[Klaus hadn't realized how tensed up Ben was until he lets some of it go, and he lifts his head from Ben's shoulder to look at his face again. Ben looks lost in thought for a moment, and then he explains what he thinks happened.]
Yeah, that's right, it was like I let them come out, not like they were part of me.
[His voice trails off, and he squeezes Ben's hand, because Klaus is suddenly thinking about Ben and his powers and how he must be feeling now that he's got them back. The Eldritch things that reach from their world into this one through Ben. He's remembering how Ben had felt after he used his powers, remembering those nights where Ben would come and huddle on the end of his bed and hold his knees until Klaus managed to talk him into at least lying down and trying to sleep. Remembers how neither of them could ever get to sleep those nights.
When Ben says he's proud of him for surviving, Klaus' gut clenches and he puts his head down on Ben's shoulder again, closes his eyes, and he knows Ben can probably feel him shivering...but it's Ben. Ben's seen worse than Klaus being emotional over this. The first time someone has said he was proud of him for...well, for as long as he can remember. He can't even directly respond to it because it's too much.]
That's not your fault.
[This is when he lifts his head and looks over at Ben again, and his brother squeezes his hand before he gets up again. Klaus watches him with a frown and a slight furrow between his brows.]
I missed you, but it's not your fault you weren't there. You're here.
[Ben gestures at him, waves him to come over to the door he's at, and Klaus slides off the bed, wincing a little as he crosses the room and looks through the door.]
no subject
Yeah, that's right, it was like I let them come out, not like they were part of me.
[His voice trails off, and he squeezes Ben's hand, because Klaus is suddenly thinking about Ben and his powers and how he must be feeling now that he's got them back. The Eldritch things that reach from their world into this one through Ben. He's remembering how Ben had felt after he used his powers, remembering those nights where Ben would come and huddle on the end of his bed and hold his knees until Klaus managed to talk him into at least lying down and trying to sleep. Remembers how neither of them could ever get to sleep those nights.
When Ben says he's proud of him for surviving, Klaus' gut clenches and he puts his head down on Ben's shoulder again, closes his eyes, and he knows Ben can probably feel him shivering...but it's Ben. Ben's seen worse than Klaus being emotional over this. The first time someone has said he was proud of him for...well, for as long as he can remember. He can't even directly respond to it because it's too much.]
That's not your fault.
[This is when he lifts his head and looks over at Ben again, and his brother squeezes his hand before he gets up again. Klaus watches him with a frown and a slight furrow between his brows.]
I missed you, but it's not your fault you weren't there. You're here.
[Ben gestures at him, waves him to come over to the door he's at, and Klaus slides off the bed, wincing a little as he crosses the room and looks through the door.]
Oh, nice find.