#[mv. hargreeves investigations]

[c0mplex-heroes]

@theseance444 // cont.

Relief didn't flood Charlie's body. No her concern wasn't eased in the slightest. The slur not gone unnoticed either.

She could tell this night was gonna go one way or another. Both equally as messy. But Charlie couldn't leave him out there alone. "Really? You're calling me from the street to say you're good?" She sighs, but she's already grabbing her car keys. "Alright, stay where you are and I'll come get you. Which street corner are you at?"

[c0mplex-heroes]

Charlie wasn't completely unreasonable, especially with her friends. Sure she could be a massive pain in the ass, the Adaptor was self aware enough to recognise it.

"You get results I know." Charlie nodded, well aware of Hannah's talents as a lawyer. It was the big reason she'd called her. "I'll behave, promise." And she did, waiting patiently (as she could) for Hannah's return. When she did, Charlie looked relieved with a smirk. "Those are the results I like to hear." Charlie complied, getting up and grabbing her bag from the main desk once she was out of her cell.

"So did the cops tell you anything about the guy who got me arrested? Did he say anything about the missing girl?"

Hannah let out a breath of relief when Charlie seemed to accept what she was saying. Hannah was good but she wasn't a miracle worker.

"You know I don't take my time with things." She said as she got up to leave the cell for the time being so she could get some things quickened up. "Just sit here, don't talk to anyone." She warned before leaving, returning in an hour or so with a relieved smile on her face. "Come on, get your things."

[c0mplex-heroes]

"I know it's 2am, but I really need someone to talk to. Are you awake?"

((from @theseance444 ))

@theseance444

Charlie was usually burning the midnight and beyond oil. A genuine sleep routine had never been something she'd achieve. Her mind was too active. Especially when she was on a case.

When her phone rings, she leaves her papers to one side. Picking up the phone in an instance. Initially she's annoyed but when she hears her brother, concern takes over.

"Hey. Yeah I'm up. What's going on? You okay Klaus?"

[c0mplex-heroes]

“sanctuary“ (muze of your choice!)

It had been all Charlie had heard all day, warnings about an impeding storm. Predictions of powercuts, heavy rain, flooding, high winds... advice to stay home and wait for it to pass. And of course when the worst of it hit, Charlie's whole apartment block lost power... as did most of the city block.

It's as she heads to the ground floor, just to check it isn't just her apartment hit - she spots a figure outside. It's as she comes closer, she recognises her brother.

Throwing the door open, lit candle in hand, she pulls him inside the hall. "Klaus! Jesus what are doing out in the middle of a storm? It's crazy out and you're soaked through."

[c0mplex-heroes]

@conduitandconjurer // cont.

"Klaus." Charlie still had a wave of guilt over her face, her hands still shaking. God why had she got him involved in her mess?

"Still I shouldn't have got you involved. They hurt you because of me, it's my fault man. Shit..."

[c0mplex-heroes]

An eye roll is clear to see, Charlie unsurprised by Klaus' reaction. But she's not angry. If anything it feels familiar. It feels like their kids again...

Was she a little nervous? Maybe... All the years she'd cut her siblings off after leaving the Academy, she'd been sitting with a lot of guilt. Guilt she didn't want to hold onto anymore.

Yes... Charlie sincerely wanted to make it right.

She pauses. Oh great, now he knew she was serious. Had Charlie over stepped? Was she just gonna mess it all up again? She hadn't exactly been a model sister. Why wasn't he saying anything?

And then the smile and Charlie relaxes. The tension gone. "Er no thanks. You smell of cheap booze and last night's hangover." She wrinkles her nose, but she's not really that serious. Instead falling back into the nostalgic and familiar banter. Although if he did corner her with a hug... well she wouldn't completely deny him... maybe.

When Charlie asked if he was done Klaus let out a snorting chuckle and gestured with his HELLO hand with an expression that bled 'oh by all means', the small smirk of a smile remaining. At first the banter felt normal, a familiar ease against the frayed edges of his hungover sobriety but then…

Then he felt his scalp start to tingle and his sister's expression changed from smirking to serious. He felt apprehension swoop low in his chest, blossoming painfully outward and causing his fingertips to tingle.

Was she... actually apologizing? Oh.

His foot dropped back down to the floor from the table, letting the chair right itself. The two front legs of the chair thudded against the hardwood as his knitting fell off of his lap, and he stared at her with wide eyes for a few seconds in silence.

Then his face slowly broke out into a very wide, very annoying smile as he let out a delighted peal of laughter, clapping his hands together before opening his arms wide. "Ooohh, I knew you fuckin' loved me, gingerbread! C'mon, get in here! Give your favorite brother a huuuuuug!"

[c0mplex-heroes]

"I screwed up."

Stepping into the kitchen, Charlie stumbles upon Klaus sat in a pile on the floor looking as miserable as sin. She takes a moment with his admission, silent for a second... With a sigh, she settles herself down next to him.

"What happend?" Charlie turns to him. With Klaus she knew it could be number of things. Past regrets or more recent trouble. Whatever it is she's ready to listen.

[c0mplex-heroes]

@theseance444 // cont.

Stepping more into the room, Charlie looked puzzled at all the yarn. More an amused puzzled than an annoyed one. Glad to see Klaus was indulging himself in one of his less destructive hobbies.

"Huh?"

Continuing to be a bit puzzled, she heads towards Klaus. Remaining still she allows the yarn to be draped over her. Finger tips lingering on it as she admires the craftsmanship whilst simultaneously looking super awkward.

"Errr... Well it's definitely a scarf."

[c0mplex-heroes]

@conduitandconjurer liked for a starter with Charlie

Things could still get messy between the Hargreeves siblings at times. It wasn't surprising given their collective childhood trauma. That much couldn't heal overnight. And well it led to a lot of them not using the most healthy outlets.

Charlie hadn't meant to blowoff and snap at Klaus last night. The truth was she'd had a rough day and had one too many bottles of whiskey. Now it was morning and she was sober... well she realised he'd clearly been troubled and was only reaching out.

Heading to Klaus' room, Charlie made her first steps to make it right.

Knocking on the door, she waited in silence. No answer. Knocking again, "Klaus are you in there? It's me... Charlie. Can we talk?" She paused. "Please Klaus."

[c0mplex-heroes]

Charlie's sharp look she shot him showed how serious she was. "Oh deadly. Now hurry up!" She snaps, already set to work. Quickly she makes a note of all the windows in the room. One by one she locks them tight before drawing the curtains. Although she's careful not to make herself seen. Tonight chances were something she couldn't afford to take. She'd landed herself in enough trouble as it was. If she hears his comment she doesn't respond...

Whipping around, Charlie has an equally defiant look, one that it's clear she's not in the mood. "You're right. But it might buy me some time to think." It's now that she's stopped, it's clear by appearance alone how messy things had gotten. The evidence of the fight she'd been in was clear - the split lip, the large bruise on the side of her face and the bloody gash in her sleeve that was still dripping. But the most was the look, she didn't just look angry she look rattled which was rare. "Yeah yeah I get it. You're the big shot vigilante and we have super powers. I hear you." It wasn't like Charlie could talk. She was reckless at times, often looking for trouble. But this time she might have bitten off more than she planned.

Satisfied now the room was fully secured and cast in darkness aside from a few lamps, she decides to occupy the floor instead of taking a chair. "Thank you." She grumbles out as the lock clicks into place. It was a temporary sure. But she needed a minute... A minute to think. "I don't expect it to. I just need a minute to figure out how to fix it." If she could... She shouldn't have taken that case. Now she was a witness, a witness someone wanted to silence no matter how many criminals they had to pay off to do it.

"Lock the doors and stay away from the windows." - from Charlie ( @c0mplex-heroes )

Diego shot a look toward the door, his expression a mix of skepticism and defiance. "Lock the doors? You can’t be serious." He strode toward the nearest window, muscles tense beneath his jacket as if expecting danger at any moment, but his steps were casual, almost cocky. The faint light outside flickered, casting shadows across his face, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he hovered by the edge of the window, close enough to feel the cold air seeping in but just out of sight. "If someone really wanted to get in here, no door or window’s gonna stop them," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else, fingers tracing the handle as if daring someone to test his theory.

He shot a smirk over his shoulder, that classic, defiant grin that said he wasn’t about to back down from anything, let alone follow orders. "You think a lock’s gonna do any good against people like us?" he asked, his voice low and rough, laced with just a hint of amusement. "You forget who you’re talking to. I’ve taken down guys twice my size without breaking a sweat. Trust me, whatever’s out there? They should be worried about us." His words carried a weight, the kind of confidence that bordered on recklessness, but there was an edge to it—like he thrived on the danger.

Leaning back against the wall, Diego folded his arms across his chest, his eyes scanning the room before settling, the smirk still plastered on his face. "But fine," he said, his tone softening just slightly, though the challenge in his eyes remained. "If it makes you feel better, I’ll play along." He gave a little shrug, moving to flip the lock on the door, the metallic click echoing through the room. "Just don’t come crying to me when locking the door doesn’t fix your problem." His gaze lingered, that tension he thrived on buzzing in the air, as if daring the danger to show its face.

[c0mplex-heroes]

@conduitandconjurer // cont.

"Well I was enjoying some peace and quiet, but I guess that rarely lasts." Charlie quirks an eyebrow, a small sigh escaping her lips. But she's not annoyed... For once.

"Are we day drinking again? I mean it has only just turned..." Charlie looks at her watch, before returning her gaze to Klaus on the couch. "6pm... Getting your happy hour in early or should I be worried?"

[c0mplex-heroes]

CHARLIE VERSE TAG DUMP

[mv. hargreeves investigations] - Main-verse, Charlie working as a P.I before or after main timeline is saved.

[mv. we only see each other at weddings & funerals] - Main-verse, Set anytime during S1.

[mv. right back where we started] - Main-verse, Set anytime during S2.

[mv. meet the family] - Main-verse, Set anytime during S3.

[mv. the academy] - Main-verse, Charlie's childhood as Number Eight/The Adaptor.

[av. the sparrow academy] - AU Verse, an alternate Sparrow Academy where Charlie is Number 2.

[av. out of time & dimension] - AU Verse, Charlie's crossover verse where she ends up in other verses.

[av. cyberpunk] - AU Verse, Charlie stuck in the future working as a merc.

[av. the shifter barbarian] - AU Verse, Charlie's D&D Verse.

[c0mplex-heroes]

"Mhmm." Charlie's a little disappointed at first without the confirmation. Maybe she had gotten her hopes up too much. Still right now she was distracted on getting them home safe and sound.

Quirking an eyebrow, Charlie peers at Klaus out the corner of her eye. Of course he'd butt heads with whichever ghost was lingering around. And well she couldn't deny she was still worried about Klaus.

Upon the confirmation that was indeed their dead brother in the backseat, Charlie's face lights up. "It is? I always wondered if he was still lingering around after you conjured him up." Looking in her rearview mirror, Charlie tries to imagine where he might be sat. "Hi Ben..." A pause, looking back to Klaus. "He can hear me right?"

Busy giving the backseat his middle finger, Klaus looked up when Charlie spoke again. "Oh you know, just another old cowboy," he said vaguely. But Ben was having none of it.

"Tell her I'm here, asshole!"

"Okay, okay, okay fine," Klaus tutted, now busy arranging food in his lap. "Hold your horses!"

Once they were out of the drive-thru, Klaus tossed a fry into his mouth, speaking around it. "Ben's the unfortunate dead bastard, all day every day babe! I can't take a piss without him nitpicking my aim!"

[c0mplex-heroes]

"Alright alright! Just don't take all night." Charlie rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh. Maybe technically she should say morning... Although honestly she was starting to give up hope of getting much sleep after this. It wasn't like she had health habits when it came to sleep anyway...

Satisfied Klaus had placed his order. She ordered herself a simple cheeseburger and some decaf coffee. Pulling round to the collection window.

"Which unfortunate dead bastard is having to put up with your crap today?" Charlie asked quirking an eyebrow. Surely it was too hopefully to think it was Ben... Right? Was he even still around?

As she finished her question, food was ready. Grabbing their order, she passes it over to Klaus - pulling out of the drive-through and making her way for home.

"Don't pressure me, I'll freeze up!" Klaus whined, still squinting at the menu. After mumbling something to the back seat, he seemed to decide. "Okay okay, double cheeseburger is safer, I know what's in it," he said, as he still wasn't exactly sure what a Big Mac entailed. Better to keep it simple.

Raising his voice to slur at the drive-thru speaker, Klaus gave his order. A double cheeseburger, fries, and a coke. A classic "drunk after the club" meal.

"Klaus. Can you tell her I'm here?" Ben's voice spoke up, as they waited on their food. Sure, their sister had never been the most personable, but she clearly cared. Unfortunately, Klaus never had been a good translator.

"Shh," Klaus hissed at the back seat. "I'm not your messenger boy!"

"You... literally are."

[c0mplex-heroes]

A quirked eyebrow with an unconvinced expression. Charlie had learned pretty quick to keep her valuables under lock and key, especially her liquor. She still hadn't forgotten her missing expensive whiskey. "Mhmm... And I'm sure that's all it is."

Charlie was well aware why Allison was still pissed off. It was strange these days, but Charlie for once was trying her best to stay in her siblings lives. Even if it meant picking up her intoxicated brother in the early hours.

Pulling up the car to the drive through, she can't deny a cheeseburger sounds pretty good. But she waits for Klaus first.

"Oh by all means take your time..." Charlie sighs, still curious about the spirit he was chatting to... "McDonald's... The golden arches are kind of a big giveaway. So which do you want double cheeseburgers or big Mac? I haven't got all night."

"Sticky fingers? Moi?" Klaus repeated, putting a hand to his chest dramatically. As if he hadn't stolen from every member of the family at some point. "Never! She offered me her couch for the night, which turned into a few days, and uh..."

"And you were shooting up in her bathroom," Ben supplied from the back seat, earning a hiss from Klaus.

"Well, potato potahto..."

Taking the last puff from his cigarette butt, Klaus tossed it out the window like he was throwing darts. As they drove, he was clearly out of it; the permanent tremor in his hands played with a pair of dog tags around his neck, eyes far away. Thinking of a better time, maybe, if he was thinking at all.

As they pulled up to a fast food joint, Klaus leaned closer to see the menu. The scent of liquor, smoke, and blood wafted from his very being, as he debated out loud what he wanted.

"Mm, I'm feeling a double cheeseburger--or a big Mac? Is that the same thing?" Another glance to the backseat, only to get a shrug from Ben. "Ooh, or a whopper? Is that McDonald's, or burger king?"

[c0mplex-heroes]

Personal emotions and feelings could always make things messy. Charlie tried her best not to let her personal feelings affect her cases. But given things hitting close to home and now Hannah was involved... well that was getting more difficult.

"Okay okay I hear you. Sit tight and don't piss anyone else off. Got it." Charlie nodded with a defeated sigh, knowing full well if she didn't listen it was just going to make things worse. "I can do an hour, just hurry and get all this crap cleared up... please."

Hannah took in a deep breath, it was easy to come and help someone when they were strangers, but she knew Charlie. Which some how made it more complicated because her own emotions were getting involved.

"I know you do. I know you want to find her, that's all you want. Just keep quiet for now and we go from there." Hannah insisted and stood up, she could get the charges dropped. She just didn't want Charlie to mess it up. "An hour, okay? Hold tight for an hour."