Maybe We Shouldn't Know About This (But We Do Anyway) (a UA fanfic)

IX

"So, this is Krause's house."

Klaus, Five, and Luther stood in front of a two-storey house with white walls and a maroon roof. Klaus pressed the bell near the gate. Luther and Five decided to accompany Klaus meeting their biological father to give emotional support (and to intervene if things ever go wrong, but Luther wouldn't say that out loud).

"Remember, Klaus-" Five held Klaus' shimmy hands. "We're here for you."

"Thanks, Five, Luther." Klaus nods. "I really appreciate that."

"Hello?" Luther can hear the front door being pushed, a person coming out. This must be Krause- or someone. "Who's there?"

"I'm Klaus Hargreeves," Klaus introduces themself. "Is Johann Krause here?"

"He's inside," the person answered. "Why?"

"I'm Reginald Hargreeves' adoptive child and Johann Krause's biological child," Klaus answered. "I'd like to speak to him for a bit."

The person inside opened the gate, revealing a short middle-aged person with greying blonde hair and green eyes. "Johann Krause never gave birth to a child."

"It was a sudden birth on 1st of October 1989, he sold me to Reginald Hargreeves for $100000," Klaus explained. "Please let me see him."

"What's the name of the person who gave birth to you?" the person gave a judgemental look to Klaus. "Exact."

"Johanna Krause,"

"Who are they?" The person asked, gesturing at Five and Luther.

"They're Luther and Five, my adoptive siblings," Klaus answered. The person nods and opened the gate door, letting the three people in.

"I'm Elias, Johann's husband," Elias introduces himself before he left. Luther immediately remembered Elliot, the poor guy who doesn't deserve the fate he got. Luther looked away to see Klaus' excitement, how their face lights up 100 watts.

"Klaus, listen to me." Luther pulled them back, whispering to their ears. "I can see you're liking the idea of being a family with the Krauses, but Johann Krause is not your father. You're not here to be his child, you're here to be acquainted with him."

"But why?" Klaus asked back. "He gave birth to me."

"But he didn't raise you, he sold you," Five interrupted. "He's not your dad."

"Well, neither was Reggie."

"I know Reginald wasn't the best dad-" Five sighed, pressing their lips together. "But this guy was even worse and it's best that you don't treat him like your dad. He's not, so it's better for you to drop your father-child fantasies."

"You're right," Klaus nods. "Yeah. He's not my dad."

"Exactly," Luther added. "So are you ready to meet him?"

"Yeah-" Klaus took a deep breath in. "I'm ready to be his acquaintance."

"Good." Luther nods. Klaus starts to step into the house when Elias stops them.

"Take off your shoes," the man said and put three pairs of sandals in front of them. "Wear these home sandals." Klaus, Luther, and Five complied as they took off their shoes and wore the sandals.

"Dad!" A teen was sitting on a sofa in the living room, still holding a phone but looking at them. "Who are they?"

"Henri, where is your papa?" Elias asked. Henri left the sofa. "Please, sit."

They sat on the sofa, Klaus on the right, Five the middle, and Luther left. Elias leaves the living room.

"Sibs, I have a biological brother!" Klaus announced. "And a biological stepfather!"

"You're not really their family."

"I know that, Lu." Klaus rolled their eyes. "I'm just saying."

Elias came back to the living room, holding three water cups. Klaus, Five, and Luther thanked him as they accepted them before he leaves them alone.

"Hello!" A lean brunet man walked out and lets himself sit on the single sofa in front of them, his wavy hair tidy unlike Klaus'. Luther can see the facial resemblance between Klaus and Krause that if Krause doesn't have greying hair, Klaus would be his exact copy. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Johann Krause."

"I'm Klaus Hargreeves, Reginald Hargreeves' adoptive child," Klaus introduced themself. "And your biological child."

"Hargreeves." Johann nodded, his eyes showing a glint quite unexplainable. "He told you?"

"What?"

"Me," Johann clarified. "Did he tell you about me?"

"No." Klaus shook their head, playing with their fingers. "I read it in his journal."

"I see." Johann nodded.

"Why did you let Hargreeves adopt me?" Klaus asked. "How old were you?"

"I was 25 years old and had a stable job, so not financial reasons." Johann played with his fingers. "Yes. I was a chef in a restaurant when I gave birth to you, but I didn't want you. I wasn't ready and your father offered me a lot of money for you. How can I refuse?"

"I see." Klaus nodded.

"Where is your father, anyway?"

"He's dead," Klaus answered. "But I don't want to ask for money, I swear! I just want to know you."

"Good."

"Where were your parents?" Klaus asked. Johann's face turned sour at the mention of his parents.

"My parents died when I was 19," Johann revealed. "I had enough money for you and me, but not the time nor patience."

"I see." Klaus nods. "Do you have pictures of me?"

"No-" Johann shook his head. "As far as I care, I'm not your parent."

"I know-" Klaus nods. "Well then, it's time for us to go." Klaus stood up, pulling both the sleeves of their khaki top. Johann also stood up. "Five, Luther, let's go."

"Wait!" Johann said, making Klaus face him again. "Can I hug you? As acquaintances?"

"Sure." Klaus walked closer to Johann, both hugging each other. Luther couldn't help but smile at the display of affection in front of him and couldn't help but wonder if Schneider would do the same for Five and him. They soon break apart.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Mr Krause," Klaus said. "The door is there, right?"

"Yeah," Johann confirmed. "Just leave the home sandals in front of the door."

Klaus, Luther, and Five walked to the door, switching between the home sandals to their own shoes.