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New Orleans pulsed with ancient magic, spilled blood, and broken promises. Each street carried memories of supernatural wars, fragile alliances and centuries-old betrayals. It was in that city that the Mikaelson's lived and it was also there that Thomas Mikaelson had returned, after centuries away from the home where he had never truly been welcomed.
He walked through the neighborhood with calm steps, almost too light for someone with his genetics. He had a relaxed posture, a fit body, and relaxed shoulders. His dark brown hair was fluffy and fell loosely over his forehead, giving him a carefree air that contrasted with the weight of his presence. His open eyes observed everything, absorbing every detail, as if searching for something.
Thomas seemed too young for an Original vampire over 1000 years old. There was something deceiving in his expression: a natural, almost luminous gentleness that made one forget what he really was. But behind that appearance lay a complex mind, shaped by centuries of solitude, violence, and difficult choices.
Psychologically, Thomas was empathetic, sensative to the emotions of others, and always more concerned with others than with himself. He could not tolerate injustice, nor the abuse of power. Unlike most Mikaelson's, he believed in the possibility of redemption. That hope was never taken from him. Not for Mikael, not for Esther, and mostly not for the decades of escape and survival.
But this light coexisted with an ancient anger. Thomas hated his parents. He hated Mikael for his brutality, his rigidity, and the way he had turned his house into a training camp of terror. He hated Esther for her silent manipulation, for the secrets and choices that had condemned him and his siblings to a cursed eternity. Finn, his older brother, was merely a reflection of this rigidity, always trapped by the distorted morals of a broken family.
Kol was a different case. Kol represented chaos, destructive impulsiveness and pleasure in the pain of others. Thomas couldn't accept it, he could never forgive. Between them existed a silent hatred, built up over thousands of confrontations, losses, and unforgivable decisions.
But now Mikael, Esther and Finn were dead. His siblings remained: Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah, Freya and Kol. The Mikaelson compound stood before him as a reminder of all the lost years. Thomas paused for a second before climbing the steps.
He took a deep breath, not out of fear, but rather in anticipation. The door opened before Thomas could knock. Inside the doorway stood Klaus Mikaelson, leaning against the doorframe with a half-closed gaze and a tense body. For a while, he said nothing, just stopped to observe Thomas. Until he recognized him.
- Thomas?... - Klaus said.
The name sounded like a word long forgotten. Thomas looked up and there was the brother he had learned to protect when they were still human. The frightened boy who had become a monster to survive. The most feared hybrid in the world.
- Hi Nik... - Thomas said calmly.
Klaus was slow to react. Then in a sudden movement, he lunged forward and grabbed him by the sweatshirt, pulling him inside.
- I thought you had died... - Klaus murmured incredulously.
- But here I am, little brother... - replied Thomas smiling.
- Where have you been? - Klaus asked.
- Surviving... - Thomas scanned the room with his gaze. - as always...
Elijah appeared with impeccable posture and a restrained expression. He observed Thomas as if he were witnessing something impossible.
- This can only be an illusion... - he said.
- It's not... - Thomas answered.
Rebekah appeared next and stopped as soon as she saw him.
- Thomas?... - she said confused.
- You already know my name... - Thomas smiled - you were so tiny, the last time I saw you...
Then Kol arrived. The atmosphere grew heavy, filled with tension. Kol smiled, assessing Thomas as if he were watching a new game.
- Well, well... It seems the family ghost has decided to return. - Kol provoked.
Although he didn't answer, Thomas's eyes began to darken.
- He stays. - Klaus declared, looking at Kol in a tone that left no room for discussion.
- Of course he stays. - Kol murmured - I've always enjoyed dysfunctional family gatherings.
Thomas looked away, refusing to play his brother's game.
Elijah watched Thomas, realizing that he was not like them, there was a humanity in him that no other Mikaelson possessed.
- What made you come back? - Elijah asked.
- Their death... - Thomas finally said - Mikael, Esther and Finn. As long as they were breathing, I couldn't come back. Now... I have no reason to stay away.
- So you'll stay with us. - Klaus supported.
Thomas looked at the faces that shared his blood, at the city that reeked of power and destruction, at the home that had never been safe.
- I don't promise to be like you... I've never been that way, and you know it. - Thomas explained.
- Fortunately... - said Rebekah, relieved.
Kol let out a low laugh. Thomas knew Kol wouldn't give him peace, but for the first time in centuries, he was where he belonged. And unknowingly, his arrival would alter the balance not only of New Orleans, but of the entire supernatural world.