Phoenix under the Umbrella (Umbrella Academy AU) Chapter 44: In Better Hands

[Third Person's PoV] 


A bit earlier…


Diego sat in the police precinct, facing Patch, his ex-girlfriend, now a stern policewoman.


“Diego, I know failing the police academy hit you hard, but you can’t keep doing this. It’s not healthy,” Patch said, her voice calm but firm.


Diego flashed a teasing grin. “Come on, you used to love this. Thought it was cool.”


Patch, however, wasn’t amused. “Yeah, Diego, used to. That was in the past. Want to know what happened? I grew up, matured. I have responsibilities now. Maybe it's about time you started doing the same. You’re not a kid anymore.”


Diego's grin faltered, his expression crumbling slightly under her words. He knew she was right, but it still stung.


Patch sighed and reached over to uncuff him. “I’m letting you off this time as a warning because of our past, but don't interrupt a police investigation again. Next time, I won’t be as lenient.”


Diego rubbed his wrists and shook his head. “Alright, alright, I got it,” he muttered, standing up and heading out of the precinct.


As he reached his car parked nearby, he glanced back at the building before getting in and starting the engine. His mind was elsewhere—on Nathan and Five. He had questions that needed answering, and the house was the place to start.


When he arrived at the house, he walked in without announcing himself. Heading upstairs, he saw Five blinking out of Nathan's room.


“Five... what were you just doing in Nathan’s room?” Diego asked, suspicion lacing his tone.


Five gave him a nonchalant look. “What does it look like? I was looking for him. But he’s not here. And just when I needed him, too,” Five grumbled.


“Hold on. I need to ask you something.”


“Can it wait?”


“No, it can't, Five. What’s going on? Why did you and Nathan kill those people at the diner?” Diego asked, eyes narrowing as he looked Five up and down.


“Nathan didn’t kill anyone. That was all me. They came after me. What’d you expect me to do? Let them?” Five scoffed.


“No, but why were they after you? Who were they?” Diego pressed.


Five rolled his eyes. “Why does it matter? It’s already taken care of.”


“It matters when you leave a trail of dead bodies, Five,” Diego said, frustration creeping into his voice.


“They weren’t innocent if that’s what you’re worried about,” Five said dismissively. Before Diego could push further, Five blinked away, leaving him standing there alone.


As Diego opened his mouth to call out after him, a familiar voice interrupted. “Oh, Diego, just the brother I wanted to see.”


Diego sighed, turning around. “What do you want, Klaus?”


“Can you drive me somewhere?” Klaus asked with a grin.


Diego scoffed, ready to decline, but something about the way Klaus stood there made him reconsider. Against his better judgment, he sighed. “Fine. Let’s go. I was heading out anyway.”


…


Outside the house, a car with tinted windows sat parked across the street. Inside, a man casually ate a burger, his eyes glued to the house. As he took a fry from his bag, he watched Klaus and Diego exit and get into a car.


The man quickly dusted off his hands and gulped down a drink, before slowly pulling out behind them, keeping a safe distance. He tailed them as they drove, careful not to draw attention.


After a few minutes, Diego and Klaus parked in front of a pawn shop. Klaus got out and walked inside, leaving Diego in the car.


The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now, what could he be selling? Their father just died... could it be something of his?”


He watched as Klaus exited the shop, walking off a short distance. Seizing the moment, the man climbed out of his car and entered the pawn shop.


Inside, he approached the clerk casually. “Hey, if you don’t mind me asking, what did the guy who just came in sell?”


The clerk shrugged and pulled out a small golden chain, dangling it in front of the man. “Just this monocle.”


The man’s eyes widened in disbelief, almost feverish with excitement. “I’ll buy it! How much?”


The clerk raised an eyebrow, suspicious of the man’s eagerness.


The man rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it cool. “Sorry, I just... I really like monocles. I’m a collector. They’re pretty rare, so seeing one in a pawn shop surprised me.”


“Well, it’ll be $65,” the clerk said, still eyeing him warily.


“You got it,” the man replied, fumbling for his wallet.


…


Klaus returned from the dark alley and slumped back into the passenger seat. Diego eyed him suspiciously as he began to drive.


“Klaus... What did you just sell?” Diego asked, his tone edged with concern.


“Jewelry that just didn’t suit me anymore. Didn’t have any use for it, so I traded it for something more... practical,” Klaus replied nonchalantly, leaning back in his seat.


Diego glanced at him skeptically. “Practical?”


Klaus ignored the question, reaching into his pockets and pulling out a small bottle of pills. Without hesitation, he popped one into his hand.


“Klaus, put that away,” Diego said, his voice firm.


Klaus didn’t listen, moving to swallow a pill. But before he could, Diego swatted his hand away. “Come on, man! You’ve gotta stop doing this to yourself. Put them away.”


“Stop it!” Klaus snapped, struggling to bring the pill to his mouth.


“No, Klaus! Drop it! Drugs aren’t the answer to everything!” Diego barked, his frustration bubbling over.


As they reached a red light, Diego and Klaus broke into a comical slapping match, both trying to overpower the other.


“Alright, alright!” Klaus finally yelled, thrashing about in the seat, spilling the pills all over the car.


Panting from the brief scuffle, Klaus shot Diego an irritated glare. “And just so we’re clear, you're not as cool as Nathan. He did drugs with me.”


“I refuse to believe that,” Diego scoffed, shaking his head. But before he could continue...


“Stop the car,” Klaus demanded.


“What?”


“I said, stop the car. Drop me off here.” Klaus’s tone was suddenly serious, leaving Diego puzzled.


Diego glanced around, noticing they had pulled up next to a veteran’s bar. Reluctantly, he pulled over and watched as Klaus climbed out of the car and headed inside. Sighing, Diego turned off the engine and followed him.


Klaus wandered through the dimly lit bar, ignoring the suspicious glares from the older men seated inside. His focus was on a bulletin board covered with photographs. His lips quivered as he reached out, his hand trembling as his fingers brushed against one particular photo.


The image was of Klaus and Dave, both in military gear, surrounded by their comrades. They were all smiling, their rifles slung over their shoulders.


Diego entered the bar quietly, his eyes full of concern as he watched his brother’s fragile state.



---


In Heaven:


Nathan landed gracefully, dispelling the barrier that surrounded Dave. Dave stood frozen in awe, still processing what had just happened.


“Hey, you ready to leave? Heaven’s overrated as hell,” Nathan quipped with a smirk.


“Did... did you really just fight God to a standstill?” Dave asked, his voice filled with disbelief.


Nathan shrugged. “Didn’t have much choice. If I’d gone any harder, I’d have destroyed the universe. Had to keep it balanced,” he sighed, as if this were just another Tuesday.


“That’s... insane,” Dave muttered, still in shock.


Nathan laughed. “The things we do for family, right?” He placed a hand on Dave’s shoulder and began leading him away.


“I doubt most family members would do what you just did,” Dave said, shaking his head with a weary smile.


“Klaus is lucky to have you as his brother.”


Nathan scoffed. “Lucky? He’s a pain in my ass, that’s what he is. There are times I just want to grab him by his skinny neck and choke the life out of him.”


Dave chuckled softly as they both vanished in a burst of flames, leaving heaven behind.