They had only been on the road for an hour and half and Klaus was already prepared to fling himself out of the car window.
Alaric occupied the driver's seat, drumming his fingers annoyingly on the steering wheel to the pop song blaring from the radio. The twins and Hope sat impatiently in the backseat trying not to die of boredom and discomfort from being squished together. Hope sat in between the sisters, which probably wasn't the smartest idea now that she thought about it.
Family trips were not under Klaus's list of expertise. Never had he experienced something like this in his 1000 years of existing. All he had for a family his whole life were his siblings and was always on the run and when they weren't running they were displaying the toxic traits of their complicated relationship.
It wasn't till Hope that Klaus began a family of his own, the family he's always longed for. Then Caroline and the twins entered his life completed it.
With him living in New Orleans and his family in Mystic Falls, Klaus took every opportunity he could to see them. He never planned on his first family road trip to be spent with the most annoying human he's ever come across.
"Dad when you said you wanted to rent a 'hip van' for the trip, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind." Lizzie complained leaning her head against the window glass.
Alaric looked at his daughter in the rear view mirror with a raised eyebrow. "Hey, I'll have you know this van is very retro."
"It's a gas-guzzling atrocity on wheels." She scoffed, making the hybrid softly laugh in his seat.
He huffed. "Look, it was the best six seater I could find on a last minute request. Be appreciative we were able to get anything at all."
Klaus shrugged. "You can't blame the girl for having taste, mate."
"Thank you." Lizzie beamed at Klaus's comment.
Alaric rolled his eyes, not looking forward to dealing with this 'dynamic duo' for a week.
"All right, I brought snacks!" Hope announced opening the variety bag of treats (blood bags for Klaus) Caroline encouraged her to bring.
"Oh joy, did you pack them before or after you decided to sneak your way onto our trip?" Lizzie sassed, flashing her a fake smile.
"You really thought I was going to miss out on an opportunity to go to Miami?" Hope laughed.
Lizzie shrugged her shoulders. "I would've thought you rather spend the break canoodling with your hipster boyfriend."
Hope's cheeks flare into a blush the same time Klaus instantly turned his head staring at her questionably.
"Boyfriend?" Klaus questioned with a raised brow.
Gulp.
"Umm yeah dad. Remember I told you about Landon and how he really wants to meet you." The witch hesitantly reminded earning a glare from Klaus.
No secret Klaus wasn't a fan of the girls dating, even with Caroline's reassurance that it was normal for teenage girls to date and basically ignored it as much as he could but they didn't make it easy o him. The amount of times Caroline had to talk him down from flying to Mystic Falls and threatening every teenager at the school was a chore in itself.
"Ah that's right, the loner new student who doesn't even know if he's supernatural. That Liam?" Klaus mocked.
"Landon." Hope corrected. "And he's not a loner dad."
"Sounds about right to me." Lizzie sang staring aimlessly out the window.
Hope quickly shifted her attention to the blonde witch who was insistent on getting under her skin.
"By the way in case you've forgotten, which I'm sure you have because for once something isn't about you, I was invited here."
"An invitation you could've easily declined."
"Why would I do that?"
"How should I know the motives behind your twisted reasonings? Maybe you just wanted to ruin yet another Saltzman-Forbes spring break." Lizzie suggested.
Hope scoffed. "When have I ever ruined a spring break?"
"How much time to do you have?" Lizzie retorted.
"Girls," Alaric thankfully interrupted. "We're gonna be in this classic automobile together for the next 12 hours, all right? So no more bickering." He said with the most genuine smile he could muster making Klaus's eyes roll.
Both girls huffed leaning back into their seats gazing out their windows.
Hope jumped in her seat when Lizzie abruptly punched her arm. Her eyes widened in confusion and anger.
"What the-"
"Punch buggy no returns." The blonde witch announced, turning her face towards Hope with a smug grin on her face.
Another 2 hours flew by in the blistering heat.
They stopped at a gas station for a bathroom break and to pump gas into the van. Klaus took advantage of some much needed alone time to call Caroline; updating her on the road trip shenanigans with the girls and how desperately any company would be better than Alaric and his horrific singing.
God he missed her. Just hearing her angelic voice and warm laugh through the phone was enough to melt his heart. Klaus couldn't understand why being away from Caroline was so hard this time considering how long they've been in a long distance relationship. This trip changed something in Klaus regarding their relationship and he struggled to figure what it was.
Not to mention Klaus took immense pleasure in Alaric's obvious annoyance eavesdropping on their phone call and overhearing Caroline express her love for the hybrid.
When back on the road, his irritation didn't cease especially when Alaric felt compelled to turn on the radio. He bobbed his head and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel while Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" blared into his ears.
Given that Klaus was an 1000 year old species, mainstream pop radio wasn't exactly in the forefront of his mind. The most knowledge he had of modern music was from the three teenagers blasting their playlists throughout his New Orleans home when they visited.
- 10 more hours to go...that's all...you got this.
He tried to convince himself, but the moment Aaron began singing along he could feel his fangs ready to drop.
Klaus looked behind him to the backseat, offering a sympathetic smile to his daughters to ease them as well as distract murderous tendencies.
"99 bottles of beer on the wall. 99 bottle of beer!" Alaric sang loudly, trying to orchestrate the girls to sing along. "Take one down and pass it around, 99 bottles-"
"Saltzman," Klaus calmly said now looking at the man in the driver's seat. "Let me be clear. I tolerate your existence for the sake of the three girls in the backseat and the woman I love but if you sing one more tune while we are stuck in this contraption, I will snap your neck mid-drive and throw your corpse out the car door like roadkill. Understand?" He threatened with a wicked grin.
Alaric noticeably gulped, clawing his throat and concentrating back on the road.
"Are we there yet?" Lizzie whined massaging her forehead irritably, completely unfazed by her father's life being threatened.
"How many times are you going ask?" Alaric grinned.
"Until we get there." She sassed amusing Klaus.
It fascinated him how much Lizzie reminded him of Caroline.
Alaric sighed. "Maybe if we didn't make so many stops we'd be there by now. Just enjoy the car ride in peace and, dare I say, quiet."
Lizzie simply rolled her eyes.
"Says the man who won't bloody shut up." Klaus added, earning a glare from Alaric.
"It would help if it wasn't 1000 degrees in here. I'm burning up." Hope complained fanning herself with her hand.
"That's what happens when too many people are caged into one area." Lizzie began. "Body heat really is the worst and could be deadly. If you want I can save all of us from suffering a heat stroke and throw you out head first." She smiled.
"Lizzie..." Klaus warned rubbing his forehead to sooth a migraine that would never come.
He was not cut out for this.
Hope's eyes widened. "Seriously?! What is wrong with you, and what happened to being nice?"
Lizzie laughed and shrugged.
She recalled the brief moment a couple of weeks ago when the blonde witch insisted she was going to do a character makeover and better herself. To be cordial and polite to everyone, even the youngest Mikaelson.
Clearly that notion didn't last.
"Over. Done. I'm getting back to me. I am who I am." She proudly claimed discreetly flipping one of her pigtails over her shoulder. "Right Josie?"
"Josie?" Lizzie repeated her twin's name is her when she didn't reply.
The brunette witch stuck in her own world, earbuds in her ears and blasting tunes to zone out the other girls' yelling. She stared out the window aimlessly bopping her head to her music, not realizing her sister trying to get her attention till she felt a hard tap on her arm.
She looked over at her sister with a blank expression and pulling one earbud out. "Sorry?"
Lizzie scoffed in offense. "Josie, you cannot leave me alone with just her as company." Muttering under her breath.
The brunette twin rolled her eyes. "As if I want to listen to you and Hope yelling at each other back and forth for the next few hours. I'll pass. Besides, I get carsick if I don't listen to music." She said putting her earphone back in.
Offended and stunned, Lizzie reached her hand out smacking her sister's arm and elbowing Hope in the process.
"Josie!"
"Hey-"
"Stop!"
All three girls began yelling and hitting each other in the confinement of the backseat. Hope somehow found herself in the middle of a sibling dispute and resulted getting the worse beating. Her annoyance only increased the more Lizzie unnecessarily kept shoving her to the side.
"Girls enough!" Klaus growled turning in his seat trying to break up the fight.
"Dad, she started it!" Hope complained, pointing at Lizzie who smacked her head one last time.
He sighed. "Who started it doesn't matter-"
"Of course you take her side, per usual." Hope said rolling her eyes.
Klaus scrunched his eyebrows. "Hope, stop. I'm not taking any sides."
"Really?" She laughed. "That's rich. She literally starts every confrontation and dispute but when you're in town she suffers no consequences for it. Face it dad, you wear rose colored glasses when it comes to Lizzie and everyone in this van knows it." The redhead bitterly pointed out.
A brief wind of awkwardness hovered over the scene as Klaus's eyes softened and jaw tightened.
"Green really is a hideous color on you." Lizzie snorted.
Hope growled, her amber colored eyes displayed as she lunged for the blonde with claws. Klaus thankfully managed to grab her arm and hold her back before she could cause any serious harm.
"Girls!" Alaric snapped looking through the rear view mirror as Hope sat back in her seat again. "Now this is just ridiculous how you're fighting and this has gone on long enough. We'll all be spending a whole week together so might as well get use to each others company. There's no reason to be tense or awkward towards each other so knock it off!"
"Fine. We'll knock it off when you two do." Lizzie retorted crossing her arms over her chest.
"Excuse me?" Klaus asked.
Lizzie tilted her head. "Please, you've been at each other's throats since we were kids, and Klaus I could practically feel how hard you're restraining from breaking my dad's neck."
Alaric raised a curious brow.
"And dad you practically seethe at the mouth whenever Klaus comes to visit, especially when around mom." Josie mentioned. "I thought this was going to be a nice family vacation, but then Hope was invited and mom had work and I knew everything was going to turn to a mess. Why did we even proceed to go on this trip if no one here is putting in the effort to get along?"
The two men exchanged quick glares as did the other two young girls.
Josie made a point.
Why did they all continue going on this trip together? This van was a huge tension fueled cocktail ready to ignite in any moment. The adults just as bad as the kids.
None of them realized how important Caroline's presence was, not just because she was deeply missed but she was the glue. She kept this family together and without her keeping everyone on equal ground, it was chaos.
Klaus has had his fair share of family disputes, but never has he felt guilty about it before. The hurt on Josie's face and disappointment in her eyes made him feel like the bad guy he's been striving not to be.
Nothing meant more to Klaus than his family. He wouldn't pretend to be a saint but for his girls he would be anything they need, and right now they needed him.
With a breathy sigh, Klaus turned again in his seat to face the frustrated brunette with an apologetic smile but he quickly frowned noticing her sudden sickly appearance.
"Josie, sweetheart are you okay?" He asked in a panic, causing Alaric to swiftly turn his head as well.
Her face was pale and she was hunched over in her seat.
Shaking her head, Josie closed her eyes and supported herself against the back of Klaus's chair.
"Umm, guys...I think- I think I'm gonna be sic-"
Before any further words could be said, Josie puked all over the backseat traumatizing Hope and Lizzie who were desperately clinging to the windows gasping for air.
"Seriously!" Lizzie screamed in complete distress and disgust.
Alaric multitasked, keeping 90% of his focus one he road while also yelling for Josie to aim her mouth to the bag. Klaus swiftly undid his seatbelt and held back her hair as she continued to vomit.
He was grateful the stench didn't bother him.
Klaus rubber her back and assured her she was fine before Alaric pulled the car over to the nearest city.
"You're gonna be okay, Jo." Alaric reassured after parking in a shopping center.
Hope and Lizzie practically jumped out the car, trying not to puke themselves from the smell.
Alaric looked behind his seat, consuming the view of the vicious hybrid being so delicate and caring towards his sick daughter. Klaus's hand still rubbing her back softly as Josie caught her breath.
It was a moving sight, but struck a cored of realization in Alaric.
Alaric caught himself daydreaming, pondering, about the situation and what Josie said in the car. His eyes fixated on the hybrid who was standing by the van on his phone. He knew Klaus was talking to Caroline, likely trying to talk her down from worrying over Josie.
He didn't even notice Lizzie calling him until a french fry was thrown in his face.
"What?" He blinked.
"You're not even listening to me." She huffed. "I asked when are we leaving?"
Alaric sighed. "After You're done with your food. You must be starving."
"True, I was a bit famished. Maybe Josie tossing her cookies all over Hope paid off after all." The blonde said matter-of-factly.
"Hey." Josie clearly offended.
Hope just rolled her eyes sipping on her drink.
Alaric chuckled, looking over at Klaus again who was still on the phone.
"I need to get something from the van. Stay here and finish your food, then we'll be back on the road okay?" He promised standing up from the bench.
The three girls nodded as they watched Alaric walk towards the vehicle. Hands in his pants pockets and pace hesitant the closer he got to Klaus.
"Sweetheart I assure you this wasn't the road trip I had in mind either. I take the insane bickering over holding my daughter's hair back so she can vomit into a plastic bag any day." Klaus joked.
Alaric overheard.
"Is that so? Then I guess lucky me I never had to worry about you and alcohol poisoning, your high school boyfriends must've had it rough." He teased into the phone. "Just so you know love, I'd hold your hair back whenever you need it." He genuinely claimed.
The other man softly grinned hearing the exchange between the lovers. Sometimes they were annoyingly cute, not even Alaric could deny it.
Caroline really did bring out Klaus's humanity without even trying.
Klaus's body tensed when he noticed Alaric was just very easy from him.
He cleared his throat turning into the car. "Sweetheart I have to go..." He laughed. "Yes, I promise to text you when we get back on the road, and yes Josie is fine love don't worry...and I you, my love." Klaus softly declared before ending the call.
"Caroline?" Alaric asked now in front of the van.
Klaus nodded. "I knew if I didn't call she'd get worried, and force me to sleep on the couch after finding out about Josie."
Alaric laughed standing next to Klaus. "That's Caroline. Always a worrier."
The hybrid leaned back against the vehicle, arms crossed and a small smirk teasing his lips.
Another wave of awkward silence hovered over them as they both leaned back gazing at the three girls sitting at the table across the way. They seemed to have actually been enjoying each other's company.
"Look, Klaus there's no secret how I feel about you and your relationship with my family..." Alaric spoke. "I know we both agreed to be cordial for the girls' sake but, easier said than done." He tried to joke but earned no expression from the other man.
He cleared his throat. "Given all me and you have been through even before the twins were thought of, can you blame me for being a bit put off?"
Klaus tilted his head curiously.
"You did horrendous things, unredeemable things. You killed people I cared about, the first woman I've ever loved, killed me and terrorized an entire town for your own pleasure. It's still difficult for me to accept that the same man who did all of that, is now a regular in my home, insanely loved by the mother of my children and worshipped by my own daughters."
The corner of Klaus's lips twitched.
"Well if we're being picky, you also killed me and attempted to throw my corpse at the bottom of the ocean so I guess we're even." Klaus teased, making them both briefly chuckle.
The mood slightly lighter as silence dominated again.
"I love her." Klaus said.
Alaric sighed heavily. "I know you do."
"I love the girls too."
Alaric softly grinned. "Yes, I know that as well."
"Then you should also know you're wrong, Saltzman." He faced him and stood tall. "You're wrong about me. I'm not that same man who blew into Mystic Falls over a decade ago. I don't deny my past or play innocent, I take responsibility for all I've done no question and have no regrets. You say I'm not redeemable and you wouldn't be the first but Caroline sees differently and she's the only opinion that matters. She took a chance on a broken man and gave me something to live for."
The other man carefully listened.
"You hate me, and I'm not particularly fond of you either so I won't hold it against you. But they are my family, and you will never take that away from me." Klaus said sharply.
"Now I'm no saint but I am good enough to care for and love Caroline and girls the way they deserve to be. Yes Mystic Falls is their current home but they also have a home in New Orleans and wherever else they see fit. Nothing is more important to me than their well-being and happiness. You know I would never hurt them, and their safety always comes first for me. Despite our differences I think that's something we can agree on."
Alaric pondered heavily as he nodded.
"I don't hate you, Klaus. You're not my favorite person in the world but I don't hate you." Alaric claimed. "It's just..."
He drifted off, unsure of making himself this vulnerable to Klaus was a wise decision. This was the closest the two have gotten to a heart to heart conversation since the girls were younger.
Sighing and nervously licking his lips Alaric continued. "Of course Hope adores you but the twins...the twins see you as Superman. You're who they confide in and are excited to see whether they're going to New Orleans or you come to Mystic Falls; they trust you. Especially Lizzie...she treats you like her rock. She talks to you more than she's ever talked to me I mean, seems like everyday she calls you about something you know? I get teenagers don't tell their parents everything but, I feel like I don't even know her anymore and when I try talking to her she turns me away or drops the subject completely but will confess everything to you." He blinked away the faint tears. "Not the best feeling in the world when Klaus Mikaelson knows more about my own daughter than I do."
Klaus's expression turned from smug to sympathetic in an instant. Though he knew Alaric would never be in his top 5 list of people he gives a shit about, he could empathize with his confession.
They've had this discussion before when the girls were little kids, but at the time it was Klaus who felt insecure. Though he didn't deny the victory he felt when the twins gravitated more towards him as they got older. He didn't want to go into detail about Lizzie's restrictions towards her father, figured that was something they needed to discuss together.
A part of Klaus ached to be petty and rub his bond with the twins in Ric's face but, his conscience in the voice of a certain blonde vampire advised him otherwise.
Pep talks were not in Klaus's list of expertise, only exception for the obvious people and Alaric was not under that category.
Dreading the inevitable, Klaus muttered a 'bloody hell' under his breath before replying.
"Your girls love you, all right? But they're not kids anymore. Of course they're not going to be crawling to your feet for everything but it doesn't meant they love you any less." Klaus explained. "Something I've learned with Hope is that the older children get the further from their parents they become and you should be grateful that Lizzie has someone you can trust by her side instead of a random lunatic."
Alaric raised his brows, bold for Klaus to make such an assumption and Klaus easily read his expression.
He sighed. "You might not want to or think you can but if nothing else, when it comes to them you can trust me Alaric. I would never do anything to harm the twins, and will only do right by them."
Against his initial judgment, Ric nodded to Klaus's claim.
He trusted Caroline and knew she would never allow anyone around their kids if she felt they'd be in danger.
Alaric snickered. "You know, you say you're not cut out for this dad stuff but you're better at it than me."
Klaus smirked. "Not sure if I should be flattered or terrified by that statement."
"Little of both." He shrugged.
"I suppose, you're not terrible at it yourself." Klaus muttered.
Klaus didn't face Alaric but the human could see the subtle smirk stretching the hybrid's lips.
The two men laughed together.
Both weren't sure if they'd ever completely be on even ground with each other, their history was too deeply rooted, but they did have a sense of respect for each other.
They exchanged respectable smiles and nods before noticing Lizzie storming towards them.
"If you two are done solidifying your little bromance, I would like to get back on the road as quickly as possible." The blonde suggested.
Both men raised their eyebrows curiously.
"In a rush?" Klaus teased.
"Yes actually. The quicker we get to Miami the quicker I can soak up the inviting sun instead of Hope's presence and my sister's vomit." She shot him a sarcastic smile before swinging the car door open and climbing in the backseat.
Alaric and Klaus both shook their heads chuckling, waiting for the other two girls to make their way over.
I hope this was enjoyable! I really like incorporating the girls into these stories so there's that haha
Reviews are appreciated!