It was a cold December night in 1914. Christmas was only one week away and the town surely showed it. Carolers stood in front of business shops and people scattered around them in desperate need to finish their Christmas shopping. Lights adorned almost every piece of the town and decorations followed right behind.

Within the melodic chaos stood a man dressed in a suit and top hat while his arm lovingly wrapped around the woman beside him. The woman clad in a beautiful red gown and a toasty looking faux fur coat looked up at him with a smile before pointing to the nearest shop.

"I saw something in there that Bekah will absolutely adore. Shall we go purchase it?" Sensing his reluctance, the woman placed her hand on his chest and saddened her expression, "please, Kol? I know you're in a tiff with your family, but Christmas time is all about forgiveness. Why not start with bribery?"

Kol let out a laugh and allowed her to guide him into the store, "you certainly know your way with words, Jasmine."

After assuring Kol that Rebekah will be the first to come around after seeing the present, Jasmine suggested they stroll around until they saw a decent meal.

"I just do not get it."

Jasmine glanced at him, wondering where the sudden hostility came from, "what are you going on about?"

"Niklaus daggers us and stuffs us in coffins whenever he sees fit. All I do is get a little bit out of control when feeding. How does that suddenly make me the bad guy?"

For centuries it had always been the same question. How can someone who treats you like a disobedient animal come out looking like the sane one? Kol never knew the reasoning behind it so in turn it made him rebel even more—to turn away from his so called family. Which made him the outcast and the annoying relative that you just couldn't wait to get away from.

"It's their little pact, isn't it? Their so called promise of 'always and forever.' It's always been just the three of them and screw anyone else, even if they're family." Driven by anger, Kol stepped away from Jasmine and hit the nearest railing, causing it to bend.

"You have me."

It was a small whisper, but thanks to his vampirism, Kol was able to hear it loud and clear. He looked back at Jasmine who was staring straight ahead and was hit with a rush of emotions.

Whenever his family turned his back on him, she was there. When Niklaus daggered him and undaggered him, she was always the first person to greet him. When the world was spinning and crumbling out of his control, she was there with a steady hand to keep him balanced.

He was in love with the woman in front of him and he knew she was everything he would ever need.

Kol walked toward her and gently pulled Jasmine into his arms. She gave him a quizzical look before it morphed into one of content as he raised his hands to cup her face. Softly caressing her cheeks with his thumbs, Kol leaned in and planted a small kiss on her lips.

The noise all around them seemed to suddenly silence as he pulled back and genuinely smiled at her, "I love you."

Jasmine grinned and leaned her head forward to place her forehead against his, "I love you."

Kol's entire being warmed at the words. In this moment he was happy and he prayed to every deity that it would last for a very long time, if not forever.

Resuming their stroll, Kol made sure that Jasmine wouldn't notice his glances toward the jewelry shop on the other side of the road as a certain ring caught his eye. Centuries together and he could not fathom how he hadn't mustered up the courage to ask her already.

The next morning would be an eventful one. He was going to propose to the love of his life and nothing was going to stop him.

Well, except for his overbearing brother thinking Kol's midnight snacks were getting out of hand. As he slowly desiccated, Kol was reminded of why he wasn't living a happy life with Jasmine—as long as Niklaus was alive, not one of the Mikaelsons would ever find peace.

Kol made a vow to himself to find his, even if it meant destroying whatever relationship he had with his own family.

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this is my entry for book_love29 's fanfic contest 😁