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Five insists on using the library, even with all the new ways of accessing information in this world. The rest of their siblings don’t get it, but Klaus doesn’t mind. Even if he’s largely indifferent as to how the books he reads come to be in his possession, there’s something about the atmosphere of Five’s favourite branch of the library. It’s like a space out of time, untouched by Reggie’s machinations, just how Klaus remembers from their childhood.
The ancient metal shelves out of a bygone era, the same strange rubbery smell of the blue and brown berber carpet that transports him to the age of twelve, stifling giggles and heaving breaths, trying to keep his footsteps silent as he runs through the stacks, searching for a hiding spot from Ben and Diego. Luther radiating disapproval, Allison trying to pretend she was above their immature escapades, Five’s peevish expression over the top of whatever giant tome he’d found. But it was always only a matter of time before each of them gave in and joined the fun. They’d known all the spots back then. The back staircase that led up to the rotunda, the narrow crevices in corners, the one stack shorter than the rest back in the biographies that you could climb on top of and lie flat, and not be seen from below.
There are different ghosts overlaying those images now. Klaus has always had an excellent imagination. It doesn’t take much to see the ceiling gone, the walls crumbling down, and Five covered in ash, sifting through the books that remain. Haunting this lonely space, futilely seeking the echoes of his brothers and sister. In a way, Klaus feels closer to that Five here, as if he might be able to reach across the time and space separating them if he were able to concentrate just right.
And well, he likes being close to this Five, just in general. His Five. Following him around like a puppy, Lila had said, scathing in tone, but Klaus doesn’t mind the association. He is eager for Five’s attention, or simply to be in his presence–had been even before they’d become lovers. He doesn’t even care that Five can be prickly when they’re outside their home, terse and short-tempered. Public perception has that effect on him, and Klaus can hardly blame him. He’s had to deal with his own brand of judgement all throughout his life, from attitudes towards a sex worker in his 20s, to attitudes towards his general existence when he’d been flung back into the 60s twice.
But as soon as people start treating him like a kid, Five starts dialling up the attitude, going tense all over. He turns into all sharp corners, and everything out of his mouth is cutting or cruel, designed to lash out and hurt. Klaus has learned not to take it personally, and to be fair to him, Five doesn’t aim it at him, but there is occasionally spill over, nonetheless.
Five’s been better, anyway. A few months ago, when they’d first started this thing, there’d been a complete ban on public displays of affection. These days, if Klaus doesn’t make a big deal out of it, Five will usually allow his hand to be held while they walk, only rarely tugging it free, and usually only when some jackass starts staring. He still makes a face when Klaus kisses his forehead or brushes back his hair, and Klaus understands. It has less to do with being seen receiving affection from Klaus, and more to do with knowing that the people observing them think they’re watching a teenager receive affection from his father or older brother. So. Not entirely wrong. Just about the nature of said affection.
Klaus isn’t entirely unaffected by outside perception of their relationship himself. He adores Five, is almost in disbelief that he gets to have him, that Five adores him back. And Klaus has never been shy about laying a claim on what he wants, for all to see. Five is brilliant, gorgeous, and all his, and Klaus wants to let everyone who sees them know it. So yeah, it chafes, being seen as a man out with his child. He’s also just lived his entire life cultivating the persona of someone who gives zero fucks what anyone else thinks.
So Klaus will soak up any closeness he can have, especially in public. They walk down to the library at least two or three times a week, and Klaus is loving the autumn weather. Taking advantage of their reclaimed wealth to buy lots of oversized sweaters and fun plaid button-downs, patterned leggings and chunky leg warmers, pleated skirts, midriff baring turtlenecks, scarves and hats and fingerless gloves. Everyday is about cultivating the perfect outfit so Five can’t keep his eyes off him when they go out in public. Makes getting home that much more fun, when the second they’re behind closed doors, Five’s all over him.
A lot of the time Five doesn’t even borrow any books, just spends a few hours browsing, or settling in with an interesting article or slender volume and reading the whole way through. Klaus plays around with the computers, or curls up in the old leather armchair by the window with a romance novel. Occasionally some cute kid will ask him to read to them in the children’s section. Klaus has never understood what it is about him that draws kids to him, but then he’ll inevitably end up with a whole crowd like he’s the pied fucking piper of storytime, while their parents watch in mingled amusement and concern. They don’t know what to make of Klaus but, having seen him often enough with Five, have decided he’s not a threat. Oh, if only they saw what he gets up to with Five when no one’s looking.
Another reason Klaus doesn’t mind going to the library, as if he needs one, is the petshop they pass on the corner to get there. The windows are always filled with cage after cage of puppies and kittens and fishies and birds, a beautiful, chaotic rainbow of feather, fur, and fin. As indulgent as he is of Five’s foibles, Five is in turn of Klaus’. So after a long day in the stacks, they’ll stop by the café for coffee and tea, and slowly make their way home, with an inevitable stop to waste a good half hour or so roaming the aisles of the petshop.
Klaus loves pretty much every kind of animal. The snakes that like to drape around his neck like living jewellery, slithering down his collar and up his sleeve, scales warming against his skin. Birds of all manner readily accept his proffered finger to climb on, making their way to his shoulder to peck at his curls or the piercings on his ear until he jerks away, laughing, and Five comes to his rescue with an exasperated, “why do you keep holding them?” The back half of the store is for the aquariums, dimly lit by the blue-green glow through water. Klaus has never wanted a fish, but watching them is mesmerising. The ones that change colour in the right lighting are a particular favourite, along with the bettas and fighting fish with their flamboyant colours and fins, that make Klaus’ fingers itch for some pastels to paint them.
The kids who work here are familiar with them by now. The same rotation of a half dozen or so bored looking teens who brighten up at the sight of them. One of the girls, Lydia, has a crush on Five, and Klaus suspects that Kevin does, too, though he’s quieter about it. Klaus can’t fault them for their taste. But regardless, any of them will try to strike up conversations with Five, while watching Klaus with bemused amusement. At this point, he thinks it might be a challenge between them, to see who can get Five to say the most words in a visit, or maybe even tell them his name, convinced that Five is a nickname.
Today when they walk in, Kevin, Lydia, and Bella are gathered around the counter, and they brighten up at the sight of them. “Five!” Lydia exclaims, jumping off the counter top and skipping up to him.
Klaus shoots Five a devious look as he darts off towards the ferret cage with a “Have fun!” and a wiggle of his fingers. Five’s eyes narrow and he gives Klaus a tight smile that promises retribution. He’s distantly aware of the soft murmur of voices, but is distracted by a delightfully vicious little fucker of a ferret that attaches itself to his finger by its teeth, swings its lower half up, leaving claw marks on his wrist, before proceeding to scurry up his sleeve.
Five makes his way over a few minutes later, as Klaus wriggles and writhes, giggling helplessly, trying to get the ferret out from the back of his shirt. Five watches for a moment, clearly torn between schadenfreude and affection, before coming to Klaus’ aid. “They said they’ve got some new kittens in.”
“Hmm.” Klaus takes the ferret from Five, holding firmly so it can’t escape, and presses a kiss to its head before lowering it back into its enclosure. “Let’s get Bella to get out one of the pythons.”
Five follows him as he makes his way towards the rodent section. There’s a little frown between his brows. “Why don’t you ever want to see the cats? I thought you liked cats.”
Sometimes his Fivey is too perceptive for Klaus’ tastes. Usually only when it comes to him. Otherwise, it’s super hot. “I like cats fine,” Klaus says, waving his hands through the air. “Let’s go look at them.”
Klaus is aware of how Five is watching him, all hawklike. He puts on a dismissive, unaffected air and sways off towards the front of the shop. The kittens are in a big wire cage just inside the door, clearly meant to draw the attention of anyone coming in–who can resist the adorable balls of fluff toppling over one another. Klaus’ heart gives a pathetic leap at the sight, and he’s unable to stop the little coo of delight. They’re all different variations of black, white, and grey. Most of them splotchy calico, a few colourpoints, but there’s one that’s entirely white, flopped in the corner. Klaus pokes a finger between the wire to stroke the downy soft fur, and the kitten bats at him, catches his finger between its paws and pulls it close to gnaw gently on his fingernail.
“You wanna hold her?”
Klaus, suddenly aware that his expression has run away from him, struggles to get his goofy grin under control and straightens up, reclaiming his finger. “That’s okay, thanks,” he tells Kevin, who shrugs and wanders off.
Five watches after him, frowning, then turns back to Klaus. “Why not?” Klaus shrugs, and then his breath catches when Five reaches out to take his hand and steps right up into his space. Klaus automatically takes a step back, aware of the public space around them, but can’t bring himself to unlace their fingers. “What’s going on?”
“I…” Klaus darts a look down at the kittens, watches one of them batting at a sibling’s tail, another tripping over its own feet. The white puffball is now chewing on a black and white spotted ones’ ear. Quite without his permission, his lips curve into a smile.
“Kevin,” Five calls, without looking away. “Can we see the white one?”
“Five,” Klaus protests, but Five tugs on their joined hands, leading him over to the little pens set up for visiting with kittens and puppies.
The next thing he knows, Kevin’s holding out the kitten for Klaus to take, who clutches it automatically to his chest. “She’s ten weeks old,” Kevin says. “A lot calmer than her brothers and sisters, too. She likes to nap.”
She’s so tiny underneath all the flouff, and immediately curls up in the space between his arm and chest, yawning and closing bright blue eyes. Klaus stares down at her, then up at Five, who’s smiling softly at the kitten. He reaches out to draw a finger over her head and down her back. “You going to tell me what’s up?” he murmurs.
Klaus darts a look at the teens, chatting quietly at the counter, and sighs. He shifts carefully to his knees, so as not to disturb the kitten, then settles down cross legged. It’s a little awkward with one hand on the cat and the other still held by Five, but Five won’t relinquish his hold. He sits across from Klaus, stroking gently, and the kitten purrs her contentment in her sleep.
“I found a cat out back the Academy. It was the winter after you disappeared.” Klaus smiles at the memory, the beloved face of that tortoiseshell kitty. “She had one eye swollen shut, all goopy and gross, and was probably too young to be separated from her mother, but I couldn’t find her, so I took her in.” He quirks Five a mischievous smile. “I put her in your room--there was no way she’d last the night in mine without Dad finding out, but I knew he never watched the feed for yours anymore.”
“I told Ben. I needed someone to help me figure out how to take care of it. He told Viktor, and I was so pissed, I was sure he’d tell Dad, always running off to tattle. But he somehow convinced Allison to use her powers to get the litter box and some ointment for its eye.”
Klaus smiles, shaking his head. “We kept it a few weeks, sneaking off to visit her whenever we could. I’d called her Marylin, but Allison insisted that wasn’t a proper cat name. I think she had six different names, one from each of us.”
“What happened to her?” Five asks, and Klaus can detect the undercurrent of anxious anticipation in his voice.
“Pogo found out.” Klaus puffs a breath up at his bangs. “Convinced me it was unfair to keep her like that. Locked up in a tiny room, only getting attention for a couple hours a day here and there. And her eye kept getting infected, no matter what we did. He said he’d find someone to adopt her that would give her the love and attention she needed.”
There’s a fierce expression on Five’s face, impotent anger for people already gone from their lives. Klaus lifts the kitten up to press his face carefully against the fur, and she snuggles into his cheek.
“Anyway, I gave up wanting a pet after a while,” Klaus murmurs into her fur. “My life has never been stable enough to support another living creature. Hell, half the time I was barely able to keep a roof over my own head and keep myself fed.”
Five’s fingers tighten around his own. The pinched look of his mouth suggests he wants to argue some point or another, but he doesn’t. After a moment, he says, “You have a home now.”
“Five…” Klaus really wants to kiss him right now, and bites his own lip instead.
“And you’re perfectly capable of caring for another living being. Fuck Dad. Fuck Pogo for putting that idea in your head.” He tugs on Klaus hand, holding it up against his chest. “You take care of me.”
“Five!” Klaus wails, softly, in protest. It isn’t fair, saying things like that when Klaus can’t do anything to shut him up. Can’t do anything but take it.
“Are we buying a cat?”
“What, this cat? Here?” Klaus sputters.
“If you want that cat, we should get that cat. There’s no reason not to.”
“You mean now?”
Five gets to his feet, and reaches down to take her out of Klaus’ hold, snuggling her briefly against his cheek, too, before tucking her in the crook of his elbow. “Right now,” he says, holding out a hand to help Klaus. He’s strong enough to pull Klaus up easily, to send him stumbling into Five’s chest, careful of the ball of fluff.
“I really want to kiss you,” Klaus whispers.
“You mean now?” Five whispers back, all his bravado from before washed away in uncertainty. He darts a gaze to the side, where the teens voices are background noise. Klaus doesn’t take his eyes off Five.
“Right now,” Klaus echoes.
Five ducks his head, clears his throat. Then he looks up at Klaus with a determined expression. “If you want to kiss me, then you should.”
Klaus probably isn’t doing a good job of hiding his surprised delight. “What, right here?”
Five tilts his face up expectantly, eyes darting from Klaus lips to his eyes and back again. “Right here.”
If Five isn’t going to care what others think anymore, then he better not be banking on Klaus having any shame. Klaus swoops in, one hand coming up to take delicate hold of Five’s neck, keeping him in place as their lips meet. He keeps it as chaste as he can, with all the affection bursting from him, but there can be no mistaking it for anything other than what it is. How Five goes up on his toes, free hand in Klaus’ hair. The damp press of lips, Five parting briefly to lick teasingly at Klaus’ top lip before settling back on his heels. Klaus chases him for one last, soft kiss.
They make their way to the counter, where the teens have schooled their drop-jawed expressions into blankness. None of them meet their eyes, looking anywhere else as Five approaches and asks Lydia to gather everything they’ll need for their new kitten. Lydia scurries off towards the cat care aisle.
Five holds the kitten up at eye level while they wait. “She looks like a big marshmallow.”
“Sort of fluffy for a marshmallow.” Klaus pauses. “Marshmallow Fluffybottom,” he says, consideringly. Bit of a mouthful for a name. “We could call her Mallow, for short.”
Five’s face goes all soft and fond in a way that is usually reserved for Klaus. He’s practically beaming heart-eyes at the kitten. “Mallow.”
“Oh my god,” Klaus exclaims, mock outrage. “This isn’t for me at all, is it? You want a kitten.”
“Don’t be paranoid,” Five mutters, hiding his grin in Mallow’s fur.
Klaus makes a tsking sound. “Next thing you’re going to be cuddling up with her at night instead of me.”
“We can’t kick her out of bed just because you’re jealous, Klaus,” Five says, supremely cool and unaffected. “That’s cruel.”
The urge to kiss him again is on the rise. Well. Klaus always has that urge. But Five is being particularly adorable. It’s unfair. Cautiously, Klaus drapes an arm over Five’s shoulder, his dangling hand brushing Mallow’s fur. When Five doesn’t tense up under the touch, Klaus lets himself relax into the space between them, until they’re pressed together, side to side.
“Ugh, it’s like they say,” Klaus sighs. “Haven’t even gotten the baby home, and already the passion is dead.”
Five leans back into him, tilting his head to shoot Klaus a smirk. “Why don’t you put that theory to the test tonight?” He pitches his voice low, whispering only for Klaus’ ears, “I have absolute faith in your ability to provoke a passionate response.”
Lydia comes back with a litter box stacked full of litter, kitten food, bowls and assorted toys, and Kevin clears his throat pointedly as he begins to ring the items up. Bella's given up any pretence and is just staring, dumbfounded. Klaus fights the urge to break into laughter when Five gets particularly daring and slides an arm around Klaus’ waist to tuck into his back pocket. It’s a shame they probably can’t show their faces here again, but then again they have Mallow now. Klaus doesn’t need to get his animal fix from the store anymore.