Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
After a million requests from Isabella, Klaus finally relented. "Fine," he sighed, "we'll stay at a motel for the night."
Isabella's face lit up with excitement. As soon as the car came to a stop, she jumped out, gave Klaus a quick kiss on the cheek, and happily took Leo from the car. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she called over her shoulder as she walked toward the motel.
Klaus remained a little flustered from the unexpected kiss, his usual composure momentarily shaken. Stefan, noticing Klaus's reaction, smirked. "What's the matter, Klaus? Not used to a little affection?"
Klaus muttered under his breath, trying to regain his composure. "Just keep moving, Stefan."
With a roll of his eyes, Stefan followed Isabella, with Klaus trailing close behind. They entered the motel reception, the dim lighting and outdated decor giving the place a cozy if slightly worn, charm.
Isabella was already chatting with the receptionist, her excitement palpable.
Stefan smiled at his sister. He was happy to finally see her excited about something when she had been so cold and distant, like Damon, in Mystic Falls. The change in her demeanor was refreshing, a glimmer of the warmth she used to exude.
"We'd like a couple of rooms, please," Isabella said, beaming. Leo wagged his tail enthusiastically at her feet, clearly picking up on her mood.
The receptionist looked up from behind the counter with a polite smile. "I'm sorry, but we only have two rooms available tonight. One is a single, and the other is a double."
Isabella's smile faltered slightly, her excitement dimming. "Oh, well... I guess we'll take the two rooms."
She sighed dramatically as she took the keys from the receptionist, her mood instantly souring from the slight disappointment. Turning to Klaus and Stefan, she held out one of the keys with a resigned grin. "Alright, you two. Here's your key. I'm sure you'll have a lovely time together."
Klaus raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
Isabella handed him the key and picked up Leo, who nuzzled against her affectionately. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you for letting me have a room to myself with Leo. You two are so sweet for tolerating each other just to make me happy. You're both real gems, you know that?"
Stefan chuckled softly. "Glad to know we're so appreciated."
Klaus smirked, playing along with her dramatic flair. "I suppose we are quite the sacrifices for your comfort."
Isabella pretended to wipe away a tear from her eye. "Oh, you're both such saints. I'll be sure to tell everyone how you two managed to survive each other's company just for me."
Klaus immediately turned serious, his playful demeanor vanishing. "Alright, enough with the dramatics. I am not sharing a room with Stefan."
Stefan crossed his arms, his tone matching Klaus's. "Believe me, the feeling is mutual."
