Chapter 27:
Mari sank a little lower into the large tub until the water came up over her shoulders. It was warm, comfortable. Klaus had set candles along the edge, and the lighting was as relaxing as the smell of lavender wafting from the bubbles on the surface of the water.
After a few minutes, the bathroom door creaked open and Kol stepped inside. He turned slightly to push the door closed, then walked to the tub. Once there, he sat on the edge, running his fingertips over the surface of the water gently.
"I will not complain that you have chosen to stay with Klaus tonight," he sighed, "but I won't pretend that I haven't missed you, love. I thought I could control my heart, but I was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't forget what it was like, being with you, holding you, feeling you..."
"You don't have to keep explaining yourself," she muttered, hugging her upper body. The bubbles covered her body, but she didn't hold herself to hide anyways. It was a habit of hers she wished she could break. She always hugged herself when she was nervous or anxious.
"I know," he shrugged his broad shoulders. "I just can't help feeling that I need to make things right again. I hurt you. I broke my vow to you, and in doing so broke the trust I had built with you. I know that you claim to forgive me, but I cannot so easily forgive myself."
"Please, don't," she said softly, sitting up a little until the bubbles just barely concealed her breasts. "I dont want to talk about it anymore, Kol. I dont want every thought I have about you to involve Davina, and I dont want every conversation to involve her either. I know you feel guilty, over what you did to me, and what you did to her. I dont know how to help, but if theres something I can do to make it go away, tell me, and I'll do it."
"It's not you, love," he frowned down at his lap.
"Then please just enjoy the moment," she begged, reaching over to lay her hand over his. "Don't think about the pain anymore." She pushed herself up a little more to get closer to him. Mari grabbed her wet curls in her hand, then pulled them to the side. "Are you hungry?"
"I don't need to feed, love." He turned his head away from her, though it didnt stop her from seeing his eyes darken. Mari leaned up a little more, exposing her bare chest now as she took his face in her hands and brought it back to her.
"You're hungry. You probably haven't fed in a day or two. I'm your donor anyways, so feed." She brushed her thumbs over his cheeks gently, lovingly. Mari smiled, even, to reassure him. Kol nodded quickly, then wrapped one arm around her back, and used his other hand to tilt her head to the side. He bit gently into her throat, then hummed his appreciation as her blood spilled over his parched tongue.
"Take as much as you need," she told him, running her fingers through his hair. Her bare chest was pressed into his tee shirt now, and the cold air on her skin sent goosebumbs up her arms and down her spine. Mari pulled back, but kept her grip on Kol. When he went to pull away, she held on even tighter. Kol let himself be dragged into the tub with her, clothes and all.
"I'm sorry," she grinned once he pulled away to brush his now damp hair from his face. "I was getting cold.
"I suppose I could use a bath anyways," he chuckled, wiping the blood away from her neck. "Though, if you had asked me to join a moment ago, I could have disposed of my clothes."
"No," she shook her head. "I'm naked enough for the both of us." She pulled her knees to her chest. "Some things we have to work towards. It's not about being careful with my body as much as it is being careful with my heart."
"I'll earn your trust again, Mari. I swear it." He ran his hands down her calves slowly, then moved them back up to rest on her knees.
The door opened again, and Klaus entered the room casually. Kol was thankful to be clothed suddenly, since Klaus didnt bother to knock or check. Klaus moved to sit on the edge of the tub on the side that Mari was leaning back against. He stroked her hair gently.
"Mari, I do believe you may have to teach my brother how to bathe. He seems to have forgotten he's supposed to undress first."
"Seems like it," she giggled a little, looking up at Klaus. He bent over to kiss her lips softly, and Kol had to bury the jealousy that rumbled within him. "Im not sure theres enough room for you, Klaus, otherwise Id invite you to the party."
"That's quite alright," he smiled down at her. "My body is meant to be seen by you alone, and I'm not particularly fond of drenched clothing sticking to me. I am fine sitting this one out." Klaus lifted his gaze to Kol. "Brother, I have a proposal."
"What is it, Klaus?"
"In the spirit of proving that we are in this together, with no ugly feelings for one another brewing beneath the surface, if you should so choose, you're welcome to sleep in here at night. My bed is large enough, and Mari in the middle shouldnt take up much space."
"Is that really okay with you?" Mari chimed in, her eyes fixated on Klaus. "I dont want to cause any problems. I know this is... a difficult situation."
"Yes, and while it is not my first choice, I think it is important for us to to show that we intend to make this work." Klaus kept his gaze on Kol, since only his younger brother knew what he was referencing. Neither had told Mari about the disapproving lecture they received from Elijah. Kol nodded his understanding.
"Not tonight. Once I've made right with Mari, I'll accept your offer, brother."
"Do as you please." Klaus trailed his fingers lightly down Mari's bare arm. "I will enjoy my nights alone with her to the fullest."
"Klaus," Mari said softly, kind of as a warning. He couldn't push too far so soon, as she knew that things would not be perfect right from the beginning. It would take time to work out all of the kinks of the relationship.
"It's okay," Kol sighed, pushing his soaked, fully clothed body from the tub. "You two can enjoy each other as much as you'd like. But when the time comes, I want to have time alone with Mari as well. So that I can enjoy our time together."
"Of course," Klaus muttered. "It is fair."
"One step at a time, guys," she added quickly. "We'll take this one step at a time." She kept her knees to her chest, covering her body from view. "For now, can I finish up my bath alone?"
"Yes, love," Kol nodded towards her, snatching up a towel as he moved towards the door. "I'll be down the hall."
"And I'll be in the bedroom," Klaus reminded her, stepping out behind Kol. Once they were both gone, Mari let out a long sigh, wondering what she was getting them all into. This could potentially turn into a mess of a situation, but then again, it could also work out. She hoped for the latter, but she also knew she had to be prepared fr it to go wrong. If she could keep a level head, she could make it through.
Mari went downstairs in the middle of the night in search of some cold water. She had woken up with a dry, parched throat, and the bottle she had beside Klaus' bed was empty. Slipping out from under his arm carefully, she was able to make her way downstairs.
As she opened the door to the refrigerator, the light illuminated the kitchen enough to reveal Elijah standing in the doorway she'd just come through. He had approached silently, quickly, and it startled her. It took everything in her to keep from yelping in fear.
"Elijah," she breathed, laying a hand over her chest. "You scared me." Mari retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge, then closed it, engulfing herself and Elijah in darkness once again. She stayed perfectly still, watching his silhouette carefully as it lingered in the doorway.
"Marigold, it seems I severely underestimated the impact you would have on my brother. I expected you to be something new for Kol to occupy himself with. Something for him to feed from and entertain himself with for the time being. Somehow, you've managed to capture not only Kol, but Niklaus as well. I'm baffled."
"Elijah, I can't give you an explanation," she shifted uncomfortably, holding the bottle down by her leg. He stepped further into the room, flicking on the light switch as he approached her. She was surprised to find him still wearing a well-tailored suit, even in the middle of the night. He adjusted his sleeves mindlessly,
"I did not ask for one. I am simply making observations. However, you must know that this... odd relationship between the two of you cannot go on any longer. They will end up at each other's throats, and I do not wish to have to separate my brothers because they are foolish enough to fight over a human woman."
"I know you dont think much of me, Elijah. I don't blame you, but... this is something you should talk to them about. It would hurt them if I left. I don't want to do that."
"Yes, well, understand this, Marigold," he said, his voice a little more gentle now. "They are eternal. As you age and wither away with time, they will remain the same. Not to mention the countless enemies that will target you in order to hurt this family. As sweet as you are, Marigold, I cannot help but be worried about the damage you may inadvertently do to my brothers."
"I'm not trying to cause anyone any problems..."
"I am aware that your intentions are pure and romantic in nature, but you must not be naive. I am telling you these things because I hope you will make the intelligent decision before too much damage is done. Tread lightly, Marigold. Stay out of the public eye. Do not encourage jealousy between Kol and Klaus. If you cause them pain, and still refuse to leave, I will remove you myself."
"I understand." She slid past him, moving towards the doorway. She wanted to get away from him, away from the thoughts and worries he was planting in her mind. "Goodnight, Elijah. Get some sleep." She hurried up the stairs, desperate to be in Klaus' arms again, so she could chase away the negative thoughts swirling around in her head.