Black and Blue (~Leo X Klaus~)

Chapter 2

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))((

The next few days were rough for both of them.

If Leo had thought not seeing each other had been bad, purposefully avoiding each other was even worse. It was apparent that neither of them would back down or bend in any way. The few times they crossed paths were awkward as hell. When they did have to talk, it was stiff and mechanical. On the third day since their disagreement, Leo came into the office later than Klaus, having been riding his motor scooter everywhere now instead of letting Gilbert drive him. He headed straight for the corner set of furniture, and plopped down on a couch that was facing away from Klaus' desk. Steven watched this, his eyes darting between Klaus and Leo, noticing the tension at once. It wasn't as though they were normally affixed to one another like glue, but the two lovers had shared a warm interaction on a near-daily basis with no effort to hide it. The contrast of silence between them and the physical distance they remained apart was obvious to anyone familiar with their usual behavior. With a small sigh, Steven got up from his own place at one of the computer tables and walked casually over to talk to the big man's desk.

"So, Klaus," Steven said lightly, "Leo didn't turn to look your way even once just now..."

The clacking from Klaus' typing became a touch more aggressive. Steven leaned his hip on the edge of the desk and took a sip from his coffee mug.

"I don't suppose there's trouble in paradise, is there? What happened, you accidentally roll over and squash the kid in your sleep or something?"

A very small snort ghosted from Klaus' nostrils, but he still said nothing.

"You don't have to tell me," Steven went on, "it's none of my business, but the two of you are putting out bad vibes strong enough to depress anyone who walks in here. Everyone's noticing it."

Green eyes flicked up from the computer screen, typing paused for a second as Klaus glanced around. The few Libra employees around the office did seem more subdued. Klaus let his eyes linger on the back of Leo's curly head, where it showed over the edge of the couch across the room, before snapping back to his work.

"You two had a fight, didn't you?"

Klaus began typing again, rapidly, and didn't answer. Steven let out a legitimately pained groan, rubbing the side of his head.

"That's just what we need right now; our leader and one of our best resources distracted and upset at each other. At least tell me there's a warm and fuzzy reconciliation on the horizon?"

"That depends." Klaus finally said. "It's in Leo's hands now. I've done all I can."

Steven studied his friend, taking another sip of coffee and contemplating.

"So, you've done everything in your power to be sure that you understand where your partner stands, and how to compromise?"

"Everything." Klaus answered, his jaw squaring.

"Uh-huh..." Steven drawled dryly. Klaus must not have appreciated the tone. He didn't look at Steven, but he spoke firmly.

"In this argument, it is Leo who holds the key to resolution. It is out of my control whether or not he takes action."

At that moment, Leo stood and headed for the greenhouse door, most likely visit Zedd in his water tank. When he was gone, Steven pinned Klaus down with a no-nonsense stare.