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Masterlist:

The Umbrella Academy-

Diego:

Knives and Kisses Series

Headcanon: Your Relationship

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Series~ Chapter 4: And then I saw her face

Series Summary:  Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

-

Chapter Summary:

You find yourself at the Umbrella Academy looking for someone. The truth comes out and Diego finally gets to learn something about you.

Pairing: Diego x (fem) reader

Warnings: Some cuss words? Klaus? I think that’s it.

Author’s Note: This is a chapter from the reader’s perspective instead of Diego’s like the previous ones. It was originally longer but I split it into two chapters. Yes, Klaus is in this chapter and I love him very much. He’s gonna be a big part of this, so you will be seeing him again after this chapter quite a bit. And the other siblings are coming into play real soon. Not gonna lie though, you’re about to learn some VERY important things about the reader, a few hints towards other characters I’m introducing later, and I really like how this chapter turned out. Enjoy! :)

Word Count: 3.3k +

Series Masterlist

Y/N=Your name

Y/L/N=Your last name

Reginald Hargeeves is dead. The words from the news ran through your head again and again.

You never met the man, didn’t even know that much about him. You came close to meeting him a few times, almost met him a few months ago but a woman answered the door instead. You weren’t the biggest fan from everything your dad told you, but the guy was a big part of your life in a strange way.

He created the Umbrella Academy, your childhood heroes, the kids who used their powers to help people which made you decide to help people too. The man had inadvertently shaped your life with his kids, or rather, his kids had shaped your life in a way. Hell, the only reason you were in town was The Umbrella Academy, you were looking for one of them. So, Reginald Hargreeves was vaguely important to you.

But the truth was that he WAS dead. You might not have cared about him, but his death changed everything.

Which, is how you found yourself in front of the famous Umbrella Academy carrying a homemade batch of brownies as you debated whether or not you should knock on the door. Frankly, it might not be the best time if the Umbrella Academy was grieving. From what Diego had said about his family, you honestly weren’t sure what their reactions would be.

Diego. You liked knowing his name, it was better than just thinking of him as handsome—which he was, he was an attractive man—but Diego suited him better. He was something else, that much you were sure of.

You honestly missed him, he was cute and funny and you and him had this weird kind of understanding. Ever since he was shot, he had gone quiet. Sure, it had only been two weeks, but you had kept tabs on him and given him your—well, sort of yours—number (which he had yet to use), it was strange for him to just go silent.

Physically he was fine, you had checked up on him in secret a few times to make sure of that. He had been spending a lot of time in the gym killing some punching bags with a bit more aggression than his usual fighting. You even went to his boxing match the other night, not that he knew that, of course. You had gone without the mask, no way could he pick out your face in a crowd. After the match when he was heading back to his place, his eyes had briefly met yours and you worried he would recognize you, but he kind of just angrily shook his head then walked off and kicked a chair on the way to his place.

Things like that made you worry. You respected that he needed space because he wasn’t sure about you. You respected that he needed time to figure out the truth, that was completely fine; you didn’t want to push him. But you cared about him and if something was bothering him, you wanted to help. And if something was bothering him before, you couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling now. Which is why you knew you had to go to the Umbrella Academy today because Diego might need someone to be there for him. Yes, you had something you had to do there, but first and foremost you were Diego’s friend—despite your sister’s various protests that you should focus only on what you came to town to do.

With that in mind, you fixed your button-up and skirt, took in a breath, and knocked on the front door of the mansion. You tried to prepare yourself for anything, having no idea who might answer the door; could be the woman who answered last time, could be Diego, could be one his siblings. You tried to prepare yourself for whoever answered the door, what you would say and the things you wouldn’t. You felt like you were prepared for anyone who opened it.

You were not prepared for a chimpanzee dressed like a grandpa.

“May I help you, miss?” It said.

Talking chimpanzee? That threw you off for a second. Just a second though, you had seen stranger things; heck, you knew for a fact that you had stranger friends--about 15 exactly came to mind. A talking chimpanzee wasn’t something that would phase you.

“Hi, this is the Umbrella Academy, right?” You asked.

“It is.” The chimpanzee said. “Sorry to be rude, but we have the death of one of our own on our hands, so if you could please state your business. We aren’t very open to guests today.”

“No, of course not, I know. I uh…that’s actually why I’m here. I heard what happened and I wanted to offer my condolences.” You held your brownies up a little higher like you were presenting them. “I’m…I’m a friend of Diego’s and I wanted to make sure he was alright. I also wanted to check on his siblings, this can’t be the easiest thing for any of them. And I um, I…” You trailed off, feeling awkward.

The chimpanzee hummed to himself then opened the door further, ushering you inside.

“Do come in,” The chimpanzee said, “I’ll take your…”

He pointed to the pan in your hands covered with tin foil.

“Brownies.” You said, holding them out to him as he took them. “I didn’t know how many of everyone there was, so I hoped one batch would be enough. Help yourself if you’d like, I assume this whole thing isn’t very easy on you either, Mister…?”

He raised an eyebrow at you—if chimpanzees even had eyebrows, that is, you weren’t sure—and sent you a polite nod.

“Pogo, miss.” He said. “And thank you, that’s very kind. I believe master Diego is on the second floor, third door on the left.”

“Thanks.” You answered as he left to where you assume the kitchen was.

You turned and found yourself speechless as you finally got a look at the inside of the famous Umbrella Academy, the place that you could have grown up in if things had been different. It was huge, bigger than any place you had lived your entire life. Not that you were surprised, it was a mansion afterall.

“Jeez,” You said to no one in particular, “this place is huge.”

“Yeah,” a voice said from your right. “I’m telling ya, dear old dad was compensating for something.”

A puff of amused air left your lips as you turned to the right where the voice came from.

Walking towards you—or rather, strutting towards you—was a guy in a long feathery coat, skintight leather pants, a see-through midriff shirt, and probably the best disheveled eyeliner you had ever seen. He seemed familiar, like one of the addicts you had healed in the street maybe; you met so many of those that you weren’t sure if you had met this one or not. But he radiated chaotic energy, you could feel it, which meant he would probably be right up your alley.

“But enough about my dead dad’s dick.” He said. “Do tell, who is this lovely lady I find before me? Did Pogo finally start letting strays in? I love meeting strays!”

You laughed. “Love your coat.”

“Thank you!” He gushed. “I love your skirt! Where’d you get it? I want one.”

“Oh, I’m not sure, actually. It was a gift. Maybe I’ll lend it to you sometime, it would look so amazing on you.”

He put his hands on his hips. “Darling, everything looks amazing on me.”

“Yeah, but that goes without saying.”

He held his hands to his heart and beamed at you. “Well, now that we’ve become best friends; what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” He winked at you, but you could tell he was just being playful, he wasn’t trying to flirt.

“I came to offer my condolences.”

“What for?”

“For your dad dying? You’re a Hargreeves, aren’t you?”

He started cracking up but tried to hide it. “Oh right, right, we’re all suuuuper sad.”

You eyed him up and down with a smile. “I was going to say I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m gonna take a wild guess that you didn’t like your dad much.”

“What on earth might have given you that idea?”

“Honestly? From what I know about the guy, that’s not at all surprising.”

“…Damn. Coming to a guy’s funeral and dragging him? I like you. I’m Klaus.”

Klaus held out his hand for you to shake and a knife suddenly grazed his knuckle and imbedded itself in the wall behind you. Klaus briefly cursed and waved his hand back and forth. You and Klaus looked from the knife to the direction of the stairs where Diego was stepping down the last few steps.

He tossed a knife up as he stepped and caught it. He raised his eyebrows at you—not in your direction, definitely at you specifically, you could tell—and kept walking towards you as he tossed up the knife. 

“Hey Baby.” Diego stated. “Didn’t think I’d find you here.”

“Diego!” Klaus chastised. “That’s no way to greet—"

“How’d you know it was me, handsome?” You cut him off and crossed your arms.

Klaus pulled up his now slightly bleeding knuckle to examine his new cut with a frown, ignoring you and Diego for the most part.

“I’d know those lips anywhere.” Diego said, stopping right in front of you and crossing his arms.

You blinked and darted your eyes to Klaus, who slowly looked up from his hand and gave Diego the most obvious ‘what the fuck’ face you have ever seen. Your eyes darted back to Diego and you couldn’t help but smirk because Diego didn’t even seem to realize what he said, he was playing the game and didn’t even know it. This would be fun.

“I didn’t realize you were that obsessed with my lips.” You flirted.

“What? What are you—” Diego paled as his words dawned on him. “Oh, oh no! I meant to say voice, I swear. I’d know your voice anywhere. I did not recognize you by just your lips, I-I swear!”

You watched him curiously; Diego wasn’t acting like his usual flirty self, he seemed almost unsure when you flirted with him. You brushed it off, blaming it on his surprise at seeing you without a mask.

Klaus, however, looked almost giddy with excitement, which you noticed. You hoped that he wouldn’t say anything like—

“Ooo, Diego’s got a girlfriend and he wants to kiss her!” Klaus said in a teasing voice.

—Like that. You were hoping he wouldn’t say anything like that. But, of course, he did. And, of course, Diego looked like he was stabbing Klaus repeatedly in his head. You knew that look, you saw it a few times when on patrol with him, it meant Diego had to punch someone and it never ended well. Which meant you had to find a way to defuse the situation since you didn’t think Diego should be pummeling his—well, you weren’t sure exactly, but you assumed brother—right now.

“Well, I’m not his girlfriend, Klaus.” You said, getting Klaus’ attention off of Diego. “But he does wanna kiss me, I mean, wouldn’t you?”

You winked at Klaus and he laughed. Diego visibly calmed down a bit, and it looked like he was trying not to smile.

“Oh, I like her.” Klaus said. “If you don’t keep this one, I will. What did you say your name was again?”

“I didn’t.” You said. Your eyes darted down to his hand and you motioned to it. “Does that sting?”

“What?” Klaus looked down at his slightly bleeding hand. “Oh, right! I’m used to it, it’s barely a scratch. I think that’s just how Diego says hello, as long as it doesn’t hurt too bad, I know it’s just like a brotherly hug.”

He clapped Diego on the back affectionately. Diego awkwardly looked at his feet like he wasn’t sure what was happening. You smiled at the interaction, your heart warming a bit at the sight.

“Brothers, huh?” You said. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, then. I’m a friend of Diego’s. May I?”

You held out your hand and nodded towards his injured hand, indicating that you wanted him to give it to you.

“Uh, okay?” Klaus said and held out his injured hand.

You took it and let your powers feel him out.

A wave of fear and pain swept over you, and not from the cut on his hand. He was on drugs, that you could feel, but you could also feel everything he was trying to bury with the drugs. There was fear, trauma, regret, pain, and a kind of screaming in his thoughts. You could tell immediately which of The Umbrella Academy you were talking to: Number 4, The Séance. And he might not have been 100% stable. 

But, you knew the feeling of insanity and pain that came with seeing the kind of things he did; you had learned to cope yourself but your sister…well, you had seen firsthand what seeing that kind of thing can do to a person.

You leaned down and pressed a kiss to his knuckles, the cut immediately closed and healed.

Klaus had his eyes on you but they looked up and he took in a deep breath. It almost looked like he had tears in his eyes, but he wasn’t sad. He smiled just a little, almost serenely, and you could tell that you had healed more than just his hand.

As you pulled back, you could feel that you had taken some of his pain and gave him some peace. It wasn’t permanent, but it was something. It was less pain that he had to deal with today. And that meant it was worth doing.

“There,” You said, releasing his hand. “All better.”

Diego was gaping at you, not that you were surprised. Klaus closed his eyes then opened them to bring himself back to reality.

“How…how did you do that?” Klaus said.

You held your hand up in front of your face and wiggled your fingers, feeling a slight tingling in them for a moment.

“Well,” You said, “All of us were all born with gifts. Mine happen to heal people.”

“What the hell is that supposed…” Diego grumbled, then trailed off. He shook his head, clearly realizing something. “Wait, 43…you’re one of the 43. How the hell did I not get that?”

“Wait,” Klaus said, suddenly excited, “You’re like us? Like a weird second cousin kind of deal?”

“I am.” You said. “Not like a cousin, though, I have no idea where that comparison came from, but sure if that’s how you wanna see it.”

“That’s so cool!” Klaus giddily said. “I’ve never met someone like us before! So, what can you do then? Can you shoot lasers out of your eyes? Or turn water into vodka? Ooo, I wish I got that one.”

Your eyes trailed to Diego, a million emotions flashed through his eyes as he watched you and waited for your answer. A part of you felt compelled to reach out, find out what he was thinking, but you knew that you shouldn’t.

“I can heal people.” You said. “At least, that’s what I use it for. I can reshape or reform cells.”

“That’s so cool!” Klaus said with a clap of his hands. “How does it work?”

“It’s pretty simple, actually.” You said, preparing yourself for where you knew this conversation was going. “It comes from my lips and can spread through my fingertips. So, if I kiss someone, I can heal their cuts, bruises, or wounds as long as my lips or fingers are near that area. It’s pretty cool, makes my reflexes faster for a bit after I do it.”

Diego frowned and turned his attention to the ground. Almost like he knew you were watching him and hoping you wouldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

“That’s awesome!” Klaus said. “You can make-out with someone to be a doctor! I’m pretty sure I saw that in a porno once.”

You blinked, unsure how to respond to that, that was definitely a new one. “No, I uh, I don’t do that. I try not to kiss anyone on the mouth.”

“Can you do anything else?” Diego asked, keeping his tone emotionless and eyes down.

And there it was, the exact thing you were dreading. You could lie, say no, but the longer you waited to tell him, the more hurt he would be. Everything always changed when you told someone what else you could do, more often than not for the worse.

“Actually,” You said, “I uh…I do have another ability.”

“Sweet! What is it?” Klaus said.

You swallowed hard, hoping that they would be willing to look past it. “I can read minds.”

Diego immediately looked up and it seemed like he was almost angry or confused, but you weren’t sure. He wasn’t wearing his domino mask, but as far as you could tell, he was definitely wearing a metaphorical mask instead.

“Wait, seriously?” Klaus said, not believing you.

You nodded. “It’s easier to do if I touch someone but if I lose control, I can hear thoughts from across the room. I can see memories or feelings or anything else swimming around someone’s head.”

“Does that mean you know what I’m thinking?” Klaus asked.

You laughed slightly, trying to keep the mood light. “At the moment? No. But I did see your thoughts briefly, that head of yours is a very strange place. You should be proud, not many people can surprise me. I love meeting someone I can’t figure out.”

Klaus beamed at you; clearly happy to be complimented—even if it sounded like it wasn’t, to him, it was.

“I like you.” Klaus said. “We’re gonna be besties. What did you say your name was again?”

“I didn’t.” You said, your eyes searching Diego’s for some kind of reaction.

You sighed and thought about it, the only reason you didn’t is because you wanted to find who you were looking for first. But, you had already found the person you were looking for…what was holding you back?

“Y/N,” You said. “I’m Y/N Y/L/N. It’s nice to meet you.”

You noticed Diego’s hands clench into fists, which didn’t surprise you, you knew he wouldn’t be too happy about this whole thing. He had fought and fought for you to tell him since you two had met, you knew it would probably turn into something when this day came. And you could see from the way he grit his teeth that if you didn’t pull him away soon, this would get explosive.

“Hey Klaus,” You said. “I made brownies for everyone. Would you like one?”

“Brownies?” Klaus said.

“Yeah, brownies.” You answered. “I think Pogo took them into the kitchen if you want one.”

Klaus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Are you trying to bribe me so you can play doctor with Diego?”

You smirked at him. “That depends. Would it work if I was?”

You could hear Diego pop his knuckles, meaning he did not like that comment. But, you knew how to speak to chaos, you weren’t saying it for Diego.

Klaus grinned and chuckled at you. “Oh, clever one! If those brownies are any good, I’m totally keeping you!”

On that, he skipped off in the direction Pogo had as he admired your handiwork on this hand, and then it was just you and Diego.

“…I uh—” You started but were immediately cut off by Diego.

“Come with me.” He said, grabbing your arm and pulling you.

You fell silent and let him pull you. It wasn’t aggressive, and he wasn’t hurting your arm, it was more like he was directing you. You knew what it was like if a man was about to get violent and that you could handle it if they did, but that’s not what Diego was doing. You trusted him completely, if he wanted to pull you somewhere so you could talk, you were okay with that. You felt a slight urge to listen to his thoughts, but you kept your powers off on principle.

Diego pulled you into a kind of parlor and shut the door behind you. You hoped to God that the conversation you were about to have wouldn’t end with him hating you.

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #klaus hargreeves #diego hargreeves #knives and kisses series #bringitspielberg

[bringitspielberg]

Diego Headcanons: Your relationship

-Okay, so you guys were acquaintances/friends first

-And you both flirted so much, everyone couldn’t tell when either of you were flirting seriously.

-He took forever to admit that he liked you. Boy doesn’t know how to deal with emotions.

-Like seriously, he took out any and all emotions on punching bags.

-Soooo many punching bags were destroyed the first time you playfully kissed his cheek.

-He tried to fight it, honestly.

-But you were so amazing and pretty and made him feel like he could do anything

-So, he fell for you despite his efforts and immediately panicked.

-Like hell, he panicked. He just up and disappeared.

-He was gone for about two weeks then he just showed up at your door and confessed.

-He tells everyone that he said this super dramatic and suave speech that no one could have possibly said no to. 

-This is NOT what happened.

-His confession was something along the lines of him yelling “I’m freaking in love with you and I need you to realize it because you’re driving me crazy! God, why do you have to be so amazing?!” when you opened the door, followed by him immediately stomping away like he was angry, not even giving you a chance to respond. 

-It’s important to note that this was at 3 in the morning and he did literally nothing but that. That was how he confessed.

-You just kinda closed the door and went back to bed, you probably thought you were dreaming since you were half asleep.

-Couple of hours later, you shot up from your bed and immediately shouted something along the lines of “Motherfu...that wasn’t a dream!” You tracked him down at the gym that day and told him you loved him too.

-And you started dating.

-But you never told anyone but Klaus how Diego really confessed. Not because you didn’t want anyone to know, you thought it was so uniquely him and you loved the way he had done it.

-No, you never told anyone because you liked seeing Diego squirm. Every time someone brought it up he started to sweat for fear that this was the time that you told them and you found it hilarious.

-Your first kiss was when you confessed back to him, but he wouldn’t let you go any further than that. 

-And you had tried. Because come on, gorgeous man like Diego who loves you and you love too? And you just confessed your love for each other? With all that pent up tension? Hell yeah, you’d make a move.

-He wanted to do things things properly, and you respected that, so he asked you on a date. Which you thought was sweet and adorable.

-For your first date, he wanted to take you to dinner and get you flowers and hold your hand and be super romantic about everything because dammit this boy is a hardcore closet romantic.

-This is also NOT what happened.

-Your first date was in the police precinct. Because twenty minutes after he was supposed to pick you up, he called you to ask if he could reschedule. Because he had been arrested. Again.

-You showed up with some sandwiches and had your date while he was in jail. It was cute. Everyone else would never let him hear the end of it, though, they thought it was hilarious.

-Your second date was the next night, as Diego had insisted on getting a do-over. He swore it would be the best date you ever had.

-And dammit, it was.

-He took you on a picnic in a special spot under the stars. There was candle light and flower petals and he played your favorite songs on his phone. It was way over the top because Diego is THAT guy and would. He was nervous that you’d hate it; but you loved it because it was so him to overdo it, it was so him to do anything he could to make you smile. And it made you melt because he loved you and it was super cliche romantic but cute and he was looking at you with those beautiful brown eyes that shine whenever he looks at you and how could you not just melt at the sight of him?

-He’s good about that kind of thing, he’s super cute and loves romantic things. He always made everything feel so special and unique.

-Only for you though, no one else got to see the cute and fluffy romantic side of him.

-He’s also a very passionate man.

-Loves kissing you and he’s a damn good kisser. 

-He knows this, but he likes it when you say so, makes him wanna do it some more.

-Needless to say, things can get pretty heated between you both pretty fast.

-He has one spot on his neck that you probably just breath on it and he’d come undone. You kiss there, he’s immediately turned on like crazy.

-Okay, so obviously you guys frickle frackle. But it took forever to get Diego to relax about it.

-Not in the sense that he was nervous to do the do, but he wanted the first time to be special. Which was sweet, but the problem with that is there was a lot of tension between you both and well...you weren’t exactly against getting physical with him.

-So, you guys did a lot of frickle frackling once he calmed down about it and continued to do a lot of frickle frackling because Diego is definitely very physical.

-Speaking of which, I’m not touching his kinks. That list is ridiculously long.

-Which, funny thing, about that: Everyone thinks you’re way too innocent to be with Diego, never was the case obviously, and they finally realized that one morning when you were wearing Diego’s way too big shirt that left your entire collar bone and neck clear to see.

-You were covered in hickies.

-(He loves hickies. Just in general.)

-His siblings started snickering and teasing you when they saw, saying things like “Woah Diego is getting a little too rough for you”, “Maybe you should ask him to tone it down a bit”, “Those must be new to you” and you just ignore it because you don’t care.

-And then Diego walked in shirtless because it was the morning and he couldn’t find his shirt--the one you were wearing--and everyone shuts up.

-He had at least twice as many hickies as you did. Some of them looked fresh, almost like bite marks.

-No one ever accused you of being innocent again. 

-Which speaking of his siblings, you get along pretty well for the most part.

-Klaus was easily your best friend, Vanya and you liked talking, Allison thought you were pretty awesome, and once Five came back he liked that you bought him coffee

-And Luther...well, you somewhat tolerated Luther. He wasn’t exactly your favorite person. You hated how he treated Diego.

-When Diego told his mom that you and him were together, she asked you to help her with dinner that night.

-She just wanted to talk to you and explain how much it meant that her Diego had found someone as amazing as you.

-You absolutely nearly cried.

-His mom was one the most important people in the world to him. If she thought that you and Diego were good together, you knew it was for real

-You love the man so much and he loves you right back and you just know that you can make each other happy.

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves #diego hargreeves x reader #headcanon #cute

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Series~ Chapter 3: What’s in a name?

Series Summary: Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

-

Chapter Summary:

Diego is incredibly reckless and pays the price for it. Luckily for him, a certain attractive-someone plays nurse. Which leads Diego to realize that maybe he likes you more than he thought.

Pairing: Diego x (fem! reader)

Warnings: Some cuss words, a little bit of sad at the beginning

Author’s note: Not gonna lie, this one got away from me a bit, so it’s longer than than I intended it to be. BUT I like where this went because Diego is a precious bean who doesn’t know how to deal with feelings. Just wait though, in the next chapter, his siblings will come into play and the next couple of chapters are some of my favorites for what I have planned.

Word Count: 6.2k+

Series Masterlist

You were true to your word: Diego was never the one to find you, you were always the one to find him. He didn’t know how you knew his patrol route or his usual places to look over the city while he waited for something on the police scanner, but somehow you just knew how to find him. However, no matter what happened, he just couldn’t find you if he looked. And he HAD tried.

He wasn’t trying to be stalkerish or anything, he was just trying to figure out more about you. He tried to follow you when you left, he tried to figure out who you really were (he had a whole police file on you that he kept adding to back at his place, not that he’d ever tell anyone it was there). He tried to even work with Patch to figure it out, but she had to let it go when they kept coming up with nothing. He tried to find out something about you—anything, really—that would at least give him a clue. But all he found out is every time he tried to stealthily follow you, for some reason he always loses you around the same burger place. So, he had nothing. He knew nothing about his new partner in “crime”.

Your partnership was working, you both worked well together like there was a weird and unspoken understanding, and frankly it was effective. Both of you worked best in silence, the only words spared between you were the occasional sarcastic remark and flirting—mostly flirting (not that Diego would ever admit to any kind of attraction, of course). Diego actually liked working with you, which was strange for him. You both did things so differently, but your differences made the other better. It just worked for some reason.

Which, aggravated Diego to no end. He would never admit it because he was stubborn, but he liked working with someone else, it was nice to know that someone else wanted to take down the criminals of the city. His problem was that that was where it ended. He couldn’t trust you, he couldn’t really talk to you, he couldn’t call you if he needed backup, and he couldn’t even know which nights you would show up. Not that it mattered to him, of course. He was fine on his own. He didn’t have to worry if you would show up, he didn’t need any help.

And that was what he was telling himself when you were running late on a night you specifically said you’d meet him. And he was right, he could handle it by himself, he had been doing it for years.

But that didn’t make his job any less dangerous or him any less reckless.

Which is exactly what he told himself when he was bleeding from a gunshot wound at the end of an alleyway.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been there; an hour, a minute, time felt like it was going slower. He was holding pressure to the wound; his leather suit and harness were already covered in the blood from his torso. It was getting harder to breath and move; he was trying to get somewhere in the open. If he was lucky, he might be able to make it to a hospital or if he could just stop the bleeding, he could fix himself up…maybe ask Patch if he had to, despite the long lecture that would inevitably follow. He didn’t think he would last long enough to hear it, though. He had been reckless, and he was paying the price. This might have been the one that got him…and it was nothing more than a simple mugger.

His thoughts were getting fuzzy and he could taste blood. The world started to seem far away. He thought he could hear footsteps and a blur of black in the corner of his vision, but he didn’t know if it was really there or not. His eyelids were getting heavy and despite how much he tried, he just couldn’t keep them open much longer. His vision was getting blurry and every time he blinked, he found it harder to open his eyes again. There was someone in front of him, they were saying something, but he couldn’t make out what. As his eyes started to close fully for what Diego feared might be the last time, the person came closer and he could make out a face—your face—and he felt like he could hear your voice talking to him in his head. Whether it was his imagination or otherwise, he wasn’t sure. But he swore he heard you loud and clear:

I’ve got you. I promise I’ve got you. Just hold on.

And with your voice in his head, he closed his eyes.

 ---

Diego could feel the sun beating down on his face and he wanted nothing more than to ignore everything and go back to sleep. He was vaguely aware that there was someone talking, but it felt far away, so he ignored it. He felt like he had a hangover, but he couldn’t for the life of him remember drinking. He remembered leaving for a patrol, a woman getting mugged, a gunshot—

His eyes shot open, but he didn’t dare make a sound for fear someone was holding him hostage.

He was lying in his bed in the gym, not a warehouse or basement, the boiler room that he lived in. That should have put him at ease, it should have made him relax. But upon scanning the room: he saw someone that put him on edge.

He could have convinced himself it was someone else, that maybe he had gotten drunk and slept with some random girl and everything was just an alcohol-induced dream. And he almost could, seeing that she was wearing only an overly large sweater that looked familiar and not a leather suit and the fact that he was seeing her during the day. Even if (as much as he refused to address that it was definitely the case) he had looked at that butt so much that he was pretty sure he could identify it in a police line-up if he had to, he could still convince himself it was someone else.

But that bubble burst the second he heard your voice talking.

You were facing away from him, talking to someone on the phone, completely unaware that he had woken up. And Diego briefly wanted to keep it that way, so he didn’t dare move or make a sound.

“No, I haven’t forgotten! I’m working my butt off…no don’t…G, calm…G! G! Calm down, it’s not like that…Well I…” You paused as the other line spoke for a long minute. “Okay, so what? I’m coming home as soon as I’m done here. Tell them to get off my back! …Well, maybe I like it here! …No look, I’m sorry G. I know I shouldn’t have done this, but I couldn’t just leave him…I know, I know. I promise I’ll be more careful…Yeah, I love you too, G. I’ll call you soon.”

You hung up the phone and it looked like you were pinching your nose as if you were tired, but Diego couldn’t tell from behind you. You sighed tiredly and slowly turned around. Diego felt his heartbeat speed up, for a second, he thought he was about to “officially” meet you—as in without the mask. That thought left his head the second you fully turned around, still wearing the lace mask across your cheeks.

This was different, though. You completely took his breath away by accident. With the oversized sweater showing off your legs, the heeled boots you were wearing, the lace mask making your eyes pop, and the perfect braid that had just enough spilling out of it to frame your face; it was definitely a sight Diego could get used to. He looked you up and down, briefly admiring how you looked in the very familiar sweater—

He blinked as he snapped out of his brief moment of admiring you. “Is that my shirt?”

You chuckled and crossed your arms at him.

“Really?” You said. “That’s your first question?”

Diego shrugged and stretched; he was never one to beat around the bush. “The first of many, yes.”

You smiled and held your hands out. “Okay, then yes, it is your shirt. I’ve been here all night and I need to go home soon; the leather doesn’t exactly make it easy to walk down the street with a low profile. I’ll give it back.”

Diego raised his eyebrows. “And yet, you kept the mask on.”

You fidgeted almost uncomfortably. “I thought it might be better if I had it on when you woke up, so you’d recognize me. I’m taking it off after I leave.”

“You could take it off now.”

“I’d prefer to keep it on for now.” You awkwardly held your arm and took several steps closer to the bed as you looked at the ground. “Next question?”

Diego eyed you curiously and ran a hand down his face, realizing he wasn’t wearing his own mask. He briefly glanced down and realized that he was shirtless and just hadn’t noticed. His hand went down to rest on the fresh bandage on his front torso, expecting a sting or something when he touched it, but there was nothing. He found himself looking back up to you with a million questions in his head, and you were looking at him too.

“What happened, really?” He asked.

“What happened is you’re dumb.” You said, crossing your arms and coming even closer to Diego. “And I had to drag you back to your place to fix you up.”

“How’d you know where I live?”

It looked like you raised an eyebrow at him, but the mask made it hard to tell.

“The same way you know where my favorite burger place is.” You said.

Diego glared at you. “You followed me.”

“Yes. Like you tried to follow me.”

He nodded his head guiltily. “Okay, yeah, that’s fair. How’d you get in? I don’t remember giving you a key.”

“Do you really think I’d need one?”

“Fair point.”

You smiled and to Diego it almost made you look sad, changing the entire atmosphere completely. You took several more steps forward and sat down on the bed, your smile disappearing. You scooted closer, close enough that your faces were only a few inches apart, your eyes on his uncovered chest. Your hand trailed to his bandage and you frowned, Diego watching you as you did.

He didn’t know what was happening and he had never been more confused. This was definitely new territory in your partnership. And the whole thing was strange and oddly…intimate.

He swallowed hard and put his hand under your chin to force you to look at him. “I need you to tell me what happened.”

Your eyes were so full of emotion, of what emotion, Diego couldn’t figure out.

“You got shot.” You said. “You were hurt and bleeding and if I hadn’t…” You trailed off and took in a breath to steady yourself. “You could have died. You need to be more careful.”

“It’s part of the job.”

You glared at him, suddenly angry. “That’s no excuse!”

Diego glared back. “That woman needed my help!”

Both of you started to raise your voices.

“Then help her without getting shot!” You said.

“I didn’t choose to get shot!” He answered.

“Good! Then you shouldn’t have done it!”

“Are you serious?!?! It was going to be me or her!”

“You don’t know that!”

“Yes, I do!”

“That doesn’t mean that—”

“Enough!” He cut you off. “I don’t need you yelling at me! It doesn’t matter! I’d do it again, okay? Her life is worth more than mine, she probably has a family and a job and people who care about her! I don’t have that! No one cares what happens to me! I’m willing to lay my life on the line so she can go home to that!”

Both of you fell into an awkward silence as Diego quickly shut his mouth. He knew it was messed up to think that way, he knew how bad it sounded to say out loud. He knew all of that. He couldn’t help it; it was just what he was taught to think. He knew that he had no self-preservation instincts, he was just raised without them. And that was a big problem sometimes—this just happened to be one of those times. That didn’t mean that he should have told you that.

You took his hand in both of yours tightly and pulled it to your heart. “I care about you.”

“You…what?” Diego said, those words were the last things he thought would leave your lips.

“I care about you.” You said more firmly, squeezing his hand as you did. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“Why?” He said.

It wasn’t what he wanted or meant to say, but it was the only thing he trusted himself to say without his stutter coming out. Your words were like a tidal wave that Diego didn’t know how to deal with, washing over him and leaving him to swim or drown. For his whole life, the only people who had ever genuinely cared about him were his mom and Patch, but that was different. The way they cared about him was because they knew him; his mom had raised him and helped him, Patch was the first person who knew about his life—his first friend (she was more than that, once upon a time, but that was a long time ago)—they had a certain bond. His sibling relationships were complicated, but that was something else entirely. But the thing was, even with his mom and Patch, they didn’t understand. Hell, that was the reason that Patch and him didn’t work out. But you understood the dark things he saw and lived with. You saw all the things that sent most people running and wanting nothing to do with him…and it made you legitimately care about him.

You wet your lips and looked Diego directly in the eyes to show you meant what you were saying.

“Because I see you.” You said. “I see that you’re a good man with a good heart. I see that you care so much that it might just kill you. I see that you’re strong and compassionate. I see that there’s so much to you that I don’t even know yet. I see that there’s something there, something worth knowing, even if you don’t see it yourself. I care about you because I see you. And I can see that you’re amazing.”

You pressed a gentle kiss to his hand and sent him a sincere smile.

Diego didn’t think or even react, it was like he was on autopilot and his thoughts were trying to catch up. He blinked and leaned forward, his eyes on yours and briefly darting to your lips.

You started to lean forward slightly, too. But you cleared your throat and leaned away before anything could happen.

“So, maybe don’t get shot again, okay?” You said. “I don’t like watching my friends bleed.”

Diego narrowed his eyes. His thoughts caught up to him, he suddenly realized the situation he was in and how little he really knew the person in front of him.

“Is that what we are?” He said. “I don’t know you…you’re an enigma that plays games…You’re so confusing and frustrating.”

You nodded and let go of Diego’s hand as your hands dropped.  Your gaze falling to the wound on his chest as you lightly traced your finger over the bandage.

“You’re right.” You said. “You don’t know me, and I don’t know you either.” You met Diego’s eyes. “But I want to. I want us to be friends. So, ask me what you want to know.”

“What?” He asked.

“Ask me. I’ll tell you everything I can, leave out anything I can’t. And the same goes for you, I’ll ask what I want to know and you can tell me everything or nothing. But I think it’s time we both lose some of the mystery here.”

Diego thought carefully for a moment, not sure if you really meant it or not. You were an expert at avoiding questions, it wouldn’t be hard for you to distract him from the real things he wanted to ask. But, he decided it was worth a try.

“Who were you talking too?” Diego asked, just testing the waters. “On the phone, I mean. What, is your boyfriend being protective?”

“Sister, actually.” You answered without hesitation. “Which reminds me, should I call your siblings to tell them what happened? I wasn’t sure.”

“I don’t talk to any of my—” Diego narrowed his eyes at you, suddenly suspicious. “How’d you know I have siblings? I never told you that.”

You chewed your lip for a moment. “Hargreeves isn’t exactly a common name, Diego.”

“Wait…how’d you know my—”

“I didn’t.” You cut him off. “Well, not until I came here. There’s a poster with your name and face on it over there. Didn’t know you were a boxer.” You motioned to the wall where said poster hung.

“Oh.” Diego said, clearly not sure how he should react.

“I feel kinda dumb for not figuring out who you were, to be honest. It explains the whole knife thing, I thought you just really needed a new hobby.”

Diego sent you a glare and you threw up your hands in surrender.

“Trying to lighten the mood a little.” You said. “So, should I call your siblings or…?”

“Like hell that’s gonna happen.” Diego said. “I don’t exactly have a warm and fuzzy kinda family, we avoid each other for the most part.”

“Oh, sorry,” You said, “I didn’t realize. So, you don’t talk to any of them? Not even if something is wrong?”

“Especially not if something is wrong. I can take care of myself; I don’t need their help. Why do you care so much about my siblings anyway?”

To Diego, it looked like the gears had started turning in your head, like you were figuring something out; what it was, he had no idea.

“Just curious.” You said. “Trying to get to know you better.”

“Yeah?” Diego said, his anger slowly rising. “Well, my siblings are not the way to do it. My childhood sucked, my siblings sucked, my dad sucked.”

“I’m sorry, I just would want my sister to know if I got shot. I shouldn’t have assumed tha—”

“Yeah, you shouldn’t have. So, you should drop it.”

You both fell into an awkward silence. Diego was fuming as your eyes scanned the room, almost like you were seeing something that wasn’t there.

Diego sighed and cursed under his breath. He didn’t mean to snap at you, you were just poking your head into a sensitive subject for him. He tapped his fingers for a moment then sent an awkward and apologetic smile your way.

“Sorry,” He said, gaining your attention. “Family is a touchy subject with me.”

You genuinely smiled back at him and Diego found himself admiring your smile—he found it so calming and bright, almost like it was bringing light into the room.

“Noted.” You said. “I won’t bring it up again then.”

You both stayed silent for a few moments. Diego cleared his throat; for the first time since you two had met, he found himself uncomfortable with the silence between both of you.

“So…uh…your sister. What’s she like?” He said, eager to shift the subject away from himself.

You turned your attention fully to Diego as you began talking very animatedly, livelier than Diego had ever seen you since you met.

“She’s a complicated woman.” You said. “So strong and caring despite everything she’s seen. But she’s just so…colorful. She’s not exactly everyone’s cup of tea. She’s always getting into trouble, I’ve always tried to keep her out of it, but there’s only so much I can do. She’s my sister, though, we’ve always been inseparable like two peas in a pod. I’ve been traveling so much lately…looking for something I might not find…it really makes you think about things, especially family.” You blinked and awkwardly scratched your neck. “Sorry, didn’t mean to go off.”

You put your hand into your lap and turned your gaze down like you felt you said too much.

Diego, however, couldn’t take his eyes off you if he wanted to (not that he did). He liked hearing you talk about the things you cared about, it was like you were bringing a kind of warmth into the room and he couldn’t even remember ever being cold. But that wasn’t what he wanted to focus on…for the moment, at least.

He squeezed your shoulder to get your attention back to him.

“What’s the something that you’re looking for?” He said.

“Not something.” You said. “Someone.”

“Who?”

You chewed your lip, almost like you were mulling over your words. “I’m looking for someone who I know understands where I’m coming from.”

Diego raised his eyebrows at you, that was definitely without a doubt a carefully-chosen-answer. Which meant that you were avoiding the question.

“Oh?” He said. “I could help you find them if you told me who you’re looking for. You know, gave me their name?”

“I can’t.” You said. “You’re not ready for that, yet.”

“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re just not ready to know the whole truth yet, it won’t do any good, that’s all.”

“All I asked for is a name so I could help.”

“And that’s something I can’t give you.”

“Why?”

“Why are you pushing this?”

Diego glared at you and you glared back, both of you clearly too stubborn to let the other win.

“Why aren’t you giving me a straight answer?” Diego said.

“Why are you being so rude?” You said with a cross of your arms.

“Why are you avoiding the question?”

“Why do you care?”

“Why do you care that I care?”

“Why won’t you just drop it?”

“Why won’t you tell me their name?”

“Because I don’t know it, you—" You clasped a hand over your mouth and your eyes went wide.

Diego grinned, knowing he had won this round. You may have been an expert at avoiding questions, but he was an expert at getting on your nerves, which was exactly what it took to keep up with you. And Diego was not a fan of losing.

“Really?” Diego said. “You don’t even know their name? Do you at least know what they look like?”

You sent him a glare but kept your eyes off of his as you answered. “Honestly, no. I’ve never met them.”

“Seriously? How the hell would you even recognize them?”

“I’ll know them when I find them.”

“And how do you intend to do that? How would you—”

You whipped your gaze to him, and he immediately shut his mouth at its intensity.

It wasn’t a look of murder or frustration; it was pure focus and determination. To Diego, it felt like you were looking into his very soul and picking apart his every thought at your leisure. Except, you weren’t picking anything apart at all. It was more like you were reading and studying him gingerly like a piece of art you were afraid to ruin, like every little bit of him was on display and you were the only one who understood the masterpiece. It was powerful, and it shook Diego to his core for two reasons: First, it felt intense and made it hard for Diego to look away; and second, seeing your eyes and slightly parted lips like that made something in him click and he wasn’t sure he was ready to deal with that.

You leaned forward, your face coming an inch away from Diego’s. You put one hand beside his head and the other went to his cheek, causing Diego’s breath to hitch in his throat.

“You have your ways,” You purred. “And I have mine, Diego.”

That snapped Diego out of whatever he was about to figure out. That was the flirty you that he was used to, the one he could play the game with. That you he could handle, the caring and sweet you is the one that threw him off, he wasn’t used to someone caring about him.

“Really? You have ways to find a name?” He flirted. “Because you seem to really like saying mine.”

You laughed and brought your hand under his cheek so both of you had to look the other in the eyes.

“Always the flirt, handsome.” You said. “But it’s not like that this time, names come with trust. And I trust you, I want you to know that.”

“Yet I still don’t know your name.” He stated with a frown as his hands found their way to your cheeks, his thumbs lightly going over the soft material of your mask.

You sighed and leaned into his touch.

“Names come with trust.” You grabbed his wrists and pulled them away. “And you don’t trust me yet.”

“Come on,” Diego said with a glare. “I can’t keep calling you ‘baby’ if you can call me Diego.”

“Then I’ll stop calling you Diego. Until I find who I’m looking for, you won’t be ready to trust me. I have things I have to do and you might not understand. I’ll tell you when the time is right, not because you got shot and I wanted to take care of you.”

“What’s it gonna take for you to tell me who you are?” Diego pleaded almost desperately.

You pursed your lips in thought as your hand reached up to trace the scar on the side of his head.

“For now, I can give you a hint at least.” You took in a breath as your hand found its way to his hair, a feeling that almost made Diego moan.

“43,” You said. “That’s the biggest clue I can give you.”

43? What the heck does that mean? Diego thought.

“Don’t overthink it,” You said.

Your eyes briefly darted to the bandage on his torso then back to his eyes. You leaned forward as your hand trailed down his chest, resting right next to his wound.

To Diego, it seemed like everything was moving in slow motion. His heart felt like it might burst out of his chest as you leaned forward and he eyed your lips in anticipation, thinking you were about to kiss him. If that was your intention, he wasn’t going to stop you, he was curious on what it would be like.

Instead, you leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead. It wasn’t what he was expecting, but this feeling of calmness and warmth spread through his body like a tidal wave. It wasn’t at all what he was expecting, but it just went to show how big of an effect you had on him.

You pulled back and sent him a slight smile.

“You’ll figure it out.” You said.

You stood from the bed and stretched, leaving Diego frustrated and missing your closeness.

He ran a hand down his face and sighed.

“Baby, you’re gonna be the death of me.” He said.

Baby. The name had fallen from his lips without a thought. It was just what he had always called you, it didn’t hold any special meaning or significance when he called you that; it was the nickname he had given you when you first met and it had just stuck. It was just what he happened to call you, nothing more and nothing less. But when he said it then, for some reason, to him it felt like it had more weight, like it meant something more; and he didn’t know where that thought came from.

Diego knew he was starting to blush and hoped to all hell that you didn’t notice.

You chuckled. “You’re cute when you blush.”

He blushed even harder, trying to hide it. He told himself he hated that you had that kind of effect on him, but he knew he didn’t.

You glanced at the clock on his dresser then back to Diego. “As much as I’d love to stay, I have to get to work.”

Diego blinked. “Wait, work? You have a job?”

“I do,” You said. “Believe it or not, I’m like a completely different person in the daylight. I have this whole life you don’t even know about. But maybe that’s why you got hurt…” You trailed off as you looked away sadly.

You shook yourself out of it and stepped over to Diego’s dresser. You picked up a marker that he hadn’t noticed and plopped down onto the bed next to him. You grabbed his arm and started writing something on it, holding the cap of the marker in your mouth in a way that couldn’t be anything but adorable. The whole time Diego just watched you in confusion, not daring to pull his arm away. He was overly focused on how delicately your fingers held his wrist and how you trusted him not to move or stop you.

You stopped writing, clicked the top on the marker, and put it back on the dresser. You held Diego’s arm up to him to show him what you had written: it was a phone number.

“So, if something like this happens again, call this number.” You said. “It’s an emergency line my friend set up for me. Call and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

He raised his eyebrows at you and his eyes darted from his arm to your face, unsure if you were messing with him or not.

“Are you serious?” He said.

You nodded. “I couldn’t live myself knowing that something happened to you and I could have helped but didn’t.”

“Wow.”

“Yep, so call if you need anything, yeah? I really do have to go though, so…” You stood up and gathered your things from around the room, briefly adjusting your mask and talking over your shoulder as you did. “Try to get some rest and get something to eat; I was going to make you breakfast but you don’t have anything in your fridge, so you’ll have to manage on your own. Just take of yourself, okay? I’ll see you around, handsome.”

You blew him a kiss from where you stood then started toward the door.

Meanwhile, Diego felt like he had been hit by a truck. You were kind and compassionate, you had a big heart, and you understood him. And you cared. More than anything else, you cared about him. You weren’t obligated to care, you weren’t his girlfriend or mom or awkward family member or anything like that, you just cared for the sake of caring. He wasn’t an idiot; he knew that the things he did pushed people away. Most people didn’t stick around for long. But you—you weren’t going anywhere. You saw everything he did, everything he was willing to do and be, everything that sent everyone else running, everything that made the world a dark place. You saw more than anyone else even dared and came out with a smile. You brought light when there wasn’t any, you were everything he could ever want the world to be. He couldn’t understand how you could have a job and life and be like you and still want to live the life of a vigilante. How could anyone so bright, want to be surrounded by so much dark?

Diego blinked and shook himself out of it right as you opened the door. He decided that he had to know, he had to understand.

“Wait.” He called.

You turned, holding the door open with your hand, and cocked your head to the side in question. “Yes?”

Diego hesitated, unsure if he really wanted the answer to what he was about to ask, but he knew he had to.

“…You have a job and a life and I just…” He said. “I can’t help but wonder, why would you ever want to roam the streets like I do? Why do you do what we do? I just…I need to know.”

You smiled that genuine smile that Diego was starting to get used to, the one that made his stomach go into knots and like his heart might leap from his chest, the one that felt like it was only for him.

“Are you kidding? Why wouldn’t I?” You said. “What could be better than helping people?”

Diego raised his eyebrows at you and his jaw dropped.

You ignored that, though, as your smile got even bigger.

“Get some rest, okay?” You said. “Take care of yourself, handsome.”

On that, you stepped out of his place and shut the door behind you, leaving Diego with even more feelings to deal with.

Diego didn’t believe in destiny. He didn’t believe in meant to be or fate or soulmates or any of that mumbo-jumbo that was meant for suckers. But…it was hard to believe that it was a coincidence that your answer—THE answer—was the same thing he said every time. Every time Patch had asked him why he couldn’t do things her way, every time anyone asked how he decided to be a vigilante, every time he had to sike himself up to do something or he considered quitting. Every. Single. Time. He always would answer the same thing: What could be better than helping people?

The truth of the matter is that he knew he had feelings for you. He knew. But feelings like that were bad. Those kinds of feelings made a person weak and Diego was not weak. He would not let himself be weak, he hated being weak. He could ignore them before, he could blame them on nothing but biology and his thing for leather. He could pretend that it was nothing more than that. But you cared and you had given him the answer—HIS answer—that would make it impossible for him to get you out of his head.

His hand trailed to the bandage on his torso where your hand had wandered every time you had gotten close. The memory of being shot still hung in his head but it was softened into a good memory as he thought about how you had cared for him, maybe even all night, until you were sure he was okay. Just the thought of you was making him smile.

But wherever his train of thought was heading, it immediately stopped when he touched the bandage.

He had been shot before, several times. He knew how it was supposed to feel the next day if it was patched up. It would hurt and sting to the touch and be incredibly inconvenient for movement. His current gunshot wound, however? It didn’t hurt or sting or anything of the sort. Hell, if it wasn’t for the bandage, he might doubt he was ever shot to begin with.

Needing to know and see what he was dealing with, he pulled the bandage off. He was expecting to see stitches or maybe some blood. He wasn’t expecting to see a slightly pink cut that was almost completely healed where a gunshot wound should be.

He knew that he had been shot, there’s no way he imagined it. Especially not with the way that you had reacted to—

He frowned in thought, realizing something. He had ignored it; he hadn’t thought anything of it and blamed it on his dumb heart getting in his head. But when he was around you, it seemed like pain just went away, like his injuries were never even there. And there were all these little things that seemed to be affected by that, like his arm not stinging when he agreed to be your partner or how after starting to work with you he always came home with less cuts and bruises than he swore he had. This, this was something else. There was no denying that there was some kind of connection here, as crazy as it sounded, his wound—or lack thereof—absolutely had something to do with you.

And that worried him, but what worried him more was the fact that he immediately tried to convince himself otherwise. He wanted it to be a coincidence. He wanted it to be nothing but paranoia and he was terrified that you even came up. He couldn’t deny how crazy it was or how it was even possible, but his miracle healing absolutely had to do with you.

Which made him realize that you could just be using him for something, but that isn’t what got to him. 

What got to him is that he immediately tried to defend you and try to convince himself otherwise. 

What got to him is that he realized right then and there that he was starting to fall for you. Hard.

Knowing that, Diego knew he was in trouble. 

And he didn’t even know your name.

#diego hargreeves #diego hargreeves x reader #the umbrella academy #knives and kisses series #bringitspielberg

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Masterlist:

Series Summary: Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

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Optional Prologue

Excerpt: The First Kiss

Chapter 1: Did you miss me?

Chapter 2: Cat and Mouse

Chapter 3: What’s in a Name?

Chapter 4: And then I saw her face

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #diego hargreeves #knives and kisses series #bringitspielberg

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Series ~ Chapter 2: Cat and Mouse

Series Summary: Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

-

Chapter Summary:

Diego finds himself biting off slightly more than he can he chew, and an unlikely savior helps him get out of it. They have a business proposal for him.

Pairing: Diego x (fem) reader

Warnings: Some cuss words? I don’t think there’s anything else.

Author’s note: Here we go. Now that we set up some background, we can get deeper into the plot. I have plans for this series and I was happy with how this chapter came out, but I’m REALLY excited for the next couple of chapters. So, stay tuned and keep reading! :)

Word count: 3.9k +

Y/E/C = Your eye color

Series Masterlist

Diego was anxious to say the least. Every time he turned a corner, he expected you to just pop out of nowhere. You had gotten under his skin, invaded the storm that was his thoughts. And damn, he could not get you out of his head to save his life. He had looked for you again after his last encounter with you, because of course he had, but he only came up with dead ends and a whole lot of frustration. He even tried to get Patch’s help, but she was even less willing than usual to help.

Patch had sought out Diego the day after he had last seen you. Apparently, you ran into Patch later that night when you dropped off a terrified and tied up mugger who immediately upon seeing a police officer begged to be put in jail. Besides looking pathetic and crying, guy was completely unharmed, and you had given Patch a file that contained all the right names and paperwork that would get him convicted in a court of law—Which Patch had specifically focused on because “even though I don’t like the whole vigilante thing, at least she has some respect for police work, unlike SOME PEOPLE.” Needless to say, Diego wasn’t exactly on her good side lately. So, even though Patch had more information than she was willing to admit and was definitely not giving up her search, no way would she give any kind of help to Diego to find you.

Diego was…conflicted (that being the closest word he had to describing it). To him, the situation wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Sure, it was nice to not have so much focus on him from the police. And yes, as it turned out you were bringing in criminals to the police every now and then. And sure, it was pretty amazing that you not only brought them in but also brought them in with evidence against them. And yeah, you being able to stay completely off radar from everyone unless you wanted to be found was pretty incredible. And maybe, just maybe, Diego was a lot more than a little impressed with your ability to avoid him—and his knives, as impossible as that was.

But, damn, was he mad. Beyond mad, actually; he was furious. Whether it was at you for being you, everyone else for fawning over you, or himself for not being able to track you down; he had no idea. But ohhhh, was he mad. Everyone kept saying how great you were, how amazing it was that you helped people. To Diego, it sounded like everyone was saying how much better at being a vigilante you were than him, and that was so not happening. He had been Number 2 his whole life, he’d be damned if someone placed him in that position again.

It wasn’t a competition, Diego knew that. But if it had been, then at that moment, he would be losing. And that, he had a problem with.

To make matters worse, you might not have even been this ‘goody-goody’ person that everyone thought. Sure, you brought in criminals, but why? No one knew anything about you, you could have been another fish getting rid of all the little fish so you could be the biggest fish in the pond. No one had any way of knowing if you were taking those criminals down for your own gain or not, you could be anything or anyone. The odds of you being one of the good guys? Not high. Not impossible, but not high. Diego knew that anyone that had to deal with the things of his job had to be pretty messed up, himself included. Until he had a reason to believe otherwise, he saw you as a threat to be dealt with. And maybe—just maybe—he really didn’t like losing.

So, Diego being Diego, recklessly threw himself into his job. He doubled his patrols, he took more risks than usual, and he was anything but quiet as he made his way through the crime-infested streets. Which is how he found himself hiding in the middle of an abandoned building with several guys chasing after him while he’s got a large, heavily bleeding cut on his arm in the middle of the night.

He peeked out of his hiding spot, seeing one of the guys nearby, and pulled a knife from his belt with his uninjured arm. He held his wrist out to throw it at the guy, but before he could, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He immediately grabbed the person’s wrist and whipped around, intending to point his knife at their chest but they grabbed his wrist and twisted the knife away from them the second he moved. Lo and behold, he was face to face with you in all your mask-wearing glory.

“Easy handsome,” You said, your voice completely calm and eyes filled with a strange mixture of kindness as you let go of the wrist holding his knife. “It’s just me.”

That obviously did nothing to put him at ease.

His grip on your wrist tightened almost painfully. “And why the hell would that make me feel better?”

You rolled your eyes. “Because I’m here to stop you from dying stupidly.”

“Right,” he said, “Because I’m supposed to believe that—”

You both could hear footsteps approaching and you covered Diego’s mouth with your free hand to shut him up.

He obliged and stopped moving as well, eyeing you suspiciously.

Both of you reacted out of pure instinct and nothing more. You leaned further into the wall and held your hand strong to his lips as you kept your eyes to the side where the footsteps had come from. He leaned closer to you, hoping that his black clothes would be enough to shield you both in the dim lighting. His eyes went to the side as well as his injured arm protectively went to shield you. He didn’t even realize he was doing it.

When the footsteps receded, both of you let out a breath and turned your attention back to each other.

Your breath fanned his face and your noses were practically touching. He could feel your warm body against his, your leather suit pressing against his own. Your scent was overwhelming his senses, it was so distinct: vanilla, strawberries, cinnamon, and leather all mixing together like an intoxicating cocktail. Diego looked into your stunning Y/E/C eyes surrounded by the lace mask and he got a somewhat cruel reminder of one of the other reasons he found you so frustrating: Biology.

In other words, how your good looks and closeness made his mind wander to something that involved a lot less clothes.

Fuck. Stop thinking about how attractive she is, you idiot! Diego thought as his eyes darted down to your lips then back up to your eyes.

You blinked slowly, like you were raising your eyebrows, but it was hard to tell because of the mask. You slowly took your hand away from Diego’s mouth so he could talk.

“Sorry,” You said. “I thought they would hear you.”

“Sweetheart,” Diego said, “you better hope like hell—”

Faster than Diego could blink, you had a knife to his throat, he didn’t know where you had gotten it or how long you had had it, but he wasn’t going to ask.

“No one calls me sweetheart.” You growled; your Y/E/C eyes shifting from their oddly kind and calmly gaze to a look Diego could only describe as a ‘I could kill you with a flick of my wrist’ scowl.

Diego had seen his fair share of people looking at him like that, and he knew enough about women to know that if one looks at you like that, you do not push them further. So, for once in his life: he did not try to antagonize the attractive woman who could probably kick his ass. He kept his mouth shut and prepared himself for a fight.

You blinked a few times and slowly removed the knife from his throat, your eyes switching back to their kind and understanding gaze. You sighed and flipped the knife, so the handle was facing Diego, indicating you wanted him to take it.

“Sorry,” You whispered. “I just…uh…instinct, I guess.”

Diego looked at you confusingly, not understanding why you would dare give him the knife when you had the advantage. If you were any bit a criminal, the last thing you would do is just give yourself up.

“I’m not giving myself up,” You said, still in a whisper. “That’s not why I’m here. I’m here to help you.”

Diego suspiciously took the knife from you and his eyes darted to the side to watch for anyone who might be coming. “What makes you think I need any help?”

“The fact that you keep almost getting yourself killed.”

“Part of the job, baby.” Diego shrugged, keeping his eyes on his surroundings.

“Yeah, and you’ve been working more than usual. You need to step back just a little. You’re doing great work and saving a lot of people and they need you. But you’re no good to them dead.”

“Doubt you can seriously lecture me on being reckless.”

“Excuse me?”

“Which one of us is a criminal being chased by the police?”

“Um, we both are?”

“…And which one of us is in the middle of a building surrounded by people who want to kill them?”

“That’s literally all you. I just followed you here.”

“…And which one of us is dealing with someone more dangerous than them and just gave that person a knife?”

“You didn’t give me a knife.” You said with a smirk.

Diego turned to you with a pointed glare. “I was talking about me. I’m clearly more dangerous than you are.”

“Keep telling yourself that, handsome.”

“Oh, really? You wanna test—”

Both of you heard more footsteps and slammed your mouths shut. You grabbed Diego’s injured arm and slowly started pulling him in the opposite direction. He resisted and pulled you back a bit, giving you a questioning look.

What the hell is she doing? Diego thought.

Your grip on him tightened and your eyes shot in the direction you were trying to pull him then back to Diego like you were trying to tell him something.

Diego thought that he just had a strange understanding of you, a weird connection that he couldn’t explain; something like that to explain why he felt like he knew exactly what you were saying. For a moment, he thought he could hear your voice in his head telling him what you meant:

Follow me. We’re getting out of here.

The logical side of Diego always told him when there was something that maybe he shouldn’t do. Like maybe he shouldn’t try to take down an entire warehouse of bad guys himself, maybe he shouldn’t have gone in without an escape plan if things went wrong, maybe he shouldn’t have been caught, and maybe he definitely—definitely—shouldn’t let the woman that he’s been trying to arrest and that is very capable of kicking his ass to lead him out of his mess. His logical side was very good at telling him the things he maybe shouldn’t do, and it was very good at trying to keep him out of trouble.

But, always luckily or unluckily for Diego: he rarely listened to it.

You pulled on his arm again as the footsteps started to get louder. This time, Diego didn’t fight you. He let you pull him along as he kept his eyes behind both of you, making sure you weren’t being followed and ignoring the sting of his arm as you held it. He had his guard up, he didn’t know where you were taking him or if he should even let you, but he was ready for anything.

You kept turning corners, like you knew exactly where to go or you had been there before. Every time there was someone who might have seen you both, you made a turn that kept both of you out of sight. You both stayed deadly silent, your footsteps quiet and the only sound besides the others chasing you in the warehouse.

Finally, after what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than a few minutes, you pulled Diego out of the building without being seen. But you kept pulling. You didn’t stop once you were out of the building, you ducked down streets and alleyways Diego didn’t even know existed. And then you just stopped as you got to a small street on the main road, far enough away that the others from the warehouse would have no way of knowing where you went. You didn’t let go of his arm, but you turned your attention to Diego fully.

“You need to be more careful!” You said. “You can’t be so reckless.”

“Excuse me?” Diego snapped back. “You wanna lecture me? I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but this is my job and I take it very seriously. You’re lucky I’m not throwing your ass in jail right now!”

“Are you kidding me? You’re still on the whole jail thing? I just saved you from being killed in a damn warehouse from your own stupidity!”

“I didn’t need saving.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure. And what was your escape plan again?

“I would have thought of something! I didn’t need any help!”

“Yeah, of course, you’d think that. God, to think I actually thought that we could work together!”

Diego blinked slowly, like he wasn’t comprehending what exactly you were saying. “…Work together?”

“Yeah! Work together!” You snapped, your grip on his arm tightening. “You’re good at what you do and I was hoping we could be partners!”

 “…Partners?”

 “Yes, partners. As in you and me. But to hell with that! I can do it on my own. I don’t wanna work with someone like you! You’re insufferable! You’re cocky and a bit of a dick! And you’re…” You paused like you realized something and blinked a few times. You looked down at his arm and pulled your hand off him. “You’re hurt.”

“What?” Diego looked down at his arm having completely forgotten about it. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Oh, shush. You’re bleeding.” You said while showing him your blood covered gloves and fingers.

For the first time, Diego noticed that your gloves were fingerless; which given his and your line of work, seemed rather odd. Shouldn’t you be against leaving fingerprints if you work with crime scenes? He put that thought out of his head for now.

You opened one of the pockets of your suit and pulled out medical gauze, much to Diego’s surprise. You gingerly took his arm and started wrapping it with the gauze, leaving Diego even more confused. The entire time, neither of you made a sound. He was too distracted by the way you held his wrist and how gently you were dressing his wounds; it seemed like it was almost something intimate and the thought of that made Diego’s heart beat a little faster, but whether it was from adrenaline or something…more, he wasn’t sure.

“You didn’t try to kill me.” You said, eyes still on Diego’s arm. “You could’ve at any moment, but you didn’t. Why?”

“I don’t know.” Diego said.

And he honestly didn’t. Every fiber of his being was telling him that he was an idiot. That he should be trying to take you in. But he just couldn’t, there was something there, an understanding that he couldn’t shake. That terrified him because he knew absolutely nothing about you; you were an enigma, a blank slate. You could be anyone or anything. You were dangerous and maybe fearless and you could do the impossible. But that worried Diego because that meant that you were a threat because he couldn’t stop you, and that was terrifying.

“I meant what I said.” You said, breaking him from his thoughts. “I wanted to work with you.” You stopped tending to his wound and met his eyes. “I’m not here to be a threat to you. I know that’s hard to believe, but I’m honestly just here to help people. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Not even you.”

You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his injured arm. There was an odd feeling in his chest at the sight, almost like a warmth that came from seemingly nowhere. Diego watched you, trying to find the words or understand the thoughts that danced at the tip of his tongue. But there was nothing, his thoughts were cloudy and he didn’t know what to do. This was a different side of you; he had only seen you as the badass temptress who gave him a run for his money, this caring and tending-to-wounds woman is not what he pictured. And it only worried him more.

“I’m not a vigilante.” You said as you pulled back. “You are, but I’m not.”

You kept a hold on his arm, your thumb tracing lightly over his wrist. Diego found it oddly comforting.

“Oh?” Diego said.

“I don’t like to hurt people, but I know sometimes it’s necessary in this line of work. And that’s why I wanna work with you, because you’re a vigilante and I’m not.”

Diego hesitated then took a step forward, pulling your chin up to look into his eyes. “What are you then?”

“A healer to everyone else.” You said. “And a partner to you.”

Diego swallowed hard and grit his teeth as he took a step back. “I don’t need a partner.”

You held his arm tight and stepped closer, your gaze never once wavering. “No, you don’t. But I do. All I want is to help people and I can’t do that on my own like you can. Please, I’m just asking for a chance to work together. If it doesn’t work out, you can go back to trying and failing to arrest me.”

Diego looked down at his injured arm still in your hands. Maybe it was the knowledge that your lips were there only moments ago, maybe it was just the strange feeling of warmth he had when he was around you, or maybe it was just the adrenaline in his system; whatever the case, Diego ignored the logical side of his brain once again that was telling him to bring you in right then and there.

“Okay.” Diego said.

You blinked at him like you weren’t processing what was happening. “What?”

“I said okay. We can work together. If it doesn’t work out, I have a better idea of who I’m dealing with.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Why are you so surprised?”

“…I honestly didn’t think you’d agree to it. I had a whole speech and everything.” You said while awkwardly looking to your feet.

Diego couldn’t help the pleased puff of air that passed from his lips. You were kind of adorable when you were awkward, it made you seem…human. Less like an idea in his head and more like a for real person. To Diego, it sort of made you seem hotter to him. Wait, no, he couldn’t be thinking like that.

You looked back up to Diego as a smirk spread across your face. He didn’t need to be a genius to know that you were about to be back to acting like the badass temptress instead of the adorable you.

“Well, such a gentleman.” You flirted. “Sure you don’t wanna arrest me?”

Diego smirked back and finally pulled his arm out of your hands, this was a game he could play. “You’d like the handcuffs too much.”

“You’re learning, handsome. I’ll give you that. Which reminds me,” You pulled a knife from seemingly nowhere and held it out to him. “I should give this back before I go.”

Diego took it without question, he didn’t know when she had taken one of his knives, but he thought it might be better if he didn’t know. “You’re leaving?”

“Yep.” You said with a nod. “There ain’t no rest for the wicked. Got more things to do tonight, you’re not the only poor sap that needs some help.”

You took a few steps backwards as you started to leave.

“Thought we were partners?” Diego said. “How am I supposed to find you?”

“You’re not.” You said. “I’ll find you.”

“Come on. That’s not fair.”

“No, it’s smart business. Let me ask you something, do you trust me?”

“…Absolutely not.”

“Good, I don’t trust you either. It’s better that we keep details to a minimum.”

Diego huffed in annoyance. He was reminded of how good you were at avoiding giving direct answers.

“You take the whole ‘Miss Direction’ thing way too seriously.”

You groaned and crossed your arms. “The hell I do. That’s literally the stupidest name they could have given me. Please, for the love of God, don’t call me that.”

Diego took a step closer, realizing that he had an opening here to figure you out. “Oh? Then what should I call you? You never gave me your name.”

You uncrossed your arms and bounced on the balls of your feet. “Nice try, handsome. But you’re not getting my name.”

Diego shrugged, it was worth a try. “Then what should I call you then?”

“Eh, I’ve been called all sorts of things. This isn’t my first rodeo, I did some traveling before I ended up here, got hundreds of nicknames. Call me whatever you want.”

“…Seriously, who are you?”

“Who do you want me to be, handsome?” You purred.

Diego rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “Baby, you’re gonna be a pain in the ass, aren’t you?”

“Yep, but I’m gonna be your pain in the ass.”

You took several steps backwards towards the alleyway you two had come from, an odd bounce in your step.

“What’s wrong, handsome?” You flirted. “Not up for a game of cat and mouse?”

On that, you winked and turned back into the alleyway, breaking into a dead sprint as you ran away from him.

Diego held the knife in his hands and prepared to throw it, but he thought better of it and put it away. He thought about running after you, but he knew that you were already gone without a trace. He looked at his injured arm where you had kissed, it was barely bleeding now and it didn’t sting even a little any more. You really were a healer, he couldn’t explain it, but he felt better with you around; pain just slipped out of his mind and he felt oddly comfortable around you. Sure, he didn’t know a thing about you and he definitely didn’t trust you, but he could work with you if you were on his side.

Diego couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face as his fingers ran over where your lips had been on his arm. He didn’t know your name or anything about you. To him, you were Baby: the badass temptress that had layers upon layers of a person under all that leather and lace. You were trouble and you were dangerous, that he was sure of. But he was also sure that despite the fact that you would be a huge pain in the ass, you would make great partners in this line of work. He could see you as a partner, JUST a partner, nothing else. And that wouldn’t change.

...That’s what he kept telling himself, at least.

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #diego hargreeves #knives and kisses series #bringitspielberg

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Series ~ Chapter 1: Did you miss me?

Series Summary: Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

-

Chapter Summary: 

There’s someone new in town and Diego takes it upon himself to see what their deal is. He finds out they can do something impossible.

Pairing: Diego x (fem) reader

Warnings: A couple of cuss words? I think that’s it.

Author’s note: Okay, so this is gonna be a series and I’m really excited about. It’s my first go at a fanfiction series, so I hope it turns out well! :)

Word Count: 4.1k +

Y/E/C = Your eye color

Series Masterlist

Diego was having a very quiet night. For most people, that would be a godsend; but in his line of work, that put him on edge. It made his senses go into overdrive because it made him think he was missing something. Which he knew was dangerous since it made him paranoid.

When the police radio went off about a suspicious person and possible breaking and entering in the worst part of town, he was already on his feet and jumping into action. He was anxious to help people that night, it was too quiet and he itching to do his job as a vigilante.

He was near the area of the call, and he would easily get there before the police, so he wasted no time in getting to the house. All the lights in the house were off, except for one room, but there wasn’t anyone moving anywhere. His instincts told him something was off; it was way too quiet and still for a place that just called 911. His eyes fell on the first-floor window…or lack thereof.

Making sure his mask and suit were on properly, he silently crept to the window and as stealthily as possible went through it. Getting inside, he found that the window had been broken in and glass laid beneath it, but all the glass had been pushed to the side in a pile, almost like whoever broke in was trying to clean up the mess.

He pulled a knife from his harness, preparing himself for anything that he might find. He hoped to all hell that he wasn’t too late. He crept further into the room, the streetlamps providing the only source of light. His eyes narrowed, searching for even the smallest traces of movement.

Something big fell to the ground on his left and he immediately turned in that direction.

The second he turned; someone kicked the back of his leg causing his knee to buckle. He swiped blindly behind him with the knife in his hand to prevent his attacker from taking advantage of this. As he blindly sought to protect himself, someone swiped at his feet with their foot, knocking him to the ground. Being trained for this kind of thing, as he fell to the ground he reached out with his arm and latched onto his attackers hip, using his momentum to bring them down with him; which was surprisingly easy because his attacker was much lighter than he would have guessed. Finally hitting the ground, his attacker was pinned under his back as he held one of their legs to prevent their escape. His attacker dug their heeled boot into his side and pushed off the ground with all their strength, which Diego took as them trying to escape and held on tighter. 

His attacker had removed their leg from under his back and into the air when they tried to get off the ground, getting their hips only a few inches up. As Diego moved to hold on tighter, they whipped their leg down and wrapped it around his neck in a kind of choke hold. He tried to swipe at his attacker with the knife in his free hand. His attacker squirmed enough to avoid being stabbed but didn’t stop with their hold around his neck. They grabbed his knife hand and knocked it from his fingers, taking it into their other hand as the hand that disarmed him held his wrist. 

In an effort to regain control, he pushed up with his hips, using his weight to roll the both of them over. His attacker’s hold on him loosened and for a moment the two of them struggled on the floor, both trying to get control and pin the other beneath them. His attacker kneed him in the chest and knocked the wind out of him, giving them the advantage. They pinned him to the ground using their hips and knees to hold him down and held his knife to his throat to stop him from trying anything.

“You assholes are always so predictable.” His attacker growled.

Diego blinked, adjusting his eyes in the small amount of light. Hovering over him was a girl wearing a leather outfit similar to his and an elegant black lace mask that spread across her cheeks. She was wearing a hood, how it hadn’t popped off while they were fighting, Diego had no idea. But his main focus: she had just handed him his ass like it was the easiest thing in the world…and the whole masked-woman-attacker thing was definitely a first.

“Really?” You said. “No comment about me being a girl or anything? It’s just the mask thing that throws you off?”

Did I say that out loud? Diego thought.

You rolled your eyes and pressed the knife closer to Diego’s throat, drawing a little blood. “Alright, now listen up: this family is dealing with a lot. So, you can take your damn scare tactics and shove it! If I catch you here again, I’ll—”

What the hell is she going on about? Diego thought.

You paused in the middle of talking and pulled the knife slightly away from Diego, scrutinizing him. “You’re not the gangster threatening them.”

Diego narrowed his eyes and took advantage of her hesitation. He kicked his legs out and tried to flip them both over. He tried to roll in one direction, but you forced him to go the other, and he rolled into some of the broken glass, cutting up one of his arms. He started thinking of some kind of contingency plan to get the advantage, where he would throw his knives depending on where you would go and how he would interrogate you when he caught you.

You grinned and winked at him. You shoved him into the ground to stun him, giving yourself a moment to get up. You freed yourself from him and went towards the window for your escape, wasting no time in jumping through it.

Diego shook himself out of it and quickly pushed himself off the ground. He threw a knife from his belt and curved it so it would hit you, just enough to injure you so he could take you in. But at the last second, when it was curving in the right direction to hit you, you slid to your knees and ducked. The knife hit something, and you used your momentum to keep going, now out of Diego’s sight completely.

Diego pulled out another knife and jumped out of the window, intending to go after you, but it was like you had disappeared. He cursed and went over to the fence post where his other knife was embedded. He pulled it from the fence and looked at it in confusion. He was going over it again and again in his head, that’s where you had been standing and there’s no way you could know that’s where he was aiming. He couldn’t understand it. He had missed—and that wasn’t possible.

---

A few days later…

Diego was sleeping, it had been a long couple of days and his job was taking its usual exhausting toll. Like he always said, his body was a temple, he had to take care of it. And sleep, despite his many restless nights, was not optional.

For this reason, he was particularly grumpy when there was a relentless pounding on his door.

“Al,” he sleepily called, “The gym’s open right now, I’ll do the floors later.”

“It’s not Al. Open the damn door, Hargreeves.”

Diego groaned and threw his legs off the bed; he’d know that aggravated voice anywhere. If it had been anyone else, he’d tell them to beat it.

He opened the door with a sigh and the detective walked in.

“Yeah, come on in, Eudora. I’m not doing anything, just waltz right in.” Diego sarcastically muttered as he shut the door. “What did I do this time, Patch?”

She crossed her arms, holding a folder in them, and sent him a glare. “Who the hell is she?”

“She?” Diego asked.

“Yeah, new girl on the scene. She dropped off a gangster at the station last night. Who is she?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Hargreeves. There’s no way that someone is running around in a mask and spandex and it doesn’t have something to do with you. So, who is she? I just wanna talk to her.”

“…Eudora, I have literally no idea what you’re talking about.”

“…You really don’t know what I’m talking about?”

“Is there an echo in here? Yeah, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She pursed her lips in thought, like she was trying to figure out where to go from there.

Diego raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms at her. “Alright, start talking then. Who’s the girl and why’d you come here looking for her?”

Patch sighed and held out her case file to him. “The boys at the precinct are calling her ‘Miss Direction’ as stupid as that sounds. She’s new to the scene. She dropped off a gangster with a bunch of evidence against him, even had some of the paperwork already filled out. We don’t know who she is, she just disappeared like she was never there in the first place whenever we tried to get close. It’s like she knows what we’re gonna do before we do. She’s like a ghost.”

Diego took the file from her while giving her a quizzical look. “And what? What does that have to do with me? Do you need me to go after her?”

Patch shook her head. “No, she’s like you.”

“What? Devastatingly good looking?”

She rolled her eyes. “No. She’s like you. She’s doing the whole mask and spandex thing that you are.”

Diego held out a finger to her. “It’s leather, not spandex. And you used to like it, if I remember right.”

She groaned in annoyance. “So, do you know her or not? Seems like something up your alley.”

Diego hummed as he flipped open the file. On the first page was a police sketch of a woman wearing a mask, her features weren’t clear, it was just the hood and mask outlining her face. But he just needed to see the mask to know that he knew her—well, sort of, he knew of her. It was kind of hard to forget someone that handed your ass to you. Especially when for the first time in his life, he had missed his target.

Diego closed the file and passed it back to Patch. “I’ll find her.”

“That is not why I came over here. I don’t need your help here.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get me wrong, Patch. I’d love to help, but this is personal. So, no need to worry about it, I’ll handle it.”

“…What do you mean this is ‘personal’?”

“I ran into her.”

“And I’m just hearing about it now? Diego, this is police business! Keep your big nose out of it!”

“Well, now it’s my business. No way you guys will be able to handle this.”

“And why is that?”

“Because she’s good.”

“So?”

“But I’m better.”

“…I already regret everything about this.”

---

Diego looked everywhere for her. High, low, he even tried to get some information from his informants. But everyone either just wouldn’t talk or didn’t know who he was talking about. Which was odd because she was all anyone was talking about in the bad part of town. There were rumors spreading about her in the underbelly of the city, thugs were warning each other to watch out for her, big fish started to keep both eyes in the back of their heads to make sure she wouldn’t show up, and sometimes a 911 call would come in saying that someone had saved them and they need the police to deal with the criminal. 

The police had made a huge fuss about trying to find her after the whole gangster ordeal, so she had a steadily growing reputation in the streets. But besides her loud and growing reputation, she was quiet. There were no reported sightings, no criminals turned in, and no word on who she was. There was nothing but rumors that could have been about anyone. People don’t just disappear; they don’t just stop existing and it’s not exactly easy in a world where all eyes are on you to just not be found. Which led to you to having Diego’s undivided attention, he was intrigued by the mystery to say the least.

It had only been a week or so since Diego had run into you, and he just couldn’t get you out of his head. Something about you had just made his blood boil, whether it was because everyone thought that you were doing HIS job better than him or just the pure adrenaline of having a case he couldn’t crack, he wasn’t sure.

But he had thrown himself into vigilante work as a distraction, needing to feel like he was doing something good, and listening to the voice in the back of his head that maybe he could still find you. His distraction led to a lot of close calls, like the man who had grazed his cheek with a knife when Diego caught him mugging someone.

This time, however, he was on his toes and ready for anything. He refused to let himself be distracted when there were people who needed his help.

He was answering a simple breaking and entering call, a woman had noticed someone breaking into her vacationing neighbor’s house. When he got there, the front door was open just a crack and a light was on in the kitchen, illuminating the hallway past the living room. Which was definitely odd considering no one was home.

He cautiously went through the door and past the living room to the hallway. His senses were in overload, he was overly aware of the things happening around him. It didn’t seem that there was any immediate danger, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched and studied like a fish in a fishbowl. He cast a slight glance to his shoulder, feeling like someone was behind him. He clenched his fists, preparing for a fight. The floor creaked slightly behind him and he grinned.

He whipped around and grabbed the person trying to sneak up on him, slamming them against the wall. He held them strong, expecting them to fight against him, but they didn’t. It only took him a moment to realize it was you, the woman in the mask.

You smirked and raised an eyebrow at him, one of your hands holding his wrist that had you pinned to the wall. “Well, it’s about time you found me.”

The lighting cast a nice shadowy glow on you, your Y/E/C eyes shining in contrast to the darkness of the one side of the hallway. You weren’t afraid, not in the slightest. Diego could tell with one look at you and the smirk on your lips that you were dangerous, and he was in trouble.

Damn, she’s hot…wait no, focus! Diego thought.

You chuckled and bat your eyelashes at him.

“What, handsome?” You purred. “Not gonna give me a kiss?”

He tried to fight the upward quirk of his lips, he honestly did, but he just couldn’t help it. So, he disguised it with a scowl. “You should be so lucky.”

“Ah, he speaks.” You said. “You’re not a cop, so what are you then?”

“Baby, I’m the one that gets to ask the questions here.”

“Mmm, I don’t work that way, handsome. I’ll answer yours if you answer mine.”

Diego glared at you and pulled a knife from his belt. He held it to your throat and made you look him in the eyes.

“You don’t get to make the rules here. That’s my…” He furrowed his brows in confusion.

You weren’t afraid of the knife in his hands. To Diego, it was clear that it was the complete opposite, actually.

You eyed the knife at your throat and took in a deep breath. Your eyes trailed back up to Diego’s and you licked your lips. There was something different in your eyes, something Diego could only describe as the emotion that came with clothes coming off and lingering touches.

Realizing exactly what it was that you were thinking, Diego couldn’t stop the amused puff of air that left his lips. “Didn’t your mom ever teach you that you shouldn’t play with knives?”

“She’d have to be alive to do that.” You said. “And besides…” You flirted as you ran a finger along the blade with a quirked brow. “It’s not playing if you know what you’re doing, handsome.”

Diego’s grip on you tightened and he narrowed his eyes, not falling for whatever act you were putting on.

You briefly held up your hands in surrender, then returned them to their places on his wrist. “Okay, not much of a jokester. I’ll get right to it, then: You’re not a bad guy.”

“And you, Miss Direction, are going to jail.” Diego growled.

“…God, please don’t call me that. It’s terrible.”

“Well, then tell me your name and I’ll call you that. It’ll make things easier when we get to the station.”

“You’re not ready for that, handsome. That comes with trust. I’m just here to talk, you’re not gonna arrest me.”

“Oh? And why not?”

“Well, for one thing,” You purred, “I’d like the handcuffs too much.”

Diego fought a smirk from touching his lips, his grip on you loosening just a bit, which he didn’t notice.

“And,” You said, “I’m here to help, that’s all. You of all people should understand that with what you do.”

“Oh? And what exactly do you think I do?”

“Besides listening to the police radio on rooftops and creeping on people? Pretty sure you deal with criminals.”

“You been spying on me?”

“You’ve been trying to stalk me for over a week. I think I have a right to make sure you aren’t going to kill me.”

Diego huffed indignantly, you were really good at avoiding questions, he had to give you that.

“Look,” You said. “I’m new in town, figured I’d lend a hand where I can. Nothing more, nothing less. Thought that maybe you could use a partner for a while.”

“Excuse me if I find that hard to believe.”

“Believe it, don’t believe it. Doesn’t matter to me. I’m still gonna help, you can’t stop that.”

“Yeah? And how you gonna do that from jail?”

You laughed, a clear and somewhat soothing sound given the circumstances. Diego liked the sound, honestly, but he’d be damned if he ever admitted it. Not to mention, the fact that you still had a knife to your throat when you laughed was both unnerving and slightly captivating to him, and he didn’t know how he felt about that.

“You seriously still think you’re taking me to jail?” You said.

“You honestly think I’m letting you off the hook?” Diego answered with a glare.

“Oh, come on. It’s not like I’m the mugger who did that to your pretty face.” You said bringing your hand to brush across the cheek that had a cut.

Diego flinched away and scowled. “No, you’re not. You’re the girl breaking into people’s houses.”

You pursed your lips and hummed. “Hmm, I suppose that is what you’d see. Doesn’t matter, I’m still not going to jail.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

“Please, I’m getting out of this.” You said with narrowed eyes. “I could have killed you at any moment if I wanted.”

“Yeah, right. No way you—”

He was cut off by you elbowing forward with your arm where his grip loosened. You punched up into his shoulder, dazing him. You pushed your legs off the wall and using every bit of your strength to slammed him against the opposite wall causing him to drop his knife. You pressed a knife—one of his that he didn’t even see you take—to his throat, reversing the roles.

“If I wanted.” You said like a threat, pressing the knife almost into his skin.

Diego swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving yours. He would never say it out loud, but you had definitely bested him, and he had mixed feelings about it.

“You don’t strike me as a killer.” He said, hoping that he could buy some time as he tried to reach for another knife. He was already working out plans for what he would do the second a knife was in his hands, which ones he would grab, heck where he would throw it if you tried to get away.

You grabbed his hand that was reaching toward his belt, stopping him from arming himself.

“You’re right,” You said. “I’m not a killer.”

You leaned ever so slightly forward, close enough that Diego could feel your breath on his face. 

“I’m a healer.” You whispered as you pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Diego felt a chill go down his spine and a strange feeling flood his head that he couldn’t find the words for. He could feel a blush going up his neck.

What the heck was that and why did I like it? Diego thought.

You genuinely smiled at him but that quickly turned to a smirk, and Diego suddenly remembered the situation he was in. The second he had an opportunity; he had a plan for how to get you. He just had to grab his knives at the right moment.

You winked and just as quickly as you had grabbed him, you let him go and bolted for the open door.

Diego reached for the easy to grab knife on his left, but it wasn’t there. He reached for the easy to grab knife on his right, but it wasn’t there either. He looked up right as you were about to reach the door to see you smiling over your shoulder as you dropped four knives to the ground and kept going—the knives he had planned to grab. After a moment, Diego shook himself out of his confusion and quickly grabbed another knife. He threw it immediately, aiming it to curve directly towards you and stop you from getting away. It looked like it was going to hit you, and he was prepared to apprehend you when it did. But at the last second, you swiftly ducked in a weird way and the knife embedded itself in the door. Without hesitation, you slammed the door behind you, escaping from the house.

Diego quickly ran to the door, opened it, and looked everywhere for you. Just like last time, it was like you had never been there in the first place; you were nowhere in sight.

He groaned in frustration and went back inside to get his knives. You were something else, that was something he couldn’t deny. His feelings toward you were all over the place, you were frustrating and cocky and sure of yourself and it made him want to do anything he could to stop you. He also knew there was an attraction there, with you being so good looking and the mystery around you, that was undeniable. But he hated it, HATED it, because that would make his job so much harder and he was not going to let you get the better of him. So, he let himself be fueled with determination to get you next time.

His fingers ghosted over his cheek where you had kissed him, a strange warmth in his chest at the thought. He quickly shook himself out of it though, not letting himself focus on anything like that, and he went to scratch his cheek instead.

Running his nails across his skin, he pulled away his hand, even more confused. Either he was crazy or the cut on his cheek—where you had kissed—was gone. He thought it was strange but chastised himself for even thinking about it, it was probably just a weird coincidence; the cut had probably healed, and he just hadn’t realized it. He was just overly focused on your lips on his skin, which only made him hate himself all the more for thinking of you.

He pulled the knife from the door and examined it in his hands. There was no way he could stop thinking about everything that had happened, he would be going over it again and again in his head until he figured out what the hell had happened. Because you just made him do something impossible: Somehow, you had become his biggest target and he had missed you. Again.

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #bringitspielberg #knives and kisses series #and so it begins

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses: Prologue

Alright! Finished the prologue. I wrote this one like it’s being told by the narrator, but the other chapters will be different. This is optional to read if you want, just wanted to set up some of the basics, so you can start with the first chapter if you prefer since this one’s a bit long. Some of the things in the prologue will come back into play in the series, but it will be explained in those chapters. So hope you guys enjoy!

-

Series Summary: Sometimes a kiss is nothing, sometimes a kiss is something, and sometimes a kiss is everything. And Diego Hargreeves may have finally found someone who can not only keep up with him but teach him exactly that.

Chapter summary: Optional Prologue of Reader

Pairing: Diego x (fem) Reader

Warnings: None

Author’s note: The reader and her sister have powers that I’m not specifying until later in the story, I’m sure you’ll be able to guess what some of their abilities are, though. But don’t worry, both their abilities will come into play in later chapters and their powers will be clearer then.

Word Count: 6,100

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On October 1, 1989, 42 women around the world went into labor, and 43 children were born. This was odd only in the fact that before this day, none of these women were pregnant. Reginald Hargreeves, an eccentric billionaire, sought out to find and adopt all of them. It is unknown how many he initially found; however, he successfully adopted seven of them. But it had almost been nine.

---

“Gabby, come on, you can do this!” her brother shouted from beside her hospital bed.

Gabby pushed through another contraction with her face drenched in sweat from the effort. She tried to catch her breath for a moment, trying to find the words, “Danny, I’m scared.”

He pet her head to comfort her and squeezed her hand tighter, “I know, I know. This is completely impossible, but you’ll get through this.”

Gabby pushed again and the sound of a baby crying entered the room.

“It’s a girl!” a nurse called while swaddling the baby.

Gabby cried and breathed heavily like she was about to pass out, not knowing what she should feel, “I-I always wanted a daughter.”

“Alright, sorry, but you won’t get a long rest,” The doctor said. “The second baby is on its way.”

“Second?!?!” Both Danny and Gabby yelled.

“Did you not know it was twins?” the doctor asked.

Gabby squeezed Danny’s hand as she felt another contraction. His eyes were wide with fear for his sister. “Doc, she wasn’t pregnant this morning, she didn’t even know there was one!”

“Well, this is a weird day for all of us!” the doctor answered. “Alright, now Gabby I need you to push!”

Gabby kept pushing until the sound of crying filled the room.

“It’s another girl!” the nurse called swaddling the baby.

“You did it. It’s okay, sis. You did it. However impossible it is, you did it.” Danny squeezed his sister’s shoulders in an effort to comfort her as her breathing hadn’t slowed down.

The nurse handed one of the babies to Danny and another nurse held the other baby near Gabby so she could see them both.

Gabby started crying again but this time she smiled, “I love them.”

Her eyelids grew heavy and her words came out between deep breaths, “Danny…look…after…them…” She fell unconscious and the machines around her started beeping.

 A nurse took the baby from Danny and ushered him out of the room as the doctor’s started tending to Gabby. The last sound he heard as he was shoved out the door was the sound of his sister’s heart monitor stop beeping.

 “I came as soon as I could,” Pete said, gaining Danny’s attention.

Danny blinked, trying to come back to reality. He kept reliving his sister’s death again and again and he couldn’t make any sense of it. She hadn’t been pregnant and then she suddenly was and the birth had killed her, this never should have happened. Every time he closed his eyes, he just saw his sister lying in a hospital bed and not waking up.

“I’m so sorry, Danny.” Pete said. “I honestly have no idea what you must be going through right now. This literally came out of nowhere.”

Danny nodded his head, tears threatening to fall once more. “Yeah, I know. I don’t know what to do. And I know how much you cared about her, she was your partner, you were as much a brother to her as I was.”

Pete sadly looked down at the police badge hanging around his neck, “Yeah, I was. And I will deal with my own feelings when it comes to that. But…right now, there’s something we need to discuss.”

Danny brought his face forward, his eyes gazing through the glass of the nursery in the hospital. “The twins.”

Pete nodded solemnly, “Yeah, the twins. What are you gonna do?”

“What do you mean what am I gonna do?”

They could both hear the sound of a man talking, asking where the nursery is down the hall, both of them ignored it.

Pete sighed and put a hand on Danny’s shoulder, “They just appeared out of nowhere, they don’t have a father, the only person they were tied to was their mom, and she…well, you know. Which means, that they go to her next of kin.”

“Me.” Danny said. “It’s up to me what happens to them.”

“Finally, this hospital is entirely incompetent,” a man standing behind them interrupted with a huff.

Danny and Pete both turned to look at him. The man adjusted his monocle and scrutinized them.

“Reginald Hargreeves, gentlemen,” the monocle said. “Did I hear correctly that you’re the man to speak to about the mysterious twins?”

Danny eyed him suspiciously, “What’s that matter to you?”

Reginald stepped forward to look into the nursery; the twins were being kept separate from the other kids because the doctors weren’t sure what to make of them, so they weren’t hard to find.

“Extraordinary,” Reginald said. “Twins, of all things.” He turned back to Danny and stood even taller. “How much do you want for them?”

“Excuse me?” Danny asked.

Pete stepped forward to block Danny from Reginald’s view. “Sir, I don’t know what kind of game you’re getting at, but they’re not for sa—”

“I’ll give you one million dollars.” Reginald interrupted.

Pete and Danny gaped at him.

“Each.” Reginald continued.

Danny shook himself out of it, “What the hell? You can’t go around trying to buy babies!”

Reginald grabbed the lapels of his jacket and stood with his shoulders back, “I can, actually, as it so happens. I am fully prepared to take these mysterious children under my jurisdiction and intend to do so. I have already acquired a fair number of them, but these two are of particular interest to me. So, I ask again, how much do you want for them?”

Pete grabbed a hold of Danny’s arm to get his attention, “Danny, I hate to say this, but maybe you should take the guys offer.”

“You’re a policeman!” Danny whisper-shouted. “Shouldn’t you be against this?”

“I’m not saying I feel right about it,” Pete answered. “Believe me, my skin is crawling at this. But there’s two kids in there that just appeared out of nowhere and led to the death of your sister. This isn’t exactly a normal situation, you’re in no way prepared to deal with this. This guy might be one of the people who can.”

“Two million dollars is a lot of money.”

“Yeah, and you could really use it. Danny, I promise I will help you in any way I can, no matter what you decide. But honestly, you need to consider the options.”

“Does that mean we have a deal, gentlemen?” Reginald impatiently called.

Danny closed his eyes and turned back to the nursery before he opened them. Both the twins were sleeping peacefully. If things had been different, he’d be overjoyed to be an uncle, but he never would have thought in a million years it would happen like this. He furrowed his brow and thought of Gabby; how quickly he had lost his baby sister, how they had nothing left of her, she hadn’t left anything behind to keep her memory alive, anything except—

Danny turned back to Reginald with a glare. “No. The answer is no. My sister asked for one thing on her deathbed, and that was for me to look after them. She always wanted kids, and they’re all I have left of her. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take them. So, get the hell out of here and don’t ever come near my girls again or I swear I will end you. There isn’t a price high enough that you could pay.”

Reginald huffed and turned to walked away indignantly, not seeming like he was finished, but not pressing Danny further.

Pete watched him go then turned to Danny with a sigh. “So, looks like you’re a dad now. I’ll help you however I can, Danny. If you think that’s what your sister would want, then I support you.” They both fell into a short silence. “You’re gonna have to name them, you know.”

“Gabriella,” Danny said without hesitation. “The smaller one is Gabriella.”

 Pete smiled, “After your sister. And the other one?”

Danny pursed his lips then slowly smiled. “Y/N. She always wanted a daughter named Y/N.”

“Sounds perfect.”

---

Several years later…

“Gabby,” her dad said from the driver’s seat, “will you please put your seatbelt on? You’re almost sixteen, I shouldn’t have to ask twice.”

“She can’t hear you, dad.” Y/N said peeking her head up from the back seat to look at her sister. “Her powers are going crazy again.”

Gabby was sitting shot gun and her eyes were storm gray instead of their usual color. Every now and then she would mumble something incoherent, but besides that she didn’t move. A tear rolled down her cheek and Y/N made a move to wipe it away with her hand.

“Don’t!” her dad shouted. “Remember, we don’t touch her when her powers are going haywire! That makes it worse. Just like we don’t touch you either, you know the drill, Y/N.”

“I know, I know,” she answered. “I just hate to see Gabby like this. It’s hard not to comfort her.”

She leaned her head forward and brushed her hand against her dad’s arm.

I really wish you cared a lot less. You care too much about everyone and it’s only gonna get you into trouble.

She whipped her hand away and wrapped it around herself. Her dad noticed her do this in the rearview mirror.

“You did it again, didn’t you?” He said. “Look don’t be afraid of it, I promise you, we’ll find a way for you to control it.”

“You think I care too much.” she said matter-of-factly.

“I think a lot of things. And I worry, that’s my job as your dad.”

They fell into an awkward silence as she fiddled with her fingers.

“It’s getting stronger,” she said. “Sometimes I can hear thoughts without touching someone. And when I touch someone, I hear full sentences and sometimes I see clear images. Especially with Gabby.”

“I know,” he said. “Gabby’s getting stronger too. I wish I could help, but somehow you have to learn how to control it.”

“That’s why we came all the way here. You wanna see if The Umbrella Academy guy can help, right? I don’t think he’s gonna be much help.”

“I just want to talk to him, that’s all. The whole power thing with you and your sister is more than I could ever handle and he’s somehow managed to do that with six kids! Maybe more, as far as we know.”

“Five now, one of them disappeared, remember?”

“Whatever the case, if he can help, I wanna know how. And if he can’t, then we just focus on the party and you guys get to have your birthday in the city.”

“And I get to give The Umbrella Academy their gifts.” Y/N pat the wrapped packages beside her with a smile.

“Ugh, you and your weird Umbrella Academy obsession.” Gabby suddenly spoke up from the front seat, her eyes back to their usual color.

“Gabs, can you put your seatbelt on?” Her dad asked.

Gabby obliged and clicked her seatbelt then turned to look at Y/N. “Seriously though, spending all your allowance to buy gifts? Inviting them to our birthday party? I don’t get why you would go through all the trouble for people you’ve never met. Wait…oh, I get it. You totally have a thing for one of them!”

Gabby teasingly made a kissy face at Y/N who was blushing as red as a tomato from her words.

“I do not! I just…It’s their birthday too!” Y/N defended. “And they save the world! They deserve good things and I wanna tell them thank you.”

“And I want to not worry that the world rests on my shoulders because of my powers or that you’ll go insane with all the other voices in your head. There’s more to the world than some super-powered celebrities, Y/N. Just…please try not to get your hopes up too high, you might not even meet these kids and if you do, they might not be what you think.”

The rest of the car ride was silent. When they pulled up to the street of the academy, there was a large crowd waiting outside the front doors; some of the people holding posters or shouting things towards the doors.

Gabby sighed and looked so stressed that she might pull her hair out. “I told you this would happen. God, I hate when I’m right.”

“This is just a coincidence,” Her dad said in an effort to calm her down. “This doesn’t mean that you’re always going to be right, Gabs. You don’t have to worry about the visions coming true. It’s nothing to worry abou—”

Y/N interrupted him, her eyes on Gabby. “Dad, she’s gone again. She can’t hear you.”

Their dad turned to look at Gabby, her eyes were gray again and her lip was trembling. Their dad pulled off his seatbelt and slumped back into his seat, the weight of the world on his shoulders as he rubbed his eyes with a pained expression.

Y/N clicked off her seatbelt and leaned forward. She wrapped her arms around her dad.

I can’t handle this. I can’t watch both of them suffer.

A tear rolled down her cheek, but this time she didn’t pull away from him. She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead and he immediately looked better.

He pulled himself away and looked pointedly at her. “Y/N!”

“I know.” She grumbled. “I’m not supposed to use my powers—”

“—Unless it’s an emergency or you have permission.” He finished. “If someone finds out what you can do, they might take you away. And I can’t let them do that.”

“I know, I know. I just…when I see someone in pain…I just want to help. And you have so much on your shoulders! I thought that I could…”

“I get it, and I’m proud that your first instinct is to help. And the whole kissing thing I’m not a fan of because of obvious reasons, but I love that the reason you do it is to help people. But you have to stay out of people’s heads, yeah? There’s a reason they don’t say things out loud and I’d hate for people to be afraid of you.”

“Okay, dad.” She said, quick to drop the subject. “Can we go in now? I’m sick of sitting in the car.”

“Oh, are we finally done here?” Gabby said out of nowhere, gaining both their attentions. “Sooner we’re done, sooner we can go home.”

Gabby’s cheeks were soaked with tears that weren’t there a minute ago. She looked like she might start crying again any second.

Y/N eyed her sister, knowing that she had just seen something really bad. “Dad, can Gabby and I talk for a minute? You can head on in without us, we’ll be right there.”

Their dad nodded and got out of the car without another word, knowing when it was best to let the sisters deal with their troubles. He walked over to the academy and started trying to make his way in.

Gabby sucked in a breath and a tear fell down her cheek.

Y/N picked at her fingernails, keeping her eyes on the floor. “How bad was this one, G?”

Gabby looked out the window, her eyes seeming to focus on nothing particularly. “You didn’t die in this one if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Did someone else?” Y/N asked.

Gabby grit her teeth but didn’t answer.

“Do you know what causes it?” Y/N pressed.

“…No.” Gabby answered after a moment.

“…Do you know how to stop it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Should I tell Pops or Dad?”

“No, the less they know, the less likely it is to happen.”

“Okay, anything I can do to stop it from happening. I’m here for you if you need to talk.”

They fell silent for a minute. Gabby chewed her lip and turned to look at Y/N.

“Y/N?” She tentatively asked.

“Yeah?” Y/N answered, taking her eyes off the floor.

“I…I know dad tells you not to do it unless it’s an emergency…but do you think you could…” Gabby trailed off, her eyes imploring Y/N to understand.

“G, you know I don’t believe in the whole ‘only for emergencies’ thing. And for you, I would do it even if it was something as small as a papercut.”

Y/N held out her hand for Gabby to take, Gabby took it without question. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Gabby’s forehead, Gabby immediately seemed to be at ease afterwards.

What would I do without you? Images of Gabby hugging Y/N flashed through her head.

Y/N pulled away before she could hear or see anything else. “You would probably die of boredom. I mean, honestly, without me you would never leave the house.”

Gabby rolled her eyes. “Annnd, moment’s gone. God, I forgot I was dealing with my LITTLE sister.”

Y/N playfully slapped her arm. “You’re only older by four minutes!”

Gabby teasingly stuck her tongue out at her. “Come on, let’s go meet these famous weirdos and the guy that tried to buy us until we were two. We shouldn’t keep Dad waiting.”

Both girls opened their doors and prepared to leave, but before they were out of the car Gabby frowned and looked back at Y/N.

“Y/N?” Gabby said.

“Yeah?” She answered.

“…Thank you.”

“Anytime, G. Anything I can do to help you.”

---

Their dad couldn’t even get in the building. Reginald Hargreeves had disregarded him and his daughters as three more of the crazed fans waiting on his stoop. They kept trying, but Reginald was in a particularly bad mood because of the mission his children had just got back from, so they gave up and decided to just forget about it and go back to the hotel they were staying at; Gabby and her dad argued that it was probably for the best, the whole idea was a long shot going into it.

For Y/N, however, that wasn’t good enough.

While Gabby and their dad had given up and went back to the hotel, Y/N had sneaked away with her presents in hand. This, in itself, was a feat considering there were seven presents in all different shapes and sizes. But she was determined to find a way to at least give the gifts to The Umbrella Academy. She was incredibly stubborn when it came to birthdays.

So, Y/N had found herself sneaking away from everything and trying to find another way into the academy while carrying seven wrapped presents. Which is how she found herself somehow in the alleyway next to a door of The Umbrella Academy: a nervous wreck trying to figure out what she was going to say. She was almost fully prepared to just leave the presents by the door and leave a note when out of the blue, the door was aggressively opened.

A boy Y/N’s age came storming into the alleyway from the door and smack dab in the middle of ranting about something.

“—Right, because Luther is such a good leader! Not like the mission went sideways because of…” He trailed off, seeing he wasn’t alone in the alleyway. “W-who the heck are you?”

Y/N’s cheeks turned a deep red, realizing she was caught somewhere she DEFINITELY wasn’t supposed to be. She knelt down and put the presents on the steps, laying the party invite on top of them, so her hands were free. She took in a deep breath and started rambling, her eyes still on the ground.

“Oh hi,” she said. “So, um I wanted to give these to all of you because I know your birthday is in a week. Which, my birthday is in a week too, and I’m really honored to share the day with heroes! I think you guys are amazing! Helping people and um, you know…So uh for this birthday my dad brought me and my sister into the city for the party and I figured that this would be the perfect time to meet you, since it’s gonna be your birthday too. So, I used all of my allowance from the last couple of months to buy you guys some presents. But see, I didn’t know how many of you there were because I know there used to be six, but one disappeared, and I didn’t know if there were others that just weren’t really known. So, I got two extras just in case but the five of you can share the extras! They aren’t much, but I tried really hard to find things all of you would like because you’re so amazing and I—Oh God, I’m rambling! I’m so sorry, I—”

She finally looked up to see the boy and her words failed her. For a second, she was starstruck, because she was meeting one of her heroes—Number 2 specifically, if she had to guess—and without his mask, no less. 

But that admiration immediately turned to worry when she noticed that he had a black eye.

She gazed at him with concern written all over her face. Without thinking, she stepped closer to him and tenderly put her hand to his cheek. He flinched away from her touch, which she took to mean that he was in pain. She wanted more than anything to help him; in her eyes, the academy kids deserved only good things, not pain or fear. She knew she wasn’t supposed to, but knowing that she could meant she couldn’t let herself not help him.

She took another step forward and leaned her forehead against his chest, being sure not to touch him with her hands. He didn’t move, but this time he didn’t flinch away.

“You deserve only good things.” She whispered, removing her forehead from his chest. 

She stood up on her tiptoes as high as she could go (he was easily a head or so taller than her) and pressed a gentle and timid kiss to his lips. She pulled back to admire her handiwork, the black eye already starting to look much better. She smiled, her focus only on the healing.

Number 2 was blushing a deep red, not moving an inch.

Y/N blinked a few times, realizing four things: 

First, the boy in front of her was the Number 2—if she was right—(the one she had a crush on) and she had just kissed him even if it was to heal him. Second, he was blushing A LOT. Third, he was incredibly cute; and fourth, how she was about to be in so much trouble for every single thing that happened in the last couple of minutes.

“Um…” She said, starting to blush under the boy’s gaze. “Uh, thanks again for being you! I hope you like the presents and come to my birthday party! Okay, bye!” 

She ran off in the direction of her hotel without another word, too embarrassed to hear what his response to her awkwardness for the last couple of minutes would be.

 -

Diego’s Point of View:

He was angry, as he should have been. Luther had made the whole mission go sideways, and Diego was the one with a black eye that got in trouble because of it. He needed some time to himself, being around his siblings felt suffocating. He was planning on sneaking out, go somewhere, anywhere but there, leave out the alleyway and do something that would only get him into worse trouble.

He was ranting to himself, not even really knowing what about, just everything. He hadn’t pulled or pushed the door open, he was too mad for that. He had slammed the door open hard enough that he hoped he broke the hinges. His eyes scanned the alleyway and he trailed off in the middle of his rant, realizing that he wasn’t alone and that the presents with legs had to be a person.

“W-who the heck are you?” He said, cursing the stutter he hated so much to kingdom-come in his head.

The legs bent down to place the presents on the stoop, revealing a girl behind them.

He hadn’t been out of the house much due to the rules of a certain Reginald Hargreeves. So besides his siblings, his experience with kids his age was very limited—especially with girls.

The girl had started rambling while staring at the ground about how amazing The Umbrella Academy was and how she liked sharing a birthday with them. Diego had heard obnoxious fans tell him and his siblings how much they admired them ever since they stepped into the limelight, frankly, at some point it had just become incredibly annoying to him to hear strangers praise his siblings. But he could tell that this wasn’t a crazed-fan kind of rambling, it was more like awkward rambling of not being able to find the right words to say, it was honest and sincere nervous rambling; something that Diego could understand. And he found it adorable.

He was about to say something, maybe interrupt her, so he could ask what she was doing there. Before he could, she looked up into his eyes and stopped talking, and Diego lost whatever thought that had been at the tip of his tongue.

Diego couldn’t find the words, he kept telling himself to picture the word in his head like Grace had taught him, but he was too focused on something else to picture the words. He was too focused on the fear that his heart would leap out of his chest or that it was beating so loud that she could hear it. He had never seen someone so pretty. And he had absolutely no idea what to say to a pretty girl. Throw knives? That he could do. Stop bad guys? Easy. Talk to a pretty girl? Nope. To him, that was impossible.

She took a step closer to him and tenderly put her hand to his cheek. 

He flinched away, remembering that he didn’t know this girl and she could have just been there to start trouble. But then she frowned, and he immediately regretted it. To him, her frown made her look a kicked puppy and he hated seeing her sad.

He was amping himself up to say something, ANYTHING, to get her talking again, maybe even get her to smile if he could. 

She took a small step forward and leaned her forehead against his chest. 

Diego didn’t dare react or break the silence then. He had no idea what was happening. All he knew was that a pretty girl was very VERY close to him and he liked it. He didn’t even know what she was doing or what he was supposed to do; a voice in his head told him to wrap his arms around her but he didn’t even know if it was supposed to be a hug or if he should even be enjoying this from some girl he didn’t even know.

He slightly parted his lips, hoping some sound would come out.

She looked up into his eyes and softly whispered “You deserve only good things.” then stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

Diego’s face turned beet red, he was completely frozen in place. When she pulled back with a smile, he opened and closed his mouth like a fish. 

He was trying to force words to come out or a reaction or at least something other than blushing redder than a tomato. He had never so much as held a girl’s hand before, and this one just kissed him—and he had let her.

She blinked a few times as a blush came onto her cheeks. “Um…uh thanks again for being you! I hope you like the presents and come to my birthday party! Okay, bye!” 

She then ran off without another word like she had never been there in the first place, leaving a blushing Diego standing by a tower of seven wrapped presents.

Diego shook himself out of it and bent down to pick up the invite from on top of the presents. The place where the person whose birthday it was was scratched out to the point that he couldn’t tell what it originally said, and next to it were the words “It’s your birthday too! Come celebrate with us!”

He sighed and ran a hand down his face, a confused laugh leaving his lips. 

There’s no way he or his siblings could ever go to that party, it wouldn’t matter how much he wanted to go, that would never happen as long as there was Reginald. But the girl had scratched out her name on the invite and ran before she finished explaining, so the party would have been his only chance to find out who she was.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about the situation. He liked it, her kissing him, that is. Her lips were soft, and he could still taste her strawberry Chapstick on his lips. No one had ever gotten him a present for his birthday before or invited him to a party or wanted to celebrate the day of his birth, Reginald was against that kind of thing. No one had ever believed so deeply that he deserved good things and he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel. 

She was a stranger that he didn’t know but she had stolen his first kiss, and he had liked it.

He smiled and shook his head. He picked up the presents from the steps and brought them inside, dying to know what he would get to remember his mystery girl by.

If he wasn’t so focused on what had happened, he might have noticed that his black eye was gone, it had healed completely. But all he could focus on for the next few days was the girl who had stolen his first kiss and he forgot he ever had a black eye in the first place.

 ---

At the party…

“I told you they wouldn’t show up.” Gabby said as she took a sip from her bottle.

A bunch of teenagers partied around near the beach as Gabby and Y/N sat next to the bonfire. Y/N sighed in exhaustion as she watched them.

“Yeah,” Y/N said. “I know you did. I was just hoping they would.”

Y/N looked into the fire sadly as both her and Gabby fell silent.

“Hmm, what?” Gabby asked with a playful tone. “Not enjoying your ‘normal’ party? You seem like you’re as done with this thing as I am. Did you really want The Umbrella Academy to come that badly?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just…all of them are kids like us, you know? They have their powers under control, or maybe they just seem like they do. And I…I don’t know. I just felt like they would understand what it’s like to be different and struggle with powers. I love Pops and Dad, but they just don’t get it. I just feel so alone sometimes.”

“Hey, don’t start a pity party. You’re not alone, you have me! We understand each other, we know what it’s like. And hey, we’ll figure out how to control our powers eventually, I’m sure we will.”

Y/N looked at Gabby questioningly. “…You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

Gabby nodded and took another sip of her drink as they both fell into silence.

Y/N smiled slightly and pursed her lips. “I’ve been thinking…”

“That’s dangerous.” Gabby said without hesitation.

Y/N looked at her feet and chewed her lip. Gabby noticed and sat up straighter.

“Oh, okay,” Gabby said. “This is one of those ‘completely-serious-no-jokes’ conversations. Alright, go ahead. I won’t say anything.”

“The Umbrella Academy—”

“—Oh no.”

“—what they do is pretty great.” Y/N paid no mind to Gabby’s interruption. “And I wanna help people, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. But I…”

Gabby’s eyes turned gray and she leaned back, her head hitting the pillow behind her, her facial expressions shifting from one emotion to the next.

Y/N stopped talking and waited, knowing it would be seconds or minutes before her sister was back. She wanted to hold her sister’s hand or comfort her in some way to help her get through whatever she was seeing, but she knew better. Instead, she waited patiently and stared into the fire, her thoughts becoming more and more clear the more she thought about it. She drew her lips into a thin line and nodded her head determinedly.

“Jeez.” Gabby said.

Y/N turned back to Gabby who had sat back up and whose eyes were back to their regular color. Gabby didn’t have tears running down her cheeks, which Y/N took as a good sign.

“Was it a bad one?” Y/N asked.

“Not sure,” Gabby answered, “it was a blurry one, so I couldn’t tell who it was about.”

“You good this time?”

“Yeah, the blurry ones aren’t as bad. Just more possibilities. But, not the time for that, we were in the middle of something serious. So, come on then, out with it. What have you been thinking?”

Y/N smiled and took in a breath like she was preparing herself to speak. “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, that hasn’t changed. I wanna help people who are in pain. And I’m going to keep doing that. But this whole thing with The Umbrella Academy got me thinking.” She turned to her side, so she was completely facing Gabby. “We’re both incredibly lucky to have each other and we’re helping each other with life and our powers. We’d crash and burn if we didn’t have each other. But as far as we or anyone knows, we were the only ones like us that were born as twins. And I…the reason I wanted to meet The Umbrella Academy is because I just feel so alone sometimes, and I thought that they would understand. So, I’ve been thinking—actually, I’ve decided—that I wanna find the others.”

Gabby choked on her drink as Y/N finished her sentence. She coughed and hit her chest to relieve herself. “Y/N, that’s crazy! They could be dangerous!”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Or they could be struggling to find their way in this world just like we are! They’re probably feeling even more confused and alone then us, and we have each other! They don’t! I think I can help them, G.”

Gabby sighed and ran a hand down her face. “Dammit. We weren’t supposed to have this conversation for at least another year.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow at her sister. “You’ve seen me talk about this in a vision?”

Gabby nodded but avoided Y/N’s eyes.

“Then just this once,” Y/N said, “I need you to tell me something from your visions: do I find any of them?”

Gabby nodded again. “Yes.”

“Do I help them?”

“In some ways.”

“Then why do you not want me to do this?”

Gabby finally looked up directly into Y/N’s eyes. “Because I haven’t seen what happens to you if you do. For the first time, I have no idea where the future will go if you do try to find the others and that terrifies me. I don’t have control of my powers; I can’t save you if I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“G, I’ll be okay. I promise. But this is something I have to do. I need to find the others. I’m not going anywhere until both of us learn to control our powers, but I’m going to help the others learn too. I don’t want them to feel alone and I know I can change that.”

Gabby sighed and ran her hand down her face again. “I’m not going to stop you, if you’re serious about this. Dad and Pops aren’t gonna like it and they’re going to kill you. I swear that I’ll have your back, though. But please, for the love of God, be careful with what you decide to do.”

“Okay.”

They both fell into an awkward silence. Both of them looked into the fire as Gabby took another swig of her drink. Y/N smiles and bumps her shoulders with her sister.

“Hey,” Y/N said, “it’s not like I’m in The Umbrella Academy. I’m not gonna put on a mask and go after bad guys or something.”

Gabby reached her hand out as if to hold Y/N’s hand, but pulled it away knowing that she shouldn’t because of their powers. She smiled like she knew something Y/N didn’t, which she did, she always did. 

“Well,” Gabby said, “maybe one day you will.”

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #bringitspielberg #knives and kisses series

[bringitspielberg]

Knives and Kisses Prologue Excerpt: The First Kiss

Okay, so almost done with the prologue to my series and it’s long, not gonna lie. Since it’s so long, I’m gonna make it optional to read since it’s before Diego came into the picture. So, when I post them you can just start with the first part if you want because I know that some people just wanna dive into the story. However, I still hope people read the prologue too. BUT in the mean time, this is  an excerpt of the prologue that includes the reader and Diego meeting as kids because it’s cute and is the only part of the prologue that includes Diego. But like I said, it’s an excerpt, so that’s why it feels like it’s the middle of something.

This part is written like there’s a narrator because that’s just how I wrote the prologue:

15-year-old Diego x 15-year-old (fem)reader

Reader has healing powers...try to guess what she has to do to use them. ;p

Word Count: 2090

Series Masterlist

-----

Their dad couldn’t even get in the building. Reginald Hargreeves had disregarded him and his daughters as three more of the crazed fans waiting on his stoop. They kept trying, but Reginald was in a particularly bad mood because of the mission his children had just got back from, so they gave up and decided to just forget about it and go back to the hotel they were staying at; Gabby and her dad argued that it was probably for the best, the whole idea was a long shot going into it.

For Y/N, however, that wasn’t good enough.

While Gabby and their dad had given up and went back to the hotel, Y/N had sneaked away with her presents in hand. This, in itself, was a feat considering there were seven presents in all different shapes and sizes. But she was determined to find a way to at least give the gifts to The Umbrella Academy. She was incredibly stubborn when it came to birthdays.

           So, Y/N had found herself sneaking away from everything and trying to find another way into the academy while carrying seven wrapped presents. Which is how she found herself somehow in the alleyway next to a door of The Umbrella Academy: a nervous wreck trying to figure out what she was going to say. She was almost fully prepared to just leave the presents by the door and leave a note when out of the blue, the door was aggressively opened.

           A boy Y/N’s age came storming into the alleyway from the door and smack dab in the middle of ranting about something.

           “—Right, because Luther is such a good leader! Not like the mission went sideways because of…” He trailed off, seeing he wasn’t alone in the alleyway. “W-who the heck are you?”

           Y/N’s cheeks turned a deep red, realizing she was caught somewhere she DEFINITELY wasn’t supposed to be. She knelt down and put the presents on the steps, laying the party invite on top of them, so her hands were free. She took in a deep breath and started rambling, her eyes still on the ground.

           “Oh hi,” she said. “So, um I wanted to give these to all of you because I know your birthday is in a week. Which, my birthday is in a week too, and I’m really honored to share the day with heroes! I think you guys are amazing! Helping people and um, you know…So uh for this birthday my dad brought me and my sister into the city for the party and I figured that this would be the perfect time to meet you, since it’s gonna be your birthday too. So, I used all of my allowance from the last couple of months to buy you guys some presents. But see, I didn’t know how many of you there were because I know there used to be six, but one disappeared, and I didn’t know if there were others that just weren’t really known. So, I got two extras just in case but the five of you can share the extras! They aren’t much, but I tried really hard to find things all of you would like because you’re so amazing and I—Oh God, I’m rambling! I’m so sorry, I—”

           She finally looked up to see the boy and her words failed her. For a second, she was starstruck, because she was meeting one of her heroes—Number 2 specifically, if she had to guess—and without his mask, no less. 

           But that admiration immediately turned to worry when she noticed that he had a black eye.

           She gazed at him with concern written all over her face. Without thinking, she stepped closer to him and tenderly put her hand to his cheek. He flinched away from her touch, which she took to mean that he was in pain. She wanted more than anything to help him; in her eyes, the academy kids deserved only good things, not pain or fear. She knew she wasn’t supposed to but knowing that she could meant she couldn’t let herself not help him.

           She took another step forward and leaned her forehead against his chest, being sure not to touch him with her hands. He didn’t move, but this time he didn’t flinch away.

           “You deserve only good things.” She whispered, removing her forehead from his chest. 

           She stood up on her tiptoes as high as she could go (he was easily a head or so taller than her) and pressed a gentle and timid kiss to his lips. She pulled back to admire her handiwork, the black eye already starting to look much better. She smiled, her focus only on the healing.

           Number 2 was blushing a deep red, not moving an inch.

           Y/N blinked a few times, realizing four things: 

First, the boy in front of her was Number 2—if she was right—and she had just kissed him even if it was to heal him. Second, he was blushing A LOT. Third, he was incredibly cute; and fourth, how she was about to be in so much trouble for every single thing that happened in the last couple of minutes.

           “Um…” She said, starting to blush under the boy’s gaze. “Uh, thanks again for being you! I hope you like the presents and come to my birthday party! Okay, bye!” 

           She ran off in the direction of her hotel without another word, too embarrassed to hear what his response to her awkwardness for the last couple of minutes would be.

 -

Diego’s Point of View:

           He was angry, as he should have been. Luther had made the whole mission go sideways, and Diego was the one with a black eye that got in trouble because of it. He needed some time to himself, being around his siblings felt suffocating. He was planning on sneaking out, go somewhere, anywhere but there, leave out the alleyway and do something that would only get him into worse trouble.

           He was ranting to himself, not even really knowing what about, just everything. He hadn’t opened or pushed the door open, he was too mad for that. He had slammed the door open hard enough that he hoped he broke the hinges. His eyes scanned the alleyway and he trailed off in the middle of his rant, realizing that he wasn’t alone and that the presents with legs had to be a person.

           “W-who the heck are you?” He said, cursing the stutter he hated so much to kingdom-come in his head.

           The legs bent down to place the presents on the stoop, revealing a girl behind them.

           He hadn’t been out of the house much due to the rules of a certain Reginald Hargreeves. So besides his siblings, his experience with kids his age was very limited—especially with girls.

           The girl had started rambling while staring at the ground about how amazing The Umbrella Academy was and how she liked sharing a birthday with them. Diego had heard obnoxious fans tell him and his siblings how much they admired them ever since they stepped into the limelight, frankly, at some point it had just become incredibly annoying to him to hear strangers praise his siblings. But he could tell that this wasn’t a crazed-fan kind of rambling, it was more like awkward rambling of not being able to find the right words to say, it was honest and sincere nervous rambling; something that Diego could understand. And he found it adorable.

           He was about to say something, maybe interrupt her, so he could ask what she was doing there. Before he could, she looked up into his eyes and stopped talking, and Diego lost whatever thought had been at the tip of his tongue.

          Diego couldn’t find the words, he kept telling himself to picture the word in his head like Grace had taught him, but he was too focused on something else to picture the words. He was too focused on the fear that his heart would leap out of his chest or that it was beating so loud that she could hear it. He had never seen someone so pretty. And he had absolutely no idea what to say to a pretty girl. Throw knives? That he could do. Stop bad guys? Easy. Talk to a pretty girl? Nope. To him, that was impossible.

          She took a step closer to him and tenderly put her hand to his cheek. 

         He flinched away, remembering that he didn’t know this her and she could have just been there to start trouble. But then she frowned, and he immediately regretted it. To him, her frown made her look a kicked puppy and he hated seeing her sad.

         He was amping himself up to say something, ANYTHING, to get her talking again, maybe even get her to smile if he could. 

         She took a small step forward and leaned her forehead against his chest. 

         Diego didn’t dare react or break the silence then. He had no idea what was happening. All he knew was that a pretty girl was very VERY close to him and he liked it. He didn’t even know what she was doing or what he was supposed to do; a voice in his head told him to wrap his arms around her but he didn’t even know if it was supposed to be a hug or if he should even be enjoying this from some girl he didn’t even know.

        He slightly parted his lips, hoping some sound would come out.

        She looked up into his eyes and softly whispered “You deserve only good things.” then stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

        Diego’s turned beet red, completely frozen in place. When she pulled back with a smile, he opened and closed his mouth like a fish. 

        He was trying to force words to come out or a reaction or at least something other than blushing redder than a tomato. He had never so much as held a girl’s hand before, and this one just kissed him—and he had let her.

       She blinked a few times as a blush came onto her cheeks. “Um…uh thanks again for being you! I hope you like the presents and come to my birthday party! Okay, bye!” 

       She then ran off without another word like she had never been there in the first place, leaving a blushing Diego standing by a tower of seven wrapped presents.

       Diego shook himself out of it and bent down to pick up the invite from on top of the presents. The place where the person whose birthday it was was scratched out to the point that he couldn’t tell what it originally said, and next to it were the words “It’s your birthday too! Come celebrate with us!”

       He sighed and ran a hand down his face, a confused laugh leaving his lips. 

       There’s no way he or his siblings could ever go to that party, it wouldn’t matter how much he wanted to go, that would never happen as long as there was Reginald. But the girl had scratched out her name on the invite and ran before she finished explaining, so the party would have been his only chance to find out who she was.

      He wasn’t sure how he felt about the situation. He liked it, her kissing him, that is. Her lips were soft, and he could still taste her strawberry Chapstick on his lips. No one had ever gotten him a present for his birthday before or invited him to a party or wanted to celebrate the day of his birth, Reginald was against that kind of thing. No one had ever believed so deeply that he deserved good things and he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel. 

     She was a stranger that he didn’t know but she had stolen his first kiss, and he had liked it.

     He smiled and shook his head. He picked up the presents from the steps and brought them inside, dying to know what he would get to remember his mystery girl by.

If he wasn’t so focused on what had happened, he might have noticed that his black eye was gone, it had healed completely. But all he could focus on for the next few days was the girl who had stolen his first kiss and he forgot he ever had a black eye in the first place.

#the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves x reader #bringitspielberg #knives and kisses series

[bringitspielberg]

Okay, so here’s the thing:

I love reading fanfiction, but recently, the thing I’m obsessed with at the moment I ran out of fanfiction to read because no one is posting enough about it. Which means I have to remedy that. I’ll take requests, can’t promise that I’ll write all of them, but I’ll do my best. I’m obsessed with a lot of things but I’m starting with my current focus of The Umbrella Academy. I’m gonna try to mainly do reader inserts, and I have a few ideas in mind, starting with a series about Diego because that would be the fanfiction I ran out of because I love my knife-boy. So, updates to come, despite the fact that at this moment I am talking to myself. XD

#bringitspielberg #hello there #the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves