Disclaimer: I do not own the Originals.
Hope you enjoy!
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock goes the clock.
It's been hanging over Cami's head; sometimes silent, sometimes invisible, but always there. Klaus cannot pinpoint the exact moment he began to hear tick-tick-tick of the clock going around and around. Or the first time he saw it. Perhaps it's always been there; perhaps all humans have clocks hanging above their heads. Klaus just cannot see or hear theirs because he does not care.
Klaus knows very well that there is one way to make it all go away.
The louder the ticking of Cami's clock gets, the more he thinks about it.
He cannot, will not, lose her.
That is not an option.
Yet the years go by, and Klaus wakes up to see Cami asleep beside him, the ticking of her clock going faster and faster.
Life is too short and too long for a human; Klaus doesn't measure time in years anymore, but in moments. How many more times can he and Cami share a drink? How many more times can he show her something breathtaking? Will he have time to teach Cami to dance and paint? How many more times can he watch Cami hold his daughter, and fill the utter joy he feels around his child, amplified?
The answer to all of them was not enough.
"It's got to be your blood," Klaus whispers to Elijah.
His gaze is directed at Cami and Hope; the latter nearly three years old now, and the happiest toddler on the planet. There is no need to explain what Klaus is talking about.
Elijah nods at him, a silent acknowledgement that if Klaus were to die, he would want Cami to live on.
"It's her choice."
That is the problem. It's Cami's choice, and the years go by, and she never mentions it. Cami is observant though, she knows. Klaus knows she knows. But the years go by, tick-tock, tick-tock and no one says anything.
Hope is four. Cami has her doctorate in Psychology now. At dinner she announces that she's taking a leave from the college, to write her book.
The clock quiets down. Klaus silently lets out a breath he's been holding.
It's a week later, and Cami wrapping her arm around Klaus's waist, leaning her head against his shoulder as he views his latest painting. "You can turn me into a vampire today."
"You sure, love?"
"I'm sure. I have a reason to be away from the college for a few months, I'm old enough to get a good ten to fifteen years before people really start noticing I'm not aging. I'm sure."
That is Camille. Always the curious scholar; she would think out her own death and chose the most convenient time. "It's got to be Elijah's blood. He's making breakfast."
Cami understands with Klaus needing to explain.
Elijah is making eggs and sausage. Until today they had two women in the house who needed to eat human food; the other two enjoyed human food. And Elijah as found he likes cooking.
"Camille needs your blood."
Elijah understands without Klaus needing to explain. Wordlessly he bites his wrist and lets the blood fill a cup.
"Do I drink it all?"
"Probably be for the best," says Klaus.
Cami drinks it, Klaus watching her all the while. "So, what happens now?"
"Well, since you won't be joining us for breakfast I'd appreciate it if you put the eggs back," says Elijah.
Cami laughs, hopping off her stool. Her feet have barely touched the floor when Klaus snaps her neck.
Later, she wakes up back in bed, a ring on her finger. "Is this a sign?" Cami asks, smiling.
"You needs to drink this." Klaus hands her a blood bag.
Cami drinks it.
Tick-tock, goes the clock above her head. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick…
This idea or at least a version of this idea has been bouncing around in my head the past few days. I hope you liked it.