compelling stefan. "how did klaus feel when he was compelling stefan to turn off his humanity? also, does he prefer stef one way or the other? what’s the tea?!"
we all know klaus is prone to impulsive behaviors, namely when his emotions get the best of him, and he almost always comes to regret the action he took during an outburst. compelling stefan in this instance is a perfect example of this particular pattern of behavior. he had been simmering with jealousy ever since they reunited and he realized just how much stefan loved elena, but seeing how far he would go to avoid hurting her, despite the hybrid's compulsion, sent him over the edge. he didn't necessarily want nh!stefan, he wanted back the stefan that didn't love elena, the one that had wanted to be by his side. it's clear he realizes the magnitude of this action and that he shouldn't have done this the moment after he does it, especially considering stefan had pleaded with him a mere thirty minutes ago not to compel him. even then, he said "i didn't want to. all i wanted was your allegiance, now i'm going to have to take it." but did it anyway ( i could go on and on about how klaus doesn't truly think himself worthy of earning loyalty so he forces it, but that's a topic for another time ) because stefan said he didn't care about elena only to prove the exact opposite moments later. both times, klaus feels jealousy that stefan is choosing another over him and he envies s.telena's bond, leading him to impulsive actions that he knows deep down won't make anyone happy, including him. and while the next shot we see of him he looks pleased and says "i fixed him", this is only after he has a moment to recover and bury his true reaction under his usual blustering. he knows he fucked up ( and probably felt that chill we all do when we know we messed up ), but all he could do was double down. this entire scene is a textbook example of his impulsiveness: things aren't going his way, one of his chosen people chooses another over him, his emotions bubble over and he has an explosive outburst, he does something stupid, his emotions settle enough for him to realize wtf he just did, and he has a moment of self-awareness before he does something to make the situation worse rather than fix it - because he just can't help it, can he?
now, whether he prefers stefan with or without humanity is a bit complex. it's obvious he very much enjoys his rippah, as in his own words, "i was your number one fan." the simplest reason for this is that klaus loves the bloodshed, the hunt, the intensity in which stefan acts on his vampiric desires while without his humanity. a ripper is a vampire with a special talent for spilling blood, something the original enjoys and appreciates. but delving a bit deeper, as twisted as it is, part of him truly believes stefan is better off when he isn't fighting against his bloodlust. he mentions multiple times that stefan's humanity must be so heavy, must be killing him, etc. as someone who indulges so freely in the dark parts of immortality, he doesn't like how stefan needlessly tortures himself for simply living the way vampires are supposed to. and the deepest reason, the one he doesn't want to admit: he knows stefan is too good for him. when stefan is on the wagon, he is empathetic, chivalrous, loyal, kind. he wakes up everyday and fights that darkness within him, trying to do and be better despite it all. klaus knows he only looks all the more monstrous in comparison, and it begs the question of why would stefan be with him when klaus is the biggest monster of them all? but when stef's off the wagon, their personalities, hungers and sins are essentially on the same level. klaus feels far more comfortable at his side, doesn't feel like he is being judged and found inadequate compared to stefan's light. stefan is also far more likely to allow klaus at his side while sans humanity, another major benefit for the hybrid. however . . .
❛ those that persevere, despite all they've been through, those who still believe there is good in the world. as dark things, we often find we need that light the most. ❜
despite what he and many others would believe, he doesn't truly prefer ripper stefan. yes, there are of course aspects that he thoroughly enjoys, benefits for him that only apply when stefan has his humanity off. but the deepest parts of him crave the light that counteracts his own darkness, the kindness and gentleness that is so difficult for him to summon on his own. much like a moth to flame, klaus is shown to be unable to resist being drawn in by people who have a bright light inside them, even when he knows he is likely to be burned by them in some way. this holds true when applied to stefan, especially when they are in the lovers phase of their relationship - klaus is on the receiving end of stef's support and affection, something he consumes like a man starved. though this is a double-edged sword when they are at odds, as klaus is then forced to watch from the sidelines as the softness in stefan given to everyone but him, something he can hardly stand. but just as one part of him believes stefan is needlessly torturing himself by trying to be a ~good~ vampire, another part believes that is truly what stefan wants. that unlike him, he isn't a shameless monster that kills without thinking twice about it. the original can't help but be partially enthralled by that, by the pure strength of will and just . . . goodness in stefan that it takes for him to be so dedicated to being better than the ripper part of him. to him, there is beauty to be found in stefan's strive to be good, even if it doesn't make sense to him. in the end, klaus doesn't really prefer him either way ⸻ he simply loves him, period. klaus will love him at his very best and at his very worst, without judging him no matter how far he falls.
