Notes: This wasn't quite the chapter I had planned but my lingering issues with how little attention the Kol and Klaus dynamic got in canon reared its head. I hope y'all don't mind!

MARCH – WEDNESDAY

KOL:

Years ago, before he'd been poor, Kol had been acquainted with a lovely and adventurous Australian lass who'd claimed that she had The Sight – capitalization implied. Her real name had been something simple, Ava or Olivia or possibly Amelia, but she'd insisted she be called Eucalyptus Citrine, the name she'd selected for herself, proclaiming that bit of pretentious frippery was a better representation of her true spirit.

He'd done an awful lot of nodding and smiling whenever she'd spoken but the sex had been truly fantastic, even though he'd often suffered crystal induced bruises.

He'd always thought her mystical obsessions were absolute tosh. Today, however, he's been out of sorts, a half beat behind in every conversation. It's fortunate the customers who frequent Stefan's hotels tend to be a self-absorbed lot. No one's commented on his missteps leaving Kol to stew while feeling oddly… expectant.

When Nik walks into the restaurant, for the first time in all the months Kol's been toiling for an appallingly low rate of pay, he wonders if he'd been hasty with his judgements.

Perhaps he has the sight and it's just been dormant. Surely such a gift can be monetized? He's overheard plenty of the ladies who lunch talk of tarot card readings and professional aura adjusters. Such endeavors seem to be a lucrative racket.

Nik stops at the host stand, nods in greeting. "Kol." He scans the tables, most of which are currently unoccupied, "Slow day?"

"Average. It's too late for lunch and too early for dinner. The office types will start to trickle in to chase away the day's aggravations with liquor in about ninety minutes." Working in the food service industry has provided Kol with all sorts of tidbits of information, common sense sorts of things that he'd never given a minute's thought to in his old life. "It always turns into a bit of a meat market so I'd suggest you clear out before then. Some of the ladies are quite dogged when they scent fresh blood."

Nik grins, sinks his hands into his pockets, "I do believe that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"I'll be extra cutting later to make up for it." Lately, whenever he sees Nik he's literally attached to Caroline. Kol's not sure they're even aware that they're nauseatingly hands-y in mixed company and they ignore him when he points it out. With such ready ammunition the quips are easy to formulate and let fly.

"I look forward to it," Nik replies easily. "Can you take a minute? I have something to discuss with you."

Kol's initial reaction is dread. Discuss is such a formal word and he's fairly certain it's not one he's ever heard from any of his siblings when they were about to impart good news. He tips his head towards the bar, and Nik follows when Kol leads them to a table that'll give him a good view of the door.

Nik takes his jacket off, placing it over the back of a chair, and Kol takes a closer look at his brother. He searches for signs that something's amiss – surely if Nik had been about to deliver a blow he'd look troubled?

"It's nothing bad," Nik adds, reading Kol's silence accurately, as he settles into his seat. "Quite the opposite, I think."

Kol relaxes, slouching more comfortably. Just for a moment before another thought occurs to him, has him leaning forward. There's a particular piece of news that Nik would classify as good that would be most unwelcome. Kol's unable to hide his indignation, "You're not stealing Caroline already, are you? You've only just removed your heads from your respective arses. It's much too soon for cohabitation."

He'd thought he had at least six months before he's rendered roommate-less but leave it to Niklaus to lack respect for a proper timetable.

"She'll be staying over at mine more often, yes. Moving some things over. But no, I haven't asked her to move in with me."

Kol hears the 'yet' even if Nik hadn't uttered it. His brother is remarkably decisive and, given that his interest in Caroline hadn't really ever waned, had grown more intense over the last few months even as they'd been awkward and fumbling when in the same room, Kol's not a bit surprised that Nik's hatching long term plans.

At least they'll likely move into Nik's place. It's larger, has walk in closets, and is closer to Caroline's office. Kol's got the kitchen in the flat he and Caroline share arranged just how he likes it and he's finally managed to charm some recipes out of Mrs. Harris. The dog's even grown on him.

"I suppose a little more time on my own isn't the worst thing," Kol allows grudgingly. No need for Nik to be getting it into his head that Kol owes him a favor.

"Caroline says you've been going out with that caterer she's obsessed with more and more frequently."

"Her name is Bonnie," Kol says, emphasizing the name. He considers adding something about how his love life is none of Nik's (or Bekah's or Elijah's or even Caroline's) business but he knows Nik will only laugh at him. Other people's business has long been Kol's favorite variety to comment on particularly when his input is unwelcome. "And we've been enjoying each other's company, yes."

Nik raises a brow, rests his elbow on the table. He's amused, the wanker. "So circumspect. Uncharacteristically so. Why, you once regaled me with…"

Kol's sorely tempted to kick Nik under the table, an urge he hasn't indulged since they'd shared a bathroom in their parent's house. Instead, he raises his voice, cutting Nik off, "That was ages ago. Hardly worth discussing."

"Two years is hardly an age."

Nik's perfectly matter of fact, not the slightest bit judgmental. Kol still bristles, takes a deep breath in an attempt to corral his simmering temper.

"In case you haven't noticed," Kol begins, the words coming out quiet and clipped, "I've experienced a few rather drastic lifestyle changes over the last half a year."

He expects a flare up – being quick to anger is something they have in common - assumes Nik will point out that Kol's circumstances are entirely his own fault, and that he'll do it in the most condescending manner possible.

Their teen years, until Nik had left for university, had featured frequent fights of a similar nature. One of them would say something relatively innocuous; the other would take it in the worst possible way. Things would escalate, doors would be slammed, vicious revenge pranks plotted and executed.

Their rooms had occupied an isolated corner of the house making it easy for their antics to be ignored.

Once out from under their parent's roof Nik had taken every opportunity to stay away, had gone home with friends for holidays or stayed at school and used his coursework as a convenient excuse. Kol had always claimed to find Nik's absence pleasurable, had mocked Rebekah when she'd complained or cried or ranted.

Admitting that he'd missed his brother had been unthinkable back then.

By the time Kol had left university and embarked on his first tour of Europe they'd learned to deal with each other more amiably, if distantly, and had mostly kept to impersonal topics when they needed to converse – the places Kol had been to (along with some bragging about his conquests), Nik's work, their sibling's goings on.

Living in the same city, spending so much time together, had closed the distance and Kol's still adjusting.

"I have noticed," Nik says, without even the smallest flicker of annoyance. "In fact, that's why I'm here."

He holds in an impatient sigh. Honestly, a few more cryptic brushes against a point and Kol's going to slam his head against the table. "Lovely. Now, if you could just elaborate your reasons for being here?"

"I've agreed to cover your living expenses and I haven't changed my mind. I won't change my mind."

"Okay," Kol says, drawing the word out. He's still mystified. "And?"

Nik folds his hands and meets Kol's eyes squarely. "And I'd like to see a business plan. For the restaurant you're moving to."

Kol stiffens, another stronger flash of anger (along with a healthy dollop of hurt) racing through him. He grits his teeth together because he's at work and the words he wants to snap aren't remotely appropriate. He's just about to leap from his seat, intent on discretely flipping Niklaus off and returning to his post, when Nik holds up a hand, stilling him. "Because, should it be viable, I'm willing to offer you enough money to buy into the restaurant. To allow you the opportunity to be a partner rather than just staff."

Kol feels his face go slack, his mouth falling open, but he has no idea what he wants to say, where to even start. He has questions (has Niklaus lost his mind?) and worries, along with burgeoning excitement. It's a confusing mix and he'd not thought speechlessness was a state he could fall into before this precise moment. "You…" he sputters.

"Think you could be an excellent restaurant owner? Yes."

That startles a laugh from Kol. And manages to push aside the hint of panic that had begun to push its way to the front of his consciousness. What Nik is offering him is huge. It's an opportunity but also a gigantic pile of potential responsibilities. Kol's always shied away from those. "Funny, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Nik's head dips, a rueful smile flitting over his face, "I suspect most people would think that sad."

Probably but Kol's not interested in anyone else's opinions about their not so traditionally functional family dynamics. It works for them and that's all he can muster the will to care about. "Most people are stupid. And boring. And significantly less attractive than we are."

"The appealing genetics truly were the best thing our parents provided us with."

If it wasn't the middle of the workday Kol would have ordered a drink with which to toast. And then another because he's still reeling, could use the balm to his nerves. "Their money's nice too."

Although, Kol's found he doesn't miss his trust nearly as much as he used to.

Once upon a time he'd have insisted money did, in fact, buy happiness. Now, as much as he'd love to be able to hit up the fish market and buy the freshest catch when he craves ceviche, he has to admit he's come to value a number of things that don't have price tags.

He thinks that's growth. Growth is supposed to be good.

Nik shrugs, "Technically, Esther and Mikael had little to do with earning the bulk of it. I don't see why we should afford them any credit."

A sentiment Kol's happy to go along with.

"I have a copy of the business plan back at my place."

"Good. Caroline's meeting me here when she's done work. What time are you off?"

"Five."

Nik nods, glancing over his shoulder at the bar. Mary, the bartender on duty, looks every bit as bored as Kol had felt before Nik had strolled in. "We'll wait for you, yeah? Have a drink and when you're done we can all head back to your flat."

Again, Kol's surprised. He's still getting used to the fact that he and Nik have become something like friends instead of merely brothers who tolerate each other when required. "Sure. Caroline will protect you from the hoard of skirt suited harpies."

This time Nik's smile has an edge that's just the slightest bit lascivious. "I'm sure she'd be delighted."

Kol groans, getting up from his chair. He's not the least bit surprised that Nik's into the idea of Caroline staking her claim. He's spied a love bite or two on Caroline. "You're sexual fantasies are showing, Niklaus. It's revolting."

Nik's not the slightest bit chastised, "Can't a man enjoy a beautiful woman's possessiveness?"

Kol turns away, intending to make a break for it before he hears something scarring, but Nik stops him, "Wait! One more thing."

He pauses, pivots, waits expectantly.

"We're having dinner at Bekah's on Friday. All of us, Caroline and Stefan. Enzo too, I think. To celebrate your new venture. Perhaps you should invite Bonnie?"

"Why, so she can bring potatoes for Caroline to hog?" Kol jokes. "I don't think subjecting her to the lot of you is in my best interest."

"She'll have to meet us sooner or later, won't she?" Nik points out, annoyingly reasonable. "You like her and we're not going anywhere. Caroline's made it seem like she's led you on quite a chase. Makes me think she's got some backbone to her. Maybe you're underestimating her, brother."

The bell at the restaurant door clangs, pulling Kol's attention. He's pleased to have the excuse to get back to work because talking about his love life is just bit too much for Kol at the moment. He doesn't trust himself not to get gushy – he does enjoy Bonnie Bennett immensely – given all the shocks Nik has just administered.

He needs a little time to process. His mindless duties should help.

"Think about it!" Nik calls after him.

Kol does little else for the rest of his shift.

He decided he's going to have to whip out some of his best ammunition, his choicest horded blackmail material, to ensure his siblings are on their best behavior on Friday.

He's a man of professional roots now. It's only fitting that he sink down some of the personal variety too.