A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

"Sky, this is like the twentieth time i've called you not to mention the hundred texts you haven't read. I'm pissed, but I don't blame you 'cause I was a dick. I don't blame you for punching me, either even though it hurt like a bitch."

Damon anxiously drummed his fingers against the glass in his hand as he tried to keep his tone calm. He was ready to make demands or use his charm, but he knew that wouldn't work. Not on Skylar. She knew her brother, and she was just, if not more, stubborn than Damon was.

His impulsive and selfish ways had gotten him into his mess; it wasn't getting him out of it.

"I'm sorry, all right? I'm sorry that I made a scene and that I hurt your feelings. I was just upset that I drove you to that hybrid ass."

Damon released a wry chuckle as he shook his head, suddenly realising the mess they were in."I know it's hypocritical 'cause of my choices in partners, but it's kinda sick to think of your sister with any man, especially Klaus freaking Mikaelson."

Damon spat out the hybrid's name like it physically made him sick just saying it, and it did. He despised Klaus with each part of him. The hybrid had destroyed his brother, threatened his friends and family and now he had his sister in his bed.

But, despite that, Damon knew speaking his thoughts would drive his sister further away.

Damon tightened his grip on his glass to try and compose himself before he carried on.

"Anyway, this isn't about your choice in partners; it's about you and me. I'm sorry, really sorry, and all I want is the chance to talk. Just talk to me. Please."

Damon shut his eyes as he began to pace, finally realising just how empty his home was.

There was no Stefan was scolding him for his impish ways; his little brother had left after their fight and Damon hadn't heard or seen him. There was no Skylar was making him pancakes whenever he'd had a hangover and mothering him.

There was nothing, just Damon wandering around constantly drunk and feeling sorry for himself.

It wasn't home.

Damon finally opened his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"We're family, Sky. Remember? From womb to tomb. J-Just get back to me, all right?"

Damon released a long, shaky breath, his voice cracking."Please."

Damon opened his mouth to mumble the three words he hadn't said to his sister in a long time but his time was up. The voicemail cut off, and Damon swore underneath his breath as he locked his phone and tossed it onto the couch.

The eldest Salvatore sibling brought the rim of the glass to his mouth, gulping down the last of it.

As he swallowed, he looked over at the painting hanging above the fireplace. He remembered huffing and protesting about the painting, but he'd kept it all those years. He'd kept it in his car for a long time, only taking it out two years after returning to Mystic Falls.

Stefan and Skylar, sitting down in front of Damon with his hands on their shoulders, stared back at him. Skylar smiled happily, hair falling loosely in ringlets while Stefan, hair slicked back perfectly, gazed at his sister affectionally. Damon stood behind them protectively, holding onto them and wearing a grin.

Damon stared at the painting for a long moment before he turned and walked away, a forlorn look on his face.

"I love you."

"Bloody hell!"

Four pairs of eyes followed Rebekah as she strutted into the kitchen, handbag in hand and a forced on her face. They all shared a look as she rounded them to get to her seat. Klaus prepped himself to scold his sister for not getting in contact the night before. She'd been out all night without a word to her brothers, and he didn't like it.

But, just as he opened his mouth to give a lecture, Elijah held up his hand.

"It's almost seven, Rebekah; you were almost late for breakfast."Elijah scolded, clicking his tongue as he brought the rim of his cup to his mouth."We've been worried."

Rebekah fought the urge to roll her eyes as she took her seat after taking off her jacket. She hid her face from her brother's, knowing that they'd be able to read her well.

"I'm sorry, all right?"

Elijah just nodded and returned his attention to his breakfast, as did Finn. But, Kol and Klaus continued to observe their sister. The female Original didn't seem to give anything away as she accepted recently buttered toast from Finn.

But when she tucked her hair behind her ears, they noticed the redness around her eyes.

Kol and Klaus shared a look before the younger brother straightened in his seat, hands meeting in front of him.

Klaus copied Kol, casually asking."Where have you been all night, Rebekah?"

Rebekah's head snapped up, but she said nothing.

"Yes, where have you been?"Kol raised his eyebrows curiously as his sister took a bite of her toast, happily munching away."What is the name of the boy we have to kill?"

Rebekah hurled a glare at Kol, sneering at him.

"Shut up, Kol; there is no boy. Not anymore!"

Rebekah slammed her hand down on the table, almost breaking it in half.

The brothers soon became worried as Rebekah's eyes glassed over.

They all sat up straighter, Finn pulling Rebekah into his side since he was closest. It was almost awkward, but once she snuggled into him, it soon became affectionate.

"What's wrong?"

Rebekah shook her head, refusing to say anything as she looked anywhere but her family.

Klaus let out a long breath, leaning forward and catching her eyes."'Bekah, love, talk to us."

Her lower lip quivered and, when Elijah smiled softly at her, she broke.

"You know i've been organising the annual party for school. It's a themed one, and it was all going well."Rebekah answered, a tight smile on her lips before it faded as a tear slipped down her cheek."I was taking the boy Kol scared off, but he doesn't want to go with me anymore."

The brothers all shared looks, torn between murderous and sorrow for their sister. She had been so chipper about the dance, she had planned every part of it, they'd never seen her so happy.

Elijah handed her his handkerchief, softly asking."Why not?"

Rebekah sniffed, looking down at her hands."I don't know. He just said I wasn't the girl he thought I was."

Klaus' eyes flashed amber, but he swallowed the anger long enough to reach over and take Rebekah's hand.

"I knew I shouldn't have let him near you. I was-"

Elijah sent his brother a look, shaking his head."Niklaus, now is not the time for you to say I told you so."

Kol nodded in agreement, giving Klaus a lopsided smirk."Yeah, Nik, wow. It's called compassion."

"Shut up, Kol."

"Both of you shut up."Elijah calmly ordered, making Klaus roll his blue eyes before he turned to his sister."Rebekah, i'm sure you can take another boy to the dance."

"No! He said it in front of everyone. Elena laughed at me! Elena Gilbert laughed at me."Rebekah whispered, inhaling sharply."Why can't I kill her again?"

"She hasn't got much to laugh about."Klaus mumbled, jaw clenching as he twirled the knife around his fingers."The only person Elena can go as is Scarface."

Rebekah huffed out a laugh, dabbing at her eyes and cheeks with the handkerchief.

"It's ruined. I can't even show my face at the party I put so much effort into."

"I'll go."Klaus suddenly said, squeezing the knife, so tightly that blood began to drip onto the table."I'll go-"

Elijah shook his head as he cut in.

"No, Niklaus. If you go, it'll be bloodshed, not a party."

Klaus just shrugged while Elijah turned back to his sister, rubbing her arm comfortingly.

"While I do not usually fancy attending a bash where there will no doubt be intoxicated and titillated teenagers, I will attend for you, and if it makes you happy, i'll even allow you to dress me up."

Rebekah looked over at her brother hopefully.

"Really?"

Elijah looked regretful at the suggestion, but Rebekah's hopeful look broke down those walls."Really."

Rebekah sent Elijah a loving smile as she wiped away her tears."Thank you."

Kol let out a whistle, glancing at the poster, always willing to follow where there would be drunk women."I'll drive you and, if you want, i'll even show some support."

He noticed Rebekah giving him a pointed look and gave her his best innocent smile."For you, of course!"

"Yes, i'm sure you're all about supporting your sister."Elijah moved the poster out of view of Kol's eyes and asked."What's the theme?"

Rebekah giggled happily, and her brothers were unable to hold back their smiles. While they thought of Rebekah wanting to be normal and go to school, they supported her. She was the baby, after all, and their sister.

"Everyone is expected to come as famous figures of the past."

Kol gave a hearty chuckle and shrugged, leaning back in his seat, arms over his chest.

"That's easy."

Rebekah quirked an eyebrow in interest, looking over at Kol."Oh, really? Who are you coming as?"

"Well, you said the person has to be important? Famous and revered?"Kol asked, and when Rebekah nodded in confirmation, he let out a chuckle."Isn't it obvious i'll be going as myself?"

Kol smirked to himself as he heard Rebekah, Klaus and Elijah inhale sharply.

They should've expected that.

The three siblings shut their eyes for a second, rolling their eyes in unison before they just shook their heads. Rebekah muttered insults under her breath while Elijah and Klaus hid their smirks.

Finn eyed his siblings for a moment before he released a mocking chuckle that startled his family.

"How couldn't you lot not have known that was coming?"Finn mumbled to himself, shaking his head as he stirred his tea, squeezing the teabag against the side."I've been locked in a box for nine hundred years, and even I knew that was coming."

Finn looked down at his food again as his siblings turned their heads toward him, both insulted and impressed.

Rebekah let out an impressed giggle."I think that's what people these days call a burn."

"Hey, Nik, who were you planning to go as?"Kol suddenly asked, sending Klaus a smirk."Teen Wolf?"

Klaus sent a glare to both Rebekah and Finn, a scowl on his face.

"Silence, both of you. How do you even know about that? You've been locked in a box for over a century."

His family just laughed as Klaus petulantly threatened to make them suffer. He scowled, biting back a smile that threatened to expose his contentment. He had missed the bickering, all the more now that Finn was beginning to take part in the family squabbles.

Klaus felt her presence before he saw her and he turned his head just in time to catch sight of Skylar step off the last stair of the grand staircase.

He didn't know when it started, but he was able to sense whenever the Salvatore sister was near. He had that with his siblings, but with Skylar it was different. With his family, he could almost smell the blood they shared. But with Skylar, it was much more intimate; a shiver would run throughout his body, his fingers would tingle, and the wolf inside of him would howl.

Skylar's lips curved up when she saw the hybrid, and he responded with an almost fond smirk.

Skylar's smile fell as she saw Rebekah, who, despite her smile, seemed still upset.

"I, uh, heard about Elena."Skylar said, pointing at the ceiling."Hard to miss."

Rebekah just hummed in response, still embarrassed by her tears.

"I know I can't come because Damon might make a scene and wreck the whole night but, if it makes you feel better, i'll come costume shopping with you. There's a good store about an hours drive away; Damon once held a similar party. We'll find you one so amazing and gorgeous that it'll put Elena to shame."

Rebekah perked up at the suggestion, and she smiled at Skylar."Really?"

"Yeah, it'll be fun."Skylar grinned back at Rebekah, grabbing a piece of toast."You'd make an exquisite Marilyn Monroe if you ask me."

The brothers watched on with a soft look as Rebekah's smile grew. Rebekah had never mixed well with other women through the years; she'd never really had a friend. Klaus knew he was to blame for that but he wasn't regretful of it, nobody had been good enough for his sister, even a platonic friend.

But when he witnessed Skylar and Rebekah interact, he couldn't help but want his sister to keep that smile.

"And, if it makes you feel better, i'll make Damon's night hell for you since you can't be there because of him."

Skylar nodded, smile growing."It's a deal."

Skylar took a bite out of her toast, finally noticing Klaus' smile.

She swallowed, giving him a puzzled look."What?"

"Didn't miss me too much, did you, love?"

"Oh, yes, I almost staked myself the five minutes you've been gone."She dryly retorted, rolling her eyes as Klaus just raised his eyebrows in amusement."I wouldn't know what to do without you spending ten minutes deciding what man necklace you're gonna wear every morning."

Entertained, Klaus cocked his head in amusement, fingers drumming against his cup.

"Now, now, love, harsh words like that might get you punished."

Skylar met Klaus' gaze for a moment, tongue running along her teeth as she seemed to ponder his words."Is that a promise or a threat?"

Rebekah made a disgusted sound as she witnessed Klaus and Skylar making lingering eye contact.

The female Original scowled at them, quipping fondly."Ugh, get a room!"

Kol spoke almost too quickly, as if he already had something improper to say in his mind."They used yours last night, sister."

Rebekah's eyes went wide, and she swatted at her brother who almost tumbled off of his seat when he tried to evade it.

"Kol!"

"What? Someone has to use that bed of yours for a particular activity, and you clearly aren't."

The two siblings began to bicker, something that was quickly stopped when Elijah cleared his throat.

"That is enough!"Elijah firmly said, and even Klaus hid behind his cup as Elijah glowered."We will not have such smutty topics at breakfast."

Rebekah pouted, glaring over at Kol."He started it!"

"I don't care; i'm finishing it!"

He glared at the two youngest Originals who instantly returned to their food and seats. Skylar looked impressed as Kol went silent, munching on his bacon while Rebekah rolled her eyes, looking at her nails.

"Does your family breakfast tradition involve bickering?"Skylar asked as she filled her cup, damp hair tied up."I was able to hear you lot from the shower."

Elijah chose to ignore the fact that Klaus had entered the kitchen minutes before Rebekah with damp hair and a smile that could only be described as lascivious.

"Thinking about yours truly in the shower are we?"Kol sent a roguish smirk to Skylar before he looked to his brother."Jealous, Nik?"

Elijah put his head in his hands, looking at a loss as he shook his head.

Rebekah bit her lip, hoping for drama, as she clutched her cup in her hands.

Shockingly, Klaus didn't take the bait.

Instead, the family witnessed him leering at Skylar with an impish grin before he met Kol's gaze."If you come up with anything I need to be jealous of, little brother, let me know."

Elijah hid his laugh behind his hand, but it was clear by his shaking shoulders that he was amused. Rebekah almost pouted as Klaus quietly returned to his breakfast, obvious there would be no fight.

"No fun."

Kol looked almost impressed yet sulky as he nursed his tea.

Finn cleared his throat as he looked up from his paper, offering his brother a calm smile.

"I believe the term for what you just suffered is called a burn, Kol."

Kol loured at his eldest brother, pout still visible.

"I preferred it when you seethed in silent resentment."

"We're family, Sky. Remember? From womb to tomb. J-Just get back to me, all right?"

Skylar visibly winced as she heard her brother's voice crack before he emotionally appealed."Please."

The female vampire let her phone drop onto the sink counter, and she inhaled and exhaled sharply as she attempted to control her emotions. But she was unable to. Skylar's eyes filled with tears, her reflection going blurry before the tears began to fall. The brunette bit down on her bottom lip to stop the sobs as she tried to regain her composure.

She moaned sheepishly, the heels of her hands wiping at her eyes.

"Just had to listen to it, did you?"

Skylar finally looked up at her reflection, releasing a distressed breath when she noticed the redness around her eyes.

"Great, I have to go out."Skylar mumbled, trying to remain bitter to stop the tears."Ass."

"I've been called worse."

Skylar jumped, slightly startled at the voice, almost tripping over but Klaus caught her, chuckling loudly, it echoing off of the walls. She glowered at Klaus' reflection but didn't swat away the hands on her hips.

"Don't do that!"

"You've been here long enough to get used to it."Klaus gave an almost proud, smug smirk as he squeezed her hips."There is no need to cry about it."

"I'm not crying-"

"I know, I heard."Klaus cut in, pursing his lips when Skylar sniffed."If it would ease your pain, I could kidnap your brothers and drain them of vervain before compelling them never to fall in love with such a harpy of a woman."

She wiped away the wetness from her cheeks as she thought about his words, the sincerity in his voice making her almost hesitant.

She met his eyes in the mirror, playing with her phone.

"You'd do that?"

"If it would stop your tears, of course."Klaus nodded, giving her a genuinely warm smile before his famous crooked smirk replaced it."Though I can't promise that I wouldn't enjoy the draining part."

"Tempting but, sadly, I have to reject your offer. My brothers making bad choices will change them too much; that's most of who they are, and it's my job to pull them away before the train hits them."

She met Klaus' eyes long enough to add."Then again, the train has already hit them."

Klaus offered her a small smile before he changed the subject, hoping to perk up her mood.

"You can make it up to me by joining me for lunch. Our cook, as you know, is very talented."

"Once again, your offer is tempting, but I have a date with my favourite Mikaelson."Skylar replied, picking up her brush after releasing her hair from the ponytail, catching Klaus' curious look."Rebekah. We're going costume shopping, remember? I can't wait to see what she has planned for Kol and Elijah."

Klaus nodded as he remembered their plans.

"Ah, yes."

His lips curved up as he remembered the smile Rebekah gave and his voice lowered as his mood turned serious."You know, your offer has caused the skip in her step. She is looking forward to your day out."

Skylar beamed, her smile making Klaus' own mouth curve up.

"She's not the only one. I like Rebekah; she is very admirable; she's put up with you for a thousand years."

"It's not shocking to see Rebekah's humour has rubbed off on you."Klaus muttered, rolling his eyes when Skylar just sniggered."If anything, i'm the admirable one. Rebekah is worse than Kol, and I put together."

"Now that's hard to believe."

"I'm not lying."Klaus shook his head, defiant."You'll see when she snatches your last piece of bacon then throws a shoe at your head if you wake her up from her beauty sleep."

"I'll keep that in mind. Besides, a girl's day out is just what I need."Skylar avidly said as she brushed out her hair, eyes on her reflection."There are far too many men here."

Skylar heard him laugh before his grip on her hips tightened. She gasped when he hauled her back against his chest, hands disappearing underneath her top. His fingers danced along her stomach when he wrapped one arm around her to keep her against him.

The two swayed back and forth, Klaus giving a half-suppressed laugh when she inhaled sharply as he flattened his palm against her skin.

"And that is a bad thing because...?"

Skylar grinned almost dreamily as his lips brushed her ear before she caught their reflection.

"Quit it!"

Klaus just smirked as she yanked herself free, nudging him in a scolding manner.

"FYI, it's not all bad, but Rebekah needs no testosterone if she is going to feel better. We are going to get her a costume, have lunch and curse the existence of men."

His smirk fell, and he looked almost panicked at the thought of the two women in his life prattling. He knew it would only be adding fuel to the fire.

"That's exactly what I need, my scorned sister and my lover projecting their heartbreaks on me. I've had that for over a thousand years; I do not need you encouraging her."

Klaus wagged his finger at her in an almost reprimanding manner.

"It'll start with you both blaming all men for one man's actions then it'll all spiral from there."

Skylar just shrugged, a ghost of a smile on her lips as she saw Klaus' eyebrow raise."Nervous, Klaus?"

"No, of course not, but being the target of a woman's rage against men isn't my idea of a perfect day."

Skylar gave him a curious look, placing down her brush.

"What is your idea of a perfect day?"

Skylar suddenly found herself being spun around and Klaus walked forward until she was sandwiched between himself and the sink counter. He leant down, eyes flickering over Skylar's face, the smile growing into an affectionate one.

He reached up, fingers brushing the hair from Skylar's face before he tucked the locks behind her ear. His thumb traced the outline of her lips before he settled on cupping her cheek.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Skylar just hummed, knuckles white as she squeezed the counter, eyes glazed over when Klaus' nose brushed her cheek. She toyed with her bottom lip between her teeth when she felt his lips touch her skin in an almost teasing manner.

"To offer you a snippet, love, you'd be a vast part of it."

Skylar's grip tightened on the counter, breathing becoming laboured as a hungry snarl came from the hybrid.

A shaky breath came from the female vampire when Klaus' hand dropped from her cheek, beginning to move down her body.

Skylar, for the second time, became startled when someone cleared their throat.

The two turned their heads to see Rebekah leaning against the doorframe, hand on her hip.

Klaus rolled his eyes in annoyance, stepping back."Oh, bloody hell!"

"Sorry to break up this lovefest but we need to leave."

Rebekah just smirked, taking a step backwards into the bedroom, ready to move.

"Uh, yeah..."Skylar inhaled and exhaled to compose herself."I'm...yeah."

She looked over to see Klaus' annoyance gone and he smiled at her smugly.

"Shut up."

The hybrid held up his hands."I didn't say anything, love."

Skylar scoffed and straightened, already making her way out of the bathroom. She accepted her coat from Rebekah, slipping it on. Skylar brushed a hand through her long brown locks to rid them from her face.

"Ready?"

Skylar nodded, grabbing her phone."Yep."

Rebekah made a pleased sound and turned, Skylar following her.

The Salvatore raised her foot to take a step but before she could, familiar fingers locked around her wrist and stopped her.

"Huh?"

Skylar turned her head to question Klaus but she suddenly forgot to when she felt Klaus' lips brush her cheek.

It wasn't sexual or suggestive; the kiss was tender.

Klaus lingered for a moment, as if he wanted to keep hold of the moment before he straightened.

Nodding, Klaus watched the two female vampires attentively."Have fun."

"We will."

Rebekah moved forward again, pausing when she noticed Skylar wasn't trailing behind her. She turned back to see Skylar in the same spot, almost frozen.

The female Original tutted, backtracking before Rebekah reached out and took Skylar's wrist, guiding her, calling back."I'll bring her back in one piece, Nik!"

Skylar followed Rebekah out of the bedroom and into the hallway, the two advancing upon the top of the grand staircase.

Skylar seemed to break out of her daze as the made their way down the stairs.

"My car or yours?"

Rebekah giggled, shaking her head."Neither."

When Skylar gave her a puzzled look, Rebekah held out her hand, showing a pair of keys dangling from her finger.

"We're is taking Kol's car; he's got a Ferrari."

Thank you for reading!

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