{I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart

[myheadisaprison]

PSL with knifethrower/number02

Comments

{Wondering how I could make you stay as I watch you walk away

[ghostphone]

A sharp, piercing scream jolts Klaus upright in his bed, heart hammering his chest, head whipping around for the source of sound. He sees a flash of the hem of an old white lace dress from the closet and groans and flops back against the mattress, chunking a pillow toward the closet door. "Shut up, you freak." He's generally terrified of the ghosts that he can never escape, but the woman in the closet has been there as long as he can remember, screaming like a fucking banshee every night. He's grown mildly used to her in a way he couldn't with the others. She doesn't scream for him. Doesn't reach for him. She just wails all the time. Annoying for sure, and terrifying to wake up to in the dead-middle of the night, but she's somehow milder than some of the others he sees, in his mind. Perhaps because of how long, and how frequently, he's seen her. She was the first, actually, when he was a toddler and no one ever believed him. He stays there for a long while trying to go back to sleep, but he's full of a restless energy that won't let him drift back off. He gives an annoyed huff as he kicks the sheets off and goes over to rummage around in one of the drawers in his dresser for a joint he'd hidden in a pair of socks. On his way out of the room, he grabs the lighter off the nightstand. He pads quietly down the hall, downstairs, and slips out the back door to curl up on one of the chairs outside, legs folded under him in a criss-cross. He rests the spliff between his lips and brings the lighter up to light it, taking in a long, deep drag to hold in his lungs for as he can before he lets the smoke slide out of him.

Re: {Wondering how I could make you stay as I watch you walk away

[number02]

He catches a glimpse in the dark house of a shadow that is suspiciously Klaus shaped, all curly hair and long legs. Diego had woke up needing to piss, he'd been on the way back to his room... but his brother had a bad habit of slipping out the door or a window and coming back wasted. He frowns, following behind Klaus at a distance, quiet on the floorboards so they don't give him away. They don't and Klaus slips out the back door; barefoot and dressed for bed. Probably not going anywhere at all.

His shoulders sag and he stops tip-toeing. With no good reason to complain, he pulls the door back open himself slow but not quiet, finding Klaus already curled up in a chair like a cat. He quickly sees why he snuck outside, whirls of smoke drifting off above his head and a joint between his lips.

"Couldn't sleep?" He asks, voice sounding gruff because Diego had been sleeping. He steps outside, barefoot and shuts the door behind himself. His nose wrinkles at the smell, not exactly the biggest fan of Klaus's new pastime.

[ghostphone]

He tilts his head back to see an upside down Diego behind him. Except it isn't actually Diego who's upside down, of course. Klaus is grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he tilts his head back up right.

"Who's Sleep, never met her." he quips back before taking another long pull from his joint. He can feel the weed already going to work as the knots in his muscles begin to loosen. He hums, a soft, contended noise. "Doesn't look like you have either, or you wouldn't be standing here talking to me, T-- Diego."

The names aren't brand new at a few years in, but sometimes it's still hard to remember to use them, since they were Numbers for so long before Grace finally named them (since Dad never would have). Thank God he bothered to program to care about that kind of thing.

[number02]

A mess. Klaus is always a little bit of a mess and he looks it, head tossed back to look at him. Diego doesn't make him crane his neck much, stepping around to pull up a chair too. His shoulders tense at the fumble; he never liked the numbers. Hated them, but he understands how easy the numbers come to his tongue from a lifetime of using them.

He spends a lot of time wondering why he's sticking around. Wonders how much longer Klaus will.

"I've met her more than you have," he grumbles, sinking into the chair next to Klaus with a soft sigh. He thinks everyone sleeps more than Klaus from how much his brother slips out the window or the door.

[ghostphone]

He giggles at that response, another drag pulled deep into his lungs. "Who hasn't? I think Grace sees sleep more than I do, and she doesn't even need it." He never did get much the hang of calling her "mom" the way Diego has. Sometimes it'll come out, when he isn't thinking, but it's hard to separate it all put in his head.

He tips his head a little to the side, squinting at his brother. "What're you over there thinking so hard about?" To accentuate the point, he reaches across the space between them with his foot and nudges Diego's knee.

[number02]

That's because Diego is the favorite. Not his fault mom prefers him when Klaus is doing shit like this.

"Maybe if you weren't sneaking out all the time," he comments, but he's sure Klaus doesn't need to hear that. The two of them know that he has a hard time sleeping. Diego would have a hard time if ghosts were fighting for his attention too.

He lifts his eyes to glance back over at Klaus when there's suddenly a foot nudging at him. Nothing almost comes too easily to him. He looks away, rolling his eyes at himself more than anything else. It isn't the best topic. "When you're going to stop painting your toenails," he mumbles instead.

[ghostphone]

He just shrugs in the most unbothered, nonchalant way at that. He doesn't care what Diego, or anyone else, thinks about his habits. He has his reasons, and it's just weed anyway. Except when he can talk Vanya into slipping him some of her meds. The numb felony from those is amazing, but he can't get them from her much because Dad would definitely notice.

He snickers, "Why would I do that?" he knows Diego doesn't get it , why Klaus is the way he is about those things. Klaus probably couldn't explain it if he tried, either. But he doesn't really judge him, either. "Do you think Allison would let me borrow that blue skirt she got last year?" It was hit or miss sometimes with their sister on that-- she was particular about which things she let him borrow because she knew there was a very high chance she wouldn't ever see it again.

[number02]

The shit that Klaus does, running away and getting high or trashed, is probably the most normal thing happening in this messed up house. Diego isn't so disconnected from the world he doesn't realize that. Klaus just doesn't do it for shits and giggles, he's got an honest to god reason for getting wasted.

The nail polish, the skirts and heels -- that he doesn't get as much. It isn't some new phenomenon, Klaus has always been like this. Diego has long since stopped questioning it, but lately he's started questioning how his scrawny ass brother makes some of it work for him. His eyebrows pop up at the question and he gives Klaus a look that clearly says, 'are you really asking me this?' Then, he says, "She got it last year, right?" He repeats like he thinks that's important. "If it's that old, you might have a chance with it."

[ghostphone]

He nods a little, like Diego said something really profound. "Yeah, you're probably right." The joint is half smoked now and still burning as it dangles between his fingers, but Klaus is staring at his brother like a puzzle that needs figured out.

"Get stoned with me." He says abruptly, giving Diego a wild, mischievous grin.

[number02]

Diego is definitely not the puzzle here.

He stares outright at Klaus. He's got that wild grin on his face, eyes bright and sparkling with mischief. Klaus said that out of nowhere. Diego has to wonder what even got him thinking that.

He picks his jaw back up and closes his mind. "Where," he fumbles, thrown completely off kilter. He shakes his head a little, the corner of his mouth picking up in complete disbelief. "Where did you get that idea?"

[ghostphone]

"My brain, duh." He quips back immediately with no thought and a playful roll of his eyes.

He knows Diego hates it, or more aptly put, is embarrassed by it, but Klaus has always kind of thought it was cute when he would trip over the words on his own mouth. He won't call attention to it, but he does smile again, something a little softer and more genuine, but still with that twist of mischief to it. "You'd be funnier stoned. Loosen up a little," he shakes his shoulders in an exaggerated way to mime the idea.

"Come on," he drags his feet down to the ground and leans forward over his knees. "just this one time?" despite the gentle press of the request the rr isn't any real pressure being applied, here. He doesn't want Diego to cave because of some weird obligation to a sibling or whatever. He just wants him to have a little fun for once-- and for him to want that, not for it to be forced on him.

He watches curiously as he holds the still smoking joint out to Number Two expectantly.

[number02]

Smartass.

Anyway, he hates it. It's frustrating as much as embarrassing when he can't get his words out right. He's worlds better at it now, but sometimes he still ends up stuttering like a ten year old. It's not like Klaus ever made fun of him for it, so he doesn't get much messed up by the stutter, rolling his eyes at the half-cocked idea. "You're gonna be disappointed when I'm exactly the same."

Weirdly, Klaus has been inspiring. Diego already wondered what it'd be like finally not stuck to the house, but the way Klaus slips in and out only makes him more curious. Makes him think how easy it'd be. Klaus couldn't pressure him if he tried, but he's already more than made Diego curious. He isn't sure how fun this is going to be, but Klaus always seems so easy and carefree when he's high. What's the harm in a little of that?

Diego sighs, elbows resting heavy on his knees, before he reaches over and takes the joint. "I'm coming after you with a knife if I end up in a skirt," he threatens, pointing at Klaus, and utterly unaware a joint isn't going to do that much.

[ghostphone]

There's a heavy sense of anticipation as Diego seems to be going through some kind of internal debate with himself, considering the pros and cons of his options now.

A wide, Cheshire from spreads across his face when Diego actually takes thr joijt between his fingers and there is a flutter of excitement in his stomach, a little pleased disbelief sneaking behind his eyes. Klaus can't believe it, honestly. He thought for sure he would say it was stupid, or echo something Dad has said about pumping poisons into his body--he has so many arguments about how pot isn't poison, thanks--but it's such a pleasant, giddy sort of surprise when his brother does the exact opposite of what he expected, and every ounce of that excitement shows on his face. He doesn't get to share much with his siblings, so it's fun to have something to do so with Diego right now.

He rolls his eyes at the threat, no worries in the least. A second later, he's dissolving into giggles at the idea Diego has put into his mind now. He leans back into the chair again, pulling his feet up under him again, "Ohmygod, Di. Do you think that's why I raid Allie's closet?"

Another burst of giggles escapes him, uncontrollably.

[number02]

Yeah, well. He isn't Daddy's little favorite for a reason. He isn't going to blindly listen to the old man, not when they all know a little pot never harmed anyone. What it does do is make Klaus completely useless for father dearest. Bitterly, Diego isn't very mad about that.

He gives into the curiosity, takes the joint, and can't quite fight off the pull of a smile over how giddy Klaus gets over it. He doesn't think any of their other siblings would take the joint and seeing how pleased Klaus is, Diego thinks maybe it isn't so bad to give it a try. His brother sure loves this, he thinks, looking back at the joint slowly smoldering between his fingers. Then Klaus bursts into giggles and Diego watches him a frown. "How am I supposed to know?" He huffs, looking just a little embarrassed, but he guess it can't really be to blame. Not when Klaus has been raiding their sister and mom's closest since damn near forever.

He raises the joint to finally take a slow pull off of it, he's seen Diego do it plenty, the motion isn't hard to imitate. He thinks, before he's covering his mouth, face twisted up and he's coughing.

[ghostphone]

"Well, it's not, promise." He smirks and watches Diego take his first ever hit of weed--

-- and it goes exactly how everyone's first hit goes and ends in a coughing fit for pure lungs not used to taking in smoke.

"Here," he leans to grab the glass of water off the patio table and plucks the joint from his brother's fingers. "First one is always the worst." He doesn't waste any time in tskin another hit for himself while Diego catches his breath again.

[number02]

Better he take the joint before Diego burns himself with it, not that he's got any interest in holding onto it. The water he happily takes, hunched over his knees and choking on a couple more coughs before he dares take a sip of water, but god, it helps.

When he's cleared his throat and his lungs are, maybe, working properly again, he sits up straighter until he's sinking back into the chair. Then he levels Klaus with a a look. "Remind me again why you do this," he complains.

[ghostphone]

"Aww, baby's first hit of weed," he sings at his brother through another couple of giggles while Diego gets his bearings.

At the question, he shrugs. "Because it feels good," is the immediate, nonchalant answer; then, a little quieter, and not quite looking at him, Klaus admits, "and it makes the ghosts go away."

He takes another hit and considers something. "You need another hit or two, to really feel it... I know an easier way," that might sound like the point where Klaus would explain himself and give Diego the choice... but instead, he is a sudden swirl of motion as he moves from his seat, "Don't freak out, just open your mouth and breathe in," he instructs, before topping off the hit he'd just taken and planting himself in his brother's lap, leaning close enough that if they wanted, they could kiss-- but Klaus doesn't push his luck that far.

Expecting him to do as he asked, he blows the smoke directly into Diego's mouth. Shotguns are so much smoother than direct hits, especially when you're new.

[number02]

Anything he may have felt from choking on the joint, Klaus's quiet confession kills. He swallows any more of his dumb, grumpy complaints then and there. Yeah, maybe he'd really get it if he had dead people following him around. He lucked up with what power he got.

An eyebrows raises at the mention of an easier way, but he isn't expecting it when Klaus moves, not when he ends up right in his lap. Klaus is usually graceful, but his hands still move to grip his brother's waist, hands hesitating before settling properly to keep him balanced. His breath gets stuck in his chest for a second when Klaus leans in close enough for a second Diego thinks he's about to kiss him. He's clearly expecting Diego to listen, so he does.

He tilts his head to lean in just a little more as he breathes in and... it's a smooth hit, doesn't leave him choking or his lungs burning. It's painfully intimate, them a hairs breath away from a kiss. His face is warm, but he doesn't feel half as freaked out as he normally would be. It's nice. "Goddamn," he mumbles, pulling his eyes up from Klaus's lips back to his eyes. Where they definitely should have been from the start.

[ghostphone]

He is glad when Diego doesn't fight him, just goes with the flow of the moment for once. Klaus doesn't miss the way Diego's eyes travel to his lips, lingering there maybe a little longer than he should. It makes Klaus tug his lower lip betwern his teeth, unthinking, but relishing in the moment. He isn't blind-- he knows his brother is hot, and Klaus doesn't feel like it's weird to think that since they aren't technically related anyway... He distantly wonders if Diego may have noticed something in him, too.

"Better, right?" he takes bony fingers through Diego's hair before he decides he shouldn't linger any longer in his lap, dropping gracefully back into the chair he was sitting in moments ago, legs draped over the arm like a heathen.

[number02]

He isn’t blind and Klaus has spent an unfair amount of time in less clothing. Against his own will, his eyes drop back down when Klaus bites at his bottom lip. His eyes slip closed at the and he exhales a shaky breath over the fingers dragging through his hair. That’s... nice. A lot of things are feeling nice right now. “I didn’t almost die,” he agrees in a mumble.

When he’s just found a nice way to take hits, for some reason, Klaus leaves his lap for his chair again, leaving Diego’s hands sitting awkwardly in his lap. He misses the warm weight of his brother for just a second before he relaxes back into the chair. “Can see why you like that.”

[ghostphone]

Diego isn't the only one missing the contact, but he didn't want to make it weird, and he wasn't sure how Diego felt about having him in his lap. So moving made the most sense for the moment.

"Right? Just wait til it really sets in." He wonders if Diego is more of a head high or body high kind of person...

[number02]

It was definitely weird. Klaus is his brother, even if it was only adoptive, but... they’d sure been a couple centimeters away from kissing and Diego hadn’t interrupted. He’s got this soft spot a mile wide, even if Klaus really does look a heathen over there in his chair, never any wiser to how much he messes up Diego’s world.

He couldn’t say, just felt so chill already. Let’s him forget about worrying about whatever, including how close and how nice Klaus had been a minute ago. “What do you even do?”

[ghostphone]

He really is clueless about that-- completely, utterly. and painfully clueless. Although, if he did know, or even have reason to suspect that Diego might have noticed him like that, even the slightest? Well. Diego would be absolutely, one-thousand percent doomed. Because Klaus is absolutely a tease when he thinks someone's into him.

"What. like, after i get stoned?" he shrugs and puts the remainder of the joint out and tucks it away in an old metal cigarette case he'd found once and now carries with him constantly. "Depends... different stuff. Sometimes I just sleep because I can, finally. Sometimes I go for walks or find something to do..." He shrugs again, this one is more unsure, not so easy and nonchalant like the other before it as his gaze drops to his fingers fidgeting idly with nothing. "You don't get how nngh-amazing it is to just... exist like the rest of the world, just for awhile... no gory ghouls or screaming spectres clawing for my attention. It's just--" he slides his hands through his hair and down the back of his head, fingers looping to hang at the back of his neck. "it's nice to just... be."

He didn't really mean to get so deep or heavy all the sudden and it's obvious in the uncomfortable look on his face. "We could like-- watch movies or something. Up in the attic... me and Ben hooked up this," he makes a vague motion with both hands, suddenly in front of him and not hooked around his head. "tape player and we sneak up there sometimes." He isn't deluded enough to think Dad doesn't know about it, but so far he hasn't gotten onto them about it so it must not be the worst thing in the world.

Actually, now that he thinks about it, that sounds like the perfect thing for Diego's first experience high. Just the two of them and some old pillows and blankets and whatever VHS tapes Ben found and hid away upstairs. "Wanna go?" he asks with a grin.

[number02]

He's never been around Klaus to see what a tease he could be, but he knows him well enough that his sense of self preservation seems to think it's better that Klaus not figure this one out. For multiple reasons. Namely because he doesn't know what the heck any of that, uh, interest means, but definitely because whatever Klaus would do would be the death of him.

Klaus isn't always so forthcoming. Diego wonders if it's the setting, them two alone with a joint or... if he just didn't make a habit of asking and listening as much as he maybe should. Klaus always acted happy enough, but Diego isn't used to seeing him acting unsure. It is a little deep and heavy, but Diego cares about his brother even if sometimes he's bad at showing it. Despite the little bit of a high, he pays attention to what Klaus says. "I don't," he admits, agreeing with Klaus that he doesn't get what it's like. He exhales a deep little sigh, gaze lingering on Klaus and the uncomfortable look on his face.

Klaus goes on, talks about this little hang out him and Ben have made, probably trying to get away from how deep the conversation has gotten. It sounds great, though, the kind of fun they don't get to have. Diego can't quite shake it, even when Klaus asks if he wants to go.

He shouldn't be saying but... "Forget what dad says, you know. It's good you get a break." Diego stands up, offering Klaus a hand up from his own chair, not quite able to fight off a smile. "Let's go, it sounds awesome."

When Klaus talks about it, Diego's thought before he would have went crazy not being able to turn that off, not able to even get a moment's peace to sleep. Klaus gets a lot of shit for it, but Diego doesn't think a little weed is that bad.

[ghostphone]

The sudden rebellion against Dad quirks his lips into a smirk. Diego is usually toeing thst line so close, it's kind of a thrill just to hear him say fuck What dad says, even if he didnt...exactly say that. The sentiment is there, and it's nice to have some kind of... approval? about his reasons for his habits.

There's a grin a mile wide as he takes Diego's hand and pulls himself to his feet. "It is! You'll see."

And with that, he leads the way back inside and to the attic. Shoved in the far corner, there s a small old tv and vcr and a small stack of tapes piled haphazardly next to it. There are a few pillows and blankets in a heap on the other side. "Pick whatever," he features vaguely to the movies while he busier himself with setting the blankets out in the most comfortable version of a makeshift bed thst can be managed, tossing the pillows down at the top of them before dropping onto the pallete, legs folded criss-cross under him.