Chapter Text
When Vanya left the academy at the age of 17, she had vowed to never look back. After everything she had been through, it wasn’t worth it to continue to drag the baggage that was her siblings behind. They had their lives, she had hers. What was the point in looking for a relationship that just wasn’t there? She needed a fresh start. That was the best possible thing.
She didn’t take anything.
So Vanya got a job working full time at a Denny’s. It sucked. Everything about that first month sucked. She slept on stoops and in shelters for ages. But she eventually saved up enough to put down one months rent on an apartment. It was grimy and her neighbors were loud but it was home.
Vanya no longer had any interest in the violin. Klaus had sold off her original one during one of his not so shining moments and she hadn’t had the heart to buy a new one. It reminded her of everything she hated about the Umbrella Academy, so she put it behind her. She refused to hold on to any toxic parts of her past life. Instead she began carving a different path for herself. She wasn’t sure particularly what she was interested in, so she went to college. She studied political science and history. Maybe it wasn’t the most interesting thing in the world, but she cared about it, and she had always been good in any classes pertaining to history as a child. Just as she was moving on to get her masters in poly-sci, she met him.
Vanya had never really made time for love before. She was so focused on moving forward that she never even thought of stopping. She was 21 when Leonard first came into her life. He made her heart flutter every time she saw him. They seemed to fit together, where she was quiet, he was confident. He listened to her, he cared about her in a way that she’d never felt before. She could just sit with him for hours and talk about anything. He was her everything.
They had bought a house together after a year of dating. Everything about their relationship was perfect. She only needed him, and he reminded her of that just by existing. He would be with her constantly, whenever either one of them needed anything, they were there for each other. Slowly but surely, he became the only person she ever needed to talk to. And she was happy with that.
Vanya had a steady job working as a legislative assistant for the current mayor of The City. Leonard worked as a woodworker in a small shop he had inherited from his father. From what she had heard about his father, he sounded like a real piece of work. To that, she could relate.
“Leonard? I’m home!” Vanya called out, setting her briefcase on the kitchen table. Today had been a good day, she’d been working her ass off for a promotion and finally she’d been compensated for her work. Leonard didn’t answer. “Hello? Anybody home?” She called out, fear settling in her gut. They were never apart for too long. She stepped into the living room, where her boyfriend was sitting on the easy chair, beer in hand. She noticed the many other beer bottles on the floor. “How was your day honey?”
“Shitty.” He said with a glare.
“What happened?”
“I’m being evicted. The shop’s closing down.” He took another swig of beer. “That bitch of a landlords always had it out for me, you know that.”
“That's awful Lenny. I’m so sorry.” She whispered, picking up the empty bottles on the floor. “Would you want to come out with me tonight? A couple co-workers and I were going out for drinks, it might be nice for you to get out of the house for a little-.”
“And you’re just going to leave me? At a time like this? God Vanya, I thought you cared about me.” He spat, standing up so he towered over her.
“I do, I really do. I can cancel tonight, if you would rather me stay here with you.” She spoke softly, she didn’t know what would set him off. When he got upset, it was best to tread lightly.
“I don’t fucking care, Vanya. You can make the right choice.” He stormed his way out of the house, slamming the door behind him as he went. She stood there, staring in shock for a brief moment. She didn’t know when he’d be back, but eventually she was sure that he would. In the meantime, she had a call to make.
Vanya stayed up almost all night waiting for Leonard to come home. She had been pacing the floor in worry, and had left multiple messages on his phone. She had taken way over the dosage of her anxiety medication mindlessly and it was making her feel a little sick. Finally around two in the morning she heard the door open and close. In a rush she ran downstairs to greet him.
He was very very drunk. His gaze turned to her. She feared what he might do, but instead of being aggressive, he gave her a hug. “Oh Vanya, I’m so sorry about earlier. I was under a lot of stress, with everything happening, I lost my temper a little bit. You know I love you so so much.”
“I love you too Leonard. Come on upstairs, I was worried sick.”
“I love you Vanya.” He cried, hugging her and lifting her up off her feet. She laughed and lightly slapped his shoulder.
“Put me down Lenny.” She smiled. He buried his face in the crook of her shoulder and carried her up the stairs, laughing and blabbering drunkenly.
Everything was alright again.