That night, Naira's restlessness kept her tossing and turning. Eventually, she gave up on sleep, wrapping herself in a throw with her floral pajamas and padding quietly down the grand staircase of Klaus's house.
She entered the kitchen, running her fingers over the cold marble countertop as she opened the cabinets, searching for something to eat. Her heart jumped when she heard a smooth, accented voice from behind her.
"Can't sleep, love?" Klaus leaned against the doorway, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he watched her, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
Startled, Naira turned, flashing a shy smile. "Yeah... I guess I'm a little tense. And, well, hungry," she admitted, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Klaus walked into the kitchen, approaching with a casual ease. "Allow me," he said, already pulling a loaf of bread from the pantry and reaching for some vegetables from the fridge.Naira observed him, a mix of intrigue and warmth filling her chest.
Watching Klaus—the ever-feared hybrid—putting together a simple sandwich in the middle of the night somehow felt surreal and oddly comforting.
"So... do you do this often?" she asked, her voice light, hoping to break the quiet tension between them." Only on rare nights when I have such lovely company," he replied with a smile, carefully layering cheese and lettuce onto the bread, adding a bit of seasoning with practiced skill. "And...
I take you are ok with a vegetarian endeavor?" He looked at her knowingly.
She nodded, a little surprised ."Yes! I've been a vegetarian since I was a kid." She offered him a grateful smile.
They chatted easily as he finished making the sandwich, and then she spotted something familiar in the fridge. "Oh, chocolate ice cream!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It's my favorite! Mind if I...?"
"By all means," he chuckled, a warmth in his gaze that was usually hidden behind his guarded demeanor.
She grinned, grabbing two bowls and scooping the ice cream, making sure to divide it evenly. When they each had a bowl of ice cream and a sandwich, they moved out to the balcony, where the night was cool, and the stars scattered across the sky, casting a gentle glow over everything.
Klaus placed the sandwiches between them, watching as she took a bite before he joined her. Naira leaned back, admiring the view, feeling more at ease in his presence than she had anticipated. She looked over at him, curiosity brimming in her eyes.
"Klaus... is that your real name, or just what you go by?" she asked, voice soft, but sincere. "I feel like Niklaus suits you better."
He looked at her, surprised, an unfamiliar gentleness touching his expression. "Ah, the name Klaus has served its purpose over the years. It's suited for the legends, the myths..." He trailed off, contemplating her. "But if you wish to call me Niklaus, love, I suppose I could make an exception."
She smiled softly. "Could i call you Nik, then?" she whispered, testing the name with a sweetness that felt almost foreign to his ears.
"Surely love" he replied, almost whispered.
They sat in silence for a moment, just the two of them, as if nothing else existed but the quiet stars and the lingering night. Then, with a spark of her usual warmth, she nudged him, offering him half of her ice cream.
"Sharing is caring," she said lightly, her eyes bright with innocence and kindness.
Klaus chuckled, unable to suppress the warmth that flickered in his chest at her gesture. It was as if she had stepped into his life like a ray of light, unknowingly illuminating his shadows.
"You are quite unlike anyone I have ever known," he murmured, more to himself, though she caught his words and looked at him, blushing slightly.
"Is that... a good thing?" she asked, shy but curious.
He met her gaze, an unusual softness in his eyes. "I would say it's the best thing, Naira." His voice was low, filled with a rare vulnerability. "You see things differently...It's... refreshing."
They stayed on the balcony for hours, talking, laughing, and sharing quiet moments. She told him little stories from her childhood—how she'd get into trouble, Stefan always covering for her, Damon teaching her how to play poker when she was far too young.
Klaus, in turn, told her small, hidden memories from centuries past, moments he had buried away but somehow felt comfortable sharing with her.
As dawn began to approach, they finished the last of their ice cream and sat together in a peaceful silence, watching the stars slowly fade into morning light.
YOU ARE READING
Force of Gravity • NM
Fanfiction"𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦...... 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣! " That was the last thing she remembered of her childhood...not even her name. She grew up too soon... but that little girl...
