𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚-𝒕𝒘𝒐 ━━ the apocalypse eyeball
₊ ⊹☕˚୨

❝ so you patched up paradise, huh ❞

❝ what do you want, five? ❞

Shayan is shirtless, his hair still wet, water occasionally dripping onto his shoulders. There's a towel slung low around his hips, showing off his chest and muscular arms as he methodically trims his beard, focused and quiet. Klaus is watching him unabashedly from the bed, enjoying the display, his mind wandering over the mornings events as his eyes trace the line of Shayan's shoulders.

His eyes take in the new parts of his husband's body, his mind still amazed at how he somehow looks even better than before, even a little more defined. He wants to walk over, run his hands over the newly defined muscles, but he settles for just watching, not wanting to interrupt Shayan's focus.

It's a soothing scene, in a way. It reminds him of the countless nights they spent like this in the past, comfortable together in domestic bliss. The only thing ruining the image is the slight fear in his mind, a constant buzz of "What if?" and "please don't leave me." He tries to ignore it, but it won't go away entirely, lingering in the back of his mind.

He tears his eyes away from Shayan, closing them to try to stop the thought process. It's okay. He'll be fine. Shayan is here, with him right now. He knows in his heart that Shayan won't leave again - he would never, he promised - and yet it still lingers, like a dark tendril in the back of his mind.

Shayan sets the trimmer down. "What's on your mind, love?"

Klaus can hear the concern in his voice, and he loves him for it, for paying such close attention, for always noticing when he's upset. He opens his eyes, looking at Shayan. He can still feel that anxiety, that irrational worry in the back of his mind, and he hates it.

"I..." he starts, trailing off. How does he tell Shayan I'm desperately afraid that you'll leave me alone again without warning, even though I know you promised you wouldn't, but I can't stop thinking about it?

Shayan sighs, his expression softening. "Come here." he says softly, holding out a hand.

Klaus sits up slowly, trying to ignore the tremble in his hands, and slides off the bed and into the bathroom, stopping close enough to Shayan to feel the heat of him. He looks up at Shayan, his anxiety apparent in his eyes, feeling vulnerable.

Shayan gently wraps an arm around him pulling him closer, his other hand gently touching his face, brushing the hair away from his eyes. He runs his thumb over his cheek, gentle and reassuring.

He sighs, leaning into his touch, his eyes fluttering shut. He's still nervous, still anxious, the knot of fear in his stomach tightening, but being held helps. His hands grab on to Shayan's shoulders, like a lifeline, like he wants to pull Shayan as close as possible.

He buries his face in Shayan's neck, taking a deep breath. Just being held by him helps, makes him feel calmer. There's safety and warmth in Shayan's arms.

Shayn kisses the top of his head, his embrace tightening. "It's okay, sweetheart. I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave you."

He doesn't sound worried, doesn't sound bothered by the questions. He sounds worried about him about how he's feeling, and it's so soothing, so reassuring. He's not annoyed, doesn't get frustrated when he asks the same question over again - he just reminds him, over and over, that he's here.

"Why...why won't it stop?" he asks, his hands gripping tighter. He wants it to stop, he knows it's irrational, he knows Shayan would never leave him. But his mind won't listen, that anxiety and insecurity, that what if.

"Because your brain is a bastard like that." Shayan says soothingly, stroking his back with a gentle hand. "Because fear is hard to shut off, even if there's no reason for it."

"I'm sorry," he mumbles into the hollow of Shayan's neck. He doesn't know what he's apologizing for - it's not like any of this is his fault, but he feels terrible that Shayan has to deal with his stupid insecurity.

"You don't have to apologize, sweetheart." Shayan says, his voice a soothing rumble against Klaus' ear. "I understand why you're scared."

Hearing him say that - it really means something. He can feel the knot in his stomach loosening, feeling his brain trying to fight back - but Shayan's constant reassurances, the embrace, the soothing hand on his back, all of it makes the fear harder to cling to.

He can't bring himself to look at him, his face still buried in Shayan's shoulder, still clinging to him as his anxiety slowly lessens, leaving him to just focus on the comfort of Shayan's touch and presence.

"It's going to take some time for you to trust me again, I understand that, and I'm not upset. I did leave, I did hurt you, as much as those things weren't my choice, they still happened. You're allowed to feel this way." Shayan says.

Those words somehow hit him harder than anything he's said so far. You're allowed to feel this way. Like it's so easy, so simple. Like the pain he feels is his to have. And just like that, that knot loosens a little more, and his breath catches in his throat.

It's something he's always felt like he had to hide. The moments of insecurity and fear. He would feel guilty for them, especially when it was about Shayan. It feels like a small weight off his chest, realizing he doesn't have to feel that way, that Shayan understands.

With relief, he finally pulls his face back enough to look at him. He's always beautiful, but at this moment, to him, Shayan is absolutely and utterly beautiful, looking at him with a mix of worry, understanding, and adoration. A sob rises in his throat.

He doesn't know what to say. So many words are stuck in his throat, choked off by the knot of emotion, the fear slowly untying and dissipating. "You- I- thank you," he says, his voice trembling, "I love you, I just-"

"Hey, hey it's okay." Shayan cups his face, resting their heads together. "I know, sweetheart, I know."

He can't stop the tear that falls down his cheek, letting out a soft noise, something between a laugh and a broken sound. He knows Shayan understands, but he feels like he should put it into words, to at least try to explain how much it means to him. "You're not mad?"

"How could I be?" Shayan says, stroking his cheek softly. "Something happened, and you're reacting to it. You're allowed to be emotional, there's nothing wrong with that."

Hearing those words, that permission - he can't hold back the tears, the knot finally gone for now. He wraps his arms around Shayan's neck, pulling him close, uncaring that there's tears wetting his shoulder, feeling like he's going to break apart.

Shayan wraps his arms around Klaus' waist, pulling him closer, a hand dusting up and down his spine. "It's okay, love, we're okay."

He tries to pull himself together. He knows he's being clingy, a little pathetic, but he can't stop himself. Shayan's words are a constant comfort, his hands warm and reassuring against him.

"We're...we're fine?" he asks, his voice small, even though he knows they are, just wanting the reassurance.

Shayan smiles. "We're back together, we just got married, Klaus, we've never been better."

It's true. he thinks, his mind slowly catching up to his body. The rational part of him had tried to tell him that, but the anxious part had ignored it, the fear overpowering his reason.

He's right. We're happy.

A small hiccup of a laugh escapes him, the thought of their wedding making a wave of euphoria wash over him, replacing the previous anxiety entirely.

He can stay here all day, just wrapped in Shayan, feeling loved. "Shay?" he says softly. "Can I just say something sappy?"

"Of course," Shayan smiles.

He takes in a deep breath, taking strength in Shayan's warmth and the soft touches, feeling a small flutter of anxious energy before he speaks.

"When I was younger, I never understood how people love. The idea was just so foreign, because nobody had shown me love. But then I met you. You love me so effortlessly, and it's the best feeling in the world. Being loved is the best thing to ever happen to me, and I'm going to treasure every second of it, of being with you."

Shayan's eyes soften, a warm smile spreading on his face. "God, baby, you have no idea how happy you make me."

He can't stop the small, soft smile on his face, feeling a bit vulnerable and a lot in love. "I always thought love was hard, or painful, or scary," He murmurs, leaning into the touches. "But with you it's easy. And it feels better than anything else in the world."

Shayan's smile widens. "I'm glad I can do that for you, love. I just want you to be happy."

"...You make me happy." He says quietly, voice soft with affection, looking up. "I really, really love you."

Shayan laughs softly, closing his eyes and resting their heads together. "You're making me all soft over here."

It makes Klaus laugh with him, a bit teary-eyed and overwhelmed.

"You're always soft for me," he points out, though he knows that's not true. Shayan is soft a lot, sure, but soft? Shayan is a lot of things, all of which he loves. "Can I say one more sappy thing?"

"Anything."

"I love the small things - the kisses in the kitchen in the mornings, the way you always look so good when it's raining despite the fact that it's raining, how you still try to help me when I'm being dumb, and the feeling of your hand in my hair when I'm having a meltdown."

His voice is so quiet, like if he speaks any louder it would all go away, like it's not real, the reality of the moment that he'll memorize forever, burned into his heart.

"I love everything, how you look when you're asleep, how you say my name, how it feels to just be next to you, every time you look at me like I'm something precious -and I love you every second of every day because you're the best thing that ever happened to me and I would do anything for you, and-" he cuts himself off.

Shayan's eyes are misting, his hand reaching up to cup Klaus' face. For a long moment, he's frozen, just looking at Shayan.

Then in the next moment, there's something hot on his cheeks and he realizes he's crying, small tears starting to leak out of his eyes and he's mortified. Oh hell.

"God, I'm sorry, that was so sappy, I'll shut up now-" he says in an embarrassed rush.

"No, no, Klaus." Shayan wipes his tears, smiling softly. "Don't do that. It was perfect, love, it meant so much to me to hear you say that."

"You- you don't think it was stupid?" he asks, voice small. This is the part where he would normally expect someone to laugh and make fun of him for being so emotional, but when he looks up at Shayan all he sees is softness, and love. The relief that washes over him makes his knees feel weak.

"No, I don't." he says. "I didn't even know you noticed those small things... and god, I love that you do."

"How could I not notice?" He says, so soft, like it's almost a confession, because he noticed everything. He smiles, shaky and warm, the tears still on his cheeks. He can't help himself from saying, "I notice everything about you."

"I love you, I love you so much." he kisses his cheek, his hand at the back of his head.

He leans against his husband's hand, his eyes closing, his breathing shaky as he soaks in the comfort of the kiss. His heart feels like it could burst.

"I love you, Shay." he whispers, his voice quiet and small but filled to the brim with affection.

Shayan strokes his cheek, his smile bright. "I love you too."

He can't help the way his heart feels like it's going to fly out of his chest, like he's so full of affection it's going to explode, like he can't possibly contain this much love in his own body.

The moment is perfect, filled with love and care and Shayan holding his face so delicately, and it feels so much that he doesn't even know where to begin, all his emotions swirling together and making him feel like he's about to float.

"You know," Shayan takes his hands. "We never had our first dance."

He blinks in surprise as the words sink in, an expression of both confusion and excitement crossing his face. And then, he remembers: the dance, the moment he wanted to have, and they never did.

"We never did." he agrees, a smile tugging at his lips, excitement already coursing through him.

Shayan places a hand on Klaus' hip, the other taking his. Warmth blooms in his chest as he is pulled into Shayan's arms, the familiar embrace comforting in a way that makes him want to melt into Shayan's arms.

He smiles, soft and content, putting his hand on Shayan's shoulder, the other hand grasping his. He leans his head against Shayan's body, feeling the faint beat of his husband's heart as some sort of music starts, though he doesn't know where it's coming from.

His eyes drift shut as they start to move, simply feeling the closeness, the warmth of it all, the feeling of being so intimate. There's a small, fond, giddy smile on his lips, his mind and body completely relaxed for the first time all morning.

Shayan kisses his forehead softly, swaying them gently. The kiss, paired with the swaying of the dance, has him feeling like everything is right in the world, the moment perfect and wonderful. He could stay like this - in Shayan's arms, being held and loved - forever.

He looks up at Shayan, his eyes filled with so much. Love, adoration, happiness, just everything. He doesn't know how to put it in words. So he doesn't, instead leaning up and kissing him softly.

My husband. he thinks to himself, the thought sending warmth through his entire being.

He's married to Shayan, to the man he's loved for so long, and who loves him back just as much. It's almost like he can't believe it, but in the best way possible. This is real. It's real and it's their future, together.

The song continues to play, but he hardly hears it, his mind focused on Shayan, the dance, and the kiss, soft and sweet, like their entire relationship.

It won't all be perfect, he thinks to himself. We'll fight, we'll argue, but we'll be okay.

It's inevitable, that they're not going to always be happy. But he doesn't mind. The hard times make the good ones better.

An annoyed groan escapes him as he hears the phone ring from the bedroom. He doesn't want to lose the moment, the embrace, the closeness of his husband.

"Ignore it," he manages to say, trying once again to pull Shayan close, trying to drown out the world around them.

"It could be important, love." Shayan says gently. "Do you want me to get it?"

Another, louder, groan. He really, really doesn't want to. He wants to just shut out the rest of the world, stay here in this moment, his fears, anxieties, and insecurities far away.

But Shayan is right, so he nods resignedly. "Could you?"

Shayan smiles and kisses his forehead softly. He moves past, out of the bathroom and scoops the phone up. "Hello?"

There's a pause on the other side. "Shayan?" Five's voice comes through.

Shayan's eyebrows raise as he hears Five's voice. "Five?" he says into the phone, confused and concerned.

He hears Five scoff a laugh. "So you patched up paradise, huh?"

Shayan rolls his eyes, sighing slightly. "What do you want, Five?" he asks, his voice fond despite his words.

"Klaus. It's why I called Klaus, obviously."

"He's... busy right now. Did you call for a reason?" Shayan says. He has more patience for Five than most people, but he's not going to let him interrupt something he knows is important to Klaus.

"He agreed to help me with something." Five says. "You know, end of the world something."

Shayan bites back a groan. Of course. "How critical is it?" he asks.

"Very. I'll send an address, I'll see you there in half an hour." Five says, and hangs up.

Shayan stares at the now disconnected phone for a second. He swears mentally, he really doesn't want to have to tell Klaus this, but Five sounded serious.

He sighs, walking back into the bathroom to find his husband. "Love?" He says softly, watching him as he leans against the doorway. It sucks to have to do this.

Klaus turns towards Shayan, and the happiness that had been on his face just moments ago leaves like Shayan's presence has caused it to flee. "What's up?" he asks tentatively, seeing the expression on his face.

Shayan moves to his side, gently taking his hands in his, not sure how to break the news. "Five just called. There's an... end of the world situation he wants you to help with. He sounded serious."

Klaus frowns, before a look of realisation passes over him and groans. "Stupid eyeball."

Shayan blinks in confusion. He would think it was an insult if it weren't for the fact that it also didn't make sense. "What?" he asks, hoping for any sort of explanation that made at least some sense.

"The... apocalypse eyeball..." he says, his voice trailing off like he's unsure himself. He pulls his hands away from Shayan's, sighing softly. "Five needs my help with that."

Shayan blinks, but nods, just accepting it. "Apocalypse eyeball, fun." he says. "Five said half an hour."

"Half an hour," Klaus repeats, staring down at the floor. "God, this is such bad timing."

He doesn't want to leave the comfort of his own home, the comfort of being in his husband's arms, not after just getting him back. But Five sounded serious, and he needs to help stop the apocalypse.

"I'll come with you." Shayan says.

Klaus looks up at him in surprise, not expecting that. "Are you sure?" he asks, the idea of Shayan coming with him appealing in every way. He doesn't want to leave him again, not so soon, and the thought of having Shayan with him for whatever madness is probably about to go down makes his chest warm.

"Yeah," he smiles softly. "And, the Commission's gonna be after us now, so I'm not leaving your side."

A brief grin flashes on his face, unable to stay anxious or upset for long when Shayan is right there, reminding him how much he cares.

"Okay. We should... probably get dressed then," he says, his fingers playing with Shayan's hand, holding on a little tighter.

Shayan smiles, and carefully lifts Klaus up, sitting him on the basin. "How about in fifteen minutes?"

Klaus blinks, surprised by the action but also a bit amused, laughing softly as Shayan lifts him like he weighs nothing. His legs wrap around Shayan's waist automatically, pulling him in close. He can feel himself melting against him.

"Fifteen works."

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