The Betrayal of a Friend

AUTHOR'S NOTES; 💙 Double update! As always, thank you so much for the support! Actually, this fic is kind of taking off 🥹 that's amazing. Also, shameless self plug, but if you like this work, you might want to check out the rest of the series, which can be read independently or as a part in a souls journey through reincarnation. 💙

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XXXXXXXXXX

"Hey guys, welcome back." I call out, sensing Bonnie, Caroline, and Elena walk in with another, forcibly keeping my smile and body relaxed. "Sheila, it's been a while. I didn't expect to see you here with the girls. How ya been?"

"Nyx," the woman says warmly, taking my hands in hers. "I've missed you, girl."

"You've not come to see me in a while, though," I point out teasingly, watching true guilt swell in her aura, just next to the affection and sadness as she glances away from me.

"I've been busy, my dear," Sheila says. A lie. "But, I am happy to see you thriving." A truth.

"I see," I tell her mildly, as the puzzle pieces start to fall into place. "What are y'all having today?"

"We've come to try your Turkish coffee," Caroline twitters excitedly, and my lips twitch in amusement. "Do you have recommendations for what to have with that?"

"Leave it to me, my dear," I tell them, feeling myself soften at the girl's ever present positivity. "Anything else?"

I take their orders, heading back to the kitchen where Lexi, who's decided to stay for a while in Mystic Falls, is learning how to make Honey Cake. "Lexi, there is a witch out there, so try to avoid catching her attention. She's not vampire friendly."

"Shit," she murmurs. "Okay, thanks for the heads up. I'll let the other's know."

I head back out and serve the group their dishes, but surprisingly, Bonnie and Sheila pull me aside to another table for a private chat. "What's wrong?"

"I've been having dreams," Bonnie whispers, looking stressed. "And I've started sleepwalking." I blink, not having anticipated this turn in conversation. "Yesterday, I woke up in the woods."

"It's normal for magic to be unstable at your age, since this is the time when you're really going to be coming into your abilities, but I don't know why it's become so volatile. If I had to guess, someone from the other side is trying to influence you," Sheila responds.

"An ancestor, maybe?" I offer, wondering why exactly they chose to include me in this conversation.

"Perhaps, but who knows. Actually, we were hoping you wouldn't mind using your abilities to look into it, Nyx." Ah, I see. That's why they came to me.

"Sure, I don't mind. Sheila, you helped me a lot when we first met, and you did it out of sheer kindness. Doing such a small favor can hardly compare," I tell Sheila, and once more that guilt surges, and my own suspicion begins to really grow, so I decide to push a bit. "Actually, now that I think about it, my own magic seems to be acting weird."

"Really?" Bonnie asks curiously, as Sheilan stiffens, suddenly nervous.

"Yeah, it weird. It feels like I'm weaker then when my powers first awakened," I say casually as Sheila began to panic.

"Well, my dear, as I said, fluctuations in power are very common between the ages of 16 and 21, which are typically the first years after a witch awakens her powers. Perhaps your magic is simply settling," Sheila offers, and it's not a lie, but it is a fucking deception, her aura shifting erratically under her skin in alarm. "After all, it's not Nature for someone to have magic as strong as what you were initially showing. It's likely that your abilities have simply found Balance."

Ah, so what this is.

"Perhaps," I agree, offering a shrug even as my blood begins to heat with rage. "I'll look into it, though, Bonnie, and let you know if I find anything.

"Thank you, Nyx. Seriously," the girl whispers sincerely, wrapping me in a quick hug. Bonnie isn't a part of this, it seems, but my ire doesn't cool in the slightest.

I nod, feeling my head begin to throb, and return to the kitchen and Lexi. "Listen, do you think you and Jeremy can hold down the fort? I need a few minutes to myself."

"Sure, of course! We're all stocked up, and

Thea and Nico are napping upstairs, right?" I nod, and Lexi smiles. "We got it."

With relief, I head upstairs, checking on the babies before heading to my living room, sitting cross legged on my coffee table and beginning to meditate. 

I hadn't wanted to believe it, but I'm fairly certain now.

When I first opened the cafe, Sheila had sensed my magic and warmly took me under her wing, and I've never once sensed malice from her, although I know my abilities made her wary. With her affection deceiving me, especially during a time when such a thing was never directed towards me from anyone else, I trusted her. Although I hadn't told her everything about myself, I considered her a true friend. And sometime during those days she trained me to control my powers, between the late night chats and midnight snacks, and rituals under the moonlight and the nights I'd fall asleep on her couch, sometime, somehow, she betrayed me and bound my magic.

Not because she hated me, no, I would have sensed that, but because she saw my powers, gifted by the primordial gods themselves, as a threat to Nature and the Balance.

Deep bubbling rage begins to fill me, my magic rushing to the surface and, gritting my teeth, I force it down, feeling myself begin to float from the internal struggle. Since I still had so much magic, I hadn't even noticed the seals binding most of it away. I would have had to do something fucking drastic before I would really feel the restraints and I haven't needed to do anything nearly that tiring.

I feel my eyes burn, the rage mixing with sorrow. Foolish mortal, how dare she? What do these petty creatures think they know of nature and the balance, when it is I who has been chosen by gods to preserve it again and again! How dare she? I'll make her pay for her betrayal. I'll rip her limb from limb-

"Hey Nyx, have you seen…." Jeremy's voice trails off and my eyes snap open, staring at him from my position upside down and midair, as he gapes from my doorway. Instantly, I flip, landing crisscross back on the coffee table and with a flick of my wrist, I lock and bolt the door behind the boy, making him yelp with fright, before slowly turning to look back at me.

"A young man should always know before entering a ladies room, Remy," I scold, mind whirling as I blurt the first thing I think out of my mouth.

"…Ooooookay. I'll admit that's my bad, but are we going to ignore the whole floating thing you were just doing?" Jeremy asks both incredulous and disturbed, voice shaking slightly.

I think about it. I could just mind wipe him, but it's not something I like doing unless absolutely necessary, especially not to my friends. Jeremy spends so much time here, he probably would have found out regardless. It's not like he's untrustworthy… Hmm. And, there is the possibility that he will likely be exposee anyway because of Elena, a doppelgänger, who will always have a connection to the supernatural….

I sigh. "Come take a seat, Kid." Warily, Jeremy does, sitting on the edge of the arm chair in front of me. "You scared of me, now?"

He tenses for a moment before slumping amd shrugging. "…Nah. I'm not sure what I've walked into, but it's hard to be scared of someone who didn't even get upset when you threw up all over them while high off your ass."

I snort. "Yeah that wasn't fun for either of us." Deciding to just go for it, I set my hands on his knees, look him dead in the eyes, and say, "Ima wizard, Harry."

Remy sputters a laugh. "Seriously?"

"Kinda," I tell him with a shrug. "To be more accurate, I have magic, but I seem to be different from people who are typically known as witches."

I raise my hand, letting a small flame flicker to life and holding it out for the teen to inspect with wonder. "Holy shit."

"Yeah, no one really knows what I am, but I can do shit like this. You caught me while I was meditating," I inform him, pleased that his awe and general trust in me is impeding any urge to freak out.

Eyes gleaming with excitement, Remy watches the flames dance around my hand. "Can you tell me more?"

I grin, and do so, the conversation easing the earlier pain and sadness caused by Sheila.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Are you sure you aren't just a super witch?" Jeremy asks the next morning, after having some time to think.

"Nah, the origin of my magic and the way I use it is entirely different. It's a fundamental difference since sitches have a core that generates their power but I just… don't. All witches, and I, have magic that can manipulate the world around us, but we can't really be considered the same any more than werewolves and vampires could be."

"Werewolves and vampires?" Jeremy hisses under his breath, paling.

"There are good and bad ones, just like good and bad witches, and me, I guess," I chide him softly. "That said, best not go looking for them, okay?"

"Don't have to tell me twice," Remy mumbles, going back to mixing matter. "But, um, I was going through my dad's stuff the last few nights and I found some interesting shit."

Remy tells me about how the journal seems to be one that describes vampires, and I feel my eyebrows raise as he repeats some information from it. "Jeremy, that info is all accurate. It sounds like your dad knew about the supernatural."

"Seriously?" He whispers.

"I dunno, kid," I answer honestly. "But, if you're snooping, keep it under wraps. It's safer for people who aren't in the know to remain that way."

"Then, why tell me?" He asks, and I give him a wry smile.

"You spend too much time around me to never notice and I consider you a friend. Plus, I'm currently the scariest thing around." He laughs even though I'm not joking, but I continue on. "And you've got a good head on you. Just don't go looking suspicious. Also, for the love of the gods, if you suspect something, don't act. Come let me know. You don't wanna piss off an aggressive creature, nor push a normally peaceful one into attacking for self preservation. Usually, everyone's just tryna live their lives, so don't go causing trouble on your own."

"Got it." The bells above the door rings and someone new comes to the counter, so Remy hurries to greet them. "Welcome to the Midni- Mr. Saltzman?"

"Oh, hey Jeremy," a man replies and curious, I step out to see what's going on.

"Everything okay, kid?" I ask, hastily brushing my flour covered hands over my apron.

"Yeah, all good. Nyx, this is the new teacher I was telling you about. Mr. Saltzman, this is my awseome boss, Nyx."

"Hi," I tell him warmly, not sensing bad vibes. "I'd shake your hand, but well…" I show him, and the man laughs. "Jeremy was mentioning a teacher that was much more understanding than Tanner, so welcome to Mystic Falls. Remy, his order is on the house."

"Oh I couldn't-" the man begins to protest.

"You can, Mr. Saltzman. It's just a welcome gift. Or, ya know, a bribe." Jeremy sputters, and I laugh in his face. "I'm kidding, but seriously, thanks for actually taking a moment to help. I'm sure you know not all of your colleges would do the same."

I grimace, remembering my own days at 

Mystic Falls high school. The place had sucked ass. Even when I was walking in with my face black and blue, hardly anyone bothered to check up on me. It was truly the epitome of a shit hole public school.

"Wow, I really appreciate that," he murmurs, seemingly touched. "And please, call me Alaric."

"I like your name, Alaric," I tell him bemused. The door chimes, and in comes Zach and Jenna. "Hey guys. We gotta new guy in town! Come say hi."

XXXXXXXXXX

Alaric seems to hit it off with Jenna which is great, because apparently that dick head Logan is barking at her heels. He's been rather persistent about getting into her pants and I dislike all the vibes he gives off. Alaric seems like a good enough man, but I did notice a sharp spike in his aura when Daemon walks in, and I just know I'm going to have to deal with that shit later. Fucking Daemon and his shitty behavior causing me trouble-

And so the Midnight Traveler gains another new regular.

Somehow my little cafe has been growing much by the day, and I'm thriving off all the friendly interaction. It warms me, soothes the hollowness that aches in my chest. Undoubtedly, it's the happiest I've been in this life.

"Don't move," I murmur, fingers gently brushing over Stefan's cheeks, unable to help the smile on my face. At this distance, nearly nose to nose, I can see the richness of his eyes, a velvety green peeking through dark lashes.

Stefan huffs, but his own lips are curled into an indulgent grin. Carefully, I tilt his head side to side, brushing my hands through his hair, shifting it here and there. "Hey, sorry to bother, I was just looking for- Stefan?"

Without looking away from Stefan's suddenly wide eyes, I wave at the door. "Hey Elena, Bonnie, Caroline. Come on in."

"What is happening in here?" Elena says stiffly, and I shoot her a curious look to see all three girls, frozen in the doorway to the second floor of the cafe.

Daemon, who was draped across an arm chair, laughs. "Yeah, that looks bad. She's just cutting his hair."

"Uh huh… and why are they practically making out?" Elena asks, voice icy and I can't help raise my eyebrow, a bit amused. It isn't a completely unreasonable response to our position. We were, in fact, barely a few inches apart, but I don't know anyone who likes to cheat with their brother only a few feet away and covered in hair.

"Because I'm visually impaired and Stefan was kind enough to allow me to trust me with his pretty hair anyway?" I raise my shears and clip in demonstration. Immediately, Elena's jealous suspicion and hurt shifts to horrified embarrassment as Daemon cackles.

"Oh, shit. I totally forgot Jeremy mentioned that. Oh, I'm such a bitch. I'm so sorry-"

I just wave her squeaking apologies away, going back to examining the front of Stefan's hair from an uncomfortably close distance, crossing my eyes at him to make him snicker. "Ro, dear, can you come check over my look?"

'Of course," Caroline beams, dancing over. "Hmm, it looks great, but just this piece here maybe?" I clip with my shears to the indicated location, and when she nods in satisfaction, I beam, brushing the last of the hair off his face and neck before tugging the towel away and handing him a mirror.

Stefan chuckles, eyes creasing at the corners. "It looks great." I pst his cheek fondly before shooting him away to sweep the hair up a bit.

"I'm an idiot," mumbles a mortified Elena, as Stefan goes to sit by her.

He just shruggs. "Nah, don't worry about it. At least you didn't run off making assumptions."

I nod, wincing as I stretch my back out with a crack. "It's fine. I'm used to getting strange looks for getting too close to things. Hell, people have even thought I was shoplifting because I practically have to inhale the damn price tag to read it. This was much funnier than that. Daemon, your turn."

Stefan frowns. "That… sounds awful, actually. Let me know the next time you need to go shopping, we can go together."

I grin at him as I manhandle Daemon into place, standing between his knees. "If it's not too troublesome, I'd like that."

"Wait, why are you cutting my hair?" Daemon complains as I put an apron on him.

I grimace. "Because it looks awful." It was so early 2000's that my soul shudderd at it. "It's two inches from being a mullet."

Daemon sputters in offense as the teens openly laugh at him. "All have you know, this style is called "freshly fucked."

"By a honey badger?" I hiss as I whip out the clippers. Stefan starts to wheeze in the background. Even though Daemon already agreed to this, he had to add the theatrics, and I enjoyed the banter enough to go along with the show he was putting on. "Gods, just let me help you."

I listen to the teens laughing behind me as I ran my fingers through the vampire's hair, trying to feel where the length was. Daemon hums, leaning into my touch like a cat. Teasingly, he wraps his arms around my thighs, smirking up at me, bringing my chest directly level to his face. "Never mind. This is great."

I snort, tilting his head forward so I can work and not minding when it rests on me, surprising both Damon and myself with the easy intimacy. "Let me know if this is uncomfortable for you."

"It's definitely not," he laughs as I start shortening the back of his hair.

"Daemon, are you amd Nyx-"

"No," Daemon states, oddly mellow. I think my fingers in his hair are making him relax. Maybe I should invite him to my self care me time? I can see him doing facials with me. "We're just friends."

"Nyx is out of his league," Stefan offers, amused, but I note that inwardly he's a bit unsettled by the idea. The relationship between the Salvatore's is a great deal better these days, but Stefan still doesn't fully trust him yet, understandably, so I don't think he'd like to see us dating.

"To be fair, Nyx is out of everyone's league," Jeremy adds, entering the room himself, and I decide to ignore them all, shyness welling up once more despite my best efforts to quash it.

"I'm not sure if I should be offended by that," Daemon grumbles, as I carefully trim the sides, leaving the top long. Stepping back, I admire my work, meeting blue eyes, just as vivid as his brother.

"Can I put eyeliner on you?" I blirt. "Your eyes are so pretty. And can I take photos so draw later?"

"You draw?" Elena asks curiously.

"Yeah, and she's really good," Jeremy adds, sauntering over to also take a look as Caroline nods. Jeremy and I would often sit and draw together as a way to encourage his self healing and Caroline has known me since she was young when I babysat her, so she too, was familiar with my work.

"I know it's seems like a weird hobby for someone who can't even tell colors apart on her own, but we can't help the things we like," I shrug, dusting Daemon off. "Maybe I'm just stubborn."

"Oh, definitely, but I don't mind modeling. Go for it," Daemon smirks, his ego thoroughly stroked. With Jeremy's help, I angle and pose the vampire under the streams of gold light coming from the waning sun, shadowing blazing eyes. I would have asked Stefan as well, but I don't want to make Elena uncomfortable again.

Jeremy takes a few photos in my place since it's hard for me to see while facing this light, and the pictures come out wonderfully, my fingers tingling to get started, and over all, it's a lovely day.

XXXXXXXXXX 

Enzo's arrival in Mystic Falls is both expected and entirely out of left field. One morning I come down stairs, still in my night clothes, to start preparing food for my morning rush, many pastries requiring extra time to bake. Just in shorts and a tank top, (The cafe isn't open for another hour and I own this place. Fuck professionalism-), and covered in flour, as fucking usual, I feel the chill of death brushing my bare skin. Startled, I whirl, chucking a whisk, Magic surging under my skin before I recognize one of the auras as Daemon. "What the fuck?!"

I gape, wondering why the hell Daemon is here so early, and with a vampire I don't know. The man steps forward, eyes wide. "Are you Midnight?"

I frown, squinting before understanding hits me. "Oh! You're Enzo, right? I'm glad you're free! I hope you're doing-"

I cut off as Daemon wraps himself around me, face buried in my shoulder. Surprised, I hug him back, patting his head, unbothered by the mess I am making off him by covering him in white dust, something all my friends were used to by now. His aura is swirling with a mixture of guilt, pain, and gratitude. "Thanks, Nyx."

"Don't worry about it, honey. Enzo didn't deserve that, so I helped. That's all," I tell him. As we separate, Enzo steps forward, taking my hands and pressing his lips to them.

"I can't thank you enough. I owe you… everything," he whispers, voice cracking, and I feel my face soften as I squeeze his trembling fingers between mine.

"It's fine. I caught a vision of you because I was checking for future problems and found out about Augustine. I know you and Daemon still have shit to work out, so I told them to pass along a message."

"Them?" Daemon asks quietly as I go back to puttering around my kitchen.

"The Originals."

"What? No way, that's a legend, right?" Daemon asks, shocked.

"No, definitely not. You didn't see what I did. They are very real, and very scary." Enzo replies grimly as I usher them over to a table in the traditional Arabian style. "They tore through the entire organization, and I imagine you'll be hearing that Whitmore College has just gone up in flames in the morning news."

"Enzo, did you tell them where you were going?" I ask a bit urgently.

The man shakes his head. "No. When they passed along your message, my only thought was getting to Damon. When I found him last night, we… worked things out, mostly. After that I told him about how two male vampires rescued me on the orders of a Seer named Midnight. They did ask about you, but I honestly didn't know anything."

Daemon shrugs. "I made the connection when he told me."

I sigh with relief. "Good. That means I still have a bit of time before they come rolling into town."

"Are they really that bad?" Damon asks, and I can't help but snort.

"That question is kind of hard to answer. They have the potential to be one's greatest ally or enemy. As it is, Daemon, 30 of you would not stand a chance against one of them if you were to get on their bad side," I respond, starting some tea and coffee, and ignoring Daemon's disbelief. "I'm not exaggerating, dumbass. You are good, I'll give you that, but they are millennium old vampires that are basically immortal and impossible to kill. While not entirely unreasonable, they won't let anything stand in the way of getting what they want. I have a tentative alliance with them, but I still need more time, so it's best if they stay away for now."

"I can see that," Enzo agrees. "The energy they gave off was like nothing I'd ever felt."

Sensing Daemon's remaining skepticism, I set down some things for them to smack on before gripping his shoulder tightly. "Dae, I'm telling you now. Do not pick a fight with something you know is bigger, badder, and older than you are. It is seriously a fantastic way to die a gruesome, violent death."

"Yeah, okay," he mutters, albeit a bit sulkily.

I nod, satisfied. " I know you guys still need time, so I'll leave you be. I also have to start getting ready to open soon, so I'm going to change. Daemon, please watch the kitchen for me, and also, please don't wreck anything. My brats are upstairs sleeping, so don't you dare wake them, either!"

Daemon laughs, as I go to walk off, but Enzo catches my hand again. "I won't ever be able to repay this debt."

I pat his cheek gently, noting the way he leans into it, wide-eyed, and I feel another pang of pity for the heavily traumatized vamp. "It's fine. Have Daemon fill you in on the rules of what vampire shenanigans you're allowed to engage in while here, and we'll be cool. I hope we can be friends."

Enzo smiles. "I'd like that, my guardian angel."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hello, my love. Sleepy?" I hum, setting Thea on my lap, letting the four year old snuggle into my chest. "Hmm? I know, sweetheart. Let's sleep, okay?"

Grabbing my burner phone and little sister, I head to our floor mattress where Nico is already sleeping away. Lying down, I curl the munchkin against my chest and put the phone back to my ear. "Sorry, Elijah. Where were we?"

"It's not a problem, dear Midnight. Your children are more important," the original murmurs, voice smooth and dare I say it, carrying a hint of fondness. "We were discussing Augustine."

I sneer at the reminder. "Yeah, I heard you guys blew that place up."

"It was glorious, love. I'm sure you'd have enjoyed the fireworks,' Niklaus calls cheerfully.

"Probably," I agree, softly stroking my little sister's curls. "Are you still tracking down the members of Augustine?"

"Yes, but we've nearly got them all," Elijah informs, and I sigh in relief.

"That's good. Rippers are a complete pain to deal with," I grimace thinking of the times Stefan has lost control and I've had to snap his neck to bring his mind back. It had happened plenty in the first days we were trying to train his addiction out of him. Thankfully, it's a much less frequent occurrence nowadays. "Have you lot considered undaggering any of your siblings?"

Silence meets my words over the line and I huff, exasperated. "Fine, whatever. But, I'm telling you now, freeing Kol of your own choice will earn you a lot of good will with him." I say the words knowing full well they'll fall on deaf ears but at least I can tell them "I told you so," later. "I do have a few updates for y'all, though."

"Oh?" Klaus asks over the line, voice surprisingly gentle, and vaguely, I wonder if the originals are partial to children. They always seem kinder when they know the kids are near.

"Yeah, I confirmed the curse binding my powers, so, soon, I'll be breaking through it.. Hopefully. And then, I can break Klaus's-"

"Wait, what? Did you just say you were cursed as well?!" Klaus spits incredulously.

"Yes, dear, do keep up," I snark, rolling my eyes. "Honestly, I'm not sure why you're so bloody surprised. Surely you didn't think you were the only one who was so powerful that fear motivated others to act against you. Against nature my ass."

I'm growling a bit by the end, that barely confined wrath and hurt bubbling up again, but Thea's upset whine instantly has me forcibly calming and humming softly. Distantly, I note with amusement that I seem to have struck the originals speechless. The thought has me stifling mirth.

"Cheeky thing, don't make me sound like I'm the strange one for being surprised by that. It's not like you can throw a stone and hit a curse bearer," Klaus grumbles annoyed, and I huff a laugh, entertained.

"True," I concede. "It will take a few months though. I need to do some serious magic to help a friend, and then I need to store up magic to break my chains-"

"We could send you a witch to help," Elijah offers, and I blink, considering.

"No," I sigh. "I trust you two, at least not to do to me what has caused Klaus so much pain, but not a witch. I-" I swallow, struggling to put my betrayal into words. "I trusted one, one I know actually cares deeply for me, something I can still feel in her magic and something she would not have been able to fake. And still, she is the one who put these chains on me because my power seemed against nature to her. She saw it as protecting me. I… don't know what to do about her, but if even she could turn on me, I wouldn't be surprised if other witches see me as an abomination to be rid of at any cost."

"She's still alive?" Elijah says, and this time his voice is definitely kind.

"Yeah, she doesn't know I know. I think she saw it as protecting me. She must have done it while I was unconscious," I murmur, unable to completely hide the pain. "I don't want to risk interacting with any magic users until I'm fully back to power."

"How did you not notice?" Klaus's voice isn't accusing, merely curious, and I can't help the smirk on my face.

"I'm just that strong. If the curse has sealed 90% of my power, I could still take out a town with this 10%," I don't bother hide the smugness. I've earned this power over fucking lifetimes, so there is no reason not to take pride in it.

"…I think we might have underestimated you," I snicker at Klaus, highly pleased. Striking terror into people was always a fun time.

"Well, I'm going to sleep, but try something for me, okay?" I whisper, noticing Thea has fallen asleep. "I think it would be helpful to Klaus's mental state to engage in werewolf behavior whenever possible."

"Are you calling me mentally fragile?" Klaus' voice is dropping danger and I narrow my eyes, trying to understand what brought such a sudden reaction on.

"Oh," I say in realization. "No, I'm saying no such thing. Forgive me, I forgot how stigmatized the subject of mental health can be, especially to your ancient selves."

"Did you not say that you are just as old as we?" Elijah points out tensely.

"I am, but in my formative years, I was very fortunate to live in a place where such things were more accepted." And this was true. My formative lives were in modern worlds similar to this one, so I had never seen therapy as something for the weak and crazy. "There is nothing, nothing, shameful about taking care of one's own mind and soul. Not all scars are visible, and they are proof that one survived the harm done to them. Care for those wounds as you would any other. It is not a sign of weakness." I sigh, slumping into my pillow, trying to figure out how to say this. "Klaus, I strongly believe that your curse, having restricted your werewolf nature, has caused you harm by throwing your nature into disarray. All I wish to say is that there may be things that help reduce the strain that may be causing you."

"And what is your suggestion?" Klaus says, not sounding happy, but not angry either.

"Play to wolf instincts," I shrug, though no one can see it. "Try to surround yourself with pack-"

"You're trying to get me to undagger them again!" He explodes, and I twitch at the noise now blaring directly into my ear.

"Don't doubt my intentions, stubborn male. Pack need not be family, but whatever," I snarl, irritated. "Fine. Elijah should be pack. Try tactility. Skinship."

"You mean physical affection," Elijah clarifies.

"Yup. It's extremely important to wolves," I intone. "For comfort, for affection, whatever. Scenting, it's called."

"So, your suggestion is… cuddling?" Elijah sounds terribly amused.

"I said what I said," I grumble, eyelids getting heavy. "And what's wrong with cuddling? Who doesn't like a good hug, man?"

"Elijah, don't even -" There is some scuffling on the other line punctuated by cursing and glass breaking and hissing, before low laughter came over the line. This is not the hardest thing I've done for my family, not by far. Niklaus, be still!" Elijah sounded incredibly warm, and I can't help my grin, even as my body goes limp.

"Hmm, family that would do anything for you. What a precious thing. You Mikaelsons are lucky to have one another."

"Do you not have a family like that?" Klaus asks, sounding surprisingly calm.

I fell asleep before I thought of an answer, which is probably for the best because I don't know what I could have said to that.

XXXXXXXXXX

AN; This was a bit of filler, but I hope y'all liked it anyway. Tell me what you think? Also, I know it seems like there are a lot of characters popping up, but they won't all stick around, and they won't necessarily have huge roles the entire time, so don't worry. Just bear with me, and as always, let me know what you want to see. Next chapter will probably focus on opening the tomb. 😈