No One's POV
Jimmie Allen's song, Best Shot, flowed through the speakers of the Mikaelson mansion, Elijah dancing with his mate as Niklaus painted long, focused strokes on the canvas in his studio, Niklaus ever so often seeing the two sweep across the living room in romantic bliss; his older brother looking as if Eliza had hung the stars and moon or created the universes.
Niklaus wasn't bitter or jealous, not at all. After all, what claim did he have on Eliza? It wasn't as if there weren't long lost and buried memories of him and Eliza doing the very same thing under the street lights and in the glamorous bars of New Orleans.
1880s, New Orleans
"What do you say, darling? Care for a little dancing?" Niklaus offers, rising from their booth in the dim lit bar, the music swaying around them, couples already on the floor, and waiters and waitresses bustling around them as a singer belts out a high note.
"Dance? Oh, no. I- I couldn't." Eliza shakes her head lightly, her fingers pressing together in nervousness.
"Oh, come now, love." Niklaus encourages, fingers wiggling lightly. "Live a little."
"Well… Just for a bit." Eliza waivers, finally taking his hand and allowing him to sweep her into his arms.
"There. That's not so bad, now is it?" Niklaus smiles charmingly, his dimples showing as his eyes twinkle under the lights.
"I suppose." Eliza giggles, swaying in the Hybrid's arms.
"Are you enjoying yourself tonight, Eliza?"
"I am. Thank you, Niklaus." Eliza whispers, her head lying down against his shoulder.
"You're welcome, Eliza." Niklaus whispers back, his lips gently pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now, how about a walk along the river? I promise to keep you safe from any ruffians."
"Of that I have no doubt. Let's go." Eliza smiles, leaning into him as he leads them out into the crisp night and street lights illuminating her blonde hair and radiant smile.
Niklaus shook his head lightly, those were memories of a brighter time and future; before his dreams and hopes of eternity with his mate had gone up, quite literally, in the flames and ashes of the town.
"I love you too." Eliza echoes. "Now go. Or you're gonna hold everyone up. And play nice! Besides, you got your wish, Finn is out of the house."
"Of course, Elskan." Elijah chuckles, conceding to Eliza's logic, finally releasing his mate, and disappearing a moment later.
Hearing Elijah's BMW pull out of the driveway, Niklaus placed his paint brush down in water and palette down, striding out of his studio and into the living room to see Eliza still bopping her head to the music, it now switching over to an upbeat tune, while flipping through a magazine.
Niklaus had been actually maintaining a distance from Eliza, which he was sure was pleasing Elijah, the smug bastard; being that Elijah was coming to near physical blows with Finn over Eliza on a daily basis. But despite Niklaus lack of involvement and interaction with Eliza on a regular basis, or any basis, Niklaus wasn't a saint, he was far from it. And having Eliza in his home was far from easy, he doubted it would be easy for anyone; in fact, anyone would have to be a damn near saint to be around their mate and not do anything.
"Having any luck with the party planning?" Niklaus asks casually.
"Oh!" Eliza startles slightly at seeing the Original Hybrid. "I- yes… Some. I think I'm throwing in the towel for now. Despite your sister… And my best friends' enthusiasm."
"I happen to know all about my sister's enthusiasm." Niklaus answers a bit sarcastically. "It happens to the best of us."
Eliza laughs lightly.
"What are you working on, Nik?" Eliza asks curiously, taking the opportunity to talk to the Hybrid.
"Would you like to see?"
"I'd love to!" Eliza hops up, quick to discard the magazines and various planning things.
"Wow." Eliza looks wide-eyed at the studio and paintings and drawings scattered all around the walls and surfaces. "What are these?" Eliza drifts over to a stack of paintings leaning against the wall almost looking as if they are discarded.
"Part of my… Darker phase." Niklaus answers, all the paintings rather dark in nature, quite literally; painted in the years, decade, after losing Eliza.
"I see." Eliza offers quietly, her fingers running along the edges of the canvases, before quietly placing them back, with care and tenderness Niklaus hadn't been the receiving end of in quite some time. "So… You were going to show me something?"
"Mmm, yes. My latest painting." Niklaus hums, pulling her over to a canvas not quite finished, but a clear landscape and image appearing.
"It's beautiful, Nik." Eliza compliments.
"New Orleans, 1880." Niklaus answers, waiting for a moment, but left wanting when no recognition flicked through her expression.
"It's beautiful. It looks magical." Eliza says wistfully.
"It was."
Did anyone actually figure out the point of these last chapters? Cause I had one.
Also, you are correct. Elijah is gonna have a tough time sharing. The poor guy...
Polkadottedgiraffe11