Youth ☽ ☾ Klena

9.

Stefan was close, he could sense it. Now, on a bright day in Europe he had got in contact with a local vampire who could only mention in passing that a man with blonde hair, average height, and rather strong had passed through the town to get to a private jet, following him- a small brown haired girl, fast asleep and unaware of what was going on around her.

Stefan couldn't believe his luck. Despite how vague the statement was, his instinct- or his desperation- told him that this was a lead, unlike the other thirty-six leads he had followed.

He pulled out his phone, fumbling around with the numbers and finally came up with Damon's number. He was unwilling to help and Stefan was unwilling to cooperate with him but he would be an asset nonetheless, as enemies or as brothers.

'Damon?' He called through the phone. Met by a muffled yes, he explained the situation to which Damon stated he would meet Stefan, he wanted the doppelganger too. Stefan hung up swiftly, heading towards the small airport on the coast of the old town. He had a lead, now all he had to do was find where that plane flew to.

-

It was an overcast day, a layer of clouds lining the dull sky- not unusual for England. Elena's mood, despite the weather, was rather joyous and she couldn't help but giggle and squirm in her car seat as Klaus drove them, alone, to the local lake at a time where they were most likely to be alone.

It could be stated that it is irresponsible to bring an eight-year-old to a lake at one in the morning but as a nocturnal creature and also not a parent, Klaus nor Elena cared. Elena had slept during the morning just to have the energy to come as Klaus suggested the idea, still unwilling to take Elena out to a public space when it was bustling with people.

So, they arrived at the lake. It was beautiful. It was a rich blue, the light from the moon and stars created an abstract painting on its surface. The depth, a black paradox that could only be compared to the sea.

The lake in its entirety was surrounded by tall pine trees, each on at least twenty metres or more, causing prominent shadows to settle across the entire strip of grass surrounding the circular lake. It only made the lake itself bolder, shining out like a beacon from the shadows. Elena had stopped, much to Klaus' confusion, to simply look at it all.

Klaus, at his age, was unfazed by the beauty. He had become immune to it as if it were a disease, losing his artist's eye.

Elena broke from her trance, bringing her attention to Klaus. 'It's beautiful!' She squealed out, filling the silence with a warm atmosphere. On short legs, she ran to Klaus wrapping her frail arms around his waist. He looked down at her, unable to move for just a second before embracing her warmly.

He had missed this, them. Lately, he hadn't the time to be with Elena. The trip had gone as planned; Elena was smiling- that was all Klaus wanted. It seemed to have become his goal in life- simply to see that smile.

It was as if her smile was his light that he clung onto as the darkness seeped in. A thousand years would do that to a man, let the darkness seep into even the most innocent of men. Greed was a powerful emotion and it seemed, even if Elena was his light, that he was beginning to long for that smile and he would do anything for that smile, he was greedy for the smile.

Forgetting that Elena was human, Klaus asked 'do you want to swim, Elena?' She shook her head, looking at Klaus with wide eyes.

'It's so cold!' She shouted out, staring at the water with fear in her eyes. Klaus laughed it off nervously.

'I was joking...' his voice turned monotone, he just had to ruin it didn't he. Elena wrapped her arms around him.

'You're warm, though.' She smiled and his lips quirked up in return. Pulling her off suddenly he fell back into the grass, Elena following suit. She giggled and jumped onto Klaus' lap. 'You're the best daddy ever!' She called out. Klaus paused. She had called him many nicknames but never had she ever called him daddy...or even dad for that matter.

Klaus ignored it and smiled, 'and you are the best daughter.' That moment was the turning point of it all, really. All the confidence in himself drained out of him. He would never be able to slaughter his own daughter, adopted or not, it was still his daughter.

He sighed, gritting his teeth and wrapping his arms around the small girl, resting his head atop of hers. 'I love you.' He murmured. She giggled, looking up at him.

'I love you too, daddy.' Despite the fear pumping through his veins, that moment would be one of the happiest of his entire life. He loved this girl, this girl was his daughter...or something more. He couldn't tell. Surely, he loved her as a daughter- she was only eight after all. This love, this wasn't romantic nor was it familial. This was something else entirely. It was a seed, something to be planted and revealed when the person had served their time.

Klaus pushed Elena' hair behind her ears. 'Look!' Elena called out as Klaus fiddled with the small strand of hair caught between his fingers. Klaus followed the order and saw something he had not seen in a long time, a shooting star.

He couldn't help but laugh at how stereotypical it was and pondered how Elena' human eyes had even caught the star at the speed it was going. 'Make a wish.' He whispered in a hushed voice as if it were a secret. She nodded and shut her eyes tight, scrunching up her face in a way that could only be adorable when a child did it.

'You made it?' He asked, letting the hair between his fingers fall back in place. She nodded gleefully and rested her back on Klaus' chest.

'And I'm hoping it will come true.'

word count: 1029

published: 07.02.17