34. Piece Of cake

November 13th

Nothing dangerous or life-threatening happened, and Elisa is very glad for that. She has succeeded in keeping the monster inside of her for weeks. Yet, she can feel its power growing and growing. Or she's imagining it. Elisa does not know, but she doesn't want to find out, either. That's why she prefers the thought that she's imagining the darkness inside of her.

Life has been very calm at the Umbrella Academy. Well, that is if you don't count Klaus' crazy dance parties.

Still, this party—Elisa is sure—is going to be something entirely else. It must be, especially when Klaus has been shutting Elisa out of the living room for a whole week.

"I don't want to go." Elisa shakes her head, determined. But honestly, it makes Five chuckle.

"You're afraid of a party?" he asks, cocking his head to the side.

That is exactly why Elisa sends him an eat-shit glare. This—to her surprise—makes him laugh. Yes, actually laugh. Now that the handler isn't a threat anymore and the weight of the whole world isn't on his shoulders, Five has changed entirely. Elisa is loving it. He jokes and actually enjoys life. Elisa and him even found out they adored to do movie nights. Well, it might also be the fact that they snuggle up the entire time. This is their peace, their heaven. And absolutely everyone in the family can't get enough of this wholesome heaven.

"If I recall correctly"—Five points his finger at Elisa—"You enjoy Klaus' dance parties at two am in the morning."

"I did," Elisa admits, letting out a laugh afterwards. "But have you seen how he has been behaving lately?" Her smile fades, showing Five that she's completely serious now. "He's been so focused—I don't know what to think of it, really. I haven't been allowed in the living room, and he's been trying these crazy-ass methods of meditating. Klaus never meditates!" she rambles, throwing her arms all around her while doing so.

Rolling his eyes, Five reaches for Elisa her hand that is now in the air because of the very dramatic hand gestures of her. He intertwines their fingers, and pulls her up on her feet. "He wants your birthday party to be special," he tells her, his voice low as he continues pulling her towards him until she's against his chest.

Freeing her hand, Five's arm curls around her waist while his other hand brushes her bottom lip. When his eyes stay on her lips, it's no surprise that Elisa forgets all about her worries—well, almost.

"You're doing it." She narrows her eyes at him. "I'm so not oblivious to it."

"I'm doing what?" Five asks, sounding truly confused. His eyes widen a little, and he watches Elisa carefully, waiting for an explanation to whatever he apparently is doing.

But Elisa isn't having any of it. "I'm truly worried that he's going to sacrifice me." She groans loudly, lowering her head till her forehead is pressed against his chest. Feeling his heartbeat like this, relaxes her a little.

"A sacrifice?" Five lets out a laugh. "Oh, Elisa," he says, shaking his head slowly. Then he presses a kiss on top of her head.

"I don't know," Elisa says as she looks up again. Their eyes lock, and again, a part of Elisa her worries disappear. He truly has a weird effect on her. "What if he appears to be some witch now?"

"It's a birthday party, love." His fingers leave Elisa her lips to cup her face in an attempt to reassure her some more. "Klaus is not a witch, and he won't sacrifice you."

"Klaus would make a badass witch, though," Elisa remarks with a laugh.

To this, Five nods, also laughing. Both his arms curl around her waist now, and he lifts her up a little. "Let's get you downstairs," he murmurs in her ear, making sure that his own lips brush her earlobe. Of course, Elisa shivers a little, needing more of his touch.

"So you're sure that Klaus is no witch?"

"Of course."

"And no sacrificing the birthday girl?"

"We weren't planning on it."

"All right." Elisa sighs. "I can do this."

"Such worrying for a birthday party." With one arm still curled around Elisa, Five leads her to the hallway. They're in no time downstairs, which means only a couple of more steps until they're in the living room.

When realizing this, Elisa bites the inside of her cheek—something she hasn't done in a long time. She had no actual reason to stress about something—that is until now. Now, she does have a reason: her birthday party.

"There's not a chance that y'all are going to throw me somewhere in time, right?" Her eyes widen. "Oh, I don't want to end up in a world war!"

Five stops walking. Placing his hands on Elisa her shoulders, he frowns at her as he forces her to look him in the eye. "Why are you so afraid of a birthday party?"

Wanting and needing to answer, Elisa opens her mouth, but she doesn't know how to respond. "Let's just go," she mumbles quietly, not willing to give him an honest answer to his question.

"No." He shakes his head. "I want to know."

A loud groan of Elisa sounds. "All right." She looks him right in his eyes, and clenches her jaw. "I never had a real birthday party."

Immediately, Five's eyes widen in shock. "Never?" he asks, completely stunned.

"Never." Elisa shrugs. Her shoulders fall a little, not liking that fact. And neither does Five. "The handler never really liked birthdays—mainly because she didn't like to age. I assume that's why she never even mentioned my birthday." Five looks as if he might get a heart-attack or something. It can't be healthy. That's why Elisa decides to get over with the whole explanation. "Last year, with Mor and the others, I made sure they didn't plan anything. I was scared that something very bad would happen. I've read many books, you see—"

"This isn't a book," Five remarks.

"It could be, though," Elisa tells him. "I mean, look at us. The Umbrella Academy. A house full of supernaturals. It does seem like at least a start of a book. And with the storyline that we've created . . ."

"I get it." Five chuckles softly. "But, love, this is real life, and nothing will happen to you. Well, it could be that Diego throws a cake at you." He shrugs. "He does so on everyone's birthday, so don't think anything of it. But that's the worst that can happen."

For a while, Elisa takes in his words. She even repeats the sentence where he mentions Diego trice. Then she sighs deeply, and even decides that she can handle it. After all, she has fought a growing monster inside of her for how many years? This is nothing!

Five opens the door leading to the living room while Elisa is still straightening her posture. He enters first, having to since Elisa is still having some trust issues with the whole birthday party thing that's going on.

When Elisa enters the living room, too, small explosions sound, and Elisa truthfully thinks that she's been trapped into something. She jumps in the air, ready to turn her back on everything already, but Klaus his excited twirls stop her.

"Happy birthday, Elisa!" he practically yells. But Elisa is fine with the piercing sound. After all, she's relieved that he isn't cursing her.

Five notices her discomfort that still hasn't left, and he motions to all the others that are standing on the other side of the living room with confetti cannons in their hands. They caused the explosions, Elisa realizes, scanning everyone's faces. They don't look like they'd harm her. Actually, Vanya has one of the brightest and widest smiles on her lips that Elisa ever saw. Diego his eyes keep traveling to the cake that's placed on the coffee table. That's why Elisa mentally notes that she won't come close to him as her eyes stay on the cake for a few seconds. It has donuts around it, and it has been decorated with teeny tiny donuts out of sugar. Allison is smiling very wide, too. Instead of on the cake, her eyes are on Elisa, and she's clapping with her hands. Luther . . . It doesn't surprise Elisa, but he looks unbothered by the whole birthday party thing that's going on. For the first time, Elisa actually thinks she has something in common with the man.

"Presents!" Klaus yells aggressively. "We're going to start with the presents!"

"Now already?" Diego asks his brother. "Can't we eat a piece of cake first?"

In response, Allison her eyes widen. "Diego, don't you dare—"

"Elisa has already been informed," Five tells his sister before sticking out his tongue to his brother, making Elisa giggle. Maybe this won't be as bad as she thought it'd be. But the day is still young . . .

"We've all gotten you a present," Klaus squeals as he leads Elisa to the couch. There, she takes place next to him. All the others take place on the several couches, too. Not ignorant of how close they are to the cake, Elisa glares at Diego. He gets her warning, and leans back against a pillow . . . for now. "And I won't start," Klaus adds. "So who will?"

For a moment, everyone glances at each other. But eventually, it is Allison who rolls her eyes at every sibling of hers. "I will."

She stretches herself out, reaching for her handbag that's under the coffee table. Again, Diego glances at the cake, but a snarl of Five is enough to make him glance at the handbag of Allison again. Finally, Allison reaches it, and she pulls out a giftcard.

"It isn't a lot," Allison starts, "I'm not good with presents, and I couldn't think of a better present than this since I've seen you spent hours reading the last few weeks. I hope you like it."

"You guys got me things?" Elisa turns to everyone in awe. Then her eyes fall on Allison again, who's now handing the giftcard to Elisa. "Thank you." Her voice almost breaks, and Elisa is sure that she'll cry tonight, under the blanket.

"My turn!" Vanya squeaks. Immediately, she jumps on her feet. Then, she hops to the other side of the living room to grab a bag that's standing next to the door that Elisa entered through just a minute or two ago.

It only takes another few seconds until Vanya is right in front of Elisa, pushing the bag in her hands. Vanya still looks the most excited Elisa has ever seen her, and when checking all the others expressions, they're just as surprised with Vanya her super happy mood.

"Don't just stare." Vanya groans, gesturing for Elisa to hurry. "Open it!"

Chuckling, Elisa does as she's been told. The bag was only the package because inside is . . .

Elisa her lips part in astonishment. "No way," she whispers, looking up at Vanya.

She responds by saying, "Yes way."

"You've written your book in what? Three weeks?" Elisa takes the book out of the bag with great care. The cover is magnificent. It has lights on it, but when Elisa takes a little longer to take it in, she notices they aren't just lights. They're fires. Thousands of tiny fires that remind her of the nightmare she had a few weeks ago. Yet, Elisa keeps her mouth about that detail. Plus, she's too happy about holding the book in her hands.

"I don't know how it's possible," Vanya says. "I'm not even sure if it's real."

"It is real." Elisa her finger caresses the book its spine carefully. "Vanya, this is amazing. I can't wait to read it!"

"Great, sis," Five mumbles in a joking way. "She'll read the whole night through now."

Vanya her grin widens.

"I suppose you don't like getting the cake in your face as a present, huh?" Diego sighs, his eyes lingering on the cake once again. Elisa nods. Of course she does. "Very well. I actually don't have a visual present." Everyone frowns—exept for Klaus. No, he only smiles a very happy smile. "But I helped Klaus with his present, and believe me, it was a full-time job. That's why I count it as a present."

"Do I have to be scared for Klaus' present?" Elisa asks Diego in a whisper, but since everyone is seated around her, they all listen.

Klaus pretends to be hurt. "I'll just pretend I didn't hear that," he scoffs.

"Sorry." Elisa puts up her hands. "But you were acting weird as fuck this week."

"I take that as a compliment." Klaus chuckles. "Now, next!"

All eyes fall on Luther. His eyes widen in return. For a moment, Elisa accepts the fact that he doesn't have a present, but then he stands up. Everyone frowns at him, being of the same though as Elisa. He bends through his knees behind the couch with a grunt, and then straightens himself with what appears to be a small bouquet of white roses in his hands.

Awkwardly, he hands it to Elisa, who is surprised that he has a present for her after all. "Uhm," Luther starts, "I didn't know what to get you, so I looked it up on Google. Here you go, Elisa. Happy birthday."

A true, soft smile falls on Elisa her lips as she looks at the huge man who's seating himself again. "Thank you, Luther."

Everyone stares at him, stunned. Luther even earns a pat of Allison on his back, which makes him actually smile.

Then it's Five who says, "Okay, so since I think Klaus wants to go as last." Five stands up, reaching for something in his pocket. "I think it's my turn now."

With wide eyes, Elisa watches him grab a necklace out of his jeans' pocket. Such a cliché present, but truly, Elisa can't get her eyes of the shiny jewel. Five walks to the back of the couch that Elisa is sitting on, and he puts the necklace on. The necklace feels cold against Elisa her skin, making goose bumps appear. Noticing this, Five whispers, "Sorry."

When its around her neck, Elisa goes to hold the necklace in her hands. It has a white stone in it, which calms Elisa for some reason. She continues to hold the stone as she turns her head to look at Five. His elbows are now leaning on the couch's back, and his face is just inches away from Elisa's when she turns.

"Thank you," she whispers as her eyes sparkle. "I adore it."

"I love you, Elisa Brookle," Five whispers in her ear before colliding their lips.

Unfortunately, Klaus is too eager to give Elisa his present, and he clears his throat rather loudly. This makes Five chuckle and lean back. For a moment, Elisa wants to groan and pull Five closer to her again, but in the end, she decides not to. After all, Klaus does seem excited—and drained for some reason. . . Very drained. But he ignores the black circles under his eyes, and he takes a deep breath.

With a jump, Klaus stands up, so he can take the cake in his hands. Then he puts it into Allison's, smart enough not to trust Diego. "Can you lay it somewhere else, sis?"

Allison nods in reply, standing up, too.

"So." Klaus rubs his hands together, closing his eyes for a few seconds. "This better work."

"What better works?" Elisa frowns at him, leaning a little deeper into the couch, unsure of what is happening. What could be Klaus his gift?

"It better does," Diego agrees, letting out a snarl. "I didn't spent all my free time for it not to work."

Again, Elisa wants to ask what better works, but Five his finger trailing down her neck shuts her up. Elisa wants to roll her eyes at him, but instead, she leans her head back a little, giving him more place to do what he wishes. After all, it does calm her down.

Klaus bends over the coffee table, placing his hands on the wood to put pressure on it. "Do you think it would hold me?" he asks Diego, Elisa thinks.

"You're a stick, Klaus." Diego rolls his eyes. "I'm pretty sure that the coffee table won't break."

Still unsure, Klaus climbs onto the coffee table, making everyone else's eyes widen a little. As she looks at the others, Elisa can tell that they're curious, too. Then her eyes fall on Five, and his smile already tells her that he knows exactly what is going on.

Elisa glares at him. And even when he notices her eyes full of anger and fright, his smile stays perfectly on his lips. "Don't worry," he reassures her, turning to look at Klaus again.

On the other hand, Klaus looks very relaxed now. He places himself on the table in a comfortable position. Although, it does make Elisa wonder if it'd be that comfortable for her. One leg of Klaus is under him while the other is stretching all the way behind Klaus.

Surely it hurts, Elisa thinks, tilting her head a little. But Klaus doesn't seem to mind, and Elisa focuses too much on his face to actually pay attention to his position. Klaus his eyes are closed again, and a soft smile tugs at his lips. He attempts to loosen his shoulders a little the moment that Diego puts on music. It's a work of classical music, making Elisa her frown grow. Classical music and Klaus?

"Nothing bad will happen," Klaus speaks up. When Luther and Allison scoff, one eye of Klaus opens to glare at each sibling. "Just stay quiet, will you? I need to be fully concentrated."

"Fully concentrated." Diego nods.

Nothing bad will happen, Elisa attempts to reassure herself. But the more Klaus hums, the more the worries grow, and the more the horrible and annoying pain in her stomach grows. Elisa attempts to blink quicker, hoping to notice a change when it is there.

And she does.

A stroke of light appears around Klaus. Only when Elisa her eyes have become used to it, her mouth falls open in astonishment. The light exists out of all kinds of different light. There's blue that reminds Elisa of time traveling. Then there's yellow circling around Klaus' hands that are resting on the coffee table. There's also purple that's everywhere around his head. It's a true spectacle.

"What is happening?" Elisa goes to whisper in Five's ear, careful not to disturb Klaus.

Five shakes his head in response. "You'll see."

And now, Elisa can't help but be scared. Even more scared than she was before. Never has she seen Klaus use his abilities, so she doesn't know what he's capable of.

She wants to stand up and run, but she's frozen. And she doesn't know if that's because of herself or because something else . . .

Another color of light appears; black.

Elisa gasps when it grows more quickly than all the others. It doesn't stay close to Klaus, either. While all the other strokes of light stay close to Klaus, this black stroke starts to explore the room, careful not to miss a single corner.

And Elisa still can't move. But she wants to, but then that'd mean having to run through the blank stroke that has grown so much already. At this point, it has surrounded all the siblings.

There's no way out.

Needing reassurance, Elisa her eyes flicker from sibling to sibling. Luther looks like he's about to piss in his pants, and Allison holds him close to her. Her wide eyes give Elisa the information she needs to know. They have no idea what the hell Klaus is doing. Maybe he has never done this before?

Elisa turns to look at Diego. His smile hasn't disappeared to Elisa's surprise. Instead, he's grinning at his brother on the coffee table as the darkness is everywhere but in between the siblings. At the same time, he squeezes Vanya her hand tightly, reassuring her. But it seems that Vanya doesn't need any of his reassurance. No, she's looking with sparkling eyes at everything around her.

Now, Elisa her eyes fall on Five. He's still behind the couch. Even though he eyes the dark stroke starting to multiply more and more, he doesn't seem to be even close to panicking. Because of that fact, Elisa allows herself to breathe fully again.

"I know it's scary," Klaus speaks up, causing everyone to look at him again. "God, Diego started crying the first time." Diego scoffs, declaring that it isn't true. No one believes him, though. And most certainly not when Klaus chuckles, still keeping his eyes firmly closed. "But this is all supposed to happen. We're close."

"Close," Five whispers, astonished. His hand squeezes Elisa her shoulder softly as he presses himself even more against the couch, not wanting to touch the darkness.

But it does. The darkness swirls around, and at one point, it doesn't care about the invisible lines that they aren't allowed to cross. The black strokes start to fly all around the siblings, dividing them all. Even Allison and Luther are forced away from each other.

"Just do what it's asking," Klaus whispers quietly. It doesn't take long until he's humming again.

"It?" Luther growls. "What do you mean by fucking it?"

"The strokes." Klaus shrugs. "My abilities. Whatever you wish to call it, really. I'm sure it wouldn't mind."

"So I'm allowed to call it—" Diego starts, smirking, but he stops when Klaus shakes his head.

"They can treat you a little rougher if you're not kind, though," he adds, his smile widening.

Immediately, Diego shuts his mouth. Elisa notices that worry now does spread over Diego's face. She understands him since the black strokes have almost finished dividing them in tiny squares. It doesn't take long until Elisa isn't able to see Allison anymore. Or Luther. Or Klaus. Or Vanya.

She almost screams when Five presses one last kiss to the top of her head before also allowing the black strokes to divide them.

Scared, Elisa takes on her seating position that she hasn't sat in in weeks. Her knees get pressed against her stomach, and her arms curl around her waist. Then she decides that everything will go quicker if she closes her eyes. Without a doubt, she does so, wondering what kind of strange birthday presents Klaus has given all the others on their birthday.