Chapter 1: The beginning

Niklaus' P.O.V.

It wasn't always like this. I wasn't always like this. I say that a vampire's, no... a man's greatest weakness is love. I say this from experience, because even I the great and almighty Klaus have fallen into this horrendous trap.

They say it's lonely being on top, and it is. When you're able to kill your friends, no one wants to be your friend. They become afraid of you and what you might do, but that is the price one must pay in order to achieve greatness.

My greatest downfall of course began during my human years...

...Over a thousand years ago...

"Nik, stop it!" the girl whinned.

"Stop what?" I asked in a playful yet confused tone. As I playfully tackled the girl to the ground in the meadow, and we both laid on our backs laughing.

"Red?"

"Yes, Nik?" the girl replied as our fingers innocently intertwined.

"Rebekah told me about Henry."

"I'm seriously going to kill that girl," she murmured.

"Do you even wish to marry him?" I asked. I prayed that she said no. She was my best friend, the only one I felt I could tell everything to. I wondered if she knew that I did not want her to marry this Henry that just happened to be of werewolf blood.

"Of course not, Nik! I am a free spirit! Although, I have had my eye on someone I really have fancied for some time now, however, I fear that he is in love with another." I simply stared at her dark auburn hair. Not orange or ginger, but brown with Red. When my eyes met her strange yet beautiful hazel eyes, I felt content that she did not love this Henry. But, I was saddened at the fact that there was someone else she fancied.

We had been best friends ever since I could remember. She was Rebekah's friend, which is mainly how we became closer. Red was friends with all my siblings, she was even on good terms with my mother. I figured this was because they were both witches.

It seemed like we spent every day possible together once we were in our teens. Men were always trying to court her, even Kol, but she always turned them down. She told them she was waiting for someone else.

Whenever I needed comforting she was always there for me, especially when my so-called father lashed out at me. Somehow she knew how to make everything better. When she felt down I comforted her, just as she did for me. I always knew one day she'd have to get married and I had always hoped it would be me, but I was afraid to court her. I was afraid she'd reject me and that would forever change our friendship.

"Well, don't you want to know who he is Nik? she asked.

"Red, I only wish for your happiness. But, before you tell me who he is I have a question to ask you."

"Well, ask away Nik."

"Have you ever thought about us, and our future?" I asked. I was so afraid. I had been barely able to get the words out.

Then, suddenly, she lunged at me on the ground and kissed me. I kissed her back and right then and there we shared our first kiss together. Shortly after she pulled away.

"Semper et in aeternum" she said and I knew exactly what she ment. I realized that she had always thought about us, but also had a fear like I did that it would change our friendship if I had rejected her. Then, I lunged at her and kissed her with such passion that no one could fake. Then, she pulled away for a moment.

"What about Tatia?" she asked. Her eyes were full of worry.

"Tatia? What about her?" Did she not see where my true feelings had always been?

"I always thought that you wanted to be with her," she said. She seemed worried that I wouldn't and didn't love her. I paused as I chose my words very carefully.

"I thought I wanted to be with her. But, I thought about it and when I looked at you I realized something. I realized I do not love Tatia. What I was feeling for her is something different. I realize now I was using her to try and make you jealous, and even to drive Elijah crazy," I said with shame. "What I felt for her was a simple school boy crush. But what I feel for you, I know it's the real deal," I said only with honestly.

"Really you were trying to make me jealous?" she laughed. Then continued to kiss me.

Later, we just spent hours talking about us and the future. It had been about a year since we had spent this much time together since she was visiting family and then, I was well visiting Tatia.

"So, when ever you told those suitors you fancied someone else you always meant me?" I asked her.

"Yes, of course Nik! Who did you think I was talking about?"

"Well, possible Elijah" I said. They had always had some weird type of bond. "You two always just seemed close." This was the true, and I could never lie to her. She could always tell when I was lying, but I had no need to lie to her. Red on the other hand could lie perfectly, but never lied to me and I knew it.

"Elijah!" she laughed. "Nik, I do love Elijah but only as a brother. He's nice to talk to."

"Well, why haven't you always just talk to me instead?" I asked.

"Because, I can't talk to you about you."

"Oh, so you talk about me." I said. Knowing this is it gave me great confidence and I figured I'd ask him later what she said about me.

"Sometimes," she said playfully.

"What about Rebekah? Why don't you talk to her about me?"

"You have met your sister before, right? Don't get me wrong, I love her to death but you know her. She'd go and blab it to the whole village. Think about if my mother found out?"

"Well, I see where you're coming from. She does have a really big mouth." We both laughed. She drove me wild and I had no idea why. But, I decided it would be best if I courted her to save her from Henry.

After that we tried to spend every second we had free together and most of the time we just talked. Then, one day I told her that I had decided to court her and was going to ask permission from her father today.

"Nik, I don't think that's the best idea," she said seeming worried.

"And why exactly do you think that?"

"Niklaus," she said all seriously. "Please, just think about what you're getting yourself into. Ok?" she pleaded.

"Fine. I shall think about it, but no promises. Besides, there is no way I am letting you marry the Henry fool. He's not even worth to be with you."

"Oh, and you are?" she asked me.

"No," I answered honestly. "But, I'd like to think that I'm at least worthier than him," I said and she smiled sweetly at me.

That afternoon, I went over to Red's house to ask her father's permission. I knocked on the door and her mother answered.

"Hello, Mrs. Edwards. Is your husband home?" I asked. I was extremely nervous and she could tell. Her being a very powerful witch put me on edge a bit.

"My husband is not home yet. But what ever you needed to ask him you can ask me. Please, come in Niklaus," she said and as I entered the house I could see Red was in listening distance as she gave me a 'don't do it, it won't end well' look.

"Please, sit. Now what did you want to ask my husband?"

"Well, as you know, I have known your daughter Rufina for all my life. I would like to ask your permission to-."

"Absolutely not!" she yelled. Throwing the knife she was using into the table.

"But, why not. I care for her and would never do anything thing to hurt her. I think I love her. I would die for Mrs. Edwards! And this Henry is just a werewolf, how can that make her feel safe? He could suddenly lash out and hurt her!"

"Mr. Mikaelson, she is to be married to Henry and that's final!"

"Why?" I shouted. "Why him! What can he do for her that I can't! He probably doesn't even love her, but I do! You hear me! I LOVE RUFINA MATILDA EDWARDS, AND I DON'T CARE IF THE WHOLE BLOODY WORLD KNOWS IT!" What a great way to profess your love to someone, right? I was mentally slapping myself in the face.

"If you must know I will let you, but you must promise never to tell Red. Understand?" she whispered as she looked around to make sure no one was around.

"I understand." I most certainly did not understand!

"Years ago I had an affair with one of the werewolves. Soon after, I was pregnant and my husband assumed it was his. He is never supposed to know, but he'll know it if she ever activates her curse. He'll also find out if her children possessed the gene, however, if she marries a werewolf then he'll never know. Don't get me wrong, I don't like you anyways, and this is more important," she whispered.

I just stared at her in disbelief. She obviously must have hated me for something, but what?

"So this is about you! You're really that selfish, that you would deny your own flesh and blood happiness just to protect yourself? Not only that but you won't tell her that she actually a werewolf!" I yelled.

Suddenly, Red came running down the stairs crying and she ran out the door. Quickly, I followed her into a cave we use to play hide and seek in. There she was, sitting, crying, and I wasted no time as I tightly hugged her allowed her to cry into my chest.

"There, there, love. It's ok. Everything will work itself out," I said as I tried to comfort her.

"No it won't, Nik," she cried into my chest as I only held her tighter. She was ruining my shirt, but that was the last thing on my mind. "I'm a bastard child, my own mother cares more about herself than me, and I'm a werewolf," she cried.

"I promise you that one day we can run away together and just be together," I told her. "Then, we could get married and have a ton of daughters that will be as beautiful as you. I promise."

"And a lot of sons that are as handsome and brave as you?" she sniffed.

"Of course"

"Always and forever, Nik?" she asked as she looked me in the eye with tears still running down her fragile face.

"Always and forever, Love," I told her. " I love you."

"I love you too," she said. And I kissed her forehead and proceeded to hold her tightly in my arms until morning.

A week had past and we had plans to leave within the month. But then, my beloved brother Henrik died, and it was all my fault. Red was comforting me as I mourned my brother's death.

"It's all my fault," I cried.

"No it isn't, Nik. You can't blame yourself for this," she said. Her words were so comforting as she hugged me tightly against her warm chest. "It'll be alright," she said as she stroked my head and rubbed my back. I felt safe, like nothing could hurt me, as I fell asleep in her warm and loving arms.

Later, my so-called father turned me and my siblings into vampires. When I had gained some control I met with Red. My emotions had been heightened, so my love for her only grew. But, I was afraid that she wouldn't love me and that she could only view me as the monster I am.

"Oh, Nik!" she said as she came running towards me, hugging and kissing me. "I missed you so. Are you okay? I heard what happened..."

"And you're ok with it? With me being a vampire?" I struggled to get the words out.

"Just because you're a vampire, why would that make me love you any less? You're still my Nik. You will always be my Nik," she said as she smiled at me with those dazzling eyes.

The words 'my Nik' were my favorite words she ever spoke. They rolled off her tongue so graciously, yet... yet everything.

"Love?"

"Yes, Nik. What is it?"

"Mikael has killed my mother and now my siblings and I must leave forever. Traveling the world to break the curse that my mother has placed upon me, so I may be free to be both vampire and werewolf. We'll forever be running from Mikael and I want you to come with us. Come with me," I pleaded. "We can finally run away together and now we can spend forever together."

She stood there staring at me. I was praying she'd say yes so we could be vampires forever together. Then, I knelt down on one knee and said, "Will you, Rufina Matilda Edwards marry me and became Mrs. Mikaelson?"

There was a moment of silence and I was extremely nervous. She could tell...

"Yes, of course!" she said as she hugged and kissed me. "When do we leave?" she asked with excitement.

"Right now! You don't need to bring anything with you! We'll buy it all as we go." I was overcome with joy that she said yes. "Bekah will be so pleased that you are joining us," I said as I picked her up and spun her around.

Right then and there, we left to join the others. We were full of happiness and joy. We were finally going to have our happy ever after with each other... Right?

A.N.

Look, I know this may seem like your average fall for your best friend story, but I can assure you this is not! This story has more twist, turns, and secrets than you can ever imagine. So, PLEASE just give it a shot and read a few chapter. If you like it then great please review. If you don't then please review anyways and tell me your thoughts (I prefer bluntness). This chapter is mainly just to introduce you the story to you, the real fun is when the secrets come out to play.

(Just know that Red and Klaus have a LOT more in common than you think)

Thanks for reading and please review (: