"New Students" (Klapollo AU)

5 Idiots with the Power of Discord

   "You're late, Kristoph."

   "Sorry, Mother," Kristoph responded solemnly as he avoided all eye contact while he stood up. Klavier didn't even see a single small glance in his direction. Did something happen to him earlier? He'd at least give a pity glance any other time this happened. Not that this even happened often. They'd both usually be back before either of their parents even finished work, so what were they doing here? Neither were there that morning so they had to have left.

   Their mother glared over both of them. "You two should be disappointed in yourselves. We set a very clear time for when you two were supposed to be home after school. At the very least you should've called to warn us."

   "Sorry, Mother," Kristoph apologized again, quieter this time. Klavier swore he saw his old scar tense up.

   He couldn't keep letting Kristoph be the one handling this alone. Enough yelling matches have occurred in the past because of that. "Mama, why are you and Papa home early? Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Klavier asked, masking his worry with innocence.

   Their mother sighed as she straightened up a bit. "Your father locked himself out of the car again and he needed a ride home to get the extra keys. Honestly, I wonder why I fell in love with that idiot," she groaned. "You still have yet to explain why you were late coming home."

   "I go-"

   Klavier cut his brother off. "It was my fault. I had to run a thing to the photography club for Ms. Courte, but it took longer than I expected. Kristoph was ready to leave already. I hadn't told him what I was doing so he could tell you we'd be late. Sorry, Mama." He quickly shot a glare at Kristoph before he even attempted to try moving the blame to himself again.

   He received a disappointed breath from his mother. "I know you're trying your best to be more formal, Klavier, but why can't you just be more like your brother? At least he addresses us by the titles we chose." Even when he thought he was used to hearing this, it still stung. Klavier stood and nodded as he just let it happen. He could address the pain about it later.

   Klavier felt a small nudge at his hand. Honestly, he thought it might've been Kristoph trying to silently reassure him that their mother is just making stuff up like usual, but when he looked down, it turned out to be his favorite little furball instead. Vongole was staring up at him with her little smile that only dogs can give.

   Kristoph noticed and smiled slightly at his dog helping his brother for him. He did have to actually help on his own though. "Mother, I believe Klavier has heard enough. It was a mere slip of the tongue. He's not used to having done something wrong. His panic just called back to his younger days. I would argue that it's utterly unnecessary to keep him down here for an unconscious reaction any longer," he stated, ending with a shake of his head.

   "I see you've finally started paying attention to your law classes, Kristoph. Very well. Klavier, you may head up to your room. You're excused this once," their mother eventually gave in. Klavier took the opportunity to escape while he could, making a mental note to himself to thank Kristoph later.

   Klavier shut the door behind him as soon as Vongole snuck her way through. How can he be sad when he's got a big old dog there to give him all the love in the world if he even thinks a single sad thought? She already conquered the center of his bed. So he was stuck with her.

   As he set his bag on his desk chair, his phone went off. Oh no. Just as he suspected, it was a notification from one of his friends telling him he has to join the call. What the hell did they do this time?

   The first thing he heard once he joined was fighting and annoyed groaning. "What's going on?" Klavier asked quietly. Nobody answered, but it gave him time to notice something else. "Why is Adagio on a server mute?"