A/N Thank you all for reading and reviewing!

"As you were."

Reaching out his to gesture for Lola to reseat herself on the couch, Klaus' motion came to an abrupt halt in mid-air when he noticed that Lola was already donning her coat.

Hand hovering over his chest, Klaus directed a wounded expression at her.

"Or am I not to be graced with your company today?"

Wringing her fingers, Lola teasingly rolled her eyes heavenward."You're 'graced' with my company every day."

"Nonsense."Klaus indignantly countered, pointing a knowing finger at her somewhat chidingly."Between minding Hope, your newfound friendship with Hayley, your sessions with Camille and, of course, your personal life, i've barely seen you."

"You know..."Fingers working on the buttons of her coat, Lola shrugged it off and folded it over the back of the couch."I'm beginning to think you don't have a lot of friends."

Pursing his lips to bite back a chuckle, Klaus ambled towards Lola who, as he drew nearer, had to tilt her head up to maintain his gaze.

"And i'm beginning to think Hayley's impudence is rubbing off on you."

"She's the bad influence?"Lola teasingly proclaimed, busying her fingers by toying with a tress and winding it around her pointer finger."Did you take yourself out of the equation?"

Tutting chidingly, Klaus shook his head and took another step closer to Lola. Only to swiftly retrace his step when he noticed he was beginning to loom over her.

"You look in great need of a drink."Klaus gently commented, coming off somewhat distracted while he scanned Lola from head to toe, noting how tense she still was."I know that I am."

Lola shifted in her spot, her smile losing a great deal of its momentum after she picked up on his tone. Still, she maintained it as well as she could.

Klaus cleared his throat, rubbing his hands together before slowly turning away."I could ask Elijah to make you a lovely cup of tea. According to Freya and Camille, he has a special touch that I just don't. Hayley insists on a certain brand of orange juice."

"I'm fine, thanks."Lola politely declined with a small smile, hands clamping down on her hips when playing with her hair wasn't enough to quell her anxiety."Camille. I should pay her."

Klaus was prompt to shake his head while she finally let herself take a seat on the couch. He waved his hand absently to dismiss her notion.

"Nonsense. Camille is indemnified plentiful for my sessions alone. Yours must seem like a breath of fresh air."Klaus declared while making his way over to the bar, looking over his shoulder at Lola with a half-smile."In my case, I've noticed my own have only prolonged over time."

"That's what happens when you live for a millennia."Lola murmured as she shifted to get comfortable, nestling back against the welcoming cushioning behind her."I'd need extended sessions if I could magically walk on four legs and relied on blood to live."

Klaus directed a deadpan glance over his shoulder at her, corner of his mouth twitching up into the beginnings of a smile. The sight eased some of her nervousness and urged her to let herself to be more at ease.

"Not all one's troubles need mended or seen to by an expert. Some troubles—if that is the word for it, mind you—are what drives a person."His tone lowering faintly, Klaus' brows drew together as he lost himself in thought."It makes them stronger. Resilient, if you ask me."

He snapped out his reverie when he noticed Lola moving out of the corner of his eye and quickly gathered his bearings.

"But..."Clearing his throat, Klaus forced a calm intonation to his voice."if you think otherwise, there are other ways to clear your mind."

Tucking her calf underneath her thigh, unbound other leg rocking to and fro, Lola's brows knitted together inquisitively.

"Really?"

"Yes."He looked over at her a second time over his shoulder. But, this time, a full smile curved at his mouth."Really."

"Okay. Then what do you recommend?"Lola asked with a shrug, eyes flitting over one of the many bars installed around the Mikaelson home before fixing on Klaus."That i turn to alcohol?"

Glasses clattering together as he took his time in choosing a certain brand, Klaus shook his head scoldingly at Lola with a shake of his head.

"Considering your intentions are to continue minding my daughter, part-time or not, I do not think that is the solution."Snatching up a tumbler after depositing a few blocks of ice inside, Klaus paused to decide on which drink he'd prefer before concluding."Maybe something more...suitable."

"Knitting?"Lola suggested with a quiet laugh, it slowly fading when Klaus chimed in with an amused chuckle."If I get really good really quick I could knit Hope some of those booties. She'd be going to college by the time I finish them, probably, but still..."

"Perhaps I could propose an alternative?"Klaus offered with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. He turned on his heel and made his way over to the couch, the glasses consequently forgotten."Inspiration, you could say."

Tilting her head with a curious twinkle in her eye, Lola's light hues followed his every step that led him towards her.

"May I?"Klaus quietly asked as he offered Lola a hand, motioning beckoningly with his pointer and middle fingers.

Peering up at Klaus inquisitively, Lola's pressed her lips together in a bid to resist questioning him. Her gaze darted between his proffered hand and his eyes, lingering in on his blue orbs in an attempt to read them.

"Okay."

Her boots meeting the ground with a dull clunk, Lola straightened on the sofa."Okay."

She took his offered hand with a light smile, shaking her head when he pulled her to her feet, eliciting a gentle titter from her. Lola spotted the reappearance of the smile he'd been wearing earlier when she stared up at him expectantly.

Tugging lightly on her hand as a request for her to follow him, Klaus turned and started off in the direction of the door.

"Come on."

Lola nodded in agreement and dutifully treaded on Klaus' heels as he led her out of the parlour, up the stair-box staircase that brought them to the second floor that Lola had once occupied a room on. They passed the aforementioned room, Hope's room, then Hayley's before ascending another staircase just before they reached Elijah then Freya's respective bedchambers with Klaus' room situated at the very end of the hall.

The third floor was part of the Mikaelson home Lola hadn't ventured, simply because there had been no need. Of course, she'd been curious when, after bidding Hope goodnight, or just by coincidence, she'd catch a glimpse of Klaus trudging up those stairs.

He'd remain up there for hours on end, and the rare times where she had crossed him in the hallway as he descended the stairs, his eyes were always aglow. The third floor seemed to be one of the few things in his life that gave him serenity.

Once they were halfway up the staircase, Lola couldn't help herself from thinking aloud.

"Where are we going?"Lola asked, tipping her head back in hopes to gauge where exactly he was taking her.

Measuredly reducing his steps once they reached the top of the stairs, Klaus awaited until Lola sidled up alongside him before looking at her.

"You'll see."He murmured, motioning to a nearby door of one of the many rooms."Come along."

Folding her arms across her chest when he let go of her hand, Lola fell into step beside him as made his way over to the door he'd gestured to. Turning the handle and pushing the door open, Klaus stepped aside and gestured for Lola to cross the threshold first.

He trailed behind her once she was inside, eyes fixated on her expression when it dawned on her what she was seeing.

"I have many sanctums. But home is where the heart is, as they say. When out there is too..."His mouth when he couldn't find the correct word, and Klaus shook his head."well, i come here."

Lola's eyes steadily took in the entirety of the room, studying the several easels positioned here and there, a few with blank canvases seated on them and others covered with sheets. The walls were just short of covered with mounted paintings, some belonging to Klaus she assumed but others not, going by the initials marked on the bottom. There was a large number of completed paintings, coupled with unfinished ones stacked along the wall, although a few canvases were just that with a few half-hearted streaks of paint.

Rubbing a hand over his stubble ruminatively, Klaus eyed her features carefully.

"Perhaps you can find some inspiration here?"

Recovering from her initial shock, Lola managed to tear her eyes away from what was around her long enough to look over at Klaus. A startled laugh escape when she heaved a heavy sigh, confusion etched across her face.

"This? Painting?"Lola queried, bewildered."You think painting is for me?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."Klaus responded, extending an arm to close the door behind them."But it is an alternative, that's all I suggested."

"Some are born with the gift of being able to paint. Others take yearsto learn."

"It's a commitment, yes. But I got the impression you wanted something to focus on. To take your mind off things."

Departing from Klaus' side as curiosity got the better of her, Lola made a move to wander further towards certain artwork that caught her attention. Only to come to a sharp halt as she realized that it wasn't her place to peek. She glanced over her shoulder at Klaus who, apparently catching onto her train of thought, motioned for her to carry on.

"Well, this onemight not have the patience for it,"Lola mumbled, lowering herself to a kneeling position by the particular painting that had garnered her focus.

Amazing. As if I could create something like this.

"You say this to someone who isn't quite known for his patience."Klaus softly called after her, hands meeting behind his back, his gaze scanning the stacks his artwork pensively."I find it comes naturally. It appears to be the same with Hope."

Fidgeting with her fingers again, Lola rose to her feet.

"Yes, well, we weren't all prodigies like you and Hope."She thoughtfully riposted, attention trained on the paintings at her feet."You're good."

"Good?"Klaus repeated with raised eyebrows, feigning offence."You insult me. I'll have you know that my work is hanging in deluxe places such as The Prado, Hermitage―"

"And i'll have you know that my finger painting got me a gold star."Lola remarked with a teasing smile, springing up on her tiptoes."I'm pretty sure my father still has it. In the big box of stuff, he keeps in the closet. He likes mementos."

"He is not the only one. I keep my own."Klaus rounded Lola, trailing off as he searched for a particular painting he had in mind."Like this. One of the momentous nights of my long existence."

Ahhing when he came upon the painting he'd been searching for, Klaus reached down and picked it up with an almost sentimental smile. Turning around to face her, Klaus made his way back over to Lola and offered her the painting.

"Wow."

The three-lettered word of awe was all the could exhale say once she had the masterpiece in her grasp. Her grip tightened on it once the felt tempted to brush her fingers across the vibrant moon at the top left side of the canvas.

"When was this?" Lola softly inquired, eyes searching for Klaus when the colors suddenly became bolder. His shadow vanished from the canvas when he abandoned his spot from in front of her.

"It's what I remember of the moon the night I broke my curse."

It was all it took within her to stop herself from jumping five feet in the air when she felt the susurration against her ear. For some odd reason, and just to confirm that he was still with her, Lola tried to catch sight of him out of the corner of her eye without turning her head—she failed. She, however, was assured of his presence when she felt a few strands of her black hair ticking her cheek as Klaus came up behind her, quietly apprising her of his story.

"It was at its apex, it had to be precise for it to take place and I remember feeling time that night. Hadn't felt time in...centuries."The faint, wondrous chuckle that emitted from the Original lowly resounded in her ear. The hyper-awareness of their proximity gradually started to make her feel suffocated."Seconds were minutes and minutes felt like hours."

Lashes fluttering against her cheeks, Lola swallowed thickly as an overfamiliar tremble rippled up her spine. She swallowed as the feeling of suffocation instantly followed behind the distinct sensation of zest. But she remained strong against it and, in her determination to quell how smothered she felt, Lola willed herself to focus on Klaus' storytelling, recalling at how at ease she used to find them.

"And, once it crest, I was in a state of sheer euphoria. But I remember the moon, I remember being illuminated underneath it as I was reunited with what had been denied me."

His recollection of one of the most significant moments in his life, how he vividly recounted the mitigation and the bliss he experienced once becoming whole once more lulled her into a state of tranquillity. Into a state of ease, as she'd hoped.

"In a thousand years of watching it, it shone brighter than I had ever seen it."Lola tilted her head to her left to allow him a better view of the painting when she sensed Klaus closing the distance between them to lean down over her shoulder."It was radiant."

A soft laugh spilled from her lips when she heard the smile in his voice.

Unconsciously straightening when she felt the press of his body behind her, Lola found herself naturally calm at the closeness. Excluding scattered moments and their most recent embrace, she hadn't felt such a way with him so near since before.

"It looks like it was. This is stunning."

Brow furrowing indignantly at the plain plaudit, Klaus glanced out of the corner of his eye at her features with feigned disapproval.

"You astound me."

Gently elbowing him at the comment, Lola made a show of rolling her eyes, gnawing on her lower lip to refrain from smiling.

"No, seriously it's really..."Holding out the painting to get a better look at it in all its glory, Lola shook her head in disbelief at the beauty."i can't come up with anything. I don't have your broad vocabulary. But it's even more than with the story behind it."

She turned her head to look at Klaus, pursing her lips sheepishly when her eyes scanned his profile. Detecting her stare, Klaus tore his eyes from the painting in her grasp and redirected his focus to the woman looking at him.

"Is it still considered a compliment if I can't come up with a word?"She murmured, momentarily startled again by how close they were.

She did her utmost not to squirm when a pang of delirium rushed through her when Klaus' voice dropped to a low, husky murmur. Lola was determined with everything she was to focus on the artwork in a bid to ignore the sensation.

"I find if one is at a loss for words it is, truly, the best kind of compliment."Klaus' lips curved up into a broad smile as he took the painting from Lola's hands, eyes drifting from her to the painting thoughtfully."And much appreciated if one values the opinion of the one who is speechless."

She deeply exhaled through her nose, her heart unrelentingly pounding against her ribcage. It was a losing game, however, because she knew without a doubt that Klaus heard it loud and clear.

There was no hiding from him.

"I could be of some help if you want. A mentor of sorts."Klaus hopefully suggested, leaning down to deposit the paining back where it belonged.

Lola's features lit up with light amusement, and she allowed herself to relax against Klaus when he retook his place behind her.

"Yeah? And what makes your brilliance so...brilliant?"

Lola felt the guffaw before it emitted from the hybrid, and she was unable to stop herself from chiming in. It was another familiar moment, one of those moments that were rare—one of those moments that had recently been far and few in between.

Klaus' laughter waned into a mellow sigh by Lola's ear, his temple lounging against the side of her head when he felt her eventually recline against him. His eyes dropped to her hands when he noticed movement. She was toying her fingers, an instinctive habit he'd caught on to her doing recently.

Thankfully, however, the motions weren't done with the same amount of nervousness as they had been when he'd encountered her earlier that day. Klaus, with another glance at Lola's still regaled expression, felt assured enough to reach around her and take her hands in his own.

"I happen to know, love—"

He heeded Lola as she bowed her head to look down while he untangled her hands from the other and when she regarded with that was taking place with a steady gaze, he continued.

"that my influence has kindled the ambition of some of the greats."His hands squeezed her own before they journeyed up her arms then down again."I only ask for some credit if you ever make a name for yourself."

His hands grasped her elbows, the pads of his fingers brushing back and forth unconsciously when he started to turn her around to face him.

"I, uh, don't think painting is my thing, Klaus."She rushed out, slowly shaking her head afterward."I'd be no good."

His hands immediately released her from his hold, and Lola's heart almost stopped. Still, she was resolved to turn and face him. And she did just in time to witness Klaus taking a wide step away from her. The swift absence of their proximity left her feeling exposed. Lola's words caught in her throat when Klaus inclined his head an inch, his eyes darting around and resolutely focusing anywhere but her.

"But—"

He cleared his throat with a stiff nod, briskly interjecting."I understand. I do. And you need to—you were on your way out, yes?"

Lola's shook her head more hastily this time, shakily inhaling."No. You didn't let me finish."

Klaus' features, which only moments ago had been open with felicity had promptly clouded over. There was nothing there. He put greater distance between them expeditiously, hand already reaching out to grab the handle. But, just before he could re-open the door to either request she leave or exit himself, Lola dashed over to him with a mutter of his name.

His movements ceased straight away when fingers laced around his wrist. Mouth set in a fine line, Klaus ground his teeth together to bite back whatever venom he'd usually hurl to maintain some sort of grasp on the situation.

"You didn't let me finish."She restated, pulling on his hand.

For one, fleeting moment he was prepared to shake her off but couldn't bring himself to, especially when her grip on him was so secure and waning. So, Klaus remained still and rooted in his spot, silently listening.

"I'd be no good at painting, but you are. The way this all comes together, it sounds nice."She motioned to the paintings around her with, Klaus' eyes tracking her.

Klaus blinked several times, thinking over her words and quickly coming to the conclusion that she wasn't rebuffing him. That wasn't a step back, this wasn't her pulling away because, instead, she was pulling him toward her.

Lola witnessed the tension drain from him all at once and, for some reason, it was is captivating. He rolled his shoulders back when the tightness eased off, and his clenched jaw loosened. Finally, he lifted his head to meet her gaze and, when he observed her eyes warming when he did, Klaus let himself indulge in the bliss he felt.

"Here's nice."Lola continued, teeth sinking into her lower lip.

Klaus swallowed thickly, not particularly favouring the long familiar rush of emotions that soared through him at once. Still, he didn't want them to completely fade because they warmed him and they were reflected in Lola's eyes. That alone was enough for him to at least appreciate them, and to indulge them. He was beginning to rely on them the longer he lingered in Lola's clasp.

"And i wouldn't be against sticking around for the process some time."She smoothly proposed, a smile arching on the corner of neutral painted lips.

Lola tilted her head up to ensure he kept their gaze when he let himself be pulled closer into her personal space.

"If you wouldn't mind."

He lifted his unoccupied hand to cup her cheek and was momentarily startled when Lola turned her head to nestle into his palm. He was incapable of resisting the smile that surfaced on his mouth, it accompanied by a hum of approval when Lola peered up at him questioningly.

"I suppose i wouldn't be against the presence. If you wouldn't mind, of course."

Thank you for reading!

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