AN: Kol and Bonnie start to learn a little more about each other's lives outside of magic and their complicated relationship reaches a turning point.
The way the expression triangle works with the hunter and finding the cure is completely made up by me, I changed it to how I thought it made the most sense. There's only one active hunter but he can identify 4 other potentials. The story of Silas and Quesiyah is just a legend at this point, but the spell actually works to find the cure, not that it will do Silas any good, being trapped at the bottom of the ocean.
That's because this universe started off relatively similar to canon but went askew the moment Damon killed Jeremy when Elena revealed it's always gonna be Stefan. There's no Jeremy here, his death was permanent.
I'm starting to feel like these chapters are bit lengthy. Going to do my best to shorten the next one! Unless you don't mind?
*Dislcaimer: it should be noted that I do not own these characters.
The remaining Mikaelson's had called a meeting at the mansion with the Mystic falls gang the following Monday to devise a stop to Esther's filicide plan. The entire crowd besides Bonnie, Caroline, Damon, Stefan, Elena, Matt, Tyler, included Katherine Pierce, Nadia Petrova, and April Young, who as expected had risen as a vampire. She completed her transition with a blood bag from Caroline. All the cards by necessity (and much to Elena's dismay) had been laid out on the table about the prophecy, expression triangle, hunter, and cure, except the Mikaelson's were left unaware there was another doppelgänger that Esther was after. Kol remained mum about the fact that Esther had been channeling Bonnie, his reason being his family would see her as a threat. As far as the rest of the Originals knew, Bonnie still had her magic, she just needed to learn a new way to practice the task at hand. She was basically in the clear for the fact that she needed expression to find the cure anyway.
It was decided that the Mikaelson's would procure the needed vampires while Damon, Elena, and Stefan would embark on a mission to find rogue witches. Bonnie had insisted much to everyone's annoyance (except the three youngest vampires and humans) that she wouldn't allow the blood of anyone else innocent to be spilled. She had gotten their word that the vampires and witches needed would be those who were guilty of heinous crimes in their lifetime.
Kol would mentor Bonnie in the ways of expression, Caroline would in turn mentor April on how to blend in as a vampire, and the rest of the gang would train to fight against the vampire hunter. It was an agreement formed in palpable trepidation since various sides were thought to have their own agendas. This wasn't exactly a misplaced sentiment since there were revenge plots brewing beneath the surface, for centuries now. Kol had informed Bonnie that Elijah was strangely suspicious of his meeting with Bonnie at the time her ancestors turned on her. He also divulged that Elijah was barely keeping Klaus from killing Katherine and her long-lost daughter Nadia, as he'd been searching for the doppelgänger for five hundred years. Nadia seemed to harbor a grudge against her mother as well. Stefan and Elena remained at odds with Damon over anything and everything. Then there was Rebekah who tried to kill Elena for getting her daggered this year. Tyler, a werewolf who noticed the attention Klaus gave his girlfriend, Caroline. Matt hated all vampires, especially the Originals and Damon but seemed to get on well with Rebekah and Nadia, at least. Finally, there was April, who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else, the poor girl was clearly overwhelmed. Bonnie couldn't help but worry that this could blow up in everyone's face.
The young witch sighed as she took a deep breath and let her newly appointed mentor lead her down the halls of the mansion.
"Right this way, love," Kol led her down the familiar corridor that she'd walked down when she went to meet Esther for the first and only time. He even stopped in front of the same door and went inside to gather some items. It was an upper-level study that also housed some dark objects and supplies needed for various spells. Kol produced a burlap sack and filled it with the needed items before he led them back into the hall and out of a pair of French doors leading to a large patio. Past the patio, there was a garden wrapped around a fountain, which had benches in four different spots around the fountain.
Kol placed the bag on one of the benches and instructed Bonnie to wait there. Always one to show off, he used his Original speed to procure a picnic table and two chairs within seconds. A moment later all the supplies were set up at the table, and he was holding out a chair for Bonnie.
"Your seat, milady," he beckoned. He held out a hand which Bonnie didn't take but she thanked him as she sat down. She knew he would be affected by the contact and didn't think it was fair that he had to suffer the effects alone.
Kol took his own seat and opened up a thick and dusty spellbook. Bonnie opened the one from Abby.
"Today will be mostly an overview of getting familiar with what expression magic really is, where it originated, and the like." He stated, sounding like a true maestro.
"I've done some reading, expression magic was practiced without harnessing nature and was more about focusing your intentions," Bonnie explained. "It gets more powerful with blood sacrifices as long as the sacrifice is particularly gruesome."
"Right. And why do you need a mentor?"
"The more powerful you get can cause you to lose sight of your intentions and you may start to lust only for more power. You can turn rabid. A mentor guides you through the phases of power with each sacrifice so you aren't consumed with power and remember the mission to find the cure."
"And where did this magic originate?"
"From Silas & Quetsiyah. They were lovers but she found out he loved another woman, whom Quetsiyah killed and cursed Silas with immortality before she chained him up and threw him into the ocean to live out eternity drowning repeatedly. She used expression magic from the violent slaughter of Silas's lover to harness the magic that bound him. And hid the cure on another plane in a secret tomb that only a hunter's mark can uncover the portal to, if he kills enough vampires. What I don't get," Bonnie flipped through a few pages. "Is how the hunters came to be. Silas was a thousand years before there were even vampires created."
"Ahh yes, the origin of the hunters. You won't find it in any of these grimoires, actually, but in mine." He passed her one of his grimoires. "The immortality cure was a family kept secret, passed down from generation to generation all the way down to Ayanna. After we turned, and Ayanna realized we weren't capable of dying, Finn was especially unnerved by that. A few years had gone by and since the bloodlust was heavy at that time, panic began to spread. A girl from my village wanted retribution for her sister Tatia and went to Ayanna. She couldn't help then but Ayanna and the girl, Emelia dedicated the rest of their lives to devising a spell to unlock the portal. What resulted, three generations later, was the brotherhood of the five. Five people with grudges against vampires were willingly sacrificed and fashioned into one hunter, using expression magic, of course. A hunter who has the strength and power of five grown men, and can nearly match a vampire in strength and agility. It was a different bunch of powerful witches who created the spell that dictated a Bennett witch using an expression triangle will unlock the portal after the hunter completed his mark."
Kol finished by saying that each hunter has the ability to scout out four other potential hunters at a time and can train them in the event that they should fall.
"That's so morbid," Bonnie crooned. "All those people held lifelong grudges and some of them even died for it. What kind of life is that? I mean, I understand Tatia's sister-"
"Was a strumpet, just like her sister," Kol stated as a matter of factly.
"I don't know her story, I just think it's awful to spend have to spend your whole life-"
"The Petrova's deserved their fate. All of them do."
Bonnie raised her brow. Perplexed at Kol's reaction to Bonnie's sentiments about the long-dead Petrovas, she decided she'd best change the subject. She wasn't going to touch ancient drama.
"I think I'm ready to try some spells."
At that, Kol beamed a genuine smile at her and it stirred something inside of her. He seemed to love magic and was ecstatic and eager to help her harness this new power. Part of her was afraid he was secretly seething, just itching to sink his teeth into her throat for her earlier treachery. He seemed to revel in her company and it confused her. She pondered if it was a good idea to include him in her research about their mysterious identical dreams but decided against it. That was something she'd need to figure out on her own and her dreams had halted when she'd been stripped of her magic. She'd do her best to keep their interactions strictly about magic.
Kol explained that he needed to guide her in phases, that built off each lesson, culminating in the sacrifice, save the human part. Phase one was illusion spells and manipulation, basically parlor tricks but with actual magic. That part came after the human sacrifice, as long as she stayed within the triangle. Then there was defensive magic which required a little more caution, which was to be practiced before the vampire sacrifice, and finally offensive magic. That phase would have to be treaded carefully because it carried the highest risk of the wielder being consumed by it. Offensive magic would be practiced right in the middle of the expression triangle, after the witch sacrifice. Then, after harnessing the power of expression, from the hub of the triangle, Bonnie would be powerful enough to open the portal to find the cure, but this was also contingent on the hunter completing his mark.
That part appeared to be the most daunting task
She let Kol guide her and for about half an hour it didn't seem to be working. There were a few rows of candles set up all around them and on the table and Bonnie was following Kol's voice, focusing on one candle. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
"Just take a deep breath, love," Kol instructed. She obeyed. "Now let it out, and open your eyes."
When Bonnie opened her eyes, most of the candles were lit, albeit sporadically. She also noticed the daylight had turned to dark.
"Whoa," she said, amazed at the time-lapse. "When did it get dark?"
Kol just beamed a charming, proud smile at her and Bonnie felt a faint thrum of vibration from his aura. "You're a natural, Bonnie Bennett."
Things were strangely calm that week. Elena had left town with the Salvatore's to recruit the crooked witches, April was adapting surprisingly well to being a vampire, thanks to her vampire mother, Caroline. Klaus hadn't made any attempts on Katherine's life but he did train her and the other vampires in various combat styles. He was especially hard on Katherine and Nadia, which Bonnie figured was a way to work out his aggression. Sort of like physical therapy.
Speaking of therapy, Bonnie found it therapeutic to practice magic again, this time with someone guiding her every step of the way. Kol was great at edifying in all things magic, likely due to the fact that he'd had a natural penchant for in his human life. Lessons on manipulating objects and illusions had been going well and it was almost time to move onto the next phase. Defensive spells.
Bonnie made sure to always keep a safe distance so as not to give Kol any ideas about the blatant chemistry that aspired to blossom between them. As she was beginning to enjoy his company, she decided to hold off on the dream/vision interpretations. She didn't feel him so much anymore but a faint hum of vibrations that only happened when she was right next to Kol. The familiarity was becoming well known as she spent more time with him, she figured any physical contact may further complicate things.
Occasionally Kol alluded to the magnetic charge between them as if he already knew the outcome. Bonnie brushed it off each time because maybe he was just being Kol. Charming, but a bit of a know-it-all. He had extensive knowledge of magic, yet he claimed to ponder about the strange dreams. Clearly, they were into each other since there were some red hot dreams that left nothing to the imagination but Bonnie was too shy and inexperienced to address that part or admit it aloud. She preferred to play coy until she got the answers she wanted. For all she knew Kol could know what the visions meant, or he was so intrigued he was under the assumption she'd go for him. That wasn't an entirely wrong sentiment, but too cocky for Bonnie's taste. Bonnie just wanted to focus on putting together this expression triangle and finding the cure. No point in pressing the issue if she didn't need to.
Other than the fact that Abby had left town and hadn't returned Bonnie's calls, things were relatively normal considering the circumstances. In those early days, Bonnie could practice with Kol and she felt like they were normal teens. Or witches, more accurately.
When the time came to try some defensive spells, Kol suggested they move their study area to a more rural location. His logic was things can get messy for beginners and the Mikaelson's mansion was undergoing renovations from their mother's attack.
"Better you break a tree in the woods than ruin Bekah's boudoir or Nik's art studio," he explained with a smirk.
"Say less," Bonnie agreed with a charming giggle.
They used the woods just beyond the Salvatore boarding house, a decision that quickly became their first little quarrel since they'd begun Bonnie's tutelage. It started off innocent enough, until Bonnie accidentally set Kol's arm on fire. The idea was, he was supposed to charge at Bonnie and she was supposed to use an earth element to block him. Kol removed the shirt he was wearing, revealing his rock-hard and perfectly toned torso. Bonnie could've sworn she saw pecs jumping as he got into position.
"Ready?" He asked.
All Bonnie could think was HOT. Flames ignited along his right arm and he yelped, flailing around trying to shake it off.
"Kol!"
Bonnie rushed over with her coat and swatted it at the flames until they died down. "I'm so sorry!"
They fell to the floor together. Kol yelled hoarsely.
"You chose to channel fire without warning me?"
"No! I wasn't thinking 'fire' specifically, just hot!"
Kol's puzzled expression immediately softened and he grinned as Bonnie blushed and looked down, she could've died right then and there of embarrassment.
"Don't be shy, my beauty," Kol said with a still husky voice. "I can't fault you for how very perceptive you are. Although, you should probably take a step or two back if you don't want more hot manifesting."
Bonnie shot up immediately. Kol was up a second later, nearly pressed against her, before she could step away. "Unless you want to,"
Feeling his breath on her ear made Bonnie weak in the knees. God, she felt like such a cliche. She took a step back and sighed.
"I- I'm- I'll go get you a blood bag. Stefan has some in the basement."
Hearing Kol breathe his own sigh of disappointment helped Bonnie snap out of the weak-kneed sensation he was giving her. She tossed his shirt to him.
"Put your shirt on, Kol. You know I don't want or need distractions. I'll go get the blood bag."
"No need, darling I've got my own blood at home." Kol remarked as he slipped into his shirt.
"You keep blood bags at your place? That's progressive of you."
"I think they prefer the term 'willing donors' but sure."
Wait, what?!
"Kol, don't tell me you guys compel and feed on innocent people!" Bonnie narrowed her eyes at the ancient vampire.
He glared back at her. "I don't have to compel anyone, sweetheart. None of us do. Haven't you heard? The Mikaelson's have a harem of loyal groupies, all of who are very willing participants."
The young witch clicked her tongue. "You are disgusting,"
She shook her head in disapproval. Bonnie had noticed that there were always people hanging around the mansion, she figured it was Rebekah and Klaus's compelled friends. It was disconcerting now that she knew they were there to serve as food for the vampire family. Kol just waved off her sentiment.
"I happen to be a vampire. The very reason you're practicing dangerous magic with me is to save your friends, your vampire friends from extinction. They drink human blood. We all do, we need it to sustain our immortal lives, or have you forgotten that part?"
"They don't feed on people! They drink blood bags in order to retain some semblance of their humanity! And you," Bonnie huffed as she backed away. "You clearly have no humanity if this is how you treat people."
"I'm not forcing anyone to do anything, it's not my style, love. Unless they've wronged me in some way, I prefer to feed on the willing. There are those who just want to be devoured."
Bonnie knew that was a damn lie, as the mirth in his eyes gave it away. Why did he find so much gaiety in violence, debauchery? To her, it sounded like these people were experiencing some void in their life and were either looking for something to fill it, or wanting to escape into the void? Maybe some people were just into the fetish but Bonnie couldn't believe and sound of mind persons would just give themselves up willingly into the cold hands of death. As far as Bonnie was concerned, what the Mikaelson's were doing was fueling an unhealthy addiction, taking advantage of said 'donors' vulnerability.
"Do you kill them?"
"All vampires kill for sport if an injustice has been done unto them, or hadn't you noticed?"
"The donors, Kol."
"Surely you don't want details?"
"Do you kill them?" pressed Bonnie. Her patience was circling the drain.
"It happens, Bonnie!" Kol exclaimed, exasperated. "That's not always-"
She'd heard enough and turned to walk away. Kol called after her but she folded her arms and kept walking.
"Just leave me alone,"
Bonnie gripped her own arms, holding back tears. How could she think she could ever trust someone who was so nonchalant and dare she say, amused at such a gruesome way of life? Was human life so meaningless to him that he just-
Bonnie's thoughts were interrupted as she stumbled into a hard body. She looked up to see Kol directly in front of her, staring at her with beseeching eyes. He reached for her but she pulled back. "Don't touch me!"
He raised his hand in surrender.
"Never turn your back on me, love. I should not have lost my temper. Many apologies little witch, but we haven't concluded our lesson."
"I'm not staying here with you."
"We're not done here."
"I don't care." Bonnie pouted, sticking her chin out. She squealed when Kol suddenly grabbed her arms and pressed her to his body, closing his eyes and breathing her in. For a moment, they were still until he spoke.
"Go get the blood bag." Kol released a shaky sigh as he opened his eyes. He relaxed his grip on Bonnie's shoulders and took a step back.
The witch remembered insufflation was a biological need, then took off running as fast as her legs could carry her. As she got further away the faint hum of magic that had amped up when Kol had her in his arms dissipated. She was losing her senses when it came to him and she couldn't afford that. When she rounded the bend, she slowed to a slow walk.
Bonnie made it up to the door of the boarding house and rested a moment against the wall for a few moments to catch her breath. She knew had another vision of them that she couldn't see, yet she could feel a slight energy pulsing between them. She was beginning to think the more magic she wielded, it too would seek out Kol. What the hell could she do about that?
"Good evening Miss Bennett."
"Elijah," she straightened, pushing herself off the wall. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see Katerina. Are you alright?" He looked her over, noticing her sweaty and disheveled state."
"Yeah, I was just going for a run."
"Isn't Kol mentoring you in expression magic? How's that going for you?"
Before Bonnie could answer, the front door swung open, and there stood Katherine. She and Nadia had taken up residence at the boarding house when the whole prophecy frenzy began.
"I just needed to grab something, actually."
The young witch was glad for the interruption because Elijah appeared too friendly and inquisitive. That could only mean he was fishing for information of some sort. She wasn't in a giving mood, as the rising sexual tension between her and Kol had her far too much on edge.
"What do you want, Bennett?" Katherine demanded in her raspy voice.
"I need a blood bag for Kol. Stefan said I could borrow some of his." Bonnie replied as she waltzed in.
Katherine slammed the door behind her and Elijah and followed her into the foyer.
"And what's wrong with that pretty little neck of yours? Not good enough for your crazy ancient vampire boyfriend?"
Bonnie rolled her eyes to high heaven. It was always truly vexing having a conversation with Katherine. "He's not my boyfriend but please, feel free to mind your own business."
"Ouch, that must mean no! Gosh, Bonnie B, that's gotta hurt. If the witch-loving Mikaelson doesn't want to ruffle your uptight little feathers, I don't think you'll ever get a man. Witch is literally his type!" Katherine continued taunting.
"Who said I needed a man? And speaking of type, have you realized that you aren't Stefan's type yet? Clingy, yet self-absorbed bitch with daddy issues is a major turn-off to him."
They had reached the stairs to the basement and Katherine as well as Bonnie could hear Nadia laugh while Elijah scoffed from the foyer.
Katherine's vampire face emerged. She knew Stefan was a sensitive subject but it also wasn't the day to test Bonnie. She would give as good as she gets. "Careful, Bonbon. You wouldn't want me to rip that sharp little tongue out, would you?"
"Of course not," Bonnie feigned shock. "You wouldn't want me to set you on fire, would you? I mean sure, I enjoy having a tongue, but I don't need that for a simple little spell that can…"
Katherine's blouse started smoldering.
"Bonnie, this shirt is expensive!"
The smoldering stopped. "So is my patience and you can't afford it today. Don't test me, Katherine,"
Bonnie knew she could only take her bluffing so far as she didn't exactly have the power to properly wield fire spells yet but she rationalized that if Katherine tried anything, she'd scream loud enough that Kol would hear her. He'd be here in less than a heartbeat and Katherine would be at the top of Klaus's shit list that even Elijah couldn't protect her from. All for trying to kill the one person who could prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled. His wrath would extend to Nadia as well, and as shitty a person Katherine was, Bonnie figured she wouldn't want to see her daughter suffer, especially at the hands of Klaus. In fact, Klaus might lock them up and use them as the vampire sacrifice…
As the smoldering stopped, Katherine's vampire form faded. "Get a fucking sense of humor." she mumbled as she walked away. "Oh, and whatever you do, don't open the cellar door."
Perplexed, the witch wondered what the hell that could mean. She stepped down into the basement and headed for the deep freeze. The cellar door was closed and nothing looked out of the ordinary. Bonnie figured she should grab a generous supply of blood bags in case there were any further mishaps.
"Witchy? That you?" An irritatingly familiar voice called out.
"Damon?"
Damon's face appeared in the window of the cellar.
"Bonnie, I've never been so glad to see you. Open the door and let me out."
So that's what Katherine meant. Just when she thought the day was taking a turn for the worst. They finally did it, they finally put Damon away! The day was moving back to good territory. She placed the blood bags on top of the fridge and inched toward the door to gloat at the sight before her.
"Do you think I'm crazy? Or stupid?" Bonnie queried.
"No, I don't think you're crazy, Bonnie,"
She gave him a sneer. "This is why you don't have any friends Damon, you're an ass to everyone."
"I haven't had blood in over a week, I'm tired and I just wanna sleep in my own bed. Bonnie, please. Let me out."
"You don't deserve to get out! All you've caused is pain since you came to town. You destroyed Vicky, killed Elena's brother, you even killed your own brother's best friend! You've done too many horrible things and at this point, you'll only be in the way. You brought this on yourself, Damon, and I'm just glad Stefan finally-"
Damon's arm shot out and hooked around her throat
"Just open the door, Bonnie, and I won't have to crush your windpipe and drain you to regain my strength." he snarled in her ear. "This is your fault anyway. You let Esther out and she channeled you! Now we're-"
Bonnie could only choke as she started to lose consciousness. Her vision grew blurry but she was able to make out a blur flashed in front of her and snapped Damon's arm back, breaking the bone. Damon agonized audibly and pulled his arm back inside.
Bonnie didn't check to see who it was that intervened, she just rushed up the stairs and out of the front door of the boarding house. She didn't stop until she had Kol in her sights. She collapsed, still weak from Damon choking her senseless and Kol sped to her side.
Kol's POV
The latest vision had Kol mighty frustrated, in fact, he was burning inside. What he saw was himself removing Bonnie's undergarments and while her hands were in chains, and not only was she letting him but he'd had a gander of the most intimate part of her and it was truly divine! He couldn't get that damn vivid scene out of his head, it only added to fuel the fire in him that wanted her bad, wanted her NOW. He'd had visions of them in intimate situations before, but none that gave a near full frontal view.
Indignantly flipping through the pages of a grimoire on a bench, Kol noticed Bonnie rushing towards him, looking panicked and disheveled. He jumped up and sped to catch her. Bonnie was coughing and choking as if deprived of air supply. The frustration he was feeling gave way to concern for her well-being.
Instinctively, Kol bit into his wrist and pressed it to her lips. She instantly began gulping down his blood. A soft groan escaped from his throat as Bonnie stopped sucking and licked at the wound. Oh God, the feeling was back with a vengeance. She lowered her eyes in embarrassment at the realization of what she'd done but Kol caught her chin and tilted her gaze up to his. Visions were coming to him, and the pull was even stronger now, Kol couldn't help himself. He licked his lips and watched her own, noticing Bonnie watching his lips. He could stand it no longer, he needed to taste her lips.
He kissed her softly but only for a moment, and she was surprisingly receptive. After their lips mashed he slipped his tongue between her lips and massaged all around in her mouth, kissing her harder and more deeply. Her arms wrapped around Kol's neck, pulling him closer. Soft sighs and moans sounded from Bonnie as Kol circled his hands around her waist. He leaned forward, the weight of his body guiding her lower until he was pressing her back into the ground, never breaking mouth-to-mouth contact. Sucking, biting, and pulling at his witch's lower lip, Kol took the opportunity to start trailing kisses from her mouth to her neck.
Bonnie then let out a gasping moan that threatened to drive Kol mad and the sound seemed to startle her out of her euphoric state because she suddenly yelped. "My hair!"
Kol stilled against her neck a moment, feeling the young witch squirming from underneath him.
"Your hair?" He chuckled and pressed his face into the space between her neck and shoulders and tried to suppress the image of her bare-bottomed, staring up at him in breathless anticipation.
"Yes, it requires special maintenance!"
After a moment, Kol pushed himself up off her and stood, offering her a hand. Bonnie took his hand as and to his surprise, his mind wasn't attacked by visions of the duo. Now that his blood was flowing through Bonnie's veins, the pull of her magic, her essence had eased significantly, as if it was previously banging on the door of home and finally granted entry. That feeling of home present, Kol still felt the magnetism but it was shifted to something he couldn't readily discern.
If Bonnie was feeling the same, she didn't make it known. She just did her best- best was being generous as Bonnie was terrible with subtlety- to give him the slip with talk of her hair that she needed to take care of. Inwardly, Kol sighed as he attempted to suppress his arousal. He now had something he needed to take care of.
"Allow me to escort you home, then."
"No, I'm fine really. I wouldn't want to trouble you to…" she trailed off, as he watched her with an ardent gaze. "I mean, you still need to heal from your burns."
"But I insist, darling. It's no trouble at all. What happened with the blood bags?" Kol remembered how Bonnie came stumbling back to him, coughing, choking, in need of healing. He knew the centuries-old doppelwhore and her demon spawn were at the boardinghouse and rage began to seize him at the thought of Katherine or baby Petrova harming Bonnie.
"What have they done to you?" He demanded.
Bonnie shifted uncomfortably, Kol could tell she was facing an internal struggle which only further fueled his aggravation. She was attacked and she doesn't trust me enough to tell me! Unacceptable! She'd just had his blood, the makings of a blood bond and he'd be damned if his very essence was flowing through her and anyone thought they could get the drop on her. Someone needed to answer for this.
Bonnie's hands found their way around his waist and she looked up into his eyes, tempering his anger. She is trying to distract me.
"If I let you take me home, I want you to let it go."
"A moment ago you were so eager to leave my company and now you want me to see you home? Which is it, Bonnie? Why must you tempt me?"
"Take me home, and I'll tell you if you tell me." Bonnie stipulated.
Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "Tell you what?"
"I think it's time we talk about… whatever this is."
She spoke so quietly, Kol wouldn't have heard her if not for his heightened audio sense. Bloody fucking hell. They certainly did need to talk but he couldn't let whoever had harmed her go unpunished. It would speak volumes that his paramour was an easy target. Again, unacceptable!
"You asked me to trust you, but clearly you don't trust me if you won't tell me who harmed you so that I may give them a proper demonstration-"
His patience was running thin, he was about to rush inside and lash out at the first person he saw, not caring who it was. Bonnie tightened her grip on his waist.
"I am trusting you, to take me home right now, before you do anything stupid, Kol!"
She stepped back, pulling him slightly before she pulled her hands away. With her palms at her side, facing forward she gave him an expectant look that he could not refuse. He sighed.
"Very well then, little witch." Kol offered his arm. "Shall we?"
He then grabbed her by the waist and sped away.
Damon's POV
"Elijah, he's on a generational time out for trying to sabotage our survival plans and bullying teenagers. He's not supposed to talk to anyone." Katherine explained to Elijah.
"Katerina, would you mind if I had a word with Mr. Salvatore? It won't take long."
"I'd rather you didn't. Stefan doesn't want anyone interfering with his 'punishment' and he entrusted me to make sure that no one does."
"And why is that?" Elijah asked, studying her closely.
"I don't know, Elijah. Why don't you ask him when he gets back?"
"When will that be?"
"He didn't say. But Nadia and I are only guests here, so you understand why I'm in no hurry to offend my boarder by allowing his prisoner have unauthorized guests. I have one job here,"
"Surely the great Katherine Pierce can find other means of accommodations if needed?" Elijah countered.
"You know me so well." Katherine acquiesced, giving him a tight smile. "Make it quick."
"Of course."
Katherine gave Damon a look through the cellar door before her high-heeled boots clicked away.
"Damon," Elijah began.
"No use compelling me. I've been pumped full of so much vervain it'll take a whole coven of witches and the sacrifice of 100 virgins to get it out of my system." The younger vampire gave a listless smile.
"What's your crime? Why are you here, a prisoner in your own home, no less?"
"I'm thinking it's my good looks. Stefan wanted to take out the competition, his hero hair couldn't handle Elena warming up to me. Or maybe," Damon slowly drew nearer to the door. "It's my impulsive and reckless actions that take your entire family out as prophecy, inevitably killing all vampires."
Since Damon was going to be down here a long time, he certainly had the time to run his mouth to anyone who would listen. Hell, even if they wouldn't listen. All the same, it had been a week without blood, he had become quite delirious, he would later realize. His knowledge of the current state of things had become quite unreliable.
Elijah huffed. "How presumptuous of you to believe that you could achieve such a feat. Why, my own mother, came back an even stronger witch and even she couldn't accomplish that."
"Pfft, thanks to Bennett. Now mama's hijacking her power, she's taking over this town. Is there anything you Mikaelson's can keep your hands off?"
"What do you mean thanks to the Bennett witch?"
"All of the Bennett's. All that power. You didn't think Mama Original could do it on her own did ya?"
Elijah gave Damon a satisfied grin. "Well Damon, this has been most enlightening."
To Damon's surprise, Elijah handed him a blood bag that Bonnie left and opened the cellar door.
"Why don't you go have a drink, on me?"
Instead of questioning what could be Elijah's obviously nefarious intentions, Damon drained the bag, spatting as he finished it and sped out. He found Nadia in the kitchen. She was visibly startled to see him.
"You're not supposed to be out. How did you get out?!" She demanded in her thick Bulgarian accent.
Damon feigned injury. "What the hell did you put in my food? You poisoned me,"
"It's vervain, you idiot!"
"Nadia, please…"
Damon faltered as Nadia stomped over to him. At that moment Katherine walked in. Eyes popped in alarm as she yelled to her daughter, "Nadia, NO!"
Damon plunged his fist into Nadia's chest as soon as she was close enough. She gurgled as blood spouted from her lips. She was a much older and stronger vampire who could easily snap him in half so he used the element of surprise to his advantage. Or was she a baby vampire? Either way, he used her as leverage.
"What the fuck is this, Damon?" Katherine yelled, vampire face taking over her features.
"Katherine, for once do the selfless thing, and not the selfish one, unless you want me to rip out your little girl's heart."
"What do you want, Damon?!"
"I want to walk out of here and you aren't going to stop me."
"Whatever, Stefan can deal with you later. Just let her go,"
Damon dragged Nadia by her heart to the front door. When he was close enough he released his grip on her heart and sped out the door. He needed some fresh blood, straight from the tap, then he was going to find Stefan and Elena. There would be hell to pay.
Kol's POV
"Don't make me regret this," Bonnie said as she stepped inside her home. Her heartbeat picked up pace as her downcast eyes traveled up the length of Kol's towering frame until she finally met his eyes. "Come in."
The vampire took a leisurely step across the threshold, his eyes stayed on Bonnie as he closed the door behind him.
"Uhhh, make yourself comfy in the living room. I have to go grab my supplies."
"You were serious about your hair?" He'd honestly thought it was a deflection tactic in the moment and she'd wanted to wait until they were somewhere more private so together they could give finally give in to the passion brewing between the two. Suffice to say, Kol realized he would not be taking off Bonnie's pants that night.
"Oh, I was dead serious. I don't play about my hair. And you're going to help me!" she declared, flashing him a wicked smile.
He returned the grin. "It would be my pleasure, darling."
As Kol waited in Bonnie's living room, he noticed an array of framed pictures from her upbringing. There was Bonnie and a man Kol presumed to be her father, Bonnie with the doppelgänger and the blond, and Bonnie as a toddler with an older woman who bore a resemblance to Abby. He smiled and held the picture to examine little Bonnie closely. She was wearing a pastel pink tutu with a matching bow in her hair that was tied into a bun on top of her head. Round cheeks with deep-set dimples, she wore a big smile on her face as she hugged the older woman. Absolutely darling, he thought as Bonnie sauntered into the room.
"Ok, I'm ready for you. What is that?"
"Adorable toddler you," he replied with a warm smile.
She peered around Kol's shoulder. "Oh, that was my first ballet recital. Have you.."
"Voice your concern, darling."
"I was just wondering if you've ever been to a ballet recital. I know it's kinda girly but it's been around a long time like you,"
"Ah, yes. My favorite was Ballet de Polonais. It's known as the first of its kind."
As Bonnie led him to the kitchen, Kol recalled how he once aided in the choreography and composition for the Royal Opera House. Bonnie laughed as she handed him a water spout connected to a tube.
"I'm sorry but I can't imagine you prancing around in tights and I didn't know you had moves,"
"Oh, I love to move, little witch. And you haven't had a chance to appreciate the sight of me in the proper ballet attire. Most women tend to find it rather… appealing." Kol donned that sly grin as Bonnie blushed.
"I'm sure," she said softly, eyes cast down. "So, I've tried to brush all the dirt out, but now I need to wash it. And then I need to apply the product. I'm going to lean over, and would you-"
"I've got it, love, proceed."
That evening, Kol learned a lot more about Bonnie's human life and what she liked, than he had in all the time he'd spent with her up until that point. She usually made a noticeable conscious effort to keep their conversations about magic or how Klaus was the most recent bane of her existence. She avoided the subject of their parents and he figured it's because she didn't have the best relationship with hers either. He found they had common interests such as ballet and dance, as well as Bonnie had an eclectic taste in music. Kol's own tastes were slightly more refined, of course, but he attributed that to his interminable existence.
He was also educated in the ways to treat her naturally tight coils. After a thorough washing and proper conditioning, she used a T-shirt to squeeze out the excess water and applied a serum. The length of her waist-long hair decreased drastically up to her shoulders when wet, as it hung in its coils. It was a spectacular sight to see Bonnie in all her natural beauty. She used a heating device, similar to one he'd seen Rebekah use that flattened her curls so they appeared pin straight. Then, as they achieved her desired level of straight, she twirled the device around leaving a loose ringlet.
As Bonnie finished twirling the last ringlet, Kol couldn't contain his curiosity. "Why go through all this trouble? Your tendrils are most beautiful in their natural state."
He stroked her long waves, twirling a strand around his finger.
"I don't know, I guess it makes it easier to keep it out of the way. Also, it doesn't break my hair bands."
Bonnie was lost in thought for a moment. Then she clapped her hand over her mouth. "Kol, I'm so sorry, I forgot about the blood! I feel like such an idiot. I think Elena and Caroline actually left some blood bags here."
Bonnie rushed to her icebox and did indeed find a blood bag. She poured the contacts into a mug and heated it for Kol. Bonnie poured herself some coffee and they settled themselves in seats at the table. She watched as he downed the blood. Inwardly, he smiled.
"You're staring," he said as he finished his blood. He felt the healing sensation flow through his veins and although the burn damaged had receded, he felt rejuvenated once again. He fixed his eyes on the curious set of eyes on the witch. "Not that I mind, but I do believe we have important matters to discuss."
"Right, I'm sorry. So, the dreams, they're so-"
"Erotic, right?" He smiled a wide smile. "It pales in comparison to actually kissing you though and feeling your body's reaction when I-"
"I was going to say intense!" Bonnie finished. She looked away. "It just doesn't make sense because I already know you're a vampire."
"What do you mean?"
"Every dream I've had where we practice magic starts off pretty normal. We're just doing magic and it's fine, it's lovely, actually-"
"Isn't it?"
Bonnie frowned. "Can I finish telling my side?"
"Of course, love. Apologies."
"So, we're doing magic and it's fine, it's normal except I start to feel great power manifesting, and I mean stronger than I've ever felt. It's almost too strong for me to bear. And you're you but as the power gets stronger, suddenly you're vampire you and the power is greater, but its energy has shifted."
"The very same dream I've dreamed of since my human days. It was-" Kol began to explain but the little witch cut him off.
"You've had the same dream since you were human?"
"Now who's interrupting whom?"
"I'm sorry but that's kind of important! You dreamed of being a vampire in your actual life?"
"I was going to say I had the dreams for a time until I became vampire. I didn't have them again until I met you, three weeks ago."
"Oh my God. I don't know how you do it. I couldn't imagine being a vampire and being separated from my magic. After all this time, being a vampire, you still don't know the meaning of those dreams?"
Kol realized Bonnie was under the assumption their dreams were exactly identical as in they both dreamed of Kol manifesting as a vampire. He could understand why she'd think that as the visions that transpired whenever physical contact was breached, were indeed identical. Those ones were sensual in nature, clearly foreshadowing a romance between the two just the extent of that romance was unbeknownst to Bonnie. She also hadn't the faintest idea that she was the one manifesting great power as well as vampirism. He guessed the dreams she had were showing her the past, his own showing him the future. Was she ready to hear the truth? Kol's instincts told him that although she was trusting him as an ally, she wouldn't believe the truth if it came from him.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"There's a lot you don't understand about it. I didn't myself but there is a spell. I think you'll find the answer's on the other side of it."
Her shy demeanor returned. "I don't need a spell to tell me that you're a powerful vampire who has a crush on me."
"Is that what you think this is?" Kol queried.
"I felt it, before my magic was taken. Even now, practicing expression with you I can feel the beginnings of the same... magnetism, I guess? But Kol, my life is so complicated right now. I don't want you to get any ideas because we're doing all this," she waved her hands, gesturing between the two of them.
OUCH. That definitely fucking hurt, the witch was trying to let him down in an 'it's not you, it's me' sort of way. His face fell for a split second then he regained his smirk that threatened to charm the pants off her. As much as his little darling wanted to deny things, it had already been foretold and there was no way around it. A thousand years and she was finally in his life, and he wasn't going to let her go. Still, he would not apply pressure until she was ready. At least not too much. He would let the spell work its magic, with a little help from his ego.
"You can deny me all you want, love, but I am a vampire. I can smell your desire in every way. I will have you, Bonnie Bennett, one day. I have seen the future in my dreams, you are apparently seeing the past. There's no escaping it and there's no escaping me." Bonnie's eyes bulged at that revelation and strangely enough, she did not argue. Realizing how stalkerish that sounded, Kol tried another approach. "Aren't you the least bit curious as to why these visions manifested in your lifetime? After a thousand years…"
"Why don't you just tell me what the hell you're talking about?" Irritation was prevalent in her voice as she made her suggestion.
Just then, a pounding sounded at the door. Kol detected a distinct scent in the air that was slightly familiar. Alarmed, he flashed to the front door as Bonnie followed, with a puzzled expression.
"Are you expecting someone?"
Somberly, Kol shook his head. Bonnie opened the door to find Klaus standing there, with Abby in his arms.
"Abby! What did you do to her?!" she demanded.
"I tried to help her!" he growled.
She noticed her mother's neck was at an odd angle. "Is she…?"
"Dead," Kol said. He caught Bonnie as she fell to her knees, letting out a scream. Appliances sparked and lightbulbs burst in her home, as her anguish manifested.
"ABBYYYYY!"
At the onset of contact with the strength of power Bonnie projected, a premonition assembled in both the Original's and witch's mind.
"It has been years and I have missed you, oh so terribly, Kol," Bonnie said breathy and sultry and Kol hardened at her words as he pulled her into a kiss. As their lip action began to build up and their kiss deepened, a searing pain began to tear through Kol's heart. As if someone was crushing his heart.
Downstairs, another person could be heard screaming as well.
"Kol! Oh my god!" Bonnie cried after breaking the kiss.
The pain subsided slightly but Kol was heaving deep, ragged breaths.
"What's wrong, what happened?" she asked.
"It's a spell, to keep you from intimacy,"
"What in the actual fuck?!"
Bonnie reached for Kol again but halted when he let out an agonizing holler. He flashed to the wall, pressing his back up against it.
"Bonnie love," he said, catching his breath. "You have to stop. You can't come near me."
The gravity of his words and the regret in his eyes elicited a sinking feeling in Bonnie. Her heart was breaking.
"This can't be happening!" She cried.
AN: The banter between Katherine and Bonnie made me laugh so much as I was writing it!
Also, the premonition at the end, is going to be the point where Bonnie's like, 'I didn't say I didn't want Kol but no one is going to keep me from my future lover!' since obviously in that preview into her future, she can feel the emotions that come with the scene. Honestly, that's so like a woman. LOLs.
And who killed Abby?! Don't worry, the retribution will be great!
I have created a playlist for this story as well, let me know if you would like me to post it along with the themes in each chapter.