FOLLIS / Falling Leaves [DOUBLED]


Disclaimer: These characters are the creative property by the writers of The Vampire Diaries and CW. No copyright infringement is intended. Only the plot belongs to me.

Author: TLC

Rating: PG/ High Teen

Word count: 2, 760

Prompt: "8. Angry" (AH/AU) [Age 6]


It was stupid really, just a silly fight between siblings but it ended up with his baby sister crying to his mother and his brother's icing him out. He was just having fun and being a kid (a jerk really) but now everyone's mad at him.

His mom even Mikael suggested to just apologise. Kol doesn't have to say 'sorry' often to Bekah; more often than not she can dish it out just as much as she can take it. But he called her 'ugly' and started teasing her that she was going to die alone and he didn't know when to shut up. Looking back on it, he really should've kept quiet.

Rebekah had locked herself in her room, actually 'theirs', but he won't push it. He had a plan (sort of) he snuck into the garage freezer and searched out mother's secret 'time of the month' stash as Klaus liked to call it. His fingers go a little numb from being stuck in the icy air for so long and he lets out a breath of relief when his hand gripped onto a cylinder ice cream container, yanking it out eagerly. Ben & Jerry's – cookies & cream, by the way – should do the trick. Making his way to their bedroom, he quickly makes a detour to pick up a spoon and a pillow as a source of protection, then knocked on their door. He hears her yell "Go away!" but pushed the door open nonetheless.

Rebekah glared at him from her bed sitting by the window, there's a magazine in her lap and music echoing around the room. Kol could breathe easier when he sees she hasn't got something in her hand to throw at him.

"I'm still angry at you, brother." He knows, he doesn't blame her – Kol's angry at himself.

Kol nods –agreeing with her, "I know."

Bekah's blue eyes spark with interest as she spots the ice cream by his side and gestured for him to come closer.

"Give me the ice cream." He does and flinched when she snatched the spoon from his hand as well, shoving a big mouthful between her lips Bekah hummed in delight, "Okay. We're good. Now Shoot!"

Her hands makes a shooing motion and Kol scoffed, "This is my room too!"

His sister gets up and pushes him back towards the door, almost giggling at his 'annoyed' expression, "Not today it isn't."

His feet stumble a little when the door is slam against his face hitting him straight on the nose; he rubbed his nose and jumped when he feels a hand clamp down on his shoulder. Kol looked up as Mikael smirked down at him, "Nothing worse than a women's scorn, son."

Kol blinked. "W-what?"

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"9. Anxious" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

Resisting to flinch as Abby tightened the simple bun she'd put up, Bonnie fiddled with the hem of her dress. Apparently, she had to go to a special dinner with mama and daddy and their friends. Other than Mr and Mrs Gilbert, Bonnie didn't interact with many adults out of school and strangely she's a little anxious. Gently tapping her back Abby signalled her that she was done and Bonnie watched as her mother slipped on her black stilettos adding a couple inches to her moderately small stature. The youngest Bennett looked at her mom in envy; long beautiful brown locks, high and proud cheekbones and glossy peach lips. Frowning a little to herself she mused whether or not she would grow up to look like Abby; her hair was a mess of curls, cheeks looked like a squirrel's and after chewing on her lips (out of habit) they were chapped and scabby.

Abby peered down at Bonnie – amused – and reached down to clasp her tiny hands in hers, Rudy was already waiting in the front of the car, speaking animatedly on the phone when they exited their home. Abby must've picked up on Bonnie's sullen mood because as soon as they turned onto the main road into to town she tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry sweetie, Will has a son –Jamie. He's your age too so you won't be bored at dinner."

Bonnie smiled back, dimples and all, pulling out her CD-player from the back of her father's seat, putting to use her nimble fingers to undo the knots on the head-phones cords.

"Will? As in Will Norman?" Rudy interrupted sending a sideway glance at Abby.

"Yeah, it's a company party."

"But you told me that he never really interacts with other employees outside of the office."

"Only because he's a very busy guy, Rudy." She argued before adding on harshly, "You should know."

Rudy tensed before he took a moment to glance back at Bonnie in the back seat playing with her CD- player then turned to Abby, face ablaze, "I've put in for my 2-week holiday, okay? I have responsibilities, people count on me."

Frustration and resentment seeped into Abby and she hissed, "Don't you think I know that? But it would hardly hurt if you could make it home for dinner or help Bonnie with her homework or even spend your days off with us instead of golfing with the guys."

"They're not just guys, Abigail. They're clients and in a few years' time when Bonnie goes off to college it will all be worth it."

Abby sighed disappointed, her eyes tearing up a little, "That's a long time. For all of us."

Being only 6 years old Bonnie was innocently unaware of her parents hostility to each other, in a few years' time when she learns more about the world –about people- she'll found out sometimes no matter how much one loves another it still doesn't have an happy ending.

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"10. Ashamed" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

Staying after school in detention wasn't something unusual for Kol or the Mikaelson family in general. In the middle of a mani-pedi Esther received a call from 'Mystic Falls Elementary School' letting her know that her second youngest son, Kol, got into a fight with another student – she didn't even blink. Now, a typical mother would rush to the principal's office and demand for at least an explanation but Esther was no typical mom. Giving the ladies in the salon an extra $20 for a neck massage, she sat back and made a mental not to send Kol to bed without dessert.

That'll teach him.

While on the other hand, Bonnie was freaking out! She's been in trouble before (either a bad word slipped out or she forgot to bring her books) but never in detention! She was practically in tears, what would mama think?

What about Grams?... Bonnie almost cried out at the thought.

This was obviously not the first time that Bonnie and Kol have had an… altercation but it was the first that the nervous Bennett had started it. And if anyone were to ask her – Why? She honestly didn't know, because all she wanted was to borrow a blue marker.

"Just use green." He said, for the sky? No, she needed blue; she was going to give it back (of course!) but nooo…

He just had to keep arguing and then he licked it! Kol licked the marker! Smirking proudly, he waved it shamelessly in front of her.

Too bad for Kol, it was arts and craft today meaning there was chalk, crayons, clay just lying around and right by Bonnie's twitching hand was a tub of tainted mixture of green paint. It was like throwing snow, a blob soars through the air but it just kind of hangs there before dropping anticlimactically on top of Kol. There's a moment of silence, not just from Kol but the whole class and as expected from 23 first graders – all hell broke loose.

Before she knows it something wet and cold hits her face and Bonnie moves out of sight before Kol hits her with another shot of paint.

"This all your fault, you know Bennett." Kol's voice breaks through her thoughts surprising Bonnie.

"Shut it Mikaelson." Bonnie retorted her cheeks red with embarrassment but she would never let Kol know that she was ashamed.

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"11. Awed" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

Every year the 'Mystic Falls Elementary School' organised each grade to perform a play for their friends and family – whether they like it or not. For some it was their time to shine, like students such as Caroline Forbes, for others it was their time to suck up to their teachers before parent-teacher interviews – aka Damon Salvatore or Tyler Lockwood.

For Bonnie Bennett in particular it was an opportunity to face her fears –she wasn't shy per se but she wasn't a fan of being centre of attention – but when she found out that she was going to play 'HOPE' in 'Pandora's Box' she started to sweat a little. Given it was only one-line but if she embarrassed herself in front of everyone, she could only wish that God strikes her down.

It was a week till they would be performing and Bonnie was (mostly) confident in herself. She and Rebekah with some of the other cast were practicing their lines in the music room; they were reviewing the last scene between 'HOPE' and 'PANDORA' with the narrators.

As narrator number 5 finished his line Rebekah moved towards Bonnie in the centre of their makeshift stage acting afraid and curious she recited "You are not like the others. Who are you?"

Calmly Bonnie quoted in time, "Pandora, your greed has released terrible troubles into the world but I am here to try and make things better. My name is Hope."

The five narrator's proceeded to finish their last lines as Rebekah and Bonnie ran off the stage. She wasn't close with Rebekah mostly because she was best friends with Caroline and partly because she's a little afraid of her. Since they started the play though, she's found out that she wasn't as bad as Caroline made her out to be, she was still intimidated but mostly in awed over her ability to memorise her lines.

And Bonnie told her as such as they were packing up their bags. Surprisingly and in a very cute manner Rebekah blushed, and fidgeted at Bonnie's compliment.

Zipping her power-puff girls' backpack, Rebekah replied after a moment, "Thanks Bonnie. It's easy, you just have to practice."

She scoffed in good nature and continued, "Yeah but you have like heaps of lines to remember –I couldn't do it."

"I bet you could. You're a Bennett."

Bonnie giggled, swinging her bag across her shoulders as Rebekah went on to complain about the costume she had to wear for 'PANDORA' unbeknownst to the two a fierce, sour look was directed at the two girls.

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"12. Bitter" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

Across the room, balling up his battered version of the script Kol scowled at his sister and the elf. He deliberately overheard their conversation, somewhat shocked and jealous at the praises Bekah seem to be getting from the Bennett. At first he wasn't bothered with participating in the play, he had the role of 'WAR' so he had minimal lines and no interaction with Bonnie.

Thankfully – or so he had thought.

Most of the rehearsal time they would just avoid each other, swerve from each other's paths and stayed in their own lanes but she soon became an inconvenience when she would practice lines with Bekah. He would find himself going through his own script when they were around, pulling Matt, Stefan or even Tyler to work with him. Bonnie wouldn't even look his way! Finally on the one chance he actually made an effort to interact with his sister in class she pushed him literally off the stage while Bonnie chortled ungracefully to herself.

So he hadn't made such a great impression so far. Not that he cared to. He didn't care what Miss Bonnie Bennett thought of him. He really didn't.

So why did he feel so sourly bitter over some measly compliments she showered over his sister.

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"13. Betrayed" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

"He really wanted to be here, sweetie." Then why isn't he here? He promised. Mama, he promised!

"Don't you worry, baby girl. You know he loves you with all his heart." Does he really? Where's daddy? Grams, where is he?

"You were so great, Bonnie. Daddy had to work but he said to give you lots of kisses." Work? Again?

"Daddy had to work.""Daddy had to work.""Daddy had to work."

Abby looked to her mother, both were frowning thoughtfully at the crestfallen expression that fell on Bonnie's face when she didn't see Rudy with them. Sheila pulled her granddaughter into a hug, kissing the side of her head, tightening her hold when Bonnie began to struggle. Abby signalled for Sheila to her let go, and watched as Bonnie ran from them.

Bonnie sniffled to herself, pushing past the small crowd of people gathered before backstage, her eyes tearing up pitifully. She ran past her classmates with their families, with their parents – smiling, happy. Distracted and nearly distraught Bonnie tripped and rolled into a small figure letting out a grunt and a very unladylike curse word. Rubbing gingerly at the back of her head she glanced up to see Kol pulling himself up, glaring at her.

Kol sneered, "Idiot."

"Shut up!" Bonnie sobbed, using the back of her hand to rub at her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and mucus and tears began to seep out making Kol gag in disgust.

"Don't you know how to bloody run?!"

She cried out loudly, "Argh." Bonnie pushed Kol away from her, feeling horribly guilty when he hit the floor hard, yelling in pain. "Sorry, I'm sorry." Bonnie apologised before sprinting back to her family, leaving Kol staring at her, confused.

She should be use to this, daddy saying sorry. Saying he had to work. He always had to work! But this stupid pain where her heart ached and her stomach was filled in knots. It always came back. She was always left feeling angry, resentful and betrayed.

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"14. Blissful" (AH/AU) [Age 6]

Esther settled down on the couch, a cup of hot English tea in her hand and a book in the other, while Mikael passed by pressing a light kiss to her temple before retreating into his study. Finn and Elijah were in the kitchen chatting away as Klaus sat beside her watching a documentary on wolves hunting in the mountains. She could vaguely hear Kol pestering her only daughter about something, which wasn't unusual; out of all her boys he strangely had the greatest curiosity.

Basically he's a nosy little bugger.

With years of practiced elegance and form, Esther took a sip of tea, despite the twin's bickering the house was in rare and unusual peace. It was unnerving and the mother of six would bet money that wouldn't last the night. Still it felt rather blissful.

Abruptly, Klaus stood up and jogged into the kitchen – probably for a snack – Finn must have said something because Elijah as always was the peace keeper and Esther could hear him trying to calm Klaus down.

The crash of a plate dropping to the ground shocked Esther before she settled back into her seat, "I am not cleaning up this shit." Elijah announced before marching out towards her, "Sorry mother."

Esther sighed, disappointed in her boys fighting in their own kitchen, "its fine, Elijah. I can't expect you to keep your brother's in line."

"Then you wouldn't mind if I left them to fend for themselves?"

"If put the pot on before you leave."

"Of course mother."

Smiling at her boy she waves him over for a kiss, they both flinch when they hear another crash coming from Finn and Niklaus. The sound of footsteps coming down from the steps alert her to Rebekah running from Kol, she could laugh at the adorable expression of annoyance on that round face.

"Oh my god Kol! Would you just shut up?!"

"When you answer my bloody question!"

"Language Kol." Esther commented, quietly thanking Elijah as he pours her another cuppa.

"Sorry mom." Kol manages to look contrite while he and Rebekah moves down the hallway.

"Look, brother I have no clue why Bonnie was crying maybe you should have asked her. Or maybe stop acting like such a jerk to her."

"What? You are saying that it was my fault?"

"No –but it wouldn't be a surprise!"

Esther tuned out to hear some crude language from Niklaus and the distinct slam from her husband's door swinging open. A mixture of worry and anger storms within her as Esther is forced to put down her tea and book.

A mother's work is never done.

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