Super late Christmas present for you guys. Firstly, I want to apologize sincerely. It's been almost a year since I updated. My laptop broke, and I lost all of my documents, including the halfway-written chapter. And I had to write from memories while finding the will to live lol. I also lost a bunch of my unpublished works so yeah, bummer. Anyway, thank you so, so much for the kind reviews and the support despite me being such a crappy author with my updates. I really do want to finish Vanessa and Kol's story. Hope you enjoy this one! I appreciate and love each of you!
Chapter 21: The Feast of the Blessing
New Orleans – 9 months ago
"Was it wise to dagger Elijah?" Vanessa asked out of nowhere, earning a surprise glance from Klaus. It had been a couple of days since she returned to New Orleans after her Graduation Day, where she had been reunited with Kol briefly. And…Kol's love/goodbye letter.
"Missing his boring lectures already?" Klaus asked playfully as he returned his attention to his painting. "Marcel needs an assurance that I'm not here to cause trouble and…Elijah's absence serves me better. I can do whatever I want without him ruining–" Klaus rolled his eyes when he noticed she wasn't even listening to his answer. She had been engrossed with her journal, barely noticing him approaching her.
"Dear diary, today I ruined Klaus's expensive, 16th century rug from Istanbul with the blood of my victims. I hope he's not mad…"
Vanessa rolled her eyes at his attempt at an American accent and imitating her, and leaned back on the chair as she waited for him to finish, before finally succumbing to laughter. Klaus grinned, proud that he made her laugh despite the absence of her humanity, and the predicament she was in now.
"Is that your list?" he asked and she hummed, handing him her journal. Klaus tilted his head as he scanned the names of the witches and their addresses and contacts.
"Yeah, thanks to your resources. It's not much, but good enough for me to start somewhere," she said. "You'll be fine without me, right?"
Klaus burst out laughing, surprised at her question.
"Oh, you're such a sweetheart thinking that your presence here is protecting me from my enemies," he said and Vanessa shot him a glare.
"Not from your enemies. I'm protecting you from your dumbass decisions," she said and Klaus's mouth fell opened at her comeback.
"Hey!" he protested but she just laughed, closing her laptop and grabbing her journal before jabbing his side, making the Hybrid squirmed.
"I'm off to pack!" she said, rushing upstairs.
"I'm definitely not going to miss your antics!" Klaus half-shouted, half-growled, only for Vanessa to laugh even harder.
It has been over a month since Vanessa's death, and Klaus missed her bold remarks and their playful banter, almost a little bit too much. He could hear her laughter echoed in his head, and her absence was apparent—the house now was filled with only dread and silence. Vanessa had a special place in Klaus's heart, even before she and Kol became an item, and now he had come to adore her like his own blood, given the many months they spent together comforting each other in their grief back in Mystic Falls.
Klaus had to remind himself that her death was only temporary, especially when he found the grief creeping in, but truth be told, they have yet to secure a way to bring her back. He glanced at the redhead witch that was still asleep on his bed and withheld a sigh as he continued painting. Painting helped him think, and as Elijah had noted warily, he had been painting continuously since that night.
With Rebekah and Vanessa gone, the foundation of the Mikaelson family was crumbling. He could feel them growing apart, and their bond was weakening. Klaus had to admit that the Mikaelson women played a huge role in keeping the family in order. Elijah had informed Rebekah of Vanessa's death, hoping that she would return to the French Quarter to lend a hand. Unfortunately, her freedom was not something that Rebekah wanted to jeopardize with, not after waiting for a thousand years.
Elijah on the other hand, rarely spoke, only focusing all of his attention and energy to fix the French Quarter, to attain peace between the factions. While Klaus had reassured Elijah that Vanessa's death was not his fault, Elijah had to disagree. He had known how cunning Cassandra Petrova could be. She would not just appear without an ulterior motive. If only he had been more careful of her intentions, perhaps Vanessa's death could be prevented. Perhaps if all of them weren't too consumed with their family drama of betrayals and hatred, they could have been able to protect her better. Perhaps they could even see it coming.
Hence, Klaus didn't blame the resentment Kol felt for him and Elijah. And Klaus thought that it was better for Kol to blame her death on them, rather than blaming himself. His little brother had been fine for the first few days, even if it was just a façade. Kol kept his face free from emotions when he was in the presence of others, and it pained Klaus to know that Kol didn't trust them enough to let his guard down. Sometimes, they could hear the sound of furniture breaking in the middle of the night, but no one would address it in the morning. Kol had started to spend more time outside of the house, and sometimes he would be gone for days, doing God knows what. Nevertheless, Klaus was patient and careful with him, knowing his brother was a ticking timebomb.
But last night, it finally happened. Kol had snapped and lashed out his anger, his heartbreak, his pain to those who were unfortunate enough to cross path with him. Father Kieran, in his sickness, had reported twelve dead humans that weren't even drained of blood. They were just massacred.
Klaus glanced at Genevieve that was stirring in her sleep, before looking at his painting in determination. Time was running out. Just as he had promised Vanessa that they would bring Kol back from the dead, he also had made the same promise to Kol. He acknowledged the distrust Kol had over his words, but he was honest when he said he would do anything to bring Vanessa back.
After all, his daughter will need her Auntie Nessie.
Genevieve wasn't as naïve as she allowed others to believe. When she and Klaus started their romance, she didn't have to guess what he wanted in return. The news of the death of Vanessa Gilbert, the blonde doppelganger, circled New Orleans with hushed whispers of terror. Being the partner of the most unstable and violent Kol Mikaelson, one didn't have to guess the death and blood that will follow the youngest Mikaelson brother as he grieved over his loss. And Genevieve would use her death as a stepping stone to strengthen her position in the coven.
"La Fête des Bénêdictions. Feast of the Blessings," she said calmly, answering Elijah's question at her request. "In the past, members of the community offered witches gifts in exchange for blessings. We'd like to use it as a forum for introducing our young Harvest girls to society."
Elijah remained calm, but he didn't hide the disdain displayed on his face. If it wasn't for the witches messing with his family, with Vanessa, none of this would have happened. If they hadn't caused the tension between Klaus and Rebekah, and distracted him with his past, painful memories, he would have been more alerted with the sudden appearance of Cassandra.
"So, your coven attempted to destroy my family—and you yourself held my siblings in unspeakable torment, and you would like a party for the witches?" he asked flabbergasted and Klaus chuckled at his reaction.
Genevieve gave Klaus a playful glare, before turning to the older Mikaelson brother calmly. "I made my amends with your brother…" she trailed off as her eyes darted to the door when Kol returned to the compound, with bloodstained shirt. The two stared at each other for a moment, speaking only with their eyes.
"Unlike your mother, I do not dwell with dark magic," Genevieve said sharply.
"Oh, darling, I beg to differ. Do you think you can face your many enemies with herbs and flowers?" Kol taunted, before groaning in pain as he felt his brain boiling.
"This is a new era; witches no longer have to answer to the likes of you. And you will not threaten me on the burial grounds of my ancestors," she said, intensifying her magic with every word. Kol clenched his teeth, his knees buckling before she finally released him from her spell.
"Do you think you're safe because you're sharing bed with my brother? Nik will betray and discard you when you're no longer of use to him," Kol said, breathing heavily as he calmed through his pain. Genevieve stared down at the kneeling Original, trying to read his intention. She had heard stories from Rebekah a century ago, and had watched him when she was on the Ancestral Plane; Kol Mikaelson had a strange relationship with witches—no, with magic. But his relationship with his own blood, was far stranger. Celeste and Astrid had discussed his family dynamic when the Resurrected Witches finalized their plan in bringing the Mikaelsons down.
"And you think you're a better ally to me?" she asked him, baiting him, and a playful smile formed on his lips as he rose to his feet.
"While I'm a better lover in bed compared to my brother, I do have something else to offer in return for your allegiance," he said and the witch rolled her eyes at his cockiness, ready to dismiss him. She knew how fond Vanessa and Kol of Davina, and how he used to train the New Orleans witches back in the day and she didn't need him tainting her coven right now.
"I do not need your expertise to develop the Harvest girls' power–"
"A dagger that will work on the Original Hybrid."
"Both of them, actually," Genevieve continued smugly at Elijah, as she removed her calculating gaze from Kol's. She smiled at Elijah innocently, "So, why don't you think it over?"
The Mikaelson brothers remained silent, as they waited for Genevieve to leave, and Klaus cleared his throat as he sensed the thickening tension in the air, with Elijah eyeing Kol's bloodstained shirt disapprovingly. Klaus walked over to Elijah and clapped on his shoulder, gaining his attention.
"Oh, don't be such a stiff, Elijah. The tourists love a good festival. Besides, what better way to cement the solidarity than a show of faith toward a one-time enemy?" Klaus said light-heartedly.
"A onetime enemy with whom you've grown rather nauseatingly intimate," Elijah replied.
"We need a witch on our side," Klaus pointed out and Elijah looked at him in disbelief.
"If this is your well-thought-out plan to bring her back—"
"And you think your pitiful attempt of a treaty will help?" Kol chimed in.
"You mean the treaty that you have recklessly and blatantly disrespected? Yes," Elijah said sternly.
"Leave him be, Elijah," Klaus said warningly, in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
"How many this time?" Elijah asked.
"Oh, I didn't realize I need to report to you. I'll keep in mind to count the dead bodies next time." Kol said sarcastically and Elijah inhaled sharply.
"There will be no next time. I understand that you miss her, but your murderous rampage isn't contributing to anything. We need to make the city safe for the sake of your unborn niece."
"And if I don't listen to you…what then?" Kol asked challengingly, before a smile graced his lips at Elijah's silence. "I know you've thought about it. Daggering me."
"No one's daggering anybody," Klaus interrupted, getting in between his brothers and pushing them apart. "Elijah, why don't you go invite the leaders of the factions for the party?"
It wasn't a suggestion nor a request, and Elijah just gave him a curt nod before he walked away, leaving Kol and Klaus by themselves.
"We have enough enemies as it is. We all need to stand together as a family," Klaus said firmly, as much as he hated to agree with Elijah.
"Then tell him not to spoil my fun," Kol replied, making Klaus suppressed a sigh. He understood his brother's love for violence, hell, he had been the one to drag Kol to spread violence back in the day, but there was some truth in Elijah's words. He too didn't want his daughter to be born in a city full of massacres and violence. The only way to stop this madness was to bring Vanessa back. And the Feast of the Blessings Genevieve had requested to celebrate was a perfect way to strengthen their relationship with the witches.
"Can I at least expect you to behave at the party?" Klaus asked, changing the topic.
"Of course, Nik. I'll behave when it comes to the witches," he replied. "What was Genevieve's response upon your request?"
"I haven't asked her yet," Klaus mumbled, clearing his throat and Kol raised his eyebrow, getting impatient. "She knows I want something in return."
"Of course, she does. She's not a half-wit. Did you really think you can gain her loyalty by bedding her?" Kol asked and Klaus glared at him. "Or maybe you aren't as good in bed as you'd like to claim."
Klaus rolled his eyes in annoyance at his little brother's playful remark, although a part of him was delighted seeing Kol being his old self. Even if it was annoying. "That's why we're granting her this request. I'll ask her about it tonight, after the celebration."
"Fine, I also need you to take this opportunity to make amends with Davina," Kol said and Klaus narrowed his eyes.
"That little witch has been going at me since I first stepped foot in New Orleans," Klaus growled at the suggestion.
"Her hatred is justified. Did you not kill her first love?" Kol asked sharply, silencing Klaus.
"You reckon she can bring Vanessa back? You said it yourself she isn't as powerful as before," Klaus said. Kol froze at the mention of Vanessa's name. Since her demise, no one had referred her by name, in fear of it triggering the youngest male Mikaelson. Kol snapped out of it, just the mention of her name brought all of the memories back, and he didn't need it right now.
"I'm not putting all of my eggs in your redhead's basket," Kol said and Klaus nodded in agreement.
"Fine," he huffed slightly, wincing at the thought of lowering his ego towards the little witch. Kol nodded before heading upstairs, and Klaus watched sadly at his retreating figure. For over a thousand years, his brother had never opened his heart to someone. He had partners, of course, but they were just his toys and distractions. Klaus sighed as he thought of her.
"I really wish you're here, love."
Kol stepped out of the shower, having cleaned himself from the previous night of massacre, now refreshed and readied for what was to come tonight. His phone buzzed continuously, signaling he was being bombarded with text messages. He ignored it, thinking it was Nik, before finally dragging his feet to retrieve his phone.
It was Davina.
We made contact with the Ancestors this morning.
They want Genevieve to be sacrificed.
Genevieve said she wants to get your mom's grimoire first.
What do I do?
Kol?
He stared at the phone for a long minute, gears spinning in his head. Why did everyone really love to sabotage his plans? It was hard enough to earn Genevieve's trust, while keeping Nik unsuspicious and now this? He needed to make a move…fast. And he needed Genevieve. He needed the whole coven to be exact, and for that he needed the leader. Davina's alone was not enough. She wasn't even able to resurrect him when she had all the Harvest girls' power inside her all those nine months ago.
A text from Genevieve popped up on screen and he scowled.
Keep your word tonight.
How dare she boss him around. He'll send her back to the Ancestors when she's served her purpose. Containing his anger, he simply replied her with an address, for where the festival will need to be held at.
He glanced at the rectangular blue box with red ribbon on the nightstand and sighed. He had prepared the 'gift' for Genevieve a week ago, when he suggested to her to hold the Feast of the Blessing. He could tell Nik was concerned for him. And to be honest, when it came to his brother, Kol preferred for Nik to have a deep distrust for him rather than care and concern. Kol could see how his brother has changed, but it didn't mean that Kol would simply trust him. Even though Nik had given him his word; that he will do anything to bring Vanessa back…Kol couldn't find the strength to trust him. Not after a thousand years of mistreatment and betrayal.
He pulled up his phone again and opened Davina's chat.
Meet me after the festival.
Kol took a deep, determined breath as he made up his mind. He had studied witchcraft even as a vampire, and he knew what was the limit of a witch's power. And Davina won't be able to bring Vanessa on her own power. She needed help. And desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was just a risk that he'll willing to take.
"Hmm, do you remember our conversation in Mexico?"
At the sound of her voice, Kol felt his skin crawled, and he glared at her. Vanessa was sitting at the edge of the bed, where her desiccated body used to be.
"What are you doing here?" he asked and she rolled her eyes at him.
"Ooh, so tense," she teased, tilting her head to the side before her face turned serious. "I told you how much Davina meant to me."
"She's willing to do the spell. Anything to bring you back," Kol snapped.
"Because you didn't tell her the whole truth. How it will harm her," she argued.
"That's why I need the whole coven."
"So, you're putting Davina and Nik, in harm's way? And with that your unborn niece, Hayley–"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Kol cut her off. He didn't want to think about the consequences now. He can deal with it later together with the resurrected albeit angry Vanessa.
"You know I don't like this plan. Don't do this to us," she said.
"Well, you're dead, darling. You don't get a say in what I do," Kol replied.
"And yet I'm still here. In your head. Criticizing your plans."
"What do you want me to do?" Kol finally asked. It was a stupid question, one that he had to answer it himself. But if Vanessa was alive, he already knew what she would bring up.
"I don't trust Nik," Kol said, after a silence.
"You saw how he helped me finding witches around the world to bring you back," she said and he rolled his eyes.
"He's sleeping with Genevieve for his own benefit, darling. Not to bring you back. If it isn't for him, you would not be dead. If it wasn't for my family drama, you would still be here," Kol hissed angrily, but Vanessa remained unfazed.
"You and I both know that isn't true," she said quietly.
"I know my brother," he shot back at her before sighing. "Why didn't you show up in the séance?" he asked and she just smiled. He saw her hand reached out to caress his face, and his eyes fluttered closed. He concentrated hard, trying to remember and imagine her soft touch, but felt nothing.
Kol was only met with silence knowing she couldn't answer what he didn't know, and a deep sigh escaped his chest as he found himself alone once again.
That night
"Welcome. As is our time-honored tradition, you are all welcome to deliver your offerings. It is our custom that no one should be turned away, no blessing be denied," Genevieve said as she welcomed the guests. Kol's hand instinctively went to his jacket pocket, where the rectangular gift box was.
He frowned, noticing how the people that were lining up to offer gifts to the Harvest girls were skipping Davina. He saw how her face fell, and he felt a tug in his heart.
"Why do you care so much about Davina?" Kol yelled out in frustration. As soon as Marcel informed them about Davina's dying because of the Harvest girls' power, Vanessa had started packing without any hesitation, ready to leave Mexico.
"What do you mean why? I thought we care for Davina? You taught her magic while we were in New Orleans, all the game nights we spent together to cheer her up and you asked me why?" Vanessa said, her voice rising to meet his. She ignored him as she pulled out her clothes from the hotel wardrobe.
"Yes, I adore her. But I do not want you to be involved with my family drama!" he said, snapping her luggage shut before she could put her clothes in it.
"This has nothing to do with your family. We go back and help Davina, and then we—"
"It always has something to do with my family! Trust me on this, darling, please," Kol said, his voice and expression softened.
"Kol, Davina needs help. She risked her life for me —for us—to bring you back."
"When will you realize that I care about you more than anyone else in the world?" he asked and she looked away.
"Maybe for once, I want you to care about others too," she said.
Kol remembered how taken aback he was by her reply. He wasn't used to love. His siblings had never included him in their "Always and Forever" pact, and he was fine with that. They daggered him and discarded him when they didn't want to deal with him. Vampires that he sired only served him for his power and influence. Vanessa was a hidden gem in his life that was full of darkness; she offered him company all those nights ago, after his mother tried to kill him and his siblings, then offered him friendship when they met again in Denver. Never in his thousand years alone, that he thought he would be capable to love, and to be loved…
He glanced at Davina's hurt and sad face—on the brink of tears, before she ran out of the hall. Kol sighed. How he wished he was still the selfish Kol Mikaelson that didn't care for anyone. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he did have a heart. Vanessa had taught him that he was more than capable to love and to be loved. Kol quickly walked downstairs to ran after the little witch to comfort her, when he was stopped by Genevieve.
"Leaving so soon?" she questioned.
"I'm going to check in on Davina. I seemed to remember you promising us that she is welcomed back to your coven with open arms," Kol said, clenching his jaw to contain his anger.
"I've shown no partiality to the Harvest girls, unlike you," she replied calmly and Kol ignored her insinuation. "I told you we will look after our own."
"Is this looking after your own?" Kol asked.
Before Genevieve could retort an answer, the feast was interrupted by a commotion where Klaus had grabbed Joseph—no, Josh, Davina's vampire friend by the collar, who was squirming with fear. Davina followed closely behind, in panic. Klaus then released the poor lad and climbed up the stairs, before addressing the attendees of the feast, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please!"
"We are gathered here today to pay homage to our beloved witches, but one very special witch has been utterly ignored. That seems a little unfair to me," Klaus said before approaching Davina, and extending his offering. Kol exhaled the breath that he had been holding, relief that Nik had followed up with his request.
"No. I don't want your gift," Davina said with a death glare, as expected. The silence and tension were palpable; Kol watched as Nik's face changed, and he mentally screamed at his brother to not respond with anger.
"I understand why you would reject me, given our past. In truth, many of us here today have been wronged in the conflict which my brother's treaty ended. Your friend Josh was involved in a plot to kill me. It would be well within my right to execute him here and now…" Klaus said, inviting hushed whispers around the room. "But, in the spirit of solidarity, and for your favor, Davina, I hereby pardon him."
Kol withheld the smile that wanted to break out, pleased that his brother had done this for his and Vanessa's sake.
"Josh from this day forward, you have nothing to fear from me," Klaus said to Josh before turning his full attention back to Davina. He offered her his gift once again. "Please."
Davina hesitantly, accepted it. Kol noticed his brother smiling at Genevieve, and watched as the witch's face contorted in anger, frustration and jealousy.
"Ah, trouble in paradise, I see," Kol said in feigned pity. "I've told you, once my brother has no use of you, he'll discard you."
"On a completely different note," Genevieve said, putting up a fake smile as she looked up to Kol. "Where's my offering?"
Kol raised an eyebrow at her sudden change in demeanor and chuckled. "I've changed my mind. Especially after finding out your request to have access to our mother's grimoire."
Genevieve swallowed, surprised that Kol had found out her request to Klaus. Her eyes then fell on Davina, and her heartbeat quickened as realization dawned on her. Davina had been sneaking out at nights to meet with Kol to be tutored by him, and tonight, Klaus offered an olive branch to the Harvest girl. Genevieve was no longer of use to any of them.
"Davina does not have the power to bring back your girlfriend," Genevieve said out loud, catching him off guard. Kol raised an eyebrow, surprised that she was able to connect the dots. Not of the whole picture, but he wasn't going to confirm anything to her.
"Well darling, neither do you," Kol taunted, and smiled as he walked past her.
"Shame. Do you know that your brother has not asked me to resurrect your dead girlfriend yet? Even after so many nights we spent together?" Genevieve called out, and Kol turned to look at her, disinterested with her mind games.
"But he did ask me to heal the priest today. The uncle of the blonde bartender he fancies. Hmm, I supposed he does have his priorities straight." She said softly, feigning sympathy. Kol's face fell at that information, unable to return any sarcastic remark. Genevieve didn't hide her smug smile as she walked to him, pleased that she was able to mess with the Original brother. "Have a good night, Kol Mikaelson. Much blessings to you."
Kol returned home with even more doubts and anxiety than when he went out to the party. Kol had gotten Davina out of there, when the feast was interrupted with Marcel's little stunt with the drummers slitting their wrists. He had then, told Davina that they would be finding a safer way to bring Vanessa's back, one that wouldn't put her life in danger. This was what Vanessa would have wanted.
But now he was all by himself again. Back to square one, with no one to trust.
The empty house seemed emptier, and it wasn't because of the absence of his siblings. It probably wasn't even the house itself. It was his life.
His life was empty now without her.
The deafening silence was overwhelming; there was only the sound of the ice clinking in his glass. He stared blankly at the empty living room, at the lit fireplace, remembering the one night they spent there—while his siblings were trapped at the cemetery. That was one of the most peaceful and beautiful moments they shared together here in New Orleans. And it was getting harder and harder for him to see her…he couldn't really remember her now—her smile, her laugh, the little squint her eyes made when she was angry, the nose scrunch when she was displeased. Day by day, it was like she was slipping from his mind.
The image of her gasping as she choked on her blood and the fading of the light in her eyes as she drew her last breath however, was imprinted on his mind, replacing all the beautiful memories he had with her.
"If you're here…" he muttered under his breath, swirling the glass of scotch thoughtfully. "I'm exhausted, darling," he finally admitted with a sigh. He was exhausted in clinging onto the hope that he will see her again. And that terrified him beyond death, at the thought of being alone forever. Without Vanessa, he had no one. He wasn't even apart of this family. He was Vanessa's.
The silence was interrupted with his brothers arguing. Kol didn't need to use his vampire hearing to know what it was about; Elijah accusing Nik of conspiring with the wolves and Nik calling out Elijah's unspoken love for Hayley.
Truth be told, he wasn't even angry that his brothers' mind and attention had not been focused on Vanessa's resurrection. Nor was he disappointed. He had known and even expected this. All the talks of how Vanessa was family and they would bring her back was just empty promises. Neither he nor Vanessa was a part of their 'Always and Forever' pact.
Kol heard Nik's scoffing as he entered the parlor, and the halt in his steps when he noticed him drinking there.
"Rough night?" Kol asked, which came out a lot harsher than he meant.
"You left the party early," Nik said. Kol remained unresponsive, as he detected the accusatory tone in his brother's voice.
"Hmm, I should have joined the party when they started slaughtering the humans and the witches," Kol remarked.
"I've heard that you've been busy with the witches," Nik finally said and Kol turned to look at his brother.
"Ah, she finally let you know. Good for her. Communication is the key in every relationship—"
"Enough," Nik growled, he was in front of him in a flash.
"I did conspire with her behind your back," Kol said truthfully. "But only because I know I couldn't count on my flesh and blood to help me resurrect my dead girlfriend."
Kol took in Nik's wide and confused eyes, and huffed. "I supposed the priest's life was far more precious to you."
"Kol—I," Nik stuttered and Kol shook his head, refusing to listen.
"Neither you nor Elijah need to explain to me. You've got bigger concerns. The city, your wolf pack, the bartender, oh—I hope you don't forget of your unborn child."
"I never said I didn't care about your girl! I want her back as much as you do too," Nik said.
"Your words mean nothing to me!" Kol growled, shoving Nik off of him. "To think that—She was the one that wanted to stay. For your child, for you, for this bloody dysfunctional family! And you abandoned her! You and Elijah!"
"I gave you my word that I will do anything to bring her back, I mean it!" Nik said and Kol lunged at him and pinned him against the wall.
"Oh boys, stop fighting please," Vanessa's voice came from across the room and Kol glared at her.
"Shut it!" he snapped, before turning to look at his brother's now shocked face. Nik was staring at the spot where he had just seen her.
"Wow, definitely not the reaction I was expecting…but understandable," she said nonchalantly. Kol felt his heart stopped; she never sounded this real in his hallucination before. He glanced back at her, who was casually sitting, then back to Nik.
"You can see her?" he asked for confirmation under his breath, too afraid that it was just another lie.
"Yes," Nik replied, almost too stunned to move.
"It's me, silly," she said and Kol let out a shuddering breath as he saw her smile. It was actually her. "What? No hug?" she asked playfully.
If it was possible, he would have moved faster than the speed of light. She was in his embrace in a flash, and Kol felt himself at peace again. Complete.
"Oh God," he sighed, inhaling her scent. In that moment, it was like she had never left. She was in his arms again.
"I can actually feel you," she said, as she reluctantly pulled away from the hug, to stare at his face. She was beaming, despite the state they were in, and Kol would love to freeze the time to capture that smile on her lips, the twinkle in her eyes, and above all, how she was staring at him. Love.
"Not to sound creepy or anything—Hi," she said with a chuckle, unable to contain her joy.
"Hi," he replied, smiling as well. All the heavy weight of depression and loneliness, dissipated in an instance. She closed the gap between them, capturing his lips, still smiling.
Kol had forgotten what it was like to kiss her.
And in that moment, he knew he would do anything to bring her back.
"Sorry, not to ruin your moment. But how—how are you here?" He heard Nik asked. If Kol could, he would murder his brother just for that alone. Vanessa sighed, slightly annoyed as she broke the kiss, but continued to wrap her arms around his torso—like she didn't want to let him go.
"Oh, I'm still dead," Vanessa said. "But well, considering all those sacrifices…it's a lot easier for me to cross over for a bit, with a little help."
"What sacrifices?" Nik asked and she raised her eyebrow, surprised. She then turned to look at Kol before back to his brother.
"Oh, don't tell me you didn't notice," she said with a light chuckle. "Someone's been flirting with Expression."
"The massacres…" Nik said in realization and Kol ignored his brother.
"And I'm guessing tonight would be the massacre of the twelve witches," she said, glancing at Kol. Oh, he loved how smart she was. That even from the Other Side, she could understand him. "Thank you for not going through with it though."
"Well, even in death you were nagging me about it," he joked and she laughed.
"That was all you; your conscience, your heart." He felt his heart skipped a beat at the way she looked at him. So proud and full of love.
"You would allow our dead enemies to cross—"
"Oh relax, brother! I didn't go through with it," Kol cut him off.
"Okay, I don't have much time for this," Vanessa said, shushing both of them. "I made a friend on the Other Side and we may find a way."
"What friend?" Kol asked sharply. Vanessa rolled her eyes at the slight tone of jealousy that was apparent in his voice and turned to Nik instead.
"Klaus, when's your daughter due again?"
Alright, hope you enjoyed it! I hope I captured the bond between the brothers well, it's been a while. Any guess who the friend is? And no, it's not Bonnie ;)