Chapter Text
Vanya swung the door open, tilting her head with a perplexed expression as soon as she recognized who was standing at her doorstep. “You know, I've seen you more in the past week than I have in over a decade,” she remarked, crossing her arms and leaning on the doorframe. “What is it this time, Five?”
Five couldn't blame Vanya for her confusion. There he was again, dropping by her apartment unannounced on a Monday evening.
But this time, he came prepared.
To hell with Operation: Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving.
While he technically achieved being a successful thirty-year-old despite having no recollection of how he got to that point, he learned the hard way that it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.
So, he hatched up a new scheme. Operation: Make It Up To Vanya For Being A Dumbass.
Or, Operation: M.I.U.T.V.F.B.A.D. for short.
Over the weekend, Five slowly came to terms with the reality that he may never go back to his thirteenth birthday, especially after discovering that Vanya had thrown away the only object he had suspected caused his time traveling predicament in the first place. Now that he knew the gravity of how much he had actually fucked up their friendship and future, he spent all weekend at his mother’s house brainstorming ways to really make it up to her, and hopefully, they could go back to being best friends again.
Pushing aside her wisecrack, Five asked, “Is it still your dream?”
“My dream?” Vanya repeated.
“To be a first chair violinist,” he clarified. “To perform in front of an audience?”
“I…” Vanya hesitated, uncrossing her arms. “Five, what is this about?”
While Vanya deflected his question, Five caught on that she didn't deny it either.
“On Friday, I mentioned that my work is hosting a live event that’s looking for a guest violinist. I really think you should audition for it. You’ll also get paid for the performance, of course.”
Vanya made a face. “If this is because I reminded you of what happened in senior year, you don't have to do me any favors.”
“It’s not.” He paused, “I mean, it kind of is, but not completely.” Five groaned, running his hand through his hair. This was harder than he thought, but he wasn’t going to give up without a fight. “What I’m trying to say is, you'd be doing me a favor. And besides,” Five defended, “I brought up the guest violin thing before you reminded me about what happened, remember?”
Vanya frowned, “Yeah, but, it still doesn't make sense why you would suggest me of all people to perform. Back in high school, you said—”
“Forget what that idiot said back then, okay?” Five snapped in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose. He really wanted to disassociate from what his seventeen-year-old self had done, but he knew that would only confuse Vanya further. Reluctantly, he said as evenly as he possibly could through gritted teeth, “I was stupid for not supporting you back then, and I want to make things right, if you'd let me.”
Vanya raised a brow in amusement, cupping a hand behind her ear. “I’m sorry, I think I need to get my ears checked. Did the Five Hargreeves actually admit he was stupid and an idiot? This isn't a prank, is it?”
Five pushed his tongue against his cheek, frowning from her teasing. “You’re actually enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Obviously,” Vanya shot back with a grin.
An unexpected feeling of warmth bubbled inside him, caught off guard by her smile. He looked down in embarrassment and cleared his throat. “So, will you do it?”
Vanya shrugged. “I don’t really know, Five. It sounds like a great opportunity and all, and I’d be lying if I said the money wouldn't help with some expenses, but with my students’ violin lessons and doing some finishing touches on the wedding planning while Leonard is away for his business trip, I just have a lot on my plate right now.”
Vanya reminding Five about her upcoming wedding was the last thing he wanted to hear. He refused to settle with the idea that all his plans would go to waste because of stupid, shrimpy Leonard.
Five pressed, “But think about it, V. Imagine getting to play in front of a live audience and on national TV. It's for this really famous guy who’s into sparrows, Sir Reginald - kind of looks like Mr. Peanut. Normally, we have an entire orchestra accompanying these events, but he specifically requested a violin solo while playing his documentary. You're sure to get future performances after something big like that.”
“If he's that famous, wouldn't they want someone who’s actually more qualified for the role? I mean, I'm just, well, me.”
It pained Five whenever he watched her put herself down like this. And he knew his alter-self was partially to blame for it. “Exactly. You're you. Vanya Belyaev. And that's why I suggested your name to audition for the role,” he said confidently. “You're a hard worker who’s always passionate when it comes to the violin. Even when you had stage fright during your recitals, you were brave enough to face your fears because you loved playing so much. And seeing that you're teaching kids to play means something right? You told me on Friday that you were psyching yourself out when you were debating about Juilliard, and I don't want you to regret this decision either. I’ll be by your side this time. I promise.”
He held out a pinky for good measure.
Vanya stared at him in shock. Judging by the look she gave him, he knew he had struck a chord. She stared down at his pinky, still looking uncertain. “Can you give me a day to think it over?”
“Of course,” Five said, retracting his hand. “Can I stop by the same time tomorrow?"
“Uh, sure.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Five said, rummaging through his suit’s inner pocket until he pulled out a small container. “Here.”
“Violin strings?” Vanya inquired as Five handed her the pack.
“You said I owed you some, for… you know, accidentally breaking them back then. I was hoping that you still used the same brand as when we were kids.”
“I do, thanks. I’m… surprised you actually remembered that.” Vanya admitted thoughtfully, palming the gift. “Wait a second.” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “This isn't some bribe to sway my decision to audition, is it?”
It wasn't, but Five couldn't resist teasing Vanya by the way she looked at him.
“Depends,” Five answered with a shrug and smirked. “Is it working?”
“I plead the fifth,” Vanya replied cheekily.
“I'm an exception to the Fifth amendment since it's a variation of my name, you know,” Five shot back haughtily with a toothy grin. Lucky for him, his history teacher had taught them about the concept of having the right to remain silent earlier in the school year.
“Should've known you'd say something like that. Good night, Smartass.” Vanya deadpanned while rolling her eyes, despite cracking a smile soon after.
“See you in heaven, Seven.” Five said, returning her smile. This time, he decided not to press her into saying her usual goodbye to him and left it at that, turning his heel back towards the elevator and listening to Vanya’s door click shut from behind.
After his weekend visit with his mother, Five understood that it was going to take time and patience to rebuild their friendship again, both of which Five didn’t have much to spend. Even so, he had to at least try and see where Operation M.I.U.T.V.F.B.A.D. took him.
He just hoped it wasn't too late.