Title: the boys next door

Pairing: Caroline/Klaus; Slight Caroline/Kol; and some Caroline/Damon (if you squint)

Rating: M

Warnings: Language and Sexual Situations

Author's Note: Pandora was very kind to me and made writing the chapter much easier. I start school in a couple weeks, so I probably won't be able to update with as much frequency as I would like, but I should probably be able to do at least two updates a week if time allows.

Someone asked about the characters ages:

Sorry I forgot to add:

Tyler (25 as well)

She looks good swiss cheese put your head from the hose

A pistol's sneaking tease more than I can ignore

A quick lap round the track, man, she's keeping me active

She looks good

The girl's attractive

The Girl's Attractive, Diamond Nights

III

So maybe,just maybe Damon was on to something. Maybe she was using her horrible breakup with Tyler as an excuse not to pursue other men—more specifically either of the Mikaelson brothers. It seemed to everyone around her that it was the logical thing to do…to have sex with one of them. In Lexi's case both, even. A ridiculous notion when she heard the suggestion. But…maybe there was more to it than that. She'd been watching her friends' relationships thrive while hers crumbled under her feet. She was scared, the blond would admit…scared to give her heart to someone new, only to have them take another piece of her; as Tyler had done when he confessed to his infidelity.

His admittance was a way to cleanse him of the guilt that had been eating away at him. He asked that she forgive him—accept that it would never happen again and believe that he loved her. But…how could she trust him again, after having done that to her? Caroline had been crushed when she told him that it was over. Told him never to contact her again.

He'd gotten the message.

Now, it seemed, she still hadn't quite closed the chapter of her life on Tyler. But she was ready to. She needed to.

Caroline sighed, pulling her cellar to her ear as its ringing broke her train of thought.

"Hello?" She spoke into it, not bothering to check the caller ID.

"Matt is here!" A very familiar voice exclaimed from the other end. So it had been Elena that had won in her little game of phone-Russian roulette.

The blond smiled at the news. The Donovan boy had been saving up to come visit his girlfriend. Hell, she was fairly certain the only thing keeping him from moving across the pond to be with Elena was the fact that someone had to take care of his druggie sister; which just proved how good of a guy Matt Donovan was.

"That's great, Elena." Caroline said brightly, shuffling across the floor of her flat and plopping down onto her cot. "When did he get here?"

"This morning..." The brunette explained, voice wavering for a moment as if there was something she wished to add. After a moment she continued with a more chirpy tone. "We're going out to Vivetonight."

"Oh." Caroline mumbled, recalling having read a review on the local night club. It had been given four out of five stars for its impeccable DJ and bar. She'd wanted to go since its opening day, but had never found the time to. "Sounds like fun."

"Great." Elena got out. It definitely felt as if she was in a rush to get off the phone, which was usually never the case with her. "Meet you there at nine."

And with that she hung up; not giving the blond an opportunity to add further comment or question why she sounded so strangely. There was something in Elena's tone…indicating something was wrong. She just didn't know what it was.

:}{}{}{}{:

All day she could not shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Not bad in the sense of breaking to heel of her favorite pair of Prada pumps. No…it was worse. She hadn't seen it coming when she'd locked her flat door behind her before making her way to the elevators. Those elevators…the ones she'd made-out with Nik inside only the night before. She pressed the down button, silently wondering what could have happened to the Gilbert to have her behaving so unlike herself. Distant.

That's when it happened. They appeared. Not simply one of them—because she could deal with them one at a time. But together…it was like god was punishing her. She remained still as they approached the elevators, the ding sounding and the doors opening. They swept past her, entering and turning inside the tiny space to face her, wearing mirrored expressions of amusement.

"Going down?" Kol inquired, brow raised with interest. She didn't miss the double meaning in his words, nor the fact that Nik had yet to say a thing to her since she'd practically ran away from him and his advances.

The blond swallowed, nodding slowly before entering after them. The doors slowly slid shut behind her. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she felt two sets of eyes trailing over her form appreciatively. So she'd dressed up to go to Vive—a little black dress that had been gifted to her on her birthday by Lexi, urging her to go out in it and get laid. It exposed her nicely toned legs…if there was one thing she had; it was amazing legs that could captivate almost any man. But the ample cleavage her dress provided gave way to another perfect thing to look at.

"You look…nice." Nik got out, voice strange to her ears as if it had been a struggle for him to say that. She tried not to feel saddened by the fact the man wasn't being more forward with his complements…not that she was interested in how he thought she looked. But—she sighed. She was being ridiculous. It didn't matter how he view her, she decided.

Kol, however, was not even trying to hide that fact that he thought she looked delicious enough to eat—his eyes practically fucked her as they danced across her body. She saw Nik smack his brother over the head from her peripheral, mouth set in a line. The blond suppressed the urge to laugh when the younger Mikaelson turned to stare at his brother with a definite scowl firmly in place.

Maybe this wasn't what the bad thing she'd been waiting for to happen.

"Where are you going dressed like that?" Kol finally spoke up; ignoring the heated glare Niklaus were sending his way.

"I—uh—a new club." She got out, gazing ahead of her, willing the doors to slide open and grant her an escape from the testosterone filled elevator. And, like a genie being sprung from its bottle the doors parted and she was out of there before either of them could add anything further to that awkward conversation.

So she was a weenie when it came to Englishmen…but, wasn't every other girl?

:}{}{}{}{:

It hadn't taken much to get entrance from the bouncer, who'd taken one long look at her dress, offered a creepy leer and nodded his balding head in approval. Caroline wondered if the ogling was really necessary or just a part of the job description when being a bouncer.

Vive...well the only thing she could say when she entered was wow. It was more incredible than she could have imagined. There was a large platform crowded with patrons dancing and grinding on one another in an almost animalistic way. Her eyes moved across the crowded space, searching for Elena and Matt.

She caught sight of the brunette huddling at a small table only a few feet away from her. Caroline called out to her over the noise of the club, raising a hand in a short wave before making her way over to the Gilbert.

"Don't be mad." Elena said quickly as the blond approached. Caroline's face contorted into one of confusion—thrown off by her friend's words.

Why would she be mad? That's when it truly hit her…like a ton of bricks.

"What are you talking about, Elena?" She inquired sharply, expression hard as she stared back into the brunette's guilt ridden face.

"I didn't know he was going to bring him." Elena said in a flurry of words.

Him? She hoped the girl didn't mean who she thought she meant. That's when she heard a pair of familiar voices. One, obviously Matt. Both drawing closer to their table. The other—a chill crept up her spine at the sound. It had been a voice she hadn't heard in a while…one that had been able to get her do anything in the past. Now, only a reminder of the one person she had trusted completely with her heart only to have him rip it out of her chest.

Tyler fucking Lockwood—why had he come to England?

"Caroline." The sound of her name on his tongue almost knocked the wind out of her. She wasn't ready to face him yet…she didn't know if she ever would be. But there he was, appearing with Matt by his side—who also wore a guilty countenance.

Her gaze swept to Tyler as he approached her; a mixture of emotions crossing her face as she stared back at him. She was like a deer caught in head-lights, shock written across her face. But among the wave of feelings, the most prominent was distress. She did not want to be there…not when he was looking at her like that. Like he was sorry and wanted her back, standing before her.

Before she could muster up anything to say she noted the sudden change of expression on the man's face as a warmth fell to the small of her back.

"There you are, sweetheart." A smooth, accented voice announced beside her. "Sorry I'm late."

Her eyes swept to the man now standing beside her, his hand resting snugly on her hip. Kol Mikaelson—she hadn't expected anyone to come to her rescue, least of all him. What was he doing there?

She returned her eyes to Tyler, who was staring pointedly at the new arrival. "Tyler this is Kol…"

"Her boyfriend." Kol interjected smoothly, pulling her closer to his side. His touch was…something almost unexplainable. His fingers pressed gently into her hip, comforting her.

"Boyfriend?" The Lockwood sounded unconvinced. He had never been one to hold back what he was thinking—especially when it came to her.

"Yes." Kol said calmly.

Tyler raised a brow, turning his attention to the blond; wearing a look of disbelief. "This guy is your boyfriend, Care?"

She didn't know what to say for a moment. Could she really lie to him…her head swam with answers to that question—the more prominent being hell yes! He had hurt her, betrayed her. He deserved to experience how she felt; even if it was based off a lie.

Caroline nodded in reply, turning into Kol's touch and wrapping her arms around his neck for effect as she spoke up. "Yes…he is."

Kol did well at hiding his surprise at her skillful acting. "She is just so amazing. Isn't she? God, I could just—"

He dipped his head down, pausing midsentence to lay a kiss on her. She froze at the feel of his lips pressing softly against her. He tasted of expensive wine, tongue dancing inside her mouth for what felt like eternity. She couldn't deny…he was a phenomenal kisser. It was in the way his fingers caressed her face…the way his lips moved against hers with such…need.

When they pulled apart, their eyes met—she drew in a deep breath.

Tyler's expression was crestfallen as he stared between them. "Oh."

"The names Kol Mikaelson." Kol continued, acting as if he did not notice the sudden in change in mood in the man.

"I'm Elena and this is my boyfriend Matt." The brunette finally spoke up, reminding the others of her and the Donovan's presence. She was playing along too it seemed, knowing full well that the blond wasn't really dating at all. If it weren't for that and the fact that Caroline loved the girl to death she was sure she probably would have killed her for setting her up like this—even though she figured it was only with the prompting of her boyfriend and best friend of Tyler.

"Tyler." The now brooding man added.

Kol nodded, grinning back at them. "How about a round of drinks, on me."

:}{}{}{}{:

Caroline allowed him to pull her away to the bar, giving them a moment finally to themselves.

"What are you doing here?" She inquired, sliding into an unoccupied barstool while they waited for one of the bartenders to get to them.

He raised a brow in question. "Was I wrong? I thought that look on your face when you saw Tyler was the universal sign for someone kill me."

The blond scoffed. "That was not what I was thinking."

Kol tilted his head, peering down at her with interested blue orbs. She rolled her eyes. Why did he have to be so…

"Fine. You were right." He grinned at her admittance. The cleft in his chin ever more prominent. Fuck…why did he have to be so…cute? "So, thank you. Really."

"It was nothing, sweetheart." Kol replied smoothly, eyes falling to her lips for a moment before returning her stare. "I quite enjoyed myself."

Heat rose to her cheeks at his words. The man was a charmer, she'd give him that. But that still didn't tell her what he was doing there. It couldn't be a coincidence that they'd decided on going to the same club that night. Fate was never that kind.

"Wha—you still haven't answered my question?" She reminded him, running a hand through her loose, blonde curls. She more than surprised to find that she didn't mind her rescuer being the man she'd seen naked mot too long ago.

"I wanted to see you again." Kol admitted gently. Her eyes softened—gazing into his. She felt a familiar flutter in her stomach…butterflies. Shit! That was never a good sign.

"How did you know I'd be here?" Caroline inquired in response, brows scrunching together in thought. "You're not following me, are you?"

He smirked, shaking his head. "If I remember correctly, you practically told me where you were going."

Now she really was confused. "What are you talking about?"

The Mikaelson chuckled. "You said you were going to a new club. And as I recall Vive has only been open for a few weeks. I made an educated guess."

Caroline bit her lip, holding back her own laugh. Of course, the man was smart too.

She was two for two with the Mikaelson brothers now it seemed, having kissed both; though admittedly she was drunk when she'd made-out with Nik. Did that really count?

"So, who is that bloke?" Kol asked bluntly, peering over his shoulder to where Tyler sat wearing a scowl.

"My ex." The blond answered after a beat.

"You dated that?" He inquired a gentle interest in his voice. Caroline cringed, nodding her in reply. This was the first time talking about her relationship with the Lockwood, with someone that wasn't Bonnie or Elena, since her breakup.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

A bartender had caught sight of them waiting, approaching them before she could muster an answer.

"What can I get you?" The redhead asked, eyeing Kol as if she was starving and he was the last supper. The man didn't even bat an eyelash at her, ordering up a round of shots for them, before returning his attention to Caroline.

The bartender looked between the two before flouncing away, a put-off expression on her face.

"She was flirting with you." Caroline informed him, as if he had not realized that.

He shrugged, eyes following her. "I'm not interested. I quite prefer blondes."

Caroline blushed yet again, gazes falling to her feet before deciding it was best to return to the subject of discussion. "Tyler—he cheated on me. That's why we're not together anymore…"

Kol's beautiful, blue orbs softened. "He's an idiot."

The blond lips quivered as she stared up at him. He was right. Tyler was an idiot for cheating on her. But she was an even bigger idiot for letting his past indiscretion dictate her love life.

"Yeah, he is." She agreed, a rush of ease washing over at getting that off her chest.

"What I mean is…he's an idiot for ever letting you go." Kol reiterated, gazing intensely into her eyes. His accent made his words all the richer with meaning. Looking into his eyes…it was like she was drowning. And in the moment, she was perfectly okay with it.

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