Imagine after sending Ms. Cuddles away that Bonnie developed insomnia which eventually led to Kai becoming Mr. Cuddles 🥰
TVD :
Given the moment this happens, I couldn't get myself to make her lose sleep and end up in Kai's arms as if they didn't mutually stabbed each other not so long ago. Since I kind of try to stick to how the character was written.... before the merge, he doesn't show much empathetic pretty feelings.
So here's my version, with a little twist.
PS : I intended it to be quite short but got carried away. I ended up talking about numerous things before getting to the point, but I hope you'll still enjoy the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 10th 1994, prison world.
An eclipse. Kai Parker. Bonnie Bennett.
She was chanting a spell that would bring them back to their world.... It stopped abruptly. She's lost her magic. In fact, she's just put her magic in her beloved Miss Cuddles, sending the teddy bear to the 2010's.
Kai's cry resonated through the cave. He walk-rushed right to Bonnie.
_ Where's the stupid bear ?
_ Oh, it's gone. I guess we're stuck here. Forever.
She holds his gaze, whispering.
_ Sorry.
He inhales loudly, an incredulous laugh escaping his mouth.
_ Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie.... You'll regret this.
His psycho smile's been replaced by a menacing expression.
_ I don't think so.
She seems confident, despite being aware of the fact she's locked herself up with a killer. She couldn't let him out of this prison, in the present, murdering more members of his family.
_ You lost your powers. You've doomed us to be stuck here for damn eternity ! You think you had it bad during four months ? Try eighteen years. Alone. 'Cause, I suppose you don't fancy a truce with the enemy around a nice diner.
_ I'd rather die starved and dehydrated under the burning sun than spend one more day with you around.
He huffs in response.
_ Right.... You'll want me back. Somehow. When you've gone insane from the loneliness. No sounds at all, except from yours. Tired of your own voice, you'd rather punch your face than to hear one more syllable come out of your mouth. When you're on the verge of suicide, with no escape from your own mind.... When all of your being craves the only thing left, human company....
He slides a hand in his pocket, pulling out his pager.
_ Beep me ! 555hikai. I'll come and watch the show.
The last thing Bonnie sees is Kai's sadistic grin growing on his face. Then she turns her back, determined to get as far away from him as possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The witch spends several more months in this prison world, going through the routine she had with Damon, now on her own. It seems like Kai didn't bother following her to haunt her days. She's stopped being useful to him after all.
At first she's holding on, hoping Damon got the teddy bear. Her friends will find a way, they'll come and get her out of here. She's counting on them, as they counted on her so many times. She concentrates her thoughts on happy memories with her friends. She counts the days to keep tract of the real time. When supposed-Christmas season comes, she even decorates a tree with garlands and christmas bulbs. Shortly after, she's hit by a wave of angry desperation and burns the tree. Who does she fake happiness for ?
A few more months later, it all becomes unbearable. It's her birthday. She's still in that hellhole. Alone. She's read every book she could find, searched every mystical object. Nothing. No way out. She's been stuck in this place for nearly a year now and she's had enough.
In a last celebration, she finally decides to open the bottle of bourbon Damon and her had made a pact on. After drinking three quarter of the bottle, she walks to the garage, closing the outside door. She starts the car so the carbon monoxide begins filling the room. Then, she slumps down the floor, back against the vehicle.
A camera in hands, she presses the recording button and starts talking.
_ I'm Bonnie Bennett, locked in a time loop in 1994. Elena, Damon, whoever.... Hi. If you find that video, it means you've managed your way in. It means you didnt give up on me....
Tears start gathering in her eyes.
_ I miss you. I miss you so much.... I miss saying hi to strangers, ordering diner in a restaurant, laughing with my friends. Every day with no one to talk to. Going weeks without speaking. The loneliness....
She bumps her head onto the car behind, crying....
_ I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.... I can't.... I promise I tried....
Her sobbing turns into a cough.
_ You know, Kai told me I wouldn't last long. I almost miss him.
She chuckles at her own statement, tears running down her cheeks.
_ You hear that Damon ? I miss that sociopathic murderer. Not that I'd ever forgive his manipulation, the arrow shoot, the chasing, the manhandling.... but I'd settle for a talk. He's the only human left here, wherever he might be. It'd be a hell of a last talk but...
She pauses a second, pondering.
_ I can't let him win. I'm stronger. I know I am.
She immediately stops the video, forcing her body to rise. She stumbles. The gaz has filled her lungs, making her weak. She can't stop coughing, vision blurred. She falls to the floor, desperate to crawl outside....
Suddenly, she hears a door slam open, someone walking in her direction.... Kai !
She makes an effort to look up at him.
He's standing right beside the switch of the garage's door, holding an oxygen mask before his face. He seems.... pained ?
_ You didn't beep me.
Right before she falls into unconsciousness, the door opens, filling the room with fresh air. The last thing she sees is an arm lifting her up the floor and an oxygen mask crashing on her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's strange in here. All's kinda blurry, green-ish. She doesn't recognise the place she's in.
Two children appear in front of her, coming in her direction. Before she can realise, they both pass through her body before running away.
She's a ghost. Great ! She exhales in exasperation.
She hears knocking behind her. Turning around, she sees a woman opening a door.
_ Malachai ?
Mala.... Kai ?
Bonnie urges to the room. Nobody can see her anyway. She's faced with an unexpected picture.
A little boy's sitting on his bed, brow furrowed, a sad expression on his face.
_ You hate me !
_ No, no my love, I don't hate you.
That's his mother.
_ I already told you. It's safer that way.
_ I just wanna play with my sister.
_ You can't. We don't want you to harm her.
She's stern but soft at the same time. The boy's pleading.
_ I won't ! Please !
_ Malachai, no.
He starts sobbing, tears threatening to run down his face.
He extends his arms, reaching for a hug. The woman cries in pain. It's only a second, but it's enough to hurt her. The moment he hears her pain, young Kai removes his hands, horrified.
_ Mom ?
_ It's okay.
It's faint, but she smiles at him.
Loud stomps are heard in the stairs, the face of a man appearing in the door frame. His father.
The man doesn't say anything. He comes inside the room, wraps his arms around his wife, and carries her outside.
Just before he leaves, he glares at his son, a warning look on his face. Then, he closes the door, the lock clicks. The boy's alone.
He freezes a moment, holding back his tears.
Bonnie stays there, observing him. She can't recognise the emotionless murderer she knows in that little boy standing here, petrified from his own action.
Her train of thoughts is interrupted by shouting coming from downstairs. Little Kai slowly walks to the door, putting his head on the wood, an attempt at eavesdropping. The witch imitates him.
_ See what he did to you ?
_ He didn't mean to.
_ Of course ! Like he didn't mean to siphon his sister last week !
_ He just wanted to play....
_ We almost lost her ! That power, that thing, it kills people ! It's an abomination !
_ I know !.... But he's still our son.
The boy can't hold back anymore, he breaks down, falling to his knees by the door. A flow of tears escapes his eyes, running down to his neck, staining his shirt.
_ Kai....
Bonnie raises a hand, reaching for his cheek. Her hand disappears the moment she touches his skin, sinking through his body. She can't touch anything. Despite facing the man he became, manipulative and vengeful, she can't help but want to wipe away the tears of his younger self....
All of a sudden, the image of the boy fades. It's replaced by short fragments of discussions, people....
She sees it all pass before her eyes. The family reject, locked in his room countless times. The accidental siphonings. The pain. The addiction. The help he never get, learning by himself. Hurt turning into rage. Emotions buried away. Finally d-day. Merge refused. The snap. The killings. The banishment. Flashes of his months trying to find a way out of the prison world. His desperation. The moments he broke everything around him, punching his reflection in the mirror.... Then, all his attempted suicides. As she had just tried. The thing is, he succeeded. He actually did die. Each time. Coming back to life. Each time. Trying to kill himself for years. She saw all those times, all the suicides. Stabbing himself with a knife, throwing himself off a cliff, painkillers overdose, numerous unknown needle injections, shooting an arrow at himself, cutting his arms open with a kitchen knife, car crash, real guillotine in a museum.... She felt them all. She felt them in her body. Excruciating pain, vengeance desire, hurt, rage, fellings, despair.... Then nothing. Void. Just that feeling. They're going to suffer as much as I did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonnie snaps awake, gasping, jerking in a sitting position. She's panting, trying to catch her own breath.
She looks around. It's the Salvatore house. She's sitting on the couch next to the fireplace. She's actually sitting across someone's lap....
_ Kai !
Eyes wide, she abruptly pushes herself off of him, hands on his chest. Parts of the nightmare she just had make their way through her mind. She freezes, still too stunned to move away. Kai has an arm lazily rested around her waist, a blanket covering them both.
The man hears someone calling his name through his sleep. His eyelids open, watery from a troubled nap. He notices the eyes piercing through his own.
_ Hi ! Awake ?
The witch seems disoriented, wearing a traumatized look on her face. Kai's voice sounds too casual for the position they're in.
_ Oh, yeah, hum.... When I carried you out of the garage and took you here, you started to get all sweaty and cold. The fire and the blanket didn't help. So I figured.... the whole 'body heat' thing.... Well.
Bonnie doesn't respond. She doesn't move either. Kai waves a hand before her face. She doesn't even flinch. Given her lack of responsiveness, the man extends a leg in an attempt at walking away.
She stops him. A hand on his shoulder.
_ That was yours, right ?
The man gives her a confused look.
_ What ?
_ The nightmare... It was yours.
Now, that's his mouth whose's shut.
_ Kai ? Is this all true ? Or did you manage to feed me false visions ?
His expression's petrified, angry-sad-ish ?
_ How ? You don't have your magic back. I would have felt it. How did you-
_ I take that as a yes.
She doesn't know how it happened, how it's even possible. She must have felt him in her sleep and got into his head. She's not supposed to have her magic back. She's doesn't. But she somehow was able to get through him. All of him.
It surely doesn't feel like he's down to have that conversation. And she clearly needs time to process all she's just witnessed in her sleep. But there's one thing bugging her now. It just popped in her head. She was able to get inside his mind because she's here, alive, thanks to him....
_ How did you know I was in the garage ?
The question is enough to get the man out of his thoughts. He's expression's back to 'normal'.
_ I was watching over you.
_ You were... how ? There's nothing here you can get magic from.
A guilty smile grows on his face.
_ Hiding in a house doesn't require a cloaking spell.
The witch's dumbfounded, her mouth opening in an 'o'. She's also kind of impressed by his discreteness, and a tiny bit scared.
_ Stalker much ?
He fake-gasps, being falsy offended.
_ That stalker just saved your life !
_ Why ? You couldn't just 'enjoy the show' ?
Her quoting him after all these months sort of gives him an ego boost.
_ First, you didn't beep me, meaning you didn't know I was there, so that's no fun. Secondly, dying on your birthday ? Even I know it's pathetic. And exhaust poisoning.... Seriously ?
_ You tried it too. I saw it.
How does she.... Right, 'the nightmare'.
_ For the record, it wasn't on my first attempt.
They suddenly both fall silent. His smile fades, her expression darkens. Even though they're discussing the situation, the touchy subject of suicide affects them both too much to keep arguing.
Also, Kai doesn't know how much she saw and he's certainly not letting himself be vulnerable by slipping out information she doesn't already have.
Despite being physically close at this moment and having an oddly casual conversation with him, Bonnie is far from feeling safe. She wraps her arms around herself.
_ Are you here to kill me ?
Kai chuckles, brows furrowed, mocking her.
_ After I stopped you from doing it yourself ? That would be so evil !.... I like the way you think.
His amused grin reappear on his face. The familiarity of his expression nears reassurance. He adds.
_ I'm not here to kill you. I weirdly got used to 'not harming you'.
She huffs in response, eyeing him incredulously.
_ That's progress.
He can look as sincere as he wants, the witch isn't fooled by his words.
_ You wanted to stay close in case I ever happen to find a way out, am I right ?
_ Guilty ! But I got myself useful. I stopped you from.... You know.
Here we go again... She shakes her head, pushing the thought away.
_ Why ? We have no way out. I'm not getting my magic back.
He shrugs, terrifyingly soft in his words.
_ I still want the company.
_ The company ?
Now she's mad.
_ You shot me with and arrow !
_ You killed me with a pickaxe.
_ You murdered your siblings !
_ You....
He stops. He doesn't feel any remorse, he believes they deserved it. But he can't deny what he's done, nor can he form any excuse she would accept.
_ You know you wouldn't have popped out again like me, right ?
Change of subject ? She wants to argue and force him to explain himself, somehow. That's when she remembers the dream, the memories.... She gives in, answering the question.
_ That was the whole point....
_ Don't do that again. Please.
_ You're concerned about me now ?
He exhales, a stupid look back on his face.
_ Look, I was kinda hoping you would get up and walk out by yourself. You were about to, but then you tripped and that was it.... I couldn't let you die. I mean, if I can't get out of here, I'd rather not lose my main entertainment.
She rolls her eyes at the ceiling. That sounds more like him.
After so much unusual conversation, the witch's mouth feels dry, eyes tired, a crushing headache making its appearance. She closes her eyes, hand on her forehead. Kai notices her discomfort.
_ Hangover ?
_ Ya think ?
He nods in understanding.
_ You drank more than half the bottle of bourbon. By the way, what's their thing with bourbon ? That's, ugh !
He wears a disgusted expression, making a giggle escape from the witch's lips.
_ At least, that knocked me out. I haven't had a good night's sleep for ages.
_ I know.
His statement came out a bit too fast. He's nowhere near shy of a person but the lack of restraint in his talk leaves him with an apologetic look.
_ Did you watch me sleep ?
The accusing tone in her voice is flagrant.
_ Oh, no. Please !.... Okay once ! I was intrigued.
He is unbelievable. She's not surprised, but she'd hopped to have a little intimacy. She doesn't want to think about what else he might have seen. She's not going to ask. Ever.
She blinks a couple of times, trying to block any invasive thought about a certain man spying on a naked Bennett witch....
_ Miss Cuddles.
_ What ?
_ I've had trouble sleeping since I don't have her with me....
_ Whose fault is that ?
He's the one accusing this time.
_ I had my reasons.
Silence. He doesn't bother. The witch's mouth opens wide, letting out a loud yawn.
_ Tired ?
She only nods, slowly shifting towards the man, putting her head back on his chest.
Kai flinches at her movements.
_ What are you doing ?
_ Getting back to sleep.
_ On me ?
_ Yep.
Direct answer, as if there was no problem with that. The man frowns in confusion.
_ I may be a sociopathic murderer, Bon....
She notices him quoting what she's said recording her video a few hours ago.
_ ....but I'm clever enough to know I'm the last person you'd like to willingly cuddle with.
She steps back, looking straight in his eyes.
_ You're right. You're a bad person craving for touch, and I'm desperate. Win-win.
Her blunt logic hits something inside of him.
_ You think that low of me ?
_ Didn't show me much better.
_ Fair enough.
In a silent agreement, she places her head back on his chest, Kai's arms wrapped around her waist in a shy embrace.
_ And from what I've seen, I'm not the only one who could use a hug.
He wants to argue, but then remembers.... She knows. She saw him. Little Kai. 'Right where it hurts', he thinks.
_ Does that mean I've become your new teddy bear ? Am I the brand new Mister Cuddles ?
His voice sounds so excited it's endearing. Bonnie looks up at him. He winks, offering her a stupid grin, which hides much more. She has proof now.
_ Shut up.
She lowers her head, eyes closed.
_ If you promise not to invade my head again.
_ I'll try.
It may be a mistake, a bold move, a dumb experience, call this what you want, but she needs it. Wether it'd be a friend, a complete stranger, or an enemy.... She needs it. Human touch. She's got no magic to be sucked. It's 'safe'. For now....
A few minutes later, she's already fallen asleep.
Kai's watching her, sleeping in his arms, chest heaving at each intake of breath. He thinks about planting a kiss on top of her head, but it's not worth the risk. He doesn't remember the last time he got to hold someone, or the last time someone volunteered to hold him. He's thrown his feelings away a long time ago, but he would be lying if he'd say this didn't make his heart beat faster....
The End.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words : 3k ~ how on earth ? When I said I got carried away. 🙄
That took fricking long to write !!
I don't even know if it actually respects the request. >< Sorry ?
Next time, say it if you want me to change Kai's personality a bit. If you want him to have more feelings than in the actual TV show, especially before the merge.
This is their sanctuary, a place Bonnie created just for them. A safe haven inside a secret dimension that only them, and whomever they invite, can access. This place, magical beyond belief, is their home...
TVD 9x03 (part 2) coming this weekend! Hope you stop by, read, and enjoy =)
