Hello, dear readers!
This story is for the lovely Chelsey. Thank you, darling, for always helping me with my graphics problems. A big thank you to Cindy for making the beautiful cover. A big thank you to Caryn, my darling friend, who betaed all this. You rock.
Summary: Damon and co want to get the town rid of the Originals but Caroline doesn't want that because she may or may not have started something with a certain original. So she makes up a plan of her own.
The City Lights Burn Bright
Days are getting colder as the winter months are fast approaching. Caroline loves summer, hot sweaty days, filled with cold drinks and outside parties but there is also an allure to winter, the shorter days and longer nights, the coldness that makes you want to crawl under a blanker and sip hot cocoa. She used to love waking up to cold mornings, staying in bed for a while, daydreaming or reading a good book, leaving her bubbly personality on a shelf for a few hours. All that has changed in the last few years a little because believe it or not, Caroline didn't have much time to do that anymore – there was always one crisis or another, things that needed to be done and places to get to.
And that is the reason she was sitting in the living room at the Salvatore Mansion this cold morning and not enjoying the early hours at home, tucked in her warm bed. She was nursing a drink instead of something hot and her head was pounding.
All her friends were there as well, coming up with a new plan to rid the town of the Originals. It didn't matter that they haven't done anything lately to upset them; there were no threats, no deaths and no fights between the two sides. And yet, Damon and Elena enlisted Bonnie in their new plan to trap Klaus in a curse, immobilize him and drop him in the bottom of the ocean. Plan number 318, which would surely fail again and yet they never learned. They tried over and over and Caroline knew one of these days, Klaus would snap and he'd kill them all. Or he'd leave and she wasn't sure which was worse.
She knew she was the only reason all of them were still alive, he hasn't killed them yet because it would hurt her. And because they've been doing such a shitty job, he was probably laughing at them behind their backs. But one day, he'd be done with it all and she knew that day was fast approaching.
"The plan is good," Damon said, "Caroline uses her charms to distract the almighty hybrid, gets him some place alone and Bonnie casts a spell. Then we attack, stake him and lock him in a box. Bonnie uses some magic, so he can't get out and we drop him into the middle of the ocean."
Elena was nodding happily; excited because she thought it was going to work. It wasn't. Because a) Caroline wouldn't do it, b) Klaus was smarter than that and c) Caroline was going to make sure it wouldn't work.
She may have sabotaged a plan or two before, nipping them in the bud before they even came to fruition. Somehow, in the past few months, she has gotten past her denial and gave in. She has tried so hard for so long but then just couldn't do it anymore. She didn't believe she ever really hated him in the first place – well maybe before her birthday – but she mostly hated the things he did but she saw who he was. She saw the vulnerable man beneath the mask, saw the lonely guy looking for something meaningful in his life, saw the artist and the solider, and he drew her in. It didn't help that he was smoking hot and that every time he shot her one of his dimpled smiles, she melted a little. It didn't help that his accent turned her on and that his necklaces made her want to pull him to her and kiss him senseless. It didn't help that she wanted to tear off his freaking Henley's and let him do things to her she even blushed only thinking about. And most of all it didn't help that he had this tendency to put her first, because that filled her with warmth.
So, she freaking caved. She was over at his mansion one day where he was conveniently alone and after bargaining with him to help her with a problem they had with another witch, she was almost out of the door already when she couldn't do it anymore. She felt his hand on her lower back, warmth spreading through her body, her hands sweaty and nervous because when he had been all bark earlier and she was of course true to herself and didn't back down, he was still gentle with her, even though he had been pissed about why she was there. There were only so many times she was able to use him for her purposes and get away with it. So, she didn't think about anything else, just focused on those feelings, how safe she felt with him even when he was yelling at her, how comfortable she felt even when he threw a glass in the wall, how she wanted to roll her eyes when in the end he always helped her anyway.
Naturally, Caroline couldn't do anything else but turn around, grab him by his waist, pull him close and kiss him without abandon. He froze for a second, caught completely by surprise, but then released a deep sigh, pulled her closer and kissed her back. She pressed her lips against his more urgently and was rewarded when his tongue met hers and he started to devour her. She felt his hands on her back, on her neck, in her hair and she was delirious. The kiss was pure sin. When she, after minutes or hours, she wasn't sure, finally pulled away, his eyes were unguarded and she saw the vulnerability in them, she saw the caution and the dread yet she also saw hope. So she pecked his lips one more time and smiled gently at him. He let her go with a smug look on his stupid face and she went home.
And the game changed that day. She started thinking more with her heart and less with her head. And all the excuses she has had before didn't really matter much anymore. Yes, she was kind of betraying her friends, but hello, Elena was with Damon and everyone was okay with that – Damon, who has been a complete dick to her and was a monster too. They all were. And yes, the Tyler issue still stung because she still loved Tyler, she just wasn't in love with him anymore, and she knew he would see this as the biggest betrayal of them all. Bonnie would probably hate her too. But she thought Matt and Stefan would understand. Matt wouldn't support her, she was sure of that, but he would keep his mouth shut because he has been doing the same thing with Rebekah. And Stefan, he somewhat understood Klaus too, he was the only one who didn't completely see him as a monster. Once she had accepted this, she felt as free as never before. Because she realized, she was okay with everything. This was her life, they had eternity and her friends would come around, she was sure of it. Eventually.
Baby steps though.
The times she spent with Klaus after that first kiss differed. She didn't spend a lot of time in his company, yet she always made excuses to do so and looked forward to it. Sometimes they just talked, sometimes they would fight, other times he would help them – her, and sometimes they just made out. Which was funny because the original hybrid making out with a baby vampire was a ridiculous concept. But she had a feeling he enjoyed it a lot. She hasn't slept with him yet though because she knew once she'd do that, there would be no going back. Although she wasn't sure she wanted an out anymore. But still, she kept putting it off. And not for the lack of wanting it, craving it, needing it. Every time she got home after being with Klaus, she had to get rid of the frustration and the need herself. And she always imagined him there with her. She had it bad.
But she loved that he let her set the pace. He didn't push her, didn't demand anything. He just took what she gave and was okay with it, looking happy she even looked his way. And she still couldn't wrap her head around it. Why did she have the power to be able to do this? What was so special about her? Because she didn't see it and no one has ever shown her before. And Klaus was such a dick. He could be such a drama queen and ruthless and annoying and stubborn and quite frankly murderous and yet, he was different with her. And she loved him a little more for it.
Now she was at a crossroads, sitting in the Salvatore living room. Not about going through with the plan or not, but this was getting tedious, plan after plan, and she has had enough. More and more she was thinking about just leaving this toxic place for a while and maybe allowing Klaus to show her some of the world. There were no crises in Mystic Falls at the moment, except the let's-get-rid-of-the-pesky-originals motto, and even if something happened, which probably would, because this town was a magnet for supernatural craziness, she had faith they would be able to handle it. She deserved a break and some happiness and some super hot hybrid sex. Plus, the town would get rid of Klaus, so they should really be grateful to her.
It turned out Klaus had been right at that 20s decade dance, she really started to feel trapped in this town, smothered and she wanted a break. She wanted to explore, see some of the world and enjoy life. Because no matter if she had eternity, she didn't want to put it off anymore. She didn't want to wait. And changes were, she would end up dead in Mystic Falls sooner or later.
"I have the spells ready," Bonnie answered Damon. "Now we only need to get him some place isolated, maybe like we did after Kol died, and trap him there."
Stefan stiffened a little and Caroline swallowed her protest.
"Yeah, maybe Caroline could lead him to her place," suggested Elena.
"Yeah, like he is not gonna see right through that," replied Caroline bitterly.
"Well, what do you suggest, Blondie," snorted Damon.
"I don't know, let it go," she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "One day he is going to snap and then what?"
"Oh come on, not you too. I've heard it all from Stefan already," Damon protested. "As long as they are alive, we are not safe."
"He's a monster, Caroline, you can't be serious. Do you remember what he did?" exclaimed Elena.
Caroline ignored her.
"And what about Elijah and Rebekah," she asked. "Because you know they will come after you, after us all."
"Elijah left and won't be none the wiser and Rebekah agreed to the plan if we don't kill him for good," Damon explained and Caroline felt her heart break a little. Another betrayal. This would hurt Klaus so much. And frankly, she has had enough of them. Everyone was always pushing for what they wanted, no matter who got hurt or killed.
"Fine," she conceded. "But we need a better plan, one where he won't be suspicious the very first second."
"How about we tell him Caroline's been bitten by a werewolf and he has to come here to save her?" Elena suggested coldly.
Use her again against him, of course. Doesn't matter what she thinks, if she likes it, she is only the means to an end, their end.
"What if he doesn't come and just gives us some of his blood?" asked Damon.
It was funny how everyone was so sure he would want to save her. She knew he would, but to see them be so sure of it was surprising. Using his affections against him when he had fought so hard for so long to not have any. Cold.
"He'll come," said Elena, smiling proudly "he's obsessed with her."
Caroline just let out a sigh. She started to put her own plan together and her decision was made up.
"Caroline," Stefan looked at her. "Are you okay with this?"
She saw the concern on his face and knew he was worried.
"Sure," she answered him, "sounds like a good plan. When do we want to do this?"
"I need to get some more ingredients for the spells, but I should have them shortly, so probably in a couple of days," explained Bonnie.
"Ok," said Caroline and observed the smiling faces in the room. When did they get to this point? When have they changed so much? Or was she the problem? Was she the one who was delusional and should be locked up in a mental institution? She wasn't sure.
She needed to get Klaus out of town and she knew it wouldn't be easy if he knew why. But this would be the best thing for everyone. Her and Klaus got to go away for a while and figure this thing between them our and the gang in Mystic Falls doesn't have to deal with the Hybrid anymore. She has always been good at making up plans.
After the decisions had been made, Bonnie went home and Caroline decided to follow suit. As she was nearing her car, Stefan came after her.
"Caroline," he said and she turned around. "I..," he started. "I'm not blind and I have gotten to get to know you and I have no idea how they cannot see it, but I do."
She sighed, "I know you do and I know why you do but it doesn't matter really."
"What are you going to do? Will you go through with it?" Stefan asked her carefully, his voice low so that no one would overhear.
She was silent for a long time and Stefan wasn't sure if he was ever going to get his answer, but Caroline knew he could trust him.
"No," she said firmly. "But I am going to get rid of the Klaus problem. Just don't hate me afterwards," she pleaded quietly.
"I could never hate you, you know that." Stefan smiled at her. "Do what you gotta do." He nodded to her and returned to the boarding house.
Caroline went home and talked to her mom. She didn't go into details but explained she needed a break and was going away for a little while. Liz was upset at first but after a long conversation, she made peace with her daughter being an adult and making her own decisions now. Caroline made her promise not to say anything to anyone yet but made it clear it was her decision and she was happy with it.
She stayed at home that evening and she and her mom had a girl's night. Caroline wanted to go to Klaus too but didn't dare risk it and she wanted to spend some time with her mom too.
When she woke up the next morning, she had some breakfast and some coffee, followed by a delicious bag of her favourite blood type. She packed a bag with only the most necessary personal items and things she wasn't ready to part with and let everything else at home. She ran a few errands and then had lunch with her mother. Back at home, they talked a little more and then said goodbye.
Caroline got into her car and drove around town for a while. Nervous and jittery, she ended up at Klaus' place sooner than she thought she would. She was grateful Rebekah was at her apartment because otherwise this would be tricky.
Caroline entered the mansion but couldn't find him anywhere downstairs, so she proceeded upstairs. She listened carefully and could hear a paintbrush painting on a canvas and knew immediately where he was. The door was slightly open so she slipped inside and closed it behind her.
Klaus was sitting on a swivel chair, painting a deep red something on a black canvas. He didn't turn around but greeted her, "Hello Caroline."
She loved how he pronounced her name. "Klaus," was the only thing she said.
He continued to paint, probably wandering what kind of mood she was in and why she was here. She realized she must have been driving him a little crazy with her mood swings but that was about to change. She walked towards him and put her arms around him from behind. He froze for a moment but then relaxed. She leaned her chin on his shoulder.
"What are you painting?" she asked quietly, breathing him in. He smelled divine.
"I don't even know," he sighed somewhat troubled.
They were both staring at the painting for a few moments, completely silent. Caroline was nervous and Klaus could probably feel it, yet he waited patiently for her to say something.
"I think it's time to leave Mystic Falls for a while," she said carefully.
When Klaus turned around on the chair quickly, Caroline would have fallen on her ass if he hadn't caught her. She quickly realized her mistake: she didn't really point out she meant both of them.
"Would you care to elaborate on that, sweetheart?" he said in a cold voice that made her shiver all over, although not in a bad way. Somehow when he went into his offensive mode, she found it hot. But now was not the time for that. Not yet anyway.
"Well, you see, Elena and Damon and everyone have a new plan of how to get rid of you and they want to tell you I've been bitten by a werewolf so you'd come save me and then they'd trap you in the room, much like they did in the Gilbert's living room and then put you down with magic and lock you in a box and drop you in the middle of the ocean and I don't want that, and I don't want them dead either, so the best solution would be to get out now," Caroline babbled.
Klaus stood up.
"They will not win and I will not run away. Who do you think I am?" he yelled at her, annoyed with the stupid Scooby Doo gang. He should have killed them ages ago and be done with them already. The only reason he hasn't was the blonde standing if front of him.
"It's not running away," Caroline protested, throwing her hands in the air, "it's solving a problem without any casualties."
"And that would be so convenient for you, wouldn't it?" Klaus accused her, acid in his voice.
Yup, still hot. She needed serious help.
Before she could explain because she realized that with all her rambling she still didn't tell him she wanted to go with him, he continued, "Get rid of the hybrid and bury your feelings. So your friends won't know and so you'll be able to go on and pretend nothing ever happened. But remember this, love, I am the Hybrid, I am the one who can't be killed and I am not backing down."
"You just won't let me finish," she shouted back, angrily. "If you stopped with your yelling and listen for a second, I could explain. I want to go with you, you idiot."
He looked at her quizzically for a second, his eyes afraid to believe what she was saying. This was turning out to be harder than she thought it would be. His eyes darkened again.
"Sacrificing yourself for your friends once again, love?" he drawled.
"No," she protested, rolling her eyes. She knew this would be an uphill battle but she should have realized just how damaged he really was. Why would he believe her? She used him time after time and had betrayed him quite a few times. Not that he didn't have it coming, but still, she understood.
"Or are you using this as an excuse to get your perfect feathers ruffled? Because we both know, they will get ruffled," his voice turned predatory and he came closer to her, walking until he was completely in her space, almost touching her.
"No," she repeated and sighed, not letting him get to her. If this happened a year ago, she would have run out of the room or even more probably, yelled at him. "I'm just tired."
His gaze softened a little, although not everyone would notice the difference.
"Explain," he demanded.
"I'm tired of being pulled apart. I'm tired of feeling things for you I probably shouldn't feel yet I do. And I don't want to pretend anymore, I don't want to hide it anymore, because I'm just tired." Caroline explained, raking her hands through her hair.
"Caroline," Klaus started.
"No, let me finish," she looked up at him. He just waited. "I feel what I feel and I am okay with it. I am actually more than okay with it but that doesn't change the fact that other people won't be okay with it. And I know I shouldn't care and I don't, at least not that much to change my mind, but it still bothers me. And they won't understand, Klaus, they want you dead or at least gone and I understand why but I can't agree with him. And I know they'll hate me for it, they will feel betrayed but I just can't betray myself, you know? So I'd thought it best if we went away for a while, let things cool down a little, figure things out for ourselves and see where it goes." She didn't know if she was making any sense at all. Did he understand what she meant?
She looked up at him frustrated, and he was just looking down at her.
"You have feelings for me," he stated carefully, probably afraid to believe it.
That was probably all he got from her rambling.
"Yes," she admitted anyway.
And then he smiled. Not that smug smile of his, not the charming one, not the dangerous one, not even the seductive one but the happy one. The one he smiled at her when he asked her if they were friends. And she loved that smile. So, naturally, she smiled back.
This time he was the one to make the first move. Before she could realize what was happening, he flashed them to the couch and in a second his skilled lips were moving over hers. Her hands flew to his curls and she pulled him closer, opening her mouth and giving him access.
His scent invaded her senses and she basked in it. Klaus pulled the straps of her dress down, across her chest. Caroline was anxious, and if she had the will to pull away and look into his eyes, she would find them heavy with desire. But she couldn't pull away, because the feeling of his tongue on hers was heaven.
They kept kissing and Klaus' hands started to roam down her upper body, from her neck over her breasts to her hips. And back up her back into her hair. She couldn't help but moan into his mouth and all she wanted to do was push him into the couch, rip his Henley away and let him fuck her hard.
He was a fucking tease, almost pulling away a few times, so she had to lean forward to not lose the contact, chasing his mouth like he had chased her for such a long time. She grabbed him by his necklaces to keep him steady and felt his hands move up her thighs, grabbing her ass. Caroline moved even closer and her tongue moved harder and deeper into Klaus' mouth.
She could feel him hard beneath her and wiggled her hips, grinding her ass over it and he groaned into her mouth. With one hand still on her ass the other one moved to her bra and ripped it away. He pulled away from the kiss this time, but his tongue never left her. He trailed a wet path down her throat, biting her neck with his human teeth and she moaned. His hand reached for her breast and found her hard nipple. Flicking it once, he then palmed her breast and in a few second his mouth closed around her now very puckered nipple. He sucked greedily and Caroline squirmed in his lap, desire flowing through her.
Caroline leaned back and pulled his Henley over his head, musing up his hair a little bit. She kissed his throat while her hands explored his body. His skin was smooth and hard and remembered seeing him shirtless for the first time when he had been manipulated by Silas. She had touched him that day, and wanted to do it again ever since.
She stood back up and Klaus leaned forward and pulled her dress and her panties down, looking straight into her eyes the whole time.
He looked at her body then, "You're beautiful."
Caroline blushed, although her pupils were wide with desire. She stepped closer and buried her hands in his hair, pulling him to her. Klaus started to lick her body, his mouth just reaching her breasts. He played with her nipples, hands travelling all over her body, his tongue going south to her navel and beyond.
She let out a loud gasp when his tongue made contact where she wanted it at that moment. It took all of her focus but she took a step back. Klaus looked up, confused, but then she kneeled down and started unbuttoning his pants.
He moved up a little and she pulled his pants down. He wasn't wearing any underwear and she blushed because he was big. She swallowed deeply and took him into her hands, slowly stroking. She leaned forward and licked him from the top to the base. Klaus groaned as Caroline took him into her mouth, taking him deep. She sucked on it, pumping him up and down and Klaus had to use all his restraint not to come right there and then straight in her mouth.
He pulled her up in one swift move and laid her back on the couch. He didn't waste anymore time, there would be plenty of time left later to go slow, and dove right in, devouring her with his mouth. He just needed to taste her a little before he buried himself in her.
She tasted better than the best scotch he'd ever tasted. She tasted better than blood. Caroline arched her back which only gave him more access and he moaned against her. She writhed under him and he sucked greedily. She was so wet and ready for him. She was gripping his hair, pulling on it and spreading her legs wider. So he nibbled on her, bit down on her clit, almost breaking skin and she pushed him back.
She climbed onto his lap. "Enough," she gasped. And with her hands on his shoulder she lowered herself onto to him while he bucked up and entered her deeply.
"Oh God," panted Caroline and Klaus couldn't help but grin. She rocked her hips to get better adjusted and then slid up a little and pushed hard on her way down. Klaus couldn't hold back the groan.
He grabbed her by the neck and pulled her closer, his mouth once again attacking hers. He pumped up as they moaned into one another's mouth and their bodies instinctively moved against each other. They were both taking and giving as hard as they could. Time for being gentle was over and now their vampire instincts took over.
"You feel so good," said Klaus.
Klaus kept thrusting until he felt her body tighten against him. He had wanted her for so long and now that he finally had her, he wanted to claim her. So she would be ruined forever. He put his mouth around one of her nipples again and palmed her ass in both of his hands.
"More," begged Caroline.
He pushed harder and deeper until he felt her come undone around him and he kissed her on her neck and then bit down, this time with his hybrid teeth. She let out a scream, not because of the pain, but because of the pleasure. Being buried deep in her and her blood running into his mouth, he was fast approaching his own climax. He offered her his wrist and she bit down immediately and that did it. He followed her over the edge.
They sat there quietly, gasping for air; Caroline leaned against him, Klaus still inside her, trailing his hand down her back. After a while, Caroline leaned back, "That was," she tried to say. "I don't even know how to describe it."
"Mind-blowing," helped Klaus, grinning.
"Yup", she popped the p, "mind-blowing." She kissed him, feeling completely exhausted.
Klaus lay down on the couch, pulling out of her slowly, but not letting go of her so she lay down next to him. Kissing her forehead, Caroline nestled closer to him.
"So where do you want to go?" asked Klaus.
Caroline looked up at him. "Does this mean you agree and we'll go away?"
"Yes, for now. I did promise you to show you the world. But we will be back, Caroline, make no mistake about that." Klaus told her.
"Of course we'll be back," she said, happy. This was good, this was really good.
"When do you want to go?" asked her Klaus, looking down at her.
"As soon as possible," she said quietly. "I already have a bag with me and they are planning to do the spell in a few days."
"Came prepared, haven't you?" he mused.
"I am always prepared," rebuffed Caroline, rolling her eyes.
"I could always solve this another way." And she knew he could but she liked her way – because her way her friends lived and that was important to her.
"No harming my friends, Klaus," she warned him.
He just let out a sigh. He wanted to strangle them, rip out their hearts or chop off their heads and be done with it. Maybe he'd let Stefan live. But the other Salvatore and the doppelganger would die. But he knew Caroline would hate him if he did that and he was fonder of her liking him. So for now, they'd go away, and later they'd return and see what happens.
"For now," promised Klaus.
And Caroline knew that was the best she was going to get, so she just nodded. The important thing was they had time now. Everything else could wait.
She fell asleep then and a while later could feel herself being lifted and carried somewhere but was too tired to open her eyes or care. Klaus had exhausted her and she was looking forward to sleeping some more.
When she woke up around 5 am, Klaus was already running around the mansion, being on the phone with Elijah and making arrangements. She enjoyed his plush bed a while longer, being nestled under the warm white covers. She was sure she made the right decision.
Klaus came into his room and eyed her warily, almost expecting her to bolt at her first opportunity. She would need to work on his trust issues.
"I think we should leave when it's still early," he said.
Caroline just nodded.
"Do you really want to do this?" he asked.
She got up from under the cosy covers then and walked to him in all her naked glory. His gaze wandered all over her body and then set on her eyes.
When she was standing right in front of him, she pulled him towards her and kissed him gently.
"Yes," she said without hesitation.
"We could postpone the trip for another hour," he suggested, smirking and flashed her back to the bed.
They left two hours later. Caroline knew he still wasn't completely convinced but she was adamant to make him see, make him trust her and most of all, believe her. And he would, she was sure of it. It was just going to take some time. He was not the only one though; she would need to work on herself too. She knew there would be obstacles, troubles and this would no way be all smooth sailing but she made a choice, she liked her choice and she was going to make it work.
She smiled at him when they were leaving the town boarder. Klaus may be a monster but he was her monster.
Hope you enjoyed it. I know I still have ways to go but I'm doing my best. I may or may not continue this with a follow-up chapter. It's up to you.