Chapter Text
Klaus was peacefully doing paperwork until he heard the sound of heels tapping on the wood in front of his desk. “Sir! It's Leo!” Chain shouted as she rushed in, her breathing labored.
The boss of Libra looked up quickly. “What happened?”
“His eyes. He's over used them again or something. Zapp and I tried getting close, but we can't stand the effects. He sounds like he's in a lot of pain though.” Klaus stood up and gently patted the now crying woman's head.
“It's okay, Chain. I'll take care of him and see what caused this.” Klaus nodded towards Gilbert and they set out on their way to Leonardo's apartment. When the got there, Zapp was waiting for them.
“His powers are only affecting the few rooms beside and below his, but the yelling is disrupting most of the building. If Chain and I weren't already coming to check up on the idiot they would have called JLPD. I don't even know what excuse to give to the tenants.” The tanned man sighed, pulling out a cigar and taking a drag. “Anyone who gets close gets sick as a dog since all the flashing and moving colors make them dizzy as hell.” Zapp still looked a bit green.
“I understand the situation. Gilbert go ahead and take Zapp back to the office.”
“Certainly, young master.” Both ignored Zapp's protests.
On the first floor he didn't hear anything besides some people on the upper floors blaring their music. Perhaps they were doing so to drown out Leo? The more Klaus walked up the stairs, the more easily he could pick the pained shouts and screaming. On Leo's floor Klaus could only feel sympathy. No wonder why Chain was crying. He really did sound like he was in a lot of pain. He probably came to the same conclusion as she did: it was unwise to move Leo even if he needed professional help. Five feet from the door, Klaus stopped. His vision was blurring around the edges and flashes of color happened randomly. Klaus pressed forward, wondering if this is what Leo saw every day since he received those eyes. He knocked on the door. “Leonardo?” Honestly, he should probably just enter anyway.
“M-Mr. K-Klaus...” He didn't say much more before another pained yell came from the familiar voice.
Deciding it was best to enter, Klaus turned the knob, a bit surprised to find the door unlocked. Once he entered the room the effects got worse. He felt a wave of nausea wash over him as the colors in his vision distorted and became abnormal. Still, he pressed on after steeling himself. “Leonardo? Did you overwork your eyes?”
Leo wasn't able to get much out. His body was shaking in pain and no position seemed to relieve it. “I think... in the drink...” He managed out, pointing to a bottle on the counter before howling in pain again. Klaus tried to look where Leo pointed, but had to close his eyes as his affected eyes got worse with the movement. “Sorry.” Green eyes looked down at the young man who seemed to be crying. Klaus thought for a moment and squinted his eyes. Leo's powers didn't seem as powerful when he squinted, so he could see a little bit without feeling sick himself.
“You're fine, Leonardo. I'll take care of you until we figure this out or it passes.” He gently patted the brown mess of hair. Still he didn't like this. If Leo was right, then someone slipped something in a drink. However, he should worry about who later. Right now they needed to find out what was causing this, as well as getting Leo's pain to subside. He quickly texted that he had a clue that needed to be tested to Gilbert. While waiting for Gilbert to get back, he'd try to calm Leo down. When he had patted his head, he had noticed that Leo felt hot and slightly damp. The boy was probably running a fever trying to fight of the effects of whatever drug was in his system. The only treatment he could figure that was possible right now was just a damp rag over his forehead and cleaning away the sweat. Soon enough, he felt his cell phone buzz in his pocket. “Leonardo, I will be back shortly.” Klaus wasn't sure the boy even heard him over the pain this time. He grabbed the bottle and headed downstairs.
“Sir! How is he?” Chain asked impatiently. She had even jogged up to meet Klaus upon seeing him. Her eyes were still red from crying.
Klaus wanted to smile to comfort her, but couldn't find it in him to do so. “He hasn't improved much. You can't hear him much more since his voice finally gave out. He's still in a lot of pain.”
“Then how is our boss holding up?” Steven asked from the car.
Klaus could only sigh in response. He wasn't much better off, so this break was much needed. “Steven. Get this tested. Leonardo couldn't say much, but he thinks there's something in this that's caused this. I agree with him since the pain doesn't seem to be centered in his eyes. Chain: after it's discovered what's in this liquid, I want you to track it down. When Leo calms down and is able to talk some more, I'll contact you with how he got it.” Chain nodded, determination in her eyes. Steven took the bottle Klaus handed him and eyed it. “Where's Zapp?”
“He couldn't settle down, so he's out trying to track down everywhere Leonardo went yesterday starting with the usual places.” Steven answered. “I'll go ahead and take this to get tested. I'll send you the results as soon as I know.”
Klaus nodded and watched him drive off. “Are you staying, Chain?”
“Yes, sir. I know I can't get near him, but until I know where to search I want to stay here and help out if possible.”
“Did you collect some information from before?”
“Admittedly no. Zapp and I immediately got sick after getting close. As soon as I was able to leave I did so in order to get you.”
Klaus hummed in thought. “Well try asking his neighbors if anything was off last night or even this morning.” Chain took the order and when they went back into the building. She began to ask around while Klaus returned to Leo's apartment.
The effects were still there and sickening, even if he had his eyes squinted. He sat beside Leo even though it made the effects worse. He could hold on. Klaus felt Leo grab onto his sleeve and pull tightly. “Sorry.” Leo repeated that for a few times in a broken whisper. “Try... closing...” he couldn't finish the advice before the pain became unbearable again.
Klaus still understood what Leo was saying and closed his eyes. The colors stopped and there was just the blackness. Klaus gently patted Leo's hand that was still pulling on his sleeve. “Thank you, Leonardo. It's stopped. I've got the bottle being tested, so we should find out what drug is causing this to you.” He heard Leo hiccup and felt his grip on the sleeve tighten even more. Minutes passed and he slowly heard all of Leo's whimpers and gasps of pain die down. Carefully, he opened his eyes and found that Leo's powers weren't in effect anymore. A bolt of worry had him checking the small human, but in the end he was relieved. His phone buzzed, so he answered it.
“Sir! Leo's power seems to have gone down. Is he okay?”
“He's fine, Chain. He's just passed out for the moment. He still seems to be in a lot of pain, considering he's got a death grip on my sleeve.”
“Do you--- do you think it's safe for me to come in? I bought some water just in case there's something else in his apartment that's causing this.”
“Come on in.” She was a bit hopeless, but it was good that Leo had people that cared about him. Klaus ended the phone call when he heard the door open slowly. “You can stay until he shows signs of waking up. Once he does, I want you to head to the door with your eyes closed.”
“Why closed?” The woman asked as she walked closer.
“It makes the colors go away at the very least, it seems.” Chain hummed and lightly brushed Leo's bangs away from his face. He still wore the expression of pain even in sleep. “Have you heard anything from the neighbors?”
“Yes sir. It seems in the middle of the night the bottle was in dropped off in front of Leo's door. No one saw who dropped it off, but they saw it there until he woke up and took it in. While it's likely one of the neighbors did it, this building isn't exactly secure either. Anyone could have come in and dropped it off. No one seemed to have reacted when I showed them a picture of the bottle either. It's likely that this wasn't accidental. Someone purposely gave it to Leo.”
Klaus frowned at that. He thought people would rather use him for his power, but he supposed that some people would think his powers would be too risky to keep, so they'd kill him to get rid of any potential problems. Hopefully this drug, whatever it was, wasn't a poison. But if it wasn't, why give it to Leo? The kid didn't seem to have any problems. Minutes passed in silence before Klaus began to pick up on Leo waking. “Chain. Leave.” She understood immediately and made it to the door before Leo's power affected the area again.
“Mr. Klaus?” Leo's voice was dry and cracked.
“I'm here.”
“Thirsty.”
Klaus felt around for the bottle of water that Chain had brought. “Can you sit up?” A pained whimper was the only reply he got. Leo couldn't even sit up. This left some problems. Leo couldn't sit up to drink, and he probably couldn’t hold the bottle with how his body was still having tremors. If Chain was right and that it was something else besides the bottle that caused this, Klaus couldn't use a rag to let Leo drink. Any other way required his sight, but if he opened his eyes he wouldn't be able to see well enough due to Leo's power affecting him. That left one option that he could think of: mouth to mouth. “I do hope you'll forgive me Leonardo. I can think of no other way to do this.” Leo didn't seem to respond, so Klaus took a small bit of water into his mouth before using his free hand to find Leo's face. Klaus gently grabbed his jaw just in case he had to apply pressure to get him to open his mouth. Thankfully he didn't have to, and he didn't miss either. Leo seemed to have figured out what was going on -or maybe it was that he could still see- and graciously took the water Klaus gave him. This went on until Klaus felt a hand pull at his wrist.
“Thank... you.” Leo whispered before falling asleep again.
Klaus opened his eyes and could see that Leo wasn't in as much pain. The kid probably needed water to wash out the drug. Speaking of which, it seemed like Chain wasn't around anymore. If she was, she probably would have bounded in here the moment Leo fell asleep. His phone buzzed, so he answered it.
“You're not gonna like this, Klaus. It's a Beyond version of LSD, and this bottle was packed full of it. Not only was the water inside full of it, but the paper label too. There's not many cases of humans taking it, but it seems that the ones who did... The kid is going to need a miracle to survive this, Klaus.” A strained silence followed for a few seconds. “How is he so far?”
“Actually he seemed to be getting better. He asked for water and he seems to be sleeping, although... it may just be his mind getting exhausted and shutting down. At least the pain it causes him seems to be keeping him in bed, so he's not in any external risk.”
Steven hummed in agreement. “Still, it's not wise to leave him alone. Are you going to be able to handle it until it runs its course?”
“Yes. The effects aren't as bad if I close my eyes.”
“Good, 'cause I was worried. Even Chain was hurling at it all.”
“She is dependent on her sight and balance, so that's not a surprise.”
“She told me the effect stops when he falls asleep.”
“So you did already give her directions. I was wondering why she hadn't stormed in when he fell asleep again. It's still not a good idea for many visits. The delay between him waking up and his power starting again is close to a second. He doesn't stay asleep for long either. Only a few minutes.” Klaus sighed. He hoped that if Leo made it through this, it wouldn't cause him too much trauma. “You haven't told Zapp yet, have you?”
“No, I figured I'd find him and tell him in person so I can stop him from killing anyone we interrogate.” A few seconds of silence passed. “Klaus, do you think someone gave him Beyond drugs to try to kill him?”
“I don't know. I'm still hoping that this was some sort of accident, but it may be likely. That drug in that amount could probably kill any one of us. If it's not an accident, it may also be a warning for us. Look into our usual enemies too.”
“Will do. You hang in there too.”
Klaus voiced a sound of agreement as they both came to an understanding and ended the call. The man looked down to the other, who was still curled up in pain. If only he could take some of the teen's pain away. However, he couldn't so he'd do all that he could. Even if it was just sitting here being of some company for when Leo woke or giving him water.
-----------------------------------
Leo woke with the flashing lights still in his eyes and the colors distorting faster than usual. Pain was still making his muscles twist and turn, or at least it felt like it. Warily, he looked at his surroundings. Klaus was still here, although it looked like he had passed out. However, a sudden feeling of anxiety and paranoia hit him. What if Klaus wasn't sleeping? What if he had died because he had activated some fatal power in his sleep? Leo temporarily forced the pain away in order to sit up and grab the man's nearby wrist to check for a pulse. As soon as he found it, the paranoia and anxiety melted away, leaving the pain and nausea to increase tenfold. Leo clamped his hands over his mouth to stop the scream of pain from coming out, but he only managed to muffle it before collapsing back in bed.
That seemed to wake Klaus up and Leo could hear a groan of pain, probably because he opened his eyes. “Leonardo, are you okay?”
He could only make a muffled dry sob until the pain subsided enough that he didn't feel like screaming again. His throat was already raw from the screams he couldn't hold back this morning. “Mr. Klaus... I'm going to die ... aren't I?” He was scared. He was going to die before he could cure Michella. He was going to die just because he took a sip of some water to test it out. What a fucking way to go.
“You're not going to die.” Klaus' stern voice shocked Leo. “Do not give up, Leonardo. Everyone is out there trying to find out who did this. Libra doesn't take this sort of situation lightly. Besides... everyone cares for you, so you have to fight this drug and live for them.”
Leo felt tormented by those words. He wanted to believe Klaus was right, but at the same time he felt he couldn't. He was just a burden on Libra, since he couldn't fight like the rest of them. Zapp bullied him daily too, so that guy obviously didn't care no matter what Steven had said when he was in a full body cast that one time. Steven and Gilbert were nice enough to let him stay in the office until he got this apartment, but they didn't care about him really. Chain was nice and bullied Zapp, but she didn't exactly protect him from the tormenting either. Klaus was the only one he had depended on out of all the Libra members he had met. However right now, he couldn't believe Klaus. He was going to die due to whatever this was.
“You don't have to believe me right now. It's... probably not something you can help right now.”
He knew. Klaus knew what was happening to him. “What's... wrong... with me?”
“That bottle was filled with Beyond LSD. Hallucinations and paranoia are common.”
“Pain?” He had learned about LSD in school. Maybe not the Beyond version of it, but he still knew what LSD did. Pain wasn't reported.
“It's probably because it's made for Beyond creatures. Your body is rejecting it... I assume.” It sounded like Klaus was picking his words carefully and Leo wasn't sure what to think of it.
He knew one thing though. He was thirsty again and he could at least trust Klaus with that if nothing else. “Water.” It dulled the pain just a little bit, and he could feel the pleasant tickle of Klaus' sideburns. Unlike last time, Leo didn't pass out after he had his thirst quenched temporarily. The pain was still twisting through him and keeping him awake. This was hell. It had to be. As if spurned on by this thoughts, his vision began to change to something he had seen before when this had started. Grotesque scenery grew from his familiar apartment and beings equally as mortifying surrounded him. He let out a sob and whimper of fear. Even if he knew it was a hallucination now, it didn't stop them from appearing.
“Leo.” The voice was broken and muffled as if it was far away.
One of the figured reached towards him. “No! Don't touch me!” He yelled, slapping the decrepit hand away. He didn't want to see this again. “Go... away...” He whimpered curling in on himself again. He could hear a cracking and angry hissing, as if in reply to his plea, before it felt like his nerves were set on fire. He screamed out, or tried to with how raw his throat was, and twisted where he laid. Suddenly everything stopped.
-----------------------------------
“Forgive me, Leonardo.” Klaus murmured as he drew his fingers away from the pressure point that made the brunet go unconscious. He looked at his hand... the same one that had been slapped away. He knew Leo was hallucinating and it wasn't his fault, but that reaction hurt him. It really had. Klaus shook his head. He really shouldn't be concerned with his own feelings. Leo had it worse. He may even end up having nightmares for years to come... if he survived that is. If he didn't, then his mind would break before his body would. Perhaps to prevent both, it was better to keep him unconscious until the drug wore off. Klaus frowned while looking at Leo, who still looked to be in pain. Maybe being unconscious didn't really help. He'd have to ask when Leo had some sanity back. The red head pulled out his phone to call Steven. “Have any results yet?”
“Nothing yet. None of the usual dealers have even heard of the apartment. If it's one of our enemies, it'll be a bit harder to get information out of them without some sort of deal.” Steven paused to sigh. “Klaus? How are you holding up? You don't sound so good.”
“He's shown signs of both paranoia and hallucinations.”
“You are the sensitive type. So...?” There was a silent question: what had Klaus done?
“I used a pressure point to make him go unconscious. Steven, can he still be hallucinating in his sleep?”
“It may be possible. We don't know much about Beyond drugs effects on normal humans. Leo has lasted around six hours, if not more, so hopefully he's half way through and makes it. However, I don't think trying to keep him asleep is going to be the best method of overcoming this. Tie him down if you feel you need a break that badly. Ah-- I gotta go before Zapp kills an information broker.”
Klaus didn't get to reply before the line went silent. His green eyes looked around the apartment. There really wasn't much: only the basics... and even the basics were worn out. Leo really did send most of his money to his family it seemed. Maybe that was why he was still rather small? Was he sacrificing himself out of the guilt he felt for his sister's choice? Perhaps it stemmed farther back than when he received the All-Seeing Eyes of God. Leo honestly didn't really talk about his family besides his sister. Maybe he wasn't close to them? Klaus could relate to that a bit. He eyed some boxes in the corner. He really shouldn't pry, but he was curious.
Carefully, the man got up and went to the boxes. It was unknown when Leo would wake up after all. He quietly unlocked the cardboard flaps and peered in. Crumpled papers was all he could see. Was Leo using the box as a garbage can? No, he had seen a garbage can in the kitchen. Klaus picked up one piece of paper and smoothed it out as quietly as he could. It looked like a partially finished letter. It seemed to be addressed to Leo's sister, but part way down he had crossed out what he had written. Were these all letters he had started, but didn't like?
“Dear Michella, Your older brother has joined Libra. They're all scary and inconsiderate people, but they're all strong. The complete opposite of me. Ah, but there's one that isn't that inconsiderate. He helped me with his words. I've still yet to thank him.”
The letter ended there. Klaus wondered who Leo was talking about. It probably wasn't Zapp so that left Gilbert and Steven. He didn't feel like reading the others. They were likely similar to the letter in his hand, so he pushed the crumpled papers away and saw a large black book underneath. He carefully lifted it out and opened it. It appeared to be a senior memory book. It seemed like Leo had a lot of friends as a kid, but as the years grew that number dwindled with the increased appearance of Leo's sister. However he didn't appear to be any less happy. Michella seemed to be incredibly important to him. Klaus hoped to meet her when Leo obtains his goal and not when delivering any sort of bad news. He didn't want Leo to get into any more unnecessary trouble like this. He didn't want Leo to be in this sort of trouble where he couldn't do anything to help. Klaus quickly realized he was getting angry at whomever did this and forced himself to calm down. Until the culprit was found, there was nothing he could do besides watch over Leo, and that was exactly what he would do.
It was an hour later that Leo began to wake again. “Leonardo? How do you feel?” Concern was thick in his voice.
“I think... you can... open eyes.” Leo sounded like he was still in pain, and when Klaus opened his eyes, Leo's expression confirmed that. Klaus was also surprised that his sight was no longer being affected by Leo's power going out of control. “Mr. Klaus... my eyes... everything is hazy. Can't... really see.” Dread washed over him while he checked Leo's eyes and found them to be darker in color and the usual glow was muted.
“I'll call an ambulance.” Although before Klaus could move, he felt Leo pull at his sleeve.
“I don't want to risk it. That creature... the one that... gave me these eyes... might come for them. I don't...”
“Okay.” Klaus understood. There wasn't any proof of Leo's theory being correct, but if it was then whoever would receive the eyes next would unlikely have a choice... like he and his sister.
“Mr. Klaus... I...”
Leo could barely speak due to the pain it seemed. “Leonardo, don't talk. You're going to be fine.”
The brunet shook his head weakly. “I don't... want to die... with regrets...”
“You're--” Klaus stopped when Leo shook his head again and gave a defeated sigh. “Alright.”
“I... owe you a lot. Thank you... for everything you've done... for a weakling like me. You're... the only one... who encouraged me... didn't call me... a coward. You're the... only one... that seemed to really... look out for me... protect me. The... only one I... could depend on. You're so much more stronger than me... but... you're gentle too. You're really... considerate... a one of a kind... person. Way... out of my league. Even still... I'm sorry... to say this... when it's like this... Mr. Klaus... I really like you.”
Klaus was stunned... and hurt. He knew he protected Leo more than the others, but he always knew that the reason was different than Leo being weaker. Klaus wanted to see him grow and mature. He knew Leo would become an important person. He wanted to be beside Leo when that would happen. Klaus never expected the brunet to become someone personally important; a fact he just realized with Leo's confession.
“S-sorry. I must've... disgusted... you. You don't... have to watch over me... anymore.” This time Klaus reacted and gently grasped Leo's hands. “W-what--”
“I'm not leaving... Leo. You're not going to die either. Leo, when you get over this, when you survive this, let's go on a date, okay?” Klaus watched Leo's cheeks redden in a blush and took a small triumph in that.
“Yeah... That'd be nice... Klaus.” Leo forced a smile and then went limp. In a panic, Klaus quickly checked his heartbeat and breathing. He sighed in relief, as it seemed that Leo had just passed out again. Probably from the strain of talking so much and the relief of having his feelings returned. Now that he felt relief wash over him, Klaus' face became nearly as red as his hair. Leo referring to him casually instead of “mister” would take some getting used to.
With a knock on the door, Klaus pulled away from Leo and forced his blush away. “Gilbert?” Klaus questioned after opening the door.
“Is young Leonardo asleep?”
“For now yes.” Klaus understood the expectant gaze of his butler and opened the door farther, stepping out of the way, to allow the older male in.
Gilbert came in dragging along some medical equipment. “It took me some time to acquire this, but fluids should help him. I apologize for taking so long, young master.”
Klaus lightly shook his head. “No, it's fine. I hadn't even thought about it honestly. Let's hook him to it shall we?” Or rather Gilbert would. Klaus wasn't so nimble with things such as needles. Klaus was rather surprised that Leo hadn't woken when the needle was inserted.
“Young master? Why don't you go back to the office to rest.”
Again Klaus shook his head. “I'm fine, Gilbert. Besides, I told him I wasn't going to leave.” Klaus looked at Leo and wanted to be closer, but not while Gilbert was here.
“Did something happen? You have a pensive expression, but I don't sense any anger from you.” Gilbert was eying Klaus.
“Before you knocked... he was telling me his regrets.” Klaus knew he had a pained expression on this time.
“I see. Perhaps it's the paranoia?” Klaus smiled lightly at that. It was Gilbert's way of trying to cheer him up and he knew it. “But perhaps the truth was better spoken. I hope you'll be happy.”
“Huh?” Klaus looked at his butler in bewilderment. He knew the man was smart, but he was pretty sure that Gilbert wouldn't have picked up on his feelings for Leo. He hadn't even realized it until a few moments ago.
“I have lived many years and seen many people find love. Even myself, once upon a time. You may have not realized it, but he's been infatuated with you since the beginning. Your eyes softened around him not too long after.”
“Then you don't object?” Klaus was from an aristocratic family. To date someone of a lower level was generally forbidden… even more so someone of the same sex.
“I am only a butler, young master. I have no place to object. However much I support you, I cannot help you if the family or any others object. It is something you must fight to keep if he survives this.” Klaus looked at Leo again. Leo would make it through. He could feel it. Gilbert’s phone buzzed, breaking his train of thought. “It appears Ms. Chain has tracked down the culprit. We’ll take him in so you can worry about young Leonardo.”
Klaus nodded. “Try not to rough him up too much. I want Leonardo to give the verdict.” Gilbert nodded back, then left the apartment. Green eyes looked at the young man who still wore a pained expression. Gently he brushed the brunet’s bangs away from his face and then held his hand. “Leo… please pull through this. You can do it. I know you’re strong enough to do so. Please don’t give up.” Leo didn’t respond, as was expected, so Klaus could only hope that he had subconsciously heard it.
Klaus woke with a start as he heard the sound of something metal falling and a familiar voice cursing. “Leo?” The boy was on the floor and he noticed that he had knocked over the IV carrier in the process of his apparent fall.
“S-sorry, Mr. Klaus. I was trying to just go use the bathroom, but I tripped over the IV thing…”
Klaus wanted to ask questions, but decided for now he’d just help Leo. He had noticed that Leo had reverted back to calling him mister, much to his dismay. “Can you stand?” He offered a hand to help him up, which Leo accepted.
“It still hurts, but… I think I’m getting better. Only…” Leo shook his head as if trying to dismiss a thought. “Could you walk me over to the bathroom? Just in case?” Klaus nodded his head and helped Leo to the bathroom. Even after Leo closed the door, Klaus stood nearby just in case something happened. However, nothing happened and Leo came out shortly after. “Mr. Klaus? Um… Did I… say anything weird at all?” Klaus didn’t understand what Leo was trying to say, but he looked uncomfortable. “Sorry, it’s just… that my memory is a bit fuzzy and I don’t know what really happened or what was just a dream.”
Klaus thought while helping Leo back to the bed. He probably couldn’t trust much of his memory with all the hallucinations. “Do you remember me telling you that you were drugged with LSD?”
“A Beyond version of it, right?” Klaus nodded to confirm Leo’s question. “Then this-” He motioned to the IV. “Did I always have this?”
“No. Your powers were going out of control, so none of us would have been able to give you that until it stopped. You couldn’t hold a water bottle either so I… had to give you water via mouth to mouth when you asked.” It felt a bit strange saying it after they had confessed to each other.
Leo tilted his head down as if trying to hide his face. “Then… Did I tell you about my regret?”
He had spoken softly so that if Klaus hadn’t been focusing then he wouldn’t have heard it. Was Leo making sure that he had confessed without having to do it again? “Do you mean confessing to me, Leo?” He didn’t receive a verbal reply besides a groan. The younger put his hands over his face which caused Klaus to worry. “Leo? Are you okay?”
“M’m fine.” The reply was muffled and it didn’t convince Klaus.
“Are you sure? Your ears are red.”
Leo made an undignified groan. “Don’t point that out, Klaus! It’s embarrassing!”
Ah, so Leo was blushing. Klaus was now too, having heard Leo say his name like that again. That was probably the reason why Leo was blushing. “S-sorry.” Klaus could only murmur. He turned his face away in his own embarrassment.
Awkward silence passed before he began to hear Leo laugh. “We’re… a bit of a mess, huh? I mean look at you. Your hair is sticking out in places!” He turned his head just in time to see Leo reaching for him, and soon he felt Leo’s hands brushing through his hair. Klaus closed his eyes and smiled. It felt nice, the fingers in his hair, and the fact that Leo wasn’t being as reserved with him anymore.
However, it didn’t last long, as the door opened and Chain bounded over to Leo. Tears were streaming down her face as she hugged Leo. Zapp followed shortly after, already teasing Leo, but this time in a somewhat encouraging way... if calling someone a freak because they survived the drug was compliment. Klaus stepped away to allow the three to bicker like children. Steven joined him shortly after. “I’m glad he’s doing better. He really is a fighter.” Klaus hummed in agreement. “It looks like a lion mauled you, by the way.”
“Perhaps so.” He smiled gently. He’d wouldn’t mind being mauled by his little lion again.