In Klaus's mind, he'd done that a lot this past year, actually. He'd tried to woo Stefan back to the friendship they'd once had--offered him a fair deal, one he'd taken willingly, and then Klaus had asked very little but for him to be himself. He'd been kind to Caroline, saved her life, shown her a side of himself he hadn't shown anyone in centuries. He'd tried to make up with his siblings, had realized why they were angry and acknowledged their right to be.

Honestly, he'd worked harder at this shit than he ever had before.

He just, legitimately sucked at it, and no one had the patience left to show him a different way.

"And sometimes you have to pull back and lick your wounds from the last gamble before you're fit for the table again."