August 21st, 1001 AD
"Niklaus!"
Hayley's voice echoed through the timber frame of the Mikaelson family hobble, her boots thudding over packed dirt and scattered furs. She paused in the doorway, blowing a loose strand of dark hair from her face, had a look of mild irritation… and panic. Why is it that every time I need him, he's nowhere to be found? "Niklaus!" she called again, marching into the main hall, eyes darting around like he might pop out of a barrel of mead.
A muffled voice finally called back, "In my chamber, love."
Her breath caught slightly—"love"—he always said it so casually, like it meant nothing. Like it didn't leave her insides tangled.
A smile formed on Hayley's face as she picked up the train of her dress and ran down the hall. She stopped outside his bedroom door that was closed. God, I wonder how he's going to react to this news. I hope he's not mad at me for letting it slip. She took a deep breath, assured that her best friend wouldn't be mad at her for something that wasn't entirely her fault. She quickly reached for the handle and heaved open the heavy wooden door. She ran up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders, Niklaus turned around from his dresser and hugged her. Hayley put her hands around his torso and buried her face in his chest, he froze in confusion and took a deep breath before asking the inevitable.
"What's wrong, Little Wolf?" He asked, tightening his hug around her to help calm her down.
"That's what's wrong." She sighed, looked up at her best friend and continued. "My father found out I triggered my Werewolf gene. He didn't say a single thing and just left." She took a breath, looked away from Niklaus and with a tear falling down her face she stated, "Later, I walked past his office and he was looking through his Werewolf books."
Niklaus' face went pale and his mouth dropped in disbelief. Hayley looked back up at him and his face softened. He lowered his head to comfort her as much as possible.
"It's okay, Little Wolf. We'll get through this; nothing is going to happen to you." He said assuring her as he let go of their hug.
Hayley looked him in the eyes and he looked back at her with the softest gaze she's seen from him. They continued staring at each other for what felt like forever with their fingers interlocked, inching closer together slowly over time. Hayley closed the gap between them by pressing her lips to his, before he could think about what was happening he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her back. They quickly pulled apart and looked at each other shocked.
"Did we just-" Niklaus asked shocked.
"Yes, we totally did, we just kissed." She responded while looking at his lips attempting to control her urge to lightly graze her finger over them.
"I enjoyed it" She continued as she gave in to her urge and started grazing her pointer finger over his lips. "Maybe we can do it again."
Niklaus looked at her before gently grabbing the back of her neck and pulling her in to meet his lips. They continued to make out, getting more aggressive as time went on, moans escaping Hayley's mouth every chance they could. They only stopped kissing long enough for Niklaus to push Hayley onto his bed and slam the door shut with his foot.
"Well, and I thought I was the strong one" She chuckled and kissed him again.
"You do things to me, love." He responded and pulled his thin, tan, cotton shirt over his head and threw it on the floor before having his lips meet with Hayley's neck.
"Oh!" she gripped his shoulders and flung her head back in pleasure. "Oh my, where did you learn this?" She asked through many moans.
Niklaus sat her up "I'm not sure, it just feels right." He unzipped the back of her dress and pushed her back onto the bed before pulling the dress off her from the bottom.
He rested his hand on her torso, he stood there admiring her body for a moment before smirking and tracing his finger down in between her legs. He traced a hand up her thigh, teasing and slow, until she gasped—then dipped between her legs, fingers exploring, memorizing. Her moans were soft at first, breathy and broken, but grew as he learned what made her squirm. Her head rolled back.
"Niklaus—oh gods—"
He smirked. "Say it again."
He slid down, kissing her stomach, her hips, lower still, until his mouth replaced his hand and she practically screamed his name into the furs.
When he came back up, flushed and grinning, she grabbed him by the face and pulled him into a kiss that left them both dizzy.
"Are we… seriously doing this?" she murmured against his lips, hearts pounding in sync.
"We already did," he smirked, eyes gleaming. "And we're not done."
He kissed her again, then whispered:
"I love you, Hayley Labonair. I always have."
--20 Minutes Later--
The fire in the hearth had burned low, casting a gentle orange glow across the room as Hayley lay curled up against Klaus's chest. Her ear pressed to his heartbeat, she felt his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles along her bare shoulder, the faintest smile tugging at his lips as they listened to the soft crackle of flames and each other's breathing.
A breeze slipped through the slightly open window, carrying with it the sounds of distant voices and laughter outside. Hayley chuckled softly when she recognized them.
"Wait, Henrik, come back — you started too early!" Kol's voice was loud and dramatic as he chased his youngest brother across the yard.
"You can't catch me!" Henrik hollered, already racing toward the trees, Kol's bare feet thudding after him into the forest.
Klaus grinned and pressed a kiss to the top of Hayley's head as they both listened to the commotion fading into the woods.
"Your brothers," she murmured, eyes closing happily.
"Mm," Klaus rumbled. "Never a dull moment."
That earned him a sleepy giggle, and he savored it, hands slipping lower to rest on her back. Hayley tucked herself closer against him like she never wanted to leave — as if the world outside that room had disappeared entirely.
And it nearly had.
Almost.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the Labonair homestead, Elijah stood stiffly on the porch, hands clasped behind his back. Nervous energy thrummed in him as he raised his knuckles and knocked.
The door creaked open moments later, revealing Victoria Labonair. Her kind eyes brightened with recognition.
"Oh, hi there, Elijah," she greeted warmly.
"Hello, Mrs. Labonair." His gaze flitted past her into the dark house behind. "Is Hayley home?"
Before Victoria could answer, a sharp voice barked from deeper inside:
"Who's at the door, Victoria?"
The question cracked like a whip. Victoria flinched — a tiny, practiced gesture — then plastered on a smile that didn't quite hide her fear.
"Just one of Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson's sons, Elijah," she called back, voice light as a breeze. "I'll take care of it."
Without waiting for a response, she slipped outside and pulled the door shut behind her, shielding whatever (or whoever) was inside.
"She's not here, Elijah," Victoria said softly, hands clasped at her apron. "Can I leave a message for her?"
He hesitated, gaze dropping to the ground as the weight of his thoughts pulled his shoulders down. A faint sadness clouded his handsome face.
"No," he replied at last. "No, it's all right. I wanted to… I wanted to ask her something. But it can wait."
Victoria tilted her head, studying him with a mother's intuition. Then her lips curved into a knowing smile, eyes crinkling.
"Oh my goodness," she gasped, hands clapping together like delighted wings. "You like her!"
A flush colored his cheeks, and he hurried to mask it. "I—That's not—"
"Ah, there's no need to hide it," Victoria teased gently. "I won't say a word. Hayley went to your house looking for Niklaus, so if you'd like to catch up to her…" she offered, tone warm and encouraging.
Elijah's face softened as he nodded. "Oh. Okay," he murmured, gratitude and something deeper swirling in his gaze. "Thank you, Mrs. Labonair."
And with one last respectful bow of his head, he turned and disappeared into the trees toward his family's hobble — where Hayley was very much not looking for him.
Elijah paused at the threshold of the Mikaelson home, shrugging off his cloak. The house was quiet, save for the distant crackle of the hearth and the familiar scent of burning wood.
"Niklaus?" he called out, voice pitched low, not wanting to disturb the peace too much.
"Hayley?"
No answer.
He moved deeper into the house, brow furrowing. Maybe they'd gone off into the forest like Kol and Henrik. But then—his eyes flicked toward Klaus's door at the end of the hall.
Closed.
Curiosity pulled him like a tide. Maybe they'd fallen asleep. Or maybe—
He stopped himself before his imagination could jump too far.
That was his little brother. And Hayley.
Of course nothing would be amiss.
Still, his hand reached for the handle and pushed the door open.
The sight that greeted him sent his heart plummeting into his boots.
Hayley sat bolt upright with a gasp, yanking the furs up to her chin, her hair spilling around her bare shoulders.
Klaus jerked backward as if someone had struck him and glared at Elijah like an intruder.
"Elijah," Klaus exclaimed, astonished and defensive. "Do you ever knock?"
Elijah didn't answer.
He stood frozen, mouth slightly agape, hands trembling at his sides as the reality of what he was seeing twisted like a knife in his gut.
"You…" his voice was raw, unfamiliar.
Klaus sat up too, rubbing his face like he was buying himself time, then nodded at Hayley to give her some modesty before facing his brother properly.
"Elijah," Klaus began, softer now, worry flashing in his eyes. "I didn't mean for you to find out like this."
"You didn't mean for me to find out at all," Elijah said bitterly, gaze flicking between them.
"Brother," Klaus replied, his voice more careful, "you need to understand. Nothing about this was intended to hurt you."
The silence that followed was sharp as shattered glass.
"You think I don't?" Elijah let out a mirthless laugh and took a step into the room. "Niklaus, I never thought I had to spell this out. I was confident you could see the way I felt for her. The way I hoped. Clearly," his dark gaze settled on Hayley, who clutched the blankets as if they could hide her shame, "I was wrong."
Klaus winced. "Elijah, please—"
"You were my brother," Elijah cut him off, voice trembling despite his outward control. "And she was someone I thought might mean more to me than my own soul. And now I discover you've already—" He broke off, closing his eyes for a moment as if the words themselves would cut him.
Hayley finally spoke, her voice trembling but steady. "Elijah," she whispered, "this was the first time. Ever. I swear it."
His eyes flew to hers.
She held his gaze, aching with guilt. "I never knew. I never realized your feelings. I'm so sorry for that. Truly." She paused, lips trembling before she continued. "But I can't give you what you want. My heart…" she glanced at Klaus, the faintest smile ghosting over her lips before fading into sadness, "belongs to him."
Elijah took a shaky breath as though someone had knocked the wind from him.
Klaus reached a hand out but stopped halfway. "Brother," he murmured. "I would never purposefully take anything from you. Especially not this. But we didn't plan this. It just… happened."
For a long moment, Elijah said nothing.
The only sound was the distant wind stirring the forest outside, Kol and Henrik's laughter carrying faintly.
When Elijah finally spoke, it was soft, raw.
"You didn't plan it," he echoed. "That's what breaks me most."
He looked at Klaus like someone had driven a dagger into his ribs.
"Because this is real. And I could never compete with what you two have."
And with that, he stepped back into the hall, hands trembling as he gripped the doorframe like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
"I'll leave you," he murmured, bowing his head slightly as if in respect, though pain shone in his dark eyes.
And then he was gone, his retreating footsteps lost in the distant forest sounds and the pounding of Klaus's own heart.
The door swung shut with a trembling click, Elijah's retreating footsteps fading into silence.
For a long moment, neither Klaus nor Hayley moved.
Then Klaus exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and fell back against the mattress, one arm draped across his face.
Hayley let the blankets slip a little, still sitting upright, eyes wide and guilt etched across her brow.
"Oh my gods," she breathed, hands trembling as she pressed them to her lips. "That was… awful. Do you think we traumatized him?"
Klaus gave a dry chuckle, voice still shaky as he pulled his arm away and looked up at her with tired blue eyes.
"Traumatized? Probably," he agreed. "He's been brooding over you for years. I just never thought it'd come crashing in like that."
Hayley groaned and flopped back onto the bed beside him, face buried in her hands.
"I feel terrible," she mumbled into her palms.
"Hey." Klaus turned toward her, propping himself up on an elbow. Gently, he tugged her hands away so he could see her face. "None of this was meant to hurt him. And it's not your fault you didn't return his feelings. It's not like you led him on."
Her brow furrowed.
"But he was so sure," she whispered.
"Maybe," Klaus replied, thumb tracing her cheek. "But feelings don't wait for permission. I didn't plan on falling for you either."
That pulled a small, wry smile from her lips.
"Oh? You fell for me?" she teased softly, leaning in so her nose brushed against his.
Klaus smirked.
"More like tripped," he murmured, lips ghosting across hers.
A breathy laugh escaped her, the guilt in her expression melting into something warmer, softer.
"Well, look at you," she whispered. "The mighty Niklaus Mikaelson—swept off his feet."
"Don't tell anyone," he growled playfully, hands sliding to her waist to pull her closer.
And then they were kissing again — slow and lingering this time. Hayley moaned softly into his mouth as their bodies pressed together, hands tangling in his hair, lips chasing every ounce of heat they could give one another.
But just as Klaus began to trail his mouth along her jawline, Hayley froze, ears pricking.
A sharp sound outside — distant voices.
Her eyes went wide as she sat up abruptly.
"Nik," she hissed, tugging her blankets up, "your parents!"
Klaus' face paled.
"Oh sh*t," he muttered, swinging his legs off the bed in one smooth motion.
He grabbed his shirt and pulled it on hastily while Hayley fought with the laces of her dress, hands trembling for an entirely new reason. Klaus paused halfway into his breeches just long enough to help her, tying the knots quickly.
The front door creaked open.
"You'd better move faster," Hayley whispered urgently, ears straining as heavy boots thudded into the house — Mikael's distinctive stomp.
"Maybe you could keep this in mind next time you pounce me," Klaus teased in a rushed whisper, fingers flying to adjust his belt.
Hayley shot him a grin even as her hands fumbled with her hair.
"Next time? Oh, you can bet there'll be a next time," she purred, a wicked spark in her eye.
And with one last breath — one last look — they hurried to compose themselves just as voices rose in the hall outside, hearts still racing like they were back in the forest running with Kol and Henrik.
Klaus and Hayley barely had time to smooth their clothes and tame their hair before heavy footsteps crossed the threshold. The front door swung inward, revealing Mikael's imposing frame — broad-shouldered and stern, with eyes like winter ice. Esther followed, her expression gentler, hands folded demurely before her.
"There you are," Esther greeted warmly as her gaze fell on Klaus and Hayley. "Hayley, my dear — what a lovely surprise."
Klaus felt his heartbeat kick up as Esther stepped further into the room.
"Mother," Klaus greeted carefully, bowing his head. Hayley straightened her spine as well.
"Mrs. Mikaelson," she replied with a graceful smile that didn't quite hide the blush still warming her cheeks.
Esther's eyes twinkled kindly.
"You simply must stay for supper," she offered breezily. "It will do us all some good to have another friendly face. I dare say my boys could use a bit of civilizing."
Hayley laughed softly, rubbing her hands together as if nervous.
"I'd be delighted," she answered. "And far better than going home tonight."
A chill ran through Klaus at the weight of that word — home — and he caught the fleeting flicker of unease in her gaze.
Mikael gave a small grunt as he passed by toward the hearth, not so much in acknowledgment as in tolerance.
"Very good," Esther replied, bright as sunshine. "Klaus, do help Hayley make herself comfortable."
"Yes, Mother," Klaus answered quickly, earning him a sharp, measuring glance from his father as Mikael took up his seat at the long wooden table.
Dinner was a tense sort of domesticity, all candlelight and polite questions drifting between the clink of wooden cups and knives on plates. Esther presided with gracious ease as she ladled stew into bowls and passed bread across the table.
"You look well, Hayley," she remarked kindly. "Your brother and father, they're all right, I hope?"
Hayley gave a polite smile, though Klaus noticed the way she stiffened at the mention.
"They're fine," she replied lightly. "Though it's nicer to be here tonight."
That earned a quick, knowing glance from Elijah across the table — one that Klaus felt as much as saw.
Mikael, meanwhile, was mostly silent save for the occasional pointed look toward Klaus. The weight of his scrutiny made the back of Klaus's neck prickle, like he was forever a boy who could never quite do enough.
Klaus did his best to focus on his meal and not on Hayley seated so near, so close — too close. But he could feel her gaze from beneath her lashes every so often, sparking like flint and making him shift in his seat.
And every time their eyes met across the table — even if just for a heartbeat — heat coiled in his gut. Hayley's lips would curve, a ghost of a smile on them, like they were sharing some delicious secret none of the others could ever understand.
That is, except Elijah.
Klaus felt him watching too, tense and guarded — polite to a fault as he answered their mother's small talk and nodded along to Kol's rambunctious stories. Every so often Elijah glanced between Klaus and Hayley, his mouth tightening ever so slightly.
Yet he was civil. Almost strangely so.
"Henrik will catch up with Kol soon," Elijah offered at one point, voice measured, "provided Kol hasn't roped him into one of his ridiculous schemes."
That earned a chuckle from Freya across the table.
"And if he has," she teased, "then we may need to send someone after both of them."
Esther laughed warmly, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin.
"Your brothers do like their trouble," she agreed.
Klaus stole a glance at Hayley again — and she was already looking at him. The softness in her gaze was enough to make him want to rise, stride over, and kiss her like they hadn't already had their hands all over each other not an hour past.
He thought he was being subtle.
But Mikael's sharp blue gaze cut into him like a blade across the table.
"Niklaus," his father's voice was like a low growl, and Klaus stiffened. "You look elsewhere too often tonight. Attend to your food."
Klaus immediately dropped his gaze to his plate.
"Yes, Father," he murmured.
And just like that, a hush fell over the table. Hayley shifted uncomfortably at his side, hands curling into her lap, and Klaus could almost feel the icy tension radiating between them all as Mikael continued to eat in brooding silence.
Dinner passed in a gentle blur of small talk and candlelight.
By the time everyone began rising from the table — Kol already plotting some nighttime escapade with Henrik — Hayley was on her feet too, hands smoothing down her skirt as she glanced toward Klaus.
"I suppose I'd better head home," she announced politely before turning to Esther with a bright smile.
"Thank you so much for dinner, Mrs. Mikaelson. It was delicious."
"You're most welcome, my dear," Esther replied warmly. "Do come by anytime. Our door is always open to you."
Hayley smiled and gave a little bow of her head before turning back toward Klaus.
He was already halfway to her side, as though drawn by some invisible thread.
"I'll walk you out," he offered.
She gave him a knowing look — like she'd been expecting as much — and let him lead her into the cool night.
The air outside was sharp and crisp, and they paused together just beyond the porch steps, shadows long and silver under the moon. Hayley folded her arms across her chest, and Klaus faced her with a faint crease in his brow.
"You sure you'll be okay at home?" he asked softly, concern evident in his voice.
She sighed, gaze drifting into the dark treeline before she nodded.
"Yes. My father might grumble, but he won't do more than that," she assured him, voice breezy but eyes tired. "He'd never dare trigger his own curse — gods forbid."
Klaus let out a breath of humorless laughter, his lips twitching into a tiny smile.
"You mean he'd never dare be what you already are," he corrected, his tone light yet aching.
Hayley's mouth curved into a grin, her eyes sparkling.
"Exactly."
But then Klaus's smile faded into a frown.
"You're a werewolf," he reminded her, stepping a little closer. "He could hurt you. Kill you, even. And he'd never trigger a thing."
Her gaze softened as she reached up and brushed a lock of his hair back, thumb ghosting across his cheek.
"You worry too much," she murmured.
"Can you blame me?" he replied just as quietly, hands lifting to rest gently at her waist as though he couldn't help himself.
For a heartbeat, they just stood like that — the world around them hushed, caught between breath and desire.
And then Klaus leaned down and kissed her.
It was slow and careful — a kiss that spoke all the worry and all the longing tangled up inside him. Hayley responded immediately, hands sliding up into his hair as she melted into him with a sigh, lips soft and sure against his.
When they finally broke apart, they stayed close enough that their breaths mingled.
"You'd better go," Klaus whispered, voice low. "Before I follow you all the way home."
Hayley grinned up at him, eyes bright.
"You'd like that too much."
He chuckled under his breath, hands lingering at her waist for one more moment before reluctantly letting go.
"Safe travels, Little Wolf," he murmured.
"You too," she replied, stepping backward as her gaze held his.
And Klaus stood there beneath the fading light of the lanterns, hands tucked into his pockets, watching as she disappeared into the dark — his heart aching and full all at once.