Klaus Mikaelson - “Painting”
Before you entered the room, you made sure that Genevieve wasn’t there. You didn’t like her, didn’t like the game she had been playing with Klaus, the game she probably was still playing. You’ve had a few run-ins during the last few weeks, and you didn’t feel like repeating those. Today, she wasn’t there, so you sneaked in his room, tried to act like you weren’t there, hoping, against all odds, that he didn’t notice you come in, and just watched him paint. It seemed to work.
You loved seeing him, relaxing before the canvas, mixing paints, the secure strokes of his brush. You could see that he knew he was doing. You heard before that he was a great artist, but seeing that artist at work with your own eyes was still something completely different than just hearing about it. You couldn’t avert your eyes, held your breath while watching him.
“Done staring, love?” You startled. You really hoped you managed to have gotten in without him noticing, but apparently he had just ignored you until he thought the moment was ripe to start talking.
“I…I wasn’t aware that you noticed me.” Suddenly you started stuttering, something you hadn’t done for a very long time. He just managed to take you by surprise.
“You shouldn’t try to sneak up to an Original, sweetheart. It will never work”. He turned around, the brush still in his hand, his muscles still relaxed from pouring out his feelings on the canvas that was now standing behind him.
“Sorry. But it was worth a try…” You smile at him. “What are you painting?” You could see some outlines, some basis, but nothing concrete yet, and your curiosity got the better of you.
“Nothing you would care for, love.” He immediately dismissed your question. “It’s just a way to pass the time. Heal the wounds my sister left me with.” His sister. Rebekah was gone, and you knew he missed her, missed her more than he wanted to admit. Apparently his way to deal with it is getting lost in distractions.
“And that’s why you’re hooking up with the woman who made sure to open those wounds?” You couldn’t help it. You had to ask him, you had to know.
“I don’t have to justify my choices to you, of all people.” He turned around, started painting again. “She’s just another distraction.” You knew you had asked the wrong question, that he wouldn’t talk anymore, that you should leave, before he decided he didn’t want you here anymore. When you stood up, you saw he still kept the small carving of the knight, the one he carved, the one he gave to Rebekah tucked away on a shelf. Behind some books, but still, it was there.
You took it in your hands, walked towards Klaus and placed the figure next to the painter’s easel.
“As a remembrance,” you said. “To never forget, even when you are healed, when you are ready to begin anew.” You turned around, walked out of the room, only to look back when you were at the door. You saw him, his brush forgotten in his hand, staring at the carving. You knew he would heal, that he was healing, but also that he would, that he could never forget his sister.