pairing: adoptive dad! elijah x adopted daughter! reader, mikaelsons x child reader
The sound of soft sobs met his ears, causing him to stop in his tracks. He had just come from meeting with Elena... he should have gone straight home. But the cries he heard made his heart ache. A deep frown etched into his face and he hesitantly took a step towards the sound.
At his movement, it was obvious whoever had been crying had tried to stifle their noise. But he came down the long sidewalk, past the brick buildings that surrounded Mystic Falls. He frowned as he came upon a dumpster, and just beyond it was a small girl, maybe four years of age. Her eyes were big and filled with tears and her little body was trembling. She was terrified.
Elijah's eyes widened. He slowly bent down in front of her, not wanting to scare her. "Hello," he softly spoke.
She hiccupped, her little hands gripping onto her shirt. "Hi..."
He gave her a soft smile. "It's so nice to meet you," he softly said. "What is your name?"
"[Your name]," she said, looking up at him. She was starting to calm down—this stranger was captivating. She couldn't help it. She tried to wipe her tears away, and she softly sniffled.
"My name is Elijah," he spoke, hesitantly sitting down on the ground with her. Normally, he wouldn't have done something so mundane. But this child was no threat.
She sniffled again and kept her arms close to her body.
"Why are you out here all alone?" he asked, not moving to touch her. He didn't want to scare her in any way.
[Your name] swallowed thickly and she closed her eyes. "I... my mommy... she just... left me here," she whimpered. "She left me." The poor child looked up at Elijah with tears welling in her eyes.
His eyes grew wide in return. "Oh, no, my dear," he softly said, gently holding a hand out to the girl. "I am so sorry... Let... me take you home. Gather you some clean clothes. Are you hungry? I heard your stomach grumble..."
[Your name] stared at his hand for just a moment before she hurriedly got to her feet, grabbing onto his hand.
Elijah's features softened at the realization that this child trusted him.
[Your name] moved closer and suddenly hugged onto him, her little tears wetting his white undershirt. He just frowned and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm so sorry you were left all alone, [Your name]," he softly said, resting his chin on top of her head. "But I promise you, you will never be alone, again."
—
"You what?" Klaus stared at Elijah in disbelief, looking at the little girl who was cuddled into Elijah's side. "You cannot just adopt children off of the street, Elijah. Even..."
He trailed off, watching the girl. She was about to cry again, and she looked at Klaus with big, puppy dog eyes.
He sighed softly. "Fine. But I am not changing her diaper—"
"I don't wear diapers!" [Your name] quickly defended herself, pouting up at Klaus.
Elijah let out a soft laugh. "Yes, well. Klaus, if you wouldn't mind, I would trust you to watch her for just a couple of minutes while I go and find her some clothes and proper food..."
Klaus glared daggers at Elijah but he solemnly nodded, watching as Elijah sat [Your name] down. The girl gripped onto Elijah's pant leg, clearly unsure of the man in front of her.
