And the older Klaus lets him cling, clutches the boy firmer against his chest, still rubbing over his shoulders while shushing into his hair. God, they never should've done it, never should have kept it away from him so long, but this is exactly why he didn't want him to find out. The sheer and utter heartbreak his counterpart's suffering right now hurts far worse than the sting of talking about Ben's death again, no doubt in his mind.

Eventually, he goes quiet himself, focusing on the in and out of the other Klaus's breath, stretching an arm up to rub his own tears away. It's a valiant effort, though he's smudging eyeliner all over his face because of doing so; he's not honestly thinking about something piddly like messy makeup.

"I know," he huffs, sniffling a couple of times then clearing his throat and repeating, "I know. It's fucking bullshit and I'm sorry." He's genuine with the apologies, but he doesn't know how far sincerity will go from here.