There’s a sort of darkness that crosses his features as Reginald gets brought up in actual conversation, his whole body almost going to the defense. It’s an unconscious reaction by now, something that has been happening since he was a teenager. The mere idea of their father causes whatever softened edges to harden; the personality of that stuttering boy that existed back then destroyed by the new ways he had come up with to become better. Tougher, as if so that Reginald won’t destroy him, too.

“Dad’s expectations can rot in Hell right along with him.” It’s not said too loud, but the anger he has reserved for Reginald seeps into his words nonetheless. Especially after Klaus parrots what their father had called him. He may not have heard him tell that story, but the idea of Reginald calling any of them that after being a shitty father to all of them, it makes his blood boil.

He anchors himself in the here and now, though, and whatever other insult is burning in his tongue gets shoved back as he takes another sip of his coffee. Especially when Klaus tells him he’s glad to have him here, which brings a half smirk to his face.

“Yeah, well. It is when I need it to be.” And he did, this time, for various reasons. Considering the deep shit they are all still sorting through, it felt necessary. But, considering Klaus is one of the ones he’s intending to help while he’s out in California, he doesn’t elaborate. He just shrugs slightly, as if it’s not a big deal. “Besides. You went on so much about Claire, that I figured why not now before I get busy again with work.”