A/N: This started as a oneshot gift for Capesandlace during the Bonnie Bennett CommUNITY Week on Tumblr and then developed into an entire sprawling AU. Huge thanks to my beta-bae Cait for helping me plot Klaus, Bonnie and Elijah's emotional journeys, to thefudgeisgrumpy for letting me spam her with Bonlijah feels, to Annie for her summarizing skills, and last but not the least Alia (theblacksmithsdaughter) for helping me edit. I've already written the entire fic so y'all wont be left hanging! Please be warned this is an OT3 endgame fic with a side of Klaus x Elijah (so incest, essentially) and decide accordingly whether to proceed. This is my first OT3 fic and my first time writing Bonlijah and Klelijah so please leave feedback as you're able :)

Capesandlace: I hope you enjoy this combination of two of your OTPs.

To the rest of the Bonnie Bennett fandom: wishing you a Happy Winter Solstice and a beautiful, brilliant New Year!

~o~o~

"but then what kind of scale

compares the weight of two beauties

the gravity of duties

or the ground speed of joy?

tell me what kind of gauge

can quantify elation?

what kind of equation

could i possibly employ?" - Ani DiFranco

New Orleans, Present Day

The ring grew warm in her palm. Hand-carved platinum with the wolf-and-bird crest Klaus had created for the Mikaelsons.

Bonnie wondered if Elijah would notice if she slipped it on. She shook her head internally. Of course he would, he never missed anything.

At the sound of his echoing footsteps she hastily shut the ring in her jewelry box. Elijah appeared in her gilt-framed vanity mirror, immaculate as always in a dark suit. His emerald green tie matched her silk evening dress.

She stood, gathering her clutch, "Are they asleep?"

She loved the twins more than life itself but bedtime was Elijah's responsibility. "Yes, at long last. Mirah drives a hard bargain, no less than three stories in exchange for an early bedtime. Mateo, predictably, fell asleep halfway through the first one," he adjusted his cufflink as he spoke, but even his carefully modulated voice couldn't mask the affection underneath.

"That's because she's been eavesdropping on our council meetings again," Bonnie said, checking her earrings and slipping on gold stilettos. Silk whispered around her ankles as she turned, "I'll use a soundproof spell next time...," she trailed off, noticing his stare, "what?"

A slow half-smile graced his face, "Forgive me, I was simply admiring the vision you make in that dress."

Normally, she would've returned the compliment, perhaps adjusted his tie, kissed him so he'd have to stain his handkerchief wiping her lipstick off. But she didn't feel normal today. She instinctively thumbed the bare finger on her left hand. Elijah had never given her a ring, and she'd never asked. It was a tacit agreement between them.

Her husband walked slowly to her side, grazing her cheek with his fingertip, "What troubles you?"

His voice was deep and soft like velvet, his broad shoulders towering above her even while she was wearing heels. She wanted to sway into him, feel his powerful arm around her while she rested on his chest. Elijah, her lighthouse in the storm.

Bonnie bit her lip, "It's nothing. I'll meet you downstairs."

She brushed past him and out their room. He knew, of course. He had to know. There were no secrets between them, just silences waiting to be broken.

Mystic Falls, 8 years ago

Bonnie surveyed the ballroom of the Mikaelson manner with satisfaction. Fairy lights, red silk banners and fresh-cut wreaths adorned the space. The guests would soon arrive, vampires, werewolves, the remnants of the Founders and even a few humans, to celebrate the end of the Heretics and the restoration of their small town. She exhaled slowly at the thought. This was the first time she was facing Mystic Falls writ large since she'd left for New Orleans. Sure, she'd helped save the little town, again. But people could be fickle with their saviours, especially when they arrived on the arms of a former enemy.

"Feeling nervous are we?" Klaus came up behind her, reading her thoughts like he always did.

"A little," she admitted, turning around in her floor-length blue dress, "hey, where's your suit?"

He made an exaggerated face and pulled her into his arms, "I don't see why I have to put on a bloody tie to meet the Guild of Village Idiots," he bent to kiss her neck, slowly, lingering over her pulse, "I'd much rather help you out of this dress."

"Klaus..," she protested, but not very convincingly, because in a flash he'd whisked her upstairs to their bedroom. She stumbled a bit in her heels and fell against his shoulders.

"You know I hate vamp-speed," she complained, feeling slightly dizzy. Her motion sickness was a real thing. He'd made the mistake of blurring her somewhere once after a night of drinking and she'd thrown up all over his shirt. Klaus being Klaus had teased her mercilessly until one day she hit him with a stomach turning spell resulting in blood all over Elijah's antique rug.

"My apologies, love," he walked her towards a plush chair and carefully pulled her onto his lap. She curled up into him while he stroked her hair, suddenly tired and grateful for his arms around her. The last few weeks dealing with the Heretics had taken more out of her than she realized.

"Do you think they're really gone?" she murmured, toying with one of his beaded necklaces.

"I quite clearly remember you eviscerating them with a flick of your wrist."

"It took a bit more than that," she remarked, dryly, knowing his casual comment contained a deep reverence for her power. "And now what?"

"Back to New Orleans, love. Some loose ends need tying up."

Bonnie raised her head, instantly on alert, "Klaus-,"

"It's not what you're thinking, love."

"It's Tristan isn't it?" she didn't even bother pretending to consider his bluff, "you promised me-,"

"That I would protect you," he grasped her cheek and aligned their gazes so she could see the vehemence of his words. She knew that look. "whatever the cost. And that means taking Tristan out once and for all."

Once upon a time that look in his eyes would've elicited a very different reaction from her. Once upon a time she would've run from this kind of ruthless determination. Now she was drawn to it like to a harbor on a stormy night.

Touching his hand she leaned into the touch. "Don't underestimate him. He's a snake, and we have no idea what he's been doing all this time."

"Trust me, darling," he murmured against her jaw, "Elijah and I have a plan, a very clever one too."

Bonnie sighed, "Great. Another installment of The Hardy Boys."

Klaus raised an amused eyebrow, "I think it's you doing the underestimating love."

"I just don't want things to get crazier than they already are," she protested, "You and Elijah get this thing about family and loyalty and you don't know when to stop. I-," he covered her mouth with his, kissing her coaxingly, rubbing slow circles into her back. She shivered in her flimsy dress.

"You can't kiss away my arguments," she mumbled.

"No harm in trying."

"Klaus...,"

He touched their foreheads together so his eyes filled her whole world, "I promise you, when this is over I'll lay New Orleans at your feet like cloths of gold."

And just like that she was light-headed again. Klaus had that effect on her.

She didn't know then how it would all come crashing down. How patient gravity could be.

New Orleans, Louisiana, 4 years ago

Elijah pulled out her chair and tucked her into her seat. She observed him as he sat down across from her. He wore a navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt, collar open, no tie. Casual, for Elijah.

"This place is deserted," she glanced around the plush little Italian bistro.

"Yes I urged the owner to close to the public tonight."

She raised an eyebrow, "Urged?"

"He found my reasons quite compelling."

"Of course," she looked down at her menu. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten at a restaurant. Taking care of twins while simultaneously navigating the supernatural politics of New Orleans didn't leave her much leisure time.

"I'd recommend the gnocchi di ricotta. The chef uses an old family recipe."

Her stomach rumbled, giving her away. "Sorry. Haven't had anything to eat since breakfast."

Concern furrowed his brow, "Are you unwell?"

"No, no," she added quickly, then admitted, "just tired."

She had to drop her gaze from his dark-eyed one. Elijah always made her feel like she was transparent as glass. His fingers brushed her hand, the lightest touch, and she looked up.

"What if I looked after the children this weekend? You could drive to Mystic Falls and see your friends."

"That's...," Bonnie opened and closed her mouth, bowled over by his offer, "...that's sweet but I couldn't do that to you. There's still so much going on and-" It wasn't just the gargantuan task of taking care of twin one-year-olds with budding magic, or dealing with the aftermath of the bloodline war that Lucien and the Strix, but with Klaus gone all the supernatural factions in New Orleans were vying for power.

Elijah laid his next to hers and caressed her knuckles, his touch still feather-light but warm and reassuring. "When was the last time you had a full night's sleep?"

She sighed, managing a smile, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."

"So you'll take the weekend to yourself?"

"I don't think-,"

"Are you worried I won't know my way around diapers and midnight feedings?"

She cracked a grin at that, "You sure you want spit-up on those Armani suits?"

"My clothes have seen worse wear, I assure you."

She relented and they ate their dinner in almost comfortable silence. The weekend rolled around and although she was hard pressed to part with her babies, her mood lightened once she was driving down the highway with the wind in her hair. Caroline was thrilled by her visit and they spent the weekend getting their nails done, watching bad movies and eating ice cream in their pajamas.

Bonnie got back to New Orleans late on Sunday. An unexpected road closure had set her back and she burst into the house expecting all manner of chaos awaiting her.

It was quiet.

"Elijah?" she walked slowly past the foyer and into the dining room. The kitchen, she noticed, was scrupulously clean.

No one answered. Mild panic started to set in. She should never have left town. Elijah could take care of himself but there were so many people who wanted to get their hands on her children, and after what happened to Klaus, well, she no longer believed anyone invincible.

Heart pounding she rounded the corner into the living room and stopped in her tracks.

Elijah lay prone on the couch in his pants and dress shirt, eyes closed. Mateo was sleeping facedown on the Original's chest, held carefully in place. Mirah was sprawled across his leg, holding tight to his left foot. Play doh, pacifiers and stuffed animals littered the floor around them.

A slow smile spread across her face at the serene tableau. Moving carefully between the scattered toys, she picked up a blanket and carefully covered all three of them. Elijah's eyes opened slowly and his jaw moved in a half-smile. "Welcome back."

"You realize you can't move for the next six hours right?"

He gave a slight shrug, careful not to disturb Mateo. "I have already accepted my fate. If you find yourself hungry," Elijah continued, "there is gnocchi in the fridge."

"Now this I could get used to."

Their eyes met and a contemplative look crossed his face. " It was gone as quickly as it appeared and he closed his eyes.

"Goodnight, Bonnie."

"Goodnight, Elijah."

Verbier, Switzerland, 5 years ago

"I wish I could go skiing," Bonnie grumbled from her position on the plush chair.

Klaus gave her swollen foot an affectionate squeeze, "Not with these little things."

She kicked his hand, and pointed at her hugely pregnant belly "This is all your fault, you know."

"And I will spend all night begging for your forgiveness," he bent to kiss the corner of her mouth.

"That's what got us into this mess," she murmured.

This holiday was a last minute surprise. She was only a few weeks away from delivering twins - a pregnancy they'd neither expected nor prepared for but welcomed as a miracle - and Klaus had insisted on whisking the whole family off to Switzerland for a last hurrah before they were elbow-deep in diapers and witch-hybrid baby shenanigans (whatever those were). Bonnie had protested at first: things were still tense in the Quarter even after they'd destroyed the alliance between Tristan, Lucien and Aurora. She'd helped imprison Aurora and Lucien in magical tombs, but Tristan had escaped and fled the country.

She grabbed his collar and pulled Klaus into a kiss. He tasted of brandy and cloves. When they pulled apart she noticed Elijah standing in a corner of the room, wearing his ski gear and discreetly averting his eyes.

"I am ready when you are, Niklaus."

Klaus rolled his eyes good-naturedly, "Coming, brother."

"Break a leg," she called out.

Klaus blew her a kiss while Elijah nodded stiffly. Klaus had somehow convinced his older brother to join them on this holiday. Elijah seemed even more severe and formal than Bonnie remembered, and she wondered if he was one of those straight-laced dudes who got uncomfortable around pregnant women.

Hours went by and the brothers didn't return. Then, a sudden blizzard swept down the mountainside. When Bonnie called and their phones went straight to voicemail, even Rebekah started to worry. Night came and went. Her back ached and her temples throbbed but Bonnie didn't leave the couch.

She tried locator spell after spell but each time the map frosted over. There was something malevolent in the blizzard, something blocking her magic.

Rebekah finally agreed to go out in search of them after Bonnie pleaded and pleaded that she'd be fine alone for a few hours. By the time her sister-in-law returned Bonnie had bitten her nails down to the quick and her back was spasming in pain.

She hurried to the door as it flew open. Rebekah stumbled in, supporting Elijah on her shoulder.

He was ashen, and there was a look of devastation on his usually stoic face that shook Bonnie to the core.

"Where's Klaus?"

Bekah approached, "Bonnie, sweetheart, sit down-,"

She repeated her question, quieter this time, looking straight at Elijah.

"Where is he?"

New Orleans, 6 years ago

She was twirling in her flowy clementine dress, her vision full of golden lights, laughter spilling from her lips. Klaus pulled her back to him and kissed her hungrily. Her arms entwined his neck.

"Again," she said breathlessly and he obliged, spinning and releasing her so she flew across the floor on bare feet. She didn't even care about being dizzy.

On her second or third spin she caught sight of Elijah standing in the doorway and, floating up to him, flashed him a brilliant smile. "Come dance."

It was the wine from her and Klaus' Bonding ceremony talking as well as the giddy happiness of having New Orleans - their city - back. Bonnie was so full of joy she didn't want to waste a single drop.

Elijah's gaze travelled up her extended arms to rest on her face before giving a quiet smile, "Thank you, but I must be leaving."

"Oh." Klaus had told her Elijah was heading out of the country for a while. She'd almost forgotten. "In that case, safe travels." And with a breezy kiss to his cheek she was off, swirling back into Klaus' arms.

Klaus entwined their fingers so she could spin. Once. Twice. Her hair came loose from its bun and tumbled across her shoulders. She noticed Elijah still lingering by the door. There was a strange, wistful expression on his face that she'd never seen before and it struck her that he was committing this scene to memory, though for what purpose she couldn't know. One last turn and she collapsed, giggling, against Klaus' chest, and before she could protest he'd lifted her into the air for another dizzying whirl.

When her feet touched the floor she barely noticed Elijah was gone.

New Orleans, Present Day

"Would someone tell me what's going on?" Bonnie strode into the house, curls flying. She'd been busy meeting with a new witch coven downtown when she got the message to return to the mansion. She'd called Elijah and Rebekah but neither of them would say anything.

"Bonnie," Elijah strode quickly forwards, taking her arm, "you need to sit down."

Her mouth went dry. "Is it the twins?"

"The twins are fine," Elijah took her other elbow in his hand, his touch firm but gentle as always "they're both napping upstairs."

"Then what-,"

Words died in her throat. A figure was emerging behind Elijah's shoulder. She knew that silhouette, that sauntering walk, the arms hanging careless. She knew them like her own reflection.

Bonnie tried to speak but she couldn't feel her extremities.

"Hello, love."

The world went black.