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Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
"Is no one going to stop them?" Bonnie questioned, bemused and perplexed as she waved her hand over where Klaus and Kol were about to physically fight as they are still aruging.
Elijah slightly tilted his head as he turned halfway and glanced at his brothers with casually bored. Just in time to see Rebekah who sighed loudly impatiently and exasperatedly. "This is ridiculous." the blonde vampire grabbed an expensive white and gold vase and hurled it straight to one of the paintings.
The ceramic shattered into pieces as the painting instantly fell onto the ground. "I like what you've done with the new place, Nik." she sarcastically remarked with a cold smirk at her hybrid brother, gaining everyone's attention.
"Easy with the items, Rebekah!" Klaus snapped when he noticed that she had ruined the one-of-a-kind vase.
Rebekah raised her eyebrow at him with a dry amusement. "Oh, easy? So the items are more important than your own siblings?! Your own sister?!" she retorted, angrily. She grabbed a small side table and threw it at Klaus.
Klaus quickly dodged the throwing object while Kol jerked back just in time. The table smacked against the wall and loudly landed on the ground. "You're going lecture me about the table too?!"
The Noble Original turned his attentive gaze back to the stunned supernatural best friend. "It's just their usual bickering. Not much I can do." He coolly shrugs while remaining calm amidst the chaos behind him. Elijah learned a thousand years ago to get used to it and even tune out the noise so easily.
It helps to not stress over every little thing.
"Usual bickering?" Caroline repeated in astonishment with wide eyes. She is pretty sure no siblings bickering with such violence and throwing objects!
Bonnie was startled when she felt the vibrate in her jeans pocket. She took out her cell phone, glanced down at the screen, and quickly replied to the text. "It's my dad." she uttered to Caroline who looked at her with curiosity. "He needed me at home."
Before the blonde-haired beauty response, the Noble Original smoothly interjected. "If you would like, I can drive you to your home?" Elijah offered with attentiveness glinting in his dark eyes as he stared at Bonnie.
"Oh—ummm..." Bonnie flickered her gaze at Caroline who just shrugged her shoulders, unbothered, if the petite witch wanted to get a ride from the Noble Original. Her olive-green eyes shifted back to Elijah who was patiently waiting for her answer. "...if it's not a bother, then sure."
Elijah's lips quirked up, just the tiniest bit. "It is not a bother, Miss Bennett." he assured her. Bonnie smiles almost shyly at him.
Caroline's blue-green eyes spark with intrigue between the Noble Original and the Bennett witch. She wondered if something was going on between them.
"Well then!" the blonde-haired beauty silently clapped her hands together and held them against her chest. "I best head home as well." she said, attempting to ignore the chaos between the Originals' siblings.
Suddenly, Kol used his vamp-speed and stood next to Caroline with a cheeky smirk. "You don't mind if I accompany you, darling?"
Caroline bit her bottom lip yet she can't stop smiling. "...nope." she doesn't mind at all.
The loud crash surprised the supernatural best friends and turned their heads in the direction where the loud noise was from. They both stared in gapped when they saw broken doors of wood and glass that shattered on the ground.
Another loud crash is heard in the distance where Klaus and Rebekah are currently fighting and aruging. The only Originals that are calm are Elijah, Kol, and Finn in the room.
"Ready to leave, Miss Bennett?" Elijah asked, politely as he brushed off the fact that his hybrid brother and his sister were causing chaos.
Bonnie held up her hand with a baffled face and turned around to find her grimoire where she put that are still on the side table. Thankfully, Rebekah didn't touch it. The Bennett witch grabbed it from the table and nodded her head at Elijah that she was ready to leave.
Kol lightly touched the small back of Caroline's as Caroline shivered when she felt them. She is so used to ice-cold touches from Kol, but now, she can feel the warmth from his body. "Let's leave before it gets worst." Kol said, nonchalantly.
"That's not worst?" the blonde-haired beauty blurted it out, surprised while pointing at the damaged area with her finger with disblieved.
Even Bonnie was shocked too.
The Originals brothers exchange their glances and share amusement at the supernatural best friends' reaction. Unaware that Finn sneakily walked out of the room with a deep contemplative face.
.
..
...
Only You
Chapter Fifty-Four
"Dear Caroline"
...
..
.
Mystic Falls
On the Road
Moment Later...
Bonnie is looking out the window as she is sitting in the passenger's seat inside the sleek and expensive car owned by Elijah. The car turned the corner of the street and down the empty road underneath the night sky.
"I hope you don't mind me asking this..." Bonnie shifted her gaze to Elijah with curiosity. "...has anything changed while I was unavailable." Elijah made a face when he perfectly recalled that Klaus daggered him while catching him off guard.
The petite witch hummed thoughtfully about the past few months in the small town. "A lot had happened—" then she started to explain the events from the last few months. It was crazy how much had happened and it hasn't even been two full years yet.
Elijah was inwardly surprised and astonished by many occurrences while he was absent thanks to his hybrid brother who daggered him. Such a small backwater of a town sure has caused a lot of trouble because of supernaturals.
"And before I forget—" Bonnie's olive-green eyes glowed with relief. "—thank you for the blood. You have no idea how much your blood had helped me find Caroline."
The Noble Original glanced at Bonnie with mystify in his dark eyes. "What do you mean by my blood help you find her? Did something happen to Caroline?" he questioned with soft concern in his tone.
Bonnie leaned her back heavily with a loud disturbed sigh. Her mind went straight back to that old jail cell where she saw her vampire best friend trapped in a chair. Covered with terrible wounds, and blood and a mask concealed half of her lower face. How she was so weak and so scared. "...she was missing for a few days. I tried everything. I used different spells with the hope of finding her. It was useless. Nothing work. And then, I remembered that I have your blood. Kol was with her so, I took a chance to use your blood to locate where Caroline could be. It worked." she whispered with relief. "If I didn't gotten to her... Caroline could be dead."
"Where was she?" Elijah asked, gently as he was feeling apprehension.
"She was at the old jail cell. Tortured by her father." Bonnie said, blankly.
The Noble Original's undead heart sank with sadness and furious for a sweet blonde-haired beauty. He cannot imagine how helpless his young brother witnessed Caroline's torture by her father. "Her father?" Elijah gritted his teeth, in disbelief, disgust and silently rage.
"He's a vampire hunter." Bonnie asnwered, angry at the hunter who had caused Caroline a lot of pain.
Elijah's breath sharpens in. He felt the kindred spirit in Caroline. He can understand the pain, the horror, the fear, and the heartbreak caused by a father who harms a child. Surprisingly, his inner beast feels protective of the baby vampire. This is very unusual and uncommon because he didn't realize that his inner beast had awoke and taken a special interest in Caroline.
The Noble Original silently marveled that he had a desire to take Caroline under his care. 'How utterly fascinating.' he mused, bewildered and awestruck.
"So, thank you. Your blood really helped." Bonnie said with a thankful smile at him, unaware that Original's inner beast basically just imprinted on a baby vampire—Bonnie's best friend.
Elijah nods his head. "Of course, I am glad my blood was able to help you." he slowly paused his car when they reached the stop sign of the street light. "Have you attempted any spells with my blood?" he wondered with neutral interest.
"Actually, no." Bonnie shakes her head.
The Noble Original raised his eyebrow at this. "I am surprised. I just assumed that you might have done some spells. Considering they are powerful." he glanced at Bonnie who looked confused. "Do you not understand the importance of the Original's blood?"
"Should I?" the tiny witch questioned, unsure.
Elijah hummed while his fingers drummed against the steering wheel gently. He shifted his car forward when the street light turned green. "Originals blood are very powerful, Miss Bennett. Our blood carries the magic, not because my mother turned us to become the first vampires that walked on this Earth. It was because I was born with magic. I am not a warlock like Kol or Finn, but certainly have magic in my blood. Now as a vampire, my emotions, my body, my bones, and my blood are amplified."
"And that's why your blood is powerful?" Bonnie asked, curious.
Elijah nods his head. "Additionally, it is a thousand years old blood. A lot of witches and warlocks would do anything to receive the Originals' blood. Especially if we give it to them willingly. Willingy and powerful ancient blood is rare to obtain."
Bonnie stared at him with a thoughtful face. She turned her olive-green eyes back to the windshield and silently noted that they were nearly close to her house. "Why did you give me your blood, then?"
He didn't answer as the silence descended on them in the car. Bonnie's lips pressed together, wondering if he was going to tell her. Soon, Elijah arrived in front of her house and parked it. Elijah turned off the engine, stepped out of the driver's side, and used his vamp-speed around before Bonnie opened the door.
Elijah opens the car's door for her. Bonnie almost forgot that the Noble Original is a gentleman. She climbed out of the passenger's seat with a small thankful smile.
The petite witch won't deny that she is disappointed when Elijah doesn't answer her question. "Thanks for the ride." Bonnie steps toward the path that leads to her house.
"Because I trust you, Miss Bennett." Elijah admitted as he watched her before he shut the car door quietly.
The petite witch paused and turned halfway with surprised eyes. "Isn't that risky?" she questioned.
Elijah's lips lifted to a small smirk yet his dark eyes softened. "My instinct never steers me wrong."
They both stare at each other for a moment in silence as if trying to read the other's thoughts. The tension between them was palpable. There was an unspoken connection that seemed to bind them together.
Bonnie was the first one who break eye contact as she lowered her shy gaze with a small smile. "Good night, Elijah." she whispered, turned around, and strode to her house.
The Noble Original wordlessly watched the Bennett witch who reached the front door of her house. Before she walked inside, she took a last glance at Elijah and timidly her a farewell wave.
'What a captivating remarkable witch.' Elijah mused, fascinated by the Bennett witch.
.
.
.
Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Meanwhile...
They made their way up the front steps and onto the porch of Caroline's house. The blonde-haired beauty's eyes lit with relief when she heard a familiar heartbeat inside her home. "My mom can invite you inside." she said, excited and beamed at Kol who smirked at her.
Caroline wants to spend more time with her former ghost. "Hold on." she quickly walked inside the house. "Mom?" she called out, slightly impatient. "Can you come here and invite my friend inside?"
A small puzzled frown appeared on her face when she heard a soft sniffle from her mother. She wondered if something happened. The footsteps approached out of the living room area and to the foyer. Liz's eyes are red which is a sign that she had cried. "Mom?" Caroline questioned, concerned for her mother.
Liz sends her a weak smile. "Hello, sweetie." she cleared her throat. "You mentioned your friend?" she obviously changed the topic.
"Umm, yeah." Caroline eyed her mother suspiciously but decided to put it on hold. "Come meet Kol." she happily dragged Liz to the front door.
Sheriff Forbes recognized the name. "You said that name before. Lexi told me he is your best friend?" she asked, curious. Liz has been wondering who this Kol person is for a while. She never heard of nor met the guy before. Then again, Caroline never really tells her a lot of things lately.
"Yeah." Caroline nodded her head and smiled widely at Kol who was standing outside of the threshold. "This is Kol." she introduced her mother to him, cheerfully.
Kol smirked at Liz with a hint of mischievousness in his dark eyes. "Pleasure, Sheriff Forbes." he playfully tipped his head at her with semi-polite. He respects the woman who gave birth and raised Caroline even though she wasn't the best mother in the world, Liz is trying to be a good mother for Caroline which is good enough in his opinion.
"Right...ummm." Liz cleared her throat when she felt a bit choked. "...come in." she graciously invited him into the house, trusting her daughter's judgment.
The Prince Original narrowed his eyes at her thoughtfully as he stepped over the threshold of the Forbes' household. Caroline frowned at her mother with concerned eyes. "Mom, is everything okay?" she asked.
Liz blinked a few times, pushing the tears back yet the vampires easily saw her water eyes. "Mom?" Caroline asked again, worried.
"I... it's about your father—Bill." the sheriff took out a folded envelope from her pocket and outstretched it to the blonde-haired beauty. "He left you a letter."
Caroline stared at it blankly, extended her hand, and grabbed it not unkindly. "Why?" she whispered nervously.
"...I'm so sorry, sweetie." Liz closed her eyes and sniffled. "I-I can't—" she covered her forehead for a brief moment. Caroline stared at her mother with complete worry and anxiety. "...I need to go lay down." Liz quickly walked away to her bedroom to silently mourn on her own. It was too much for her at the moment.
When the door shut after her mother walked inside her bedroom. The blonde-haired beauty slowly turned around and looked at Kol with a hint of apprehension in her blue-green eyes. "I don't have a good feeling about this Kol." she said, dreaded, and lowered her gaze at the envelope in her hands.
"You don't have to read it." Kol uttered, barely whispering as he moved close to her and gently touched her jawline with his fingertips. He held back the temptation to grab the letter, the one written by a bastard of a vampire hunter who harmed his darling vampire, and destroyed it.
A stubbornness glint appeared in her blue-green orbs. "No. I want to. I need to." Caroline decided, that maybe there were answers in this letter that caused her mother in tears. "Will you—" she hesitant, uncertain.
"Will I what?" Kol probed her, and stared at her eyes as he silently urged her to tell him.
Caroline quickly darts her tongue over her bottom lip as she is unaware Kol follows it with his interested eyes. "Will you come with me? So I'm not alone in reading this?" she asked, almost shy.
"Of course, darling." the wild Original will not leave her alone to deal with the letter that was written by her tormentor. 'Speaking of tormentor, I have an appointment with a certain Salvator.' he mused, darkly. However, Caroline is his first priority. He'll save the revenge later.
The blonde-haired beauty kindly grabbed his hand, pulled him to the stairs, and ascended to the hallway. She led him down to one of the doors and walked inside her bedroom with Kol followed her quietly.
Kol carefully observed his vampire's bedroom with a new perspective now that he had returned to his body. Caroline's bedroom was practically his bedroom. Her walls were painted a soft shade of purple, making the room comfortable and feminine. Her queen-sized bed was neatly made with fluffy pillows and a throw blanket for snuggle. The curtains were drawn, allowing some moonlight to dance through the room. There are personal photos on the side tables and dressers. A few small details that made the room uniquely Caroline's. This bedroom was a reflection of his vampire's personality— warm, inviting, and full of life. He even spots a blue stuffed cat at the corner of her desk.
He shifted his dark eyes to Caroline who sat on the edge of her bed. Her eyes stared down at the envelope in her hands. Kol gracefully sauntered toward the bed, sat down next to her, and lightly leaned his shoulder against hers. Wordlessly offered Caroline his comfort and support.
After a few minutes of silence, Caroline delicately unfolds the envelope and reads the scratchy handwriting of her name. She flipped it over, carefully took a folded letter out, and put the envelope on her lap. The blonde-haired beauty unfolded the letter and read. Kol tilted his head lightly as his dark eyes joined in reading as well.
— LETTER —
🇩 🇪 🇦 🇷 🇨 🇦 🇷 🇴 🇱 🇮 🇳 🇪 ,
ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛᴏʟᴅ ᴍᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴛ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴊᴏʏꜰᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ. ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ʙʟᴇꜱꜱɪɴɢ. ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ʜᴇʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴀʀᴍꜱ. ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ɪᴍᴍᴇᴅɪᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴍʏ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ.
ɪᴛ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅᴛʜɪʀꜱᴛʏ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ɪɴ ɢʀɪᴇꜰ. ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ɪɴ ɢʀɪᴇꜰ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇɴɪᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴘʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ.
ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ. ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴋɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ.
ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʜɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀꜱᴛ ʙᴇ ɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ. ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ᴄᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏᴍ ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ, ᴡʜᴏ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ʀᴀɪꜱᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴏɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ. ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴏɴ ʏᴏᴜ.
ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ. ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ.
🇮 🇫 🇦 🇮 🇱 🇪 🇩 .
🇮 🇫 🇦 🇮 🇱 🇪 🇩 🇦 🇸 🇦 🇫 🇦 🇹 🇭 🇪 🇷 . 🇮 🇫 🇦 🇮 🇱 🇪 🇩 🇦 🇸 🇦 🇭 🇺 🇳 🇹 🇪 🇷 .
ɪ ʜᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪ ᴅɪꜱᴏᴡɴᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ.
ɪ ꜱᴄᴀʀᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇꜱ.
ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ.
ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡᴏᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ꜱʏꜱᴛᴇᴍ. ɪ ʀᴇꜰᴜꜱᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ ᴍʏ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴ. ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜꜱ ᴊᴏʙ. ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪᴇ ꜱᴏᴏɴᴇʀ ᴏʀ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ. ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛ ɪᴛ.
ᴇxᴄᴇᴘᴛ ᴏɴᴇ.
ɪ ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ʏᴏᴜ.
ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ. ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ. ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ'ꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ɢʀᴏᴡ ᴏʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴡɴ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ.
ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʟᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ɢᴏɴᴇ.
ɢᴏᴏᴅʙʏᴇ, ᴄᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴇ.
— LETTER —
Droplets of tears dropped onto the letter, leaving the wet spots over the ink words. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Caroline was hit with sadness, betrayal, and agony. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through her chest as the letter fell from her loose fingers.
As the paper swayed to the ground, Kol instantly wrapped his arms around his trembling vampire, pulled her to his chest and Caroline sank in his arms. Her tears soaked over his neck and collar, but he didn't care. Kol gently shushed her, consoling her as one of his hands held the back of her head tenderly while his arm wrapped around her waist.
He has held her so delicately as if he is holding a precious fragile diamond. Yet his protective dark eyes are full of fury and rage.
How dare that bastard hunter hurt Caroline again?! Why write a letter that caused emotional pain to his vampire!? Hadn't she had enough agony already!?
Kol inwardly shoved it back in his mind and started whispering soothing words in her ear, telling her that he was there for her and that she was not alone. Kol shifted and maneuvered his way around with Caroline in his arms so they both lay comfortably on the bed. He softly stroked her hair and planted gentle kisses on her forehead and her temple.
He held her what felt like an eternity but when reality, it had only been a couple of hours. He didn't care about the time nor the world outside of the room. He is focusing on comforting his darling girl, waiting and watching over her.
Eventually, her sobs slowly subsided and her breathing became more steady. Kol tilted his head back and glanced down at Caroline who had drifted off to sleep with tears streaks on her cheeks. His hand that was around her waist moved upward and used the back of his fingers to brush the tears from her cheeks. Without feeling useless and helpless, finally, in his own body, Kol is grateful for the opportunity to be there for her in her time of need.
"You are my always and forever, love." he whispered with strong devotion in his voice as he leaned his head rested on top of her head, and slowly closed his eyes to join her sleep while holding her tightly to him.
.
.
.
Lake Wood, Louisiana
Bennett's Cottage
Later...
Abby almost immediately could feel the old familiar magic clinging around the cottage the second she stepped closer. An exasperatedly grunted heard behind her, she turned her head and saw Stefan couldn't step closer. He was blocked by an invisible barrier.
The Bennett woman realized that her relatives used the spell of an anti-vampire barrier. An old spell that was created by a Bennett witch centuries ago. The front door opens and it catches Abby's attention.
She turned her gaze forward and saw her cousin. "Joanna." Abby whispered, shocked. She wasn't well prepared to see her former best friend. Joanna and Abby used to be best friends since they were children, always exchanging mails and phone calls. Visited each other during the summer. They were so close that they could be sisters, however, that changed when Abby spent so much time with Miranda who became her best friend. The more time she hung out with Miranda, the less she wanted to be a witch and focus on living a normal life and put her distance from supernatural life, including her former best friend/cousin Joanna.
And now, seeing Joanna standing at the doorway of the front door brought back all the old memories. Joanna has grown up as a beautiful woman with no wrinkles. This is usual for Bennett witches as they have a long life span and age slower than average humans. Joanna Bennett looked like she was in her early twenties when in reality, she was in her forties.
"Abby." Joanna greeted her, politely. Her hazel eyes glanced over Abby's shoulder and stared at Stefan. "You are not welcome here, vampire." she said, blankly.
Stefan scoffed as he crossed his arms. "I'm not leaving."
Abby opened her mouth, not wanting the young Salvatore to ruin the chance of taking Lucy with them. "Ignore him, Joanna. I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?" Joanna raised her eyebrow at her. "We have not seen each other for twenty years and after all that time of ghosted me, you wanted to ask a favor?" she enunciated, incredulity.
Abby winced with guilt and shame. "I am sorry about that, Jo. But it's about my daughter—Bonnie." she pleaded before Joanna turned her away.
The Bennett witch stared at Abby with intense eyes for a moment then nodded her head. "Fine. We will talk inside." she turned around and walked further inside of her home while leaving the door open, gesturing that Abby was invited.
"I'll be back." Abby muttered to Stefan and strode toward the cottage. Stefan huffed loudly but remained waiting as he walked back to his car.
When she stepped inside the cottage, she felt a sense of warmth and comfort. The walls are adorned with a soft cream-white color with wooden shelves that are full of grimoires, leather books, and journals. A fireplace stands proudly in the back with a mantle that has multiple colorful candles in all different shapes and sizes. There are a few hanging plants and flowers from the dark brown wooden ceiling. There were all kinds of magical trinkets and tools scattered around on the surfaces of tables. The furniture is a mix of vintage and modern pieces, creating a unique and eclectic atmosphere.
Abby felt the wooden floor creak gently beneath her boots. She continued to study the cottage with nostalgia and awe. She used to visit this Bennett cottage when she was a little girl for summer vacation. She had forgotten how charming and magical this cottage was.
"Oh?" Abby snapped out of it when she heard the familiar voice. She turned her gaze to her side and concealed her disliked eyes.
Lucy Bennett had stepped into the living room from the potion room. A cold smile appeared on Lucy's face. "I never would have thought I see you again, Abby." she said, with a hint of displeased.
Abby couldn't believe that Joanna's daughter was a bitch. Joanna Bennett was a very nice and polite person, so it was hard to accept that Lucy who is wild and unpredictable is nothing like Joanna. It didn't help that Lucy wasn't a big fan of Abby at all. "Lucy." Abby tipped her head, faux-polite.
"Why are you here?" Lucy eyed Abby with suspicion. "Considering that you abandoned my mom twenty years ago." she chirped yet her eyes were cold. Abby flinched when Lucy threw the harsh fact at her face. Abby honestly has no excuse for that. She abandoned Joanna and chose Miranda over her.
Joanna ambled gracefully from the kitchen with a tray full of teapots and tea cups to the living room. "It is about her daughter, Bonnie." she uttered, coolly while setting the tray on the coffee.
Lucy straightens with a concerned face. "Bonnie? What happened to her?" she questioned, sauntered to her mother, and helpfully removed the leather books and set them on the side table.
Abby was inwardly surprised and confused when Lucy showed her obvious concern for Bonnie. "You know my daughter?"
"Yes. Last year, we met briefly." Lucy answered and sat on the old yet comfortable sofa with her mother next to her. Abby took a seat on one of the chairs, stiff and awkward while her hands pressed together between her thighs. "So, what happened?"
Joanna calmly gave the teacup to her daughter who causally accepted it. Abby remembered how Joanna's late mother used to make teas and always gave everyone tea whenever they gathered in the living room. It doesn't surprise that Joanna developed that into a habit. And it wasn't a shock when Joanna handed her the tea as well.
Abby accepted with an awkward smile. "Thank you." she noted that it was some kind of herbal tea. She cleared her throat and answered Lucy's question. "I had a witch vision..." she started to explain how she got a vision after fifteen years, which led her back to Mystic Falls to save her daughter who was in danger. There was supernatural drama happening in the small town.
It took a while to explain to her relatives. "...and now I need another Bennett witch to help me unseal the mystery coffin." Abby idly taps the ceramic of a teacup.
The mother and daughter exchanged looks until Joanna shifted her gaze to Abby. "Witches are not meant to get involved in dark creatures' business. It is chaotic." Joanna said with a frown. "It would have been wise to step back."
"I know." Abby agreed with her former best friend's words. "But Bonnie is already in the middle of the mess. If that coffin is the only answer that can help her, save my daughter from danger. Then, I have to do it. I have to, Jo." her eyes filled with pleading. "Please. It's my daughter." she said, worried.
Joanna carefully put her teacup on the coffee table while Lucy finished drinking her quietly. "As you are aware, Abby... I don't want to leave here. Not away from my home." she stated. Abby nodded her head, well aware since it was the same for Joanna's late mother and late grandmother before her. "I wish I could offer my help but..." Joanna trailed off with a slight regret. Joanna already made a magical vow to stay in the cottage and the forest with her magic energy. It was a very old Bennett tradition that Joanna's family had been following for a few centuries.
"I can go." Lucy easily volunteered after she lowered her teacup and placed it on the coffee table.
Joanna glanced at her daughter with relief yet worried. "Are you sure, honey?"
Lucy sends her a warm smile. "Of course, mom." she grabbed Joanna's hands.
Abby fidgeted in her seat, anxious and uncomfortable as she attempted not to stare at the mother and daughter moments. Deep down, she cannot help but feel envious and jealous that she never gets to have such a bonding moment with her daughter. Abby knew that Bonnie was upset with her.
Later, Lucy packed a few things, gave a warm farewell hug to her mother, and left with Abby. Joanna stood outside on the porch, watching her former best friend and her daughter in the car with a vampire and drive away.
Joanna closed her eyes, took a breather, and felt the gentle wind that played with the stray hair that fell from her loose bun. "Magic Earth, please watch over my daughter." she prayed with a soft whisper.
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.
.
Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Caroline's Bedroom
Early Morning...
The morning sunrise greeted the light blue sky as the warm sunlight shone through the window. On the bed, Kol lazily opens his eyes once he regains his consciousness. His lips quirked lifting to a small smile when he noticed the blonde-haired beauty was laying her head on his shoulder.
He watches the soft ray of golden sun casting a warm glow on her face. Caroline looks so peacefully beautiful. Kol takes a moment to admire her delicate features, her long black eyelashes resting gently on her cheeks, and her lips slightly parted as she breathes in and out. Kol already memorized her face for months and he could not help but memorize it once again.
The wild Original lifted his finger and traced her face so tender and so gentle. He recalled how he was drawn to her infectious laughter and bubbly personality. True that she is a control freak, perfectionist, and bossy. However, she is also loyal, strong, and optimistic.
Kol could get used to this. The first thing he sees when he wakes up is her face is a blessing and he never wants to take that for granted. He wants that. In his forever future.
'Caroline Forbes... you have no idea what kind of power you have over me.' Kol mused, full of raw desire, adoration, and fondness. Caroline could ask him for anything and he would give her the world. If she wants the city to burn, then he will gladly do it for her. He will happily do anything she wants, any wishes and requests she has, he will do it.
And he honestly doesn't mind at all.
Caroline hummed softly as her eyebrows furrowed, slowly waking up from her slumber. Kol snapped his dark eyes at her, watching her open her eyes. A groggy and confused dazed in her blue-green eyes for a brief moment. "Morning, darlin'." Kol's voice was husky.
"...Kol?" the blonde-haired beauty blinked owlishly, and then her eyes lit up with realization. Kol smirked with amusement when he noticed her cheeks turned pink. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—" she halted, awkwardly with an embarrassed smile.
Kol hastily shakes his head and shifts to leaning on his side. His elbow propped up while looking over Caroline who shyly lip her bottom lip.
His dark eyes stared down at her coy eyes. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" he asked with concern. His undead heart sank as he disliked seeing the sadness on her face.
"...I think... I am okay." the Prince Original raised his perplexed eyebrow at her in response. "No, really... I needed your comfort. Your hug. It helped me a lot." she assured with a sad yet grateful smile.
Kol lightly tilted his head and observed her for a brief moment. "Are you sure, darling? Last night..." he trailed off with a worried frown. Inwardly, he is still furious about that letter which he now remembers is still on the ground. He needs to take it and destroy it. He won't let that awful letter be re-read again by his vampire.
Caroline breathed intake sharply then released from her lips. "I lost my father months ago." she examined Kol's handsome face. "Last night—" she closed her eyes for a bit. "—I...I mourned for him." she opened her watery eyes. "It is wrong for me that I don't hate him? I do hate what he did to me but..."
"You are too kind, darling." Kol commented with a soft fondness glint in his dark eyes. 'It's alright. If you cannot hate, then I'll do the hate for you.' he mused, silently promising to her.
Kol reached his finger to her face and carefully brushed some strands of her hair away that nearly touched one of her eyes. Caroline's eyelashes fluttered as her blue-green eyes shone with interest and curiosity. Her gaze flickers to his lips and back to his soft playful dark eyes.
His fingertip glided on the side of her face, down to her jawline, to her chin, and moved upward to her bottom lip. Caroline froze with mixed of eagerness, anticipation, and a bit but good nervousness. 'Is he...?' she mused, wondering if he was going to kiss her because she wouldn't mind. In fact, she is kind of looking forward to it.
Suddenly, a shuffle and sniffle were heard from downstairs that snapped Caroline out of her bubble world. She just remembered that her mother was—still in grief. "Oh... my mom." she muttered, worried. Her parents are divorced but her mother did care about her ex-husband. "I have to go and see her." Caroline said, wanted to be there and comfort her mother who is grieving.
"Of course." Kol slipped his fingers away which Caroline silently mourned by the loss of warm touch. The Prince Original and the blonde-haired beauty reluctantly moved away and out of the bed.
Caroline combed her messy hair with her fingers, unaware that Kol swiftly grabbed the letter from the ground, crumbled it into a ball, and shoved it in his pocket. "Kol..." the wild Original hummed as he glanced at her with questioning eyes. "...will you come back later?" she asked, nervously hopeful while pretending interested in looking at the wall.
Kol strode toward her side and poked her forehead playfully. Caroline blinked in startled, she was so used to the ice-cold touches from him. She kind of missed it but she rather preferred the real warm touch. Her surprised face turned to Kol who smirked at her with mixed of fondness and a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. "I'll come back." he promised.
The blonde-haired beauty beamed at him with brightest eyes.
'Good, sadness does not fit you.' Kol mused, relief.
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.
Mystic Falls
Salvatore Boarding House
Later...
The older Salvatore descended the stairs while looking through his phone with furrowed eyebrows. When he turned down the corridor and went straight to the living room. He paused when his instinct suddenly went off the alarm. Damon lifted his gaze from his phone and saw Kol sitting on the overstuffed leather chair with a crystal glass of bourbon.
"Oh, how wonderful to see an Original in my home. In my chair." Damon sarcastically remarked as he glanced at the glass. "And with my bourbon. Hope you enjoy that." he casually pushed his cell into his pocket.
Kol leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees while his fingertips were on the lips of a crystal glass. He idly glanced at the alcohol with faux-thoughfully. "Not impressive." he commented, calmly while circling the golden liquid inside the crystal cup.
Damon strode to the side table located behind the couch, grabbed a large glass of alcohol, and picked up one of the cups. "What can I do for a fine Original in my lovely home?" he questioned with suspicious warily in his ice-blue eyes.
The mischief Original stood up to his feet gracefully and drained the entire whiskey down. He easily threw the crystal cup into the empty fireplace and it shattered upon it. "That's an easy question."
"And the answer is?" Damon mockingly smirks while lifting his crystal cup to his lips.
Unexpectedly, Damon Salvatore should have realized that just because he didn't know the unfamiliar Original, doesn't mean he should have let his guard down. When Kol suddenly used his vampire speed, appeared behind him and immediately snapped the Salvatore vampire's neck.
Damon fell into a boneless heap on the ground while the crystal glass fell from his fingers and smashed on the ground. "Time to face the consequence of your action of what you did to my darling girl, Damon Salvatore." Kol darkly said with a cold smirk.
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.
Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Later...
A joyful whistle was heard through the rooms which caught Elijah's attention. The Noble Original lifted his head from the book that he had been reading for a while in a living room. A questioning frown appeared on his face when he heard some noises. Elijah stood up from the leather chair, placed the book down on the coffee table before he bookmarked it between the pages, and sauntered his way out of the room.
Elijah halted with a blank face. In front of him, Kol is whistling happily as he shamelessly drags a (temporarily) broken neck of an older Salvatore by his foot across the room. "Kol."
The wild Original paused his step, turned his head at his noble brother, and displayed his faux-innocently smirk at him. "Hello, brother."
Elijah doesn't believe Kol's innocence one bit. "Why are you dragging Mr. Salvatore?"
"He hurt my darling." the wild Original blunted calmly with raw cold anger in his dark eyes.
The Noble Original stiff when he heard that. Elijah slowly shifted his cold gaze at Damon. His inner beast was howling in rage. "Pardon?"
Kol cocked his eyebrow at Elijah's emotionlessly tone. "He compelled her. Used her, warmed his bed, and abused her." he spat out, still burning with furious.
"I believe there was one of the rooms that is not quite finished." The Noble Original adjusted the cufflinks calmly. "They have tarps so it'll be easy to clean." Elijah forced calm his inner furious beast. He cannot unleash his uncontrollable beast, it is very wildly dangerous. If he were a normal vampire and letting the beast take over the control, he would have to be put down. Fortunately, he is strong enough to control his inner bloodthirsty beast. 'I will have to talk to Caroline eventually. It is the only way for my beast to calm down by acknowledging its existence.' he mused, still couldn't believe out of all the Originals, his was the one that woke and imprinted on a baby vampire.
The mischief Original's lip twitched to a wide fanged teeth. "Why, thank you for the suggestion, brother." he said, gleefully. Elijah just watched while stood silently, not stopping his seeking revenge brother.
Kol cheerfully dragged the soon-to-be-dead vampire to one of the unfinished rooms. He dropped Damon's foot on the ground, walked to the corner of the room, grabbed a chair, and easily carried it to put on top of the tarp in the middle of the room.
The wild Original picked Damon up and uncaringly threw the older Salvatore into the chair. 'Now to tie him up...' It is a good thing that Klaus likes to keep a lot of dungeon tools to torture the enemies.
Kol just needs to find them...
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.
Mystic Falls
Bennett's Residence
Living-Room
Meanwhile...
Bonnie is currently sitting on the carpet floor with a few cardboard boxes around her. Her father had asked her to help re-sort her Grams' things that can either go to donations or keep it for memorable things.
The Bennett witch's lips twitch with a sad smile when she finds a beautiful silk scarf. It was one of her Grams' favorites. She carefully folded the scarf and set it aside to keep it for herself.
It was hard for her to do this but she understands why she had to do it. Her Grams' boxes are taking up too much space in the attic. Her father needed stuff from the attic but couldn't get to it because of too many boxes. One of the reasons why he asked Bonnie to orangize Grams' stuff.
Bonnie reached down one of the boxes and noticed there was a medium-sized wood box with a metal latch on the front. She grabbed it with curiosity and noted that it was semi-heavy. The petite witch adjusted her legs under her backside and put the wooden box on her lap.
She unlocked the metal latch easily and opened the lid. The old dark-brown cloth covered was the first thing she saw. Bonnie gently unfolded the cloth and gasped softly when she saw the items inside the box.
The Bennett witch carefully grabbed one of the items and lifted it to her eyes. It was a pearl-white bowl with a black engraved symbol in the middle. The symbol was two crescent moons that attached to a large star. She carefully put it on the coffee table nearby, not wanting to damage it. Bonnie picked up the next item and studied with interest.
It was a vintage silver pocket watch. She pressed the small button with a soft click and opened it. Her olive-green eyes lit with perplexity. 'Oh... it's not a pocket watch.' she mused, as she examined the black obsidian mirror. Bonnie closed it and put it on the coffee table.
Another item which was unusual as she had never seen such a thing before. It was dull golden armor of finger claws with rings and thin chains that attached to a cuff. Her eyebrow raised at it with a puzzled face but placed it on the surface of the table.
She found a cup with a lid that had Latin words engraved on top. 'Moon Glyphs and Elements.' Bonnie read it without thinking and noticed there was a soft clatter inside. Bonnie opened the lid, tilted the cup and it was bone-white dice that spilled over her open palm. She leaned closer to observe. Each die has a different symbol on it.
The Bennett witch put the dice back in the cup and closed it with a lid. She set it along with the other items. A soft amusement appeared in her eyes when she saw a stack of beautiful tarot cards and set it on the coffee table.
When she spotted a small black pouch, picked it up and untied it. Bonnie tilted the pouch and the object fell onto her palm. Astonished gasps released from her lips when she saw it. It was a silver ring that was designed of the Tree of Life.
Bonnie gently stroked the elegant ring. She could tell the ring was old and yet, somehow, it looked so new. Her eyebrows furrowed when she felt it. The ancient magic energy that lingers inside the silver ring. There were old spells that had been cast on this.
'It reminded me of Caroline's pendant.' she thought about her vampire best friend who always wore the Tree of Life necklace, never once taken it off.
A warm smile appeared on the petite witch as she slipped the silver ring into her left index finger. A perfect fit. This symbol—this Tree of Life ring—showed the world that she was on Caroline's side.
Bonnie looked in the wooden box and noted the last object that was covered with black cloth. She grabbed it, unfolded the thick cloth, and raised her puzzled eyebrow at it. It was a strange mechanical bronze object that was shaped of a circle with interesting symbols that reminded her of old runes and a crystal attached in the middle.
Her olive-green eyes filled with curiosity, intrigue, and perplexed over the weird-looking object for a moment. Her muse was interrupted when the doorbell rang throughout the house. Bonnie quickly yet carefully put everything back inside the wooden box and hid in the Keep It box.
Bonnie pushed herself to her feet, ambled her way to the front door, and opened it inward. "Elena." she blurted it out, pleasant surprised to see the brunette doppelgänger standing outside of her door.
Elena awkwardly smiles at her. "Hey, Bonnie." she greeted her.
The petite witch stepped aside and silently gestured for Elena to walk in. Bonnie doesn't want to accidentally let Katherine Pierce in, just in case the vampire doppelgänger pretends to be Elena. She could use her magic radar but rather not waste her magic.
The brunette girl stepped inside the house while scanning around with neutral interest. Bonnie shut the door behind her and led her to the living room. "So, what brings you here." Bonnie asked, curious as she and Elena sat down on the couch.
Elena curiously glanced over the boxes and ignored them as she turned her doe-shaped eyes to the petite witch. "I killed Alaric." she blunted, shocked the tiny witch. "I don't know who but someone almost killed Alaric and he was losing so much blood. But he told me to kill him—because he was wearing a Gilbert ring so, I count it as supernatural." she quickly explained anxiously and nervously.
"...wow." Bonnie blinked a few times, processing the information in her brain. "And it worked, right?" she asked, just to be clear with concern.
Elena nodded her head with relief eyes. "Yes. It worked. But... Bonnie, there was a killer out there and no one knows who they are." she said, worried. "And I have no idea where Stefan is nor what Damon is doing right now. And I am freaking out because I don't want to lose any more family. I can't." she choked as her eyes swelled with tears.
"Oh, Elena." Bonnie's heart pang with sadness for the brunette doppelgänger. She wrapped her arms around Elena, giving her a comforting hug which Elena happily accepted.
The human doppelgänger cleared her throat after they broke their hugs. Elena sniffed slightly and smiled sadly at Bonnie. "I haven't seen you in a while. What have you been doing?" she questioned, while glancing over the boxes with interest.
"Sorry, Elena. I've been hanging out with Care and practicing my magic." Bonnie omitted some truths. "Plus, my dad wanted me to organize some of my Grams' things." she idly waved her hand over the opened boxes around the living room.
Elena hummed with understanding. Her eyebrows furrowed with puzzling as she glanced at Bonnie. "You've been hanging out with Caroline?" the tiny witch nodded her head in response. "I just... I mean—I thought, I assumed you might not have a lot of time because you've been busy with personal things or maybe Stefan or even Damon needed you to do something with magic." she said, confused.
The Bennett witch raised her eyebrow at her. "Why would you assume that?"
"I mean—" Elena chuckled softly. "—you always help us. Whenever there is trouble, you come and help. Not...hanging out with Caroline."
Bonnie is feeling a bit hackle and defensively. "Excuse me? What is wrong with hanging out with Care? You know she's my best friend, right?" she stated with a frown.
"Of course I know that, Bonnie! Care is my best friend too." the human doppelgänger assured but Bonnie didn't like the tone in Elena's voice.
The petite witch narrowed her eyes. "When is the last time you talk to Care? Let alone, actually hung out with her?"
Elena opened her mouth but was hesitant as she shut her jaw. She attempts to think of when was it last time she talked to Caroline. Nothing has come to her mind and she struggles to grasp the answer but it remains blank.
"Wow." Bonnie scoffed, with incredulity. "I spent a couple of nights at her place the other day." she said with her arms crossed. "You said Care is your best friend too and yet, you can't even answer me when you last saw her."
"It's not my fault that I was occupied with my own problem! Stefan kidnapped me from Caroline's birthday or funeral or whatever and threatened Klaus that he was going to drive me off the bridge where my parents died if Klaus didn't send the hybrids out of the town!" Elena explained harshly while defending herself.
The Bennett witch feels awful for Elena. "Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, softly.
Elena just shrugs her shoulders. "I didn't...I didn't want to think about it. Plus, there were other problems with the whole Alaric situation, and the killer somewhere in Mystic Falls." she muttered, shoulders slumped. "And I thought you were at least helping with whatever is going on in this town. Not just... hanging out with Caroline." she said with a slight disappointment.
"Excuse me?" Bonnie didn't appreciate that tone at all. "You do realize that you are not the only one who is in a difficult mess, right?"
"Like what?" Elena asked with a skeptical frown.
The petite witch licked her teeth with disblieved and leaned back as she turned sideways so she could face Elena properly. "Like the fact that Caroline was bitten by Tyler on her birthday and she was dying before Klaus came to give her the cure. So, pardon me for not focusing on this town's problem when Caroline needed me—" 'And Kol.' she mentally added. "—to be there for her." Bonnie snipped with a glare.
"I...I didn't know that." the human doppelgänger whispered, guilty and distressed. "She's okay, right? You did say that Klaus gave her the cure."
Bonnie's lips pressed together but nodded her head stiffly.
"I-I'm sorry, Bonnie. I just, I missed you." Elena said with wide eyes at her. "I want us to hang out again." she pleaded.
The petite witch's heart softened. "I miss you too." Bonnie admitted, it has been a while since she and Caroline hang out with Elena.
"We should spend time together. Have a sleepover at my place? Or eat lunch at the Grills?" Elena suggested which made Bonnie smile.
"I think Care and I would like that." the Bennett witch agreed, feeling a bit excited. Then she noticed Elena studied her which made her slightly awkward. "What?"
Elena just shakes her head. "Sorry, it's just... you and Caroline got a lot closer." she pointed it out, perplexed. "When did that happen?"
"It happened a few months ago." Bonnie mysteriously answered.
The human doppelgänger bit her bottom lip for a brief moment. "I would rather we spend time together instead, just us two."
"Why?" Bonnie asked, confused. "Caroline is our best friend. We can't push her away. Not after what she had been through so much." she is bewildered as to why didn't Elena want to include their perky cheerful best friend for a bonding day.
Elena grabbed the tiny witch's hand. "Because I missed us hanging out. We always tell each other secrets. I love Care, but even she would be a bit exhausting."
Bonnie jerked her hand away from Elena with a disbelief and astonished face. "Caroline isn't exhausting, Elena. She is always perky because that is part of her." the brunette looked completely stumped. "Seriously, just because Damon admitted out loud how he thought that Caroline was too exhausted to be around doesn't mean you have to agree with him." she recalled a few months ago how Damon made an offhanded comment about the blonde-haired beauty being too annoyed and exhausted to be around.
"Am I wrong?" the human doppelgänger uttered, serious.
The Bennett witch pushed herself up to her feet. "Oh my God, you are unbelievable." she commented while stepping away from Elena to put herself in a safe distance. Bonnie doesn't want to accidentally use her magic when she is starting to get really upset and angry. "This is Caroline. Our best friend." she turned around and glowered at Elena. "You know her, Elena. We grew up together. We accepted her for who she was. We love her. But that change all because of what that asshole said."
"Damon is not an asshole." Elena jumped to her feet and defended the older Salvatore.
Bonnie's eyes widen in stunned. "Are you serious? I know for a fact that Damon made rude and insulting comments about Caroline, about me, and pretty much everyone we know and love. He is an asshole."
"He isn't. Not anymore. Damon is good." Elena assured.
Bonnie raised her hands to her face and rubbed them. She could feel her magic bubbling underneath her skin, wanting to latch out because of her emotions. "Why the hell are you so defensive over him?" she dropped her hands with bewilderment.
The petite witch scrutinized the brunette doppelgänger who looked so shy out of the blue as she glanced away. Slowly the horror realization hit her. "No...no. Please tell me you don't have a feeling for Damon?" she spat, disgusted.
"He's not the same as before." Elena protested and didn't even deny that she had romantic feelings for the older Salvatore.
Bonnie is honestly flabbergasted. "N-not the same? You're kidding me, right?"
"Bonnie—"
"No!" Bonnie interjected with a sharp snap. "This is absurd, Elena. I can get Stefan, I tolerate him for you because he was making you happy last year. But Damon? That guy is an asshole. You told me that he broke Jeremy's neck! Your own brother's neck! If he hadn't worn that ring, he would've been already dead! And I can guarantee that Damon didn't know that Jeremy wears the Gilbert ring. You told me that you hated him. Not to forget, he killed Vicki, Matt's older sister. He almost killed Caroline all because she was a newborn vampire. He did so much shit to us! He bit me, and almost drained my entire blood because he was pissed that Emily destroyed the crystal. What the hell made you change your mind about him? What did he even do to actually make you forget the fact that he's a bastard?" she fumed while controlling her whirlwind of magic.
Elena stared wide eyes at her, speechless.
Bonnie closed her eyes, took a breather for an intense moment, and then exhaled through her mouth. "Have you ever considered one thing, Elena?" she slowly opens her solemn eyes at the brunette. "If it wasn't for Katherine Pierce. Do you really believe the Salvatore brothers would pay attention to you? Let alone, interest in you?"
Elena stepped back as if Bonnie had slapped her across the face. The brunette opens her mouth and closes it a couple of times then shakes her head as her eyes shine with tears. "...I have to go." she mumbled, stumbled, and hurriedly left the house.
The sound of the door opening and closing was heard.
"...damn it." Bonnie exhaled loudly as she plopped on the couch, and dropped her face to her palms as her elbows rested on her knees. She shouldn't blown up on Elena like that. Bonnie didn't mean to hurt Elena. 'Should have been gentle.' Bonnie mused, slightly guilty yet she didn't regret her words.
Elena Gilbert really needs to think about what she is doing with the Salvatore brothers.
.
.
.
Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Moment Later...
Kol paced back and forth while swinging his baseball while humming. In the middle of the room, Damon is trapped in a chair with chains wrapped around his torso and handcuffed tightly linked to the arms of the chair.
The Salvatore vampire was completely covered with wounds. Damon winced as he shifted his weight on the chair. He glanced down at his arms, they were covered with deep gashes and bruises as they were slowly healing themselves. He needs blood to be completely healed.
Damon honestly couldn't remember why the hell he do to piss off the wild Original. The second he woke up, he was already trapped in a chair, holding him tightly as if it were a prison. He had attempted to use his charm and funny remark to figure out why this happened.
Unfortunately for him, Kol didn't listen to him because the unpredictable Original immediately used his baseball bat and hit him, repeatedly. Damon narrowed his eyes at Kol warily and suspiciously. He doesn't have a clue what Kol will do to him next besides beating him with a baseball bat.
"What the bloody hell are you doing, Kol?" Damon made a grimace and disgusted face when he heard the Hybrid Original's voice before he saw Klaus walk in.
Klaus raised his eyebrow at the scene, perplexed. His cornflower-blue eyes shifted at unbothered wild Original. "Why is Damon Salvatore here?" he asked, curious. Damon perked up, is he finally going to get an answer?
"He pissed me off." Kol's voice monotoned yet his dark eyes are frosty.
Damon is inwardly annoyed with the lack of details because he doesn't recall pissing this Original off at all!
The Hybrid Original made a face. "It's only been a day." he deadpanned.
"And?" Kol didn't explain any further while he lightly tapped the baseball bat against his shoulder.
Klaus shakes his head. "Whatever. Don't kill him. I need him alive since he knows where the last coffin was." he said, turning his gaze to Damon with a cold smirk. "Will you be willing to tell me where that is?"
"Nope." Damon replied with a loud 'p' sound. Enjoy watching Klaus' getting ticked off at his refusal to answer the question.
"I do not think you understand the position you are in, Damon. You are trapped. And my brother—who is very unpredictable might I add—will take his time to slowly torture you, turn your mind into madness and you will never be whole again." Klaus warned him with a dark glint in his blue eyes.
Kol doesn't trust whatever the last coffin is as he notices how it is really important to Klaus. He knew his mentee had a bad feeling about the mystery coffin. The wild Original rathered have it returned to Klaus, so this way, he can figure out what the bloody hell was in the sealed casket. Better than to leave it with the Salvatores.
Damon just stared at them fearlessly. "Bring it on, then. I always wondered what it's like to have solo attention from Originals." he sassed with a smirk.
The Originals exchanged glances and almost instantly, there was a temporary truce between them.
Somewhere in the mansion, Elijah who long had returned to reading his book, paused when there was a loud high-pitched agony of scream. 'Ah... it seems there are now vervain knives involved.' he mused, nonchalantly. His inner beast was not happy because it wanted to join in but Elijah knew that if he did release the dark beast, it would kill Damon instantly. Best to leave it to his brothers.
The Noble Original took his time to finish the book while ignoring the screaming of pain, cruel laughing, and an argument between his brothers about what kind of tools to use to torture the Salvatore vampire.
A couple of hours later, Elijah closed his book satisfied that he had finished it. He glanced at his wristwatch while standing up from the comfortable stuffed chair. The Noble Original rebuttoned his blazer and calmly sauntered out of the living room.
When he arrived, he knew where his brothers were, using it as a torture room. Elijah's eyebrow lifted with slight impressed. Even his inner dark beast purred with satisfied at the sight.
Damon is covered in blood with many cuts, gashes, bruises, and a werewolf bite that is slowly healing.
Elijah turned his head to where Kol and Klaus were talking calmly as if they hadn't tortured Damon for hours. He tilted his head, shamelessly listening to their conversation with neutral interest.
"That is not funny, Kol." Klaus stared at the wild Original, unimpressed.
Kol placed his bloody hand over his chest dramatically. "I thought it was."
Klaus snorted. "You bloody laughed in the middle of a Viking funeral because you were thinking of pranking Finn." he reminded Kol.
Elijah made a face, as he perfectly recalled that piece of memories from a thousand years ago when Kol was barely fourteen of age at that time. Kol was heavily punished for the lack of manners and disrespect by their late father. Although, Kol never uttered a word of what kind of punishment he had been doing...
"Brothers." the Noble Original cleared his throat, stepping forward while gracefully avoiding the blood spots and messy tools on the ground. "How long are you both planning to torture Mr. Salvatore? I am starting to get a bit tired of hearing him scream."
The Originals ignored the groan and moan from Damon.
"For as long as it takes to get my coffin back." / "A bloody century." two Originals simultaneously said.
Klaus snapped his gaze at his young brother with astonishment. "Bloody hell. What did he do to piss you off? You are not the patient sort for that long." he was honestly baffled because it had only been one day since Kol was undaggered.
"He fucked with my darling." Kol coldly said, recalling all the abuses that his vampire had to endure when she was human.
Before one of his brothers asks him a question, they are rudely interrupted when Damon releases a raspy chuckle. "Then she must be desperate to get away from you if she wanted me to fuck her." he deliriously muttered with a mocking smirk, mishearing the explanation from the wild Original.
Kol's eyes darkened with fierce furious and used his vampire speed—
SICKENINGLY CRUSH
The Salvatore vampire's mind went blank. Attempt to process what just happened. He stared at it. This couldn't be real, it just couldn't. However, the more he stared at it, the more it became frighteningly real. That this is a nightmare.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze upward to a smugness unpredictable Original. Damon halted as he felt so cold and so scared. He stared at it in horror.
The bones were protruding out at odd angles, and the crimson-red blood was oozing out in a sickening rhythm.
Suddenly with awareness, the great terrible pain shot through Damon's entire body. It's gone.
It's gone.
It's gone it's gone it's gone it's gone it's gone IT'S GONE!
HIS LEFT HAND IS GONE!
Kol hummed with dark and cruel satisfaction while holding a bloody hand that he ruthlessly tore off. He turned around and saw his brothers staring at them with surprise. "What? He has the other hand." he commented while carelessly dropping the limb to the ground.
The sound that escaped Damon's lips was guttural and raw, filled with a primal rage and terror. "YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU FUCKING TORE OFF MY HAND!" he screamed in bloody murder as his ice-blue eyes burned with unshed tears.
"Ah, so loud. Just be bloody grateful I'm not taking your disgusting heart yet." the Prince Original glanced away indifferently as he crossed his arms. Elijah sighed while adjusting his cufflinks calmly and Klaus watched Damon with amusement.
Kol noticed the sun's position through the window. His dark eyes lit up with realization. "What time is it?" he asked Elijah with curiosity while ignoring the screaming from the soon-to-be-dead vampire.
"A quarter to one." the Noble Original answered with a quick glance at his wristwatch.
The wild Original nods his head with acknowledgment. "A shame that I have to cut this short since I need to go—" he looked down at his messy appearance. "—as soon as possible after I clean myself up." he said, coolly. He may have been stuck as a ghost for fifteen months, fortunately, he is pretty much caught up this time era thanks to being bound to his lovely vampire.
"You are just going to leave him here?" Klaus lazily waved his hand over at spitting and screaming Damon while easily tuning him out.
Kol shrugs his shoulder. "I'll come back and continue later." he uttered, more interested in cleaning himself up because he would meet his darling girl soon. The Prince Original calmly walked away out of the room.
Elijah tutted while eyeing the messy room with distaste, making sure not to go anywhere near the blood that could ruin his two thousand-dollar shoes. Klaus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Think he'll tell us where my coffin is?" he mused out loud, with glee.
"You and Kol used vervains on him." the Noble Original pointed it out which made Klaus disappointed. Klaus should've compelled Damon before he and Kol used the vervain tools on the Salvatore vampire.
Oh well, Klaus can wait.
But first—
SNAPPED!
"Much better." Klaus said with a satisfied smirk when he snapped Damon's neck. "His voice is gaining on my nerves."
Elijah rolled his eyes.
.
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Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Later...
Caroline silently put the empty mugs in the sink. She thought about how she spent time with her mother this morning. Comforting and grieving together on the couch with warm drinks. They talked and reminisced about their past in the living room. Her mother was supposed to stay with her, using her off day from work but when Liz got an emergency phone call, she had to leave for work.
The blonde-haired beauty wanted to protest but didn't because she knew this would take Liz's mind off. To not think about the death of her ex-husband. Caroline released a sad sigh from her lips and leaned against the counter, thinking deeply about how a lot had been going on in the last couple of days.
She bit her inner cheek when she thought about a certain playful Original with a charming yet devious smirk. Her undead heart squeezes with excitement. Kol almost kiss her. She knew that he was going to do that. And she wants that.
The doorbell rang snapping her out from her daydream. Caroline blinked with curiosity. She used her vamp-speed to the foyer and walked straight to the door at a human pace. Caroline extended her hand to the doorknob before she unlocked it, and pulled it inward.
Her undead heart skipped a beat when she saw him. The wild Original had cleaned up very nicely in his casual clothes—a white shirt, black leather jacket, dark jeans, and dark-brown boots. Even his hair had been trimmed and semi-messy which is fitting for his handsome look.
Kol is standing outside with a single lavender-purple rose in his hand. "Hello, darlin'." he greeted her with a charming smirk and outstretched the rose to her. "For you."
Caroline smiled sweetly as she gently took the rose. "It's beautiful." she whispered, awed by the gorgeous flower. "I never seen a purple rose before?" she wondered while touching the softness of the petals. She didn't think there was anyone outside of her family who had given her a rose before. It was a romantic gesture that she had only read about in books or seen in movies.
"A lavender rose." the Prince Original tipped his head at the rose. "The meaning of the color of a rose means wonder and enchantment." he informed his vampire.
The blonde-haired beauty feels flattered and shy at the same time. "Oh..." Caroline bit her bottom lip, attempting to not smile so widely. This lavender rose may be small but it is certainly a meaningful gift.
"Would you like to have lunch with me, Caroline?" Kol purred with slight intensity in his dark eyes.
Caroline could feel her cheeks start to become warm, knowing they were flushing with petal-pink. "Are you...asking me on a date?" she blushed, as her stomach was full of butterflies fluttered, and if her heart had been full and alive when she was human—it would pounding wildly in her chest.
Kol's smirk widens. "If date means I can court you, then yes."
"Oh." the blonde-haired beauty breathed as she lowered her coy eyes to the lavender rose. She carefully twirled it back and forth slowly between her fingers. "...let me get ready." she muttered with an excited smile.
Before Caroline moved, Kol grabbed her wrist not unkindly. Her blue-green eyes snapped up at his dark eyes. "This too." Caroline tilted her head with confusion when Kol took out a vial tube of crimson-red liquid from his leather jacket's pocket.
"What's this?" the blonde-haired beauty curiously takes the vial tube that she is aware it was blood. But why give it to her? She already has a few blood bags in the bottom drawer inside the fridge.
Kol, who had been with her for months, knew that Caroline was asking him what the blood was for. "My blood." Caroline raised her questioning eyebrow at him in response. "I'm an Original, sweetheart. It means it an old and powerful blood—enough to heal the old scars." Kol explained as he stared at the bitten scars on his darling vampire's neck which was covered by concealers.
"Really?" the blonde-haired beauty asked with fragile hope. As Kol nodded in response, he was tackled by an extremely grateful Caroline in his arms. The wild Original happily hugged back by wrapping his arms around her waist. He enjoys the warm body of hers pressed against his chest. "Thank you." Caroline uttered close to his ear. She leaned her head back and pecked his cheek.
Kol's chest rumbled with appreciation and affection from her pleasant kiss. He reluctantly released her when Caroline took a step back. "I won't be long." she promised while holding the vial blood tube and a lavender rose close to her chest with a sweet smile and used her vamp-speed to her bedroom.
A self-satisfied and pleased smirk appeared. He loves it when he is the reason to bring a smile to Caroline's face. Plus, he is finally starting his courting his darling girl.
.
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Mystic Falls
The Grills
Moment Later...
In one of the tables inside of the warm Grills where it is nearly full. There was bustling with the sounds of clinking glasses and chatter from the other diners. Luckily, they found an empty table near the bar. Currently, Caroline and Kol sat across from each other at the table. They have been chatting animatedly so effortlessly, sharing stories, laughing, and teasing. Enjoying their date.
The blonde-haired beauty wipes the salts from her fingers with a napkin while Kol shamelessly steals her fries from the small basket. Caroline playfully glares at Kol who smirks back at her. Caroline dropped the napkin on the side, crossed her arms on the surface of a table, and leaned forward with interest. "So... what does it mean you want to court me?" she has been curious about it.
Kol observed her face with contemplation while chewing the fries. He picked up a small glass cup of whiskey. "Back in the olden days, courting usually means someone who wishes to pursue their partner, putting effort into it and getting to know them."
"So, like dating." Caroline stated.
The Prince Original sipped his alcohol and placed it back on the table. "A bit more than that, darling." he slid his hand across the table and shifted his palm open, silently offering her to hold her hand if she wanted it.
Caroline didn't waste a second when she happily accepted by touching his palm with her soft fingertips. Kol danced his long fingers around hers, making them intertwined in the middle of the table. "Courting basically means you are the only one I want to have in the long term." he said, staring at her blue-green eyes. 'As in, I'm not letting you go because you are going to be my eternal heart.' he mused, deciding to wait on that. He is aware of how relationships are viewed in the twenty-first century, especially when it comes to marriage and age these days. If they were in the New World era, Caroline would've become his wife.
"Really?" Caroline asked with surprised wonder. She just couldn't believe that this handsome and powerful Original was romantically interested in her. Caroline is so used to being the second, the shadow of Elena Gilbert almost her entire life, and whoever she was interested in, always interested in a beautiful brunette.
Kol shifted forward and leaned to her. "Without a doubt. I do genuinely want you in my life for as long as you want me, Caroline." He will make sure that he is going to be the one who will capture her heart before anyone does.
After all, Caroline already caught his cold heart a long time ago.
A bashful yet angelic smile appeared on her lovely face. Her blue-green eyes brightened with delight and Kol felt a bit bedazzled. His darling vampire is truly a radiant creature and he felt so blessed to meet her.
Then he just remembered. "By the way... the bracelet." Kol scowled when he recalled a diamond bracelet that a stupid brother of his had given Caroline days ago.
"A bracelet?" Caroline frowned with confusion.
The Prince Original made a sour face. "My brother gave you the diamond bracelet. It was a pre-courting gift." he said, bitterly.
"I'm sorry, it was a what gift?" the blonde-haired beauty's eyebrows shot up in shock. After that, Kol started to rant mixed with anger and jealousy about how Klaus is interested in her, and might even want to have a romantic relationship with her.
Caroline just stared at Kol with wide eyes as she continued listening to his complaining. His words are rather creative insulting about his hybrid brother and yet, her gaze flickered down at their intertwined fingers, his touch with her was so unbelievably tender.
A small smile appeared on her face. 'Oh Kol... there is no one I'm interested in but you.' she mused.
.
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Mystic Falls
In the Woods
Meanwhile...
Stefan trampled across the large area of the woods with determination. Abby and Lucy doing their best to keep up with the young vampire. There was intense silence among them. The young Salvatore was too focused on getting to the cave. Abby is uncomfortable and awkward. Lucy just happily ignored Abby while carefully stepping over the mud as she didn't want to ruin her nice booties.
It didn't take very long when they reached inside the old Lockwood cellar cave. Stefan halted when he felt the vibration from his phone. "Abby will show you where." he said to Lucy while taking out his cell.
The Bennett witches walked past and went further inside the cave. Lucy raised her eyebrow at the sealed casket that was gathered by dozens of candles and lanterns. "That's the one?" Lucy questioned with casual interest.
"Yes." Abby simply replied, stepping closer to the coffin and picking up the grimoire that she left.
The young Bennett witch hummed while carefully studying the drawings on the rocks. "What is all of this?"
"According to Stefan, he explained that all these are family history." Abby explained as she skimmed over the old drawings. "About a mother who loved her children so much, she couldn't bear the thought she might lose them. So she turned them into vampires. The Originals."
Lucy shifted her gaze to the sealed coffin thoughtfully. "And whatever in that coffin might save Bonnie and this town?" she said with a bit of skepticism.
"You know witch visions are important." Abby reminded the young Bennett who rolled her eyes.
Lucy strode to the casket. "Fine. Let's get this whole unbinding spell over with." She and Abby stand on either side of the coffin, holding each other's hands on the coffin, and open their mouths to chant a spell. Almost immediately, the candles flared up, a deep rumbling was heard and powerful magic danced above them.
Meanwhile, Stefan answered the call as he stepped out of the cave for a better signal reception. "Hello? Elena?" he was surprised when he saw that Elena had been calling him. He thought she was avoiding him after the whole Wickery Bridge incident.
"Stefan! It's Damon!" Stefan stiffened with concern when Elena shouted, nearly hyperventilating.
"What's wrong with Damon?"
Elena cried. "He's bleeding all over! T-tyler grabbed Damon from them—the Originals. One of them tortured Damon! Oh God! He d-doesn't have a hand! They brutally tore his hand off!"
Stefan's fingers curled tightly around the phone, nearly crushing them with anger. "Where are you? Elena!" he snapped when she didn't answer. "Focus! Where are you?!"
"M-my house." Elena sniffled.
"I'll be there." the young Salvatore shut his phone and instantly used his vamp-speed out of the Lockwood cellar.
Back to the Bennett witches who finished their chanting as the candles calmed and the noises faded to quietness. They both moved around to stand in front of the casket. They stared at it for a moment and Abby pushed herself with confidence to reach out.
Lucy is eying with suspicion yet curious. When Abby nearly touches the lid of the coffin.
Suddenly, it opens by itself and all the candles flare up dangerously high. Two Bennett witches staggered back in astonished gasps. Magic energy shot out toward them and they fell motionless onto the ground, unconscious.