Notes: I know, I know it's been 84 years. But I WILL finish things. Way back when someone said that the nosy waitress reminded them of Max on Two Broke Girls so I decided to use Kat Dennings as inspiration. Enjoy and can you believe that in just under 24 hours NEW Klaroline scenes will exist?!
MARCH – SUNDAY
CAROLINE:
The waitress approaching the table draws Caroline's attention away from her phone. She's moving quickly, her dark curly ponytail bobbing sharply with each determined step. She also seems to be nervous, darting glances behind her every few seconds. She's a familiar face, usually works on Sundays. Coming to this restaurant, splitting a pizza and a bottle of wine on Sunday afternoons, has kind of become one of her and Klaus' things. They usually linger for most of the afternoon and often end up taking a game of darts way too seriously.
Caroline's never been a gracious loser and totally believes in celebrating victories. Loudly and obnoxiously. It's something she and Klaus have in common. And if a hot make out session in a cab is the best way for the loser to shut the winner up neither of them complain about it.
The waitress's nametag has been different every Sunday so Caroline's not entirely sure what the woman's name actually is. Caroline offers a friendly smile only to be left blinking in surprise when the waitress slides into the empty seat across from her. Her usual expression, a perky and practiced customer service smile, is nowhere to be found and she's studying Caroline shrewdly.
"Um, hi," Caroline greets. "Can I… help you?"
The waitress flashes a grin, a hint of embarrassment evident, "Yeah, I know. That's usually my line. Sorry for crashing your table. My boss is smoking out back so I thought I'd see if I could have a quick chat with one of my favorite new regulars."
Caroline shrugs, her curiosity piqued. "It's fine. Is everything okay?" She hopes they're not about to be banned or something equally humiliating. She thinks she and Klaus have kept things mostly PG, only getting slightly handsy under the table once or twice and forgetting that personal space was a thing when a game got tense.
And okay, fine, she might have slapped Klaus' ass last week. Just to mess with him when he'd been too far in the lead.
The waitress is shaking her head, "No, everything is fine. I'm just being the nosiest parker in existence but I just can't not say anything any longer, you know?"
Caroline's confusion grows. "Not… really?"
"Listen, you seem nice."
"Thanks?" It comes out like a question.
"You look at me when I talk to you, you didn't throw a fit when the kitchen put olives on your pizza a couple weeks ago, and I checked out that Etsy shop you mentioned when I asked where you got your earrings last week and fell in love."
Caroline smiles because she's always willing to share tips with someone who recognizes her excellent taste. "Isn't everything insanely cute? The shop owner was a bridesmaid at a wedding I worked a couple years ago. I've been obsessed ever since."
The waitress sighs, "I'm going to cringe so hard when I open my credit card statement next month."
Caroline grimaces in sympathy, "Been there, done that. Did you sign up for her mailing list? There's coupons every couple of months."
"No, but I will." The waitress opens her mouth like she's going to say more but she snaps it shut just as quickly. She pushes up in her seat, scanning the room quickly. "Geez, I did not mean to get so far off topic. I'm working, so I need to get to the point before Table 3 finishes their potato skins and wants refills. Why aren't you dating Klaus?"
This conversation just keeps getting weirder. "I don't even know your name."
"It's Darcy," she offers. Darcy sticks her hand out and Caroline clasps it, endures a brisk, shoulder jarring handshake. Darcy plows ahead, "I probably should have led with that, huh? You must have noticed my name tags are pretty random."
"I waited tables in college, fended off a creep or two. I get the need to try to be a little incognito."
"Ah, that explains why you're not a dick."
Caroline laughs, startled. "Thanks. I think."
"You're welcome. But back to the reason I'm here. Klaus."
"What about him?"
"I've been working on him forever. Gentle encouragement. Hints. Outright mocking. The works. And nada. He's annoyingly hard to read."
Caroline bites the inside of her cheek, holding in another bubble of laughter. Once upon a time she'd had very similar thoughts about Klaus so she can understand the annoyance. "He likes to seem mysterious."
"In the beginning when he was waiting for you, he was obviously super nervous and it was adorable. He's a good tipper. Chews with his mouth closed. Has great taste in beer. Never ogles my boobs even though they're right in his face. And come on, you have eyes."
"He's definitely easy on them."
"Exactly! You laugh at his jokes, do some serious hair tossing and flirty eyes so you must be a little into him. You guys have serious sexual tension. For whatever reason he won't make a move. So why don't you?"
Caroline wonders if Darcy is in any way related to Megan at her office. It's kind of impressive how they both manage to be endearing instead of intrusive while being way too into Caroline's love life. "I did. Make a move. A few weeks ago. We've been on a few dates. Today is a date."
The waitress' eyes narrow shrewdly and she studies Caroline for a long moment, "Really? I was nagging him just last Sunday. He still used the word friend."
"Klaus doesn't like to cave. Or seem like he's admitting to caving. Probably didn't want to seem like your nagging had had any affect."
They've also yet to officially define their relationship. She's ninety-nine percent sure it won't be an issue, that they're on the same page, but they've been having a great time (she's been brutal about nipping any butting in certain siblings of Klaus' have attempted) and Caroline finds she's reluctant to broach the topic and risk a bump. Maybe Darcy the Waitress attempting an unneeded intervention is some kind of sign that she needs to put her big girl panties on. Again. It had worked out well the last time.
"Maybe," Darcy says, sounding thoughtful. "I can see him as stubborn. They've been good dates?"
"Great dates," Caroline corrects, unable to keep a smile hidden this time.
Darcy beams, "Awesome. Makes a girl believe in romance."
The bell above the door jingles, and they both glance over. Klaus walks in, unbuttoning his coat. Caroline waves, catches Darcy doing the same in her peripheral vision. Klaus pauses, appearing very confused, lingering near the rarely manned hostess stand.
Darcy speaks quietly, the words distorted because she's trying not to move her mouth, "Aw, he looks a lil' scared."
Caroline assumes it's because of what Darcy had just informed her of, that she'd appointed herself Klaus' dating coach weeks ago, something he hadn't thought to mention to Caroline. "He does. And you're right. It's pretty adorable."
Darcy gets up, straightening her uniform top, "I'll grab you guys a basket of breadsticks. Do you want your usual wine?"
"Yes please," Caroline says, her eyes on Klaus. He's straightened his shoulders, seems to have steeled himself, and he's weaving his way towards her. She nudges the chair empty chair away from the table with her foot in invitation, propping her elbows on the table and smiling up at him mischievously, "Darcy thinks I should make a move on you."
"Funny, I was under the impression she thought that was my job."
"You're too slow apparently."
"I'm methodical," Klaus corrects. "I had an evil and brilliant multi step plan to woo you I'll have you know."
A mocking noise slips out, "Sure you did."
"You shouldn't sound so skeptical, love. Are we not on a date at this very moment?"
He looks very pleased with himself and Caroline clucks her tongue mockingly, "Ah, but my intel says that, as of last week, I'm still just a friend. So I guess your plan is faulty."
Caroline might have to buy Darcy something pretty from that Etsy shop. She's provided such a perfect opening. Klaus' head tips to the side, his eyes serious and speculative even as his lips curve upward, "Oh? And how would you prefer I speak of you?"
"Caroline Forbes, first of her name."
"I'm quite sure that will lead people to wondering at out mental state but if you insist."
She blows out a dramatic sigh, "Fine, we can be more boring. You should obviously tell people I'm delightful."
He makes a soft huff of amusement, "I'll make a note. Anything else?"
She aims for breezy though her nails dig into her palm, "I would not be opposed to you telling people I'm your girlfriend."
"I'd like that," Klaus says, equally casual, not even a hint of hesitation. "Presuming you'll do the same?"
"I think your siblings and all of our mutual friends have already decided we're a thing. Plus, my coworkers have assumed you were my secret boyfriend for months already."
Klaus's expression turns calculating, "Will you tell me the dirty nickname they use for me in private?"
She feels her face heat up. Of course he'd remember that. Caroline keeps her chin high, refusing to avert her eyes. "Not until I've been able to confirm if you deserve it." She suspects he will given how easily he's short circuited her brain with what they've done so far. His mouth has yet to wander below her breasts but he really seems to know how to use it. Still, a little extra incentive never hurt anyone.
Klaus inclines his head, heat and intrigue darkening the blue of his eyes, "Challenge accepted."
It's probably a good thing they're interrupted. They're in a family restaurant.
Klaus relaxes back into his seat, shifting his attention away as wine glasses are set on the table. "Sorry to interrupt the eye sex," Darcy chirps. "But I did say I'd be right back. And there's kids around." She whips out her pad, "Are you guys doing appetizers today?"
Caroline glances at Klaus before nodding and ordering one they haven't tried, relieved when she manages to sound normal. They've agreed on a favorite pizza but they're still working their way through the rest of the menu, not that it's a hardship since everything they've tried has been pretty damned tasty.
Kol, who's been hearing nothing but raves, has been miffed they won't bring him along. Caroline kind of likes having a place that's just theirs so she's been weathering his complaints cheerfully, feels no guilt about holding out. It's not like good pizza is hard to find in the city.
Once Darcy's left Caroline can't resist teasing Klaus. She tips her head at the waitress' retreating form, "I can't believe you didn't tell me there was yet another matchmaker in play."
She watches his face carefully, catches the flash of chagrin that he quickly hides with a smirk. His gaze turns challenging as he taps his fingers on the table, "I'm quite the catch, love. I can't help it if others were quicker than you to notice."
"Oh, I noticed," Caroline taunts. "I noticed plenty."
Klaus brows rise and he leans forward, "Tell me more."
Caroline considers her answer carefully. She's done plenty of ogling over the years, fully able to appreciate Klaus' pretty even when she was iffy on what she'd thought she'd perceived of his personality. "That first week we met. Do you remember when I spilled my drink all over you?"
"Vaguely. You were a bit tipsy as I recall."
On the wine coolers he'd mocked. "DrunkCaroline thought it was an excellent strategy to get you to peel off your shirt. The rest of the girls were onboard with the plan. Obviously we didn't tell Rebekah."
Klaus laugh is quick, "Smart of you. Had she known she might very well have made the lot of you walk to the airport. Her rules about such things were… strict as you know."
Does she ever. And Caroline has to admit that throwing a fit and banishing her guests sounds like something nineteen year old Rebekah would have done. It would have been a major setback in their still new friendship and who knows if they ever would have gotten back on track? She could have had a very different, probably less awesome, college experience.
"Then it's probably a good thing that I missed."
"Yes, removing my trousers in front of such impressionable company would have given Elijah fits so I had to excuse myself."
Caroline closes her eyes briefly, long forgotten humiliation creeping back up. She'd actually tripped instead of just pretending too, almost falling on her face and dumping the contents of her glass directly on to Klaus' crotch. Which she'd then starred at dumbly for far too long.
So awkward.
His hand covers hers on the table, pulling her out of the memory and back into the much more pleasant current moment. She's smiling when her eyes pop open, flips her hand over to tangle their fingers together. She squeezes his hand and drops a very unsubtle hint. "PastMe would totally give PresentMe a high five if she knew I'd gotten into your pants for real. Well, kind of."
Caroline hadn't really meant to take things slow with Klaus – it has just kind of worked out that way. She's spent a fair amount of time lamenting the fact that she hadn't just said screw it and jumped his bones the night they'd been snowed in. He'd had to fly back to LA the weekend after their first date, she'd had work the following weekend. They'd broken her own apartment rules on her couch just a few days ago when her skirt had ended up shoved up around her waist while Klaus' belt had been undone as they'd ignored Netflix in the background.
She should have known they'd be interrupted, Kol's less than impeccable timing wouldn't have allowed the evening to end any other, more satisfying, way. They'd hurriedly made themselves presentable as Kol had come in, had managed to act natural enough that he'd kept his attempts at innuendo to a minimum (after Caroline had fined him for the first one, of course). When Kol had gone to bed they'd quietly agreed that they'd tempted fate and that they'd have to utilize Klaus' much more private apartment for any further explorations.
Caroline's decided that the next time should be ASAP and she presses her calve between Klaus' under the table. What better way to celebrate the official relationship labelling, right?
She's pleased when Klaus makes it clear he's very much on the same page. Caroline hides a probably giddy smile with a sip of wine as he draws patterns over the back of her hand with his thumb. "What if we go to yours when we're done here?" he proposes. "You can grab whatever you'll need for work tomorrow and then we can head back to my flat?"
Caroline's planning her email to her boss, to explain why she'll be getting a late start, before Klaus has even finished his sentence.