persephone's orchard : k.m.

stealth it is - chapter 20 part 1

The sun crept over the roof of the Compound that morning, saying a blurred hello to Astrid Mikaelson as she laid slumped over one of the many chairs scattered on the floor. She was thinking.

And no true immortal contemplated war without alcohol.

An empty bottle sat on the table in front of her next to one that was half full. That's how she was thinking currently. Sure what happened yesterday wasn't the best but she still had her family, no one was dead and she still had Klaus.

She was wearing one of his shirts, a pale blue one that rested on her frame with a couple of buttons undone. She'd tied half of her hair up into a bun, her baby hairs framing her face as she took another sip and sighed.

Each Mikaelson had their own tactics, their own ways of dealing with new comers, potential allies or enemies. Astrid always preferred to put on a united front, especially with her and Klaus but she couldn't help but wonder if the birth of Hope Mikaelson proved to her enemies that her "United front" was simply a rouse.

Nik hated waking up alone. He done it for a century - disregarding Hayley Marshall - but she wasn't Astrid. The almighty hybrid was a sucker for PDA and not the best morning person. He growled when he didn't feel her presence next to him and vamped up instantly, noticing that his wardrobe was open and one of the hangers laid on the dresser. Walking out to the balcony, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her but stayed hidden, having not seen his wife by herself in a while.

She was clearly enjoying the sun, her head leant back over the chair facing directly upwards and she had her eyes shut. He smiled when she kicked her feet up on the table and made his presence known by walking across the balcony.

'Niklaus Mikaelson.' She heard him instantly and hummed, 'I've got you wrapped around my finger haven't I?'

He chuckled, a light heartily chuckle with a beaming smile which provoked a warmth in her stomach and an impulsive grin. Astrid rolled her head round to face the stairs as he descended them and flirted back, 'Hello,  Astrid Mikaelson. Consider me your loyal servant, my Queen.'

She held a hand up to her chest and laughed, sarcastic amusement fell from her lips, 'My noble Knight! How could I ever repay you?'

'I would say with a kiss' he feigned being deep in thought, 'but isn't that for a Princess?' He walked toward her chair and stood over it, his arms crossed with a grin as she reached her left arm up and clutched his shoulder, 'I think a kiss will be sufficient for a Queen still.'

'Oh yeah?' He raised his eyebrows and laughed, nodding and she nodded too, 'Mhmm yes. Now come here.' She pulled him down to her and they kissed, the taste of rum adding spice to his morning.

'Good morning, love.' She smiled and he caressed her cheek, standing back at full height, 'Morning beautiful.'

Nik's vampiric hearing set off as he heard another set of footsteps and looked up to lock eyes with Cami, he looked away - annoyed at the timing when his wife noticed he was distracted. Astrid stood up and faced the blonde who suddenly looked nervous. The hybrid woman rose an eyebrow before the bartender drifted back into the shadows and Nik's jaw unclenched.

'She's scared of me.. isn't she?'

'I'm not surprised.. considering things.' Klaus attempted to make a joke, 'You did kind of tell her that she'll never be part of this family.'

'I'm well aware.' Astrid turned back to Klaus, 'I don't regret it.' She kissed his cheek and began to walk away. 'Astrid.' Nik turned around to face her as she got half way up the stairs.

'Yes?'

'I didn't have time to tell you last night..'

'Tell me what?'