The Beauty of Being Numb | Klaus Hargreeves x Reader

We Only See Each Other at Weddings and Funerals

When someone knocked on the door that morning, (Y/N) had already been waiting in her room for hours. She had thought the best way to introduce herself to the siblings was to welcome them individually as soon as they entered the house.

But when she peeks up the stairs and sees a giant man with a serious face and watery eyes, she immediately backs away. She runs back to her room trying not to make too much noise, and locks herself, heart pounding like a drum.

-Miss (Y/N), are you all right?- Pogo asks as the girl tries to control her hasty breathing.

-Yes, I just think I'll wait for Klaus to arrive. Maybe it will be easier for all of us when he's here.

-Okay, miss- Pogo walks to the stairs-. Although I doubt it.

(Y/N) looks in the mirror for the hundredth time that day and sits in front of it, on the edge of her chair, to analyze her hair. She wasn't used to tying it; she didn't even like it, but right now it seemed like a wonderful idea. She tries to fix it to look presentable, but to her chagrin, she ends up looking even more scruffy. She tiptoes to her door and slowly opens it, looking for Grace so she can help her. She doesn't see her in her usual place, so she probably was downstairs with Pogo. She hurries to close the door after hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, a tall girl with curls emerging from them.

She is breathless. With someone as dazzling and elegant as that woman, she couldn't present herself with what appeared to be a nest for hair.

-Miss (Y/N)- Pogo's voice sounds again as she combs her hair-, Mr. Klaus has arrived.

She freezes, the comb sliding down her fingers and landing gently on her lap. Her cheeks turn hot, and her eyes glow.

-Ummm... have they all arrived yet?

She presses her ear against the door, whispering.

-No, Miss Vanya's missing.

-Great!- she was just buying time.- I'll wait until she arrives... And then gather them in the living room, so I can talk to everyone.

-Yes, Miss.

She keeps trying to tame her hair, but the more she brushes it, the more it becomes a mess. It was a nightmare. She just wants to make a good first impression, especially in the circumstances the family is going through.

She thinks it have only been a few minutes when Pogo suddenly opens her door.

-Miss (Y/N), everyone's waiting for you in the living room.

-So fast?- she turns pale.

-Let's go.

And without waiting for an answer, Pogo starts walking down the stairs. On edge, the girl picks up a tie-dye scarf hanging from one of her plants and follows the ape, trying to tie it around her hair.

They reach the ground floor and walk to the living room, where she can hear voices and the clink of glass. She stops behind one bookshelf, trying to make up an excuse not to show up.

-Miss Voss- Pogo spoke-, there'll never be a good time to do this, so go and talk to them.

-I knew I'd have to introduce myself eventually, but I would have preferred Mr. Hargreeves to do it. This isn't the best time to meet us.

Pogo sees her with stern eyes and points to the room, motioning for her to move.

-I can't,- she is out of breath, her hands are sweating and her face burns-. If I just go in there, the tallest guy will kill me.

-All right, let me do it for you...

-What...?

Before the girl can finish the sentence, the chimpanzee was already walking towards the siblings, who are sitting in awkward silence.