amour coriace ( five hargreeves! ) - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

VINCENT HAD ALWAYS WISHED HE WAS GIVEN AFFECTION AS A CHILD. He wished that his mother loved him like any other mother loved her child. He wished she would have placed a gentle hand on his cheek and told him everything was gonna be alright when the weight of his powers dawned on him. He wished she would have cared. He longed for someone to be kind to him, to wipe away his tears and hold him close when the idea of death became one that made his head throb with pain.
And perhaps Five had been the first person to show him kindness. Although, it wasn't nearly enough. He wished he had that since birth. He wished his father wouldn't have made it oh so clear that he hated Vincent with a deep passion. Vincent wished his father would not have repeatedly reminded him that he was a mistake, that neither of his parents even wanted him in the first place. The phrase "you were not wanted" was something that engraved in his mind forever.
Vincent remembered the first time his father had said it when he was only 5 years old. When Vincent was playing with a toy truck on the ground while his father laid back on the couch watching the news. Vincent's mother had been no where to be seen, very likely at the supermarket or work. Vincent remembered his father leaning forward, spatting out the words and explaining that they just didn't have enough money to get rid of him. Vincent had cried, mostly because he barely understood. He believed that his parents were supposed to love him. And at that point the hard truth had caught up with him. He had ran to his room and slammed the door shut, not understanding why his father hated him.
Vincent wished his parents didn't hate him. He did not want anyone to hate him. Especially not Five. Seeing Five glare at any given moment and tell Vincent over and over that he did not want him here was overwhelming. It felt like he was going through living with his parents all over again. His parents had never hit him before. They had never laid a hand on him. In fact, it was all emotional torture and neglect that plagued Vincent's mind even after all these long years. He hoped his parents were suffering somewhere, as much as he shouldn't admit it.
However, he did not wish for Five to suffer. Not in the slightest. He wanted Five to be safe at all times. Vincent wanted Five to live through the apocalypse, to allow him to live a better life. It was only what Five deserved. He wanted Five to be happy with his siblings and maybe someone he wanted to marry one day. It was only fair that he could help Five become happy after ultimately making his life worse. It was only fair for Vincent, if he does survive the apocalypse, to leave Five just as the boy seemed to want. To go back to France far away and live a lonely life.
But Vincent hated to think of it.
He shook off his thoughts, watching Vanya walk inside of Five's room. Klaus was still lodged into the closet and Vincent was sitting on Five's bed, tapping three anxious fingers against his knee. Five stood by the window, turning slightly when he heard Vanya walk inside. Vincent could have scoffed, only because the faux shocked look that flashed over Five's face for a moment was laughable considering Five knew Vanya was coming way before she even walked in. But Vincent did not say anything.
"Oh, thank god." Vanya breathed out when she saw Five and Vincent, looking between the two. "I was worried sick about both of you." She spoke. Vincent couldn't help but smile, looking down at his lap to hide it. He liked the concern, liked that someone actually cared enough to worry about him. Vanya really was the best Hargreeves sibling, at least that Vincent had met.
"Sorry we left without saying goodbye." Five sighed, turning to face Vanya more. He looked tired, despite sleeping on Vincent the whole night. Vincent rolled his eyes internally. If anyone should be tired it should be Vincent. He didn't get any sleep the night before.
"No, look, I'm the one that should be sorry." Vanya spoke gently, looking at only Five now. Five furrowed his eyebrows, opening his mouth to speak before Vanya cut him off. "Yeah, I was dismissive, and I guess I didn't know how to process what you were saying." She chuckled lightly. "And I still can't, to be honest."
Five shoved his hands into his pockets. "Maybe you were right to be dismissive." Five scoffed, shrugging. "Maybe it wasn't real, after all." He sighed. Vincent furrowed his eyebrows, chuckling. "It felt real.." Five trailed off.
Vincent rolled his eyes. "Fuck do you think it was, Hargreeves? One huge acid trip between the both of us that lasted 15 years. Sounds wonderful, but that is not what happened. It was real." He huffed.
Five glared at him, warning him to stay quiet before he turned back to Vanya. "Well like you said, the old man did say time travel could contaminate the mind." He chuckled lightly, shaking his head to himself. Vincent could tell Five did not believe that.
Vanya hesitated, but did speak. "Then maybe I'm not the right person for you to be talking to." She mumbled before sighing, stepping closer to Five. "Look, I used to see someone. A therapist. I could give you her information." She spoke steadily. Vincent chuckled, Five would never see a therapist. Five had told him he'd rather drop dead than tell a random stranger about his issues.
"Thanks, but I think I'm just gonna get some rest. It's been a long time since I've had a good sleep." Five used as an excuse. Lie. Five had gotten a perfectly good sleep lying on Vincent's arm the night before. That was something Vincent would never let Five live down. Vanya nodded in understanding before walking away.
Five sighed, beginning to walk towards the door as Vincent stood up, walking after him. He raised his eyebrow when the closet began to open loudly, random items falling from the inside as Klaus stepped out in a ridiculous outfit that Vincent didn't think looked all that bad. "That's so-" Klaus gasped as he stepped out. "Touching, all that stuff about family and Dad and time. Wow!" He spoke with a grin. Ben was no where to be seen around him, most likely able to conjure himself when he wanted the most.
"Would you shut up?" Five hissed, looking out the door for a moment. "She'll hear you!" He huffed, shaking his head. Vincent let out a laugh when he heard Klaus let out a small "I'm moist" as they stepped out of the room, standing right above the stairwell. Five turned to glare at Klaus. "I thought I told you to put on something professional." He grumbled.
"What? This is my nicest outfit!" Klaus spoke with furrowed eyebrows, smoothing out the suit in mock offense. Or maybe it was real offense. Vincent couldn't tell the difference.
Five sighed, pointer finger and thumb holding the bridge of his nose in frustration. "We'll raid the old man's closet." He decided on, rolling his eyes as he looked back up.
"As long as I get paid." Klaus grinned. Vincent snorted in amusement, standing to the side with a smile.
"Do I get paid too, Fivey?" Vincent joked with a wide grin, using the nickname to irritate Five. It worked slightly, but Vincent also didn't miss the slight tinge of red that took over Five's cheeks.
"When the job is done." Five told Klaus before turning to Vincent. "And no, you're not getting paid. What do you want money for anyway?" He huffed. Vincent shrugged with a faux pout.
"Okay, but just so we're clear on the finer details, I just gotta go into this place and pretend to be your dear old dad, correct?" Klaus asked, raising his eyebrow. "Am I gonna be his daddio too? Or are we sticking to little Five as my bundle of joy?" He questioned with a grin.
"Yeah- something like that." Five sighed. "And do whatever you want about Vincent. I don't care what you do and I doubt he does either." He spoke. Vincent chuckled, because Five was right. He didn't care what role of sorts he was given.
"What's our cover story?" Klaus asked, chuckling as he looked at Five. Five looked extremely confused.
"What?" Five asked in confusion. "What are you talking about?" He sighed, raising his eyebrow.
"I mean, was I really young when I had you? Like, 16? Like, young and terribly misguided?" Klaus sighed over dramatically, Five muttering back a small "sure." "Your mother, that slut! Whoever she was." He fake huffed. "We met... at the disco." He smiled warmly, putting his hands together. "Okay? Remember that!" He exclaimed with a chuckle before snapping his fingers. "Oh my god, the sex was amazing." He grinned.
"What a disturbing glimpse into that thing you call a brain." Five chuckled as he began waking down the stairs, Vincent following close behind.
Klaus rolled his eyes. "Don't make me put you in time out." He huffed before following the pair. The three walked to Five and Klaus's father's office, ending up stealing a nicer outfit for Klaus. Klaus put it on shamelessly in front of the both of them, which sent Vincent into an easy fit of laughs. This only proved to make Five even more annoyed. They had all walked their way to the prosthetic shop, barging into the same man from earliers office with grins.
Vincent didn't mind annoying people. In fact, he prided himself on being amazing at irritating people. Maybe not the greatest thing to be proud of, but Vincent liked it. It made life much more fun, the small amount he seemed to have left that is.
"Like I said to your son and the other boy earlier, any information about the prosthetics we build is strictly confidential." The doctor sitting behind his desk explained to Klaus. "Without the clients consent, I simply cannot give it to you."
"Well, we can't get consent if you don't give us a name." Five hissed out in annoyance, placing his hands on the desk.
The doctor sighed. "Well, that's not my problem. Sorry." He spoke. "Now there's really nothing more I could do so.." He trailed off, cut off by Klaus.
"And what about my consent?" Klaus asked in a weepy voice, ignoring the doctors "excuse me?" "Who gave you permission to lay your hands on my son and his boyfriend?" He asked, fake crying. Vincent and Five's eyes widened at his words, glancing at each other. They both noticed each other's red faces, quickly looking away. It seemed they were both flustered and confused.
"What?" The doctor asked with furrowed eyebrows. He was sitting up straighter now, clearly nervous.
"You heard me." Klaus huffed, glaring holes into the doctor, who shifted uncomfortably.
"I didn't touch either of them!" The doctor protested, shaking his head as he looked at all three of the boys there.
"Well, then how did my son's dear boyfriend get a bloody nose then? And how did my son get this swollen lip?" Klaus asked dramatically, causing a scene if not for the door being closed and them being concealed by walls.
"They don't have-" The doctor started, cut off by Klaus punching Vincent hard across the nose. Vincent let out a curse, bringing a hand up to cradle his now quickly bleeding nose. Fives eyes widened, nearly lunging at Klaus for hurting Vincent. That is, before Klaus then turned towards Five, punching him across the face as well. Five grunted, huffing as he stopped trying to get over to Vincent.
"I want it. Name, please." Klaus spoke in a delighted voice. "Now." He added on firmly. Vincent grinned a bit, his teeth covered in blood as he held his nose in an attempt to stop the bleeding even slightly. He saw Five smirk in satisfaction out of the corner of his eye.
"You're crazy." The doctor spoke, stuttering slightly. His voice was filled with an undeniable tinge of fear, his chair pushed back as far away as possible.
"You've got no idea." Klaus chuckled out, grabbing a snow globe off of the table. He fake smiled, "Peace On Earth!" He read out. "That's so sweet!" He spoke before smashing the snow globe on his head, breaking loudly as Klaus began to groan. Vincent and Five both jumped, eyes widening in surprise. "God, that hurt!" He groaned out.
The doctor huffed. "I'm calling secur-" He spoke as he grabbed the phone, cut off by Klaus grabbing it from him. "What are you doing?"
"Theres been an assault in Mr. Big's office and we need security now!" Klaus spoke dramatically into the phone before placing it back down. He shook his head out of pain. "Now, here's what's gonna happen, Grant." He started.
"It's Lance." The doctor spoke slowly, gulping to himself.
"In about 60 seconds, two security guards are gonna burst through that door, and they're gonna see a whole lot of blood, and they're gonna wonder, "What the hell happened?" And we're gonna tell them that you beat the shit out of us! And when we tell them it was a gay hate crime, oh they're gonna be fuming!" Klaus grinned a bit with a dramatic sob. Five looked utterly proud and Vincent was more proud that he had gotten blood to finally stop pouring from his nose. "You're gonna do great in prison, Grant. Trust me, I've been there. Little piece of chicken like you. Oh my God, you're gonna get passed around like a-" He started, swinging his hips around before he stopped with a grin. "You're just- Youre gonna do great, that's all I'm saying."
"Jesus, you are a real sick bastard." The doctor huffed.
Klaus grinned widely, spitting out a piece of glass. "Well, thank you." He chuckled.
The doctor swallowed hard. "But I'm afraid.. I still can't give it to you." He spoke slowly, clearly nervous to say that.
Five huffed, stepping closer. "Well, why the hell not?! That show wasnt enough for you?" He grumbled out in annoyance. Vincent chuckled to himself, managing to leave the room without being noticed. He pulled out the picture of the doctors wife, focusing long and hard as he kneeled behind a counter so no one saw him. He groaned quietly when it finally worked after a few minutes, unable to help the wide grin that only occured because he was proud of himself. He stood up slowly once he became the tall blonde woman, stepping back into the room.
The doctors head snapped up, eyes widening at the sight of his "wife." Five and Klaus both looked over as well, Klaus utterly confused and Five clearly impressed, a wide grin curling at his lips. "T-Tracy, what are you doing here?" The doctor asked nervously, looking at the two bleeding people in his office.
Vincent gasped in surprise, using the woman's voice easily. "Lance! How could you do something like this? This is cruel! I wasn't aware you were hurting your patients now!" He spoke over dramatically. He looked at Five, deciding to irritate him a bit as he stepped close in the womanly body. "Oh, what did my husband do to you, you poor child?" He asked with a grin only Five could see.
Five rolled his eyes, but still put on a facade as if the doctor had hurt them. "Your husband hurt us. Punched me and then terrorized my brother." He spoke, chuckling lightly when Klaus added on a loud "gay hate crime!" in an overdramatic voice.
Vincent stood up yet again, having to steady himself on the heels. He hated becoming women, it felt so odd to him. He turned to the doctor. "How could you, Lance? Give these poor boys what they want or we are through! You hear me? Through! And I will get you fired immediately!" He spoke in that same high pitched voice.
The doctor clearly looked genuinely scared as he scrambled up, walking out with Five and Klaus to where they kept their files. Vincent followed, still in the woman's body. The transformation had already begun to ache badly, but he pretended it didn't. The doctor looked through the files, holding the glass eye in the other hand. "Oh, that's strange.." The doctor trailed off.
Five furrowed his eyebrows, moving closer. "What?" He asked, clearly annoyed by the whole situation. He looked at the file, but the doctor pulled it away slightly.
"The eye.." The doctor started. "It hasn't been purchased by a client yet." He spoke with a sigh.
Five huffed, raising his eyebrows. "What? What do you mean?" He asked, stepping even closer. Vincent leaned casually against the files, not liking the fact that he had breasts to worry about hitting against something at the moment. He was glad he wasnt a woman in his true form.
"Well, uh, our logs say that the eye with that serial number-" The doctor stopped speaking for a moment. "This can't be right." He spoke, seeing Vincent, or his wife he supposed, glaring at him and quickly putting his head back down. "It hasn't even been manufactured yet. Where did you get that eye?" He asked.
Five did not respond, huffing as he walked out of the building with Klaus and Vincent. Vincent who was still a woman. Klaus raised his eyebrow. "Why are we bringing the dudes wife?" He asked, clearly not realizing it was Vincent.
Five rolled his eyes. "It's Vincent, you dumbfuck! He's a shapeshifter." He huffed before shaking his head. "This isn't good." He huffed.
"I was pretty good though, right? Yeah, what about my consent, bitch?!" Klaus laughed out, watching in wonder with Five as Vincent rolled his eyes and emptied the woman's pockets, finding lipstick and about 5 dollars. He placed them on the floor before winking at both other boys.
He quickly turned back to himself again, turning back always being something that came easy to him. It was a quick pop, surprising Klaus and Five. They had never seen that happen before. Vincent grabbed the things he'd left on the floor, shoving them into his pockets before he sat on the stairs. "Carry on." He rolled his eyes, seeing the other staring at him.
Five shook it off, turning to Klaus. "Klaus, it doesn't matter." He sighed, sitting down next to Vincent. Klaus sat down as well.
"What? What? What's the big deal with this eye, anyway?" Klaus asked with a chuckle, raising his eyebrow.
"There is someone out there who's going to lose an eye in the next seven days." Five spoke slowly, shaking his head to himself. "They're gonna bring the end of life eon earth as we know it."
"Yeah, can I get that 20 bucks like, now, or what?" Klaus asked after a few seconds, chuckling. Vincent was silent, his nose bruised from Klaus punching him.
"Your 20 bucks?" Five asked, bewildered. Klaus chuckled, nodding. "The apocalypse is coming and all you can think about is getting high?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Klaus shrugged, sighing. "Well, I'm also quite hungry. Tummys a'rumblin." He grinned.
Five groaned, shaking his head. "You're useless." He huffed, frustrated out of his mind. "You're all useless!" He hissed out. Vincent rolled his eyes to himself, not saying anything about how he and Klaus just saved his scrawny ass.
Klaus sighed. "Oh, come on, you need to lighten up, old man!" He exclaimed before sighing. "Hey, I just realized why you're so uptight! You must be horny as hell!" He laughed out. "All those years practically by yourself. I mean, unless you and Vincent touched each other. Which I wouldn't be surprised." He grinned. "It's gotta screw with your head."
"I wasn't practically alone." Five huffed. "Her name was Delores. We were together for over 30 years." He sighed.
"30 years." Vincent scoffed. "He never had any sexual intercourse with her though. So yeah, he is horny all the time. He wouldn't let me give him a blo-" He was cut off by Five smacking his arm and glaring. Vincent chuckled.
Klaus grinned. "30 years? Oh, wow." He gasped, delighted. "God, longest I've been with someone was, I don't know, three weeks?" He sighed. "And that's only because I was tired of finding a place to sleep. They did make the most fantastic osso buco, though." He sighed. Vincent watched as Five teleported into a taxi, slowly standing up as Five beckoned for Vincent to come get into it.
Vincent turned to Klaus. He really did feel bad for the junkie. He chuckled, "Here's the five bucks I took off that woman. Not as much as you wanted but it's something." He grinned as he handed Klaus the money, before running off into the taxi, in the backseat beside Five. The taxi driver looked entirely confused as he continued to drive.
Vincent sighed, his body very clearly in pain as he groaned to himself. Vincent knew Five knew as well, from the looks of sympathy he was giving him. Five sighed, "That was amazing, y'know? How you turned from just the picture? I told you that you could do it." Five spoke, the first time his voice had been soft with Vincent since the night before.
Vincent smiled lightly. "It was just luck." He shrugged it off, leaning back. "Where are we off to, Hargreeves?" He asked with a yawn.
Five chuckled. "We're gonna find Delores..." he trailed off with a smile.