WARNINGS: MATURE CONTENT, REFERENCE TO VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND PTSD.

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Friday, January 2nd, 1920

NEW Year's Day was also Haitian Independence Day, which Hadeon and Adrienne wanted to celebrate alone, but decided to tell the Abattoir chiefs to make a big pot of Joumou, for all to share.

Malachai was overjoyed, he was eating more and more food each day, yet still yearned for his mother's breast. He was growing at a shocking rate and every step he took was getting stronger despite the stumbles or staggers, perhaps it was because he was turning one very soon or his genes were just adding to his changing appearance.

Plans for a birthday party were on hold despite Rebekah's constant persistence, she wanted to celebrate her nephew, even though he rarely wanted to be in her arms, a fact that confused and unnerved his parents. Even around Marcel, the poor baby screamed in his arms and it didn't make sense.

Efforts to convince Klaus to undagger Finn were a miss, and Adrienne wanted nothing but the most protection for her son and yet the thought of having his big brother out of his box nauseated the hybrid. Dissimilar to how he acted whenever he heard of the various massacres throughout the Western regions of the United States, which he knew couldn't be Mikael, no matter how much Adrienne disagreed.

Her paranoia was just as bad as Klaus' and that wasn't good for anyone.

─────── •✦• ───────

"You want what?" Hadeon tossed his head back out of boredom at Klaus' proposal.

Klaus stopped his nervous pacing, "Must I repeat myself Hadeon?"

"Well, when you say something foolish, yes," the witch gesticulated, slumping against the headboard of his bed.

"Is it so hard to believe that I'm trying, that I want to make things work with your sister?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Klaus immediately backtracked, "I know what I did, it was cruel, horrible, whatever you see when you look at me, I have to deal with that every day."

"And of course, you're making this about you," Hadeon's gaze hardened, pinning the hybrid in his stance, "it's always about you and your siblings and your mistakes, vows and whatever you've made up to make yourselves cope in your overextended lives. Are you not tired?"

"Well it hasn't been a picnic," Klaus sighed at the glare he received, "Hadeon... just listen."

Hadeon rapidly shook his head, "I trusted you with her after our father left, I trusted her with you and what did you do? Turn her into a shell of herself and there was only one person who could do that and you didn't hesitate to bring her up."

Deep down Hadeon knew how destructive he could be whenever he became angry but he took it out on himself. All the grief he felt daily, he used to punish himself, but Klaus was the opposite, everyone was a target, even his little half-sister. And if it could happen once, it could happen again.

Klaus silently brooded, waiting to hear whatever his brother-in-law was just itching to say.

"I know why I'm here, you want my blessing, did you think I would give it to you because you're being a slightly decent person? A present father?" Hadeon pressed.

"I wanted to prove that am I worthy of your sister," Klaus deeply sighed, "I know I'm not, but you should know I won't stop trying."

"Everyone knows, you're the most persistent person I've ever met," It's exhausting to be around you, that went without saying.

"I only came to you, not for your blessing, because I know I would never receive it again. I squandered my first chance," Klaus exclaimed, folding his arms.

Hadeon agreed, "You have."

"I just need to know that when you and my..." Klaus rolled his eyes at the reprimanding look he obtained, "Adriennne transition, we'll be more than just a family. "

"Don't remind me," Hadeon groaned.

Klaus began to grin, "We'll be unstoppable."

"Hecate help me."

"You need to know that I promise to never hurt your sister again," Klaus went on to say.

"I don't believe you."

"And I don't blame you."

"But what I need you to promise is to protect her, always and forever..." Hadeon started to laugh, earning a pronounced sigh from the hybrid, "I can't say it, it distresses me," the witch dramatically shivered. "Honestly, do whatever you want to whoever you want, but I'm too tired to think of a threat or a creative way to express my desire to avenge my sister if you think about hurting her again."

"Understood."

"And before I go to visit my mother, there's something else I guess you need to know," Hadeon awkwardly said.

Klaus titled his head, "Which is?"

"About that pretty doppelganger, you killed during your hybrid ritual and why you can't turn anyone."

Klaus' face fell, "Hadeon... what did you do?"

Hadeon patted the place next to him, "Sit down, I wouldn't want you to trip over your tail from excitement."

"Hadeon!"

─────── •✦• ───────

"He's been harbouring Doppelganger blood for years and you didn't know?"

Adrienne hushed Klaus when he entered the nursery, angry and rubbing at his neck.

"Everyone has secrets dear husband and watch your tone with me," she stoked Malachai's cheek from where he lay in his crib, exhausted from being up in the early mornings crawling and staggering around. "I just put our son down for his second nap of the day."

Klaus lowered his voice when he approached them, quickly checking over Malachai and his steady heartbeat, then turned to his wife with an angsty expression.

"Your brother also told me that the blood is the key to producing hybrids," which earned a glare from the witch.

"And what did you do?"

"Nothing, Hadeon snapped my neck before I could respond, he's over at your mother's now. I don't doubt for a second that they're mocking me," he angrily muttered, stepping away from the crip.

Adrienne agreed, "Yes probably."

"Adrienne..." Klaus trailed off, clenching and unclenching his fists.

His composure was working overtime.

"What? He told you, so be grateful, he could've kept to himself," Adrienne replied with a shrug, to which he made a face.

"You really didn't know?" he listened to her heartbeat when she shook her head, "Would you have said if you had this knowledge?"

"I'm not sure," No I wouldn't.

"Of course, you're not," he couldn't help but scoff and Adrienne raised a brow, "I understand why he kept this from me, I broke your heart. I hurt you." She glanced away as he continued. "But I could've been building an army, training them for years to protect our son. Not only that but for you, to protect you and to save selected wolves from the beastly curse inflicted upon our kind for centuries."

"You don't know that it'll work," Adrienne murmured.

"But you do, I can see it in your eyes, sweetheart," A smirk tugged at his lips as he spoke.

As of late, Klaus had been patient, very patient and perhaps even forgiving, which shocked many. He was giving Hadeon a pass, for Adrienne and Malachai, and because he didn't want to take on an angry Lumière, let alone two. He was determined to stand as a family, be a family, even if it cost his pride. It won't be long, just until Malachai is safe, he kept telling himself.

"Hadeon's transgressions aside, this will help Malachai," he reiterated, but Adrienne seemed unimpressed.

"Hmmm."

"What?"

"Be honest, you want this for you."

"Us," he restated, but his twitching eye gave it away.

"Be honest, yes I know you want our son to be shielded from everything, and so do I, but you want your hybrids, for you and that's okay to admit." Klaus said nothing, so Adrienne carried on, "I hear you at night Klaus. The nightmares, all of you have them. The walls may be thick, but your screams and pants are loud. You see the hybrids as your protection too right?"

Klaus did nothing but blink, suppressing his annoyance at his wife who could read him like a book.

"Even if you're right," which she is, "they'll be our army," he said, nearing her.

She squinted, "And how much blood does my brother have?"

"Enough for now, but if you can conjure up nightmares to torture and drive enemies to scratch their eyes until they're left in utter darkness, creating a duplication spell for blood wouldn't be hard, no?"

Adrienne huffed, "It wouldn't be hard."

"Good," he was thrilled, happy even, but he put that on pause, "No onto more pressing matters," he clasped his hands together and dragged his eyes to her necklace, "That ring around your neck."

"What about it?" she knew what was coming, the nervousness flashing across his face told her everything.

"Tonight, there won't be a council meeting, no, there will be something in its place, to monumentalize you and your bloodline; The Lumière's. There'll be an unveiling near the centre of the city of course and I was wondering if you could possibly wear the ring, not around your neck..." he started playing with his own, "Only if you wanted to."

Adrienne looked down and stared at the engraved ring that she only wore once and never again. Some days she forgot she had it on, that it existed but others she wished to tear it off and when she did she felt guilty, and awkward whenever it wasn't near. Malachai tended to play with it whenever she held him and when he wasn't distracted by her breasts. This fucking ring, she hated it so much, but felt almost compelled to put it on.

"This commemoration, what time is it?" she breathed out after a moment, stunning him.

"Five o'clock," he told, suppressing his excitement.

"In two hours."

"And it will last just before the full moon commences," he said with a slight edge to his friendly tone.

"And will you turn?" Adrienne regretted asking when he shifted uncomfortably, "Klaus, I'll wear the ring."

His face lit up like a child on Christmas day, "You will?"

"I will, for our son," Adrienne bobbed her head towards the crib.

Klaus' smile faltered slightly, "for our son?"

Adrienne stiffly nodded, "For our son."

Klaus' heart swelled and the feeling only grew when they returned to their son's crib and smiled down at him. Exchanging another look, he widely smiled and for the first time in a while, she sent one back, a genuine smile, because everything they ever did, was for their son.

─────── •✦• ───────

Five o'clock came quickly.

Now standing at the centre of town, amongst the chilling cold and frosty concrete were a few dozen guests, both of whom Adrienne recognised or was familiar with.

She stood close to her brother, Marcel and Rebekah, occasionally glancing at Klaus who was busy whispering with a few local construction workers as well as an anxious Franklin. Elijah was busy mingling with Clementine on his arm, and Valerie and Evania were busy monitoring the environment around them, on the lookout for any unfamiliar faces, despite the Mikaelson claiming they had men stuck around the perimeter. Kol was busy keeping an eye on Franklin for reasons relatively unknown.

"He said monumentalize? That's why we're standing in the centre of town?" Hadeon groaned, rubbing his hands together, trying to keep them warm.

"Be happy man," Marcel playfully shoved him, "I saw what he's planning, you'll love it."

"Will we?"

Adrienne tsk'd, "We're out in the cold in early January, I'm close to leaking and I haven't stopped wanting to pee since I left the house."

"How was Malachai before we left him with your mother?" Rebekah wondered aloud, exchanging a look with her partner.

"Happy," Adrienne's blunt answer, left her shifting.

"He seems so cranky recently," Marcel countered, earning odd looks from the siblings.

"Perhaps it's the two of you," Hadeon remarked, and their eyes grew comically large.

Rebekah gasped, "What?!"

"All loved up and in front of his face, it nauseates him," Hadeon quipped, making the original nervously laugh.

Adrienne cocked her head to the side and just eyed her.

"Yeah yeah," Marcel nervously waved him off, all whilst Hadeon played along, Well that was until Elijah motioned them over to the middle of the crowd.

Seeing his wife get closer, Klaus beamed, holding out his hand. She sheepishly accepted, slightly shivering when their wedding bands grazed, making his smile morph into a grin.

Soon all the Mikaelsons stood around her and her brother, almost in a protective stance.

"I'll make this quick my love so you can express yourself," he whispered against her ear, internally screaming after hearing her heartbeat skip.

"It's rude to eavesdrop," she quietly retorted.

"So I'm told."

He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"May I have everyone's attention please," he started, not letting go of Adrienne's hand, "You were all invited to attend the commemoration of a great family, a family that not long ago formed a union with mine," he squeezed Adrienne's hand. "You're all aware of the dangers this city has faced, therefore you must acknowledge the countless times that my wife, the legendary Witch Queen of New Orleans Adrienne..." he caught the excitement on her face when everyone began to cheer, " Adrienne Lumière and her fantastic brother, my brother-in-law, Voodoo Prince of the city, Hadeon Lumière. Together they fought tooth and nail for this city without a second thought. They've loved and lost a few along the way, but they never stopped."

Adrienne exchanged a fond look with her brother who winked back at her.

"As my wife loves to say, the blood of a Lumière runs thick and strong, and the courageous and formidable acts they've committed for all of us to stand here untouched should be recognised, engraved in this city's history, It's future," Adrienne turned to her husband as he now looked directly at her, "like their deeds will surpass legacy, no, they'll be much more than that, it's like they'll be...immortal."

The cheers continued, clapping and yelling so loud that they missed the wink he sent to Adrienne.

"They are magnificent, but be as that may, they could not do it alone. Their parents played a part before passing the torch and they did it swiftly, If I do say so," he quipped, feeling Adrienne's grip on his hand tighten as a warning.

"Brother," Elijah muttered, urging him to get on with it and so he did.

"And with the signatures, from witches in the various covens, not just the French Quarter, no, the Tremé, Algiers, even the Regent herself insisted that it is now time for the Lumiére's to be commemorated properly."

Everyone followed his gaze.

"Boys," Klaus whistled, signalling that they unveil and they they did.

Written on a street sign, a brand new one, was,

Lumiére Square.

A symbol of light dotted rested on top of the fourth letter perfectly.

The cheers grew louder as Adrienne and Hadeon blinked back their shock, taking in the street sign.

"Do you like it?" Klaus asked quietly, growing worried at the tears forming in her eyes, "Is that a yes?" he asked, wanting to wipe them away. Adrienne slowly nodded as a smile appeared on her face.

"I love it," she whispered, then turned to her brother who was equally as happy.

"Marcel was right, I love it," Hadeon added, rolling his eyes at the grin plastered across the father-son duo's face.

The siblings were carried away by the crowd, who greeted and congratulated them.

"You did well brother," Elijah praised the hybrid, who kept his eyes glued to his wife, wary of all the guests. Yes, he invited them, but he only trusted a few. "I see you've finally taken my advice."

Klaus said nothing and sent him a coy smirk.

Kol continued to stare at the street sign. He was oddly calm, despite being frustrated and agitated for months. He cast a few looks towards Franklin who gave him a bashful smile.

"Congratulations on the street sister," Rebekah approached Adrienne, motioning to the other townsfolk to leave them alone.

"Thank you... Rebekah, are you okay?" Adrienne could see the discomfort on her face.

"I'm just tired, hours at the infirmary are getting to me," Rebekah quickly replied, playing with her hands.

"Hasn't Genevive been around to help you?"

Rebekah almost tensed, "She has."

Adrienne swiped her tongue over her teeth, confused as to why she would lie. Genevive's dead and so is her sidekick, Clara, Valerie gave her this information a week ago and she felt the shift when they joined the ancestors.

"Then you should go home," Adrienne sweetly responded, "I'll make up an excuse to Ni... I mean Klaus."

Noting her slip up, Rebekah stiffened, "You've forgiven him."

"No, I haven't," Adrienne said, attempting to sound sure of herself.

"But you will," and with that Rebekah turned on heel and joined Marcel's side, whispering in his ear, before the couple hastily left without so much as a goodbye, confusing the witch.

"Love, it's time we should go," Klaus appeared beside her, laying a hand on her back, "The full moon is approaching."

Feeling how fidgety he was being, she nodded, "Thank you," her words made him turn to her, "for today."

Klaus gently picked up her hand, rubbing his thumb over her wedding ring.

"It's what you deserve. I once promised you peace, I'm ensuring you get it. Think of this as the first step," his eyes bored into hers.

Adrienne bit her cheek, feeling a flush kiss her skin.

So instead she nodded in response, not trusting her voice in that moment.

"Mr and Mrs Mikaelson," the local photographer rushed towards them, "how 'bout a picture for the paper? This is history like you said, why not capture it?"

And that's when Elijah and Hadeon made their way over, joining the couple's side and holding still for when the flash was set off.

─────── •✦• ───────

"I'll see you on Sunday," Adrienne said, holding the telephone to her ear.

Valerie made a face, "Shouldn't we of done part of the ritual today? Or at least attempted it with the full moon, our powers, yours especially will be at their peak."

"Trust me on this," Adrienne could hear snickering through the line.

"You have something else planned don't you?"

"You know I do, but until then, make sure everything's ready. No mistakes Val," everything had to be perfect.

"No mistakes."

After hearing the clicking sound, she set down the phone and made their way back to the nursery, where Marie stood, bouncing her bubbling son her her arms.

"How did you two get in without a sound?" Adrienne greeted them, laughing at the noises Malachai made.

"Mr Nobleman made me a key months ago," Marie responded, kissing all over the baby's face. Malachai soon reached for his mother, whining when she took more than a second to hold him. "Only ever used it today, didn't want to accidentally curse his brothers if I ever ran into them."

Adrienne chuckled, "Well Klaus is in the garden and Kol is with Elijah."

"Don't they got another?" Marie questioned, taking care of the dying flowers in the corner of the room, which were only bought the day before.

"They do. His name is Finn," Adrienne cooed at her baby, who rested his head against her chest.

"And where is he?"

"Daggered, for now," Adrienne quietly informed.

Marie raised an amused brow, "For now... You got something planned?"

"I always do," Adrienne gave her a sly look as she made her way over.

"You always do," Marie agreed, gently palming her cheek, basking in the warmth radiating from her. "I hear you've got a street named after you."

"And I hear you gave Hadeon the deed to your house."

"I did," Marie stiffly nodded, then withdrew something from her coat pocket, "I've been meaning to give you this."

Adrienne eyed the envelope in front of her, "Can't you say everything that's in this?"

"No," Marie said, taking a step back and handing a bracelet to the witch queen, "don't open it until I'm gone. Promise me." Adrienne took the bracelet that she could feel had a charm over it, "It's for my grandson, I know he's broken his magical seal, his powers are loud, they rattle harsher than a streetcar, and his little body shouldn't be exposed to it for too long. Nothing more than an hour a day. Adrienne, child listen to me," she hissed. "My time has almost reached its end, so make sure you do as I say."

Adrienne snapped her eyes shut, struggling to come to terms with everything.

It was up to Marie to place the bracelet around the tired boy, who just stared at it with a frown.

"Peche m yo se peche m yo," Marie mumbled, knowing that Adrienne could hear her, "Never forget that."

"I won't," Adrienne shakily whispered, "I won't forget."

─────── •✦• ───────

Walking past the conservatory, Adrienne's eyes are drawn to a framed painting sitting adjacent to the second entrance of the garden. Her gaze travelled over the new creation, the dedication of the strokes, the shading, the colour, all of it.

It was her.

Just like the painting she burnt over a year ago, he redid it, but somehow it looked and felt more like her, whether it was the golden crown resting on her head or the wicked smirk on her ruby lips shined because of the illuminating moonlight on the canvas.

Malachai babbled and tried sounding out mama, he was getting closer to saying the word and yet still laughed through it.

"It's Mama baby boy," she was cautious about letting him touch the painting, especially the red shades, knowing that Klaus had used blood as paint. "Careful, don't touch –"

Suddenly Malachai went silent, catching her off guard.

His eyes dragged over towards the nearest garden door, eyes would've flickered black if the charmed bracelet didn't rest on his chubby wrist.

Malachai could feel Klaus, he was near but he couldn't see him.

But both of them could hear the hybrid. Low growls came from behind the thick glass but nothing was seen, no, not yet.

Malachai bopped his head towards the sound, bouncing in his mother's hold with anticipation.

When they approached the door, Adrienne stilled, eyes zeroing in on the glowing crimson orbs that stared back at her. With every step the beast took, they could see more and more. The growls grew lower yet its height swelled. Its fur was black as night and its jaws as sharp as daggers, which radiated under the moonlight rays.

Malachai giggled as it approached the door, trampling over the recently grown black dahlias.

Adrienne couldn't help but grin, "Fenrir."

Another growl erupted from the wolf's mouth, almost like it was responding to her, so she waved her hand, hauling the door open, letting in the chilling air.

As her eyes flickered back to their original colour, the wolf's growls softened as it walked over to her and the baby, who babbled and attempted to reach for its fur.

Adrienne couldn't believe its size, it was taller than her, looming over her with its omnipotent presence.

How can something so malignant in nature seem seraphic?

"P..." Malachai tried to force out, earning a chuckle from his mother.

The wolf eventually crouched down, allowing the chubby yet strong grip of the baby to latch onto its fur.

"So beautiful," Adrienne murmured, eyes still large and astounded. "Wow."

Malachai tried to tug out of his mother's grip but she didn't let him, just in case, she kept telling herself.

She wanted this moment to last, it felt like mere seconds, but it was certainly more.

Adrienne pulled away her son, taking a few steps back after seeing the shift in the wolf's eyes, which flitted gold as it shook in its stance.

She waved her hand, shutting the door.

It was as if she blinked and the wolf disappeared.

Malachai's big eyes didn't look away when black morphed into pale and red turned blue.

Klaus appeared, bare and in awe of the changes to his body, hair ruffled and a smile forming on his quivering lips.

He looked up, staring into the eyes of his son who just blinked very slowly, reaching out to him, but he was slightly apprehensive, which Adrienne understood.

She still couldn't believe Klaus transitioned. She never insisted or pressed him on the matter but, thinking back to his previous words, only if I can give my mind, body and soul to someone, then they can see my true self, and that's what he did.

"You turned," she uttered.

He slowly, yet shakily rose from the ground and nodded, "I turned."

"Are you okay?" she asked, not letting her eyes drop below his face. She hadn't seen him nude in a year and a half.

"I am."

Even before his ritual, the thought of turning into a wolf brought Klaus physical pain. The memories of the first time he ever turned scarred him; waking up bare in his village screaming in blood, sweat and tears, and being pulled into a shaky embrace by Elijah was enough for him to never want to transition. Not only because of that, but discovering he wasn't his father's son and the suspected reason for Mikael's abuse was another.

"I'm fine..." he trailed off, coming closer to her, uncaring of his exposed state. He took pride in how flustered she seemed.

"P..." Malachai squealed, pressing a hand on his chest, extracting smiles from his parents.

"This bracelet," Klaus softly caught his son's hand, "it's strong, but I know you can feel the power emitting from him, I could and I was in another form," such a freeing form, "As soon as you turn sweetheart, perhaps a new and improved model."

"I was thinking of something he didn't have to wear, I've discussed it with Evania..." she remembered not only the time but that he was without clothes. "We should get you some clothes and put Malachai to bed, he's up later than he should be."

The little tribid eyes were fluttering shut, but he fought against it. He wanted to stay up, wanted to be around his parents, but sleep was so addicting.

Klaus had never felt this way before, between the full moon energising and vibrating his every nerve and the potent scent of the woman he loved, he struggled to act accordingly.

"Yes, let's put Malachai to bed, so we can discuss other matters."

─────── •✦• ───────

Klaus took his time getting changed, after bathing for what felt like a lifetime. He was trying to find the right thing to wear, conscious of the look Adrienne unintentionally gave him only moments ago. Catching the hands on the clock ticking away, it was almost eleven o'clock now. He could hear the soft lullaby deriving from the nursery as she nursed their son, oh her wonderful voice.

She looked happy at the unveiling, but she was simply delighted when he turned into the beastly figure, being hugged by thick black fur and adorning deep red eyes.

He skimmed his closest, eyes bouncing over the various shirts he would wear but he wasn't sure.

Muffled voices jumped through the house, Elijah and...Kol, made his eyes roll.

He wanted them out and more importantly, he needed Adrienne. His lust for was strong, but his love was far more passionate, earnest and true.

His inner wolf blared through his ears, take her, but he couldn't. She wasn't ready and she hadn't forgiven him. She's close, oh how he wanted to believe that.

He turned to the door when Adrienne exchanged a few words with his brothers that he assumed to be haste greetings, She was only being nice, but how nice did she have to be? Come quick sweetheart, please. He tried focusing on the overshirt he held and needed to put on before she came to his room.

Surprisingly Adrienne knocked at the door, instead of barging in.

"Come in," he called out, readjusting his attire when she pushed open the door stepped across the threshold and closed it behind her, much to his surprise. "Hello."

"Hi," she smiled, rolling her shoulders back, and his gaze dropped for a second, lips twitching at her nightwear. Adrienne took a step closer, still smiling at him.

"You're being nice," he commented, with an amused expression.

She neared him, "Can't I be nice?"

"Not to me, no," I don't deserve it.

She innocently shrugged, "Oh, then I'll be rude."

Klaus chuckled, making her remember how familiar that sound was, how nice it was to hear.

He gestured to his made bed, "Please sit, your feet must be numb, do they still swell?"

"Yes, all the time."

They'd been told by a few doctors who were compelled to forget they saw them that all swelling was the body's way of getting rid of excess hormones accumulated through pregnancy.

She senselessly made her way towards the foot of the bed, sitting down and sliding off her slippers. She blamed muscle memory even though there was a small part of her that liked being in this room, despite the bad times.

"Would you like a foot message? You used to love them after a long strenuous day at the Saints," he said, joining her.

"I can do without one," she responded, annoyed recalling the days he would pamper her without question.

He frowned, "Are you sure?"

She nodded, looking away.

For a few minutes, they just sat there in silence, she peeped around the round, whilst he stared at her.

"Evania said that, similar to her family's cloaking spells... there's a chance we could alter the spell and place one on Malachai," she explained, "It's tricky since he's living, breathing compared to places and locations. She said she's going to question her brother about it, he's not the leader of their coven but he has a lot of information."

"So our son will be cloaked? he'll cease to exist?"

"Not entirely, people wouldn't know where he is, they would think of him as a regular boy."

"He's anything but."

"His powers will keep growing dangerously fast, he'll have me and my witches, for as long as I have them —" she cleared her throat, hating the way it began clogged by various emotions. You'll outlive your coven, countless covens. "I can help him manage them."

He shifted closer, noting the distant look in her eyes, "Hadeon will be at our side, Malachai's side."

"He's his uncle, not his mother or father, he can't stay glued to my side of all eternity, he has a life to live, and so do we," she blurted, startling them both, "I meant – so do I, and Malachai and you."

Klaus began to smirk, "Yes we do, We have a life to live."

"Lives," she emphasised, but he didn't care.

"With you schooling our son, teaching him your witchy ways," he dramatically gesticulated, "I do not doubt that he will grow to be a great witch," Marie's words clung to him.

"And wolf," she added, smiling slightly.

"And vampire," he teased.

She hummed, "And vampire."

They exchanged another smile without meaning to.

"You know, your eyes, ever since the pregancy, they've changed," he paused, "many things have changed, you're brighter almost, and yet your magic makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand."

Adrienne didn't know what to say and her silence made him question if he said the wrong thing.

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't say anything wrong."

"That's not what I'm referencing," he replied.

Suddenly dread settled in the air, which she hated, it was a feeling she couldn't get rid of once it arrived.

"Don't... not now."

"Why?" he asked softly, not wanting to come across as persistent, for once.

"I don't want to speak about the past, not now," Adrienne murmured, turning to face him, "Please."

Klaus swallowed the knot in his throat, then nodded.

"Thank you," she shifted closer, causing a shiver to go down his spine, "So, what else about me has changed Niklaus?"

Niklaus...for months, years almost two, she'd been calling him Klaus, the sudden change nearly made him jump.

His eyes never left her face, no matter how much he wanted them to wonder, but only if he got permission.

Adrienne dared to lean closer, cocking her head to the side, "Tell me."

With every shift, her nightgown inched up, revealing her calves or it sometimes tugged downwards showcasing her enlarged bust.

"I want to know," she whispered, giving him a nod so he could move his penetrating gaze, and finally he did.

His eyes tentatively dropped, darkening as they moved over every curve, every crevice, touching features his hands weren't allowed to.

"Everything," he uttered quietly, becoming more entranced with her.

"Come on, I know you can be more specific, use those big words you use to string together every other sentence," she egged him on, silently gulping at the lust rising in his pools of blue. At first, it intimidated her, and then she was reminded of a simpler time, when they conceived Malachai during their first full moon together, "Tell me."

"Your skin, in the beginning, I thought it was so smooth, silkier than the finest silks I'd ever bought, but now, it's like you the sun has rained its rays down on you, ensuring your glow never fades away," he drew closer, feeling the heat radiating off of her, wanting to reach out and touch, and when his hand grazed hers she shuddered with anticipation. "And your hair," he made sure not to touch, "It's thicker, that every time you walk by I'm left with the sapid scent of the oils you dose it with."

Adrienne forced herself to not get lost in his words, but his wondering hands pulled her attention.

"When I meant everything about you had changed, you were already a beautiful, enriching enigma, but you so much more now, in every way. Your scent, oh Adrienne, you have no idea the restraint I have whenever you're near," he inhaled deeply, "And I bet you taste even more delectable than before, in fact, I have no doubt you do," his voice deepened. "How you conspire, how you thrive off of getting revenge, before my eyes I just ... it's so riveting, envigorating, the bloodlust pours off of you and I can't wait to just —"

Before he could lean, he was alerted by the sound of smashing objects coming from downstairs.

His brows furrowed, "What was that?"

"Your brothers no doubt," Adrienne rushed out, palming his face, taking in the little vibrations coming from him. Her touch brought him back, drawing a small growl, "They were arguing the last time I spoke to them."

"About what?"

She laughed, "Do you care?"

Adrienne leaned, nose nudging his briefly, sending composure to hell.

Suppressing another groan, Klaus quietly asked, "Can I kiss you?"

─────── •✦• ───────

Finn Mikaelson's chest rose and fell rapidly, his panting was deafening as were his cries. He sat in the middle of the basement floor dazed, frustrated, and hurt by all and everything around him.

He didn't understand it. He was terrified, he wasn't sure if he was even awake. He gained consciousness after being trapped in that coffin for, well he didn't know how long. All he knew was his brothers, Kol and Elijah stood around him equally as dishevelled but in foreign garms and haircuts from what he was used to.

The blood that coated his tongue disgusted him, despite the strength it gave him for one second to have an advantage of them, startling the pair with his rage. That one second felt euphoric, but the high toppled down so quickly.

The brothers fought, beat and bled around the corners of the box that he knew to be his prison and unfortunately his home.

Finn trembled, not even his long and matted hair could hide his terror.

"What year is it?" he finally asked as Elijah took a step towards him, withdrawing a handkerchief, to offer to his brother, but the sudden movement had him flinching.

"Brother perhaps you clean yourself up," The nobleman tried again, but he shakily shook his head.

Finn repeated, "What year is it?"

Kol informed, grinning madly, "We should tell him Elijah."

Finn's fear was subdued, and anger filled its place again because of his youngest brother's amused tone.

"Kol," Elijah hissed.

"What year is it?" Finn yelled, jumping on his feet.

Elijah sighed, feeling somewhat ashamed to even tell his older brother the truth, which made Kol do so.

"It's nineteen-twenty Finn," he paused, seeing him bare his teeth, "Welcome to the new age brother."

─────── •✦• ───────

"I don't want to lose this," Klaus mumbled against Adrienne's lips, "I don't want to lose us again," he let out a shuddered moan when she tightened her legs around his waist, "I can't lose this again."

Most of her garments surrounded the bed that they laid in, but she remained covered, concealed in fear he wouldn't like her newly developed body regardless of all his compliments, and his praises.

Her self-consciousness was evident to him, but he was determined to not allow the beast within to ruin this moment. Each kiss that descended onto her skin was with care, his hands were tender, and although the lust in his eyes rose as he hovered over her, caressing her hips, he suppressed every urge to take her. He couldn't mess up, not like when his paranoia took control and harmed her without care.

How easily he once used her body for his needs and shrugged her off in every way.

"Niklaus," she let a whine slip from her lips.

His nose rubbed against her neck, but the moment he felt her tense under him, he hastily moved on, trailing kissing over her jawline.

Klaus had always been a very imaginative person, but this was something else entirely. One year, six months, thirteen days, he was left to his own devices, conjuring up memories of her touch, moans, the way she once craved him, needed him and no one else. Five hundred and sixty-one days without so much as a willing kiss, a gentle hold, passionate and loving sex and he missed it. He wanted it so much.

She shrieked when he grazed her breasts, halting him.

"Do you want to stop?" he pulled back, seeing the worry in her eyes.

Adrienne shifted, glancing at her chest, "No, it's just... the milk."

Klaus snorted, "And you'd think I care if you leak?" he wondered what she'd taste like.

"No, because you're a perverted man," she sassed as his gaze dropped.

"Well, I can see why my son's so obsessed with them, he must get that from me," he mused, smirking wildly.

"Just shut up."

And with that, her lips met his.

─────── •✦• ───────

"Don't you dare, you stand and call me your brother when you kept me locked in that box with a dagger in my chest for almost nine centuries? Alone and demented whilst you all lived your lives, beside each other, witnessing time changing without giving me so much as a second thought. Now you demand my help and for what? So you can use and abuse me just because it comes easy to you."

"Brother... Finn, I understand your reluctance, because of your fear, your trepidation," Finn's face twisted up at Elijah's response, "but you cannot let it divide us more."

Finn jabbed his finger in his direction, "You do not know me or understand me, none of you do."

Kol scoffed, "Oh please, we've all been daggered."

Elijah cast him a disappointed look, "Kol."

"Elijah, don't act like you know all because not once have met the full extent of Niklaus' rage," Kol said, earning a humourless chuckle.

"Your acts earned every dagger you received Nikolai," Elijah retorted, "But that does not mean I wanted you locked away. It was in our best interests to protect you from doing your worst."

"Your best interest Elijah, you and Niklaus, and you might've not daggered me directly, but you had your part to play."

Finn scoffed, "Unlike me, those hunters incapacitated me and yet not one of you bothered to save me from centuries worth of torment."

"Finn –" Elijah tried.

Finn yelled, "No, where is the beast himself and his favourite sibling? Surely he would never have allowed this!"

"Rebekah is off with our surrogate nephew who is also her lover if you must know," Kol informed, absentmindedly.

Finn looked bewildered, "Our what?"

"And our beastly brother is being distracted by none other than our sister-in-law, his wife," Kol added.

"His what?" Finn's head pounded, and he winced at all the sudden information.

Noting his disorientation, Elijah took a step forward, "Brother –"

"Do not call me that. Why did you wake me now, I want the real cause. You cannot demand that I must help, that you need me when that's the furthest from the truth and, for eight-hundred and twenty years you lived on, thriving while I was cast aside, so tell me what is the reason?" Finn demanded, blinking rapidly needing to see through the blue dots obstructing his view.

"Not because we wanted to," Kol murmured, much to their displeasure.

Elijah hushed him, "Kol be quiet," he then turned back to his older brother, "Our talented and savvy sister-in-law believed it was best and wise to get as many people on our side."

"Niklaus is married, surely the woman who vowed to remain by his side is a fool," Finn didn't care for their objection, nor did he for the irritation written across their faces. "And therefore she is too far gone to be saved."

"It is not her that needs our help, she's a powerful witch who doesn't need help solely from the likes of you," Kol shrugged off their glares. "There's another in aid."

"There is a child," Elijah paused, wary of his older brother's muddled mind, "A baby, an innocent baby."

Finn didn't understand, "A what?"

"Our nephew," Elijah reiterated, nearing the shaken original.

Finn's eyes darted between his brothers, "The one that Rebekah..."

"No, not him for god's sake," Kol looked disgusted by the thought, "Although, Niklaus claims him as his son."

Elijah further informed, "Our nephew, who was born from our sister-in-law and is biologically fathered by Niklaus."

Finn's head shook, it hurt him, everything did. Although the lights around him weren't bright, it was all so confusing as were the words spilling from their lips. Nothing made sense especially not that he had a sister-in-law, another witch in the family, a biological and nonbiological nephew. No, It can't be, It's impossible. So when his mouth opened, he could only muster out one thing.

"What?!"

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

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a/n:

been planning finn's return since the first act. couldn't have this book without all the mikaelsons right? underrated mikaelson in my opinion, the man just didn't like being a vampire and i hear that. can't wait to showcase his interaction with adrienne and his nephew. klaus will be pissed of course, more than that but oh well.

adrienne said, "we need the baddest heffers on the team!"

i always wanted to write klaus as a wolf in this book, even if it was for a second or a scene, plus having adrienne and malachai see him like this and no one else just references the chapter "meeting of the four" where he insists he wouldn't turn unless he was ready to give himself over to adrienne, in mind, body and soul. of course, adrienne had his heart and mind to an extent, but not him completely. you guys happy with that? i know klaus can turn at will, but i decided to pick the full moon to fully show his wolf nature.

regarding klaus and adriennne... they're not back together. at this moment in time, they're still married, she's wearing her ring but he's not forgiven, so this moment was purely a distraction and a moment of weakness. how do you think he'll react to this?

i tried to make the transition of adrienne's feelings towards klaus gradual especially after his horrific display in act 2, so even though, i hold a lot of distain towards him for his behaviour she's warming up to the point she's even allowing herself to hold hands and kiss him even if it is partially an act.