Simple Secrets || N. Mikaelson

~16~

✧✶⭒☆⭒✶✧

A drunken Talia climbed out of bed hours later. Her dark hair was in a mess around her head and somehow she was dressed in Klaus's clothes, but she didn't care. She stumbled out of her room and down the hall, hearing no voices in the front hall. So, the ball was over, but the bar was still open.

She tripped down the stairs but caught herself on the banister, laughing idly at her own klutziness. Her long legs were like that of a foal's in her intoxicated demeanor, knobbly and a bit knock-kneed.

Somehow, the Companion made her way all the way to the bar and snuck behind the counter, finding the rows of untouched alcohol. Her fingers wrapped around the neck of a bottle of bourbon, bringing it easily to her lips.

Before she could intake a second sip, a voice came from behind the curly-haired brunette, urging her to spin and blink in confusion at the sight of a Mikaelson. "Oh, it's-it's the youngest member of the Mikaelson boy band."

Her words slurred together, dark eyes wide with excitement and curiosity as Kol stared her down. She hadn't heard his earlier words and could only manage to smile blandly at him.

"I asked what you're doing down here at this hour, but it appears you answered my question. Intoxicated, but what else can I expect from a Mikaelson soulmate?" Kol's voice was rugged and teasing, his dark eyes moving over her pajama-clad form. But, he settled himself down at the bar and smiled quite politely at her. "Pass me a glass, darling. Unlike you, I do have table manners."

She stuck her tongue out at him and fumbled with a glass before setting it upside down on the counter in-front of the ancient vampire. He easily flipped it right side up and took the bottle of bourbon from her, pouring himself a glass.

Propping his chin on his hand, he watched her with a predatory curiosity, but the Companion didn't mind much. In fact, she didn't notice. She was far too busy sucking down the remaining bourbon.

Swiping her hand across her lips, the intoxicated brunette beauty peered with child-like wonder at the Mikaelson vampire. "So, you're, uh, the youngest. How's that going for ya?" Her hands situated themselves on the counter as the world felt like it was spinning for an instant.

Kol smirked and took a sip of his drink, swirling it around the glass. "Mm, as well as one would expect. How about you, Talia, tell me about yourself."

That one demand released a waterfall of information as she drunkenly poured out all the details of her life. Kol listened intently, his dark eyes widening and narrowing at all the right moments.

At one point, the Companion trailed off into drunken gibberish and Kol scooped her easily into his arms. "Let's get you to bed, sweetheart."

She attempted to argue but fell defeated and rested her head on his shoulder. "Good-night, Kol."

He smiled down at her and chuckled leisurely. "Good-night, Talia."

✧✶⭒☆⭒✶✧

A pained groan escaped the parted lips of the Companion, one hand tossed over her forehead as if that would fight off the blinding hangover.

She somehow pushed herself into a sitting position and struggled to dress herself. Grasping a ball cap and sunglasses, the brunette tottered out of the room wearing the two items.

Her head dropped as extreme pain pounded through her temples, fingers grasping at the wall loosely.

"Hello there, darling, you're up earlier than expected. Rough night?"