[ there is no rebuttal, no argument. what klaus owes fitz is the truth. with another and at a different time in his life he might do both: he might claim many if not all of his deeds are irredeemable. he might claim he has no interest nor remorse in so many of them, that despite his atrocities he carries no guilt and would do them all again if it led him here. he cannot change the past. he might mention elijah and parse what redemption could possibly mean and how he has never truly had the faith his family might've and still does.
it would not be a lie, but neither would it be the truth. the moment he heard his daughter's heartbeat, the moment he held that little girl in his arms, all he has ever wanted was to be worthy of her.
his voice strained and full, weighted under the truth he has only admitted to himself, he answers, ] Yes.
[ It's just a syllable, but a powerful one. The admission tells more
about the nature of Klaus' character than any other form of interrogation
might. It simplifies a number of complexities. ]
You called yourself a monster before. Monsters don't seek redemption.
[ That's as simple as it needs to be. Case closed. QED. ]
[ he's right, but it does not change what he is. it does not change the past or the uncertainty and mistakes; the choices and decisions of the present or the future. he may not be as monstrous as he was then, but he is still a monster now. he would still do terrible things; he knows he will. and he cannot change the past.
but the words touch him regardless; they worm inside and create bittersweet anguish where there had only been strained grief. they give him hope or at least the grateful opportunity to be redeemed in leo's eyes. klaus tempers it and moves forward a few paces. ] Yes, but monsters do what I have done, [ he means more than now ] and I have not seen a reason to seek redemption in centuries.
[ and that is the truth, but it is not the whole truth. ] But I meant it. [ that day in the kitchens. that bloody afternoon in the hut. this is the vulnerable secret he so rarely parts with, that even in his cruelty and machinations, what he truly wants is to be worthy of what he forces to be so. ] I meant for you to be safe with me. I meant to protect you when no one else would. I meant to be your friend. [ klaus works past the lump in his throat, weathers the fullness of feeling in his eyes, and offers leo his badge. ] I hope one day you can forgive me.
[He accepts the badge quietly, and takes a moment to return it to his place squirreled away. He breaks line of sight to do so, an unspoken gesture of trust. If Klaus would mean to do him harm, he would have done it already.]
Seems a rite of passage, that. I can't seem to manage any friendships that don't end up here in the end.
[Even Jemma betrayed him, once upon a time. He invites the pain.]
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no subject
it would not be a lie, but neither would it be the truth. the moment he heard his daughter's heartbeat, the moment he held that little girl in his arms, all he has ever wanted was to be worthy of her.
his voice strained and full, weighted under the truth he has only admitted to himself, he answers, ] Yes.
no subject
[ It's just a syllable, but a powerful one. The admission tells more about the nature of Klaus' character than any other form of interrogation might. It simplifies a number of complexities. ]
You called yourself a monster before. Monsters don't seek redemption.
[ That's as simple as it needs to be. Case closed. QED. ]
no subject
but the words touch him regardless; they worm inside and create bittersweet anguish where there had only been strained grief. they give him hope or at least the grateful opportunity to be redeemed in leo's eyes. klaus tempers it and moves forward a few paces. ] Yes, but monsters do what I have done, [ he means more than now ] and I have not seen a reason to seek redemption in centuries.
[ and that is the truth, but it is not the whole truth. ] But I meant it. [ that day in the kitchens. that bloody afternoon in the hut. this is the vulnerable secret he so rarely parts with, that even in his cruelty and machinations, what he truly wants is to be worthy of what he forces to be so. ] I meant for you to be safe with me. I meant to protect you when no one else would. I meant to be your friend. [ klaus works past the lump in his throat, weathers the fullness of feeling in his eyes, and offers leo his badge. ] I hope one day you can forgive me.
no subject
Seems a rite of passage, that. I can't seem to manage any friendships that don't end up here in the end.
[Even Jemma betrayed him, once upon a time. He invites the pain.]
I think I need a bit of time. If you don't mind.