A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"Wow, Rebekah, you did good with their costumes."
Rebekah made a sound of agreement, a very self-satisfied smirk on her lips."Yes, I did."
Skylar followed the blonde Original down the staircase, the both wearing amused grins when they saw Kol. He looked very comfortable in his costume, wearing an excited smile while Finn and Klaus looked tempted to snap his neck.
"Kol, I swear if you bring that thing near me again i'll put you down."
Kol paused in front of the mirror, looking at Klaus' reflection."Is that what dear Skylar says to you in bed, brother?"
Klaus just growled, turning away and sulking.
Kol seemed very pleased with his costume as he sent a crooked grin to himself in the mirror. Rebekah hadn't needed much time to pick out Kol's costume. She had picked out a Jack the Ripper costume for Kol. Her brother hadn't heard of the killer because he'd been locked away, but Rebekah had because she'd heard about it in history class.
As soon as Rebekah had told him the story, Kol had happily accepted to dress up as the infamous serial killer and had gone off to do more research of his own. Everyone could only hope that he didn't take dressing as the killer for one night too far.
Klaus seemed to lose any anger he had felt when he saw his sister dressed up.
He gave her a warm smile, dimples and the light in his eyes showing.
"You look lovely, 'Bekah."
"I know, Nik. Thank you."Rebekah smiled at her hybrid brother, hands behind her back as she looked to Kol."Having fun, are we, big brother?"
Kol spun around on his heels, smiling as he saw Rebekah's costume but he quickly regained his dark look.
"'ello, luv, you willing to let me gut you like a pig?"Kol called out in an extremely exaggerated accent, raising the hand that held the cane, knife in the other.
Skylar just smiled as she and Rebekah reached the bottom step. Rebekah didn't seem so impressed, and she placed her hands on her hips, used to Kol's behaviour.
"Why are you speaking like that?"Rebekah asked Kol with a sigh, stepping aside to avoid the knife Kol was wielding."You're already got an accent. An English one."
Kol merely pursed his lips, tossing his cane up in the air before catching it again then pointing it at his sister."Hush, strumpet. Don't make me gut you."
"You're in character."Skylar commented, grabbing the end of the cane and Kol's hand, moving them both so it so that it was facing the floor."Did some research, did we?"
Kol spun around on his heels, cape almost swiping at Finn's face as it gyrated around, placing his top hat on his head, and gave Skylar a grin.
"Yes, and i am very looking forward to prowling for wenches."Kol nodded in response to Skylar before nodding over to Rebekah."I'm sure Rebekah's friends will meet my criteria."
Rebekah raised her eyebrows, insulted."Shut up, Kol."
Rebekah rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Finn who was eyeing Kol like the manchild he was. Kol tutted, brandishing his knife again, only for his arm to be caught by Finn and yanked down.
"Kol!"Finn hissed, attempting to take the knife."Stop it!"
Kol scowled at Finn, turning around and hiding his knife."Stop touching my toys!"
Finn almost tackled Kol, grabbing his youngest brother and attempting once more to take the knife only for Kol to elbow him in the stomach.
"Let go!"
Kol hissed like a snake at Finn, raising his arm and ready to stab his brother. But, Finn pushed, and the knife made a swiping sound in the air, the pointed end almost stabbing Skylar.
But, just in the nick of time, Klaus yanked at his lover and pulled her toward him.
"Kol!"Klaus scowled at his brother, flashing his eyes amber."Be more careful!"
"Oh, playing protective boyfriend, are we?"Kol drawled, smirking when both Klaus and Skylar looked away at 'boyfriend' before he sarkily added."It would've been more romantic if she didn't have vampire healing."
Skylar raised both eyebrows as Kol sent her a half remorseful look for the incident."Forgive me, darling."
Nodding in gratitude, Skylar then looked to Kol's weapon."That's not a real knife, is it?"
Kol froze, staring at Skylar with a blank look, a look he had mastered before he shrugged.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation, darling."
Skylar then turned to look at Klaus, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"It's real."Klaus answered her silent question, hand shooting out to try and take Kol's knife but his brother evaded him."Jeffery, the poor bloke, has a stab wound to prove it."
As if proud, Kol let out a hearty chuckle.
Rebekah suddenly noticed someone was missing. She looked around before turning to Klaus.
"Where's Elijah?"
Klaus almost smirked, hands in his pockets.
"He refuses to come out of the bathroom."
"Huh."Kol hummed, inching closer to Finn and stage whispered."I think he found the magazines I may have stashed."
A snort came from Klaus which resulted in Skylar nudging him as Rebekah's face scrunched up and she shoved her brother.
"Ugh, gross, Kol!"
"I got them for Finn."Kol said with a shrug, patting his eldest brother on the shoulder when he looked away."He hasn't known a touch of a woman in centuries."
"Ugh, gross, Kol!"
"What? I was being a good brother. It's not my fault you don't have any 'game' as the kids these days would say. You should be thanking me."Kol said in a heroic manner, giving his family a wolfish grin."I would've done it for any of you!"
Rebekah smiled softly though she still looked disgusted."That's somewhat sweet. Nauseating but sweet."
"Right, let's just move on, shall we?"Klaus pointed over to the bathroom door near the grand staircase."What did you get him anyway?"
He looked to Skylar who just shrugged.
"You'll have to wait and see. Trust me; it'll be worth it."
Rebekah nodded in agreement before calling up to Elijah.
"Elijah, come out!"
They all heard Elijah sighing, clearly not at all pleased that he was being forced to dress up. Yes, he had agreed to stop Rebekah's tears but had instantly regretted it.
"Rebekah, I love you, but please know that I am not at all happy with this!"
Everyone but Rebekah chuckled, clearly looking forward to seeing Elijah's costume. Finn didn't burst out laughing like everyone else, but he did snigger.
"You refused every costume I offered."Rebekah almost whined, close to stomping her foot."You agreed to this one."
"Because it was the only one there that didn't make me want to stake myself."Elijah mumbled, but it was heard followed by the sound of him zipping something up."This one only makes me want to set myself on fire."
Rebekah huffed, hands on her hips once more."Elijah, come out and show us!"
"Fine."
The door to one of the bathrooms opened and out walked a sulking Elijah. Everyone inhaled sharply, eyes widening almost comically as the second eldest Original made his way toward them.
Elijah, despite his pout, stood tall as he ambled over to his family in all his Top Gun Maverick costume glory. Elijah wore a green flight suit with the air force badges and a pair aviator sunglasses. It took them all a moment to recover since they weren't used to seeing him without a suit.
They gave him a once-over, eyes going wider at the worker boots that were clearly new because Elijah looked disgusted at the sight of them.
As the Original came closer, their attention was stolen by the sound of crooning coming from Klaus.
The Original hybrid casually leant against the wall, ankles locked and arms over his chest, completely serious as he softly sang."Highway to the danger zone, ride into the danger zone."
Giggles came from Rebekah and Skylar who instantly went quiet when Elijah shot them a dangerous glare. Elijah's glare them deepened as Kol sniggered followed by Finn tittering behind his hand.
Kol collapsed against Finn, cheeks rosy and laughs echoing throughout the foyer.
"Oh, it hurts. It hurts!"Kol said in between laughter and attempts to breathe, patting Finn's shoulder."I can't breathe!"
Elijah glowered at his family, a glower that made Kol choke on his laughs before he calmed down.
"Carry on, all of you; I dare you."Elijah scowled angrily, looking almost petulant."I don't see how this is seen as a famous figure of the past."
Klaus shrugged, fighting a laugh."Movie past, maybe."
Elijah glared again, expression then softening as he looked to Rebekah."You look beautiful, sister."
Rebekah blushed, smiling shyly as her brothers hummed in agreement.
"Yes, she does, blah blah."Kol gave Elijah a pointed look, gesturing to himself."What about me?"
Elijah shrugged, grabbing the car keys and tossing them to Kol, giving his brother a once over, taking in the knife and the clothes.
"Splendid. But some people who dedicate their life to knowing everything about Jack the Ripper believe that he, if the killer was a he, was a man with a low income, not someone who donned such fine clothing."
Kol just shrugged, smirk still on his lips."You expect me to wear rags? Please. Besides, for all we know Nik might be the killer."
They all looked to Klaus who just shrugged, impassive.
"Yes, well, let's not focus on that."Elijah then motioned to the door, desperate to leave."Can we please leave and get this over with?"
Rebekah nodded happily, pushing Kol to the door and he graciously allowed her.
Finn opened the door for them, giving Elijah a nod as if wishing him good luck as he passed. As Klaus came up to the door, Finn took that chance to leave. He knew that there was going to be mocking of Elijah's costume and he wanted to enjoy the peace while it lasted.
"Don't forget to tell me if you meet a nice girl and she revs up your engine, big brother!"
Elijah's head turned, and he gave Klaus a glower that just made his hybrid brother wave at him. Klaus smirked as he watched them leave, clearly enjoying how uncomfortable Elijah was as he finally realised that he was going to be dressed in the costume outside.
"Oh, and Elijah-"
Klaus didn't get time to continue his joke as Skylar dragged him back inside, slamming the door shut behind them.
"Stop laughing at him!"
"Love, I had the perfect line about riding into the danger zone and you just ruined it."Klaus responded in a sulky manner, arms crossed and finger tapping against his chin, mumbling."I had another one. What was it?"
"Does it matter? It's stupid."
Her response was raised eyebrows and Klaus' signature 'do you know who I am?' expression. Skylar rolled her eyes, holding up her hands in surrender as she backed off.
"You can stand there making up stupid puns the entire night if you wish."
"That's right, you can't."Klaus nodded defiantly despite how stupid it actually was."And I will if that's what I choose."
"As you wish."Skylar shrugged with a long sigh, feigning upset, turning from Klaus and making her way up the grand staircase."I guess i'll just have to sleep alone."
"Very well, i'll just-"Klaus nodded, clearly engrossed in his thoughts before the dots connected in his mind."Come again?"
He turned around just in time to catch Skylar's exaggerated pout, mind flashing back to their morning. It had been the first time they'd been openly affectionate with each other. He had assumed their passionate fornication, to put it politely, had been the peak of their bond.
She'd caught his eye long ago and the start of their relationship, Klaus had noticed his interest in her growing. He'd thought to have her a few times would've gotten her out of his system, but when she had began to bond with not only him but his family, it grew more than a mere infatuation.
He saw her caring for his family, listening and even concerning about his well being.
And, that morning with her, just simply having her close had verified what his siblings had said to him the entire time.
He wanted to keep her with him but, even more, he wanted her to want to stay.
"...but if you're too busy coming up with puns, i'll be just fine."
Klaus broke out of his reverie just in time to hear the Salvatore laugh, the melody-like sound echoing. He then caught her gaze, noticing the playfulness in her eyes that matched his. The Original gave his signature smirk and cocked his head.
"You're playing with fire, love."
Skylar offered him a curtsy, giving him an innocent smile."Whatever do you mean?"
She then turned around and carried on up the stairs, humming to herself. Only to be met with Klaus just as she reached the last step. Skylar bit back a squeal, momentarily forgetting that his age made him more than a hundred times faster than her.
Klaus caught her before she could fall backwards down the stairs, holding onto her by her forearms.
Skylar gave an honest pout as she peered up at him."Cheater."
Klaus quirked an eyebrow, tutting."I prefer astute."
Skylar matched his expression, shrugging off his hands.
"I've got a word that starts with 'A' to describe you just perfectly. Do you want t-"
Skylar didn't get to finish as Klaus yanked her to him, spinning her around. He roughly shoved her up against he wall, grin widening pausing long enough to revel in her excited gasp. Her cheeks flushed, and a breathy giggle left her when he flashed his eyes amber.
The Salvatore looked almost saddened as his eyes returned ocean blue. While Skylar liked waking up to his bleary ocean blue orbs in the morning, she had a weakness for his amber eyes. It showed his passion, his strength and how he stood in the face of those that tried to defeat him.
"Again."
Klaus, instantly knowing what she wanted by her tone, gave a laugh."Sweetheart, I don't respond well to demands. Though, I could be cajoled."
Her eyes darkened as Klaus pressed against her before meeting him half way as he swooped down to catch her mouth with his own. The kiss started off with vigour and almost demanded as Skylar fought to draw out the wolf.
But, as the kiss grew more tender than intense, they fell into an all-consuming embrace that was a level greater than an in the moment kiss. This type of kiss was a kind that couldn't be passed off as in the moment. It was the kind that some were kept up at night as they reminisced and a kiss that left the two involved dizzy.
It was a kiss Klaus never saw himself being the recipient of one nor the one who initiated.
And it was a kiss that help Klaus confirm what he'd been pondering.
As he confirmed his ponders, the Original reluctantly broke the kiss.
Klaus released a shaky breath, hand reaching into his pocket as he watched Skylar. He pulled out a simple object that held so much more meaning than he could fathom.
Skylar opened her eyes to see the Original staring down at her with a look she couldn't make head or tail of. Just as she opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing, she then noticed a thing dangling off of his index finger.
Her brow furrowed in confusion and the female vampire looked up at him.
"What's that?"
Klaus broke their gaze to glance at the ring, a faint smile on his face.
"My daylight ring. I no longer wear it in more for obvious reasons. It is the first thing I looked for after my first turn into a wolf. While my mother hoped my wolf side would remain dormant, I couldn't find within me to part with it."
He cleared his throat to rid of the bitterness that came with reminiscing about his mother and smiled as he thought of his family. Klaus nodded over to a family portrait, Skylar's gaze following and they zeroed in on each Mikaelson's fingers.
The portrait was old considering Finn was in it, and Skylar took the time to look over their fingers. Finn's ring was on his right middle finger, Elijah's on his left middle finger, Klaus' on his index, while Kol and Rebekah adorned theirs on their right middle fingers.
"Each member of my family wears one; it's a family ring."Klaus spoke as he and Skylar observed the portrait."There's no other daylight ring like it. It's quite famous, actually, as the Mikaelson ring. It's unique."
Skylar felt fingers on her chin and followed as Klaus guided her gaze back to his.
He raised the hand that held the ring and presented it to her.
"I want you to have it."Klaus said so quietly that even with vampire hearing Skylar had to strain in order to hear it."I don't offer this to you because of the sunlight. Even if I did, it wouldn't work, love, you can't exchange rings."
Klaus then nodded to the large daylight ring on her index finger. The ring had the Salvatore crest and, in the middle, was the initial of her first name. It, like the Mikaelson rings, was easy to pinpoint which family it belonged to.
Skylar shifted uneasily as Klaus' fingers brushed her cheek, not sure how to react.
"Then why-"
"I am not Elijah, Skylar. I don't proclaim my affections like he does. I show it with actions."Klaus toyed with the ring between his fingers before he looked back to Skylar."So I offer you this as a reminder that, while I may seem to act otherwise on an off day or don't daily declare it, I-"
The Original paused for a long moment, seemingly hesitant to admit it even to himself before he, finally, added."I am quite attached to you and would like for you to remain here with our family. With me."
Skylar trapped her bottom lip between her teeth as she listened to Klaus.
She knew that she'd distract him if she spoke and it would make him even more hesitant to open up. She knew how he worked because she was simliar. Skylar wasn't good with words, she was more like Damon that way. She preferred to ignore things and hope they went away so she didn't have to deal with them.
But being around Klaus made her want to try.
Just like how being around Skylar made the hybrid want to try.
"Skylar?"
The Salvatore blinked, snapping out of her thoughts at the rare mention of her name coming from Klaus. She composed herself after noticing the uneasy look on his face, startling herself as she felt the need to spill everything she and Rebekah had spoken about.
She didn't want to have such a strong connection to him but at the same time she did.
He had become haven.
"I've been here long enough to be driven mad by you all so I might as well stay."Skylar fondly softly replied, looking down at Klaus' finger as his thumb brushed her cheek once more."If you can't beat them, join them."
Klaus tilted his head, giving a forced smile to hide the trace of hope on his face.
"Is that a yes then?"
Skylar's teasing smile disappeared as she saw a flash in Klaus' eyes. It was quick, almost as if it hadn't happened, but she swore that she witnessed a hint of vulnerability.
"I wouldn't still be here if didn't want to be. I don't just care about your family, Klaus. I'm here for you."Skylar said with a smile, letting herself melt into the hand cupping her cheek."And you're not the only one who hates things like this. So, yes, i'll wear your ring."
Skylar mentally captured the smile Klaus gave and arched up into him as he stepped closer to her. Her smile matched his, eyes bright as Klaus' finger tips danced over her cheek, thumb brushing her bottom Original brushed his fingers across her throat, lingering over her pulse before he tilted her head up.
"That's my girl."
Klaus tapped his fingers against her chin, starting at her before he mumbled."I guess there will be no more lecturing."
Skylar's eyebrows raised, mouth downturned as she peered up at Klaus.
"Rebekah gave you a lecture, too?"
"No, it was Elijah."Klaus replied, eyes narrowing before he gave a sigh."It seems they've been plotting again. Though, until now, they're crafty ways haven't been of any use."
He smiled at her before leaning down, her lips his aim. But, like earlier, he didn't demand her mouth this time. Instead, he let his mouth brush hers before smiling against them, as if making a mental imprint of the moment.
Skylar inhaled sharply at the touch, a familiar series of tingles rushing throughout her body she seemed to get around the hybrid. This increased as Klaus finally claimed her mouth with his own, one hand cupping the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair.
Hand on Klaus' cheek, the female vampire keenly returned the kiss, pulling him closer to her as she insisted on deepening the kiss.
As the Original bit down on her lip before seeking access past he lips, Skylar felt his hand grab hers, removing the smaller hand from his cheek. She hummed against him as his thumb ran across her palm. The female vampire then felt him then her hand around before he pressed his palm against hers, her fingers lined up against his longer ones.
That's when she felt it a cool feeling of a ring being introduced to its new home. She felt it on her ring finger, enclosing around it before Klaus' fingers entangled with hers.
His hand squeezed hers as he pulled away from the kiss.
Skylar's eyes opened, eyes meeting Klaus' as the Original sent her a smile.
"You are now officially part of this family."
Salvatore Boarding House
"Why don't you just drive a stake through your heart and get it over with, Damon?"
Damon grimaced at the exasperation in Stefan's tone, as if his brother was tired of saying it. He felt air hit him as Stefan walked further into the front room, kicking aside empty bottles of bourbon and he inhaled sharply as the lights were turned on.
"Go away. I'm brooding over our sister."
Damon's leg shot out and he angrily kicked over the coffee table."She hasn't called me back."
He rolled is eyes as Stefan chuckled, clearly still in his no humanity phase. He's been gone, Damon had forgotten how long, but it felt like years.
"Pathetic. You're a pathetic excuse for a brother."
The eldest Salvatore sibling shut his eyes for a moment to compose himself before he opened them once more just to witness Stefan sit across from him.
Damon gave a cold, breathy laugh, forcing a grin on his face.
"Little harsh, don't ya-"
"I was talking to myself. Way to be self centred."Stefan cut in, leaning forward and swiping Damon's glass from him."But, yeah, you are too. Worse than me, in fact."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because even though i'm at the bottom of the no humanity sea, I check up on my sister while you sit here in the dark feeling sorry for yourself."
Stefan shook his head with a tut, gesturing to Damon with the glass."How Stefan of you, brother."
Damon's head snapped up and he straightened, eyes wide.
"You've seen her."
"Yeah, but not face to face. I said that i've been checking up on her, not sitting at the dinner table with her."
"Rebekah's planned this year's annual school party, she wouldn't shut up about it in History."
Damon stared at his brother, irritation in his eyes and he held up his hands, confused.
"So?"
"So, Damon, I made a big noise about you and I attending."Stefan rolled his eyes when Damon, once more, sent him a confused look."If we were thought to be going, Skylar wouldn't go so Rebekah's party wouldn't be ruined with our fighting. So we know where she'll be tonight."
"She's been living there for almost two months, Stefan, we know where she is. What does that have to do with anything?"
"If you shut up, i'll tell you!"Stefan snapped, clutching the glass so hard that it broke, shards of glasses flying and some embedding themselves in his skin."That felt slightly better."
Damon raised an eyebrow as his brother casually picked glass from his hand as he carried on with his story.
"Now, part of the reason Rebekah was so uppity about the party was because her little boyfriend was her date. I may have convinced him to break her heart before the party. Mean, I know, but it had to be done."
Stefan didn't seem at all remorseful as he chuckled before carrying on."But, still, the show must go on. So what happens when a heartbroken sister comes home crying about not having a date for the party?"
Damon, who knew all too well what entailed with having a sister, didn't need to think before he replied.
"You take her to the party after giving the guy a beating. Easy."
Stefan nodded along, adding."Which means that..."
Damon straightened as realisation dawned on him."Barbie Klaus is gonna having a brother on each arm at the party."
"Ding ding! Took you a while but you got there."Stefan clapped his hands on his legs, shaking his head at Damon."I saw Elijah and Kol pull up at the school so that leaves two Originals with Sky. Klaus and Finn."
Damon's smile fell at the Originals' names, and his head tipped back before he let out an annoyed groan.
"The wrong two brothers, Stef. The eldest brother and the hybrid."
"So while we're getting chewed on by the dog, we'll be armless as Finn plays doctor."Damon gave a clearly false laugh as he leant forward and patted his brother on the shoulder."Great job, Stef."
Stefan shoved Damon's hand away from him, scowling.
"Finn's not a problem. He'll kick our asses if Skylar wants him too. She's more likely to kick our asses herself."
"And Klaus?"
Stefan shrugged, and he leant back against his seat, arm folding over the back of it.
"He might kill us. Scratch that, he probably will."Stefan eyed Damon as his brother's face fell and he leant forward, tone serious."Either way, i'm going to get in there and talk to our sister, Damon. It's not about who she's in bed with; it's about not going the rest of eternity with a Skylar shaped hole where she's supposed to be."
Stefan then held out his arms, gesturing to around them.
"Look at us! We're a mess. How are we supposed to survive the rest of the year like this let alone forever?"
The youngest Salvatore brother forced Damon to look at him."She is our sister, Damon. Part of me and part of you. Are you honestly willing to drown in denial?"
Damon pushed his brother away, letting out a cold laugh as he shook his head.
"So what are we gonna do? Beg for Skylar's attention while that dick watches? No."
Stefan shook his head, giving his brother a harsh glare before he shrugged.
"Fine, if you're happy with how things are with our sister, by all means, stay and drown your sorrows while she plays happy families with our enemy."
Stefan then stood, looking down at Damon with an expression his brother couldn't define.
"I'll do it myself. I'll go on a suicide mission to salvage what is left of our bond with our sister."
Stefan backed away from Damon, giving his brother a half smile.
"You know where I am if you grow a pair."
Thank you for reading!
I was stuck on this for so long. Klaus and Skylar are so complex so I focused most of my time on their scene but I hope I did well!
They're somewhat content right now. But things might stay so content for long if Damon shows up.
If you enjoyed this chapter and you would like to see more of this story, please leave a review.