#kols chats

[imogenkol]

Betrayal for Imogen and Cal?

Well, this gave me a reason to finally write the moment where Imogen betrays Cal for the first time in fallen order, so thank you!!

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain. words: 1.2k

The vault lay empty. Quiet. Serene, even. Imogen subtly admired the greenery that crawled up the gilded walls, how light refracted off of the bright surfaces and into the water at her feet. Their mud-ridden boots disturbed the shallow pool that flooded the ancient chamber, yet even the small splashes of their steps echoed in whispers. A fleeting calm. Imogen readied herself for the inevitable. 

“Something feels off. The astrium has gotten heavier,” Cal said, his voice tense with caution. 

“Ease your mind, there is no time for distraction,” Imogen replied. She briefly wondered if he began to sense her intent, but she felt the same weight linger through the Force around her, too. There may only be one chance to fulfill her goal and she could not afford to miss it. Not when she was this close. So she shrouded herself behind the invisible shadow at the back of Cal’s mind to await her opportunity. “Unlock the vault. I shall keep watch.”

The young Jedi foolishly nodded and approached the center of the chamber. Imogen slowly circled him, keeping her steps light, carefully watching Cal out of the corner of her eye as she pretended to guard the entrance. He knelt down and lowered the astrium into its slot, manipulating the device with his mind. A few clicks and whirrs and the key disappeared beneath the floor, causing the domed roof to shift above their heads. Warm sunlight flowed over the two of them as the chamber realigned itself. The display reminded Imogen of the inner workings of an old lock. 

Cal watched the massive parts move in awe. “It’s like the entire vault is one giant Holocron.”

“Indeed,” Imogen muttered. She found herself impressed with the ingenuity of the Zeffo, but quickly pushed the feeling of wonder down to search for where the true Holocron might show itself. 

An etched panel off to the side rolled away to reveal a silver, reflective wall of some sort. It resembled a mirror. 

“What is that?” Cal questioned, his curiosity drawing him closer to the mysterious wall. 

Imogen did not trust it. It would not surprise her if the Zeffo implemented a failsafe, even after offering the astrium. The fool may very well set off a trap with a single wrong move for all she knew.

"Leave it." Imogen kept on his heels and reached to stop him just as he went to touch the smooth surface of the mirror. Her hand landed on his arm at the same time his palm connected with his reflection.

It was only a moment — a blink of her eyes — but Imogen suddenly became awash with utter dread. She feared failure. She feared loss. She could smell the tinge of blaster fire and ozone. Explosions shook her eardrums. A ghostly expression of disappointment glared down at her. She felt the agony of losing her leg all over again only to look up and see herself illuminated by her own crimson blade. 

Just as these unexpected and intense visions threatened to consume her, it was over. Both Cal and Imogen stumbled away from the mirror as the two of them gasped to catch their breath. 

“Did you see it, too?” Cal asked, pale features looking like he’d come face to face with something worse than death. 

“I saw nothing,” Imogen lied. “Whatever unsettles you, put it out of your mind.” 

Cal blinked at his reflection for another beat before he nodded and glanced over his shoulder. His eyes widened. “Look.”

Imogen turned to see a green and bronze cube hovered over the center of the vault. Relief settled over her shoulders. The opportunity she had been waiting for flashed in the sunlight before her like it wanted her to seize the revenge that was rightfully hers. All of the risks she took, all of her careful planning, and the delicate facade she has maintained for weeks finally paid off. Cal rushed over and plucked Holocron out of the air.

“This is it!” he exclaimed.

Imogen shook herself out of the brief stupor and joined him, outstretching her hand. “Let me see it.”

He held the device up triumphantly. “Imogen, this is how we will rebuild the Order. This is your – this is our redemption.”

She stepped closer and motioned for the Holocron, her other hand inching towards the hilt on her belt. Her cybernetic leg still ached terribly, but she gritted her teeth and forced her body to remain balanced. “Hand it to me. I will ensure it is not damaged.” 

The young Jedi did not acknowledge her persistence. Urgency overtook him. “We’ll check it on the Mantis. Right now, we need to leave. The Empire will be on our tails in no time.”

“Cal,” she called again to no avail as he lifted his comlink to his lips.

“Greez, get the engine running, we have it.”

As rage gathered like a storm within her, Imogen gently rested her palm against the side of his face and urged the frantic Jedi to meet her gaze. An intensity pooled into her steel irises – that of a hunter who had her prey in sight. Everything went as still as the moment they set foot in the vault. The breath even halted in Cal’s lungs as a terrible feeling dawned on him.

“Cal, give me the Holocron,” she commanded in a calm, steady tone laced with menace. “Or I will kill you.”

The mask fell. Cal stared into the eyes of an Inquisitor. One who may not harbor allegiance to the Empire any longer, but who held all of the malice and ruthlessness as her former peers. He finally saw the young woman for what she was — a monster with an insatiable hunger for power and revenge. 

All of Imogen’s training screamed at her to run him through without a second thought. She should have done it while he was distracted. Imogen certainly hadn’t experienced much trouble eliminating Jedi in the past. But something about the tightness in her gut when Cal touched that mirror gave her pause. On the Mantis, she had easily made the decision to kill him, but now that the time came, a part of her wanted to give Cal one last chance to let go of the Order. She couldn’t quite figure out why. At the very least, she would offer him a fair fight. Not that it would do him any good. 

Cal flinched away from her touch. “You...”

As soon as he took half a step back, Imogen ignited her blood-red blade and swung, stopping it a mere inch from his neck. The Jedi froze once more. Her next words were as precise as her movements. “I will not ask again.”

[carlgvllagher]

“You’re Kol Mikaelson, right? Some guy over there pointed you out. Can you tell me about demon babies and hell?”

[fandoms--fluff]

Crushing Hard

Hybrid female reader x Hope Mikaelson (+mikaelson family & caroline)

Summary: Hope has a massive crush on you, a girl who basically nobody knows anything about. And her family comes for a surprise visit, yay.

Warnings: swearing

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

Hope has been a little obsessed with you, she admits it. She can't help but be attracted to you, you're crazy hot, not afraid to speak what you think, and your personality is amazing. And has she mentioned how drop-dead gorgeous you are?

The only setback is that you hate the school and basically everyone in it.

"You're drooling" Josie whispers into her ear. Hope snaps out of it, and brings a hand up to the corner of her mouth to find out it's completely dry. She rolls her eyes and looks up at Josie, frowning.

"Oh, you're crushing hard. Sorry for interrupting your daydream, but I'm pretty sure your family is here," Josie tells her, looking between Hope and some of her family.

"There are a bunch of newer kids this year, but still a lot of the older ones. I try to make the environment around here fully positive and happy." Caroline explains to the family. An amused snort comes from the couch a couple feet away.

"And you don't ever take a break" You glare at her. All their heads turn towards you. "This is y/n, one of the older students. I believe she came here a couple months before Hope did." Caroline sighs.

"You must be delusional because I did not come here willingly. You forced me. And still force me to be here every fucking day of the year" You stand up, crossing your arms, fury evident in your tons and stance.

"Werewolf?" Kol's the next one to speak. "I don't know, what do you think?" You snap at him before turning back to Caroline. "And that's the other thing, I've been here for how many years, and no one still knows what I am"

"You won't tell us" Caroline points out.

"Well, I would think considering you're apparently an expert on supernatural beings, and run a damn school for them, that you or anyone here would be able to tell like that" You snap your fingers at the end.

Klaus steps forward, not liking the way you've been talking to Caroline. "Oh, don't even start" You roll your eyes before he can get a word out.

"What?" Hope snaps her attention to her friend before looking in the direction Josie was a moment ago. To her surprise, her Dad, Mom, Auntie Rebekah, Uncle Kol, and Uncle Elijah are standing across the room, chatting with the headmistress, Caroline and you?

Oh no, Hope thinks to herself before getting out of her seat and quickly walking toward the group with Josie right behind her.

"Dad! What are you guys doing here?" Hope goes up to her father. "We came here for a surprise visit, but caught up in the wonderland tour," Kol told his niece, glancing at Caroline then at you.

You still have your arms crossed, leaning most of your weight on your right leg, making your left hip slightly pop out a bit more than the other.

Hope tries to keep her eyes off of you, not wanting her family or you to notice.

"Oh, nothing. Having a splendid fucking time!" You tell her in a fake cheery voice. You start walking away, "I like your shoes" you tell Rebekah before walking out of the room, your high heels clicking strongly as you do.

"She's mean..but sweet? I don't know" Caroline shakes her head. "She's like Katherine. I like her" Kol answers, smirking.

"Kol." Elijah says sternly to his little brother as Klaus galres at him.

Hope just stares at the ground, not wanting anyone to notice the flush that appeared on her face. "You okay Sweetie?" Her Mom asks. "Mhm. Uh I'm glad that you guys are here, but Josie and I have to finish a project. I'll, uh, catch up with you later" Hope tells them quickly before practically dragging Josie out of the room with her.

"What was that?" Josie asks her as Hope paces around Josie's room. Lizzie is planning a dance somewhere outside with a huge binder.

"I don't know, but now im pretty sure my family kost likely doesn't like Y/n. And if somehow my delusional relationship with her actually freaking happens then there's no point becuase there's a big chance my dad will get protective and ban her or kill her or something. Wait can she even die? I don't know, there's no way she can't die, right? Oh that would suck I'd she died before I can even make a move, or who am I kidding there's no way that's gonna happen. She probably hates me anyways. God, I'm so pathetic" Hope rants to her best friend.

"Okay, okay, calm down. You're not pathetic. You're just overthinking this way too much. There's no way Y/n hates you, I don't believe she does" Josie places her hands on Hope's shoulders, making her stop moving around.

Hope let's out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, then sighs, "I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for" Josie smiles.

You walk into the dining hall, only to be met with the same group of people. "Fucking great" you practically growl, rolling your eyes. You go over to the table lined with food and grabbed a piece of garlic bread.

As you're about to take a bite of it, a voice sounds. "Are you sure you're supposed to be eating that? It says no one is to touch the food" Elijah nods to the sign standing before the long table of food.

You glance at it then shrug, "Well too bad, I'm hungry and they don't exactly have any blood beside from fucking Thumper and Bambi" you take a bite of the garlic bread.

"So you're a vampire" Rebekah says. You twitch your eyebrow up, a smirk playing at your lips.

"Depends how you perceive it" you walk over to them, your eyes turning yellow and veins appearing under your eyes.

"A hybrid" Hayley's eyes widened a bit. "Did Hope turn you?" Klaus asks, not remembering himself ever turning you.

"Seriously? You think I'd let a girl who has a crush on me, sire me? I don't think so" you cross your arms.

"Crush?" Kol asks, knowing Hope has only told him about her crush on you. He wonders how you found out, cause there's no way his neice would've told you. Especially considering the interaction earlier today.

"Not that hard to figure out. Especially when her eyes are always on me, not the chalkboard in class" you cross your arms. "Oh, and Katherine was basically my sister, so that was a compliment back there" you smirk.

"Wait, if you're that old, what are you doing here?" Hayley asks.

"Well I'm pretty sure then Caroline would hate me more than she already does, then tell Damon and he would try to kill me, but it would end up with his head cut off his body and then Elena and everyone, and personally I don't have any fucking time or want for that. Though Damon being dead would be a bonus. So mind as well make some people, aka, Caroline miserable for a bit" you pop the rest of the garlic bread in your mouth.

"What? You still have that sappy crush on her?" You tease Klaus.

You turn around and walk out of the room. As you turn the corner, you run into Hope. She looks if you had a word, sheepish.

You sigh, realizing it, "You've been here the whole time, haven't ya?" You crossed your arms.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry," She turned before walking as fast as she could away from you. She had come down here to find her family, and instead heard you talking to them again and couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation.

She can't believe she's been so stupid. There's no way she's ever had any chance with you. And your acknowledging about her crush on you was just the cherry on top. She wishes she was anywhere but here now.

You look up, quietly groaning, not wanting her to find out like that. Both your age (well, sort of) and the knowledge of her crush.

You vamp in front of her in a split time of two seconds. "Look, I get it, I'm just some stupid girl who has a crush on a girl or woman I don't know! who's way out of my league. No need to rub it in my face!" She exclaims, trying not to let any tears cloud her vision.

"Hey! You're not some stupid girl, okay?" You tell her before she tries to walk away from you again. She lets out a harsh breath before looking up at you from the ground.

"And I'm not trying to rub anything in your face. Yes, I know you have a crush on me, but I don't want you to think anything bad about that. I'd never use it against you or make fun of you for it, or whatever you think I may do." You run your hands through your hair to keep it out of your face.

"And I've never thought about you in that way before, but I can say that I don't hate you as much as everyone else here," She snaps her gaze from the wall to your face, not expecting that. To have that said to her from you is basically like a simple 'I love you' to someone a person may have known for a while. It's also a really big compliment coming from you.

"So there's that" You walk closer to her before pressing a kiss on her cheek. You walk away, up the stairs to your room as Hope stands there frozen. That's one of the best solutions that could have happened at the moment, and she's practically screaming with joy on the inside.

She brings a hand up to the cheek you kissed and gently grazes her finger against the spot.

Her family then also comes down the hallway and up to her. "What happened, Sweetie?" Her mom asks, noticing her reddened face.

"Oh, n-nothing," She tells her, trying her best to hold back the grin that she has on the inside.

Kol looks from her hand placement and reddened face to her excited stance, putting two and two together. He catches her eye and smirks before mouthing 'good luck'.

That just makes her blush more than she already is if that's even possible.

[piscesbae7]

Elijah Mikaelson when you’re being a brat.

┊ ⋆ !!SMUT!! ┊ DNI if that makes you uncomfortable . ┊ . . . ┊

┆ ° ♡ • ➵ ✩ ◛ ° ° ♡ • ➵ ✩ ◛ ° ° ♡ • ┆

“You better drop the attitude, dearest. Otherwise, I assure you, you will not be pleased with the consequences.” The original warned, taking a step closer to you.

“You may be a control freak but you can’t control me. I’m not your fuckin’ slave!” you snap back.

That was entirely too much for him to take, his blood boiled as he thought of you chatting with his youngest brother Kol earlier that day, and he naturally assumed he had corrupted you.

“Apologize this instant or I shall forget that I am a feminist.” He threatened, the anger so prominent in his luscious brown eyes that it seemed he could burn you just with his gaze.

“You won’t really do anything. You’re all talk, Elijah.” You taunted, too far gone to realize what was to come.

He stalked towards you, delicately lifting his hand and lovingly stroking your cheek, before roughly pulling you in and placing his lips beside your ear.

“Now you will be solely responsible for whatever happens to your throat, dearest.” He said into your ear, unbuckling his leather belt with his free hand.

And, at that moment, you realized that shallow apologies and your screams won’t help you get his benevolent forgiveness anymore.

“Get on your knees.” He spoke.

“I’m sorry ‘Lijah, I was just kidding.” You pleaded, flashing him a faux innocent look.

“I said, get on your knees.” He commanded, glaring daggers at you.

You quickly obeyed, knowing better than to taunt him any further.

༉‧₊˚. ︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.

[ohfcyre]

"Well, that's a shame." Feyre said, brushing it off noncommittally. It was sad, but people died. If he had survived that long, then he'd had more than enough luck. She scrunched her nose as a thought struck and she looked at her father curiously. "Why did you make such a big deal of us coming here if he wasn't important enough to the family to go to the funeral, then?"

Kol couldn't help but chuckle with a smile as he shook his head. ❝ No sweetheart. He just ran out of luck in his lifetime. ❞

[klaus-littlestwolf]

Mafia!Kol Yandere NSFW A-Z

A stands for AFFECTION: how would they show affection?

•Kol’s affection is very physical which sometimes causes you problems since you’re a bartender

•His hands are almost constantly on you in some fashion and while the Mikaelson’s are all gift givers, Kol goes for less of the fancy jewelry and more of the cards and flowers, always wanting the people you work with, especially the men, to see that you’re taken

B stands for BLOODY: how bloody are they willing to get for their object of obsession?

•Any chance that Kol has to get bloody is a good time for him, but for you, that’s different

•While he enjoys his work, when it comes to getting rid of a ‘rival’ or a drunk asshole who thinks his girl is free game, he takes extra pride and extra time in making it hurt

C stands for CRUELTY: would they ever hurt their object of obsession?

•Never seriously, no

•Kol doesn’t enjoy seeing you in pain unless it’s the good kind😉, however he will ensure his point gets across whether that means spanking your ass or on one scary occasion, tightening his hand around your throat to make sure he’s being heard the way he needs to be

D stands for DARLING: would they cross their object of obsession’s limits?

•Never sexually, while Kol enjoys your kinky relationship and how adventurous you are in bed, he would never do anything you say ‘no’ to, even in play. The Mikaelsons all take sexual assault very seriously and they’ve killed men for it hundreds of times by now, he refuses to hurt you like that

•If he’s ensuring your cooperation however, he might just cross a few lines…he’ll do whatever he has to to make you see reason even if that means canceling credit cards, having you evicted or threatening your boss to have you fired from your job

E stands for EXPOSED: how much do they expose their own feelings to their object of obsession?

•Kol is quite open about how he feels for you, he is a flirt if ever there was one and he knew as a bartender you saw men like that every day but he was the most persistent

•He is the only man to make you genuinely believe that he cares for you after the first 2 weeks of him showing up and chatting you up (through your entire shift most days)

F stands for FIGHT: how would they react to their object of obsession fighting back?

•Kol thinks you’re adorable when you get all tough

•He knew you were the girl for him when you first fought back against a drunk ass who refused to leave or to stop touching your ass but before Kol could step in you were swinging a baseball bat around like a crazy person

•He knows he has his hands full with you, but he likes it and he’s ready, it will only make your submission that much more sweet

G stands for GAME: do they think this is just a game?

•While he may view some of your interactions as a game, or playful banter you are Not a game to the youngest Mikaelson brother

•Kol loves to play and tease you all the live long day, but make no mistake…You Are His

H stands for HELL: what would be their object of obsession’s worst experience with them?

•The worst experience happened upon leaving work one night. Kol was walking you to your car and you had been bitching at him for flirting with a coworker (though Kol’s personality is 97% flirt)

•You told him you would just have to find someone more serious about you to date, the next thing you knew you were pinned to the brick wall of the bar beside the parking lot with his hand tightening around your throat

•You learned that if there’s one thing you don’t tease Kol about, it’s being with another man. He doesn’t take it lightly

I stands for IDEAL: what are their plans for their object of obsession?

•Kol wants you to be his

•Just his, whatever that means to you and to him is your personal beliefs and ideals, if you want to get married he’ll get you the biggest diamond there is, if you want to elope that’s fine, if you don’t believe in marriage and you just want to dedicate yourselves to each other and live like that it completely fine with him

•Kol just needs you to know that you’re his

J stands for JEALOUSY: how they react when jealous? Do they get jealous?

•Kol’s jealousy is no joke, a guy making eye contact with you enrages him

•You always know when you’re never going to see a man again by the look on your boyfriends face, you’ve just asked that he leaves your regulars alone, and the old men that drink in your bar who flirt in a ‘sweet old man’ kind of way

•You’re sure he’s killed at least 40 men throughout his 6 months coming to see you at work before he forces you to live with him

K stands for KINDNESS: how they act around their object of obsession?

•Kol is a teasing, funny guy and most people love him upon meeting him

•His entertaining attitude puts people at ease but you know it’s a front and that the belief in it gets many people dead

L stands for LOVE LETTER: how would they approach their object of obsession?

•He visited you at work every shift for 2 weeks before you believed he was serious, he knew it would take time since you get flirty guys at work all the time but he stuck with it

•On the nights he couldn’t be there because of work he would send you a bouquet of flowers and a card with some kind of sweet note in them

•The one time he needed to work for a week straight your house looked like a florist shop with all the different assorted bouquets and several times a night you would get a flower or stuffed animal delivered just to ensure any men there when he couldn’t be would be sure you were already spoken for

M stands for MASK: how different are their public persona from their true selves?

•Kol is, for the most part, the same

•Hes a massive joker and he teases people all the time and he does that in every aspect of his life

•When he’s angry however it’s different, he’s serious and vengeful, straight up terrifying for people who have never seen the real pissed off Kol Mikaelson

N stands for NAUGHTY: how would they punish their object of obsession?

•Kol would prefer to spank you for the most part

•You also learned very quickly that your actions can get other men killed, deserving or not and while a part of you found it hot that he would kill to protect you, he would also kill to punish you so you quickly stopped ‘flirting’ with men at your job to get tips since you realized it pissed him off and he would kill anyone who gave you attention beyond what a bartender should get

•Once you moved in with him and he stopped you from working he would punish you by locking you in his room since he knew it drove you mad, he usually lets you walk freely around the house knowing you can’t get out passed the guards so locking you in his room was the perfect punishment for you

O stands for OPPRESSION: how many rights would they take from their object of obsession?

•Your life as you knew it is gone along with your normal freedoms, but that doesn’t mean you have nothing in your new life

•Kol found (and often rubbed it in his brothers faces) that you were more behaved than his brothers girls quicker which allowed you more freedoms, which is why you ‘behaved yourself’ in the first place

•You we’re allowed to roam the house freely several weeks before Klaus’ fiancée got the same privilege and she had been here 4 months before that happened which had only been 2 weeks for you

P stands for PATIENCE: how patient are they with their object of obsession?

•Kol isn’t known for his patience but thankfully you are a quick learner

•You figured out how fucked up Kol was long before he kidnapped you, but you had fallen for him by then and suddenly his crazy just didn’t matter as much to you, which is why you adapt quicker in your opinion…his crazy actually turned you on…

Q stands for QUIT: if their object of obsession died or escaped, would they ever be able to move on?

•Died: If you died that means someone hurt you and if someone hurt you Kol will not rest until he finds out and punishes the person or people responsible and everyone they’ve ever cared for, it is the only time his siblings actually worry for him when he ‘goes off the deep end’…Kol would never be the same again, he doesn’t love often and to give it so freely to you…he’s dead inside…he died right beside you that day

•Escaped: If you did ever try to escape, which you personally didn’t see the point to knowing your boyfriend/fiancée (or whatever TF you are) as well as you do, he would find you before the days end, both the type and amount of people on the Mikaelson’s payroll is frightening and you would be lucky to make it off the property

R stands for REGRET: would they ever regret harming their object of obsession? Would they ever let them go?

•The idea of letting you go is laughable to the youngest Mikaelson brother, literally, you told him he could let you go once and he giggled in a way one could only describe as…maniacally…

•Harming you however, if Kol ever truly hurt you then it was an accident and he would regret it, punishing you though, no never, you should have behaved yourself like he told you to do

S stands for STIGMA: what made their yandere tendencies bloom?

•The moment he saw you behind that bar and you laughed at a man’s pickup line for the first time, that was when he decided you were to be his

•Kol doesn’t take things like that lightly, you belong to him, always and forever, there’s no way around it

•He was possessive of you instantly, sitting at your bar and flirting with you, threatening men who tried to take your attention with grievous bodily harm if they didn’t scram and Fast! He committed himself to getting your attention which took him 2 weeks of coming back over and over again. The loss of sleep and the work he put on others was completely worth it once he truly had your attention and that gorgeous smile directed at him

T stands for TEARS: how would they react to their object of obsession crying/breaking?

•It depends on the type of crying

•If you’re crying during sex it turns him on, not to actually hurt you, but to see you so overwhelmed with pleasure is his favorite thing

•If you’re crying in pain or upset he will comfort you and hurt whoever dared to make you feel like this, Kol doesn’t want you to be broken, just dependent on him which is exactly what he’s going to get

U stands for UNIQUE: something different they would do compared to others yanderes.

•Kol didn’t lock you up the same way Elijah and Klaus had, he gave you little freedoms until you proved you weren’t worthy of them

•Kol believed you would behave more if you knew what kind of life you could have and how comfortable it could be if you just behave which prompted you to do so

V stands for VICE: what weakness their object of obsession could use against them?

•If you wanted someone dead, especially a man, you made it happen

•The 3 men that had hassled you at work for nearly a year, all you had to do was subtlety tell Kol one night that they made you ‘uncomfortable’ with their advances, and they never showed up again…it turns out there are perks to dating a psychopath

W stands for WIT’S END: would they hurt their object of obsession?

•Never in a lasting way, he would never beat you or scar you, the only physical pain he caused you (besides bruises while playing) was when you were so bad he needed to spank you, which was not often

X stands for XOANON: would they worship their object of obsession?

•Kol loves you more than anyone has ever loved you in your entire life

•He is happy to treat you like his perfect Princess or his naughty Kitten whenever you need/want

•He loves you in the type of way Kol equates people loving their religion, you are absolutely Everything in his world

Y stands for YEARN: how long would they pine after their object of obsession before they snap?

•It takes 2 weeks for him to really grasp your attention

•After that he visits you and takes you on dates for about 3 months before he takes you home and doesn’t let you leave again

Z stands for ZENITH: would they ever break their object of obsession?

•You give into his wants and needs, but breaking wouldn’t really be the right word

•You fall in love with Kol just as deeply and passionately as he does for you, it just takes you a bit more time

•If there’s ever a moment that someone could call the ‘Breaking Point’ maybe it would be the day you decide to try for a baby?

Kol Mikaelson Masterlist

[athenamikaelson]

absolutely ADORED the last few chapters of WITS!! i’ve been playing catch up since i missed the last few chapters and now i’m all caught up!

the pace of the relationship with reader, elijah, and klaus… IM LIVING FOR IT!!

the fact we’re starting to get into reader’s relationships with each of the mikaelsons RAHHHHH!!!

damon and reader angst then comfort! finn and reader’s friendship is ADORABLE! rebekah and reader having a little girl chat! kol ready to go apeshit on klaus and elijah just seeing reader cry and thinking they’re the cause of it!

THEN MY BOY THEO!!! MY SWEET BOY!! i was literally reading at work and snorted at him with lil robe wit rabbits on it! then i’m having “the talk” with reader and the brothers! PLEASE!

LOVE YOUR STORY!! 🖤🖤

I’m so happy you’re liking it!!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy what’s coming soon

[mariacallous]

(JTA) — As we mark the grim second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict this Shabbat, I’m reminded of a haunting melody I heard in the city of Poltava last month.

I was standing before Sonia Bunina, a plucky 17-year-old, when she opened her mouth to sing when an air raid siren rang out.

I flinched. Not Sonia — she didn’t miss a beat.

“Kol haolam kulo gesher t’zar meod, veha’ikar lo lifached k’lal,” she belted out before seeking shelter. “The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is to have no fear at all.”

Sonia, like so many Jews I know in Ukraine, is many things — determined, grieving, focused — but she’s certainly not cowering.

As she sang those words by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov — the Ukrainian Jewish sage whose followers continue to come by the tens of thousands to his grave in Uman annually — she embodied the prayer’s indomitable spirit.

Sonia and I met outside Poltava’s Hesed, part of the network of Jewish humanitarian hubs founded by my organization — the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC — more than three decades ago. Today they’re a lifeline to tens of thousands of Jews facing loss and strife. Since she was a toddler, Sonia has been attending activities at Hesed — her mother coordinates cultural programs for the elderly, and she connects teen volunteers like herself with isolated seniors, a critical source of comfort these last two years.

These days, traveling to Ukraine feels like a pilgrimage — there’s a pull in my soul to visit family near Lviv, to bear witness to Ukrainian Jewish resilience, and to be inspired by the clarity of purpose that is so palpable there. Since my first trip in 2011, I’ve been eight times. Last year, I wrote about how a year of crisis had transformed the ordinary into the sacred in Ukraine. Now, visiting feels even more essential with the worsening humanitarian situation.

Ukrainian Jews aren’t blasé about these challenges — far from it. Just take the delicate ballet of emotions on their faces when checking their phones during an air alert — contacting loved ones, scrolling through photos of devastation, and analyzing Telegram chats speculating on a given rocket’s make and trajectory.

But life goes on — there’s work to do — and though they’ve lost so much, they refuse to give any more away.

Showing up for each other, whatever it takes, is now baked into their very essence as Jews, and in Ukraine, there are tens of thousands to serve — hungry old women and displaced young families, disabled Holocaust survivors and stunned middle-aged professionals, shocked to now need help when they were once donors and volunteers.

They act fearlessly to ensure their communities make it through this crisis, body and soul intact. Can we expect anything less than boundless creativity from the people who birthed Sholem Aleichem and the Baal Shem Tov?

“These bombings, all these things that are killing people, destroying houses, leaving children homeless … it’s very scary,” Galina Limarenko, an 82-year-old retired nurse, told me in her small bedroom in Berezivka, taking note of the warm blanket, firewood, and other winter supplies my colleagues provided. “Thank God for the Jewish community, which never gives up and always shares even their very last piece of bread.”

I saw that irrepressible spirit again at our Beit Dan JCC in battered Kharkiv — a shapeshifting wellspring of strength just a few dozen kilometers from the eastern border. Shortly after Feb. 24, 2022, the center became a staging ground for truckloads of emergency aid — part of the 800 tons of humanitarian assistance we’ve delivered so far.

A few blocks from missile strikes, it now hosts children’s camps and soulful Shabbat services and operates a “kids hub,” offering academic enrichment to children who haven’t had in-person school for years — robbed of normal childhood by the pandemic and now the ongoing crisis.

And amidst blizzards and blackouts, Beit Dan has also become a “warm hub,” a safe place for beleaguered Jewish Kharkivites to charge their devices and obtain a hot drink and warm meal.

“If you share in our pain, and provide support where it’s needed, I’m forever grateful,” said Nika Simonova, Beit Dan’s program director. “The ability to remain human is the main thing. Done right, I believe that can save the world.”

That’s why we at JDC, aided by a coalition of partners including the Jewish Federations, Claims Conference, and International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, deployed a historic response to this conflict and remain committed to the Jewish future here.

We’re focused on ongoing humanitarian support for more than 41,000 Ukrainian Jews, expanding trauma relief, closing children’s educational gaps, and getting unemployed Jewish community members, among millions of Ukrainians plunged into poverty, back to work.

There is no doubt that the Jewish world is now responding to crises on multiple fronts, including this one, but we have been here so many times before. We must draw strength from our history and from the sure knowledge that this is what we’re built for. Our compassion and commitment, when leveraged with that timeless sense of mutual Jewish responsibility, means we can tackle the challenges we face — and come out on the other side even stronger.

As I walked through Lviv on my last day in Ukraine, I asked my cousin Anna Saprun, a 25-year-old business analyst, how this period has changed her.

“I hate what’s brought me here, but I love who I’ve become,” she said with a fierce and feisty smile. “Nothing scares me anymore. I feel powerful.”

Two years after the conflict began, Ukraine’s Jews are inspired anew each day, resolute in the sure knowledge that they know exactly who they’re working for — each other.

[kookyfemme]

regardless i just really hope they do more with the POM-2. it feels like something that is just begging to be expanded on. they could seriously do so much with it even if it isn't very useful in any meaningful capacity.

my prediction for what reb meant by "1999 is the future of warframe" is that the POM-2 is going to be used as like a new starchart and that on the map tab we'll be able to zoom out and see other countries to go to like how planets work in the origin system star chart. and those other countries will be like hollvania but with new characters and stuff and they'll all end up in KIM and maybe they'll like add more apps too or whatever i think that'd be neat

[boundbyeclipse]

devotion

genre : fluff, angst, smut

word count : 12.6k

tags : vampire!female!reader, heretic!kai, protective kai, college, some cursing, minor bullying, mentions of murder, drinking, special appearances of Kol Mikaelson and Klaus Mikaelson, might be some grammar mistakes in here.

a/n: this has been one of the hardest things to do. it took me a week to finish this and polish it. even though at first i wrote this just for myself, for fun, and i was in such a mood to write, eventually, it became something that i wanted to share with the world. but i wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for my favorite TVD writer on this platform, @so-long-soldier28 OR @so-long-soldier-writes (i didn’t know which blog of yours to tag 😭) whose talent has taken my breath away. i want to say thank you for that, you are such an inspiration and such a gifted writer. i hope that somehow, i can inspire you too. ps. 12.6k words is insane for a start.

“Alright, mom, I know-“

“Sweetheart, trust me, you don’t want to miss out on those opportunities”

“Yeah” you sighed, “I gotta go now, until later!”

“Good luck, ____”

Rolling your eyes you grabbed your bag and headed out, locking your apartment door and making your way to the elevator.

Your mom just won’t stop insisting on you going out on dates, it’s almost as if she’s rushing her own daughter into getting married. But you’re just not interested right now, you want to live your life to the fullest, party, have fun, and yes, one day you definitely will find somebody. But now? It’s all about you.

Minutes later you finally reached your destination - your favorite bar in town. This is where you and your best friend Cora decided to meet up for the evening. And there she was, sitting by the bar, chit chatting with the bartender, who in fact, was kind of your type, but seeing how he looks at her, you just push that away and let them do their thing as you sit down right next to Cora.

“I see someone’s having fun batting those eyelashes” you giggle, tilting your head at her.

“Oh, stop, it’s nothing like that”

You roll your eyes and then look at the bartender.

“One tequila sunrise, please” you order and turn your attention back to your best friend.

“So, how’s it going with your mom? Still onto the boyfriend-hunt drama?”

“Yup, still telling me how I should not miss out on opportunities if anyone asks me out, blah blah blah. You know her”

She giggles, taking a sip of her mojito cocktail and sighing.

“Well, you know, maybe she’s right”

“What? No, Cora, I just want to live, okay?” you frown and protest at her immediately. But it doesn’t seem to phase her at all.

“Oh, come on! All of us girlies have someone, well, of course I’m still working on it BUT, how do you find it fun being single?”

“Trust me, I enjoy my own company just enough” you chuckle and thank the bartender as he hands you your drink.

Quite a few hours pass and you are on the dance floor, swaying your hips to the rhythm together with your bestie, music loud and mind a little dizzy from the alcohol that you’ve consumed. Everything is fine until your eyes find someone familiar in the crowd. As he turns sideways to pass through the people, you get the confirmation that it is someone you actually do know.

“Kai Parker” you whisper under your nose, your body stops moving too, and when Cora notices, she grabs you by the shoulders.

“Hey, what’s wrong?!” she shouts over the music.

“Oh, it’s nothing, I just feel a bit dizzy!” you reply, faking a smile. You two continue to dance, but your eyes just wouldn’t stop glancing over at the bar where Kai now sat. As much as you wanted to get out of here, you weren’t going to do so, not even if someone you secretly like is so near.

Someone you like? Yes. It’s crazy, but Kai Parker is your biggest crush. Nobody knows about how much you’re head over heels for him, despite of him being an asshole and knowing what he has done in the past. But right after Luke’s merged with him, he started to change. Even though you didn’t know the old Kai, you did see the good in him somehow. But you told no one, because every single person in this town despised him for all that happened in the past. Even your own mother hated him. But nobody actually seemed to acknowledge the fact that this guy has guilt eating him up every day and night for all that he’s done. Everyone still believes he’s the same old sociopath that he always was. Except you. That is why Kai has been your secret for quite a while now.

Unbeknownst to you, Cora has disappeared into the crowd somewhere while you were daydreaming about him, so deeply that everything around you just felt non-existent. Your heart was beating fast as you still managed to keep dancing, until you felt someone’s hands around your waist.

“Nice moves, you can really dance” it was just some random dude that reeked of beer and you couldn’t stand it, you did not want him touching you or speaking to you.

“Thanks, but I think you should go find someone else to dance with”

“Nah, I think I’ll stick to this pretty girl right here”

Your mood changed completely and you shoved him off of yourself, frowning as you puckered your lips at him.

“I said go find someone else!”

That’s when people started noticing there was something going on, but it was just a few of them, they were drunk, so they just moved away.

“Great, people these days” you muttered, trying to leave as you turned around. But once again, that guy just wasn’t anywhere near ready to give up on you.

“I don’t see anybody else I like in here. You really seem special, darling”

You rolled your eyes at him as he held you by your wrists now, your face super close to his.

“I am not your darling” you said through your teeth and he just giggled, beginning to lean in closer to your lips, which made your eyes fill with tears of fear.

“Let go-“

“Let go of her. Now” you heard a familiar voice coming from behind you, and the man grabbed the guy by the throat as he finally let go of you.

“Get your fucking disgusting barely-haired head out of here before I guide you out myself”

Kai. What is he doing?

“Oh, my apologies, didn’t know you’d leave your girlfriend to dance alone like that. Dick move” the guy laughed in Kai’s face which really pissed him off. His irises enlarged with rage.

“First of all, if she was my girl, I surely wouldn’t let her dance alone. Second of all, when a woman says no, it means NO. Unless you wish to have your oh, so heartless heart ripped out of your chest in front of everyone”

“Kai-“ you tried to interrupt in fear of a possible fight incoming, but he only raised his hand in the air and turned his head to the side, telling you he’s got this.

“Wow, I feel threatened!” the guy acted like whatever Kai said, scared him off. But he just wasn’t going to give up. Doesn’t he know who Kai Parker is? Or does he not fear him at all?

“Oh, I’m not threatening you, I’m just saying what’s a hundred percent going to happen if you don’t apologise and get the hell outta here right now”

“Got nothing to apologise for, she looks really nice. Maybe I should buy her a drink?”

God, this guy just won’t back down.

“What’s going on?!” Cora suddenly ran up to you, grabbing your forearm in fear and confusion.

“That dude just tried to… I don’t even know what he tried to do to me but… Well, you see”

She shook her head and darted her eyes at the two males in front of you.

“Kai is defending you? A sociop-“

“Shush, Cora, he’s got this” you said without thinking, and it made your best friend question this entire situation in front of her eyes.

“One last chance, dumbass, or you’re done for good” Kai raised his voice more and now the whole bar was watching them. Not even the best music blasting through the speakers could make them bust a move.

“I don’t give a flying fuck about your stupid little threats, boy. You’re skinny and weak, got nothing at all on me. I bet she would like a taste of me better, anyways” he looked at you over Kai’s shoulder, a creepy smirk across his face.

“Oh no” you whispered when you saw Kai raise his hand, about to use magic on the guy.

“Motus” Kai chanted angrily and everyone watched the guy fly and hit the wall, his body then dropping to the ground as he groaned loudly. You gasped and covered your mouth in shock. Whatever was going through Kai’s mind, it wasn’t anything promising and it scared you. Yet, you still trusted him.

“He’s going to kill him!” Cora yelled out, but you kept on shaking your head no, because you knew that the old Kai is gone, or at least a part of him is, and that nobody’s going to get killed here tonight. No matter how disgusting of a behavior was shown towards you. Not on your terms.

Kai walked up to that guy with a quick pace, kneeled down and grabbed him by his collar.

“Now, tell me, do you still think I’m weak?”

The male could barely make a sound, but he still managed to speak up. And it still wasn’t what you, Cora, other people or Kai wanted to hear.

“Y-yeah, magic doesn’t… mean… anything” his nose bled, beads of sweat formed on the forehead.

“You’re damn wrong!” Kai yelled and placed his hands on both sides of that man’s head, the color of orange intensifying under his palms as he chanted some kind of a spell to make the other male suffer.

“Kai! No!” you broke free from Cora’s grip and ran to Kai, grabbing his wrists and crying as you begged him to stop. You really didn’t want to see Kai Parker as his old self - the careless, emotionless psychopath who did not feel any empathy for others. The one who could kill anyone and just laugh about it. The one who could spill another persons blood and absolutely thrive off of the sight of it on his own hands.

You yelled through tears again as no reaction from Kai was given.

“You’ll kill him! Kai!” you shook his wrists, “That’s not who you are!”

Right then and there, he snapped back and let that guy go, looking at you with entirely different eyes than they were mere seconds ago. They were glossy and his pupils were dilated, as if he did something so bad that his father was going to send him back to the prison world for an eternity.

“I-I’m sorry, I’m… so sorry” he said, taking a few steps back before he rushed outside. You ran back to Cora and grabbed her face.

“Listen, love, I need you to get out of here now. Call a taxi, go home, please”

“I am not leaving you!” she grabbed your wrists, squeezing them.

“Please, Cora, just go! I’ll deal with Kai, alright?”

She shook her head in disbelief and ripped her hands off of you.

“So you’re choosing that psychotic son of a bitch over me? Your closest and the only friend?! Fine. Go ahead. Go say thank you to a guy who killed most of this town just half a year ago”

“Cora-“ you tried to talk to her but she was gone before you could blink, making use of her vampire powers to disappear quickly. You wanted to catch up to her, but you knew it wouldn’t do any good.

You chose go to and compel the gross man who tried to get you all to himself. It is better if he doesn’t remember any of this or else, he will come back looking for Kai. And probably you too.

You ran out of the bar right after, searching for Kai, but had no luck because he is probably already back home now, which only leaves you with the option of getting back to your own. Only that you wanted to take a walk instead of getting dropped off by a taxi. Everything that happened was too much and fresh air was the only thing that could help you ease your mind.

You tried calling Cora multiple times, even left a voicemail, but she didn’t answer. You felt so bad for everything that happened tonight, it was just eating you up. You kept blaming yourself even though you knew none of this was caused by you. Still. It happened because of you. But what Kai did was unbelievable. It wasn’t anything you’d ever expect from him. He’s never spoken that much to you except for a small talk, nor did he know about your feelings for him. You both simply were just going to the same college. So why was he even protecting you? And how did he end up at the same bar you were at? All of this just seems very strange. Too many questions in the book.

As you were nearing your apartment, you took your keys and unlocked the door, closing and locking it behind you as you slowly shut your eyes and felt salty tears roll down your cheeks. Everything left you overwhelmed and you couldn’t help but let it out. It did hurt you that no one could see the good in him, no one understood what he went through, and no one was even willing to do so. It hurt you because if someone found out about how you feel towards him, they would turn against you too. You were lost. You were confused.

Why, Kai Parker, why?

____

A week has gone by and Cora hasn’t talked to you ever since that incident at the bar. None of your texts were answered, neither calls or voicemails. In fact, you haven’t talked to anyone you knew. It was only two people after all.

Cora must have told your mom about it all too. She didn’t speak to you either. You feared that you were not going to see them ever again.

Kai didn’t show up at classes too. It was so hard having nobody to talk to, and the only thing that occupied your mind was college. It was keeping you somewhat together. Or at least you tried to convince yourself that it was.

“Oh, look, it’s the Kai Parker girl” some girls whispered as you walked past them after class was done. It didn’t even seem like they cared about you being a vampire and having supernatural abilities like extremely good hearing. It got on your nerves really badly, but you decided to just ignore it. Not until you stepped out of the building and saw another group of students gossiping about something. Well. It’s just always going to be like that, isn’t it?

“I cannot believe that crazy dude literally stood up for her. Or he pretended to do so. Or… maybe he was just trying to show off with his little magical superpowers” one of them said, mocking Kai’s hand movements when he casts the spells.

“I bet he’s going to kill her real soon too. And she’s not even close to avoiding that cold blooded murderer. Maybe she would like to get killed by him after all” a guy said and the whole group laughed in sync.

That was the bottom line for you.

“Quit blabbering before I snap all of your necks off! You know nothing about me or Kai Parker. One more word and you’ll find yourselves trying to get wood splinters out of your asses” you said out of rage, the veins under your eyes popping up altogether with the eye whites turning red.

You quickly walked away and sat in your car, turning the engine on and speeding off home. The grip on the steering wheel was so strong that you could break it at any given moment. You’ve heard enough.

When you parked your car in the parking lot and got out of it, your eyes unexpectedly met with no one other’s than Kai’s. You thought your eyes were deceiving you, so you blinked a few times. But in fact, he actually was here.

“Kai?” you shut the door and he approached you with slow steps, hands in pockets and head hung low before he looked up when he stood right in front of you.

“Yes, it’s me. Don’t even ask why I came here. It just happened. And when I realised I’m standing in front of your home, I also realised I owe you an apology and an explanation”

You stood there, lips pressed together as you tried to process what was happening. You shook your head in order to not zone out.

“Just tell me. Everything”

“Listen, I know it’s strange, but… I’ve been having this weird feeling lately and I cannot seem to shake it off. Before you went to that bar… God, I’m so stupid… I actually had someone sit at the bar who followed you and found out about your whereabouts and told me everything. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I’m a stalker or a psychopath as they call me, well… Maybe I still a little bit am… It’s complicated. Um, it’s because I had a very bad dream about you and… In it, you died because I chose to drive past that same bar you were in that night. And when I woke up my head was ringing and I just had this feeling that something bad was going to happen”

You stood there not able to understand how he could do this. Have someone follow you? Someone to give him information where you’re going, and who you’re with? It just doesn’t seem right.

Looks like he still does have a sprinkle of a sociopath left somewhere in him.

“I’m sorry, Kai, but what?! What the hell were you thinking? You could have just simply warned me about your freaking crazy dream and told me to not go?! Or at least offer me company once you stepped inside Mystic Grills?”

“You would not have believed me!” he insisted.

“Okay, maybe I wouldn’t have but you could at least have tried! We go to the same college, it’s not like you’re a stranger to me. Look, people are gossiping about you and I a lot already and I was oh, so damn close to snapping their necks today! How am I supposed to put up with this shit, huh? My best friend AND my mother haven’t spoken to me all week! I’m all alone because of you!” your voice rang through the parking lot as you yelled in his face. Kai shook his head.

“No! It’s because they still believe I am the same old Kai Parker who kills without mercy, without empathy, with no emotions in me at all! That is not who I am. All those people… They have no idea how I feel. They don’t know. They don’t even care to think about the possibility of me being good. And I’m so sorry, I only did what I had to do just to keep you safe! God knows what could have happened to you!” Kai spoke and his voice began to break with the flood of emotions, but he swallowed thickly to regain himself, “Don’t you want everybody to try and trust me at least a tiny bit? Don’t you want your best friend and mother to speak differently of me? I can see that you trust me, ____, so why doubt me and switch lanes now after I saved you?”

Tears started to fall down your face as you listened to him, your heart tearing apart because of your feelings for him but also for what he has done. You just didn’t know what to say. A part of you wanted to just run inside your apartment and hide from him, but the other part of you kept telling you to stay and talk about this.

“Say something… Please” he whispered the last word. You closed your eyes for a second before they met his blue ones once again.

“Why did you protect me?”

He took your hands in his and held them tightly. You couldn’t lie to yourself in this moment, it somewhat felt so good, his hands were so soft, warm, and most importantly, you felt… safe.

“Probably because my human feelings are catching up to me really badly and I care about you. A lot”

You could feel your lip quivering in this moment, along with your own fast paced heartbeat that rang in your ears. Hell, you also could hear how Kai’s poor heart was banging, fighting to not jump out of his chest.

“Kai… But why do you care about me?”

He went silent for a moment, looking down and collecting himself before he spoke again. But this time, he spoke very quietly. Almost as if he was scared to say a word. Really scared.

“Because… I like you, ____”

The way your heart dropped in this moment was a feeling you’ve never felt before. It was so strong that it drowned out any other noises around you. You couldn’t hear anything anymore but your own heart that was thumping even harder and faster now. The way your legs went numb, the way heat flushed your entire face and the way your hands shook was nothing like you have ever experienced in your life. Did Kai Parker actually just confess to you?

Yes. Yes, he did.

“You… You like me?..”

He nodded and tilted his head slightly, his thumbs rubbing your hands soothingly.

“Kai… I like you too. But…”

His eyes lit up when you confessed. The sparkle he had in them reminded you of the galaxy that held millions of stars in it.

“But what, sweetheart?”

“If my mother finds out…”

He cleared his throat and sighed.

“I know. But listen… If we could work together, we could show everybody that I have changed. We could prove them wrong, make them believe that the Kai they knew is no longer a threat because he’s become good”

“I know, but, Kai… She’s my mom. She’s going to protest and give me one hell of a lecture if I tell her. And Cora, oh god, she’s my only friend… What if they turn on me? What if I lose them because I decided to choose to get close to you?”

“No. They won’t. Please, let me try. I’ll try my best, I’ll even make cupcakes for them!”

You licked your lips as you chuckled lightly at his food offer, and took a deep breath. You lightly grabbed Kai by the forearms and squeezed them.

“Fine. But if they leave me, I will never forgive you despite of how I feel about you. They’re the only family I’ve got left”

He nodded desperately.

“I will do everything to prove them wrong. I promise”

“I choose to believe you. Don’t mess up, Kai” you said and gave him a small smile as you let go of him and walked inside the apartment complex.

_____

Another week has passed, Kai started showing up at classes, your best friend has finally reached out and your mom finally called you to apologise. Surely, you still haven’t told them about your and Kai’s conversation from that evening in the parking lot. You’re still afraid of their reactions, but if you must, you’ll tell them. It cannot be hidden for much longer.

Everything seemed to be falling back into place, despite of all the stares people gave you and Kai, seeing how you two always talk and giggle during the breaks, go to eat lunch under the tree outside, share the same cup of coffee and give each other light smacks on the shoulders as one of you made jokes. But somehow, you didn’t care anymore. You knew that whatever the situation, they will do it regardless and try to ruin your life, but you aren’t the one to back down. You want to fight for Kai. You want to fight for the truth.

“I’m so glad the classes are over” you said with a sigh of relief, throwing your bag over the shoulder as Kai walked you out of the classroom.

“Do you want to grab a coffee or something to eat? Orrrr a drink?” he offered and you debated for a second whether to go or not, since you and Cora made plans to meet later.

“Oh. I’d really love to. But Cora is going to wait for me at the cafe, so I think we could do this in the evening? After me and her have a little girl talk. You know I cannot refuse to miss out on a drink with you on a Friday night”

Kai smiled at you, putting his hands inside the pockets of his dark grey jeans.

“Sure, sounds good to me. I hope you two have a wonderful time and I don’t become your main topic”

The smirk on his face and the eyebrow wiggle gave it away that he was teasing you, and there was nothing left to do but to push him and laugh about it.

“Oh, shut up”

“Text me when to get to your place” he said as he spread his arms and pulled you into a hug. You then both parted ways and you headed to the cafe to see your friend.

The moment you stepped inside the cafe, your eyes met Cora’s, a smile on her face that you missed so much over the time. She gave you a warm hug and told you that she already got you your coffee. She’s just the sweetest.

“You didn’t have to” you smiled as you sat down, placing your bag on the empty space next to you.

“Shh. I owe you” she smiled, “So, how’s college?”

“It’s okay, I do get tired and annoyed but I’m pushing through. Assignments have ‘ass’ in them for a reason after all”

Cora laughed at your little joke, but her smile quickly faded and she tilted her head in question.

“Hey, ____, you seem… A bit different”

You furrowed your eyebrows.

“Hm? What do you mean by different?”

“Happier? You’re just glowing”

You chuckled and tucked your hair behind the ear, taking a sip of the drink. You had to quickly come up with a fake explanation, as if Kai didn’t hug you earlier and it didn’t make you all giddy.

“Maybe because… You came back and mom did too. I was just afraid you both would leave me all alone and never come back. It was terrifying”

“Oh, no, no. I was just overreacting after that night. Was a bit buzzed too. It’s all fine now. So, did you manage to catch Kai and thank him?”

You nodded.

“Well… No. At least not on the same night. He actually showed up at my parking lot the other day and… We talked about it”

Cora shifted in her seat and placed her elbows on the table. You could tell from her face, she wasn’t too pleased with it.

“And what did he say?”

You huffed. Here it goes.

“He said that he’s been having some sort of nightmares that are almost like, I don’t know, warnings? And they’re about me. That’s why he was at that bar that night. I know, sounds unrealistic, crazy, problematic, stupid… You name it. I didn’t want to believe him at first either”

She frowned.

“Nightmares?” she laughed, “god, this man is so silly”

“Cora” you shot her a serious look.

“Sweetie, he was on the verge of killing that guy” she whispered.

“But he didn’t. When I stepped in, his face changed completely. I snapped him out of it”

“So, you actually think he’s changed? Or is changing?”

You nodded, looking out the window and remembering his little sweet confession to you.

“Yes”

“Are you like, in love or something? This whole different you is making me question everything. Did something happen between you two? Anything I don’t know of that could knock me off of this seat?”

You smiled, rubbing the edges of the cup with the pads of your fingers.

“No, nothing happened. We only spoke. He’s also returned to classes and he’s the only one who’s been keeping me company on breaks. I don’t have to feel unwanted there by everybody no more. He makes the day better”

She only raised her eyebrows and sipped the coffee, sitting in silence for a minute. Cora looked pretty much pissed.

“If it makes you happy” she said with no emotions in her voice.

“Cora, I-“

“I need to get home. I’m hungry. Plus, I have to walk my dogs”

“You could get something here”

“No, no, ____. Not the food-kind hungry” she whispered to you as she got up and grabbed the coffee cup on her way out.

Closing your eyes, you could tell how much Cora was against Kai. Even after you told her what happened. How can you make everyone believe in him? He has been trying to prove them wrong but people just seem to stick to their same old beliefs. It’s a tough cookie to crack, but you’re very sure that soon things will change. You just need a little bit more time. And you know that it’s not going to be easy, but you are more than ready to put up a fight.

_____

When Kai saw you come out of the apartment complex, he was left absolutely speechless. The black satin dress you wore made him feel a clutch in his stomach, a feeling that was new to him, something that made him wonder if this reaction is positive or negative. But when he realised he thought in his mind that you looked jaw dropping, Kai knew it was one hell of a positive emotion. The jewelry you wore brought your eyes out, and the way your hair was done reminded him of a goddess. And indeed, you were one.

“Wow” he whispered under his breath as you approached him. He didn’t look too bad himself : a white shirt combined with a black jacket, a pair of charcoal jeans with black boots was just enough to make your heart pound. If you think about it, he didn’t really wear anything too fancy, yet, it had such an effect on you. Plus, the silver rings on his fingers. Now that could make you trip and fall if you stared for too long.

“Hey” you smiled, biting your lip as you felt all shy because of how good Kai looked.

You both stood there in silence for a moment, Kai’s mouth open, but no words coming out yet.

You giggled.

“Hm, Kai?”

“Hey, you look… Insanely beautiful” he barely got these words out. Never has he ever seen a woman this pretty in a dress. Not that you’re not beautiful in your usual everyday clothes, but this dress just hugs your curves so well that it’s hard to believe you’re real.

“Thank you. You look super handsome. You should wear black jackets more often”

“Thank you. If I knew you’d be dressed this fancy I would’ve digged a tuxedo outta my closet”

The both of you exchanged laughter before silence stood between you both once again.

“Um…”

“Yeah, uh, let’s go to the Mystic Grill” Kai smiled awkwardly and digged his hands in his pockets. It’s actually adorable, at least in your opinion. Well, not like anyone else’s opinion matters at this point. He’s dressed up for you, no one else.

The walk to the Mystic Grill didn’t take too long, considering it’s only a few minutes away from you. As soon as you walked inside you both took a seat in front of the bar, ordering yourselves some drinks. The place was pretty crowded, some nice calm music was playing in the background, chatter between people mixed in with the melodies. You loved it here.

“Did I tell you that you look so damn handsome yet?” you smiled at Kai, placing your elbow on the hard wood and resting your jaw into your palm.

“Heck, you could tell me that as many times as you want” he chuckled and licked his lips.

The bartender came with the drinks and placed them in front of you.

“Here are your drinks. By the way, you, young lady, look gorgeous” and he also sent you a wink.

“Oh, thank you” you gave him a kind smile and took a sip of the cocktail.

“Looks like I’m gonna have to deal with that again” Kai said as he drank his shot in one go. You frowned and chuckled.

“Ah, come on. Relax. I’m here with you, not for anyone to flirt with me and snatch me away. And that was just a compliment, poeple do that when they see someone attractive. Out of kindness”

Kai shrugged his shoulders and sighed, ordering another shot of bourbon.

“Kai?”

“Mhm?” he responded, but with no eye contact this time.

“Look at me”

He turned his head at you.

“Yes?”

“If you think I’m going to let random guys flirt with me, you’re wrong. If I say thank you it doesn’t mean I’m flirting back. Chill”

“Okay, okay. Sorry, sweets” he smiled.

You smiled back and took another sip of your drink.

A few hours passed by and both of you were pretty tipsy, but not wasted, so you both decided to go outside to get some fresh air. You leaned against the cold wall and just stared at Kai without saying a single word. God, he looks so hot right now, you found it hard to believe this man was actually real. A little bit of facial hair made him look ever more manly and sexy, and the two buttons of his white shirt undone just took your mind elsewhere. The urge to kiss him was so bad that you could barely fight it back.

“What?” he smirked, cocking his head to the side.

“You know, I just cannot help but wonder if there’s another female thirsting over you right now”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw a couple of girls staring at you back there” you smiled, nodding your head at the bar.

“Oh, look who’s being an overthinker now”

“Just saying”

Kai then stepped closer to you, brushing a strand of hair out of your face and tucking it behind your ear. He kind of stumbles, but recovers fast, just laughing it off knowing it’s the alcohol to blame. Or maybe it’s you playing a part in this, too. He’s mesmerized by your beauty, he cannot help it but let his eyes wander down to your lips, then back to your eyes. Every single part of his body is fighting back the urge to do something ; he doesn’t know what that even is. He just wants to get closer and lay his lips on yours. And there goes the clutch in his stomach again, just like earlier when he first saw you in that dress.

“You look so pretty” he says quietly, but loud enough for you to hear.

“You look so handsome” you say back, placing your palms on his chest. His heart is beating so quickly, but so is yours. But somehow, you still cannot find the courage inside to lean in and kiss him.

“I think we need more drinks” you say and he nods, placing a hand around your waist as he walks you back inside the bar. The way his hand held you so firmly made you feel thousands of emotions at once, you felt so good, so alive, and so safe that you wished this feeling never ended. No one has ever made you feel this way. You did not want to lose Kai. At all.

After you both had more drinks, the bartender just kept on shooting glances at you, throwing a smile, a wink, and a compliment after a compliment. At this point, Kai was beginning to feel some kind of an emotion that he didn’t know what it was. He wanted to absolutely smack the heck out of that bartender but at the same time to hold back and simply show you’re his date non-verbally. And so he chose the latter.

His hand found its way on your thigh, rubbing it slightly. He watched as your eyes widened and your lips parted, wanting to say something, to comment on his move.

“Should I even ask why you’re doing this right now?”

“No” he shook his head, eyes like glass and cheeks with a slight tint of red, his lips forming into a small smile.

“Jealousy” you said, placing your hand atop of his that rested on your thigh.

Kai frowned.

“Is that what I’m feeling?”

“Yes, dork. You’re being jealous that he’s flirting with me. But don’t worry, as I told you already, I have zero interest in flirting back”

“Then the hundred’s on me?”

“Absolutely” you nodded and finished your drink. Kai gave you a slight smirk as his eyes found the floor. His head hung low, but the next song that came on made him look back up, straight into your eyes.

“Come dance with me” he said.

“Always a yes” you replied and let him grab your hand, leading you to the dancefloor that was built for the weekend at this bar.

At first, both of you hesitated to do anything, but eventually, Kai’s hands found their way around your waist. You rested your forearms around his neck, the skinship making you melt inside. Your faces were just inches away, and the temptation was growing within seconds. Your eyes were running back and forth between Kai’s eyes and lips, and so did his. His hands slowly rocked your hips to the rhythm now, unbeknownst to him it wasn’t your waist anymore. It just happened naturally, and you knew that this is the Kai Parker that people should know. Gentle, a little jealous, protective, funny, a little lost, but working his way through. Seeing him like this made you so happy. He was breaking out of his shell.

“Kai”

“Yes, baby?”

Baby. He just called you baby. You could not believe the word that just left his mouth.

“Baby…” you bit your lip, “can I just say that you are doing so well? You’re doing so much better everyday, you’ve shown me how great of a man you really are. I’m so, so, so proud of you, Malachai”

“That… name” he suddenly broke the eye contact, but his hands still remained where they were.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t-“

“Shut up” he whispered and leaned in closer, kissing you gently but with so much passion that you couldn’t tell if all of this was real and wasn’t just some hungover dream. His grip on you tightened and your fingers found their way into the back of his hair, tugging on it slightly as your tongues danced together. The euphoria you felt in this moment is one to remember. His lips felt so soft, warm, and the taste of bourbon lingering on them only made you more dizzy, but in a good way.

“I love it” he murmurs as he pulls away, letting you know that you have the permission to say his full name without making him feel any negative emotions. You said it unconciously, it just slipped out. But now, knowing that Kai actually accepts it, your heart and soul are at peace.

“Say it again” he dared you.

“Malachai”

“Fuck” he hissed before his lips met yours again, this time the kiss becoming more aggressive and intense. You couldn’t help but get lost in the feeling, it felt like paradise. You swore you melted into the kiss and lost yourself in it for a moment. But only for a moment.

The bar was about to close.

“Hey, lovebirds, we’re about to close” the bartender announced, ripping you two apart.

“Oh, shit. We gotta go” you said, grabbing Kai’s hand and intertwining your fingers, leading him out as you said goodbye to the bartender.

“Did we just really spend the whole night here drinking?” Kai asked as you two walked down the street.

“Yes. Well, not just drinking”

“And dancing”

“And making out” you added in the end.

“That… Yeah” Kai smiled to himself, and looked down at your intertwined hands.

“How-“

“That’s what couples do. They hold hands like that, Kai” you smiled at him, swinging the locked pair of hands.

“Ah… Couples?”

You swallowed thickly.

“Yeah. Couples. People who are in relationships”

“Rela- No, forget it. I’ve consumed a bit too much of alcohol. Leave this explanation for another day”

You chuckled and wrapped your other hand around his bicep.

“Okay”

_____

You were paying a visit to your mom, helping her with painting the kitchen walls, since she’s decided to renew her house a little bit. She was cheerful, happy to see you back home where you grew up. You couldn’t hide the excitement either, the nostalgia washed over you the second you pulled up to the house. You spent twenty years here, so many memories left behind that you’ll cherish forever. Sure there were things that didn’t go well, she tried to protect you from getting turned, got hurt in the process and barely made it, but she lived. She knew how hard it would be for you to live as a vampire, she didn’t want it, neither for you, nor for herself. Yet, it happened. That one night she nearly lost her life, she watched her daughter get bit and killed, and it left her powerless and weak against none other than Kol Mikaelson. He was evil. You didn’t know exactly why he targeted your family, but he did what he wanted to do. Partly. Because someone came to rescue just on time to save your mom from getting bitten too.

Thankfully, when his brother Klaus found out about Kol’s dirty work, he kicked his ass real bad and you haven’t seen any of the originals return to town ever since. It’s even better if Kol’s no longer roaming this earth anymore, but you can’t really be sure about that.

You’ll never forget nor forget that night of horror. You’ll never forgive Kol.

But you’ll never know who saved your mother from death.

“Darling, you should rest for a little. Sit down, here’s some tea for you” your mom patted your shoulder, a white cup in her hand.

“Thank you” you smiled, taking a seat in the living room, sipping the tea she’s made.

“I heard from Cora you’ve been seeing someone” your mom gave you a look of curiosity.

Your eyes widened in fear. Did she tell your mom about Kai? Heck, hopefully she didn’t say it was him.

“Um, yeah, kind of”

“So who’s the lucky man?” she gave you a warm smile, sitting next you.

“Mom” you giggled, “we’re not that serious” you tried your best to talk about it, knowing what the outcome could be. Though you did want her to know and at least try to understand.

“Oh, come on, ____, spill the beans! I’m more than happy to hear about it all”

“Well… We go to the same college, and since no one else talks to me there, he’s the only one who does. My time there passes by with good emotions, because I know that on every break, he’ll find me and chat with me”

She pouted, grabbing your hand and rubbing it soothingly.

“I’m so glad to hear that, honey. Is he the same age as you?”

“It’s uh… We are a couple of years apart”

In this moment you prayed she didn’t catch on. That’s if she knows Kai’s age, because most people do.

“Not so much” she nodded, “Is he good to you?”

Your heart sank, and you looked at her with the happiest smile on your face.

“He’s very good to me”

“Is he also one of you?”

“No. Well, he’s also a part of the supernatural” now, you really knew that this could be an easy giveaway.

“Is he a werewolf?”

“He’s um” you bit your lip, “a witch” you quickly redeemed yourself in hopes of escaping the awkwardness. You knew Kai was a heretic, not just a simple witch.

“Oh wow, well, at least he’s not one of those people who hate the supernaturals. Imagine he was a human and found out and then ran away”

You giggled.

“I know. Would be a disaster”

“Describe him to me, I really want to know what your love interest looks like”

She just keeps asking more and more. This could end up so badly if she comes to the main point. But you felt ready, no matter how much it scared you. She’ll know sooner or later anyway, right?

“He’s tall, really handsome, like, super handsome,” you chuckled, cheeks turning red with blush, “he’s got dark brown hair, ocean blue eyes. And his smile, mom, it’s magical”

She giggled, squeezing your hand with excitement.

“He must be really good looking to have you talk like this. What’s his name?”

Oh no.

You hesitated for a second, but deep down you knew it’s now or never. You opened your mouth to speak, his name almost escaping your lips, but it didn’t. Your phone that was right in front of you both on the table, began ringing.

His name was on display. And your mom saw it. Her hand immediately left yours.

“Don’t tell me-“

“Mom, please”

“Why do you have Kai Parker’s number?”

You pressed your lips together and grabbed your phone to answer, dodging your mom’s question.

“Hey” you said.

“Hi, love”

“Speaker. Now” your mom mouthed to you, and you had no other choice but to listen. You put Kai on speaker, letting him know your mom is here right next to you.

“Hi, Ms. _____” he greeted.

“Kai Parker. Hello. What’s your business with my daughter?”

You shook your head in disbelief. This isn’t going well.

“She’s very lovely. And she’s helping me a lot, dare I say, she’s brought feelings out of me that I’ve never felt before. I need to say thank you for having such a wonderful daughter”

Your mom sighed.

“He’s going to hurt you, ____”

“No, mom. He won’t. How many times we’ve talked and went out, he hasn’t laid a single finger on me. He even protected me one night at the bar when some dude tried coming up on me”

She frowned. You couldn’t understand what she was thinking. Was she mad? Was she trying to understand?

“I actually did” Kai added.

“I still cannot trust you, Malachai”

Did she just?..

“Mom-“

“It’s okay, ____” he spoke from the other line.

“If you hurt her, I will make sure you return to the prison world, but this time, with no loopholes or chances to come back. Mark that in your book” your mom said and took your phone, pressing the red button to end the call.

You didn’t realise but you were crying. The salty tears ran down your cheeks and dripped down on your legs.

“Listen. He’s a sociopath. Do you really think I can trust him after all he’s done? He’s danger to you, dear”

You shook your head no.

“If you don’t trust him, then at least trust me! Trust in me that I’m changing him for good! I fell for him because deep down, I knew there’s good in him, mom. And it sucks so damn much that nobody understands me, it hurts me to the bone that I have to fight so hard to show everyone that Kai is worth a second chance!” you spoke through your tears, anger taking over you to the point the cup in your hands started to crack and eventually broke.

“For you, I’ll try. I’ll really try, honey. I just don’t want to see you hurt and in pain. But keep in your mind that one wrong step and I’ll make sure he’s not coming back”

“He’s staying” you said strictly, running off to your childhood bedroom. You cried hard into the pillow for what felt like an eternity. It was so hard to pull yourself together. You wanted nothing more than to have Kai in your arms right now, tell him how much you care and how much you’re willing to try to prove everybody that he’s not evil anymore. Because he isn’t.

You heard your room door creak as your mom came inside, your phone in her hand.

“Hey. Kai has called you ten times already. I think you should call back” she said calmly as she placed your phone on the nightstand. You didn’t answer, laying curled up in a ball, begging for her to leave your room in your head.

As soon as she did, you took your phone and called Kai back.

“Hey, is everything okay?” he asked as soon as he picked up.

“Hey. We argued… She still doesn’t trust you. But she said she’ll try for me”

“It’s alright. It’ll take time”

“I just wish she knew how happy you make me and how good you really are. It breaks my heart, Kai, I really don’t want you to go back to prison world”

He smiled, even though you couldn’t see it.

“I won’t. I promise you I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere”

“Good. Because if you’re gone, I won’t be able to keep going”

“Shhh. I told you, I’m not leaving you. We’re both in this, okay? Together”

“Okay. Both you and me” you finally smiled.

“By the way, text me your mom’s adress”

“Hm? Why?”

He chuckles.

“Cupcakes, remember?”

“Oh!” you giggled, “Alright, will do”

_____

The other day, Kai made some cupcakes and delivered them at your mom’s doorstep. Though he himself decided to leave as soon as he put the box down on he mat. He wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to randomly show up unnanounced and alone. It’s better if he meets her with you by his side.

Your mom opened the door, but nobody was in sight, and as soon as she was about to close it, her eyes fell on the little box. She questioned it, but picked it up and brought it inside. Opening it, she found a little note along with cupcakes that looked super delicious. At first she thought it might have been you, or Cora, but once the note was flipped over to be read, the handwriting wasn’t anyone’s that she knows.

The note read :

Hi, Ms. _____. Consider this a little gift for you before I meet you eye to eye. I hope you like them. Kai Parker.

She furrowed her eyebrows, but they slowly went back to their usual position and her mouth curved into a small smile.

“Do you think she’s going to accept them?”

“I know she will. There’s a small hope I have that she’s going to start building trust for you”

Kai smiled as his hands rested on your hips while you sat on the kitchen counter.

You decided to invite him to your apartment for the night. Wanting to spend some time alone with him gave you the idea to do this. You wanted no interruptions, no people to give you stares, no one to bother your sweet time together.

“Hey, don’t you think it would be nice if we went to the town party?” Kai asked, his hand finding its way to cup your cheek.

“I thought you were the one who refused?”

He huffed.

“Well, I changed my mind. Take it as a challenge - anyone dares to threaten you, I won’t do anything stupid except shoot them a death stare and simply carry on to party with you”

“And you don’t mind my mom and best friend being there?”

He shook his head as he gently stroked your cheek.

“I think it’s the perfect opportunity to prove myself”

“Then I think we should definitely go” you leaned into his palm, wrapping your hand around his forearm, your thumb dancing back and forth on his skin.

“And the perfect opportunity for me to throw my black tuxedo on” he added, making you blush like crazy. You rolled your eyes.

“Don’t start. I might faint even at the thought of it”

“Can’t wait to catch you falling tomorrow, then” Kai leaned in and pressed his lips against yours in a slow but full of love kiss. Everytime he kissed you, you felt butterflies go nuts in your stomach, every part of your body felt electrified.

“Sweetheart, you’re shaking”

“Oh, don’t break a sweat. It’s the Kai Parker effect” you whispered the last sentence that left him laughing out loud.

“God, you drive me crazy” he snickered, pulling you into another sweet kiss.

As the kiss grew more and more intense, both of you soon found yourselves breathing heavily, gasping for air in between the kisses. You couldn’t help but feel an ache in between your legs, needing something to touch you down there. With each second passing by, the desire only became stronger. You moaned into the kiss, immediately making Kai pull away and look into your eyes.

“Is everything okay, baby?”

“Y-yes, you just feel so good” you spoke in between breaths, watching as his eyes filled with lust, his grip on your body becoming tighter.

He didn’t answer. You didn’t know what ran through his mind, you had no idea what he was going to do next. There was also fear that you might’ve crossed the line with telling him that. But in just a moment, his lips were back where they were before, but this time finding their way down to your exposed neck. It felt so amazing that you couldn’t keep it together and let out a whimper, your hands on his chest, nails digging into the fabric of his shirt.

“Do you want to keep going?” he asked, looking into your eyes with heavy lids. You nodded to confirm that you want to continue and Kai wasted no time to get back into it. But he was taking a little too long and you couldn’t wait any longer. Your hands tugged on the belt that he wore paired up with his jeans.

“Take it off” you begged.

“As you wish, baby” Kai gave you another wet kiss on your collarbone before he unbuckled the belt and pushed the jeans down to his thighs. Meanwhile you took your shirt off and tossed it to the ground, revealing your breasts that were hugged perfectly in the lace bra. Kai couldn’t hold back and started to kiss your hardened nipples through the fabric, biting them lightly to hear a moan fall from your lips.

It only drove him more crazy than he already was, and he couldn’t wait any longer, he did not want to waste another minute. You watched as Kai pulled away and his hands pushed your skirt up, cold breeze hitting your core as he ripped your panties off. You gasped as he did it, witnessing something completely unexpected from him.

“No worries, princess, it’s just a piece of fabric” he smirked as he undid your bra and threw it away. You thought it was a little unfair that you were only left in a skirt and Kai was still fully clothed.

“And this piece of fabric is blocking my view”

You ripped his shirt off and pulled him closer, kissing him as your hands started pulling down his boxers along with the jeans. Kai helped you out and kicked it off with his feet.

He stood before you, completely naked, out of breath and so turned on by you that it kind of hurt. It was impossible to resist him. His muscular arms made you curse under your nose, you could not get enough of the sight in front of you. Eventually, your eyes fell to his rock hard length that was leaking with precum, and you couldn’t wait to feel it inside of you.

Kai grabbed you by the waist and pulled you closer to the edge of the counter, his fingers snaking under the skirt as his thumb met your pulsating core.

“Fuck” you whimpered, pulling Kai in with your hands around his neck, your faces so close you felt each others hot breaths tickle the skin.

“I so love to hear those sounds you make, keep ‘em coming” he groaned, slowly plunging two fingers inside you, curling them up to hit your sweet spot. You could not hold it any longer.

“F-fuck, Malachai”

“My god. Say it again, please”

“Malachai” it came out as the hottest sound he’s ever heard before, he never knew his full name that he hated so much could make him feel this way one day. But here you were, calling it and making Kai fall in love with you even more.

His fingers left your core and he took his length in his hand, stroking it before his tip pushed against your folds.

“Please” you cried out.

Kai huffed and inserted himself in you slowly, stretching your walls that were pulsating with need. You threw your head back in pleasure, your nails now digging into his back. He hissed at the feeling but he loved it. He actually didn’t even mind if there were going to be marks left after tonight.

He started to pick up the pace, the skin slapping against one another filled the room and it echoed. You both were moaning from the pleasure, holding each other tightly as your bodies collided and started to coat with a layer of sweat. Kai’s hand found its way around your neck and you never thought he had that in him. But you loved it and it turned you on a lot. The way his fingers pressed the sides of your neck sent shivers down your spine, he was just perfect at doing that.

Soon enough Kai was at such fast pace that his rough thrusts made you lose yourself and you buried your face into his neck, biting the skin with your fangs that made him groan. But not in pain. It was pleasant.

“I’m going to cum, Malachai” you moaned into his ear, feeling your legs tremble and the knot in your stomach tightening with each thrust.

“Fuck, me too” Kai whined as he gripped your face, holding you so close as he became sloppy, leaning his forehead against yours as he kissed you.

Within seconds, the both of you came hard, your body was jolting and your back was arching, breasts brushing against his chest as Kai fucked you through your orgasm. He filled you up and stopped moving eventually, so now it was just you both catching your breaths.

“I fucking love you” he confessed.

“I fucking love you more,” you smiled, “but I’m afraid I might need your help to come down”

“I’ll carry you to the shower, baby. I got you” he pecked your lips, pulled out and picked you up bridal position as he brought you to the bathroom.

“Mind if I join?” he asked, standing with a smile across his face.

“Not at all”

_____

The town party took place in a big mansion, which was already very crowded when you arrived. Once you stepped in after the owner allowed you to, you looked around to see where champagne was being served. You found it on the table and poured yourself a glass, loving the taste of it.

“Hey!” Cora greeted you with open arms, a big smile on her face as she hugged you tight.

“Hi! You look insanely beautiful”

“Look who’s talking” she snickered, pouring herself a glass of champagne.

“Anyone to keep you company tonight?”

“Of course, he should be-“ you were ready to tell her who was going to join you, but your eyes met his from across the room. Your breath hitched at the sight - Kai in his black tuxedo. It was hard to keep shit together in this moment, you never thought anyone could look this good in a suit. And the first two buttons undone of the white shirt he wore? The absolute death wish.

“Scratch that. He's already here” you said, placing the glass down as you watched Kai approach you.

“Hi” he smirked, placing a kiss on your cheek, his hand on the small of your back. He then turned to Cora.

“Hello” she greeted him, trying her best to hold back any negative comments.

“Hey. You must be Cora?”

“Yeah”

“I’m Kai. Nice to meet you”

“Nice to meet you too” you could tell, she was for sure faking her smile. Come on, Cora, he’s not going to cause any problems.

“I think I should head upstairs, I heard there’s some good food there. If you’ll excuse me”

“Of course, I’ll find you later” you smiled at her, watching her walk away in such a hurry. Hopefully she’ll change her mind in the near time, it sucks having to see your best friend avoid your boyfriend at any given moment.

“So, where’s the part where you faint and I have to catch you?” Kai asked, grinning at you as he stood very close to you.

“You’re late on that. I already died a thousand times from the second you walked in” you batted your eyelashes at him, glancing at his lips for a moment.

“You really want me to lose control, don’t you?” Kai whispered in your ear. You cleared your throat as his low tone sent shivers down your body. That’s another thing that you were totally obsessed with - his voice. You could listen to him talk all day and night.

“I could ask you the same, James Bond”

He laughed, grabbing the glass from your hand and taking a sip. Your brows furrowed.

“Hey, that’s my gla-“

“What’s yours is mine” he teased, giving you the drink back.

“Quit with the teasing already. We just came here”

“Fine, fine. Do you want to go get some food?”

You nodded and grabbed his hand, walking to another room that had a table full of all kinds of food and snacks.

“Chocolate covered strawberries, classic” you gasped as you took one and had a bite. It was fresh and tasted amazing.

“Aaaand, no cupcakes” Kai complained but it only made you giggle at his silly comment.

“You sound like a little kid right now. Seriously, cupcakes at a party? Be more fancy than that”

Kai picked up some whipped cream off of the cake that was in the middle of the table. Your eyes widened.

“Malachai! You can’t do that!”

“Oooh, love hearing that name. Be careful with it though, darling” he smirked as he picked up a chocolate covered strawberry, eating it as he locked eyes with you.

“Oh, you’re here!” heads turned as your mom walked in the room. You did not expect her here at all.

“Mom?”

“Hi, sweetheart” she gave you a warm hug and then, Kai walked over to you, standing aside as he greeted your mom.

“You’re the one who sent me the cupcakes, right? I want to say thank you, Kai. It was such a sweet gesture from you. But you still have to work your way to my heart” she gave him a smile, cocking her head to the side as she raised her eyebrows.

“Was me. You’re more than welcome, Ms. _____. Well, that was one of the small good things I could do. Had to start off somewhere”

“I hope you continue to do so. You know our deal” she said as she nodded lightly at him.

“I promise, she’s safe with me” Kai reassured her, wrapping a hand around your waist as he looked at you.

About an hour passed and you wanted to get outside to have a walk in the fresh air. Kai agreed with you and you both escaped the crowded building.

“Your mom is so kind, I already like her a lot” Kai spoke first.

“If you already think she’s kind with the smallest interaction you had, just wait until you get to know her even better. She’s the kindest soul out there. I’m very happy to have such a good mother”

“And you look just like her”

You giggled.

“Thank you. I gotta thank her too for the good genes”

“I might as well”

“You know, I think we did the right thing coming here tonight. Look at you bonding with my mom. She seems to be more and more accepting, I’m really glad we got past the point of her saying no to us being together”

Kai’s eyes lit up, he felt so happy that there was finally some progress regarding gaining trust. It was all he’s wanted ever since he first laid eyes on you. He knew it was going to be a tough battle, but he chose to fight and leave the past behind. And it’s even easier with you by his side, because he knows that you’ll stand up for him no matter what the circumstances are. You are both warriors in this case.

Kai suddenly stopped walking and took your hands in his, looking deeply into your eyes as he stood like that for a little while until he finally spoke.

“You know, I’m so thankful. I have you and you literally changed me for the better. I never thought I could be like this. I never believed I could be changed. I might have done so many horrible things before, taken so many innocent lives, but it’s not me. It was the broken, lost and unwanted kid who only ever deserved to be loved and accepted. Nobody could give that to me because nobody liked me. Not even my own father. And if you told the old me that one day I’ll be in love, he would’ve only laughed and probably burned your house down later just for fun while eating pork rind. That’s just how I was. A total mess in the head who never cared about anyone but himself. But now, I care about you, about your mother, even about your best friend. About people. And I owe it all to you”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you heard him talk like this. Your heart was aching for him. It was hurting you knowing that this man right in front of you never had the love he deserved. In your eyes, he was the most imperfect-perfect person who made you feel alive.

“I am so sorry that you had to go through all that shit. But I promise you, I’m never going to leave you. I’ll be by your side at all times, Kai. I’ll give you all the love that you were supposed to receive throughout all the years. You’re never getting rid of me” you smiled through the tears, watching as his eyes turned red and got all watery. Kai couldn’t help but sniffle as he began to cry.

But unfortunately for you both, someone interrupted your special moment by appearing out of the blue.

“If he won’t, then I will”

Kol. Bloody. Mikaelson.

“Kol?! Why are you here?” you asked as you clung onto Kai, gritting your teeth at the enemy that stood tall not too far from you.

“Well, I figured why not ruin another beautiful night for you and take something from you? You see, all these years Klaus held me daggered in the coffin, but thanks to my mother, who’s unfortunately dead again, I’m baaaack!” he sang the last two words as he took a few steps forward - closer to you.

“You should have stayed in that damn coffin and rotted in it! You turned me into a vampire, almost killed my mother and yet, it’s still not enough for you? Get your shit together, Kol, you are not hurting anyone else that I care about” the anger inside of you made your blood boil, you could not believe that this was happening right now. There is no way in hell he’s laying a single finger on anybody.

“Oh, come on, I’ve missed you. Really needed to pay a visit and make this party even more fun” he laughed, raising his hands in the air.

“Did you not hear her? You are not hurting anybody!” Kai finally stepped in, his voice full of anger that had him clench his jaw as he stared coldly at Kol.

“Who are you again? Ma… Malachai Parker? Hmm. Cannot quite recognise you, seems you have flipped your personality upside down for this girl. Bonus points for the facial hair”

You snarled at him.

“Don’t ever call him that again”

Kol scratched the back of his head and shrugged.

“Nevermind that. I’m here to do some business, so, let’s not waste any more time and get to it, shall we?”

“Whatever the hell you’ve got on your to-do list, it’s not happening” Kai took a step closer to him, leaving you standing behind his back.

“Pfft,” Kol rolled his eyes, “the hell are you gonna do about it? Punch me? Veeery heroic”

You could hear how much Kai’s heart was pounding and how fast his blood was pumping through the veins. You were so freaking scared, you knew how strong Kol was, and the last thing you wanted was for something tragic to happen.

“I swear I will rip your empty heart out, pack it up nicely and send it to your family with the biggest ‘Congratulations! Your least favorite son is dead for good’ written on a big ass note”

Kol’s laughter rang outside once again. That was more than annoying.

“Awh, you can’t be any funnier than this! You should become a comedian. Oh, wait, don’t sweat it. You’ll be dead soon enough”

Kai’s eyes darkened, his irises growing bigger. His chest was rising up and down intensively.

“You are not killing him!” you shouted out loud, veins visible under your eyes.

“What’s going on here?!” heads were turned as you saw Cora and your mother coming in a hurry.

“Kol?!” your mother stopped in her tracks when she recognised the man. She grew furious at the sight of him. He’s supposed to be dead.

“Oh, hello there, mom. Surprised you are still alive”

“I’m more alive than you are” she snapped back.

“I see I got quite a few choices here, but who shall I play with?… Hm. I think I should use this opportunity to do what I couldn’t quite do before. Ms. ____, you’re up first”

“Not on my fucking watch” Kai hissed and punched Kol in the face, but Kol did not hesitate and fought him back. They kept on throwing punch after punch at each other, but neither seemed to hear you screaming and begging to stop. There was a lot of blood. Kai’s hands and his white shirt were covered in it.

“Look at you, little heretic, fighting me like a teenager” Kol groaned at him as he tried to grab Kai by the collar, but knowing his abilities, Kai chanted a spell that sent the other male flying to the nearest tree. And Kai wasn’t done just yet. He walked up to the bastard and chanted another spell that left Kol screaming in pain, grabbing onto the tree, the grass, and his clothes. The amount of power Kai had wasn’t anything close to what the original vampire expected before he came back.

“Who’s fighting like a teenager now, huh?” Kai spat at him as he intensified the spell and it made Kol’s skin burn as if a bucket of vervain got poured onto him.

“Kai, you’re going to kill him!” you yelled out, worried that things could go wrong. But he made you a promise, and it’s Kai, so you still had trust in him regardless of the hatred towards Kol.

“Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll just make him suffer the way your mother did that night” Kai stated, lifting Kol up against the tree and dropping him on the ground, frying his skin and making his head ring.

“Wait! How does he know what happened to me?” your mom shot you a glance, not able to grasp on what Kai meant by that.

“Yeah, I haven’t told him about it…” you said, looking back and forth between Cora, your mom and Kai.

He then stopped using magic on Kol for a moment, turning around to face all three of you. Kai licked his lips and his eyes welled up with tears again.

“Because I was the one who saved her”

“Malachai…” your voice broke. It was hard to grasp the situation, but it all made sense. Kai returned to Mystic Falls as soon as he broke free from the prison world. It was a chaotic return for him, the whole merge with Luke changed some things. And it changed Kai, too. When he first saw you at the park, listening to music with your eyes closed, something sparked inside of him. He just couldn’t help but feel the need to get to know you. It was hard to understand why he felt like that, but it was just like a magnet. And then, Kol Mikaelson happened. Kai stepped in and saved your mom. And the reason why she didn’t see who saved her was because she was on the verge of passing out and dying, her vision was nowhere close to clear. It was blurry and dim. And once Kai healed her, he left. He then started going to college, he carefully observed you, secretly watched out for you and wanted to approach you. Yet he wasn’t able to get the courage until he began having those nightmares that eventually brought him to the bar that night. Even if he pulled a stupid move by having someone alert him about your whereabouts. It was all that he needed to finally do something more than just say hello before classes. It was all that he needed to begin this journey. A journey to the new Kai Parker. A boy, who after years of suffering finally found someone who’ll love him for an eternity.

“You… saved… me?” your mothers voice cracked as she bursted into tears, Cora following right after.

“Yes” Kai gave her a little smile, knowing that this is the moment that’ll change their view on him entirely. He doesn’t have to be scared or doubtful anymore. He could see it in their eyes - they trusted him now.

“Oh my god” you smiled through the tears, your heart fluttering as you finally found out the truth.

All of you got lost in the moment and forgot about Kol who was slowly getting back on his feet.

But, to your surprise, another familiar face made himself known as he broke the silence.

“I would like to apologise for my stupid brother’s behavior. He’s just as problematic as you know” it was Klaus. Hopefully this time he’ll get Kol and never ever let him come looking for you again.

You swallowed thickly.

“Please, just get him out of here. I want him nowhere near me or my family OR Kai for as long as we are alive”

Klaus quickly pulled a dagger out and drove it through Kol’s heart, his skin turning blue as he faded away. He picked him up and threw him over his shoulder, giving you a nod before leaving.

You smiled in victory, running to Kai and pulling him into the tightest hug ever. He kissed your lips and smiled back at you.

“I love you, Malachai”

“I love you too”

Cora and your mom exchanged looks before coming closer and giving Kai hugs. He didn’t expect this, but now that it happened he was sure that finally, they know you were right this whole time. He’s a good man. He’s worthy of love. He’s worthy of family.

“Sorry I doubted you” Cora said as she held your moms hand in hers.

“I am too” your mom added.

“It’s alright. All that matters to me now is that all of us are safe and alive. So, when’s the family dinner?”

Your mom chuckled at Kai’s sudden question.

“Come tomorrow at seven. I’ll gladly accept you to join us”

“And I’ll be very honored to be there”

[amikaelsonstory]

Not the end, but a new beginning - II

Chapter Two.

As the Mikaelson’s find what they needed, some new light is brought to the house but not without opening old secret wounds.

As they rushed down the compound stairs to find Marcel and another couple of  vampires chatting around a big wooden box. The tallest one had a foot resting on top of the box and opened his arms welcoming them - 'Klaus Mikaelson! Who'd ever imagine you would need this humble peasant! '- ventured the blonde vampire, grinning and making an exaggerated reverence .

- 'Eric Northman, it has been a while.' - Niklaus welcomed the outlander, approaching the group. - 'What do we have here? Is it the so-called precious creature we've been looking for? Are we certain about it?'

 - 'That's her.' - Eric gave a light kick on the side of the box -' had to numb her though, so good luck. You'll hear from me soon, once I figure out what I want.' - he teased, blinking to Rebekah before disappearing.

- ‘Is she inside this box??' - Freya shouted, pushing the siblings to sides, kneeling on the floor and unchain the box. -' How do you expect people to help and be nice to us when you treat them like this?' - she hissed, looking at Klaus over her shoulder. - 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' - she apologized, opening the box, and untying the semi conscious woman inside.

Minna opened her eyes with difficulty, the strong daylight temporarily blinding her. How long was she there? She felt soft hands untying her, apologizing, background voices whispering, making her confused.

- 'Hello love' - Klaus approached the box, lightly pushing Freya to the side and grabbing Minna out of the box. His firm but gentle hands held her waist and the back of her thighs, putting her feet on the floor. He gave a step behind to look at her better - 'Welcome to our home!' - He grinned, raising his eyebrows at the sight of her.

Minna held her wrists to soften the rope marks, then pushed the hair away from her slightly sweaty face. She had delicate features, big dark eyes paired with long black eyelashes, long - now- messy chestnut hair.

She ran her eyes around to all those unknown faces staring at her, stopping at the fine blonde man in front of her, his voice echoing as he softly placed his lips on the back of her hand.

- 'I'm Klaus Mikaelson, and this is my family..'

-'Was this really necessary?' - Minna blurted out loud, taking her free hand to the back of her neck trying to ease the discomfort - 'Really? Trap me in a box and drag me to..Where am I? What is this?'

Kol held a laugh as Rebekah pushed her elbow on his ribs. Freya got closer to her, trying to calm her down and explain herself.  - 'We're the Mikaelson's, and we are very sorry..we didn't know how to contact you..so we asked for help, but they..'

- 'You are in New Orleans love, and it's such a pleasure to meet you' - Klaus insisted, interrupting his sister, placing Minna's hand on his arm as he guided her inside their house - 'Indeed the means that brought you to us were inappropriate, but please be minded we mean well. We do have business to discuss with you, but for now my daughter will take you to your room so you can rest and by the evening, during dinner, we will tell you anything you want to know.' - Klaus sounded charming and compelling, as usual, but for - a confused, locked in a box for days - Minna, he sounded reasonable and polite - 'Hope darling, could you please accompany Miss.. I'm sorry I didn't get your name . Miss Murray? Fyodorova? Ionescu perhaps?'

-‘Murray, but Minna is just fine' - Minna murmured as her eyes scanned the surroundings  - 'Can I get something to drink, you know, I've been locked..starved'  - She raised her eyebrows and shoulders, as if she was implying something obvious.

Klaus pressed his lips in a satisfied smile, he was pleasantly surprised by that creature walking by his side. She was not impressed neither fearful of him and his family, even with the circumstances she was brought to them. Besides, she was stunningly beautiful, her casual jeans and black tank top added a fresh touch to her delicate face. - 'By all means, please' - Klaus snapped his fingers to a compelled housekeeper that approached them, offering her wrist to Minna, who vividly grabbed it, burying her fangs as she devoured her blood viciously.

As the whole scenario developed at the Mikaelson's entrance room, one thing had been completely unnoticed. Elijah had stayed behind, frozen, as if he had seen a ghost. From the moment Klaus got the lady out of the wooden box his heart has skipped a beat then started racing so fast his palms were sweaty. Elijah opened his lips to speak but the lack of words closed them again, so he a took a deep breath, adjusted his tie and made his way inside the mansion.

[maxmoffs]

“ and so there she was , scarlet orbs connect to palms that beamed red hues connecting as one . indulged by her powers , as if she had sunk into the depths of her own destiny , to become THE ULTIMATE BEING. THE SCARLET WITCH . ” quote by yours truly, ellie ♥️ *click the links!*

mutuals exclusive . wanda maximoff . heavily headcanoned interpretation . strong character voice and preference from the comics / very heavily re-written refs from mcu only when prompted / mcu muses are welcome here / iconless writing / moderately active / written by ellie! she + her . 26 . australia . / re-est. 2024 / multi - verse , fandom & oc friendly + encouraged .

PLEASE START HERE !

PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ MY HEADCANONS !! ACCESS RULES. HCS. PROMPTS. VERSES. BELOW.

001 . 002. 003. PINTEREST. MULTI. PERMANENT STARTER CALL HERE !

( BLOGROLL ) please write with current high and best active muses: wicked, squid game, aot on the multi & gilho!

more muses on multimuse sideblog on ( @arden1ly ) yoon gilho. gangnam b-side, fandomless ( @rvengance ) kang cheonsa squid game original character. ( @088player ) billy maximoff . private + low activity ( @w1ccn )

[ this custom artwork is gifted by @jgoldberg ]

( MAINS )

ft . agatha. marcus. kol. nausicaä. kai. magneto. tony.

blogwide : @gravdefy 💗 @mult1aes 💗 @espres0s 💗 @alcrescendo 💗 @lightcreators 💗 @mcntra 💗 @behmth

not sure how mains + affiliates work but to keep it sum short on my end + version of it : these are amazing friends, writing partners that I’ve closely plotted with + been a constant , meaning just a lot more endless , unplanned interactions both ic and ooc from me ♥️ i am very open to and not limited to adding / but would love to create deeper and constant connections whether that be just ic for wanda if you enjoy writing with her or both with ooc. please don’t hesitate to message me to plot or consider being mains !

d.iscord drop : arden1ly ! always available for MUTUALS ONLY . for plotting or ooc chats ! just pls mssg me who you are once you have requested! please do remember that i am slow , and my activity for any chats for ooc or plotting via discord or dms will vary from my mood , energy and time . this is not personal , i just have a messy life schedule lol , but i appreciate your patience and kindness through it <3

( psd used on my banners provided by @underesources . with public approval of use per credit mention. so very grateful. )

[thcallure]

He never thought about life after death, about peace or any of it. Not until he got his peace, and not until he was ripped from it not mere hours ago. Standing in the very spot that he and Elijah had taken their lives. New Orleans hadn't changed much, but Klaus didn't stay long enough to actually see if it had. First, he went to the compound, took one of the longest showers known to man, got himself fed, looked for any trace of his family before finally - making his way to the quaint town of Mystic Falls. All the while, Klaus tried to feel for the ancient witch that was either no longer there, or dormant. He couldn't tell, he'd likely ask Freya if she could. Upon coming into the town, he heard of the little bonfire that was being held. He was still hungry, death did that to you. And that seemed like easy pickings.

However, as he stepped into the area - he was met with Kol's fiery attitude. A comfort, as strange as it was. "This doesn't really seem like your scene, brother." His voice was raspy, throat feeling as if it was sandpaper.

The whole idea of going to a party with a bunch of annoying teenagers and making sure there were no deaths was agonising to kol. Why Davina dragged him along confused him - but he did it, for her. Despite being softer since Davina came into his life, and hope too, he still had the wily and murderous streak in him.

He stood near the bucket of cold beers and had one in one hand and a bottle of bourbon in the other. As another approached him, he glanced to them before back to the fire roaring nearby. "you know I'm not really sociable tonight... unless we're family, get lost." he spat.

@sanguishqsstarters

[helpimstuckinafandom]

Klaus is miserable and decided to be a deadbeat dad

Rebekah and Marcel are breaking up for the millionth time despite being together seven years now

Elijah's happy but also doesn't have his memories

Meanwhile Kol is out here chatting with his niece on video and gushing about his wife of seven years, completely living his best life

[bisexual-yuri]

I wrote kol instead of lol in a chat and I immediately went kolkolkol aph russia I hate it here

[talshiargirlfriend]

I have real proper ✨vibes✨ on the way but Jonathan Archer requested an awkward introduction into the spy-verse and I had to oblige. 😅

For @candiedsumire and @deadheaddaisy my beloved enablers 💕💕💕

Meet the crew

Newly-promoted Captain Jonathan Archer was piloting the test rig. Rumour had it he was top choice to command the Kol-Ut-Shan mission once the sensor and engine upgrades were complete.

Trip recognised him from a few Starfleet training missions they’d completed together and decided to re-introduce himself while T’Pol and Stenn were chatting with Captain Jefferies.

“Good morning, Captain,” Trip said, offering the man his hand. “I’m Commander Charles Tucker of the Technology Integration Team.”

Archer shook his hand. “Captain Jonathan Archer. I’m looking forward to putting your engine through its paces!”

His open grin shifted into a more thoughtful expression. “But I know you from somewhere... It’s Trip, isn’t it? I’ll never forget that survival training in the Australian outback!”

“That’s right, sir! If I never see another desert, it’ll be too soon!”

“Please, call me Jon.”

Trip nodded agreeably.

Jonathan leaned in and dropped his voice conspiratorially, “Is it true there’s a guy on your team living with a Vulcan?”

Trip nodded stiffly.

“I’m pretty open-minded, but wouldn’t that be like fucking a robot?” Jonathan asked, his eyes shining with mirth.

“Well, I’m afraid I wouldn’t know anything about that,” Trip said apologetically. “I’ve never fucked a robot, sir.”

Archer looked horrified and immediately opened his mouth to apologise.

With timing so impeccable Trip might have summoned her from the ether, T’Pol appeared at his elbow.

“Speak of the devil! Captain Archer, I’d like you to meet SubCommander T’Pol. T’Pol, Captain Archer here is our test pilot.”

Jonathan looked a bit queasy as he raised his hand in a Vulcan salute. “Pleased to meet you, SubCommander. I look forward to working with you.”

T’Pol took pity on him and offered a handshake, “Likewise, Captain.”

“I should go and uh, say hello to Captain Jefferies.”

“Of course, Captain,” T’Pol agreed. “Matthew speaks very highly of you.”

Archer smiled awkwardly and made his exit.

Once he’d departed, Trip turned to T’Pol in amusement, “‘Matthew’?”

“Captain Jefferies has repeatedly suggested I refer to him by his given name. It seemed appropriate in the circumstances,” she replied innocently.

Well, Trip reflected, if his heart hadn’t already been at risk, that probably would’ve done it.