what was i made for & skinny love heavily inspired this chap k thanks bye

trigger warning for depressive episode and panic attack

"you already killed my niece; can you just be a nice person for two seconds?"

—

EDEN'S flat was empty when she returned, and for the first time she didn't mind the quiet.

Jenna was with Elena and Jeremy at the Gilbert home, Alaric too. She suspected Damon was with Rose, Stefan probably helping Bonnie before returning back to Elena.

Elijah and Klaus were...

Eden didn't know.

It had been five hours since the ritual, early into the morning, and Eden hadn't texted Elijah, but he hadn't texted her either. Their relationship was at a weird place now, especially with her acceptance of her bond with Klaus.

She hoped they'd survive it, but she didn't know if she was strong enough to take any more pain.

Eden collapsed onto her sofa, cuddling against a pillow. Maison Francis. She breathed it in, closing her eyes as the calmness soothed her worries. It smelled like Elijah.

She thought of his arms around her, a movie in the background. His gentle hands in her hair, his soft words in her ear. Tears filled her gaze. He'd teased her at first when she asked for extra pillows on their first date, but then he'd been the one to lean against them most often.

He claimed they were useful only in sub-par decorating skills, but she knew he enjoyed the extra comfort. It was something minute that she loved deeply about Elijah. He was poised and proper and diligent, but he secretly adored the homey, cozy atmosphere her home provided.

It was stable and loving and gentle. It was everything he made her feel by simply existing, and everything he'd never felt until her.

She wiped her face, trying to push the thoughts away. She wanted to fix them, fix their relationship, but Klaus loomed over it like a dark storm. She didn't know how to have an actual conversation with Klaus, let alone decide whether or not she wanted to be with him.

Especially not after the ritual.

Eden's eyes were finally closing when a knock sounded at the door. Grumbling to herself, she slowly stood up, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders. She knew it wasn't Elijah, he'd have called her first — a habit he'd picked up in sheer politeness — or Jenna, who pressed Eden to get sleep.

Her thoughts drifted to Harry and Ginny, and she wondered if the latter was still in labor. She hoped everything was going smoothly and vowed to go and see them in the morning. She hadn't received any panicked voicemails from Harry, so either Ginny was still in labor or he'd passed out.

(Or Draco had silenced him, which was entirely possible.)

Eden opened the door and took a shocked step back, eyes widening.

"Damon."

Damon looked sad, hollow. A permeating displeasure that reeked off of him when they first became friends. The familiar twinge of pity tugged at her heart, but she pushed it back, remembering the basement and the fear she now associated with the Salvatore name.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, pulling the blanket tighter around her. Her wand was on the table just a few feet away. He hadn't been invited in. She was safe.

"Hey, Paradise," Damon smiled sadly. "I'm...I don't even know what to say, really."

"How about nothing and you just leave?" Eden asked, eyes filling with tears. She blinked them back, cursing herself inwardly for her emotions betraying her. She hated the way the nickname made her want to cry. She hated the power he had over her; the trust she'd given him, the love she had for him.

Damon nodded. "Yeah, that's...I deserve that." He let out a breath. "I've been a real dick to you, Eden."

"I hadn't noticed," Eden snapped, scowling up at him. "Let's not reminisce on memory lane, okay? Just leave."

"I'm sorry," Damon added quickly. "For everything, but especially for that night. I...I do stupid shit when I'm scared. I know that. And it's unforgiveable, I'm not asking for forgiveness, I'm not. I just..." He teared up and looked away from her. "I'm so sorry for what I did to you and what I've said to you. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me and if I could take it all back, I would."

Edenn blinked back tears. "What am I supposed to say to that, Damon? It's okay? It's not. You destroyed our friendship. Set me back so far in my own stability. Ruined any chances of me ever trusting you again. And, for what?"

Damon didn't reply for a minute, closing his eyes and shaking his head before he looked at her again. "I've never had someone care about me like you, Eden. And I...got in my head with the Elijah thing. I was so fucking scared that you'd just get manipulated and hurt me so I...hurt you first. It's not an excuse, but it's all I got."

Eden observed him for a moment, softening a fraction. "Why now?" She asked quietly. "Why are you here now?"

"A dead man making amends," he smiled softly. "Hurting you is my biggest regret, Eden."

Damon's words hit Eden like a freight truck and she stumbled back, grip on her blanket loosening.

"What?" She asked tearfully. "What do you...what do you mean?"

"Klaus was going to use Caroline and Tyler for his ritual, I saved both," Damon explained, his voice resigned. "Tyler bit me."

"Let me help you," Eden said immediately, dropping the blanket and taking a step towards him. He took a step back, shaking his head. "No, Damon, you need help. I can call Draco and—and—"

"—I deserve this, Eden," he smiled sadly. "Just know that I think you're the strongest person I've ever met, and I have lived a long fucking time. And being your friend is the greatest honor I've ever had."

Eden shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "No, Damon, d-don't just give, that's not — that's — but I — I'm not — you can't just—"

"—See you in the next life, Paradise." He cut her off gently. "Maybe I won't fuck it up as bad."

And then he was gone.

Trembling, Eden fell to her knees, watching the spot outside the door, tears pouring down her cheeks as sobs overtook her body. She may never have forgiven Damon for what he'd done to her, but that didn't mean she wanted him dead.

Her words echoed in her mind from the first time she saw him after that night.

"I wish we could kill you."

Another sob tore through her chest, and she fell forward, curling up into the blanket. She wanted to eat the words, take them all back. She should know, better than anyone, not to hate someone. To forgive and understand and forget.

Because everyone always leaves her.

Damon, her first true friend in Mystic Falls. The first person to make her truly laugh since Fred, the first person to listen to her nightmares without judgement and hold her hair back in a hangover. He was so important to her, even now.

Even after everything that was said and done, he was Damon.

Damon, who protected her fiercely and always had her best interests at heart. Damon, who never once tried to rush her healing process — though his poor actions definitely hindered it — and sat with her during her memory loss.

And now he was going to die.

He was going to join everyone else who'd ever left her. He wouldn't accept help or treatment and he would suffer the consequences of his actions, but he didn't deserve this.

Did he?

If Klaus didn't deserve to die for killing Elena, surely Damon didn't deserve death for torturing Eden? She couldn't forget what he'd done to her and she wasn't sure when forgiveness would confront her, but she wasn't ready to lose him.

She cuddled the blanket on the floor, her thoughts on Damon and their friendship. Their silly little games and instant connection. The understanding they held of one another, a level she'd very scarcely encountered.

And that was how she fell asleep: heart-broken and devastated, as though nothing had ever changed at all.

—

Time passed slowly for Eden. She found herself retreating further into the recesses of her mind. Before, she'd had Damon, Elijah, Harry, Draco, Elena...someone was always distracting her. There would always be someone there.

And now, Eden lied on the floor of the entryway, sniffling back her tears that had dried out her body. Her mind was sluggish, empty. She couldn't find the strength to get up and call someone. She couldn't find the strength to move.

That's the thing about strength.

Someone could hold up the world with it, harbor the weight on their shoulders. But once the pain began, it was hard to keep a steady grip. And when they let go...

Everything falls apart.

Eden watched a dust bunny tumble from the air conditioning, wisping and whirling next to her face. She was allergic to dust. She'd start sneezing soon.

She didn't care.

The door was still open; anyone could come in. If Dolohov found her today, he'd be able to waltz into her apartment.

She didn't care.

Eden wondered how Elijah and Klaus were doing. Were they together? She hoped they'd talked things over. Made a plan. She knew they'd come for her eventually, but she couldn't take them fighting over her. Destroying one another to have her.

She didn't want that.

She just wanted to lie here forever.

The wood was cold on her cheek, and she asked herself why she'd never lied on the floor before. She deserved it more than the bed. It was hard and cold and hollow. It's how she felt inside, without all the jokes and humor and smiles.

It's all she'd ever be.

Who was she kidding?

There was no journey, no way to be better.

Her best friend was having a fucking baby, and she couldn't even get off the floor. She'd let Elena die — and it didn't matter that she'd brought her back, she'd still died — and Eden would never live that down.

She'd always be the shit witch who let her niece die because of her weird bond with her brother's soulmate.

Everything in Eden's life was about other people.

Who even was Eden? What was her point? She'd only ever lived to protect and defend and help and guide and now that everyone in her life had...outgrown her, she served no purpose.

The world would be so much better without her in it.

She'd forgotten her medication, she realized, then.

Draco had helped her find the right kind when he first became a Healer, and while the anti-depressants made her anxiety worse, the anxiety medication stopped the panic attacks, but...

Without either in her system, her mind was as broken as it was always meant to be.

She'd always be broken.

What an idiot she was for believing otherwise.

Eden blinked slowly, wishing she could sleep again. It was nice to be asleep. She dreamt of Damon and his laugh.

She hadn't realized how much she'd missed Damon the past few weeks. It was something she pushed down, stuffed away, tucked into a corner of her mind. But it was still there.

Still as painful as the sound of her old wand snapping.

She hadn't even really mourned that wand yet.

Tears filled her eyes again, and they slipped out without her trying to stop them. She didn't have the energy to stop crying. Or keep crying. It felt like her body was living outside of her mind.

She was here on the floor, alone, crying, ruined. And her mind was reminiscing on everyone she'd fucked over the past few months.

Eden should have never come to Mystic Falls.

She wished she hadn't lived through the war.

Merlin, the war.

She wasn't prepared for May.

"Eden?"

Eden didn't look up at his voice, but she could tell by the familiar lilt that it was Elijah. Guilt and shame swelled her. For looking like this, being like this, after all he'd done for her. All he'd helped her overcome and she couldn't even stick with it.

Gods, she was so fucking worthless.

"Elskan," his hands were gentle — always so fucking gentle, she didn't deserve that, he needed to stop being so nice to her; he needed to belittle her, ruin her, she didn't deserve his kindness — as he pulled her head into his lap.

The sound of her door closing meant he'd shut it. He adjusted them, moving to settle against the closed door, her head in his lap. Elijah's fingers worked through her hair, across her forehead. Gentle, comforting. She didn't look at him, just kept her eyes down, looking at the floor. She wanted to disappear in it; wanted to disappear from him.

He pitied her now, surely. He'd never treat her the same. He'd treat her like Harry or Draco; always one step away from losing it. They'd never be the same after this.

She ruined them like she ruined everything else in her life.

Elijah didn't ask how she was doing, or what was wrong. She presumed he knew. At the very least, he could feel it.

Great.

Of fucking course.

Now she'd burden him with her depressive episodes, too. She hated them. She never used to have them. Or they weren't as bad before. Before Cedric, before Fred, before the war. Before her entire life went to shit and now, she was stuck in this stupid town with people who would just hate her, betray her, and die.

"Where's Klaus?" Eden asked lifelessly, not even realizing the thought crossed her mind until the words left her lips.

Elijah didn't tense in her touch, didn't flinch at the mention of his brother. She wondered if they'd truly resolve things.

Probably. They probably realized how much better off they were without her.

"He's packing his things, making calls for a nice vehicle," Elijah answered calmly.

Hurt flooded Eden. Of course he was leaving her too. Elijah would probably go with him. Everyone always left her.

"Oh," Eden replied faintly. "He's leaving?"

She wanted to ask it casually, nonchalantly. But it came out with a soft whimper and tears in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

"He is," Elijah confirmed. "He is hoping to make new hybrids; more creatures like him. First, he needs to find werewolves that he can turn."

Sadness filled Eden's heart. Poor Klaus. He had to create people to be even remotely like him. Eden remembered when she was eleven and sorted into Gryffindor. She finally felt like she belonged somewhere; that there were people just like her.

Eden couldn't imagine what it must have been like to spend a thousand lifetimes without ever understanding what it meant to belong.

"Good," Eden spoke softly. "He deserves that."

Elijah hummed. "You think so?"

Eden nodded. "He just wants to belong," she realized. Every action he'd made since entering Mystic Falls, and her life, was about belonging. About breaking a curse to be who he was destined to be. And in finding her, he'd hoped to create a relationship with her, build something with her, but she'd...

Gone and fucking ruined it.

"Family has always been important to Niklaus," Elijah surmised quietly. "He shows affection differently than others. Vampirism...enhances everything about a person. Niklaus has always been quick to anger. He's always had a tinge of paranoia and suspicion and when he became a vampire...it only made things worse."

Eden pressed a soft kiss to Elijah's palm as it cupped her face, gently guiding her eyes to his. She looked up at him, tearing up at the softness in his gaze. The understanding, the love.

Eden loved him so much.

"Niklaus is many things, Eden. And very few of those are virtuous." He took a breath. "But he loves more deeply than anyone I have ever known. He is more loyal than a thousand men. He will protect and defend what is important to him until his final breath." A sad smile crossed his face. "And I never knew anyone else could be capable of such qualities until I met you."

A frown pulled at Eden's lips, and she started to cry again but didn't know what to say. What could she say to him? Should she comfort him? Apologize? Should she promise to never pursue Klaus in any capacity?

She couldn't make those promises.

"I love you, Eden Sommers," he told her quietly, moving her head and helping her into a seated position. They looked at each other, a heavy weight lingering between them that encapsulated everything Eden wished she could say. "I love you more than I have loved anything in my entire life. I will love you until mankind evolves into stardust and our souls are imprinted in the galaxy with nothing, but memories stretched between them. I will love you every second of every day until there is nothing left of me."

He reached forward and cupped her face and she sniffled, leaning into his hand. "And I will follow you wherever you venture. I know...you are scared of your connection to my brother. And I understand your hesitance in pursuing him. I ask you not to consider me in your decision with him," his thumb stroked her cheek gently. "Because there is nothing in this world, not even my brother, that could tear me from you. I will not stand in the way of your happiness and his any longer. Please," he begged her, pulling her closer to him, "I can't stand the thought of you feeling anything but secure in our relationship."

He pressed a kiss to her head, meeting her gaze earnestly. Eden felt lost in his eyes; in the honest vulnerability he was offering to her. He, who was so closed and controlled, now showing her the depths of his soul in hopes she would offer the same.

This was more than a confession in her bedroom after his resurrection.

This was more than furniture or a home or a promise of her future.

This was everything he could offer her, everything he was terrified of offering to anyone. This was the bane of his existence, the fear he battled in hopes he'd never lose her. The reason he never told her of Klaus, the loss he'd faced all his life.

This was Elijah Mikaelson in his sincerest and most genuine form, offering himself to her with nothing in return.

"I want this, Eden," he continued quietly, tears filling his gaze. "I want you and I want to never lie to you again. I never want you to fear speaking to me or...coming to me in moments like this. I never, ever, want to lose you." A tear fell from his gaze and his jaw clenched, as though it would stop more from falling. "If you want to speak to Niklaus and understand the connection to him, and possibly, one day...seek more from it, I do not want you to think I will stand in your way. I am so deeply apologetic for lying to you before. I don't wish to start our love like that. Founded in a lie, betrothed to anger and rage. I want us to be free. You deserve to be free, Eden."

Eden's lip shook as he spoke, her eyes so blurred with tears that she couldn't properly see his face. "I love you," she said with a choked sob and then a small laugh when he wiped the tears away. "I love you, Elijah, you stupid eloquent bastard. How am I supposed to compete with words like that?"

A chuckle fell from his lips and Eden leaned forward, straddling him, his hands moving to her back, pulling her closer. She rested her head against his.

"I want you forever, too," she started quietly. "I want you in every breath for as long as I take them. I hate being alive most days, but I like when I'm alive with you." She pressed a kiss to his head. "I need to...fix myself and... it's hard to do that with so much shit getting in the way. I need to depend on you and know that I can fall back safely because in Mystic Falls, I don't—"

Her voice cracked, mind drifting to Damon. She didn't have a safe space anymore. Elijah pressed a soft kiss to her jaw.

"You will always have me, Eden," he promised softly.

Eden nodded, moving her hands to his hair and letting her fingers tangle in the waves. "I don't want Klaus to leave," she confessed tearfully. "I kind of hate that I feel that way, but I...need to understand him. And me. I think...I think it's a big part of healing myself. I think we're both similar in that respect and I...but I don't want you to go away."

"I won't," he replied immediately, stroking her back. "I will never abandon you."

"Promise me?"

"With every part of me, Eden Sommers, I swear to you I will never leave you alone." The finalization in his tone made her break into a tearful smile.

"Really?"

Elijah moved her face back gently. "Really, Elskan."

—

Eden followed Elijah into Alaric's apartment, nerves flooding her. He squeezed her hand, ensuring she felt comfortable, and she smiled at Klaus nervously — who watched her with mild suspicion, looking between her and Elijah and their intersected hands — and then it fell when she spotted Stefan.

"Stefan?" She asked in confusion. "What're you doing here?"

"Damon was bit," Stefan told her, glancing to Klaus. "Apparently there is a cure for werewolves."

Eden's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's great!" She grinned. "We can save Rose and Damon! Think of how many poor vampires this will help. Oh, Hermione'll have a field day with this — hang on, why're you all looking at me like that?"

"Klaus is the cure," Elijah answered her question. "His blood will cure a werewolf bite."

"Oh, magic," Eden sighed. "Of course that's the cost. Well," she pulled her hand from Elijah's and held her head up to meet Klaus' gaze. "I am asking you nicely because I am entering a new era of being a nice person to pretty, please cure my friends."

"I wasn't aware Harry Potter, and his friends were vampires in need of my assistance," Klaus sassed back, crossing his arms. "You'll have to do better than a pretty smile, darling. Stefan's offered a great deal."

"Stefan," Eden looked to Stefan's saddened gaze. "This is like a deal with the devil, you've got to be careful. He could literally rip your heart out for fun."

"Ah, but it's only fun if they don't enjoy it, Eden," Klaus responded with slightly narrowed eyes. "I see you and my brother have made up. Seeing as you weren't aware there was a cure for vampirism until Stefan brought it up, I'm assuming you're both here to taunt me."

"Niklaus, please," Elijah shook his head. "You're being petulant again."

Klaus' eyes narrowed on Elijah. "And you're the hero, like always. Coming to save the day." He looked to Stefan. "Familiar, isn't it?"

Stefan looked down at his words. Eden thought about how awkward this must be for Stefan and she hoped he could leave soon so he didn't have to endure this...whatever this was, indefinitely.

"Klaus, please," Eden spoke again. "Rose is my friend. And Damon..."

"Rose?" Klaus' jaw tightened and his eyes darkened. "Rosemarie, the little bloody wench that helped Katerina escape me?"

"Katherine tricked her," Eden argued, eyes widening. "She didn't know what Trevor was planning. And Elijah killed Trevor, so—"

"—Ah, so you've left me the true culprit," Klaus' eyes darted to Elijah and he smiled humorlessly. "Brilliant, thank you, brother. Perhaps we can rekindle our family after all."

"No," Eden stepped up, placing a hand on his chest. "Klaus, just stop. You already killed my niece; can you just be a nice person for two seconds."

Klaus looked down at her hand on his chest, breath catching. Her own hitched when he gently grasped her wrist, removing it from his body. "Don't touch me," he told her softly, meeting her eyes. "Do I make myself clear, Ástin mín?"

Eden didn't have an Icelandic dictionary to pull out and translate the words, but from his low tone, and Elijah's hitch of breath, she deduced it wasn't exactly kind.

"Y-yes," Eden nodded, pulling her hand back, suddenly feeling very small. "I just...Rose really has been kind to me. And Damon was..." She trailed off, unsure of how to truly describe her affections for Damon.

"The one who locked you in a basement and snapped your wand," Klaus recalled. "I remember. Not to worry, he'll die a slow, painful death and we can drink over his grave."

Eden shook her head, eyes filling with tears. "No, Klaus, please, he — it's...hard to explain. But you can't let him die."

"I can't?" Klaus smirked, glancing at everyone in the room. "Are you all under the impression that I will listen to anything any of you have to say?" He scoffed. "I am the hybrid now, I am immortal and cannot be killed." He met Eden's gaze again. "So, be a good little witch and run along to my brother. Spare us all the tears, no one wants to see them."

As Eden took a step away from him, something in her breaking at his words, she felt Elijah grab her hand and pull her to him. She sank against his warmth, his scent, his love, but her eyes remained on Klaus.

She'd been rejected before, but...never like that. So blatantly. So cruelly. And so soon after he'd confessed his own affections for her? Didn't he want to try and understand them, too? Didn't he plead for Elijah not to kill him to save Eden?

Unless he was only using their connection to serve himself. Disbelief filled her gaze as Stefan and Klaus spoke of the way to save Damon. She felt frozen, hand tightening on Elijah's. The cold, iron fury that filled her when Klaus handed Stefan a blood bag made her want to throw him against a wall.

Her hand tightened further.

Merlin, she hated him.

She was trying here. Trying to understand the connection, to understand whatever future they had or what being a Valinn even meant. But he'd tossed her aside like yesterday's news and forced someone that, despite not being very close, she did care about.

"Stop it," Eden snapped, drawing their attention again.

"Oh, what, has my kitten got claws?" Klaus asked, turning to her. "Quiet, Eden, we're busy."

"Shut up," Eden snapped, walking towards the pair. "Stefan, go home."

Stefan opened his mouth to plead, but Eden shot him a look and he nodded, speeding off. Klaus' nostrils flared and his smile fell, settling into a glare.

"Why've you done that, sweetheart, you're putting both of your friends into an early grave and —"

"—Shut up!" Eden shouted. "I'm so tired of your stupid, fucking voice. Shut up. Shut. Up. You're so irritating. You sit there and whine and pout about who the bloody hell knows what and then kill my family, break your curse, and are disappointed when I don't want you?" She scoffed. "Grow up, Klaus. You're not a child. You're throwing a tantrum, running around trying to control everything. I'm over it. Stop it. You're going to give me the blood for Rose and Damon, because, frankly, if you don't heal Rose, it's not me you'll have to worry about — Draco will rip you a new one for harming his patient and new pen pal — and you'll fix Damon because you owe me for killing Elena."

She shoved him back and was pleasantly surprised when he took a step back, letting her feel the strength of the conversation. They both knew he was stronger than her and that her shove didn't actually harm him, but it was oddly endearing that he let her have the win anyway.

"And honestly, if you don't actually try and have a civil conversation with me and your brother, I will spend every second of your immortal, bitter existence, making you so infuriated you will actually find a way to kill yourself. Do I make myself clear?"

The room was silent, except for Eden's breathing. Eden didn't glance at Elijah, but she could feel the swell of pride in her chest, he was proud of her.

Klaus surprised her again when his face broke into a genuine smile, dimples showing.

"I do so love it when you burn, darling," he told her. "Your fire is insatiable, and I wish you'd stop putting it out."

"...what?" Eden breathed out, looking between Klaus and Elijah in confusion.

Elijah seemed mildly amused, but otherwise unaffected by Klaus' words, and Klaus seemed to be impersonating the Cheshire Cat with his grin.

"Don't ever let me or anyone treat you like that, Eden," his smile fell. "You are worth so much more than that." He bit into his wrist and held a cup under his hand. "I'm letting Rose live as a favor to you." He met her gaze. "I did kill Elena, and this is payment in return. As for Damon," his gaze darkened. "I will never forgive what he did to you, Eden. My brother is far more patient and forgiving than I. If I see him again, I will rip his heart out. For now," he offered her the glass and let his wound heal. "I want Stefan to come with me. That's the deal."

"Why?" Eden asked in confusion. "Are you going to hurt him?"

Klaus shook his head. "You'll find out if you come along."

There was something in his tone, in his gaze. A shyness that she'd only seen once before on his face. It was endearing and confusing and entirely different from the rest of him.

"You want me to come with you?" Eden asked in a small voice.

Klaus shrugged. "If you'd like," he nodded, glancing to his brother, seeming a bit nervous. "Both of you. I wouldn't hate it."

"I call the music," Eden blurted.

Elijah's eyes widened and he shook his head. "Elskan, no." He looked to the hybrid. "Brother, please, do not let her control it. Her music taste is terrible."

"It's not," Eden shook her head furiously, giving Klaus pleading eyes. "I'll prove it, I promise. Please?"

Klaus looked down at her, lips turning up in the corners as he desperately fought back a smile. "If it annoys my brother, it's more than welcome." His smile fell a bit and he softened. "Go get Stefan, say your goodbyes. We leave tonight."

"I can still see my friends, right? It's just — Harry and Ginny had their baby and —"

"—Tomorrow then," Klaus cut her off gently, looking between her and Elijah. "I'll pick you both up in the morning?"

"Okay," Eden nodded. "Thank you."

Klaus looked as though he wanted to say something else, but he stopped himself. Eden placed the glass on the counter, pulling a vial out from her little fanny pack.

"See, this comes so in handy," she rambled to the brothers. "Stefan said it's stupid and Damon called it ridiculous, but it's got an extendable charm on it now, so, I have everything I need in here," she pulled out an empty vial and poured the blood into it. "I just know I'll drop the glass and it's much safer this way." She handed the vial to Elijah, who took it with an amused look.

Looking to Klaus, she wasn't sure how to part with him. A handshake was weird, a hug was weirder. He seemed to be in the same boat; the pair of them staring at one another and then around awkwardly.

"Oh, heaven's sake," Elijah mumbled. "This will be exhausting. Say goodbye, you two."

"Bye," Eden waved awkwardly and scurried off with Elijah.

It wasn't until she was long gone that Klaus allowed himself to smile.

—

ahhhhhhhh okkokokokok hopefullllllyyy you guys enjoyed this? ik eden kind of went 180 with the depression and then the anger and giggly-ness but honestly that's just how it works for me sooo writing from experience. hopefully you guys loved elijah's confession. the last one was the first time, but i feel like this is the most honest he's been with her and there on a very new path now. and then klaus and eden FINALLY had a normal conversation! bet y'all didn't see him being a cutie pie coming. klaus and elijah both want eden to be better but they're going about it veryyy differently and we'll see more of it. hope you guys liked byyeeeee!!