There had been plenty of thoughts on Elijah’s mind that day. Getting into New Orleans without any more of his siblings coming to harm, freeing Niklaus, and returning to the safe place where Hope was, so they could all be there to protect her and see her reunited with her father. Revenge had also been on his mind, burning anger, revenge, guilt - but they did not have the means for that, so he pushed it aside ( to fester and grow ) and focused on the task at hand. It wasn’t until they were almost at the safe house did Hayley mention Karl was there and a wave of emotions washed over him, emotions he couldn’t place or name ( excitement, fear, relief, terror? ) and found himself waiting anxiously until they pulled up in front of the house, in the dead of night.
Karl was probably asleep, Elijah told himself. He wouldn’t want to wake him up. It could wait to the morning, he was sure. It’s not like it’s been years…. Elijah wouldn’t blame him if he decided that all of this was worth too much trouble - there had been no guarantee that any of the Mikaelsons could be woken up in a timely fashion. But as they approach the house, he sees Karl waiting on the porch and he knows there’s no delaying this ( he didn’t want to, he wanted to see karl, he’s missed him so much. ) so he approaches as his siblings and Hayley head inside. There’s so much he could say, so much he’s thought about saying in the Chambre, but all that he manages to say is: “Hello Karl.”
He wanted to go with Hayley but staying behind is the better option. Not for him but overall. While he’s a good fighter, she’s a hybrid – more powerful than him – and it’s not like his role in this is useless. Keep Hope safe. Keep Elijah’s niece safe. It’s what Elijah would have wanted ( in case something goes wrong, there’s an entire wolf pack ready to take her in, to protect her ), not that it eases the restlessness deep in his gut. After he tucks Hope in, safe and sound, he takes his spot at the porch, waiting. And waiting.
When the car approaches, he jumps up, self-control long forgotten. He’s too terrified Elijah won’t be with them. BUT HE IS; the relief that fills him is overwhelming and he’s crossing the space between them in two big strides, collapsing into him, grabbing onto him – KISSING HIM. “Hello to you too, stranger,” he says, tone soft, hold tight and desperate, as he takes in his smell. “I’m so happy to see you I’m going to abandon the whole don’t ever do that again or I’ll kick your ass speech – “ He wouldn’t go for it anyway, it wasn’t Elijah’s fault, he’s joking. Perhaps he shouldn’t. Perhaps he shouldn’t immediately act like nothing happened, like it wasn’t five long years. But there will be time to talk later and right now, he just wants to make sure Elijah is alright first. “But if you think I’m letting you out of my sight now, you’re deadly wrong. You owe me a few hours of snuggles at least.”