His Redemption

Chapter 8

I do not own the Vampire Diaries

AN: Hi readers, quick question, I've been wandering for a while now but exactly how do vampires wear earrings, wouldn't their rapid healing heal the hole in their ear? Do they have to make new holes each time? Just something to think about.

"What?" Kol snapped, his head snapping up to glare at Aiden, who seemed oblivious as he stared at Lucy with hopeful eyes. The intensity of Kol's gaze didn't go unnoticed by the others, who could feel the simmering anger radiating from him.

"You want me to stay with you? Really?" Lucy asked, barely daring to believe his words. As a flicker of sadness crept into her mind, she hesitated. She didn't want Aiden to uncover the truth—it would only hurt him more.

"Absolutely! I've been searching for ways to get you away from that blasted uncle of yours, and now it's finally possible," Aiden replied, his smile radiating warmth and sincerity.

"But wouldn't your family mind? I don't want to be a burden," Lucy said, looking down in uncertainty. She had to maintain the facade; Aiden could never find out the real reason behind her predicament. Aiden rolled his eyes, then gently tilted her chin up with his finger, stroking her jaw with his thumb.

"You could never be a burden, Lucy. Not to me," he reassured her softly. The girls watching couldn't help but "aww" at the tender moment, while Rebekah shot worried glances at Kol, who remained scowling.

"But what about your family?" Lucy pressed, the doubt evident in her voice as her mind flitted back to painful memories.

"They said I could bring anyone home. They're very laid-back people, despite their wealth, so I doubt they'd mind a girl in the house. They might even think you're my girlfriend or something," Aiden replied, and Lucy blushed at the thought. Kol's eyes narrowed at the suggestion; she should be blushing around him, not Aiden.

"Absolutely not. She's not staying with you—she can stay with me. Our mansion is most likely way better than yours anyway," Kol interjected, annoyance dripping from his voice.

"K, don't be rude!" Lucy interjected, her brows knitting together as she shot Kol a disapproving look. Despite the happiness bubbling inside her at the thought of living with his family, she couldn't ignore his harshness.

"I'm just being honest, darling," Kol replied, rolling his eyes dismissively.

"Still, K, you didn't have to say that. You don't even know what the house looks like, and besides, any house is better than the one I live in," Lucy shot back, her words barely skimming the surface of her reality.

"Which is why you're going to agree to live with me, darling, not him," Kol insisted, a note of determination lacing his voice.

"That's not really possible, K. Our worlds are two completely different places. After this, I have to go back home and send you all to yours," Lucy explained, wincing as she noticed the disappointment wash over his face. She wasn't entirely honest, but she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth—doing so would only incite panic, and she wanted to avoid that at all costs.

"You're going to leave?" Kol asked, a tightness settling in his chest at the thought of her departure.

"Not now, but eventually I'm going to have to," Lucy replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Why can't you come back with us?" Rebekah asked, her gaze shifting to Lucy as she noticed the impact this conversation was having on her brother.