A/N: This fic deals with abuse. the reader's thoughts are those of a person suffering long term abuse. If this will bother you, do not read.

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You weren't quite certain how you'd become friends with Klaus Mikaelson and his siblings. You'd been drawing in the quarter one day and he'd stood behind you to peek over your shoulder at your work. Then he'd sat beside you on the bench and started a conversation. Suddenly, it was as if he had always been part of your life. You met the others soon enough and they'd just accepted you into their world.

Currently you and Nik were sitting on the couch in his library sharing stories over a drink. Your gaze fell on the clock on the other side of the room and a fissure of fear shot through you. You stood in an instant. "I didn't realize it was so late. I have to go."

Nik frowned. "Just stay here. You know we have the room."

"I can't. I told Luke I was going to Cami's. He doesn't like it when I see you." You didn't think about the words before you said them. You were too panicked about what you'd be returning home to. Maybe Luke would be out with his friends and he'd never know how late you were.

"Who gives a shit what he likes, love. Get rid of him. You can move in here if you need to." His gaze ran over you and the concern there nearly brought you to your knees.

You looked away so you didn't have to meet his eye any longer. "It's not that easy." Luke already told you what would happen if you left. First, he'd kill you then he'd go after the little family you had left. He stopped short of threatening the Mikaelsons. He may not know about the supernatural, but there were enough rumors around town about what happened to those that crossed them.

You would find your way out. You were working on it. Part of you knew Nik would take care of it for you but that would mean telling him everything. Everything you'd let Luke do to you. Everything you'd kept quiet about for so long. And you just knew if you proved to be troublesome, they wouldn't want you around anymore.

They'd see how weak you really were and all the kindness they'd shown you would disappear. You weren't certain you could live with that. Plus you weren't sure Luke deserved to die just because he smacked you around a little. Most of the time you deserved it. He didn't ask for much, after all. You shook the thought from your head and moved toward the door.

As you passed Niklaus, he grasped your wrist to pull you to a stop. You yelped in pain as his grip found the bruises from the talk you'd had with Luke the day before. Nik instantly released you. "What's wrong?"

Tears came to your eyes and you shook your head. You backed away as he stood.

"Stop," he ordered.

You obeyed. After all, that's what you'd been trained to do.

Nik reached out and took your hand gently in his. Your breath caught as he slid your sleeve up to reveal the dark bruises ringing your wrist. He hissed in a breath. "What happened, love?"

You shook your head again, panic flooding you. They couldn't find out. He couldn't find out. You needed to get out of here. Needed to get home. "It was my fault. I'm a klutz is all. I need to go, Nik. I have to get home. Luke will be angry. I'm so late."

He didn't let go of your hand. "Did he do this?" His voice was low and tight.

You tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't release you. Wouldn't let you escape.

"Did he?" He yelled this time.

You turned your head in shame and the tears escaped your eyes to run down your cheeks. Gods, this wasn't how this was supposed to go. But wasn't that the story of your life. You jerked your hand again and this time he released you. "Please just let me go," you begged without looking at your friend.

"What's going on in here?" Elijah's voice caught your attention. You sucked in a breath and you chanced a glance at the doorway to find Kol and Rebekah there as well. Great. They could all witness your humiliation.

"Show them," Nik ordered.

When you hesitated, he closed the distance between you and pushed your sleeve up. He lifted your arm gently in spite of his obvious anger.

"What happened, darling?" Kol asked. "You can tell us."

A moment later found Rebekah by your side. She cupped your face in her hands and lifted your face to look you over. "Oh, sweetheart." She wiped your tears away. "There's no going back now. What's done is done. You might as well tell us the truth."

You nodded slightly and she stepped back so she no longer filled your vision and you could see the others. "Yes. It's from Luke."

Nik gripped the back of the sofa. "Why?"

"Why?" You weren't certain exactly what he was asking.

"Yes, love. Why. Why did he do it? Why didn't you tell us? Why?" The anger in his voice made you flinch though you were pretty sure it wasn't directed at you if he was still calling you love.

You shrugged. "I didn't ask permission before I went to the store. It's my fault. I know the rules."

"Rules?" You weren't certain you'd ever heard the tone in Elijah's voice before. His gaze was narrowed as he looked you over. "What kind of rules?"

"There aren't many. Get permission before I leave. Be home by nine. Do what he says. Most important, don't spend time with the Mikaelsons. I don't follow that one, obviously." You hadn't been willing to give up your only friends so you lied to Luke about where you were going and who you were seeing.

"Do you have any other injuries?" Elijah asked.

Nik jerked his head to the side to watch you. You wrapped your arms around your stomach and nodded once. "Fuck," he growled and his grip tightened on the sofa. He was going to have to replace it at the rate he was going.

Rebekah stepped forward and laid a hand on your arm. "Can I look?"

Again, you nodded. There was no point in hiding now.

She moved behind you and lifted your shirt so she could see your back. "Jesus," she hissed.

The men straightened and you sighed. "You can take the top off. I'm in a sports bra." You might as well go all in.

Bekah carefully lifted the top up and over your head. You closed your eyes and fought the desire to wrap your arms back around you. To hide the smattering of bruises you knew they were seeing. They were all quiet. So quiet. Rebekah turned you carefully so they could see your back where Luke had kicked you the night before. His heavy boots had obviously left dark bruises. Not a sound drifted to you and you wondered briefly if they'd left.

Then warmth and the rich scent of Nik enveloped you as a shirt slipped over your head. You slid your arms into it and turned to face him. He was bare chested having literally given you the shirt off his back. Tears flooded his eyes, one escaping to slide down his cheek. "Why didn't you tell me? You have to know I won't let this go unpunished."

You cupped his cheek and used your thumb to wipe away the tear. "That's why I didn't tell you. You can't do anything to him, Nik."

He jerked away to stalk across the room. "You can't be serious. You would protect him even after this." He gestured angrily in your direction as he yelled.

"He said he'd kill me and my family. But even if—"

"He won't have the chance, love," he cut you off.

"You can't kill him," you said with a sigh.

When he looked ready to yell again, Elijah held up a hand to stop him. "Why do you insist we not harm him?"

"He's the mayor's son. He's not someone who can just disappear," you explained.

"So, you have endured this to protect us?" Elijah's voice was quiet, hurt.

You shrugged again. "The only way out without getting killed was to tell you. But I knew what would happen if I did. And I couldn't let you get in trouble for me. It's fine. I'm used to it."

Nik yelled as he launched something across the room. It hit the far wall and shattered. You blinked as you looked between it and him. "I don't care who he is. I'll see him dead for this."

He grabbed something else to throw and you slid your arms around his middle without thinking about it much. He sighed and sat down the glass he'd been about to destroy. His arms found their way around you and he kissed the top of your head. "It's okay, Nik. He's not worth it. I'm not worth it."

He leaned back, grasping your arms to keep you close while he looked you over. "I want you to forget everything he's ever told you, love. You're worth everything. I would destroy cities for you." He pulled you back into his chest before you could respond.

You closed your eyes and nuzzled into his chest just enjoying being held by him. You'd examine his words later. Right now, you were simply reveling in the fact you felt truly safe for the first time in months. You opened your eyes to find Elijah and Rebekah watching the two of you with a smile.

You lifted your head. "Where's Kol?"

He was the most unpredictable of the siblings and the most likely to go off half-cocked.

Elijah slid his hands into his pockets and rocked on his feet. "I believe he went to compel your boyfriend to drive his car off a cliff. I do apologize for your loss."

You blinked at him. You should have known they'd find a way to be rid of him that would keep the suspicion off them.

"He could have waited for me," Nik grumbled as he pulled you closer, still being careful of your bruises.

Elijah's eyes shifted between the two of you. "You are needed here, Niklaus. Kol can handle it."

Rebekah smiled at you though her eyes were sad. "We'll collect your things tomorrow."

"Don't you think I should at least wait until he's buried to move out of his house?" you asked. There was a part of you that wondered what kind of person you were to not care at all that they were essentially murdering your boyfriend of over a year.

"No," was Nik's answer. "As of now you live here where I can keep an eye on you. And when they ask where you were, you tell them the truth. That he was an abusive asshole and you broke up with him." He was getting agitated again. Angry with a man who may already be dead.

"Okay, Nik. I'll stay here. If I let go are you going to stay calm?" you asked.

"Best not risk it," he answered with that cheeky grin he seemed to only give to you. He did turn the two of you so his arm was draped over your shoulders as you stood beside him. "If you two will excuse us for a moment."

His siblings nodded and stepped from the room, shutting the door behind them.

Nik steered you to sit on the couch and sat beside you, lacing his fingers together with yours. "If it's not abundantly clear by this point, I'm rather attached to you, love. You can stay here as long as you want. No strings. No rules. Just heal. And someday, when you're ready, maybe you'll let me show you how a man in love is supposed to treat his girl. And if not, that's okay, too. I'll still be your friend."

You looked him over, ignoring the butterflies that seemed to have taken up residence in your belly with his confession. "I'll stay on one condition."

"Anything."

"You let me steal your shirts whenever I want." You didn't mention you intended to steal the ones he'd already worn. His scent comforted you but you weren't willing to admit that to him just yet.

He smiled. "I think I can handle that."

He squeezed your hands and when he went to pull away, you stopped him and slid closer. You snuggled against his chest and smiled when he wrapped his arms around you with a sigh. "Thank you, Nik. Thank you for saving me."