Force of Gravity • NM

•22•

The day before the Mystic Falls ball, a quiet anxiety lingered over everyone, each torn between caution and a desire to stay united against Esther. The girls decided to momentarily escape the tension with a day of last-minute shopping, enjoying some rare peace since their game night at the Mikaelsons'. Laughter filled the air as they strolled from shop to shop, trying on dresses and joking about the upcoming ball. 

But suddenly, things took a dark turn: Esther had turned Alaric into an Original with a deadly mission—to kill her children and anyone allied with them.

Elena was the first to be captured. Naira, who'd wandered nearby to grab coffee for everyone, found herself snatched alongside her. They were brought to the deserted high school, where Alaric, now twisted by Esther's manipulation, began torturing them both. As Naira struggled, her thoughts raced with fear for Elena—and herself.

Meanwhile, Rebekah received a frantic call from Caroline, her voice trembling as she relayed the news. The Originals and Salvatore brothers dropped everything, their tension mounting as they learned Alaric's true nature and that Naira and Elena were in danger. Klaus's jaw clenched as he listened; the thought of Esther manipulating Alaric was bad enough, but his worry for Naira was etched across his face.

They swiftly formulated a plan, enlisting Bonnie to cast a spell that would amplify a stake's power, enough to temporarily disrupt Alaric's transformation back to human. Kol was reluctantly left behind with Tyler, Matt, and Jeremy for support, though he grumbled, knowing his siblings were out facing danger. Finn decided to stay back, not comfortable with his blood thirst 
At the school, Bonnie and Rebekah stealthily entered, scanning each room. They found Elena and Naira bound and injured, and as they crept closer, Bonnie could hear Naira's shallow breathing. Alaric appeared, his face twisted with malice, as he began another threat to drive fear into Elena. Just then, Damon and Stefan arrived with Klaus and Elijah, immediately taking action to distract Alaric.

Klaus darted toward Naira, untying her binds with a tender urgency. His usually cold eyes softened as he helped her up, his hands holding her steady. "You're safe now, love," he murmured, his voice low and reassuring. He glanced at her bloodied wrists, the rage he'd been holding back flaring momentarily before he tucked it away to keep her calm.

"Don't...go anywhere," she whispered, gripping his hand as he kept her close.

Across the room, Elijah, Stefan, and Damon faced off against Alaric, who struck back with furious strength. Just as he was about to overpower them, Bonnie cast her spell, binding her magic to the stake, giving Stefan the cue to drive it into Alaric. His expression wavered as he returned to his human form, horror dawning in his eyes as he realized what he'd done. He stumbled back, shaken, and fell to his knees, overwhelmed by guilt.

As the chaos subsided, Klaus carefully lifted Naira and carried her out, cradling her as they headed back to the Salvatore house.
That night, Naira lay in bed, pale  from her wounds. She shivered slightly, haunted by Alaric's terrifying presence. Kol appeared beside her, trying to ease her discomfort with tales of his antics as a child, grinning as he exaggerated every detail. He joked about how he once convinced Klaus that one of their neighbors was an actual ghost—Klaus had given him the cold shoulder for weeks after.

As he cracked another joke, Klaus entered, a small, almost reluctant smile on his face. Kol chuckled and nudged Naira's shoulder, grinning widely as he teased, "Look who's here, your personal protector." Winking at Klaus, he left the room, calling out, "Enjoy the alone time, lovebirds!"

Klaus sat down beside her, his face softened, though his usual swagger was gone. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering briefly. "How are you feeling, love?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

"Better, I think," she murmured, a shy smile appearing as she looked up at him. "Thanks to you."

His expression shifted, an unfamiliar tenderness evident. "I'm sorry, Naira," he said softly, his hand tightening around hers. "For everything you've been dragged into because of me."

She reached up, her fingers lightly tracing his cheek. "Nik, don't be. You've been here for me...and i will be for you, always" she whispered, her voice carrying a warmth that melted his reserved exterior.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke. He leaned closer, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. "Rest now, love. I'll be right here if you need anything." As she drifted into sleep, Klaus watched over her, his mind filled with both worry and newfound hope, the feeling of their connection stronger than any bond he'd felt before.