This is for my amazing fellow Klarochatters without whom this year wouldn't have been even nearly as awesome (though I probably would've gotten more sleep lol). Thank you to all you lovely ladies and I hope you enjoy this. Love you like Klaus loves Caroline's smile.
Also a huge thank you to all my followers who have stuck with me throughout this year and read all the weird and wonderful stuff I've come up with – y'all are great and I love you so much. Your reviews give me life and make me feel like we're on some kind of epic journey together. Anyway, this is just me with my Christmas nostalgia coming in but basically thank you.
This takes place in a post 4x23 universe minus any babies or general TO BS. I'd recommend paying attention to the dates, especially in the second and third parts. Pretty please review if you happen to like.
Enjoy and merry belated Christmas :)
Part 1
December 2020
Her hand flew over the card, penning the words almost as quickly as they flowed from her mind.
They fell from her lips too as she checked to make sure that each one sounded right and sincere.
Ordinarily her thoughts made their way out verbally but she'd found herself becoming quieter; taking advantage of the written word.
It was something people felt safer with – being able to compare what was missing to what was there; cherish the physical indent above where skin had once swept paper.
She practised her calligraphy with the knowledge that it would be appreciated, maybe even preferred over her rambling.
She liked to observe now.
Matt's daughters enjoyed making fun of her when she sat in the corner of a room, something warm pulled over her legs tucked beneath her.
They called that she was getting old; glorying loudly in the perceived irony.
But she liked to watch and notice all the things that were easily missable. She used all her senses, training them to pick out tiny objects in the distance or light breathing coming from the next house.
She liked how it merged her with her surroundings more and made her feel more independent.
So Caroline's hand kept moving even as her observant hearing stayed finely tuned to the gusts of wind that whipped at the wood of the cottage. The snow had given Greece a slight reprieve today, instead letting the sun shine for a few moments every now and then, illuminating the Christmas cards she was finishing up.
She wrote the greeting on Elena's before closing it and slipping it into its waiting matching envelope. That quickly went atop the large rectangular box, one of multiple gifts sitting on her desk.
Caroline froze.
A dip in the air; a slight change in the breeze.
The trees whispered of disturbance and the trodden snow sang chorus.
She stood; passed the drawer with carefully whittled stakes inside, brushing just past walls before halting by the front door. It was made of a thick heavy wood and she could hear the pounding of his heart right through it.
She took a breath then swung it open.
March 2013
"Oh my god."
"Hello, Caroline," he smiled.
She had nothing more to say, which was rare for Caroline Forbes. She always had something to say.
But for once she'd allowed her paranoia to slip and had stopped worrying about him showing up around every corner and teasing her with his dimpled smirk, pretending like they'd been travelling together all along.
Now she was stunned by it all; his general presence and everything that went along with it.
And, honestly, stunned by the fact that it had taken him so long.
"W-what are you doing here?" was the first thing that came to mind. "You look… good," was second.
He smirked and she wanted to slap herself for not being in control of her tongue right now.
"Looking for you, of course," he replied shamelessly, drawing out the chair opposite her.
"Why?" she spat, finally pulling herself together.
He sat and folded the napkin over his lap.
A shrug.
"Do I need an excuse?"
"You're going to need a tourniquet if you don't stop making yourself comfortable and start giving me some proper answers."
A chuckle.
"I've missed you."
"Could've fooled me," she muttered before she could think to stop herself.
Over the past year she'd grown unaccustomed to the presence of vampires; constantly muttering things to amuse herself or complain.
He looked genuinely pleased.
"You expected me sooner?"
She rolled her eyes. "Expected, not wanted."
"Your previous bitterly expressed statement suggests otherwise, sweetheart."
She huffed, wishing she could think of something to rid him of that smug expression but came up with nothing. Instead she folded her arms over her chest and glared.
He smiled, unfazed.
"Shall we order?"
December 2020
"Fancy a walk?"
She leaned against the doorframe and for a solid few minutes they simply stared at one another, neither able to hide soft grateful smiles as they acclimated.
Her eyes roamed his form, noting the deep red collar at his throat and the black leather jacket; dark jeans.
His hair was perfect; auburn stubble at just the length she liked it.
She left the best for last, her gaze appraising his gleaming eyes then down to the dark pink of his tilted lips.
He stood in the sea of snow outside the cottage, far away from the porch and even further from her, but she didn't let the distance affect her thorough examination.
After one last look she took a step back into the warmth of the cottage.
Caroline inclined her head.
"Egg nog's inside."
His eyes lit up and he looked down bashfully, chuckling a little before starting up the porch.
March 2013
"London or New York?"
"Ok, you cannot ask me that!"
He chuckled, clearly taking great pleasure from her dilemma before turning his attention back to finishing his tiramisu.
She smiled too in spite of herself and ate the last bit of cheesecake on her plate before taking a sip of her champagne.
It was their third bottle.
Klaus had cited their reunion as reason enough for the first and from there the bubbles had just kind of flowed, the waiter refilling her flute the second its contents dropped below half, undoubtedly on Klaus' order.
"So… what now?"
He smirked. "You'd like to do something with me?"
"A: I just did, which wasn't by choice, by the way. And B: no, I meant can you leave now."
He looked amused then spread his palms.
"Certainly."
She concentrated on keeping her expression blank and he smiled gently, inclining his head.
"Or, if you'd like, I could show you a little more of what the city has to offer."
December 2020
He stepped right up to her.
She met his eyes for a few seconds then blushed, ducking her head before stepping aside.
"Your home is lovely. How long have you been here?"
Klaus walked into the lounge and she followed, noting his heat coming off in waves, warming the cottage; his scent permeating the furniture.
"Two months."
"How long do you plan on staying?"
She shrugged. "I think I'm doing New Year's in Amsterdam so I'm not sure. Till it gets warmer, maybe."
He found the kitchen like he knew the way; she followed like she didn't.
"You know you're lucky you caught me. I'm leaving tomorrow."
He turned with a smirk. "Luck has nothing to do with it, love."
She laughed, a light blush grazing her cheeks.
"Right, I forgot. You're practically a professional stalker."
His smile was light; teasing.
"The time of year; you've been burning through your supply of wood for the past week and packed up your car last night – I inferred you were homebound."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"You've been here all week?"
He nodded, watching her closely. "I believe we agreed on once per year."
She turned away, busying herself with getting out glasses and finding the ladle.
"That doesn't necessarily mean one day per year, you know." Then quickly: "I mean, if you're in the area, it just makes sense."
He didn't reply for a while as she worked and when he finally did speak, he sounded pleased.
"I'll keep that in mind for next time."
She rolled her eyes, biting back a smile even though he couldn't see her face.
"Whatever."
She spooned the egg nog then turned to hand him a glass, noticing his arched brow with a frown.
"What?"
He smiled but it looked slightly uncomfortable.
"I was surprised to find you alone."
She recoiled in surprise, taking it as an insult at first, before realisation dawned and she nodded in understanding.
"Right. We've never seen each other around this time of year before."
"I suppose I assumed you spent it with someone," he said with averted eyes, sipping the egg nog.
She fidgeted before taking a deep breath.
"I don't have a someone." Then she forced a laugh. "Although I did get proposed to recently."
Klaus' head snapped up sharply, regarding her questioningly.
This time her laugh came freely. "Relax, it was just a local."
"Whom you slept with."
Her gaze hardened. "One of them."
She finished the last of her egg nog then moved to place the glass in the sink.
When she turned Klaus was right behind her.
She swallowed a gasp as his hand brushed over her arm.
"And you... refused?"
Goosebumps rose and her eyelids fluttered, fighting to stay open.
There was a catch to the once-per-year visiting system they'd agreed on – when they got back together everything felt ten times more electric; her skin so raw that even his gaze burned deep and had her breathing hard.
"I considered it," she teased, taking his glass from him.
Turning, she placed it in the sink beside hers, wondering if the spreading heat in her belly was because of the warm drink or something else entirely.
"And?" he asked, his breath fanning over the inside of her neck.
"Rock wasn't big enough," she replied loftily.
He chuckled with lips so near to her shoulder that she practically felt the vibrations.
"What a shame. Poor last must have been heartbroken."
She laughed a little, rolling her eyes, before she gasped sharply when his hands landed on her hips.
March 2013
She was giggling.
She'd been alternating between giggling and full-bellied laughing for the past few minutes so she barely even thought about it when she swiped the key card and let them both into her hotel room.
"Espresso?"
Klaus nodded. "I'll get it."
She frowned, about to protest, but he'd already passed her and she followed behind him into the kitchen area of the hotel room with furrowed brows.
"Just stand back and relax," he said, getting to work.
She eyed him but obligingly took a few steps back, leaning slightly against the counter behind her.
Still, she wasn't about to let him get away that easily with ordering her around.
"So what, you're back to the gentleman act now?"
He chuckled. "Act?"
She opened her mouth then shut it again audibly.
She didn't have a comeback – it wasn't like he'd done anything particularly un-gentlemanly tonight, but things had become more… casual between them.
He'd snuck her into secret rooms behind museums; pulled her into parties they hadn't been invited to before swiping cocktails and leading her to the roof, where they'd sat on the skylight and he'd made her laugh into the night.
It had all made it easy to forget the guy in Mystic Falls who had courted her so thoughtfully, almost too much so. For once she'd forgotten to pick apart the cunning from the sincerity, too busy thoroughly enjoying herself with him.
With Klaus.
He turned to her as if having heard her thoughts, an eyebrow raised.
She fidgeted before averting her gaze.
"I just meant…" Caroline trailed off, hoping it would be enough, but he still stared questioningly.
She worried at her lip for a few seconds before looking back up with a shy smile, feeling her cheeks warm a little.
"I just meant I had fun."
Klaus continued staring for a second before a light smile of his own danced up onto his lips, his eyes gleaming more than they had as they'd stargazed at her insistence.
Suddenly he turned away again and she blinked in confusion, but her smile widened when he quickly turned back with an offered cup.
"Thanks."
He nodded, still looking at her mystically, and her cheeks burned as she looked down to blow at her espresso.
Seeing his feet grow closer, Caroline's heart began to pound in her chest as she fought away the urge to lean further back.
"You know," he started, and she looked up, "I don't believe I've mentioned how radiant you look."
She blushed then tried to hide it with mock modesty.
"Oh, this old thing."
He smirked, amused. "I didn't mean in that. Or today."
She frowned and he slowly brought up a curious hand to caress the apple of her cheek.
"In general. You're radiant."
Her hand clamped onto the ear of the cup so as not to relax completely and find it crashing to the floor.
She swallowed heavily before grasping for the first thing she could think to say.
"So then you don't like the dress?"
Klaus chuckled lightly and his hand whispered down into her neck, sending tiny shivers across the expanse of her skin.
"You look magnificent in it."
She moved on autopilot.
Her hand reached back to set the cup down, both their eyes following the action; the tiny clink of the porcelain hitting the marble a welcome assault on their sensitive hearing.
Her eyes darted back to him and again they both watched as her still-warm hand crept into his neck.
For once, Klaus Mikaelson's expression was blank. There was no smirk or taunting or smugness. If anything, it was a hint of anxiety tucked in the corners of his eyes.
Her hand hooked around the nape of his neck, pulling herself up and closer to his lips just as her other hand, cold, snuck into his neck too.
The kiss was quick, chaste.
But he didn't have time to open his eyes before her lips were back on his, moving against them enthusiastically as she tilted her neck encouragingly. Klaus took the hint and with a smile she slid her tongue into his mouth, relishing in the taste she found there.
Her fingers bit into his collarbone as she explored his mouth, lingeringly at first then quick and hungrily, feeling in every part of her body where this was heading.
Eventually Caroline pulled away, reluctantly, to look up into the wide blue oceans of his eyes.
She smiled, cocking her head; a temptress.
"What about out of it?"
December 2020
Caroline sucked in another breath as his hands moved down and underneath her dress, up onto the skin of her hips then around between her thighs.
Her head fell back and her mouth opened expectantly but Klaus wasn't rushing anything, his hands taking their time to explore her silky skin, rubbing teasing hot circles.
She was surprised to hear herself moaning, the soft sounds coming of their own accord; incited only by his slight touches.
It had been too long.
"Bedroom," she breathed hotly into his ear. "Right, two doors down the hall."
But Klaus simply continued on as if she hadn't spoken and she sucked in a breath before turning her head to glare at him.
She was about a millisecond into the action when Klaus captured her lips with his, pulling her into a breathtaking kiss that she all but completely disappeared into.
There had been quite a few Greek men. Tanned with rock-hard bodies – young, desperate and ready to please; older and experienced with all the right seductive looks and touches. There had been quite a few Greek men.
None of them had kissed her like this.
Her entire body was on fire just from his touch and the brush of his lips; the taste of his tongue and sensation of it in her mouth again, unquestioningly claiming it as his own.
She disappeared into it. So much so that when Klaus pulled away her eyes fluttered open to see the black and white butterfly decals on her bedroom walls.
Caroline took a few moments to suck in deep breaths before shaking her head with a smile of disbelief.
"You're good."
They were both kneeling on her bed and Klaus trailed a finger down over her butt and onto her hips.
"I haven't even begun, sweetheart."
She giggled and he smiled a little too before deliberately roaming his eyes over her form. She shivered imagining all the things he was thinking about doing to her.
His other hand slid behind her to pull down her zipper before he used both to lift her dress up and over her head in one smooth movement.
Caroline thanked her lucky stars that she only wore matching underwear nowadays as Klaus sat back to appraise her black and pink candy striped lingerie set.
Wetting his lips, he ran a hot thumb over the lace detail on her bra and her eyes fluttered closed at the rough pad of his finger caressing the top of her breast.
Caroline let him tease her for a while before she pushed forward, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him against her body before kissing him hard, licking and nipping at his lips.
Klaus growled into her mouth and pulled her closer, his hands going into her hair to tug roughly at the loose curls. She whimpered then kissed him harder through half-formed pants as his hand slipped down to curve of her butt, squeezing lightly.
Caroline pulled away from the kiss then nuzzled into his neck, breathing heavily between laying hot kisses at his throat as she rubbed herself against him, relishing the feeling of the rough material of his jeans against her thin underwear.
Suddenly both Klaus' hands were at her waist and he pressed forward, gently but firmly letting her down against the mattress.
Caroline's breath hitched as his lips trailed from her neck down to her chest.
He rose to undo the clasp on the front of her bra then ducked his head against her.
Her back formed a high arch at the contact of his mouth on her breast, his tongue the perfect balance of teasing and pleasing.
Her fingers pulled through his hair then brushed over his back haphazardly and with fluttering eyelids she realised that Klaus was still fully dressed even as she lay in only her panties.
Breathing heavily, she wrapped her legs around his waist and slid the leather jacket from his shoulders before moving to the front of his shirt to undo the buttons.
Her hands froze when he sucked on her roughly; her body arching up even further and her head falling back, moans escaping her lips.
Her entire body was tensed in pleasure for the few seconds before he used his mouth to kiss her gently instead. She was a burning wreck as he hungrily moved on to her other breast. She wanted to curl her hands into his hair but resisted the urge in order to finish undoing the rest of his buttons.
She'd just finished pushing off his shirt when his lips made contact with her taut stomach, the kisses light and re-acquainting. She liked the way it felt, the way his stubble tickled familiarly at all the right spots, but she also felt hot tingles in places that wanted him harder and faster against her; to leave the proper re-accustomisation for later.
But mercifully his kisses lowered and Caroline nipped on her own lip in anticipation.
His lips started lower down her thighs, his kisses alternating legs, but moved up quickly and she hummed her encouragement, reaching down to wrap her hands into his hair.
His fingers preceded his mouth and Caroline drew in a sharp breath, spreading her knees wider as she tried in vain to keep her body still.
She moaned his name loudly when Klaus' tongue touched then entered her and her relaxed back arched again; her hands curling into tight fists around his blond locks.
Her eyes practically rolled back into her head when he began sucking and she called his name louder, spurring him on.
It didn't take long.
The pressure built and in seconds her body roiled, feeling as if everything inside had spontaneously shattered.
Her body continued to shake as tiny explosions followed but Klaus didn't stop and seconds later she felt herself drop over the edge again, drowning in the pleasure of her second orgasm overlapping with the first.
She wasn't sure what her body was doing or where Klaus was as she rode the waves; followed the stars popping across her vision.
After a while she vaguely felt two kisses on her thighs before a body hovered over hers and lips settled into the nook of her shoulder, huskily saying her name.
She cradled his body with hers, putting the soles of her feet flat on his bare butt. He must've gotten undressed somewhere during the time when she'd been too far gone to notice but she didn't pay much attention now either, focusing on the way he felt against her and how much she wanted him; how she was ready for more.
"I've missed you," he muttered into her ear.
She nodded in agreement – she'd missed him too; this.
Caroline littered kisses over his shoulder then down to his chest, happily noting his resulting groans.
"I want you," she said against his heated skin.
The words always irrevocably turned him on and this time was no different – Klaus cursed into the hollow of her neck before he ran his hands down her legs and thrust forward.
Caroline's jaw dropped open soundlessly, the words and yells swirling and disappearing in her throat. He kissed her before beginning to move, swallowing her moans as she swayed her hips up against his.
The sensations becoming too much, Caroline pulled away from the kiss and threw her head back, whimpering loudly as she curled her fingers into his skin.
Then she pushed him away and quickly sat up, settling into his lap instead before taking his lips with hers again; her fingers curving into the crown of his head punishingly.
Klaus growled as he pushed back into her and her hands moved to scrabble down his back, leaving angry red marks as she felt her release closing in faster and faster, Klaus picking up the pace.
The kissing quickly grew less frantic and desperate, their lips brushing only lightly as they were both distracted by the building pressure and pleasure sparking throughout their bodies.
With her last shred of sanity Caroline moved her lips from his mouth to his shoulder and pulled them back over her fangs before biting down deep and eagerly drinking his rich dark blood.
Klaus sucked in a sharp breath and his fingers dug into the skin at her waist, his free hand dropping down between her legs, desperate to let her finish first as he teetered on the precipice of his climax.
Caroline orgasmed with Klaus' blood still seeping onto her tongue and streaming down her throat and she didn't move her mouth as they both shook against each other, filling the air with uninhibited groaning, hers muted against his skin.
She continued to ride him and Klaus helped her movements with a hand on her butt as he bottomed out with heavy pants.
Finally she drew to a still and his arm wrapped around her lazily before he fell back against the pillows, taking her with him.
Caroline withdrew her fangs with a satisfied moan before licking up a few stray droplets of blood and moving to lay on his chest.
"God, that was amazing sex," she mused breathily.
"Now, don't go giving God all the credit, love."
Caroline giggled. "Well, it is Christmas in a few days."
He smiled a little as he stroked her hair and she laid tiny kisses down on his chest.
She was revelling in the way her entire body was buzzing, realising that it was only with Klaus that she could simultaneously feel both entirely sated and like she wanted to climb atop him and go another round.
Klaus shifted beneath her and she turned around to ask him what was wrong when she realised that he was no longer behind her.
Her head whipped around and with relief she caught sight of him standing by her desk, evidently having spotted the pile of presents there.
Along with her essentials they were the last things she'd be packing into her car tomorrow morning, and they all sat primly wrapped as Klaus examined the stack.
He picked up the top card.
"And what is Elena Gilbert receiving?"
She blushed at him studying her calligraphy and answered demurely.
"There's this new pop yoga craze starting up and Elena's into it. That's one of the special mats they use with some other accessories."
Klaus nodded thoughtfully before turning to look at all the gifts.
Caroline pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as she looked at the lines of his body, the perfect curve of his butt and his toned legs and arms; the dimples on his lower back.
A small involuntary smile broke out onto her face as she realised that she'd just had all of that wrapped around her; that the sexiest man she'd ever met and was currently shamelessly eyeballing was her lover.
A sly thought occurring to her, Caroline looked around for his shirt then quickly crawled to get it and pulled it on.
She was doing up the buttons when Klaus turned back around and his brow shot up at seeing her in his shirt.
She pulled her hair out from beneath the collar, letting the fluffy blond locks spill onto the deep red of the shirt.
"What do you think?" she grinned.
He smirked. "I think if you're trying to seduce me you're doing a fine job, sweetheart."
Deliberately she parted her knees, quirking an eyebrow, and he groaned.
"Don't tease, love."
She giggled then crossed her legs with an innocent smile.
He shook his head with a low chuckle before gesturing at the pile of gifts.
"Nothing for me."
Caroline scoffed. "I didn't know you were coming," she pointed out. "Did you get me anything?"
Klaus looked mysteriously amused and he cocked his head.
"How about that walk now?"
She pulled a face. "Seriously?"
He nodded and she rolled her eyes.
"Fine. But only if I can go like this."
Klaus once again appraised her in his shirt, a slow smirk growing on his face.
"Considering we're impervious to the cold I have no objections, but I think you may need shoes."
She rolled her eyes but obligingly pulled herself off the bed to look for her panties and snow boots.
"You better be right about the cold thing because I'm not dealing with vampire frostbite for your random need to be out walking in icy weather."