Into the Deep End

Fifteen:

It seemed that both Elena and Klaus were doing their very best to avoid each other, though Elijah had noticed that Klaus was keeping tabs on the Gilbert girl, even though he pretended not to care about her whereabouts.

Elijah knew it was a ploy to conceal his feelings for Elena Gilbert, as Klaus was positive that Esther would use Elena against him, like she had done with Tatia – keeping Elena at an arm’s length seemed to be the best option, in Klaus’s eyes.

‘Love is a vampire’s greatest weakness’

‘Love isn’t a weakness, it’s strength.’

Klaus hid away in his private room, letting out his feelings with every brushstroke, but it seemed no matter what – Elena still crept into his thoughts.

God! He could paint a thousand women, and still, her face is all he sees!

He needed to see her.

There were only a few possible locations for Elena to be in this pathetic, one-pony town, so Klaus grabbed Elijah – willingly, of course, and headed to the most likely location.

The Mystic Grill.

Klaus sensed her before he even saw her, her scent calling out to him, Elena was with Caroline, Tyler and unsurprisingly, Damon Salvatore; they were playing darts, and it seem that Damon was letting Elena win.

Tuning into their conversation, Klaus smirked as Damon complained about the wounds that Rebekah inflicted on him were still healing.

“Don’t mind us,” That seemed to have their attention, Damon instinctively places himself between Klaus and Elena, though she seemed annoyed about it.

“Klaus - …”

“Don’t you both have somewhere else to be,” Damon spoke, glaring directly at Klaus. “Other than here?”

“Can’t I come down to my local pub for a drink with my brother and mate?” He indicated towards the male hybrid that was sitting at the bar, waiting for Klaus’s and Elijah’s drink order.

“Mate?” Damon scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “You have no friends, only lackeys.”

Klaus snatched the darts from his hand, stepping around him and lightly brushing against Elena, noticing the small flush of colour that danced across her face and winked at Caroline, who rolled her eyes.

"You sure about that?" Klaus called, throwing the dart he held and got an automatic bullseye. "And here I thought we were just getting along."

Damon gritted his teeth. “You allowed your psycho sister to torture me for hours! Why would that make us ‘friends’?”

Elijah cleared his throat. “No offence, Damon. But I believe he was not talking about you.”

Damon’s eyes slightly widened as realization kicked in. He then let out a sarcastic laugh, turning to face Elena, Caroline, and Tyler.

Klaus’s eyes narrowed. Maybe Damon Salvatore hasn’t learnt his lesson.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Why would Elena or Caroline be friends with him? Tyler is his lackey.”

Elijah placed his hand on Klaus’s shoulder as the Hybrid went to step towards the eldest Salvatore, Elena then placed herself between Damon and Klaus – her back facing Klaus.

“Damon, go and check on Stefan.”

“I’m not leaving you alone with them.”

“Damon,” Elena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Just go. I’ll be fine.”