Written In Blood

Chapter Four.

Rayna's thoughts were driving her insane.
She had no idea what to do and neither did Niklaus or Elijah.
In the two months they had been in America, they still hadn't come to a conclusion, not even about what Rayna even was.
Being a Vampire and a Witch at the same time should've been impossible, but it wasn't like they'd had first-hand experience before.
They could see Rayna was spiralling, but they couldn't think of anything that would help her.

The group had found a good place to settle, set up some sort of small town eventually and live.
For now, they lived out of tents and simply enjoyed being there.
As for feeding, Niklaus and Elijah between them had compelled the entire group into becoming their source of blood and not say a word about it.
Rayna had had some time to adjust to her new way of life and had come to terms with her guardian's untimely death at her hand and she had finally had some time to think about how she was what she was.
She knew she couldn't possibly be a Witch and a Vampire at the same time; but between her and Elijah, they had come to the conclusion that it had something to do with her being able to siphon. Vampirism was a form of magic, after all...

Elijah had been there for her more than anyone else. He knew how hard it was being a new Vampire and taking the life of someone close to him, but he could only listen when she had a problem about her magic.
The thing was, in that time, he had fallen hard for Rayna, but never knew how to put himself out there and brave her reaction.
But he felt that that day was as good as any.

He called out to her from outside her tent one early morning, his heart pounding in his chest like never before.
"Come in, Elijah." Rayna replied.
"Good morning, my dear. How are you feeling today?" Elijah greeted.
"I'm fine, thank you, min kjære." Rayna smiled, referring to him as 'my dear' in her native tongue.
Elijah looked down and smiled to himself, shuffling nervously.
"What is it, Elijah?" Rayna asked.
The Original sighed. "There's been something I've been meaning to tell you."
Rayna finished brushing her long raven hair and sat on her bed, motioning for him to join her.
Once sat, Elijah took Rayna's hands and placed them in his lap.
"We've been through a lot, you and I." He breathed a chuckle."That's very true. You've taught me most of what I know." Rayna agreed.
Elijah smiled to himself once again.
"In that time, I feel I have developed emotions for you that I didn't quite anticipate."
"Spit it out, Elijah." Rayna chuckled, refusing to let herself be led on by her thoughts.
Elijah tightened his grip slightly on her hands.
"I love you, Rayna." He whispered.
Rayna's thoughts were right... And she didn't quite know how to feel about them.
But, she kissed him.
Their lips connected and, at first, Elijah was shocked, but soon melted into the kiss, letting go of her hands to cup her perfect face.
They separated and gazed into each other's eyes.
"Would you do me the honour of being mine?" The Original Vampire asked her, quietly.
"Of course, Elijah." Rayna smiled. They left Rayna's tent to start the day, but saw Niklaus glaring at them from across the camp.
He'd heard... And he was heartbroken.
"I'll be back." Elijah sighed, kissing Rayna's forehead.
She watched as he walked over to his brother before going to sit by the fire pit and eavesdrop on their conversation.
"How could you?" Niklaus snarled to his brother.
"How could I fall for her? Brother, you're being hypocritical. You know if this had been the other way round, it would most likely have the same outcome." Elijah countered.
Niklaus huffed impatiently. "It wasn't supposed to happen at all. We agreed that neither of us would court her. Whatever happened to 'always and forever'?"
"It had to happen to one of us eventually, brother. I couldn't just stand there as my emotions destroyed me." The older brother said. "Even I have to be selfish sometimes."
Niklaus knew that that was the retort to end the conversation. He knew his brother was right.
He huffed again and stormed off into the woods.
Rayna rose from her log seat and approached Elijah.
"Is this you choosing me over your brother?" She asked nervously.
Elijah looked to her and sighed.
"My feelings for you were killing me. I needed to tell you how I felt. In a perfect world, Niklaus would've understood this. But I know this world is not perfect. So this is how it is. I love you and I refuse to apologise for it." He said.
Rayna sighed, but nodded. She may not have been familiar with the feeling, but she understood none-the-less. Niklaus returned to camp a few hours later, causing Rayna to become suspicious of what he had been up to in that time.
Food for the camp had been prepared, so she grabbed him a plate of meat and bread and went to talk to him.
"Niklaus?" She called as she approached his tent.
There was no response, so she entered anyway."Usually when someone doesn't reply, it means they would like to be left alone." Niklaus mumbled, slumping down on his bed.
"Well I'm afraid that's tough luck. You're stuck with me until you talk to me." Rayna smirked.
"Well I've talked to you. So now you can go back to Elijah." He spat.Rayna sighed and sat down on the end of his bed, placing the plate next to him.
"Why didn't you tell me you had feelings for me?" She asked.
Niklaus rolled his eyes.
"Would it have mattered? Does it now?" He scoffed.
Rayna didn't exactly know how to respond."It just would've been nice to know..." She eventually replied, then remembered her original reason for being there. "Where did you go earlier?"
Niklaus let out a humourless chuckle. "As if you care."
"Of course I care, Nik. Just because I have feelings for your brother doesn't mean I stopped caring about you. You're my best friend." She argued.
The Original gave another one of those chuckles. "And that's all I'll ever be to you." He said.
"Which would you rather? Being my best friend or not being my friend at all?" Rayna asked, raising an eyebrow.
Niklaus knew she had him caught. Of course he wanted her friendship. It was certainly better than not knowing her at all.
"Of course I want to be friends... But you know I won't be able to help but lust for something more."
"I know, Niklaus. But I can't help how I feel any more than you can. It's not like I can be with both of you." Rayna sighed, growing impatient with herself more than anyone.
"Friends then, my dear." Niklaus gave a small smile, clearly not sure whether he meant it or not.
"Friends." Rayna repeated. "Now eat something."
She got up from her seated position and swiftly left the tent, going back to her own.
Elijah was waiting for her when she got back. He smiled when she entered the tent, walking over to her.
He grazed her cheeks with the backs of his knuckles, gently.
"How did your chat with my brother go?" He asked.
"As well as it could've gone." Rayna sighed, cupping his hand with her's.
"Come here, my love." He whispered, pulling her in for a hug, kissing her hair.