A/N. OOF! Don't ask me why I'm starting another fic when I have two that need updating. This plot has been sitting on my brain for a long time now and so… here I am. Writing this instead, I have updates for Nola and Till The Casket Drops. I'm hoping to get them out soon.
I hope.
Please forgive the grammar/ spelling errors. I will edit it once more before I post the next chapter.
Enjoy the story don't know how long this will be but we'll see. As always…
Happy Reading!
New Orleans, Radcliffe University: 3 years ago
Bonnie walked into the empty class hall. Her green eyes on the man, who stood there cleaning his brushes unaware that she was there. The muscles showed through the back of his shirt and Bonnie couldn't help but think… This would be the last time that she would ever get to see him again. The thought brought a sad smile to her face as she clutched the small box and the letter attached to it.
It was now or never.
"Professor Mikaelson?"
She watched as her professor turned towards her. A surprised but genuine smile on his face as their eyes met.
"Miss Bennett," his voice like honey. Bonnie could feel the heat on her skin as she watched him clean his hands. With a solid rag. " My apologies, I thought everyone already left."
"I did," she admitted, stretching out her hands that held her gift in hand. " I'm leaving for the airport today but I wanted to give this to you before I left." Her voice was so quiet as she shyly looked away. It was too hard to look at him. So instead, she walked passed him. Towards the easel that held the painting he done for class. His use of colors always drew her in. There was so much emotion in his work. His strokes were broad but with a purpose. Bonnie was sure that if his art could be put into words. She imagined they would be akin to Shakespearean tragedy.
" So my friend Ruby offered you the internship then?"
His voice pulled her out of the world his painting had teleported her too. She nodded throwing a cursory glance over her shoulder towards him.
"She did! Though I think you had something to do with that."
He chuckled taking a step closer in her direction. Bonnie watched him approached swallowing thickly when he was just inches behind her.
" I only told her you were one of my best students. Your work spoke for itself, Miss Bennett."
His voice was low and she could have sworn she could feel the heat of his breath against her ear. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her heart. They had been alone before, spent hours together. All professional of course. Professor Mikaelson didn't make it a habit of participating in elicited rendezvous with his students. No matter how hard they might try.
He had been no different with her. Bonnie often had to tell her self, that the passing glances. The brush of his hands on hers. The lingering touches, they hadn't meant anything. The last three years had been the best. In large part because of the man behind her. Bonnie wasn't sure when she had fallen for her Professor. She'd been determined not to be like the rest of her classmates; most only signing up for the class not because art was their major but because of the very handsome, British Professor that taught it.
"Miss Bennett?"
Bonnie jumped, as his voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Sorry, I was miles away."
Chuckling he took a step back. Taking a seat on the edge of his desk. " Are you that eager to start your new life in London that you're daydreaming about it in our last moments together. I'm a little hurt."
Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest. An amused grin on her face. " Don't pretend that you'll even notice that I'm gone. You've got a whole gaggle of new students that will be hanging on your every word soon enough."
"Though none will have eyes quite like yours."
Bonnie blinked, not knowing what to say to that. If Elena were here; she would have said something witty. Bat her long lashes tucked a strand a hair behind her ear and flirted as if her life depended on it. Bonnie was not Elena, so, instead of addressing the comment. Bonnie nodded towards the box he placed on his desk.
"Well, whenever you look at my gift you can think of me and my green eyes."
Inwardly she groaned at her lame attempt to try and play cool.
Okay, Bonnie, it was time to get out of there.
Clearing her throat, she stretched out her hand towards him a serious but sad look on her face.
"Thank you for everything Professor Mikaelson."
She watched as his pale blue eyes drifted down towards her hand. Watching something play out on his face. Unable to figure out what it was. When his large hand encompassed her own. A warm shiver ran through her, causing her breath to hitch slightly. Bonnie wasn't sure if he had heard it or not but when their eyes met again, she had a feeling he might have.
"Take care, Miss Bennett." His voice was soft as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
Bonnie almost jumped back, having to stop herself from pulling away. Though what was more likely; bonnie throwing herself into his arms. She quickly took her hand back, giving an awkward wave before rushing out of the class. She didn't notice as Professor Mikaelson reached for the letter tucked under the red bow. Didn't hear him as he opened it and pulled at the Letter hidden inside and the amused voice that read the first two words…
"To Sir?"
New Orleans, Jackson Square: Present-day
He preferred morning times. Whether it was three in the morning or just before sunrise. It didn't matter. Nicklaus welcomed the quiet, the serenity that was Jackson park when there was no one around. When he could let his inner demons out. His brush dancing across the canvas. Expressing the pain, anger, and sadness that weighed him down sometimes.
The painting was his greatest form of expression. He had never set out to make it his living. It just happened that way. The natural progression of a man who fought for everything he had. He told his story on the canvas. How was he to know that it would resonate so acutely with others? Years of work, a collection of his life. He was about to allow more than his small circle of friends or his students to see. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the kind of criticism that would come with this endeavor. Rebekah and his fiancée Camillia seemed hell-bent on making it the event of the season… whatever that meant.
" You know brother, you'll have to find another hiding spot if you wish not to be found." The smooth voice of Elijah drifted in with the morning breeze.
"Who said I was hiding? I just wanted a little me time is all." Klaus' sardonic tone was evident as he turned. To find his little niece, In his brother's arms. A brow raised, Klaus looked at his older brother. Elijah, for his part, gave the man a shrug.
" She wanted to see what you were painting."
Smirking, Kalus leaning closer to give Isabella a kiss on the cheek. " Is that so little one?"
Isabella nodded, her dark curls bouncing around her round face. " That and the beignet you promised me." She said giving Klaus a look that dared him to argue against her.
Unable to help it, Klaus laughed. Scooping her out of his brother's arms into his own.
"You look like your mother when you give me that look. It's scary."
"That's why I did it. Mama says that's how she gets you and daddy to do anything for her at the shop."
"Did she?" he said giving his brother a knowing look. "Well, we will have to see about that." Turning towards his canvas he pointed at it. " I feel like it's missing something. Can you tell me what that is sweetheart?"
Frowning, Isabella eyed the painting. And for emphasis, she rubbed her chin all the while. Klaus didn't have children. Why would he need them when his brother and sisters' children were quite entertaining on their own? Especially Isabelle-she was his favorite. Her dark curls, to her high cheekbones. And green eyes that reminded him of someone he use to know.
"It needs more green." She exclaimed looking back towards her uncle.
"More green? Are you sure love."
"Yes, more green!"
"Very well, mini Julie Mehretu. Green it is… after we get your beignets."
Klaus chuckled at the little girl in his arms cheered loudly. Chanting... beignet, beignet, beignet As she leaped to the ground. Gathering up Klaus's supplies. It took a few minutes for the three of them to pack up his belongings. Arriving at their favorite beignet shop just at it opened. It had to be close to 7:30 am. People were just now waking up their day starting.
Isabella munched happily on her beignets and hot cocoa. As the Mikaelson brothers quietly watched. Sipping on their coffee and their own beignet. It was always nice, spending time is Izzy and Elijah. But he knew an ambush when he saw one. The not so subtle looks Elijah kept throwing his way over his coffee mug was a tell-tale sign. Something was up.
"You going to tell me why you keep looking at me like that? Or shall I guess brother."
"Rebekah is concerned."
Straight to the point, Klaus liked this. " Concerned about what?"
"You're getting married in a couple of months. And nothing is done, she feels like you aren't taking your wedding seriously. Mother is concerned that you'll try and back out and father. "
"Is a twat."
"What's a twat?"
"Christ Nicklaus," Elijah huffed. Klaus just shrugged his shoulders as he watched Elijah quickly turn towards Izzy. " A bad word that you should not repeat."
"Why not daddy?"
"Yeah, why not?" Klaus said a wicked grin on his face.
"Honey go and see if Larissa has any fresh fruit."
Izzy looked at if she was going to protest, but stopped jumping out of her seat as she made her way inside the cafe. When she was out of earshot. Elijah reached over and punched Klaus's arm. " Sabin really is going to kill me if Izzy says that word."
"Come now Elijah, you do your daughter a disservice if you think she isn't smart enough to know not to say it around Sabin."
"That's not the point and don't try to change the subject, Nicklaus."
Klaus rolled his eyes, slamming his mug on the table. " So are you fathers lap dog now?"
"Of course not, but if you have no plans on marrying the woman then you ought to tell her. A marriage is between two people. "
"Yes, and the wedding is done by the bride. I'm just keeping out of the way."
"No, you're sulking. A thing you are prone to do when you don't want to do something."
Klaus wanted to deny it, wanted to tell Elijah to shove it because he didn't know him. But that would be a lie. His siblings knew him better than anyone. He didn't want to get married. He didn't want to stop teaching and take his place in the family business. Mikaelson INC was not his dream. It was his fathers, a dream that was being shoved down his throat. How was it even at the age of thirty-four he felt just as powerless as he had growning up in that man's house?
He liked Cami. She was beautiful, smart, very funny and a good person. It would have been so much easier if he could just say he didn't find her attractive. But he did… what was worse; Klaus like her more than he wanted to. Still, no matter how much he might like the woman. No matter how attracted he was-he didn't want this marriage. He wasn't in love and he had a feeling that she wasn't either. But what Mikael wanted, Mikael got.
'You're going to have to make a decision sooner rather than later Nicklaus," Elijah side sitting back in his seat as Isabella emerged from the building a bowl of fruit in her hand, " Might I suggest you hurry it along. So I can stop these early morning visits of ours."
London: London City Airport
It was sunny, a feat for cloudy London. Bonnie stepped out of the SUV. Sad eyes on her boyfriend as he pulled her luggage from the boot of the car. This was it, after three years away from the states. Bonnie Shelia Bennett was finally going home. Her internship at The National Gallery was over. She had learned so much from Ruby and Tom. Bonnie experienced art the way she always wanted… there was only one reason she could think of ever leaving. But now it was time to go home and she was dreading it.
" You sure you got everything?" Rowan asked. Standing in front of her.
Bonnie rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms tightly around his middle as she hugged him.
"Stop trying to be cute." She huffed, feeling the pang of tears as they cloud her vision.
Groaning as she felt the chuckle reverberate through him. She was going to miss that.
She was going to miss him. Rowan had been a breath of fresh air. When she first arrived in London, She didn't know anyone and surprisingly it was such a big culture shock. Surrounded by people and she spoke the language but never felt more alone. Enter Rowan, he was huge. Not just in stature but in personality. People seemed to flock towards him. He was bright, a vibrant enigma. How he even noticed her in the corner of the coffee shop Bonnie didn't know. Regardless of how she was glad he did.
Rowan showed her 'his' London. Taught her how to make pottery — very sexy. Took her out dancing, and hiking. Traveling on holiday to Turkey to visit his family and friends there. Around Rowan, she felt safe and loved. She didn't want to leave him. Bonnie sniffed as she felt his finger gently tilt her face up towards him. Her heart broke; as deep brown eyes looked down at her. So much longing in them; if he asked her to stay. Bonnie was sure she would. But he didn't ask, instead. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Kissing her tenderly.
"I'll see you in a couple of months."
"I know."
Her cheeks flushed as she felt his arms snake around her waist. Pulling her flush against him. " And then you can show me around Mystic Falls. And we can eat at that Mystic Grill you kept raving about"
Bonnie nodded her head. Her voice blocked by the large lump lodged in the back of her throat.
"And you can take me to the lake, and we can go skinny-"
"ROWAN POLAT, don't you dare finish that sentence." She cried. Slapping his chest; Rowan's boisterous laugh echoing around him. " You're encourageable."
"But that's why you love me. And I love you, even when you beat me up."
"Just shut up and kiss me again."
And so he did. Their last kiss for many months. Mystic Falls may not be rainy but it would be that much gloomier without her sun to warm her.
A/N Rowan Polat is an original character that I've had in my head for quite some time. His fc is Turkish actor Can Yaman, I'll live a link on my author's page. I am a sucker for men with facial hair . Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. The pieces are slowly being moved into place for a klonnie reunion. till then live a review or like. Now its time for this sick bunny to try and get some sleep.