Chapter Text
Even though Klaus knew that he was scheduled for his next round of chemo, that morning when his mother brought him to the hospital he felt his anxiety spike higher than it ever had before. Honestly, he felt stupid about it; why panic over something you’ve done a billion times? But he couldn’t help himself from feeling nervous over what he already knew was to come.
Klaus was well aware that chemo never failed to make him so unbelievably sickly, but thanks to his latest cobalt treatment four days ago, he’d already been feeling like death warmed over for the better half of the week.
While he hated to admit it; after all, accepting failure or defeat had never been him, it wasn’t ingrained in his DNA coding, but Klaus honestly didn’t know how much longer he could keep going through all of this.
Unfortunately for him, he knew that he had no other choice. He had cancer; so all of these treatments; the chemo, the radiation, his assortment of color-coded pills, Klaus understood they were what he needed to survive.
No matter how hard he tried to remind himself of what his doctor said - that each battle was only making him stronger - he couldn’t help but notice how each day he only seemed to be getting weaker, and weaker, and weaker…
He’d had cancer before, so he understood how difficult it would be. But he honestly couldn’t recall feeling this bad last time. The physical effects were hell enough; he was always so weak and utterly unwell, but now there was no denying that even his mental health had clearly begun to take a turn for the worse.
Maybe it was due to the stage of the disease. Last time he’d only been diagnosed at stage one, so had powering up two extra levels to stage three really made all the difference for him?
Maybe. He supposed that made sense, but even still, Klaus couldn’t help but feel that something about this time seemed wrong.
After the nurse got him all hooked up and ready for his chemo, he offered her a sleepy grin, twinkling his fingers in an airy wave goodbye.
When he felt the rush of fluid flushing through his veins, he couldn’t help but shiver.
It was funny, really. He remembered the first time he went through this how his doctor warned him he may feel warm - but he’d never felt that way.
Since day one he’d only ever gotten cold. Klaus’s body had always been an anomaly, reacting however the hell it wanted. So he knew he shouldn’t have been surprised that it would have the opposite effect on him than what most people (normal people) would experience.
If Klaus were to compare chemo to anything, he’d say it was almost like being administered a sedative. It made him feel tired; he would get fuzzy, almost like being filled with static from his head all the way down through to his fingertips. And fuck, he hated how like clockwork, it never failed to make him lightheaded.
As he sat there, he felt the familiar numbing sensation slowly beginning to wash over him. Sluggishly, he permitted his lithe body to sink deeper into his seat. Klaus rolled his eyes when he noticed he’d already started to shiver, tugging his coat around his chest in a desperate attempt to keep himself warm. He couldn’t hide his wince when the IV in his hand got caught against the fur-trimmed cuff; mentally reminding himself that he really needed to be more mindful of his motions when he was hooked up for his treatments.
Before long, his eyelashes began to flutter and he had to fight to stay awake. Klaus had already been so tired, but the chemo always helped to fuel his exhaustion. Beginning to feel dead to the world around him, he dazedly stared forward, watching the program playing on the television that was mounted on the wall across from him.
It was some reality TV show, and while Klaus wasn’t completely familiar with its premise, he recognized the fake botox-filled family on screen enough to know it was awful. Pouting his lips, he glared at the screen in disgust.
Ironic how he thought dying would surely be better than being forced to endure such torture.
While he didn’t know if it was the incredibly dull monotone sound of their voices, or just how boring the series was as a whole - honestly, who gives a shit if it had officially been revealed the one girl’s lips were filler; let’s get real here, everyone already knew - but whatever the reason, Klaus quickly realized it had at least come in handy for one thing: a distraction.
Christ, he couldn’t believe how heavy his eyelids were. Klaus could feel the way his fatigue was quickly catching up to him. He hated how exhausted he always seemed to be these days.
Having cancer sucked ass enough on its own, but if he was honest with himself, he couldn’t help but notice how ever since moving into that house that something about being there hadn’t exactly been helping his situation, either.
Klaus recalled the events from the other day, when he woke up in Diego’s arms in the basement. He was surprised when those strange people had mysteriously disappeared just as quickly as they’d arrived. But at the time he hadn’t questioned it. He had just passed out, so he knew that something must’ve been wrong with him. After learning he’d also been running a fever, he was able to convince himself that he must’ve been delirious.
But then that night at dinner, all of those people, and those noises, and no one else seeing them but him?
And then the figure standing in his bedroom...
Klaus still wasn’t sure if he was seeing things thanks to his treatments like his mom suggested, or if he was really beginning to lose his fucking marbles. While it was true that he was sick, he had enough faith to know that his mind was sharp enough to remember if similar instances occurred before - but looking back, he knew without a doubt that they most certainly had not.
So why were they happening now?
Every night when he tried to sleep, he’d hear things. Then every morning, he’d wake only to find nothing was ever there.
It was scary, and confusing, and to be perfectly honest, Klaus was terrified of what was happening to him. He only hoped his creepy hallucinations would end.
As time wore on, the muted hum of the television blended with his weary thoughts, and Klaus realized he couldn’t fight his exhaustion any longer.
Overwhelmed by his fatigue, Klaus drifted off to sleep.
Klaus tossed and turned on his bed, moaning from his discomfort. He hated how disgusting he felt; he was so hot and clammy, he couldn’t hide his grimace when he noticed the way his sheets were sticking to him, and he hated that he had already sweated through his clothes.
Fuck, he couldn’t believe how miserable he was.
“Wake up, Klaus.”
At the sound of the voice, Klaus’s lashes fluttered open. He was tired; exhausted, really. He would have hoped getting some much needed rest would have helped, but of course he should have known that it wouldn’t - it rarely ever did.
It was only as he slowly regained his senses when he remembered why he was awake to begin with.
He knew that he was tired, but he distinctly remembered that someone had spoken to him. Only now that he was more aware, he realized that he didn’t recognize their voice.
So who could possibly be there?
Unable to curb his curiosity, Klaus looked around, trying to decipher where it came from. He winced in pain, slowly easing his weary body up onto his elbows and couldn’t believe his eyes when his sights fell onto the person the voice belonged to.
Feeling like he was experiencing deja vu, Klaus immediately recognized that it was that same boy from before.
He was standing in the corner of his room with his arms folded across his chest, watching him.
“Who-who are you?” Klaus barely managed to croak. While it was true that he was exhausted, even he couldn’t believe how terrible he sounded.
Klaus felt his heart flutter when the boy perked at his question, his dark hazel eyes locked with his own weary gaze. “Benjamin.”
Benjamin?
Why did he feel like he’d heard that name before?
Wait…
Looking back, Klaus knew why he recognized that name…
It was the same one he’d heard the other night at dinner.
The one he could have sworn was being shouted…
Klaus couldn’t help but shiver, feeling an unearthly chill run down his spine when he remembered the way that name had been so clearly directed at him…
Looking at Benjamin now, Klaus felt his intestines twist with upset when he noticed the way the boy’s appearance suddenly started to change.
Overwhelmed by his own fear, Klaus’s heart began to race. He groaned, wincing at the way each beat pelted his rib cage painfully. He stared forward, unable to tear his gaze away from the boy before him, his jaw going slack with utter disbelief when their eyes locked upon each other. A cold sweat formed on his skin and he couldn’t help but shudder at the unexplainable sight before him.
He noticed the exact moment the boy's old fashioned clothing, his perfectly coiffed hair and delicately tanned skin all began to morph and shift; and Klaus was horrified when he realized it looked as though his skin was actually melting, peeling away from his mutilated figure.
Klaus may have been many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. While he knew that none of this made any sense - he was sick, surely this had to be a side effect from his treatments, but no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that this couldn’t have possibly been real - his deeply penetrating fear made it impossible to simply shrug it off.
Klaus couldn’t hide his shock when the boy's once untouched physique had undeniably become blemished; his muscles trembled with an immense amount of fear once he realized that an impossibly animated corpse with dark black patches of charred flesh and cracked and weeping skin now stood where just moments ago the boy had just been.
Klaus furrowed his brows, unable to hide his confusion when he realized how the remnants of hair still attached to Benjamin’s head were singed; and he watched as tiny embers still flickered beneath the dull light in his room. When he squinted, Klaus swore he could see smoke rising from the scorched ends.
How could this even be? What happened to him? Why was the boy suddenly so badly burned? None of this made any sense.
He felt nauseated; absolutely disgusted, and if he was being completely honest with himself, he was terrified by the sight unfolding before his very eyes.
Klaus felt sick. He was so scared, he didn’t even know how he should react. Should he scream, or cry, or try to run? He worried if he tried to escape that he wouldn’t get very far. His limbs felt numb and he couldn’t deny that his body was so unbelievably heavy. He opened his mouth to try to call for help when his stomach roiled; the unmistakable sensation of bile rising into his throat. When the putrid scent of the boy’s burnt flesh reached his nostrils, Klaus didn’t bother to suppress his gagging, his stomach lurching with a cough.
The horrifying odor was so overpowering that it made Klaus physically ill. Trying so hard not to vomit, he closed his eyes, only hoping his nausea would go away. Firmly pressing his hand against his ailing belly, he tried to convince himself he was okay.
“What happened to you?” he finally managed to ask through gritted teeth. While he may have felt like shit, he still needed to know.
As if he were seeing himself that way for the first time, Benjamin’s nearly unrecognizable features twisted when his sights trailed down to his own body.
“Something bad,” he said simply.
Klaus couldn’t hide his annoyance at his answer. Honestly, could that explanation be any more vague?
“What do—” he coughed again, his eyes beginning to burn when the scent of scorched hair and flesh became overwhelming. God, he felt like he couldn’t breathe through the stench, but he couldn’t let that deter him. “What do you want from me?”
Unfolding his arms, Benjamin eased away from the wall. Klaus was unable to hide his disgust when he heard the sickening squelch of his melted flesh peeling away from his bones, and he gagged when he saw the bits of his burnt skin left lingering in the trail of his footsteps. Tightening his grip around his middle, Klaus couldn’t miss how ragged Benjamin’s breathing had become. The closer he came, his figure became more and more disfigured, and each breath sounded worse and worse. It made Klaus’s skin crawl, hearing how he seemed to be choking on air, and just watching his mangled, torched body slinking closer made him feel sick. He wanted nothing more than to scramble away, but something inside of him was urging him to stay.
Meeting his gaze, Klaus couldn’t help but shiver at the sight of his eyes. They were damaged; his Irises were now bloodshot and clouded with blindness. But still, he seemed able to see. As he continued to creep closer, Benjamin’s mouth gaped open; Klaus forced himself to swallow down his unease when he realized the way his jaw was only hanging on by the thread of his connective tissue; the tendons tensing against the inevitable pull of gravity trying to drag his mandible away from his skull. Each breath he took was garbled, the sound of it enough to make his stomach churn with upset with how noticeably he was struggling. And oh God, Klaus couldn't help but wince when he realized the awful sounds he was making were Benjamin trying to speak.
“I need your he—”
Klaus startled awake when his lungs, of course, decided to seize. He coughed; chest heaving with ragged, painful hacks that came from deep within his diaphragm. While it was a nuisance, he didn’t have time to focus on that right now - he was too busy looking around his room, in a desperate search for Benjamin.
Only he wasn’t there.
As his hazy vision began to clear, he came to recognize that he wasn’t home, but still at the hospital. In his frazzled state, he’d nearly forgotten he was undergoing his treatments. Not that he could blame himself, after all, with his chemo, radiation, and seemingly unending nightmares, well, needless to say he had a lot on his mind.
But while he was relieved to find that it had only been a bad dream, he couldn’t miss the way his heart continued to race. Klaus couldn’t help but think it was bad enough that his nightmares happened at all, but for them to follow him to the hospital?
Seriously?
Couldn’t he catch a damn break?
While he sat there, Klaus couldn’t miss how shallow and weak his breathing was. Even though he was still tightly wound after that experience, he could feel that he needed to at least attempt to calm himself down. So, listening to his body, he did just that, forcing his tensed muscles to relax. Taking in deep controlled breaths, he slowly sank into his chair.
He could feel the way his body was trembling, a film of sweat settling against his hot and clammy skin. Lying his palm over his middle, he closed his eyes, and tried to swallow down the nauseous feeling sitting heavily in the pit of his upset belly.
Fuck, he hated that he still felt so goddamn sick.
While he was miserable at any given moment of pretty much every single day, his nightmares certainly weren’t helping. They were so realistic, it was no wonder he was afraid. Watching someone become a mangled corpse before him, and the way he swore he could still smell his burning flesh? Klaus was still left shaken just thinking about it, and sitting there he could feel how all of this stress wasn’t good for him.
But especially not now - not when he was already compromised thanks to all of his treatments.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Startled by the unexpected question, Klaus nearly fell out of his seat. Hand darting from his belly to his chest, he gasped exasperatedly, clutching his racing heart.
“Christ on a cracker!” With wide terrified eyes, he glanced towards where the voice had come from. But when he saw the person in question, Klaus’s features softened.
It was another young man around his age, with tightly wound dirty-blonde curls. Klaus couldn’t miss how even though they were cropped short on the sides, the top was left longer, arranged in what he could only describe as a perfect veil upon his head. Looking closer, he noticed that he had a strong jaw that was perfectly balanced by delicate features and soft brows. And wow, Klaus was genuinely taken aback when he finally spotted his eyes - he couldn’t believe how pretty they were, and didn’t think he’d ever seen such a brilliant shade of blue.
And maybe it was because his family had been his only real company for so long, but still, he had to admit this stranger had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.
And now, Klaus came to realize that those gorgeous blue eyes were staring straight at him.
Deciding this boy wasn’t a threat, he was finally able to relax, slumping against his chair with a heavy sigh.
“Don’t scare me like that. You know, given our current predicament,” he rattled his wrist, showing off the IV stuck into his vein. “I literally could have died!”
Klaus didn’t miss the way the boy seemed to fondly roll his eyes at that. Huh, maybe he had a decent sense of humor. Bearing that realization in mind, he had to admit that it was actually kinda nice, being able to joke about his mortality without immediately being shot down over it.
He loved his mom and his family - of course he did - but no one ever truly appreciated his humor.
But he had to admit, something about being treated like a regular human being and not just a dead man walking was refreshing.
The boy scooted over until he was closer to Klaus, ducking down to look him in his eyes. “You were breathing heavily,” he informed him, and Klaus nearly died right there when his head tilted almost like a lost puppy’s would. He admired the way his delicate brow arched, as if it were trying to climb towards his hairline, or how the corner of his eyes seemed to crinkle when his lips curved into a crooked grin.
And fuck if he knew why, but watching the way this stranger’s expression morphed, like he was genuinely curious about him made his heart begin to race all over again, and his blood fill into his cheeks.
He supposed he ought to be grateful though; at least it was rushing up into his head and not down towards his—well, anyways, given the way his body was reacting, Klaus realized he must’ve been starving for interaction much more than he thought.
Due to his condition, outside of his family, Klaus had only really been physically able to chat with his doctor and the mean-old nurses there at the hospital. And okay, maybe they weren’t actually mean, but hey, excuse him for holding grudges over the people whose job was to only ever stick him with needles and cause him even more fucking pain.
“Must’ve been a bad dream… or a damn good one,” the pretty-eyed boy continued.
Klaus snorted. If only he even knew.
Unfortunately the action caused his breath to catch in his throat and he started coughing. Once the fit eventually faded, he swallowed thickly, only hoping he wouldn’t throw up. Even though he could feel the nausea growing in his belly, he tried to ignore it and instead focused on his breathing. Taking in a deep breath, Klaus held it for a few seconds before slowly blowing it out. He hated that his health always had to ruin everything. After a few minutes passed and he regained his composure, he blew out another breath, looking at the boy.
“Well, on a scale of 1-10, I’d rate it,” he hummed in thought, “Maybe a...negative eight?” he answered, eyelids narrowing into a squint while he pouted his lips, lifting a dubious brow.
The boy couldn’t help but laugh at his goofy expression. And while Klaus didn’t know how to explain why, something about the sound of his joy filling the room had him laughing too.
While their laughter slowly began to fade, the boy’s gaze followed the tubing leading from Klaus’s hand, trailing up the IV pole where a bright yellow sticker caught his attention: Chemotherapy.
“So,” he began, gesturing towards the pole. “What’re you in for?”
Blowing a raspberry, Klaus sank deeper into his chair, tucking his arms around his slender frame. He tried to take in a deep breath, but it shifted into another cough. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Of course it would. Klaus only wished he could hold a conversation that wouldn’t get interrupted by his own shitty health - just fucking once. Tipping his head back, Klaus allowed it to settle heavily against his chair. God, he couldn’t believe he was still so tired.
“Hmm,” Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, he swallowed before murmuring his answer, “Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.”
“Ah,” the boy said, and Klaus noticed the way his posture seemed to slump. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say he almost looked upset. His features became all twisted and while Klaus didn’t understand why, he’d say that he even appeared to be concerned. It made his chest ache when he realized it was concern for him. He didn’t even know this guy, and yet he genuinely seemed like he was actually worried about him. Klaus felt relieved when his worried expression was quickly replaced by that familiar crooked grin. Good. He much preferred seeing the boy smile instead of fretting over him. “Well hey, they say that’s the easiest cancer to treat. So, that’s good news at least, right?”
Klaus’s chest rumbled from his boisterous laughter. “Pshyea, right. Well, apparently I didn’t get the memo.”
“What do you mean?” The boy asked, features taking on a more serious expression.
“Well, my life is a shit-show and I guess you could say this is my most riveting role yet,” Klaus began theatrically. “I like to call it Cancer: The Sequel.” Though his arms were already trembling, he still managed to hold them out before him. After all, it wouldn’t be him if he didn’t put on a little show. Mimicking a movie marker, Klaus clapped his palms together. When it took more effort than he expected, he winced, relaxing them back into his lap. Christ, he hated how everything always seemed to use up so much of his energy. He just wanted to be himself again.
“Oh shit,” said the boy with wide eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It's okay,” Klaus shrugged. “You know, they say after five years in remission you’re practically ‘cured’?” he scoffed. “Well, seven years later and I’m here to tell you that’s a load of shit.”
The boy furrowed his brows, clearly upset by this news.
“But hey, I guess it could be worse. It could have come back at stage four instead of three,” he snorted, rolling his eyes. Suddenly aware of just how tired he was, Klaus allowed his shoulders to relax, sighing heavily. “C’est la vie.” Glancing at the boy, he couldn’t miss his downright kicked puppy expression. Fuck, why did he need to seem so upset over this? He didn’t know why, but seeing him that way only made him feel worse. “Aw, come on, none of that,” he said, wagging his finger in his face. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”
The boy looked at him remorsefully. “I truly am sorry.”
Klaus just shrugged it off. After all, what was he sorry for? This wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t like the boy gave him cancer. Besides, he was here now, wasn’t he? Getting treatments, doing everything necessary to survive, and all that utter bullshit. Who knows, maybe he’ll even get lucky and actually be cured this time.
Pfft, Klaus wasn’t holding his breath.
Especially not with how his life seemed to be going nowadays. Sure, he was sick, but the visions? Or his nightmares? Sometimes Klaus swore it wouldn’t be the cancer that did him in - but everything else that was happening to him.
The boy noticed when Klaus seemed to become lost in thought. While he didn’t know him, he couldn’t help but worry - something about his demeanor just seemed - off.
“Are you sure that you’re doing okay?”
Klaus sucked in a breath, and frankly, he was so trapped in his own thoughts he nearly forgot the boy was even there.
“Honestly? I don’t know,” he admitted, averting his gaze. “It’s just….this time’s been so much different than the first. And lately it’s been...I don’t even know how to explain it. Except...fucking weird, I guess?”
Feeling confused, the boy gently asked, “Weird how?”
“You know…” Klaus gestured around his own depleted physique, his lips twitching into an almost-grin. “Do you ever hear things, or see things that just…can’t be real. They can’t be there…”
Hearing Klaus’s hushed words, he came to realize exactly what he was saying. Looking around, he made sure no one was listening to them before coming closer, ducking his head and lowering his tone. “You don’t want to let them hear you say that, they won’t understand—”
“Wait,” Klaus said, sitting up in his chair. He came so close to the boy that he had to pull away. “So you’ve seen them too? And they - they don’t believe you either?”
Realizing what he meant, the boy held up his palms, shaking his head. “Oh, me? No, no, I didn’t mean—”
“But aren’t you—”
“Sick?”
Klaus nodded. The boy shook his head.
“Sorry for leading you on,” he tried to joke, but honestly, he knew that it fell flat. “No, I’m not. But, my Uncle Brian,” he said, gesturing to the man sleeping on the seat behind him. “He is. I’m just here for him. But, I know that he has seen them. And my dad? Before he passed, he saw them too.”
“Oh...” Stifling a cough into his palm, Klaus eased himself back into his seat. “Well, don’t apologize for not being sick. Trust me, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy—” he abruptly stopped, sucking in a breath when a sharp pain filled his belly. Fuck, he was so tired of this. “I’m uh...sorry - about your dad and uncle.”
The boy nodded, his lips twitching into a brief grin.
“I remember my dad's last day,” he began, and Klaus noticed the way his sight seemed to shift towards his hands in his lap, as if he couldn’t bear to look him in his eyes. Not that he could say he blamed him; discussing a loved one's death was never easy. His own family had already experienced so much loss, he only hoped he wouldn’t wind up another addition to that list. “I stayed with him, holding his hand. Praying...crying...but he never once looked at me. He just looked all around us, at the others in the room...but we were alone.”
Klaus’s brows furrowed, his head tilting curiously while he listened.
“Well, or so I thought,” he continued. “I never used to believe, but as my uncle says, at that time my dad was where he is now. Where - where you are…” lowering his tone, he leaned closer to Klaus, looking him straight in his eyes. “In the valley.”
Klaus’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He shook his head, quirking a brow in confusion - what was he talking about?
“In the shadow of death.”
Klaus scoffed, looking away. Honestly, that was the last thing he wanted to hear right now. He knew he was sick, and that he could be dying, but something about having someone spelling it out for him in flashing neon letters just made it all the more real.
But even though he didn’t want to die, when he considered everything going on with him recently - the visions, the voices - he realized that this person was right.
He wasn’t only getting weaker with each passing day, he was inching closer towards his inevitable demise.
The boy softened when he realized he must’ve been scaring him. He understood his fears; facing your own mortality was never easy. Reaching out, he laid his hand over Klaus’s.
“Hey,” he said, keeping his tone light. Klaus glanced down at their hands before meeting his gaze. He felt warmth in his chest when he noticed his gentle grin. “You know what to do when you find yourself in the valley, right?”
Klaus scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I don’t know…find a disco and take loads of shots?”
The boy couldn’t help but smile. He shook his head, tightening his grip against Klaus’s hand reassuringly before saying with conviction, “Fear no evil, and fight with everything you’ve got.”
Klaus continued to look at the boy. He didn’t understand it; why was he being so kind to him? So encouraging? While he was confused as to why a complete stranger would treat him this way, he had to admit, he really appreciated it. With everything happening in his life right now, a little added support went a long way.
They shared a grin before the boy adjusted Klaus’s hand, holding it within his own. “I’m Dave.”
Weakly, he tightened his grip. “Klaus.” A chill ran down his spine and he could almost curse himself for his pitiful whimpers. Pulling his hand out of Dave’s, he wrapped his arms around his figure, feeling the way his trembling had intensified beneath his coat. “Sorry,” he apologized, lips curling into a sheepish grin. “I always forget how cold this shit makes me.” He laughed before his teeth began to chatter. Christ, He was really beginning to feel terrible now that the effects of his chemo were kicking in. Klaus moaned in discomfort, curling up as tightly as he could inside his coat.
Dave frowned. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look tired…”
“I’m always tired,” Klaus admitted weakly. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he looked at Dave. When did his vision become so blurry? “It feels like all I ever do is sleep anymore, but I never feel rested.”
“You shouldn’t fight the urge to sleep,” Dave cooed, noticing the way Klaus’s eyelids would dip down only for him to force them back open. “You should try to get some rest, Klaus. If you’re this tired, then sleep.”
Klaus scoffed, curling up deeper within his jacket, trying desperately to leech its warmth. Fuck, he couldn’t believe how cold he was. While he hated to admit it, Dave was right. Besides, feeling how heavy his eyelids were, he knew he couldn’t fight the feeling for much longer.
When his eyelids slipped closed, he listened to Dave’s words, and allowed himself to fall asleep.
When he felt a gentle nudge against his shoulder, and heard the sound of someone repeating his name, Klaus woke up from his slumber. He was still exhausted, and couldn’t help but notice how it felt like it took everything he had just to open his eyes. As he looked around, Klaus couldn’t miss the way the room was all spinny, and now that he was paying more attention, he realized the nurse was saying something to him. But no matter how hard he tried to focus, he couldn’t quite make it out.
God, he was so tired…
Klaus wished he had more strength. He knew that having cancer was difficult, but he couldn’t help but notice how this time around was so much harder than before. He could honestly say he’d never felt more weak. It scared him, really. Recognizing how unwell he’d already become, and knowing that this was only the beginning.
“Klaus, did you hear me?” the nurse repeated.
Stifling a cough, Klaus turned to face her. He found that everything was so fuzzy, and was nearly startled by the sound of her voice.
Oh wait, she’d asked him something, hadn't she?
“Hmm...m’sorry, what?”
The nurse smiled. She understood he’d just woken up and must not have heard her. “I said you’re all done, sweetie. Your mom's in the lobby waiting to take you home.”
With a nod, Klaus drew in a deep breath, sprawling his aching limbs out in a long overdue stretch. He grimaced when he felt something tugging against him. Furrowing his brows in confusion, he glanced down.
What the hell had he managed to get himself tangled up in?
That’s when he spotted it - a thin hospital sheet.
Huh, that was interesting. Klaus knew that he was tired, but surely he would have remembered if that had been there before? Maybe the nurse noticed he was cold and covered him?
When a wave of fatigue washed over him, Klaus’s lashes fluttered. The world was spinning all around him, so with an audible groan, he closed his eyes. He wished he wasn’t so damn dizzy all the time, but chemo always made it so much worse. Sinking heavily into his chair, he decided to rest for a moment longer. He couldn’t even see straight, so he knew there was no way in hell he’d be able to walk like this. Keeping his eyes closed, Klaus blew out an unsteady breath, only hoping that this dizzy feeling would fade.
“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind, but I thought the blanket would help.”
Klaus forced his eyes open at the sound of the familiar voice. He squinted, only hoping it would clear his hazy vision. When his sights locked on the cute crooked smile that greeted him, it made it all worth it.
“Oh, uh, wow—” he was cut off by a sputtering cough. Luckily, it ended just as quickly as it had come on and Klaus was able to cover it with a flourishing grin. “Thanks Dave.”
Dave smiled, nodding singularly in return.
The nurse worked quickly to detach the IV from his hand. Immediately, he winced. To be honest, it wasn’t even from pain at this point, but out of habit. When he’d finally convinced himself he would be well enough to stand, he slowly pushed himself to his feet. But when the spinning only intensified, he needed to close his eyes.
Being dizzy sucked enough on its own, but Christ, even he couldn’t believe how stiff he was. Every muscle in his body was spasming, urging him to sit back down. His doctor told him to listen to his body, and at that moment, realizing how terrible he felt, that’s exactly what Klaus intended to do. When a pain flared in his belly, he groaned, tightening his grip against the armrest in an effort to keep himself steady.
But he was so dizzy, and everything was spinning, and he was just so damn weak, and—
“Oh fuck—” he moaned, just when his knees threatened to buckle.
“Whoa, take it easy,” Dave said, quickly wrapping his arms around him. He could feel how badly Klaus was trembling, and knew that he needed to sit back down. Slowly, he helped ease him into his chair.
“Sorry.” Despite how breathless he was, Klaus was quick to apologize, planting his palms against his knees for added support. “I just need a minute.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Dave cooed. “Take all the time that you need.”
Klaus could only nod, keeping his eyes closed while he worked on steadying his breathing.
“Okay,” Klaus eventually said. Blowing out a breath, he tried to stand again. “I think m’good now—” when Dave noticed the way his lashes started to flutter, he immediately rushed to his side, wrapping his arms around him. Just in time, too, because Klaus nearly collapsed. “Shit, maybe not.”
“Careful,” he urged, gently tightening his grip to support his weight.
God, Klaus wanted to know why this always had to happen to him. Why couldn’t he just stand like a normal fucking human being? He wished he didn’t need to rely so heavily on others for support. But in that moment, he could honestly say that for once, he didn’t mind getting the added help.
He felt weak and vulnerable, but Dave? He was there for him. And fuck if he knew why, but he was being so kind.
Dave smiled, easing his arm over his shoulder, and oh wow, feeling his muscles beneath his shirt now, he realized he truly was strong. And god, there were those beautiful kind eyes of his again, watching him so intently, so gently, as if they were telling Klaus he was going to be okay.
“Please, allow me to help,” Dave pleaded. “My uncle still has some time left for his treatment, and he’s sleeping anyways. Besides,” Klaus couldn’t miss the way his lips tugged into that cute crooked grin, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you.”
Klaus’s own lips curled into a goofy smile. He giggled, unable to deny the warmth that flooded his cheeks. It had been so long since he’d had a conversation with anyone, even longer since it’d been with someone he admittedly found to be attractive. And while Klaus didn't think Dave was flirting by any means, it felt nice, having a kind, strong, and dare he say, beautiful man seeming so eager to be his...friend? Trying to play things cool, Klaus shrugged simply.
“Hmm...alright,” he said, gesturing his palm out before him. “Since you insist, lead the way.”
Tightening his grip around Klaus’s waist, Dave did just that. And honestly, so what if the trek may have taken them a little bit longer than usual. After all, Klaus really was tired, so he figured Dave wouldn’t notice if he played up the theatrics just a touch; leaning heavily against him, relishing the way he held him, guiding him so carefully while making sure he would be safe.
Fuck, Klaus hated to admit it, but he was really enjoying this. Watching the way Dave’s brows would furrow, the subtle lines in his forehead deepening ever so slightly while he concentrated, or how he’d stop periodically to allow him to catch his breath, asking if he was doing okay?
If only Dave knew just how okay he was making him feel.
Klaus knew it was stupid, but something about how gentle Dave was being, it really did help him feel better. Hell, it made him feel great. And as dumb as it may sound, having him there; holding him, talking to him so soothingly and the way he so easily encouraged him along the way, for once Klaus felt like he wasn’t alone.
Just before they made it to the end of the hallway, one of the nurses spotted them and of course, just had to do their job and offered to help. But couldn’t they see Klaus was perfectly content? Dave more than had things handled, did they really need to intervene?
He wanted to glare and tell them to go away, but he knew that he shouldn’t be selfish.
Especially when Dave agreed.
“Well,” Dave began reluctantly, or maybe Klaus just hoped he’d heard it that way. “I really should get back to my uncle.”
Klaus nodded in understanding; after all, he was here for his uncle, not him. When the nurse approached with a wheelchair, he allowed them to ease him into it. He hated these things. So what if he was a little dizzy and tired, that didn’t mean he couldn't walk.
But the nurse was quite a bit daintier than Dave was, and she certainly didn’t have the biceps or broad shoulders like—okay, Klaus knew that he needed to stop.
Clearing his throat and any naughty thoughts away, Klaus offered Dave a sleepy grin. “Well, thanks again, Dave. For uh,” he vaguely gestured around, ignoring the way the trembling in his limbs had gotten stronger. Huh, maybe he was more tired than he thought. “Everything.”
“Of course,” Dave said, sharing one last smile with Klaus just before the nurse started to push him away. He watched them go before calling after them. “Oh, wait!”
The nurse listened, stopping in her tracks and Klaus glanced at him over his shoulder. He hated knowing that his head tilted like a puppy’s would when he realized Dave had actually climbed over the nursing station. He reminded him almost of a spider monkey, his belly propped on the counter as he leaned over it. Klaus felt a giggle building in his throat when he watched the way Dave beamed at the women behind the counter, just as he stole a sticky note and a pen right out of her hands. Klaus pressed his fingers to his lips, trying yet failing to hide the smile that crept across his cheeks while he watched him shimmy back onto his feet. Dave quickly jotted something down on the paper while the nurse behind the counter watched him with the most perturbed expression Klaus may have ever seen.
Trotting over, Dave was panting, and Klaus couldn’t help but notice how his smile was so wide the lines near his eyes were crinkling. God, Klaus felt his heart fluttering just at the sight.
Maybe he should ask the nurse about that. Could these feelings be caused by his chemo? Or had this adorable guy really managed to turn Klaus into a giddy teenage girl?
He didn't have time to consider that right now, because Dave was pushing his fingers through his cute little curls, looking him right in his eyes.
“If you ever need an ear to listen,” he began, holding out the sticky note. Dave’s smile only continued to widen, and the beating in Klaus’s chest had gotten so strong he was beginning to worry someone might hear it. “I’ve got two of them.”
Holy shit, did he really say what he thought he said? He was so corny!
Why did Klaus find this perfect stranger to be so oddly adorable?
Klaus nodded, fighting down the odd feelings bubbling up inside of him, and accepted the sticky into his hand. Glancing down at it, he realized it was his phone number. Klaus was so unfamiliar with this; he’d been out of the dating game (hell, even just the friendship game) for so long, he didn’t know how he should react. He couldn’t help but wonder how cruel it would be if this ended up just being one of those shitty ‘Ha, gotcha!’ numbers. But somehow, Klaus didn’t think that was the case.
Dave was so kind, and just looking at him now, his smile was so warm, Klaus couldn’t deny that it helped chase his chills away.
With unsteady hands, Klaus carefully folded the little paper, stuffing it into the safety of his pocket.
“Oh Davey,” he began, doing his best to match his grin. “I’m afraid you may grow to regret this decision.” While he couldn’t help but smirk, he only hoped that he was wrong. Softening, he whispered, “Thank you, Dave.”
Dave let out a gentle laugh, and ugh, Klaus found that even his chuckle was too stinkin' cute. Who was this guy that made Klaus feel so many different strange feelings all at once?
More importantly, who was Klaus and what had he done with himself?
He’d never gotten this giddy over anyone before.
“So,” Dave drew out the word, before asking the one question that despite being given his number, Klaus still hadn’t expected to hear. “Does that mean I can look forward to talking to you again?” he asked, and fuck, why were his features shifting? Oh god, he looked somehow impishly demure. Where was he going with this, and why did Klaus feel his tummy turning into knots? The chemo, he decided. Yes. He would blame these strange tingly feelings on the chemo. After all, it was the only thing that made any sense. “Maybe even...soon?”
Klaus began to laugh. Well, okay, maybe he snorted, but only a little. Dave was just so cute, and the quirky little grin he had, and how hopeful he sounded, Klaus couldn’t help himself. Clearing his throat, he rolled his eyes when he realized his smile seemed in no rush to fade.
“Unfortunately for you,” Klaus trilled playfully, trying yet failing to hide his smirk. “You can count on it.”
After returning home from the hospital, Klaus went straight downstairs to his bedroom. He hated how chemo always made him so tired, quickly stealing away what little strength he may have had. He only wished he had a little more energy; but despite how giddy he felt after meeting Dave, he quickly discovered it wasn’t enough to fight off his fatigue. He knew that it wouldn’t be long before the chemo would wreak havoc on his system, so he decided he may as well at least try to get some sleep.
Allison turned the page in her book, focusing intently on the literature. It was a positive affirmation book; one that she’d just picked up while they were in town that morning. With everything going on in their lives as of late, she’d decided it may be a good idea to find something to hold her attention. At first she’d considered picking up a new hobby, but after she tried her hand at crocheting like her Aunt Grace, she quickly determined she didn’t have the patience. So, instead, she decided that reading might just be the right choice. She’d stumbled upon this particular book completely by chance after reading the reviews online. She was amazed by how many people praised it’s contents, claiming it helped soothe away their grief, and only hoped it would help soothe hers too.
So far, it hasn't been helping. But, then again, she was only three chapters in. Maybe in time it would finally kick in.
“Allison, sweetie,” Grace called from the kitchen. It was getting late and she was finally starting to cook dinner for their family. She’d been so preoccupied with Klaus’s treatments earlier, and making sure he was doing okay and not feeling sick that the task had nearly completely slipped her mind.
Allison folded down a corner of the page for a bookmark, only hoping the library wouldn’t mind before setting it down on the sofa and heading towards the kitchen. Leaning against the entryway, she tucked her sweater tightly around her frame, looking at her aunt with a crooked grin.
“You rang?” she asked, lifting a brow.
Grace turned to face her, her own painted lips curving up into a gentle smile. “I’m sorry, I hate to ask, but I’ve just been so busy today, that—”
Allison shook her head, holding up her palms. “Aunt Grace, it’s okay, relax. Whatever you need, I’ve got it.”
Smiling, Grace released the tension in her shoulders and blew out a breath. “Thank you, dear,” she began. “I know they can be a hassle, but would you mind getting Vanya and Five cleaned up for dinner?”
And boy, wasn’t that the loaded question. While Allison found that Vanya wasn’t usually so bad, she was her little sister, so maybe she was just used to her antics. Wrangling Five, on the other hand, and getting that kid to listen had always been like pulling teeth.
But she understood how busy Grace was; Klaus took so much of her attention nowadays, understandably so, and Allison knew that doing this was the least she could do. Besides, looking at her now, she could see how tired her aunt was. It couldn’t be any more obvious that she could use a little help.
“Sure thing,” Allison said brightly, pushing herself away from the wall. “I’ll get them all washed up, and after that I'll help you with dinner. Deal?”
Grace couldn’t help but smile. “Deal.”
“Vanya, Five!” Allison called up the stairwell. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, huffing in annoyance when they didn’t answer. Those kids were literally all over the place at any given time, so of course the one time she needed them to be easily found, they seemed to disappear. Wrapping her fingers around the bannister, she started up the stairs. “Grace said you both need to shower before dinner. So, come on, let’s go!”
When she heard the sound of footsteps following behind her, she slowed to a stop, turning around.
But no one was there.
“Guys?” She called again, only to receive no response. While she found that to be odd, after all, she could have sworn she’d heard someone behind her, but instead of questioning it, Allison decided she must’ve imagined it. That house did make a lot of strange noises, but now it annoyed her seeing how it only seemed to be working to those brats advantages.
Continuing on her journey, her feet pounded against each step while she ran up towards the second story. “Come on guys, it’s bath time. You can’t avoid me forever, I know where you both sleep—” She’d just made it to the halfway point in the stairwell when something strange started to happen.
It was subtle at first, so faint that it was almost easy enough to explain away as her imagination, but then it started to intensify.
Allison watched as the lightbulb in the sconce beside her flickered. While it had started as a gentle flutter, now it was turning on and off rapidly, pulsing similarly to what she could only describe as a racing heartbeat.
Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, she leaned in closer to examine it, and watched as the light continued to flicker. She couldn’t help but wonder why on earth it was doing that? Maybe there was a loose connection, and her stomping around like an ogre in search of dirty little children was making the wires finicky? She glanced down at the steps, adjusting her weight.
But as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, nothing seemed to change. Flexing her fingers, Allison flicked them against the fixture on the wall. She tapped it a few times, watching the bulb continue to sputter before it eventually seemed to stop.
“Huh, that was weird.” She was just beginning to relax, knowing she must’ve been right, it had clearly only been a loose connection, when she heard the sound of someone coming up behind her again.
“Five?” she called, turning just in time to find—no one? “What the hell?” She rolled her eyes in irritation. She didn’t know how they were able to prank her, but it bothered her that they were managing to do it so well.
“Come on guys,” she continued, starting back up the steps. “This isn’t funny, Aunt Grace wants you both to—Christ!” She gasped in surprise, clutching her chest when she ran right into her brother Luther.
Stumbling back a step, Luther tightened his grip on Vanya’s ankles, making sure she wouldn’t fall. She was enjoying a piggyback ride, or at least, she had been, up until that little scare. Standing there, Allison’s attention went to Vanya’s hair. It was wet, so she knew that she must have already taken a bath.
Admittedly, after that they were all left a little shaken. It was innocent enough; running into each other on the stairwell, but still, it managed to give them all a decent fright. After nearly barreling into Allison with Vanya on his shoulders, Luther decided it best to set her down. He couldn’t help but smile when the little girl immediately latched onto his hand, clearly not ready to leave her big brother’s side.
She was so much younger than he was, and it always warmed his heart how attached to him she’d become. But while that knowledge brought him joy, it saddened him to realize Vanya had only gotten even more this way since losing their parents. He didn’t know if it was only because he was the oldest that she found the most comfort from him; almost like she viewed him as a stand-in parental figure, or if she simply enjoyed having him around. Whatever the case, Luther would never complain. He knew that he would always be there for her all the same.
Offering her a smile, he squeezed her hand before meeting Allison's gaze. He noticed immediately that something seemed wrong. “Everything alright?”
Rubbing at the fluttering feeling in her chest, she couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “Yeah, I was just…” Why was she so anxious? Because she heard a little noise? Admittedly she felt ridiculous. Everything was clearly fine. Rubbing her palm over her thigh, she waved her other hand at their fully-bathed little sister. “But never mind, obviously you beat me to it.”
“Oh, right, that. Well,” he began, only to smile when Vanya started giggling. “You know how Aunt Grace is, and with how preoccupied she’s been with Klaus today, I just figured I’d try and help her out, at least attempt to get a head start with this little monster.” Vanya squirmed when he started to thrum his fingers beneath her chin, tickling the little girl. Pausing, he went on to tell her, “Five’s in there now.”
“Wow, you actually got him to listen?” She asked, arching a brow. “Did he bite you or anything, you know how he gets—”
“Rabid?” he snorted. “Yeah, I know. I swear that kids a jackal.” They both laughed. “But no, he went right in. I know he can be a menace, but, with everything happening with his brother, I think he wants to make it easier for his mom, you know?”
At that realization, Allison’s smile faded. She knew her brother was right. Hell, they were all aware of what was going on with Klaus. Since he started his treatments, there’d been an obvious shift. He was sleeping more, eating less. He just wasn’t himself. And honestly, ever since the other night at dinner, when he was seeing things, Allison had been getting more and more worried about his health. She knew the treatments were supposed to be making him better, but she couldn’t help but fear they were only making him worse.
“Yeah, I think we could all use a little help right about now.” Forcing a smile, she took a deep breath. “Thanks Lu, for getting them all cleaned up.”
With a gentle grin, Luther nodded, but still, he couldn’t fight the uneasy feeling in his stomach telling him that Allison seemed off. “Are you sure that you’re okay?”
“Hmm?” she murmured, glancing at him. “Oh yeah, I’m fine, never better. Seriously, thank you. I better go though, I promised Grace I’d help her with dinner.”
“Of course,” Luther said. “Let me just make sure these two don’t manage to roll around in a mudpit somehow and then I’ll come down and help too, okay?”
Allison nodded with a grin. “Thanks.”
After that, Allison made her way downstairs, glancing at the steadily glowing sconce on the wall as she passed by.
She’d just rounded the corner into the kitchen when the light started flickering once again.
Grace grimaced when she realized her tea had already gone cold. She knew that she’d been sitting there for quite a while, but hadn’t realized that much time had already passed. She could have sworn she’d just sat down, but then again, minutes had blended into hours nowadays - time always seemingly rushing by. Setting her mug down, she pushed it away, deciding that caffeine was the last thing she needed if she ever wanted to sleep.
She was sitting alone at the kitchen table going over Klaus’s medical bills. It was dark out now, but with how busy she’d been, this was the only time she had to focus on such tasks. Especially after the day from hell that they’d just had.
After his chemotherapy, Klaus had an unrestful evening. His nausea had flared about an hour after they got home, and unfortunately hadn’t relented much since. It never failed to break her heart being forced to watch her son go through all of this again. He’d vomited at least three times since they’d returned from the hospital, but Grace knew it would have been more had he actually been able to eat.
His appetite had been lackluster for the last couple of days, but today he hadn’t been able to stomach anything at all. No breakfast, no lunch, and sadly, he’d been far too sickly to even attempt to come upstairs for dinner; he was just too tired and weak.
Grace’s brows pinched together, her lips dipping into a frown while she examined the bills before her. Klaus’s chemo had been expensive enough, but after looking at the bill for his radiation therapy, her chest felt tight with worry.
They certainly weren’t cost effective, that was for sure, but she only hoped they would be worth it in the end.
But with how unwell Klaus had been…
All she could do was pray.
Flipping through the stack of bills, she calculated the cost and was reaching for her checkbook when she heard a commotion coming from Klaus’s room.
When she listened closer, she recognized that it sounded like wood groaning and the metallic jingling of a doorknob. She found that to be odd; after all, there were only three doors to the basement: the one at the top of the steps, which was already wide open. The large metal cellar doors which were sealed with a latch, and—
That’s when she realized the sound had to be the door to that strange room being opened. She distinctly heard the sound of footsteps, before startling when the door slammed closed. Glancing at the analog clock on the wall, Grace realized it was already nearly ten at night.
With it being so late, she wondered why on earth Klaus was even awake at this hour? And more importantly, what was he doing? Especially when he knew that he should be resting.
Tugging her robe tighter, she pushed herself to her feet. Wrapping her arms around her chest, Grace glanced down the stairwell when she saw the outline of a shadow just before it disappeared into the darkness.
“Klaus?” she called down the stairs, but he didn’t reply. “Sweetie?”
Strange, maybe she’d imagined it? Klaus must be asleep, otherwise he would have answered; after all, he knew how badly she worried. But after waiting a moment longer and still hearing nothing, she decided it was best not to disturb him - he needed his rest. Except when she turned, she was startled when she found that Klaus was not sleeping - but standing right beside her.
And evidently Klaus hadn’t expected to meet her there either, because he jumped back with a loud gasp, clearly startled too.
Looking at her son now, Grace couldn’t miss how pale he’d become. She could see the way Klaus was heavily leaning against the wall, depending on its support. His breathing was shallow, and while she hoped it was only due to that fright, somehow she knew she was wrong.
While the kitchen lighting was dim - she really needed to remember to ask Luther and Diego to change the lightbulbs - it was still bright enough for her to notice how red and irritated his skin was. It was killing her to see how his radiation burns only seemed to be getting worse as the days passed on.
Klaus looked awful, and seeing him this way only helped to further break her heart. It took every ounce of willpower Grace had not to reach out and hold her little boy; rock him in her arms and promise him he would be okay.
“Shit, m’sorry mom,” Klaus apologized, noticing how he’d spooked her. “I just...really needed some fresh air.”
Lips curving into a gentle grin, she carefully pressed her palm against his shoulder. God, his burns were even worse up close, she only hoped she wouldn’t cause him any more harm.
“Come on honey,” she said, carefully easing him towards the steps. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Grace made certain they took it slow; after all, it couldn’t be more obvious that Klaus was struggling, and she knew he must be feeling weak after his treatment. But ever patient, she never left his side. Once they made it, he laid down, gingerly lowering himself flat against his mattress. While it was embarrassing, he couldn’t hide the way he winced from his pain. Klaus tightened his grip around his middle when the action tugged uncomfortably at his sore muscles.
She hated this; hated how her son was never able to find any relief. Honestly, did lying down need to cause him so much discomfort?
Grace tucked him in, being sure to pull the blanket up to his chin, just the way he liked, before pushing his sweaty curls from his eyes. To be honest, it was alarming seeing him this way, but after feeling Klaus’s skin beneath her palm, she was pleased to find he didn’t appear to have a fever. Thank god, finally some good news. But still, despite that small accomplishment, she couldn’t help but worry.
Each treatment seemed to take so much out of him, it terrified Grace to imagine that he could continue to get even worse. He’d already become so frail, so sickly, and knowing this was only the beginning? It was scary realizing how unwell her little boy may become.
Noticing when his lashes started to flutter, she could tell how tired he was and how badly he needed to rest.
“Get some sleep, sweetie,” she cooed, kissing his forehead. Grace combed her fingers through his hair before settling her palm against his cheek, gently smoothing her thumb below the curve of his bone.
They shared a smile, each just taking a moment to appreciate the other. While it may have been a grim thought, they both knew that Klaus’s future was uncertain. So any time they could stay like this, just be together, they both always viewed it as time well spent. Eventually she decided it was time for her to leave, so she pushed herself to her feet.
Grace had just made it to the staircase when the soft spoken sound of her son's voice stopped her.
“Hey, mom…”
Turning to face him, she asked, “Yes, dear?”
Klaus curled himself up tighter in his blanket, and looking at him now, Grace couldn’t miss how tired his eyes were.
“It’s just…” He let out a shaky sigh. Holding his belly, he swallowed thickly, and god, Grace only hoped he wasn’t feeling nauseous again. “Do you think we could hang some string lights down here?”
“String lights?” she asked, feeling her brows tug together with worry. But when Klaus nodded, her concerns only got worse. Coming closer, she couldn’t deny the familiar tightness in her chest. “Oh, sweetie, is everything alright? You haven’t needed those since you were small—”
“I know, it’s just…it gets dark down here, and...and after the other night, I just—” Even though he knew she deserved an honest answer, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth.
Because he was scared.
When he was small, he had been petrified of the dark, but it was a phase he’d grown out of. Having a nightlight had been his security blanket while he battled this disease the first time. Back then in his tiny, innocent mind, no darkness meant no monsters. No fear. No death.
It was stupid, and he knew that, but still, he was sick, and after moving into that house…
Into that room…
And with everything going on with him; the visions, the noises, Klaus just needed something to help soothe his fears.
So, instead of telling her the truth, he told her the next best thing; while it might have been a bit messed up, fucking with her worries over him, he only hoped it would prove to be enough of an answer.
“A little added visibility when I’m feeling so sick may be helpful. So I don’t...puke on the floor again. I-I’m really sorry about that, Mom.”
Sitting beside him on the bed, she gathered his hand into her own. “Oh honey, you have nothing to be sorry for. You know that, right?” When he hesitated, she urged again. “Right?”
Closing his eyes, he nodded, barely whispering, “Right.”
Grace was worried, but she could see how important this was to her son. Keeping her expression light and inviting, she cupped his cheek. “If you need the lights, then of course I’ll get them for you. Whatever will make you more comfortable, okay?” He nodded again, and she smiled. “I’ll go into town for some in the morning, how does that sound?”
His lips briefly flickered into a grin. While it may have been wobbly and uncertain, he only hoped it was strong enough to prove how much he appreciated her. “Thanks, Mom.”
She kissed his forehead again. “Of course.” Tucking a strand of curls behind his ear, she tugged the blankets back up to his chin. “Now, I love you, but it’s been a long day, so try to get some sleep.”