CHAP 36:
The next morning I was gifted with a continually nice Klaus.
"Good morning sleepyhead." He murmured next to my upturned ear. Groaning in disagreement to being woken I turned my face into the pillow and grumbled incoherently. Making sure to draw the covers with me so he wouldn't see my naked body. Klaus laughed and turned me from the pillow as he leaned over the side of the bed above me. I cowered slightly when I saw his arm extending from my shoulder as I was rolled. "Sorry. I couldn't quite catch that." His eyes were warm and twinkling. I stared at him curiously for a moment. Trying to work out what his angle was today before regarding him with disinterest.
"Go away."
"No can do love." At least that's consistent.
"Why? Do I have to go out with you and get taken again today?" Came my mumbled response.
"Not, exactly." I sighed. "But lets avoid upsetting you before brunch shall we? We can discuss today's outing in a little while.
"Brunch?"
"Yes. You've slept nearly half the day again."
"That tends to happen following abuse." I said bluntly. Something flickered across Klaus' face, but was gone before I could tell what.
"In any case. Would you like your breakfast-in-bed or outside? It's a beautiful day." Warily I watched the hand he extended towards my face to tuck some hair behind my ear. Considering my options I wondered what each would entail. Would breakfast-in-bed mean I wouldn't be allowed to dress first? And would choosing to eat outside mean I'd have to dress in something vulgar, or have to dress in front of Klaus? Were there even clothes available?
"I'm not really that hungry actually." I lied, followed by my stomach growling. I cast my eyes down. Traitor.
"What's the real problem?" He asked softly and sat on the side of the bed. Scowling at him I shifted away slightly. Making a conscious effort to keep my naked body covered. "Ah." He trailed off as if in understanding. Standing from the bed he produced some clothes from their previously non-existent stores and placed them on the end of the bed. "I'll give you some privacy to get dressed." Were his parting words before leaving the room. I could only stare after him open mouthed in shock. Privacy? I get that?
Turning the covers off me I quickly got dressed. Not bothering to check if there was some other garments I could have opted for, I practically jumped into the g-string and dressy shorts. Before wrangling my breasts and putting the blouse on. It unnerved me that the sheets appeared clean and that there was no blood on my thighs. There would have been, after Klaus. But there was nothing on me at all. Had I been bathed? And had the bed been re-made? If so, both possibilities would have occurred while I slept. And assuming Klaus didn't change bed-linen, someone else would have had to be in here. And if I'd been bathed had Klaus done so, or had someone else? I didn't know which was worse. A total stranger bathing me. Seeing me naked. Or Klaus. I was happy to see my bruising had disappeared, considering my knees were on display. But was still a little stiff in places. Knuckles rapped briskly on the door.
"Are you dressed?" It was Klaus. Making an effort to preserve some of my modesty it seemed.
"No." I called. Despite the fact I practically was. Aside from tying the waist strings of the blouse behind me.
"Liar." He said as he came in through the door.
"Hey! I said I wasn't dressed!"
"And yet you are."
"That's beside the point." I countered crossing my arms beneath my breasts.
"Is it?" He moved closer. Stopping right in front of me he looked me up and down. "You look beautiful." It was hardly an impossible result of the clothing. The shorts were a dark yet rich green. While the blouse was somewhere between a beige and rose colour. Both colours would effortlessly contrast to highlight my skin and dark hair.
"Thank you." I paused awkwardly. "For stepping out while I dressed." I acknowledged sheepishly. Klaus' hands found each side of my waist.
"May I?" He enquired and turned me on the spot so my back faced him. Taking the blouse ties in his hands he drew the cut of the blouse against my waist and tied a bow in the middle of my back. Arms still crossed I allowed him to do so. Almost like I was giving my own reward for his altered behaviour. "Have you decided where you're eating?" Klaus inquired once done and turned me to face him once more. Clearing my throat I braced myself for his disapproval. Every moment he was good natured and nice, surely brought him closer to returning to his usual self. He had to be working some angle this morning, but surely his patience would wear thin if I were to push it. Whatever he was currently doing would be cast aside and he'd accomplish it in another way.
"Outside?" I part questioned, part decided while uncrossing my arms so they fell to my sides.
"Good choice." He smiled at me.
"Why is it a good choice?" I asked timidly. "Was choosing where to eat some kind of twisted test I just passed?"
"It's just a good choice Elena. No test. I was hoping you would take advantage of the beautiful weather outside."
"If you say so." I replied dubiously.
I'd left the room on Klaus' arm after I'd put up with him running his fingers carefully through my hair to make it's length presentable. As we approached the table Elijah and I had sat at the other day I saw quite a display of food. There was also material draped over the top of the table and it all looked really nice.
"Well this set-up explains why my choice was a good one." I commented.
"If you'd decided to eat inside I would have been only too happy to relocate everything." I stopped in my tracks momentarily but Klaus kept walking and tugged me along gently.
"You would be only too happy? I don't believe you'd lift a finger if that was required. You don't even do your own house-keeping." I let my scepticism be known.
"You have that little faith in me?" Klaus asked. Sounding almost surprised. "I set this all up Elena. Granted, I didn't make the food. But I've organised the occasional picnic with great success in the past." He paused while sitting me down at the table and moved to oppose me. I felt spoilt for having been given some personal space. My perusal of the table was interrupted by Klaus' next words being spoken firmly but infinitely less severe than he could have. He seemed to be full of surprises this morning. Pity it just unnerved me to no end. "You're a little judgemental this morning sweetheart. Anything else you'd like to pass judgement on? Or can we enjoy a meal civilly?" Silence stretched between us and I slowly raised my face to see him staring intensely at me. He wanted an answer. Would my answer instigate an agreement? Would I have to keep my word? Perhaps if I agreed to be civil with him and wasn't, he would switch back to normal. Deciding preventative behaviour would be the best way to proceed I nodded my head. Klaus turned out to be quite hospitable as he dished out some scrambled eggs and bacon onto a plate and set it in front of me. Then setting about dishing food onto his own plate I watched his movements. His limbs working effortlessly as they performed mundane actions, as if they only harboured human strength.
"Juice?" He offered before pouring a glass for me at my acceptance. "Is there something wrong? You haven't begun eating yet." Startled into picking up my cutlery I did begin consuming the food I'd been given.
We ate in silence. Only the clinking of cutlery on the plates and the distant chirping of birds punctuating our meal. It was Klaus who spoke first. I had a feeling it was because he felt he'd waited long enough for me to make the effort. Or voice my curiosity. I certainly made no attempt to chat with him. I was only present to eat as far as I was concerned.
"So how are you feeling this morning.?"
"Like I wasn't unnecessarily abused over night? Or would that answer and the conversation to follow, not be on-par with being civil?" I thought. Finally I opted to keep the conversation light. "Alright." Klaus nodded and fell silent again. "Actually," I began. Before faltering slightly when Klaus' eyes seemed to bore into mine. The tiniest inflection of what seemed like anger was brimming to the surface. "I-I'm confused. Why are you eating with me? And why are you acting so, nice? Is there something wrong?" Eyes softening he refilled my glass of juice without even watching. I didn't think I'd ever get used to how eerie that talent was.
"What makes you think something must be wrong?"
"Well, we've never done this before. And I haven't been spoilt like this morning since you-. Since ever. Not by you."
"There's always a first time for everything Elena. There'll be a lot of firsts for us yet. This is only our fifth day together after all. Is your breakfast, my brunch, not to your liking? I could leave." He offered. My brain stumbled over his words.
"What?" I asked for confirmation while he smirked.
"I could leave you to eat by yourself." What is he playing at?
"You'd do that? Leave me just because I want to be alone. Or at the very least away from you?"
"Have I not done so at other times? I left you by yourself the night I collected you and brought you here." He reasoned.
"When?"
"After." Came his simple response. Frowning I tried to control my dislike of Klaus from angering me, since I hadn't yet been forced into anything or injured yet this morning. I was on a roll, best not sabotage myself.
"After you raped me? I didn't ask to be left alone. I wouldn't have been able to if I'd wanted. You weren't acquiescing any request."
"It was more an intuitive courtesy." I snorted at the ridiculous notion.
"You? Courteous? Who'd have thought? And that is completely different. You are always, always in control Klaus." I paused and eyed him warily. "Except perhaps last night." Sighing I rested my wrists on the table, my cutlery in each hand. A pose which could be likened to surrender. Dropping my weapons and allowing Klaus all the power. In a way it was fitting. I needed to stop challenging him. It would be best for me to just do as he says without protest. As hard as that may be. I felt I was coming to that conclusion in any case. "If I were to ask you to leave me alone right now and you did. It would only be because you've already decided yourself to do so. I don't have any control here. Regardless of whatever game you're continuing to play this morning to delude me into thinking otherwise." I said gloomily and began eating from my plate again.
Klaus didn't vocalise a come back for a few minutes. By the time he'd decided to say anything more, I'd finished what he'd put on my plate and had begun eating a croissant. Selecting some assorted fruit from the mixture resembling a small variation of fruit salad as I did. Exhaling in resignation when Klaus sat next to me having moved, I looked off across the grounds as he began a soft murmur next to my ear closest him.
"You feel you have no control? When you're like you are now and I don't have to keep disciplining you, you're irresistible. That in itself is something you control. The power you hold over me with your femininity, and the mere presence of your body is in itself something you control. I almost loath the fire you've ignited in me Elena. It rarely abates, and it makes me impatient for my bind to be lifted. For you will be my queen when I am free to do as I please with our combined blood. If I were any less of a man I might admit you consume me. Every time I'm with you the anticipation of co-existence between you and I rises within me. I long for a connection with someone Elena. Everything about you is so real, so strong. I can't help but want each of us to be the other's whole world."
"If you're lucky, the novelty will wear off soon." Was all I could manage to counter his extremely odd and seemingly heartfelt words. I mean, come on. Klaus saying all this? Worse, Klaus meaning all this? It wasn't possible.
"I don't want it to. I have needs and desires my love." Ugh! "Just having you in my bed comforts me in a way I didn't know I required." That sounded somewhat human.
"You respond far too excessively to my body. I think you've clouded lust and power with your greed to find how intimate, to use a more tasteful word; we've been so meaningful. If what you're saying is genuine." Klaus chuckled while I moved on to my selected pieces of fruit, skewering some rock melon with my fork. "In fact I think you're confusing the release and feeling of contentment from sex with something more."
"I'm rarely confused sweetheart." Countered Klaus as I popped the cubed piece of fruit in my mouth.
"Lucky for you. Because I'm damn confused right now. You're not capable of what you're saying."
"How would you know?"
"Well, I don't. Because all I know of you is that you're obsessed with power and enjoy inflicting pain."
"Maybe you should get to know me."
"No thanks." He placed his hand on my lower back.
"Which leads into what I require of you today. We're going on a date." I coughed when my breath caught in my throat.
"No." Watching my fork stab my next piece of fruit I saw Klaus' arm reach over the table in front of me and shied back violently from the table. Tucking my head in and awkwardly seeming to throw myself backwards. My plate clattered as my fork fell to it and both were shoved forward against everything else on the table. Even his supposedly heartfelt words did nothing to alleviate my reaction to his arm movements. Especially when I was resisting him. However minimally. Sound was lost to me other than my heart thundering in my ears, having gone from relatively relaxed to fearful so suddenly. Klaus steadied my tipping backwards and I saw him retract his arm with a piece of toast in hand. Rolling my eyes mentally I squared my shoulders and calmly picked up my still forked piece of fruit and placed it in my mouth.
"Yes." He corrected in a voice that was gentle and comforting. "I wasn't asking you on a date Elena. It is required of you. I made a mistake yesterday, and again last night. I don't want to break you. I didn't plan to treat you as I did. But since I have, my error has made me re-think how I am to proceed. Ultimately, I want us to be a unit. I can't and don't want you shying away from me like you are now. You'll have to move past your confusion sweetheart, because my approach will be far different from now on. If you haven't noticed we haven't actually spent time just talking. So a date will be beneficial for us to do so. I am not an unfeeling man. Nor a careless one. At some point I had intended to become more personal with you. Move past using you once time wasn't so restricting. However, since I'm altering my course prematurely. I was hoping you would find me more agreeable and be more willing to respond to me." Klaus teeth tore into the crisp bread with a clean crunch.
Considering his words only meddled with my mind. It kinda sounded like he was going to try wooing me. A twisted notion, but perhaps more bearable. Except that I didn't want to just talk with him. I wouldn't know what to talk about on this date that I was expected to go on with him. Mind you. I'd very nearly resigned myself to oblige his every wish now. If he wanted to date, it was just another thing I had to do for him. For my family.
"Once you calmed down. Were you still of the mind to leave my family alone? So alone that they remain alive? I-know-I-wasn't-good-enough-and-you-told-me-what-would-happen-if-I-didn't-do-as-you-asked. But it was accidental. I didn't mean to-." He cut me off as my words blended together in a rush.
"Hush. I know. We've been over this. They're alive and well."
"Thank you." I finally turned my head to look him in the eyes.
"We all make mistakes. Yesterday you made a few and they've since been forgiven. Know that while I will be more docile I will still be firm if you need reprimanding. I also have an image to uphold in front of my familiars." Nodding I looked down at the remaining fruit on my plate and exhaled slowly. Jeremy and Jenna were okay and I would damn well keep it that way.
"Look. I decided from the start once you threatened my family, to do as you asked. The difficulty in actually doing that, has been more than I could handle; without fighting you. You may have noticed, I've lost some of that fight? I want to do what you ask of me."
"So you will happily accompany me out this evening to a restaurant of my choosing?" Looking up at him again I almost grimaced.
"Does it have to be a restaurant?"
"Mhmm." Came his throaty response before taking another bite of his toast, a smirk forming on his face despite the movement of his jaw as he chewed.
Once I'd finished my breakfast Klaus cleared everything away and left me. Allegedly he was off to busy himself for a while and didn't want me to distract him, so I was welcome to do as I pleased by myself. It really was a beautiful day so I'd lain back on my bench seat and looked up at the sky for a while. Not thinking about anything in particular. Just reviewing everything.
I was almost to the point of just existing in Klaus' plans. Sick of the pain. I was ashamed that I couldn't maintain my resistance against Klaus. It hadn't taken long to be so worn out by physical and mental attacks with a little blackmail on the side for me to cave. Elijah had warned me of what Klaus was like I supposed. Elijah. Today was his third day of staying away. Would he be back during the day or in the evening so he completes the third day of absence? Ultimately I had to think of my family before myself. All I ever wanted was for everyone to be happy as a bare minimum. We'd all been so sad and gloomy following the accident. Though I couldn't grieve as with them as I would have liked, I'd have to be a complete stranger not to notice all the tells. Jenna had been so chirpy nearly all the time. Her way of being brave and trying to inflect some lighter moments to break through Jeremy's gradual isolation. Sure he wasn't home most of the time and seemed to surround himself with a closely knit group of friends. Getting up to the normal teenage mischief. But just because you're among others doesn't mean you're actually a part of them. He was there for the drugs. For the talk of anything other than reality, and the ignorance of those around him. Ignorance kind of like the whole world had regarding all the supernaturals that they regarded as fictional. Others, somewhere, surely knew the truth. How else would supernatural beings have become so realistic in their fictional state?
Sitting up and stretching the back of my mind gnawed at my conscience. Something had to be done, because at some point my contraceptive implant would no longer do it's job. There had to be something. Some solution of some kind. Even though Jonas and Elijah seemed to be up to something. I wasn't willing to lay in wait for some master plan to unfold. It was time to go see Jonas. Even if just to have some pleasing company for a while. Ultimately, I just needed to take charge. It was up to me to find a solution, however minimal. I'd already felt responsible for working out a personal solution to such a personal problem. But I hadn't had a chance to act or plan anything. I'd been otherwise engaged.
Heading inside, my journey was going to take me past Klaus and a few of his vampires at what served as the dining table. They were talking quietly amongst themselves until their chatter died away. Glancing their way showed a calm Klaus as though he was just sitting with mates. His easy posture was incredibly misleading. Leaning on his elbows against the surface of the surface of the table he seemed completely unguarded. But I knew better. In a moment he'd rip your spine from your body if the need arose. How am I thinking of that so easily? It's not normal to be so accustomed to harm. Among Klaus' company was Arty and while I felt rude for not making any acknowledgement, I didn't know whether I should seem chummy with him. So I opted for ignorance. Focusing back on Klaus to see his eyes travelling up my body I watched his mouth curve smoothly into a smirk. Really? Is it not possible to observe without perving? Right forearm shifting, his index finger caught my attention as it produced a come hither motion. Smirking myself, seductively, I began swaying my hips sexily and veered off-course toward him. Nearing him Klaus pushed himself back from the table and sat back. Inviting me to sit on his lap. Doing so before kissing the corner of his mouth I trailed my fingers along his jaw. His arms encapsulated my waist in an easy motion and he held me intimately against his chest.
"I thought you were supposed to be busy." I said. My voice a mixture of seductive depth and a trace of a whispering drawl I didn't even know I was capable of, before melding our lips again to kiss his mouth fully.
"I am." He replied as he nibbled his lips against mine once I'd backed off my display. "I'm just waiting for my visitor to arrive."
"I see." As if distractedly I smoothed out a small area on the front of his shirt."Anyone I know?"
"Not yet."
"Should I stay for an introduction or can I continue on to Jonas and Greta's?" I looked up to check if his face indicated that hanging out with the witch and warlock wasn't allowed.
"You can continue on your way. May as well maintain the suspense for my Reveal rather than spoil the occasion prematurely." He reasoned, as if actually considering whether or not to introduce me.
"Okay." I rose languidly from Klaus' lap. Turning on the spot with my hand on his shoulder closest me I looked at the other vampires so as not to be rude and curved my lips slightly upwards. Pausing slightly longer in my regard of Arty I hoped he understood my position. I had appreciated his and Jack's kindness and humour. So I wouldn't want either of them to think otherwise. Letting my hand slide slowly off Klaus' shoulder before walking away, I sent my hips back and forth again and again. I made it a few meters away before looking back sexily at Klaus who's eyes were on my bum. Yuck. "Later." I called softly before departing in pursuit of some better company.