#kalijah fanfiction

[umaficwriter]

We Never Go Out Of Style is back!

You can read it on AO3 or FFNET

enjoy and PLEASE read the notes!

[elejahfanfic]

Kalijah_

*

@beautyandwords

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Klaus also ruined Elijah's chances with Katherine too, making it all about him. Like, yes Elijah was upset with Katherine about Jeremy but he still Asked Klaus for Katherine's freedom and for the chance to be with her, to love her and Klaus still denied him and said he would hunt Katherine down and kill her in front of Elijah.

Also, if you look at the timelines, Elijah is daggered and with Marcel when Klaus and Rebekah make their trip to Mystic Falls to mock Katherine at her deathbed. So even then, Klaus takes that away from Elijah. (Unintentionally this time, but we all know he would have kept it from him if he wasn't daggered as well.)

Klaus genuinely does not respect Elijah as a person, and you can see it in their interactions. Elijah respects him, but it's a one-way street. Elijah was only allowed to pursue Hayley because it was beneficial to Klaus. If it wasn't? Then he'd have put a violent end to it just like he did to all of Elijah's previous relationships. Katherine only escaped a violent death because she was smart, quick-witted, and cunning.

Yes but since the post was about Hayley I kept my thoughts about the mess that was the end of them all.

I'm going to use your ask to cover two things if you don't mind, the complicated tangle of co-dependency between of Elijah&Klaus, and why I don't think Elijah and Katherine would have worked at that point in time.

Just a disclaimer these are all my own opinions.

Elijah&Klaus are both as unhealthily attached as each other, and that can be blamed completely on Esther and Mikael, Elijah was born and grew up in the shadow of Freya's loss.

Klaus and the younger siblings were the only ones that didn't look at him and see where she should be. Klaus even as a baby was likely the first person to love him without a weight attached and Esther seemingly pushing looking after the younger one onto him didn't help.

Elijah never learnt to be a person on his own, he learn he could only be worthy of love if he proved himself, if he earned it, and from the start, it was earned by looking after his sibling something he never stopped.

And Klaus went from treasured golden child to failure in Mikael's eyes and just clung to Elijah more, the same way he likely saw Rebekah and Henrik as his to protect Elijah was his, Elijah saw his being unable to protect Klaus from Mikael, even though he he was a child, as failures he need to make up for.

After Henrik's death and becoming vampires Klaus clung tighter to Elijah and Rebekah.

I do disagree Klaus does respect Elijah as a person, if he wasn't a person of his Klaus wouldn't be as paranoid about Elijah leaving him as he is.

Elijah is Klaus' everything; what he looks up to, the one to catch him when he fails, to reinsure him, it's just over the centuries that's grown twisted so much that Klaus can't imagine Elijah not being there for him, can't allow it.

Even when he had the others daggered and in boxes, he left Elijah free. He never seems to leave him dagger for too long because he need Elijah there, he saw Katherine as a threat of losing that, a ghost of the first person to get between them, Tatia, and someone who had already taken something from him(500 years free of his curse) and so he was as spiteful as he could be to her and Elijah about her.

Your right about Hayley though and the fact Rebekah was aware Klaus was allowing Hayley and Elijah to be together to keep control over Elijah was kind of insulting for the one whose so vocal in getting her own freedom with Klaus.

Personality the best choice to show Klaus having grown to respect Elijah's choices with the choices the show had taken was if he had left Elijah alone with amnesia. Elijah was happy and free of Klaus and the weight their parents raised him with but he didn't he dragged Elijah back and refused to let him go until he remembered knowing it was basically killing him after Hayley's death.

But Klaus made no real attempt to stop Elijah's suicide and in the end Elijah never recovered his childhood conditioning and died with Klaus as Klaus always wanted in a way.

---

Elijah and Katherine, are a great pair of characters and a interesting ship but for me it would only work after Katherine has spend time, safe to unlearn the ruthlessness she'd needed to be. As Elijah says she allowed it to turn her into a version of the monster she fled and while he's never going to admit to the toxic abusive relationship he has with Klaus anymore then he would escape it, I think he's wise enough not to step from one into another.

On an unrelated note Elijah's sympathy for Elena, about Jeremy was overdone, since she and her friends had played a part in the death of two of his brothers, the same that he had been looking for, for decades, and been pushed to plot to kill Niklaus to avenged.

I think Elijah asked for her freedom from Klaus, to give them a chance, first for Katherine to recover some of who she was and then for them to build something, but Klaus would never of allowed it because he felt his ties on Elijah slipping away.

Katherine has spend 5 centuries running using everything she has to to survive and Elijah's far to used to letting himself be used, thanks to his childhood and his siblings for even longer than, he believes he can only be loved if he's useful. Even if Katherine didn't want to she would use him, it's second nature to her now and he's far to used to accepting that.

In 'Lost Gods' it works because Katherine's free of the ruthlessness she learnt because she knows she doesn't need it as a god, and Elijah's free of the conditioning he was raised to only view himself of worthy of love if he's useful.

and thank you for the timelines reminder it will be very useful for Grandfather Elijah, the only other of my fics that Katherine is a main part of.(Currently)

Thank you for your question. ♥️

Feel free to DM me you you want to talk more.

[elenasharemofmikaelsons]

Member Fic: Whole New World (Chapter 14)

A brand new chapter of a multi-chapter fic shared on behalf of Elena's Harem of Mikaelsons Discord author @taemoniquee

Title: Whole New World (Chapter 14) Author: moniquee | @taemoniquee Posted: October 20, 2024 Chapters: 14/? | Words: 14,487/89,975

Summary: Elena, Hayley, Elijah, and Klaus learn how Elena became a Heretic, and they learn the true meanings behind Qetsiyah’s and Esther’s actions.

[haylee-bb]

Kalijah Sneak Peek!

These are some excerpts from an upcoming chapter in my Kalijah fic Redamacy! I'm posting this for my greatest source of Kalijah inspiration @umaficwriter since without their edits, I never would've been able to write a halfway decent story for these two.

Link to the fic(pls ignore how bad chapter 3 is😭) https://archiveofourown.org/works/53393533

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katerina crossed her arms with a scowl. “Well I'm so glad that they've finally deemed me worthy of tolerance, but that doesn't mean I'm eager to play house. Honestly, Elijah, did you expect us all to become one big happy family?”

Realistically, no, but as always, he had foolishly, idiotically, hoped that somehow it would all come together in the end and he could have it all. Truly, he was a selfish creature.

Reading the truth in his eyes, Katerina's face softened, and she stepped closer to him again, smoothing the creases in his brow and soothing him with her touch.

Her tone was gentler, but no less honest when she spoke again. “I could deal with Rebekah, but Klaus took everything from me. I won't plot against him, but I'll always hate him. It's not fair of you to ask otherwise.”

Elijah sighed. Of course, she was right, and he knew that. He would never expect so much from her. It was just that he wished so much for better, perfect circumstances, but theirs was a world far from perfect.

He leant his forehead against hers, lightly brushing their noses until she smiled. “I understand, Любов моя. It was never my intention to suggest such a thing. I just don't want to be apart from you.”

“So don't be,” she whispered against his lips, the move so enticing he had to kiss her.

After a moment, he pulled away enough that he could see her. She was still smiling slightly, and it brightened his mood.

“Go with your siblings to New Orleans, take care of your family, and once everything is settled, give me a call. We'll go back to Willoughby, or we can pick somewhere new. Doesn't matter.”

He stared into her eyes, searching them desperately for signs of deceit. “You would wait? While I was gone, you would wait for my return?”

Katerina placed a hand on his face, tenderly stroking his cheekbone. “I love you, Elijah. I'll love you while you're gone, and I'll love you even more if you come back.”

Elijah pulled her into a deep kiss, wrapping an arm around her waist to press her as close as possible and attempting to pour his devotion into her through touch alone. He only separated from a breathless Katerina just enough to speak a promise against her lips.

“I will always come back to you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I made them a promise that I would stand by their side and protect her and the child. Niklaus is playing a dangerous game. One misstep and everything will be lost. I cannot let that happen. They need me.”

Katerina pulled her hand from his grip. “And what about your promise to me? What about us? What about you? What do you want, Elijah?”

His own eyes were tearing up as he looked at her helplessly. “You know I want nothing more than to be with you. I love you.”

She squeezed her eyes closed like she couldn't bear to look at him, her lips, normally so full of color, were pressed so tightly together they were white. He knew she was struggling to maintain her composure, and he could do nothing but watch.

When she opened her eyes, they were resigned. The look on her face was similar to when Kol had said he could no longer help her. It was disappointed acceptance, the heartbreaking stare of someone failed far too often. He was sure nothing alive had ever felt as wretched inside as he did while meeting that stare.

“I know. That's what's so sad, Elijah. You love me, just not enough.”

“I-”

“You are devoted to a fault. You've given yourself entirely to your family, and there's no room for anything else. That's not how I want to be loved. I won't spend forever coming second to Klaus.”

Like always, she unapologetically forced him to stare his greatest flaws in the face, made him study them in great detail until he had a new understanding of some fundamental truth of himself. However, this time, knowing wasn't enough to make a difference. He wanted to say he would change, that he would leave Niklaus to live his life however he chose and put his love for Katerina first the way she deserved, but he couldn't make that promise. He couldn't fully let her go either.

“Forever is a long time, my Katerina. I may not be able to give you what you deserve now, but I still intend to keep my vows. I will come back to you. It may take time, but even though I'm not by your side, I will never leave you.”

Katerina took a deep breath, blinking away gathering tears stubbornly. She linked her hand with his again.

“You do that, and I'll stand by what I said too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

His gaze swept over her body, drinking in every detail of her beloved form before settling on her fathomless eyes.

“I don't think I can say goodbye,” he choked out around the swell of despair in his throat.

Her face crumpled, and she breathed a watery sigh before stepping closer to him. She stroked over his brow with soft fingertips, looking at him with so much adoration and heartbreak.

“Close your eyes,” she whispered.

He did what she said without thought and felt the heavenly sensation of her plush lips against his. The kiss was soft, tender, a loving caress, and a promise of more. It lingered like a last kiss but held the hope of a first.

Elijah reached to touch her, wind an arm around her waist, and never let her go, but his hand cut through thin air. He opened his eyes, and she was gone, the press of her against his skin imprinting itself into the familiar places it once called home.

He blinked a tear from his eye, feeling it trail down his cheek as he stared at the empty space she just occupied and reacquainted himself with her ghost.

[lizzie-queenofmeigas]

Can't decide between my Haylijah version or Katherine X Elijah (I can't remember their ship name) for wolfblood. Any suggestions?

[kalijah100]

21 Guns (Kalijah)

*As I Lay Dying*

Do you know what’s worth fighting for

When it’s not worth dying for

Does it take your breath away

And you feel yourself suffocating

Does the pain weigh out the price

And you look for a place to hide

        It was a dismal night, as Katherine, having been bitten by a werewolf the night before, walked around town during the festival, weak and sweaty and hallucinating. She wasn’t in her right mind, as she stumbled through the crowd of partiers. She was dying from the bite, but knew that Klaus wouldn’t cure her unless he had a good reason to. That reason would most likely be Elijah.

*England 1492- Flashback/Hallucination*

Did someone break your heart inside

You’re in ruins

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

You and I

When you’re at the end of the road

And you’ve lost all sense of control

And your thoughts have taken their toll

And your mind breaks the spirit of your soul

        It was a beautiful day, as Katerina ran through the woods with the moonstone, running from Elijah and some humans whom wanted her back to help Klaus break the curse. Klaus needed her to die in a ritual to break it though, and she’d rather not die.

        She tripped over a twig and fell to the ground, but was okay.

        “Katerina, it’s pointless to run! Klaus will find you wherever you are!” he said, loud enough for her human ears to hear.

*1492- Mikaelson Estate- Flashback/Hallucination*

Your Faith is on broken glass

And the hangover doesn’t last

Nothing is ever built to last

You’re in ruins

You’re in ruins

You’re in ruins

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

You and I

        It was a beautiful day on the Mikaelson estate, as Elijah and Katerina played chase.

        She stopped running and gave a laugh as she said, “You’re meant to catch me.”

        He smiled and said, “Well, if I catch you, then the game will be over.”

*Present*

Did you?

Did you try to live on your own

When you

When you blacked out the house and home

Did you?

Did you stand too close to the fire

Like a liar looking for forgiveness

Promise storm

When it’s time to live and let die

And you can’t get another try

Something inside this heart has died

        She lay on the ground, too weak to go anywhere now. She hoped that someone that didn’t want her to die would find and help her. She didn’t want to die, but she didn’t have any strength left to ask for help.

        She closed her eyes, tired and weak and burning up. She knew she’d been a bad person for centuries. She just hoped that someday she may be forgiven for that, whether she lived or not. She didn’t think that she would live though. She knew she was very close to joining the Other Side with all her deceased friends. She wanted so much for this pain to go away, though she would never admit to anyone but herself and Elijah how much pain she was in, or that she was in any pain at all.

You’re in ruins

You’re in ruins

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

You and I

        Meanwhile, Elijah had found out that she had been bitten by a werewolf, so he was out looking for her.

        After an hour or two, he finally found her on her back on the ground, a ways away from the festival. He knew the way she looked, she didn’t have much time left.

        He blurred to her side.

        “Katerina.”

        He gently got to his feet with her in his arms and blurred towards home. He just hoped that she’d make it.

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

        Once home, he gently layed her down in his bed, before going downstairs to go and try to convince Klaus to cure her.

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

One, 21 guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 guns

Throw up your arms

Into the sky

        As she lay there, she could feel the darkness closing in, but she didn’t fight it. She was too weak and in too much silent pain to fight against it. Besides, she figured that it was her time. Plus, to her, death would be kind. At least she wouldn’t be in anymore pain if she died.

        When she woke up an hour later, she saw that she was in Elijah’s bed and she was no longer dying, which meant that Elijah had found her and Klaus had actually cured her. She knew that without Elijah, he never would have cured her. He would have just let her die.

[jamsudreams]

I’m With You Chapter 8

Story Summary: Set in 2x02 but instead of Damon finding Caroline Klaus does.

Read in AO3

[juicyfruit-22]

The Juiciest Recap #1

Hey y'all, welcome to the juiciest recap! I LOVE reading fanfiction, so I decided to share some of the fics I've enjoyed. Be sure to check out my sideblog @juicyfruit22-library for more recs!

HansenKemp (Fresh + Gray Man)

Married to Chaos by @readmymindao3

ItaFushi (Jujutsu Kaisen)

from hell, with love by terriana

The Rabbit in the Moon by @zillala

NaruSasu (Naruto)

Darkness Written on Your Soul by GoldenEyesObession

Stucky (MCU)

Up Close and Personal by @dontcallmebree

Currently Reading...

Cut Him Out In Little Stars (Stucky) by @gloromeien

give him something to believe in (Stucky) by @howdoyousleep3

The House Always Wins (HansenKemp) by Read_My_Mind

The Taste of Blood and Wine (Kalijah) by quillsandinkwells

[1jemmagirl22]

❤️🌟🙀

For the fanfiction ask game......

Ps long time no see stranger 💓😜

Hi!!!!!! Yes, I’ve been on prolonged hiatus cause life got very busy, but I’ve returned as my favorite period of the year (October - December) begins. I’m also obsessed with like four things right now so, why not rejoin Tumblr. 

❤️- The fanfiction that holds a special place in your heart

I mean, like, how do I narrow it down? I have more than 3K AO3 bookmarks. However two of my favorite are the Born to Rule series by TitansRule. Not only is this fic where I started shipping Kolvina, but it’s practically a perfect Originals rewrite. Also, on the Klaroline train because most Klaroline fan fictions hold a special place in my heart is Sanctuary in their Hearts by thatsanotherlovestory. It’s truly a perfect post TVD season 8 fanfiction with Klaroline, Kalijah, and Kelvin. Plus plenty of soft Klaus for my own amusement. Also, also, bonus points, She Deserves Better and the Domino Effect by CrazyGirl92. And, last, but not least, Metanoia by Haylee_BB, I absolutely adore this fic with my entire shoul. There are more most of your works and BelleMorte180′s works are perfection, and I have more thank 1,000 fan fictions bookmarked with notes saying how much I love them so I’ll stop gushing now. 

🌟- Your most popular fanfiction

My most popular fanfiction is The Unexpected Surprise. It has over 41,000 hits and is in desperate need of a spellcheck edit, but I have too many new ideas. Many of them KC, many of them House of the Dragon and Rings of Power, and honestly I’m considering writing fanfic again next month just as a relaxing break from all the work I’ve been doing on my original works. 

🙀- The fanfiction that would give your mom (or any parent figure) a heart attack if they read it

Honestly, if we’re talking things I’ve written Tribrid’s Plural is my most, shall we say, graphic in terms of violence. But if we’re talking things I’ve read, most of them, so I’ll pick out one of my favorites. Just Good Business by BelleMorte180. This fic is incredible and twisted and I adore it entirely. 

[sapphicsdonowrong]

Rating TVD ships :

Stelena: 6/10. Paul and Nina had good chemistry and it was certainly the better option of the two main ships but I found them very vanilla and I take the stance that the brothers ruined Elena so I can’t bring myself to fully support it. Also, the retconning of this ship after season 4 always bugged me.

Delena: 1/10. Nothing about this toxic ship made sense and it was clearly done as fan service. Elena HATED Damon in the earlier seasons and it was clear her only loved her because of Katherine. Damon was clearly manipulative towards Elena, always controlling and undermining her, and I have already mentioned the fact that the Salvatore brothers traumatised Elena and ruined her life.

Steroline: 4/10. This ship had the sole purpose of giving two main characters an ending with another person. It was boring and they were obviously better as friends. However, they weren’t overly toxic or impactful so I didn’t mind them too much.

Bamon: 8/10. It was much better than Delena and their chemistry was good. Their time in the prison world was one of the only semi-interesting elements of the story after Katherine died . Bonnie deserved a dynamic love interest and she brouggt out the good in Damon, something that Elena did the opposite of. However, I don’t see the ship lasting as Bonnie is a very moral character and Damon is pretty much the opposite.

Klaroline: -100000/10. Everything about this ship sucked. His attraction and interest in Caroline made no sense and realistically she would be a brief fling at best. Her sleeping with the guy who essentially wanted to kill her best mate was shady and the fact that KATHERINE of all people had to call this out was honestly sad. Also some ( not all ) of their fans are so annoying, always complaining that they didn’t end up together and disregarding all of the pain that Klaus caused. Most TVD fanfiction revolves around either them or Dullena and this is really annoying to me, as someone who doesn’t ship them.

Forwood: 3/10. It’s better than Klaroline but it’s still toxic and both characters annoyed me when they were together. Caroline was better when paired with one of the other girls or Stefan ( as a friend ) and I thought that Tyler was always either boring or a horrible person.

Steferine: 5/10. Paul and Nina’s chemistry really shone with this pairing and they were interesting in season 2 but as time went on they became tiresome and Katherine’s obsession in season 5 was both annoying and completely out of character. I was much more interested in the Katherine / Caroline dynamic and also the Katherine / Elena dynamic than the Steferine one in this season.

Kalijah: -5/10. This man found a way to free her but chose not to use it and instead was going to allow her to die at the hands of Klaus. Then he got upset when she fled to stay alive and held it against her for years. Finally, when they had a fling in season 4, he broke up with her and betrayed her over killing ONE guy who was her enemy, conveniently ignoring the amount of innocent people that he and his family have killed. Everything about this ship, aside from the actor’s chemistry, sucked and the idea that he was loyal to her for 500 years is absolute bull.

That’s it for now, but I may do a part 2 with some non-canon ships or any canon ships that I haven’t covered yet.

[elejahfanfic]

Katerina x Elijah_

*

@beautyandwords

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Future in the hades and Persephone au:

Klaus: "ELIJAH YOUR WIFE LET THIS ASSHOLE COME BACK!!"

Damon: "Fuck you too, Niklaus. Elijah, the Queen of all Evil would like you to know that she would like you to bring a new coffee maker next fall...and chocolate. Lots of chocolate."

Elijah: *deep sigh of despair.* "My Katerina, Why...."

Oh yeah you may be seeing that sooner. Katherine has no reason to keep the order of balance, its a bit of a mess since her absence and the invention of vampires and while Persephone isn't awake she needs pawns in the living world, best way is to convince them, is show to them what she can do. Mystic falls is going to get an influx of returning faces, so will New Orleans.

Elijah is going to be less concerned about the Order when he first returns however due to vampires already messing with the Order of things and missing daughters.(one exception)

Sneak peek -

"Katerina, Why?" Elijah sighed as two familiar faces stepped though the doorway he had created to return to the afterlife after months of waiting.

Finn and Sage greeted him with slight bows of their head but Finn was staring in a way he knew he was going to have to deal with at some point.

Freya wasted no time in hugging their retuned brother which quickly removed the look and reminded Elijah that now he could escape it thanks to the one that had always mattered to Finn first.

"Why not?" his Katarina asked, arm offered to him the other side of the veil, "I thought they could suitable occupy you family while I get to have my wife back."

"We've talked about this." he reminded her as he pulled his feet from his mother's vines that had wrapped around him, she was never pleased to let him leave.

"I have not released them simply for a song, I have a use for them." she replied, and Elijah steeped thought the veil between worlds leaving his family behind "besides my Elijah, my wife, my love, doing this makes no different in the sate that has become of Order in our absence."

Elijah rest one hand of the offered arm and moved his other to cup her cheek, and staring into dark eyes smiled as her words vanished, she reached out, one hand moving to tread though his hair.

"My love." he breathed and leaned in for the kiss he had been thinking about since he saw her on the other side of the veil months ago on the night of his death.

---

Hope you liked it.

[thememoriesofaqueen]

Love Will Remember 5

[Chapter updated in January 2024] A/N: It's been a while since I last updated but I promise you, I haven't abandoned this story. I figured the start of 2024 deserves a fresh little something for all the Kalijah fans. We're still here, even all those years later. <3 I also want to thank you for your continuous support and feedback. It means a lot to me <3

English is not my first language    

→ I do not own anything of the TVD - Universe and I’m not affiliated or associated with the writers etc. This is only a headcanon/fanfiction.

Pairings: Kalijah (Katherine & Elijah), Klatherine (allies)

Rated: M

Read on: AO3 and / or FFnet

Word Count: 4k  // Masterlist (x)

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She had been thinking about the last night – or rather about the conversation with Elijah – for a long time. He could not remember her and yet her conversation had a quality that she had not felt for a long time.

Of course, it had only been superficial topics. After all, to him, they were strangers and he believed she was just a tourist. And yet he had been earnestly interested in her answers all the time. He was genuinely interested in talking to her, without hoping they would perhaps end up in bed. And one has to believe her when she says this thought isn't uncommon when it comes to men. Men in bars usually don't just gift a drink and start talking if they weren't hoping for something that usually contains a very specific 'something'.

Somehow she felt foolish that she liked this stupid conversation so much. She should not feel flattered that he had noticed her (and not another person in this bar). That he had bought her a drink, something she had never seen him do before. He played for his audience but rarely interacted with them the way he had done with her.

That didn’t mean Elijah was still somehow attracted to you, Katherine. Why should he, he doesn't even remember you!

And yet Katherine was confident enough to believe that her beauty was naturally striking. Why wouldn't it lure a man towards her? Even if they were speaking of Elijah who didn't just follow his basic instincts. But perhaps he does by now. She has no idea, after all, what kind of man he is without his memories.

As much as she resisted, she thoroughly liked that she had been noticed by Elijah. At the same time, however, the pain of their separation flared up again.

So many years had passed and yet the encounter with him triggered something in her. It made her remember what he had meant to her. How he had made her feel.

Memories that should belong in a box, hidden in some kind of cellar.

But she really shouldn’t be sentimental. This was a mission, after all. Speaking of…

There was no way around meeting Elijah again. Even if it was probably better to leave this conversation to be just this one single direct interaction with him, she would most likely not achieve success if she only played the mysterious stranger. Sure, perhaps that would increase Elijah's interest but one cannot be certain. And a pure possibility alone was not enough.

Not when she had Klaus breathing down her neck. Not when there's the possibility that he's watching her. The thought alone made her feel uneasy and caused her to immediately go through her apartment to check if there was anything unusual in there.

She turned each pillow over and even rummaged through her closet just to make sure he wasn’t hiding somewhere. Which, of course, is totally stupid, but her paranoia forced her to.

Under other circumstances, her curiosity about this changed Elijah would not be great enough to accept the danger of Klaus. Under other circumstances, she would run; no matter what Klaus promised her, you could not trust him.

But she knew, was actually pretty sure, that he had a close eye on her. He could even be trusted to monitor her and have some kind of tracker attached to her. After all, he had enough witches under his control who would certainly grant him this little favor. There's no way he would entrust her with something as important as returning his brother to their family without making sure she was supervised the entire time.

It made her want to barf.

Katherine quickly closed all the curtains of her otherwise sunny apartment (call it a useless sense of security) before she sat down and tried to think.

If Klaus wanted to see progress, she needed to be more quick and efficient. Otherwise, she risks getting a visit again which was something Katherine wanted to prevent.

Okay … let's think.

It was really not new to her to pick up and flirt with a man who could be useful to her, and it was usually no problem. But this man of all people was… difficult. They had history and although she didn't want to admit it he still … meant something to her.

Part of the reason why he decided to end their relationship was because he feared she was deceiving him. Which was complete bullshit because she didn't have any secret agenda. He knew what she had wanted, namely his position to work out a deal for her. She never made a secret of it when she decided to contact him.

He did her injustice by accusing her of wanting to take advantage of him and somehow, it had given her some kind of satisfaction to know that despite his beliefs and fears, he was wrong. That she hadn't done anything unrighteousness. That she wasn't as corrupted and ruined as everyone wants to think. That she was worth saving.

But if she does play him now, he would be right. He could obviously not remember but Katherine is sure that at one point, he will. And if that point is reached, he will remember everything. Including how she played him. He would be convinced that he made the right choice, that she couldn't be trusted.

And she couldn't have that.

So think, Katherine. What is something you could do to make progress but which won't let you look like a mendacious person once he remembers? What would make him want to interact with her but wouldn't be too much? What wouldn't be looking manipulative?

It was actually pretty sure that most of the actions had to come from him, because then you could not accuse her of anything.

Even if she could, of course, create an incentive, because there was something that she could certainly take in her hand. Something that would be appropriate and not quite so noticeable that it would seem suspicious.

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The next evening she went back to the bar. She didn’t dress up more than usual, and didn’t wear any extraordinary clothes – she is, after all, not going to a party or trying to seduce anyone. Which meant that her casual clothes had to do. She was just herself, which should be enough. And if she's honest, she still looks better than most visitors in this bar or even in this town.

She ordered two beers at the bar, and despite not being a beer drinker, it was a necessary evil that she had to accept. After all, one had to create a few similarities and she had seen him drinking that brand of beer. Perhaps the desired conversation would be more easy then.

Speaking of conversation: Katherine had tried her best to prepare herself. To settle into her role as a tourist who has never met him before this trip to Manosque. She had thought about practicing her performance in front of a mirror to make sure everything was going according to her plan. She was a 'bit' perfectionist and she didn’t want to have multiple efforts. It had to work perfectly the first time. However, she quickly figured out that this might not be the right approach. It would give her a false sense of security, at least until something unexpectedly happens. Then, chances would be high that it would throw her off track for a few seconds which could be enough for Elijah to note that something was going on.

She had therefore only roughly considered something and decided to improvise the rest which hopefully won't turn out as a mistake.

Until now, however, everything seemed to be going as it had been observed the previous evenings. While Elijah played, she kept herself in the background, trying to not raise his attention just now. Even after she had gotten the beers she had ordered, she waited for Elijah to take a break before she made her way to him. He was sorting through some papers when she showed up next to him, focused on staying calm and not forgetting her role – which was admittedly difficult because he looked forbiddenly dashing in the white Henley he wore.

"Hello."

He looked up in surprise, apparently not having noted her approaching and the hint of a smile played along his lips as he seemed to recognize her.

"Oh, hello." He put the pieces of paper back on the holder of the piano before he stood up from his piano stool to speak to her at the same eye level.

"I brought you something", she handed him the beer in her left hand which he took with one raised eyebrow, probably wondering what the reason for this was. "I wanted to return the favor for yesterday's drink and I hope you accept?" a genuine question because she still found it difficult to assess this new Elijah.

"Why thank you, but you really didn't have to return the favor. I liked doing it, I certainly didn't expect anything in return." He assured her and sounded sincere. It made her wonder what exactly made him want to buy her a drink and even initiate a conversation. She's sure she's not the only frequent visitor/listener in this bar.

"Well, I like to return the favor," she offered him a smile which certainly wasn't a forced smile. Even this conversation somehow felt … natural. "Cheers?" she lifted her bottle and thankfully, Elijah returned the gesture. Both took a sip from their respective bottle whereby Katherine tried to ignore the specific taste of beer which wasn't really to her taste.

That would already be done.

So that no embarrassing silence arose, Katherine resumed the conversation relatively quickly.

"You had to get back to work so fast yesterday," her hand caressed the piano to show what she meant, "That I didn't have any opportunity to even ask for the name of the very generous man who bought me a drink. I hoped to find out today so I could say properly thanks again."

This should be a good start and would also tell her what he called himself. Maybe he had given himself a different name than Elijah. Perhaps he now went by 'Theo' or 'Daniel' or something entirely different.

"You're right. I apologize for not introducing myself, but somehow I didn’t notice." Because interacting with her felt so familiar? Because he somehow knew that they already knew each other? Katherine assumed that she was not going to find out.

He moved his beer to his left hand before he extended his right hand to her. "My name is Elijah."

So it is Elijah after all. Somehow it was nice to see that he kept his name and didn't completely invent himself new.

Her eyes fell on his outstretched hand, which he had given her to greet her.

So far, she had studiously avoided touching him in any way; although touching was the key to creating familiarity, a short touch here, a short touch there. Decent, of course, but people tended to have more trust in a person when you touched them briefly on the shoulder, hand, or upper arm.

It is probably quite obvious why she had avoided this so far. She didn’t want this kind of familiarity, a healthy distance has never hurt and it is better for her.

Nonetheless, it would be viewed as impolite if she just ignored the hand that he had extended to her which is why she took it. His handshake was as she knew him; not lax, but he radiated the authority known from him. Which in this case was probably something he didn’t express consciously.

"Nice to meet you, Elijah." She bit down on her tongue to not add any additional comment such as 'a nice name' and then made sure to let go of his hand as quickly as possible without seeming suspicious.

"And with whom do I have the pleasure?" He, again, sounded genuinely inquisitive about it which suggested that he really didn’t seem to have a clue who she was.

Of course, she knew that this question would come, and it was the logical consequence after being asked his name. Katherine had also thought about it. What name should she give him? The French version of her name? Catherine Pierre? Her original name, the one he always liked to use? Katerina? The name she usually uses? Katherine?

She wanted to lie to him as little as possible, even if the French version of her name was not a lie, after all, there were people who called her that. However, she always kept in mind that one day he would remember everything. To name him another name was therefore not really an option because he would see it as a blatant lie and another reason why she wasn't trustworthy.

So only Katherine and Katerina remained.

Katerina was of course very obvious, it was the name he always chose for her. He met her as Katerina and somehow, that name stuck with him, no matter that she chose to go by a different name by now.

However, there were two good reasons why she would not introduce herself as Katerina.

On the one hand, she had concerns that this name might trigger something in him, maybe he would start to remember completely. He must have recognized something about her, otherwise, she could not explain why he had bought her of all guests a drink. Katherine, however, wasn't sure if it would be good for her if he started to remember. That should be a task his family has to handle, not her as it could come with risks. She had no idea how long Elijah was already in this memory-less state, she had no idea what he had done since then. She couldn't assess how he would react upon starting to remember who he truly was, what he was capable of, and what he might have done since he chose to get his memories erased; perhaps the true reason why he had picked such a drastic decision in the first place would bubble up again and one never knows what the true trigger for that choice had been and what that caused him to feel.

She didn't want to get in the danger zone.

On the other hand, she also didn't want to introduce herself as Katerina as some kind of self-protection. Hearing him say her name like this – although he probably won't remember to roll the 'R' as he used to do – could bring back even more memories and she wasn't sure if she could endure this.

It was surprisingly difficult enough to interact with him because all the interactions or conversations went through her mind hours later. He was a person who was hard to forget because he did hold a meaning to her even though he believed it to be different…

This is why she chose to introduce herself as the person she was, the person she identified herself as: Katherine.

"My name's Katherine." No last name because he also didn't introduce himself with his last name (if he could even remember it).

Not having to mention a surname was also convenient for her as it came with fewer risks. 'Katherine Pierce' might trigger something in him as well, a 'Katherine Pierce' also might be recognized by others because she had no idea what Elijah did when he wasn't in the pub playing the piano. Perhaps he had friends he talked to? If he tells them that he had met a 'Katherine' it wouldn't be as striking as if he tells them he met a 'Katherine Pierce'. Although Katherine didn’t think she was some kind of well-known celebrity, she was cautious about her identity.

"Katherine-" he repeated the name, his gaze still curious on her although she believed he tried to classify the name on his tongue. "-it's a beautiful name."

That comment made her involuntarily smile although she quickly tried to hide that response. Instead, she politely thanked him the way every person would react when receiving a compliment on their name.

"Okay, Elijah." It was strange saying that name out loud again, even more so to say it in front of that man himself. "Now that I know your name, I can again thank you again for the drink. It really surprised me. Positively."

Oh, if only he knew how much she was surprised by this deed.

"It really wasn't a circumstance. Aside from that, it should probably be me to thank you for returning the favor even though I truly had not intended for you to repay me in any kind." A statement that seemed to be important to him because he again let her know that he indeed didn't have any ulterior motives behind buying her that drink.

"Don't worry, I wanted to." Now, how to keep this conversation going? The actual agenda was over. You bought me a drink, I bought you a drink, we’re even now. Topic finished and everyone back to their respective spot.

Only with the difference that their conversation could not stay there. It needed to develop, to move further.

Sure, now would usually be the time to start flirting, which was typically a breeze. A few ambiguous sentences, a glance here, a 'random' touch there. Only with the difference that she did not want this.

It would be a lot easier if he wasn’t Elijah.

"I was wondering…" She chose her words wisely, wanting to push their conversation in the right direction. There was something else she wanted to say but decided against it before the words left her mouth. "how long you're already playing here? I suppose a solo man show is quite rare." Her words were accompanied by a slight smile that might elicit him some secrets.

It caused Elijah to chuckle shortly before he eyed the beer and then returned his gaze back to her, his index finger swiftly scratching over his cheek.

"It's probably no fascinating story. I wanted to visit this town and I came in here to buy a drink. While I was waiting for my drink, I discovered this piano in the corner. It was a bit dusty and covered but somehow I had this desire to play it. It wasn’t exactly polite, but I went over and folded up the key cover, sat down, and started playing. Please don’t think I’m crazy, but there was this connection somehow as if it was meant to be. And the owner of his pub, Baptiste, was impressed by my playing and asked me if I could imagine playing here regularly."

"And so you did," Katherine concluded, still fascinated by the turn of events. She cannot picture normal Elijah wanting to play a shabby piano in a pub and then even agreeing to play regularly in there. He would probably take such an offer as an insult, even if he wouldn't voice it out loud.

"I'm sure you have many fans," Katherine added as she kept her gaze on Elijah. She didn't know why she chose to say this. It was actually rather stupid. Concentrate, Katherine!

The corners of Elijah's lips lifted slightly and he almost looked slightly sheepishly.

"I think people like the music. Although I'm of course well aware people don't come here to hear me play."

Is he really sure about that? Because Katherine knew there was one person in this room that specifically only came here to hear him.

"Well, I can only speak from my perspective. I was surprised to discover life-piano music when I first came to visit. But it was a nice surprise."

The words left her lips fluidly, not giving a hint away that she truly was astounded by the entire arrangement.

She seemed to have flattered him somehow because he did smile again. Not in the polite, casual way; it was a smile that reached his eyes. An honest joy. An expression that she had rarely seen except for the moments they shared a moment.

Somehow she found it adorable.

Damn it.

Was that really necessary?

To mask this confused reaction, she took a sip of her beer and wondered why she a) reacted to him in that way and b) why she acted so awkwardly. She struggled, not being able to lead their conversation anywhere fruitful without having to flirt or without having some kind of non-neutral reaction.

Was it really possible to mess this up so badly?

Sure, she could ask him if he wanted to show her how to play piano but this was neither the right location nor was it the right approach. It would just remind her of certain things plus she was also sure it was no good idea to risk being (almost) alone with him. Although alone time would probably be the key to success, Katherine simply didn’t want to be alone with him.

Surely Klaus would understand.

…

Who does she fool? Of course, he wouldn't.

"Uhm, I don't want to take more of your time…", she started while thinking of a good way to end this conversation before it got awkward but also keeping a door open.

The next question he would certainly misunderstand at the beginning, but nevertheless, a part of her was quite interested to see how he reacted to it.

"I was planning on going out for dinner tonight…" As expected, Elijah seemed to be slightly puzzled about the start of this sentence as his words caused Elijah to tilt his head, apparently seeming like he considered something. It was interesting in a way that he didn't seem to be interested in the potential thought of spending time with her outside this pub. Which she definitely found strange. But perhaps that's only her interpretation because she didn't really want him to consider this some type of date. Before he could voice his objections, however, Katherine quickly raised her hand.

"Oh, no, not what you think. Don't worry." She quickly added that she definitely wasn't asking him out. At least not yet and hopefully never.

"I thought that you might know a good place? I would appreciate a tip."

Elijah was indeed able to make a recommendation, which she took as an occasion to finally say goodbye on the grounds that she was starting to feel hungry and thanks to him, now has the ideal restaurant.

It was hopefully an elegant safe before she found herself in an embarrassing situation although she did ponder if he would have actually declined her invitation if she truly had asked him out. What was the reason for it?

Did he subliminally have a grudge against her? Even if she could not comprehend that, because he has been quite friendly and open-minded towards her so far. Surely he wouldn't initiate a conversation by buying her a drink if he somehow didn't like her.

Or maybe it was something completely different: Maybe more was hiding behind the supposedly unsuspecting facade.

It definitely gave her something to think about as she put the still-half-full bottle of beer on the bar and then proceeded to leave the club.

In the background, the music began to play and as she walked outside, she noticed that he had not answered the one question about how long he had been there. Intentionally or accidentally?

Don't give it too much thought, Katherine. Don't let him drive you crazy.

Even before she had entirely left the club, she had already taken out the phone from her bag to go look for the address of the restaurant although she did not plan on visiting it this evening as she was looking for a different type of meal. Something more nutritious for a vampire. And hopefully also a way of distracting her mind.

While searching for the address on the internet (and its opening hours), Katherine subconsciously noticed a woman who was entering the pub. Katherine didn't really pay attention to that person, despite her instincts telling her that there was something different about this woman in comparison to the usual visitors of this place.

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A/N: Please consider leaving (positive) feedback as it keeps my muse for writing alive. ♥ Remember to stay kind.

[finnicks]

( fic ) i’ll do anything for a taste of you

i’ll do anything for a taste of you

the vampire diaries | elijah/katherine explicit, 5.1k Katherine begs Elijah to turn her back into a vampire while having sex.

[mismaeve]

♕ Burning Lights ♕

❝ And my heart won't beat again ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIf I can't feel him in my veins ❞

Chapter 23 of the Burning Lights series Pairing: Katherine Pierce x Elijah Mikaelson Warnings: PG16+, some angst Word count: 9323 POV: Katherine Sidenote: Finally!!! It's been a long time coming but I've finally done it. It's the longest update I've written so far and truth be told, no matter the feedback this gets, I will be forever proud. As always though, don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts, I always appreciate it. Oh and P.S. I threw in a treat for you guys, especially for cologne nonnie. Enjoy! Love, Maeve xx _________________________________________________

The soothing breeze on their penthouse balcony felt nice on her warm skin. The night that surrounded her was quiet and serene. She could scarcely notice the occasional car driving by on the street countless stories below her. She was embraced by a state of calm she had rarely felt before during her many lifetimes. A memory appeared before her, bringing her back to a time where the world itself was more quiet still. A memory that almost seemed like a dream, or a glimpse of a past life.

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“It’s so peaceful here,” she said with a soft smile on her delicate features. “I’ve noticed you coming here a lot lately,” Elijah’s voice was tender, warm. Katerina turned her head to glance at the handsome lord sat beside her and saw that he was watching her. “I suppose I like to come here to escape the castle,” she confided in him with a smile that turned somewhat sad. “The castle or my brother?” “I know I shouldn’t feel this way, yet I cannot help it,” she continued quietly, a part of her frightened that wrong ears should catch her words. “Are you having second thoughts?” his voice seemed sincere, caring. As if he was genuinely interested in what she was feeling. “I’m not sure,” she replied with a sigh.

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She wasn’t having second thoughts this time. This time, Katherine Pierce found herself being sure of her choice. Truth be told, now that she looked back at it, she knew she had lied to him then. She had been sure then as well. She had been sure that she no longer was interested in the lord Niklaus. She had been sure that someone else had captured her heart. His older brother, the lord Elijah. The same older brother who was now in their bed fast asleep. Katherine turned around and leaned against the railing, her eyes travelling to the sleeping frame on the master bed. She felt her lips turn upwards in a tiny smile at the sight of him. The brunette watched the sleeping frame move some, his arm stretching over to her side of the bed. His hand patted the empty spot next to him and his eyes opened. Once their eyes locked, Katherine’s smile grew some.

A soft groan escaped Elijah’s lips before he spoke. “ The bed misses you,” he said his voice sounding sleepy. “ Is it the bed that misses me or you?” Katherine teased him lightly as she pushed her body off the railing and made her way slowly back inside their bedroom. “You caught me there, love,” he mused softly, a somewhat sheepish grin spreading across his handsome features. “ I like it when you miss me,” she purred as she moved onto their bed. Moving on all fours, she moved closer to him, her face hovering only inches from his. “ I figured as much,” he said with a smirk, his hands going to her sides and continuing to travel south until finding their resting place on her hips. With a satisfied grin, Katherine leaned down and planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth, letting her lips linger there before moving down to his jaw. She felt his grip on her hips tighten as she trailed kisses along his jawline, each kiss appearing hungrier than the one before. A soft groan came from Elijah as her lips reached his neck, kissing and nibbling on his soft skin as they continued their descent on him. She felt his hands leave her hips and slip underneath his shirt that she was currently wearing. With feline-like grace, Katherine positioned herself properly on top of the man she loved, leaning down on her forearms, allowing her fingers to find their way into his hair, where they softly tugged at it. As Elijah’s hands roamed all over her naked body underneath her shirt, her lips left his neck and found his in a deep and hungry kiss. Despite the two of them having been at it almost constantly ever since they had gotten back from Diana’s, their hunger for each other had not diminished, if anything, it had gotten stronger still. In that moment of their mouths colliding in mutual desire, Elijah’s hands had left her body and he used them to push himself up into a sitting position. His arms went around her and pulled her even closer as their tongues engaged in a sensual dance only they knew. Their lips devoured each other for another moment until his mouth travelled down her jaw and to her neck, prompting a soft moan to emit from Katherine’s lips. His mouth on her neck made her skin feel as if it were on fire, a fierce fire that only he could start and only he could extinguish but only after he had let it rage on and consume her whole.

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“Do you think it’s painful?” she asked sounding unsure. “Truth be told, I haven’t given it much thought,” Elijah shrugged. “ I can’t imagine it being very pleasant for the person,” Katerina expressed with a hint of curiosity behind her words. Elijah didn’t respond, and there was a moment of silence between them. “ Have you ever...,” she paused choosing her words carefully, “ done it with someone you cared for?” “ I can’t say that I have,” he told her quietly and appeared to be deep in thought. “ Would you?” she asked after a moment. “ Drink from someone I cared for?” he looked at her and Katerina felt she needed to avert her gaze. “ If that were the case, I imagine it would be for a different purpose,” he told her softly, prompting her to look at him with a confused expression. “ Different how?” she asked. “ Normally, we would feed to satisfy our hunger. Alas, if I were to drink from someone I cared for,” he trailed off, his gaze not leaving hers, “ it wouldn’t be to satisfy my hunger. I would go as far as to say it would be something intimate, sensual even.” “ That said, I would never presume to take without being told it was alright,” he added after a while.

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“ I want you to do it,” Katherine sounded out of breath, his lips on her neck making her breath heavy with desire. “ Do what, love?” Elijah asked her huskily between kisses, his fingers working on unbuttoning her shirt. “ I want you to have me like that,” she whispered in a low voice, leaning her head slightly back to extend her neck even more. He continued to kiss her some more before he suddenly stopped and moved his head to look at her. “ Are you certain?” he asked her once she opened her eyes and found his. “ Yes.” “ I don’t want to hurt you,” he said softly and leaned his forehead against hers. “ Something’s telling me it won’t really hurt,” Katherine reassured him. He didn’t reply but she felt him nod, and Katherine found herself anticipating it the same way she always anticipated feeling him inside her. When his lips found their way back to her neck, she closed her eyes with a low groan coming from her slightly parted lips. His hands slid her shirt down her shoulders, exposing the skin beneath. Thinking that she would feel a sharp sensation any moment now, she was surprised to feel him move them around some, his arm around her waist, lifting her up slightly. Katherine cried out in pleasure so intense it was almost agonising as he guided her back down again on his lap, the two of them becoming one just as his fangs had pierced the skin on her neck. His arms were around her, holding her firmly in place, his hand was in her hair, grasping it intensely. She felt she wouldn’t have been able to move even if she had wanted to. She allowed him to take all of her, to take everything she had, and she found it felt like heaven and hell combined. All she could feel was immense pleasure, their connection to one another magnified by a tenfold. It was only too easy for her to surrender to it, to get lost in it, it was a delirium of a different kind.

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“ I believe I have never felt this happy at the sight of my blood healing someone,” Elijah mused softly as he watched his bitemark on her neck slowly heal over and disappear completely. “ I guess Diana knew what she was doing after all, despite all your doubts,” Katherine pointed out with a raised eyebrow. “ It was a trying situation to say the least, can you really blame me for wanting to be sure?” “ It doesn’t really matter now, I’m here and I’m fine,” Katherine offered him a smile before giving his lips a gentle peck. “ And soon to be a vampire,” Elijah reminded her with a soft smile, his hand going to brush away a loose curl from her features. “ Exactly,” Katherine murmured as she took her accustomed place with her head on his chest and his arm around her, constantly trying to pull her even closer. “ Speaking of which, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she heard him ask her carefully, a hint of worry in his voice. “ Did it sound like you did?” Katherine smirked to herself. “ I honestly couldn’t tell, it sounded very intense either way.” “ Because it was, the most intense experience I’ve ever had,” she murmured as she closed her eyes. “ Thank you,” Elijah whispered and planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Katherine didn’t reply, only a soft smile played on her features. She felt sleep was beckoning her and made no attempt to escape. As she felt herself being embraced by the sweet tranquility of sleep, the last thing her conscious mind registered was Elijah telling her he loved her.

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Katherine was studying Elijah’s face, debating whether to share her experience with him or ask him to drop it. She knew that deep down, she ached to share her experience with him, that she should tell him what happened after she crossed over, so to speak. She also knew that she wasn’t fooling herself with the idea that since she had been the one that had to actually die, that it had been any easier to be in his shoes. She knew well enough that what Elijah had gone through was just as horrible. “ I remember being terrified,” she started after a while. “ I remember you trying to distract me with all the things we would do and places we would go, and as comforting as it was to listen to your voice, I could still feel the dread deep down inside,” she sighed heavily at the mere memory of her experience only a couple of days ago. “ Were you in pain at any point during the ritual?” Elijah asked quietly, his eyes studying her face. “ No, there was no pain,” Katherine said after a while. She wasn’t lying, it hadn’t been painful. No physical pain at least. “ I’m sensing a but coming,” his voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Katherine sat down the glass of wine she had been nursing for the better part of the evening and got up from the couch. The brunette made her way to the tall windows, noticing that dusk was settling over the town square. “ I don’t even know how to explain it if I’m being honest,” Katherine started as her eyes followed the smoky dusk, “ It wasn’t so much pain as it was fear and dread.” “ I had never felt such dread in my life,” she whispered quietly, her eyes catching on Elijah’s reflection in the window. He was watching her from the couch, his expression somewhat somber. “ It felt like all hope was lost, like this truly was the end. No more possibilities, no more chances, no more opportunities of righting any wrongs. The only promise that existed in that moment was the promise of nothing, of emptiness, of this cold and dark place where loneliness was going to be your ultimate undoing.” She hadn’t realized until now that tears were slowly building up in her eyes. Katherine quickly blinked them away and cleared her throat. She was determined to leave that particular experience behind her, no matter the cost. But sadly, she hadn’t prepared for the mere memory of it to be so vivid. She could almost feel it in her body, all that fear and dread that she had felt that night on Diana’s kitchen table. “ What happened then?” Elijah’s voice seemed to be miles away, a distant sound at the end of a dark tunnel. “ And then I died,” she turned around and forced a smile which in turn prompted Elijah to offer her a frown. “ What I’m saying is that, as death approached, what had appeared to be unending dread, slowly started giving way to peace,” Katherine explained as she slowly made her way back to where Elijah was sitting. “ Slowly, inch by inch, the dread and the fear made way for this warm and peaceful feeling. I could feel my body slowly starting to relax, all that fear becoming a distant memory,” she finished softly, her smile now a genuine reassuring one. “ It was like slipping into a hot bath after a long day, you know?” she shrugged and sat down on the couch, swinging her legs across Elijah’s lap, “I felt like somehow, everything would work out. The peace soothed me, I felt like I was being wrapped up in this soft blanket which would always protect me from everything. It was utter serenity,” she trailed off and shrugged again, “ I wish I had known then that it wouldn’t last.” “ Did something happen after you....,” he trailed off, clearly struggling to utter the word out loud. “ Died?” Katherine helped out with an understanding smile. Elijah nodded, a glimpse of regret on his features.

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“ I know you think the worst is done, child, but I’m sorry to disappoint, it’s yet to come,” Diana told her softly, taking her hand in hers. “ I’m dead, aren’t I?” Katherine asked although she already knew the answer. Diana nodded. “ What do you mean, the worst is to come?” she asked, a hint of fear taking residence upon her features. “ You must find your way home,” Diana explained, giving her hand a firm squeeze. “ Home?” Katherine asked feeling a bit puzzled. “ Back to your body, baby,” the witch informed her. “ Don’t go wandering around for too long, the longer you stay, the harder it will be to get you back,” Diana continued, her blue eyes locking with Katherine’s brown ones. “ All I have to do is find my body and I’ll come back?” Katherine asked with a raised eyebrow before glancing around at their surroundings. “ Easier said than done. If you’re unlucky, some of the spirits will try to convince you to stay,” the old woman warned her. “ But, if I’m dead, are you?” Katherine suddenly asked feeling somewhat alarmed. “ No, dearie. But I wasn’t about to let you go off without instructions,” Diana smiled warmly at her, and Katherine felt herself more at ease. “ But,” Katherine started but was interrupted by the old witch. “ Don’t you worry about anything else, focus on finding your way back,” was Diana’s last words to her before the woman was gone and Katherine was left alone.

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“Diana was there?” Elijah asked in mild disbelief. Katherine nodded. “ I know Diana told me afterwards about where I was and what kind of place it was, but I still can’t wrap my mind around it,” she explained before taking a sip of her wine. “ It was neither dark nor light, it was something in between. The place was neither cold nor warm,” she started slowly, her memories taking her back to when she was in the spirit world, as Diana had put it. “ I took her warning to heart and started to move, looking around frantically to see if I would find something, anything familiar,” she trailed off. “ Do you know where you were?” Elijah’s voice was quiet, careful, as if not to startle her. “ I was in 1492 Bulgaria,” she answered with a sad smile. Her eyes found Elijah’s and saw that he understood more or less of what she was about to tell him.

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“ No way, please, no,” Katherine whispered to herself once she realized where she was. Or rather when she was. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes landing on something on the ground not too far from her. She didn’t have to get closer to know what it was. Either this was a sick joke or the universe, or the spirits or whatever were trying to punish her all over again. Katherine took a breath and forced herself to move. She had to get back, and if that meant reliving her worst memory all over again, then so be it. As Katherine proceeded to enter the village of where she once had lived, a sound from behind her made her jump around. She looked to the woods behind her but couldn’t see anything. Yet something made that sound again, like someone was stepping on dry branches and leaves, getting closer and closer. Katherine stood her ground and waited. A figure of a woman was slowly emerging from the woods and stepping out onto the road. Closer and closer the woman was making her way towards Katherine. The brunette paled once the woman was close enough for Katherine to recognize her. “ Katerina, my sweet child,” the woman spoke softly in Bulgarian, addressing Katherine by her given name. A name the woman herself had given her. “ Mama?” Katherine gasped in disbelief. She had prepared for having to find her mother brutally murdered by none other than Klaus himself, and yet here she was, standing in front of her. There was no blood on her, nothing to indicate that she had fallen victim to a psychotic hybrid. The woman extended her arms, inviting Katherine into an embrace, the smile on her gentle features radiant and loving. Katherine could see tears of joy in her mother’s eyes. The brunette rushed forward and let out a relieved sob as she felt her mother’s arms embrace her and hold her close. She smelled like she always had, of lavender and honey. A smell Katherine thought would be lost forever.

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“ In that moment, I didn’t care about where I was, all that seemed to be forgotten. All I could think about was feeling my mother’s touch,” Katherine said quietly, watching Elijah pour some more wine into her glass. “ Was she real?” he asked. “ She felt as real as you do. But it took me a while to remember that she couldn’t be,” she said in a voice that was flooded with disappointment. “ She told me about this gruesome man who had come to our village one night. A demon with dark eyes and a soul darker still,” Katherine could remember how terrified her mother had looked while telling her of Klaus’ visit. “ She told me of the servants and the servant girls he had mercilessly butchered with his sword, some he had torn apart with his bare hands,” Katherine couldn’t help but shudder at the memory of her mother’s words. “ She spoke of Niklaus,” she heard Elijah say. “ She said she and my father had escaped to the woods, and that we should head back to their hidden hut, that it wasn’t safe in the village,” Katherine continued. “ I had started to follow her when I remembered what Diana had warned me about.” “ That some spirits might try to convince you to stay,” Elijah murmured softly, placing his hand on her knee where he proceeded to stroke it comfortingly. Katherine nodded. ㅤ

“ Katerina, you must come, it isn’t safe here,” her mother’s voice sounded desperate, the fear in her eyes all too real. “ I can’t,” Katherine said in an agonizing voice, wanting more than anything to see her family well and unharmed. “ Your father will want to see you, he will be besides himself with joy,” her mother pleaded. “ I want to, I do, but I have to get back,” Katherine tried to make her mother understand that she couldn’t stay. She had to go. “ I am begging you, child,” her mother gripped Katherine’s hands and pulled her into another embrace, holding her tight against her chest. Katherine wrapped her arms around her mother’s frame, breathing her in while she had the chance, savoring the scent of lavender and honey, wishing she’d never forget it. “ Come, my child,” her mother whispered in her ear and Katherine found herself nodding. “ You have to come home with me,” her mother urged her. Home.

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“I knew then what was happening,” Katherine sighed and sat down her empty glass on the coffee table. “ She wanted you to stay,” Elijah whispered. “ When she said ‘home’, it finally struck me. I had to leave her if I ever wanted to get back to you and the land of the living.” “ Did she let you leave?” Elijah asked her carefully. “ She continued to plead with me after I tried saying good-bye to her,” Katherine started slowly, the memory of it feeling all too real now. “ Eventually, I just turned and started back the way we had come, all the while listening to her pleas. It was like my heart broke all over again,” she whispered. There was a moment of silence between them, neither one of them said anything. Eventually, she carried on with her story. “ The worst came when her pleas, which seemed to follow me no matter how far I got, turned into these haunting whispers.” “ What did the whispers say?” Elijah asked. “ They blamed me for what had happened. They kept echoing in the thick air, I couldn’t escape them, I couldn’t block them out. And the closer I got to the village, the worse they grew,” Katherine closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she continued. “ It was as if they were trying to keep me from entering the village. Their words grew harsher and harsher, the voices started sounding more and more in pain, soon they resembled wails or moans of pure agony,” she trailed off, being unable to continue. It was hard to talk about it, but it was harder still not to. She knew she would eventually have to tell someone of her experience in the spirit world, and she knew it would have to be Elijah. She wanted to tell him, more than anything now, but she couldn’t do it without being brought back to that place, back to those voices, back to her mother begging her to stay. Finally, being able to see her and feel her, and talk to her, only to have to turn her back on her. What she had had to do in the spirit realm, were one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, a mighty high price to pay in order to stay alive. And she had paid in full. And now she knew, if she didn’t tell him about it, it would haunt her forever. “ You don’t have to continue if you don’t want to,” Elijah tried to reassure her but there was no stopping her now. “ So I decided to run, to run towards the village. I realized that the village was the answer since they were trying so hard to keep me from it,” she continued, ignoring Elijah. “ As I was about to enter our keep, the wails appeared to be inside my head, it was a deafening roar. I couldn’t hear anything other than the wailing, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t focus,” she exhaled and leaned back against the couch. “ The moment I opened the door and stepped inside, it got quiet. The only thing left was silence so deep and profound, that for a moment there I wondered if I had lost my hearing for good,” she chuckled halfheartedly. “ I was still expecting to see blood everywhere but there wasn’t any. Everything appeared to be normal.” “ I had seen the slaughtered servants and maids outside our keep, but there was nothing inside. It felt wrong somehow,” Katherine’s voice trailed off.

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“What happened once you were inside the keep?” Elijah asked her as he returned from the kitchen area with two cups of coffee. “ I almost failed, is what happened,” Katherine said thoughtfully as she took her cup from Elijah and wrapped her palms around it. “ What do you mean?” he asked her as he took his seat next to her. “ I had gone upstairs to my chambers where I saw a crib. I could hear a baby cooing,” her voice had dropped to a whisper. She didn’t have to look at Elijah to know that his expression was pained. “ Katherine,” she heard Elijah sigh softly and raised her hand to stop him right there. She knew if she were to even look at him, let alone hear his comforting words or feel his touch, she would lose it.

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“ Hi, my little one,” she whispered softly with a smile as tears pooled in her eyes. She reached out and picked up the infant girl with the utmost care. Katherine bent her head down and inhaled the sweet scent of her daughter, her lips gently brushing over the baby’s fuzz of dark hair. “ I’m here, your mother is here,” Katherine murmured with a strained voice. She felt so overwhelmed, so overcome by joy and longing she didn’t even know she had. A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she felt a tiny hand grasp a lock of her hair and tug at it gently. “ I’m never leaving you again,” Katherine whispered as she held her daughter against her chest. She had forgotten her purpose of returning to the living, she had forgotten about Elijah, she had forgotten about her dying on Diana’s kitchen table. Furthermore, she seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened in her life, her 500 years on the run, Mystic Falls, Elena Gilbert, all of it was gone. The only thing that mattered, the only thing Katherine found herself capable of thinking about was right here in her arms. Her daughter.

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Katherine clenched her jaw, fighting the tears that had already started to fall down her cheeks. Elijah didn’t say anything, allowing her this moment of trying to pull herself together. And for that Katherine loved him. Slowly, she found herself starting to calm down, her breath was no longer hitching in her throat, and she was able to take a deep and steadying breath. “ I had no intention of leaving that place, I wanted nothing more than to stay there and be with her,” she continued after a while, her voice low and quiet. “ She had fallen asleep in my arms, and I moved us to my bed. Laying there with her so close next to me, I felt like I would never be able to stop admiring her,” Katherine breathed out, her memories beginning to overwhelm her yet again. “ It felt like I was in a trance or something, she was completely mesmerising,” a sad smile had appeared on her lips. “ How did you manage to leave?” Elijah’s whisper prompted her to clear her throat and take a sip of her coffee. “ I didn’t know what it was at first,” she began slowly, “ I only realized it after I had come back from the spirit world, and you embraced me,” she trailed off and glanced up at him with loving eyes. “ What?” Elijah looked a tad puzzled. “ It was you,” she said softly and raised her hand to his cheek, letting her thumb brush over his features. “ Me?” he raised his eyebrows. “ You were calling me home without even knowing it, without even being there with me to guide me back,” she offered him a soft smile as she dropped her hand from his cheek. “ Well, you weren’t really there but at the same time you were.” “ As I was laying there on the bed with my infant daughter who I thought was lost to me forever, a different kind of scent caught my attention. It seemed so familiar, yet I couldn’t place it,” she explained sounding thoughtful. “ The more I focused on the scent, the more it came back to me, what it was I had to do, that I couldn’t stay there,” she said quietly.

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“ I haven’t forgotten you, I never will,” Katherine murmured as she placed her daughter back into her crib, “ And I will love you forever. You are loved, my sweet daughter,” her voice broke as her fingers stroked her daughter’s face for the last time. The infant girl stirred and opened her eyes, a soft cry escaping her tiny lips. Katherine clenched her jaw and turned around, with her back facing the crib she heard the baby begin to cry. As she used every ounce of her strength to take a step towards the door, she felt her eyes well up like never before. With tears streaming down her cheeks and her daughter’s growing cries, she slowly left her chambers following the scent that had caught her attention earlier. The scent had taken her out of the keep and to the woods that grew in the back. It didn’t take her long to recognize the path she was following. Katherine along with her parents had taken it multiple times whenever they had gone to visit their ancestors. With every step she took, the scent grew stronger, more powerful, reminding her of her true home where she belonged. The brunette paused and looked around her. She found herself in the middle of the Petrova burial site. As she moved past the ancient looking headstones, recognizing some of the names displayed there, she stopped before one which appeared to be lighter in color. There was something there, in the air around it, it appeared to stand out from all the other headstones. She carefully moved closer and felt the scent grow in power, it was so strong she could almost taste it, feel it on her skin. Upon inspecting the headstone closer, her eyes widened some as she realized it was her own headstone. Her birth name was displayed on it, along with her date of birth and date of passing which read 2013. She took a deep breath, something was telling her that this was her way back. Even the air felt alive with electric currents surging through it. Everything had gotten so still, there wasn’t a single sound or smell, save for the familiar scent which had guided her here. Katherine reached out carefully and felt her palm touch the cold stone of her final resting place.

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“ The next thing I knew I was in Diana’s kitchen, and I heard you talking with her outside,” Katherine smiled to herself at the memory. “ The moment you saw me standing there in the doorway, you rushed to me and pulled me into your arms, and I felt that scent again,” her smile was growing some, her eyes fixed on Elijah’s. “ As ridiculous as it might sound, it was you, or your cologne to be exact, that I had noticed in the spirit world,” she chuckled as she watched Elijah become puzzled. “ I’ve always loved the scent of it, it’s always reminded me of home for some reason. Mainly because I would only be able to smell it when we were close, in an embrace for example,” she admitted truthfully. Katherine watched Elijah shake his head, a hint of a smile playing on his handsome face. “ I supposed a confession is due,” he spoke softly as he took the cup from her hands and placed it on the coffee table. “ What do you mean?” Katherine asked with a raised eyebrow. “ I’ve noticed you taking a liking to it, so I’ve been wearing it for you,” he admitted. Katherine watched the man she loved for a moment before a cheeky grin took hold of her features. “ So what are we saying, that Gucci brought me back from the dead?” “ Armani, actually,” Elijah chuckled and pulled her into his arms, her face going to rest against his chest, and she breathed him in as had become her custom. The scent of home, the scent of him. The scent he wore for her. “ Thank you for bringing me home,” Katherine whispered into his chest and closed her eyes. “ No, love, I could never take credit for that. You did all of that yourself, I merely reminded you of it,” he spoke softly as his hand went to stroke her hair. “ As far as having a home goes, you are mine,” he whispered and kissed the top of her head. Katherine sighed feeling content. “ I cannot express it in words of how sorry I am that you had to endure all that you did in the spirit world,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a more somber note. Katherine sighed and moved to look him in the eyes. “ I appreciate it, I do. And now that I’ve told you, I never want to speak of it again,” her voice was serious. “ I understand,” Elijah said softly as he took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips, kissing the top of it lightly.

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She rarely had trouble sleeping nowadays, Elijah’s arms wrapped around her had always provided her with a sense of safety, a sense of belonging. But that night, she had slept more soundly than ever. Upon her waking, she decided it was due to the fact that she had told Elijah about her recent experiences of dying and her brief visit in the spirit world. Diana had been right, dying had been nothing compared to what she had to go through in the spirit realm. She hadn’t realized how burdened she had been with the experience until she had shared it with Elijah. She could swear later on, that it had made her feel lighter, like talking about a nightmare made it slowly leave your memory. She was still pained at the thought of her mother and daughter, but she finally felt like it would no longer cripple her. The mark they had made would never fully heal, but it wouldn’t keep her from moving on with her life. Which is what they were doing the next morning. Elijah had tempted her with a nice and relaxing bath, insisting that she should be treated like royalty for all the days to come. Katherine was naturally pleased and decided she could easily get used to being pampered like this. “ Have you thought about of how you want to go about it?” Elijah asked her as his hands proceeded to massage her shoulders. “ About my turning, you mean?” “ Yes, any specific place you want to do it, specific time, that sort of thing,” he mused softly. “ I haven’t really thought about it, other than wanting you to be the one to turn me,” Katherine breathed out, leaning her head back against his chest. “ I would never allow anyone else take that honor from me,” his voice took a turn and appeared to be lower, almost serious. “ It’s an honor now, is it?” Katherine couldn’t help but feel amused at this sudden change in him. “ It is an honor, you permitting me to call you mine, but an honor greater still to be the one whose blood grants you immortal life,” Elijah murmured in her ear, sending pleasant shivers down her spine. “ Sounds like you’ve been blessed,” Katherine teased him lightly. “ You have no idea,” he whispered as his teeth nibbled on her earlobe gently. “ I want to do it tonight, I guess there’s no point in waiting,” she spoke slowly, her mind being distracted by Elijah trailing kisses down her neck towards her shoulder. “ If that’s what you wish,” he mumbled against her skin between kisses. “ Elijah,” she breathed out, his touch feeling intoxicating. “ Yes, my love,” he purred softly as his lips nibbled on her shoulder, his arms pulling her closer to his chest. “ You’re distracting me,” Katherine attempted to complain. “ Do you want me to stop?” he asked her before his lips found her sensitive spot on her neck and sucked on it gently. “ Is this what you had in mind when you suggested we take a bath together?” Katherine breathed out heavily, her eyes closed, savoring the feel of his lips on her skin. “ Perhaps.” “ You know, we will have an eternity of this,” Katherine reminded him quietly, all the while enjoying herself. “ Is it wrong to fear that not even an eternity with you would be long enough?” he murmured as his lips left her shoulder and he leaned his head to rest against hers. “ Well, it’s good for starters,” Katherine chuckled softly. “ In which case I say we continue this later and go see about granting my darling with the immortality she deserves,” he purred in her ear, prompting a smile to grace her features.

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“ Now that we’re alone, I thought I’d give this to you,” Diana spoke quietly, her hands taking Katherine’s. Katherine glanced down and saw that the old witch had placed a tiny vial in her hands. “ What’s that?” Katherine asked as she inspected the vial closer. “ You and I both know, baby, that your knight in shining armor will struggle with the actual deed,” Diana spoke plainly prompting Katherine to raise an eyebrow. “ What do you mean?” “ Elijah wanting to turn you is all fine and sweet, but can you honestly tell me the man won’t face difficulties when it comes down to actually having to kill you?” it was Diana’s turn now to raise her eyebrow at Katherine. The brunette paused. The old woman’s words made sense to her. She knew Elijah well enough to know that when push came to shove, he would kill her, but she also knew that it would be extremely hard on him, even given the fact that she would come back as a vampire. Katherine knew that the thought of him having to hurt her or lay his hands on her like that, would be torture for his soul. “ And let me guess, this vial contains the answer to that particular problem?” Katherine asked as she carefully shoved the vial into her pocket. “ It’s the same brew I used to stop your heart yesterday,” the witch nodded.

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Katherine could feel the fluttering within her, she was growing more excited by the second. They were finally going to do it. She would no longer remain a frail human being. She was going to become a vampire tonight, immune to disease and age, forever young and desirable. It almost felt like she was about to receive the life she had always dreamed of. Her fresh start, her new beginning. Her happiness. “ Are you ready, my love?” Elijah’s soft voice interrupted her thoughts and Katherine blinked to find him studying her face. “ Yes, but before we do, there’s something I need to tell you,” she paused, not knowing how to tell him that Diana doubted his ability to do the deed from start to finish. That Diana’s doubts had made sense to her and that on some level, she found herself sharing the witch’s doubts. “ Tell me what?” Elijah raised an eyebrow, his eyes searching her face for any clues. “ Diana said something to me,” she started, still struggling to find the right words. “ What did she say? Don’t tell me there’s going to be another problem,” he looked concerned now, almost afraid.  “ No, nothing like that,” Katherine shook her head and offered him a lame and weak smile.  “ Then what?” “ She gave me this,” Katherine opened her hand which had been clutching the small vial and showed it to Elijah. His eyes went to the vial before finding hers again, looking even more puzzled now. “ What is it?” he asked quietly. “ It’s the same substance that stopped my heart the night we did the ritual,” Katherine said quietly as she fought the need to lower her eyes. “ Why did she give it to you?” the quiet tone of his voice told her he had an idea of why the old witch might have given it to her. “ She feared that your love for me would prevent you from being able to, you know, kill me,” as the words left her lips, she could no longer hold his gaze and dropped hers to her shoes. “ And you share her fear?” she heard him move closer to her. Katherine felt herself swallow hard and forced herself to look up at the man she had indirectly accused of being too weak to see the deed through.  “ Would you be able to do it?” she whispered as her eyes were the ones to search his face for clues now. Elijah sighed and brought his hands to cup her face.  “ What kind of man would I be if I didn’t do my very best to see this through from start to finish?” he asked her softly, his expression gentle. No matter how hard Katherine tried to look, she found no signs of his feelings, or worse, his pride having been hurt.  “ So you’ll do it then? ” she whispered. “ I won’t like it but yes, darling, I will do it for you,” he murmured as he leaned his forehead against hers.  “ And now it’s my turn to tell you something,” he whispered before he leaned back, and their eyes found each other’s again. “ Tell me what?” Katherine asked quietly as her fingers deftly shoved Diana’s deathly vial into the back pocket of her jeans. “ Why don’t I show you, if you’ll permit me?” Elijah asked her, his hand going to cup the side of her face. Katherine nodded and closed her eyes, all the while relaxing her mind and opening it to him.

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“ I don’t suppose you need me to tell you how lucky you are,” Diana spoke as she took a seat at the kitchen table.  “ You are absolutely right, I don’t need you to know that I am,” Elijah sounded somewhat tense. “ If you mess this up again, sonny, you will lose her forever,” the old witch was watching Elijah with her piercing blue eyes. Silence followed as Elijah averted his eyes. “ Call me a sucker for happy endings but I thought I would give this to you, so you can pass it along to your girl when the time comes,” Diana’s tone had changed some, appearing to be lighter now, less threatening. Elijah’s eyes found the older witch again and saw that she was holding something in her hand. “ What is it?” he asked as his eyes went to the vial in her hands.  “ A gift,” the witch shrugged and extended her hand towards Elijah. He took the vial from her outstretched hand and examined it closer. “ You may recall me asking for a minor blood donation from you earlier, it was for this,” Diana explained as she watched the Original vampire turn the vial with his fingers. “ I don’t understand, what is this for?” Elijah asked. “ To spare you from having to listen to a lot of witchy terms and processes, I’ll tell you this. You know your girl well enough to know she can be vain and somewhat easily seduced by power,” Diana started, “ So I’ve made something that will prevent her from longing for the good ‘ol days,” the witch shrugged. Elijah appeared to still not quite understand what it was that he was holding in his hand, so the witch offered an easier explanation.  “ You give her this to drink after she’s had your blood and before she dies, and she will come back with the same strength she had prior to ingesting the cure for vampirism.” “ So, this will age her,” Elijah still sounded somewhat puzzled and unbelieving. “ Only in vampire years. It will provide her with her old vampire caliber and abilities,” Diana explained.  “ But how,” Elijah started but was cut off by the old woman. “ Don’t ask how, you wouldn’t understand anyway. Just trust me that it will work, and it will definitely make her happy.”

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Katherine opened her eyes and saw that Elijah was holding the vial. Katherine knew that Elijah would never have shared this with her, if he had so much as suspected this to be untrue. She knew that since Diana had been true to her word in bringing her back from the dead, that she would also be true to her word that this potion or whatever it was, would restore her old vampire abilities. Elijah must have felt the same way since he had chosen to share this with her. The fluttering that she had felt in her stomach earlier, was now becoming more intense. Not only will she become a vampire tonight, but she’ll literally go back to how she was before Elena Gilbert bested her with the cure. Diana had been right, Katherine couldn’t be any happier if she had tried. “ Shall we then?” Elijah’s lips were curled up in a smirk as he offered her his hand. Katherine took his offered hand and nodded. It was time.

He led her over to the couch and sat down, pulling her down with him and onto his lap. Katherine couldn’t help herself but feel almost giddy. It was finally happening. After all the agonizing months of her having been forced to be human, forced to feel fear and dread, and hopelessness. After having been nearly killed by Damon and Co., and then again by time catching up to her, it was finally going to happen. All of that will soon be in the past. None of it will matter anymore. She was finally going to be free. Katherine was nearly being suffocated by anticipation as she watched Elijah roll up the sleeve of his shirt to expose the wrist that would offer her the red substance within, the very key to her immortal life. Elijah didn’t ask her whether she was sure or whether she was ready or not, instead Katherine watched as his eyes darkened and his features became laced with the dark veiny pattern. She caught a glimpse of his fangs before he buried them into his own wrist. As he pulled back, his face had gone back to normal, and he used his tongue to lick off the blood from the corners of his mouth. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her breathing was heavy. It dawned on her then that this act of him turning her into a vampire felt so intimate and sensual, that it reminded her of their lovemaking. As her brown eyes watched the blood swell from the bitemark on his wrist, she felt herself biting her lower lip in anticipation. And when Elijah moved his wrist closer to her, she knew she was only seconds away from tasting the sweetness of his blood, from tasting the very essence of him. Katherine glanced up at him and saw that his lips were slightly parted, and his eyes were dark, and knew instantly that whatever it was that she was feeling, he was feeling it too. Her hand took his as she leaned over and closer to his bleeding wrist, when it was only inches away from her lips, she felt herself hold her breath. During the moment before her lips felt and tasted the red substance, it was like time itself had stopped. Everything was still, as if completely frozen. It lasted until Katherine parted her lips and brought his wrist to her mouth. Her eyes closed the moment she tasted his blood.

Even though Katherine had had his blood before and was more than familiar with how it tasted, she could swear it was somehow different this time. The moment her eyes had closed, it was like something was exploding inside her. His blood tasted sweeter than before, she could almost taste the very essence of him, the very thing that was Elijah. It wasn’t just the blood she was tasting, it was him. All of him. The sweetness of it brought on a form of a different kind of delirium and ecstasy, one she wasn’t capable of fighting. Instead, she found herself giving into it, reveling in it and letting it consume her. Nothing else existed for her but the sweetness of this moment, the future promise it held. That was until she heard him. “ This is how our forever starts,” his voice sounded husky and somewhat out of breath. She felt him pull her closer to his chest with his arm that was wrapped around her frame.  “ My blood is yours, my heart is yours and my soul is yours,” he breathed out hot against the top of her head. His words only amplifying the bloodied bliss that she was currently bathing in. “ I love you, my Katerina, my Katherine, my saving grace,” he purred close to her ear. His breath was heavy and hot on her skin. Katherine opened her eyes and swallowed the last of his blood, before an equally heavy breath escaped her parted lips. Katherine had never been one to allow her emotions to spin out of control and take over, but something about what they were doing and the effects it was having on her, made her chose differently this time. She let go of his wrist and moved to cup his face in her hands, her blood covered lips crashing against his. Elijah’s own lips parted and welcomed hers with the same intensity that she was currently feeling. She kissed him deeper than she ever had before, the echo of their kiss going all the way to the deepest pits of her stomach where each kiss culminated into a wave of pure heat and desire. Their lips devoured each other until she had to come up for air, and it was only then that her bliss gave way to her rational mind, and she remembered what it was they were supposed to do. The both of them were panting, trying to catch their breaths while pressing their foreheads together.  “ I love you too,” Katherine breathed out and offered his lips a gentle kiss before pulling away entirely. Elijah moved and planted one last kiss on her forehead. Their desires would have to wait for now. As fitting as it might have felt to give in and add even more pleasure to this act, she knew they would have plenty of time for that later.

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Katherine took his offered handkerchief and wiped the remnants of his blood from her mouth. Elijah did the same to his now healed wrist. One would think that they would have plenty to talk about, especially given what had happened just moments ago, yet there was silence between them. Katherine knew why both of them had grown so quiet. She had ingested his blood, so the next step now was to ingest the contents of the vial Diana had given as a gift. And then.... “ Elijah?” Katherine spoke his name softly, quietly. The Original’s eyes met hers and she could see that he was trying to hide the dread he must have been feeling.  “ Of course, it’s time for Diana’s potion,” he sounded like he had forgotten about something important and was just now realizing it. He fished the vial from the pocket of his slacks and walked over to Katherine.  “ You don’t have to do this, you know,” Katherine reminded him reassuringly, her hand reaching out to stroke his features.  “ We both know that I do, I owe it to you,” his voice was soft, but she could hear the discomfort beneath.  “ Owe it to me?” Katherine raised her eyebrows in question. “ After all that you have been through and endured, this is the least I can do for you,” Elijah explained as his hands took hers and gave her the small vial containing Diana’s magically crafted serum. Katherine appreciated that he was trying, that he wasn’t going to take the easy way out even though they had one thanks to Diana. She admired his courage and the fact that she could count on him to do the deed when the time came. She didn’t have to ask how he planned on doing it, she knew that whichever way he chose to do it, would be pain free. Knowing there was no point in trying to delay the inevitable, Katherine removed the tiny cork from the vial and without having any second thoughts, threw her head back and downed the contents within. The brunette was expecting for it to taste as bitter as the previous potion Diana had given her, but to her surprise, it tasted sweet. Her pleasant surprise and relief only lasted for a short moment before she realized what was about to come next. The anticipation she had felt earlier tonight had been sweet and full of promise, so she had to admit that whatever she was feeling now, was far from it. She wasn’t afraid of temporarily dying because she knew she would come back as a vampire. It was more the not knowing. She wasn’t going to ask him when and how, it wouldn’t do any good if he told her. When she finally allowed her eyes to meet with his, she saw that he was smiling softly, reassuringly. She took a breath and closed the small distance between them. It was her way of saying that she was ready for the grand finale. He took the empty vial from her hand and placed it back into his pocket. And just when Katherine thought he was going to go for the kill, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. She wrapped her arms around him as she breathed him in, the very scent that had saved her life a couple of days ago. She felt herself tense a little when she felt him pulling away, but he only moved to be able to kiss her. His kiss was caring and sweet, as was his touch when his fingers lightly stroked her delicate features.  “ I will see you soon, my darling,” Elijah spoke softly and offered her a gentle smile. “ Will you miss me?” Katherine asked with a smirk, trying her best to hide her unease.  “ I always miss you,” Elijah whispered as he leaned in and gave her lips a gentle peck before pulling her back into his embrace. The last thing Katherine could remember before everything went dark, was closing her eyes and smiling to herself. _________________________________________________