Austin's Blog

A shadow blocks the entrance to the tunnel and Klaus sees a pair of legs standing there, recognizing the shoes immediately.

"How did you find me? Did dear old Daddy send you after me?"

"No." The figure squats down to peer inside the tunnel, a concerned look on his brother's face. "I told you to bring an umbrella when you left, but as usual you never listen to me."

"I told you, Benny, it clashes with my style." Klaus tilts his head, observing the completely dry Ben holding a large black umbrella over his head. "Doesn't matter anyway. I'm already wet, and not the fun kind."

Ben rolls his eyes. "Do you want the umbrella or not?"

Klaus pretends to think it over, turning to crawl his way out of the tunnel. "I guess."

Ben helps him stand, and Klaus shakes off like a wet dog, making Ben snap at him in annoyance as he covers his face from the onslaught.

"Wait, you only brought one?" Klaus raises an eyebrow. "Are you gonna walk me to the club and leave? Or were you planning to take me home?"

"I wasn't planning anything. I just wanted to try and catch you before the rain started."

"Too slow, Benerino." Klaus chews on his bottom lip some. Ben really was a mother hen, always worried about where he was going and when he'd be back. It would be really annoying if it wasn't kind of sweet.

Klaus sighs dramatically as he looks around the playground. "I changed my mind. The club isn't really calling to me anymore. I'm starving actually, waffles?"

Ben looks at him skeptically. "It's our one day off from training and you want to eat waffles?"

"Fuck yeah, let's get some greasy diner food! It's good for the body."

"I highly doubt that. Also you're dressed like a hooker."

"Have you seen the people who frequent those places? I'll fit right in, but you're gonna stick out like a sore thumb." Klaus hooks his arm with Ben's and starts to drag him towards the street, but stops and blinks as he notices the initials carved into the handle of the umbrella.

"Is this Dad's?"

Ben shrugs. "I was in a hurry."

"You stole Dad's umbrella!"

"Not on purpose!"

"That's so romantic, Benny."

"Shut up."

Klaus looks up from the menu at him with a raise of his brow, "Oh, you have another plan for that particular place tonight?"

Ben pulls his lower lip in his mouth and shakes his head fondly, "You know I'm always down for that, but also, you have the early shift tomorrow."

Klaus sighs, "Okay, yeah, you're right, no cheese."

Their waiter comes over and Klaus orders his burger with no cheese and no pickles. Ben orders his usual, the chicken club with extra bacon and sweet potato fries.

They chat about their days and their plans for the weekend while holding hands over the table. Ben acquiesces to visiting Claire and Allison on Saturday knowing he'll get free food. Okay, and maybe also because he had grown fond of the kid and enjoyed being called "Uncle" and having a family, so sue him. Allison was one of the more tolerable siblings, especially since she had Ray and Claire now. And damn it, he also likes Ray. Who was be becoming?

Their food comes and Klaus takes a big bite of his burger and makes an "uck' sound. He spits out the burger in his mouth onto his plate and there's a pickle in it. "Eww!" He takes the bun off and sees more pickles, "Ugh, I hate when they forget." Klaus begins picking the pickles off before taking another bite.

The waiter is passing them at that moment and Ben waves him down.

"Yes, Sir?"

Ben points to Klaus's burger, "He SAID no pickles."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be right out with a fresh one and complimentary mozzarella sticks."

"Good."

"Thank you!" Klaus offers as the waiter is walking away. He looks at Ben with slightly pink cheeks, "My knight in shining armor."

Ben blushes and looks down at his plate, shrugging. "You said what you said, and you said no pickles, aren't gonna let you eat pickle bread when you don't want it."

"I think that's the sexiest thing you've ever said to me."

Ben rolls his eyes with no hint of sarcasm for once, "Yeah well, don't get used to it or anything."

Klaus nods, "Oh of course not, I mean heaven forbid anyone knows you love me."

Ben furrows his brow, "You know I do!"

Klaus smiles, reaching over the table and stroking Ben's cheek, "I know, Baby, I turned you into a big ol' softie, but only for me."