I DON'T LIKE KLAUS.

Life was good in Mystic Falls.

Suspiciously good.

Klaus and Rebekah were settling in nicely to the town, and the hybrid barely bothered Elena, which Clementine was happy about. Rebekah settled in nicely to their friend group. She joined the cheerleading team and was the best of friends with Caroline.

Though she was starting to develop a crush on Matt, which made Clem want to throw up. She argued that he was bland and got her sent to a mental health facility, but then Rebekah argued that it was only fair since Clem had a crush on her brother as well.

That shut Clementine right up.

Klaus had taken a short trip to Portland after Clem tipped him off, creating more hybrids and succeeding this time. And Tyler, who was freshly turned, accompanied him, getting to know the other wolves. Rather than force it on them, Klaus offered it to the pack, and over half of them chose to become hybrids to get away from the painful change on full moons.

The Mikaelson mansion was almost completely built, which meant that his siblings were closer to being undaggered. Rebekah talked about her brothers every single day, just waiting to be reunited. But she wanted everything to be perfect for them before waking them.

It was safe to say Rebekah loved planning things just as much as Caroline, which was why the pair were a duo to be feared as they bossed people around, setting up the Homecoming decorations. Clem followed their lead, not daring to complain.

Much to her amusement though, Klaus was there as well. He rolled his eyes every time Rebekah told him to lift something heavy as if she couldn't do it herself. And if he complained, she pulled the daggered in a box card.

"C'mon, Klausy," Clem said, making Bonnie and Elena laugh at the nickname. "You know you love making Rebekah happy."

"Don't tell her that," he said, a sly smile on his lips. "So, love, I'm to assume you're going to this Homecoming tonight?"

"Of course," she said before helping Elena hang some streamers.

"Well, my sister has twisted my arm into being a chaperone for the night," he explained. "I was wondering if you might need an escort for the night?"

Clementine froze like a deer in headlights, not noticing Bonnie, who was snickering, and Elena, who was looking at her feet.

"I'm sorry, Nik," Clem said softly, watching how his hopeful expression fell. "I'm already going with Enzo."

"Ah. I see," he said, getting ready to leave her, too embarrassed and upset to remain at her side. Since when did he get rejected?

But Clem reached for his wrist, stopping him. "But half my dances are yours if you want them."

Klaus smiled hopefully, glad he had a chance at the very least. "I suppose I can't complain about half. I'll see you there, love."

☽︎

Jenna was walking down the hall with a laundry basket in hand when she heard sniffles coming from Elena's room. The door was cracked, so she sat the basket down and let herself inside, immediately seeing the state her niece was in.

Elena was curled up in bed, wiping her tear-filled face with her blanket as she cried. Her dress for Homecoming was on the bed with her but she wasn't anywhere close to getting ready.

"Oh, baby, what's wrong?" Jenna asked, rushing to her side. Instantly, Elena moved her head onto Jenna's lap, crying even harder now that someone was watching. Jenna ran her hands through Elena's hair comfortingly. "Is it Stefan? Because he didn't ask you to Homecoming?"

Stefan had been practically AWOL since being freed from Klaus. Only Damon had been in contact with him. He wasn't even going to school. Not to mention, he'd been acting like an asshole toward Damon, who'd report back to the others. It was safe to say the human diet has changed him.

Elena shook her head and took in a deep breath before blowing it out through her mouth. "It's nothing. It's stupid."

"Nothing is stupid if it's making you this upset," she told her. "Now, spill."

Shutting her eyes because she didn't want to see Jenna's reaction, Elena chose to be honest. "Klaus asked Clemmy to the dance, but she said no. She's going with Enzo."

"And you care because you... like Klaus?" Jenna asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, he's very handsome and charming, but he did sacrifice you—"

"No, Aunt Jenna," she sighed, wiping her eyes. "I don't like Klaus."

"...Enzo?"

When Elena shook her head, Jenna started to understand. So, she made sure Elena was looking at her.

"You like Clementine," she stated, not having to ask it as a question.

Elena's bottom lip trembled as she heard it out loud for the first time. "And she just likes boys," she whispered before choking on a sob, hiding her face in Jenna's legs.

"We don't know that for sure."

"She has Enzo. And I can tell she has a crush on Klaus. Not to mention whatever was going on with her and Elijah before," she listed. "I'm not even on her radar."

"Well, say you are," Jenna told her. "Sounds like Clemmy is the type to maybe have multiple partners at the same time. Is that something you are alright with?"

Elena sniffed and thought it over. Truthfully, she didn't care so long as it meant she could have Clem in some way. "I think I am," she said in a quiet voice. "But it doesn't matter—"

"Yes, it does," Jenna cut her off again. "Elena, your feelings matter. I don't know what's gonna happen with Clemmy. I don't. But if she's what you want. What makes you happy? Then go for it."

"What if she doesn't like me back?" Elena asked, sounding scared of the outcome.

"Then that's her loss."

As they continued talking, neither noticed the boy standing outside in the hallway and listening with a conflicted look on his face. Life had been good for him — Bonnie did a spell to make him stop seeing ghosts. But now, guilt washed over Jeremy like a tidal wave, unable to believe he felt the same thing for Clem as his sister did. And he loved Elena far too much to get in the way of her happiness.

☽︎

"You look gorgeous, love," Enzo said, coming up behind Clementine as she looked in the mirror, applying her lipgloss. He bent down and ran his nose over her exposed neck, taking in her scent.

Clem closed her eyes, her cheeks heating up at his show of affection. Since getting back and learning that they were soul-bound, Enzo had been a lot more affectionate and loving. But he hadn't kissed her again — after all, their first had been because he was compelled, so it was a delicate topic to approach.

"You look very handsome," Clem told him, smiling at him through the reflection. And it only widened when she saw he had on a blue tie that was the same color as her dress. "You wore a tie!"

"Only for you," he grumbled. "And I bloody hate it."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll make it worth your while, Baby Girl."

☽︎

Enzo and Clem walked hand in hand into the school gym which was decked out with pretty decorations. And it didn't take Rebekah long at all to find them, looking gorgeous in a red dress.

"Finally," the Original said, dragging Clem along with her. "We must take pictures."

Clementine just laughed as Rebekah took them to the photo booth where Matt was already waiting. The group took several silly photos — okay, Enzo just stood there while the others took silly photos. And then it was time to dance.

Enzo was all too happy to sweep Clem away to dance given that their last dance ended before it even began. She had to teach him some of the more modern dances, as well as Rebekah, who was still adjusting to the new century.

But soon, a jealous hybrid was cutting in. Enzo begrudgingly handed Clementine over. He thought he'd be jealous, but after learning that she was also soul-bound to Klaus, he seemed more at peace with the idea. He knew that one day, Clem would mean just as much to Klaus as she did Enzo.

"You look ravishing, love," Klaus complimented during their second dance before twirling Clem around, making her giggle.

"And you look handsome in your suit. Like a little Elijah," she teased. He scoffed and playfully pinched her side, making her squirm.

"I suspect he'll be happy to see you tomorrow," he commented. "Would you like to be there when I wake him?"

"I'd be honored," she said, beaming.

"And we'll protect you from Kol. He'll likely try to eat you upon seeing you," Klaus warned. "He's dangerous. I don't fancy the idea of you being near him."

Clementine looked at him flatly. "You killed me. Multiple times."

"Ah," he grinned, "but you've accepted my apologies, so you cannot hold that against me anymore."

She shook her head, fairly certain that wasn't how it worked. "You're lucky you're cute."

His face brightened at the compliment. "You think I'm cute?" he asked, a smirk on his face.

"Klaus, I told you when you were in Alaric's body. You're so adorable that I wanna put you in my pocket and carry you around," she reminded him. "That's the highest form of compliment."

"Hmm, just adorable? I don't usually get that one. Now, fearsome and strong and handsome and god-like — ow!"

Clementine pinched his arm, making him laugh. "You're getting less adorable by the second."

Of course, she was lying, they both knew. Klaus and Clem continued to dance, with him passing her back to Enzo every few songs to keep both men sated. But soon, when she was again in Klaus' arms, they were interrupted by Jeremy, who looked quite handsome in a suit with his hair combed back.

"Mind if I cut in?"

Klaus narrowed his eyes, but before he could say something no doubt rude, Clem said, "Of course, Remy."

So, with a pout on his face, Klaus went to stand along the wall with Enzo, watching as Jeremy danced with Clementine.

"You clean up good, Gilbert," Clementine told him. "You look even better than you did at the masquerade."

He raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know what I looked like that night?"

Clementine mirrored his confused expression before tapping her head. Jeremy blushed, having forgotten about the whole Seer thing. As she laughed loudly at him, he hid his head in her shoulder, groaning.

"Let's never mention that again," he mumbled. Then he pulled back and smiled. "You look gorgeous tonight, Clemmy. If no one's told you that yet."

"Everyone's told me," she said teasingly. "Not as pretty as your date, though."

"Right," he said, his smile dimming a bit. "Bonnie."

"What's with the face, Babe?" she asked, worried about him. In the show, Bonnie and Jeremy hadn't made it this long because he cheated on her with ghost Anna. But that never happened this time around. "Are you two okay?"

Jeremy shrugged, a frown now fixed on his face. "I just... don't know where I fit into her life. It's like we don't have anything in common outside of this supernatural shit."

"I'm sorry, Remy," she murmured, not liking when he was upset. "But if things don't work out, don't ever think for a second that you're not amazing and interesting and kind and handsome."

The tips of his ears burned from her compliments. "Thanks, Clemmy," he said quietly before his eyes caught sight of something else. "I believe I need to pass you onto another partner, though."

"Klaus and Enzo can wait—"

Jeremy spun her so quickly that she almost felt dizzy. She heard someone say, "Woah!" while catching her. Clem rightened herself and found that she was with Elena, whose eyes were wide.

"Oh, you are so dancing with me, Lena," Clem said, pulling her back to the crowd of dancing students.

"But this is a slow song," Elena said shyly.

Since Elena was a little taller, Clem placed her hands around the girl's shoulders. "Then that makes me the luckiest girl on the dance floor to have you during the song."

Elena gazed at her for a moment before putting her hands on Clem's waist, trying her best to keep her expression calm. Already, her palms were clammy and she hoped Clem couldn't feel it through her dress.

She could but she didn't mention it.

"You look really pretty tonight, Clemmy," Elena said softly, surprised when Clem's cheeks were tinged with pink.

"Wanna know a secret?" Clem asked, leaning close.

"What?"

"You're prettier," she said before leaning up to kiss Elena's cheek. "I'm sorry that Stefan didn't ask you, Lena."

Elena shook her head. "I'm not. He... he's different. I'm different. I think we both know we're just friends now."

"Well, when you want to have the official break up sleepover, Bonnie, Care, and I will be there with romcoms and ice cream. And let's be honest, Rebekah will be there too."

That made Elena laugh. "I actually like Rebekah, surprisingly. She's a little mean — like Caroline pre-vampirism — but she fits right in."

From across the gym, Rebekah was smiling to herself as she danced with Matt, glad to know she finally had real friends outside of her family.

"So," Elena then said, taking in a nervous breath. "When do I have to return you to your dates?"

Clem looked over her shoulder at Enzo and Klaus, who were probably talking about ways to kill people or something like that. She just smiled and looked back at Elena.

"You don't have to any time soon. Consider yourself as date number three. I'm yours for the night."

Elena smiled a real smile. "I like the sound of that."

☽︎

Rebekah and Clem walked hand in hand behind Klaus to the truck where his siblings' coffins were being transported. Both were very excited to be retrieving them and had been talking about it nonstop.

But then Klaus' phone rang, and a sinking feeling settled inside of Clem. It couldn't still be happening, could it? Maybe he was a Ripper, but he had his humanity.

"Stefan! No one's heard from you in weeks," Klaus told him, shaking his head. "Causing quite a fuss."

"I'm just calling to thank you for my freedom," he said.

"Oh, I like to believe I'm a man of my word, more or less."

"Thing is, it came at too high of a price. My life is ruined because of you," he told him.

Klaus just shrugged, not that bothered by ruining his life. "Let bygones be bygones, trust me. Resentment get's old."

"You know what never gets old? Revenge."

Clementine held her breath as Klaus opened up the truck, only to find it empty. All the caskets were gone, and rage consumed the hybrid as Rebekah gasped, clutching Clem's hand harder.

"No!"

"What's the matter, Klaus? Missing something?" Stefan taunted.

"What are you doing?" Klaus asked him, knowing this was a death wish.

"Just enjoying my freedom."

"I will kill you and everyone you've ever met!" he threatened.

"You do that, and you will never see your family again. I wonder Klaus, as someone who has been one step ahead for a thousand years... are you prepared for this?"

Clementine snatched the phone from a stunned Klaus. "Give 'em back, Squirrel Breath!"

"No can do, Clementine," he said, shaking his head.

"I know they're at the witchy house."

There was a long pause before Stefan responded. "Something tells me I can get them relocated before you get here. Let's see if your visions can find them as second time."

"Goddamn it!"