A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

"Must you leave so early? It's only just gone ten. I was hoping we'd share a few more drinks."

Trailing behind Kol, Rebekah decelerated her gait as she entered the foyer, a half-finished drink in her hand. She joined the small group—consisted of Finn, Elijah and now herself and Kol—that had assembled to bid farewell to Zavi and Feyona.

"Then continue to gossip over our mutual scorn for those rigid—"Stressing the word with a pointed look to Elijah, Kol, and Finn who shared an incredulous look, Rebekah tilted her glass in Feyona's direction."corsets we were frowned into wearing once upon a time."

Wryly chuckling, Kol gracefully sidestepped into Zavi and Feyona's line of sight and dark eyes gleam with something roguish.

"And, more interestingly, we'd only just touched upon my escapades."

Plucking the tumbler from Rebekah's hand—and blatantly ignoring the scathing glower he received—Kol smirked at the couple over the rim of the glass.

"I'll have you know that the sixteenth century was one of my highlights."The youngest Mikaelson brother caroled, swirling the whiskey before taking a greedy sip."So much so that i've recently read studies on it."

Pocketing his hands, Elijah emitted a long sigh, imitating Rebekah's glare with disgruntled head-shake.

"He announces with an absurd amount of pride."

Kol merely directed his smirk at Elijah, showing no shame nor repentance before he downed the rest of his purloined whiskey. Zavi pursed his lips to resist a smile that threatened to grow and cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact with Elijah when Kol raised his eyebrows knowingly.

"We must get going before Damon frets himself into a tizzy."Zavi reluctantly insisted, slicking back his dark hair."Shall we put a pin it?"

"Of course."Elijah chimed in with a small smile, it broadening somewhat when Kol made a sound of agreement. His brother rarely, if ever, considered younger vampires worth his time unless it was beneficial for him."I'm sure Kol would be more than inclined to speak about himself any day of the week."

Zavi finally permitted his smile."It's a date."

"Yes. That's a good idea."Feyona let out a delighted croon, reaching out and taking Rebekah's hand."And you'll share your tales with me, won't you?...Come on!"

Rebekah's eyes flickered between from hands and Feyona almost dubiously. But the longer Feyona beamed at her expectantly, Rebekah found herself swayed.

Raising her chin assuredly, Rebekah allowed a small smile as she agreed."Yes, I suppose that would be enjoyable. And, considering Kol's lapped up all the attention and offered nobody else room to speak, we should make an afternoon of it."

If it were possible, and apparently it was, Feyona's smile grew and she giggled in delight.

Rebekah allowed the younger vampire to squeeze her hand before untangling it from Feyona's grasp. She willed her own smile to fade when she felt the corners of her mouth twitching as Feyona happily murmured to Zavi.

"My love, did you hear?"

"Wonderful. We'll be in touch with plans."Hands meeting in front of him, Elijah directed a friendly smile at the couple before focusing on the male."Do you need guided to the coatroom, Zavi?"

Zavi nodded eagerly with a sheepish chuckle, releasing Feyona's hand."It would be much appreciated. This place, while impressive, is a labyrinth."

"It is, isn't it?"Elijah affably concurred, stepping aside to let Zavi through. He gestured to a nearby door which led to a hallway that occupied several rooms, including the coatroom."Right, just follow me and—"

"Oh, look at the pretty knife!"

Brushing her light hair from her face and gravitating towards the object of her attention, Feyona's head tipped back and her eyes rounded in awe. Coming to a stop in front of a display case, her hues illuminated in veneration.

Exhaling in wonder, Feyona's eyes flickered along the body of the weapon before they fixed on the blade. Reaching out for Zavi and grasping at air, Feyona wiggled her fingers to capture his attention with a mutter.

"Treasure."

Foot clamping down on the ground, Zavi made no move to leave Feyona's side and reciprocated when she tugged on his hand.

"It's impressive."

"Yes, it is lovely, isn't it?"Rebekah lazily drawled, sounding vaguely interested at the subject of the knife."It was a gift from a King friend of Nik's, I forget which one. He gifted it to my brother before they had a falling out over something and Nik sliced his throat with it."

Teeth baring as her lips twisted into a wicked smile, Feyona slowly blinked as her ears picked up on heavy steps entering the foyer. She shifted to look over her shoulder but instantly stilled when the recent arrival came to a stop just behind her and, in doing so, was reflected in the glass of the case.

Feyona's smile broadened when Klaus' eyes met her own in the glass."You like what you see, love?"

Klaus gradually turned on his heel with a lingering look at Feyona's smile. He strolled off with a scolding click of his tongue.

"Rebekah, you seem to be forgetting the most important part."The hybrid lazily commented, circling his sister once before coming to a halt beside her just as he concluded."He started it."

"They always do in your eyes, Niklaus."Finn sternly interposed, speaking more to himself, sending his brother a sideways, halfhearted glower."Nothing is ever your fault."

"Nonsense."Klaus scoldingly said, shaking his head before a ghost of a smile played at his lips."I take the blame for not putting a prompt stop to disco."

A low laugh rumbling from Kol's chest, the youngest Original brother muscled in between Finn and Klaus. He clapped his hybrid brother on the shoulder, leaned in and offered him an obviously false, cheery smile.

"Disco, brother. I've heard the genre and, while i'm not an admirer, I would've liked to have a choice—"

An abrupt and violent crash resounded in five pairs of sensitive ears, startling them all and leaving them taken aback. Elijah's arm instantly wound around Rebekah protectively while the rest of the Mikaelson men drew close together and listened out for any further noise. Unalarmed, Zavi departed from the group, his body facing the other direction and attention occupied by what was unfolding in front of him.

"If it's a burglar then I claim them."Kol quietly announced, tongue skimming across his teeth hungrily."'Bekah got the last one and..."

He trailed off when a lively, shrill laugh interrupted, resulting int eh group pivoting on their heels in search for the person it had emitted from. Eyes darting around for the source, the group's attention finally reached the culprit but it only culminated in further surprise.

"Bloody hell..."

Glass crunching underneath the weight of his boot, Zavi wandered over to his lover, failing to notice or feel the surprise that radiated from the Mikaelson's behind him. He made his way over to Feyona who had, unbeknownst to herself, been the genesis of it.

"What? Was I rude?"

Feyona's question falling on deaf ears, the Originals' gaze followed Zavi's footsteps as he ambled over to the female vampire. Finn, Elijah, Kol and Rebekah's eyes all widened simultaneously as everything from delicate vases to a very old bottle of wine fell to the ground, followed by fragments of glass.

Above the mess on the ground was what was left of the display case that was still home to the weapon Feyona had become infatuated with. The glass that she'd been peering through, was the reason for the chaos as it lay scattered on the ground, intermixed with everything else that had either fallen or been smashed.

Having swinged through the glass case in one hit to get to her target, Feyona was now able to extract it. Feyona breathily giggled to herself, locks of hair framing her face, her breathing labored in the wake of the adrenaline coursing through her.

"Oh, i agree."Feyona serenely said, elbow slamming into the frame of the display before she sprung up on her tiptoes."Disco wasn't to my fancy. I liked The Angels and Dusty Springfield."

Fingers winding around the handle of the knife, Feyona clenched her teeth before, with a moan, she yanked the weapon from its constraint. And, due to the harsh movement and the strength behind it, the remaining shards of glass were also loosened and proceeded to fall to the ground.

Feyona sulked when she was unable to get a complete grasp of the knife on account of a large shard of glass that had pierced through her palm.

"Oh."Guiding her hand toward her, she turned it left and right so she could study the thick piece, Feyona's features scrunched up in sheer irritation."Look at you."

Rolling her eyes heavenwards, Feyona simply grumbled in annoyance before yanking out the glass then proceeded to toss it over her shoulder. As soon as she was free of it she whirled around, reaching for the object of her desire.

Yes. Look at you.

The fragment of glass greeted the ground in leisurely in Klaus', shattering into several pieces. His gaze zeroed in on drops of red smearing the rim. The smile he donned, a smile haven been roused by Feyona's shameless actions, slowly twisted into a depraved grin the second the aroma of blood began to cajole for his attention.

"Oh, my."Elijah murmured with a startled series of rapid blinks, lips pursing as he watched Feyona blissfully smile to herself."I should never have given that cur of yours the night off, Niklaus."

Zavi reached his other half with a furrowed brow, unfazed by Feyona's blunt behavior and drawn to the scent of blood.

"Fee..."

Tearing her eyes away from her prize, Feyona also caught the scent of her blood. Her own.

"Whoops-a-daisy."

Zavi hummed in along, glancing at the Originals to gauge their reaction, rooting himself in front of Feyona."Tell my girl she's getting a memento and she'll take that as an invitation to help herself."

His shoulders slowly lost tension when they remained rooted in their spots and didn't seem offended. In fact, once they'd gotten over the surprise, Rebekah and Kol looked slightly amused. While his siblings reacted to the chaos before them, Klaus' expression was a cryptic mask of vacancy.

His hands met behind his back as his eyes flitted between Zavi and Feyona., his upper lip drawing back into a snarl. The more Zavi tended to his wounded lover, the fascination he'd felt in response to Feyona's impressive temerity started to falter into a burning, unruly animosity.

Completely missing Klaus' enraged glare, Rebekah coyly simpered."Fantastic."

"Quite."Kol murmured in response, jerking his head in the direction of the mess."And she didn't even bat an eye."

"There's some embedded."Pausing to lick at the blood on his thumb, Zavi investigated the damage that had been done to Feyona's hand."We're going to have to take out the tweezers, okay?"

Feyona merely nodded in understanding, pursing her lips as she studied the crimson that coated her hand. She then proceeded to furl and unfurl her fingers, as if she were trying to arouse the pain that she was supposed to be in. Instead, all she could discern was a slight scrape of glass against the bones of her fingers each time she clenched her fist.

Staring down at her hand curiously, Feyona exhaled her response, the pads of her fingers smearing blood.

"Okay."

"Okay."Zavi quietly repeated, imitating Feyona's lowered tone.

Then, with a quick study of her features and recognizing the curiosity she donned well, he spoke again. But this time he spoke with a firmer tone to lure her out of her daze.

"I'll go fetch your coat, duchess..."Unconsciously reacting to the many nicknames Zavi showered her with, Feyona snapped out of her daze with several blinks."and then we'll be on our way."

Feyona nodded again, this time more lively, and peered up at him. A slow smile curved at her painted lips when she found him already gazing down at her, pleased that she'd returned to him.

Teeth sinking down in her bottom lip, Feyona bounced up on her tiptoes with a playful grin."Maybe we could pick up a snack on the way back?"

Whispering an as you wish against Feyona's temple with a light chuckle, Zavi planted a tender kiss right beside her heart tattoo. Then another when Feyona mewled against him as a silent demand for more before he released her and followed Elijah.

Trailing behind the Original who led him to the door he'd motioned to earlier, Zavi glanced over his shoulder as if to ensure Feyona was still there before he sent Elijah a half smile.

"I do apologize about the mess—"

Waving a dismissive hand to interject, Elijah shook his head, refusing to accept the apology.

"Nonsense."Pulling the door open and gesturing for Zavi to go first, the corner of Elijah's mouth quirked up."If it hadn't been Feyona it probably would've been Kol."

"It would?"

Exhaling a long breath as Zavi crossed the threshold into the hallway, the door slowly shut behind Elijah as he followed."You'd be surprised the rarity of calm evenings this family has encountered."

"Mister..."

Carefully avoiding pieces of glass, Feyona wandered over to hybrid with her most maudlin moue. Blowing the strands of hair from where they dangled in front of her eyes, Feyona thrust out her arm and presented the knife to the hybrid.

"Klaus?"

Tongue running along his teeth at the entreating way Feyona called his name, Klaus beckoned the female vampire closer, eyes illuminating when she complied. He loomed over Feyona when she came to a stop in front of him, peering down at her through hooded lips as she fawned over the weapon in her hands.

"I want this as my souvenir. May I please have this?"Feyona hurriedly catechized before, suddenly remembering she was supposed to respect her elders, she sweetly beseeched."Pretty please?"

Plucking the weapon from Feyona's grasp, Klaus gyrated the blade around his fingers before he took a moment to study the ill-famed blade. He didn't miss how her fingers wiggled when he'd extracted the weapon from her grasp, as if she'd been tempted to take it back then promptly yielded. He also hadn't missed how her head tilted in interest when he toyed with it.

"I did promise an everlasting souvenir instead of an autograph..."

Neatly painted nails garnered his focus away from the blade as long fingers wound around the handle of the weapon, soft skin grazing his own since his own was also clasped around it. Klaus didn't resist as Feyona gently tugged on the weapon, steering it in her direction and, therefore, requesting Klaus' attention.

"You did."

Eyes flickering along familiar facial tattoos—a flash of his fingertips tracing the heart imprint on her cheek—Klaus' gaze eventually gravitated to Feyona's vibrant cyan hues. He instantly found himself versed with the twinkles of green and blue that surrounded her iris.

It was compelling.

He blinked himself out of his reverie when Feyona blinked, eyes dilating briefly and amplifying the twinkle in her eyes. Klaus' own eyes did the same, only his own dilated in response when Feyona's painted lips curved into a mischievous yet, almost impossibly, winsome grin.

"You promised."Feyona keenly reminded, teeth grazing her bottom lip as her fingers danced along the blade of the knife."But you did not promise what I could have nor that I couldn't suggest."

Klaus tilted his head as he feigned to ponder her argument, a chuckle itching at his throat when Feyona let out an impatient mewl the longer he drew out the suspense. Fingers splaying across the handle and therefore grazing over Feyona's knuckles, Klaus clamped down on her hand and boldly wrenched her closer.

His grip on Feyona, as well as the weapon, was tight and demanding. But, in spite of the imposing strength her hand was trapped under, Feyona still grinned up at him wolfishly.

"Clever girl."The hybrid affirmed in a hushed tone, tongue pushing behind his teeth as he refrained from smiling."Look at you..."

A greedy sensation of pleasure soared through him as Feyona continued to gaze up at him, eyes rounded and lips parted, hanging on his every word.

"I suppose since you've said please ever so reverently..."

The knife was suddenly snatched from Klaus' grasp and the hybrid blinked, head snapping up and jaw clenching. The desire that had been pooling in his eyes dimmed and was rapidly replaced with annoyance as Elijah seemingly out of nowhere, appeared at his side.

"I think what Niklaus is trying to say is that it is all yours and thankfully so."Elijah clamped a hand down on his brother's shoulder with an exaggerated smile in response to Klaus' sideways glare."Please, take it."

Klaus' jaw twitched as he ground his teeth together, ruefully glaring off into space as Feyona freed herself from his grip in order to happily take the knife from Elijah. Fingers curling into his palm, Klaus clenched his fist before he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Fee?"

Zavi called her nickname faintly and, aware of his nearing presence, Feyona visibly relaxed. And, when a strong arm enfolded her, winding around her waist before it claimed a hip to ensure she felt secure, Feyona heaved a content sigh.

"You got your present then."Zavi commented with an inquisitive tone, eyes studying the weapon before his gaze flitted across Feyona's pleased expression."That's my girl."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."Feyona merrily sang, hugging the knife to her chest with a bashful smile."Your Highness."

Elijah's eyebrows rose at Your Highness, mouth downturning when he found he just how right it sounded in his ears. Then, when he noticed Kol's knowing head tilt, the Original cleared his throat before plastering a smile on his face, ignoring the chagrin he felt.

"You're very much welcome. It's no great loss, I must admit. I have been searching for the right place best suited to display my—"

"You're what, Elijah? What do you have to display but your our loyalty card to..."Kol trailed off as his smirk faltered into a deep frown and he cleared his throat, turning to Rebekah and quietly inquiring."Is there a store completely devoted to manufacturing ties?"

Feyona gnawed at her lips while Zavi tightly pressed his own together as they stifled their laughter. Zavi heaved a heavy sigh, clearing his throat before he addressed a benign smile to Klaus. One arm wound around Feyona's chest while his other, with her coat folded over his forearm, circled her waist. The hybrid noticed this and, while his brow furrowed slightly in confusion, he gave Zavi his attention.

"Much obliged for your hospitality."

Klaus parted his lips to reply but Elijah interjected politely."You're very welcome."

The corners of Zavi's lips curved upwards when Feyona—pleased at how his arms enveloped her because it made her feel secure—happily nestled against him, knife clasped tightly in her hand.

"It was an honor. Wasn't it, Fee?"

"You betcha."Feyona merrily proclaimed, directing a grin at Finn, Elijah, Kol, and Rebekah then, for the second time, looked bashful when her smile was returned."A dream come true."

Eyes flitting from the siblings when she felt a heated leer boring into her, Feyona turned and pinned her eyes onto Klaus. Looming over her, eyes hooded, she found him already staring down at her and felt a rush of satisfaction that her senses had been accurate.

Feyona maintained his intense gaze, her cyan iris' twinkling with delirium before, her giddy grin faltering into a sweet smile, she deferentially curtsied.

Klaus indulged himself in the performance and allowed his eyes to linger on the respect displayed, purposefully ignoring Elijah's disapproving stare. Slowly straightening with a pleased sigh, Feyona's fingers caressed her knife reverently.

Then, without notice nor hesitance, she smoothly reached out and offered Klaus her knuckles.

"Thank you ever so much for my reward."

Swiftly masking his surprise, Klaus gathered his bearings and took her proffered hand in his own. Complacent pride soared through him as he tucked his hand behind her fingers his and Feyona braced on tightly, painted nails grazing his skin. She patiently waited for him to act, head tilted to the side slightly then a grin proceeded to curve at her mouth gradually when Klaus inclined his head.

"Not at all."The pad of his thumb brushed along her knuckles as he brought it to his mouth then lightly kissed her knuckles."The pleasure's all mine."

Taking his time in releasing Feyona's hand, Klaus' eyes steadily drifted from her engaging features and settled on Zavi. He half expected a flicker of jealousy or, perhaps, blatant resentment. Anything. He expected it since according to Elijah, Zavi was perfectly aware of the hybrid's interest in Feyona.

He wanted to see it but, alas, Zavi was the epitome of cool, calm and collected. And it irked Klaus to no end.

"Thank you for the invitation, Klaus."

"Don't mention it, mate."Klaus lazily drawled, the smile he'd directed at Feyona faltering into something controlled and cordial."I do hope you'll come again. Perhaps it'll give us the chance to become better acquainted?"

"Of course."Zavi good-naturedly agreed, gaze returning to Feyona before his hand clasped her cheek. Feyona complied when he turned her head she could meet his gaze."Come on, duchess."

Drawling an eager all right, Feyona directed one last smile at the Mikaelson's and waved before she followed Zavi's steps. Swaying slightly from side to side and with Feyona still nestled back against his chest, Zavi let them towards the exit. Then, reluctantly, moved to unlatch one arm from around her in order to open the door but, before he could, it was yanked open for him.

"Let me get that for you, mate."

Zavi's eyes scanned the person leaning against the frame after the door swung open. Klaus.

Appreciatively murmuring a well-mannered thank you, Zavi nodded at Klaus."Your conviviality is much appreciated."

"Not at all."One hand braced on the edge of the door, Klaus forced another smile before gesturing for them to go on forward."Goodnight."

Tongue skimming across her dry lips, Feyona's temple lounged against Zavi's jaw while her eyes flittered around before settling on Klaus. As if anticipating this, Klaus' eyes locked with her own with triumphantly.

Goodnight. Feyona mouthed in a silent adieu, slender fingers wiggling.

His forced smile twisting upwards into a self-approving smirk, Klaus stepped aside and allowed the twosome to pass, eyes trailing behind them. Zavi and Feyona lazily meandered out into the driveway, making their way towards their car, their bodies slowly becoming engulfed in darkness.

"Let's go snatch us up a bite to eat, shall we?"

Rocking from side to side and conversing in low, playful murmurs, Feyona's enthusiastic agreement was followed with a resounding giggle into the breezy, night air.

"Sun in my sky, the apple of my—"

The dim light illuminating the doorstep was slowly snuffed out when Klaus, after one last lingering look at the couple, began to close the door.

"Brother. Must you intrude on every moment?"

Stressing the last word with a growl, Klaus shut the door with more force than necessary, the strength behind it resulting in frames on either side of it quivering. Elijah merely blinked at his brother, refusing to react to the petulant display and pocketed his hands in his trousers with an unimpressed exhale.

"Yes, you're quite right, Niklaus. I'm the one intruding where i'm not wanted."

Elijah twisted the daylight ring on his finger with a false, faint chuckle of amusement."I take it you're completely innocent in your brazen attempt at flirting with Feyona right in front of Zavi, yes?"

"Elijah. You're just abusing sarcasm this evening."

Pressing his lips together to bite back a remark, Klaus ambled away from the door and curiously scrutinized his elder brother's expression.

"Tell me, why are you so bothered about this bloke?"Klaus' smile was eerily joyful as he held out his arms, baffled at his brother's continuous interference."He is a mere common vampire you have no connection with. If I had a pound for every heart-eyed halfwit who batted their eyelashes at you, spouted off some mawkish rubbish—"

Elijah swiped an infuriated hand at air and pointed two fingers at Klaus, the abrupt movement garnering him startled glances from Finn, Kol, and Rebekah.

"It is not about Zavi, brother, it's about your impulsive nature. You met Feyona no less than seventy-two ago while Zavi has been at her side for a century."

Elijah unhurriedly made his way over to his brother, the removal of the safe distance between them resulting in Klaus shifting from foot to foot defensively.

"I'm bothered by the fact you're impetuous actions will result in a relationship being ruined, the heart of a devout, loving man heart being completely shattered..."

Motioning over his brother's shoulder at the door, Elijah shook his head."—perhaps another when you inevitably become bored."

Holding a hand over his chest with an insulted narrow of his eyes, Klaus scoffed in simulated offence.

"Bored? Elijah, you are aware that you are describing Kol's past sordid behaviour, not mine?"Supporting his weight on his left foot, Klaus tilted to the side so he could look behind Elijah at Kol."No offence, little brother."

"What offence?"Kol's made a face at Klaus, completely missing or, most likely, blatantly ignoring what he didn't consider as outright slander. A small smile played at his lips as he glanced at the door Feyona and Zavi had recently exited."She's a dotty, sweet little thing."

His tongue flitted across his teeth playfully before he bluntly proclaimed."I want one—"

"Not this one."Klaus swiftly interjected, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

Rolling his eyes heavenward, Kol held up his hands in feigned surrender to which Klaus nodded in approval at before he straightened. The hybrid noticed Elijah's disapproving expression was just as passionate as it was the moment he was aware that Zavi existed.

Huffing out a callous laugh, Klaus wiped a hand down his face with an indignant murmur before, without forewarning nor shame, he treaded in on a subject that hadn't been touched upon in lifetimes.

He treaded on subjects that they'd sworn not to touch upon.

"You knew Katerina no less than a day before you were kneeling at her feet and proposing all sorts while she used you—and another, might I add—to escape my clutches."Eyes glittering with something inscrutable, Klaus paused, drawing out tense silence while Elijah's expression hardened."You were rambling about Celeste's heavenly eyes the second your own caught sight of her."

Pressing his lips together tightly, the hybrid fixed his brother with a piercing stare and jabbed a finger at him. He felt a searing pang in his chest when Elijah's eyes—previously transparent with concern—glazed over with immediate mortification.

But, while it stung to see his brother in such a state, Klaus carried on because, for once, he wasn't bringing up certain topics to publicly condemn his brother. Truly. He had a valid point to put across.

"I bring this up just to knock you off your high horse, but need I remind you that you were more than inclined to offer your heart to Tatia—and much more—"Inclining his head, Klaus gave Elijah a knowing smile just so his brother was aware that, yes, he knew of their yearnings."even while knowing full well that she had sworn hers to me?"

Klaus' hands tightly clasped his forearms as he crossed his arms over his chest."Hmm?"

Completely blindsided, Elijah's eyes rounded as they widened no longer than a split second before he swiftly collected himself and turned his head slightly so that his siblings couldn't see the abashed expression he donned. Klaus, who had long since disposed of any lingering nostalgia of his first love, felt a sharp pang in his chest as he caught a glance of his brother's expression, his amused smile faltering into a half frown.

Finn visibly winced, aghast at his brother's underhanded jibe."That was completely uncalled for."

"Oh, my."Kol drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth, pursing his lips as he took a wide step backward and another to the side so that he was safely watching the scene over Finn's shoulder."Nik just went for the jugular, didn't he? He went there."

Rebekah chimed in with a frustrated, heavy sigh."Why must you always hit below the belt, Nik?"

Avoiding Klaus' eyes, Elijah adjusted the lapels of his jacket and righted his cuffs so his siblings wouldn't pick up on his discomfort.

Finally, once he mustered the courage, he lifted his head to meet Klaus' eyes."Niklaus—"

"Brother, please!"

Fiercely uttering his brother's name with reassurance, Klaus waved a dismissive hand when he recognized the repentant tone.

"Rid of the self-reproachful expression. It was a thousand years and bedfellows ago."Klaus sincerely murmured, smile faltering at the pinched expression Elijah wore. He patted his brother's shoulder before clamping his hand down and squeezing."The only good thing that came of it was a long, long life for myself and for those I hold most dear to me."

A line appeared between Elijah's brows when he tried to read the cloudiness in his brother's eyes.

"I simply remind you, brother, because you and I are completely and undoubtedly aware that when you know you know."

Klaus' voice was a mere whisper, almost faint and, even though his words were directed at his brother, his eyes flittered away from Elijah distractedly. His gaze zeroed in on the shattered glass on the ground.

When Klaus spoke again there was something wicked lurking in his tone.

"Don't you concur?"

Elijah opened his mouth to reply before he promptly snapped it shut, his expression softening a moment before it hardened. Promptly releasing Elijah, Klaus stepped away with his arms outstretched in a parody of surrendering. He plastered a smile on his face, it broadening when Elijah shook his head in exasperation.

"I'm afraid, as i've grown tired with being rebuked, I must take my leave of my loving family."

With one last scan of his siblings and a churlish smile, Klaus turned and ambled off, glass grounding and splintering beneath his feet when he heavily—and pointedly—tread over the shards.

Thank you for reading!

I hope this chapter was a somewhat okay apology for my absence. I'm the worst at updating, I'm completely aware of that. But writer's block has just been the worst to me for a good couple of years now and, for the life of me, I can't seem to dig my way out of it.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know if you did by reviewing.