Vampire Diaries Imagines

War of Knowledge - Kol Mikaelson

The front door to the apartment creaked open, Kol stepping in with his usual effortless charm. His suit was slightly ruffled, and his hair had the telltale signs of his fingers running through it far too often. Kol wasn't one to get frazzled, but helping Niklaus was rarely a simple task.

"I'm back, love!" he called out, his voice rich with its familiar playful tone. Silence greeted him, save for the faint rustle of paper. He frowned, curiosity piqued as he shrugged off his jacket, tossing it over the back of a chair.

Following the sound, Kol entered their bedroom, and the sight before him made his lips quirk into a grin. Y/N Y/L/N, his clever, determined girlfriend, was sitting cross-legged on their bed, the covers twisted beneath her. Books, notebooks, and loose papers were scattered around her like fallen leaves. A pencil stuck out from behind her ear, and her brows furrowed in frustration as she fumbled through the page of the textbook laying in her open hand.

"Darling," Kol drawled, leaning against the doorframe, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement, "I didn't know our bed doubled as a library."

Y/N startled slightly, her head snapping up. Relief flickered across her face when she saw him, but it was quickly replaced by a weary groan. "Kol, you're back," she said, her voice a mixture of joy and exasperation. "I didn't even hear you come in."

Kol stepped closer, his gaze scanning the mess around her. "Studying again, I see. What's this for? Molecular biology? Advanced quantum theories?"

She rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "It's just for my history exam tomorrow. I've been at this for hours." She exhaled sharply, letting the book drop onto the pile of notes. "I just want to be done."

Kol chuckled, moving to sit beside her on the bed. "You look like you've been waging a war with knowledge itself. Tell me, is the mighty Y/N Y/L/N victorious?"

She leaned into him as he draped an arm around her shoulders, her head finding its home against his chest. "Not even close," she mumbled. "My brain is mush. I can't retain anything anymore."

Kol pressed a kiss to her temple, the gesture soft and soothing. "You've been working too hard, darling. You're brilliant as is-why stress over one exam?"

"Because I want to do well," she muttered, her voice muffled against his shirt. "Not everyone can have the centuries of experience you do."

Kol smirked. "True, but I also didn't spend those centuries buried in books. Perhaps I should've. I could've stolen some tips for impressing you."

Y/N snorted, and he grinned at the sound. "You don't need to try to impress me, Kol. You've already got me."

"Ah, well, in that case..." He gently plucked the notebook from her lap, tossing it onto the pile of papers. "You need a break. No arguments."

"Kol-"

"No," he interrupted, his eyes locking with hers. "You'll burn out, darling, and what good would you be to me then? Now, lie down."

Y/N sighed but allowed herself to sink into the mattress as Kol slid down beside her. He pulled the blankets over them, ignoring the scattered books and papers around them. "You're impossible," she muttered.

"And yet, you adore me," he replied, smug.

She turned to him, her expression softening. "I do. Even when you're insufferable."

Kol's grin widened. "Good. Now close those pretty eyes and rest. Your brain deserves a holiday. And when you're ready, I'll even help you study."

Y/N chuckled, her eyelids growing heavy as she nestled closer to him. "You? Helping me study? That'll be the day."

Kol's laughter rumbled through his chest, a warm, comforting sound. "Oh, ye of little faith. Sleep, love. Tomorrow, you'll conquer that exam-and I'll be right here, cheering you on."

As she drifted off, surrounded by the chaotic remnants of her hard work, Kol tightened his hold on her, a soft smile playing on his lips. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her, even if it meant spending the night buried in history books by her side.

For now, though, he'd let her rest, content in the knowledge that she was his and he was hers-a perfect balance of chaos and comfort.