Bite-Sized

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"It's your turn, Nik."

She doesn't even turn to face him, let alone lift her head from the pillow, to give him this directive.

Amazing. A thousand years of every conceivable creature, mortal and immortal alike, cowering before him, only for this girl to come along, to know what he is, who he is, and to tell him to rot in hell anyway. It had been her bravura, more than anything else, which had attracted him to her. That had and still does give him so much pleasure in her company. She's the only one who's ever measured up.

Across the room, the baby's snuffling rapidly ratchets up into a full, lungy howl, and Elena swats at him blindly to push him from the bed, and over to where their infant daughter fusses in her bassinet.

Gingerly, Klaus lifts the infant and gathers her into his arms, dredging up ancient, nearly forgotten memories of a younger brother whom he had often soothed just the same as he hums to her a melody that has all but faded into the deep.

The girl settles sleepily in his arms, arms curling about his neck, cheek pressed hot against his throat. So much easier to handle than her mother. So much more willing to accept him, his affection, his love.

By now, Elena has sat up in bed, and, eyes still half-shut, accepts the baby from him to nurse.

He likes to watch them like this. His girls, the two of them, safe and close and quiet. However unlikely the circumstances that led them here, they are his now. He would burn the world down, so that they can remain like this, with him. The thought is always there, in the back of his mind.

But for now, as Elena glances up at him and catches his eye, offers him one of her rare, fleeting smiles before beckoning him closer to her, so she can press herself into his side while she cares for their daughter, he can let those thoughts rest, until another day.


A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review if you're enjoying these!