Red Passion

Chapter 10

Elijah is rather bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.

(And that's actually probably the understatement of the century, judging by his widened eyes and slightly parted lips.)

He's sitting down on one of the couches in the Mikaelson mansion living room, trying to process and put together everything that Klaus—who's currently sitting just opposite to him—has just told him.

After a few, silent moments, he finally brings his gaze back on his brother.

"So... you're telling me that a blood bond has formed between you and–uhm," he clears his throat, somewhat awkwardly, "Miss Forbes, and that it happened because you somehow both have," he frowns slightly and hesitates for a moment, an expression between confused and downright appalled forming on his features, "feelings for each other?"

Klaus rolls his eyes, smirking slightly despite the situation as he pours himself another drink.

"Yes, Elijah. Can we please not talk about this as if we were in kindergarten?"

"I'm sorry, Brother. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that you–"

"That I actually care for another person?" Klaus supplies, looking at his brother with a quirked eyebrow. "I've been there, believe me," he says, bringing the tumbler to his lips to take a decent gulp.

Observing the other Original, Elijah can't help but smile. While he won't deny that the situation into which Klaus and Caroline are finding themselves is quite tricky and dangerous, the elation that he feels at the thought that his brother has finally found someone to love and care for overtakes his worry for a few moments.

"I'm glad that you confided in me," he eventually says, honesty shining bright and clear in his brown eyes.

He has been trying to get Klaus to show some trust in him for as long as he can remember, since their immortal existences have first begun, but he has always inevitably failed. Weakness is something none of his siblings has ever been too willing to display, and he wouldn't really put it past Klaus to rather die than ask for someone else's help sometimes.

And, yet.

Somehow, Caroline Forbes has found a little, less-guarded niche inside of his brother's heart, and, obviously, she seems to mean so much more to Klaus than his own pride, and that is something that he dearly hopes the girl is aware of.

Klaus nods curtly before averting his gaze with a sigh.

"Well, it's not like I had much of a choice. I need to understand how to eliminate or at least lessen the side effects of this bond, and I've already asked my best witch with no real results."

"Then, what can I do to help?" Elijah asks, crossing one leg over the other in a gracious, polite manner.

The younger Mikaelson swirls the dark, golden liquid in his glass for a moment, eying it intently.

"I was hoping you could contact our witches in New Orleans," he admits, breaking the silence.

Elijah's eyebrows immediately shoot up, a few creases forming on his forehead as a small smirk appears on his lips.

"Our witches?"

Klaus rolls his eyes, trying to hide his own grin behind the crystal tumbler that he's holding in his right hand as he slowly downs its last contents.

"Are you offering me part of your very much coveted kingdom, Niklaus?" Elijah lightly taunts him with raised eyebrows.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Elijah, shall we?" Klaus immediately rejoins in a serious tone, sobering up and hastily leaving the couch to stand up in front of his brother with a deep scowl on his features.