𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚 ━━ a gravestone in the city cemetery
₊ ⊹☕˚୨

❝ shayan? ❞

❝ hey, chloe ❞

The bell above the door chimes softly as he enters, rain shimmering down behind him. Shayan surveys the diner, his eyes narrowed as he scans the room. It's quiet, only Five, who's sitting at the wrap around counter, his back to him. Shayan walks over, slipping onto the stool beside him.

Five doesn't turn, but Shayan can see his shoulders tense slightly, almost imperceptibly. The only indication that he's aware of him sitting down.

"They're on their way, you know." Shayan says.

Five sighs, his shoulders drooping slightly. "I know," he mutters, his fingers drumming against the counter. The frustration and tension are clear in his voice, the realization that his escape had been all for nothing.

"Why'd you leave anyway?" Shayan asks, glancing around.

"Would you have stayed?" Five's response is snarky, his eyes flicking out the window to the dark, wet roads outside.

"No, obviously, but I mean, you agreed to five years, you would've been able to come back to this time anyway at the end of it, why break the contract so close to the end?"

"You work with those people, you tell me," Five mutters, his jaw clenching with irritation. "They're a bunch of psychos, every last one of them. If I could burn down HQ with them all inside, I wouldn't hesitate. Do they know you're leaving too?"

Shayan scoffs. "You think I'd be sitting here if they did?"

Five finally turns to look at him, studying him silently for a moment. Shayan's expression is as stoic as always, but his eyes give away more than he's willing to admit. There's a flash of something, a mixture of resignation and sadness in their depths.

"You're a smart one," Five mutters, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Why are you going against them? You could just finish your contract, come back, and go on with your life. No reason to put a target on your back by going against them."

"They blackmailed me into joining them and then experimented on me, what do you think?"

Five gives him a long look, studying him carefully, sizing him up. "And you think that by betraying them, you'll get revenge? Teach them a lesson somehow?"

"Betraying them? No. Killing the lot of them, maybe." he gives a small smirk.

A flicker of surprise lights up in Five's eyes, his respect for Shayan going up a notch instantly. "You're talking treason," he says, his voice low. "They won't just give up or leave you be. You know how they work, they'll hunt you down."

"And you know they won't get very far." Shayan looks at him, a knowing look in his eyes

Five meets his gaze and nods slightly, a mutual understanding passing between them. They both know how dangerous the Commission is, how determined they can be. But they also know that Shayan, with his gifts and abilities, will not be an easy target.

"So you've made up your mind then."

Shayan nods. "I'm done, I've got what I didn't even know I wanted, and now I'm going back."

Five studies him for a moment, his mind putting the pieces together. Shayan's determination, his willingness to defy the Commission, the way his words held a hint of longing. He understands now.

"Klaus." he says softly.

Shayan's jaw tightens, the name a trigger that makes his heart skip a beat. Five can almost see the memories playing out in his eyes as he nods, a mixture of pain and longing flitting across his face. "If he hasn't dusted me off his shoulder like he should have years ago."

Five chuckles softly, a hint of humor in his voice. "He's a stubborn bastard, Klaus. He would die before giving up on someone he loves."

Shayan looks down at the counter. He's not sure if that's a good thing. He'd be heartbroken if he found out Klaus didn't wait for him, but if he did, part of him feels like he shouldn't have.

Five leans forward, resting his forearms on the counter. "You're overthinking it," he says, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "You should know by now that Klaus doesn't give up on people. He's probably been waiting for you this whole time, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah.. I know."

Five studies him for a moment, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "You're worried he won't wait for you anymore," he says softly. "You're wondering if he's moved on, if he's found someone else, if you're even worth waiting for anymore."

Shayan doesn't respond.

Five fiddles with his coffee cup. "I saw him this morning, you know. When I got back."

Shayan's head turns in a heartbeat, eyes snapping to Five, tension written in every line of his body. "And?" he demands, the single word holding all his hopes and fears.

"He's still wearing your tags."

Shayan's heart both leaps and sinks at the words, a complex mix of emotions flooding his chest. Relief mingles with guilt, hope with doubt. He hates himself for even doubting Klaus, for ever thinking that he could move on.

But... he also hates that Klaus waited for him, that he's still wearing the tags. That he's still holding on.

Five watches the conflict play out on Shayan's face, a mixture of understanding and sympathy in his eyes. He can practically see the war waging inside Shayan's mind, the conflict between guilt, hope, love.

"So, you gonna make an appearance any time soon?" Five asks, almost gently.

Shayan hesitates for a moment, his mind racing. Part of him wants to go to Klaus right now, to just appear in front of him and be done with it. But another part is scared. Scared of the pain, the disappointment, the potential rejection. He's terrified of facing Klaus, of seeing the same pain and hurt in his eyes that he feels deep in his soul.

"I don't know," he finally whispers, his voice barely audible over the pattering of rain against the window. "I want to, I do..."

"Just get it over with, you can't keep hanging on this. We've got the end of the world on our hands, sooner is better than later." Five says.

Shayan's jaw clenches at Five's words, the reality of their situation hitting him like a kick in the gut. Five's right, he knows that. They're dealing with the end of the world, the apocalypse, and they can't afford to be held back by emotions or indecision. He doesn't have the luxury of time to wallow in his guilt or fear.

He gives a sharp nod. "Okay," he mutters. "I'll do it."

"Good. Now stop bothering me with your relationship crap."

Shayan gives a small huff at the snarky comment, but he can't help a small smirk either. Leave it to Five to cut through all the heaviness and tension with a rude comment. He glances out the window, eyes fixated on the dark, rain-streaked glass. Outside, the rain is relentless, an almost fitting reflection of the turmoil inside his heart.

"They'll be here soon." he says.

Five glances at him, then checks the clock on the wall. Shayan is right, they can hear the faint sound of cars somewhere in the distance, approaching. The Commission will be here any minute.

Shayan's hands clench into fists, his jaw clenching with frustration and anger. He almost forgot about the danger they're in. His own emotions feel insignificant compared to the threat of the Commission. He's supposed to be the one protecting Five, and he's been so absorbed in his own thoughts that he nearly let himself get distracted.

"And yet you're still sitting here." Five says.

Shayan smiles. "Well, if you're going to save the world, pissing off a few assassins might be the least of my worries."

Five gives a snort, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He can't argue with that. "Fair enough," he mutters, a hint of amusement in his voice. The sound of the cars is getting closer, the faint roar of engines growing louder in the rain.

The windows are nearly opaque from the rain, the streetlights outside mere vague smudges in the inky darkness. But if he strains his ears, he can hear the faint sound of tires slushing through puddles, getting closer.

"You need my help old man?" Shayan asks.

Five gives a snort, a sharp smirk cutting across his face. "I'm insulted you'd think I need your help, kid," he retorts.

But there's a hint of respect in his eyes as he studies Shayan again. His mind flashes through all the times he's seen Shayan in action, the sheer power and precision of his abilities, and he has to admit, it would be a massive advantage.

Shayan shakes his head. "Okay. See you around then."

Five watches as Shayan pushes his stool back, rising to his feet. He gives a small nod, a silent understanding passing between them. "Good luck," Five mutters. He knows Shayan is probably heading right into a hornet's nest, but he has complete faith in his abilities.

"Don't die of old age." Shayan says, pushing the door open.

"Watch it, punk." Five retorts, but his voice is light, a small smirk on his face.

He watches as Shayan ducks out into the rain, disappearing into the shadows. For a moment, he's tempted to call after him, to tell him to be careful. But he knows better. Shayan is a big boy, he can handle himself.

As he arrives at the familiar café, the sight of the place sends a rush of emotions through him. He hasn't seen it in so long, and the nostalgia hits him harder than he expected. The memories of the happy times spent here, the warm, bustling atmosphere of the café, rush back to him, adding another layer of pain to the guilt and fear already warring inside him.

He stands there for a moment, just looking at the place, the rain pattering against the rooftop overhead. With a deep breath, he unlocks the door open and steps inside. The cafe is as warm and inviting as ever, the smell of coffee and fresh pastries welcoming him. But it's empty, closed for the night, the lights dim. He glances around, but there's no sign of Klaus or Chloe.

He can hear the faint sounds of life and movement from upstairs, which means they're here somewhere. He's tempted to just go upstairs and confront them, to get it over with. But the thought of seeing Klaus again, of facing him after all this time, paralyzes him. His heart is in his throat, his stomach twisted in knots.

Soft patters of paws hurries into the room, and Glory stops dead. The German Shepherd stares at him, before she sits on her hind legs and her head tilts curiously.

A smile breaks over his face. "Hey, girl."

Glory's head tilts further as she recognizes his voice, her tail thumping the floor once. There's a moment of hesitation, like she's not quite sure if it's really him. But then her tail starts wagging more vigorously, and she slowly stands up and pads closer, sniffing at him. Shayan kneels, smiling warmly as he offers her his hand.

Glory sniffs his hand carefully for a moment, her warm, wet nose touching his skin. Then she gives a little bark and wags her tail, licking his hand in a show of recognition.

"There she is." Shayan ruffles her fur, pulling her into his arms.

Glory gives another little bark, her body quivering with joy. She buries her face in his neck, licking and nuzzling him, her tail wagging furiously. It's clear that she's missed him dearly.

Shayan smiles, his heart melting at the dog's excitement. He hugs her tight against his chest, burying his face in her soft fur. For a brief moment, he feels a sense of peace and comfort washing over him, the tension in his body easing just a little.

But that only lasts for a few seconds, because the reality of the situation comes crashing down on him again. He's here to see Klaus, and he can't keep avoiding the issue any longer.

With a sigh, he sets Glory down and stands up. The dog whines a little, staring up at him with her soulful eyes. He gives her one last pat on the head, then turns towards the stairs leading upstairs.

He makes his way through the halls, turning the corner to the stairs, and stops. On the stairs stands Chloe, looking down at him. Her hair was different, cut to her shoulders, and she was wearing one of Shayan's old shirts; it hung down to her thighs.

Shayan stares up at her, his breath catching in his throat. He hasn't seen her in so long, and the sight of her hits him like a punch to the gut. She looks different, older, and yet exactly the same as he remembers.

He opens his mouth to speak, but the words stick in his throat. He doesn't know what to say, how to explain his long absence.

Chloe stops half way down the stairs, looking up from her phone and staring at him. They simply stare at each other for a moment, the silence thick and tense. Shayan can see the confusion and surprise on her face, and it only adds to his discomfort. He can tell she wasn't expecting to see him here, not after all this time.

"Shayan?" she finally says, her voice soft and disbelieving. She puts her phone in her pocket and slowly descends the rest of the stairs, her eyes roving over him like she's checking if he's real.

"Hey, Chloe." he says softly, bracing himself for the potential anger, but it doesn't come.

Chloe stops when she reaches the bottom, still staring at him. There's a mixture of emotions on her face, surprise, confusion, a hint of hurt, but no anger. She shakes her head slightly, like she can't believe he's actually standing here in front of her.

Then, she tackles him in a hug, arms around his neck.

He nearly falls backwards from the force of her hug, but he manages to steady them both just in time. Her body is warm and solid against his, her arms clutching him tightly. He holds her close, his own arms closing around her waist, her head tucked under his chin.

For a moment, he closes his eyes and just holds her, relishing the feeling of her against him. It's been so long since he's had physical contact with someone like this, and the comfort and familiarity of it breaks something inside of him.

"You idiot." she mutters into his shoulder, the words spoken softly, but with feeling. "Where the hell have you been?"

Shayan smiles softly. "It's a long story."

Chloe pulls back slightly, breaking the embrace and looking up at him. Her eyes hold a thousand questions, emotions swirling in her gaze. But she waits, giving him a chance to explain.

"I'll explain, I promise." he says. His eyes flick to the stairs.

Chloe follows his gaze, and sighs. "Klaus... he's not here."

Shayan frowns, the news taking him by surprise. "What do you mean? Where is he?"

"He went to his dad's funeral this morning, hasn't been back..." she says, fiddling with her shirt. "But... you should know something."

Shayan tilts his head, a sense of uneasiness in the pit of his stomach. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Chloe takes a breath. "Klaus... he relapsed. A few months ago." she says softly. "I haven't been able to get him clean yet."

Shayan feels like he's been punched in the gut. Klaus relapsed? The news is like a blow to the chest, and for a moment, he can't find his voice. He thought Klaus had been doing better, he thought he was finally on the right path. Now he's back to square one.

"Why... how... how bad is it?" he manages to croak out.

Chloe looks down, a look of guilt and sadness on her face. "Bad." she says quietly. "He had a pretty serious overdose a couple of months back. Almost died."

Shayan inhales sharply, the words like a dagger in his heart. He runs a hand through his hair, trying to process this new information. The thought of Klaus nearly dying is agonizing, the knowledge that he couldn't be there for him almost unbearable.

"Damn it..." he mutters, anger and frustration welling up inside of him, directed towards himself more than anything. He knows he could have helped Klaus if he was here, if he hadn't left... But that doesn't matter now. What matters is getting Klaus the help he need.

"Do you know where he is?" Shayan asks her.

Chloe shakes her head, a worried look on her face. "No, I've tried calling and texting him countless times, but he isn't answering." She pauses, biting her lip. "But... I think I know where he might be."

"Where?" Shayan asks urgently, his heart racing. He's desperate to find Klaus now, to make sure he's okay.

Chloe hesitates. "About a year and a half after you disappeared, Klaus, he.. he had a sort of funeral for you. There's a gravestone in the city cemetery, he goes there a lot."

Shayan feels like the air has been sucked out of his lungs. Klaus had a funeral for him? He feels a pang of guilt and sorrow deep in his chest, the knowledge that Klaus thought he was dead is overwhelming.

But he pushes those feelings aside, focusing on the present. "Do you think he's there now?" he asks, his voice hoarse.

Chloe swallows, looking unsure. "Maybe... it's worth a try." she mutters. "But... be careful, okay?"

Shayan nods, determination surging through him. "I'll find him, don't worry." he says firmly. He knows he has to bring Klaus home, has to help him recover and get clean again. He can't fail him, not again.

"That's not what I mean." Chloe says. "He's been waiting for the day that he'll see you, you know... your spirit? When you see him, he might think you're dead."

Shayan's eyes widen in understanding and horror. The realization that Klaus might mistake him for a ghost hits him like a brick in the gut. It makes sense, unfortunately. Klaus has been waiting for something like that for years, waiting to see him again in any form.

"Shit..." he mutters, running a hand through his hair. He didn't think about that. He doesn't want Klaus to think he's some kind of spirit or ghost, especially not when he's already struggling with his addiction.

He takes a breath, attempting to push down his own anxiety and fear. Klaus is the priority here, he needs to focus on him and make sure he's okay.

"I'll be careful." he says finally, meeting Chloe's eyes. "I'll make sure he knows I'm real."

Chloe nods, visibly relieved. "Good." she responds, stepping forward and pulling him into another tight hug. "Just... be safe, okay?"

Shayan swallows down the lump in his throat, hugging her back just as tightly. "I will." he mutters. "I promise."

They stay like that for a few moments, taking comfort in each other's presence. But then, Shayan pulls back, determination etched into his features. "I gotta go." he says, already moving past her towards the hallway.

⋆⋅ ━━━━ ⋅⋆

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