[KLAUS]

war is sweet for those who never fought.

    JULIETTE DIDN'T KNOW HOW long she had been in the cellar. Days could've passed and she wouldn't have a clue. She had spent the majority of her time planning on how she was going to kill Elena, Stefan and Damon for this.

She was still in shock that they had the audacity to put her in a cellar, like an animal. No offence, Elijah.

How dare they?

How dare Elena?

After everything Juliette did for her. After Juliette sacrificed nearly every single thing in her life to help Elena out, and this is how she repaid her?

Juliette was seething. She was fuming.

Her back was aching.

She couldn't even feel her ass anymore and it was a feeling she didn't like.

Juliette sighed heavily as she slowly stood up, her legs trembled slightly as they threatened to buckle beneath her. She gripped the wall for support as she stood up fully, taking a moment to make sure she was stable.

She paced around the cellar, the only thing she could do in the moment, plotting how she was going to kill Elena. Now, Juliette loved her sister greatly, but this, this was crossing the line, locking her own sister in a cellar was definitely crossing the line.

So, Juliette was gladly plotting her death. Perfectly reasonable.

She was also only in her pyjamas and so she was freezing cold. If they were going to lock her in a cellar, the least they could do was give her a blanket or something.

Juliette's train of thought was interrupted when the cellar door opened, making her jump slightly as she glanced to see who it was.

Elena stepped into the cellar, a guilty look on her face as she spotted Juliette's furious look. She quietly shut the cellar door, before turning to face the blonde.

"You bitch-"

"Shh Juliette."

The blonde's eyes widened as pure rage filled her "Did you just tell me to shh?! Oh, I'm going to kill you!" Juliette yelled and was about to yell again before Elena quickly covered her mouth.

"Please," Elena begged.

Juliette's expression softened just a little bit before nodding. Elena returned the nod before removing her hands, turning to Elijah's desiccated body and kneeling down next to it.

Juliette raised her brow as she crossed her arms over her chest, wondering what Elena was doing.

Elena's trembling hand reached over to the dagger in his chest, "Elena, what are you doing?" Juliette whispered, stepping closer to the brunette as she fully took the dagger out of Elijah's chest.

Instant relief filled Juliette.

Elena slid down the wall and sat on the floor, the dagger still in her hands. Juliette knelt next to Elijah, slowly brushing his hair out of his face as his grey skin gained colour back.

"I need him on my side," Elena said, watching Juliette intently. "He's the only one who knows how to stop Klaus, We need him, Juliette."

The blonde scoffed, turning her back to her sister, not particularly wanting to look at her. "Of course, for your own gain. As usual," she muttered bitterly, hugging her knees to her chest.

Elena sighed, "Look, Juliette. You're only in here-" She started, but the blonde cut her off.

"Save it. I don't want to hear your shitty excuses."

✧✧✧✧

ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES LATER, Elijah's body jerked as he gasped, his eyes abruptly opening. Juliette and Elena immediately run to him, kneeling next to him as he panted.

"Elijah," Elena spoke.

Elijah's eyes widened as he stared at the brunette. "Katerina," he mumbled, his breathing erratic. Juliette took hold of his hand.

"Elijah, Elijah. It's Elena. Not Katherine." Juliette said softly, hoping to soothe him. "Elijah?"

He made eye contact with her, and for a moment, his expression softened as Juliette felt him squeeze her hand. "I can't-I can't breathe!" He gasps for air as he stands up, still gripping her hand, "What's happening to me.." his erratic gaze fell on Juliette.

"He's not invited in, Elena. Help get him out."

But Elijah didn't wait.

He slammed into the wall trying to escape, then blurred into vamp speed, racing to the door—but he hit the invisible barrier and recoiled, crouched low on the floor.

"What happened?" he rasped, confused and still struggling to breathe. His gaze flicked between the two, his gaze wild and erratic.

Elena gestured that Elijah needed to be quiet because of Damon and Stefan. "I'll tell you. Not here. Can I trust you?"

His eyes locked into hers. "Can I trust you?" He countered.

Slowly, Elena held out the dagger

He glanced at Juliette, then back to Elena before taking it, slipping it into his pocket.

Juliette stepped out of the house as Elena shut the Salvatore boarding house's door. Juliette shivered as the bitter cold hit her instantly, crossing her arms over her chest, only wearing a vest and shorts.

Elijah looked her up and down, raising a brow at her attire. "Don't ask me." She snapped, jerking her head towards Elena. "Ask her."

Elena rolled her eyes as she stepped out of the house, shutting the door with a click. "Oh my god— get over it, Juliette." She bit back.

Juliette let out a sharp, humourless laugh, the sound filled with pure rage. "Get over it?" She scoffed, her eyes flashing. "You locked me in the cellar!"

"I only did that because you're a liar!" Elena stepped forward, glaring at the blonde as she countered. Her arms crossed over her chest.

"I'm a liar? You're just a selfish bitch who only cares about herself!" Juliette screamed back, her hands clasped tightly shut as her knuckles turned white from the force.

As Juliette got angrier, the leaves around her began to stir, then swirl aggressively. The wind picked up in sharp gusts, hitting the sisters. The sky began to darken as rage filled her body.

Oh, she just wanted to hit that—

"Alright, alright, enough with the teenage drama." Elijah stepped in, shielding the blonde from Elena. "Juliette." He spoke, his voice soft and comforting, and he placed his hands on her shoulders, his thumbs slowly caressing her skin as if to will her to calm down.

Juliette made eye contact with him, her expression softened as she released a breath, his soft touch calming her down. The wind eased. The leaves fell to the floor. And the sky began to lighten, just as quickly as they darkened.

"You're still a bitch." Juliette looked past Elijah to glare at Elena.

"What did I just say?"

✧✧✧✧

     ELIJAH HAD KINDLY BOUGHT Juliette some food from the grill as she was starving, so she was in the backseat of Elena's car, shoving the food down her throat as Elena and Elijah talked.

"Where did you get the dagger?" Elijah questioned Elena, his voice low and serious as he made eye contact with Juliette in the wing mirror, a soft smile gracing his lips before turning serious again.

Elena sighed, "I'll tell you everything. But we have to work together, Elijah."  She said, her tone clipped. "I need your word."

Elijah's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face Elena fully, his expression unreadable. "Your ability to make demands has long passed," he said coolly, voice smooth but cutting.

Elena's jaw clenched as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. "No demands," she replied, her voice steady. "I'm offering you my help. And in return, I want yours."

In the backseat, Juliette slowed her chewing, eyes flicking between the two, watching carefully. Her brow raised at Elena's sheer nerve to ask Elijah for help after betraying him.

Elijah raised an eyebrow, his tone flat. "And why should I even consider this?"

Elena didn't flinch. "Because you haven't killed me yet."

That made him pause.

"You need my help to kill Klaus," she said quietly. "And I need you."

A beat of silence passed.

Elijah's gaze shifted to the rearview mirror, catching Juliette's eyes for a fraction of a second. Something flickered in his expression—too quick to place.

Just then, Elena's phone rang.

Juliette knew it was Stefan so she didn't really pay attention to the conversation, too busy staring at Elijah in the mirror, for someone whose suit is half burnt and daggered for weeks on end, he was still undeniably gorgeous.

Oh, how Juliette missed just his mere presence.

The weight on her shoulders felt like it had been lifted off the minute he was undaggered.

As if he could read her mind, Elijah made eye contact with her in the mirror, and he smiled at her as she blushed and looked away.

As Elena hung up, Elijah held his hand out for her phone, an expectant look on his face. The brunette sighed and placed her phone in his hand, proving that he can trust her.

"He is here," Juliette spoke up, leaning forward as she glanced at Elijah, his expression hardened.

"Klaus is here?" He repeated, almost as if he didn't hear her the first time.

Elena nodded, "He's taken over Alaric's body.

Elijah's expression didn't shift, but Juliette caught a flicker of something she couldn't make out. "Of course he has." He muttered, bitterly. "One of his favourite tricks."

Elena fully faced him in the car, "Well, what are his other tricks? What is he going to do next? You're the only one who knows him."

Elijah let out a deep breath. "Yes," He spoke quietly. "I do."

✧✧✧✧

SOMEHOW, THEY ENDED UP at the Lockwoods, Juliette got out of the car and the bitter wind hit her again, making her shiver. Elijah, who had noticed this, shrugged off his blazer, which was just a tad bit burnt and draped it over her shoulders, before rubbing her arms up and down.

Juliette smiled appreciatively as she stepped closer to him, seemingly forgetting that Elena was with them. But she couldn't make herself care, Elena had done enough damage already, Juliette was allowing herself to indulge in this, she didn't care what they thought anymore.

The three walked up to the Lockwoods' front door, the silence tense. Elijah's arms brushed against Juliette's as he knocked on the door, the mere touching sending a shiver down her spine but she ignored it, pulling the blazer around her tighter.

Carol opened the door, her eyes widened in shock. "Elijah, what are you doing here What happened?" She questioned, glancing at the Gilbert siblings before looking back at Elijah's attire.

Elijah stepped forward, his tone polite and flat. "I've had a bit of an incident, Carol. I'm hoping you could help."

Carol frowned, "Well, I'm on my way to a meeting, so I-"

The original caught her gaze, "It won't take but a minute of your time." He compelled, his voice smooth as her frown melted away into a smile.

"Of course. Anything you need." The major said warmly, stepping to the side to let the three in.

Once they were all in the foyer, Elijah turned to face Carol, his faux smile still gracing his lips. "Well, first things first. I'm going to need a change of clothing."

Carol looked him up and down, taking in his damaged suit. "Well, we can try one of my husband's suits." She suggested kindly, her smile warm and inviting. "I haven't boxed them up yet."

"Wonderful," Elijah replied with a polite smile as Carol went upstairs.

Elena watched as she disappeared before turning to Elijah. "How did you know she's not on vervain?" She questioned.

Elijah didn't look at her as he replied, his gaze on Juliette. "Because I'm the one who got her off it. Right before you and your friends killed me, not including Juliette. Twice." He paused as he walked over to the stairs. If you'll excuse me. I'll be down in a moment."

Juliette sighed as she tightened the blazer around her, glancing around at the fancy furniture that sat around her. Before looking back at Elena, who looked her up and down disdainfully. "What now?"

"Seriously?" She gestured to the blazer, her brow raised.

Oh, this girl is asking for a slap.

"What? It was cold considering I'm just in a vest and shirts," Juliette replied, sharply. "You know since you decided to lock me in a cellar, changing my clothes to something warmer wasn't an option."

Elena rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Can your crush for him be any more obvious?" she asked, her expression hardening.

Juliette let out a humourless laugh, unimpressed with Elena. "It could be. What, you think I'm going to keep hiding it?"

Elena blinked, thrown off by Juliette's honesty. A few weeks ago, she would have denied it but now she's... confessing to it?

Elena cleared her expression and straightened her posture, arms crossed tightly across her chest. "Wow. So that's it? You're just... forgetting who his brother is? His brother who's after me?"

The blonde scoffed, stepping closer to the brunette. "No. Obviously, I haven't forgotten about Klaus. But I'm not going to deprive myself anymore because of you. Not everything is about you."

Before Elena could answer, footsteps echoed on the stairs as Elijah walked down them, glancing between the sisters. He was now dressed in a black blazer with a white shirt underneath, the top few buttons left open.

"I hope you two aren't arguing again." He spoke calmly.

"Nope," Juliette replied flatly before rolling her eyes and walking into the luxurious living room, leaving Elena and Elijah by themselves.

Elena sighed heavily, glancing at Elijah before speaking. "She's mad at me." She muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Elijah raised a brow, stepping closer to the brunette. "Well, you did lock her in a cellar," He started, his voice low. "You deserve it." He finished, before brushing past her and walking into the living room.

✧✧✧✧

"SO I ASSUME THAT the Martin witches are no longer with us," Elijah spoke, pouring himself a cup of tea from the silver tray Carol had left before Elijah had compelled her to leave. He sat opposite Elena, as Juliette sat next to him.

He noticed she was in a foul mood, he glanced at her, raising a brow as if to ask 'Are you okay?' without actually speaking. The blonde's expression softened as she gave him a small nod.

Elena watched the interaction intently, her disdain very obvious. "No. I'm sorry." She replied, her eyes dropped to the tea tray on the coffee table.

Elijah nodded once. "And Katerina?" He asked, sipping his tea before placing it down on the table. "She would have been released from my compulsion when I died."

"Klaus took her. We think that she may be dead."

Elijah scoffed slightly, "I doubt that. Not Klaus' style." he looked away, jaw tight. "Death would be too easy for her after what she did."

Elena watched him, "I don't understand. You say that you want Klaus dead, but you still made Katherine pay for betraying him."

"I have my own reasons for wanting Katerina to pay." Elijah started, taking a sip of the tea again. "There was a time...I'd have done anything for Klaus." His voice dropped, as he glanced at Juliette, who already knew everything about the Mikealson family from the dreams.

The original then went on to tell the two sisters a story, one that revealed something massive to Elena.

Elijah took in her shocked expression, "Yes. Klaus is my brother."

Elena blinked, swallowing hard as her brows were furrowed, disbelief filling her. "I heard that. I'm still processing." She mumbled.

Elijah smirked faintly, "Yes, I'm a little behind on the times, but I believe the term you're searching for is "O.M.G." He replied, finishing his tea off before turning to Juliette. "Is that correct? Did I use that term right?"

Juliette grinned, a soft laugh leaving her lips as she nodded. "You did. Well done, I'm quite surprised." The blonde relaxed slightly, watching as Elijah chuckled as well.

"I learned from the best." He spoke, winking at her subtly before turning back to Elena.

Juliette immediately blushed as she looked away from the original, not daring to even look at Elena, who would not be happy with the interaction but Juliette didn't care anymore.

She was in love with Elijah Mikaelson. And she wasn't going to hide it anymore.

Elena locking her in the cellar proved that she just didn't care as much as Juliette did for her. So, Juliette was giving up, well, after Klaus is dead, she will give up helping Elena and the Salvatores, who are equally as selfish as Elena is.

Juliette had dedicated too much of her life to helping Elena.

And she never got anything in return for it.

So she was done.

She was going to live her own life how she wanted to.

Elijah continued to tell Elena stories from many centuries ago, and Juliette was only half paying attention, having already been told everything in their dreams. However, she did enjoy listening to Elijah speak, it was calming. Especially after not hearing it for weeks.

"There's a whole family of Originals?" Elena questioned, taking in all of the information. Her expression was filled with slight fear and curiosity.

The original nodded, filling another cup of tea, before handing it to Juliette, who grinned and took it willingly. "My father was a wealthy landowner in a village in Eastern Europe." He spoke as he poured himself a cup, before carefully setting the teapot on the tray. "Our mother bore seven children."

Elena nodded along, her brows furrowed. "So your parents were human?"

DUHHH ELENA.

"Our whole family was. Our origin as vampires is a very long story, Elena. Just know...We're the oldest vampires in the world. We are the Original family, and from us all vampires were created."

"Right, but Klaus is your brother. And you want him dead?" The brunette questioned.

Elijah stayed quiet for a moment, glancing at Juliette before speaking again. "I need some air. I'm still feeling a tad...dead." He said as he stood up, smoothing his blazer out.

He held out his hand for Juliette, helping her stand up. "Come."

✧✧✧✧

ELIJAH STILL HELD JULIETTE'S hand as the three walked outside the Lockwoods' property. His thumb gently caressed the back of her hand, his cold hands contrasting with Juliette's warm ones. "So as you've seen, nothing can kill an Original. Not Sun, not fire, not even a werewolf bite. Only the wood from one tree. A tree my family made sure burned."

Elena looked over, eyes narrowing. "That's where the white ash for the dagger comes from."

Elijah gave a single nod. "Yes. The witches won't allow anything truly immortal to walk the earth. Every creature needs to have a weakness in order to maintain the balance."

"So the Sun can't kill an Original." Juliette finally spoke, her hand gripping Elijah's tigher, almost like he was going to disappear again. "Why is Klaus so obsessed with breaking the Sun and Moon curse? It doesn't make sense."

A smile graced Elijah's lips as he glanced at the blonde, "Right. The curse of the sun and the moon." He chuckled slightly, still looking at Juliette.

"It's all so...biblical-sounding, don't you think?" He raised his brow at her, almost like he was saying 'This is so obvious.'

Juliette furrowed her brows, Elijah, in her dreams, had already told her that Klaus wanted to break the sun and moon curse, and he needed a doppelgänger to do so... and he also needed Juliette, but her relevance is unknown for now.

Elijah knew why she was needed, he just wouldn't tell her.

She didn't know why, maybe to protect her?

But she needed to know soon. Klaus was here. In Mystic Falls. She needed to know.

"What's so funny?"

Elijah explained another part of the story, a part Juliette didn't know. Klaus had drawn the Aztec sketches about the curse himself. Because the easiest way to find the doppelgänger is to have the two warring species looking for them.

Juliette thought for a moment, so if Klaus was the one to draw the Aztec himself.... then....

"It's fake," Juliette said, her brows still furrowed in disbelief and confusion.

Elijah beamed as he looked at her, squeezing her hand tighter. "Exactly. It doesn't exist." He replied, fully turning to Juliette and brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I knew you would get it, Juli." He praised before pulling her along as he continued to walk, leaving Elena in shock.

Elena's voice rang out after them. "What?!" She quickly caught up with them as they reached a fence.

The original leaned against the fence, "Klaus and I faked the sun and moon curse dating back over a thousand years."

"So it's for another curse?" Juliette asked, trying to make sense of everything. The blonde was also trying to think of what else Elijah had told her in her dreams, maybe he had already told her this.

"You are so smart." Elijah rubbed her back, before speaking again. "It's a curse placed on Klaus. He has been trying to break it for the last thousand years. And you two are his only hope."

Juliette raised her brow as she heard Elena's phone in Elijah's pocket vibrate. "What is this curse then?"

Elijah frowned as Elena's phone kept vibrating, he reached into his pocket, retrieved the phone and offered it to Elena Your phone will not stop its incessant buzzing. Answer it, please."

Juliette watched as panic filled Elena's face before she hung up. "Klaus went after Jenna. I have to go to her." She quickly spat out, panic flaring in her eyes

Elijah's expression darkened slightly as he stepped closer to her. "I'm afraid that wasn't part of today's arrangement."

"What? Is she okay?" Juliette instantly asked, fear filling her as Elena ignored her question.

Elena kept her gaze on Juliette, "She's my family, Elijah. I have to. I'll be back. You have my word." She said, her voice wavering slightly.

Elijah sighed heavily, holding her gaze. "That doesn't mean anything to me until you live up to it."

"I'll stay. Elijah, I'll stay with you. She will come back." Juliette stepped between the two, her gaze darting between them. "You'll come back, right Elena?"

Elena nodded repeatedly as Elijah's expression softened as he looked down at Juliette, who was almost pleading with him. She needed to know if Jenna was safe. Finally, he nodded, letting Elena go.

Elena breathed out a breath of relief. "Thank you. I'll call you Juliette when I know more."

The blonde nodded, her heart frantically beating against her chest. She just hoped Jenna was okay.

Once Elena had gone, Elijah turned to her, inching closer to her. "Jenna will be okay. Klaus won't try anything. He's just trying to scare everyone." He comforted, cupping the blonde's cheeks softly, his thumb softly caressing her skin.

Juliette sighed heavily and nodded, leaning into his touch, immediately feeling safe and comforted. Her expression softened as she met his gaze, feeling her erratic heartbeat slow down.

"I've missed you so much, Juli." The Original whispered, his soft and contained. A smile tugged at the side of his lips, his brows sat in a slight furrow as his other hand slowly landed on her hip. "So, so much. More than you know."

Juliette couldn't help the little giggle that escaped her lips as she grinned, a light blush gracing her cheeks. "I've missed you so much too. You don't understand how happy I am you're back."

Then, Juliette whacked the vampire's chest, Elijah groaned and looked at her in confusion. "Don't get daggered again." She threatened, pointing her finger at him with an eyebrow raised.

Elijah let out a laugh, a genuine laugh that made Juliette grin wider. It was a beautiful sound. The blonde watched the way his eyes crinkled and he placed a hand on his stomach as he laughed.

"Well, I'll try not to, just for you my beautiful, beautiful Juliette."

"Elijah?"

"Juliette?" He responded, pulling her closer to him, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Can I see something?" Juliette asked, needing to know this. She needed to know.

Elijah's brow furrowed in confusion, "Hm? What do you mean?" he pulled away slightly to fully look at her.

Juliette grabbed his arm gently from around her waist, slowly bunching up the blazer and then the shirt. Revealing the same infinity mark that was on Juliette's arms.

She rolled up her sleeves and put her arm next to his. Before glancing up at him, with a raised brow.

"Care to explain this?"

✧✧✧✧

HEYY GUYSSSS

I genuinely am so sorry it's been like 4 months since the last update, school is the problem. I had GCSE exams in May and July so I was studying every day all day and I did not have time to sit down and write, because when I did, I felt guilty that I was doing that when I could have been revising, so yeah,

I left school on June 16th and it's now July 3rd, I have no excuse except that I'm lazy. That's why I didn't update. School has really drained my motivation for writing and it sucks!!

But!! I am trying to get back into it, so please be patient. Thank you all so much for being so understanding and supportive!!!! It is appreciated and it does give me motivation to write!!!

Here's a longer chapter as a sorry, so sorry the paragraphs get smaller by the end, I was struggling tbh 😭😭

But at least it's here!!

Thank you for reading!!!

3/07/25