#this is literally what this kiss is. klaus: acknowledge you like me and I’ll leave you alone Caroline: Fine I like you LETS FUCK

[marxandangels]

the urls are so serendipitous

[deannaroxannewrites]

Tropetember Day 5 - Accidental Confession / In Vino Veritas (Drunk Confession/Drunk Dial)

Unrequited love? Bite me

Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x GN!Reader

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries

Rating: Teen and up

TW: Drinking/alcohol, language, vampirism/blood mentions, FWB mention

AN: Day 5 of @tropetember. Not my best work but hope you enjoy. Might rework this slightly at a later point.

A visit to the Salvatores in Mystic Falls should be pretty fun, until Damon decides to drag you to a party the Originals are throwing.

Find this story on Ao3 here.

Word Count: 1.5k

“Damon, you cannot be serious.”

Your best friend just gives you puppy dog eyes. Bright blue and sad as can be. It’s kinda pathetic.

“Pretty please.”

You huff, knowing you won’t win this argument. You’ve known him since you were both children, through him being turned by Katherine and later Stefan turning you (long story), and then on and off in the intervening century and a half. You even had a casual friends with benefits arrangement when you were both lonely/bored. Knowing him so well, you decide to save everyone the time and give in.

“You’re paying for my outfit Damon! I can not believe you’re making me go…”

He scoops you up and spins you, making you squeal as he thanks you. Stefan, who has been observing from the couch being absolutely no help, just laughs.

“You won’t regret it. It’ll be fun and we can learn some things at the same time. We’ll be the most attractive spy duo in history.”

You just roll your eyes and go to grab your keys before stealing Damon’s wallet. If you’re going to have to face the Mikaelsons again, you weren’t doing it in something you’d worn before. And you were going to buy something expensive out of spite.

------------------

The entrance to the Mikaelson’s house was the same as any other house in Mystic Falls: opulent, excessive and with far too much marble. You’d take a cosy cabin over this nonsense any day.

Clinging to Damon's arm, you enter the space and, thankfully, Klaus is the only one of the family greeting guests.

“Darling, it’s been a while.” You can’t help the reactionary smile as you embrace him. He could be bat shit crazy at times, but he’d always been kind to you.

“Klaus! I’ve missed you.” Out of your eye corner, you can see Damon giving you both evil eyes. Had you accidentally on purpose forgotten to mention you knew the original family? Oops, your bad.

Klaus doesn’t let you go far, holding you at arms length to admire your new outfit. You do look stunning in it, if you do say yourself.

“Beautiful.” He leans in to whisper in your ear “My brother really doesn’t realise what he’s missing.”

You laugh him off, ignoring the implication. You knew better.

“Now boys,” you say, glancing between them, “I’ll have no part in whatever this little competition or measuring contest is, and I expect you all to leave me out of it.” They both look a little guilty as they nod. “Marvellous. If you need me, I’ll be somewhere out of the way with a glass of champagne.”

And with that you head further into the party, leaving them to bicker.

-----

"Urgh, I've missed you so much! I can't believe you left us."

You and Rebekah are both waaaay too many glasses of champagne deep at this point. You’d been there a couple of hours by now and it had only taken Rebekah 30mins to realise you were there and take you hostage. You're currently sequestered on a sofa in a corner and are both a bit sloppy.

"What do you want me to say Bekah? It's your arsehole brother's fault."

"Wait, what? What did Klaus do?"

You laugh, just a tad hysterically and fortify yourself with another sip out of your glass.

"Wrong one. Go older"

A look of understanding comes across her face and she wraps an arm around you. You, sadly, don't have enough of your wits about you to realise that this isn't the best place for a drunken heart to heart.

Everything starts to spill out of you. How you and Elijah had spent so much time together. How you thought he liked you back, only for him to turn up with what's her name wrapped around him. How he'd laughed when you'd expressed your surprise that he was dating, and how it made you feel like nothing. It was too much for your heart to handle. So you’d left, had a fun rebound weekend with Damon and tried to move on.

Rebekah pulls back slightly, wiping a tear that had escaped without your permission.

"You're too good for him anyway," she says and you laugh.

"I wish that were true.” You pull yourself together a little and put on your best fake smile. “For now, I'm just going to don an air of indifference and pretend I'm not in love with your oldest brother."

Your mirth leaves you instantly as you hear a refined voice behind you ask, "now why on Earth would you do that?"

It’s amazing how panic can sober you up.

You turn slowly and meet the eyes of the oldest Original. He’s in a suit, as always, and has a confident smirk plastered across his face. That pisses you off.

“Cos he’s an asshole” you coolly reply before turning to Rebekah, pressing a kiss to her cheek and walking swiftly out of the room to find Damon to take you home. You’d embarrassed yourself quite enough for one night.

You’d never admit that you were disappointed that Elijah didn’t try to stop you.

------------

One of the advantages to being a vampire was that you very rarely got a hangover. Instead, you just slept in a little, made a cup of coffee and did some yoga before heading out to treat yourself to lunch. You didn’t need to eat but you enjoyed the taste, there was much more variety in food than blood.

You'd only arrived in Mystic Falls a couple of days ago for your visit to see the Salvatore brothers and as such hadn't had a chance to try out the Mystic Grill. This seemed like a perfect fit opportunity. Something greasy would be perfect right about now.

The grill was a bit dingy but it worked for the place and you were happy to learn that they have a pretty good menu selection. Your excitement was soured though when Elijah decided to join you for lunch.

Dressed in yet another suit, no tie and the top buttons of his shirt undone, he oozes charm and money. Add in the handsome features and knockout smile and you were lost. You're sure back in the day the ladies with delicate constitutions had to keep their smelling salts close. You could easily have fainted over him.

But he wasn't interested in you, as he had made very clear, so you were just annoyed that he was existing in your space.

Elijah watched you eat for a few moments, clearly taking note of your reluctance to acknowledge him.

"For someone who's in love with me, you don't seem particularly happy to see me darling."

You groan quietly and lower your utensils. Wishing him away wasn't working.

"What do you want Elijah?" You sound bitter, even to your own ears. So much for attempting to sound neutral.

"One of my favourite people, who I haven't seen for a long time, has reappeared and I want to spend time with them. Is that too much to ask?"

You start eating again, using it to buy time. You had honestly missed his company. You just weren’t sure if you could bear him breaking your heart again, even accidentally and unintentionally. Luckily, he had more to say.

“Klaus told me off after you left, you know?”

You look at him in surprise.

“Told me that I’d wasted my best opportunity at happiness. Which is especially concerning considering who it was coming from.”

You nod your agreement. Klaus wasn’t exactly known for his sentimentality.

He continues, “would you believe that I really thought you were too good for me? That I really thought you weren’t interested?”

“Elijah, you can not be serious.” You pull a face at him. “I literally spent all of my time with you, hanging on your every word. I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth. How could you not have known?”

“I just thought you were being your usual effervescent self. I started dating again to try and let you go.”

Miscommunication. You shake your head. 30 years of heartbreak all because of miscommunication. God, you could bang the pair of your heads together. It’s basically a crappy romance novel. Ok, this is ok. You can fix this. You have pretty much forever left, after all.

Taking the initiative, you lean forward and grasp Elijah’s hand. His eyes fall to where you wrap your fingers around his. A hopeful look takes over his face as he returns to your eyes.

“Elijah?” You smile. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

He laughs. It’s a beautiful sound. You’re going to make it your personal mission to make him do it more often.

Lifting your knuckles to his lips, he places a gentle kiss on them.

“I can think of nothing else I’d rather do.”

[honestgrins]

Can you write a Klaroline drabble where Caroline shows up in NOLA and shocks everyone but maybe Kol or Katherine when she says she's Klaus's wife? Cannon Caroline not original.

I Heard a Rumor

The club was filled with people and the chaos of a Friday night. Klaus preferred to avoid the rush of tourists, but Marcel kept the VIP lounge to a more tolerable set even during peak hours - usually.

“Don’t you just love this place?” Janet was hanging over the balcony to watch the crowds below, none too subtly pushing her ass back toward him. As one of the humans on staff to provide a live blood source, she was perfectly amiable to Klaus. He’d even become something of a regular customer for her given his penchant for the tinge of bourbon in her taste. However, it seemed she took the friendly flirtation of their transactions to heart, and she was testing his patience for more. 

Unfortunately for her, his patience was wearing thin. With a barely polite grimace, he downed the rest of his drink and made to stand. “It’s a bit rowdier than I like, love, so—”

She gave a rapturous giggle, only to fall into his lap and sprawl across him. “I like that you call me ‘love,’” she murmured, her mouth clumsy against his ear. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll show you how much I like it.”

Rolling his eyes, Klaus was ready to speed out of there without bothering to set her back on her feet. The only thing that kept him in his crowded seat was the biting and all too familiar voice coming from behind him.

“Sorry, love, he won’t be available to accept whatever appreciation you have in mind.”

Both surprised — though for very different reasons — they turned to see Caroline Forbes facing them with a pageant-ready smile and murder in her eyes. She was stunning. Klaus couldn’t help a grin despite his earlier annoyance, and his brow arched in challenge. “Hello, sweetheart. Fancy meeting you here.”

Her jaw shifted almost imperceptibly to the left, but his companion didn’t seem to sense the rising tension as a threat. “Who the hell are you?”

Just like that, Caroline’s smile turned sharp with her fangs on full display. “I’m his wife, and you’re in my seat.”

The club was home to any number of vampires who heard her perfectly over the music, and more than a few froze at the sudden silence coming from him. The Klaus Mikaelson they knew would have reacted instantly, either with murder or some other violence, and they all seemed to wait for the ensuing mayhem. Even Janet finally grasped the discomfort of the moment, and she extricated herself from his lap with all the delicacy a human could manage. “I’ll just— Yeah, bye.”

Whatever show the club was waiting for, Klaus had more pressing concerns. “Shall we continue this interesting discussion at home?” he asked, though they both knew it wasn’t a question. Gently gripping Caroline’s arm, he flashed them back to the manor. He heard Kol and Rebekah meandering somewhere, and Elijah was likely on the premises as well. With that in mind, he brought her to the privacy of his studio and its soundproofing spell. Wisely, she waited until the door was shut to yank her arm free with a disgruntled huff. He merely smiled as he went to pour them some blooded wine. “That was quite the display you gave, sweetheart,” he said lightly, handing her a glass. “I have to admit: I didn’t see it coming.”

“Bullshit,” she snapped, setting aside the drink without indulging. His lips pursed; it was an excellent vintage, yet he was more perturbed at her outright refusal of his hospitality. Perhaps this wasn’t their usual spat to be easily resolved. Proving just that, she seemed truly distraught. “You promised to leave Mystic Falls, that my life was my own.”

“It is. I haven’t stepped foot in Virginia since that day.” Brow furrowed, Klaus felt an urgent need to reassure her. “I understand you need time to accept what I’m offering, and I am prepared to wait however long it takes. What on earth made you believe I’m encroaching on that promise?”

Last he heard, she wasn’t even in the States. They did chat by phone every so often, and when she’d mentioned a tour abroad, he had offered a list of his various estates that would be available to her should she wish. It was the caretaker of his dacha outside of Moscow who alerted him to her softening boundaries. He certainly had no intention of making her regret the change, let alone whatever caused this latest upset.

Watching him with suspicion, Caroline apparently wasn’t sure of his intentions at all. “Seriously? It wasn’t bad enough I ran into the stalkers you have ‘looking out for me’ in every city, but the one time I take you up on borrowing a place, you have the staff literally bowing to me. I wrote it off as a cultural thing at first, then I heard the whispers.”

“Though I refute your accusations of stalking, I will admit to warning some friends and enemies you are not to be trifled with in your travels. As for Dmitri, I merely asked him to welcome you as an honored guest, which you are.” 

She scoffed and crossed her arms in defiance. “Yeah, well, he wasn’t welcoming me as an honored guest. I overheard him chatting with his wife about meeting ‘the new mistress of the house.’”

Klaus shrugged, unconcerned. Satisfied the situation wasn’t more dire, he allowed himself to relax on his sofa, daring to pat the spot next to him. Caroline remained unmoved, and he rolled his eyes. “Perhaps the nature of your significance was lost in translation. You’re the one who came to my town and introduced yourself as my wife.”

“Because half of Russia thinks I am your wife!” With an indignant stamp of her foot, she seemed ready to tear her hair out — but she frowned more sedately at the blankness on his face. “You didn’t know?” 

Shaking his head, he honestly had no idea. “What happened, Caroline?”

Finally taking her drink, she dropped to the couch beside him with an embarrassed groan. “I stepped into exactly one vampire club, and people practically threw themselves out of my path. I assumed it was more of the same from you, until the guy I was flirting with was suddenly yanked away by a friend. He went white when he was told my husband would tear out his intestines and shove them down his throat.”

“A bit uncreative, that.”

“Klaus!”

“I don’t know,” he insisted, his frustration growing to match hers. Rubbing a hand across his mouth, he genuinely had no idea why anyone would think him married. Though he had many hopes and plans involving Caroline in his future, matrimony was a human tradition he’d never once considered. “Truly, this didn’t come from me.”

Sighing, she leaned back into the couch and nursed her wine, defeated. “Oh. Then, sorry for cockblocking, I guess.”

Klaus smirked at that, and he turned to face her more fully. “Are you really?” The lightest blush stained her cheeks, and he knew she was biting her tongue at the faint scent of her blood. Unable to resist, he reached his hand to rest on the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing into her hair. “New Orleans is a small town at heart, love, and you effectively announced yourself as my wife in the middle of town square.”

“To be fair, I thought you had told the whole world, and I wasn’t going to be the only one not getting laid because of it.”

“Ah.” He was torn between a wince and a laugh, so he settled for another sip of his drink instead. His other hand continued to massage her scalp, and he felt the tension slowly loosening within her. “I never meant to restrict your choices,” he promised. “Tempt you into choosing me, absolutely, but not like this.”

Finally, she relaxed into him, slouching until he could tuck her against his side. Some doubt lingered, though, he could tell. Perhaps it was a sign of growth on both their parts that he didn’t take offense and that she trusted him enough be honest. “But who else would want to spread a rumor like that about us? It’s not like anyone benefits if we really did do the Vegas wedding thing.”

His mouth twitched, and he flashed to the door, barely sparing a brief kiss to the top of her head. He tore it open, only for her to slam it shut again. Pressing her back to the wood, she kept a heavy glare on him. “Put those away, we both know you’re not going to bite me.”

With a reluctant growl, he forced his fangs to recede. “It’s not your blood I want at the moment, and it’s certainly not pleasure I seek.”

“Yeah, ‘cause revenge isn’t a pleasure for you,” she answered snidely. “Tell me what’s going on before you kill the blabbermouth.”

“This is something I have to do myself, sweetheart.”

“Hi, I might want to help! They screwed with both of us here, not just you.”

A half-smile formed without permission, the fondness he felt for her softer than he was comfortable acknowledging at the moment — especially when someone had proven all too willing to use their connection against him. “Few in New Orleans know about you, let alone your...effect on me. Only two would maliciously speak out of turn about that. And just one of those would dare to bind you to me forever, lest I be challenged to follow through.”

Her face was an open book to him, and he hoped she never lost that human nature to share every feeling she had as it happened. Confusion, calculation, consternation, they all boiled down to an annoyed scrunch of her nose. “Your family knows I exist, at least, I think so. I never actually met Elijah, but you two seem to have gotten over whatever grudge match was going on at home.” He gave a brief nod, fascinated at the determined way she thought it through. “I also doubt you told him about your fling with a baby vampire. Kol and Rebekah, on the other hand, probably didn’t need to be told.”

“Bekah still likes to complain that we defiled the entire wood within earshot,” he muttered, not that he could be particularly aggrieved at the memory of a sunny afternoon. “And you are no mere fling, Caroline.”

That lovely blush rose again, and she looked anywhere but at him as he crowded her against the door. Gently brushing the curtain of her hair back from her face, Klaus waited for her to gather herself. After a deep breath, she finally met him with a half-hearted glare. “Which Rebekah loathes, so she’s definitely not daring you to marry me by telling everyone else you already have.”

Silently agreeing, he hadn’t lowered his hand from where it settled on her cheek, and a thrill came when she leaned into it. “Kol, however, enjoys sowing chaos wherever he goes.”

“Yeah,” she groaned. “That sounds on brand, and I played right into it with this stupid payback stunt.”

“We always did share a flair for the dramatic.”

The laugh built in her throat before it burst out, filling the air between them until they were both smiling like fools. Her hands had curled into his shirt, one at his hip and the other over his heart. The slight tug of fabric was tempting, but he still kept his tentative distance. “I promised you time, and I meant it.”

Biting her lip, Caroline nodded. She didn’t let go of his shirt, either. “Does it have be all or nothing right now?” It was half a whisper, the barest hint of whine in her voice endearing. “Because you smell really good and it’s been a long time thanks to your stupid brother, and I might have missed you more than I realized, so can you just kiss me alrea—”

There would be consequences from the rumors of their marriage, and more than just those Kol would face. Caroline would be a target, either for those seeking Klaus’s favor or those out to destroy him. Her presence or absence from his daily life would be a noted occurrence, and more rumors would arise should they be seen with others instead. New pressures would exert force on the evolution of their relationship, something he had measured in decades and centuries without such attention. But they could deal with those consequences in time, together.

Later.

[bakerolivias-archived]

not a literal d.elena trying to frame the klaus/caroline hookup as coercion??? “i’ll be out of your life forever if you bang me” thAT’S NOT WHAT HAPPENED?????

like yeah i get i get that KC is hella problematic and there are many reasons to dislike them but come on. literally d.amon was out here sneaking into elena’s room murdering her brother when she rejected him and then trying to kiss her despite her shrinking away and desperately asking him to stop, looking severely uncomfortable and not in the slightest like she desired him.

the klarohookup was on both klaus and caroline’s terms. klaus didn’t want her to bang him as some kind of exchange for him leaving he wanted her to acknowledge the attraction she felt for him because he appreciates her honesty and wants to know that whatever he felt for her was reciprocated. and then she told him that she had plans for a future which he wasn’t a part of because she couldn’t decide which direction her life was going in and needed that time to herself, which he seemed to process and understand. and d.elena =/= klaroline: she participated in and encouraged many plans to get rid of him, because she was loyal to her friends and the fact that his plans negatively impacted their lives, while e.lena victim shamed her for the fact that d.amon assaulted her.

caroline asked him to leave and he respected her wish. then they kissed and it was very much mutual?? and consensual???? like neither party looked uncomfortable in that scene, so i don’t know where the coercion nonsense came from.

[in-tua-deep]

20 for Vanya?

20. What-ifs/Alternate Timelines

I have a lot of what-ifs and alternate timelines for Vanya lmao, especially ones that prevent the apocalypse because I’m a sucker for a happy ending tbh

What if Vanya was included? Why not? Klaus’s powers weren’t useful for missions, Allison’s story for Claire was literally like “yeah Klaus got distracted by ghosts in the background lol” so it’s not like a kid without offensive powers couldn’t do it

you have rebellious Vanya aus, where she decides, like some neglected children do, so act out. If her father isn’t going to acknowledge anything good about her, she’s going to make him acknowledge the bad. Punishment might be the only time he pays attention to her, after all.

(let’s call this an au where the pills suppress her powers but not so much her emotions)

So you have an au where she sneaks out and joins the missions. She breaks into the mausoleum and picks Klaus up and stares her father down with a challenge in her eyes. 

Five vanishes, and Vanya gets worse. She plays her violin at 2 in the morning. She refuses to eat her broccoli. she teams up with diego to see who can piss dad off the most

(her and Diego actually get along very well in this sort of au, honestly)

Vanya gets out and plays the violin and gets angry. She plays with fury and fire and gets second chair, because Helen is actually really very good. But she makes Helen work for it. Helen isn’t secure in her position, she always knows that Vanya is a step away from taking it from her

and maybe that should make them enemies, but it doesn’t. They’re rivals. Helen respects the hell out of Vanya, and Vanya can’t help but admire the woman who makes the most difficult pieces look effortless

(RIVALS TO LOVERS: VIOLIN EDITION)

Vanya writes her book. Except she kicks down Diego’s boiler room door and is like “DIEGO”

“WHAT”

“I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT HOW MUCH DAD FUCKING SUCKS”

“I’LL BE RIGHT THERE”

as one of the rebel kids, Vanya actually got along well with Klaus as well since she helped him sneak out and 100% also smoked at least some weed with him because it would piss off Reggie tbh though she didn’t get into the harder drugs like he did

(showing up absolutely plastered to breakfast when they were sixteen was hilarious even if the laps they had to run around the block were not)

anyway Klaus crashes at her apartment sometimes, with supervision, because she loves Klaus but he has a problem and has stolen from her before but he’s still her brother but regardless

Klaus-Diego-Vanya sleepovers where they brainstorm the book to shit talk their father. Honestly it’s kind of a blast. They all get super wine drunk and end up watching Mary Poppins together with some Very Loud Opinions about nannies in general tbh

klaus throwing popcorn at the screen: BOO WHY WAS OUR CHILDHOOD NOT A MUSICAL???

diego: idk if you can have cheery musicals about child soldiers

vanya: i mean if they can have a musical about child labor in factories and the starvation of the workers in oliver twist you could do something with child superheroes

klaus: EXACTLY thank you vanya

they publish the book (luther is uNHAPPY, vanya dedicates her book to ‘all my siblings who survived the Reginald Regime but especially those who didn’t’, and she gifts Reggie a copy that says “fuck you lol” and is signed by her, diego, and klaus), they continue living, they go to the funeral when reggie kicks the bucket

and then five shows up, feral and aching

and five tells vanya about the apocalypse, and vanya thinks about their father saying time travel messed with the mind, and then she thinks - fuck the old man he was wrong about her (ordinary, fuck that, she’s Vanya Fucking Hargreeves) and he was probably wrong about Five, too

and Five is wholeheartedly believed

“Let me call Diego,” Vanya says when Five tells her about the eye, “I bet he could totally wear a police uniform and get info about the eye. And if not, I’m absolutely sure Klaus could improvise a solution. He’s good at that.”

“Klaus??” Five asks, vaguely suspicious.

“We don’t talk about the Sleepover of 2012.” Vanya intones solemnly, and refuses to answer any further questions on the topic.

Harold Jenkins comes to the apartment and tries to woo Vanya or whatever, and Vanya is kind of like... “Look, Leonard. I can be your teacher for violin. It’s my job. But I am in a relationship. And also like, super gay. If you have a problem with that then I am not the teacher for you.”

Actually scratch Diego and Klaus getting called, which they do, Vanya looks at them and her thirteen year old brother and is like “wait. actually i know someone infinitely better to crack this case wide open.”

“Who?” Five, Klaus, and Diego all ask

“My girlfriend.” Vanya says proudly, called Helen up.

And Helen walks into the building like she’s at fucking war and has such demanding confidence that they just give her the information she seeks and apologize for inconveniencing her.

“Hey Vanya are we still on for date night tomorrow?” Helen casually asks after, and Five kind of wants to be her when he grows up honestly after watching her verbally eviscerate Lance or whatever the fuck his name is

“Yeah.” Vanya confirms, “Unless there’s other apocalypse stuff to do?”

“You take all the time you need, honey.” Helen says warmly, “After all the more time you take the less you have to practice.”

“I’m gonna destroy the concert piece and you know it.” Vanya threatens.

Helen sniffs, “Okay, whatever you say second chair.”

and then they kiss and Helen ditches and the others just kind of look at Vanya judgingly

“In fairness, she’s very hot and very talented.” Vanya defends herself.

Klaus nods sagely. Vanya nods back. He gets it. 

“Concert piece?” Diego asks, because he has priorities.

“Yeah, I’ve already asked for tickets for all of you and you will be attending Diego.” Vanya smiles prettily with all her teeth.

“When is it?” Five asks

“April 1st.” Vanya tells him, “And no that isn’t an April Fools joke. You will attend and you will marvel at my skill. And maybe run interference between Helen and Allison because I’m kind of afraid they’re going to rip each others throats out to establish dominance.”

“That’s the day of the apocalypse.” Five informs her.

“Not on my goddamn watch.” Vanya says, because her family will attend her fucking concert and they will make awkward small talk with her girlfriend and the fucking apocalypse has better lay down and get over itself because nothing can stop Vanya’s goddamn plans

“I can investigate Meritech more.” Diego offers, because Lance-or-whatever-his-name-is is clearly shady as shit, “I have police contacts I could go through. Hey Vanya, your concert tickets include a plus one?”

“They can.” Vanya shrugs.

“Sweet, let me see if Patch can come.”

“She’s way too good for you, bro.”

“Shut your goddamn mouth.”

Anyway the point is they all go home, and Diego goes to talk to his police contacts and Five is definitely at home for when Hazel and Cha-Cha attack the mansion, oops. 

“Whomst the FUCK.” Vanya yells, kicking Hazel in the crotch because she’s Vanya Fucking Hargreeves she knows self defense thank you very much

“Ah.” Five says. “Hazel. How’s it going.”

“Just peachy.” Hazel wheezes, “Why’d you betray the Commission?”

“Well, you know. They cut the dental. That was really the last straw.” Five says, sarcastically.

“The dental.” Hazel echoes back, nodding very seriously, “I fucking know. You know physical therapy isn’t even covered anymore?”

“No shit?” Five says, “I mean you’d think with a job as physical as ours...”

“I know.” Hazel howls, vindicated. 

“Five.” Vanya says, rolling her eyes, “The house?”

“Oh, right.” Five frowns, looking at Hazel, “I mean. Can you like, leave? And not come back?”

“‘Fraid not.” Hazel actually sounds somewhat apologetic, “You know what the Commission is like. They’re really gunning for you.”

Five nods, because really what did he expect, “Can you leave like, temporarily? I mean you’d pretty clearly outnumbered. I don’t even know where Cha-Cha is, but judging by the furious yelling she probably met our sister and brother and Luther is hard to kill. Trust me, if he wasn’t we would have killed him when we were like, eight. But for real, can you get out of our house? I mean. Storming the den? Seriously? What kind of information did they even give you?”

“They didn’t give us any information.” Hazel responds back, sounding appropriately outraged, “They didn’t even tell us you could teleport.”

“Well that’s just rude. You’d think they wanted you dead or something.” Five muses, “But seriously, get out of my house.”

“Yeah, that’s fair.” Hazel admits, and leaves, because honestly Hazel is chill like that and knows when he’s lost. And Hazel also has a lot to think about. Like the fact that the Commission sucks and doesn’t even have dental, and how pretty the donut lady is. 

and Vanya is just like... okay. Weird. Is that going to happen again? Probably? I mean. Okay, this day has already been so goddamn weird. This week, honestly.

And they keep getting attacked by the Commission. And Vanya finds out someone broke into her apartment and stole her meds. What the fuck. 

“Did your shitty assassin friends do this?” Vanya asks, waving an empty pill bottle.

“Why would they?” Five asks, honestly confused.

“Because they’re assholes?” Vanya says, honestly outraged.

“You got me there.” Five admits.

The combined forces of Diego-and-Patch (because Patch is actually thrilled that Diego is asking for help regarding an actual fucking crime) figure out that the eyeballs are being sold illegally

Klaus is not kidnapped so he’s fine, just tagging along and living his best life, however this also means that Klaus does not steal the briefcase and Hazel and Cha-Cha are fine

Vanya keeps Five close at hand because frankly she doesn’t want him to leave again and she did really miss him. Also if she does save the world she can lord it over Helen’s head forever. 

And so Five is around when Vanya’s powers manifest, probably because they just got targeted by commission goons again because they’re trying real hard to kill five and separate Vanya

“Holy SHIT.” Five says, very intelligently, “You have POWERS.”

“Wow. Gonna have to write a fucking sequel to the shit-talking-dad book.” Vanya says, honestly a little light headed.

And then Vanya finds out her powers are sound based.

“Oh no.” Vanya says, “Where the fuck are my pills. I am not relearning how to play the violin with-powers a few days before the big concert Five, what the fuck.”

“But you need to learn to control them!” Five protests, “They’re your powers!”

“They’re a goddamn inconvenience is what they are.” Vanya states, “I mean, what am I going to do with them? Stop a bank robbery with the Umbrella Academy? Yeah, no thanks, that ship has sailed and sunk to the bottom of the ocean Titanic style. I’ll figure them out when I’m not in danger of blasting the audience halfway across the continent.”

“Yeah.” Five admits, “That’s fair.”

“Besides, if I’ve been on that shit as long as I have, and it’s been a long time, I cannot even IMAGINE what quitting cold turkey will do.” Vanya points out, very sensibly, like a siblings who has watched Klaus go through withdrawal symptoms more than once.

“Maybe there’s extra at the manor?” Five suggests, “Pogo probably knows.”

“Oh yeah I bet Pogo knows something.” Vanya mutters maybe a little bitterly.

They go back to the mansion and the Commission is honestly pulling their hair out tbh, and they ask Pogo who kind of pales and is like “UHHHH YES I CAN GET VANYA EXTRA PILLS” and goes to get them from whatever stash

“Fucking sweet.” Vanya whispers, entirely done with this situation, “The only adult male role model I had and he hid my powers from me and betrayed me. Love that for us.”

Five shrugs, “I mean, you’re right. All of our adult role models were all kinds of fucked up.”

“You vanished when we were 13.” Vanya says, “Didn’t you find like, any other adults ever?”

“Oh let me tell you about the Handler.” Five says, and proceeds to do just that. Because let’s be real, the Handler was the only human interaction Five had after forty odd years alone it was pretty damn important

Vanya, on the other hand, has strong plans to eviscerate the Handler should the two ever meet because Five deserved way better than to be forcibly made into an assassin?? honestly fuck that woman

that’s it that’s the au

Vanya finds out she has powers and is like “i have a LIFE i don’t want to interrupt it with bullshit POWERS,,, also going cold turkey off my meds seems like a bad idea if I don’t want to deal with withdrawal symptoms during my concert for fucks sake, my gf would never let me live it down if i skipped”

so vanya takes her meds, does NOT destroy the world, makes every one of her siblings go to the concert and even invites Hazel and Agnes after Hazel betrays Cha-Cha to join team No-Apocalypse. 

and then introduces them all to her girlfriend

“Holy shit Vanya.” Helen deadpans, “Your family is all kinds of fucked up.”

“I know.” Vanya says, aggrieved, “It’s been a long fucking week. Want to go camping and help me figure out my cool sound based powers? Bet they’ll make me a better violin player than you.”

“I think the fuck not.” Helen hisses, always up for a challenge, “Let’s do this. Me and my violin vs. you and your dumb baby powers. You’re on.”

“FAMILY CAMPING TRIP.” Klaus hollers, with all the enthusiasm in his little heart.

“Holy shit this is going to be such a disaster, I just know it.” Diego mutters.

“Shut up, it’ll be nice.” Allison says, elbowing Diego with her pointy pointy elbows.

“It’s going to be a shitshow.” Vanya says serenely, because it is. That’s just who their family is. 

Wouldn’t have it any other way, though

[saiilorstars]

The Girl in the Forest

Chapter 9: Spirits of the Past

// Story Masterlist //

Fandom: The Originals

Pairings: Klaus Mikaelson x Original Female Character

Pronunciation of OC’s name: Ma-leh-nee

No real warnings for now!

Requested tag: @queenmj10​

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter Summary: Maleny's past comes back in the form of angry women whose pain will feel quite real.

A tall, curly-haired brunette strode down the hallway of an elegant two-story house. Her emerald green dress swayed with the small winds the open windows allowed in. Being night, few guests lingered outside their rooms bidding each other good night.

"Evening, Miss Alarcon," a blonde woman greeted.

"Evening," the brunette politely greeted back as she passed by.

"Valerie!" another woman, a ginger, called from the junction of hallways. She motioned to 'Valerie' with a hand to hurry and get closer.

Valerie looked around and finally came over to her friend, "What is it, Lola?"

Lola deviously nodded for Valerie to head down the hallway, "I'm a messenger, apparently. You are being waited on."

Valerie had a pretty good idea of just who was waiting for her, "If my father asks, I have already bid goodnight."

Lola chuckled, "Yes, yes, go on," she pushed Valerie off.

Valerie tried to keep her walking pace normal but the excitement was making it completely difficult. She made a turn for the hallway leading to her room when she felt someone yank her back and up against a wall.

"Do you ever greet like a normal person?" asked Valerie, her position apparently not as surprising as it would've been to anyone else.

"I thought you realized by now that I am no normal person," Klaus countered with one of his devious smiles Valerie grew to be fond of.

"Well, you said it, I know about that but no one else here does," Valerie tapped her fingers along his arm, "You have to be careful there. One of these days you'll be caught."

"I've had enough experience to be sneaky," Klaus assured and peered to the next hallway, "Which is why you're friend, Lola, does not remember telling you to come here."

"You compelled her you sneak," Valerie pretended to be mad about it, but her laughter ruined it completely, "I'll have to punish you for that."

"Your methods are not the best, love," Klaus smirked, inching closer to her, "But you are more than welcomed to try."

"I take that as a challenge and you know me, I love a good challenge," Valerie smirked right back, her hands moving up to his face.

Without further words, the two kissed passionately. In a second they were no more in the hallway but in a room, attempting to 'punish' each other with trailing hands and lips.

Maleny woke up with a gasp and sat upright, her eyes blinking rapidly while her mind caught up with the rest of herself. Once she was back in order, she leaned on the headboard behind her, heavily sighing. Her face warmed up in mere seconds as the memory flashed through her mind again.

"Stop it," she ordered herself, "Just stop it! Stop it!" she rubbed the sides of her head frantically, "Stop it!"

~ 0 ~

The next day Rousseau's was the host place for Kieran's Irish sale wake, honoring him of course. While everyone was having what seemed to be like fun, Cami was not. She sat at the bar, waiting for Maleny to accompany her. Apparently the brunette was running late which made Cami suspicious due to the fact Klaus, Elijah and Hayley were already at the place. An hour had passed before Cami decided to go up to the group and ask about her cousin's whereabouts.

"We thought she was already here," Elijah confessed, slightly embarrassed none of them had noticed the missing woman.

"I haven't seen her either," Hayley shook her head.

"Okay," Cami turned on Klaus, "that leaves you. Where's Mal?"

Klaus waved the blonde off with the bottle of scotch he held in a hand, "How should I know? She practically ignored me this morning, much like the previous day and the night before. You know, I always thought it was a common courtesy to acknowledge the person that saved you."

Cami tried not to be as sour as she wanted to be for the sake of her uncle's passing, "Give her credit, Klaus, she just lost her uncle. Not everyone is happy to see a family member dead."

"Hey," Hayley cut in, making them both look at her, "She's here," she nodded at the entrance where Maleny had just entered in...with Riley right beside her.

That only irritated Klaus more and confused Cami.

"Ah, see," the hybrid began, "She's choosing to spend time with the stranger. The very person who was supposed to care for her while your uncle was transitioning."

Cami looked at Elijah and Hayley, all agreeing it was pure jealousy Klaus was speaking with. Cami decided to leave things as they were and promptly left the table to greet her cousin.

"Hey you two," she clapped each on the shoulder, "Where have you been?" she looked at Maleny in concern.

Maleny sighed, "Sorry, I had a rough night and yesterday I was busy taking care of uncle Kieran's funeral preparations and…sorry..."

"She called me to give her some cheering up," Riley added afterwards, "I'm no psychologist but I have my ways," he leaned to Cami and whispered, "Ice cream," both chuckled lightly.

Cami sobered up rather fast and moved closer to Maleny's stool, "Are you okay?"

Maleny looked at Cami with a face, "Our uncle just died and you're really asking that?"

"I meant is everything okay with…?" Cami nodded to the Mikaelsons' across the room.

Maleny cast one quick glance before shaking her head, coughing awkwardly as she tried her best to keep any blushes away, "Don't know what you mean."

"Yeah, she's not a good liar," Riley stood up from his stool, "I've been trying to get her to talk for hours and I've got nothing."

"Let me try then," Cami said and got a nod in agreement. Riley quietly went off and left Cami a spot beside Maleny.

"You're not getting anything out of me, Cami," Maleny announced just as she received a drink from a bartender.

Cami studied Maleny's movements carefully and in no time came to the conclusion that what ever bothered Maleny it wasn't their uncle's death. She had to admit, reluctantly, that Maleny had been strange and it was not from the Kieran's death. All day yesterday Maleny had preferred solidarity for some reason, and though her claim of taking care of preparations for a funeral were true, it still didn't explain her sudden distancing from Klaus which had started literally out of the no where.

"So, what supernatural problem do you have that's new?" Cami raised an eyebrow, lowering her voice, "And don't try to lie to me because we all know how that worked out last time you kept the curse from me."

Maleny swayed her head debating how she should go through it, it was no easy topic to discuss, "You're not…"

"Maleny," Cami sharply said.

Maleny turned her stool to face the blonde, "I really can't say anything…" her eyes wandered to the side. Klaus was heavily drinking and she really hoped it wasn't because of her. Then again she shouldn't feel so important around him. Being saved by him didn't mean anything. She was just a potential asset, one that needed to be solved in order to be used.

Cami followed Maleny's gaze and felt pretty dumb for not figuring it out earlier, "Right, boy problems."

Maleny shifted on her stool, "Don't call them that. Just don't mention it at all around here where vampires could eavesdrop at any moment."

Cami could understand that. The place was filled with vampires and humans - even Marcel had been allowed back in the quarter for a day since he had been so close to Kieran. Clearly Maleny was having troubles that included Klaus and the last thing she wanted was for the very man to hear them.

Thankfully, a distraction came up when Marcel decided to give a speech. He stood near the casket of Kieran holding a drink in hand, "I know I haven't been around these parts lately. It's a testament to Father Kieran that we could come together and share a drink, and a story or two. Kieran rolled into town on a rusty old cruiser after his daddy died twenty-five years ago. And dammit, that guy could party! That was, of course, before he took his vows. But, even then, he was committed to the Quarter. He knew that this town needed him. And, we still do. To Father K!"

Like him, the rest of the guests raised their drinks, "To Father K."

Overwhelmed, Cami rushed off to the backroom. Maleny quickly left her drink and ran after her. However, upon arriving they both found Francesca there as well, drinking to herself.

"What the hell are you doing back here?" Maleny wasted no time in asking.

"I don't understand, who is she?" Cami looked at Maleny in confusion.

"The person in charge of the human faction," Maleny crossed her arms, glaring at Francesca, "A place that does not correspond to her."

Francesca maintained that common fake smile, "Well, I was elected, fair and square."

"Right," Maleny nodded sarcastically, "and I can fly. Let's be honest here, you're not here for my uncle. What do you want?"

"I like getting to the point as well, Miss Woods," Francesca stepped forwards, "I need Kieran's key, the one he always wore."

Maleny blinked, stunned, "Excuse me?" she would've thought no one else knew about the key.

"Well, the key is part of the faction, a place I hold-"

"Not for long," warned Maleny, "Don't forget you're only there until one of us," she pointed between herself and Cami, "can take the place. And as for the key, neither of us have it. You do remember our uncle was hexed which sort of messed with his mind. We don't know where a lot of his things are now. So, you can go," Maleny stepped to the side and motioned for Francesca to get moving.

Maleny was genuinely surprised Francesca could keep up that nonchalant smile and it made her wonder what else the woman could uphold. As soon as Francesca was gone, Cami turned Maleny around, suspiciously looking at her, "What key is she talking about? And who the hell is she?"

Maleny sighed, rubbing her face in an attempt to gather seconds and think of something to say, "Well, for starters, she's the leader of the human faction until one of us can take the place."

"When did this happen?" Cami blinked, feeling once again left out of important issues like those.

"I don't know, weeks ago? I really don't keep up myself. I found out by her as well when Elijah had that party for the factions," Maleny sighed, "But he said that once I broke the curse I could take her place."

"What about me?"

"Do you really want the position?" Maleny honestly asked, "I know it's not my place since I'm not related but do you think you can handle it?"

Cami shifted, unable to answer at the moment. She wanted to be involved in matters like these but at the same time she thought the best thing was to stay away from it all. She was only a human, what could she really do?

"You don't have to answer right now, Cami," Maleny assured, sensing Cami's indecision, "Elijah is keeping a close eye on her in the meantime."

"So what about that key she was talking about? Do you know where it is?"

Maleny really did not want to lie anymore to Cami. She was tired of having arguments with her and just wanted to live peacefully even if it wouldn't last for long. But she did make a promise to Kieran not to tell Cami about it. She decided that she would go figure out what the key opened up and if it was too dangerous she would keep Cami in the dark. It seemed like the only thing to do.

"...no, I don't," she finally answered Cami, "Guess he forgot to mention it or something..."

~ 0 ~

After some time, Maleny walked out of the backroom of the restaurant. Cami was already back in the main room and even chatting with Marcel. Maleny hurried to the bar for a much needed drink. However, midway through, she saw Genevieve walk into the place and immediately capturing the attention of the Mikaelsons' at their table, also including Hayley. In one of those, Klaus even gave a small wave to the ginger at the doorway. Unaware, Maleny huffed angrily but her mind decided to remind her once more...

The scene was a lovely, 18th century small town with bustling horse carriages passing by. In a small tea shop with tables outside were many refined customers happily conversing amongst each other at their respective tables. However, there was one table of two women where it seemed to be going wrong.

"Cordelia?" a middle-aged brunette woman insisted for her daughter's attention, "Cordelia!?" she finally shook the young woman beside her until the woman snapped out of whatever trance she was in.

Cordelia, a petite blonde, turned her head to her mother, startled by her mother's infuriated expressions, "Mother? Have I done something?"

"I have been trying to get your attention for a good five minutes while you stare into nothing," her mother yanked Cordelia's arm harshly as a punishment.

"Ow!" Cordelia rubbed her arm and scooted on her chair away from her mother, "I'm sorry, mother. It won't happen again."

"Honestly," her mother stood up, "your attention is awful."

"Mother," Cordelia flushed with embarrassment as the eyes of the customers starting gazing upon them.

"Don't 'mother' me," snapped the brunette, "you have thinned my patience, Cordelia! What is to become of you if you cannot handle a minimal conversation with your own mother!?" but she didn't give Cordelia a chance for a defense, "I am weary. I need a distraction," she nodded to a small dress shop across them, "Stay here until I return."

"But mother," Cordelia called as her mother stormed off in senseless anger. Cordelia sighed and shifted on her seat, apologetically smiling at the other customers. She picked up her cup of tea and took a small sip in hopes of making everything return to normal. As her eyes gazed from one customer to another, she happened to notice a man across her own table staring at her. Slowly, she lowered her cup and had a better look.

He was handsome. Very.

The man sent a small wave at her along with a devious smile. Feeling herself blush, Cordelia smiled a little before looking down and pretended to fix something on her lap. Once she felt like she could handle another look, Cordelia returned her gaze up only to find the man was walking towards her.

"Afternoon," the man stopped beside her table.

"Afternoon," Cordelia gave a small, polite nod in return. She felt entranced by the man's piercing blue eyes staring at her so intensely, "I, um, I hope you are not upset with the spectacle my mother and I just gave. I give my sincerest apologies if we have interrupted your meal."

The man lightly chuckled, apparently not as upset as Cordelia thought, "I know what it is like to have a mother that...is difficult to handle."

"You do?"

"Oh yes," the man nodded, "That is why she is no longer with me or my family."

"You are new in this town," Cordelia realized after a long study of appearance, "My family knows just about everyone here but...I don't think I've ever met you before."

"My siblings and I just moved here a couple days ago and we are just settling down."

"Oh, well, welcome," Cordelia smiled, "I am sure you will like this town."

"Oh I already do," the man admitted and reached for Cordelia's hand, startling her with the unannounced action, "I am Klaus Mikaelson, pleasure to meet you," Cordelia blushed as her hand was given a gentle kiss, "Will I have the honor of knowing your name?"

Cordelia bit her lip to avoid a shaky, nervous laugh from escaping her lips, "Cordelia de La Flor."

Maleny snapped out of her memory and inhaled deeply. She spared Klaus one more look to see if he'd caught her - thankfully not - and hurried to the bar again. She had to figure a way to push those memories away for a while.

~ 0 ~

A rather reluctant Genevieve made an entrance at the compound after being sought out - or nearly attacked - at the Voodoo shop earlier in the day by the two Mikaelson brothers. Elijah was waiting for her at the rails since he smelt her presence from his own room, "And so?" he asked the ginger.

Genevieve stopped at the center, clearing her throat, "The dreams about your father have nothing to do with any of the witches nor your other enemies. It seems the purgatory in which all supernatural creatures are sent to is being disintegrated. The spirits are not interested in leaving calmly."

Elijah looked at Klaus who was coming out from a downstairs room, heading directly towards Genevieve, though having heard Genevieve's explanation perfectly, "She's telling the truth - apparently," the hybrid agreed, "I made a call to a reluctant Bennett who told me the exact thing."

Genevieve sighed, "So, am I in the clear, Elijah? Or is there a new conspiracy you two would like to threaten me over?" she hadn't been pleased to be accused of causing the two brothers radical dreams of their father. Still, it had given her a chance to start getting closer to them.

Elijah studied his hands to show his disinterest of the woman, "Nothing springs to mind at this precise moment…"

Genevieve rolled her eyes, having to swallow down her snap, "Oh, gee, thanks. I have to get back to the girls," but before leaving she made one last petition to Klaus, "Perhaps tomorrow, after the funeral, you and I could spend some time together. Alone?"

"I suppose we'll have to see," Klaus shared a smile with her.

Genevieve sighed in annoyance and turned to leave, coming to find Maleny entering the place. The brunette contained her irritation and instead muttered, "Well you two don't waste time," she told the two.

"I was just leaving," Genevieve announced and continued walking off.

"Oh no, please," Maleny called after her but received no response, "don't mind me," she then directed a look at Klaus, "I was only coming in for some things Cami and I need for tonight. You do remember, right? My uncle died?"

"Now you remember I exist?" Klaus snapped, startling Maleny, "Because for the past day you've not made one single action that would make me think you know I'm still alive."

"What are you talking about?" Maleny frowned, "Of course I know you 'exist'. With the broodiness you carry around how can I not know you exist?"

"My apologies," Klaus sarcastically responded, "Perhaps I'll try to be more like that Riley fellow, hm? He sure seems to get your attention."

"Is that what you think this is about?" Maleny raised an eyebrow, "Riley?"

"Usually it's I who makes some sort of mistake but this time it is all on you, Maleny," Klaus full blown accused the brunette, "I spend an entire day with you trying to help your uncle live and when he attacked you I saved you. I asked nothing in return and yet that very night you decided to start ignoring me."

Maleny blinked, "I-I didn't ignore you…" but as her mind thought a little more she could see how it would seem like she did ignore him.

"Save your excuses, I don't need them," Klaus muttered and walked past her instead.

Maleny turned around, feeling guilty for what she'd caused...because it was her fault. Elijah, who had remained up above and listened to the entire conversation gave a deep, loud sigh as he went for the stairs.

Maleny crossed her arms and frowned, "Elijah, do something," she told him, knowing she sounded like a child at the moment.

"I'm sorry, Mal, but it does seem like Niklaus is right this time," Elijah met her halfway, "Is there something bothering you? Perhaps something he did?"

"No, no," Maleny shook her head, "He's done nothing wrong. This is all me, I swear."

"Then you may want to tell him that. Over the course of these weeks my brother has...become more attached to you," Elijah was careful to choose his words, "More than an 'asset' you have turned into hope. Every action you choose regarding him has a special effect."

"Well I'm sorry but this is all too much for me, you know!" Maleny exclaimed, unused to feeling like the bad guy in the stories, "I'm sorry I've caused such turmoil here and with Klaus. Believe me, that was not my intention. But how do you think I feel? I'm the one that's jumped body to body and lost memories. I'm the one that's cursed."

"It cannot be easy, I'm sure, but...like you said, you are the one that jumps from body to body. But, Niklaus is the one that lost you every time," Elijah knew those words were bound to make her think more, perhaps even feel more, "You cannot remember until much later in your life but my brother is the one that has had to continue living on. He's had to move on from your disappearances and deaths."

Maleny felt that more awful after hearing what was a clear truth. However, she didn't intend on being a fool, "Then you do remember that I am not every woman he's ever slept with. Seems to me like he moved on very well."

Elijah, by now, was used to talking about the closeness between his brother and her so he didn't hesitate to respond with, "It goes beyond that, Maleny, and you know it. Perhaps a womanizer but that was usually right after one of your," he tapped her forehead, making her smile and feel like a child again, "disappearances or death occurred. He was hurt. I'm not justifying him, but it is a powerful reason."

Maleny considered everything he said and came to the conclusion that, once again, he turned out to be more right than wrong. She sighed, "I hate when you go all big brother and mediator on me. I remember that, you know," she pointed an accusing finger at him, "and I'd like for it to stop."

Elijah chuckled, "I'm afraid you'll be stuck with it for a very long time."

"Thank you," Maleny honestly said, "I have to get some things and go back to Cami but I promise that after the funeral I will try and talk to Klaus and explain what's really going on."

Elijah nodded, "I think that's a very good idea."

"But," Maleny warned, "if he inches any closer to that stupid ginger I'll forget everything and show him what it really means to be ignored by me."

"Wouldn't be the first time you ignored him for something," Elijah informed, studying her intently, "Have you remembered more about your original life?"

"Um, some things, yeah," Maleny smiled, "It's slowly coming back and yeah...I did remember some times when Klaus and I had some arguments. He was always a broody, inconsistent man - still is."

"He was only broody when you weren't around or when you were angry with him," Elijah pointed out, thinking perhaps she hadn't remembered that detail yet.

"Honestly don't know how I handled him back then," Maleny mumbled and went off towards the stairs.

However, Elijah had one last thing to say and was satisfied to see her freeze, "You loved him with all his flaws like no one else did."

Maleny glanced over her shoulder, unable to look at him anymore, "Well...I don't remember that," lie.

Elijah smirked, "Oh but I think you do - at least your subconscious does. Why else would you be so crossed with Genevieve?"

"Because she's rude, she's evil, she mistreats Davina, she's an enemy - Elijah, this list can go on forever and none of them include me being in love with your brother," Maleny huffed and hurried to the stairs.

Elijah snickered to himself, watching how Maleny practically dashed towards her room. History was repeating itself and he for one would love to see it front row.

~ 0 ~

Later that evening, Maleny was returning to Rousseau to begin the casket sitting between her and Cami. As she reached to open the front doors she felt something weird within her chest - like a sensation. She looked around but saw no one out of the ordinary and decided to forget it and just go in.

She never saw the witch standing across the street, wearing a smirk on her face.

Maleny stopped inside when she felt a small throb at the side of her head, indicating a new memory was about to infiltrate her mind...and it scared her.

Cordelia was fixing a strand of her blonde hair that seemed to want to stick to her face at all times. Irritated, she tried tucking it behind her ear only for the curl to make its way back. She would've kept at it if it hadn't been for someone tapping on the door of her balcony. She turned around, ecstatic to find Klaus standing on the other side. She hurried over to open the door for him, "How do you do that?" she asked him in awe as the hybrid stepped inside.

"A trick, my love," he turned to face her just as she closed the door, "and one I shall keep using to see you each night."

She giggled as his arm went around her waist, bringing her closer to him, "It's quite late, Klaus. What are you doing here? My parents may be asleep but there are guards watching the place."

"What? Can't I come bid goodnight to my favorite girl?" he teased with his one of his smirks Cordelia had grown to love.

"That depends how exactly you plan to 'bid goodnight'," she played dumb as her arms snaked around Klaus' neck.

"A little of this," Klaus began to kiss her, muffling her laughter, "and a little of this," he turned them for Cordelia's bed and continued to kiss her. Standing just at the edge of the bed he pulled away and rested his forehead over hers, "And I think you know how it will end."

Cordelia's lips raised into a smirk, "Oh yes," she began shaking off her dressing gown, soon acquiring help from Klaus as the two continued kissing.

"Mal? Maleny!" Cami's shouts finally managed to break Maleny from her memory.

The brunette looked around, momentarily forgetting where she was. She rubbed her neck and felt her face warm up as she the memory replayed in her mind. When will this stop? she thought.

"Mal?" Cami walked over to her cousin, concerned, "Are you okay? What was that?"

Maleny dropped her hand from her neck and straightened up. This was not a topic she wanted to discuss with anyone; it was simply too awkward and embarrassing, "I'm fine," she plastered on a smile for Cami and headed for the coffin across the place.

~ 0 ~

The next day the funeral procession continued with a street parade in which Kieran's casket was being brought towards the cemetery. Hundreds of the community gathered to accompany the two remaining O'Connells'. While Maleny and Cami were at the front of the line, Klaus, Elijah and Hayley were located at the very end of the line.

As they walked, Cami kept looking at her cousin the more Maleny coughed, "You okay?"

Maleny nodded, waving her off with a hand while she continued to cough, "Yeah, probably just caught a cold or something."

"I would say it would be with everything you drank last night, but that wouldn't be right," Cami sent her a sharp look, still mighty upset Maleny refused to tell her what was bothering her so much.

"It's not the time, Cami," Maleny sighed, hugging herself. Then again, no matter where they were it would never be the time to tell her cousin what ran through her dreams lately.

At the end of the line, Klaus and Hayley were having a heated discussion over where Hayley would reside for the rest of her pregnancy. While Klaus adamantly said she would stay at the compound, she disagreed and swayed more for the Bayou where her pack resided. The conversation was getting more out of hand and eventually began to attract the eyes of the people in front of them.

"Will you two pick another moment to bicker?" Elijah finally cut into the conversation, "Perhaps not in a funeral?"

"It's not my fault Klaus is angry with Maleny," Hayley muttered, crossing her arms and looking at Klaus in the eyes, "Because, yes, I've figured that out. And you don't get to take it out on me."

"Maleny is no where near my thoughts, love," Klaus tried to defend himself but Hayley sarcastically snapped back.

"Oh yeah, definitely. This is just a simple bantering, isn't it?" she raised an eyebrow, "But a little advise, this little attitude of yours is exactly what's going to make that guy," she pointed to Riley who was now walking beside Maleny, an arm around her shoulders, "get the girl and not you."

"This is becoming tedious," Klaus said as a last resort.

But that did not stop Hayley, "While you're here taking out anger on Elijah and I that guy is getting closer to Maleny. She needs someone - specifically you - and since you're not around Riley will take advantage. Think about that for a moment," she then walked to the sidewalk out of line and decided to go up to Maleny herself. She could use a distraction and apart from that she had something to ask.

"Mal?" she whispered as she discreetly got herself back in the line beside Riley, "Maleny?"

Maleny looked at the brunette with a confused face, "Something wrong, Hayley?"

Riley let go of Maleny and slightly slowed down so the two women could talk closer. Hayley sheepishly smiled, "I know this is so not the time but I have to ask. Before your uncle died, did he say something weird about Francesca Correa? I think that she may have been involved in an attack in the Bayou," Maleny was well aware of the bombing that had occurred in the Bayou right around the same time Kieran had died.

"Look Hayley, I don't have proof or anything, but I think you're right," Maleny shook her head, "Francesca is nothing but a fake. I wouldn't trust her."

"Yeah, I figured that much," Hayley sighed.

"If you want, I'd be more than happy to investigate with you-" but Maleny stopped upon a violent cough.

"Mal?" Cami was now fully concerned with her cousin's health.

Maleny continued coughing and suddenly spit out blood. Horrified, she stopped walking, making several of the people behind bump into them, "I don't...I don't understand…" but her words were cut off with more violent coughing.

Hayley looked back at Riley but also saw Genevieve nearby, "You two need to help her and now!" she ordered them then hurried out of the line once again to the sidewalk, "Klaus! Elijah!" she called to them.

In no time was Klaus and Elijah with them. Maleny coughing had ceased when she passed out and fell against Riley and Cami.

"What's going on!?" Cami, alarmed, asked Riley but the man had no idea and responded with a shake of his head. Everything had been just fine and suddenly Maleny passes out?

Frantically, Klaus took Maleny's body from them and ordered Genevieve to accompany them. At this point he trusted the ginger more than Riley - or perhaps that was just his jealousy acting up. Elijah told Cami and Riley to continue on with the procession or everyone would figure out the remaining O'Connells' disappeared. Reluctantly, Cami let them go and took an irritated Riley with them. After everything she heard from Maleny, Cami thought she should learn to trust Klaus a little more with Maleny.

~ 0 ~

Maleny found herself at the compound, over a table, and alone as far as she knew. She knew it wasn't real, everything was a tangy blue and there was an eerie noise filling her ears. She didn't like it one bit.

"Hello," a petite blonde woman stood at the top of the rails.

Maleny immediately recognized her to be Cordelia de la Flor, "How?" was the only word that came to mind.

"Not 'how'," another woman's voice filled the room. A bright ginger woman, dressed in a 1920's flapper dress walked in from the entrance.

"Maya?" Maleny jumped off the table, becoming more confused.

"You meant why," Maya continued with her first greeting, a wicked smile settling across her lips.

"Justice," a dark-haired woman spoke up, recognized as Victoria from another memory. She stood across the rails from Cordelia.

"What's going on?" Maleny demanded but was laughed at instead.

"An opportunity my dear," Cordelia leaned on the rails with a cheeky smile, "Just as the purgatory for vampires is disintegrating, us witches have the chance to make contact with the living."

"But I don't understand...how are you all…?" Maleny stepped back until she was at the center of the courtyard.

"You took our lives from us," Maya glared, "You stole them!"

Maleny quickly shook her head, "No, no, I didn't! I don't remember what happened! Oh, none of this is real - it can't be!"

"On the contrary," the voice of Valerie Alarcon caught Maleny's attention. The tall brunette sat across them, dressed in her period gown as well, "this is very real."

"You've taken a lot of lives, Maleny Rowan," Victoria walked around the second floor, until she came to a stop beside Cordelia, "we are only a few of those you stole from. And while you're here, we'll make you pay hell for what you did to us."

Maleny, terrified, looked from one woman to another, unable to decide what she should do next.

~ 0 ~

In the real world, Maleny's body was placed on an empty table in the courtyard of the compound. Genevieve was pressing a damp bundle of chamomile against Maleny's forehead, chanting some type of spell that would apparently help. However things were not looking well. In frustration and with an immense fear, Klaus bit into his wrist and let the drops of blood dribble into Maleny's mouth.

"C'mon Mal!" he shouted, "Wake up! You can't go, you can't!"

"She's still not breathing," Elijah had listened specifically for Maleny's heartbeat but found nothing, "It's not working!"

Hayley moved up beside Genevieve, frustrated herself, "Are you sure you're doing this right?"

Genevieve shot her a glare, "There's only one way to do this, Hayley. I'm pretty confident."

"Heal her," Klaus yelled at the woman, making her flinch. His anger was seeping through at incredible rates, "Heal her or this is the last spell you do in your lifetime."

With the threat, Genevieve swallowed hard and once again tried her spell.

~ 0 ~

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry," Maleny cried as the different women of her past bodies cornered her.

"Sorry won't return our lives, sweetheart," Maya crossed her arms, "We died because of you! Our lives never got to be lived because of you! And all you have to say is 'sorry'?"

"Wrong choice," Victoria announced, swinging some sort of metal in her hand she'd picked up from upstairs.

Maleny, though terrified, knew that this was still a way for her to die and she wasn't going to let that happen. With boldness gathered she kicked the smallest of women, Cordelia, back. With the distraction, Maleny took off towards the stairs in an attempt to escape.

"Where are you going?" Valerie balled her fist and froze Maleny in her tracks with an aneurysm.

"Ah!" Maleny grabbed the sides of her head, falling against the staircase rail, "Stop it!"

"That's all we did when you stole our bodies," Maya started walking towards her, "We shouted 'stop' in our minds. We shouted for help but no one could listen to us. We were screwed from the start."

"I'm sorry!" Maleny was once again trying to make her way up the stairs through her pain.

"Sorry's not enough!" Maya used her own powers to knock Maleny down the stairs. Before Maleny knew it, Maya's heel was over her stomach.

"Oh, cheer up," Cordelia had returned and with great strength kicked Maleny's side, making her grunt in pain, "You won't die with us - unfortunately."

Maleny's eyebrows raised in confusion. Valerie smirked, "We'll let them sacrifice you again, and this time we'll help them see it through."

"You know..." Maleny realized in horror, "...you know it all, and you won't tell me? Why? Help me stop it! I don't want to keep stealing bodies. Help those women who are to become you..."

"Nah," Valerie decided to follow in Cordelia's footsteps and kicked Maleny again, "We'll let them become one of us to hate you together."

"Broody much?" Maleny blinked.

"Careful with your words," Maya dug her heel a little more onto Maleny's stomach, "We may not be able to kill you, but we will make you suffer."

~ 0 ~

Outside, nothing was getting better.

"What if we take her to a real doctor?" Hayley asked Klaus, seeing Genevieve's spell doing nothing for them, "If she dies here then she jumps bodies again, doesn't she?"

Genevieve's eyes flickered from Hayley to Klaus, having to inform, "It can happen, but I won't let it," just as Klaus moved to pick up Maleny Genevieve shouted at them, "If you move her from here, my spell will break. There won't be enough time to get her to a hospital. She will die."

Without no other choice, Klaus stepped back. He stared at Maleny, his expressions a mixture of prominent fear with regret alongside it. He didn't want her to leave again, never again. Now that he knew most of the women in the past had been her he couldn't bear to see her go again.

After a moment, Genevieve stopped her useless spell, "I'm going to try something else," she announced, "Someone get my bag, the gris-gris pouch! Now!"

~ 0 ~

Maleny swiped her hand over her and managed to knock Maya back enough so that she could stand again, "I didn't mean to do this!" she told all the women, "I didn't choose to do this!"

"But you did," Cordelia glowered as the women began rebranding together, "You chose this lifestyle without thinking who you harm."

"I didn't..." Maleny insisted but at the fury in their eyes she began to wonder if perhaps they were telling the truth, "...did I?" she asked in horror.

"We're all dead," Victoria gestured to them, "and it's because of your stupid choice. You've been stealing lives for centuries."

Valerie raised her fist once again and forced Maleny down on her knees with another aneurysm. Victoria raised the metal pipe she carried, "I think this is far too easy," she smirked as she went forwards.

~ 0 ~

Genevieve had salt spread around Maleny's body and was crushing herbs between her fingers. She laid those around Maleny and started chanting a new spell. She ignored the dark looks from everyone who thought she would let the blonde die and couldn't help smirk when Maleny's eyes snapped open.

"Oh my God!" Maleny shrieked in horror as she woke up.

Klaus sat her upright, rubbing her back till she realized was back, "It's alright, love. It's alright now. You're back with us now," at the sound of his voice Maleny burst into sobs and threw her arms around him, startling everyone there but none more than Klaus himself.

"I saw them! I saw them!" Maleny incoherently put sentences together between her sobs, "And they - they wanted to kill me! I stole! I stole from them! Sacrifices! And my choice!"

Though Klaus understood no word of what she was saying, he nodded his head and hugged her back. What ever happened to her it had been bad - possibly another murder attempt. He once again let it happen so now he would at least comfort her until she felt better, no matter how many senseless things she was saying.

~ 0 ~

As soon as the funeral had ended, Cami dashed back for the compound to see her cousin. Along with her came Riley who had been left distraught as well. Thankfully, Maleny was conscious and in her room, refusing to leave the room anyways but she was alive.

"And do you know how this happened?" Riley asked after Maleny told them how she was rescued by the woman who hated her. Riley sat on a chair beside the bed, holding Maleny's hand, while Cami sat on the bed beside Maleny with an arm around her shoulders.

Maleny shook her head, "No. Apparently, the other side where supernatural creatures go to after dying was disintegrating so it could've been related to that."

"But…" Riley didn't seem to buy that, "...that doesn't seem right. Ancestors, no matter how powerful, can't actually bring a living being to the other side they way they brought you. You'd have to do a spell or something…"

"Well I can assure you that I didn't do it," Maleny sighed. She didn't have much of a head to wonder about how she'd gotten there in the first place. She was just glad she was out of there and hoped to never return.

"But we'll find out who did," assured Cami, "I promise you that. In the meantime," she began pushing herself off the bed, "get some rest please - we both need it."

Maleny didn't have any disagreements there. Cami grabbed her things and headed for the doorway, bumping into Klaus, "Woah," the blonde blinked, "Sorry, we were just leaving. You'll take care of her right?"

Klaus rolled his eyes at Cami's attempt of a threat, "Yes," he shooed her off.

"I mean it, Klaus - this can't happen again," Cami warned him, though there was no hint of anger in her tone that time. She spoke softer, "She might not be as lucky next time."

"Cami," called Maleny, uncomfortable with the way things were heading towards, "Klaus is not here to babysit me. I take care of myself. So please, just go and get some good sleep. You too, Riley."

Riley wanted to keep Maleny calm and so agreed with a nod. He rose from his chair and gave her a hug, "Take care, okay?" Maleny nodded and received a kiss on her head afterwards.

Maleny sheepishly waved him goodbye. Her attitude changed the moment it became just her and Klaus. She coughed awkwardly and shifted on the bed, "I'm okay now," she whispered.

However Klaus was still slightly distracted by the warlock that was walking away. He just didn't trust Riley. While Elijah might say it's simply his jealousy clouding his mind but Klaus was sure there was something else with the warlock. Klaus believed himself always to be right and he was not going to start doubting himself, especially when it concerned Maleny.

But deep down, as much as Klaus denied it to himself and anyone else, some of his dislike for Riley sprung from jealousy. He didn't want Riley near Maleny, it made his blood boil - but no one was to know about that.

Maleny had been staring at Klaus waiting to see what he was going to do next. With another small cough she grabbed his attention.

Klaus pushed himself off the hinge of the doorway and made his way up to the foot of her bed, "I will make this quick so you won't have to endure my presence," he began awkwardly, leaving Maleny to realize he was still stuck on that thought of her, "Genevieve informed us you will be fine as long as you rest and take it easy. There was a spell cast on you by a witch and we will work to discover who it was. In the meantime, as Cami said, just get some rest," and keeping true to his work he turned to leave.

Maleny didn't think it was fair to leave him thinking she purposely ignored him. It was clear he did care for her more than just an asset, and if he thought of her as a friend then she should prove she was worthy of the title, "Klaus, hold on," she called and successfully stopped the man in his tracks. He turned and saw her patting a spot in front of her, "I want to clear this whole mess up. Can we talk?"

"You really should get some sleep," he tried to say but Maleny refused with a shake of her head.

"No, because then you'll be even more broody all night and I won't have it be my fault. Sit," she ordered. So, Klaus returned and sat down as was told. Maleny felt herself blushing even before beginning to speak, "I'm really not trying to ignore you. You know that I've been remembering more and more of the bodies I lived in. And, well…" she pushed some hair out of her face, "...it's...awkward."

"Awkward?" repeated Klaus, still not feeling any better.

"You know, I've been seeing a little bit more of...closer memories of us."

"I don't...understand," Klaus said and his face matched his words.

"Memories of us," Maleny gestured between them, "doing...stuff...together..."

"What? That's it? So you've seen dates, I hardly find that as an excuse to ignore me," Klaus huffed at the idea.

Maleny groaned, rubbing her face as if she were a child, "Klaus, don't make me say this outloud. Elijah's out there and he could listen."

"I'm not following," Klaus declared, not finding it remotely funny.

Maleny lowered her hands, playfully glaring at him, "I'm having...well…" she snatched a small pillow behind her and chucked it at him, "Sex dreams! I'm having sex dreams of us in my past bodies! I'm not ignoring you, I'm just having trouble looking at you because I'm embarrassed!"

For the first time since they had re-met, Klaus was left silent. Out of everything he'd considered being the reason for being ignored...he had never considered that one.

"Please say something," Maleny begged, leaning towards him, "This is already awkward enough. You cannot leave me hanging like this."

"I'm…" Klaus began, still thinking about it, "...sorry…"

It was Maleny's turn to be silent. Her brown eyes blinked rapidly, her mind trying to comprehend, "Wait, what? You're...apologizing? Why are you apologizing? I'm the one that messed up here."

"Because I've forgotten the challenges you are facing," Klaus sighed, still not quite explaining it correctly to Maleny, "Here I thought you were choosing to cast me out for others when it appears that I am bombarding your mind."

"But it's not your fault," Maleny quickly told him before he got any ideas, "I'm just remembering things...that include a lot of you."

Klaus shared a smile with her, "Let's be honest, I am that charming."

"Shut up," Maleny picked up the pillow she'd thrown at him to do it over. Knowing what was coming, Klaus snatched it from the air and put it down, "Cheater," Maleny accused afterwards, "and conceited."

"You used to think the same, love. You remember that now don't you?"

Maleny took a breath as she thought of everything she'd remembered so far, "Oh, I've remembered many things about us," she cleared her throat, "Seeing all that also makes me see how much I stole from those poor women. No wonder they attacked me."

Maleny flinched upon feeling fingers under her chin lifting her gaze up. She met mesmerizing blue eyes, "None of this is your fault," Klaus said in the most assuring way that Maleny nearly believed him, "Someone did this to you and I swear I will find them and make them pay."

Looking for a way to cool her face down, Maleny opted for humor to relieve herself, "Don't forget I want a piece of that action."

Klaus lightly chuckled, "Right, well, I'll let you know. I get too caught up in the moment sometimes."

"Yeah, you do," Maleny agreed without thinking, her mind occupied with memories of the surprise places he would sometimes take her to. Those moments usually ended the way nearly all their nights ended up.

Distraction didn't work. She was blushing again.

"I should...get some rest," Maleny struggled to say in one sentence.

Klaus nodded in agreement, finally taking his hand back, "Of course. If there's anything you need, please tell me."

"I will," Maleny promised with a nod of her own, "And Klaus?" she called just as he stood up, "Thank you for saving me...again," she made a face as she started counting the times he'd done the same, "You should start charging," she added afterwards, making him chuckle.

"For you, it's free. I'll always be there to protect you," he walked to the side of the bed. In the same manner as Riley had earlier, Klaus leaned down and kissed Maleny's forehead. However, Maleny felt this kiss different - a good different.

"That's something that'll never change," Klaus said afterwards, "Hope it doesn't," he mumbled to himself as he walked away. He always enjoyed saving his Maleny - it always led to memorable 'thank you's'.

~ 0 ~

Later that night, at the witches' lycee, Genevieve entered wearing quite the confident face. One of the Harvest girls, Monique, was still working about when the ginger entered and immediately noticed the sudden change in her leader, "What is it?"

"Oh I think I just garnered a lot more trust from the Miakelsons' after this," Genevieve settled her bag on the table.

"How so?" Monique curiously asked.

"I performed a spell on Maleny last night that would put her in a mental trance that only I could solve," Genevieve smirked.

"Why would you do that?" Monique frowned, "That woman is a waste of time in our plans. We have to get Klaus' baby, not his girlfriend."

Genevieve rolled her eyes, "See, this is why you're not a leader. A good leader knows exactly how to puncture the enemy where it hurts. By saving one of Klaus' beloved I can garner not only his trust but Maleny's as well. And as we've seen, if you're good to Maleny, you have a good Klaus on your side."

"I still don't get it," Monique shook her head, "You could've attacked the baby itself instead. Why Maleny? You know one of the ancestors wants her alive."

"Because," Genevieve went around the table and started fiddling with some herbs, "Klaus is becoming more attached to Maleny - the baby is unborn and we can't risk harming her before she's born - so that leaves 'Mal'," she rolled her eyes.

"But no one knows you did this?" Monique raised an eyebrow, finishing in comprehending the elaborate plan.

"If I did, I surely wouldn't be here," Genevieve responded with sarcasm, "The plan was risky but I know how to cover up my tracks. To the Mikaelsons' I'm the woman who saved their precious Maleny. It's the perfect cover up."

Monique still didn't seem too convinced with what Genevieve had done but had no choice but to resign to it, "As long as you get the baby it doesn't matter what you do. Remember your orders or the ancestors will kill you."

Genevieve swallowed hard, remembering all too well what the ancestors wanted from her. She would have to kill Klaus' child if she wanted to continue living.

[whitewolfofwinterfell]

I read your previous answer about Stefan being a martyr or a hero (I agree with everything you wrote, thank you for always answering so throughout and thoughtful, it's a joy reading your metas) and I noticed you wrote "lost my soulmate to a coma" in a part of it and I just wonder, do you really believe stelena were soulmates? I do and I've seen other people discuss it, but it'd be fun to read your opinion on it too... if you'd like to share it of course (:

You’re welcome! I’m so glad you love reading my metas, because I always love writing them.

In answer to your question, of course I believe Stelena were soul mates. Of everything pertaining to their relationship them being soul mates is one of things that can never be denied or taken from them. Kevin Williamson has explicitly called Stelena soul mates, Nina has said Stefan feeds Elena’s soul and even Caroline Dries described their relationship after their break-up as being a soulful friendship.

Since you’re already familiar with my metas, it should be no surprise to you that I’m putting the read of my response under the cut, since it’s so long haha.

I think the concept of soul mates is one that’s different for everyone and there are no clear cut definitions or answers, but the most basic definition I can find is from the Oxford dictionary which is:

A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner.

I don’t even feel it’s necessary to give examples of how Stefan and Elena fit this definition. It’s pretty obvious for everyone to see that they were ideally suited both as a couple and friends. The problem with that definition is that it’s too simplistic and unfeeling, so I’m gonna go to Urban dictionary instead. I would usually never do this, but since soul mates is more about personal interpretation I wanted to get an idea of some of the common things others perceive it to mean. A few definitions say:

A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet..The first time you glimpse at each other you are immediately drawn to each other…

A soul mate is someone you meet and the instant your eyes meet you feel these incredible feelings that you never knew existed…

This is a crucial element, that I feel ultimately solidifies Stefan and Elena as soul mates above any other couple on the show. They are the only couple who had an immediate connection from the moment they first met, which is a crucial attribute of soul mates. The reason for this is that the idea of soul mates, comes from Folklore and is the idea that when a soul descends to earth it splits in two, each half of the soul inhabiting a separate body. These two halves are destined to wander the earth until they find each other and only then will they be complete. And since these two people are essentially  two halves of a whole, there is an instant recognition and connection, which is also where the idea of “love at first sight” is born from.

Another definition of soulmates is the following:

It’s the love that survives anything and everything, that struggles and pulls through, that even when it seemed hopeless and out of control it still beat strongly. It’s the love that is not superficial, a love that transcends not only the physical world but time itself.

This fits Stefan and Elena perfectly. There seems to be an impression that just because Stefan and Elena broke up their love ended or they stopped being soul mates, which is completely incorrect. Stefan and Elena’s love transcended their break-up, transcended Elena falling in love with Damon and being in a relationship with him, transcended Elena being in a coma for 3+ years and transcended Stefan’s death. In 6x22, 6 years after they met and after everything they’d been through (individually and together), Elena stood before Stefan and said, “I love you so much” and in 8x16 she sat outside Stefan’s resting place 10(?) years after his death remembering him and devoting her life to his memory. Their love was eternal and survived through everything, even death.  

A common theme I also see popping up in these definitions as I’m scrolling through is the unwillingness to live without your soul mate in your life, which again describes Stefan and Elena. Even after she broke his heart in season 4, Stefan never stopped wanting Elena to be a part of his life and in season 5 he pushed through his personal feelings in order to establish a friendship with her, because he knew she was so important to him that he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not in his life at all. In addition, in season 6 when Stefan had moved to Savannah, Elena refused to leave Stefan alone to get on with her life and he told her that he was avoiding Mystic Falls not her. This shows that even when they weren’t living in the same town and their common connection (Damon) was gone there was still a connection between them and a desire to remain in each other’s lives. Similarly, Stefan’s reaction to Elena’s “death” in 7x12 and Elena’s reaction to Stefan’s death in 8x16 showed all the signs of people that couldn’t bear to live a life without their soul mate.

I’ve also found an article that outlines 10 elements of soul mates (x) which I’ll go through systematically.

1. It’s something inside. This is an ambiguous definition and one of the reasons discussing soul mates is so difficult. But I feel like Stefan’s quote from season 5 of, “When we were together, every single atom in my body told me that it was the right thing, that we were the perfect fit,” pertains to this. It’s something that’s deep and profound, a love that makes you feel something you can’t quite explain.

2. Flashbacks. Now, this one is very interesting regarding Stelena, because of the issues revolving around them being doppelgangers. There’s no denying the doppelganger story line developed in season 5 is incredibly flawed with plot holes left right and center, but ultimately, I feel that what it was doing was implying the idea of soul mates. The doppelgangers were born as a direct result of Silas and Amara’s love, they were literal copies of them and therefore destined to meet and fall in love. As Tessa said, she watched versions of Stefan and Elena find each other and fall in love century after century. And when you take away the idea that each doppelganger is an individual person/character these doppelgangers throughout the centuries can surely represent various past reincarnations of Stefan and Elena?

3. You just get each other.“I know you, Stefan, better than anyone.” “You know me probably better than anyone else.” “You knew me better than anyone, you always have.”

4. You fall in love with his (or her) flaws.This is referring to the acceptance of one another’s flaws. I can say with complete confidence Elena accepted Stefan for his flaws and she took this a step further by having faith in his ability to overcome them. The poor writing in the later seasons means that Elena’s flaws were hardly acknowledged by the writers let alone by Stefan or any other character, but the fact he remained a faithful and loyal friend to Elena until the day he died suggests that he did indeed accept every part of Elena.

5. It’s intense. Again I feel like I don’t really need to explain this. From the very beginning their relationship was intense and although the romance ended, whenever Stefan and Elena had an emotional or romantic scene together it was incredibly intense (e.g. almost kiss in 5x04, goodbye in 8x16)

6. You two against the world.I think this definitely applied to Stefan and Elena when they were a couple. Whenever they faced an obstacle they faced it together, they were a team. When Elena was dealing with finding out she was adopted/meeting Isobel, Stefan was right there by her side, when Katherine came back and tried to tear them apart they fought to face her together, when Klaus was hunting Elena they worked as a team, even though Elena becoming a vampire broke them up, they still very much faced that together in the early episodes, and even in the hunt for the cure they were united. Let’s just put it this way: Stefan and Elena have always been on each other’s side, always fighting the same battles and for the same cause.

7. You’re mentally inseparable.This is without a doubt a trait of Stefan and Elena’s relationship. It’s why Stefan’s humanity was so rooted in his love for Elena, why Elena instinctively knew Stefan was looking at her in 3x02, it’s why no matter what happened they remained in each other’s lives, it’s why in his final moments the person Stefan saw was Elena.

8. You feel secure and protected. Again, no explanations necessary. In 3x22 Elena clearly stated that part of the reason she fell in love with Stefan is because he made her feel safe. Whenever Elena was in danger, it was always Stefan that she sought and when he held her in his embrace, you could clearly see how safe she felt just for knowing he was there. With Stefan, I think the safety he experienced with Elena was not so much rooted in his physical safety, but his emotional/mental safety. Elena was the first person since Lexi to keep him grounded, to connect him to his humanity and keep him sane. When he was with her he felt safe knowing that she gave him the strength to conquer his demons and overcome the darkness.

9. You can’t imagine your life without him (or her). This goes back to what I’ve already mentioned about how Stefan and Elena could never completely leave each other’s lives. Even after his death, Elena was finding a way to weave the memory of Stefan into her daily life. Stefan and Elena from the day they met were always going to be in each other’s lives and that is just a fact.

10. You look each other in the eye. Stefan and Elena did this all the time, even after their break-up. Their eye contact, the way in which they looked each other (8x16 is particularly coming to mind here, but also 6x21 and 6x22) was always intense, soft, adoring and easy. You could see the familiarity and comfort that was between them just by seeing the way they looked at each other.

So, by the definitions I’ve found and outlined above, Stefan and Elena seem to be confirmed soul mates.

From a personal perspective, I have never doubted that Stefan and Elena were soul mates. The reason for that is that my perception of soul mates is simply two people that upon meeting form an instant and profound connection and that connection grows and blossoms into a very meaningful relationship that is inexplicable and unbreakable. Whilst the characteristics above do describe soul mates to an extent, for me it really comes down to the fact that Stefan and Elena had such a life-altering impact on each other. They’re two people who brought each other back to life and who quite literally transformed each other’s lives forever. Stefan and Elena’s lives took the paths that they did because they met, because they fell in love, because they knew each other. Even though they broke up Elena reconnected Stefan to his humanity in such a deep way that he was able to continue to grow and move forward with that and loving Elena is an experience that enriched his life and made him happy (even if only for a short amount of time). For Elena the impact was so much bigger because not only did he save her (literally and metaphorically in season 1), but she actually ended up living her entire life through Stefan. She devoted her life to his dream career, chose to live her life a certain way and to be happy in honour of Stefan and what he’d given her. That alone makes me wonder how anyone could say that Stefan and Elena weren’t soul mates, because really, is there anything more profound than that? Another significant reason as to why I perceive Stefan and Elena as being soul mates is because of something which has already been mentioned - their emotional/mental connection. Particularly emotionally, Stefan and Elena had such a instinctual and natural understanding of one another that continued throughout the seasons. As always I feel like the concept of an emotional connection can be very misunderstood by people, so I took the liberty of doing a quick Google search and found a site that I feel explains it very well (x). The first basic definition it gives is:

An Emotional Connection happens when two (or more) people knowingly feel and perceive the same thing at the same time.

I feel like this definition alone really hits the nail on the head and clears up the how/why Stefan and Elena developed such an intense and deep emotional connection. In fact, it also actually explains why/how they connected so quickly, since they were both feeling lost and as Kevin said “dead inside” and they knew they were feeling that way. When Stefan found Elena’s journal, it suggested that she was feeling certain emotions that she couldn’t express in any other way except by writing them (just like Stefan), when they sat in the Grill and Stefan explained that he lived with his uncle, there was an immediate connection on the basis that they’d both lost their parents (obviously the circumstances were completely different, but that’s irrelevant) and particularly at the end in 1x01 when Stefan showed up on Elena’s door with blood shot eyes and they had that conversation where Stefan asks Elena if she’s okay and she says that’s all anyone seems to ask her and he says, do you ever really mean it? That conversation just confirms that emotional connection that was already being built in the earlier scenes by portraying two people that were clearly at a low point in their lives and looking for that emotional connection they found in each other to appease their loneliness and give their life meaning and purpose. The examples that the site gives are also great for going deeper with what it means to have an emotional connection:

Two lovers holding hands while gazing out together at a beautiful sunset - hello, this is already a canon Stelena moment.

A mother and a baby feeling scared together after the baby falls over into a coffee table - comparable to pretty much every scary event Stefan and Elena experienced throughout the season (and let’s face it there were a lot haha) where both of them shared the same fears

A husband and a wife discussing and forming a shared commitment to financial goals - comparable to Stefan and Elena’s shared vision for the future (a human life, children, marriage, careers as doctors etc.)

Two friends laughing together over an old teacher’s funny walk - the entirety of 5x21 comes to mind (they had so much fun and laughed so much together in this episode).

As you can see from these examples and the definition, an emotional connection is really rooted in sharing emotional experiences, negative and positive. Throughout all 6 seasons Stefan and Elena consistently shared similar emotional experiences at the same time (a few of which are outlined above).The next essential part of an emotional connection is empathy:

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

This is something I feel like Stefan and Elena did brilliantly. For all of their common feelings/thoughts on certain subjects, there were also a multitude of things that made Stefan and Elena different from each other. They went through experiences emotionally that the other hadn’t, yet they always displayed understanding and empathy. When Stefan was struggling with his blood lust towards the end of season 1, Elena was completely supportive and empathetic, despite being human and not being able to necessarily fully understand what Stefan was going through as a vampire and the same happened in season 3 when Stefan had no humanity. Stefan was empathetic towards Elena in season 2 when she was suffering through the pain of being coveted by the most powerful hybrid of all time. There’s the whole line from Stefan in season 4 of, “You’re in hell, which means I’m in hell” line from Stefan which really sums this up (x). Whatever Elena felt, Stefan felt and vice versa. That is a very powerful thing which is reserved only for the deepest of loves and relationships. However, as the article says, empathy is not enough in itself, it needs to be communicated.

Feeling empathy is a necessary ingredient for emotional connection. But it is not, by itself, sufficient; in order for an emotional connection to be created, the empathy needs to be communicated.And that is where validating feelings comes into play.

Again, Stefan and Elena had no problems in this area. There have been endless conversations between Stefan and Elena where they demonstrate understanding and empathy for one another, even if it’s just simply saying, “I know” and hugging each other. Look at what Stefan said to Elena in 2x20, “Hey, it matters. It matters.” A prime example of Stefan validating Elena’s feelings and showing her his empathy towards her. An example of Elena showing this to Stefan would be in 2x05. “Just a few drops every day, right?” Elena is so empathetic towards Stefan’s struggle with blood and his dilemma between not wanting to lose control, but also wanting to be stronger that she changes her perspective to see Stefan’s POV and then willingly agrees to allow him to feed off her. If that is not a clear example of both empathy and validation, I don’t know what is.

The article ends by explaining that the reason why so many people struggle to establish true emotional connections with others is a discomfort at the prospect of being vulnerable, which is essentially a completely natural human fear. Once more, Stefan and Elena demonstrated the extent to which they were able to be vulnerable with each other. An emotional connection cannot exist if the two people involved are unwilling to drop their walls and be completely honest about their feelings. Here are examples where Stefan and Elena did this with each other (these are just off the top of my head, there are probably more):

1x19: Stefan tells Elena the truth about his struggles with blood lust and openly cries and shows his frustration in front of her

1x20: Stefan cries and admits his guilt, pain and turmoil over the terrible things he’s done in his past

2x09: Elena cries in Stefan’s arms and expresses how she blames herself for her friends being hunted by Klaus to break the curse

2x20: Elena opens up to Stefan about not wanting to be a vampire and cries in his arms

3x14: Elena tells Stefan how she’s feeling about the uncertainty of their relationship and encourages him to open up to her in return

3x20: Elena cries in Stefan’s arms and admits she feels she has no one

4x01: Elena cries in Stefan’s arms openly as she suffers through the transition, later on in the episode Elena and Stefan talk about their love for one another, the situation with Elena nearly dying and cry.

4x02: Stefan admits to Elena he feels insecure that she chose to turn to Damon for help instead of him and Elena opens up about the heightened grief she’s experiencing

5x18: The two discuss how they’re feeling about their visions openly and honestly and get very emotional with each other.

6x22: Elena cries as she tells Stefan how she feels about him.

8x16: Both of them openly cry and discuss how they’re feeling about Stefan’s death and hold each other.

There are so many more examples, particularly in the later seasons that I’ve skipped because I’m just too lazy to write them out haha, but the point has been made anyway. Stefan and Elena were able to be very vulnerable with each other and they had complete trust that neither of them would use that vulnerability against the other as a weapon.

Proof of this emotional connection manifests itself in so many ways throughout the series. The fact that Elena was consistently Stefan’s connection to his humanity, that Stefan was the connection to Elena’s (I will not have anyone tell me any differently on this matter, 4x19 and 4x21 just proved this), that even when she was in a dilemma about Damon Elena sought out Stefan for advice/comfort (even after Damon’s death in the beginning of season 6) and that they knew each other better than anyone else. All of these aspects of their relationship stemmed from this emotional connection that was between them.

Although there are many other smaller factors that contribute to it (such as their general compatibility as people, which I’m sure I’ve discussed in another post somewhere), the depth of this emotional connection Stefan and Elena shared combined with the long-lasting impact they had on one another’s lives are really the main reasons I believe Stefan and Elena were soul mates.