RP with Number Five

[gravity_grrl]

[To say that things hadn't exactly been a holly jolly Christmas season so far would be a gross understatement and considering everything that had happened recently no one was going to blame Roxy for cancelling any and all of her holiday plans.
But Roxy was nothing if not tenacious.
So, in true Roxy fashion she bought herself a fake pink Christmas tree, decorated it in as many pink, purple and black decorations as she could find, bought a bunch of booze and treats and opened her doors up to all her family and friends as well as Five's.
Because you know what? No one was going to spoil her holiday.]

Comments

[oldmanfive]

D'awww, there's nothing wrong with being excited.

[ Klaus replies with a good natured smile as he drops down on the opposite side of Roxy. Suddenly Five feels several eyes on him and he's not on board with being the focal point of anything right now.]

I need another drink.

[ He mutters as he abruptly gets up and heads over to the kitchen moving past Luther without even glancing at him. Luther just lets out a sigh and looks as though he's debating saying anything. Five continues to ignore him as he pulls a water bottle out of the fridge. Inwardly he has to wonder if this was a good idea after all, given how small Roxy's place and how many people will be showing up.]

[gravity_grrl]

[Roxy watches Five go into the kitchen carefully, trying to figure out if he's okay or not. His shoulders have that tense look about them and she gets up after a moment to follow him, giving Klaus a little wink.]

Hey.

[She says softly to Five when she enters the kitchen, giving him a coy little smile.]

I thought I was going to be bartender all night. I would have gotten you another fancy water.

[oldmanfive]

[ It's not lost on Five that his siblings eyes on him and Roxy now, despite some of them trying to act like they aren't watching them. ]

I can't do this. It's getting too crowded in here already.

[ He says with a shake of his head as he puts the water bottle on the counter and makes his way over to the fire escape. He needs air and that seems like the only way he's going to get it.

He much would have rather braved one of Vanya's performance at least all eyes would have been on Vanya and not him.]

[gravity_grrl]

[Roxy is about to follow Five again when there's a knock on the door so she leaves him to get some air while she answers the door, it's the entire Gen 13 crew who arrive with friendly enthusiasm.]

Happy holidays!

[Grunge exclaims and Roxy smiles, hugging each of her friends as they come in. Once she's hung up their coats she quietly asks Bobby to make drinks for everyone while she checks on Five.
She goes out on the little fire escape patio, making sure to close the door behind herself.]

Hey handsome.

[She says, touching his shoulder gently.]

[oldmanfive]

[ It's cold outside, but the cold air does help to clear his head. He contemplates porting to the roof for some extra privacy but he's been trying to go easy on using his powers while working through his recovery. That doesn't make him any less tempted though.

As he hears the door open, his back stiffens because he's not sure if he's fit to be around anyone at this rate. However he smells her perfume, before he feels her hand land on his shoulder. His grip on the railing slightly tightens as he hates disappointing her. She wanted this gathering but he's honestly already hating it and wants to be far away from it.]

I'm sorry, sweetheart. I think I may have overestimated how social I am capable of being right now.

[gravity_grrl]

It's okay.

[She says as she moves up beside him, leaning her body against his softly.]

You are under no pressure to interact with everyone, okay? If you want to hide in the bedroom all night I won't hold it against you.

[oldmanfive]

Unfortunately the bedroom doesn't have a noise filter.

[ He says in a slightly joking tone, but in situations like this, he does wish he has his place available to him. He misses having a place to quietly retreat too when he's not feeling up to being around people. But Lila's ruined that for him, like she has ruined a lot of things for him. ]

It honestly doesn't help that some of my least favorite people are here, sharing my space. I can't be as charitable or forgiving as you.

[ Roxy has a big heart and he loves her for it, but he's too steeped in anger and bitterness over everything that happened to him to be able to forgive his brothers' betrayal. ]

[gravity_grrl]

I know but....

[She says and takes his hand in hers, giving it a little squeeze.]

I just didn't want to exclude anyone, not after everything that has happened. I want to try and bring us all together, not push us further apart.

[She leans in closer to him, kissing his cheek softly.]

But I also realize you need time to work through your anger towards them, so I'm happy to play buffer tonight okay?

[oldmanfive]

[ He shakes his head as he can remember the shit that was said to him when he blew up about Lila being in the main house. He won't ever forgive that because they chose to disregard his feelings. ]

Things will never be the same between me and my brothers, Rox. I risked my life numerous times for those two assholes and they had the nerve to accuse me of lacking empathy because I wouldn't put myself in Lila's shoes. They completely discounted the fact that I knew Lila because I have been in her shoes.

[ He gives her hand a squeeze before pulling his hand out of her grip in favor of gripping the railing again. ]

The Handler was a manipulative bitch that used us both, but I was the asshole because I didn't openly show remorse over a job I carried out at the orders of the people who employed me. How am I suppose to be remorseful over Lila's parents when they aren't the only people I killed under orders. I would have to be remorseful over every life I took. Neither of those assholes know the kind of guilt that I would be buried under if I didn't compartmentalize the Commission stuff.

[ He inhales sharply as he tries to keep his emotions under control, but his brain doesn't necessarily give a damn if it is the holidays or not. ]

My own brothers threw me under the bus for a stranger.

[gravity_grrl]

[She listens patiently, letting him get out some of the venom and anger that is obviously still inside him in regards to his brothers. She isn't going to argue with him about it because she mostly agrees with him, they didn't listen to him and both her and Five almost died because of it. And yet she still wants to try and at least start the healing process between them.]

You don't have to talk to them at all tonight if you don't want to.

[She says and leans against him again, trying to give comfort with her warmth.]

And if you're really hating this party I'll kick everyone out and we can just make out under the tree.

[She adds, hoping for at least a small smile.]

[oldmanfive]

[ Unfortunately he's not ready to smile, even if he appreciates her trying to lighten the mood. Instinctively he leans over to press a kiss to her temple. ]

Go on inside, sweetheart. I just need some time to myself at this point.

[ He tells her, because this is her party and well he doesn't want her to be standing outside in the cold with him, when she can be inside socializing like she wanted. ]

[gravity_grrl]

Okay.

[She says and kisses his cheek.]

I love you.

[She whispers and then heads inside to leave him alone to collect his thoughts. Upon entering her apartment she takes a moment to collect herself and then goes into the kitchen to see how Bobby is doing with making the drinks.]

Five okay?

[He asks her and she nods.]

Yeah he just needs some air.

Understandable. You did invite Grunge after all....his B.O is really awful tonight.

[Bobby jokes and she smiles, motioning for him to grab the drinks and follow her into the living room where she positions him near Klaus. She promised him eye candy after all.]

[oldmanfive]

[ As Five remains outside even as Roxy comes back inside, Five's siblings look a little disappointed that he isn't with her. It's not that Diego and Luther haven't tried to apologize, but an apology isn't really enough for what happened. They both know it as do the rest of their siblings.

Vanya quietly gets up to grab her coat as well as Five's and slips outside onto the fire escape. ]

Kinda cold out here.

[ She tells him as she hold out his coat to him. Slowly he takes the coat from his sister and puts it on because he knows she won't leave until he does. ]

Thanks.

[ Vanya nods as she leans against the railing and places a hand on her brother's shoulder. ]

Do you want me to tell Diego and Luther to leave? I will if it will make you feel more comfortable.

[ Five remains silent as he considers her question. He's honestly sorely tempted to say yes, because he doesn't want to see them right now. But then he feels guilty for feeling so selfish. This is Roxy's party and she's really trying to be a peace keeper here.

Vanya sees the struggle in Five's eyes as the silence stretches and slowly she reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder. ]

They know they fucked up. They won't hold it against you if you don't want them here.

...I don't want them here, but this isn't my party.

[ Instinctively Vanya leans in to give her brother a comforting hug. ]


I get it. I know this is hard. Just don't stay out here too long. Okay?

[ Five simply nods as he slowly pulls away from Vanya's arms. She gives him a small kiss to the cheek, before heading back inside to give him another moment to himself. She's greeted to glances from all of her siblings and all she can do is shrug, because she's got nothing for them. Five's upset and there's not much they can really do about it.

Thus the siblings continue on with the conversations as they all take turns glancing toward the door, waiting to see if Five will come back in. ]

Would anyone like something to eat? I brought a glazed ham and some of the trimmings.

[ Grace speaks up, since she notes the apprehension of her children and she's just use to using food as a means to distract and comfort them. ]

[gravity_grrl]

[Did someone say food? Grunge's ears perk up and even though he has little to no idea about the sibling drama and by no means needs a distraction or comfort he isn't about to say no to a good meal from a pretty woman.]

Glazed ham?! Oh hell yeah!

[He says and trots over to the kitchen like a large hungry dog. Roxy sighs and laughs to herself and not for the first time wonders how she ever dated Grunge for so long. It's almost startling to see the differences between him and Five now that they are both in the same room...well almost.

She glances at the closed patio door and is about to maybe check on Five again when there's a knock on her door, she excuses herself and goes to open it and finds herself face to face with a good looking young man with long hair, intelligent eyes and a calm smile.]

Hey. You must be Roxy.

Yes. How'd you guess?

[Carter's lips twitch up into a slanted smile and he shrugs nonchalantly.]

Your eyes. Five always goes on and on about how you've got the most gorgeous violet eyes and I gotta say, he's right.

[Roxy blinks in surprise and then laughs as she welcomes Carter into her home.]

[extrasensory_problems]

[Roxy's apartment is pretty much as Carter expects it to be, having heard about the bright color scheme from Five when he was preparing to help her paint it. What he isn't expecting though is the number of people in it, all of them lookin at him curiously as Roxy leads him into the living room. He's met Five's brothers before but never his sister's or any of what he's assuming are Roxy's family.
Luckily Carter isn't the type to get flustered and he gives everyone a friendly smile, raising a hand.]

Hey.

Everyone this is Five's friend, Carter.

Nice to meet you all.

[oldmanfive]

How you doing, Carter? It's good to see you.

[ Klaus says with a bright smile as waves at him. He looks toward Vanya and Allison since he hasn't had a proper introduction. ]

This is Allison and Vanya.

[ The sisters smile and wave at him as Grace comes out of the kitchen after fixing Grunge and Luther plates of food. ]

Oh hello, Carter dear. You're looking well.

[ She says kindly as the last time she saw him, she was taking a bullet out of him. She closes the gap between them to give him a hug as she's heard from Roxy that he was the one who helped keep Five becoming comatose after Lila's attack on him.]

I owe you a thank you for helping to save my son.

[ She whispers to him, before relinquishing the light hold on him and looking toward everyone else in the room. ]

Does anyone else want something to eat? I brought a vegan dish too.

[ She mentions since Klaus told her that not only did him and Five not eat meat anymore that one of Roxy's family members didn't eat it either.]

[extrasensory_problems]

[Carter can't help but blush a little when Grace hugs and thanks him, he knows she's a robot but she's still stunningly beautiful and it's not often that he gets praised for saving people.]

Hi Grace, and no need to thank me. I'm just happy it worked and that he's okay.

[While people start to help themselves to the food Grace has brought Roxy takes the time to introduce Carter to her friends who all seem curious about him but after introductions are made he takes Roxy aside and quietly asks her where Five is. She bites her lower lip and motions to the little patio she has and Carter goes outside to see Five.]

You know, had I know you were out here I would have sung you Christmas carols on the street.

[He teases.]

Or at least thrown snowballs at you.

[oldmanfive]

[ Five's just absentmindedly looking out at the city with his hands jammed into his coat pocket. Despite the cold air, he's not in any hurry to go back inside and be faced with human interaction.

His shoulders partly stiffen when he hears the door open again, but he lets out a small sigh when he hears Carter's voice. He doesn't have much of a sense of humor at the moment, so he doesn't really crack a smile at the jokes. He just shrugs and looks back at the city.]

Hey Carter.

[extrasensory_problems]

[Carter comes and stands next to Five, stuffing his own hands into the pockets of his jacket as they both just look out at the city. After a few moments of silence he finally speaks.]

This is probably a stupid question and I already know half of the answer but how are you?

[oldmanfive]

I'm okay I guess...

[ Five says with a shrug, because he's not at his worse, he's just angry and feeling claustrophobic. Rather than go inside and possibly start fights, he's been staying outside trying to keep the peace.]

[extrasensory_problems]

You wanna talk about....all of the uncomfortable family stuff in there?

[Carter says and motions behind him at the party inside, where they can now hear both groups conversing pleasantly.]

Or would you rather we talk about something a bit lighter? Maybe like how fucking happy and relieved I am to see you finally?

[oldmanfive]

[ Five does manage a smile but it is on the sad side as he bumps his shoulder against Carter's. ]

I am happy to see you, Carter...even if I don't fully remember everything that happened after Lila fried my brain. I still have the feeling that I owe you and that isn't just because the others told me you helped me.

[extrasensory_problems]

You don't owe me anything, except for a hug.

[Carter says.]

Which I'll take now or later, either works.

[oldmanfive]

[That does get a laugh out of Five as he leans in to give Carter a hug. Because yeah it is good to see his friend.]

Well I got you a Christmas gift. So I hope you don't mind. I promise it isn't because I feel I owe you though. I just felt bad that I missed your birthday.

[extrasensory_problems]

[Carter's face breaks into a warm smile when Five hugs him and he wraps his arms around his friend, hugging him tightly. He knows that it's been difficult for both Five and Roxy, recovering physically and emotionally from Lila's attack, so he hasn't pushed to see Five but now that he can see and hold his friend he finds himself close to tears with relief. He holds onto him for a good long moment before finally releasing him, still smiling.]

A Christmas gift from my favorite older brother? Now why on earth would I mind that? I haven't gotten a gift from a family member since I was thirteen.