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"Well, I guess I can start after everyone left the Academy besides Ivy and I" Luther starts, "I couldn't understand why you guys had left. Dad gave us everything we needed, provided us with fitness, and gave us a home. I became bitter, and I didn't talk to Ivy for months after that. We were sent on missions, but even then I wouldn't talk to her. I was scared, terrified even that she would leave too. Dad wouldn't understand why I looked up to him so much, why Ivy and I never talked. One mission, Ivy couldn't save my ass in time, which I'm not mad about, I rushed in without her knowledge, and I almost got killed. Ivy's healing powers only helped to a certain extent, and I was put into the infirmary until my surgery was complete. After I woke up in the body of an ape, I tried talking to Ivy, or Dad, even Mom and Pogo. They wouldn't talk to me, maybe they were too ashamed to see me the way they did. After that moment, I knew that I needed to leave. I wanted to make my grand escape. But I couldn't leave Ivy there, in that shit show of a house by herself. Who knows what Dad would've done to her."
"You stayed to protect me?" Ivy says, shocked at what he was saying. Luther wanted to leave? Was she the reason he never did?
"Yeah. I refused to let Dad use you the way that he did me. And when he sent me to the moon, I was excited. I was hoping that Dad would be proud of me for once in my life. But as always, I was wrong.." He trails off, and looks away, wiping his face as he continues. Diego watches and pats his back, offering his own comfort. Luther looks at him and smiles sadly, before continuing.
"I started talking to Ivy every second I could. I wondered how she was doing on missions on her own, but I knew I shouldn't worry about the girl, because I knew she was going to be okay on her own, she can copy our powers, for fucks sake, she would be fine. When I came back for Dad's funeral, and she was there, but it looked like she wasn't there. I was confused. What had happened while I was gone. I tried to talk to her, tried hugging her, tried cheering her up, I thought she was just taking Dad's death hard, you know? Once I had realized that his death looked suspicious, I tried taking over, becoming the leader that I wanted to be. That's all I had ever wanted, being a leader, so that people could understand that standing on the sidelines when someone needed help wasn't okay. I realized about I don't know, two minutes before we had jumped into the 60's that it wasn't okay. My true responsibility was to make sure my siblings were alright. Dad pulled me aside on day, telling me how that was my job. Ivy's job was to lead. That's why she was Zero. I didn't think like that. I thought the other way around because Ivy was good at controlling all your emotions, grounding you, making sure you were alright." Luther stopped to take a big intake of breath.
"Lulu, it was always your job to lead. I don't know what Dad told you, but I was only your co leader because he knew I could handle the stressful times and to make sure our siblings were okay. Don't beat yourself over the fact that our Father lied to you about your job. You were a great leader." Ivy told him, moving by Luther so that he knew. Ivy smiled, leaning on his shoulder as she grabbed his hand, and interlinking their fingers together. Luther smiled again, going back to what he was saying.
"Even then, when I saw Dad's face in the 60's I felt pride again, he didn't know us then, maybe I would get a head start on trying to win over his affection again. And as you can see, it didn't work. Once I realized how much a of ass our father was, I tried not to think about everything he lied to me about. Everything that made myself me, I thought was a lie. Everything. I suffered so much, did so much for him. And for what? Him to send me to the fucking moon for four years and not even have the fucking decency to look at all the work I was proud about, for years?" Luther ends his little rant, eyes filled with tears that refused to come out. Everyone's eyes were sympathetic, even Five who had a little concern in his aura.
"Oh, Luther..." Ben says, and that what breaks Luther. He looks away from everyone at the first sniffle, then looks down. Diego and Klaus legs are on him, and he doesn't mind whats so ever. Ivy squeezes their hands tighter.
"All I've ever wanted in life was to have my siblings in one house, living with parents who actually fucking cared about our well being. Who genuinely wanted to see us succeed, and pick us up when we fall. I turned to so many dangerous things for myself these past few years. I've never felt more alone in these last years, even when I was with you all. Everything i've done was to either make sure Dad saw me, not as the ape looking creature I was, but as a son. I just can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that.." Luther breaks away again, letting them see him truly in his most vulnerable state hes ever been in.
"I'm supposed to be the strong one, the one who carries everyone to bed before I get there myself, to pick up the broken pieces of everyone, and to carry them on my shoulders. But I guess Im not as strong as I think I am." Luther whispers, barely high enough for everyone to hear, but when they do they let out sounds of protest.
"Luther, don't you ever say any of that shit ever again, you hear me? You are collectively stronger then any of us, this is truthfully the first time I've ever seen you like this. And I've been around longer then anyone here. Don't you dare sell yourself short like that. You understand me?" Ivy says, pulling him into a hug that Diego and Klaus join into automatically. They hear a sound, followed by a hand with a box of tissues in it. Luther looks up and sees Five standing there, looking sad as ever, but softly smiles at him. He smiles back, grabbing a few tissues and blowing his nose.
"We love you terribly Lu, you know that right?" Allison says, putting her feet in his lap, putting her head on the other couch they have.
"Yeah, I know. If you told me that years ago I wouldn't believe you." Luther tells him, and they can all feel their hearts breaking.
"You better believe it, big boy. We all love you, any bad blood we had between us, over." Diego says, patting Luther's back. Luther smiles and chuckles.
"Can we continue Lulu?" Ivy's soft and nurturing voice comes in, asking Luther for permission before Diego starts.
"Yeah, it's your turn Diego." Five says, Blinking to the sofa and laying down on it.
"You could've walked over to it, you know?" Ben says, a soft smile on his face as he looks up at Five.
"I'm too lazy to get up and walk." Five mumbles, getting a laugh out of everyone.
"When you're ready to start, Di." Viktor says, turning to put his back against one of the recliners.
Diego sighs, "Yeah. I guess we can start after the Academy...."