Entry tags:

!completed gdoc, kayla powell (littleredmess), kol mikaelson (vindictiveness)

Who: Kayla and Kol
What: Kayla opens up to her dad
Where: their house
When: Oct. 12th
Rating: brief mentions of traumatic memories including kidnapping and murder
Status: Closed; g-doc


The teen laid on her bed, headphones on her head, while she stared up at the ceiling. She’d been in this position for the last half hour, and finally stopped her music and yanked the headphones off her head. Kayla decided enough was enough and she needed to talk to Kol about how much she was drowning. Or, rather, that she’d been treading water for a few months and the water had come over her head.

She truly hated Nick (or Josh or whatever the fuck his name was) for causing so much anguish in her life.

After going into her bathroom to take a quick shower, Kayla emerged in sweats and her grey hoodie. She could hear her dad moving around downstairs and so the teen went to find him.

“Hey Dad,” Kayla greeted her father quietly. “I’m…I’m not doing the best and I was wondering if we could talk?”

---

Kol was lounging in one of the living room chairs, reading a book, legs stretched out before him on the ottoman and a glass of bourbon on the table beside him. The vampire was dressed in his normal attire of a Henley and jeans, but it was clearly giving off an air of “chill” and casualness not often associated with someone that, for the better part of centuries, was a bloodthirsty demon. Madison Valley and being a father had certainly domesticated Kol, but he seriously didn’t regret a moment of it.

Mostly. He regretted that he wasn’t able to help Kayla. Yes, he was aware that something was off about his daughter, but outside of their talk about the elastic band snapping, he hadn’t pushed her for anything else. No, she needed to come to him when she was ready. So, then again, perhaps he wasn’t as “chill” as he looked, but reading a classic was helping.

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Kol looked up just as Kayla entered the room, clearly fresh from a shower and wearing gray sweats and a hoodie. Before she even spoke, Kol felt this was the moment. The moment where she was finally going to open up to him about everything she was going through. His expression softened in response to her quiet greeting and acknowledgement that, yes, she wanted to talk.

“Of course, love. Have a seat on the couch.” He gestured for her to have a seat on the sofa while he set aside his book and shifted, feet settling back on the floor, as he turned to face her.
“What’s going on, Kayla?”

---

Kayla still got a minor kick out of seeing a more chill Kol. Like, he was comfortable in his skin and life, yes, but she remembered when she arrived almost two years ago and he would definitely not be considered that word. Not that she minded, obviously.

She sat on the couch, turning to face her dad as well, sitting cross-legged. Augh, her thighs burned from the planks and squats she’d done yesterday. Great. A problem for future her.

“Remember when we saw people’s traumatic memories? Like when I saw you try and take a bat to Damon?” Or had it been Jeremy? Either way, she did offer a tiny smirk because she’d found the whole thing amusing (until they staked her dad. She understood why they did, but she didn’t love seeing it).

“I saw some of the shit I’ve lived through back home.” Which, she hadn’t loved, but didn’t find it any more upsetting than living through those moments. “But.” She chewed on her lip and wished suddenly she’d made a side quest to the kitchen for water. “I also saw some of what awaits me if I get sent back home.” Kayla sighed and pushed her hair out of her face. “Nick. Or Josh, since I guess that’s his real name, kidnaps my grandmother. He makes me play Truth or Dare to keep her alive. Worse, he says if I run away with him he will let her live.” Now the teen played with the sleeves of her hoodie, though she hadn’t started crying yet, sounding more numb than anything. “He set a fucking hotel on fire, to try and cover his tracks, imprisoning my grandmother, but we managed to escape with the help of Tim.”

She looked at her dad. “We were back at the townhouse. I thought we were safe; that he died in the fire. But I heard a noise and checked on Colleen in her bed, sound asleep. Only for him to be there, trying to kidnap me. He threw me into furniture, was yanking on my hair and shouting, You’ll learn to love me, and then I managed to get him off me, for him to fall down the stairs and die.” Kayla still saw those dead eyes and felt sick.

---

Kol looked briefly wicked and he returned her smirk. “It certainly wasn’t traumatic for me. Rather enjoy that memory myself.” Much about Kol had changed while living in Madison Valley, but his dislike of Damon wasn’t one of them. His expression sombered and he nodded for her to continue. “Go on, darling.”

It sounded like Kayla’s life back home hadn’t improved much from the last time Kol heard about it. It truly felt like the teenager was living in a constant nightmare. It wasn’t shocking that Kayla had been struggling to deal with all of that. The vampire said nothing, allowing her to continue, but he noticed her playing with the sleeve of her hoodie and he took her hand.

He felt a mixture of anger and sadness at Kayla’s story. Rage at the monster that had ruined her life and pain that Kayla had to essentially carry the burden of this knowledge alone. Perhaps she had confided in someone, but given how Kayla tended to try and protect others, especially from herself, Kol doubted it. She’d been struggling to keep her head above these dark waters alone.

“I’m sorry, love,” Kol said quietly. He took her other hand in his and gently squeezed the fingers. “It’s no wonder you’ve been struggling. That’s a lot for one person to hold inside. To experience.”

---

Kayla thanked whoever was in charge of this place that she’d been placed in her dad’s (and Allison’s) care. He had a wicked sense of humour, so Kayla never felt bad when she veered towards a touch of malice or cruelty.

Also, because he pushed, but only to a point. Kayla was free to be herself, but he set healthy boundaries.

Somehow, Kayla’s life got even fucking worse back home and she hated it. Every minute of it. Sure, she would have told Laney, but Nick ensured that Kayla couldn’t talk to her friend after her murder.

She tried to relax, especially when her dad took her hand. The brunette hadn’t wanted to add anything to Kol’s plate. He seemed happy again (which raised other issues in Kayla’s mind that she knew logically were ridiculous, but her brain was being unusually cruel these days and her dad wouldn't replace her if she got sent home), and Kayla didn’t want to…take away from her dad’s happiness. He had his own demons and a girlfriend with her own issues. Kol had enough happening.

“I…can’t really sleep,” she admitted, squeezing her dad’s hands. “I either see him dead or me in his place, which is a real fucking treat, let me tell you. Which…is causing me difficulty in school.” Kayla added quietly, “I miss Mom. I mean, I miss her for the obvious reasons, but also because you wouldn’t shoulder this all on your own.” The teen could feel tears starting, but hadn’t started sobbing yet. Perhaps that was a kitchen thing only.

---

Kol sighed softly and raised her hands to his lips, briefly pressing a kiss to the knuckles then setting their clasped hands between them once more.

“Kayla, I miss Allison too, but I promise I’m a big boy, alright?” A small, weak smile. “I can handle your trauma and my own.” Sometimes it wasn’t the easiest, but he wasn’t about to snap and go murdering people to take the edge off. Not anymore. He looked down at their clasped hands. “I’m more concerned about how I can help you learn how to work through your trauma.” His chocolate brown eyes shifted back to her face; he could tell she was struggling not to cry.
“Do you want to talk to someone? A family friend just showed up in town. Camille. She’s a therapist and I think you two would probably get on well.” If Camille could move past the fact that Kayla was a dead ringer for Davina. He thought she could. Camille was open-minded after all.

“She might be able to help you work through things.” If she could help Klaus, he figured Camille could help anyone really. Obviously, Kayla was nowhere near the level of fucked up as his half-brother, but she clearly was struggling and needed help. “But it’s only if you want to. If you would rather something else, we can talk about it, but we need to do something. You can’t keep going on as you are.”

---

Kayla finally started crying, but at least she wasn’t sobbing. Just…she was so tired in every conceivable fucking way.

“I know you are and I know you can handle this yourself.” The teen knew her dad would help her shoulder this, but she still wished he had Allison to help. Though not ripping off heads certainly helped all involved.

She blinked. “I don’t know about this version of Cami, but I remember her telling Aunt Alyssa that she didn’t feel comfortable being her therapist anymore, not when she was family to you and Auntie Bex. But I would like to talk to someone.” Not Jenna for obvious fucking reasons. “Would you ask? If she says no to me I…don’t think I’m ready to hear I don’t have options from a professional.” Thankfully, Kayla assumed Cami would be more likely to say no because Kayla was a Mikaelson than because she looked like that Davina chick. Though, without Klaus, would Cami feel the same way?

Was anyone really as fucked up as Klaus? Really? “I…” she took a breath. “I think I need to take off the semester. My head isn’t in it and I don’t want to fail. But, I do agree I need to do something. I still can’t stand the thought of anyone touching me outside of our family.”

---

Kol reached out and gently brushed away Kayla’s tears. “It’ll be okay, love. I promise.” Thankfully there was a box of tissues on the table and Kol grabbed it, gently placing it in his daughter’s lap. “Here, wipe your tears, alright? I know it seems rough right now, but it won’t always be that way.”

“And good. Then we have that part settled.” Kol knew he would never be the poster boy for stable or inner peace, but he had enough control now that he wasn’t about to lash out irrationally at the world. No ripping off heads or tearing out hearts. No killing. He didn’t have Allison to help share in the emotional burden, but Jenna was a good listener and Kol felt he could lean on her if he needed too. In time.

The vampire sighed. “She isn’t going to refuse. Her conflict of interest before was bogus and her refusing on similar grounds has no legs to bloody stand on. You’re not like the rest of us. Her conflict is with our family, but not specifically with you or Alyssa. If she can’t put her own bloody feelings aside to help a young woman in need than she seriously has her priorities fucked up.” He didn’t think she’d refuse. Because while he wouldn’t say it outloud, Kayla was not a Mikaelson by birth, neither was Alyssa, they didn’t share the same history as Kol and the rest of his family did with Camille. Camille had no reason to refuse Kayla unless she was heartless.

“I’ll ask once we are finished here.” He wished he could offer more reassurance, but he couldn’t.

“And you can take the semester off. You need to focus on yourself. If you need something to keep yourself busy, you can go work with Hope. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind the extra pair of hands.” He couldn’t imagine his niece turning Kayla down. Obviously, Kol wouldn’t say anything, but if Kayla needed a place to keep busy, Hope’s restaurant would surely provide it.

---

Kayla took the offered box and pulled out a Kleenex. She wiped her face and stopped crying. Honestly, the teen had cried enough and slowly moved into numbness, so this felt like a step in the right direction.

Even if Kol did lash out, Kayla wouldn’t care. Not really. He was her father and he loved her so the rest didn’t particularly matter to her. But she appreciated that he didn’t. And he had his siblings too, which seemed like a good thing. If he needed to talk to anyone.

“I think Aunt Alyssa was really hurt,” Kayla commented. She pushed some hair behind her ear, her hand barely visible in her hoodie sleeve. “But I agree. I thought her reasoning was strange. Anyway, I hope she says yes.” Cami struck Kayla as kind, albeit with some kind of masochistic streak, considering she’d been in love with Klaus. So doubtful she’d say no.

“Okay.” Kayla didn’t need reassurances from her father, just support which he’d obviously provided.

She nodded, relief flooding her. Kayla hated to let down her father as well as herself, but trying to force this semester was not a good idea. “I’ll ask Hope.” Kayla did want to keep busier, but not have too many commitments.

“Would…would you stay home the next few days and nights?” Kayla hated asking, but she just really needed to not be alone. “Maybe we can watch a movie? Something funny?”

---

“I hope she agrees too, love. I think you would benefit from her guidance.” Camille was a therapist to a sadistic vampire with daddy issues who also happened to be a self-admitted murderer. Kol didn’t doubt Camille could handle what Kayla had to tell her and even help his daughter work through that trauma. It wouldn’t be an easy road, but Kayla would eventually arrive at a point where maybe the world wasn’t so dark. A new reality, but not necessarily a bad one.

Kol nodded. “Good. I’m sure she’ll agree to give you a few shifts when or if you need them.” He knew Hope would want to help her cousin in any way she could. Plus, she also knew how much Kayla enjoyed cooking.

The vampire’s expression softened and he nodded. “Of course, darling. That’s no problem at all. We can order in and watch some movies.” He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

“I love you, Kayla. Always and forever. I promise things will get better.”

---

"I love you too, Dad. Always and forever."

[wrap]