Chapter Text
"The ties that bind you together make you stronger than you are alone. They will make you impervious to the pain and hardship the world will thrust upon you. And believe me when I tell you, life will be hard. It will be painful."
Those were Reginald Hargreeves' words, and though this was uttered in repeat to instruct and raise the morale of his then soldiers, slash dysfunctional children so they do not kill each other by choice, Viktor took his father's message to heart while building his life anew in Canada.
Viktor Hargreeves had always been resilient in achieving a goal, one step at a time. Those times he encouraged himself to learn the violin while his siblings all mastered their craft was proof that he could do anything he put his mind to. With or without his siblings, with or without a superpower, he strived to be extraordinary.
And he became extraordinary, if not more deadly.
But unlike his siblings who grew up wrapped up in the protective bubble of their powers, he was just plain old Viktor who grabbed everything he owned with his own hands. His life in particular had been hard and painful, cruel even, but Viktor still knew how it is to be kind. He spent his childhood always reaching out, so building ties was second nature to him. It became more apparent after his episode of amnesia in the 60's when someone actually extended a caring, loving hand thanks to Sissy.
So when thrown into a new world, nameless, powerless, and alone once again, Viktor Hargreeves could only step forward and tell himself that this time would be different. He refused to be beaten down, not when he had just discovered his true self beyond his family's eyes and the definition of his ability.
Ultimately, it was just him.
There wasn't much at first, he had no money to his name, no identity, and no family. Funny, one would think after escaping another death scheme from their father, his family would learn to stick together in this new timeline too, and figure things out together again. But no. Viktor supposed they must've gotten sick of each other after being stuck together in Hotel Obsidian for too they grabbed the first chance of escape with lightning bolt speed.
Without looking back to who was left behind.
And Viktor was done being left behind.
The new world was daunting for him, but he didn't feel like he lost much when he lost his powers. In fact, he was always much better off without it. Well, debatable depending on the need. He worried about his siblings, yes, but without a roof above his head and food in his stomach, Reginald Hargreeves would surely die of hysteria for his foolishness. Viktor didn't want to give him that satisfaction.
So, to survive, he focused all his energy on that one thing he had always been good at with powers or not: playing his violin.
It took him one and a half years to establish himself as a musician in different bars and clubs in the area, and another half year to be sought out by theater performers and orchestras. Another year to finally become a substitute instructor in a private institute with fewer papers, and then another year to suddenly receive a phone call with huge pocket money coming from Five saying it was about time Viktor started having records in the new society so he could easily find him what with Five being in the CIA.
"Five, where did you get all this money from?" Viktor hissed after the initial disbelief at the cheque sent his way. He tightened his hold on the receiver. "Did you rob a bank? Did you really become a hoodlum again?"
"It's nice to hear someone finally worry about me, brother. The rest of our siblings are just not as excited."
"Five!"
"Hey, it's fine. Reginald Hargreeves is still loaded even in this world so he wouldn't mind me picking a few from his stash."
"You stole from dad?" His father must be really bad because even Viktor found it amusing.
"You make it sound like a crime."
"But what if traces you? What if he finds you?"
"Did you think that wasn't the plan? Honestly, with that kind of security, he's practically asking for it. He should be proud of me for trying."
"No, I don't think that would... it won't make him proud, Five."
"Well, I did it because I wanted to play him and I succeeded, so losers weepers. That's why I found myself with unnecessary cash and decided I should give them all to you."
"A-- all of it?" Viktor coughed.
"Yep. And you don't need to give me receipts of how you spend them, I'm not crazy."
"Five, this is too much! You must have something you'd want to spend it on somehow?"
He heard Five's familiar sigh.
"Viktor, my brother, sadly, my needs are immaterial and no amount of money can satisfy me at this point in life."
"You sound like an old man."
"Because I am an old man."
Viktor pressed a palm on his forehead, feeling how surreal Five could still be despite being a normal human. But then, he still felt all his siblings were special.
"But why me?" Being a little timid was still Viktor's main characteristic. Deep inside him, he wanted assurance that this was not a means to an end. He was done being betrayed and he didn't want to think of his siblings this way anymore.
There was a beat filled with silence. Viktor wondered if Five was contemplating how to blip to Canada without powers. Maybe Five can use the CIA helicopters? It wasn't out of his older brother's capabilities just to show him.
Then Five answered him in a very solemn voice.
It was a gift for being alive and an apology for being late in finding him, he said.
Viktor played with the phone's cord but didn't accept that. He didn't need finding or saving. He made sure to voice it out no matter how softly.
"Then consider it a gift from an older brother to a younger brother. No talk, no over think, just take."
Five hung up when Viktor asked if Five sent the same amount to Klaus. But he was touched by the gesture. Five was anything but present, but he was always responsible. And having Five suddenly choose him out of the others made his heart really swell. No, he wished he wasn't tearing up because of that.
Staring at the digits, okay maybe Five was a little too responsible and irresponsible, bordering on suspicious. But this was Five and if anything Viktor learned from him is just to roll with it.
With a lot of digits as his capital, he started a winery store. Two years later, here he was with a bar on his name and everyone's a patron calling him Vik. No one pried about his past unnecessarily. He was just another stranger to settle in the northern lands. Just another nobody. He was used to that. He was also used to getting dumped left and right.
Oh, he built ties, yes. He was the favorite of the locals here because Vik found them all to be nice people. Always inviting him to anything and everything. But some of the Hargreeves history in a relationship must've rubbed off him. Apparently, his years of experience saving the world can't save any of his relationships. But he really tries.
"That was what, the fourth one this month?" laughed Connor, the town butcher after another scene of Viktor getting dumped on the spot. He was a nice guy overall, but all his wrestle mania muscles still intimidate Viktor to a fault.
"Second. And that's not a nice thing to count. You're also drunk. Please drink in moderation." It does make him nervous to be so powerless in the company of the strong, but good thing Connor was a softy when it comes to Vik. All of them were. Well, except for his exes.
Viktor tugged the towel hanging by his right shoulder in defeat as he watched another past relationship walk out the door into the night.
"You sure know how to reel them in, but can't make them stay." taunted the young female barista with golden locks behind the counter.
Viktor side-eyed her. Cassidy Claire. Beautiful, confident, does the job so well people pay glass per glass for her company and she's only been here a few months. Viktor could see the appeal, but she was someone out of his league. Someone Viktor can't spell out in this small town. Plus the fact she was the daughter of Hannah, Vik's fierce barista who was on vacation at the moment. Not that Viktor thought of having a chance. Cassidy had seen numerous dumping scenes she was already part of the crowd throwing jeers at him. They were cool. She was a good employee and casual friend.
She was also called CC, much to Viktor's chagrin.
"Come here, Vik, join the adults." Connor tapped the stool beside him. Viktor glanced around. The bar was almost empty on a Tuesday night. He slowly approached the counter but didn't sit down. Connor was not done with his piece, which Viktor was already used to. "What am I saying? You've got more relationships than I do in this lifetime. The stories I hear, right CC?"
"I don't know much about what you hear, only what I see." The bartender inclined her head to the doorway where Vik's now ex disappeared.
"I keep telling you those stories are exaggerated and not true." Viktor took another glance behind him before sliding next to the old patron, avoiding the bartender's eyes and finding himself hoping she didn't believe the stories, "What do I have to do to make them disappear?"
Once upon a time, saying those words would actually make people (his siblings) jump.
The butcher laughed heartily, if too drunkenly.
"Can't undo them, kiddo. Wherever successful people go, nasty stories will follow." He hiccuped, "In your case, women follow."
"I won't say I am that successful yet," Viktor mumbled humbly.
"You own a bar, what else defines a winner, eh?" Connor chugged his beer empty, his face a shade of pink, "Oh, but you're young. You're probably looking for something more. Every one of you is, even when life is good already. We, old--"
Cassidy placed a drink in front of Viktor who just stared at it but didn't touch it. She shook her head at the butcher showing no sign of fear at the drunken giant bear. Must be her experience being married to a gangster before, or so Viktor heard.
"Uh- uh. Don't pull the generational crap card out of nowhere, Con. You don't get to define what success is for anyone. One can have a cat and think they're the riches of them all."
"Can't have them too many cats, then." He hiccuped again, almost causing the bottle to slip into his hands.
CC smartly pulled the bottle away from Connor's hand and placed it under the counter. Just in time when the butcher's head slumped down the empty table. Viktor jumped up to check on him but his grunt and snore brushed all his concern.
"He's alright. Mind him Vik, and he's gonna keep haunting you in your sleep. He's just a bad tease sometimes but he always means good."
"You're also in it." Viktor pointed out.
"Want me to wake him so he can continue the generational lecture?" CC raised an eyebrow.
"No, let's not disturb him."
"Or I will call Henry so he could take his husband off our table." She turned and was on the phone before Viktor could respond. He watched her for a minute, then dropped his eyes to the counter the second she stepped back.
"He said he was already on his way, anyway. D'you want a different drink? Because I noticed you haven't touched what I gave you."
Viktor took a beat to respond.
"I don't really uh..." He couldn't tell her how paranoid he was of accepting drinks from strangers in fear of it getting spiked, or turning his back on strangers in fear of them sneaking chloroformed cloths to his face. Or trusting anyone aside from his family.
"Vik, are you okay?" Cassidy asked in concern. "You look pale."
Viktor wetted his dry lips and nodded quietly. Who knew he was this damaged from attacks that should have been expected in a family like his?
But he was different now. He has no superpowers for anyone to fear. No reason for him to get harmed. It took a lot to tell himself he was okay now.
"Fine." He slid his fingers on the glass but took time before his first sip. If CC found it weird, she kept it all to herself. "Those stories aren't true, by the way."
"What stories?"
"The ones you heard." Viktor let the strong liquor linger on his tongue longer with another sip. To keep his head in the conversation.
"What do you mind about what I heard?" She chuckled, grabbing a clean towel and mechanically wiping the glasses on her right.
"Because I care," he exhaled, looking up at her, "And uh, really just, I don't want you looking at me funny."
She frowned. "I don't look at you funny."
"You do. You always have that grin when I get dumped. Every time." Viktor tried not to sound dramatic, but maybe it was his way of venting.
"Oh, right," she looked thoughtful, "It's because I think its funny none of your exes actually slap you across the face. Every single dumping scene. Doesn't that show how much they still care about you? You probably treated them right."
Viktor smiled.
"Yeah, well I still get left behind and they don't tell me why."
"Hmm," she looked at him. Just looked at him. "I actually heard a few snippets about you. My mom won't shut up about it the first time she got the job. Said you're the only person in town who didn't laugh at the idea of an old lady being a bartender."
"She's not that old. She's great."
"Reason why she loves you. She keeps note of all your little encounters here in the bar. When you appeared in Canada, actually. All the random acts of kindness in 'Vik's Good Journal."
Viktor actually laughed. "I am not... Really, I'm just... She's a nice lady. Both of you are."
There was a moment where they locked eyes. Words disappeared replaced by mutual merriment and comfort finally falling between the two. Cassidy poured him another drink then got one of the glasses she was wiping and poured one for her too. The night was deep, the bar was lit up, yet so few people mattered to Viktor at that second. CC drank the contents of her glass in one go like it was water.
"So what's your story, huh? How did you end up here in one of the coldest regions on earth?"
"That's a pretty heavy start." Viktor watched her with interest. "It's also a very long story. Way long."
"This is a pretty heavy drink," she shrugged, putting the glass away and doing away with her wiping. "And I have all the time in the world since my boss is making me work extra."
"Sue his ass."
"I don't think I will." Her eyes twinkled. Viktor liked it. "So are you gonna spill?"
"You won't believe me even if I tell you." It was a story he planned to keep to the grave.
"My mom practically worships you, there's nothing you can tell me that'll make me think less of you, Vik."
"Oh, this one will," he felt quite relaxed somehow, probably the effects of the drinks. "For starters, my family sucks at communicating so until now only three of my siblings of six have called me in six years. At least once."
It was true, after Five's generous gift, the catch was a series of phone calls from his other siblings: Luther first telling him to save his number and asking for his address, Diego second telling him he is an uncle to many kids and to ring him if he ever gets into trouble, also if he needs delivery. Then Luther again reminded him to join the updates on the family newsletter. Viktor read it once and found out Klaus was avoiding a lot of things like phone calls, going outside, pedestrians, vehicles and touching anything that could cause him physical harm which left Viktor more puzzled than ever.
No Allison.
Though she was pretty much updated on the newsletter that even contained Viktor's number, she didn't call. Viktor didn't think he'd be that hung up on that until now, after what happened between them in the last timeline. But he missed her.
"Sounds to me like you're happy they called. Why leave them?"
"Because I had to. We all can't be in one place at once, we have this sort of jinx of ending things..." Viktor pressed his lips on the glass again to drink. He felt that hot liquid slides down his throat.
Cassidy watched him curiously.
"So what, you just woke up one day and thought, yeah, Canada," CC smirked at him. Viktor almost smiled.
"Well. It was far, that was a check. Cold, my siblings wouldn't bother a spot check if the weather is shit, so another check." Viktor drummed his fingers on the counter. His siblings probably would if there was another apocalypse, but that's impossible seeing as they are now normal people. "And there's a lot of space so I don't suffocate and-"
"-and you can run and hide from all your exes?"
"I, uh," the amusement in her voice made Viktor sheepish, "I'm... I'm always trying to figure things out, but I guess the expectation is always too much so they leave. I told you they don't tell me anything."
"No, Viktor. You're just too much of everybody's guy and that's every woman's enemy." CC continued wiping a tall beer mug with a knowing smile.
"What do you mean?"
"It means if you're always flashing your cute smile everytime a new customer comes in whether menfolk or women folk, you make your girls just want to punch you. But they don't so they just leave."
Viktor pressed his lips. So she thinks him cute?
"But it's customer service."
"Mmmm. Tell me the number of times you got the tab for new customers who come from strange places after listening to them?"
"Lots of lost people in life come and go here with stories to share. I think it's just right to listen to them when they are having a hard time."
"Helped anyone on their feet when they're smashed or helped break out a fight?"
"It's my bar. It's my responsibility."
"Comforted any crying ladies lately?"
"That's basic human decency."
"And that's one thing your girlfriends don't know whether to like or hate about you. You are just so good to everyone, you make them jealous each time you are kind."
Viktor stared. "I make people jealous?"
"A kind of power you should be careful in wielding or you will die alone, Vik."
The expression on CC's face was still curious, but it was nothing to Viktor's silent shock. Never in his lifetime did he think that he could make anyone jealous of his attention. Usually, they'd pay him to put it somewhere else.
But that wasn't the point. The point was he was hurting his partner every time he was too generous of his attention to anyone. He still refused to see that being 'kind' was a fault in a relationship. Maybe partners do need to communicate even the most mundane things he never thought would happen to him. Viktor hung his head.
"I'm an asshole."
"You were. Kinda." CC agreed too quickly which made Viktor smile this time despite himself.
"You got me all figured out."
"No. You're intentions are just too clear. You don't want to hurt anyone, but by doing so, will always end up hurting the closest people to you and then you suffer and then it's a cycle, it's something I've seen before."
Viktor considered this and nodded.
"Well, I'm single now which means no one should be getting jealous any time soon. I can listen to you." He emptied his glass and felt his middle burn. She went ahead and poured some more.
"Oh, Vik. If I wanted to tell you my story, I'd do it when you're sober. And also, if I have anything to tell that my mother hasn't already."
Viktor knitted his brows. He was feeling hot from his toes. Was that normal? The alcohol was messing with his system. "She did say you married a gangster once."
"You both make it sound like it's a bad thing. It's not my fault I have an appetite for bad boys."
"Well, I can be bad if I wanted to. I could-" exploded the moon once? Even when drunk he found the statement ridiculous. "Um... I could smash a window. But not my window. Or not your window but just..." Viktor blinked and wondered if he had imagined making the table shudder. Oh no, he was just a bad drunk. Since when did he drink so much to the point of being more than tipsy?
"I think you can do so much more, Vik. But I also know you're not one for violence. You surely won't hurt me. " CC's voice was coming from somewhere far away. Viktor felt like someone was squeezing his eyes shut for him.
Weird.
"I guess uh, I think I uh... I should get some sleep before I embarrass myself anymore in front of you." He stood up, trying to maintain the dignity of a bar owner who would not get caught intoxicated in his own establishment.
"You could never," CC assured him.
He believed her.
When he woke up at the kick of body pain, Viktor was in his room lying face down on his bed which was so unlike him. He was also still in his full dress and shoes. Very unlike him.
"Man," he straightened up, feeling groggy. His body felt heavy, but more than the pain in his limbs was the constant buzzing in his head, adding to that the pain when he remembered his last conversation with CC. Embarrassment filled him in an instant. He was glad he didn't blurt out how he liked her quite differently than the others. Cassidy will laugh in his face.
He was still a little out of it when he cleaned himself up with all the strength he could muster. He figured it was already mid-afternoon what with the sunlight happily stinging his eyes when he opened the bathroom windows. He opted to close them again. It wasn't the first and last time he slept in, but he was glad he kept this room available for himself in case he needed to stay in the bar. So he took his time. Most of it sluggishly spent on the singular couch across the room, just staring into space and wishing his stomach would fill itself without the fear of throwing up.
What was the name of the alcohol given to him? It was too strong his legs were like jelly as he walked downstairs to the bar where his room was directly above. It was almost past three and a few drinkers were already making a ruckus on one of the tables. Viktor thought for a moment they could go kill themselves for all he cared. Then he remembered how bad the thought was and berated himself.
"Guys, please, just...quiet it down. It's on the house if you want just be quiet." He told them exasperatedly. He didn't wait for any response. All he wanted to do was lie down and die somewhere. But he only reached the bar counter where he contemplated banging his head without alarming his customers. He sat down groaning.
"What happened to Connor?"
"I don't think you should be worrying about anyone when you don't look so good yourself." Cassidy's familiar voice hurt his ears. "Want a pick-me-up?"
"My head's splitting in two," Viktor mumbled, "Whatever you gave me last night is a real puncher. And those guys won't stop fighting I want to kick them out of here before I blow them into pieces." Saying it made him feel bad because just then he felt like he could do it the way he could feel the tips of his fingers vibrating. He must be out of his mind.
"Oh it's not that had. It shouldn't be something you can't handle. I'm sure you've shared lots of drinks with your brothers. That Klaus will give you a run for your money if he found your bar."
Viktor opened his eyes with a thumping heart. Suddenly, everything was lucid. He slowly straightened from where he was sitting, all attention to the bartender in front of him.
"How did you know that name?" Viktor looked her directly in the eyes, feeling sober. Behind him, the men had started shouting at each other with strong verbatim Viktor usually can't ignore. "I never mentioned any of my siblings' names to you. To anyone."
CC paused. The men had started a brawl enough to disarrange the tables and still Viktor's full attention was on her.
"What do you mean, Vik? Of course, you did--"
"Never." He would never put his siblings in harm by casually mentioning any of them.
But something was happening and Viktor was aware of it. The moment the air picked up he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. He looked down at his hands and saw the faint glowing of his skin. He froze up, feeling the beating of his heart
"CC... What have you done?"
Cassidy didn't even blink. For the first time the twinkle in her eyes that Viktor usually sees was gone, replaced by a stranger. They stared at each other for a full minute until he saw her eye down the set of glasses on the table. Among the clean beer glasses was a clear, empty jar. But Viktor could see the specs of marigold glittering inside it.
The rowdy men behind Viktor all but threw each other on the hard surface of the tables and still Viktor endured. Because if he didn't contain this anger then nothing and no one will be saved.
Viktor gritted his teeth. He had so many questions for her but ultimately, there's just one that mattered. "Why?" Because she was almost part of that new life he built. So why?
The plain look she gave him was a dagger.
"She's not my real mom but she gets paid playing the part. How do you think she got that vacation check? You were quite trusting of her and the others, but so cautious you never drank anything anybody gave you so it was hard to plan this out."
A sharp airwave of blue and all the glasses shattered in the bar. People screamed.
Plan out? Trust her and the others? Was the whole town in it too? Were they all watching him? There was a plan all this time? How? And who was behind this? Viktor had an idea but he wished it wasn't him.
Cassidy chuckled and that was really brave of her in the face of the unknown danger, or maybe she was pretending. "Look at you. Will your siblings be the same when they get back their powers? Oh, I updated your situation in your family's newsletter. If they cared, they'd all be here in a heartbeat, right?"
Viktor was numbed. He closed his fist and shut his mouth while letting the betrayal sink in. All the while he could feel his powers growing. This was such a bad day.
"Do you know what you've done?" He asked her eerily, finally standing up from his chair. The force he let out had brawling men, who stopped arguing behind him, get flattened on the ground.
Viktor's glowing eyes didn't leave Cassidy's, who for the first time, took a step backwards uncertainly. Viktor intentionally had her standing still before him. She will answer him.
"Whoever you are working for... Are they after my siblings too?"
CC must be a fool not to fear him. Did she think he wouldn't hurt her because what-- he was kind?
"It's all part of the plan." She said steely.
Viktor was irreconcilable. The whole place had to go down. A flash of blue and white whipped the space that cracked the walls and pedestals. The vibrating whirlwind drowned the screams.
And so came the earthquake.
This was how he severed ties.