Entry tags:

!completed gdoc, brooke maddox (shadeofmean), kol mikaelson (vindictiveness), ~2025 april

Who: Brooke & Kol
What: Friends hanging out and Brooke needing a distraction
Where: Verdant
When: Saturday night [Backdated!]
Rating: Pg-13 at the most.
Status: Closed; completed via g-doc

Brooke was proud of herself. The loss of Ben still hurt, and it reminded her why she hadn’t gotten into any relationships for so long while she was here. That hurt from losing another person, knowing it was another death for someone she loved. At least, she didn’t resort to the same way of dealing with her pain as she had when she first showed up in town after Jake’s death. Oh, she was definitely drinking and had done a lot of shopping, as evidenced by the new items in her house, along with the new home she might soon own. However, she hadn’t slept with anyone, and she hadn’t slipped into her old destructive behaviors. Before the killer, Brooke would have tried to cause cracks in her friend’s relationships just because she was hurting. Instead, she was happy for them and was glad to see them happy, even if it was hurting like a bitch right now.

It was growth; however, she still had some of her bad habits. As proof, tonight at Verdant, where she was drinking. Brooke wasn’t working, but she felt like getting out. She had texted Kol about joining her. Their back-and-forth, she figured, would take her mind off Ben for a bit, which was what she needed right now. Dressed in jeans and a cute top, Brooke knew it wasn’t her usual look for going out, but she didn’t really care. Standing at the bar, she stirred her drink absently, lost in thought as she waited for Kol.

---

Kol knew Brooke was still reeling from the loss of Ben. He understood that kind of pain all too well—losing a lover left a mark that never quite faded. His heart went out to her. Brooke was tough, resilient in a way that inspired people, but even the strongest needed time to heal. Time was the only real cure for a broken heart. Well, time—and maybe a little alcohol and the comfort of good friends to dull the edges while the wounds mended.

As he stepped into Verdant, his eyes immediately found her at the bar. Normally, Brooke lit up any room she was in, all bright smiles and effortless energy. Tonight, though, she looked dimmed, like a flower caught in the wrong season. She still looked beautiful in her cute top and jeans, but to Kol, something in her posture gave her away—stirring her drink absently, lost in thought.

Dressed in his usual dark henley, jeans, and boots, Kol made his way over and gently pinched her arm in greeting before settling beside her.

"Hello, darling," he said, leaning an arm casually on the bar as he turned to study her face.

---

Brooke was tired of losing people, especially to death. Then again, she knew that was a feeling many around here had. Okay, yes, she knew Ben was dead, and that wasn’t going to change, but he had been able to have more than just death while here. Back home, he wouldn’t get that. Of all the men she had dated, only her current boyfriend back in her world was alive, and who knew how long that would last. Probably the next trip with their friends from their hometown would be it for him, considering they seemed to end up in places with psycho killers who came after them. At least, she didn’t fall into her old habits, some of which she could thank her friends for. Brooke knew the potential had been there, but none of her horrible habits had come out other than the drinking and shopping ones. No part of her tried to hurt what her friends had, especially since she was happy for them, knowing the pain they had been in. She also hadn’t jumped into bed with anyone random, and from the track record her family had regarding growth, it was a big deal. While the work was on her end, she had her friends to thank both here and back home for that. Her father…well, he tried more than she could ever say about her mother; however, her parents were never going to win parent of the year awards, even before her father was killed.

In public, she knew how to put on the Maddox act, drilled into her from an early age. Not that she always followed it, because Brooke would always do what she wanted, but right now, she was sticking to the way her parents handled things. Brooke would always make sure she looked good, but she wasn’t her normal flirty self. More broken than anything, or at least, that was how she felt right now. Usually more aware of her surroundings, she hadn’t even noticed Kol approaching from her mind being elsewhere until the gentle pinch. Bringing her back, she turned her head to look at him, resting her chin on her upper arm. “Be lucky I like you and you’re allowed to pinch,” she said with a tiny smile that didn’t have the normal teasing or flirty tone attached to a comment like that. “One guy around here has already been threatened; if he comes near me again, I’ll be cutting something off that is precious to him.” Wouldn’t be the first time she made that threat, and just like that time, she would follow through, especially right now with the mood she was in.

She could see what he was doing, and she shook her head. “I’m fine, or as fine as one can be. How are you?” Not wanting the question people kept asking her.

---

Kol lifted his hands in mock surrender, a teasing glint in his eye. “Easy, love. Just having a bit of fun. But I know you’re not exactly in the mood for games right now. Fair enough.”
He turned back toward the bar and waved the bartender over, ordering a bourbon neat. Something told him this conversation was going to require a generous pour—or three.
“No real complaints,” he said, glancing back at Brooke. “Still a bit sour about losing my magic again, but what can you do?” He shrugged as the bartender returned, setting an empty glass on the counter before pouring a measure of top-shelf bourbon and sliding it his way.
Kol nodded in thanks, lifted the glass, and took a slow sip.
“I’m less vulnerable as an Original vampire anyway,” he added, casually. “So really, it’s an upgrade.” He paused just long enough to flash a cheeky grin. “Besides, turns out chicks have a thing for guys who can actually bite.”

---

Brooke would typically have been amused at the mock surrender, but she only shook her head. Lately, she just didn’t care about much of anything. The only thing that gave her hope was that she was nowhere near as bad as after the incident with Jake. It was a very different situation, but that had left her numb to where her friends had been worried. Right now, she was hurting and would work through it eventually with the help of her friends here. Most likely, she would never get back into another relationship and only go back to sleeping with people, but she wouldn’t hurt like she did right now.

“You’re fine, and I know, which is the only reason no serious threats are being made about any body parts on you,” she told him, giving as much of a smile as she could manage. Picking up her drink, she tossed it back and took the opportunity to order another when the bartender came to get Kol’s order. On Kol mentioning the loss of magic, she frowned, looking over at him. “I’m sorry about the dome pulling that shit with your magic. In this place? Sadly, there is nothing you can do when the dome is being a grade A asshole,” she said, her tone drifting into anger briefly, hating that there was nothing anyone could do. Brooke hated a lack of control, especially after back home with psycho killers.

Moving her new drink in front of her better, she rested one hand on the side of it but hadn’t yet drank it. “Silver linings, but it still sucks the dome gave you that taste of magic to take it away.” Then again, the dome loved being a cruel bastard more often than not. His comment about women having a thing for guys who can actually bite caused a small laugh to come from her, which was something she hadn’t done much of lately. A roll of her eyes as she tilted her head to look at him. “Who didn’t want a vampire at some point in their life? Them being able to bite is the only reason to keep them around.” Brooke joked, knowing Kol was only joking, and he knew he was much more than just that. Also, from her interactions with Jenna, she was willing to bet money that Jenna liked him for more than just that. “I’d make a joke how it’s a good thing you can bite since you’re lacking in the looks department, but it won’t go far when you have girls checking you out,” nodding in the direction as she picked up her drink.

---

Kol looked thoroughly amused at her comment about there being no threat to his body parts. “I consider myself quite the fortunate soul, then,” he replied, lips curling into a smirk. “Well, at least when it comes to you not cutting them off.”
The rest of his so-called fortune? Not quite so lucky.
Most days, Kol resented his immortality. The disconnect from the Earth, from magic—it gnawed at him more than he ever let on. His siblings had never played with their powers the way he had, never pushed boundaries or tasted the rush of magic like he had. They didn’t understand what had been taken from him. As much as he valued being invulnerable, the constant hunger, the bloodlust... it was a steep price to pay for survival.
“Appreciate the sympathy, love.” His tone was light, but the truth weighed behind it. “Kind of wish it had skipped me this time around, but we don’t exactly get to choose how things go here.” If they did, Ben would still be around. Kol’s jaw tensed briefly before he masked it with another sip of bourbon, welcoming the burn as it slid down his throat.
Still—making Brooke laugh? That felt like a small victory. And the playful jab? Even better.
“Oh, really?” he said, pretending to be wounded. His hand drifted to his chest in mock offense, but the sparkle in his eye betrayed him. He knew she was teasing—and he knew she thought more of him than she let on.
When she threw in the jab about his looks, Kol smirked and let his gaze flick toward the nearby table of young women openly staring at him. He gave them a brief, knowing glance before turning back to Brooke.
“Yeah, I’d say that particular insult doesn’t hold much water right now,” he said with a wink.
“Not that it ever really did—if we’re both being honest.”

---

Even if Kol could be harmed, Brooke considered Kol one of her best friends around here. The most she’d ever do to him was pinch, as they often did to one another, or smack him, and that was only if he really deserved it. Didn’t mean she wouldn’t make the threat, only that with him, there was no follow-through, unlike some other people where there would be. “As you should, since few can say they are safe from potential harm at the hands of Brooke Maddox,” she said, pushing a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. “I also think a few people might have some things to say if I did anything to you unless you deserve it, which currently, you do not.”

None of his comments were meant to be taken seriously, nor was he trying to bed her or anything like that. Brooke knew Kol well enough that her warnings were more tease than anything. The only male around her at the moment who had that free pass since others would get their heads bit off right now, especially since their intentions were most likely the opposite of what Kol’s were. In her normal moods, she fired right back, one of the many reasons she loved their friendship.

Her eyes had a hint of sadness in them as she looked at him. Not for herself, but for him, hearing the weight in his words. While Brooke couldn’t relate to what Kol felt, she still felt for her friend. Without moving off the seat, she reached over and hugged him, “I’m sorry it didn’t skip you.” Hating the dome even more than she already did for doing that to him. Sitting back upright, she sighed since he wasn’t wrong. “Nope, the dome will do whatever the fuck it wants without a care as to what we want,” they knew it well. This town had some amazing parts, and with the good parts came the shitty ones. The dome fucking with them, the losing of people, and all the other bullshit. Right now, Brooke kept hoping the dome would bring Piper or Kieran before they revealed themselves as the killer since Brooke had some anger to work through and they’d be amazing targets. Then again, if they knew it’d be another round with her and them, only with her having more anger inside.

The stupid joke was taking her mind off the thoughts floating inside her head for the moment. Something she needed since her thoughts were a wave just like her emotions. Constantly changing depending on her feelings at the moment, sometimes sadder and sometimes darker. “Don’t tell me I’m the first person being honest with you,” she added with a sigh. Brooke knew her tone wasn’t exactly clear on whether she was serious or not, but Kol knew her well enough to know. The only reason she was making the comments since her other friends, she’d have to be more careful with, knowing it wasn’t that easy to tell right now with how she was feeling. But she loved Kol like family, and thought highly of him.

Slightly amused, she picked up her drink and sipped as he glanced over at the table. She rolled her eyes as she set the drink back down on his comment. “Not with your ego. One of these days, you will not be able to fit in places because of it.” But he wasn’t wrong; Kol was a hot guy, and one reason she had slept with him way back when he first showed up. Also, cause people had told her to avoid him, making him even more interesting. Brooke had an ego herself, and she knew two egos in a relationship would never work. No, the two were better as friends, and he was like family now. While she was in a mood right now, she was happy to see both of her friends happy since Alyssa and Kol mattered most to her along with their happiness. “I don’t know how anyone deals with you. It’s so much work,” she dragged out the last bit, tilting her head in his direction before making a brief face at him. Brooke could say she was talking about herself, knowing she was a lot to deal with.

---

Kol gave a playful bow. “I consider myself very fortunate.”
Brooke wasn’t wrong—there were quite a few people now who would probably rise to his defense if she ever seriously considered doing him bodily harm. A comforting, if slightly amusing, thought.

Ah, the Dome and its relentless chaos. “Yes, it’s rather tragic. And no, this place doesn’t give a damn about how its antics affect us.”
Like sending Ben home. Kol doubted he’d ever truly get over losing his magic—but that was nothing compared to losing someone you loved. He knew that pain well. Allison being sent back still haunted him. Some part of him would always love her, even if he’d found a way to move forward with Jenna.
She wouldn’t have wanted him to wallow. Brooke would get there too. It just took time.
Kol chuckled. “No, I’m afraid that honor was claimed by my siblings centuries ago.”
And his siblings were far less kind in their honesty. Things were better now, but there’d been a time when he’d seen them as enemies—being repeatedly stabbed by Klaus didn’t exactly inspire brotherly affection. He took another sip of his drink, smirking.
“Though I must say, I prefer your honesty. You’re rather nice about it,” he teased.
His chuckle morphed into a cheeky grin. “I deny nothing. Honestly, I fully expect the ego accusations. Comes with the territory.”
All the Original vampires had their egos, though he’d argue he and Klaus were the worst offenders.
“Ask Jenna,” he added with a wink. “She’d be more than happy to share how she puts up with me—probably in great detail.”

---

Even with Brooke's mood, she couldn’t help the tiny brief smirk that appeared at the bow and comment. Though it vanished again as she stared down into her drink, zoning out briefly before focusing back on him, pushing the thoughts that had started to try to slip in aside once again.

Considering she would be one of those people who’d rise to his defense, the only way she’d actually follow through on the playful threats made was if the dome interfered. Even then, it wouldn’t happen, since other than a few people who deserved it, she never followed through on her violent threats. Brooke’s weapon of choice was usually words and manipulation, proven by some of the relationships she had ruined just because. However, she had grown and while yes, she’d always be a bitch, especially when it was needed, she’d never hurt her friends, something she couldn’t always say before. So, yeah, the dome was tough out of luck unless it decided to shake up her personality.

“No, pretty sure it gets more enjoyment when the antics affect us, especially if it’s negatively,” Brooke said as she picked up her drink and took a long sip. She had been dumb enough to let that guard down, even with people she loved losing people they cared about. Her damn guard had been down, thinking maybe the dome would leave Ben alone, but nope. The dome didn’t care, and being reminded was good for her. Any of them, their family, or their partners could be sent home at a second’s notice, without caring about the impact it left. Probably getting enjoyment out of the impact left behind.

When he said his siblings claimed that honor, she playfully stomped her foot and faked a frown as if she wasn’t expecting that. “Here I was thinking I was dropping some truth bombs for you. I mean it’s still hilarious to me how Klaus warned me how dangerous you were, and yet, it wasn’t you who caused so much trouble around the town.” And it was hilarious to Brooke, but she also felt bad for Hope because her father had been a nightmare around town. Thankfully, Brooke’s interaction with him had only been that once, as far as she remembered, and she was okay with that.

His teasing comment had her attempt to fake a horrified expression, but her heart wasn’t into it like normal, causing her to stop after a few seconds. “I was going to say, take that back! You can’t ruin my reputation like that, but you can thank growth from my friendships here and back home for that. There is a reason a poll in my high school had me voted as the one people wanted the killer to go after next.” It had hurt at the time; however, she knew she earned that, but what hurt was her father’s reaction when he saw that Brooke was upset.
“I thought my ego was bad, but man, I’m not so sure when compared to yours,” she added. Oh, she knew she had one and would never try to deny that. Though not so much at this moment, this was a rare occasion when the ego wasn’t showing up. “This is why you have me around to try to make sure you can continue to fit into rooms with that ego of yours,” she added, keeping a serious face as if she meant every word, knowing she didn’t. If his ego ever vanished, she’d be scared and wondering what happened to him.
Making a face, she elbowed him. “Probably ignores you and tunes you out; it’s how I’d deal with you. I’ll ask her and make sure she knows you told me to ask,” Brooke says, wrinkling her nose at him. Would she? No, but she’d let him wonder since one never knew what might come out of her mouth sometimes. Her look turning serious, she gave him a small smile. “I do appreciate you coming out and keeping me company,” she told him, meaning it.

---

Kol sighed softly. “I know it hurts now, but it will get better. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow—but it does.” He only hoped Brooke wouldn’t shut down after losing Ben. He wouldn’t blame her if she did. God knew the thought had crossed his mind after Allison was sent home to die. But Jenna had reminded him why he didn’t.
His expression shifted, lightening with a quiet chuckle. “Sorry to disappoint you, love—you’re a little late to the party on that one.”

And as for Klaus calling him dangerous? Kol looked more amused than offended. “He’s not wrong. I am dangerous. But we both know he’s left a far bigger mess here than I ever have—or ever will.” The irony wasn’t lost on him.
Still smirking, Kol shook his head. “We both know you’re proud of that growth. You’re certainly no longer the girl who was voted first to be killed by the serial killer. Congratulations.” He shot her a playful wink. He understood what it meant to change—he had, too—but that didn’t mean he couldn’t poke fun at her. Just a little.
“And as always,” he added, raising his glass, “thank you for knocking me down a peg so I still fit through the door. Helps me enjoy my bourbon without bumping into the ceiling.” He took a slow sip. Most immortals carried some level of ego—it came with the territory.
“Ow.” Kol feigned a wince, setting his glass down to rub his side. “I guarantee ignoring me isn’t the answer.” His smirk deepened. “But go ahead—ask Jenna. I’m sure she’d be thrilled to clear up any confusion about us.” He knew Brooke wouldn’t actually go to Jenna, but that didn’t stop him from teasing.
Then, his expression softened. He placed a warm hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re welcome. Always glad to be there—for a friend.”

---

.
Brooke only nodded because she knew the hard way that it got better. What happened to Jake and the state he had been in when he was found or more dropped in front of them to find, had hurt more than anything. To the point she had gone numb and zoned out for most of the day to deal with that trauma. All that pain, she had moved past it and knew she would now, but it still sucked. If Ben had only been sent back, it’d hurt, but not the same as right now, knowing what he went back to in his world.

“The one time being fashionably late isn’t good,” she said. Honestly, she wasn’t surprised by his siblings beating her on that. She’d be more surprised if she really were the first person after all the centuries he’d been around.

Brooke gave Kol a look. “I’m aware how dangerous you are and could be, it’s what made the whole thing more fun at first meeting you. But hilarious coming from Klaus, considering last time I checked it wasn’t you, the town wasn’t a fan of,” and there were all good reasons for the dislike of Klaus. Now adding in more people from Kol’s world with history around Klaus, the man was much more trouble than Kol was around here.

He was one of the people allowed to poke fun at it, and he was right, she was proud of the growth. Because she knew what she was capable of being like. While next to people like Kol, her change might not look like much, but it still was. “Thanks,” and it did mean a lot to hear that, even if he was poking fun just a little. Considering she poked at him most of the time, she didn’t mind it coming from him, and she also knew he meant it at the same time.
“Good, you remember how powerful my elbow is,” she said before rolling her eyes, making sure it was in his view. “I’ll make sure to ask her tomorrow,” she warned as if it was going to happen. Though she was sure Kol knew Brooke wasn’t going to do that. “I’m glad to have you as a friend, and the same goes for you.” She was lucky to have Kol, Alyssa, and some of the others as friends. They were the ones keeping me from returning to the all-out drinking she had done when first arriving here and knowing she could text them if she needed them.