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Chapter Text

While all his friends seem to know exactly what they want to do with their lives post-graduation, Scott still keeps trying to figure that out. After all the struggle to balance his school life and dealing with all the supernatural disasters his pack has faced, he is pretty sure he can't keep juggling both… Not if he wants to be successful at it, rather than just put out fires and run rugged from one crisis to another.

He might be a True Alpha, but even he can't live two lives indefinitely.

"That's probably what Clark Kent felt when he had to switch back and forth to his Superman persona," Stiles says with an empathetic nod as they video chat, some unpacked boxes still visible behind him after his move to Washington, DC.

Scott rolls his eyes. "You do realize that he's a fictional character, right?"

"That doesn't make his problems any less authentic!"

He's pretty sure that it means exactly that, but he knows better than to disagree with the nerd-Stiles. The decade of friendship has taught him that, at least.

"Fine, so what do you think Clark Kent should do? Choose the cape or the glasses, if he has to pick only one?" He asks, playing along.

Stiles' brow furrows and he shrugs helplessly. "Sorry man, but I can't help you. Give me a murder mystery to solve and I'm all on board, but this kind of dilemma is more up Deaton's alley. Maybe you should ask him?"

When Scott follows that advice, Alan is as vague as ever.

"I think that deep down you already know what you really want… The question is, what makes you hesitate? What are you afraid of?"

Scott's initial reaction is to scoff; if he already knew what he wanted to do with his life, he wouldn't be asking in the first place! But something makes him pause, and he thanks Deaton instead.

When he hangs up, he stares at the wall for the longest time, to the point that his mom comes upstairs to check up on him. When she asks if everything is alright, her forehead is creased with worry.

"Mom, I know that you want me to go to college, but- would you be disappointed with me if I didn't?" He asks hesitantly, then adds: "Or at least, not right away?"

She sits down beside him and circles his shoulders with her arm.

"Oh sweetie, I could never be disappointed with you. Whatever decision you make, I'll always be there for you."

"Thanks, mom," he mumbles and hugs her fiercely - or at least as much as he safely can, mindful of his supernatural strength.

***

When he packs his stuff, he wonders if he's not making a huge mistake, after all. Leaving Beacon Hills means leaving everyone and everything he's ever known behind him, and facing the unknown all by himself, without his pack to have his back. The thought unsettles him more than he's ready to admit out loud, but he reminds himself that everyone has their own plans, and he can't expect them to just put them on hold for him. They deserve to follow their own dreams, even if it means that they're all going in different directions.

His goal is rather vague: to learn everything there is about the supernatural world, all the potential threats his pack could face in the future, but also meet other packs, different types of creatures… Because as much as Beacon Hills sometimes feels like a center of everything supernatural-related, he knows better than to assume that other towns and cities don't have their own issues to deal with.

As he goes downstairs, a backpack swung on his shoulder, he's startled to realize that his mom isn't alone, and that Chris is sitting on the sofa beside her.

That's what happens when you're focused too much on what's going on in your head and not enough on your surroundings, he chides himself, making a mental note to himself not to make that mistake ever again. He might feel safe here, but soon he's going to leave home far behind him, and he really needs to start paying attention.

"Hi Mr Argent," he says quickly, hoping that the man hasn't realized that Scott's been caught off-guard by his presence. Judging by the knowing glint in the ex-hunter's eyes, though, the chances of something like this escaping his notice are rather slim.

"Hello Scott, are you ready to go?"

Is he? He's not sure. What he does know with perfect clarity, though, is that he can't stay here, not when there's so much to see and learn about the supernatural world. He's failed people before because of his inexperience and lack of knowledge of the dangers the supernatural world is full of. He doesn't want to fail anyone ever again, not if he can do something about it.

"Yeah, I am," he says with more bravado than he really feels.

"Good. Say goodbye to your mother before we go."

He blinks, surprised. "We?"

"I thought that you might appreciate having some company, but if you don't want me to travel with you-"

"I do!" He hastens to assure Chris, hoping that the man won't change his mind. "I just… I don't want to disturb your plans or anything, so if you have something more important to do, I'll understand."

Argent snorts. "And face Melissa's wrath if something happens to you that I could've prevented? Not a chance."

Scott ducks his head, pleased by the fact that he's not going to be traveling alone, but also embarrassed by the fact that both his mom and Chris think that he needs a babysitter.

"I can do it on my own," he says stubbornly, before his shoulders drop and he admits: "... but I'd rather not."

"It's decided, then. Give me your backpack, I'll put it in the truck."

"The truck?" He feels stupid, repeating every word coming out of the man's mouth, but all of this comes as a complete surprise to him.

"I chose a pickup truck in case we ever need to split, so that you can have your dirt bike on hand," Argent explains patiently, never losing his cool, and Scott hands him his backpack, feeling a little overwhelmed. 

When the hunter goes outside, Scott looks at his mom. "Did you ask him to do all of  this?"

She shakes her head. "I only mentioned that I was worried about you going alone, but I didn't ask him to go with you, it was entirely his idea."

He breathes with relief, it's good to know that Chris wants to help him out of his own volition, and not because he was persuaded (or bullied) to do so by Melissa.

"Promise me that you'll be careful, alright? No more crazy, life-threatening stunts," she looks at him expectantly, and he nods with agreement.

"I'll do my best," he promises. It's not like he purposely tries to find trouble; usually it finds him first. 

***

The first few hours of traveling with Argent are slightly awkward, as he's never spent so much time with him without the rest of the pack being present. They have a long history behind them, and a huge chunk of it isn't all that great, but after the hunter helped him for what seems like a dozen times - if not more - he's now fairly sure that he can trust Chris with his life. Still, it doesn't make their interactions any less awkward, with Allison's death casting a heavy shadow on the space between them even after all the time that has passed.

"You're awfully quiet," Chris murmurs at some point.

"Sorry, Mr Argent, it's just that- there's a lot on my mind, you know? I know that it doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but leaving Beacon Hills is actually a huge change for me."

"I understand, and you don't need to apologize. I was just curious what's going on in your mind, that's all. And since we're going to be traveling together, there's no need to be so formal, you can call me 'Chris'." Scott must look a little overwhelmed, as Argent gives him an encouraging smile. "If it's any consolation, Isaac was equally embarrassed when he went to France with me, at least at first."

Right. He wasn't the first teenager the man has been helping, and he probably won't be the last. The reminder that Isaac needed to travel half the world to recover from his ordeal which Scott was at least partially responsible for hurt something awful, though.

"Is he doing okay?" He asks and starts to pick on the hem of his sleeve as Argent looks at him consideringly.

"You could call him and find it out for yourself."

He bites his lower lip for a moment. It's not like he hasn't thought about it, because he has, numerous times in fact, but each time he remembered the moment when Allison died in his arms, calling him her love – how much hearing that must have hurt Isaac?...

At first, he managed to convince himself that he was doing Isaac a favor by giving him some space to recover, but then days turned into weeks which turned into months, and now it feels like it's too late already to pick up their battered relationship from when they left it.

"After all this time he probably doesn't even want to talk to me anyway," he says weakly and then groans, hiding his face in his hands, realizing how pathetic that sounded even to his own ears. "I'll think about it, I promise. He was my Beta, so I guess I owe him that much, even if it's only so that he could tell me how much he hates me."

"In all honesty, I don't think that he hates you, even if he might say that in the heat of a moment," Chris pats his knee consolingly, then looks back at the road.

They don't speak much afterwards, with Scott being preoccupied with his thoughts, but this time it's a comfortable type of silence. When they reach the motel and Chris asks him if one twin room is fine, or if he wants to have a separate bedroom, he assures the man that the twin room is fine.

It's slightly awkward, that first night, when they're still learning how to act around each other, but quickly enough they settle into a routine, and Scott couldn't be more grateful for having someone around.

***

Having a former hunter in his corner quickly turns out to be a great advantage, as Chris quickly proves to be a valuable source of knowledge on various supernatural creatures, not only werewolves, and knows which species is usually found in an area.

In Texas, they encounter a pack of weretigers, though calling them 'a pack' might be a bit of a stretch, considering it's only an Alpha female and her two children. Initially, the Alpha looks ready to fight, but Scott can't help but gush how awesome her ears are, covered in black fur with cute white spots, and she ceases her growling.

 "Are you sure you're an Alpha? You don't act like one," she comments bemusedly.

"What's wrong with being a little excited? You're the first weretigers I've ever met, it's awesome! How does it work for you, is the full moon affecting you as it does werewolves? Can you transform into an actual tiger? How-"

"Please excuse Scott," Chris interjects smoothly, "he simply loves learning everything there is about the supernatural world and can get a little… overenthusiastic about it."

Scott pouts at that, causing the ex-hunter to chuckle and ruffle his hair playfully. Seeing their interactions, the two small weretigers who up until now were hiding behind their mother, peek at them curiously.

"Are you his dad?" The young girl asks.

The smile fades from Chris' lips, and his scent is tinted with sadness as he explains that he only had one daughter whom he lost, but Scott is as close to being his son as it gets. The sincerity in his voice is enough for the Alpha tigress to drop her guard a little, and she lets Scott ask as many questions about her species as he wants, as long as he answers hers in return.

Later, as they get back to the motel they're currently staying at, Scott asks Chris if he meant what he said, about how he views their relationship. He fidgets a little as the man stares at him for a few long moments with those bright, piercing eyes of his.

"Do you really need to ask?"

Scott shakes his head, and hugs him tightly around the waist, breathing in the scent of a pack, a family. 

***

After Texas they move further east, and end up in Louisiana. 

"Remember, New Orleans is different from any other city we've visited so far. The supernatural community is widely known amongst the city population, though most people are mostly aware of the witches' covens, and not that many know about werewolves and vampires."

Scott snorts, before he realizes that the man is being serious.

"Whoa, vampires? Like, blood-sucking, vulnerable to the sun and sleeping in coffins vampires?" He asks with disbelief.

After encountering the Darach it's not that hard to imagine that witches exist - though entire covens of them, that's a whole new level of danger - but actual vampires?

"Add to that list: immortal, and able to walk in the sun if they have lapis lazuli rings on, and you might get closer to the truth," Chris comments with a wry smile. "Because not only can we encounter regular vampires, but also the Originals, the first vampires ever existed. It's been said that New Orleans has been their lair for centuries, but that may be a myth. Either way, we need to be on our guard around them. They consider themselves superior to all species, humans and supernaturals alike, and don't take kindly to someone encroaching on their domain."

"Another bunch of territorial creatures with too big an ego to be considered healthy? Just brilliant," Scott mutters under his breath.

Seriously, why would vampires even be territorial if they don't have a wolf's instincts in the first place?

"I guess that it might be a common factor for all supernatural creatures, since you all consider your homeland precious. With bigger cities like New Orleans it's more complicated, though, as it houses multiple groups, packs and covens, and conflicts between them can get bloody pretty quickly."

"Duly noted," Scott sighs. "So, what's the plan?"

Chris rubs his beard thoughtfully. "I'll try to get in contact with some witches, they aren't usually hostile towards humans. In the meantime, you can just enjoy yourself, maybe do some sightseeing… Just be careful, alright? And call me if anything happens."

"You too."

Chris nods with acknowledgement, pats his back and leaves the hotel room.

Realizing that he's being alone for the first time in days, if not weeks, Scott starts to grin. Even though Chris is brilliant, sharing the same space all the time can get tiring after a while, so now he finds himself getting excited about the prospect of doing some exploring on his own.

New Orleans, here I come, he thinks to himself with an almost impish glee, and suppresses the urge to giggle at his own antics. This traveling thing: seeing new places, meeting new people, it's entirely new to him, and he can't help getting excited.

Maybe leaving Beacon Hills, at least for some time, wasn't such a bad idea, after all?

***

New Orleans is simply magical, both figuratively and literally. There's no other word to describe the sheer brilliance of a city that seems to vibrate with power. It's no wonder that so many supernatural creatures were drawn to it over the centuries, as it gives the same vibe as Beacon Hills' Nemeton.

In fact, he won't be surprised if it turns out that the city was founded on the telluric currents convergence; he can almost sense the power pulsing beneath the streets.

After strolling the streets and watching everything and everyone with wide eyes, he finds himself getting thirsty, and walks into what looks like an Irish tavern. The bartender takes one look at him and snorts.

"Aren't you too young to be here, kid? We ain't selling anything with alcohol to teenagers."

He shrugs; with werewolf metabolism it doesn't really matter, since he can't get drunk either way. "Something without alcohol, then, please."

As he waits for his order, a man takes a seat on the stool beside him. Since there's plenty of free seats everywhere, he knows immediately that's not a coincidence, and he watches the man closely from the corner of his eye.

The stranger looks somewhat out of place in a shabby pub, with his clearly expensive suit, button up shirt and overall impeccable style. When Scott notices a ring on the man's left middle finger, though, he immediately stiffens. Didn't Chris say something about vampires wearing rings to protect themselves from the sun?...

"What's a young wolf such as yourself doing all alone in a foreign city?" The man gives him a searching look, as if trying to figure him out.

"Traveling, doing some exploring along the way," he explains truthfully. "There's so much to learn, to see… Though maybe it's different for you."

The man raises an eyebrow at him. "How so?"

"You must have seen a lot already, you know, considering your… age." He's not sure if he can say words like 'vampire' or 'immortality' out in the open, so he tries to stay as vague as possible.

The man blinks. "So you know what I am."

"Yeah." A moment later the bartender gives him his drink and he takes a sip.

"Usually our people don't mix well, yours and mine," the stranger comments with what seems a genuine regret. "In fact, most of the time they clash rather spectacularly."

"I wouldn't know, you're the first of your kind that I've ever met."

The vampire gives him a small smile. "Let's do this properly, then. My name is Elijah," the man extends his hand.

"I'm Scott, nice to meet you," Scott shakes it without hesitation. It's slightly cold to the touch, but not overly so, and the grip is just the right level of firm; neither too strong nor too weak. "So, why did you approach me in the first place?" 

"I try to keep track of everything that's happening in the city, especially newcomers of… unusual backgrounds, let's say. As long as you don't intend to cause trouble, you don't need to be afraid of me, though," the vampire says magnanimously, and Scott chuckles at that.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not afraid of you. Wary, yes. Afraid, no."

That seems to baffle the man. "You're not? But… you said that you know what I am. That I'm an Original."

Oh, one of the first vampires, then. That would be daunting, if it wasn't for the fact that Scott has dealt with the Nogitsune already, who's also a millennium-old creature and a malevolent spirit at that.

"Okay."

"Okay?" The man repeats with disbelief. "That's it?"

"Well, you obviously have lots of power, money, knowledge and experience, but you're still just a person. Maybe just a little bit narcissistic, but quite likable from what I can tell… I really don't know what else you expect me to say."

Elijah stares at him for a few long seconds, before he laughs softly, his entire posture relaxing. "You're something else, aren't you?"

Scott thinks about everything that has happened to him ever since he got bitten and sighs. "You have no idea."

"Well, how about you tell me more about yourself, then? But I'd suggest going somewhere more private, so that we can speak freely. And before you ask, I promise that I have no nefarious intentions towards you, and I'm a man of my word."

There's a strange emphasis in the man's last words, as if that statement carried more weight than people's promises usually do, and Scott finds himself believing that the vampire truly means it.

"Alright. Lead the way, then," he agrees.

He's pretty sure that - once Chris hears about this - he's going to be lectured about foolishly following a stranger into a place unknown, but there's something about Elijah that makes Scott trust him, even though he's aware of the threat that the vampire poses. But in the supernatural world, everyone is dangerous; it's the intentions that make all the difference, so for now he's going to give the man the benefit of doubt.

Chapter Text

First, Elijah shows him a picturesque riverfront promenade ("It's called the moonwalk," the vampire explains, "I thought you might like it."). Scott does like it, a lot, but it appears to be quite a popular place to go for a walk, and it doesn't offer them the kind of privacy they need to talk about anything supernatural-related. That's why, after a half an hour or so, they end up in a small, semi-desolate park, with a few people appearing in the line of sight every now and then, but not too often or close enough to be a concern.

"Are you traveling alone, or with your pack?" The vampire asks as they sit down on a bench, and Scott snorts.

"If I were a suspicious type, I'd say that you're trying to figure out if someone would miss me if something happened to me."

A faint blush appears on Elijah's cheeks as the man apologizes and assures him heatedly that it was not, in fact, his intention. 

"It's good to know, but at least I've learned that vampires can blush… So you're not as cold-blooded as the tales would make people believe," Scott teases him.

There it is again, that taken-aback blink, as if the man isn't used to friendly banter. "You're truly not intimidated by me, not even a little bit?" Elijah asks, and there's a hint of a deeply-buried vulnerability hidden under the vampire's self-confidence. 

"Look, my pack has faced many enemies, including werewolves, hunters, a kanima, berserkers, even a void kitsune… And I'm not saying this to brag, just so that you understand that ever since I was bitten, my life has been like a huge, crazy rollercoaster, and not the fun kind."

Elijah hums thoughtfully. "So you're saying that you're desensitized to danger?"

"I don't know. I don't think so? I'm just saying that I finally learned to tell friend from foe, and you don't seem like a person who would attack somebody without provocation."

"I'm not. Or at least, I try not to be," the vampire admits, a rueful tone in his voice making it apparent that at least sometimes he's failed at that. Scott tries not to judge; it's not like he's been a perfect Alpha himself, so he's not about to throw stones, especially at someone whose history he doesn't know anything about.

"Tell me about yourself, then," he says, partly trying to change the clearly uncomfortable topic, and partly out of genuine curiosity. "What is it like, being a vampire?"

Elijah looks away for a moment, his lips pressed tightly. "It's like a never-ending battle with myself, more than anything else. The bloodthirst is never really going away, I have to keep it on a tight leash, but it pulls on it nearly constantly."

Scott nods with understanding.  "Sounds a lot like being a werewolf, only worse, because we don't need blood to live, so at least we don't have that kind of temptation to deal with… What do you do to keep in control? Do you use a mantra, or an anchor?" He asks curiously, but the vampire's confused expression tells him that the man doesn't know what he's talking about, so he tries to explain: "You know, something to focus on when the bloodthirst gets stronger and threatens to overwhelm you."

The man shakes his head. "There is no concept of anchors amongst vampires, but it sounds intriguing. How does it work?"

"Just think about what it is that connects you to humanity, to what makes you you," Scott explains, then adds: "It's usually linked to strong emotions. One of my packmates told me that he uses the anger at losing his family, since it made him who he is now."

Elijah tilts his head curiously. "And you? What is your anchor?" 

This time, it's Scott's turn to look away. 

He thinks about holding Allison in his arms as she was bleeding out to death, and how ever since then nothing feels quite the same anymore. He tried to pretend that he was okay, he even dated Kira for a while - and he fooled everyone, even himself, that that wound has healed already. And maybe it has, but it also left a gaping hole in his heart, a void he has yet to fill again.

"It's a very private question to ask someone," he finally says, looking back at Elijah, who's been waiting patiently for a reply.

"If it's a sensitive subject-"

"It is, but it's alright, I guess. My anchor used to be my girlfriend, but after she was killed, I struggled to find a new anchor. My mom suggested that maybe I should be my own anchor, but when you feel like everything is falling apart and nothing you do seems to be enough, it's hard to be your own source of strength, you know? So after a while I realized that my true anchor is my pack, my friends and my family, everyone I've ever cared about. It's this sense of having a place in the world, of never being truly alone, that is my anchor now."

The vampire stares at him for a few long moments, not blinking or moving a muscle, just looking into his eyes, and Scott suppresses the need to fidget under that intense stare.

"You're wiser than most people I know, then, and definitely wiser than your age might suggest. I didn't expect that kind of an insight from a teenage werewolf."

Scott grimaces. "Well, it turns out that fighting for your life for two and a half years, and dying twice on top of it can have that effect."

"Dying - are you saying that you're immortal?" Elijah asks skeptically, and Scott shakes his head. 

"Nope. My first death was an effect of a sacrificial ritual, and I was pulled back just in time to return to the land of the living… The second time my mom performed CPR on me after my heart stopped. Without her, I wouldn't be here now."

"I see."

They fall silent, and Scott wonders why on earth did he tell all of this to a man he literally just met. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to burden you with my life story or anything...."

"No, no, don't apologize. It's quite refreshing, to be honest," Elijah assures him with a small smile. "It also helps to take my mind off my own issues, so if you have any more tales to tell, feel free to share. I'll be grateful for any reprieve you can offer."

Tales are what Scott has in abundance, so he finds himself sharing those with Elijah, and the vampire makes soft noises of shock or admiration in all the right places. It feels strangely nice to have someone's undivided attention like that, and he finds himself describing the more memorable moments with his pack.

"... so we went into the forest to look for Malia, and when I cornered her and flashed my Alpha eyes at her, something in her finally snapped and she turned from coyote to human again for the first time in years."

"Wait, you did what?" For the first time since they've met, Elijah looks truly stunned. It baffles Scott, because that is hardly the most impressive thing he's ever done.

"I triggered her transformation into a human-"

The vampire's hands shoot forward with an unnatural speed and his fingers curl around Scott's arms like a vice, causing him to yelp in pain and surprise. The man's eyes are blazing as he asks urgently: "Can you do it again, this time to Alpha werewolves?"

"Whoa- Stop it, you're hurting me!"

Elijah blinks a few times before his eyes lose some of their earlier frenzy, and he lets go of Scott as if burned. "Please forgive me, I didn't mean to cause you pain."

He rubs his arms for a few moments while watching the vampire closely. "It's fine, but- What was that all about?"

The man swallows heavily. "The Crescent Wolf Pack's Alphas, Hayley and Jackson - and by extension all of their Betas - were cursed by a witch who reversed their werewolf nature. Ever since then, they can only assume their human form on the night of the full moon, while being forced to live as wolves for the remainder of their time. So when I learned that you managed to trigger a change into a human in someone who has been in their animal form for years on end…"

"It made you hopeful that I can do something similar for your friends," Scott nods with understanding.

Elijah scoffs. "They're not my friends… But they're Hayley's pack, and she's my niece's mother. She's family."

Scott suspects that there's more to the story than that, but he doesn't press further, sensing that this is a sensitive subject for the man. "I really have no idea if I can help them in any way… Malia wasn't cursed, so their circumstances aren't the same."

The vampire exhales slowly, clearly disappointed. "It's alright, I understand."

Scott bites his lower lip, torn. Even though he's known Elijah for only a few hours, it pains him to see the man's shoulders sagging with hopelessness and despair. He puts his hand on Elijah's arm and squeezes gently. "But it won't hurt to try, right?"

The vampire's eyes widen. "You'd do that? But why? You don't even know them, you barely know me… Why are you offering help to a complete stranger?"

He thinks about all the people that were once strangers to him but now are someone he can't imagine his pack without: Derek, Chris, even Peter, the asshole that he is - but he's their asshole. And Scott cherishes them all, although each in a different way.

"My pack is almost entirely made of people who were once strangers to each other, even enemies, but it makes us all the stronger for it," he tries to put into words the ties that bind their pack together: their turbulent past, the good and the bad, and everything in between. "A stranger is just someone who hasn't had the chance to become a friend yet… So when I see an opportunity to change that, I take it, even if it makes people think that I'm gullible or naive."

He's heard it before, that he's too soft, too trusting to be a werewolf, much less an Alpha; but that's how he is, and he doesn't want to change it, even if he could.

"I don't think that at all," Elijah shakes his head in protest. "Remaining as kind-hearted as you seem to be, in a world that often punishes any soft feelings, requires a considerable amount of courage. It should be applauded rather than ridiculed."

This time it's Scott who blushes hotly, and he hopes that it isn't much visible on his tan skin. Being watched with such an open admiration makes him feel a little lightheaded, as if he's floating above the ground, and the sensation stays with him even as he and Elijah exchange numbers and promise to get in touch with each other shortly.

For the first time since Allison's been gone, he thinks with no small amount of excitement and giddy impatience that 'shortly' can't come soon enough.

Chapter Text

As expected, Chris isn't pleased once he hears what Scott has been doing the day before. The man's anger is simmering just beneath his calm exterior, but Scott comforts himself with the thought that the root cause of it is Chris' worry for him. That's why, despite their rather tense conversation, he feels warm inside at the thought that the man cares about him enough to be irritated at him for acting reckless.

"So after our talk about how dangerous the Originals are and how we should steer clear of them, you decided to have a chat with Elijah bloody Mikaelson?"

Scott raises his hands in the air. "In my defense, he approached me, not the other way around."

Chris sighs long-sufferingly and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Why? What did he want from you?"

"Talk, I guess. He has a lot on his plate, from what I could tell. Besides, he was curious about me. He immediately knew that I was a werewolf, and that I'm not from New Orleans." 

"Which implies that he's at least somewhat familiar with the local pack…"

"They're family," Scott explains, then adds: "Or at least, their Alpha is. Her name is Hayley."

Chris stares at him for a long moment. "He told you that? But why? Why would he reveal something so personal about himself to a foreign werewolf?"

"Um, I kinda offered to help him free the Alpha and her pack from a witch's course?"

The look that the ex-hunter gives him in lieu of a reply is a clear sign that the man is currently contemplating calling him on his idiocy, and Scott feels a little hurt, since he truly believes that offering help to Elijah was the right thing to do. 

"Look, I know that you don't approve, but the Crescent Wolf pack has been cursed to remain in their wolf forms with the exception of the full moon. It's wrong, and it shouldn't be like this!" He says vehemently. "I have no idea if I can do anything to help them, but I want to try."

"Is that so? And how do you plan to do that, exactly?" Chris raises his eyebrow, his face a picture of undisguised skepticism. "Do you have any magical powers that I'm unaware of?"

He hesitates for a second. "No, no powers - but it won’t hurt to talk to that pack."

"Only talk, that's all?" 

"A friendly conversation can't hurt anyone, right?"

Chris sighs and gives him a reluctant nod. "Alright, but you can forget about going alone. Either they'll talk with the both of us, or not at all."

Scott grins and gives the man a quick, grateful hug, then goes to his room and texts Elijah.

Hi, how about we meet on the full moon?

He waits for a minute or so for a reply, and tries to hide his disappointment when the vampire doesn't reply immediately. Then, he jumps when his phone starts ringing and he fumbles with it, his fingers suddenly clumsier than he recalls them being ever since he's been turned into a werewolf.

"Hi," he says breathlessly once he manages to pick up.

"Hello Scott. I've received your message, a short disclaimer though: I'm a bit of a traditionalist and prefer to talk rather than text - I hope that you don't mind?"

The vampire's deep, cultured voice makes his heart beat a little faster. "No, of course not," he assures the man quickly. "Um, so what do you think about meeting on the night of the full moon? That way I can talk with Hayley and later observe her transformation."

"But how would that even work? After all, she's going to be a human, while you're going to be in your werewolf form…"

"You don't have to worry about that, I'm able to suppress the change."

"You are?" Elijah sounds intrigued.

"That's what anchors are for," he says, secretly pleased that he managed to impress someone who's lived as long as Elijah has. "Strong emotions like distress, pain or fear can still trigger the transformation, but overall, once we're anchored, the full moon doesn't have quite the same power over us."

"That's truly amazing, and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes."

"Well, there's this one thing- Can I bring a friend with me?" Silence on the other side of their phone conversation tells him that this particular request wasn't what Elijah expected. "It's just that, we're traveling together and he's rather protective of me… I may be an Alpha, but when his parental instincts are triggered, Chris can be a real worrywart, so I'd rather bring him with me so that he doesn't need to worry needlessly."

"Parental? He's not your…?" Elijah hesitates, then seems to abandon the thought, whatever it was. "Nevermind that. As long as your friend doesn't pose a threat to my niece or Hayley, I don't see why he can't come as well. One wrong move, though, and I'll have him expelled from the pack's territory with his mind wiped clean. I know it sounds harsh-"

"No, no, it's completely understandable. I mean, it goes both ways. Chris may be just a human, but when someone he cares about is threatened, he can be a force to be reckoned with," he says as a precaution, then adds quickly: "But it's not like it's going to be needed, right? We were going along just fine yesterday, so I don't see why that would suddenly change. I don't want that to change."

"A sentiment I can fully empathize with."

"So, we're seeing each other next Friday?" He double checks.

"Actually, I meant to ask you if you'd be amenable to meeting me sometime this week? We could grab a coffee or something to eat, whatever strikes your fancy-"

"Are you asking me out?" He asks playfully, but when the vampire falls silent, he starts to regret it. "Hey, I'm just teasing you, just hanging out is fine too."

"You have no idea how much I'd like to be in a state of mind to flirt with you, to charm you, but I'm not," The regret in Elijah's voice is almost palpable, even via phone. "Recently, I've lost the woman I was seeing, and I don't think that I'm ready to move on just yet… Please forgive me, I didn't mean to lead you on, I simply enjoyed talking with you."

He swallows heavily. "It's fine. I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have- Let's just forget about it, okay?"

"Is that a 'no' to our meeting before the full moon? If that's the case, I'll understand, and I won't mention it again."

"What? No, I didn’t mean it like that, of course we can see each other without making it a date or anything. I liked talking with you too," he admits.

"Splendid. Shall I reserve a table at my favorite place?"

"Sounds great!" he says with a cheerfulness that's only slightly forced. He really is excited at the prospect of meeting Elijah again, even though he's a little disappointed that there's not a chance of anything more happening between them.

After he lost Allison, he realized that no girl could ever hold a handle to her, and that it wouldn't be fair to expect his potential love interests to compete with his dead ex-girlfriend. At some point he figured out that it's easier for him to flirt and make out with boys, instead, as it doesn't trigger any painful memories, and he can simply enjoy himself without feeling guilty about some other girl taking Allison's place… And if he's being totally honest with himself, he suspects that no other girl ever could.

That's why this feeling of rightness when he's in Elijah's presence took him by a complete surprise. Talking with the vampire comes naturally to him, like he doesn't need to pretend to be someone else than himself, and he appreciates how effortless their encounters have been so far. Knowing that he can't expect anything to happen between them stings, of course, but he's not going to let it sour their budding friendship just because he yearns for more. 

***

Klaus prides himself on being an expert in judging his brother's moods. He ignores the snide voice inside his head reminding him that it's only because he spends each free moment watching Elijah like a stalker, even when his dear brother is not aware of the scrutiny, that he was able to gain such a mastery.

The last few months have been extremely tense between them, though, even for their family's standards. Gaining Dahlia's trust so that she could be brought down came at a steep price, and he suspects that forcing Elijah to watch helplessly as Klaus compelled Gia to take off her daylight ring - causing her to burst into flames in the sunlight - might have been a bit overkill.

He couldn't care about the woman's fate, really. After all, she was only collateral damage, a means to an end, and certainly not someone he'd ever shed a tear for. What truly worries him, though, is the horrible suspicion that he finally crossed a line after which his brother won't be able to forgive him. Which is ironic, since it's not like Elijah has even been in love with Gia; she was only ever a consolation prize after Hayley decided to marry Jackson, leaving Elijah high and dry. His foolish, emotional brother doesn't seem to agree with him, though, and has opted to sulk in petulant silence for weeks on end, barely saying a word to him.

It doesn't help that Hayley's pack is still forced to roam in their werewolf forms with the exception of the night of the full moon, and Elijah undoubtedly blames him for that too. But how was he supposed to know that the curse Dahlia had placed on the mongrels wouldn't be dispelled after her death?... Not to mention, besides that little detail, his genius plan has worked perfectly. But did he hear a single 'thank you' from his siblings? No, of course not. As always, he's been painted as the villain in their story, and he's slowly losing hope that that's ever going to change.

He misses Elijah, though. They might be still inhabiting the same house, but he can't recall the times when he felt as alone as he does now. His brother's accusatory glares, combined with prolonged periods of icy silence has started to weigh down on him, and he longs for the simpler times when they could still talk to each other despite their differences. That's why when he catches a glimpse of Elijah pacing around in his room, trying on a dozen shirts and suits and discarding them all with a huff, his lips stretch in an impish smile. Well, well, well, it looks like his brother has gotten himself a date… 

He approaches Elijah and - pointedly ignoring a glare sent his way - takes a look at the contents of the wardrobe. After a few seconds of careful deliberation, he picks a royal-blue button up shirt and hands it to his brother.

"If you want to impress someone, wear this," he suggests.

"Why don't you keep your unsolicited advice to yourself," Elijah says coldly and hangs the shirt back. "And if you stick your nose into my private affairs ever again, you're going to find yourself with a dagger sticking out of your chest. I'm serious, Niklaus. Do not test me on this, not after what you did to Gia."

He shrugs. "I don't get why you've got your knickers in such a twist. After all, she was only a passing fancy to you."

"Out!" Elijah roars and forcibly shoves him out of the door, causing him to fall in a graceless heap on the floor, the door slumming shut behind him.

Still a sensitive subject, then, he thinks to himself with a grimace as he stands up and dusts himself off. For a split second he wishes that the whole fiasco with Dahlia never happened, so that Elijah was back on speaking terms with him - but then he reminds himself that his wishes always fall on deaf ears. No matter what he does, he never gets what he wants, so he might as well stop wishing for the impossible.

Chapter Text

When Elijah throws his brother out of the room, he wonders ruefully if things between them would ever go back to how they were before. It's not like Niklaus has ever been a saint, but the current levels of his vindictiveness are off the charts, as is his complete lack of empathy. Elijah might have spent centuries trying to get his brother to a point when he could be redeemed, but recently he feels that he's further from reaching that goal than he's ever been.

It doesn't help that Klaus is right, though. Gia wasn't someone special to Elijah - he didn't love her the way a lover should, not truly - but her company was a source of comfort for him and soothed his heartache after Hayley had made her decision to wed Jackson. And Klaus was perfectly aware of that, knew how much Gia had helped Elijah get through it all, and despite it he still made the decision to kill her… or maybe even because of that, as if he couldn't stomach the thought of Elijah being happy.

He muffles a groan and sits on the bed, hiding his face in his hands. He wonders if it's all worth it, to open his heart time and time again, and always ending up hurt. His body might be nearly indestructible, but the same can't be said about his heart, which breaks a little more each time he becomes attached to someone only to lose them shortly after... Because it doesn't matter how many times he's experienced loss, it never gets any easier to bear.

That's why he can't allow anything to happen between himself and Scott, even though he's sorely tempted to break that resolve. The young werewolf's kindness and inner warmth was what caught his interest; the young man's traits were pretty obvious from the very first moment they met, and became even more self-evident the more they talked. 

But they're also the reason why Elijah isn't sure if they would be a good match; after all, innocence isn't something he has much experience with. He's even less sure if he deserves to be with someone so… good, and light, while all that he's ever known is darkness.

***

When they meet in this fancy restaurant where Elijah booked a table for them, it doesn't take much time for Scott to realize that something is wrong. The man doesn't look at him much, and the tight lines around his mouth and eyes are a definite proof that he's far from being relaxed.

"Hey, we don't have to hang out if you don't want to," he says once the silence between them stretches for too long to be comfortable.

Finally, it causes Elijah to look at him, really look at him.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to be such a poor company," the man apologizes with a rueful smile. "I had a… difficult encounter with my brother, and much as I tried to put it out of my mind, apparently it affected me more than I was ready to admit."

"Okay… So what do you normally do to unwind, then?" He asks curiously. "Maybe we could do it together?"

Elijah puts his fingertips together, considering the offer. After a moment it looks like he's come to a decision, as he puts a wad of cash on the table and stands up, looking at Scott expectantly.

"Alright, then. Come with me."

Scott follows him without a hesitation, and after a quick stroll through the French Quarter they stop in front of… a church?

"Um, I'm not much of a religious person…" he admits honestly, and is rewarded with Elijah's soft, amused chuckle.

"Neither am I, but don't fret, it's been a while since this building has been a place of worship. Currently, it houses the vampires' fight club."

Scott gapes at him. "Really? Wow, I've never been in a fight club, nevermind one that's run by vampires! Do you think they'll allow me in?"

The man curls his arm around his shoulder, for the first time initiating such a close physical contact, and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "You're with me, so I don't see why not." A second later the arm retreats and Scott misses its presence almost immediately. 

Shit. He thinks to himself, stifling a curse. So much for not falling for Elijah…

He gets a feeling that it might be a little too late for that.

***

"I said no, werewolves don't belong here," the vampires' leader says stubbornly, folding his muscled arms across his chest. "I don't care who he is or if you vouch for him, it's my fight ring and my rules. You shouldn't have brought him here in the first place without consulting me first."

"I strongly suggest that you rethink your stance, Marcellus," Elijah says coldly while curling his hands into fists.

It's the first time Scott sees the fury lurking just beneath Elijah's cultured, polite persona, and he frowns in thought as he wonders which part is true, and which is only a mask. Or maybe both are equally as genuine, same as Scott's human and werewolf sides?...

On the other hand, that vampire leader strangely reminds him of Deucalion, and how the man was the most ferocious when feeling vulnerable. Could it be the same, a predator's smokescreen designed to cover the fact that the vampire was simply feeling threatened?

He clears his throat. "To be totally honest with you, I know literally nothing about fighting, I'm all instinct but have zero actual skills." The vampire - Marcellus? - blinks, as if surprised by his admission. "What? It's true, I was too busy fighting for my life to actually learn how to do it properly, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. In fact, I'm gonna bet that you'd easily win if we were to spar."

"That's right, Marcel would hand you your ass on a plate, wolf," one of the vampires standing behind his leader calls out with a raucous laugh, but Scott only shrugs in response.

"He wouldn't be the first, or the last."

Marcel tilts his head curiously. "You're the first werewolf I've met who isn't bragging about his prowess in fight, or who isn't trying to prove to be better than us."

"Power plays aren't really my thing," he admits honestly. "Look, if you want me out, I'll go, no questions asked. I just didn't want you to make that decision under the wrong impression that I'm here to cause trouble, because I'm not."

Marcel considers him for a long, uncomfortable moment, before he snorts. "We'll see about that… You better take off that fancy shirt, unless you want it to get dirty."

"So, I'm in? Great!" He grins excitedly. 

"Thank you, Marcel," Elijah murmurs with a nod, his shoulders losing some of their earlier tenseness, then turns to him, "I have a few spare clothes always stashed in here, you can borrow a piece if you wish."

The thought of wearing the man's clothes makes him slightly breathless, so he nods mutely, and tries to pretend that it doesn't affect him in the slightest. Judging by the knowing smirk on Marcel's face, he doesn't entirely succeed in it, though thankfully Elijah seems to be unaware.

***

Elijah watches Scott as the young werewolf spars with one of Marcel's men. True to his earlier words, Scott fights somewhat clumsily and without any plan whatsoever, though he manages to mostly make up for it with his speed and strength. In the end, he still loses the fight, but at least he forces his opponent to truly make an effort in order for that to happen.

When Scott picks himself up from the floor and dusts himself off, he congratulates the winner and then with a small smile asks for some tips that he could use in the next fight. To Elijah's surprise, the vampire easily agrees and starts to show Scott some moves and punches.

That's when Marcel finds him and together they observe the impromptu lesson.

"Where did you find that werewolf? With his puppy eyes, he's going to wrap my men around his little finger faster than you can say 'St Anne's Church'."

Elijah's lips twitch in amusement. "He does have that effect on people, doesn't he?"

"He does... But seriously, why did you bring him here?"

He sighs and rubs his mouth tiredly as he remembers his fight with Niklaus. "Let's just say that once again I have argued with my brother dearest, but what else is new? Then, I met with Scott and he asked me what I usually do to unwind, so… here we are."

"And yet, he's the one on the ring, not you," Marcel points out. 

"Watching him and his youthful enthusiasm is quite refreshing, not to mention almost as effective a relaxation method as blowing off the steam by punching you in the face," he counters with a smirk of his own.

"Pfft, you wish, old man. But seriously, don't let Klaus get in your head, you know how he is."

For a short moment, Elijah is reminded of simpler times after Niklaus had adopted Marcellus. The kid took to following them both with awe and hero-worship in his eyes, and Niklaus pretended not to be affected by it while being secretly pleased.

Back then, Elijah had hoped that maybe Marcel might be the key to Niklaus' redemption, but those hopes quickly turned out to be for naught. He wishes, sometimes, that his brother came with some kind of an instruction manual, because even after all the centuries they had spent together, Niklaus can still be as wild as a hurricane, and equally as destructive.

"Believe me, I know how he is, and that's the crux of the problem - that he doesn't change, ever," he says darkly, then squats to grab a sleeveless shirt from the bag. 

It's time to blow off some of that steam, after all.

Chapter Text

Scott is talking amicably with his sparring partner - Jerry? Jeremy? - when Elijah strides towards them and makes a dismissive gesture towards the guy.

"It's my turn, so scatter away."

The man looks ready to argue, but once he sees Marcel shaking his head, he only gives Elijah a nasty look and leaves the boxing ring without any comment. The older vampire ignores him altogether and turns to Scott, instead.

"Your stance is atrocious, try to bend your knees and lower your center."

Scott blinks, surprised at the brusque tone, but he follows the advice and then makes a few moves, amazed by how easier it is to keep his balance that way. 

"Wow, it really makes a difference!" He beams at Elijah, whose expressions remain stony, not giving any of his emotions away.

"Good. Now, defend yourself."

Next thing he knows, Scott is fighting off a whirlwind of furious hits and kicks delivered in such a quick succession that he barely manages to block them, and he can dream of delivering any of his own. He manages to hold his ground for a few moments, when Elijah suddenly swipes a leg underneath his feet, causing him to fall gracelessly to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Then, the vampire takes a swing to deliver yet another hit while Scott is still down, and that just won't do.

He blocks the incoming punch with an open palm which he curls around Elijah's fist. Then, he shoves back, using as much strength as he can muster, finally making Elijah stumble.

"Look, I know that you need to decompress, but I don't think that the way you've gone about it is gonna help," he says while standing up. "You're riling yourself up, not calming down."

The vampire sets his jaw, before he lets out a frustrated sigh. "If you have better ideas, I'm all ears."

"Actually, I do. You've tried your way and it didn't work, so now we're gonna try mine."

"Which is?" Elijah quirks an eyebrow at him.

"What men are usually bad at: talking about it. Come on, let's grab some water, find some place where we can talk undisturbed and then you can tell me about your brother and what it is that you fought about."

Elijah grimaces with distaste. "I already have one shrink for a friend and I don't need another, thank you very much."

"Good, because I'm not a shrink. If anything, I'm a vet - well, in a way - but those skills are hardly gonna help in your situation," he says wryly. "But I'm also an Alpha of the most unusual, patchwork pack you've ever seen, and you wouldn't believe how much diplomacy and careful maneuvering it takes to keep them all from killing each other."

He thinks about Stiles and Derek, and how often he's tempted to tell them to just get it out of their system, though he's not quite sure if it would result in violence or sex, or both... Those two have such a weird chemistry between them that it's hard to tell.

Pushing that particular image out of his head, he clears his throat. "What I mean is that I'm more than familiar with conflicts between family or friends. And besides, an outsider's perspective may be exactly what you need right now."

Elijah considers the offer for a few moments, then nods reluctantly. "Very well. But be warned, there's more bloodshed and treachery in my family's history than you can possibly imagine, so it's not going to be an easy tale."

For a second Scott thinks that Elijah may simply have a flair for dramatics and that the things between him and his brother couldn't possibly be that bad. However, when he focuses on the vampire's scent, it's filled with pain, exhaustion and despair, so there's a real possibility that yes, they really can be that bad.

***

Once Elijah finishes his story, Scott is horrified. It's simply awful, even worse than he expected, and he takes a deep, long breath as he tries to keep himself together.

"Fuck. I can't even imagine- What you went through- Ugh, sorry for rambling," he mutters apologetically, running a shaking hand through his hair.

"I told you that my relationship with Niklaus can't be salvaged, not after this," Elijah says ruefully.

Scott shakes his head in protest. "Actually, I don't think that's true."

"How, then?" Elijah stands up from the bench they've been sitting on and starts to pace. "Klaus murdered Gia right before my very eyes as he forced me to watch, then he helped Dahlia turn Hayley's pack into beasts, and now he has the audacity to act as if it's just a small glitch in his otherwise genius plan… He doesn't even think that he did anything wrong!"

For a moment Scott is lost for words, but then he recalls how vicious Peter was after he'd woken up from a coma, and how he hurt everyone around him - even his own pack, his family - in his mad quest for revenge. To this day, Peter hasn't apologized to him for giving him a bite without his consent, since in the man's mind it was collateral damage - unfortunate but necessary to complete his goals.

"You said that Klaus hit where he knew it would hurt you the most, so it means that he felt equally hurt himself, and lashed out with everything that he had. That's why he won't apologize - because he feels justified in his actions ," Scott reasons. 

Elijah sits down on the bench again, looking resigned. "So we're still at an impasse, because I can't forgive him if he doesn't show any remorse."

"Just because he feels that he had the right to settle the score doesn't mean that he wanted to create this… discord between you two. He might never apologize for what he did or why he did it, but he might at some point feel sorry for how much it hurt you and your entire family."

"So your advice is to just… let it slide?"

Scott shakes his head as he recalls all the times Peter has helped their pack while at the same time being an absolute asshole about it. Considering all the similarities between those two, could Klaus be acting similarly?...

"I'm just saying that if he extends an olive branch, no matter how small it is or how arrogantly he offers it, take it. It might be his way of apologizing, even if he won't ever say it outright."

"You might be right… To small victories, then, and learning to appreciate them," Elijah raises his bottle of water, and Scott clanks his own bottle against it, even though the plastic is too soft to make a proper sound.

"To small victories."

***

After talking with Scott, for the first time in months Elijah feels like he can breathe again, without feeling like his insides are squeezed by a giant, iron fist. While none of his problems have been solved, somehow the future seems a little brighter than just an hour ago, and the unbearable weight on his heart and soul has somehow been lifted… And this is all thanks to one special werewolf who somehow managed to worm his way into Elijah's heart without him even noticing it.

"Thank you for this afternoon," he murmurs softly.

Scott gives him a small, crooked smile, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Even if it didn't go exactly as planned?"

"Somehow it was even better than what I had in mind," he admits, then hesitates for a second. He knows that it's probably a bad idea, but he still leans in and places the smallest, briefest kiss - just a peck really - on Scott's cheek, whose eyes widen in surprise. 

"Um- Was that a thank-you kiss, or…"

"Mostly, yes." 

He doesn't say what else it could be, what he'd like it to be. Even if he's slowly starting to feel like he's finally beginning to cope with Gia's death, he's still too weary of allowing another person to become even remotely close to him… Not when Klaus is still as unpredictable and vicious as ever.

"You're thinking about your brother right now, aren't you?" Scott asks. To Elijah's surprise, he doesn't sound angry or accusing, just curious.

"To be completely transparent with you, yes I am. Niklaus has always been, and probably will always be, the center of my attention. I know that it doesn't bode well for any relationship that I might have in the future-"

"No, no, it actually makes total sense. With your family remaining alive for centuries on end while people outside of it come and go, I get why he's so important to you… How about you tell me more about your siblings, then? The fun stuff, for a change. Let's leave doom and gloom behind us for the time being," Scott winks at him.

Elijah finds himself chuckling softly, before he launches into a tale of all the mischief Klaus, Kol and Rebekah had gotten into despite his attempts to keep them out of trouble, and the - admittedly very few - cases when he'd been the one needing rescuing. It helps him remember all the glorious times that they had together, and that they always found a way back to each other.

He's grateful to Scott for that precious reminder, and falls just a little deeper in love with the young werewolf, even despite the fact that - for both of their sakes - he can't ever act on it.

Chapter Text

"How was your date, brother? Was she dazzled by your… charm?" Klaus asks mockingly the very moment Elijah steps foot into the house, as if he waited for that exact moment the entire afternoon.

Elijah grits his teeth and tries to let go of the anger he feels towards his brother, recognizing that it'll lead them nowhere. Still, he can feel it simmering just beneath the surface, and all he manages to do is to put a lid on it for the time being.

"Not a she, and it wasn't exactly a date," he corrects. "Not to mention, if anyone was dazzled, it was I - by him."

Niklaus' eyebrows rise in surprise. "Oh, pray tell who managed to make such an impression on you?"

"Why should I tell you anything, if all you're going to do is to turn that knowledge against me and snatch from my hands whatever little happiness I have left? I may still honor our vow, but where my heart is concerned, I'm not planning on confiding in you ever again."

He ignores Klaus' pout, and goes to the liquor cabinet. As he pours himself a glass and takes a sip, he feels his brother's eyes on him, watching, assessing.

"You know that I'll learn about that mysterious guy eventually, so you can spare me the trouble and just tell me."

He scoffs. "I think not, brother. So far you've managed to ruin everything for me; I won't let you do it again, not this time."

"I haven't ruined everything - Hope is doing perfectly fine, isn't she?"

"Oh yes, because being forcibly separated from her mother is such an ideal circumstance for growing up and having a happy childhood!"

They glare at each other and suddenly Elijah is so deeply, deathly tired of it all. Of feeling hurt, and snapping at Klaus in return. Of holding on to this pain, this anger, and not being able to let it go.

He rubs his face tiredly and puts the glass away, then heads upstairs to his room when his brother's voice stops him in his tracks.

"Is this how it's going to be between us, then? How long are you planning on keeping me at arms' length?"

He turns around and looks at Klaus. "Until you prove that you care about me at least as much as you care about yourself."

"I do care!" 

"Is that so? Can you truly put your love for me above your ego, your stubbornness and pride? Will you ever be able to apologize for hurting me as you did, regardless of how you justify your actions?" He waits for a few moments, but Niklaus remains silent. "That's what I thought. Goodnight, brother."

This time, Klaus lets him go.

***

The evening before the night of the full moon is hot and stifling, as if even the air stood still in anticipation of the events to come. 

Elijah waits for Scott at the edge of the forest, and only once he sees two silhouettes approaching him does he remember that the werewolf has planned to bring someone along with him. However, it takes one look at the man for Elijah to become wary of him. "A hunter, Scott? You brought one of their kind to a meeting with Hayley?"

"Chris is no more of a hunter than you and I - or at least, not anymore. He did shoot me with a crossbow the first time we met, though," the werewolf admits sheepishly, and the man groans.

"Way to assure him of my good intentions… How about from now on we stick to revealing information only on a need-to-know basis?"

Scott shrugs. "That's not really my thing, you know that. I hate secrets, and leaving things unspoken can only harm us in the long run."

"Very well."

Elijah blinks, surprised at the fact that the man accepted Scott's decision so easily, and it makes him wonder who exactly is in charge between the two of them. He pushes that thought to the back of his mind, though, and offers his hand in greeting. "Elijah Mikaelson."

The hunter shakes it without hesitation. "Chris Argent."

Hearing the surname, Elijah tightens his grip instinctively, before he lets go. "Vous chassez ceux qui vous chassent…"

"Not anymore. Scott's a reason why I'm doing more protecting than hunting, nowadays."

Elijah tilts his head curiously. "What did he do to make an Argent abandon a centuries-old family legacy?"

The fond look the man gives the young werewolf is as sincere as it gets. "He insists on seeing the best in people… At some point I realized that I'd hate to prove him wrong, so instead I'm trying to make sure that no one takes advantage of the fact that he's wearing his heart on his sleeve," there's a dangerous glint in the hunter's eyes as he says this, but Elijah finds himself feeling reassured rather than threatened.

"Hey, can you two stop acting like I'm not here," Scott pouts. "And stop this posturing contest or whatever it is that you've been doing, it's ridiculous."

Before Elijah can feel offended at being called ridiculous, Hope starts to cry in the baby seat where he left her. 

Scott's eyes grow huge. "Is that-"

"That's Hope, my niece. Excuse me for a second." 

He goes back to the car, unbuckles her, then picks her up carefully. He hesitates for a second, suddenly unsure if he should trust two people he barely knows with her safety, when she squeals happily and starts to wave her tiny fists, pointing at Scott. In return, the young man looks nothing short of enchanted at the mere sight of her.

"Can I hold her, please? I promise that I won't drop her." 

As Hope continues wiggling around, trying to get closer to the werewolf, Elijah has no real choice but to hand her over.

"Be careful to support her head," he warns, just as a precaution really, since Scott's grip is already confident and secure as the young man takes the baby from him and starts to sway her gently in his arms.

"Aww, she's so adorable! Isn't that right, little girl? You're the cutest baby werewolf ever!" 

Hope babbles enthusiastically, and Scott coos back, to the point when Elijah starts to wonder if they're having a real conversation, before he dismisses the idea. There's no way that a four months old child understands anything that's happening around her, much less be able to actually communicate with them… right?

***

Once the last rays of sun disappear under the horizon, Elijah observes Scott carefully, watching for even the tiniest signs of the wolf traits, but nothing happens.

The young werewolf winks at him. "I told you, as long as I have my pack, I have all the control that I need."

"How does that work? After all, your pack isn't even here," he points out, still intrigued by the whole anchor idea, not to mention curious why Scott is traveling alone rather than with his pack.

"I can still feel all our packbonds deep inside me. And besides, Chris is with me, so that's enough."

"But he's not even a werewolf."

The look Scott gives him is a clear indication that the young man is not impressed by his dismissive comment. "He's as much a part of the pack as my Betas. Please tell me that you're not one of those prats thinking that supernaturals are better than humans-"

In all honesty, Elijah does consider himself superior to humans, and also to lesser kinds of supernatural creatures, like average vampires or werewolves. When dealing with those weaker than him he doesn't have a habit of rubbing it in their face - unless he actually intends to rile them up that way - but the fact still stands that they are inferior to him and the rest of his family, objectively speaking.

Thankfully, he's saved from having to respond to what seems like a sensitive subject, as in that moment Hayley and Jackson emerge from the forest, completely naked, and not a little surprised at seeing strangers with him. Elijah takes the clothes he prepared beforehand and approaches them, then explains the situation to them.

"I know that the chances that Scott will be able to help are pretty slim, but I didn't want to pass up any opportunity to free you from this curse."

Hayley bites her lower lip, torn between caution and hope. "Do you trust him?"

He takes a deep breath. "Yes, I do. Everything Scott did so far proved that he bears us no ill will, and that he wants to help. Besides, he has been able to connect with Hope, and you know how shy and moody she can be with strangers," he adds.

"Alright, let's talk to him, then," she nods with approval, but Jackson still seems less than thrilled.

"If we do this, we speak with him alone, Elijah can take care of Hope in the meantime. No offense man, but this is a werewolf thing, we don't need a vampire added to the mix."

Elijah is tempted to point out that he's already involved, probably even more than Jackson ever intended him to be, but he doesn't want to waste precious time on arguing. Not when it's the only night in a month when they can actually communicate with each other with words rather than barks, howls and growls.

Chapter Text

Chris protests vehemently once he hears Jackson's requests, but Scott puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, I'm not in any danger here."

Chris frowns. "How can you be so sure?"

"They're acting cautious and defensive, but only because they don't know if they can trust us. The only way to prove to them that we don't pose a threat to their pack and family is to trust them first. Someone has to take that first step."

"But why does it always have to be you?"

He snorts. "Knowing me as you do, do you really need to ask?" 

Chris deflates and shakes his head, so Scott gives his shoulder one last squeeze and approaches the Alphas. "Hi, I'm Scott, and you must be Hayley and Jackson. Elijah told me that you wanted to talk with me, so - what would you like to know?"

The man folds his arms across his chest. "Why are you doing this, offering help to a rival pack? What do you expect in return?"

Scott blinks. "First, for the sake of managing expectations, I have no idea if I can actually do anything. And second, I don't want anything from you, I've only offered to help because it's the right thing to do. So if I do manage to help you lift the course, you won't owe me anything."

Jackson scoffs. "Do you really think us to be this naive? Everyone wants something. So the question is, what's in it for you? Do you want power? An alliance?"

"Well, if you must know, I do have one entirely selfish reason for doing this…" he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, not entirely comfortable with revealing this, but not seeing another way to gain their trust besides being absolutely honest with them. "Um, I really like Elijah, so I thought that by helping you, maybe I'll manage to find a way into his heart? I know, it's stupid and naive-"

"It's not," Hayley says softly. "More than anything, Elijah deserves to be loved. There has been a time when I thought that I could be that person for him, but I'm happy with Jackson now… I'm glad that someone wants to give Elijah what I couldn't, though."

Oh. "Well, this is awkward," he mutters. "Sorry, I wasn't aware that the two of you were involved in the past."

Hayley gives him a small smile, while Jackson chuckles dryly. "Don't worry, we've long past the point of things being simply awkward, and we've now entered the part in which romance in this family resembles a soap opera. You get used to it."

That sounds somewhat vague, but also makes him hopeful that maybe they won't hold his feelings against him, after all. And he doesn't have any issue with the fact that Hayley and Elijah were together at some point, and his own reaction surprises him. 

He remembers feeling jealous when Allison started seeing Isaac, how the mere thought of her being intimate with another guy made him furious, but now… Somehow, he doesn't feel similar jealousy. After all, he has loved someone before meeting Elijah, so it's only natural that the vampire did too, especially considering all the years Elijah lived as an immortal. He can't begrudge him that.

"Does it mean that you wouldn't mind if Elijah and I got involved?" He asks the couple tentatively. "I know that it might never happen, but I'm asking, you know, just in case."

Jackson pats his back. "Go for it, man. At least that way I'll be certain that he doesn't plan on winning my wife back."

Hayley swats his husband's arm in a mocked outrage. "Let me remind you that your wife is not a trophy to be won. I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions, and I chose you. Now, can we go back to the matter at hand, please?" She turns back to Scott. "What do you need from us?"

He considers the question for a moment. "I need to know how it feels when the curse forces you into your wolf form. Tell me every little detail, anything that comes to your mind, as I'd like to have a full picture of how it affects you."

"Alright, but can we do this inside? I want to spend as much time with my daughter as I can, in case this doesn't work out."

"Sure," he nods easily and follows them into a small wooden house, where Chris and Elijah are already waiting for them while watching over Hope.

***

Once he grilled both Alphas about what they've been experiencing during the forced transformation, he starts to pace around, a plan forming in his mind. "You mentioned that it feels like a battle of wills, right?"

"Yes, one that we always lose, no matter how hard we try," Jackson nods with a slight grimace on his face, as if ashamed of admitting to a weakness.

"How about I try it? I can enter your mind once the transformation starts-"

Chris catches immediately on what he has in mind, and raises to his feet in alarm. "Scott, no, what if you end up stuck in your wolf form too?"

"If this is a battle of wills, then I have a high chance of winning this fight, and you know it," he says with emphasis, and Chris nods reluctantly, recognizing the truth in his statement.

Elijah looks between the two of them, bemused. "Why would Scott have a better chance than Hayley and Jackson? I mean no offense, and I know that he's an Alpha in his own right, but- he's still so young, how could he hope to accomplish something that two seasoned Alphas weren't able to?"

"You must understand that Scott isn't just another Alpha. He's a True Alpha, raised to this status purely by the courage of his convictions and the strength of his character," Chris explains, and Scott suppresses the urge to fidget when Elijah's attention shifts to him, as if asking him to confirm Chris' words.

"There are Alphas out there who are more powerful or physically stronger than me, but- let's just say that I have a proven track record of breaking mind-altering spells," he says, thinking about the time when he broke the Berserker's curse. "I'm no witch, though, so I need to actually be put under the curse in order to break it. That's why I need to link my mind with Hayley and Jackson."

Elijah exhales slowly. "We've run out of other options, as no one else seems to be able to do anything about the curse… Still, I hate to endanger you like that. Are you sure that you want to do this?"

"I do," Scott says with conviction. "This curse - it's all wrong, it twists everything good about being a werewolf. And besides, no child should grow up without a parent. So if Hayley and Jackson are okay with my plan-"

The couple exchange a quick look, and they nod almost simultaneously. "We are."

"Alright, then let's do it," he decides, causing Chris to groan with defeat.

"Your mother will kill me for letting you endanger yourself like that… You better come out of it safe and unharmed, otherwise you're going to have me on your conscience."

"I'll try my best," he says jokingly, but he means it. People are counting on him, so failure is not an option, not this time.

***

As the night inevitably comes to an end, Hayley and Jackson start to show the first signs of agitation, and he knows that it's time. He stands up and takes a deep breath, trying to calm down his nerves, when Elijah surprises him by walking up to him and cupping his cheek in his palm. 

"You'll do great, I'm sure of it."

"While I'm happy that you have such faith in me, I don't suppose I can count on a good-luck kiss?" He asks playfully, though his heartbeat quickens in hope and anticipation. "I wouldn't say no to some confidence boost."

In response, Elijah brushes his lips with his thumb, and then leans down to kiss him. Their mouths touch, at first softly, tentatively, as if the vampire was asking for permission. Then, Elijah curls his hand around the back of Scott's neck and deepens the kiss with a passion that surprises them both.

"Promise me that you'll come back," Elijah pleads breathlessly as they part, pressing their foreheads together.

"I will," he promises, his heartbeat calm and steady, and he realizes that he's no longer nervous. He can do it, he can beat the curse, and then come back to explore these newfound feelings he has for this captivating man.

"Can you please stop making out and do what we're here for?" Jackson asks with impatience mixed with amusement, and Scott exhales deeply, focusing on his task.

"Remember, my only purpose is to help you, so try not to fight me when I enter your minds," he murmurs, and both Hayley and Jackson nod with agreement.

He moves behind them, then without warning he extends his claws and plunges them into the back of their necks, diving deep into their minds.

***

For a moment, all that he can sense is utter darkness. He can't see, hear or smell anything, but he manages to contain the terror of being cut off from his body. After all, it is only a shell, but he's more than that, more than flesh and bones, even more than his fangs and claws. He can manage without them.

Once he remembers that, he starts to regain his senses, and starts to hear pained cries. There's so much anger, fear and distress in them that he can't not respond. He throws his head back - realizing that he's in his wolf form here, whatever this mindscape is - and howls with as much reassurance as he can give. 

I'm coming, you're not alone. 

He blinks and he no longer sees only darkness, but a forest covered in mist, the light of the full moon casting long shadows all around him, creeping on him, surrounding him. He doesn't fear them, though; he's been invited here, and he's not trespassing.

Lead me to Hayley and Jackson, he asks them, and they move obligingly, showing him the way. 

As he runs, the tree branches are bending away from him while the roots disappear in the ground so that he doesn't trip over them. He sends them a warm, grateful thought, thankful for the assistance. His paws barely touch the ground with the speed that he's moving, and it's a thrilling realization to know that he's one with the forest.

He reaches Hayley and Jackson just in time to see them writhing on the ground, their bodies wrapped by black, oily vines that keep slithering and tightening around them. They stink of black magic, the worst of its kind, and he'll not have it contaminating the forest, or keeping his friends imprisoned here. 

He doesn't think or try to analyze what his guts tell him to do - he leans down and tightens his jaw around the vines, ignoring the awful taste of death and decay it leaves in his mouth. He bites and bites until they are no more, and the forest around him disappears, along with Hayley and Jackson. 

Then, he realizes that he's in his human form, and that he's standing in the middle of a lush, sunny meadow, where he's approached by two women he doesn't recognize.

"So you are the one who managed to break the curse… You don't look impressive, boy," the dark-haired woman says haughtily, watching him like he were a bug under her shoe.

He inhales sharply, recalling what Elijah told him about the origins of the curse and the events that led to it being placed on the Crescent Wolf Pack.

"Dahlia."

Chapter Text

When Hayley and Jackson open their eyes with a gasp, Elijah exhales shakily. It worked, it actually worked! They can be a family again, Hope won't have to grow up without her mother…

Then, his relief turns to horror as Scott's body falls to the floor, unconscious.

"What's happening?" Argent asks sharply. "What's wrong with him?"

He doesn't have any answers to give, nor do Hayley and Jackson, and they can only watch helplessly as Scott's eyes dart about with his eyelids closed, as if he was dreaming.

***

"Congratulations, you managed to put two and two together, so you're not a total airhead… I'm still not impressed," Dahlia sneers at him.

Scott opens his mouth, his first reaction being to snap back at her, then closes it. He knows his worth, and her words can't change it, so there's no sense in arguing with her.

"Elijah said that you're dead," he says, instead. 

"My son is not entirely wrong; we are dead, but that doesn't mean that we've ceased to exist," the blond-haired woman - Esther, he recalls her name - explains, so he turns towards her.

"But what does it mean? Are you ghosts or something?"

"More like spirits, but yes. Dahlia was tethered to the mortal realm by the curse she put on the werewolves, and couldn't move to the Bright World until it was broken. As for myself, I decided to stay with her until that happened. For what you just did, we owe you a debt of gratitude."

He clears his throat, then wonders why he even felt the need to do that, since he doesn't have an actual body in here, just its illusion. 

"Um, you're welcome? But just so we're clear, I didn't do it for you, I didn't even know about you being here."

"We know why you did it," Esther smiles knowingly, and somehow it unnerves him more than an open threat would. "You're infatuated with my son, but that's a mistake. You've only seen the mask that he wears to cover up the monster inside him."

That strikes a nerve, and he finds himself feeling offended on Elijah's behalf. "Don't call him that, he might be a vampire, but he's not a monster."

Dahlia tuts at him with disapproval. "Do you really think that after a few casual encounters you're suddenly an expert in his character? How foolish of you."

"My son likes to present himself as someone honorable, even noble," Esther adds. "And while that's true to an extent, it's not the full picture. There are doors in his mind hiding all the atrocities that Elijah has committed across the centuries, and I'm sorry to say that I'm partially responsible for creating this… smokescreen. I wanted to keep Elijah's sanity intact, but in the end I only helped him to sweep the problem under the rug."

He's silent for a moment, digesting her words. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I told you, we owe you a debt, and we'd do you a disservice if we let you pursue a relationship with him without revealing who you're really dealing with. So before we depart from the land of the living, we're going to give you a peek of what hides behind those doors."

He shakes his head, a foreboding feeling crawling down his spine. He doesn't want to invade Elijah's privacy like that, it just doesn't feel right. He'd prefer to wait until the man is ready to open up to him, rather than learn about his worst secrets in such a way.

"I don't think that's a good idea-"

"That's not up for discussion," Dahlia says sharply. "It's for your own good, boy, we're doing you a favor. Now, brace yourself."

He opens his mouth, a heated protest already at the tip of his tongue, when Dahlia and Esther both start muttering in a foreign language that he doesn't recognize - and then, he falls into memories that are not his own.

***

There are piles of bodies everywhere, with punctured veins, broken necks, ripped out hearts… All covered in blood that's dripping to the floor in an endless loop, never running out, with this moment embedded in memory for all eternity.

And then, there's Elijah, with an inscrutable expression, wiping the blood off his hands with a perfectly white handkerchief, while he leaves the bodies behind him without sparing them a single glance. What the vampire does pay attention to, though, is carefully stepping over a pool of blood in order to avoid dirtying his shoes.

Scott shakes his head, horrified. This can't be real, this can't be a true memory, Elijah would never- This is all a lie, an illusion, please, he needs to wake up

wake up wake up wake up

***

When he opens his eyes, he realizes dazedly that for some reason he's lying on the floor and that everyone is gathered around him. As Elijah kneels down beside him and reaches out to put a hand on his arm, Scott flinches violently, then pushes him away.

"Don't- Don't touch me," he rasps out.

"What's wrong? What happened?" 

He laughs bitterly. "Your mother and aunt happened. It turns out that they weren't as dead as you thought, and they gave me... a gift, before departing for good."

Elijah's brow furrows in concern. "What did they do?"

"They showed me your memories, the ones that you hide behind various doors in your mind."

"The red door-" Elijah exhales sharply, but Scott shakes his head.

"Not that one, just a regular, white one. But it was awful, Elijah, there were bodies everywhere, so much blood- And you- you looked like you didn't care, their death meant nothing to you! Please tell me that it's just a trick and that's not true," he pleads, hoping against hope that this man who kissed him so tenderly not so long ago is not so cold-hearted as the vision painted him.

But it turns out that his hope might be for naught, as Elijah presses his lips and says almost impatiently: "Scott, you knew what I am from the very start. I've never hidden from you that I'm an Original vampire, but it sounds like you tried to pretend that I wasn't."

Scott shakes his head. "I'm a predator too, but it doesn't mean that I have to be a killer. And even if I do end up hurting people, I feel sorrow, I feel regret, but the Elijah that I saw in those memories didn't seem to care at all about all the deaths that he's caused. Please, tell me that's not true."

Elijah looks away, and Scott can't take it anymore. He stands up, then approaches Hayley and Jackson who have been watching their exchange in silence, with Hope cradled in Hayley's arms. "I'm glad that you're back in your human form, but I need to go."

"Scott, we owe you so much-" Hayley chokes up, and he raises his hand, interrupting her.

"You don't owe me anything, I'm just glad that Hope has her parents back."

"That's not how it works, man", Jackson disagrees. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it, just call us, and we'll come."

"Wait, I'll write you down our numbers." Hayley hands the bundle with Hope tucked in it to him, and Scott takes it, watching with a soft smile as the baby blinks sleepily, without a doubt tired by the long night. As Hayley starts to rummage in the drawers, he starts to sing softly under his breath: "loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai lay", when he senses that someone's watching him. He looks up, catching Elijah's sorrowful gaze. 

"I wish I could be the man that you saw in me before today," the vampire says quietly, as if not wanting to disturb Hope. "But I swear that I never meant to deceive you."

"I know," he replies equally as softly. 

At that moment, Hayley finally manages to find a notebook, and she rips out a page from it, then writes down two phone numbers on it. Scott hands Hope to Jackson, takes the piece of paper from Hayley and tucks it in his pocket. Then, he leaves the house, Chris following him in silence.

Once they walk outside of the hearing range, he hides his face in his hands, shoulders shaking from the suppressed sobs. After a moment, he feels Chris' arms surrounding him and rubbing his back, letting him know that he's not alone.

He burrows himself into the man's comforting embrace, wishing that he could hide from his own feelings that way. Unfortunately, it doesn't work, but it soothes his aching heart just a little bit so that the pain becomes slightly more bearable.

Chapter Text

As Elijah watches Scott leaving, there's a part of him that wants to run after him, but he squashes it mercilessly. Yes, he's enamored with the boy, and yes, for a split second he thought that there was something precious between them, something worth saving, but if Scott can't handle his darker side, then it means that they don't have a chance at any future together… It's better to let that feeling die when it's still just a sapling, then let it grow roots and spread until the loss of it would feel like a stake to the heart.

He armors himself with a genial smile as he turns towards Hayley and Jackson. "I guess congratulations are in order. I'm truly happy to see you back in your human form."

Hayley shoots him a disbelieving look. "Wait a minute, you're letting Scott go? What about that kiss?"

His smile turns a few degrees colder. "Not that my private affairs should be of any concern for you, but yes, I'm letting him go. Not everyone can handle being involved with vampires, much less Originals, and it's better for both of us that he's realized this sooner."

"I can't believe you! He obviously didn't mind that you're a vampire, he just wanted to be assured that you have a conscience. Is that such a big ask?"

His smile fades from his lips and he adjusts the cuffs in his shirt, an old habit of his whenever he feels out of his depth. When he looks back at her, he's once again perfectly composed.

"How about we focus on your situation, instead? Have you two thought about what you are going to do, where are you going to live? Because let me remind you, the last time you tried to run away with Hope, my dear brother didn't take that particularly well, so hopefully you're not planning a repeat of that stunt."

Hayley bites her lower lip and looks uncertainly at her husband. As the couple starts a rather heated discussion on whether or not Klaus should be allowed a say in Hope's upbringing and to which degree, Elijah exhales slowly.

His plan to draw Hayley's attention away from his private affairs turned out to be a success; unfortunately, he can't use the same trick on himself.

***

Klaus paces restlessly, waiting for his brother to come back from his monthly excursion to the bayou. It's already morning, which means that Elijah is late, and that's quite unlike him; Elijah is never late, unless there are problems afoot. And while Klaus is certain that his brother is quite capable of taking care of himself, the same couldn't be said about Hope, who is very much as vulnerable as ever. If something happened to either of them-

As he hears the front door being opened, he turns around, a harsh comment ready on his lips, when he sees that Elijah is not alone, and that Hayley and Jackson are with him, the latter holding Hope in his arms.

"Little wolf," he chokes up, suddenly lost for words, relief, guilt and anger warring inside him for dominance.

"There are only two things that I have to say to you," Hayley says as she strides towards him. Then, she swings her fist and hits him straight on the jaw, causing his head to snap to the side from the impact. "That's for conspiring with Dahlia to curse us, you prick."

He rubs his cheek, more for show than from real need, as his split lip heals almost instantly. "If that was the first thing you wanted to say to me, I don't particularly care to hear the second," he spats.

Surprisingly, her eyes soften. "Klaus- We're sorry that we planned to get away and take Hope with us, okay? After being separated from her for such a long time, I can understand how that must have stung… You didn't have to go all ballistic, but I guess that wasn't fair of us either."

He exhales slowly, some of the tension of the last few months finally easing from his shoulders. "Well, as long as you learned the error of your ways, apology accepted. Are we good, then? What was that saying - no harm, no foul?"

"No harm…!" Jackson growls, when Elijah puts a hand on his arm and shakes his head.

His brother, ever the embodiment of restraint… At least that constant remained the same, even if everything else has changed between them, for worse.

He pushes that thought out of his mind, focusing back on Hayley. "Well, if that's behind us, you can tell me who assisted you with breaking the curse, and if now we're in witches' debt as a result."

"Another Alpha helped us, that's all that you need to know," Jackson says with distrust clearly reflected in his eyes. "Now, we're leaving, and we're taking Hope with us."

Before Klaus could get his hands on the mutt and squeeze the life out of him for even so much as thinking about stealing Hope again, Hayley puts a hand on his chest, putting a stop to his outburst.

"We're not running away, just renting an apartment down the block. You can see Hope everyday, anytime you want, but Jackson and I are a married couple and we need privacy, okay?"

He forces himself to let go of his more… violent impulses. "You better not be planning another disappearing act, because you won't like the search party that comes after you."

"No more running," she says firmly, looking him in the eye. "You clearly don't trust us, and we sure as hell don't trust you, but we're in this together. Hope deserves nothing less than to have both parents in her life, so as long as you're staying in the quarter, then so are we."

"Very well, in that case go and enjoy your… marital bliss," he sneers at them.

Without waiting for their reply, he phases back to his room. There, where he's certain that no one can see him, he finally allows his mask to drop and the corners of his mouth twitch in a shade of a smile, as for the first time in months he allows himself to hope.

Now that the curse is broken, surely Elijah will cease the silent treatment… There's no reason for them to remain at odds, so things can simply go back to normal, as if nothing ever happened. Right?

***

Later that day, once Freya learns about the curse being broken, she seems genuinely happy - which doesn't change the fact that she makes a decision to leave.

"I stayed to help take care of Hope, but with Hayley back, I'm no longer needed. Which means I can now join Rebekah in her research of bringing Kol back from the dead," she explains, and then goes upstairs to pack her stuff, leaving Klaus with Elijah.

"It's just the two of us from now on, then."

Elijah's expression is as inscrutable as ever as he murmures: "So it seems." Then, he turns around and leaves Klaus alone, staring at his retreating back. So much for things going back to normal…

He doesn't understand it, though. If the main reason why Elijah was mad at him has already been resolved, what's the reason behind his continuously moody behavior? After all, they had gone through even worse trials before, and were always able to reconcile afterwards.

Still, there's a lingering fear in the back of his mind, that with every little spat and with each, even tiniest betrayal, they come closer to the breaking point without even being aware of it. What if their bond is already too fractured to be fixed?...

No, that's impossible, he tries to convince himself. What he needs to do is to wait for his brother to come around and stop sulking, that's all. And meanwhile, he can ask around about that new Alpha in the city, and bring him in for some… friendly questioning. Preferably, without Elijah being aware of it, as he doesn't want to offend his brother's delicate sensibilities where the more intense interrogation methods are concerned.

***

Scott is grateful for Chris' silent, unwavering support. The man doesn't try to force him to talk about what happened on the night of the full moon, but Scott knows that if he wanted to, Chris would be there for him. 

He doesn't think that there's anything to actually talk about, though. Elijah might care for the very few people he considers friends and family, but Scott can't just ignore or get over the fact that the vampire doesn't give a damn about everyone else. All the people that Elijah hurt over the centuries, it's just too much, and he's almost physically sick each time he recalls the memories that Dahlia and Esther forced him to watch.

If only Elijah showed true remorse… Maybe it's possible still, and that tentative hope is what keeps him in New Orleans, despite the fact that he doesn't know what to do with himself anymore. Each time he leaves the hotel he tries to catch Elijah's face in the crowd - but that never happens, and every time he's left feeling disheartened and angry with himself for clinging to that foolish hope.

On the other hand, thinking about righting one's wrongdoings reminds him that he's not a saint either, and that there are people he owes an apology to, Isaac being at the top of that list. That's why one afternoon he leaves the hotel room and goes for a walk, trying to find a place where he won't be overheard. He remembers that semi-desolate park that Elijah took him to on their not-a-date, and chooses a bench as far away from others as possible.

He fishes the phone out of his pocket, then stares at it for a few minutes, trying to gather his courage to make the call. After what seems an eternity, he finally presses the button, then awaits in trepidation, not knowing what it is that he dreads more: that Isaac would actually pick up, or that the Beta would ignore his phone call altogether. 

"Scott?"

His mouth is suddenly dry like a desert, and he clears his throat awkwardly. "Yup, it's me."

What a brilliant way to start their conversation... If his hands weren't occupied, he would've facepalm himself. 

"-You do realize that it's almost one A.M. here in France?"

Fuck, he's such an idiot, he totally forgot about the time difference. "Sorry about that, I can call another time-"

"No, it's fine. I want to hear what it is that you have to say to me after nearly two years of complete silence, so go ahead, spill the beans, " the sarcasm in Isaac's voice has a cutting edge it didn't have back when they were still in high school. Then, the Beta adds anxiously: "Please tell me that Chris is alright…"

"No worries, he's completely fine, it's not why I'm calling you." He takes a deep breath. "Isaac, I- I'm a complete and utter idiot, okay? Not to mention, a failure of a leader, and the worst friend ever… I shouldn't have let you go, and even if this was what you needed, I should've kept in touch. I didn't, and I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness-"

Suddenly, a voice he doesn't recognize says from right behind him: "I can't listen to this drivel..."

He twirls around, surprised that someone managed to sneak up on him, only to get knocked to the ground with such a force that his ears start ringing. He shakes his head dazedly and looks up, only to watch as some stranger picks up the phone that Scott dropped from the impact, and puts it against his own ear.

"Whoever you are, you're better off without this pathetic excuse of an Alpha. Have a lovely day."

Scott blinks and stands up as the stranger hangs up and drops the phone to the ground. "Who are you? And what do you want from me?"

The man tuts with disapproval, his somewhat handsome face reflecting only disgust and contempt. "I'm afraid that it's me who's going to be asking questions. But first things first - I believe that a change of scenery is in order."

The stranger moves so fast that his body is only a blur, and that's the last thing Scott sees before he feels a searing pain in his temple and loses consciousness. 

Chapter Text

Scott wakes up with a groan and blinks rapidly, trying to get his eyes to focus. The next second he realizes that he's got manacles around his wrists, with chains fastened to the ceiling so high that his feet barely touch the ground.

"Wakey, wakey, little spy."

His head snaps up and he looks at the man who kidnapped him, now sauntering in front of him with a taunting, cruel smirk on his face.

"Whoa- Who are you? What do you want?" He croaks.

"Not the brightest pea in the pod, are you? Have you really thought that such an obvious plot of trying to ingrain yourself to my family wasn't going to raise any suspicion? Hayley might be naive enough to put her trust in a complete stranger, but then again, she has married Jackson, so I wouldn't call her the best judge of character."

He licks his lips, thinking quickly. "You're Klaus."

As a response, the man claps slowly, mockingly. "Bravo! You've figured out the obvious. Maybe you're not so brainless, after all, which is a start. I simply hate dealing with simpletons."

"You sound just like Dahlia," Scott snorts, then immediately regrets it as it makes his head-ache even worse than it already is.

It turns out to be even a greater error, as Klaus doesn't seem to appreciate the comparison and backhands him with a force that splits his lip and leaves an impressive bruise on his cheek, even though it already starts to heal. He has a growing suspicion that it was supposed to be something akin to a chastising slap, though, and that in no way it's close to revealing Klaus' full strength… But if that's the case, then he doesn't care much to find out the extent of the vampire's power.

***

When his phone starts to ring, Chris fully expects Scott to be the one calling him, so seeing Isaac's number takes him by complete surprise, especially considering the late hour in Europe.

"Hi Isaac, is everything okay?" He asks worriedly

"Please tell me that you know where Scott is."

He blinks, surprised. "Yeah, he's with me."

"That utter prick, if he's playing games with me… Hand the phone to him, I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind!" Isaac rants irritably.

"I meant that he's with me in New Orleans, not that he's with me at the moment," he explains. "I'll tell him to call you once he's back."

"Bloody hell!" Isaac swears, surprising him yet again, as he doesn't recall the boy being foul-mouthed in the past. "I have no idea what you two are doing in New Orleans, but you need to find Scott, right fucking now. If I'm right, he might be in danger."

"Explain," he demands, trying to keep his calm.

"While I was talking with Scott over the phone, I overheard the Original vampire, Klaus Mikaelson, talking to him, and not in a friendly way. If he got his hands on Scott, that's like the baddest of all bad news. The only person that can rein him in is his brother, Elijah, you need to find him-"

"I've met Elijah Mikaelson recently, but the question is, how do you know them?" This doesn't make any sense. As far as he's aware Isaac has never traveled outside of California before their trip to France, and has been staying in Europe ever since.

"There's no time to waste, just- trust me, please? And if Elijah won't believe you, tell him that you know about this from Kol, and show him any photo of me. Now hurry, please. I can't lose my Alpha," Isaac says with strange emphasis, and Chris marvels at that. Even after all this time, the boy still considers Scott his Alpha…? That's nothing short of a miracle.

"Alright, I'm going to search for Scott, and if he's nowhere to be found, I'm going to contact Elijah. But Isaac- later, we'll need to have a serious talk."

"Later, sure," Isaac says impatiently. "Let me know as soon as you find out anything, alright?"

"Of course."

There's a dozen questions he wants to ask the boy, but they can wait. If Scott is truly in danger, then finding him is a priority, and literally everything else - is secondary.

***

The beating that follows that first slap proves that yes, Klaus has been definitely holding back. As Scott hangs limply from the chains, not having any strength left in him to stand upright, the vampire grins.

"Now, I hope that I've given you enough incentive to answer my questions promptly and truthfully... So tell me, which witch have you been collaborating with?"

Scott spits out blood that has pooled in his mouth, and rasps out: "I'm new to New Orleans, I don't know any witches. I wouldn't even know where to start looking for one."

"And yet you seem to be quite knowledgeable about my aunt's character… There's no way that a mere werewolf was able to break a curse placed on Hayley and her mutt without any assistance. So, I'll ask one last time: who's the mastermind behind it?"

"Just me, I swear!"

The vampire tuts with disappointment. "Too bad for you, then. If I killed my own father only because I couldn't be one hundred percent sure that he wouldn't endanger my daughter just by knowing of her existence, do you really think that I'll hesitate ripping your heart out, just as a matter of precaution?"

"Even if it means killing an innocent person?"

Klaus scoffs with derision. "Oh please, you might be young, but you're hardly innocent. After all, you didn't get those glowing eyes of yours for helping an elderly woman cross the street… There's a reason why Alphas have red eyes, and that's because of the blood they spilled to get that power, so you don't get to act like a victim."

"You think you have me figured out, don't you?" Scott muses, watching the vampire carefully. "Listen to my heartbeat when I say this: I haven't killed anyone, not to get my power, and not for any other reason."

"Such a pity, considering the fact that I don't have such qualms. Give me one reason why I should keep you alive," Klaus says impatiently, as if not really believing that any such reason even exists.

"What message will it send to anyone who might consider being your ally, that rather than being thanked for helping your family they'll get killed, instead?" Seeing the vampire's unconcerned shrug, Scott licks his lips nervously, racking his brain for more arguments. "Not to mention, this might be the last straw that could turn Elijah against you, especially after what you did to Gia…" He sees the way Klaus stiffens and he knows at once that he hit a sore spot.

***

After Hayley and Jackson went apartment hunting, and Klaus disappeared without a word, Elijah finds himself alone in the compound, with only his thoughts to keep him company. 

Usually, he doesn't care much for solitude, preferring to spend even such solitary activities as reading in the company of another; mostly with Klaus or Rebekah, though the latter quickly loses her patience and goes to find something else to do. Today, though, solitude is exactly what Elijah needs to make sense of the turmoil in his heart and mind.

All these years his life's sole purpose has been Niklaus' redemption, as he was under the impression that he himself is not quite the same level of evil, and that thanks to his morals he's in a slightly better place than his wayward, unruly brother. But now he can't help but wonder: what if all this time he's been only deluding himself, and that he's truly no better than Niklaus? And what if - in his quest to help his brother grow a conscience - he totally neglected his own?

The look on Scott's face when the young werewolf was shown Elijah's memories… he can't forget it, no matter how hard he tries, and it haunts his every thought. Even the fact that Hayley and Jackson are now free of the curse is not enough to lift his spirits, and he mopes around the house, feeling like an animal trapped in a cage but unable to break free, as the bars holding him here are his own pride and reluctance to admit that he's been wrong all along.

When the doorbell rings, echoing throughout the house, rather than being irritated at the interruption, he's actually glad for a reason to focus on something, anything that might distract him from his own shortcomings.

He opens the doors and blinks, surprised. "Argent, what are you doing here?"

"Believe me, I'd rather be anywhere else, but Scott's gone missing and I have to ask: where's your brother, Klaus?"

Elijah bristles at what is clearly an accusation, even though the man didn't explicitly state it as such. Then, Argent's words hit home and a cold shiver runs down his spine.

"Klaus is not here, but why would you even think that he's connected with Scott's disappearance?"

The hunter - ex-hunter, Elijah corrects himself - darts a quick look around. "Can I come in? I'd rather not have to explain it in the open."

"Of course," he takes a step to the side and lets the man in. "I promise you that if Scott's truly gone missing, I'll not leave a stone unturned before I find him, but my brother is known to be especially vengeful whenever he's being accused of something that he didn't do. Do you have any proof that it's his doing?"

"It's complicated… I need to show you something first," Argent fishes a phone out of his pocket, scrolls down for a few seconds, then hands it to him. "Do you know this boy?"

He stares at the familiar face, bemused. "That's my brother Kol… Well, actually, Kaleb, a young witch whose body my brother has been inhabiting last before he was hexed to death without the ability to jump into another body. But how did you know him? And what does that have to do with Scott?"

"Look at other photos, just scroll to the right," Argent instructs, his face inscrutable. 

Elijah complies, and once he sees Scott and Kol/Kaleb together on a photo, wearing some kind of sports gear with long sticks - lacrosse, he recalls after a few seconds - he's turned speechless for the first time in a very long time.

"What-"

"The boy that you're looking at, he's actually Isaac Lahey, a werewolf and Scott's foster brother. But somehow, he urged me to get in contact with you specifically… I don't know how or why, but all of this can wait until we've made sure that Scott is safe. What Isaac said to me, though, is that he was talking over the phone with Scott when they were interrupted by Klaus, and he recognized your brother's voice, that's why we know that he's involved. Can you find them?"

"First, I'll call Klaus and see what he has to say. I don't want to throw baseless accusations at him, but if he truly attacked Scott without any provocation, I'll deal with him myself," he says darkly.

He's tired to the bone of his brother targeting every single person he's ever developed feelings for. It's as if Niklaus made it his personal mission to ensure that he spends his eternity alone, and he's sick of it.

This ends now, he thinks to himself. He swore to stand by his siblings always and forever, but lines need to be drawn and some ground rules set. He simply can't allow Niklaus to run rampant any longer and hurt people left and right as if it means nothing. He's Elijah's brother and therefore his responsibility… Even if he's forced to break his vow as a result.

Chapter Text

Scott watches Klaus warily, observing his reaction with apprehension, not knowing what to expect from the man.

"Why would Elijah care what happens to you? Don't delude yourself even for a second that by doing Hayley and Jackson a favor you secured yourself some kind of a favorable position where my brother is concerned," the vampire taunts, but his heart is beating irregularly in his chest, a sign of anger, fear, distress, or a combination of all those feelings.

That's good, Scott muses to himself. It means that Klaus isn't as unmovable as he's seemed at first glance, and that he has weak spots just like everyone else. The question is: should he continue probing them and risking enraging the vampire, or let it go and try to find another leverage?

He doesn't know much about the Mikaelsons' history besides what Elijah told him, though, so he can't count on getting lucky twice in a row to find some other weakness to exploit. He's smart enough to know that Hope is off limits, and besides, he'd never stoop so low as to drag children into adults' quarrels, so circumstances surrounding Gia's death might be his only viable line of defense.

"I don't know Elijah nearly as much as I'd like to, and I certainly don't have any claim on him, but what I'm certain of is that we did feel something for each other… And since you caused Gia's death, how do you think Elijah will react once he learns about what you did to me?"

Klaus snorts. "Surely you jest, my brother would never fall for someone as unremarkable and weak as you… But just in case you're actually telling the truth, Elijah and I have sworn a vow to always put family above all. A mere fling is not going to make even as much as a dent in our bond."

Despite the vampire's bold words, he can sense the uncertainty, the doubt hidden just beneath the mask of self-confidence. He wonders for a second if he should push harder, when the vampire's phone rings unexpectedly, startling them both. Klaus looks at the display and hesitates.

"It's Elijah, isn't it?" Scott asks knowingly.

"Be silent, wolf," the vampire hisses, but then shots him an uncertain look, while the phone keeps ringing persistently. "Are you really the one my brother has recently developed feelings for?"

"Yes."

"Fuck," Klaus curses inelegantly, a huge change from his earlier eloquence, then starts to pace nervously. After a few moments the phone finally stops ringing, though the dead silence that follows is no less tense.

"Let me guess: you're wondering if you should kill me, bury my body in the woods and then pretend not to know anything about my disappearance," Scott deadpans.

Klaus turns towards him rapidly, a maniacal grin on his face. "So it's obvious even for you that it's the best course of action!"

It's like talking with a madman, Scott realizes. The mood swings, the erratic, unpredictable behavior, even the paranoia… Every time he tries to reason with Klaus it's like rolling a die, and he can only watch with his heart in his throat how the man is going to respond. 

"Killing me is literally the worst thing you could do, and that's not only my self-preservation instinct speaking," he sighs, and wishes for a second that his hands were free so that he could pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Look, nothing you did so far is irreversible or unforgivable, but killing me- It's both. So whatever you decide, just bear that in mind, okay?"

"No, I think I'm done with you, boy. You know nothing and no one of importance, which makes you basically useless. What does my brother even see in you? Or maybe you're just a rebound… But in that case he's not going to miss you that much, so I think I'll just take my chances with the good ol' murder."

The vampire lunges at him and grabs his head - whether to bite or break his neck, Scott doesn't know, but he doesn't care to find out. With his arms still immobilized, the only weapon he has still left are his fangs, so he turns his head to the side and bites Klaus' forearm hard, causing the vampire to hiss with pain.

"I was going to grant you a quick, painless death, but now I'm going to make sure that you die screaming-" Suddenly, Klaus falls to his knees, pressing his forearm to his chest tightly, and then the vampire's eyes roll to the back of his skull as his body falls to the ground, unconscious.

Scott blinks, watching for a few long moments if Klaus will overcome whatever weakness or affliction has caused this, but nothing happens, so he relaxes a little. 

First, he needs to free himself, and second: he has to find out where the vampire has taken him, and either escape on his own or get some help. Without Klaus watching his every move, that should be doable, even though he doesn't expect it to be easy. Hanging as he is, with his feet barely touching the floor, he can't  move much. He needs to find something to put his feet on and stand firmly rather than dangle like an animal carcass in a meat locker…

He shoots a look at the vampire's body lying at his feet, and takes a deep breath. Here goes nothing, he thinks to himself while stepping tentatively on Klaus' back, trying a) not to cause any damage, and b) not to wake the vampire up from whatever stupor or coma he's in. When neither happens, he exhales with relief, then curls his fists around the chains and pulls hard, putting all his strength into the effort. He feels sweat trickling down his spine and he groans from the strain, when the chain links finally break and he lands on his ass on the floor.

For a few seconds the only thing he can do is to pant from exertion, trying to calm down his racing heart, while also keeping an eye on Klaus to make sure that the commotion hasn't woken the vampire up, but thankfully nothing happens.

Alright then, step two: figure out where he is and/or get some help. Carefully, he takes Klaus' phone out of the man's pocket. When it turns out that it's being protected by a fingerprint, he exhales with relief, before grabbing Klaus' limp palm and pressing the thumb to the display. With that out of the way, he clicks on the last unanswered call.

"Niklaus, I swear on everything that we hold dear, if you're up to no good-" Elijah's impatient voice shouldn't feel like a balm on his soul, but it does. 

"Um, actually it's me."

"Scott? Thank all deities that you're alright, I was so worried… What happened? And why are you calling from Klaus' phone?"

"Long story short, he kidnapped me, beat me up, then tried to kill me, but I bit him before he could finish the job. Now, he's lying on the floor, unconscious, but his eyelids are moving every now and then, so I guess that he's alive- Or, well, not dead at least," he corrects himself, remembering it's a vampire he's talking about.

"He tried to- Are you alright?" Elijah asks frantically, and despite the fact that his body is aching all over, Scott smiles softly.

"I'm okay, I mean the beating part wasn't pleasant, but I'm mostly healed by now, so I'll be fine."

"In that case put as much distance as you can between you and Klaus, then send me your location, and I'll come get you."

"Will do, but don't disconnect, or I won't be able to unlock this phone again." 

He runs out of the building, where he realizes that he's been held hostage in an old, desolate factory surrounded by a forest on the left and a river on the right side, with no people in sight. There is a car parked nearby, though, so he puts the phone to his ear again.

"Is a black Land-Rover your brother's car?"

"Range Rover Sport? If yes, then it's his."

He focuses on the sounds coming from within the building, but from what he can tell, Klaus is still unconscious. "I'm gonna grab the keys and take the car, otherwise he'll have me at a disadvantage once he wakes up," he decides.

"Alright, but please be careful."

"I will, I promise."

Despite all the pain, stress and danger that he's been in for the last few hours, Scott feels like a huge weight has suddenly been lifted off his shoulders. For a second he allows himself to bask in the knowledge that Elijah still cares about him, to the point that he's more concerned for his safety than the state his own brother is currently in. That might be due to the fact that Klaus is immortal and almost impossible to kill, but still. Elijah cares, and that's all that matters.

Chapter Text

The moment Elijah sees Scott, with matted hair, clothes in dissaray and covered in blood all over, he feels as if his heart was being squeezed in a vice.

He's had centuries to master his heart, to make himself emotionally unavailable for both his own sake, as well as for the sake of all those who might wish to become close to him... But ever since this young werewolf entered his life, all his barriers, all his defenses turn out to be for naught. Now, a mere thought of losing him is enough to fill his soul with dread, one he's only ever felt when his closest family was threatened.

He gets out of his car and runs towards Scott, desperately wanting - no, needing - to kiss him, but he doesn't have any right to do that, not since Niklaus' mindless cruelty and his own wretched past has created a gap between them so wide that he's unable to bridge it. 

"Please tell me that you're alright," he chokes out, instead.

"I'm gonna be fine, I promise."

Elijah opens his mouth to say a thousand words, expressions of relief, wonder, regret, but all of them get stuck in his throat and he just stands there like a fool that he is, feeling utterly inadequate and out of place.

Then, Argent's car parks nearby and the man approaches them in quick strides. "Scott- Thank God that you're alive…"

"You know me, I'm tougher than I look," Scott says with a cheeky smile, though there are tears in his eyes as the man pulls him into a hug. "I'm sorry that I made you worry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. That vampire on the other hand, once I get my hands on him-" The murderous expression on the hunter's face is unmistakable, and suddenly Elijah feels regretful, as he's seen that look on far too many faces already. How's that whenever his brother goes and whatever he does, he never stops making new enemies?

Then, Scott surprises him by saying: "Klaus is not entirely at fault here, so if either of you is planning on punishing him, please don't."

"Why would you defend my brother after what he did to you?" He asks, astounded and not a little amazed. Every other person would be jumping at a chance to condemn Klaus, and to take their revenge on him - but not Scott, it seems.

"I'm not defending him, but- I think there's a reason behind his behavior that may explain why he's acting like that. Chris," Scott turns to the man, "if you met a werewolf who's been behaving erratically, is quick to anger and has problems staying in control, what would you think?"

"From what you're describing, he sounds like an Omega."

"That's my thoughts exactly! How long has he been like this, Elijah? When did he lose his pack?"

He frowns. "I don't think he's ever had one to begin with…" The aghast look on Scott's face speaks volumes of what the young man thinks about that, so he hurries to explain: "His werewolf side has been dormant for a majority of his life, though. He only managed to break that curse around two years ago."

"Still, two years is quite a long time to go without a pack… Not to mention, even if his werewolf side was dormant, it doesn't mean that it wasn't there."

"Please tell me that you're not feeling sorry for a vampire who tortured and attempted to kill you," Argent huffs with exasperation. "You can't excuse the behavior of every bad guy who just happens to have a troubled past!"

"I'm not making excuses for him, I just-" Scott rubs his face, smearing some of the blood that hasn't dried yet while he does so. "I'm an Alpha, okay? My every instinct screams at me that there's something wrong going on with Klaus. I can't just turn away and do nothing."

"But what if he tries to kill you again?"

"I won't let him," Elijah interjects darkly. "I've already watched my brother murder one person that I cared about, and I don't intend to let it happen ever again. But if there's the smallest chance that the reason behind his recent actions is that he's hurting inside and he's lashing out that way, then I need to know."

"If that man so much as lay a hand on Scott ever again-" Argent spats coldly, his palms tightening on the gun holsters on his waistband. Seeing this, Scott puts a calming hand on the man's shoulder.

"Between you and Elijah, I'm gonna be as safe as I can be."

"I've already lost one child. I can't bear to lose another," there's an intensity to Argent's quiet words that suddenly Elijah feels like he's interloping on something deeply personal.

"Chris- Dad. I promise that I'll be careful, and that I won't risk my life stupidly, alright?"

Argent nods ever so slightly, his jaw clenched. As the man pulls Scott into another hug, Elijah decides to make himself scarce and retreats to his car, letting the two of them have their moment.

***

As they arrive by the abandoned factory that Scott was held captive in, Elijah listens to the sounds coming from the inside, but he can't hear anything.

"Klaus is still in there," Scott mutters, his body tense.

"How can you tell?"

"I can hear his heartbeat. Can't you?"

He shakes his head; it doesn't happen often that he's proved to be second to someone in terms of skills or abilities, but it appears that True Alpha's senses are superior even to that of an Original Vampire. Instead of feeling slighted or envious, though, he feels somewhat reassured that despite his and Scott's age difference, they are more equal than he previously thought. Not that it'll do him any good, though, with the savage beast lurking deep inside him, and the river of blood he has spilled over the course of centuries… 

"What exactly happened before he lost his consciousness?" He asks, partially out of true wish to learn more about what happened to Klaus, but also in order to take his mind off the dark thoughts plaguing his mind.

"He attacked me while I was chained by the wrists to the ceiling, so my only defense was my fangs. I bit him on his forearm, and within a few moments he was on his knees, pressing the wound to his chest, and then he fell to the floor, unconscious."

He swallows with difficulty, imagining Scott chained and helpless, completely at Klaus' nonexistent mercy. "I'm sorry that you went through such an ordeal, at the hands of my brother no less."

Scott shrugs. "Over the last two years I've been shot with a crossbow and a gun, tasered, stabbed with a sword, electrocuted… It's not fun, and I'd rather avoid another beating if possible, but it'll take a lot more than that to break me."

"Still, I wish that you didn't have to go through any of that."

"Now that you're here, you can make sure that Klaus doesn't finish the job."

He nods, because that's exactly what he plans to do, and more. However, when he sees his brother curled motionlessly on the floor, his heart squeezes painfully in his chest. He knows that Klaus has brought this upon himself, but it doesn't make the sight any easier to bear.

"Oh, Niklaus," he mutters regretfully, squats down and rolls the unconscious body so that it lies on its back. The movement reveals a vicious bite wound, red and swollen, as if Klaus was infected for a few hours at least. He looks up at Scott, frowning. "I don't understand it, my brother is impervious to werewolf bite due to being a vampire-werewolf hybrid. Not to mention, no werewolf venom has ever affected any vampire this quickly… That I know of, at least."

"I was as surprised as you are, to be honest. I only intended to defend myself, but I've never wanted to cause any of this, I swear," Scott hugs himself with his arms.

"That's not your fault. It's high time my brother learned that when he attacks someone, that person might retaliate." He hesitates for a moment. "I know that I have no right to ask this, but would you be willing to feed him some of your blood? It might very well act as an antidote."

"Sure, it doesn't hurt to try, right?"

Argent raises his hand in protest. "Not so fast. Elijah, are there any other consequences of Scott offering his blood for your brother to drink? Will it affect Scott in any way?"

Elijah has to admire the man's level-headedness and pragmatic approach, even though it doesn't help his own cause at the moment. "It won't have any effect on Scott, but it will temporarily strengthen Klaus, just as any feeding does - maybe even more, considering Scott's status," he explains.

"We can't risk it, then-"

"Guys, hold up. It's my blood, so it's my call," Scott says firmly. "Elijah, if I feed you first, will you be powerful enough to stop Klaus if needed?"

His eyes widen at the suggestion, and he licks his lips, excited at the mere prospect of being allowed to feast on Scott's blood. He can't help but wonder how it would taste, if it'll be mild and sweet, or intense, almost spicy… And how would they do it, would Scott insist on bleeding into a cup or something similar, or would he allow Elijah to feet directly from his vein?

This is not the time to indulge your perverted vampire urges, he scolds himself firmly. It's about helping Niklaus while at the same time keeping Scott safe, so don't get too excited.

He clears his throat. "It'll definitely help, but isn't it too much blood loss? Feeding two vampires in a row is no small feat."

"Don't worry, being an Alpha werewolf has its perks, and extra fast regeneration is one of them," Scott winks at him. "As long as you handle Klaus if he flies off the handle upon waking up, I'm going to be fine."

"I will, you have my word," he promises solemnly. 

"Alright, how are we doing this, then? Do you want to bite me, or should I get a knife from Chris-"

He really should say that it's up to Scott, that they'll do whatever the young man is comfortable with, but his entire being is throbbing with need, and he quickly loses the fight with his own desire.

He pulls that warm body to himself, enjoying Scott's soft, surprised exhale as he does so.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer feeding straight from the source," he purrs, inhaling the young man's scent deeply. He wants to lick that inviting flesh, make Scott want this, want him -

He suppresses a curse when Argent clears his throat loudly, an unpleasant reminder that they're not alone, and that he has to keep it quick and chaste. Even with that knowledge in mind, he can't suppress a quiet moan as he bites down and takes a sip of Scott's blood for the very first time.

Perfection, is the only thought left in his mind. He closes his eyes, allowing himself to immerse in the exquisite feeling, for a few precious moments not caring in the slightest who's watching them.

Chapter Text

It is said that the Inuit language has almost fifty words for snow in its various forms; not surprising, given that it's the essence of their lives, and everything they know. Now, with his mouth filled with Scott's blood, Elijah wishes he knew a language that would describe that incredible sensation with all its facets; all words that come to his mind don't give it justice, yet he tries nevertheless.

Scott's blood is pleasantly rich on his tongue, smooth and luscious, but at the same time it's incredibly fresh and invigorating, like a sip of fresh stream water after an entire day of tiring journey. With that first mouthful Elijah feels more connected to the world around him than he's had for a very long time, like he's still a part of nature rather than an abomination, and he shudders from sheer wonder of that feeling.

What's even more, that terrible, insatiable hunger that he'd been experiencing during the previous feedings, the urge to drink and drink and drink until there's not a drop left - that part is missing, and for once he doesn't have to muster all his willpower to force himself to stop.

He opens his eyes slowly, leisurely, as if waking up from a pleasant dream, only to see Scott's reassuring smile.

"How are you feeling?" The young man asks and Elijah huffs fondly.

"I believe it is I who should be asking this question. Are you experiencing any headache or dizziness?"

"Just for a brief moment, but it's fine now. I told you, Alphas heal pretty fast," Scott says with a crooked grin.

"So it seems," he murmurs, when he hears Klaus' quiet whimper and he takes a quick glance at him, concerned. "My brother's condition seems to be deteriorating quickly… Are you still amenable to feeding him your blood? I'll understand if you have second thoughts-

"No second thoughts, I promise."

He puts a hand on the young man's shoulder, secretly enjoying its firmness and warmth. "Even if this doesn't work, I'm deeply grateful that you're willing to try, even after what you suffered at my brother's hands. I don't know many people who would be willing to put aside their grievances and aid their assailant like that."

"He's hurting, and besides, he's your brother. Of course I want to help."

Elijah nods thankfully. "Shall we, then?"

***

If there's any lesson that Mikael had drilled - or beaten into him, to be more precise - is that for a man being weak is the worst fate imaginable. That's why, no matter how often Elijah preaches that there's no shame in showing emotions, or how many times Rebekah drones on about her love life, Klaus has always hated showing any vulnerability or weakness to anyone, no matter if they are friend or foe.

To his shame, he doesn't always succeed in hiding it, though, and each time that happens leaves him with a bitter taste in his mouth… This time is no different, so when he comes to his senses with a taste of werewolf blood fresh on his lips, he jumps to his feet with a vicious snarl, ready to tear everyone to shreds.

"Stand down, Niklaus," is the first thing he hears, and he looks around wildly, just to see Elijah, flanked by his lover boy and another stranger. All three are watching him as if he was a rabid animal; ironic, considering that it's he who was bitten, not the other way around!

"I don't know what witchcraft or trickery is this, but your boy toy's bite is toxic, even to me. It's clear proof that he's up to no good, and he's only been manipulating you!"

Elijah raised his eyebrow at him. "Speaking about being up to no good, care to explain why you chained Scott and beat him up?"

"That's irrelevant-"

"Oh, it's plenty relevant to me."

A cold, dangerous glint in his brother's eyes tells Klaus that Elijah is not in the mood, and he hesitates, recognizing that he's treading on thin ice. 

"After hearing that a foreign Alpha suddenly appeared out of nowhere, offering to break the curse that no one was able to crack for months on end - well, it was my duty to investigate such a phenomenon, wasn't it?"

"And how, pray tell, did it end up with kidnapping and torture?"

"Well, investigation led to an interrogation, and you know that I tend to get a little… overzealous when questioning someone," he smiles sheepishly. "I didn't target him because of you, though, if that's what you're worried about. I didn't even know that he's the one you've been infatuated with, not until the deed was done, so to speak."

Seeing the disappointment in Elijah's expression, he knows that it was the wrong thing to say. He suppresses a flinch, as he'd honestly prefer if his brother was mad at him; at least then he wouldn't feel like a mistake, a failure.

"And when you did learn that I care about him deeply, what did you do?"

He licks his lips nervously, trying to find a way to explain his course of thoughts, but even now his own decision to kill the werewolf seems excessive to him. Not that he cares if the boy lives or dies, because he doesn't, but he should've known that one way or another, Elijah would learn the truth. After all, in New Orleans, dead bodies rarely stay buried as they should.

He's still racking his brain for a plausible excuse for that failed murder attempt, when the werewolf puts a hand on Elijah's shoulder.

"It's okay."

"It most certainly is not!" His brother says hotly, a rare sight, as Elijah is usually much more composed, even if he's furious. "How can I come to terms that my own brother seems to be determined to rob me of any chance to form an emotional attachment with anyone outside of our family? Not to mention his cruel disregard for your life!"

"Is it any different from all the times when you killed people?" The boy asks calmly but also surprisingly sternly.

"But they were-"

"Strangers? Not so long ago, I was a stranger to you too. Would you have cared if Klaus killed me then? Or maybe you wouldn't even blink an eye, too used to taking lives?" 

While Klaus is glad that his own interrogation seems to have been put on hold, he can't help but watch the exchange between Elijah and Scott with avid interest. They're not acting like lovers should, and yet- There's something going on between them, that's for certain. After all, it's not everyday that Elijah allows himself to be questioned or challenged in such a way - as if the boy has the right to do so.

***

Elijah grows silent, not having any choice but to confront his morals in a way he hasn't done in centuries.

He remembers Scott's words from the first day they met, that a stranger is just someone who hasn't had the chance to become a friend yet, and he can't help but wonder: how many potential allies, friends, even lovers did he kill over the course of his life as a vampire? How many opportunities of love and friendship did he miss, just because he'd grown callous and uncaring whether people around him lived or died?...

And what's even worse, what if that day when he met Scott, he decided to make him his prey rather than start a conversation? Argent would have lost a child, Hayley and Jackson would still be stuck in their werewolf form, and he- He would still be under the impression that his family is the only one worth saving, worth preserving.

It's like a paradigm shift, changing the way he sees himself and his actions by 180 degrees, and he doesn't remember the last time he felt so unsure and lacking direction. What if always and forever is not his saving grace, but his greatest sin?...

His stupor must have lasted for a moment too long, as Scott calls his name softly, with concern written all over his face.

"Elijah, are you alright? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed the topic-"

He shakes his head, "I'm not alright, but maybe that's a good thing; I shouldn't be alright with all the atrocities I committed. And you're right, if Klaus would've killed you before we grew to care about each other, I probably would've shrugged it off," he takes a shaky breath. "Scott… I don't know if I can even be a decent person while remaining a vampire. Maybe my mother was right all along and we're nothing more but monsters."

Scott cups his face with his palms and caresses it with his thumbs gently. Elijah almost pushes him away, feeling utterly undeserving of such kindness. He doesn't, though, and instead he leans into the touch, unable to resist.

"Listen to me, Elijah Mikaelson," there's a firmness in Scott's words he doesn't expect, the Alpha's voice demanding his undivided attention. "No matter what you've done, you're not a monster, and neither are your siblings. And yes, you can't change the past, but what you can do is to try to be a better man from now on. The only question is: will you?"

He wants to try, both for himself, as well as to become worthy of Scott's affection, so he nods wordlessly; a silent promise that he intends to keep as if it was a vow sealed in blood.

***

Klaus watches with growing disbelief how that young werewolf, barely more than a teenager, wraps his brother around his little finger by using Elijah's guilt against him. This needs to stop, he thinks to himself while clenching his jaw tightly, and he lounges at the boy, when a sudden gunshot knocks him back.

He clutches at the fresh wound on his torso, looking at the man who has been watching him in silence this whole time. 

"I don't know who you are, but you're gonna pay for this," he bares his fangs at him.

"You're an Original, so the bullet is not gonna kill you, but it is going to hurt like hell… unless I administer the antidote, so you better behave from now on."

"If you think that a mere bullet is going to affect me, you're sorely mistaken," he hisses, though the ache in his wound grows stronger by the minute.

The man raises an eyebrow at him knowingly. "That single bullet contains three different kinds of wolfsbane, the vervain essence, plus mountain ash to hinder your healing abilities. So how about you play nice and I'm going to give you the antidote once we're done here."

"Listen to Argent, brother. No one is here to hurt you, but any attempts at violence on your side will be stopped by any means necessary," Elijah says warningly. "Why did you try to attack Scott again, anyway?"

"Because it's plain as day to me that he's manipulating you! Can't you see that?" he scoffs impatiently, then answers himself: "Of course you can't, you're too soft-hearted."

It's always been like this. His siblings are much too malleable and emotional for their own good, and it falls on him to save them from themselves. It's a thankless job, though, as Elijah and Rebekah are under the wrong impression that they don't need his protection, but he knows better. He'd rather have them be mad at him rather than to see them heartbroken - except for the times when he purposefully causes their heartbreak... But that's always for educational purposes, so that they grow thicker skin, of course.

Then, he remembers Gia and how good it felt to see her burning to ash; even now, the mere memory gives him the same dark satisfaction as it did back then.

So okay, maybe that particular kill was more personal than the others, he concedes.

Chapter Text

Before Elijah can take offense to being called soft-hearted, Scott squeezes his arm, a warning and reassurance all at once. "That recent attack only proves my theory about Klaus, you know."

"And what theory is that, that I'm the big bad wolf?" The hybrid sneers at him. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you're hardly the first person to come to that conclusion, and likely you won't be the last."

"That you're an Omega."

"Excuse me?" Klaus scoffs, clearly offended. 

Scott is not surprised in the least; even in his somewhat limited experience it's been pretty obvious that the supernatural world doesn't show kindness nor understanding towards Omegas. There's a die-hard belief that it's always their fault that they are what they are - but no one ever asks what had happened in the first place to make them so.

Maybe their packs were killed off by hunters and the Omegas were the surviving victims? Or maybe their Alphas were abusive, and so choosing the life of a pariah was the lesser evil? Or - like in Klaus' case - there was no one there to guide them, to teach them the true meaning of pack?...

"If you don't like the term, fine, let's call you a lone wolf instead," he says diplomatically, not wanting to alienate the man by using a term that might be considered offensive. "My point is that having no pack to call your own can have a long lasting, negative impact on you. Not to mention the fact that short temper and impulsive behavior - well, they're textbook signs of an unfulfilled packbond."

Klaus scoffs. "I don't need a pack, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't stick your nose where it doesn't belong."

"Look, you're right, your life choices are hardly my business," he puts his hand up, showing that he's not here to fight the issue. "Just bear in mind that one day your explosive temper might harm those that you care about… if it hasn't already."

***

Him, an Omega! Klaus scoffs internally. The whole idea is absolutely ridiculous; truth be told, he doesn't even consider himself much of a werewolf, since the primary side of him has always been that of a vampire. But if he should judge his strength against that of other werewolves, he's clearly superior to them all, so if anything, he's clearly an Alpha.

And yet… If there's even the tiniest chance that this young wolf is right and he poses a threat to his family, maybe even to his daughter, then he needs to investigate it - in his own time and on his own terms, though.

"You're clearly delusional," he spats - mostly for show, so that the boy doesn't think that he so easily managed to convince him - then straightens his back and turns towards Elijah. "Are we done here? I have places to be." He taps his foot with impatience, eager to leave this place as soon as possible.

His brother hesitates, then gives him a small nod.

"Splendid. Now, I want to get the antidote for that bullet, and I want it straight away, or else there's going to be hell to pay."

The man, Argent (and isn't that a surprise, to see a hunter in the company of a werewolf; protecting him even), hands him a small vial without so much as a word. That's even better for him; he has even less patience for idle chit-chat than usual. As he walks towards the door, though, Elijah calls out his name, so he turns around and looks at him expectantly.

"Niklaus, you can go for now, but I don't want you to be under the wrong impression that you're completely off the hook. Please keep that in mind if you're considering engaging in further mayhem or mischief."

He scoffs, but doesn't argue. With all the recent tension between them, it might be in his best interest to lay low for the time being. "Fine, I'll play nice… for now. Are you happy?"

"Indeed I am. Thank you, Niklaus."

He turns around and exits the building in quick strides, glad that there's no one around to see the bright blush on his cheeks. Elijah rarely approves anything he does, or shows his appreciation so openly, so each time that happens leaves him flustered and oddly… tingly inside. Which, frankly speaking, is ridiculous, and makes him feel more like an impressionable teenage girl than a powerful werewolf-vampire hybrid that he is.

***

Scott exhales slowly as he watches Klaus leave. "Is it just me, or did that go surprisingly well?"

"No one has been killed or maimed, so yes, I'd count it as a success," Elijah confirms, the edges of his mouth twitching in the smallest of smiles.

Their eyes meet and Scott realizes that he's unable to look away. He barely acknowledges Chris' announcement that he'll wait in the car, and doesn't even spare a look as the man leaves the room.

It's Elijah who breaks their eye contact first, looking around ruefully before meeting his gaze again. "It's not a place I'd pick to have this particular conversation with you, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose… And maybe it's fitting, that the same walls that witnessed your torture will be the silent spectators to me admitting that- that I was wrong."

This humble admission of guilt, it should be enough, but somehow it isn't. 

"What exactly were you wrong about? I need you to say it."

The vampire takes a shaky breath. "My dismissal of other people's lives, seeing humans as dispensable… I can't say enough how sorry I am for ever thinking that hunger for blood excuses murder. It doesn't, and I should've tried harder to find other, better ways to satiate it."

"Yes, you should have," despite the harsh words Scott says it gently, without reproach. "Haven't you ever considered that werewolves' blood might be the perfect solution? Considering our super fast regeneration abilities, you'd be able to feed without killing anyone."

"But vampires can't compel werewolves-"

"And thank God for that, otherwise your kind would treat mine as a walking pantry!" He snorts. "I actually meant that maybe you should try asking nicely. "

Elijah frowns. "I'm afraid that it's not that simple. After all, no werewolf is ever going to agree to donate their blood out of the goodness of their heart."

"I already have, and I'd do it again if this is what you need."

The vampire looks stunned, as if he's been hit with something hard. "You would?..."

"Of course. For as long as I'm staying in New Orleans, you have an open invitation to my veins - within reason, of course," he winks playfully, enjoining the way Elijah's eyes widen at his words. However, when the vampire leans in for a kiss, Scott stops him in his track with a firm hand pressed to the man's chest.

"Please forgive me, I should've asked first-" Elijah says hesitantly, his cheeks reddening slightly with embarrassment.

"It's not a 'no', but first I need to take a shower, and you need to brush your teeth, as I'd rather not taste my own blood on your tongue," Scott makes a face at the thought, before looking at the vampire from under his lashes, hoping that it looks flirtatious rather than silly. "Then, you can kiss me as much as you'd like… Deal?"

The raw hunger he sees in Elijah's eyes is proof enough that he succeeded.

***

With his extensive experience in the matter, Kol has come to the conclusion that dying is quite an unpleasant business, one he'd rather do without, thank you very much. 

After Finn - his boring, tedious, having-stick-up-his-ass older brother - had cursed him to be stuck in the dying body of Kaleb Westphall, he thought that that was it. No more cheating death, no more rebirth, just doom and gloom of the Ancestral Well… Boy, was he wrong.

Once he coughed raggedly for the very last time, surrounded by his siblings - and isn't that a bittersweet thought, that it took him dying horribly to finally make them care? - rather than die as he'd expected, he was thrown into another body. And not just a random body, but one eerily similar to his previous one. Almost identical, one might even say.

Even now he's not sure if it was fate, the universe's greatest prank, or the luckiest coincidence ever, that the very body he'd been cursed to by Finn's dark magic had a goddamn doppelganger. His dear family has always claimed that only immortals have doppelgangers, but there he was, a definitive proof that they were wrong on this account - and who knows how many more.

The biggest problem he encountered after his soul had been thrown into the new body, though, was that its current inhabitant, Isaac, showed quite an impressive resistance against being kicked out, and as a result Kol was shoved into the subconscious parts of the boy's brain, unable to do anything but watch passively what was happening around him.

These first few months he was too confused and weakened to do anything but biding his time and observing Isaac's life as he did so. He quickly learned that his host is a werewolf, which might've been a reason why Kol was unable to claim his body - if werewolves are unaffected by vampires' compulsions, maybe they also have a natural resistance against possession? Which, while absolutely fascinating from an academic point of view, did nothing to help him gain control of his host.

And then, in the middle of one night, Isaac received a phone call that turned both their lives on their heads. At first, it seemed innocuous enough, just the boy's Alpha apologizing to him for not staying in touch - but then, the conversation was abruptly interrupted by none other than Kol's bastard brother, Nik. Who, of course, was up to no good, because whenever was he not?...

That's when Kol realized that staying silent in the back of his host's mind is no longer feasible, and that if he can't force Isaac out of this body, then at least they need to learn to share - for both their sakes.

Chapter Text

Scott steps into their hotel suite with a sigh. Now, without the adrenaline being pumped into his veins by a sense of danger, he finally feels the exhaustion seeping into his bones, and he suppresses a yawn. Chris sees this, of course, and gives him a gentle push towards the bathroom.

"Go on, take a shower, and I'll make the bed for you in the meantime."

"But I promised Elijah that I'll meet him tonight," he protests half-heartedly, though in all honesty he feels ready to fall asleep right here and there.

"I'm sure that after living for centuries the guy has learned some patience," Chris rolls his eyes. "Just as I'm sure that he'll survive waiting for a date with you for a day longer."

He smiles sheepishly, but a sudden thought makes him drop the smile. "I haven't got the chance to ask this before, but… Do you mind, that Elijah and I- You know, that we're going out? Aren't you going to tell me what a bad idea this is?"

Chris sighs. "I'm not thrilled about it, that's true, but I won't tell you who to love and who to not. The hard truth is that you won't get to be happy without risking a heartbreak too; it's a risk that all people have to take when starting a new relationship. So if you think that Elijah is worth it, then… go for it."

Even though Chris' reaction is more on the cautious side, Scott is actually relieved that they're close enough to be honest with each other, and that despite his misgivings Chris doesn't want to control him or make him change his mind. Parents often tend to do that where their children are concerned, supposedly for their own good, and he's glad that it isn't the case here.

He gives the man a teasing nudge. "Does it mean that you'll finally gather the courage and ask my mom out on a date? You've been circling around each other for months and honestly, it's getting boring."

Chris cuffs him lightly on the back of his head. "Don't get smart with me, kid. Now, go take that shower, or I'll carry you there."

"Yessir!" He agrees with a laugh and jogs to the bathroom.

Even though he's already an adult himself, he really loves having a dad.

***

Half an hour later he's lying on his bed, listening to the faint sounds of the TV coming from Chris' room. He suspects that the man turned it on purely for his benefit, to give him a sense of privacy, as Chris usually prefers to read than to watch TV. Grateful for the gesture, he grabs his phone and calls Elijah, who picks up almost immediately.

"Hello, dearest. Or is it too early for me to call you that? I don't want to presume."

"You can call me any nicknames you want, as long as it's nothing ridiculous, like 'cupcake' or 'muffin'."

The vampire snorts. "Please, I refuse to call you anything that's pastry-related. I promise to stick to more… dignified nicknames."

"Good. Otherwise you'll have to get used to being called 'cutie patootie'," he grins cheekily, even though the man can't see him.

Elijah makes a weird sound that is a mix between a choke and a laugh. "You're incorrigible, but I guess that I'll just have to wipe that smirk of yours with a kiss. How does that sound?"

He squirms under the duvet, suddenly feeling hot at the prospect of a long, thorough snogging session, but even that isn't enough to motivate him to get up from the bed. "Um, I'm actually calling you to ask if we could meet tomorrow? I'm knackered and all I want is sleep… I promise that tomorrow I'll be a much better company."

"Of course. And please forgive me, I should've guessed that after today you'll need time to heal and rest, that was thoughtless of me," Elijah murmurs apologetically. "My only defense is that I wanted to be with you so much that I forgot about everything else."

"That's actually a very good excuse, so you're forgiven." He clears his throat, "About tomorrow- Should we meet at your place?"

"I don't think it's such a good idea, considering that my brother might be home. I don't want you to feel like you have to be constantly on your guard."

"Look, I'm not planning on avoiding Klaus. He's your brother and a constant in your life, so if I want to have any future with you, I have to get used to the fact that he's going to be a part of it too."

Truth be told, he is a little apprehensive about meeting Klaus again, but it's just a normal level of weariness when being around someone who might not be fully in control of their actions. He isn't afraid of him, though; what he's witnessed so far proves that the hybrid seeks Elijah's approval and wouldn't jeopardize a chance at reconciliation with him on a whim.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Is that a 'yes' to me shamelessly inviting myself to your place?" He teases.

"Absolutely, I'd be delighted to have you here. And… I'd like to explore that possibility of having a future with you, too," Elijah says in a hushed tone of voice, as if afraid that saying it loudly could jinx it. "I can't wait to see where it'll lead us."

Scott wants to say something profoundly deep and romantic to that, but instead he yawns widely, the sound of it no doubt being audible via phone. His cheeks redden from embarrassment, and he wishes the ground would open up and swallow him right here and there.

"I'm so sorry, I promise you that I'm not bored or anything, just super sleepy… Can we go back to that exploring part tomorrow?"

"Of course. Sweet dreams."

"You too."

He hangs up and puts the phone beside him on the bed, and before he knows it, he's sound asleep.

***

Elijah rarely gets nervous, and when he does, it's usually when other people would have already started panicking. So when he wakes up at dawn to meticulously clean the entire compound, even areas that are not in use at the moment, he tries to convince himself that no, he's not nervous, he just wants everything to be perfect for Scott's visit. But when he starts polishing the silver cutlery set that sees the light of day only at weddings and funerals (and given his family's unique situation, both are equally unlikely to happen) even he needs to admit that maybe - just maybe - he's a little wired, after all.

He stiffens once he sees his brother leaning against the doorframe, arms folded on his chest.

"Are we expecting a royal visit? I'll need to dust off my suit if that's the case," Klaus smirks.

"I see that you're back to your old, hilarious self. What a joy," he deadpans, giving a seafood fork the last finishing polish. "As for your question, Scott is dropping with a visit today, so if you can't be civil, then you can make yourself scarce and save me the hassle of throwing you out. I won't let you spoil this."

"I promised that I'll play nice, so don't get your knickers in a twist, brother dearest, I'll be perfectly polite to your young beau. Since when are you interested in men, anyway? We've all experimented quite a lot during our immortal lives and I've seen you take male lovers from time to time, but you've never actually dated one. So what's changed?"

His knee-jerk reaction is to get defensive and tell Klaus to mind his own business, when he realizes that his brother is asking out of real curiosity and that there's not even a hint of spite or malice in his voice.

"He… sees me as I am," he says after a moment, putting the fork down and finally looking up at Klaus. "He doesn't idealize me as some of our sycophants do, nor is he put off by who I am or what I've done, as long as I'm trying to do better, be better."

"What happened to thinking that you're better than the rest of our family, with you being the noble stag and all that?"

"It seems that in my quest for your redemption I totally neglected my own… In truth, I'm no better than you, brother, I see it clearly now. And I aim to do something about it."

This bitter realization, that all these years he's been a villain rather than an anti-hero that he imagined himself to be, could've broken him, but - thanks to Scott - it empowered him, instead. He's strong and determined enough to turn his life around, which means that he's already in a much better place than before.

He wants to explain all of that to Klaus, but he's interrupted by the doorbell. He suppresses a curse once he realizes that in his effort to make the house look presentable, he completely lost track of time. And considering that he spent the last few hours dusting and cleaning, he's far from looking his best.

His brother gives him a knowing look. "Go change, I'll entertain your guest in the meantime. And before you say anything, I'll be the perfect host."

He takes a deep breath. "This is important to me - Scott is important to me. Can you promise me that you won't do anything to sabotage it?"

"Cross my heart," Klaus winks playfully, then phases downstairs.

***

Scott blinks, surprised, when instead of being greeted by Elijah, it is Klaus who invites him in. When he hesitates before stepping inside, the hybrid rolls his eyes.

"I promised my brother that I'll be on my best behavior, so you can stop acting so skittish. "

"Easy for you to say," he mutters, but enters the building without further delay. "Where is Elijah, anyway?"

"He got sidetracked earlier, and needs a few more minutes to be ready for you."

"Oh." While it is flattering, he'd be happy to see Elijah regardless of his looks. After all, he didn't fall in love with the suits, but with the man wearing them. 

"Chin up, you get the pleasure of my company as a compensation for the wait," Klaus grins widely, and Scott can't help but snort, amused against his better judgment.

"So far your company hasn't been much of a pleasure, but feel free to correct that first bad impression."

The hybrid's grin fades a little. "I admit that when I attempted to kill you, it wasn't my finest moment."

He recalls his earlier talk with Elijah, that while Klaus seems unable to outright apologize for the crimes he commited, it doesn't mean that he's incapable of feeling contrite, or showing it in his own, convoluted way.

What if this is it - Klaus' roundabout method of saying that he's sorry?...

He doesn't get to reply, though, as in that moment Elijah appears at the top of the stairs, looking as impeccable and striking as a man can possibly be, from perfectly styled hair to the handkerchief in the breast pocket of his dark navy blue suit. The vampire looks nothing short of breathtaking, and at the mere sight of him Scott's heart starts beating faster.

What surprises him, though, is that he isn't the only one having that reaction, and that Klaus' scent suddenly spikes with want. It's only for a brief moment, as the hybrid quickly masks his scent, but he's not fast enough to hide that first, instinctive reaction… Which means that whatever feelings Klaus has for Elijah, they're not entirely brotherly in nature.

Chapter Text

For all Elijah's efforts to make an engaging conversation, he can't help but think that Scott doesn't look to be interested in any subjects he brings up.

"Is everything alright? You seem a little… distracted. If you're having second thoughts about this - about us - just say the word and I won't bother you anymore."

That finally makes Scott truly focus on him. "No, no, that's not it, I promise. It's just- I was thinking about Klaus."

He frowns. "Did he do anything… inappropriate, or hostile? I swear, if he so much as looked at you with anything less than politeness and courtesy-"

"He was civil, if a little cocky, but from what I've heard from you, that's his usual behavior, right? So no, he didn't do anything, I was just wondering what your relationship with him is. Like, are you two close?"

"You want to talk about Klaus on our first date," he says stiffly, feeling totally out of his element.

"Gods, I'm making a total mess of this, ain't I?" Scott exhales loudly and runs his hand through his hair. "It's just- I'd like to know more about your family, and I've only met Marcel and Klaus so far. You can tell me about your sisters too, of course."

He relaxes marginally, and even though he suspects that there is more to Scott's question, he doesn't press further what that might be. 

"Are you sure that you want me to talk about them?" He double checks.

From his experience, siblings make a poor topic if he wants to swoop someone off their feet. The women whom he dated in the past were either extremely bored, or put off by the stories about his family, and even though he's learned over the years how to charm just about anyone, he always felt disappointed that he had to hide that part of his life.

He's always been told by his romantic prospects that always and forever is the reason why he was cursed to spend his eternal life alone and unloved - a sentiment that Scott doesn't seem to share in the slightest.

"Elijah, they're your family - of course I want to learn more about them," the young werewolf insists, squeezing his hand gently. "In return I'll tell you stories about my pack. How does that sound?"

He exhales, then smiles softly. "It sounds perfect."

***

They end up lying leisurely on the sofa, half-draped around each other and sharing all manner of stories: funny and sad, heart-warming and heart-breaking. At some point Elijah discards his suit jacket and tie; he undoes the top button of his shirt, then another. He doesn't do it with seduction in mind, he just feels too at ease for his usual formal attire.

He honestly doesn't remember when was the last time he could talk with someone so freely, without having to worry about being judged, feared or hated. He basks in the warmth that blooms in his chest, and it takes him a moment before he recognizes what that feeling is.

Happiness.

The moment he realizes that, he stops Scott mid-sentence by placing a hand around the back of his neck and drawing him into a kiss. At first he keeps it gentle, asking for permission, and when Scott returns it without even a moment of hesitation, he deepens the kiss, letting their tongues brush against one another. But even then he keeps it subtle and unhurried, relishing in the feeling of being so close to Scott.

When they part, they do it equally as slowly, looking deeply into each other's eyes.

"Are you even aware of what you're doing to me?" He whispers, as if afraid that speaking loudly would break the spell of this magical moment.

"What I'm doing to you?..." Scott frowns, so Elijah places a soft kiss on his furrowed brow.

"You're making me happy."

Scott gives him a small, confused smile. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"It's the most wondrous thing in the world, but it's also extremely dangerous. You must understand, I don't fall in love easily, but when I do, I tend to give that person everything I have, everything that I am. So please, if you don't feel the same-"

Suddenly, they hear a commotion downstairs, then some muffled yelling. 

Scott's eyes widen and the young man mutters: "hold that thought" - then, he jumps to his feet and runs downstairs, Elijah following closely behind.

***

Hearing that Elijah, this wonderful, attractive, caring man has feelings for him is nothing short of breathtaking, and Scott wishes that they weren't so rudely interrupted. For a split second he considers ignoring whatever is happening downstairs and letting Klaus handle it - but then he recognizes Isaac's voice, and knows that disregarding it is not an option. 

What is Isaac doing in New Orleans, anyway?...

He runs downstairs just to see Klaus being pressed into the wall by an invisible force, while Isaac stands in front of him with his claws out, looking determined to slash the hybrid into tiny little pieces. It's like a repeat of that school trip when Isaac tried to beat the Alpha twins into a bloody pulp, and nothing and no one was able to stop him - no one besides Scott, that is, so he does the same thing now that he did back then.

"Isaac!" He yells, using his Alpha voice. His packmate turns his head towards him and blinks rapidly, so Scott takes it as a good sign and continues talking to him, this time more softly: "It's okay, I'm okay. You can let him go."

"Chris said that he tried to kill you."

"'Tried' is the key word here. I'm fine, and Klaus now knows better than to repeat his attempt. Let him go."

"Ugh, I hate it when you're being all reasonable and forgiving," Isaac grumbles and makes a downward gesture with his hand, which apparently is enough to release whatever force was keeping Klaus immobile against the wall. Then, he points a finger at the hybrid in warning. "You might be my brother, Nik, but if you hurt my Alpha ever again, I'm not gonna stop until I shove the white oak stake into your blackened heart."

Whoa, Scott gapes in shock. How does Isaac know Klaus, and why does he call the hybrid 'brother'?...

Klaus dusts himself off and sneers at Isaac. "I have no idea how you're still alive, but since when do you care about anything besides your own hide and your precious Davina?"

"Leave her out of it!"

"Everyone please calm down," Elijah puts his hands up in a conciliatory gesture. "Kol, as much as we're all overjoyed to see you again, could you please explain to us how it is that you escaped death, and seem to be both a witch and a werewolf, now?"

Isaac ducks his head for a second, then smiles sheepishly. "It's a long story, and one I'd rather not tell without having something to drink, first. Liquor, anyone?"

Scott lets out a short laugh and approaches his Beta in quick strides, pulling him into a tight hug. Back in the past, when Isaac's memories of his father's abuse were still fresh, the boy would flinch at each unexpected physical contact. Not anymore, it seems, as now Isaac readily returns his embrace, while Scott rubs the back of his neck in a universal sign of an Alpha's acceptance.

"You do remember that alcohol doesn't work on us?" He asks, his voice sounding a little choked from all the emotions welling up in him at the knowledge that his Beta is here, with him. Their packbond is humming in the back of his mind, feeling more strong and steady than ever before.

Isaac pouts. "Don't remind me. It's literally the worst thing about being a werewolf. But hey, no one says that I can't still enjoy the taste, right?"

Scott chuckles, but as he pulls back, he realizes that Elijah has already buttoned up his shirt and is back to looking his usual impeccable self. And while he's glad to have Isaac back in his life, he mourns the fact that his date with Elijah has been disrupted in the worst moment possible.

"Go grab me a beer, I'll be back with you in a minute," he pats Isaac on the shoulder, then turns to Klaus. "You two play nice, alright?"

He doesn't wait for a reply, but instead he takes Elijah's hand and leads him upstairs.

***

Watching Scott interacting with Kol, Isaac - or however his wayward brother is calling himself now - makes Elijah wistful. It is so incredibly easy to envision Scott being a part of their weird, patchwork family, as the young werewolf has already managed to befriend Hayley and Jackson, and now it turns out that he somehow knows Kol too. Not to mention, Hope has been totally taken with Scott, and she can be a fussy baby when meeting a new person. Even Klaus mellowed just the tiniest bit and doesn't seem to be as paranoid as before where Scott is concerned… 

But where does it leave them? He doesn't think his heart could take another blow if his feelings turn out to be not reciprocated, but the more time he spends with Scott, the more helplessly in love he finds himself to be. 

Once they're finally away from prying eyes and ears, he clears his throat. "Scott, I know that we barely know each other, but you must know by now that I care about you, deeply. I don't want to put you on the spot or force any kind of promise out of you, but do you think that you could- Would it be possible for you to-"

A finger pressed gently to his lips successfully silences his rambling, which he is grateful for. Rarely, if ever, he finds himself to be out of words, but it seems that the matters of heart are one of those occasions.

"I'm falling in love with you, too," Scott says simply.

Elijah marvels at the ease with which the young man is able to admit to his feelings. Is it a Scott thing, or a werewolf thing, or both? he wonders. When Scott presses lips against his, he decides that it's not important, and that the only thing that matters is that somehow they've found each other.

Chapter Text

“We should go back downstairs,” Scott mumbles half-heartedly, but doesn’t protest when Elijah draws him into yet another kiss. Each, even the smallest peck sends a pleasant shiver down his spine, and he clutches at the vampire’s shoulder to keep himself upright, his knees suddenly going weak. A few minutes later, he mutters: “Do you think they’ll be fine a little longer?” and Elijah groans.

“Let’s not test that… I love Kol dearly, but he’s always been on the sassy side. He just can’t help but get under everyone’s skin, Niklaus’ especially.”

“That’s Isaac alright,” he smiles wistfully, remembering all the times when blunt, sarcastic comments got his Beta into trouble. “Okay, I call family time now, and we can finish our date later, when we’re less distracted. How does that sound?”

Elijah sighs, then takes a step back, putting some distance between them. “Not ideal, but I’m used to my family getting in the way of my romantic interactions, so I’ll take that rain check.”

They try to make themselves at least somewhat presentable, but Scott is glad to notice that Elijah doesn’t put his tie or jacket back on, though he does straighten the fabric of his shirt and adjust the cufflinks. 

"Is this alright?" Elijah asks, looking himself in the mirror critically.

"Are you fishing for compliments?" Scott teases him, before circling Elijah's waist with his arms and resting his chin on the man's shoulder. "Your presence, your looks, everything about you is breathtaking… But I'd say that even if you were wearing a potato sack, so I'm not exactly objective." That draws a startled laugh out of Elijah, but he can tell that the man is pleased with his response, and when the vampire offers him an arm, he graciously takes it.

***

Kol pours himself a glass of bourbon. “Do you think they’re making out?” he asks Klaus, then grimaces at the thought. Considering that both Elijah and Scott are his brothers - well, Scott is his foster brother, but still - does it count as incest? Ugh, this body-jumping business makes things so confusing...

“I think I’ll need to bleach my brain to erase that particular image,” Klaus grumbles, but Kol can tell that it’s half-hearted at best, and it makes him curious. 

“How did that happen anyway?”

“Oh, you know, the usual: a new werewolf appears in the city so I, understandably, get suspicious. Some minor mayhem ensues, and then Elijah swoops in and like a fool falls in love with the guy,” Klaus shrugs.

They hear footsteps and look in that direction, just as Elijah’s voice echoes throughout the room: “I have quite a different recollection of those events, brother.”

Scott’s palm is curled in the crook of Elijah’s elbow, and Kol raises an eyebrow at the sight. “I see that congratulations are in order. This is quite a conundrum for me, though, as I have no idea to whom I should give the talk about what I’ll do to you if you hurt the other…”

Scott grin is exactly as warm as he remembers as the Alpha replies: “We’ll just have to do our best not to hurt each other, that’s all. Now let’s have a drink, and then you can explain how you ended up with two identities."

Elijah, ever the perfect host, takes it as his cue, goes to the liquor cabinet and starts filling them up.

"I'm very much interested in hearing that explanation, too," Klaus adds, his eyes inquisitive, bordering on suspicious.

"Dear ol' Nik, always so paranoid… It's as if nothing has changed since my untimely death," Kol shakes his head with faux sadness, then takes a slow sip from his glass to build even more suspense. He definitely enjoys having their undivided attention. "It's quite simple, actually. When our asshole of a brother cursed me to die in Kaleb Westphall's body, he wasn't aware of Kaleb's doppelganger's existence. So the curse didn't prevent body jumping entirely, it just made it impossible for me to jump into the body of another… Such a small little detail, a fine print really, but it made all the difference. So when I died," he grimaces for a second at the unpleasant memory, then shakes himself out of it and makes a whooshing sound, "pffft, then bam! I was thrust into a young werewolf's body in Argenteuil, France."

Scott frowns. "But what exactly happened, are you two people in one body, and you're just switching between them, or have your minds merged?"

Kol understands the hidden meaning behind the question; Scott's worried if Isaac was the victim in this, if he got hurt in any way, and he tries to reassure the Alpha. "At first, neither, my consciousness was thrust into the back of Isaac's mind, not getting any say in what our body was doing, just being a passive passenger."

Klaus scoffs at that. "You'd think that a centuries-old vampire would easily overpower a mere teenager's mind… What happened, did your death weaken you so much that you didn't have it in you to fight for dominance?"

"Not everything has to be about power, Nik," he replies evenly, not allowing himself to lose his composure. "Besides, you underestimate the strength and resilience of a werewolf's mind, especially one sharing a bond with such a strong Alpha. So to answer your question, no, I couldn't fight for dominance, even if I wanted to, which I didn't. At first, I thought it wise to stay low and learn more about my host and my surroundings. But when I overheard you kidnapping Scott, I couldn't remain hidden any longer. I tried communicating with my host's mind, and that… triggered something. I don't know how or why, if it was that lack of hostile intentions and the simple wish to work together that caused us to truly merge. I'm both Kol and Isaac now, with two sets of memories, and all the bonds and feelings that are associated with them. So somehow, I'm still a witch like I was in my last life, but I'm also a werewolf."

"The best of two worlds," Elijah muses, looking deep in thought and twirling the liquid around in his glass absentmindedly. "I wonder… does this make you a hybrid?"

Kol snickers at the indignation evident on Klaus' face. "That's right, Nik, it looks like you're not the only hybrid in the family, now."

"A magic trick and some accidental body jumping doesn't suddenly make you a hybrid," Klaus spats out, slams his glass on the table with too much force than necessary, then leaves in a fit, leaving the air behind him heavy with his anger.

"I guess that he doesn't particularly enjoy having to relinquish his claim on being the special one in the family," Kol sniggers.

"I'll talk to him," Elijah says, then follows their brother in a much more dignified pace, leaving Kol-Isaac alone with Scott.

"That's enough of Mikaelson's family drama for one day… Tell me about the pack, I want to know everything, who's going out with whom, who's been causing the most trouble, all the juicy stuff," Isaac playfully wiggles his eyebrows. Later, he plans on meeting with Davina, but for now he needs to take care of a packbond that has been neglected for far too long already.

After Allison died, her last words being a love confession to Scott, the toxic mix of grief, anger, loneliness and resentment caused him to leave Beacon Hills without even a single glance back. He was honestly glad for Chris' company, but even though the man eventually became like a father to him, there was always a part of him that longed to be reunited with Scott. Because no matter how much time has passed, or how many other werewolves Isaac has met in Europe, the place in his heart that's reserved for one's Alpha has already been taken.

That's why, when given the opportunity to finally talk with Scott, he eagerly takes it. They settle on a leather sofa, catching up and sharing their stories, and despite his earlier words they're not all funny; some are heart-warming and some heart-breaking, and that's quite alright, because that's what life is about, and for once he doesn't shy away from the darker parts of it. He's had more than enough time to come to terms with his loss after Allison's death and even though remembering it would always make him sad, he no longer feels like it's the end of the world. He moved on, and he likes to think that it's what Allison would've wanted for him.

At some point, Scott circles his shoulder with his arm and Isaac leans in, inhaling deeply his Alpha's scent, the link between them slowly but surely gaining in strength. He feels his eyelids drop and he slowly dozes off, relishing in the feeling of being home – in all meanings of the word.

Chapter Text

The days after Isaac's return pass quickly and before Scott knows it, he's being introduced to the Mikaelson's sisters who just got back from their research trip to have Kol resurrected, as it's obviously no longer needed.

“You're cute,” are Rebekah's first words she utters at the sight of him, but she sounds unimpressed, as if she doesn't believe he's more than an eye candy and a passing interest to her brother.

Scott sees the way Elijah tenses up, his usual scent now tainted with offense, so he squeezes the man's arm gently before turning back to face Rebekah.

“And from what I've heard about you from Elijah, you're far too intelligent to judge a book by its cover,” he retorts calmly.

Freya, who's been watching him like a hawk these past few moments, snorts with amusement. “He's got you there, sister. You're a living example that beauty doesn't equal stupidity - well, not-dead example, to be more precise.”

Rebekah sighs long-sufferingly. “Fine, fine, I'll behave. It's nice to meet you, Scott. How do you find New Orleans?”

Before he can reply, he's being interrupted by Klaus descending from the stairs in quick strides.

“I'm going to do you all a favor and cut this boring, useless chit-chat short,” the hybrid utters with a disgusted twist to his lips. “If you're looking for our dear brother Kol, he's more likely than not canoodling with Davina, again. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see Hope.”

“How about we all go, I haven't seen my niece in ages! I can’t wait to hear from Hayley what progress Hope made in the past few weeks…” Rebekah prattles excitedly and Scott can finally see a glimpse of the caring woman that Elijah described. “Wait, did I miss any milestones?”

“Hope recently started to push onto her forearms when lying on her tummy, and she can hold a toy when you put it in her hands,” Scott offers helpfully, which earns him surprised glances from all the Originals, so he explains, “I've been texting with Hayley on a regular basis, that's all.”

“And why would you do that?” Klaus asks suspiciously, hands twitching as if he's fighting an urge to lunge at him, but Scott refuses to be intimidated.

“Because she and Jackson are my friends, and they want me to be involved in their lives, shocking as it may sound,” he deadpans, suppressing an eyeroll.

Freya lets out a choked sound, as if she's suppressing a laugh, and her eyes twinkle as she asks: “Shall we go, then?”

***

At first, Hope is babbling happily at all the excitement happening around her, but after a while she gets tired and starts to fuss, her tiny hands curled into balls as she starts to wail. Hayley tries to calm her down, but it's clear that she's exhausted too, so Scott offers to take the baby.

“I'll take her outside, it's probably just overstimulation that's causing it, so some peace and quiet should do the trick.”

“You really don't mind?” Hayley asks hopefully.

“Not at all, Hope and I are getting along splendidly. Aren't we, baby girl?” He coos at the baby while taking her into his harms. “Come on, princess, let's get you away from all those loud, overexcited adults…”

He continues to speak softly to the crying child, and when the sobs turn into hiccups, he starts to make silly faces at her, trying to distract her. A few minutes later the hiccups subside, and Hope starts to yawn, instead, so he rocks her gently, humming a lullaby under his breath.

That's how Klaus finds them. Instinctively, Scott tenses up slightly at the sight of him, the memory of the pain the hybrid caused him still fresh in his mind, but the man doesn't say anything, seemingly content with just watching. 

“Would you like to hold her?” Scott asks quietly once Hope dozes off. The offer's completely spontaneous, and judging by the deer-in-the-headlights looks, he manages to take the man by complete surprise. The irony of it all isn't lost on him, considering that Klaus’ is the child's father, while he's basically a stranger. 

The hybrid shakes his head regretfully. “No, I don't want to disturb her when she's just settled down.”

They remain like that, silently watching over a sleeping baby, and gradually Scott relaxes in the man's presence. Maybe once Klaus sees that he's not posing a threat to his family, it will make him more reasonable and less prone to bouts of paranoia?... At least, that's what he hopes so, for all of their sakes.

Thirty minutes later or so - it's hard for him to keep track of time while rocking a sleeping baby - Elijah comes out of the house to join them on the porch.

“Everything alright here?” The vampire asks quietly while walking up to him, then gives him a soft peck on the cheek.

“Yup, Hope calmed down and fell asleep.”

“Hayley said that it's close to the feeding time, so once Hope wakes up, you might want to bring her inside.”

“Will do,” he nods, then leans against his lover's body, feeling all his muscles relax as Elijah circles both him and the baby with his arms, cocooning them in his embrace. “Mhm, this is nice. We should snuggle together more often.”

In the corner of his eye, he sees Klaus gritting his teeth, his jaw working as if the man is trying to keep himself from saying something, and his body scent changes to what unmistakably is jealousy. What Scott doesn't know is the source of it, though; is Klaus envious of their closeness, or just the fact that they're holding Hope while it was supposed to be his time with his daughter? Or is it something more private? He recalls his earlier suspicion that Klaus’ feelings towards Elijah might not be entirely brotherly, but since Elijah seems oblivious, he starts to wonder if the hybrid has ever acted on his feelings, or if he just kept them pent up inside, without any outlet.

“Klaus, do you wanna switch places?” He asks quietly, not wanting to disturb Hope. Seeing Elijah's surprised look, he explains: “Werewolves are tactile creatures, so I thought that he might want to get his share of physical contact with his daughter.”

Klaus’ face smoothes out in an instant. “I'm only partially a werewolf, but you're right, better not to go against one's instincts.”

Scott manages to hand him the baby without waking her up, then gives Elijah a gentle nudge towards his brother. The vampire hesitates for a second, before resting his arm loosely around Klaus’ waist, bringing their bodies closer, while his eyes remain locked on the bundle with Hope tucked inside it. It causes Elijah to miss the brief, fleeting expression of pure longing on Klaus’ face, but Scott catches it, and it only confirms his earlier suspicion. What he doesn't know, though, is what to do about it.

***

Klaus has never loved any woman, or a man, for that matter – or at least, not with that kind of an all-encompassing intensity that Elijah seems to be capable of. He's been enamored, yes, maybe even a little awestruck at times, and he definitely likes the pleasures that could be found between the sheets with an enthusiastic lover, but he didn't have much luck in finding true love, the kind of which romantic tales are made of. He isn't even convinced that he's missed out that much, until he sees how being with Scott affects his brother.

Elijah has always been a little too uptight, anxious and tense whenever something is out of his control. Even his impeccable clothes and manners are just a projection, a smokescreen that has been applied so frequently over the years that eventually it became Elijah's second nature. But they aren't all that make Elijah the person that he is; he can also be impatient and cranky, and has a tendency to smash things whenever he gets really angry, uncommon as it is. Klaus treasures those moments exactly because of how rare they are, and has been trying to rile Elijah up on multiple occasions in order to make him drop his perfect facade, just so that he could get a glimpse of what's underneath it.

However, ever since that young werewolf entered their lives, Elijah's obsession with being perfectly controlled has lessened considerably. At first, Klaus seethed at the thought that someone else got to see his brother like that, stripped of all masks and acting natural for once. He should be the only one allowed to see Elijah like this, and no one else. But now, after getting the chance to observe the two of them together, how comfortable in his skin his brother seems to be, and definitely less tightly wound than before, he can only marvel at the change. For that, he feels deeply grateful to Scott, but he wouldn't admit it out loud even under pain of death, immortality be damned.

That pesky feeling of gratitude makes it more difficult for him to keep resenting the werewolf, though, which is quite bothersome. It would be much easier to just hate him for stealing Elijah's heart, but now– Now he doesn't know what to do about the two of them. Should he let their relationship run its course, since at some point it's inevitably going to come to an end, one way or another? And the more important question: why doesn't this thought bring him as much satisfaction as it normally would?...

Chapter Text

When Chris announces that he's planning on going back to Beacon Hills, Scott feels conflicted. These past few months have given him a unique opportunity to bond with the man he now considers his father figure, and someone he could trust to have his back no matter what. Having Chris on this journey made him feel safe and protected, without having to sacrifice his independence as an adult, and it's a novel experience. The ex-hunter has always been there to advise him and even call him out on his recklessness when needed, but has never tried to influence his decisions, and Scott really appreciates that.

On the other hand, he feels more than a little guilty for monopolizing Chris’ time and attention for such a long period of time. For all intents and purposes, the man has put his own life on hold for him, and it can't last forever.

“When you're back in Beacon Hills, could you please look after my mom?” He asks tentatively. “She always works too hard and doesn't always remember to take lunch with her–”

Chris puts a hand on his shoulder and squeezes gently, interrupting his rambling. “Of course I will.”

“Thank you,” he says sincerely, then blurts out: “I'll miss you.”

“I'll miss you too, but between your protective boyfriend and Isaac, or Kol, however he calls himself now, being back from Europe, you're going to be fine,” Chris assures him, then gives him a crooked smile. “Not to mention, I've asked one of your Betas to come visit you here, they should arrive in a few days.”

Scott perks up, delighted and not a little intrigued. “Really? But who? It can't be one of the pups, not during the semester– Chris, tell me!”

“It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?” The ex-hunter smirks and continues packing his stuff, making Scott huff in exasperation, fond as it may be, but still; damn the man for being totally unaffected by his pleas.

After they say their goodbyes and Chris drives off, the hotel room suddenly feels even more lonely and impersonal than ever, so Scott finds himself wandering the streets, not knowing what to do with himself. It was one thing to explore on its own, knowing that Chris would be waiting for him in the hotel; it's completely different now when he's left alone in this captivating, but still strange city.

Though he's not exactly alone, is he? He's got Isaac back, Hayley and Jackson said repeatedly that he can visit them anytime he feels like it, not to mention Elijah would be delighted to see him, but it's still hard to go back to a rented room while everyone else have a place they can call home. If only he could say the same…

His restless feet lead him to the St Anne's church, of all places. Though maybe it's not so surprising, considering that Elijah likes to come here to unwind, and by becoming so close lately, they started to rub off on one another, and that apparently includes their favorites activities and habits.

Marcel's vampires greet him amicably enough, even without Elijah by his side, and Scott starts to spar with them just to lose some of that nervous energy he's been feeling ever since he said goodbye to Chris. The physical activity takes him off the edge and as the afternoon progresses, he finds himself gradually relaxing.

Maybe he could build his life here, not only for the sake of his relationship with Elijah, but also forge new friendships and bonds? He never expected to say that he misses high school, but he could use the routine of having a place to go to every morning.

“What's up with you? You're more distracted than usual,” Marcel comments idly as they switch their respective sparring partners and are now matched with one another.

“I guess I miss having things to do, you know?” Scott sighs, adjusting his gloves. “Even being a tourist can become exhausting after a while. Do you know how to go about finding a job in New Orleans? I mean, I've only worked part time in a vet clinic so far, so I don't have much of an experience.”

The vampire considers his question for a moment. “Vet business is mostly concentrated in witches’ hands, with them having magic potions at their disposal, so I wouldn't count on finding a job there, unless you have some connections with the covens.”

Damn it, Scott starts to regret not having Chris around even more than before. He'll need to check with Isaac if he's got any acquainted witches with job offers for werewolves, but he doesn't get his hopes high.

“Thanks for the tip, how about other jobs?” He asks hopefully. “Maybe something basic that doesn't require any experience or connections?” 

"Why don't you try asking in the docks?” Marcel suggests. “They're always short on hands for work, and they are not picky, as long as the candidate doesn't mind hard work. As a werewolf, you should have it much easier than humans, anyway.”

“I haven't thought about it before, but it's actually a great idea!”

Marcel hums thoughtfully. “Tell you what, kid. If you're really serious about it, I'll ask around and put a good word for you.”

He brightens. “I am serious, and thank you so much, this is really helpful.”

The vampire raises his eyebrow in response. “Don't thank me yet, I haven't found you a job yet. Now, show me your moves, I expect some progress since the last time, your fighting technique was atrocious.”

Scott snorts. “You're sounding like Elijah!”

“He and Klaus effectively raised me, so I guess that some fancy words must have rubbed off,” Marcel shrugs, before dropping lower on the knees, assuming a fighting stance, which Scott takes as a clear clue to stop talking, and start sparing. 

Still, when he leaves the church later that afternoon, he feels much better, having a prospective job on the horizon, even if it's nothing concrete just yet. He feels so giddy and excited that he calls Elijah, just to share how his day has been.

“You went to Marcel's fight club alone, without telling me?” Elijah interrupts him sharply, and Scott immediately frowns.

“I didn't think that I needed your permission to go there.” He hopes that it's just a misunderstanding and that Elijah didn't really mean it like the man wants to control him, especially to this extent.

“Of course you don't need my permission, apologies if I gave you that impression, I'm simply concerned.”

Scott exhales in relief. “I promise that you don't need to, not about Marcel. He actually offered to help me find a job in the docs. It’ll be good to have something to do during the day, and besides, now that Chris left New Orleans, I'd hate having to ask him for money to pay for the hotel.”

“You could move into the compound,” Elijah says quietly, nearly inaudibly. “That is, only if you feel comfortable with the idea, I wouldn't want to presume–”

The offer stuns him into silence for a few moments. “Um, I mean, I'd love to, but…”

“It's alright, you don't need to explain yourself. I'm aware that we haven't known each other that long, and I don't want to rush you into anything that you're not ready for.”

He shakes his head, then reminds himself that the vampire can't see the gesture. “It's not that. If it was just your decision, I'd move in in a second, but what about your siblings? We need to ask everyone if they are okay with it… especially Klaus.”

“Well, if my brother has any objections, then I will move out and find an apartment just for the two of us. I won't let Niklaus stand in the way of my happiness, our happiness, ever again,” the steely resolve in Elijah's voice makes Scott relax a bit.

“Alright, but I still need to talk to him. If we are to live together, I need to be sure what I can expect from him, even when you're not there to act as a buffer between us.”

“That is quite reasonable, I'll tell him that you're going to visit–”

Scott interrupts him softly but firmly: “Actually, I had something different in mind.” What he needs for his meeting with Klaus, is having total privacy. Asking the hybrid to be honest with him is already a huge ask, and it won't ever happen if there's a risk that someone will overhear them, even by accident. “I'd like to take him to the woods, to ensure our privacy, but also to have a better idea what he's like in an environment that's more natural to his werewolf side.”

“So you intend to talk to him completely alone, in the middle of nowhere? Isn't that a little… reckless?” Elijah's scepticism mixed with apprehension is quite evident, and Scott can't exactly blame him.

“Either I can trust Klaus enough to live with him under one roof, which also extends to being alone with him, or I can't, there's no middle ground, not in this.”

Elijah sighs. “You're right, of course. But first, I'll talk to him and get a sense of his current state of mind, just in case.”

“Sounds good to me,” he says with more enthusiasm than he actually feels, but the bottom line is that he can't walk around Klaus on eggshells indefinitely. He needs to know where he stands with the hybrid, for better or for worse.

***

“Your boyfriend wants to take me on a field trip, did I get that right?” Klaus asks, stunned, when Elijah pulls him to his study and relays Scott's request. “What for?”

“There are a few reasons, but the main one is to ascertain if the two of you can be left alone with one another.”

Klaus shakes his head, still not convinced by the explanation. “Why would we ever need to be alone? He's your twink, not mine, he doesn't concern me.”

Elijah presses his lips into a thin line, shooting him a disapproving look. “He's more than just a twink, you know it perfectly well, so don't try to play my relationship with Scott down and make it sound worth less than it is. Can you put an effort and try to be at least civil to the person who's dear to my heart, or is it too much to ask? And please, for once, just be honest about it.” 

Klaus looks away at his brother's choice of words. Dear to his heart… Elijah has always been an incorrigible romantic, and it seems that with Scott in the picture, it's worse than it's ever been.

It hurts like hell, knowing that some random boy of a werewolf is going to get everything that Klaus has ever desired (though he recently started to get that Scott may be more than that), but he can't ever voice those desires out loud, to anyone, no matter how many hours he spends with Camille pouring his heart out. No matter the times or culture, incest has always been heavily frowned upon, so admitting to anyone that he's lusting after his own brother is completely out of question.

He shakes his pesky feelings off and looks Elijah straight in the eye. “If I say yes, is it going to put me back in your good graces, or am I forever going to be scorned and avoided at all costs, no matter what I do?”

Elijah's shoulders slump a little, revealing some of the exhaustion that Klaus himself feels. “Are you asking if a small show of your good will be enough to outweigh everything that you did since we returned to New Orleans, including killing Gia and torturing Scott? Of course not. But is it going to pave a way to our reconciliation? Yes, that's what I hope for.”

Klaus grimaces. “So basically you're not able to offer me anything besides a vague promise of our better relations that may or may not happen in an undefined future?” He asks bitterly.

Elijah hesitates, then puts both palms on Klaus’ shoulders, making the hybrid shudder at the first fully unprompted, voluntary physical contact he's had with his brother in months.

“Niklaus, please believe me when I say that I'm not taking any pleasure at all in staying at odds with you. But you also must understand that you've hurt me, to the very core. The deeper the wound, the longer it takes to heal, and even then it leaves a scar, which isn't going away, ever. But I have not forgotten my oath to you, always and forever, and I intend to keep it. Do you?”

Klaus swallows heavily, feeling his throat constricting, making him speechless for a few excruciatingly long seconds. “Always,” he finally chokes out, cursing his treacherous, emotional body that seems to betray him at the least convenient moment. He clears his throat, trying to get a grip on himself. “Call your werewolf, then, I'll meet him whenever and wherever he pleases.”

For you, he doesn't add, but then again, he doesn't need to.

Chapter Text

Back in Beacon Hills, ever since he was a kid, Scott has always enjoyed spending time in the preserve. Being asthmatic, he couldn't keep up with other boys his age, especially during physical activities, which he tended to avoid. But in the preserve, he and Stiles could play mock sword battles using sticks, or build forts with rocks, without the fear of being made fun of for being too weak or not fast enough.

Then, he became a werewolf, and the woods called him stronger than ever before, the feeling of running freely making his inner wolf happy - that is, when he didn't have to run away from hunters chasing him… But when it was just him and his pack, there was no better place to be than a vast, wild forest, with no humans in sight.

The woods surrounding the bayou meet all the criteria, and yet as he takes a look at Klaus walking sullenly beside him, who's not even trying to pretend to enjoy his surroundings, he wonders if the hybrid ever shared the sentiment. 

“Can you guess why I wanted to talk to you, alone?” He asks, breaking the uncomfortable, nearly suffocating silence.

“I have no clue, but if this is some kind of a misguided attempt at a bonding activity, then I need to warn you against getting your hopes up on the outcome,” the hybrid sneers at him.

Scott sighs. He wants Klaus to trust him, but he has a feeling that whatever he'll do, it won't ever be enough. 

“I'm not your rival,” he finally says, deciding that being blunt might be the only way to go about what he wants to achieve.

Klaus huffs. “I'll be the judge who's my enemy and who is not, thank you very much.”

“I didn't mean ‘enemy’ - though I'm not that either - I meant that I'm not your rival, with whom you need to compete for Elijah's love.” He sees the way Klaus stiffens, even more alert than before, and they stop in the middle of the path, the forest going silent around them, as if sensing the tension.

“Elijah is my brother, not my lover, so there's no competition to speak of,” the hybrid says, seemingly unconcerned, but the way the muscles on his back tense up speaks an entirely different story.

“But you'd like him to be, don't you?” Scott challenges him. When cold fingers close around his throat, on the verge of choking him, he starts to doubt his choice of a strategy.

“I don't care what deviant thoughts sprout in that filthy mind of yours, I won't let you insinuate that I–”

“You're in love with him,” Scott rasps out. The fingers around his throat go slack, maybe as a shocked reaction to his statement, and the hybrid takes a step back, as if making more space between them would somehow make Scott's words any less true. “I get it, okay? I can't imagine being so close to Elijah for centuries on end and not developing feelings for him. There's nothing wrong with that.”

Klaus clenches his jaw, pacing angrily. “I swear, if you ever breathe a word to anyone about this, even Elijah - especially him - I will make sure that you die a horrible, painful death,” the hybrid growls through gritted teeth, pointing a warning finger at him.

“I won't,” he promises solemnly. “Your feelings are your own, and whether you ever act on them or not is fully your decision. But if you do, and it turns out that Elijah reciprocates them, I won't stand in the way.”

The words hover in the air between them, Klaus’ expression the most uncertain Scott has ever seen on the man. “But… why? You're stupidly in love with my brother, everyone can see that.”

“I am,” he admits. “But once, I loved a girl, we were together for a time, before she started seeing Isaac. I was so jealous, I wasted the time I could have spent with her… Not long after, she got wounded and she confessed that she loved me before bleeding out to death,” he blinks rapidly, fighting the tears that gather in the corner of his eyes. “I know that it means nothing to you, and that you couldn't care less about my past, but I just– I want to see Elijah happy, with or without me. You two might be immortal, but I'm not. If I'm extremely lucky, I'm gonna live what, a hundred years, but you? You can give him an eternity. How can I ever compete with that?”

He looks away, his heart heavy from grief. He'll never forget Allison; she was his first true love, and it's nothing short of miraculous that he got a second chance at happiness with Elijah, but he doesn't delude himself. No matter if they're together months or years or even decades, the vampire will live on long after he's gone. 

“I can't tell if you're a self-sacrificing idiot, or just prone to hysterics,” Klaus sneers, but when Scott looks back at him, the man's posture is a little more relaxed than just a few minutes before, and the hybrid doesn't seem to be considering murdering him and burying his body in the woods anymore.

He laughs weekly, wiping away a stray tear from his cheek. “Probably both. I just hope that it helps to know that I'm not going to judge or cause you any trouble.”

“So far, you've been nothing but trouble,” Klaus grumbles under his breath, but there's a softness in his gaze that wasn't there before. 

Still, Scott doesn't doubt for a second that if he ever broke his word about keeping Klaus’ secret, the hybrid's retaliation would be merciless and undoubtedly extremely painful, but he's glad for at least being given a chance to prove his trustworthiness.

“Um, since we're in the woods, would you like to try some exercises that would bring your inner wolf to the surface? This might help with the after-effects of your werewolf side having been suppressed for so long,” he offers after a while, but Klaus shakes his head, grimacing slightly.

“I think that my limit of soul-searching has been reached for the day.”

“Fair enough,” he nods. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

They steer towards Klaus’ car, and once they're inside, the hybrid sits for a moment, his grip on the steering wheel a little too tight, so Scott pretends to fumble with the buckle, just to give him a few moments to collect himself.

When the man finally speaks up, his voice is barely a whisper: “Are you truly not repulsed by the fact that I… desire Elijah in such a way?”

Scott thinks about all the mocking he's encountered just for being an asthmatic, and later on the jeers and slurs that were sent his way once he started dating boys. Not to mention all the hatred from hunters and their lackeys, justified only by the fact that he's a werewolf. The world is a cruel, unfair place, he muses. He doesn't need to add even more negativity to it, and besides, true love is precious, no matter its shape or form.

He turns towards the hybrid, facing him. “No, not in the slightest,” he says simply.

Klaus gives him a small nod, but it is enough.

Chapter Text

Elijah prides him on knowing his brother better than anyone else. For centuries on end, he's been the only one able to look through the mask Klaus put on for the rest of the world, and see the person beneath the bloodlust, arrogance and paranoia, while at the same time not disregarding those darker parts of him. Not even Rebekah has ever been able to fully grasp all the intricate, often conflicting parts that makes their brother the person he is. That honor - and responsibility - fell solely on Elijah.

That's why when their brother comes back from the trip to the forest with Scott in tow, and announces with an impish grin that he welcomes the young Alpha in the family, even going as far to throw an arm around Scott's shoulders, Elijah suspects that his brother is playing one of his power games that he's so fond of.

Scott, bless his kind, gentle heart, doesn't seem to suspect a thing, though, so as soon as they're alone, Elijah tries to caution him.

“Klaus may be acting benign, but you should still be on your guard around him,” he warns. 

“I know that you're worried, but until he proves me wrong, I'm gonna give him the benefit of doubt.”

The sight of Gia bursting into flames comes to his mind, and he flinches at the memory. “You can't trust his promises–”

Scott surprises him by shaking his head firmly. “He didn't promise me anything, and I didn't ask anything of him in the first place. Klaus is not you, Elijah. He doesn't value his word as you do. But at least I know what's important to him, and he knows that I'm not a threat to anyone or anything he loves. That should be enough.”

Elijah still has his reservations, since Klaus’ paranoia often needs no reason to bloom, and feeds on Klaus’ fears rather than rational thoughts, but he lets the topic rest. Later, when they announce to the rest of the family that Scott will be moving into the compound, he keeps a close eye on his brother, who grimaces slightly at the news before his face smooths out.

“Klaus, if it's gonna make you uncomfortable, we'll find another solution,” Scott offers.

The hybrid snorts. “Please, by all means, move in. Who am I to stand in the way of young love?”

“I mean it; if you don't want me in your home, I'm not gonna force the idea,” Scott insists, but Klaus seems unconcerned.

“It's not like it's going to be permanent... As soon as you witness how cranky and moody Elijah can be on his bad days, you'll be the one wishing for a way out. My brother's not always the perfect gentleman you think him to be.”

Elijah bristles at the accusation - maybe because there's truth to it that he doesn't particularly like to be reminded of - but to his surprise, Scott just takes it in stride.

“At least he makes the effort to act like a gentleman, which is more than I can say about most guys… But I didn't fall in love with just his manners, you know,” Scott takes his hand and interlaces their fingers, as if making a claim, which Elijah finds both touching and amusing, to be the object of a werewolf's possessiveness. 

Rebekah beams and congratulates them enthusiastically, which he knows for a fact is one hundred percent genuine; she’s been the staunchest advocate of his happiness, and has always mourned the fact that love eluded him for so long.

Afterwards, Freya makes an announcement of her own.

“As much as I enjoyed our time together, the last few months have been… intense, and I need to go away for a while,” she admits. “Travel around the world, meet new people, and just enjoy life, which I haven't done much when living under Dahlia's thumb. But seeing the two of you gives me hope that maybe us Mikaelsons can find happiness, after all.”

The next few days are a mix of Scott moving in and Freya moving out, with Klaus being his insufferable old self, always in the background with an assortment of scathing remarks, which by some miracle Scott seems to be impervious to. 

Another surprising turn of events - or maybe it shouldn't be a surprise, all things considered - is that Kol's spending more time in the compound, now that Scott is living there as well. It's quite heart-warming, to see how Kol's acting around his Alpha: he seems more settled in his skin, as if their bond helps reigning in his inner chaos. And in return, Scott acts like a responsible older brother, which – considering Kol's centuries of experience – shouldn't make any sense, but somehow it does. 

As for Elijah, he is thrilled to see his lover fitting so well with the entire family, as if Scott has always been a part of it; there's no better omen for their shared future. However, he can't help but wonder if he will fit equally as well with Scott's pack. Besides Kol, Elijah has only met Argent so far, and the man isn't his biggest fan, though for Scott's sake they have always been acting civil to each other. But civility doesn't equal warmth or friendship, and he wonders what it will take to get into Scott's family and friends’ good graces.

***

A few days later he has a chance to test that in practice. 

Hearing knocking, Elijah phases downstairs and opens the door, only to see a man in tailored jeans and a v-neck t-shirt, looking at the compound as if measuring its price.

“Yes?” He asks, his hand tightening on the doorknob. He doesn't like strangers approaching his home, and wonders how to politely say to the man to fuck off, regardless of what his business is.

“Elijah, isn't it?” The man looks him up and down, assessing him in a manner not dissimilar to how he checked the compound earlier, and Elijah grits his teeth, trying to keep his temper in check. A murder in broad daylight is not good for publicity, after all.

“I don't think we know each other, especially so well as to be on a first name basis.”

The man shrugs. “Chris mentioned that if I encounter a man wearing a suit, that's probably gonna be you. Is Scott here?”

“That depends. Who's asking?”

He gets his answer when Scott runs down the stairs, eyes wide with surprise, probably having overheard their conversation with his werewolf hearing. “Peter? What are you doing here?”

“Apparently, Chris wasn't too enthusiastic about me spending time with Melissa while he was babysitting you across the country, so he decided that we should switch places.” The stranger rolls his eyes, and Elijah immediately wants to punch him in the face, just because. 

Scott huffs. “Come on, I know you, you never do anything that doesn't benefit you in some way. So why did you agree?”

The man - Peter, Elijah recalls - shrugs nonchalantly. “I've heard that New Orleans is filled with magic, good music, and beautiful women, so I thought to myself: why not? I was getting bored with Beacon Hills anyway. So, do you have any drinks here? I'm parched.”

Scott shakes his head with exasperation, then promptly hugs Peter around the waist. Judging by the way the man's eyes flash with electric blue for a split second, it's not an usual occurrence between them.

“Aww, did you miss me?” Peter teases once he gets over his surprise.

“Shut up and hug me back,” Scott grumbles into the man's t-shirt. In response, Peter's smug, arrogant expression gentles a little as he encircles the teen with his arms.

“Tut-tut, who knew that you'd make such a bossy Alpha…”

Feeling like an intruder, Elijah retreats back into the compound.

So, this infuriating man is Scott's packmate? He's heard the stories about Peter Hale from Scott before, of course, but a tale is one thing, and reality another… Something tells him that this man's presence in this city, much less in his own house, will be a true test of his patience. Which is saying something; having Niklaus as a brother, he should have the patience of a saint by now, but something in this Peter guy simply rubs him the wrong way. 

He sighs. So much for getting on Scott’s friends’ good side…