyful laugh, despite the tears still streaming down my face. My gaze shifted to his cast, and I gently pulled back, my concern evident. "I don't want to hurt your arm, Dad," I said softly.

"I don't care about that," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "I'm just happy to see my little girl again."

I looked at him with a mix of relief and apprehension. "I'm glad you're here. We saved the world, and now we can be a family again."

His face, however, took on a more serious expression, and my heart sank. "What's wrong, Dad?" I asked, my smile fading as I noticed his change in demeanor.

I looked at my father, my heart pounding as he struggled to find the right words. The silence between us was unbearable, each passing second intensifying the weight of his unspoken thoughts. "Dad?" I urged, my voice trembling. I needed him to say something, but his hesitation only deepened my dread.

"Y/n," he began, his voice heavy, "Being in the hospital gave me time to think about everything that's happened."

"Think about what?" I asked, my anxiety rising. I needed to understand, but the fear of what he might say made my heart race.

"Look, the truth is, helping Five and his family has changed everything for us. Maybe for the better," he said, his tone distant and resigned.

"Where are you going with this?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. Each word seemed to amplify the growing sense of impending loss.

"I don't think Dallas is right for us anymore," he finally said, his voice breaking through the silence like a hammer.

"What? Why?" I exclaimed, shocked. The idea of leaving Dallas, leaving behind everything and everyone, seemed inconceivable.

"There are dangerous people looking for Five and his family. They're wanted criminals here. And you and I both know they don't belong in Dallas. They saved the world, and now they need to go back to their timeline," my father explained, his voice filled with a somber resolve.

His words felt like a gut punch. I knew he was right; Five and his family had to return to their original timeline, far from mine. But hearing it out loud, realizing that their departure meant a final, irrevocable separation, shattered my world. The thought of losing them, especially Five, was almost too much to bear.

"Dad... I can't just leave," I said, my voice breaking as tears began to flow. The idea of leaving everything and everyone I had come to care about was overwhelming.

"I know it's a lot to take in," my father said, his eyes brimming with tears. "My job is to protect you, and I don't want you staying here. People are looking for you. I don't want them taking you away like they did your mother. I can't let that happen."

His words cut through me with brutal clarity. The fear in his voice was genuine, and it struck at the heart of everything I had been holding together. I understood his need to protect me, but it didn't make the reality of leaving behind Five, and everything I had come to love, any easier.

As I looked up at my father, my eyes filled with tears, I saw the depth of his anguish. "Dad, this isn't fair," I said, my voice cracking. "Why do we have to leave everything behind? What about Five? What about everything we've been through?"

"I know it's not fair," he said, his voice softening. "But we have to be practical. Once Five and his family fix everything, they'll go back to their timeline. I want us to be safe, and staying here puts you at risk."

"But what about us?" I asked, struggling to keep my composure. "What about my future? I thought we had something here. I thought I was building a life with Five."

My father's expression softened, but his resolve was firm. "I know this is hard. But it's the reality we're facing. We have to make the best of it. I need to keep you safe."

I barely noticed the approach of a smaller man and an older woman, accompanied by Diego and Five. The sight of them brought a fresh wave of sorrow. It hit me that I was about to say goodbye to people who had become an integral part of my life.

Five and his family had brought joy and chaos, love and pain. They had changed my life in ways I never expected. I had dreamed of a future with Five, of exploring his timeline together and creating something new. Now, that future seemed to be slipping away, leaving me with nothing but the pain of separation.

The realization that I would never again be able to see the boy who had brought so much light into my life was almost too painful to accept. I stood there, tears streaming down my face, feeling a profound sense of loss.

My father reached out, brushing away my tears with a gentle hand. "I'm sorry, Y/n," he said softly. "I know this isn't what you wanted. But we have to face the reality of our situation."

I nodded, unable to find the words to express the depth of my sorrow. The world I had come to know was crumbling around me, and the future was uncertain. All I could do was hold onto the precious moments we had left and try to find a way to navigate the path ahead, even if it meant facing the unbearable pain of saying goodbye.

———

The sun sank lower, casting long shadows across the porch where I sat. The warm orange glow of the evening seemed to mock the chill that had settled in my heart.

"Hey, you're here," Five said, his voice cutting through my tangled thoughts. I looked up and saw him approaching with a hopeful smile, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.

"Hey," I replied, forcing a smile as he joined me on the steps. The familiar comfort of the porch did nothing to ease the storm within.

"So, I talked to Herd and Dot. Everything's back to normal," Five said, trying to sound upbeat. "And we've got the briefcase. We can go back to our timeline. It's all set."

"That's great," I said, the words feeling heavy and hollow. I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Something's wrong," Five said gently, lifting my chin so I had to look at him. His concern was evident, and it only made me feel worse. "What is it?"

I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. "I... I can't go with you.

His eyes widened, and he shook his head slightly, as if trying to make sense of what I'd said. "What do you mean? You'd be starting fresh in 2019. You'd have a chance to build a new life."

"It's not that simple," I said, shaking my head. "My dad thought me and him living that the best for us. new home, my friends, my father... it's all here. I can't just walk away from everything and everyone I care about."

Five's face fell, a mix of confusion and hurt. "But... we could be together. You and me, in my timeline. We could figure things out. We could—"

"I know," I interrupted, tears welling up. "But it's not just about us. It's about everything I've been here my whole life, Five. You belong in 2019."

Five's shoulders slumped, and he looked away, his voice heavy with resignation. "So, that's it? That's your final decision?"

I nodded, my heart breaking with each movement. "Yeah. I think it is. I've tried to imagine leaving, but I can't. I need to go."

For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the distant hum of the evening. Five took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I thought... I thought we'd have more time. More chances to figure things out."

"So did I," I said, my voice breaking. "But sometimes, things just don't work out the way we plan."

Five stood up slowly, his movements stiff. "If this is what you need... if staying here is what you need... then I guess I have to accept it," he said quietly, his back to me.

Five and I sat in silence, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on us like a heavy fog. It was hard to breathe, hard to think. The reality of it all was sinking in, slowly but surely: he was leaving, and he wasn't coming back. Him, his whole family—they were all going back to their timeline, to a world that wasn't mine. And I was staying here, leaving Dallas, with my dad, because he thought it was the only way to keep me safe. Maybe Five was now too.

But safe didn't feel right. Safe felt like losing everything that mattered to me.

I glanced at Five, his face unreadable as he stared out at the fading light. My heart clenched painfully. I couldn't imagine a world without him in it. He'd become such a huge part of my life, and now... it was all slipping away.

I thought back to the day he first walked into my life. My dad had been pointing a screwdriver at him, and Five had looked so out of place in our little home, yet so determined. I had no idea then how much he would change everything for me.

Getting to know Five had been like peeling back the layers of something mysterious and complex. At first, he was just this sarcastic, closed-off guy, too focused on his mission to let anyone in. But then, little by little, he started to open up. He let me see a side of him that I don't think he showed many people. He was strong, yes, but he was also vulnerable in ways that made me want to protect him, even when I knew he didn't need it.

We'd danced together at the gala, him twirling me around while my favorite song played in the background. It had felt like magic, like nothing could ever break the spell that bound us together in that moment. I remembered the way he'd looked at me, like I was the only person in the room, the only one who mattered.

And then there was that night he spent in my room, refusing to leave me alone even if it meant he had to sleep on the floor. Those moments of quiet comfort, of knowing that he was there, just inches away, were what got me through the chaos. They were our little pockets of peace amidst the storm.

Meeting his family had been a whirlwind. They were all so different, so intense, but somehow they made sense together. And somehow, they'd accepted me, in their own way. I had become a part of something bigger than myself, bigger than anything I'd ever known.

But now, it was all going to be memories. Just memories.

The silence between us grew heavier, suffocating. I wanted to say something, anything, to break it. But what could I say? What could I possibly say that would make this any easier?

"I don't want this to be the end," I finally whispered, my voice trembling.

Five turned to look at me, his expression softening as he reached out to take my hand. "Neither do I," he said quietly. "But sometimes... sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to."

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "I just... I don't know how to let go."

"You don't have to," he said, squeezing my hand gently. "We'll always have what we shared, Y/n. That's something no one can take away."

We both stood there, knowing what was coming, but neither of us ready to say goodbye. I looked at Five, trying to memorize every detail of his face—the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the curve of his lips that had been so quick to smirk but now held a sad, gentle smile.

A smile formed on my lips too, even though my heart was breaking. He reached out, his hand warm against my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. He studied my face, his eyes tracing over the cuts and dried blood, but there was no hesitation in his gaze. It was as if none of that mattered, like he saw past all of it to the person he knew inside.

"You are the most amazing, beautiful woman I've ever met," he whispered, his voice tender.

I smiled wider, feeling the warmth of his words seep into the cracks of my heart. Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him, my lips brushing against his in a way that felt both familiar and heartbreakingly new. He kissed me back, his hand cupping my face gently, as if he was trying to hold on to this moment for as long as possible. It felt good, so good that I wanted to freeze time, to make this last kiss stretch on forever.

But we both knew this was the last time. The last time we'd see each other, the last time we'd kiss, the last time we'd be anything more than a memory to each other.

When he finally pulled away, I kept my eyes on his, not wanting to miss a single second of this moment. "I promise I'll find you," he said, his voice full of determination, even though we both knew how impossible it was.

I smiled at that, at the hope he was trying to give me, even if it was just a small glimmer. "Not if I find you first," I replied, my voice trying to be light, though the sadness weighed it down.

He smiled at my words, a soft, almost wistful smile. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to believe it, that maybe somewhere deep down, he did believe it. But we both knew the truth—he'd return to his timeline, and for him, it would only be a day until he found me again. But for me, it would be years. Years that we couldn't get back, years that would pass by in a blur while I held onto the memory of him.

I leaned my head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. The sun was almost gone now, leaving the sky painted in deep oranges and purples. We sat in silence, looking out at the field, at the world that had brought us together and was now tearing us apart.

I buried my face in his uniform, breathing in his scent, trying to commit it to memory. He leaned his head on top of mine, his breath warm against my hair. We stayed like that, just holding each other, not needing to say anything more. There was nothing left to say. Everything had been said, everything had been felt. All that was left was to hold onto each other for just a little longer before we had to let go.

I knew that when the sun fully set, he'd have to leave. And I knew that I'd have to watch him go, that I'd have to stand there and let him walk away, even though every part of me wanted to run after him, to beg him to stay. But I couldn't. We couldn't.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, I felt him shift, felt the moment slipping away. I didn't move, didn't look up. I wasn't ready to let go yet.

But he gently lifted my chin, making me look at him. His eyes were soft, filled with an emotion that I couldn't quite name but felt deep in my bones. "No matter what, Y/n," he said quietly, "you'll always be with me. In every moment, in every decision, I'll carry you with me."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He pressed one last kiss to my forehead, lingering for just a moment.

_______________________________

WORDS WRITTEN: 4230