Back in the diner, Vanya noted how on edge everyone else seemed to be. Five was trying his best to appear nonchalant but his grip around his knife turned his knuckles white from tightness. Allison's gaze shifted much too often and never stuck on one object. Luther kept shifting around and Diego was halfway out of his seat before noticing their return and nodding, settling back to his original spot.

"Must've been some bathroom trip." He was angry, an expected but annoying occurrence. "Hope you two like pancakes cuz that's what he ordered for you."

Vanya never understood why her brother felt the need to alert everyone to his slightest dissatisfaction. She nodded back, not wanting to start a fight, and lowered herself down. Klaus, however, felt more than enough passion to share his displeasure.

"No Diego, I wanted waffles! You knew that you prick!"

Diego scoffed. "Then tell me where you were."

"Come on, Diego. Let's not do this now." Luther pressed his shoulder against his brother's in a somewhat foreboding way. There was no more sound to pick up, but the tension between the siblings could be felt as much as one of Vanya's shockwaves. They ate quietly, only creating disturbances to pass utensils or chew. None of them liked it, it was too much like old times. Allison didn't like how little Vanya ate, barely clearing through a single silver dollar. She almost wished she could rumor her-or at least say something- to get more nutrition for her sister. Instead, she sliced through a single sausage and placed the thicker end on the other's plate. It was followed by a thankful nod as Vanya tried to complete it.

Diego hated to admit it, but he did order Klaus waffles. As the waiter arrived, his brother's small cheer both annoyed and warmed him. Ugh. He and Five had both gotten just coffee and gazed intently at each other as they struggled to finish their cup first. In the end, Five succeeded, of course. His stomach grumbled but Diego tried hard to fight it. His body was a temple. This junky diner food desecrated it. Yet the urging grinds of his intestines led him to swipe half the silver dollars off Vanya's plate with his throwing knives. He chewed grumpily as he plotted out the exercise he would attend to later that day. The others really should have been more aware of their diets, especially Luther, who mowed through fourteen helpings of bacon. To Diego, it was the most disgusting thing he'd ever seen, including the murders.

Walking back out into the street, Diego pondered all of the ways he could aid Vanya in training. Growing up, he'd always intended to keep her as far away from the rest of them as possible, even if his methods were a bit... harsh. With his scathing words, his own fear for her manifested itself as malice. In fact, one of his scariest moments had been a break in from when they were around ten years old. The culprit had never been found and he could distinctly remember camping outside of his smallest sibling's door, aware of her lack of defense from the world's evils. And now here they were, with that docile sibling now the most lethal of the bunch. He grimaced, melee combat was not an option. He could barely manage throwing knives at any of his siblings (maybe not Luther, he's a big boy) let alone the one he felt responsible for. No, he'd have to start smaller.

"Swimming first?" he suggested to the group. Vanya gazed back at him with a questioning expression.

"I don't see how that will help save the world."

But it could save you. "We might do aquatic missions or something... dumbass."

"Well, I think that's a splendid idea!" Diego had to thank Klaus for advocating for him as he slung his arm around Vanya. "Let's have Mr. kraken here mentor you Vanny while we get a few reps in ourselves."

"Why don't I just join you then?"

Five intervened. "Your combat skills aren't melee, Vanya. We wouldn't want you going up against one fighter. Try going with Diego." For once, Two was fond of his prickly brother. The others quickly dispersed while Diego and Vanya waited at a bus stop.

An hour later, they found themselves trekking through the wooded area Vanya had run into earlier. "I am sorry Diego."

"The apocalypse wasn't all your fault. But that means a lot."

"No, not just for that" she stopped and tapped his shoulder so he'd turn to face her. "The book."

"Oh."

"I do regret that. I'm sorry."

He paused for a moment before awkwardly reaching towards her for a hug. They stood there, wrapped in an uncomfortable embrace for a few seconds before resuming their journey. Finding a size able body of water, they moved into opposite clearings for Vanya to change into her cheap swimsuit, purchased straight from the local dime store. Diego would stick to his tactical suit (waterproof baby!) especially considering the discomfort on Vanya's face from her 60s style one piece.

Diego dove into the water, readjusting to his environment. They didn't call him "Kraken" for nothing: his eyes worked perfectly and his breath held indefinitely in the liquid. Hearing a splash, he resurfaced to see Vanya edge herself in. It was deep and she was not tall at all. Her head went under immediately before popping up again.

"How do I do this?" she gasped for breath, "and how is this helpful?"

Oh thank God she was learning before an accident. He instructed her to kicking her legs and demonstrated the proper arm motions. After an hour, he felt confident enough to divert his attention to the water, plunging in to wet (and stylize) his hair.

This was an apparent mistake. The time he took froze as his body went through a flashback. A bathtub. Dad forcing him in. Hours and hours of suspended breath. It took Diego away from the present, his body and mind sinking to the bottom depths. He wasn't sure how long he was under but eventually, he broke away and came back up. Silence. Sighing, he allowed himself time to relax before the noticeable absence struck him. Vanya.

He dove back quickly and surveyed the lake. Nothing. Desperately, he kicked and splashed as he searched for her. In his mind's eye, he heard the screams of a young girl and pictured her hiding behind her old bangs. In fact, he began to scream as well, silent bubbles skyrocketing through the noiseless body. It was a glimmer, a rocket of blue that alerted him to a spot about fifty meters to the left where she fell in an arch to the bottom. Scooping her up by the arms, he pushed them both up with his feet and dragged himself to land.

She was pale. Not quite as much as her alter ego but enough to make him worry. Pushing down on her torso, he prayed that he'd been quick enough. And it was his fault too. His suggestion, his lesson, his distraction, his fault. His little sister... no, she began to breathe again, spitting out water and looking around wildly. Not sure how to react, he said something he'd regret. "I guess I'm sorry too." Vulnerability, something he'd try to avoid.

"It's fine." She raised herself to pat him on the shoulder. "What's next for training."

She couldn't be serious. "Resting. Now."