A little over three weeks passed by after Klaus and Riley were finally able to meet Dave's family. They were certain to stay in touch; having phone conversations almost nightly, and exchanging plenty of adorable photos of each of their beautiful babies. Dave's sister Dani, her husband Robbie and their daughter Eliza resided in a small house just a little over thirty minutes down the road from Klaus and Dave's, and they'd even met up for breakfast once or twice since their first initial meeting. Klaus was so happy that Dave's family had been every bit as warm and welcoming as Dave promised them to be. He was overjoyed being inducted into Dave's family, he and his daughter welcomed with open arms. He couldn't help but get a little choked up anytime he thought about it, though.

Klaus's own family never cared this deeply about him, apart from Ben. He'd never been too close to the others; Luther had always been too caught up with being their father's perfect little soldier, he could never find the need or want to busy himself with associating with Klaus, their fathers utmost failure, and biggest disappointment. Allison's budding film career certainly kept her busy, far too busy to find time to reach out and make sure her weakest and arguably shittiest brother was okay. Although, learning his sister had a daughter from a tabloid and not from his sister herself definitely hurt Klaus's spirit quite a bit. He guessed he shouldn't hold it against Allison, though. Klaus left - he was the one who abandoned his family - but he had his reasons. Now, with the arrival of his own daughter, and keeping the knowledge of her existence from his siblings, he could sympathize and understand why his sister would want to keep Claire a secret from him. She just wanted what was best for her daughter, keeping her junkie uncle as far away from her as she could was probably the right move. Five was simply too caught up in his calculations to pry himself away from his chalk board to check up on him, and Vanya? Well, Vanya was just so quiet and reserved, while Klaus had always been a whirlwind of a train wreck. He couldn't blame her for avoiding him altogether. Each sibling had their rightful reasons to steer clear of Klaus, and he understood it. Shit, if the roles had been reversed, he would have done the same.

Diego, on the other hand, his absence within Klaus's life hurt. He and Diego had always been close. Ben, Klaus and Diego were the "even Stevens" group and thick as thieves. Growing up under the "strict structured living" their father provided, or as Klaus preferred to call it - his abuse - Klaus always knew he could turn to Ben or Diego to find refuge. All of his nights locked within the mausoleum, or when his father would perform longer private training regimens with him, trying to get him to better his abilities both within his powers and his physical strength, always left Klaus battered and oftentimes broken. He remembered one night in particular after Reginald focused on his physical strengths, or rather, lack there of when Klaus limped into Diego's bedroom, metaphorically licking his wounds and begging for comfort. Diego was asleep, as were the rest of his siblings, but Klaus just needed someone to hold him and remind him that he was okay - that he was loved.

He was in pain, and simply far too weak to make it to his own room, and well, Diego's was the closest. So he opened his brother's door and quietly made his way inside. It was dark, and Klaus was scared, but he just needed to seek his brother's comfort. When he made it to Diego's bedside, he gently pressed his trembling fingers against his brother's shoulder, startling him awake. Diego was furious - at first - until he took in Klaus's bruised, bloodied and downright battered appearance. Diego's entire energy and expression shifted instantaneously as he wrapped his brother in a hug and pulled him into his bed beside himself, burying his shivering form beneath a mound of blankets while he rocked him within his arms until Klaus cried himself to sleep. That night Diego promised Klaus that he would always have his back; that he would always be there for him, to protect him, keep him safe, and that he would never, ever let anything bad happen to him again, and he meant every single word—at first.

But as the years passed by, and Klaus's issues with his father worsened, so much so that he couldn't bear to stay under the same roof with the man a moment longer, that when he left, Diego's promise slowly started to fade away. He was always still there in the background, offering his support should Klaus ever need it, but as his own self hatred towards himself escalated, only amplifying his own self destructive behaviors, Klaus should have known that his brother's support would eventually run out.

Unfortunately for Klaus, the day his brother's support and love ended would forever be ingrained within his mind—but the worst part? Klaus knew he had no one to blame for it but himself.

It was a cold night, late, or rather early at around three in the morning close to the holidays. He nor his siblings had ever celebrated such occasions while under their fathers oppressive thumb, but while he was out on the streets by himself, he still couldn't help but feel overly caught up in the holiday emotions, and therefore sadness at being all alone with no one to turn to or share his time with. Lights were brightly gleaming all around him, cheerful melodies wafting throughout the atmosphere, but all Klaus could focus on was how dark and abysmal his life truly was, and honestly, always had been. He was sad, trapped within a deep depression, and downright lonely; his only company being himself. Truthfully, even Klaus hated his own company. As he trudged through a park so brightly lit with lights he felt his retinas burning; although, he wasn't sure anymore if they only burned from his own tears, Klaus was suddenly overwhelmed with such a strong desire to just make himself disappear—permanently.

So, he did - or at least, he tried. He scrounged as much money as he could and bought an over abundance of heroin and cocaine. Once he had it within his hands, Klaus returned to the park and curled up beneath the Christmas tree where he proceeded to flood his veins with an alarming amount of what he always used to refer to as "rush hour" but now only hoped would bring him "sweet dreams". He mixed the fatal concoction within the viles before pushing the plunger, releasing the toxins into his bloodstream. Klaus's eyelashes fluttered as he felt his body relax. He laid down on the snow covered ground and stared dreamily up into the brightly shimmering branches of the Christmas tree—and he smiled.

"Finally", he thought, "I'm ready to say goodbye."

Sadly, Klaus's dream to disappear never came to fruition that night. He cursed himself for choosing such a public place to attempt to take his own life, but he'd always been a romantic at heart. When he woke up in a hospital, his body beyond any former understanding of weakness he'd ever felt, he couldn't help but to cry. He didn't want to be there, he didn't want to be awake, he didn't want to be alive anymore.

Yet, there he was, alive and infinitely unwell.

He had no knowledge of how he'd wound up in the hospital to begin with, nor any recollection of how long he'd been there, but as his agonizingly weary eyes scanned the room, he was surprised to be met with his brother's big brown gaze. Diego, however, didn't look happy to see him in the least bit. As it turned out, Diego was who found Klaus nearly unconscious and barely clinging onto life in that park. He was the one who rushed him to the hospital; holding his cold, limp hand within his own and begging for him to hold on, just please, hold on. Diego was the only reason Klaus was still alive. And honestly, both men were angry about it; Klaus because he didn't want this, he never asked to be found, he only wanted his life to end. And Diego? He was pissed at Klaus for "yet another overdose", his sixth in the last eight month span. He was furious he continued to pump his body full of such poisons.

Klaus could still vividly remember their argument; Diego telling Klaus he needed to stop this, cut the bullshit, and get his life together. He remembered telling Diego to drop his holier than thou attitude, and leave him alone; telling him if he didn't like his life choices, didn't like him, then he could leave, and never speak to him again…

He remembered Diego telling him that the next time this would happen, that he would leave him there to die. Ironic, really, as that had been all Klaus ever wanted to begin with. He was sure to tell his brother that he would be doing the world a huge favor, and even thanked him, informing him he would hold him to his promise. Diego was sure to tell Klaus to stay the hell away from him, and made it painfully clear that he never wanted to see his junkie brother ever again.

And so, he never did.

That was over a year and a half ago now, but the wound it created within Klaus's chest was still fresh and ached with a nagging pain. No one ever learned the truth about that night; that Klaus's overdose had been the farthest thing from an accident. Not Diego, nor Dave, not even Ben, and Klaus intended to keep it that way. The truth behind his secret died that night, unlike him. Besides, it was in the past, and Klaus intended to leave it there. In retrospect, he should be happy; Diego did save his life, after all. And while he was pissed at the time, as he was unable to see the light at the end of his dark and dreary tunnel, Klaus was now thankful for his brother's actions. Had he died that night; had Diego never saved him, Klaus would have never had Riley, nor would he have ever met Dave. He owed it to Diego that he finally was given such an overwhelmingly beautiful life. Something Klaus never expected he would ever be able to obtain.

"Come on Riley, come to daddy Davey! Come on sweetie!" Klaus was pulled from his thoughts at the sound of his boyfriend's voice. The little family were all lying on the floor in their living room. What started as a simple evening of tummy time, quickly morphed into a hopeful game of trying to get Riley to crawl to one of her daddy's for the first time. Dave was sat on the far end of the living room opposite Klaus, and Riley was plopped on her belly, fisting a miscellaneous toy in her grasp between her two daddy's. Klaus was laying on his side watching the moment unfold. He was smiling, but his eyes felt heavy, and he couldn't help but feel thoroughly exhausted. In fact, Klaus had been feeling rather out of sorts a lot as of late.

It all started nearly two weeks ago, when Dave broke the news to him that he got the job; he was going to become an FBI agent, and that he would be starting in the beginning of July—merely a few short months away. Klaus was happy for Dave, of course. He could see the joy and excitement on his face as he pulled him into his arms, and spun him excitedly around the room. He was proud of Dave, and excited for this new big step in his career, but Klaus couldn't help but feel sad about it, too. He knew that his practically unlimited time with Dave would come to an end, he knew his schedule would change, and make it harder to get to see or spend any time with his love. He knew he would undoubtedly miss Dave being there with him and for him whenever he needed him or wanted him the most. He hadn't even started yet, and already the rigorous training they kept sending him away for was severely cutting into Klaus's time with his love. He already felt his absence within his life. He already felt like a huge piece of himself was missing; his strength, his savior, his soul.

It didn't help that Klaus's weeks were keeping him thoroughly busy; running errands, grocery shopping, helping Dave as much as he could to prepare for his new job. Dave had been away for a few days, out of town for some seminar he needed to attend for his new position, leaving Klaus all alone with Riley. That in itself wouldn't typically be too big of a deal, except for the fact that Klaus quickly realized that without Dave's warm and undeniably soothing presence; especially at night, Klaus found it rather difficult to fall asleep at night. If it wasn't for the fact that he simply couldn't get comfortable without Dave's warm body pressed against his own, then the nightmares that would plague him in his absence certainly did a fine job at keeping Klaus awake throughout the night. It was incredibly taxing, this week certainly turned into the worst week Klaus had undoubtedly had in a very long time, and Klaus was really feeling the energy sapping effects of it all now that he was taking a moment to simply relax, and enjoy his family for what felt like the first time in so long. Klaus's eyes fluttered minutely as he rested his head against his outstretched arm on the floor.

"Go to Dave, princess." Klaus cooed softly as his eyelids grew heavier.

He was just so tired today...

Suddenly, ten tiny fingers were pressed against his cheeks; prodding at his laxed features, the happy babbling and cooing of his daughter filled his ears as his eyes slowly crept open.

"Did you see it? I can't believe she actually did it!" Dave cheered as he crawled towards Klaus and Riley. Klaus tried to clear his weary mind and focus on Dave's words as he lazily laid his 'HELLO' palm against his daughter's small back.

"Hm," Klaus hummed as he squinted to clear his vision, "see what?"

"Klaus," Dave furrowed his eyebrows as he crawled closer, clasping a hand over Klaus's against Riley's back, "darlin, she crawled. I tried to get her to come to me, but she just B-lined and crawled straight to you." Klaus's heart sank.

"What," he started, eyebrows knitting together in disappointment and anger, "she—she crawled and I missed it?" Dave could see the hurt in his boyfriend's emerald eyes.

"Hey, it's okay," he started as he cupped Klaus's cheek within his palm, "I got it on video, you didn't miss anything—"

"Dave, I just slept through my daughters first major milestone of her development—"

"You're tired, darlin. That's okay, it's been a busy week, a lots been happening, lots of big changes—"

"Yeah, and I just fucking missed the biggest and most important one," Klaus pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes as he laid down flat on his back. He couldn't believe this. How could he miss this? Something so important, something he'd been so excited yet patiently waiting to see? He couldn't believe his own weakness ruined this special moment, stole this beautiful memory away from him. His lips wobbled as a sob escaped his lungs; he couldn't help but feel so incredibly frustrated and angry at himself for failing his baby girl. Dave's lips tugged into a frown as he laid beside Klaus, pulling him into his arms.

"Hey, shh, it's okay," Dave kissed Klaus's forehead as he pushed his curls away from his face before rubbing his thumb beneath his tear drenched eyes, "Riley would understand. This—it's been a rough week for you. You're exhausted, understandably so. I promise, it's okay. You're frustrated, I understand, and you have every right to be, but I promise you; it's okay." Klaus buried his face against Dave's chest as he allowed himself to cry. He was tired, but all week he felt like he was always exhausted, and he didn't want his own stupid fatigue to steal his most precious moments away from him. His body trembled against Dave's strong physique, his already depleted energy quickly fading further away with each passing second. Riley babbled wordlessly behind her father as she climbed his frame, attempting to crawl into her daddy's arms. He smiled weakly as he reached for her, pulling her into an embrace as he cuddled her close, closing his eyes and nuzzling against the crown of her curls. Riley buried her face against Klaus's chest, her tiny fist clutching onto his shirt as her perfect pout stretched into a yawn.

"Why don't we go lay down for a while?" Dave suggested as he watched Klaus's eyelashes flutter, struggling to stay awake. He was well aware of Klaus's lack of sleep the last couple of weeks. He cupped Klaus's cheek in the palm of his hand as his concerned gaze met his love's weary green orbs, "Riley looks pretty tired, and between you and me, I think we all could really benefit from a good nap."

Klaus nodded his agreement, so Dave helped guide him off of the floor, before leading him into their bedroom. Klaus laid Riley down in her crib where she instantly fell asleep before Dave took Klaus by his hands and led him over to their shared bed. Dave laid down and pulled Klaus into his arms, tucking him beneath their blankets and hugged him tightly against his chest. Klaus's eyes closed as his small amount of energy quickly deserted him.

"She really crawled to me?" Klaus asked sleepily as he opened his weary eyes into slits. The corner of Dave's lips tugged into a gentle smile before he kissed his temple.

"She did, but, darlin really, don't beat yourself up over this, I promise you she won't mind. I got it all on video, you won't really miss out on anything," he tightened his grip on Klaus, running his palm in soothing circles against his spine, "it's been a hard week. You deserve to rest, Riley would agree. Get some sleep—"

"Will you play it for me," Klaus whispered against Dave's chest, "please?"

"Of course, my love." Dave adjusted so that he was laying on his back, he tucked his arm around Klaus's shoulders as Klaus nestled against his chest. Dave pulled out his phone and played the video for Klaus.

The video was short, but sweet; it started with Riley wobbling on all four limbs staring straight at Dave, his voice cooing to her, beckoning her to come to him. Her lips tugged tightly into a brilliant smile, dimples cratering her cheeks. She babbled and teetered as she watched Dave before her focus turned to Klaus. Klaus, her father, who was passed out on the floor a few feet behind her, entirely unaware of what was happening around him. Riley didn't let her father's current state deter her, though. She laughed loudly before plopping down onto her bum and swiveling so she was facing her daddy, before rising back onto her tiny hands, and pudgy little knees. She lifted an arm unsteadily into the air before laying her palm down against the padded floors and mimicked the movement with her other hand. Her knees slowly but surely started following suit, scooting along the ground as she clumsily inched her teensy tiny frame across the floor towards her father; Dave cheering her on and praising her as she went, before she threw herself at her daddy's slumbering face, where she entangled her fingers into his curls with one hand, while she petted his cheek with the other.

Klaus's eyes welled with fresh tears as he watched the video, pride in his daughter flooding his chest as he finally witnessed her first successful crawling adventure, but his lips wobbled with frustration in himself for only being gifted this memory through a video and not his own two eyes. Dave sat the phone down when a sob rattled Klaus's chest, his shoulders shaking as he dragged his palm over his eyes to staunch his ever flowing tears.

"Hey, shh, it's okay," Dave cooed as he pulled Klaus into his arms, enveloping his love in the tightest hug, "I know you feel cheated, but you shouldn't, darlin. Not at all. You should be proud! She came straight to you. You saw her face, right? Did she look sad that her daddy was asleep? No, she didn't. She looked happy, because she had you in her arms."

Klaus sniffled as he relaxed into Dave's touch, his energy depleting even more. Dave kissed his forehead and rubbed his back, whispering words of love and encouragement and hope into his ears. It pained him to see his love so distraught, and so tired. He knew he needed to try to coax him to sleep, put his mind at ease and get him to rest.

"You're exhausted, darlin," he ran his fingers through his curls, wiping his tears from his cheeks before kissing his forehead once more, "let's go to bed, yeah? You should be proud that she crawled to you. She loves you, I love you. Now, please get some sleep. You need to rest."

Klaus nodded as he nuzzled his tear stained cheek against Dave's broad chest, his boyfriends fingers raking through his hair to soothe him. He closed his eyes as he absorbed Dave's warmth and his daughter's accomplishments. While still upset at himself, Klaus decided to heed Dave's advice and not dwell over his failures, but rather just be happy for his daughter. She crawled, and she did it to him. Klaus accepted that as a victory before his eyes drifted closed and he quickly succumbed to sleep wrapped within his love's arms.

Time continued to pass, and Klaus promised himself to never miss another milestone, or achievement in his daughter's life. He would watch her grow, and flourish and witness it every single step of the way, whether he was tired or not. His energy came and went a lot the next few months. Whenever he had Dave with him, he found himself to have excellent days filled with energy, pride and love; but as Dave's new position started requiring more and more trainings that sent him away, stealing him away from Klaus and Riley, he found himself to be stuck in a rut of emotional turmoil and seemingly endless fatigue. Without Dave being around, Klaus's dreaded nightmares returned with a vengeance, making it all but impossible for him to rest. On the few occasions he would drift into the wonderful land of slumber, he would quickly be abruptly awoken by his nightmares, or the shrieking wails of the damned, leaving Klaus physically shaken and in a cold sweat. It understandably broke Dave's heart to learn this news. He hated that he hadn't even started his position yet, and already his love was suffering so badly. Dave tried his best to comfort and be there for Klaus at night, and help get him to sleep, even if he couldn't physically be there.

They started a new ritual; Dave would call Klaus every night at the time he would normally go to bed and talk to him, kiss him goodnight over the phone, and oftentimes sing him and Riley to sleep. They found that, while not always, this new nightly ritual did seem to help bring Klaus some comfort. So they promised each other to make this a permanent fixture within their lives: whenever Dave was unable to be there physically for Klaus, he promised that he would always call to kiss him goodnight.

—

Dave smiled fondly as he set yet another picture frame down on his new desk. Today was the day; his first day as a fresh faced FBI agent. He was excited, but couldn't help but feel the deep rooted tug of guilt that pulled at his heart as he arranged his personal effects in his new intimate workspace. He couldn't get Klaus's somber expression as he kissed him goodbye that morning out of his mind. He hated leaving him at all, goodbyes were always the hardest for them anytime Dave would leave for work, but something about this new position made it all the more difficult. Longer hours, added days, the promise of seemingly endless overtime; Dave and Klaus knew from the start that their time together would wither and become more sparse, but that simply seemed to cause this decision to be all the more difficult.

Especially knowing how Klaus's health and wellbeing always seemed to suffer anytime he and Dave were apart for too long. All of his conferences, and training he'd been sent off to prior to starting his position only helped prove to Dave just how difficult his absence was for Klaus. Hearing the exhaustion in his tone over the phone, and seeing the bags under his eyes during their video chats, Klaus unwillingly admitting that sleep did not come easily without his love there by his side; even worse, however, was learning that Klaus's struggles with the dead always seemed to reappear whenever Dave was gone as well. He hated this, and only wished that his love didn't have to suffer.

Dave sat Klaus down one day upon returning home from a four day long trip after finding him shaking from exhaustion in the kitchen and asked him outright if he wanted Dave to turn down the offer. He promised him it wasn't too late, he could still change his mind, retract his acceptance of the position, and return to how things were before with the police academy. He promised Klaus he wouldn't mind, not at all, he just couldn't bear to see him like this; watch him suffer over his stupid job. But Klaus just took his hands into his own and promised Dave that he was okay, and begged him to not give up on his dreams over something as silly as his stupid fatigue. He assured Dave that he was fine, reminded him that this was just his new norm, that it wasn't permanent, he was simply having a hard time adjusting, but promised he had nothing to worry about, that he would get better, and made him promise he wouldn't forfeit such an amazing opportunity over him. Reluctantly, Dave agreed.

Dave held another frame in his hands and marveled at the photo it held within it; it was a picture of Riley taken four months after he and Klaus started dating. She was smiling, wearing an adorable pair of sunglasses, and a hilarious shirt that Klaus just had to get her that exclaimed in bold black font "Tit Faced!" He laughed at the memory from that day; and the hilarious conversation that shirt sparked between the two of them.

Dave flinched when the photo frame was snatched from his hands. The perpetrator lazily waved it in his face before making themselves comfortable as they perched themselves on the corner of his desk.

"Cute kid, she yours?" Diego asked as he eyed the photo with a smirk, "You never told me you had a kid, what secret life have you kept from me, Dave?" He laughed when Dave snatched the photo back with a wry grin. Diego smiled as he folded one knee over the other. He always loved screwing around with Dave, taunting him and riling him up. Both men were going to miss these playful interactions now that Dave left the Police Academy and joined the FBI. Luckily, Diego's girlfriend Eudora also got promoted, simply giving Diego an added excuse to come and visit and taunt his two favorite people from his work force. Dave shook his head at his friend's silly antics, his gaze trailing to the photo within his hands.

"She's my boyfriend's," he smiled proudly, as his thumb gently stroked the photo before continuing, "that's Riley. Isn't she perfect? Just like her daddy."

"Boyfriend's? Dave, why didn't you tell me you met someone? I thought we were bro's, bro," Diego gently nudged Dave's shoulder before reaching for another frame from Dave's desk. It was another picture of Riley, one of Dave bouncing her on his lap from the day she met his family for the first time. Her smile was broad and brightly displayed her perfect dimples and her beautiful bright blue eyes. Diego chuckled fondly as he admired the photo, "she is pretty darn cute, and woah! Check out those curls! Did she get those curly Q's from her dad or her mom?" Dave chuckled at Diego's curiosity.

"Oh no, she most definitely gets them from her daddy. Perfect ringlets, soft as silk." Diego's eyebrow raised, the corner of his mouth curling into a crooked grin.

"Wow, Dave. You're rather smitten, aren't you? How come you never talk about this guy? Come on then," Diego leaned back on Dave's desk, examining the photo frame in his hands, "spill the beans, I need deets!"

Dave laughed as he gently plucked the photo out of Diego's hand and returned it to it's rightful spot atop his desk. His smile wavered, however, his expression darkening.

"I can't, I uh—" he paused as he considered his next course of action. Truthfully, Dave didn't know how to explain his way out of this situation. He couldn't tell Diego the truth—that he'd been dating Klaus, Diego's brother for the past nearly nine months. He knew Klaus didn't want Diego to know, he didn't know how to circumvent this conversation. "I promised him that I wouldn't say anything." Diego's eyebrows furrowed at Dave's words.

"Wait a minute," he held up a hand to pause Dave's statement as he rubbed the back of his neck with his other hand, "your boyfriend doesn't want you discussing your relationship? Seems kind of controlling, don't you think?" Diego's eyebrows raised towards the ceiling as his gaze met Dave's frazzled blue eyes. Dave shook his head as he waved his hands dismissively.

"What? No, no, it's not like that, not at all. He's the furthest thing from that," Dave's expression softened as he thought of Klaus, he couldn't hide the warmth that filled his cheeks anytime he thought of his incredible boyfriend, "he's kind, and sweet. He's so incredibly gentle, and has to be the most nurturing man I've ever known. And god, is he beautiful. He's wonderful, Diego. Really, he is. He—he just had a rough life growing up, and just—I don't know, he likes to keep his private life just that; private." he stumbled over his words, trying to find an explanation. Diego seemed to soften at Dave's description.

"Tough life, huh?" Diego exhaled an understanding laugh as he ran his fingers through his short raven hair, "Yeah, well, I can relate." He straightened his posture, cracking his neck before scratching at the scruff on his chin. "Eudora and I ever gonna get introduced to this boy toy of yours?"

"Definitely not a boy toy, Diego," Dave exhaled a laugh as he sunk down deep into his chair, the spring groaning as it swayed back. "I love him." Dave's smile spread across his features, his cheeks darkening as he blushed. Dave already knew that he loved Klaus, that he was in love with Klaus, but he couldn't help but feel at odds admitting this news to his unknowing brother.

"Love?" Diego's face brightened at Dave's bold statement. "Jesus Dave, it's that serious? Wow, I cannot believe you have never even mentioned this guy until now, and you're saying you're in love with him. Are you sure it's love? How long have you two even been together?" Dave leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk as he anxiously fiddled with a Knick-knack before straightening one of his picture frames.

"Yes, Diego. I know what love is, and what we share is definitely that. We've been officially together for about, oh, nearly nine months now, but I do love Klaus, it's absolutely love, I've never—"

"Klaus?"

Shit.

Dave knew at that moment that he'd fucked up.

Fuck!

"That's not a very common name. I haven't heard a name like that in over a year. Weird," Diego shook his head as a sad crooked grin crossed his lips. "I have a brother with that name."

The atmosphere around the two men grew eerily silent as Dave's cheeks flushed. Diego watched Dave, almost expecting him to say something, anything at all, when the realization surrounding his silence hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Wait, Dave, does—are you—did your boyfriend not want you to say anything because—"

"He's your brother?" Dave quietly asked, ducking his head so he wouldn't see the anger flash in Diego's eyes. "Yes."

Diego didn't know how to react, didn't know how to take such news, didn't expect to hear such news. He pushed off Dave's desk, his nostrils flaring in agitation in Dave, his friend who up until this point had never kept a secret from Diego, had never lied. Dave was his brother in arms, his best friend in the academy, and someone he always felt that he could trust. How could he keep this from him? How could he possibly hide the fact that for nine months, damn well near a year he was dating his brother behind his back? He roughly rubbed at the hair on his head, tugging at the ends before turning on Dave, pointing his finger at the man accusingly.

"How could you fucking keep this from me, Dave?" His glare was as sharp as any one of his numerous knives. He huffed an irritated sigh as he shook his head, "you don't love him. He's a bad person, Dave, you need to get away, and stay the hell away from him! Klaus, he's—he's—"

"A changed man, Diego!" Dave's chair shot back as he abruptly stood, his palms slamming down against his desk with such a force it toppled Riley's numerous picture frames; the metal clattered loudly against the glass topper on the oak desk. Dave's eyes burned into Diego's with the ferocity and heat of a thousand suns. "I know about his past. I know every single detail of his life right down to the last time the two of you spoke. Yeah, that's right, I know about the overdose, Diego. I know how you two fought. I know what he said to you, and what ugly, terrible things you said to him. Both of you were wrong then, but—" Dave's voice trailed off to a pause, his expression softening as the rigidity of his body relaxed, his shoulders easing into a more calm stance before he continued, "He—Klaus isn't that person anymore, Diego. He's—he's perfect. When Riley came into his life he gave up everything: No more drugs, no more alcohol. He quit cold turkey, he's clean—hasn't touched or even considered touching any narcotics, not even once. He absolutely refuses to do anything that could even slightly pose any inkling of potential to hurt his daughter. He isn't homeless anymore, he's off the streets, living at Ben's—"

"Wait, hold the fuck up," Diego held up his hands, his eyebrows knitting together in irritation, "are you telling me that Ben knew about this?"

"Yes," Dave affirmed calmly. Diego scoffed, his lips curling into an angry crooked scowl as he rolled his eyes, "Ben is very much aware, Diego. He's the only one, though. Please, don't say anything. Klaus didn't want anyone to know."

Diego shook his head before he glared at Dave. He was silent, not knowing what to say, or how he should truly even react to such news. He couldn't look at Dave, not right now. He tilted his head down towards Dave's desk, when a picture of Riley caught his attention. Slowly, he trailed his fingertips against the glass topper before his skin met the cool metal frame. Gently, his grip tightened and he pulled the picture into his hands. Diego looked at the picture, his big brown eyes softening at the sight of the slumbering little girl in the photo. Diego ran his fingertips over the photo held behind the glass within the frame. Diego's eyes marveled at the beautiful baby in the photo, but his mind was somewhere else entirely; trapped within the past, his last memories of the child's father—his brother, Klaus.

—

"Honestly, Diego, it's only a matter of time before you get your ass kicked off the force with all of the bullshit you pull—a donut run, really? I thought your body was a temple?" Patch teased her boyfriend as she watched him lick the remnants of the confectionary sugar from his fingers.

"Oh, it is a temple," Diego reminded proudly, slapping his palm against his abs for emphasis, "but even a temple deserves a treat from time to time." He shot his girlfriend a crooked grin, flexing a single raise of his eyebrows before finishing with a wink. Patch scoffed, punching him lightheartedly in the shoulder as she took a swig from her second coffee that night. The two laughed together as they continued their patrol on the town. Their night started as any other night, mostly quiet aside from the random noise complaint, or occasional DUI, but otherwise it was a rather calm evening. A welcome treat, really, considering it was nearing the holidays and criminal activity always tended to spike around such times. Diego cleared his throat before he grabbed Eudora's coffee from her grasp, earning an irritated huff from the fiery cop. Diego laughed as he took a sip, the hot liquid burning his throat as he swallowed.

"Calling all units, we've got a report for an unidentified male, possible overdose under the Christmas tree in Unity Park—over." Diego's ears perked at the description. Anytime he heard overdose his mind immediately went to his brother, Klaus. He hated that he thought that way, and he only wished he didn't have to, but it was no secret that Klaus was a very familiar find at the end of his numerous responses to such calls. He snagged the radio from its holster, holding down the call button before responding.

"This is officer Hargreeves, officer Patch and myself are close, we're on our way—over, and out." Eudora and Diego shared a knowing glance before he slammed the car into drive, gunning towards the park.

They arrived at the park within minutes and Diego was sure not to waste time; quickly throwing his seatbelt to the wind and scrambling out of the cruiser to head towards the brightly lit Christmas tree. At first he didn't see anyone, and wondered if this was some prank call phoned into the police again, until he spotted the incredibly slender legs coated in snow sticking out from beneath the tree. Diego's grimace only intensified when he realized the lack of shoes on the man's bare feet.

"Hey, buddy, you can't sleep here," Diego started as he approached the unidentified male, "you hear me? I said you can't—" Diego's tongue stuttered to a halt. The closer he got to the man, the easier it became to understand what he was staring at—and it was not what Diego wanted to see at all. Toes tinged red from the chill of the snow, toenails painted with chipping black varnish. The legs were undeniably thin, frail and severely lacking any proper fat or muscle; this man was malnourished, starving and underweight. Then, the pants, Diego's heart plummeted from his chest to his bowels at the sight of them, he knew those pants: black leather with ties up the side. Diego's breath caught in his throat as he took in the rest of the man's appearance; threadbare charcoal crop top and a fuzzy patch work jacket.. then his pale and hollowed face...

"Klaus!" Diego ran to his brother, quickly closing the distance between them and collapsed onto his knees, skidding to a stop at his siblings side. Klaus was pale, deathly pale. His cheeks were sunken in, merely displaying how unhealthy he truly was. His eyes were open; seeing without seeing as they lacked any usual luster. He was conscious but not coherent. "Klaus, please, talk to me!"

Diego tapped his brother's cheek, alarmed by the chill on his skin. How long had he been laying there before he found him?

"What did you take," he asked frantically, eyeing the tourniquet wrapped around his arm, the crook of his elbow already discolored, the flesh angry and veins bulging and throbbing, "Klaus, what the fuck did you take? Come on, bro, answer me, please!" Diego's eyes blurred by his tears as he desperately tried to get Klaus to respond.

"Diego, we need to take him to the hospital!" Eudora's hands were warm against his shoulder, urgency in her tone. "Pick him up, let's go, he doesn't look good, we don't have much time. Come on, hold it together—move it!"

Diego scooped Klaus's still form into his arms, it pained him to realize how little effort the action took, how frail his brother had become since even his last encounter with him. He hugged him against his chest, removing his own coat and draping it over Klaus's severely underclothed frame, trying to offer him some shred of warmth. They ran back to the cruiser, Eudora driving as Diego climbed into the back seat with Klaus, unable to sever their tie or break his contact, simply too afraid of what may happen should he decide to let him go. Diego wept as he clutched him close, his own fingers woven between Klaus's emaciated digits.

"Hold on, Klaus," he cried against his siblings' frozen curls, "just please, please, you have to hold on."

A lot of what transpired after they arrived at the hospital was a blur to Diego. He remembered rushing him through the entrance and then the nurses taking his brother away from him, hurrying him through the emergency doors. He remembered the wait; the agonizingly painful wait that seemed to span several hours before someone finally was able to share with him the dreaded news of his brother's fate.

An overdose; Diego already knew, he didn't need a doctor or a degree in medicine to figure out as much, but the rest of the news was enough to make Diego's own heart stop. They told Diego he was lucky he found his brother when he did, that had he gone even a few minutes longer he would have undoubtedly died. They told Diego that Klaus's heart stopped three times since his arrival, that he was currently on oxygen, and trapped within the frailty of his own body in a coma. The doctor's sullen face was enough for Diego to know that Klaus still may not make it through the night, he didn't even want to imagine what consequences his brother may face the rest of his life should he pull through and survive.

Diego remembered the wait, the dreaded uncertainty surrounding his brother's life, what future he may or may no longer possess. He remembered informing each of his siblings and how the only one who cared enough to respond to his call was Ben. He remembered how the two brothers paced the halls, worrying over their brother that up until that moment none of them had given him even a second glance. Klaus laid there still in that hospital bed for nearly two weeks; pale, unconscious and so incredibly weak. Diego hated it, Ben hated it, too. Both brothers hated themselves for not being there for Klaus, not helping him or guiding him like they all promised him they once would.

Diego cried more in those two weeks than he ever had in his entire life. Watching his brother trapped within his broken body, his weakened and damaged state of being and knowing there was nothing more that he could do, except witness him struggling to try to fight for his life. He wanted to wake him, he longed for his brilliant green eyes to peer up to him in wonder as he did when they were younger. He missed his brother's smile, and only prayed he would get to see it again one day, hopefully soon.

"He's awake."

More tears flooded his eyes at the news of Klaus's practical revival. The two brothers rushed into the room, Ben throwing himself at Klaus who weakly wrapped his sickeningly slender arms around his brother. Diego was happy to see him awake, knowing that he was alive, but for whatever reason his emotion that engulfed him was a sudden anger when he met his brother's tear filled green eyes.

Diego doesn't know why it happened, and he still hates himself to this day for allowing it to, but he remembered vividly the first words he said to his brother after he cheated death.

"What the fuck were you thinking, you idiot! Were you trying to die!" He remembered the sadness behind his brother's irises, and an undertone of something more, he could see how tired he was and knew he shouldn't push him, but the words poured from his mouth like vomit as he continued to berate him.

"Another overdose, Klaus? Seriously? How many times are you going to allow this to happen? How many times do we have to watch you slowly kill yourself, huh?" Diego's words were like venom, he couldn't hold them back, he needed to make sure he got his point across so Klaus understood the severity of his actions, "You need to pull your shit together. This shit? It needs to stop now!"

Diego couldn't believe his brother's response, it was unexpected to say the least. He told Diego to get over himself, as if he were the problem in this situation? Klaus told him to drop his holier than thou attitude, which Diego knew he didn't have, but what left his mouth next hurt worse than any wound Diego had ever received during any altercation. Klaus told him if he didn't like his life choices, didn't like him, as if that would ever be possible, then he could fuck off, and never speak to him again.

That hurt. Of course he loved Klaus, even if he hated and didn't agree with his choices, but the heat of the moment and his own anger caused Diego's next actions to be his biggest mistake and regret of his life.

"Next time I find you like this? No—fuck that. There won't be a next time, Klaus. If I ever see you like this again, I'm done. I'll leave you there. You want this? Are drugs - being high off your ass until you don't even know who you are anymore—if that is more important to you than your family, then fine. Next time—" he paused, his eyes burning into Klaus's with enough toxicity he almost swore the look would kill, "I'll leave you there to die. I'm serious. I'm done, Klaus. Fucking done."

The look on his brother's face was hard to determine—sadness, fear, pain, but the one thing Diego noticed and pained him the most was the look of acceptance in his brother's eyes.

"Good," Klaus said, which simply broke Diego's heart more, "you'll be doing the world a favor. Thank you, Diego, really," he remembered flinching when his brother slumped weakly against his pillow, his hands draping over his stomach as his weary eyes slipped closed, "I'll hold you to your promise."

Diego's eyebrows furrowed in anger, and despair. How could Klaus be this way, why was he acting like this? Diego would forever hate himself for what he said next. If he could go back in time he would knock some sense into himself, make him stop, but he knew that was impossible, and he would never be able to forgive himself for it.

"I hate you," the statement fell from his lips painfully as he spoke, each word untrue even though spoken with a burning conviction, "if I never see your junkie ass again it'll be too soon." He pointed a finger at Klaus, strong and full of hurt. "Stay the hell away from me. I never want to see you again, you hear me? Never!"

"Diego!" Ben tried to calm his roaring emotions and placate the situation, but it was too late, what was done was done. He didn't wait to hear his brother's reaction, he didn't allow himself to catch his gaze, he simply turned and left the hospital room to never see his brother again.

—

A single teardrop fell from Diego's nose, spreading like spilt paint atop his nieces face held within the frame in his grasp. He closed his eyes, smoothing the liquid away from the glass with his thumb before he dragged his palm down his face. Diego had failed his brother his entire life. He wasn't there when he needed him the most, and he had turned his back on him and walked away. He huffed in a deep breath, blinking to clear his vision as he held the photo up and took in his niece's face.

That precious little angel staring back at him was his brother's daughter. His lips wobbled before tugging into the slightest of smiles learning such wonderful news. Klaus was not only alive, but he seemed to be thriving. He had a boyfriend, an amazing one, no less, in his best friend Dave, and a perfect little girl, and he did all of that without his help. Klaus never needed Diego, but Diego always knew deep down in his heart that he would always and forever need his brother Klaus.

"This is—sh-she's Klaus's? My brother has a daughter?" He paused, his soggy gaze meeting Dave's. "I-I have a-a niece?"

Dave's expression softened as his blue eyes met Diego's brown, "Yeah," he started with a nod and a smile warmer than the sun, "yeah, you do. A beautiful niece. Hair like her daddy's, and a kind and tender heart like his, too."

Diego exhaled a breathy laugh as his eyes once again trailed to the photo within his hands. He hastily wiped at his cheeks to hide his tears. Riley was beautiful, he noted, with curls exactly like Klaus's. He could see his brother in her, and it made his heart smile.

"And Klaus?" Diego's eyes sprung towards Dave's, eagerness in his tone, "how, I mean—is he—"

"Klaus is great, Diego," Dave reassured as he laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "he's clean, sober. His health is great, you know. He's at a healthy weight, he's doing so well. He's happy. Really happy."

"He's happy?" Diego repeated, more to himself than anyone else as he bobbed his head in a nod.

"Yeah, he really is. He misses you, you know," Diego's lip wobbled at Dave's words, "he talks about you all the time. It hurt him, the last time the two of you spoke. He's wanted so desperately to reach out to you, but he was so worried you didn't want to see his face."

"I didn't," Diego admitted through his tears, "I was so angry, Dave. So tired of watching him throw his life away time and time again. I couldn't—I couldn't stand to watch it anymore. But he's - he's good? He's clean, and healthy and he's a daddy?" Diego's words dimmed to a whisper as he looked longingly into Dave's eyes.

"Yeah, he is," Dave informed him, tears filling his own blue eyes, "Klaus is such an amazing dad, too. You would be so impressed, Diego. So incredibly proud."

Diego's lips quivered, more tears tumbling down his cheeks. He exhaled a laugh, just so happy to learn Klaus, his brother who he truly loved very much was finally happy, and loved, and doing so well. His heart soared at the thought. He was so happy for Klaus, so overjoyed that he finally had people in his life who reminded him he was loved, because that is exactly what he was. Dave smiled, wiping at his own tears before he gingerly tugged a photo off of his desk.

"Here," Dave started holding the frame in view between himself and Diego before he said, "see for yourself."

Diego's eyes widened as Dave opened the back of the frame and removed the photo. It was a picture of Riley laying on the ground - by the looks of it, attempting to crawl. She was smiling widely, arms outstretched before her. Dave unfolded the photo, revealing its true full image. Diego's smile broadened as he cupped his hand over his mouth, more tears falling over his cheeks.

There he was, laying on his stomach his arms spread open begging for Riley to crawl to him. His green eyes were bright and full of so much love, and life and his smile was so radiant and so proud. Diego couldn't believe how healthy Klaus looked, how happy he finally truly was. Dave handed the photo to Diego and his shoulders shook with a sob. They were so beautiful, it made Diego so proud. He inhaled a shaky breath, wiping at his tears with the back of his wrist before he returned his attention to the photo. He laughed, a genuine sound while he trailed his thumb over his brother's smiling face.

"He looks amazing," he said as he smiled at Dave, "wow, Klaus—wow."

Diego held the photo against his heart, closing his eyes and tucking his chin to his chest. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this happy.

"God, I miss him so much." He said as he hugged the photo against himself, only wishing it was his brother he was holding instead. Dave wrapped his arms around Diego in a hug, which Diego gladly returned as he buried his tear stained face into Dave's shoulder. Dave held Diego as he cried, he was just so overwhelmed by his emotions that he could no longer hold them in, he didn't want to hide them any longer. Dave rubbed his back as Diego allowed his emotional walls around his heart to crumble as he welcomed his love for his brother to flood back in.

"He misses you, too, Diego," Dave smiled as an idea crossed his mind. Knowing now that Diego missed Klaus, wanted to see Klaus and already having the knowledge of how desperately Klaus wanted the same, he knew he had to help them rekindle their relationship. He had an idea, and he couldn't wait to see the look on either man's face when it came to light. "Klaus misses you too."

—

Authors Note- So, this was a lot to write in this chapter, but a lot had to happen. Yes, Klaus's OD was not an accident...but he is happy and loves his life now! AND DIEGO IS HERE! Stay tuned to see if there is a happy family reunion on the horizon ;)

Thank you to my commenters, I really appreciate you! If you are reading along on this journey, please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you! I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned next week for the next update! :)