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Prompt: "Everyone keeps telling me you're the bad guy."

This is another short but sweet one given to me off of a list of prompts. It predates everything after 3x11. I decided to go back to the beginning and pretend to retcon. It may be slightly OOC but...I really don't care. Hope you enjoy!


I'll Tell You All About Being the Bad Guy

"Everyone keeps telling me you're the bad guy."

Klaus looked up from his seat, surprised to see the blonde of his dreams hovering over him with a questioning look. He wasn't particularly in the mood for company when he'd gone in to the Mystic Grille, however he wasn't averse to her company.

It'd only taken meeting her the one time in the Mystic Falls gymnasium to learn that she was special, and it only took saving her life one time for him to know that she was the piece of his heart that had gone missing. Caroline Forbes. His kryptonite. His glance was brief and unenthused. Desperate hybrids were not appealing, as was evident by Tyler Lockwood.

"My reputation precedes me," he said dully, lifting his tumbler to take a generous sip of his bourbon.

"So you're not bad?"

He looked up again, surprised she was still there. "I think that opinion is one you should formulate on your own," he told her. His eyes narrowed, his nose scrunched, and his distaste for humanity became evident. "People tend to exaggerate, make irrational judgements based on hearsay. I'm of the mind that there should be equal opportunity given to get to know someone before deciding whether or not you want to keep them in your life." He looked up again, into her eyes this time, hoping she wouldn't see his longing. Just his sincerity.

"Well. First impressions are everything," she pointed out with her cheeky Caroline flair.

He smiled, two little dimples indenting either cheek in the most adorable way. "Indeed they are."

"Yours kind of sucked, by the way."

He hung his head with a silent chuckle. "I was a bit preoccupied at the time."

"With killing Tyler? Yeah. I know." She rounded the table to sit across from him, folding her hands neatly on its surface. "So," she started pointedly. "Apart from the obvious, what makes you bad enough that everyone is so afraid of you? Did you like, murder babies? Or eat puppies or something?"

He laughed outright this time, bringing his fist to his lips to try to stifle it. "Sorry…I'm sorry. I was just…attempting to imagine this preconception of me you have in your mind. It's very charming."

She rolled her eyes. "That's comforting."

He cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "I can assure you, I have never murdered a child nor dined on any canine mammals."

"Fine. Then tell me why everyone says I should be afraid of you."

"You're a smart girl, Caroline. I have no doubt you already know why."

"Yes, you're a thousand year old hybrid that is literally unkillable. And yes, you wreaked terror on our town. Clearly you're not...good."

"See? You're more cognizant than you give yourself credit for."

"I'm talking about me, Klaus. Why should I be afraid of you? I mean the whole town is shaking in their boots just at the thought of you."

"And they should be." He downed the rest of his drink, expression sobering. "So should you."

"Why?"

"Well let's evaluate, shall we? First, there was that little ritual I performed, killing your friend and her aunt."

She pressed her lips together with a nod. "Good point."

"Then there's also the 500 year vendetta against Katerina. The Salvatores have been particularly vocal about that one, though that doesn't directly affect you so maybe we can exclude that from the list." She rolled her eyes. "And let's not forget, my biggest transgression: sending your boyfriend to fatally bite you." She frowned and averted her gaze. His eyes narrowed as he finally watched her facade drop. "Why are you really here, Caroline?"

"I wanted to know why," she said quietly.

"I just told you."

"I wanted to know why you tried to kill me."

He swallowed and felt his chin lift, his lips sneer. "I wonder what your friends would think of your facing me alone. Courageous? Reckless?" His eyes narrowed in curiosity.

"Don't deviate, Klaus. You owe me an answer."

He rolled his eyes, impatient. "I was testing a theory." He got up, storming out before she could ask more. He should have known she'd be waiting outside the door.

"Why me, of all people?"

"I would think that answer would be obvious. Tyler was sired, you were his girlfriend. Your crossing paths was inevitable and entirely too convenient."

"So you just picked me because I was easy."

"If it makes you feel any better, you were my first choice." She scoffed, shaking her head and looking away. He looked down, trying to find a way to recover. "I don't pretend to be anything other than what I am. Perhaps I am the bad guy. But if I could do it over, I wouldn't change it. Not if it meant I got to spend that night with you in my arms, saving you from a life you thought you wanted and giving you the one you deserve."

Caroline blinked rapidly, eyes darting as she tried to handle the conflicting emotions inside her. She knew she was blushing and desperately tried to ignore it so it would disappear faster, but her heartbeats were unavoidably loud to the trained vampire ear. She finally met his gaze again, helpless and at a loss for words.

Klaus nodded once with a thin-lipped smile, understanding the fear and the incomprehensible desire in her eyes. She wanted what she offered, but she wasn't at that level of acceptance yet. Knowing she was far from ready for the life he promised, he spared her one last glance and walked away from her, knowing this wouldn't be the last time he would have to, and hopeful that one day she might follow.