staarlostt

[staarlostt]

Lately I’ve been thinking about how klaus bond with someone through pain.

Klaus doesn’t have a long list of the people he cares about and love outside of his family.

There’s a few one that he connected with in a deeper way but the way it was only through shared trauma and pain is something that sticked with me and make the bounding even more meaningful.

Cause Klaus is one of the most layered, tragic, and profound characters in The Vampire Diaries universe, if not the best complex character I’ve ever seen.

He embodied the traumas, the pains, and the scars of every major character. It’s almost like Klaus was everyone’s shadow, carrying their burdens alongside his own, but alone. Nobody really gave him credit for it, either.

It all started with Aurora de martel.

Their story is tragic because it started with shared pain, but it became poison.

Aurora was Klaus’ first love, and he met her when he was still hopeful, vulnerable, and starving for acceptance.

When klaus met the princess,

Aurora was locked away in her own personal hell by her family. She was broken, shamed, and isolated because of her mental illness and her inability to fit into the expectations of her time.

Klaus knew exactly what it was like to be the shameful secret of a family. His own mother had cast him aside, and Mikael hunted him like an animal because of his werewolf gene.

Klaus was already drawn to her beauty, but it was when she bared her darkest truth how she hated her birthday because it reminded her she had killed her mother,

how she saw herself as a monster, broken and unworthy that something deep within him stirred.

Her vulnerability unlocked a part of him he rarely let surface.

In her pain, he saw a reflection of his own, and for the first time, he found solace in admitting the unspoken: that he, too, had killed the woman who gave him life twice.

First as her bastard son, and then again as the monster she had created.

That pain was their bridge.

Even centuries later, they are still tied together by pain.

Aurora becomes a twisted mirror of Klaus both destroyed by their past and unable to let go.

Their bond is proof that shared trauma doesn’t always heal it can destroy, too.

Then in 1820, klaus met someone else that he learned to care about deeply and even considered as a member of his family.

Marcel Gerard.

When they first met Marcel was just a kid, a slave who was beaten mercilessly by his owner reflecting then the little boy that klaus once was when he used to be also beaten senselessly everyday at the hand of the one who thought was his father.

Their bond was forged through a shared understanding of powerlessness. Klaus loved him because Marcel was the boy Klaus used to be.

He saved him and called him his son and was even the one who named him Marcellus meaning Little warrior.

Klaus raised him, taught him

everything he needed and built him on his image.

They didn’t share the same blood but that didn’t stop klaus to considered him as one.

Cause family aren’t just the ones who coddle you or grant you at your every whim, they are the ones who fight for you who you fight for. Family isn’t just bouded by blood, you can still choose.

Then comes Stefan, the great Stefan Salvatore known as the ripper of Montray in 1920.

both carried self-hatred, and both had that monster under the skin they couldn’t control.

Klaus respected Stefan because he knew what it was like to be consumed by darkness and still try to claw your way back.

Their friendship (in the 1920s and even in TVD) was one of equals, born from shared pain and the endless cycle of losing yourself.

Stefan did the same always putting others before himself, even if it meant his death.

Both of them believed they were monsters who didn’t deserve peace, but they both died heroes in their own way.

Klaus kept records of his victims, much like Stefan wrote names on the wall.

It’s a constant reminder that no matter how many people they killed, no matter how much they tried to fill the void, they were still utterly and infinitely alone.

And ofc Klaus couldn’t miss Caroline, cause if anyone could get under his skin as easily and understand and see him in a way others couldn’t is Miss Caroline Forbes.

Caroline was obsessed with control because of her insecurities never feeling good enough, always second-best.

Klaus’ need to control everything (family, New Orleans, enemies, even Hope at times) came from fear of loss. If he wasn’t in control, he was vulnerable.

He and Caroline mirrored each other: both were trying to tame chaos with control, but neither ever really felt safe.

He saw the control freak in her because of her fear of not being good enough. He understood her self-loathing masked by perfection.

Their connection worked when they were vulnerable, when Caroline was questioning herself.

He offered her a glimpse of freedom not because he was “bad” and she was “good,” but because he recognized the cage she was in. It was the same one he’d lived in his whole life.

Klaus was rejected by his father, abused by Mikael, and betrayed by his siblings. He grew up feeling unloved and unwanted, convinced he had to earn love through fear and control.

Caroline, while not as outwardly damaged, had her own abandonment issues. Her dad left. She constantly sought validation, especially in her early seasons through perfectionism, control, and trying to be the “ideal daughter” or friend.

Klaus recognized that need in her the desperate desire to be enough, to be seen. It mirrored his own.

She preferred the strong vampire she became than the girl she used to be.

She liked being fearless, ageless and

Strong.

They were the same.

Also Klaus caring deeply about Hayley isn’t just because of her being the mom of his child, but also because,

Hayley lost her family, had identity issues, and felt abandoned and used. Klaus saw himself in her.

Their relationship was rocky, but their shared trauma over parental betrayal and the desperate need for belonging made them understand each other deeply.

She knew what it was like to have nobody, and Klaus respected her strength for surviving it and eventually she became family too.

Klaus bonding with cami is also similar Caroline, cause cami represented innocence, goodness and light.

She belived in something better for him, something that klaus desperately needed to hold onto.

Cause Klaus sees himself as irreparably broken, shaped by centuries of betrayal, neglect, and loss. Cami, despite her bright and composed exterior, was carrying her own trauma especially the pain of losing her twin brother due to mental illness and then losing him again to the supernatural world.

When Cami opened up about her grief and anger, Klaus recognized something in her that mirrored the chaos he buried under control and violence. He understood her pain—and she, in turn, didn’t flinch from his. That created a rare kind of intimacy.

Now, We can’t forget about Freya right ?

The long lost sister.

Klaus and Freya’s relationship is so underrated, and yet it’s one of the deepest trauma bonds in the whole Originals arc.

They are both the forgotten children. Both betrayed by their mother. Both stolen of any chance at a normal life.

Freya was given away by Esther to Dahlia. She was isolated, abused, and forced to be Dahlia’s tool for centuries.

Klaus was rejected by Esther and hunted by Mikael. He was raised to believe he was nothing and hated for something he couldn’t control (his werewolf blood).

Neither of them got to be children. Neither of them had parents who loved them unconditionally.

They both carried that empty hole where their parents’ love should have been.

Klaus didn’t trust Freya at first. She showed up out of nowhere after a thousand years, claiming she wanted to be part of their family.

He was so used to being betrayed, he couldn’t believe anyone especially a family member would help him without an angle.

But Freya understood that because she was just as broken. She knew what it was like to be unwanted.

Freya fought for Klaus, not against him. She showed him loyalty in ways Elijah and Rebekah sometimes failed to.

They shared a common pain, and that made them stronger together.

Klaus needed Freya, but more than that, he respected her. She became someone he could rely on when he’d lost trust in his other siblings.

Klaus doesn’t just carry his trauma. He reflects and internalizes everyone else’s, often in ways they never realized. He’s the common denominator in every character’s suffering, either as the cause, the reflection, or the mirror. And unlike the others, Klaus never had anyone consistently fighting for him. He was his own savior.

The saddest part?

He became the very thing he feared his father. But in the end, he chose love over power, sacrifice over control.

He died the man he always wanted to be but never thought he could.

Klaus always connected with people through shared trauma. It’s like he didn’t know any other way to bond with someone unless they had scars as deep as his. Pain was his language. Trauma was the only thing that made sense to him so he searched for it in others to feel understood. To feel less alone.

He didn’t trust joy; he thought it was fleeting. He believed people who smiled and laughed were wearing masks.

But trauma? Pain? That was real. That was something you couldn’t fake. And it’s where he felt safest because it was familiar.

So yeah that’s why I’ve noticed and been thinking about since then.

And I personally think that Klaus is probably one of the most misunderstood character in the entire TVDU universe because people stop at his actions and forget to look at his wounds.

Let me know what you guys personally think too.

[staarlostt]

This is the right post.

Have you ever written about why you love Klaus? I see antis who say he's just as bad as Damon etc. But I think at the least he's a better and more complex portrayal of what Damon was meant to be. I think Joseph's performance, and the way Klaus isn't pushed as "good", and his development etc. are what make him different and interesting. He's so complex! But I'd love to hear your thoughts/analysis of Klaus?

I have! And I agree with much of what you have said. Here are a few snippets from posts where I have previously spoken on Klaus (and Klaroline): 

(I don’t mention Joseph’s performance here but I am OBSESSED with it, and do not think there is a single person who could have brought Klaus to life the way Joseph Morgan did. I feel the same way about Kai Parker and Chris Wood.)

Why do you love Klaus?

Oh wow, he is SUCH a complex character. So many layers, so much story, so many shades of grey. So much evil and trauma but so much good hidden in the darkest corners of himself. His motives are always so fascinating and the relationships he chooses to invest in are always heartbreakingly impactful to his life. He is the best villain and the best anti hero and had a redemption arc for the ages. Not to mention he’s charming, witty, funny, soft and scary all at once. 

Please explain the klaus allure, he's like Damon to me. Don't care for him, and lowkey unredeemable. (On season 6 of VD and 2 of originals)

Not to get too deep into it, Klaus is different because the thing that makes Damon so frustrating is he’s painted as a hero. He is never held accountable for his actions, he’s allowed to do horrific things like rape Caroline and kill Jeremy (Elena’s fucking brother) and be forgiven in a matter of seconds. There is not one other character on the entire TVD series who gets to commit those types of atrocities but carry home the hero trophy, or win the girl. Klaus is a clear villain. Not a hero. Is he at times, an anti hero? Yes, especially as seasons go on. But most of all, he’s complex. He’s so layered, and his motives are so interesting. I’m fascinated by him as a character. And of course, he always pays for what he does. He may temporarily win, but he always has eventual consequences. And those consequences lead him to grow as a character. Even if you don’t see him as redeemed by his death in TO finale, he’s still had an incredible story and to me is probably the best antagonist the CW has ever seen. Plus don’t even get me started on women. Damon has sex with Elena when she’s sired to him, he threatens her and forces her to make decisions she doesn’t want for herself. He is legit poison in her life. Klaus, for all his bad qualities, never does this to Caroline. He always gives her autonomy over her story. He never pushes her to love him. When she finally, finally, FINALLY admits she loves him in the last few episodes of TO, she has come to that conclusion completely on her own, after years of being separated, and running their relationship through her mind, being faced with the thought of losing him. There’s a big difference between being a character that does good and a good character. 

Here’s a response about why Klaus and Stefan are defended more than Damon and his relationship with Elena, etc: 

First of all, Elena is definitely not a slut just because she got with Damon. That word honestly needs to be tossed out of the English language. Women can get with whoever they want, whenever they want, and that’s fine by me. I will say I don’t like what being with Damon did to Elena’s character -- it made her a doormat, Damon was incredibly controlling, took away the headstrong aspect of who Elena was, and Elena never made Damon pay for all of his actions -- he literally raped her best friend and then she married him, and I hate that. 

As far as Stefan and Klaus, here’s the thing: Damon was always treated as someone who was, more or less, just like Stefan. Sure, he wasn’t the “straight hero” like Stefan was, but he was still considered a hero/protagonist, and he never -- and I mean never -- had to pay consequences. Stefan did terrible things (although I’m not sure it’s confirmed he ever raped anyone, that’s beside the point for this) but literally tormented himself for doing so, and lived a life so plagued with the guilt he almost welcomed death when it finally came. We saw this constantly throughout the 8 seasons, and especially in the final season, when he finally gets to turn back into a human, and the relatives of his past victims come back to haunt him. Then he dies. The guy could not catch a break. That’s not even mentioning that he was essentially an addict, and it’s what caused him to be a ripper for most of his darker days. Fans don’t have to be outraged because the show does it for us. Damon never had to go through anything like Stefan did, and all his bad actions were just because he wanted revenge and was petty -- he wasn’t addicted to blood, he just liked being messy and horrible -- and the writers were too obsessed with making him a witty fan favorite, so they gave him a pass for everything. I find that infuriating. He was WILDLY selfish, and that was NOT dealt with enough. 

Then there’s Klaus, who is literally one of the most complex villain-to-anti-hero characters I’ve ever seen come on my screen, let alone the CW. He was meant to be introduced as a full antagonist -- and it was played that way! We were terrified of him for like 10 episodes before he even stepped on screen. He was terrible and did horrible no good things and in the first few seasons that’s how it read, almost always. As we got to know him, we learned his motives and reasons for being the way he was -- the rejection and isolation he faced from his father, etc -- but even though that explained why he was the way he was, it never gave him a pass, and the writers were very sure to keep true to Klaus’ nature, even in his softer, more vulnerable moments. Klaus truly didn’t turn into an anti-hero until the last few seasons of The Originals, when he had Hope, and learned how to grow from being a father. That’s a different show, so I won’t get into it, but it’s all about perspective. People love Klaus because he’s an incredibly complex character with a very dynamic storyline and Joseph Morgan killed the role. You can love a character and know they are evil -- we are allowed to love villains just as much as we love heroes, as long as we are loving them FOR BEING villains, or for how rich their story is. 

And to round it out, you didn’t ask about Klaroline, but here’s a post I made about it anyway: 

It’s not to say Klaroline didn’t have their issues–they did. But the thing about Klaus and Caroline is that Klaus was always painted as a clear antagonist. He was complex and he had shades of grey but he was never meant to be the hero. Caroline clearly saw this, and never put up with any of his mind games. She was strong and independent and THAT’S why he loved her (he says so, multiple times). She, as she stated from the get-go, was “too smart to be seduced by him.”In addition, Klaus never forced Caroline into anything. Everything that happened between them was on her own free will -- she made her own decisions. Yes, he promised to never come back if she would just admit how she felt about him, but come on -- that’s still something she WANTED to do. She didn’t have to kiss him or sleep with him. She chose all those things.It wasn’t until Klaus spent years away from her, had a daughter, and found his redemption slowly, that Caroline finally cracked -- that he finally became the guy that deserved to be with her, and she felt that. 

So as much as I hated that I had to wait 8 years for them, I think it was the right way to do things. By the time Caroline admitted she loved him, he was the person she always wanted him to be–the person she always knew he could be.Klaus did terrible, horrible things. But he was also clearly upfront about that, and Caroline never gave him a pass, either. He had to earn her respect before he earned her love. You also never saw (before Camille) Klaus with another woman. In fact, before Caroline, Klaus never so much as looked at a woman–he was almost an asexual being. Caroline was a tender spot for him, an exception. He transformed when he was with her.” 

In addition to ALL these things, their chemistry was absolutely palpable, and they were written in such a breathtakingly romantic, yet playful and lovely way, you couldn’t help but be drawn to them -- they were magnetic on screen, and they sucked you in every time they were together. 

ADDENDUM: Just to add -- because a lot of this is what Caroline did for Klaus, I want to say that Klaus was such a great fit for Caroline as well. He dared her to be brave, to take risks, to explore and grow and uncover new sides of herself. He opened her eyes to the world, showing her there was more than just life in Mystic Falls. He showed her what life as an immortal could be, and gave her confidence in herself,  supporting her in every way he could along the way. As she says, he was never the villain of her story. 

[staarlostt]

One of the main reasons I absolutely loved klaroline, is the way each of them developed on some way with each other.

You can say all you want but for me klaus is the better match for Caroline no matter what and here’s why I think this way.

From the start we could see how Caroline is severely insecure, she’s a misunderstood teenage girl, her parents are divorced, her mom didn’t have time for her always putting the work before her daughter, she always felt left out whenever it was at home or with her friends..and even with boys, Caroline felt like Elena’s shadow..and It was true. Whenever Elena wasn’t available they always choose Caroline as second option.

When Bonnie argue with Elena, she go stay with Caroline and completly ignore Elena, Matt went out with Caroline to try to move on from Elena, and same for Stefan. I felt like in later season him and Caroline was..I dont know but it was clear that he still loved Elena and yet he went with Caroline cause he needed to move on..so yeah Caroline was always Elena’s shadow.

”yes i am..I’m Matt’s Elena back up, I’m your Bonnie backup.

You don’t get it why would you ? You’re everyone first choice.”

I personally found it painful for Caroline to feel this way, she went her teenage era by being really insecure and felt unloved and not enough..that’s why she put the perfect image, that’s why it made her create some barrier over herself, she needed to be perfect at everything, she needed to put a mask for others to actually like her and love her, she couldn’t be really herself and no one understood her for real anyways.

And as we saw all her relationship with mens it was always her who was putting a lot of effort, it was always her who fought more for the guy, she was always chasing them, she put their needs first and forget her own.

Until..klaus came.

And here’s where we sense a change and a development more in her character in this aspect.

Like we saw klaus was the first and only one who saw Caroline’s really beauty instantly.

He saw that she was strong and smart, beautiful and full of light.

He even saw the darkest part of her and still kept fancy her and admire her at first..Klaus was the only one who could treat Caroline right.

He was always there reminding her of how beautiful and strong she was, he valued her more than anything, he draw for her many times, he gifted her expensive jewelry and dresses, he wanted to know everything about her, her hopes, her dreams, everything she want in life.

He always put her first for the first time above anything.

Even when the time goes she still meant something for him and still prioritize her when he could.

We could see that in the originals, how he didn’t even hesitate to save Stefan when he knew how worried she was even when it meant to put his life and everyone’s he loved In danger he still saved Stefan for the sake of her, that proved how she still had impact on him after years, he never doubt her skills or something like that.

He saved her from danger when he could, he supported her crisis and couldn’t say no to her to whatever she would ask, he really valued her, even compared her to a princess, that’s how klaus loved her, he never hide it from her.

And that was exactly what Caroline needed, she needed to feel loved without doubting it for a second.

While others made her feel insecure and unloved, klaus made her feel strong, with him she always brightened, she had power and felt better.

In her relationship with klaus she was the one who was desired and he was the one who was chasing after her..and like she said it was always the fun part anyway.

Also the fact how klaus could make her easily confident and all is amazing. And I think this is exactly what a right person should make you feel.

The right one would never make you feel unwanted and insecure, if you are with the right one you would never doubt it.

And this is how she felt with klaus unlike with others for the first time in her life she didn’t need to change for someone, she only was herself with him.

The way she felt like her existence lacked of meaning after she became vampire and it was showed in her birthday how she didn’t feel like it to celebrate it cause she realized that she will stuck in the between, and stay seventeen for the rest of her life.

She clearly lost taste of her life as she knew that she will live forever and it wasn’t as more exciting than before knowing that when you’re human you tend to enjoy every day of your life cause you don’t know when you will die.

But again, after she got bite by Tyler klaus had showed her another view of the world, he told her that there was a whole world waiting for her outside, that there was genuine beauty, art, music..he told her how eternity is beautiful in it’s own way too.

And he even gave her the choice to whatever or not she wanted to die if she really believed that her life meant nothing.

And that was at the moment when she realized that she didn’t want to die, also that was when she embraced completly her vampire nature and decided to be okay with it.

Due to him she accepted that part of herself and was more at ease with it.

After that she became more confident and used more her vampires abilities and all.

She wasn’t ashamed of being who she was anymore.

And when everyone excepted her to only give birth to the twins than disappear from their life and all.

And was always reminded that they weren’t hers actually.

Just like she reminded klaus of it every single time through the phone call, and he said how it was clearly stated by her boyfriend.

And still he knew that she wanted to be like a mother to them, he knew and comforted her about it,

He even confessed and share with her how he realized that at the end his family is what made him truly happy.

And told her then that it wasn’t a crime to love something we cannot explain.

Again only klaus could knew what she truly wanted and what she needed.

And while she was insecure about it before, after her talk with klaus she became more confident about it. She acknowledged it and accepted it.

And we could see the change when she argue with Alaric later.

“Our kids.

My kids. They are mine caroline, mine and Jo’s.”

And after that she clearly told him to not disrespect her like that anymore. And even when it is true that they weren’t completly hers by genetic, she still the one who gave birth to them and almost got killed while doing it. She was also the one who raised and taught them. She loved them truly like a real mother should and protected them with all her powers.

That’s how much klaus had impact on her.

He always made her feel better and confident.

It’s alway due to him to how she can accept some things that made her insecure before.

He made her knew her worth and she learned to value herself and respect herself too, she didn’t let others disrespect her the way Alaric did and all.

He brought out the best in her.

The fact that she went from feeling like no one in the world actually loved her, to feel loved for once.

She went from feeling always the second choice to actually be Someone’s first choice for the first time.

She went from feeling stupid, useless and shallow to actually feeling strong, confident and full of light with klaus.

She went from doubting others feelings toward her to actually acknowledging it fully.

”I fancy you, is it so hard to believe ?”

“Yes.”

To:

”I know that you’re in love with me and anyone who is capable of love is capable of being saved.”

Even when several years passed by, klaus made sure that she knows how her place for him remained the same.

”if we didn’t met until now, I wonder if you would even notice me.”

”it would be impossible not to notice you Caroline, your essence would hover around me, harangue me until I did.”

That’s why I will always think that klaus was the better match for her.

He was the only one who could understand her more than anyone, he didn’t even have to know her for a long time like her friends to actually know what she needed and wanted.

He could easily see through her the same she did with him.

When everyone were only searching the cure for Elena only klaus asked Caroline if she wanted to take It

Even tho he already knew that she wouldn’t, it showed his deep understanding level to her.

He always made sure that the others need to treat her well, just like he asked Stefan if he truly loved her, just like he made Stefan promise him to only do right by her cause it meant for him a lot.

Just like he asked Tyler if it was worth it to see her smile and then give him time to run even tho he never chased after him for Caroline’s sake.

No matter what Klaus is the only one who ever treated Caroline right.

He was the reason of her development.

Let me know what y’all think I’m really curious but yeah this is what i truly analyzed.