notes: this one's set in the past, back when Klaus and Hayley were rebellious teenagers and before the birth of Hope and Henrik, obviously :) hope you enjoy!
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love me like you do
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x: and i'd get down on my knees for you
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He is seventeen years old when he decides to run away from home. Klaus Mikaelson wasn't always the most ambitious teenager. He liked art, and reading books that were outside of the school's curriculum. He also liked to skip class and spend most of his time wasting his family's fortune. Which is probably the reason why he and his girlfriend ended up renting a hotel room.
They had been dating for almost an entire year. It was probably the longest relationship either of them had ever been in. Hayley Marshall doesn't even know how she fell madly in love with such an annoying young man. But, she supposes that it was just some weird twist of fate. Either that or his timing was just impeccable.
Regardless, Hayley still foolishly agreed to leave town with her rebellious boyfriend. She packed herself an overnight bag, grabbed her favorite leather jacket, and hopped on to the back of his motorcycle. They drove off in to the sunset, resembling some kind of horribly written action film.
Hayley felt so overwhelmed by Klaus' sense of adventure.
"Where should we go next, sweetheart?" he quipped, peaking over her shoulder as she stared at the map. They had circled all the places they could visit. And so far, Klaus and Hayley only made it to two different destinations. As it turns out, travelling on a motorcycle isn't really all that convenient.
"I was thinking Vegas maybe?" Hayley suggested while she felt his lips against her bare shoulder. She tried to ignore his constant need for affection. "It sounds fun, we could get fake ids, gamble a little, drink a lot, have the time of our lives―"
"Maybe even get married by an Elvis impersonator?" Klaus suddenly released, smiling sharply. His arms were tightly wrapped around her waist, pulling her close and crushing her back against his chest.
Hayley took a deep breath, trying to process his request. "You mean, like in all those terrible movies?" she attempted to laugh it off.
He looked a little nervous. "Yeah," Klaus stammered. "Something like that," he mumbled softly.
She only noticed how awkward this was once he released her. Her boyfriend was acting a little strange. He had always been rather moody, but lately, he just seemed like he wanted more from her. His desires consisted of constant commitments and promises, which surprised Hayley. Klaus had changed for her. And, in return, she wonders if she's changed for him as well.
"Wait," Hayley says. "Were you serious about that? Do you actually wanna marry me?" she figures out, and his sense of hesitation reveals more than he can ever afford to tell her.
"Perhaps, sometime in the near future," Klaus slowly admits to her. His partner widened her eyes in shock. She seemed like she was having a lot of trouble understanding his latest statement. "Why do you look so surprised?" He chuckled.
"No reason," she insisted, as she crossed her arms around her chest. She avoided his gaze, feeling far too anxious by this sudden conversation. "It's just…you don't seem like the marrying-type," Hayley reminded him.
It was a comment he had once made back they first started dating. However, Klaus wanted to prove to her that he was no longer that cold-blooded, dark-hearted, ruthless monster she once knew. "Well," he sighed. "That was before I met you," he blushed, as his heartbeat sped up.
"Oh god, please stop that," she giggled, while she playfully hit his shoulder. "You sound like a bad romance novel," Hayley explained.
She hated anything that reminded her of fairytales. And it's mostly because they were just part of an endless list of broken promises. Hayley had felt alone for the majority of her life. Ever since her mother abandoned her and her adoptive parents passed away, the young girl never really managed to connect with anyone. That is, until she met Klaus.
"I think it might be nice," his voice interrupts her thoughts. He wonders about what marriage could be like. "You and I, a house on the prairie, maybe we'll even get a dog," Klaus honestly told her.
"A cat," she corrected, smirking. "We're getting a cat," she repeated.
"Fine," the blond nodded, while he placed a hand on her cheek. "We'll get a cat," he agreed, while pressing their foreheads together.
Hayley longingly gazes at him for a bit too long.
(It's the first time she's noticed that his sparkling blue eyes have a little bit of green in them).
"Marriage," she whispers. "You make it sound weirdly tempting. I don't think anyone's ever promised me something so permanent," the brunette shrugs, reaching for his hand and slowly wrapping her fingers around his wrists.
"I care about you," Klaus hums. "And I think I want to be with you for a long time," he says, strongly.
"I…" she hesitates. It's just such a big move. But, she wanted this, more than anything. "I want to be with you too," Hayley voiced.
Finally, he pulls her in for a kiss. Klaus' lips smash in to hers, as they are tender, sweet, and terribly gentle.
"So, Vegas it is then?" he asked, pulling away.
"Yup," she smiled.
Hayley wrapped her arms around his neck, held him close. She allowed herself to be a little more vulnerable. For once, she was just relieved. She felt safe around Klaus because, in the end, he was her home.
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