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literary-spirit · 4 years ago

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Bonnie Bennett believed she'd finally discovered her good enough ending. Yet, like most things in her life good enough goes left and leaves her with another ending. Or, perhaps a fire beginning...Journey with everyone's favorite Bennett Witch to the Viking Era for much needed lessons in devotion, courtesy the Lothbrok brothers.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, none of these characters belong to me. And to add unfairness to poetic injustice, neither does the shows or the books. However, I still intend to pull the characters' strings and make them dance, all while having a ball upsetting canon plot lines!

AN: Alright Bennett Fandom this one here is a bit different from what you're used to. Okay this one here is a bit different than I'm used to. Francesca has recently rediscovered Vikings and with it the sons of Ragnar. And don't you know she wouldn't rest until she brought our favorite Bennett Witch into their mess! As if our girl didn't already have her own problems. SMFH! So thanks to my lovely muse, here we are with a whole lot of trifling savagery that I'm just not so sure about. But as always I'll let you be the judge if this WIP lives to see another update. Flame it or acclaim it in comments.

“You know as much as I’ve savored the joy of tormenting you over the years-,” Klaus began.

“No,” Bonnie shook her head. She’d tried to go along with his final request. Really she did, but how could she? When in the end all he’d be was gone. “I’m sorry, bae. We’re not doing this.”

Rebekah’s eyes rolled. She released a drawn out exhale that hadn’t been necessary for her since wood ash and pointed stick tattoos were a thing. “Bonnie, don’t ruin this for him! Permit him whatever comfort he demands. He shoulders a burden you’d never be able to fathom. Can you not allow him to experience but one moment of grace? A moment Hope will undoubtedly cling to after he’s gone.”

“No, Rebekah! I’m not about to listen as the man I love gives us all a corny goodbye and pretend to be okay with it. And why the hell should Hope have a moment to cling to when she could have her father?” She gave her head another firm shake. “No, this is not okay with me,” her voice rose as she drilled visual holes through each of them. Klaus tried to shut her down with an arm around the shoulders but she curved him with a shrug, all while committing ocular homicide on him in the process. “So why the hell is it okay with you, Hybrid?” Her scorn riddled gaze darted from him back to his so called family. “Or any of you?”

“You must’ve been down on Bourbon sipping on that Absinthe again if you believe any of this shit is okay with us,” Marcel waved her off barely sparing her a glance. “We all just know Klaus is gonna do whatever Klaus wants no matter how any of us feels about it. The most dangerous place you can be when his mind’s made up is in his way. So I suggest you step out of it.”

Her neck snapped back as if she’d taken a two piece to the chin. “You think I’m afraid of the big bad wolf? I wasn’t at seventeen and if I thought for a second it would save him, I’d put his ass back in the dirt again. I take care of my own, Marcel. No matter the dangers or consequences,” she jabbed a thumb at her hybrid, “And make no mistake, that Original pain in the ass over there is mine.”

“Cute.” Marcel laughed as he rubbed at the corners of his mouth. “Bonnie, we’re his family. Each of us have known, feared, hated, respected, and loved him long before even your parents’ parents became an idea. Hell, even after everything he’s dragged me through, there’s not a drop of blood I wouldn’t bleed for him.”

“Then stand behind those words and do something, Marcel,” she pleaded, because at this point she wasn’t above begging for the only bright spot remaining in the dim bleakness that had become her life seven years before.

“What would you have us do, Bonnie?” Elijah questioned in a barely engaged tone.

Bonnie turned to consider him. A perpetual moroseness now cloaked the one she’d once believed to be noble. His arrogance hadn’t been quite the same since the restoration of his memories. More and more he’d begun to remind her of Finn. She squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. Since discovering what Klaus planned to do, she’d toyed with an idea she’d vowed never to indulge. Yet, under the weight of impossible desperation such vows could not stand.

“The eternal witch spell should be evoked,” she said.

“By whom?” Kol questioned. His chocolate browns moved from Freya to Hope. When both appeared to know less than him his disbelieving gawk returned to her. “You?!” Laughter burst from his mouth. “Oh Darling, I’ve witnessed that spell make a supernatural mess of the most talented witches to ever recite a chant. There’s only one destined to master the eternal witch incantation and her sorcery is said to be unmatched.” His knowing gaze drifted to Hope, and then back to her. “There’s no way you’re powerful enough to undertake the task. You’re not even the strongest witch on this block.”

Bonnie flinched. Damn it, if Kol hadn’t DOA’ed her pride. When the hell did he jump on the Bennett hate train? To hear how far his opinion of her plummeted sort of burned.

She nodded. “Okay, if not me why not Davina. You tend to enjoy blowing her horn. If she’s all you claim her to be, get her here. I’ll happily bow down if her being greater than me will save him.” She jerked her head in Klaus’ direction.

“No!” Marcel barked.

“Leave my wife out of this.” Kol zipped across the distance separating them to tower over her. His original face no longer concealed by his human deception.

Klaus rocketed forward to place himself between she and Kol. “Step away from my fiancé, baby brother. For if you harm her then you’ll be joining me in the afterlife. To hell with your bloody dagger and box.”

Ignoring Kol’s and Klaus’ dagger and the box bit, her distressed stare collided with Freya’s. “What about you? Will you help me save your brother?”

“Bonnie, that spell is much too dangerous. Even for me.” The blondes eyes offered her a thousand apologies but not one solution. “I’m sorry, but I can’t risk it…not now.”

Her desperation bottomed out to despair as her gaze took a hail Mary launch to the supposedly most powerful witch in the room. “Hope?”

The room erupted. You’d think she’d offered the girl a crack pipe. When she was Hope’s age she was taking down well…her dad.

“Bonnie!” Elijah yelled.

“This is madness,” Rebekah growled, taking a step in their direction. “Nik tell her!”

“We’ve already talked about this, Bekah.” Marcel shook his head and tugged Rebekah back to his side. “That doesn’t concern us.” Bonnie heard Marcel mutter.

Klaus spun away from Kol to regard her. He grabbed her face and cradled her cheeks in his palms. “Everything’s going to be alright, Love.” He whispered, before brushing his lips against hers. Liquid pain disturbed the stillness of his crystal blue stare and contradicted the hell out of his reassurance.

“How?” She tugged herself free of his grasp. “How’s everything going to be alright? You’ll be dead and then what? Life goes on? Fuck that! I’m not about to stand here and mourn a defeat I haven’t loss yet!” She whirled away and marched from the gathering. Her decision made.

Once out of sight, she hurried towards their bedroom. Inside, she closed the door and locked it. The barrier wouldn’t hold her hybrid, but the fraction of time it would provide may be all she needed to complete the spell. She fell to her knees next to the mattress. Carefully, she tugged the blanket from underneath the bed. The already prepared altar and ingredients slid out. She stared down at the athamae and exhaled. Second thoughts plagued her mental, but she shook them away. She’d come this far already. The time to bitch up and forget about it had come and gone. Now was the time to do and die, literally.

She picked up the dagger and called forth every ounce of mystical energy which bled through her veins. A swell of Bennett sorcery overwhelmed the room. Pictures rattled on the walls. The balcony doors blew open and the glass shattered. Furniture not nailed down whipped about the room like she’d caught a ride in a tornado. Steeling her nerves, she continued. She called forth her psychic energy, her huntress energy. Any and everything supernatural about her she offered to the Goddess of all in exchange for an eternity of knowledge and the fated eternal mate destined to help her defeat the Hollow.

After relinquishing her all to the Creator she sliced open her palm. Blood gushed from the wound and saturated the ingredients. A searing light illuminated the room. The bargain was struck and accepted. Now the sacrifice. She swallowed and raised the blade. Aiming it at the center of her chest, she closed her eyes.

“Bonnie, no!” Klaus’ voice penetrated the white noise blaring throughout the room. “Love, don’t do this. You won’t survive.”

She opened her eyes. He stood just beyond the enchantment circle, attempting to force his way into the barrier. “Neither will you if I don’t. Besides, if it doesn’t work I’d rather be in the ground anyway than breathe without you, Klaus.”

“Bonnie, please,” he pled as he dropped to his knees. He slammed his fist against the barrier. “Please, don’t do this. We’ll find another way. You have my word, Love!”

A sad smile flirted with her lips. “You’re lying, Klaus. If there was another way then it would already be the plan.” She plunged the blade into the cradle of her breasts. A piercing burn penetrated her chest.

“No!” Klaus’ bellow seared layers from her punctured heart. The storm of mystical energy whipping about ceased.

Her knees buckled. Klaus caught her before the ground could and cuddled her close. She attempted to talk, but a wheeze whistled pass her lips instead.

“No, Love, don’t speak.” He bit into his wrist and placed the bleeding extremity to her mouth. His blood might as well had been battery acid because she’d bet dollars to air it burned the same. Hacking coughs damn near shook her frame apart by the joints. “Why the sodding hell isn’t this working?”

“I-It’s the s-spell,” she managed to utter. “M-my death is the p-price of a-admission.”

Tears trickled from his eyes onto her face. “Why did I have to go and love you, Little Witch?” He demanded, looking beyond confused.

“B-Because its what we b-both needed at the time and no m-matter how this turns out I’ll always be indebted to you for giving me a reason. L-Love you, Hybrid…always and f-forever.” His face faded until nothing but darkness surrounded her.

Chapter 1

The abyss gave way to blinding lights. Bonnie squeezed her eyes shut. A cacophony of sounds battered her auditory senses. The eardrum rupturing racket nearly distracted her from the violent rocking motion. A violent rocking motion which would no doubt wrought absolute fuckery on her cyclic vomiting syndrome. Right along with the tang of salt-water, unwashed bodies, and rotten fish. The potpourri of funk came close to singeing the lining of her nostrils.

A familiar acrid burn tickled the back of her throat. On cue her belly spun a series of gold medal winning somersaults. Oh this was going to happen. Her lack of sight heightened her senses and made her that much more sensitive to all the upchuck factors swirling about her. Unable to continue to live in the darkest part of her denial and remain vomit free, she opened her eyes. The brightest day she'd ever had to tolerate greeted her light discriminating gaze. She closed her eyes once more. What in the extreme fuck? Was this some kind of hell dimension? Is that why she was only a five minute drive away from the damn sun? Oh Goddess no!

"Cade?!" She growled.

The acrid burn that flirted with the back of her throat developed a sour chunky consistency. Once again she forced her eyes open...and blinked. She was on a vessel that appeared to have hailed straight out of Vikings. Damning the unnecessary brightness and her afterlife in general, she turned and tossed up the entire contents of her stomach over the boats edge. The seafood gumbo from Rousseau's she loved nearly as much as Klaus shot from her mouth and floated one way while the wind and Hades' cruiser sailed her in another.

As gravity took her down exhaustion fucked her over. She rested her cheek on the boat's wooden ledge. Drops of putrid salt water splashed her face. Yet, her fucks to give was at a negative zero low. Not only was she dead, but more than likely so was Klaus. She'd failed him...she'd failed them. Not even eternity would be long enough to make that shit okay.

Bonnie's vision blurred. Her chest throbbed. She clawed at the pounding ache between her breasts. Goddess, it's a wonder her chest didn't have a gaping hole in it after everything her heart had lost. Shaking her latest failure from her thoughts, she turned to slouch back to the boat's floor. She then lifted her gaze to assess her surroundings. Various shades of irises gawked back at her. She froze. Oh damn! Just her luck the water was sacred. She opened her mouth to offer an apology, but snapped it closed. Wait...why the hell did everyone look like extras from the Last Kingdom?

Slowly, her gaze dropped from the filthy hairy men towering over her to what she wore. The burlap sack dress she donned stopped her ever ticking clock. And based on the breeze cooling her cakes, her La Perla's had opted to skip the journey to the other side. Her back teeth clenched. In what kind of after life had she been dropped? Was this some kind of Viking hell? Had she somehow been granted eternity with Klaus in his hereafter?

The shifting of bodies snaked her attention from Kanye's spring wear to the now parting beefy men. A sight which had her questioning her sanity emerged. Bjorn Lothbrok or at any rate the actor who portrayed him in Vikings. Was he dead and stuck on the Otherside also? Wait, was Alexander Ludwig even supernatural?

"You're not one of the slaves who was captured during the raid. One of your hue, I would've remembered." The head Viking in charge edge that resonated in Bjorn's or Alexander's voice snatched her from her contemplations. "How've you come to be upon this ship?" When she opened her mouth to speak the cold sharpened point of a sword pierced the hollow of her throat. "Speak to me of canards or sagas and I shall open your gullet."

She hesitated for a moment. What could she say? The truth would definitely get her neck split wide. "I-I'm not sure. Before...when I closed my eyes, I was somewhere else and now that I've opened them, I'm..." she glanced from the horror frozen faces of the crewmen to the beyond frightened slaves. The poor shackled souls huddled away from her in the ship crevices and corners on either side of her. She swallowed and allowed her gaze to return to Bjorn. "I'm here."

"Oh my god," she heard one of the slaves mutter in a tone that, to her surprise, sounded annoyed?

His scoff sliced the disbelief inspired silence in half. He withdrew the biting tip of his sword from her throat and sheathed it in the scabbard at his side. "Bind her hands to her feet and toss her over."

The ship erupted in a flurry of movement. Two overfed red-haired and even redder faced Viking men moved to grab her. She nearly projectile vomited her heart from her mouth.

"I know what I'm saying sounds apeshit, but I swear on everything I love, Alexander," she said slowly uttering the name and searching his face for a flare of recognition. When nothing sparked in his expression she stammered on, "I-I'm telling the truth. Please, you have to believe me, Bjorn!" A flicker of curiosity narrowed his glare. Bingo! "You can't let them kill me! Please, I don't wanna die again!"

"Halt!" He bellowed, raising a hand to stop the men from advancing, "How've you come to know of my name?"

Shit! She pressed her lips together as her mind flipped through a too short list of plausible explanations that wouldn't get her burned at a stake for witchcraft. "I-I've dreamt of you a-and of this moment." There, that didn't sound too bad. One thing she'd learned from Klaus, watching Vikings, and Google, is ancient Northman actually revered oracles and seers.

"You've dreamt of me?" He knelt before her, arresting her stare with a penetratingly incandescent blue gaze. At a deliberate methodical pace, his eyes crept over her face. Her lungs threatened to collapse under the thorough scrutiny. "Of this moment?" Unable to look anywhere other than in the irises that burned brighter than the now blazing sun, her head bobbed. A smile enticed the corners of his mouth. "Then why fear what you know will follow? Have you not prepared well to meet your fate?"

"Not if my fate resides at the bottom of the ocean," she said with a firm shake of the head, "That's an introduction I'd like to cur—avoid indefinitely."

His head tilted just so as he continued to regard her. "Name yourself."

"Bonnie Bennett," she answered.

A golden brow lifted. "Bonnie Bennett of where?"

"New-M-Mystic Falls...Bonnie Bennett of Mystic Falls."

"I have never heard of a land with such a name," he huddled a bit closer to her, "in which direction does your homeland lie?"

Before she could answer, thick gun metal gray clouds rolled across the azure sky and swallowed the glaring sun. A sonic boom exploded somewhere in the distance, while blue streaks of lightening zigzagged its way through the stodgy swirls of gloom. And if the situation wasn't already atom splitting serious, fat drops of rain and hail the size of golf balls began to pelt them.

"This storm is unnatural!" A seaman yelled.

"What in the name of Odin will become of us? None of us shall discover the gates of Valhalla at the bottom of the sea!" A ruddy face old man with a scraggly beard roared at anyone who appeared to be listening.

Another much younger seaman, maybe a little older than herself, turned an anxious stare on Bjorn. "Do you believe the All Father has forsaken us, Ironside?"

Bjorn opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by a blonde slave girl who pointed a finger in her direction, "It's her! Her very presence displeases the gods. You should heave her over and pray the sacrifice appeases them."

"You sound dumb as hell! It's no wonder you're in chains," Bonnie snapped, regretting her words as soon as they left her lips. Stupidity had nothing to do with forced captivity. Yet, that bitch had some damn nerve.

"No one will be heaving anyone over," Bjorn said, while standing from his crouch, "Raise the sails and provide the slaves with pails so they may began dumping water from the ship's floor."

A surge of magic thickened the air. The foreign sorcery incited something within her. Something unfamiliar. A bucket was pushed in her face. She took the wooden pail without looking away from the sea. The very stench of alien witchery agitated her own strange mystical energy. The fiery heat of her somehow altered super charged power practically scorched the inner lining of her veins as it raced through her vessels. Who would dare interrupt the supernatural and natural balance on this scale without justification? It was like using a heat seeking missile to take out a mosquito. Un-fucking-called for!

Instead of allowing the now aggressive powers within her the retribution it sought, she settled just to keep the occupants on the ship safe. So, while she dumped water from the boat's floor, she chanted under her breath. Soon, a protective shield formed around them in an elusive form of the previous sunny day. The Vikings and slaves alike erupted in praises to Odin.

"Yep," Bonnie forced a smile. "Praise Odin!"

"Come, Mystical One," Bjorn stood over her, his shadow casting her much needed shade.

Distrust and her impromptu guest starring role on a show which highlighted the fact that Vikings had no problems raping captives, raised her guards. Though realms out of her element, she was far from ignorant.

Her gaze moved over him in an attempt to size him up. "Where?"

"To the prow," He gestured towards the front of the ship before snatching the pail from her hands, and then tossing it aside. "I wish to learn more about you and this numinous land named Mystic Falls." When she took too long to follow he locked his hands behind his back and considered her. "If I wanted to lie with you then all I need do is have you. Do you believe anyone here would be minded to protect you?"

She lifted her chin as she glanced about the ship to see not one person watching them for concern purposes. Every eye she caught on them looked to be pre-historic Shade Room and TMZ reporters. If they had tea kettles back then they'd no doubt be ready to spill the damn things. No, Bjorn spoke the truth. No one on that confoundingly long boat would lift a calloused palm to help her.

"Alright." Exhaling, she stood and leveled him with a glare even a PMS'ing demon would be incapable of exacting. "But fair warning, no one on this ship can protect me better than me. And make no mistake, I'm not above defending my own honor."

He reached out and took her hand in his. "That is a certainty about you of which I'll never be mistaken, Bonnie Bennett of Mystic Falls."

#bonniebennett #vampirediaries #the originals #crossover #alternate universe #fanfiction #ivar the boneless #bjorn ironside #hvitserk #sigurd #ubbe lothbrok #vikings #time travel

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jacqueline-of-all-trades · 4 years ago

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How does your muse carry emotion? tagged by @batterupbostonian

(obviously these can vary depending on the situation)

ANGER: jaw clenching, hands balling into fists, teeth grinding, yelling, going nonverbal, stuttering speech, rushed speech, slow concise speech, rambling, quiet, arms crossing, shaking head, tearing up, animated, expressionless, projects, internalizes, vents, withdraws, passive-aggressive, direct, physical outbursts, verbal outbursts

JOY: easy smiles, fighting back grins, suppressed laughter, loud laughter, giggles, chuckling, smirks, whole body laughs, covers mouth when laughing/giggling, throws head back when laughing, slaps leg, touches people around them when laughing, looks down when laughing, looks for eye contact when laughing, sparkling eyes, bubbly happiness, quiet subtle happiness, obnoxious happiness, wants to spread joy, quietly savours joy

SADNESS: crying, bottling it up, seeks distractions, wallows, meditates and processes, avoidance, seeks out comfort, withdraws, talks it out, internalizes it, sad smiles, depression naps, uses alcohol, uses drugs, seeks out sources of joy, fidgets with sentimental item, sits in silence, broods, gets moody, wants someone to share the misery, tries to hide negative emotions, nurtures others to make themselves feel better

EMBARRASSMENT/SHAME: blushing, looking away, rubbing at back of head, covering face, laughing nervously, laughs it off, overthinks, lets it go, self-deprecating humour, deflects, gets irritated, smiles, withdraws, crossing arms over stomach, crossing arms over chest, hands in pockets, shoulders sinking, shrugs, falling into silence until comfortable again, talking a lot to compensate

GUILT: avoiding eye contact, shoulders sinking low, head hanging down, crying, chest aches, lashes out, internalizes, apologizes, deflects, communicates, withdraws, grand gestures for forgiveness, accepts fault easily, punishes themselves, martyrdom, victim complex, guilt complex, healthy conscience, internalizes even after forgiveness, seeking redemption, moves on easily, denial, lack of guilt/conscience, sorry they got caught more than caused harm, can’t handle knowing they hurt others (only if it's someone she really cares about though, otherwise she doesn't feel a thing)

FEAR/ANXIETY:

When alone: trembling, crying, sarcasm/sass to cope, rambles, goes silent, gets angry, fidgeting, clenching jaw, picking at nails, chewing at lip, pulling at clothes, adjusting jewellery/clothing, swallowing thickly, eyes widening, overreacts, underreacts, calm, logical, panic, irrational, overthinks, carefully analyses, talks to themselves, breathing exercises, flight, fight, withdraw, fawn

When with others: trembling, crying, sarcasm/sass to cope, rambles, goes silent, gets angry, fidgeting, clenching jaw, picking at nails, chewing at lip, pulling at clothes, adjusting jewellery/clothing, swallowing thickly, eyes widening, overreacts, underreacts, calm, logical, panic, irrational, overthinks, carefully analyses, talks to themselves, breathing exercises, flight, fight, withdraw, fawn

Tagging: @nik-knight, @graveyard-of-ash, @ask-the-pilot, @the-hunter-of-teufort-rp

#character meme #tf2 10th class #jack of all trades

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vampiregirl1797 · 5 years ago

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Hopeless: Epilogue

Klaus Mikaelson x OC

GIF Not Mine

Warnings: this is over 10,000 words, so get some snacks and a hot cup of chocolate!

Click Here For Masterlist

Five years after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

‘Bekah, really this is completely unnecessary.’ I tried to reason with her, but I wasn’t surprised when my protests seemed to fall on deaf ears.

‘It may not be necessary but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.’ She winked, turning back to the owner of the cute little clothes store we’d found in the centre of the city. She was compelling her to let us have free run of the store, seeing as clothes were limited and she didn’t want to lose out on the perfect outfit to someone else.

While she did that, I wondered around, absentmindedly looking at the different clothes she had to offer. I had to hand it to her, everything was beautiful and all one of a kind, seeing as she made the clothes herself and only ever made ten of everything. Once they sold, that was it.

‘Find anything?’ I asked Elena when I reached her.

‘Oh my--,’ she cut off with a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

‘Sorry.’ I grinned, amused that after so many years of me being a vampire I could still startle her.

She shot me a look, clearly not believing my apology but she waved me off anyway.

‘You know, I’m surprised I can still startle you with your newfound heightened senses.’ I teased.

Elena had become a vampire a few years ago, after she had turned twenty. She had given it a lot of thought beforehand, and was content with her decision when she asked Stefan to turn her so that she could spend an eternity by his side. The younger Salvatore had been hesitant, but after my sister assured him that she had done nothing but think about it since she met him, he followed through with her request.

‘Well I was too busy wondering if this top would look cute on me.’ She protested, holding up a white and baby pink lace crop top.

‘It would not.’ Bekah interjected, sliding up next to me and holding out a similar style crop top but in red, ‘this colour suits your skin tone better.’

‘Thank you, Bekah.’ Elena smiled gratefully and put the reject back on the rack before adding the new addition to her basket.

I smirked in amusement when I realised that Elena had already gathered enough to fill half her basket, while Bekah had enough to warrant moving onto a third while I had nothing.

Bekah seemed to notice that too, ‘why haven’t you got anything in your basket yet? We only have another hour until we need to be back for dinner and the barbecue is tomorrow!’

‘I know,’ I sighed, running a hand through my hair, ‘I’ve never been good at picking out clothes for myself Bekah. I hate shopping.’

Elena and Bekah gasped dramatically, as if this was news to them, which of course it wasn’t. I rolled my eyes at their dramatics, but a small smile still found its way to my lips.

‘Well that’s easy enough. I’ll pick something for you.’ Bekah smiled, already wondering off to the back wall—I imagined she already had something in mind.

A few years ago, I would’ve tried to stop her, but I knew that she would only pick something that would compliment my figure and my personal tastes. She had a gift when it came to styling people, in any other time she could’ve been an amazing personal shopper. But then again, owning her own clothing line seemed more Bekah’s style.

‘So when are Stefan and Damon getting in?’ I asked, following Elena around while she browsed through the other options.

‘Tonight after dinner, which sucks but we can all probably watch a movie together.’ Elena replied, the excitement at the prospect of seeing her love leaking into her voice.

‘True, though it is Kol’s turn to pick this month. Probably means we’re gonna be stuck watching some gory horror movie.’ I rolled my eyes fondly—the younger Mikaelson loved watching scary movies to mock and point holes in the stories.

‘Better than Elijah’s documentary obsession.’ Elena joked. She wasn’t wrong, though. Elijah was fascinated with watching documentaries on anything—the last time it had been his pick, we sat through a two hour movie on how cans were made.

‘No arguments here.’ Bekah laughed, adding an armful of clothes to my basket.

I knew there was more than one outfit choice there, but I also knew better than to argue—she liked to add options for me to choose from, plus anything I didn’t want to wear tomorrow I could just wear some other time.

‘Thanks, Bekah.’ I smiled offering her a side hug, ‘you’re a godsend.’

Bekah snorted, commenting on the fact that no one had ever called her that in a thousand years. She offered me a kind smile though and I knew she was grateful for the compliment.

‘Well if everyone’s finished, I’m craving something sweet.’ Elena mused.

‘I know just the place.’ Bekah smirked; I could already feel my mouth watering at the prospect of pastries.

‘So, how’s being newly married?’ Bekah asked my sister just as I’d taken a huge bit of one of the beignets from the centre of the table.

My eyes closed in pleasure and I couldn’t help the small moan that formed at the back of my throat from the taste. Heaven.

‘Great.’ Elena’s expression visibly lit up, as it always did when she spoke of her relationship with the younger Salvatore, ‘we’re actually thinking about moving to New Orleans permanently. Stefan wants to talk to you guys about it first, just to make sure it’s alright, but hopefully there won’t be an issue. I’m ready to move on from Mystic Falls, and I want to be closer to my second family, seeing as the only ones really left back home are me, Stefan, Damon and Bonnie.’

It was true; Jeremy and a few of his friends from school had decided to travel the world before committing to a college, and Jenna had moved back to Denver after Jeremy had graduated. The old house was currently being rented out by Jenna being as none of us had the heart to put it up for sale.

‘I don’t think that will be a problem, Elena you’re family.’ I assured her with a smile, honestly the thought of her moving to the city filled me with joy, ‘the Mikaelson’s love you like a sister, and Stefan and Nik have the biggest bromance going on, there should be zero issues.’

‘She’s right, Lena.’ Bekah assured her, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement—I imagined mine looked the same. The prospect of us all living in the same city all the time was just too wonderful to comprehend. Usually we had to made do with one weekend a month—that was the mandatory minimum for the whole family to meet up, no matter where they were in the world they had to be back for family weekend. Though to be fair, Elena, Stefan and Damon were the only ones who didn’t live in the city permanently, so that rule only really applied to them.

‘Do you think Bonnie will come to the barbecue?’ I wondered, sipping my caramel latte as I waited for an answer.

Bonnie was a somewhat touchy subject for the group. When I’d gathered the courage and will to go back to Mystic Falls to tell my family the truth about what had happened, Bonnie and Katherine were the only two who had an issue. Bonnie because she believed I’d defied the balance of nature by helping break a curse that had been in place for so long, and Katherine because she’d lost five hundred years bound to paranoia and fear.

It had taken some time, but eventually Bonnie realised that if the curse shouldn’t have been broken, the means to break it wouldn’t have existed. Katherine was more stubborn and even attempted to gather enough firepower from witches, vampires and werewolves to take Klaus and Elijah down. Of course, when they found out whom she wanted them to go up against they immediately backed out, a few even coming to New Orleans to warn the Mikaelsons of the potential threat—they didn’t want to go up against the strongest supernatural army in the world. Which was of course what the Mikaelson’s had built in New Orleans. It was the place that any species could come and live with different supernatural creatures in harmony. They did such a good job ruling it, fairly and with a genuine care for each and every person, that the loyalty they earned from each member of the city was unwavering. That was something Katherine hadn’t realised, until it was too late.

Klaus and Elijah had sent a few werewolves and vampires for her to “recruit.” Of course, it had been a ploy to lure her to New Orleans and once they had her, they gave her three options:

- Give up her ploy for revenge and start living her immortal life without a thirst for repentance

- Let herself be compelled to once again forget why she wanted vengeance

- Or die.

Her rage had inevitably made the decision for her. After she had been given her options, I had returned to the compound after meeting Cami for a drink at Rousseau’s. My appearance reminded her of her hatred and she’d attempted to attack me immediately, before she could however Elijah had removed her heart while Klaus had flashed to my side, prepared to aid me should I need it. We had both stared at the elder Mikaelson in shock, but he simply dropped her heart and ordered for her body to be burned to ash.

I still remembered the conversation I’d had with him that night.

A few months after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

I took a deep breath, trying to build up the courage to knock on his door, but I found myself shuffling from foot to foot. I was just about to bolt and return to bed with Nik when the door opened of its own accord.

‘Evangeline, is there something I can help you with?’ Elijah’s calm voice tampered a little of my anxiety, as did the absence of anger or sorrow in his eyes. But I didn’t let that fool me completely—I knew just as well as anyone that he was the best at withholding emotions from those closest to him.

‘I- I just wanted to apologise.’ I said, clearing my throat as my voice broke.

‘Whatever for?’ he gestured for me to enter his bedroom and I took a seat on one of the armchairs he had opposite his bed. Elijah himself perched himself on the foot of his bed, rolling his shirtsleeves up to his elbows as he awaited my response.

‘For Katherine. I know you cared for her once, and it’s my fault that nothing happened with her.’ I murmured, suddenly finding myself enamoured with the sleeves of the Henley that I was wearing that happened to belong to my hybrid.

‘If I ever cared for Katarina, it was because she reminded me of another life.’ Elijah said, the softness of his voice caused me to look up to him, ‘she reminded me of a time where my biggest worry was competing with my brother to win the affections of a woman who looked a lot like her.’

‘Tatia.’ I said, familiar with the story.

‘Indeed. When we were human my biggest concerns were trying to win Tatia’s hand in marriage, and protecting my siblings from our brute of a father. Katarina reminded me of that, and as a result caused me to yearn for that simplicity.’

I nodded, somewhat understanding.

‘Of course, that changed when I realised that Niklaus was finding his humanity, due to a mysterious girl from the future.’ Elijah smiled knowingly at me, and I couldn’t help but look down, grateful that I couldn’t blush, ‘you see Evangeline, your appearance in our lives made me yearn for my life in the present. It made me yearn for a time that we could all sit down together as a family and be happy. Happier than we ever were when we lived in that small village in Mystic Falls over a thousand years ago. For the first time in a long time, I was excited by what the future would bring, rather than being consumed with dread over the prospect of witnessing my family commit heinous acts before my very eyes. You saved this family. And for Katarina to come along and try to inadvertently tear that apart, well you know by now… no one hurts my family and lives. And you, Evangeline are just as much a part of this family as I am.’

I knew that my cheeks were wet with tears but I didn’t care. In a flash I was hugging Elijah and unconsciously soaking his shirt with tears. He hugged me back and I found myself grateful and lucky to have been accepted into the Mikaelson family.

‘Thank you, Elijah.’ I murmured against his chest.

‘Always and forever, sister.’ He murmured back, placing a chaste kiss to the top of my head.

Back to five years after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

That had been a few months after I returned from the past, and Elijah and I had only grown closer. He was like the big brother I had always wanted, and being accepted into the fold meant that I was also gifted with the huge family I’d always yearned for. I was immensely grateful, being as I’d given up on the idea of a big family when I’d been turned into a vampire. I was lucky, and a day didn’t go by where I wasn’t reminded of that.

‘No. She’s accepted everything and I know she understands, but she doesn’t want to be a part of it.’ Elena said, her bright expression dimming considerably at the reminder of her absent ex-best friend.

‘I’m sorry sweetie.’ I murmured, squeezing her hand comfortingly.

‘It’s okay. It’s her life to live, and she doesn’t want to live it immersed in the supernatural world like we do. That’s her choice and she’s well within her rights to make it.’ Elena murmured, her eyes conveying the sincerity behind her words.

It sucked, of course it did, but Elena was right. Bonnie was living her life like she wanted to—without vampires, hybrids and werewolves. Elena and I still loved her, but we knew it was just a part of life; some people are only meant to be in your life for a certain amount of time before you drift apart and they leave you with the memories you created together.

‘Aren’t you ever going to tire of painting me?’ I murmured, partially amused and fond from where I leaned against the doorframe.

After lunch with my sisters, I’d returned to the compound and after placing my newly acquired clothes into our room, I went to find him. Where I found him wasn’t a surprise; he was in his art studio painting yet another portrait of me. My heart fluttered every time I saw him taking the time to put me onto another canvas; I’d been so overcome with love when he’d shown me the ones he’d painted in my absence that I’d been reduced to a puddle of tears. Nik still had yet to let me hear the end of that.

‘How could one ever tire of capturing such beauty?’ he grinned, his eyes sparkling with adoration as he turned to face me. In a flash I was at his side, my arm wound around his waist as I placed a chaste yet passionate kiss to his lips.

‘How was your day?’ he asked, pulling me against his chest and winding his arms around my waist.

‘Fine. Bekah picked out some clothes for me to wear tomorrow.’ I told him, my hands resting against his chest and my head against his shoulder.

He chuckled, ‘I don’t know why you go; you hate shopping.’

I hummed in agreement before adding, ‘but I love spending time with my sisters.’

‘Forgive me, I find it hard to imagine why anyone would enjoy Bekah’s company.’ He deadpanned, but broke out into a laugh when I lightly slapped his shoulder in reprimand.

‘Elena mentioned that her and Stefan were thinking of moving here.’ I grinned, my hands moving to his shoulders as I leaned back to meet his gaze.

‘Is that so?’ he said, his hands falling to my hips as a smile formed on his at the sight of my happiness.

I nodded, ‘she mentioned Stefan wanted to run it by you all first, but it you’re okay with it then they’re gonna come.’

‘Why would we have a problem?’ he mused, his eyes dancing with mirth.

‘I think it’s Stefan’s idea to be honest. Just to make sure they’re not stepping on any toes.’ I shrugged, not really understanding the need for permission myself.

‘Well I’d never deny them residence here and I doubt anyone else would either, lest they incur your wrath.’ He teased, grinning when I playfully glared at him.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ I said innocently.

It was true, of course. Over my time with the Mikaelson’s I’d gained a reputation. My temper was known to rival Nik’s when someone threatened or hurt my family. I’d always been protective, and that instinct had only become heightened when I’d become a vampire. And now I had a family that ruled New Orleans, we were bound to attract trouble, which led to my protective instincts rearing their head more often than I was used to. The Mikaelson’s, Nik especially, thought my ability to go from calm to a force that the devil himself would be intimidated by was hilarious. But I couldn’t help it. And I was happy to have found a family that understood and even rivalled my over protective tendencies. I thought back to the first time we’d incurred a threat after Katherine.

A year after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

I woke up to the sun shining on my face, which wasn’t unusual seeing as Nik and I had a habit of forgetting to close the drapes. I smiled when I felt his arms still wrapped around me, his warmth seeping through the shirt of his I was wearing. I rolled over to face him and was unsurprised to see his eyes already open; it was rare that I awoke before him, but even though he woke before me most days, he preferred to stay and hold me until I woke up before he even thought of getting out of bed. I’d asked him about it before and he’d admitted to taking the time to bask in the gratitude he felt for finally being able to wake up with me in his arms. I’d held him tight after that.

‘Good morning my love.’ His voice was husky with sleep, and I couldn’t help the small shiver of desire that shot down my spine.

‘Good morning my hybrid.’ I murmured back, placing a kiss to his cheek, a wave of adoration washing over me at his bashful smile that always followed me calling him that.

That became my nickname for him not long after I found him again and he was able to finally reveal that he had broken his curse. At first, the reception had varied from fear to acceptance. Unfortunately the latter opinion was rare; Elena and everyone from back home had accepted it fairly quickly, though I assumed that Elena not needing to die for the curse to be broken was the main reason for that. It took a while for the factions of New Orleans to realise that Klaus being part werewolf as well as vampire made no difference to who he was as a ruler. When they did, the criticism, fear and disgust had dissipated. Though Nik liked to joke that my attitude towards those who criticised him was the main reason for that. I’d started calling him “My Hybrid” because I wanted him to know he had no reason to be ashamed of who he was, and to remind him that I loved every single part of him.

‘Do we have any plans today?’ I wondered, nuzzling into his neck, his scent keeping me in a state of contentedness. My eyes were starting to flutter shut again, and I found myself not wanting to fight it.

‘Actually, Sophie has contacted Elijah and informed us of a potential threat coming to New Orleans.’ Nik murmured, his lips against my hair.

‘Hmmm.’ I said, not really processing his words and placing a kiss onto the side of his neck.

He chuckled kissing my hair and pulling me tighter against him, ‘I should tell you of all potential threats after you’ve just woken up my love.’

‘Hmmm.’ I sighed as his hand starting to move back and forth across my lower back.

I thought I heard him chuckle again and it made me smile as I fell into unconsciousness.

Kol and Bekah were doubled over in laughter where we were gathered in the courtyard of the compound. Klaus was laughing a lot less rambunctiously, while Elijah was a lot more reserved, though his amusement was still obvious on his expression.

‘I don’t bloody believe this.’ I muttered, shaking my head in exasperation, ‘are you having me on?’

‘No my love, we’re not.’ Nik’s dimpled smile eased my embarrassment a little, ‘I told you of the threat three days ago after you woke up. You must have still been half asleep.’

‘That’s cheating!’ I complained, slapping his shoulder, ‘you should’ve told me again when I was actually awake.’

‘Technically you were conscious.’ Kol pointed out, seeming to have recovered enough to add a comment.

‘Obviously not enough.’ I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my hair, ‘now tell me about this threat.’

‘The De Martials are on their way to New Orleans.’ Elijah said solemnly and I nodded, familiar with the story.

The elder Mikaelson had informed Niklaus over what he had done a few centuries after I’d returned to the future, and Nik had told me a few months ago. Nik had definitely been furious but his rage had subsided when he realised why his elder brother had done what he’d done. It had been around that time that Nik had told his siblings the truth about what happened to their mother. The reactions to that news had varied. Kol hadn’t had much of one, Elijah had already known but Bekah had taken it the hardest. But after some time, she came to forgive him.

‘So they want revenge for the time they spent pretending to be you and leading Mikael astray.’ I summarised, the wheels in my head turning.

‘I’d imagine so.’ Bekah mused, coming to sit by me on the sofa and stretching her legs out over my lap. Kol came to sit on the other side of me and rolled his eyes at the intrusion of Bekah’s legs on his lap as well, but he didn’t protest.

‘Do you think Aurora might have other motivations?’ I asked, internally wincing at the insecurity in my voice.

‘If that psychotic bitch comes anywhere near you darling, I can assure you she will be torn limb from limb.’ Kol patted my shoulder for reassurance.

‘That’s not what I’m worried about.’ I rolled my eyes and then frowned, ‘why would she be interested in me? I doubt she even knows who I am.’

‘Over the years you were not with us, we were subtle and discrete over your existence, but evidently rumours did get out about you.’ Elijah explained, smiling at my wide eyes, ‘your name along with your importance to this family made you somewhat of a legend. Though, no one knew why, or even knew of anyone by the name of Evangeline, so it’s often been dismissed as a rumour.’

‘Until now.’ Nik murmured, his eyes on me and shining with concern.

‘And Aurora always was the jealous type.’ Bekah sneered.

‘I don’t care about me.’ I muttered; my only concern was with my family, ‘you’re basically invincible. If they’re coming for revenge now after all this time, that must mean they have a plan, one that they’re confident will work.’

‘We’ve faced many people over our thousand years, all of which intended to end us all, and yet we’re still here.’ Elijah murmured, smiling in assurance, ‘I assure you, this time will be no different.’

I wished I had his confidence, but I had a bad feeling about this and Nik must have sensed it because he held his hand out to me from where he was sat on the armchair. I shifted Bekah’s legs off me and moved to sit on his lap. His scent soothed my nerves like a balm—I’d always be grateful for how safe Nik’s arms made me feel. Especially in that moment because the absence of anxiety allowed me to think clearly and I had a plan.

Nik: They’re here. Aurora left a body surrounded by lavender and a scavenger hunt for me to follow.

Kol: Tristan has made himself known; he’s already got the strix out looking for vampires descended from Elijah.

Elijah: The witches are preforming the spell now.

Me: Lucien has just walked into Rousseau’s.

Bekah: This is an insane plan; I just want that on the record.

Nik: Now is not the time. Focus.

Me: If anything bad happens, I just want you to know I love you all.

I slid my phone into the back pocket of my high-waisted jeans, subtly watching Lucien from where I sat at the bar, while Bekah was blending in with the crowd thanks to a glamour spell a witch had placed on her. My hair was down and wavy, cutting off at the bottom of my spine and offering me some comfort as it covered up the most of my back. The crop top had been Bekah’s idea, it was white, lacy and entirely too revealing but I was looking to gain the attention of Lucien.

A small smile formed on my lips as I noticed a family of tourists sitting by the window, a mother and father sat across from their twin daughters. They were all laughing and talking, enjoying their meal together. I felt a small wave of homesickness wash over me in that moment. I hadn’t seen my family in almost a year—not since I’d told them the truth about everything. We were still in touch, but I hadn’t seen them in the flesh for ten months, and I realised in that moment that I missed them. It wasn’t as bad as it could be, as I was already surrounded by family, but I found myself wondering if Elena, Jeremy and Jenna would be up for a weekend visit. Though it would be difficult to organise now; Elena was coming up to the end of senior year, Jeremy near the end of Junior, and Jenna was in the middle of writing her thesis. Though I’d heard from Elena that she was thinking of moving back to Denver after Jeremy was done with school. As the youngest Gilbert had already mentioned his desire to travel after he graduated, and with Elena potentially going to collage, Jenna would be in Mystic Falls all by herself. It wouldn’t be the same not having Jenna back home, but I understood her desire to move away being as the life she had before our parents died was in Denver.

‘Hello there darling.’ An arrogant sounding voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked to my right to see just the man I was looking for, now occupying the empty seat beside me.

‘Hello.’ I forced a smile and hoped the disgust didn’t show on my face. He was sitting far too close and his scent was overwhelming me. He smelled like he’d bathed in cologne and whiskey, it was so bad that I had to make due with breathing through my mouth. A pang of longing to be encased in my Hybrid’s scent overwhelmed me, but I forced myself to focus.

‘Now what’s a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?’ He smirked, his breath fanning over my face. If I were still capable of vomiting, I would have in that moment.

‘You’ll have to be more specific. In this bar or in this city?’ I was being evasive, but I couldn’t help it.

‘This city, of course.’ He said, taking a sip of the drink in his hand.

‘I like it here.’ I shrugged, downing the shot of tequila Cami placed in front of me. Apparently seeming uninterested was a sure way to garner his attention, which was exactly what was needed. I leaned forward over the bar to grab the bottle of liquor that Cami had purposefully left within reach.

‘I’m starting to as well’ I rolled my eyes when I realised he was checking out my ass and when I fell back into my seat his eyes trailed over my chest. I fought the urge to cross my arms to try and cover up as I poured myself another shot.

‘How would you feel about coming back to my place later?’ he asked, his fingers trailing up and down my arm. I assume he mistook my shiver of disgust as pleasure, because his hand moved to my back, trailing up and down my spine and lightly tugging my hair.

Quick as a flash I held his wrist in mine, before he could react I snapped it like a twig, ‘I think I’d rather set myself on fire.’

‘You’re feisty I like that.’ He bit out as he reset his wrist with a click.

‘I’m leaving now.’ I huffed placing a hundred on the bar to cover my drinks and tip.

I shot Bekah a reassuring look before I left. I didn’t have to turn around to know he was following me; his pungent scent assured me he was.

It shouldn’t have been so simple, but it was. I led him into a trap; witches bought him to his knees while I turned and snapped his neck. After that, he was trapped in a basement with chains and boundary spells, where he would be bled out until the vervain was out of his system. Which shouldn’t take long for how fast the selected vampires were working on him. One down. Two to go.

‘Nik?’ I called out as I entered the compound—he should have been back by now and I’ll admit the fact he wasn’t had me feeling both worried and insecure.

I was about to call him when the scent hit my nose—blood. Most importantly Nik’s blood. I followed it to his art studio—he was in the centre of the room a circle of salt hinting at the boundary spell that was around him. He was shirtless and the dried blood on his torso hinted at how much he had lost. Despite the overwhelming urge to go to him, I forced myself to focus, someone had obviously done this to him, but where were they? I didn’t have to look far. She had her back to me, which hinted at her arrogance—she clearly didn’t perceive me to be a threat. She was staring at one of the portraits Nik had painted of me and hung along the back wall. Her fingers were pressed against the canvas gently at first, and in the blink of an eye her fingers tore through with such force she created a hole in the brickwork. That was when she turned to face me. Her eyes is what stood out to me at first, they were a striking green, seeming to shine brighter due to the red curly hair that draped around her shoulders and down her back. She was dressed in a short and low cut black dress; clearly she’d been intending to impress my Hybrid.

‘Aurora I presume.’ I said, unable to keep the venom from my voice.

‘You’ve heard of me?’ she seemed to preen with the knowledge.

‘Yes, when Nik was recounting his psychotic exes you were the first name out of his mouth.’ I smiled, inwardly cheering when her expression transformed into fury.

‘I cannot understand what he possibly sees in you.’ She sneered, walking around me like a shark circling its prey.

‘That makes two of us,’ I shrugged.

‘I’ll admit I’m disappointed. I expected more fire.’ She said, coming to stand in front of me again, and that was when she revealed a stake, ‘white oak seems a waste on you, but it’ll kill you just the same and to be honest, I rather enjoy the poetry of Nik waking up to see you dead beside him. The pathetic abomination will be so overcome with grief that he’ll be powerless to falling into my awaiting arms. As soon as that happens, I’ll be able to easily convince him to dagger his other pathetic siblings and we’ll live happily ever after as King and Queen of New Orleans.’

My eyes flashed and before she could comprehend it, the stake clattered to the floor as the snap her wrist made when I twisted it behind her back echoed throughout the room.

‘How dare you.’ I growled, unbelievably enraged, picking the stake myself and plunging it into her stomach. She fell to her knees with a cry of pain, her hands moving to the wound when I yanked the wood out.

‘How dare you come into this city and threaten my family. How dare you call my Hybrid an abomination? The way I see it, the only abominable creature in this room is you, you psychotic, ignorant, pretentious bitch.’ I snarled, too far-gone in my fury to notice my Hybrid stirring behind me.

‘This isn’t your family.’ She protested, albeit a little weekly as I drove the stake through her chest, a mere inch from her heart.

‘Yes it is. I love each and every one of the Mikaelson’s, and I’d be damned if I let you threaten one of them, but all of them, including the man I love more than anything? Well you just signed your death certificate.’ With that, my hand punctured her chest cavity, clenching around her heart and tearing it out. I watched with relief and satisfaction as her corpse turned grey, before dropping the organ to the ground.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket to send a text to the group chat; pleased to see everyone else had achieved their goals without a hitch.

Me: Need a witch back at the compound. Aurora has Nik trapped with a boundary spell.

Elijah: Will bring Sophie now.

Me: Thanks, Lijah. Glad everyone else is okay.

Elijah had been with the witches to lure those of his sire line and trap them. Those who already resided in the quarter had been given a remedy that granted them immunity while the spell was being cast. When the strix arrived they would be given the chance to leave Tristan’s leadership or risk death. Tristan himself was trapped much like Lucien in a separate space secured with chains and witchcraft, which is where he would remain until the vervain had been drained and his plan had been compelled out of him. Either way, after that was discovered they would both be dead. The same had been planned for Aurora… before I’d gone AWOL.

‘Evangeline.’ I jumped a mile at the sound of his voice, having not heard him come around. When I faced him I was surprised by the intense expression on his face.

‘Are you okay?’ I asked, my fingers pressing against the boundary in vein as I tried to reach him.

‘I’m fine. A little hungry, but otherwise I’ll live. I managed to secure the location of the white oak from her mind before she incapacitated me.’ He smiled softly, ‘I already sent the location to Kol, I’m sure he’s taken care of it by now.’

‘Then why do you look so… astounded?’ I wondered.

‘Because watching you defend our family, and defend me has got to have been one of the most erotic things I’ve ever seen.’ He told me honestly.

I blinked in surprise before letting out a laugh, him joining me. Though I knew he was being sincere due to the lust in his eyes, which seemed to grow as his eyes roamed over my outfit.

‘I’ll take it your part of the plan was successful?’ he wondered.

‘Yes, though I feel like I need to scrub every inch of my body. Lucien is a pig.’ I informed him honestly. There were no secrets between us.

‘What did he do?’ Nik growled, his eyes flashing protectively.

‘He touched my arm and back, pulled on my hair and leaned way too close. Not terrible when you say it aloud but he made me feel really uncomfortable. But it doesn’t matter now.’ I waved it off, ‘once he’s had the vervain drained from his system and whatever plan they had in place is revealed he’s dead. At the rate they were draining him, I can’t imagine it would take long.’

This seemed to soothe him somewhat, but I could see him itching to hold me, his wolf needing to make sure I was indeed okay. Thankfully in that moment, Elijah walked through the door, Sophie following closely behind him. The elder Mikaelson raised a brow at the dead De Martial on the floor in confusion, looking over and pursing his lips in amusement when I hid my bloodied hand and the stake behind my back.

‘I don’t remember killing her being a part of the plan,’ Elijah commented as Sophie got to work.

‘I know. My temper might have gotten the best of me.’ I winced like a child about to be reprimanded by their parents.

‘She defended us brother. Aurora intended to kill her and use my grief to manipulate me to dagger you all and allow her to rule beside me.’ Nik explained, amused by my timid behaviour.

‘I couldn’t help it. I’m protective of my family, and of Nik, she threatened all of that.’ I pursed my lips, glancing down to her body, ‘she was one crazy bitch.’

Nik laughed loudly and the sound bought a smile to my lips, relieved that at least he wasn’t pissed at me for messing with the plan. A glance at Elijah and the amusement on his expression assured me he wasn’t all that mad either. I felt the tension in my shoulders ease.

‘She had white oak though,’ I revealed the stake and handed it to the older Original, ‘Nik sent Kol to collect the rest.’

Elijah nodded, some tension easing from his expression. In that moment Kol entered the room, grinning so widely I was surprised when his face didn’t split in half.

‘The white oak is gone. Apparently they gathered it from the wood made to construct a bridge and sign in Mystic Falls. Ironic, but alas I has all burned to ash.’ He said, practically bouncing with happiness at his success.

‘Excellent. Well done brother.’ Nik said, his expression conveying the sincerity behind his words. Kol’s expression softened under Nik’s praise and I couldn’t help but smile at the strong bonds they all now shared—My Hybrid had told me of Kol’s feeling of being left out of the family and so moments like this reminded me of how much they’d all overcome.

Kol nodded, a soft smile aimed at his older brother before he accepted a hug from Elijah and then me. When I pulled away, he frowned at the dried blood on my hand and forearm.

‘Don’t ask.’ I said before he could inquire.

Kol looked over to Nik who grinned and nodded in answer to his silent question: he would tell him later.

‘It’s all done.’ Sophie announced, but before she could even get up from the floor I found myself surrounded by Nik’s warmth and his scent.

All of the tension eased of my body, and I felt Nik relax too as his face nuzzled into my neck and took in my scent, now assured that I was in fact okay.

‘You two are too cute.’ Bekah commented, I noted that she had her own voice back, which meant the glamour had been removed, but I didn’t lift my head to look.

I hummed in contentment as Nik’s hand moved back and forth at the bottom of my spine, while his other hand rested at the centre of my back, his thumb moving back and forth comfortingly. The warmth his arms and hands emitted would never fail to make me feel safe and home. One of my hands were moving through the curls on his head, while the other rested against his chest, playing with the collection of necklaces that laid there. I was so contented and relaxed that I almost forgot where we were and what had happened when—

‘Why is Aurora dead?’ Bekah asked.

Nik laughed and I hid my face in his chest, embarrassed and already aware that I would never live this down.

Back to Five years after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

‘Come on, Kol!’ Bekah complained from one of the love seats—Nik and I occupied the other.

‘It’s my choice, Bekah. You think I wanted to watch that god-awful romance movie you picked last month? No. But did I complain?’ his question was intended to be rhetorical but I answered anyway.

‘Excessively.’ I deadpanned, chuckling with the others.

‘Well—I didn’t complain as much as I wanted to.’ He said, as if that were a solid argument. I rolled my eyes and settled further into Nik’s side, my head resting on his chest. His arm was wrapped around me and he was tracing random patterns on my arm. I sighed in contentment, knowing that if he kept that up with how warm and relaxed I was, I wouldn’t see ten minutes of this movie.

‘Then Bekah can complain just shy of how much she wants to, and you’ll have to take it.’ Marcel pointed out, laughing at Kol’s affronted expression.

‘Can we just get this over with? The sooner it’s on, the sooner it can be over.’ Elena mumbled, a blanket wrapped around her, that and her husband’s arms around her providing her with protection from the zombies that Kol was subjecting us to. She was sat on the far end of the couch, Stefan to her right, Kol to his right and Damon on the other side of him. Bekah and Marcel were sat on the armchair; the female Mikaelson basically sat on her husband’s lap.

‘Come on, you’re a vampire. If zombies were running around in this world, they’d be no match for any of us.’ Damon smirked smugly from his seat next to Kol.

‘You don’t know that. What if a zombie bite affected us? If we also became zombie’s I’d hate to spend an eternity like that.’ Elena argued, pointing to the zombie that was now on the screen.

Instead of arguing, Damon shushed her, reaching for a handful of popcorn where the ridiculously huge bowl rested on Kol’s lap. I busied myself with the chocolate Eminem’s I’d commandeered, occasionally feeding some to Nik as I munched away.

I reached over to the arm of the chair for one of the blood bags we’d bought over to sustain us through the movie. I opened the cap and drank a few sips before offering some to my Hybrid, when he was finished I recapped it and placed it back where I’d grabbed it. I sighed softly, not interested in the movie in the slightest. But I knew this was the whole point of movie night, it wasn’t simply to watch; it was an opportunity to spend time together. Glancing around I noticed that Bekah and Nik were also unimpressed, Elena was terrified, while Kol, Damon, Marcel were overly amused by what passed as a horror movie.

I shifted in Nik’s arms so my head now rested on his shoulder, I faced his neck, not bothering any further with the terrible acting on the screen and started to play with the collection of necklaces around his throat. A small smile always formed on my face when my fingers connected with the only metallic one he wore—the locket I’d given him all those centuries ago. He’d tried to return it to me, but I insisted he wore it, liking that a part of me was always with him on the rare occasions I couldn’t be. In return he’d gifted me with his necklace that bore the Mikaelson crest. It had originally hung from a leather cord but he’d had it transferred to a silver chain and I wore it around my neck, happy to have something that reminded me of him for always.

‘Bored there my love?’ He murmured, to quiet to be heard by anyone else over the T.V.

‘While I’m in your arms? Never.’ I grinned as his chuckle, placing a kiss to his pulse point.

‘Do you ever think about getting married?’ Nik asked and I blinked at the question.

I leaned up, my hands resting against his face so I could take in his expression. He looked curious, yet slightly nervous.

‘I used to all the time when I was human. Had my perfect wedding all planned out. But it was something I gave up on when I became a vampire.’ I told him honestly.

‘Why?’ he wondered, reaching up to brush some hair behind my ear.

‘Because I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to spend an eternity with me. I could barely imagine sixty years, but forever? It just seemed impossible.’ I murmured.

‘What about now?’ he seemed tentative, which was rare for him and I couldn’t help but instinctively move a hand to his hair, knowing that it soothed him.

‘Is that your way of proposing?’ I teased, trying to ease his nerves.

He grinned, leaning up and pecking my lips before falling back to the love seat, ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.’

The sincerity in his expression caught me off guard, but my surprise quickly faded to delight, ‘really?’

He nodded, relieved by my excitement, ‘I even have a ring. I was planning on a romantic dinner with just the two of us, ending with me asking you.’

‘That sounds like quite the proposal.’ I commented, my hand gently moving back and forth against his jaw, ‘why mention it now?’

‘My love, patience has never been my strength. I’ve waited so long to have you back in my arms and I can’t keep putting off making you mine because I’m waiting for a perfect moment. Every moment with you is more perfect than I ever could have imagined, and certainly more perfect than I deserve. I love you Evangeline, with everything that I am. Spend an eternity with me. Marry me.’ He said, softly wiping away the tears that had fallen down my cheeks.

‘Okay,’ I was sure my tears didn’t dampen the pure happiness that I could feel radiating from my face. Nik captured my lips, kissing me with a softness and tenderness that made my heart flutter in my chest.

‘I love you.’ I told him, my voice barely above a whisper, but his soft smile assured me that he’d heard me.

‘I love you too.’ He replied as I settled against his chest again.

I drifted off to sleep there, surrounded by our oblivious family and in the arms of the man I loved.

Five years and six months after Evangeline returned from the 15th century.

‘You look beautiful.’ Jenna said, dabbing away the tears in her eyes with a tissue.

I smiled at her from where I was sat, getting my hair curled by one of the professionals Bekah had hired for all of us.

‘Thank you Aunt Jenna.’ I winked.

‘If you’re this emotional now, you’re gonna be done for when she puts on the dress.’ Elena teased, winding an arm around Jenna’s waist.

They had all gotten ready before me so they (mainly Bekah) could assure everything else was going to plan everywhere else. The female Mikaelson was currently checking on the boys and making sure they were finished, honestly I was so grateful for her. If it hadn’t been for her input, I doubt we could’ve pulled off the wedding I’d been dreaming of since I was a little girl.

‘I know, I just keep thinking about your Mom and Dad and how proud they would be right now.’ She said, barely squeezing out her words before the tears started streaming again.

‘They are here, Jenna. Maybe not in body but definitely in spirit.’ Elena assured both our aunt and I. I offered her a grateful smile, my eyes flicking over to my bouquet of red and white roses I would be holding while walking down the isle—my mom and dad’s favourite flowers. It had been Nik’s idea and I’d loved it.

‘You’re right.’ Our emotional aunt nodded, seeming to steel herself as she dabbed her eyes one last time before securing her tissue in her bra. Elena and I shared an amused glance.

‘You both look beautiful by the way.’ I complimented them.

I had chosen Elena as my maid of honour, with Bekah and Jenna being bridesmaids. Each wore a deep purple A-line styled dress made of chiffon material. This colour matched the ties of the groomsman, aside from Nik’s—his would be white. The dress cut off just below the knee, revealing the black platform shoes each of them wore. I had encouraged them to choose how they wanted to wear their own hair and was surprised when they’d all agreed on one hairstyle for them all. Their hair had been curled, with the front being pinned back to the backs of their heads with a jewelled clip that matched the deep purple of their dresses. They looked stunning.

‘Not as beautiful as you’re going to look.’ Bekah commented as she re-entered the room, looking moderately relieved.

‘What’s up?’ Lena asked.

‘Nik’s pacing a hole in the floor from his room. It amazes me how quickly his paranoia grows the longer he’s separated from you.’ She shook her head in amazement, moving over to the mirror to unzip my dress.

‘Well maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if someone hadn’t made us sleep apart last night.’ I muttered, already reaching for my phone.

‘It’s bad luck to see the groom before the wedding!’ Bekah protested, frowning when she saw me walking towards the bathroom, ‘what are you doing? You need to put your dress on, the ceremony starts in ten minutes!’

‘I’ll be two, I promise.’ I smiled reassuringly and closed the door behind me, finding Nik’s contact and clicking it before bringing it to my ear.

It rung once before he answered, ‘Evangeline.’ He murmured; his voice already sounding a little more relaxed.

‘Hello my gorgeous Hybrid and soon to be husband.’ I answered brightly, smiling at the sound of his chuckle, ‘what’s this I hear about you being paranoid?’

‘It’s nothing, my love. Just my self depreciating voice rearing it’s ugly head and telling me that I don’t deserve you.’ He said, his voice more sombre now.

‘Nik, you are the strongest, sweetest, smartest, funniest, sexiest and most talented man I’ve ever known. So you tell that voice inside your head to shove it because you’re an amazing man and I promise to keep reminding you of that fact for eternity.’

‘Thank you, my love. You always know what to say,’ he said, his voice soft.

‘You’re welcome, we all need reassurance sometimes, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.’ My voice was as gentle as his.

‘I can’t wait to marry you.’ I could sense his smile on the other side of the phone.

‘Right back at you my Hybrid.’ I grinned, ‘speaking of I should put my dress on before Bekah has an aneurism. I’ll see you soon.’

‘That you will, my love.’

I hung up the phone and exited the bathroom, handing my phone to Jenna while Bekah and Elena helped me step into my dress. I had surprised everyone with my determination to choose my own wedding attire, which was fair seeing as any other clothing trip ended with me leaving it to Bekah. But I’d had a very specific dress in mind for my wedding day and I was overjoyed with the end result. It was a ball gown dress with a three-foot train; the bodice had a lace overlay that extended on sheer material to my arms. There were hundreds of diamonds scattered all over that twinkled when they caught the light just right. The veil that was clipped into my hair was also decorated with lace and hung all the way down to the floor. I was wearing my Mikaelson necklace, which I’d been sure to pull from underneath my dress, displaying the crest proudly where it rested on my chest. My hair was curled; the front pinned back similarly to the girls’ but mine was secured with the clip of my veil. My made up was natural; my lips painted with a deep red lip stain that matched the roses I’d be carrying perfectly.

‘You look radiant.’ Bekah said, tears forming in her own eyes.

‘Don’t, you’re gonna make me cry.’ I warned.

‘We can’t have that, you’ll ruin your make up and you look perfect.’ Elena nudged Bekah playfully.

A knock on the door broke us out of our conversation; Elena answered the door to reveal Elijah. His expression became soft when he saw me, his own eyes glassing over as emotion overcame him.

‘Sister, you look… wonderful.’ He murmured.

I hugged him, ‘thank you Lijah.’

‘Well, it’s time.’ Bekah announced, shooing the other bridesmaids out of the room, ‘remember walk down the isle when you hear the wedding march.’

‘We know Bekah.’ I chuckled, my arm linking through Elijah’s as we followed them.

I had asked him to walk me down the isle because I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it. Elijah had become the best big brother I could have ever hoped for, and it seemed wrong to be given away by anyone else. Of course, Nik had also asked him to be best man, so after he’d delivered me to the end of the isle, he would take his place in between Nik and Kol. I took a deep breath as we reached the entrance to the ballroom; we were getting married at a house Nik had built in Mystic Falls long before I had even been born. He wanted to have a house where we could live when I wanted to visit my home, and a place that he could stay in to reminisce about the village he’d lived in when he was human. He’d built this house on top of the same place he’d resided all those years ago. When he’d told me that, it seemed to be the perfect location; the town where I’d grown up, where my parents were born and buried, and the village he’d spent time with his family before they’d become vampires. It held a lot of nostalgia and meaning for the both of us, and I knew then that this is where we could become husband and wife.

‘Are you ready, sister?’ Elijah murmured, turning to me as the march started.

I nodded, unable to keep the smile off my face as I followed Elijah’s lead down the isle. I’ve never felt more love and happiness than I did in that moment, surrounded by those I loved, and the man I loved more than anything. Those invited had been kept to a bare minimum. Nik had most of his friends as groomsmen: Marcel, Stefan, Kol and Elijah were all stood up there with him, while on my side stood Jenna, Bekah and Elena. Other than that, Damon, Jeremy, April (he’d asked to bring her as his guest), Sophie, Josh, Cami, Finn and Freya all sat in white wooden chairs as the audience.

Freya had been a surprise to the Mikaelson’s not long after Nik had proposed. She’d popped up explaining that their aunt Dahlia had kidnapped her and cursed to spend a hundred years sleeping to every year of life. That had been a close fight that involved another time travel spell for Esther’s blood and a few other ingredients, but we defeated her and Freya was free and connecting with the family she’d yearned to know for centuries. Finn was a different story. He’d been undaggered after Nik had tracked down Sage, who’d been his long lost love nine centuries ago. After their reunion, they’d departed and we hadn’t heard a word from him until Freya popped up and he came to the compound to visit her. Even during those visits he’d only really spoken to his eldest sister. Still, we’d extended a wedding invitation to him seeing as he was technically family. But I’ll admit I was stunned by his attendance; I suspected Freya had something to do with it. Though I was unsurprised that Sage hadn’t come; her and Nik had apparently never gotten along.

After my eyes had quickly glanced over those present they fell and remained on the most important one of all. My Hybrid was positively beaming with happiness, the same kind that I was sure he could see on my face. The kind of elation that you felt at the prospect of marrying your best friend, your confidant, your lover… your person. His gorgeous blue eyes were glassed over as he fought to hold back his tears, I want as strong however, my tears having long fallen onto my cheeks. Bekah would have a fit, but I didn’t care. Elijah took my hand and placed it in Nik’s and just like that, I was home. My fingers entwined with his as we faced the man we’d chosen to officiate our marriage.

‘We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in matrimony.’ I couldn’t help but tune out what he was saying, too lost in Nik’s eyes to worry about anything else.

‘I believe you have written your own vows?’ I startled at the question, and nodded.

‘Nik, before I met you, I had given up on the idea of marriage, of finding someone to spend the rest of my life with. When I was human, it seemed plausible, as sixty years doesn’t seem as daunting as an eternity. But suddenly faced with the prospect of forever, I couldn’t imagine finding anyone who would love me enough to want to be tied with me for eternity. Then I met you. We might have first gotten of on the wrong foot,’ we all shared a chuckle at that, ‘but I fell in love with you so fast that it scared me. I’d never felt so much so fast before, but before I could get too lost in my own insecurities, you told me that you loved me too. Not with words at first, but in the way you protected me, the way that you touched me and the way that you looked at me. From that moment all those years ago, I couldn’t picture a future without you in it, and now I can’t wait to spend eternity with you as your wife.’ I gently wiped away the tears that had fallen onto his cheeks before grasping his hands in mine again.

‘Evangeline, I’ve been on this earth for a long time, and for a majority of it I was a man I’m not proud of. As a human, I was berated and beaten for no reason other than my father’s unexplainable hatred of me. When I became a vampire and my werewolf side was revealed, I was more of an outsider then I had ever been. I learned to be ashamed of who I was, because that is what my mother inadvertently told me when she cursed my werewolf side into dormancy. This created a man whose insecurity and fear manifested itself as anger and aggression. I believed I didn’t deserve to be loved by anyone. I became a monster, pushing away those closest to me until I believed they hated me too. I belittled anyone who showed emotion, when deep down I envied them for being brave enough to love, to adore, to laugh, and to be happy. I spent centuries taking the fate of my sibling’s into my own hands, because while I knew they hated me, I loved them and I couldn’t tamper my protective instincts when it came to their safety. They perceived it was out of spite or superiority and I let them believe it because it was easier to accept their hate than their love. But then I met you. You came into my life and within two minutes you’d already, albeit unwillingly, revealed your plans to kill me.’ I chuckled with him, my tears falling steadily down my face, ‘but despite the obvious threat, I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you. When you offered a plan to help me I was grateful that it meant I didn’t have to come up with an excuse myself. Your light, your kindness to a man who you only knew to cause you pain drew me in. You bought out my humanity without effort and I found myself overcome with my love for you, with my protectiveness and adoration. You accepted me for who I was, you made accepting your love and returning it effortless. You made me realise that I deserved to be loved.’ He took a breath, gently wiping the tears from my cheeks and smiling when I leaned into his touch. ‘I vow that for the rest of eternity, you will never doubt how much I love you, Evangeline.’

My hands squeezed his gently as we shared a smile.

‘The rings?’ The officiate asked.

I turned and took Nik’s ring from Elena, while Nik retrieved mine from Elijah.

After we exchanged ‘I do’s,’ Nik pulled me in for a passionate kiss and just like that, we were married. The idea of an eternity with one person may have scared me once. But that was before Nik. That was before I’d met the one person in the world who seemed to understand me better than I understood myself. He was my rock, my Hybrid, and as long as he was by my side the prospect of forever was anything but daunting.

#klaus mikaelson #klaus mikaelson imagine #Klaus Mikaelson x OC #the originals #the vampire diaries

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fragmentedink-archived · 5 years ago

Text

Hell to Pay: Chapter Thirty-Five

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, IX, IX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XVIIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV

cowritten by @lux-scriptum

A/N: trigger warning for possible implied eating disorders??

Nik was asleep, and Cameron was doing paperwork, and Lev was almost guilty about how bored he was. Being a ghost wasn’t exactly the most exciting thing. After running his fingers through Niks hair, wishing he could heal the deep cut on Nik’s cheek, he slid off the bed. He still didn’t know how it happened, but it distressed him. That belonged in a box in the back of his mind, though, before he stressed himself to the point of flickering out.

Lev wandered out of the bedroom, scooting around sentries. Checking on Cameron didn’t reveal Darius, but Lev wandered over anyway, peering over Cameron’s shoulder at what he was working. After a moment, Cameron looked at the black and silver watch on his wrist. “Are you done babysitting Nik?”

“It’s time to babysit you,” Lev said, even though Cameron wouldn’t be able to hear him. He reached over and brushed Cameron’s hair from his face. “You need to eat.” It was getting easier to move things, but it helped that hair wasn’t exactly heavy.

Cameron went back to his paperwork. Lev let him for a few minutes, and then tugged on his hair with more force. “What do you want from me?” Cameron asked tiredly.

“For you to eat,” Lev replied, dropping his forehead on Cameron’s shoulder. He didn’t know how to get through to Cameron when Cameron couldn’t hear him. Not that Cameron was waiting for a reply; paperwork had his attention, and even on a good day it was hard to distract him from it.

It took Lev several minutes for Lev to figure it out. He pressed a hand to Cameron’s stomach, tapping insistently.

Cameron went still, just for a moment, before, “I’m busy.”

Lev huffed, and pushed at the paperwork. All he did was bump Cameron’s pen, but he figured that was better than nothing. Cameron looked up, staring into space with a look that told lev he was grasping for non-existent patience. After hesitating, Lev tapped insistently on Cameron’s stomach again, and then reached up, cupping Cameron’s cheek.

Cameron stared down at the desk for a solid minute, jaw clenched, before he stood. Lev followed at a distance, guilt pricking at him. He knew Cameron liked his schedule, needed it even, but he needed food too. Once he was satisfied Cameron was getting something, Lev perched on the counter to watch, swinging his feet back and forth out of habit.

When Cameron settled at the table with an apple and a cup of tea, Lev padded over. He pressed a kiss to Cameron’s cheek, stroking his hair once more. To Lev’s surprise, Cameron leaned into the touch, ever so slightly. For a moment, Lev stayed, keeping his hand pressed against Cameron’s hair. He waited until Cameron was almost done with his apple to give Cameron one last pat, and then blinked away in search of Darius again.

---

He found darius with Eden, which didn’t surprise him one bit. Lev settled next to them on the floor, leaning against Darius as he listened to him talk to Eden. A smile tugged at Lev’s lips listening to Eden screech.

“I got Cameron to eat an apple,” Lev said.

“Mmm. Better than nothing. More progress than yesterday.”

Lev nodded. “He wasn’t happy,” he added, even though that was probably obvious. “Nik’s still sleeping.”

Darius sighed softly. “Cameron’s never happy. But it’s probably a good thing Nik’s still sleeping. He can't get in trouble that way.”

“Yeah. Someone hurt him last time he went off on his own. He’s got a big gash on his face. So maybe sleep is for the best.” Lev hesitated, and then admitted, “It did get boring, though.”

“I imagine so,” Darius said after humming to himself.

“Is it offensive to ask how you did it for five hundred years?”

“Would you believe I played a very long game of scrabble to keep my mind busy?” Darius asked.

“You did?” Lev asked, startled. The look on Darius’ face was close to pitying, and was enough for Lev to give a very embarrassed, “Oh.”

Darius patted Lev’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”

Lev sighed, and just tucked his cheek against Darius’ shoulder. “You’d think after almost a century and a half I’d learn when people are joking.”

This time Darius patted his face. “I think it's more that sometimes it's hard. Some people are too serious.”

“Like Cameron?” Lev wrinkled his nose. “I love Cameron, but I don’t think I want to be like him. Or not too much, anyway.”

“I don’t think anybody can be quite like Cameron,” Darius mused.

“He’s very unique,” Lev agreed solemnly.

When Lev looked up at Darius, he was smiling. “Unique is a good word to describe Cameron.”

Before Lev could figure out what else to say, Nate stepped into the room. Lev lifted his head from Darius’ shoulder and asked, “Is it nap time?”

Nate looked between the both of them. “Sorry to... intrude, but yes, it’s nap time.”

Lev made a disappointed sound, leaning over to kiss Eden’s forehead. “You weren’t intruding,” Lev promised. “But we can go, so we don’t keep her up.”

Nate’s expression was apologetic. “You’ll know where she is,” he said.

Lev offered a hand to Darius to help him up, and when they passed Nate Lev leaned into him briefly in thanks. “I’m probably going to hang out here for a while?” Lev said to Nate. “Nik’s asleep, and Cameron’s stressing me out.”

Nate snorted. “Cameron stresses everyone out.”

Lev nodded a little. “I can see it,” he said, solemnly. He took Darius’ hand, and scooted out the door.

When they reached the front hall, Lev looked over at Darius. The sad look on Darius’ face made Lev pause. “Are you okay?” Lev asked, squeezing Darius’ hand lightly.

The sigh Darius gave sent a pang of sadness through Lev as well. “He didn’t know Cameron like I did.”

This time Lev leaned close, pressing his nose to Darius’ shoulder. “I don’t think many people know him like you do.”

“I think he went through painstaking lengths to make sure they didn’t.”

Lev nodded, but he didn’t have much else to add to that. Instead he leaned into Darius, sighing softly. He wasn’t sure how long they would have stayed there, taking comfort from each other’s presence if Ash hadn’t stormed in, slamming the front door open so hard Lev jumped.

“Where the fuck is Lev?” Ash demanded loudly.

Automatically, Lev shrank back, even if the irate angel couldn’t even see him. It didn’t take long for Bay to appear, wailing infant in his arms. Nate was on his heels, and before Nate could say anything Lucas was settled in Nate’s arms. Bay stalked across the room, grabbing Ash by the hair on the way out, and all but dragged him out of the house.

“What did I do?” Lev asked Darius, his voice small. “I haven’t done anything. I’m dead.”

The concerned look on Darius’ face didn’t help at all. “Do you want to go find out?”

“No,” Lev mumbled, pressing his face against Darius’ shoulder. “He seems angry.”

“I think that’s just Ash,” Darius said thoughtfully. “But he does seem angrier than usual.”

“I don’t want him angry at me,” Lev said, his voice rising an octave.

More footsteps made him look up. Silas had arrived, looking more than a little confused. Nate only hesitated a second before placing Lucas in Silas’ arms.

“I’ve got this,” Nate said in their direction, and strode out the door after his mate.

“We should probably go see what’s wrong,” Darius prompted, when Lev didn’t move.

That was the last thing Lev wanted to do, but he forced himself to head for the front porch. The moment Nate looked in their direction, Ash opened his mouth and said heatedly, “You’re going to stay dead.”

Lev shied back. “I don’t- I don’t understand,” he said, shooting Nate a desperate look.

Bay shoved Ash. “Calm down. Lev is dead.”

“Not for long, if Amara gets her way,” Ash shot back.

Lev froze, and then looked back to Darius. “Is that even possible?”

Darius’ troubled look didn’t soothe Lev at all. “I don’t know. I didn't think so.”

“What do you mean, if Amara gets her way?” Nate asked quietly.

“Apparently she conned some witch into doing her dirty work. Necromancy is against the laws of nature,” Ash said. He still sounded pissed.

Lev bit his lip, not wanting to leave the safety of Darius’ side. He crept forward anyway, touching Nate’s hand lightly. “I didn’t ask her to,” he promised faintly.

Nate patted his hand. “I know you didn’t.”

Ash whipped his head around to glare in Lev’s direction. “You can't.” He switched his gaze to Nate. “I want to talk to him.”

Nate looked to Lev until Lev realized he was asking for permission. Lev nodded hesitantly. It was obvious Lev had become visible to the other two the moment Nate took his hand. Ash zeroed in on him with an intensity that had Lev flinching back into Nate instinctively.

“You need to move on,” Ash said. Lev could almost feel his desperation. “Please move on.”

“I can’t,” Lev said. “I don’t- I don’t know how.”

“Then figure it out. She’s going to break the laws of nature for you, and this is one that should not be broken.”

That was panic; Lev could recognize a panic attack from a mile away, and Ash was close to having one. It only fueled Lev’s own distress. “I don’t- I didn’t ask her to. But I don’t know how to. Nik- he’s bad, and I don’t know how to move on while he’s like this. Him and Cameron both.”

“They’re grieving. This is what people in grief do.”

“What if they grieve themselves to death?” Lev asked. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, but black was edging on his vision.

“You are no help.” Ash looked defeated, and that seemed to be the end of it, because he was walking away.

“I don’t know what to do,” Lev said desperately, flicking a look between the three who were left. “I don’t- I didn’t ask for any of this.” He could feel himself working up, and he didn’t know how to stop it.

He could feel Darius at his side, his hand on Lev’s cheek. “Breathe,” Darius ordered firmly, until Lev sucked in one useless breath after another. He tucked his face in Darius’ hand, clinging to the fact that Darius and Nate both were holding onto him.

When he wasn’t on the verge of blinking out, Bay cleared his throat. Lev looked up at him, met his stony stare as best he could. “What do you want?”

Lev touched Darius’ hand, which still cupped his face comfortingly. “I don’t- what does it matter? Amara wants me here, Ash wants me dead, and they’ll just duke it out on their own.”

“No. I didn’t ask Ash, and I didn’t ask Amara. I asked you. What do you want? Cameron and Nik are also not a part of this question.”

Lev hesitated. “I want it,” he finally said softly. “Why wouldn’t I? I was- I was happy. I’m never happy, and I was happy. I want that back. But it isn’t- it isn’t fair. And Ash- nature- do I deserve that?”

“Are you asking if you deserve to be happy?” Bay asked flatly.

“I- yes.” Lev looked down. “Do I deserve it at that cost?”

Bay sounded pained as he said, “Haven’t we been over this before?”

Lev lifted one shoulder. “I wasn’t dead.”

“Your point?” Bay asked sharply.

“I don’t know,” Lev said miserably. “All I know is I feel useless right now. More than useless.” He paused, and then mumbled, “Not that that’s too far from usual, but...”

“Then either move on, or come back. You’re not doing anyone any help just floating around here.” Bay definitely sounded annoyed now.

Lev looked to Darius now. “You... you’d be alone again,” he said, a question, almost.

“I’ve been alone for five hundred years. I think I’ll manage.”

Lev made a discontented sound, but just looked to Bay. “Are you giving me permission to let Amara bring me back?”

“I’m giving you permission to do what you want,” Bay replied evenly.

Lev nodded slowly. “I- okay,” he finally said. He hesitated, and then, “...Ash?”

Bay’s sigh was tired. “I will deal with Ash.”

“Okay,” Lev repeated, and then said, “Can I go now?”

Bay looked to Nate instead of answering. All Nate said was, “I’m not going to stop you.”

Lev slipped his hand free of Nate’s, and immediately buried his face in Darius’ neck. Darius’ arms went around him. “It’s okay. You can go,” Darius whispered softly.

“I don’t know if I will,” Lev said back. He slowly put his arms around Darius. “I- I need to think about it.”

“That’s okay. You have the time.”

Lev nodded against Darius, and then closed his eyes. “I don’t want to be here.”

“Then don’t be here.”

Lev shook his head. “I don’t want to leave you alone, either.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Lev just shook his head again. “I’ll stay,” he promised. “I want to.”

---

At this point Cyrus wasn’t even surprised when someone else marched into his house without warning. Sorin had been asleep on the couch, curled in his massive demonic form, but his ears pricked as the door slammed open. They flattened as he recognized the ginger angel who had answered Bay’s door a couple weeks ago, but when Cyrus waved him off, he stayed on the couch, claws digging into the fabric.

“I should have known you’d be doing Amara’s dirty work when you came for Bay,” Ash said.

“She didn’t give me much choice,” Cyrus said mildly.

That didn’t seem to impress Ash at all. “You’re a witch. You have plenty of choices and you chose the coward's way out.”

Sorin sat up, sliding off the couch and winding around Cyrus’ legs. Cyrus knew without looking that Sorin was glaring at Ash, but he chose to ignore his demon in favor of keeping Ash’s gaze evenly. “I made a promise. A poorly thought out promise, but a promise nonetheless.” He stoked Sorin’s head, and then added, “If it’s any comfort, there’s no guarantee I can figure it out. I have conditions. I don’t doubt I can't make a spell for necromancy, but I will not let him be raised if he’s going to spend the rest of his new life wishing he was dead.”’

“Then. Lie. Tell her you cant perform the fucking spell. Do not do this when you are a witch. you serve nature, nature does not serve you.”

“I don’t lie,” Cyrus said simply. “I do not lie, I do not go back on my word, and I do not do anything other than my best. And I do not serve nature any more than nature serves me. It’s a give and take. I won't take anything I do not intend to give back in equal value.”

“You don't lie but you'll bring back the dead?" His face hardened. Cyrus supposed he could have tried to lie, but Ash would have known, and he really had meant it when he said he didn't lie. Ash looked down at Sorin. I bet you'd want your cousin back wouldn't you. So of course you are going to be absolutely no help in getting your idiot boyfriend to see common sense.”

“There’s no need to antagonize him.” Cyrus could feel Sorin’s magic flare already; he pulled some of it into himself, just to get the temperature settled. “It was my decision, and mine alone. He doesn’t like it any more than you do.”

“Because his cousin moved on already?” Ash asked heatedly.

Cyrus frowned. “No.”

When Ash swung his gaze down to Sorin, Sorin leaned back against Cyrus’ thighs, a soft hiss coming from him. “Are you going to stay a damn cat,” Ash demanded. “Or are you going to contribute anything to this conversation?”

Sorin lashed his tail, but he shifted up. “I don’t have anything to say.” He narrowed his eyes. “Cyrus makes his own decisions.”

“Your boyfriend is going to perform necromancy, but hey, at least you're letting him be his own man, right?”

“Something like that,” Sorin snapped.

“You must be so proud of yourself. Congratulations.”

“Excactic,” Sorin said flatly, the temperature in the room spiking with his temper. This time Cyrus didn’t try to reign him in, even as he started to sweat from the two pyromancers glaring at each other.

“You're a coward. You're both cowards and you should be fucking ashamed of yourselves,” Ash shot back, before stalking out the door, slamming it behind him.

Cyrus blinked slowly at the door, and then looked to Sorin. “He’s right,” Cyrus said quietly. He pulled away from Sorin, walked into his study, and locked the door behind him.

---

Lev looked around. One of the perks of being a ghost was that the ash didn’t stick to him. He stared at the shell that used to be his house. “Amara got fed up,” he mumbled, half to himself. He looked over his shoulder at Darius. “This was the first house I owned,” he said quietly.

Darius looked around. “It was lovely.”

“It was small,” Lev said. He padded up the porch steps. “But it was mine.” He stepped through the doorway. “I remodeled the kitchen last year.”

“I’m sorry that was taken away from you,” Darius said quietly.

“It’s okay,” Lev promised. “It wasn’t a home. Not in the way that I wanted. It was small, and... empty. I didn’t mind the smallness, but it was just a place to live. Less a home and more of a safe house.”

Darius thought about that for a long moment. “It didn’t seem that safe,” he finally said.

Lev puffed out a surprised laugh. “It wasn’t in the end. But it served its purpose when I first bought it. Rem- Remiel didn’t know where I lived for a long time. I was careful. Until I wasn’t.” He watched Darius for a long moment, and then, “Did you... did you have a home? Not... not like this,” he tapped the mostly gone doorway. “But... a home.”

“I grew up on the streets of Assyra,” Darius told him. “The only home I needed was Cameron.”

Lev wasn’t sure what to say to that for a good long moment. “Cameron’s a good home,” he said. He reached out, touching Darius’ hand. “Was that all you wanted? Cameron, for a home?” He meant it sincerely, and he hoped Darius understood that.

Darius shrugged. “I wanted a family of my own, but I made sure I couldn’t have one.” He paused. “And now I’m dead, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“I wanted that too,” Lev said softly.

Darius gave him a knowing look. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Lev shrugged. “No alpha would want someone like me,” he offered. “I wanted a mate, and Cameron doesn’t do that. But I... I was happy to take what I could. It was still a family, sort of. Nik loved me, and we had Eden. Dreams are nice, but... the best I could ever do was get as close as I could.”

“For what it’s worth, Cameron does want you. He’s just not that good at admitting what he wants. He never has been.” He looked over the remains of the house, arms folded on his chest. “That would take him admitting he’s a person.”

Lev looked down. “Well... now I’m dead. So it doesn’t really matter.”

Darius shot him a look. “The people you love are trying to bring you back from the dead. I’d say it does matter.”

“I don’t know if I will,” Lev replied softly. “And we don’t know if they can. The word trying is really important.”

“Yes it is. And I think that means something about the people that love you. You’re not giving them the justice they deserve by continuing to say you don’t matter.”

Lev flinched. “I don’t mean to,” he finally said.

Darius touched his shoulder. “I know. But it doesn’t make it less true.”

“I’m sorry,” was all Lev could think to say.

Lev looked up when Darius touched his cheek, just in time for Darius to kiss his forehead. “I know,” Darius said.

Lev leaned into him, sighing softly. “I don’t want to leave you,” he said. “But I don’t want to leave Nik. And I don’t want to... I don’t want to upset nature, but I don’t want- I don’t want to be here. I hate it. I hate watching them. I don’t know what to do.” His face screwed up as he tucked it into Darius’ shoulder. “And I can’t even cry about it.”

“Bay is right,” Darius said softly. “You only have two choices.”

“And too many reasons to decide either way,” Lev pointed out. “Everyone has an opinion on what I should do.” He looked up abruptly. “What would you do?”

“I’d go back without hesitation,” Darius said.

Lev was surprised at how quickly he answered. The conviction, no uncertainty to be found, was something Lev found he envied. “Okay,” he finally said.

---

Bay found himself at Ash’s house, trying to talk Ash from burning everything to ashes around them. He’d probably start with Amara and then the witch and save him for last since he hadn’t even bothered to try and side with him.

He knew what it was like having loved ones ripped away from him, time and time again and he wasn’t going to stop Amara, especially if Lev did want to come back. There was literally no point in Lev being stuck in limbo with a bleeding heart unable to do shit besides watching on miserably.

And that was its own kind of hell.

There were bruises peeking on Ash’s skin where clothes couldn’t cover. He was breathing hard, fingers tight against the sheets as he clearly was trying to not set himself off with a pregnant Celeste sitting next to him with her fingers running in his hair. “You just need to breathe,” Celeste was saying to her mate. “Their decisions are not your fault.”

His fingers tightened. “Tell that to my magic,” he said, through gritted teeth. The underlying tone of pain did shoot a spark of concern through him, especially when she gave Bay a look. “Those selfish bastards are going to kill me because they thought it’d be fine to break the laws of nature- which- owns my ass. But sure, I just need to breathe.”

“They won’t kill you,” Bay said, sternly. “I won’t let it.” He was sure the witch wouldn’t either.

“My father is dead because he thought he could bend nature,” Ash snapped, glaring at him as he sat up rigidly in the bed. He could feel the heat pulse off him. “And now I pay the price. Those idiots perform necromancy and who’s to say nature won’t take it out of Lev? Huh? What’s that twinky little angel going to do with just angelic healing to protect him against a primordial thing like that? He’s afraid of everything.”

Bay folded his arms and frowned at him. “It’s. Lev’s. Choice. Which means he can deal with the repercussions that come of that. He’s an adult. He knows what he’s getting himself into. Everyone needs to stop babying him. He’ll keep being afraid of everything if everyone is constantly trying to protect him. And where did that get him? Dead.”

“Exactly!” Ash yelled. “He’s dead! He needs to stay dead. You do not undo death like that. You just do not. I don’t give a flying fuck how much you want someone back,” his voice cracked. “You can bleed, you can grieve and scream and cry all you want. But. You. Move. On.”

The deafening silence filling the room didn’t sway Bay’s decision, if only because Bay didn’t have one to begin with. And he didn’t know how to help any of the parties involved in this dark magic.

tagging: @incandescent-creativity @idreamonpaper @halstudies @solangelo3088 @mis-lil-red @alittleyellowdinosaur

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #wip boost #a/b/o verse #hell to pay #ch: cameron #ch: darius #cameron and nik and lev

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gooddame · 8 years ago

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A Rosy Thorn In My Side Part 2

This is a follow up of A Rosy Thorn In My Side, title courtesy of @austennerdita2533 and story for the lovely and kind @kickassfu who encourage me to make it as long as humanly possible.

*Still surly and fluffy, maybe one or two cuss word*

Present day

Klaus rubbed at his face in annoyance as he scuttled through the home his family was allowed to live on in the Forbes estate off the side of the gardens. That morning had been a righteous mess, he thought as he undid the rest of the buttons on his dress shirt failing at keeping the images of Caroline in a distraught state from just being near him. Just when he thought he would have a moment of peace he opened his bedroom door to find his brother scouring his sketchbook as he sat on his bed.

“Kol, get out of my room,” he forcibly suggested to his younger brother no longer able to keep the aggravation from his tone as he was able to with the press.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss me brother,” Kol mused as he shut the leather cover of the book and set it aside on the nightstand.

Klaus prepared himself for what felt like an aneurysm, “And why on earth would that be?” he inquired as he removed his shirt and shoved out of the shoes that had been sent over for him to wear.

His brother chuckled as he found his way off of the bed that didn’t belong to him, “Because I’ve just found the receipt for the secret car you plan on using to escape your wedding,” his brother taunted as procured the white form from his pocket,.

Klaus snatched the sheet from his brother’s hand, “That was not for your eyes,” he grit out as he pulled on one of his older Henley’s hanging off of a chair.

Kol observed him with amusement, “Neither was Princess Caroline’s lady in waiting but I still bedded her on the first night she was here,” Kol thought out loud thinking of the first time he set eyes on Bonnie.

The last thing Klaus wanted to be reminded of was the time both Caroline and Bonnie had arrived after this morning’s wedding announcement. He’d spent the last six years recovering from that night, both of them. The kingdom had struggled a great deal to silence the media’s murmurs that the woman he had been with that night was her. A secret he still held even when questioned by the king himself and the only thing that had saved them both was that Caroline had done two things, told the truth and dyed her hair blonde once again.

“Get out,” he hissed pausing only to place a hand on his brother’s chest gripping his shirt, “And if you value your life,” he warned with a withering look.

“Oi Nik,” Kol groaned as he fought himself out of his older brother’s grasp only to be saved by their sister who happened to be walking by with mild interest.

“He’s worse than usual,” Rebekah stated as she leaned herself against the doorway of Klaus’ bedroom smiling at the dour looks of her brother’s faces.

Klaus looked from one sibling to the other, “Will you both bloody stop with the smiles?” he whined as he crossed the room reaching for his sketchpad.

Kol laughed as he escaped the bedroom leaving Klaus with his younger sister who seemed to watch him with an air of grace that could be mistaken for snobbery, “You’re being an insufferable twat,” she told him reminding him of what Caroline had said when they were together last.

“I suppose that’s fair,” he muttered as he ripped out the pages filled with Caroline’s face out uncaring of what his sister might think about it as he flicked on the fireplace.

“You always laughed about how I loved too easily,” she muttered reaching for the door knob, “Are you so far gone for this princess?” she asked softly.

The question gave him pause, “No, Bekah,” he sighed, “I’m simply trying to get through this whole fiasco with a clear head,” he assured her with a wave of dismissal.

“Sorry dear brother,” she sighed as she went to close the door behind herself, “I can’t help you there,” he heard her say as he started burning the pages to ash.

Mikael well and truly was supernatural if he could curse him from the grave like this, cursed to marry the woman he loved while she loathed him. When he had first found out that Caroline was betrothed it had felt like a stake to the heart, a dagger reopening old wounds. To his surprise he was the groom, Mikael had ensured it over time, with Finn in the clergy and Elijah having married early, it left Klaus as Mikael’s only viable option.

He watched the last of the pages flourish as ash before he set himself down at his desk reaching inside the drawer for the one thing he’d allowed himself to keep. Tattered and yellowed from time was the receipt from the nightclub, the only thing that was real, kept the memory of her lips, her yes, the delicate feel of her skin under her jacket be more than that of fantasy. He remembered Mikael had raged the morning after pulling him from his bed and knocking him straight into the wall.

“Another whore,” he’d growled, it was first and only time Klaus had hit back.

Flashback/morning after

Caroline returned to the castle dead on her feet after having left Klaus behind in the bar careful at every angle she parked the old truck in the garage just where it was before. With a moment’s pause Caroline decided to remove the keyring to keep as a memory before setting the keys back. She slipped back through her windows, her sheets having been hidden all this time thanks to the rose bushes that were nearly glued to the threshold.

Little thought was given to how he would come back here, how he had come to be here, and if she would ever see him again. Caroline hadn’t allowed such thoughts to penetrate her as she stripped out of her leather jacket and jeans before tugging at her bed sheets and pulling them through the window. Deciding against tossing them on the bed she shoved the duvet over and snuggled inside until her whole body heated in delight. She smiled feeling sleep sweep over her as she thought about ruffled brown curls under her fingertips and perfect pink swollen lips sighing in satisfaction when darkness consumed her. The sun had been most unfriendly to her a few hours later as she rolled over on her plush bed snuggling into her pillow when her name was called from her common room.

“Caroline,” her father’s voice resounded as he pushed open the door of her bedroom startling her awake in his fury.

She sat up quickly sensing the tension rolling off of her father in waves, her hands wiping away whatever sleep she had lingering in her eyes as she replied, “Yes father,” in a half-exhausted tone.

Bill threw the newspaper in his hand at the duvet, his eyes like lasers as she reached for the stack her eyes landing on the front page photograph. “What is this?” he asked sharply as dread filled her.

Caroline’s eyes were glued to the photo, her red waves partially covering her face and his perfect jaw line dong it’s best to cover the rest, “A newspaper,” she muttered as she read the headline, ‘Heartbreak Mikaelson, At It Again’, “What’s going on?”

The bedroom door opened more primly than before, her mother stepping into the room with a distressed look and another newspaper, “This,” her father cried.

The headline was different she noted and the photo was from another angle, “Niklaus?” she read aloud admiring the picture that had her hands on his waist.

“Is it you or someone who looks like you?” Her mother tested breaking the eye contest Caroline and her father were currently competing in.

“Does it matter if no one can prove it,” she asked feeling trapped in her own bedroom much like when she was a child, the need to escape making her hands twitch.

“I’ve asked for Niklaus to join us for breakfast and no one has found him,” her father’s voice turned in her ears as he shouted, “Is he hiding in here?”

“What,” Caroline cried dumbfounded at the accusation her father had flung at her, “No,” she told him as she grasped desperately for her robe.

“Scour the rooms,” he demanded as guards loitered her bedroom defiling it as they search for a man that would not be found here.

“You’re not going to find anyone,” Caroline exclaimed as she managed to loop a knot through her robe so she could stand as they searched under her bed, “This is insane!”

Her father crossed the room to grip her arm as he pressed her for answers, “Is this you,” his words cut, his grip intensified as he wore her down.

“Yes,” she hissed pulling herself free of his grasp before anyone could question the strain of her answer or the beguiling tears forming in her eyes.

“Bill, stop,” she heard her mother say far too late as she clutched her arm, rubbing softly at the red marks forming as the guards cleared her most private space.

Bill turned his attention to his wife, “I knew sending her to America was a bad idea but I had to listen to you,” he shouted shocking both women.

“Your wife,” Liz reminded him as if he had forgotten as Caroline sunk further into the back wall closest to her, “A former commoner, or is it that you still see me as one?”

“Shit,” Caroline muttered practically reliving her worst childhood memory, the one that had sent her to America at the age of 12, her parents sucked.

Present day / A week later

Caroline felt her hands shaking as she set down her curling wand not willing to risk burning herself over a simple case of nerves. At least that was what she told herself as Bonnie reentered her bedroom with a magnificent look on her face that was tarnished when she saw the look of panic in Caroline’s eyes.

“I’m freaking out Bonnie,” she admitted as Bonnie rushed across the room, “I need your help, my mom is going crazy planning this wedding that apparently is now in a week. Did you know that?”

“Whoa, Care, breathe,” Bonnie pleaded as she sat next to her friend on her bench near the vanity hugging her, “You’re mom is like right behind me.”

Like magic her bedroom door opened and Caroline wondered how she ever got any privacy, “Caroline, I’d like a word,” Liz entreated without leaving room to say no.

“Just a minute, mother,” the Princess sighed as she gave Bonnie one last affectionate squeeze before letting her go in order to stand.

“I’ll be outside,” her best friend dismissed herself giving Caroline a thumbs up from behind her mother.

Caroline felt her heart warm, Bonnie with all her brains and beauty had never left her side in the last six years since she’d convinced her to move to the castle with her. They had faced a lot of hurdles together since the first day of middle school when they met and in many ways the brunette was her sibling, her sister. Lost in the memories of their shared childhood Caroline hadn’t noticed her mother had come to stand by her side near the window.

“I know you’re not happy,” Liz began making Caroline believe there was some hope for their relationship after all as she reached for her, “But your country,” her mother continued and Caroline deflated, “I appreciate what you are doing.”

The Princess nodded, “Which is exactly why I am going through with it,” she insisted with a generic grin, “Even if he is,” she started to bite out.

“Caroline,” her mother warned as the door to her bedroom swung open once more revealing her best friend perfect face, sometimes Bonnie was the only reason she was sane.

“Simply a lovely human being,” Caroline finished just as pleasantly as her royal etiquette would allow even when Bonnie snickered obviously aware of whom they were discussing.

“I was just going to ask if you were still going to go on that walk with me later,” she inquired gently as she clung to the door still fairly uncomfortable around Caroline’s mother.

“Yeah Bon, I promise,” she assured her with a quick smile noting the look of disapproval on her mother’s face.

“It’s yes,” her mother corrected looking more at Bonnie than at Caroline so she made a face behind her mother back in order to make Bonnie laugh instead of tremble in her mother’s wake.

“Yes,” she corrected herself when her mother looked back at her as if sensing she was up to something but finding nothing amiss.

Liz waited for Bonnie to wave goodbye before she address her daughter once more, “Caroline, I know you two have history but Niklaus,” she pressed quietly.

Caroline huffed without meaning to, “Klaus, he prefers Klaus,” she corrected her mother as she took to pacing the floor in an unladylike fashion that clearly displayed her nerves.

“Niklaus,” her mother pressed on purposely missing her correction, “Will be here later to see you,” she revealed surprising Caroline and also reminding her that her mother never really came around just to ask how she was.

Caroline stopped in her tracks listening to her mother, “I do hope he can join you for some, amiable photos for the press on your walk,” she suggested moderately.

“Of course mother,” Caroline replied as primly as possible.

AN: Hopefully tomorrow I will post the follow up of this chapter. Please enjoy and happy reading!

#klaroline #klaroline au week #klaroline event week #klaroline drabbles #klaroline fanfiction #klaroline ship #kc ship kc coven #kc coven #kc family #kc fic #klaus x caroline #Klaus Mikealson #caroline forbes #tvd #klaroline au #a rosy thorn in my side #gooddame

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peri-helia · 8 years ago

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In a Room Full of Art (All I’d Stare at is you)

This is legitimately just a drabble about Klaus rhapsodising about his wife in an art gallery in Rome. Seriously. Also on Ao3 (x)

Klaus has always been fascinated by the story of Hades. Particularly Persephone. There was a man, a God, who had it all – immortality, fear, a dominion which no-one could leave. True there was no sunshine, no grass beneath your feet but there was the one thing Klaus himself had always craved. Permanence. Stability. Life is temporary, Death is forever. Yet he fell in love with Life itself, shrugged off the mantel of strength, discarded the laurels of power to lay them at her feet for one hint of a smile.

It was the one point on which he felt they’d differed, why comparisons with the God of the Dead left him unsettled despite the artwork of the Greek deity that decorates the walls of his various homes. Vampires were not weak, they do not love and they do not care. But he mused, Hades had been weak. Willingly so. Klaus had always consoled himself that where Hades had failed he would succeed. There would be no such temptation for the man who had everything; immortality, eternal youth, fear was his to spread, death his gift. Without any of the dreary paperwork that the artistic renderings of Hades had always glossed over. In his fascination with the God he’d read extensively, strategy was something to be studied, appreciated, all great people knew this.

Klaus took the myth of Hades and gave it (ironically) life.

He had always felt that his Persephone – that Achilles heel – had been left out of his tapestry.

The Fates (those blind bitches) apparently had other ideas. For supposed women of vision they really had to be joking if they didn’t think he would rip the fabric of reality apart to have a good word with them.

Across the gallery he’s currently occupying, Klaus eyes find the woman he’s looking for. Caroline Forbes. His Persephone made flesh.

Though Caroline had been a part of his human life, she had not remained so by whatever strange magic ran in her veins, a beast of its own. Just as Klaus was both wolf and vampire, she was not doppelganger but some kind of phoenix, reborn from her ashes sporadically shadowing his life rather than that of her prior selves. Whereas Henrik had remained forever the little brother torn from his side by the wolves whose own blood Klaus shared, Caroline had returned again and again.

He understands now after lengthy commune with the Other Side to ensure that when she was turned it was not into your run of the mill vampire but as an Original. Henrik had been murdered as an intruder to the pack whereas Klaus as the Alpha’s pup had been spared. The Mikaelsons had always assumed that Caroline’s death had been similarly reasoned, as a human she was unwelcome at a time of vulnerability for the pack. Yet Caroline as his mate had also been exempt – murder of a mate could end in insanity, inability to lead. Caroline’s death, carefully crafted to be seen as coming at the claws of the wolves had actually been that of Esther, desperate to hide her indiscretion to the extent of murdering an innocent girl.

He was so glad he’s had the sense to rip the old bitch’s heart out.

He had locked away Caroline’s memory with that of Henrik and their human Nik, who’d died with them on the night of that full moon.

The she appeared in that castle, with Tristan, Lucien and Aurora. And the human heart that had withered beneath his chest had surged full of life at the sight of her face. Again and again, with every life she lived. Caroline had refused to stay buried, clawing her way out of the coffin he had constructed for the life they might have once lived in that settlement.

He should have expected no less.

And he had come to understand Hades desperation to keep that bloom alive, the uselessness of it. Klaus had pitied the God for attempting to keep something longer than the fleeting six months he was given. Empathy had swiftly replaced it when the longest Caroline had lived in his presence was five years. That had been the cruellest death in so many ways. To think they had beaten the odds, to the think the Fates would finally be kind. Wondering if the addition of Marcel meant that their journey through life crossing paths had ended. That rather than the triumvirate Klaus, Enzo and Caroline had presented to the world was meant to be a quartet. But no. Klaus will remember to his dying day the look on their son’s face when his Uncle Enzo had brought him by the hand to Klaus. When Klaus had had to explain to the still human ten year old that Mama would not be coming home. Henrik had been with him then, he’d swear it. Hand on his shoulder giving him the strength. But he’d kept going, refused to give up on her each and every time she returned into his arms.

After all, Caroline would expect no less.

Caroline senses someone’s gaze on the back of head, turns and catches his eyes. Oh yes. That smile is everything he imagines Hades saw when he looked at Persephone. Love and life and the tantalising promise of the future.

She tugs lightly on Enzo’s hand and pulls the other Original – Caroline had demanded the elevation in status for both Marcel (a given) and her beloved brother – along with her. Caroline has never left his side throughout eternity, both as a memory and as a lover, drawn together by Fate, biology and choice. She had chosen Klaus in every life, but she had chosen Enzo too. It had hurt in the beginning. Having to share her, though Caroline would accept no other compromise. Albeit in different ways she had made it clear that she was as much Enzo’s as she was Klaus’.

If it were not for the way Enzo had demonstrated this similar loyalty, proven himself worthy of Caroline’s love in a way the Salvatores, the dopplegangers and the witches never had, Klaus isn’t sure he wouldn’t have told Enzo to go and have a nice eternity elsewhere long ago. Watching them approach, Enzo’s arm hooking itself around Caroline’s shoulder, but keeping their fingers interlinked so that her arm crosses her body, Klaus feels no jealousy at their intimacy.

It is of a more modern bent than the love he bears Rebekah and Freya that’s all. Stronger than Always and Forever too, though the newly minted vampire a thousand years ago would have thought that impossible.

The blood of the covenant is thicker than the waters of the womb.

Just as he and Caroline had chosen each other, so too had Caroline and Enzo found each other. Enzo gives Caroline a little twirl and she laughs, to the disgust of the gallery attendant but no-one else seems to care. The rich sound bounds around the room, with so many lives upon its walls. It is no sin to add a moment of joy to the ones these faces could tell. It’s a cleverly executed spin, Enzo releases her just as Klaus reaches for her, so that she begins in the arms of one man and ends in another.

“Hey stranger” she breathes in his ear, making Klaus smile indulgently as they have an impromptu waltz rather than a hug.

“Sweetheart” he returns, every ounce of love in the tender grip on her waist, the way his voice caresses the curves of the endearment. God but he wants to taste her. Fuck the mortals and their raised eyebrows. He wants her singing in his veins, for Caroline to give him life literally and return the favour with his own blood.

Although at this point in their extended honeymoon tour of the world in terms of blood sharing, Klaus is pretty sure that Caroline is made up more of his blood than her own and vice versa. Enzo’s here because apparently it’s also his and Caroline’s own holiday too, Caroline loves multi-tasking despite the fact that she’s now got an uninterrupted eternity to fill.

Klaus doesn’t care. Enzo went to hell and back with him for this woman.

And unlike either Enzo or Caroline, Klaus did grow up with siblings. He can share when he has to.

“Let’s go home” Enzo suggests and the three of them wordlessly fall into step as they exit the gallery. They’re in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, headed back to the villa with its rolling gardens and olive trees on the outskirts that Enzo bought Caroline as a birthday present. It was Bernini’s sensual sculpture of Hades and Persephone that had prompted Klaus’ reflections as he’d watched Caroline and Enzo flit around the building. It’s a place he has visited many times, Enzo several and Caroline never. Normally when they go anywhere, Klaus keeps pace, desiring to hear Caroline’s take on things yet this visit had made him regretfully morbid and reflective. Soon he had fallen behind. Caroline had squeezed his fingers and after hearing Klaus negate her offer to sit with him until the mood passed, moved on. Enzo had waited a moment longer, clapped him on the shoulder and easily caught up with Caroline, spending precious moments basking in her sole attention.

Klaus had met Bernini several times, patronised the young sculptor though he had worked nearly exclusively for the Vatican. This piece must have happened when Klaus was in Florence. It captures the moment when Hades is bearing away his wife to be, grip on her thigh bruising if it were skin and bone rather than marble. Yet Klaus had gleaned another meaning from the rendering, that perhaps Hades grip was to keep his wife within his arms at the terror of her being taken from him.

It is a feeling Klaus knows all too well. Why the last few months have been so transformative for them all and not merely in terms of biology. Caroline has not simply become an Original Vampire, with the additional qualities of a Wolf’s Mate but the Persephone she now is, is a title earned rather than bestowed. A Queen. Queen of Death. A creation of living marble Bernini would be proud of.

Because for so long, Klaus realises as Enzo and Caroline overtake him, strolling through the July sun, just a step too fast to be human, she was not Persephone at all but Eurydice. Every time Klaus turned round he’d feared she’d be gone again, returned to the Other Side where he couldn’t follow. Claimed by the true Hades rather than his representative on Earth.

It’s why Klaus keeps her in front of him always. He may be perfectly self aware of when he’s acting in self preservation and when he’s being truly, truly paranoid (no-one else needs to know that however) but this is something he cannot shake. He has lost in her so many lifetimes that he refuses to turn his back on her ever again.

It reminds him of Vonnegut’s assessment of Lot’s wife turning round to watch the destruction of Soddam and Gamorah. It was so human. Caroline is Klaus’ humanity. And that is why the Original Hybrid no longer rankles with his fascination with Hades, why Persephone has bled her way into his art collection alongside her Godly husband.

They were not meant to walk through life alone.

Caroline’ smile brought the sunshine into his world. Her laughter coloured the flowers, a symphony of birdsong. The genuine beauty of this world was personified by her, bettered by her enjoyment of it. He had walked lifetimes without her and seen all the world had to offer many times. Yet no matter how many times he had visited New Orleans, Rome, Paris, Tokyo his favourite places in the world, surrounded by music, culture, art all he could think about was how much he wanted to show it to her. However long they were given. Whether it be six months or five years.

Except Klaus knew better than Hades; where the God had played by the rules, Klaus had and Caroline had written their own.

#my writing #klaroline #klaroline fanfiction #klaroline travel au #klaroline reincarnation au #klaroline drabbles

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