𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter Forty Three ~

Back in Klaus's room, he rummaged through the bookshelves, looking for one of his hidden bottles of alcohol. He crouched down, pulling off half the items on the shelf before going to another one, repeating the same pattern. On the fourth and final shelf, he had finally found the bottle he was looking for, letting out a sigh as he pulled it out from behind a few books. "I know you fancy yourself a spiritual guru, so this is gonna be hard to hear," Ben said as Klaus took a swig.

"You need serious help," Ben finished, glancing over at him. "Oh Klaus, don't do this! Klaus, do do this, but not like that! I can't even take a piss without you nitpicking at my aim," Klaus sighed, mimicking his brother's nagging over the years. Ben was trying to hold back his anger and frustration, but now, he was again reaching his breaking point. "Well, without me, you'd be dead in a ditch somewhere," Klaus paused, a realization crossing his mind. And with that realization, he knew that Ben would get pissed when he said it out loud.

But frankly, Klaus did not care.

"You know, I just realized who you sound like," He said before taking another sip, this time from a crystal glass partially filled with the alcoholic substance. "Who?" Ben questioned. "Dad," Ben stared at his brother in disbelief, surprised that he was comparing him to their asshole of a father. It hurt him a little as he remembered Reginald and his abusive tactics that eventually led to his demise.

"Don't say that," he said, still in shock. "Daaaaad!" Klaus dragged out as Ben continued to protest and told him to shut up. "Sixteen years in the grave, and you finally turn into your father!" Klaus teased. Ben could not hold his anger back any longer. Without warning, he ran towards Klaus, hoping to knock him to the ground like when they fought on the country road. But instead, he ended up entering the former junkie's body, making him convulse and protest. Ben was inside him for a split second before breaking through to the other side of the room, leaving Klaus a shaking, crumpled-up mess on the floor.

"Wha-What d-did you j-just do?" Klaus shuddered as he fell onto his knees. "I-I think I was... inside of you," Ben said, shocked by what just happened. "I'm sorry, we've caught you in the middle of prayer," A voice called out from the door. Both the Hargreeves siblings looked over their shoulders in shock to see Jill and Dave. Klaus's mouth dropped with surprise. He didn't expect to see Dave again, especially after the incident at the diner a few days prior.

"Dave?" He smiled at his former lover before standing up. "Could you give me a moment? I'll be out in a second," He said before shutting the door, letting out a shaking breath at the thought that he might be able to convince Dave not to sign up for the war without his homophobic uncle in the way this time. He quickly changed into a light yellow and purple shirt, along with some jeans and boots, glaring at Ben through the mirror as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Remember what I said-" "I know, I know! Now, shut up!" Klaus said before walking out the door, seeing Dave with his back pressed against the wall, waiting for him. "Should we get going?" Klaus asked. "Sure," Dave answered, unsure about where they were going. The two men walked out of the mansion and into the backyard, where a few followers were cleaning the pond. "So, how did you find me?" Klaus questioned.

"I found this pamphlet with your name on it," Dave explained, handing him the pamphlet in question. A follower came by, a few leis of flowers resting on her arm. She pulled one off and placed it around Klaus's neck before handing one to Dave and walking off as the two continued talking. "I want to say I'm sorry for the other day," Dave sighed, remembering when his uncle told him to hit the eccentric man.