{I'm not afraid of the dark, perhaps that's part of the problem

[ghostphone]

Options in the comments. Not looking for much thread-jacking on this one, because they're going to be heavy-handed and in need of narrower focus.
CWs: drug abuse, overdose, anxiety/depression descriptions, potential suicidal ideation

For all of everything that stays completely unpredictable in Klaus Hargreeves' life, the one thing he can count on like clockwork is that he will always have some curveball or another thrown at him. Anything like a steady state of affairs and he might get concerned because that would mean the other shoe is about to drop.

And it did, a week ago, when one of his older doppelgangers told him that Ben is dead, has been, for years, and that it was probably happening any time if-when he ever got sent back to the right place. It happened again about five days ago, when Dad showed up. When one of the Vanyas explained something about an Apocalypse that was coming in his future. One that was caused and created by his own family.

For a week, he's kept largely to himself. Quiet, reserved, a harsh snap of a callback to those moments when he was younger and less accustomed to being locked in a crypt. How much he always isolated himself when his training was front-and-center in Dad's schedule. He hasn't left his room for much except an occasional trip downstairs for food, preferring to stay locked away, hiding-- under blankets, on the floor between the bed and the wall with a marker tucked between his teeth as he scribbles something new along with the faded ink from years past, wherever feels the most appropriate in the moment.

But tonight... he can't take the pressure of these walls caging him in any more. Staying one more minute in the bones of this house is too much to ask. He can't breathe here, and he needs to find somewhere with new air.

Once he's dressed--easy and casual, t-shirt, black jeans, converse sneakers-- he slips out of the house with an expert sort of ease, with no doubt no one saw him or would even notice he'd disappeared.

-----

Things may not be exactly identical in the city as the year Klaus had come from, but the truth is, as much that had changed had also stayed the same, and Klaus finds his way into a club with relative ease. Once inside, he wastes no time in flirting his way into a few drinks, and the night will only get more wild from there.

He finds friends everywhere he goes, and more importantly, they're the kind of friends that party and they're the kind that like to share whatever they're partying with. These three college kids that Klaus has followed back to a hotel room are so his kind of people. Chatty and touchy and the blonde boy keeps kissing him and Klaus really can't hate anything about this night.

Drinks continue being poured, blunts passed around in illogical rotations as they spread out across the room, lines of coke are inhaled from tabletops and mirrors. Klaus has nearly forgotten about everything that he's learned this week and his head is fuzzy and his vision is spinny, so he collapses against the bed in the hotel room next to Blondie, grin wide and sloppy on his lips. "Hi, Pretty." he mumbles, digging his fingers into the older boy's hair with one hand while gripping a fist full of his shirt with the other, to give himself the leverage to roll on top of him as Klaus kisses him.

Comments

[n5]

I don't know what are you talking about. [ If Five weren't holding a very excitable puppy, he would have graved a pillow and throw it at Klaus' face. Howe would that have been for childlike behavior?

As it is, he just drops the dog on his brother laps instead, very carefully, scratches the pup's ears briefly and takes a seat. Against common sense, he's decided to stay this time.]

Have you eaten anything since yesterday? You're still growing up.

[ghostphone]

[He doesn't turn away from having the puppy dropped back into his lap. He pulls him close to his chest and rests his cheek on the top of his head, offering fingers of one hand for him to lick.] He really needs a name, Five...

Oh, uh- [The question catches him a little off-guard and he blinks a little as he thinks about it.] I don't remember. [Which means no.]

[n5]

[ The puppy is very happy with the new development and when it isn't trying to munch on Klaus's fingers it turns belly up to beg for pettings. ]

Yes, everyone keeps telling me that. [ It's not that he doesn't want to name the dog. It's only that Five wants it to be special, to be a good one. He's considered asking Vanya or Grace but they all seem to be too busy or too worried lately. His eyes go to Klaus but before he can say what he had in mind, his brother confirms that he hasn't eaten anything in god know how long, prompting Five to frown. ]

Don't go anywhere. [ He's gone in a flash of blue but if Klaus is a paying attention, he can maybe hear Five rummaging around the kitchen and swearing profanities under his breath. He comes back a few minutes later holding a tray with a glass of orange juice, a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes, and some dog treats. ] Why don't you name the puppy?

[ghostphone]

[Klaus willingly indulges the puppy exactly that, rubbing his belly when he flops on his side in Klaus' lap.] Then you know it's true. [He lifts one hand as Five demands he stays put.] Where would I even-- Aaaand you're gone. [He drops his hand back down to his lap, scratching under the pup's chin.] Your dad's a weird old man, dude. [He blinks when Five comes back barely a few minutes later, a tray of food in his hand.] You know, that wasn't necessary...

[n5]

[ There's a good human~ the pup's reaction is to wag his tail in happiness like crazy. He also yips at Klaus complain, seemingly understanding exactly what the boy means.

As for Five.., sorry Klaus, he's never the most patient man, more so when he has a mission in mind. At least he wasn't gone for long this time? He doesn't want to leave his brother alone, even if he has the dog. ]

It was. [ You need to regain your strength. Five holds the tray up when the pup tries to reach for it, then pokes it on the nose affectionately. ] Yes, I got something for you too. First, sit.

[ And the dog does just that, getting a smile out of Five. He's training it so it's good to see it's working. After the boy gives one of the treats to the puppy, he shows Klaus the sandwich again. It doesn't seem like he's going to stop until Klaus eats something. ]

Have you thought of a name already?

[ghostphone]

[He smiles a little, distracted away from the food in Five's hand as he watches his brother and the dog.] Aww, he's so good! [He practically squeals the words out, leaning over to rub the puppy's head again before Five pushes the plate at him again. He's not giving up-- fine. Klaus takes it from him with a half-hearted glare.

A grin spreads over his face when Five asks about a name-- did that mean he gets to be the one to name him? Awesome!]

What about Mustard? [You brought this on yourself, Five.]

[n5]

He's really smart. [ And Five sounds like a proud parent at that. ] Stretch your hand out and say 'shake' to him.

[ The puppy will then give Klaus his paw, or try to. They're still working on it, the dog usually manages to do the trick 8 times out of 10. Five seems satisfied enough when Klaus grabs the food and sits back on the couch with the tray on his lap, totally ignoring that glare. He's really glad to be sitting when Klaus suggest a name. ]

Mustard. [ His eyebrows knit together as if he's trying really hard to make sense of the word. ] You want to name the dog after a condiment?

[ghostphone]

[Klaus' nose crinkles a little at how incredibly proud-parent Five sounded just there. It's cute. Who would've thought a puppy would bring such things out in his brother?]

Shake. [He says, holding out his hand and laughing a little when the puppy's paw slips, but Klaus catches it and kisses his nose.] Good boy.

[He glances up from his adoration at the dog to give Five a confused glance.] What, what's wrong with it? Look at him! [He grins back down at the puppy.] He totally looks like a Mustard.