Across the universe (Klaus Baudelaire x transgender! male reader)

Optical hypnotism

You were put to work debarking logs, the needed strength to properly debark them made your arms sore. The Baudelaires seemed just as tired as you were, struggling to do their job due to the debarkers being a bit dull. Sunny was using her teeth, which made you really hope that she didn't get any splinters in her gums. When it was lunch break, you had hoped for maybe a sandwich. However, you were given gum instead of food. This didn't go unquestioned by any of you.

"We aren't allowed to eat any food until dinnertime." one of the workers said. Your paranoia muted the world around you. Why were these people still living here? Why was Sir obsessed with making the Baudelaires' lives miserable? What was with the eye-shaped building?

"(Y/n), it's time to get back to work." you snapped out of your thoughts to Klaus putting a hand on your shoulder. You just nodded as you stood up to follow your friends.

*timeskip because this part got boring~

Today, Klaus had gone to get a new debarker while you continued to work. Your job was cut short by a commotion about Klaus breaking his glasses. You rushed to his side to make sure that he was ok. Phil then suggested that Klaus should see the optometrist they had. You felt both more skeptical & less skeptical. Less skeptical about the eye-shaped building, more suspicious about the things going on at this mill.

"Well, I'll see you later, Klaus." you said as Phil offered to walk him to the optometrist. As they walked off, Klaus glanced over his shoulder & gave you a soft smile. You just hoped he'd be ok since there was obviously something weird going on here.

*another timeskip to the evening~

You were still awake because Klaus hadn't been back yet. However, just as your eyes were about to shut, you heard footsteps. You looked up to see Klaus finally back & couldn't resist the urge to hug him.

"Klaus! You're back! I thought something awful happened to you." you said. He didn't seem to respond to your hug or your words. You decided to look him in the eyes & noticed something off.

"Klaus, you're not wearing your glasses." you said in a hushed voice. He didn't even blink as he stated that he was happy to be here. He even called you "Sir", as if you were the boss. You felt heartbroken since it seemed he didn't recognize you at all. You decided to guide him to lay down, hoping rest would help him.

After watching him lay down to rest, you couldn't help but to lean in & kiss his forehead as tears built up in your eyes. What happened to him? He was eager to get away from this place, now he's suddenly happy to be here. You're mind went through any possible scenario & never strayed from the optometrist. You just hoped it wasn't something permanent, you couldn't risk losing him to a possibly cruel change of fate.

"Goodnight, guys." you whispered as you crawled into your bed. Violet whispered a goodnight back to you, worry laced in her tone. You could tell she was worried about Klaus too. As you drifted off to sleep, a single tear fell down your face & onto your pillow.

Something here had changed Klaus, & you needed to know how to fix this.

Thank you guys for being patient with me. I just got out of school for fall break, so I should be able to update more frequently. Thank you for 970+ reads!