Chapter Text
Billet-doux
meaning: a love letter.
Vanya Hargreeves was in the library again.
If her siblings saw her now, they wouldn't know her true reason for being there.
They would immediately assume that she was there to read some dusty, old books.
However, that wasn't entirely the truth.
Vanya often frequented the library because the scent of old books gave her comfort and the silence was something she treasured the most in a house full of sixteen-year olds, who had a habit of turning anything into chaos in a matter of seconds.
The library was her sanctuary and it was also the best place to read the steamy romance novels that Klaus had lent to her. Something that Vanya started to enjoy.
All Vanya had to do was take the little paperback from its hiding place and continue reading the rest of the story.
Glancing superstitiously around to make sure no one was following her, Vanya moved down the line of bookshelves until she finally found the right shelf, where she had stashed her book in secret.
Vanya caught sight of its worn spine and she reached out for the paperback. She immediately used the bookmark she had placed there to open the page where she had left it.
However, the moment she turned the page, something suddenly fell down from within.
She caught a glimpse of something blue as it fluttered to the ground.
For a long while, Vanya stared at the strange paper on the floor before she decided to pick it up.
Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was an origami. A blue paper folded to resemble that of a butterfly, and as Vanya scanned the paper, she noted the words written on the right wing of the origami butterfly, which said 'open me.'
Frowning, Vanya wondered who put the paper inside her book, but she was curious to see what else was in the paper.
Afterward, she started to unfold the origami. As her fingers delicately opened the folded paper, the message within was slowly revealed.
Once she had completely unfolded the origami butterfly, she finally allowed herself to read the entire message.
Name: Vanya
Meaning: Gracious gift of God
.
Dear Vanya, even though I am not into that religious mumbo jumbo.
But I have to agree that you are truly a gift.
Don't let father or anyone say otherwise.
You are a gift to this family.
I hope you won't forget that.
P.S. I promise I won't tell anyone else about the romance novels.
.
Vanya stared at the words written on the paper and couldn't help but feel the warmth that spread from the center of her chest and straight into her limbs. The letter made her feel giddy with happiness.
She didn't know who exactly had sent the letter since the words weren't handwritten. Instead it was typewritten.
Even though Klaus had lent Vanya the book, she hadn't really told him where she had hidden it. So it must be one of her siblings, who had seen her stashing the book into its hiding place.
Vanya would have to figure out who it was.
As she looked back at the paper, Vanya couldn't help but press the paper right over her heart and allowed herself to smile.
Whoever sent her the letter, Vanya would have to thank them.
She was grateful for their thoughtful gesture.
Chapter 2
Summary:
how it all started
Vanya didn't know how to broach the subject to her other siblings. How should she start the conversation with any of them?
"Hey, I was wondering who gave me the origami letter? You know the one that was left inside the pages of the smutty novel that I've been reading? Yeah, that one…"
Would that be the right question to ask? Vanya silently wondered.
And as she thought more on it, Vanya felt a bit anxious. She didn't know how to approach any of her siblings regarding the subject.
That's why she hadn't said anything to any of them even when a day had passed since she discovered the origami letter. Two days wherein she had spent most of her time rereading the letter again and again while trying to find clues as to whom might have sent it to her.
Sadly, the identity of the person who left the letter still remained a mystery to her. Of course, Vanya was determined to find out who they were and so she had taken the time in carefully observing her other siblings. Perhaps far too closely than she realized that Vanya had caught either Diego and Ben blushing after she had spent her time staring at them without her realizing it. The moment she finally noticed her brothers' flushed faces, Vanya had blushed as well and she had excused herself quickly out of embarrassment.
Five, on the other hand, acted slightly different around her. He was still the cool and collected brother she knew him to be. Although he seemed to be smiling a lot when he was around her and there was something about the quirk on his lips that was really odd this time. Yet despite Five's strange expression, Vanya didn't dare question him, lest he would stop giving her those rare smiles that made her feel warm and tingly on the inside.
Meanwhile, Klaus was acting far more cheerful than usual. It was probably because her brother had bought a new merchandise from the store with his favorite boy band's faces in it. Anyway, Vanya decided not to ask Klaus about the mysterious letter that she discovered and left him alone to his new boy band obsession.
Vanya also didn't bother Allison because she knew that her sister would just dismiss Vanya like the Rumor usually did, especially when her sister was still absorbed in her own little world.
As for Luther, or Number 1 as her father often called him.
The Golden Boy.
Vanya didn't know what to think of him. She had always felt a bit ambivalent towards Luther. There were days that Vanya didn't mind him at all, but there were also days that she couldn't help but feel envious towards him. Far more than her other siblings.
Luther Hargreeves was always considered to be the favorite adopted son by Reginald Hargreeves (or as most of them believe). They might be born on the same day and have the same age, but then their father picked Luther to be the leader.
All of them knew that their father expected so much more from Luther. There was no denying the fact that Reginald Hargreeves was proud of the blonde sixteen year old if compared to Vanya's other siblings, which often resulted with her brothers and sister feeling mildly resentful towards Number 1.
So Vanya didn't know how to react when she caught Luther glancing in her direction or staring at her far more often than before. Sometimes Vanya would notice the tinge of pink on her older brother's cheeks when she caught his eyes. And every time she did, Vanya felt unnerved by it wherein she always felt a strange flutter in her belly when those familiar aquamarine eyes were transfixed on her, most especially when it was accompanied by Luther's smile.
As far as she could remember, Vanya always felt left out among her siblings, more so when her father often reminded her of how useless and unimportant she was compared to her other brothers and sister.
Before she received the origami letter, Vanya dimly recalled the odd night when both Luther and Five had said something to their father that had completely shocked all of them.
Vanya recalled how she had lost her appetite afterward, when she had asked her father if she could tag along with her siblings in their mission.
.
.
.
"Can I go with them father?" Vanya had asked hopefully. "I swear I won't be a bother to the others. I just wanted to see what France is like. Perhaps I can just go sightseeing while the others go on their -"
"And what Number Seven? You want to travel to France and pretend that you are on vacation? To enjoy all of La Ville-Lumière has to offer while your brothers and sister try to save the world?" Her father interrupted with a cold, biting tone. "I don't think so Number Seven. Since you have no powers to speak of, you have no way to defend yourself while you are out there on the streets acting like a naïve, little tourist. More than that, I don't think you are entitled to do as you please while your siblings shed their blood and fight the evil threats that will rain on all of us. So no Number Seven... You are not allowed to go on this mission and that is final."
When she heard his father's words, a sudden coldness settled at the pit of her stomach. If Vanya hadn't taken her medication, she would have burst into tears and ugly cried right then and there at the dinner table in front of her family.
"Father, can you please reconsider Vanya's request? I think she deserves to go anywhere she wants, just this once rather than being cooped up inside the house all the time," a familiar voice said and Vanya's head whipped around to stare at Luther, who had spoken in a tentative voice.
Her blonde brother glanced in her direction and Vanya met Luther's aquamarine eyes briefly before the boy directed his attention to their father once again.
Reginald Hargreeves was frowning at Luther in obvious disapproval. And judging from her siblings' slack-jawed expression, they were as stunned to see Luther speaking out to their father in such a way.
Luther had always been the obedient one, always following their father's orders to the letter.
Yet that night Luther hadn't hesitated in speaking his thoughts when it came to Vanya. For the first time since ever.
He had spoken out of turn to support her and Reginald Hargreeves did not like it when his favorite son was voicing his opinion regarding Vanya's desire to go with them on a mission.
"Number Seven is not going anywhere Number One," Their father said adamantly with a flinty glint in his eyes. "Most certainly not to your first mission out of the country."
Vanya noted how Luther opened his mouth as if to protest but their father stopped him before her older brother could say something that might land him in deep trouble.
"She will only prove to be a complete hindrance and distraction to all of you," Their father stated harshly and Vanya flinched at the tone of her father's voice. There was suddenly a tightness around Vanya's throat while she sensed the prickling of tears on the corners of her eyes.
Yet Reginald Hargreeves, her father, did not stop speaking.
"She will be nothing but a burden, like she had always been, and thus she must remain here and not venture anywhere else where she is not needed by anyone of - "
Suddenly, there was a loud bang as someone slammed their hands on the table followed by a familiar voice saying rather loudly, "Father, that is enough!"
Vanya looked up and saw Five standing up from his chair with a dark look on his face. She was even more surprised to see the glare Five fixed on their father.
"You have said enough!" Five thundered.
She noted the dark and dangerous glint in her brother's stormy grey eyes which completely unsettled her. Vanya knew that Five had a temper, but the way he was looking at their father made it look like Five was ready to murder their father for even insulting her.
"Number Five!" Reginald scolded.
"Vanya, are you ok?" a gentle voice asked from her right and Vanya turned her head and immediately noted Klaus looking at her in both concern and empathy.
She swallowed the lump on her throat before answering Klaus' question.
"I don't know…" Vanya managed to croak out.
"Such utter and complete disrespect! I expected more from you Number Five but it seems I have erred in my judgement!"
Vanya heard her father was saying but she became distracted when Klaus reached for her hand.
"Vanya, let's go. This could turn ugly," Klaus said to her as he tugged at her hand and Vanya simply let him. "Let's leave because I really don't want to listen to Five and father argue all night long."
"Number Four, Number Seven, where do you think you are going?!"
Vanya heard their father asked loudly the moment she and Klaus stood up from their respective chairs.
"Away from here Dad!" Klaus answered back.
With Klaus still holding her hand, Vanya followed after her brother.
"Come back here both of you! Dinner is not over yet!" their father snapped out.
"Well, too bad Dad, I can't stomach the sight of you insulting Vanya!" Klaus retorted. "I have lost my appetite and so does Vanya. So we are leaving right now instead of staying here and listening to you spout all of these nonsense about her."
"Number Four! Number Seven!" Their father called after them and Vanya glanced back to see Five nodding his head towards her before he turned his attention to their angry father once more.
"Just let them go Dad!" Five said while Diego stated, "I can't blame them for leaving old man. You were quite harsh and I don't like -"
"Not you too Number One!" Reginald Hargreeves called out once again in clear aggravation.
Vanya looked back just in time to see Luther hurrying after them with a determined look on his face.
"I'm coming with you," He said as he looked from Vanya to Klaus.
"Awesome! Then, you two better hurry up and get dressed! I don't know about you two but I'm still hungry. So why don't we finish our dinner somewhere else? I know a restaurant called Gerard's Steakhouse and I'm sure that you will find their food quite delicious. I just love their - " Klaus rambled on but Vanya didn't hear what her brother said because she was still a bit shaken and shocked about what happened.
Even after she had quickly changed her clothes and had left the house with Klaus and Luther, her mind was still remembering the exact words about what their father had said to her.
"She will be nothing but a burden, like she had always been…"
The words haunted her and Vanya would have not eaten anything that night if it weren't for Klaus trying to cheer her up and even trying to spoon feed Vanya her food.
"Eat something sis. I don't want us going back home without you eating anything," Klaus said worriedly while pushing a spoonful of food towards her.
Vanya, of course, was touched by Klaus' concern and she finally acquiesced to her brother in the end and started eating.
.
.
.
At that time, Luther had simply observed Klaus' doting on her like a mother hen but Vanya did notice the sad and regretful gleam in Luther's eyes when he regarded her that night.
However, as she stood there outside Luther's bedroom door with the unfolded origami letter in her hand, she was glad to see that Luther wasn't looking at her with regret in his eyes.
It was because of Luther's changed in attitude towards her that Vanya began to suspect that her brother must have got something to do with the origami letter. That's why she was standing outside Luther's bedroom with the intent of finding out the truth from him.
"What can I do for you Vanya?" Luther asked. His voice soft and hesitant, almost wary as he regarded her with those aquamarine eyes of his.
"Amm…" Vanya began as she fiddled with the letter in her hand. "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Luther said and Vanya instantly noted how her brother started to fidget on the spot.
There was a nervous energy around Luther that Vanya hadn't seen before. In all the years she had known him, Luther always acted so confident, even bordering on arrogant, which rubbed Vanya the wrong way more often than not.
However, as she lingered outside his door, Luther seemed ready to hide inside his room and wait for her to disappear. Yet he did neither of that.
It was strange, even incomprehensible for her brother to deign Vanya with his presence, but there he was...still standing at the door and waiting for her to respond to his question.
When Allison was hanging inside Luther's room, the two of them usually shoo Vanya away, but Allison wasn't there and their other siblings were far too busy with other stuff.
No one was paying Vanya attention as she stood there in the hallway outside of her brother's room.
Glancing anxiously around her, Vanya bit her lip for a second before saying to Luther in a hush voice, "Can we talk inside? I don't want anyone else to hear what I want to discuss with you."
At her words, Luther stared at her for a moment before he cleared his throat and nodded his head. Vanya was almost enthralled to see when a scarlet flush crept up Luther's neck and dusted his high cheekbones when he finally agreed.
"Ok...ammm….you can - " Luther cleared his throat again before finishing his words. " - can come inside Vanya."
Afterward, Luther stepped to the side and Vanya quickly scrambled inside Luther's room before anyone could see her talking to him.
She certainly didn't want Allison seeing her speaking to the boy her sister was clearly crushing on.
Honestly, Vanya couldn't blame Allison. Luther was handsome and even though they called themselves as brothers and sisters, they were not exactly blood related. They just live on the same house, where the old man who adopted them expected all of them to treat each other as siblings.
However, as Vanya pivoted around to face Luther once again, she could only stare at the Golden Boy and the so-called Best Hero of the Umbrella Academy.
She finally understood where her sister was coming from.
"So what is the question you want to ask me?" Luther inquired while he looked at her intently.
As those mesmerizing aquamarine eyes settled on her, Vanya became tongue-tied and all she could do was raise the letter she had been carrying and handed it to Luther, who simply accepted it without breaking their stare.
Vanya was always awkward when it came to socializing. So it was not a surprise when she floundered, even if she was talking to one of her brothers.
However, this was Luther Hargreeves. Number 1. The one Reginald Hargreeves expected to lead a team of heroes against all the evil threats that fall on them.
Compared to Luther, Vanya was Number 7. The one without the power. The ignored and the unwanted one.
This time, however, Vanya sensed the shift in their family dynamic.
She could feel that change was coming and a drastic one at that.
A long pause followed, where all Vanya could hear was the sound of music playing in the background as she stood there waiting for Luther to say something.
Vanya already handed Luther the letter. So she was hoping for Luther to do something about it soon. She half expected for Luther to look surprise or even admit that he might be responsible for the letter.
However, what Vanya didn't expect was for Luther to break their eye contact and move towards the old record player on top of his drawer and increased the volume.
Thereafter, Vanya watched as Luther put the unfolded origami letter next to the turntable before her brother walked back towards her.
Without warning, Luther said something strange.
"Dance with me," He said to her while he extended his hand in her direction with his palm up.
Luther's request was so unexpected that Vanya couldn't help but gape at him afterward.
Even though she wasn't as close to Luther as she was with Five, Vanya could tell that Luther was deflecting or avoiding the silent question that Vanya wanted answered.
For a long while, Vanya could only stare at Luther's hand before glancing back at Luther's face, where she noted his nervous expression.
It took another a minute before Vanya finally made a decision to take Luther's offered hand and accept his invitation for a dance.
NEXT CHAPTER
