These Wild Hearts || R. & K. Mikaelson ON HOLD

02. When In Rome

Kol almost tripped. He felt lightheaded as he wondered aimlessly through the streets. All the glowing lights and unfamiliar sounds were quickly overwhelming him. This new age seemed to be as beautiful as it was terrifying. And so he ran. As fast as he could, trying to get away from everything.

That is, until he bumped into Joshua Rosa. Literally.

Both men fell on their back with the impact. Kol smelled blood as he glanced to the dark sky above him, feeling the wet grass underneath him. At least that hasn't changed, he thought to himself. Kol was ready to jump to his feet and bash whoever stood in his way. But then he saw Josh.

"Jesus! Are you okay?" Josh asked, stumbling around to get to Kol. He held out a friendly hand to help Kol to his feet, a kind smile shaping his lips.

Kol took his hand instinctively. He knew he should trust no one, especially with Klaus close by. And yet, something in Josh's eyes made Kol's fears ran away from his heart; leaving a dream-like calm behind.

"I'm Josh, by the way." he added, blushing when Kol held on to his hand a moment too long

As Kol stared into Joshua's eyes he found himself unable to speak. He awkwardly let go of josh's hand, feeling his own cheeks slightly reddish.

"I'm Kol." the words eventually came out.

"I'm really sorry about that." Josh went on. "I'm still getting the hang of the speed thing." he smiled shyly, his cheeks slightly redder.

Kol chuckled. "Yeah. I remember how that was... It's alright, truly."

Of all the confusing surprises of this New World, a handsome, newly turned vampire, with beautiful brown eyes, was the one Kol least expected. But it was a splendid, overwhelming surprise.

"Oh, so you are one of those old timers, uh?" Josh asked as haphazardly as he could. Feeling his undead heart drumming in his heart, he tried to concentrated in Kol's actual words. But he found Kol's eyes were too distracting. It also did not help that Kol's mouth and collar bones were equally powerful distractions.

Kol laughed softly, feeling dazed as he gazed at Josh. "Yes. I suppose you could say that." he smiled. Most of his worries dead and forgotten.

"So, uh, it's your first time in town then?" Josh searched his mind for conversation topics. A loud voice in the back of his mind threatened Josh with death if he let Kol get away without giving him his number.

"No. Not really. But, I haven't been here in a while." Painful memories flash behind his eyes, as Kol remembered how his brothers had carve a dagger in his chest and left him to rot. Still, as his eyes refocused on Josh's face, all terrible memories were drowned by a dream-like peace.

"Oh, I can show you around." Josh blurted out. His face lightened up with Kol's words. "I mean, if you want to, obviously." He continued, trying to control his excitement. Josh did not bump into strikingly handsome guys as often as he wished, and this one had something amusing about him...

Kol smiles intuitively. "Oh, are you from here?"

"Oh, no." Josh chuckled. "No. I'm just a lousy tourist, really. But I have been here since I turned. And I know some cool spots and all..." he gazed eagerly at Kol. A smile shaped his lips as anticipation made his breath shiver.

Every bone in Kol's body trembled and told him to refuse. He knew he needed to get as far away from Klaus as possible. And fast. But by Gods! He thought, he has such beautiful eyes.

"Yes. I'd love to!" The word flew out of his mouth before he could stop himself. "If you let me get you something to drink." Kol added, trying to regain a casual posture and, like Josh, hide his excitement.

Kol followed him through the busy streets. The phrase "when in Rome..." played on his mind as his eyes were drowned by Josh's smile. And yet, the fast beats of his falling heart were proof enough: this would not be just another night.