Poison & Wine - Chapter XVI

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Patiently, I waited by Alaric's body, staying silent and ignoring the others in the room. I could heart their voices, but, as I said, I ignored them. Gently, I put a wet rag over his forehead and stared out the window. I heard the door open and close, and then heard someone come up from behind me.

"Any requests for breakfast, love?"

I remained silent, my lips pressed into a hard line. I wasn't going to speak to him, even if it killed me. I don't want or need to speak with him.

"I will compel you." He warned. I clenched my fists. If only he knew my feelings toward compulsion, and why I felt them. No, he's a monster even then he wouldn't cut me any slack.

"She's not like Elena, she won't stop even if you threaten her." Katherine pointed out from her spot on the couch.

"Thank you, Katerina. Now, be quiet," He grabbed my arm and roughly pulled me to my feet, turning me towards him. He leaned down very close, where we on the same eye level. I knew he was going to compel me. "What do you want to eat for breakfast?"

I had to act compelled, so I complied. "Bacon and eggs with coffee or tea – preferably coffee – along with a side of grapefruit."

"Stay still, love," He ordered. He raised an eyebrow, grabbing my chin and tilting my face around. "Such a doll face, such a beauty. I see no differences between Anastasia and you. Looks-wise, I mean. I'm noticing that personality-wise you couldn't be more different."

I stayed there, feeling my skin crawl. I wanted to vomit right now. How dare he touch me, he had no right! And to compare me to Anastasia? No, it didn't work that way. He didn't even know me!

"Like I said, I'm not Anastasia and am certainly glad not to be," I sneered, holding my fists by my side. "I don't care anything about her or whatever happened between Elijah, her, and you. Keep me away from it."

"Oh, you know you're just dying to know," He said, dropping his fingers from my chin. The corners of his mouth went up in a smirk, showing his dimples off. Elijah didn't have those, and it felt wrong to stare at them. He went over to the kitchen, and started moving about. "You know it's killing you to know what happened, you are just too prideful to admit it."

"Well, you have me all figured out, don't you, Nik?" I shot at him.

He seemed slightly shocked for a moment, pausing as he prepared the food. "What did you just call me?"

Crap. "Uh, I said, uh, Klaus."

"No, you did not," He rushed over, catching my chin again and forced eye contact. "Who told you that?"

"I have dreams," I said, deciding not to lie. I mean, I better see where this goes. "I called you Nik in them."

"What happened in the dreams?"

"We played catch and hide and seek." I couldn't read his expression as he moved back into the kitchen. I was dying to ask about Anastasia, but dropped it. I, instead, was distracted by Alaric waking up.

"Andy?" He asked, looking up at me in confusion.

"Alaric!" I moved from my spot on the floor and bent down to see him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?" He rubbed his head as he sat up. He was pulled to his feet before I could explain.

"Had to borrow your body for a while, thanks mate," Klaus turned Alaric towards him. "I want you to go tell the Salvatores and the doppelganger that the sacrifice happens tonight."

"No," I whispered in shock, looking over at Klaus in horror.

Alaric looked at me and Klaus shook his head. "She will be staying with me a while longer. Why don't go on your merry way now?"

Alaric stared at me a moment, giving me a nod to indicate something I couldn't infer. I watched him walk out and yearned to go with him, as it was probably evident on my face.

"How about breakfast now, love?"

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He actually made me breakfast, and everything I had ask for. He was an amazing cook and everything tasted like heaven in my mouth, though I'd never admit that to him. And the weirdo watched me while I was eating, and asked me questions, to which I refused to answer. They were about my personal life, mainly focusing on Damon and Elijah.

Once I was finished eating, he brought me clothes. I unfolded the clothes to find a sundress. I looked over at him. "Seriously? Really?"

"You don't fancy it?"

"I'm not Caroline Forbes, I don't wear dresses unless it's formal. Nothing's formal about today, considering you're going to sacrifice my sister," I pointed out, tossing the clothes right back at him. I was going to be a total bitty right now and go Caroline Forbes on him. "Go get me my David Bowie shirt and jeans along with my black boots that go halfway up my leg along with my black, plaid colored socks. I expect them before I get out of the shower. Please and thank you." I marched out of the room and into the bathroom. That felt awesome.

I got out of the shower and poked my head out of the door. "Klaus!"

There was no movement.

"KLAUS!" I called. Seriously? Where was he? "Klaus, are you here? I need my clothes!" I looked down to see a stack of clothes on the other side of the hallway. "Haha, thanks a lot!"

I sighed, double-checking no one was near and ran out into the hallway. I snatched my stuff up and started to run back into the bathroom when I saw Klaus at the end of the hall. "Pervert!" I screamed to him, slamming the door behind me.

I heard a chuckle and growled to myself. I got changed and ready, surprised to see he got me the exact same thing I'd demanded him to. Hmm, so he had some sense to listen to me. After dressing, I walked out of the bathroom with my David Bowie shirt on. I walked into the living room to see Klaus waiting, looking through a book.

"David Bowie? Really?" He asked, looking over at me.

"He's better looking than you," I said, flipping my hair over my shoulder. God, I was getting on my own nerves acting like this.

He rolled his eyes and stood. He came over to me. "You are to stay by my side and not run off, understood?"

"Understood."

"Follow me," He walked out of the apartment and I followed, passing through the doorway without a problem. I glanced back at Katherine to see her watching us go. I bit my lip as I followed him away from the apartment.

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We ended up at the Mystic Grill, and I hoped I would see someone I could talk to other than Klaus. As we entered, and he pulled me toward the bar. Instantly, I saw who we were headed for.

"You can't be serious," I mumbled as we got closer.

"Gentlemen, why so glum?" Klaus asked Alaric and Damon as we stopped beside them.

Damon looked over and once he saw me, he groaned. "Ugh. Klaus, I presume."

"In the flesh," Klaus smiled, looking over at Alaric. "Thanks again for the loaner, mate."

Damon stood up and pulled me toward him, snaking his arm around me. "Any reason you stopped to say hi?" I stepped away from his arm and stepped back to Klaus' side. Damon looked at me, confused. I shook my head, unsure what other way to get him to drop it.

"I'm told you and your brother fancy my doppelgänger. Just thought I'd remind you not to do anything you'd regret," Klaus answered, grabbing my arm to pull me slightly closer. I took a step away from him, too.

"Ha. Thanks for the advice," Damon rolled his at Klaus. "I don't suppose I could talk you into a postponement by any chance, could I, huh?"

"You are kidding?" Klaus looked at Alaric and I. "He is kidding, right?"

"No, not really." Alaric said, slightly exasperated.

"I mean, come on, what's one month in the grand scheme of things?" Damon asked.

Klaus looked over at me. "Love, why don't you go wait in the car?"

I looked over at Damon and swallowed hard before nodding over to Klaus. "Don't hurt him, okay?" I had a feeling something would happen here when I left.

"I'll try not to," He gave me a small smirk before looking back to Damon. "Let me be clear…" Klaus stepped where he was face to face with Damon as they glared at one another. I took my leave then, and headed out of the door. As soon as I stepped out, though, I was grabbed. I almost screamed, until I saw the brown eyes. No. It was impossible. H-he was gone.

"Elijah," I gasped out, and my knees gave out, as well as my vision.

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The End of Chapter XVI

Question: KLAUS OR ELIJAH? Who do YOU prefer? I've asked before, but gotta ask again.

~ The Onceler's Unless