Once again, it was Hack Day at Tumblr, our favorite excuse to pause the roadmap for a moment and build something weird, useful, or ideally both. Here is a sneak peek of what the team built.
Unified Inbox
@ex, @kostastsi4 and @alexjf worked on making Asks and Submissions easier to find in the apps, moving your Inbox (currently buried in blog settings) to a tab in the Activity screen, where all your other incoming communication lives.
Gifs in replies
In @elt’s opinion, replies could use some spicing up. So he spent Hack Day adding GIF support to replies. Neat!
Fun fact: reply threads themselves actually started as a Hack Day project over two years ago. The circle of hack life continues.
Scaling the Reblog Graph Explorer
@blowery improved the implementation of reblog graph to handle massive viral posts gracefully. Instead of struggling with very large reblog chains, this hack rethinks how the graph is laid out so it can handle posts with massive numbers of reblogs more smoothly, making it easier to explore how posts spread across Tumblr.
In-Blog Search Filters
Web had the most complete set of in-blog search filters. Android and iOS? Not so much. @lesianlen worked on bringing parity across all three platforms: Android got Top/Recent sorting, an original posts filter, and Ask and Chat post type filters. iOS went from zero filters to a brand-new bottom sheet with the full filter set. Now everyone gets to search their blog properly, regardless of platform.
Separating in-blog search from "Exclude from Tumblr Search and Recommendations"
Did you know that selecting the “Exclude from Tumblr search and recommendations” setting would also disable your in-blog search? Well, thanks to @lesianlen, now it doesn’t. This one’s already live.
Communities: Granular Moderator Permissions and Promotion Flow
Promoting a member to admin in a Community is a big deal (and currently irreversible).
@straku ironed out the promotion flow, adding a simple step to alert, confirm, and prevent promotions that could be to moderation.
Another request is having more control over what moderators can do. A way to give moderators more power, without them overtaking the community admin.
@jubs built a permissions system that lets admins choose what their moderators can do, without compromising their own ownership. In addition to existing moderator permissions, such as removing posts, and comments, you'd be able to allow mods to edit the community appearance (title, description, etc), the community settings (auto-moderation, tags, etc), and even manage other moderators.
Memories in Profile Page & Archive Page
Inspired by Google Photos’ “Memories” feature, Sowmia proposed building a “Memories” experience for the blog to surface nostalgic posts from its history.
The idea was to create a dedicated Memories feature and link it to archive pages, enabling users to rediscover past content in a more engaging way. As part of the hackday, she implemented the archive page portion of this idea, laying the foundation for integrating the full Memories experience in the future.
Post launcher with shortcuts to Drafts and Queue
@ex tried a new version of the post launcher at the top of the dashboard on web: switch blogs before opening the editor, or jump straight to your Drafts or Queue (takes 3-4 clicks to get there now). The buttons also show how many posts you have in your Drafts and Queue.
Reblogs with Videos
After all, why not? Why shouldn’t we have videos in reblogs? @andriibuilds dared to ask. And build it.
Like Sorting
People with thousands of Tumblr likes have been asking for the ability to sort and organize them for years. To start, @andriibuilds prototyped sorting options for the Likes page.
RemindMe
Inspired by Reddit's RemindMe bot, @data-science-from-the-trenches built a native reminder system: reply to any post or thread with "RemindMe! 2 days" and you'll get an activity notification linking back to it when that time has passed.
The Mysterious Cat Asks
As a preparation for April Fools, @jubs introduced asks sent by the Mysterious Cat, when you eat an "ask" food in the Snek game. Each question was represented by an item, with its own rarity.
And that’s a wrap on Tumblr Hack Day, March 2026 Edition. Huge shout-out to everyone who spent this time building cool things, sharing demos, and reminding us how much fun it is to make Tumblr weirder, better, and more delightful.
Keep an eye on @changes to see if any of these hacks make it out to you.
Which hack project are you most excited about?
Unified inbox
GIFs in replies
Reblog explorer
In-blog search filters
Separating in-blog search from "Exclude from Tumblr Search and Recommendations"
Communities: Granular Moderator Permissions and Promotion Flow
Cattle ranching is the biggest driver of tropical deforestation, but it is also a key livelihood for nearly 1 billion smallholder farmers. A
"Native forests remain irreplaceable refuges for rare species, forest specialists, and animals that require large, undisturbed habitats—something that managed agricultural operations cannot fully provide," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Emily Poppenborg Martin, Professor of Animal Ecology at JLU and senior author of the publication.
"Rather than being seen as a substitute for forest conservation, silvopastoral systems should be understood as an effective complement to it. They create secondary habitats between forest fragments, improving landscape continuity and restoring the ecological function of degraded pastures. In this way, these systems can enhance the conservation value of surrounding protected areas."
This distinction is significant for policymakers seeking to achieve ambitious global restoration goals. "Integrating trees into cattle pastures represents a scientifically sound strategy for restoring biodiversity on agricultural land, but only if it is implemented strategically and with consideration for geography, species, and local context," says Prof. Poppenborg Martin. "It is also important that the promotion of silvopastoral systems does not inadvertently contribute to further deforestation."
However, when carefully implemented, silvopastoral systems offer a promising way to reconcile the competing demands of food production and biodiversity conservation in the world's most threatened landscapes.
Greetings Workshop Spectators! We're closer than ever to the first content release for KRCE 2.0; the version of KRCE that will contain content other than the original Kaidan 2 base script. As we've stated before, KRCE 1.0 will remain available for those who prefer the original content over whatever the Workshop chooses to implement in the future.
After our last announcement, we took a look at the different scripts in production and discussed which seemed the most suitable to be included in this initial update. We wanted to prioritize content that players would need to start a new save file to see, as well as begin laying the groundwork for some of our future development goals.
The staff finally settled on a mix of scripts that will bolster Kaidan's reactivity during some of the major quest lines, as well as his commentary regarding the player character and their actions. We plan on revisiting many of these scripts as we continue to build upon them after implementation.
So! With no further ado, we've settled on these scripts for inclusion in this first mass release for KRCE 2.0:
The Intro Overhaul Pack -- What started as just a 1 for 1 integration of WarTortle's Immersive Kaidan Start has now expanded to include new conversations and immersive details to help smooth out the narrative mystery behind Kaidan's past, particularly for players who are new to TES lore.
Paarthurnax Quest Expansion Compatibility -- Created by the amazing JaySerpa, PQE hooks wonderfully into Kaidan's existing narrative about redemption. We've managed to work into a few subtle nods to Kaidan's dark past for players who haven't completed his personal quest.
The Book Pack -- In addition to creating new lines for each book Kaidan receives, we have also implemented a system where the player can then ask him what he thought about said book. Some of these books also have conditional dialogue, depending if the player has or hasn't completed certain quests. There's also a new mini-quest built into this book system that will unlock...
The Training Pack -- Now, after giving Kaidan a number of books to enjoy, he will offer to train the player in a number of different martial skills.
New Major Quest Line Commentary -- While Kaidan has existing dialogue for the Skyrim Main Quest, College of Winterhold Quest, and Companions Quest, we felt that there were sections that deserved more attention. Kaidan will now have more robust commentary for these three quest lines, as well as the associated radiant and side quests associated with each (e.g. ritual spell quests).
Unlockable Titles -- As per a suggestion from our 'i-had-an-idea' channel, we're adding unlockable titles to our Nickname system. Once a player completes either the Companions or College of Winterhold quest line, they will gain the ability to ask Kaidan to refer to them as Harbinger or Archmage, respectively. You can also ask him to refer to you as Thane, for those who love the feeling being a noble. As we add dialogue for the other factions, we will update the title list accordingly.
I’m Glad You’re Here Compatibility – A dedicated set of dialogue to go alongside the popular “I’m Glad You’re Here” mod by WhiteWolf424242, complete with Nickname and Title integration.
The Roleplay Pack – Skyrim is a huge world with many customisation options, and even more player characters; this pack aims to have Kaidan react to player driven roleplay options. Kaidan will be able to comment on where the player is from, what gods they worship, even what their background is – all chosen by you.
Kiai Commentary -- Kiai was a bit of an afterthought in the original mod, so we wanted to show her some love and created new dialogue for obtaining and naming her. Now Kaidan can finally be the horse dad he's always wanted to be!
More Idles -- To top it off, we're including an assortment of different conditional idles and reactions to make Kaidan a bit more emotive to the world around him, without making him too chatty. There will be a little of everything in here, but some of our favorites include new healing lines, player death lines and new reactions to casting spells on Kaidan.
All of these additions amounts to just under 700 lines of new content, which is nearly half of the original line count for Kaidan. Just like before our KRCE 1.0 launch, we plan on hosting an Open Beta for this new content to help us chase down any bugs before release. We're thrilled to show you our hard work and get your feedback in the coming months; as always, we thank you for your continued interest and support!
I needed some serious angst! It can be with either Charles, Lando, or Oscar (writers pick :) )
Maybe something where the reader is really nerdy and works for the FIA as some sort of project manager (for example) and the driver starts to get feelings for them but the drivers friends/manager says that they need to find another girl cause the reader doesn't fit the 'WAG image'.
"You're just not the kind of person the world expects me to be with, I'm sorry."
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL
requested imagine (REQUESTS OPEN!!)
GENRE: Angst
PAIRING: Charles Leclerc x fem! reader
WARNINGS: Heartbreak, public pressure, emotional tension, alcohol.
NOT PROOF READ - WORDS - 3.7K
SUMMARY: She has worked for her success, earning her job as an FIA project manager. Her whole life consists of her work, not social events, parties, or media. But when Charles Leclerc starts showing up for briefings just to catch another glimpse of her, things get complicated. Between coffees, friendly outings, late-night calls, and the weight of the public and Charles' image he has to choose between what feels real and what the world expects.
🏁............🏎💨..
From a young age you knew what you wanted to be, you had the brains, knowledge, patience, alongside a dying love for motorsports. During your youth you took every STEM subject you could and worked yourself to the bone, especially in college when your friends would try to get you away from your studies, you’d just tell them it wasn’t your thing. Your thing was motorsports engineering and the inner working of it.
Your first success came through an opportunity at Mercedes in its Research and Development division after you had shown your expertise in numbers and impressive spreadsheets that took you ages to create. Through these four years you had learnt that social activities such as media appearances were far from your favourite part of the job, in fact you actively made sure to avoid it as much as possible.
Eventually you had a job offer show up from the FIA after a glowing recommendation had come in from one of the Mercedes senior engineers, and as well as many people in your situation would you accept it. After a grueling amount of interviews and meeting the job was yours, you had finally made it after all these years of studying they were now showing just how far it got you. You were now an FIA project manager.
Throughout the journey of this new job you travelled race to race, organising safety tech implementations across all teams, overseeing data integration systems, and always making your way around tablet in hand busy at work, always being the quiet one in the room - you had shown everyone you earned your place, not through charm, or connections, but through pure skill and dedication.
-
It was the week of the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the fan favourites and also your one favourite tracks, not just from that alone but mixed with the vibes and cheers it brought along with it. You had woken up bright and early for a briefing to discuss the upcoming race.
Now even as someone working in F1 and for the FIA you had never particularly gotten close with any of the drivers, at most had gotten to know the Mercedes ones back in the day yet even then only briefly. You weren't here to make friends with the drivers, you wanted to do your job to help improve their driving and drivers as much as possible. And today was no different going into the debrief, even when you sat opposite the very talented Ferrari driver from Monaco, Charles it was no different to your usual days at work, well til it wasn’t.
During the meeting you had noticed a few errors in his data report made by his team, for a moment you hesitated to say anything looking around to see if anyone else had caught this blunder, yet nobody did leaving you to step out of your comfort zone and speak.
“Sorry but I couldn’t help but - uh notice that some of the data doesn’t seem to match up with how it should be..”
You felt your voice echo through the room, a few pens clicking as you spoke out, in return you gave them the correct reading and tried to hide your growing flushed face until it had cooled down. But unaware of your surroundings a certain driver had drawn his attention to you, Charles had unknowingly himself spent a long moment fixated on you from your brief comment. He had seen you around before, but never paid much attention to it, even if he was to look for you anywhere it was impossible you were nowhere to be found online, which obviously he hadn’t tried to find himself, maybe. He felt infringed by your quiet personality that contradicted the usual people he had met in the field, you felt different.
-
As the season went on slowly Charles had started to see more and more of you, normally at meetings and pre-race discussions, and as time grew on you had both become used to one another’s presence. The Ferrari man had started to linger around near her office after meetings, giving her a thank you for her time every meeting, and hoping that they were once again sat across from one another during these discussions before the man had to hop in his car.
You tried your best to think nothing of it and keep it professional, yet he could sense your warmth in your eyes, the glistening of them at every joke he had made, yet little did she know he had only made them in hopes to she her smile, even for a moment cause to him it was a sign of good luck before a race. And well til this day it has been one hundred percent proven correct.
Months flew by, as the season came to an end, Charles had a rough start of the season but had managed to save it after the summer break, finishing 3rd in the Drivers Championship. A part of him believed it was due to your more frequent appearances before the races, and in the Paddock in general. After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Charles had finally gained enough confidence to ask you to join him in the celebrations afterwards. Sure, you and him had exchanged phone numbers before, the Ferrari man chalking it up to “work related activities”, however he had spent his time texting you, sending you funny posts, and just checking up on you. You found it sweet, and more than once finding yourself blushing and smiling seeing his name pop up in your notifications.
That night he had approached you, palms sweaty, and ready to make a fool out of himself. He had seen you around the Mercedes building, chatting with George before waving him a goodbye and getting ready to leave and enjoy the season break ahead, well as much as you could cause while the drivers had their time off you still had a ton of unfinished work to catch up on during the off season. He manages to catch your attention by lightly touching your shoulder, yet firm enough to acknowledge it.
“Oh hey Charles, you did good today!”
“Hey, yeah uh thanks tried my best even tho the grip wasn’t the best near the last few laps, but did better than I thought”
You nod along to his words, sensing he wanted to ask something yet you weren’t sure what it was.
“Well uh on that note, there's actually a little get together happening after the media and all, and well as you’ve been quite some help this season would you maybe want to tag along, it won’t be much, just small.”
You hesitated for the moment, just the idea of a loud crowded atmosphere was enough to send shivers down your spine, parties were never your thing but after seeing Charles’s look in his eyes, that silent desperation to have you in his company without thinking too much about it you agreed. And well the night went mostly how you expected it, a ton of people, drinks, and music, you hated it. While the others partied and enjoyed it all you could do is sit in a corner and sip on your drink, you felt alone. You were getting ready to leave, grabbing your bag and all until he appeared, hand once again on your shoulder.
“Hey, sorry traffic took a while, are you alright?”
“Uh- sorry it’s just this isn’t really my thing, I’m sorry I mean I hope you have fun though, Congrats on today.”
But as you turned around, bag and phone in hand, he followed you, not saying a word until you had made it outside.
“It’s not something I was looking forward to anyways, let’s get out of here? I know a nice quiet place around here.”
And the moment you agree, you can’t explain why, but you do. Maybe it’s because you enjoy his company, or perhaps it was the fact you didn’t feel too safe alone in a city you didn’t know your way around. You sigh and agree.
You were glad you accepted his offer, that night ended better than any other post race celebration ever could. He had taken you to a quiet niche jazz bar in a secluded part of Abu Dhabi. Charles and you had spent the night talking about your childhoods, dreams, and aspirations, he was a great listener making sure to take mental notes as you explained all the efforts you went through to get to where you were. He had made it a night to remember, his touch lingering on your forearm as the two of you headed back to your designated hotels grabbing a taxi each.
“Well then Charles, thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed it, I mean it. I’ll see you after the break, enjoy it, you deserve it.”
“Thank you for your time, I mean it was nice to get to know you away from the debriefs and meetings, so thank you. See you soon.”
And ever since that night you had started counting down the days til the start of the season, a part of you missed his presence, and unbeknownst to you Charles was missing yours, spending his break relaxing, travelling, and looking forward to the meeting with the FIA that would come around soon enough. Little did he know his heart was growing fond of you, and the aching in his heart since that night was due to you.
-
The start of the season had excited the both of you, even more passionate about your jobs than you normally would, of course the two of you would text over the break, even sometimes ending up on call with one another. But nothing could replace the in person talks, and contact. When the two of you finally met again he had brought you a coffee, your favourite that you had mentioned at the bar. And well bringing you this coffee became a usual activity before every meeting you two shared, it warmed your heart, and his just by seeing your warm smile every morning.
At a certain point you two had a few moments alone, normally filled with the usual chatter, you had made jokes about Charles bribing the FIA officials to allow him to spend more one-on-one time with you, always bringing out a chuckle from him. As Monaco once again rolled around, the two of you had spent the time in one another's company, him showing off all that Monaco had to offer, it was a surreal moment yet all Charles could focus on was your beauty, you were all he ever wanted, someone beautiful and yet so smart, your brains alone made you the most stunning person ever yet he never dared to utter those words aloud especially with certain new rumours spreading around.
Photos of the pair had been taken around Monaco, restaurants, bars, and on casual walks close to one another. Charles’s team did a deep dive into you, finding no trace of you online except for your Linkedin. It was clear she was someone who hated the spotlight, a woman who kept to herself, trying to avoid PR events as much as possible, and that's when the rumours started.
It had been circulating around on social media that the Ferrari PR advisor and management were looking to expand Charles’s racing career, they wanted him to have a love life outside of racing, something to help build his image as more than a great driver, but a great lover. Eventually these rumours are proven to be facts once Charles himself is pulled aside and is told about this, he wants to mention you and his feelings yet they shut down before he even has the chance to speak your name.
“She’s not the kind of person people expect you to date, Charles. You have a brand to uphold, sorry.”
And those words right there stuck more than anything else he had ever heard.
You weren’t in loop with this information and rumours, until Charles himself brought it up in the Paddock after the British Grand Prix, you were excited to invite him to a local restaurant you had been dying to take him to, well until he himself muttered out the words he was told. You weren’t sure what to do or say, you stood there for a while trying to compose your feelings properly. All you can dare say is a simple “okay” and a nod before turning around and never looking back, even though Charles wanted to meet your gaze one last time, he never found it. Why couldn’t it be her.
After that moment she had requested to change teams for the meantime, stating that her presence was affecting the performance of a driver, and eventually with enough strings pulled she had a few changes in her schedule. And Charles had to figure this out the hard way, he was looking forward to at least watching her from across the table, explaining her graphs and analysis’, yet that time never came, in her spot sat another project manager, not the usual quiet yet secretly bubbly you he had grown used to. And this loss in your presence had a small effect on his races, after Silverstone he had gotten used to finishing P6 and P8 instead of the usual podium, even in a car with many fixes that needed to happen, somehow you helped him defy that, until now. The Ferrari team had chalked it up to personal issues, which it was but it was all due to their own words.
Charles had tried to reach out to you, but nothing, had you changed your number? He tried to catch you after the races, and post-race dinners to try apologise for his words, they weren’t his but stung just as much nonetheless. And when he did, the spark was there, your unresolved feeling sat heavy in the air but not a word was uttered about them, you both were too scared to make your feeling a reality in these current circumstances.
The team notices this, and now are more eager than ever to get him out in the dating scene, rumours from media outlets speculate that Ferrari are more persistent than ever to have Charles date a model or influencer to boost his image more, and as they do these women with platforms, the looks, and the attention begin to line themselves up waiting for the opportunity to date him, but he dreads it, he doesn’t want them, he wants her, but she’s not his, not in the public and never will be.
Charles knows what he wants, but he can’t have it, he can’t risk your career and his for these feelings, he’s torn between the world that expects perfection and you, the girl who makes him feel real.
-
On an exceptionally bad race finish Charles finds himself alone outside the garage, everyone had already packed up and he himself had said he would, but he couldn’t find it in him to leave, he felt the lowest he had in a long while, Charles was ready to admit he felt lost, actually no, he was lost.
Well that was until he caught a glimpse of you, the sound of your quick pace walking in his direction, for the first time that felt like decades Charles felt a sense of comfort just by seeing you, it had been too long since he saw you this close, he missed it and so did you. The air between them felt silent by the time you had approached him, standing in front of his sulked body resting on a pair of fucked up tires at the garage entrance. Your eyes met each other's as he looked up at you, he hated to admit just how much he had missed your eyes. Yet that gleam was nowhere to be found, in its place was a longing look of sadness, one he himself had developed.
“Hey Charles.”
“Hey.”
And after that no words were spoken for a moment, the two of you just looking at one another, searching for answers none of you had. You wanted to tell him he tried his best today considering the car had severe issues on track since qualifying but you didn’t want to rub salt in an already open wound.
“I’m sorry about today, it was a shame, but it was the car, don't beat yourself up over it.”
In response he let out a quiet hum as his glaze fell down to the floor, he couldn’t stand feeling so vulnerable around him, knowing that as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t let you get any closer or he’d never be able to turn back. He sighed as his eyes never made their way back to yours, your eyes felt too raw, too real, too caring.
“Y’know, back when we still had those debriefs together, I’d always try to look you in the eyes, I thought it gave me good luck, I mean I’d get podiums and finish top 5 all the time. And now I don't know, I fee like I’ve been cursed to fail. And a part of it believes it’s because of that.”
Your heart melted right there and then, you wanted to hold his head in your hands, look him in the eyes and tell him you’d always be there for him, wipe away this miserable look in your eyes. You wanted to be right for him, you wanted to be that perfect model online posing in the perfect ways, bare minimum knowledge when it came to compounds of the car and racing itself, cause it didn’t matter as long as I had the presence to be enough for the team, you wanted to be the one they panned the camera towards during the races, the one to be called Charles Leclerc’s partner, but you were never destined for that life. This is what you wanted, this was your field, you were never the one he would end up with no matter what.
“You know, even though I can’t be there for you Charles, I’ll always care for you. Even if I tried to stop, I wouldn't be able to. I hate just how much you continue to mean to me even after everything. I’m sorry.”
And that was the moment his eyes met yours once again, his eyes spoke words he knew he could never speak, in that moment all you could do was look back and reminisce on the short period of time you two had spent in one another company, if only circumstances were different, maybe you’d be enough. All he could muster out were the words that stung him the most, the words that changed everything.
“To the world you're just not the kind of person they expect me to be with, I wish you were. I’m sorry.”
“I know Charles, I know.”
-
After a brutal Red Bull domination last season, it was now a new season, a season with a lot of work to do, you had walked away from the last season promising to now only focus on your career, you were done with distraction, if you were able to walk away from Charles, you were ready for anything.
He had a rough time in the rest of last season, usually finding himself in bars and clubs after the races, trying to distract himself from the fact you lived rent-free in his memories, everything reminded him of you, it stung worse than the alcohol hitting the back of his throat. However on one occasion after the US Grand Prix he had run into a woman, it wasn’t you but God how he wished it was, it was a model and influencer, someone with a huge passion for art. She was funny, kind, and of course extremely pretty, but on top of all that it was someone that matched what his image lacked, a woman who could keep up with the WAG lifestyle, she fit it perfectly.
And by the time the new season came around the corner photos came out between Charles and this new woman, Alexandra. The media called them perfect for one another, they seemed to enjoy one another's company, almost in the same way he had enjoyed yours. Once the news had come around to you, you couldn’t be upset, I mean you yourself let the chance of you two die long before any words were ever exchanged, he deserved more, someone to help his career, and you were anything but that.
You couldn’t hate her, any other woman would be lucky to have him be hers, and Alexandra was the lucky one, you were happy enough knowing Charles could finally be content in his feelings, leaving you behind was best after all but left you with a sour taste in your mouth, you felt some envy rise the more you knew, but you guessed it just helped you focus more on your job than anything else. He was happy so you were happy in return.
But unbeknownst to you Charles hadn’t forgotten about you, he unintentionally had watched you from afar in the Paddock, noticing your hard work paying off slowly, you had become one of if not the hardest working project manager in the current moment. Yet through it all you never let go of your true self, you were still the same introverted, skillful, stunning woman you had been when Charles met you two seasons ago. And by the time he himself had realised what he lost it was too late.He had traded away something genuine for something that looked perfect. He loved Alexandra of course, but sometimes all that plagues his mind was the memories of you, but all he could do is watch from afar as you became all you wanted to be.
Maybe if the world changed its expectations, everything would be different. But it never would be, this was it, this was the only chance they had, and it was gone due to a world too cruel to understand.
It seemed like your job was getting better there for a minute under new management. Is it new management that's fucking up now, not "fixable", or is it holdovers from the old guy?
So my company, formerly owned by Gary, was "Strangled Bats LLC". The company that bought us is "BunnyCorp Inc." Late last year, BunnyCorp Inc hired "Bruno" as our new CEO. The middle management are Bunnies from BunnyCorp.
Gary was a shithead who abused his employees but he was a stickler for documentation, standards, and naming conventions. Even though we lost a lot of documentation when BunnyCorp let Strangled Bats' CRM subscription lapse, I was able to save a bunch of PDFs and we actually still have printed copies of a BUNCH of our documents. Strangled Bats LLC was a terrible place to work and was very old-fashioned on some things, but we save our papers.
BunnyCorp Inc has a lot of very friendly bunnies in management who are cuddly and cute and easy to get along with and wouldn't know a configuration manager if it bit them in the ass. BunnyCorp was interested in acquiring and absorbing many companies to become one big company and cared more about purchasing companies (and therefore their client bases) than it cared about integrating those companies into itself OR than it cared about making notes on its customers.
Bruno has a long history of working in MegaBigCo and making things very efficient. When Bruno was hired as CEO, BunnyCorp officers did a great job of putting a good face forward and making it look like they had their shit together. By the time Bruno started, I had been working at BunnyCorp for three months and had mostly been focused on trying to get Strangled Bats' systems to mesh with BunnyCorp.
In January, Bruno had been with the company long enough that he started making changes to make things more efficient, because he'd been there long enough to see that there were some problems. At that point, I had started to notice that it seemed like we were duplicating an awful lot of work that was no longer related to issues with un-meshed systems, because I had meshed a lot of our systems. I got promoted and started training someone to take over the simpler parts of my job and was given the responsibility of looking into a lot of our contracts and agreements.
In March, the shit hit the fan and Bruno and I simultaneously realized that BunnyCorp Inc had been papering over a vast chasm of problems, most of which had to do with:
people with institutional knowledge leaving because they were underpaid
previous owners being shit at documentation
nobody except LITERALLY FUCKING ME knowing what modern server hardware standards and pricing should be
solutions for clients that were built with an eye toward reducing cost in the moment rather than planning for growth or longevity
Bruno has good thoughts about improving stuff, thoughts that I support and think are a great idea and think we should try to implement, but he's also a MegaBigCo kind of guy and likes to let employees grind to prove that they're dedicated and worthy of a promotion/raise - this is a shitty attitude that I think is counterproductive and I think is on the verge of leading our entire senior staff into burnout, but he's not at all wrong about the changes that need to be made. Bruno found out that a bunch of our clients don't have spare server drives onsite and shit a brick because of how badly he wants us to get spare server drive to the client sites; he is willing to eat the cost if it means we can get spares to the clients. That's great, it's not wrong, and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to get that done and also do procurement.
Bruno is only just now seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of how utterly fucked our documentation is; if Bruno is the captain of the ship telling us where to steer, I'm the lookout on deck who sees the icebergs before anybody else.
I have been shouting to the Bunny management about icebergs since December and the ship hasn't changed course; Bruno has directed us to put more coal in the boilers and speed up and to patch up some holes and scrape some barnacles off the hull, but I can't shout loud enough to get the Bunnies to pass on the message about the iceberg, so all I can do is make notes about where the iceberg is an when we hit it provide the notes that I took that the Bunnies ignored so that maybe we can start patching up the breaks before water floods in and kills us all.
Things were great for a while because I was no longer working with an actively abusive shithead. Working with Gary was like sighting icebergs on the deck of a ship that leaked a bit and avoided icebergs deftly, but I was left to freeze on the deck all the time because freezing on the deck was all I was good for. Getting acquired by BunnyCorp was like someone handing me a warm coat and telling me to go inside and have a cup of tea and sit by the fire. But then I realized that the niceness and the okayness with taking time off and the slight raise were very comforting but someone still had to go out on deck and watch for icebergs but now nobody is passing on the message that we need to steer away from the fucking icebergs because if you say there's an iceberg that might make someone feel bad and making people feel bad is counter to the BunnyCorp company culture.
I have a constant drumbeat in my head that says "I can fix this, I can fix this, I can fix this." If I work late and go get the info for all the firewalls that I can access, and share info with the team about the ones I can't access, I can update the documentation and fix this. If I get notes on all the servers, and get spares for every machine, and get the techs scheduled to go out and install, I can fix this. If I can go in to the configurations for all five thousand computers and manually check and archive all the old devices, and manually update a field for every one of the two thousand windows 10 machines, maybe our team of sixteen can replace twelve hundred and upgrade eight hundred computers at our two hundred client sites in the next five months. If only I can go through all of those two thousand configurations and update that field before I get dragged away to another phone call from a client or another meeting about how the next acquisition is going to go, so I better do it now, at eight pm at ten pm at midnight at two am when there's nobody to call and no meetings scheduled. If I could just *lock in* I can save us, I can make sure the clients are getting a good turnaround time on their requests and I can make sure the licenses are all getting renewed because I updated all the configurations and I will update all the configurations going forward and I will document this company at knifepoint and I will hold it together with duct tape and spite and I will make it work i will make it work nobody else is doing anything I have to make it work because that's an iceberg, I know some of them see the iceberg, and they're Bunnies and I'm a Bat, some of them have seen this iceberg long before I could see it but they're not turning but if I yell about it and make notes about it and lock in and document it and skip lunch and skip lunch and skip lunch and skip lunch and skip lunch and take half a break so that I can get another device off the list maybe THEN they'll act like there's an iceberg ahead and they'll turn and I won't have to fly off the deck and go find another ship and I can stay on the boat with my friends and the nice bunnies and it will be okay, it will feel like it did after Gary was gone and I could BREATHE and people said that I was smart and good at my job and I deserved more money and I had been treated badly and there were no icebergs because it was so bright and sunny and nice that the whole sea looked like dazzling snow and seemed soft and safe and like I wouldn't have to keep freezing on the deck to stay alive.
So.
You know.
There have been ups and downs. I'm having some trouble staying motivated and even with some decent management it's difficult to orient the team toward the metrics we need to meet in q3 to stay solvent and keep our forward momentum up.
I'm considering sniping our customers and starting my own business, nobody makes the office admin sign a non-compete.
AO3 is Removing 'All Media Types' without Public Input or Announcement. What Can We Do?
What's Happening?
For those who don't yet know: AO3 and the Tag Wranglers have begun to slowly remove the 'All Media Types' tag for older fandoms. Aka, removing the 'umbrella' tag for many franchises, and forcing franchises to be split by media, or to be shoved under one umbrella that does not accurately reflect the types of fics or source medias they come from.
This has been slowly occurring with no official announcement, under the pretense that things will be 'easier' to manage, or that some users claimed that the 'All Media Types' tag was confusing. This has begun in secrecy, without genuine input from the userbase, and without any public announcement. (As of 9/5/2024 9:30 AM PST)
Many of us are pretty confident in AO3 staff's decisions, but the fact that this decision is not only incredibly impactful, but made without public input, has deeply violated the condition of the site as an archive... an archive of OUR own.
Current seen issues and active risks:
Removal of 'All Media Types' automatically makes fics from different sources in the same franchise a 'crossover', forcing users to consider non-crossover fics 'crossovers'. So, any fanfic that spans or implements elements from multiple pieces of media in a franchise are now considered a 'crossover', despite being from the same franchise and not a crossover.
Removal of 'All Media Types' forces users to manually search for the fics and ships they want one by one through each fandom tag in a related franchise. (Imagine looking through all the separate DC or MARVEL movies one by one).
The 'include crossovers' and 'exclude crossovers' filters are now useless, and removing genuine crossovers (crossovers between franchises) must be done manually through the filter system, which can take upwards of half an hour, if not longer, with the amount of one-off genuine crossovers that exist.
Slightly smaller franchises are being shoved under the umbrella of a single, super popular fandom. (See, Sherlock Holmes. All Sherlock Holmes media has been relegated to the tag 'Sherlock TV', which confuses users, as the tag now includes not only BBC Sherlock, which is the umbrella tag, but any works based off of Arthur Conan Doyle's original works, the 2009 Sherlock Holmes films, and the 16+ Sherlock Holmes adaptations and international TV shows... none of which are BBC Sherlock.)
Anime and manga fandoms (especially smaller ones) are being automatically split by media type, without regard to the fact that many anime and manga adaptations are very similar, and/or authors tend to often implement elements from both anime and manga.
As far as we are aware, no one is going to be correcting any improper sorting resulting from this.
Accounts that are no longer active/accessible, memorial accounts, and orphaned fics and no longer be corrected by their original authors and are at risk of being misplaced into incorrect fandom tags. Unfortunately, no one can fix this but the tag wranglers, who were supposedly removing 'All Media Types' in the first place to prevent MORE work. Counter intuitive, isn't it?
Already, fandoms are being improperly split, others being improperly merged, and still more being far more confusingly sorted. This deeply damages AO3's integrity as an ARCHIVE.
What Can I Do?
As soon as it's back up again, make sure to stop by the Contact Support page!
There, you're able to let them know exactly how you feel about this, and what fandoms your fear will be impacted by these changes. Many already have been.
In the meantime, make sure to contact AO3 on Twitter (or X):
ao3org (AO3's general twitter page), ao3_wranglers (AO3's tag wrangler page), and OTW_news (the parent host of AO3).
There is also tumblr:
ao3org (AO3's tumblr page) and transformativeworks (OTW's tumblr page).
And finally, the Organization for Transformative Works contact page.
If you are aware of any additional medias, please add them below to ensure that AO3 thoroughly understands the negative impact of this decision, especially the violation of trust resulting from making such a massive choice without impact. Be sure to share this information elsewhere, repost, share the links, and make a stink.
Furthermore, if you are able, letting AO3 know that you are no longer comfortable financially supporting them in the future.
Be sure to also repost and list any fandoms you have personally noticed have been impacted by this change!
Already Impacted Fandoms:
MARVEL, MCU, Marvel Comics, Avengers, and related tags
Any Sherlock Holmes based Media
A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon)
World of Warcraft
Assassin's Creed
Monogatari
BanG Dream!
Jujutsu Kaisen
Disney (all media, now: Disney Theatrical Animated Universe)
"Nice?" He scoffs. "I'm holding a fragile human who refuses to fear me properly, while my immortal father plots to destroy everything I..." he paused, his grip becoming gentle. "And yet somehow, you've managed to make me forget, for just a moment, that I should be ripping hearts out instead of dancing."
Summary: Klaus’s feelings for his assistant grow as the days go on. An encounter with his Father makes him feel fear like never before as he is faced with the prospect of loosing her.
A/N: Ahh! I love how this part turned out and even more for what’s to come. Enjoy!
Previous part >> Here
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As the weeks pass, Klaus has found it harder and harder to suppress his growing feelings. It was harder to even attempt to put a name to the feelings. A task he has been putting off since that day in the bayou.
Klaus paced his study with agitation, his enhanced hearing tracking Y/N's movements through the compound below. The past weeks have been...unsettling. Her increasing integration into his world, the way Hope lit up at her visits, how naturally she fit into the rhythm of his household was becoming dangerously addictive.
He paused at his desk, fingers tracing the perfectly organized contracts. Her doing, of course. The sight of her neat handwriting on his documents, the lingering scent of her perfume in his study, even the ridiculous color-coding system she'd implemented...they were all becoming distressingly essential.
His jaw clenched as he heard her laugh carry up from the courtyard, the sound stirring something possessive and primal within him. Her stubborn humanity, once a source of frustration, now haunted him with its impermanence. The thought of her eventually leaving, growing old, having children with someone else...it made his vampire nature surge with violent protest.
He gripped the edge of his desk, wood splintering under his fingers. Having her meet Hope was meant to bind her closer, to ensure her loyalty. Instead, it had backfired spectacularly making her not just valuable, but precious.
And Klaus Mikaelson did not handle precious things well.
They either became possessions to be controlled or weaknesses to be eliminated. Yet somehow, she was becoming something else entirely. Something he couldn't bring himself to either control or eliminate.
Y/N's scream pulled him violently from his thoughts. The fact that they were screams of delight did not seem to register with Klaus.
Klaus materialized in the courtyard with lethal speed, a growl building in his chest at her scream. The sight that greeted him, Kol's hands on her, even in jest, triggered something darkly possessive. Seems like Kol has found out that Y/N is ticklish.
"Brother." His voice carried dangerous warning as he moved closer with predatory intent. "Remove your hands before I remove them for you." Despite recognizing the harmless nature of the situation, his protective instincts had already surged to the surface.
He positioned himself between her and Kol with dominance, his back nearly touching her front. "Perhaps you'd like to explain why you're manhandling my assistant?" His tone was deceptively light, though his stance remained lethal.
Kol raised his hands in mock surrender, though his smirk remained mischievous.
"Come now, brother. Can't I get acquainted with your new...favorite?" His eyes glinted with knowing amusement. "Besides, how was I to know your little human was so delightfully ticklish?"
Klaus' expression darkened dangerously at Kol's words, his body tensing with barely contained violence. "You're testing my patience, Kol." He took a step back, positioning himself beside Y/N, his hand finding her waist with natural familiarity.
"Oh, this is rich." Kol's grin widened as he observed Klaus' protective stance. "The great Niklaus Mikaelson, brought low by a human girl's giggles. Wait until Rebekah hears about this." He vanished with vampire speed just as Klaus lunged forward with a snarl, leaving only his laughter echoing through the courtyard.
"Hey," Y/N says softly, slightly giggling, "I'm fine. Really." Her hand snakes up his back, squeezing his shoulder.
Klaus stilled at her touch, though the tension in his frame remained coiled and dangerous. He turned to face her, his eyes scanning for any sign of distress.
"Kol has a tendency to...break his toys." His voice was low and threatening as his hand moved to her waist again, grip possessive. "And you, love, are not a toy to be broken." The implications in his tone suggested graves had been dug for less.
Y/N rolls her eyes, a smile on her face, "Don't be ridiculous. I'm not his toy"
He studied her expression with dangerous intensity, something shifting in his eyes at her lingering amusement. "Though perhaps I should be more concerned about your apparent comfort with my family. First Hope, now Kol..." his smirk turned playful, though the possessiveness remained. "Should I expect to find you and Elijah comparing suit fabrics next?"
She chuckles, “That sounds like a great way to pass the afternoon. Then me and Rebekah can go shopping, I’ll go bowling with Kol, and then what shall my activity be with you?”
Klaus' expression darkened, his grip on her waist tightening at the mention of spending time with his siblings.
"Careful, love." He pulled her closer, his other hand coming up to trace her jaw with threatening gentleness. "I don't share well with others. Even family." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Besides, I have far more...interesting activities in mind than bowling."
His eyes traced her features with predatory focus, something possessive flickering in their depths. "Though if you're so eager to test my patience, by all means, continue planning your social calendar with my siblings." His smirk turned lethal. "I'm sure Hope would love to hear about how her aunt and uncles mysteriously vanished."
She sighs, rolling her eyes, “Fine. I get it. I’ve been spending a lot of time with them. Let me fix that. Let’s go out and have a drink or anything else you want to do,” she suggests with an amused smile, suggesting she was amused in his little display of jealousy.
"Offering to drink with me again?" His thumb traced her jaw slowly. "Rather brave of you, considering your last declaration about never drinking in my presence. Though..." his eyes darkened, "I do still have quite the collection of your drunken confessions I haven't shared yet."
He pulls her even closer, his supernatural heat seeping through her clothes. "As for 'anything else I want to do'..." his voice dropped to a threatening purr, "that's quite the dangerous offer to make, love. Especially when you're already testing my control with that smile of yours."
Y/N rolls her eyes. She's noticed how flirty and possessive he’s become, ignoring it and chalking it up to his natural personality.
“Come on,” she takes his hand, leading him to the door. “Unless you're…scared,” she teases.
Klaus moved with supernatural speed, pinning her beside the door, his body caging hers.
"Scared?" His voice was a lethal whisper as he leaned closer, one hand braced beside her head while the other gripped her hip possessively. "You're playing a dangerous game, love." His eyes traced her features intensely. "Though I must admit, your growing boldness is rather intoxicating."
He pulled back slightly, though his grip remained possessive. "Very well. Let's see how brave you're feeling after a few drinks." His smirk turned promising. "Though this time, try not to reorganize anything. The daggers are exactly where I want them...for now."
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They get to the bar, and after a few drinks, Klaus gets the call that his father, Mikael, is in town with a white oak stake, and he’s enlisted Davina to hide him
Klaus's entire demeanor shifted instantly, his playful predatory nature transforming into something truly lethal. His hand shot out to grip Y/N's arm with barely contained violence, eyes scanning the bar with dangerous intensity.
"We're leaving. Now." His voice was pure murder, all traces of earlier warmth vanishing. "And you're not leaving my sight until that bastard is dead." He pulled her closer with possessive desperation, his body coiled for attack.
"Klaus! Wait–" Moving with vampire speed, he maneuvered her toward the exit while maintaining protective proximity.
"I won't let him take another person I-" He caught himself, jaw clenching as he guided her through the door with lethal urgency. "The compound. Now. And if you even think about arguing..." his eyes met hers with desperate intensity, "remember that Mikael doesn't just kill vampires. He destroys everything they care about."
She tugs on his arm, “wait, Klaus. Who’s Mikael?”
Klaus whirled on her with frightening speed, his hands gripping her shoulders with barely restrained violence.
"The monster who hunted me for a thousand years." His voice was raw with ancient hatred and something else, fear, though not for himself. "My father—no, my mother's husband. The man who made me what I am through centuries of torture and pursuit." His grip tightened possessively.
His eyes darted around the street with lethal focus before returning to her face with dangerous intensity. "He's the reason I trust no one, the reason I..." he pulled her closer, his breath ghosting her ear, "the reason I can't lose you to him. Not you." The admission seemed torn from him unwillingly, his protective rage barely contained. "Now move, before I carry you back to the compound myself. And this time, love, I won't be gentle about it."
His father? Klaus never mentioned a father, let alone this much hate, but Y/N did not have time to dwell. Her eyes widen, “You want to kill your father. Klaus, wait, let’s talk about this.”
He surprisingly lets Y/N pull him back into the bar, sitting him at a table, and grabbing him a beer
Klaus took the beer with barely contained violence, his entire frame vibrating with lethal energy.
"This isn't up for discussion." His voice was pure danger as he leaned across the table, invading her space. "He's not my father. he's a monster who delights in destroying everything I..." he caught himself again, fingers tightening around the bottle until it nearly cracked. "The last time I showed mercy, he drove a stake through Kol's heart and made me watch. The time before that, he tortured Rebekah for days."
His free hand shot out to grip her wrist with possessive desperation. "You don't understand what he's capable of. What he'll do to you just to hurt me." His eyes burned with something beyond rage. Something almost like fear. "And I won't...I can't..." his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "Your humanity makes you vulnerable enough without Mikael targeting you. So either finish that drink quickly, or I'm throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you back to the compound. Your choice, love."
Y/N just takes the beer from his hand, sipping on it.
Klaus, irritated by her silence, speaks again, “So that’s your plan is it? Ply me with alcohol and then prattle on until I’m convinced to leave Davina and Mikael alone to plot my death?”
She places the beer down, "No. My plan is to listen. Come on, Klaus. Let's just get to the part you really want me to play in this? Therapist? Assistant? Drinking buddy? Call it whatever you want, I know why I’m here. To give you the one thing you’ve never had. Someone to hear your side. “
Klaus sits down.
“So. You want to kill your father.? Fine. Let's talk about it."
Klaus studied Y/N with dangerous intensity, his eye twitching at her words.
"My side?" He let out a dark laugh, though his hand found hers across the table with possessive urgency. "My side is simple, love. He's hunted me across continents, through centuries. Destroyed everyone I've ever..." he paused, jaw clenching. "And now he's here, in my city, threatening my family. Threatening you."
His grip tightened on her hand as his other traced the rim of the beer bottle with lethal focus. "You want to play therapist? Fine. Let's talk about how he beat me as a child, how he called me an abomination, how he's made it his immortal mission to end my existence."
"And understand this. while we sit here talking, he's out there planning. And unlike me, sweetheart, he won't hesitate to use you against me. He won't see your humanity as precious. He'll see it as a weakness to exploit."
“I get it. The hurt your parents have inflicted pain on you for a thousand years. I understand what you’re fighting against. The real question is, What are you fighting for?
Klaus looks confused
“Ask me to dance,” she says
“You want to dance?” He asks, even more confused
“No. I never wanna dance. I’m actually very bad at it. But I’m trying to make a point. There’s more to life than the pain that they made you feel. A cold beer. A slow song. A good friend. There are good things, Klaus. And you need to see that too.”
Klaus stilled completely, his expression shifting through several dangerous emotions as he processed her words. After a long moment, he stood, extending his hand.
"Dance with me then." His voice was a complex mixture of threat and vulnerability. "Show me these 'good things' while my father plots my demise." The bitterness in his tone couldn't quite mask something softer underneath.
He pulled her close with possessive gentleness, one hand settling on her waist while the other held her with careful restraint. "Though I must warn you, love..." his lips brushed her ear as he guided her into a slow sway, "the last person who tried to show me 'good things' ended up dead. Mikael made sure of that." His grip tightened protectively. "And yet here you are, stubbornly trying to make me see light while standing in darkness. Rather brave.. or incredibly foolish."
Y/N smiles, “I guess I’m foolish” She whispers, swaying with him to the music.
“See? Isn't this nice?”
Klaus pulled her closer, his movements graceful despite the dangerous tension still thrumming through his frame.
"Nice?" His voice carried dark amusement, though something vulnerable flickered in his eyes. "I'm holding a fragile human who refuses to fear me properly, while my immortal father plots to destroy everything I..." he paused, his grip becoming gentle. "And yet somehow, you've managed to make me forget, for just a moment, that I should be ripping hearts out instead of dancing."
His hand slid up her back with deliberate slowness. "Though I must say, love, your definition of 'nice' needs work. Especially considering you're practically offering yourself as bait to the most dangerous creature on earth." His eyes met her with lethal intensity. "Or perhaps that's why you insisted on this dance. To distract the monster while death approaches?"
She looks at him, the look in her eye missing any trace of fear, “there is no peace in revenge, Klaus,” she says softly, squeezing the hand that held hers.
Klaus' expression darkened dangerously, though his hold remained gentle as he continued to move with her.
"And what would you have me do instead?" His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Let him live? Let him continue hunting everything I-" he caught himself again, jaw clenching. "He won't stop, love. Not until either he's dead or I am. And I won't risk..." his hand curved possessively around her waist, "I won't risk him taking anything else from me."
His eyes traced the features he'd come to memorize, to cherish, "Peace?" He let out a dark laugh. "Peace is a luxury I haven't known in a thousand years. Though I must admit..." his grip tightened slightly, "this moment, with you... it's the closest I've come. And that, sweetheart, is precisely why Mikael needs to die."
Klaus twirls her around but disappears mid-twirl, using his vampire speed. Y/N huffs out in frustration. She knew he was going out to the bayou, she heard Elijah on the phone. He was going to go kill Davina, but she was not to let that happen. Y/N had met the little witch a few times. She was just a girl
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Hours later, Y/N had finally made it, out of breath and huffing. Klaus had his father knocked out in the trunk of his car, Davina passed out
“Where is she? If something happened to her, Klaus, I swear to God–”
“Davina’s fine. She’ll wake with a spectacular headache. But given her intentions for me she should count her self lucky. Of course, if you drop dead of a heart attack I may have to kill her on general, principle” he responds
“You’re the one who ditched me at the bar. I had to hitchhike, and then run, on the back roads of the Bayou.“
“Well, your perseverance is duly noted–“
“Oh, Shut up!” She cuts him off, “I am so mad at you I can hardly speak. But I am here, and it is to tell you, not to bargain with you and not to shame you, but to tell you, under no circumstances will you hurt that girl, do you understand me?“ she pleads with him
Klaus sighs, rolling his eyes, “you have my word” he finally says
Y/N lets out a breath of relief, standing there for a moment before stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his neck, relaxing against him. This is the first time she's hugged him.
Klaus froze completely at her embrace, his entire frame going unnaturally still. After a moment, his arms moved to encircle her, one hand threading through her hair while the other pressed her closer.
"You could have died coming here." His voice was a whisper against her ear, though his hold remained gentle. "Hitchhiking through the bayou, alone, at night..." his grip tightened slightly. "All to save a witch who plotted my death. Your sense of self-preservation is absolutely atrocious."
He pulled back just enough to study her, though he seemed reluctant to break the embrace completely. "Though I must admit, your righteous fury was rather... compelling. Even if your methods of transportation were criminally stupid." His expression darkened dangerously. "Names, love. I want the names of every person who gave you a ride. And don't bother lying - I'll know."
She rolls her eyes, “two minutes, Klaus. Please. Just two minutes without threats and plotting.” She buries her face in his neck. She had been terrified that she'd arrive and Klaus was dead.
“Besides…you know how much I hate the bayou”
Klaus let out a soft chuckle, his hand sliding soothingly up her back as he held her closer.
"Two minutes?" His voice was uncharacteristically gentle, though still tinged with darkness. "Very well, love. Though your hatred of the bayou didn't stop you from charging out here like some avenging angel." His fingers threaded through her hair with tenderness.
He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent mixed with the night air, his body gradually relaxing despite Mikael's unconscious presence nearby. "You truly are the most frustrating human I've encountered in a thousand years." The words held no threat, only a sort of wondering disbelief. "Running through alligator-infested swamps in the dark, confronting the most dangerous creature in New Orleans..." his arms tightened protectively, "all while smelling absolutely delicious to every vampire within miles."
“You're here,” She says softly, “I know nothing will happen to me” she pulls back, looking at him with a smile, hands sliding up from his neck to cup his face.
“Are you okay?” she asks, realizing she forget to do so when she first got here
Klaus stilled under her touch, his expression shifting through several emotions before settling on something almost vulnerable.
"You trust me." It wasn't a question, but his voice carried a mix of wonder and threat. "Even after seeing what I am, what I'm capable of..." his hands slid to her waist with possessive gentleness. "You foolish, brave, absolutely maddening human."
He leaned into her touch almost unconsciously, his eyes darkening with protective intensity. "I have my father unconscious in my trunk, my family's greatest enemy at my mercy, and yet..." his thumb traced her cheekbone tenderly, "all I can think about is how you ran through the bloody bayou to make sure I didn't harm a witch who betrayed me. How you're standing here, touching me like I'm something precious instead of running in terror." His grip tightened slightly. "I'm beginning to think you're more dangerous than Mikael ever was, love."
Her smile grows, thumbs caressing his cheeks, “Of course I trust you, silly. Don’t be ridiculous. And me? Dangerous? Please, I could barely harm a fly. What’s so dangerous about me?” Her eyes roam all over his face, just to be sure he’s not harmed
Klaus caught one of her hands against his face, turning to press a kiss to her palm while maintaining intense eye contact.
"What's dangerous about you?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "You waltz into my life, reorganize my study, charm my daughter, face down my siblings..." his other hand curved possessively around her waist. "And now you're standing in a dark bayou, touching me like I'm worth saving, making me feel..." he caught himself, jaw clenching.
His expression turned predatory, though his touch remained gentle. "You make me want things I can't have, love. Make me consider futures that aren't possible." His thumb traced her lower lip with dangerous intent. "And that makes you the most lethal creature I've encountered in a thousand years. Because you make me forget, even for a moment, what I am."
Y/N leans in, kissing his cheek, “And what would that be, huh? Because ever since I’ve known you, I’ve just seen Klaus. Not Klaus Mikaelson. Not the hybris. Just Klaus. So maybe you’re not as rough as you make yourself out to be” She says softly.
She suddenly flinchs, “Klaus,” she whispers, her body tensing up, “I’m going to pretend I didn’t feel a bug crawl up my pants. How much longer do we have to be here?”
Klaus let out a genuine laugh at her sudden shift from profound to panicked, the sound carrying both amusement and affection.
"Not as rough as I make myself out to be?" He swept her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "Says the woman who's currently trying not to screech over a bayou bug." His smirk turned playful, though his hold remained possessively protective.
He started walking toward the car, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "Though I must say, love, your ability to go from philosophical observations about my nature to panic over insects is rather... endearing." His expression shifted to something more dangerous. "But don't think I'm letting go of what you said about 'just Klaus'. We'll be discussing that particular observation somewhere less crawling with wildlife. Preferably somewhere I can properly demonstrate just how 'rough' I can be."
Y/N blushed furiously at his last part, deciding to not ask what that was supposed to mean. “Klaus, what are you going to do about your fath—Mikael?” she corrects herself.
Klaus' expression darkened dangerously at the mention of Mikael, his grip on her tightening.
"First, I'm taking you back to the compound." His voice was lethal silk as he moved through the darkness. "Then I'm going to deal with my father in a way that ensures he never threatens what's mine again." His eyes met her, "And yes, love, that includes you. Especially after your reckless display of loyalty tonight."
He paused by the car, though he made no move to set her down. "Though I notice you corrected yourself. 'Father' to 'Mikael'." His thumb traced patterns on her skin. "Trying to spare my feelings? Rather bold of you, considering I just had to rescue you from potential alligators and mysterious bayou insects."
I shrug, remembering how Rebekah, in passing, mentioned that Klaus wasn't her full sibling, “didn’t know if you wanted to call him that. Why would you? He’s not your actual father, right?”
Klaus stilled, his expression shifting to something raw before he set her down with careful precision, though he kept her caged between himself and the car.
"No." His voice was quiet but lethal. "My real father was a werewolf. One my mother had an affair with." His hand came up to trace her jaw gently. "Mikael's greatest shame - his wife's bastard. The product of her infidelity." His eyes burned with ancient pain masked by violence.
He leaned closer, his body practically vibrating with contained rage. "And yet here you are, understanding things my own family took centuries to grasp." His grip turned possessive. "Making observations that cut straight through a thousand years of hatred and pain." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Do you have any idea how terrifying that is, love? How dangerous it makes you?"
She tilts her head slightly, “What is? That I understand you? Is that such a bad thing?” she whispers back, “Do you not want to be understood?”
Klaus' hand slid to the back of her neck , "Understanding means vulnerability." His voice was raw beneath its lethal edge.
"In a thousand years, those who claimed to understand me either wanted something or tried to destroy me." His other hand gripped her waist. "And yet here you are, seeing straight through my carefully constructed walls, demanding I spare witches who betray me, running through dangerous swamps to ensure I keep my word..."
He pressed closer, his heat enveloping her. "You see 'just Klaus' when everyone else sees the monster. You touch me without fear, challenge me without ulterior motives." His expression turned vulnerable. "And that makes you infinitely more dangerous than any white oak stake. Because you make me want to be understood. Make me want..." he caught himself, jaw clenching as his thumb traced her pulse point.
Y/N felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest, “Yeah?” she whispers softly, leaning in closer, their noses brushing, “What do you want Klaus?” she says, looking down at his lips.
Klaus growled low in his throat, the sound pure predator, as his hand tightened on her neck with dangerous restraint.
"What I want..." His voice was lethal silk as his lips ghosted across her cheek, barely touching. "What I want would destroy everything you are. Your precious humanity, your dreams of growing old..." His other hand slid up her back possessively. "I want to keep you, corrupt you, make you as immortal and dark as I am."
He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze with burning intensity, his control visibly fraying. "But more dangerously, I want..." his thumb traced her lower lip with threatening gentleness. "I want to be the man you see when you look at me. Not the monster, not the hybrid, but 'just Klaus'. And that, love, is the most terrifying desire of all."
Y/N honestly had no idea what to say. For once, she was speechless. She needed time ti think about what he just dropped on her. “Klaus,” she says softly, “Let’s go back to the compound. I’m literally expecting a snake to crawl up my leg next”
Klaus let out a chuckle, "Running away from this conversation, love?" His voice held dangerous amusement as he moved to open the passenger door. "Though I must admit, your ability to shift from intimate moments to wildlife panic is rather..." he paused, watching as she settled into the seat, "convenient."
He leaned in close, caging her against the seat before closing the door. "But don't think I've forgotten what almost happened here. We'll be revisiting that particular moment when we're somewhere less..." his eyes darkened as he glanced at the trunk where Mikael lay unconscious, "occupied. And somewhere with significantly fewer bayou creatures to interrupt us."
Klaus starts driving and as usual, has a hand on her thigh. This time she decided to slide her hand into his, intertwining their fingers and squeezing as she kept looking ahead.
Klaus stilled for a moment, his fingers tightening around hers as he drove through the dark bayou roads.
"Careful, love." His voice was pure silk wrapped in threat. "First you make me dance, then you embrace me, and now..." his thumb traced patterns on her skin. "One might think you're trying to tame the beast."
He glanced at her before returning his eyes to the road, though his grip never loosened. "Though I must say, your timing is impeccable - holding my hand while my murderous father lies unconscious in the trunk." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Almost like you're trying to anchor me to my humanity right when I need to be at my most monstrous.”
“But you’re not a monster” she says, turning her head to him, “you just…have a tendency to do bad things. We all do. That doesn’t make us bad people.” she shrugs.
Klaus let out a dark laugh, his fingers tightening around her with affection.
"'A tendency to do bad things?'" His voice was filled with bewilderment. "That's quite the understatement, love. I've murdered entire villages, tortured countless souls, and turned families against each other for sport. And yet here you sit, holding my hand like I'm some misunderstood hero in one of those novels you keep sneaking into my study."
His expression turned dangerously intense as he glanced at you. "You're either the bravest or the most foolish creature I've encountered in a millennium. Perhaps both." His grip became tender. "Though I must admit, your stubborn insistence on seeing the good in me is becoming..." he paused, jaw clenching, "rather addictive."
“Ah, so you admit that there is good. That’s the first step,” she says, leaning back against the seat and closing her eyes, “if you don’t mind, I’ll just close my eyes for a moment. It’s been…a long day and…I’m tired” she yawn, her voice quieting but her grip on his hand remains firm.
Klaus watched her drift off, his thumb continuing its gentle patterns across your skin.
"Sleep, little human." His voice was a whisper. "Though how you manage to feel safe enough to rest beside the most dangerous creature in New Orleans, while my homicidal father lies mere feet away..." he shook his head with dark wonder. "Your trust in me is either going to get you killed or make me..." he caught himself, jaw clenching as he tightened his grip possessively.
His eyes returned to the road, though he found himself driving more carefully than usual, avoiding bumps that might disturb her rest. "And for the record, love," he murmured, knowing she were already drifting off, "I haven't admitted to anything. Though you're becoming dangerously good at making me want to."
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Arriving at the compound, Klaus reluctantly lets go of her hand. He moved around the car with supernatural speed, opening her door gently
"Come, love." His voice was dark velvet as he lifted her with ease and gentleness. "Let's get you inside before you decide to make any more profound observations about my nature." Despite his words, his arms cradled her protectively against his chest.
He paused at the compound entrance, his expression turning dangerous."Though I should warn you - if you ever pull another stunt like today, running through the bayou alone..." his grip tightened slightly, "I'll have no choice but to lock you in that tower room you're so fond of reorganizing. And this time, sweetheart, no amount of trust in 'just Klaus' will earn you freedom."
Y/N stirred in his arms, nuzzling into him while she remained sleep
Klaus froze momentarily at her unconscious display of trust, his expression shifting through several emotions.
"Utterly maddening creature." His voice was barely a whisper as he carried her through the compound, gentle to avoid disturbing her rest. "You have no idea what you do to me, do you? Making me feel..." he caught himself, jaw clenching as he tightened his hold.
He reached her room yet found himself reluctant to set her down. “The things I've done today alone should have you running in terror." His fingers traced through her hair. "Instead, you're sleeping in my arms, making those little sounds…" his expression darkened with protective possession. "I should wake you. Make you face what you're doing to me. But apparently, even the great Klaus Mikaelson can be rendered powerless by one sleeping human."
Setting her down, Klaus goes back down to get his father’s body from the trunk, to take to the dungeon. When he arrived, to his horror, the trunk was open and empty.
His entire body went rigid with lethal fury, his eyes flashing gold as his hybrid features emerged.
"No..." The word was a dangerous snarl as he scanned the area with intensity, his senses heightened to their maximum. "No, no, NO!" His fist connected with the car, leaving a devastating dent.
His mind raced with violent calculations, but one thought dominated all others - Y/N, sleeping peacefully upstairs, completely vulnerable. "Elijah!" His voice carried deadly urgency as he vamped back into the compound. "ELIJAH!" His body vibrated with barely contained rage and... fear. Not for himself, but for the infuriating human who had wormed her way past his defenses. "Guard her room. He's loose."
Klaus blurred through the compound with lethal speed, every muscle coiled for violence as he checked every shadow, every corner.
"I will paint this city red with anyone who helped him escape." His voice was pure darkness as he pulled out his phone, sending rapid messages to his hybrids while maintaining his defensive position near her room. "I will tear apart every witch, vampire, and wolf until I find him."
His supernatural hearing strained to catch any sound of movement, any hint of his father's presence, while his body practically vibrated with protective rage."If he so much as looks in her direction..." he let the threat hang in the air, his expression promising violence that would make his previous atrocities look merciful.
He heard a scream come from her room. Klaus appeared in the doorway with lethal speed, his entire frame radiating murderous fury as he took in the scene before him.
Mikael had his arm around Y/N’s neck, positioning her in front of him
"Let. Her. Go." Each word dripped with a thousand years of violence, his hybrid features emerging as his eyes blazed gold. "Your quarrel is with me, not her." His hands flexed dangerously at his sides, every muscle coiled for attack.
He maintained eye contact with her, his expression promising violent retribution even as he calculated every possible move. "I must say, 'father', using a human girl as leverage..." his voice carried dangerous mockery despite the rage beneath. "Rather beneath the great vampire hunter, isn't it? Though I suppose desperate times..."
Y/N whimper as his grip on her neck tightens, lifting her slightly off the floor
Klaus took a step forward, his entire being radiating murderous intent.
"Careful now." His voice was deceptively soft, though his eyes promised devastating violence. "You're already dead for touching what's mine. But how painful that death becomes..." his fangs descended as dark veins crawled beneath his eyes, "that depends entirely on how gently you set her down."
He tilted his head with predatory calculation, his body tensed for explosive action. "Though I must say, it's rather poetic. The man who spent a millennium calling me weak, now hiding behind a human girl." His lips curved into a dangerous smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Tell me, does it burn you to know that this 'weak' human shows more courage in her little finger than you've managed in a thousand years of hunting me?"
“This…” Mikael shakes her slightly, “is going to be your downfall, boy.” He spits, “You don’t deserve to feel an ounce of anything other than pain.” Mikael throws her to the floor, her head hitting the edge of the bed. She immediately felt light headed, clutching her head and curling on the floor
Klaus' expression transformed into something truly terrifying, a millennium of rage crystallizing into pure lethal intent.
"Wrong choice." The words were barely audible as he blurred forward with supernatural speed, his hybrid strength unleashed in its full devastating glory."You should have killed me when you had the chance." His voice was death itself as he slammed Mikael against the wall, the impact cracking the centuries-old stone.
Even as he engaged Mikael with lethal precision, his supernatural senses remained acutely aware of her condition, her pain feeding his fury. "For a thousand years, you called me an abomination." His hybrid features emerged fully as he drove his hand into Mikael's chest, fingers wrapping around his heart "Now let me show you exactly what this abomination can do when you harm what belongs to him."
Klaus twisted his hand inside Mikael's chest, earning a pained grunt from the vampire hunter. The expression on Klaus’s face was pained, showing glimpses of the boy rather than the man.
"You hunted me across continents, threatened my family, drove us from our home." His voice carried a millennium of bottled rage as he leaned closer, golden eyes blazing. "But touching her? That was your final mistake." His other hand gripped Mikael's throat with crushing force.
The compound walls seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his fury as he pulled Mikael forward only to slam him back again. "I want you to know something before you die, 'father'." His lips curved into a lethal smile as he realized his heart. Reaching knit his jacket and grabbing the white oak stake, fingers wrapping around it tight as he positioned it at his heart, inserting the stake into Mikael’s heart with excruciating slowness.
"That girl you just threw aside? She sees me as the man you never could. Sees strength where you saw weakness. And her opinion?" He twisted his hand violently. "Means infinitely more than yours ever did."
With one final surge of strength, Klaus plunges the stake into Mikael’s chest, watching with dark satisfaction as his father's body began to burn.
Klaus remained frozen for a moment, his body still vibrating with energy as a thousand years of pain and rage coursed through him.
"It's done." His voice was raw beneath its dangerous edge as he slowly turned toward Y/N, blood dripping from his hands. "A millennium of running, of looking over our shoulders..." He seemed almost lost, like a predator suddenly robbed of its hunt, before his protective instincts kicked in and he blurred to her side.
His hands hovered over her with uncharacteristic uncertainty, afraid to touch her with fingers still coated in his father's blood. "Y/N..." His voice cracked slightly, the tears he hadn't even noticed making tracks through the blood on his face. "I need you to look at me, love. Tell me how badly you're hurt." His expression was a mix of concern and lingering fury, though his usual mask of control was notably absent.
Y/N’s head was pounding, blood oozing from the area she was clutching, coating all over her hand. She sits up, her vision slightly blurry, “Are you okay?” She asks, her other hand reaching to cup his face, wiping the tears on his cheek
Klaus let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a growl, his hand coming up to cover hers on his cheek with dangerous gentleness.
"You're bleeding on my floor, barely conscious, and you're asking if I'm..." His voice caught as he pulled her closer, his other hand moving to examine her head wound with care. "Of course you are. Stubborn, impossible..." He bit into his wrist offering it to her. "Drink. Now. Before I lose what little sanity I have left."
His thumb traced her cheek with tenderness as his other arm supported her. "A thousand years I've waited to end him, and you..." his voice dropped to a whisper, "you make me feel more vulnerable than he ever did. Making me cry when I should be celebrating." His expression turned possessive. "What have you done to me, little human?"
As Y/N drinks, she feels the pounding and the dizziness immediately fade just as the wound closed up.
She lets go of his wrist, “blech. That’s disgusting, Klaus. Ew”
Klaus let out a startled laugh, the sound rough with lingering emotion as he pulled you closer with possessive relief.
"Only you would survive an encounter with Mikael, witness me kill him, and then complain about the taste of healing blood." His voice held dangerous affection as his fingers traced where her wound had been. "Though I must say, love, your priorities continue to be..." he paused, thumb brushing away a drop of blood from her lip with gentleness, "uniquely maddening."
His other hand cupped her face, forcing her to meet his still-intense gaze. "Now, since you're apparently well enough to critique the flavor of my blood..." his expression turned serious. "Don't you ever, EVER, put yourself between me and danger again. I don't care if it's Mikael himself or a common street thug." His grip tightened. "I can't..." he caught himself, jaw clenching. "I won't watch you get hurt because of me. Are we clear?"
“Not fair,” she pouts, furrowing her brows. “You’re acting like he didn't come to me”
At his glare, she smiles, practically jumping into his arms and wrapping hers around his neck. Klaus stiffened at her embrace before his arms wrapped around her tightly, his face buried in her hair.
“Okay, damn.” she squeezes for a moment before pulling back, looking at him, “You didn’t answer me. Are you okay? Emotionally. I know you’re physically fine. But…how are you?” I say, glancing to Mikael's burning form a few feet away
"A thousand years..." His voice was barely audible, raw with emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. "A thousand years of running, of watching him destroy everything I..." His grip tightened, almost painful before he caught himself. "And here you are, bleeding and frightened, yet still trying to tend to my emotional well-being." He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his expression a volatile mix of vulnerability and intensity.
His hand came up to trace her face, his eyes flickering to Mikael's corpse. "I should feel triumphant. I've finally ended the great vampire hunter, the man who..." his jaw clenched. "Instead, all I can think about is how close he came to taking you from me. How your blood on my floor made me feel more terror than a millennium of his pursuit ever did."
His thumb traced her lower lip. "What have you done to me, little human? Making the great Klaus Mikaelson admit to fear?"
Y/N cups his face, climbing onto his lap as they sat on the floor, “Hey, I’m still here. No use in thinking of what-ifs. I’m here, yeah? I’m not going anywhere.” She hugged him tight and honestly, she was a little thrown off. Did he care that much?
Klaus' arms locked around her with lethal possessiveness, one hand threading through her hair as he inhaled her scent.
"You say that so easily," his voice was dark velvet against her skin, "not going anywhere. As if you haven't witnessed me at my most monstrous." His grip tightened. "Any sane person would be running, yet here you are, trying to comfort the beast."
He pulled back just enough to meet your gaze, his expression raw with dangerous intensity. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me? How terrifying it is to realize that after a millennium of building walls, of trusting no one..." his thumb traced your cheek with predatory tenderness, "one stubborn, foolish, beautiful human has made me feel more in weeks than I've allowed myself to feel in centuries?" His other hand splayed possessively across her back.
Y/N smiles, leaning down to kiss the tip of his nose, “Come on. Let’s get cleaned up”
Klaus froze at the innocent gesture, his expression shifting and settling on something tender.
"You..." He stood in one fluid motion, keeping her secured against him with supernatural strength. "You are either the bravest or most reckless creature I've encountered in a millennium." His voice was silk as he carried her toward the bathroom, deliberately stepping over Mikael's corpse. "Kissing the nose of a blood-covered hybrid who just committed patricide." He shook his head with dark wonder. "Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised - you've been defying all logic since the moment you tried to steal from my study."
His grip tightened as he set her on the bathroom counter, caging her in with his arms. "I should warn you though, love..." his eyes gleamed, "that level of fearless affection toward someone like me... it's rather dangerous. Might give a monster ideas about keeping you forever."
She brings her hands to his face, one hand cupping while the other caresses his face gently, “Agan, you’re not a monster. Not to me. You’re anything but.” she looks at him with a tender expression
Klaus caught her wrist gently, turning his face into her palm as his eyes closed briefly.
"That's precisely what makes you so dangerous, little human." His voice was soft as his other hand cradled her face. "A millennium of being the villain, the monster under everyone's bed... and you look at me like..." he opened his eyes, the intensity in them almost painful. "Like I'm worthy of such tenderness."
His thumb traced her lower lip, his body caging her against the counter as if afraid she might disappear. "Do you know what happens to people who see good in monsters, love?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper as he leaned closer. "They either die tragically... or the monster becomes so possessive, so consumed by their light, that they never let them go." His grip tightened slightly. "And I've already decided I won't allow anything to happen to you."
Klaus suddenly pulls back, turning to grab a cloth. Y/N's breath hitches at the sudden loss of contact. She composes herself as he turns back
Klaus returned with a dampened cloth, his movements deliberately measured as he stepped between your legs again.
"Let's get you cleaned up first," his voice was softer than usual as he began gently wiping the dried blood from her temple. "I may be immortal, but even I need a moment to... process." He focused intently on his task, using it as an excuse to gather his scattered emotions.
His free hand rested on her knee, thumb moving in absent circles as he worked. "A thousand years I've waited to end him, to be free of his shadow." His eyes met hers briefly, showing rare vulnerability. "Yet somehow you've made that feel secondary to ensuring you're safe." He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "How do you do that? Make the great Klaus Mikaelson forget about revenge in favor of fussing over a stubborn human?"
She smiles sheepishly, “I don’t know. Maybe annoy him to the point where it would be a shame for him to kill me.” She shrugs, “who else would make him want to pull his hair out?”
Klaus' lips curved into a genuine smile, rare and unguarded as he continued cleaning her face.
"Ah yes, your particular talent for driving me to distraction." His voice held warmth beneath its usual dry tone. "Though I must say, love, reorganizing my study seems rather tame compared to tonight's adventures." He paused, thumb brushing her cheek with unexpected gentleness. "Perhaps I should have let you keep color-coding my grimoires - might have been less stressful than watching you face down Mikael."
Setting aside the cloth, he leaned his forehead against hers with uncharacteristic weariness. "You know, in a thousand years, no one has ever..." he hesitated, struggling with the admission, "no one has ever asked if I was okay after facing him. Everyone always assumed I was either fine or..." he let out a soft laugh, "too much of a monster to care. Leave it to my impossibly stubborn assistant to worry about my feelings while bleeding from a head wound."
She just smiled, “What did you want me to do, Klaus? That was the first thing that popped into my mind after ‘my head hurts like a bitch’” she lets out a soft laugh. Klaus cann’t help the smile that makes its way onto his face, looking at her.
They just simply look at each other for a few moments
“Listen to me,” Y/N says firmly, breaking the silence, “as long as I breathe, you will always have someone to ask about your well-being, to ask about you, to…care” she whispers, looking into his eyes
Klaus' breath caught, his hands coming up to frame her face with startling tenderness.
"You have no idea what you're promising, little human." His voice was rough with emotion as his thumbs traced her cheekbones. "As long as you breathe..." he repeated your words softly. "That's the crux of it, isn't it? The terrifying limitation of your humanity." His eyes searched hers, showing rare vulnerability. "How do you do this? Make me feel such..." he struggled with the word, "joy at your care, while simultaneously filling me with dread at how fleeting it could be?"
He drew back slightly, one hand moving to trace where her wound had been. "For someone who claims to be clever, you're making quite dangerous declarations to an immortal who's already far too invested in keeping you." His voice held a hint of his usual playfulness, though his eyes remained serious.
She rolls her eyes, chuckling, “Keeping me? what am I, a cat?” She reaches over for the cloth, taking it in her hand and wiping the blood from his face. She can feel his eyes on her as she works silently
Klaus remained uncharacteristically still under her ministrations, his usual restless energy settling into something quieter.
“In all my years, I don't think anyone has ever..." he trailed off, catching her hand gently as she finished. "Even my siblings, after our worst battles... we'd heal and move on. No one ever thought to..." He seemed almost mystified by the simple act of care. "You continuously find new ways to undo me with the smallest gestures, love."
His other hand settled on her waist, thumb moving in absent circles. "I should be planning how to announce Mikael's death, consolidating power, dealing with the inevitable political fallout." His lips quirked in a small smile. "Instead, I'm sitting here, letting a beautiful human fuss over the blood that would have vanished on its own and finding myself entirely unwilling to move."
“Then don’t move” she says softly, placing the cloth down, “we can deal with all of that tomorrow. For now,” She places her hands on the sides of his neck, “you should get some rest. It’s been a long day. Yeah?”
Klaus leaned into her touch, his usual sharp edges softening.
"Ever the voice of reason," he murmured, eyes closing briefly. "Though I doubt sleep will come easily tonight." He opened his eyes, studying her face with unusual openness. "Would you..." he paused, seemingly struggling with the request. "Stay? Not for any nefarious purpose, just..." His hands tightened slightly on her waist. "I find myself rather reluctant to let you out of my sight after today's events."
He quickly added, trying to maintain some semblance of his usual control, "Of course, if you'd prefer your own room, I completely understand. I imagine nearly being killed by my father isn't exactly conducive to wanting company."
“Klaus,” She says with a smile, “of course, I’ll stay with you. In fact, I insist. Last time I fell asleep in my own bed, I woke up to a hand around my throat” she jokes before hopping off the counter.
Klaus' expression darkened momentarily at the reminder before softening as he caught her hand.
"Not your finest attempt at humor, love," he said softly, pulling her closer. "Though I suppose I should be grateful you can joke about it at all." He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Fair warning though - I may have developed a rather inconvenient protective instinct where you're concerned. Don't be surprised if you wake up to find me checking your breathing."
He guided her toward his bedroom, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back. "I should probably mention that I've never actually..." he cleared his throat, showing rare uncertainty, "shared my bed for purely sleeping purposes. A thousand years of paranoia makes one rather... selective about moments of vulnerability."
“Yeah?” she says innocently, “what else have you shared it for?” she asks before snorting, “I’m just joking. Don’t answer that.” she sticks my tongue out in disgust
Klaus let out a genuine laugh, the sound holding real warmth as he shook his head.
"And here I was, about to give you a detailed historical account spanning a millennium," his eyes sparkled with renewed mischief as he pulled back his covers. "Though I must say, that particular expression of disgust is doing wonders for my ego." He moved to his dresser, pulling out a soft henley. "Here, unless you'd prefer to sleep in clothes covered in both our blood."
He turned his back to give her privacy, a surprisingly gentlemanly gesture. "You know, most people would be too terrified to tease the Original Hybrid after the day we've had. Yet here you are, making jokes about my bedroom history and pulling faces like an impudent child." His voice held unmistakable fondness beneath the mock offense. "I'm beginning to think I've completely lost my fearsome reputation where you're concerned."
Klaus can hear the soft rustling of Y/N changing my clothes, “Long gone” she teases, sliding under the covers. “Now get changed too and join me.” She lays her head down on the pillow
Klaus turned, his expression softening at the sight of her in his bed wearing his shirt.
"Demanding little thing, aren't you?" He changed quickly, supernatural speed making it nearly instantaneous. "Though I suppose I should be grateful you're not trying to reorganize my pillows by shade." He slid under the covers with careful movements, as if afraid to disturb her.
He lay on his side facing her, maintaining a respectful distance while still close enough to reach out if needed. "You know," his voice was quiet in the darkness, "I've spent centuries making sure no one would dare command me to do anything. Yet here you are, ordering me to bed like a mother hen, and I find myself..." he paused, a hint of wonder in his tone, "completely willing to comply."
She grins, “yeah? Think I can command you to change the cushions of the courtyard seating area or am I pushing it?”
Klaus' lips twitched with amusement as he propped himself up on one elbow.
"And there it is - your true agenda revealed at last." His free hand reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "First my study, then my bedroom, and now you're eyeing the courtyard. I should have known you were playing the long game, love." His voice held playful warmth. "Though I must say, plotting interior design changes while in my bed is a rather bold strategy."
He settled back down, his expression growing softer in the dim light. "Tell you what - survive the night without reorganizing my pillows by thread count, and we can discuss the courtyard tomorrow." His voice dropped to a whisper. "But if I wake up to find you've color-coded my closet, there will be consequences."
“Yeah yeah. Threats threats and more threats” she yawns, closing her eyes, “don’t you get tired?” she whispers
Klaus watched her sleepy expression with tender amusement, his usual sharp edges completely softened.
"A thousand years of threatening people, and you've managed to make it sound as tedious as a grocery list," he murmured, shifting slightly closer as her breathing began to even out.
His hand moved to rest lightly on her waist, protective rather than possessive. "Sleep, little human. I'll keep watch." His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "And perhaps tomorrow I'll pretend to be properly outraged when you inevitably suggest redecorating the entire compound."
She lets out a soft laugh, “Just don’t yell at me too much when you do. I don’t think I can handle you yelling at me,” she murmurs, eyes still closed.
Klaus' hand tightened briefly on her waist, a flash of guilt crossing his features at the memory of past outbursts.
"No yelling," he promised softly, his thumb tracing gentle circles against the fabric of his shirt. "Though I reserve the right to dramatically roll my eyes when you inevitably suggest pastels again." His voice held gentle teasing, masking deeper emotion. "I do have a reputation to maintain, after all. Can't have the supernatural community thinking I've gone soft just because one stubborn human has me wrapped around her finger."
He watched her peaceful expression in the darkness, speaking more to himself than her. "Besides, I'm finding it rather difficult to summon any real anger towards you these days. Even when you're being impossibly vexing with your organizational schemes."
“I knew you liked the pastels idea” she mumbles
Klaus let out a quiet chuckle, the sound warm and genuine.
"I will deny that accusation until my last breath - which, given my immortality, means you'll never win this argument." His fingers absently played with a strand of her hair. "Though I must admit, your persistence is... endearing. Even if it means I'll spend the next century explaining to everyone why there are powder blue throw pillows in the Original Hybrid's compound." His voice held a mix of resignation and fondness.
He shifted closer, drawn by her sleepy warmth. "Rest now, love. You can continue your mission to soften my aesthetic tomorrow."
“Good night Klaus” she whispers
Klaus keeps his eyes open, just looking at her and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. How could he bring himself to look away?
"Goodnight, little human," he whispered, though he knew she was already drifting off. "I should be plotting revenge, celebrating victory, asserting dominance..." his voice was barely audible. "Instead, I'm lying here, counting your breaths, terrified by how peaceful you look in my bed. How right it feels."
He fought against his instinct to pull you closer, maintaining the small space between you even as every fiber of his being urged him to wrap you in his arms. "You've made quite a mess of me, haven't you?" His confession was silent in the darkness. "The great Klaus Mikaelson, reduced to a sentinel watching over a sleeping human who dares to suggest pastels in his home... and finding himself hopelessly enchanted by every moment of it."
After a few moments, she opens her eyes, smiling when their eyes meet. “You have pretty eyes,” she whispers.
Klaus' breath caught, momentarily stunned by her unexpected awakening and disarming comment.
"And you," he murmured, fighting to maintain composure despite being caught in such an unguarded moment, "have an absolutely terrible habit of catching me off guard with these devastating little observations."
He studied her face in the dim light, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. "You should be sleeping, not making dangerous statements that make me want to..." he trailed off, catching himself. "Well, let's just say your particular brand of sleepy honesty is rather testing my self-control, love."
Y/N looked down at his lips for a moment before closing her eyes back, scooting closer so her head was tucked under his chin, relaxing fully
Klaus froze momentarily at her bold move, his body tensing before slowly relaxing around her.
"Brave little thing," he whispered into her hair, finally allowing himself to wrap an arm properly around her. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" His voice was rough with emotion as he drew her closer, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of her head.
He pressed his lips gently to the top of her head, inhaling her scent. "Sleep now, sweetheart. I've got you."
His thumb traced soothing circles against her spine, his own breathing synchronizing with her despite not needing to breathe at all.
"Though we will eventually need to discuss your alarming tendency to render me completely defenseless with these innocent little gestures."
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Thank you for reading. Feedback? I’d love to know what your fav part of the series is so far.
HALLO cirnatura is epic and cool.. may i ask exactly how it differs from miscecanis? apologies if it’s obvious and i’m just stupid or something
also cirnatura is epic and cool i WILL be using this. i lauv omegaverse and implement elements of it in my life but never really managed to connect to miscecanis so i’m very joyous that there is now another term :-D
— @ninjacoins
(Cirnatura)
Functionally it is the same in the sense of being a word for those who incorporate omegaverse into their identity and life, but it’s the personal word that my system uses instead of miscecanis. I’m posting it because some friends showed interest and encouraged me to create it so I wanted to post it in case anyone else was interested in an alternate word
I suppose that you could say the difference is that that definition is intentionally vague to include anyone who lives an omegaverse lifestyle in any way. a vulcan interpretation of omegaverse, (experiencing pon farr rather than ruts and heats etc) would not fall under miscecanis according to posts made by the coiner, and that’s how I live my omegaverse life, as a vulcan alpha, so I wanted to make sure I had a term inclusive of that
also I’m not trying to say this to gossip or speculate, so please correct me if I’m incorrect here, but I believe miscecanis is not intended for use by specific systems/syscourse stances. I hold the opinion that values and ideals shouldn’t be integrated or impact on identity based labels, so I also wanted to create cirnatura to be plainly and openly able to be used by anyone, including people who I disagree with, who oppose my own ideologies, etc.
