A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

"Channing Tatum, Channing Tatum, Channing Tatum!"

Karina and Josh pranced up the last few steps, the pair wearing matching, giddy smiles. Their happy steps didn't stop when they reached the corridor; they only seemed to become more excited as they neared the end of the corridor where the movie room was. The room was away from studies, bedrooms and, while each resident had supernatural hearing, it wasn't head-splitting, so they were able to turn up the volume as high as they wanted.

And they wanted the volume loud.

"I'm just a bachelor; i'm looking for a partner."Karina gyrated as she sang along to Josh terribly attempting to imitate the music. The tribrid laughed in between the lyrics, lazily swaying, careful not to drop her large bowl of popcorn."Someone who knows how to ride without even falling off. Gotta be compatible, takes me to my limits..."

She trailed off with a hum leaning down and snatching up a few pieces of popcorn with her teeth before nodding at Josh.

"Josh, your turn!"

Josh, careful not to trip as he turned on his heels, copied Karina's swaying only more clumsily. Arms held out, the vampire ignored how he bumped into the wall beside him when he turned around once more and started to sing. His singing, like Karina's, was purposefully off-key which caused them to break out into laughter every few words.

"...my saddle's waitin', come and jump on it!"

He walked backward as they reached the room, raising his voice before he started to sing again.

"If we're gonna get nasty, baby, first we'll show and tell-Oh!"Josh almost tripped over his own feet as his face paled, quickly snapping his mouth shut to stop more lyrics from falling from his lips."Uh-oh, papa wolf alert! Enough raunchy lyrics!"

"Huh?!"

Karina caught herself before she bumped into Josh, holding tight onto the bowl. Her father and uncle were what she first saw, her uncle looking smug and her father seeming close to a tantrum. The pair were sat at their table which was, as expected only a few steps from one of the many bars in the Mikaelson home.

Piles of bills were also stacked at the side of the table along with a few pieces of jewelry, a large book that seemed important considering how worn out it was and other things that Karina didn't care to acknowledge. Her primary focus was the fact that her uncle and father were intruding in on movie night.

"Woah!"

Klaus raised his head when he heard sensed Karina and, despite his apparent petulance, his mouth curved up into a loving smile."Hello, love. Having a nice evening?"

"Better than yours."Karina smiled back at her father, offering him a small sympathetic smile before she feigned anger at her uncle."Elijah, are you cheating?"

Klaus and Elijah replied at the same time, both defiant.

"Yes, he is!"

"I can assure you that I am not!"

"Oh, money. Lots and lots of money."Josh gave a broad smile, startled as he saw that most of the money pile more were one hundred dollar bills but he was quickly distracted when the light shined on a handful of rings."And diamonds! Is it Christmas already?"

Elijah gave a satisfied smile as he looked at the pile with an almost gratified look.

"Who won the last round?"

"I did and the previous one."Elijah replied after a long moment of Klaus looking anywhere but his daughter and brother."After the loss of one of the chairs, i suppose we ought to reconsider our time limit, Niklaus."

"Nonsense, I am just warming up."Klaus gave a wolfish grin, sitting straighter when Elijah laughed, shaking his head."I'm not one to give up."

"Yeah, I know. Last time you did, like, a hundred rounds. You were still here the next morning!"Karina frowned as she presented her large bowl of popcorn as if offering evidence."Dad, it's Thursday, it's Joarina movie night."

"Joarina?"Klaus repeated with a puzzled frown, eyebrows raising when Josh sent him an eye roll and gestured between himself and Karina. The hybrid remained puzzled before he nodded in realization then spoke again."I know, love, but your mother and aunt grew quite annoyed at the ruckus after I apparently grew a little upset after losing."

"A little upset?"Elijah repeated with a shake of his head, huffing out a laugh before presenting car keys hanging from his finger."Your father foolishly bet his classic car after growing a tad bit smug."

Josh feigned sympathy as he held a hand over his chest."You a sore loser, Klaus?"

Klaus scowled at his brother and Josh, hand shooting out and fingers attempting to grab the keys only for Elijah to close his hand just before his brother could touch them. Karina bit back a laugh as her father slumped back against his seat again, this time with a petulant sigh.

"Yeah, okay."Josh's lower lip jutted out, glancing at the large television on the wall."But we need to watch our movie here. Magic Mike is our favorite. This is a movie room, not a game room."

"Mate, i'm sure there is enough TV's to go around considering there's one in every other room."Klaus replied in an annoyed tone, making a shooing motion at Josh before his adoring smile returned, his voice softening as he turned to Karina."Why don't you go pick one?"

"But this TV is the biggest and has full HD, and we need that quality to enjoy a particular Magic Mike scene over and over again."Josh said without thinking, eyes going wide in horror as the Elijah and Klaus sent him a puzzled look, and he gave a nervous laugh, quickly adding."It's educational!"

Karina's eyes went wide, and she looked away from her father and uncle as the pair straightened, intrigued. They were always ready to debunk anything education, mainly history considering they had lived through a great deal of it.

"Really? Rebekah didn't seem to take anything away from the movie apart from erupting into a fit of giggles."Elijah frowned, as he recalled Grace and Rebekah blushing after watching this particular movie after a few drinks one night."Tell me, what subject is it about?"

"Magicians!"Josh squeaked out without thinking, inhaling and exhaling as he tried to keep his heartbeat steady."It is called Magic Mike, it kinda gives everything away, right?"

"And how magic educational? Are you planning it as a career?"Elijah seemed genuinely interested in their small chat as he set down his now empty glass, hands meeting in front of him and eyes on Josh."Ignore Niklaus' scoffs, Joshua, if this is your goal, then i'm sure that there are other ways to learn."

Josh was utterly astounded at Elijah's solemn words, and he rapidly blinked.

"Uh, I..."

"Josh!"Karina swatted her best friend's arm which made him go quiet when he realized he was, indeed, digging them a bigger hole. She rolled her eyes at her friend, giving her father and uncle her sweetest smile."He just likes the tricks. It's the sequel, actually, and it's meant to be better."

Her uncle and father just nodded, Klaus more interested in winning back his car that he had won from Kol. Karina gave a small sigh of relief when Josh kept silent only to become just as uneasy as her friend when she heard a familiar chuckle. Karina blinked several times, heart skipping a beat at the sound before she turned to the more darkened corner at the other side of the table where she instantly sensed another presence.

"I'm growing bored, my friends!"

Lucien.

"Gentlemen..."The hidden figure drawled before leaning forward, his laughter laced with mockery. Karina swallowed as Lucien appeared, his face finally illuminated by the dim lights and he sent the Mikaelson brothers a lopsided smile after glancing at the pile."Are you idly gossiping or are you playing?"

Elijah huffed out a laugh as he collected the cards, the chips already organized and shook his head at Lucien.

"Such complacency from someone who has lost so much. Including those darling, inscribed gold cufflinks."Elijah lazily replied, nodding to where Lucien's shirt cuffs were unfettered and hung loosely."I look forward to smugly donning them at our next get-together."

"Elijah, you shouldn't be so sure of yourself. I'm forbearing; i always catch up in the end."Lucien gave a childish grin as Elijah rolled his eyes, the younger male taking a sip of his almost finished drink."That is why I am in possession of your records, isn't it?"

Lucien's eyes momentarily drifted from the Originals and sought of Karina, smiling at her over the top of his glass."I'm nothing if not determined."

Karina's lips parted, and she gaped at the vampire with narrowed eyes tightening her grip on her popcorn when she heard her heartbeat race up. She uneasily shifted from foot to foot, eyes anywhere but the table.

"Kay, hottie alert,"Josh mumbled, nudging Karina with his elbow before gripping her arm tight making the tribrid raise an eyebrow. Josh gave an almost giddy smile, eyes focused on Lucien and he watched the elder vampire intently."Hello, tall, dark and handsome."

As if on cue the three men at the table, in unison, turned their heads and looked at Josh. Klaus and Elijah both raised their eyebrows, utterly startled while Lucien chuckled once more. The vampire turned in Josh's direction and raised his hand, wiggling his fingers a the young vampire with a lopsided grin.

Karina gawked at her best friend, nudging him with a startled gasp."Josh!"

"What? Do I have something on my face?"Josh frowned, raising his phone to look at his reflection on the screen, more than uneasy at the attention he was getting. His frown deepened when he saw nothing on his face, and he turned to look at Karina, whispering."Why are they all staring at me?"

"You keep forgetting about our excellent hearing."Karina whispered back, fighting her sympathetic but amused smile as Josh's eyes went comically wide, his lips parting as he gaped at her."And if you think ours is good then you might want to imagine how intensified a thousand-year-old vampire's hearing is."

Josh swallowed, slowly turning to face the table once more. His cheeks turned redder when he was greeted with Klaus who was only half attempting to suppress his laughter considering he was quietly laughing behind his hand. Lucien, on the other hand, was making no attempts at hiding his amusement. The vampire grinned from ear to ear, head tilted wearing an expression that could only be described as boastful.

"You're a billion years old."Karina set aside the bowl of popcorn as she accusingly gestured at the pair with an unamused gesture."Grow up."

Klaus smile instantly faded a little at Karina's serious tone and he nodded, mouthing that he agreed with her.

"I apologize, love, we've had a bit to drink!"Klaus cleared his throat, hand over his mouth once more in an attempt to hide his smile as he looked over at his friend."Ease up on the boy, all right?"

Lucien frowned, mouth downturning as if he were confused. Karina's brow furrowed as the vampire shook his head, mouthing something before he beckoned at Klaus.

"Forgive me, Nik, my hearing is declining at my old age!"Lucien raised his voice, leaning forward, hands meeting in front of him."Say that again, will you?"

Klaus and Lucien were both silent for a short moment before they started to laugh once more. The drinks they'd consumed obviously affected them. They were just like Klaus and Kol whenever they got together and had a drink.

"Great."Josh rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked between Klaus and Lucien, muttering."Now there's two of Klaus."

But Elijah, reliable Elijah, was the only other person who wasn't laughing. He seemed anything but amused at the display of sheepishness as he stood and snatched up the empty glasses before he made his way over to the bar.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourselves."

Lucien and Klaus both shared a look, their smirks only broadening and, as if they'd thought the same thing, they continued to laugh.

"Oh, this is like when I slept in late for school, got dressed too quickly and remembered everything but my underwear. Things only got worse when I remembered I had gym class."Josh rambled and suddenly found his feet interesting to look at. He rocked back and forth on his heels with a sheepish look only to let out a forced laugh."You all heard that too, didn't you?"

With a broad grin, Klaus opened his mouth to reply only to be silenced when Elijah firmly set down his now filled glass."I can assure you, young Joshua, that whatever is said in this room never leaves. The same shall go for your unintended words."

"Niklaus. Lucien."Elijah rounded the table, setting down Lucien's glass in front of him before he took a seat. The Original took the re-stacked of cards and began shuffling them."I assume you are in agreement, yes?"

Klaus, once more, opened his mouth to speak but, given his chuckling, it was evident he was going to say anything but an agreement.

"Dad!"Karina drew out the word with her most adoring smile, biting back a laugh when her father sobered."You have to promise. You've known Josh forever; he's like a little brother."

"Yes, he is, sweetheart and I mock him as I still mock Kol."Klaus laughed almost fondly, gesturing to Joshua with a wide smile before it faded when he saw Karina's resolute expression that eerily mirrored her mother's then the hybrid noticed Josh's nervous fidgeting. The hybrid rolled his eyes before sighing, slumping back against his chair."All right, all right! I give my word."

Karina smiled at her father before all eyes turned to Lucien who seemed to be observing them all with a small frown. Karina shifted until she met his eyes and the vampire blinked a few times, holding out a hand as if he hadn't been listening. It wasn't until Elijah firmly explained what he expected that Lucien gave an eye roll.

"Honestly, mate, I heard nothing after tall, dark and handsome."Lucien grinned from ear to ear, tilting his glass in Josh's direction, seemingly enjoying the young vampire's blush."I never get tired of flattery."

"Especially when it so rarely occurs. I suppose compulsion has become your greatest attraction; it can't be anything else."Elijah swiftly said, a ghost of a smug smile on his face when Lucien's smirk quickly faded."Am i right, Lucien?"

"In your mind, 'Lijah, you're always right."Lucien gave a tight smile, bunching up his loose cuffs and sleeves to his elbows, giving off the impression that he was putting everything he had into the next round."And if someone disagrees then i'm sure you'd feel compelled to make them believe otherwise."

"Honestly? This tedious argument once more?"Klaus rolled his eyes at his oldest friend, drawing in a long breath as he looked between the pair."Bloody hell."

"Now, Nik, I did not start it."Lucien sent Elijah an obviously fake courteous smile as spoke once more."Elijah, should we revisit the time you compelled myself to believe-"

"Shh, shh, shh, Lucien, please!"Elijah cut in as he shuffled the cards, tutting as if he were scolding a child before he started to hand out a number of cards needed."I only partake in these games because I simply enjoy winning, I do not appear every week for your blathering."

"Oh, burn."Josh muttered as Lucien and Elijah shared a vacant look, both daring the other to look away despite their broad smiles."They, uh, they sure do hate each-other, right? Or is it just trash talk?"

"Honestly, i'm not sure."Karina shrugged, watching as the three continued to speak, Elijah and Lucien hurling back politely said insults back and forth while her father seemed more focused on winning than arbitrating as they set about another round."But it's not boring."

"Yeah, I guess. I suppose our movie tonight is a drama."Josh sighed, reaching out and picking up the bowl of popcorn, curious as he gestured to Lucien, quietly asking."Who is this Lucien guy anyway?"

"He is my dad's oldest friend."Karina softly answered, her words proven when Klaus and Lucien shared a laugh when Elijah, while handing out of the cards, accidentally knocked over his drink."He's the first vampire ever sired in history and by my dad. One of the most powerful vampires out there. He never lets anyone forget that."

"Oh, my God."Josh slowly murmured, tightening his hold on the popcorn with a surprised and somewhat puzzled expression."Klaus Mikaelson has friends?"

"Friend. One."Karina emphasised with a small smile before she helped herself to the popcorn, nodding along with Josh's still startled look."I know, I was shocked too."

Seemingly not noticing themselves being Klaus, Lucien and Elijah spoke amongst themselves, the insults forgotten about for the moment. Lucien, who had taken his own bottle of whiskey with him, had re-filled Elijah's glass during paying the ante. And Elijah seemed to acknowledge the vampire when he simply nodded and picked up his glass.

"I take it you two have made up?"Klaus asked, eyes flickering between Elijah and Lucien and when neither said anything, the Original insincerely gave a relieved sigh."Good."

Klaus then tapped the table, beckoning at Lucien before he gestured to the bottle then his empty glass.

"Now top up my glass, mate, or the next argument you'll have will be with little ol' me."Klaus seemed utterly insulted that he had to ask, his grin widening when Lucien complied before he feigned a scolding expression as he pointed at Lucien."Behave yourself."

"Always!"Lucien held his arms out, expression far too innocent as he smiled at his sire."I was taught by the best, wasn't I?"

"Klaus has a bromance."Josh said almost in wonderment as he watched Klaus and Lucien as if they were caged animals for him to observe."I don't know if I find that adorable or unsettling."

"Yeah,"Karina muttered in response though her attention was on the chips being tossed into the middle of the table.

Each man seemed to have calmed down; they no longer wore smiles. Instead, they wore their poker faces, only speaking to either bet or hurl competing words to rile up a reaction. Elijah, as usual, seemed eerily calm as he sat up straight, eyes focused on his cards. Her father, without fail, had created a tension in the room, wearing his most intimidating glower with his infamous inscrutable smirk.

And, finally, there was Lucien.

He was neither calm or intimidating. Instead, he seemed, as usual, nonchalant.

He casually leaned back against his chair, wearing his signature devil-may-care grin that seemed to both annoy and fascinate Karina. He seemed unbothered if he won or not but his eyes, dark and dauntless, told a different story.

"I think the pri-nc-ess wants in, Nik."Lucien suddenly spoke, eyes leaving his cards and searching out Karina. As if he'd read her mind, he gave a playful smirk before looking to his friend, speaking once more with an encouraging tone."Perhaps you should allow her a piece of the action."

Karina didn't speak, neither confirming nor denying his claim.

"Ignore Lucien; he is a troublemaker wanting attention."Klaus turned around to face Karina after hushing Lucien, sending his first sired a warning glower before he continued."I'm sure we're boring you, love. The room will be all yours tomorrow, I swear it. Wouldn't you prefer to join your aunt and mother?"

Karina shook her head, curiosity brimming as she looked at the cards."No, it's fine."

"Don't be silly."Josh piped up with a large smile, looking far too smug."Watching you get your butt kicked is never boring."

"The game can be quite complicated."Klaus ignored Josh's comment which only made the younger male vampire chuckle. The hybrid scowled before looking to Karina again, tipping his glass in her direction when he noticed her looking at the chips and cards."I must admit, it took me quite a while to get a hang of it, so perhaps you'd have more fun doing something else."

A glimmer appeared in Karina's eyes at her father's words, and the tribrid raised an eyebrow at him, suddenly feeling the need to challenge him.

"And you're still learning by the looks of it."Karina responded with an exaggerated sweet smile, eyes skimming over the three ancient vampires with a shake of her head before she spoke once more."Josh and i want to play."

They straightened in their chairs and, in unison, turned to face Karina. They stared at her with such puzzlement and surprise that Karina assumed they'd heard her words wrong. They were quiet, as if expecting the tribrid to either burst out with laughter as if she had been kidding. Lucien tilted his head, hands meeting in front of him as he observed the tribrid, seeming almost curious.

Karina sent him a questioning look, daring him to pipe up with his thoughts and Lucien simply smiled.

Karina narrowed her eyes at Lucien before looking to her father."Dad?"

Klaus' arm swung over the back of his chair, and he seemed to be fighting a laugh all while glaring at Lucien.

"I'm sorry, baby wolf, what was that?"

"Uh..."Josh blinked several times, his expression mirroring the others' shocked looks."Yeah, what was that?"

"You heard me."Karina rolled her eyes, bouncing on her heels with a self-assertive smile as she added."We want in."

The three men at the table sent each other almost amused smiles before Klaus turned to look at his daughter once more.

"Absolutely not."

Elijah and Lucien made sounds of agreement, but while her uncle looked sincere in his protest, Lucien seemed anything but sincere.

"I was pulling your father's leg, love, you shouldn't have taken it seriously."

"And why not?"Karina inquired with an accusing eyebrow raise, taking a step forward, hands on her hips as she demanded."Because it's a man's game, hmm? Can you be any more sexist?"

"Nonsense, we just don't want another sore loser at this table. We can't risk anymore chairs."Lucien casually said, glancing at the broken chair across from them, one of the legs embedded in the wall. His mouth then curved up into an almost secretive smile as his eyes returned to Karina, gaze flickering over her figure before he, in a genteel tone, added."And because i'd feel awfully guilty stealing from the princess of New Orleans, of course."

"Yeah, right."Karina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest with a look of disbelief before she firmly repeated."We want in."

Elijah piped up before Klaus or Lucien could reply, hearing the determination in Karina's voice."I don't think that is a good idea."

"Yeah, I agree with that."Josh let out a nervous laugh, shuffling closer to Karina and holding his hands up in surrender when she frowned."I lost $100 to you when you were, like, six. I'm not good at anything relating to betting. I don't fancy losing all the money in my piggy bank to people that are older than dirt."

"We might lose."Karina agreed with a nod, turning to face Josh with a determined glint in her eyes."But we might win."

Josh's reply was swift, followed by a snort."I highly doubt that."

Lucien chuckled to himself, raising his glass in the air as a toast to Josh."I highly agree with him, darling."

Karina, for what seemed like the hundredth time, rolled her eyes once more.

"Ignore him. If we win, then you'll have enough to money to buy, like, a billion piggy banks. Not to mention take Aiden out on a really hot date."Karina whispered to her best friend, an enticing edge to her tone as Josh remained undecided. He opened his mouth to refute, but the tribrid stubbornly added. "And, yeah, compulsion can get you a trillion dates and piggy banks, but you'll also have the priceless gift of lording it over my dad's head forever."

Karina pointed over to her father with a flourish, quirking her eyebrow at Josh when he pursed his lips, a flicker of interest in his eyes. It was everybody's dream to surpass Klaus Mikaelson at anything, even at something so trivial.

Her father's laughter was heard once more."And i'll have the priceless gift of seeing pigs fly."

Karina spun around with grace, her blue eyes clouded with persistence.

"That is if you win."

"Going by my luck tonight, love, I've accepted luck isn't in my favour this evening."Klaus almost resentfully admitted, holding up a hand when Karina grinned."But I won't be losing to you because you and your little pet aren't playing."

Josh let out an almost relieved laugh, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead."I agree with that so much i'm ignoring meanlabel."

The hybrid offered his daughter a small smile, holding out his glass for his brother to re-fill."Perhaps i'll allow you to observe us when you turn twenty."

Karina sent her father a puzzled frown."But i'll never reach twenty."

Klaus smirked with a smug nod."Precisely."

Brow furrowing in petulance, Karina's eyes flashed amber in annoyance as her wolf responded to the challenge. She parted her lips, a wrathful growl causing everyone to look at her once more. Josh's hand unconsciously went to his neck even though he knew his best friend wouldn't ever bite him.

"Hey, don't do that!"

Karina suddenly perked up, lips curving up into a sweet smile while her hands met behind her back. Josh noticed a glimmer of intense resoluteness in her eyes—something he'd seen in Klaus' eyes as well as Kol's—before Karina slowly but confidently ambled over to the table.

And, just like whenever she wanted something, the smile was followed by a drawn out call for er father.

"Daddy?"

Recognizing the soft but determined tone, Lucien straightened in his chair. Lucien's eyes narrowed as he watched Karina, recognizing the exaggerated innocent smile and the strong-willed glint in Karina's eyes.

His grip tightened on his glass as he quietly but firmly murmured."Nik!"

"Daaaaddd..."Standing behind her father, the tribrid hugged the hybrid from behind, resting her head on his shoulder.

Klaus gave an unimpressed smile as Karina drew out her his name, something she'd done since she'd started to talk. 'Daaaaddd' had gotten her a night snack at six years old, allowed her an early taste of her birthday cake at nine, and had convinced her father to sit through all the seasons of Teen Wolf. The list went on because it was used almost daily. But, despite this, Klaus had always claimed that he was immune to it.

"Just let me play."

Klaus quietly laughed, and he set down his cards before taking hold of Karina's hand. He turned in his daughter's direction, expression stubborn. Karina noticed this expression and, since she'd mentally captured each one through the years, she quickly determined that her father was able to be swayed.

It was his 'i can be won over, but since i'm Klaus Mikaelson i'm going to put up a fight' expression.

"Karina Grace, I have withstood my murderous father, insane mother and many attempts to defeat my resolute will."

The hybrid squeezed his daughter's hand fondly before he finished."I am positive I will survive yours."

Pouting, Karina batted her eyelashes, eyes wide and innocent as she quietly pleaded with her father. The puppy dog look was deemed 'Klaus' Kryptonite' by Josh because the Original could never refuse it.

"Dad, please!"

Klaus narrowed his eyes, expression stubborn and he stared at his daughter for a long moment. As the moment drew out, they witnessed his orbs clear to their natural light blue, and his expression softened as Karina continued to plead.

Just like that, the hybrid broke.

"All right, all right!"The hybrid sighed, mouth curving up when Karina smiled and hugged him before gesturing for Elijah and Lucien to re-start despite the protests, somewhat pleased they hadn't started betting."Just don't tell your mother, she is still smarting about me allowing you to lead the trip to the Cauldron."

Karina let out a pleased laugh, and she hugged her father tight before she and Josh went to grab two chairs. Klaus' smile soon fell as he raised his head to see Elijah and Lucien looking at him with raised eyebrows. The hybrid tossed his cards in Elijah's direction, motioning for a restart on the game despite it being against the rules.

He sent his friend and brother a warning look, daring them to utter a word, grumbling to himself.

"Button it."

Elijah shook his head as he collected the cards and sorted out the chips."I didn't say anything, Niklaus."

"You didn't have to."

Lucien handed Elijah his cards, pursing his lips as he looked over Klaus' shoulder to see Karina and Josh entering with chairs. Josh was almost pleading with his best friend to change her mind but, as usual, Karina was determined to see it through. Lucien quietly laughed to himself as Josh, despite his silent protests, followed anyway.

Lucien bowed his head, straightening his loose cuffs as Karina and Josh came up to the table. Klaus, acting in almost second nature, instantly reached out to take Karina's chair and place it beside him. He didn't even acknowledge Josh's glower as the younger male struggled to squeeze in between the back of the couch and Klaus' chair in order to get by.

Lucien grinned at his best friend, casually drawling."She certainly has you under her thumb, doesn't she, mate?"

The hybrid flashed his eyes at him to which Lucien simply laughed at.

"Sod off."

"And he isn't the only one."Karina sang as she sat down, eyes meeting Lucien's for a short moment and she sent him an almost devious smile. Lucien raised an eyebrow at her and Karina's grin broadened before she shifted her gaze to her uncle.

It was Lucien's turn to roll his eyes as Karina cocked her head, smiling sweetly at Elijah.

"Isn't that right, uncle 'Lijah?"

"Yes, well, you and your aunt seem to share that."Elijah quietly replied with a nod, watching Karina with a pensive smile before letting out a small chuckle."I should think allowing you to cut up my ties would've proven that."

"Oh, memories. Where would we be without memories?"Josh piped up with a false smile, sighing before he pointed at the door."Anyone fancy digging out the scrapbooks and a trip down memory lane?"

"I'll just go fetch the-"Josh trailed off then started to get up, awkwardly laughing when he glanced at the stack of money. Just before he got to his feet a strong hand clamped down on his shoulder and he sighed as Elijah pushed him back down."O-kay. Just know that this is what they call peer pressure!"

"It's the Mikaelson charm, love."Klaus carried on as if he hadn't heard Josh, reaching out and cupping Karina's cheek for a moment with a proud smile."You got it in spades, along with your mother's admirable albeit exasperating unyielding stubbornness."

Karina's adoring smile instantly faded, and she sent her father a frown."Oh, and you're poster boy of being easy-going, are you?"

She then nodded over at the chair leg embedded in the wall."What was that? It's certainly not an act of good sportsmanship."

"She's got you there, mate."Lucien piped up as he swiped up his cards, glancing at them indifferently so that nobody could read his hand. He set them down in front of him before he extended his pointer finger, pointing at the broken chair then Karina."Though, I suppose we should expect more broken furniture if the princess doesn't succeed in her mission to prove us wrong."

"Like father like daughter, eh?"

Klaus smirked to himself, gesturing for Elijah to continue.

"We're playing the ante so we all must pay a premeditated pot it is simply to get things started."Elijah picked up two chips and tossed them into the middle of the table, Lucien and Klaus doing the same a moment later then Karina but Josh held back."Josh? Your turn."

The youngest male vampire, who had been the middle of stacking his chips in a neat tower, gave an uneasy frown. He, after seeing their pointed looks, instantly used his hands to fortify his chips protectively.

"But-"

"Just toss in the ten, mate."Klaus ordered in a low voice, glaring at Josh until the vampire did what he was told but not before glaring back at the hybrid."I doubt you're going to win anyway. Kol would put up a good fight, perhaps."

Josh's mouth fell open, and he gaped at the hybrid."Low blow, Klaus, low blow."

The hybrid wiped a hand down his face as he felt the familiar feeling of exasperation he got around Josh. He faintly heard Karina laugh to herself just before Josh chimed in.

Karina's laughter faded as she looked down at her cards before asking."Right, has anyone got any nines?"

The sound of chips cascading down onto the table made Karina's head snap up. The tribrid raised her head to be encountered with the three oldest beings at the table watching her. Elijah's chips lay scattered, something he almost obsessively fixed by quickly sorting them out into different piles, all while looking at his niece as if she'd grown a second head.

"What?"Karina softly demanded when they continued to stare at her, as if they were waiting for a punchline to a joke she'd unknowingly began."That is how you play, right?"

"Oh..."Lucien bowed his head to conceal his smile, his shoulders shaking as he quietly laughed. He covered his mouth with his hand, still attempting to hide his smile and he glanced at Karina's puzzled frown, murmuring."Oh, darling."

"I've got one-"Josh reached out to hand Karina a card only to be stopped as Klaus' hand shot out and firmly grabbed the younger male's hand making Josh gawk at him in surprise, trying to yank his hand from him."Hey, wait your turn!"

"Bloody hell."Klaus muttered, forcing Josh's hand back and telling him to keep his card to himself before he looked to his daughter, softly correcting her."You've got the wrong game, love."

"Oh!"Karina drew in a sharp breath before she started to laugh, nudging Josh with a broad smile."Ithought we were doing something wrong."

She shrugged, motioning for them to carry on."Let's do this."

"Since it's your first time we'll go a bit easy on you, all right?"Lucien said, his tone making Karina glower at him and Lucien waved a hand at the money beside him."I suppose we could just bet-"

"No, don't insult me."Karina firmly interrupted and shook her head with a defiant look."Just tell me the basics and i'll learn as I go on."

"We have been playing for many years, I implore you to listen to your father."Elijah said as he noticed Josh's childish antics as he toyed with the chips out of boredom then looked at Karina."Maybe we could talk you through it during a game of Go Fish?"

Karina raised an eyebrow, understanding her uncle's concern for 'running before she could walk' but Karina was determined. And when Karina Grace Mikaelson set her mind to something, she wouldn't give up until the had received her goal.

"I was doing magic before I could talk, uncle Elijah so i'm sure i'll do just fine with a card game."Karina valiantly stated, watching Elijah as he expertly shuffled the cards, nodding determinedly to herself."And going by how you still manage to play drunk then i'm sure we'll get the hang of it. We're plucky."

Karina turned to her friend with a keen smile."Right, Josh?"

"Huh?"The vampire looked up from where he had been stacking his chips and blinked, looking between the four as if he hadn't been listening. He looked at his friend who nodded in encouragement and smiled before shrugging."Uh, yeah. We'll take to it like a fish to water."

Josh tapped the table with a hum as Elijah returned to explaining the game, completely missing the somewhat cautious and annoyed look Klaus sent him. The hybrid frowned, studying Josh for any sign that the vampire was kidding or if, as Klaus suspected, wasn't all there. As Josh continued to smile Klaus took that as an answer to the latter and grumbled underneath his breath, rolling his eyes.

"Duck."

"Huh?"Josh glanced at Klaus then everyone else, assuming Klaus was speaking to anyone but him. But when the hybrid simply stared at the younger male, Josh frowned."What?"

Wiping a hand down his face in exasperation, Klaus answered."The saying is you'll take to it like a duck to water."

Josh frowned at the Original, narrowing his eyes as if he expected Klaus to burst out laughing. When he didn't, Josh glanced at the people around the table but when they didn't offer up a response, Josh simply chuckled and shook his head.

"Uh, no. I think you're wrong there."

Klaus didn't respond, he just turned away and urged, almost desperately, that they continue.

"Elijah!"

"That's just stupid."Josh frowned with a laugh, pausing to think it over before he flailed his hands around, voice raising a little as he grew more passionate."Fish go under water, they live under there. A duck just sits there and floats."

Josh widened his eyes as he looked to his best friend, raising his hand and extending his pointer finger. As if the rest at the table, including Klaus, couldn't see him, Josh then rotated his pointer finger before gesturing to Klaus, as if he thought her father was off his rocker.

Cuckoo for cocoa puffs, am I right?

Klaus' eyes flashed amber, and he straightened in his chair, looking ready to tear Josh limb from limb until his brother forced him to sit back down. Karina chose to ignore her father's petulance as he was refused to at least bite Josh to make himself feel better.

And the smile on Josh's face told her that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Attempting a serious expression, Karina looked over to her friend, asking. "Are you ready?"

"Nope, though i'm never ready for anything, but i'm in."

Josh quirked a playful eyebrow at Karina and friskily grinned.

"Maybe I can learn something then Aiden, and I can play sometime." He then cupped a hand over his mouth and leaned closer to his friend and stage whispered."Though, we'd bet clothes."

He turned back to face the group to find, once more, them staring at him with amused expressions. But, unlike before, Josh's cheeks didn't flush sheepishly. Instead, Josh rolled his eyes and shrugged, smiling to himself.

"Whatever. I'm not embarrassed 'cause my boyfriend's a total hottie."

Karina made a sound of agreement."Amen."

Humming in approval, Josh raised a hand and Karina quickly did the same then the pair high fived.

"And this is the duo that believes they can win against us..."Klaus trailed off with a loud laugh, downing the rest of his drink and pointing to Karina and Josh before gesturing for a refill."I'm quaking with fear in my thousand dollar boots."

Glaring at the hybrid, Karina and Josh shared a look before, in unison, they leaned to the side and looked down at Klaus' boots. Karina nudged Josh who studied them before nodding.

Karina straightened in her chair with a grin that, Klaus noticed, mirrored her mothers whenever she was up to something."You should because Josh will be wearing them by the end of the night."

Josh and Karina then nodded to one another before looking back to their cards but seemed to glance to each other every few seconds. Elijah, Klaus, and Lucien all frowned at the pair who seemed to be conversing without actually speaking to one another.

"Are we positive you don't wish to back out, love?"Lucien quietly asked after a moment, eyes on Karina as she studied her cards, waiting for her to meet his eyes before he continued."Your father, uncle and I are quite the crème de la crème at this, and we'd more than understand if you'd feel a bit overwhelmed."

A long, tired sigh was his response as Karina set down her cards.

"Oh, enough with this excessive boasting. I see no reason to be overwhelmed considering you are all predictable."Karina drawled with a sardonic grin, gesturing to her kin then Lucien with a shake of her head."You simply need to meet your match."

"Yeah..."Josh piped up in agreement, looking captivated by the stack of money before he turned to face them mouth curving up as Klaus' car keys caught his attention."It'll be like taking candy from a hybrid baby."

Klaus narrowed his eyes at Josh in annoyance, elbow shifting his car keys out of view. It was bad enough losing to Elijah.

Josh smiled to himself, fanning himself with the cards as he asked Karina."How much is his car worth?"

"I have no clue, but it's fine 'cause we'll find out when i'm pawning that..."Karina paused to point at Lucien's solid gold watch that was always proudly on show, a glimmer in her eyes as the light bounced off of it."The new iPhone's out now, right?"

Lucien followed her gaze to his watch—his most prized possession, Karina was well aware of that—and his already dark eyes clouded as he slowly shook his head at Karina.

Noticing Lucien's change in demeanor from playful nonchalance to enigmatic tenaciousness, Karina made a sound of satisfaction.

"As you wish."Lucien said after a long moment leaned back in his chair, holding his hands up in surrender with a small, daring smile, eyes pinned to Karina's."Far be it for me to stand in the way of a lady on a mission."

Thank you for reading, i hope you liked it.

I probably won't write the rest of the game because I have no idea how to play. But i've already got most of the next chapter, which is after the game, ready. All i've got to do is finish the ending which might involve Lucien and Karina being caught by someone.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter and want to read more of this story, please leave a review.