["Too close." For all that he really kind of expected an answer like that, he still feels something in his chest sink at the confirmation of it. The descriptions Ben gives don't make it any better. Reginald had ensured they could stand whatever they may come up against, really. His experiments and trainings were brutal in their own ways, and maybe because of that, it shouldn't be surprising that Klaus could survive that kind of viciousness.
But he is. Surprised. And nearly instantly feels a bitterness at his own thought of it all together because it only proves Ben's point even further. How did they get here? So full of doubt in each other, from where they used to be, pieces of a well-oiled machine working perfectly in tandem together. He isn't sure, but he's certain he hates it.]
Jesus... [For a moment, it's the only, quiet mumbled thing he can manage at all. There are a thousand knee-jerk responses to that remark, that all of you and generalized grouping commentary. Things about how Klaus stopped showing them anything but weakness years ago, but he bites his tongue. Hard enough he can taste the blood in his mouth. He's spent two months trying to figure out how to be a better brother. He hasn't exactly made much progress or actually figured any of it out yet, but... he knows letting his mouth run itself without at least trying to curb the acerbic things that fly from it without thought is not the way to do it.]
How many times were you stuck in situations like that with him through the years, Ben? [A frozen witness to all the varying levels of awful things that a life like the one Klaus has led might hold. Diego's not sure he wants the answer to that question, not really, and there's enough caution coating it, it might be obvious enough.]
no subject
For all that he really kind of expected an answer like that, he still feels something in his chest sink at the confirmation of it. The descriptions Ben gives don't make it any better. Reginald had ensured they could stand whatever they may come up against, really. His experiments and trainings were brutal in their own ways, and maybe because of that, it shouldn't be surprising that Klaus could survive that kind of viciousness.
But he is. Surprised. And nearly instantly feels a bitterness at his own thought of it all together because it only proves Ben's point even further. How did they get here? So full of doubt in each other, from where they used to be, pieces of a well-oiled machine working perfectly in tandem together. He isn't sure, but he's certain he hates it.]
Jesus... [For a moment, it's the only, quiet mumbled thing he can manage at all. There are a thousand knee-jerk responses to that remark, that all of you and generalized grouping commentary. Things about how Klaus stopped showing them anything but weakness years ago, but he bites his tongue. Hard enough he can taste the blood in his mouth. He's spent two months trying to figure out how to be a better brother. He hasn't exactly made much progress or actually figured any of it out yet, but... he knows letting his mouth run itself without at least trying to curb the acerbic things that fly from it without thought is not the way to do it.]
How many times were you stuck in situations like that with him through the years, Ben? [A frozen witness to all the varying levels of awful things that a life like the one Klaus has led might hold. Diego's not sure he wants the answer to that question, not really, and there's enough caution coating it, it might be obvious enough.]