A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"You look nervous."
Klaus ignored Stefan as he paced back and forth in front of them, glancing at the entrance every few moments. He was being watched by Stefan then, after the Salvatore's claim, Maria. The pair were at the bar, Maria sitting atop the bar with her legs dangling and Stefan on a stool beside her.
Maria cocked her head, giving Klaus a casual once over, mentally flicking through his different facial expressions before she pin pointed one.
"He's uneasy."Maria piped up from beside Stefan, giving a shrug when he glanced at her."He's worried that she won't let this one pass or that it was a mistake to leave her. He's scared she's run off."
Klaus suddenly stopped pacing and turned to the two, arms crossed her his chest defensively. He momentarily glanced at Maria, a flicker of surprise on his face as he noticed that she read him well. It didn't last long as Klaus' expression soon returned to annoyance.
"She knows better than to run from me."Klaus stated, not denying Maria's words, voice darkening as he stared at the wolf."I don't react well to being disregarded."
Maria rolled her eyes, tearing her gaze from Klaus and swatting Stefan behind the head when he let out a chuckle.
"Besides, she's my sister."Klaus gave a smile, suddenly confident as he continued to speak about Rebekah."My family. She always returns home. To me."
Stefan shrugged, shifting on his stool so that his back was to the bar and he could rest his legs on another stool. He had a feeling they were to be at the bar for hours to come.
"If you locked me in a coffin for God knows how long, i'd be making my way to Mexico by now."
"Forget the coffin."Maria muttered, legs moving back and forth, bumping Stefan's stool every few moments."I'd run away from him if I saw him across the street from me."
At Klaus' pointed look Stefan sighed, rolling his eyes up at Maria."It is claims like those that make my job at keeping you in place much harder."
"Is it a crime to joke now?"Maria gave Stefan a half smile before nodding over to Klaus, resentfully adding. Maybe you've forgotten how to since you've been a captive longer than I have."
Stefan followed Maria's gaze over to Klaus who was watching them with a sneer.
"Tell me about it."
"Since when have you been her friend?"Klaus outright asked Stefan, a tinge of resentfulness in his tone."Are you trying to nick my girl, old friend?"
Maria opened her mouth to voice her annoyance but, remembering Stefan's words from earlier, she thought against it. Stefan hesitated in responding to the Original, slightly wary as Klaus stared at him. Klaus didn't like sharing whether it be something inanimate or someone that he deemed his, such his sister or Maria.
Klaus could shift the blame, accuse Stefan of being the reason Maria wasn't responding to him. His paranoid mind came up with anything, even if it was ridiculous.
Stefan just gave a one-shouldered shrug, knowing replying with too much denial or too much defence, Klaus would grow more upset.
"Since she threatened me with her toxic teeth next time a full moon comes if I as much as annoy her."
Klaus gave Stefan a disbelieving look, gaze flickering between the pair. He focused his gaze on Maria who just sent him a fake cheery smile, legs dangling back and forth as she cocked her head, welcoming his scrutinising gaze.
He knew something was going on, he just hadn't figured out what yet.
"Yes, well, carry on. Have at it."Klaus scornfully encouraged, his question more directed to Stefan."But know that upsetting me results in both of your brothers losing a limb."
Both Stefan and Maria stiffened at the threat.
Klaus smiled, hands behind his back as he looked to Stefan."Why don't you go fetch something to eat? We're going to be here a while."
Stefan looked reluctant, glancing at Maria. He could sense the emotions running off of her and he was concerned that if he left them alone, she'd slip their plan. Stefan was the only buffer between the two.
"Mate?"
Stefan looked back to Klaus, giving a laugh."I'm fine here. Besides, they're much more delectable when they're drunk."
Klaus' smile fell and he let out a growl, a warning one, making Stefan's laugh die out. The Salvatore held up his hands in surrender, getting to his feet. He nodded to Klaus and began to back out, turning as he was out of Klaus' view.
Stefan pointed to Maria, wagging his finger, mouthing. Down dog.
Maria just rolled her eyes as Stefan gave her one last look of admonition before leaving.
The young wolf almost called Stefan back as the door shut behind him.
She tolerated the Salvatore because he was her only hope of freedom. That and he was her buffer with Klaus. Maria spoke without thinking and her wolf temper didn't help in that case. She had a short fuse and as did Klaus, which didn't mix since they were targeting each other.
Maria jumped as Klaus clapped his hands, rubbing them together."I guess we should celebrate and have a drink."
"Really?"Maria said as calmly as she could, waiting for Klaus to nod before she asked."Why is that?"
Klaus gave her an almost bemused look, as if she should've known the reason.
"To make a toast, of course."
Maria gave a puzzled look."Toast? What for?"
"To you and your newfound dalliance with Stefan Salvatore."Klaus answered with a bitter and forced smile on his face."Careful, though, love, Rebekah hates sharing. She'll already be out for blood when she finds out about Elena."
Maria straightened, confusion gone as her eyes narrowed.
"I'm not having a dalliance with Stefan Salvatore."
"Fantastic."Klaus nodded, looking almost reassured, having heard the truthfulness in her voice."I'd hate to have to kill a useful comrade."
The look faded as quickly as it came and Klaus' expression turned sceptical."Then what have you two been whispering about?"
"Apart from bickering about who is captain of the 'I hate Klaus Mikaelson club'? Nothing."
"Don't try and manipulate me, love."Klaus said in a chiding tone, shaking his head at her, his eyes darkening."What is going on?"
"Still as paranoid as ever."
"My paranoia is self-preservation, and i'm rarely wrong."The Original firmly stated, stopping in front of Maria who still sat atop the bar, tilting his head up."Young or not, I know you are more than capable of coming up with a scheme in that beautiful head of yours. While that is true, I doubt you would last a minute against me."
Maria's fake smile didn't falter, but she did shift almost uneasily. Klaus noticed this and gave a nod, confirming what he was accusing.
He looked almost hurt at the thought of the young woman who'd adored him once upon a time plotting his downfall.
"You have the right to be mad at me; I understand that. I took your mother from you so, because of that, i am going to let this pass."The Original whispered softly, eyes flickering over Maria's face before his tone turned intimidating."But I strongly advise against you even thinking about plotting against me again. I do not respond well to threats, even trivial ones."
Maria met Klaus' gaze for a moment, drawing out the thick silence between them. He followed her gaze as she looked away for a moment, inhaling a long breath as she seriously thought about his words.
"I knew you'd be the death of me."
"Oh, love, i'd never kill you. I'm far too attached to you."Klaus raised his hand to cup her cheek, but Maria moved to the side."I would hate it, but i'd have to punish you. That's why i'm warning you. Believe it or not, it pains me to see a mere smidgen of pain in your eyes."
Maria's silence was quickly broken, and she straightened, her eyes flashing amber angrily and Klaus' own flashed after hers.
"Go to hell."
"You know, there's only so much I can take of you playing hard to get."The Original forced a smirk, hands joining behind his back as he stared at the young wolf."It's not entertaining anymore, love, it's upsetting me."
"You think i'm playing hard to get?"Maria asked, pointing to herself and giving Klaus a shocked look."Hating someone isn't a game. And guess what? I hate you."
"There's a fine line between love and hate, sweetheart."Klaus softly said, looking up at Maria, placing his hands down on the bar at each side of her."I'd be more concerned if you didn't feel anything for me."
Maria didn't say anything, but she did look defensive as she glared at the Original.
The young wolf let her eyes search Klaus', becoming more on edge as the Original stood his, his smile growing with each second that passed.
She shook her head, angrily muttering as she turned her head."You're delusional."
"Do not turn away from me!"
The female wolf released a warning growl, her eyes flashing amber as Klaus' fingers took hold of her face. His fingers firmly pressed down on her cheeks, and he forced her to look at him. He let out a breathy laugh at the flash of amber, momentarily looking entranced before he smiled.
"There she is."Klaus softly said, letting his thumb brush her skin, ignoring the growl as his eyes flickered over her face again."I missed you."
Maria snapped at his last three words, and she pulled herself free of him, angrily shoving the Original away from her. Klaus staggered back a few steps, an upset snarl coming from him as he looked over at her.
"The feeling isn't mutual."
The Original shook his head defiantly."Don't you know that you can't lie to a liar, love?"
Maria didn't reply as she defensively crossed her arms, inhaling and exhaling to control her temper.
"You can't-"
Klaus cut himself off at the sound of the door being kicked open.
"Bloody hell."
The Original reluctantly stood, letting his hand drop back to his side and he took a step back. Maria hesitated for a moment before she released a long, shaky breath. T
he wolf gripped the bar so hard that her knuckles turned white as she composed herself. She shook her head, completely relieved at the disturbance.
Klaus spun around on his heels, feeling slightly better at the person standing at the entrance.
"Rebekah, finally!"
Klaus spun around on his heels, lips curving up fondly at the sight of his sister."I was beginning to worry you'd run off."
The blonde Original, now dressed in more modern clothes, gave a large to her brother. She kept her eyes on Klaus as she made her way over to the hybrid.
Rebekah shook her head, fondly and earnestly saying."You know i'd never leave you behind, Nik."
Klaus smiled back at her, opening his arms and Rebekah gave him a once over, taking a step forward. Then, in a blur and before Klaus could react, she flashed forward, pulling her dagger out from behind her back. She released an angry cry as she stabbed Klaus through the heart with it, making her brother growl at her.
Maria's lips curved up at this, nodding."Oh, you're right, Klaus. I like her."
Klaus leered at his sister as he gasped, glancing down at the dagger before looking back at her.
Rebekah got up onto her tip toes, looking genuinely hurt."I'm mad at you, just in case you haven't noticed."
Klaus stared at his sister almost smugly as he pulled the dagger out of his chest, holding it out beside him before he pocketed the dagger. Rebekah peered up at her brother in a bitter manner, stepping away when he moved closer.
"Don't pout."Klaus tutted at his sister, following her as she walked off."You knew it wouldn't kill me."
"Yes, but I was hoping it would hurt more."
"I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah."Klaus said, placing a loving but warning hand on his sister's shoulder, pulling her closer."So I'm going to let that go. Just this once."
"Brought you a little peace offering."Rebekah slowed her pace, tilting her head up to glare at her brother who sent her a small smile before looking to the entrance."You can come in."
Rebekah's petulant pout disappeared, her eyes growing wide and her lips curving up into a tender smile. Stefan came ambling in, observing the pair in an almost cautious manner before he focused his gaze on the blonde Original.
He continued to stare at her, trying to jog his mind once more before he shook his head lightly at Klaus.
Rebekah let out a breathy sigh at the sight of him."Stefan..."
The male Original stepped closer to Stefan, patting his shoulder before he met the Salvatore's gaze.
"Now you remember."
Maria cocked her head, watching as Stefan blinked, eyes going wide as a series of flashbacks appeared in his mind. His then blank gaze turned to something familiar as he gave Rebekah a once over.
"Rebekah."
The female Original gave a hopeful smile, clapping her hands and nudging her brother with a giggle. Klaus gave a small smile as Stefan took a step closer to them, nodding in encouragement.
"Stefan."
The dirty blonde still sitting on the bar let her eyes flicker between the siblings, releasing a long sigh.
Things were not going to end well.
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