K I N G • KLAUS MIKAELSON [1]

disturbing behaviour

RIVER smirked from his seat atop the counter in the Gilbert Household's kitchen, a packet of chips next to him that he slowly munched on as he watched Elena and Damon cooking before him.

"I just don't know why you want to bring chilli to a potluck" Damon argued "Everybody brings chilli"

"Hey Ric" River grinned as Alaric entered the kitchen, glancing warily at Elena and Damon.

"What's up?" Alaric greeted.

"What time do you want to go to the Lockwood party?" Elena wondered.

"Those founders parties aren't really my thing" Alaric stated with a sigh.

"Show up, there's going to be nine other people that brought chilli" Damon added.

"It's an old family recipe" Elena sighed "Okay?"

"Yeah, I know!" Damon teased "I knew your old family, they made sucky chilli"

Elena laughed, nudging Damon who returned with his signature grin, Alaric exchanging a look with River who just shook his head.

"Why are you here, exactly?" Alaric wondered.

"She knows" Damon gestured to Elena.

"We think she's going to break" River answered.

"I'm not going to break" Elena argued "I am just going to keep making chilli, pretend like I didn't just spend the entire summer looking for someone who didn't want to be found"

"She's in denial" Damon stated.

"I'm not in denial!" Elena retorted.

"No?" Damon wondered stepping towards her, the vampire reached forward, gently holding the necklace that sat round her neck "Isn't this the reminder of your unbreakable bond with Stefan?"

Elena stayed silent, Alaric turning to River again, the ex-witch rolling his eyes.

-

River stood by Elena's side, the girl pulling the door open to reveal Caroline.

"I come bearing gifts!" Caroline beamed, holding out a bowl of food.

"Please say that's not chilli!" Elena whined.

Bonnie jumped out from behind Caroline, River grinning as he pulled the witch in for a hug.

"Bonnie!" He smiled.

"I'm back" Bonnie grinned as she hugged the human back, turning to Elena "I leave town for the summer and everything goes to hell for the three of you"

A creak on the staircase made heads turn, Jeremy stood at the top, smiling brightly as he clapped eyes on the dark-skinned witch.

"Bonnie!" He called.

The boy ran down the stairs, embracing the girl as River stepped back, smiling at the pair.

-

River sat atop the counter again, Bonnie moaning about her normal human side of the family, Caroline helping Elena to decant the chilli into a casserole dish.