"KOL!" His sister's voice caused him to briefly flail around before he regained his precarious balance.
"Yes, sister?" He called down.
"What are you doing up there? You know mother forbade you to climb any higher than Finn or Father can reach!" Rebekah stood at the base of the White Oak tree, neck craned to keep her brother in her sights.
"Well, mother isn't here right now, and she won't know unless you tattle. Run along sister, I'm sure Niklaus is in need of a muse to paint." Kol tried to distract her.
"Fine! I hope you get stuck on the highest branch!" With that exclamation she whirled off, her dress billowing behind her.
'Blessed silence' Kol thought to himself as he continued to climb. When he reached the highest branch he took a moment to mentally gloat to his sister. He had climbed higher than ever before and could see the entirety of their village.
The problem arose when he made the mistake of looking down. While he knew he was up pretty high, it wasn't until he attempted to get down that he realized that he was frozen in fright. He tried to recall the spell he and his mother's mentor Ayanna had created just for this purpose, but found that he could not remember one single word.
He had made little progress when he looked down once more and watched as the ground seemed to sway. He clutched the branch that he settled on. 'No bother,' he thought to himself, 'When they see I'm not at supper, they will send someone out to find me.' The boy tried to reassure himself.
However as the afternoon went on and the sun started its journey to bed, no one had come looking for him. His need for food greatly outweighed his fear at this point, and he once again attempted to climb down.
He was successful this time, but his joy at his feat was marred by the fact that no one was there to witness it. He hurried home, intent on bragging to his brothers and sister of his amazing triumph. When he approached their abode he realized the entire family was gathered around the table enjoying their evening meal.
Even Niklaus, who their father did not care for that much.
Kol blinked furiously, he was not a baby like Henrik, he was almost old enough to join on the wolf hunts, he would not cry over such trivial matters! But it hurt that nobody even noticed that he was gone.
"What troubles you, my wild one?" He heard Ayanna call out as she walked by with a basket full of washing.
Kol sniffed and angrily wiped the tears from his eyes as he walked over to Ayanna. "They don't even miss me. I could have gotten eaten by the wolves, by the Gods!"
She set down her basket, "The wolves will not have you, little one. That is not your fate." Kol frowned as he tried to figure out what she meant by that.
"Then what is my fate?" He asked plaintively. Ayanna took him by the shoulders and peered deeply into his eyes. Kol felt funny, it was the same feeling he got when he spun around too many times. It felt like she was peering right into his soul. She frowned before releasing him and picking up her basket.
"Your fate is to walk your own path, Kol Mikealson. You will find your place in this world, no matter how long it may take you." As she walks off, Kol feels the familiar brush of her magic, then the door to his home is being thrown open.
"Kol! Goodness, where have you been?" His mother comes flying out and engulfs him in a fierce hug. Kol halfheartedly returned the hug. He had seen them, he knows he wasn't missed at all. Ayanna must have sent his mother some kind of message through magic.
Later that night as he's lying in bed unable to sleep, he wonders how long he would have had to stay in that tree until they noticed he was missing. He fell asleep vowing to never let what happened this afternoon happen again. If he has to act a little unruly in order to be noticed, then so be it. He would never be forgotten or overlooked again.
Kol pulled himself back from his day dream with a frown. That was the first time he realized that he was quite easily overlooked in his family. So from that day forth, he set out to be the one they couldn't help but notice. The one who they needed to keep their eyes on, because when he was left alone to his own devices….
Well, it was never good.
He had perhaps done too good of a job if the text from Rebekah was anything to go by. She informed him that she would be in the area and wanted to swing by and see him. Her exact words were:
-Marcel and I will be traveling to Rome in the coming month. It's been quite some time since we've spoken, and I've not heard mention of any mass casualties on the news. Are you well, brother?
It wasn't the fact that his sister was asking after him, Kol didn't mind Rebekah checking on him so much. It was nice of her to notice he's been laying rather low these past months. What he was worried about was breaking the news of his relationship with Bonnie to her.
Granted, she'd never said much about Bonnie herself when she would speak about her time in Mystic Falls, but up until relatively recently when one mentioned the usual Mystic Falls gang, it was assumed that she was included as well. Similarly Bonnie had never said anything bad about Rebekah specifically, all her vitriol was reserved for Niklaus and interestingly, Elijah.
Elijah's role in pitting her and her mother's life against the doppelgänger was something Kol hadn't learned of until well after he'd died. Which makes her reluctance to work with him clearer. He wishes he'd known exactly how his mother's spell had been thwarted. If ever there was a time to drive a wedge into the co-dependent relationship she shared with the idiots there that would have been the perfect time. He's still surprised none of his siblings had tried to take advantage of it. Gods, Niklaus had even been entrusted with some of her blood! Instead, they'd doubled down on their mistreatment of Bonnie, which further cemented them as the proverbial 'bad guys' in her mind.
And now with Rebekah coming to see him, and Kol not being the type to lie or hide anything or anyone he was involved with, he had to come to a decision on whether or not to tell his sister the reason he's been so docile lately.
He looks out the window into the expansive back yard, Bonnie and Kai are engaged in yet another magical training session. He flexes his fingers and wishes not for the first time, that he can feel the thrum of magic again. He had loved being a witch, the feeling of bending all the elements to his will, of creating something from nothing. There was no other feeling like it in the world.
He sees Bonnie jerk back, then smile widely at Kai. They're working on astral projecting this week, and Bonnie is soaking it all in like a sponge. Between himself and Kai, her magical knowledge and usage is growing by leaps and bounds.
Out in the yard Kai suddenly lunges at Bonnie and her laughter brings a smile to his face. He's surprised that he feels no jealousy in regards to the other man. He's not dumb, he knows that Bonnie only has to say the word and Kol would be on the end of a white oak stake, and vice versa. When he discovered all that Kai had done to Bonnie, he hadn't been lying when he asked her if she wanted Kai's head removed from his shoulders. It was a nice head with very nice shoulders, but if she had said yes then he would have done it.
Kol also knows that while he loves Bonnie, what Malachai feels for her is in a different league altogether. Obsession, guilt, lust, repentance, and so much more are all rolled into what Kai deems as love. Kol knows Kai loves him too, but it will probably never reach the level that he has for Bonnie.
Bonnie loves them both, Kol knows, just in different ways. Kol has spent the most time with her, a lot of it at her lowest, so she is never hesitant about being vulnerable with him. He doesn't treat her like she's made of spun sugar, she's strong, and Kol has always been the one to remind her of that. Her feelings for Malachai are more recent and she's still trying to find her footing with him.
Kai's childhood and subsequent banishment to a world where he spent nearly two decades alone has left him rather touch and affection starved. There isn't a moment in which Bonnie is near Kai where they're not touching in some way.
Surprisingly Kol is okay with that, because the two never make him feel like he's the odd man out. When he starts to think he's just intruding, one or the other will reach out and pull him close. Unlike Nik, Bex, and Elijah's little 'always and forever' vow that tends to hold the others back, their threesome shifts and adjusts so it suits each person as needed.
"KOL!" Bonnie is on the ground shrieking as Kai tickles her.
He smiles as he steps outside and approaches the two on the ground, "Yes, little witch? Do you need me to save you from the big bad heretic?"
Bonnie is grinning widely as she shoots an arm out to wrap around his knees and brings him crashing down to the ground as well. She quickly straddles his chest while Kai straddles his knees, so the original is fairly immobilized.
"Now, you wanna tell us what you're in there looking so serious about, hmm?" Kai leans his head on Bonnie's shoulder and they both look down at him. He feels his undead heart give an extra thump. There hasn't been a long list of people who can look at him and tell there is something going on. Even fewer who asked what was wrong, and actually cared about the answer.
He shifts enough to bring his hands to rest on Bonnie's thighs. "Well, if you must know, I received a text message from my darling sister. She's deeply concerned about the lack of bloodshed that I usually leave in my wake." At Bonnie and Kai's confused look, he elaborates "She's coming to check up on me to make sure I'm fine. Previously, the only times I've fallen out of communication this long is when I've been daggered."
"And you're wondering if you should tell her about us?" Kai asks.
"It's not you I'm concerned about, Malachai. My sister and Bonnie have history together." He says running his hands up and down her thighs soothingly.
"Actually, it was physics." Bonnie muttered, then met his eyes, "I don't have a problem with Rebekah. If she wants to come, let her. If you want to tell her about us, then do it. Don't let me stop you."
"Do you want to come with me?" Kol asks.
"Do you want me there?" Bonnie countered. "I'll understand if you don't, you haven't seen your sister in a while, she's your family, your blood, and-"
Kol surges up, causing Bonnie to scoot down into his lap and right up against where Kai is still sitting on his knees. He cups her face and kisses her, "Yes, she is my blood family. But you two are my chosen family, you are just as important to me as they are." He releases Bonnie's face and reaches past her for Kai, who's already leaning forward. The kiss they share is just as soft as the one he shared with Bonnie, but no less powerful.
When they separate, instead of her eyes devouring the sight like she normally does, Bonnie is looking over Kols shoulder frowning slightly.
"What is it, Bonster?" Kai asks, dropping a kiss on her neck. She turns back to Kol, "Look, I know Rebekah, she's gonna lose her damn mind when she sees me here, and I don't want to cause any strife between you two. She's coming to see you, so go on and go see her. Take Kai if you want to, I can hang out by myself for a bit."
"Are you sure?" Kol does feels like that is truly the best option, but all the better that the idea came from Bonnie herself.
"Yeah, besides if she sees you're good, then that'll keep the other two from coming by for a surprise visit." Kol knew that if Bonnie was staying, then Kai would stay as well. Which was all for the best really. See his sister, have lunch, tolerate Marcel for a few hours, and everyone leaves happy. What can go wrong?
Famous last words.
The lunch itself went off smashingly. After Bonnie and Kai gave him a very nice send off, he made his way into town to meet his sister and pseudo nephew for lunch. He talked as if he were dreading it, but it was really good to see Rebekah again, even if she did have Marcel in tow.
Of course she zeroed in on his newfound happiness and wanted to know the reason for it. In that moment, he wished Bonnie and Kai had come with him. When he left, the two were still curled around each other in bed, debating on the best animal to have for a familiar.
He shrugged off his sister's question, and changed the subject. He thought he'd distracted her, but as he often forgot, Rebekah could be slippery as an eel sometimes. He'd only turned his back for a second when she'd snatched his phone. Thank the Gods, he'd remembered to engage the lock, so she couldn't actually see his pictures.
His lock screen, however…..
His lock screen was a picture of Bonnie lying in bed, knees up and crossed, so no parts of her were actually showing, while holding a book over her face. The book was angled to cover her breasts as well, which had been her concession for him having it as his lock screen. Her hair fanned out across the bed, and her golden skin was lit by the setting sun.
Kol wrestled with her for a moment to regain control of his phone, he should have known then that the speed at which she relinquished the device was a decoy. They finished lunch and Kol promised to keep in regular touch with Rebekah.
He was even cordial to Marcel.
The second he left the restaurant, his attention returned to the two individuals that he'd left behind. He wasted no time in returning to the Villa, expecting to find them waiting for a detailed breakdown of how his lunch with his sister went.
Instead, he returns to a seemingly empty home. He strained to hear any signs of them, but all he can sense is the thrum of their combined magic. His face splits into a grin, he loved when they used their magic to try and hide from him. He made his way through the villa, room by room, using his enhanced senses to weed them out.
He had initially passed the guest bedroom that Bonnie used to sleep in the few times she stayed over, but ever since she had fully moved in, the room had gone unused. He stood at the door, looking into the seemingly empty room, knowing they were in there, but unable to actually see them.
Until he got a quick glimpse of them when the cloaking spell wavered.
He laughed to himself as he made his way to the bed, stopping a few inches from the edge waiting for another glimpse. The empty space wavered once more and he was able to get a longer look this time. Kai was sitting on the edge of the bed with Bonnie perched in his lap, replicating how she had sat in Kol's lap in the restaurant while Kai feasted on her.
This time, Kol dropped to his knees and used his hands to feel his way until he reached where they were joined. He leaned in and licked from the bottom of Kai's dick up to where it was thrusting in and out of Bonnie, continuing on to flick her clit a few times. He saw the cloaking spell drop for a minute before coming back up.
Ahh, so it was Bonnie trying to hold it this time. This was another favorite training tool of both his and Kai's, where they would test Bonnie's ability to hold a spell while they distracted her. The fact that it was already wavering told him that they'd probably been at this for a while.
Kol settled himself a little more firmly between their joint thighs. He and Kai were keeping score as to how many times each of them were responsible for completely breaking her concentration, and currently they were neck and neck.
Using his hands as a guide once more, he brought the thumb of one hand over to stroke Bonnie as he brought his mouth back to their joined bodies. His other hand was steadily massaging Kai's balls, establishing a steady rhythm of gentle tugging.
He pulled his mouth away briefly to run his tongue over her spread labia before returning to clamp his lips around Bonnie's clit and suck hard. He was rewarded when he felt her hand come down to grip the back of his head, and the lazy roll of her hips change to a frantic motion.
"Fuck, fuck, oh god." Kol smiled as she didn't seem to realize she had let sound through. He removed his hand from Kai's balls, only to hear the other man groan with disappointment. He braced his hands against Bonnie's thighs and wedged his shoulders between Kai's thighs so he was able to slide his tongue inside Bonnie along with Kai's dick.
Bonnie let out a squeal as her thighs start to shake, the cloaking spell completely fell and he was able to watch as Kai lifted her off his still hard member directly onto Kol's face. Kol wasted no time in burying his tongue inside her and fucking her with it until she came all over his face. Bonnie rode his face with wild abandon until her tremors lessoned, she fell back onto Kai trying to catch her breath.
Kol removed his tongue and looked up with a wicked grin, "That's another for me, isn't it?" Before Kai could object, Kol swiftly took him in his mouth, moaning at the combination of both Bonnie and Kai dancing on his tongue. He bobbed his head a few times before reaching out for Bonnie's hand that was still loosely wrapped around his head. He guided her hand to stroke Kai so he could free his to hand to dip inside her. He took his hand and brought it down to Kai's opening, using Bonnie's juices to ease two fingers inside.
Kai jerked and conceded, "Yeah, alright. Another for you." He bore down on Kol's fingers wordlessly asking for more. Kol laughed before returning to mouth at the head of his dick as Bonnie continued to stroke him. He looked up to see both of Kai's hands on Bonnie's breasts, tweaking her nipples while they exchanged kisses.
Kai broke away to let Kol know he was about to cum, Bonnie locked eyes with Kol, and sent him a wink. She quickly inserted Kai back into her body just in time for him to release inside of her. Kol removed his fingers from Kai and watched as Kai pulsed inside of Bonnie. When Kai flopped back onto the bed, Kol started licking at where his cum leaked from Bonnie. Eventually growing impatient, he lifted Bonnie and settled her over his face once more, letting Kai's release drip down into his mouth. He eagerly lapped at her, not wanting to miss a drop.
He moved so he was laying prone on the floor with Bonnie still grinding above him. He slipped a hand down into his pants to relieve the pressure, but found Kai was already there. Between Bonnie above and Kai below, Kol came in no time.
Afterwards they fell in a heap on the floor, he heard Bonnie ask, "So, good lunch?"
Two days later they were lounging around the pool, trying to come to a decision on where to go next. Kai had suggested they go to his hometown of Portland, and take up residence there. He wanted to start rebuilding the Gemini from the ground up. Kol was willing to go along, he'd heard a lot about the Gemini in his travels with witches, but had never been able to breach their inner sanctum. Bonnie was obviously hesitant, considering her last visit to Oregon.
Bonnie was going down the list of places she would gladly go instead when Kai sat straight up in alarm. "What the fuck?" He flashed out of the pool to the front gate. Kol had gone to the cellar to grab another bottle of wine, which left Bonnie to grumble to herself as she hefted herself out of the pool, "No, I got it, really. Just leave me behind, it's cool."
She heard the shouting the moment she cleared the edge of the house. Rebekah was standing beside someone Bonnie had never met, yelling at Kai, and telling him he was dead once Kol found out.
"What the hell is going on?" Bonnie asked adjusting her cover-up.
"YOU WHORE!" Bonnie's eyes widened as Rebekah pointed in her direction. "I can't believe you of all people would do this! I'd expect something like this from the blond one, but I'd somehow held you in higher regard."
"Um, thanks?" Bonnie was still confused about what was going on.
"Don't thank me, you tart." Rebekah stalked across the yard until she was up in Bonnie's face. "I should rip your heart out right now."
Bonnie sent her flying back, "Try it and I will not care that you're Kol's sister, I will kill you." The unnamed man went to help Rebekah up, but she angrily brushed his hands off her. "You're dead anyway once Kol finds out about you and your boyfriend here." Kai brought his hand up to his chest, pointing to himself, mouthing 'me?'
"Yes, you. The both of you. I thought Kol seemed too happy and I'm so glad I followed him to find out why. You put a spell on him, didn't you?" She tried to charge at Bonnie again, but only got a few steps before she hit an invisible wall. "Oh that's convenient, go hide behind your magic. Once Nik and Elijah arrive, they are going to rip you apart."
"FOR WHAT?" Bonnie finally screamed at the irate girl.
"FOR SCREWING AROUND ON MY BROTHER, YOU BLOODY TRAMP." Rebekah screamed back.
"ENOUGH!" Kol's voice broke through the chaos that was happening.
"Kol!" Rebekah flashed to him, "I know you're under a spell, but don't worry. When our brothers get here, they'll sort this right out."
Kol gritted his teeth, "What in all the devils are you talking about? I'm not under a spell!"
"What?" Rebekah's perfectly arched eyebrows climbed sky-high.
From out of nowhere, Kai started laughing. "Oh man, this is better than a soap opera! Well, except General Hospital, but that doesn't count because nothing can beat General Hospital, am I right?" He gestures to the stranger that arrived with Rebekah.
"Kai, not now." Bonnie didn't want to get carried away by one of his tangents.
"But don't you see? That's what's going on here!" He said gleefully. "She" he pointed to Rebekah, "thinks you're with Kol" he points to Kol, "but cheating with me right under his nose." He finished with a flourish.
Bonnie felt her confusion lift as she turned to Kol, "Did you tell your sister about the three of us?" She narrowed her eyes as she stepped closer.
Kol shrugged sheepishly, "Perhaps not in so many words." Bonnie's eyes widened incredulously. The man with Rebekah groaned softly and shook his head. "But it's not like she asked!" Kol tried to defend himself.
"KOL!" Both women yelled at the same time.
"It's not like I knew she would follow me up here and call in reinforcements." He turned to Rebekah with a stormy face. "Sister, if you had questions, why didn't you come to me?"
"I…" Rebekah flailed around for an answer, but none came.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and started to walk back inside before she halted, "Wait a minute, you called your brothers?"
Bonnie eyed the two men across the table warily. Both Klaus and Elijah had just arrived and no amount of apologizing from Rebekah, or threats from Kol would budge them. They wanted to 'sit and talk out their differences.'
Bonnie wanted to sit and watch them burn. There was no way this was going to go civilly.
Sure enough, Klaus leaned back in his chair, lips pursed in a smirk. "So it's about sex then?"
Bonnie holds an arm out to keep Kai in his seat, he can use magic of course, but Bonnie knows he'd prefer to tear them limb from limb the old fashioned way. She huffs out a laugh, "No, it's not. Although I can certainly understand why you would think that. It's not like you've ever had anyone try to connect to you on an emotional level without you stabbing them in the back." She pretended to think "Or in the front, as it were."
She plays with the ring of condensation that has collected on her drink. "I'm not Caroline or Elena. I've never had people tripping over themselves to help me, unless it was for their benefit as well." She focuses on Klaus, "I've never had anyone tell me I'm full of light while drawing me a picture of a pony."
"I've never had anyone write me a letter that says that my compassion is a gift." Elijah at least has the decency to look away as he adjusted his tie.
"I've had to do for myself, and receive absolutely no thanks for my efforts. I've been hurt and cried alone, knowing that nobody gave a damn about me, as long as they got what they wanted from me. I was alone." Bonnie stressed. "Until I died and was brought back as the anchor to the other side."
She reached out for Kol's hand, "Your brother was there for me." At their raised eyebrows she elaborated. "Have you ever wondered what happens to a witch, vampire, wolf, or whatever kind of supernatural when they die? How they actually get to the other side?" Bonnie scoffs, "Of course you haven't. They would go through a door of sorts, I became that door. Every supernatural death, as they passed through me, I felt their pain."
Bonnie watched as surprise crossed all their faces, "Oh yes, while you were down in New Orleans "reclaiming your throne"" Bonnie air quoted, "I felt every single person you killed. When you called to ask about the other side collapsing, I was suffering then as well. Your father tried to pass through me to get back to you." She dropped that bomb and watched Klaus narrow his eyes. "I wouldn't let him, but in the end I didn't get a choice in the matter, your mother is sneaky as hell."
She squeezed Kol's hand, "Kol was there for all of it, every time a person passed, he stayed with me. If it was a group or if the person fought because they couldn't believe they were dead? He was there to push them on through. Getting nothing in return. Even knowing how he died, he was strictly there to help ease my pain."
She hears a sniffle and sees Rebekah fighting to hold back tears, "I'm not telling you this for sympathy points, I'm telling you because I can see you still think I'm using your brother. And I'm asking, why would I turn my back or take advantage of the one person that was on my side when I was at my lowest? The one person who I knew I could turn to for comfort and solace? That might not mean much for any of you, because you've always had each other, but as someone who was constantly abandoned and used, it means the world to me."
Bonnie pinned Klaus with a stare, "Do you really think I'd stay for this fake ass show of concern if I didn't love him? Because I do. I love him. It's because of that love that I'll say here and now that I won't ever move against any of you, unless you give me reason to. I could care less for you, but you're his siblings, I'll put my feelings aside where you're concerned for his sake."
"How magnanimous of you." Klaus sneered.
"Kindly fuck off, Klaus." Bonnie shot back. "I just thought I'd lay everything out on the table for you. Since you seem to be so concerned that I'm only using him…them for sex. It's not about sex, not even close."
"But the sex is pretty damn spectacular." Kai butt in, causing every head to turn in his direction.
"I'm afraid we haven't had the pleasure of making your acquaintance," Elijah peered over at Kai, "Who exactly might you be?"
Kai preened, "I might be Kai Parker, head of the Gemini Coven."
"Didn't that coven get wiped out a while ago?" Marcel asked in confusion.
Kai slurped the last of his drink, "In the words of Justin Timberlake, I'm bringing it back. The Gemini Coven, not sexy. Although-"
"Malachai." Kol spoke up.
Kai rolled his eyes, "Look here's what it all boils down to, your sissy was mistaken and needs to apologize. Your brothers need back the hell up out of Bonnie's face, and make with the nice. Oh, and your nephew/brother-in-law needs to keep his eyes in his own damn head. Don't think I'm not seeing those looks you keep sending Bonnie's way." Kai briefly let his power flow to the surface before tucking it away again.
"Well, it seems as if everyone here is on the same page." Elijah tried to play peacekeeper. He turned to address Bonnie, who still had her gaze locked on Klaus. "Miss Bennett, allow me to apologize for our….assumptions. Kol is family and I'm sure you know-" He broke off.
"No, go on Elijah, what were you going to say about my family?" Bonnie glared at him.
"What my brother is trying to say, is welcome to the family, love. It'll be nice to have a few more witches on our side." Klaus interrupted smoothly.
"You have shit. I will not be your witch on call, neither will Kai. I promise not to kill your selfish ass, but I can't promise I won't bring the marshmallows to the bonfire should it occur. " Bonnie swiftly removed any inkling Klaus may have had of using her magic.
The smile Klaus had been sporting fell. Their luncheon broke up soon after. Rebekah offering her sincerest apologies for her misunderstanding. Elijah looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Klaus hung back to speak to Bonnie, "Tell me something, little Bennett, does the rest of Mystic Falls know about your…..arrangement."
"Relationship. C'mon, you can say it. Lord knows, you don't know what the word means." Bonnie snarked before sobering. "Some know, some don't. Now ask me if I care?" Bonnie didn't know what the look on Klaus's face was, but she had feeling she would be finding out soon enough.
Sure enough, it was only a few hours later when her phone began ringing off the hook.