Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Memo had woken up with a dry feeling in her throat. Waking up restless and from a dreamless sleep. It was just like any other night. The moon was shining through her window and on to her bed and in her room. She lazily grabbed her phone from her bedside, turning it on, her bright screen making him suddenly grimace and quickly close his eyes as she adjusted to the sudden brightness. Her lock screen came into view as her view adjusted, Sui, Minu, Maria and Guan-Yin were behind him in the photo. He held a tired Andres and Tamara in his arms when the photo was taken. The older teens had just gotten home from school and he remembers how they all spent the day together and with his siblings. He smiled fondly at the memory before looking back at the time. It was barely 3 in the morning. She put her phone back down before slowly getting up from her bed, making sure to be as quiet as possible.

Her steps were silent as she walked through her room, opening the door quietly, the only noise coming from it being a small creak. She immediately listened to see if her father was coming, before continuing to open it and make her way to the kitchen. She had learned by now how to perfect being silent throughout the house. She knew exactly how to conceal herself and when she should make herself known. She was great at hiding and being quiet, it's just something she'd learned from being the oldest and living with her father for so long.

Getting water was relatively easy, she knew her own house like the back of her own palm, she walked through the hall quickly and quietly. He avoided eye contact with Tamara's old room and he thought about checking on Andres, seeing his door cracked open, before deciding against it for the time being. He knew exactly the quickest and quietest way to the kitchen, filling up a glass cup quickly and making her way back to her room.

She was doing fine making her way back, expecting to go to sleep just fine with her water now. She had successfully not woken anyone or ran into her brother or father. She expected it to be like any ordinary night, and it was perfectly normal.

Until it wasn't.

She stopped dead on her tracks right in front of Andres' room and her heart broke a bit as she heard quiet sobs coming from her little brothers room. He went up to his door that was cracked open and knocked gently on it. He peeked in and he could've sworn he felt his heart shatter a bit as he saw his little brother flinch at the knock. Andres was sitting up on his bed, tears falling from his bright yellow eyes. He whimpered a bit at seeing his big sister come into his room. Memo quickly closed his door quietly, rushing towards his bed and putting her glass cup of water down on his bedside, it long forgotten.

Memo sat down on the end of his brother's bedside, putting out her hand to see if he wanted a hug and the younger fell into his older sister's arms, sobbing into her shoulder. She wanted to take all of her brothers sadness and get rid of it or bear it. Anything for him, she would do anything for both of her siblings. Anything to see her baby sister again.

"I thought you were gone!... I had a nightmare... You were-... You were gone and I was alone!..." The younger hiccuped into his sisters shoulder, the boy was shaking and scared. His bright yellow hair buried into the others chest. She held him tighter and shushed him gently, rocking them both side to side in an attempt to comfort the younger.

"It's okay, I'm here. I'll always be here. I'm not going anywhere." She said as she held Andres close. She would say those sentences over and over, rubbing circles into the others back gently and in a soothing motion. She let him cry it out, let him show the emotions, do what she couldn't. She never could cry to her father and be comforted. She especially knew about those kinds of nightmares. She used to wake up in a cold sweat and rush to Andres' room to make sure he was still there. He was so ashamed and distraught about losing Tamara, the nightmares of losing both his siblings never seemed to stop.

She would sit there for at least an hour, comforting him as he cried and tired himself out from tears. She would smile and hug him tight, telling him how special he was to her and how he was never going anywhere and promised to never leave Andres. How they'd be siblings forever and never leave each other....

She'd tuck him into bed that night and hug him extra tight, telling him to come to her if he needed to. She kissed him on the forehead and told him goodnight, saying if he woke up again he could come to her.

----

"Are you even listening to me!? Andres stop daydreaming and fucking pay attention! I'm serious Salgado!" Memo yelled, snapping Andres out of his own brain. She slammed her fists down onto the table, an angry look on her face. She was made about something related to Ender and her reputation being ruined again, the media and Corvus being on her ass about it. She was pacing around the room and yelling loudly. They were in his office and Memo was in her Conductor uniform. She seemed to be wearing it more and more these days, especially the gloves....

She's ranting about how awful they're treating her and how much pressure she's under to him, shoving some blame on to him for whatever minuscule reason. He learned to just tune a lot of it out and let her be mad. Until she punched the wall and broke a hole in it. Throwing a lamp in his direction and shouting.

"You need to chill." Andres said, his eyes widening and- that just made his sister more pissed, her red eyes looking like firey flames as they just got more heated and into a shouting match, which would ultimately end up with the younger sibling storming out of the room and slamming the door after the oldest made a particularly harsh comment to him. He hated when she acted like this. He felt hate in his system for her. He hated that he still loved his older sister somewhere deep in him, he knew she was hurting and let it out on him but gosh- She was so. Angry. All the time. He could never just talk to her and have a decent conversation anymore. It was always a screaming match or just a rude "Hi." to the other before ignoring the other until they couldn't anymore.

Who knows if they'll ever be normal siblings again. To go back to what their relationship used to be. To go back to those nights. They both want it again so badly, but their walls and hatred for each other will likely not go away anytime soon. They both yearn for the past, but know they'll never have that back.

Chapter Text

My notes on this firstly! :

He relieves it every night, especially during the first year after the accident. She closes her eyes and there he is, his body ripped and torn, blood pooled around him and She remembers his leg and arm being blown off, pieces of them spread about the area. She still feels like the blood is on her Conductor uniform. He sees it when he closes his eyes. She can just hear her little brothers scream. He remembers the horror when he found him.

She doesn't really remember what she did, it's all a vague blur. If he ever tries to remember it he'll start crying or get emotional. Whether he screamed and ran up to him, or had no reaction at all besides a few tears in her shock, he doesn't know. The only thing he can solidly remember is bringing Andrés to Pomona, he knew he was rushing but he remembers just staring at his little brother. He was just a kid. A kid messing around, playing. This shouldn't have happened. He should've got there sooner, she should've done more, should've ran faster and screamed for help more. She knows that day was not one of her best moments.

The following days, weeks, months after she'd check on Andrés whenever possible. The nights she spent crying at his bedside while he was asleep, telling him she couldn't lose another sibling, how much she loved him. She admitted so much on how he cared for him those nights. He may never hear them again, but they all still stand. He'd wake up every night for the first few weeks, even months in a cold sweat and shooting up. He keeps seeing Andrés dying as he finds him or him not making it to Pomona in time. He has to make late night walks or drives to the hospital Andrés stays just so he can confirm he's still alive. The first month he slept IN the hospital cause she was too afraid Andrés would die.

Okay mini EB story now

----

Memo had just come from a meeting, looking for her little brother. He should be in his lab or outside, Asteria had said Andres was working on new modifications for his wings and to test out his powers. So he was currently playing outside testing his powers to the older siblings knowledge. She decided it would be a good time to check up on him to see if they wanted to go do something together. She knew her little brother was passionate about his work, so she thinks a reward and congrats on how well he's doing would be nice. She was walking out of the Hero HQ with a small smile on her face, opening the door to call for Andres. Until she heard it.

An explosion. Or at least the immediate aftermath of one.

It sounded incredibly close to her and she panicked first, thinking it came from the tower, until she looked back to see it was fine... So that means-

"ANDRES!!! ANDRES ARE YOU-!?" She said and she rushed to where he'd normally train, her legs kicked into moving her body faster before her brain could comprehend what she was doing. She was running fast and now seriously worried.

Then she spotted him... right there in the grass, laying there. Her breath quickened and stilled at the same time as she looked at him, his eyes slowly turning to her.

"M-... Memo..." Andres' voice was raspy and deep as he lied their in the grass. It was a gore scene. His blonde hair blown off the majority of his head. the left side of his head was covered in blood and it looked like flesh was red and barely on that side of his face anymore. His clothes were barely on him anymore, his hero suit completely blown off, his wings well beyond destroyed. the bone of his left arm and leg sticking out, his hand and below his knee detached from his body and blown off into another part of the grass. Blood was pooled around his small figure. It looked like his left eye was almost completely falling out of his skull if not for the flesh barely around it. The younger sibling very slowly turned his head towards his sister as he tried to say her name.

This had to be a living nightmare, she thinks she was gonna be sick. She was gonna puke- This- How did this happen!? fuck fuck fuck- She remembers falling to her knees in his blood, it staining her Conductor uniform, but she couldn't care less. She picked him up oh so gently, like he was the most fragile thing on earth, because as she looked at him, he really was. As soon as she was back on her legs again, her little brother in her arms, she ran.

She doesn't remember much after that, she doesn't know if or how much she cried, she doesn't know what she did after she started running. All she knows is that she has a vague idea of what happened. She had ran like her little brothers life depended on it- because it did. The one thing she does remember very vividly is his face and eyes looking up at her and how she'd shush him and tell him he'd be okay. She never totally took her eyes off him. As she'd bark orders at others and scream for someone to help, she'd never not immediately try to soothe her little sibling after, no matter the state he was in.

She watches him get pulled on to the hospital bed, Pomona and other hospital staff rushing to his side and pushing Memo back a bit. His eyes were blurry from... tears? when did he start crying? Then suddenly he heard a flatline come from the heart monitor and panicked shouting. Whether it was from her or the doctors, she couldn't tell. He never took his eyes off Andres, until his vision blurred and he couldn't breathe and-

....

She shot up from where she was sleeping, her head pounding as she looked around trying to process her surroundings. It was night time as the full moon shined down into her kitchen. He had woken up there and had knocked over a half drunken bottle of alcohol and looked on the kitchen island she fell asleep at to see her mostly empty pack of cigarettes running low. She was still half in her conductor uniform. She grabbed her phone out of her cape lazily and hissed at the bright screen, the pounding of her head getting worse as she adjusted to her bright screen to see it was 2 am. "Fuckin stupid nightmares..." She muttered under her breath as she got up

She grabbed her pack of cigarettes and whatever she had left- She'd have to buy more soon- and made her way to her car. Should she be driving with a bitch of a hangover? No. But she was worried about her little brother.

She grabbed a lighter and cigarette out of her pocket, lighting it and putting it in her mouth before getting in and starting up her car. She felt the nicotine enter her lungs and she used one hand to take the cigarette out and exhale, blowing it out her car window and feeling immediate relief and a wave of calmness came over her. She knows she's a mess but she couldn't care less at the moment as she starts her car and pulls out of the driveway.

It was about a month after the accident, and Andres was still in the hospital, specifically, Hero HQ Hospital. He was mostly getting better, but sometimes his health did a quick and sudden drop, which worried the doctors. Her brain was convincing her Andres might die at any moment if he wasn't there. She couldn't handle him passing, having already lost his only other sibling. She needed him here. If he died she doesn't know what she'd do. She's lost so many people already, he's one of the only people she has left.

The drive is uneventful, she smokes behind the wheel just so she doesn't have to pull over and sob her heart out for a few minutes. She just needed something to focus on, otherwise she'd break. She had just stopped spending the night at the hospital cause she thought she was getting over these nightmares, but it seems they only go for a day or two then come back in full force. She knows she smells like nicotine and alcohol, and at the moment, she couldn't give less of a fuck what others thought of her. She just wanted her baby brother and to know he was alive and safe.

Before she knew it she was at the Hero HQ Hospital parking lot, pulling into a parking spot in the mostly empty parking lot. She quickly got out, stumbling as she walked to the doors, them opening automatically.

She already knew by heart where his room was, attempting to go in through the doors without checking in with the front desk.

"Sir you must check in first, what's the patient's n-" "Sir!-" the lady at the front desk said before Memo slammed her fists down on to the desk between them. There was nobody else there this late at night, just them two in the waiting room.

"Andres Salgado. Now open the door. And let. me. see. him." She said, snapping at her and she opened the door quickly after that. The women was now pale and silent, letting her go through without another word.

She stormed through the hospital hallways, heartbeat monitors could be heard from the other rooms, but she paid them no mind, only focused on finding her little brothers room. That was until Mandla spotted her and tried to stop him vaguely.

"Memo?... What're you doing he-" She said before the brunette shoved her out of the way.

"Fuck off Mandla!..." Memo said, clearly pissed and not wanting to be interrupted. She didn't follow him anymore, or if she did she kept her distance. And that was enough for the other.

He made it to his little brother's bedroom without any other interruptions. Letting out a deep sigh of relief as she opened his door to the dimmed room. The heart monitor and other various machines were hooked up to him, keeping him alive and steady. As soon as the older sibling closed the door to his room and sat down next to him. He stared at his little brothers small and fragile sleeping figure for a moment, before she just broke down.

"A-Andres please... Please I love you so much... You're all I have now and... I don't know what to do if you leave. I need you Salgado, please. I don't know what I'll do if you're not here..." She said as she sobbed onto his bed, holding the other's hand. "I can't do this alone... I've lost so... so much. You're the best fucking little brother you hear me?!" She said, her voice slightly raised, but not enough for her to wake him. She doesn't know if he could ever tell him this while he's awake. "Please... Fight and live Andres." He said as he held the younger boys only hand.

She would talk to his sleeping figure for hours until the sun almost came up, before finally getting up to leave, knowing he'd likely wake up soon. He caught her here a few times, but never these late night talks about her nightmares that would haunt her. How much she loved him and needed him here. How much she cared for him.

Little did either of them know, only months to a few years later, she'd never have said those words out loud again. Her love is still buried deep... and she will always remember these nights until she dies. But that's between her and him. But she knows in her heart he heard none of it. And likely never will.

Chapter Text

It was so cold.

At least that's what Tamara thought as she sat on the cold floor, shivering and cold. She leaned up against the wall in her cell, barely glancing out of it every once in a while. Nobody was going to come check up on her for a while, and she was only fed when JD came around. His visits got more scattered lately, as he was making more experiments she couldn't be bothered to remember.

The cold floor kept her grounded at the moment. It felt better than the rock of a mattress she had and a sorry excuse for a pillow she had. She had used the other beds pillow here's just to feel more comfortable, seeing as she didn't have a cellmate yet. The last one had died a while ago after a surgery and their body rejecting the organs given. At least that's what she heard from the people talking as they were near her cell.

She traced her fingers along the floor mindlessly, lost in her own thoughts. She had a lot of time to think in here. To miss her old life before she got kidnapped. Her 10th birthday was today she thinks... It's hard to keep up with the days anymore. Everyday feels the same and so... so lonely.

She misses her siblings so much. She thinks about them a lot. Her father and mother were a blurry thought that'd only come in every once in a while. She barely remembers what the outside was like... 3 more years and she'll have spent more time here than outside of the lab.

She knows she should be in school by now... She should be learning like all the other kids her age were. Hell... She barely knew how to write and count. JD only taught her what he claimed were the 'necessities' and left her without the rest. She had gradually learned some extra things through context clues, but she knows she's missing out on a lot...

Man she misses actual food. She can only remember a select few meals that she loved. Chicken nuggets, macaroni, cereal.... basically anything off the kids meal. Because God she really just was a kid. She never should've gotten kidnapped. She should be going to school and making friends and playing in the dirt or something. Not having lab tests and experiments done on your mysterious powers every week.

Tamara vaguely remembers her siblings. She remembers them the most out of anyone. She hopes they're doing okay...

The brunette can't remember much about either of them, but she does know a decent amount about them to vividly remember their figures and faces,

The oldest had a girlfriend... They were both pretty nice, Tamara remembers how she would tell her stories and sing to her and her brother. He'd hold her whenever she got hurt and cried. She was always there, watching her and her little brother play. The oldest never seemed to leave their sides and had a soft smile whenever he'd watch them play.

The other was adopted... She remembers sharing a room with him. She'd always play with him and they were practically attached by the hip once they were together. Tamara would ramble to him about things and he would do the same back about his newest projects. She remembers his blonde hair and yellow eyes. She would play catch with him and run around their yard, a ball of energy but always willing to wait for her brother.

As she was lost in thought, she felt something wet come down her face. She blinked and wiped away her tears vigorously , not wanting anyone or anything to see her cry. She can not seriously be crying about people she hasn't seen or heard about in years.

She just misses them so much. The late night talks, crying into her oldest sister's shoulder and being comforted. Talking with her younger brother and listening to him. She wants that all back, and feels anger bubble deep down in her about the life she lost. That she could've had. She wishes things could've been different.

Oh what she'd give or do to reverse time and have never gone into that alleyway....

Chapter Text

Hey girl, open the walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family
When you walk away is when we really play
You don't hear me when I say

It was late, well- not really. It was late afternoon, evening-ish. And Andrés adoptive mom was sleeping. She passed out on the couch again after a long day of work. Andrés never really got to see her much, and truthfully, didnt really see her as much of a mother. She was barely even around when she wasn't sleeping. And with how much the two fought, you wouldn't even know theyre married at first glance. But she was all he had at the moment, so the young blonde ran up to her and slighty shouted.

"Mom! Please wake up,-" He said, able to hear Corvus in the other room talking on the phone with someone in hushed tones. "Dad's Corvus' on the phone with someone-" And he thought about Memo in her room, who was most definitely smoking or doing weed right now. He caught her one time. She promised him she wouldn't do it again, which was a big fat lie, she'd been doing it now more oftem than never now, even if she thought Andrés was unaware, he knew. "And your son is smoking cannabis..."

She wouldn't budge, stirring only slightly as she brushed Andrés off softly, trying to be nice. But it was clear, more than anything, that she was tired and didn't care what her family was up to- At least not in this state. It didnt matter to her, and he only sighed as he left her alone, his shoulders drooping as he went back to his room.

No one ever listens, this wallpaper glistens

.......

As the now-brunette older went to his room, he heard shouting- or more-so a stern lecture, from Corvus, clearly directed towards Memo, from the kitchen. Something about being beaten by that new villain Ender. He could barely listen as he sped up towards his own room, a bad feeling in his gut. He bit his tongue as he just tried to block it out.

Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen.

.......

"Places, Places! Get in your places!" Corvus said, ushering the others over to get in theor places for another live family event. Their mother wasn't there, it was only the three of them. She had made some excuse not to show up, but the two siblings never had that privilege. Having to put on faux smile. They were required to do this so they seemed like the perfect family, still in tact after everything that happened with Tamara. None of them wanted to do this, Corvus and Memo were always snappy on days like this.

Their father looked towards Memo and threw her a suit. "Throw on your dress suit, and put on your doll faces!" He said, the last part directed towards both of them with faux kindess, they both saw through it easily, hearing the sweet venom of poison in Corvus' voice. Memo nodded nonetheless, putting on the outfit in record time.

.......

"Everyone thinks that we're perfect." Andrés says to Ender at the end of one mission, offhandedly mentioning his family slightly, after a particularly rough day with them. It was hard. Living in such a household, but he managed to get used to it. It held his tongue back from saying the last part until Ender had left, and was out of hearing range. "Please don't let them look through the curtains..." He mumbled under his breath, knowing how much their reputation would crumble to moment the city found out just how much of a mess the number one hero family is.

.......

"Picture, Picture! Smile for the picture!" Corvus says in a fake happy tone, gripping both Andrés and Memo just a little too tight as the photographer took their photos, knowing that if they weren't perfect or 'happy enough' they'd get the lecture of a lifetime as soon as the cameras and people left. Unfortunately Memo seemed to be in a bad mood today for whatever reason, moving away after the first photo, but the photographer wasn't done, so Corvus moved his hand to her shoulder and said, a bit quieter this time. "Pose with your brother! Won't you be a good sister?" He said, putting the two closer to together as he left the photo for clearly just one of the two, his eyes boreing into the two. And they both knew it was more of a demand than a question.

.......

D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees

.......

Hey girl, look at my mom sister
She's got it going on

Andrés scoffs as he watches from the sidelines, one of Conductor's interviews, again. Where she goes on and on inflating her own ego and smirks, making everyone believe her. As she speaks, its clear how dressed up he got for this, his jewelery shining from every angle as she talks. Anyone would be blinded by it- (Ha, you're blinded by her jewelry)

When you turn your back
She pulls out a flask
And forgets his infidelity

The moment they're home and the coast is clear, Corvus clearly gone and the house empty as ever- As Andrés opens his door, he knows from his heart the sound of a bottle opening immediately and Memo taking a swing of it, ready to drown her sorrows in the fluids and forget the day ever happened. He knows if she's not gone in a couple of hours he'll be left to pick up the peaces of whatevers left of her, plus whatever mess she's made, from smashed bottles, to her passed out drunk on the floor.

Apparently- They dont get to that point, cause far too soon, earlier than they thought Corvus comes home. ("Uh oh, She's coming to the attic-) The sound of a front door opening just as both of the siblings open to doors to their own rooms- Memo clearly a bit more than tipsy, but they slightly head out their room and shut their doors as Andrés nudges her arm and whispers as they hear footsteps come towards their hall. "Plastic. Go back to being plastic..." He mumbles, and she can only nod as she sobers herself up as quick as she can. Just in time for Corvus to come around the corner and lock eyes with the two of them, assuming they've been fine.

Despite this, as soon as Corvus enters his room, clear to not come out, she rushes back into her own after she grabs another bottle from the fridge. Andrés just shakes his head, Memo clearly uncaring of whatever Andrés opinion is of her, too far gone to be ashamed of herself in front of him.

He mutters quietly to himself as he heads into his room again, closing his door harshly and sitting down at his desk, opening his laptop to look for leads on Tamara as he mutters.

"No one ever listens, This wallpaper glistens." He mutters, his eyes moving to the far-to-old-wallpaper from when Tamara was still around they were still kids.

"One day, They'll see what goes down in the kitchen..." He says quietly, just as he hears the harsh opening of Corvus' door, footsteps far too calm with a hint of harshness heading towards Memo's room, likely somehow figuring out what she was doing.

.......

"Places, Places! Get in your places!" Memo says, ushering the staff around them (and Andrés) to be ready as they were about to be in front of a sea of fans for what felt like the hundredth time today, barely a moment to breathe without looking fake.

"Throw on your dress, and put on your doll faces." Corvus had said blankly, right before the two left. Andrés coming as just an added security measure with all the crime rates spiking up, yet still needing to look good for the press. He had become more accepting of Memo, albeit quite reluctantly. His distaste being clear in private, but it looked good to be a supportive father, so he kept up the act.

"Everyone thinks that we're perfect!" The Conductor said with a smile, looking out inti the crowd that shouted as they started to walk out of the private building, the older waving to fans all around, giving her best hero smile.

"Please don't let them look through the curtains..." Andrés had mumbled right after, as if on instinct, only loud enough for the older sibling to hear because of the loud city around them. She shot him a glare, but in the blink of an eye it was gone, replaced back with the smile. The younger and froze, quickly regaining his composure, shuddering but putting on a smile for the crowd as they walked.

.......

"Picture, Picture! Smile for the picture!" The photographer had said, another photoshoot of the siblings for some company deal and also as 'family photos' for Corvus to show off how well the two are doing and how 'enthusiastic' they are with their jobs. "Pose with your brother, won't you be good sister?" The man had said, to which the siblings both got flashbacks of their father saying the exact same thing, Memo grimacing, but doing as told, having to resist snapping at someone. She'd been getting much angrier lately.

After the shoot, when majority of the temporary staff were gone, the older ran a hand through her hair in stress. She muttered, mostly to herself, but loud enough so Andrés could hear. "Everyone thinks that we're perfect..." She had said, looking down at the ground, wishing for nothing more than to smoke or drink right now. "Please don't let them look through the curtains..." Andrés could only say in reply, closing the curtains to the building slightly, but both of them knew he wasn't just referring to that. And the older, despite herself, couldn't help but agree.

.......

D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees

.......

Hey girl (hey girl)
Hey girl, open your walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family

Words that echoed through an empty home, sat beside two twin beds stood a small picture frame, in it a photo of a family of 5, all smiling to various degrees, with Tamara's being the widest and most sincere. It collected dust the more it sat alone between the two twin beds, forever stuck in time to a time that'll never come back. A time thats been left to rot and that the family could only dream of now.

.......

"Places, places! Get in your places!" Corvus had said, his much younger voice softer than any recent time in the present, more caring, but especially towards Tamara. He kneeled down with a small smile, more genuine than any time in the future. "Throw on your dress-" He had said, handing the young girl a gorgeous light to pastel pink dress, to which she gladly took with a smile, rushing to go put it on as soon as she got the go-ahead. "-And put on your doll faces..." He said, a fond smile as he watched the young girl rush away, the rest of the family already ready for the photo and video, giving the announcement of the new members adoption, Andrés' adoption papers in his hands.

As the photographer started to set up, complimenting to family on how great they are, the two parents smiled. Their mom sighing and looking up towards Corvus "Everyone thinks that we're perfect." She had said, shaking her head with a smile now.

---

Memo watched the video, mumbling to herself as she watched her younger siblings on the somewhat grainy video footage of the day, that she recorded. On instinct when she heard those words from her mother she responded quietly to nobody. "Please don't let them look through the curtains..." she said, as if it was an impulse reaction, the words being grained into her mind by his brother now.

---

"Picture, picture! Smile for the picture!" The photographer said right before taking the photo, the lovely women with a kind smile as the youngest said 'cheese!', taking the exact photo that was on the frame in Memo's siblings' room. She loved the memory of this, but it was now tainted by how messed up their family now was.

Soon enough, the parents ushered out of the photo, their mother smiling happily at the three as she spoke, her voice clear with delight as the words left her mouth, no malice in her voice. "Pose with you brother, won't you be good sister's!" She had said to the both of them, to which they both gladly did.

---

Memo looking up with a bittersweet expression.

The exact photo was framed on her wall, along with many others near a corner in her room back when she had friends, and a family that cared, her girlfriend, and even her son. She didn't take any photos like that anymore, but the one of both her, so young, and her siblings, was right dead in the center.

"Everyone thinks we're perfect." said a voice that sounded like they had just entered Memo's childhood room. Though she turned around, expecting to see Andrés as she instinctively replied. "Please don't let them look through the curtains..." But, when she opened her eyes, looking towards her bedroom door, she saw nobody, just a slightly cracked open door. They silence throughout the house deafening.

.......

D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees

Chapter Text

This was the day. The day he proposed to her. She was so nervous and pacing in her room, staring at the ring he bought just for her. A beautiful gold ring with orange accents and a circle diamond in the middle. It costed way too much but it was perfect. Just for her future wife. Memo sat on her bed and placed the ring down, picking up her pillow and screaming into it. Their date wasn't for another few hours, he needs to get it together. She is a flustered mess and he can't wait to see her. Future wife.... even thinking about her like that makes her heart flutter and gives her butterflies like she's some random high school girl she just fell in love with. But this was Sui. Suinara. The girl he had met in class along with the rest of their friend group. The one she would rant to and stay up with until ungodly hours studying together, but also enjoying each other's presence. The one that'd always make her laugh so hard he couldn't breathe. The one who kissed him in his room once they were alone together, for the first time, and she couldn't speak properly for 10 minutes from being so flustered while the other laughed her ass off at his expression.

She was his everything. This all had to be perfect just for her. She couldn't mess this up no matter what. Nobody else could compare to the loud, ginger-haired, bright personality that her girlfriend has. Whenever they were together Memo never wanted to take her eyes off the other. Her laugh made the brunette smile so fondly at her and makes her always let out a small giggle too. She could always bring a smile to his face without fail.

She did her tie in front of her expensive vanity, checking her hair for the thousandth time to make sure it looked good. He wore a white suit-dress with gold accents, it shimmering a bit and reflecting in the light when she spun around lightly. She stood up as straight as she could and puffed her hair out a bit with her hands, hoping it'd look nicer. She was internally squealing and panicking at the thought of seeing her future wife. He took a deep breath and looked himself over one more time, debating if she should brush her teeth again. Before she could make up her mind she heard the doorbell ring from across the house.

Memo rushed to the front door, the her heels being apparent as she made her way to the front door quickly, giggling. Her dress flowed as she came to a halt at the door, opening it quickly.

Her breathe gets taken away by Suinara.

She's wearing a beautiful greenish teal dress that goes down to her ankles. It sparkled in the sun as she swayed and looked down at Memo, smiling. She had heels that matched the dress perfectly and sliver earrings and necklaces. She had a small purse she carried and as soon as their eyes met Sui giggled at Memo's flustered face.

He couldn't speak. She blew any exceptions he had out of the water. This was better than anything he could've ever seen her in. Memo was speechless and tried to speak for a minute or two, looking Sui up and down in the doorway. He was frozen until Sui bent down and gave her a quick kiss. Memo's face went red as he processed it, when she looked at him again Memo flew into her arms, embracing her into a hug.

Sui yelped and giggled but quickly caught her girlfriend, spinning her as their outfits danced together beautifully. Memo was slightly picked up from the ground as they kissed again and giggled. Memo held Sui's face as she held him up by the waist. Until she eventually put him down enough to where they both caught their breathe as they stared at each other.

"So... you ready to go love?" The taller asked, Memo immediately nodding and giggling. "Yup! Let's go!!..." She said as she held her lover's hand and dragged her to their car, ring in her suit pocket.

And a few minutes later Andrés would go out of his room to see the front door still flung open, Memo and her girlfriend long gone.

.......

They sat comfortably at a table as they were waiting on their food. They were at an old timey diner that they had their first date at so long ago. Memo reserved this spot with a single rose in a vase and candles around the table, uncaring of however much the extra charge would be. He'd pay it all for her.

They were having a great time, giggling and messing around while waiting for their food. Sui even gave Memo a peck on the cheek which made the shorter squeal and kiss her. They didn't care for whoever saw or judged. After all she's the daughter of the #1 hero, anyway steps in their way and they're dead meat. Nothing could ruin this.

And nothing ever did.

That day was perfect. She remembers the sparkle of curiosity in Sui's eyes as Memo said she had a question for her. They had just finished up eating and got their table cleaned. They even shared a chocolate and strawberry milkshake, giggling as they ignored the rest of the world around them. Memo was flustered like crazy as she slowly took a deep breath and stood up.

"Sui. Since we first started dating, I know I never wanted anyone else. You're so amazing and sweet and- just overall so wonderful. I wouldn't wish for anyone else, which is why I ask this question now."

Sui's face slowly morphed into one of shock as she saw the brunette get on one knee and fumble to get a ring out of her pocket. The ginger slowly started to nod her head and say yes before he even finished his sentence, slowly agreeing more enthusiastically as Memo opened the small box. She stood up fast taking a step around the table, now in front if her girlfriend.

"Suinara, the most wonderful and beautiful girl I know. Will you marry me?"

"YES!!!" She said as she put her hand out slowly, Memo standing up again to put it on her hand. As soon as it was on, the ginger picked up her fiance and kissed her. A few guests started to clap a bit in congratulations.

......

"FUCK! Memo-" Sui said, holding Memo's hand as she stepped on it in the car. She was definitely breaking one or two laws right now but Sui was in labor. It was way too early for anyone to be up, especially them. They hadn't expected their baby boy to come yet, not so early. Yet here they were, 4 am and Memo speeding in the car to the Hero HQ hospital. Hell, they were both still in their pajamas, her hair was a mess. The brunette was panicking as Sui kept breathing heavily, squeezing his hand to keep them both focused. "Just keep focused on the road love, don't have us crash." Sui said, trying to keep calm between her contractions, her eyes closed and her head against the car seat.

Her water had broken in bed, The ginger shaking Memo awake and just smiling at him in shock as he was waking up, quietly muttering "He's almost here." Before the brunette finally got it and shot up in bed, processing what was happening all too quickly before running to go get their bag and pack for the moment to drive them to the hospital.

They thought they'd have enough time, Sui saying she thought they'd be fine on their way to the hospital in their car, no need for an ambulance yet. That she could wait until they made it to the hospital. But due to traffic and the long drive it took longer than they thought, and her contractions were getting closer and closer together unexpectedly.

They held out without getting into a crash and made it to Hero HQ hospital, Memo pulling into a parking spot nearby the front door and basically jumping out of the car, rushing to open the door for her wife, uncaring for their things at the moment, only carrying her phone with her to contact the others about Sui's delivery.

Memo was still stressing, holding on to her wife's hand as they walked in, the brunette shouting for help and that Sui was giving birth.

It all happened so fast though, one second they were next to each other, Memo holding her as much as she could, then the next Sui was being putting on a stretcher and ushered into the labor and delivery unit, doctors and nurses swarming her. Memo tried to follow, she really did, but they pushed her back and told her to wait until everything was okay for her to go back with her wife.

"Until everything's okay!?! That's my wife there!! I drove her here I can't just see her yet why the FUCK do I have to wait?!" Memo shouted, causing the few passerby's, staff and patients to look at the scene unfolding in front of them.

"I'm really sorry ma'am, but she's in critical condition according to two of our doctors, so nobody is allowed with her yet. If you don't calm down I'll need to call security." The nurse said, looking up at the now, frankly livid, Memo. She scowled at the nurse before storming into the waiting room, unable to sit down so just settling for pacing around the room instead.

It seemed like hours, maybe even the whole day, though when Memo snapped back to reality, the sun was starting to fully shine and rise in the sky, when Mandla finally came and sat down next to Memo. When had she got there? He had no idea. His whole world froze for a second, unknowing of what happened to her wife and baby. Her heart finally continued to beat and dropped when Mandla smiled and quietly said "You can go see them now." Before she got up and held out her hand to the other. His body moved on autopilot as he walked there, unsure what he'd see. Would they be okay? He didn't know. All that mattered to her in this second was her family.

Mandla walked him to Sui's room and opened the door for him, letting Memo fully go in before closing it. And the brunette was laser focused on the two in that bed, tears about to overflow as Sui looked up at the brunette and smiled. She slowly moved to sit on the chair next to the bed, putting her phone on the bedside table there was. She sat down and finally broke down when she saw the bundle of joy that was crying in Sui's hands. Memo had always been emotional, but she couldn't put her feelings into words at this moment on how *happy* she was at the sheer fact they were okay. They were both so beautiful and just, amazing. He doesn't get how he could take part in making something this perfect. A tiny little human, a mixture of her and her wife. The best of both of them together.

As the shorter sobbed, Sui grabbed his phone with one hand, the other holding the baby. She unlocked it easily, taking a quick photo of her and Ruhi, Memo on their bedside looking at Ruhi with tears in her eyes, her hair a mess and in pajamas. The ginger sent it to the group chat with herself and the rest of their friend group, still on Memo's account, only saying "Guess who's here!!!" In the message before putting his phone down again, it promptly blowing up from their friends freaking out, probably on their way here.

"Do you want to hold him?" Sui asked her, holding out the small baby to him. Memo was startled for a second, stuttering before just giving a quick nod with tears in her eyes, getting handed the small boy.

She honestly never thought she would be this emotional when he came. Memo didn't think he'd cry this much. But as the little bundle of joy cried softly in her arms she couldn't help the tears flowing down her face. He was just perfect. A beautiful bundle of joy that looked just like the two of them. He would do everything to protect the two of them. No matter what he'd do everything in her power to keep them safe. He loves them both to death.

Later on as Sui is recovering the rest of their friends slowly get to come in., Guan-Yin rushing to Memo's side. She had stars in her eyes and squealed quietly at the now finally quiet baby.

"We had some trouble getting the staff to let us in here because we weren't family, but Mandla helped us get in a few minutes ago." Maria said as he leaned against his staff, having walked behind Guan-Yin slower. He peeked at the baby and smiled, the little guy just stopped crying loudly, now reduced to small whimpers and baby noises.

Minu followed slowly behind, analyzing them all, she steadied her glasses and made sure they were firmly on tight, not wanting to hurt anyone. Especially the newborn. She walked behind Maria and smiled as she saw the small boy crying softly. Memo was attempting to shush him but also talking to the other two. Minu somewhat zoned out, all attention on the baby.

"Hey Minu, do you wanna hold him?" Memo said, smiling and locking eyes with the other even if she could only see her glasses. The other was surprised at the offer to her first and stuttered but nodded eventually, agreeing to hold him.

The two were both extremely gently as the baby was handed over, the other three watching intently. Sui smiled in her bed as she sighed. They had talked about the order the three would get to hold them and the parents agreed for Minu to go first. Ruhi went from small soft cries to a sudden stop as Minu settled the little guy in her arms. He made small baby noises and his eyes opened as much as they could.

The little boy was all wrapped up and his eyes opened as he looked at Minu, going a bit quiet before babbling and smiling at the women holding him.

Minu instantly felt a stong sense to protect Ruhi no matter what, she'd do everything in her power to keep this little guy safe from harms way, just as she would her friends. He babbled and let her hold him without making a fuss, giggling actually at the coldness of the paler's hands.

The two besides Minu were a bit impressed but how fast Ruhi got happy and comfortable being held by someone else, the parent's just happily watching with a soft smile. Minu used one hand to let the little baby hold her finger, his big eyes staring up at her.

"He likes you...." Sui said with a smile tiredly, preparing to rest soon after they were all done and introduced to Ruhi. Minu nodded as she rocked the baby, shushing him and smiling as he babbled up at her glasses.

Guan-Yin got to hold him next, her being very antsy and excited as she held the baby in her hands. He was nowhere near as giggly as he was with Minu but he seemed to like her. Babbling and yawning in her grasp. The former couldn't be said about Maria, Ruhi took one look at him, stared for a moment, and started wailing. He panicked as he held him. Memo quickly taking him and calming the baby down, very slowly giving Ruhi to Maria. Letting him warm up to the man, before they knew it baby Ruhi was comfortable with all five of them, giggling and they all collectively gave a big "awwwhh" at him.

Soon they let Sui sleep, the other four letting the staff do shots and needed procedures before taking care of him together, well, Minu and Memo mostly, the other two cheered them on and tried to help whenever they could. They were good support, both emotionally and physically.

......

They all happily took care of baby Ruhi together, mostly the parents, but the other 3 also learned a lot with the experience and taking care of children. They all learned how to be good parents, aunts, and an uncle. They loved Ruhi like no other, and would hang out a lot together just to see him. They got to feed him and got to enjoy some funny moments with him together, but nothing would ever live up to Ruhi's first steps.

It was any normal day, nobody could've suspected a thing. Just a few months after the kids first birthday Minu and Memo were in the kitchen, Sui was resting, and Guan-Yin and Maria were playing with little Ruh. Currently, he was chewing on the ball on Maria's staff, Maria giving the kid an amused expression on the couch as he held it and Guan-Yin on the floor with the kid. Andrés was also off in his room at the time.

The little guy babbled and chewed happily, unbothered by anything and just focused on the ball. Memo and Minu making lunch and having the other two in charge of watching the baby while they cooked. Memo had called Maria over for something and Maria had gotten up, taking his staff with him, which made Ruhi whine. Guan-Yin also got up to look at what was going on, taking a few steps towards Maria as he walked towards the kitchen. Baby Ruhi had gotten and stood up, holding the couch and looking at the floor. Guan-Yin kept her peripheral vision on him, and seeing him stand wasn't too surprising so she didnt bring too much attention to it. That is, until he took more than two steps.

Guan-Yin didn't process it for a moment, busy on focusing on the conversation the others were having. Then she saw him moving and started to look, which is when she saw him start to walk. They yelped and fumbled to get their camera out, panicking and shouting for Memo and Sui so loud it sounded like something had happened. The three rush over, and even cause Andrés and Sui to come out of their own individual rooms (well, Memo AND Sui's, Sui was just resting in there.) They were worried until they saw the others freaking out in squeals as Memo got on one knee, urging Ruhi to come to him.

Maria had barely moved as they tried to find their phone, Guan-Yin just having got theirs out to record. Minu and Memo had rushed to the living room, watching Ruhi intently now, Minu having her phone out as well. Ruhi had started to walk without the support and everyone started cheering, even Maria, but as he tried to get his phone out, his uniform knocked over some cooking supplies, including the flour, which fell and as he tried to catch it, that made it fall on to him, covering him in white flour and coughing all over the place. Just as that happened, Ruhi had been walking and fell backwards, everyone, including Ruhi, slowly turning towards Maria to see the chaos he caused.

They all took a moment before letting out a collective sigh, realizing the mess that had happened and the time it would take to clean it. Andrés noped out as soon as he saw it, back to his room to hollow up and look for any clues on Tamara. Though he would go and look back at the video of everyone holding their breath, seeing Ruhi walking. The next to respond was Minu, going to Maria's side and helping him up. Sui was about to help but Memo pulled her aside, a soft smile on her lips.

"It's alright love, I got it covered. You look over Ruhi, okay?" The shorter brunette said, her voice firm yet soft. It was clear she wouldn't take anything other than "okay." For an answer so the ginger just sighed and smiled in defeat, nodding as she went over to their son.

"Everyone who got that on video, send me it!"

Guan-Yin shouted, everyone laughing and teasing Maria, as he just pouted like an upset cat. They all had a good laugh about it later on, the rest of the day going as chaotic and fun as it usually would with all of them.

They all loved each other, albeit a bit differently, but collectively they were all just best friends. They hoped times like this would never end.

......