Lions Tigers And Bears

Big man, Little Dignity

Niklaus walked into his brother's office, the white oak stake in his pocket burning him, with guilt. He knew that this toy would be missed if he just got rid of it especially since Hope has had it most of her life. His paranoia did not help him; at any point in time he could have been killed and he would not have known.

Niklaus needed to tell at least one sibling about it without them discovering his secret, which he shared with no one.

Niklaus looked around his brother's office, his bar to the left of his desk stacked with all his favourite drinks, a window that showed the perfect view above New Orleans. His brother was sitting at his desk, looking over some papers, Elijah's posture softer than usual. His brother seemed calmer and more grounded these days. He was unsure because of Lucy or staying away from their home together. Elijah was smitten with Bennett witch and he was happy that his brother found the same happiness he did.

"I see that you finally went to see Bonnie," Elijah said, giving him a dimpled grin. Niklaus smiled at the thought of Bonnie. They still have some things to work on now but he was unsure when would be the right time. She could die tomorrow.

He locked those thoughts away and focused on why he was here.

"Yes, I did and she had something for me too," Niklaus said, Elijah frowned at his tone and took his attention completely from his papers to his brother.

"Good news I hope" Elijah said, Niklaus pressed his lips together and looked at his brother as he took the toy out of his pocket and handed it to him. Elijah looked at him and then at Niklaus confused.

He turned his gaze back on his brother, who was holding up the wooden knight he carved for Rebekah, and it was passed down to Hope. Elijah raised his eyebrows.

Elijah sensed its familiarity but he chalked it down to it being a toy made before they became vampires, it was something that they had passed down to Hope, was it time to pass it on to someone else?

"This was made from a white oak tree," Niklaus announced, causing Elijah to straighten in his seat. For Bonnie to have found this and return it, was not something he expected. What does it mean for them? For his brother?

"So, Bonnie's not pregnant?" he asked, looking at the tiny thing, unsure what to make of his brother bringing it to him. Niklaus rolled his eyes and went to raid his brother's alcohol supply next to his desk.

"No, she is not, I said she had something for me, not she that was pregnant." Niklaus fret. He has never given thought to the possibility of Bonnie getting pregnant, Hope was his little miracle, and he was sure he would not be granted another. Niklaus poured his brother's bourbon into a glass and swallowed it in one swift.

"Bonnie said Hope left it at hers," Niklaus added. If she wanted he could have killed any point in time, who knows how long she had it for, was it before her trip with Elijah? Was his brother endangered at any point in time?

He wanted to ask Bonnie these questions but he felt she needed him to trust her at that moment and give that to her. The bond played a strong part too, being able to feel her sincerity. In her words, see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. She wanted to give him a chance and he felt the same way. Yet there was this feeling he could not shake.

"You don't think she planned to use it?" Elijah asked his brother. Niklaus returned his attention to his brother, who was studying him, trying to gauge what he was thinking. Elijah's stiffened under his gaze. Ready to defend himself against Niklaus Such are things his siblings do when they can't read him.

"No, I am worried, we have carried this with us for so long not knowing it could have led to our deaths and if Hope had left anywhere, if anyone had figured out what it was," he said. "If there is something else out there," Niklaus shook his head.