Oh look! I'm not ded. And surprise! I've got another chapter. This scene is very nearly what the entire story was based on. I have "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna stuck in my head (like a year ago now) and klaus and julia were dancing to it and I've been working on this chapter trying to get it right and it's still not perfect but none of my writing is so here ya go. Go forth and read. And thank you for all of you who are reviewing, following and favoriting. It means a lot.
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In the following weeks, we all find ourselves busy in the art of diplomacy. Humans, vampires, werewolves and witches sending their leaders to speak and come to a new agreement.
It is Elijah who drafts a treaty.
Klaus signs it for his family. Thierry signs it on behalf of the vampires who have come under him in Marcel's absence, much to Diego's dissatisfaction. Father Kieran represents the humans, despite Francesca Gurreas play for leadership. Jackson signs on behalf of the wolves. Genevieve has appointed herself leader of the witches and scrawls her signature on their behalf.
A tentative peace follows. But the rumblings are already stirring just beneath the surface. People are still uncertain of the future.
When word comes that Klaus and Elijah agree to allow the witches to keep their Festival of Blessings, I make the decision that Jackson and I should both be in attendance to represent the wolves. Haley too, chooses to come, though I believe that has more to do with seeing Elijah then anything.
Haley manages to leave before Jackson and I. When we arrive, I shoo Jackson off to go mingle and to pay his respects. I turn down the hall to the top of the staircase that leads down into the ballroom. I catch the site of Elijah leading Haley onto the dance floor and smile. It pleases me that Elijah seems so much more relaxed in her presence.
I smooth down the bodice of my deep purple dress. It's more form fitting than I am used to wearing though the top is modest at first glance. The back is low and exposes a fair expanse of skin. The form fitting nature of the dress gives way at my knees and flares slightly as I start to head down the stairs.
The white gold bracelet on my left wrist falls slightly down my arm as I lift my hand to brush back a stray hair that's fallen from my updo. Although I've tried to stay with the times as the world continues along, something in me has never quite been able to completely let go of the steady grace and rigor of Victorian times.
I glance up and my eyes catch on Klaus as he looks up at me from below. He heads towards the bottom of the steps and holds out his hand to me as a song with the beat of a quick waltz begins to play through the air.
As I place my hand in his and he smiles at me I can't help but think back to every dance we've ever been partners for. Countless steps and events over the years and I still think back to that first time I walked down the stairs and made a statement to all who were watching.
Klaus sweeps me onto the floor to a half beat of the tempo.
And you got me like, oh. What you want from me? (What you want from me?) And I tried to buy your pretty heart, but the price too high
"I've missed this," he says quietly.
I cock my head to the side. "Dancing?"
He smiles. "Having you as a partner." He pauses briefly. "I always thought we were good together. You've always been able to match me. Step for step."
"Somehow I don't think you're talking about dancing."
He smirks. "Well that too. We've always been good at dancing. And dancing. And dancing in mental circles around all the little ants around us."
I can't help the laugh that bursts from me. "You're incorrigible."
"Ah but see. I think you like that about me. I seem to recall you liking lots of things."
"Oh, and baby I'm fist fighting with fire. Just to get close to you. Can we burn something, babe? And I run for miles just to get a taste"
I turn more serious and look him directly in the eyes. Searching for what, I don't know. "What are you doing?"
He matches my serious demeanor. "I'm remembering, Julia. Remembering all the good we did together. All the good you did for me. We ruled this city together. You and I. And I can't help but want it again. Not the city. But that partnership."
"Must be love on the brain yeah. And it keeps cursing my name (cursing my name). No matter what I do, I'm no good without you. And I can't get enough. Must be love on the brain."
His steps quicken to match the tempo and like he knew I would, I match him beat for beat. But it's my mind that is really whirling. I don't think I can do this. I want to. I miss him. I've been aching for him for so long. I spent years seeing him in Lana and wishing he was here and I can't tell him. This secret I carry will destroy him. I had no trouble revealing Rebekah and Marcel's betrayal. But this heaviness I carry? I don't trust that I can.
"Do you remember the last night we spent together?" He asks me.
"Of course I do," I reply while trying to keep my footing.
"I had been so horrible to you leading up to that day. About Marcel and Rebekah. And I said some things I didn't mean…"
"...Klaus," I interject.
But he doesn't heed me. "I did. But one thing that was true is you aren't my weakness. I have never once thought of you as my weakness because you are my strength. Which was the whole point you were trying to make to me at the time and I was cruel because I didn't want you to be right."
"I never blamed you. We hadn't made any promises or declarations…"
"You had every right to be mad at me. Every right to be hurt. And I know I hurt you. But you never once tried to make me feel guilty. That last night you sat at that vanity like you did every night and brushed your hair. And your eyes met mine through the mirror and you smiled and continued on without a thought. And then you spoke. Do you remember what you said?"
I shake my head. Truthfully I've no idea. I can't remember every detail on what led up to the ending of that night. But I do clearly remember the ending.
"You said you thought it might be time to trim your hair because the ends were starting to fray."
I raise my eyebrow at him. "And why do you remember that?"
He looks at me earnestly. "Because it was the most simple thing in the world. In that room there was no politics, no family drama, no power plays, no strategy. Just us, preparing to go to sleep. And even though you had every single right to ignore me or to not be there, you simply were. And you simply stated the completely innocuous thought that came to mind. Just shared it with me for no other reason than it just being the natural thing to do."
I swallow. "And why would that matter?"
He spins me out and then in again, holding me close. "You know why, Love."
"Must be love on the brain. That's got me feeling this way (feeling this way). It beats me black and blue but it fucks me so good. And I can't get enough"
We spin across the floor and dip low before seamlessly shifting again. It's a forward moving progression. Inevitable as always. And of course I can't help but remember that night. The last night we spent together before we lost everything. Because he's right. I think I do know why.
~~~
I finish brushing my hair and climb into the bed. I lean over and kiss Klaus briefly. My small thank you for letting Marcellus and Rebekah be together. My thank you for agreeing with the idea of using Lana's opera tickets as their first official outing. "Goodnight," I say.
I turn to lay down but he stops me. He gently runs his fingers through my hair and looks back into my eyes before lowering his head and kissing me softer than he ever has.
We take our time. It's both softer and more intense than any time we've been together in the last couple of years. So the next day, when he tells me there is something he wants to speak with me about when he returns from the opera, I'm almost sure what it is. But how could I be right? Why is it different now? What has changed?
That night left a piece of him with me that I would never forget. A piece of him that pushed me to make difficult decisions after destruction pulled us apart.
~~~
"Maybe I do know. But even if I'm right, I'm not sure this is the time or place to discuss it."
He nods grimly. "I should have brought it up then. I shouldn't have waited even a day. Look what that cost me."
I swallow. "More than you know."
"Must be love on the brain. And it keeps cursing my name (cursing my name). No matter what I do. I'm no good without you. And I can't get enough"
He looks at me curiously. "What don't I know?"
I shake my head. I can't stay here any longer for fear of saying something that can't be unsaid.
"I'm sorry Klaus," I whisper. And then I pull away and leave as quickly as I can without drawing attention to myself.
The must crescendos to the end and the last note punctuates my departure.
"Must be love on the brain"