Fathered By A Vampire- Part 1: The Vampire Child Series

Chapter 45- Just A Game

WARNINGS: Mentions of Paranoia and Temporary Character Death

"So then. This is what it has come to," Klaus said grimly.

"Niklaus, I..."

"Silence! I don't want to hear your lies, brother," Klaus said, putting up his hand and turning his head away from Elijah, "All this time. All the tears, blood, and sweat that we shared. This is what my loyalty has earned me in the end? Do I mean nothing to you?"

"You know that it isn't true," Elijah insisted, knitting his eyebrows.

"Is this just a game to you," Klaus snapped.

"Well... Yes. We're literally playing Uno."

Klaus's eyes panned down to the card game in front of him. He was dragged into playing after Isaac found some cards. Klaus tried to escape by telling him that he needed four players which is why Elijah and Rebekah are playing too. Klaus is 99 percent sure that Kol jumped out of the window before Isaac could find him.

"I see. So your loyalty is only there when it is convenient for you," Klaus accused, pointing at Elijah.

"Dad, you have to draw four. That's how the game works," Isaac complained.

Klaus scoffed bitterly and grabbed four cards from the deck.

"Any idea on when Dean is returning home," Rebekah asked, setting down her card after Klaus finally played.

"No clue."

"What happened to him," Elijah asked.

"He claimed that he had an itch and took off. If I had to guess, he's likely hunting," Klaus said.

"The dark hunter in him has grown stronger. I can practically feel it at this point," Rebekah commented, "It's unsettling. The way it feels. Like it's watching me, waiting for me to slip up and behave like a monster so he can cut me down."

"Rebekah..."

"I know. This is Dean. He wouldn't do that unless he felt it was necessary, but even still it's as if he's no longer just Dean anymore. There's something else watching behind his eyes. Someone else..."

"No, Rebekah, I meant it's your turn. You're taking forever," Klaus interrupted, pointing to the game.

Rebekah threw him an offended look before playing her card which reversed back to Klaus. He played a card. When it came to her turn again, she placed a draw-2 card down.

"The brazen betrayal," Klaus snapped, "Not you too, Rebekah!"

"You look like you needed more cards," Rebekah said.

"I literally have twenty in my hand!"

Rebekah remained silent at his angered outburst.

"Why don't we take a break," Elijah suggested, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out.

"No!"

Elijah turned to Klaus as he slammed his hands on the table. He looked determined with a side of clear bitterness.

"No one leaves until this game is over," Klaus said, "I'm so close to winning. I can feel it."

Elijah glanced at the stack of cards he was carrying. Yeah. There's no way he's winning this game.

"If you say so," Elijah sighed, "Your turn, little one."

"You know you don't have to keep calling me that. I'm not a baby anymore," Isaac reminded, although he was amused by the nickname.

"Force of habit I'm afraid. Where are your siblings," Elijah asked.

Stiles is going through his old stuff and Hope is looking around town with Jack and Stefan.

"His old stuff. Do you think he remembers what happened? How he died," Rebekah asked, her voice soft.

"I don't know. He's not himself. I believe he may still be recovering from everything," Elijah assumed, "Likely his memories are coming back in fragments."

"He looked straight at me."

The table turned to Klaus. His eyes were downcast to the tabletop in deep thought.

"He looked at me, and it was as if he didn't even know me. As if I was no one to him," Klaus said.

"He remembers."

Klaus lifted his eyes to Isaac in question. Isaac shuffled uncomfortably while glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. Then he leaned in to speak quieter.

"I'm not supposed to say this but he remembers everything. He probably just needs time to readjust, you know. We all do. This is new to us. But Stiles remembers you, Klaus. He knows what you mean to him, what this whole family means to him," Isaac reassured, "He hasn't forgotten. He simply needs time."

Isaac got quiet, his eyes getting distant.

"Hey, don't tell him I told you any of that, alright," Isaac requested.

"Do you fear him," Elijah asked.

"I wouldn't have my knowledge without him. It's more like I owe him a debt and I'd rather not add to that bill," Isaac chuckled nervously, "So keep this quiet."

"Sure."

They turned back to game.

"Uno!"

"Rebekah, love, you do know I have anger issues, correct," Klaus threatened calmly while glaring at the draw-4 waiting for him.

"It's just a game."

"It's betrayal! Cruel, cold betrayal!"

AUTHOR NOTE: I have a headcanon that Klaus is good at most games except for UNO. He hates the game but swears he can win every time he plays.