For Hellseher

[the_horror]

Ben was alive and feeling amazing. He had jumped off a building with Klaus's encouragement (Okay so Klaus said NOT to after he did it, but oh well) and ever since Ben had been looking for something else to give him that same kind of rush. Looking to live a little.

Some how that was how they ended up at Club 24, a 24 hour open club, bar, eatery, and what ever the hell else they could cram into the place. It was perfect. Dark with a lot of neon lights on the dance floors, the bar was well places to be off to the side and the music was jumping, giving the night life something fun to dance to.

Ben had never been to a club while alive, and only there when Klaus went, which generally meant the other wasn't all that sober, so enjoying a club? Not really a thing. But now Ben was alive and he could FEEL the bump of the music in his chest. He could understand the need to dance now. He even agreed to drink with Klaus tonight.

Ben had got a simple rum and coke to start the night off, but Klaus poopoo'ed that almost instantly. Not only was a round of shots ordered for them both, but it was a ROW.

"Klaus, I'm not going to be able to get through all this!" he said loud enough to be heard, brows raised and looking over the row curiously. He'd never allowed himself to be drunk before. Was he really going to do it now?

Comments

[channellings]

Oh God, Ben'd heard that? Ugh.

Klaus nods his head, maybe a little too quickly, but it's reaffirming, nevertheless. He's not sure why he's so warm right now; this feeling he can't explain has been a continuous thing hanging over his head for the past few minutes they've been dancing. Addressing it might be best, even if his coherency's gone out the window, into the night and who the hell knows where anymore, except—

Except he's afraid Ben will pull away, leave him standing there like some graceless fool who's overstepped a boundary. His worries are eased somewhat when Ben hugs him firmly, nuzzles him again then kisses him right on his neck. It makes him tremble-- a whole, full-bodied shiver he cannot hide whatsoever. "I, uh..." He knows he should lean back, that way he can meet Ben's eyes, although it's hard to do. "We probably shouldn't. Ben, you... are you okay?" Ultimately, the taller male does withdraw, brings both hands up to cup his brother's face so he can look at his eyes, the smile he'd been wearing earlier wavering.

[the_horror]

he thought he heard that, yeah. He had been close enough at least.

And he had stayed pretty close, humming to the music a bit, and swaying. He wanted to move. Wanted to let the heat run through him. Coherency had gone long ago, and now it was just Ben and Klaus and no one else around. At least he felt like no one else was around.

Had he meant the kiss? Maybe. maybe not. He did enjoy the feel of it. It wasn't anything serious though, right? Just a kiss on the neck. Better then a bite on the neck. Which he could have done.

instead he felt hands touch his face and he leaned back a bit, surprised but smiling. "Mmm, your hands feel cold." He said, and turned to nose nuzzle one hand, eyes closed. Klaus would have to get his attention again, and when he did, he'd see the others eyes were blown. "I feel fine. Fine, fine, fine, Klaus." He hummed, smiling, still swaying where he stood to the music. "I feel amazing, actually. Bet I've ever felt."

Full of honesty and bright eyed at him. He felt great.

[channellings]

Despite the kiss-- no, despite everything that's happening at this exact moment, all Klaus can think about is: what the hell did that girl pop into his brother's mouth? A muscle relaxer? Some anti-psychotic? E? Well, there's one way to figure it out, he supposes.

"Cold?" he inquires, rubbing his thumbs across Ben's cheeks, the left side of his face quirking. "Okay, so that tells me you're warm." Rather than continue standing where someone else might run into them (or what's his nut decides Klaus deserves the beating he was going to give him), he guides them off from the dance floor a ways, doing his best to make sure he doesn't look as worried as he actually is.

It's cute, watching Ben nuzzling into his hands like an affectionate kitten, but he's still too concerned to focus on that just yet. "You feel fine? I'd say you look fine, but your pupils are huge, sweetness. That tells me something is up." He draws them further way, glancing from side-to-side, making certain he's not going to run them into any other people on his way to get closer to the bar.

"Tell me what else you're feeling besides 'fine,' yeah?" He continues leading, eventually sees an open seat nearby and oh-so-gently urges Ben to sit-- and if he won't do that, then he'll encourage him to lean on it, at least.

[the_horror]

"Mmm, very warm. It's hot in here. Feels good though." he explained, and honestly, he could be guided anywhere easy enough. He moved as Klaus moved them, and followed him along. He couldn't tell that the other was worried at all, so good job you.

He was a nuzzler anyhow. A snuggly person if allowed, though it was next to never allowed. Or at least not something he could get away with. Not in this house hold growing up. When ever he was sick or hurt he wanted to be around someone else, but Dad called it weakness. Now he was just touch starved, especially after 12 years being a ghost.

"What's wrong with huge pupils?" He commented, and seemed to smile when called sweetness. Aww cute. "Nothing is up." He then paused, looking up, then frowned. "Oh, there are some balloons trapped up there. Does that count?" And plop, he was seated.

Seated and no longer moving, he leaned back a bit and frowned. "Just fine. And warm. Oh and I want to dance. Why are we sitting? Mmm, everything tingles." he said, pulling Klaus' hand to his cheek again so he could nuzzle into it once more. Holding it there. "What's wrong, Klaus? Dance with me."

[channellings]

"Not sure if it's hot in here or just you. Being fucked up kind of makes it difficult to tell." And he means 'hot,' like, warm? Not 'hot' as in— okay, well, Ben isn't unattractive or anything, but.

Wow, this is not the train of thought he'd been expecting his mind to take. Klaus shakes his head, draws one hand back to scrub over his own face, letting it drop against his side afterward. How fucked up can he get, thinking about how his brother looks during a time like this? He doesn't know for sure, can't think about it too long or else he'll get distracted and lose his definite thought.

"Means you're high as a kite, buddy." Nicknames, he has plenty. Klaus watches Ben look up, tipping his head back momentarily as well to note the balloons hovering above them. Huh. Kind of makes him wish he could get up there and take one, although that'd be impossible... wouldn't it? Who knows. "I mean, something is wrong, Ben."

With Ben seated, he slumps down somewhat, resting a hand on the bar behind them so he can lean close, really get a good look at the other's eyes. "We're sitting because— wait, tingles?" Those, plus being warm and all the extra energy Ben seems to have? Shit, it has to be ecstasy then, huh? "W-Wrong? Uhm." Klaus's head tips to the side, his own widened eyes watching the way Ben's taking his hand, urging it back up against his cheek. "Nothing's wrong! I wanna... wanna dance with you, I really do, but maybe... we could dance elsewhere?"

[the_horror]

Are you sure this wasn't the time for that thought?! But seriously, he was burning up in a good way, or so he felt it was a good way.

Nicknames. He loves nicknames. "High? No way." he said with a smile at first but then it turned to a small frown and he tried to whisper, but it couldn't be heard over the drum of the music. He t least realized that and repeated it. "But there's no way I can get high!!" And repeated it a bit loudly. A couple near buy chuckled at that.

He pressed his cheek into Klaus' hand, letting him get a good look at him. Nothing was wrong. Nothing was wrong, good, very good. "Where do you want to go?" He asked, both hands holding Klaus' hand now as he drew back, keeping contact with him.

[channellings]

Pretty sure, but he could be wrong? He is intoxicated, after all.

"Yes way," he confirms, concern furrowing his own brow yet again when Ben frowns like that. Klaus tilts his head, leaning closer, as if it'd help him understand why the other male is bothered. A bit of a mistake, considering the yelling, although Klaus snorts and withdraws the hand on the bar to clap over his face, successfully muffling his own laugh that comes out. "Swear to you, Ben, you're definitely high."

His fingers tap gently across his brother's cheek, a thoughtful gesture while he ponders how to answer. "Home," Klaus decides, relocating his hand from his own face to Ben's shoulder, giving the slightest squeeze. "We can dance there, okay? I promise." So long as they leave the club, get Ben walking to burn off some energy.

[the_horror]

"No waaaay." he repeated, drawing it out slowly and watching Klaus hide his face with a hand for a moment. Delightfully high? No way! And he tried whispering again but it was a stage whisper. Loud enough to be heard as he leaned in, eyes wide. "I've never been high before!" he said as if this were a secret.

But he had to give a puff of a laugh, surprised at himself. "I think it was that girl. Oh, whoa. It was her, huh. I told you this was a bad idea." Or was it? Or did he? Not at all. This was all a great idea. This entire night was.

But Home? He frowned more at that, drawing his head back a bit. "Home?" He said flatly. "You can't dance at home." Father wouldn't like it--wait, he's dead. But still, home? You can't dance at home. Which is wrong, because they did it all the time when Luther played his music too loud. "I mean, I guess so? But why there?"

[channellings]

Dammit, Ben, stop making him laugh. He's trying to be serious here and his brother being an adorable nerd is not helping the situation even a little. "I know, I know. S'exactly why'm coddling you right now." Somehow, through his drunken stupor. The only excuse he has is that he's done this one too many times with himself, so handling someone else can't be all that difficult.

Klaus's heart leaps up to his throat as soon as Ben mentions the girl then free-falls straight back into his belly, bile rising suddenly in his mouth, the shame clear on his face when Ben says he'd told him it would be a bad idea. He inclines his head, extricates himself from Ben's hold and brings both hands to press against his own cheeks. "M'sorry, Ben. I shouldn't've...let her take you away..."

He drags his hands down his face, taps his thumbs against his chin then reaches back out, fumbling briefly across Ben's sides, drifting up to his shoulders. "We can do whatever the hell we want at home," corrects the taller man, pitching forward to lean over Ben once more. "So I won't lose you again."

[the_horror]

He's not trying to make you laugh with his nerdy ways! "Coddling!" he repeated as if on a gasp, like it was a bad thing or at least a shocking thing. "Oh no, I need it, don't I?" He said with a soft tone, eyes wide and wondering. He was really bad at this huh.

But then Klaus seemed to think it was his fault? That he let the girl take him away? Ben... giggled. Actually giggled not laughed. His hands reached up to cover his mouth, much like Klaus tended to do. "It's okay. I...I liked it. Maybe I shouldn't but... it's good."

And as Klaus fumbles over his sides and up to his shoulders, he looks confused for a moment, then smiles as Klaus leans over him. the touch felt good and he leaned into Klaus, turning his head to nuzzle into his neck now that he was closer. "Okay." He said simply. "We can go home. So you wont... wont lose me again. Again." Mmm, but he liked this. Being close. Did they have to move now?

[channellings]

Emotional whiplash is unfortunately a thing; Klaus has no idea how he should be feeling now, bouncing between worried and happy and feeling like garbage. Was it his fault? Ben had been enjoying himself, didn't seem like he had been fearful of that brief moment where they'd lost one another. "Don't feel bad. Everyone needs a babysitter when they're fucked up."

He's admittedly taken aback by the giggle for a minute, lower lip tucking between his teeth so he can chew for a frantic moment, until Ben says he'd liked it. "She should'a asked you before just slipping something to you, but it'll be okay." Who's he trying to reassure, Ben or himself? Probably yes.

With his brother leaning back into his neck, it's hard to focus on anything except the warmth against his throat, but Ben finally relinquishes and Klaus breathes a mostly silent, relieved sigh. "Let's go, then." He skims his fingers up the side of Ben's neck, moves them to cup his nape and hold him in place while he leans them back somewhat, his other hand dropping to the shorter male's side to guide him off the barstool.

[the_horror]

They're both kind of going through emotional whiplash, really. Ben is back and forth between frowning and smiling and it's hard to focus on one or the other thing. "I was your babysitter for so long." He said about his old ghost self, smiling faintly about it. "I should... should be there for you more still."

He did like it though. He got to kiss a girl, for one. Which was new and rather nice. And for another he FELT great. Felt like he was floating a bit. The warmth and the touches were all great, and he had no regrets, yet. "Mmm, yeah, maybe your right. What if she did ask and I just went for it? Maybe this is... this is on me." He said and snorted a laugh.

His arms looped around Klaus almost lazy like, and he humms softly as he feels the others fingers at the nape of his neck. He slides off the stool to stand but leans into Klaus, arms tightening around his middle to hug him, to hold onto him. His face berried into Klaus' neck. "You smell good. I never noticed that...that before." He said, and pressed a kiss to the soft skin of his neck.

[channellings]

"Exactly." Klaus's expression creases again, teeth sinking into the side of his cheek, momentarily chewing as he argues with himself on what he should say. "You've been there for me this entire time. Let me take over for once, yeah? I may steer myself into trouble, but not you." Because family is something he cares about.

Blinking owlishly toward Ben's answer, he tilts his head, considering this possible outcome, his shoulders slowly lifting. "Maybe? I... wasn't there to see." Not a complaint, just an observation. "It's okay to have liked it and be enjoying yourself, either way."

At least Ben holding onto him will be somewhat easier to lead them toward the entrance they'd come through during the beginning of the night. It may be a bit difficult to do though, what with how the other keeps burying into his neck and hugging him the way he does-- then he mentions him smelling good and Klaus's cheeks are instantly a brilliant shade of red, even before he registers that Ben's kissed him. "That? Oh, it's just, uhm, a new perfume Allison bought me some time back. Figured I'd try it, since we were going out."

[the_horror]

"I trust you." he said firmly to that. Standing with him and leaning into him for a moment. "I know... know you w-wont steer me wrong. I know." he said in full honest mode. He fully believed that Klaus would take care of him better than Klaus takes care of himself.

Which is part of why he felt bad for being high. That was a feeling, for sure. Feeling bad for being high. "I'm a terrible hya-hypo... hypocraaate... Hypocrite." He stumbled over the word badly, frowning after he managed to say it. "I tell you not to do things and here I am doing things I shouldn't. I'm a bad Ben."

He let out a huff of breath and leaned into the other, just wanting to take the time to be close and to hang on him a bit. He sadly didn't notice the blush, but if he had he might have teased him about it. "Allison... she always has the nicest things. You always look nice in her things."

[channellings]

The strangled noise he lets out sounds extraordinarily undignified, but just how easily Ben says those words-- he almost can't believe it. "Damn right I won't," Klaus reconfirms, in case there was any leftover doubt.

Somehow, they make it outside and Klaus's first instinct is to inhale the crisp night air, hold for a long minute then exhale a contented sigh, shoulders rolling at the fleeting chill that zippers up his spine. He can feel the goosebumps rising beneath his jacket sleeves anyhow, lowers one hand from Ben's shoulder to tug the white fishnet he's wearing underneath the hoodie down over his bare midriff, like that's what'll keep him warm.

"No, no, you're not a hypocrite, Ben." He shifts to be standing beside him, tugs the other's arm around his own shoulders and begins walking them down the sidewalk, hoping Ben continues to be oblivious to the ever darkening flush. "She's got real good taste. S'why I kept that skirt I stole from her."

[the_horror]

There was no doubt. Even in his inebriated state he trusted Klaus with his life. He knew he wouldn't do him wrong, even if he did himself wrong all the damn time.

Outside he felt like he got smacked in the face with cold. "Mmm, feels nice." He said on a low breath. He didn't have o bundle up though, as he was running hot right now and it felt good. His leather jacket was all he needed, no hoodie under it tonight. A gray button up was more than fish nets anyhow.

"I am though. I tell you all the time not to do it. Eat eggs instead. Drink coffee. Get a natu-Natural high, but here I am, being dumb and boy are you blushing. You are, aren't you? Haha." He laughed, grinning like a wild cat at the other. "Is it because I said you look hot?" That was NOT what he said, but it's also the truth so...

[channellings]

"Sure does." His body temperature is a bit elevated as well; it won't be a bad thing for him to kind of chill (haha) for a minute, either. He does pause their movements, props Ben up with his shoulder then drops the arm to his brother's waist, winding it around him so he can use both hands to hook his coat's zip and tug it up halfway for some extra warmth. Won't need to stay too breezy now, thanks very much.

And was that necessary? Probably not, but it was easier to make sure Ben wouldn't fall over.

"Eggs are more of a late-night kinda thing for me? And they definitely don't get you high," Klaus punctuates with a chuckle that's promptly cut off the moment Ben notices his face. "What? No, it's from— I mean, maybe a little? Ah, hm." Well, damn, that hadn't worked out in his favor. He sighs, averts his attention to his sneakers and starts the trek toward home again. "Okay, yes, but I'm also rather fucked up." Pause, another snicker. "In more ways than one, it would seem."

[the_horror]

"I'm stable you know." he said as the other wraps an arm around him so he could bundle up. Ben was leaning into him anyhow, but he wanted the other to know he was stable to walk. Or at least he thought he was. He would honestly waver if he did walk alone.

"Eggs are for everything. Every time I mean. Any time. And coffee too. Which sounds good right now..." He hummed, then smiled largely as he caught Klaus in a LIE!Or, no, that wasn't a LIE was it? But he still caught the other blushing, and that made Ben happy. Mostly because HE was generally the one to blush more.

"We're both fucked up. It's okay--Wait. Why are you more fucked up in more ways than one than me?" That sentence was hard to get, but his point being, what did Klaus mean by that last statement. "In more ways than one how? I'm the one on something and drunk." Oh dear.

[channellings]

"Don't care, not going to watch you get hit by a car because I ended up letting you walk by yourself." That's... rather specific, but he makes a fair point. He's well-aware Ben wouldn't be nearly as steady as he's claiming and he isn't going to take any chances.

While they stroll, Klaus makes certain to keep pace with Ben's step, since the other male is relatively shorter than himself. "Hey, guess what my room has? Instant grounds and a tiny electric kettle." So, coffee could very well be possible, if they get home without too much trouble. "Help me get us home and I'll make some."

Ben. Ben, you sweet summer child. "The kind of fucked up I'm talking about isn't... it isn't an intoxicated fucked up, buddy." He shakes his head, hoping the dismissive gesture will be enough to brush it off, although if not, "Nothing to worry your pretty little head over," is what he'll add after a minute or two.

[the_horror]

"Car." he said, frowning about that. "I wont walk into a car. I'm not that... that bad." He said, stepping wrong as he said it and then fixing himself by leaning into the other a bit. Okay maybe he wasn't so good.

He lets the other lead and hums softly to the idea of coffee. "Instant. Five would have a fit and slap that out of your... you hand you know." He informed the other, but smirked, giving a nod. "Sounds good. Coffee is always good for... for a drunk night."

Ben, Ben, the sweet summer child. It would take him a while to get what he meant. Maybe tomorrow when he's sober or clear minded, but tonight he was just confused. "You think my head is pretty?" he said with a soft pout, because he wanted to know what the other was talking about but he was distracted. "It's my hair. It's good hair. Not as good as yours though." He said, and reached his free hand up to fluff at Klaus' hair.

"I like that I can actually touch it now."

[channellings]

"How do you know you won't wander into the street by accident and there's that one guy who can't hit his brakes fast enough?" The moment Ben stumbles, he tightens the arm around his waist, gripping the edge of his coat as he does. "See?" he warns emphatically, lips pressing into a thin line.

Shoulders bobbing in an absentminded shrug and head tipping slightly, he rolls his eyes at the comment, otherwise looking unfazed by it. "Five can bite me. Sometimes, I just need something fast and quick." Which sounds inappropriate when he stops to think about it? Damn double-entendres, although Klaus strives to not linger on that thought. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

By the time he's sober, Klaus'll just be hoping Ben won't remember much of tonight. "All of you is pretty, silly." Especially when he pouts like that, good Lord, but he's thankful his blush doesn't get worse. "Totally agree, though. You've got great hair." His eyebrows arch, contemplative, the faintest smile reaching the edges of his lips after Ben ruffles his hair.

"Me too, as weird as that might sound. Am I... allowed to touch yours?" Wow, this is not sounding any less innocent.

[the_horror]

See? That made him pout still, but he held on a bit tighter a moment and sighed. "One small step. Betrayed by one... one small step." But then he chuckled faintly. "Point made."

"Five might bite you though. Be careful what you wish for. Unless you like biting? If so, I can bite." He said with a snap of his teeth and a snicker, grinning, a flush on his face for it. He forgot they were talking about coffee for the moment.

But Klaus said he was all pretty, and something him him laughed, brightly, and then loudly as they walked down the side walk he let out a whoop. "KLAUS THINKS I'M PRETTY! KLAUS THINKS I HAVE GREAT HAIR! WOO!" He whooped, and then paused, in words and step. Frowning again. "Unless you were calling... calling me pretty silly. All of me is pretty silly. Oh..." Mood swings from hell.

He stood there a moment longer, and reached up to touch his own hair. "You can touch it if you want. It's still pretty soft. I only used a little gel today." Like that was important or something. Ben DID spend a lot of time on his hair.

[channellings]

At least the breath Klaus lets out sounds relieved. "Thank you," he huffs, looking rather satisfied with himself, although it fades as quickly as it'd come, yet the amusement lingers.

"I don't know, I think he'd shoot first. Maybe strangle me?" Oh, no, he's got an evil idea for if that ever happens, but he's refocusing on Ben, trying to resist smirking, even though it's a losing battle. "Are you saying you wanna bite me? Because I've never complained about teeth marks." Or anything pain-wise, let's be honest here.

He isn't anticipating an outburst like this one, ends up withdrawing a moment, his hand moving around to the small of Ben's back when he leans away-- just enough so the screaming won't make his ears ring. "Ben, Ben! Shhh," urges the taller male, lifting his idle hand to cup his brother's face, thumbing across his cheek. "And I'm calling you 'pretty,' of course, but you are silly— shouting into the night like that." Regardless of the fact it's making Klaus blush worse, too.

"Is that why it looks this way? I like it." He glides his hand from Ben's cheek, brushes over his fingers, threads through the slightly gelled strands and smooths them out. "Bet your hair looks sexy pushed back," murmured through a soft chuckle, his fingertips playing across Ben's scalp.

[the_horror]

"Oooh, strangulation. Yeah, that seems more Five." He said with a snicker, joking about it happily. But he had to think about that a moment, humming before grinning. "I think that is a yes. I like biting, maybe. I mean I assume as much. Never complain about teeth, nope." He flashed his teeth a moment then chuckled.

"Hey! Sometimes you just have to shout it out loud. Like be passionate about things, Klaus. Sometimes You... you just, just have to let people know." He said as the other turned his face to face him, telling him he was pretty but silly too. He smiled, leaning into the hand cupping his face. Leaning in closer. Smirking at the taller man. "And you think I'm preeeety. You think I'm seeeexy. You want to kissss me." Stealing lines from Miss Congeniality now, Ben? Yes.

But he nearly purred at the hand going through his hair. His head tips to the hand, letting him play with his hair more. "You can push it back all you like if you think it looks good."

[channellings]

"Now, if only he could reach that high," Klaus snorts, rolling his eyes at the thought of Five attempting to reach up and actually strangle him – Yeah, good luck, half-pint – then his attention is entirely focused on Ben. "You know I'd let you? I'm kind of a masochist, but... I do like biting back when being bitten." He's just saying.

"Sometimes, but right now? I'd rather we not end up getting a noise complaint." Which is funny, keeping in mind his own usual tendencies to ignore such things, though this is Ben. Getting himself thrown into the drunk tank is one thing, letting his brother end up there when he could have done something to avoid it is another. In all fairness, Klaus had quoted Mean Girls literally a few seconds ago, so he's got no room to judge. "Sure do, and yeah, kinda? If you'd let me." The truth serum effects of alcohol will be the end of him (both of them, to be honest) one day.

They're about a quarter of the way home; should they decide to stop and let Klaus continue playing with Ben's hair, it'll be a hitch in their plans, but he does as he's told anyway. He pushes the other male's dark hair back while they walk, using the bit of pomade Ben had mentioned to his advantage to keep the strands smoothed. "There," he decides, grinning wide at the messy, swept-back look he's given his brother. "It'd be better if I wasn't drunk... and if we had more product."