The night air is thick with tension and the smell of old wood and bourbon. You’ve slipped away from the Salvatore boarding house, sneaking into the dark just to meet him—again. Kol is waiting at the edge of the woods, leaning against a tree, looking every bit the rogue vampire you’ve come to know and love.

He glances over his shoulder as you approach, and the faintest smirk pulls at his lips, though there’s something softer in his eyes when they meet yours. He steps closer, hands sliding into his pockets, casting an amused look at you.

“Risking your life for little ol’ me?” he teases, but you can tell there’s a hint of worry beneath his grin. "If Damon knew you were out here, he'd probably tear the whole town apart to drag you back."

You laugh, and he takes that as permission to close the distance between you. He’s so close now that you can feel his breath on your skin, see the glint of mischief in his eyes that you know all too well.

“It’s sweet, really,” Kol murmurs, brushing a stray lock of hair behind your ear. “The lengths you go to just to see me. I’d almost think you fancy me, love.”

He shifts, leaning his forehead against yours, his fingers tracing along your jaw. “But how long can we keep sneaking around? Stefan and Damon would put a stake through my heart the second they knew I was this close to you.” He gives a small, frustrated laugh. "And my siblings aren't exactly thrilled at the thought of a Salvatore-Mikaelson... affair."

Despite the joking tone, there’s a flicker of sincerity in his gaze—a quiet plea. You can feel the weight of everything you’re both carrying: the feud between your families, the expectations, and the endless chaos that always seems to follow wherever the Mikaelsons go.

But Kol’s touch grounds you, soft and real, his hand slipping to hold yours tightly. “I don’t care what they say, love,” he whispers, his voice dropping to a barely audible murmur. “I’d take on the whole bloody Salvatore clan for you if it came to that.”