The Beating of Our Hearts Is the Only Sound

Chapter 7: A Father's Love

     Just over half an hour later, Klaus and Dave were following Vanya downstairs.

     "Wait, we should check on your brother," Dave said as they walked past the living room.

     Vanya laughed. "Which one?"

     "Five," Klaus answered, turning on his heel to go in. He did feel a lot better after a nap, and Dave had kindly not mentioned their earlier conversation again. "He came in earlier to have a drink with Dolores, but, due to his occasional problem with alcohol, Dave suggested that we check in."

     Vanya nodded and the two followed Klaus into the room.

     "Oh my god," muttered Vanya.

     Not only were Five and Dolores sitting at the counter, but Luther had joined them. Vanya's reaction was to the fact that both Five and Luther were visibly drunk.

     "Holy shit," Klaus laughed, "Luther's drunk."

     "Shut up." Luther turned away from the three of them slowly and awkwardly, reaching for a mostly empty bottle and pouring another glass for himself.

     "What the hell happened?" Klaus asked them, half-laughing and half-concerned

     Five took another long drink from his glass and laughed bitterly. "Precious Number One finally figured out that Dad was a real shithead."

     "God, stop that," Vanya said, walking over and grabbing the bottle.

     "Give it back," Luther said, his words slurring a little. When she ignored him, he raised his voice. "Give that back."

     She jumped a little at his yelling, but didn't stop until he grabbed her arm forcefully.

     "Let go of me," she said, her voice afraid. "Luther–" she cried out in pain as he pulled her back "–let go of me!"

     The two glasses on the counter and the bottle in her hand shattered at her shout. She flinched back, eyes wide as she took in the broken glass.

     "What the hell, Vanya," grumbled Luther.

     "Really, asshole?" Klaus snapped. "You don't get to 'what the hell' her when you're the one who–"

     "Summon Dad," Luther interrupted.

     "What?"

     "Do it. Now."

     Klaus shook his head, taking a step back. "I can't do that, Luther. Just–"

     "You little shit."

     Luther stood up and grabbed Klaus by the neck, holding him in the air. Klaus scratched at Luther's hands, unable to breathe.

     "Klaus!" Shouted Dave, who had been too afraid to intervene before.

     "Luther, put him down!" Vanya screamed.

     "I know you can, I saw you summon Ben earlier, Five told me how you summoned him long enough to take out time agents."

     "Luther!"

     Vanya's voice echoed through the room, and every loose object trembled loudly. Luther startled and dropped Klaus on the ground, who landed in a heap, coughing and wheezing. Dave ran over to him, helping him sit up.

     Vanya glanced at Klaus with concern in her eyes, and, after he gave her a weak thumbs up, continued. "What the hell could be so bad that you would nearly kill one of your brothers over it?" She yelled, her tiny figure somehow appearing intimidating against the giant in front of her.