The Brothers That Care Forgot

Kintsugi, an ancient Japanese art form, holds profound meaning when applied to relationships. In the practice of kintsugi, broken pottery is mended using gold lacquer, emphasising the cracks rather than disguising them.

Similarly, in relationships, hardships and challenges can cause fractures, but these cracks can be seen as opportunities for growth and healing. Just as kintsugi highlights the beauty in imperfections, a relationship can become stronger and more resilient after experiencing difficulties.

Just like the golden lines that trace the broken pottery, the scars in a relationship can serve as a reminder of the journey taken together and the strength that can be found in overcoming obstacles. By embracing the philosophy of kintsugi in our relationships, we acknowledge the beauty that can arise from brokenness, and we learn to appreciate the unique story that our connection tells.

Klaus steps into the bedroom, half expecting Lola to being in there. His attention piqued, a smirk slowly twitching as he hears running water in the bathroom, "Lola?"

The bathroom door was edged open, almost like an invitation to join. The hybrid steps closer and closer, the anticipation almost becoming too much too quickly. However his eagerness soon vanished as he walks in to see Adrianna, flicking through a notebook.

Adrianna glances up from the empty bathtub she's sat in, fully clothed and wearing a smug grin, "Oh. Hey, Klaus."

Klaus raises a brow stepping further into the bathroom, looking over to an unbothered Lola in the shower where the glass walls are steamed up before back towards her best friend, "Adrianna what are you doing in my bathroom? ..In the bath?"

"Well I was gonna sit over there.." With pursed lips she gestures towards the corner of the bathroom before practically shivering with disgust, "But then Lo said you had sex on the chair so now I'm sat in here."

Lola turns her head slightly towards them both, "I did try and tell you that we also had sex in that bath too."

Adrianna rolls her eyes, laughing in a mocking way, "Let's be real..there isn't many places that hasn't been touched by you two horny fucks. This is more sanitary than a chair anyway. This gets cleaned regularly I doubt the chair—"

"Not that I don't adore this current conversation.." Klaus drawls out in an impatient tone, his face hardening look towards Adrianna, "Why are you in here.." He then glances over to Lola, only able to see above her shoulders due to the steam, "While you are in the shower?"

"Well I wanted to have a shower and Adrianna wanted to go through some music options for her wedding." Lola explains plainly like it was the most normal thing to be happening right now, "Oh, while you're here. Tell Adrianna that she should walk down the aisle to something original."

"And tell Lola that Elvis isn't original. It's me." Adrianna deadpans with an eye roll glancing down at her notepad, "That makes Elvis predictable."

"It's more original and less predictable than here comes the bride." Lola quips back playfully, "It will distract everyone from you wearing white and all of them knowing you can't fool anyone."

Klaus closes his eyes for a brief moment, composing himself once again in the middle of the mayhem of Lola and Adrianna, "I almost forgot what you were both like when you lived together."

"I've missed you too, Klaus." Adrianna looks up at Klaus with a smug grin before she starts to get out of the bath tub, "I should go actually..and make sure Scott and Nate aren't making another stupid box submarine for Lia. Lo, I'll call you later."

Neither Klaus and Lola break eye contact from each other, Lola still standing in the shower with a smug smirk on her face, "What's that face for, Mr Mikaelson?" She finally speaks once Adrianna closes the door behind herself, "Feeling left out? The water is nice and hot, why don't you join?"

"Tempting." Klaus chokes out as he steps closer to the shower. His jaw tightens, his entire body tenses as Lola opens the shower door, "Painfully tempting."

Klaus exhales a deep breath looking away from Lola's perfect body with water droplets all over her skin. He grabs a towel, holding it out to her, "You said you wanted to be a part of speaking to my brothers this morning."

An amused breath falls from Lola's lips as she shuts the shower off, taking the towel off Klaus. She softly kisses his cheek as she wraps the towel around herself as Klaus watches with a raised brow, "How many times has your best friend seen you naked in the shower?"

"Are you jealous of that? Nik, come on." Lola couldn't help herself but laugh as she sees the darkened gaze from Klaus before she rolls her eyes, "Okay, fine. Not as many times as you though."

She pats his cheek walking past him, stepping into their bedroom shrugging her shoulders as she lets her honey coloured locks out of the clip that was holding it all up, "But still too many for me to count."

He takes hold of her arms, pulling her towards him. Her back hits his chest, goosebumps go against the back of Lola's neck as she feels Klaus' breath against her skin, "You're mine, love. Remember?" His hand trails up her bare leg, still wet from the shower, "I am the only one who sees you like this, understand?"

Lola leans into his touch, pressing her body against him, "I think you're just using this as an excuse, my love."

Klaus chuckles sending a shiver up Lola's spine, "Perhaps I am." His hand goes under the towel around Lola's drenched body. His fingers press between her legs making Lola moan quietly as though she's trying to fight it. He smirks dragging his tongue against her neck before his teeth nip at her skin, "Are you going to behave yourself?"

To Lola it felt like she had already melted into Klaus' hold, feeling like it had been so long since they were this close to each other. She knew Klaus loved being in control and in all honesty, Lola loved it even more, "And if I don't behave?"

He spins Lola around to face him, her stomach immediately fills with butterflies as she sees the dark dominate look in the hybrids eyes. He smirks brushing his lips against Lola's, "If you don't behave yourself.." His hands grip against her waist, moving her backwards towards the bed, "..I'll have to punish you."

Lola had always felt a heat when she was around Klaus, it had been like that from the very beginning. It was a feeling she has never felt around anyone but him. Knowing the only thing between his hands against her bare body was a towel made her impatient, desperate to feel his hands all over her body. She sees a look in his eyes as though he is waiting for confirmation off Lola that this is what she wants. She bites her lower lip to hide her smile as she nods softly.

The small nod from Lola was all it took for Klaus to pull Lola against his body before crashing his lips against hers. Both moan into each other's mouths simultaneously, feeling their tongues move against each other. He pulls the towel away from Lola, dropping it to the floor. With a small amount of force, he pushes Lola onto the bed.

He was hungry, his eyes danced across Lola's naked body laying on the bed desperate for his touch. He smirks down at her as he removes his own shirt, their eyes not breaking away from each other, "You do what I say. Do you understand me, Lola?"

The heretic presses her thighs together when the heat started to become unbearable already. Needy for some friction between her legs. She moans when she feels Klaus' hands against her knees pulling her legs apart. His eyes darken as he towers over her on the bed, "When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer me. Now, do you understand you do as I say?"

She was holding her breath, fighting back a scream saying she wanted him to fuck her. Her mouth gapes attempting to answer Klaus but she couldn't fathom any words, a small whimper escapes her lips as she nodded.

"Use your words, my love." Klaus tone was stern and dominate but Lola still remains quiet.

She was desperate for Klaus to touch her in anyway possible and the lack of him doing so made her unable to speak, a tight feeling forms in her stomach.

Klaus smirks knowing exactly what Lola needs. His fingers press against her, teasing her. The friction of her heat and his touch made her moan out, feeling like she was able to breath.

"Yes." She breathes out, "Yes, I understand."

With his hand still against her, moving his fingers around in a circular motion, with his other hand he pins Lola's arms above her head, "You don't move your hands, understand?"

Lola complies and keeps her hands above her head, but she doesn't speak. Her hips jolt, craving to be fucked by his fingers. Her breathing is heavy, she looks to the side wanting to bury her face in the sheets as she screams out over this feeling of tortured pleasure.

She was ready for him, he could tell by how wet his fingers were already, "You've already disobeyed me once, Lola." Klaus' voice was stern and dominate. He removes his fingers away from Lola's heat, a small whimper escapes her lips until Klaus slides his wet fingers into her mouth. He forces her to look back up at him, "Are you really trying to again?"

"When I remove my hand from your wrists, you will keep your hands above your head until I say so.." Klaus taunts Lola, one hand grips against her wrists as the fingers on his other hand slowly pull out of Lola's mouth. Her tongue glides across them as she tastes herself against his fingers. Klaus' thumb swipes across Lola's bottom lip as he smirks, "Do you understand?"

Lola sucks on his fingers hard when he removes them, causing a popping sound before she smirks back at him, "I won't move my hands."

Slowly loosening his grip, Klaus moves his hand down Lola's arms before gripping the side of her neck. His thumb lifts her chin up making her look at him, he can see how much she wants this and it makes him want to tease even more.

Lowering himself he brushes his lips against her lips before moving to the side of her face, "Is this room still spelled?" He feels Lola nodding her head, his tongue drags along up towards her ear. He can feel her arching her back pressing herself against him as she moans making him chuckle, "That's good..it will be interesting to see if the spell is strong enough so no one else can hear your screams. Because I think my little minx needs a reminder on who is in control.."

With one hand still latched onto the side of Lola's neck, Klaus' other hand slowly moves down her bare body, caressing her breasts. A shaky breath falls from Lola's lips when his hand moves down her stomach making him smirk.

"Keep your eyes on me, Lola." Klaus demands, she complies locking eyes with him making him smirk, "Good girl."

His lips hover over hers as his finger slides into Lola. A mixture of the fixated stare and the moan that escaped Lola made him groan out. He crashes his lips against hers, kissing her feverishly swallowing her moans as a second finger pushes into her.

The heretic's hands grabs fists full of the bed sheets, keeping her hands above her head as he said. Her eyes close, exhaling soft breaths as she feels Klaus' teeth nip her breasts as his fingers move in and out of her with a fast pace, his thumb making circular movements against her clit.

Her hips move against his hand, the air in the room getting thicker and thicker that it felt suffocating. Until Klaus pulls his hand away from Lola without any warning making a sharp gasp escape the heretic.

Lola's eyes flutter open, feeling breathless to see Klaus standing back up beside the bed with a smug grin, "You didn't think I was going to give you what you wanted straight away, did you?"

"You smug bastard.." Lola breathes out in a shaky whisper, glaring over to him until she watches him walk towards the nightstand. She raises a brow, propping herself up by her elbows as she sees Klaus reveal a silk scarf she knew all too well from decades ago, "Where the hell did you find that?"

The smirk remains against the hybrid's lips as he steps closer to the bed once more, "Do you wish for me to stop?"

"Did those words come out of my mouth?" Lola retorts back without hesitation with the same teasing tone as Klaus possesses.

"That's my girl." His eyes were dark and ravenous, towering over Lola as he wraps the silk scarf around her wrists, "So perfect."

"It is maddening how much you take over my thoughts." Lola's breath catches in her throat as Klaus tightens the scarf around her wrists that remain above her head, her eyes hooded as she feels his breath against the side of her face, "If I had my way, I'd have you tied up here for eternity."

"Nik.." The breathy sound of his name on Lola's tongue made Klaus so close to snap whatever control he had left, "Please.."

"Please what?" His murmur dripped honey into her veins, with a smirk he towers over her on the bed, "I told you to use your words, Lola.."

"Fuck me." Lola breathes out quickly as Klaus' low and dominant tone makes her skin feel like its on fire. Her eyes darken with desire towards him, "I need you to fuck me."

"Do you now?" A low rumbled chuckle falls from the hybrid's lips as he brushes his lips against the side of Lola's face. His hands move down to her hips, digging the tips of his fingers into her skin, "That's quite the dirty mouth you have there, my love.."

The ball of anticipation in Lola's stomach became tighter and tighter as she looked at Klaus as he roughly parted her thighs. She didn't get a chance to react before he draped her legs over his shoulders, dipped his head between Lola's thighs and any air left in her lungs vanished.

Lola's moans echoed in the room, her nails digging into her skin desperate to break free from the scarf around her wrists. She easily could break free but there was a part of her that felt even more turned on this way. Klaus devoured her with the hunger of a man whose been lost in the desert and she was her only source of salvation, thrusting his tongue inside her as her vision turned cloudy.

Klaus reveled in the way Lola would shiver and panted around him. How her back would arch as her moans increased when his fingers pumped inside her as he hit that spot. Lola's squeals and whimpers escalated into unrefined screams as Klaus alternated between his fingers and fucking her with his tongue. It was enough to drive the man insane as his hands dug deep into her hips, feeling her tighten around him as she got closer and closer.

Before she could even gather her thoughts at the sudden feeling of emptiness, he was up and inside of her. His arousal driving into her forcefully enough to almost send the bed inching back with each thrust. Lola kissed him back with every ounce of her emotions, every last inch of her soul. He was hard, hot and so desperately afflicted with desire.

Klaus' jaw tightened, a stifled groan escaping his lips as Lola's back arched against him, fucking him back while he gripped her hips with both hands and slammed into her, "You look so beautiful." He murmurs.

Electricity replaced the blood in Lola's veins, she was lit up from the inside out. Like a live wire of sensation that he stoked hotter with every thrust. Lola's legs wrap around him, pushing him even further into him making a low chuckle fall from his lips.

"Not yet." Klaus whispers against her lips as his hands move up to her wrists, feeling her on the verge of losing her control. Her breath practically shivers feeling Klaus rip the scarf from her wrists, her hands going straight to his back and her nails drag up his bare skin making him groan.

"Klaus," Her teeth were gritted, trying her hardest to sound stern to him, "I swear if you stop—"

With a smirk, Klaus grips Lola's thighs and twists them around for Lola to move on top, "We're not finished." He says lowly as Lola gasps against his lips feeling him fill her even more and her nails dig into his skin even deeper.

Klaus' heart started beating even faster, Lola's body was driving his mind insane with lustful ecstasy and Klaus' voice was filled with more than lust for Lola, "That's it, sweetheart."

"Just like that." Klaus looks down at his hands gripping Lola's hips as she rides him, looking at their bodies moving together so perfectly, like it was the most compelling thing to witness. His body was filling with so much euphoria and Lola's moans and breathing was just making everything better.

The hybrid buries his face into the nape of Lola's neck as their movements become even faster and more aggressive as they both get closer and closer to the intense climatic finish. His teeth nip at her hot skin, "You drive me crazy."

"That's how it should be." Lola's voice is sultry and breathless as she smirks, "Because you know no one will ever be able to make you lose control like this. I may be yours, but you know what that also means? You're mine."

Emotion lodged in Klaus' throat as Lola whispers those two words against his lips. His nails drawing blood from Lola's skin as her hips roll against his..one of his biggest weaknesses. That was the final string that snapped within his control. Their orgasms crashed through their restraints and consumed them both whole.

Lola still felt like she was floating on her high, nothing heard but their heavy breathing and strong heartbeats until Klaus grabs a fistful of her hair making Lola face him as he wears a devilish smirk, "Your thrive off being my little minx, don't you?"

She matches the same smirk, laughing lowly as she brushes her lips against his, "You know I do."

She was his and he was hers. It was always going to be Klaus and Lola. No matter what.

—✤—

In the aftermath of a shattered friendship, a palpable tension lingered between two souls who once shared laughter and secrets. One friend, wounded by perceived slights and unresolved conflicts, cradled a grudge like a fragile artefact of resentment. On the opposite side, a yearning for reconciliation emanated from the other friend, a desire to shed the heavy burden of discord and rebuild the bridge that once connected their hearts.

Once, Lola stood as the embodiment of trust and unwavering companionship in Kol's life, a confidante he valued more than even his own family. Their laughter echoed through shared secrets, and Lola's presence was a sanctuary in times of joy and sorrow alike.

The bond that once held them close has strained under the weight of unresolved conflicts and unspoken grievances. Lola, once the keeper of Kol's deepest vulnerabilities, now views him through a distant lens, the familiarity replaced with an unsettling sense of estrangement. The warmth that once defined their connection has cooled, and conversations feel like navigating through uncharted waters. The friendship, once an anchor, now rests on the precipice of becoming a mere memory, leaving Kol grappling with the profound sense of loss that accompanies the transformation of an ally into the status of a stranger.

"Lottie.." Kol drawls out slowly. Looking opposite him to see Lola leaning back in her seat, throwing an apple up in the air, "What are you doing?"

The heretic didn't even acknowledge her former friend with the usual harsh glare she wears around him as of late, instead staring down at the apple in her hand, "Working out how I'll kill you."

"You'd never kill me." Kol said smoothly, leaning against the table with the infamous Mikaelson grin, "You wouldn't hurt your old pal, right?"

"Do you want to test that theory?" The heretic's tone was flat, giving him a look of indifference as though he was nothing but a stranger, and to a stubborn Salvatore right now..that's all he was.

The room feels heavy with the weight of nostalgia, as the echoes of laughter that once filled the air now collide with the harsh tones of disagreement. The atmosphere, charged with emotional discord, transforms the gathering into a theatre of strained relationships, where the collective discomfort becomes a silent spectator to the dissolution of what was once a cherished connection.

"Again with the apples?" Kol rolls his eyes before looking back at the apple that Lola has a tight grip on, "You can't throw an apple at me whenever—"

The younger Mikaelson brother was silenced when the apple Lola throws at him, bounced directly off his forehead. His jaw clenches, glaring over to Lola who wears a smug grin, sinking into her seat beside Elijah.

"As I was saying.." Klaus huffs out coming to his feet at the head of the table, turning his attention to Finn and Kol, "Today, a new future awaits. Forget your animosity toward Elijah and myself. Instead, join us against she who truly deserves your ire..our mother. Do this, and we will welcome you with open arms!"

Kol scoffs, rolling his eyes as he sinks into his seat whereas Finn looks straight ahead of him with a blank, almost bored expression.

It looks like Kol thinks about the offering briefly before his hand reaches out to the plate of beignets in front of him, "Well—"

With a smug grin and faint gesture with her hand, Lola pulls the plate of beignets away from Kol with magic, making him give her an unamused glare.

"But," Klaus continues, glancing over to Lola amused before back to his opposing brothers, "If you continue to oppose us, a denial of pastries will be the least of your concerns."

"If all you wanted was my allegiance against Mother Dearest, you should have said so!" Kol's tone was plain, a look of indifference to the hybrid, "Save me a night shackled to the wall."

"Yes, this was Niklaus." Elijah speaks up sitting beside Lola, "My recommendation was to remove your limbs, one by one, until you comply."

"Hm, mine too.." Lola hums out leaning back in her seat as she looks over to Elijah, "I liked our other idea of you know the whole hanging them upset down and.."

Her words get interrupted by Klaus clearing his throat sitting on the other side of her with a displeased look making Lola scoff. She raises a brow towards Elijah, who looks just as irritated at Klaus suddenly being the peacemaker of the family, "Since when has Nik been the most tame out of the three of us?"

"Yes, quite right. It is rather peculiar." Elijah was the picture of nonchalance, but his hard glare towards his two brothers opposite belied his casual pose, "Charlotte, perhaps it's time you go and fetch your trusted antiques.."

"We've.." With a small chuckle Klaus comes to his feet standing behind where Kol and Finn sit, "We've no desire to torture you."

It felt like Lola's prayers were answered when her phone buzzes with a text off Adrianna, "Oh, thank god." She mutters under her breath, sharply coming to her feet.

All four Mikaelsons watch as Lola walks out without saying anything else and Kol was the one to speak up, "And where are you going?"

"Oh, just heading out." Lola twists on her heel to look back towards them all with an innocent smile, "I think I'm getting an allergic reaction."

Kol narrows his stare at his former best friend, a hint of a smirk twitching at the corner of his lips, "Are you indeed?"

"Yeah..throat is all scratchy." Lola drawls out dramatically, fake coughing before glaring at Kol, "Probably has to do with being in the same room with the likes of you."

—✤—

"Hey!" A bright smiled Lola walks up to Adrianna who waits in the midst of the French Quarter.

There would always be a back and forth tennis match between Adrianna and Klaus regarding which one of them knew the chaotic Salvatore more.

However with the look on her best friend's face that Adrianna is all too familiar with, she rolls her eyes as she groans dramatically, "Oh my god.."

Lola's brows knit with immediate confusion watching as Adrianna pushes herself off the wall and starts walking, "What?"

"Oh my god!" The Miller girl exclaims louder with an amused look on her face. She comes to an abrupt stop, turning to face the heretic, "Lola Salvatore you are such a dirty little bitch."

"Excuse me?" Lola laughs breathlessly, glancing around the busy street, "Ade, what—"

"So you're going to try and play dumb? Act like nothing happened after I left?" Adrianna has a teasing look on her face as she points towards Lola, wriggling her finger around, "You have that look all over your face, Lo."

Lola scoffs swatting Adrianna's hand away from her face, "What look?"

"The look of someone who has just been railed by their boyfriend." Adrianna said the sentence so plainly it took a second for Lola to even translate what she said as Adrianna smirks walking away.

"Adrianna!" Lola hissed catching up to her friend as they continue to walk, "You are—"

"You're not denying it." Adrianna sings out with a teasing look in her eyes, "You totally did, didn't you?"

"Well.." Lola thought about denying it but what would be the point? It's impossible to lie to Adrianna and the colour rushing to Lola's cheeks as she thinks back to her morning just proved her point, "Maybe."

"Dirty bitch." Adrianna laughs, nudging Lola with her elbow, "I know this look because this is exactly how you looked when you came home in L.A. all those years ago after claiming you just went for a walk."

"I mean technically I did go for a walk.." With pursed the heretic shrugs, "Walked straight to his apartment..walked back to our place when you weren't home.." Lola couldn't even fight back her amused smirk seeing Adrianna's eyes slowly widening as she speaks, "And other places."

"No!" Adrianna dramatically slashes her arms through the air, "You cannot ruin L.A. for me. Hawaii is already ruined for me because of you both."

The Salvatore rolls her eyes but couldn't help but stifle a laugh at how dramatic Adrianna could be before Lola's tone turned more serious, "Did Hayley say why she wanted to see us?"

"No idea," Adrianna sighs as they both step into her apartment building, "but she wants to speak to all of us at my place but I've said to meet at Scott's."

"Why?" Lola frowns stopping half way up the stairs, "Are you not bringing Lia?"

"Well she's having a nap right now, Nate is with her and.." Adrianna sighs heavily, her eyes softening towards the blonde, "Lola, I don't want to rush you into this."

"Ade..come on, you're not." She smiles softly, taking hold of Adrianna's hand and giving her a light squeeze, "I'll be fine I promise."

As Lola approached Adrianna's home, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The anticipation of meeting Lia sent conflicting emotions coursing through her veins. It had been six long months since Lola made the heart-wrenching decision to send her own daughter, Hope, away for safety.

The walls seemed to echo with the sound of baby giggles and gentle coos as Lola approached the small crib where little Lia lay, wrapped in soft blankets. Her heart fluttered with conflicting emotions, like a melody composed of both sweet and melancholic notes watching as Adrianna coos the sweet innocent Lia, picking her up out of her crib.

Adrianna smiled warmly at Lola, sensing the complexity of emotions playing on her friend's face. "Lia, this is your Aunt Lola," she whispered, her eyes filled with affection for the tiny bundle in her arms.

Lola's gaze fixed on the baby, her heart aching with the memory of the child she had to send away. Lia, with the innocent look in her eyes, seemed to embody the dreams and hopes Lola once held for her own baby girl. The room was filled with the scent of baby powder and innocence, but Lola couldn't shake the bittersweet nostalgia that enveloped her.

As Lola reached out to gently touch Lia's soft cheek, a tear welled up in her eye. Lia stirred slightly, her fingers curling around Lola's, as if forging an invisible connection. The emotions within Lola swirled like a storm, torn between the happiness of witnessing the pure, untarnished joy of a child and the lingering ache for the child she had to let go.

"Ade.." Lola breathes out softly with a warm smile, "God, she's perfect."

Adrianna observed Lola closely, sensing the complex emotions that flickered across her face. The room seemed to hold an unspoken conversation between the three — one a mother who had entrusted her child to the hands of fate, another who had opened her heart to a new life, and a baby, unaware of the intricate web of emotions surrounding her.

"Can I?" Lola whispers softly as Adrianna nods, carefully passing her daughter into the arms of Lola who smiles brightly down at Lia, "Hey, gorgeous girl.."

As Lola gently rocked Lia, her eyes welled up with tears that danced between sorrow and happiness. She whispered words of love and protection, hoping that somehow, the universe would ensure that Hope was safe and happy, wherever she was.

In that moment, meeting Lia became a poignant experience for Lola. The bittersweet symphony of emotions played on, a delicate melody of love, loss, and hope. As Lola gazed into Lia's innocent eyes, she found solace in the idea that love could transcend boundaries and that, perhaps, someday, fate would bring her back to the daughter she had sent away for the promise of a better future.

—✤—

A secret love, hidden away in the depths of one's heart, can be a beautifully torturous experience. The mere thought of opening up to that person, revealing the depths of emotions that have been carefully concealed, can send shivers of nervous anticipation down one's spine.

The fear of rejection and the uncertainty of reciprocation loom large, causing a whirlwind of emotions within. It is as if the heart dances on a delicate tightrope between the exhilaration of possibility and the trepidation of vulnerability. Every word spoken or action taken is carefully weighed, each moment agonisingly dissected for any sign of mutual affection.

Yet, despite the undeniable nervousness that courses through one's veins, there is a glimmer of hope that fuels the courage to take that leap of faith. For within the depths of vulnerability lies the potential for a love that surpasses all expectations, a love that may just be worth the risk.

Scott spent most of the morning trying to shake through the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach after his run in with Cami the previous night. He crossed paths with her after her heart to heart with Lola and ended up having an even deeper heart to heart between himself and the O'Connell.

Feelings were expressed, unsaid feelings that have been building up for months and ended with a short yet intense kiss between the pair. Scott thought that things were finally heading in the right direction between them both at first but that was until Cami hasn't returned any of his calls since their kiss.

"Okay.." Scott breathes out staring down at his phone with Cami's contact shining up towards him, "Stop being a pussy."

He takes a deep breath, ringing Cami's number once again. He never got the courage to leave a voicemail until this exact moment, "Hey, it's me."

The ripper clears his throat, feeling like his tone was shakier than usual when he's around Cami, "Look I know I may have stepped over the line last night when I kissed you, but can you call me back please? Because I'm getting worried and you only live on the floor above so I'll just come knocking if you don't."

He frowns to himself, cringing as the words flew out of his mouth before he could stop himself, "..Sorry. Okay, you don't have to call me back. If you need me I'll be at the bottom of the Mississippi."

Scott hangs up, hitting the phone against his forehead, calling himself an idiot under his breath before he sighs and steps into Adrianna and Nate's apartment. As Scott walks in, he isn't even fazed by the level of chaos he sees with Lola and Nate bickering like siblings sat on the couch, while Hayley stands within the room looking like she is ready to rip her hair out.

"You know, just because your brothers have gone back to Mystic Falls doesn't mean you can be an even bigger pain in the ass than usual.." Nate scoffs nudging Lola away from him.

Lola retaliates by pressing the heel of her shoe into Nate's foot, "You know what, I swear—"

"Alright," Adrianna rolls her eyes as she steps in, "I've got one child to sleep so if I could have you two children grow the fuck up that would be perfect."

"She started it." Nate scoffs nudging Lola sitting beside him making the heretic roll her eyes, hitting him at the back of his head.

"Okay, so.." Hayley drawls out in an exasperated manner watching as Adrianna and Scott also take seats, "None of you are allowed to freak out, got it?"

As the shock settles in, Lola, Nate, Adrianna, and Scott exchange bewildered glances. The room is filled with a palpable silence as they process the unexpected announcement from Hayley that she's decided she's going to marry Jackson. She explains about a story Jackson told her of packs joining together in a Unification Ceremony, a ritual that bestowed certain unique abilities onto every member of the pack. 

All four of them continued with their stunned faces before Lola speaks up first, "Hayley, this sounds ridiculous. You're seriously gonna marry Jackson and think it creates some kind of magic that makes all the wolves have your abilities?"

"It will work." Hayley states in a firm yet confident tone, not allowing the deep feeling of nervousness she feels within show, "This is what needs to happen, it's the only way to get the wolves on our side and turn their backs on Esther."

"This is your life we're talking about, Hayls." Lola's face softens, edging forward on the couch, "Jackson is a nice guy and I know it's the whole you were supposed to be his wife crap but..I just want you to realise what you're offering here."

"Lola is right, I mean..are you sure you wanna do this?" Nate has always been the one most protective over Hayley, ever since she came into their lives. So do see her making what seems such a rushed decision, had him feeling skeptical, "It's a huge commitment, Hayley."

"You guys have got to stop acting like I'm the thirteen year old you took in all those years ago!" Hayley rolls her eyes, shifting in her spot, "I've made up my mind. Nothing is going to change my mind."

The friends continue to exchange glances, still processing the unexpected news. The room remains filled with a mixture of emotions as they grapple with the reality of Hayley's impending marriage. Adrianna remained quiet which wasn't usual as the was normally the one to start speaking straight away, throwing out advice left and right.

"Well..I wasn't around when these guys took you in. I was, you know, sorta..faking my death and.." Nate rolls his eyes at Scott's word vomit, kicking his best friend in the shin making Scott wince, "I'm going off topic. But, what are you gaining from this? I get the whole joining the packs together and creating this union but don't you think that it's asking a lot of yourself, Hayley?" 

"This is what we need to do." Hayley's tone sounded exhausted, but determined to not change her mind. She looks directly towards Lola with a certain expression, "Trust me."

It was easy for Lola to read between the lines of everything Hayley was saying and the look on her face confirmed it even more. This was the best possible chance of bringing Hope home. To have the wolves on their side to protect her miracle child.

"If this is what you really want to do.." Lola says quietly but enough for everyone to hear causing them to look at her with shocked expressions, "I won't get between you and your vision."

"You're seriously being the level headed one?" Adrianna expresses in a shaky tone as the panic comes out of her like a running faucet. It was as though Lola actually being the calm one for once was what triggered Adrianna's panicked rant, "What is this? Opposite day!? Hayley, this is huge!"

Nate could feel Lola's eyes on him, with a stern yet playful glare he matches her gaze, "Don't. You. Dare."

The Salvatore's brows frown in a dramatic offended way as her hand dramatically hits against her chest, "You know, your lack of faith in me to be mature is rather insulting, Nathaniel. We're in the middle of a serious conversation right now."

"Ade, come on." Hayley sighs heavily, rolling her eyes, "It's not."

"No, you come on, Hayley!" Adrianna bites back immediately, her tone was harsh but it was her care for Hayley coming through strongly, "This is so big!"

Lola leans closer to Nate with a smug grin, "Words she will never say about you."

—✤—

Lola walks back into the compound feeling mentally exhausted from everything that's happened since she's been at Adrianna's. From finally meeting Adrianna's adoptive daughter and for the girl who Lola sees as an almost daughter figure, tell everyone she is planning to marry Jackson.

All Lola could think of was being with Klaus, knowing she'd feel more at ease when she tells him everything. However, as she walks in she's greeted with the screams of Finn Mikaelson. As the heretic steps further into the compound, she's greeted with Klaus who moves with haste out into the courtyard with an unreadable expression on his face.

Lola gestures to the room Klaus just stormed out of, still able to hear the muffled screams of Klaus' older brother, "Do I even wanna know?"

"I'll tell you on the way regardless." Klaus' pace doesn't slow down as he walks closer to Lola, his hand going against her back ushering her back out of the compound already, "Come with me."

Lola frowns, growing more and more confused at how rushed Klaus is acting right now. She moves away from him, staying in her same spot, "On the way to where?"

There's a palpable intensity in Klaus' gaze, as if he is carefully choosing the right words to convey the magnitude of the moment. His lips, which often curve into a charming smile or a wry grin, now hold a more subdued and thoughtful expression. The usual lightness in his features is replaced by a deeper sense of purpose, signalling the gravity of the revelation he is about to share.

"We're going to see our daughter."

—✤—

ehehe it's finally happening!!
here we go loves🥹

also that smut..

i'm not used to writing like that lmfao, but if people actually liked it lemme know and i'll write more ehehe