Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[57]

The party had been cleared out hours ago, Emma hiding away in one of the bedrooms on a completely different side of the house as night fell over the town. By now, the curfew was in full effect, and not only was the whole town completely silent, but so was the house.

Emma took it as a good sign. And yet, she still walked the safe side, not leaving the room she was hiding away in. The brunette sat on the bed, spinning the black stone her mother had given her in her hands. She wanted it handy in case she was proven wrong about what the silence meant.

She wasn't sure how long the effects of the werewolf venom would continue to have a hold over Kol and Rebekah. She knew it depended on the way a vampire was infected, but doubted anyone had ever experimented with delivery through beer.

She let out a short string of coughs, leaning back against the pillows as she felt the exhaustion from the day starting to catch up with her. However, she wasn't ready to go to sleep just yet. Instead, she grabbed her inhaler from the nightstand, taking in a puff and feeling her breath come easier as she put it back.

Just as she did so, a soft knock sounded at the door, making Emma jump in surprise. With the door closed, acting as a barrier between them, Emma didn't see the wince Kol let out as he heard her heart skip a beat in what he thought was fear. "It's me, darling. I'm-" He started to speak in a gentle tone, ready to be told to go away in case she wasn't ready to face him. However, to his surprise, his words cut off as the door suddenly swung open.

Kol had been expecting to apologize profusely, to hope for the best and not have it happen as his outburst scared her off. Just the thought made him feel like a new wave of cold sweat was about to come over him and make him dizzy.

What he wasn't expecting was for the door to open and only a second later have her arms wrapping around his neck. It took him a moment to get past the surprise of her actions, but once he did, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry." They both spoke simultaneously, and while Emma wasn't surprised by his apology and was more than ready to reassure him there was no need for it, Kol did find himself confused as he pulled away, his hands remaining on her waist as he sent her an incredulous look.

"What are you apologizing for?" He questioned in disbelief.

"I used magic on you. And I know it can't hurt you badly, but it still feels wrong to do it." Emma explained, the guilty look on her face making Kol unable to hold back his laughter as he pulled her close again, his head coming to rest on top of hers.

"I'm glad you did, darling." He told her gently. "I lost control. I should have realized what was happening sooner and made you leave. I'm sorry." Kol's voice came out as barely a whisper. He was surprised by how easily the apology came out. He couldn't remember the last time he said those words and truly meant them.

"Hey, look at me." This time it was Emma who pulled away, her hands going to his face and forcing him to meet her eyes. "You weren't yourself. And I'm okay." She spoke gently, moving away from him so she could do a small twirl just to prove her point.

However, halfway through, Kol forced her to stop, one hand resting on her shoulder while the other grazed her skin where he could see a small mark remaining from his hands. Emma didn't let him linger for long, taking both his hands in her own and pulling them through her arms so she could wrap them around her.

"I'm okay." She repeated again.

They stood like that for a moment, Emma tracing small patterns into his forearm while he just held her. However, what he didn't notice is how much she was paying attention to his reactions.