Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or its characters. If I did, The Originals would never have happened, Kol would be alive and happily causing mayhem, and Klaus and Caroline would be travelling the world and sexing it up.
Katherine Pierce lifts a hand in greeting as she slips through the doors of the pub, the other woman perched cross legged on a stool.
Katherine is dressed stylishly as usual, leather pants that make her legs look a mile long, a white blouse and a black blazer over top, lips painted the colour of blood. Her engagement ring winks from her finger and Caroline can't help but feel grossly under dressed in jeans and her leather jacket.
Katherine was just one of those people that seemingly had it together in every aspect of her life, both personal and professional.
Katherine slips her phone into her purse as she approaches, bestowing a kind smile on her as she slides onto the stool opposite.
"Sorry I'm late. Thanks for meeting me." She greets Katherine, who slides a menu across the table to her.
It had been Kol's suggestion that she invite Katherine out for lunch. He was out of the house most of the time, and the unpredictability of Bonnie's shift work at the hospital meant that for the most part, she was alone for a lot of time.
Her gym workouts had been ongoing, but only took an hour or two at the most.
Kol had supplied Katherine's number, and she'd plucked up her courage to finally ask the other woman out to a casual pub lunch.
Much to her surprise, Katherine's answer had come not two minutes later, and it had been a very enthusiastic yes.
"No problem. And you sound surprised. I imagine that it must get lonely with only Kol and your Bonnie for company." Katherine replies, taking a sip of her drink. "I must admit as much as I love Elijah, it's nice to have female company."
"I am a little surprised. There's Klaus as well sometimes, when he's not training. We go to the same gym." Caroline supplies, eyes pursuing the neat typeface of the menu, narrowing down her choices very quickly to a simple salad.
Katherine makes a soft noise of amusement that's enough to have Caroline dragging her eyes back to the brunette's face.
"He likes you. Doesn't he? Or at least he's made it very clear that he likes you. Klaus never was one to mask his feelings." Katherine deduces knowingly, red painted lips quirking up into a smile.
"He admitted as much, yes." Caroline admits grudgingly as Katherine lets out a throaty laugh. "But I told him that I just wanted to be friends."
"Good." Katherine states firmly, much to her surprise. "It's good for him to be put in his place every once in a while. And I certainly don't want you getting tangled up with Tatia any more than you want to, I'm sure."
"Yes." She says with a nod. She's about to ask about Tatia further before Katherine gestures for the waiter. He seemingly materialises at her side as Katherine looks over her shoulder towards the door.
"Ah. Right on time, as usual." Katherine remarks amusedly as Caroline turns, eyes landing on a harried looking gorgeous blonde woman making a beeline towards their table, barking something into the phone held to her ear.
"Caroline, meet Rebekah Mikaelson." Katherine drawls as the blonde Mikaelson drops her phone into her bag, eyes landing on her in surprise. "Rebekah, this is Caroline Forbes. She's in England for awhile, staying with your brother."
Rebekah's eyes widen imperceptibly when they land on her, winged eyeliner making the deep blue in her eyes pop.
"Oh my god. You're Caroline Forbes. The Caroline Forbes." Rebekah stutters as Katherine snorts in amusement at Rebekah's exuberance. "I watched your floor routine at the Olympic Games when they were in London. Can I just say, incredible." The other blonde continues.
She's not sure how to react as Rebekah slides into the seat next to Katherine, chattering away as she stows her bag next to her.
"I was so sad to hear about your injury, and I hoped that you'd be able to compete again. You are going to compete again aren't you?" Rebekah probes gently, eyes wide with barely contained curiosity.
"That's the aim." She tells Rebekah with a smile, who smiles in return.
"I knew it. Can we get a picture? Klaus is going to be so jealous when he finds out that I met you first." Rebekah is rummaging for her phone, and Caroline can't help but shoot a look in Katherine's direction.
"Let's not scare her off Mikaelson, I happen to like this one." Katherine drawls as she relays their orders to the waiter. They pass their menus over as the man disappears. "Besides, you're a little behind the curve, Klaus has already met Caroline on a number of occasions."
She can practically hear Rebekah thinking out loud, putting two and two together as she stares at her with a thoughtful gaze.
"But of course. You're the gymnast that he was banging on about when we met up for lunch last week." Rebekah remarks with a quick grin. "You would think the two of you were practically married with the way he was talking about you. Such a shame he's still hanging around with the she bitch."
She can't help but be stunned by Rebekah's words, not even thinking that Klaus would have spoken to anyone about her, let alone his sister.
"Not for long, or so I hear on the grapevine." Katherine remarks as the waiter reappears with a bottle of wine and two more glasses. "Elijah mentioned something earlier this morning that makes me think a break up is impending."
"Thank God." Rebekah sighs, pulling her wine glass towards her and taking a deep swig. "The girl is horrendous, I have no idea what he even sees in her. I still remember the look on mother's face when they met after a game."
Katherine says nothing further to Rebekah about their earlier conversation concerning Klaus, and for that she is eternally grateful. The two women fall into an easy chatter, making sure to include her and regaling her with stories and anecdotes.
There's a warm feeling in her stomach as the waiter arrives with their food, and she can't help but smile to herself. She'd never really had close girlfriends outside of her gymnastics team.
She and Elena were close to be sure, and she had Bonnie of course, but she never really had friends that she could just gossip with, while away the time just for the sake of doing so. Katherine and Rebekah were easy people to like, easy people to talk to.
Rebekah's phone buzzes and her eyes widen in disbelief as she stares at the message on her phone.
"Oh my god. Kate Middleton is wearing another one of my dresses. Oh my god." Rebekah types something out furiously, even as her own phone buzzes in her pocket.
She pulls it out, frowning at the unknown number on the screen before thumbing into the message.
Will I be seeing you at the game tonight? As 'friends', of course…
She saves Klaus' contact into her address book, because really, who else could it be? Katherine glances at her in amusement as she hurriedly types a message back.
[Caroline, 1.30pm]
Maybe. I have yet to decide. Perhaps your sister might be able to convince me?
His response comes a minute later, and she bites back her laughter.
[Klaus Mikaelson, 1.30pm]
Rebekah can be very persuasive when she wants to be. Perhaps I'll get her onto it. She's already a big fan of yours, as I'm sure you've gathered…
She smiles, the next message easy to type out, because it's the truth.
[Caroline, 1.31pm]
Your sister is lovely. Very exuberant and friendly, I feel like I've known her for weeks rather than minutes. Now shoo, I believe we're bonding.
[Klaus Mikaelson, 1.32pm]
I'm glad. So I'll see you tonight then?
She forces herself to slip her phone back into her pocket, tuning back in to the conversation just in time to hear Rebekah gleefully exclaim.
"Let's go shopping!"
She'd never gone shopping for the sake of shopping. Often it was because there were holes in her shoes, or jeans that were just this side of too tight, or a top that had been stretched because she'd worn it for years.
She'd never viewed shopping as an activity or hobby, but if the way that Rebekah and Katherine were blowing through each store, the two women obviously did, and it was a regular occurrence.
She scans the racks absentmindedly, looking for something that was more her style. Rebekah had already disappeared in the direction of the change rooms, half a dozen dresses draped over her arm.
Katherine settles in next to her, pursuing the selection on the racks with a keen eye.
"I know she can be quite enthusiastic. But if you're not enjoying yourself don't feel like you have to stay." Katherine murmurs just loud enough for her to hear. "I can cover for you if need be."
Caroline shakes her head emphatically.
"No it's not that. I've just never really done this just because I could. I don't really know what suits me, I went for comfort over style back in America."
Katherine glances at her wide eyed, her lips softening into a gentle smile as she steers her over to another rack.
"Well lets see if we can't rectify that, shall we?"
Katherine and Rebekah are unstoppable, and seem to have an almost eerie sixth sense when it came to the cut and style of clothes that did suit her.
"Blue." Rebekah declares out of nowhere, pressing a pretty blouse into her hands. "Light or dark, it doesn't matter. It brings out the gold in your hair."
Katherine makes a soft noise of agreement, holding up a dress to Caroline's figure.
"Your body is amazing." Katherine continues, switching out the dress with another one. "I'm jealous."
Caroline refuses to believe that Katherine, who would look amazing in a hessian sack, could possibly be envious of her. She'd always had an athletic body type, and when she was in peak condition she had more muscle than she did curves.
She had to be strong, for the kind of strength work she put her body through when she competed.
"You're embarrassing her Kat." Rebekah scolds as Katherine continues to pile up clothes in her arms. "Go and try these on Caroline, report back when you find something you like.
It's hours later when she finally stumbles out of what Katherine declares to be the final shop, her arms laden down with shopping bags.
Rebekah had pretty much overhauled her entire wardrobe, finding clothes for her that were well within her budget yet still stylish and to her taste. Katherine had been all too eager to assist.
"Well that was fun." Rebekah declares giddily, skipping ahead, swinging her shopping bags over her arm. "I definitely needed this."
"You have clothes practically overflowing from your wardrobe Bek." Katherine teases the blonde good naturally as Rebekah pokes her tongue out at Katherine. "And we promise we won't do this too often Caroline."
"It's fine, it was high time that updated my wardrobe anyway." Caroline replies absentmindedly, glancing down at her watch. Thank you so much for this afternoon, but I should probably get going."
Rebekah pouts at that, pausing before her car.
"But we were having so much fun this afternoon. You must come to my place, Kat and I are getting ready ahead of Nik's game tonight. You are coming, aren't you?" Rebekah asks, arching a single eyebrow.
Caroline hesitates. She still hadn't decided if she was going to the game tonight. Kol had asked earlier in the week, and she'd sort of given him a non committal shrug, still unsure how to even approach her and Klaus' newly found 'friendship'.
Katherine's dark gaze is knowing, but the brunette says nothing, instead tapping a heeled foot against the pavement.
Rebekah pleads with her again, and just like that, she can feel herself giving in.
Rather than taking in the game from the private box, Rebekah has managed to procure some prime, pitch side tickets from god only knows where.
Caroline can't help but feel a little out of place as they sit together in their seats, the noise of the stadium threatening to overwhelm her. Kol, Katherine, and Rebekah are all dressed in the blue jersey of Klaus' team, the number 8 and 'Mikaelson' printed across the back.
She's dressed a little more simply, in jeans and a white shirt, and despite being the odd one out she still smiles as Kol passes over a cup of hot chips for her to eat.
"Isn't this much more fun than being eaten alive by the WAG's?" He yells above the noise of the swelling crowd. On her other side, Katherine and Rebekah have their heads bent together, eyeing off the players tunnel where the two teams are just emerging for a pre game warm up.
"Much better!" She replies as Kol settles back into his chair with a self satisfied grin.
Rebekah lets out a piercing whistle in the next few moments, waving her arm above her head as she shouts out her brother's name.
"Nik! Over here!"
Amazingly, Klaus seems to hear her over the noise of the rest of the crowd. Or perhaps he sees her rather, Rebekah cutting a striking figure as she leans over the railing into the pitch. He settles into an easy jog as he approaches them, eyes only for his sister as he smiles at her.
"Bekah, great to see you. Thanks for coming!" Klaus leans in, allows Rebekah to pull him in for a hug. "Congrats on the dress. You'll have all the Royals queuing up for you to dress them." He adds, ruffling his younger sister's hair playfully, even as Kol joins her at the railing.
The two brothers clasp hands for a moment before Klaus' gaze lands on hers.
"Caroline. I take it you and Rebekah are getting along wonderfully?" He asks as she stands, Rebekah slinging an arm around her shoulder to pull her closer.
"She's absolutely fabulous Nik." Rebekah declares as Katherine lets out a throaty chuckle from behind her.
"You're down a team jersey as well." Klaus points out, as the Mikaelson siblings turn towards her as one.
"Oh god I completely forgot. We have to get you one from the merchandise shop after the game." Rebekah says, squeezing her arm gently as if she's apologising.
"Well that won't do." Klaus drawls, quickly pulling his own team shirt over his head and passing it to her. "Keep it sweetheart, I've got a spare on the sidelines." He adds before she can even protest.
She tries not to let her eyes linger on his chest, the delicious cut of muscle, the v lines leading down into his football shorts. She refuses to give him that satisfaction, refuses to cross the carefully drawn out lines of their new found friendship.
Before she even has time to do anything or protest further he's gone, tearing off across the field towards his team mates, obviously taking their ribbing and teasing all in stride as some of his team glance in their direction.
She watches him jog towards the opposite sideline, and true to his word he pulls out another blue jersey with the same number and his surname on it, tugging it over his head, the camera connected to the large screen in the stadium now tracking his every move as he leads his team into a series of drills.
"You best not let that go to waste." Katherine says quietly into her ear. "After all, it's not every day that the captain of an English Premier League Team gives you his own match jersey."
It's with a resigned sigh that she finally pulls the shirt over her head, the sharp smell of cologne invading her senses.
She cheers along with the rest of the crowd when the final siren signifies another victory for Klaus and his team, and she even lets Rebekah and Kol pull her into an exuberant three way hug, the two siblings jumping up and down and screaming at each other, buoyed by their brother's success.
Katherine is slightly more dignified in her celebrations, but still lets Rebekah pull her into a hug with a laugh.
"Come on, I told Nik we'd meet him at the pub!" Rebekah grabs her hand, pulling them along until they're swept up into a tide of blue, supporters chanting the team anthem as they spill out of the stadium and onto the forecourt beyond.
"Pub?" She asks Kol, who's stepping along beside Katherine, their arms linked together.
"Sort of a tradition darling." Kol begins to explain, leaning a little closer to her as Rebekah powers ahead. "If the team wins, we usually all hit up our regular pub afterwards for a few victory drinks. If we lose, we each go our separate ways and commiserate in our own ways." He finishes with a wink.
The pub as she quickly realises, is manned by an impressive looking bouncer, who seems to recognise Rebekah instantly as she bounces straight past the queue of people and pauses in front of the bouncer.
"A pleasure as always Beks." The bouncer greets her politely, waving her through the entrance, exchanging polite hellos with Kol and Katherine. "New friend?" He pauses, speaking directly to Kol.
"This is Caroline, remember her face Theo. She's practically part of the family." Kol reaches for her hand, tugging her after him as Theo lets out a bark of laughter.
The pub is already half full, blue jerseys taking up seemingly every table in the place, crowding up against the bar. The atmosphere from the game, that feeling of euphoria, has been multiplied tenfold now that their team has another win under their belt, and she can't help but let a grin creep over her face.
"This way Caroline. Kol's going to get some drinks for us." Katherine nudges her gently after Rebekah, steering her through the crowd and into a quieter part of the bar obviously reserved for the players and their immediate family.
She can't help but feel oddly out of place, wondering if Katherine has ever felt the same on the many occasions she's clearly hung out with the Mikaelson family.
She pulls out her phone, firing off a quick text to Bonnie, wishing her other friend was here as well to join in the festivities.
Bonnie's response comes not a minute later.
Wish I was there as well! Looked like a cracker of a game. It's been a slow one at work, managed to catch a bit of it on a patient television in between rounds. Have fun! xx
Her next text is interrupted by Kol, who unceremoniously dumps a tray of drinks onto their table, frothy liquid sloshing over the rim of their glasses.
Caroline accepts the beer Kol passes her with a quick grin, sipping at the drink slowly.
"Sorry if beer's not your thing Caroline." Rebekah comments, leaning forward from the opposite side of the table. "It's sort of another tradition of ours."
"Beer is fine, really." She replies, touched that the younger Mikaelson is even thinking to include her in a long standing tradition. "Who's the last one for?" She asks, nodding towards the lone beer sitting on the tray.
"That would be mine sweetheart." A voice echoes from somewhere above and behind her as across the table, Rebekah's whole face seems to light up. She has to hide her soft laughter as the blonde girl practically clambers over Kol, launching herself into Klaus' arms.
"Nik, it has been far too long." Rebekah punctuates each word with a playful slap to Klaus' arm, who takes his sisters exuberance in stride as he picks her up off the ground.
Klaus slides into the booth next to her, and she can practically feel the heat radiating from his body given how close he's sitting to her. He reaches forward, clinking his glass against Kol's before downing his beer, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows.
It's nice, seeing how obviously tight knit the Klaus and his siblings seem to be. Even he and Katherine seem quite close, the brunette easily conversing with him as Rebekah and Kol chatter away on the other side of the table.
"Alright love?" Klaus murmurs, fingers brushing against her arm gently. "You've been quiet."
"Just taking it all in. I've never had the chance to do this before." She remarks lightly, gesturing around the bar. "I mean, I've been to a bar before. Just not like this."
There's an amused smile playing at Klaus' lips.
"I need some fresh air actually. Would you care to join me?"
She agrees before she can think about it, sliding out of the booth and trying her hardest to ignore the positively gleeful look on Kol and Rebekah's face. Katherine is less obvious about it, simply arching a single eyebrow as if she were impressed.
The cold air is like a slap to the face, and she sucks it greedily into her lungs, the press of bodies much less here, although the smell of cigarette smoke does pervade her nostrils.
Klaus' hands are gentle on her shoulders as he steers her along the sidewalk until there's a gap in the blue clad supporters, some of who shout in his direction as he's recognised. But for the most part, to her surprise, they leave Klaus alone.
"They're a surprisingly respectful lot." Klaus seemingly reads her mind as he falls into step beside her, leather clad shoulder knocking against hers. "For the most part they leave me be if they know that I have family here. Or friends." He flashes her an easy smile, and she can't help but return it, another part of her wondering where exactly they're going.
There's a pause as they stop to cross at an intersection, and she takes the time to study him as he leans forward to press the cross button. His hair is damp from a post match shower she's guessing, and there's a wearied set to his shoulders as his eyes sweep the intersection.
"How's your training going?" He asks as they finally cross, melting easily into the crowds around them.
"Frustratingly slow." She admits out loud with a huff. "I want to get back into it, but obviously there's some very good reasons why I shouldn't at the moment." She adds once they're back on the pavement across the road, eyeing off a low brick wall that stretches out beside her.
Before she can think about it further she hops up onto it, wincing at the slight stiffness in her knee as Klaus glances at her in surprise, before realising that she's simulating being on a balance beam.
"This used to be so easy." Caroline continues, watching as she places one foot in front of the other, careful that she doesn't place a foot wrong lest she fall. "Now it's kind of scary?"
"Here." Klaus offers her his hand, and she surprises both of them she thinks, when she reaches out and takes it, letting him support her as she continues to balance along the bricks. "I don't want you injuring yourself on my watch, Bekah would murder me."
His hand is warm. It seems like such a stupid thing to notice when he's watching her so carefully, brow furrowing in concentration.
They reach the end of the brick wall together, and when she looks at the height she'll need to jump to get to the ground she realises that she probably didn't think this one through properly, because it's going to be absolute murder on her knee.
Klaus seems to realise her predicament at the same time, his lips quirking up into a mischievous smile.
"I'll cut you a deal sweetheart." He begins, squeezing her hand to get her attention. She meets his gaze carefully, with a tilt of her chin. "I'll help you down, if you let me take you somewhere. But you have to eat anything that I put in front of you."
She tilts her head to the side, narrowing her eyes at Klaus, who looks infuriatingly innocent, if not a little smug.
"Fine." She agrees after a moment. "Now can you please help me down?"
Klaus leans forward, hands gripping her waist as he lifts her easily from the bricks and sets her on the ground beside him. He squeezes gently before stepping back.
"Alright love, time to fulfil your part of the bargain."
As it turns out, Klaus' idea of food is a kebab place. He's a regular, if the way he greets everybody by name is anything to go by, leading the way towards a semi private table tucked away in the corner.
The shop is only half full, most of the tables unoccupied, but they still do get a few curious glances.
"Sit. I'll be back in a sec." Klaus instructs a little bossily before striding off towards the counter.
[Rebekah, 7:20pm]
Where did you go? Are you still with Nik? Are you okay?
[Caroline, 7:21pm]
I'm fine, promise. Yes, still with your brother, we're getting something to eat. Tell Kol to stop worrying. Message me when you're leaving?
[Rebekah, 7:21pm]
Will do. Have fun! ;)
"This is one of my rituals." Klaus seats himself opposite her, blue eyes dancing with mirth at the slightly horrified look on her face once she beholds the tray of food in front of her.
The kebab was simply monstrous. The meat and onions were almost spilling out of the wrap, grease staining the paper that kept the wrap tight.
"Oh my god what are you trying to poison me with?" She pokes at the wrap with a finger as Klaus lets out a chuckle.
"Come now, surely you've had something like this after a particularly gruelling competition?" He teases her good naturedly, picking up his own wrap and taking a bite.
"I do have a certain weakness for cheeseburgers." She finally admits with a laugh, picking up her own wrap and deciding to at least give it a go.
This was one of the reasons that she'd come to London wasn't it? To try new things, even if it could possibly harden her arteries beyond repair.
"Oh my god this is amazing." She mumbles around the first mouthful, wondering why the hell she hadn't tried this back in America.
"See? You need to live a little." Klaus declares, taking another bite of his own meal, nudging his foot against hers.
Her phone buzzes in her pocket and she wipes her hand on the accompanying napkin before fishing it out and thumbing into the message.
[Bonnie Bennett, 7.45pm]
Seems like Klaus is a single man now?
"Something wrong?" Klaus asks lightly as she locks her phone and slides it back into the pocket of her jeans.
"No. All fine. Just Bonnie texting from work."
They continue their meal mostly in silence, and it's not until she's taken her last bite that Klaus leans back in his chair, tilting his head to the side as he stares at her.
"What's your ritual?" He asks suddenly, as she blinks at him in surprise. "Before a competition, after a competition? Is there something that you do?"
Unbidden, she smiles at his question.
"I listen to music before a meet. Same playlist all the time." She replies with a half shrug. "It always calms me, when I get nervous."
"What's on there?" He asks quietly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table, eyes alight
with curiosity.
"A lot of pop music." Caroline tells him with a laugh. "Some Maroon 5, a bit of John Mayer, and some Taylor Swift. After a competition I like to have a hot bath and read a book. And what about you?" She asks, turning the question back on him.
"I always wear the same coloured underwear when I'm playing." He replies smoothly, with a completely straight face.
She bursts out into laughter at that.
"You're joking, surely."
"Never." Klaus vows, hand over his heart. "Come game day, always the same colour. It has yet to let me down. I also never shave before game day. Sort of strange that we manage to pick up these sorts of rituals, don't you think?"
She pauses, mulling over his words for a moment or two.
"I think it's the one thing we can control you know? We can't control the conditions, or the rest of the competition, or even the outcome at times. But we can control those minute things. It's almost reassuring in a way."
"Exactly." Klaus agrees, looking stunned.
She glances down at her watch, noting the time, giving Klaus a regretful smile.
"I should go. Early start tomorrow, you know." She remarks lightly, pushing out her chair and getting to her feet.
"Have you been outside London yet?" Klaus asks, following suit and following her towards the door.
"I haven't had a chance to be honest." She admits out loud, shivering as she steps out into the cool night air.
"Will you let me take you somewhere?"
She nods, giving him a quick smile.
"Yeah, okay."
A/N: Sorry for the rather abrupt ending guys, this one was creeping towards 5000 words and I had to cut it off.
For those of you not on Tumblr, I've decided to abandon Up All Night Til The Sun for now. I do have plans to take the story down and rework it, as I'm not happy with it as it stands at the moment, and I don't believe that I've done the genre justice.
I know that a lot of you love it, but it was a personal decision. You will see some chapters coming in the next few weeks/months on that one, and I'm planning on it being a lot better and more improved than it's current version.
Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next update will be Growing Strong!
xx
