Simple Secrets || N. Mikaelson

~6~

✧✶⭒☆⭒✶✧

Talia glared out the window, her gaze fixated on something in the dark. "Is Rebekah coming?" She sensed Klaus before she saw him, he was about to climb into the driver's seat. 

"Rebekah wants to stay here. You two are getting along quite well." Klaus frowned, jealousy a storm on his face. The brunette met his gaze, watching the jealousy fluctuate briefly. 

Talia's shoulders quivered with anger, brown eyes narrowing slightly. "So I can't have friends now, is that it?" The girl watched his face fall, those blue eyes focusing on the road as he began driving. 

"I didn't say that, Talia. Why are you so intent on making me the bad guy?" Klaus's voice was sharp, a knife that pierced into her heart. They knew each other so well that they knew the exact words to mess with each other's heads. 

Yet, Talia fought fire with fire, for what else could she do when the other half of her soul was victimizing himself as per usual. "Isn't it what you've always wanted? For everyone to see you as the Big Bad Hybrid? The Evil Niklaus Mikaelson? Klaus the Mad? I'm just fulfilling your wishes." The brunette hugged her knees to her chest, shrugging off the oncoming emotion. 

Moonlight outlined her features, highlighting her cheekbones and curls. Her full lips were pressed together and tears began to run down her caramel cheeks, she didn't know why she was crying. Perhaps it was the loss of her freedom. 

The man reached out, taking her delicate hand in his. "I never meant to hurt you, I hope you realize that. I didn't know and I will forever regret what I did to you. You may hate me." Klaus left their hands together, his gaze never leaving the road. 

"I don't hate you, Klaus Mikaelson, not as much as I hate myself." She tugged her hand fiercely from his grip and looked out the window, her eyes blazing with a fury only known to a Mikaelson. 

Clouds swept over the moon and an owl flew over the car, swooping into the woods. The smell of dead skunk momentarily filled their nostrils before disappearing again as the vehicle continued its lonely drive down the dark road. 

Those words struck him deep, they created a pain he had never felt before and the idea of this beautiful, strong, and powerful woman in front him hating herself broke his heart. "Don't say that." His words were a plead, his pale eyes filled with guilt and melancholy. 

Klaus pulled the car over and got out, going to Talia's side and opening the door. He stood there, blocking her exit and leaned in until their noses brushed. "Don't ever say that, Talia Monroe." His index touched her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. "Hate me with all the hate you have, love, don't ever hate yourself. You have done nothing wrong." 

The Hybrid pulled away, studying her. Her slouched form, tucked in shoulders and loose curls. She appeared only a shadow of the woman he had met in that alley all those decades. The Companion looked away without a word and he closed and the door and got back into the driver's seat, beginning to drive in the direction of Florida. Presumably there were a few packs down there. 

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When they arrived in Florida, Talia was passed out and Klaus was texting Rebekah, updating her on the going-ons. The little brunette blinked wearily and looked around, her fists rubbed against her eyes briefly. "Klaus? Where are we?" His soulmate's voice was hoarse from sleep, making him decide to pull into a nearby diner for coffee. He exited without a word and walked inside, turning on child-lock so Talia was stuck in the car. 

As he stepped in, he realized he didn't even know if she drank coffee or not. That was worrying, considering she knew everything he liked and disliked, stuff he didn't even know he liked.