Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[81]

Knowing it was Katherine's last day in Rio, and that she was spending it with Elijah, Emma had made sure to plan her day so she could spend most of it away from the house and any possible parting... activities, the two vampires engaged in.

That was how she found herself lounging on a sandy beach, soaking up the sun as she focused on a book in her lap. One that, for the first time in a while, wasn't about magic or the supernatural or spells, but an actual book of fiction with a story and a plot and something entirely made up.

But of course, if there was anything Emma had learned lately it was that peaceful moments never lasted long. Ever since she and Klaus had made up, Rebekah woke up and then Kol left, her phone had become much more active than it had been in the two months before that. She was back to being popular. And a part of her found it somewhat annoying. Especially when she noticed who was calling her this time. She had an easy time trying to guess what the call would be about.

"Klaus, it's good to hear your voice." She didn't lead with her guess, however, instead choosing a much more oblivious approach. She wouldn't mention it until he did, not wanting to risk whatever plans Kol had come up with.

"Likewise, Emma, I only wish it were under better circumstances." So he did know Kol was causing trouble. Emma wasn't too surprised, after all, subtlety wasn't very likely for him.

"And what would the circumstances be?" She continued on asking as if she had no idea what he meant. She may have been rebuilding her friendship with Klaus, but she wasn't about to betray Kol for the sake of it. The two Mikaelsons had different priority levels on Emma's list.

Unsure of whether she was deceiving him or if she really didn't know what Kol was up to, Klaus proceeded to elaborate. "It would seem my dear brother has turned back to his trouble making ways."

"And you're calling me about that, why? I'm in Brazil, remember? Not in Virginia." Emma pointed out that showed a bit of how little she cared. Perhaps showed it a bit too well, considering she did care. Just not in the way Klaus wanted her to.

"Come now, Emma. If there's anyone who could persuade him to relent in this foolish sabotage it would be you." Klaus tried to persuade her, mixing both flattery and a challenge in his words, but Emma wasn't stupid enough to fall for it.

"That's the problem, Klaus. I don't want to stop him." She revealed honestly.

Klaus couldn't help but sigh. He should have known Kol had gotten to Emma before he could. He found it nauseating to think of how much tighter their bond may have gotten during the months away. "Emma, I don't know what my brother's told you, but Silas is a fairy tale. This danger he speaks of, it doesn't exist."

"Just like vampires don't? Or werewolves? Witches? Magic? Hybrids?" She questioned in a dubious tone. If someone had told her what Klaus just had half a year ago, yeah, maybe she would have believed it. But since everything came out to the open and Emma learned much more about the world, she'd been taking so-called myths and stories with a grain of doubt ever since.

"Emma, if he continues this I'll have to take drastic measures." Realizing a peaceful approach wouldn't yield results, Klaus seemed to turn to the tactics which he was best at. The only thing they did was make Emma's resolve harden even further.

"A dagger can be removed Klaus. And you can bet your ass I'll be on the first flight to do it." She said coldly. She wasn't sure if Klaus had already discovered whether he was no longer in possession of the daggers. But she knew Kol had them, as well as the White Oak stake. There was nothing Klaus could actually do to him.

And so with that said. Emma hung up the call, not wanting to discuss this any further. She couldn't wait until Kol's business in that wretched town was over and he came back, bringing the daggers with him. She really hoped their theory was right. Because if it was, that meant Emma would drain those daggers until there wasn't an ounce of magic left in them and they were rendered useless. It would bring her quite a lot of joy.

And she'd to the same with the magic Esther had used to make the stake indestructible if he brought it with him. They could burn the blasted thing and be rid of anything that might ever harm him.

She was more than ready and looking forward to it. Because it was just another step towards always.

Klaus couldn't help but stare. He couldn't tear his eyes away. No matter how painful it was. He just stared, thinking back to the last couple of days. To the conversations they had. To the threats he'd made.

He planned to make him suffer. To make them both suffer for turning against him once again. He planned on using the last remaining dagger. On keeping it inside of his brother's chest for at least a few centuries. On keeping them apart until he changed his mind. He planned on turning her himself, taking the chance for it away from his brother while simultaneously taking away her magic which she might use against him.

All the plans he had... now they were useless.

Klaus stared at his brother's body.

He planned on calling Emma once he got his hands on the dagger Rebekah was hiding away. On gloating over his victory. And now... Now he dreaded the call he had to make.

He was planning on making them suffer. But his plans would have allowed them to be together again one day. They'd still have their future together, just under his terms. Now that was ripped away. And he had to be the one to tell her.

He had to.

The movements felt robotic as he dialled the familiar number on his phone. He waited, he listened to the ringing tone, dreading the moment she answered. And then she did.

"Klaus, are you serious, right now? It's past midnight." Her scolding voice was the first thing he heard. She had no idea what he had to say. But he had to say it.

"Emma-" His voice was quiet, trying to spit it out but she didn't give him a chance as she interrupted him.

"You know just because you're getting me in a sleepy state doesn't mean my mind's going to change." She pointed out in a huff, obviously wanting to end the conversation so she could go back to sleep.

"Emma, listen-" He couldn't let her do that.

But she was so convinced she knew what he'd say that once again she brought his words to an end even before he managed to get them out. "If you really want Kol to stop tormenting you all then find a way to work with him. To get the Cure without waking Silas. There has to be some kind of loophole."

And finally he lost his patience. Work with him... If only he'd tried when there was still time.

"Emma!"

Klaus' demanding exclamation finally had her freezing, finally noticing the strain in his voice, finally hearing the way it cracked the third time he said her name. And it made her blood run cold.

"What's going on?" She asked in a panicked whisper.

It took Klaus an excruciating few seconds, seconds during which Emma felt as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest.

And then he said it.

"Kol's dead."

And instead of bursting out, her heart simply broke.

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Uh... Oops?