Force of Gravity • NM

•34•

The allure of Silas and the cure for vampirism lingered like an unspoken temptation in the back of everyone's minds. While the thought of becoming human again was enchanting to some—Elena, for instance—it was met with staunch resistance by others, especially Damon.

One evening, as they gathered in the Salvatore library, the debate reached a boiling point.

"I'm just saying," Damon leaned against the mantle, whiskey in hand, "this so-called cure has disaster written all over it. Immortality isn't exactly something you give up without consequences."

Elena frowned. "But don't you ever think about what it would be like? To be human again?"

"No, because I'm not an idiot," Damon quipped.

"Enough!" Klaus's voice boomed from the corner, silencing the room. "We'll leave this folly for another time. Silas has stayed buried for centuries; another few months won't hurt him."

Rebekah's pregnancy was progressing beautifully. Her growing bump had become a source of joy for everyone—though, unsurprisingly, Kol had the most to say about it.

One afternoon, Naira found Rebekah in the Mikaelson kitchen, struggling to reach a jar of pickles. Stefan, ever the doting boyfriend, quickly intervened, grabbing it for her.

"Thanks, love," Rebekah said, opening the jar and immediately biting into a pickle.

Kol, leaning against the counter, smirked. "Is it just me, or is this baby already more demanding than you are?"

Rebekah rolled her eyes. "You'll regret those words when Henry is old enough to take you down."

"Henry?" Stefan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rebekah sighed. "It's a thought. Henrik is too old-fashioned. I don't want him being teased in school."

"Henry's perfect," Naira chimed in, grinning.

Stefan chuckled. "How about Hank as a nickname?"

Rebekah laughed. "That's awful, Stefan. But you're lucky I love you."

That evening, the Mikaelson parlor was alive with nostalgia. The warm fire crackled, and everyone sat sprawled across the luxurious couches, listening as Elijah and Finn regaled them with stories from their Viking childhood.

"You should've seen Niklaus," Elijah began, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "He used to chase Rebekah around with snakes."

Rebekah gasped, swatting Klaus's arm. "You did not!, why don't i remember that??"

"Oh, he did, and you were a kid" Finn confirmed, chuckling. "And once, he fell face-first into a pile of mud while trying to outrun Father."

Kol laughed. "That's the Nik we know—graceful as ever."

As the laughter subsided, Finn's tone turned somber. "But Father... he wasn't kind to Niklaus. And we..." He hesitated, looking at Klaus. "We didn't do enough to stop him."

The room fell silent.

"I'm sorry, Niklaus," Rebekah whispered, tears in her eyes.

Klaus nodded, his expression unreadable. Before he could respond, Naira got up and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. She didn't say a word, simply resting her head on his shoulder. Klaus closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath as he held onto her.

Later that night, Naira found Klaus sitting on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. She climbed onto the bed, tucking her legs under the duvet, and nudged his shoulder.

"What's on your mind?" she asked softly.

Klaus sighed, his gaze distant. "I'm happy for Rebekah. I truly am. But I worry for her, for the baby. Our family is a magnet for danger."

"Stefan will protect them," Naira reassured him. "He loves her. And Henry—"

"Henry." Klaus chuckled softly. "It does have a nice ring to it."

Naira smiled. "You'll be the best uncle, you know."

Klaus shook his head. "I don't deserve that title. Not after everything I've done."

"Stop it," Naira said firmly. "You're a good person Nik, you just need to show it often."

Klaus looked at her, his eyes heavy with emotion. "Mikael made sure I'd never feel worthy of love or family."

At the mention of Mikael, Naira's eyes narrowed. "Mikael," she muttered, her voice filled with disdain. "You know what? If he were here right now, I'd kick his ass."

Klaus blinked in surprise, then let out a laugh. "You'd what?"

"I'd kick his ass," she repeated, crossing her arms. "I'd tell him exactly what I think of him for what he did to you.  I'd kick his ass so bad...he would fly into the other side "

Klaus chuckled, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're starting to sound like me."

"Good," Naira said with a grin. "Your rubbing off on me...and someone has to knock some sense into you."

Klaus reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're remarkable, Naira. Do you know that?"

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I try."

Klaus laughed again, the sound lighter than it had been in years. For the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope.