Title: In another life

Rating: M

Pairing: Klaus, Caroline

Summary: AU/ AH. By the time he discovered what he truly felt for her, he lost her. He mourned asking for another chance which fate has given him. Still it isn't easy to claim his lost love.

Note: I don't own Klaroline or TVD. No offence to anyone. Everything I write is part of my imagination and is for fun.


0o 9 o0

0o Present o0

Caroline growled, stomping her bare feet against the floor as she walked. Stupid Klaus. He had to say those words? But then she did not take much to figure out that was not the single reason for her restlessness.

Odd sensation enveloped her, her veins pulsed at temples and she needed sleep. She needed comfort and rest, all of it.

Involuntarily her legs moved out of her room and stopped in front of Klaus's room. Caroline blinked at the door for a minute before knocking it.

A few moments later Klaus answered the door. Half-concerned and half-sleepy, his gaze brushed over her frame. She stared at his neck, unable to make eye-contact, and wondered how he could sleep pleasantly while her entire body was trembling.

"You are not alright." He muttered, his tone was rough. Clearing his throat he spoke again. "You had any nightmare?"

Not acknowledging his question, she asked. "Can I sleep in your bed?"

Klaus did not hesitate to open his door wide. After she quit fiddling with the hem of her cotton shorts, Caroline entered inside his room in which his musky cologne settled on every corner. Inhaling softly, she made way to his bed and sat at one of the edges.

She waited for his comment, a tease probably. But he stood, arms crossed against his bare chest, away from the bed.

When she finally locked her gaze with his, she found him observing her.

"Don't look at me like that. I can't sing lullaby," he stated wryly, "or read bedtime story for you."

Somewhat relieved, she managed to beam at him. Patting beside her, she saw him striding to bed. The smile on his face was definitely refreshing. Cheeks turning red, Klaus climbed upon mattress and moved to away to the other side.

'Thanks for everything.' She thought to show gratitude but then she reminded herself that they both have long way to go which made her drop. Instead of voicing her thoughts, she leaned in and pecked on his cheek.

Her eyes might be twinkling unlike his which were clouded with astonishment.

And then she drifted into deep slumber happily-no inhibitions, no frustrations-while he did not get to nap for next few hours.

0o Past o0

Strangely Caroline had been feeling uneasy since that morning. Rubbing her fully swollen belly, she let out an impatient huff.

Waiting for her husband was the most difficult thing after her pregnancy.

Niklaus was required at one of the cities - the trade center of their kingdom. He said he would return as soon as possible. But it had been more than five days.

Caroline did not like it, her home was foreign without him.

"You look pale, m'lady," commented Regina, bringing in lillies.

Was she? Caroline thought. "I'm not feeling well, Regina."

That was true, though. Even physically she was not comfortable.

...

He should have been there, Niklaus cursed repeatedly for not approaching the palace before his wife had gone into labour.

Had he admitted it was killing internally?

The soldiers outside her chambers greeted the king as the doors were opened revealing midwife and her assistant.

One more tiny thing he noticed in the midwife's arms. A baby. His baby.

His eyes might have widened staring at that little one in pure awe. The baby wrapped in a cloth was too small to notice if he did not hear the sobs.

Serenity replaced anxious in his eyes. He took a step close to have see the baby keenly. Thinking that he was reaching for the newborn, the midwife stated as politely as possible. "He needs to be cleaned, my king."

They were blessed with a baby boy then.

A corner of his lips twitched trying to look back at the older lady. Something sorrow about their expressions caught his eye.

"How is Caroline?" was the first thing he asked. Probably it was the first time in forever that he sounded so weak, his voice shook with fear. Only a few could notice it however.

They did not answer orally. The older one shook head and opened her mouth. "She don't have much time, Your Highness."

No. That was not true.

"Your Grace, she is requesting your presence," Informed Regina, coming out.

He did not want to get in. His stare might have fallen on Regina's face, but it did not mean he was processing things at healthy pace.

"Your Grace?" Regina repeated, knowing that they were running out of time.

Niklaus moved into the room that reeked of blood that made him tremble to progress further.

On the bed she laid, the woman he had always adored. Hardly he could detect life in her watery eyes, but when he saw a puny smile on her face it relieved him soon enough.

He sat next to her and placed his shivering hand in her. Her skin felt so cold that made him want to break down.

These were the signals. He had to accept. But he had never imagined life without her. Now, at this point, he simply wished there would be a miracle and she would come back to her original self.

"You have seen our son?" She could barely speak. He managed to nod, watching a drop of tear falling down to her side. "I hope he will make you proud someday."

He did not respond for that. Instead his thumb brushed over her palm.

Caroline started taking shallow breaths of air, and his stomach clenched with despair.

"I cannot accompany you to the future wars, my king." She stammered, as he gave a gentle squeeze to her palm.

Regina brought the baby to him. The little one was taken care properly, and so he slept.

Niklaus did not want to let go of his wife's hand to hold his baby, but Caroline appeared like she was expecting that from him.

So he did.

Her smile widened watching him struggle. It almost vanished when he looked back at her. He was still pale, but contemplated she was worried of their child recalling of their previous conversations.

"I would never let any harm come to him, I promise." He sounded sincere.

"I know it." She replied, inhaling for longer than required. "But I won't be able to watch when you do it."

Niklaus did not have words to soothe her. Truth to be told: he himself was in need of comfort.

Gritting his teeth, he did nothing to protect as the life began to fade from her eyes slowly. He could not do anything.

"Love you, Niklaus," she whispered the latter, the final tear rolled off.

And then she was gone.

'Cause even though you left me here

Helplessness, pain visited him after all these years. This time it was a woman who brought them. Also she brought tears.

Eyes moist, Niklaus fiddled with his son, the only part of her that was going to live in this world. Regina stepped in to hold him while Niklaus leaned in to peck on Caroline's forehead and closed her eyes.

I have nothing left to fear

He rose to his feet, and walked to the balcony that she used to stand and admire the view.

She was gone.

He was supposed to hate her since beginning, for drowning him into pool of emotions.

She was gone.

These are only walls that hold me here

He wished he could have changed something. Her former words circulated in his head endlessly.

'Love you, Niklaus.'

And she was gone.

Hold me here

Who was going to remind that someone loved him? Who was going to greet him with a kiss? Who was going to laugh with him?

Hold me here

Yes, she brought him agony, tears—tons of it—she made him feel absolutely pathetic.

But he had never loved a person that their departure was making him want not to see tomorrow.

And he did not get to say that he loved her.

Hold me here

He hoped she heard him out.

Closing his eyes, letting his tears fall upon his cheeks, he wished he had a chance, he wished she would come back to him.

The only walls that hold me here

0o Present o0

When Klaus opened his eyes back at the full moon, his smile grew wider.

It felt good, it felt right.

Serenity was not something he would experience frequently. That day, that moment seemed he had nothing to worry.

It almost felt like he found what he lost? Why?

Caroline was sleeping sound in his bed while he enjoyed the view from balcony.

He dragged gaze all way back to the gracious moon.

Ah, it was wonderful. Not even a single concern prevailed in his head.

That was when she murmured something in sleep. His name. He glanced back at her sleeping form, noticed she wasn't sleep talking but she was looking for him.

"You don't want to sleep?" she mumbled, half-sleepy, pulling covers bit closer while she turned to his side. By that time, he was reaching her and smiled lightly.

"I will." He answered, not sure if she was conscious.

Eyes closed, she said groggily. "Come on then. It is late already."

Klaus' mouth was thinned. He climbed upon the mattress soon after that as she moved, giving room for him.

Still turned at his side, Caroline did not open her eyes.

It was not supposed to be familiar, staying at this proximity to her. Klaus wondered, how it was even possible.

"I'm glad I found you." He said absentmindedly.

Of course, she was in sleep again. Though it did not matter. He felt like he returned to something, something like a home.

This time he drifted into slumber rather quickly.

0o 9 o0


Ah, that is how I planned end the Past segment. Let me know how you liked the chapter? Now we focus only on Present era.

Lyrics taken from Letters from the sky song by Civil Twilight. I do not own them.

I'm very sorry for not updating frequently. Life had become a mess that I feel like walking on the rocky path with barefoot. And I had to remind myself that we are all having demons, just the different levels, but the similar fight.

Happy New Year y'all! Hope for the best and bright days ahead.

Thanks for the support! Keep in touch, take care =)