Force of Gravity • NM

•16•

As Klaus and Naira pulled into Mystic Falls, they were greeted by the familiar sight of the Salvatore brothers and the rest of their friends—the Scooby gang, as Damon liked to call them. But Elena was noticeably absent, likely kept safely out of sight, a detail that didn't escape Klaus's attention.

Klaus raised an eyebrow, flashing a mischievous smirk. "So, protecting her from me, are we?" he quipped, scanning the gathered faces. "What a warm welcome, indeed."

Naira rolled her eyes at him and quickly stepped out, rushing over to hug both Damon and Stefan. Damon, ever the charmer, gave her a playful squeeze, saying, "Miss me, little sister?" She laughed. "You know it, Damon."

Meanwhile, Stefan looked at Klaus and nodded. "Since you're back in town, you're welcome to stay at the boarding house—at least until your house is ready."

Damon raised an eyebrow, his expression anything but thrilled. "Oh, sure. Nothing like sharing your house with not one, but two Original vampires." He shot a sarcastic look at Stefan. "Guess it'll be like vampire summer camp."

Klaus shot him a smug smile, ignoring Damon's tone. "Well, with the way you two keep bringing me back, it's only fair I make myself comfortable, wouldn't you agree?"

Damon snorted, but Stefan simply motioned towards the house, his expression neutral. They headed in, Damon muttering under his breath, "You'd think Mystic Falls had an anti-Originals policy. Apparently not."

Later, once they'd settled into the boarding house, Rebekah found Klaus in one of the quieter rooms, taking a break from the constant Salvatore banter. She came up to him, her gaze softer than usual.

"Klaus," she started quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "I wanted to say... thank you. For letting Elijah go. He's... well, you know he's been in touch with me since then. He's been searching for our other siblings." She hesitated, then continued, "And our mother."Klaus's expression flickered, a mix of surprise and vulnerability breaking through his usual mask. "Mother..." he murmured, the word almost foreign on his tongue.

Rebekah looked down, her voice trembling slightly. "I know what happened. I know you killed her. For some time, I hated you for it." She looked up, meeting his gaze. "But I forgive you. It was... complicated, I understand that now."

He stared at her, something unspoken passing between them as he nodded, deeply moved. It was rare for Klaus to show his softer side, and even rarer to receive forgiveness from anyone, least of all his own sister.

Just then, Damon strolled in, having caught the tail end of their conversation. "Oh, look at this—a heartfelt moment between the world's oldest bickering siblings." He smirked, clearly amused. "Guess it doesn't matter if you're a thousand years old; sibling rivalry is eternal."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, irritation flashing across his face, but before he could retort, he heard Naira and Stefan laugh softly in the background.

"Oh, Damon," Naira grinned, her eyes shining with amusement. "Always so charming." Damon shrugged. "It's a gift."

In an attempt to change the subject, Damon added, "So, since you're here, you two might find this interesting. There's a cave under the Lockwood estate—ancient markings and all that. We found some, let's say, surprising things there."

At the mention of the cave, Rebekah perked up, intrigued. "Really? Ancient markings?" She turned to Klaus, excitement growing in her voice. "Could it be the cave we engraved our names on? Our story."

Damon rolled his eyes. "Oh, please, Rebekah, enlighten us with the tales of your family drama."Rebekah cast a cold stare at him before turning to the rest of the group. She took a seat, motioning for them to listen.

"Very well. But know that this story isn't one of heroes and villains. It's one of survival, family, and betrayal," she began, her gaze solemn. "A thousand years ago, we lived in what is now known as the New World. Our family was part of a small village, and our father, Mikael, was a powerful man, feared by all..."

As Rebekah wove the story, she recounted how their family, including herself, Elijah, and Klaus, had been transformed into vampires—the Originals—after a violent werewolf attack that took their younger brother. She spoke of their mother's powerful magic and how it had been her who first invoked the spell that made them immortal. But it was Klaus's birthright as a werewolf that made him unique—and dangerous. Their mother had suppressed that side of him, fearing its power.

Klaus, listening to his sister recount their dark history, clenched his fists as painful memories resurfaced. The betrayal, the abandonment—all the emotions he usually hid so well began to churn within him. He stood abruptly, his jaw tight. Without a word, he walked outside, unable to bear the weight of the past any longer.

Once alone, he took a shaky breath and reached for his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen before he pressed call.

Elijah answered after only a few rings. "Niklaus," he greeted, his tone calm but firm.

"Elijah..." Klaus hesitated, an unfamiliar vulnerability in his voice. "I'm sorry. For... everything." He could feel the weight of their shared history, the centuries of betrayal and conflict. "I—well, I know I've wronged you. Many times."

There was a brief silence, then Elijah's voice softened. "Niklaus, our bond has always been complicated, to say the least. But we are family. Always and forever."

Klaus closed his eyes, the familiar phrase soothing the wounds he'd carried for so long. "Always and forever," he murmured back, almost reverently.

"I'll bring the coffins," Elijah continued. "Of our siblings and... our mother. When the time is right, I want you to be there when they're un-daggered. We should be united this time."

Klaus's voice was thick with emotion as he nodded, the sincerity evident in his tone. "Thank you, Elijah. I'll be there."

As he ended the call, Klaus leaned against the railing, the crisp night air filling his lungs. He felt something he hadn't in a long time—a sense of hope, a fragile yet powerful possibility that, perhaps, his family might finally find a way to heal.

When he returned to the boarding house, he found Naira still awake, sitting on the couch. She looked up, her expression curious. "Are you okay, Nik?"

Klaus nodded, feeling more at ease in her presence than he'd expected. "Just... dealing with family drama."

Naira smiled, patting the space beside her. "Want to watch the rest of this movie with me?" He chuckled softly, settling down next to her. "Why not, love. I suppose family drama can wait another night." As they watched in comfortable silence, Klaus felt a rare sense of contentment—a fleeting, almost forgotten feeling of peace.