Chapter Twenty Eight: The Ones We Love

"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul." -Pablo Neruda

Ooo0ooO

Klaus stared into the mirror in front of him, eyes locked with his reflections'. They were surrounded by dark circles, and his face seemed more drawn, more tired, than usual. For the first time in a long time, Klaus felt his reflection revealed the age he actually was, not the age he appeared to be.

His gaze slid down, to the bare patch of skin between his throat and shoulder. He had noticed the mark there had healed at some point, and his eyes bore into the new skin, as though he could bring it back by sheer willpower. But, when it didn't resurface, he rubbed the spot and tried to ignore the twinge in his chest.

Irritably, he turned away from the mirror, leaning against the cool tiled counter.

"Penny for your thoughts, brother?"

Klaus glanced to his left, where Kol was standing at the doorway of the bathroom. "I do believe I asked to be left alone," Klaus said softly.

"Yes, you say you wish to be left alone, but you really don't. After a thousand years, I think I know your habits."

Klaus sighed, rubbing a finger against his eyes. "What is it, Kol?"

"I've been thinking-,"

"A dangerous feat."

Kol ignored him. "I've been thinking that perhaps this brooding, piss poor attitude of yours is unnecessary."

Klaus' expression hardened. "Careful, brother mine. We all know what happens when my 'piss poor attitude' gets worse."

"Threaten me all you like, but I think that you suspect there's more behind all of this than what we saw."

"What I say was the woman I l-... cared for, rip apart my vampires, then my protégé and my sister- our sister- because I was foolish enough to believe she... she..."

"Loved you?" Kol asked point blank, lifting a dark brow.

Klaus looked away, his eyes as hard and cold as sapphires.

"Oh, brother, you are a fool," the youngest Mikaelson sighed. "And they call me the family idiot." When he saw the venomous glare aimed his way, Kol rolled his eyes in response. "Of course she bloody loved you. She loves you, as you love her. It's as obvious as... what do the humans say? It's as plain as the nose on your face."

Klaus scoffed.

Kol suddenly was next to him, cuffing him on the ear.

"Bloody hell!" Klaus exclaimed. "You are not Mother, Kol!"

"No, I'm not, but someone has to act like the adult since you're very set on acting like a prat!"

The two brothers scowled at each other.

"You know I'm right," Kol finally emphasized.

"How can you be so sure? You barely know her. The first thing you said about her was hardly kind."

"I didn't say I wasn't an idiot either," Kol sighed. "But you know her. What are your instincts telling you?"

Klaus frowned. Unconsciously, he reached up, rubbing his shoulder.

Ooo0ooO

With her eyes closed, Hayley inhaled deeply, drawing in the now familiar scents around her. She knew the forests, the flowers, the wildlife... she knew the distant sounds of the Quarter, and for once, the familiarity was not comforting.

She sat in the middle of a clearing, which was carved into a nearly perfect circle, right in a patch of sunlight. She was barefoot, dressed casually against the sudden rise in humidity.

Eve had taught her how to meditate a long time ago, when she was first learning how to connect with her inner wolf. Eve explained that meditation, especially in nature, helped one connected more deeply with the wolf, using your surroundings as a kind of anchor between the two.

"The wolf within is tied to nature just like any other animal. It changes because of the moon, and is home amongst the trees. If you find that you feel disconnected from your wolf, return to the woods. Use it to anchor yourself, like how a tree roots itself deep into the earth."

Ever since she had been cursed, Hayley felt very distant from her inner wolf. She was hesitant to shift, and she found herself fighting with it internally.

This was the first time in her life that she was fighting her true nature. She had always accepted the wolf. She was the wolf, just as the wolf was her. There was hardly a distinction between the two, at least, not until now.

She shuddered against the memories of tearing into Marcel and Rebekah. Even cursed, she had been awake and aware, but it was as though she had been trapped within her body, unable to stop her actions. She had screamed and tore at the barriers that prevented her from taking control, and had only been given it back when it was too late.

Hayley sucked in a sharp breath, squeezing her eyes shut even tighter against the tears that threatened to build up.

When she opened her eyes again, she flopped down on her back with a sigh. She stared up at the sky, which was streaked with clouds, and for a moment she traced different shapes in them.

Looking away, her gaze turned to the side. To her right was a flower, bending under the weight of a bumble bee. The bee hungrily ate the nectar, spotted with yellow pollen. When it flew off the flower, it flew over Hayley's nose, which she scrunched in an attempt to keep out of its path.

When the bee was at a safe distance, Hayley sat up and got to her feet slowly. She brushed off the grass and dirt from her legs.

"You got some in your hair."

Hayley's green eyes warmed slightly. "I'm still more pretty than you."

Tyler walked over, scoffing. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "You wish."

Hayley let him pick the stray blade of glass from her hair. She then shoved it up into a tail, keeping it off her neck. "Is everything okay?"

"You tell me."

"Tyler..."

"Hayley, you're like my sister. We grew up together. I know you. You're not okay."

Hayley scuffed her toe into the grass, frowning.

"I see the mark healed."

Hayley's lip curled back slightly. "Not the new one."

Tyler's gaze looked at the bruise like, hand shaped mark on Hayley's arm. "You've had worse."

"That's not the point," she said softly.

"No," Tyler agreed. "But like the other one, this one will fade."

Hayley wrapped her arms around her middle. She began to walk, and Tyler fell in step beside her. They went on that way for a while, slowly making their way back to the pack, not saying much, but instead listening to the sounds of the surrounding woods.

It was only later, under the cover of shadow and the moonlight, when Hayley shifted into her wolf form again. She stayed still for a long moment, centering herself, before going off on her own.

Ooo0ooO

A soft sound woke Klaus from a deep sleep in the middle of the night. It sounded almost like a whisper, calling to him.

Furrowing his brow, Klaus rolled out of bed. He ran a hand through his tostled curls, sighing. He went to the balcony doors, opening them slowly.

The air was cool and filled with the scents that came with the New Orleans nightlife; the night blooming flowers, coffee, and smoke.

The sound came again, this time whispering through the soft breeze. He realized it wasn't a whisper at all, but a very faint howl.

His eyes flashed gold instinctively as his wolf recognized the call of another. He tilted his head, trying to see if it was the howl he was so familiar with...

In a span of five seconds, Klaus was out of the Abattoir, posed at the end of the forest. The call seemed louder now, echoing along the trees. His chest ached as he kept listening.

The howl was long and deep, rich with a feeling that resounded within Klaus. He felt it mirror the emotion pounding through him, and he didn't think before he shifted, plunging into the woods.

The gray wolf entered a clearing, which was shaped like a circle. In the middle stood another wolf, whose gold eyes held an expression like it had been waiting for him to arrive.

Ooo0ooO

Miles away, sitting in the middle of a runed circle, Celeste chanted an old, dark spell. The fire in front of her crackled and sparked, flaming a deep blue from the extreme heat.

Outside the circle, Alaric paced like a jungle cat. His eyes flickered oddly in the light, and he casted a long shadow behind him, and in it sat the other Hunters.

Celeste inhaled deeply, then brought up her hand, which she fisted quickly. The fire suddenly was extinguished, leaving them all in the dark. When the fire started again, it stayed low, burning a deep orange now.

Smirking, the witch stood slowly, stretching her arms above her head. "Mmm," she purred.

"What did you see?"

"Patience, Ric. All good things to those who wait."

A hardness crossed over Alaric's expression, making his eyes cold and jaw clench. "Celeste."

"All is going according to plan," she assured him. "But remember, the future can change. Nothing is certain."

The eldest Hunter relaxed only slightly. "Will you be on your way then?"

The witch nodded. "As much fun as this has been, the King and I don't really get along. Besides, I'm not one to stay in one place too long. I get bored."

The Hunter gave her an impassive look. "Well, I'll be sorry to see you go."

Celeste smirked, moving close so she could trail a finger down his chest. "You could always come with me. I could use the company."

Alaric smiled slowly, which made Celeste's eyes lit up. She leaned even closer, giving him an alluring smile.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline," Alaric said softly.

There was a flash of silver, and Celeste gave a sharp gasp. She looked down, and saw a runed knife- her runed knife- embedded deep in her chest. She looked back up, blood slipping from her lips.

The witch collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around her. Her unblinking eyes stared into the fire, which slowly died as she did.

Alaric turned to face the others, his expression cool. "Never leave behind any loose ends," he told them calmly. "Now, clean this up and dispose of the body well. We don't need her brothers and sisters itching for revenge."

Ooo0ooO

The light of dawn broke across the Quarter, bringing in an array of colors streaking across the sky. The air was slow to warm, and dew was sprinkled across the grass and the trees.

Two figures lounged in the middle of a clearing, their bare forms exposed to the rising sun.

Klaus woke first. He was stretched out on his stomach, his cheek pillowed against his arm. Next to him was Hayley, who was on her side, with an arm draped across her chest.

Klaus' eyes traced over her slowly. Her skin was dewy like the grass, warm and soft next to him. He reached out to touch the mark on her arm, which was now familiar to him. But he didn't linger there long, because his eyes were set on something that was both new and familiar as well.

A fresh bite mark was etched into her shoulder once again, deep and pink, which was a stark contrast to her smooth, tan skin.

Klaus smirked, knowing its matching mate sat on his own shoulder.

Hayley stirred, then sighed, opening her hazel eyes to meet his gaze.

They stared at each other for a long while, both of them recounting the events that had happened last night...

Ooo0ooO

Flashback- The Previous Night

The timber wolf watched as the others wolf entered the clearing. She stayed where she was, waiting for him to approach her.

When he did, she allowed herself to shift back. She stood tall, with a calm expression that didn't give away the turmoil she felt within.

Klaus shifted as well, meeting her gaze steadily.

Hayley grounded herself. Part of her wanted to rush forward, to jump into his arms. But she held herself back, since she was unsure about going to him. The last time they had seen each other, she had attacked his sister and his protégé.

"I thought I heard you, little wolf," he said softly.

"I'm glad you came," she replied, her relief expressed in her equally soft tone.

"Why did you call?"

"I owe you an explanation."

"Hayley-,"

"No, Klaus, please. Please. I have to tell you... or... maybe it'd be easier to show you."

Klaus frowned, watching as she stepped back slightly. His eyes widened briefly when she took off the long sleeved shirt she was wearing. His eyes ghosted over her, but when they landed on the giant bruise on her arm, he froze.

Quietly, calmly, she told him exactly what happened. She told him about the witch, about the spell. She told him how she had lost control of her wolf, and hadn't been able to stop herself from attacking the ones he was close to.

When she was done, she apologized once, with feeling. Her lip quivered for a moment, but she bit it, her eyes now lowered. She slipped her shirt back on, and waited.

Klaus stared at her. He found he wasn't able to move, or think, or speak. His mind was buzzing with too many thoughts, and his body seemed to swell with an influx of emotions.

When she hesitantly met his gaze once more, he stepped towards her. Klaus stopped momentarily when she flinched. He reached out, stroking her chin with the pad of his thumb.

"I'm sorry too," he finally said, breaking the tense silence.

"But you didn't-,"

"I never should have doubted you. You have never done anything to betray my trust."

Hayley's eyes looked like liquid amber in the moonlight, fathomless. "I never will, you know."

Something loosened inside Klaus' chest, and he breathed easier. "I know. I know," he repeated, before he leaned down to capture her lips with his.

They shared a passionate kiss, which Hayley broke away from first. She leaned up into her toes, balancing her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes looked deeply into his. "Klaus," she murmured. "I..."

Klaus cut her off with another kiss. He answered her through his passion, his desire, speaking with his lips and hands. He set her down on the grass, and showed her how he felt. He worshipped her slowly, with nothing between them but the earth and the night sky.

When they laid side by side afterwards, silence enveloped them once more. Hayley turned to face him. Her shoulder was still sore from his teeth digging into her skin at the peak of his release, but she smirked, eyeing his matching mark.

"What are you thinking, little wolf?"

Hayley leaned down, kissing the mark on his shoulder. She nuzzled his neck, burying herself closer to him. "I think...No." She shook her head a little. "I know." She pulled back a little, cupping his cheek. "I love you."

Klaus released a breath he felt he had been holding for centuries. He pulled her rightly against him, kissing her and the mark on her shoulder. He tucked the hair away from her face, framing it gently with his hands. He brushed his thumb over her cheek in turn. "I love you as well, my little wolf."

Hayley grinned, then laughed when he pressed her back into the grass, peppering her skin with soft, loving kisses. She clenched him close, and was determined never to let him go.

Flashback Ends

Ooo0ooO

"We should head back."

Klaus nodded, rolling over to grab their clothes. Both of them dressed quickly, then stood in the clearing for a moment, watching the sun climb higher in the sky.

"Now what?" Hayley asked quietly.

Klaus pulled her against his side, kissing her shoulder. "Come back with me."

She thought about it, then met his gaze. "The Hunters have witches on their side. They think we are... not together."

Klaus recognized the look on her face. "What are you planning, my little wolf?"

"I'm thinking we use that to our advantage."

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own the Originals.

Author's Note: This was probably my favorite chapter to write out of all my fanfictions, honestly. Besides for obvious reasons, I'm enjoying writing Klayley in an open, honest relationship.

This chapter was inspired by Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur & Mirrors by Justin Timberlake, which was recommended by XXxxKlayleyLoverxxXX (great username, by the way).

Please review!