"If not him, then Rebekah. She left him but I know she always loved him. Who knows. One day we might actually find out what happens when one of us turns on the other. Truly and not just in their games, or knowing that Klaus' hybrid ass is stronger than us because of mother's affair," he says, not caring if she knows the truth.

No, more than that, he wants her to know. She should know it all in his book given her position in his life right now.

He pauses at that, looking at her for a long moment. "No one has ever actually wanted to defend me. Not even them. I appreciate you would take out the coffin as a means of keeping me out of it."

And while he knows Klaus would just get him a new one, it still felt nice to have someone act this way. About him.

"You won't fight alone. Just like with Marcel, so long as you stay here, we're in this together."

Which was something else that felt new and interesting.

"Come on then. Dress up it is. Ever worn a corset?"