(CHAPTER ELEVEN :
BREATHLESS)

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'NEEDY' WASN'T A CHARACTERISTIC I often strived to portray, which made my reliance on Kol Mikaelson for survival all the more strenuous. Did I like depending on Kol? In short, no. In fact, I loathed it and would retract the reckless actions that lead me to this point in a heartbeat if it meant I didn't have to count on the ever unpredictable Original. Alas, there was no changing what happened in the past and I had to accept the circumstances, accept I needed him. Especially now. An attack like Jeremy's meant I required blood to regain energy and kickstart faster healing. To be specific, a lot of blood. Puking up human blood and retaining a handful wouldn't do on this occasion.

When Kol stepped through The Grill doors, I spotted him immediately. It was hard not to — he had this magnetism about him, a way that captivated everybody's attention upon entering the room. From the way he walked to how he talked, there was something entrancing about him that I could only refer to as the Kol Effect. Certainly, it was a phenomenon that I concluded was unique to him. I never felt such a gravitational pull around anybody else.

"Hello, darling." Kol greeted, sliding himself opposite me in the booth I had situated myself at. Purposely, I chose one in the far back, dark corner to cover up the gaping hole in my neck.

I picked at my nails, grateful his supernatural hearing couldn't detect the flapping of butterflies in my stomach. "Hi, Kol." I replied politely, a beat dropping between us as I hesitated in diving straight into my demands.

He rested his elbows on the table. "Now, let's skip the idle chit chat, we've known each other too long for that. Tell me, did you miss my dashing good looks or do you want something from me like everybody else?" The Original pondered, raising an eyebrow at me with deepest curiosity. "It couldn't be that Charlotte Hatton needs me, is it?" From his tone, I suspected he already knew why I called him, but he wanted me to say it.

"No — maybe." I groaned in defeat. "I'm hungry and whilst you're lurking in the town's shadows, I thought I could stock up on some blood." I informed him vaguely, only lying to a limited extent.

"You're heart skipped, which means you're lying to me." Kol inferred, pinching his face together in thought. "Trickery and deceit is more of a Mikaelson family trait, so tell me the truth. What happened that made you call me, Charlotte?" He was relaxed in his methods because he was overly confident in himself gaining the answers he wanted. If I remained tight-lipped, the man would no doubt withhold his blood.

"Jeremy happened." I confessed, moving my golden curls to one side. Audibly, the Original winced when I revealed the injury. "He wasn't himself, I had to jump in to stop him from attacking Elena but he managed to stake me in the neck. I ripped the wood out, but it isn't healing, I'm worried it's because of the . . . Curse." I confided in the brunette across from me. "It could be paranoia, I healed fine after the ordeal with your brother. Except, I fear it's getting worse with time, Bonnie hinted I didn't have long left before I . . . You know." I pretended to slit my throat to give the man a visual, finding it hard to say the truth out loud.

His knuckles turned white. "I'm going to kill the boy, then I'm going to kill you for going near him again. I wouldn't touch that with a five foot pole." Kol snarled. "Trust me, the Curse will be the least of your worries soon enough. Honestly, how could you be so foolish? He's the Hunter and you're the Prey." The brutal reminder about who Jeremy Gilbert had become, hurt. When we first got romantically involved, I viewed him as somebody to be protected, to be wrapped in cotton wool as a safeguard from his sister's murderous world. In the present, he was the one doing the murdering.

I placed my hand on top of his cold one. "I can't be mad at him, he wasn't in control." I testified, watching his body slump in partial defeat.

"Jeremy's supernatural now." He persisted rudely. "Like with a vampire, control is a choice. If he intends to bathe in blood, he won't fight for control and if he won't fight for it, you'll get hurt. I don't like when you get hurt because when you get hurt, my palms sweat and my chest tightens." Kol verbalised his feelings, frustrated at how his steel heart was softening to silver. "You're my Achilles' Heel, I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. For God's sake, I'd rather be daggered again than watch you tango with Death anymore." He ranted, running his hands through his hair as he tried to control the volume of his voice, not wanting to draw attention to the booth.

"You have a heart? I'm shocked." I mocked, my only intention to stop myself from spilling my own feelings. I wasn't ready for a heart to heart, not yet. "For a minute, I thought you were just flesh, arrogance and excess coffin dust." Deliberately, I cushioned my tone to be conveyed as gentle — not wanting to offend him but rather intending to keep the atmosphere comfortable and breezy.

If I had blinked, I would have missed the momentous occasion. Disappointment flashed across his features at my words. "I'd be careful with a tongue that sharp, you might cut yourself with it." He advised.

"Luckily, I'm not squeamish. I do hope you're not a vampire with haemophobia." I retorted, quick-witted as ever.

In response, he leant across the table, staring into the abyss of my soul. "Don't worry about me, darling. I love pretty little things with sharp tongues." Kol emphasised, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Evenly, I returned his gaze, but one look from him was penetrating. It pierced the most well camouflaged parts of me, making me want to spill every dirty secret I burdened myself with over the decades. But, I persevered and swallowed all of my sins with a mouthful of soda.

"I know." I flashed him a crooked smile, an intense pain bolting through my neck like a spark of hot electricity. "Ow, I don't want to push, but . . . I'm pushing. I need some of your blood fast, this hurts like a bitch." Mindlessly, I applied pressure to the wound and recoiled when I lowered to my hand to spot a thick, black goo staining my fingertips. Not wanting Kol to be more concerned than necessary, I promptly wiped the substance on my jeans under the table.

"Well, I've been thinking about that . . ." He rested his hand on his chin. "You can have my blood — weekly perhaps — if you swear to stay away from Jeremy Gilbert." Kol offered, the Mikaelson smirk lazing over his features. Naturally, the vampire was cocky given this proposal would limit any romantic rivals.

"Only if you promise not to kill him." I decided, not chewing on the idea for too long. It was a duplicitous move on Kol's behalf, but a smart one. His blood was a limiting factor and without it, I would be closer to death than ever, which made the choice simple. Not that going near Jeremy was on my mind to begin with. His merciless attack was still fresh, I couldn't forget that — Kol was right, the boy was a supernatural creature now. So, I suppose, my thoughts were impassive in concerns to staying away from the Hunter. Although I hated being told what to do. Obedience hadn't been my thing since a certain Original catapulted into my life.

Kol chuckled. "This isn't a negotiation, love." He clarified, his mouth parting with hesitance. "No harm will come to him on my behalf, but I feel I should put something else on the table. After all, I made you into quite the rule breaker back in the day and doubt you've had an epiphany since." There was an underlying sense of pride to his voice, a smoke of accomplishment around his words. Corruption of innocence was something he did well, and remembering the defiance he evoked in the small minded, big dreaming hometown girl I used to be, satisfied him. "I found a lead on a witch. You'll be all shiny and new again in no time, like nothing happened. On the condition that — —" He disclosed, forcing me to close my agape mouth to answer his advance.

"I swear to stay away from Jeremy Gilbert." Flatly, I recited what he said earlier. "I'm more concerned with the fact you didn't open with the fact you found a witch! Heal me up, I don't care if we have to road trip to Timbuktu, I just want this Curse gone." Optimism overpowered my lungs, the initial anger he kept the news from me dissipating the second it appeared.

Kol tutted. "It's a lead, Charlotte." He reiterated. "Witches can be . . . testy and you aren't exactly in their favour. I can't put you at risk for something that's uncertain, you'll have to put your faith in me I'm afraid." Taking everything into consideration, his reasons were fair, but it didn't soothe me like it should have. Whether or not I was at risk, I wanted to be there. Sadly, I knew Kol Mikaelson was never one to back down.

Vacantly, my eyes shifted. "It can be scary to put your faith in someone who's let you down before. Vampires? Werewolves? They don't scare me, blindly trusting you does." I admitted, a bubble of honesty popping my chest.

"I'm not asking you blindly trust me. Charlotte, you are one of the few people that stayed around long enough to get to know me beyond a pretty penny and an ego complex. You know me in your heart, you know that I'm not lying when I say that I'll fix this." The Original vowed and I knew he meant it, the uncharacteristic sweetness of sentiment speaking for itself. In fact, it almost made me forget about the plastic gun fuelled war — how we played up as enemies for the sake of others and denied our true feelings.

Finally, I nodded my head in agreement.

"And, naturally, you'll fall desperately in love with me all over again in the process." Kol added flippantly, making me roll my eyes in an exaggerated manner at his confidence. That made me remember why I denied my true feelings — a Mikaelson would never be one to settle down.

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PORTLAND, OREGON [1908]

Mother's parties were always the talk of the town — she strived for perfection and used them as a method to climb the social ladder. Indeed, we were a middle class family and had luxuries, but Mother was never content with what she had. On the other hand, I entertained myself with simple pleasures like reading and the piano. Often, I would shy away from the parties and found myself a recluse to my own devices. At her parties, the expectations forced onto me were higher than normal and a wrong move on my behalf usually resulted in a beating from my Father under my Mother's instructions. Therefore, I found it easier to be invisible at such mind-numbing events.

"Charlotte, no man likes a daydreamer." Mother scolded, noticing how unattached from reality I had become.

Like a deer caught in the headlights, I glanced up at the woman standing in front of me. "Pardon, Mother?" I said, looking round to plot my escape. Usually, I was able to sneak away from the festivities when people started to fill in and, in turn, distracted my parents.

"I do dislike repeating myself, it's time you get your head out of your clouds — Thomas has his hands full without an airhead fiancé on top." Disapproval was painted across her face, her tight, horse face that I hated so. "I said, you must go and greet the gentleman by the hearth. Perhaps even give him a tour of the house, his name is Mr Mikaelson and he's a new associate of your Father's that is investing a lot of money into the company." Mother explained, her signature greed being conveyed in her words. "If we could show him that our home is a welcoming environment, I'm confident he would double his offer. From the local rumour mill, I heard his wealth is beyond the numerical values we know, some even insisting he is of royal descent. Certainly, a man like that would push us into a new class and improve our reputation — —" She continued, a starstruck haze washing over her face. Mother was one for gossip and it was displayed in her excitement towards the rich man.

"And reputation defines our worth." Hastily, I cut her off before I had to endure her selfish ramblings for too long. Reputation was what mattered most in the Hatton family, it was the most important thing to my parents and I knew they would choose it above all.

Startled by my interruption, the woman nodded briskly. "Yes, but it was unladylike of you to interrupt me. Don't act with such impoliteness towards Mr Mikaelson." Mother instructed, a stern finger being pointed at me in warning.

Gently, my face warmed to a scarlet hue in embarrassment. Some people had looked in our direction at the scene, it made me feel like such a child. Mumbling a quick apology, I bowed my head and rushed to meet Mr Mikaelson. I intended to show him the gardens, maybe talk about my Father with a deceitful kindness then excuse myself to other guests. Once I had left the associate with a remarkable impression, I would then be free to take my leave and lose myself in the final few pages of Pride & Prejudice. My copy was worn, but I loved it because it was gift from my Grandma — one of the few relatives I didn't possess a burning hatred towards.

Keeping my eyes trained to the ground, I did my best to dodge all the bodies in my living room and stopped by the fireplace. "Good evening, Sir. Mother thought it would be wise for me to introduce myself given your spontaneous generosity towards my Father means we will be well-aquatinted at some point." I told him, too afraid to meet the man's eyes. I bet he was like my Father and his usual partners — cold, mean and inappropriately handsy.

"Call me Kol." He stated, the informality unnerving me. "And I do believe we've already have been aquatinted. I couldn't forget a face like yours, you're the beautiful woman that quite literally fell for me this morning." Kol revealed, shocking me. The man I had bumped into earlier was so young, how could he have won my Father's approval at such an inexperienced age? Of course, I was oblivious to Kol's true nature and the perk of compulsion.

Finally, I met his eyes. "What ever d——" I stumbled over my words, now able to look at the man from a close viewpoint. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks, making my confused expression come to a sudden halt. I attempted to cover up the falter with a weak smile, but he was also the kind of man that knew he was handsome. Despite wanting to take a second peak, I refrained, knowing I had to be devoted to Thomas with my engagement ball approaching. Rather, I masked my blush by nonchalantly scanning the room as if searching for my Mother. It was wrong to be so infatuated with Kol, I didn't know him, but he had this mesmerising gaze that I had me hooked like the Devil was to sin.

"I tend to get that reaction of girls, I take their breath away." I noted how Kol's eyes crinkled when he laughed lustrously.

For a matter of fact, I took in everything about him, from his mannerisms to the faint smirk he held as his eyes traced my frame. Suddenly, I felt exposed and gasped under the scrutiny of his gaze. "I do believe that's just my corset, Mr Mikaelson." I bit back in annoyance, hoping he wouldn't tell my parents about such a remark. It was as if a burst of unexpected courage exploded in my heart as I didn't take well to his attitude.

"You have fire." He commented when I expected him to be offended. "Just know that I like to play with fire." Kol cautioned, offering me his arm so we could go for a walk.

I bit my lip in thought — Mother would want me to accept, right? Pride and Prejudice would have to wait. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I find you to be rather full of yourself." I critiqued bluntly. His flirtation was something new to me, I was taught by a tutor and my marriage was arranged so boys like him were foreign territory. Not that his over-confidence was a deterrent, it only intrigued me more.

"I'm not full of myself." He denied. "I can't help that girls fall desperately in love with me. You'll understand soon when you are but one of the many that falls for me." Kol winked, causing me to abruptly disconnect our linked hands and scoff. But, a small voice in my mind had a feeling he knew exactly what he was talking about.

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"Fat chance." I muttered under my breath at the thought of falling in love with Kol again. However, I knew who I loved was out of my control. Thinking back to the first time it happened, I concluded Kol Mikaelson was a hard man to love. I remembered he once told me how he and his brother made games out of ruining girls' innocence, how I was initially a target until he realised deeper feelings months into our romance. To think I forgave him for that, for infiltrating my life with the sole intention to ravage . . . That was how I knew it was by the hands of a higher fate to love him because nobody would willingly want such a destructive love.

Kol shrugged. "You can't even deny it, I knew when we met that day that you would be one of the many that surrendered to my charms and good looks." He seemed to have no queries about my feelings for him, which was the opposite of how I felt. More than ever, I was confused.

Instead of profusely denying his accusation that I would would fall for him again, I opted to turn the tables. "You didn't know that you would fall for me back and we'd be going round and round in circles a century later." I retorted, having accumulated a confidence that challenged his over the years.

His breath hitched. "I should heal you here, but it would be more convenient if I put my blood in bags for future incidents." Kol recovered by changing conversation topics, still trying to find it in his dead heart to forgive himself for doing the unthinkable a century ago — falling for a human.

"I tend to get that reaction of men . . . I take their breath away." I teased, twirling the striped straw in my drink.

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A.N: Kol and Lottie interaction at last!! This was kind of a hard chapter because it was more about where they stand now Charlotte has her humanity and realised how she feels but is still very much in denial. Also, the bomb got dropped (kind of casually tbh) that Kol has a lead on a witch. I'll apologise for how bad the edit below is but it seems Kol screencaps with good lighting are a rarity.

What TVD universe supernatural creature would you want to be if given the choice?