Meet The Hargreeveses

3

Klaus is late. Almost an hour late. Klaus strikes you as the unpredictable type, but you can't help worrying anyway. You've decided that either he's changed his mind about you or that this was all some sort of cruel prank when you hear a knock at the door. You open it, but sigh when you find an unfamiliar man waiting outside. He smiles, standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"I'm so sorry," he says. "I'm Ben. Klaus's brother? Klaus overslept and started whining when I tried to wake him. I wanted to get you anyway. He made a promise, and we all want to help you. He should be up when you get back. I sent Five to wake him."

You laugh. "Poor Klaus."

"Well," Ben says, "I tried. I was nice. This is what happens if he doesn't listen. Honestly, he's lucky Diego isn't there or he would wake up to knives." You shudder.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't really hurt Klaus," Ben reassures you. "He's got a soft spot for him."

"Yes, Klaus has a way with people, doesn't he?"

"Yes, sometimes unfortunately," Ben mutters. His face is affectionate, however.

"Thanks for getting me."

"My pleasure! Let's get going. Everyone is so excited to meet you. I suppose it's a blessing that Klaus wouldn't wake up. You can get a last little bit of peace before the chaos."

On the drive to the academy, Ben fills you in on the story of the Hargreeves siblings. By the time you get to the academy, you are sure of two things: Reginald Hargreeves was insane, and Ben is the sweetest person you have ever met.

You are barely able to breathe out of nerves as Ben leads you to the front door. As soon as you walk in, though, Klaus runs to you and gives you a hug and you feel immediately at ease. Five stands nearby, tutting about how hard it was to get Klaus to wake up. Viktor waits beside the door, smiling shyly. you turn to him and smile back.

"How does it feel to realize you might not be ordinary, after all?" he asks.

"Weird," you say. He gives your hand a squeeze.

"Tell me about it. And if you need anything, let me know."

"I will," you promise, liking him already.

"Has anyone checked on Allison?" Ben asks.

"Oops!" Klaus says.

Ben runs upstairs to check up on her, while Five wanders away, muttering something about coffee.

"Is Allison ok?" you ask.

"Oh my GOD! I didn't tell you already?" Klaus says.

"No! What happened?"

"Luther went back to the moon. Made a big fuss about it too. Allison's so sad now. Though, honestly, I think she's better off without him!"

"That's a pretty big thing to forget to say," you tease.

"Yeah, Klaus," Viktor says. "Well, I hate to say it but it's probably for the best. Especially for Allison." He turns to you. "Allison and Luther kind of had a thing."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know. Exactly. That's why I say better off."

"Allison can do much better. I even offered to find her a nice boyfriend and she refused!"

"You have to give her time, Klaus." Viktor turns to you. "Klaus is way too nosy about everybody's personal life. You better watch out or he will try to fix you up with one of us."

"Oh Viktor!" cries Klaus, his eyes wide and innocent. "Don't go giving me ideas."

"Don't you think I don't know that you already have ideas. I know you."

"Who has ideas?" Allison looks at Klaus suspiciously from the stairs.

"No one! No one at all! Allison, meet y/n!" Allison greets you warmly, then turns to Klaus.

"Klaus, I told you I don't want-"

"I know! I know!" interrupts Klaus. "Come on! Let's go bond."

Klaus leads you to the living room where you all flop down on the couches, each of you determined to help cheer up Allison. Klaus gets ice cream and all of the siblings begin talking about how annoying Luther was until Allison finally cracks a smile. Ben puts on music and you all begin to dance, trying to make each other laugh with the silliest dance moves. You're surprised at how you seem to fit right in with everyone, but pleasantly so. Klaus grabs your hands and starts spinning you around faster and faster until you both fall down, dizzy and laughing. You lie there, the room spinning too much to get up when you suddenly hear a loud crash from the other side of the house.

"What was THAT?" you cry, concerned.

"Was that Five?" Allison wonders. Last you had seen, he was rattling around the kitchen looking for coffee.

Klaus looks over at the doorway and giggles.

"Diego's home!"