It had only been a week.

A week since, as Tomei liked to refer to it as "it all going down with that Gerard prick and that teenage lizard" and Violeta could understand her abuela's insistance. Before, Violeta was so angry, so full of rage at how her grandmother was so... done with living after Joey died. It was as if the concept of life no longer interested her. And after a week of the bond with Stiles, Violeta could understand.

For example, since sleeping in the same bed with Stiles... there was no way Violeta could part with him and sleep in a different bed. And she was glad he thought the same thing.

Of course Noah was a bit hesitant at first but after seeing how they interacted, it almost felt wrong to say no. Stiles and her standing in the kitchen as Stiles awkwardly rambled about how "would it be okay if Violeta stayed the night and not on the couch but in my room but the door would be open not that we'd be doing anything wrong we're just gonna be sleeping together-- in the bed, sleeping as in asleep sleeping. Unconscious sleeping. Not sleeping as in--"

"Yes, yes-- just stop talking." Noah had interrupted him. But he had agreed not to get his son to stop talking, but because anyone staring at the two of them could see. If Stiles moved, Violeta moved. And the other way around. It was a clear, yin-yang of sorts. Stiles was rambling nervously and Violeta was rubbing comforting circles on his inner wrist. Violeta was looking faraway up at the ceiling, clearly somewhere else and Stiles was tapping her at the moment she needed to re-engage with the conversation. The pair were definitely linked by something. Even those who weren't in the know with the supernatural could tell.

Noah had done a bit of snooping. After they had gone to bed, Violeta pressing a kiss to Stiles head the moment he started nodding off after dinner and his son had only responded with, "Yeah." And pulled her off the couch before saying goodnight to his father. Noah had stayed about half an hour or so downstairs, pretending to watch TV. He then crept upstairs and peeked in the door that was, indeed, open to see Violeta curled up beside Stiles. Her hood was up, covering her hair and her back was to Stiles, the 'bigger spoon' who had his arm around her. However, his head was dipped down, nesting between her shoulder and neck. It almost didn't look comfortable.

Noah recalled the first morning and how Violeta had woken up before Stiles. He'd been up before the two and had sat with his coffee and morning paper. Violeta had trudged down and after an awkward moment where Noah reminded in a lame joke that "mi casa su casa" Violeta prepared her own coffee and some toast.

Not even a full minute passed - Violeta had just put the toast in the toaster - and they both heard the sounds of Stiles coming downstairs. He was half-asleep, rubbing his barely open eyes. Yawning, he ignored his own father and went straight to Violeta. He wrapped his arms around her from the back. The toast came out at that exact second and Violeta held it up over her shoulder for him to take a bite. No spread on it - just as Stiles liked.

Noah felt the need to look away. For some inexplicable reason, the very innocent, albeit cute moment, seemed too intimate for his foreign eyes.

Violeta and Stiles continued on this way for the next week or so until Tomei's 'house party.' Tomei had invited everyone - even Peter - over to their house for a BBQ. For Tomei, it was long overdue. Violeta should feel like she could have her family around her at home and stop punishing herself.

Which, by the way she was around Stiles, Violeta had evidently done so.

She cooked extra dinner to take to the Sherrif's office. She sat on the bleachers while Stiles and Scott practiced lacrosse. She sat with Stiles' head in her lap as she listened to Scott ramble about Allison. She walked into D-Bo or UG's house parties hand-in-hand with Stiles. Violeta asked Tomei where some piece of clothing was until she realised she'd left it at the Stilinski's. She even went to the gym with Stiles once and Tomei had smiled at Violeta coming and recounting Stiles' adventures training arms.

It was something Tomei had wanted for Violeta for a long time. To have everyone close to her, close to them, around. A Vin Diesel Fast n Furious moment of sorts. So she invited everyone around. It was the tradition. Now that Violeta had her soulmate and could fully ascend to the Head, it was time to have everyone around to acknowledge it and establish bonds and relations. The funeral wasn't enough.

As such, Violeta had spent the day greeting the odd supernatural creature and their fellow associates. Intermittent through playing Mario Kart with Stiles, of course.

Alas, Tomei had spent the day answering the door to vampires, witches, werewolves, hunters, hybrids, mages and the likes. Stefan Salvatore had passed by - with some human he was in love with Edward Cullen style. There were those two hunter brothers that Violeta had lunch with and who could forget that guy with the really, really, really odd hat.

It had gotten to the evening and Tomei could finally let out a deep breath. She had mentally prepared for the idea of him arriving but even though he was someone who liked to show up late as some display of his power there was no way he would now--

"I daresay it's been a while, love."

Tomei had been taking the shells of prawns (de-shelling? de-prawning?) when she heard that voice. That English accent that belonged to a certain someone she wished would die.

Even if he couldn't.

Like, sure an ordinary stake wouldn't work on an Original but, heck, surely a bazooka would? It happened on Buffy!

"I forget the whole invite to walk in thing doesn't happen in a house with a Rodriguez." Tomei sighed.

"Need a hand?"

"No."

"I'm very handy."

"Do you laugh when your phone battery hits 69%?" Tomei asked, turning around to face one Klaus Mikaelson in the eye. In his stupidly beautiful blue eyes. He looked every bit the same. Dressed like a tortured artist - although that did fit the bill - with blonde curls that, yes, she had to admit did get the girls. Although it was shorter than she'd seen it before. Other than that, was the exact same, no new wrinkles, no new tan, no weight fluctuation - nothing.

Her on the other hand? Ha.

"My apologies that I couldn't make the funeral." Nik said. Tomei only turned around and went back to what she was doing. Annoyingly, he rolled up his sleeves and started helping her out.

"Please don't."

"It's alright, love. Other than the fact that abuela Maria was a well respected Head whose advice and help was always much appreciated, I should've been there for you." He said the last part with that Niklaus intensity, looking her deep in the eyes and, normally, Tomei would've gotten lost in his eyes.

But they were both holding slimey prawns.

Which was what she had been talking about in the first place.

"... I meant about the prawns. You don't have to help with the prawns."

"I want to."

Tomei sighed, knowing it was better than to argue with him. Besides, Klaus de-prawning prawns was a pretty funny sight to see. A big bag Original hybrid struggling to take the shell of fish? Priceless. It also meant that he wouldn't snoop around her house and try to piece together what happened in the past three years since she's last seen him. Besides, it wasn't like anyone else was here. Violeta was off with Stiles somewhere, Noah was getting new gas for the BBQ and Melissa was running late with Scott.

And Derek was probably being melodramatic Great Gatsby-ing out some window and being all reclusive and tortured whilst Peter made annoying quips that stole her spotlight as the funny one.

"I was otherwise preoccupied with my family."

"Your family?" Tomei asked. Last she had recalled, they were stuffed away in coffins and Klaus was overdue for therapy.

"The coffin was opened by some annoying witches and their even more annoying friends." Tomei's eyes grew at the news and couldn't help but turn to face Klaus at the utter bombshell he just dropped on her.

"So your mother?"

"Said she wanted peace. Then plotted to kill us all."

...

"I'm sorry what?"

"Alas, I do wish to express my condolences and apologies to the proteigda who I've heard has recently become Head? I would love to meet her--"

"It's bullshit! I did not hit her. I did nooot!"

"--Oh hi Mark!"

"And, and, and--"

"YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA!"

Tomei and Klaus both turned to see two teenagers walking into the house doubled over in laughter, quoting The Room. Stiles was holding a head of lettuce on his own head as he proclaimed, "Anyway, how's your sex life?"

"Are you both done?"

Stiles turned to see a blond man standing beside Tomei. He immediately dropped the lettuce, thinking that this was probably someone important since he knew that this BBQ was an open invite. That and the blond man observed Violeta was inspecting eyes.

"I didn't know you'd be so young, love."

Violeta apparently knew exactly who this was. She heaved up the shopping bags in her arms onto the table. Stiles, to busy himself, went to them and started unloading them. Tomei continued to work on the prawns and the newcomer wiped his hands clean to offer one in handshake.

"My sincerest apologies about your abuela, love."

"Thank you." As Violeta went to shake his hand, Klaus went to grasp it and give it a kiss. She snatched it away. Tomei gave her a look and Violeta knew it was impolite but even if she was who she was, she wasn't at the point to let random men kiss her hand.

And nor was Stiles, evident by how he was looking at Klaus.

"I apologise for any offence." Klaus said, picking up on this. He glanced at Stiles briefly before turning to look at Violeta. "I was raised in a different time."

"Yes what do you think about the historical accuracy of Vikings?" Tomei spoke.

"Haven't seen it, love." Klaus said, coming back to stand beside Tomei. However, his back was to the sink where Tomei was working, looking at Violeta was helped Stiles unload all the groceries. "You seen it, mate?" He asked, finally addressing the new soulmate.

"I-uh, er. A few episodes. Tomei likes it so we've, uh, seen a few."

"Well if Theresa here likes it so much--"

In the blink of an eye, Tomei had a blade to Klaus' neck.

"Woah, love." He said, holding his hands up but clearly unafraid.

Tomei was unfazed. "I told you not to call me that name."

"Wait I thought your name was Aurora." Stiles chimed in without thinking. Violeta gave him a soft look, shaking her head.

"Tomei." His girlfriend gave a warning call. Stiles, for that second, was once again taken aback by the fact that he was living with a literal secret agent who used to work for the mafia. If he was being honest, Tomei's story was almost cooler than the werewolf business because it was just plain humans, nothing supernatural involved. He would never forget the night him and Violeta stayed up as she disclosed to him the highly secretive information about her aunt. It suddenly made sense why no one cared to lock the door, opting to leave it open for 'the sake of ease.'

No, it was because if anyone was stupid enough to break in, Aurora Tomei would be able to kill them in fifteen different ways.

"You know that weren't hurt me." Klaus said, looking down at the weapon to his throat.

"No but it would fucking hurt, wouldn't it?" Tomei seethed. "Don't forget you're alive because of me."

The last piece of information had Klaus' laidback attitude fizzling as Tomei outed a weak piece of information he'd hoped no one would know. Klaus' eyes darted to Stiles who suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He didn't know that Tomei had had any interaction with the supernatural before Scott and this vampire definitely didn't like people knowing he had once needed help. It almost made Stiles want to roll his eyes, the egos of these supernatural creatures, honestly.

Klaus, however, knew his options limited. If it were any other situation than a Rodriguez, he would've snapped the human's head and everyone else in that room. If Tomei was the only one who knew of how he had once been weak, he could live with it. The uncomfortable knowledge that Klaus owed her he could live with because, well, it was Aurora.

"Niklaus." Violeta spoke. "We're having a BBQ - and you're more than welcome - however I ask that you don't piss my aunt off."

"That was not my intentions, love."

"So what were they?" Violeta spoke.

"I would say of similar vein to when the Salvatore's visited." Klaus spoke, a confident smirk coming back to his face. "If you pardon the pun."

Tomei let out a sardonic snort.

"Consider your interests and intentions noted." Violeta said with a huff. "Are you staying for the food?" She looked tired, as if talking with a child.

"Alas, I don't want to step on anymore toes. I'll leave you in peace. Although I would like to state my gratitude once more."

"Anytime." Violeta said. She looked at Tomei who met her eyes in the reflection of the window. Violeta turned to Stiles and smiled. Klaus blinked, for a short moment taken aback by the smile the young Rodriguez gave her partner. It was the same way Maria looked at the Joseph fellow. He averted his eyes when she reached to touch her partner's cheek.

"I think your dad will be here soon."

"BBQ set up, let's go!" Stiles said. She followed her human out the door, leaving Klaus and Tomei together once more.

It was silent for a short while. The only sounds were Tomei taking out her frustrations out on innocent, but dead, fish. Klaus didn't resume helping her. Instead, he stood there. For the first time in a long time... he felt something. He hadn't felt it in over century - wait, that wasn't true. He had felt it during that year when he was stuck in Sicily and dependent on a human marksman with daring brown eyes.

It was awkwardness.

Niklaus Mikaelson felt awkward.

"Tomei--"

"Nik--"

They both spoke and looked up at the exact same time. Klaus stared into her temptingly daring brown eyes and Tomei stared back into his stupidly beautiful blue ones.

And then Nik was hit with another feeling that he hadn't felt in a long time; bar the year he'd been with Tomei.

He felt longing.

"You've done well, love." He spoke first. "You always were anxious about children but you've raised her well. I know your brother would be proud." Whatever Tomei had been about to say melted on her lips and she stared at Klaus with with a certain sad fondness neither showed others.

"Thank you, Nik." Tomei said. "I, uh, I'm sorry about your family."

"It's alright, love, that's family."

"You know, you can make your own family." Tomei said. "My family now includes an Adderall-infused teenage boy, one police sherrif, a nurse with questionable film taste, some wannabe thugs, a few Moon-Bound werewolves. Not including Peter." Klaus frowned as Tomei continued, adding a side comment that was more to herself that "I don't know how Melissa hasn't seen Ferris Bueller but that's fine."

"Not everyone is afforded that liberty, love." Klaus said.

"Dude..." Klaus pursed his lips, hating her calling him that, "I'm here... affording you that liberty, or whatever. And don't go on this whole spiral of putting us in danger. Violeta is here and I was literally your body guard for an entire year. Say what you want about humans but our weapons have evolved."

"No, I think that was more the skilled marksman behind said weapon." Klaus said with a small smile, allowing for a moment the quiet joy of reminiscing. He really had never met anyone like Tomei. Even with a their supernatural speed and gifts, she'd still taken down centuries old vampires like they were the amateur humans she used to train. "And I know you can take care of yourself."

"So you won't stay because..."

"I'm not family."

"You can be." Tomei said. "Hell, after everything we've been through surely we can think of ourselves as family."

"It's because after everything we've been through, we're not family in the way I want us to be." Klaus said. Tomei had nothing to say to that. It was as if they were having the same conversation they had the day they parted ways three years ago.

"Nik, I--"

"You don't have to say anything, love."

"No, but..." Tomei huffed. "You, you're important to me. And you're... you're always going to have part of my soul."

"As do you, my love." He smiled. The only problem was that they didn't mean it the same way. Klaus leaned over and Tomei closed her eyes as she felt him press a small kiss to her temple. She took a small breath and heard the brief woosh as Klaus sped away with his vampire speed. Opening her eyes, she knew he was gone. For a brief moment, she wished she had opened them to his stupidly beautiful blue ones shining into hers -- her 'daring' ones as he always referred to them.

"Love, you are the most singularly remarkable individual I have met over the thousands of years I have spent walking this earth. My heart will henceforth always belong to you, Theresa."

If only she had enough courage to dare to love him as he loved her.

*

"You're burning the prawns!"

"How can you burn prawns?"

"Just look right in front of you sweetheart!"

"Oh go die again!"

"Wait, so this guy actually died and came back to life?" Noah asked his son who was sitting with Violeta perched on his armchair and talking to Scott about upcoming holiday plans. Stiles was half invested in the conversation - apparently Scott wanted to get a tattoo the stupid werewolf - and half focused on his father who was now coming to terms with the supernatural.

"Yeah." Stiles said, then went on to explain, "That's Peter. Former Alpha. Derek's uncle. Bit of a dick."

"Language." Noah chastised. "Just because we're talking about werewolves doesn't mean that you can swear." With Noah's words, Stiles knew immediately what film reference was going to be mentioned. He looked at Violeta who was still talking to Scott but had a knowing smile on her face.

"Werewolves not swearwolves!"

Tomei had been the one to do it. Stiles laughed and, to his surprise, Scott did too.

"Oh I know that movie! What happens in the shadows or something." Melissa said, coming to join Noah on the lawnchairs outside. Lola came up and Melissa picked up the child who was playing with bubbles to sit her on her lap.

"What we do in the shadows." Stiles corrected.

"Wait, so you haven't seen Ferris Bueller but you've seen some niche New Zealand mockumentary about vampires and werewolves?" Tomei asked.

"Scott played it once." Melissa said with a shrug.

Stiles looked at his bestfriend with a face of utter confusion. "How?"

"How what? I watched it on my laptop." Scott, the clueless werewolf, innocently answered.

"No, how have you seen some indie film but haven't seen all the Star Wars films."

"Because he has taste." Violeta chipped in. Stiles' mouth dropped open at the insult. Even Noah was offended.