Work Text:
There has been something strange going on with Klein recently.
He has been coming home late, leaving early, and outside of meals—which sometimes he isn’t home for at all—they had hardly seen him.
Every time Klein gets back, he always says, “Sorry, something came up at work.” But what sort of urgent matters would a historian consultant be required to be spending such long hours for?
Melissa grumbled, as she was eating her cereal at the breakfast table, looking towards Klein’s chair, which was yet again empty—for the third time in a row.
At least his job pays well…
She glanced at Benson, who was hurrying through his food while also reading a book on accounting. He has been so focused on studying lately, hoping to do well in the upcoming Civil Service Exam.
That might have been why neither of them questioned Klein’s strange absences. They were happy. They were not living in abject poverty, Klein had a job. Benson was studying hard to get a new, better one. She was able to study machinery without worries.
But this issue was difficult to ignore when one day Klein announced at the dinner table something remarkably outlandish.
Sitting around the dining table, eating broiled lamb chop with bread, Klein had suddenly set down his utensils and addressed the two of them.
“I’m moving out.”
Melissa could hardly believe what she was hearing. Why would her dear brother want to leave the home they worked so hard to earn. And more importantly… would he still be paying rent? They were unable to live in this house with just Benson’s income.
Klein seemed to have noticed Melissa’s thoughts as he continued speaking.
“This will be temporary, most likely. I’ll still be sending money here. I will just be living elsewhere, for a little bit.”
Benson, setting down his own utensils, looked at Klein firmly.
“Is everything okay?”
Klein shook his head, giving an awkward laugh.
“One of my colleagues is experiencing some difficult times so I offered to live with him for some time until he can get everything sorted.”
Melissa groaned in her head.
So it’s about work again isn’t it…
Benson sighed, everything was going so smoothly.
“So you will still be nearby?”
Klein nodded, “Yes, we will still see each other, I will just be living… elsewhere.”
The dinner ended with some casual discussion, as some basic plans were laid out to ensure a successful move. Klein didn’t have many items he needed to bring, so everything was packed and by the end of the week, it was the day of the move.
Melissa watched from the doorstep as Klein hoped onto a carriage, suitcases in hand, feeling sentimental about this moment.
She looked towards Benson, who appeared to be feeling the same as her.
Benson, still watching the carriage, said softly.
“He has always been moving ahead…”
Melissa paused, considering this before smiling slightly. “He said this arrangement was temporary, perhaps he will be back before we even know it.”
She thought to herself, turning to walk back into the house.
Perhaps I should prepare a house warming gift.
A day later, she had arrived at the address Klein had given her. It was a fairly average house, besides the lawn and vegetation to the sides seeming quite overgrown.This colleague did seem in need of help, that’s for sure.
Melissa walked up the steps, a mechanical lizard in her hands. She had created it after her turtle, hoping to provide Klein and his friend comfort whenever they needed it.
She stepped up and knocked on the front door.
“Hello? Is anyone there?!”
There was no response but she could hear signs of people from inside.
She tried the door, slightly shocked when it easily opened, allowing her entry.
She surveyed the interior of the house, judging it for its quality, cleanliness, and taste in furniture. The house was relatively nice, besides a few small messes here and there but those were all signs of life. The furniture was well suited to the space.
Melissa walked further inside, scanning all of the rooms, looking for Klein.
In front of one of the doors was Klein’s suitcase. Perhaps this was his room.
Melissa noticed the door was slightly ajar, with some voices coming from inside. One of them was unfamiliar—probably his colleague?
She walked towards the room, intending to walk in, give the lizard, and leave.
Pushing the door open slightly, she peaked inside to find both Klein and his colleague sitting on the bed shirtless. Klein’s arm was around his colleagues and the two of them were sitting close together.
Melissa paused, she did not expect Klein’s colleague to be that good looking. That sort of guy was more suited to being an actor, not working for some security guard company.
Melissa was just about to call out to Klein when he heard Klein speak.
“Leonard… Do you want to—?”
Melissa suddenly felt that she was interrupting something and decided that she did not want to go inside anymore.
Leaving the lizard in the hallway, she turned and quietly, but quickly, left the building.
She did not want to be involved in whatever mischief they were up to.