Cloudy Days [Kol/Kaleb Mikaelson]

Butterflies • THREE

"Kiss full of color,
Makes me wonder where you've always been.
I was hiding in doubt,
'Til you brought me out of my chrysalis
And I came out new,
All because of you."

• T h r e e •
Butterflies

I didn't have to go far. The moment I walked into the restaurant I was met with Zander and Davina in the tiny waiting area at the front door. The podium only a yard away. My two friends were sitting on the leather benches. Zander standing up quickly as he noticed my arrival.

A big grin came across his face. I tried to shake off my nerves. I wasn't sure what this night was going to hold but so far it was full of surprises. I forced a smile to my lips as my date embraced me in a quick hug. "Sorry you got caught in the rain, doll," he commented, brushing his big and rough hands over my wet hair.

For a moment I forgot it was raining. I had walked so quickly away from Kaleb to get here and put some distance between us. I almost felt bad I told him to wait to come in now. "Hope I'm not too late. Traffic was terrible coming up here," I said, not commenting on the crazy out of the city far away this place was that Davina had picked. It didn't look special.

"Fashionably late, you look beautiful," Zander told me as I was gently dabbing my face from rain drops.

"Somehow I doubt that," I muttered, hopefully playfully. Zander's smile didn't waver so I took that as a good sign. "Um, sorry, you look..."

I almost choked for air as I took him in. Black on black on black. Black dress shoes. Black flared dress pants that gave him a casual look which matched his black button up, loose and untucked and of a soft looking material. His tan skin peeked out at the top, the buttons undone, revealing his hard chest. Yummy. His grown out dirty blonde hair was swooped over one side and combed back. "Hot," I blurted.

Zander chuckled, "thank you."

I blushed but didn't say more. He helped me take off my jacket and shook it from the rain. It was then I noticed Davina giggling at the two of us like a schoolgirl—which I guess she was. I forced a smile again now. "Hey girl," I greeted as normally as possible, sitting next to her and giving her a one armed hug.

"Hey," she replied. "They said it was a ten minute wait. So we should be seated soon. And Kaleb is already on his way."

"Oh, good," I told her as Zander sat down on the other side of me, holding my jacket and throwing one arm behind my shoulders.

"Yeah," she smiled. "I'm so glad we're doing this. It helps having you here. I've never really dated before. But Kaleb... he's great. Isn't he?"

I choked. I couldn't speak so I nodded and I hope she couldn't see through my smile. Guilt and shame filled me. She's never had a boyfriend before. The only guy she ever liked, died on what could've been considered their first date. He was compelled by Klaus to drink poisoned water. It was terrible and the main start for the feud between the two.

"Well, I can't wait to meet him," Zander chimes in. His warm body pressing against my back. I leaned in, shivering from the cold. "You okay, Lottie?" He whispered to me, playing with the thick braid tucked behind my right ear. The rest of my hair was loose, parted down the middle over my shoulders.

"Chilly," I admitted.

The two of them laughed gently. Zander dropped his arm from the back of the booth, wrapping it around my waist and tugging me firmly against him. This was a feeling I wasn't accustomed too. Kol was a rather tiny thing. Zander wasn't overly buff. Probably similar to Damon who had more of broad shoulders. But being with that idiot was a lifetime ago. And regardless it wasn't often a man held me like this. "I'm sorry I didn't bring a jacket," Zander told me.