"Love Makes The Wildest Spirit Tame And The Tamest Spirit Wild"
-Alexis Delp
CcC
Mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy
"Grab the child! The boss says she's staying here…"
Caroline could feel herself sob harder at the declaration. She didn't know what was worse-staying here or being sold off-but she was not eager to do either. She wanted to go back home. She wanted to be with her mom again…and her dad again but now…she could not be with either. All she had had left was her mother and the last she had saw of her-
"Come here, little girl!"
Caroline could hear high pitch screams filling the air and it took her a moment to realize that they were hers. She did not think she could remember herself sounding so terrified. She could not remember ever being handled so roughly. She had never known her skin could be such ugly shades before she had arrived here.
"Ostav' yeye v pokoye!" A voice came as she felt the man who had been gripping her rather tightly drop her unceremoniously onto the dirt floor that comprised most of her cell.
"Leawe ze girl alone!"
Caroline found herself curling into a ball. Her hands clasped over her ears to block out the sounds of the woman and the man yelling. Soon the woman was no longer yelling in anger but in pain and Caroline squeezed her eyes shut tighter and pressed her hands against her ears harder.
pleasejuststoppleasejuststoppleasejust-
"STOP!"
The heavy breathing that occupied the otherwise empty room is what helped Caroline focus. She was not there anymore. She was here, with the Mikaelsons and maybe, she hoped, that was safe.
CcC
Caroline was staying. Klaus had decided that the moment Caroline had fell asleep clutching his hand. He had decided she was staying the moment she had first felt safe here. So it did not matter what Kol said, or how many times Rebekah protested. It did not matter whether or not they thought it was a good idea. She was staying, he had told her that he would protect her and he would as long as she stayed under this roof.
That was why he was willing to argue with Kol. Well…arguing was not the word for it.
"I don't think you understand what's happening Kol." NiKlaus informed. "I was not asking your opinion or approval. I was merely stating facts."
Kol frowned in return. He opened his mouth to protest but a firm hand on his shoulder, provided by Elijah, told him to keep it shut. Kol was obviously less than pleased. His growl in response portrayed just that. NiKlaus raised an eyebrow in amusement. Kol could pout all he wanted. Caroline was staying no matter his attitude. Kol was not, and would never, be the problem.
The problem, however, was figuring out how to tell Caroline (the girl who had been through so much already) that she was staying in a home with four bloodsucking original vampires and that her life would be greatly endangered because of it.
Well, NiKlaus figured after an uncharacteristic burst of optimism, I have told many more people many worse things…
CcC
"Servants..." Caroline mused aloud as she ran the towel of warm water over her arms. She had never had servants. Normally, she was the servant. It was a very different experience living on the other side. These people were dedicated. They did whatever she asked (though she made sure to ask for very little) and even things she did not ask for. They'd brought her a tub the moment she'd awoken without her even saying a word. For a while she had no idea how to respond. She just stared at the wisps of smoke rising from the hot water.
Hot water…she had nearly screamed in surprise when she had first stepped in. She had forgotten, honestly, that that was what smoking water meant. Yet another thing she was not used to. How long had they kept her locked for escaping the time before last? It had felt like years… She had been lucky to get a bucket thrown on her back at the slave house. Baths were not a luxury she had been granted. Then again, now that she thought about it, there weren't any luxuries they were.
She had enjoyed it, at first, but now she sat huddled in the tub thinking about the previous night. She'd heard the dogs again. She couldn't be sure if they were real or in her mind but she'd spent the night huddled half under her bed. When she had awoken from her bad dream and been greeted with nothing but the sight of a corner, it had taken her a moment to remember where she was.
Sitting there, in the tub surrounded by the slowly cooling water that was all she could really think about. Her mind wandered endlessly to the images of dogs and bloody beatings that dominated her memories. That was probably why she did not notice that there was a knock at her door. There were four more knocks before she'd even realized there was a sound at all. Soon after, NiKlaus's voice drifted past the rich brown wood
"Caroline?" NiKlaus's voice echoed through the door. "Are you okay?"
She stared at the door. She was not very sure as to why he would not just open the door.
"Caroline?" He called again.
"Yes?" She questioned.
"I'm coming in..."
"Okay."
The door opened slowly. Caroline ignored it opting to wipe down her other arm with a cloth that held now lukewarm water. She couldn't remember how long she'd been in the tub before NiKlaus entered. She stared at him curiously for a moment while he scanned the room. When his eyes finally landed on her, he turned around quickly. He reminded himself to be more aware of the fact that Caroline was not aware of modesty.
"You didn't tell me you were bathing." NiKlaus said quietly.
"Did it matter?" She asked looking down at herself. As a slave, she was inspected regularly. She was more than accustomed to being naked in front of men she did not know. She did not see how NiKlaus was any different.
"Why did you talk through the door and why are you looking at it?."
She perked up as a thought passed and she thought it may be correct. "Do you like the door that much?"
NiKlaus chuckled in response to her deduction. "It is a very nice door…" He glanced over his shoulder. She was still in the bath.
"Caroline I need to tell you-"
"Are they slaves-"
"What?!"
"The people," Caroline clarified, "the ones that bring me food and brought me this tub. Are they slaves?"
"No, of course they are not." NiKlaus answered immediately. "They are paid quite well every week. My siblings and I are not the best people but we do not believe in slavery."'
"Oh…okay." Caroline said letting out a breath she had not known she was holding. "That's good."
"You're naked." He stated. She was trying to figure out why that was important.
"Oh..." She said. "Is that…not right? Do you not like it?" NiKlaus didn't reply but he did turn to face her being unsure of how to respond to that question. The look on her face was so innocent. She was not pretending. She honestly didn't know any better. He shook his head to himself before grabbing the robe that was laid for her on her bed.
"You're very beautiful, Caroline." She blushed again. She wasn't sure if she would ever get use to his compliments. She watched him curiously as he silently urged her to stand up, lifting the robe so she could slip her arms into it. "It is not wrong to not be ashamed of your body but your beauty is yours. You shouldn't show it to just anyone. You have the right to choice who deserves to see it." Caroline's curious stare only intensified as she stood, giving NiKlaus a clear view of her back. It was covered in angry brutal scars. Some looked like burns, others whips, and others tortuous cuts. His grip tightened on the robe in an effort to control his anger as he slid it onto Caroline's shoulders. With the flash of all the brutal things he could do to her enslavers, he suddenly remembered why he was here.
To hell with it, he thought angrily. He was NiKlaus Mikaelson, known for being ruthless and vicious and blunt. He could tell someone he was a vampire. Hell, he'd told many as he walked over their crumbling corpses.
But this is different, he realized, I didn't care what those fools thought of me. But Caroline…
"Master NiKlaus?"
Come out and say it, you bloody coward! "Caroline-"
CcC
Vampire
And that was only three of them. NiKlaus was a hybrid.
Caroline tried not to think about it. NiKlaus had provided sufficient evidence and promised that she would be not be hurt. She believed him. She didn't know why but she did. Maybe it was his face. He had a beautiful face. It made her want to trust him and his accent definitely didn't work against it. She wasn't thinking correctly. She shook her head in an effort to clear her mind.
She was in the forest right now. She'd decided she needed some fresh air after the news and NiKlaus had been eager to accommodate her. He made her promise not to run off first which was more for her safety than his desires. She just wanted to walk. She wouldn't go too far. She'd promised. Now she could get caught up in the forest's beauty. Particularly, she was entranced by the tiny field with budding flowers that surprised her with color at her every turn. She could stay here all day.
Look at that one!
She plucked a tiny yellow flower that seemed way too exotic to be found in a simple forest. It stood out and she felt bad for removing it from its space but it had seemed crowded in the mess of roots and weeds. Sometimes, she realized, she realized, things needed a change of scenery. It had seemed trapped. So she plucked it and now it had all the space it could possibly want. She should show NiKlaus. The flower was beautiful and he did like beautiful things.
He'd told her she was beautiful. Quite beautiful, were his exact words. She smiled to herself while twisting the flower gently between her fingers. She dashed off towards the house without another thought.
CcC
Rubbish
Every word the master slaver spouted was rubbish. He'd already irritated NiKlaus when he put up a fight when asked to leave his dogs outside. He'd tested Nik's patience even more when he had refused to address as her Caroline. The he continued to test Nik's patience every time he talked. He kept using the word my. My slave. My property. My profit. He was laying claim to Caroline as if she was his to claim. Caroline was no ones, as of now, and if she was to be, she would be NiKlaus's. This man, who had condoned her torture and pain, would have no say in that beautiful creature's choices. She, alone, would decide who she gave herself to. The only thing he would have a say in, is where his head would be delivered to if he kept baiting NiKlaus. He had better be glad he was still breathing and that was only because The Mikaelsons happened to like this place and were trying very hard not to ruin it.
"You have to understand." The slaver insisted. "Lilian-", he stopped immediately when NiKlaus glared daggers at him "-…Caroline has yet to be sold and her value is immense. She is an Indian bred bastard. People pay a great deal for those who are descendant of the natives."
"I don't really care what-"
"Master Klaus look-!" Caroline stopped dead in her tracks. It was him. It was that man. She took several steps back. Elijah frowned and NiKlaus immediately rose from his chair. He wanted to rip the guy's head off.
He's gonna take it! Caroline's arms flew behind her back.
What is that you have?!
"It's nothing." Caroline said quietly.
"Caroline-"
"Who gave you permission to-"
"I'm sorry."
"You little troublemaker." The slaver growled. He raised his hand immediately NiKlaus was standing between him and Caroline in the blink of an eye, a wrist being crushed painfully between his fingers but it was too late. Caroline was already cowering against the farthest wall.
"Please just let me keep my flower." She cried. "Please."
"Please just let me keep my doll. My mom made it! Please!"
"I think it is time for you to leave." NiKlaus said. His voice dropped to a sufficiently terrifying octave.
"If you're going to keep her, you need to pay!"
"We need not pay for anything." Elijah stated calmly. "Caroline is not property and she is certainly not your property."
"Now," NiKlaus squeezed tighter. "As I was saying earlier, I don't care how highly you value her ancestry. She will remain here as long as she wishes. She is free now. If you try to do anything to interfere with that fact, I will separate you from your head."
"Oh my" Kol's voice traveled as he laughed heartily at the broken man as walked in on the scene. "I do believe this is your time to leave. I wouldn't test Nik's restraint anymore."
The man snatched his wrist away and stalked towards the door. There was a loud slam and some dogs barking that quickly grew distant.
CcC
"You called me Klaus." NiKlaus said as he sat with Caroline in her room. She was sitting on her bed, her legs crushed to her chest, and her face buried between her knees. Her toe was tapping frantically along the covers while her shaking hands twisted the flower stem between her thumb and forefinger.
"Caroline." NiKlaus said softly. She hummed in response never pulling her head from her knees. NiKlaus reached a hesitant hand forward to stop her shaking hand. Caroline responded immediately. She pushed herself further against the headboard the hand he had reached for now plastered to her chest as she breathed heavily. Her eyes were wide with horror. They flicked from his hand to his face and Klaus was now more focused on the wild flower she gripped in her hand.
"I just wanna keep my flower." She said quietly as her chest heaved beneath the plucked flower.
"Caroline," NiKlaus raised both his hands in surrender, "You can have your flower. It's yours."
"I'm sorry." She said her arm still clutched to her chest. He wanted to tell her she had nothing to apologize for but he knew that was something she needed to learn on her own just as he had.
"You called me Klaus." He said, opting changing the subject.
"I didn't mean to." She sniffled. He watched her for a moment. She began wiping her eyes to get rid of unshed tears. She gripped the flower wiping furiously with her forearms. The tears increased and soon her arms were glued to her eyes. Her sniffles became more frequent. He had no idea how to respond and settled for resting his hand on her knee in a hopefully comforting gesture.
"Do I have to leave now?!" Her entire body was trembling. "I'm sorry...I'm…so much trouble."
She launched herself at NiKlaus. He gasped in surprise as they tumbled off the bed and she landed on top of him. She cried furiously apologizing and burying her face in his neck. He could feel her tears soaking through his skin, warm like blood but bittersweet in an entirely unpleasant way. He regained what little composure he could whilst he was trapped beneath her on the floor and began rubbed comforting circles in her back. She sobbed till she had no more tears and every wail was followed by a hiccup.
"You don't have to leave, Caroline." He comforted. "I don't mind you calling me Klaus, if you'd like."
"Can I keep my flower?" She hiccuped. He chuckled.
"Yes." He kissed her head. "You can keep your flower. You can have whatever you want."
CcC
Three months. Three months (after almost an entire year) of having no problems, no slaver related problems anyway, and breaking Caroline of her slave habits. She'd started to speak up, in volume and in wants. She did what she wanted when she wanted and she had stopped calling The Mikaelson's master and mistress. She made her own decisions including refusing corsets, not letting Rebekah run her life, and refusing the help of, and helping, servants. Rather or not she knew it she had NiKlaus wrapped around her fingers and there were several things he wanted her to be wrapped around, constantly.
"You don't have to wear a corset, but you do have to wear the furs." NiKlaus scolded.
"But it's not even cold!" She whined as she stomped her feet in a childish manner leaving boot prints in the thick snow. NiKlaus rolled his eyes in wrapped her furs a bit tighter before brushing a thumb across the beautiful red blush on her pale cheeks.
"What is she, your child?" Rebekah huffed in irritation. Kol muttered something that Klaus was sure was in agreeance with Rebekah.
"I think she's upset because she's lonely. We'll have to find her a mate." Caroline whispered to Klaus.
"I heard that!" Bekah yelled furiously. Kol snickered, this time, in amusement.
Klaus chuckled before giving Caroline a quick kiss and turning back towards their house. It was way too cold for Caroline to be out here but she had practically begged with those baby blue eyes. Snowball fight, Klaus scoffed, she was finding a way to make up for her childhood. How old was she? Caroline hadn't known but NiKlaus guessed somewhere around sixteen, Seventeen, at the most, too young for him. Then again, anyone born in this century was too young for him.
Caroline tugged on his arm before quickly reaching down to form a snowball. Klaus was unsure of her target at first as she eyed devilishly but it all became clear when whirled around to launch the first signal of war. She was too late however as he snowball fell short of its target and another hit dead on.
"Mphhh!" Rebkah squealed as she'd got a snowball to the face. So Kol was to be the instigator of this day's war. Caroline quickly joined. She aimed for Kol in retaliation. When she missed, she settled for pushing him down into a pile of snow. The suggestion of boys against girls was quickly accepted as Rebekah's playful rage towards Kol increased. They were outnumbered, three to two but the girls were not worried. Boys were stupid anyway or so said Caroline.
"Oh, that's cheating!" Caroline complained as Kol and Klaus ran vampire circles around her. Elijah was somewhere bombing people and making ammo. Caroline was at more than a human disadvantage with the furs. She quickly stripped them away. It dropped unconcerned by Caroline. The adrenaline was keeping her warm. Seeing how much fun she was having, Klaus could not help but let her have this one. This was war after all and he was not concerned with his enemy.
It felt like it lasted forever. All the running and ducking and all of them seemed to never get tired. Caroline was able to keep up with them a bit, now that her and NiKlaus had officially mated but she was nowhere near their speed. She kept slipping on ice but laughed through it all. She wasn't the only one. In no world did vampire speed and ice go together. Rebekah soon joined her in being clumsy. Even Elijah had dropped his gentleman guise for the moment. In the end he came out with his perfect suit soaking wet. Even NiKlaus found himself laughing and running in a way he never got to when he was young. They all felt like children again.
"Bekah duck!" Caroline warned as she threw a snowball at high speed that hit Elijah dead smack in the middle of his chest. Elijah was stunned. Caroline let out a victorious laugh and Bekah took the chance to tackle Elijah into a huge pile of snow. The other siblings burst into laughter. While Klaus was distracted, Caroline took her chance and tackled him as well. She peppered his face with kisses when they landed. He chuckled under the attention and caught her lips with his when he could.
"I...love...you." She said between kisses. Everyone stilled. That was unexpected. They all turned to look at the two. Rebekah's head was forming an odd angle from where she was buried in the snow. Klaus stared at Caroline but not in surprise or shock but with love.
"And I love you." He replied capturing her lips in a dreadfully seductive kiss.
"Leave it to NiKlaus to take advantage of a perfectly innocent snowball fight." Elijah chuckled.
CcC
She wasn't a slave anymore. She could stand up for what she wanted even to NiKlaus. NiKlaus loved her and he cared about her opinion and if she wanted something he would get it for her or do it for her. All she had to do was ask.
"Caroline," NiKlaus said without looking up from his paper work. He was in his study. She didn't like to bother him in his study. She had mostly all of his other time so she liked to give him space when he was working. Those were her words no matter how many times NiKlaus tried to convince her that she could have as much of his time as she wanted. He was a vampire after all. He had nothing but time. So NiKlaus was more than curious to see her standing there nervously wringing her hands in his doorframe.
"There's a ball." She blurted. NiKlaus raised an amused eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm aware." He said as he glanced up at her before returning to his work. "A few weeks from now…"
"I was thinking we could go..." She toyed with her hands a bit roughly. "Together."
"Would be going as something else?" He chuckled as he stood from his desk. He moved around it and approached Caroline. She stood waiting for an answer. He put one hand on her waist and pulled her close. He buried his face in her neck taking a deep breath of the scent that his wolf had come to recognize and always proudly growled mine when it was present. She threaded a hand through his hair welcoming the attention. He agreed to her silent request and began planting kisses along the curve of her neck. He'd bitten her before and Caroline had no objections. Klaus could make it feel pleasurable rather than painful. After much pain, Caroline found she quite liked pleasure and pleasure was something NiKlaus was quite skilled at giving. He'd proven that fact more than once or twice.
"We shall have to find you something exquisite to wear." He said as he brought his other hand to encircle her waist as well and attempted to pull her closer even though there was no space between them. Caroline hummed in response. NiKlaus waited for the day when Caroline could offer her full self to him but as of now she was still burdened with memories. The day would come when he'd experience all the pleasure she could give him.
CcC
Why had he offered to have her dress made? She was worse than Rebekah. First she liked a dress then she didn't. This dress was too tight. That dress was too loose. God forbid if it required a corset but was to her liking. Then came the questions about modifications. She asked what could be substituted for a corset but nothing really worked.
"I don't want to go anymore." Caroline pouted as she sat in the bath with NiKlaus. They'd just tried on the last dress the seamstress had brought but Caroline was still not happy. She sat pouting in the tub. Klaus absentmindedly trailed his hand up and down her exposed arm.
"Why not?" He asked kissing her shoulder.
"The dresses..." She sighed. "theyallshowmyscars."
"What was that?" He questioned. His eyes narrowed in confusion. Even his advanced hearing could not make out the jumbled words she had called a sentence.
"They all show my scars." She huffed. NiKlaus paused for a second. His hand lowered from her arm to her leg.
"Is there something wrong with your scars?"
"They're ugly."
"Caroline." NiKlaus scolded. "I have told you many times that you are beautiful and I have seen every inch of you. Your scars do not detract from your beauty. They make you look strong."
Caroline leaned back into NiKlaus. She finally began to relax. Klaus wrapped an arm around her middle, welcoming her.
"I wouldn't have you any other way, love. Wear them as badges, not as disgraces." He continued softly into her ear.
"I think, I'll wear the black one."
CcC
The black one. NiKlaus approved. His approval was written all over his face. Elijah had to remind him to keep his hands to himself while they were in public. There were enough bad rumors going around about him as it was. NiKlaus nodded in response. Hands to myself. He could do that. He could do that, or maybe not.
Just like the rest of Caroline's dresses, it didn't require a corset. Unlike the others it was a bit tighter, form fitted, and flowy with an open section at the cleavage and a black ribbon posing as a necklace to wrap it all up.
Like a spectacular gift, my gift. NiKlaus really approved.
It was sleeveless, a first for her. Caroline had gone over the details with the seamstress. There was a split up the side that allowed her room to walk. Her hair was curled and down and she had worn heels. Even Rebekah was impressed. NiKlaus laid a gentle hand on Caroline's arm before going in for a long and loving kiss. Elijah was quick to remind him that they were soon to head in.
Rebekah and Kol went in first their arms hooked. The man at the door introduced them. He called out Kol and Rebekah Mikaelson loud enough for the whole room to hear. Elijah went next, his name being announced solely, and as NiKlaus moved to step forward Caroline tugged gently on his arm. He looked at her and she saw the look of worry on her face. He rubbed her arm comfortingly and tugged her along. When they reached the door, NiKlaus whispered into the man's ear and entered with Caroline.
"NiKlaus and Caroline Mikaelson!" The guy yelled causing Caroline to look back in shock. Klaus kissed her cheek while she was distracted. She turned to face him, her mouth was wide open and Rebekah walked by and tapped her chin lightly. Caroline closed her mouth while resisting the urge to jump on NiKlaus right there. He was surprised at his silly girl. He had practically given her his soul. He needn't hesitate to give her his name. She could have all of him.
"NiKlaus!" A brown haired girl exclaimed as she rushed towards him. She would have plowed right through Caroline in an attempt to capture NiKlaus' arm if Klaus hadn't moved her out of the way. The girl had been running extremely, inhumanly, fast and Caroline had nearly broken a heel when Klaus snatched her out of the way.
The girl began to ramble on. She talked about dresses and jewelry and shoes. She had searched long and hard to find the perfect everything for NiKlaus. NiKlaus didn't seem too happy about that. Caroline looked between the girl and Klaus. He frowned while the girl continued on. Caroline was only confused.
"And who is this?" She questioned as if she'd only just noticed Caroline's presence. "They introduced her as a Mikaelson. I wasn't aware you had another sister."
"I don't." Klaus said blandly. His tone held no emotion at all. Not even disappointment and Caroline was sure he was disappointed by the way he kept frowning.
"So what are you then?" She asked Caroline directly.
"I'm his mate." Caroline said simply while still looking at Klaus. She wasn't very concerned with the brunette. She was more concerned with Klaus. Was he mad at her? Usually he told her if he was upset with her and that wasn't very often at all. He hadn't been upset with her for a very long time. Even when it was it was about Caroline mistreating herself and Caroline couldn't think of anything she'd done lately. A series of gasp followed her announcement that she paid no mind to. It wasn't meant to be that public but with all the nosy vampires, it was impossible for it not to be.
"You mean pet." The girl scowled. "No way NiKlaus would mate a human."
"So you're too pretty to be smart then?" Rebekah asked as she made her way over from grabbing a glass of wine. "Because you wouldn't ask if she were his sister if she were human. That would be impossible." The girl scowled at Rebekah. Rebekah simply flashed her veins and watched the girl jump. She wasn't an idiot. She couldn't beat Rebekah in a fight on Rebekah's worst day.
"Hayley," NiKlaus sighed, "I was enjoying myself."
"Now you can enjoy it even more with me here." She flirted shamelessly. She reached out a hand to touch NiKlaus. It was immediately smacked away by Caroline. She wasn't really sure why she had done it. She'd never hit anyone in her entire life except the Mikaelsons with a snowball. The look of stun on Hayley's face extended to Caroline's and some of the guests of the ball.
"I'm sorry." Caroline said quickly. "But please don't touch him."
Even after the incident with the brown haired girl, Caroline had enjoyed the ball. NiKlaus introduced her to other, more respectful, people. Most of them were rich vampires, much like the Mikaelsons. Others were just rich humans. She learned a lot about what Klaus and the others did for profit. It was mostly trading. They owned things here and there and from what Caroline understood from the conversation, which was very little, they made a lot of money. That explained the big house and servants and Caroline getting any and everything she could possibly want.
Then NiKlaus took her to dance. She wasn't very sure of what she was doing but she just followed NiKlaus's lead. They swayed slowly at first until she got her footing. Eventually she just fell into rhythm. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She could stay like this forever, snuggled in NiKlaus's arms with beautiful music in the background.
CcC
They served great food. There were dishes from all over the place and Caroline found herself indulging. Food had been something she'd come to appreciate since her freedom. She was sure shed had at least three plates by the end of the night. Some looked down on her in disgust. Others voiced their opinion. All of them received a murderous glare from all the Mikaelsons (some received an ass whooping from Kol later outside). The first couple of days they'd taken her in she'd ate very little, scarily so. They encouraged her to eat as much as she wanted. NiKlaus liked to watch her eat. Unlike most of the men of their time, he didn't prefer his women stick thin. He and Caroline even shared a plate of desserts at one point.
The way she visibly enjoyed the cakes and fruits made him want to buy them more often. He could think of a few things they could do with them that'd leave the same pleasured expression on her face. Quite a few, indeed...
"What are you thinking of?" Caroline asked after a swipe of chocolate from her lips. NiKlaus brought his thumb up to trace its path. His mouth followed soon after. His tongue delving into her mouth to experience the chocolate cake she had just devoured. It tasted even better this way.
"NiKlaus…" His brother cleared his throat from where he was across the room ballroom. NiKlaus pulled back from Caroline. Her face held a breathless expression along with the pleasured one. How had he thought he could resist that?
CcC
"No!" Caroline yelled as she dashed down the stairs taking them two at a time. NiKlaus chased her quickly. He used his vamp speed to get in front of her but she quickly dodged into the dining room. It'd been a little over two years with the Mikaelsons; she had learned how to work around vampire speed. As Klaus followed her into the dining room, and she turned to face him, behind her back she held something clutched tightly in her hand. She quickly took up her position on the opposite side of the dining room table as NiKlaus entered.
"Come on, love." He coaxed. "Let me see."
"No." She stated solidly. "You only have three days till Christmas. Wait."
Each day Caroline grew more into her own self. She barely held any qualities of the ones she'd arrived with. One of those included doing things for NiKlaus just because he was NiKlaus. She'd actually turned out to be quite strong willed. Once she realized that she didn't have to stay quiet about her opinions the Mikaelson house grew a lot louder. She and Elijah had truly intelligent debates. All points she brought up were things shed figured out on her own and not from a book, as she hasn't quite mastered reading yet, and they were all magnificent. She want afraid to tell Bekah no which led to some serious arguments about fashion, which Caroline could care less about but didn't care enough to care less about.
The arguments she had with Kol were more about morals than intelligence or fashion. Asking him to stop killing people in the house was not that big of a request. He could feed inside all he liked but if Caroline had to wake up to one more pool of blood, or a dead body in the house she'd defang him. Kol took her threats lightly since NiKlaus said anything she requested was totally up to her to enforce. So he'd laughed it off. When his witchy toys start disappearing one by one, he hadn't found it so funny.
"Caroline, my love, who holds the key to my heart," Klaus began, "won't you grace me with the gift of seeing what's in your palm, if it not be my heart?" If he thought flattery was going to get him anywhere, he was wrong.
"Lysander riddles very prettily." Caroline replied as she moved one of her arms so that it was braced against the table, ready for movement. NiKlaus had started her off with Shakespeare. He figured if she could get that, she could get anything.
"Caroline Mikaelson, you give that to me right now!"
Caroline squealed as she ran left while Klaus came from the right. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist. He nuzzled her neck. He tossed in a few nips but Caroline's resolve was strong. She was not showing him this Christmas gift unless he pried it from her fingertips. They stood like that forever. NiKlaus whispered pleas in her ear. She ignored them with a giggle as he nipped at her ear and neck.
"NiKlaus Mikaelson." Caroline said sternly. "You. Will. Wait." NiKlaus groaned in defeat and stalked off pouting, like the puppy he was. Caroline smiled triumphantly.
CcC
Elijah wished NiKlaus would stop kissing Caroline like that. They'd been kissing longer than he'd cared to count. Honestly, he got that Nik liked his Christmas present but was that not a bit much. It was a simple necklace. Well, simple wasn't really the word. It was a mouth with fangs holding a full moon. It was a rather remarkable job. It wasn't painted but the craftsmanship was done so well that it was quite clear as to what it was. Caroline had had it specially made with the help of Bekah. From the fact that NiKlaus was still kissing Caroline, Elijah figured he liked it.
Caroline giggled as kisses traveled from her lips to continue their war path on the rest of her face. They were really happy. Everyone was really happy. They were the Mikaelsons. They really should have known better.