XII : Don't let me down

The only Mystic Falls teahouse was not really a place on my list of favorite places in this town. To tell the truth, rubbing shoulders with the worldly populace and the housewives of this small town was probably the last thing on my list. I felt like I was out of place to be honest. The look the clients gave me had a large part in my discomfort. Worse, I didn't even like tea. At the risk of appearing brainless and lined with a stereotype, I much preferred the Starbucks in which Sophie Devereaux had the audacity to take me this summer.

Sophie.

This summer.

It had been barely a few months since I had returned to the town and yet I felt like I had been trapped in this town almost as long as Milana in this pebble.

Without offending the ancestor.

Anyway ...

Letting a long sigh leave my lips, I watched the annoying sight before me. The living room consisted of ceiling moldings and crimson red fabrics, probably silk, strewn across the walls. A glance and everyone knew that I had absolutely nothing to do in such a place.

I sighed. I still wondered why I always found myself in such situations. No matter how much I tried to remain impassive in the face of the supernatural, I still end up falling right into it. Like right now.

Although if I had to be honest with myself, Milana was the only instigator of my presence in this tearoom.

"There is only one person who can summon me using a spell cast on a leaf."

I looked up to see Elijah sitting across from me, holding the tea Milana ordered for him, not a hint of a smile on his face as he inspected me, transfixed. He seemed totally stoic. As if he was trying to analyze that she was in front of him. His ex-wife over a millennium, his brother's lover or the human teenager whom he found himself caring for despite the short time he had spent time with her.

Milana seemed to be teeming with impatience and excitement internally. Personally, I wish I could say that I didn't feel the same at the sight of the original vampire.

Felix was going to remind me so much that I had a kink for bad boys.

Hence the reason why I tried to compose my expression in one of boredom as I recalled Elijah little betrayal.

"Nice suit. I guess the old one was somewhat dated after spending so much time in a coffin." I said, sounding a bit rude. To be honest, I was just trying to ignore Milana's attraction to the vampire. And yet it was not such an easy task. His suit looked really good on him. Fit him perfectly. It was all blue midnight but he dressed it with a black colored pocket square. I didn't mind him wearing them at all.

"So you managed to stay in control." Elijah easily recognized as he unbuttoned his suit jacket before tilting his head slightly to the side."You seem somewhat ... changed."

"This is usually what happens when an ancestor over a thousand years old attacks you with a lifetime of memories." I replied, shrugging nonchalantly despite the fact that I was anything but sane now.

"A lifetime of memories ..."

"Yeah. I'm sure you know what it means. Btw, you were such a dick for pourchasing Tatia when you knew you loved Milana too."

"... Dick."

It was like he was challenging me. Tested me to see how far my knowledge extended and the line between my patience and that of Milana. If I were patient, Milana was anything but. I suspected the vampire was trying to draw the line between my will and the power of the presence of the hybrid witch."You seem to have lost every ounce of fear in my presence."

"Think again! I'm about to make an attack." I objected sincerely."It's only thanks to Milana's confidence that I am here. I know very well what each of you, Mikaelson, is really capable of."

"I haven't done anything to make you afraid of me, but I must say that it's reassuring to see that you're still you."

I just rolled my eyes. I couldn't help but realize how much the vampire liked to be respected by fear. Despite the fact that he considered himself better than the vampire stereotype, he still had the same findings. These idiots males liked to inflate their damn egos.

I imperceptibly shook my head as a result of my realization before taking my cup of tea with both hands simply to rest it almost immediately with a grimace of disgust at the drink much too sweet for my taste.

"Yuck! Yeah definitely not my cup of tea."

Smiling for the first time since he came in, I rested my cup with a slight shake of my shoulders in repulsion before squinting at the vampire in annoyance. Unlike me, he seemed to be perfectly happy with the choice of drink I ordered.

With my knowledge accumulated over the past few months I suddenly found myself rethinking from a far more distant time. And in particular to a completely different original vampire. To two original vampires to be honest. But for now I couldn't help but see the similarities between Elijah and a certain troublemaker. Both was crafty and honest. The youngest Mikaelson had just a fiery spirit and a little more unstable temper than the vampire in front of me.

Elijah took a sudden breath before resting his cup of china on the table so as he went back to business."Although this reunion is more than ... delicious. It seems to me that we have some things to settle."

I immediately frowned clearly more in control than Milana at the moment.

"If I believe Elder Salvatore's words, you will own a weapon. Someone likely to defeat my brother. Now they could still question the identity of this weapon but given the recent information brought by my brother and your knowledge of our family I am certain that you already figured which was in the coffin."

"It's impossible." I objected instantly despite my intuition guiding me exactly in that direction.

Elijah took another sip of his tea by simply raising his eyebrows before pausing."Only someone naïve would think that such a thing is impossible in such a world like ours."

I saw his subtle jab at me."So you're calling me naive?"

"No. just stating that people like us have lived and seen enough to know that there is really no limit to what our world can hold for us. I do, however, believe that you're deliberately not understanding me. Which is highly disturbing when I know you're one of the smarter people of this town."

I ticked my jaw at his diverted insult as a compliment before suddenly frowning as I only realized now how many envious looks our duo had attracted. Or at least, how many looks Elijah had caught.

Ignoring the looks with a certain irritation along my chest I turned my eyes back to Elijah."So what do you suggest?"

"We're civilized people. A dinner would be more than enough to give your witch friends a little more time."

"A dinner ?" I kept repeating in disbelief this time before letting out a breath of frustration. "These civilized people like you say can break a nape of the neck with a snap of a finger."

"I tend to believe that a good meal calms the spirits." Insisted the vampire confidently.

"And I'm the only one who purposely doesn't understand."

Suddenly Elijah placed his hand onto mine, trying to get my attention. I immediately looked up just to gauge him in surprise and complete shock at the feeling of my heart racing under his touch."I wish I could have this dinner without having to put you in danger, but it seems that you're at the heart of this world from which you so much want to detach yourself."

I gulped, trying my damnedest to hide every ounce of anxiety and warm that began to flood me. Elijah certainly did not make the situation any easier by doing so. Simple contact was enough to make me mute."I am not ... I am not Milana. "

"Of that I am sure."

"Will you protect me?"

"As long as you allow me to." Instantly promises the vampire without seeming to doubt for a moment. Elijah was definitely the best of the Mikaelson. And I had just realized that I could almost regard him as one of my allies, my friend even.

And for once it had nothing to do with Milana or even my sister. He was like Felix in a way. He was a true friend. A person being at my side without any interest.

He cleared his throat, slipping his hand away from mine. I had to admit that I seemed to miss his contact almost immediately.

Letting a long sigh leave my lips, I let the idea of attending this dinner soak up. I didn't want this. I never asked for anything. Why was I so unlucky as to go through something like that? I didn't mean to be some sort of stupid ship for a hybrid witch or know of vampires or any of the crap I'd been forced to go through. I wanted to be normal again. Like everyone else.

Unfortunately, I had long learned that feeling sorry for myself was absolutely useless for me. It was just wasting my time and mind to find a solution to rein in everyone in their stupid suicidal plan to kill Klaus.

Klaus strolled through the Mystic Grill as if the place belonged to him. He sat at the bar counter while ignoring the looks of the annoyingly overpopulated bar. He wasn't really in a happy mood and the chitter chatter of countless teenagers talking about idiotic coming-of-age problems wasn't really the best way to calm him down. And he didn't even talk about that crappy Pop music blasting from out of speakers.

Unfortunately he didn't really have a choice. It was either facing these annoying little things or enduring the look of judgment and resentment from his brother. He had the gift of putting him on edge. The holier act he had had the gift of irked him in ways not known to man nor vampires.

"Hi, what can I do for-"

"Felix, my only remaining minion." Klaus looked up from the counter just to display a broad, carnivorous smile at the sight of the young hybrid."Hello, mate."

"Niklaus."

"Look at this it seems that the habit of our dear Mila has finally passed on."

The frown coupled with the expression of disdain was a clear sign that the hybrid was not his biggest fan. However, his link of sire forced him to remain respectful and loyal to him. It was a little trick that turned out to be greatly handy in his ridiculous little fight against the Salvatore brothers. That and the fact that he could get information when he wanted about the girl hosting his very first and true love.

"We must believe." Snapped the brown curtly with a short node."What do you want ?"

Klaus immediately clicked his tongue against his palate at his impatience before giving him a vaguely entertained look. He supposed the idiot could do the business to distract him."Tell me about Mila. What is she doing with her time these days?"

"Obsessive much?" Replied the brown confidently despite that he could hear his dead heart accelerate.

Klaus tilted his head to the side with a breath of cold laughter before looking up immediately to compel the hybrid."Tell me what I want to know about Mila." He watched as his pupils dilated before straightening up in his seat, listening.

He didn't really know how to explain this curiosity about the weak human almost like his ex-lover. If he had previously thought of recovering Milana, he was no longer so certain that he wanted to erase Mila. The Little Gilbert had a knack for keeping him on his toes and he hadn't been challenged in a while by a woman. They all fell at his feet without him having to make the slightest effort. A bit like this little blonde vampire. She rejected him because she didn't know he was what she expected. She was still in her early vampire life. If only she knew what he could really do for her.

He could be selfless and kind like that sometimes.

Especially when it could spark Mila's interest. Without even knowing it, she had started a power game with him. She wasn't even as powerful and confident as his ex-lover, but she was still a challenge for him.

A challenge he could just as easily master thanks to the hybrid in front of him. She was definitely attached to Félix. The only one for whom she had really claimed her allegiance. However, that wasn't his way of acting. Klaus wanted above all total loyalty. He needed a demonstration of devotion and it wouldn't help if he forced her to join his side.

No, she had to complied on her own.

In a way he was still playing with her mind. He used no compulsion with her, but she was still under psychological pressure. It was one of his specialties.

"Why don't you ask her ?" Suddenly replied Felix leaving Klaus perked up almost immediately with the sudden floral smell mixed with a particular spice crossed his nostrils.

Almost immediately a wolf smile curved his lips in anticipation. He could easily feel her slight awkwardness through her light steps. Her smell was getting stronger and stronger as she headed straight for the counter still seeming completely oblivious to his presence. Part of him had to admit that he was somewhat annoyed by her lack of foresight about him but he would make sure to correct this little flaw. She would quickly notice his presence. Or not.

"Use your super hybrid reflex to give me the strongest liquor you can have in stock." Even her voice seemed identical to that of Milana. With the exception that it seemed less malicious and enticing than that of her ancestor. No, Mila was more conservative, innocent.

Klaus switched his gaze from his hybrid to the direction her voice was coming from and found out she had taken the seat next to him."Why so grumpy, darling?"

Unsurprisingly, Mila jumped at his intervention before straining into awareness of his presence. It was another difference from his beloved. Milana used to get cheerful at the simple sound of his voice.

However she was quick to surprise him again as she sank back into her seat with a long-frustrated sigh. "Not today, Niklaus. I already had my original dose for today."

So, she had seen Elijah. Obviously.

Klaus couldn't help but feel this frustration and jealousy again. It was like going back to the past. He should have known that his brother would make it a personal point to visit her when he woke up.

"Elijah. I should have known it would be his first decision."

"You can forget your little conspiracies to take revenge on your brother. He was just curious to find the friend he lost."

"Am I so predictable?" Klaus always thought he was great at concealing his emotions. He's done it for so long. Only one person could read him like no other. He assumed he should have foreseen this turnaround.

"Normally, I wouldn't even bring an ounce of interest. But the annoying feeling along my limbs doesn't really give me a choice." Mila replied visibly annoyed by the connection between him and Milana."This is what I'm reduced to, a vessel to accommodate the originals."

Klaus found himself displaying a little smirk at her choice of wailing before shaking his head with interest.

Even the suspicious looks of his minion weren't enough to distract him from the young beauty by his side. "It seems like the reunion with my brother was not so pleasant after all."

"Whoa Niklaus you're so perceptive." Replied the brunette sarcastically before swallowing the glass of whiskey that Felix put in front of her."Thanks."

"Whoa, whoa ... slow down, Mil." Exclaimed the hybrid immediately.

However, Mila contented herself with placing the glass forcefully on the counter before gesturing for him to pour it back."Don't test me. I'm fucking pissed."

Klaus gasped at her attitude."What's you got down?"

"What's got me down? Seriously? Do I have to make a list? Why not et's start with your existence."

"Now is not very nice, love." Klaus objected, leaning more towards her."I released you."

To his surprise and enthusiasm Mila leaned in turn towards him before sustaining his gaze as she murmured."Go to hell you and your fucking pet names."

He displayed a smile with closed lips in front of her impetuosity before using his speed invisible to the eye to put his hand on one of her thighs. Mila jumped at the touch, leaving Klaus reinvigorated at the rate of her increased heart rate. If only Mila knew the effects, she had over him, she would not have stirred up his dark side as she had just done. He was steadily liking her more and more. Her presence alone was enough to brighten his day.

"Careful there, I killed for less than that."

Mila swallowed at his underlying threat despite the fact that she was probably the last person he would kill on his list. Mila was the safest in the town. With the Salvatore brothers and them, she was the least likely to die. Until she ends up breaking his trust of course. Which inevitably everyone did.

"Is that all you can do?" Suddenly replied Mila as she put her hand on top of his before grabbing it to forcefully withdraw it.

Klaus left an impressed hiss before stepping back into his seat as he was taking a swig of his drink."I see that memories of Milana gave you some confidence."

"Milana lived in a time when women were looked down upon and scarcely considered other than to satisfy the desires of men. Does it surprise you so much that I gained a little confidence in the process?"

"If only her memories could have shown you another era. Like twenties. There, it was an era that deserved to be lived."

"Right. Your obsession with the era of perdition." Mila nodded with a light scoff before shrugging."I suppose Gatsby the magnificent has some attraction."

"That was a fascinating decade. Liberating and pact with culture from film to music to literature."

"Yeah… and also the time of the great ripper Stefan." Finished Mila, acerbic.

He smiled."Indeed, a fascinating period."

"You're sick." Suddenly intervened Felix filling the glass of Mila.

"Agree." The little brunette immediately agreed, pointing to her friend.

Klaus scowled slightly at her agreement before resuming nonchalantly."You'd fit in well during that time period."

"Yeah? I think I will pass." Mila replied boldly before shrugging."Plus if I had to choose a period it would be the Ancient Roman period and the end of the Roman Empire. I have always had a slight fascination with Greek and Egyptian mythology."

If Mila was really honest with herself she would recognize that she was really enjoying this conversation. She had always been a nerd in history and talking about such a subject with such antiquity that Niklaus was invigorating. However, she was not being honest so she preferred to focus on her disdain for the original hybrid.

Curiosity pocked at Klaus. It was amusing to hear the irony of her statement."You seem so repulsive to the idea of living in a world of supernatural creatures and yet you aspire to live in an era of Gods and Divinities."

"At least the women were worshiped."

And all the drink came pouring from his mouth as he began cracking up with laughter. Wiping his mouth, Klaus stared at her with attraction."It's what you wish, love? To be worshiped."

"It's a figurative conversation. To want to be a goddess would be to be as narcissistic and megalomaniac as you."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Are you joking? Wait, don't answer that. Of course, you're serious."

"You're the one who aspires to be a divinity."

"It was a hypothetical conversation."

"Still you seemed very envious."

"Are you playing on the words?"

"I don't know. Are you ?"

"Don't take me for an idiot."

"Who said I take you for an idiot, love?"

Mila released a frustrated breath as she looked away before taking another sip from her glass of alcohol. Klaus could easily see that she was not really used to drinking. Probably why she talked so liberally with him. Not that he was complaining.

"And you?" Asked the brunette suddenly, turning to him with some attention."You, what do you want Niklaus?"

He had to admit that he certainly didn't expect to meet Mila when he came to ventilate at the Mystic Grill. Even less have a first real civilized conversation about his life passed down through the ages and their desires and wishes. But he had to admit that he found himself wanting to answer her honestly. Klaus wanted a lot of things, power, love, trust and loyalty. Above all, however, he doesn't want to be left alone.

A weakness that he could not yet reveal to the adorable beauty before him."Looks like you've had enough to drink for today."

Klaus took the glass from her delicate hands, clearly content with himself as she accepted his touch without much difficulty. At least that was before she frowned in an adorable fashion."Are you implying that I'm drunk?"

"Probably just a little tipsy." Klaus objected with slight amusement to her slur.

"I can hold my liquor thank you very much, jackass." Grumbled Mila, suddenly rising from her stool just to stumble almost immediately on her feet.

"Mil!"

Klaus stood almost instantly, taking her by the hip and stabilizing her. For his greater satisfaction Mila caught up on him leaving him to rejoice at the feeling of her hands on his chest.

Unfortunately the feeling was short-lived as she soon regained her senses by quickly drawing back from his touch. Or at least what Klaus allowed her. He kept his hand on her hip before raising his eyebrows at the sight of her wide doe look. She literally seemed breathless as she stared at him like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. She was particularly exquisite in this position. And her fleshy, pale pink lips even more desirable.

However, the irritating intervention of his minion soon put an end to any idea that the original hybrid might have."I'll take care of her."

As normal, Klaus would have simply torn off the arm of the fool who dared to come between him and the object he wanted, but he had to admit that he himself seemed surprised by the turn of the events.

He couldn't be fooled by such futile feelings. Mila was not his Milana and she probably never would be. She was just a distraction and a means to an end. Besides, he had far greater concerns. Now was not the time to get lost in such frivolous distractions.

So he let Felix take his place with a slight growl as he realized that his inner wolf was already howling for what was right for him.

"Thank you, Félix." Gasped Mila as she finally looked away from Klaus.

The latter took advantage of this opportunity to put as much distance as possible between him and the new complication having awakened a buried part of humanity inside him.