I sat cross-legged on the counter in Klaus' bathroom, getting ready for whatever surprise he had in store.

Truly, I'd grown to hate them. It was always some kind of life altering event.

That argument from last night had been something. I had no idea that Elijah was so perceptive.

"You look beautiful." Speak of the devil. Klaus came up behind me, setting his chin on my shoulder. I shoved those fucking butterflies down.

"Flattery will get you nowhere. What is this plan you're concocting?"

"You'll see."

"Klaus, I swear if it's some crazy scheme-"

He kissed my mark, and I swallowed. "I know that you are not one for an extravagant date, and I highly doubt I would be able to remove you from Bennett long enough for one anyhow."

"Got that from rooting around in my head?" My brow rose. "I'm still salty you did that by the way."

"You'll be happy to know that I didn't. I asked your 'Sam'."

Wait. "You asked Sam for advice about me?" And he went for it?! In a really weird way, I was actually kind of impressed. Although I didn't know how I felt about Sam Winchester giving Klaus information.

"Come, everyone else is out, and Bennett is already down for the night." He offered his hand. "I have a few precariously placed candles, and it's best to see them before they have to be extinguished."

Candles?

"Fine." I took his hand. He helped me off the counter and pulled me into the hall, toward my room. "Only because I'm curious."

Klaus stopped me in front of the closed door. "Our wedding was not ideal, merely something to appease my mother."

"That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

"Go ahead, open it." He pressed on.

What was he- I twisted the knob, and stared. My room was covered in wildflowers. The soft glow of the candles flickered off the walls and the petals.

Vines were draped from the ceiling.

It looked like a garden had thrown up.

It was fucking beautiful.

"You deserved something more intimate with things you like."

"How much did Sam tell you?" I didn't even want to know how he'd gotten the number.

Klaus lead me in. "It was threats mostly, however what I could glean was very useful." He's lucky he contacted Sam, if it'd been Dean, he probably would've told the Original exactly where to shove it. He turned. "I know you think I don't care for you, that I just want control, and perhaps at first, it was true." He traced the edge of my jaw. "But you have an intriguing allure, one I have not been able to resist."

"Very romantic." I deadpanned.

"I realize you don't want to be married to me, but I want you to know that I'd like to be a good husband."

"And what brought on this sudden change of heart?"

"Perhaps I realized what it was that I would lose if I continued." His other hand settled on my waist. "Maverick, from the moment you were in my grasp, I knew I would never have enough of you."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"And then I tasted your lips and it was as if I could finally breathe." Klaus traced my bottom lip. "You are worth far more to me than anything else in my thousand years of existence."

True mates, Esther had said.

Fuck.

"Did you know you kinda rescued me when I became a hybrid." I grabbed at his hand, threading our fingers together. "I was so young when I was forced into a marriage I didn't want to be in."

"I'm not him." Klaus' eyes softened. "I never will be."

I swallowed. "I know. You're a much better kisser."

He chuckled and it was still the best I'd ever heard, but then his expression sobered. "Show me how to make good on our vows."

"You know what, why don't we make our own?"

His lip twitched upward. "Alright."

I took either of our rings off. It was sweet that he wore his.

That he actually cared past the wedding itself.

Here goes nothing.

"I've read people so easily my entire life, and yet you are one that I haven't been quite able to crack. I knew I had to be with someone that challenged me. Someone who wouldn't let me get bored, and more importantly someone I could imagine spending the rest of my life with. Which, quite frankly Niklaus Mikaelson, you are the only one who's managed to keep my attention for so long. I'm always on my toes, and as much as it scares me sometimes, I kind of enjoy it." Shit. What was I doing? It was like I was word vomiting, but I meant it. "I don't trust many, and yet every time I've been terrified, while you weren't there, I found myself wishing you were, because I knew I could trust that you would fight off my demons. You were the first I'd try to call."

I slid his ring back on.

"Maverick, my Maverick." He brushed his fingers against my cheek. "When my traitorous mother told me I'd have to marry you to bond the spell, I was afraid you wouldn't, and I was also afraid that the damage it would cause would be irreversible. Your past is a dark demon hovering over you, and I will always do my best to protect you from it. Your heart is the one thing in my life that I can count on to be well intentioned. As there is always an allure to my darkness, I would say there is an equal draw to your light. You are my balance, and the only one who could truly stay my hand. I lied before when I said you couldn't." He stepped closer. "You could ask me almost anything and I would find a way to give it to you."

It would always be almost, wouldn't it?

"Anything?" I grinned.

Klaus cupped my face in his hands. "Maverick Mikaelson, I promise to protect you, to keep you on your toes. I swear that neither you nor our children will want for anything, that I will stay by your side. If I could gift you the world, I would."

This is where I had to be careful, very, very careful. "I promise to continue to be your light, I won't run, and not because I want to protect the Winchesters, but because I do want to be here. I want you to be in our kids' lives." Was it wrong that I actually meant it? "My mom always said to marry the man that lit my skin on fire, and while I'm not a huge fan of the idea of marriage itself, I am glad it's with you."

We were quite literally destined to be together if what Esther said was true. I just had to let myself fall for Klaus.

Which, wasn't hard when he was being all sweet.

Klaus slipped my ring back on my finger, kissing it. "I do."

"I do."

Till death do us part.