Avoiding Fate

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/13899837.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: Gen, M/M
Fandom: 血界戦線 | Kekkai Sensen | Blood Blockade Battlefront
Relationships: Klaus von Reinherz/Leonardo Watch, (eventually), Leonardo Watch &
Michella Watch
Characters: Klaus von Reinherz, Michella Watch, Leonardo Watch, Steven A.
Starphase
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, To the point that it might be
AU, Won't be as long though, since the manga is ongoing, I'll probably
create my own ending, Sibling Love, Slice of Life, Slow Burn
Language: English
Series: Part 1 of Hello world, I am here!
Stats: Published: 2018-03-07 Completed: 2018-08-18 Words: 32,744 Chapters:
10/10
 Avoiding Fate
by Yuuikida

Summary

Leo thought it would be the end of it, he may have the eyes but he still had his life here.
Despite the odd feeling his stomach every now and again, he felt he made the right choice.

Though the problem with fate was that one can only delay the inevitable for so long.

Notes

I had a thought and it grew into this. I'm not very good in seeing the what if's without it being
too out there. However, I have wondered what would Leo do if he chose differently. So I
hope you enjoy and pardon the grammar.

See the end of the work for more notes

 Chapter 1

“Brother! Let’s go!”

“Coming!

Leonardo got his backpack as he went out the door. He saw his sister and their parents
waiting by the car. He was a bit hesitant about where they were going but he couldn’t blame
them.

This was all for Michella after all.

--

Choose.

Who will be a
witness?

--

“And here we go.” Leo helped Michella into her wheelchair.

“Thank you, brother.” She was glad that her brother was alright. It hasn’t been the best six
months. After that incident, she was unable to see and Leo…well, she didn’t regret the choice
she made but to have to see her brother suffer was something she never wanted him to go
through again. “Are you okay?”

Leo blinked before he nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry Michella.” He then
went behind her wheelchair. “Now let’s get going.” He wanted to bring her to the park since
the weather was better.

Michella nodded before she let her brother lead her out of the house and to the outside world.
Even if she couldn’t see anymore, she didn’t need eyes to know that her tortoise knight was
still reeling from the incident.

--

“Brother? Can I ask you something?”

It was a lovely sunny day as they sat on a bench in front of a lake. They were just taking in
the nice breeze and the warm sun. There were other people passing by; going on with their
daily lives.

“Yeah?” He turned his head.

“Why didn’t you go to Hellsalam’s lot like you said you would?”

Leo was surprised as he opened his mouth. After a moment, he sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“I’m sure it’s not.” Michella smiled.

He chuckled as he hung his head. “Simply that I don’t want to be away from you and our
parents.” It was more than that. At first, he did want to go to Hellsalam’s lot, to find a way to
have his sister’s eyes restored or maybe to get her to walk again. Though, after one sleepless
night, it came to him.

Wasn’t he doing what that being wanted him to do?

What if going there would cause more harm than good?

And what about Michella?

Though it seemed cowardly, he decided to dismiss the plan of going to Hellsalam’s lot and
think of another way to help his sister.

To top it all off, he wasn’t sure if he was the right person in that city. He was normal and
sadly as it was to admit, he was short. He’d be dead within a day. But just like the name his
sister gave him, he refused to back off.

There has to be another way….right?

Either way, he chose to stay and that was what mattered.

“Besides,” He smiled. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else other than here. That’s all.” He
shrugged.

Michella didn’t look as though she believed what he was saying but sighed. “If you say so.”
She then looked around. “So they don’t hurt anymore….the eyes?”

“Not really?” Leo slowly opened them slowly; revealing them. “I mean it’s second nature at
this point….” He trailed off as he felt his sister’s hands cupping his face. He leaned into the
touch. “You know…I’m not mad….”

Michella nodded. “I know.”

“You thought you made the right choice at the time.”

“Yeah.”

“I…I would have….” He sighed. “I was so scared Michella….I couldn’t move….” He started
to tear up. “I….I could have….”

“Leo.” Michella firmly cut him off. They didn’t get to talk about it after it happened. The past
six months was just hell for both of them. Leo’s pain, Michella’s other loss and their parents
who were just at their limit. Of course they didn’t want this to happen but it did and now they
have to make due with what they got. “I’m not sorry but I do feel bad for putting you through
that. I…I was scared too….”

Leo sniffled as he leaned his forehead against Michella’s. “Yeah….” He chuckled weakly.
“We’re just a couple of scared children, huh?”

“You got that right.” Michella nodded. “So, we’re okay?”

“Yeah, we’re okay.” It was a start though. Leo then sighed dramatically. “Ah….but I’m going
to miss this…just everyday with you and all. I have to back to school eventually.” He was
already in Community college and had to take time off. Now that he was mostly better, there
was no reason to stay away.

Michella giggled as she let one of her hands cover Leo’s eyes. “Hold on, mister. How are you
going to hide those eyes?” She was mostly teasing.

“The way I have learned to hide them; by seeing through my eye lids.” Leo grinned.

“That’s so weird.”

“Shut up.”

“Though you are right, life is still moving forward. Maybe we should too.”

Leo gently took her hands into his. “I’ll find a part time job, okay? I’ll earn some money for
you and maybe…just maybe we’ll….” He didn’t want to say it.

With a giggle, she nodded. “I know. Baby steps, right?”

He smiled back at her. “Right.”

--

Leo thought it would be the end of it, he may have the eyes but he still had his life here.
Despite the odd feeling his stomach every now and again, he felt he made the right choice.

Though the problem with fate was that one can only delay the inevitable for so long.

--

Two weeks later

“In our latest story, there has been a string of murders in the town of…”

Michella frowned as she was sitting on the couch. “That’s awful….” She then furrowed her
eyebrows. “Wait, that’s in the next town over.”

A jingle of keys caught her attention as the front door opened.

“I’m home.” Leo went inside of the house.

“Welcome back.” Michella smiled. “How was school?”

He sighed deeply. “Long.” It wasn’t terrible but the classes seemed to drag on and on. Not
that he had a choice if he wanted to get good grades and keep his scholarship. “And you?” He
then frowned. “You haven’t been sitting there for long, did you?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Michella waved it off. “Dad helped me before he and mom left.”

Leo slowly nodded. “Right.” He supposed that it could have been worse. Their parents are
slowly getting around. It was much better than the alternative. “Did you eat anything for
dinner yet?”

“I’m okay. I’m not hungry.”

“Nope, not having it.” Leo went and sat next to her. “You need to eat. It’s not healthy.”

“Oh look who’s talking, Mister stick.” She went and poked his cheek. “And don’t think I
haven’t notice you sneaking in fast food in this house.”

“I—How--?”

“Brother, you smell like grease and fries sometimes.” She was mostly joking.

“Oh shut up.” Leo was grinning as he sighed. “Fine, fine. You have a point. You’re still
eating though.”

Michella pouted but didn’t argue. “Fine, but you’re cooking.”

“You say that like I had a choice.” Leo joked before looking at the tv. He frowned. “I think
that’s enough bad news for now.” He picked up the remote. “How about a movie?”

What he didn’t see before switching channels were the markings on the victims’ skin.

--

Somewhere in Hellsalam’s lot

“Klaus, I got something for you.”

A broad and seemingly intimating man was sitting behind a desk, working on something in
his computer when he looked up. “What is it, Steven?”

“We have some intel on the incident that has occurred six months back.”

“Ah, on the edge of the city I assume.” Klaus closed his laptop as he was given some papers.

Steven nodded. “We still have little to nothing about it other than it simply happened.
However, a photo was taken by a tourist passing by finally reached the surface….as well as
another picture that was taken recently.”
“I see.” Klaus got the two pictures in his hands as his eyes softened. In the first photo, there
was a family who was huddling in the middle, a father, a mother, a daughter and a son. The
daughter had her eyes closed and looked so sad and yet the son…

The son looked as if he was in pain.

“How did the tourist managed to get this picture?”

“I talked to them and they said that the son just started screaming out of nowhere and stated
that he was just fine before. The one second then the next sort of scenario.”

“Mm.” Then he saw the second picture. Obviously, it was taken from afar but he can see
something that stood out. “…His eyes.” He breathed out.

Steven nodded. “Yep, I’m still trying to prove its legitimacy of this photo but I am certain,
this is who we are looking for.”

Klaus nodded as he placed the photo down; a photo of the same daughter and son but in a
park of some sort. The son’s eyes were open and they were emitting bright blue light.
“Steven, contact everyone and bring them in for an emergency meeting. Time is of the
essence.”

“You got it.” Steven nodded as he whipped out his phone.

“And make sure this is all discreet; we don’t know who else has made the same connection.”
Or had seen the photo before them.

--

Leo yawned as he was trying to pay attention in class. It was only around 10am and he was
about to pass out. He was sitting by the window in one of the rows of tables so he idly looked
out to hopefully stay awake.

That was when he saw it.

It was faint and small but he can see it. It was lurking behind a tree. A cat maybe, or even a
lonesome deer, he wasn’t sure but he has a bad feeling about it.

It was if whatever it was, was staring straight back at him.

“Leonardo….Leo!”

He was startled back into the classroom as the teacher and some of the other classmates were
looking at him. His face was pink from embarrassment. “Y-Yes.”

“Someone from the Student Service center is calling you. You better get a move on.”

Getting up, he put his books into his backpack before he nodded. “Okay, what room?”

“I believe….” The teacher was reading the notice. “202.”

Huh, that was one of the lesser used rooms. Must be important. “Okay.” Getting out of his
chair, he left the classroom with the notice he was given in his hand.

--

Leo knocked on the door once he got there.

“Come in.”

That was a voice he never heard of before. Hesitantly, he opened the door. “Hello? I got a
notice about coming here. Is there a problem in my financial aid?”

“I believe you have more problems than just money, young man.”

Leo looked over and was blown away at the person before him. He gulped as he saw a smile
on that face but it was far from happy.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Steven Starphase.” His smile widened. “And I believe
you’re in quite some trouble.”

--

END
 Chapter 2
Chapter Notes

I'm so happy about the feedback! Though at the same time, I'm not sure if I can deliver
as great a chapter as I did for the first one but I have done my best. So if things don't
make sense, don't worry it will....eventually.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Michella was at home, reading a book in brail writing. She was sitting outside while her
mother was inside and her father at work. The air around the family in general is still a bit
tense but it was getting better, at least in her opinion.

Thinking back to that day, she stared down at that being. The last thing she saw before it went
dark was those fingers reaching for her eyes. Though what she could never forget was her
brother’s screams; calling out for her.

Her fingers paused at that. She never faulted her brother to being scared and frozen at the
time. In their years as siblings growing up, he would always protect her. Yes, they were just a
pair of siblings that annoy each other, they weren’t any different than anyone else. But that
wasn’t bully or a strange looking man that they faced.

Even so, for once, she protected her brother from a world of darkness even if that meant she
would be in that position as a result.

Though she had wondered from time to time if her brother really being here is really for the
best. She loved her brother and would rather have him stay. Of course, she would want that,
what little sister wouldn’t if the thought of her older brother leaving saddened her? But she
had to wonder if him being at home is holding him back.

Of course, her brother would never admit that. He would say that being with her and home
again was the right choice. He had the eyes but not even god himself would force him to a
city of wonder and danger. She always admired his stubbornness and his way of moving
forward.

He was her tortoise knight, after all.

She sighed with a smile. “Another problem for another day.”

Just then a fancy car pulled just on the street and outside the home.

Michella heard doors opening and closing before a pair of footsteps went up to her. She
couldn’t see obviously but she can feel the gaze on her as she looked up. “May I help you?”
“Excuse me miss.” A polite voice answered. “May I have a bit of your time?”

--

“N….Nice to meet you….” Leo finally spoke up after a fill minute of him internally freaking
out and his eyebrow twitching at this weird situation he was in. ‘Fuuuuuck, this is bad! D-
Did I do something? Did I commit a crime?! What else would a guy would just ask for me? I
can’t think of anything---’

“Young man.”

“Y-Yes?” He squeaked before he looked up at the other. He then gulped. “U-Um, I’m
Leonardo Watch….sir.”

The man hummed. “Pleasure. Why don’t we have a sit and have a chat?” He gestured to the
table and two chairs.

“Ah, but my classes—”

“Don’t fret, I already notified your teachers. You already missed six months from that
incident with your eyes, another day won’t hurt.”

“Well yeah but….wait…” Leo frowned. “How did you…?” He was on guard; how did this
man know anything about him? And his eyes?

Steven walked over to the table and sat down. “Have a seat, young man.”

Leo glared at the man. “And if I refuse?”

The older man chuckled. “Good point, I can’t force you. But I wonder….” He pretended to
think. “If your sister might be able to talk to me. I bet she would be more willing considering
her circumstances.”

A pit of anger burned inside of the young man as he gritted his teeth. With a frustrated growl,
he stomped towards the table and sat down. “Fine. Let’s chat.”

“Excellent.” Steven smiled. “Now then,” He placed a hand under his chin. “Let’s chat. I think
we have a lot to talk about.”

“Sure.” So far, Leo wasn’t very keen on this guy. “How about we start with how did you
know about my eyes.”

The older man shrugged. “You mean the All-seeing eyes of god? Not much.” He leaned back;
savoring the surprised look on Leo’s face. “It’s an artifact that it elusive item in this world
and the other one. But you would probably know more about that, right?” His sharp eyes
landed on Leo.

The young man, to his credit, didn’t say anything but he gulped; obviously nervous.
“This photo, you see, surfaced. About six months ago in fact.” Reaching into his suit, he took
out a photo and placed it on the table. “Have a look.”

Leo looked over and there was his family; his father, mother, Michella and then him. “H-
How?”

“And then there’s this photo.” He took another photo out of his suit pocket. “Personally, this
seems invasive but I believe it confirms what I’m talking about.”

The second photo showed him and Michella sitting on a park bench. She was cupping his
face and his eyes….his eyes were open. Who took this picture? How did they do it? Weren’t
they alone?

Steven saw the confusion and dread in his expression. He pulled back a bit on the inside.
“Young man, whatever you think you can accomplish by hiding in your home town, I’m
afraid your secret might have been exposed one way or another.”

That struck a chord in Leo as he suddenly slammed the photos on the table. “I wasn’t trying
to hide anything!”

The older man’s eyes widened in slight surprise. He then sighed. “Then why?”

The young man calmed down a bit as he slumped on his chair. “Six months ago, I saw a
being that made us choose. Be a witness or don’t be. M…My sister chose…to be blind in my
stead.” He choked up a bit before he sniffled. “I knew having these eyes aren’t something you
can hide easily but I wasn’t trying to do that.”

“What was it that you were trying to accomplish?”

Leo looked drained but still slightly hopeful. “I was trying to get on with my life; with my
family.” His smile was weak and thin. “I rather be with my family then have some God tell
me what I should be doing with those eyes. That’s all.”

Steven hummed as he leaned back on his chair. He had to admit, this young man was
tenacious. Despite his stature, he was no fool. Somewhat naïve but not a fool. He liked him
already. He smiled. “I admire your willingness and bluntly, stubbornness. Sadly, your life
won’t be the same anymore.”

“My eyes are exposed, right?” Leo recalled. “Then….what can I do? I can’t have Michella
and my family hurt because of me.” Somewhere inside of him, he knew it was only a matter
of time before his eyes attracted attention, he just wished it was much later then sooner.

“I wouldn’t go that far. Thankfully, that’s where I come in.” Steven smiled.

“What do you mean?”

Reaching into his suit pocket for the third time and got out a business card.

Leo was wondering if the man was magician as well.

Though when the young man took it, he looked it over. It had the man’s name and yet what
got his attention was the name under it. “L…Libra?”

--

Libra is a secret organization within Hellsalem's Lot, dedicated to protecting the

balance between Earth and the Alter-World.

--

“So, are you guys are the police or something?” Leo asked as he found himself in a car.

“Not quite.” Steven was on his phone, texting someone. “While on some occasions we do
work with them, we’re not exactly friends.”

“Eh? Why not? You help people, right?”

“In the grand scheme of things, yes. However, we end up making some enemies either way.
While we do our best to protect the city and maintaining the balance, it’s not as if we abide to
the law; strictly speaking.”

--

“Though there are many of us in the city, a small group of us handle the cases directly.”
Steven continued as he was picking out what cereal box to get. “We came from various
backgrounds but our goal is the same. We don’t ask where we came from or how we
managed to be at this point; we just trust each other to get the job done.”

“I see.” Leo nodded as he was getting some candy. Maybe Michella would want some too.
“And I come into this because….?”

“Well the incident happened at the edge of the city so technically it’s still around the city.”
Steven pushed the shopping cart towards the young man. “Plus, it happened to an outsider.
You wouldn’t believe the kinds of things that slip out of the city from time to time. We also
work with that as well.”

“You mean…” Leo had to snap his mouth shut as a woman holding a basket was walking by
them. When she was gone, Leo looked up. “S-Shouldn’t we lower our voices?”

Steven chuckled. “To her, we could be talking about a game or perhaps some Japanese
cartoon. Most human hear things and dismiss them as nonsense. To the outside world, we
don’t exist.”

That made sense. “So, you’re just in Hellsalam’s lot?”

“Right.” Steven took the candy that Leo had and put it in the cart. “Let’s move on.”

--
 “The point that I’m making is that your eyes, whether you like it or not, are rather useful as
they are frightful.” He added as the car pulled into a driveway. “Sooner or later someone,
either human or otherwise might find out and would try to do anything to have you in their
possession. And frankly, it would be terrible to both friend and foe.”

Leo hated it when the other was right. “And so, what? You and this Libra are going to take
me away to like, safeguard me or something?”

“We’ll talk more about that later. Now, let’s get going.”

The young man then sighed before he paused. He groaned. “What the hell….?” He then
looked at the older man. “We were grocery shopping, huh.” All this talk about Libra and his
curiosity of it all got the better of him.

“Oh right.” Steven chuckled. “A friend of mine texted me that we needed to do a favor so we
made a pit stop.”

Leo wasn’t sure if he should be annoyed or impressed. Adults were crafty. “Wait, a friend?”

“Yes, a good friend and someone in Libra who wanted to meet you.” He looked ahead. “Oh,
there he is now.”

Looking where the older man was looking, there was his sister, Michella who was giggling
about something. “Michella!”

“Ah, brother.” She turned her head to his voice. “Welcome back!” She then turned to the
other occupant. “That’s my brother, Leo.”

“I see, so this is him.”

Leo got a good look at the other person as they stood up and well, he was getting an eyeful.

“This is my dear friend I was telling you about.” Steven supplied as the person walked up to
him.

‘Whoa….’ Leo looked up at the other. “Y-Your friend, huh.”

Soon they stood in from of the other and bowed before going up again. “It’s a pleasure to
meet you, Leonardo Watch. I’m Klaus Von Reinherz; Leader of Libra.”

“N….Nice to meet you.” Déjà vu, anyone?

--

END

Chapter End Notes

I'm taking into account that since Leo didn't go to HL and in turn didn't find out about
Libra along the way, he knows nothing of them.

And there's no way in hell Zapp is leaving the city, giving his ability to somehow screw
things up.
 Chapter 3
Chapter Notes

I honestly don't like how this turned out but the point of it was made so I'm okay with
that. Also sorry if the characters aren't really themselves, again I don't want this story to
be in some hiatus because I wasn't able to write it. So please enjoy and comment!

It was as if life was playing in frames for him during the next hour if that moment, or rather a
series of moments.

Leo thought that one person from this libra thing was bad enough, but fate decided to
introduce him to the leader of said group. And what he thought of whatever the leader could
be was far from the truth.

--

“Look, Klaus. I got the groceries.” Steven smiled with the bags; as if he was overlooking
Leo’s inner turmoil on purpose.

“Thank you, Steven.” Klaus nodded before turning back to Leo. “I apologize for the sudden
visit. I would have gone to see you myself but Steven assured me that he would handle it. He
has filled you in, yes?”

At that moment, Leo would like nothing more than to give the man next to him a long and
hard gaze that came from the depths of his soul. However, he was outside and at the very
least, the leader, Mr. Klaus, was being polite and sorry on his part. So, he sighed heavily.
“More or less.”

“Excellent.”

“Brother!” Michella smiled as she was moving her wheelchair on her own down the
sidewalk.

“Whoa, whoa!” Leo was there to stop her at least. “Don’t be racing down here! This isn’t the
fast and furious.” He half joked.

“Sorry, Sorry.” Michella giggled. “Ah, nice to meet you sir.” She smiled at Steven. “Mr.
Klaus has told me a lot about you.”

Steven chuckled. “Good things, I hope.” He joked.

“Only the best things, my dear friend.” Klaus hummed.

Leo was a bit flabbergasted. It was if they were in some dinner party in one of those tv shows.
Then again, Michella had the sort of charm to make things more casual then it should be.
God knows, he couldn’t do that.

“Anyway, we should go inside.” Michella smiled. “Those groceries aren’t going to put away
themselves.”

Klaus nodded. “Quite right.” He looked at Leo with a smile. “May I take those bags,
Leonardo?”

“Uh…sure…” He gave the taller man the rest of the groceries.

“Thank you. Let’s head inside.” Klaus stated.

“Sure thing.” Steven nodded.

As the men started walking to the house, Leo started to follow, a bit hesitantly. Though he
only got to two steps before he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked back at Michella. “What’s
up?”

Michella was frowning but it was slight. “Brother, I’m not saying we should trust them. But
let’s hear them out….okay?” Her blind eyes were up at his face.

Leo was a bit relieved. Michella was getting that vibe too. “Yeah, I know. Come on. Let’s get
inside.” Placing a soft hand over hers that has his sleeve, he smiled. “Okay?”

“Okay.” She let go out that sleeve but held his hand instead. “My tortoise knight.”

“Say that to those guys and consider yourself disowned.” He bluntly said before smiling and
going behind her to wheel her back to the house.

Michella laughed as they held hands.

--

“Leo.”

The young man turned his head and there was his mom who was leaning on the door frame.
“Yes?”

His mother smiled a bit. “This must be a shock for you too. Having some gentleman and his
friend to show up in such a manner.”

“Ah, yeah….sorry.”

His mother was a bit surprised. “I’m not saying it’s your fault. I’m just pointing out the
obvious. Although,” She walked into the kitchen. “Should I be worried?”

It was a simple question, yet a very heavy one. Though, it was justified. Two strangers, both
grown men in a family home while the family themselves know very little about what was
happening. Of course, it would raise suspicions.

Then he heard Michella laughing from the living room.

Leo turned to that sound before looking back at his mother. “I think it would be bad if you
weren’t.”

“…You’re right.” His mother sighed out; unaware that Leo can see her fingers trembling. “I
wish your father can come home but sadly he’s being held up at work. But never mind that,
it’s not as though him being here would make a difference.” She crossed her arms. “I thought
we were done with that sort of business.”

He couldn’t blame his mother for saying that. At first it did seem like a good idea when they
arrived there those six months or so ago. He couldn’t blame her for her distress from her
daughter’s blindness and her son obtaining some otherworldly eyes and be in pain for so
long.

You just can’t hide that sort of thing from a mother.

“I know.” Leo sighed. “But this isn’t going to go away. Not like I was hiding it but laying it
safe hasn’t worked either. Michella told me to hear them out so I will. And don’t worry mom,
whatever happens, I’ll make sure nothing bad happens again.”

His mother was silent before a moment before there was a soft laugh that escaped from her
lips.

“Mom?”

“Sorry…” She was wiping some tears from her eyes. “It’s just that…you have grown up so
fast; you and Michella both. Maybe your father and I have been selfish in what we did but
I’m glad we still have our children. You’re an adult now but you’ll always be my baby boy
like Michella is my baby girl.”

“….Geez mom, where is this coming from?” Leo felt like crying as well. “We have people
over.” He weakly explained. He was just glad that she didn’t fault him for what happened.

“I know, I know.” His mother laughed softly. “Well then, what should we do?”

Good question.

Leo hummed. “Well, I guess you can go and see how’s dad doing. I mean, they just want to
talk so I’ll talk to them.”

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“Yes, I’m sure.” He nodded. “I’ll call you when it’s over.” He was putting on some airs
saying such things but even if his mother was there with him, it wouldn’t make much of a
difference either.
His mother nodded. “Then I’m off. I’ll pick up some dinner…so…” She looked hesitant. “So,
I’ll be back.”

“Okay, tell dad we said hi when you see him.”

“Sure.” Leo watched his mon gather her things and left through the back door. He sighed.
Despite it all, they were all trying their best.

--

“Sorry for the wait. Um…I got some soda if you want something to drink…” Leo thought it
looked very dumb holding some soda cans. It was only him and Michella for now.

“Ah, thank you.” Klaus took one can.

“Thanks.” Steven took another can. “Will Mrs. Watch be joining us?”

“Nah, she’s going to get dinner for all of us.” Leo replied as he sat on a chair. “So, it’s just
us.” He leaned back.

Something passed between the two men before the air changed in the room.

“Perfect, then we’ll just get right to it.” Steven took a sip of soda before he placed the can on
the table.

Klaus nodded before he placed his own can down as well. “Leonardo and Michella Watch,
allow me to explain myself and our presence here today.” He clasped his hands together on
his lap. “As you two know already know, we are from Hellsalam’s lot and part of an
organization called Libra. We are the ones that fight and protect the citizens from the wrong
doings and those who wish to disrupt the delicate balance that is the city itself.”

That Starphase guy already explained it to him before but the way Klaus explained it, it was
as if it was all new information to him.

“Now the last thing we want to do is to cause trouble to a family but sadly, this isn’t
something we can’t ignore.” Klaus continued. “The incident you both went through has been
known, to who other than us, is unknown but we have reason to believe that the probability
that someone of ill intent might be curious and try to find you is exist.”

Leo gulped. Again, he had been told that before but the expression the other had made the
reality of it all even more real.

“Um…” Michella raised her hand a bit as if they were in school again. “Not to interrupt but
how is it that you know what my brother has?”

“Well little is known about the all-seeing eyes of god.” Steven answered for Klaus. “But we
have read whatever information we can get that from them. However, our knowledge is as
limited as anyone else’s as the eyes are something that even the otherworld knows just as
little as us humans.”
Leo took her hand gently. “Well I can’t imagine someone who knows everything about it…
other than….”

Klaus nodded. “As such, this sort of thing is well within Libra’s capabilities. An outside
event is no different than one that occurs within the city. Your safety, Leonardo Watch, is our
top priority. As such, we need to discuss what to do from this point on…”

Michella’s hand squeezed Leo’s. “Like what?”

The two men looked at each other before Steven sighed. “Listen, this isn’t something that we
would condone in the grand scheme of things but there is one suggestion that would work for
all of us…”

“You mean…” Leo spoke out softly. “I have to…go to the city?”

“Yes.” Klaus nodded. “In order to protect you. It would a wise choice to come to Hellsalam’s
lot. There, individuals of great ability will be able to protect you if such threat comes your
way. We will be there to assist, that I can assure you.”

“But…I can’t—”

“Young man, this is a serious matter and we cannot overlook this over any longer.” Steven
frowned. “Don’t make it any harder for anyone involved than it should be.”

Klaus looked at his friend with wide eyes. “Steven---”

“No way…” Leo murmured.

“Brother.”

“I said no way!” Leo shouted as he stood up from the chair and went out the front door. He
opened the door and slammed it shut.

Michella winced at the sound. “….Brother…” She murmured sadly.

A beat of silence filled the room before Klaus stood up from the couch. “Please excuse me.”

When the front door opened and closed quietly, Steven sighed. “Well someone had to be the
bad guy or else it won’t get through to him.”

Michella blinked before smiling. “Even tortoises get snappy, you know.”

--

It didn’t take that long or even that far for Klaus to find him. The young man was sitting on
the grass in the front yard. He was staring up at the sky. Calmly and slowly, he approached
the young man and sat down next to him. He didn’t say a word for a full minute before he
sighed through his nose. “I apologize on my friend’s behalf.”
Finally, Leo sighed. “I…I get it. I’m still mad but I get it.” He then opened his eyes a bit.
“You know…ever since I got these eyes, the sky became clearer.”

Klaus hummed. “I see. Sadly, the sky in the city is covered by the fog and the clouds.
Haven’t seen much in the three years I have been there.”

“…Mr. Klaus…what made you want to go and defend such a city?” Leo eventually asked.

The man sighed as he leaned back. “I have my reasons. One of those was what I was trained
to do. To defend humanity from creatures that wish to harm them. When the city came about,
I knew that it won’t the same, not for anyone. If someone has the ability to do something then
I will be that person.” He looked at his right hand and curled it into a loose fist. “Even if I
cannot go home, I do not regret my choices nor will I ever.”

Leo stared at the man. Though the other wouldn’t know, he could see a fiery aura around
him. He wondered what was going on in that head of his yet at the same time, he thought he
got a small gaze into the man’s heart. He had no ties to the city not any obligation to do
anything. Yet, he went and did so anyway. This man was nearly unreal.

And the earnest tone of his made Leo’s heart flutter a bit.

“Leonardo Watch.”

“Ah, yes?”

Klaus gave him a very faint smile. “Despite what Steven has said to you, you do have a
choice in the matter. We only wish for your safety and the safety of your family. Though most
of us can’t venture out of the city for long, you have my word that we will do everything that
we can to help.” He placed his left hand on his chest. “Anything.”

“…..” Leo closed his eyelids before he sighed. “You say that I have a choice but I didn’t. Not
since that day.” He gritted his teeth a bit. “To be some witness to the city, to a huge whatever
was going on….I didn’t ask for that. Neither of us asked for that!” He then opened his eyes
wide for the other to see; bright, glowing and fed up. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to
be forced into something that is out of your control; to be some tool for someone’s
enjoyment!?”

After screaming such a thing, it went quiet for a moment. Just the sounds of crickets and an
occasional hoot of an owl.

“….To some extent…yes.”

Leo’s frustrated faded somewhat. “You mean….?”

Klaus nodded. “It was a long time ago. I rather not dwell on it when I could help it.”

Despite how angry he was, Leo felt bad for bringing up something bad for the other. He
wasn’t the only one suffering, he knew that. “I-I didn’t mean to…bring up some nasty stuff…
uh…sorry…”
“You were cornered in ways that even I couldn’t understand. You have every right to be
angry.” Klaus nodded. “As I said before, you have a choice in this. Whatever path you take, I
will not fault you for it. We are all human after all.”

This man was something else. He was talking in a way that no one else he knew would,
polite, honest and a little blunt. Though, to know that someone won’t force him into
something he wasn’t going to do, besides Michella, was comforting. He smiled.

“Well—”

An explosion rumbled out of nowhere, sending trembles where they were.

“What the…?” Leo stood up.

Klaus was already on his feet as he looked around.

“Klaus!” Steven opened the front door. “What happened?”

Soon the leader of Libra caught sight of smoke that was going up into the sky. “A fire?”

Leo looked where the other man’s eyes were seeing and he gasped. “Oh no…”

“What it is?”

“That smoke…it’s coming from my dad’s office!”

--

END
 Chapter 4
Chapter Notes

I don't have any excuse other then the fact that my muse hasn't been with me for a while.
There might be some inconsistencies in certain parts of the chapter but if the whole
point of it gets through then I'm happy. Also this will be split into two chapters so this is
going to be one part-ish of the two chapter bit.

So please leave a comment and enjoy~

See the end of the chapter for more notes

An explosion is never a good sign for anything. An explosion at his father’s office was
downright horrifying. He could only stare at the smoke coming up with tears in his eyes
before he felt a warm hand on his back; making him gasp and turn to the person with a
stressed expression.

“Leonardo.” Klaus frowned softly. “Are you okay?”

“…Okay…okay?” Leo chuckled hysterically. “My dad’s office is in flames and---!” He

gulped. “I…sorry…” He didn’t even realize that he was shaking.

Klaus shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize for that. It was a rather insensitive
question.” He murmured.

“No, I mean---”

“Hey!” Steven ran down to the pair. “Klaus, we need to go.” He had a sinking feeling about
the cause of the explosion.

With a nod, Klaus looked back at Leo. “I’m sorry but we’ll be back.” He moved to walk with
Steven but was tugged slightly back by a smaller hand.

“H-Hold on! You can’t just go there! We need to call 911 and let the authorities handle this!”
Leo argued. Even if they are this Libra, there’s no way they can handle something as horrific
as a burning building!

Steven sighed with a slightly cryptic smile. “I’m afraid that we need to. Otherwise, the
situation might get worse.” Those eyes though gave off the feeling that this was just more
than some accident.

Placing a hand over Leo’s, Klaus gave him a reassuring smile. “Please don’t fret, I promise
we will come back.” Gently tugging off the other’s hand, he went into the car with Steven
and drove off.
Michella was at the front door, unable to see but just knew that her brother was just standing
there on the front yard.

--

As it turned out, getting to the burning building proved to be more difficult than either men
would anticipate. Already there was a crowd around the accident, barred off with tape and
fences. The firemen were at the scene and were trying to put out the fire but it was burning
and burning fast.

“This isn’t good.” Steven frowned; knowing that in the outside world, neither of them has
any authority to go through.

Looking around, Klaus’s eyes landed on a familiar person who was sobbing with another
fireman. “Mrs. Watch!”

Mrs. Watch’s head snapped up at the call before she ran up to the two. “Mr.Reinherz!
Mr.Starphase! What are you doing here?”

“Are you okay?” Steven asked.

“I’m fine…but…my husband…” She looked up at the building. “He’s trapped in there
somewhere! I was just talking to him and the next thing I know, I was out here.”

A cackling reached Klaus’s ears before he looked up and at the roof of the building and saw a
dark figure with a twisted smile. His own eyes widened before another explosion erupted;
one bigger and stronger than before.

The force of the explosion knocked those close enough down and the rest was in a panic.

“Steven, take care of Mrs. Watch!”

“Wait, Klaus!” Though it was already too late, his friend took an emergency blanket from a
distracted fireman and ran into the building. He clicked his tongue before moving the mother
away from the building. “I hope it’s not what I think it is.”

--

Meanwhile

Leo almost fell over where he stood. Something wasn’t right. His dad’s office wasn’t that
close to them. A twenty-minute drive, half hour at most. No way should the tremors even be
that bad. There shouldn’t be any at all!

“I…I wonder…” Leo gulped as he slowly opened his eyes. Truthfully, he only used his eyes
once and it was by accident. He didn’t want to but…

His eyes glowed bright and blue compared to the dark of night. Glancing at the smoke, he
widened his eyes a bit more, causing another pair of the eyes’ markings to pop out, as if he
was using binoculars. Soon enough, he saw bits and pieces of sparks. If that wasn’t weird
enough, he saw a pair of bright red wings within the smoke.

He felt his eyes starting to strain. He can feel the temperature in his eyes getting warmer, like
putting a hand on a heating stove. Then he saw something on the creature.

Letters?

What’s that all about?

Is that like a code or something?

He then paused.

Wait.

No.

No no no.

This wasn’t his business. Klaus and Steven can handle it, right? They probably knew what to
do, right? They can go and maybe help but what about his dad and everyone? If nothing is
done--!

“Leo.”

He had to slowly close his eyelids, the heat was just borderline painful. So much so that he
missed the tug on his sleeve. “M-Michella…” He breathed out. “You should go back inside,
it’s not safe out here.”

Michella frowned; her grip on the sleeve firm. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

“What am I….?” He then realized what she was implying. It would have been so easy for
Michella to just drag him back inside and wait it out. But she must have felt it too, the ground
shaking.

And her own hand shaking as well.

It was then that Leo remembered what he just said.

Just a couple of scared children, huh?

He placed a hand over his eyes and sighed. He was a normal kid…just…normal…right? Eyes
or not. Doesn’t matter what anyone said, he can be his own destiny, as corny as it sounded.
He can…oh.

Turning back to Michella, he smiled. “Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Want to be in a fast and furious scene?”

--

“You’re so crazy!” Michella laughed as they were nearing the scene. “Mom is so going to kill
you~!”

“Oh can it, it’s not like I’d leave you at home alone!” Leo grinned toothily. Yeah, he was
going to the scene of a fire, towards danger like a crazy person. Then again, he chose. Fate or
not, he chose. At about 60mph on a motor scooter with a wheelchair strapped to the back like
some MacGyver stuff.

Thank you, dad.

He looked up and can see the burning building not too far from them.

“I can smell the smoke; brother, are we close?” Michella asked; somber now.

Leo gulped. “Yeah, we’re almost there.”

--

“Goddamn it, let me through!”

“I’m sorry sir but we can’t let anyone else get too close to the fire!”

Steven was at his wits end. It has only been two minutes but it felt like an eternity.
“Klaus….!”

“Mr. Steven!”

The man whipped his head to see a motor scooter coming towards him and was surprised to
see who was driving it. “Young man!?”

Leo stopped the scooter enough to get the wheelchair off and his sister in tow.

“…I can’t say that I approve any of what’s happening here.” Steven commented with a sigh.

“Where’s mom?” Michella asked as she wheeled herself over.

“At the hospital.” Steven nodded. “But Klaus…he….he ran into the burning building…I
assume to get your father.”

“W-What…why? That’s dangerous!” Leo ran with his scooter to the older man. The fire is
burning and everyone is trying to put it out. He can feel himself shaking as he gripped the
handles tightly. “And dad?”

Steven shook his head.

“Dad….” Michella was worried and scared. Leo couldn’t blame her.

After a few quick moments, Leo took a deep breath. “Mr. Steven….I saw something weird
when I was watching the smoke…it looked like red wings and it was huge!”
Steven’s face paled.

“And also I saw—Mr. Steven!?”

“Let me through!” Steven ran back to the firemen with a vengeance. “You have to let me
through!”

“Wait a minute, what’s going on!?” Michella was just as lost as Leo was as she grabbed his
arm.

Steven gritted his teeth. “The being you saw with red wings, young man,” He looked to Leo
with eyes filled with fear and anger. “It’s one of most powerful and immortal creatures on
this earth; a blood breed!”

--

Inside the building, it was hard to move already with his size but with flames were making it
just difficult to even see. Though as he went around, he noticed that while there were flames
on everything and everywhere….nothing was burning. Yes it was hot, but at this point,
everything would have been somewhat charred from the fire.

So his suspicions were right.

“H-Help….”

His ears picked up a weak voice as he turned to the right.

“Help….help…!”

“That sounds like…” Klaus saw a hand twitching on the floor in another room. “Mr.Watch!”
He ran to the other with the blanket on him. “Mr. Watch….”

The man looked up, his glasses cracked and he looked very tattered. “Y-You’re…?”

“Klaus Von Reinherz, sir.” Klaus nodded as he handled the man gently. “I’d say more but
right now we need to get out of the building.” Though not for the reason the other would
think.

Mr. Watch groaned as he was wrapped with the blanket and into the man’s arms. “M-My
wife…is she…?”

“She’s fine.” Klaus reassured the other. “She and everyone else are out and at a hospital. Now
let’s go.” He only took two steps before he heard the cackling again.

A figure was within the flames but slowly walked out of it. “My, my. What an impressive
human you are. Could it be that you’re a fang hunter~?”

Klaus frowned. “….I thought so….you’re an elder class Blood breed…”

The figure smiled with their fangs showing before they charged at them.
--

A huge chunk of the building was blown off from the side and crumbled to the ground.

“Shit, everyone! We need to--!” One of the fireman blinked as he saw the rest of the crew
lying on the ground. “What the—ack!” A swift hit to the back of his neck before he fell over.

Steven sighed as he rubbed his hand. “Sadly, this is our playing field now.” He turned to see
Leo staring at him. “What is it?”

“Ah…nothing….”

Just then the flames that were moving and burning were still, as if someone pressed paused
on them.

“What the….?” Leo breathed out.

Soon booms were heard, loud and thumping as it made the ground vibrate.

Michella screamed as she held onto the wheelchair but gasped as she felt arms around her.
“B-Brother….”

“I got you.” Leo smiled.

“Young man, you and your sister stay here and better yet, go to the hospital to stay with your
mother. This isn’t safe to be around here.” Steven advised.

Leo frowned. “And what are you going to do?” The man still hadn’t explained what a blood
breed is yet!

“Fight.” Steven smiled before he ran into the building.

“Hey, wait!” Leo shouted after him but it fell into deaf ears. He sighed. He was silent for a
few moments before he bit his lower lip. He then let go of his sister. “I’m sorry Michella.”

“What are you sorry for?” She asked.

Leo hugged her again. “I’m sorry….” He gulped. “I’m so sorry…..”

After a moment of silence, she hummed as she hugged back. “Brother…this is crazy…you
know they can do…whatever it is they can do…you don’t have to….” But when she felt hose
arms tightening around her, she sniffled. “You’ll go anyway…” It wasn’t a question.

“No one else can get dad out of there if they were to fight this blood breed thing.” Leo
couldn’t believe what he was saying. This was crazy, reckless, and frankly stupid. This
wasn’t some action movie, he wasn’t someone that knew what to do or had some power that
was awakened within him the whole time.

He was just a kid who was at the right place at the wrong time and now he and his sister are
involved because of it.
 He was far from some superhero.

And yet.

“I have to go.” Leo stated firmly. “I’m sorry for dragging you out here.”

“You didn’t do anything.” Michella huffed. “This is super scary and weird and a lot of words
that I can’t think of right now because of how scared I am….but I’m here…I’m here, that has
to count for something!” She pouted.

Leo snorted before covering his mouth. “Yes, it does.” He then looked around. “Here, take
my hand and follow me quickly.”

Another boom vibrated into the ground.

“Stay near the firemen.” Leo told her. “Um…if they wake up, t-tell them that we ran off to
get some help and you wanted to make sure they are alright.”

Michella nodded. “You suck at lying brother but, I’ll do my best.”

“Good.” Leo placed a kiss on her cheek. “I feel bad leaving you like this.”

“Go. Before you change your mind.” Michella smiled. “Carry on, my tortoise knight.”

Leo grinned before he ran into building; his heart pounding in his chest.

Yep, he was an idiot but not a coward.

--

As Michella can hear her brother’s footsteps fading in the distance, she opened her eyelids,
revealing her blue, sparkling, yet blank eyes. She sometimes wished that she can see again, to
see the sky, the grass, his family, and her brother’s smile.

She clasped her hands together and prayed for everyone’s safety. Even though she wasn’t
sure about god anymore, she had faith. With that, she smiled. “Mom is really going to kill
you when you come back.”

--

END

Chapter End Notes

I hope I haven't lost anyone's interests in this story. ;w;

 Chapter 5
Chapter Notes

Who knew that a day off would be this relaxing? Also I haven't written as long as I
wanted to for this chapter but meh. This is a part two of this little arc thing. So please
leave a comment and enjoy~

See the end of the chapter for more notes

‘Hello world, you’re probably wondering how I got here----focus, Leo! Now’s not the time to
be thinking those things; we’re not in some cartoon!’

Though as he said that, going up to the upper floors was taking a lot of him especially after
the rumblings. But the more he ran up, it was less flames around and more heat, ice and
damage all around. He was running into a war zone like the idiot he was. He just hoped
everyone was okay.

“Dad! Dad can you hear me?” Leo called out over the sounds of fighting. “Dad! Mr.Steven!
Mr.Klaus!” He had to climb over one particularly small ice berg that was sticking out from a
wall.

Come to think of it, where did the ice and the damage coming from?

Oh god, he might actually be in some cartoon.

Leo shook his head as he got to the floor where his dad should be but was surprised that it
was almost blocked off by spikes of ice almost all around. “Dad! Dad, answer me!”

“….o!”

“Dad!?”

“Leo! Is that you?”

It was a relief to hear his dad’s voice but at the same time, it couldn’t have been in a more
dangerous situation. “I’m coming dad!” For once, being short was an advantage as he didn’t
have to stretch far and wide to get through. Once on the other side, he called out again.
“Dad!”

“O-Over here!”

Despite the rumblings and shaking of the whole building, Leo can see a hand waving from a
doorway and he then realized it was his dad’s office. Which meant the fighting was
happening on the other side of the floor.
Why are office floors so big?

Leo just took a deep breath and just ran for it. The floor shook and wobbled halfway there but
he made it to the doorway. “Dad—wahh!”

A hand grabbed at his shirt and pulled him in before the door slammed close.

It was then that Leo was looking at his dad and he gulped. ‘Oh, that’s the ‘you’re so
grounded’ face.’

“Leonardo Watch.” His dad said as sternly as he can. “What on the hell do you think you’re
doing?”

Double whammy. “Um…rescuing you?”

His dad sighed before hugging his son. “You’re an idiot, Leo.”

Chuckling, Leo hugged back. “Yep, Michella said that too.” He then pulled back a bit. “Come
on, dad. You need to go.”

“Excuse me?” His dad exclaimed with wide eyes. “It’s a battlefield out there!”

“Well not now.” Leo reassured his dad. “I mean, it’s not close to the stairway. You can make a
run for it---”

“Wait, me? We should be getting out here!” He gripped his son’s shoulders. “Now isn’t the
time to be some hero! Those two men can handle it, they assured me. We should go and let
them.”

Leo bit his lip and shook his head. “I can’t, dad.”

“Young man, I said--!”

“I can’t!” Leo pushed his dad away from him. “….I can’t….not until…I see this through….”

Mr. Watch looked confused. “See this….” His eyes widened. “You mean….?”

Leo slowly stood up. “I don’t know much about what’s going on but….Mr.Steven said that
what they’re fighting is tough to beat and…I saw something….”

The office shook but it wasn’t as terrifying.

“And well….” Leo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “If there’s anything I can do to
help…then I’ll try!”

His dad wasn’t convinced. “You’re shaking.”

“Yeah, I am. I’m downright terrified. This is scary and weird and all I want to do is to go
home.” Leo hung his head. “B-But…I can’t…I want to help…I won’t forgive myself if I run
away now.” Suddenly, those six months of playing it safe was biting him in the ass.
Ah, well.

“Come on, dad.” He lend out a hand to him. “Michella’s worried.”

The man took his son’s hand, realizing that he was no longer a little boy, never was for a
while. “….Wait, what do you mean by that? Isn’t she home?” His dad asked with narrow
eyes.

Oh boy.

--

Meanwhile

“This is bad, Klaus!” Steven panted. “That thing has regenerative abilities!” Not like that’s
new information but it was difficult all the same.

With his weapon still on him, Klaus grunted. Of course, he hasn’t encountered a blood breed
that didn’t have that ability among others. All he and Steven can do was to fight; like they
have been doing for years.

He won’t anyone succumb the same fate he had been through.

“This is getting boring.” The blood breed yawned. “I think it’s fine to get serious.” In a blink
of an eye, it vanished and appeared right in front of Steven.

Klaus tried to warn him but then he was face to face with the blood breed and realized
quickly. ‘It was fooling us.’ He barely had time to react as he moved his arms in front of him
to block the attack but he felt a hard and powerful kick and he was sent flying.

Steven can only look as his friend was sent backwards and through a wall. He didn’t see hair
of him on the other side. “Klaus!” He then had to back away as the blood breed sent flames at
him and he retaliated with more of his blood ice ability. “Damn you!” He charged at the
blood breed who grinned wickedly at him.

--

Michella heard everything but couldn’t see a damn thing so she can only assume that it was
going bad. She hadn’t heard her brother or their dad. She was getting worried and the firemen
hadn’t woken up yet. Mr. Steven really knocked them out hard. In the midst of her internal
struggle, she heard coughing not too far from her. “H-Hello?”

“…Michella?”

“Dad….dad!” She gripped her handlebars on her wheelchair. “Dad!”

Mr. Watch was wobbly but even with his hazy vision, he could see his daughter just out of
the line of fire. “Michella!” He ran towards her.

She started tearing up as she held her arms wide.

The two met in a hug.

“Dad….daddy…!” Michella cried. “Thank god you’re okay!” She gasped softly.

He nodded. “I’m here…your father is okay….” He squeezed her in his embrace a bit before
pulling back. “Oh my little princess, you shouldn’t be out here all alone….it’s not safe….”

Michella sniffled. “Sorry dad, but you know me. I can’t stand still….” She then looked
around. “Where’s brother?”

Her father sighed. “Sorry, sweetie. Your brother had other intentions.”

She soon smiled. “I know. I just thought he would show his face again before going back.”
She joked.

Mr. Watch wasn’t happy with this, with any of this. First with his children all those months
ago and now this. And what was his son thinking, wanting to help. What can those weird
eyes do?

“Dad…” Michella tugged at his sleeve after getting a hold of the end of it. “Brother will be
fine. I know it.”

He wished he had that kind of faith in him as his daughter had. It wasn’t as if he didn’t trust is
son, he did and loved his son. But…he just couldn’t accept this. In his mind, this was already
too much.

He’ll have to talk to those men when they come back out.

--

Leo heard a loud noise as he was getting close to the fight. He noticed that the supply closet
door was ripped off from its hinges. It was there that he saw a hand sticking out of the debris.
He ran into the closet and gasp at what he saw.

‘Oh no…!’

“Mr. Klaus….” Leo ran over scattered papers and spilled ink to get to the other who was
laying there. “Mr.Klaus!” He got a closer look and saw that the other wasn’t looking too
good. He started shaking the other with gritted teeth. “H-Hey wake up….Mr. Klaus, you have
to wake up!”

--

Steven dodged another attack and tried to give it a kick to the face only to feel intense pain in
his abdomen and before he knew it, he was slammed to the floor.

--

“Please, get up! Can you hear me? Mr. Klaus! Mr. Klaus!”
--

The man was then slammed to a wall, earning a scream of pain as he sank into the floor. He
groaned as he weakly looked up and the blood breed. Not a scratch on it.

Damn it.

--

All that shaking and the man didn’t even move. Leo can feel his stomach drop to the floor as
he his hands dropped. W…What if he’s…?

No… he can’t be…!

Leo felt tears welling up in his eyes. They opened a bit as he started crying. “Mr.
Klaus….please…” He cried as he leaned over his unmoving body. “You have to get up…you
can’t…this can’t end like this….” He wished he can do something. If only he had some
ability like in cartoons.

But no, all he had were these stupid eyes!

What can they do…!?

In his own misery and sadness, a few of his tear drops fell and hit the man’s cheek.

The wetness was miraculously enough to drag the man back from unconsciousness. His eyes
flicked opened, his glasses were not on his face. He slightly groaned as everything slowly
came back to him.

Leo gasped as he saw movement. “M-Mr. Klaus….?”

“Ngh…what on earth…?” Klaus slowly sat up. He rubbed his head. He then noticed that he
wasn’t alone and blinked. “L-Leonardo…?”

“I…Mr.Klaus…” Leo suddenly jumped and wrapped his arms around the other’s neck.
“Mr.Klaus! You’re okay!” He shouted in relief. “I’m so glad….oh fuck am I ever glad!”

The other man was silent before he slowly hugged back. “I apologize for scaring you like
that….”

He was in such relief that Leo soon realized what he was doing and it made his eyes snap
wide open. Wait….he was hugging a grown man. He pulled back faster than either of them
anticipated with a blush on his face. “S-Sorry….!”

Klaus blinked. He supposed Americans weren’t that comfortable with contact as much as
those in other countries. “No, it’s all right. You were frightened after all….” He dropped his
hands. “However, I’m curious as to your presence here. I thought you’d be back home with
your sister…”
“Aha, yeah….me too…” Leo murmured. It’s was as if every adult was questioning his
actions and frankly, he couldn’t blame them. “I came…I came here to help.”

That surprised the other man. “Leonardo….”

“I know I can’t do much but…I can’t just sit back and let things happen. So…tell me what to
do and I’ll try my best!” Leo looked at up the man in determination.

Klaus was in slight awe at it. Leonardo didn’t have to come. This was dangerous and frankly
a reckless move on the young man’s part but…he wasn’t that different from him in a way.
“Leonardo Watch, while this isn’t the moment to properly explain to you why what you said
isn’t exactly the best time to say such a thing, I do admire your determination. I understand
that you chose to come here but just let me say that there’s no shame in standing back.”

“What do you mean?” Leo looked to the side before he felt a hand on his head. He looked up
and saw a smile on the older man’s face.

“There’s courage to fight and there is courage not to fight. In fact, it takes more courage to
decide that. So, believe me when I say that you are not a coward. As I’m sitting right here,
you’re a very brave young man. That’s what courage is, being to move forward despite the
fear.”

Leo was speechless. He can only stare at the man before he blushed once again. “I-I don’t
know what to say…”

“Do not worry.” Klaus nodded. “I’m just saying what is on my mind.”

A scream of pain reached their ears.

Klaus wobbly stood up. “Steven…!”

Oh shit, that’s right! Mr. Steven is still fighting! “Oh right, I forgot. Mr. Klaus, I saw
something on…whatever that is….like letters something….I’m not sure if that means
anything but---!”

“Letters?” Klaus asked before kneeling in front of him. “On the blood breed?”

Leo nodded. “Yeah, like a puzzle or something.” He wasn’t sure what it was but only his eyes
could see it. “Is that helpful?”

Klaus was surprised to hear that. “Of course, it’s beyond helpful. Maybe the type of
advantage we need.” He mused. He then got an idea. “Leonardo….this may sound as a very
presumptuous thing to say but…I have a request….and I need your help.”

The young man looked at the man who was kneeling before him, and his eyes set and
determined. He can refuse right then and there. Klaus gave him that choice. He then took a
deep breath. “What do you need?”

--
“You’ve disappointed me, fang hunter.”

“S-Sorry for the letdown.” Steven groaned out.

The blood breed huffed. “I have heard about humans who have specialized abilities, human
weapons as you call yourselves but sadly, you all are one step away.” It licked its wrist. “That
blood of yours fights it’s way in to attack at the cellular level….eating away on the inside…
but for us, we recover just like that.” It showed him the wrist. “See, all better~”

Steven was about to chuckle at those words when he heard static on his Bluetooth earphone.

“Steven…”

‘Klaus!?’

“You don’t have to speak but listen carefully….cough once for yes and cough twice for no.”

He coughed softly once.

“I’ll make this quick. Leo is here with us and he’s going to try something. All I need you to do
is stall the creature for as long as you can. Can you do that?’

‘You’re asking for the impossible, Klaus….’

“Steven, can you do that?”

He coughed once. ‘But you always do things for a reason….’ He slowly stood up.

“Hmm? What now, fang hunter---ah!” The blood breed was pushed back by Steven and was
pinned to the wall. “What the fuck are you doing!?”

--

“He only has seconds.” Klaus and Leo were at the other side of the hole in the wall. “I won’t
ask too much but if you can do this then we can do away this creature for good.”

“G-Got it.” Leo then slowly opened his eyes before another set of lenses popped out of his
eyes. He was staring at the creature and before long the letters started to appear. He tried to
concentrate on what they mean but the longer he had, the more his eyes started heat up.
Suddenly as he got what he needed, there was a crack.

‘Fuck!’

At the same time, Steven was thrown across the room and his back hit the wall hard.

“Leo!” Klaus was at his side. “Are you okay!?”

The young man was covering his eyes, obviously in pain. “K-Klaus….”

“Yes?”
His mouth moved but Klaus almost caught what he was saying. “Come again?”

Again, those lips moved and this time, the man’s eyes widened.

‘Of course!’

--

“Exactly what were you trying to accomplish, human?” The blood breed tilted its head.
“Trying some last ditch effort to stop me? Foolish. All of your humans will die one way or
another by our hand, don’t forget that.”

Moving to sit up, Steven chuckled.

“Hmm?”

“That’s quite well and good, damned creature.” Steven got out; his shirt more red and blue.
“Even if it takes a thousand years or even thousand and five hundred years, mankind will
hunt you down, mankind will always fight until they can kill the immortal.”

The blood breed raised an eyebrow at that.

“However, if such a way….if fangs that can reach and bite into even the Elders arrives….”
Steven looked up with a smirk. “What would you do?”

A figure walked out of the hole in the wall. “I will apply….the Brain Grid Blood
technique!”

Before the blood breed can attack, Klaus quickly went under and stabbed the creature with
his blood by his knuckled guard weapon.

“Alyona Kakalina Octavia Zalika….I hereby…”

“M-My name….—”

“…seal you!” Klaus declared as smoke started surrounding them.

--

“Despise me.”

“Forgive me.”

“Resign yourself.”

--

“My salvage actions are only taken to protect mankind!” Klaus’s eyes glowed. “Form 999!
Ewigkeit Gefängnis (Eternal prison!)”
As soon as he pulled back, the blood breed was stuck in an upside down crucified position as
its body was slowly compressed into a cross with a skull on it. As soon it was over, the
smoke dissipated as the cross fell to the ground; making a clank sound.

Klaus sighed as he put away his weapon.

“W-Wow…” Steven stood up with his hand on his stomach. “We actually did…we sealed
away a blood breed….”

The taller man nodded. “And it’s all thanks to…Leo…!” He just remembered as he ran to the
hole.

Steven followed but in a slower pace.

“Leo….Leonardo, are you okay?” Klaus got to him first as he gently got him in his arms. He
softly gasped.

Leo’s eyes were bleeding.

‘Oh you poor brave boy…’ Klaus sadly frowned. “Leo….?”

The young man groaned. “K-Klaus…?”

“I’m here…”

“D…Did we win?” Leo murmured. “Did we beat it?”

Klaus bit his lip as his heart skipped a beat for a moment. “Yes, yes we did…you did
wonderfully. We can’t thank you enough….”

Leo weakly laughed. “T…That’s good….” He passed out soon after; the blood loss and the
pain drained what little energy that he had. His head on the man’s shoulder, his breathing
even and slow.

Slowly standing up with the young man in tow, Klaus held him close in his arms.
“Steven….we should go…”

Picking up the cross, Steven nodded. “Sure, buddy.” He smiled at the sight before him. Klaus
was gentle….but never like this.

--

When Michella heard two pairs of footsteps coming towards them, she sighed in relief. She
may be crying a little too.

“Mr. Reinherz! Mr. Starphase!”

Steven was tiredly smiling with one hand holding the cross and another on his stomach.
“Good to see you in one pieces, Ms. Watch.”
“Thank you!”

“And your father?” Klaus asked.

“Oh, dad started dragging the fireman onto somewhere safe. I think he’s trying to wake them
up.”

Sure enough, as the two men turned their heads, they saw Mr. Watch trying to wake up the
fireman and already succeeding in getting one up.

Perhaps the man was just as restless as anyone else.

Michella then picked up a scent. “Hey…I smell iron. Blood?”

“Ah, don’t worry. Most of it is from me. I’m okay though!” Steven reassured her with a
smile. “We came out of that in one piece.”

“And brother?”

Klaus smiled. “I have him here. He was…very tired so he’s getting a well-deserved rest.”

“…I see.” Michella nodded with a sad smile. Then she and along with the others heard the
familiar sound of more sirens.

Steven looked up at Klaus. “We should head back to the house.”

“Right.”

“Eh, shouldn’t we go to the hospital though?” Michella asked. “You guys sound a bit
haggard.”

“My apologizes, Ms. Watch. If we were to stick around, there is no doubt that we might get
questioned by the police after getting treatment from the hospital.”

Steven rubbed the back of his head with the cross. “We pretty much broken a few laws
tonight. And it won’t go any of us good if we were to be in handcuffs.”

Michella furrowed her eyebrows. “Yeah, I can understand that. But my dad might think
differently.”

“I’ll explain the situation to him.” Steven walked slowly due to his wounds. He had worse.

Klaus looked down at the young man in his arms and sighed almost fondly. In the past 24
hours, Leo was not the person he expected him to be but he was glad for it. He only wished
the path ahead will be as kind to him in return.

“Will brother be okay?” Michella asked.

The taller man was silent before he chuckled. “I think he will be okay. You have my word he
will be.”
 Yes, they will be okay.

Just for this night.

--

END

Chapter End Notes

Some of the dialogue is from the VOL 2 manga but tweaked a bit. Also, if anyone can
help me get more volumes for Kekkai Sensen manga that isn't amazon or Ebay, that'll be
great... <3
 part one
Chapter Notes

Honestly, I had most of it done so I wasn't sure why I was hesitating but like Leo, I'm
delaying the inevitable. So please comment and enjoy~

In Hellsalem’s lot

“Yes…I understand…I am relieved that you and Mr. Steven are alright. Yes….is that so?” A
man chuckled. “Well, I hope that I hear more of that when you return. Yes, everything is well.
I will inform you if anything otherwise occurs. Give my best to the family.” He hung up
quietly.

Another man yawned as he walked in. “Ah, Mr. Gilbert. Morn’.”

“Oh, Zapp.” Gilbert smiled at him. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Sure.” Zapp sat on the couch with a sigh before looking around. “The bosses ain’t back
yet?”

In seconds, the cup of coffee was placed on the coffee table.

“They have informed me that there was a setback but rest assured, they had the situation
under control.” The bandaged-face man explained. “However, because of it, they won’t be
back for another few days.”

Zapp tched. “Who said I was worried?” He turned to get his coffee only to see that the cup
was gone. He blinked. “Huh?” He then had his head on the table with a slam as two booted
feet were standing on top of it.

A young lady who suddenly appeared from thin air, sipped the coffee slowly. “Mm….a fine
cup of coffee as always, Mr.Gilbert.”

“Why thank you, Ms. Chain.”

Zapp growled though muffled because of the table before he shot up quickly. “What the hell
was that, you she-bitch!?”

“Hpmh. Why don’t you go and rack up some debt and get thrown in a dumpster, you
monkey?” Chain was unfazed.

“WHAT!?”
Gilbert chuckled to himself. “Well whatever the case, we must hold our own here for a little
while longer until their return.” He assumed Chain already heard what has happened.

Hopping onto the floor easily, Chain nodded. “It’s not as if we’re helpless without them but
there is only so much we can do.”

“Meh, they’re fine and we’re fine. End of story.” Zapp rubbed the back of his head. “As long
as they get that eye holder too.”

“Tactless as ever.” Chain clicked her tongue.

“I’m just stating the truth.”

“Nevertheless, we still have jobs to do and I was asked by Steven to relay them to you all.”
Gilbert smiled as he got a clipboard in hand. “Now, let’s begin.”

--

‘It hurts….it hurts…’

He was on the ground all of a sudden. Everything was too bright, too clear, too searing. He
was in pain.

‘It’s hurts….it hurts….it hurts….!’

He put his hands on his face but it did nothing, he can still see and it was blinding him. He
was panting and groaning and reaching out for something.

‘Help…help! Someone please help….!’

In all of his agony, he barely moved his head up and saw his sister.

‘M-Michella…..’

She was there but her eyes….they were closed.

Why were they closed?

‘M….Michella….’

Despite the pain, nothing prepared him when she opened her eyes.

They were dull and blank.

She can’t see.

She can’t see.

She can’t see.

And it was all his fault!

He screamed as tears did little to sooth the pain of his new eyes.

--

Leo gasped as he was spooked awake. He can sort of see through the gauze that was wrapped
around his head and over his eyes. He gently touched them as he let out a shaky sigh. That
dream again…no…that memory. Damn it.

He was so tired that his vision was at human level….for now anyway. He could also feel the
dull pain in his head, probably from what he did last night.

What did he do last night?

A gently knock of the door startled him out of his musings.

“C-Come in.” He finally found his voice and called out.

“Leonardo?” The voice on the other side sounded both surprised and relieved before the door
opened. On the other side of the door was none other than Klaus who looked as if he got into
a fight…and won. He was holding a first aid kit in one hand and a bottled water in the other.
“Good morning.”

The young man nodded before he tried to get up.

“Please…” Klaus got to his bed. “Conserve your energy. You’ve been through more than any
human had to go through.” He pulled up a chair from the young man’s desk and sat down
next to his bed. “How are you feeling, Leonardo?”

The side of Leo’s head was into the pillow as he moved to the man’s general direction.
“Um…I don’t know…” He wanted to say tired, or drained or even confused but none of
those words were doing justice to what he was feeling at the moment.

The older man nodded. “I see.” He sounded genuine. “Would you like some water?”

“P-Please…” He didn’t even realize how raspy his voice sounded beforehand.

Thankfully Klaus got a straw for the water bottle as he has a feeling that the young man was
too tired to even get up from his own bed. Once the straw was there, he gently guided it
towards the young man’s lips.

Feeling the cool sensation of water made him feel a lot better as he greedily drank almost the
whole bottle. He sighed in relief before he relaxed a bit. “Thanks.”

“Think nothing of it.” Klaus placed the bottle down and had the first aid kit on his lap. It
looked a bit too small in the man’s hands. “How…How are your eyes?” He gently breached
the topic. “Do they still hurt?”

While he wasn’t one to favor anyone walking on eggshells around him, the events from
before were slowly seeping back into his head. Slowly but surely as he shrugged in his bed.
“Not as much as they were when I…when it happened.”
Klaus nodded. “I see.” He opened the kit. “I would like to change your bandages for the time
being, if that’s okay with you.”

“Sure.” Leo still wasn’t sure what to make of this man before him but…after what they have
been through already, he was starting to think that maybe he can trust him, if only a little. “So
where’s Michella and everyone else?”

“Ah, well your mother and father are at the local hospital getting treated. Worry not,
compared to the injuries we have sustained, the injuries they have was minor. If you like, we
can visit them if you’re up for it later on.” When the bandages fell down to the floor, Klaus
saw the young man’s eyes lids closed but around the sockets were strained and tight. He can
see the healing process of the popped blood vessels from the use of those eyes and what’s
more was the dark circles under them.

This young man really has been put through a lot and yet here he was.

Libra would be…no…he would be lucky to have this young man by his side.

“And Michella?”

“She is all well and good.” Klaus smiled a bit as he went to wrap the other’s eyes up with a
clean roll of bandages. “She is looking over Steven whom, I’m afraid, is the most injured out
of all of us. It’ll take a bit of time for him to even heal up to travel.”

Leo felt a little bad. Mr.Steven did seem like a shady person, and probably is in some way,
but he did help beat whatever that thing was and got hurt to do so. Maybe there was more to
him then Leo can see, even with his eyes. “So I guess that means you’re stuck here, huh.”

“Yes. However, the time is of the essence. We cannot stay any longer than a few more days,
I’m afraid.” He then pulled back. “Does it feel tight, discomforting?”

The young man reached out and touched the bandages that were wrapped over his eyes
before he nodded. “Feels good, thank you.”

Klaus nodded. “I’m glad.” He then closed the first aid kit.

“Say, Mr.Klaus?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask.” Leo slowly moved to sit on his bed. “What is a blood breed?”
After helping them beat the thing, he still didn’t know what it was and the way it fought was
something out of a horror movie and while he can handle some gore, he wasn’t much into
scary stuff. “I know from Mr. Steven that it’s immortal but that’s about it….so…”

For a moment, Klaus was silent, as if he was trying to find the words to say next. “Leo—”

“Ow!”

The two were startled by that scream.

“Don’t move so much! The ice pack can only do so much!” A huff answered that. “You’re
just like Leo!”

The two in the room looked at each other before a laugh escaped both of their lips. It ease
some of the tension out of the room.

Klaus got out of the chair with the kit in hand. “I think it would be better if I explain with
your sister with you. It’s the least I can do after what you have done to help us after all.” Not
even in the least. The young man has done something that no hunter has ever accomplished.
He’ll have to explain that to him as well. “Are you well enough to stand?”

“I-I think so…” Leo moved his legs down but when his feet touched the ground, he wobbled
before falling back on the bed. “Ah…maybe not…” He chuckled a little.

Klaus let out a faint smile at that. “I’ll lend you a hand. Your sister would be happy to see you
awake.” Goodness knows, he was.

Leo chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. “Right. That’s true.” He moved to get up
again only to fall backwards.

Thankfully, Klaus was quick on his feet and prevented another fall by a hand to the other’s
back.

‘Wow….his hand is warm…’ It was almost soothing. He then realized what he just thought
and his face got warm as well.

“Leonardo, are you alright?” Klaus noticed there was some pink on the other’s face. “Did you
get a fever?”

“N-No, I’m okay.” Leo waved his hands. “L-Let’s get going!”

Klaus nodded as he gently led him with his hand on the other’s back; ready to hold him in
place should his legs fail him again.

Though the way to the door wasn’t as long, it felt like forever with that hand on his back.

--

Michella watched as Steven was laying on the couch once again with an ice pack on his
stomach with a frown. She then heard the door to her brother’s room open. She turned her
head and smiled. “Brother?”

“Hey.” Leo smiled.

The wheelchair moved quickly that she almost toppled over to hug her brother.

Good thing Klaus was there to steady both of them up. He then slowly let go once he knew
that Leo can stand a bit on his own again.
As the siblings hugged it out, Klaus walked over to the couch where Steven lay. “How are
you feeling, my friend?”

Steven weakly chuckled. “I have had better days…and worse….” The one injury that he
couldn’t heal quick enough was the one on his stomach. The wound wasn’t deep enough for
stitches thankfully but it was very tender. Over the counter pain medicine can only do so
much to take the edge off. “How’s the young man?”

Klaus looked over to see the siblings before going back to him. “He is healing. What he has
done took a lot more out of him than any of us would have thought.”

Steven relaxed as much as he can on the couch. “I see. Still though, he did what no one can
do easily if not at all. I’ll give him my thanks later.”

Even as he nodded, Klaus looked over the extent of his dear friend’s injured state. Not
counting the stomach wound, there were bruises and scratches all over his skin. His eyes
softened with sadness as he thought back at the times his fellow colleagues and friends were
injured because what they do. While he can bounce back more often than not because of what
he was, he couldn’t say the same to the others. His dear friend especially shouldn’t have to
get hurt like this.

“Hey now…” A gentle hit to the leg brought him back to reality as he saw Steven’s grin.
“Don’t feel down about this. Compared to the alternative, this is fine. Not great for me, but
this is fine. We saved a lot of people last night, don’t forget that.”

Steven always had a way to know what to say to ease some of that guilt out of him. He
sighed with a faint smiled. “You’re right. My apologies.”

The older man chuckled though winced a bit. He knew his best friend enough to know that he
is. “It’s okay, Klaus.”

A loud rumble was heard in the room, making the two older adults look over.

Michella was giggling as Leo was holding his stomach and blushing out of embarrassment.
“Poor brother, I guess we never had that dinner and now he’s starving.”

Another loud rumble coming from another source silenced her.

Leo grinned. “You were saying?”

Klaus chuckled as the siblings were having a playful moment. “I believe breakfast is in
order.” He started rolling up his sleeves.

“You can cook?” Leo asked.

“Indeed I do.” Klaus nodded. “Is there anything that you would like to eat?”

“Pancakes please!” Michella raised her hand.

“An omelet, please.” Steven nodded.

Leo fiddled with the end of his shirt. “P-Pancakes….please…” He can feel Michella patting
his back.

“Also coffee if the house has any.” Steven added with a lazy hand up.

Nodding, Klaus looked at the siblings and smiled. “Please relax in the living room while I get
breakfast in order.” He went to the kitchen with a tiny skip in his step.

Leo had half a mind to come and help as he started following him.

“I wouldn’t do that, young man.”

That stopped the young adult in his steps.

Steven was getting comfortable on the couch. “Not that Klaus wouldn’t appreciate the help,
it’s just that it’s something that he doesn’t do often given the life he grew up in.”

“So, he is wealthy.” Michella had a feeling since she heard the man’s speech and tone.

“More than that. The Von Reinherz family is one of nobility for many generations. There are
way too many details about the family and their bloodline that I won’t bore you two with but
Klaus is and always will be the baby of the family.” Steven lightly joked at the end.

“Eh? Wait, baby? He’s not the oldest?” Leo would blink if he could at that. “But he’s so…..”
He had to scramble for the word. “Wah!”

Michella snickered. “Wah? That’s the word you’re going for~?”

Leo stuck his tongue out at her with a huff.

“Real mature.” She didn’t have to see to know what he did.

Steven chuckled. “It is the honest truth. Aside from having parents, he has two older brothers
and an older sister. However, he is capable of living on his own despite growing up with a
huge household. In fact, besides getting his tea from a certain person, he would be okay with
that lifestyle.”

“Ahh, I see. I find it very cool that he’s from a great family and yet he’s independent.”
Michella smiled.

The older man smirked. “He’s a gentleman through and through. Not something you’d hear
about someone in this day and age.”

He got that right. From what Klaus had told him the night before, he did seem like the kind of
person to do his own thing but still be considerate of others. Not like he knew how a
nobleman should be nowadays. Still, to leave the life that he knew to come to the more
dangerous place on the planet to protect those living in there sounds like what a hero should
say.

And what he was also told, the man had a tragic backstory of one.
“Say, Mr. Steven…” Leo spoke up.

“Hm? What is it, young man?” Steven turned his attention to the younger adult.

Leo considered his next words because he didn’t want to offend anyone. “Were you okay
with your best friend risking his life every day in Hellsalem’s lot? I mean, I bet it wasn’t easy
going there at first….so…”

Steven moved to sit up a bit. “Young man, everyone who has been in Hellsalem’s lot, in Libra
has been aware of the risks they were taking---”

“I know that!” Leo had to say. “But I’m not asking to someone who is in Libra, I’m asking to
someone that is Mr. Klaus’s best friend! His dear friend, someone that he cares a lot about!
You must have been worried about what he thought about at the time, right? There was no
way that you just took that laying down, right!?”

There was silence in the living room but it was so thick that no one noticed that there was no
sound from the kitchen as well.

The older man’s lips thinned out for a second before there was a faint smile. “I have been
with Klaus for many years….we have been through hell and back repeatedly; more so then
we have in Hellsalem’s lot. Of course, I would question what he would do, on a regular basis
even. But…the thing with Klaus is….” He chuckled. “Once he puts his mind on something,
it’s hard to deter him from that mindset. As his partner, his friend….I can only go along with
it as long as it wasn’t too reckless….”

Leo deflated a bit as he nodded. “I guess so.”

“And to be frank, I have my own reasons in staying in Hellsalem’s lot but the one of them is
and always will be,” He sighed with a smile. “Being with that hardheaded kind of friend.
That’s all.” He then groaned from moving a bit. “If we cannot deter one from their choice of
path in life, all you can do is support them. Short and simple.”

“So….no matter what, you’ll support him.” Michella softly spoke up; blindly reaching a bit
before she felt a hand holding hers.

Steven nodded. “What we do isn’t easy, isn’t safe and frankly, isn’t normally sane. But like
the name of our organization, we do what we can to maintain that balance. As a friend, I’ll
support him, even when times are tough.”

Leo thought back just the night before, when he was with Klaus. The man really did seem to
be firm on the path he has taken and what’s more unwilling to back down. During that fight
too, when everything seemed to be hopeless…..

He placed a hand on his chest before curling it softly into a fist. There was still a lot that he
was trying to process but at the very least, it cleared one thing in his mind. He nodded with a
firm look on his face.

Michella’s nose then picked up a scent. “Mm…I can smell the pancakes already~”
Sniffing the air, Leo’s expression soon changed into awe. “You’re right.”

Steven grinned. “You two are in for it now. Klaus can make a mean stack of pancakes. Man
does cooking as if by magic.”

“He can’t make pancakes like mom does though.” Michella playfully challenged.

“Oh? You think so?” Steven took that challenge. “We’ll see about that----” He then realized
what he just said. “I-I mean see…no…not see…I mean….oh my god….”

Michella snorted. “I ‘see’ what you’re saying.” She pointed to her blank eyes with a grin.

Leo burst out laughing.

--

In the kitchen, Klaus let out a chuckle as he heard Leo laugh. He was happy to hear it, even at
Steven’s expense, it was a wonderful sound.

Only time, which is limited, will tell what choice that young man will make.

--

END
 part two
Chapter Notes

This may be too much in one chapter but I think after an incident like the one Leo and
the others have gone through, I think it works. Also, this is part two so after that it's
pretty much back on the main road of the story, not that it ventured far from said road.

So please leave a comment and enjoy~

“How are you feeling?”

Mrs.Watch was laying on a hospital bed; looking a bit pale but otherwise not in any real
danger. “I have had better days. I’m glad you are okay though.”

Mr.Watch sighed. “Other than some scrapes and bruises, I’ll live.” Some tension left his body
as he heard his wife laugh; softly as it was. “But I’ll be out of work for a while. It’ll take a bit
of time to relocate us to another building in the meantime since….”

She nodded before she turned her head to view the outside world through the window. “I
see.” She then sighed. “Where did we go wrong?”

“Dear?”

“Our kids, our amazing kids….all we want was for all of us to be happy. That was why we
went there….” Her hands were curling; gripping the sheets in the process. “Were we wrong?
Was it wrong to cling to the kind of hope that the city would have offered….if not for….”

There was silence for a full minute before he looked down. “I don’t know.” And it was the
truth.

She let out a shaky sigh. “…I want to see them.”

He nodded. “I know. I’ll give the house a call. For now…we need to talk about something
more important.”

“What can be more important than our children?”

He smiled sadly. “Their future.”

--

“It’s like eating a cloud, a delicious cloud!” Leo was stuffing his face with some pancakes.
“So fluffy and good~”
Klaus blushed a bit at the praise. “I’m glad you like it.”

Michella wasn’t fairing any better. “Oh my gosh, these are amazing~ So fluffy and yet I can’t
get enough of it~”

Steven grinned. “This man knows his way around the kitchen. As one would say, to get to
one’s heart is through the stomach.”

Klaus had to look at his dear friend with wide eyes and a pink face.

“He’s got my heart.” Leo joked as he another bite; unaware of the steam that was coming out
of Klaus’s ears. “It’s almost as good as mom’s~”

Michella giggled. “Better not let her hear that. She’d be heartbroken.”

Leo stuck his tongue out; though playfully. “Yeah, yeah.”

The rest of the meal was uneventful; with light and casual conversation going around. When
it was time to clean up, Leo wouldn’t take no for an answer in helping Klaus that time.

“Just give me once sec.” Leo reached around and started ripping the bandages that was
around his eyes. When he got them in his hands, he blinked a few times. “Ah, much better.”
Of course this was normal for him at that point. “Okay, let’s go.” He took Michella’s plate
long with his own while Klaus got Steven’s along with his own.

When the pair went into the kitchen, Steven sighed as he tried to relax again.

“Still in pain?” Michella asked softly.

Steven chuckled weakly. “Not the worst thing to have happened to me; nothing to worry
over.” He must have said the wrong thing as he saw a frown on the young lady’s face.

“You got injured really badly. Of course it’s something to worry over. I don’t need eyes to
know that you’re in pain.” Michella argued. “You can’t downgrade that sort of thing like
that.”

Though she didn’t see his smile thin into a line, the tone was obvious. “Young lady, I had
men, women, young people as like yourself injured or even killed, doing what me and Klaus
have been doing for years. It’s not me downgrading my injury, it’s taking all the blessings I’m
grateful for in my life…to continue, for those who cannot. Believe me, there is a worse fate
than dying and I’m glad to be alive….for everything those blood breeds has put us through, I
am glad.”

There was silence in the living room for a few moments.

“Even so,” Michella took a breath. “It doesn’t mean you’re not worth worrying about. I think
Leo was right to ask that question. Not as Libra but as yourself; I can’t imagine the kind of
chaos you all go through every day to keep the city as safe as possible. But…I think it’s good
that someone like Mr. Klaus is your leader.”
“Of course, he is someone I can trust fully to lead Libra.”

“And someone who would worry about you even if you won’t.” Michella added. “You’re
allowed a moment or two to just….let it out. It…it must be tiring to be strong all the time,
right?”

Steven didn’t know what to say but a sigh escaped his lips; a little shaky sigh but a sigh
nonetheless. He then moved his head to stare up at the ceiling. “Is that how your brother felt
after the incident? The need to be strong?”

Michella bit her lip. “It wasn’t like our parents left him much of a choice at the time. Myself
included with the choice I have made.”

--

“Thanks again for the pancakes, Mr. Klaus.” Leo smiled as he was drying the dishes.

“Think nothing of it. I was happy to be of help.” Klaus hummed as he was washing the pans.
“It has been a while since I have cooked for others so it is indeed a nice change of pace.”

Leo placed a plate on the drying rack.

They took their time cleaning; not as if they were in any rush. It wasn’t until Klaus turned off
the water that he decided to speak up.

“….Leonardo….”

“Hm? What’s up?”

The older man’s eyes were on the faucet as a drop of water from the nuzzle stretched down
and broke apart and fell into the sink. “I am very grateful for what you have done the night
before. It was no easy feat and….I believe that it’s not the eyes that made the difference but
rather the one who has them. I do not know exactly what that being who forced this upon you
and your sister was thinking but I couldn’t have picked a kinder young man if I was that
being.”

Leo’s face went red as he looked to the side. “A-Anyone would have done what I did.” He
chuckled weakly. “N-No biggie.”

“No, it was…a huge biggie.” Klaus argued. He then kneeled in front of the other; apron and
all. “Leonardo Watch. I do not know your life other than what I have seen the last twenty four
hours and counting so I do not know what has hurt your self-esteem so. But believe me when
I say that you are not insignificant or trivial. You and that heart of yours decided to face the
troubles ahead and more than that endured it. You’ve endured it for six months and you have
endured it last night. And yet, here you stand. That sort of strength is nothing to laugh at. I
am proud of you; whether you join Libra or not, please know that I am proud of you.”

Leo was silent for a moment. His chest started heaving a little and soft noises left his lips
before his eyes started to fill up with tears. “I-It’s not….there’s….I…um…” He then covered
his face was he started crying; his body hunching over and shoulders shaking. He then
sniffled as he rubbed his eyes; though the tears had no intention of stopping. “T-Thank
you….just….thank you….” He laughed through his tears as his smile was watery at best.

Klaus felt the need to go and help him wipe his tears but decided against it since they are still
amid knowing each other. However, it brought a smile to his face that he helped ease the
other’s pain if only for a moment. He then got a handkerchief out of his back pocket and gave
it to him. “I believe you will need this.”

Despite the tears and some snot, Leo nodded as he took the handkerchief. He wiped his face
before he blew his nose. He paused before he pulled back a bit. “Ah, sorry…” Must be dirty
and gross at that point.

“No worries.” Klaus reassured him. “Do you feel better?”

“A little. Heh.” Leo chuckled. “I-Um….I haven’t cried like this in months. It actually feels
good. Ah, a little embarrassing though.”

The older man hummed. “It’ll pass, I promise you. Now then, would you like to return to the
living room?”

Sniffling, Leo shook his head. “In a minute…I just need to….”

Ever the gentleman, Klaus nodded. “I understand.” He didn’t move nor was he impatient. He
simply waited as Leo tried his best to calm himself down.

--

The air around the living room was different but thankfully wasn’t stifling or awkward. Leo
was just glad that Michella can’t see his face which was bit pink from the crying. When the
sibling were back together, Steven gestured Klaus to get something, to which the taller man
nodded and went outside for a moment.

“Now, I think we have delayed the subject long enough. You both want to know about blood
breeds, right?”

The siblings nodded.

Steven sighed. “While we don’t have the actual book to help with the visuals, aside from one
piece of it, for the young man’s sake of course, we do have a travel guide that we keep with
us in the rare case that we are out of the country and run into fellow hunters.”

“I get it.” Leo supposed as Klaus came back inside with the book.

“Thanks.” Taking the book, Steven opened it. “Now, this is going to be a very complicated
conversation so if you have questions; don’t hesitate to ask me or Klaus.”

The taller man nodded with a hum.

The siblings nodded back.

“Now, you know of the legend of Vampires, yes?” Steven started. “In books, movies,
historical documents about creatures of the night who prey on the living, can never die and
can be killed by a few methods. I’m here to tell you both, that more than half of what you
know is wrong.”

“More than half?” Michella asked.

Klaus nodded. “While Blood Breeds are also known as Vampires, they are dissimilar in many
ways; including the way they are originally. Rather than some pact with the devil, some were
made by curses.”

That was some horror novel shit. Leo frowned a little. “Curses?”

“It has been known that Blood Breeds were humans whose DNA were rewritten with curses;
by who originally is still a mystery.” Steven added. “However, to turn into one is…a
terrifying experience.” He trailed off with eyes on Klaus.

Klaus, for his part, didn’t say anything about that.

“Because they take blood?” Leo asked.

“It’s more than that.” Klaus spoke up. “Yes, they do take blood but what most don’t know is
that they won’t stop feeding from a human just once. When they feed you once, you have a
mark and they continue to feed from you, slowly changing you into one of them….you lose
your humanity gradually, slowly and for most, painfully.”

Michella’s hands started shaking but she softly gasped as her brother’s hand was on top of
her own. It helped calm her as she nodded. “I’m okay.”

Leo nodded with a smile before turning back to the other pair. “Okay so they are not like
vampires in those horror movies. Anything else we should know about them that’s different?”

“Blood Breeds can blend in. To this day, no electronic equipment can detect them. But the
usual tale-tale sign is that they have no reflection.” Steven grinned for a moment. “They can
shapeshift, have super speed, regenerative abilities and for most have huge red wings on their
backs, like this.” He showed Leo the slip of laminated paper of red; red as blood. “As I said
though while technology has advanced, the Blood Breeds are as elusive as the mist they come
from.”

“To add on that, there is two other setbacks.” Klaus stated. “Unlike Vampires in literary
works and filmography, Blood Breeds have little to no weaknesses. This is especially true for
the Elder 13, assumingly the original group of vampires as early as presumably time itself.”
He had his arms crossed and was looking a little awkward. “And the second one would be
their names.”

The siblings looked confused.

“Their names? Like the one I saw last night?” Leo asked; never thought to ask the night
before because well, life or death obviously.
Steven nodded. “You see, Names have power and for Blood Breeds, they despise being the
thing that has one. For us, it’s our best bet to cutting them down.”

“We haven’t been lucky with that and all we have done was to fight and push them back.
Until the night before.” Klaus added.

Leo had to let the information sink in as he took what had happened into consideration. His
head hurt a little thinking about it. “So…because of my eyes….I saw the name of a Blood
Breed and that was the thing that you needed to…kill them?”

“Not kill but to seal them.” Klaus replied as he took out his knuckle guard weapon. “Eternal
Prison is what you believe it is. I seal them away so they would never harm another human
again. It’s not necessarily killing them, however it’s much better than them roaming around
and further harming humankind.”

Michella nodded. “And you’re the only one that can fight them with your weapon?”

“Ah, that is something a bit more complicated.” Steven waved his hand. “You see, Libra has
those who can wield their blood into weapons. Klaus can wield his blood through his
weapon, and I can with my own weapon.”

“….Which are…?” Leo didn’t see anything on him the night before.

“His shoes.” Klaus smiled faintly. “He is quite effective in long range combat.”

“While Klaus is mostly doing close range combat.” Steven grinned. “And it’s different for
everyone. I have the element of ice; another colleague has fire and another with lightening.
It’s the training and circumstances that differs between us.”

“Ooh, like superheroes!” Michella smiled.

Steven chuckled. “In a way, yes.”

“So your blood weapons…” Leo tried to summarize everything. “help you guys fight the
Blood Breeds and because I saw their name, I helped Mr.Klaus in sealing away one of them.”

“Blood Breeds aren’t the only things we fight against but yes.” Steven nodded.

“In Libra, we are face with many an enemy.” Klaus nodded. “We’re not very well received
but we do what we can to keep the city as safe as possible, including going against the Blood
Breeds.”

Leo nodded. “This is…a lot to take in.”

“I think my head is spinning.” Michella half joked. “Also that’s very scary. If it wasn’t for
last night, I would think you two are crazy~!”

The adult pair looked at each other before they chuckled.

“Well with all things considered, you two are taking it very well.” Steven had to say.
“Nonetheless, it is the truth. While Libra is still relatively new, fang hunters have been
around for centuries. The fight between humans and Blood Breeds will always be an ongoing
one.”

Klaus nodded; his eyes hooded for a moment.

Leo sighed. “Yeah, I get that much. You guys wouldn’t have been very serious about it if I
haven’t seen it for myself.”

“Exactly.” Steven snapped his fingers.

Klaus then gently took the book from his friend’s hand. “I’ll hold onto it for now.”

“Sure.”

Leo rubbed the back of his head a little before he chuckled. “God this is…this is very crazy, I
mean, six months ago…and now….it just comes back to the city…and Libra…and me….” At
the very least, he was in the middle of some of it. It all came down to his choice once again.

Damn it.

Suddenly, Klaus felt the vibration of a cell phone in his back pocket as he took it out. “Ah,
excuse me. I must take this.”

Steven waved him off with a smile. When the leader was gone, his eyes were on the siblings;
mostly on Leo. “Young man.”

“Yes.”

“What I have said yesterday was harsh on my part. However, I have meant it. Admittedly,
this is going too fast for you and you’re probably still reeling from last night but where we
are, every second can mean life or death. With or without us, you have done us proud in help
taking that Blood Breed down. I won’t pressure you.” Steven raised his hands a bit.

Michella smiled. “That’s very mature of you.”

“Yeah, I’m shocked.” Leo joked.

“Walking on thin ice, you two.” Steven was joking though as he smiled.

Soon Klaus came back in with a smile. “Steven.”

“Hm, yeah?”

“You told me that you have informed everyone about our travels, yes?”

Steven sat up a little. “Yes, why?”

“Even K.K?”
There was a bit of silence before Steven groaned. “I knew I have forgotten something.”

“It’s not like you to be slipping, Steven.” Klaus stated with amusement before his phone was
swiped from his hand.

“I could have sworn I did.” Steven had a tired look before he started calling back.

“K.K?”

“Another Libra member.” Klaus explained to the siblings. “She is excellent fighter and a very
caring person, a mother as well.”

“Eh? She’s a mom!?” Leo was surprised.

“Yes. I have met her children a few times before on days off.” Klaus nodded. “Her husband is
very kind and understanding. When she is unable to be there for her kids, they are still with
her.”

Michella nodded. “Even someone like a mother is in Libra. That’s amazing.”

“It truly is. Libra consists of many people from all backgrounds. No matter what, we all
strive for peace.” Klaus placed a hand on his chest. “That is our goal; balance and peace.”

It was getting harder and harder to ignore the feeling inside his chest now. Leo knew time
was running out. Klaus and Steven were very patient sure but they had to go back soon. Plus
there was so guarantee that he and his family would be safe again after the fact. He needed
to---

A shrill of the landline snapped him out of his thoughts. “One sec!” Leo ran into the kitchen
and picked up the phone. “Hello?” His expression changed to shock and relief. “Dad!”

“Dad?” Michella turned her head.

“Ah, yeah. Sure…we’ll be right there!” Leo hung up. “Mr.Klaus!”

“What is it?”

“May we go to the hospital?” Leo’s smile was wide and almost giddy. “They want to see us!”

“I don’t see why not. Steven, can you stand?”

“I can stand and move just fine.” Steven grimaced a bit.

Klaus nodded. “Then there is no time to waste.”

Michella was beaming. “I can’t believe it! I’m so glad they are okay.”

“Yeah….” Leo’s smile turned into a grin; happy. “I’m glad too.” For the moment, everything
was just fine.

--
END
 Chapter 8
Chapter Notes

This has been so long, I had a better way of writing this out but I'm just glad I'm only
halfway to the point where we all know where it's going.

Sadly, due to work and the death of my grandma (my dad's mom) had set me back a few
times but thankfully I had some time to just sit down and go at it.

So please leave a comment and I hope you enjoy!

Leo was very ecstatic but he was also very nervous. If what happened last night spooked the
Watch children, he couldn’t even imagine what the adults were going through. Nonetheless,
either it was paranoia or that weird sixth sense, whatever the case, he knew they are going to
have a talk.

The problem was what are they going to say to each other.

Which was why he found himself just staring out the window of a lavish car; watching trees
and other parked cars go by as the group were making their way to the local hospital. He let
out a soft sigh; his mind going nowhere.

“Brother.”

“Hm?” Leo looked over to see Michella with her head turning to him. “What’s up?”

She looked like she wanted to say something but shook her head. “Nothing really. I’m just
glad mom and dad are okay.”

Though he didn’t need his all-seeing god eyes to know she wanted to say something else, Leo
chuckled. “Yeah, we’re going to get a lecture of a lifetime.”

“You mean you are going to get a lecture.” Michella joked. “I just went for the ride.”

“Then you’re guilty by association.” Leo grinned; remembering that it from some crime tv
show.

Michella’s mature response was flicking her brother on the forehead. “Smartie.”

“Hey!”

As the siblings were roughhousing in the back, the older men took a glance at each other and
let out a chuckle.
“Don’t make us turn this car around.” Steven joked.

“Yes, dad.”

It took a lot in Klaus not to laugh and thanked the stars that Steven wasn’t the one driving.

--

“You sure you’re okay?” Leo asked for the hundredth time as they entered the building;
seeing Steven with a long coat draped over his shoulders and a hand on his stomach. He can
even see the slightest of winces when the man took a step.

“Maybe it’d be best if you rested in the car.” Klaus gently requested.

Steven sighed with a smile. “I’m fine, you two. And even if I wasn’t, I can’t sit out on this. I
believe that we all are needed for this.” He tried to adjust his coat without stretching his
wound. He was surprised with it was adjusted for him. “Ah, thanks Klaus.”

Klaus nodded. “I do agree. I do believe that for this, we all need to be present.” His tone was
a mix of confidence and determination.

Something Leo admired already from the older man.

“In any case, I am glad that your parents are alright.” Steven smiled lightly.

“Thanks, we are too.” Leo grinned in relief.

Michella was silent throughout that; her mind though was a different story.

--

“Yes, they are in room 452.”

“Thanks!”

The group went into the elevator which was a bit of a moment as Klaus had to bend his head
a little when he was the first to enter. Thankfully the inside of the elevator had more head
room for him but it wasn’t every day that a near seven foot man comes into some local
hospital.

Thankfully, they got to the fourth floor with no problem.

As they exited the elevator, Leo looked around and spotted the room number. “Ah, here.
Room 452.” Though as they were in front of the door, everything just stopped in Leo.
Between him and the (dreaded) anticipated moment was that hospital door. He knew that his
parents might have a lot to say but even before that, will they be mad, upset, or some combo
of the two.

In a way, he felt as though what had happened was his fault.

His hands tightened on the handles of the wheelchair as his breathing quickened. Though
they were startled as he felt three things.

A comforting touch on his shoulder.

A reassuring touch on his back.

And a warm hand over his own.

Leo gasped a little as he gulped. “S-Sorry…um…uh…” God, was his heart beating his fast?

“You don’t need to explain yourself.” Steven calmly replied. “Whatever happens, just know
that you’re not facing this alone. We owe you that at least as leaders of Libra.”

Klaus gently patted his back as if agreeing.

“No one’s mad at you, brother.” Michella’s voice was soft. “If they are then….then they’ll
have to get through me!” She winked; with blind eyes she winked.

Oh god damn it.

Leo snorted before he helplessly chuckled. He covered his eyes with his hand as his
shoulders shook a bit. He then raised his head up and sucked it up. He felt about of
determination in his chest. It was small but for him, it was enough. “Right.” He nodded.

Michella smiled as she went over and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Klaus helped open the door for the siblings as they went in first.

Leo nodded in thanks over his shoulder as he walked and helped his sister be wheeled into
the room.

There was their mother who was lying in bed; propped up by the bed and a few pillows. On
the chair next to her was their father who was holding her hand. When they looked over, their
eyes widened and their father stood up.

For a moment, no one moved and not even a word was said.

Then, the wheelchair started moving along with a pair of legs almost in auto-drive. The room
itself wasn’t huge but god it felt like a mile of running before the children nearly collided
with their father; nearly knocking him off his chair.

“Wha---you two….” Mr. Watch had to steady them before he sighed and hugged them tight.
“Thank goodness…thanks goodness you two are okay…!”

Michella blindly reached over the bed. She soon felt the soft touch of her mother’s hand.
With their hands holding on was when she really started to tear up. “Mom….!”
“Oh my poor baby!” Mrs. Watch started crying as well with a hand over her eyes.

Though they were awkwardly against the wall for the time being, Steven and Klaus watched
the family reunion.

“Say, Klaus…”

“Hm?”

“This is…a very nostalgic feeling…isn’t it?” Steven glanced at his old friend. “After all, not
everyone lives to see another day after what has happened.”

That was a valid point but it was more than that. Not all families get along and not all
families were close to one another, he knew that. However, as he watched nearly all the
members in the Watch family hug each other with tears of joy, he couldn’t help but feel
relieved. It would have been disastrous if things weren’t on their side like many times before.

Even if in the end, Leo were to say ‘thanks but no thanks’ to their offer, Klaus knew it
wouldn’t mean it would be over He was proud of him, maybe a bit saddened but no less
disheartening if that was the case. Leo’s fight had long since started before Libra came in and
he was not one to step in carelessly.

That also didn’t mean that he couldn’t support him on the sidelines.

Which was why….

With a small smile, Klaus nodded. “It is indeed. I’m very happy for them.”

Steven stole a glance at his old friend before there was a slight curl on the corner of his lips.
He never pegged Klaus to be a liar but he was almost certain that there were more than what
words can say.

--

“So…I wanted to say…that…well…”

It was a bit amusing for the Libra leaders to see where Leo got that trait from. All the men
were sitting on chairs provided by the hospital while Michella was…well she was fine where
she was.

[“Well, how about we all just sit down? Not that I haven’t done so already!”

Leo had to snort at that. ]

With the teary reunion passed, it was Mr.Watch who decided to speak up to the other men
though whether it was pride or not, no one was sure. Though to the amusement of Mrs.Watch
and Michella, it might have been the former.

“Thank you….for everything thus far.” Mr.Watch decided to say. “If it wasn’t for you two, I
wouldn’t have….” He leaned back on his chair. “I have been told that no one was killed and
everyone got out with minor injuries so…I’m…I’m glad that you came when you did…thank
you again.”

Steven smiled. “It’s fine, sir. All well and good.”

Klaus nodded. “While we have a hand in helping, I’m afraid that we can’t take all the credit.
In fact, if it wasn’t for the bravery of your son and his quick thinking we wouldn’t have been
able to subdue the culprit.”

Mr. Watch’s lips thinned into a line at that before he sat up straight. “I see.” That statement
was far from simple and yet it felt very heavy on the man’s tongue.

Leo wasn’t sure how to take that reaction as he just sat there and fiddled with his fingers.

“In any case,” Mrs. Watch spoke up. “I’m glad that everything is okay now.” She placed a
hand on Leo’s shoulder. “I felt terrible for leaving you and Michella like that but I guess I had
nothing to worry about to begin with.” She rubbed his shoulders in comfort.

Michella smiled at the soft tone from her mom. “So when are you guys getting out?”

“If all is well, hopefully by tonight at the earliest.” Mr.Watch nodded. “In the meantime,” He
looked up at the two men. “I believe we have many things to talk about. As helpful as you
two were, we know little about you. My wife and I have every reason to be concerned and
would like to be informed on what you two are and why you came all the way from that
hellhole of a city for my son.”

“Dad!” Michella started but was stopped when Steven placed a hand on her shoulder.

“No, your father’s right.” Steven calmly answered. “Let us explain ourselves to them.”

Michella sighed but frowned at her father who pretended not to notice that was aimed at him.

“Allow us to properly introduce ourselves.” Klaus began as he reached into his back pocket
and took out a business card before walking up and giving it to Mr.Watch. “My name is
Klaus Von Reinherz. I am the leader of an organization from Hellsalem’s lot called Libra.”

Mr.Watch took the card and looked at it.

“This is Steven A. Starphase; co-leader of Libra and a long-time friend. Along with a few
other operatives and many informants in the city; we task ourselves with one goal in mind: to
bring balance and peace to the once-called New York City.” Klaus continued. “As you
already suspected, we have come here for your son.” He hesitated before sighing. “We have
received reports about his ability that he...acquired months prior.” He paused for a moment.
“In any case, we are not here to take him by force; that is not our motive. I apologize if we
may seem that way but I assure you, no one is taking anyone away from their families.”

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Watch let out a breath. “Well that’s a relief.” Her shoulders
weren’t as tense. “I have to say, Mr.Reinherz you are certainly not who I expect you to be.
Not everyday that a tall man who looks intimidating comes at our doorstep.”
“Klaus is every bit of gentleman even in this day and age, Ma’am.” Steven assured her.
“Now, as much as I like to say that we were the only ones that were made aware of your son’s
situation, it may not be the case.”

“What do you mean?” Mr.Watch asked.

“We can’t say that your son’s ability has been exposed but we can say that there might be
people that may have come to the same conclusion; people or otherkind that might have ill
intentions.” Klaus explained.

“As such, we are glad we came when we did.” Steven smiled. “Though it’ll be up to your son
whether or not to come with us. Should he decline, we will quietly bow out and return to the
city.”

Klaus placed a hand over his heart. “If he so chooses to stay, I’ll personally see to it myself to
offer protection for him and your family if such a threat continues to appear in the area. It
will be tough but I’ll make sure to see it through.”

Leaning back on his chair, Mr. Watch sighed as he rubbed his head harshly as if trying to
scramble his own brain into working. “This is too much….what else can I say about this? It’s
nuts; first my son and my daughter suffered and now some organization wants him. And that
thing last night...this is not the world I’m used to….”

Mrs. Watch wrung her hands together worryingly at that.

“….But it’s the world that Mr.Klaus and Mr.Steven has gone through.” Leo spoke up. “Not
that they wanted it either, I bet.”

The two men were surprised at that but it was Klaus who felt a skip within his chest at the
statement.

“Leo’s right.” Michella nodded. “And it’s not like they don’t care about Leo either. They do. I
know they do.”

Mr. Watch sighed heavily. “And what, say that my son, in some ridiculous way decides to go
with you two. He works for the “Libra” then?”

“Not quite.” Steven spoke up. “We actually wanted to leave that choice up to him as well.”

Leo looked as surprised as the rest of the family.

“We realized that this is fast for Leonardo and while we think it would be beneficial for him
to work with Libra; we will not force a path for him. If he does want that, it’ll be his choice.”
Klaus clarified. “But he will still be protected as promised.” He realized that Leo won’t be
happy with anyone telling him what to do; for his benefit or otherwise.

That night, Leo chose to run into danger.

Leo chose to step into the battlefield.

Leo chose to help.

Leo chose.

Apart from him being a young adult, Leonardo proved to be as capable as anyone in Libra.
He was the sort of person they needed; eyes or not. Of course, he was still a child in the
parents’ eyes. Klaus would understand their hesitance on the matter, after all, he has been in
that position as well.

“The last day and a half have been taxing on you all and we apologize for that but what has
happened is what we go through almost everyday in the city.” Steven added. “However that
does not mean we are not capable of offering your son protection. We have ways to keep him
safe and sound within the city. Of course, it all goes back to whether or not he chooses to
come with us.”

Leo can’t help but think that Mr.Klaus and Mr.Steven was using the word ‘protection’ a lot.
Maybe it was because they think his parents might think badly of them after last night.
Hellsalem’s lot is a very dangerous town though. Can someone as normal as him really live
in a place like that, Libra or otherwise?

His thoughts were broken at the sound of a sigh.

“Okay….Okay…” Mr. Watch moved his hands a bit in surrender. “I….fine. You two have
good morals and have the best intentions for my son. That’s all fine and all but that doesn’t
really help me. I just can’t…he’s my son!” He tried to explain.

Klaus nodded. “We understand that this is very difficult for you---”

“Do you really?” Mr.Watch cut him off. “Do you have a child, young man? I bet you don’t.
You have no idea what it’s like to be in my position right now! So don’t give me that blabber
of a speech!”

“Dad!” Michella looked offended for the man.

“Dear, that was way too harsh.” Mrs.Watch chided. “Please calm down.”

“You can’t possibly tell me to calm down after all of this….crap that we’ve been through!”
Mr.Watch argued. “I can’t accept this! How can you all just sit here and just listen to them!? I
bet that after that, they might do something to him the second he is out of our sights! There is
no way I would trust some stranger to do a parent’s job so don’t think I’ll let you two have
my son, you hulk of a damned beast!”

Suddenly a chair was kicked out and skidded on the floor.

The noise silenced everyone in the room.

Leo was standing and his face was half covered by his bangs. His hands were curled into fists
and he gritted his teeth. He looked like he wanted to say something but he gulped down those
words with a shaky exhale. “I’m going to get something to drink…” He didn’t wait for a
response as he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
“Young man---!” Mr.Watch moved to stand up but a tight grip on his arm prevented him from
doing so. He looked down to see his daughter hanging onto him. He was surprised and
admittedly a bit angry. “Michella….”

“Michella, sweetie, what are you…?” Mrs.Watch started but trailed off after seeing her face.

The youngest Watch member was not happy. “Mr.Klaus….Mr.Steven, can you guys….see if
brother is okay for me? I think I have a few things to say to my parents right now.”

The two men were a bit surprised but look at each other before nodding.

“Of course.” Klaus replied. “We’ll return shortly.”

Steven patted Michella’s back in encouragement before following after; soft hisses of pain
escaped his lips as they left.

--

With the two men gone, Michella let go of her dad’s arm. “That was way out of line and you
know it, dad. See, this is why brother can’t be bothered to talk to you, or mom. How can he,
when you two haven’t seen the pain he really was in for a long time?”

--

Leo felt ashamed for losing his temper back there. He managed to save himself from bursting
out what he was going to say but that didn’t change the fact that he kicked his chair out in the
process. He groaned as he laid his forehead on the glass of the vending; his fist dully hitting it
as he tried to think of a way to apologize for his actions. “This is the worst….”

“Family can either bring the best or the worst out of a person.” A warm hand was on his
shoulder. “Pay no heed to it.”

Looking over his shoulder was none other than Klaus who wasn’t smiling but was far from
upset. Worried might have been the word. “Ah….um…where’s Mr.Steven?”

“He decided to go to the gift store to see if they have some over the counter medication to aid
his pain.” Which was ironic since they were in the hospital but again, better safe than sorry.
“Why don’t we have a seat and take a minute or two to ourselves?”

The young man sighed. “Whatever.” He turned around and plopped on one of those chairs in
the hallway.

Klaus glanced at him before he went to the vending machine. When he got what he needed,
he joined the younger adult and sat next to him. Opening the plastic bag, he ripped the
cinnamon roll down the middle before giving one half to Leo.

“Oh….thanks…” Taking it, Leo took a small bite. “Um…so I’m guessing you have a thing
for sweets?”
“Mm, I do admit that I have a sweet tooth.” Klaus lightly chuckled. “I have grown a liking to
doughnuts as of late.” Getting a big bag of them every so often was a treat for himself. “Must
have gotten it from my father.”

Leo nodded. He took another bite and chewed before swallowing. “How did your parents
take it, going to the most dangerous city on earth?” He softly asked. “Well, I guess you were
already grown up and all….” He murmured more to himself on that.

Klaus, however, heard all of that. “My family…rather my parents were very worried for
me…after what happened to me years before, I believe they have every right to go against
strongly on me going into Hellsalem’s lot. For one, and I must confess this, no one else in the
family is a fang hunter and for the youngest to become one and to still be one is something
that they are still trying to grasp to this day.”

Leo wasn’t sure how to take that confession. “Was it hard…to…tell them you’re going to that
city?”

“Yes.” Klaus wasn’t going to sugar coat it for Leonardo; not now. “I am a very capable
person, an ideal adult in the eyes of some. But for my mother and father, I was still their…
little boy.” It brought a faint blush on his cheeks but he went on. “My brothers and sister took
it a little easier than them but they worry just as much. However, I have told them that with or
without their support, I was going. Not because I was confident but because I was determined
to do so. Admittedly, it did hurt to say such a thing but, to sit back and do nothing would have
pained me more. I just couldn’t….”

Yeah, maybe his dad has every right to be upset. Being around to strangers in a fight that was
straight out of a movie and then have to hear of the possibility that your son might go with
them. Though, what hurt him the most was that his parents trying to recapture something
back; like hoping their lives would be normal again.

Far be it from what Leo was hoping but he already knew nothing would be normal after that
incident. Plus, that feeling inside of him. How can he ignore it now? How can his parents
pretend now?

And Michella….

“….Before it happened, we came to the edge of the city.” Leo started talking. “As you can
see, for a long time my sister hadn’t been able to walk. The city of miracles, they said. Maybe
someone in that city might make another miracle for her, they said. They had hope and that
hope…irritated me somehow.” He hung his head. “I couldn’t…do anything….and
Michella…she…” He rubbed his eyes with a sleeve. “….Neither of our parents wanted to
talk about it…they just…pretend it away…but I can’t…not with my eyes…not with Michella
being blind…” He sighed. “This is the worst….”

For a full minute, neither of them said a word; letting the sounds of phones ringing and
intercom voices fill in the air.

Finally, Klaus placed a hand on Leo’s head; ruffling it a little.

Leo leaned into the touch a bit; his face going a faint pink. Finally, he turned to the other.
“I’m also a little mad about my dad insulting you like that.”

A little surprised, Klaus just let his hand stay there. “I know he meant no offense. He is a
father after all and he is right; I do not have a child and will never understand what he is
going through.”

“It was still mean though.” Leo had to say. “You’ve been nothing but kind and amazing. Like,
we barely know each other and yet I feel safe around you. I can trust you…maybe…I don’t
know…I just…it’s frustrating.” He got out. “I wish I knew what to do….”

It came back to that, his choice. Like a broken record in his head and in his heart.

Stay or go?

Should he or shouldn’t he?

Yes or no?

--

Choose.

Who will be a witness?

--

That hand that was on his head moved down to his back as Leo was gently pulled into an
embrace. He was surprised to have his face against the older man’s chest and it flustered him
for a bit. “Um…”

Klaus held him close as his eyes were hooded by his bangs. He soon rubbed the other’s back
in a soothing manner.

As embarrassing as he felt before, he soon relaxed into the embrace. He can faintly hear the
calm heartbeat of the older man and just gripped the sleeve of the man’s arm before letting
out a shaky sigh. “I-I’ll have to make a choice soon…”

“I know.”

“This may not end well…”

“Possibly.”

“I’m not a coward….”

“Of course not.”

“I want to do what’s right.”

“The only person that can believe that is you, no one else can decide that.”
Leo nodded against the man’s chest before pulling back. “Do you have any regrets….for the
choices you made?”

Klaus sighed softly. “Even if I do answer that, it won’t give you the resolve that you need.
However, in the short time that I have met you, you are the type of person to move forward
despite your setbacks. It was true the night before and it is true now. I believe that whatever
you choose, Leonardo Watch, know that I will support you. No matter what.”

To move forward despite the setbacks, huh.

Maybe too headstrong like a soldier or a warrior or even a knight---

Oh.

Oh.

Leo’s shoulders started to shake as he realized something. He was laughing. Stressed out and
at the edge of frustration, he was laughing. Oh god, this was so stupid and yet….!

“Leonardo?” Klaus was confused and a bit worried on why the other was laughing all of a
sudden.

“Yeah…yeah, I guess that’s how it is.” Leo shook his head. “I think I knew what I was going
to do all along…I just was waiting for some sort of sign…but I can’t wait for it. I shouldn’t
have to.” Pulling back from the embrace entirely, he looked up at the older man with a
determined look. “I want…I want to move forward….”

Klaus blinked before he nodded. “And forward you must go. You have my full support.”

“And mine.”

The two looked over and saw Steven with an arm full of drinks.

“Well I assumed we will all be parched after that shouting moment.” It was just bottles of
soda but Steven only had cash on him. “So, what will it be young man?”

Leo looked between Steven (who gave him a curious look), to Klaus (who smiled
encouragingly), before he hummed. “Well,” He got off the chair. “I need to talk to my family
first.”

--

END
 Chapter 9
Chapter Notes

While I'm happy that this didn't take me a month to finish it, it was still way too long in
my opinion. But I feel confident that the last chapter will wrap things up nicely. I am
unsure if I want to do a sequel of this. I may not have much time as I did for this one and
well, it may seem repetitive with only certain things changed.

Anyway, please a comment and I hope you enjoy.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Klaus noticed a change in Leonardo as they were walking back. The young man’s walk was
pronounced; more confident in his steps and there was no indication of him slowing down.
Rather than confidence, it was determination. Yes, it was what the kind of thing that was
helping this young man move forward.

As long as one is walking on the path towards the light, there is hope.

All too quickly, they ended up back at the door. The three can hear some sounds coming from
the other side but none of them can hear what was happening beyond the door.

“Alright….you can do this, Leo….” Leo murmured to himself. He slapped his face a few
times to prep himself. Sure that reddened his cheeks in the process but it was more than
enough to keep him on his feet. Turning around, he smiled at the others. “I think I should go
in there on my own. Can you guys wait out here in the meantime?”

“Of course.” Klaus nodded.

“Not that we’d be much help now.” Steven agreed.

Leo nodded. “Mr.Klaus….”

“Yes?”

“C-Can…I…have…a hug?” Leo’s already red cheeks got redder asking that.

A bit surprised at that, Klaus soon slightly smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Leo ran into the man’s open arms as they hugged it out for a moment. He then slowly pulled
back with a shaky exhale. “Thank you.” Maybe that was a bad thing since his heart was
racing a little more than he wanted but he couldn’t bring himself to care. “Mr. Steven.”

“Yes?”
It took a moment for the young man. “I think it was cool the way you fought that blood
breed. I mean…you’re an okay guy.” He settled with a lopsided smile.

Steven was speechless for a second before he chuckled. “One of the better compliments I
have heard in my entire life. I’ll remember that.” He winked.

Leo laughed a bit. “Right.” He turned to the door with a deep inhale. “Okay…here we go.”

The two older adults watched as the young man went inside the room and closed the door
behind him. They stared at the door for a few moments.

“….That young man has a considerable weight on his shoulders.” Steven stated softly.

Klaus nodded. “Yes….but he refuses to give up.” Down but not out as Zapp would put it.

Steven sighed with a smile before he gently nudged the other. “Come on, this is one
battlefield we have to sit out of.” He led his dear friend to the chairs so they can wait and
enjoy their drinks.

--

Leo wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he came back into the room. He certainly
wasn’t expecting his mother in tears, his father with a hard frown and Michella just with her
head turned away from them. He clasped his hands behind his back. “Ah, hey.”

All three heads snapped towards him; making him flinch at the sudden attention aimed at
him.

“Oh…sweetie, you’re back.” His mother was wiping the tears from her eyes. “Sorry, we
didn’t notice you for a second.”

Michella bit her lip before smiling at her brother. “Where’s Mr. Klaus and Mr. Steven?”

Mr. Watch’s lips thinned at the mention.

“They’re fine.” Leo replied. “They’re waiting outside.”

Nodding, Michella soon started wheeling towards her brother. When she felt a hand on her,
she pulled him a little closer with a shaky sigh. “I’m sorry, brother. I think I made it worse for
you while you were out.” She whispered.

Leo was silent as he glanced at his parents for a moment before he nodded and kissed her
forehead. “This is a long time coming. I don’t blame you.” He never had. Not then and not
now. “Thanks for trying though. Appreciate it.”

Michella nodded. “Good luck.” She had a feeling where this was going.

Still holding on to her hand, Leo took a deep breath. “Dad…that was a terrible thing to say to
Mr.Klaus just before.” Start small, Leo. Start small and build your way up.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Watch looked at his son.

“I mean…you didn’t have to call him a beast like that. He was just trying his to understand. I
get that you upset---”

“Okay, look I’m sorry for that but you have to understand---”

“No, you need to understand something!”

Mr.Watch reeled back at that while the women in the family stared at Leo.

Leo rubbed his head furiously. “That’s just the thing, you don’t understand; about anything!
It’s like nothing is sinking in for you about all of this.” He continued. “Of course this is
frustrating, the whole situation had been nothing much than….than…a clusterfuck!”

“Leo!” His mother was shocked.

“I’m sorry mom but it’s true.” Leo then turned to his father once again. “I tried my best to
keep it in; knowing this wasn’t easy for you guys but…the thing is…it wasn’t easy for me
either! That day…at the edge of that city…that moment….” The flashback was burning
bright and clear before he gritted his teeth. “Don’t you think you and mom have been
ignoring this for too long!?”

Michella gasped softly at that. “Leo…”

Their mother gone silent as she stared at her hands on the sheets. His father however was
turning a bit red.

No one said a word for a long moment.

“….I didn’t…want to believe it…” Mr.Watch gritted his teeth. “Your mother and I…for years
we have heard the same thing about your sister’s condition for years….a coworker was the
one to suggest going to the city. The city of miracles; anything can happen. It gave us hope.
We wanted her to walk again. We wanted her to have a normal life again, damn it!” He
slammed his fist on his leg hard.

His mother was covering her face with her hands; trying not to cry and failing.

Leo felt a bit of his anger deflating hearing that. It was the first time he was hearing this from
his father. At the time, his father couldn’t be bothered to explain things to him; just saying
that we needed to go and try. It was that hope, he later realized before that incident, that
irritated him.

“….I wanted Michella to walk too.” Leo softly confessed. “I wanted to run with her, play
with her around the park, do all that stuff when we were kids. I thought it as unfair that she
had to be the one in the wheelchair; being made fun of because of it.” He had bruises and
scrapes as a kid when he defended her from those jerks. “But…never once did I think she
wasn’t normal.”

That got their mother to drop her hands a little.

“Michella is like any other person. She likes a lot of things that other girls do. She has her
favorite food, her favorite places, hell she has celebrity crushes that she gushes over like that
one time—” He yelped as he felt a pinch on his arm.

“They get it, Leo.” Michella murmured with some embarrassment. Though she was happy to
hear her brother say that.

Leo rubbed his arm. “The point is that yeah, it sucks that she’s in a wheelchair but…she’s not
far from normal. I see her as my annoying, loving sister…and yeah she does deserve to walk
again…but not when you guys are blind the rest of her.”

“….Okay….we may have been…overlooking a lot of things.” Mr.Watch relented. “We

wanted what’s best for her. As a father, it’s as if I failed somehow in her. And now it seems I
failed with you as well.”

Their mother sniffled. “Yes, I feel that way too…but we tried our best anyway…because…
there was no other way to cope….” She gasped a little. “We don’t know what else to do…!”
The fact that her daughter wasn’t able to walk was one thing but to have her also blind while
her son has this…thing as eyes now was too much to bear for her. She cried for so many
nights.

But along the way, she didn’t stop to think the kind of pain her son might be in.

“Yeah….I guess it runs in the family.” This wasn’t something they can easily tell their friends
or other family members. Hell, even strangers might find it weird. But that doesn’t excuse
them for being ignorant of the fact. This may be permanent or temporary…no one knows.
But this was something they have to open their eyes to. “But I can’t just brush aside the fact
that you guys tried to make things normal again when it hasn’t been for months. Everything
is painful, confusing and….ah!” He had to say. “Do you even get that Mr.Klaus and
Mr.Steven have done more for me in the last almost two days than you guys have been in
months? I’m not saying that you’re terrible people but you two haven’t been the best either!”

The parents looked at each other before looking away.

“You need to understand that this is our life now. We can’t ignore this anymore…I can’t…let
this go on like that anymore…dad, mom…I have the all-seeing eyes of god….Michella is
blind because of….” He wanted to say he was the cause but Michella made a choice that day
too. “We were just scared! We needed you guys! I’m still growing up, I don’t know what
being an adult means, I’m not even old enough to drink!” He kicked the air with his foot.
“I…am just tired…of all of this….”

Michella moved forward and hugged his arm. “I know, brother. You’ve…been very brave and
cool for a long time….I’m sorry….” She tried to explain that to their parents and it backfired,
so she was glad he was able to say it. “Do you get it now, mom…dad….?”

Leo hoped…that what he was saying got through to them this time. He wondered if Mr.Klaus
had this problem with his parents as well.
“….We…were hoping we can just forget about it and move on.” Their mother soon spoke up.
“I suppose we didn’t do our job as parents as your father pointed out. Nothing prepared us for
what was happening with our own children and I suppose we were looking for a sign on what
to do…but it never came….”

Ah….so that was it too.

Well damn.

Their father sighed tiredly. “I have no words. This is one of the things that we weren’t ready
for; our own son giving us the shovel talk.” He leaned back. “This was coming for a long
time, I suppose.” Didn’t make it any less painful. “And, anything else you want to say?” He
supposed he can let the ball rolling for his son now.

Leo’s shoulders slumped for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah…and you’ll like it less than
before.”

All attention was on him just like before.

He sighed before he opened his mouth once again.

--

Opening the can of soda, Steven took a sip. “How are you holding up?”

“Hm?” Klaus was enjoying a strawberry milk in a plastic bottle with a cartoon rabbit on it.

“That young man has been in that room for a while.” Steven explained with a smile. “Either
it’s going well or it’s going terribly.” They can’t really hear what’s going on apart from some
sounds coming through the white door. It was anyone’s guess at that point.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Klaus hummed. “Well it is wishful thinking but I
hope that Leonardo will get the support that he needs from his family. If not….then we’ll do
our best to do so on their behalf.” It would be a tough pill to swallow; having to think of the
worst case in this situation.

“He wouldn’t be the first.” Steven had his arm around his stomach. “As long as we have been
fighting blood breeds, we had our fair share of pain; for ourselves and for those we have
met.” The recent one was the time they were in New York city when the Great Collapse was
just happening. “But…I have to say the young man has grown on me. Not everyday that we
would meet someone like that. I just wished the circumstances were a little better.”

Klaus couldn’t help but smile at that. “I wished so too.” He wondered how things would have
been like if Leo went to the city. Would he find out about Libra’s existence eventually or
would he find some other way to help his family? No one can really say. He would like to
think that he would come to their doorstep; for the sake of his family.

His mind went to the term butterfly effect for some odd reason.
“In any case,” Steven added. “The sooner we get back to the city, the better. I dread to think
what has happened in our absence.” Not much to worry about but he was talking more along
the lines of their office….and Zapp; mostly Zapp.

“I’m sure everyone is doing their best and are at their most professional.” Klaus assured the
other. “If anything does happen that needs our presence then we would make haste.”

“And leave the poor young man behind? My, that’s not like you at all.” Steven teased. “I
would have thought that you would pick him up and hold him tight while never letting him
go.”

That brought a faint blush to the taller man’s face. “I-It is not like that!”

“I’m kidding.” Steven patted his arm. “Still, having that young man with us would be good in
many ways. He kind of reminds me of you.”

Holding the bottle, Klaus can vaguely remember Leo crying over him during the fight,
hugging him tight in relief and then asking him if there was anything he can do. A chuckle
escaped his lips. “He is…a very kind young man…I have quickly grown fond over that.” He
wasn’t sure what that feeling was but whatever it was, it was a positive one.

Before Steven can tease him further on that, the door opened.

The two men turned their attention to the door where Leo was walking through before
closing it behind him.

“Ah, young man. We were just talking about you.” Steven stated with a cautious tone. “How
did it go?”

Leo gripped the end of his sweater as his shoulders shook.

Klaus’s expression turned to concern. Oh no…

Before either of the older adults can say anything, Leo moved his head up and there were
tears, some snot and what really threw them of…was a big smile on his face. “I…I…um…”
He was laughing and crying at the same time. “Yeah….y-yeah!” His smile went wider.

“Yes?” Klaus asked.

Leo nodded. “Yeah! Yeah!”

Steven was confused for a moment before he caught on. “Oh!” He then gently nudged Klaus.
“That’s great, right?”

Klaus furrowed his eyebrows before he soon got it and looked back at the young man. “Is
that so?”

Leo nodded before he suddenly lost feeling of his legs. Thankfully he didn’t hit the ground as
Klaus was quick on his feet to up and catch him. His head was on the other’s chest as he
sniffled. “I’m so tired….”
“Then rest.” Klaus smiled softly. “I’ll wake you when it’s time to leave…”

Though he didn’t hear the latter part of what Klaus said, Leo’s breathing was soon steady and
slow. He was relaxed into the older man’s arms.

For the first time in his life, he felt great.

--

Michella can hear her brother resting peacefully as she was sitting in front of him and Klaus.
Her face was a little red from crying. “He was yelling a lot at our parents. I have never seen
him so emotional like that before.” She lowered her voice. “After all that, he still didn’t cry…
at least not in front of us.”

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Steven smiled. “To stand up against an enemy is one thing
but to stand up to one’s own family is an incredible feat. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him.”

“No, you’re right about that.” Michella closed her eyes. “This is not like those shows on TV.
We don’t just talk and hug it all out thinking it’ll be fine now….but it’s a start.” She sniffled.
“For brother’s future and my own, it’s a start.” Their parents had confessed to them that they
were talking about; their future. In her mind, it made what her brother wanted to say easier
for him.

“It’s that half step.” Klaus murmured softly. “Without knowing, Leonardo believed in taking
that half step.” He had his hand on the other’s head. A blanket was on the sleeping young
man not too long ago. “He put his heart and mind on that half-step before he can just give up
and turn back. That in of itself was admirable in my eyes….”

Though Michella was a little confused, there was a knowing look in Steven’s eyes.

--

“Do you believe that it’s just any half

step?”

--

Klaus wouldn’t be saying such a thing if it didn’t matter so to hear those words again was not
only nostalgic but also fitting.

‘Really though, for this young man and Klaus to be similar in certain ways is something I
can’t find myself saying to anyone else. It’s really unfair.’ Steven shook his head. “So, should
we head out?”

“Oh, right.” Michella moved her wheelchair back a little. “We have the house to ourselves for
tonight.” Not that it’ll matter why, everyone just needed some time to cool off.

“Right.” Steven grabbed a hold of one of the handles of the young lady’s wheelchair and
helped moved her so Klaus had room to move. “I suppose another night at the Watch’s
residence won’t hurt, right?”
 Klaus nodded before he gently moved Leo’s sleeping body back into his arms from his lap
while making sure the blanket was still wrapped around him. “Let’s go.” It’ll be shame when
they leave this quint but lovely town but when they do, it’ll be on a positive note.

Tomorrow is another day, after all.

--

END

Chapter End Notes

Steven, go back in the hospital and get treated. You silly man of Libra!
 Chapter 10
Chapter Notes

I can't believe it. After months of writing this, this is it. Over 50 comments, almost 150
kudos and almost 2000 hits. Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now. This started
off as a whim and now it's a story all on it's own. And I'm so happy...that I went with it
until this point.

Thank you guys so much for the comments you have written me about this fic. I wish I
can reply to every single one of you who enjoyed my writing but more importantly, this
story that I have made. I don't want this to end, I really don't.

The urge to make a sequel is growing and maybe there might be one. But for now, I
hope you enjoy this last chapter. And again thank you, thank you so much...this means a
lot to me....

See the end of the chapter for more notes

“So what’s Hellsalem’s lot like?”

Klaus paused in his cooking at the same time Steven paused on a page.

They and Michella were in the kitchen a couple hours after coming from the hospital
Admittedly everyone was exhausted but since it was near the evening, Klaus took it upon
himself to cook for them once again.

With his wound still healing, Steven was taking it easy by sitting at the kitchen table and
reading a book that he borrowed from Mr.Watch’s office.

So when Michella asked that question, the men were internally startled by that. Not a lot of
people would ask that since it was a well-known fact that the city is dangerous and would not
want to know more beyond that.

Marking the page and closing the book, Steven cleared his throat. “That’s a difficult question
to answer. We can only offer the truth.”

“That’s okay. Can’t really sugarcoat that place even if you guys wanted to and you’ve been
there for a long time.” Michella shrugged. “So, what’s it like?”

Leaning back, Steven hummed. “It’s something out of a novel; humans and otherworld kind
living together in a city covered in fog. It whimsical and terrifying, horrific and wondering,
amazing and unbelievable….and yet, it’s still a city and daily still occurs.”
“It’s a place that shouldn’t exist, but it stands for all to see.” Klaus continued for Steven.
“However, where there is bad, there is also good. It’s dangerous in its own right but regular
citizens have either chose to live there or stay behind, for whatever reason. It is…a place like
no other on earth.”

Michella smiled. “Well if brother would have heard that, he would have thought that the city
came from a video game or something.”

“I have not played video games often in my lifetime but I have played computer games.”
Klaus casually noted.

“Oh, what is your favorite?” Michella asked curiously.

“Prosfair.” Klaus answered enthusiastically.

The young lady had no idea what the man was talking as she tried to think if she ever heard
of it before.

“It’s Klaus’s favorite board and computer game, depending on who he is playing it with.”
Steven added. “It’s a very complicated version of Chess, if you will. It’s a popular game to
humans and the otherworld kind alike. He has more wins under his belt than losses.”

Michella hummed. “I have seen Chess games a few times before. I hope it really is as
exciting as you make it seem.”

“Well, not a lot of people have the patience and the determination as Klaus has.” Steven
grinned. “You might say that he has bonded with a lot of people over that game on the
internet.”

Klaus’s mouth thinned out a bit; thinking of a certain Otherworld boss that he has a ‘special
friendship’ with. Well, all the in name of Libra and the safety of the city. “Ah, dinner is
almost ready.”

“Wonderful, I’m starving.” Steven placed the book on the table.

“Let me go get Leo.” Michella suggested.

Wiping his hands with a towel, Klaus smiled. “May I get him instead? Steven can set the
table in the meantime.”

Steven nodded as he got up slowly from the table.

Michella smiled. “Of course.” She had a feeling that Klaus wanted to see how Leo was
without having to think about family for a little while longer. When Klaus left the kitchen,
she turned to Steven. “Is Klaus single?”

She mostly meant it as a joke but at that moment, she was so mad that she couldn’t see.
Especially since she heard plates clatter to the floor and obscurities being hissed out.

--
“Leonardo?” Klaus gently knocked on the young man’s door. “It’s dinner time.” He
wondered if the other was asleep.

But soft sounds were coming from the other side of the door. “Oh, coming…I’m just….damn
it…” Some grunting and sighing before there was a small crash.

Klaus was quick to respond as he opened the door. “Leonardo, are you alright?” Before him
was the bedroom floor a mess and Leo in the middle of it.

For his part, Leo rubbed his head before looking up. “Oh…sorry…I tripped over something
and fell over.”

“As long as you’re alright.” Klaus nodded; relieved. Taking a closer look, he noticed
something. “Photos?”

Looking where the other’s eyes were, Leo hummed as he picked one up. “Yeah, it’s kind of a
hobby of mine. Wanna see a few?”

“Sure.” Closing the door behind him, Klaus was careful not to step on any of the scattered
photos as he went and sat next to the other.

Leo then grabbed a few more. “I’m more organized than this.” He apologized as he blushed.

“Worry not, it has been a long day for you.” Klaus reassured the other. “So how long have
you been into photography?”

“Honestly, it was on and off at first but I stuck with it after.” Leo showed the other another
photo. “I’m no professional but I have been told that I take awesome pictures. On vacations, I
was in charge of the camera. I guess it was something they can trust me with….” His hands
paused as he trailed off.

Klaus noticed it as he turned to the other. “Leonardo?”

He gripped the photos a bit as he sighed. “It doesn’t get easier…” Leo admitted it. “Part of
me wants to think this is all a dream and I’ll wake up….to before the whole thing started.
But…some other part of me is glad…it’s weird…I wouldn’t have been able to face my
parents otherwise. Probably moved out first than anything….”

Not everyone would get to say that they wanted to tell their own parents what’s what and
done so. Oh how he wanted to tell them something for so long. It was supposed to feel
relieving and it was but…

Placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder, Klaus rubbed it gently. “I can’t say I understand
the family dynamic such as yours but…I know two people who care for their children when I
see one.”

That got a faint smile out of Leo before he nodded. “I guess so.” He wasn’t sure but the
words were comforting nonetheless. “L-Let’s get to that dinner.”

“Of course.”
As Leo got up, he lost his footing and tripped. As if the gods were merciless enough, he
tripped and fell over the older man’s lap with a ‘oof’.

Klaus was both glad that he didn’t hit the hard ground. “Are you okay? Maybe we should
clean up a little first.”

Leo was silent for a moment before he murmured something. “How….?”

“Hm?”

“How can I still feel so bad?” Leo’s voice cracked. “I confronted my parents….I spoke up…
and I told them…it felt great doing it at the time but now….” His shoulder shook a little. “I
don’t know anymore…”

It pained Klaus to see Leonardo in turmoil about everything that has happened. Never did he
think that coming here would cause a family to unravel in just a couple days’ time. Maybe it
wasn’t his fault but it wasn’t Leo’s either. He was right to say that the young man has endured
a lot and not just because of his eyes.

“…Forgive me Leonardo for doing this.” Klaus gave Leo no time to reply as he picked up the
young man easily and moved him so he was in his arms. For a mere second, he thought the
other looked adorable while being held but he pushed it to the back of his mind. Leo needed
something more right now. “It’s never easy to go against your family.”

Leo sniffled as he rubbed his eyes a little.

“They mean the best and they love you but they cannot understand what you as a person have
been through. They would only see you as a child that they must protect against all odds. To
tell them otherwise can be…a battle. Simply because the truth would be harder to face.”
Klaus concluded.

Silently, Leo placed his head on the other’s chest. It was a bit embarrassing but looking at
those green eyes (did the color really matter???), he knew the other won’t hold it against him.
He then sighed. “It is…I felt so drained. I guess…it’s a generation thing…”

“It’s many things.” Klaus gently argued. “But for all it’s worth, I’m glad you were able to say
what you wanted to say. Everyone goes through many battles every day; even ones that no
one can see. As long as you came out of it alive, then it’s a battle won.”

“Uh…wow…” Leo was a bit stunned. “I never thought about it that way.” He then smiled a
little. “Do you always do this for your friends and coworkers?”

Klaus let out a faint chuckle. “I’m afraid that most of the people I have been around with are
either too busy or couldn’t be bothered for such a comforting moment.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Leo said before he realized the words that were coming out of
his mouth. “I-I mean, you are their boss and you’re a great guy! You care…like a lot! I just
think it sucks that no one else took the time to just…talk with you.”
The older man was a bit surprised to hear that. Leo was around the ballpark, so to speak
about that. Nonetheless, to hear such compliments brought a bit of a chime in his heart. He
made a noise before he turned to the side. “I must say, not a lot would say such things about
me.”

Leo blinked before his face went pink. ‘Oh fuck…’ It hit him like an oncoming train. He
suddenly got up from the man’s arms. “D-Dinner! Let’s get dinner!” He hid his face as he
turned around. “A-And after…if you want…we can look at more photos together….”

Klaus turned to the other and saw that the tips of the other’s ears were pink. He smiled as he
nodded. “I would love nothing more.”

Though the older man couldn’t see his face, Leo was sure his face would explode before his
eyes can.

--

“Thank you.” Michella smiled as she was helped into bed by her brother. “Can you hand me
that book that’s on the desk?”

Leo went to get it and came back. “Here.”

Taking the book, Michella placed it on her lap. “So…want to hear what happened after you
left the hospital room?”

There was a grimace in his face that his sister clearly can’t see but he sighed before nodding.
“Hit me with your best shot.”

“Old reference but okay.” Michella joked but nodded. “Mom and dad didn’t say anything for
a while. Silence for the longest time, I think. For once, I wanted to see their faces but at the
same time, not really. But nothing exploded.” She patted her lap lightly.

That was good at least. “I’m glad.”

Michella smiled. “It was pretty risky what you did but I’m glad it came from you. If I said all
of that, they might think someone influenced me or something just because I’m blind or
something. They wouldn’t have believed me.” She shrugged.

“I actually felt down about after that high moment.” Leo admitted. “But I feel better now.”

“I’m glad.” That smile faded a little before she reached out and was glad that her brother’s
hand was near before getting a hold of it. “So…when?”

He didn’t need eyes to see what she was talking about. “I don’t know…I haven’t talked to
them about it yet. Maybe later tonight.”

Nodding, Michella sighed. “It might be late to say this, so I’ll just say it.”

That got Leo’s full attention though he was curious as well.

“You’ve been my rock even since we were kids. You’ve been so much for me and I am
thankful for that. But at the same time, I unknowingly put a lot of pressure on you. I’m not
happy that I can’t walk but with you, it’s easier to accept that I may not walk again. I don’t
like it even now but, you were the only one who didn’t walk around eggshells for me. You
can be annoying sometimes and you are a bit hardheaded….you can also be amazing and
kind…”

Leo’s face was getting pink from the compliments.

“When we came to the edge of the city, a part of me was really looking forward to walking
again.” Michella admitted. “It sounded like a dream come true. Though I can see even
through the camera lens that you weren’t as on board about it. Even so, I have hoped.” Her
hand idly brushed over the cover. “That was selfish, huh.”

“No, it’s not!” Leo grasped her hand. “T-The thing was, that hope irritated me because it felt
like mom and dad were just grasping straws. I get that it’s frustrating; I want to see you walk
again too but to go to Hellsalem’s lot is just…reckless…! Your life is more important than a
would-be cure!” He bit his lip; trying not to tear up. “And yet….”

His head was down so he didn’t see his sister’s lips tremble before he was pulled into a hug.
His head was mostly on her shoulder as her arms were wrapped around his own.

Michella sniffled as she buried her face into her brother’s hair. “Oh Leo….I know…I….” She
was shedding a few tears of her own as she held her brother close. It was unfair, it was so
unfair that she wanted to scream it to the skies and let everyone know it. But life isn’t fair to
begin with and now she knew that gods were just as unkind.

Choose, that being said; choose who will see and who will not.

So she chose, her brother over herself. Even if life was unfair, she refused to let it happen to
the one person she cared about the most.

The most selfish and yet selfless thing she could have ever done.

Simply because she chose.

--

Closing the door behind him, he let his sister have some reading time before bed. Sniffling
and rubbing his eyes with the end of his sleeve, he went to his bedroom first to get
something.

Holding a thick book, he wandered into the living room where there two older adults were
setting up the beds. He wasn’t sure how Klaus found the spare inflatable bed the first time
around but he supposed Michella had a hand in it.

The men didn’t have any spare clothes to change into sadly so they just discarded a few
clothing items to get comfortable. Steven with his tie, shoes and socks while Klaus forego his
vest, shirt, tie, and socks; leaving him with his pants and tank top and a nice view for Leo
who wanted nothing more than to just sink back into the shadows to hide his blush.

He was too old for crushes, he mused.

Before he had the chance to even move back, Klaus spotted him from the corner of his eye.
“Oh Leonardo, welcome back.”

“Uh…hey.” Leo held the photo album tightly at that. “You guys going to sleep?”

Steven snorted. “Getting sleep is an overstatement but we will be getting some sort of rest;
more for myself.” He was laying on the couch with a blanket over him and a pillow to prop
him up a bit. “I can say the same for you, young man.” His smile was mischievous. “Isn’t it
past your bedtime?”

Leo pouted. “Haha, so funny. You must have done nights at the comedy club in the 80’s.”

That got a snort from Klaus who had to cover it up with a fist.

“How mean, you’re supposed to be on my side.” Steven huffed playfully as he poked his
friend’s shoulder.

“I wasn’t aware that I was obligated to take sides.” Klaus’s tone carried just a tiny amount of
sarcasm.

The younger adult couldn’t help but be amused at the scene before him. Take away the Libra
stuff and the fang hunters and they’d just be two guys having a good laugh. He never really
had friends like that; not really. Sure he made some but they come and go as time moved on.
He wasn’t jealous or anything, he found happiness in other ways…like…

“Ah, is that the photos you wanted to show me?” Klaus asked as he got a very soft thump of
the book from a grinning Steven.

“Oh, uh yes!” Leo nodded as he went and sat between Klaus and Steven on the floor;
purposely ignoring how impressive Klaus’s biceps were. “So, these are the photos that I have
taken and collected over the years. So, when I was about six…”

Steven was idly listening to Leo as he looked at the photos he was pointing to. He glanced up
and saw Klaus pointing a photo or two; very interested in the story behind it. The more he
viewed them, the more he saw those green eyes lit up. It wasn’t as if his friend had been
down in the dumps since he had been in the city, but he can tell that something felt missing
for him.

It wasn’t to say that it had to be something or someone; happiness comes in many forms and
most people don’t even realize it. However, it could take one thing or one person to help shift
things in a better light. That was why he believed Leo would be good for Libra and more
importantly, for Klaus. After all he has done, his friend deserved something good in his life.

--
“Ah, Steven fell asleep…”

“Oh, I didn’t realize….”

Leo closed the book as softly as he could before he looked at the other. “Want to get some
fresh air? There’s something I want to talk about before my parents come back tomorrow.”

Klaus was curious but nodded as they both got up. He paused for a moment as he took the
book that Steven had on in his hand away as gently as he could and set it on the coffee table
“Rest well, my friend.”

The young man dimmed the living room lights before the pair left the room.

--

“I wanted to talk about this with you and Mr.Steven but I guess he’s still healing.” Leo
murmured as he was sitting on the front yard; wearing a huge sweater.

Klaus got his shirt on but didn’t button it as he nodded. “Yes, healing takes time and energy. I
am glad though that the wound wasn’t infected.” When Leo was resting in bed after the
incident, he was by Steven’s side.

Leo nodded as he sighed before looking up at the sky. “….So….you told me that you can’t
see any stars in the city, right?”

“Yes.” Klaus nodded. “As far as anyone knows, the city was engulfed by fog and only the sun
can shine through. Even then, the sky is not much to look at.”

“Mm.” Leo then glanced at the grass below. “It’s not like I had time to really think about the
whole thing, there are still doubts in my mind about the choice I am making. However, I
know now that, it’ll be my choice to make. You help me realize that…” His face was a little
warm. “So….thank you….”

Klaus was a bit surprised to hear it. A small smile soon graced his face. “I am happy to hear
that I have aided you on this path you have been struggling on for so long. I have met many
people in my lifetime from various backgrounds. Though what they have in common,
including myself, is the determination to moved forward even when times are tough. When I
look at you, I see that pain but I also see that drive that you needed to move forward.”

That made Leo look up at him mostly in awe.

“I have a saying you see; when one is stuck on their path. As long as one takes one step
towards the light, their spirit can never be broken.” Klaus stated. “Keep moving, Leonardo
Watch. Whether it’s one step or even a half step; I know that you are capable of walking
towards that light.” He felt his own face warm up a bit. “We, Libra, and I’m sure your sister,
will be there to support you no matter what…”

He didn’t know what to say, he felt like crying but tears wouldn’t come out. Instead, he just
scooted over until he was against the other man’s side. He hid his face in the man’s shirt as he
body shook a little. “M-Mm…” He nodded. No words can come out as there was a lump in
his throat, but he felt better hearing that. The last two-ish days have been a hell of a ride but it
was a ride that he was okay going through.

He hoped he can see the light like Klaus had.

Klaus didn’t say anything but wrapped an arm around the other and kept him close. He will
make sure Leo will get the comfort he needed.

He was determined to help Leo see that light someday.

--

When the sun rose the following morning, Leo was surprised to find himself not in his bed
but somewhere much warmer. When his vision cleared, he saw that he was held close by
none other than Klaus who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Leo had to cover his mouth, so he doesn’t scream in shock. As he tried to calm down, he
studied the other’s features while he slept. He looked relaxed, younger and well…more
handsome than he thought was possible. He lowered his hands that were on his mouth and
one of them reached out to touch the other’s hair.

“Ah-hm~”

He stopped short as he moved his head and saw Steven standing over them with a cheeky
smile. He blushed in embarrassment. “Uh…”

Steven placed a finger on his lips. When Leo quieted down, he beckoned him to come with
him.

Leo couldn’t bring himself to refuse as he wiggled his way out of the man’s arms before
getting up. He dusted himself off before he rubbed the back of his head with a sheepishly
smile.

The older man’s smile melted down to a genuine one as he led the other to the kitchen.

--

“Klaus has this charm about him, you see.”

“Hmm?”

Despite his somewhat staggering movements, Steven was able to cook some breakfast for the
group. “At first glance, he may seem like a beast in a noble’s clothing but if we’re going by
fairytales, he is more beauty than beast.”

“Mm…I guess that makes sense.” Yeah, his first impression when he saw Mr.Klaus for the
first time was that was a strong, maybe a vicious man. Yeah, a beast wasn’t too far off at first.
“He’s not so bad though.”
Steven chuckled. “Yep, he may be a bit timid and a hardhead but he is a swell guy through
and through. His decisions sometimes might be questionable but he wouldn’t have made
them without reason. No one could have picked a better leader than him.”

Leo nodded. “Yeah, he cares a lot. He worries, and he tries his best. Anyone can lead a group
but…” A small smile graced his lips. “Mr.Klaus is something more….”

That brought a curl upwards on the corners of his lips hearing that. Steven had no doubt that
Klaus would be flustered to hear it. Not a lot of people would think he was one but
nonetheless. “In any case, we should prepare for when your parents get home. Are we
picking them up or are they coming on their own?”

“They wanted to come by taxi.”

The two males turned their heads and saw Michella in a robe over her pajamas as she rolled
her wheelchair into the kitchen.

She looked refreshed and rested. “They told me before I left. I guess they needed more time
to themselves.”

That made Leo frown for a moment before he sighed. “Then it settled, we should clean up the
house a little.” He then smiled. “You’re getting better with memory, lil sis. How long did it
take you this time?”

“Just a couple minutes faster.” Michella felt proud of herself. “When everything is in the
same place, it becomes second nature. I may be blind but I’m still capable.”

“Impressive.” Steven had to say as he was getting the plates. “I have to ask, does your eyes,
the both of you, change when you are together?”

Good question.

Leo hummed as he leaned back on the chair. “I wouldn’t say change; we do feel something
though.”

“We haven’t put much thought into that.” Michella admitted with a finger on her chin.
“Maybe it’s one of those ‘if it happens, it happens’ situations? We just assumed the Leo’s
eyes and my blindness are separate things.”

Steven nodded. “I see. Well since that being did this to the both of you, I just thought that
maybe there would be something. It might be something worth looking into.” He smiled.
“Breakfast is ready.”

“Oh, I’ll wake up Mr.Klaus!” Leo said before walking out of the kitchen.

The older man chuckled before turning to Michella. “Now, a question for you. Is your older
brother single?”

Michella blinked before she laughed softly. “You’re trying to get back at me huh?” Mr.Steven
seemed like a cool uncle that she wished she had.
--

“Mr.Klaus….Mr.Klaus…..” Leo gently shook him but to no avail. “Mr.Steven made some
breakfast for us….~” He then sighed. The man seemed to be sleeping like a rock; a very still
rock. He wondered if the man had moved since he woke up.

Leo moved closer until he was sitting next to the sleeping man. He can only assume that the
night before, the two got so tried that they decided to just sleep in the living room. But it
didn’t explain how he was in the man’s arms. Thinking about it made him blush. Cupping his
cheeks, he groaned softly.

“This isn’t some tv show.” He murmured. “Crushes happen but it doesn’t mean anything will
happen. It’s not it’ll grow into something….ugh….now I made myself sad…” He was so into
his own head that he almost didn’t notice the gentle touch on his cheek. He was startled and
turned only to see those green eyes stare back at him.

Oh no, it worse up close.

“G-Good morning.” Leo got out. “Breakfast is ready.”

Klaus seemed to be in a daze before he blinked. “Ah, yes. Good morning, Leonardo. Did you
rest well?”

Leo opened his mouth but stopped short before he smiled a little. “Yeah, best sleep I had in a
while. And you?”

“I have slept well, thank you.” Klaus nodded.

They didn’t say anything else for a moment as they just looked at each other. They felt like
they wanted to talk but neither of them knew where to start. At the same time, it was
comforting. Maybe they didn’t to say anything for now because—

“Hello~” Steven came by with a spatula. “I would hate for the food I made to get cold,
wouldn’t you?”

Klaus and Leo looked sheepish before the taller man stood up. “My apologies. We’ll be there
momentarily.”

Steven’s first response was a smirk before he hummed. “Take your time~” He whistled as he
left again. He knew what he did. He wouldn’t be him if he didn’t just walk in all casually.

Leo couldn’t help but pout before he got up. “Yeah, we should eat. Mom and dad are coming
back later so we need to clean up the house.”

“I see.” Klaus got up. It would an event to see them again after what has happened the day
before. “Should we welcome your parents back with a small gathering; a party perhaps?”

Thinking about it, Leo then nodded. “Sure, why not. I think my parents would like that.”
Maybe a welcome home party would ease the tension. “Good Idea, Mr. Klaus.” He smiled.
Klaus’s face had a faint color of pink before he nodded. Seeing the young man smile like so
made his heart thump a little behind the rib cage. “We’ll need to talk more about this with the
rest.”

“Sure.” Leo nodded. “Let’s get going.” He started walking to the kitchen.

Klaus followed while buttoning up his shirt; he wouldn’t dare expose himself while a lady is
present.

--

The welcome home party was a success. The parents were pleasantly surprised at the
decorations and the cake that Klaus had made for them. It didn’t solve anything, but it eased
them enough to relax.

--

“Thank you for the lovely cake, Mr. Reinherz.” Mrs. Watch smiled. “It’s the most delicious
dessert I have ever tasted.”

“It’s no problem.” Klaus nodded. “I’m glad that you like it.”

The group were sitting around the coffee table as they wind down; by then it was already late
afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Watch hadn’t been talkative apart from the usual pleasantries that the
children had come to expect.

As he put down the fork, Mr.Watch sighed. “This is indeed the best cake I have eaten.” He
sounded both pleased and disappointed as he leaned back on the chair. He looked at his wife
who nodded in return. He placed his hands on his lap. “We need to talk.”

The finality of that caused Leo to move to stand up and Michella to lean back.

“Ah, no; you two can stay.” Mr.Watch eased up a bit. “This is a conversation for all of us
here.”

Leo opened his mouth but nodded as he sat back down. He lightly patted Michella’s hand to
help her relax again.

“I can’t say that my wife and I have liked the events that have occurred during the past
several months; including what has happened in the past couple of days. As much as we
wanted to put the blame on you two; we came to realize that we have no one but ourselves to
blame. It is not easy to admit such a thing. I mean….” Mr. Watch frowned. “We want to do
what’s right for our family.”

Steven nodded. “We had no reason to believe otherwise, sir.” That much as clear to the Libra
leaders already. “It shows that you two really care.”

“We just wanted the best for our children.” Mrs.Watch added. “The thought of even one of
them leaving the house is frightening and not for the reasons that any parent would normally
be scared for.”
Klaus nodded. “I can’t speak for my own parents but despite my and my siblings’
upbringing; my parents knew that sooner or later, we have to make our own mark on the
world. However, it was much harder for them considering the circumstances I was in. Despite
what my parents wanted to believe in otherwise, I was hurt severely once…and suffered
because of it.”

This was surprising for Mr. and Mrs. Watch to hear. Even Michella’s blank eyes widened at
that. Leo though knew somewhat and thought it was brave to say it.

“Sir and Madam; never in my wildest dreams have I ever want harm to come onto anyone;
especially someone like your son. I’m sure you have long past shed tears for your situation
and for your children. However, so had your son; for a lot of things that were out of his
control.”

Leo fiddled with his fork; not sure if he should be thankful or embarrassed hearing that.

“It’s not my place to say nor would I assume anything about you and your family. I simply
never regretted the choices I have made that brought me to this point in my life. I hope the
same for all of you.” Klaus concluded.

Mrs. Watch had to take a couple deep breaths. “I don’t want to regret anymore….but I
suppose I’ll continue to do so if I’m stuck in my stubborn ways….”

“Again, I don’t like it….we don’t like it….and I certainly don’t like hearing from someone
who supposedly understands my children more than we do…” Mr. Watch tched. “But, my
wife is right. This is going to happen whether we like it or not so…Leo….”

“Yeah?” Leo’s voice was small and soft.

Mr. Watch’s face soon had a faint smile. “I believe you have some packing to do.”

It took a second, it took everyone a second but when it clicked; their expressions changed.

“Eh, uh….you mean….?” Leo got a nod as he couldn’t help but smile. Even with his sister
reaching for him and giving him a hug; he felt some weight lifted from his shoulders.

Klaus did his best to contain his own excitement as he sat there; watching the family. He felt
a nudge from Steven and when he turned to him, he received a small smile.

“Nice work there, Leader.” Steven teased.

“I only spoke from my heart. If anything, I’m happier for Leo.” It was true, it wasn’t really a
battle won but it was in the young man’s favor and so that, it was a victory in itself. “I’m glad
he has the support that he needed.”

Steven hummed. “I’m sure. Makes his choice easier to handle.” He still felt bad for the young
man but at the same time, maybe he’ll come out stronger because of it.

The two Libra leaders sat and watched the whole family for a few more minutes before they
got up to help with the dishes; thinking they needed time alone to let everything sink in.
--

Leo was blown away at how amazing the private jet was as he and his family were standing
on the path at the runway of the local airport. He supposed he should have expected this…
kind of; just made his one huge suitcase tiny in comparison.

After a long night of talking more with his family and getting very little sleep, he was about
as ready as he was ever going to get. He was wearing that jacket that he had worn months ago
when he was at the edge of the city along with the sweatshirt with the turtleneck underneath.
He can feel his heart racing as he placed a hand on his chest.

Soon….

“Leo…”

Turning his head, he saw Michella wheeling up to him. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” Michella joked to ease the nervousness. “So, this is it huh?”

“Yep…this is it….” Leo looked behind Michella to see their parents and the Libra members
talking about something but he couldn’t hear exactly what words were being exchanged. “I
mean….I’ll come back someday….I’m not gone for good…”

“Well I hope not.” Michella pouted as she took his hands into hers. “But I do expect you to
call or send letters, whatever’s easier. And send souvenirs, I won’t say no to a cute plush.”
She smiled.

Snorting, Leo shook his head. “I’ll try my best. I don’t know how things will be once I get
there but when I can, I’ll call home.” He had his cell phone, but he was thinking of getting
another plan that won’t waste his parents’ money. “Also…I want to…I want to find a way to
get your eyesight back….”

Michella said nothing at first as she squeezed his hands gently.

“While I’m there, I want to find someone or find something that will help with your eyes.
Now that I’ll have Mr.Klaus and Mr.Steven, maybe they can help too. So….” Leo trailed off.

“So I’ll just try and do my best back home.” Michella added. “I know I can’t stop you from
doing what you needed to do but I can’t just sit here and just wait while my big brother is off
doing amazing things somewhere else. I want to try harder…I want to make choices for
myself as well. And maybe I’ll convince mom and dad about it too.” She smiled. “I don’t
want to be scared anymore. I want to have hope again….”

Leo sighed with a smile as he nodded. “I want that too. Maybe…maybe this is the moment to
hope, right here and right now.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I want to hope that
someday, you’ll be able to walk and be free….”

“Thank you.” Michella’s eyes teared up a bit. “Just don’t worry too much about me, okay?
I’ll be fine, our family will be fine…so don’t be too hard on yourself when times are tough,
okay?”
“Okay…” Leo was feeling tears coming on his end as he let go of her hands. “Okay.”

“Alright, we all ready to head off.” Steven called out as he and Klaus were walking towards
them. “Got everything?”

“Yes, sir.” Leo nodded.

Steven nodded. “Good, even with the jet, it’ll still be a few hours before we arrive.” He then
looked at Michella as he took her hand gently. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“You as well.” Michella smiled.

“Rest assured, we will aide your brother in any shape or form that we can.” Klaus placed a
hand on his chest. “You have our word.”

Michella nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Klaus.”

As the trio were started to walk away, Klaus felt a tug on the end of his sleeve as he turned
back and saw Michella with a smile that spoke volumes.

“Whatever happens…please don’t leave his side….help him to keep moving forward…and…
come back to visit us.” Michella knew that it won’t be easy for her brother. He might stand
still, he might endure more pain later on than anyone else in the world but still he’ll walk
on…he just needed someone to help him through and she can’t do that for him alone
anymore.

So she was surprised to feel a gentle hand on her own.

“I will.” Klaus kneeled. “I will help him in your stead and we will return. After all, home is
where the heart is.” He smiled.

Michella felt so relieved as she giggled softly. “Then I have nothing to worry about.” Home
wasn’t the only thing that had Leo’s heart though but maybe those two will find that out.

--

“Ah, I almost forgot!” Leo ran back to Michella; his suitcase being carried by Klaus.
“Michella, I made something for you.” He reached into his pocket and got out something and
placed it in his hand. “I couldn’t sleep so I did this instead. I know you’ll miss me so this is a
parting gift for you.”

Holding it in her hands, Michella nodded. “I know I’ll love it, thank you.”

Leo nodded before he placed one more kiss on her forehead. “Well then, I’ll see you later.”
He then ran back to the jet as he went up the steps and waved at his family; Steven and Klaus
already behind him.

--

“Mr. Klaus…”
“Mm, yes?”

Leo was staring out of the window as the view of his family was getting smaller and smaller.
“I…I’m glad you came.”

Klaus was surprised to hear that.

His face was a bit pink as Leo confessed that. “I-I mean….you and Mr.Steven both have been
great and all….um…” He felt a warm hand on his shoulder as he looked up and saw those
green eyes looking back at him.

Leo found himself smiling back when the older man did; no other words can be said but
maybe it was better that way. With Klaus, he felt as though it will be okay.

Watching them from the other side of the interior, Steven smiled at them before getting out
his phone. “K.K will definitely love you.”

--

Once, the jet was gone and Michella can no longer hear it, she then heard the curious hum of
her mother behind her.

“What’s that you’re holding?” Mrs.Watch asked.

Mr.Watch went to take a look and he hummed as well. “A tape recorder.”

“A tape recorder as a parting gift? What is that young man thinking?” Mrs.Watch shook her
head with a smile.

Michella held it close before she smiled. “Leo’s just that kind of person, mom.”

--

It wasn’t until they got back into the car and started driving from the airport that she managed
to put earbuds on and connect it to the output. Feeling the play button, she clicked on it. She
was surprised for a moment before she smiled to herself.

Yeah, Leo was that kind of person.

Her tortoise knight.

--

"Hello Michella, how are you? Your brother is going

to be just fine….”

--

END
Chapter End Notes

Hello Sunshine!
End Notes

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