His mind on his date with Eleanor for dinner that evening, Lucifer whistled happily to himself, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve under his blazer as he made his way to the library, pausing as he passed by the half-open door of his youngest son. Milo was staring into a mirror, his shirt hiked up as he looked at something on his belly that Lucifer couldn't see from the door.
His wife was always encouraging him not to be afraid to take initiative when it came to bonding with the children and checking on their welfare, and the look on his son's face told him this would be the perfect opportunity. He knocked, but Milo made no indication that he'd heard. He tried once more with the same result, so he just decided to stride in. "Hello, my favorite youngest son," he said with a smile. "I've come to visit you. I hope that's all right."
Milo jumped about a mile in the air and quickly covered his belly to give his grinning father a look. "I'm your only youngest son," he pointed out, then grabbed a comb to get a bit of hair that had fallen into his eyes back in order.
Lucifer shrugged. "Who's counting really. I mean, I know we're at eight, but..." He trailed off, trying to see if he could get an idea of what was going on under his son's t-shirt. It was clearly something troubling, or his face wouldn't have been screwed up the way it was.
"What?" Milo asked. "Dad, are you all right?"
"Are you?" Lucifer returned. "I can't help but notice you still have some unease about what happened at the wedding. I mean with what's going on on your belly. What is it, anyway?"
Milo rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Why is it so important for you to know, Dad? It's nothing that will kill me. Can't you just let it go?"
"Well...I want you to know that I care about your well-being," Lucifer got out. "And if something is wrong...if you're injured or in some sort of distress, or-"
His words cut off swiftly when Milo lifted up his shirt to show his "M" branding, realizing that if he didn't tell him, his father would probably get his mother involved against his will and that would be even worse. "There. That's what happened at the wedding. Are you happy now?"
Lucifer's jaw dropped. "Dad in heaven, what the hell happened to you?" He asked.
"Ha ha," Milo drawled.
"I mean it," Lucifer insisted. "Who in the world did that to you? No wonder your mother's been up in arms about it! If she saw it, she'd probably be even angrier!"
"She branded me!" Milo cried. "Can you believe it?"
"Who?" Lucifer asked.
Milo scoffed. "Natalie Mikaelson, that goody-two shoes. She branded me like a cow!" He paused. "The 'M' is for Mikaelson, in case I forgot."
"Natalie Mikaels-oh, dear, are you serious?" Lucifer turned his head so that Milo wouldn't see he was trying hard not to laugh. "You know, technically it could also be for Morningstar," he pointed out.
"Yes, but why would Natalie want to look at it that way?" Milo asked. "She's just trying to...to...use me to do her bidding and make me some sort of...sex slave!"
"Oh, oh, oh," Lucifer was pacing around now, eyes on the floor as he thought of what to do next.
"Oh, what?" Milo asked with a bloodthirsty grin. "Did you think of a good way to make her pay? Is it slow and painful? Can I help?"
"I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind," Lucifer nodded. "And if you asked her, I'm sure she'd be more than happy to use her magic to remove that mark of yours. In fact, she'd probably insist."
"No, and you can't tell her!" Milo demanded. "This needs to stay right where it is so I can remember how angry I am, take my revenge, and make it good and painful!"
"Yes, I know," Lucifer drawled, a twinkle in his eye. "Because you hate the girl so much."
Milo scoffed. "Don't look like that. Of course I hate her. Didn't you see her at the wedding?" He shuddered and hoped it was convincing.
"Oh, yes, I did see her," Lucifer nodded. "Legs for days, a sweet rounded face and a lovely bob haircut showing off nice red hair. Such an ugly duckling," Lucifer teased.
"Yeah, see?" Milo blushed. "I knew you saw her. I'm amazed she had the gall to show her stupid face!"
"Well, now that we've had a chance to talk and it's been made clear to me that you're as fine as you'll ever be, I'll let you stew in whatever dislike you think you feel for Natalie Mikaelson. I have a date with your mother and I hate to keep her waiting." He strode to the door and paused, his hand on the doorknob as Milo cleared his throat. "Yes? Something else?" He asked, turning a little.
"I don't want details, so you can just say 'yes' or 'no'", Milo said. "But..since you don't seem too shocked about what's happened to me, has...has Mom ever branded you? Do you have one too?"
"No," Lucifer shook his head sadly, as the idea began to settle comfortably in his mind. "No, she hasn't yet, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind thinking about it if I asked."
Amy parked her car in front of the house she used to call "home", got out, and ran up the steps, pausing in front of the door and taking a deep breath to regain her composure. "You are only here to pick up your things," she told herself. "And he probably hates you enough that he's not going to try and win you back." She looked down at her outfit, a pair of jeans, blouse, and jacket Kol had bought her. It was strange, but that made her feel secure, as if he were wrapped around her. It gave her courage.
Knowing that she had another roof over her head, that she wasn't stuck here, gave her courage also. Kol had talked to the building owner, convincing him to sell her the small apartment at a reasonable price. She knew it was worth more, but she wasn't going to question what Kol had said or done to convince the man to agree to what he was charging. She was more than happy to just take the keys and begin her new life as an independent woman.
She turned the handle and, since it was unlocked, let herself in, but only took a few steps before she noticed Klaus, sitting an an armchair and glaring at her. "Hello, Amy," he hissed, his lips becoming an evil grin. "I bet you're surprised to see me here."
"No...no, of course not. It's your house," Amy said, chin up. "Why wouldn't you be at your house?" Truth be told, she was a bit unnerved; Maybe it wa because he was a hybrid, but he'd always been able to since that she was near. "Now, Klaus-"
"Did you enjoy your stay at Kol's?" He interrupted. "Isn't that where you ran off to without so much as a word after the wedding?"
Amy decided not to answer that. "I just came to get my things," she told him, trying not to look him in the eye. "Then I'll be out of your way."
Klaus let out a low whistle. "The sex was that good, was it?" He paused. "Well, you can be proud of yourself now that you've checked every Mikaelson man off the list of men to lure into your bed. I mean, if you're not counting Mikael. And of course, Aleksandr's dead."
She walked toward the stairs, letting a song fill her head so she wouldn't hear what he was saying and take the bait. "I've filed the divorce papers at the Council," she said. "It shouldn't take long for you to receive them since I want nothing more from you than to make a clean break and end this. After we both get copies of the papers, then we'll be free of each other."
"I can see how much the thought is killing you," Klaus drawled. "Or do you like being Kol's whore? It must have its advantages."
Amy straightened her spine and put her hands on her hips after whipping around to face him. She knew it was reckless, but there was only one thing to say now: "You know what, Klaus? I loved being Kol's whore!"
Klaus went pale and then the control she'd held onto broke, tears falling down her cheeks. "And do you know why?" She cried out in frustration. "Cause in just the past few days, your brother has given me more respect, and care than you did at any point we were together! You can call me a whore, you can call me a tramp. You can call me whatever you want. But regardless of what you call me, unlike you, I'll be able to say, with my head held high, that I have never treated you as callously...as horribly, as you treated me at the wedding! You're letting your hatred for your stepfather consume you. Letting you throw away everything that matters. And that makes you worse than me. You're ruining your own life. And I'm done expending the energy helping you pick up the pieces. So I don't care if you call me a whore; If being a whore got me a little bit of happiness and a chance for me to forget you ever existed, I'll take it! Especially if your brother is the one giving me love and respect. At least someone is!"
Klaus chuckled. "Oh, you see what's been going on with you and Kol as him giving you love and respect? Come now, love. I thought you were smarter than that. I thought you would notice that all he ever wanted was to get into your panties." He stood up. "And he succeeded. But what makes him better than me, when he's using you to sate his urges too?"
Amy's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"You were the one he wanted, Amy," Klaus said, a grin curving his lips. "Getting you was the goal. Margot was just...just a placeholder until he could have what he really desired. He had to have someone in his bed while he watched you be with me, then Elijah, then me again." He shrugged, but that wicked grin was still on his lips. He was clearly enjoying torturing her like this. "He couldn't have you, so he found a redhead that looked just like you; do you think he called her Amy in bed from time to time? They only had one child, so I wonder..."
Amy's hands, which had been at her sides, balled into fists as her whole body went rigid. "You lying son of a bitch!" She yelled. "You're so consumed with hate that someday soon, you're gonna find yourself alone. A pathetic, selfish hybrid no one would touch with a ten-foot pole."
Klaus was startled by this, but only showed it for a second before continuing his plan to hurt her as much as possible. "I know I wasn't the man you wanted me to be, at the wedding, I mean. But that's always been our problem, hasn't it? You've always tried to turn me into the saint that is your dream man when we both know that will never be possible. So I wish you all the happiness in the world with your new boy toy, Amy. I just wonder how long it will last. How long you'll go? Cause we both know you get bored after a man has been in your bed for too long. I bet you mean to eventually add Kol to your list of conquests."
Amy decided to change the subject, even though she knew it wouldn't help anything. "Don't do this to Natalie; don't hurt your daughter this way. She doesn't deserve it." Then she sniffled and wiped a tear or two off her cheek before turning on her heel and striding up the stairs to the bedroom to get her things.
Meanwhile Klaus waited until she was out of sight before lowering his eyes to the floor, letting out a growl, and punching a hole in the wall.
"What are you making?" Ricky asked Selina as he entered the kitchen, sniffed appreciatively, then hopped onto a nearby bar stool, a smile gracing his lips.
"Pancakes for tonight," Selina said and grinned back. "And chocolate mousse for dessert. I hope no one minds it's not particularly healthy."
"I know I don't mind," Remiel remarked, appearing and surprising them both before embracing Selina, and then Ricky. "It smells delicious."
When she sat down beside her, he grabbed her wrist to kiss it. "You smell wonderful," he remarked. "Have I told you that yet today?"
"No, but...I just took a shower," Remiel told him and then smirked. "I'm still used to hearing that compliment from you. Cause we both know it hasn't always been something you'd say to me."
"Oh, don't waste time dwelling on that," Selina urged and gave her a wink. "Those days are behind you."
Ricky smiled. "I bet you're glad the wedding of the century is behind you," he teased his grandmother.
"Oh, you have no idea!" Selina shook her head. "Mikael and I are at peace now but I was on edge all day, waiting for something to go wrong and for him to blame me for it."
"Speaking of Mikael," Remiel got out, "have either you or Elijah heard from them since they left for their honeymoon? It's kind of strange Klaus let them have it on his island."
"Oh, it's really not," Selina shook her head, holding the spoon that she was stirring the mousse with in the air. "It's a plan of action, I think. I wonder if he's up to something. And Elijah got a text. Apparently everything is wonderful, the weather is amazing, and they're having the time of their eternal lives."
"That's nice," Lucas said without missing a beat as he strode into the kitchen and stole the mousse spoon from Selina's hand to lick it. "I'm happy for great-great-great grandfather."
"Hey, give that back," Selina scolded.
"What?" Lucas asked. "It's delicious!"
"But it was my stirring spoon and now it's covered with spit!" Selina groaned. "Fine, I'll just get another one."
"I'm happy for them," Remiel smiled. "They really looked like they were in love!"
Selina then looked up and smiled as Elijah entered the kitchen. "Well, look who's here? I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any other questions, Remiel."
But as Elijah got closer, they saw that he had no color in his face and was clutching his throat.
"Grandpa, are you all right?" Ricky asked, approaching his grandfather while Selina wiped her hands. "What's wrong?"
"I...I...oooohhh!" Elijah tried to speak, but no words came out, just babbling.
"Everybody shush," Selina commanded and the others leaned forward to hear. "Clearly he's trying to say something, and it must be juicy, otherwise he wouldn't look like that!"
"B...bbbbb...ooo..ahh..." They watched Elijah continue to try and speak but nothing sensible came out.
"Maybe he's ill or choking," Remiel guessed. "Maybe we should get him to a hospital! Is he having trouble breathing?"
"No, sweetie, he's a vampire. We don't need to breathe, at least not like humans do." Selina shook him gently. "Honey, you need to say words! We can't understand you!"
Elijah shook his head and gave her small push to put her at arms' length and she was awed that even in the state he was in, his look of disapproval was still perfect.
"I know, maybe he's having a panic attack!" Lucas guessed. He nudged Selina aside and grabbed a pad of paper and a pen. "Okay, let's take this slow. Can you give me the first letter? Or act it out like charades?"
Elijah nodded and tried his best. "Aaaaaaa..."
"Aaaaaa..." they repeated.
"Mmmmm..."
They repeated this and Selina rolled her eyes. "This is gonna take a long time, isn't it?"
Elijah gave her a look and pounded his fist on the island.
"Sorry, sorry," she apologized. "Keep going!"
"Okay, we have an A and and M so far," Lucas clarified for the group.
"Iiiiii..." Elijah continued.
"Amy!" Remiel burst out, very proud of herself. "Are you trying to say 'Amy'?"
Elijah nodded.
"Okay, now this is getting interesting!" Selina perked up. "What's going on with Amy?"
"Kkkkk..."
"Kol!" Lucas got out.
"Good job, son!" Ricky cried out as he and Lucas bumped fists.
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere," Selina nodded. "What's going on with Amy and Kol?"
Elijah put both his hands on the table, palms out.
"They're praying?" Ricky guessed, not able to come up with anything else.
Elijah hit his fist on he counter again, then, groaning, made a circle with the fingers of one hand and stuck another finger through it.
"I get it!" Lucas cried gleefully. "They're fucking, aren't they? Am I right?" Then he realized what he said and made a face. "Ewww! Shit!"
"They're together?" Selina's eyes were wide. "Are you sure?" She was absolutely shocked.
Elijah nodded and tried to talk again without any luck.
Ricky put a hand on Selina's arm. "Wow, I did not see that one coming."
Selina handed Elijah a glass of water and shook her head. Now that the surprise of the news was beginning to wear off, she was feeling better about it. "Now that I've had time to process, I'm really not that surprised. Kol and I don't know each other very well, but I know that he's really been an ally for the magical community and he was married to Margot, Amy sister. You spend time around someone in a situation like that, it's not impossible for you to become fond of each other."
Elijah gulped down some water, promptly swallowed wrong, and started choking again, leaving Lucas to hit him on the back. "There, there. Take a deep breath. You aren't gonna die today!"
"Oh, you poor thing," Selina said. "You forgot about that, didn't you?"
"So can we be sure Amy and Klaus' marriage is over?" Remiel questioned.
"Certainly," Selina nodded. "I'm very sure of that."
"Now that I think about it, I saw them standing near each other a lot," Remiel added. "But you could tell that Amy hoped no one would notice."
"I...I saw it too!" Elijah finally managed to speak, making a noise in his throat as Selina squeezed him hard. "I just...I just...darling, can you loosen your grip, please?"
"Sorry," Selina apologized and stepped back.
"I just never suspected..." Elijah continued and then trailed off.
Selina put her arms around him again, much looser this time. "I'm sorry, sweetie. This must be so hard for you. How did you find out? From Kol himself?
Elijah nodded, looking very haunted. "As...as easily as if he were telling me it was raining outside. "He...he says he wants a relationship with her."
"And that's completely in character for him," Selina nodded. "But at least he was honest with you about it."
"But Selina, Amy was with Klaus, then me, then Klaus again, and now..." he trailed off.
"So?" Selina shrugged. "Maybe she finally got it right this time. Sometimes it takes a little bit. What's your point?"
"Nothing," he sighed, realizing that since his wife had done the same thing, she really didn't see his side of it. "I don't really have a point."
"I know it seems strange," Remiel said, putting a hand on Elijah's shoulder. "But maybe it won't be as bad as you think; maybe they have more in common than you realize."
Elijah then put a hand on his forehead. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I can't talk about this anymore; I need to go rest."
"If you need a new mental picture, think of me naked in the shower!" Selina called. Then, as he disappeared down the hall toward his bedroom, everyone else burst out laughing.
"Damn, damn, damn!" Natalie cried. Her math tutoring session had run late and now she was going to be late for basketball practice. And since it wasn't the first time, her coach wouldn't hesitate to give her a lecture which would just be the cherry on top of a very irritating day.
But when she got inside the gym and stopped to catch her breath, she realized it was dark, silent, and empty. A note on the bleachers said that Coach Ryan had had an emergency and practice would be canceled for the day. "Great," she muttered. "I panicked and ran all the way over here for nothing!"
"Oh, I wouldn't say for nothing," purred a sickeningly familiar voice that seemed to fill the whole room even though she saw no one. At least not until she heard the door to the gym shut and lock with a click. Then she turned and definitely saw Milo. It couldn't be anyone else.
"Morningstar!" She hissed, her whole body tensing and her hands balling into fists that just itched to disfigure his pretty face. But she realized she had to keep them at her side, at least for now.
"Hello, Natalie," he said as easily as if they were just meeting before a class. He threw his leather jacket on the bleachers and then continued to stride confidently toward her, playing with a knife and lighter that he held.
Natalie saw the glint of the knife and swallowed. "Whatever it is that you dragged me in here for, I don't have time. Enjoy the rest of your life cause I'm leaving!" She pushed past him and tried to reach the gym door and unlock it, but every time she tried, she seemed to slide further and further away.
"You can't reach the door," Milo mused. "I wonder why. Could it be because I've inherited magical abilities from my mother and I didn't say you could leave yet?"
Natalie turned and growled, putting her hands on her hips. "Okay, you jerk, you've had your fun. I demand you open the door right this minute!"
"Nope!" Milo shook his head, that stupid smug grin that seemed to appear purely to annoy her curving his lips. "Especially when you seem incapable of asking politely. No, I can't unlock the door because I've been doing some thinking and I decided that you branded me for one reason and one reason only."
"And what reason is that?" Natalie sighed. "Tell me, please what has your sick mind come up with?"
"Oh, I'm sick all right," Milo agreed. "Sick enough to realize that the reason why you branded me is that you want me to brand you in return. And I'm willing to do it, so lucky you!" He paused. "Besides, it's our 'thing' isn't it? And I wouldn't want to throw off our thing. Enemies who wish each other a life time of misery."
He grinned wickedly and she went pale as she realized he was absolutely serious. "You're not funny, Milo!" She cried. "Stop this right now!"
"Why?" Milo asked. "Because you want to be the one who has all the fun?" He shrugged. "Come on, Natalie, now be fair." He lifted his t-shirt to show her the mark, which made her suck in her breath. "See? There it is! I survived it. Though, I know we can't die, but...I was just being dramatic." He turned on the lighter and ran the flame over the knife. "I promise this will be as painless as possible."
She felt sick, dropping her bag on the floor, her eyes wide as she backed away from him in horror. "Please don't do this," she begged. "I'm sorry I hurt you. It was wrong of me. But it was an accident too! You have to believe me!"
"Really?" Milo raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Are you seriously trying to convince me that what you did to me wasn't on purpose? Well, all right, I intend to have a little 'accident' of my own then!"
She ran toward another exit door, but that wouldn't open either. Then he muttered a spell she didn't understand and soon, she was stuck to the floor, her arms over her head and her wrists bound with rope, having no way to rest but leaning against the wall the spell had slid her against.
"Milo, you will pay for this!" She shouted as ropes suddenly appeared and bound her. "You untie me right this minute!"
"Or what?" Milo purred, kneeling in front of her, his hands sliding up her legs, then pushing her skirt up.
"Why?" Milo asked with a smirk. "Why should you get to have all the fun branding me and I have none? You haven't answered that yet."
She whimpered as he began gently kissing her belly over and over, holding her whole body still and trying to think about gross dead things so he wouldn't feel her panties be wet. If that happened, she'd never hear the end of it. Sighing and and shutting her eyes tight, she came to a sick realization: her brain hated him with a passion, but her body...her body not so much. Not his lips, not his touch...not even his stupid perfect hair. She wanted to touch it so badly, but then realized it was probably stiff with spray or gel and wouldn't feel nice and soft at all.
Before she knew it, he was gently sucking on each nipple through her bra, and she let out a moan, in spite of herself as her hips bucked forward, rolling her eyes when she saw, however briefly, his lips turning up into a smile. Then his own growls of pleasure filled the empty space, his lips making a trail of fire over her neck and jaw, then kissed her soundly, his lips capturing hers as he grabbed a knife and quickly branded her with a letter 'M' matching his. Even though it didn't hurt much, as he promised, it was still noticeable and she couldn't help but let out a scream.
Afterward, although she didn't sob or sniffle, hot tears ran down her cheeks as he knelt and gently licked up the blood from the wound while it healed. Then he hopped up and smirked.
"Not bad, don't you think? Nice and neat, not too obvious?"
"You...you're despicable!" She cried, sniffling at last, wishing she had a tissue because she really needed to blow her nose and wipe all the tears off her face and neck.
He watched her, then, as she looked up and a trail of mucus dripped out of her nose, he winced and handed her a tissue. "That's gross!"
"I'm sorry this is such a problem for you," she snapped.
"It is!" He snapped. "I wasn't a crybaby, so why in the world are you?" But he took pity on her a few seconds later. "Would it cheer you up if I told you I got you a present?"
"Present or bribe not to tell either of our mothers about this?" She drawled.
"It can be both," Milo shrugged. Then he got to his feet, went behind the bleachers, and came back with a bag from a fancy boutique. "Here," he said, placing it next to her on the floor. "Enjoy." Then he gave her a wink. "It was truly a pleasure, Natalie. You have a nice life too!" He turned and made his way toward the now-unlocked door before giving her one last look. "And don't worry...you'll be free in about five minutes. Ciao, Ugly Duck!"
She shut her eyes tight and took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and waited. Eventually the ropes disappeared, as Milo had promised. Then, curious in spite of herself, she grabbed the bag he'd given her. She'd planned to just throw it away, but looked inside instead and saw the most beautiful pair of panties and bra she'd ever seen in her life: White with gauzy fabric over the cup and a little bit of sparkly thread. She couldn't wait to get home and try them on...not that Milo would ever know.
As Nico walked from his art class, he paused by the open gymnasium door, sure he heard whimpering inside. When he was sure that was the case, he ran in and found Natalie sobbing in a ball on the floor and clutching her stomach.
"Oh, my god," he cried, getting down on his knees next to her. "What happened? Are you hurt? Who did this to you?" Then he leaned closer and noticed that it wasn't just a random wound. There was an M on her skin. "Whoever it was, I am going to kill that person, so you better tell me right now!"
She finally looked into his eyes and gave him a pained smile in an effort to distract him so he wouldn't guess how much she was hurting. "It's...it's almost healed up now!"
He gently kissed the top of her head. "Don't tell me not to worry! And will you please tell me who did this to you?" He untied the scarf from around his neck and put it around her stomach. "If you don't tell me who it is, I will hunt down the entire school until I figure it out!"
Natalie just bit her lip and stayed silent as Nico's eyes widened with realization
"Fuck it all, don't tell me...Morningstar?" He got up and paced back and forth. "I've had it with him! I'm gonna kill him!"
Knowing that idea wouldn't end well for the boy who was becoming her friend, she tried to calm him down. "I really am touched by the fact that you want to help keep me safe, but...he's immortal and a descendant of the devil himself, so I don't think there's anything you could do that would harm him."
"I beg to differ!" He spat. "A werewolf bite is very painful!"
"Believe me, I know," Natalie nodded. "But...have you officially turned? Have you killed anyone yet?"
"No," he blushed.
"Then you can't transform at the full moon!" She cried. "You have to kill someone first, remember?"
"But why would he hurt you this way?" Nico cried. "He has no right to hurt you or any woman this way!"
She could tell he was unhappy, outraged on her behalf. Which made what she knew she had to say even harder. "Well, honestly," she confessed, while looking down at her feet, "it wasn't entirely unprovoked. "I kinda...sorta...did it to him first."
"What?" Nico cried, shocked. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Well," Natalie shrugged. "We were forced into each other's company at Mikael Mikaelson and Sybil Vane's wedding, you know? The wedding of the century?"
Nico nodded. "Vaguely."
"Well, he pissed me off so I branded him in the barn," Natalie shrugged as if she'd behaved reasonably. "And because he's a big baby/idiot/jerk, he took his revenge today."
Nico just shook his head, his mouth open. "I...I really don't know what to say."
"Yeah," Natalie shrugged fatalistically. "We're screwed up, but what can you do?"
Nico scoffed. "Well, that's the understatement of the year!" He helped her to her feet. "And while I'm relieved you're okay, I'm still gonna have a word or two with him."
Natalie shrugged. "Whatever, just don't get yourself killed."
He led her to the bathroom and when he was sure she was going to be all right, he went outside and found Milo sitting with a cigarette in hand. "Don't you know it's against the rules to smoke on school property?" He cried.
"Don't you know that it's none of your damn business what I do or don't do?" Milo spat.
"I don't give a damn about that, not really," Nico cried. "I'm more concerned about how you think you can treat Natalie! Don't ever hurt her like that again or you'll have me to answer to."
Milo narrowed his eyes and stood up. He was taller than the other boy. "What I do or don't do with Natalie Mikaelson is none of your business," he hissed. "So don't stick your nose into things you don't understand."
"How about instead of just hurting her over and over, admit you like her and...give her flowers or something instead?" Nico asked. "Cause...call me crazy, but most women prefer that instead of...getting hurt!" He poked Milo in the chest.
"Obviously you've never met my mother," Milo told him. "Not that I ever wanted to know that about her, but sometimes, at my house, you can't help but hear things." Then he realized what Nico was saying and blushed bright red. "I don't have feelings for her. Not good ones, anyway. I can't stand her!"
"Yeah," Nico nodded, his dark eyes bright. "Keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll believe it one day, Morningstar." He rolled his eyes just as three identical blondes passed them by. "You...you wouldn't happen to know who those girls are, would you?" He asked.
"Oh," Milo grinned. "The Mikaelson triplets. Your lady love Natalie's nieces, as a matter of fact."
"I don't love her," Nico hissed. "I just don't want you to hurt her. There's a difference!"
"Girls, come here," Milo called to the triplets. "Meet my...meet Nico!"
The girls turned and came back, and when he was able to get a good look at them, Nico's jaw dropped.
"What's wrong with him?" Asked one. "He needs to close his mouth. Has he never seen a woman before?"
"I've seen lots of women!" Nico replied. "Fewer bitches, and seeing as how I used to live among werewolves, that's saying something. I hope you're proud."
Milo was now looking at Nico with interest. "What do you say to that, Michelle?" He asked the triplet.
"I say 'Bite me'," she replied, elbowing him out of the way as she continued down the path with her sisters following.
"Wow, you have such a gentlemanly way with women," Milo said with a smirk. "Teach me your ways, would you?"
"No," Nico snapped. "Fuck you, Morningstar! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going home." He then strode off, Milo's chuckles ringing in his ears.
As Kol stood in his kitchen making a snack, he suddenly felt Amy nearby. He was sure of it. It was becoming something of a new power for him. She had entered the building and was now going up the elevator. It had been surprising at first, but now it didn't faze him at all.
What did was what met his eyes when she reached her apartment. He didn't even have to strain his ears to hear the crying. dropping the spoon he held into the sink, he hurried over to the door that separated her place from his and opened it, devastation meeting his eyes.
She was sitting on the marble floor, palms up, sobbing her eyes out, tear drops landing all around her.
"I knew you shouldn't have gone to see my brother alone!" He cried, getting down beside her. "What's that bastard of a brother of mine done now?"
"I'm...I'm sorry!" She cried. "So...so sorry! You...you didn't have to come. I hope I haven't spoiled your whole day."
"Don't apologize," he said, putting his arms around her. "Because darling, you have nothing to be sorry for. You know my door is always open for whatever you need." He let her rest her head in the spot between his neck and shoulder. "It'll be okay," he said. "Whatever's happened, you don't have to worry about it." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I'll always be here to catch you when you fall."
"Kol..." she managed to get out, looking into his eyes with her red, puffy, swollen ones.
He cupped her face and brushed her tears away with his thumbs. "It'll be okay. Just...just give it time and you'll see. There'll be better memories. Because you'll make them with Natalie. We'll make them. You'll be able to forget all this."
She took a deep breath. "I'm lost, and hurt, and scared, and I don't know what to do!" She began crying again. "Please tell me what to do."
His heart broke for her, but he did the best he could to stay strong. "I know, baby," he said as he cradled her. "For now, you'll cry as long as you want, and I'll hold you all the while...and after that, you'll get up, you'll stride into your apartment, and you'll start your new life. Okay?"
"Okay," she said. Then buried her head in his shirt and, for the first time in her life, just let herself cry in the arms of someone who cared, and who wouldn't make her feel bad about it later.