RPOV

The quiet of the night enveloped Haley and Rose as they returned to the Mikaelson compound. Rose's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts from the encounter with her mother. Haley remained beside her, offering her silent support.

Amidst the ongoing surroundings, Rose found herself occasionally drifting into her own thoughts. Today was her birthday, a fact that felt both surreal and bittersweet. Back at the Academy, she and Lissa would celebrate together, their birthdays only days apart. It was a tradition they had cherished, a shared moment of happiness amidst the challenges of their world.

But this year was different. She didn't have this Lissa with her. The thought of celebrating without her felt odd, like a missing piece of the puzzle.

Rose's mind wandered back to a memory from their early years. She always wanted to do something simple, but Lissa always wanted something big. Whether that meant surprising to take her to the mall on a massive shopping spree or when they were on the run, she always managed to give her a gift or light a candle she found on a random food item.

Lissa had been glowing, her joy infectious. They had danced under the stars, laughing and making promises of their future together. It was a time when Lissa's spirit was unbroken when they were carefree girls with the world at their feet.

Rose snapped back to the present, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. She didn't even think anyone knew. A pang of nostalgia tugged at her heart, a yearning for simpler times.

Yet, there was a quiet determination within her. She couldn't afford to dwell on what used to be. Instead, she would focus on the present and the challenges ahead.

As they entered the compound, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The moment the door swung open, they were bombarded by a flurry of voices and faces. Kol was the first to approach, his mischievous grin momentarily replaced with genuine concern. Marcel was beside him, a mix of curiosity and protectiveness in his stance. Elijah and Rebecca stood at a distance, their expressions a mixture of worry and relief.

"Where have you been?" Kol exclaimed, his eyes narrowing playfully. "It's been hours, and you haven't answered any of us."

"Don't worry about it," Rose replied wearily, her tone giving away nothing of the night's events.

Haley stepped in smoothly, her expression casual. "Everything is fine, guys. Give her some space."

But their explanations weren't enough to satisfy their friends and family. Questions were fired like bullets, each demanding answers about their meeting with Rose's mother. Clearly, the compound's inhabitants had been genuinely concerned for their safety.

"Guys, guys, calm down," Haley finally interjected with a chuckle. "We're fine. Just tired."

Rose nodded, her tired eyes sweeping over the faces that had become her new family. "Yeah, seriously. Can we talk about this in the morning? I'm just… exhausted."

Rebecca and Marcel exchanged glances, understanding the exhaustion that emanated from Rose's posture. Haley's subtle nod confirmed that they would respect her wishes.

As the others dispersed, giving them space, Rose made her way to her room. She changed into her pajamas and slipped under the covers, feeling the weight of the night's events pressing down on her. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow casting a gentle ambiance. It wasn't long before Klaus entered, his steps deliberate as he approached the bed.

He didn't say anything at first, simply gazing at her with concern and affection. Rose met his gaze, her tired eyes reflecting the emotions that churned within her.

"Are you alright?" Klaus finally asked, his voice a soothing presence in the quiet room.

Rose let out a small sigh, her fingers playing with the edge of the blanket. "Yeah… I mean, I'm glad that Court didn't find me, but there's still something about my mom… Something she's hiding."

Klaus sat down on the edge of the bed, his presence a comforting anchor. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to figure it all out tonight, love."

Rose offered a half-hearted smile, appreciating his understanding. "I know… I just feel like there's more to the story."

Klaus sighed, his gaze never leaving hers. "We'll find out in due time. For now, you should rest."

"Stay till I fall asleep?"

As if on cue, Rose felt the exhaustion settle within her bones. She shifted to lie down, and Klaus moved with her, his arm curling around her as she nestled against him. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear, a soothing lullaby that helped quiet her racing thoughts.

As she drifted to sleep, her mind occasionally wandered to that cherished memory, a reminder of the bond she had shared with Lissa and the strength they had drawn from each other.

Birthdays had a way of reminding her of the passage of time, the journey she had undertaken. She couldn't change the past, but she could shape the future.

"Thank you, Klaus," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sleep, Rose. I'm right here."

As the weight of the night's events finally caught up with her, Rose felt herself surrendering to the embrace of sleep, the comforting presence of Klaus by her side reminding her that she wasn't alone.

Both ended up falling asleep holding each other, not knowing a particular sibling with long blonde hair, took a photo, mumbling, "I can't wait to show them this at their wedding."

The night was heavy with darkness, a canvas painted with the shadows of Rose's fears. In the depths of her sleep, a nightmarish vision took hold of her, clawing at her subconscious and dragging her into a realm of torment.

She stood within the cold and imposing walls of the Court, a place she had once known as home, now transformed into a chamber of nightmares. The air was thick with tension and foreboding, as if the walls themselves held secrets she was forbidden to know.

She cradled her precious unborn child in her arms, a small and fragile life that depended on her. The baby's cries were like a haunting melody, piercing her heart with urgency and despair. She felt a deep and primal need to protect her child, to shield it from any harm that might befall it.

But her movements were sluggish as if she were trapped in a web of invisible restraints. She struggled against an unseen force, and her every step met with resistance. Her baby's cries grew louder, a desperate plea for its mother to come to its aid.

And then, as if materializing from the darkness itself, Dimitri appeared before her. His once-familiar face was twisted into a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming with an evil light. He held her back with an iron grip, his strength overpowering her every attempt to break free.

"No!" Rose screamed, her voice a mixture of anger, fear, and desperation. "Give me my baby!"

But the world around her seemed to revel in her suffering. The ghosts of those who had tormented her, who had watched her struggles with sadistic glee, appeared before her. Their mocking smiles and taunting laughter echoed in her ears, a symphony of agony that threatened to consume her.

Her baby's cries grew louder more desperate, and Rose's heart shattered with each painful sound. She could see her child's tiny form reaching her, the plea for rescue etched in its tear-streaked face.

Tears streamed down Rose's cheeks as she fought against Dimitri's hold, her entire being consumed by a mother's unrelenting need to protect her child. The weight of her powerlessness, her inability to save her own baby, crushed her spirit.

KPOV

Klaus had been drifting on the edge of sleep, the weight of responsibilities and worries still clinging to his thoughts even in the quiet hours of the night. It was a common occurrence for him – the mind of a leader rarely knew proper rest. But then, a sudden change in the room's atmosphere caught his attention. The air seemed tense, a palpable energy that sent his instincts on high alert.

His eyes opened to see Rose, the woman he cherished beyond measure, caught in the clutches of a nightmare. He watched as her features twisted in distress, her brows furrowed, and her lips forming silent pleas. His heart clenched at the sight, his protective instincts roaring to life.

"Rose," he murmured, his voice a soft and soothing anchor. He reached out, his hand gently shaking her shoulder. He knew the struggle of waking from a nightmare – the disorienting feeling trapped between the horrors of the dream world and the safety of reality.

Slowly, he saw her eyes flutter open, a mixture of fear and confusion swimming within them. He maintained eye contact, his gaze steady and reassuring, as he spoke again. "It's alright. You're safe. You were having a nightmare."

He could see the panic in her eyes begin to recede, replaced by a hint of recognition and relief. She took a few deep breaths, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with the calming cadence of his voice.

Klaus shifted on the bed, his movements careful as he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face.

"Come here," he invited softly, his voice a soothing melody that asked her into his arms. He saw the hesitation flicker in her eyes, the uncertainty of vulnerability battling with the pull of seeking comfort.

But then, she moved closer, enveloping herself in his embrace. He felt the tension in her muscles gradually give way to the safety of his hold. His arms wrapped around her, offering a fortress against the remnants of the nightmare's grip.

"I'm here," he whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead. He pressed a gentle kiss there, a gesture of reassurance and comfort. "You're safe now."

As he held her, he felt the rapid pace of her heartbeat gradually slow, her breathing steadying against his chest. He could sense her slowly finding her way back to the realm of reality, the nightmare losing its grip on her as his presence anchored her.

And in that moment, as he held the woman he loved, Klaus understood the power of being a source of solace. He didn't need grand gestures or elaborate speeches – he just needed to be there, a steady presence to chase away the demons of the night.

"I won't let anything harm you," he murmured, his words a vow whispered into the stillness. He continued to hold her, offering her the sanctuary of his arms, the assurance that she was not alone in her battles against the darkness.

Gradually, the tension in her body eased, and he felt her relax against him. Her breathing deepened, a sign that she was finding her way back to restful slumber. Klaus continued to hold her, his gaze fixed on the moonlit room, the weight of his promise settling over them both.

In the quiet of the night, he felt a deep connection to her – a connection that transcended words and touched the very core of his being. As he held her, he realized that being there for someone sometimes meant more than any grand gesture or display of power. Sometimes, all it took was being steady in the storm, offering comfort amid nightmares.