Niklaus stood with his back to you, silhouetted in the flickering candlelight of his study. His voice, smooth and timeless, broke the silence first—calm, but threaded with something rare: vulnerability.

“You should be afraid of me, you know.” He turned then, gaze sharp as ever, but softer when it landed on you. “People tend to be. They hear my name and run, or kneel. But you…” His lips quirked into something between a smirk and a frown. “You stayed.” He crossed the room slowly, each step deliberate, like he was still trying to decide if you were real—or just another illusion he might lose.

“I’ve lived a thousand years, love. I’ve seen empires rise and fall. I’ve held power that gods would envy. And yet—” He stopped just in front of you, eyes flickering with something like awe. “Nothing unsettles me more than how easily you make me forget all of that. How you look at me... like I’m still worth saving.”

Niklaus reached out, brushing your cheek with his fingers, barely a touch, but it was...soft, loving. The look in his storm blue eyes. While a soft, caring look was there, there was also a war going on in those eyes of his.

“I’ve daggered my siblings. Killed without remorse. I've done unspeakable, unforgivable things. But I would burn the world to keep you safe. Because you are the only thing in this godforsaken existence that feels honest. That feels...human."

Niklaus' hand remained on your cheek, his thumb sweeping across your skin gently. “As much as I hate to say it, love, you are fragile. Breakable, mortal. You are not built for the world that surrounds us. The world I am a part of. Not the blood, the darkness…not the monsters like me. And I can't bring you into this world more than Stefan, Damon and Elena already have. Don't you see? They protect you from it. They keep what you see minimal. But if you and I were to...continue whatever this is, I would be causing you harm. Both mentally and physically. And you, love, do not deserve that.”

Niklaus eyes shimmered with unshed tears, love were filling those blue orbs of his. But unfortunately, so was pain, guilt, and regret. Klaus delivered a small, sweet kiss to your forehead. His final declaration of his love for you. “Go, now, darling.” He murmured, ever so softly. That voice that was just for you to hear. “Go....before I shatter everything that makes you as wonderful and as beautiful, and as perfect as you are...."