And I'm back! Quicker than anticipated.
To show my appreciation for all of you, for your patience and constant support and love for this and my other stories, I wanted to gift another chapter before the decade ended!
Enjoy (:
An interesting night indeed.
Caroline was eating outside of the bathroom door while Katherine freshened up her lipstick. Her arms were crossed over her chest and eyes determinedly glued across the room, spying Klaus, Enzo, Marcel and—of course—Aurora laughing together.
After Enzo's surprising, but sweet, speech she spent at least half an hour with him, Klaus and their other friends. Katherine eventually joined in on the hysterics, teaming up with Caroline in the drinking games against the boys. Multiple rounds of beer pong, which Klaus effortlessly won and a few other drinking games later, the crew flopped on the couches to avoid falling on their faces. She comfortably leaned into Klaus's affectionate hold with both his arms wrapped around her waist while she was practically sitting on his lap. Nuzzling his face in her hair as he murmured sweet words in her ear.
This wasn't Caroline's first run-in with tipsy Klaus but she definitely missed how affectionate he was; only a little more than when he's sober. Aurora never wasted a second rolling her eyes and throwing 'playful' jabs at their PDA. Klaus brushes it off with a laugh but Caroline's petty side was alive and well, melting more into his embrace.
Despite the unwelcome company, Caroline was actually having a good time. She was the most sober one in the room but was nowhere near annoyed. She never thought in her life she would be admitting to enjoying the company of vampires. Prior to dating one, Caroline assumed vampires' definition of partying was blood shed and murder. But they acted like any other teenager, getting drunk off their asses and laughing at stupid jokes. She was grateful to be wrong.
It was still weird knowing that Klaus had real friends—supportive and healthy friends. Well, aside from the lingering redhead who hovered around them like a vulture all night. Wearing a haunting smile on her pretty red lips whenever Klaus said anything. An involuntary growl rumbled in Caroline's throat watching her discreetly push Enzo out the way so she could stand next to Klaus. They were all too drunk to notice her intentions.
-Stop it Caroline! You are not that girl!
At least, didn't want to be.
Caroline was never the jealous type when it came to her relationships, yet what she felt for them held no comparison to Klaus. This was the first relationship she really cared about and felt the most comfortable in, but her boyfriend still hanging out with his bitter ex like nothing happened was a hard pill to swallow. But she didn't want to be one of those girlfriends who dictates who her boyfriend can and can't be friends with; she wouldn't want him to do it to her.
She trusted Klaus.
The blonde's fingernails dug into her palms harshly each time Aurora brushes her hand on his arm.
-Could she be anymore desperate?
"Finally, sorry for the long wait." Katherine huffed opening the bathroom door. "I had to try on at least three different shades because the one I walked in with was not working. And you're a terrible friend for allowing me to walk out like that by the way."
"Oh, sorry." Caroline said passively, barely paying attention to the brunette's dilemma as her focus lingered on the group behind her.
It didn't take much for Katherine to realize Caroline's head was somewhere else entirely. Taking a quick glance across the room and spotting the source instantly.
Katherine sighed. "Please don't tell me you've been watching them this whole time?"
Caroline blinked rapidly turning quickly to face her friend. "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
She rolled her eyes. "You're a terrible liar, remember?"
Caroline conceded with a shallow breath, hitting her back against the wall. "I'm not jealous."
Katherine shook her head. "Never said you were, but you're definitely torturing yourself with all of this. He's your boyfriend, who invited you here. If you want to spend time with him then just go up to him."
"That's the thing, I don't want him babysitting me. I want him to have fun tonight and be with his friends. Just—"
"Just not when one of his friends also happens to be his ex?" Katherine finished for her.
Caroline bit down on her bottom her lip anxiously. Ever since Klaus basically combusted over the annoying habit, she's caught herself doing it more often.
"I'm not jealous." She repeated, making Katherine laugh.
"Sure you're not." The brunette teased. Mumbling a curse word before swiftly spinning a distracted Caroline around to face her.
Caroline's eyes bugged and eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Saving you from your own self torture." Katherine claimed. "Listen cupcake, I get you're going through it because of Romeo and the red headed harlot but you've got to get it together!" Shaking the witch. "You look hot, absolutely smoking hot tonight and you're wallowing?! It's pathetic and really bringing down your buzz, which also brings down my buzz since I'm the plus one in this scenario."
Caroline huffed, knowing her friend was more than accurate. She was being pathetic. Klaus has yet to give her any reason to doubt him and she was making herself upset with the assumptions she was formulating in her mind. Watching Klaus and Aurora talking with each other wasn't going to change anything.
Noticing her dismay, Katherine sighed as she draped her arm over Caroline's shoulder.
"Hey, lets not worry about them and have some of our own fun. You didn't come here to be Klaus's prize to show off, you're allowed to have a good time too. And my kind of fun usually requires lots and lots of alcohol."
She sniffled and laughed.
Caroline probably would never express as such but, she was truly grateful to have a friend in Katherine. With everything that's been happening, a friend was the main thing she needed. Always cheering her up or smacking her back into reality.
"Kat, you know I don't really drink..."
"Well maybe that's problem number one. You're too tense. If you're not going to have sex, alcohol is you're next best thing for stress relief. And the booze here is free, it'd be criminal not to take advantage." She beamed pulling a reluctant Caroline along with her towards the beer kegs.
Alcohol and Caroline Forbes was not an ideal mixture. She barely drank when out at parties with friends and only had one beer when at the music festival with Klaus. Being a lightweight also didn't help her situation, especially after her first night of drinking sophomore year when she had completely exceeded her limit; barfing for what felt like hours and a monster headache to match. Swearing to never consume another drop again.
Caroline wasn't a prude but as of lately, she definitely didn't fit into the basic characteristics of how a teenager should be: reckless, curious, rebellious. But tonight was a night where she finally let go of her previous convictions. She and Katherine played at least two rounds of beer pong before the witch began to feel the affects. Her body loose and mind fuzzed—she actually never felt more relaxed in her life. For the first time not worrying about any responsibilities.
She couldn't deny seeing Aurora tonight sparked some of the bravery within her. As much as she tried convincing herself this girl wasn't a threat, it was becoming harder to believe the more time Klaus spent with her tonight. Caroline didn't want to nag him while he was with his friends, she just didn't want him around her.
-Too petty?
In further attempts to distract herself, Caroline drunkenly twirled around in place while screaming the lyrics 'If You Wanna Be My Lover' by Spice Girls with an equally intoxicated Katherine by her side. Gleeful smiles glued on both girls' faces as they danced and sang like it was the end of the world.
"And here I thought you were no fun."
The familiar female voice stopped Caroline in her tracks and made her body tense. Whipping around to confirm her assumption and smile immediately dropping at the sight of the smirking redhead.
"I guess I underestimated you." Aurora added before taking another sip from her cup.
Caroline nervously gulped while Katherine stumbles into the conversation, landing I right in front of the redhead.
"Mhmm yeah, you've been doing that a lot lately." Kathrine slurred. "Now what business do you want with my friend here?"
Aurora threw her hands up innocently. "I come in peace, I swear. I know I've been a complete royal bitch to you lately but I want to make up for that. I'm woman enough to admit when I'm wrong and I was wrong about you. How about me and you start over, Caroline?"
The blonde's eyebrows shot up alarmingly as she spit up her drink.
-What the hell is going on?
"What?" Caroline asked.
The redhead sighed. "I know, complete shocker but this is our last semester and I see no point in making new enemies. Besides, I expect that I'll be seeing you around a lot more now because of Niklaus so I figured we should get along now too."
Caroline's eyes bugged and big—still not comprehending what was going on. She wasn't sure if she was too tipsy or hearing her nemesis calling a sudden truce was just suspicious.
Katherine scoffed. "Please, more like you want to keep your friends close but enemies closer."
Aurora tilted her head turning towards her. "What are you her mouthpiece now?"
She shrugged with a grin. "On occasion, but I'm just a lot better at detecting a conniving bitch."
Aurora laughed. "Takes one time know one, I suppose. Seems to me you've had one too many, Katerina. You should pace yourself."
The brunette vampire's face drained of color and body tensed—completely sobered up at this point. Her initial confident stance and demeanor faded in an instant.
Caroline watched the scene like it was from a movie. She remembered how offended Katherine was when Klaus called her by that name, but the reason behind her reaction was never explained. First her boyfriend and now her friend.
Vampires were such a mystery.
The witch gasped noticing how Katherine's eyes transformed to a wild amber colored hue, similar to Klaus's. She and never seen her friend 'vamp out' which usually was a sign for lack of control. Caroline didn't know if she was going to stare her to death or rip her throat open with her teeth.
She took a bold step forward where she and Aurora were inches apart.
"Don't, ever call me that." Katherine sternly ordered.
The threat only made Aurora's red lipped smirk grow and Katherine's blood boil.
Caroline standing on the sidelines not knowing what to say or how to react. Everyone else appeared completely oblivious to the dramatic scene.
-Where is Klaus?
She desperately wondered—missing his solve. Getting caught in a pissing sandwich between her friend and nemesis was not an event Caroline factored into her agenda for the night.
Katherine eyed Aurora up and down once before scoffing. "You know, you're not even worth it and I'm really not drunk enough for this so I'm gonna get me another. Hold down the skank fort until my return, would ya Forbes?"
Caroline didn't have a chance to refute before her friend was already gone—leaving here with the last person she would ever want to be stuck with.
An awkward silence falling upon them.
"Well," Aurora shrugged. "That was rather dramatic don't you think?"
-Maybe I'm also not drunk enough for this.
Caroline took a sip out of her, now, empty cup to avoid an actual response.
"Look Caroline I know you have every reason to not trust me but, what me and Klaus has is very much in the past. We're friends." She explained.
The blonde slowly lowered the cup from her lips.
"Very good friends, actually." Her tone sounding bittersweet. "Anyways, five wonderful years of friendship will cease to exist if me and you aren't at least cordial with one another. And I don't know about you but, I care enough about him to not make him choose between the people in his life."
"Of course I care about him." Caroline defensively claimed. "I—I just don't know if I trust you, no offense."
"None taken." Aurora claimed. "If some bird who had a thing with my boyfriend was still chirping around I'd be on the fence as well."
-This was weird. This is weird, right?
"But you don't have to worry about that. My reaction in the cafeteria was merely out of shock, as yours would've been if you were in my position as well. If this is the path Niklaus wants then I will support it, no strings." Aurora swore.
Caroline was skeptical as much as she was hopeful. Was she being genuine with her peace treaty? Did she actually support her relationship with Klaus? Not that her approval was needed but having one less enemy in this battle would be great.
"Maybe, we should have a drink first, yeah? I think we're both too sober for this conversation and it'll make Niklaus squirm more than he already is." Aurora mentioned with a grin.
Caroline glanced across the room to spy an extremely puzzled Klaus intensely watching them. His eyebrows pulled together and forehead frowned, clenching a glass bottle of bourbon in his left fist tightly.
It was cute to see him silently losing his mind over them just talking to each other.
She twirled back around to face the waiting redhead.
"If toying with Klaus was the main motive, you should've just started with that." Caroline teased back, making Aurora laugh.
-Yeah, yeah This could be good. This could be good. Definitely.
Caroline repeated to herself, giving Klaus a reassuring smile, as Aurora hooked her arms through hers to walk towards the kitchen area.
He watched them until they were barely in view—curious and terrified. His death grip on the bottle of bourbon cracked the glass but didn't break.
Given that Aurora was someone he considered a friend, seeing her attempting to make nice with his girlfriends should've been reliving, comforting even. But Klaus felt the complete opposite.
-What is going on? What is Aurora planning?
Klaus knew Aurora better than most. He knew how manipulative and cruel she could be, and given how negatively she reacted to his and Caroline's relationship, that wasn't too far off her radar. Sometimes he wondered why he ever messed around with her in the first place; but he knew exactly why.
Even being as reserved as he is, Aurora understood a side of him no one else did—a side she enabled and nurtured. One he's been fighting most of his life, that side he wished to stayed buried in his past now that he was with Caroline. But he couldn't run from his past, especially now that Aurora was trying to befriend his girlfriend. He felt he would break out in hives at any moment.
Saying the guilt was eating at him was an understatement.
Barely paying attention to whatever Marcel was talking about for his attention was heavily set on the blonde and redhead duo across the way. Laughing and drinking together as if they weren't just at each other's throats 30 minutes ago.
It was unsettling—more because he wasn't sure if his protection was towards Caroline or his own discretions.
Aurora threw her head back laughing. "I'm not joking, I swear."
Caroline's eyes pinched shut as she tried to catch her breath from her own laughter. "I just can't imagine Klaus of all people doing a keg stand. Ever."
Spending about half an hour talking to Aurora about the good ole times wasn't as horrible as Caroline predicted. When she wasn't acting like a psycho ex, Aurora was actually a charming and decent person.
"Well believe it. If I wasn't so amazed it's be the most viral video to circulate this school, well second most viral." Referring to their extremely public couple reveal.
The blonde gulped down the rest of the liquid in her mouth to distract the brief awkward silence.
Shrugging it off with a laugh. "It's just so weird thinking about Klaus wilding at parties, well besides stuff like this obviously. He just seems so—"
"Reserved? Stuck up?" Aurora suggested.
"Well, I wasn't going to say that exactly..."
"Oh face it Caroline your boyfriend is a snobbish prick, no offense, who acts like drinking free liquor is beneath him—"
Caroline's eyebrows furrowed when the redhead drifted off mid-sentence.
"What?
Aurora laughed it off, clearing her throat. "Nothing, nothing. I suppose it's still so odd that Niklaus Mikaelson is someone's boyfriend, let alone a witch's."
The underlying bitterness in her tone obvious, even to a tipsy Caroline.
"He and I talked about that you know, being together legitimately." She clarified.
Was the last thing Caroline was expecting to come out of her mouth.
-What the—
She masked her hurt and confusion with stunned eyebrows and neutral eyes.
Of all the times she's asked the extent of their dynamic, Klaus had never mentioned that he actually considered a relationship with Aurora—swearing he wasn't the relationship type until Caroline. That Aurora was nothing more than a warm body.
-Why wouldn't he tell me about this? What else about her is he hiding?
Her head full of endless questions and horrid assumptions.
But she refused to show it—simply nodding. "Oh?"
Aurora's eyes squinted. "Figured he wouldn't have told you, it was nothing too serious." She began. "Not to mention we were both completely smashed that night but, we meant every word. But he wasn't ready for a real relationship yet and neither was I so we delayed that plan and settled for the next best thing. The whole friends with benefits thing was his idea, typical guy but I didn't mind because the benefits were certainly doing me favors."
Her suggestive tone as cringe as her words.
"I mean the sex we had was, phenomenal—literally groundbreaking." She smirked at the memory. "The things he can do to your body and somehow make you want to do it again and again within minutes is sinful but so, rewarding. Oh, but I don't have to tell you any of that, right? I'm sure you two have already done plenty..."
She said as if she already knew the truth.
-Did Klaus tell her about what we've done? Does everyone at this party know?
Caroline felt sick. Suddenly feeling more uncomfortable the longer she stayed here. Not to mention the amount of inferiority from hearing the sexed up vampire nonchalantly spewing intimate details about the time she spent with her boyfriend.
Maybe Klaus wanted more of a physical relationship than he let on...
-And you're the dumbass who let him finger you in his bed and told him you're a virgin on the first unofficial date.
Caroline licked her lips nervously and fiddled with the rim of her cup before gulping down the last of the throat-burning liquid.
The welcoming buzz began to dominate her senses and she never been more grateful to be out of control for once.
"Yeah, umm, speaking of Klaus I should actually go find him. Haven't seen him all night so..."
"Let's go look for him together." She suggested.
"Oh, oh no Aurora you don't really have to."
-Seriously, don't.
Aurora waved her off, interlocking their arms again.
"Nonsense, I will not let you have all the fun of throwing his embarrassing stories back in his face. Besides I'm in dire need of a beer pong rematch."
"Yay!" Caroline gave the brightest and fakest smile she could form while looking down at their joined arms.
-Kill me now.
They didn't venture far as they made their way to the couches, where everyone was sitting while Klaus sat in his own chair beside his friends.
If Caroline wasn't so nauseous she would burst out in laughter over his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets when he spots her and Aurora still inseparable. Katherine was practically sitting in Marcel's lap while one arm was around Enzo's neck—much to Klaus's disgust. But he rather her than the red headed alternative.
"Hope you don't mind us crashing..." Aurora announced, flopping on a cushion but sight never leaving Klaus's dagger eyes.
"More the merrier!" Enzo cheered from his seat.
Caroline hummed as she glided to Klaus who let out an unrecognizable yelp when she stumbled onto his lap.
He thankfully caught her by the waist before she fell to a violent fate. She was crazily laughing, with occasional burps.
"You alright there, love?" Klaus asked.
She nodded, biting her lip innocently to suppress her amusement.
"I slipped...I slipped." She said between giggles.
Klaus's eyebrows curled in concern and question.
"Are you drunk?"
She pretended to ponder. "Mmm, maybe...maybe just a little." Caroline shrugged with a dramatic grin and placing her arms around Klaus's neck.
Consider him shook.
Given that Caroline wasn't much of a drinker, it wasn't a shocker that she was a lightweight. He didn't even see her drink anything besides that one vodka shot. Then again, she has been under Aurora's thing all night...
All these years of knowing Caroline he's never seen her out of control. Out of control of any situation, let alone her mind and body. It was odd, to say the least and Klaus was unsure how to feel about it.
Yet somehow even in her drunken state she looked so incredibly beautiful in every way. She was really his.
-And why again are you trying to ruin it?
"Christ, love please don't tell me one shot of vodka trashed you like this." He laughed, cupping her cheek in his palm to examine her face.
Caroline subconsciously melted into his touch, closing her eyes and inhaling everything that was him. The way her skin felt inflamed from his thumb caressing her cheekbone—innocently but hotly. All her senses seemed on overdrive and inhibitions low as ever.
"Hmm...I like when you do that." She purred.
Her smile drunk and lazy as she stared up at him with hooded lids. Stunning him by her own ministrations, blindly caressing his facial features with her fingers—like he was a delicate foreign artifact she was in the process of decoding.
Klaus's eyebrows furrowed but eyes bright. "Not that I mind your hands on me but sweetheart, may I ask what you are doing?"
Caroline smiled, glancing over at the lit cigarette propped between his fingers.
"Such a disgusting habit...can I try it?" She asked.
"Uh, love I don't think—"
Not waiting for a response, Caroline snatched the nicotine stick from his hand. Confidently placing it between her lips and immediately coughing up a lung after a harsh inhale.
Klaus rubbed her back for comfort.
"You could've at least told her not to inhale until she was used to it, you bloody wanker." Aurora commented.
Caroline ignored her, catching her breath and leaning her forehead on his shoulder before her lips met his neck.
"Sorry." She coughed a giggle.
Klaus smiled back, still rubbing up and down her spine. "You have nothing to be sorry about, I should've warned you. I don't even know why I'm still carrying these bloody things around. Force of habit I suppose."
Caroline's eyes widened in realization. "You stopped?"
He shrugged. "Haven't found the need for them anymore, and I know how much you hate them."
"You stopped for me?"
Klaus smirked. "I thought you knew by now there is very little I wouldn't do for you."
She hasn't even realized Klaus quit smoking—a nervous tick he acquired since they met and probably even longer. She never wasted a minute expressing her distaste towards it—not that it mattered for him health wise, but the fact that he stopped a centuries long habit to make her more comfortable...
Even with a spiraling head Caroline understood the weight of his choice.
The blonde's smile reached ear to ear and staring lovingly in his eyes—kissing his cheek then neck, burying the words she would likely regret in the morning.
Pushing her fingers through his curls carelessly. "Sweet, you're so sweet to me and really hot. Like, seriously so hot. You know like, my boyfriend is a hottie vampire sundae."
Klaus has never blushed so aggressively in all his days.
"I don't tell you that enough huh? I should, well I want to but that's when I'm sober and your head is already huge enough." She said with a pouty lip.
"Oh, is that so?" He laughed.
She giggled and nodded, poking his illegally endearing dimples teasingly. Caroline rubbed her nose against his while squirming on his lap, completely oblivious to the fact they were surrounded by a room full of vampires.
Gawking at them like they were celebrities.
"Could you two be annoyingly cute somewhere else?" Enzo whined. "Some of us are horny but lonely alright? So either give us a show or leave."
While Klaus mocked his friend's bitterness, Caroline's sights settled on Aurora who was eyeing the couple heavily before flipping her hair and crossing her legs together on the couch.
"I'm growing bored so, let's play a game. Never have I ever." Aurora proposed.
Enzo groaned. "No, absolutely not because you play dirty." Pointing at the redhead.
She scoffed. "Oh piss off. It's not my fault you've done too much and get plastered easily."
"As vampires we've all done basically everything imaginable so can we finally agree this is just an excuse to get more shitfaced?" Marcel added.
"Caroline isn't a vampire." Aurora pointed out.
The whole room fell silent and looked over at the stunned witch fit what felt like the millionth time that night.
"Aurora." Klaus warned.
She lifted her shoulders innocently. "Oh don't get your knickers all in a twist, Niklaus. Isn't tonight supposed to be about us getting to know your girl? What better opportunity than through a fun little game of truth?"
Aurora was testing her, taunting her even. Now she was unsure where they stood; friends or enemies. She put her in a double edged sword situation. Either way, choosing to play into her web or not, she would be giving her some kind of satisfaction.
Klaus rubbed Caroline's arm while coaxing her to look at him.
"Love, you don't have to do anything." He reassured.
That was basically his go-to motto since the night started and though appreciated, it also made her feel like he didn't think she could handle his world—his people.
"I'll play." Caroline boldly agreed
Klaus looked nervous while Aurora's malicious smirk grew.
"Perfect."
"Never have I ever...had sex while my parents were home." Marcel announced.
Everyone groaned and mocked before filling down another shot of liquor. Given that they've only been playing for 10 minutes and almost everyone, including Klaus, drank after each turn proved this was just an excuse to get more shitfaced.
Caroline was the only one not drinking because she hasn't done even a fraction of what centuries old creatures have. Even Katherine was included, though that wasn't surprising. But the blonde was still very much tipsy but the suggestive glances Klaus and Aurora were sending each other made her take unnecessary sips of anything she could get her hands on.
"I didn't realize how vanilla you are, mate." Enzo teased.
Marcel laughed, showing off his signature pearly whites. "Sorry some of us actually respect our families enough to not want them listening in on exquisite shagging down the hall. Besides, Mikaelson didn't drink either."
Caroline felt Klaus tense, his grip on her waist tightening.
"Because we all know no one has ever been welcomed in that castle he calls a home. He doesn't count." Enzo blurted.
Klaus let out a subtle breath of relief that no one asked any further questions regarding his 'home'.
"And it doesn't mean he isn't a fan of doing it in particularly risky places. Isn't that right, my love?" Aurora winked.
Klaus's jaw noticeably clenched, as did Caroline's.
-Yeah, she's definitely not my friend.
Grabbing her red solo cup off the table, raising it in the air, Caroline spoke. "I think it's my turn."
"Never have I ever flirted with another girl's man."
-Really? That's the best you could do? Wait a go Caroline.
Aurora's eyes narrowed like pointy knives shoving right through Caroline's heart. This was a game between them two alone and everyone felt the thick tension.
Though it was amusing to see Klaus, Enzo and Katherine drink to that one.
Aurora placed her cup down. "Never have I ever had made out with Kl—oops, yes I have." Laughs. "Oh! Never have I ever had sex with Kla—wait I've done that too."
She laughed more. "I guess I have done pretty much everything, while sweet Caroline here hasn't even scratched the surface. I'm sure we can break you in someway."
Caroline felt her skin burning and death stare forming.
"You're drunk." Klaus murmured.
"Clearly." Aurora raised her cup.
Enzo popped his lips together. "Well, that was riveting. Can we all now skip to the part where everyone just starts making out?"
Klaus was stunned when Caroline grabbed his face between her hands to pull him on for a deep kiss.
"I love how literal you took that, gorgeous." Enzo smirked.
The couple too consumed in their own lust to pay his remarks any mind.
Her dominance was unexpected but incredibly welcomed. She had never been so forward with him, he blamed it on the liquid courage.
Klaus was notorious for being anti-PDA but everything felt right, natural, with Caroline. His entire group of friends stared in awe at the witch demanding his affection and he couldn't care less.
It only took a moment for Klaus to respond just as eagerly. His hand on her waist ventured lower onto her bare thigh to pull her closer, slanting his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss.
Caroline bit down, hard, on Klaus's bottom lip before letting it snap back in place. Licking over the wound while staring into his stormy eyes that matched hers perfectly. For the first time all night she felt superior. Nothing was more liberating than the shocked but aroused expression on his face.
Her smirk widened seductively.
Giving Aurora a final glare before whispering in her vampire's ear.
"Take me upstairs."
Klaus's head shot back and eyes big.
-What has gotten into her?
He gulped audibly. "Caro—"
Her finger pressed against his full lips ceased any further comments.
Caroline smiled into another quick kiss. "Shhh...Take me upstairs Klaus or, I'll take you."
Again not giving him a chance to respond for she quickly stood up from his lap, bold and confident while Klaus sat there hesitant. She reached for his hand so he could also stand, leading them towards the stairway.
"Well at least we know who's getting laid tonight." Enzo teased.
Katherine gave Caroline an impressed expression with an underlying 'you better tell me everything' raised eyebrow.
Aurora mumbled something under her breath before rolling her eyes and resuming to her drink.
A victorious smile permanent on Caroline's face. She loved feeling in charge, in somewhat control and most importantly how pissed Aurora looked.
She knew this was probably the pettiest she's ever been to someone but it was the most in control she felt all night.
Ignoring her subconscious screaming that this was a mistake, that she needed to stop allowing Aurora to continue having this affect on her. To feel as secure in her relationship as she did just a few hours ago. But she was already going for it and was too late to back down now.
They were already at the top of the stairs when Klaus gripped her hand, stopping her in her tracks.
His face full of concern it made her heart ache.
"What?" She asked
Klaus huffed. "That's what I'd like to know. What's going on Caroline, you don't seem like—"
"I'm fine." She cut him off, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaving a hot kiss on his sharp jawline. "Now, do you really want to waste all this time talking..."
Her lips were too powerful against his for Klaus to even think straight. She was so warm, smelled divine like a meadow of honeysuckle and vanilla. Her mouth tasted of bourbon and a hint of nicotine—oddly an attractive combination.
Klaus gripped onto her waist as she pushed them into the door of an empty room, their lips never parting. It was becoming more difficult to think clearly when her tongue licked inside his mouth and her whispering how much she wanted him before each kiss.
His efforts of dominating the situation failed, as the blonde vixen pushed him up against the now shut door. She smirked into another kiss, not wasting any time as her hands hesitantly fell down to his chest and down his torso.
-This is wrong, I should stop her...
But between her addicting lips, curious hands and one of his many fantasies starring being played out right in front of him...
-It feels too good.
Klaus has never been so feverish over anyone before, swallowing her desperate moans like a starving man.
"Caro—"
Her eager lips too quick and determined, not giving him an opportunity to get a word in or breathe.
"I want you…" She moaned into his mouth, deepening the kiss with her tongue while her fingers threaded through his hair and tugging hard enough to elicit a few moans of his own.
-Christ, she wasn't making this easy.
Everything in him wanted to indulge, feed into his weakness and selfishness. To take what he desired and claim her in every way he's only entertained in his head-but as good as it felt, it also felt wrong. He wasn't that person anymore, he no longer took what he needed from people and threw them out afterwards. He wasn't like that, not with her, and he never would be.
This was Caroline, and she would never forgive him for allowing her to make this decision when she wasn't in the proper state of mind. Most importantly he'd never forgive himself, for hurting her more than he already has.
Not for their first time together, not this way.
Finally finding the strength, Klaus gently grabbed her wrist when she reached for the bucket of his belt.
Caroline's eyebrows turned in and her swollen lips frowned. "What's wrong?" She asked breathlessly.
Klaus let out a shallow breath. "We shouldn't do this. It isn't right."
She snorted. "Yeah, because you're too busy using your lips for the wrong things..."
Klaus held her by the shoulders when she attempted kissing him again.
The confusion and pain in her tearful eyes struck into his chest like a knife.
Caroline took a step away from him, covering her body with her arms protectively.
"Oh, umm, sorry you—you don't want to have sex with me?"
Klaus's forehead frowned. "What? Really Caroline? After everything, how could you possibly still question my desire for you?"
"Gee, I don't know, maybe because I'm literally throwing myself at you and you're rejecting me. Did you ever reject Aurora?"
"What the bloody hell does she have to do with anything!" Klaus yelled. "Is that what all this is about? The new look, the drinking, this..."
Caroline didn't answer, turning away from him with her arms crossed.
Klaus sighed, running his fingers through his hair as he sat down on the bed.
"Please just look at me, Caroline." He begged.
She stubbornly turned enough where she wasn't facing him completely but still satisfying his demand.
He found it charming.
"For starters, there's nothing I want more than to be with you intimately. I've thought about it plenty of times, imagined it probably more than I should." He grinned. "That's not what this is about at all and I never want you to doubt how much I want you. And under different circumstances I would gladly indulge in whatever you wanted but..."
"But what?" Finally turning towards him.
"But something's going on with you tonight and I need you to explain to me what it is, because my mind immediately goes to the darkest places. You're not acting like yourself, not to mention you're completely hammered which is also very unlike you and now this. Remember what you told me about your views on sex? It's important to you, which makes it important to me. You shouldn't want to do something this major when you're intoxicated and won't even remember it the next day."
Caroline pressed her lips together, not wanting to cry but with her lowered inhibitions she had little control over her own emotions. Biting on her trembling lip like her life depended on it. She felt pathetic and wouldn't blame Klaus for dumping her—though his encouraging words weren't helping.
A shiver crept up her spine when she felt his cold hands rubbing her arms from behind. Calming the goosebumps forming in its place with the most gentle touch. She didn't even realize he was standing up now.
"Talk to me." He pleaded in a whisper.
Caroline blinked away a few tears before turning in his arms.
She knew her appeared was awful: tangled hair, smudged makeup with tear stained cheeks and red puffy eyes. Excluding the aggressive stench of liquor seeping through her pores.
She pouted. "Okay, but you can't laugh. I'm serious."
"Why would I laugh?"
"Because I'm going to sound like a drunk drama queen who you're probably going to want to break up with."
Klaus waited for her to continue.
"You want me to be honest, I'm having a terrible time tonight. Probably the shittiest night I've had in awhile and it's not because of you. Your intent was sweet, so was-wanting me to meet your friends, becoming apart of your life..." Sniffles. "That means so much to me and everything I've wanted from you. And your friends seem great, I love the support you have from them."
"But..."
Caroline sighed, looking down at her bare feet and wondering when she took off her heels.
"But, with all that said it all gets pushed to the side when I'm constantly reminded that one of your good friends is also your ex."
"Caroline—"
"I know, I know you constantly tell me to stop working about Aurora and you think I'm obsessed with her but maybe I am. Can you blame me! I mean, what girl wants to see her boyfriend's ex-thing around him 24/7? Knowing that every time you hang out with him you're going to see her as well, dreading the whole experience." The tears began to well up her eyes and throat. "Especially when that ex doesn't waste a second bragging to me about how many times she had sex with you, or how good it was and all these other intimate details that I would rather not know. And knowing me and you haven't gone that far in our relationship and I don't even know if we ever will."
"Love—"
"And don't lie to me and act like you didn't enjoy your time with her or that you won't get tired of waiting for me, because I know sex has always been a big deal in your past situationships. Then here comes me, the prudish virgin witch who has only seen a penis like twice in her life. It's just, really shitty." She somberly concluded.
Klaus twisted his lips, looking down at her blankly.
"Situationship, huh? I'd say that's a new one for me love." He teased with a subtle laugh.
Caroline scoffed. "I told you not to laugh at me jerk!" Shoving him in the shoulder, rather hard actually.
"Sweetheart I'm not laughing at you, I'm not. Come here." He sighed, taking her hand to lead her to sit next to him on the bed.
It was criminal how easily he could deflate and inflate any issue.
Flopping down on the soft mattress clumsily. "I knew it, you're laughing because you think I'm an insecure neurotic brat. Join the club." She mumbled.
Klaus shook his head, turning her body to face him completely.
"That's absolutely not what I was thinking, not even the slightest. Look, Caroline I really don't want sex to be such a burden between us. It shouldn't be this heavy thing and I curse this modern society for making you feel there's some kind of time clock."
-He can stop being perfect any day now...
"It was only a primary factor in my previous affairs because I didn't want anything more with them. Nothing I had with them could ever compare to what I have with you. What we have together is something I've never experienced, it's something I cherish and want to stay in tact for as long as we can. What I feel for you surpasses anything I've ever felt for anybody."
"But Aurora—"
"Did I genuinely like her at one point in time, as more than just for physical needs? Yes. I didn't tell you because I didn't think it was important because it was brief and fleeting. I never intended on going that far with her. She's-" he sighed, "complicated to say the least."
Now Caroline felt even more like an idiot for letting Aurora get into her head so easily. Why did she let her guard down with the girl who was hellbent on running her relationship, and nearly succeeded.
Caroline groaned. "Wow, god Klaus I'm sorry. It's just, everything about that girl is important to me because she's the only ex of yours I know of and she's always around you which is kinda overwhelming—considering how gorgeous, experienced and immortal she is. It's a lot it take in knowing you have a history together, no matter how secure of a person I am."
He understood fully. Plenty of times he questioned whether Caroline would stay with him or if she'd run back to Tyler or someone else more suitable.
"I'm sorry I let her come between us like that. If there's anything else about you two please tell me now, I don't know if I can deal with more surprises." She half laughed.
Klaus gulped, licking his lips nervously
Shaking his head.
"No, no more surprises I promise." He assured. "Also she's completely mad to tell you I wanted an actual relationship with her when that never happened. I never desired for this kind of companionship with anyone until you, Caroline."
Caroline could feel her chest tightening—in a good way.
He pulled a few strands of hair behind her ears. "I meant what I said, I don't mind waiting until you're ready to be with me—if you're ever ready. However long that may be and I know for a fact you weren't ready tonight, adorably drunk and all."
Caroline huffed a laugh and sniffled.
"God, I'm such a mess." Burying her face in her hands. "How can you even look at me?"
Klaus smirked. "Because you're effortlessly the most beautiful and charming creature I've ever seen."
"Even when I tried jumping your bones like a mad woman?"
He chuckled. "Especially when you try jumping my bones like a mad woman."
Her head popped back up, turning to look at the vampire who had sparkles in his eyes for her only. Who made her feel as beautiful as he constantly praised, who she trusted with her heart.
She groaned hitting him in the chest. "You can't say things like that, especially when I'm an emotional wreck."
Klaus smiled, grabbing her waist to pull her closer to his side. She yelped when he squeezed her hip teasingly but gracefully relaxed beside him.
Caroline's lifted her palm to Klaus's stubbled cheek, caressing the scratchy flesh with intent.
She wasn't sure if it was just because she was drunk or because she was that into him that sparked her incapability of not touching him tonight.
Maybe both.
Her smile genuine and warm, causing uncharacteristically fluttering butterflies to invade Klaus's stomach.
The way she was looking at him, so pure and adoringly it nearly made him nauseous.
"What?"
Her finger traced his blonde eyebrows, the shape of his eye, down to the bridge of his nose to his full rosy lips.
Humming to herself throughout her exploration.
"I really, really like you, you know that right?" She softly declared.
Klaus grabber her hand, leaving a kiss on each fingertip. "I do know, and I you."
"But I mean, really like you. To the moon and back and past the stars. I like you that much!" Caroline expressed.
His undead heart never wanted to beat so badly.
"You're going to regret stroking my ego this much in the morning." Klaus claimed, pecking her on the nose.
Caroline laughed loudly, now running her fingers through his hair from the back.
"Mmm, maybe. But I'm currently very tipsy so who's to say I'll even remember hmm?" Rubbing her nose against his, simply being as close as possible. Never wanting it to stop.
For the first time tonight she felt content, just being in his safe arms; he felt like home.
Her eyes closed while they held each other.
"Klaus?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you, for caring about me."
She was an incredibly emotional drunk, he learned.
"It wasn't that difficult, love I assure you."
Caroline sniffled into a half smile. "I'm not as perfect as you think I am..."
"I never thought you were, and I don't want you to be anyone but yourself with me." He claimed.
"Even if I screw up?"
He pulled away to look at her, lifting her face between his calloused palms. "There's nothing you could do to screw anything up, besides I'm no one to judge. Anything you've done I'm sure I did once, or twice."
She bitterly smiled, her bottom lip trembling at how amazing he was and still in disbelief that they were really together.
Leaning her face in to connect their cold lips that ran hotly over each other's.
"Let's get out of here, yeah?" Klaus suggested. "This place lost its appeal ages ago anyways."
Caroline eagerly nodded. "Good call, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to be sick soon."
He smirked, rubbing her back soothingly. "I'll take you back to your room so you'll be more comfortable. There's a fresh bucket and pills waiting for you."
"But you'll stay, even after I puke my guts out and fall asleep?" She innocently asked.
Klaus kissed her again sweetly.
They both lingered there longer than intended, feeling closer than ever before.
"Always." Smiling against her lips.
The blaring annoying ringtone from her cell phone awoke a very grumpy and hungover Caroline from a deep slumber.
She groaned, rolling on her side and squinting her eyes when the strip of sunlight blinded through her bedroom window. Her head heavy like ten bowling balls were doing on top of it and mercilessly pounding like a punching bag. Caroline never felt so nauseous in her life. Attempting to sit up but her hangover headache wouldn't allow it, prompting her to immediately lay back down.
-What the hell?
Last thing she remembered was Klaus carrying her back to her room, sneaking past the security guards.
She made good on her promise of puking her guts out—Klaus holding her hair back and soothing her heaving body with a gentle caress up and down her spine. Draped over the toilet for at least 30 minutes, and remembering Klaus never left. He changed her into her pajamas, brushed out as much vomit from her hair as possible before tucking her under her covers.
Caroline's mind too fuzzy to remember that Klaus slept beside her in bed until she fell asleep and sat in the chair across the room watching her sleep. It was at least two in the morning by then, and though partially exhausted he stayed with her all night, like he promised.
All Caroline knew was she was safe because of him.
-But where is he?
Waking up to an empty bed and room, assuming Katherine didn't make it back to the room either.
Pushing her smelly and tangled hair from her face, she finally sought out her phone by the nightstand. Eyes rolling and more groaning when she saw the name on the screen.
-Great, just what I needed.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the green button to answer.
"Hey, mom..." Caroline dryly greeted, not relaxing how hoarse her voice was.
"Caroline, are you okay? You sound awful." Liz Forbes noticed.
-Yeah mom, I'm great. Just recovering from a massive hangover no big deal.
"Uhh, yeah..." clearing her throat, making her head hurt more. "just a little hoarse, that's all. Why are you calling me so early?"
"It's nearly noon."
-Oh, right.
Caroline slapped herself on the forehead, instantly groaning from the pounding headache.
-Never. Drinking. Again!
"Right, I've been so busy I'm getting all my times mixed up." She impressively lied. "What's up?"
"Well I just wanted to remind you about the sports banquet on Thursday, and that I'll be attending. Thought I could ask you what I should wear?"
Caroline sat up, straight spine and eyes wide awake and phone glued to her ear.
"You're going to the banquet? But—but you never go to things like that?"
"That's because I was always busy, and my only daughter wasn't captain of the cheerleading squad and basically every committee on campus." Liz gleefully praised.
Caroline gulped.
"Besides, it's been awhile since we've seen each other. Figured this would be the perfect opportunity to catch up, I feel we have a lot to talk about."
Just when Caroline didn't think anything could be worse than her head threatening to detach from her body. Liz's suggestive tone made Caroline want to vomit all over again.
Her mouth opened and closed when she heard the doorknob moving, and Klaus walking in with a few items in his hands.
"Uhh, yeah I'll talk to you later." Quickly hanging up the phone and tossing it under her pillow.
"Who was that?" He asked while walking towards her on the bed.
Caroline shrugged. "Nobody, just a wrong number."
Klaus hummed, sitting down on the mattress and presenting her with a few Advil tablets, bottle of water and a nutrition bar.
As if her fondness for him couldn't grow anymore.
"You're a saint." She exhaled into a smile.
Klaus slightly cringed. "Calling a vampire a saint, that's a bit of an oxymoron, don't you think?" He smirked.
"Not when the vampire is as awesome as mine." Taking the pill and water from his hand.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
Her head nodded as she swallows the pill. "Still pretty foggy but better, much better. My head feels like it weighs one hundred pounds and I smell like a bar, but I'll manage. I hope I didn't say too many embarrassing things last night."
Klaus shrugged. "Nothing worth remembering."
She faintly recalled a lot of their last conversation included a lot of Aurora talk; maybe he was right.
"Well thanks for taking care of me last night. Your friends kidnapped my sober partner."
His laugh was like a breath of fresh air after such a shitty night.
"Pretty sure that was the other way around, and sweetheart you never have to thank me for being there for you."
That familiar yet uncomfortable warmth began spreading throughout her body again, but she brushed it off while gurgling down more water.
"I am however curious about why you lied to me about who you were on the phone with."
She spit the water up.
-Damn him and his supernatural hearing.
Caroline sighed in defeat, clearly not getting out of this web. "Okay it was my mom, and I didn't mean to lie, it's just that I didn't want her to ruin your morning like she ruined mine."
Klaus's eyebrows furrowed. "What did she say?"
"Remember the banquet that you agreed to accompany me to? Well, my dutiful mother who usually just mails her checks in has decided to actually attend the event this year." She explained.
Klaus's face quickly transformed into slight panic. He hasn't seen Caroline's mom since they first became classroom partners—so much has changed since then.
"I see...and I'm assuming she still doesn't know about us?"
Caroline bit down on her bottom lip anxiously. "I mean, this is a small town I'm sure someone's probably told her by now. But literally, it's been years and she's never decided to come, now that I have a boyfriend she obviously won't approve of, she wants to sit front row."
Klaus shrugged. "Well at lesst we don't have to worry about falling asleep."
They both laughed, trying to look on the bright side of an anxiety fueled scenario.
"Yeah at first I was just dreading the long speeches and money blowing show-offs but now I'm dreading her manipulating glares." Caroline whined, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Makes me grateful my mother doesn't attend school functions, at least not anymore." Klaus said. "Her many attempts at trying to reconnect with me by claiming she was there to support Rebekah's desire of being on a team. You can see where Kol gets his pathetic maneuvers from."
Caroline lifted her head, her chin now on his shoulder as she stared up at him. "It's kinda crazy how much I never noticed them before, or at least didn't think much of them, and now they're all I want to know about. You think I'll ever meet more Mikaelsons?"
Her doe eyes made him want to obey to all her wants, even if it meant hurting him in the process. The prospect of meeting her mother, again, as the boyfriend instead of classmate was nauseating enough without her mentioning his family.
She did that often, and he couldn't blame her, but it was easier than admitting the truth.
Klaus rubbed his lips together into a thin line, giving her a tight-lipped smile and quick kiss.
"You're not missing out on anything." He promised. "Enough about that, how about you get cleaned up and I'll meet you back here in 20 to take you to get a real breakfast in the cafeteria, my treat."
She knew this was his way of him once again dodging the subject of his family but Caroline decided to allow it. Especially if it meant they wouldn't discuss last night either, and she had an appetite for a plateful of bacon.
Caroline sealed the invitation with a kiss. "Deal."
Quite literally, the calm before the storm. The next chapter is going to be, a lot, and I'm warning you lovelies in advance because I care.
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S! SEE YOU IN 2020!