Work Text
Hydra Base: Washington, DC: 2014
first-person pov
I sat in my cell, mulling over what my immortal life has come to. I've been stuck here as a weapon for Ninety-four years, only let out to kill. If only I hadn’t been an absolute idiot by ignoring Klaus when he told me to stay by his side. I was so wrapped up in wanting freedom after not leaving his side for 325 years that I decided to run from Klaus when Mikael had found us in 1920. I knew Hydra had been tracking us, but I didn’t realize they were as close as they were.Hydra has been tracking my family since 1839 but hadn't caught our trail until 1920, presumably due to the commotion Mikael caused. They found me in Chicago when I was running from Mikael. If I had just stayed by Klaus’ side, we could be searching for our missing soulmate whose mark had appeared three years prior to my capture. My first one was Klaus, and I remember the day I found him like it was yesterday.
The Maisonfort Estate
chatenois, france 1598
I was eighteen, and papa decided to throw a ball to find me a husband. Every young man of nobility is expected to be there; papa was a marquis, you see, meaning every young nobleman would jump at the chance to marry me and rise in status. I look in the mirror and give a twirl in the new dress mama had made. It’s a dark blue velvet overskirt with a blue and gold underskirt, the sleeves hang loosely around my arms and the neckline is encrusted with jewels. It came with a matching hood lined with pearls. I heard the music downstairs and decided now was the time to make an appearance.
I stand to the side of the ballroom, tired from mingling with boring noblemen. Papa wishes to marry me off, I- on the other hand- desire to find my word bearer. My soulmate. I feel a presence to my right and glance over. A blonde girl who seems to be my age is standing by my side.
“Are you quite alright?” she asks, “you look lonely.”
“Papa wishes me to find a husband tonight,” I reply, “Though every nobleman I have talked to is quite boring.”
“I can’t help but agree with you. Rebekah Mikaelson.”
She gave a low curtsy, which I promptly returned.
“Christine du Maisonfort. To be honest, I did not expect to see another lady at this ball.”
“My brother, Niklaus insisted I came,” she said with a laugh, “Believed that if he does not get your hand in marriage, I may at least make a friend.”
I gave a soft smile at the thoughtfulness of this Niklaus. Many noblemen I have talked to tonight speak of their sisters tersely.
“That was very thoughtful of him.” I reply, “Not many I have spoken to tonight care about their sister’s wellbeing as Niklaus does with you.”
She holds out a petite hand that I grasp softly.
“Come, I shall introduce you.”
We make our way across the ballroom.
“Niklaus, I would like to introduce you to someone.”
I watch as a man turns when Rebekah calls. He has shoulder-length hair, the color of sand that falls in soft waves. His face is made up of sharp angles and he stands taller than I.
“Niklaus, This is Christine du Maisonfort.” She introduces, “Christine; This is Niklaus Mikaelson, my brother.”
I give a deep curtsey and a smile that he returns. He gently takes my hand in his own and gives it a soft kiss with a bow.
“It’s lovely to make your acquaintance, my lady.” He says with a soft English accent.
I inhale sharply as the words on the back of my right arm tingle. I gather my voice before speaking out, knowing my next words are permanently marked on his body.
“The pleasure is all mine. Rebekah has spoken very highly of you.”
I see his eyes widen as a smile graces his face.
“Would you care to dance?”
Klaus and I were wedded in the spring of 1595; this year marks us being married for 419 years. The night of our honeymoon, he told me the truth about what he was and turned me through the bite. After I was turned, only I could calm the oh so vicious Hybrid. To our surprise, I became a hybrid as well, and I’m assuming that it has something to do with our soulmark as Klaus has not been able to make any hybrids since. In 1917 another mark appeared; the words ‘Who are you? Why are you helping me?’ were scrawled along my ribs. The same day ‘And here I thought I would never be attracted to another male.’ appeared on Klaus’ lower hip right above his pelvis. The family had little to no reaction; we have lived for thousands of years same-sex relationships are the least of our worries. Little did I know three years later, I would be ripped away from my life and stuck here.They dubbed me prisoner #56897 and stripped me of my daylight ring, so I have no escape. They attempted to experiment on me, but I was able to hold them off using compulsion. This worked until 1945 when they figured out Vervain affects me and my powers. At that time, through my vervain induced haze, I also found out they had another person here whom they call Prisoner #56898. Thankfully they hadn't gained any lab rats between the time I had gotten there and the time he came. In the short moments I had between doses of vervain, I was able to figure out his name by looking into their minds. #56898 is more commonly known as Sergeant James Barnes; he was a soldier for America and fought alongside Captain America, the national icon. Johann Schmidt loved to rant about the good ole’ captain.Over the years, my cell has been updated to keep with the times and prevent my escape. At its current state, it’s three walls and a window so they can observe their little 'pet.’ After they learned my proficiency with a bow and arrow, they called me Artemis as I refused to reveal my proper name. I am considered their best weapon as I am a ghost; nobody knows who I am. This is their ideal standard for an assassin, though I wouldn’t think of myself as an assassin as I have never killed someone. Even when I first turned, I would refuse to kill, and when it comes to Hydra missions, I use compulsion to make the target disappear. In most cases, it works.I look towards the door as I hear commotion outside, this is not normal. I look at the digital clock on the wall to see it’s 10:37 am. They’re late on my dosage; this has never happened in the sixty-nine years I’ve been here. I listen to the footsteps running through the halls and peek out the small window in the door. Agents and technicians are running frantically in and out of the building. I look longingly at the outside. I haven’t been in the sun for at least a decade now, as they have been using the Winter Soldier for a good majority of missions. I move back to my corner and sit on the bed. I bring my knees up to my chest while my back is against the wall. Resting my chin on my knees, I stare at the door waiting for something to happen. This is the only part of the cell that stays dark when the door is opened to protect me from the sun. I cock my head to the side as I hear screams coming from the hall. Today is turning out to be quite peculiar. I jump as someone starts banging at the door to my cell and let out a small scream when it’s kicked inwards, flying across the room. “Christine?” a voice calls out from the doorway.The voice sounds too familiar. This can't be real.“You in here, love?” The voice repeats, “I swear if my informants have gotten it wrong again, I will tear off some heads.”A small gasp escapes my mouth as I place the voice. “Klaus?” I rasp out as tears fill my eyes.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Hydra Base: Washington, DC: 2014
first-person pov
I see the figure’s head snap in my direction, gold eyes meeting my brown ones. I feel the tears roll down my cheeks as I fling myself into his arms. He nuzzles his nose into the side of my neck, breathing deeply. I hear a soft growl as a sharp pain registers where my neck meets my shoulder. I quickly let out a soft moan at the long-forgotten familiarity of the bite. I slump into his shoulder as he withdraws his teeth, leaving me pliant against him.“You aren't leaving my side again, understood?” he says with a growl, gripping my chin.“Yes, alpha,” I mumble softly and bury my face into his neck.I slowly breathe in the familiar scent of bourbon and butterscotch to refamiliarize myself with it. When I pull away, I press a soft kiss to his lips.“Let's get out of here, princess.” He says, grabbing my hand and leading me home.
Michigan Ave.
Washington, DC 2014
I walk into the apartment Klaus has picked out and let out a small gasp. It's a large and open-air space covered in white with large windows looking out over DC.“Klaus, it's beautiful,” I say, walking over and kissing him.“It's only temporary, but I wanted you to come home to something nice.” He said, placing his hands on my hips.“What do you mean it's temporary?”“I have our apartment back in New York waiting for us.”“Our apartment, as in the Elm drive apartment?” I ask in shockHe gives a nod and I let a large smile fall over my face. Things might just turn out alright.
I look at myself with distaste in the mirror. My bright red hair is held in a low ponytail, while my clothing consists of a light blue dress with a white collar and a red sweater. Hydra had no taste. I quickly shook off the thoughts and undressed from the awful clothes. I pulled on the dark blue satin tank top and pants that Klaus laid out for me. I took a seat at the vanity in our bedroom and watched through the mirror as Klaus walked in and laid on the bed. I pulled my hair out of its ponytail before speaking softly.“Catch me up on the last ninety years.”He nods as I begin brushing my hair. I smiled as I listened to him talk about what's happened in the last 94 years. Everything from a second war to desegregation. Even the fashion of the 2000s. I froze when a thought crossed my mind. I placed down my brush and turned to face my husband. “Do you think he fought in the war?” I asked“Huh?” he responded in confusion. “Do you think he fought in World War II?” I repeated, moving to sit on the bed. “I mean, he was born in 1917 since that was when our mark appeared. When the US joined the war, he would have been what, 24? 25? I mean, we never found them. They could be dead. They could be dead, and we missed our opportunity because I was stupid and didn’t listen to you!”“Calm down, sweetheart. They are still out there, I don't know how but I know they are.”“How?!” I asked through my tears, “How are you so sure?”“Because I know what it feels like when a soulmate dies.” He said, pulling me on his lap. “The night I changed you, I felt the bond snap when you died.”I nodded with a sniffle and leaned back into his chest. We sat in silence, enjoying each other's company. I felt myself relaxing at his steady breaths.“Tell me about Captain America.” I requested sleepily, “Hydra would not shut up about him.”“Not tonight, Darling.” Klaus chuckled. “Someone is too sleepy to be able to remember anything. I'll take you to the Smithsonian tomorrow. They have an exhibit about him there.”I hummed with my agreement as Klaus maneuvered us, so we were lying down. I found myself drifting off to sleep with a small smile on my face, feeling safer than I have in nearly a century.