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[ a day after this ]
[ it takes hope a full day to process the hurt and the pain she'd felt when her dad had, once again, gone to threats rather than simply asked her. she'd thought that, after their reunion, he'd just know he could come to her... with anything.
i should have known better, she thinks, and not in any kind of terrible, sarcastic way. i should have known better because he's a mikaelson and we lead with temper and thoughtlessness and our heart.
the urge to protect the ones they care about has led hope to more than one consequence in the city that her dad wouldn't want to know about, but she's resolved to tell him anyway. he has to know the hard parts to understand the reasons why she hasn't been as forthcoming as she might have been. it's not his fault, but it's not hers, either. and she doesn't want to spend what time they might have together fighting.
so, she shows up at his assigned apartment door and knocks. ]
[ it takes hope a full day to process the hurt and the pain she'd felt when her dad had, once again, gone to threats rather than simply asked her. she'd thought that, after their reunion, he'd just know he could come to her... with anything.
i should have known better, she thinks, and not in any kind of terrible, sarcastic way. i should have known better because he's a mikaelson and we lead with temper and thoughtlessness and our heart.
the urge to protect the ones they care about has led hope to more than one consequence in the city that her dad wouldn't want to know about, but she's resolved to tell him anyway. he has to know the hard parts to understand the reasons why she hasn't been as forthcoming as she might have been. it's not his fault, but it's not hers, either. and she doesn't want to spend what time they might have together fighting.
so, she shows up at his assigned apartment door and knocks. ]
( it has only been the wanting and the waiting that has sustained him. the worry for the pain in his daughter's silence and the constant reliving of their conversation have frayed at his edges, but the imperative to be here when she needs him; when she's ready...
it has kept him put, and sober enough, if not entirely sane. the thought of tearing open a few vulnerable, unknown necks has occurred to him, as has stalking to her residence to see her himself. instead, he has nursed a few drinks, painted and destroyed a few canvases, and is quite close to reconsidering the idea of giving hope space.
in fact, he has just showered, dressed, and decided to head out for the day, perhaps ending it at subversion. or her front door.
should he give her space? he wonders. what would hayley do?
anticipation overtakes him when he hears her steps and the knock at the door. he would know her presence anywhere. the tight ball of anxiety in his heart begins to unfurl, leaving space for relief. he is at the door in no time at all, pulling it open.
his eyes round at the sight of her. his lips part, wordlessly for a moment. klaus exhales, attempting to regulate himself. he is her father, and she deserves that he act like one. his voice is gentle, even. ) Come in. ( he steps aside. ) Let's talk.
it has kept him put, and sober enough, if not entirely sane. the thought of tearing open a few vulnerable, unknown necks has occurred to him, as has stalking to her residence to see her himself. instead, he has nursed a few drinks, painted and destroyed a few canvases, and is quite close to reconsidering the idea of giving hope space.
in fact, he has just showered, dressed, and decided to head out for the day, perhaps ending it at subversion. or her front door.
should he give her space? he wonders. what would hayley do?
anticipation overtakes him when he hears her steps and the knock at the door. he would know her presence anywhere. the tight ball of anxiety in his heart begins to unfurl, leaving space for relief. he is at the door in no time at all, pulling it open.
his eyes round at the sight of her. his lips part, wordlessly for a moment. klaus exhales, attempting to regulate himself. he is her father, and she deserves that he act like one. his voice is gentle, even. ) Come in. ( he steps aside. ) Let's talk.
Edited 2024-05-04 19:33 (UTC)
[ wordlessly, hope steps inside his apartment and takes a breath she doesn't really need. ]
Okay.
[ it's been a really long time since she's been in the up provided housing and... she hasn't missed it. the house(s) she has fit her far more, but even so, she can't help a quiet quip to break the ice. ]
You should really do some decorating.
Okay.
[ it's been a really long time since she's been in the up provided housing and... she hasn't missed it. the house(s) she has fit her far more, but even so, she can't help a quiet quip to break the ice. ]
You should really do some decorating.
( he's grateful for the quip. quite frankly, it's some small measure of comfort that perhaps their tiff can be forgiven. ) Duplicity lacks the charm of New Orleans, it's true. ( he misses much about home, and these empty, characterless set of rooms are hardly to his taste as well. a part of klaus, in all his viciousness and grieving, felt it didn't matter, prior to realizing hope was here. but if his daughter is to visit him.
if this is to be a home for them both...
his amusement filters away. he shifts on his feet. ) I do trust you, Hope. ( and despite his threats and thoughts: ) And I wasn't going to hurt him.
if this is to be a home for them both...
his amusement filters away. he shifts on his feet. ) I do trust you, Hope. ( and despite his threats and thoughts: ) And I wasn't going to hurt him.
[ there's a sigh there, a heavy breath she doesn't need, and she shakes her head before she turns to look at him. the expression on her face says it all: she's so disappointed. ]
That's not the point. [ she folds her arms across her chest, thinks about it, then uncrosses them, and lets them hang, before tucking them into her back pockets. ] The point is, you started with judgments. With yelling. You assumed the worst — that I was keeping a secret from you — instead of assuming the best. That I was so excited to see you that something slipped my mind.
That's not the point. [ she folds her arms across her chest, thinks about it, then uncrosses them, and lets them hang, before tucking them into her back pockets. ] The point is, you started with judgments. With yelling. You assumed the worst — that I was keeping a secret from you — instead of assuming the best. That I was so excited to see you that something slipped my mind.
( there is a part of him that did believe she lied. that she obfuscated, avoided, kept it from him. his gaze is open, eyes stinging—because she is right. that is what anyone would do: anyone who knows him and his love. but he realized, after it all... not his daughter. not hope. who has only ever sought him out even at his worst.
his own fear, his rage, his loss of everything he has ever known and that iron fist of power that has comforted him in the unknown, blinded him. even her, his little girl, the same and yet different, older...
emotion chokes him. he finds words in a stilted outpouring. ) You're my daughter. And the thought of you, here... ( at the whims of this city. grown and independent and taking care of herself. he has tried to be understanding, and he will continue to do so, to accept this, for her. but this is honest, too: it weighs on him. )
I know there are things I do not know, and plenty more I do not wish to know... ( his hand lifts to his head. those pictures he cannot burn from his mind's eye are only the start. )
I reacted. Poorly. Because I understand. If you had kept it from me.
his own fear, his rage, his loss of everything he has ever known and that iron fist of power that has comforted him in the unknown, blinded him. even her, his little girl, the same and yet different, older...
emotion chokes him. he finds words in a stilted outpouring. ) You're my daughter. And the thought of you, here... ( at the whims of this city. grown and independent and taking care of herself. he has tried to be understanding, and he will continue to do so, to accept this, for her. but this is honest, too: it weighs on him. )
I know there are things I do not know, and plenty more I do not wish to know... ( his hand lifts to his head. those pictures he cannot burn from his mind's eye are only the start. )
I reacted. Poorly. Because I understand. If you had kept it from me.
[ the thing is, as soon as he says it, as soon as he puts his hand to his head, hope knows what it is he doesn't want to be thinking about and the tiniest of smiles appears on her face. ]
I don't want to keep it from you. [ her hands drop again. ] Not like. Like, I don't want to share the nitty gritty, but I also don't want to have to lie. I don't want to have to worry if you're going to decapitate someone by ripping their entire spine out with their head.
[ she looks at him, her mouth set in a pout. ]
I want you to trust me.
I don't want to keep it from you. [ her hands drop again. ] Not like. Like, I don't want to share the nitty gritty, but I also don't want to have to lie. I don't want to have to worry if you're going to decapitate someone by ripping their entire spine out with their head.
[ she looks at him, her mouth set in a pout. ]
I want you to trust me.
I do trust you. ( the repeated words are soft. he wants — he needs — to trust himself. he needs an inner compass that he may follow, the one he had been attempting to build: after the loss of hayley, of elijah... of all who had guided him through the very worst of himself.
he has always been fierce, but rarely brave. looking at hope now, he feels the contradictory mixture of terror and courage that has always warred within him, when it comes to being worthy of being her father. he must ensure that bravery, that love, wins.
he licks his lips and worries them with his teeth. he promised her, and immediately gave her reason for concern. he means the words now as much as he did then, and yet. for all her has failed her, what are words? what are promises? )
I want to know. ( the lightest and most painful of smiles also flickers on his lips. ) Perhaps without photographic evidence.
But being with you here is the most important thing to me. I will not err.
he has always been fierce, but rarely brave. looking at hope now, he feels the contradictory mixture of terror and courage that has always warred within him, when it comes to being worthy of being her father. he must ensure that bravery, that love, wins.
he licks his lips and worries them with his teeth. he promised her, and immediately gave her reason for concern. he means the words now as much as he did then, and yet. for all her has failed her, what are words? what are promises? )
I want to know. ( the lightest and most painful of smiles also flickers on his lips. ) Perhaps without photographic evidence.
But being with you here is the most important thing to me. I will not err.
Thank you.
[ she takes a hesitant step, then a stronger one, and then puts herself into his arms because this is her dad, and she's still his littlest wolf. that's all that matters — he's here, she's here, and they can make it work. ]
[ she takes a hesitant step, then a stronger one, and then puts herself into his arms because this is her dad, and she's still his littlest wolf. that's all that matters — he's here, she's here, and they can make it work. ]
[ a sturdy ivory envelope addressed to / MR. KLAUS MIKAELSON / with a periwinkle wax seal arrives at your home address on june fifteenth.
attached is a handwritten note -- ]
Dear Mr. Mikaelson,
The evening shall be sure to more radiant with your presence. Please bring a guest as it pleases you.
Yours,
Daphne Basset ]
💐 PARTY LOG LOCATED HERE 💐
attached is a handwritten note -- ]
Dear Mr. Mikaelson,
The evening shall be sure to more radiant with your presence. Please bring a guest as it pleases you.
Yours,
Daphne Basset ]
[ From here! ]
Traditionally, no. Though one manages to adapt.
[ The women of the ton have a saying, something about how "reformed rakes make the best husbands." It seems, to Simon, a load of bullshit. Expecting a man to change his ways over a marriage seems ridiculous. Sure, in his case, he's quite taken with Daphne (and her brother,) but he hasn't gone through the song and dance of courtship, nor has he actually lived through his own marriage. The certainty he offers Daphne is because he cares for her, it's as simple as that. (It's a mess in his head, really.) But he says none of that.
In one fashion or another, is after all, quite complicated. ]
I am glad to hear they have left a positive impression upon you. It seems we are both fortunate for their acquaintance, and their tenure here. For all that it has been unpleasant, at times.
Traditionally, no. Though one manages to adapt.
[ The women of the ton have a saying, something about how "reformed rakes make the best husbands." It seems, to Simon, a load of bullshit. Expecting a man to change his ways over a marriage seems ridiculous. Sure, in his case, he's quite taken with Daphne (and her brother,) but he hasn't gone through the song and dance of courtship, nor has he actually lived through his own marriage. The certainty he offers Daphne is because he cares for her, it's as simple as that. (It's a mess in his head, really.) But he says none of that.
In one fashion or another, is after all, quite complicated. ]
I am glad to hear they have left a positive impression upon you. It seems we are both fortunate for their acquaintance, and their tenure here. For all that it has been unpleasant, at times.
[ooc: Continued from here.]
That's quite a personal question to ask so straightforwardly. [He's not totally against answering, but he is a little wary of handing a pearl of a personal truth like this to simply anyone.]
That's quite a personal question to ask so straightforwardly. [He's not totally against answering, but he is a little wary of handing a pearl of a personal truth like this to simply anyone.]
Edited 2024-09-17 00:18 (UTC)
Have I told you how wonderful and amazing you are recently?
( a text like that from caitlin inspires both pleasure and anticipation. no doubt she wants something, and what she wants often satisfies him lavishly. he smiles as he pauses to read it, ensconced in his room with a half-finished painting. her breath and heartbeat are a constant familiarity to him now. he's heard both, and the padding of her footsteps, since she arrived home a short time ago.
he leaves his phone in his room.
there is naught but a whisper of sound, the air shifting, before his arm coils around her waist to pull her back flush against him. he presses his lingering smile to her hair. ) Go on.
he leaves his phone in his room.
there is naught but a whisper of sound, the air shifting, before his arm coils around her waist to pull her back flush against him. he presses his lingering smile to her hair. ) Go on.
[ she certainly has something in mind, something that lingers from a very interesting dream that left her tangled in her bedsheets and desperate. her shift at the bookshop served as a decent distraction, up until it neared its end and she found her mind wandering. maybe if she focuses on pushing it out of her thoughts, it'll go away. but it's just as very likely not to, instead tormenting her until she gives in.
and this is not an itch that can be scratched alone. or even with someone else.
caitlin knows she doesn't necessarily need to butter klaus up. he's been game for things so far, but she figures it never hurts. her body tenses in that brief second between his arm snaking around her and her realization. at least she doesn't make to jump out of her skin. she leans into him. ] You're so generous, and you're always willing to indulge me.
and this is not an itch that can be scratched alone. or even with someone else.
caitlin knows she doesn't necessarily need to butter klaus up. he's been game for things so far, but she figures it never hurts. her body tenses in that brief second between his arm snaking around her and her realization. at least she doesn't make to jump out of her skin. she leans into him. ] You're so generous, and you're always willing to indulge me.
( the duke does seem to lean towards adaptation, despite whatever complications have made themselves plain. klaus smiles to himself, sensing more beyond the repeated sentiment. ) It is both a blessing and a difficulty to have the women in our lives here. Though by all accounts, they've barely needed us to get by.
Independence is an important lesson. ( he's thinking, obviously, of hope. )
Independence is an important lesson. ( he's thinking, obviously, of hope. )
( she has adjusted to his sudden appearances. he might miss the amusement in how she would startle if he didn't enjoy her comfort in his presence more: the warmth of her body now, as it relaxes into him.
she smells sweet and tempting; vanilla and the must of books mixed with the musk of recent arousal. his heartbeat is already loud in his chest at the scent. he pulls back enough to sweep the hair from her neck with a longing sigh, and presses a soft, hungry kiss below her jaw. against her skin, he wonders aloud, ) How shall I indulge you today? ( his head tilts; he kisses behind her ear, too. )
she smells sweet and tempting; vanilla and the must of books mixed with the musk of recent arousal. his heartbeat is already loud in his chest at the scent. he pulls back enough to sweep the hair from her neck with a longing sigh, and presses a soft, hungry kiss below her jaw. against her skin, he wonders aloud, ) How shall I indulge you today? ( his head tilts; he kisses behind her ear, too. )
[ there's such a sense of safety, him so solid behind her and his arm around her. she could lean all of her weight against him and not worry that he couldn't support her. couldn't hold her. while there's a thrill in him startling her and that spark of fear, she enjoys the comfort they share all that much more.
she tilts her head in the direction he moves her hair, offering her neck to him. the kiss makes her want to melt. one of her hands reaches to clutch at his, holding on. ] I don't think this can be indulged today. Or with just the two of us.
she tilts her head in the direction he moves her hair, offering her neck to him. the kiss makes her want to melt. one of her hands reaches to clutch at his, holding on. ] I don't think this can be indulged today. Or with just the two of us.
( his fingers lift to weave and curl with hers, an answer to her seeking touch. his palm smoothes a trail down from the fall of her satin hair down her arm, to tangle her other hand up in his. the simple intimacy from the touch of her hands against his shouldn't have him hard and wanting, and yet. he finds a soft patch of skin to nuzzle along the nape of her neck, his lashes low as he considers how he'd indulge himself with her, over and over.
it takes him a moment to process her words. his lips, brushing against her neck, pause. she has insatiable appetites; he is aware. that it is part of what he finds so irresistible about her cannot be understated.
he leans back, spinning her to face him, pulling her in with a hand at her wrist. ) Oh? What has that curious mind been up to?
it takes him a moment to process her words. his lips, brushing against her neck, pause. she has insatiable appetites; he is aware. that it is part of what he finds so irresistible about her cannot be understated.
he leans back, spinning her to face him, pulling her in with a hand at her wrist. ) Oh? What has that curious mind been up to?
Edited 2024-09-27 02:25 (UTC)
Independence is indeed a valuable lesson. I imagine it is a difficult one, for those who would not have it, in my time. I can recognize that it was likely far more difficult for the Bridgerton daughters to adapt to life here than it would be for the Bridgerton sons.
[ He isn't totally ignorant, after all. He knows women lack quite a lot in his time. And he knows Daphne has had her struggles, he doesn't take that for granted. ]
Still, I can imagine it must be far stranger, having one's child here, and as a woman grown.
[ Like, that's for sure a nightmare. Anthony has to contend with his siblings, and that's difficult enough, but a daughter? That's another level. ]
[ He isn't totally ignorant, after all. He knows women lack quite a lot in his time. And he knows Daphne has had her struggles, he doesn't take that for granted. ]
Still, I can imagine it must be far stranger, having one's child here, and as a woman grown.
[ Like, that's for sure a nightmare. Anthony has to contend with his siblings, and that's difficult enough, but a daughter? That's another level. ]
Difficult, yes, but perhaps in the end that freedom was more inspiring than intimidating. ( in eloise's case, that certainly seems true. regardless.
stranger than a wife? well, klaus has never had one of those, but he won't argue to supposition. it's quite true, after all. ) She was a teenager, on the cusp of adulthood, the last I saw her. It has been strange, indeed, but I've also been gifted with the opportunity of seeing her as such a woman. She's every bit of what I'd hope for her and more.
stranger than a wife? well, klaus has never had one of those, but he won't argue to supposition. it's quite true, after all. ) She was a teenager, on the cusp of adulthood, the last I saw her. It has been strange, indeed, but I've also been gifted with the opportunity of seeing her as such a woman. She's every bit of what I'd hope for her and more.
I should hope so. Though they each have our own pace.
[ Daphne has certainly taken her time in adjusting to the city, but Simon won't rush her. She's doing her best, and he supports her. ]
Ah. I heard some details of your family's history from Hope herself, so I am glad you are reunited, even if the circumstances of this city are the furthest from ideal.
[ Daphne has certainly taken her time in adjusting to the city, but Simon won't rush her. She's doing her best, and he supports her. ]
Ah. I heard some details of your family's history from Hope herself, so I am glad you are reunited, even if the circumstances of this city are the furthest from ideal.
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