The sun dipped below the horizon as Lucien and Katherine approached the mansion, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn.
Leo had reluctantly remained behind at the forest's edge, a massive guardian awaiting his master's return.
Lucien slowed his steps as they neared the glass doors leading to the living room. Something had changed within the house - new presences, powerful and ancient.
"They're awake," he murmured to Katherine.
Katherine's fingers tightened around his. "All of them?"
Lucien nodded, his expression growing serious.
"Ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be," she replied, her voice steady despite the centuries of fear these beings represented.
They stepped through the glass doors into the living room. The scene before them resembled a macabre renaissance painting - five immortals arranged in careful opposition, the air thick with tension.
Klaus and Elijah sat on opposite couches, their posture deceptively relaxed. Between them, on a third couch, sat three figures Lucien had seen only in the show before this.
Rebekah Mikaelson wore a blood-stained flapper dress from the 1920s, the once-elegant beadwork now dull and partially missing.
A dark crimson stain spread from the center of her chest where the dagger had pierced her heart.
Her blonde hair, styled in marcel waves popular a century ago, appeared flattened on one side from her long slumber.
Beside her sat Kol Mikaelson in early 19th century attire - a disheveled tailcoat with tarnished buttons and a loosened cravat hanging haphazardly around his neck.
His clothing bore the most blood of all, his shirt front completely saturated with centuries-old stains. His hands and forearms remained darkened despite obvious attempts to clean them.
At the end sat Finn Mikaelson, the eldest brother, dressed in archaic 11th century Norse-influenced clothing that appeared brittle with age.
Unlike his siblings who had made small adjustments for comfort, Finn remained exactly as he had been daggered, his posture rigid and formal despite his outdated appearance.
A bloodstain circled the point where the dagger had entered his heart.
All three newly awakened siblings had that distinctive gray pallor around their eyes and lips - the lingering effect of desiccation not yet fully faded despite recent feeding.
Lucien - not wanting to be vulnerable in front of these monsters, instantly activated his Force domain - an invisible field of concentrated power extending fifteen feet in every direction around him, one he had set the situation up for before leaving so that he can activate it instantly whenever he wanted.
Katherine felt the shift immediately, a subtle pressure against her skin like standing at high altitude. Since their connection in the forest, she was more attuned to Lucien's power than ever before.
Kol's - the wildest of the Mikaelsons - eyes locked onto Lucien, sensing something powerful, unfamiliar and dangerous.
The moment stretched for precisely three seconds before chaos erupted.
In a blur of vampire speed, he launched himself across the room toward Lucien's throat.
Klaus and Elijah reacted simultaneously - Klaus moving to protect Lucien, Elijah to restrain Kol. In the space of a heartbeat, Lucien's hand rose instinctively, red Force lightning crackling between his fingers.
The four froze: Klaus gripping Kol's throat from the side, Elijah holding Kol's shoulder from behind, Kol's hand inches from Lucien's neck, and Lucien's lightning-filled palm aimed directly at Kol's chest.
Katherine moved to a defensive position.
Silence filled the room, heavy and oppressive.
"Perhaps," Elijah finally said, his voice calm despite the tension, "we might all take a step back and approach this situation with more civility."
Kol's lips curved into a bitter smile, eyes never leaving Lucien's face. "Interesting pet you've acquired, Nik. It has teeth."
Klaus's grip tightened around Kol's throat. "Attempt to touch my son again, and you'll find yourself back in that box before you can blink."
"Son?" Kol's eyebrows rose, genuine surprise breaking through his mask of disdain.
"Lucien," Elijah addressed him directly, "I would appreciate if you could disperse that rather alarming electrical display. I assure you, Kol will behave himself." This last part was delivered with a pointed squeeze to Kol's shoulder.
Lucien hesitated, glancing briefly at Klaus. The lightning continued to dance between his fingers, casting red shadows across their frozen faces.
"Lucien," Katherine said softly from behind him.
After another moment, Lucien slowly lowered his hand.
The lightning dissipated, though the air remained charged with its residual energy. His Force domain, however, remained active - an invisible shield against further surprises.
Klaus gradually released his grip on Kol's throat. Elijah eased his hold on Kol's shoulder but maintained contact as a precaution.
Kol stepped back with theatrical grace, straightening his blood-stained clothing as if he'd merely been interrupted during a pleasant conversation.
"Well," Rebekah broke the silence, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "the family isn't back together five minutes and hell's already breaking loose. Some things never change."
Finn remained seated throughout the confrontation, just watching.
A servant appeared in the doorway, his face carefully blank despite the standoff he'd just witnessed. "Dinner is served, sir," he announced to Klaus.
"Perfect timing," Klaus replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Shall we?"
The group was silent for a long moment, before they all moved to the formal dining room where an ornate table stretched beneath a crystal chandelier.
Klaus took his place at the head, gesturing for Lucien to sit at his right hand - a position of honor not lost on anyone present.
Elijah settled at the opposite end, maintaining the balance of power.
Rebekah, Kol, and Finn arranged themselves along the sides, each maintaining careful distance from the others.
Katherine remained standing behind Lucien's chair, uncertain of her place in this dangerous gathering.
Servants began bringing elaborate dishes.
The rich aromas of roasted meats and spiced vegetables filled the air, a pretense of normal family dinner maintained through centuries of practice.
Lucien noticed Katherine standing behind him and frowned - not liking it. "Sit down," he told her, gesturing to the empty chair beside him.
Katherine hesitated, aware of her historical status as an enemy of this family.
"Katherine," Lucien repeated more firmly, "sit down."
She remained frozen, eyes darting between the Original siblings, calculating risks - not only for herself, but Lucien too, since contract or not, she did not trust Klaus, especially since she now had someone she loved - Lucien, who she feared for more than anyone.
Klaus watched the interaction with amused interest.
"Katerina," Klaus finally said, his voice light but carrying unmistakable authority, "you may join us if that's what my son wishes. Apparently, he considers you worthy of dining with alongside the family."
At the word "son," Rebekah's fork paused halfway to her mouth. Finn's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes narrowed slightly.
Kol who had already heard Nik before and Elijah who already knew the story were the only ones who didn't react - as the other two were still recovering their hearing strength when the stand off happened.
Katherine slowly pulled out the chair and sat, maintaining dignified posture despite her discomfort. A servant immediately appeared with an additional place setting, treating her with the same deference shown to the Originals.
Silence fell as food was served, the clink of silver against fine china the only sound for several long moments. The siblings studied Lucien with varying degrees of curiosity and calculation.
Rebekah was the one to break the silence. "So, Nik," she said, setting down her wine glass, "exactly how long have we been boxed up because of your damn stab happiness this time? What century are we in now?"
Klaus smiled indulgently at his sister. "It's 2001, Rebekah. You've been daggered since 1922 - a mere blink compared to some." His gaze flickered meaningfully toward Finn.
Rebekah's grip on her knife and fork tightened, but she bit the inside of her cheek and said nothing - wondering about Stefan, and how he was now.
"And me - my memories are kinda fuzzy, like bloody always?" Kol asked, pushing food around his plate without eating.
"You since 1821. A necessity after your little... feeding frenzy nearly brought Mikael down upon us."
Kol shrugged, unrepentant. "I was bored."
Kol leaned forward, elbows on the table in deliberate violation of etiquette. "What I'm more curious about is the 'why' of this family reunion." His gaze swept the table. "Even dullard Finn has been undaggered, and he's been boxed for over nine centuries."
At this, Finn's hands clenched the edge of the table hard enough to crack the wood. A piece splintered off in his grip, falling to the floor with a soft thud.
His eyes burned with nine centuries of repressed rage, his jaw clenched so tightly the tendons stood out like cords.
"Kol," Elijah interjected smoothly, "perhaps a touch more tact would be appropriate. Our brother has been through quite an ordeal." He turned to Finn, his voice softening. "Finn, I understand your anger. None of us can truly comprehend what you've endured."
Finn remained silent, visibly struggling to maintain composure. The piece of table in his hand crumbled to dust between his fingers.
"Now that Kol mentions it," Rebekah said, studying Klaus with narrowed eyes, "I'm curious too. What are you planning, Nik? You never do anything without an agenda."
Klaus set down his wine glass and leaned back in his chair. Without a word, his eyes transformed - the blue irises giving way to a brilliant gold, the veins beneath darkening against his skin.
The siblings stared in collective shock.
Kol broke the silence with a laugh - not of joy but understanding. "So that's the reason. You finally broke the curse."
"Indeed I did, brother," Klaus confirmed, his eyes returning to normal. "After a thousand years, I am finally whole."
"How?"
The single word from Finn startled everyone. It was the first he'd spoken since awakening.
Kol turned to him with mock surprise. "Well, this is refreshing. I'd almost forgotten your voice, brother."
Finn ignored him, gaze fixed on Klaus, waiting for an answer.
Elijah set down his utensils. "Perhaps I can explain." He gestured toward Lucien. "Our brother's curse was broken through rather... unconventional means. Lucien here possesses a unique ability."
"What kind of ability?" Rebekah asked, her interest piqued.
"He can erase things from existence," Elijah explained carefully. "Particularly, in this case, magic. He made a deal with our brother, and in exchange for his desire, he removed our mother's spell binding Klaus's werewolf side. And as you have all heard, Klaus has... taken the boy in. Though Lucien isn't the most... enthusiastic about it."
The siblings stared at Lucien, their gazes now intense.
"He erased mother's magic?" Kol demanded, his voice rising. "As in... completely removed it from reality?"
Elijah nodded. "That is my understanding, yes."
Kol slammed his hand down on the table hard enough to crack the polished surface. "You're telling me he can erase magical properties?" His eyes burned with desperation. "Are you certain?"
Elijah opened his mouth to respond, but Klaus cut him off.
"Don't get any ideas, Kol," Klaus warned. "Lucien is my son, and like any father, I have authority over how his powers are used. When and where. And I have no interest in helping you with your delusion of regaining magic through his abilities."
"Shut up, Nik," Kol snapped, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.
The table fell silent. Even Rebekah looked surprised at the direct challenge.
Playful insults were fine, but challenging Klaus's authority was... Reckless wouldn't even begin to describe it.
Kol turned to Lucien, leaning forward with intense focus. "Elijah just said Klaus is forcing you to be here, right, kid? I'll help you escape in exchange for something simple - destroy the attribute of vampirism that prevents me from using magic."
Lucien's expression revealed nothing. He opened his mouth to respond.
"You're getting quite bold, brother," Klaus interrupted, his voice dangerously soft. "Blatantly attempting to separate me from my son for your own needs, right in front of me? Do you seriously think I won't dagger you again?"
Kol's smile was razor-sharp. "Everyone has something in their life they would do anything to get, especially if they had it and lost it. For me, it's magic." He shrugged. "Besides, who says I'm being bold? It's not like I'd be alone."
He turned to face Rebekah. "Sister dear, think about it. Lucien here could give you back your ability to have children by destroying what prevents it."
Rebekah's breath caught, her eyes widening as she looked at Lucien with the same desperate look Kol had adorned the moment Elijah's explanation finished.
Kol turned to Finn. "And brother, just like me, you yearn for magic. The boy here can give it back to you as well. Hell, maybe he can destroy our need for blood too. We would no longer be the monsters you despise us as."
Finn's rigid posture shifted slightly, the first hint of interest breaking through his cold facade.
"And Elijah," Kol continued, turning to his second oldest brother, "Lucien could most likely make it so none of us can be daggered again, by destroying that weakness. No more family separations on Nik's whims."
Elijah's expression remained carefully neutral, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of consideration.
Klaus sat with his hands folded before him, watching as Kol systematically turned his entire family against him.
His face revealed nothing, but the slight tightening of his jaw betrayed his growing anger.
Katherine's hand found Lucien's beneath the table, her fingers intertwining with his in silent support.
The tension in the room had become almost unbearable, the air heavy with centuries of resentment and new possibilities.
Lucien looked around the table, seeing the naked desire in each Original's eyes - not for him, but for what he could give them.
Freedom from their individual curses.
Release from their personal hells.
Klaus's gaze met his, and for a brief moment, Lucien glimpsed something unexpected behind the hybrid's mask of control - not just anger at being challenged, but genuine concern that Lucien might be swayed by these offers.
Then the Hybrid's gaze turned from him and swept the others.
"I'm going to give you all one chance. One chance to control yourselves. Fail to heed it… and I promise you, even an eternal daggered sleep will seem merciful compared to what I'll do."
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter.
Do tell me how you found the Family Reunion.
I hope you all liked it.
Do tell me what you think will happen?
Will Lucien take Kol's offer? If not - why?
Well, I'm interested in your thoughts.
Hope to see you all later,
Bye!)