Chapter Text
Klaus Hargreeves learned that his father was dead in a simple way, half-listening the news while attempting to knit a pair of socks. Emphasis on attempting. He could tell that these were not going to turn out right. Oh well, they'll be a little wobbly, no big deal, he thought. He was seated on the couch in his apartment, he was too focused on knitting, cursing under his breath as he tried to correct the stitching when the news anchor announced Reginald’s death. Ben was the one who got his attention.
"Klaus," Ben said, staring at the TV with a look of shock on his face.
"Fucking socks. What am I doing wrong?" Klaus grumbled, giving no indication of having heard Ben. "Damn stitches. Look at that gap! How did that happen?"
"Klaus," Ben repeated a little louder.
"Maybe I should try another blanket? That last one turned okay?" He mumbled to himself, lost in thought, still not having heard Ben. "I mean sure, it was a little short and a little ugly, oh who am I kidding, it was hideous. But I think I can do better this time. What do you think of hot pink and bl-"
"Klaus!" Ben yelled, finally getting his attention.
"What?" He looked at Ben with annoyance. Ben simply pointed at the TV. Klaus turned to see what made him interrupt his knitting and froze.
"Oh." He said quietly.
"Yeah." They stared at the TV in silence. He felt a lot of things at the moment, but relief was the biggest of them.
"Holy shit, he's actually dead. I was starting to think the bastard was immortal." He joked, leaning back against the couch, socks forgotten and on the floor. Ben made a noise of agreement. They remained silent for a moment before Ben decided to speak.
"Are you going to go to the funeral?"
Klaus let out a sharp laugh. "Hell no. I said I was never setting foot in that house ever again. Even if he is dead."
"You should at least go to see the others. I'm sure they're all going to be there."
"Again, no, you know exactly what’ll happen. Luther and Diego will fight, Allison will side with Luther, I'll say something that pisses everyone off, and Vanya will sit there quietly." Klaus' voice got louder as he talks, gesturing with his hands wildly. "We'll have a service, Diego will start another fight, and then we'll all leave and see each other at the next funeral or wedding or whatever forces us to see each other next. Not to mention-"
"Daddy?" A small voice cut Klaus' rant short. They turned to the living room doorway and there stood a young boy, about three years old. A mop of brown curls rested messily on his head and he gazed at the two with sleepy blue eyes. Wearing green dinosaur PJs and clutching a blanket in his small hand.
"Benny, what are you doing up?" Klaus immediately moved to crouch in front of the boy. "It's way past your bedtime."
"Heard yelling. Was worried 'bout you." He put his arms around Klaus' waist and buried his face into his chest. Klaus felt a stab of regret for his outburst, only because it worried his son.
"I'm okay, bee. Uncle Ben and I got into an argument, that's all." He wrapped his arms around the child and lifted him up, holding him against his chest. He carried him down the hall and into a bedroom, laying him down onto a small bed. He tucked him under his covers and placed the blanket he was clutching on top of him, cartoons bees decorating it.
"Are you and Uncle Ben mad at each other?" Benny asked through a yawn.
"No. Just disagreed on something."
"Okay." He let his eyes close as another yawn escaped his mouth. It was only a few minutes before his breathing evened out. Klaus watched him, eyes soft, and pushed some curls off his forehead before kissing it.
"Goodnight my little bee." He whispered. He stood and left the room, closing the door softly. He turned off the TV, locked the front door, and switched the lights off before making his way to his own room. He undressed and climbed into bed. Laying on his back, he stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. He could see Ben out of the corner of his eye, sitting on the dresser, flipping through a book Klaus was sure he had already read upwards of one hundred times.
"How am I supposed to tell them I have a three and a half-year-old son?" Klaus mumbled into the darkness before drifting to sleep.
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Klaus woke the next morning to a small body landing on his chest. He groaned while Benny giggled and bounced on his chest.
"Daddy, wake up." Klaus groaned again and kept his eyes closed.
"No. Daddy is still sleeping. Leave a message." He turned his head to bury it into a pillow, muffling his words. It was quiet for a moment, then a small hand was pulling at his face, trying to turn it back upwards. Klaus let the hand move his face and once his face became unburied from the pillow, he felt fingers attempting to open his eyelids.
"Up. Wake up." He let his eyes be opened and when they adjusted to the light, he settled them on the boy currently on his chest. Benny was grinning and giggling, hair sticking out at every angle. Klaus couldn't help but smile at the sight. He was still dumbfounded by his son, by how adorable and sweet he was and how he changed his life.
"Alright, alright, I'm up. If you get off me, I can start making breakfast. How about... waffles?" At the mention of waffles, Benny scrambled off his chest and ran from the bedroom, yelling ‘Waffles!’ as he sprinted to the kitchen. Klaus chuckled at the sight and climbed out of bed, making his way to the kitchen, as he entered he saw Benny already sitting in his seat, bouncing excitedly and still chanting ‘Waffles!’ excitedly. Klaus opened the freezer and pulled out a box of frozen waffles, popping two into the toaster and giving Benny a cup of apple juice before putting on a pot of coffee.
Klaus thought back to the conversation last night. His father dying was probably the best thing that had happened to him this year. No more Dad meant no more worrying that he’ll find out about Benny and try to take him away. He knew that the funeral would be taking place in a few days and that his siblings would probably be there. He wanted to see them, even if they were almost always at each other’s throats. He would love for them to meet Benny, to let them get to know their nephew. He knew they would love him, but his greatest fear was that they’d think he’s still just a junkie and try to get Benny taken away. He didn’t know what he would do if he lost him.
He was jolted out of his thoughts when the toaster popped. He snatched the waffles and put them on a plate, poured some syrup onto them, and cut them into small pieces. Benny gave him a wide, toothy grin and began to shovel waffles into his mouth. Klaus chuckled and poured some coffee into a mug and put two more waffles into the toaster for himself. He watched Benny scarf down his food, periodically taking a sip from the sippy cup adjacent to him.
“Slow down buddy, you’re going to choke if you keep that up.” Klaus chided. Benny gave a nod and began to chew slower. “Thank you.”
The toaster popped again and Klaus placed his waffles onto a plate and lightly drizzled them in syrup. He placed his plate and coffee next to Benny, sat down, and began to eat. They ate in peaceful silence for a few minutes until Benny put his fork down on his plate.
“All done!” He proudly exclaimed.
“Your juice done too?”
“Uh-huh! Can I watch TV?”
“Sure, but only for a bit. Then you’re going to Mrs. Miller’s while I go to work.”
“Okay!” Benny chirped, running to the TV and switching it on, changing the channel to the morning cartoons. He jumped up onto the couch and fixed his gaze onto the screen. Klaus smiled fondly at the sight before placing their empty plates in the sink. He poured himself another cup of coffee and sat back down at the kitchen table. Ben moved to sit next to him.
“We still have to talk about the funeral,” Ben said when Klaus was seated.
“What’s there to talk about? I said I didn’t want to go.”
“Yeah, I know what you said and I still think you should.” Klaus groaned.
“Why? The whole thing is gonna be a crap show and I’d rather not deal with it. I’ll stay home, maybe celebrate a little and that’ll be that. Plus, Benny doesn’t have to experience the horror that is our family.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “You’re being dramatic. You haven’t seen the others in years. Maybe they’ve changed.” Klaus snorted.
“Yeah, sure.” He stated dryly, “Luther isn’t a control freak, Diego isn't a bitter asshole, Allison no longer craves attention and doesn't like manipulating people, and Vanya isn’t the quiet little mouse who stabbed us in the back. I’m sure they’re all better people and everything will be all sunshine and rainbows. We’ll all apologize for our sins and sing Kumbaya.”
“I’m not saying that everything will be great but at least give them a chance.” Ben gave Klaus a stern look. “ What are you so afraid of?”
Klaus went quiet at that for a few moments before whispering. “What if they don’t believe that I’ve gotten sober and try to get Benny taken away? I wouldn’t survive that. He’s the most important thing in this world.”
Ben’s face softened. “They wouldn’t do that... And if they do, just make me corporeal and I’ll tell them. They’ll have to believe you then.”
Klaus shook his head. "You have too much faith in our family. They'd still find a way not to believe me, it's not like I ever gave them a reason to."
Ben didn't respond and they sat in silence for a while.
"You don't have to go for yourself. You don't even have to bring Benny. At least go so that I can see and talk to them." Ben whispered. "I never got to say goodbye or tell them I loved them. If you won't go for yourself, then at least go for me. Please?"
Klaus remained silent for a moment before sighing.
"Alright. I'll go. But if they start fighting or give me shit about Benny or something, I'm gone."
A smile ghosted Ben’s lips "Thank you, Klaus."
"Yeah yeah, only because I love you."Klaus dragged a hand down his face and sighed again. He looked over at Benny, still engrossed in his cartoons.
"Hey Bee?" Benny looked at him and Klaus felt some of the tension gripping his body loosen. He gave him a small smile and took a deep breath."How would you like to meet your aunts and uncles?"
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The day of the funeral was quite stressful. ("Absolute chaos." Ben said, being completely unhelpful.) When Klaus told Benny that they would be meeting his Aunts and Uncles, he wanted to know everything about them. He already knew the basics, their names, their powers, and what they did now, (He freaked out when he learned his Uncle Luther was on the moon. He insisted they said goodnight to the moon and 'Uncle Lu' every night ever since.) but now he wanted to know more. Klaus did his best to only tell him the good things, a three-year-old didn't need to know all their family drama.
The night before the funeral, Benny was so excited that he wouldn't go to sleep and didn't crash until 12 am, which means Klaus didn't fall asleep till 1 am. Benny then refused to get up and fought everything Klaus needed him to do. He put him in time out and waited an hour for him to calm down.
He had planned to leave their apartment at 8, have breakfast, and get to the Academy at 10. It was currently noon and he just finished getting ready, Benny in the kitchen with Ben eating a sandwich while Klaus got dressed and put on some eyeliner. He looked at himself in the mirror and took a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing..." Klaus mumbled. Klaus grabbed Benny and they went on their way. Ben walked beside them, corporal, and helping with answering Benny's non-stop questions about his family. They boarded the bus and he prattled on for the 30 minute ride. When they reached their stop, they stepped off the bus and there stood the Academy. Still as creepy and cryptic as he remembered. Klaus stared at the gate for a while till Benny broke him out of his trance.
"Whoa! Daddy, you didn't tell me you lived in a castle!" Benny said in awe. Klaus snorted and felt the heavy cloud that's been covering him since he woke up lighten slightly.
"Yeah. It's pretty big." He smiled down at him and took another deep breath. "Come on, Let's go inside and see the others."
Klaus unlatched the gate and climbed the steps to the door, Benny practically skipping with excitement. The door was unlocked so he let himself in. He and Ben had decided that Klaus wouldn't have Ben be visible right away, first catch them up on everything that has happened in his life and then tell them about Ben. He made sure Ben was incorporeal and walked into the foyer.
Klaus looked around and could see that nothing had changed since he was last here. Benny was next to him, speechless, taking it all in. Ben had a look of disgust on his face.
"Still as ugly as ever," Ben grumbled.
Klaus nodded. He could hear arguing coming from the living room. He rolled his eyes. Already arguing. What a surprise. He thought bitterly. He guided Benny to the living room doors and mentally prepared himself for the shit storm. They stood in the doorway and Klaus took in the sight of his siblings. Luther was huge, much bigger than the last time he saw him. Diego had a new scar but was still the same, black utility belt filled with knives and all. Allison was as beautiful as ever, whiskey glass in hand. Vanya was hunched in on herself, looking uncomfortable and anxious.
Diego and Luther were the ones arguing and Klaus wasn’t surprised, Allison looked annoyed, interjecting from time to time and Vanya remained silent. Klaus stood there a moment before clearing his throat.
Everyone turned to look at him at the same time. All eyes were on him for a moment before they all flickered down to the boy at his side. There was an awkward silence, till a chipper voice broke it.
"Hi!" Benny shouted, smiling widely.
"Uh, hi." Diego gave a little wave, still staring.
"Hey, guys. Long time no see." Klaus said awkwardly. "How's everyone been?"
No one spoke until Diego asked the question they were all thinking.
"Why do you have a kid?"
"Did you steal it?" Luther blurted out, still as tactless as ever.
"No, uh…" Klaus sighed and forced himself to relax. "This is Benjamin, Benny for short, my son."
The silence was deafening, his siblings all frozen in shock.
Klaus raised his hands up and did jazz hands. "Surprise?"