Blood, Death, and Tears

Brothers

The morning came with silence too much time to think. Klaus avoided even looking in my direction when I saw him before he left to work on his plan. Now feeling like he had purpose I guess, he was out everyday. Gathering troops, intel, everything. He was preparing for all out war I just hoped it wouldn't mean the death of any innocent people. I sat in the kitchen eating pancakes I made myself and staring into space. I was supposed to be reading but it m turned into me staring at my food and the page "Penny for your thoughts Milady" I looked up to see Elijah standing there watching me slightly concerned. I hadn't seen him yet so I got up giving him a small hug "Morning. Soooo what's the plan today brooding, war mongering, or just plain old TV" he chuckled "You think I want anything to do with my brother's schemes. All he's going to do is make more people grow their hatred of him. I think it admirable that he cares enough to avenge Hayley but she's gone Elena. He tried to save her he could not, he failed, and she died. The sooner he deals with that fact the better off he will be. He fails to see that he could kill his way through the entire quarter and still never dampen the pain in his heart" he said before grabbing a blood bag from the fridge and sighing sitting across from me.

"He's Klaus. Killing is the only way he knows how to grieve" he gave me a look again and ripped open his blood bag emptying it into my empty glass "Hey-" he cut me off "Why defend him? In fact why even help him? You stay here for no price after all Klaus has done to you you've earned that. So why let him have what he wants. What did he do to you?" I frowned taken back by the angry undertone of his questions. Almost like he didn't want me to give him a second chance.  Like he felt like his brother deserved it "Why ask why" I said giving him a look back "I told you before Elena everything my brother touches dies. He's already killed you once he can do it again indiretly or just cut your head off where you stand. He cannot be changed or fixed, don't get hurt trying to" I heard the pain in his voice when he spoke. That wasn't a warning coming from someone who didn't know anything about it. That came from experience, if anyone would know about trying to change Klaus it would be him.

"Why don't you come with me" I thought about it and nodded after a few seconds. Going with Elijah and finally figuring out where he goes sounds better than being trapped in my mind in this house. He smiled and stood next to me offering his arm "Shall we" I laughed a little "We shall" we walked out of the house setting into his Audi and went off. As he drove I could feel his eyes dart over to me every now and then "What is it" I said giving him a small smile and a raised eyebrow "I find it perplexing how you don't know how interesting and beautiful you are" I blushed and looked away "I honestly don't know what you're seeing but thank you for the compliment" he gave me a look then refocused on driving "You must know, that's why my brother is so smitten" it was then that I realized why he kept warning me away from Klaus. The last time Klaus loved anyone was when Tatia was around and she died. He must think that I'm a repeat of history, or that his brother only finds me interesting because I look like her.

"You don't have to worry about me and him. I might understand him a bit better but me and Klaus could never be together" I realized as I was saying it I was trying to convince myself more than him. I shook the thought off and the thoughts of last night "I just wish for you to keep the pain you ran from from following you here" I knew his intentions were only for the best and I gave him a smile nodding in agreement. He was right. And it wouldn't, I left Mystic Falls for a reason and I wouldn't allow Klaus to ruin my life again. We got to this nice house a nice distance from the city and he parked. I got out of the car and looked at the place "This is yours?" he nodded and I laughed a little "It looks like a place you'd live in" it screamed Elijah sophisticated, understated, and a little dated. We walked in and contrary to what I thought I'd find it was really cozy. It had more of a family home feel to it than the museum or over-priced feel I was expecting. But the more I thought about it the more it made sense.

Family is everything to Elijah of course he'd a have a more homey place. I sat down in the living room Elijah followed me in pouring a glass of scotch and one of bourbon.  He gave me the bourbon and sipped his scotch "Better than being stuck in that place by yourself" I laughed a little "He was right, but I had questions "Why buy this place" he shrugged "I should think the answer to that is obvious" I rolled my eyes "Why not leave New Orleans, why stay, why watch him?" I asked raising an eyebrow. He obviously blamed Klaus for Hayley's death but he stayed. Why? He stared at his glass for a moment then sighed "Because he's my brother. And despite everything I love him and he needs me" his words hit something deep in me. I remember feeling the same way about Jeremy. Being here I didn't have time to grieve exactly what I needed. Now with it right in front me all over again there was no running from it. It was here and I had a feeling it wasn't going away.

"Yet as much as I love my dear brother he's a monster and impossible to live with so here I am" I laughed a little "He's actually not that bad he's rarely ever home but when he is he's ok" he gave me a look and sipped on his scotch again "All due respect Elena you've come at a time my brother is surprisingly tame. When he gets back to his usual destructiveness you'll want to stay here instead. When you do know the door is always open for you" he said the last part looking me dead in my eyes. There was a emotion that he was trying to push towards me through them but I didn't want to read into it. I didn't come here for that, I came to get myself out of my head about Klaus. I looked away and cleared my throat trying to cut through the sudden tension "Where's Rebekah" I asked changing the subject  "Off with Marcel living some form of happily ever after" the jealousy in his voice was slight would've missed it if you weren't paying attention. He must've truly cared about Hayley, makes me wonder "What was she like" he paused for a second confused about who I meant but realization hit him quickly.

We were there several hours before Klaus stormed in. Me and Elijah stood up confused but ready for anything "Where- ahh there you are I was just about to call for a emergency search party" I looked him over he seemed on edge, anxious in a way. And although he was trying to contain it he was breathing heavy almost as if he were frantic "Were you looking for me?" I asked narrowing my eyes at him "I was. I had just gotten one of those lovely little threats from the coven and I came back to see the house was destroyed and you were not in it" I frowned "What" me and Elijah asked at the same time. He rolled his eyes and poured himself a glass of bourbon then sat down "It's inconsequential since you're here and in tact and the entirety of my plan is, unaffected" Elijah scoffed "Could you please take a moment to think outside yourself for one second. Elena's life is in danger and we promised we'd keep her safe" Klaus stood up tossing his glass "No brother you did. I merely said she could stay and that I would respect her little wishes for me to keep "innocent" people out of the war I'm ready to start. Nothing more and nothing less" he said making eye contact with me briefly before leaving.