Hey guys, sorry it's been forever. I'm struggling with Kiara's big birthday chapter. Klaus is notorious for his birthday celebrations so I want to do him justice. Plus I'm working on some other stuff and I have wisdom teeth giving me issues (I'm scheduled to finally have them pulled out next Monday). So yeah... I finally cranked this little gem out. Hopefully, it is worth the wait I put you guys through. And yes, you did read this right. This is our first Part 1 chapter. I think it will only be two parts but we will see.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. :)
Chapter Twenty Two: A Night to Forget, A Day to Remember Part 1
Kiara didn't know how she got there, but she found herself walking down the street. Not just any street. Her street. The one in Mystic Falls. And she knew she was dreaming. But still, she felt apprehensive with each step because she knew where she was headed.
She was going home.
After weeks of wishing she could go back, it took one step on her street to realize a simple truth. Going back wasn't an option. How could she? Luka and Jonas died there. The last moments she spent in that place, she had a blade that was literally sucking the life out of her sticking out of her chest. It was no longer her safe space. She didn't have such a luxury anymore.
Now, this was just the location of one of the worst moments of her life. The place where she lost friends. The place where she nearly died.
All of this was true and yet as she couldn't stop herself from continuing on towards the damned building. Usually, she had complete control of her dreams, but not tonight. Tonight she was like any other person forced to experience an unfolding nightmare. Helpless.
It was a quiet evening, much like that night had been. Only the neighborhood was completely empty. There were no people cleaning up after dinner or tucking their kids into bed. She didn't have to knock on any doors to know that. It was just something she was vaguely aware of. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her ears and her hands shook at her sides as she got closer to her old house. What would she find there? Gerald? Holly's retreating car? Luka and Jonas's angry ghosts? Her own bloody body limp in the doorway? All were equally possible, equally horrible possibilities. But as she approached, she saw the porch light was off.
Kiara earned so many positive memories in this house. It shouldn't have surprised her that they weren't completely overwhelmed by the one bad thing that happened there. But it did. She came to a stop one step away from the porch stairway and squinted into the shadows. It took her a moment, longer than she cared to admit, to realize what she was looking at.
"Elijah?" she whispered as if afraid that saying his name would make him disappear.
In the weeks after Elijah's daggering, Kiara would stare up at hotel ceilings trying to will herself to dream of him. Even knowing it wouldn't really be him him, she still wanted to try. It would have been worth it to see him again. Hear his voice again. Hug him again. But it never happened. It was like even her subconscious knew she didn't deserve to dream of him. And now suddenly here he was standing in front of her.
Slowly Elijah turned to face her. Behind him, leaning against the doorway, was Kiara, breathless and shocked by her own actions. And it hit her.
This was the night they first kissed. A memory.
It seemed strange that a memory would even hear her, but he did. He stood there taking in her appearance as if he had never seen another human being before. And then, finally, he said, "Miss. James?"
"This is weird," Kiara pointed to her dream double who didn't seem to be aware of her like Elijah was. Then she turned back to him and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I've never interrupted a memory like this before. I must really miss you."
Elijah peered at her with curious eyes before reaching out and cupping her cheek. "Are you… are you really here, Kiara?"
"Yeah," Kiara smiled sadly, remembering this conversation the last time she forced herself to dream of him—the last time he was daggered. "Yeah, it's really me. I just wish it was really you."
She expected him to nod, to sympathize with her predicament like last time. Instead, Elijah grabbed her face and planted a heavy kiss on her lips. Her reaction was instinct like breathing air. Her mouth moved against his. Her hands gripped and pulled at his perfectly tucked button-down shirt. When he pulled back to say something, she shook her head and tried to pull him back to her.
A smile broke out across his face. Then he pecked her lips a couple of times and said, "I thought you said you couldn't enter my dreams while I was daggered?"
Kiara blinked, trying to process what he said. "What?"
"I was daggered…"
"No, I know that," Kiara shook her head. "I remember. I was there. But I, what you just said, it suggested, are you telling me that this… is your dream?"
"As far as I'm aware, yes." Elijah couldn't stop smiling at her.
"No," Kiara took a step back. But Elijah followed her. Each stumble she took to move away from him, he took another toward her. "No, I'm sorry but that's just not possible."
Elijah reached out for her. He ran a hand up her cheek and into her hair. "Why not?"
"Because…" Kiara struggled to find the words. "It didn't work before and I've tried for almost a month to dream of you. Why now? Out of the blue. How did I find a way in here?"
Elijah considered this but didn't see to have an answer, and Kiara sighed.
"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just, this is kind of a shit day for me as it is—"
"Language, Miss. James."
She continued without missing a beat. "And I have a feeling this might actually be some kind of psychological break or something."
"While I understand the inclination… let me assure you that I am very much real and I know for a fact that you are real as well," Elijah said, taking her hand in his. "I've been revisiting the memories I have of you on a loop since I was daggered. As many times as I've seen you here in my mind, nothing, not even the memory of you, can measure up to the real thing." He pulled her close and leaned his forehead against hers, just happy to be near her again in the only way he could at the moment. "I don't know how you're here, but I would know you anywhere, Kiara James."
Kiara closed her eyes, feeling moisture slip down her cheek. "You've been dreaming of me?"
"Every second of every day." Elijah let out a chuckle before adding, "Perhaps I drew you to me for a change?" He watched as a small smile graced her lips and his heart sped up at the sight. "I've missed you, Kiara."
"I miss you too, Elijah"
"I was worried that Niklaus would kill you."
"He said he never planned to hurt me," Kiara told him, opening her eyes. She tried not to look as guilty as she felt.
Elijah didn't move as he processed this. "You're with him now, aren't you?"
And Kiara had to force herself to nod her head.
"Has he," Elijah took a few steps away from her. "Has he hurt you?"
"No," Kiara said. "He's been quite… protective actually. Stefan attacked me and he nearly killed him."
"He's taken a liking to you." Elijah seemed to accept this right away. As if it had been written in the stars long ago and there was nothing any of them could do about it.
"I think it's more like he needs my help. We've been on a non-stop road trip since we left Mystic Falls looking for a werewolf pack that I'm beginning to doubt even exists, honestly."
Elijah turned to face her. "He's using you to look for a wolf pack?"
"Yeah, he's been having me charm people for leads," Kiara told him.
"For almost a month?"
"Uh-huh," Kiara said. "And while he's out chasing those, I've been trying to find you."
"You've been what?" His hand moved over his mouth in surprise.
"I know he keeps you close. I've heard him talk to Preston about it, but Preston doesn't really talk to me. He doesn't really get near me actually. I know that's not a coincidence. He has to know where you are so Klaus is having him keep his distance."
"Wait," Elijah grabbed her shoulders. "Kiara, you have to be careful. If you upset Niklaus—"
The panic he was feeling echoed through the dream in the form of a strong breeze. Kiara's body double had long since vanished and the real Kiara tried to calm him down before she was kicked from his mind completely. She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms settled around her shoulders. His mouth leaned on the top of her head. The wind died down immediately.
"Don't worry," she told him. "He has no idea and I'm being careful. Well, except for tonight, I might get in some trouble for that in the morning."
"What did you do?"
"David took me out drinking for my birthday… I got kinda drunk."
Elijah pulled back to look down at her face with regret in his eyes. "It's your birthday today?"
Kiara smiled sadly at him and just shrugged.
"I'm sorry, Kiara. I'm sorry I'm not there with you."
"Me too, but I'm gonna get you back. I promise. One way or another, I'll find you. I've done it before. I can do it again."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Elijah looked so proud of her.
"Of course first I need to get Klaus to unlink us," Kiara added like it was a small afterthought rather than a looming problem. "And I have to hope that my father doesn't find me before I find you, which is a serious concern since I'm pretty sure the cloaking spell that was hiding me was broken when Maddox died."
Elijah shook his head. "Niklaus would have taken care of that."
"But we haven't seen a witch since we left Mystic Falls."
"Perhaps you haven't, but believe me, Niklaus is very clever. He has many followers at his disposal and he doesn't take any chances."
There was a pull suddenly. Something making her more aware of her physical body. Something that would take her away from Elijah.
"Oh no!" Kiara said, more tears in her eyes now, as she tightened her hold on him. "I think, I think I'm waking up."
"Shhh, it's alright, sweetheart. It was inevitable." Elijah pulled her into another hug.
"But what if I can't dream of you again?"
"Then I shall just have to wait until we can see each other in person. You know I prefer the real thing anyway," Elijah told her with a smile before kissing her forehead. "Happy Birthday, Kiara. Please try to enjoy it and be careful."
"I will," Kiara said and opened her eyes
The only thing more unsettling than not remembering falling asleep is being in a different place when you wake up.
Kiara James wasn't a stranger to the occasional memory lapse. She used to get them all the time when she first became a succubus. She used to wake up with no idea how she got back home. Not even a dream would be fading in her mind. It worried her at first, but over the years, it happened less and less. It was, however, the first time she had consumed that much alcohol.
As she stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling above her, she began to recall the night before. She remembered that the alcohol seemed to pass through her system incredibly fast and she remembered realizing if she just kept drinking she could keep a consistent buzz. She remembered singing at the bar, Klaus showing up and taking her back to the motel, and falling asleep in the car. She could vaguely remember talking to him in the motel room. However, she couldn't remember actually falling asleep the second time. Nor could she remember what she talked to Klaus about. Fragments seemed to be actively trying to push through Kiara's subconscious, but she ignored them. She learned the hard way that some things are better forgotten and something told her her drunken escapades was one of them.
Suddenly, the double doors to her right opened making her sit up in surprise.
"Oh good, you're up," Klaus said, strolling into the room with a young man pushing a cart covered in food behind him.
"Wow… " the boy said, star-struck by her appearance.
Kiara frowned, pulling the covers up to her chest as if to shield herself from his gaze. Her eyes looked all around her trying to decide if she was still dreaming or not. The bed under her was unbelievably comfortable. Covering the window to her left were gold-embroidered drapes fit for a princess. The walls were painted a pretty baby blue that complimented Klaus's eyes. She was confused, but there was one thing she was sure of, this was not the same room she fell asleep in.
"What are you doing? Where are we? And who's this?" she asked like she was afraid to know the answer.
Klaus placed his hands behind his back. "Which question would you like me to answer first, love?"
Her face dropped into an annoyed expression. "Where am I? How'd you get me here?"
"Well, that's not fair. You just added more questions."
"Klaus…" Kiara rubbed her forehead. "I literally just woke up. Can you please just tell me where I am?"
"You're in the Presidential Suite in the Hermitage Hotel. I brought you here early this morning while you were still sleeping. I didn't see any reason to wake you after the night you had."
"And where is this Hermitage Hotel located?"
"Nashville, Tennessee."
"What? I don't understand," Kiara shook her head at him. "Why are we here?"
"Well I don't know about you, but I grew tired of staying in those drabby motel rooms. Besides I think it's time you be treated like the goddess that you are, it is your birthday after all." He looked around them as if he were offering her a room in his palace. "Breakfast-in-bed in a five-star hotel is a decent start, wouldn't you say?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a little over-the-top?"
"I do have a flair for the dramatic, I'll admit," Klaus stepped toward her, feeling almost self-conscious now. "But I think you'll find I can be quite fun when I choose to be."
The word made Kiara raise an eyebrow at him. It seemed like a natural choice of word and yet, it felt strange to hear it come out of his mouth. Like it had a double meaning somehow. And a familiar feeling bubbled up inside her from a place she couldn't quite reach.
Kiara sighed, not entirely keen on spending time with Klaus after seeing Elijah for the first time in weeks. The reminder of who Klaus was keeping her from was still so fresh in her mind, she couldn't help but resent him a little. Even when he was playing nice. "Do I have a choice in this?"
"Oh come on, love. The fun's just getting started," Klaus smirked at her. "I have a whole day planned for you. If there's one thing I do well, it's celebrating birthdays, and if you'll just indulge me I promise to behave myself."
Kiara squinted her eyes at him. "Why do I get the feeling you're up to something?"
"Today, my singular desire," Klaus reached out and tapped her nose with his finger. "Is to ensure you have the best birthday possible. I promise that's all this is."
Kiara wondered if that were true. Because, she reasoned silently to herself, if it were true Elijah would be undaggered and walking through the door right now. But he wasn't. So she was left trying to imagine what her perfect birthday would look like without him. But she didn't know.
The smile that stretched across Klaus's face showed that he could feel her beginning to warm up to the idea. She was going to give him a chance.
"We will start with breakfast," Klaus waved his arm toward the frozen bell boy who stumbled to lift the cloche covering one of the plates of food. "I wasn't sure what you'd prefer so I ordered everything on the menu."
The boy's hand was shaking, moving the covering side to side as it hovered over the plate. Kiara could hear his heart beating wildly in his chest. His attraction to her was a visible red cloud around his body. An aggressive aura making his desires known to her, to tempt her into feeding. No one else was aware of it, of course. Only Kiara. As a succubus, she was aware of most everyone's emotions and levels of arousal. Usually she was able to ignore it for the most part. By only taking the minimal amount of energy necessary whenever she fed, Kiara kept herself in a rather weakened state. The obviousness of the energy around her meant only one thing, she had fed recently and she had fed well.
"Go on, love," Klaus said. "Take whatever you like."
Kiara blinked at the boy and then at Klaus. "I can't eat with you two staring at me…"
It should have been obvious, but Klaus's eyebrows raised to feign surprise. "Well," he said to the boy, tilting his head to the side. "You heard the lady. Get going then."
"I, um, okay." The boy put the cover down and turned to leave. Then turned to look at Kiara once more as if he had been aware of what Kiara could have done to him before rushing out of the room.
"Would you prefer that I leave as well?" Klaus asked her.
"Hm," Kiara pretended to think. "No… you can stay. Have some. I can't eat all of this by myself," she glanced over at him as he carefully sat down on the bed next to her. "But I'm sure you knew that."
It was curious. He clearly wanted to be near her. Even without the link binding them together, Kiara would be aware of that. But he was being so careful about it. Like she was a stray cat that he took in from the streets. There was an uncertainty in his eyes now that hadn't been there before. Kiara found it almost endearing and she hated that, especially without knowing what caused it.
"I might have hoped that you'd share…" Klaus shrugged trying, and failing, to hide a little smirk.
Kiara reached out and dragged a fluffy pancake onto an empty plate. She was aware of Klaus's eyes on her and she tried to ignore it. Until he made a 'huh' sound. Her eyes found him. "What?"
"You chose pancakes."
"Yeah, so?" She eyed the strawberry he was holding with his fingers. "At least it's actual breakfast food. You know you're a vampire right? You don't have to eat the healthy crap."
Klaus grinned at her. "First of all love, I'm a hybrid. Second, I happen to like the healthy crap."
"Yeah? Well, I happen to like the sweet stuff," Kiara told him, taking a bit of pancake into her mouth.
"Good to know."
Kiara might have thought he was being sarcastic if he didn't look so amused.
"Yeah? Why's that?" she asked him.
"No reason, I simply enjoy getting to know you." Klaus said, reaching for a flat pastry looking thing with strawberries folded into it.
"What is that?" Kiara stared at the strange food.
"This?" Klaus pointed to it.
"Yeah, it looks like someone ran over a pancake."
Klaus chuckled. "Have you really never had a crepe before?"
"No…" Kiara looked at him uneasily. "Why? What is it?"
"Well I imagine, you'll quite like it," Klaus told her, picking one up with his fork. "It's like a thin pancake, but with filling. This one here has strawberries and," he took a bite. "Nutella, I believe. Would you like to give it a try?"
Kiara eyed the new food as he stretched his arm out to offer it to her. It felt intimate, eating something off his fork. But she did want to try it. So, she leaned forward and took a bite.
He watched as she chewed and swallowed before asking, "Well?".
"It's pretty good," she admitted before going back to her pancakes.
In the end, Kiara tried a little of everything. Eggs, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, even the grits. She didn't care much for the grits. But that didn't seem to surprise Klaus. He did, however, find her facial expression as she forced herself to swallow it very funny. That morning was the most Kiara had seen Klaus laugh. It was the most relaxed she had ever seen him really and it wasn't until they were finished eating that she realized why that was. They were alone. No minions, compelled or otherwise, were anywhere to be seen.
"Where are the others?" Kiara asked, sipping the rest of the apple juice.
"They're on assignment." Was all he said. She gave him a pointed look and he added, "Not to worry love. David is alive and well… that is what you wanted to know, isn't it?"
Kiara nodded, letting her legs dangle over the edge of the bed before sliding down for her feet to meet the floor. "I feel like… I should apologize for last night," Kiara said. "I, uh, I shouldn't have had David take me out. I knew it would piss you off and then I ended up drinking way more than I'd planned and—"
"No worries, love." The words were stiff coming out of his mouth, like there was more he wanted to say, but couldn't bring himself to form the words. "The closet to your right is filled with your clothes. I'll leave you to get dressed."
Kiara's fingers pulled at one another. "Uhm, Klaus?"
He stopped at the door. "Yes?"
Kiara wanted to ask him many more questions. She wanted to ask him when she fell asleep last night. She wanted to ask him if she said or did anything she might regret. More than anything, she wanted to ask if she had fed on anyone. Or worse, hurt anyone. But she didn't. Because what if the answer wasn't something she wanted to hear? What if he didn't even have the answer?
"Thank you… " she said and walked towards the closet. "This morning was actually kind of fun."
He offered her a half-smile. "You're welcome, love. I'll be in the living room if you need me," he told her before slipping out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Okay," she mumbled and then paused after processing what he said. "Wait, living room?"
It seemed like he had rented an apartment rather than a hotel suite. There were two bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, living room, dining room, and a sitting room. Kiara didn't even know they made hotel rooms this big. As she wandered down the little hallway past the kitchen, she wondered exactly how much money Klaus had and how he acquired it.
Without knowing exactly what they were going to do for the day, Kiara decided to play it safe and wear her favorite jean shorts. Although she suspected it would be warm out in Nashville during this time of year, she slipped on her trusty sneakers as well. Comfort always had been important to her. Now that she was a succubus, dressing up only seemed to hinder her in the long run. It drew too much attention. She did, however, slip on a floral blouse that tied at the waist. It wasn't something she was willing to admit out loud, but she wanted to look nice. If not for Klaus, then for herself. It was her birthday after all. Though if anyone had asked her, Kiara may not have been able to say definitively if Klaus influenced the decision or not.
She certainly couldn't deny the thrill that went through her when Klaus saw the outfit for the first time. It wasn't a top she wore often. She didn't even realize it had made it on this trip until she saw all her clothes hanging up in that closet the way they were now. Holly bought it for her last Christmas. As cute as it was, the neckline dipped a little lower than Kiara thought the people of Mystic Falls could handle. As his eyes took her in, she realized she was probably right.
"Is this okay?" she asked him. "I wasn't sure how I should dress… and you seem pretty casual today." She gestured to his jeans. "But I can change—"
"No, you look lovely," Klaus cleared his throat. "You look lovely, Kiara. As usual."
Kiara thanked him, ignoring the heat taking over her face. He didn't even bother hiding his attraction to her anymore. Before he at least attempted to be more subtle, but perhaps without the others around, he felt no need to pretend. Kiara felt like she needed to get the attention off of her and onto something else. Anything else. "Uhm, this place is huge," she said, looking around her again. "And beautiful. I can't believe I'm really here."
"Yes, well, if you think this is impressive then you best prepare yourself."
"Klaus," she took a couple of steps toward him. "You're worrying me a little."
"Have a little faith, love." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "I promised to behave myself, didn't I?"
Goosebumps rose from her hand up to her elbow. The tingling sensation silenced her for a noticeable amount of time. "I," she tried to catch her breath. "Yeah, you did. But you also admitted to having a flare for the dramatic so… I don't know what to expect here."
Klaus looked at her, entirely aware of the sudden effect he was having on her and loving every second of it. "Exciting, isn't it?"
"Don't get too cocky, Mr. Mikaelson," she warned him. With a playful glare, she pulled her hand away from him. "The day's only just begun."
"Is that a challenge, love?" He took a bold step towards her.
Kiara stopped him with a hand to his chest. His eyes looked down at her hand and then back up to her. She remembered the last time he asked such a question. Back then there was a dagger in her chest and they were in his dream looking at a beautiful memory.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what, love?"
"Being charming. Elijah warned me how charming you could be," she told him. "I see why now."
"What, this?" He chuckled, pulling away from her. "You think the memory of an old European sunset is an attempt at seduction? Sweetheart, if I decide to charm you, you won't even stand a chance."
"Hm," Kiara fought a smile as he looked down at her with a devilish glint in his eyes. There was something exciting about being looked at like that. Like he could see through her. "Maybe… maybe not," she shrugged.
"Is that a challenge, love?"
"Me? Challenge the great Niklaus Mikaelson?" She reached up and brushed her hand down his cheek. An electric feeling sparked to life in its path. "I would never be so foolish…"
Klaus leaned toward her to place his hands on the railing, trapping her in front of him. "That's cheating."
"You don't seem to mind…" she said, her eyes wandering down to his mouth.
Things had changed so much since then. But the draw she felt towards Klaus, the one she thought had disappeared the night he forced her to go through the werewolf transition with him, seemed to still be there. She had just been in denial all this time.
Was this fancy hotel room, this day, Klaus's attempt at seduction? And if so, would she be able to resist his advances? Kiara wanted to believe that the anger she felt towards him was still strong enough and if not her anger, then her own self-loathing would keep her from making a mistake. After all, what kind of person could have such feelings for brothers? Two 1,000-year-old brothers with centuries worth of drama between them already.
Katherine? Elena?
No. Kiara's chest ached at the thought. She couldn't betray Elijah. She couldn't live with herself if she did. And loving two brothers, two Mikealson's, it just didn't seem like an option.
"Let's just," Kiara forced a smile. "Let's just get this day over with, okay?"
"Very well, love," Klaus said, opening the door for her. "After you."
To the Reviewers: (Sorry I can't get to all of you. Please know you are all appreciated and loved!)
WickedlyMinx: I'm glad you're liking Kiara and Klaus right now. I am too. :) As much as I miss Elijah (if this chapter wasn't evidence of that), I think Kiara needs some self-acceptance and I think Klaus is the one to help her through it for right now. I actually have a plan of how we are going to address it and I hope to start that plot point in the next chapter.
1Demoness: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! I actually have a deleted scene I've been thinking about sharing with you guys that features Kiara's inner monster. I wrote it a long time ago and ended up rewriting the scene because I thought it went a little too weird too fast. So let me know if you think it would be fun to read and maybe I'll add it to the end of the next chapter.
Pinklips90: Thank you for saying that. I was a little worried you guys would be disappointed so it was a relief to see a positive review about the scene.
StarDust2Dust: Ughhh I know, right? There is something so sexy about Klaus submitting to someone. This is definitely something that I will have to play around with more when it comes to Kiara and Klaus. He seems to always want to be the one in charge (and that can be really hot as well), but if anyone can tame him in the bedroom... it's Kiara. ;)
DawnScarlet19610: Oh my gosh, thank you so much for the suggestion. I think I was kinda leaning towards something like that without even realizing it. I think getting the three of them to work together could be complicated, but your suggestion would make it easier for them to accept so I will definitely be brainstorming something like that for the future chapters. Plus it would help Kiara not hate herself for loving them both since she has such a difficult time accepting love as it is. And I love Madelaine Petsch, I wouldn't mind her playing Kiara at all. :)
ignira: It makes me so happy that you have read it more than once. I'm sorry for making you wait so long for an update. I hope this chapter made up for it a little. I am working on the next one as quickly as I can.
I know, I know. This chapter is a little short and feels just not enough, but I'm still trying to decide what they are going to do for her birthday. Klaus is so over the top and Kiara is so laidback... I'm trying to find a balance between the two because I don't think Klaus would want to push her too much. That being said, I have a feeling the next chapter will be much longer than this one.
Please leave any suggestions for what you think Klaus might have planned for her birthday in the reviews if you have any and feel so inclined. I've never been to Nashville, but Kiara loves music and I think she would like it. Some ideas I have listed are: visiting the Parthenon Art Museum, going on tour: like a sunset helicopter tour, a segway tour, or a ghost tour, visiting the Gaylord Resort Gardens or the Musicians Hall of Fame or the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, I also thought they could eat somewhere fancy like the Pineapple Room Restaurant or the Harding House Restaurant. So... yeah, let me know what you think might be fun for them to do. It could help me out. :)
As always, thank you for reading, and please review.
