#but like i can barely stand him and all i hear about klaroline is making me want to throw something

[oflockwolves]

tbh alaric was a mood in the episode, i don't blame him for wanting to murder klaus, and this is a klaus fan! i don't support klaroline AT ALL and anyone that considers themselves a feminist shouldn't tbh but that's beside the point, he may have changed but that doesn't forgive all he's done, even hope isn't blind to what he's done and fuck i had to rant to someone that gets it ! just STOP FORGIVING ATTRACTIVE MEN IN SHOWS BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ARC

Tbh, it looks to me like Alaric is the only one who remotely remembered all the shit Klaus put Caroline through in TVD? I don’t judge shippers okay, really. Ship and let ship is my motto. But this ship is absolute bull?? Like I sort of get the KCers who like the idea of klaroline and what could have been. But your canon for the ship is CRAP! Ship it all you want but don’t pretend like it’s epic?? Because it is not!! There is literally no build up or story or development? Like?? A thousand year old hybrid got attracted to a teenage girl, stalked and abused her, tried to kill her a few times, kept tormenting her boyfriend so he’ll be out of the way and then they had sex once and then suddenly like fifteen years later they meet again and wat? It’s undying epic love? Seriously, are the writers high or wat? 

Sorry but the way they should have done klaroline if it HAD to fucking happen, (coz i still think its ooc for Care to even be in remotely good terms with that guy let alone almost kiss in TO lol), the way it should have gone was when Klaus met Care again he should have APOLOGIZED FOR ALL THE ABUSE AND TRAUMA the girl had to endure because of him. And no, even then, I still don’t think Care should be friends (love is like lol, never, pls) with him then but atleast that would have made a bit more sense than the crap we are being given as canon. Time has passed doesn’t mean all that he did should be forgotten or forgiven!! Klaus still hasn’t apologized for any of that shit? And Caroline is making it look like it was all okay and she overreacted before or something????? Because she was a kid then like wtf now??? Like this isn’t Caroline!! This is some psycho who forgot some of the hardest times of her life!! She forgot the boyfriend who she loved, who was tormented to no end, and the beautiful relationship she had with him with so much love which was ruined, the boy who was forced out of town over and over and over because this grown ass man couldn’t fucking stop being petty for five seconds!! And let’s not forget that Klaus not only tormented Tyler but all of Care’s friends and Care herself!! Like????? They spent two seasons trying to get rid of him?? I’m so lost???? 

Listen, I get that Klaus had development in TO, yay for him. But I don’t watch TO so please stop reading if you don’t want to read some Klaus hate. From what I hear, his development has nothing to do with him regretting his actions from the past and trying to make up for it, so I could give a flying fuck about it??? When Tyler’s character was literally thrown off the rails and sidelined for this attractive white boy to get his own new show and a redemption arc?? And the show had werewolves mind you, and Tyler had a backstory with both Klaus and Hayley – they could have worked with the Lockwood werewolf line but nope. (Is it because the actor was poc? Because I think yes? If he had been a pretty white boy, he would have been moved along to TO. Like imagine a pretty Matt Daddario Tyler Lockwood perhaps. First of all, Tyler wouldn't be this hated by the fandom lol. And he 100% would move to the new show with such a strong back story already going.) I love redemption arcs as much as the next person and it’s great that Klaus is a good dad but seriously? I think this fandom, well, most of this fandom, would find a way to defend him even if he is a bad dad? I mean he was a horrible brother to Rebekah but that was okay with many ppl soooo idk man, I have tried so hard but I cannot bring myself to like him. 

Klaus killed thousands of people; Elena’s aunt, an entire pack of hybrids – my friends – Caroline, he killed my mom.   

Take a moment and read that again. And again. And again. This man is (well, was, idk if he is good now or what) a monster and he does not deserve happiness. Yay that he got his love with Camille. Yay that he had his family with Hayley. Yay that he has his siblings by his side. But he doesn’t fucking deserve it. 

But Tyler Lockwood (who endured abuse too as a child) lost his father, uncle, mom, pack, Caroline (as his love), Liv and his life for no reason whatsoever and to me, a man who enjoyed putting him through the most gruesome moments of his life (and the other jerk who killed him also btw) does not deserve redemption and sure as hell does not deserve the girl he loved!! He deserves death. He deserves Tyler to rise from the dead and strangle him with his rotten dead hands. And he deserves no peace after death and I hope from the bottom of my heart that that he burns in hell for the rest of eternity. 

Honestly this is a Sirius vs Snape debate for me and I think I have made it very clear who is my Sirius and who is my Snivelly Greasy here. 

I am so sorry about my anger, but this is what I feel about this whole bullshit of a ship and this whole matter in general. 

Tessa out. 

[galvanizedfriend]

Fic: The Wolf II

Summary: The Guerreras' threat still looms over the Mikaelson house as Caroline tries to adapt to life as a vampire, away from her daughter. But an unexpected family reunion makes everything worse, taking away the little peace Klaus, Caroline and Elijah managed to find after the war that nearly broke them. [It's The Originals Season 2, but Caroline was a witch, had Klaus' baby and now she's a vampire. Klaroline, obviously.]

S02E30 I'll Wed You In the Golden Summertime

Caroline is a vision.

Even after such a long time, it still steals Klaus' breath away just how beautiful she is. It's a balm to the eyes, a rush to his heart and a flare of inspiration, all at once.

He sees her standing on her own in the middle of the still empty barn house, inspecting her fine work. A Venus under the gentle golden hue bathing the place. Her hair, tied up in a complicated braid that cascades down one side of her shoulder, catches the light like wheat under the sun. His fingers itch for a pencil. He commits it to memory - every detail, every shadow, color and shade, the way her dress hugs her body - and makes a mental note to put it down on paper as soon as possible. In Caroline, Klaus has truly found his muse.

The fact she's done a terrific job transforming that derelict barn into a decent and elegant venue pales in comparison to how stunning she is.

"You are a true miracle worker," he says casually, approaching her in slow steps.

When Caroline turns to him, his heart lurches happily as he notices she chose to wear the necklace he gave her with her formal outfit. She rarely ever takes it off. Klaus had given her gifts before, even jewelry, pretty things that would look all the more lovely being worn by her. But never as a token of his love, never with any deep underlying meaning to it, not like that necklace. That kind of symbology is so gravely human, therefore not something he'd ever been taken to. The sight of her wearing that necklace, however... It brings a form of comfort to age-old concerns. It's an expression of their commitment, a physical representation of the fact that Caroline Forbes' heart belongs to him - something he's earned, rather than conquered or ransacked. It fills him with an unfamiliar combination of joy and pride.

She is, by far, the greatest, most gratifying triumph of his life. The fact he actually had to work hard for it makes it all the sweeter. Klaus has defeated armies and taken over entire cities and realms more easily than he won Caroline’s heart.

A smile graces her delicate features. "Thank you. I had some Mikaelson influence," she says, pointing towards the large crystal chandeliers above them.

Klaus' lips tweak upwards into an amused grin. He does so enjoy a chandelier. "Very tasteful addition. You can barely tell this is a barn house."

A light frown appears between her eyes, though the curve of her lips is still soft. "What are you doing here? Ric was adamant -"

Klaus cuts her off by humming loudly in mock-contemplation. "I keep trying to think of a single instance where Professor Saltzman's opinion has ever meant anything to me, and somehow I only come up empty."

Read the full chapter on AO3

____

A little delayed, but here we are. Just one more chapter to go before the story is over for good and I'm feeling so emotional already. ���� Can't believe it's almost over.

Big thank you to everyone who dropped me a note on the last chapter. 💖 And to @recyclingss for hearing me whine about this chapter and holding my hand in moments of extreme doubt, not to mention the stupid gorgeous posters I will never get over. 😭💝

Your comments, messages, kudos and reblogs on this post are so welcome! Hope you guys enjoy it!

[klarolinelibrary]

Hi KC Readers, 

Happy Friday! 

We have another weekly releases for you to check out. The stories below were updated during the week of April 17 - April 23. 

Grab a snack and drink, then dive right into the new stories and reimagined characters of Klaus Mikaelson and Caroline Forbes!

FFN

Klaus POV - The Trouble with Spells (Chapter 21)

Author: ilovetf

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: I think the title is self explanatory. The Trouble with Spells as seen through Klaus's eyes and his POV. Over the years, people kept liking this story and some even asked for Klaus POV, so I decided to give it a try. Hope you enjoy it. All feedback is more than welcome. Good or bad.

Date of update: April 17 2021

SKULLS (Chapter 9)

Author: Lovely Vero

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Vampiro and El Diablo, aka: Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson, heads of the bikers SKULLS are fighting Gabriel Desperaldo, aka: El escorpión - head of the Spanish mafia - and his human trafficking in their city of Los Alamos in New Mexico. Never in a million years, did they imagine that the love of two captured women would change their life forever.

Date of update: April 17 2021

In the shelter of your light (Chapter 3)

Author: Clarity23

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline expected to face some challenges when she decided to foster a teenage girl. But she did not expect that the girl's older, annoyingly handsome brother would be in the picture as well. AU

Date of update: April 17 2021

Everything and anything for you (Chapter 13)

Author: thelibrarianofalexandria

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: She had it all planned ahead. Graduate early, go to an Ivy League college, make her dreams come true. However, she has to change it a little when her whole life is thrown upside down and a handsome original takes an interest in her, the younger, shy, sister of Caroline Forbes.

Date of update: April 20 2021

You can't run from your past (Chapter 2)

Author: CookieDuo

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline Forbes is an FBI agent with secrets. Three years ago she fell in love with a target before she helped put him behind bars, and she faked her own death. Now he's escaped from prison and he's learned the truth, about who she is and the secret she's been keeping since he got sent away. Now she has to run, but he's determined to catch her. And he always gets what he wants.

Date of update: April 20 2021

Take on the world

Author: Logan27

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Starts near the end of 4x14 (I would rewatch that episode up until Klaus comes out onto the porch just for a refresher). Caroline makes a life altering decision and takes a big chance in order to move forward, heal and discover.

Date of update: April 21 2021

A Failed Sacrifice (Chapter 4)

Author: CookieDuo

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: She ruined the sacrifice to save her own life, and in order to survive she turned to the only other vampire who'd been able to survive the wrath of Klaus Mikaelson. She gets away, and learns from the master, but when Klaus eventually catches up to her, her life will never be the same again.

Date of update: April 23 2021

AO3

Step Up Or Step Out

Author: ThrowMeAStory

Rating: E

Length: One shot

Summary: 4x16 au, Part 7. For Caroline it's been a long time coming.

Date of update: April 17 2021

no goodbyes (Chapter 9)

Author: deadofwrite (dead_of_write)

Rating: E

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: “Last night shouldn’t have happened,” Caroline whispered. Guilt. Shame. Regret.It was all the emotions he feared. And it was written all over her face. aka. a college/cheating au

Date of update: April 17 2021

Turned Off or Turned On?

Author: Anonymous

Rating: E

Length: Drabble

Summary: Caroline-that-has-flipped-the-switch seeks out one Klaus Mikaelson. Deep down Caroline knew that seeking him out was wrong on so many levels, he had been responsible for so much death and destruction, but that didn’t stop her. Truthfully, it made her want to go to him more, now that her emotions had been turned off. There was nothing from keeping her from having him. Had she had them switched on it was doubtful she even would have gone out of the door, she would have just wistfully thought about going instead. Thinking about what might have been.

Date of update: April 17 2021

One of a Kind, Two of a Kind, or the Three Musketeers (Chapter 10)

Author: Phandancee74

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline recognizes how hard it is for Elena to be a doppelgänger, her fate predestined as well as her face. It's pretty tough being the last of your kind too though, and Caroline is determined to protect them both, with some very helpful Bennetts on their side. A fic that integrates Malivore and the larger supernatural universe into TVD from the start.

Date of update: April 17 2021

A Blonde, A Brit, and A Baby (Chapter 3)

Author: Books4eva180

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline Forbes life is right on schedule for her Twenty-Year plan that she created at 16 years old: at 23 years old she is a junior editor at a magazine company in NYC and she has fantastic friends; one of whom is about to get to married. Life couldn't be more perfect or at least that was until she slept with a British asshole. What was only supposed to be a one night stand has turned into a life changing night because Caroline is now pregnant. Klaus Mikaelson has always enjoyed the simple things in life. Bourbon, art, and an endless stream of girls who are more than willing to fall into his bed. This all changes when he is forced to move to America to join his father's law company and he isn't even really his father. Then to make matters worse he ends up sleeping with a girl and even worse she ends up pregnant. Forced together in a situation that neither of them could have planned for will feelings blossom (yes they definitely will) Will Caroline be able to handle this life changing event? Will Klaus be able to escape the demons from his past? Will the both of them be able to provide a happy and healthy home for their baby?

Date of update: April 18 2021

Darkness Becomes Thee

Author: BelleMorte180

Rating: E

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Austria 1300s When Klaus met a young girl on a riverbank, he knew that he would one day come back for her. When he looked into her bright blue eyes, he could see a reflection of his own soul, a darkness that lingered inside both of them. When the young girl turned into a beautiful woman with a thirst for blood, his fascination with her turns into obsession. He wants not only her loyalty but her eternity, a possessiveness that is equally returned. or my "Caroline is the serial killer Elizabeth Bathory" au.

Date of update: April 18 2021

Reunited (Chapter 13)

Author: CandyCane1287

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Set after 5x12 TVD, where Caroline confesses what she did with Klaus to Katherine and Tyler hears. Katherine reveals that she’s dying and knows of a witch that could help her. But the witch is in New Orleans and that’s where Elijah and Klaus. Baby included but nice Hayley doesn't stick around. Also, Elena is supportive here.

Date of update: April 18 2021

A smutty anniversary (Chapter 6)

Author: kcatdino

Rating: E

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline and Klaus celebrate 3 months together with a day full of smut.

Date of update: April 18 2021

american dream prom queen

Author: trashcanbarbie

Rating: T

Length: Drabble

Summary: “What would they say, if they knew you were here, on my birthday doing something almost…” she trails off, because she doesn't know the word. “Nice?” he suggests, then grins like a wolf, “They’d roll in their graves, my siblings.” “They're not dead.” He grins, and Caroline feels as if he’s laughing at a private joke when he says, “Aren't they?”

Date of update: April 19 2021

We are young (Chapter 12)

Author: kcatdino

Rating: T

Length: One shot

Summary: Basically, Klaroline flirt in front of their kids who they are barely older than, and Landon is appropriately confused.

Date of update: April 19 2021

Nowhere Else To Go (Chapter 2)

Author: NerdyNostalgia

Rating: G

Length: Drabble

Summary: Klaus has an unexpected visitor while in New Orleans and is determined to show her a good time. He isn't going to let this chance pass him by, and if it means he and Caroline get closer...well, that was a bonus. But is Marcel planning something?

Date of update: April 19 2021

Part of Your World

Author: perfectpro

Rating: G

Length: One shot

Summary: After trading the loveliest thing she possessed to a sea witch in order to walk on land, Caroline realizes that she'd accidentally bargained her voice away. Human legs shouldn't always feel this sort of pain, should they? With only a week to go before the spell wears off, the bargain can be undone entirely with true love's first kiss. The only problem is... Who falls in love in less than a week?

Date of update: April 19 2021

I Don’t Want You To Die

Author: klarolinexluv

Rating: E

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary:

Date of update: April 19 2021

Sibling Rivalry (Chapter 9)

Author: kcatdino

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: In which Klaus and Rebekah are both bi, their taste in men and women overlaps infuriatingly often, and they argue over their newest shared interest. Edit: This is going to be a full series now, I love it so much. Edit 2: Oops, I dropped a whole bucket of angst on Caroline's backstory. If only there were some Mikaelsons willing to help her work through it...

Date of update: April 20 2021

What Could Have Been (Chapter 37)

Author: TNaPKI

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: My impression of what Season 6 of The Originals would have been like post 5x13 where Klaroline becomes endgame. Is Klaus really gone or is there more to the story? Find out! FINAL CHAPTER out in a month!

Date of update: April 20 2021

The Salvatore Sisters (Chapter 19)

Author: 1Jemmagirl22

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline and Davina Salvatore are Stefan and Damon's younger sister's, and they are far more than meets the eye. When Stefan and Damon's younger sisters show up during the beginning of season 2, what could possibly go wrong. The Salvatore girls have a dark past littered with their brother's enemies, the same enemies that just so happen to be their family. With Mikaelson's as husbands, miracle powers that could crush a Bennet witch, and whole life their brothers never knew about just how much have can these sisters and their family cause.

Date of update: April 21 2021

YOU ARE NOT HERE

Author: wincefish16

Rating: T

Length: Drabble

Summary: PROMT - HUMAN. KLAROLINE LOVED EAC OTHER, HAPPY IN A RELATIONSHIP WHERE CAROLINE IS THE ARTIST AND KLAUS IS A LAWYER. THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND CAROLINE SLIPS IN A COMA. SHE IS LIKE THAT FOR 1 YEAR. KLAUS , AS A TRIBUTE TO HER STARTS PAINTING. DOES HE FALL INTO NEW RELATIONSHIPS?

Date of update: April 21 2021

Compromise Coffee (Chapter 3)

Author: BelleMorte180

Rating: E

Length: One shot

Summary: Caroline Forbes has a coffee problem; or better described as a crush on the cute barista, Klaus, who knows how to make her large, non-fat latte with a caramel drizzle and two extra espresso shots just right. After years of coming to Compromise Coffee, Caroline thought he would have made a move by now, but he hasn't. Caroline has decided that it is time for her to make the move herself.

Date of update: April 22 2021

Soulmate visions (Chapter 4)

Author: kcatdino

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: On your soulmate's eighteenth birthday, you see through their eyes for an hour, but they don’t know. And if your soulmate turns eighteen before you are even born, you never get a vision. Klaus gets his soulmate vision right after he orders Tyler to bite Caroline on her birthday….

Date of update: April 22 2021

Give Me A Sign (Chapter 6)

Author: PumpkinDoodles

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Caroline Forbes is happy that she left founders' parties, competition over guys she'd known since elementary school, and even Mystic Falls itself behind years ago. She's not second-best to Elena anymore. Even Liz would be proud of her new life working on the side of the law. Mostly. (If you need to compel someone into giving up stolen goods, is it really a crime?) Of course he's the one person from her past who comes looking for her. Klaus does that.

Date of update: April 22 2021

Secrets Inside Us

Author: 1Jemmagirl22

Rating: T

Length: Drabble

Summary: Klaroline as actors falling in love on set.

Date of update: April 23 2021

Destination Wedding (Chapter 2)

Author: PumpkinDoodles

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: The first rule of going to your ex's wedding is 'make sure you look good,' but Caroline's seriously worried that this British Guy is going to make her late. And she cannot be late to Rebekah Mikaelson and Matt Donovan's wedding at a Virginia winery.

Date of update: April 23 2021

There Is Nothing I Would Not Do

Author: ThrowMeAStory

Rating: M

Length: Drabble

Summary: 4x16 au, Part 8. Caroline and Bonnie reconnect.

Date of update: April 23 2021

Cloud 9: A Collection of Klaroline Fusions and Crossovers (Chapter 10)

Author: klarolineagainnaturally

Rating: G

Length: One shot

Summary: Various fusions and crossovers with Klaus and Caroline including Much Ado About Nothing, Ready or Not, and Tangled!

Date of update: April 23 2021

FFN/AO3

FFN: The Traitor and the Coward (Chapter 5)

AO3: The Traitor and the Coward (Chapter 5)

Author: Uppity Bitch

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Klaroline AU supernatural multi-chap - Original!Caroline has spent lifetimes running from her lover and his family. Despite the centuries of loneliness, she regrets nothing. Soon, she'll bring an end to this madness. Or bring the madness full circle.

Date of update: April 17 2021

FFN: Heartless to Heartfelt, Redone (Chapter 10)

AO3: Heartless to Heartfelt (Chapter 13)

Author: SmallTimeWriter

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: Daggered and buried deep within the ocean, Klaus has spent the last 9 years in a torturous state. Haunted by memories of the past and images of a child he never got to meet. Now awakened, but not the same. He is faced with a decision, can he forgive those who wronged him when a threat larger then they could anticipate appears? They must reunited to survive. All Main Characters.

Date of update: April 18 2021

FFN: Divine Intervention (Chapter 13)

AO3: Divine Intervention (Chapter 13)

Author: Uppity Bitch

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: This takes place in an alternate universe after Klaus seeks assistance from a certain blonde Norse goddess after Katerina has become a vampire and foiled his attempt at breaking his curse. Later chapters will follow this spicy "power" couple as they stir up all kinds of trouble in Mystic Falls. (Dark Klaroline) *Nominated for 2016 Klaroline Award - Best Original Story Concept

Date of update: April 19 2021

FFN: A Beautiful Symmetry (Chapter 154)

AO3:  A Beautiful Symmetry (Chapter 154)

Author: Uppity Bitch

Rating: M

Length: One Shot

Summary: A collection of random AU one-shots featuring Klaroline. *2019 KC Award - Best one-shot series* Chapter 154: Dimples and Domestics. The Mikaelsons are spoiled, selfish snobs — and unfortunately are art student Caroline and her parents' main source of income. At least she only has to put up with them over her summer break...

Date of update: April 21 2021

FFN: Through his eyes (Chapter 6)

AO3: Through his eyes (Chapter 6)

Author: TheAlllureOfDarkness

Rating: T

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: The story of Klaus and Caroline, from Klaus POV.

Date of update: April 21 2021

FFN: Judgment Call (Chapter 5)

AO3: Judgment Call (Chapter 5)

Author: Eliliyah

Rating: T/G

Length: Multi Chapter

Summary: As a Federal Agent, Caroline Forbes has always lived by a strict moral code. But when new evidence comes to light that Klaus Mikaelson, the first man she helped send to death row, may not be guilty hours before his execution, she begins to question everything she's ever known. As the investigation leads to the heartbreaking truth, she's forced to choose between right and just.

Date of update: April 23 2021

[mydarlingklaus]

A Very Mikaelson Christmas:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I know, it's been forever but I've really just been relaxing and taking care of myself the past couple of months but to all my readers for "Black Roses" I DID NOT FORGET ABOUT THE STORY! I will update as soon as possible and I miss it as much as you all do.

This is part 2 to chapter 10 of my klaroline family drabbles: Meeting the Mikaelsons, and occurs before the merge storyline. Link to my ff page can be found here and at the bottom so PLEASE leave a review!

Happy reading :)

"Alright let's go through the list:" Caroline began checking off her clipboard. "Elijah and Freya are on food duty. Marcel is taking care of music, Josie's bake goods are in the oven, Hope and Hayley are finishing the tree and other interior decorations while Kol and Alaric string up the lights outside. Did I miss anything?"

"Yes, like an explanation for why we are doing all of this tedious work when we could have simply hired professionals?" Rebekah blurted from her chair.

Caroline pointed a fake smile at the blonde Original who was casually sipping on a glass of spiked egg nog.

Given that this was the biggest Christmas party she's ever hosted, Caroline tried not to stress too much even over incompetence. This was a joyous time and was determined to make it special. Being an only child with just her mom Caroline never partook in grand holiday gatherings and now, she had two families coming together for the very first time.

"I knew I forgot something, Rebekah you're on table duty." Caroline ordered.

"The hell I am." She snorted before drinking from her glass again.

The baby vampire breathed in and out through her nose to refrain from her fangs latching onto an 1,000 year old being's jugular.

In an attempt to make everything perfect for tonight, Caroline created a schedule of tasks for all the family members to obey, and hers was making sure everyone followed through with their tasks—she didn't count on confronting prissy Mikaelson behavior.

Over a thousand years of existence and they all acted like they never heard of basic chores.

"Last I checked you're apart of this family too which means you have to assist in some way. You can't just drink liquor all day." Caroline scolded.

"Actually I've been doing that just fine, thank you very much." Rebekah grinned raising her glass to the aggravated blonde. "Not to mention I've spent all morning searching for those impossible snowflake place settings you so desperately desired. You're welcome by the way. So from where I'm seated I've done my part."

"If we're being technical, all you did was pick out the pattern from the comfort of her bed while I was the one who actually had to hunt them down." Klaus announced walking into the room, making Caroline exhale into a smile.

She was relieved and happy to see him, not just because she missed his handsome face but because he was the only one capable of talking Rebekah down.

Despite the minor difficulties, Caroline was grateful the girls insisted on bringing thievery one together this year to celebrate Christmas as a family.

Kol flew in from California the night prior, around the same time Rebekah arrived from New York City on her private jet. Alaric had last minute paperwork to finish before handing over the keys of the school to his right-hand-man, Dorian, for remainder of the break—he drove out early that morning, alone.

Alaric finally accepting Klaus as a permanent factor in both Caroline and the girls' lives made their complex situation more graceful.

"I hardly see how that's relevant." Rebekah retorted with an eye roll, amusing her dimpled face brother walking up behind the chair to place his hands on her slumped shoulders.

"It's relevant, little sister, because you haven't lifted a finger since you've been here. This is a family day which means everyone is pitching in, no matter how much we may not want to. You're no exception here. I assure you arranging a few place settings on the table won't break a nail."

She shoved him off. "Oh please, as if you actually care about the holidays when you haven't spent one with us since Hope was wobbling around in bloody diapers."

"Rebekah—"

"You know Nik, It's okay to admit you're only agreeing to such humiliating labor to impress your precious baby vampire. We all already know the truth." She teased, smirking while finishing off her drink. The expression in her eyes could easily get under anyone's skin.

Caroline pressed her lips into a tight line, already sensing Klaus' annoyance beside her.

After all these years of being in Klaus' life—in some capacity—she figured the vindictive Original would have warmed up to her by now.

Obviously, not so much.

"Damnit Rebekah, stop being a brat and just fetch the bloody plate settings." Klaus groaned impatiently.

He shook his head when she childishly stuck her tongue out at him before standing to make her exit towards the kitchen.

"Where are those bloody daggers when I need them?"

Caroline sighed exasperatedly when placing her clipboard on the piano. "Oddly enough, that doesn't sound too bad. I'll forever deny that I ever condoned that."

Klaus laughed under his breath. "Your secret's safe with me."

The blonde's white teeth nibbled on her rose colored bottom lip. Both hands fisted into his black buttoned-down shirt, fingertips teasing the exposed necklaces before she leaned on her tiptoes for a quick but lingering kiss. Lips barely tasting the other before slowly parting, foreheads resting against each other's for a few peaceful seconds.

"Hi." She smiled.

"Hi." He smiled back while tucking her hair behind her ears. "I don't like seeing you stressed."

"Then you're completely unaware of what it's like to have a conversation with you." She teased, kissing his pouty lip sweetly. "But if you were any different I wouldn't want you."

"And what a shame that would be."

Their lips pecked against each other's again before Caroline let out a deep exhale, looking over their Winter wonderland home to see what else needed to be done—there was quite a bit.

"You're still stressing." Klaus said when observing the stress line in her forehead.

Caroline scoffed turning to face him. "Uh, yeah! The tree is only half done, the outdoor lights are probably just slapped on like a pile of meat and did you not just see me pulling teeth just to get your sister to set a damn table!"

He chuckled to himself, kissing her wrinkled forehead and rubbing her arms to calm her.

"Rebekah is the laziest vampire I've ever known and I'm sorry about her behavior but love, she had point. We could've hired professionals to do all of the decorating and cooking in half the time. I have excellent recommendations from our last gathering. Money wouldn't have been an issue if that's what you were worrying about."

"Seriously? Do Mikaelsons know nothing about traditions?" She scoffed.

"Actually no, we don't. To be fair me and my siblings only began liking one another two years ago."

Caroline's lips pursed as she pushed his hands off of her. "This had nothing to do with money, and this isn't just any Christmas, it's our first Christmas with everyone home together and I wanted all of us to embrace all the holiday traditions as a family. Which includes forcing in-laws to do basic household tasks like decorating a damn tree."

"In-laws?" Klaus smirked.

Caroline's cheeks slightly reddened as she accessed the weight of her words. Her sweaty palms rubbed up and down her burgundy bodycon dress hastily.

"Shut up..." She mumbled, slapping his chest when his smirk grew.

"Look, Klaus I may not have grown up with a huge family but I did have a lot of friends who took that place. We decorated trees, hung lights, ate dinner together, drank more alcohol than legally allowed and enjoyed each other's company." She explained somberly. "They stopped me from feeling lonely every year and I always said when I had a family of my own those traditions wouldn't die, and now I do..."

The corners of Klaus's lips turned up into a soft grin at her shy doe blue eyes staring up at him through her thick lashes.

Klaus stepped forward, grabbing her by the hips. "I like this."

"What, my distress or me bossing you around?" She teased relaxing into his hold around her waist.

"You being in my family." He clarified. "I like that you're mine and hearing you consider this your home. You'll never be alone, love and I'm very much looking forward to many, many more Christmases to come with all the ridiculous traditions attached."

A warm smile made its way to her face as she observed the genuine contentment on his.

It was just as surreal for her too, but for Klaus to go centuries spending every holiday alone to now sharing it with an entire family, she knew how much these moments meant to him. But she was just as eager to spend the rest of eternity with him too.

Her hands reached up to his face to bring him in for a quick but effective kiss

She moaned into his mouth when he unexpectedly gripped her sides, tongues brushing as they stole a few more of these rare moments.

They were both dazed as Caroline pulled away.

"Thank you. I guess I'm kinda into you." She smiled while wiping her lipstick off his bottom lip with her thumb.

Klaus responded with another kiss, this one more urgent and than the last. His hand placements more determined and certain as squeezed her hips, riding up the skirt of her burgundy dress.

Caroline giggled against his lips.

"Nope. We can't right now..." She whispered, trying to show some restraint inspire of her body's craving.

"Come now love, I haven't had a second alone with you all day. Indulge me." He persisted, pulling her closer against his hard chest.

"There's still so much to do..." Her defenses slowly falling.

"That'll all get done momentarily. Besides, we are currently standing underneath a mistletoe. We must comply with all holiday traditions. Isn't that what you said?"

Caroline appeared slightly bewildered when looking up at the festive plant hanging over them, not remembering hanging it up there before peering down at her smirking hybrid. The inner conflict roaming in her head already a thing of the past when her hungry eyes made contact with his full bottom lip.

"Rules are rules." She agreed breathlessly, her arms now wrapped around his neck she happily succumbed to the surrender.

Not beating his tongue from invading her mouth and fingers scrunching up her dress as the oral exchange deepened into a more passionate frenzy.

Her sexual appetite no better than his, especially when being deprived of each other for longer than 10 minutes.

"Oh for fuck sake! Would you two get a room already?"

With a low groan, the couple detached their lips but remained wrapped in each other's arms despite Kol's rude interruption.

"Certainly. Every room in this house belongs to me after all." Klaus announced.

Kol tilted his head with a smile, leaning against the living room's wall with a glass of liquor in his hand and ankles crossed.

"I'm no prude and usually would be helping myself to the view of your public display of affection, however, someone has to save my precious nieces from the emotional scarring." He claimed. "Not to mention, I've been tortured enough today from hanging bloody Christmas lights with that moronic human all day. Last thing I need is a floor show featuring Caroline where I'm not participating."

The blonde's cheeks suddenly a deeper shade of blush pink while she held Klaus back by his chest.

"Say anything even remotely offensive towards her again and I'll rip out your heart through your throat. Understood?"

The younger Mikaelson grin spread menacingly at the beading gold hue in Klaus' eyes.

"Is it a proper Mikaelson gathering without a few death threats? Happy holidays to you too, brother." Kol lifted his glass to the couple before skipping out the room.

"Remind me to snap his neck while he's sleeping tonight." Klaus groaned.

"I don't get why you're still bothered by his remarks after all these years. You know how he is and how much he loves getting under your skin because you make it so easy. He's harmless."

"More like a pest." He scoffed. "And his habitual inappropriate comments towards you doesn't make it right Caroline and quite frankly, I'm over it. Why did you to invite him anyways?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Because I invited the entire family and last I checked he's your baby brother, who you've missed more than you want to admit."

"Debatable." Klaus muttered, causing Caroline to laugh as she trapped his lips with hers for a sweet kiss.

"Better?"

He smirked against her lips. "With you? Always."

Playfully rolling her eyes, she twirled away from his greedy hands.

"And speaking of the girls Lizzie just texted that she and Sebastian are about ten minutes away." Caroline informed, deflating Klaus' smile.

"Yes, how could I forget we allowed our naive 17 year old daughter to go on a solo road trip with a boy three centuries older than her." Klaus muttered.

"She's not alone."

His eyes narrowed at her teasing tone. "Caroline."

She giggled, fixing the collar of his shirt. "Lighten up. I thought we talked about this. You said you were going to stand down as overprotective dad when it came to the girls love lives."

"They're only 17 and 18 years old. They're not allowed to have love lives, especially with boys as old as I am." Klaus scolded.

"Weren't you the one who was more than thrilled to agree to Sebastian spending Christmas here?"

Klaus' face scrunched. " 'Thrilled' is a bit of a reach, love. More like you and Lizzie ambushed me with the invitation. I'd agree to anything for her to be here even if it meant agreeing to undesirables staying in my home."

The baby vampire's eyes narrowed. "Don't you think you're being a bit dramatic?"

"Dramatic?" His eyes widened. "Caroline, this ancient boy popped out of nowhere. Has shown a sudden interest in our very young and vulnerable daughter after knowing her for what, a few days? And has her so mind-warped he even managed to convince her to let him spend the bloody holidays in our family sanctuary. He's a stranger to all of us, so forgive me for being a bit skeptical."

Letting go of his collar Caroline took a step back, letting out a loud huff as she combed her fingers through her golden tresses frustratingly.

"If I say something you don't like, promise you won't throw a fit and ruin Christmas?"

"You think I'm being paranoid." He concluded for her.

She nodded while crossing her arms. "Yes, and unreasonable, and a bit of an ass."

"An ass?" His eyebrow quirked up.

"Very much so. Babe, I love you. I know you have nothing but good intentions when it comes to the girls but you need to stop. You have to trust them."

"I do. I've told you multiple times that was never the issue Caroline and you know it. Can't believe you're still insinuating otherwise." He barked.

"Seriously?" She scoffed. "Klaus look how you're reacting right now. It's Christmas! We're supposed to be cheerful and loving towards each other, not insulting and yelling. You try chalking up this behavior to being an overprotective parent but it's more than that. Deep down you don't trust that Lizzie can handle herself."

"You know that's not true." He claimed defensively.

"When you describe her as 'vulnerable' and 'naive' it sorta weakens your claim. It makes me feel like you don't trust me either when I keep reassuring you that everything's fine."

Klaus' features softened as he observed the clear irritation and concern on her face. The wrinkle in her forehead that swigged out whenever they argued shined in all its adorable glory, but for the first time he wasn't delighted to see it.

There was no one in the world he trusted more.

"Car-"

She raised her hand when he tried to step towards her.

"You're an amazing father Klaus, the best even. 90% of the time you're everything they need, and I try to not be jealous about it." Caroline confessed. "But that 10% is for who they are as young women, the parts of themselves they're not comfortable sharing with you. That's where I step in and give them all the advice you can't, like boys and hormones. Hard to believe but there are some things even Klaus Mikaelson isn't an expert on."

Klaus swallowed, feeling more guilty and ridiculous by the second despite Caroline's attempt at lightening the situation with a smile.

"Lizzie is doing good. She's stable and happy for the first time in so long and has no interests of messing up her progress. I know you worry and want to protect her but if she's ever going to be the free-spirited adventurer you always imagined her to be, you have to let her grow on her own. Let her make mistakes and be as normal of a teenager as she can. Believe me when I say nothing ruins the relationship between a father and daughter more than telling her she can't see the boy she likes."

Klaus winced imagining his bond with Lizzie being served over something as irrelevant as a stupid vampire boy.

Being in control of all aspects of his life was how he refrained from completely losing his mind. He was a leader, King of the French Quarter kingdom but these weren't his hybrid soldiers he could command—they were his family.

He nearly lost one daughter for not being there when she needed him, he couldn't make that same mistake with another—no matter the intentions.

"Bloody hell..." he groaned, tugging at his curls. "I've been a proper prick, haven't I?"

Caroline's eyes shifted upwards, pretending to ponder. "Only a little." She said while making Klaus lightly chuckle under his breath.

Biting her bottom lip she cautiously stepped towards him.

"We're not welcoming him into the family, just getting to know him. He makes Lizzie happy so we owe it to her to at least give him a chance." She said, grabbing his hands into hers and caressing the base with her thumb, feeling all the built up tension slowly being released from his body and the situation.

He tilted her chin up, making her crystallized blues peer into his. Her hands rested on his biceps while his free one tightly wrapped around her waist.

"I do trust you, more than anyone. Please tell me you know that." Klaus desperately pleaded.

Her eyes wandered his worried face and heart ached at his desperate tone.

Over the course of their relationship Caroline felt she had to jump through multiple hoops to smother Klaus with reassurance. Deep down she understood his insecurities about their relationship—if she was confident in choosing him and not hating herself for it—but she had some of her own as well, especially when it came to being a good mother.

Caroline slowly nodded.

"I know, but it's nice to hear you say it too." A soft smile made its way to her face.

Her arms circled around him before pulling her hybrid in for a kiss that dissipated the claustrophobic tension.

Klaus squeezed her hips as the kiss transitioned from languidly and slow to passionate and purposeful.

Their lips, warm and soft as they exhaled into each other's mouths. Standing underneath the mistletoe without a care in the world of who in their nosey family could walk in on them.

They were each other's last eternal love and were not going to hide it from anyone—especially during the happiest time of the year.

Caroline gripped his biceps again, softly moaning as she opened her mouth to him and Klaus was all too eager to comply to the request.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

The doorbell rang before their tongues could even touch.

"Ignore it." Klaus groaned while going in for another kiss.

"We can't just ignore the door." She weakly retorted as their lips hovered.

"Sweetheart there's a at least six other people in this house. Let them feel useful." He mused when his thumb released her bottom lip from the clutches of her teeth.

Caroline was on the verge of complying until the buzz of her cell phone on the piano distracted them both.

"What is with all the bloody interruptions?" Klaus groaned.

The baby vampire giggled as she wiggled out of his embrace to check the bright screen.

"Our daughter is the interruption. She and Sebastian are right outside. Try to play nice." Caroline encouraged, grinning into another quick kiss before walking towards the front door.

Klaus felt a surge of panic run through his body as he watched from afar as Caroline opened the door.

Her face lighting up at the sight of the young blonde girl in the doorway, pulling her teeth in for a tight hug that visibly embarrassed Lizzie but he knew deep down she appreciated it.

A small smile began forming at the corners of his lips watching them together, knowing they were two of the four lights of his life—his forever love and daughter both under the same roof with him again. For the first time all day he felt whole, finally having all his girls together again, even if it was only briefly.

Family was something Klaus never took advantage of, not anymore.

He tried to focus on the tender moment playing out in front of him instead of the the smirking brunette boy standing beside Lizzie in the doorway.

Klaus' smile faded and fists clenched when Sebastian greeted Caroline with a kiss on both cheeks.

This was the first time he had actually seen the other vampire fully.

No denying he was originated from a different era, based on his ruffled white shirt, boots and blazer like a pirate. Lizzie explained that Sebastian was desiccated as a teenager but he still had a mature aura that made Klaus uncomfortable. His features so sharp and defined, it made him seem much older than he claimed. Too mature for a newly 17 year old girl to be with—Klaus thought.

"And these are for you, Headmistress Forbes. Elizabeth informed me that you fancy white lilies."

Klaus overheard the youngster using his charm on Caroline and based on her flattered reaction and an 'aw you didn't have to' quickly following, it seemed to be working.

-I hate this.

Klaus's chest compressed as the three began walking towards him with beaming smiles on all faces except the boy. Instantly noticing the young couple's fingers interlocked together while Lizzie and Caroline talked and Sebastian's eyes wandered around the mansion curiously.

-I really hate this...

He let out a deep exhale as a smile shaped his lips as the enthusiastic young witch skipped into his arms.

"Merry Christmas Klaus!" Lizzie beamed as their hug tightened.

The nerves that had piled up in Klaus' throat dissipated at the warm greeting from just one of the four lights in his life. It was difficult to imagine the centuries he went without physical affection given how habitual the act was now.

It had barely been two months since he last saw Lizzie but it felt like forever now that she was back home—her real home.

Rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head, Klaus slightly pulled away with one arm still around her.

"Merry Christmas sweetheart. How was the drive?"

"Great. I mean, Uncle Damon's burnt down Camaro is as ancient as he is and I nearly broke a nail operating the stick shift, but overall no complaints."

Klaus nodded his head, making a mental note to dispose of the Salvatore hand-me-down and buy Lizzie a brand new car.

"All that matters is that you're finally here safe and sound." Caroline beamed as she hugged her once more. "Everyone else is probably in the kitchen, slacking on their tasks but they'll be happy to see you."

Expecting everyone to follow her to the room but instead stood in confusion as no one moves.

Lizzie's feet stayed planted, biting her lip anxiously while pulling at the fabric of her white sweater like she wanted to rip it in half

"Um actually, before the rest of our dysfunctional family joins in on all the awkward fun that is to surely take place, I want to officially introduce someone to both of you first."

Klaus felt like the wind was knocked out of him when she took a step backwards to join the young vampire's side. Trying to keep his temper at bay when their hands joined again.

"This is Sebastian. He's a new student at the boarding school and my...my boyfriend." She timidly announced.

Another punch to the core.

Klaus' face was neutral but his body was stiff as a board from the pent up frustration that came with watching your child grow up right in front of you.

He tried to keep in mind the conversation he and Caroline just shared—easier said than done.

"It's nice to officially meet you Sebastian. We've heard great things about you. We're glad you were able to spend Christmas with us." Caroline greeted him.

"No, I'm the grateful one for you Headmistress. Not just for allowing me into your home for the holidays but also enrolling me into the school at the last minute. I see where Elizabeth gets her generosity from." Sebastian charmed.

Klaus' eyes couldn't roll harder, even more from how much Caroline was actually being affected by such mediocre charm. Her bright smile and modest blush that were once only preserved for him now being used on a amateur immortal with accent was sickening.

"It's an honor to finally put a face to the name, sir." Sebastian said with a nervous closed-lipped smile, stepping forward with his hand out.

Klaus stared down at the boy's hand, studied it like it was a foreign object as the three impatiently waited for him to make the next move. A handshake was final, a sign of respect and approval—he definitely didn't approve of him just yet.

He didn't like like this boy and if it were up to him his heart would be rolling in the ice cold snow for even gazing in Lizzie's direction. But he owed it to both Lizzie, and Caroline, to prove he trusted her.

Drawing out a dramatic exhale through his nose, Klaus uncrossed his arms as he locked eyes with the immortal boy. His jaw set and body tense when engulfing Sebastian's hand in a death grip, finally reciprocating the formal gesture.

"Um, Lizzie why don't we go find a nice vase to put these lilies in." Caroline suggested.

"You mean leave them alone, together?" Lizzie laughed. "Yeah, thanks but no thanks mom. I would prefer to return to Mystic Falls with my boyfriend in one piece."

Klaus chuckled at the nervous gulp dropping down Sebastian's throat.

"Sweetheart I promise, I won't kill him. Go on." He assured her with a sinister smile he usually wore before ripping out someone's spleen.

Relieved when she reluctantly followed Caroline out of the room, he set his focus back on the bug-eyed vampire in front of him.

"Unlucky for you I'm not big on keeping promises." Klaus gripped Sebastian's hand even harder—making him wince in pain and jerking himself forward.

"Mister Mikaelson—"

"Except when it comes to my family." Klaus added. "You'd be wise to remember the only reason your limbs aren't scattered around the bloody bayou and heart remains in your chest is because of Lizzie."

Sebastian frantically nodded, groaning from the pulsating ache in his right hand when Klaus finally released it from his hold.

Klaus took a step back, dipping his hands into his pants pockets as he watched the vampire boy massage his own hand. The vampire boy who was spending the next couple of days under his roof, charming his family. The vampire boy who captured Lizzie's heart and knowing there was nothing he could do about it—to protect her.

He sighed looking down at his shoes. "Do you care about her?"

Sebastian paused for a few seconds before nodding his head.

Klaus pressed his lips into a straight line as he walked dangerously slow towards the boy. "Usually I wouldn't tell a stranger this but you're not someone I consider a threat, Lizzie means everything to me. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for her and that includes torturing and mutilating anyone who dares to hurt her in anyway. Understood?"

The vampire gulped when he tripped over the carpet, now realizing how close their chests were to each other's and his back to the wall.

"She's been through quite a lot in her short life and doesn't need an ancient delinquent ruining how far she's come. So I ask again, do you care about her?"

"Me and Elizabeth had our issues in the beginning, I'll admit." Sebastian shamefully confessed. "I—I did hurt her, rather cruelly, and by all unknown good graces she found it in herself to forgive me and grant us a second chance. Deep down I know I don't deserve the your daughter's love and care but, she's the first person in centuries who sees me as a man instead of a monster. Who thinks I'm worth a second chance. It'd be senseless of me to not see what this could become and the past couple of months have proven the future to be bright. So yes, Mister Mikaelson I care about Elizabeth immensely and will leave before I ever hurt her again."

The hybrid shook his head, a small laugh following after. "I know that story, all too well." Cleared the emotional lump in his throat.

It felt like looking into the mirror of he and Caroline's journey. How they originated in hate and hurt. The amount of chances she gave him, the way they saw each other in ways no one else could and the frogs she had to kiss along the way before choosing him as her forever.

Not that Klaus was rallying for this boy to steal Lizzie away, but he was beginning to understand the their draw to one another. Thankfully they wouldn't have to face similar challenges but there were sure to be new ones, and he'd be there by her side—if she needed him.

"Well, I will say I appreciate your honesty."

"I didn't want my first impression to be based under false pretenses." Sebastian grinned with a shrug. "Though she tells me not to worry, your opinion about me does matter. The Headmistress as well but from what Elizabeth has told me, you two are quite close. She values your insights and opinions more than anyone's. Given your infamous and intimidating reputation, it was actually less awkward meeting you than the hairy mortal with a crossbow."

Klaus threw his head back, laughing hysterically.

"You should've seen when he actually tried using that contraption on me. Free comic relief. I'm sure he has one with your name on it as well."

Sebastian snickered. "Yes, actually he's already threatened me with it a few times. Threats and all, I'm glad she has a family who cares about her to this extent. It's refreshing...to someone who is foreign to such familial love."

Klaus understood this boy better than he'd ever admit.

Sighing, Klaus placed his hands in his pants pockets again.

"Come on. It's going to be a long weekend and you haven't even scratched the surface of meeting our entire family."

Link to my ff page. Thanks!

[honestgrins]

Klaroline plus "yikes, Our kids almost caught us doing the deed."

Late Arrival

The front door slammed shut, followed quickly by a frighteningly familiar shout. "Dad?"

Eyes wide, Caroline froze in his lap, her thighs almost painfully tight in their grip on his hips. Her lips parted to say something, but Klaus quickly pressed a hand over her mouth. It wouldn't do to be caught in flagrante delicto against the picture window of his studio. When she glared, he could only give an apologetic shrug before flashing them both to the relative safety of his bedroom. Even then, he wouldn't let her speak, which only made her glare more deadly.

He held a silencing finger to his mouth and hurriedly dressed, rushing out to meet Hope before she could come looking for him. The Italian palazzo was far removed from society and his family's usual haunts for a reason, making it the perfect destination for a spur-of-the-moment vacation hideaway; for his daughter to track him down despite the obvious ploy for privacy, he was more than a bit concerned. "Hope," he called, finding her in the kitchen. "What's wrong? I thought you were in France with your aunt."

It was a meticulously planned shopping distraction, one that Bekah would pay for cutting short if he couldn't mollify the angry vampire waiting for him upstairs.

"Nothing's wrong," Hope sighed, pulling his attention back to her. "But she found herself a boyfriend, and I figured I had better ways to spend my spring break than as a third wheel. I know you were isolating for some artistic inspiration or whatever, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind a roommate? I'll be super quiet, I promise."

Rubbing a hand through his hair, Klaus gave a conflicted huff. "Well-"

"Hey, Hope." Caroline popped into the kitchen like it was completely normal to be in his space, her appearance perfectly respectable and put together - a far cry from the torn lingerie and full body blush he'd left her in. She gave him a wide berth as she made her way to the fridge, pulling out two water bottles and handing one to Hope. "I didn't realize you were on break. How's UCLA?"

The arch of her brow was the only sign of surprise, but she took the question in stride. "It's fine, if a little sunnier than I was prepared for. I didn't realize you were here." She turned to Klaus, barely biting back a smile. "Isolating for artistic inspiration? Really? I'm a big girl, you know. You can just say you want quality time with your girlfriend."

Klaus started to argue, but Caroline cut him off. "Not his girlfriend." They had yet to come to an agreement on what they were, but that was a conversation to be had later. "I'm just here scouting for new consultants for the school. Your dad was nice enough to lend me a room while I negotiate terms."

"Sure," Hope said, her tone far from convinced. "So much for not being a third wheel."

"Not at all," Caroline insisted before Klaus could come up with a better plan. "Actually, I would love you join me when I talk to some of the witches on my list. It's hard to say no to a successful alum, especially if you put those big eyes of yours to work. What do you say?" She glanced back to where he stood, daring him to contradict her.

But he just held up his hands, more than a little charmed at watching how well they got along. He nodded to Hope, who seemed almost shy. 

"Fine, that sounds fun," she said, grateful. "I should unpack."

They both waved her off with a smile, neither of which fell when she left them alone. Caroline even started laughing. "Oh, this is why we're not having the girlfriend conversation," she reminded herself. "Because like hell am I going through that again with my girls. That was mortifying."

Tugging her to stand closer, Klaus dropped his lips to her ear and whispered low enough that Hope wouldn't hear from upstairs. "I've never had the rooms soundproofed," he explained. "It seems I will need to rectify that."

"You can be patient," she flirted back just as quietly. "However long it takes, right?" With a light kiss, she danced out of his reach to help with the unpacking, loudly complaining about the state of Hope's luggage and promising to teach her the proper way to pack a carry-on.

Klaus could only smile. While this was not at all how he'd expected the trip to go, he wasn't about to complain.

[queencarolinemikaelson]

Mini-Fridge

Klaroline Bingo as hosted by @klaroline-events Prompt // Mini-Fridge

A deleted scene of sorts. Before the MF gang pushes her to be her ~worst self~, no-humanity Caroline calls Klaus from her dorm at Whitmore to complain at him. Set mid-season six.

/

“Hello?”

“The mini-fridge you bought me literally just broke.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do I have to speak slower? The mini-fridge your bought me literally just broke.”

“Who is this?”

“Oh please, like you didn’t know the minute I changed my number.” 

“Caroline?”

“Yes, Caroline.”

Klaus pulled the phone away from his ear, to stare blankly at the unsaved number glowing on his screen, almost unable to believe she was calling him.

“Well, Caroline, it’s lovely to hear your voice.” 

“Mmhmm, whatever, Klaus,” Caroline said, shortly. “I want to know why you bought me a faulty item.”

“I have to say, love, I didn’t know it was faulty when I bought it.”

“Well, obviously,” Caroline said, the roll in her eyes very evident in her voice. “I was more implying that you were cheap. I know old money comes from scummy white men penny-pinching their way through life, but you’re literally like a thousand, Klaus, and don’t even need money to get through life. Why skimp on a present for me? I’m supposed to be your last love, remember?”

Klaus folded his lips into his mouth, in a valiant attempt to keep from grinning.

“I promise you, love, no expense was spared on your fridge, may I offer a replacement?”

“Hmm, maybe, but that doesn’t help me now, does it?” Caroline said passive-aggressively.

“Are you all right, love? You don’t sound like your cheery self?”

“I’m fine. Just a bit frustrated! My mini-fridge just broke, and now my B-positive tastes like it’s…. O-negative!”

Caroline’s voice was dripping with melodrama, and Klaus, once again, could barely contain his grin – she was just a delight.

“Well, I am glad you called me, perhaps I can hunt down the salesperson who sold it to me, and scare him into a refund?”

“Oh, that sounds fun, when?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said, when? And where I suppose.”

Klaus was taken aback; he hadn’t meant it as a suggestion… but if the shoe fit.

“Well, I bought it here of course, in New Orleans, and they had it shipped from their Richmond store.”

“Mmmkay, text me the exact store, and I’ll meet you there tomorrow at 8am.”

Without another word, Caroline hung up, leaving a bemused, but wholly amused Klaus to stare at his phone once again wondering what on earth had just happened.

xxx

When Elena arrived back at her dorm, she wasn’t sure if she could handle anymore of no-humanity Caroline. Honestly, it had been days and days of Caroline being snippy and judgemental, with absolutely no regard for Elena’s feelings at all.

And the brunette was not enjoying this side of her friend.

But, as she unlocked and pushed open her door, she was pleased to find the room blessedly Caroline free, with only a note to explain her whereabouts.

Gone interstate for a few days.

Oh I also thought up these fun nicknames for you guys years ago:

Exasperating Elena

Bothersome Bonnie

Stuffy Stefan

Dumbass Damon

Love you!

Cool Caroline

xxx

The next morning, Klaus sidled into the store at precisely 8am.

If he was honest, he was very nervous on the drive over. Nervous about her unusual behaviour, nervous of her sudden interest in him, nervous she wouldn’t show up… nervous she would.

But then…

“Klaus, hey, Klaus!”

He saw her waving him over the minute he stepped foot through the door.

Of course, Caroline, who was coming from out of state, beat him there.

“Why are you never on time?” she said, exasperated, grabbing his elbow and pulling him further into the store.

“This is your husband, ma’am?” a rather weedy looking sales assistant, whose badge read Jason, said anxiously to Caroline.

“Yes, this is my husband,” Caroline said, her voice commanding, giving Klaus a threatening side-ways look, as though daring him to challenge her story. “And he bought a very faulty, very expensive, mini-fridge for me – from here – less than a year ago. So we are here to make up for that, aren’t we, sweetie?”

“Yes, we are,” Klaus said, entertained, but fully taking the faux-marriage in his stride by snaking his arm around her waist. “I believe it was Edward who sold it to me, is he in, per chance?”

Jason continued to look anxiously between the couple, sensing instinctively that he was in some sort of danger, even if he couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Edward isn’t on today,” he replied. “But I’m… ah… sure I can help you with the refund and replacement process.”

“No Edward?” Caroline said, haughtily. “Shame.”

With that, Caroline dismissively flounced away to the section of the store that housed the mini-fridges leaving Klaus to throw a glance at Jason.

“We’ll be over there if you need anything, mate,” Klaus drawled, before following Caroline.

He was quite enjoying her little game, but Klaus knew something was very off about her.

He was sure it would take her longer than a year for her to come around to his charms. He figured it would be after she explored her life with her childhood friends, maybe after her mother died, and she was looking for the meaning in eternity she knew he could help her find.

“So, I’m your husband now, am I?” he asked, jokingly as he joined her.

“Just for today,” she shrugged flippantly, as she knelt down to inspect the inside of a particular fridge. “It’s practice.”

Klaus noted the total lack of empathy in her eyes in that moment, and he had his confirmation.

“You’ve turned off your humanity,” he stated.

“Are you going to give me the spiel about how this isn’t who I am, and I should consider the consequences blah-blah-blah, yarda-yarda like Stuffy Stefan? Honestly so boring,” she intoned, pulling a tape measure from her bag, and checking the height of the fridge against the purported height.

“Not at all love,” he replied. “Just curious.”

“Good, because otherwise I would have had to make a scene.”

“Oh, Caroline, love, you certainly know how to make a scene, humanity or not,” he grinned at her.

“Well, yes, that goes without saying,” she remarked.

“How long will you be in town?” Klaus queried.

“Oh, just a couple more hours. A total douchebag from my Intro to Statistics class was blabbing about a poker tournament he is tipped to win in Vegas later today. I intend to beat his sorry ass. Then I have to be back at Whitmore for class tomorrow.”

“Why go back to class?” Klaus asked, bemused. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“The fun, Klaus, will come after I have finished my degree. Humanity or not, I know what is important.”

“Can I come to Vegas with you?”

“If you have to, but you can not interfere in my tournament,” Caroline snapped, before standing to attention. “This is the one I want. Better colour, better efficiency, better volume.”

Caroline turned her commanding stare back to Jason, and summoned him with a single crook of her finger.

“This is the one,” she stated, as Jason nervously sidled up beside them. “My husband here will sort the particulars with you, and this one better not break. Or I’ll be back.”

As Caroline flounced away, Klaus couldn’t help but stare fondly after her.

She really was going to make such a formidable queen one day.

[lynyrdwrites]

Blood In Our Throat

Written for @klaroline-events bingo and the “Blood sharing” box.  Idea courtesy of @ofthedirewolves

Can also be read at AO3.

---

One. Our Town

It was cold.

Caroline couldn't remember the last time she had felt so cold. It was probably at some point before she had been turned, back when things such as the change in temperature really affected her.  But still she couldn't remember ever feeling so cold, even back then.

"How are you feeling?"

The world seemed cloudy at the edges, as though Caroline were looking at it through some sort of cloud.  She didn't answer her mother's question immediately, as Liz walked across the room.  She seemed to come more in focus as she got closer, and by the time she sat on the edge of her bed, Caroline finally understood what it was that had been asked. 

"I'm okay," she said, trying to smile.  But the way Liz's brow furrowed told her she was probably failing at convincing her mother that she was doing anything other than dying.  Which she was.  So instead of trying to soothe any further, she reached out to squeeze Liz's hand.  Her grip was weak, but she managed.  "You shouldn't be in here."

"I'm not going to let you die alone," Liz replied, her voice breaking when she said the word die.  Caroline felt her throat tighten, because this wasn't how any of this was supposed to happen.  Liz shouldn't be outliving her; that shouldn't have happened in general, but particularly not once Caroline became a vampire.  Caroline didn't realize she'd begun to squeeze Liz's hand harder until her mom winced, and Caroline recoiled. 

"You shouldn't be here," she said again, cradling her hand against her chest, her gaze focused on Liz's hand, her fingers already beginning to bruise.  "I'm going to hallucinate. And..."

I don't want to kill you is what she should say, but Caroline can't quite bring herself to say the words.  So she rolls onto her side, her back to Liz, and squeezes her eyes shut.  She barely keeps from putting her hands over her ears, as if by blocking her sight and her hearing, somehow the whole situation will disappear.  She won't have possibly broken her mother's fingers.  She won't be dying.

She won't be dying because of her boyfriend.

But she doesn't put her hands over her ears.  She can't see, but she does hear Liz leave the room.  And she hears when the doorbell rings.  Hears the accent and the deal with the devil her mother makes, and when he enters the room, she's manged to roll onto her back once more. 

"Are you going to kill me?" she asked him, hating that her voice sounded small.  But she felt small.  Small and scared, and she was dying. 

"On your birthday? You really think that low of me?"

He didn't seem like the devil, standing there.  In another life, she would have thought he was attractive, even.  But in that moment, he was just the guy that was behind her death, and for a brief second, she forget her fear, long enough to answer with a strength that would leave her immediately after.

"Yes."

She knew that they continued to talk, that there was something in there about how old he was.  But the world was beginning to fuzz at the edges, and at times, Caroline thought she might already be dead.  But then he leaned in towards her, and the intensity in his eyes... suddenly, everything was crystal clear. 

"And I could let you. Die. If that's what you want.  If you really believe your existence has no meaning. I've thought about it myself, once or twice over the centuries, truth be told.  But I'll let you in on a little secret." He leaned in, just a little bit closer, and when Caroline's breath caught, it wasn't entirely because of the bite burning on her neck.  He might be the Devil, but there was something magnetic about him. "There's a whole world out there waiting for you.  Great cities and art, and music.  Genuine beauty. And you can have all of it. You can have a thousand more birthdays.  All you have to do is ask."

She should snap at him.  She should spit in the face of his offer.  But something about the moment, about the way he looked at her, made it impossible for her to lie.  So, for the first time since Tyler had bit her, and she'd been trying to stay positive... she said the words she'd been swallowing back.

"I don't want to die."

When his blood hit her tongue, it tasted sweeter than anything she'd ever had before.  And when he stroked her hair... she felt comfort that she shouldn't.  That she would never admit to feeling if anyone asked.

But in that moment, she felt comforted.

Two. Into the Wild

She felt betrayed.

Not because Tyler had left her there, with the man that had bit her.  The man that had killed her.  Maybe she should have felt betrayed by that, that she was being left to save herself... but they weren't idiots.  She was her own best chance.

But she wasn't sure she could get out of her own way long enough to take that chance.

Because she felt betrayed.

Klaus was... he was evil.  Hadn't everyone said that over and over?  So maybe that made Caroline the idiot.  The idiot for snapping at him, for egging him on, but part of her had trusted him.  Had believed in him enough to think - to hope - that while he might destroy everyone else, he would always draw the line at her.

And now, she was dying.  Because her trust had been misplaced.

"If you don't feed me your blood, I'll die." There.  That was easy enough to say.  It was just blunt truth.  Maybe that was all it would take, and she wouldn't have to think about him anymore.  

He glared at her from the doorway, arms crossed, his expression tight.  It could have been caused by petulance.  She liked to believe it might be regret, but she'd already believed in him once.

And he'd chosen to kill her.

"Then you'll die, and Tyler will have learned his lesson the hard way." He spoke, but he didn't look at her, staring instead across the room from him.  She stared at him, silently willing him to turn his head.  If she was going to die because of him, he could at least give her the dignity of acknowledging what he had done. 

He could at least watch the results of his action.

"How could you do this to him? To his mom? To me?" And it was the last one that she meant the most.  If she were truthful, the fact that he'd hurt Tyler? Even that he'd killed Carol?  Not all that surprising in the long run.  Klaus took betrayal poorly, and he viewed what Tyler had done as betrayal because he had such a crappy, messed up version of what loyalty was, and who deserved it.  But... maybe she did, too. 

After all, she'd been dumb enough to think he cared, hadn't she?

"I'm a thousand years old. Call it boredom." And still he refused to look at her, though somehow his jaw seemed to, impossibly tighten even more.  Not petulance.  Caroline felt she understood his character well enough to know this.  

It was regret.

"I don't believe you." Her voice was soft, and it was said as a challenge.  She meant it as a challenge.

"Fine. Then maybe it's because I'm pure evil and I can't help myself," he replied, still in that voice that seemed somewhat disengaged, even as he continued to refuse to look at her, as if he couldn't bear the sight.

And was she still stupid, that she hoped that meant he couldn't stand to see what he had done, because he regretted hurting her? And oh God, was she really going to be that kind of idiot?

She needed to just get him to save her. Savehersavehersaveher.  Maybe if she repeated it like a mantra, she could convince herself that's all this was.  Manipulating him into her helping her.  That the only reason she felt pain was because of the bite, and not because he had been the one that bit her. 

"No. It's because you're hurt.  Which means there is a part of you that is human."

Saying that made her think of the Miss Mystic pageant, and his story about the hummingbird.  She'd looked at him and seen to the heart of who he was.  She was sure of it.  That man that had teased her with her Miss Mystic application and the man that still couldn't look at her... they were still the same man, and that man was more than just a monster.  

Savehersavehersaveher... that was it.  She didn't need to think flowery thoughts of redemption.  She just needed to be saved, and then she needed to be out. 

"How could you possibly think that?" Finally, he looked at her.  Took steps towards her.  He wasn't all the way there, but their eyes finally met, and she could see the emotion in his, and she knew she'd been right.  That was regret. 

Well, they both regretted a lot then, didn't they?

"Because I've seen it. Because I've caught myself wishing that I could forget all the horrible things that you've done." She hadn't meant to say it, that last part - she'd meant to leave it at having seen it.  But Klaus seemed to wrench the truth from her in ways no one else could, and the world was blurring and turning dark at the edges.  So the words came out before she could stop them, and hung in the air.

"But you can't, can you?"

Distance again, but Caroline had already started to put the truth out there, right?  So she might as well throw all her cards on the table and see where they would lie, and then deal with the aftermath.

Or not deal with it, if she was dead.

God, she might still end up dead.

"I know that you're in love with me. And anybody capable of love, is capable of being saved."

Silence fell heavy between them, and Caroline felt her eyes begin to drift shut.  Was that her dad in the corner?  It sort of looked like him.  Maybe he was here to take her, wherever they went after death.  Except he hadn't chosen to become a vampire, had he?

She wouldn't get to see her parents again.  That wasn't something she'd thought about before, but it hit her now.  Vampires didn't go to the same place humans did.  She'd never get to say anything to him again.

"You're hallucinating." She managed to open her eyes and look at Klaus for a moment.  Had she forgotten he was there?  That seemed like an odd thing to forget.  But she could barely keep her eyes open anymore, and her dad... she thought he'd moved a bit closer.  But still, she needed to look at Klaus for just this one last moment.  She was sad and pathetic, but she wanted to remember his expression. 

Maybe it would give her comfort, once she was dead.  To know that he was suffering too.

"I guess I'll never know..."

She didn't know what she'd never know, but that's what came out, and then she just... drifted.

She felt as if she were floating.  Was this the afterworld?  Just floating in nothingness, something sweet and familiar coating her tongue and throat.  It could be okay.  Even the pain was going away now.

And somewhere through the fog, she heard him say her voice, and yeah... maybe this would be okay.

3. Graduation

Klaus had just turned his phone back on when it began to beep incessantly.  He raised a brow, seeing the various missed calls and texts from Caroline.  As much as he would like to believe she'd been reaching out to say she'd missed him, he wasn't quite so caught up in his own charms as to be that foolish.  She still needed time, preferably away from this small town and her foolish friends, before she would make a decision in his favor. 

Luckily for them both, he had nothing but time to give to her. Until she made that final step towards him, he would amuse himself in New Orleans with Marcellus and let her lead her life. 

He hoped she would appreciate the graduation gift he was prepared to give her, even though it made him want to seethe with jealousy.  But part of living her life meant growing out of her relationship with Lockwood.  It had already begun to happen, but without time with the boy she would turn him into a martyr in her mind. 

He lifted the phone to his ear, to listen to the message she had left him, and felt himself grin, even as he sighed. 

Of course Damon Salvatore would get himself bit by a werewolf and need his assistance. 

Well, Caroline could consider it another gift. 

But if the veil really had opened between their world and the next, he wasn't going to spend his time playing errand boy.  He had plenty of enemies that might view Caroline as a weakness - and they would rue the day they failed to realize that having such a weakness made him infinitely more dangerous - so he would find her first, and Damon could be saved later. 

He had never thought himself the knight in shining armor type, but he did have to admit... the look on her face when he appeared to save them all from some very angry witches who should be dead - it was almost enough to make him contemplate taking up do-gooder status.  

Sadly, that didn't last all that long.

"We need-"

"My blood," Klaus cut her off before he could finish, already looking around for something to use as a container.  For Caroline, he would give a donation.  But not even for her would he allow Damon Salvatore's mouth anywhere near his body.  It was the Doppelganger, who held out a water bottle, and the Quarterback of all people, that offered him a knife.  "Well, look at that.  I'm sure this makes you very prepared for your inevitably horrifying and bloody death."

"Klaus," Caroline hissed, smile replaced by a narrow-eyed glare.  But Klaus just smirked at her, because he knew her well enough now, to know when she was truly angry.  And in this case, the anger was all for show.  

"For you," he said, offering her the bottle once he'd poured some of his blood into her. For a second, she hesitated.  He wondered if she was thinking about the other times he had given her his blood.  If she recalled that this was the first time it came without pain to her.  Perhaps he might be capable of feeling just the slightest inklings of guilt.  But only for her.

The bottle had barely passed from his hand to hers, before Stefan had it away from her and had taken off, Elena at his heels.  

"Thank-you," Caroline said, and it might have been a moment, if not for the fact that she was called away to take care of something.  Because of course Caroline was the one in charge of the entire day.

So they didn't get that moment, not until later, when he found her cleaning up, and the ghosts had been returned to his other side.  Including Kol, though Klaus had plans to reverse that in the near future.  He wouldn't tell Caroline of them yet, however.

Instead, he offered her Tyler Lockwood's freedom and kissed her cheek with a promise of eternity.  And never in his thousand years of life had he ever found anything so hard as walking away from her, with no return promise that she wanted to spend her eternity with him.

+ One. Where We Say Fuck Canon

New Orleans was both exactly and nothing at all like Caroline had expected. 

It had the energy she thought it would, the atmosphere.  She swore she could feel eyes watching her from empty windows, and wondered if the buildings she passed really were haunted, or if it was just her imagination running away with her.  During her college years, when she'd found herself regretting some of her choices and wondering about the world outside her little group of friends she could never bear to leave... she'd read about the city and it's ghosts and she had imagined she would feel just like this.

It was nothing like she'd expected, because in all her imaginations, she'd never been here alone.  Even after she'd made him promise to never return to her, she'd always imagined that, someday, she might return to him instead.  Show up in this city and play his voicemail and demand a tour.

In all those dreams she'd had of this place, she had never been alone. 

It was odd, to stand on Bourbon Street and have no one at her side.  Even when she'd been a teenager thinking that no one loved her, she had never been alone in this way.  Most of the ones she'd left behind in Mystic Falls had no idea where she was.  Only Bonnie and Enzo, who had both offered to accompany her... but this was something Caroline needed to do herself.  

It was the first step towards her eternity, and she would never embrace it fully if she was still dragging her past right behind her. 

So now, here she was, apparently five years later than she should be - but she'd just gotten a text from Rebekah of all people a week ago, so she hadn't realized there was an issue going back five years. 

Nik's been trapped under New Orleans half a decade.  Do something about it, won't you?

For the first time ever, Caroline had been able to respond with "new phone, who 'dis?" only for Rebekah to call her and rant at her for almost an hour, asking how she dare forget about her.  Caroline hadn't, of course, but she had forgotten Rebekah's number as soon as she'd been able too.  After all, she hadn't been the one with the poison healing blood and promises of forever.  Caroline hadn't really expected to ever need the other woman's phone number again, like, ever. 

But after the lecture, she'd managed to get the entire story out of Rebekah.  The story of how her brother had sacrificed his own life - which, what? - so that his siblings could get away from Rebekah's ex, who also happened to be Klaus' adopted son, who was now even more powerful than the Original Hybrid himself thanks to some witchy woo-woo.

Yeah, it was a whole thing. And apparently the Mikaelson family's relationships with each other were even more messed up than Caroline had ever realized. 

So, Caroline had decided to ride into New Orleans and play the role of super heroine, while leaving Elena and her Salvatore brothers in the dark.  It's not like they were expecting to hear from her after all, since that whole awkward her and Stefan almost being a thing, thing.  It had been a time in her life when she made multiple poor decisions.  She regretted basically all of them and would like to forget about everyone they involved except Enzo and Bonnie, thank-you very much. 

And it was stupid, really, that even here, in a city she had never been before, the past constantly hounded her steps.

She didn't want the past anymore.  She wanted the future.  She wanted the future Klaus Mikaelson had promised her under the stars on the night of her graduation, sealed with a kiss on her cheek that she'd never been able to forget.  Even more than their one afternoon in the woods outside her hometown, it was that kiss that she remembered.

The sex had been a good-bye.

But that kiss... that kiss, placed so softly against her cheek.  That kiss that still burned her skin, left her able to feel his lips as clearly as if it had happened just yesterday - that kiss had been an oath that they would someday have forever together.

And she still wasn't sure if she was entirely ready to cash in on that oath, but it would never happen if he remained buried in the basement of some dusty old building because he hadn't been able to get out of his own way long enough to make peace with a boy he had, apparently, raised. 

That had been a surprise. And, okay, Rebekah hadn't exactly said the whole thing was Klaus' fault.  She'd actually painted him out to be rather heroic, all things considered.  But she'd left him there for five years, and Caroline felt she was familiar enough with Klaus' worst habits that she could safely assume it was, somehow, all his fault.  That he had actually taken one for Team Mikaelson so his family could get away?

That showed some growth. And after a thousand years, growth was actually kind of impressive. 

Caroline shook her head, because being distracted right now wasn't a thing she should be.  The amulet around her neck that made her invisible to the supernatural had a time limit, and she had activated it once she'd figured out exactly what address she needed to get to.  One hour.  That's how long she had, according to Bonnie.  Rebekah had warned her that Klaus' enemies included some witches that were pretty powerful in their own right, but a follow up call from Kol, remarkably alive, had assured her that those witches had nothing on a Bennett Witch.

Hopefully he wasn't being bitter and spiteful, because if it turned out that Bonnie's spell wasn't good enough... well, dead wasn't a look that would suit Caroline, so she just wouldn't consider the possibility. 

It was weird, to walk right by vampires and have them look right through her.  It would have been the worst nightmare of seventeen year old Caroline, who had felt invisible without it being literal.  Now she was just kind of glad.  There were a lot of vampires, and while Caroline had taken on some stupid odds in her life, she'd always done it under duress and never alone.  

She had to wait a little longer than she wanted, for someone to let her into the house, and she got slightly turned around at one point before finding the entrance.  The dungeon below the Abattoir. 

It was dark and gross and very much looked like it belonged in a scene from Nosferatu.  But no one seemed to notice that she had entered. The whole place was eerily silent until Caroline finally found Klaus, shackled to the wall and looking completely terrible. 

"Well, you've seen better days."

Klaus' head shot up, and he looked around with wild eyes, his fangs bared.  

"Caroline?" he asked the air.  "Come to haunt me again?  I thought I told you to sod off."

Caroline found herself blinking in surprise, and she quirked her head.  Her fingers hovered over the ring she wore on her pinky, the one that Bonnie had spelled.  She knew she had limited time; only about twenty minutes before the spell faded.  But she had to take the moment, to just look at him. 

Wild, she thought again.  That really was the best way to describe him.  His hair, his eyes, his expression.  Everything about him was wild, and for a moment fear clutched her throat, and she thought about turning around.  Just walking out, not endangering everyone.  Because he was dangerous.  He was more than dangerous.  Klaus was dangerous when he was sane; without the sanity?  Caroline wasn't sure he would leave anyone alive, including her.

"I lied," he murmured, before she made any decisions, clutching his head.  "Speak to me again, Love."

She pulled off the ring and let it drop to the ground.  When Klaus' head snapped up again, those wild eyes landing on her, she didn't feel endangered anymore.  Klaus wasn't looking at her like he wanted her dead.

He was looking at her like a parched man seeing water.

"You know, I kind of always hoped you might do something decent," she said, kneeling at his side.  When he just continued to stare at her, she lifted her hand.  After another moment of hesitation, she stroked his cheek, and then ran her fingers up to his hair, pushing the strands out of his hair.  "Of course, sacrificing your freedom for an indefinite period of time wasn't what I really was thinking of.  Maybe just letting your sister date someone without trying to kill them would have been a good step."

"Caroline?" he whispered, raising his hand to grasp at her wrist.  It came up just short, however, the chain not quite letting him reach her.  "You... you can't be here.  You're a hallucination.  You love to haunt me."

"Really?" she asked, hand cradling his jaw.  "I come all this way and you accuse me of being a hallucination. Rude."

He stared at her, and slowly the beast faded from his eyes, until they were blue and normal and staring at her with shock.

"You can't be here, Love.  He'll kill you, and I can't save you."

"By him do you mean your adopted son?  Because really, Klaus, your family?  Makes mine look normal, and my father literally tried to torture the vampire out of me." She moved away from him a bit to test the chains that held him.  They were spelled not to break against supernatural strength, of course.  Normal chains would never hold Klaus Mikaelson in place. 

But Caroline had learned a thing or two over the years, and she pulled a bobbie pin out of her hair, carefully bending it in the exact ways she and Enzo had learned, when she had sat down with him and googled directions for picking locks, so that he'd have a way to escape a cage besides brute strength. 

The chains might be protected against being broken... but they were still susceptible to good old fashioned lock picking.  Enzo had picked it up easier, but Caroline's competitive nature meant she hadn't been able to give up until she was damn good at it herself, and in just a few minutes, the chains fell from him.

"Can you stand?" she asked him, as he shook his limbs, staring at the way he was suddenly free. 

"You can't be here," he said again.  "Leave.  I'll tear my way out if I must."

Caroline checked her watch.  Ten minutes left, and the ring wouldn't protect them both.  She let out a slow breath and contemplated the area.  There wasn't anything that screamed "I'll help you escape!"

"Well, we're doing this," she muttered, and before she could think twice, she bit into her wrist, in the way Klaus had so many years ago, and then cradled his back, pressing the bloody cut to his lips.

She thought he might refuse at first, but for once she was stronger than him, and way more stubborn.  So in just a few seconds, he was pulling blood from the wound, making Caroline wince.  But she still stroked his hair, the same way she remembered him doing.  Not that she remembered much about the second time... but she could make some assumptions. 

"Why are you here?" he asked, after letting her wrist go and pulling back from her.  His color was already better, and Caroline cleaned her already healing wrist on her jeans, wrinkling her nose at the fact that the whole thing wasn't sanitary at all.

"Really?  Not a thank-you, or a hello? Or a solid plan for getting out of here, because I honestly don't really have one, and being killed by the Uber You is not a thing I want."

Caroline was already moving away, looking for an escape, when Klaus grabbed her hand and spun her around.  She found herself pulled into a sudden hug that had her freezing for a moment, before slowly wrapping her arms around him.  He... was a surprisingly good hugger.  And was already warm again, even though he'd been cold and clammy before she'd fed him her blood.

"Thank-you, Caroline," he murmured, his voice and breath warm against her ear.  

"I... your welcome."

"And there's another way out this way."

Still holding her hand, he turned and led her in the opposite direction she had been going.  Their fingers twined together, and the whole thing felt right, made her feel almost giddy. 

"You're okay with this?" she asked him.  "Just leaving?"

"I can return to murder Marcel and everyone he ever cared about." She should probably be disturbed by that, but instead it just soothed the worry she hadn't even realized she'd been feeling.  Klaus was still in there.  Her Klaus.  And that felt right, too.  "But I promised you the world once.  I'd like to begin to keep that promise, before you remember I'm the devil and run away."

"I might do that anyway," Caroline admitted, although it felt less likely than it had before, now that he was holding her hand in his.  "I'm not the best bet, Klaus.  I might have some issues."

"Don't we all?" he replied carelessly, before he stopped, turning to look at her once again.  "You're hardly a worse bet than I, Caroline.  Yet here you are."

"Yeah," she agreed, softly.  "Here I am."

"And here I am as well."

And then he was kissing her.  It wasn't the chaste kiss on the cheek at her graduation, or the wild passion in the forest.  It was...

It was sweet, but promising.  The type of promising that made her believe that maybe they weren't such bad bets after all.

"Let's get out here," he said, pulling back, and Caroline felt her lips slowly curve into a smile, remembering the last time he'd said those words.

"Before twelve angry hybrids decide to pick a fight?"

"Or several dozen very angry vampires."

And still clutching her hand, he took off.  And it didn't feel like running away from several very angry vampires, even though that's very much what they were doing.

Instead, it felt like running towards forever. Finally.

[misssophiachase]

For @klaroline-events​​ KC Bingo - “Opera House”

Bill Forbes is a well known mafia boss in Chicago. At 19, Caroline turned her back on her upbringing and left to study at a musical conservatory in Europe. Fast forward ten years and she’s a famous opera singer. Due to recent security concerns, she’s been saddled with a bodyguard she’s determined to resent, mainly because she knows the idiot.

Safe and Sound

-Caroline-

Present Day - The Bolshoi Theatre - Moscow, Russia

“Don’t you knock?”

“I did but I don’t actually need your explicit permission to enter.”

“What if I was changing?”

“It’s not like I haven’t seen it before,” he murmured, his dark, blue eyes flickering down the length of her neck and focusing on her gold necklace, obviously partially visible and peeking out from her costume.

Caroline could have kicked herself for letting him see that. But she’d become so accustomed to it and the way it made her feel.

Safe. 

Protected.

The last thing she needed was to give him an inkling that she cared. 

He was a well-built, five-foot nine, suit-wearing, former Navy Seal, pain-in-the-ass who liked to be right. All the time. He also liked telling her what to do. It was like he got a kick out of being the alpha male.

How did she know this? They had a complicated past, and he didn’t seem to have changed one bit in ten years. 

Caroline didn’t like alpha males then and she sure as hell didn’t like them now. She also didn’t like playing the victim. She was many things, but she wasn’t that. 

“You can’t just come and go as you please, Mikaelson,” she growled. “I’d like to have some semblance of normalcy in my life and your presence is cramping my style.”

“Well, I’m sorry to ruin your social life, sweetheart, but there are greater things at play here.”

“I don’t need reminding.”

“I actually think you do,” he shot back, his forehead creasing. “These people don’t mess around and given your past,” she gave him a knowing look., “our past,” he corrected for her benefit. “You should know just how much.”

“I’m perfectly aware,” she shouted. “But we’re not kids anymore, and I’d really prefer not to be treated like one.”

“Caroline,” he implored, instinctively moving closer, his hand finding a stray lock of hair and fastening it behind her ear. She felt her chest constrict; his touch was as familiar as it was tender.

She shook her head determined to pretend that their past and whatever this conversation had become was a distant memory.

“I’ve got to get to rehearsal.” She left without a backwards glance, albeit on unsteady legs.

Why did he have to come back into her life and why did it have to be now? She could still remember their reunion like it was yesterday.

3 months earlier - La Fanciulla del West Opening Night - Sydney Opera House, Australia 

Caroline took her obligatory bow as the thunderous applause reverberated throughout the venue. 

As someone who’d been singing since she was five, moments like this were still surreal. Caroline had worked hard to get where she was, and she didn’t take anything for granted.

Especially nights like this. 

As she made her way from the stage, arms full of flowers, she noticed him standing in the wings. Given the intensity of the stage lights, all she could make out was his pristine suit, striped tie and imposing stance.

Caroline only realised it was him as she was giving her flowers to the stage attendant.

From one glance, Caroline could see that, albeit older, the years had been good to him. There were still the tell-tale curls, stormy, blue eyes and crimson lips but they seemed to be even more pronounced now if possible.

She was immediately curious about his unexpected appearance, but Caroline had no intention of reacting or acknowledging him, he didn’t deserve it.  

She could sense him watching her, intense and focused, as she made her way purposefully towards her dressing room.

Caroline walked past several well-wishers but she could still feel him following closely. His footsteps were undetectable, but she could still sense his overwhelming presence. 

She placed her hand on the door handle to the dressing room, not expecting his warm and masculine one to cover it. Before she could react, he’d spun her around so her back was up against the door and her arms pinned. 

He was towering over her, his chest mere inches from hers, those dark, blue eyes angry and demanding. Those crimson lips she knew intimately were so temptingly close but pursed tightly. Caroline knew from experience she was in trouble but right now that was the least of her problems.

“Are you lost?”

“Cute,” he muttered, his hands slowly releasing her wrists. “Maybe you should consider a career in stand up comedy and not opera.”

“Maybe you should with lines like that,” she countered, her gaze unwavering. 

Unapologetic.

“Can I go into my dressing room now?” 

He didn’t verbalise a response just moved to the side so she could slip inside. Once the door was closed and curious onlookers shut out she let loose. 

“How dare you manhandle me like that in front of the cast and crew!”

“Manhandle, Forbes? Nice to see your dramatic tendencies haven’t abated over the years.”

“That’s what you’re going to say to me after that little performance?”

“I’m your bodyguard, love, it’s what I do.” Caroline faltered, wondering when this terrible decision was made and also trying to ignore that familiar endearment which still sounded so good as it rolled off his tongue effortlessly. “Your team told me to introduce myself after the opera ended.”   

She was going to kill Enzo and Katherine. 

Sure, some guy had decided he liked her a bit too much and had sent a bunch of unsolicited mail and gifts, but she had no intention of changing her life for him and had told them as much. That was until her manager and publicist decided to conspire together, despite her express wishes, and contract a bodyguard without her knowledge.

A bodyguard that was not supposed to be her ex-boyfriend from another life. But here he was in the flesh. She couldn’t stop the memories from ten years ago flashing through her mind if she tried.

Kissing in the rain. Telling her he’d love her forever. Telling her she’d never be alone. Now, here he was after all this time.

Beautiful but demanding.

Breathtaking but arrogant.  

“That’s what you call an introduction, Mikaelson?”

“Well, we do know each other so I had to be creative.”

“I didn’t appreciate you…”

“I only did that to illustrate danger is everywhere. In an applauding audience, in the wings, backstage in your dressing room. You need to be more aware of your surroundings.”

“You’ve only been back five minutes, and are already lecturing me. And when in the last ten years did you become a bodyguard?”

He paused, closing his eyes briefly, no doubt trying to find the words. Caroline mentally kicked herself for asking that. She didn’t want him to think she cared.

In reality she knew he’d left Chicago to join the Navy all those years ago. The only reason she knew that was because he left her there. Alone.   

“I’m here because...”

“Actually don’t worry about it,” she said dismissively. “I don’t need to know. But it’s only one guy who likes to write letters so I think this is all overkill.” 

It was only as she said it and noticed his expression change, and then darken, that this suddenly didn’t seem like such a big coincidence. 

“My father asked you to come?” He nodded. “And this isn’t just some guy who likes giving creepy gifts, is it?” He shook his head. 

Caroline needed to sit down. 

She found her chair and sunk into it, her fingers combing through her golden waves. It was something she did when she was trying to process something she really didn’t want to process.   

“They released him from jail.” Caroline barely got the words out. It was a statement more than a question. 

“He won’t hurt you, Caroline.” He was beside her in an instant, his hand finding its way to her leg. It wasn’t necessarily unwelcome and that frustrated her more than anything. “I won’t let him.”

“Well, let’s hope you’re right,” she murmured. “I have an after party to get ready for and I’d appreciate it if you left the room.”

She busied herself choosing an outfit to wear, knowing if she looked in his eyes she was a goner. And she had no intention of losing it in front of him, of all people.

Present Day - Turandot Restaurant - Moscow

“How could you do this to me?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific, Care,” she replied. “I do things that annoy people on a regular basis.”

“Kat!”

“Fine,” she admitted. “But there are worse things than having a gorgeous hunk of man meat like that by your side twenty-four-seven.”

“Hunk of man meat? Just how many vodkas have you knocked back tonight?”

The Russian Operatic Society was hosting a dinner for Caroline, the cast and crew at the famed restaurant to welcome the production to Moscow. Her publicist and best friend Katherine had clearly been taking advantage of the free hospitality.

They’d met in Bulgaria three years earlier. Katherine was visiting family and Caroline was on a brief vacation between shows. Being European residents born in America, the two had hit it off and Katherine had become her publicist not long after.    

“I lost count after the first couple,” she drawled. “You really could do with a few of these, they take the edge off.”

“I don’t need to take the edge off anything,” she hissed. Given the curious glances from their fellow diners she’d no doubt said it a bit too loudly. 

“Say it louder for the people at the back,” Kat teased. “This is exactly what I mean. Something to take the edge off from all that sexual tension bubbling below the surface between you and lover boy.”

“Shhhh,” she chided. “Any louder and lover boy, uh I mean Klaus, will hear you.”

“For the last time, I had no idea you two had a past. The company said he came very highly recommended.”

“My father has networks everywhere,” she growled. “He has this amazing ability to insert himself into a situation without leaving his fingerprints.”

Caroline had left her family behind a decade earlier and even though it was difficult she knew to have any kind of a normal life it needed to happen. She was also aware that, deep down, her father knew that too which is why he’d let her go. 

Obviously though not completely. . 

“Who knew my bestie was a mafia princess? It’s like something out of a Robert De Niro movie.”

“Shhhh,” she repeated. “I really shouldn’t let you out in public, Pierce.”

“Says the girl who’s a famous opera singer and didn’t feel the need to tell me this pertinent detail that could come out at any time?”

“I’m sorry. You must think I’m strange wanting an out from my former life but choosing a not-so secret career path. I didn’t expect the singing career to happen so fast, let alone at all. I did change my surname.”

“Yes, Caroline Cassidy. Now I know why you weren’t impressed when I asked if your nickname was CC.”

“Cassidy is my middle name.”

“How original.”

“Enough with the snark, Pierce. I know I should have told you in case something came up but it just seemed easier to…”

“Play pretend and let some madman stalk you instead?”

“Yeah because I’d let him do that,” she teased, attempting to lighten the mood.  Caroline knew exactly who he was and what he wanted with her and that thought was ruining the last shreds of her good mood. 

“This isn’t a joke and as much as you like to pretend you hate Mister Muscles you need him.” Caroline snorted by way of response. “What’s the story with you two anyway? Were you like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, well without the dying part.”

“We weren’t the Montagues and the Capulets, Kat. Our fathers were in the business together and given my father sent Klaus my way I imagine they’re still close. And we had something, yes, but it’s been over for a very long time.”

“Did he dump you?”

“Why do you assume he did the dumping?”

“I’m just trying to put the pieces of this very complicated puzzle together, Cassidy or Forbes or whatever your name is.”

“He left to join the navy and I left to study in Europe.”

In truth, that’s what happened, plain and simple, but Caroline was still harbouring a grudge. One that had festered for years and now the memory of their time together as teenagers in love wasn’t a happy one. It was one full of questions and doubt that what they had wasn’t real.   

She had never loved anyone like Klaus, even to this day, and she’d often wondered whether he felt the same way. Whether he found himself thinking about what they could have had. What they could have been. 

It was something she desperately needed to know but would never ask. Her pride was everything. 

“Well, if that isn’t the precis to a really boring movie,” she pretended to yawn for effect. “You wouldn’t be so hot under the collar about him if that was everything.” She had a point but Caroline had no intention of giving her the satisfaction. 

“Why can’t we just ditch him? Enzo can protect me.”

“Enzo can’t protect himself let alone anyone else and you know how much he hates spiders. Yeah that’s a surefire way to protect you from getting killed.”

“Way to ruin the mood.”

“No, that’s my job,” Klaus murmured, suddenly appearing from what seemed like nowhere and placing himself between their seats discreetly. She was trying to ignore just how good he smelled, a mixture of sandalwood and spices. “We need to get out of here now.”

“This guy is the life of the party,” Caroline joked. She was getting a little sick of all the interruptions. Every time something seemed untoward they had to leave and every time it was a false alarm.   

“I don’t want to scare you but there is someone across the room…”

“Where?” Kat asked, suddenly turning around. 

“This is why I don’t tell you that information because you can’t be discreet, Pierce,” he noted, a grimace on his face. 

“Enough with the theatrics,” Caroline muttered. 

“The person in question looks like he wants to devour you and I don’t mean it in a nice way, Caroline.”

“Maybe he’s still hungry after the appetizer?” Kat suggested. “I know I am.”

“Do I need to call your sponsor?” Caroline asked, trying not to laugh. 

“Enough, you two let’s go,” he gestured impatiently toward the exit. 

“You’re really helping my dating life, you know that, Mikaelson?” Katherine asked, locating her purse and following him and Caroline from the room. 

“You can stay as long as you like, Katherine,” he said, ushering them towards the exit. “Caroline’s mine.” 

She should have been offended, he basically said he owned her like some chauvinistic ass, even if it probably wasn’t meant that way.

But for some reason she wanted him to mean it. And now it was too late. She felt the heat coil in her abdomen, the arousal that had been building for weeks between them threatening to spillover and Caroline was struggling to say the least.

She licked her lips, watching his taut behind move from side to side in those fitted suit pants thinking just what she wanted to do with him.     

What came next she wasn’t expecting, three loud shots rang out and she felt his hard body envelop her, knocking her to the ground. 

She was shocked, the fact she was also winded didn’t register, neither did the cries of the people in the room nor the general mayhem as they rushed to the exit all at once. 

Suddenly darkness overtook her and everything went black. 

-Klaus-

Present Day - Chastnaya Klinika Na Vernadskogo Private Hospital, Moscow

Klaus didn’t show emotion. He found that it just got in the way. He’d trained himself well over the past ten years in the Navy not to care about anything. 

Klaus found without emotion he was unstoppable, focused and at his very best.  

Now was not one of those times. And if he was being honest, Klaus knew that he’d shut her out of his life years earlier because the associated emotion would make him feel exactly like this. 

Angry.

Confused.

Desperate. 

All the things he hated because they made him extremely vulnerable and right now he needed to be able to protect Caroline.  

He’d been in similar situations, gunfire wasn’t new, but with her it was. When her father called to ask he couldn’t say no. Not just because Bill had asked but because Klaus had missed her so much he ached. 

He’d conveniently forgotten just how much his reappearance would affect Caroline and just how much their unresolved issues would be compounded. 

And those two factors had combined together the past three months to create fireworks and not of the sexual kind, even if their tension was off the charts. 

Being at the hospital brought back so many memories of a time when they were two very different people leading two very different lives. 

12 years earlier - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago Illinois, USA

“I came as soon as I finished work at the restaurant,” Klaus smiled, making his way to her bed side a bunch of white lilies , her favourite, in hand.  “If I have to make another tortellini it won’t be soon enough.”

His father owned an Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago, amongst other things, and Klaus worked there a couple of days after school a week.  He didn’t need the money but Mikael thought a job was good to build a strong constitution. 

“I knew there was a reason I kept you around, Mikaelson,” she grinned, pulling him closer for a kiss. It was only when he pressed against her chest that she winced, her pain visible. 

“I’m sorry,” he soothed. “At least tell me you fared better than the other person?” 

“This is me we’re talking about,” she teased. “Hang on, how did you know there was someone else?”

“I’ve seen you yield that hockey stick. What exactly happened at practice?” He asked warmly, taking a seat and holding out his hand so she could place hers in it.  

While Caroline attended Mount St Joseph Private Girls’ School, Klaus went to St Ignatius College Prep. A lot of their mutual friends were dating so were all part of the same group.     

“It wasn’t my fault...”

“But yet starting your story like that tells me it’s probably the exact opposite, sweetheart.” She gave him a look which clearly meant she wasn’t thrilled by his response. “You know just saying.”

“In my defence…”

“This isn’t Judge Judy, Caroline. Just tell me what happened.”

“I fell over during our practice hockey match and bruised my ribs but it was totally worth it.” 

“Why exactly?” He asked knowingly, a smile playing on his lips. “Fess up, Forbes.”

“I might have accidentally,” he gave her a look which clearly said he didn’t believe her. “Okay, I tripped Hayley Marshall with my hockey stick but she totally deserved it.”

“Oh really?”

“She said you were too hot for me and let’s just say I didn’t appreciate her for insulting my looks and fawning all over my boyfriend,” she seethed, her jealous tone not lost on Klaus. “If anyone gets to call you hot it’s going to be me not some whiny, doe eyed and, might I add, bad hockey player.”

“If you weren’t sporting an injury right now I’d show you just how hot I can be,” he said, emitting a low growl. “And she’s got nothing on you, love.” 

“I’m far more resilient than you think,,” she purred, placing a lingering kiss on his mouth. 

“So, today it’s tripping mean girls by hockey stick, how are you going to top this?” She rolled her eyes by way of response. “I know you like to run screaming in the opposite direction of your roots but maybe there’s more mafia in you than you think, Caroline Forbes.”

 “My father will be so proud to hear his little girl is literally beating girls off you with a stick,” she drawled sarcastically. “But it’s my mother I get the hot temper from, don't forget.”

“I couldn’t forget that, love,” he shot back, thinking he’d been on the wrong end of her fiery nature more than once, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.  “It’s extremely arousing.”

“I wasn’t lying about the resilience either so you better get me out of here before I encourage you to not be so PG with me, Mikaelson.”

Present Day 

“How is she?” Klaus was broken from his trance by a familiar face.   

Enzo St John was Caroline’s Manager and although he was jealous to begin with, Klaus had come to like the guy even if he was a little weird sometimes.  He’d chosen not to go to the dinner in lieu of a date with a prima ballerina. From what Katherine told him, Enzo liked to experience the local talent wherever they travelled. 

“I haven’t been in there,” he murmured knowing exactly why. “I, uh, had some phone calls to make.”

“But she’s going to be alright?”

“Yeah. Besides some bruising from the fall and a sprained ankle Caroline will be fine, I thought it was best to bring her in just in case.” Klaus knew he wasn’t the lightest of people and was worried that pushing her to the floor while throwing himself on top of her lithe figure might have caused some damage.

He’d never been so scared, even after years in the Navy. But that was because he was saving faceless civilians not the love of his life.  

It scared him to think about it. But it was true. 

“You did the right thing, I’m glad you were there to be honest, Katherine has a sharp tongue but when it comes to combat or protection of any kind she’s a pussy cat. But just don’t tell her I said that because she scares the hell out of me.” 

Klaus fought the urge to smile thinking back to her interesting commentary about him compromising her dating life.

“Katherine’s gone home to nurse her hangover after one too many vodkas, so you’re safe. But It could have been much worse.”

“Thankfully you were there, if you hadn’t been I’m not sure what I would have done without my Care Bear,” Klaus again found himself suppressing a grin. And to think he was worried they were ever romantically involved. 

“Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends. I had a chance to speak to the local police afterwards and they didn’t catch the perpetrator.” 

“So, he’s still on the loose?” Klaus merely nodded knowing just how fraught the situation was. 

Yes, they were dealing with a lot more than one person. They were dealing with the full force of the Chicago Mafia who could dispatch hundreds more people like the one tonight.  They wouldn’t stop until Bill Forbes’ daughter was killed in retribution for something she didn’t invite. 

“I spoke to the Bolshoi Management and they have some safety concerns about the opera going ahead. Not just for Caroline but also the cast, crew and audience and I’m fairly certain this kind of threat isn’t covered by their public liability insurance.”

“Of course,” he replied. “I was going to suggest it be postponed indefinitely but I also enjoy living and knew Caroline wouldn’t see it that way.”

“Is this your way of telling me I need to break the bad news?”

“Well, you are her manager, I think it goes with the territory.”

“Fine,” he conceded. “Plus, she seems to have years of resentment stored up against you so at least I can take one for the team this time.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“I’m not going to even try and understand your situation or your past with Caroline but if you hurt her I will kill you,” he promised before breaking into a mischievous smile. “Oh who am I kidding? You’d crush me like a bug. But you get my drift, right?” 

Before Klaus could even begin to know how to respond they were interrupted. 

“Excuse me?” They both looked up to see a nurse coming from Caroline’s room. “She’s asking to see the idiot who sprained her ankle,” they both looked at her curiously. “Her words, not mine.”

“You’re completely on your own this time,” Enzo teased, his gaze now resting on the nurse who seemed to have taken his fancy.  “Maybe you can just tell her about the opera, you know while you’re in there anyway.”

He was chasing after the nurse before Klaus could respond. He really deserved a pay rise to deal with these people. 

“I’m glad you cracked my code,” she drawled. Albeit a little dishevelled from the fall, Klaus didn’t think she could look anymore beautiful in her fitted, red gown with her blonde locks tumbling around her shoulders. 

Suddenly it felt like déjà vu, like they were seventeen years-old again and she’d beaten up someone in a jealous rage. Times had changed in twelve years. 

“It’s not the first time you’ve called me that and probably won’t be the last. Enzo is here but is currently trying to pick up your nurse and avoid telling you that the Bolshoi has decided to postpone the opera indefinitely due to safety concerns and Katherine needed to sleep off the vodka. Between you and me I’m glad they aren’t charged with protecting you, just saying.”

“It’s not over is it?” Her demeanour had rapidly changed from teasing to deathly serious.

She was scared and Klaus was too. 

“They didn’t catch the shooter, no,” he offered. “But, if anything, this will serve as a deterrent to…”

“Please tell me you’re not saying what you think I want to hear,” she murmured. “Not after everything we’ve been through. This guy was put behind bars because my father framed him and this is called settling the score. Thanks, dad.”

“He didn’t do it,” Klaus replied, taking a seat on the bed and looking into her eyes. Klaus knew she could tell if he was lying and hoped that this would prove it to her. “Your father never framed him, it was an inside job. He’s doing everything he can to try and put a stop to this at his end, trust me on that.”

“Yeah because my father is such a saint.”

“I never said that,” Klaus agreed. “But this time it’s different.”

“Is it?” She asked, her blue eyes clouded with unshed tears. “Between you and me it feels a lot like the good, old days. And my father wonders why I needed to get away from him and that messed up life.”

“He understood it’s what you needed to do and he did let you go, Caroline. He’s so proud of you and what you’ve achieved, whatever you think he’s always loved you and wanted what was best.”

“Since when have you been my father’s biggest fan? I seem to recall you wanting to leave just as much, if not more, than me. You couldn’t wait to go and then one day you were just gone. I came to your house and that was it.”

“You were leaving me,” he bit back, frustrated that she got to be mad at him but he didn’t get the same chance. “You’d already been accepted to the music conservatory, I just got a head start I suppose.”

“But I would have said goodbye at least,” she mumbled just as the few tears that had been threatening to fall rolled down her creamy cheeks. “I must have read your letter hundreds of times, I’m surprised the ink hasn’t worn off completely.”

“I was a coward I know,” he admitted, instinctively wiping the tears away with his thumb. “And you don’t know how much I regret not saying it in person. But it was too damn hard. Life back then was too damn hard because escaping from that life meant, unfortunately, escaping from each other too.” 

“I know,” she nodded. “But there hasn’t been a day in the last ten years that I haven’t thought about you and what we had,” she whimpered, fingering the gold necklace she kept safely around her neck. The one he gave her all those years ago. 

“When I saw you wearing that, I thought that maybe there was a chance that,” he broke off, too overcome with emotion to finish that sentence. “And when those shots rang out tonight all I could think was that I hoped those ten years apart and finding each other again wasn’t for nothing.”

“I’m fine, although I’m not sure for how much longer.”

“Don’t talk like that,” he insisted. “Although, I do think it’s time to leave.”

“Leave where?”

“Back home. You can only run so far and for so long. I can only do so much. To these people the law doesn’t matter, borders don’t matter. Europe, North America it doesn’t matter.  You’ve been running your whole life you just didn’t realise it.”  

“So have you.”

“I have, I admit it.  I thought that escaping to the Navy was going to somehow erase where I came from. But it seems like it has caught up to me like it has you. You need to go back, if anything just to sort this out with your father. I know you’re mad at him but he has the capacity and the resources to protect you, I don’t.” 

“And what about you? Are you going to just up and leave me again? I remember once you said you’d never leave me alone.”

“And I meant it.”

“You really shouldn’t make promises if you’re not going to keep them,” she smiled despite everything. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this but, fine, let’s go back to Chicago.”

“And that’s what we’ll do once everything has died down in a month or two.”

“So, what exactly do we do until then?”

“We need to collect ourselves and be prepared for what’s to come.”

“Why do I suddenly feel like I’m in some post-apocalyptic movie? Are you going to take me out to the middle of nowhere and teach me how to defend myself?”

“You’ve seen this one then I assume?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me?”

“On the contrary, love, I’m deathly serious. An old colleague of mine has a cabin in the Austrian mountains. Nothing fancy but it’ll do.”

There was also only one bed but Klaus decided he’d broach that topic once they arrived. Yes, he knew that being with her in the middle of nowhere for two months was going to test every last shred of willpower but he welcomed the challenge. 

He didn’t know it but, at the exact time, Caroline was thinking the same thing. And neither one was altogether upset by their impending predicament. 

Once they dealt with that then they could face the bad guys once and for all.

[notalittlebutalottie]

Written for Klaroline Valentine’s Day Bingo 2020 @kcvalentinesbingo by @eliliyah (I am determined to get a bingo...even if I end up going past Valentine’s Day lol)

Prompt: Candlelit Dinners

“Klaus!” her voice travelled through the winding path lined with canvases both plain and painted. She wondered which of the paintings were being selected for his next show; she always liked to go because it meant free champagne and the chance to act like she had any idea about the cost of his paintings around real connoisseurs.

Caroline sighed as she found the main area of his annoyingly large loft apartment, the currently propped up canvas without its painter. While she dusted off the stray snowflakes on her black leather jacket, she hadn’t noticed him wandering in from the bathroom, paint rag in hand.

“Come to drag me off to dinner already, Caroline?”

Her shoulders jumped and she spun around to view Klaus covered in paint. He was like a child let loose in a kindergarten class. The splash of blue marking under his chin was indicative of his usual pondering gesture. She placed her hands around her waist, fingers drumming across the leather gently.

“I’m here to make sure you’re not late. You know how Elena gets when you rock up like it’s nothing.”

Their old high school group had managed to stay friendly over the years, luck bringing them all to New York for work. Unfortunately, there were less parties and more unfulfilled plans once they began their jobs. That was when she and Elena had proposed they meet every Thursday night for drinks and plastic-cheese covered nachos at a bar equidistant to their apartments. Caroline had done a meticulous search of bars fitting that criteria. Yet despite being freelance and having the most relaxed job in the entirety of the universe, Klaus could still find time to waste away while the rest of them waited for his arrival.

His relaxed posture tightened in panic as he replied, “Oh, well if Elena requested—”

“Shut up,” she broke out into a breathy laugh, reaching for a nearby brush to throw at his shoulder. She barely missed, the brush swiping against the skin of his arm.

Klaus’ brows raised teasingly, but he held his hands up in surrender when she folded her arms. He did love to see her face whenever he even grazed her buttons. “Okay, okay,” he chuckled before looking at his watch, his eyes crinkling in confusion. “Forgive me if my watch is playing up, but why the bloody hell are you here? We’re not meeting for over an hour.“

His watch was correct. Caroline shifted on her feet, shrugging as she wandered along to his easel. She picked up a thin brush to inspect as she replied nonchalantly, “Well, you see—”

Klaus pushed out his lips, attempting to contain the knowing expression wishing to break free. He kept silent and revelled in the cute way she meandered on her way to an answer.

“I finished work early and thought, ‘you know who lives nearby? Klaus’ and coincidentally I have this really fancy gala coming up. So then, I thought ‘you know who has a weird, bordering on creepy, collection of designer dresses? Also Klaus’. And then, I came up—”

“I don’t think it’s that weird,” he muttered in between her rambling.

“—and your door was unlocked, which, by the way, is totally dangerous! I could’ve been a murderer! So, I came up and here you are and here I am with the need for a dress!”

It was at this point, Klaus had resigned himself to chuckling rather tiredly. In all of their years of friendship, she hadn’t improved upon her lack of concise explanation, though he would argue against himself that it was an enjoyable pastime to hear it. 

“First of all, sweetheart, you know that my sister uses my place as a second storage unit.” He pressed his lips together for a moment, noting the adoringly childish way his friend bit her tongue out. “Second of all, I resent being used as a designer store. That being said,” her eyes wandered coyly, “you did make the trip in the snow and I suppose it would be rude to deny you.”

“Thank you,” she said with a deepened tone and a curtsy. The lip-service was short as she rushed off to his room, which left him to laugh quietly as he preoccupied himself with painting.

Caroline was happy to see the trunk left of his bedroom door with its gorgeous gold baroque detailing atop a seafoam coloured paint. Oh, she could have just died as she unlatched it and lifted the lid; all those beautiful dresses could easily blind a person unprepared for its glory. Rebekah may have been a bit stuck up —Caroline refuted that she was a mini-version of herself—, but she had impeccable, expensive tastes.

“So, how is Rebekah?” she called out while removing her jacket and shirt in quick succession. Her eyes had been caught by the Saint Laurent midi dress that Rebekah had so smugly shown off when visiting the previous year.

“Wondering if you can get away with keeping one of those ridiculously priced gowns?” he questioned, soon speechless for a moment as her bare back reflected in a nearby mirror. Though it took him a moment, he averted his gaze.

“It’s not like she would notice one missing,” Caroline reasoned in a musical tone.

“You and I both know that is absolutely not true.”

A few dresses and many thoughtful paint strokes later, Caroline was strutting out of his room in the outfit she arrived in but with a silk black dress poking out of her bag. Rebekah would kill her if she saw the oxymoron that was her the two-grand dress in Caroline’s forty dollar bag.

“Your services are appreciated.” Caroline smiled, her eyes turning into crescent moons of themselves. “New piece for your next show?” she asked with the drop of her jaw at the beautiful shapes taking place on the canvas.

“Perhaps.”

She was enamoured by his concentrating face. The first time she saw it, she giggled at the murderous stare that took hold of the canvas. Now, it was simply pleasurable to see how much his work meant to him.

Her lashes fluttered in an attempt to break herself from her thoughts. “We should probably go. We’ll probably take a little longer because of the snow.”

“Already? I was so hoping we could spend more time helping you loot my sister’s clothing.” Klaus’ lips tugged out gently but spread into a full smile when her flat expression met his eyes. “Help me with some of these?” he implored, his arms gesturing to a stack of paintings below the window.

“Aye aye, captain.” She saluted, smiling back when she noticed another stain of paint had appeared on his cheek.

Caroline’s phone pinged and she quickly fished it out of her bag while Klaus picked up the first painting, taking the opportunity to peer out of the window. “Uh, love?”

“Hm?”

She squinted at the stream of messages coming through to their group chat. Damon was celebrating the snow blanketing the city while the rest of them complained about having to get home.

“I’m not sure we will be going out tonight.”

“Yeah, the rest of the group are calling for a reschedule.”

“No, I mean at all.”

Like a cruel punishment from the gods, the lights cut out with the end of his words.

“Are you kidding me?” Caroline puffed her cheeks out, her annoyance growing as she noticed the internet had immediately followed suit with the lights.

“The roads are covered and by the looks of it, every door down this street is blocked. I don’t think you’ll make it far,” Klaus informed her with faux guilt to cover the fact that he was happy to have her alone for once.

Caroline groaned, her feet dragging as she attempted to navigate his place in the dark. She could barely make out his figure but took hold of his arm to get her bearings. “I think this is the worst thing to have ever happened.”

“Ever?”

She didn’t need to see to know he was grinning ear to ear and promptly gave his chest a gentle punch. 

“Forgive me, I was unaware you were so captivated by the cheap beer and knock-off Mexican food.” He couldn’t fully read her expression, but the idea of her pout was enough to tickle his senses.

“Hey, I was looking forward to drowning in those nachos after I missed lunch,” she reasoned with a huff.

He gave into a laugh, grasping her wrist and leading her slowly around the path of paintings to the kitchen. It was no surprise that she immediately commented on the lack of organisation in his loft.

“I’m sure I can whip up something just as delectable, love,” he mused, leaving her standing in the middle of the kitchen while he cautiously felt his way to the cupboards.

“I can’t believe you still don’t have a table,” she mumbled. “Where do you even eat?”

“At my workstation. I am an artist after all — can’t be away from my craft for too long.”

“How brooding of you.” Caroline took it upon herself to rummage through a bottom cupboard, pulling out a set of three medium-sized candles. Each one she had bought for him as a Christmas gift. That liar had told her he used them all the time, yet they were safely stored in the back.

Swiftly, she pulled a box of matches from a drawer and took to lighting each candle. The smell of cinnamon and winter berries filled her nostrils to her delight.

“Should I be concerned you know your way around my kitchen so well? And in the dark, no less.” Klaus couldn’t deny he was both impressed and rather infatuated with the idea.

She rolled her eyes, lips teasing a smile. “Should I be concerned you don’t?”

Caroline didn’t wait for his reply as she placed the candles in an odd triangular shape on the floor.

“Are you planning to sacrifice me, love? I should have known you only wanted my friendship for my body,” he teased as he finished the meal preparation.

“Yes, I’m trying to become a billionaire and the requirement for sacrifice was a frustrating British man who lacks a dining table,” her monotone voice rang out while she searched his bedroom for a blanket. His bed always looked so inviting, even in the dark she could only think about the memory foam mattress he had bought the previous Spring.

“Well, I am willing and able.”

She shook herself from those ideas when he shouted out in reply.

Caroline finally returned with a blanket, neatly laying it on the cold flooring of his kitchen. She looked up at him and the two plates of food in his hands. As he slowly lowered himself down to place them on the blanket, she scoffed through a laugh.

“Wow, I wonder if Picasso’s dinner of choice was also pop tarts and PB and J?”

“I assure you, I serve only the finest foods when hosting a candlelit dinner,” Klaus spoke slowly, enunciating in that delicious way he would when flirting with other girls. “Besides, I believe he was more of a macaroni and cheese, guy, sweetheart.”

She let her gaze flick to his lips, taking a gratuitous view of them in hopes that the candles didn’t expose her. “Well, I hope I’m not just another candlelit dinner during a snowstorm in that case.”

The smirk that grew on his face was hard to remove when he felt her eyes travel towards his lips. “Certainly not, Caroline. You’ll be the one and only.”

[klarosims]

Klaus Niklaus

KCAUweek2019 for @klaroline-events

Day Five: Different Time Period

Summary: Caroline is sent back to the past and meets Klaus before all the supernatural, blood, and death.

 "Klaus... " she says almost like a question because standing in front of her was definitely Klaus Mikaelson but with long hair, sunburnt skin, and a beating human heart. 

 This Klaus was looking at her in great confusion. "It's Niklaus," he whispers hesitantly. 

 Niklaus? Caroline furiously shouts in her head. 

 "Niklaus!" a voice booms behind them and for the first time in all her life, she sees Klaus stiffen in fear, with eyes wide open and mouth gaping. "Where the hell are you, boy?"

There's no doubt in Caroline's mind who that was. Mikael rushes through the woods and is upon them in an instant. "What are you doing, boy? Where is the deer?" It was then that Caroline realizes her mistake. 

She woke up in the middle of this unfamiliar forest with a pang of hunger like no other. The first thing her senses picked up was a dear drowning in its own blood. She quickly made her way to it and drank it dry. 

She was so absorbed with satisfying her hunger that she didn't hear the gentle footsteps that have made their way over to her. When a twig snapped, she whipped her head around, baring her fangs and exposing her hungry yellow eyes along with the protruding veins beneath them. She saw him take out his knife out of pure instinct but his hands were trembling and his wide blue eyes shifting around the sight of her. Niklaus. 

 Mikael finally sees the dear lying lifeless on the forest floor and then notices the blonde girl on the floor. His face crumples and he glares while pointing at Caroline's clothes. "What the hell is this? Another hunter?" He turns to Niklaus and snaps at him, "You let another hunter steal our dinner?" 

 "N-no I-" Niklaus stuttering is another thing Caroline never thought she'd see even in a million lifetimes. But from the way he was backing up inch by inch, she couldn't feel smug or sly but only sympathy. 

 "Speak up, boy!" 

 "I'm not stealing it!" Caroline interrupts, making both men turn to her. She swallows hard and stands, "Your son was only teaching me how to bleed the dear and clean it." They stare at her for a moment before Mikael takes a step forward with his arms crossed. "I'm a fairly new hunter and I saw your son and asked him to teach me," Mikael continues to stare down at her and she steals a quick glance at Niklaus for help. Niklaus is staring with wide eyes and gives her a subtle shake of the head. "So that... I may survive the winter?" 

 Caroline almost wants to smack herself. She started out well but finishes so poorly. She wasn't sure if Mikael was going to buy it because his son didn't seem to. 

 Mikael moves forward and both Caroline and Nikaus flinch but he quickly takes the deer and lifts it to inspect. He gives a grunt before throwing it over his shoulder. He turns to Niklaus. "Make sure the girl makes it back to the village." 

***

Caroline has been stuck in the past for a week now and all she has done is hunt with Mikael, Niklaus, Elijah, and Finn. She was lucky that Mikael believed her but having to hunt down their dinner every other day was draining her. It was one thing to drain blood out of an animal, but to cut their throats, tear through their flesh, and clean out their organs, that was something Caroline couldn't stomach. 

She kneels near the stream, finally getting a chance to get away from Mikael and his strict helicopter parenting. She splashes the cool water in her face and lets the droplets sit on her skin. 

 "For someone who drinks blood from a living creature, I never expected you to be unaccustomed to the sight of slaughter." 

 Niklaus is behind her and Caroline groans. Since they met this Klaus has been following her closeby and stealing glances of her every movement. She often finds him staring at her mouth whenever she's smiling or laughing.

 "I don't need to kill when I feed." 

 Niklaus hums in response but keeps his distance. He has been fascinated by her all this time but was always wary. "Is that true for every vampire?" 

 Caroline snaps her attention to him and glares at him because of the irony. "You're one to talk. You--" 

 "Again, Caroline," he replies. "I am not that Klaus you keep mentioning to me. I could never kill another soul." 

 Caroline purses her lips and bites the inside of her cheek. She hates how the tables have turned, how she's the most dangerous supernatural creature in Mystic Falls while Klaus is... Is... still innocent. She sighs then. "I always thought it would be easier if you weren't so... cruel." 

 "What would be easier?" 

 Caroline bites her lips and wonders what to say, "Life? Our life back in my time? But now... " she stands then making Niklaus take a step back. "Now you're!" she pauses in irritation, "You're even backing away from me like I'm the predator." 

"You are," he replies without hesitation. Caroline hungs her head low. "Was I-- Does this Klaus not inch away from you or any sign of danger?" 

 Caroline laughs, "No, he doesnt. He--" she looks ahead deep in the forest, "He loves being a vampire. The power. The heightened senses. The immortality. The... freedom." 

 She gets it. She finally understands how stubborn she had been to what Klaus has been telling her whole vampire life. He was setting her free and letting her embrace who she is because she knows being a vampire is a better part of herself. Her new self. 

 Niklaus looks at her as she ponders in silence. He takes a tentative step forward and lightly touches her shoulder. He tries not to flinch and keeps eye contact with her. "Tell me more about you, about being a vampire." 

 Caroline smiles. "Oh boy, where do I start," she jokes and it earns her a small chuckle from Niklaus. "Imagine walking anywhere and knowing that almost nothing can hurt you--you're the strongest person in the room." 

 "Almost nothing?" 

 Caroline shifts her head to side, "Yeah.. Almost. You-- Our Klaus-- I mean future Klaus. He... Can kill anyone and anything. So technically he's the strongest person anywhere he walks into." 

 Niklaus looks at her for a moment before tucking a stray hair behind her ear, "I would never hurt anyone. I would never hurt you. " 

 And that holds true until today or what was Caroline's present. She leans against his palm and finds her lips quivering. She misses her home. Even the idea of her more homicidal Klaus was something she misses. 

 Before she could start planning a trip to New Orleans, Niklaus, the Klaus in front of her, takes back his hand and harshly rubs his face as he groans. "This is so frustrating-- I, I would never do any of the things you've told me, but--" he stares at the ground as if speaking to them, "600 years is a long time..." Carolines watches him and she almost flinches when he looks up, "and you," he gasps, "You've fallen for this man-- this beast! That I turn into..." 

 Caroline frowns at him. "You... He is not all bad. Klaus.. He was a villain, yes, but never to me. Never to his family and definitely not to his daughter." 

 Niklaus scoffs. "Yes, this daughter who will go through too many hardships because of my own doing!" he's yelling desperately now, as if begging for his destiny to be rewritten and it breaks Caroline'sheart that she told him. 

 "Klaus--" Caroline suddenly screams in pain. Flashes of memories break through her vision and she's seeing things she's never seen before like Elena's funeral and her father's 54th birthday. She screams even louder as memories are slowly stripped from her mind. 

 Stefan 

Damon 

Rebekah 

Enzo 

Alaric 

Lizzie 

Josie 

And Klaus. 

 "What's happening, Caroline? Speak to me." Niklaus is kneeling down beside her, trying to find any sort of wound. She feels her gums ache where her fangs are supposed to be. She can feel them retreating. 

 She makes eye contact with Niklaus and suddenly it all makes sense. With her last vampire strength, she grabs his temples and stares into his eyes. 

 Betrayal crosses Niklaus' face as he realizes what's to come. 

 "Forget everything I told you. Forget I ever existed." 

***

 Caroline blacks out and when she awakens, her body feels like it had been dead for centuries. The first thing she hears is the saxophone filling the buzzing street just beyond her enclosure. The next thing she hears is a door opening and then a hand is caressing her cheek. 

 "Caroline... " 

 She opened her eyes and found herself crying at the sight of him, her Klaus. She rushes up and hugs him with all the little strength she has. Klaus takes a moment before gripping her tightly.  He buries his head in the crook of her neck. 

"I could never forget you, Caroline. But if being cruel and heartless is what it took to meet you and be with you like this today, it was well worth it, love." 

 Caroline's lips quiver at the idea that all the torture, the mayhem, the vengeance, and death that Klaus walked was a necessary pavement for-- whatever it was that they have now. But she hugs him tighter as she sobs because being with her Klaus today was the happiest she has been in the last 30 years of her vampiric life.

[thetourguidebarbie]

hi! for the fanfiction trope MASH-UP, 48. fake dating, 97. time travel + klaroline

Again, some artistic license was taken. Also fulfills 21 (Dystopian AU) and 98 (curses). I AM VERY UPSET THIS GOT SO LONG. I’m *trying* to keep them mini. Prompt from this list.

Caroline hummed contentedly as she shifted on her bed, inhaling a familiar delicious scent that she couldn’t quite place. She’d almost drifted off again when the mattress moved. 

Her eyes flew open and she scrambled out of bed, looking at her surroundings and growing more confused by the second. Cream walls with framed paintings. A half-open closet door showing racks of clothes. A mahogany dresser with jewelry box and a framed photo settled on the surface. She approached the photo, reaching to pick it up, her mouth dropping open when she saw herself and Klaus.

“All right, sweetheart?”

She froze, barely managing to keep hold of the photo frame before turning around slowly. Klaus’s voice was low, thick from sleep, and she watched as he ran a hand through his hair in such a human gesture that she might have laughed if she weren’t so freaked out.

“Did you kidnap me?” she squeaked, and Klaus frowned.

“What?”

“You totally did,” she accused, trying her best to keep her eyes on his face rather than his tattoo, which she vividly remembered tracing with her tongue three months before. “You promised you’d stay away from me, and now you like, abducted me in my sleep and took me to your bedroom?”

He looked so confused that she briefly wondered whether it was possible that he wasn’t acting before firmly dismissing the idea. Klaus was basically a TV villain. Of course ‘kidnapping someone and then pretending to be innocent’ was on his shortlist of skills.

“Sweetheart—“ he began slowly, but she interrupted when she realized that the pajamas she was wearing consisted of Klaus’s shirt. And nothing else.

“What the hell is going on, Klaus?”

“I’m not sure, as last time we spoke you were perfectly content to be in our bedroom,” he said, the emphasis making her eyebrows fly up her forehead.

“What do you mean our bedroom?”

He stared at her for a moment, and she could practically see the gears turning in his head before he spoke. “How old are you, sweetheart?”

“What kind of question is that? You literally met me on my birthday, remember? Are you so old you forgot how to tell time?”

“Seventeen, then,” he murmured, leaning back against the headboard, rubbing his eyes with his palms. “Fuck.”

“What?” she demanded, and Klaus pushed the covers off and walked to the closet, ignoring her squeak as she realized how little he was wearing. He shot her an amused smile and grabbed a pair of flannel shorts from the shelf, handing them to her. She pulled them on, wondering whether it was creepy or cute that he knew her size and style and had clearly been stockpiling clothes for her.

“Time travel,” he said quietly, before pausing, his head tipped slightly to the side. “Well, not exactly. Close enough, I suppose.”

“Time travel?”

“It’s the year 2153. We’ve been together for the past 79. Eighty years in September.”

He said it with a small smile, threading his belt through the loops of his jeans and glancing at her. She was used to heated looks from him, a scorching drag up and down her body that made her heart pound in her chest, an ache throbbing between her thighs. This was different. It was softer, somehow. Warmer.

“Okay,” she said softly, dragging the word out as she glanced out the window, studying the lush green hills. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“I suppose that in your current state it’s reasonable not to trust me,” he said softly, though he looked slightly pained. “However, I can assure you that I’d never lie to you, Caroline.”

“Right,” she muttered, shifting uncomfortably. “So. Assuming you’re telling the truth, what exactly do you think happened? You said ‘time travel’ was close enough, but if that’s not it, what is?”

“Considering you didn’t pop up as another Caroline but instead inhabited your own body, I’m going to assume that you’ve been put under some sort of spell to remove or suppress your memory.”

Caroline swallowed, suddenly feeling a bit sick. “You didn’t...you didn’t compel me, right?

“No,” he said immediately, his tone firm. “I would never do that to you.”

She had no proof that he was being truthful, but something about his tone reassured her that he wasn’t lying.

“I suspect it was a spell of some sort,” he continued, pulling on a shirt. “I’ll make a few calls while you get ready.”

He leaned in as though about to kiss her but stopped himself when she twitched, pulling back and wincing. “Sorry, sweetheart. Habit,” he murmured. “Shower’s through that door. The robe on the right is yours.”

She’d always liked to pick out her clothes post-shower wrapped in something fluffy, and it was weirdly comforting to know that she’d retained her habits, and that Klaus knew them.

“Thanks.”

She was met with a cup of coffee when she emerged, the rich burgundy color indicating that it had been brewed with some blood.

“I’m not sure exactly when you stopped taking it with sugar, but we have some downstairs if—“

“This is fine. Thanks.”

He nodded, the motion jerky, and she took a sip, avoiding his eyes.

“I contacted a trustworthy witch, but she’ll take some time to fly over. Most likely a few days.”

“Days?” Caroline asked, eyebrows raised. “How much stuff does she have to pack?”

“She’s coming from Earth Four. With our private ship it’s a two day travel time both ways. We’d meet her halfway, but the party’s tonight.”

She had a lot of questions about that one. Were they in space? Earth Four? What Earth were they on now? However, another part seemed more pressing.

“Party?”

“Rebekah’s thousandth birthday,” he said, smirking slightly. “Well, not counting the daggered years.”

Caroline snorted.

“We’ve been planning it for half a decade. It would be the scandal of the century should you choose not to attend, I’m afraid.”

“And even more of a scandal for me to go and not be all over you, I’m guessing?”

“Indeed.”

They were quiet for a few seconds as Caroline processed. “We’re like...dating, right?” It seemed like such a juvenile word, but she didn’t know how else to put it. Klaus looked amused at her question, his lips tipping up at the corners.

“I suppose so, yes.”

“You suppose? I mean, what do you call me when you introduce me to people? Your girlfriend? Your partner?”

“I introduce you as Caroline,” he said, and she was a hundred percent sure he was making fun of her. “I’d forgotten how obsessed the youth were with labels.”

She glared at him over her coffee mug. “You’re still not funny and it’s been like....eighty bajillion years.”

“You’re Caroline,” he repeated quietly. “I don’t need to contextualize you for them to know you belong to me, love.”

“I belong to you? Gross.”

“And I to you,” he said easily, slipping his hands in his pockets. “As you point out to me often, not that I need the reminder.”

“Right,” Caroline muttered, fiddling the belt of her robe and staring into her now-empty mug. “Got it. I’m going to get dressed.”

“Klaus! Caroline!” a woman screeched, pulling her into an enthusiastic hug. “It’s so wonderful to see you again, dear. Such a treat.”

“And you as well, Melinda. I do hope everything’s going well with your real estate endeavors?” Klaus asked, smoothly giving Caroline her name and some sort of context.

“Oh, yes! Roger and I have just found the most perfect planet for summer homes. It’s lovely, really. The oxygen level is too low for humans, of course, so synthetic blood is the only option, but it has such a picturesque view—“

Caroline listened to Melinda go on about ‘summer location planets’ and a startup producing a line of luxury jets she and ‘dearest Roger’ were planning on investing in and it was....a lot.

“All right, sweetheart?” Klaus asked when he glanced at her face, his arm tightening around her waist. It still unnerved her that he knew her so well when she’d barely spent any time with him, that he could glance at her face and know exactly how she was feeling (and she’d thought her neutral face was pretty unreadable).

“Yeah. I’m fine,” she said. “Please, Melinda. Tell me more about the townhouses? Klaus and I have been looking for another summer place.”

Melinda’s eyes widened, and Caroline was pretty sure that the other woman was trying to calculate how much money she could get them to throw. “Well, the townhouses on Dionysus have been constructed by a large stretch of private magically-maintained vineyards--”

Caroline smiled and nodded, tuning Melinda out, highly aware of Klaus standing next to her with an expression of polite interest that she’d never seen him wear. Melinda must be some sort of ally, then. She seemed like she had a lot of money, and if Klaus wasn’t ready to throw her off the balcony she must be useful in some other way.

She waited for a natural lull in conversation before turning to Klaus. “I think I need some air.”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

Wary of the other partygoers watchful eyes, Caroline pressed a light kiss to his stubbled cheek, her lips lingering against his skin for a moment too long to be truly pretend before she pulled back, biting her lip at Klaus’s knowing smile. She knew there was a blush creeping up her cheeks, that her heart was pounding loud enough that the guests could hear it.

It wasn’t weird to kiss Klaus, right? They’d apparently been together for almost eighty years. Even if she wanted to think it was weird, and she totally did, she felt like she had to admit to herself that it was useless to ignore it anymore. She just couldn’t shake him. Their (amazing!) forest sex was supposed to get him out of her system, but it hadn’t. Had she ever really wanted it to? Or had she been too afraid of what would happen if she gave in?

And what was the point of holding off anymore, really? Her friends weren’t around to judge and it was a gajillion years in the future. She’d clearly already jumped this hurdle before she lost her memory. But still...

She tried to walk as fast as she could to the gardens without looking awkward.

She wasn’t sure she succeeded.

She’d taken Klaus up on the offer of the guest room down the hall from his (their?) bedroom, but when she woke she reached to the other side of the bed automatically, like it was muscle memory, looking for his body, craving his touch.

When she finally got up the nerve to poke her head in to see him, he was already up, a glass tablet in his lap with glowing letters scrolling across it. Neither of them spoke as she hopped into bed next to him, but she broke the silence after a few minutes.

“What’s that?”

“Tablet. Modern iPad, sort of,” he said. “I’ve taken the liberty of procuring every season of your current favorite television show. I figured it would be entertaining enough while we wait for the witch.”

“Thanks,” she said awkwardly, taking the remote from him and pressing the power button, her eyes widening when the painting on the wall melted away to show a television.

Once she’d gotten used to that, the next few hours were weirdly relaxing, and it took Caroline much too long to realize that it was because she felt safe. There weren’t any doppelgangers after her or witchy rituals she might get swept up in, and sitting next to Klaus as he scrolled through his tablet while she bingewatched her show was...nice.

Now that they were so close, sitting next to each other naturally as though they’d been doing it for years—well, Klaus had been, to be fair—everything felt right. He didn’t react oddly at all when she impulsively moved closer, slotting herself against him comfortably, simply looping an arm around her shoulders. He probably did it often, she thought. Older Caroline most likely hadn’t outgrown her love of cuddling.

“You and old me,” she began, breaking their hours of lazy comfortable silence.

“Yes, love?” Klaus asked, immediately setting the tablet on the side table and turning to look at her.

“You love each other.”

“Yes.”

“And how exactly did that happen?”

He didn’t look at all surprised by the question, and she wondered if he’d been expecting it. He seemed to know her well enough to have seen it coming.

“There was a war. Millions of people died. I kept tabs on you, of course, and when the city you’d been living in was completely destroyed I took a witch and set out to find you,” he said quietly, his finger absently tracing circles on her bare shoulder. “I was lucky. We managed to locate you before you’d been fully desiccated. Though you’ve never said so, I’d imagine you’d been hoping for a different rescue party.”

“Bonnie?” Caroline asked, her voice shaking.

“That was also your first question back then,” he said, smiling slightly. “Got to her in the nick of time as well. She wasn’t thrilled when she woke up a member of the undead, of course, but I think it’s grown on her over the years.”

“Right, so that’s how we met back up,” Caroline said slowly. “I meant the how did we get together bit.”

“It only took a few months, actually,” Klaus said, shooting her a smirk. “You packed to leave the compound at least once a week, but you always changed your mind at the last minute. Never because of me, of course. It was always something like wanting to help Bekah pick out another dress or the worry of missing the new episode of whatever you were watching.” His grin showed her that not only had she probably done it, but she’s been very transparent about it.

“Wow. I was not subtle.”

“You were not,” he agreed. “I let you think it through. Didn’t want to push you too much lest you change your mind. Coincidentally, the planet became nearly uninhabitable by then and you had to decide whether to leave with me or go off on your own.”

“And I chose you,” Caroline finished.

“You did.”

They were quiet for a few seconds before Caroline spoke again. “You’re going to give me so much shit for calling you gross when I’m me again, aren’t you?”

“Yes, though I have a feeling you’ll manage to distract me.”

“It’s one of my many talents, apparently.”

“Indeed. You have over a hundred and forty years of experience, after all.”

She grinned, looking down at her palms, which were face up on her lap, Klaus’s leg pressed against hers.

“I’m glad that we end up together,” Caroline said quietly, looking up to meet his eyes. “I think I always hoped we would. Deep down.”

“As am I, Caroline.”

[childoftimeandmagic]

“I kissed you goodnight once and now I can’t be alone with you without wanting to do it again.” + Klaroline + Roommates/Drunk acquaintances/Frenemies/Or whatever you want them to be AU 😂

So you can read it here since I posted it to AO3 while at work…

@austennerdita2533 I present you a one shot….cause we’ve just found out that I can’t write drabbles….

THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER ASK

“Care, we shouldn’t,” his voice was soft and low as his breath tickled her ear. Moaning Caroline had leaned up for a second kiss, his taste driving the faint traces of tequila from her lips. His hands were keeping her pressed against him as they stood in the entryway of their apartment. He groaned softly and took her bottom lip between his teeth.

“My room’s closer,” Caroline once he’d let go of her lip and suddenly he tensed before slowly pulling away her skin suddenly colder where his hands had been.

“I want to do this right. I can’t-not like this,” he said pulling away as he ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head. “You need to go to bed.”

Caroline watched him walk away her heart in her throat and she could feel tears forming. She’d dashed into her room and slammed the door embarrassment and shame flooding over her. She fell onto her bed after kicking off her heels and willed herself not to cry. Sleep came quick and welcome.

~~~~~~~~

Caroline sat up quickly  glancing around to see if she was in her own bed, breathing a sigh of relief she leaned back on her pillows and looked around the room. Her purple accent wall stared back at her. Caroline covered her face and tried not to groan out loud. This never would have happened if Katherine hadn’t insisted on pre-graduation drinks last night. She held her breath listening for sounds that her roommate, and man most definitely on her ‘do not fuck list’, Klaus was up yet.

Not hearing anything she grabbed a hoodie and sweatpants and slowly opened her door and glanced around the common area of their shared apartment. Not seeing him she tiptoed over to her bag and pulled out her phone. Scrolling through the texts she had sent she breathed a sigh of relief, maybe that kiss and those hands had all been a dream.

She had texted him. She’d insisted he come out to the bar and dance with her. Biting her lip she walked over to the coffee machine and started to get it set up. Taking a deep breath she slipped her phone into her pocket and waited for an acceptable amount of coffee to fill the pot before pouring herself a much needed cup. Walking into their joint bathroom she slipped into the room and locked the door.

Placing the mug down on the ledge she got into the shower, standing under the hot water she ran through the events of last night over and over again in her head. Honestly she blamed Kat for all of it.

~~~~~~~

“Care, you’re twenty-three. You are graduating college with your bachelors and masters two years ahead of schedule and you have a job just up town so you don’t have to move,” Katherine said through Caroline’s bluetooth as she walked home from her last final and thesis presentation.

“I just, I need to get a good night’s sleep, I am so anxious about graduating. Caroline said softly as she weaved and bobbed through the typical Thursday traffic of Manhattan around her.

“You need to come out for drinks with me and Bonnie,” Kat argued her voice steel even over airwaves.

“One drink,” Caroline relented as she slipped into her apartment building and up the stairs to her apartment on the fourth floor.

“Awesome we’ll see you at Jimmy’s at 9,” Kat sang before hanging up.

Four hours later found Caroline, Kat, Bonnie and Rebekah dancing at a club after drinking tequila shots at Jimmy’s. Rebekah had mentioned finding an amazing club and with the alcohol clearly in the driver’s seat for all of them, they’d quickly agreed.

Caroline had moved over to their table and was taking a sip from her water bottle when Kat joined her. “You aren’t going home already?”

“Kitty-Kat, I said one drink and that was hours ago,” she groaned pulling her phone out to let her roommate and other best friend know that she was coming home.

“Care!! Is that Nik?” Beks voice interrupted them as the other blonde came bounding over drunk and over excited.

“Yea, I’m going home,” Care said grinning at her roommates little sister.

“Boo you whore.” Beks pouted arms crossed looking at her best friend.

Caroline felt herself caving, “I could ask him to join us?”

Kat made a face of disinterest, Bekah was clapping excitedly and Bonnie just shrugged having joined late in the conversation. Caroline switched gears, Bekah’s excitement contagious as she texted Nik to join them for drinks and dancing.

An hour later they’d cheered as Nik approached, the added alcohol of the passed hour lifting their spirits as they danced. Dressed in a black button down and his typical black jeans he had smiled at their excitement.

He and Caroline had danced tight and close for the rest of the night, their hips grinding and their hands around necks or on hips. By the time they’d gone home, Caroline had convinced herself to go for it. What was the worst that could happen. Then the worst had happened.

~~~~~~~

Klaus was mortified, he’d been coerced out to the club and the rest of the night had been a whirlwind and a dream he’d found himself dancing with Caroline in his arms, something he’d only allowed himself to dream about. He didn’t want to ever make her feel like he’d only been her friend because he wanted to sleep with her. If he was honest it had been the exact opposite reason.

He’d been dating a redhead named Aurora and she’d been with that fratbro Tyler, their freshman year when they’d met. Fast forward three years and they were roommates and best friends. They’d had different relationships with other people and never been single at the same time. This past year had been the first time they’d both been single at once. He’d only realized that he was in love with her when he’d started to go on dates with blonde girls who were pale imitations of her.

Laying in bed he waited till he heard the shower start, to sneak out into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee. Leaning against the counter he sipped it slowly and sighed as the caffeine chased away the small hangover he had. Groaning he rubbed his face and looked around their apartment. They had without realizing it completely intertwined their lives, it was hard to see in the shared space where she stopped or he started. It was simply theirs. Now he’d fucked it up.

As he started back to his room to change, the bathroom door flew open with a burst of steam and Caroline walked out in a towel. Jumping back so as not to get hit by the door he barely stopped a groan as she looked so lovely just in a towel as she stood there. Her hair faintly starting to curl and her lips full, just waiting for him to kiss her. Shaking his head he stepped around and ducked into his room, not saying a word.

Caroline blinked and looked at the closed door her heart beating a mile a minute. He’d been shirtless, and in the sweatpants that tended to slip off his left hip. She hadn’t heard him over the sound of the running water and had hoped he was still asleep. Caroline was a little hurt that he’d been too disgusted to even pause and talk to her. Slipping off to her room she grabbed a fresh set of panties, tank top and her favorite lounge pants. No sense in wearing a bra if she was just lounging around the house.

Once dressed she walked out into their living room and laid on the couch while she sifted through her social media and texts from everyone from the night before. Two hours later and he still hadn’t come out of his room and Caroline was starting to feel hurt. Was she really that unattractive that he’d rather avoid her than talk about what happened.

Nik and her had met in their intro to communication a prereq for both their majors and become fast friends. Soon they were studying and just hanging out together when they weren’t with their respective partners. Klaus had been with that insipid bitch Aurora, and she’d been dating Tyler. Somehow while their romantic relationships hadn’t continued, their friendship had. They’d gotten an apartment off campus sophomore year and spent the last three years making it their home.

Caroline had realized she was falling in love with him when she’d gotten the flu last year and he’d canceled everything to take care of her. Something not even Bonnie was willing to do. Caroline was a terrible patient. Yet, Klaus hadn’t even blinked, he’d taken all her bitching, crabbiness and illness in stride.

Now she’d ruined everything by thinking that he felt the same way. He couldn’t even look at her without bolting. Pulling a pillow over her face she groaned out loud cursing the stars and gods for her bad luck. Sitting up she took a deep breath. She was Caroline Marie Forbes, she could fix this.

Walking over to his door she pulled it open and walked in closing the door behind her. Klaus glanced up, his eyes wide and he cleared his throat before shoving his sketchbook behind him.

“Why don’t you want me?” she asked her arms crossed glaring at her supposed best friend. “Am I not attractive enough for you?”

Klaus blinked caught off guard and confused before her words made sense and he opened and closed his mouth like a guppie. “Excuse me luv.”

“Why won’t you sleep with me?” she asked her glare sharpening at him as she started to feel her lower lip tremble. “Why is Cami good enough for you, but I’m not?”

Klaus was off the bed and taking her arms to lead her to the side of the bed and sitting her down next to him on his comforter. “Luv, I am head over heels in love with you, I have been for the last two years. I didn’t want to take advantage of you last night.” He ran a hand over her shoulder and wiped a few stray tears away from her eyes. “Also Cami and I never slept together.”

“She told the fifth floor of Whit-hall, that you two had sex over parents weekend,” Caroline sniffled feeling mortified for having fallen for such a stupid rumor. Still she allowed Klaus to hold her and she felt better.

“She wanted too, but I couldn’t bring myself too. Not when I was thinking of you the whole time,” he said softly looking down at his best friend. Smoothing her hair back he offered her a small smile, “I didn’t want our first time to be when you were drunk.”

Caroline brightened at that and wrapped her arms around his neck. “So you’ve thought of a first time with us?”

Klaus chuckled wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her onto his lap. “Oh sweetheart, I’ve dreamed of being your last for a long time.”

Caroline squeaked when he picked her up like she weighed nothing and allowed herself to be pulled onto his lap. Looking into his eyes she bit her lip and looked around his bedroom. “Well what if we have our first time now?”

Laughing Klaus rolled over so she was between the bed and him and placed kisses all over her face starting on her forehead and working his way to her lips. “Luv I thought you’d never ask.

[vampirrediaries]

Enemies Of The State : Dark!Klaroline {1}

summary:

This fiction follows the events of just how Klaus Mikaelson and Caroline Forbes lost everything that tied them to their humanity, leading them into something neither of them can come back from.

————

{10 years ago}

“To a Klaus free life!”

Caroline idily stood by in the corner as she watched her friends cheer in the name of freedom. That twisted heart ache came rushing back as soon as she had pushed it to the side, and she could think of a thousand other places she’d rather be.

Elena looked happy, at least. Her friends were safe, at least.

So why did she feel so guilty about wanting what she did? Her eyes shone with numbness at the celebration that came with his disappearance, taking place in front of her as if her friends were oblivious to her emotions about him.

But they are caroline thought bitterly to herself. Klaus was gone and he was never coming back. She yearned to return to her normal, blissful state of mind more than anything, but she couldn’t find comfort in anything, not even in her friends happiness. What was it about this ruthless, cold-hearted hybrid killer that she had found so endearing?

“Caroline!” Elena’s voice suddenly called out to her, disrupting her thoughts. “Come over here and join the party!”

Caroline shone with a smile as fake as ever as she made her way towards the kitchen. Empty champagne bottles littered the counter, evidence that everyone was having an awfully good time for all the wrong reasons, in her twisted opinion at least. She felt jealous of her friends having a good time, being in a relieved state of mind. Unlike her, who’s thoughts were only infected with Klaus Mikaelson.

Caroline’s smile was fading as quickly as she had put it on, sipping on a half full champagne bottle that was left of the latter. Stefan Salvatore had noticed her dull expression, quietly approaching her in order to get her to tell him what was wrong. He always saw through her, which she had always hated for this very reason.

Caroline felt a hand on her shoulder, turning around to see the kind hearted salvatore brother. “So are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Stefan questioned her with a raised eyebrow. “It’s supposed to be a celebration, y’know”

The blonde vampire quickly concealed her expression with a lively smile, erasing any traces of her real emotions that showed so transparently on her face. “I’m just getting used to Klaus finally being out of our lives for good,” Caroline says with her usual bubbly tone. She so desperately wished she sounded genuine enough, you never knew with Stefan. He had a way of seeking out her truth.

But much to her surprise, Stefan gave her a little smile and walked off to the rest of the group. Caroline felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb, this feeling was unnatural to her. She hated it.

So she quickly thought of an excuse to get herself out of this uncomfortably painful situation. My mom’s calling me to come home, you know how she can be haha.

She felt Stefan’s stare when she told Elena just that. He knew she was off, but caroline gave him the benefit of the doubt. She’d deal with him later. This didn’t mean that it was any easier feeling his eyes at the back of her head when she walked out that dreaded door and into the street. She sighed heavily, checking her phone for any signs of him. A text message, a missed call. Nothing.

Caroline just couldn’t take it anymore. She wouldn’t. She shouldn’t have to,

“Fuck this” Caroline said bitterly to herself. She knew what she needed to do to rectify this situation, even if it was the riskiest thing she could do in this position, she just didn’t care.

She hastily dialed the number on her phone, bringing it to her ear and waiting impatiently for a certain blonde vampire to answer.

“Whatever it is, i don’t have time for it” Rebekah Mikaelson’s vivid accent suddenly cut through. Caroline felt her heart race as she thought through exactly what she wanted to say.

“I need to see you” She hesitated, hearing Rebekah impatiently sighing on the other end, signalling her to go on. Caroline took a deep breath before adding the next part.

“It’s about your brother”

———

Klaus Mikaelson had just only entered New Orleans when he wished he had never stepped foot in it in the first place.

“I will kill her and everyone she’s ever met” He growled at Elijiah, who seemed as distressed as ever.

Sophie Deveraux was indeed, plotting his death. Using spells from the Original Witch’s grimore to find a way to bring down the immortal, all-powerful hybrid. Klaus sought out to put an end to her immediately, but was stopped by his older brother.

“You will do no such thing” Elijiah answers with a controlled tone of voice “I’ll see to it Marcel get the job done”

Klaus did not like other people doing his dirty work for him, especially not in cases involving death. It made him feel invaluable, weak. He revelled in killing his enemies, which meant he would make sure he was going to be the one to spill Sophie Deveraux’s blood, not Marcel. Damn Elijiah or anybody else who told him otherwise.

“I will be the only one to rip out her heart with my bare hands” He hissed, but he had only barely turned around to do just that when Elijiah took hold of his arm with a tight grip. His expression seemed urgent as Klaus gave him his murderous look that he was quite notorious for when things didn’t go his way.

“The witch is linked to Katerina, brother” Elijah says with desperation. “She will die if you lay a hand on her”

Klaus scoffs at Elijah’s hopelessness. He’ll be damned if Katerina Petrova of all people will stand in his way of getting his revenge.

“I could care less about Katerina, brother” He says with a sinister tone, pulling his arm back harshly “That girl continues to be the bane of my existence, good riddance”

With that being said, Klaus turned around once more to make good on what he had said to Elijah. Killing two birds with one stone. He’d be doing his brother a favour, he thought. Katerina will only break his fragile heart as she had done countless times before with different men. This was no different.

Elijah then called out something that would indeed, make his brother take a step back. This was true, since Klaus suddenly halted in the middle of his path of murder.

“I can’t imagine Caroline would enjoy having a stake in her heart, Niklaus” Elijah had said with a sinster tone lacing his words “Then again, she would be a bit pre-occupied being dead to notice”

Klaus turned ever so slowly to face his brother. His face had contorted into a venomous stare, his eyes like daggers as he started into Elijah’s with such hostility that even he took a step back.

“You dare threaten her” Klaus spoke lowly with a murderous tone “You dare threaten her as if i can’t have your rotting body in a casket anytime i choose”

“Your threats towards me have an emptiness to them, Niklaus” Elijah said with unease “You will not kill Katerina if you do not wish for Caroline to die along with her”

Klaus used his unhuman speed to come face to face with him. He hadn’t felt this enraged in quite a while, with his eyes growing dark veins underneath them whilst turning into the golden/yellow many had feared.

“You so much as lay a hand on Caroline” Klaus then came close to his ear, the lapels of his jacket tightly in his fists. “I will ruin you” He calmy said, with revulsion and hostility visibly present in his threat.

The hybrid took a step back then. His brother seemed startled with his words, and Klaus felt as though he should leave him with these words as he flashed away from the scene.

His original plan of murdering the Deveraux witch, and Katherine along with her seemed like a lifetime ago as he stood alone with his thoughts only clouded by Caroline Forbes. Elijah knew what he was doing by threatening one of the only few things that tied him to his wretched humanity.

Klaus himself knew what would happen if Elijah saw to it that Caroline was no longer breathing, and it was for that reason he hoped his threat was menacing enough for him not to. He took a deep breath then, assuring himself that nothing would harm Caroline in the slightest if he had anything to do with it.

The pair of them had no idea of the events that would quite soon occur, and how the aftermath of such events would lead them into something they will never be able to come back from.

——————

masterlist

[honestgrins]

Skipping Steps || Klaroline

Katherine has been waiting forever for Klaus and Caroline to finally go from work married to actually dating, and she thought a week at a conference in Las Vegas would let them loosen up enough to make the move. Boy, was she right.

.

Caroline had barely set her coffee down when Katherine burst into her office. "Next time you go to a conference, pick a shorter one." Her friend dramatically fell into the chair across from her desk, yawning. "It was so boring here with you for a whole week. Now, please tell me you put that week in Vegas to good use and finally boned your work husband."

Silly her for attempting to actually drink her coffee; Caroline nearly choked on it. Coughing, she waved frantically. "At least shut the door," she whispered. "Jesus, Kat."

Though she seemed annoyed at the lack of an answer, Katherine reached behind her to swing the door closed with a slight rattle of the wall. "Happy now? Dish. And don't leave out the dirty details."

"Kat-"

"It had to be good," she decided. "You two practically share a brain, sometimes, I refuse to believe that doesn't help in the bedroom." With a sly grin, she gave a seductive purr. "Unless you didn't even make it to the bedroom. Tell. Me. Everything."

Turning on her computer, Caroline all but pretended Katherine wasn't even there. But she also knew better than to think she could wait out her work-inappropriate curiosity. So, she sighed and took a more successful gulp of coffee before reluctantly meeting her gaze. "It was just a conference, Kat. You went to the last one with us, it's all networking and panels and seminars. What makes you think Klaus and I acted any differently on this one?"

It wasn't a new accusation. When Klaus was first hired, they near hated each other. Marketing attracted all types, many of which led to contradictions and outright conflicts. She was data-driven, strictly following creative briefs and initial plans as expected; he favored nontraditional solutions that came out of left field. Caroline loathed when his suggestions were taken over her perfectly supported proposals that precisely fit the client ask, and she had no problem letting him know it. Those early fights were legendary in the office, to the point where they were assigned to create proposals together rather than competing against each other, lest their rivalry become a more troublesome to their department head. 

They still fought, of course, but it devolved into a bickering that most likened to that of an old married couple - a dynamic their coworkers liked to tease them about.

Some more than others.

Katherine, for instance, watched her with a suspicious glare. "Something did happen," she nodded, "and you don't want to tell me about it. Come on, we've all gone through three betting pools on when you two would hook up. You can tell me, I won't gloat unless I win."

"It's not that I don't want to tell you, I'm just...processing."

Though her eyes narrowed, a knock at the door prevented Katherine from digging further. "Come in," she called, annoyed. When it was Klaus who walked in, though, she appeared positively delighted. "Well, hello there. I was just asking-"

"If I needed any help catching up on what happened here while we were at the conference," Caroline quickly interrupted. She barely restrained herself from glaring at her friend, but Klaus helped by dropping an almond croissant on her desk. Sipping her coffee allowed her to hide a silly grin. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

He shrugged, taking the other chair next to Katherine's. "I was hoping to bribe you into completing my reimbursement paperwork," he admitted freely. 

Her lips pursed like she was trying not to smile. "Seriously? It's one page."

"You like paperwork," he shrugged again. "I thought you'd appreciate the chance to color-code my receipts."

Rolling her eyes, Caroline turned back to Katherine with a thorough lack of amusement. "Whatever betting pool you're hoping to win, I hope this shows there are no winners."

Klaus looked between them, confused. "Who's betting on what?"

"Kat, thanks for checking in. We can chat over lunch today," Caroline broke in, the Monday of it all getting to her. "Get the door on your way out? I'd hate for the whole office to hear me complain about the state of his receipts."

With a calculating look, Katherine eventually gave in. "Fine," she said as she stood to leave. "But I want to hear all about those 'receipts' at lunch."

Though she wanted to drop her head to the desk, Caroline nodded and smiled. It had to happen sometime, and at least they'd be out of the office when she...explained. What she had to say wasn't exactly breakroom news. "Deal."

The door shut behind her as she left, and Caroline sagged back in relief. "You were right," she groaned. 

"Beg pardon, love?" Klaus leaned forward on his knees with a predatory grin. "I believe I just heard you say that I was right."

"Shut up," she huffed, her hand falling to the necklace hanging beneath her shirt. A finger traced the small ring no one could see. "I don't think our plan is going to work."

Without hesitating, Klaus pushed himself up from the chair to lock her office door. He walked around her desk to stand in front of her, and he gently lifted the chain from her neck until he held the ring in his hand. As he stroked the warm metal, he dropped a reverent kiss on her lips. "It'll work," he promised. "We happen to make an excellent team, and we can accomplish anything we set our minds to."

"Like," she drawled, her voice mocking, "getting married in Vegas when we haven't even really been on a date?"

He kissed her again, soft and lingering. "Exactly that."

Smiling up at him, her hand drifted up the arm he still used to hold her ring - the one he gave her in front of a Jedi officiant and she couldn't wait to put back on. "Okay," she breathed with resolve. "As far as they know, we finally gave into our obvious feelings for each other and are dating."

"Once everyone eases into it and we become old news," Klaus continued, "we can plan another wedding. Although, I'm rather partial to calling you my wife already."

Caroline bit her lip, tugging him down for another kiss. "I know what you mean. But they will never let us live it down," she warned. "For the rest of our lives, we'll be that couple."

But he just grinned against her lips. "I happen to like the sound of that." When he stood up, he gently tucked her ring back into her shirt. "As for our first date, I was thinking dinner tonight. A proper dinner at a restaurant, tablecloths and silverware."

"I happen to like the Chinese takeout we've been living on since we got back," she teased, her hands falling to his waist. "Or maybe I just like hiding away in your apartment with you, clothes optional."

"Discouraged, really." 

She snorted. "Very true. But dinner sounds nice, too. Pick me up at seven?"

Nodding, Klaus kissed her one last time before heading back to the door. "Sounds perfect, sweetheart. I'll make a reservation, and you make sure to pack that first round of bags you were planning out this weekend."

Her heart stuttered with excitement at how happy he sounded for her to move in with him. Maybe it was fast, and their relationship was certainly unconventional, but she was so, so happy, too. "Will do."

They were too busy grinning at each other to notice her phone buzzing with notifications, not until the door handle rattled against the lock and a fist started pounding on the door itself. Katherine's voice came through, clear and angry. "Caroline, why the hell are you tagged in pictures from a freaking wedding chapel?" 

For a long second, the grins slipped from their faces and they just stared at each other in realization. "Well, crap."

[austennerdita2533]

A/N: An Elijah vs. Klaroline 5x06 AU (because apparently I can’t stop myself from writing it???) Mind you, this is rough af, tentatively titled, and mostly Carlijah. But I figured I’d put it out there because it’s already over 1k, I’m pumped for the episode, and y’all can tell me if I should bother writing the more-Klaroline/Klelijah part of it.

Enjoy!

xx Ashlee Bree

You Shall Not Pass

Before her stands a stranger—a stranger she once knew.

Dark hair, shaved chin. Aviator sunglasses tucked into a scooped white collar. Rugged blue jeans. Terse lips curled in impatient distaste. Two whittled fence posts peeking out from underneath too-long sleeves. A leather jacket - simple, black, no designer or brand name anything - hangs loose from his shoulders to offset two cold, amber eyes which used to pierce the world with such sagacity, with such innate sophistication and reasonability, but now appraise everything around him with something worse than hate, or scorn, or disapproval too marked to miss: apathy.

It’s the last thing Caroline expects to see right now; he, the last person. (Especially in freaking jeans, are you kidding?) And she barely chokes down her surprise fast enough to block his path to the house which perches on a small hill behind them.

“Can I help you?” she says in half-chirp. Tilting her head to the side, she side-steps in front of him, warning him back with a sharp smile. “You look a little lost and I’m a concerned citizen willing to turn you back around.”

“Move,” the man growls.

“Now, now…I know your memory’s been swiped, Elijah, along with your entire history of familial and platonic feeling,” she raises her hands half in defense, half in taunting, “but I thought you, of all people, would still bother with civilities in any diseased incarnation of yourself? There aren’t any dangling on your lips now, though, huh? Shame. A true shame.”

“I said move!”

“Wow, really? No Miss Forbes? No ‘it’s nice to see you again,’ Caroline?” She wags her finger and tuts, still shuffling her feet; still refusing to let him pass. Determined to give them more time to escape to safety. “You’ve always been the only Mikaelson with any manners, but man! What a disappointment you are today, I’ve got to say.”

“Tell me where he is, where he’s taken them,” Elijah says while his knuckles whiten and his jaw ticks. His fingers curl into fists around one of the stakes, itching to strike. Stab. Silence. And he’d do it, too - oh, he wants to do it - to know how her fire and sugared spice will bubble against his teeth after a fatal bite - but he resists because she holds the missing pieces. She’s the only one here who knows how to procure what he and Antoinette still need.

“Pfft, yeah, like I’d tell you anything in your state.” Caroline laughs like the idea is preposterous. Insane. Like it’s the funniest joke in the history of the world. “I mean, I deserve at least a please for that kind of information, don’t you think? For old time’s sake?”

“I’ve had enough of these idle games, Little Miss Sunshine. Where is he?” Elijah snarls again. This time with patience fraying into vein-pulsed rage and fangs descending. “WHERE?”

Caroline’s shoulders straighten here, and her eyes burn so hot they almost hiss at him when she digs her heels into the grass to offer him a pert quirk of her mouth in opposition; her voice swapping out joviality for severity in the smoothest of transitions,

“As I said already, Señor Impolite,” she says with a click of her tongue, “I won’t reveal a single damn thing to you about your brother’s location. Not here, not when you’re like this. Nor will I inconvenience the other people you still love somewhere in that thick, muddled skull of yours by making this mission easy for you. So put that on a discarded daylight ring and smoke it!” she adds with a huff and a cock of the hip.  

“Fine.” A stake loosens from his sleeve. He brandishes it in his hand; twirls it like a baton on his palm. Real slow and practiced. “If that’s how you wish to play it.”

“Likewise.”

Elijah pauses to scratch a thumb across his jaw and sniffs before he, again, raises harsh lashes to her face, “Take it from a man who wasted centuries: you will not triumph,” he says. “That man - my so-called brother - will bleed you of any goodness you possess; he’ll stifle any happiness you find, so do yourself a favor and free yourself from his tyranny now. He is not worth an ounce of your time or protection. And he never will be.”

“You’re wrong. You don’t truly believe that,” she shakes her head and sighs. “You’re so wrong, I - I don’t know how you’ll recover from all the regret that’s bound to follow once you recover your memories again.”

He remains impassive. Unmoved.

“Let me by, Caroline. He must pay for his crimes.”

“I said -” her teeth clench, “- no!” A blur against the sky, she vamps across the yard to block each and every one of his advances. She shoves against his chest, swipes at his athletic kicks with her boot heels, and snaps out with her fangs like a guard dog to keep him back.  

“His worth is mine, and mine alone, to decide. You got that, E?” she says in an obnoxious way that mocks his new nickname pointedly, unapologetically; her veins undulating across her cheekbones for extra measure. “It’d be best for you not to forget that. You know, like, ever.”

“Well, then…” He takes a step back, his forehead pinched in mounting irritation. “I guess we have nothing further to discuss, do we?”

“Nope.”

After a shrug and a look of pity, “I’m afraid this pretty little blonde favorite of yours has left me no choice here, Niklaus,” he announces in a loud, reverberating voice.

Elijah speaks to the air, to the clouds forming shapes over their heads, but his eyes sweep across the property. His ears prick as if they wait for his brother’s howled outcry to sound on the wind in the seething, murderous way he’d once been so accustomed to hearing, and also to preventing. There is no movement anywhere except where the sun crests over the hill, however. All the purples and oranges dancing with shadows to tint the land like a bruise. There’s no sound besides the screeching tires of a Camaro on the highway, ten miles distant. There’s nothing else around besides a dirt road, an empty house, and a stubborn, sassy girl poised between them.

Thirty more seconds pass before Elijah’s gaze settles back over on Caroline. It’s another thirty-five seconds after that before he’s rife enough with detached predation, hunger, and resolve to act.

He levels his chin once he decides. And as he charges forward with a stake positioned for the spot where two rings dangle against her chest, above her heart, the next words to leave his throat burst forth in grave monotone,

“Time to die,” he says.

[gooddame]

Jenn! Things are kinda tough in your hometown right now so thought you might want or need a bit of a distraction. I'm actually trading that awesome prompt you gave me! Seeing as your Meghan is marrying my Harry (well, I wish he was mine) I've been in a royal drabble mood. So here goes. Prompt: You’re a royal guard and I’m always pestering you because you’re hella cute and getting you to smile makes my day.

This is for the awesome, the lovely, the ever friendly andwonderful and insanely kind and amazing writer @misssophiachase who is my friendand confidant in all things fluff and klaroline. We traded prompts and as usualshe came through for me but I am a slacker to the extreme. I just turned on mylaptop and this fell out of me. I hope this was something along the lines ofwhat you wanted because my whole purpose here was to please you and bring yousome kind of joy today!

Please enjoy!

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It started with a bit of red that matched the uniform hewore, the bright hue drawing his eyes from the boredom of the job that morning.It was London, foggy, polluted with people and their eager faces as he felt thechill of the morning air at his neck. But there was that long flowing patch ofred that surprised Klaus, a scarf he realized as the wind brushed his face andhis eyes locked on the figure whom wore the scarf that had him at attention.

Words escaped him, his breath an exhale when her green eyes collidedwith his own briefly, barely a second and the world all but shifted as shedisappeared from view. His brow furrowed as his mind lingered over the blonde green-eyedbeauty he had just witnessed. Klaus flexed his hand, his glove tight as he feltthe divine urge to recreate the moment and store it forever.

In a breath Klaus composed himself as he decided to simply stareblankly ahead the next hour or so until he was next relieved of his station. Thesmell of caffeine was overpowering on his right end, something told him an Americanhad brought over a coffee to see the Queen. His nose twitched in revulsion asKlaus’ eyes sought out the offending person with the best of his ability at themoment.

Without meaning to, his head turned and his mouth parted insurprise, something he would be hearing about later he was certain. Somethinghe would care about if he could do anything at all but stare at the woman withthe coffee in her hand and the red scarf draped over her lovely ivory neck. Hergreen eyes blazed as she let out a laugh, the sound like a melody in his ears.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to move,” she alleged as heplaced himself back into position, “Was that just some poppycock for the visitor’sguide?”

Klaus heard her footsteps, a soft strut in his direction, “Strongsilent type, huh,” she tried again in a soft southern accent that had his bonesaching as he inhaled her scent.

“Figures,” she sighed and stalked away leaving him withnothing more than the stench of her coffee, the light scent of pomegranate andthe throbbing need to know her.

He didn’t see her again that day, but that night he didn’tbother with rest, instead Klaus painted like he hadn’t been uninspired fornearly six months. He painted the soft shadows of her face, the soft circles ofher eyes, the delicate freckles and those pink lips. He mixed the reds to matchhis uniform, the soft navy of her coat and the deep cornfield yellow of herwispy hair atop the messy bun.

The lines blended and he wished for her in the early hoursof the morning when he dragged himself to sleep a mere two hours before workbegan once more. A single binary thought that he might see her again is whathelped him to dream before his sister stormed into his bedroom like a wellscheduled rotary clock. He groaned into his pillow as she pulled the curtainsback even when the sun was hidden by the glum gray sky that insisted he shouldgo back to bed.

Work was as mundane as the day before even with the addedanxiety that they might once more cross paths that day and Klaus wasn’t certainthat he wouldn’t chase her if she did show. The fourth hour of his shiftbarreled down on him as he waited, the rolled up note in his gloved hand washis only lifeline as another family took a demented photo in front of him.

“Lady Grey today, no sugar though,” her voice danced in hisears and caused a grin to form over his curved lips.

“Ah, caught you again,” Klaus pursed his lips rolling thepaper in his fingers.

He watched her out ofthe corner of his eye, noted the red scarf once more as she observed him, “Silence,again,” she sighed as she sipped her tea as she supposed about him out loud.

“Maybe you’re a good listener,” She said as she came tostand just in front of him in a space that was border-line inappropriate andsettled her eyes onto his.

“I think I can make you blush,” she uttered, her tone a dare,his eyes narrowed in reply as he felt his stiff collar grow warmer.

“I had a dream aboutyou last night,” she admitted in a soft breath as her teeth bit the plastic ofher throwaway cup.

His face heated in response, his eyes squeezed shut as heexhaled a breath and somehow felt her closer as he blinked, “That was inappropriate,”she back-peddled, “You probably have a girlfriend or a wife?”

Klaus could tell she was fishing for information but had noother way to reply other than to use his eyes, to direct her to the paper inhis hand. Her smile was bright as the sun when she realized what he had meantto imply making sure to look on both sides before she subtly reached for hisnote in his hand. He watched as she bit her lip, his throat going dry at theidea of tasting it.

Her fingers unrolled the slip of paper, “Klaus,” she spokehis name, “Phone number too, so you are single and interested,” she commentedwatching him pink.

“You got a little red paint on here,” she continued lookingfrom the paper to his blushing face as her finger nail scratched at the paint.

There’s a sudden glee in her eyes that makes Klaus worry asshe takes just a half a step closer than she should, “I’ll text you,” she murmuredas she leaned in to kiss his cheek.

“I’m Caroline, by the way,” were her parting words in agentle flirt that had Klaus’ eye twitching as he watched her saunter away fromhim.

“Caroline,” he whispered under his breath releasing her namefrom his mouth with a light lick of his upper lip.

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