The Beating of Our Hearts Is the Only Sound

Chapter 8: Some Good Company

     Klaus was walking up the stairs, one of the last boxes from Vanya's apartment in his arms. Dave stood at the top of the stairs, watching him and Vanya climb the stairs.

     "I wish I could help," he said as the two reached the top.

     "You say that now," Klaus grunted, struggling with the heavy box, "but as soon as you're able, everyone's gonna be using you for free physical labor."

     Dave laughed and followed them the rest of the way to Vanya's room, where a few boxes sat on the floor and bed. Klaus put the one in his arms down on the floor, and Vanya did the same, then took the violin case off of her back. She put it off on another side of the room, carefully placing it down.

     "You should play for us sometime," Klaus said, plopping down in the middle of the floor and taking a deep breath, trying to collect himself.

     Vanya laughed. "I'm sure you'd be bored within seconds."

     "I think you underestimate his patience," Dave said. "He's stuck with me for nearly eleven months."

     Shaking her head, the small woman opened the nearest box, full of folders and books of music. She put a few on the stand in the corner of the room, and stacked the others near the case. "I have been working on some musical medleys."

     "Ooh!" Klaus said. "Pray tell."

     Vanya looked surprised to see them so interested. "Well. Phantom of the Opera, for o–"

     "Really?" Klaus asked, his voice dripping with excitement. "God, I love that soundtrack."

     Dave and Vanya both looked a little surprised at his enthusiasm.

     "Don't look at me like that. I had a girlfriend for a bit who loved musicals. Phantom was one of her favorites. And she infected me with its beauty." He paused. "Don't get me wrong, the story's horrifying. But the music is nice."

     "Now you have to play it for me," Dave added, turning to Vanya. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm interested."

     "Alright, fine," Vanya said, pretending to be defeated. "But we'll have to wait until Allison is around. She'd probably kill me if she heard I played for you guys and not her."

     "I suppose that's fair," Klaus sighed. He leaned backwards, moving so his head was resting against Dave's leg.

     "You don't have to hang around here," Vanya told him, turning back to the boxes. "If you don't want to, that is."

     "Maybe I like hanging out with my sister. Is that concept really trop fou?"

     Vanya shook her head and smiled. She looked up at Dave, who was slowly beginning to look less lost all the time, but still awkward. "I'm sure you're bored out of your mind here, Dave."

     "It's not that bad. Really." He glanced down at Klaus. "This one keeps things interesting."

     "That's what I do best," he mumbled back, not really paying attention.

     "Plus, you're good company." He looked back at Vanya.

     "And you're very sweet," she replied. "In case it wasn't clear, Klaus, I do approve."

     Klaus laughed. "Never gotten any sister approvals before today."

     "That's because you never let us meet anyone before today. You asked us to cover for you when you snuck out."

     "I guess that's true."

     Dave chuckled. "You were a sneaking-out kid, huh?"

     "You didn't guess that?" Klaus gestured to himself. "Take one look at me and tell me that I wasn't the rebellious child."

     "I mean, I just hadn't thought about it."

     Vanya smiled at them. "I think I can get the rest of this taken care of, honestly. If you guys want to do something else, that's fine. I'll do a concert or something tonight, for everyone."

     "You sure?" Klaus asked, sitting up slowly, annoyed at how shaky his voice sounded.

     "Yeah! But, uh," she paused, looking at Klaus. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

     With a sigh, Klaus nodded. Dave waved a little and walked out awkwardly, glancing back in the door for only a second before leaving.

     "I think this is more one-on-one time than we've had since we were, like, ten."

     Vanya smiled weakly. "I just... are you okay? You look kind of terrible."

     "Thanks."

     "Really–"

     "I'm fine, honestly. Just..." he shook his head. "Withdrawal. It's hell."

     She looked a little surprised. "You're– I'm really impressed, Klaus." Another pause. "Really. This is a big deal! I'm proud of you."

     Shit, Klaus thought. He was getting choked up again. People needed to stop saying that to him or else he'd probably implode before the end of the day.

     "Klaus, are–"

     "Thank you," he interrupted. "Thank you, Vanya."