Chapter 25:
Davina was surprised to see the mess that Kol had created, between shattering his phone and putting his fist through the wall. When she returned to the attic, she found Kol sitting on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees. His eyes were red, like he had been crying, which immediately made her concerned for him.
"Kol?" She called softly, closing the door behind her. "Did something happen?" He was silent, and chose to bury his face in his hands for a moment instead of answering her. It only made Davina worry more, so she ventured into the room to sit beside him. "Kol, are you okay? What's wrong?"
"Please do not hate me," he begged, his voice wavering slightly. "I can not make you happy, Davina Claire." He lifted his face from his hands, looking over at her. He looked like he was in as many pieces as the phone he'd broken. "I can not, I am sorry." He sniffed softly, then dropped his gaze to the floor. "I have never felt so unsure of myself."
"What is it?" She asked again, her heart aching, both for Kol and for herself. Something told her nothing pleasant would follow those words. They sounded too much like a goodbye.
"I haven't been honest with you," he admitted shamefully, "not entirely. I am a different man. Things have change. The girl that I... The girl Marcel told you about. I said she was nothing to me, nothing but a passing fancy. I lied. Davina, I can't lie anymore."
"What... are you saying?" She pushed further, though she knew for sure that she didn't really want the answer. She wanted to stay like they were, together, hidden away in the dusty little attic that uses to be her home.
"I love her, Davina," he finally told her honestly. "I love her, and as hard as I try to make it stop, it just won't. She's... with my bastard of a brother right now, and it's tearing me apart. I can't stop it. I want to, so badly, but I..." Kol shook his head, exhaling slowly.
"Why did you lie?"
"Because, I wanted to be with you again. I mourned you for nearly a year, unable to let go or bring myself to do anything but drink myself into oblivion. I barely fed. Mari, she was... supposed to be a donor. Nothing more. I needed something, anything, to make me forget even just for a moment that you'd taken my very soul with you when you went."
"But you fell for her," she continued his story for him, the answer being so clear to her. Kol didn't want to stay with her anymore, not really. He longed to be with this other woman, this Mari. "Do you still love me at all?"
"Of course," he frowned, looking up at her. Kol turned to face her, taking her hand into his and lifting his to his cheek. "Davina, I'll never stop loving you, but I can no longer deny my feelings for Mari. You deserve the truth, after everything we've been through."
"You want to be with her, then."
"Yes. Davina, I will not go if you do not wish me to. I can stay." He squeezed her hand tighter between his. "I can not bear the thought of hurting you after all you've suffered."
"But asking you to stay is asking you to suffer so I don't, " she sighed, gently tugging her hand away from him. "I can't do that to you. Even if... I hate the thought of losing you... I hate the thought of you growing to resent me even more. So go."
"Davina..."
"Kol," she said firmly, watery eyes fixated on him. "Do what you have to do to be happy. I knew things may change. I know that a year is a long time. Things happen, even if we dont mean for them to." Her chest twisted and tightened. "If you love her, I won't hold you back."
"You were always too good for me, Davina Claire." He leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "I will always be here for you when you need me. For anything. Just call." He stood slowly, watching her carefully. After a moment of hesitation, Kol eventually decided not to torture her any longer. He sped off towards the hotel.
Once he was gone, Davina let her emotions loose. Her head fell to her knees as she began to sob uncontrollably. She could put on a brave face in front of Kol, but once he was gone, she couldnt continue to lie to herself. It hurt like hell to know he wanted to be with someone else. After the hell she went through, all she wanted was to be with Kol again.
But she wouldn't be a cage to him. It would make him hate her eventually, and that was worse than losing him entirely. At least, this way, they could remain on decent terms, even if he had torn out her heart and taken it with him.
Klaus laid in her bed, sitting back against some pillows as she stood in front of the bathroom sink and brushed her pretty blond curls. She was still barely clothed, only having thrown on her tank top and underwear when she climbed out of bed. Even from the bathroom, she could feel his gaze raking over her exposed flesh.
"You've probably had sex with a lot of women, right?" She blurted out suddenly, looking back at him. She set the brush down on the counter and walked back out to flop down on the bed beside him. Klaus chuckled a bit at her question.
"Why do you ask?"
"I... feel very inexperienced in comparison," she explained as clearly as she could, her hands fidgeting in her lap nervously. Her cheeks were flush, making her look like a little painted procelain doll. Klaus sat up and took her warm face in his hand, using his thumb and forefinger against her chin to bring her gaze to his.
"Mari, experience does not matter when you are with someone you love," he reassured her. "You will learn. I will teach you." He smirked, and she couldnt help but smile, too. "You have years to gain experience."
"Years," she repeated, that beautiful smile vanishing almost as quickly as it showed up. "How many years?" She asked, biting her bottom lip briefly. "How many years do I have until I'm too old for you?" He kissed her quickly, gently.
"Many, many years. Too many to worry about that now, love." He brushed those curls behind her ear and kissed her heated cheeks. He was just about to bring his lips to hers when there came a knock at the door. Klaus groaned internally at the unwanted interruption, then pushed himself up from the bed. Mari scurried back to the bathroom quickly as a more clothed Klaus walked to the door.
He couldn't deny his disappointment when he opened the door to reveal Kol on the other side. Klaus had really enjoyed the days he had alone with Mari, being the only man that held her attention. Kol, on the other hand, wasn't concerned about Klaus.
"Where is she?"
"You shouldnt be here," Klaus said lowly, though Mari had already heard Kol's voice. She stepped out of the bathroom, eyes wide and watering now, exactly what Klaus wanted to avoid.
"Kol?" She breathed, hugging her own arms tightly. "What are you doing here?" Kol pushed past Klaus, rushing to her and bringing her into his arms. He lifted her, hugging her so tight she nearly lost all of her breath.
"Please forgive me for the pain I've caused you," he pleaded with her, squeezing her. "I am so sorry I hurt you, Marigold. I'm so sorry." Klaus let out a soft, barely audible growl, then pushed the door closed. He leaned back against the wall, watching the scene fold out in front of him. As much as he wanted to tear Kol away from Mari, he knew he couldnt and shouldnt. For Mari's sake.
"What're you doing here?" Mari asked him, hands pushing at his biceps in an effort to free herself. "I thought youd be with Davina, or at the compound."
"I told Davina the truth," he said as he set her down again.
"The truth?"
"Of course you did," Klaus sighed, pushing off the wall to sit back on the bed again. He wasnt ready to give up the position he'd gained with Mari as the protector, and the shoulder for her to lean on.
"I told her I loved you, and that I can't make myself stop loving you." He took her small face between his palms. "Please let me come back to your side. Forgive me, Mari."
"I-I..." she stuttered nervously, glancing over at Klaus. She could see the distaste on his face. Mari took a deep, unsteady breath. "I... need time to think." She pulled her face from his grip, then rushed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and leaning back against it. Mari knew she couldn't hide from her problems forever, but she most definitely couldn't find any words right then and there.
For a few moments, she could hide in the bathroom and think. She just needed to think.