[Backdated] Two Grumpy Old Men Finally Get Some Sleep!

[oldmanfive]

It had been a long time since Five had been able to get more than just a couple of hours of sleep that weren't full of nightmares or hadn't been a blackout due to either an injury or just flat out drinking too much liquor. And well certainly it is a rarity that he lets anyone into his personal space, sleeping or not.

So it might come as a surprise to any of the house occupants, that happen to pass by the living room to find not one but two Fives passed out on the sofa. They might be even more surprised to see the pair huddled together for warmth and just general comfort. At this rate they really do look the part of twin brothers rather than two versions of the same person. This is probably the first time in a long time that either has fully let their guard down. And well they do look adorable while they are sleeping.

Anyone looking for blackmail fodder or to just enjoy poking the sleeping bear, now is the time to do it, because who knows when they will let this happen again. At least out in the living room...



[ooc; So this would be the day after Rey's date night with Steve, but before Five's post to everyone about how to tell the two of them apart. Anyone wanting to take pictures of them for proof that this happened are greatly encouraged! Prose or action brackets are fine for this fyi.]

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[n5]

[ Once they're alone again, Five will inquire about the Google assistant. He doesn't like to be behind anything his brothers already know, and the same happens with his other-self. It will be more practical if they both learn the same things. ]

We're ecstatic. [ He answers Rey in the flattest tone he can muster but it's hard to hide his smile. Why, yes, Five (any Five) likes to be right. Blue eyes meet matching ones, easily reading the unsaid words in that frown but this time he shakes his head in disagreement before they focus on Rey. While this won't be easy to say, maybe she does need to be called out. Maybe they all do. ]

Rey, we all can ask for help, that doesn't mean we do it when we actually need it. [ He's willing to admit that he might have a smidgen of trouble asking for it himself. Mostly it's because he grew up on his own and later, when he did try to get his siblings to act as a team and help, they did nothing but cause more problems or accuse Five of being the cause of all of them. ] But we're all trying to do better, right? We already did this mistake when we were kids.

[ It's partially Reginald's fault for making them competitive and also alienating them at the same time. Five knows that they all followed his orders and seek his approval all too easy sometimes. It saved them trouble but in the process, it ruined the siblings' relationships with each other. Enough of that now. He's tired, last night's breakdown in the library made it all too obvious. Things need to change. Talking about Steve it's a lighter topic, even if now involves the way they will make him suffer if he ever crosses Rey. ]

We care about your personal life beyond not gossiping. And we like to see you happy. When is the next date, then...?

[talentedscavenger]

I never outright said you were lying. I was in disbelief and stated in a casual way. [A very smooth reply if Rey does say so herself, her own little sly smile of satisfaction. She's had to go around in circles before with some of her colleagues, calling them idiotic or moronic without using the exact words....] It's still unbelievable he's real at times, the man and the hero combined.

[And she was dating both? No, she was dating Steve, not Captain America. Not unless she wanted to go back to her codename, but that life was over. She didn't have an interest in being a hero.]

We are striving to do better...[And not hide too much from each other? There would be somethings they would keep from each other, Rey especially. She didn't want anyone to worry--and she was stubborn as a mule, a shared trait between her and Five.] Which is why I'm waiting until after the third date to really talk about it to the others.

[Her eyes soften at both of her brothers. Yes, they were only looking out for her. They were able to have these moments with her, and she was happy to share this part of her life (something she never thought would happen) with them.]

I know. Don't think I'd be a good sister if I didn't make things a bit difficult for either of you. [Dragging things out, and making them promise to not roughen Steve up, or do a background check on him.]

It's on Friday, the day before he heads back. He was only in town for a week because of his work. [No need to tell them its at her place again. Though, they would know better than to pop in and try to stay long enough for Steve to show up again.] From there...don't know what'll happen.

I told him I'd like to visit New York one day. For him and the pizza. [There's a soft chuckle from her thinking back to the conversation Steve and her had over it. In thinking about that pleasant memory, she looked quite smitten.]

[oldmanfive]

Implying it, still counts. [ Don't try any of that word play and semantics on him, young lady. He knows that game quite well from having to deal with the Handler during his time in the Commission. He goes to take another drink of his coffee, while internally debating if he wants to try his hand at calling her out. Since she's kind of deflecting what his other self has said.

Finally he lets out a small sigh as he looks at her with something akin to gentleness.] That's fine that you want to wait to tell them anything, but still if things don't work out...you do know that you don't have to suffer in silence right?

[ That is the closest to tactful that he can get as he doesn't want tank the mood entirely by sparking an argument over how they like to retreat into themselves rather than open up to anyone.

He lightly chuckles as yes she was being a little pain with making demands of them in order to give up the name of her suitor.]

There aren't many people that can get either of us to promise to the things you've gotten us to promise too.

[ He's just going to point that out. They have been compromising for her quite a bit more than they normally would do for anybody. He leans back in his chair as he listens to her talk about when her next date is happening. He can't but think how sweet it is that she's this smitten over the Captain. He honestly hopes that things work out for her, because she deserves to be happy and loved. Instinctively he glances over to his twin with an expression that pretty much says 'She really is adorable.']


Well that sounds like you need to start making plans to visit New York then.

[n5]

[ Super smooth, Rey. That, combined with his other self's answer, makes Five hide a snort behind his cup. ]

It's rather fitting. The 4th of July...destiny was telling him something already. [ It's also weird but one of those not-bad-weird circumstances, and frankly those don't happen very often. ] Ey, if I recall, we were heroes once too.

[ Which is Five's way of saying that Steve is lucky to have Rey as well, he's not the only famous one. Granted, none of them really ever enjoyed said hero fame much. Child Soldiers would be a more accurate description of what they were. Child soldiers then and broken adults now.

But that's a too sad thought. As if he could smelling it from the living room, Five's dog Sammy comes trotting into the kitchen, yipping when he sees the three of them. The dog is wearing a small bowtie that Five assumes it's either Allison of Klaus's doing. ]

If we didn't make things harder than they should be for each other, it wouldn't be us. [ Five says before leaning down and picking up the puppy to place it in his lap, scratching him behind the ears. ] Many people? Pretty sure it's only she and Vanya who can do that. Don't use your power for evil, Rey.

[ They have a weakness for their sister, it happens. Five wished it were less obvious but he doesn't bother trying to fool himself any longer. Sammy's tail is wiggling and the dog is stretching his neck to try and lick the other Five's cheek. The boy meets his eyes and silently agrees. yeah, a lovestruck Rey is a pretty cute sight. ]

[talentedscavenger]

[There's a huff by Rey and the faintest of pouts, but she gives in to acknowledge the oh, so wrong-doings of not believing her brothers.]

Fine, I'm sorry. You were right, and I was wrong. Better? [Did Five expect Rey to grovel at his feet? Or expect more coffee from her? She was willing to do the latter, not the former. How was she to know that's what Steve's birthday was. It sounded too good to be true.]

Were we heroes? [Rey seemed skeptical of that. It felt like they were more like science experiments than actual children. Or, weapons? Weapons disguised as children. If Reginald didn't teach them how to harness their powers, who knows what could've happened to them. They saved the day in a few situations, but some of them now had hero complexes and some were ...trying to fix the scars left by their father figure.]

Yes, I know.. [She didn't have to suffer in silence. She didn't have to keep things from them, or hide away. Though, in saying she didn't have to suffer by herself, Rey hopes Five (both of them) knows the same works in reverse. He could tell her anything. He could go to her and there wouldn't be any questions, no judgements.

The thought lingers in her head even as Sammy comes in, making her grin. He was such a good pup.] Aww, that's adorable. A little bowtie. [She'll have to get a picture of Sammy with it. Maybe even with both Five's holding him up. Proud pet parents.]

Me? Doing something for the sake of being evil? No...but maybe for a bit of mischief, maybe. [She tried to look neutral for a moment, but the smile broke through on her face. Talking with Five...it was good. It was great, it brought back many memories of them as kids.

But, New York? That snapped her out of her lovestruck bubble.]

Ahh, I wouldn't start making plans. Not right now--or right away. I'd have to see how the next date goes and...take things from there. [She didn't want to rush! Why were her brothers making her feel like she was trying to rush?]

[oldmanfive]

[ Rey's little huff earns a smirk out of him, but he's a bit more appeased, since her boyfriend's birthday isn't the thing he wants to be called a liar on of all things. He can be petty too. ] Yes, actually, it is.

[ Five can't help but snort at the idea of them ever being heroes, he knows that was what Reginald called them, but he knows as well as his counterpart they were nothing more than little soldiers that Hargreeves was looking to control. ]

That's the kinder way of putting it. [ He replies to Rey's question, though he's distracted by the sound of Sammy's little barks. He glances over to see that he is now wearing a bowtie. Who isn't spoiling the little pup rotten at this point? He wonders as his twin picks up the dog and puts him into his lap. He rolls his eyes as other Five admits that really only Vanya and Rey seem to be able to get things out of them that no one else can. However Five can think of one more person that could likely get them to concede. ]

Don't forget about Ben. He's definitely the only brother that could talk us into giving in. [ Suddenly he finds himself getting licked on the cheek by the puppy in his counterpart's arms. Instinctively he pulls away and rubs the top of Sammy's head instead. He glances over to Rey with a quirked eyebrow.]

Mischief eh? Just keep in mind that turnabout is fair play.

[ He has to warn her. Just because their sisters and brother are weaknesses to them, doesn't mean he is beneath using their regard for him to get them back. Lightly he shakes his head as he wasn't necessarily trying to rush her, but it seemed like she took it that way. ]

Rey, there's nothing wrong with striking while the iron is hot. If he mentioned anything about you possibly visiting him, then he likely would like you to visit him. If it makes you feel less awkward, maybe suggest a family outing to New York as a cover? Then you would have a reason to be in the same place as him.

[n5]

[ If Rey gets pissed off by his other self and refuses to make him more coffee, Five will happily take the extra one. He will do the sacrifice. ]

We did save people...sometimes. The real question is, does Steve know enough about the Umbrella Academy to remember when our birthday is? [ And by extension, Rey's. Pretty much the whole world knews about that back in the day. It the man doesn't, because he happened to be frozen at the time and then he didn't catch up, that would be kinda funny as well. ]

If you know, then don't conveniently forget it later. [ Five chides her gently and then watches Sammy let out a single bark after Rey calls him adorable, as if acknowledging it. They are all spoiling the dog rotten and Five fails to be as annoyed by it as he should. He snickers when Sammy licks his twin and then shakes his head. ]

Let me out of your vendettas, children. [ He tells his other self and his sister but there's an amused look in his eyes. If Rey does something to the other, chances are he might end caught in the crossfire. They're both really easy to mistake for one another, in lieu of actually being the same person. ] And yes, that's true about Ben. No one tells him.

[ He will be the worst of all of his siblings if he realized he holds that power. Five loves his brother but he remembers with fond amusement that Ben could also be a little shit on occasion. He doesn't want Rey to feel pressured but these two are curious and happy to discuss something with the family that is not the end of the world for a change. ]

It's an idea. Unless you want us to actually go to New York so you don't have to lie to him. That sure won't end terribly.

[talentedscavenger]

[ There was a shrug of Rey's shoulders. She didn't know how much Steve knew about the Umbrella Academy, what the government knew and had fed to him. Though it lead to a more poignant question:]

Birthdays aside--do you think Dad would've let the government keep tabs on us when we were growing up?

[Great way to side step the question. Reginald wasn't a man who was known for...sharing things. He wanted his children to compete for his attention, to be the best. But, his attention amounted to a glance in their direction and a few words. Not words of encouragement or endearment. Criticism or imparting some bullshit that was important to him.]

I won't--if you both promise not to "forget" either. [Rey quipped back, watching as Sammy demands attention from his owner(s)? His parents? His..father and uncle? Either way, the dog was adorable. But, how could they forget Ben?] Ben holds a great power over all of us, we can't deny that. [They lost him once. They couldn't bare to lose him again too...And he was the most level headed one out of all the brothers.

Though, all of them could be little shit starters--at least Ben was the nicer one out all their brothers.

Rey had to hold back a chuckle at both of her brothers. The warning wasn't lost on her, yet one Five doesn't want to be involved. Ohhh, he would be though. In one way or another, he would be.] Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black, big brother?

[Just had to throw that in there. If anyone was a 'child' it was her. Let the Five's duke it out in terms of who was older, be a fun thing to watch.

As for the idea of doing a family outing to New York, that caused Rey to give her brother a flat look. There as a difference between striking the iron while it was hot and trying to kill Captain America with a tidal wave of Hargreeves family members.]

It wouldn't be awkward to meet him in New York, I just don't want to rush things. What you're proposing if having me die from stress if the entire family went with me. [Someone was bound to ask where she was going. Or tail her and if they found out she was with Steve, THEN shit would get awkward to the nth degree.]

I can talk to him about visiting during our next date, see if maybe in a month or so I could visit him. If he's not busy or anything. [She did have plenty of vacation time saved up even after taking time to go to Florida with her siblings.] Maybe do a weekend trip or something, wouldn't be too bad.

[oldmanfive]

[ Okay Traitor. Bought off by coffee, he sees how it is. B| Five merely gives his counterpart a flat stare. ]

No one said that we didn't but let's be real in terms of actual heroes. We weren't even in Captain America's league. We were just a bunch of kids playing at being heroes because Reginald demanded it of us. [ No point in sugar coating the fact that their father was a piece of shit. They all got the memo by now. ] You both realize that you can google the Umbrella Academy's birthday right? That part was never a secret when Dad had us out there doing all those stupid magazine shoots and interviews.

[ He leans back in his chair and starts drinking his coffee again, because at this rate he refuses to believe that Steve Rogers doesn't know how google works, the man has been back with the living for seven years.

He glances over to Rey as she gives them a reminder as well.]

We wouldn't have brought it up, if we planned on 'forgetting' ourselves. [ They are both trying to be in their siblings' lives more now. Hell having conversations like this was honestly big steps for them. Of course he has to roll his eyes as his twin wishes to be left out any mischief as if that is an option.]

Oh please, don't even think you get to be neutral. [ He scoffs at his counterpart, before giving Rey a flat stare, oh she is trying it today. ] Oh keep pushing it, young miss.

[ Rey hasn't seen the depths of his mischief yet. If she was dying of embarrassment just over the small exchange they had with Steve in her apartment, he knows how actually embarrass her.]

Rey, stop overthinking it. You'll just stress yourself out. He obviously likes you or he wouldn't have made it a point to reconnect with you during his trip here. If he lived in this state, you can't say that you wouldn't be going out on even more dates. So what is wrong with visiting him in his state sooner rather than later?

[ It isn't rocket science here. Why make things more complicated than they need to be? Of course, he keeps those questions to himself. He's at least please to hear her suggest visiting Steve sooner, instead of acting as if she is putting undue stress on Steve for actually liking him. ]