"With all due respect, I've been sent into situations like that since I was old enough to walk," Klaus tells him, leaning forward to rest his forearms on the metal table. The umbrella tattoo is stark against his pale skin, stretched out a little due to the fact that he's about twice as big as he was when he first got it. The idea that anyone thinks that he can't take care of himself gets his hackles raised, eyes narrowing slightly, but Hopper looks so damn sincere that Klaus lets it go.

He realizes then that he's worried about disappointing Hopper, and he nearly rolls his eyes at himself. Fucking daddy issues.

"I thought I would find a body and call you to come get it, just like the other times," Klaus explains tiredly. "I get it, okay? I fucked up. Next time I'll call you first. I know things went south this time, but I am not helpless."

His brow furrows and he looks down at his bandaged fingertips, picking at the edge of one coming loose around his thumb, and then continues quietly. The image of Taylor's spirit comes to mind again, face gaunt and sorrowful and scared, and he bites his lip. "You didn't see her, okay? I just-- I didn't want to lose her."