flawless. five hargreeves

EITHER WAY, WE'RE NOT ALONE
I'LL FIND A NEW PLACE TO BE FROM
A HAUNTED HOUSE, WITH A PICKET FENCE
TO FLOAT AROUND AND GHOST MY FRIENDS
NO, I'M NOT AFRAID TO DISAPPEAR
THE BILLBOARD SAID 'THE END IS NEAR.'
I TURNED AROUND, THERE WAS NOTHING THERE

YEAH I GUESS, THE END IS HERE.

I know the end - Phoebe Bridgers

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. "So, one last time," I began, my voice trembling slightly with the weight of what I was asking everyone to do. "We go out there, get into position, and try to transmit the marigold to either Ben or Jennifer. Viktor, you channel the marigold. I'll use my telekinesis to pull it out, and Lila will mimic me. We get Ben or Jennifer to take control, and then... we get either of them to blink us to the subway."

As I spoke, the words felt shaky, uncertain, even to me. Was this really a plan? Or was I just grasping at straws, hoping for a miracle? The doubt clawed at me, making my chest tighten, a reminder of the uncertainty in this desperate situation.

Five, always attuned to my emotions, sighed and placed a reassuring hand on my back. The warmth of his touch grounded me, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. "Worth a try," he said, his voice calm but laced with determination. 

Klaus, ever the optimist in his own twisted way, shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, better than fading out of existence. At least this way, we've got a shot."

Everyone else exchanged glances, a mixture of fear and resolve etched into their faces. They were all thinking the same thing: this was a long shot, a desperate gamble. But it was all we had left.

Lila gave me a small nod, her usual bravado softened by the gravity of the situation. "I've got your back, Y/N. Let's do this."

Viktor looked at me with a mix of determination and trust, his quiet strength a reassuring presence. "I'll give it everything I've got," he promised.

For a moment, I let myself take in the faces around me, the people who had become my family. This ragtag group, who had faced countless fights and impossibilities together, was now putting their trust in this half-formed plan. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours. And that had to count for something.

"Alright," I said, my voice gaining a bit more confidence as I straightened up. "Let's go save ourselves—one more time."

As if on cue, a low rumble echoed through the city, a reminder that time was running out. We looked outside, the ominous sky reflecting the urgency in our hearts.

"Okay..." I sighed, feeling the ache in my body as I started to move. The pain was still there, a constant reminder of how close we were to the edge. We all began to walk toward the door, but before stepping outside, I took Five's hand and pulled him aside.

He looked at me with concern, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's up?"

I hesitated, feeling a lump form in my throat. My body was hurting, every movement sending a fresh wave of pain through me, but I needed to say this. "I don't want to sound corny or cliché, but... whatever happens, I love you. And I'm glad it was you I spent those seven years with... I wouldn't have made it through without you."

His eyes softened, the usual sharpness in them replaced by something warmer, something that told me he felt the same. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he squeezed my hand gently. "I love you too," he said, his voice quieter now, almost tender. "We're getting through this together."

I managed a weak smile, feeling a mix of relief and affection wash over me. "Corny, but yes, together," I repeated, leaning on him slightly for support as we rejoined the others.