Ahhhh can I just have this moment to fangirl about hitting over 300 followers? I'm so happy! Thank you to all you amazing followers, thank you for recommending this fic to others and being vocal about it on Tumblr (*cough* Giuliayou'reamazing *cough*). And for all the Tumblr love in general, it makes me so elated and of course drove me on to keep editing even during my study breaks and mealtimes and stuff, heh (BUT I'M DONE WITH EXAMS NOW *happy dance*).
Also tons of thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I was crazy nervous about it and was ecstatic to find that you guys thought it was worth the wait. It made it worth the wait for me because I've had that chapter written for so long, can you imagine how difficult it was not to spoil it for you guys, especially through all the difficult times?!
Anyways it was also really fun hearing what you guys thought of the date and the inevitable 'morning after'. I hope you guys like the direction I went in with that in particular.
Chapter 28: Violent Ends
I couldn't live without you now
Oh I know I'd go insane
I wouldn't last one night long, baby
I couldn't stand the pain
Caroline lazily opened her eyes, her bare back warm from the sunlight flooding the room.
She smiled when she realised the position her limbs were in. She didn't remember falling asleep last night so it was no surprise that she would've ended up in some random position.
Except it wasn't just some random position. Klaus' body was flush against her own, her head resting on his chest and her legs tangled up in his. His arm was laced around her, keeping her close; a finger unconsciously grazing her buttock.
She shifted a little, testing how much room she had to move, and was surprised to find that she could move flexibly. Klaus' arm was limp against her. He really was fast asleep.
She lifted her chin, looking up at his peaceful face.
He really was beautiful.
His stubble was slightly heavier around his jaw than usual and she could swear the dark pink of his lips were turned up with the ghost of a smile. His long eyelashes fluttered a little as some unrest occurred in his sleep.
Caroline almost giggled. She wished she knew what was going on inside his mind right now. It was a tempting thought, but the last time she'd invaded his dreams it had taken forever and so not gone the way she'd expected.
She shivered as she remembered his hands on her; his lips as he'd murmured something to her in another language.
Again, she wanted to smile. That felt like years ago. Both in time and the progress they'd made since. That night Klaus had basically written her off and now here they were, lying in each other's arms, naked.
She looked back down at their bodies. The white sheet was haphazardly drawn low around their hips and Caroline marvelled at how the tangle of her and Klaus' legs somehow worked perfectly and felt amazing to boot.
Dropping her eyes to the hand he had on her, an idea occurred to her.
Last night he'd spent hours searching and worshipping her body, not leaving a single part of her untouched and unkissed. That was when she'd fallen asleep – so utterly drained by his careful and wild ministrations; too touched and wrecked to realise that her eyes were drifting closed.
It had been mind-meldingly amazing. But she wanted the same chance and she intended on taking it right now.
Slowly she placed her hand over his, not wanting to wake his contented sleep. She just wanted to explore his body thoroughly.
Caroline laced her fingers through his, squeezing gently before rubbing them softly, feeling Niklaus Mikaelson's hands.
Idly she wondered how many lives had been ripped away by these delicate painter's hands.
The pads of his fingers were soft and already surprisingly familiar. Though after last night she guessed it shouldn't really have come as that much of a surprise.
Her fingers roamed, pulling over his palm, feeling the calluses there. How much blood had seeped through these hands as its owner looked on disinterestedly?
The answer didn't bother her.
She slid her hand up, feeling the light hair on his arm and the muscles beneath. An even better idea crossed her mind and Caroline's eyes flicked to his closed ones as she smirked a little.
Placing her lips at the base of his wrist, she started moving her way upwards, planting soft kisses all along his arm.
The nook of his elbow she lingered on, liking the pure taste of him she found there.
His skin was pliable beneath her lips and she relished every square inch, moving up to his shoulder.
Klaus woke when he felt Caroline's lips at the base of his throat. He had the sensation memorised.
"Enjoying yourself, love?" he asked smugly, smiling with his eyes still closed.
Caroline grinned against his skin, amused at him catching her red-handed like this. She'd hoped for more time.
Oh well, she'd just to have continue with him awake.
But first.
"Very much so," she replied just as smugly, before placing her head next to his. "Good morning."
She pressed her mouth to his, kissing him deeply and pulling at his lower lip with her teeth.
When she pulled away he opened his eyes. She was warmed by the pure heat and contentedness their piercing blue radiated.
"Good morning," he whispered out, clearly still caught up in her kiss.
His hand wrapped around her face, playing with her hair.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Hmmm," she hummed, already getting back to her task.
She nipped at the skin just below his jaw, feeling the vibration in his throat it invoked. He moved in closer to her and she moved upward, nibbling at his earlobe.
Klaus sucked in a sharp breath, tightening his hands on her body. When she felt him shift, she knew he was about to twist them over.
She shook her head vehemently. "Uh-uh, don't move," she ordered.
He raised an eyebrow but she ignored him silently questioning her bossiness in favour of moving her lips to his face, placing soft kisses down the arched line of hair.
His eyes, then the arch of his nose and the soft corner of his mouth.
Klaus looked slightly confused by her seemingly random tender affections but he didn't say a word as she kissed her way around his face.
His hairline, those damn dimples and that insanely sexy mole by his Adam's apple.
Her hand gripped his curls as she moved downward. Down over his pendants, where her tongue swirled.
She realised that she'd have to back up considerably if she wanted to continue her trail so instead she sat up, put a hand to his chest and pushed him onto his back.
His eyes gleamed curiously as he watched her position herself on his hips, kissing her way down over the hardness of his abs.
He let his eyes drift shut. If Caroline was intent on not allowing him to take control then the least he could do was enjoy the moment.
Suddenly she stopped and his eyes opened curiously, taking in her golden locks framing her face as she cocked her head, looking down at him.
"You know," she started, "we haven't properly said it to each other yet. Officially."
That brought another smile to his face. It was typical Caroline to want the words right there for her picking.
She watched his eyes roam her face, her body, then briefly close for the shortest of seconds before he licked his lips.
He was going to say it.
Her body was tense – with nerves; with excitement – as he parted those perfect lips.
"You are the first and last person I will ever say this to, Caroline Forbes," he said, his hand pulling at tendrils of her hair. "I love you."
His voice was soft and accented and basically freaking perfect and, damnit, he'd said it so matter-of-factly.
She was breathless for a second before she ducked her head, shy though she'd been expecting it. She just couldn't believe that she'd actually heard those words come from Klaus' mouth. That she'd elicited them. Just by being her.
The first.
The first, the first, the first, the first. She was his first.
I'm never the one.
The very memory heated her cheeks. She'd come a long way since that Caroline Forbes. But it had never been less true, she'd just learned to deal with it better. Tyler had placed numerous things before her.
And here, finally, with Klaus she was the one.
First.
In a way she'd known all along. But hearing it come straight from his mouth was still akin to nothing she'd ever felt before.
Hearing his tiny nervous gulp she remembered that she owed him reciprocation. And she wanted to say it, she did. But for a second it stuck in her throat because this was the last step.
After saying the words there was no going back.
Right now there was still the tiniest chance of walking away; claiming temporary insanity.
But if she said it – that was it.
The first time she'd told him that she loved him had been familial as she'd lain beside him, listening to stories of his childhood. Now if she said it, astride his lap as he looked up at her with all that freaking hope and insecurity – there would be no misunderstanding.
His hands, those perfect calloused but delicate hands, encased her face and she leaned into them, closing her eyes.
He was waiting. He wouldn't wait forever, except…
However long it takes.
She opened her eyes and brought a hand up, weaving her fingers through his then lowered her body, ducking in close to him.
"Klaus," she began, breathy. "I love you." She pressed her forehead to his, staring into those eyes that had become her haven. "And I don't think I even knew what that meant before you." She sighed against his lips. "I love you."
And then there it was again. That genuine smile that cracked the mask of his villainy and along with it every defence she'd ever put up. It drove her to repetition.
"I love you, Klaus. God, I love you. I love – "
He cut off her further admissions as he pressed his lips to hers, pushing his tongue into her mouth as he pulled her body in closer, grasping and gripping every part of her.
Her, the woman who loved him.
Caroline bent down to pick her underwear off the floor and as soon as she lifted her head, she was being pulled into Klaus' side.
She giggled in surprise as he placed kisses along her jawline and ear.
"Klaus, I have to go take a shower," she whined, trying to make her annoyance seem believable.
He snorted into her neck. "I happen to have a shower here," he responded.
She rolled her eyes. "As much as I'd like to shower with you, I doubt much showering would actually be happening," she teased.
Klaus laughed and she felt the vibrations against her throat.
"You say that as if it's bad thing."
She couldn't help letting a hum escape as Klaus dug his fingers into her hair and pulled back her head, kissing her full on the mouth.
She almost forgot her words when he pulled away.
"Uhhhh. It's not – it's not. I just… need a minute to myself," she admitted distractedly as his fingers danced across her hips.
He sighed but it was small and cute, content.
"Fair enough," he said against her lips, then pulled away. "You take your minute then we'll have brunch."
She nodded her head, sticking her hand into his hair as she gave him a last quick kiss.
"Ok."
Caroline held her underwear to her chest with a deathly grip as she entered her room.
Or, rather, the room her stuff was in. Her gaze danced across the bed that had clearly been unslept in and last night washed over her again.
And this morning.
She'd had sex with Klaus.
Caroline leaned her head back against the bedroom door, unable to accept reality.
She had all the memories of those – perfect – hours, but it was still surreal. She was the sheriff's daughter and he was the worst villain to ever villain and she had just slept with him.
And not just slept with him – made love to him. Because he loved her. And she loved him.
And they were so in love with each other, it made her insides clench because god, she'd never felt like this before. It was like the first day of a crush combined with all her birthdays and Christmases rolled up into one dimpled blue-eyed accented storm of a man.
She suddenly felt deeply ashamed for ever telling any other man that she was in love with them, deeply ashamed to her core, because she'd been lying. And by a margin she never could have imagined. Because this, this insane pull from inside her chest and mind towards him and everything he was… it was unmatched.
She should be mortified, she knew. There were probably a million reasons for that, reasons she didn't even want to allocate brain space to right now.
But she had the feeling that when she went into the bathroom she'd find an even bigger and more irremovable grin on her face than she had last night.
Besides, there would be time for the expected mortification – telling everyone loomed.
But for now she got to bask in this.
Discarding her lingerie with a wry smile, she pulled off Klaus' jacket and went into the bathroom to turn on the shower.
Feeling insanely giddy to see him again, Caroline rubbed her hands over her face and laughed at herself.
She was being ridiculous. He was just another guy, wasn't he? No need to get this insanely worked up.
Except… he'd never been just another guy.
And now he was her guy.
And that thought just made her giddy all over again.
She dressed quickly – as much as she'd wanted that 'minute' to herself, all she really wanted to do right now was get back to Klaus.
After doing a quick check that in her rush she'd put together a decent outfit – strapless white floral jumper and wedges – she pulled open the bedroom door happily.
Her grin only widened when she saw Klaus standing in the hallway, already waiting for her.
"How long have you been you been waiting there for?" she asked, pretending suspicion.
"Not long," he smiled, those dimples teasing her.
They were both staring at each other coyly now, taking the other in, and Caroline knew exactly the game he was playing at. As if he didn't know that all she wanted was to be kissing him right now. But he stood his ground, watching her intently.
And she was right, too. He was waiting for her to make the first move because he'd already been waiting for her, hadn't he, and though he was now being deliberately obstinate, it wasn't easy. Not when her legs went on for miles, from her heels up to where the cotton of her jumper skirted along her upper thighs; it made him want her against him almost more than his patience could take.
Still, he waited.
Caroline narrowed her eyes at him playfully then slowly, purposefully slowly, made her way over to him. She held his eyes with hers as she literally dragged her heels across the distance between them, blatantly beating him at his own game.
Klaus was on the edge of putting himself out of his misery by speeding over to her when she finally, finally, pulled into him.
She didn't wait, diving right into his mouth, and Klaus gasped. His surprise was quickly cut off by lust as his hands ran over her soft shoulders, down her arms, wordlessly appreciating the little skin her outfit covered.
Her arms latched around his neck as his hands caught her hips and she pulled on his hair, further deepening the kiss.
His lips went to her neck when she pulled away to breathe, licking at the spots she'd applied perfume to only moments ago.
One she'd gotten her fill, she pulled him back to her mouth, hating how bare her lips felt without him. His teeth nipped at the soft insides of her lips as his hands already searched for a zipper or buttons along her back.
He was also not that subtly moving them back towards his room.
Caroline giggled. "I thought I was promised brunch?"
She could care less about food when the only thing she wanted was his body, but she liked teasing him.
He groaned, his head falling into the crook of her shoulder.
"Would you believe me if I said I lied?"
She laughed and the high, delighted sound echoed through the house.
"Definitely not."
His expression was sheepish as he pulled away and it only increased her giggling. Though she felt pretty hungry, the white hot jolts she was feeling from just the tracing of his fingertips on her skin told her that she could wait.
She was opening her mouth to tell him that she'd only been teasing, when a familiar voice drifted down the passage towards the smiling couple.
"Niklaus."
Klaus looked up, immediately annoyed. "Brother. What a delightful surprise."
Clearing her throat, Caroline immediately disentangled herself from the younger Mikaelson as the elder gave her a perfunctory smile.
"Caroline."
His eyebrows were set in a tight line; his suit jacket slightly creased. If there was anything that told her something was wrong, it was that.
"What is it, Elijah?" Klaus snapped impatiently.
The words were difficult to get out, Caroline could tell. But he managed.
"It's Elena."
Klaus' gaze shot to Caroline immediately, noting her eyes widen in fear.
"What about Elena?"
"She's being tortured," Elijah replied succinctly.
"What?" Caroline exclaimed in confusion. "By who?"
Maybe if she'd had more presence of mind, she would've noticed the wordless communication between the two brothers. But she didn't and Elijah's eyes quickly and silently shifted back to her.
A tiny sound, not quite a sigh, escaped his lips and it was something only his sibling could categorise as impatience.
"Unfortunately time is not a luxury we enjoy. I can explain all on our way back."
Caroline stood frozen for a second before she nodded vehemently.
"Ok."
"You came with your jet?" Klaus asked.
Elijah nodded curtly before Klaus passed him into the dining room, barely acknowledging the answer.
"Caroline, are you ready to leave?" Elijah enquired.
She shot Klaus a look. He was standing at the balcony, the cool air ruffling his curls.
She frowned. "You aren't coming?"
He didn't turn.
"I cannot offer Elena anything by rushing to her aid," he stated simply.
She couldn't believe he was actually going to make her give the 'Emotional support, duh' speech right now.
"But I – "
"Caroline," Elijah pressed.
She glanced toward the other brother, who looked something very close to pained, then back at Klaus. His hard back, clothed in a black Henley, was unrelenting as she waited for him to change his mind; be some semblance of the man she really needed right now.
Elijah held the front door open for her and eventually her gaze reluctantly slid past Klaus as she walked out, thinking about her nails desperately raking down that back, panting, as he repeatedly whispered into her ear: You're beautiful, Caroline.
It was already forgotten, she felt. Their moment was gone.
Caroline held back tears till they'd boarded Elijah's jet.
She wasn't sure whether they were for Elena or not but tears were tears and the hot liquid felt good as it mutely seared its way down her face, the salt licking at her wounds.
She idly thought of Klaus, the way his fingers and tongue were all heat, and then his back as he'd looked out over the balcony, ignoring how much she needed him.
By the time Elijah settled silently in the seat beside her, her tears had dried up. He was right beside her; unlike Klaus' jet, Elijah's seemed more suited to business, hence the closer quarters.
She stared ahead stoically when the plane took off. It wasn't like the gravity situation could add anything to the pit in her stomach.
Elijah had a steward. He brought around warm nuts then blood bags. She refused the first and reached for the second. Ideally she would've preferred to take a bite at the man himself but she felt too shy to ask Elijah whether that was acceptable or not.
Still, the liquid made her feel better as it warmed her body, moving through her veins.
After another she felt like herself again.
She turned to stare out at the clear afternoon sky – not that different to Klaus' eyes, she found herself thinking – for a while, before turning to Elijah.
She had the burning need to make conversation and she had plenty of questions for him.
"Why isn't Elena at Whitmore?" she started.
"She came home for the weekend," Elijah explained simply.
Caroline groaned, remembering the deal Elena had made with Damon. Damon and his brilliant ideas at work once again.
"Ok well who's torturing her and why?"
Elijah sighed. "I'm afraid I'm unable answer either of those questions."
He pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to a confused Caroline.
"Elena is being tortured with a very precise and cruel method called splintering."
"Ok, that sounds vaguely horrible," Caroline grimaced.
"It is an incredible kind of pain. A small piece of spelled wood is inserted into a vampire's blood stream. The vampire then has no choice but to wait, enduring excruciating pain, for the splinter to get to her heart and kill her. The amount of time that takes depends on the spell and the trajectory in the body."
"Oh my god!"
Caroline stared at Elijah with wide eyes. He looked pained.
"Elijah… are you saying that Elena's going to die?" she asked shakily.
He hesitated but then shook his head, though slightly uncertainly.
"I have faith in my brother."
She frowned. "Klaus?"
Elijah nodded. "He's working on a way to help Elena."
I cannot offer Elena anything by rushing to her aid.
Wait… so he'd stayed behind to help Elena?
"How do you know?"
Elijah took a resolute breath. "I know Niklaus. He may not care for Elena but he certainly cares for you."
Caroline took a huge breath. Just like that, Elijah had solved both her problems.
Except… why hadn't Klaus just told her that? Surely he must have imagined that she would misconstrue his actions… or lack of it.
Still. If Klaus was working on it then Elena would be fine, right?
Elijah had said so himself.
Looking over at Elijah, she realised that he didn't seem as confident as he was pretending to be. In fact he looked anxious.
"Then why do you still look so worried?" she asked.
Subtlety had never really been her strong suit.
Elijah grimaced. "It's more guilt than concern, though there is a substantial amount of the latter."
"Guilt?" Caroline asked in confusion. "Elijah, this isn't your fault."
Elijah sighed heavily. "Except it is."
"Wait, what do you mean?" Caroline asked, her frown deepening.
He looked straight ahead as he answered. "Splintering is a method of torture I invented centuries ago for me and Niklaus' interrogations."
Caroline's breath caught, remembering Klaus' words: She was quite stubborn, which was imprudent considering she had two torturers who have had one thousand years of experience in the field.
Still. It didn't matter what Elijah had or hadn't invented. She had to make him feel better.
"Elijah, you can't blame yourself for somebody else using something you invented hundreds of years ago."
"I suppose not," he agreed, though he didn't seem very convinced.
Caroline felt bad for him. She knew that he and Elena were friends and it was obvious that he really cared for her. Caroline remembered, what felt like a lifetime ago, teasing Elena about having a crush on the oldest Mikaelson.
So if you have the hots for the eldest Original, I would totally not judge you.
Noticing his hand on the armrest between them, she placed her hand over his comfortingly.
"She's going to be fine, Elijah."
He looked up at her in surprise before smiling appreciatively.
"Thank you, Caroline." He looked at her intently for a few seconds. "You're a good friend, Elena certainly is fortunate to have you."
Surprised by his response, Caroline frowned, scoffing a little.
Elijah smiled softly. "It's true. And it should hardly come as a surprise. Based solely on the effect I have witnessed you have on my brother, of course I already knew what a wonderful person you were, but your worth far exceeds that."
Caroline ducked her head, blushing.
"Thanks, Elijah."
"You're very welcome. It's only my hope that one day I may too claim the honour of obtaining your friendship."
Lifting her head she looked at him curiously. It was such a lovely thing to say someone, she couldn't help feeling heartwarmed.
Grinning, she squeezed his hand. "I already do consider you a friend, Elijah."
A tiny smile slowly crossed his face and, for the first time since meeting the Original, she saw the Klaus in him.
"Thank you."
They shared a smile for a few seconds before Caroline turned back to stare out the window. Now that she knew Klaus had only been a small percentage of a jerk instead of a giant one, she really missed him.
She wished that they had at least shared some kind of goodbye kiss before she'd left.
Then again Elijah had been pretty gung-ho about them leaving ASAP. Trust Elena to cause even the politest of guys to become irate for her.
She sighed absentmindedly before hearing Elijah tentatively call her attention.
"Correct me if I'm wrong or overstepping my boundaries, Caroline, but it seems you and Niklaus have… reached a truce?"
Caroline bit her lip to supress a giggle. Typical Elijah, describing what had most definitely been the best night of her life as a 'truce'.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that," she replied with a knowing smile.
He looked pleased by that and she felt strangely happy knowing that Klaus' brother approved of their relationship. She probably shouldn't hold out hope for the same thing to come from his sister.
That made her think of the last time she'd seen the female Mikaelson.
Good luck with that lying bastard. You'll need it.
She opened her mouth to find out whether Elijah had more explanation for her than simply Rebekah being moody, but right then the pilot's voice washed through the cabin announcing an imminent landing.
"Elena?" Caroline called out when she entered the Salvatores'.
Walking into the lounge trailing an Original, she caught sight of Elena chained to a chair surrounded by the various significant men in her life: Stefan, Damon and Jeremy.
"Elena, oh my god!"
Looking around at the guys, Caroline frowned. "Why is she still tied up?"
"We tied her up," Damon replied, not moving his steady gaze from his girlfriend.
From behind her, Elijah provided a proper explanation: "We were afraid she might struggle, which will do her no favours."
Elena was pale, her head hanging limply over her chest. She must have passed out because of the pain.
Caroline kneeled down in front of her friend, tears springing to her eyes.
"I thought you were bringing Klaus," Stefan said to Elijah.
"My brother is working on a solution."
"Working on?" Damon questioned, his mouth in a straight line. "We don't have the time for Klaus to work on anything. We need a fix, now!"
"You petulant boy," Elijah growled. "You have no concept of how much time you have. You would not even be aware of Elena's fate if it weren't for me. And considering you aren't doing anything to help her yourself, I suggest you remain quiet and wait for the solution my brother will send the moment he finds one."
Damon's mouth snapped shut but he looked silently enraged by the Original's thorough put-down.
"How long has she been unconscious?" Elijah asked, his tone cooler as he addressed the general room.
"Less than an hour," Jeremy replied.
Caroline's tears fell freely as she watched Elena's limp body. All she could do now was pray that Klaus would come through for them.
For her.
Two hours had passed, during which Elena had sporadically woken up, shivering and screaming in pain, before falling unconscious again.
Damon and Stefan had both made trips to the cellar to rip into something, even if it was only a blood bag.
Caroline stood rooted, eyes dark with worry as she waited for him.
Klaus would come.
It was all she could think as Jeremy periodically asked Elijah how long it may take Klaus to get there, how he might help Elena, where he could be at that moment. For his part, Elijah answered patiently, repeating his varied grand though slightly uncertain statements that Klaus would come as soon as he could.
And though Elijah doubted, she was sure. She knew he'd come.
The thing she wasn't sure of was how long Elena still had. Her body was covered in sweat as she shivered violently, with dark bags beneath her eyes; her pale lips drawn taut. Caroline got the feeling that Elena wasn't even bothering to open her eyes anymore. Every time she did all she was met with was a bevy of questions and worried brows.
Caroline hated just standing here as the minutes ticked by but there was nothing else she could think to do but worry and wait.
Suddenly she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
Everybody jumped when the Salvatores' front door blew open with a loud violent slam. There wasn't time to blink before a man was viciously flung right into the lounge before Elena, a speeding Original following.
Caroline felt herself step forward.
"Klaus."
But he didn't spare her a glance as he held the man down by his neck.
Upon taking a second look, Caroline realised that the profusely sweating man on his knees in front of Elena was Jesse. And there on his shoulder was the unmistakeable festering wound of a hybrid bite.
"Say it!" Klaus screamed.
Jesse looked like the last thing in the world that he wanted to do was what Klaus was telling him to, but Caroline knew from experience that what he was suffering right now was pretty good persuasion. Hybrid bites were no joke.
Still, he sneered at Klaus.
Klaus only smirked. "Do it or die slowly, mate."
Jesse clenched his teeth, then reluctantly raised his eyes to Elena and began muttering in Latin.
Caroline tried to catch Klaus' eye but he was intently focused on the task at hand, his eyes flicking from her former friend to her current dying one.
Elena gasped loudly as soon as the last word left Jesse's mouth, her body arching forward animatedly before a thin splinter of wood protruded through the inside of her elbow.
Elena shrieked in pain and Klaus interestedly watched the tiny piece of wood drop to the ground.
Then he dug his hand into Jesse's chest and pulled it out with an audible squelch.
Jesse's body slumped but Klaus held him up by the scruff of his shirt even as the telltale veins of a dying vampire covered every visible area of Jesse's skin.
"No need to thank me, love," Klaus said.
Lifting her head to look tiredly at Klaus, Elena was opening her mouth to say something when she realised that Klaus had already gone.
Realising that Klaus had sped off with Jesse's body, Caroline frowned and took two steps forward, ready to follow, when she heard Elena call out to her with a cough.
Caroline hesitated but turned back around. She needed to be here for Elena now.
She would see Klaus later.
She was sitting on Damon's bed waiting for Elena to finish in the bathroom and thinking about what a crazy day today had been, even by their standards.
She still didn't understand about a million things about it.
Finally Elena came out of the bathroom, towelling her hair.
"Hey!" Caroline said, jumping up. "How are you, are you feeling ok?"
Elena smiled. "I'm fine, Care." She put a finger to her temple. "Besides a bit of a headache."
With a whoosh Damon appeared in the doorway. "You sure?"
Elena did a quick sweep of her body then sighed. "Yeah, positive."
Damon grimaced, seemingly not particularly happy with her answer.
"Good thing Klaus showed up just in time," he said dryly, his eyes directed at Caroline.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Elena asked with a frown before Caroline had the chance to.
"Well since when does he give a damn about you post doppelganger-bloodbag?"
Caroline scoffed. "Seriously? You begged for him to come help her and now you're questioning it?"
"I wouldn't if it made any sense," Damon shot back.
Elena looked between the two of them then sighed.
"What doesn't make sense to me is why our friend from college tried to kill me," she admitted, turning to the blonde for possible answers.
Caroline could only shrug. The little more she knew wouldn't allow her friends to shed any more light on the subject. Besides, she'd kept the night of the Centenary Gala a secret for a reason.
Damon was still looking at the blonde suspiciously.
"Caroline, a word outside."
He gestured with his head, making it clear that it was a demand. Both girls regarded him in confusion, but Caroline knew that he'd only be taking her outside if he wanted to talk about something that nobody else should hear. Namely, Klaus.
Shooting Elena an apologetic look combined with a good old roll of her eyes, she sighed and made her way out of the house, closely followed by the elder Salvatore.
"What do you want, Damon?" she asked warily.
The last thing she needed was a Damon-style inquisition. What she could really do with right now was a tall glass of wine laced with blood and, well, Klaus.
"Answers, for starters."
Caroline folded her arms and dug her heels into the grass. "I don't know anything."
He cocked his head for a few seconds, staring at her, before he smiled slyly.
"Maybe. But I don't doubt that you could get them."
Caroline scoffed then decided to humour him. "And how exactly would I do that?"
He didn't reply for a second, just wiggled his eyebrows. Then he did that suggestive sideways smile thing.
"Don't think it escaped my notice, Blondie, that Elijah left here for Klaus and came back with you. Now why would that happen, hmm?"
Because I was with Klaus. Shit.
"What is your problem? Klaus saved Elena's life, you should be – "
"Yes, but why? And how? And how did he manage to do it so efficiently?"
Caroline flicked her hair over her shoulder. "You're just mad because he figured it out and you couldn't."
Damon glared at her. "That is not it."
"Then what is it? Elena's fine; why does any of it matter?"
Damon stepped closer. "Because I don't trust him."
Caroline returned his glare. "Well your issues have nothing to do with me."
"Except they do. Because I made you a promise once, Caroline, and while I could care less about whatever sordid little affair you and Klaus have going on, so help me god, I will tell everyone your dirty little secret if you don't get me some answers."
Caroline's eyes widened, remembering the day she'd been stupid enough to open up to Damon.
Don't worry, Barbie. I'm not gonna tell anybody.
And now he was taking back his promise and using what he knew against her.
Granted, it wasn't very much, but it was more than she could deal with being publicised at this very moment. She hadn't even had the time just to enjoy being with Klaus for one full day yet. Her heart ached for the brunch they hadn't gotten to share; the day they could've spent at the seaside together.
Roused to anger by the injustice of it all, she put her hands to Damon's chest, violently shoving him backwards.
"Why do you have to be such a dick?"
The burning danger in her eyes would have made anyone else cower in fear but this was Damon. He subsisted off recklessness and she could tell from the glint in his eyes that there was no hurt she could inflict on him that would make him give this up.
"Because Elena almost died today," he growled out, "and I'm not just going to take that lying down. So you run off to your little boyfriend and get me some answers." Then his face softened and he shrugged. "No big deal, right? Then I'll keep your little secret safe with me and all this blows over. What do you say, Barbie?"
Caroline didn't dignify that with a response, shooting him a dirty glare instead. He smirked before walking off.
When she was sure he'd made his way into the house, she took deep breaths to steady herself. As sure as she was that her and Klaus were for real, she wasn't sure if she was ready for her friends to know that just yet.
Which meant that she didn't have a choice but to fold to Damon's threat.
She was making her way to her car when suddenly Katherine stepped out of the shadows with a raised brow.
"What was all that about?"
Caroline jumped then glared at the doppelganger. "Oh my god, Katherine, did you seriously just hear all of that?"
Katherine shrugged, stepping down from her hiding spot. "Just the end bit." Moving in front of Caroline, she smiled. "He just pulled a Me on you, didn't he?"
"If by 'You' you mean being manipulative and blackmailing, then yes," Caroline replied, turning on her heel.
Katherine seemed amused. "What's he have on you?"
"Nothing," Caroline lied, climbing into her car.
Katherine rolled her eyes and climbed into the passenger's seat, earning her more glaring from the blonde.
"It's about you and Klaus, isn't it?"
"Maybe," Caroline replied vaguely, pulling on her seatbelt.
"You know," Katherine started, grinning slyly, "Damon's not the only one who has blackmail material in that regard."
Caroline turned to face Katherine, boring her blue eyes into the brunette's brown ones, but she only smirked relentlessly.
Caroline groaned then stared out the windshield with fisted palms.
"What do you want, Katherine?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just the answer to one little question."
"What?" Caroline bit out.
Katherine already seemed gleeful. "Are you two together now?"
Despite her best efforts to avoid one, a blush crept up to Caroline's face.
She didn't know how Katherine had managed to surmise that but with the shy little smile she could feel on her own face, she knew there was no way she could deny it. Besides, she felt heady with the thought of properly admitting it to someone for the first time.
"Yes," she said softly.
The brunette didn't reply and Caroline turned to face her.
Her eyes met Katherine's again and for a second they just grinned at each other, sharing the tiny moment of confidential girl talk.
"Well look at you, little Caroline, taming the dragon," Katherine said, clearly impressed.
Caroline looked down shyly, biting her lip as her cheeks burned.
"One more question."
Caroline looked up with an arched brow. "What?"
"What was the sex like?"
Caroline's eyes widened. "OK I am not answering that, get out!" she said, pushing on the other woman's arm even as she hid a smile.
Katherine opened the car door, laughing hysterically. "Whatever, as if I need an answer considering you're glowing!"
Caroline rolled her eyes but was now laughing too.
She felt strangely happy that Katherine knew. For some strange reason it felt kind of right.
Then, remembering what she was on her way to do, the smile slid from her face.
She had to go extract answers from Klaus.
By the time she pulled up to the Mikaelson mansion she'd already decided that Damon had had a good point.
Nothing about today made any sense.
Since when had Jesse been a vampire? Based on how strong he'd been, she'd suspected as much, but she still didn't get when and how he'd turned. She felt certain that he'd been human back at college. And if he'd just been some normal vampire then how had he managed to take on Elijah?
To be fair, those weren't questions Klaus would necessarily have the answers to but there were plenty of those too.
Like how had Klaus found Jesse in order to bite him? They'd been looking for him all this time and then Klaus had just suddenly managed to find him.
How had Klaus known how Elena was being tortured?
And how had he had the time to do all of the above, combined with the flight back to Mystic Falls?
Caroline rapped her knuckles on Klaus' front door. She tuned her hearing to the inside of the house as she tapped her foot impatiently, but it was eerily quiet inside.
She tried the door but for the first time pretty much ever it was locked.
Caroline huffed and knocked again, louder this time.
She was about to pull out her phone and just call the hybrid when the door was pulled open roughly.
Klaus stood there, looking a bit confused and mostly angry.
He said nothing when he registered her there, his eyes cold.
Caroline gulped, suddenly rendered speechless. Physically they weren't standing that far apart but strangely she felt like she couldn't have been further from him.
He didn't seem like the same man she'd spent last night with as he'd laid claim to every inch of her body, slowly then roughly then whatever she'd asked of him.
Her throat felt dry. "Klaus… I have to talk to you."
To be honest, all she really wanted was to be with him and then maybe get some explanations later, but realistically she knew that she had to get answers back to Damon as fast as possible.
But Klaus' face scrunched up. "I'm a little busy at the moment."
Caroline frowned, trying to look past him into his house. It didn't escape her that this was the first time he'd ever kept her waiting on his porch this long.
"With what?"
He looked strangely annoyed by her question. "The witch whose services I enlisted today."
"Oh," Caroline said in surprise.
A witch. That explained almost everything. With the right witch, anything was possible.
"Can I come in and thank her?"
"I doubt she'd take it well," Klaus replied.
Caroline stood, staring at him. Something was wrong – he was angry and that anger seemed directed straight at her.
She created a quick list of reasons he could possibly have for being upset with her – could it be that she'd rushed off this morning when he'd clearly had more planned for the day? But surely he couldn't have expected her to stay and enjoy a day with him when her best friend was enduring torture.
Was he mad that he'd had to interfere in her friends' business; save Elena? Did he not want a future with her that included rescuing her friends whenever the need arose?
Or was it something far baser – did he want a future with her at all?
Desperately she went through every scenario and gritted her teeth when behind those blue eyes she found no hints as to which was the correct answer.
Klaus stared back at her for a few seconds then exhaled impatiently.
"I have to get back," he said, moving to close the door.
"Uh, wait!" she called, unable to stop herself.
He paused, looking annoyed once more.
"See you tonight?" she asked hopefully.
It was still their thing, right?
A small crease appeared on his forehead. "Good night, Caroline."
He slammed the door and Caroline's thoughts returned to her list of possibilities.
The latter, then.
Once in her room, Caroline kicked off her wedges then reached underneath her arm to drag down her zipper.
She thought about how Klaus had searched for it this morning as his mouth had driven her crazy. The memory, combined with how coldly he'd just treated her, sent goosebumps down her arms as she blinked rapidly to prevent tears.
She slid her jumper down her body, folded it neatly on a chair then stared at herself in the mirror.
The blonde in her lacy black underwear looked worn down. Caroline didn't recognise her as the same person she'd seen in the mirror this morning.
She watched as the girl pulled her hair up into a careless ponytail; drag on an old t-shirt. The girl looked away, ashamed, as Caroline climbed into bed.
So much had happened today.
Elena had almost died.
And yet that wasn't what had heat prickling behind her eyes.
She hated herself for missing him right now. She hated that she wanted him here wrapping his body around her as he kissed away all the worries of the day.
She hated that she had no idea what was going on.
Was she overreacting?
She replayed her most recent time with him in her mind, but there was no doubt about it – he'd definitely acted cold and distant.
Which was the complete opposite to how he'd been that morning.
You are the first and last person I will ever say this to, Caroline Forbes. I love you.
But that had been at the beach house, in their own little hazy bubble of personally constructed happiness. Did coming back to Mystic Falls mean that had to change?
Or was it simpler – had it all just been a lie? Had their entire epic love only been one long conquest to him?
She was wandering through the Mystic Falls cemetery.
Caroline had no idea what she was doing here but it was quiet and peaceful so she didn't question it.
She aimlessly continued walking but the cemetery never seemed to end, no matter how far she went.
With a sigh she realised she was dreaming.
Caroline felt annoyed. She hated being fully aware but unable to escape the clutches of a dream and get some real sleep.
Deciding to put her time here to good use, Caroline doubled back.
When she got to her father's tombstone, she stared at it with folded arms, wondering again why she'd dreamt up this setting. She supposed it had something to do with Elena almost dying today but she still felt annoyed. And strangely cold.
She heard leaves rustle behind her and frowned. Her dreams like this, the ones that unnerved her, were usually solitary. She'd often hypothesised that they were a sort of punishment or place of torture where she was utterly alone.
The only person who ever joined her in them were –
"Klaus," she uttered, having turned around to view the breathtaking man behind her.
He was wearing the same outfit from this morning, not the one she'd last seen him in, and it brought back memories of his mouth all over her.
He smiled a little smugly and as usual she felt like he was inside her mind.
Wait…
"Are you really here or is this just a normal dream?"
He spread his hands. "Really here."
So he'd come to her after all.
But then why was she still dreaming?
"Then wake me," she urged.
He smirked as he lowered himself to the ground to take a seat on the raised roots of a tree.
"So you can hate me in person?"
Caroline frowned. She desperately wanted to get nearer to him but she had the feeling that it wasn't appropriate after the way he'd treated her most recently.
"I don't hate you, Klaus," she admitted with a sigh.
"Don't you?" he asked doubtfully.
"I'm just…" she sighed again, "confused."
"Confused," he echoed.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Last night was… amazing. And then today I find out Elena is in trouble, I rush off to help her and you stay while forgetting to mention that you're trying to help her too! Then you get here, save her life and rush off. And then when I get to your house you give me like the coldest shoulder in the history of cold shoulders! If I didn't know any better…" she drifted off, shaking her head as she stared at the mist in the distance.
"Then what?" he asked quietly.
"I'd think you were done with me," she replied, and she could only force the words to leave her mouth because she wasn't looking at him.
"How could you even think that?" his voice came to her, pained.
She looked back at him incredulously.
"Seriously? You have to ask? We slept together and then you started avoiding me the next day. That's a bad sign with any man," she stated confidently, folding her arms again.
"I'm not just any man though am I, love?"
She wished he wouldn't look at her like that, his eyes managing to be sexy, pleading and challenging all at once. It made anything negative she could possibly think about him drift away with the rest of the swirling mist.
"Not even a man," she eventually agreed reluctantly, and he smiled.
"I'm assuming you want explanations for my negligence today?"
Caroline cocked her head. "Depends." She breathed. "Do you have them, and are they good?"
He nodded solemnly.
"Then no."
He frowned in surprise and she continued.
"All I want to do is wake up and be with you," she added honestly.
God, it was all she'd wanted all day, since the second she'd woken.
Klaus smiled gently, touched though taken aback by her confession.
He stood up, shaking off his jeans as he approached. He stopped right in front of her, regarding her as if he still couldn't quite believe that she existed.
The mist around them thickened, churning into a thick familiar smoke.
He reached out his hand to caress her face and Caroline closed her eyes in anticipation of feeling his skin against hers again.
All she felt was a jolt.
Klaus had hardly pulled his consciousness from Caroline's when he felt her lips crushing down onto his.
His eyes shot open briefly before he shut them again, revelling in the all-consuming passion he had yet to become accustomed to.
Her body against his brought butterflies to his stomach – butterflies, what the hell did she do to him – causing him to feel simultaneously lightheaded and powerless yet absurdly in control.
But most of all, wanting.
She nipped at his lips and they both groaned before he switched them over.
He hardly had time to settle above her before she pushed him onto his back again.
Her hands reached down for his buckle as her lips moved away from his for the first time, covering his neck in feverish kisses.
He smiled as a thought occurred to him at the same time as her nails scraped up against his chest, pulling up his top.
"You want the explanation later, don't you?"
"Duh," she replied against his jawbone.
That was his girl.
A/N:
I know it was alllll the way at the beginning but maybe let me know what you thought of the 'I love you' exchange?
I probably should've mentioned this earlier but besides my aim of bringing Klaus and Caroline closer together on the spectrum of 'darkness', my intention with this part of the story has been to build as strong of a relationship between the two of them as possible. I know at times I've referred to Part 2 as a sequel but it isn't really, it's just Part 2. And the way I've split it is by first making their relationship as rock-solid as I can and then I'm going to take a sledgehammer to it. So yeah, this was maybe a little taste of that and the next chapter continues revealing or fixing those fissures in their relationship. Speaking of the next one, I'm so so excited to get it out to you guys but it's also 15 000 words long so it might take slightly longer than usual :)
Lyrics are from Addicted to You by Avicii.
Also, I didn't want to add more to the previous chapter but I just quickly want to address some concerns about the story that I picked up after Ch26:
The pacing of the non-KC plot
I'm sorry, guys, I know things have been slow when it comes to things like the cave massacre or the Mikaelsons' argument etc. (this chapter had Jesse again though!). The pacing happened kind of accidentally and kind of deliberately. Accidentally because I've never written a multi-chaptered anything before so I didn't know how to go about specifically choosing a pace, and deliberately because I very much wanted the story to focus on Klaroline and their relationship. I've read other fics where Klaroline are about to have a moment and then it's like 'Oh wait we have a lead on X we should follow up' or 'Oh we have to go hunt down X' etc. and while I don't love those fics any less, I found myself wanting to write something where the villain plot was a backdrop to Klaroline and something I didn't have to deal with every chapter.
Also this part of the story takes place over just a little bit more than 3 weeks and I know on TVD something insane is always happening every single day but that's just kinda crazy to me, lol. To me writing something that takes place on a daily basis just means some days nothing interesting is going to happen except for the relationships you may develop with the people around you (or, in my case… with my laptop).
The Forwood breakup
There's been some opinion that there wasn't enough (any?) closure on the Forwood relationship because of the nature of their breakup. I acknowledge the validity of that concern because Tyler never did get to, all at once, hear the issues Caroline had been having with their relationship. Aside from this story not being about him and also that he was definitely aware that Caroline wasn't happy, as I said this story is (most probably) made up of 2 parts so as some readers sussed out, that wasn't the last him and Caroline will be seeing of each other.
As for the accusation that they only broke up because of Hayley… yeah, I don't even know how to address that because I honestly have no clue how that could be interpreted from my story.
Ok that was a long Author's Note but also a long chapter so I'm forgiven, no? Ok love you all, tell me what you thought pretty please byyyye :)
