[for Klaus and Obi-Wan]

[fifthbeatle]

Since December, Viktor has felt disconnected. He pulled his loved ones close. He dove into work. All of the "no" projects became yeses. Every weekday, he teaches, tutors, plays, comes home to change. Late nights blend into early mornings, full of coffee and squinting at the previous night's texts -- mostly to make sure he didn't send anything he'll regret to one particular party.

While his students and coworkers may not see the creeping mania, Viktor's siblings certainly have. He has the sense they're all watching him closely, checking to see if the smallest time bomb with the longest fuse is sizzling toward the biggest explosion.

But that's his bullshit and he knows it. They care, and they're right: Viktor's not in a great place. He doesn't know what to do about it.

As always, Klaus has some (cooky) ideas. As Viktor makes it a habit to say yes to his family, he knows how he ended up here, on the roof standing at the lip of the pool in board shorts and a long-sleeved rash guard he purchased back when he had tits to worry about. He's already shivering, everyone's breath visible on this crisp, cold winter weekend day. He glances up doubtfully at Klaus and Obi-Wan. Surely there are other ways to shake his depression loose.

"Can't we get in the hot tub instead?"

Comments

[fifthbeatle]

Viktor lets himself be scooped and dragged, the stabbing knives of the cold slice at his feet -- and he doesn't mind. Tired of feeling sad and dejected, he doesn't mind tackling new sensations. It means he's still alive.

"It's definitely not a school day." He tries to wriggle out from Klaus' grasp, but Viktor is an easily portable package within his brother's vast wingspan. He clasps his ice-cold hands onto Klaus' neck, an attempted distraction during which he can break free.

"Guess I forgot," Viktor reports, a little smile sweeping over his lips like cold breath on a windowpane. "How resilient we are."

[terriblymisguided]

"What, are you gonna strangle me to death?" Klaus jokes when Viktor's hands go around his neck, but otherwise not reacting. "Don't waste your strength."

He smiles and presses his lips to Viktor's temple, hugging him tightly against his chest. He shoots Obi-Wan a mischievous look and then concentrates hard, floating up out of the pool and bringing Viktor with him, holding on tight and stopping once they're a few feet over the water.

"I'll always be able to remind you just how much," Klaus tells him, smiling innocently before suddenly letting go of Viktor so he falls back into the pool, cackling happily and lifting his fingers in a wave. "Love you!"

[larger_world]

"See, this is an example of using your powers for evil," Obi-Wan lectures and he might have been serious if not for the twinkling in his eyes. He moves smoothly through the water toward Viktor, offering him a hand.

"You ought to float yourself over to the hot tub and make sure it's ready for us," he adds, smiling. "I think it's about time we retreat from the cold."

[fifthbeatle]

Viktor thrives under his brother's affection. When he needs a hug, he's never aware of it until after it happens. Even if he could ask, he would never need to. Klaus, Luther and Obi-Wan are always willing to provide whether Viktor knows what he needs or not.

As they literally float away, Viktor starts to get suspicious. He narrows his eyes. "Klaus," he murmurs in warning. He's struggling to get away and gets out "don't!" before he finds himself submerged.

Viktor uses his arms and legs to buoy himself to the surface. "Asshole!" Viktor crows, splashing water his way with one arm.

Rather than further retaliate, he takes Obi-Wan's hand. He could levitate Klaus over to the hot tub or further, but there's too much baggage there for all of them.

[terriblymisguided]

Klaus cackles, pleased with himself and his brotherly antics, and then snaps his fingers and points at Obi-Wan as he hovers above the water, shivering and dripping. Heat does sound good.

He hovers towards the edge of the pool and lands gracefully on his feet, skipping over to the hot tub to yank the cover off and turn on the jets. The hot tub comes to life, gurgling with bubbles and glowing with purple lights, and Klaus grabs a canned cocktail from the mini fridge before climbing in and cracking it open, sipping from the can as he stretches his arm out alongside the edge of the tub.

"Join me, boys," he calls out happily. "I promise not to dunk anyone. I do not promise to not kiss my boyfriend."