Disclaimer: I don't own TVD
Bonnie registered a soft bell chime, but the sound seemed very far away and didn't have the power to wake her from her impromptu nap that she had no choice but to take after a very long night of researching spells in her family's grimoire. After she returned from Kol's house, she immediately immersed herself in centuries old writings that instilled hope in her about ensuring Kol's safety somehow during this confusing mess of drama.
Ding. Dong. Ding Dong. The chiming sounded much closer now, and Bonnie's eyes began to flutter open and blink away the disorientation she felt from her exhaustion. Lifting her head up, she detected the silhouettes of two people on her front porch, and it didn't take long for her to figure out who they were.
The Salvatore brothers, much to her slight surprise and dismay, stood still on her porch as they waited for her to answer. Stefan, remaining somber for the most part, broke out into a soft smile upon seeing Bonnie. She allowed Stefan's presence to calm her down enough to return his smile before grudgingly turning toward Damon. To Bonnie's surprise, Damon sported no smirk or sign of amusement; instead, his lips were set into a straight line and a frown dominated his features. Bonnie could have sworn his expression changed briefly into a semblance of relief upon seeing her, but it disappeared so quickly that she couldn't really be sure.
"Hey," she greeted weakly. Sleep still held control over her. "What's going on?"
Stefan spoke first, "We wanted to check on you. Elena said that you were still recovering but mentioned how you were feeling okay enough for more visitors." Stefan stepped across the threshold, hesitating before putting his arms out and inviting her in for a hug. Bonnie smiled at him, allowing him to embrace her.
"Thanks, Stefan." She nodded her head in a grateful motion. "I'm feeling a bit better."
"Good," Damon interjected, he suddenly lost his voice when Bonnie trained her gaze on him. "We need you, witch."
Bonnie felt like he punched her in the gut. "Of course. Magic." She continued to stare at Damon who clearly didn't intend to hurt Bonnie today.
"That's not what I meant," he quickly assuaged her. He suddenly found the ground interesting. "We're going to settle this once and for all, Bonnie. Starting with cutting off the beast's legs." His metaphor intrigued her.
"What would his legs be then?" They all understood the unnamed beast to be Klaus, and if there is one thing Bonnie can agree with Damon on, it that he has to be stopped.
Damon made eye contact with her again as he responded. "His precious family. He needs to have no one. We'll take care of that."
Bonnie felt her heart stop. Suddenly, she didn't agree with Damon anymore.
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After forcing the Salvatore brothers to leave with an excuse of sudden nausea, Bonnie spent the next hours of the day tirelessly pouring over the grimoire for protection spells. The effort seemed to amount to nothing for the longest time, since all of the spells were not designed to be used on a being of the undead, in fact, the craft of magic vehemently disapproves of it. But, Bonnie couldn't just give up; she really felt obligated to save Kol in any way that she could, especially now that Damon had confirmed her fear about attacking Klaus through his siblings first. A loud tapping broke her concentration, making her quickly hide the spell book under her pillow before waving her hand towards the window and unlocking it. Kol stepped into the room, smirking as he closed the window.
"Neat parlor trick," he teased her.
Bonnie smiled at him and tucked her legs beneath her. "I'm glad you think so. I think I'm going to become a magician and have a residency in Vegas." She giggled when Kol broke out into a smile.
"I think the show would be very successful," he bent down to kiss her. Distracted by the kiss, Bonnie wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened, reciprocating the gesture of affection genuinely.
When she felt lightheaded by the lack of oxygen, she briefly pulled away and closed her eyes. Resting her head against his shoulder, she inhaled a few gulps of air while enjoying the embrace. She never noticed Kol reach under her pillow to pull out the grimoire.
Kol clenched his jaw, trying not to overreact. "Studying spells?"
The question forced the two of them apart, giving Bonnie a full view of the visible book. "Where did you find that?"
Kol rolled his eyes at her attempt at deflecting the question. "Little witch, it was semi obvious. Why did you feel the need to hide it? You wouldn't by any chance be trying to learn a dangerous spell to get your friends out of another situation that they most likely created all by themselves?"
Bonnie's mouth opened, her eyes blinking furiously as she listened to his accusation. "If I was…that's not a problem? I am strengthening my magic."
Kol exhaled through his nose, gripping the bridge of it tightly as he closed his eyes. "Strengthening your magic seems to be code for putting my life at risk for useless friends."
Bonnie's nostrils flared. "Kol, I get that you don't like my friends, but they are not useless. Caroline and Elena are my family. That means something to me." She visibly deflated, her eyes roaming Kol's figure. "I would go to the ends of the earth for the people I love. That's a promise." Her voice softened at the end of her statement, finally capturing Kol's undivided attention.
He stared at her, unsettled by the sad, lost gaze that she now directed at him. "I hope you're not planning to go the ends of the earth for me. You may be a powerful witch in the making, but I am a centuries old vampire that has plenty experience looking out for myself. I don't want you putting yourself at risk for me."
Bonnie bristled at his comment; suddenly a surge of anger consumed her. "Why not? I can handle it. I love you, Kol. You now fall under that category in my life, so I will not stand by and just let—" She paused abruptly when Kol suddenly appeared in front of her, his eyes flashing with a ferocity that made her falter.
"What? Don't tell me that your lovely friends are plotting against my family and me? That's laughable."
"Laughable?" She repeated this with incredulity. "You don't think that damage can be done? Whatever. You may be arrogant enough to believe that you really are untouchable, but you and I both know that's not true. I told you that I am willing to do anything to keep you safe. I mean it. I really mean it." Her lip quivered.
Kol gripped her waist, pulling her closer to him as he pleads with her. "Bonnie, I mean it. Whatever you are planning— stop it. As for the others, I have no problem cracking some skulls. It's been too long." He didn't miss the flash of disgust that crossed her face, and he couldn't resist using it as ammo. "This is who I am, Bonnie. I am a killer. You should not waste your time trying to salvage my soul. It's already lost."
His words broke her heart. "So, what does that mean for us? If your soul is lost then how can you love me?"
Kol let go of her waist as if it burned him. He didn't answer her.
His silence was strong enough to completely eradicate her composure. Tears began to fall freely down her cheeks, but she paid no mind to them.
Kol eventually filled the silence with another plea. "Don't continue searching for something that could overwhelm you. I'm trying to look out for you."
Bonnie crossed her arms, her eyes finding his. "No." Her voice didn't quiver despite the tears still cascading down her face. She remained stoic, staring Kol down as he processed her rejection.
"No?" He searched for clarity with a biting tone accompanying it. "You'll continue to risk your life?"
She responded with a mere shrug of her shoulders. The nonchalant act sparked Kol's rage. He screamed in frustration, shoving her open door closed with such force that the hinges became undone. Her eyes widened at his violent reaction, but she forced her body to remain still and watch him.
Kol tightened his hands into fists, growling under his breath. "I—" he huffed unable to finish his sentence due to the anger that controlled him. Trying again, he raised his hand, pointed at her, and spitefully retorted, "I'm angry with you, little witch." He rubbed his face, kicking the door. "I'm angry at you," he repeated under his breath, sounding defeated. He walked towards the window, opening it. He took a deep breath before turning towards her. "I'm not going to stand by and allow you to take a serious risk."
Bonnie released a cry of frustration. "Don't you get it?! I want to take the risk. That's how much I care." She stood up from her sitting position on the bed to approach him. "You don't even know any of the details. I am being careful; it's a precaution for you. Nothing is set in stone, and I won't…" she paused breathless. "You can't be angry with me. Not when I forgive you for the violent threats against my friends. I know you are frustrated with this whole situation. Believe me, things are more complicated due to our relationship. But, it's done. I fell for you. It can't be undone. Don't make me undo it, please." Her eyes fluttered closed when Kol stepped forward, grasping her waist, and pulling her into his arms.
"Don't do it, Bonnie."
Bonnie winced, her forehead resting against his chest. "I don't want anything to happen to you." She heard Kol sigh, defeat evident in his voice.
"I refuse to let anything happen to you." Though the words were sweet, his tone held no affection.
Bonnie took a chance, looking into his eyes. She could have broken down in tears at the sight of his wrathful despair. "When I told you that I love you. I meant it, Kol. Just…can we just calm down for a second? I can't take this anymore." She shut her eyes tightly, feeling the jabbing sensation of a migraine. To her relief, she felt Kol's lips against her forehead.
"I meant it too, my love." He laced his fingers through her hair, mumbling an apology into the mess of her curls.
She grabbed his hand, interlacing their fingers together. "I love you," she mumbled the words sadly. Things seemed hopeless.
"I love you more," he responded. "I'll prove it."
Her eyes snapped up to meet his. "No. I'll prove it." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek and place her own against his. "You have to trust me; I once did a spell that killed me for a short period of time to fool Klaus into thinking I was really gone. It worked. I'm strong."
Kol sighed. "I know that you are, but why do you have to put yourself in so much danger?" He hugged her tightly. "By the way, I am snapping Klaus' neck when I get home. I had no idea how much he goaded you towards death," he mumbled the words with a grave undertone that sounded threatening. "No one touches you."
Bonnie nudged her forehead against his. "I have something for you." Stepping away from him, she opened her end table drawer and pulled out a simple drawstring bag. She undid the tie and pulled out a long silver chain that held a small locket at its end. She held it up to him, beckoning him to take it. "I charmed it for you. Added protection. No serious magic involved." The lie fell from her lips smoothly, and Bonnie had no time to feel an ounce of guilt for it. She grabbed the locket and pried it open for Kol, then stepped away to wait for him to really look at the inside.
Kol has felt seemingly emotionless for a long time, but as soon as he glanced down to see what lay inside the locket, he couldn't fight the tears that formed in his eyes. In simple script, a name was written into small piece of scrapbook paper on one side of the locket, while the other remained blank.
Henrik
Bonnie noticed Kol beginning to tremble; the sight forced her to keep talking. "I know lockets are for pictures, but I wanted to give you something that allowed you to keep him by your heart…where I know he already is. This is a reminder of your humanity, Kol. Please don't ever say that you are a lost soul. Your little brother would never believe that and neither should you." She inhaled sharply when Kol looked up from the locket, giving her a better view of his tear stricken face.
Kol gulped, clearing his throat so that an audible sound could come out. "Thank you," he muttered as he cradled the locket. Pulling it over his head, he strode towards her to grab her face and pull her in for a kiss that emoted his gratefulness for the gift. Bonnie nodded into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as she lost herself in the intense kiss flurry of butterflies in her stomach. He broke the kiss briefly to reach into his pocket.
"You reminded me of something," he whispered against her lips. He lifted her right hand that was still bandaged and placed a small bracelet that held a lone leaf charm. Once he fastened it, he lifted her wrist to his lips. "Rebekah wouldn't stop talking about the modern day tradition of giving someone special a trinket to symbolize the relationship. She kept talking about some football player." Bonnie scrunched her nose in confusion, but quickly lost her train of thought when Kol kissed her knuckles. "I figured that you are my first girlfriend in several hundred years, so we must commemorate somehow." He smiled at her as he cupped her chin. "I guess you were thinking the same."
Bonnie remained cool despite the knowledge of the strong bonded magic that tied them together. The locket was the key, and Bonnie felt relieved that she managed to not raise any suspicions. Now, she could say he was safe. She stood on her tiptoes to press her lips against his. "I guess so," she whispered.
A/N: This fic was the next one up in my now revolving list of stories that I am writing and updating lol I hope you all enjoy this addition!
