"I'm gonna miss ya, Faithy."
Faith swallowed thickly as she looked down at her best friend who was laying on his silk sheets. The blonde male vampire smiled up at his best friend as she combed a brush through his locks, forcing a smile as sweat coated his forehead. The male vampire kept his eyes closed as she combed his hair, making sure that it was neat like he wanted it.
He wanted to die with pride in his best clothes and looking great, just like he always did.
She lightly slapped his cheek, rolling her eyes."Don't be so sappy."
"I'm dying, I can be sappy if I want to."He smiled before he broke out into a fit of coughs, slumping against his pillows as she rubbed his back."I've had a good life, right? Better than the one I led."
She smiled, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"You weren't all bad."
"You're a crappy liar. I spent my entire human life sleeping on the streets and begging for food before you came across me."
He smiled up at her, hand finding hers before he interlocked their fingers."My little Faithy saved me."
"Baby, you didn't need saving."She smoothed down his tie, hand above his heart, as if she wanted to remember the beat."You just needed a little push to show the world just how great you are."
The female vampire let out a long, shaky breath after she glanced down at the wolf bite the hybrid had given her best friend. She forced herself to look away, pulling up his collar to cover it.
"I shouldn't have moved us here."Faith stated, looking angry with herself."This is all my fault."
He shook his head, giving her hand a feeble squeeze."Don't feel sorry for yourself. You brought us here so that we could join in on the fun. When have we ever been at the same party as an Original? That's something I can brag about wherever I end up."
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, offering her a loving smile.
"I love you."He blinked, eyes glassed over as he stared up at his sire."I never knew kindness before you showed me. You gave me a warm bed, food in my tummy and a friend that I only wished for."
A tear escaped his eye as he looked up at her, shifting so that his head was on her shoulder, arms wrapping around Faith's body.
"You know all that, right?
"I know you do, Milo. I love you, too."
Milo smiled, eyelashes fluttering and she began to hear his heartbeat slowing down. Faith's eyes widened in panic, and she straightened, pulling him up with her.
She shook him, a lump in her throat, voice a whisper."Milo?"
He turned his head to the side, peering up at her, face pale, a ghost smile on his lips.
"Milo sleepy."
"No, no."She got to her knees, pulling his head from her shoulder and cupped his face."Milo?"
Her eyes filled with tears as he didn't respond and she hugged him closer. The female vampire let out a whimper as she shook her best friend, shaking her head when he didn't respond.
"M-"
Faith swallowed the lump in her throat, opening her mouth to scream but nothing came out. Her lower lip quivered, and she cradled Milo against her like a mother would a child.
"Poor bloke."
She spun around, forgetting about the tears in her eyes as her gaze landed on Klaus.
"He doesn't look so good, love."He commented, glancing at Milo before his eyes returned to Faith."His heartbeat is slowing down; he's got less than ten minutes I say."
A bitter expression replaced her pained one as she glared at him.
"If you're here to kill me, at least let me say goodbye to my best friend."
Klaus let out a chuckle, shaking his head, honestly amused.
"If I wanted you dead, sweetheart, you wouldn't have made it out of the Grill earlier."
Her brow furrowed, hand still on her best friend's shoulder as she asked."Then what are you doing here?"
"To help."
He nodded at Milo, saying."I can save your friend. My blood can heal him."
Klaus walked further into the room, standing over the pair of vampires. Milo let out a weak cough eyes still closed, his grip on his best friend turning frail.
Her eyes followed as Klaus brought his wrist to his mouth and bit down, his blood staining his mouth.
His smile returned as he looked down at her."All you have to do is ask, Faith."
Her eyes met his, and she straightened on her knees."What do you want?"
"Smart girl."Klaus smirked as his wound healed."Nothing comes without a price."
"You want me to save your little friend?"Klaus leant closer when she nodded, fingers brushing her cheek before he grasped her chin in his hand, raising her head."It would be my pleasure, as long as you give yourself to me for one night."
All emotion drained from her face as she stared up at the hybrid, yanking her chin from his grip."Excuse me?"
Klaus didn't seem ashamed by his words as he smiled again."You heard me."
"You want me to have sex with you?"
Klaus frowned a little, face blank before he quickly took control of the situation again."It's give and take here, love. I save your friend, and you come with me."
Her lips parted and, for the first time in her life, she was utterly shocked. The seven hundred-year-old female vampire swallowed as she stared at him. If Klaus Mikaelson had offered to take her to his bed only a few days before, she'd happily followed but now he was standing in front of her, using her best friend's life against her and she wanted to slap him.
Milo came before anything else in her life, and she didn't like it when anyone used him against her.
"Love?"
She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, eyes returning to Klaus'. She opened her mouth to hurl back an insult but paused as soon as she heard Milo give a weak cough.
The hybrid glanced at her friend again, nodding at him."He's running out of time. What's your answer?"
She turned back to Milo, whose life was draining with every second that passed. His pale skin glistened with sweat, and his coughs were getting weaker. He shook with pain as he tried to keep his grip on her hand.
She couldn't lose him.
"Fine."
Klaus sounded somewhat surprised as he looked down at her."Excuse me?"
"I'll do it."Faith clearly stated through gritted teeth, grip tightening on her friend."I'll come home with you for the night if you save my friend."
Klaus perked up, and he gave her his famous crooked smile before nodded, as if he were doing her a massive favour out of the goodness of his heart. The Original hybrid patted her leg before he sat on the other side of the bed next to Milo.
Faith turned and watched as Klaus pulled Milo into his arms."Come on, mate; i've got a present for you."
Klaus bit into his wrist, bringing it to Milo's lips as he let the younger male rest against him. Faith held onto Milo's hand as she watched silently as the hybrid's blood dripped from Milo's lips. The blood stained his mouth, dripping from his chin as he remained frozen in Klaus' hold.
Milo stayed still for a long moment, worrying his sire and Faith's face fell.
"Milo, wake up..."She looked at the hybrid, confused."Why isn't it-"
The Original released a breathy laugh as Milo's eyes snapped open, sitting up straight as he let the blood work its magic. The male vampire panted for air as he wildly looked around, dry blood streaks on his cheeks.
Faith smiled as she witnessed the color return to Milo's face as his eyes flashed hungrily.
"There's my boy."
Milo growled, clutching Klaus' wrist to his mouth as he swallowed the blood. Klaus pulled away a long moment later, leaving Milo sitting there with blood dripping from his chin. Milo let out a whine at the loss of the blood and he licked his crimson lips, smacking his lips together with an impressive him.
"Oh, I feel groovy!"
Faith let out a happy giggle, lunging over to her best friend and winding her arms around him, pulling him against her.
He chuckled, hugging her back before they pulled away."What happened?"
Klaus stood from the bed, watching over them."You're welcome, mate."
Milo turned around, eyes going wide as he looked at Klaus."Y-You're-"
He cut himself off as he connected the dots in his mind, remembering that he'd heard about Klaus' blood. He stared at the Original for a long while, his smile returning, turning to his sire, expression one of absolute giddiness.
"This is gonna be a great story."
Klaus merely rolled his orbs before he flashed around the bed, grabbing Faith up from the bed with a sharp yank. Milo almost tumbled off of the bed at the force Faith was taken from him with and he frowned up a the pair.
"Hey, don't bruise the merchandise!"She hissed at him, wrenching her arm away, finger imprints clear on her skin."Don't be a dick."
Klaus ignored her, smiling charmingly at Milo as he said."Pleased to meet you, mate, but we're leaving."
Milo looked confused as he looked at his best friend who wasn't resisting as Klaus pulled her away."What's happening?"
"She made a deal."Klaus impatiently replied, nodding to Faith before turning back to Milo."I save you; she comes home with me for a little bit."
"What?"Milo got up, looking at his sire, giddiness gone while he shook his head."No. Faithy, what's happening?"
The male vampire began to make his way over to his best friend, ready to grab her back from Klaus but the Original shoved him away. Milo, while respectful of his elders and a big fan of Klaus, knew full well what the Original was capable of. Milo was a fan of Klaus for all the wrong reasons and he didn't want Faith involved with him.
"Go get your own friend, Cujo; this one is mine."
Klaus flashed his eyes at the younger male, eyes narrowing."Don't test me."
Milo stared toward the Original again, but Faith flashed in front of him, hands on his shoulders as she made him stay still. She gave him her best smile, keeping him still as Klaus watched from afar, looking more petulant as the moments passed.
"What the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on?"Miko demanded, looking almost wary as Klaus' grin grew."I'm a fan and all, Faithy, but the admiration stops when you become the target."
"I made a deal to save you, and I must live up to it."Faith explained in a soft tone, smoothing down the collars of Milo's jacket."He's not going to hurt me; he's not going to kill me, but I will be gone...just for tonight."
Milo kept his eyes on his sire, looking more troubled."What does he want?"
"You don't have to know. Just don't make him kill you after i've made a deal with the devil, okay?"
"But-"
She hushed her best friend by cupping his face."Just lay low until I return. Do it for me, okay?"
He looked like he wanted to protest but he knew better. He didn't want to upset his sire, so the male vampire just merely nodded and stepped back.
"Okay but if you're not here by sunrise, i'm coming for you."
Faith sighed when Klaus gave a chuckle but ignored him."Milo, that is just stupid."
"You're my ride or die, Faithy, it's not stupid if it's for friendship."Milo shook his head, reluctantly giving his friend a goodbye hug, glowering at Klaus over her shoulder as his grip tightened on his friend."I'll be impatiently waiting for your return."
Faith hugged Milo back, burying her face into his shoulder."You better."
The pair continued to hug until Faith felt a strong hand grab her by the wrist and pull her back. She growled when she was yanked from Milo; the best friends both frowning unhappily.
Milo looked tempted to lunge for Klaus but when Faith shook her head, he simply nodded, crossing his arms over her chest. Klaus smiled at Milo's upset look and tutted, shaking his head as he began to drag Faith out of the door.
"Don't worry, mate, i'll bring her back in one piece. Hopefully."
