Ch 10.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Caroline woke in the best way she could imagine. The first thing she felt was Klaus' tongue on her pussy. She was halfway to an orgasm before she knew it. Looking down, he was covered by the sheets. She closed her eyes and pictured her insatiable, gorgeous lover.
When Klaus felt her wake up and move a little more, he pushed her smooth thighs up towards her chest and kept her open to continue working at her clit and digging into her grasping hole.
She put her arm against her mouth, stifling her moans and whimpers as she writhed around, losing her mind. He focused on her swollen clit and it was too much.
Coming explosively, all the tension that he helped build up with his teasing left her in a rush. She dropped her arm from her mouth and panted.
Pulling the sheet back over his head, Klaus gave her a weird look as she smiled down on him, running her fingers through his hair.
"I know you came, but why were you so quiet?" He knew her body as well as his own already and she was never that quiet. He loved the noises she made, turning him on even more. She relished the pleasure he gave her and it was refreshing.
She gave him a look. "I don't want your brother to hear me."
He grinned and kissed her leg near his head.
Diving back down, using his fingers inside of her, he worked her up towards another orgasm. Once was never enough for Caroline. "I want to hear you."
"Klaus," she whispered, trying to scold him, eyes fluttering closed.
Keeping his fingers inside of her, he moved up her body so he could whisper in her ear.
"You haven't told me to stop. If you say 'stop,' I will. Another undiscovered turn on? My, my Miss Forbes. Perhaps a bit of an exhibitionist?" His fingers were moving quickly, fucking her furiously and she was on the edge again. "Do you want an audience, Caroline? Do you want someone to walk in on us? To see me fucking you? See how dirty you like it? Let me hear you, Caroline." He licked and sucked on her neck.
She knew she was going to come and she wouldn't be able to hold back. She was so open with Klaus when it came to sex and didn't want that to change. She loved being loud with him. She loved the seduction of his words.
Her breathing got louder and he could feel her pulsing around him. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, gripping his back and pulling his face further into her neck.
"That's it. I know how to make you scream."
His other hand slipped under her body and worked it's way towards her ass. Him just insinuating something would happen had her on the edge of a mind-numbing climax.
With his fingers inside of her, his thumb circling her clit, one finger from his other hand pressing against the bud of her ass, and his words encouraging her, she screamed his name in pleasure, letting it all out. Her body contorted in endless spasms. He moved over her, spread her legs, and pushed inside. It felt amazing. Her eyes rolled back and he groaned at the sensation.
"The rooms are spelled. When the door is closed, no one can hear inside. Tell me what you want, Caroline."
In that case, "Fuck me, Klaus. Fuck me. Fuck me the way I like it." She got louder and louder.
He fucked her hard, fast, and deep. She came again, moaning and whimpering as she wished. It's as if once she knew she couldn't be overheard, she had to speak. "You're so big, Klaus. You fuck me so good."
He pulled her legs from around his hips up onto his shoulders. She felt even tighter that way, gripping him. "That's it, Caroline. I'll fuck you like you need it. I'll take care of you."
After she came again like a freight train, she pushed him off her, positioning him so he was sitting up against the headboard. She licked along the length of his big cock that had just been inside of her, tasting them both. He groaned, unable to take it much longer.
"I didn't want Elijah to hear you crying out my name." She winked and lowered herself on him. Sitting up and down on him, using her knees for leverage, she got friction in front. Her breasts were pressed between them as they worked hard to pleasure each other and get pleasure for themselves.
"He would have too," Klaus agreed and they kissed. "So sexy, Caroline. So good. So tight and wet. Fuck me."
"I am." She worked harder and her clit brushed his pubic bone as he pulled her closer to him over and over. His arms helped lift her hips up and down his length. "I'm going to come."
"All over me," he agreed, unable to hold back much longer. Her pussy was gripping him so tightly and she'd come around him too many times to not come himself.
She climaxed and he followed her, both of them calling the other's name. He filled her completely. That's how they were in bed together most of the time, loud, dirty, and it was good.
"Good morning, Klaus," she barely got out, arms wrapped around him, chest still heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
He pressed kisses to her breasts, leaning down to suck each nipple into his mouth quickly. "Good morning, Caroline," he said with a grin.
Gently she got up and sat next to him, brushing her hair from her face, still breathing hard. "That was amazing. We are still so good at that."
After cuddling and relaxing for a while, fingers tracing his tattoo, she asked him a question. "What are we doing today, Romeo?"
"Do you want to go to an art museum? Tulane has a small one."
"Sure." She wanted to know more about his interests.
"Then I have something planned for later."
Something about the twinkle in his eye and the sly way he said it had her on guard. "Why am I already nervous?"
He merely shrugged and gave her his wolf smile.
She tossed her pillow at him which led to more fun under the covers.
Caroline jumped in the shower and he joined her. Having him wash her hair felt like heaven. He was mesmerized as she shaved her legs. Another intimacy they shared. The shower took longer than necessary, but it was fun.
After a quick breakfast, including some blood, they went to the art museum. He told her the history of the pieces, the time period they reflected, as well as about the art with his critical eye. He nonchalantly showed her around the university campus located right in New Orleans. She knew what he was doing, but since she did consider it, transferring schools, it made sense to see it in person. The campus wasn't full with the semester not yet starting, but it was really beautiful. She'd admit it was a lot nicer than Whitmore. She'd have to do research into the drama department.
Lunch near campus followed and they drove back to his home. "Change into shorts and sneakers. Put your hair up."
"Are you going to tell me what we're doing?"
"No."
That was it. No.
She squinted up at him the entire walk from the car into the house. He was asking her to trust him and she would. For now. He wanted to trust her and she'd have to lead and show that she could trust him too.
Even if it drove her crazy.
Changing into shorts and cute v-neck T-shirt, she put her hair back into a braid. She was ready as soon as her laces were tied.
He appreciated her restraint from asking him a thousand questions when they were in his SUV. He drove them to the middle of rural Louisiana. It was all very lush and green.
"Close your eyes."
"Seriously?" She really thought that was too much. She couldn't not ask questions and keep her eyes closed. Something had to give, but she did close her eyes, covering them with her hands.
"Is it an elephant ride? Is it a massage? Are we riding horses again? Are you going to turn into your wolf?"
Control freaks needed control.
Within five minutes they pulled to a stop.
"Can I look now?" Her fingers started to spread, dying to peek.
"Ten seconds."
He opened her door.
"Ok," he said, holding her hand.
It looked like an open field with an industrial-looking building to her left. There were a few cars in the lot around them, but she still didn't know what they were doing. There were no signs she could see.
Then she heard a noise that got closer and closer.
A small plane landed on a runway she didn't initially see off to their right, coming to a smooth halt.
"Are we going to fly a plane?"
"No, sweetheart. We're going to jump out of one."
What?
She laughed. "No. No way. Planes are for people to sit on and use to go places, not leap out of for no good reason." She kept laughing and stopped when he didn't laugh.
He smirked, expecting her reaction.
"Caroline. You are a vampire. This is nothing to fear. Do you think I'd bring you someplace where you would get hurt?"
She started to gesture.
"What if a gust of wind blows my parachute and I get caught in a tree that stakes me? What if a bird pecks a hole in the parachute?"
"It won't happen. I swear. Show me the fearless kick-ass vampire."
Most goody-goody humans didn't go sky-diving. Human Caroline never would have considered it. Her kick-ass vampire side was sightly interested though. Why not let loose and give it a try? It would be a big gesture to herself, especially the vampire part she kept on a tight leash, and to him.
She bit her lip.
"I would be strapped to someone, right?"
Klaus knew he had her then and squeezed her hand.
"Me. We get a quick lesson so you know what's happening."
She nodded. That was good. Answers were good.
"I'll compel them to let us go together…unless you want one of the humans."
"No." Caroline stopped him quickly. "I trust you."
Klaus would do almost anything, maybe everything, for her, including keeping her safe. She didn't doubt that.
"You have done this before, right?" She hope he didn't have illusions of grandeur about being an expert when he wasn't. It was a distinct possibility.
"Yes."
As they were talking, a van pulled up with people who had just jumped. They were all high on adrenaline. Caroline didn't see any freakishly broken bones or other horrific injuries. She looked of course. Instead she saw a group of smiling and laughing people.
"I cannot believe I'm agreeing to this," she muttered. "Let's go skydiving, Klaus."
There was the risk taker he knew was in there. The approval shone in his eyes and he kissed her. She was trusting him and letting him show her something new, expanding her limits. She was amazing.
Caroline signed her life away and they watched a video. She would literally have very little to do, but she paid attention, especially to the landing part.
Before she knew it, she had the harness and plain overalls on. Klaus did too. He did his compulsion, explaining he was an expert jump master and they got in the small gray plane. They were the only ones there for that particular time. Caroline was glad. It mean less witnesses if she totally melted down.
"Please don't show off," she requested when they were attached together. She was trying to stay in control.
"Next time?" he asked and despite her anxiety, she laughed. "I promise you'll be fine."
She nodded and took a deep breath.
They made their way to the door. She was attached to Klaus' front.
Caroline had been avoiding looking out the window, staring straight ahead or at her hands.
The door was opened at 10,000 feet and they waddled to the edge. Her eyes became huge when she looked down with the wind whipping at them, making her eyes water. No one should be doing this for fun. It wasn't fun. It was terrifying.
Klaus stepped up and she went into her pose where he would be the one pushing off.
The worker started the countdown.
3… What was she doing?
2… Her mom was going to kill her.
1… OH. MY…
Klaus pushed off and they were falling from a perfectly good plane.
Caroline screamed and screamed. Klaus released the small, minor parachute perfectly. They were going 120 miles per hour. Klaus did as promised and kept it simple. They were facing down as they fell from the sky.
Once she took a breath and realized she was doing it, she calmed some, watching the green and brown below turn into a quilt of yards, woods, and fields. It was still scary, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
He deployed the main parachute, red and black, and they were jolted up and back, but then she calmed more. That worry, that the parachute wouldn't open, was gone. Caroline took the steering controls for a second while he adjusted their harnesses, just like they learned to do. Klaus took the controls back and that's when she started to enjoy herself, floating down as the ground got closer and closer. It didn't last long, but it was beautiful.
"Feet up," he yelled when it was time. Her legs went perpendicular and like the expert he claimed to be, he landed them perfectly on the landing spot with no issues.
Her heart was beating a million miles an hour and her legs felt like jelly, but she also felt like a million dollars and she was alive. Sort of. She never felt so alive. Her insides were jittery with adrenaline.
He unhooked them and she kissed him.
"That was a-maz-ing." Her cheeks were flushed and she kissed him again and again.
He kissed her for doing it and coming out like a pro.
He wrapped up the parachute and the guy from the van waiting for them helped.
"How long did that take?" she asked, unable to get the smile off her face.
"About ten minutes."
"That's it? It felt like a thousand."
Once their harnesses and gear were off, they got in the van. Caroline practically sat in his lap in her excitement. She didn't stop smiling or telling him how great it was and what she saw. His little adrenaline junkie. They took a photo together of course.
Once back at their car where the lot was empty, she jumped on him and he backed up so he was resting against the SUV.
"I loved it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
He was thrilled and beamed at her. She kissed his dimples. "That was amazing. You were amazing, Caroline."
"Only because you were with me."
That made him feel really good. The jump was awesome and being able to go with her was better.
He kissed her again and let her drop down to the ground. She clapped and got in the car. Once the high started to wear off, she got tired. It was exhausting to get so worked up and let it all go.
"Dinner?" he asked.
"Dinner," she agreed. She was tired, but she was always hungry.
Thai food near Klaus' home followed. Crisp white wine and pad thai hit the spot. He told her of other times he'd gone skydiving. She still thought he was crazy, but he was fearless when it came to physical things.
"Would you go again?" He finished his own glass of wine.
"Not tomorrow, but yes, again," she agreed. What other things wasn't she doing because she was afraid? She'd have to think about it.
It wasn't that he loved skydiving in particular, but he wanted her to stretch her limits. She could do more and be more. He could do anything and so could she.
Once they'd showered the hot day away, they climbed into bed. Elijah was out. They made love before falling asleep in each other's arms.
The following morning, Saturday, they went down for breakfast. He opened the fridge and held the blood bag in his hand. He picked her up with the other and put her on the counter.
Holding the blood out of reach, "If you try to drink from me again…" She made a face. "…I'll agree to talk about something I don't want to. If not, that's ok too. We'll try again some other time."
She was intrigued. Klaus loved making deals and maybe she could work with this. She didn't want the 'drinking from the vein thing' to hang over her head. She wanted to succeed at it in case she needed to. "With actual words? For more than a minute?"
"Yes."
"You're on. Should we do the same thing as last time?"
"Drink." He gave her the blood bag. If she wasn't hungry, maybe she could get the hang of it faster. She drank and he explained, settling himself between her legs so he was in position. "I'll count, but this time I'll keep counting until you stop."
"What if it's too long?" She looked down and put her empty blood bag aside. He had to help her stop last time.
"If it's too long, I'll stop you. The point is to be aware of your surroundings and getting past the rush. It's dangerous to get too lost, so focus as soon as you can." He didn't want her to get too distracted that she wasn't aware of any dangers that could be lurking if she had to drink from someone in public.
She took a deep breath and focused. Taking his head in her hands, she tipped it to the side. As before, she kissed the spot before her vampire features came out and her fangs sank into his skin. Like before, the blood hit her tongue and she was lost.
Compared to the blood she just drank, it was like going from tofu to cheesecake. He was so delicious.
Klaus began to count, feeling as intimately tied to her as any of the times they made love. His blood was fueling her. The pinch of her fangs was inconsequential.
15…16…17
He got louder as he counted, tapping his fingers on her hips every time too.
22…23…24
Klaus heard something and Elijah whipped open the door, smelling blood. To say Elijah was shocked would be an understatement. Never had he seen such a thing as his brother offering his blood straight from the vein. Miss Forbes, Caroline, was not merely close or his brother's girlfriend. She was so much more. Something he hadn't seen in a thousand years. She was in his brother's heart.
Klaus' now yellow eyes met his, still counting, and Elijah left, not wanting to disturb the clearly intimate moment, needing to make sense of things.
36…37…38
Caroline lifted her head. 38 was the only number she heard. She used her fingers to clean up the drops of blood from her mouth and licked the fang marks on his neck. If she didn't have to stop and it wouldn't hurt him, she never would.
Finally looking up as her features were dissipating, she made a disappointed face.
"You stopped yourself," he said before she could.
"That would have killed a human though," she argued. "Plus I was already full."
"Maybe, but I'm teaching you and I'm not a human. We'll try again."
Reluctantly she nodded. She wasn't as bad as last time, but she was still unsettled. Making a mistake could kill someone. She hated that.
"Do you want to run?" he asked quietly, expecting it.
"Yes…or…," she whispered, putting her arms around his neck and wrapping her legs around his waist, feeling energized by all the blood, especially Klaus' blood still lingering in her mouth.
"Or?" His attention was certainly caught when she said it in that tone.
She whispered quickly against his lips. "We could have sex on your dining room table like we used to."
Before she finish speaking, he whooshed them to the dining room, closing the doors securely although he was sure Elijah had left.
They had sex as dirty and as energetic as they ever had.
"That was amazing," she said as she wiped the sweat off her brow, laid out across the dark wood table, fingers running through the sweat on her collarbone. What was it about this house that brought out the sex freak in her? "I did a lot of stretching just then, but I miss running with you. Can we do it now?"
He was slumped over in one of the chairs, head on his arms, and she smiled to see how much she'd taken from him. The poor guy was worn out by her. It made her feel amazing.
Klaus felt amazing too, but spent. He didn't want to move and was quiet until she got up and sat in his lap, moving his limbs to get into position. "I have several fantasies involving watching you run and then catching you," he admitted, cupping her ass in his hands, squeezing.
She winked, sure that it was his inner wolf that like that so much. They got dressed and went for a run.
Klaus stopped her at one point in the park which wasn't crowded due to the heat of the day. As she watched, he compelled and then drank from a guy out for a power walk. Klaus did it with ease. The guy was slightly paler afterwards, but he walked off fine. They went back to running. She wasn't sure how she felt about him adding a supernatural element to her human sport, but she did drink from him and blood was how they lived.
They ran and they raced. He ogled her ass, pretending to tie his shoe laces over and over. She did the same to him, pretending to have a cramp in her leg. He won the races, but she had fun and made him earn it.
Another shower and fun followed.
"Can you stay until tomorrow?" he asked as they got dressed.
Caroline considered it. Hiding out in New Orleans wasn't an option, but if she left in the morning, she'd still have time to get home, prepped, and moved in.
"I'll have to leave early."
He gave her a big smile and she knew it was the right decision. Plus her phone was silent. No one was calling her back home, other than her mom checking in.
They had a light lunch and went up to his room. Caroline wanted to finish his closet project.
Pulling out of all his underwear and socks, what could be more girlfriend-like than that, she matched and threw away as he watched.
"I have a gift for you," he remembered. He left and came back with a medium-sized painting he held facing away from her.
She stood up.
"Really?"
He spun it around for her to see.
"I love it."
She looked up and he could see the truth of her words in her eyes. She got closer to touch the frame and get an even better look.
It was a beautiful painting of his home in New Orleans, but instead of his front lawn, he added a lake and the reflection in the water was of his home in Mystic Falls. Two halves. One whole.
"I love it," she said again. "The future and the past. The hybrid and the human. It's so beautiful and you are so talented. Thank you, Klaus."
Her appreciation of the art and her correct interpretation of what it meant hit him in the chest. She saw so much.
Klaus put it down for her to take with her and she kissed him in thanks. She then squatted in front of it for long moments so she could study it. She ran her fingers along his signature before standing back up.
Leading him to his bed, Caroline sat him down and she worked to finish her organizational task.
"Time to talk, Klaus."
He sighed.
"Rebekah or New Orleans. Your choice," she pointed with some of his socks in her hand.
"If I bring up New Orleans you get a pinched look on your face."
"I have a lot of thoughts on the subject, but it's your turn to talk."
Klaus sighed again and flopped back on the bed. So dramatic.
"I don't like this part of being in a relationship," he huffed.
She rolled her eyes. "You don't like talking to me? Sharing your burdens?"
"No," he pouted, all cranky now.
She laughed and threw some socks at him.
"That's not true. You love talking and you love talking to me. Talking about you not liking to talk, which is crazy, doesn't count. You promised. Elijah wants you to talk about Rebekah, which I agreed to bring up, but I am curious about what you're hiding from me here. Either one."
He was quiet.
"Klaus, please. We have to talk about these things. We can't get closer when they're in the way. Secrets don't make friends."
He rolled his eyes, but did speak quietly, looking up at the ceiling. "Rebekah is living in Los Angeles. She's taken up with some aspiring actor."
Caroline smiled. It sounded like the Original sister. She bet he was handsome. Rebekah had a great eye.
"Elijah has been to visit her. I think he wants to trick us into getting into a spelled room together until we kiss and make up."
She looked up, alarmed, but tried to play it off. "So I shouldn't have suggested just that to him?" she asked hopefully.
He sat up and glared. "No, Caroline. This isn't some melodramatic soap opera or television movie where that actually works."
Figures he'd see right through it before it got off the ground. "What do you want from her?"
"To beg for my forgiveness," he said coldly.
Caroline got up to sit next to him. "She's not going to beg. Mikaelsons order if anything. They don't beg. You wouldn't want her to beg anyone for anything because you love her. Does it bother you that it sounds like she's ok without you?"
He got up to pace and wing his arms about with each word. "She needs me."
"To be her brother? Yes. To order her around? No."
"Whose side are you on?" He glared.
"The side that gets you and your sister talking again. That's your side."
He was still peeved. How could Rebekah just be fine? Did she wonder what he was doing? Why didn't she come back?
Caroline watched him pace and get worked up. The afternoon sun poured through the windows, catching him in pools of light as he walked. He was so beautiful. She wanted to help him.
"If she apologized and 'didn't beg for mercy'…" She did the air quotes. "…would you allow her to come back?"
Klaus considered it for a long time and she held her breath. "Yes."
That was huge.
"And talk to her as your sister? The one you love?"
"I would…try," he said miserably.
That was good. A good start. "What if she decided not to come back?"
"Then she shouldn't apologize," he snapped.
"I'm not sure she will." He glared at her again and she didn't flinch. "I don't think you can go back to how it was, Klaus."
She put her hand out to him and he sat, clearly uncomfortable. She put her head on his shoulder, interlocking their fingers. "If you stopped trying to control her life, I think both of you would be happier. It would be nice if she knew about us, right? That you're happy." She looked up at him. "Are you happy? Honestly?"
She wanted to know the truth, especially after her conversation with Elijah.
"Yes, I'm happy."
He was. Things weren't perfect, but there was a new joy in his life that hadn't been there before. If he could have Rebekah back too…
"You probably have to apologize to her too and find a new way," Caroline tried. "It will be hard, but you're the strongest person I've ever met. You can do it and if you want my help, I'm offering it."
"What about New Orleans?"
"What about it?"
"If I needed your help here, would you offer it then too?"
Great question.
"Do you need it?"
Klaus just looked at her as she bit her lip.
"I don't understand everything that's happening here and I have a lot of reservations." She squeezed his hand tighter when she saw his expression change. "If you want to be a leader to make this city great and not be a tyrant or dictator looking for sycophants to exert control over, then yes. Yes, I'll help you lead. That's the person you can be. You know it, Klaus. At some point I'm going to need to know which one of those you want to be though."
He knew what she wanted, but he needed to figure out what he wanted and why he wanted it. All he could see were the things he craved, Caroline and New Orleans. He knew what he wanted from her; love, security, and acceptance. What did he want from New Orleans other than to possess it?
"Are you giving me an ultimatum? You or New Orleans?" His words were soft. Both could see the confrontation coming.
"No. I'm telling you the truth about what I will accept. I can't come in second place." Not after what she went through with Tyler. "I don't want to be the only thing in your life, Klaus. Honestly, but I can't go through that again."
Klaus knew what it was like to not be wanted, to feel unappreciated or unnoticed. That vulnerability and weakness he turned into rage and domination. He demanded respect and fear.
He saw how she was overlooked with Tyler and her friends. He understood her, but it wasn't easy. He wanted all of it. He wanted everything.
She squeezed his arm and got up to put the last items away. She then led him to his new closet. She'd had to get his clothes for him that morning since he said he couldn't find anything.
"Come look at your new closet."
She pointed everything out, where things were, and why, giving him too many details really, but she was in her comfort zone.
"You have so much room now."
"Because you threw everything away." He tried to be present and to not think about all the things she had just said until he had more time. Both in his life and his closet, Caroline came in and changed everything.
"You're welcome."
"Thank you?"
She laughed, breaking the tension a little. "Thank you for letting me do it. Although, I didn't see the pink shorts you bought."
"A true mystery." He smirked at her. "Do you feel like a run?" he asked. "I feel like a run."
"We already ran today, but sure let's go again."
She shared running with him and she loved that he used it the same way she did, as a release.
It was a quick run with more whooshing than anything, enough to get their minds off of things they would soon need to face. Later on they got dressed up for dinner out in the French Quarter. Caroline put on a tight black dress. Klaus wore some dark jeans and a black Henley. They made an appearance in the Quarter, not getting into any trouble, but strutting their way around looking like the gorgeous couple they were. They turned heads everywhere they went, but they only had eyes for each other.
After their leisurely dinner and drinks, they changed for bed and watched a movie together in his bedroom.
She yawned and snuggled into the cool sheets. Her lids were heavy and she knew she had to get up early the next day.
"I want to sleep. I also want an orgasm."
He chuckled and looked down at her. "When you decide, let me know."
She pat his leg and when he looked down again she was asleep.
Looking back, he was in a real relationship with a girlfriend. They talked about serious subjects. They fought. They laughed. They made love. They fucked. They ate together. They slept together. They shared things. He saw her without makeup. She saw him when he was vulnerable. She fell asleep on him. He fell asleep on her. It was real. Supernatural highs and human lows, with so much in between.
Sunday morning, she rolled and reached for her phone to see the time. It was early. "Klaus," she whispered as she rolled back towards him.
He woke up immediately, already on alert.
"I need to get on the road," she reminded him.
He nodded sleepily, but instead of getting up, he got on top of her and gave her that orgasm she wanted the night before, plus he wanted to be with her one more time too before she left.
Caroline got up and used the bathroom, getting dressed for her long drive in some capris and sleeveless top.
Klaus used the bathroom while she packed up the few items scattered near his bed that she was taking back with her.
"You forgot some things in here," he called out the door to her, eyeing her toothbrush and toiletries spread over the vanity.
She walked to the doorway. "I thought I could leave them here, along with the clothes in the drawer and running stuff."
Their eyes met in the mirror. He smiled and she did too.
As they made their way through the room after he put on some green boxers and a white T-shirt, he picked up her bag and the painting, bringing them downstairs.
"Have some blood before you go."
She took a few minutes to have a blood bag and quick breakfast as he watched.
"Where's your fruit, Hades?"
He grinned and found a banana for her, something his housekeeper provided. He wished he could give her some fruit that would always have her coming back to him like mythical Hades.
Walking to her car, she got emotional, flashing back to the last time she left that way, driving back to Mystic Falls when they agreed to start this relationship. He put her mostly empty tote bag on the passenger seat and the painting in the back seat.
She stood in front of him and played with his necklaces. His hands played in her hair, smoothing it over her shoulders. Neither knew what to say.
"Hold onto this for me until I take it back," he said, slipping a necklace over his head and onto her.
"If we're apart, we need to be strong. We need to communicate better than we have been."
He agreed.
"Your friends are important to you, for better for worse, mostly worse to be honest. Don't apologize for me, Caroline. Their opinions only matter if they hurt you or come between us."
"I don't want to talk about them anymore. We're good. I feel good about us. This. So, I'm going to go back to school and kick-ass, ok?" The tears started to fill her eyes.
"Ok," he smiled. "I'm proud of you. I'm going to kick ass here. Marcel's in particular, but," and she looked up, "I will think about everything you said. You have me, Caroline, and I know now how strong those bonds are. No matter what, I'll come for you." His thumb brushed away a tear.
She smiled and cried, nodding. She needed that. He was with her. Even when he was in Louisiana and she was in Virginia. He was with her and she hoped that meant that a misunderstanding wouldn't tear them apart. They were stronger than that.
Caroline also needed to know why he was doing what he was doing and that he wasn't just jealous of the toy that had been taken from him by someone else. He was better than that. He needed to figure that out.
"You always have me if you need me too, Klaus."
"I'll be back in Mystic Falls in two weeks," he reminded her. "Drive carefully."
"I'm already counting down." Her smile was sad and she felt like she was going to burst into tears as a few more slid down her pale cheeks. She quickly brushed them away and gave him a smile. She was trying to keep it together.
His mouth came down on hers and she put all her emotions into it, saying everything her words couldn't.
"Be good, Klaus," she said, trying to stay composed. "I'll call you when I stop for gas. I need you to drive me crazy on the phone more often. Be safe too, I worry about you. You mean so much to me."
He beamed, reassured despite sending back to the lion's den, and on that note she kissed him again and got in the car. Driving away, she watched him get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. No one else was stirring so early on a Sunday morning.
Caroline was picking up the pieces of her life. The biggest piece, Klaus, was back in place stronger than ever. How did it get that way? How did Klaus become such a big part of her life? It was as if she finally let go in Baltimore and he was creeping in to her heart more and more every day. With a new confident attitude, Whitmore and Mystic Falls weren't ready for her.
He set her a picture text of them after their skydiving adventure.
You can do anything-Klaus
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Hey Guest reviewer, I see your point completely. I don't think the way Caroline told him to get over his self-loathing or paranoia by "faking it until he makes it" or calling him out on it was good advice at all to anyone, least of all him. (Like she'd want him to be an arrogant douche all the time? No.) I think she was starting to panic and said it to change the way the conversation was going, to get through to him and throw him off before he was completely closed off and broke up with her. (I've positioned her as the reasonable, experienced one, but she isn't always right.)
While Klaus could have shut down completely, the opportunity and possibility to be with her, plus all the reassurances she gave him right after that were enough to keep him from spiraling and listen. She's challenging him in every relationship he has, plus he's finally getting little doses of the happiness that has always eluded him. The only way to get it, get her love, is to trust her. It won't be easy for either of them and you're right, he doesn't know what it means. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!