Five hadn’t talked to you in months. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, that fact hurt him. Getting this new job put your relationship on the back burner, ignored until you left with a simple note on the table. He couldn’t be mad but your disappearance from his life left him numb.

Five forced himself to push past it, to ignore the numbness like he has all his life. He can ignore pain and heartbreak as it had become a lifelong habit. He dug his nose in his work, overworked himself for months, looking into groups his boss was telling him to ignore. He erased your image from his office, throwing away the pictures he had sitting on his desk, moving the coffee machine you got him into the break room he never goes into. Five often spent nights at his office because he couldn’t go into the apartment you shared, knowing your presence still haunted it.

One day, Five was sitting in his office when his phone began to ring. He recognized the number from the hospital he has visited when working on cases. He answered the call and felt his stomach drop as the doctor explained that you had been in an accident and you were badly wounded. You were awake and showing symptoms of amnesia. The only reason they called Five was because he was your only emergency contact.

He didn’t hesitate to go over to the hospital you were at. His heart pounded as he walked through the halls, trying to find the room they were keeping you in. For once in his life, Five felt nauseous at the sight of you in the hospital bed. He noticed how your eyes followed him as he sat down in a chair next to you, not missing the look of confusion in your eyes. He had to stop himself from reaching out and grabbing your hand.

“Who… are you?” {{user}} asked, your voice quiet and raw. You didn’t even sound like yourself.

“I’m Five. An old friend of yours.” Five said softly, trying to ignore how much it hurt to call himself a friend.