Telling yourself you'll study during finals week but really you just keep wanting to write fanfic like your livelihood depends on it so you do.
SO HERE IT IS. The KlaLeo Christmas fic no one asked for but I needed in my life. Also, turns out, I write a better Klaus than Leonardo, this is the 3RD draft of the fic and I finally was like: Ok, let's try Klaus *writes the perfect intro like Charles Dickens came down and said "Yeah, write that sweet sweet, boy love"* I just insulted a timeless author, this is my life now.
Not gonna lie this is going to be fluff and some drama cause that's what I like. I am thinking 3 chapters but it might become more, just hoping to get it done before the end of December.
A letter came with the post mid-morning, Klaus had recognized the family monogram seal on the letter before anything else had caught his eyes and he felt an odd twist in his stomach. His tea was set aside instantaneously as he reached for the letter, Gilbert eyeing him in concern.
"Young Master, there is no need to look so worried. It is December. The holidays and your birthday are coming up, it is more than likely well wishes of the season." He chided gently for his young master's change in demeanor, though the thought did little to ease the anxiety that had obviously developed. Klaus had known it to be coming, he'd skipped out on going home last year in favor of staying in Hellsalem as at the time a nearly recent development had left him wanting to stay put that holiday season. The letter was definitely his mother, written in neat, scrawling German with a fountain pen in a fashion completely unique to the woman who had raised him into a proper gentleman, save his more temperamental moments.
He had to read the damn thing over twice before removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose, he loved her dearly, he had been the baby of the family and perhaps her most difficult child, his terrible two's had stretched well into his boyhood and she made sure to tell him that every chance she got in a teasing fashion he had seen many mothers use on their sons. Gilbert seemed to sense the duress and had prepared a fresh cup of tea when the door creaked open; Leonardo smiled at him, peeking in slowly and noting the surroundings.
"No Zapp hu-" he had begun before a loud, childish screech shattered the calm and Zapp kicked open the door fully, making a beeline for Klaus' desk. It didn't last long, shorter than it normally did for certain, Zapp was met with a series of carefully placed punches that left him feeling numb down to his bones and quivering on the floor before Gilbert had even finished placing the fresh cup of tea down. Leonardo scoffed, stepping over Zapp and holding up a bag cheerfully.
"Got your favorite." He chimed digging into the bag and retrieving a donut, he placed it on a napkin next to the tea and saucer and leaned into Klaus, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek before pulling back and settling onto a nearby couch to tuck into his own breakfast. The larger man flushed in his seat and hunched forward, stomach in knots as he glanced between the letter and Leonardo, his boyfriend of a year and two months now. His reasoning for not attending the Christmas celebration at his family home the year prior as he had spent the holiday with Leonardo, his sister and her fiancé.
If asked directly, Klaus would be able to explain that he was just as surprised a Leonardo was when their interactions turned from friendly and just coworkers, to interested. Klaus had, had a few partners in the past, a girlfriend in his youth before he'd began to train and prepare to become a Fang Hunter…and he'd kissed a boy once in his early twenties. Inexperienced in that department itself and new to America, Klaus couldn't lie in saying there had been others but not in the way that he and Leonardo were together. Leonardo had started off a valued member and friend, doing his best to work towards helping his younger sister and in the process had grown so much that it left Klaus a little awestruck how fast he'd adapted in just two short years. One of them spent being Klaus' person no less, the younger by 8 years may have been made wiser but it hadn't turned him hard or unforgiving.
If anything, Leonardo had grown more compassionate, befriending Huma and Beyondian alike; perhaps that's why Klaus had taken a fancy to him; nothing had prepared him, however, when Leonardo came storming in like a bat out of Hell and squared his shoulders, face a bright red.
"I would like to go on a date with you, Klaus." In front of the entire office, Gilbert had even blinked in surprise at the smaller man's offer; Klaus, on the other hand, thought that Zapp had finally managed to catch him off guard because there was no way Leonardo could have been feeling the same way about Klaus as he had been feeling towards Leonardo, except that the feelings were indeed, mutual. The train effectively left the station at that point, one date bled into several, many the most memorable moments Klaus had, had the jubilant mirth to experience with Leonardo. He found that Leonardo liked to document the dates, taking a myriad of photos during each one, many of them together smiling into the camera; Leonardo not once pulling a face that his smile was scary or set him on edge.
It made Klaus' chest churn gleefully, which lead up to Christmas and Leonardo's invitation, he'd practically jumped out of his seat in the office to express his gratitude for the invitation to visit Michella and Tobi in New Hampshire; Michella had met him once, and even then he wondered briefly if it was possible for her to have known. Asking him to look out for her brother and keep him safe, being introduced to her once again, this time, as a his boyfriend and partner, he could see an almost sly look cross her face as Leonardo spoke, causing a flush to creep up his face and bleed into the rest of him as the smaller man recounted how things had come to be between them. He had figured this holiday would follow a similar pattern…that is until he'd received the letter, it contents looking a little grim, not because tragedy had befallen his family but because they were coming to him.
It was worded like suggestion, though knowing his mother, the suggestion tone was more of a warning. She was talking about visiting for Christmas and staying through to his birthday, arriving on the 23rd to spend quality time with him as well as his siblings who would also attend the visit. Essentially, she was telling him he would be hosting Christmas in his home. Even though it was worded more like a suggestion Klaus knew better, his mother's suggestions were more like warnings, advising him to prepare for the inevitable. Normally he wouldn't take issue with hosting his family, would even look forward to seeing them all, but then the letter finished off with a thinly veiled reminder that he'd missed last year's gathering and hadn't given a proper excuse. Being busy had not been a good enough excuse to miss Christmas as he'd never let work stop him from visiting home before, he was beginning to regret not mentioning he'd met someone.
There was no proper response he could think of to provide his mother that would properly broche the subject of Klaus no longer being single and also the fact it wasn't a woman he had fallen for. Klaus held back a sigh as to not tip of Leonardo to his rapidly declining mood, though it wouldn't do any good as Leonardo could most likely already see the shift in aura. Klaus glanced at him and could see the worry hidden in Leonardo's expression as he offered some of his donut to Sonic; vigor had slowed in taking his meal and Klaus groaned inwardly keeping a straight face.
"Leo, would you like to get lunch this afternoon?' Klaus asked, sliding his glasses back into place and pocketing the letter, sending him a soft smile. Leonardo perked up at the offer and nodded
"Sure! Anywhere in particular?" Leonardo asked, offering another piece to Sonic. No one present batted an eye, it made the air comfortable, and everyone knew they were together. They didn't have to be secretive or go behind anyone's back, there had been teasing from K.K and Zapp but no one showing outward disdain, allowing for open display of PDA within reason. Stephen didn't want to walk in on anything drastic but he did allow for little displays without verbal warning. Getting lunch or having impromptu dates were a normal occurrence, Klaus being ever the gentlemen liked the little displays and spur of the moment events.
"You pick." Klaus offered dulcetly; Leonardo nodding in response answered without a moment's pause
"Dianne's."
The smaller grinned at him from his spot on the couch, a warm, loving grin that made the larger's heart skip a beat and a happy flutter roll in his stomach. Leonardo was his person, someone to confide in and truly be himself, no critique on his demeanor or scrutiny if a hair was out of place. He could be unrefined, stubborn, unruly and outspoken. He didn't have to keep composure or hold himself back, they went out to the movies, they went to eateries that in his youth he wouldn't have even bated an eye at. Their anniversary had been rained out, he'd planned everything so carefully, made reservations at a new restaurant, a rooftop dining area that had one of the most beautiful views of Hellsalem. Of course the weather had to turn sour within the hour,
"Welp. Jack and Rocket's it is." Leonardo had huffed listlessly, looping his arm with Klaus' rather depressed posture. He'd planned and planned only for it to fail at the last second; they'd ended up in Jack and Rocket's soaked, Leonardo had even dressed up for the occasion, a white button up and dark blue suit jacket, hair a moppy mess. Klaus wasn't in any better shape either, orange sweater like a sponge on his frame, he had known the eatery was a favorite of Leonardo's and Zapp's but he'd never tried it for himself, fast food had never been his favorite and it wasn't the top choice for an anniversary dinner…but the restaurant had become a fast favorite after that, they'd spent the rest of their ruined evening in Klaus' penthouse, changing out of wet clothes and taking hot showers separately to reconvene on the couch, cuddling under thick throws and enjoying each other's company before they fell into each.
Light kisses that had turned deeper and languid, it was enough to bring a flush to his face just from the memory and definitely pulled away from his work, he couldn't focus when he thought back to their anniversary. A celebration of their year together, facing adversities and keeping their relationship together when things got rocky or they argued over one thing or another. It was also the night they'd gotten intimate, kissing turning to straying touches; Klaus going red under Leonardo's gaze and the smaller keeping him grounded yet euphoric with brushes of fingertips and buttons finding themselves undone.
Klaus treasured Leonardo's affections, drinking in every moment they shared, this holiday he wanted to ask Leonardo to move in, to make himself permanently at home in the penthouse but now he was hesitant to even suggest it, his family was visiting and as much as his mother had shown support in his pursuit of young girls in his teenage years, he couldn't be sure if she'd take kindly to him picking a man above the string of previous relations; but…he didn't want to have to hide it, he didn't want to have to pretend to his parents that he was still single and happy to be so when he had Leonardo.
Lunch at Dianne's was mundane and he preferred it this way, no loud explosion, no end of the world scenarios, just lunch with his boyfriend.
"Klaus, you've been in a mood…" Leonardo piped up, catching the larger's attention
"Ah, forgive me…there has been something on my mind…I wanted to get your opinion on it." Klaus admitted carefully, Leonardo leaning forward with a frown. Klaus could see Vivian perk up behind the counter, showing slight interest in the conversation
"Ok…what is it?"
"Well…my family is planning to come to Hellsalem for Christmas and stay through until my birthday…" Klaus began, Leonardo nodding slowly.
"They…don't know about you. And…I am worried that they may not approve of us but I want more than anything for them to know. To know about you and me being together. I don't want them to be the thing that drives us apart. It would be unfair of me to pick family over someone who has made me genuinely happy for a year and some time, I would hope to avoid that outcome at all costs." Klaus affirmed, straightening his posture to show Leonardo the truth to his words, even though he was certain Leonardo felt it radiating off him.
"That's what you're worried about?" Leonardo giggled after a moment of tense silence; Klaus made a noise of frustration and deflated, fixing Leonardo with an irritated frowned. Leonardo clasped one of his hands tightly and sighed gently, a wary smile settling onto his face
"Klaus, I know their opinion matters to you, but I will do what you want to do, not them. Whether it's we tell them together or we lay low…or we break things off." Leonardo trailed off and Klaus squeezed his hand earnestly
"No, I don't want that. I want to stay together, I'm happy. Happier than I have been, maybe even happier than before the first collapse…Even in my younger years-"
"Klaus, you're 29 going on 30. That's pretty young." Leonardo scoffed teasingly and Klaus smirked
"Ok. So you're age, barely 22 and a half." Klaus clipped, eyeing Leonardo with a quirked brow, asking if he could continue. The smaller flushed and pouted slightly before giving a curt nod, though he calmed with the soothing motions of Klaus' thumb brushing over his knuckles.
"I experimented but never found anything of value in relationships, romantic ones that is…being with you is really important to me. You mean more to me than my parent's good graces and approval, something I don't think I've ever felt towards another person." Klaus finished, drawing a rather flabbergasted expression from Leonardo as he couldn't think of a response
"I-…Holy crap, Klaus!" he whined, tears forming in the corner of his eyes
"I don't have anything that meaningful to say back!" Leonardo protested with a high pitched grunt of frustration as he tried to prevent the flow of tears. Klaus blinked and chuckled
"You don't have to try and say anything back! I was just being honest Leonardo, I don't need you to say something back." He offered only to be shot a pitiful glare as the smaller hiccupped between cries in his seat.
"You mean a lot to me too, jerk." Leonardo managed and Klaus gaped slightly,
"Why am I jerk!?"
"You made me cry."
"You cry at a lot of things Leonardo."
"This time it was because you were too sickly sweet, I can't outdo that!" He protested with a loud sniffle and Klaus smirked.
"Leo. You don't have to, having your affections is enough for me." Klaus hummed, pressing a kiss to his boyfriend's knuckles gently, he caught Vivian staring out of the corner of his eye and could help but smile impishly at her when he set Leonardo's hand down. She seemed more invested in this moment right now than anything she'd even see on TV, it also was a known fact that she'd developed a protective streak of Leonardo so him bursting into tears in front of her was normally never a good thing. This time, however, Klaus was a little smug about the baffled look she was giving him, Leonardo sniveling in the other booth and Klaus feeling just a little proud that it was his words of affection that had caused the tears and not something that had hurt him.
Leonardo hiccupped and squirmed in his seat, amusing the larger to no end at his behavior, Leonardo had his outspoken moments fueled by his own bravery and will; other times liquid courage that helped him forget how nervous he could be.
"Klaus, I'm glad you think it's enough…but…sometimes-" Leonardo looked hesitant, his stomach sank in an instant. When Leonardo wasn't driving himself or running on liquor which was closer to none moments; he would berate himself, something Klaus happily would put a stop too or cuddle him tight to reassure Leonardo he was enough for him, more than enough, his everything really.
"Don't start, you know you're more than enough, you don't have to tear yourself down." Klaus huffed and Leonardo frowned
"Will your parents see me as enough?" he asked and Klaus started, eyes going wide for a brief moment as he focused on his partner, still drying his eyes and cleaning himself up from the previous bought of tears. Klaus had no telltale signs of knowing if his parents would view Leonardo the same way he did and how could they? They didn't know Leonardo for who he was and potential he had, the kind eyes and soft smile that would catch people off guard. For someone who was constantly chewed up and spit out by the city, for him to still smile at people and creature alike and for him to look Klaus square in the face and not look terrified by the mouth full of teeth sharpened from his misfortunes…
For Leonardo to let him rest his head on his chest, combing through his hair like a mother comforting his child, yet this gesture more intimate and oddly surreal. The beastly gentleman reigned in and comforted by a smaller man with a kind soul. Klaus couldn't deny he was scared by the potential he parents would refuse to see Leonardo for the man he was, and focus on some of his more negative qualities, the ones well-hidden but could still rear their head at a moment's notice. The young man had a fiery temper, tongue lashings were instore if certain nerves were picked just right, Klaus having been on the end of one when he'd throw himself into the battle at hand, little concern given and had nearly lost half his arm were it not for Steven and K.K.
Leonardo had nearly beat down the door to his apartment, storming in eyes glowing and it reminded Klaus faintly of his mother, scolding him for getting into things he shouldn't. Then there was Leonardo's pension for trouble, the city had a knack for singling out the one to bear witness and making his life Hell, let alone during his pizza delivery. 7 times out of 10 would he call with a new issue to report, a disguised vehicle one day, an explosion at an intersection the next; all Beyondian at nature but nevertheless troublesome. Huma caused an equal amount of trouble for him but usually in wallet snatchings and muggings Klaus wished he'd been told about, Chain mentioning them offhandedly and ignoring his pointed glare. They hadn't been dating at the time, it wasn't his right to know; but now it was.
The final issue was the biggest of the rather short list, money. Klaus did not struggle financially, he did not want for anything as he had steady work and support of his family incase hard times did strike him. Leonardo had barely that, but he made up for it in hard work and determination; most of it went to Michella, to begin with, but not knowing that his parents might see Leonardo as a gold digger. He wouldn't be surprised given his first girlfriend and how things had ended, and how his mother had chided him gently for believing her and letting her take him for a loop before pulling him into a hug, he was already taller than her by a good foot at 16 and the hug had been awkward to hold but she still let him cry for a little at how much the breakup had hurt.
Leonardo was not wealthy but what set him apart from his teenage girlfriend was that he refused to ask for money or financial help. He could be a month's behind on rent and it wouldn't come up until Klaus noticed an eviction warning stamped on his door, Leonardo would do his best to pay his own way at meals or dates and Klaus would step forward and keep the poor man from shaking; anxiously sifting through change as he was short. He wished he wouldn't hide his financial issues but it was Leonardo's way, evening insisting to pay on a birthday dinner for him and being blatantly told no he still tried to slip their waitress his credit card.
Klaus looked at Leonardo carefully, he'd never had a person to call his own that he could openly be true with, Leonardo was that person body and soul.
"Leo. I wanted to wait until closer but, do you think you'd be ok with moving in with me?" he asked, reading his partner's expression carefully as it shifted from contented staring out the diner window to "wide" eyed shock.
"Uh- Come again…?" Leonardo breathed, leaning forward; Klaus chuckled and smiled jovially,
"In light of the situation I want you to move in with me, I want to live together with you." Klaus explained and Leonardo blinked, bright blue eyes opening slowly to look him over in scrutiny.
"Holy shit, you're not joking…" Leonardo leaned back, going boneless and running a hand through his hair. Klaus smirked and tilted his head
"Why would I joke about something, rather someone, so important to me?" he asked and Leonardo leaned on the tabled hands folded in contemplation. He half expected the younger to decline, heart sinking a fraction before Leonardo's head popped up, and toothy grin stretched wide.
"My lease is up in January. I won't renew it, I don't have much. I could probably move in this weekend if you'd like that." He proclaimed and Klaus lit up, aura bum rushing Leonardo with waves of bright colors he'd long come to know as joy and happiness from his Klaus.
"That sounds perfect. We can plan for the holidays with my family together, maybe see about having Michella and Tobi stay with us?" he asked, watching the smaller grow excited and jumpy.
"I want to be the party planner! New years was fantastic when I got to plan it! We'll have to have two though, one for Christmas and one for your birthday…" Leonardo trailed off, looking at the ceiling in thought. Klaus rested his chin in his hand and watched his little Leo enthusiastically pull up a Pinterest board on his phone and scroll through ideas.
They moved him in that weekend, doubling the size of the picture collage Klaus had allowed Leonardo to pin up in his bedroom, now their bedroom. Leonardo added another share of picture of them together, some of just Klaus smiling into the camera fulfilling day to day tasks like tending to his plants or napping on the couch in his penthouse. Others were of solely Leonardo, Klaus having swiped the camera and taken a few photos himself of the younger. Some were a little unflattering but Klaus was not a photographer, others were probably gallery worthy. Klaus' favorite being one he snapped of Leonardo in his greenhouse at the office, the sunset bleeding through the windows as he tucked and unruly bit of brown curl behind his hear and looked outside, surrounded by the plants Klaus tended to carefully. Klaus has pinned that one on top of others while Leonardo's favorite was of Klaus smiling childishly into the camera, reaching for Leonardo who had thrown something at him while they had been spending their days off in Leonardo's rather cramped apartment.
Klaus made space in his closet and drawers for Leonardo's clothes, let him set up his computer and other ends in his office, and set Leonardo's black cat coffee mug next to his larger, rather plain in comparison mug on the counter in the kitchen. Gilbert had been given the day off so they could do it together, moving the few boxes from one side of town to another and ending the night with Chinese takeout and old romance movies on the TV before Klaus found his boyfriend straddling his waist and looking at him starry-eyed and delicate.
"I keep thinking that this is just another sleepover, but then I remember by toothbrush is next to yours in the bathroom, and my pajamas aren't one of your shirts anymore unless I feel like it." Leonardo confided nervously, looking unsure of himself before Klaus caught him in a kiss and hummed, a rumbling sound in his chest like a purr.
"I prefer it this way, I don't have to have Gilbert speed demon you across town anymore before you're late for work and you left your uniform at the apartment." Klaus teased, trailing the kiss to Leonardo's chin and next. He gasped euphorically and leaned into the touch,
"Is it weird the thought of living together is a little arousing?" Leonardo managed and the TV clicked off as Klaus scooped him up, and chuckled giddily as Leonardo laughed at the Klaus' teasing touches that border lined tickles and fell into their bed, Leonardo looking at him with a giggle as Klaus ran his fingers through chocolate brown curls, pushing his bangs out of the way.
"I don't think it's weird at all." Klaus rumbled softly before pulling his lover closer into a searing kiss that turned long and blissful, he liked to think this must be what it felt like to find someone whose soul mirrored his perfectly. Leonardo meeting his actions in tandem, letting him be rough or gentle, letting him feed animalistic cravings or sickeningly sweet praises that reminded them both of a prayer.
The days following were not so blissful and rose-tinted, of course, right as planning for his family's visitation, more world threatening shit would hit the fan and stretch patience thin, Leonardo keeping his party planner at all times, jotting down ideas and getting snippy with Zapp a little more than usual. Klaus could see he wanted to make a good impression, a really, really good impression on his parents; he made sure to show his appreciation of the effort with little gestures and cuddling close as they climbed into bed. Joints popping and wounds sore, Leonardo snuggling close and resting a hand on Klaus' heart to feel it beat.
"Maybe…you hint at me, like mention you've met someone. I'm hanging out, I mingle get on their good side, and at dinner; Bam! Surprise, it was me all along, I've been the one making love to your son! Muhahaha." Leonardo teased, mimicking the mad doctor's laugh and burying his nose in Klaus' sleep shirt, grinning madly up at him. Klaus huffed out a short chuckle and kissed his forehead
"I like that better than the banner idea you had, don't think they'd take well to it saying- what was it?- Surprise, I'm gay."
"That was Zapp's idea mind you." He corrected and combed Klaus' sideburn carefully, eliciting a gentle rumble of approval followed by a yawn.
"A few more days, then they'll be here…" he trailed off, eyeing the smaller who hmphed
"Bring it on, I am so ready to wow them, they won't even have time to get mad, only wowed." Leonardo pawed at him and sighed; he didn't miss the tremble in his lip of the brief shaking of his fingers along his chest, Klaus hummed and rested his chin on Leonardo's head.
"Don't lie to me, you're bad at it. It's ok to be nervous, I know I am. We'll just have to stick together and it'll be ok." Klaus mumbled softly, feeling drowsy as Leonardo shifted in his arms.
"Mmhmm…hey Klaus?" Leonardo mumbled, quiet and feathery
"Mmmh?" he hummed in response, quickly falling towards being out and dead till their alarm went off.
"I love you." Leonardo stated like it was a fact, a hard truth full of tenderness and care. Klaus' eyes peeled open and he pulled back slightly to fix him with a tired smile and squeeze him gently,
"I Love you too, Geliebte." He answered, watching Leonardo flush down to his shoulders and mouth go into a frenzied line.
"I thought you were half asleep!" Leonardo hissed and Klaus silenced him with another goodnight kissed and drifted off, ignoring the anxious squirm of his partner in favor of getting proper rest. He only had a few more days before he assumed neither would get much with his family breathing down their necks.