The Beating of Our Hearts Is the Only Sound

Chapter 6: A Family Introduction and an Interruption

The four of them were sitting in the living room, on various couches. Klaus was forcing himself to ignore his progressively worse state, with the nausea becoming nearly overwhelming and him sweating a ridiculous amount. He also sent silent 'thank you's to all of them for kindly not saying anything about it.

     "So the first time you ever saw him, he was in nothing but a towel?"

     Dave laughed. "Yeah, exactly. I decided he might need a little help, and things went from there."

     "Oh, don't pretend you didn't immediately fall madly in love with me the minute you saw me," Klaus said, elbowing him.

     "I will never admit to it," Dave replied.

     Vanya looked between the two of them. "I'm just glad I finally am meeting one of Klaus' partners. Now I get to see the proof that he's not a total failure at relationships, like me."

     "You guys talked about that stuff with each other?" Allison asked.

     "We were actually kind of close, for a while." Klaus said, looking at Vanya. "We exchanged clothes at one point, too; I think I still have some of your skirts buried with the rest of my uniforms."

     "Yeah, your shorts are definitely back there with mine."

     They laughed again.

     "And Allison," Klaus continued, looking at Dave, "she taught both of us to do makeup, but I was always better at it."

     "I only tried so I could spend time with you guys," Vanya groaned.

     Dave laughed. "Klaus and eyeliner: definitely the stronger love story here."

     Allison turned to Dave. "And this wasn't just when we were kids– he stole one of my skirts the other day and won't give it back."

     "Admit it, it looks better on me!"

     "That's debatable."

     Dave started to say something when Five appeared in the middle of the room.

     "Great, Vanya, you're here. Leonard got arrested, so that's out of the way. We should start your training immediately."

     "Right now?"

     "Yes, Vanya, that's what immediately means."

     "Sorry, jeez," Vanya said, standing up. "I just didn't think I'd have to do this today."

     "It's never too early to start the stopping of the apocalypse," Five said as he started to walk quickly toward the hall. Vanya stumbled, trying to follow him.

     "It was really nice to meet you, Dave," she called from the doorway.

     "Nice to meet you too!"

     "Vanya," Five yelled. Vanya looked at them all nervously and followed.

     Allison stood up. "I should probably go, too. I've got to make an appointment," she said, and Klaus could hear some bitterness to it.

     "That bad?"

     She looked at him, unsure if he was being sarcastic. "It's not... I just have to go, so I can see Claire again."

     "Ah," Klaus said. "Certainly don't be late."

     Laughing sadly, she started to walk away. "Bye, guys."

     "Bye!" Dave called.

     "Tschüss," said Klaus.

     And then they were alone. Klaus had forgotten how exhausting it was to spend time with his family, but it was still nice, sometimes. But not being in the greatest mental or physical state was not making it easier.