audio;

[bestfuneralever]

[around the same time as this.]

How do you- I haven't even-- fuck. [There's the sound of fumbling, his words muttered not actively addressing the network at first until-- ]

Hello? Shit. [There's a shuddering breath in and a panicked sound on the exhale of that same breath.] Has anybody seen Ben? I- I-I lost him! I mean- I didn't lose him, but-- he was here and now he's not and... fuck!

[He has not been having a great time in this house. His two days back home were nothing, and he's been in this place long enough for the worst parts of withdrawal to be hitting and. Well. Ben has been his touchstone through that and now he's gone and Klaus is not okay.]

Comments

[bestfuneralever]

No. I'm- what if he's not? What if it doesn't give him back? What if he's stuck somewhere and can't get out? [He makes another soft, little distressed noise.] God, I was supposed to be watching, I don't even know where he went. Or how he was taken. Fuck, I can't even be a proper look-out.

[justaddh2o]

He is, though. He's in the house, we will find him. ( Rikki raises her voice. ) Klaus. We're all sitting here. I missed it, too. It's not your fault and sitting there blaming yourself doesn't change anything. He's fine. He's talking. He's breathing. We'll find him. Okay?

[bestfuneralever]

If your definition of all right is just not dead, then yeah, I guess he's fucking dandy, but I really don't think he's fine, Rikki! [He can yell too, honey. And his voice breaks a little on that last bit, too.]

[justaddh2o]

( Her eyebrows lift and she looks back at him, unamused. A long pause passes before she speaks again. )

This? Is not helping him. Get off your arse and let's go look. Come on, then. If the only thing that'll make you feel better is seeing for yourself that he's fine, then let's go. Blaming yourself or yelling at me isn't helping him and it certainly isn't helping you, mate.

[bestfuneralever]

FINE, then! [He's yelling again, too loudly, and he realizes it just late enough that the words have already escaped his mouth and he blinks, and his shoulders slump and he shrinks down a little, voice drastically quieter next time he speaks.] Let's do that. That... sounds like a good plan, yeah.

[justaddh2o]

( she's quiet, looking at him with a challenge in her expression, but she waits until he settles again and agrees, because of course he's going to agree with her when she's obviously right. )

Right then. Let's go.

( Rikki holds her hand out to him. )

Here, hold my hand so we don't get separated. That's all we need. Come on, then. Let's find your brother.