Always and Forever

Moon Over Bourbon Street

'They say the passage of time will heal all wounds, but the greater the loss, the deeper the cut, and the more difficult the process to become whole again.'

Hayley stood outside in the bayou, pouring Celeste's mixture into a pot of gumbo, looking up at the dark sky, waiting patiently for the full moon to reach its apex as she rubbed her stomach.

'The pain may fade, but scars serve as a reminder of our suffering, and make the bearer all the more resolved never to be wounded again.'

Out on the streets of The Quarter, Diego and other vampires were attacking citizens, while witches were walking around, casting pain spells on random vampires.

'So, as time moves along, we get lost in distractions. Act out in frustration, react with aggression, give in to anger.'

Klaus walked behind a painting class outside in a park, he walked up behind Genevieve and watched her work on her piece. The two stare at each other before Klaus was soon pinning her to the outside wall on his balcony, his lips traveling down her jawline to her neck. All while the red headed witch slowly laid her head back.

'And, all the while we plot and plan as we wait to grow stronger, and before we know it, the time passes.'

Hayley served all her pack members a bowl of the gumbo, after everyone eats, they all stand gathered together, staring up at the sky, watching as the clouds move and reveal the full moon. The crowd gasped in awe as they were still human. Hayley laughed happily and turned to Jackson, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'We are healed. Ready to begin anew.'

Genevieve, was lying lazily on the couch, playing with a piece of her red hair. "Spoken like a man who's made peace with his demons."

Klaus chuckled softly as he buttoned up his shirt. "My demons are dead, or chased off."

Elijah entered the room, his gaze falling on Genevieve, glaring down at her. "Yes, apart from the one lingering monster with whom you share a bed." He held up her heels in his hand. "I trust you can find your clothing and the door."

Genevieve stood up, and walked over to Elijah. She smirked softly and took her heels from him and left the room.

Elijah sighed, annoyed as he looked at his brother. "Do you recall that woman tortured our sister?"

"She also revealed the truth about our sister's treachery." Klaus shot back.

"And as a consequence, Rebekah is gone forever."

Klaus sighed and rolled his eyes. "A desire which she apparently harbored for quite some time!"

"Niklaus, it has been a month. Now, I feel our sister's loss as deeply as you. But, you must stop distracting yourself with this ridiculous behavior and channel it into some kind of action."

Klaus picked up a paintbrush and walked over to his easel and returned to his art. "Why must I, exactly?"

"Because over the course of Marcel's tenure, the city grew accustomed to having a king. You wanted this throne. Now, you must accept the responsibility that accompanies that."

Klaus shrugged, beginning to paint, only half paying attention to his older brother. "Apologies, but I'm rather ensconced in other pursuits."

Elijah took the paintbrush away from Klaus. "If you can so easily neglect your home, I wonder what will become of your daughter. Your relationship with Hayley. Have you forgotten what it was like to live beneath the threat of violence? We must work together, Niklaus. Let's make this city whole again."