deepest desire • klaus hargreeves

THREE

As promised, Klaus Hargreeves did in fact see Maria Maguire again - the next day in fact. He had arrived at the shop at the exact same time as he had the day before and bought a single rose - which he paid for this time. Maria didn't question where he had gotten the money, but she was almost positive it wasn't his own. He had worn the same clothes as the day before, something which Maria again didn't question. And he did the same thing the next day, and the next and the next.

The conversation between the two was always minimal, Klaus would compliment Maria on whatever she was wearing that day, or her perfume, or even just her smile. Maria would politely thank him and ring up that single rose once more. The entire walk to the shop, back from the shop and even while in the shop Ben would rattle off the list of reasons why Klaus should leave the girl alone - the main one always being that where they were from Maria Maguire was in her eighties and that by even associating with her Klaus was altering her life's course. Klaus, of course, always tuned him out.

This went on for four weeks. That was until, he came in one day and decided to speak a little more to Maria. Business was as usual, the shop was always quiet on Friday evenings, the general public deciding to venture to the pubs rather than the flower shop - not that Maria could blame them. So May gave Maria the option to close early, which the girl gladly took. She was pulling down the shutters on the place when a familiar voice caught her attention. "Wait, wait!" Maria swivelled on her heel to see Klaus Hargreeves bounding up the street erratically, clad in brand new clothes. "I need to buy a rose." He pouted, standing in front of Maria now. "You can do it in the morning." Maria sighed, rubbing her eyes. "We're closed now."

"But I had a whole thing planned! I was going to buy a rose, strike up a wonderful conversation and then ask you to to dinner." Klaus flapped his arms in the air in disappointment. "You want to go out with me?" Maria snorted, putting the shop keys in her handbag. "Klaus you don't even know me."

"Ah I beg to differ." Klaus cooed, pointing. "We see each other every day!"

"Because you come into the shop I work in. Every day."

"Technicalities." Klaus replied, grinning wildly. "Come on, just one dinner. My treat." Maria rolled her eyes. "Fine." "Ugh Maria Maria, you have such a way with words. Now come on, chop chop."

"Now." Maria laughed. "You want to go to dinner now?"

"No time like the present!"

"Except this isn't our present." Ben grumbled from behind Klaus, causing the man to turn and glare at his dead brother. This left Maria very confused, but despite their minimal interactions she knew not to question Klaus' bizarre actions. "Alright then." Maria sighed. "I suppose it'll do no harm."

"Someone tell her she's wrong." Ben huffed. "Anyone, come on. Klaus you know this is a slippery slope you're going down. She's not from our time." Klaus merely hissed under his breath, "go away Ben." And whether it was out of annoyance to or not his brother left him be.

"Shall we?" Klaus gleamed, offering Maria his arm, and to his utmost surprise the young girl looped her arm through his.

—
Klaus had chosen a small diner that was a few blocks away, which was relatively quiet as they entered and chose a booth in the corner. As Maria removed her lemon cardigan, Klaus admired how her hair shone under the light, and how she moved with such grace even with just the smallest movements. He wasn't quite sure where he stood on the idea of having feelings for Maria. The girl had been right after all when she had pointed out that he in fact did not know her. And that didn't sit well with Klaus - he wanted to know all about her. And he was determined to do just that, no matter what Ben said.

"So you're Irish." Klaus noted, after Maria had thanked the waitress for handing them menus. The girl snorted. "Fuck me Klaus, you're an observant one aren't you."