Everything was one giant blur; dark and devoid of anything and everything. Klaus's entire state of being was muddled and bewildering. It was a strange sensation, a feeling of complete weightlessness, like slowly drifting through space untouched before it would transpose into an immense feeling of substantial weight - heavy, burdensome and confining. He couldn't differentiate between what was real and what was reverie; a dream. Perception was everything, but Klaus was found to be lost to the world around himself and severely lacking any abundance of cognizance.

Klaus vaguely remembered the sensation of a soft caress against his cheek, or the calming effect of what he surmised to be fingers stroking through his curling tendrils of hair. Klaus could have sworn at one point he felt his body's position shift by no accord of his own, before his lips were suddenly parted and fluid was seeping past his tongue. He thought he heard a voice; distant and muted - the dialect nearly unrecognizable in his state of disorientation, however he clearly remembered the phrase 'you're okay, you're safe' before his body rejected the unexpected liquid, causing him to sputter and his awareness to wither and fade away once more.

He felt confused, trapped inside of himself with seemingly no way to escape. He had no recollection of where he was, how long he had been there, or how he could return to his wonted state of mindfulness. Eventually, after what felt like years to Klaus; the veil of perplexity began to draw away, allowing him to come back to himself, return to the world of the living, the realm of the aware.

Klaus's fingers twitched as they slowly sprung back to life; he coiled his fists, clenching them into the soft fabric of the blanket that was draped across his lap. He could feel its familiarity and comfort against his fingertips, he knew what it was, which sent signals to his brain allowing him to recognize where he was, and knew that he was safe. He took in a deep breath and held it within his chest, relishing the sensation of appreciation, before sighing as he exhaled the contents of his lungs.

Klaus's mind was still clouded by an impenetrable fog, weary as his thought process seemed to be sluggish; slow moving after such a long span of inactivity. Everything was grainy, and unclear to him. Like his brain was an underexposed photo, after being subjected to a loss of an adequate amount of light and time, he felt lost - adrift against a current of uncertainty and confusion that left him feeling astray. Klaus swallowed that peculiar feeling back as he attempted to break through the crust encapsulated around his eyes to pry them open. They felt heavy, still laden with fatigue after a long bout of sleep, and yet as his eyes opened and were met by a display of light so vivid he had to squint them closed in an attempt to stifle the blinding sensation assaulting his irises, Klaus found himself to be smiling.

He was alone.

They weren't there; they were gone. While he was floating aimlessly within the abyss of his psyche he was alone then, too. He may have still been physically spent, and reeling within an unclear mind, but emotionally Klaus felt so much lighter—he felt free.

That had been the first time since Klaus's journey through his newfound sobriety that he hadn't been plagued by ghosts, or nightmares. Shit, he hadn't dreamt at all, and yet he felt such an overwhelming sensation of bliss.

That bliss quickly faded, however when he replayed his previous statement within his flummoxed thoughts. He was alone - completely alone. He soon realized he was encompassed by an uncomfortable silence; no soft murmurs, or precious would-be giggles from his daughter. Riley wasn't sleeping within her crib, and Dave wasn't there. The entire house was left eerily still.

Klaus tightened his grip against his mattress and used it to leverage himself into a seated position on the bed; it took him some time, his body listless, still heavy with fatigue. The room spun around him once he finally straightened. He sat there, taking in deep breaths while he closed his eyes to let the dizzy feeling subside. He couldn't be alone, Riley and Dave must be there somewhere, surely they wouldn't leave him.

The room eventually stopped spinning, allowing Klaus the opportunity to hoist himself onto his feet. He stumbled forward with languid movement's, his limbs uncoordinated and stiff as he nearly drunkenly staggered out of his bedroom. Why did he feel this way? He entered into the hallway, his palm pressed against the cool texture of the wall to support himself as he continued to teeter down the corridor.

"Riley, Da—" Klaus's words fell short on his tongue as they caught behind his teeth, he lurched forward, a cough assaulting his lungs; his throat left dry and raw from misuse. He clutched at his head as a dizzying sensation overwhelmed him following his fit. Klaus groaned, leaning his slight weight heavily against the orange peel textured surface of the walls. He took a moment to calm himself and catch his breath. He was winded, still unbelievably tired for some god forsaken reason. Why couldn't he just feel like himself? After he felt well enough to continue his search, he resumed his pursuit towards the spare room, feeling his way down the wall as he went. He was still so unsteady, his mind still unclear. Klaus opened the door and peered inside: empty - there was no sign of Riley nor Dave in sight.

He backpedaled, turning his focus to the bathroom, only to find the same thing - nothing, no one to be found. Frantically, Klaus spun to approach the living room, he gasped as he clutched at his stomach, it was growing queasy with fear and uncertainty; where was his daughter, where was Dave? He stumbled through the threshold into the living room, his heart plummeting from his chest. The room was vacant; the entire house was empty, they were gone. Riley, and Dave, they were both gone. A pained whimper burst passed Klaus's chapped lips as an agonized cry escaped his chest.

They'd left him; after that terrifying experience with the ghosts, Dave had finally wised up and taken his daughter away from him. Klaus cupped his GOODBYE hand over his lips as another sob tore through his chest. He couldn't believe it, Dave promised he would stay, he promised he would never leave him, but he was gone; Riley was gone. He'd taken her and they'd both left him alone. Dave had broken his promise - he swore that he never broke his promises.

Klaus's weakened body wavered as he sunk against the living room wall, his back collapsing against the rough texture as he continued to cry. The most heartbreaking part about this entire situation to Klaus, however, was that he couldn't help but understand Dave's decision—Klaus was a monster, his abilities were disgusting, and a danger to his daughter, to Dave, and to himself. He couldn't blame Dave for his actions, he was doing what Klaus himself had never been able to do; protecting his daughter.

Klaus's breath caught in his throat as his heart fluttered with an overwhelming sensation of panic and loss—he was alone, he'd lost the only person that ever mattered to him his entire life, and he had no one to blame for it but himself. Klaus felt lightheaded, his knees felt weak as the room spun before him. He was nauseated and stricken with grief. Klaus felt his world crumbling from around him as darkness started to edge its way into his field of vision, reality starting to rapidly ebb away from his grasp once again—and then the door opened.

"Klaus," Dave's eyes widened as he entered the living room, "Oh my god, you're awake!"

A pained laugh escaped Klaus's dispirited chest; it was Dave, he returned, he had Riley. He hadn't broken his promise. He'd come back to him.

"Dave, I thought—" Klaus's sentence trailed as his eyes fluttered, his weary body pitching forward as he tried to ease off of the wall. Dave gasped, rushing forward to steady him before he could get the chance to stumble any further and fall.

"Klaus, easy. What are you doing out of bed, you should be resting," Dave set Riley's carrier on the wood-like tile floors to free his hands to allow himself to support Klaus's exhausted frame. He wrapped his arm around the small of Klaus's back just as his knees began to buckle from beneath him. "Woah, woah, woah. Easy, I've got you."

"M'fine, you're here, you came back," Klaus mumbled nearly incoherently through his unsteady breaths. Dave frowned, pulling Klaus's weary frame into his strong arms, earning a startled whimper from the other man.

"Shh shh, you're okay. You're still weak, Klaus. You need to take it easy," Dave soothed as he held him tightly against his broad chest, examining Klaus's features. It pained Dave to see he still appeared so exhausted. Klaus could only nod in agreement to Dave's statement. He couldn't understand why he felt so incredibly weak. "Come on, let's get you back to bed."

Dave carried Klaus back into the bedroom and gently poured his debilitated body onto the mattress. Klaus groaned, his tired eyes trailing to Dave's steady and deeply concerned gaze.

"How long was I sleeping?" Klaus swallowed, the action causing him to wince as his throat and mouth were both arid like a desert. He closed his eyes momentarily to try to focus before reopening them to once again peer to Dave, expectantly awaiting an answer.

"Klaus, you've been out for a while."

"Define a while," Klaus paused, rubbing at his left ear as he stifled a wince. It was still ringing after it burst, surely he couldn't have been out for too long. Everything felt so hazy to him, he still couldn't register everything that was happening, and found himself still struggling to think straight. Klaus shook his head in frustration. "What's wrong with me?"

Dave frowned before taking a seat on the bed beside Klaus's confused and fearful frame. He laid a caring hand against Klaus's forearm to soothe him, and attempted to calm him down.

"Hey, hey, you're okay. Nothing is wrong with you, Klaus," He assured, his voice was soft and full of compassion. Dave rubbed his palm up and down the grief stricken man's arm as he exhaled a sigh before continuing to fill him in on the events that occurred to him. "you've been asleep for nearly two days; about thirty-seven hours. You're exhausted, Klaus. Your body needed the rest."

"W-what?" Klaus coughed as the words irritated his dry throat. "That, but, no. What about Riley, why didn't you wake me up, I—" He coughed again, his anxiety creeping back into his chest. He couldn't have possibly been unconscious that long, why wouldn't Dave wake him up, his daughter needed him.

"Klaus, easy. Please, calm down," Dave leaned forward, running his fingers through Klaus's messy mop of curls in an attempt to placate his fear and emotions. "I did try to wake you. You slept through the night, in the morning I tried to wake you up, but you just wouldn't. I knew you were tired; exhausted, you've barely slept at all in so long, and then after all of that happened. I figured you needed the rest."

"But for that long? Dave—"

"I tried, Klaus. I tried talking to you, shaking you. It was like you were dead to the world. I was scared, I couldn't get you up. I didn't know what to do. I tried to get you to drink; which was a mistake, I think I almost drowned you. I was considering either calling Diego, or taking you to the hospital if you didn't wake up by tonight—but you finally did, you're up. Thank god, Klaus, I-I was so worried."

Klaus watched Dave with dreary eyes, he could see his fear and concern. He couldn't believe he'd been unconscious for such a long period of time, but Dave was right, he was awake now. Dave stayed with him; he stayed by his side and he took care of him, and cared for his daughter in his absence while he slept. Klaus's chest deflated as he let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, he relaxed against Dave's tender touch, his eyes fluttering in contentment.

"Thank you, for...for staying. For watching Riley. Just, thank you, Dave." Klaus's voice was eminently soft, his entire being still utterly depleted from any source of energy. Dave smiled as he continued to work his fingers through Klaus's unkempt curls. His eyebrows furrowed, his lips tugging into a delicate frown as he felt the heat on Klaus's skin, and noted his lack of enrichment. He ran his fingertips down Klaus's temple before cupping his cheek within his palm, stroking the skin with the pad of his thumb.

"I'll be right back." Klaus weakly nodded against Dave's touch as his tired green eyes met Dave's ocean blues once more. Dave smiled fondly, tracing the hollow of Klaus's cheek before withdrawing his hand. He stood, and swiftly left the room leaving Klaus alone with his own wayward thoughts.

Klaus's eyes felt unbearably heavy so he allowed them to drift back closed, he couldn't fathom how on earth he could still be so unbelievably exhausted after he'd been unconscious for so long. Surely he should feel more, dare he say, alive by now. He pulled in a long shallow breath, filling his lungs to their capacity and held it for a moment before slowly pushing the air through his parted lips. He could feel his heart fluttering within his chest, seemingly pumping in overdrive trying just to keep him alive. Klaus couldn't help but feel incredibly ashamed, not to mention downright angry at himself for feeling that way; so tired, so frail, so weak. He guessed it was fitting for him to feel like that, however, considering that was in fact what he was—weak.

Klaus hated himself; he hated that he couldn't control his own abilities which posed a colossal threat to his daughter, as well as to Dave. As far as Klaus was concerned, he deserved to feel that way. He was weak, always had been, and in his eyes, always would be. Perhaps it would have been better for everyone had the ghosts accomplished what they set out to do—claim his life and take him as their own. Klaus's eyes stung with unshed tears at the thought; he didn't want to die, he never wanted to consider the idea of abandoning his beautiful little girl, but he truly felt she would be better off without him. She had Dave now, he was enough - he was well beyond more than enough. Dave was perfect, but Klaus?

He was a monster.

Klaus used what little reserved energy he had left to peel his heavy eyelids apart, opening them into narrow slits. He felt as though he was still dreaming; the sun's bright orange rays were scintillating through the drawn shades in his bedroom, allowing tiny flickers of light to dance across his wall and over the blankets that covered his frail frame. Their radiant pirouettes spun before him, mimicking the fitful flares of candle light. He felt himself drawn to them like a moth to a flame, mesmerized by their varying twinkling hues. He hadn't realized his gaze trailed into a dazed state of mind, leaving him once again unaware of his surrounding reality. Klaus felt his energy continue to deplete; as his eyes slowly drifted closed.

"Someone wanted to see you,"

Suddenly there was a weight against his chest; warm, soft and delicate. Klaus pried his jaded eyes open as best as he could, straining to lift his weary head. His lips trembled before finally forming into a fond smile.

"Hey there, princess," Klaus's voice was wobbly and weak, yet proud and full of adoration. He clumsily lifted his arms with much difficulty and draped them over his daughter's small fragile frame. "daddy missed you, sweetie."

"She missed her daddy, too," Dave situated himself on the bed beside Klaus, his legs suspended over the edge. He smiled warmly as he smoothed Riley's curls against the top of her head. "Klaus, you haven't had anything to eat or drink in a long time. I think you should sit up and try to have something, it'll help you regain some of your strength."

Klaus's head teetered before it fell back against his pillow, his eyes threatening to close. He felt so weak, he didn't think he could muster enough strength to attempt it, but he knew that Dave was right, he had to at least try. Klaus nodded and wedged his elbow against his mattress to try and use it to leverage himself up, being mindful of his daughter's safety and security within his other arm, but his limbs shook with fatigue, ultimately failing him. He sighed in defeat, laying back against his bed; left breathless and panting from the brief yet failed endeavor.

"M'sorry, I-I can't," Klaus's eyes flickered as he shifted his tired gaze to Dave's concerned one. "I'm too weak. Dave, why am I so weak?" He pinched his eyebrows in frustration as he tried to regain his breath. Dave frowned, upset at the situation at hand. He hated every bit of this. He hated seeing Klaus in such a disadvantaged way.

"I think I may know why," Dave began, he leaned forward and adjusted Klaus's pillows against the headboard to create a cozy barrier for Klaus to lean on. He stood, going to Klaus's spent body and laced his arms behind his upper back and the crook beneath his knees. Dave, gentle as he could be, shifted Klaus's prone position upright, leaning his shoulders against the pillow fortress behind him. Klaus's head spun dizzily from the sudden shift in orientation before eventually leveling out. Dave gave him a few moments to adjust before he propped a pillow beneath his bent knees to help him acclimate to a more comfortable setting before reclaiming his own seat beside Klaus on the bed. He assisted in adjusting Riley in a better suited position against Klaus's chest, tucking the blanket up around Klaus's waist. Klaus smiled weakly at Dave in appreciation for all of his assistance and welcomed help. "I did some research, ghosts have to draw their energy from somewhere to manifest themselves. Klaus, you were their tether, they must have drawn all of their energy from you, which explains why you're so exhausted. If you think about it, it makes sense. With how long it went on, and how many there were - I'm surprised you're awake at all yet." Dave tucked a strand of disorderly curls behind Klaus's ear; the gesture sent a tingle down Klaus's spine.

"You did research on this?" Klaus's eyebrows raised in surprise; Dave wanted to expand his knowledge on his abilities, learn more about him?

"Well, yeah," Dave smiled, nervously rubbing the nape of his own neck. "I want to help you. I did an online search; found out a bunch of stuff, actually. Like, did you know burning sage can help cast bad spirits away, and hanging rosaries in archways can help ward them off, too? That's why I was gone earlier, I ran out to pick a few things up, I want to make sure I can protect you, Klaus. I promised I'd keep you safe, and that's exactly what I intend to do."

Klaus's lips tugged into a subtle smile as his emerald orbs met Dave's glimmering blues. Dave was so thoughtful, so caring, so unfathomably fucking perfect, Klaus was still baffled by his unwavering outright kindness. He opened his mouth to thank him, but his words got lost as a deep guttural cough burst through his chest. He wrenched his eyes closed while attempting to calm himself, but he struggled against the fitful fury of his lungs. The color seemed to fade from Klaus's face, earning Dave's features to twist with concern.

"Here," Dave shimmied himself closer to Klaus and grabbed the bottle of water from the nightstand. He opened it before gently cupping Klaus's chin and assisting in guiding his head back. "Drink some of this, you need to re-hydrate." Klaus's lips parted and Dave pressed the bottle to his lips allowing Klaus to take a few solid sips. The water began to dribble out of the corners of his mouth when Klaus struggled to swallow. He sputtered, unable to drink any more.

Dave frowned and pulled the bottle away from Klaus. He cupped his cheeks within both of his hands and scrutinized his clearly defined features. Klaus's color was off; he looked oddly pale aside from the bold scarlet flush of his cheeks, and his skin radiated a steady warm heat. His emerald eyes looked dull and unfocused as his plush dark lashes fluttered irregularly.

He did not look well.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Klaus disregarded Dave's question; his eyes struggling to focus as he squinted to look at Dave. He softly giggled as a smile graced his lips. Dave's eyebrows pinched together in confusion as he examined Klaus's peculiar behavior.

"What?"

"It's just, it's cute is all," Klaus's smile quickly shifted to a disconcerted frown. He veered his sights away from Dave, his irises staring blankly at the wall before once again drifting closed. Dave immediately realized his altered state of mind, and worried if he was alright.

"Klaus," He laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder, soft and delicate to let him know he was there for him for whatever was plaguing him. "what's wrong?"

"Please," Klaus flinched away from Dave's tender touch. He sighed, gently stroking his fingers over his daughter's slumbering back, his eyes settling into tired slits. "don't touch me."

Dave's eyes instantly widened with worry. What was going on with him, why was Klaus behaving this way?

"I'm sorry, what's wrong?" Dave's posture went rigid, his eyes darting around the room as his pitch fluctuated an octave higher in panic. "Are they back?"

Klaus's lips tugged into a sad smile; why did Dave have to always do this? Always make him feel wanted, worth protecting, worth saving? Didn't he realize he was a lost cause, a waste of time?

"No, Dave," Klaus exhaled a sigh, closing his eyes to hide his unshed tears. "Please, just stop. I don't deserve your pity."

"Pity?" Dave's head tilted in confusion much like a puppy's would, he hadn't the faintest idea what Klaus meant. Pity for what? "Klaus, what do you mean, what are you even talking about?"

Klaus's lips quivered as his unsteady mind started doing somersaults; leaping, flipping and turning while his gears kickstarted before grinding to a grating halt. He felt so conflicted. He couldn't help but feel something towards Dave, this man was genuinely a good person; a kind soul with a loving heart, who truly treated Klaus with an unending amount of respect. Yet, Klaus hadn't the decency to reciprocate such actions. His mind may still be utterly clouded with the condensed fog of fatigue, and perhaps he was still a little delirious, but he clearly remembered kissing Dave.

Dave had saved him - literally been his own personal knight in shining armor, rescuing him, as well as his daughter; the fairest damsel in distress, from their tormentors, and how had he repaid him? By forcing himself upon him without his permission, and taking advantage of him. Klaus always knew he was only good for using; using drugs, using people. He never claimed to be a good person, and his behavior reflected that. Klaus stood by his previous claims; he was a monster, always had been, and always would be. He didn't deserve Dave's compassion.

Klaus sniffled, a soft heartbreaking whimper leaving his chest while he pressed the heel of his palm against his eye as tears began to seep down his sunken cheeks. He hadn't even realized he'd started to cry. Dave's expression softened as he edged himself so that his own body was neighboring Klaus's, once again laying a supportive hand against his shoulder. He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew he had to try to calm him down, he had to try and help him.

"Hey, what's wrong," His voice was soft and endearing, cooing to Klaus as though he were a delicate flower whose petals had begun to wilt. "Are you alright?"

A pained satirical laugh eluded Klaus's lips while he bobbed his head in an undue nod, his eyes fixating upon his daughter's still thankfully slumbering figure, as his unsteady hands clung onto her. Klaus hugged his precious baby girl tighter as he kneaded soft circles into her onesie against her satiny skin. Dave's eyes softened with kind regard while he eased himself closer to Klaus's figure on the bed. He frowned, noticing how Klaus's complexion seemed to have continued to worsen; his cheeks were a bruising shade of red, while his other features remained a waxen sallow shade of creamy white. Sweat glistened against his peaky brow, allowing his dampened curls to cling to his face.

"Hey, seriously, are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are really flushed," Dave angled himself adjacent to Klaus and rested his palm against his reddened cheek. He frowned at the radiating heat. "Klaus you're pretty warm—"

"Dave, stop. I'm fine, really, I—" Klaus emanated a long, deep audible sigh clearly trapped within his own pessimistic thoughts. "I'm just...tired and confused."

"Oh," Dave straightened his posture, allowing his hand to slip from Klaus's fever-flushed cheek. "Why? Klaus, please, talk to me. What's wrong, what are you confused about?"

As much as he tried to hide his emotions; keep them at bay and not allow his true feelings to come to light, Klaus's pain shone brilliantly in the form of a silent gut wrenching sob. Klaus's dark eyelashes were weighted down; brimmed heavily with tears, ones that he no longer possessed the energy to try and hide.

"I-I just, I'm so sorry, Dave. So sorry. That was so wrong of me, but, you were just so welcoming, and warm, which isn't an excuse, I know it isn't, but I just—"

"Woah, shh, calm down. What are you rambling on about, Klaus, you don't—"

"I forced myself onto you, Dave! I kissed you, and I shouldn't have, it was wrong of me. So incredibly wrong, and I have no way to justify my actions. I'm so sorry, okay," He heaved to catch his breath as his shoulders slumped deeper against his pillows, his breakdown stealing what little energy he had left in his reserves. "I'm so, so sorry, I understand if you want to leave and never speak to me again. I deserve it. I deserve everything awful that comes my way, I'm not worthy of your kindness." Klaus's lashes fluttered, dispersing his collection of tears and allowing them to drip down his stubbled wobbly chin. He was expecting the worst, now. Certainly Dave would heed his words and leave him behind like all the others, Klaus was accustomed to the heartache, he knew it was only a matter of time before Dave would leave and forget about him, too. He deserved this, he knew he did, but the foreseeable let down never lessened the hurt.

"Klaus, please, don't," Dave reached forward, taking hold of Klaus's trembling hand within his own steady grip and gave his fingers a reassuring, and grounding squeeze. He couldn't let Klaus lose himself to his own muddled thoughts, his own self hating mind. "Don't apologize, Klaus. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for—"

"Yes I do, Dave! Stop acting as though nothing is wrong, when everything is—"

"No, Klaus it is not," Dave's eyes beckoned Klaus's unwavering attention. Klaus's heart spasmed intensely when he caught sight of their appearance. He knew what Dave's eyes looked like, he'd found himself staring aimlessly, getting lost within his beautiful blue orbs time and time again; they were deep blue, much like the ocean. Dave had tears in his eyes now, which Klaus had never seen before, giving his irises the appearance of the ocean trapped within marbles. The glass spheres appeared to be cracked, allowing droplets of tears to seep from their fissures. Klaus had never seen a sight more stunningly tragic in his life, and yet, he knew that he was at fault for Dave's sadness. "you were exhausted after all of that happened, so you may not have noticed, but I didn't exactly pull away, Klaus. Don't apologize, please. I liked it, really. I wanted it, too."

Dave's smile deepened, showcasing his perfect dimples that were filled with tears, like little cratered lakes on his features. Klaus's heart clenched at his words; Dave wasn't mad at him? He wasn't upset about his forward and vulgar actions? Undoubtedly he must have misheard him, or his mind must still not be right, because if he hadn't known any better, Klaus could have sworn that he said he liked it, and wanted it, too?

"Wait, really?" Klaus's weary features pinched into one of many doubts as he leaned himself deeper into his pillows. He pressed the back of his unsteady hand against his overheated brow. "Maybe I am sick."

"You are rather warm," Dave's lips hung in a lopsided smirk while he chuckled softly. "and you are definitely overly tired, but you're okay, Klaus. We are okay. I mean it though, I like you. I really like you, a lot. And I like Riley a lot, too."

Dave's cheeks tugged into a warm adoring smile as he rested a hand over Riley's tiny back. Klaus's chest felt warm as his heart began to flutter; was this what butterflies felt like? His own lips tugged into a giddy grin.

"I like you a lot too Dave, we both do. Isn't that right, princess?" Klaus's laughter was soft and shaky, his entire body riddled my chills as he started to quake, he couldn't tell if it was his body's release of emotions or if it was because he was tired, maybe he was sick; he felt chilled to his core. Dave leaned forward, running his fingers through Klaus's curls before cupping his warm face within his palm. He stroked the soft skin of Klaus's cheek with the pad of his thumb, keeping his other hand pressed against Riley's back. Their eyes met within nirvana as the two men just absorbed the other's presence, eyes interwoven in an affectionate trance. Dave noticed as Klaus's body trembled, he knew he needed to try to get him to lay down. He needed to relax.

"I think it's time you laid back down, you definitely earned a good rest." Klaus nodded, and Dave eased his worn body back down against the mattress, fluffing his pillows beneath his weary head. His eyes fluttered closed minutely before he forced them open; not quite ready to look away from this god-like creature beside him just yet.

Dave's own heart fluttered as he admired the stunning man before him, and felt the delicate angelic baby beneath his own hand; an overwhelming sensation flooded his heart: he was happy, and knew deep down how incredibly blessed he truly was. He had everything he ever wanted right here with these two beautifully perfect souls - right here with his family, and Dave knew in his heart that he was home.

Dave tilted forward and pressed his lips against Klaus's clammy temple and found himself to linger there. This was it, he was finally in the moment he'd wanted for so long, kissing the man of his dreams. He smiled into the kiss before pulling away, his blue orbs peering longingly into Klaus's tired, yet eager eyes, and both men exchanged a loving smile. Dave cupped Klaus's cheeks within both of his hands and held him there, simply looking at him and allowing himself to fully absorb his beauty. He couldn't believe this man was finally his. Klaus's lips wobbled as his emotions pooled within his heart, he couldn't fathom how he'd gotten so lucky. He laid his palms over Dave's upon his cheeks, wanting to feel the man's warmth, he still couldn't believe this was happening.

Dave pressed forward, snagging Klaus's pout within his own, their lips melding together as one. This kiss was the final factor expressing their intimate feelings for each other, signifying what they both wanted since they first met in that grocery store; they were together now, and forever would be. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, side by side.

The kiss was tender, sweet, and all either man had ever wanted: sheer perfection that left both men giddy with eternal bliss. Klaus's body wavered, his energy fading quickly as he began to slump within Dave's arms. Dave pulled away, leaving both men smiling as they heaved to catch their breath. Dave could see Klaus's exhaustion clearly, he knew he needed to rest.

Dave curled up on the bed beside Klaus, wedging himself as close to his exhausted frame as he could. He enveloped the blanket around his shivering figure, cuddling closer to impart his own warmth. His arm snaked beneath Klaus's pillow, propping him into a more suitable position, allowing him to provide added comfort while snuggling impossibly closer to Klaus's precious form. Klaus's tired eyes met Dave's, and he swore at that moment his eyes were smiling just for him.

Klaus rested his fatigued head against Dave's broad chest, nuzzling into the nook of his neck. Klaus marveled at how Dave's skin felt so warm and inviting, instantly chasing his chills away. He felt safe knowing Dave, his knight in shining armor, his protector and savior was beside him, keeping him warm. Klaus felt his eyes drift closed, his energy vanishing at an alarming rate, but his smile never wavered from his face. Dave pressed his lips against Klaus's curls, breathing in his scent, relishing his presence and absorbing his affection. He smiled, resting his free hand over Riley's back as he allowed his own eyes to drift closed.

With the warmth of the baby beneath his fingertips, and the comfort of the man of his dreams slumbering safely within his arms against his side, Dave realized this was everything he could have ever dreamed of.

He felt happy, he felt at peace. Dave smiled because he was amongst the two people he cared about most in his life.

They fell asleep surrounded by love.

—-

Authors Note: Thank you to my consistent commenter! You're so sweet haha I'm so happy you're enjoying this! There's some angsty bits this chapter and next, but I promise FLUFF is on the horizon! Thank you everyone who is following along with this story! As always, if ya like what ya see, let me know in the comments!

Thanks again! I hope you enjoyed! :)