Prompt from enniec123: kc at an aquarium + beluga whale


Klaus turns the last corner leading to the back of the small aquarium and is hit with a blast of humidity. The room is warm and damp; loud sounds of water swirling and splattering echo under the high ceilings. An average human would surely be sweating buckets at this point, so Klaus shakes off his jacket for the sake of appearance, making sure the stupid visitor's badge they are making him wear around his neck doesn't fall off. He's aiming for discretion after all. But after the unbearably boring thirty minutes listening to the Director of Marine Mammals droning on about every tedious detail about their work, he is beginning to reconsider his strategy.

Maybe killing everyone in sight and letting the sharks have a feast would be a much more enjoyable approach. From what he's heard so far, the little Georgian aquarium could certainly use the media coverage.

But alas, pleasant as that may be, it also might draw too much unwanted attention, which is the last thing Klaus wants at the moment. So he stood there with a fake smile, making the best effort to look like he was taking notes, and only compelled the Director to leave him alone when he was sure that half of the aquarium had heard of the visiting reporter from the Gazette.

The things he does for his siblings.

Almost half of his life he's spent keeping them safe and undead in coffins, about the other half tracking them down through chaos and ruins, and the sliver of a portion left-over he's allotted to both resenting and ignoring the fact that they would rather be out there exposing themselves to danger than stay at his side.

It came as a surprise when Kol showed up unannounced. Over the years, he was the one that Klaus had seen the least. Rebekah owned the keys to most of Klaus's properties, stayed with him for a few months at a time until she got royally pissed at him for something so trivial such as commenting on the dreadful hairstyle of her latest beau, up and left, and then came back after a while just to start the whole process all over again; Elijah didn't visit as often, but was never more than a phone call, or (call it dull, or old-fashioned, or endearing depending on your perspective and mood) a letter to his Lake District estate away.

But Kol was ever elusive. He left no messages nor traces, never stayed in one place for more than a few weeks, and the handful of times Klaus had sent his hybrids to check up on him, Kol had killed the incompetent lackeys on the spot. Even in those rare occasions when they happened to bump into each other in a dingy pub or a dark alley somewhere, he'd refused to catch up with Klaus for more than a drink's time.

When Klaus asked about where he was headed, he'd smirk, eyes squinted with menace, fingers fumbling whatever was close in a jerky motion, as if ready to break with it the rest of the world, "you should know better than to ask, Nik."

In the early years when Klaus was tactless enough to follow him, he left villages and towns of mutilated bodies as warnings, every corpse with something protruding from their heart, curtain rods, table legs, wired hangers. Like a morbid word puzzle game with the answer "things that stab".

Such as a dagger.

In the end, Klaus left him be. As long as he was staying in lines, he told himself. As long as he was not jeopardizing their family's security. As if Kol and their family were two separate entities. Maybe they were – maybe the gaping cleft between them was long since beyond repair.

So he was surprised, or even mildly pleased when Kol came to look for him in Kyoto three months ago, even if it was about a deadly threat to them all. A lead to a secret stash of white oak, hidden centuries ago somewhere in the Arctic by an unknown coven. Kol wouldn't divulge a word more than that – and Klaus had suspected that something wicked was afoot. As usual he'd grilled and threatened and raged, until Kol, irritatingly calm through his tantrum, had cut him off with a cold grin.

"Do not make me regret coming to you, Nik. You of all people should know how much my misery loves company."

There were not a lot of people left on earth who could make Klaus relent. But in the end he went with his estranged younger brother without asking more questions, promising himself that he'd get even as soon as they found the rumored white oak, knowing he probably would not get his way this time. There was something sharp yet guarded in Kol's eyes, and while it had begun to thaw as they traveled together like they hadn't done for centuries, over joint torture sessions and shared glances, it'd still been there, unlike the wounds he'd left in the younger vampire's chest over the years.

"You are not the worst company, Nik," Kol had slurred out to him in a private jet thirty thousand feet above the Pacific, a glass of Scotch in one hand and the bleeding neck of the pretty stewardess in the other, "when I can see both your hands occupied with drinks."

And Klaus had sighed, pouring himself another glass of blood-laced wine from the decanter with a purposefully slow move, letting the sound of splash fill the cabin and their heightened sense of hearing.

It was probably the closest either could come to expressing any emotions towards the other.

Their trek to the north had been fruitful. They'd enlisted the help of a local warlock uncovering the hidden white oak stash and burnt it all on sight. One look between the brothers had sealed the fate of the warlock – they had no intention of letting even a wind of this out of the Arctic Circle. But their prey was much smarter and more cold-hearted than they'd given him credit for. Apparently he was willing to risk the life of his whole family being held hostage by Klaus for his own survival, using his one chance at chanting to cast a powerful spell on Kol, hoping it would distract Klaus enough to buy himself some escaping time.

Paralyzed in place, Klaus had watched his chatty brother turn right into a chatty beluga whale and drop into the freezing ocean.

Some dark humor on the warlock's part, he presumed; he didn't have enough time to ask before his fingers ended up squishing into the pumping muscles of the old chap. He missed the chance again to corroborate the sense of humor of the deceased when he massacred his whole family, too busy reveling in the pleas and screams.

The warlock did not underestimate Klaus's concern for his own sibling – just his thirst for vengeance, and his talent in multitasking.

He could look for Kol while slaughtering the weak and the innocent, and terrorizing their contacts into doing his bidding.

It's all worked out perfectly, save for the fact that now, three months later, Kol is still a white giant of flippers and flukes, trapped in an aquarium in Atlanta, who may or may not have regained his humanly mental faculties.

Stepping further into the humidity, Klaus scans the massive pool that spans almost the entire room. Presently there are only three beluga whales in the water, one swimming in the far end of the pool, and the other two gathered close to the edge of the pool around a blonde girl crouching down. Must be an aquarist – Klaus realizes, vaguely remembering the Director's words about an enrichment session scheduled for the morning.

The girl seems naturally in her element playing with the beluga whales, dipping her hands into the water before raising her arms up high, splattering water on the bobbing heads of the giant mammals. The two beluga whales open their mouths happily, flippers moving to swim even closer to the girl, waiting eagerly for her hands to pet them on the beaks.

Klaus examines the animals with a frown, wondering for the umpteenth time how he is supposed to pick Kol out of a bunch of porpoises. But suddenly, one of the two belugas slightly turns its head to Klaus's side, and out of those sweet, trusting eyes shines a glint, just for a fleeting second, before the beluga turns back and whistles at the blonde.

He'd recognize that glint even in the pits of hell – perhaps especially there.

Klaus almost laughs out loud at the thought, a wave of overwhelming relief rushing all over him. He knew his brother may have nine immortal lives – but a visual confirmation once in a century or so wouldn't hurt.

Maybe he didn't need to butcher every human being in this aquarium after all.

The blonde aquarist, who has no idea the grim fate she's just escaped out of a whim of the intruder, greets Klaus with a bright smile as he approaches, "hi there! You must be the reporter."

It takes Klaus a split second to remember his assumed identity, "ah yes, that I am." Crouching down beside the girl, he offers a hand while keeping an eye on a floating Kol in his peripheral vision, "Klaus Mikaelson, from the Gazette."

Wiping her hands dry on a towel beside her, the blonde shakes his hand, her fingers cool and slender in his palm, "I'm Caroline. It's a good thing that you are here. The program's just starting, and any exposure is more than welcome – it could help get us the support that we need."

Klaus studies the girl, smiling at her obvious enthusiasm. Seems like he has a gullible one here – there might not even be much need for compulsion if he plays his cards right. Bonus point – the blonde's quite easy on the eyes. Stunning, really, upon closer scrutiny. Even in her bland uniform T-shirt and denim shorts, the curves of her body look positively delicious, and her bouncy curls pulled into a high ponytail fully reveal a beautiful face with barely any makeup.

Now that he has Kol swimming not a foot away safe and sound, Klaus finds himself suddenly in the mood for some flirtation.

"So, tell me all about the beluga whales, love," he fixes his eyes on her, drawing out the syllables slightly, knowing the way his tongue curls softly around those "L"s would make any girl crazy.

He's a bit disappointed when Caroline doesn't seem to take the bait, her lively passions appearing solely reserved for the sea mammals around them. "Alright, that one out there's Moby," she points at the beluga across the pool. "He's a tiny bit shy, but a total sweetheart. This one's Ariel, right now we're taking special care of her since she's pregnant. And this little guy here," she nods to Kol, "is Marshmallow."

Klaus doesn't remember the last time he tried this hard to keep a straight face.

"Marshmallow?"

Kol spits a string of water at him, and Caroline laughs, petting the beluga on the head.

"Kind of a silly name for a beluga whale, I know. But he's just moved here from Nunavut, still adjusting to everything, and we want him to warm up to his new home as soon as possible. So, you know, cold weather, hot chocolate, marshmallows..."

"Let me guess, love – you named him."

"Guilty as charged," Caroline picks up a sponge ball and starts massaging Marshmallow's head with it. The beluga squeals in delight. Klaus side-eyes his brother trapped in a fish suit, wondering what has gotten into him. The comedy of the moment will probably be better savored when Kol is back to his Original form, capable of throwing sharp objects and threatening murder when he's brutally teased about it. Klaus will need another witch, maybe two, in case the first one doesn't cooperate. He begins making plan after plan in his mind, barely paying attention to the blonde blabbering on about beluga whales.

"Excuse me?" Caroline's sharp voice drags him back from the intensive plotting. "Aren't you going to take notes or something?" She has a tight frown between her eyebrows, clearly annoyed with his distraction.

"Don't you worry, sweetheart," Klaus smiles appeasingly, "I happen to have an extraordinary memory."

Caroline snorts, "it won't be of much help if you were not listening to a word I said." She flips a strand of hair that has escaped her braid out of her face, "and enough with the pet names! You are here for a professional interview, so instead of throwing your 'love's and 'sweetheart's around, maybe try remembering the belugas' names first. Or do you need me to write them down for you?"

Klaus narrows his eyes, taken aback by the lecture from a puny human girl. Nor caring the growing flush on the girl's cheeks, he drags the silent moment on, weighing his options. Obviously he could kill her – slit her throat so that her blood would slowly work its way all through the water system of the aquarium, luring the killer instincts out of those "sweet, adorable" beasts, not to mention staining the pool a beautiful shade of pink in the process. Or he could compel her, one soft drawn-out word at a time, letting it sink into her pretty little blonde head that she had no control over anything, watching her squirm, and weep, and beg.

But looking into those fiery eyes, Klaus realizes, with a spark of surprise, that he doesn't want to do any of those things.

"Well?" Caroline prompts him impatiently, her eyes flashing flames – a mesmerizing sight.

Not yet, Klaus muses. He'd let them keep on burning for a few moments.

"Well..." He returns a sheepish smile, making sure he's peeking at her from under his fluttering eyelashes, before nodding to the clueless belugas – clueless except for one. "Moby, Ariel, Marshmallow," he grimaces, catching the unmistakable dirty look Kol sends him, something he's never imagined seeing from the innocent eyes of a sea mammal. He turns back to the blonde girl before him, "and Caroline."

The girl looks placated enough, though she still scoffs to hide the little quirk of her lips, "comparing me to a whale is hardly the right way to get back into my good graces."

"What is the right way then?"

"You can start with doing your job," Caroline retorts dryly. "Here," she picks up a bowl and gently pours a stream of water onto Ariel's head, making the beluga open its mouth in a big smile. "Try interacting with her. Beluga whales are very friendly, and they love it when we play with them." She pets Ariel on her tongue before clapping her hands dramatically, eliciting a string of happy clicks from the beluga.

Klaus scowls at Caroline's expectant look, "you want me to pet her in her open mouth?"

Caroline rolls her eyes, "she won't bite."

Marshmallow lets out a piercing squeal that sounds suspiciously like a cackle.

Klaus reluctantly rolls up his sleeves and extends his hand towards Ariel, noticing Caroline's eyes lingering on his forearm. "See something you like, Caroline?"

"Just pet her."

Klaus smirks, watching the blushing blonde the entire time he has his hand inside the jaws of a giant sea monster, finding every bit of subtle change in the girl's expressions so much more enjoyable than the soft wet tongue.

It's been a while since he's seen anyone with their thoughts written all over their face. Like a canvas splashed with blinding colors, so open, and vivid, and... dizzyingly alive.

When he's done, Caroline adoringly caresses Ariel on the beak before turning to Marshmallow – Kol. "Now him."

Marshmallow snaps his big grinning mouth shut.

Caroline laughs, "he's still new to the training, so you can just pet him on the head."

Hand frozen midair, Klaus turns his eyes to Kol, who stares back almost defiantly. But neither moves. In the moment that seems to stretch on one agonizing millisecond after another, Klaus weighs his options again. He could still kill, or compel, or simply stand up and leave. He does none of those things. His hand, which has been drenched in more blood over the past few days than a human in a dozen life times, seems to be moving out of a mind of its own. Klaus watches in a trance as it lands hesitantly on Marshmallow – on Kol's head.

He doesn't remember the last time he did something like this. Has he ever pet his little brother on the head like this? It must have been when they were still humans. In those harsh yet simple years when Kol followed him around and copied everything he did. When he called him "Nik" out of sheer affection rather than derision at something that only once had been. When he didn't feel the routine fear every time Klaus – not Nik, Klaus – reached out a hand to him.

Klaus snatches his hand back, as if scorched.

"What's wrong?"

He feels Caroline's eyes on him, but doesn't meet her stare, "nothing." He sounds coarse and annoyed, which is not even one tenth of what he is feeling, "why do you assume something's wrong?"

"You looked... nostalgic, for a minute there."

Now he snaps his head up and is instantly drawn in by the warm swirls of her eyes, something akin to understanding seeping through. He wants to wrap his hands around her neck and squeeze them tight, watch her struggle for breath as he demands her how she dares to understand. She understands nothing.

But instead he just shakes his head, "nostalgia's a cheap sentiment."

Caroline surprises him again. Shrugging, she touches Ariel's pectoral fin, guiding the beluga whale to present its side to her for examination. "True," she says while pressing gently along the swollen line of Ariel's belly, "but it's even cheaper if you don't do anything about it."

Klaus barks out a dark chuckle, "that's an awful lot of positivity even for someone like you."

"You don't know me," Caroline pins him down with a cryptic look, before turning back and restoring Ariel to her upright position, throwing a small fish from a bucket into the beluga's waiting mouth. For some reason she doesn't seem to notice Marshmallow's unusual quietness. "And before you say anything – I don't know you either. But I'll let you in on a little secret," she smiles at him then, teasing, but genuine, "Marshmallow here doesn't just let everyone pet him."

Klaus shares another look with the quiet beluga, feeling his chest blown wide open.

There are few left on earth, vampires and beluga whales combined, that can penetrate him with one single glance.

He quickly averts his eyes, turns back to the blonde human girl right next to him, and immediately questions the number on that very limited list.

Klaus grits his teeth – play time's over. He's petted the bloody belugas alright; he doesn't need to be having a heart-to-heart with a mere mortal surrounded by fish.

"This has been lovely, sweetheart, but I'm afraid I'll have to cut it short." He smirks at Caroline, pupils dilating, "now how about you meet me here tonight, and we'll pick up where we left off?"

For a few seconds Caroline keeps his gaze, unblinking, and Klaus senses the strange mixture of triumph and wistfulness flowing through him. But suddenly, Caroline returns his smirk, flames flashing in her eyes and powers exuding from her fingertips. The familiar pressure of blood vessels popping in his head starts to gnaw at Klaus, accompanied by a dangerous tickle in his bones.

"Counter offer, Klaus – how about you tell me right this second what you are doing here, or better yet, what's your brother doing in my beluga whale?"

Despite the growing pain in his body, Klaus can't hold back a grin. Now that's an interesting twist.

It seems he's found his witch.