a u : the day that wasn't. it was.

[cem]

[ You don't expect your life to shatter when there's a Yankee Candle burning apple pie in the background. The smell is still in Vanya's nose miles later, run right out of Leonard's house in sweats and socks without ever looking back. She can't. She can't even think right now, not to her feet and the blisters to come, not to call a taxi instead of looking like a crazy person pelting through town. Everything awful and lonely and heartbreaking about it aside, the only thing she can think of is the Academy. Home. She has to get home. Pain tears at her side with each breath she takes but she doesn't slow down. Doesn't loosen the death-grip she keeps on the red notebook clutched against her chest. Not until she's staggering up the familiar steps and practically falling through the door. Please, please, please let someone be home. Diego's in the foyer, Mom dainty at his side with gloves on and a parasol tucked under here arm, arguing with Klaus, sweat-slick in an army surplus vest and half-bent over for the chair tied to his back. The heated words cut short in the wake of Vanya's arrival, an expectant silence as she tries to gulp down air. She has to— There's— Patience was never Diego's strong suit and it still isn't, glaring at the interruption. Already told you once, he glowers. Get out of here. Mom frowns in disapproval, slim fingers tugging at Diego's elbow as she quietly scolds him for being so rude to his sister. Diego doesn't blink, just pats her hand gently and goes back to grilling Klaus. You guys⁠— Vanya pleads, heart pounding in her ears and she can hear it. She hears it. Diego's already said his piece, case closed, and so ignores her entirely. At least Klaus has the grace to actually turn and face her when lifting his one free hand to his lips to shush her. No, please, something's⁠— Vanya holds out the book for proof, for all the words still jumbled inside her that she can't sort out yet. Diego snatches it out of her hand just long enough to glance at Archibald's monogrammed initials before tossing it away in disgust. He doesn't even look at Vanya. A surge of anger rises within her, picks her up and carries her away and for one white-hot moment Vanya lets it. LISTEN TO ME!! The words burst out, so loud that she hardly recognizes her own voice, accompanied by a spasm of energy that ripples through the air⁠— Cracking windows, rattling the doors on their hinges, blasting Diego and Klaus right off their feet to skid on the tile to the foot of the stairs. Vanya's hands clap over her mouth as thunder rumbles directly above the academy, followed by a sudden pelting rain. For a long, long minute, it's the only sound there is as Diego and Klaus stare at their sister as if she's just grown a second head. As if she'd started speaking in tongues. As if she'd suddenly showed actual powers after almost thirty years. All righty then, Klaus finally says. You have our attention.. ]