A few weeks passed by and Klaus's health continued to change as the days went on. His skin continued to worsen; his abdomen was now covered primarily in second degree burns - it was incredibly painful for him. He couldn't wear a shirt at all, as the fabric would stick to his damp blistered skin.
His nausea came and went in waves. The last week or so it had been rather persistent, making each day extremely difficult for Klaus. His nights especially were hard on him. Sleeping was scarce for him lately; even though he was constantly so exhausted, his nausea and pain made it incredibly difficult for him to relax and rest. The last few days he'd found it nearly impossible to find the strength to get out of bed at all. Even laying down he was so dizzy.
He was just so exhausted...
Dave and his siblings were growing increasingly worried over Klaus's health and overall well being. They saw how much he was struggling, and how difficult this all was for him. He tried so hard to ignore his pain, and be present, enjoying spending time with Dave and his siblings for as long as he could. But, that week he just couldn't anymore, and it scared them.
Today was October 31st; Halloween, Klaus's favorite holiday. He'd been talking all month about how excited he was, and how he thought it would be fun for them to have a party, maybe even a costume contest. Now, though, the day was finally here, and Klaus didn't want to partake in the festivities. Well, not that he didn't want to; he absolutely did. He just couldn't physically handle the strain of it right now. That morning when Klaus woke up he was running a fever, and admittedly, he wasn't feeling his best. It was hard enough to keep his eyes open at all, let alone enjoy a party. He couldn't do it, he just couldn't.
He didn't have the strength...
"Aw, come on, bro. Just come down for a little while. What if we set you up shop on the couch?" Asked Diego, he was sitting at the foot of Klaus's bed gently rubbing his calves. Luther stood at the doorway looking sadly at Klaus, he could see on his face how drained he was.
"Leave him be, Diego. If he wants to join us he is welcome to, but we shouldn't force him."
Dave was sitting beside Klaus on the bed. He was delicately blotting his fever flushed neck and cheeks with a cool damp rag.
"Your fever is pretty high, baby. Maybe we should take you to the doctor?" Klaus groaned in response.
"No, babe, I'm fine. It's just from these damn burns." Klaus weakly laid his hand on his abdomen, hissing at the pain it brought him, "I'm okay, don't worry about me. I'm just tired, that's all. You guys go, have fun, enjoy the best holiday ever."
"I'm not leaving you like this, darlin. Not when you have a fever." Dave laid the back of his palm against Klaus's hot forehead, his eyebrows knitting together in concern. He dunked the cloth back into the cool water before wringing it out, and laying it against Klaus's brow. Klaus grabbed Dave's wrist as he peered into his eyes with a soft smile.
"Babe, no. I assure you, I'm okay. Go, have fun. I'm just going to sleep, anyways—"
"I'm not leaving you alone when you're burning up like this—"
"I'm never alone. Ben is here, he will be with me," He gestured to the corner where Ben was standing watching his family around Klaus, "What is he, chopped liver? Seriously, go. Ben and I, we've got the situation under control. I'm going straight to sleep after you leave. Just go. I'll look forward to hearing all about it when you come to bed later tonight."
"Baby, no, I—"
"Nuh-uh, nope. Go. I love you. I can handle putting a damp towel on my own head, if that's what you're worried about. Besides, I feel fine. It's not like I'm sick, I'm just tired. The fever must be from my radiation burns. I feel okay, I promise. Now, go on, scoot!" Klaus weakly swatted at Dave, ushering him to join his siblings in the living room to enjoy the holiday celebrations. Dave went to protest again, but Diego grabbed him by his elbow, ushering him to his feet to follow his lead.
"Come on, Dave. You heard him, he's okay. It's not like we are going anywhere. We will just be right downstairs, we can check in on him periodically, make sure he's okay."
"Ugh..guys, seriously, that's so unnecessary." Klaus closed his eyes as he groaned. He didn't want them to constantly worry over him. He just wanted them to go and have fun, be able to enjoy themselves for once without needing to constantly fuss over him.
"Oh, we will check on you. But for now, we'll let you sleep. Goodnight, Klaus. And Ben," Diego's eyes scanned the room before landing back on Klaus, "keep an eye on him, will ya?"
"I always do." Ben assured Klaus with a smirk. Klaus opened his eyes and smiled at Ben, before closing them once more. Dave ran his fingers through Klaus's curls as he knelt beside him, pressing a kiss to his feverish temple.
"I'll be right downstairs, baby. I'll be up in a little while to check on you. Do you need anything? Soup, crackers, water?" Klaus opened his tired eyes as he smiled at Dave.
"I'm okay, thank you, though. I love you." He puckered his lips, begging for a kiss. Dave happily pressed his own lips to Klaus's, both men smiled into the kiss, "Now, go, have fun." Dave reluctantly followed Luther to leave the room, followed by Diego.
"Di, wait up a sec." Klaus called to him as he went to close the door. Diego looked at Klaus before telling Dave to head down and assuring him that he'd be right behind him before he slunk back into the room towards his brother, sitting on the bed beside him.
"What's up, bro? You sure you're okay?" Diego laid the back of his hand against Klaus's cheek, but his ailing brother tiredly pulled his face away.
"I'm fine. Diego, please don't let Dave keep coming up here to check on me, make him stay downstairs and have fun. I can't stand the idea of him fussing over me when he should be enjoying himself." Klaus's voice was soft and tired, and his eyes were hooded and exhausted looking, but his expression was so serious.
"Klaus, you are really warm, I can't blame him for worrying. Whether or not you're sick doesn't matter at this point, you still have a fever, it's concerning. You need to be checked up on, make sure it isn't turning into something, you know?"
"Fine, then can it be you, or Luther, just anyone else? Please, Diego. Please - he deserves a break from all of this," Klaus weakly gestured to himself, "I just want him to have at least one evening where he's just living his life, having fun and being happy without needing to worry about me. Can you do that for me, please?" Diego looked at his brother sadly before shooting him a crooked smile. He set his hand on Klaus's shoulder reassuringly as he nodded.
"Fine, we will each cycle through to check up on you, and work together to keep Dave downstairs." Diego removed the cloth from Klaus's forehead before dunking it back into the bowl of water, ringing it out and setting it back above his brow, "You just rest, okay? If you need anything, or start to feel worse at all, tell us right away, alright?" Klaus nodded while closing his eyes.
"Alright, deal," Diego turned to leave the room, "and, Di," Diego paused, his hand clutching the doorknob in his hand as he turned his attention back to his brother.
"Yeah, Klaus?"
"Thanks."
Both brothers smiled at one another. Diego nodded, before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. Klaus closed his eyes, resting his head back down on his pillows. He winced as he let out a long sigh. Ben sat beside his brother on the bed, leaning over him, and examined his features.
"I know you're going to say I sound like a broken record, but seriously, you look like shit. You sure you're feeling okay?" Klaus pinched his eyes together as he groaned.
"M'fine, Ben. I don't feel sick. I just feel," Klaus paused to inhale a deep breath, "fucking exhausted." He sighed, opening his weary eyes into slits. Ben nodded his head as he frowned. He hated seeing Klaus in this condition.
He couldn't help but feel incredibly frustrated in himself. His brother was right there, right beside him. He had a fever and was suffering, and yet, there was absolutely nothing he could do for him.
Ben hated it.
"I'm sorry, Klaus." Klaus's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion as he tilted his head to look Ben in his eyes.
"Sorry? For what?" He stifled a cough, causing him to wince from the abrupt shift in his body. Ben shifted his position, leaning against the wall and bending his knee so his leg was resting under the other.
"I'm sorry I can't do anything to help you. I can't even just touch you, check your fever and make sure it isn't spiking. I can't call for help if you need it, either. I'm sorry I can't physically be there for you, man." Klaus sent Ben a soft reassuring smile as he closed his eyes, leaning back against his pillows.
"Is that all? Ben, seriously, please don't worry about any of that. I'm just glad you're here at all. Really, you shouldn't be apologizing. I should be thanking you. So, thank you, Ben. Even though you're upset, and feel insufficient, thank you for still always being here for me when I need you. You do way more for me than you think. I mean it. Thank you, bro."
Ben smiled sadly at Klaus, even though he knew he would never actually be able to touch his brother, he still reached out to brush his fingers through his hair, even if the motion would only comfort himself. Ben's eyes widened in surprise, however, when his fingers somehow miraculously actually made contact; Klaus's fever dampened curls gliding through his delicate touch. Klaus shivered, Ben's icy skin grazing across his scalp. He opened his eyes and both brothers looked at each other with bemused expressions.
"H-how are - how are you doing that?" Klaus asked perplexed.
"I..I'm not - you are, I think?" Ben paused his hand mid stroke through Klaus's curls while Klaus groaned from the discomfort of his burns, screwing his eyes shut. Ben frowned at his brother's discomfort. Regaining his senses, Ben laid his palm against his brother's sweat soaked forehead. "Klaus..you're really hot." Worry laced his tone. Klaus pressed himself against Ben's touch, his cool skin a soothing comfort to his burning flesh.
"You're cold." Klaus shivered at the contrast in temperature against his skin. Ben retracted his hand from his brother's brow. He knew he had to get his fever down now that he was somehow capable of doing-so. Ben grabbed the washcloth that had slipped off of his forehead and dunked it into the bowl of water. He wrung out the excess water and started dabbing the fabric against Klaus's feverish face. He couldn't believe how warm he was, his features furrowed with concern at the heat.
"Klaus, maybe you should have mom take a look at you, your fever feels pretty high—" Klaus groaned, licking his lips. He opened his glossy eyes, meeting Ben's worried gaze and smiled tiredly at his brother.
"Really, m'okay. It's from my burns. I'm fi—" Klaus's words were cut off when his discomfort in his abdomen flared, causing him to gasp in pain.
"You okay?" Ben went to reach for his brothers shoulders, but his hands fell through his flesh - once again he was unable to make contact. Klaus groaned again, his body relaxing as he laid on the bed, panting heavily.
Neither boys realized how much energy it took for Klaus to manifest Ben. Even if it was for a short period of time, it was extremely strenuous on his body. He was left incredibly exhausted.
"Klaus, are you okay?" Klaus couldn't answer, he was simply too tired, "Klaus, say something. Are you alright?" No response. Klaus looked so pale, so sickly. He was breathing in sharp quick bursts and looked so incredibly uncomfortable. Ben's heart sank just taking in his appearance, he had to make sure he was alright.
"Talk to me, Klaus. Come on, please!" Klaus wheezed opening his eyes into slits.
"M'okay...jus'tired..s'all..." He answered shakily through his panting.
"I don't know how you did that - or me? But, we probably shouldn't do it again. I think it uses too much of your energy." Klaus groaned, nodding in agreement.
"Mhmm." Klaus's eyes drooped shut as he quickly fell asleep. Ben watched over his sickly brother. He'd already been so tired, he hoped that little stunt wouldn't cause him any more harm.
Some time went by and Klaus's breathing leveled out returning to normal. Ben was happy about that, he only wished he could reach out and touch Klaus again. He wanted to make sure he was alright, that his fever hadn't spiked. He couldn't help but want to do more for his brother. The door opened and Diego entered the room. He approached the bed and sat down beside Klaus. He peered down at his brother's slumbering face and placed his palm against his pyretic forehead and frowned.
"Shit, you still have a fever." He whispered so as to not awaken his brother. Diego grabbed the cloth and dunked it into the water again. He opted to gently run the cloth over Klaus's skin, to wipe away his sweat. He hoped he could lower his temperature.
Diego smiled sadly at Klaus, it physically hurt his heart to see his brother so sickly. To know he was up there, laying in bed sick with a fever; his body riddled with burns and cancer, when he should be downstairs dancing and singing along to his favorite Halloween songs with his siblings and his fiancé.
Diego missed his brother...
He missed Klaus's crazy antics, his infectious laughter. He missed his exuberance and child-like charm. Klaus was always so pure; not in the literal sense, he'd always been a mess, but something about his soul had always been so kind. He just didn't understand why this had to be happening to his brother. Why, why him? Why Klaus? He'd always been a genuinely good person, a kind soul with a titanic sized heart.
He didn't deserve all of this pain...
"I wish you could see it, Klaus. Dave is down there trying to teach us more 'classic' dance moves. I gotta say, though, he looks wildly out of his league without you. I think you're the better dancer between the two of you," The corner of Diego's lip tugged up into a crooked smile as he exhaled a laugh, "I wish you were down there, bro. I wish you could enjoy it. Dave's enjoying himself, just as you requested. Now, if only you could get a break from all of this," Diego mimicked Klaus's earlier gesture to his physique, "too. You deserve it, bro. You deserve some relief." Diego dunked the cloth again, this time, he neatly folded it and placed it on his sickly brother's forehead.
"Sleep well, bro. One of us will be back in a little while to check on you." He stood, walking towards the bedroom door to leave. He exited, facing the bedroom as he pulled the door towards himself, "I love you, Klaus." He smiled quickly before finally closing the door.
Klaus continued to sleep, he didn't so much as stir during the gap of time between Diego leaving the room and Vanya and Allison entering. They both sat on the bed beside his slumbering form. Allison checked his temperature when she first entered. He was still quite warm, so she decided to change out the water in the bowl for fresh water. When she returned Vanya had fluffed his pillows and pulled his HELLO hand into her lap, where she was gently massaging his palm. The sisters smiled at one another as Allison laid the bowl down, dunking the cloth and returning it to Klaus's forehead.
"He must've been really tired, he usually at least smiles or tiredly mumbles something by now." Vanya noted, running her hand up and down his exposed arm.
"Dave said his pain and nausea has been keeping him up a lot the last few days, the exhaustion must be finally catching up to him. I'm glad he's sleeping so soundly, he deserves it. Poor thing." Allison sucked her teeth as she tucked a curl behind his ear.
"He looks so..frail." Vanya ran her palm down Klaus's sharp cheekbones, "I hadn't really noticed until now."
"It's scary, isn't it?" Allison's lips pulled down into a frown as she laid her hand over Klaus's, "I still can't quite wrap my head around it. Klaus; sweet, goofy Klaus. Our ferociously amazing little brother has cancer?" Allison's voice cracked on the final word. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I know, Ally. It's hard to accept."
"It's impossible to accept. He doesn't deserve this." She shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye, "Klaus should be downstairs right now," She pointed her hand towards the door, her lips curling into a sad smile, "with us, and with Dave; his fiancé. Klaus has a fiancé, someone who truly loves him and wants what's best for him. That's what he deserves, to finally be happy. Not..not this."
Vanya frowned as she leaned forward, pulling Allison into an embrace.
"I know, Ally. It's unfair. Klaus finds a man who loves him, truly loves him. Who would never hurt him, and treats him with the love and respect he's always deserved, at last. And then this happens? It's not fair, it's fucking cruel!" Both sisters broke into sobs.
They felt so awful for Klaus, he didn't deserve the hand he'd been dealt in life. His entire life had been one disastrous moment after another. The emotional and mental abuse from their father, not to mention the physical abuse from his past relationships. His 'gift' that had always just been a curse to him, frightening him from such an early age. It certainly didn't help that none of his siblings had ever truly been there for him, to help him or guide him through any of his struggles. In fact, they'd mostly given up on him until they were forced back together after Reginald's funeral. He'd depended on drugs to literally numb himself, take his fears and pains away for the majority of his short life. And now this? Stricken down with stage 3 pancreatic cancer? It wasn't fair, Klaus didn't deserve this.
Klaus groaned in his sleep, his head lulling from one side to the other. His sisters looked at him expecting him to awaken, but he didn't. It was a false alarm. They decided they should leave so he could rest without listening to them blubbering. Each sister stood, kissing Klaus's cheek or temple before they left. Vanya re-dampened the cloth and placed it on his head before she left him to sleep.
Some more time passed by, and when Five entered the room Klaus was shifting around on his bed uncomfortably, softly groaning. He was still asleep, but was clearly either in pain or having a nasty nightmare. Five flashed to his bedside, laying his tiny hand over his brother's cheek to gauge his temperature. Klaus was drenched in sweat and still suffering from his fever. Five sucked his teeth as he sat beside his brother, taking his hand into his own.
"Shh calm down, Klaus. You're okay." He soothed his brother softly, rubbing circles into his hand. Klaus whimpered but seemed to settle as he relaxed against his mattress.
Five shot his brother a crooked smile before leaning forward, wiping his curls out of his eyes and cupping his cheek. He just looked so ill, it sickened Five to see his brother like this. He took the cloth and dunked it into the cool water, then placed it back on his brother's forehead. Five situated himself so he was laying beside Klaus on the bed, he gently curled his tiny frame against his brothers, and clutched his hand in his own. Five just took in Klaus's features. He was so incredibly pale, and his face was so gaunt. He could count each of his brothers ribs, he'd lost so much weight. His skin was so red and irritated; it was littered in blisters and burns - it looked so painful. Five couldn't stand the sight of him, not like this.
"I thought seeing you dead in the apocalypse was bad. Nothing compares to this, Klaus. At least then you weren't suffering." Five closed his eyes to staunch his tears. He pressed his forehead into his brother's shoulder, simply relishing his presence, "I came back to stop all of this, to save you. I'm sorry I didn't make it in time. I'm sorry I couldn't stop this from happening. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you, Klaus." Five whispered with tears in his eyes against his brother's shoulder.
"I don't know what to do for you, brother. I'm so sorry."
"Five?" Klaus whispered blearily, barely audible. He leaned his head over, pressing his cheek against Fives silky dark hair, "You okay?" He asked, eyes hooded and glossy from exhaustion. Five smiled, pulling his hand to his eyes to wipe his tears so Klaus wouldn't see. He softly laughed to hide his sorrow.
"Me? Klaus, yeah, I'm fine. How are you feeling? You're still running a fever." Klaus hummed in response closing his eyes again. He nuzzled closer to Fives touch, his washcloth slipping from his face onto Fives head.
"M'jus sleepy." Five smiled at his tired brother as he grabbed the washcloth off of his head. He wiggled himself out from under Klaus's weight, and guided him so his head was resting back on his pillows.
"Just rest, then, okay?" Klaus was already asleep again, so Five dunked the rag back into the water. He sat with Klaus for a little while longer, running the cloth over his face and neck to cleanse his sweat and attempt to cool his skin. After a while, once he was satisfied that he could safely leave him alone, Five re-wet the cloth and laid it on Klaus's forehead. He squeezed his brother's hand and smiled at him before turning to leave. "I love you, Klaus. Feel better."
More time passed by and Klaus was still asleep. Luther gently knocked on the door before opening it. He peered inside, before entering into the room. He sat down on the bed being cautious to not jostle him too much. Klaus's eyes were clenched shut, his head rolling back and forth, his chest heaving with quick short gasps.
"Hey, shh, you're okay, Klaus. Easy, take deep breaths," Klaus groaned, tugging his blanket tighter against his skin, "hey, now. Calm down, you're alright." Luther laid his hand on Klaus's shoulder to try to calm him. He didn't know if he was having a nightmare, or if his pain was this intense at this moment. But it was scary to see him like this, nonetheless.
Klaus groaned again, a soft whimper escaping his lips followed by a cough. Luther furrowed his eyebrows as he leaned forward, pressing his hand to Klaus's forehead. He was almost certain his fever spiked, he knew it was high, but didn't remember it being this high.
"Shit," Luther began, "you're burning up, Klaus. Let's get this blanket off of you, yeah?" First Luther saturated the cloth again and placed it back on his brothers brow before turning his attention to the blanket. Klaus was really writhing now, he was moaning and crying out. His body rocking from side to side as his hands grasped at his blanket. Luther wrapped his fingers into the blanket, and gently started to pull it away from Klaus's prone frame. The motion caused Klaus to gasp; a painful cry leaving his lips.
"Calm down, Klaus, it's okay. You're—" Luther stopped speaking when he finished wrangling the blanket away from Klaus's frame. Klaus was now clutching as his stomach, guttural cries bellowing from his lips. His head was firmly pressed into his pillows, his shoulders arching from his immense pain. Luther's eyes widened in shock and disbelief when he saw what must have been causing Klaus all of this pain - Klaus's stomach was swollen; it was protruding over his waistline of his pants, it definitely had not been like that earlier that morning. Klaus was crying out in pain.
"Oh my god, Klaus, it's okay. You're going to be okay, we will get you help." Luther scooped Klaus's ailing frame into his arms and turned to rush him downstairs. Klaus threw his head back, letting out a loud bellowing scream, he was in agony, he'd never felt any pain like this before.
Klaus's painful cries were loud enough that they alerted everyone downstairs, the loud cacophony of multiple sets of footsteps echoed up the staircase. Everyone stopped in their tracks when they saw Klaus; their eyes all darting to his clearly swollen belly.
"Oh my god, babe!" Dave rushed to his side. Klaus opened his weary eyes and looked to Dave, his agony clearly evident on his features. Klaus reached his hand towards Dave, who eagerly accepted his touch.
"Hurts..so bad." He gasped, clenching his eyes and teeth at the agony. Dave's eyes darted between both of Klaus's eyes, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concern.
"It's okay, baby, you're going to be okay." Klaus cried again as his energy faded, his body went limp in Luther's arms.
"We need to get him to the hospital!" Diego shouted over the sea of concerned stares in front of him. No one could move, they were all in shock.
"Come on, move it! He needs medical attention now!" Five shouted. Everyone nodded. Dave kept Klaus's hand firmly pressed in his own as they all made it down the stairs. Everyone piled into Fives van. Dave clutched Klaus's unconscious body in his arms. He pressed his forehead to his own and tried to stifle his own tears. He nuzzled him as close to himself as he could without inflicting anymore bodily harm to his love.
"It's okay, baby. You're going to be okay."
—
Authors Note: Poor Klaus :(
Thank you anyone who continues to read this story! I appreciate you! Please be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you are feeling, I eagerly look forward to read anything you may have to say! As a reminder, not everything is always as it seems with this story, so be sure to keep that in mind! This is not a fun journey for Klaus, Dave or the family, there will be a lot of lows, but I promise all of the pain and suffering will be worth it in the end! ;)
