[for Five]

[fifthbeatle]

By the time Viktor gets home, he's more than an hour late. Best laid plans and all that. The college hasn't had a dedicated theory professor in a while, and Viktor hasn't been a professor quite like this. It's part-time, but stacking it all end-to-end, Viktor's working more than full-time.

He makes time for his family and friends, but he's become less precise about his timing -- a tragic turn for a musician. His 3pm's are more like 4pm's and the signature is ever-changing. A couple days ago, he fully left his violin home and had to go home to get it. And for all that Darrow is small, conductors are still impatient, and on time is late.

Tonight, he's just late. After missing his window to leave by almost 2 hours, Viktor is tired and out of sync. He also thinks it was his turn to take care of dinner tonight. Shit.

It's nearly 7pm when Viktor rolls in, takeout bags in hand. Some extra, since he doesn't know who is home. Knowing Five, he may have eaten already. That's okay: there's never too much food for Luther. The bags are set gently on the table.

The house is largely dark, save for the library light. Viktor drops his keys where he always does and tucks away his shoes.

"Hey," Viktor says gently as he bypasses Five to set his violin and beside its corresponding stand. "Sorry I'm late."

Comments

[number_five]

Five pauses when Viktor touches his arm. He frowns, feeling guilty.

"We should eat before Luther gets home," Five says, deciding not to answer the question that Viktor didn't ask. At least, not yet.

[fifthbeatle]

"There's plenty of food," Viktor reminds him, placid and patient. "I don't think this is about food. Or Luther."

When it seems like Five will continue to go the extra hard way, he simplifies to the most relevant data.

"I don't know; but I would like to."

[number_five]

“I’m not allowed to be hungry?” Five asks, and though it’s the truth, he’s fully aware that’s not the issue here. He’s avoiding this, like he has been since he made his way back to the present. It’s partially out of a sense of shame, partially something else. He can’t put his finger on it, and he’s not sure he wants to yet.

Five is a quiet for a moment, pausing in his mission to get to the dinner Viktor’s brought home.

“Does it bother you that I haven’t used my powers?” He asks.

[fifthbeatle]

Though assuredly more boring than other available options, Viktor doesn't take the snarky bait. He's done too much work to find and know himself to think this is personal. The inconsistency of Five's powers have contributed to many a crisis, but that's true of them all. Hargreeves set them up to fail.

"No, not at all," Viktor says simply. "Why would it?"

[number_five]

Five frowns, a moment of brief vulnerability about the subject passing quickly in favor of deflection.

"I don't know, you're the one bringing attention to it," Five says. He won't deny that he's been avoiding using his powers since he got back. Viktor deserves more credit than that.

[fifthbeatle]

"Not because I'm upset," Viktor repeats calmly. "I brought it up to talk about it. That's easier for me to do before I'm upset." It seems there is someone who has already passed this benchmark, and it isn't Viktor. He knows they each have their own reasons to be afraid. But they don't have to do that shit alone anymore.

"Five." A quiet request, a call from reality from the planet where Viktor seems to be on the ground while Five flees through space. "Would you please talk to me?"