Request: AU/AH boarding school. Caroline or Klaus is the new shy student. Do what you want with it as long as there's romance!
Begin Again
Caroline giggles with her friends, Bonnie and Elena, as they lean against their lockers- their signature hang out spot in the morning. They have just passed their exceptionally difficult art exam and it is nice to simply catch their breath for a change.
Bonnie and Elena suddenly pause like they need to catch their breath at what they see behind her.
Caroline furrows her brows, confusion coloring her eyes. "What? What are you looking at?" Turning around, that's when she sees them.
Three aesthetic figures stride through the double doors of the entrance, entering the hall with a refined gait.
It seems that everyone in the hall pauses to hold their breath. She can't blame them; a family like that has to be ethereal.
She sucks in a breath when she makes eye contact with the boy in the middle with dark blonde curls and kissable red lips. His eyes are an intense shade of blue and there's a slight smirk on his face that she finds alluring. And he can't take his eyes off of her.
She finally exhales as they finally exit the hall.
"Oh. My. God," Elena and Bonnie exclaim at her.
"What?" Caroline looks at them, bewildered.
"Hot guy in the middle was totally checking you out, Care!" Elena clarifies.
"He totally was! Admit it. You know what we're talking about," Bonnie adds.
Caroline drops her head as her cheeks heat.
"I knew it!" Bonnie and Elena squeal in unison.
"Whatever." Caroline shakes her head. "I may never even see him again."
"Or you could have every class together," Bonnie teases. "They're new. It's possible."
"What do you mean?" Caroline asks.
She and Elena stare at their friend questioningly.
"All I know is that these hot siblings people call the Mikaelsons moved here from London. Parents were pretty negligent and let them party from all across Europe. Kids spiraled until they got so out of control that they sent them here. But most importantly, they're available." Bonnie grins widely.
"Of course those are your priorities." Caroline laughs.
It has been a few weeks now that the Mikaelsons joined their boarding school. Most of them have adjusted well. Rebekah Mikaelson has actually become one of Caroline's good friends after becoming a cheerleader, and Kol has found his own friends from his grade.
Then, there's Klaus.
Caroline tries to suppress her smile as she feels Klaus's eyes burning her cheek. She's been trying to ignore him during the entire lecture but she can't understand a thing Mr. Saltzman is saying with Klaus causing her skin to prickle.
She turns to him again and finds that his eyes are adhered to the front of the room once more, as if he hasn't been staring at her all period.
It's been weeks since they realized they have a handful of classes together. So why hasn't he made a move yet?
"Excuse me." Mr. Saltzman suddenly turns around from the board. "Caroline, Klaus, am I interrupting your staring contest?"
"Sorry, Mr. Saltzman," she mumbles while Klaus remains mute.
"Please save the heart eyes for after class, guys," Mr. Saltzman states dryly and is followed by a round of giggles. He starts walking towards Klaus, who seems disinterested. "Klaus, since you seem to like wasting my time, why don't I waste yours? Why didn't you do your homework again?"
"Well, there are several reasons," he drawls. "First, I didn't want to. Second, I was feeling a bit sloshed from the bourbon I consumed last night. And my sister was also giving me a headache."
Caroline gapes at him and runs a distressed hand over her face.
"I don't think I need to write you another detention slip, right?" The History teacher says tersely and points a sharp finger towards the door.
"No, I've become quite acquainted with the lady at the desk." He sneers as he heads towards the door, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Caroline reluctantly watches him leave. She shouldn't pity him- it's his own fault. He has to find his own way around here, just like the rest of them.
Caroline sways her body to the beat of the blaring music, balancing her drink as she skirts past a group of students. She beams when she finds Rebekah hanging in a corner with Klaus. "Hey!"
"Hi!" Rebekah exclaims. "Where were you?"
"I had to explain to a very drunk Bonnie why we can't smoke pot in here." She giggles and Klaus and Rebekah join her.
"Do you need a refill?" Rebekah offers. "I was just about to get Nik one." She holds a red cup in her hand as proof.
"Sure," Caroline answers demurely and is greeted with Klaus's charming smile once Rebekah leaves. "Are you liking it here?"
He shrugs. "I'm enjoying some aspects more than others." There's a glint in his eye as he pins her with a captivating gaze.
She curls a strand of hair behind her ear as she hides her smile. "Well, I'm sure you much prefer our wild parties compared to the tame parties in London, right?"
They both laugh as they survey the cozy dorm room filled with less than ten people and only two six packs on a table.
"Definitely," he says dryly. "At least I won't become an alcoholic anytime soon."
Caroline hesitates for a moment before proceeding with her question. "How are you doing? The adjustment, I mean. It wasn't easy for me when I first came here."
Klaus raises a curious brow. "You mean your parents didn't simply send you here because they wanted you to be an overachiever?" He smirks.
"I never said I wasn't an overachiever," she claims, feigning sternness. "But to answer your question, no. I was a wild child. I mean, isn't it obvious." She gestures to the tame room.
He grins at her and then his countenance becomes serious again. "What changed?"
She ruminates over his question. "Mostly, when I came here, I was surrounded by people who really cared. I came from a privileged, snotty background and it was nice for a while until you realized that you hated everyone around you and the feeling was mutual. I wasn't a very nice person then- I know it's hard to believe," she giggles nervously. "Trust me, you wouldn't have liked me. So when I came here, I got a rude awakening and got my act together."
"I would have," he utters. "Liked you."
Caroline's breath is stolen as her cheeks flush. "That's sweet, Klaus."
"I mean it," he insists.
Before she can respond, Rebekah has returned with their drinks and is dragging them both to the center of the room, demanding they join the game of spin the bottle.
"Oh, my God, Rebekah! I'm not in the mood tonight," Caroline protests, defenseless against the other blonde.
"Rebekah, I'm not going to play your trivial game," Klaus says irritatedly.
"Oh, stop being such buzzkills." Rebekah pouts. "You both need more alcohol. I will get more. Now sit down!"
The other students in the circle cheer as they reluctantly join the group. Someone passes Caroline an empty beer bottle and she hesitantly glances at the circle. There are plenty of attractive guys in the circle but she isn't sure she's up for it tonight. "Guys, I don't know if I should play." She's interrupted by a round of groans drowning out her voice. "Fine. One turn."
Everyone cheers as she spins the glass bottle, uncertain why her heart is suddenly racing. As it slows, she holds her breath, knowing exactly where it's going to stop.
She looks up to meet Klaus's curious eyes, finding his face closer than she has anticipated. Swallowing nervously, she leans in, feeling him mirror her actions. She feels his breath warm her lips, sending a surge of heat rushing through her body. Slowly, she closes the gap between their lips and his full ones envelope hers in a burning kiss.
She brings her hand up to caress his jaw, feeling his stubble scrape against her palm deliciously. Her tongue flirts with his as they indulge in the taste of the other.
His lips are soft and skilled and they're creating a fire inside her belly.
All too soon, their lips pull apart and they pant as they gaze into each other's lust-filled eyes.
Around them, everyone is making jokes about how they need to get a room, but, according to Caroline and Klaus, the only thing in existence in that moment is each other.
"That was incredibly disgusting." Rebekah grimaces and downs the rest of her drink. "When I told you to play spin the bottle, I didn't necessarily mean with each other."
Caroline feels her face heat again and jumps to her feet. "Sorry, Bex, I should go to bed. Bye, Everyone!" She quickly looks over her shoulder to wave. "Bye, Klaus!"
Caroline had been determined to play it cool. She told herself that she wouldn't be weird about what happened last night. However, that was before she realized how he's both a great kisser and great at art.
She keeps glancing at Klaus's easel, watching his masterpiece transform every few minutes. She has never been too great at being artistic concerning drawing or painting, but Klaus seems to have a gift for it.
She hopes he doesn't come over to see how bad at painting she is. She doesn't want to be an art major anyway- it's okay. She still resents the school for forcing her to take art.
"Hello, Caroline," he greets from behind her.
She practically jumps as she hurriedly turns around, purposefully blocking the canvas from his view.
He stares at her peculiarly, intrigued by her strange behavior.
"Hi." She smiles nervously. "What are you doing here? You should hurry up and finish your painting so I can admire it."
"I was going to wash my paintbrushes." He holds up the dirty brushes for her to examine.
She nods her head, suddenly realizing that the sink is right behind her easel. "Of course that's what you were gonna do. Sorry."
"No apology necessary. It gives me an excuse to admire you." He smirks.
She can't seem to find a witty response to brush off his comment so she lets her eyes drop, a small smile lighting up her face.
When he finishes watching the brushes, he turns back to her. "I like your painting, by the way. It's bright and so alive. The colors mingle together beautifully. It reminds me of you."
Before she can respond, Klaus is speaking again.
"I just have one recommendation. Don't hold your brush like that." He gently holds her wrist in one hand and aligns her fingers along the wooden brush; every sensual touch scorches her skin. "Yes, hold it like this." With his hand encasing her smaller one, he leads the brush over to the wet canvas. "Make sure your strokes are gentle, like you're stroking a lover." He leads her hand across the canvas like it's an art form.
Her breath hitches as she feels his chest rest right against her back, his accented voice brushing against her ear. She can only nod and feels her knees grow weak once he leaves. "So hot," she mumbles to herself.
Rebekah checks her makeup in Caroline's bathroom, ensuring that not a spec of powder is out of place. "So you're not like dating my brother, right?"
"What?" Caroline calls from her room. "That's a random question."
"No, not really, considering I live across the hall and I always catch him coming to see you."
Caroline stares at her friend, feeling like she's on trial. "Okay, yes, I've been helping him and he's been helping me."
"Do I even want to know what you assist each other with?" She scrunches her nose.
Caroline rolls her eyes. "I help him stay on track of his school work and he helps me with art."
"How do you help someone with art? Doesn't everyone receive an A whether they're Picasso or draw stick figures?"
"I'm an overachiever," Caroline says defensively.
Rebekah holds her hands up in surrender. "Someone's sensitive."
"Don't you have a date?" Caroline inquires.
"I knew you were trying to get rid of me."
She laughs and leads Rebekah to the door. "Love you. Be safe."
"Always," Rebekah promises and opens the door. She gives the other blonde a judgmental glare when Klaus is on the other side of it. "Oh, look who is here again. My darling brother."
"Always a pleasure, Sister." He greets her with a wry smile.
Rebekah crosses her arms suspiciously. "Why don't you visit me as much as you visit Caroline?"
"Because she's a pleasure to be around, not that you would know anything about that."
"Okay!" Caroline stands between the belligerent siblings with a hand on each of their shoulders. "I think that's enough for one one afternoon. Rebekah, you have somewhere to be. Klaus, you have homework to do. Can we please carry on with our day?"
Klaus and Rebekah both stand down as Caroline glares at them both.
With a huff, Rebekah leaves, the door closing soundingly behind her.
Sighing in relief, Caroline turns to Klaus. She has a slight smile on her face as she meets his mischievous eyes. "Do you want to start on Saltzman's essay? I've been so stressed about it I think I started planning my essay in my sleep."
They both laugh and Caroline begins assembling their usual study spot- her desk.
They work in silence for about an hour except for the times that Klaus asks her for her opinion on his paper. However, in the silence, Caroline bites her lip to prevent a wide smile from breaking across her face when she can feel Klaus's eyes burning her skin when he doesn't think she's paying attention. When she can't fight the urge to ignore his wandering eyes anymore, she'll glance at him, only to find that his eyes are glued back onto his laptop.
Then she returns her eyes to her own screen where smiles to herself while warmth fills her belly.
Once she's typing the last words of her essay, her eyes stray over to Klaus who's consumed by the last paragraph he is typing. She can't help but marvel at how much the boy sitting beside her has transformed. She still recognizes the free-spirited boy she had met months ago but the ambitious side of him has never been more transparent.
Before she can blink, Klaus sharply turns his head, stunned to find her so captivated by him. "What?" He smiles boyishly.
She blushes. "Nothing… I just… I've never seen you so motivated, that's all."
He shrugs. "No one ever thought I could succeed before. They never expected me to be better."
Caroline instinctively squeezes his hand and her heart skips a beat. "Anyone can see that you're brilliant, Klaus. You just have to give yourself a chance."
"You believe that?" He asks, sounding vulnerable. "You believe that I deserve a chance?"
"Of course," she says breathlessly.
Leaning his forehead against hers, he holds his breath until he feels their skin flush against the other. His eyes are wide. He stares at her like he thinks he's dreaming.
Caroline exhales heavily as she tastes his hot breath on her tongue. She remembers the burning kiss they had shared that night so many months ago. Her heart is pounding in her rib cage as she anticipates his lips against hers once more.
Klaus's eyes drop down to her pink lips before he tenderly closes the gap between them.
Caroline immediately sighs against his mouth as her lips eagerly accept his tongue. Her arms wrap around her neck. She presses herself against his sinewy body while her lips indulge in his warm mouth. Her entire body is ignited in a pleasant heat.
Their mouths move together like flames dancing in the moonlight.
She had been waiting for this moment for far too long and she would be damned if she held back now. Caroline grips onto him like she's afraid that he'll disappear if she drops her guard for even a moment, and Klaus is clutching onto her even more ardently.
Klaus suddenly lifts her onto his lap, having Caroline sit astride him. Caroline gasps in surprise and takes the opportunity to catch her breath from their frenzied kisses. Klaus then crushes her mouth against his for another fiery kiss, thrusting his tongue deep into her throat.
Caroline moans against him, her fingers tangling in his hair as he mirrors her movements. Once Caroline finally collects her thoughts, she reluctantly pulls away from him and cups his face in her hands. "Klaus… It's about time." She smiles, her entire face flushed.
He grins bashfully. "I wanted to tell you that I wanted you before."
"What stopped you?" she questions.
"I thought you deserved better," he mumbles. "You are everything I want to be. Even if you returned my feelings, I never wanted to hold you back. I would rather see you happy with someone else than hinder you from being great." His eyes are raw as he gazes into her shocked ones.
"Klaus…" Caroline breathes out. "You were always good enough. I don't care if you're valedictorian or picked up trash for the rest of your life. I care about you. Even when you didn't mean to, you made me better. So don't you dare say that you would hold me back."
He obediently nods and envelopes her lips in the safety of his reassuring lips again.
That was the last time Klaus ever questioned his contribution to Caroline's potential.
