Clap, clap, clap.
That was what echoed through the Mikaelson house, and both Elijah and Klaus, who was still sitting on the floor, looked forward and saw—
It was Nik, leaning against a beam, clapping.
"Incredible, incredible," Nik praised as he kept clapping. "Go on, go on."
He cheered like a Corinthians fan after the team conceded a goal in the Libertadores.
"Nephew!" Rebekah appeared in front of him, all excited, and hugged him. "You came to visit us!"
Nik tried to break free, but couldn't, because Rebekah's grip was too strong and she had no intention of letting him go.
"No, I just came to watch the show," Nik joked, still trying—and failing miserably—to escape. "But it was pretty disappointing… Dad, weren't you supposed to be the mighty hybrid?"
Nik made a point of provoking Klaus, who was still sitting on the floor.
"Shut up, brat," Klaus growled, still seated, though his eyes showed no real hostility toward his son. "Why didn't you help me, since you were here?"
"Because you deserved that beating?" Nik replied bluntly.
"I agree," Rebekah laughed, still not letting him go.
"Aaahhhh, what happened here?" Hayley walked into the room, holding her head. "Why the hell is the living room destroyed?"
"Little wolf!" Nik shouted excitedly as he slipped out of Rebekah's grip and hugged Hayley. "How's my little sister in there?"
"Hey, don't call me little wolf," Hayley growled and tried to strike him, but Nik gently caught her hand.
"Careful, little wolf," Nik said calmly, his tone soft. "You could break your hand. I'm an Original like my father—my body is basically steel, and your healing is weaker because of your pregnancy."
"Hey, you shouldn't be flirting with her," Klaus growled, still keeping Elijah in his line of sight to avoid another beating. "You don't like it when I flirt with your girlfriend—and you have two of them."
"First of all, I am not your girlfriend," Hayley snapped at Klaus.
"Ew, no!" Nik shouted, covering his ears. "She's going to be the mother of my sister. I'm not a pervert like you, old man."
Nik made a show of it, but the truth was that he had been Hayley's son in another reality before being reborn in this one as Tessa's son.
So to him, that comparison was completely disgusting.
Klaus let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face as if he were tired… but not truly irritated.
"You talk too much," Klaus said, finally standing up. "You definitely got that from me."
Nik flashed a wide grin, clearly pleased.
"Of course I did," he replied, tilting his head slightly. "Someone had to inherit the family charm."
"Charm?" Rebekah let out a laugh. "You mean arrogance."
"Same thing, aunt," Nik shot back without missing a beat.
Hayley crossed her arms, still suspicious, but less tense now.
"I still want to understand why you walked in here like you were watching a show."
Nik looked around, examining the destroyed room.
"Because it looked like one," he said simply. "All it needed was popcorn."
Klaus rolled his eyes.
"Next time, instead of watching, you help."
Nik took two steps closer to him, a playful but provoking smile on his face.
"But then it wouldn't be fun," he replied. "Besides… you were doing well."
"Doing well?" Klaus raised an eyebrow. "I was winning."
"Of course you were," Nik agreed way too quickly. "In your own world."
Rebekah burst out laughing again.
Elijah simply watched, clearly entertained, though still perfectly composed.
"Fascinating," Elijah murmured. "The dynamic between you two is… surprisingly functional."
"Functional?" Hayley scoffed. "This looks like a circus."
"Thank you," Nik replied immediately. "I'm the main attraction."
Klaus stepped closer, now face to face with his son.
For a moment, it seemed like he was about to scold him…
But then he just gave a faint smirk.
"You talk like you're better than me."
Nik held his gaze without backing down.
"Not better," he said. "Just… an updated version."
Rebekah pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Here we go…"
Klaus let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"Updated?" he repeated. "Then tell me… does this 'new version' also know when to stop provoking?"
Nik thought for a second…
Then smiled even wider.
"No."
Klaus huffed, clearly holding back a laugh.
Hayley watched the two, now with a slight smile.
"Okay… I hate to admit it," she said, "but you two are basically the same."
"I know," Nik replied proudly.
"Unfortunately," Klaus added.
Rebekah crossed her arms.
"That explains a lot… and none of it is good."
Nik then looked back at Klaus, this time with a slightly lighter, almost sincere tone.
"Relax," he said. "If I wanted to take you down… I would've helped."
Klaus raised an eyebrow.
"How comforting."
"I'm a model son," Nik added, opening his arms.
"You're a problem," Klaus shot back immediately.
Nik shrugged.
"Got that from you too."
And this time…
Klaus didn't hold back his laugh.
The tension in the room finally broke, replaced by that kind of family chaos that, somehow…
worked.
Even though they hadn't known Nik for long, he was integrated into the family very quickly.
Maybe because blood really is thicker than water.
---+---
Elsewhere
"Did you feel that?" a blurred being asked in a fearful tone.
"Yes… he is here. The demigod," the kneeling man said to the shadowy figure.
"So much power, so much power," the dark being said. "Part god, part Original vampire… so much power… delicious power."
"And part witch?" the kneeling man asked.
"Inherited from his mother, Persephone, the goddess of dead monsters," the being said with complete confidence. "The one the spirits use as an excuse to flee."
"Shall we act?" the man asked.
"No, not yet. There are still many powerful beings out there. The Destroyer, the leader witch of the Hanzen who are trying to kill each other, the other Hanzen witch who goes by Mikaelson walking around switching bodies, and Persephone herself. But she is a goddess—she cannot interfere with mortals. Let the others kill each other, or let the Originals eliminate them… and then we act."
"They are nothing compared to you, my lady," the man said eagerly.
"Do not be foolish," the being replied. "These are beings far too powerful to ignore. We will wait."
"Yes, my lady," the man bowed his head, and the shadow vanished, leaving him alone in the temple.