[ even through his rage, klaus knows what damon wants, listening to the rather winded message left for him. the truth of the matter is he has no reason to respond immediately; simply waiting as his half-formed plan might've dictated until the end of this inconvenient month would have been just as effective.
perhaps it was the needling reminder of his sister and stefan. (he's known for awhile, but he doubts damon's aware of it and aimed to infuriate him.) perhaps it was the confession about caroline, the confirmation of what he'd already dreaded and suspected, rubbed eagerly in his face. (he certainly doesn't appreciate the disparaging remarks about her beauty either, but he supposes to each his own.) (he does not suppose that. :| damon doesn't deserve her light; wouldn't know how to appreciate it.) (he's also taking note of this safe business with stefan and silas, by the way.)
he decides he can weather it, whatever unwelcome thoughts about damon salvatore this may bring. he's resisted before, a few times at this point; what's once more for a worthwhile cause?
klaus almost feels sorry for the fellow when he arrives at his hut, quickly and silently into the moonlit space. this is as much a favor and a pittance as it is a convenient lesson in manners. despite himself he can't deny the stirrings and near-sympathy he feels spotting damon dejected and alone. (the hatred and envy and intent manifest as something else entirely.) but neither can he ignore the measure of rage he's been tending or the ideas he's considered to feed them.
he stands silently, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze dark and wrathful as he waits for damon to acknowledge him.
[ he knows what he's done. damon always knows. he's well aware of what this means and what he deserves. while klaus doesn't always lash out, damon's more a gnat he can swat away, he made sure to use keywords that would seal his fate. rebekah. caroline. it's not like he was flattering or nice. no, he mentioned klaus' sister in relation to his brother and caroline in relation to what klaus can never have.
elena's alone here. and part of that is his fault. who can she go to when he reveals secrets involving everyone she talks to.
whatever's coming to him, he deserves it.
he's far from surprised when he feels klaus' presence behind him. ]
To what do I owe this immense displeasure. [ he finally turns to face klaus. he closes the liquor cabinet, klaus now in his eyeline. he's standing calmly, but menacingly. he's not afraid. he's never been afraid of klaus. not really. if klaus kills him like he deserves he'll come back. maybe he'll come back a better person.
fat chance.
he has to play along. oh klaus, what are you doing here? whyever are you stopping by?
oh. because. because damon salvatore was being damon salvatore.
[ he should be afraid. klaus has always been quite clear about that, and yet the lesser vampire's obstinance seems to win out. granted, stefan's wishes and negotiations (not to mention klaus' past fondness of the man he used to call 'brother') have saved him from a grisly fate time and time again.
he nearly smiles at damon's response. he'll play along too. ] I couldn't help but notice you mentioned spirits. I have been longing for a drink.
[ damon's been through worse. been tortured by klaus and his sister. he's been stabbed, attacked, bitten. maybe not by klaus, but he's been bitten. there's nothing klaus can do that he hasn't gone through ten times over already. it's called being a vampire that pushes everyone he loves away. because that's what he deserves. ]
I believe I mentioned the bottle was empty. [ he paused for it and everything. ] And Piper's not due for another - whenever I ask for her. You're out of luck. Come back later. Maybe I'll have more spirits then.
[ ghosts. ghosts of the man he was, the man he could be - the man elena loved. ghosts of those he's killed. ghosts of those he will. ]
[ he wonders passingly what kind of skill set this piper has, his brow raising at the mention. what's more important it seems is damon's continued hostility. ] Pity. [ he glances away, to the side, and takes a casual step forward. ] I suppose we'll have to skip the pleasantries. [ oh how he employs his terrifying ability to sound entirely, liltingly murderous.
there's no amusement in his expression by the end of it. ]
Pleasantries would mean anything involving you was pleasant.
[ which, it isn't. (not for damon, anyway.) but, he says it as if he's in the principle's office, waiting for his punishment. he knows klaus is here for unpleasantries. he knows klaus is here to make damon hurt, to pay. there could be a stabbing, torture, more threats, more claims to being older and the only thing standing between damon alive and dead. take your pick, klaus. ]
And I think we both know, nothing involving you is.
[ he has plenty rage built up inside of him to channel into this moment, all of it earned and rightfully directed. what damon is saying can't be truer, but he doesn't particularly appreciate the sentiment. (he'll chalk it up to the untimely circumstances, that twisting of anger and vulnerability, but odds are it's more complicated than that.)
he moves quicker than even damon can follow, his hand finding the vampire's neck in an unbreakable grip and lifting him. there's not nearly enough satisfaction in the way damon's body connects with the ground, even though the force of it might've damaged a lesser being.
his fingers tighten around damon's windpipe, not quite tight enough to break the bones of his neck. (he's holding back.) klaus is kneeling next to him, arm extended, looking down on him with a degree of heated madness and calculation. ] On the contrary, I've been nothing but pleasant. And truth be told, the real pity here is I think you'll enjoy it. And I do relish your agony, Damon, but I suppose for this one night I'll do you a favor.
[ that familiar feeling kicks in. around the time elena arrived he was in this exact position. strangling isn't nearly that big of a deal, klaus. it must be tuesday. a day that ends in y. you name it. been there, done that. he talks through those fingers, rasps out words one by one, fights through his grip out of curiosity and sheer force of self sabotaging will. at this point, every word spoken is a calculated way to make things worse for himself. ] And what magnanimous favor is that?
Well, I'll relieve you of your troubles. [ it's said casually, innocuously, as if his hand isn't testing the fortitude of damon's windpipe and this is simply a case of a friend helping a friend. (for the record, damon can struggle all he likes; it makes this more enjoyable.) ] I have been aware of them. [ there's a smile and threat in his eyes, and by the last syllable whatever amusement he's entertained has become calculated rage. he intends to hurt him, to humiliate him. it's only fitting and if it serves a greater purpose, so be it. ] Your estrangement from dear, human Elena. Whatever related tiff you've had with Stefan, which I presume explains you tattling on him and my sister. [ he spits the last out. the sudden tightening of his grip comes hard and mercilessly; klaus lifts his chin to look down on him. ] Caroline. [ it's said slowly with a thrumming viciousness, a vengeful passion. with knowledge.
it's with supernatural swiftness that he pulls damon closer by the neck, his breath hot against his face. (he ignores the pull to take and do much more than that, disregards how his gaze is drawn to his lips momentarily.) ]
I've had time to consider how to address these indignities. [ the word is hissed. ] Death seemed too easy. [ his pupils dilate with purpose. ] You're not to partake in worship until I give you leave. You will not have sex. You'll resist aphrodisiacs, the pull of the monthly signs, even your unfortunate sense of self-preservation; all of it you'll have no interest in satisfying. [ a smile warps around his words: ] And if you or anyone else can't help themselves, or tries to help you, try a bit of self-harm on for size. Break your fingers. Attempt to pull out your liver. Some creative discouragement might go a long way.
[ he doesn't. he's there, klaus having lifted him up off the ground, feet dangling. when klaus' hand tightens, damon does try to grab for it, his arm flinging behind him, knocking something off his dresser. he can only hope his sign's special magnetism kicks in before he does something rash.
he goes slack when klaus begins his compulsion. all of his words register. when he stops talking, damon returns to his body, eyes wide, not able to say anything. he breathes. it's all he can do.
after all, this is what he was looking for. punishment. it just came in the form of something he never saw coming. which happens to be the story of damon's life. his hand comes up to klaus' arm again, trying to break his hold on him. ]
[ damon is dropped to the floor and klaus is gone without further pretense. showing up in the first place was a risk and there's no reason for him to linger now that it's done. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
perhaps it was the needling reminder of his sister and stefan. (he's known for awhile, but he doubts damon's aware of it and aimed to infuriate him.) perhaps it was the confession about caroline, the confirmation of what he'd already dreaded and suspected, rubbed eagerly in his face. (he certainly doesn't appreciate the disparaging remarks about her beauty either, but he supposes to each his own.) (he does not suppose that. :| damon doesn't deserve her light; wouldn't know how to appreciate it.) (he's also taking note of this safe business with stefan and silas, by the way.)
he decides he can weather it, whatever unwelcome thoughts about damon salvatore this may bring. he's resisted before, a few times at this point; what's once more for a worthwhile cause?
klaus almost feels sorry for the fellow when he arrives at his hut, quickly and silently into the moonlit space. this is as much a favor and a pittance as it is a convenient lesson in manners. despite himself he can't deny the stirrings and near-sympathy he feels spotting damon dejected and alone. (the hatred and envy and intent manifest as something else entirely.) but neither can he ignore the measure of rage he's been tending or the ideas he's considered to feed them.
he stands silently, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze dark and wrathful as he waits for damon to acknowledge him.
after all, they both know he's been summoned. ]
no subject
elena's alone here. and part of that is his fault. who can she go to when he reveals secrets involving everyone she talks to.
whatever's coming to him, he deserves it.
he's far from surprised when he feels klaus' presence behind him. ]
To what do I owe this immense displeasure. [ he finally turns to face klaus. he closes the liquor cabinet, klaus now in his eyeline. he's standing calmly, but menacingly. he's not afraid. he's never been afraid of klaus. not really. if klaus kills him like he deserves he'll come back. maybe he'll come back a better person.
fat chance.
he has to play along. oh klaus, what are you doing here? whyever are you stopping by?
oh. because. because damon salvatore was being damon salvatore.
that's all. ]
no subject
he nearly smiles at damon's response. he'll play along too. ] I couldn't help but notice you mentioned spirits. I have been longing for a drink.
no subject
I believe I mentioned the bottle was empty. [ he paused for it and everything. ] And Piper's not due for another - whenever I ask for her. You're out of luck. Come back later. Maybe I'll have more spirits then.
[ ghosts. ghosts of the man he was, the man he could be - the man elena loved. ghosts of those he's killed. ghosts of those he will. ]
no subject
there's no amusement in his expression by the end of it. ]
no subject
[ which, it isn't. (not for damon, anyway.) but, he says it as if he's in the principle's office, waiting for his punishment. he knows klaus is here for unpleasantries. he knows klaus is here to make damon hurt, to pay. there could be a stabbing, torture, more threats, more claims to being older and the only thing standing between damon alive and dead. take your pick, klaus. ]
And I think we both know, nothing involving you is.
no subject
he moves quicker than even damon can follow, his hand finding the vampire's neck in an unbreakable grip and lifting him. there's not nearly enough satisfaction in the way damon's body connects with the ground, even though the force of it might've damaged a lesser being.
his fingers tighten around damon's windpipe, not quite tight enough to break the bones of his neck. (he's holding back.) klaus is kneeling next to him, arm extended, looking down on him with a degree of heated madness and calculation. ] On the contrary, I've been nothing but pleasant. And truth be told, the real pity here is I think you'll enjoy it. And I do relish your agony, Damon, but I suppose for this one night I'll do you a favor.
no subject
no subject
it's with supernatural swiftness that he pulls damon closer by the neck, his breath hot against his face. (he ignores the pull to take and do much more than that, disregards how his gaze is drawn to his lips momentarily.) ]
I've had time to consider how to address these indignities. [ the word is hissed. ] Death seemed too easy. [ his pupils dilate with purpose. ] You're not to partake in worship until I give you leave. You will not have sex. You'll resist aphrodisiacs, the pull of the monthly signs, even your unfortunate sense of self-preservation; all of it you'll have no interest in satisfying. [ a smile warps around his words: ] And if you or anyone else can't help themselves, or tries to help you, try a bit of self-harm on for size. Break your fingers. Attempt to pull out your liver. Some creative discouragement might go a long way.
no subject
he goes slack when klaus begins his compulsion. all of his words register. when he stops talking, damon returns to his body, eyes wide, not able to say anything. he breathes. it's all he can do.
after all, this is what he was looking for. punishment. it just came in the form of something he never saw coming. which happens to be the story of damon's life. his hand comes up to klaus' arm again, trying to break his hold on him. ]
no subject