Title: Burning Memory
Summary: Prom episode but with more KLAROLINE!
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She doesn't even feel nervous, not at all. In fact waltzing into his home and asking for (demanding) a dress feels as natural as breathing because she knows, if it's his, it's hers and it all started with his heart. Then he smiles and she wrapped up in his eyes, and she is suddenly glad she doesn't need to breath. Dimples flash and she's struck by one thought. The bad guys shouldn't have dimples, so maybe he's not so bad.
"I'll go up and see what I can find on such short notice." He whispers as he steps directly into her personal space and Caroline finds she doesn't mind it as much as she used to. She doesn't even try to hide her grin when he comes back down the stairs with a dress in his hands only seconds after going up to "see what he could find". It means he's thought about her in this dress, maybe even drawn her in this dress. It makes her chest tighten and her stomach do flip flops.
He opens the garment bag and Caroline is floored by the dress he presents her with. It's stunning and out does her other dress by a million times. She looks up at him and see the nervousness on his face, like he's afraid that she might not like it.
"It's perfect, thank you." She sighs out with a wistful smile on her lips. He zips the bag closed and hands it over, their fingers brush and Caroline lets the contact linger. Klaus looks down at their hands and then back up at Caroline's face.
"Anytime love, you know my door is always open to you." 'As is my heart' he thinks but doesn't say it out loud. Caroline smiles her breath taking smile at him as she leaves, and Klaus finds himself smiling back as he tries to burn the memory of that smile into his heart.
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Caroline watches Tyler walk out, leaving her alone. Again. She closes her eyes and braces for the sharp pain of heartbreak to pierce her heart but it never comes. Just a dull, familiar ache in her chest and that's the moment Caroline realizes she not in love with Tyler anymore. She loves him yes, in the same way that she loves Matt but in love, no. She can't make that claim anymore. As she contemplates this news, she hears a voice outside. His voice.
"Was it worth it? To see her smile? To make her dream night come true?" She hears the sound of footsteps on the porch.
"Was. It. Worth it?" It comes out more aggressive this time and Caroline takes a step towards the door, hoping she can find a way to convince Klaus to spare Tyler's life once again. She stops when he speaks again, his next words shocking her completely.
"In the shared interest of giving Caroline the night of her dreams, I'm going to allow you five seconds before I rip your heart out of your chest. 5, 4, 3... " He doesn't finish counting, simply stands on the porch, giving Tyler more than enough time to get as far away as possible. Caroline is frozen on the spot, she can't believe was just happened. He let Tyler go. Klaus let Tyler go. And he did it for her, for Caroline. It makes Caroline feel dizzy and giddy all at once and when she hears foot steps on the porch again she realizes Klaus is leaving and she does the only thing she can think of. She runs out the door after him.
"Klaus wait!" She yells as she flings the door open and goes after him. He stops on the last step and looks up at her in surprise. Now that they are face to face she doesn't know what to say. Thank you? I owe you? I'm not in love with Tyler anymore, want to come in? None of that seems right though (especially since this is Tyler's house and Klaus can't come in) so she doesn't say anything at first, just stares at him with wide eyes as she tries to think of something appropriate to say.
"Caroline? Can I help you?" He playing clueless, like he didn't just show Tyler mercy for her sake. Again.
"I heard." He almost physically flinches as he readies himself for her verbal attack but it doesn't come. Instead she holds out her hand and Klaus simply looks at it for a drawn out moment as though it might attack him. Finally he climbs back up the stairs quickly and takes Caroline's hand. She steps up to him and wraps her free hand around his neck while bringing their joined hands to rest on his chest. Klaus understands immediately and wraps his free arm around her waist, resting his hand on her lower back as they began to sway to music that only they seem to hear.
"You look... your beauty leave me speechless Caroline." He whispers softly into her ear and Caroline feels herself melt against him. Nothing more is spoken for a long while and time seems to lose meaning as they hold each other close and savor each other's silent company. Caroline lets her mind be still and let's just her heart lead.
Until they hear the sounds of teenagers headed their way for the after party Caroline has planned. Klaus pulls back just a little to look into her eyes but doesn't release her from his embrace. Caroline brings her hand from the nape of his neck to rest on his cheek, her thumb caressing his cheekbone lightly as once again words escape her for a few moments. Finally she finds her voice.
"Thank you for making my dream night come true, for making it perfect." She leans in and presses a soft, lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth. She feels his arm tighten on her waist for just a moment before he lets her go but their hands stay connected for a stretch of time as their eyes speak all the words their mouths can't yet.
Finally as the sound of teenagers is just around the corner, their fingers release and Klaus melts away into shadows. Caroline stares after him for just a moment longer, burning tonight into her memory forever.
