the desire to protect is one carved into his bones, an eternal promise to his loved ones engraved on marrow in the core of his being. yet, she is defiant, steps out from behind the wall he has created with his body. EQUALS. has she always seen them as such ? both of them the protector and the protected. ( she has always been eager to place herself on the pyre for those she loves, but he does not claim to possess such a spot in a heart already so full. ) his tension does not falter as his gaze flicks from his smirking brother to HER. ( the goddess made mortal ; the storm caged in frail human bones. ) a thousand years of paranoia do not vanish, even with the presence of someone who seems so determined to coax out the best in him. klaus’ gaze remains predatory as he fastens shining eyes on the doppelganger ; it takes all of elijah’s restraint not to move between them once again. those that klaus fixes with that gaze wind up DEAD more often than not. ( this would be a loss he could not bear ; nearly on par with the loss of a SIBLING. he cannot lose her. not to his brother. )
“ i respect your choice. “
the words are low, meant only for her ears, despite the rapt attention of the hybrid surveying the pair of them. elijah resists the urge to reach forward, to uncoil her arms from around herself. ( do not be angry with him. forgive the beast that time has made him. this world is cruel, and its scars run deep in this immortal being. ) he means the words he says, but the steel remains in his eyes. he’s not to be deterred from her protection, even with her quiet warnings.
“ but niklaus and i will be negotiating our own deal. “
for this is where he EXCELS. from the moment they met, his relationship with elena had been about DEALS, about negotiation and barter. now is no exception, and he fixes his brother with the expression that those who know his reputation have come to FEAR. he shines in the realm of diplomacy. he knows how to get what he wants, even if his opponent is as dangerous as his brother. maybe she will not forever leave her cage, even with him at her side, but he will expand it if he can. he will find her the space to BREATHE again.
“ she’s already admitted she wants to stay here. what more could you want for her ? “
at his brother’s question, elijah can’t help but glance back to her. her hair shimmers in the light of the chandelier, and despite the hard tension of her muscles and her wasted lines, he can’t help but think she is quite possibly the most beautiful woman he has seen in a long time. the DIPLOMATIC SMILE is momentarily replaced by a softer expression, one meant for her alone. ( silly boy, stupid boy. gods who love mortals never recover. )
“ you will guarantee her safety and her comfort. she’s to be treated as your highest priority. she’s to have the food and medical care she needs. you will take her blood no more than once a month, and she WILL be allowed to leave on occasion. i will accompany her, if that’s what she wishes. “
niklaus’ eyes are cautious, flicking from his elder brother to the caged bird beside him. his brother is clever enough ; elijah knows he’s making the connection between the two of them: the feelings elijah cannot hide from FAMILY. he speaks again before niklaus can comment.
“ in return, i will not murder every werewolf in a hundred mile radius. you can continue building your precious hybrid army, but she will be cared for. “ his diplomatic look is still in place when he looks elena in the face once more. “ if you agree to allow me to negotiate on your behalf, elena. “
she walks on a wire , the world fallen at her feet. it is tiring : being up so high , floating in the sky , having the fall to come . it is always the fall that hurts , it isn’t worth the towering heights. if she could , she would almost give up everything to return to a normal life , to not have this blood feud . almost . doing so would mean she would have never met him , and that one fact is worth it all . like the montague’s & the capulet’s , their bloodline extends to a war that may never be broken . katerina & klaus , a battle that extends to them , one they can not escape . perhaps forbidden love is sweeter in the end . perhaps the sweetness is of the forbidden is why the apple was picked at the beginning of time . she , eve , extends her arms for it with open palms / bruised palms. her hands will always reach for his love , even if they are cut deep in the process . they defy god with the way that they look at each other & neither of them know it . everyone does except them .
the dove speaks ! the dove : a sign of peace & hope . that is what she tries to bring. she will always be the one to try and coax the softness out of him . beast-tamer . war-stopper . rosen lips strike a deal , pleads mercy & justice . for whomever they touch they will speak for , for whomever she loves , she will die for . it is her curse . the golden heart , the love that outpours , has always been her downfall . your loyalty will get you killed ! in deals they speak / in negotiations they love . she trusts him , after everything , she still does . she gives him the chance to speak . to barter when she would normally do it herself . it is long since her gaze has left him , and when she realizes it , she pulls away . looks to the other man . the one who has not stolen her heart .. she is less afraid . klaus may take her freedom , but it is less frightening than the one who holds her heart .
❝ elijah . can we talk ? away from where he can hear us . ❞
never will she put her fate in someone’s hands. no matter how much she does trust him . no matter the fact that she would lay her life at his altar . they must be a team : they must learn how to work broken parts again . together , they were unstoppable , but she can not stop thinking of how they left things . of how they ruined something pure & unadulterated . like cutting up a rose , they tarnished beauty. there has to be a way to get it back .
her body turns from the villain . it faces elijah now : a brooding storm . something in her voice tells them that it isn’t up for debate , not for either of them . look at this girl who runs among demons .
it is holy. the way that her hands reaches for his , unbeknownst the way that the choir sings when flesh touches flesh. she expected his hands to be colder , and yet , she reached for it anyway . now she does not let go , instead she tugs him along , goes down the stairs . how she doesn’t want to let go . this love was not meant to be , but still , it is here .
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