A/N: Chapter 3 will focus more about what exactly happened in Mystic Falls, etc. Promise!
What Bonnie wanted, more than anything, more than getting rid of Kol Mikaelson, was a long, scalding hot bath. She wanted to rinse away the dirt and grime that clung to her body, the odor that sweat and tears and blood have created that trapped itself between her pores. Her hair was getting frizzy again and returning to its natural chaotic state after many days of neglect. To the best of her abilities, Bonnie used her fingers has a comb, trying to run it through her dark waves of hair and untangling the clumps and knots that formed. The act stirred a long forgotten memory when she was a child. Grams had always been there, like a long lost mother figure to Bonnie. She remembered the days when Grams would sit on the bed, and she plopped herself on the floor and her old and skillful hands would brush through her hair painlessly and with ease.
"Having some trouble there?"
Bonnie had to use all her strength and will to not give the Original brother painful aneurysms. Her jaw clenched tightly as she ground her teeth together. "No," she spat as she jerked her hand forward and painfully pulled her hair along with. Curse her genes.
All Kol did was laugh under his breath. Her hazel eyes flickered over to where he stood, basking in the sunlight. Flecks of sun danced on his hair giving it a lighter shade and giving his face a healthier glow...if that was possible. Maybe a more "livelier" glow.
Ok, he looked good in the sun. But, she couldn't let physical beauty sway her. Bonnie thought back on past experience where a pretty face caused her nothing but trouble. There was Ben McKittrick, Mystic Falls alumni star quarterback turned vampire who took her hostage in order to open the tomb that held a good handful of deadly vampires. There was Luka whose father temporarily took her power away as an act of revenge for his son's death. And last but certainly not least, there was good ol' Jeremy Gilbert who was just a magnet for trouble. She had gone to the ends of the world and back for that kid. Raising him back from the dead caused some strains with her relationship with her witch-y ancestors. So, in conclusion, guys were nothing but trouble.
But something about their situation confused her, something they have yet addressed in their brief moments of conversation. Why was he still here? He could have left her when he pulled her out of the rubble. Hell, he could have left her to die.
Narrowing her eyes, Bonnie pursed her lips. "Why are you here?" Her question probably sounded more biting and accusing but hurting his feelings was the least of her problem.
Kol turned his head ever so slightly. His expression that graced his face was one of amusement, as if she told some funny joke but he wasn't sure if it was appropriate to laugh or not. "Is that an existential question? Why are any of us here? What is the meaning of life?" He gave her a brief wink with his reply, "I may be old, Bonnie but I'm not one to delve into philosophical thought. That's more of...Elijah's forte, being the moral and dull compass of the si-."
"That's not what I meant," Bonnie cut him off short before he went on and on about something. That's what the British do. Give themselves five minute monologues and all. "Why are you still hanging around me, I mean, you're free to leave, you know. I'm sure with your speed you could be in New York by now with clean clothes and stomach full of food...or blood, whatever. You get what I mean."
In a flash, he was sitting beside her, his hand pushing away her tangled, messy hair. His knuckles brushed against her neck which sent a shiver of pleasure and fear down her spine. His touch brought her back to the dream, the dream of her jugular being ripped out and-
"Stop it!" She smacked his hand away. "Don't you fucking dare touch me."
Kol rolled his eyes, and played along. "Fine, fine. But don't go crying out my name when you crave more than just a...touch," he answered as he placed both hands on his knees.
"Please," she scoffed, shaking her head.
There was a pause, a beat of silence. Even the animals in the forest and the continuous breeze stilled as they too waited for something, an answer.
Bonnie continued to watch him though, watched his eyes turn from that of playfulness to seriousness. Not a trace of the smirk danced on his lips this moment. She watched as his hands clasped and unclasped, occasionally his fingers would move to a melody of some sort as he thought about her question.
"I don't know," he finally answered with a shrug. Turning his head, his brown eyes met hers. Brown as rich as soil. Brown as dark and mysterious as the person it belonged to. He knew something, she sensed it. But for some reason, he didn't tell her the reason why.
Standing up again, Kol looked down at her. "Well, ready to start heading onwards?" Of course the question was a rhetorical one. Yes, she was ready. She wasn't going to live in a forest for the rest of her life. Hunting for food and searching for water was not ideal. At the mere thought of the basic necessities, her stomach grumbled and she began to noticed how parched she was.
Arching a brow, he tilted his head to the side as he watched her lick her lips frequently. "Problem?"
"Oh nothing of much trouble. Just starving and extremely thirsty. But please, no need to be concerned about my well being."
Kol chuckled. "Perhaps if you just ask, your prayers will be answered."
"And you're suddenly a miracle worker now?" she asked as she quickly got up from the log and started walking quickly. Luckily, she had fixed the strap of her dress or else walking away furiously would have been an issue.
A grin stretched across his face as he turned his head to follow her walk past him. Pivoting, the crunch of the leaves sang pleasantly. With a comfortable pace, Kol sauntered just a few steps behind her. "No, but I am a devilish handsome young man who happens to have water."
Bonnie let out a loud laugh. "Yeah, and I have a million dollars." She continued stomping forward, unsure of what direction she was going or if this was the right direction at all.
"Oh ye of little faith." She heard him tsking and suddenly silence again.
Confident, her head was held higher now. "What? That was your only come back?" But all she heard was her own voice and her own footsteps. Quickly turning around, her lips wavered from its beaming smile and back down to fear and confusion. He was gone. He just...left. Go figure.
Right when she...tolerated his company and banter. Letting out a sigh, Bonnie turned again only to walk smack into him, her hands placed on his chest to balance her. Looking up, she realized how close she was to him and how even this close, Bonnie became speechless.
She was able to see every line, every lash, ever curve of his face. He had flaws, his skin was not smooth as she saw from afar. The lines on his forehead showed that despite his playful demeanor, he was troubled a lot. She noticed how long his lashes were. When her mind raced back to reality again, Bonnie quickly dropped her hand and took a step back.
"Do all you vampires like to do that?"
Kol only answered with a nonchalant shrug. Tired of his act, Bonnie was prepared to start stomping again but he extended an arm and in front of her, gleaming and clear and moist was an ice cold bottle filled with water. Her eyes grew wide with amazement and her hand slowly reached up to grab it.
"How-"
"Speed. Luckily for you, Ms. Bennett, we are only seven miles away from civilization. Not the friendliest nor the most attractive but...civilization nonetheless. And perhaps, it'll be the last you'll see of me."
"Really?" She almost choked on her water with hope.
"Nah, just playing with you. We're stuck with each other whether you like it or not."
Bonnie's forehead furrowed with confusion. "...What exactly does that mean?"
Kol merely turned around and started whistling a tune with hands in his pockets. "In time, Bonnie. In time."
