"What were you here for?"
"Straight to business, you sound like my brothers." Kol admonishes and holds back an eye roll. "Now, what was that about me being your acquaintance?"
"Well, I can't exactly say that you're a vampire who harasses me." Eloise mumbles.
"Harass? Please." Kol rolls his eyes, trying his best not to look offended. Alright, he might have harassed her a little but she was still alive, not something many of his victims could say. "I'm checking up on you."
"You had no problem killing those guys the night we met. Why would you care for my wellbeing?" Eloise asks, seriously interested in Kol's response. She did not understand the working of a vampire's brain and was keen to learn of her chance of surviving this so-called friendship with Kol.
"Those guys were... bad." Kol declares, clearly searching for the right words. "And I do not care for your wellbeing... I just wanted to see if any more vampires have been hanging out with you."
"Are you afraid I like them better?" Eloise raises an eyebrow, not believing Kol's feigned nonchalance.
Kol grins down at the girl. She should know by now it is not wise to tease a vampire too much but he could appreciate it from time to time. "Very much so, I want to be your number one vampire. Being your favorite does wonders for my ego."
"I'm sure that ego of yours can handle one less adoring fan." Eloise replies.
"Hmm perhaps, but I do enjoy the attention, handsome bloke like me needs his groupies. Besides that, you fascinate me." Kol admits, carefully gauging Eloise's reaction.
"Oh great, I'm a person who caught the interest of a vampire." Eloise closes her eyes briefly, gathering patience. She refused to comment on his groupie remark.
"Will you stop calling me that?" Kol couldn't help but let a small hint of irritation shine through in his tone.
"Vampire? You are one." Eloise points out.
"I know, but you label it as if it's the only thing I am, the only thing I have accomplished." Kol narrows his eyes slightly, frustrated.
"Sorry." Eloise wasn't sure how to feel about possibly upsetting the vampire. If he was already a danger when happy, she didn't want to see his unsettled state. "As you can see I'm fine. Safe."
Kol nods, she did indeed seem in good health after he had healed her with his blood. This thought stroked his ego a little. Of course, he had been the reason she had gotten hurt in the first place but he had somewhat made up for his actions. A small grin creeps onto Kol's face. "Did you like my flowers?
Eloise nods not wanting to be dishonest. She knew Kol would detect her lie. "They are beautiful."
"Great to hear. I will send you more. Come, let's go." Kol grabs hold of Eloise's hand, fingers entwining with hers. The feeling of her small hand in his made a surge of warmth go through Kol, it had been a while since he had allowed himself such little affections and it was strange if not incredibly pleasing, especially seeing as Eloise did not retract her hand.
Eloise looks down at Kol's hand engulfing her own. Taken by surprise by Kol's action his words take a little longer to sink in. "Excuse me?"
"I said let's go. I'm bored and you're entertaining." Kol tugs a little at Eloise's hand, urging her to go with him.
"Bored? Maybe try a new hobby." Eloise scoffs before smiling up at a passing student. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to be alarmed by Kol's presence. She would rather not have Kol kill any of her students.
"You are my new hobby." Kol grins cheekily at Eloise.
Eloise can't stop the blush that covers her cheeks at these words. "Not what I meant. Go play with some trains or try painting."
"Painting is my brother's expertise, I would however not mind playing with you." Kol smirks down at Eloise, already picturing the things he could and would do to her if she asked him.
Eloise swallows, not liking those words coming from Kol's mouth. She didn't want to know what playing with Kol would entail and she'd rather not find out. "No, thank you. I have to get back to work, unlike you, I don't have an eternity of free time."
"You could." Kol mumbles, letting his thumb stroke over the back of Eloise's hand.
Startled by Kol's sincere tone and serious expression, Eloise furrows her brow. "Don't offer me such things."
"I would offer you anything." Kol didn't know why he had said it but he made sure not to show any remorse or embarrassment on his face. Perhaps he had said it because he felt something unpleasant gnaw at his consciousness for harming his Eloise in the past, or perhaps it was a heat of the moment thing. Whatever it was, there was no taking it back now.
"Why?"
"Come with me and I might tell you." Kol replies smoothly, not knowing the answer himself. He only knew Eloise in a way was his human. His... friend?
"Sorry, I wish I could help you with your boredom but I have to pay my bills and for that, I need this job." Eloise replies, not wanting to let herself get tempted by Kol's alluring words or gestures.
"I am more than willing to pay for your time." Kol prompts, grinning down at the human who nearly chokes upon hearing the words. This wouldn't be the first time he would pay for a lady's company, although he was certain Eloise would keep her clothes on this afternoon.
"So I'm your escort?" Eloise blurts out a little louder than she had intended.
Kol thinks it over for a moment. "If that's the term you wish to use, yes."
"How about we continue this conversation another time, I have a class waiting." Eloise tries.
"Send them home, darling. They are your last class for today anyway." Kol sighs, persuading humans without compelling was exhausting.
"How do you know that?" Eloise's brow furrows.
"I might have peeked inside your planner." Kol admits sheepishly.
"So much for privacy." Eloise mumbles.
"If you do not want to come with me, at least tell me who the lucky guy was who got to take you on a date." A smug smile once again spreads over Kol's face as he sees Eloise blush. He would have preferred if he had been the reason for her blush but there was plenty of time for that.
Eloise does her best not to punch the smug-looking vampire in his face, knowing it would be against her nature and would also be ill-received by Kol. She lets her shoulders slump a little in surrender. "Fine, I will send them home."
• • •
"Where are we going?" Eloise asks as she and Kol got into the backseat of a black car. She didn't know why but the vampire had a chauffeur. The man in question did not speak and seemed in a trance, which creeped Eloise out. He was probably compelled.
"My place, I want to show you my room." Kol deadpans, throwing his arm around Eloise's shoulders. He did not expect the human to come along so he had made something up on the spot.
Eloise blinks. Showing one's room seemed like something children did. "Your room? Do you live with your brother?" Eloise thinks back to the other man from the alley, the one who had stared at her while Kol-
Kol interrupts Eloise's pondering. "Yes, my siblings and my mother."
"Go to your house which is filled with vampires... that doesn't sound like a good idea." Eloise remarks dryly. Her stomach nearly turned at the idea of having to deal with both Kol and Niklaus today. Although she did not get a good impression from the man, he had been cruel enough to watch on as Kol fed on her.
"Ah, four vampires, one hybrid and a witch." Kol corrects. He looks down at his human who had paled a little. Not certain how to make the color return to her face he pets her head a few times. "Do not worry my darling. Remember, I am your handsome vampire bodyguard boyfriend."
Eloise lets out a small giggle. She scowls immediately after, blaming her nerves and current state of anxiousness for the joyous sound that had escaped her. "We never agreed to that title."
"I did, which is all that matters." Kol hums, placing his arm back around Eloise's frame. He looks at the driver through the rearview mirror, making sure the man wasn't eyeing him or his human. It would be a pity if he had to poke the guy's eyes out.
"What? Already have a boyfriend I don't know of?" Kol continues in an airy tone as Eloise remains quiet.
Eloise feels Kol tense imperceptibly beside her, which increases her worries ever so slightly. She didn't know exactly what Kol wanted from her, but she could think of a few scenarios. Eloise imagined that Kol might be upset if he learned that he actually had competition. So Eloise searches for a desirable yet truthful answer. "There is someone who I like."
Frowning ever so slightly Kol purses his lips. "But you guys have not yet established a relationship?"
"Well, no. Not exactly-"
"See? No harm in us hanging out then." Kol smiles again as he relaxes against Eloise. The young thing of course had other suitors, she was desirable enough as she was, but this was to be expected. Kol wasn't above killing them if necessary.
"Kol, when was the last time you dated women?" Eloise asks carefully, hoping to not make assumptions about his plans for her.
"Hundred years back, why?" Kol smiles to himself, the human probably wanted to do inventory on the possible competition. There was none.
"It shows. Women nowadays like to be given an option." Eloise deadpans.
"You do have an option, go with me, or get your throat torn out, again." Kol mumbles in her ear as if sharing a secret with her.
"Do you have to keep threatening me?" Eloise manages to ask quietly. She had really hoped to move past the whole maiming phase.
"Hmm, I suppose not. But I do like it when your mouth falls into that little O-shape it so often does. Very adorable." Kol replies, grinning as he sees Eloise's startled expression. Anytime he flirted with her she seemed taken aback, he would solve the whole coyness thing for her soon enough. "Ah, there it is again."
