He held her until she stopped crying.

She pulled back, her face blotchy and her eyes red. She pulled her shirt up to clean under her cheeks, still trembling. It was clear that something was bothering her, and judging by the way she kept flinching at even the slightest noise in the background, Klaus had a sinking feeling in his stomach that the spell had done more damage than he realized.

"What's wrong, love?" he asked, not understanding why she was crying. Esmeray shook her head. "Esther is gone," he told her calmly. "She can't hurt you anymore."

"She trapped me," Esmeray said unsteadily, letting just her eyes peek out from under her shirt. "I could hear you."

He frowned, and she continued, "You spoke to me. I don't know how long it was, but I could hear you saying that you were trying to wake me up... that my magic attacked me... that's not true. I-I heard her lying to you..."

With a pang in his heart, he knew what she meant. She had been perfectly conscious, but simply out of control of her own body. She hadn't been able to show that she was still in there. He couldn't enter her mind because she wasn't thinking of anything— she was actually there, but her access to the world had been blocked. "Would you like me to take you to the kitchen for some food, or would you like me to bring it to you?"

"Please don't leave me here alone," she begged, and he nodded, standing up and picking her up gently, letting her lean into him.

Esmeray felt like she was going to be attacked at any moment. She had been screaming and clawing at her own mind, trying to break through Esther's spell, and she hadn't been able to. She could hear Klaus speaking to her, and no matter how hard she tried, her mouth wouldn't move, and he heard no sound coming from her. She hadn't been able to sleep. She hadn't been able to visualize anything. Her mind felt like it had been placed into the most basic modality— only able to hear and think, but without any imagery or other senses to help her get through her imprisonment within her own self.

The hardest thing, perhaps, is that she could feel her power dissipating. There were moments when she thought she might be strong enough to break free, and then when she'd try to just open her eyes, she'd feel like she was going to throw up, only that she was unable to move, which meant she felt a searing sensation in her throat and running down her chest that wouldn't go away quickly. And when it did, she felt significantly weaker, as if a huge chunk of her being had been carved out with a sacrificial blade. Every day, more and more of her strength faded.

The house was empty as Klaus carried her to the kitchen, where only one servant awaited them. Klaus motioned for the servant to make something— anything— for Esmeray. The woman nodded obediently and went to fix her up some steak, because she understood that her carnivorous nature was the one that needed to be nourished at the moment.

Esmeray sniffled as Klaus set her down at a seat beside the counter. She swayed, and he steadied her. "You're still shivering, love," he said, holding up his arm as he sat on the seat directly beside her. "Do you need some of my blood?"

She nodded wordlessly, and he pulled her onto his lap. She didn't complain, grabbing onto his shirt as he bit into his wrist and guided it to her mouth. With one of her hands, she held his arm as she pressed her lips to his skin, closing her eyes as she drank. In her human state, blood didn't taste all that good. She knew that if she were in her wolf body, she would have enjoyed it. His heart skipped a beat when she curled up closer to him, still drinking and caressing his forearm

"I didn't turn," she said quietly when she pulled away, setting his arm down carefully. "She left me so drained, I didn't even have the strength to do that."

"Can you still feel any magic?" asked Klaus worriedly as he helped her move back into her chair.

She lifted one of her hands and stared at it before flexing her fingers. "Yes. Faint, but it's there. The tea's effects are gone. And I remember..." she looked away. "She drugged me. She wiped my memories after she asked me to help kill you. She made me think we talked about something else... but we didn't."

She sniffled, and he offered her a napkin. "Go on, let it out, love, don't hold back if you don't want to," he urged. He didn't like seeing her so hurt. He'd have loved to be out hunting Esther. He'd love to tear her heart out again. To try and make her feel better, he stood and went to retrieve a glass of water for her, but when he offered it to her, she stared at it fearfully, and didn't take it.

"I'll drink from it, if you'd like," he said, bringing the glass up and taking a sip. "It's not poisoned."

This seemed to make her feel a bit better, and she downed the cup as soon as she lifted it to her lips. She set the glass down and sighed. "I'll need to get used to that again," she mumbled. "Being able to accept drinks from people. This... is why everyone has trust issues. Maybe not all people do... shit like this... but you can't trust anyone anymore."

Klaus frowned. "That's... that's why you don't drink alcohol, isn't it?" When she looked away, he knew he was right. "It isn't just because you think the alcohol will harm your body. It's because you saw memories and you learned that someone might try to drug you."

"I didn't want to tell people that was one of the reasons I don't want to drink," she admitted. "I got made fun of too many times just for choosing to not drink something that would harm my body, which, people seem to forget, is still mortal. If I had told them I was being paranoid..."

"I apologize," said Klaus, catching her by surprise. "I know I was one of the ones who teased you about it. I... I didn't know or understand it."

She half-smiled. "I accept your apology. I suppose I must be special, because you've apologized to me multiple times now."

Klaus smirked slightly. "Don't be flaunting that about, love, it's meant to be a secret."

"Why does it have to be a secret that deep down, you're not a bad person?"

"Don't kid yourself, love, I may be kind to you, but that does not make me a good person."

"When you were born, you were good," she said thoughtfully. "You were mistreated, and you became highly defensive. As you told me before... when people feared you, it kept your family safe. So you kept being 'evil.' Maybe you do enjoy hurting people. I know I would have enjoyed hurting those who taunted me. But I still don't think that makes you a bad person. You know why? I saw into your memories, Klaus, and I know you feel remorse. You collected letters as souvenirs, you yelled at yourself and painted away your frustration because you hated how out of control you got. You're well aware of what's right and wrong and maybe when I met you, I wouldn't have said you could do right by anyone, but I think differently now. You can be kind and thoughtful and passionate. You're talented and sweet when you want to be. Yes, you do bad things, but you also do good things, and I think that just shows that you have potential and you can choose which path you want to take. You aren't bad, in my eyes. Just someone who was hurt. Someone who deserved better from the world."

Klaus ran his tongue over his lips, his cheeks feeling like they were on fire. "What you need to understand, love," he said gently, "is that if anyone outside of Mystic Falls were to know about how... 'good'... I am with you... they could hurt you. I don't wish for that to happen to you."

That was his biggest fear. His old enemies had surely learned by now that he had unlocked his hybrid side, and that would either make them steer clear of him forever, or it would ignite greater ire. If they wanted real revenge, they had to target someone Klaus cared about. They couldn't pick one of his siblings, no, because that would bring all the other Originals into the fray, and besides, they were strong enough to hold their own.

But Esmeray? Who, despite her strengths, had been overtaken by a Pack of simple wolves in Portland? If anyone learned of the feelings Klaus harbored for her, she would become their target, and she would not survive the ordeal. Klaus didn't want to think of how they'd tear her to pieces just to make him suffer in the same way he did to them.

"Where is everyone?" asked Esmeray after a few moments, seeing Klaus had somewhat zoned out. "I thought there would be more people here."

The Original hybrid sighed. "Well, after Finn helped Esther escape, Kol fled, Elijah went off on his own... and Rebekah is on a bit of a mission. I'd appreciate it if you stay here until that's resolved. But if you wish to leave..."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "What happened?"

He hesitated, but he decided that he could trust her. "Rebekah suspects that there may be more white oak out there. Meaning..."

"That you can die," she whispered. "But... how is that possible? I thought you burned that tree."

"We don't know how, but it appears to be true. Rebekah placed herself in charge of the investigation."

"Well... I can try to locate it, but that will be difficult."

He was stunned she had even offered. "Esmeray," he said carefully. "If you don't want to..."

"I do want to. And... I assume this is meant to stay secret from... the others, right?" Klaus nodded, and she bit her lip. "If I manage to find them... you can't kill them, no matter how much they piss you off. That extends over the Salvatores, Elena, Caroline, Tyler, Bonnie, Alaric, Matt, and anyone else that becomes embedded into the group."

"Done," he said. "I won't hurt them."

She cast him a smile, perking up as the servant placed the steak in front of her. "Thank you," she said, taking the fork offered to her and digging in hungrily, ripping it apart with her bare hands.

Once she felt better, Klaus helped her get back into her room, reaching for her phone and handing it to her. "I took the liberty of informing Damon about what happened," he said awkwardly. "He er— was messaging you quite a bit."

"I appreciate it," she said, deciding she'd just tell Damon she was awake so he wouldn't worry. But she didn't really feel like having a conversation with him at the moment.

Klaus started to make his way out of her room, thinking she wanted him to leave. "Stay," she called out, making him stop in the doorway. She patted the spot beside her on the bed, and with a giddy smile, he came closer, climbing on and sitting beside her.

To his surprise, she turned on her side, resting her head on his chest and wrapping one arm around his body, letting out a quiet breath. She felt safer here. He let one of his arms move down to wrap around her shoulders, restraining himself from allowing it to drift down to her waist.

At first, she said nothing, calming herself by listening to his heartbeat. But then, she poked at his side, and tilted her head up. "Are you planning on living in Mystic Falls forever?"

"Likely not," he said honestly. "I do wish to travel the world once again, now that I am a fully realized hybrid. Perhaps visit a few places of importance."

"Like New Orleans?"

"Yes," he murmured. "To return to the city I adored, now that Mikael can torment me no longer. To pay my respects to Marcel, properly."

"I want to go to New Orleans, too. Anya says that might be a good place to do the ritual."

He smiled. "Perhaps you'll allow me to take you there. Give you a tour."

"I'd like that," she said. "Even though I already know my way around based on your memories. But I'll pretend I don't know anything, so that it can be fun."

Klaus traced shapes over her back, which he noticed made her heart start beating faster. "Where else would you like to travel, love?"

"Everywhere," she murmured sleepily. She really hadn't slept, even despite being under a Sleeping Spell. She nuzzled into his chest, holding him closer. "Could you stay, please?"

"Of course, love," he said, more than happy to remain here, holding her. "Anything you need."

"You know," she yawned as she pulled the blanket over the two of them, "you're pretty warm for someone who considers himself to be cold-hearted."

Klaus chuckled. "Perhaps only for you, my little werewitch. Only for you."

She smiled, closing her eyes. "Goodnight, Klaus."

"Goodnight, Esmeray."

_

She awoke to him already stroking her hair.

He'd slept only a bit, feeling more worried about whether she'd be okay, and deciding that he might as well keep watch in case someone tried to hurt her. He let his mind drift off to planning how he might find Esther and solve their predicament, and by the time he felt her stir, he realized he hadn't had more than a few moments of rest.

With a whine, she stretched her legs, sitting up slowly and stretching her arms over her head. She lifted her sleeve to wipe her mouth, looking embarrassed. "Damn, I drooled on you. Sorry."

"Not to worry," said Klaus with a teasing air. "I suppose you must have been dreaming of me."

Esmeray smirked, nudging him in the side. "You and I both know it's more likely to be the other way around."

Klaus feigned offense. "I beg your pardon? I've been perfectly respectful."

"Tell me that when you and your brothers stop looking at me as if I'm actually walking around naked."

"You must think me to possess superior supernatural abilities if you believe I can focus long enough to imagine you that way."

"You've seen into my mind, you've seen what I look like without clothes. You don't have to concentrate much."

"And you've seen how I look."

Esmeray looked away quickly. "I don't dwell on those memories."

But the truth was, she'd peeked into them a few times. The day she'd been in heat in Portland, after she had seen into his mind, she'd had her blankets pressed between her legs, her mind projecting images of him. That, of course, had been before he'd come up to her and pushed her lightly onto the counter, and before she'd straddled him. She wouldn't admit out loud that she was intrigued.

Klaus, for the sake of getting her mind off of what Esther had done to her, stood when she did, and stopped her from going to the bathroom, speeding forward to block her path.

"I need to brush my teeth," she said, covering her mouth.

"Oh, I'm not going to kiss you, love," he said with a wicked smirk. "I know you'd rather not have that happen. I just want to say that I know you're lying."

"Okay, fine, I'm lying, I'm sorry!"

"Don't apologize, love, I'm perfectly fine with knowing that you enjoy what you see."

"I didn't say I enjoyed it."

"Oh, but I know you did."

"How do you know you're even my type?"

"If my sister's your type, I certainly am."

"Keep dreaming."

"You could always give it a go, as an experiment. All you need to do is ask."

Esmeray pretended she hadn't heard him, and moved into the bathroom, reaching for her toothbrush and silently scrubbing her teeth, looking at the sink. He remained in the doorway, watching her. Once she had cleaned her mouth, she turned back, walking toward him and stopping once her chest was pressed against his.

He was surprised with this, and was even more startled when she placed her hands on his abdomen, just above the hem of his pants. "Maybe I will give it a go," she said, a mischievous smirk on her face. She tiptoed to whisper in his ear, making his breath hitch as she placed one of her hands right over his crotch, squeezing lightly. Her actions had the desired effect. "But maybe next time, you should think twice before teasing me this early in the morning."

Just like that, she walked off, and the Original hybrid gave a disapproving grunt, watching her leave the room as if nothing had happened.

He found her serving herself breakfast casually, hardly looking up when he entered the room. "You're starting a dangerous game," he told her as he came up behind her. She pretended to be completely oblivious, but she couldn't ignore him when he rutted his hips into her behind, making her squeak. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't leave you just as aroused and dissatisfied."

"I can use magic to fix myself and make it worse for you, simultaneously," she panted, closing her eyes and trying to remind herself not to act rashly. "It's just supposed to be teasing. We can't... not yet..."

"Why not?" he asked, his breath ghosting over her ear. "You said you're not going to be with Damon anymore."

She tapped his arm to keep him from pinning her to the counter. "Speaking of Damon, I need to call him and talk things out now." She leaned back, purposely pressing her bottom against his groin, then walked off again.

Klaus stared at her in disbelief, but he was now smirking, thinking of how he'd get back at her in the future, once she was ready. He'd definitely try some edging— he expected she might not even know what that was. He imagined Damon wasn't the type to try such things.

Esmeray was smirking to herself, too, as she got back to her room. She felt safe enough around Klaus that she knew she could tease and get away with it. It made her laugh internally, knowing how annoyed he would be without relief. Perhaps, they already were in the friend stage. She wouldn't have dared to do that even just a week ago.

She sat on her bed, pulling out her phone and dialing Damon's number. It rang a few times before he picked up. "Need me to come get you?" he asked immediately.

"No, I think staying here is better," she said honestly. "I just think we need... to talk."

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Esmeray. Whether you believe it or not, I feel fucking terrible saying it, but I can't lie and pretend that it's going to be easy for me to get over Elena. You deserve better than someone who can't be fully committed to you."

"I understand," she told him, because it was true that she did. "You've known her longer, you've loved her longer. It hurts, I won't lie, but... I'm just glad I know the truth. Just please don't forget what I said, Damon. You are still my friend and I still worry that you're just setting yourself up for a toxic relationship. Even if she has feelings for you, I don't think she'll ever be fully committed to you, either. You deserve better."

"I don't deserve for you to be this nice to me. I was a dick. I took advantage of your kindness, I didn't set proper boundaries, I led you on and I call you one of my best friends and yet I don't take your advice. I've acted as if I'm just using you and that wasn't my intention. I'm sorry, Esme. Seriously."

She forced a laugh, trying to ignore the aching in her chest. "You sound like Caroline."

"Don't ever compare me to Blondie again."

"I just want you to be happy. And I want to be happy, too. And that was the deal... if it didn't work out, we'd still be friends, and we'd be happy with other people. I don't want there to be tension. Yes, I fell for you, and yes, getting over that is going to be hard, but I will always love you as my friend, as someone who helped me settle into this strange world after I was left alone."

There was a slight pause. "And I'll always love you as my friend," he said to follow along with her statement. "As the kind girl who helped me see good in myself, as the selfless yet very bratty little werewitch who gives good advice that I should probably follow... I just don't want Klaus to hurt you, Esme."

"I can take care of myself," she promised. "I'm being careful. He's given me everything I need for my ritual, Damon. He's gone above and beyond to ensure I can control both parts of myself, and that's been something very important to me. I can finally be free."

There was another moment of silence before Esmeray cleared her throat. "I um, have some spells I want to work on, so I'll let you go."

"Take care, Esmeray," said Damon gently. "I just... don't want him to be the death of you."

"He won't be," she promised before hanging up.