𝓤𝓝𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓣𝓤𝓝𝓐𝓣𝓔, 𝓣𝓗𝓔 𝓞𝓡𝓘𝓖𝓘𝓝𝓐𝓛𝓢

CHAPTER 6

Riya slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the curtains. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and she groaned, realizing she had a hangover. As she looked around, she noticed the unfamiliar surroundings of Klaus's room elegant yet imposing, with dark furniture and an old-world charm.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Klaus entered, carrying a glass of water and a couple of Advil pills. He approached her with a soft smile.

"Good morning, love. How are you feeling?" Klaus asked, offering her the glass and the pills.

Riya took them gratefully, swallowing the Advil before taking a sip of water. "My head feels like it's been run over by a truck," Riya muttered, wincing slightly.

Klaus chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That's what happens when you insist on drinking more than you can handle."

Riya's eyes widened as memories from the previous night flooded back. She covered her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed. "Oh no... I didn't do anything too embarrassing, did I?" she asked, peeking through her fingers at Klaus.

Klaus laughed softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her. "You were quite the entertainment, but nothing you need to be ashamed of," Klaus told her, his voice gentle. "You did, however, call me 'Dad.'"

Riya's embarrassment quickly melted into a smile as she looked up at Klaus. "Well, maybe I should start calling you Dad then," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth.

Klaus's expression softened, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I'd like that very much," Klaus said, his voice filled with affection.

After a moment, Klaus stood up and walked over to the cupboard. He pulled out some clothes and brought them over to Riya. "Here, love. Freshen up and get dressed. I'll be waiting downstairs," Klaus told her, handing her the clothes with a smile.

Riya took them with a nod, her heart feeling lighter despite the lingering headache. "Okay, Dad," Riya said, the word rolling off her tongue naturally.

Klaus smiled widely, clearly pleased. "I'll see you downstairs, sweetheart," he said before leaving the room quietly, closing the door behind him.

Riya watched him go, a smile lingering on her lips as she held the clothes close. The warmth of the moment lingered, easing the discomfort of the hangover as she prepared to start her day.

❤️❤️❤️

Klaus and Elijah sit opposite each other in the living room, both reading. Klaus is reading "A Poison Tree" by William Blake, and Elijah is reading one of their mother's grimoires. A dead girl lays on the coffee table as they listen to classical music. After a moment, Rebekah enters.

"So, this is what you do the first time we're back together as a family? Vampire book club?" Rebekah asked with a smirk, glancing at the dead girl on the table.

"Reading edifies the mind, sister. Isn't that right, Elijah?" Klaus said, not bothering to look up from his book.

"Yes, that's quite right, Niklaus," Elijah told him, turning a page in the grimoire.

"And what's this business?" Rebekah asked, gesturing to the dead girl on the table.

"This is a... peace offering," Elijah said, choosing his words carefully.

"I presumed, after so much time desiccating in a coffin, that my big brother might be a bit peckish," Klaus explained with a grin.

"And I explained to my little brother that forgiveness cannot be bought. I'd simply prefer to see a change in behavior that indicates contrition and personal growth," Elijah said, giving Klaus a pointed look.