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Caroline sighed as she stood alone in the middle of the football field. Though it was now nighttime, the LED football lights shone brighter than the sun. It had been a very eventful birthday for Caroline, just like the one three years ago. Only this time she was older and more experienced and she promised herself not to cry.
Tyler was gone. Most likely broken out of his cell by one of Klaus' Hybrids. She was scared for both Tyler and TVD. Yes, Tyler was a horrible person but it's almost impossible for someone to change that much. A part of her will always want the case to be that Tyler was being forced into what he was doing, but his words told her otherwise. The person she knew was gone for good, or even worse, he was never there. To add to everything that was happening, all the TVD agents were scared and in lockdown. If word that a dangerous TOS agent had escaped got out, that could cause even more chaos.
As for Caroline personally, she had no idea what to feel. All the TOS assassins that had come to capture her were dead and the bodies were taken care of, but that didn't make her feel any better. In fact, it made her feel worse. Twenty three people had lost their lives trying to kidnap her. There was so much Caroline could've done, so much she should've done. If she had tried harder to convince Klaus to let her help. Maybe then she might have convinced him to not focus on his anger and spare some lives. Though The Other Side assassins that were supposed to take her were dead, Esther ordered that Caroline had to be looked after 24/7, seeing that she was the target of the invasion. She wanted to argue, but Esther was in charge. Caroline knew that Esther wasn't doing this for her safety, but rather for her son's. She thought staying was putting everyone including Klaus in danger, but she couldn't just get up and leave. There were guards everywhere and Klaus jumped at the chance to be with her every second of every day. There was no way Caroline was getting past him.
At least the lockdown had lightened up for now. Esther said that it was okay for everyone to go back to their rooms, but no one was to leave TVD under any circumstances. That included the assassins from New Orleans. That meant both Camille and Hayley were there to stay. Camille would be clinging onto Klaus now that was required to stay with Caroline and Hayley had a baby that Klaus had grown close to.
Klaus seemed to have formed such a close relationship with Hayley and her baby that when he and Freya reunited with their other family members, he had introduced Hayley and her child. Caroline knew she shouldn't be jealous, but Klaus had just come back. It was horrible because she just felt like doing everything Camille did when she was reunited with Klaus. She had dreamed of the day for years but it was nothing like she had hoped. There were assassins led by his father and her ex boyfriend coming after them. Coming to kill them. She was even more scared than she was on her last eventful birthday where she was separated from Tyler and stuck with a murderer. Now Caroline had fallen for that murderer and was not scared for her life, but his.
Caroline smoothed down her multicoloured pencil dress as she looked at the bleachers TVD members were sitting on just a few hours ago. Klaus had left her a note to meet him there at nightfall because he needed to spend some time with his family before they could be alone. She felt like a schoolgirl who was crushing hard on a boy for the first time. It was exciting to finally have a proper conversation with Klaus but also stressful because Caroline wanted to tell him that she liked him too.
Footsteps from behind her almost made Caroline whip around in excitement but she held herself back and turned slowly. Of course it was Klaus in all his glory and Caroline wasn't in any way complaining. He was wearing a suit with a pale blue tie. Klaus was perfect and she couldn't help but smile.
Déjà Vu washed over her completely as she admired Klaus. Caroline remembered the night of the dinner party with Esther and the nightmare that accompanied it. The fact that Klaus had been away for some time and even the note to meet him. The lights, the field, him. Everything was exactly the same, except the cold and dreadful feeling she had, wasn't there. She felt safe. Caroline felt completely safe.
"How did you get here so fast?" She asked in regards to the invasion as Klaus continued towards her.
"I was already on my way," he confessed with his hands behind his back and a smile on his lips. When Caroline cocked her head and raised her eyebrows in curiosity, he explained. "Freya and I figured out that Marcel's daywalker couldn't have revealed the coordinates of TVD, New Orleans while injected with Werewolf Venom, but could've leaked Virginia's long before you began to call. Even before that I planned on being here after receiving your virtual graduation announcement. Very Subtle, might I say."
Caroline mentally facepalmed in embarrassment, failing to hold back her smile as she remembered her one hundred word text message in all caps explaining how she was finally graduating this year. She thought he didn't read it.
"Besides, it's not everyday that your graduation lands on your birthday."
Her heart fluttered hearing his sentence. Caroline always sent him happy birthday messages on his birthday and he did the same, but her insecurities always told her it was just an alarm he had set on his phone. "You remembered…"
"How could I forget? That's the day you entered my world and singlehanded began to change my outlook on life itself. Such a character's birthday lest be forgotten." Before Caroline could say something, Klaus cut her off with a knowing smile. "So I assume you're expecting cash?"
A small laugh left her lips, "that or a mini fridge."
"I considered giving you a first class ticket to join me in New Orleans once this situation has been dealt with," Klaus told her.
Caroline's smile fell. Go to New Orleans? It would be impossible for her to leave all her friends and her mom. This was Caroline's lifestyle now. TVD Virginia was her home and she still had so much she was doing. The childcare centre was nearly finished and she and Elijah were nearly ready to begin hiring. Caroline couldn't leave now.
Klaus must've seen her face drop because he folded his hands behind him back and rocked on the balls of his feet like he did when he was nervous or anxious. "But I knew what your answer would be. Elijah informed me about the progress on your project based on Henrik and I didn't expect you to pick up your things and leave with me. Especially with your family all here. So I opted for something you would accept. Tyler is free to live his life after we've dealt with TOS."
"What?" Caroline gasped, not trying to mask her surprise. Tyler was a danger to TVD. To his family, to her family. Why would he let him go now?
"Freya found footage of Tyler's escape. He was nonetheless surprised when one of my Hybrids told him they would be killing you after your capture."
"But he was the one who–"
"I know, Elijah told me about your meetup with him today. We believe he was only bluffing or trying to rile you up. Either way, my family and I rendered it useless to hold Tyler against his will once we defeat Mikael and take back Henrik. The Other Side is already aware of our locations and if Mikael is dead then The Other Side has lost it's grudge against us. Keeping Tyler imprisoned would only give The Other Side yet another reason to come for my family."
Caroline searched his eyes for sarcasm. His point was logically correct, but Caroline thought that he wanted nothing more to kill Tyler. After all the shit he put the Mikaelsons through, even though Caroline didn't like the idea of it, Tyler deserved Klaus' wrath. The gift would've been exactly what she wanted when Tyler was first imprisoned, but Klaus still didn't know they had broken up. All she wanted was what was right in front of her.
Literally.
Klaus' blue eyes sparkled with a little bit of mischief along with some pride, most likely because he left her speechless. "He was your first love. I intend to be your last. However long it takes."
Now Caroline was really speechless and swore her voice had left for good as she felt a strange wave of déjà vu washed over her. Klaus leaned in and placed a simple kiss on the corner of her lips. Her heart leaped and as he pulled away, she gave him a toothy grin and a giggle.
Caroline took his offered arm as he smiled back at her. "Congratulations Caroline. Let's get out of here before twelve angry Hybrids decide to pick a fight."
...
"Hey Klaus?" Caroline called out quietly from the edge of Klaus' king size bed. It was nearing midnight and the two of them had been hanging out in Klaus' room for hours. Watching old films that Klaus claimed were cinematic excellence and criticizing DIY videos that Caroline put on.
The two had sipped champagne and caught up with each other. He told her stories of the wonders of New Orleans. Caroline learned more about Freya and couldn't wait to officially meet her. She had a girlfriend back in New Orleans that she planned on proposing to and Caroline hoped they could get close enough to go. Klaus also let her know that Camille no longer had feelings for him, so Caroline didn't need to be jealous. She learned about Hayley and Jackson and their baby on the way. Though it was kind of cute how Klaus was so intrigued about a baby, Caroline was still a bit jealous of the way he cared. Which was stupid, because they weren't even together. She remembered when Klaus told her he wasn't too sure on being a father because of his fear of becoming Mikael. Maybe Hayley's experience may change that. He also told her about the food, the music and all his friends that sounded like such interesting characters.
She let him in on all of the progress she had on Henrik and the children's facility. Klaus enjoyed hearing her funny stories about Kol and how Katherine and Elijah got engaged. She informed him about Rebekah and Stefan's relationship growth and development. How Rebekah was ready for children and Stefan was still unsure if he should stay the night. Caroline told him all about her craziest missions and how she'd get caught or captured and always ended up kicking the bad guys' ass, but never even got close to killing them. Klaus asked if she still wanted to be a back catcher. Caroline admitted that she outgrew the wish of being a back catcher. She hadn't had to kill anyone yet and she enjoyed the action and the adrenaline.
Caroline was super restless in all those long hours. She kept moving around to try to take her mind away from Klaus. Their chemistry was still undeniably there, but now it was harder for her to concentrate on anything but him. Caroline's heart was hammering against her ribcage whenever their eyes met. Her heart leaped whenever he smiled at her and completely stopped when he laughed or made a comment about his feelings towards her. All she wanted to do was tell him she felt the same.
"Yes love?" Klaus answered absently from the sofa across the room. His eyes were still on the flat screen TV that was playing 'The Scent Of A Woman,' but Caroline could tell he was listening from the sparkle of curiosity in his eyes. Her eyes gazed upon his features that she hadn't seen in ages. It was still unbelievable that Klaus was in Virginia. That he was with her. That he hadn't moved on from Caroline. She had thought she would end up like Camille. In love, but unwanted.
"What if I wasn't in love with my first love anymore?"
Klaus raised an eyebrow and muted the volume of the movie, "what do you mean love? Are you saying what I believe you're saying?"
"Maybe it's the champagne saying it…" Caroline whispered unsurely. There was no reason for her to be nervous. He loved her. But what if he only loved her because she was a challenge? What if once Caroline confessed, Klaus would get tired of her? He could go back to his old, loveless life of sleeping with hookers. This could be the biggest mistake in her life, but Caroline needed him. She couldn't have him go back to New Orleans without trying.
"You no longer love Tyler Lockwood?" Klaus questioned.
"I'll always love him. I've known Tyler for years and I'll never forget how he's been there for me, but I'm not in love with him. After the lies, the names, the abuse and all he's done to your family. To you? I can't ever completely hate him, but I'll never be in love with him again. The truth is, I haven't been for a long time. I broke up with Tyler the afternoon of the goodbye ball."
Klaus got up with a smile and kneeled before the edge of his bed, "I cannot say I'm sorry to hear the news Caroline. I am in fact overjoyed that he is no longer hurting you. Though I am sorry that I didn't allow you to share the news on the tarmac before I departed, I did say I wanted something to look forward to once I returned. It was worth the wait."
"That wasn't what I wanted to tell you on the tarmac Klaus."
"Well do share Caroline," Klaus grinned, "you've caught my interest."
Caroline cleared her throat, "remember when we were out in the Amazon and we did those mini word lessons? Well let's do it now. It's my turn by the way."
Klaus chuckled and nodded while brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Caroline nearly gasped at the contact, his thumb lingering on the place he had kissed her earlier. "Go ahead love."
"Okay my word is love," Caroline started. "L-O-V-E. Love is an intense feeling of deep affection as a noun, but as a verb is to feel a deep romantic or sexual attraction to someone. Love is sweet and pure and gentle. It makes you feel cared for and meaningful. It wraps you up, makes you smile like crazy and gives you the best and worst butterflies in your stomach. You feel like everything is seen through pink tinted glasses. But love is also painful and dangerous. It makes you insanely possessive which is awful. You can be blinded with anger in one moment and drowning in utter regret the next. It hurts like hell, but you also feel like you're on cloud nine when you're with that special person you're in love with. When you're with them, you never want to leave. You're thinking of them so you get tongue tied and say the wrong things even if you talk a lot like me. When you're not with them, they're the only thing on your mind and you want nothing more than to be with them. Being in their arms makes you feel like the luckiest and happiest person on Earth and even the thought of kissing them could make you melt. There are no limits to the affection you feel towards them. You do stupid things so they're happy. It's intense and passionate and messy and imperfect. All you want in life is to be with them forever."
Klaus reached out to cup her face, but Caroline stopped him and held his hand to her heart. "Sweetheart…"
"I'm not done, so shut up," Caroline interrupted with a small nervous smile. "Don't say anything, just listen."
This was it. There was no going back after this.
"So last but not least, here's my sentence. I… love you! I am in love with you Klaus! I am so sunshine and rainbows, pink tinted glasses, butterflies, jealously, tongue tied-ly, passionately and completely in love with you. I am all of it, I feel all of the above when I'm with you Klaus. When we were in the Amazon, training, fighting, on a mission, arguing, making up, I felt it all. And I don't care what people think, I don't care about Camille or Hayley or Tyler or Matt or even Esther! All I want is to be with you! Nothing will ever change that. No matter who comes in our way, or wherever Esther sends you, no matter what you do, I always will love you Niklaus Mikaelson."
"Are you positive Caroline? Because if so, there is no escaping it. You'll remain with me and my psychotic family and my murderous mother, I'll make sure of it. Though you have my word I'll protect you with my life, all those who oppose me will attempt to come after you."
"It wouldn't be anything unfamiliar to me," Caroline chuckled and locked her eyes with his. "Klaus, I swear I'm not bullshitting. I want to be with you. I don't care if Esther doesn't like me or wants to kill me because of it. I don't care if your enemies come after me, mostly because they are already after me, but that's beside the point. I love Rebekah and Elijah and Kol and I can't imagine my life without them. As for Freya and Henrik, I'll be sure to connect with them without your biases about Mikaelsons distracting me. I spent a spent three miserable years without you so believe me when I say I don't want to live a life without you in it. Don't believe me?"
After what seemed like an eternity of silent eye contact between the two of them, a laugh escaped Klaus' lips as he wiped a tear rolling down Caroline's cheek. "Caroline love, you were supposed to say one sentence."
Caroline joined him and let out a half sob half laugh, realizing everything she had just said. "I guess that was a little more than a sentence, huh?"
Klaus shook his head with an ear to ear grin as she got rid of the space between them. Their lips crashed together in harmony and pent up passion. Caroline held his face while threading her other hand in his hair. His lips felt way better than she had ever imagined. She got more lost in them with every movement. No wonder everyone wanted to have sex with him. The kiss was the fireworks she had expected when she reunited with Tyler, but tenfold.
Caroline felt Klaus pulling away for air and whimpered in protest. Being able to breathe was the last thing she needed. He broke the kiss and Caroline held him close, afraid he would disappear. He held her hand on his face and looked up at her in disbelief. Like he never thought this day would come. Like he never thought she would ever even think of reciprocating his feelings. "Klaus?"
"Caroline you have no clue in the slightest how long I've had those words from your lips haunt my dreams. You know not how long I've longed to kiss you. Love you need to know once you've let me have you, I have no intentions of letting you go Caroline. I'm overprotective and possessive. You'll be mine and I do not share."
"When you realize Klaus that I've been yours since you save me from that stupid jeep you blew up?" Caroline laughed as Klaus stood up and pulled her into another kiss. She slung her arms around his neck as his right arm wrapped around her waist and his left held her face gently.
He broke the kiss again and simply smiled at her. He stroked her cheek gently, "now I am very glad I stopped you on the tarmac. My mother would most definitely have your head if she saw us in action. And I would have never given New Orleans a second thought."
"What if she walked in right now? I doubt she'll be sleeping tonight and it would be mortifying to be caught like this."
"You're right but I thought we didn't care about what my mother thought." Caroline rolled her eyes and Klaus continued to attack her lips with his before asking Caroline something between short kisses. "I am guessing you would like another gift for your special day now that Lockwood is out of the picture. I'll take you to see the wonders of the world, I'll give you the world, Caroline. All you have to do is ask."
"I might have to take you up on your offer once all of our friends are safe and we're not in lockdown or fighting your evil father who has your brother held captive. But for now, all I want is you."
"Very well then. Happy birthday love," Klaus smiled as he pulled away. "I love you. Always and forever."
"Bloody hell Nik," Klaus heard Kol exclaim as he walked in from the bathroom, buttoning his pair of dark jeans up. The lights turned on in his room when Kol's eyes rested on Caroline under the sheets in bed. "You didn't waste any time, did you?"
Klaus rolled his eyes while Rebekah gasped and squeezed in the doorway beside his brother, "Kol you bastard, are you fucking with me? There is no way in hell! Believe me I had not in the slightest idea Caroline missed you that much, brother. If so I would've gotten mother to tie you two together after the first year you were gone."
He gave them a small but victorious smile as he sat beside his sleeping lover. Klaus brushed the hair out of her face. Caroline was looked even more angelic now she was his and his only. The night before had been beyond incredible. No, they did not sleep together, Caroline was much too excited to cuddle in bed while making him watch chick flicks and Esther was angrily roaming the halls until Caroline fell asleep, but Klaus longed for nothing more than Caroline's confession of her love. At least not as of now. "We did not, if that is what you're implying. Something much better."
"Really Niklaus?" Kol sighed in disappointment, "I should've known better. How long will you let our beautiful Caroline string you along? And what's better than sex, hmm?" Kol inquired. "Other than video games and Jeremy Gilbert?"
Rebekah rolled her eyes at Kol and walked in to stand beside Klaus. "Kol if you say that little wench's brother's name again, I swear I will rip out your tongue. Enough of you already. Let Nik explain himself. What happened?"
"She loves me," Klaus started without lifting his gaze from Caroline, "last night she told me she was in love with me. Not Tyler Lockwood, or that bore Matt Donovan, or anyone else. Caroline is mine at last and she doesn't intend on leaving anytime soon."
"Congratulations Nik," Kol smiled, "she stated the obvious. The rest of the family have known since the day you left. What would you like? A trophy? Perhaps a medal will do. A medal for being the biggest dumbass on the planet?"
"Shut it Kol," Rebekah growled before she gave Klaus a big hug and a proud smile. "Get the stick out of your arse and be happy for our brother who just arrived being apart for so long. He spent the last three years in the French Quarter, he didn't see the obvious first hand."
Kol smirked, "sure, that's an excuse you two can use to distract yourselves from the big problem we have here. You love Caroline, Caroline loves you, but Mikael is still out there. Your confessions make my darling over here, a bigger target for our lunatic father."
"She's not your anything," Klaus retorted, his smile dropping at Kol's comment. "And care to inform me how he would know about Caroline and I's late night discussions little brother? Are you forgetting Caroline already destroyed Mother's devil device? I doubt Mikael works that fast."
"Mikael had us all fooled and holed up underground while his lackeys stole Tyler Lockwood and attempted to kidnap her. We are still under strict lockdown because of him and I can tell even mother is stressed with our current situation. Believe me, we shouldn't put it past Silas, Mikael, or whoever the hell is behind this madness sent a Hybrid or two to bug a couple of our estate's rooms."
Klaus knew Kol had a point, but he refused to admit it. Maybe it was because Kol had clearly grown very close to Caroline while he was gone. Kol must've been there to comfort her and cheer her up and now thought he should have a say on situations that concern Caroline's safety. To say the least, Klaus wasn't having it. He had been happy for a moment before his brother brought all the dangers to light.
"I killed all Mikael's poor excuses of assassins and I will do it again when the Hybrids arrive. I squashed the sorry excuse of an invasion he sent under my foot. Mikael should be well aware that my intentions are not only to take back my brother. I am his better and I shall destroy him the second I get the chance. Until then, I will protect Caroline from him."
"Alright, big brother. I fold. Just remember, Caroline isn't just yours. You may be her lover for now, but you don't know her like I do. I've been her mate since the second you left on a wild goose chase Mikael sent us on. She doesn't want you to toss her into a room and lock her up while you slay your enemies. A few deaths, she knows are inevitable, but twenty three people Nik? Caroline knows that could've been avoided with prisoners. I wouldn't care because she doesn't expect more from me, but you on the other hand? Caroline doesn't want mass murder, she just wants you. What she doesn't know is that the Mikaelsons and mass murder are a package deal. But in all honesty Nik, congratulations on finally getting the girl."
Rebekah sighed as Klaus glared at his younger brother who had a knowing smirk plastered across his features. Klaus was about to yell, but she intervened, squeezing his hand. "Nik you need not listen to Kol. She makes you a better person and you do what is necessary to protect her. Caroline knows that you do what you do because you love her. When the Mikael situation resurfaces, our family will face it together. As for now, you deserve to be happy again. On top of that, now the rest of us no longer need to suffer watching Caroline dance around the subject. And Caroline can finally wear that lingerie I bought her three years ago. It was starting to collect dust in the back of her closet."
A stir interrupted Klaus before ask Rebekah to repeat herself. He turned to see Caroline reaching out for him and slowly opening her eyes. Kol faced the door and started to pretend to make out with himself and Rebekah took that as a cue to drag him out of the room by the ear. "Bekah!" Kol whined.
"Meet us in mother's office as soon as you can, alright? Mother wishes to speak to us. Bring our darling Caroline too, will you brother? I'm sure she'd love to be there when Mother hears about your new found relationship."
The door shut, leaving the two alone again and Caroline sat up. "Klaus? Is something wrong? Is there an emergency? Are they here already?"
"Just my siblings being curious, love. You know how they love to check in on us. Especially my dearest Rebekah and your… dearest Kol. She and Kol came to inform us that we will be meeting with my mother today."
Caroline was now alert, but didn't seem to sense the slighy hostility in his voice. "Kol was here? Reminds me of the time when I first came to this house and Kol had to show me the way back to the guest room while it was pitch black. He had a few things to say about us sleeping in the same bed." Caroline recalled thoughtlessly as she ran her fingers through her messy hair before blushing as she took the sight of him in. Her blue eyes raked down his body and Caroline crawled out of the sheets. A playful smile spread across her face as Klaus leaned towards her. "Did you tell them about…"
Klaus smiled back and began to kiss her. He would never get used to the glory he felt when she moved her lips against his. Caroline was no doubted the embodiment of heaven on Earth. "They had already figured it out and Rebekah would like us to tell my mother about this."
"What exactly is this?" Caroline asked, slowly pulling away. "I told you how I feel and you told me how you feel. We are both very aware of how you feel, you've been making it clear for like three years. And we are also very aware of how I feel seeing I poured my heart out to you last night. Wow I'm repeating myself, you're repeating yourself Caroline!"
"Are you nervous love?" Caroline shrugged and sunk back into the bed with a sigh. His eyes softened at her. She had yet to understand that a title meant nothing to Klaus. As long as he was with her, nothing else mattered. Nothing mattered at all. "Why ever are you nervous?"
"Well, I know you're not a big dating guy and I don't want to force you or rush you into anything. I rushed into things with Matt only for to still have feelings for Elena. I rushed Damon after a one night stand only to find out that he was just using me to get closer to Elena. I rushed Tyler and it turned out that he was hiding the fact that he was an assassin who kidnapped a twelve year old boy. I don't want what we have to turn out like any of those relationships, but I don't just want to be another one of your flings. My biggest insecurity is that I'm not worth it. With everyone, I tried so hard and I was never the one. Tyler was the first person who I thought loved me for me and I was totally fucked over because of it. There's this part of me that is so terrified that now that you have me, now that I'm not a challenge, you'll get tired of me. When I'm with you, you make me feel so much different than I felt with them and I want us to be different. I want this to be forever. I want to be with you forever."
Klaus stroked her hand gently before holding it in his. "Caroline sweetheart listen here. My heart and soul belongs to you only and you only. Matt Donovan, Damon Salvatore, and Tyler Lockwood will never love you like I can. I'll take you as long as you'll have me and as long as you are mine, I would like no one other than you. I have only had my sights on you since our paths first crossed in Brazil. A mere title does not concern me. We can be whatever you'd like."
"So like we could be dating? As in I only see you and you only see me? As in girlfriend and boyfriend?" Caroline asked as her face lit up.
"Is that what you desire, love?" Caroline nodded eagerly, "then shall I have you as my girlfriend from this moment onward?"
Caroline grinned and threw her arms around his neck as she kissed him passionately. She tangled her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer until they were flushed up against each other. Klaus bit back a growl at the feeling of her, they had to get to his mother's meeting soon, he couldn't be tempted to ravish her. "Yes, you shall! Now I can call you baby and sweetheart and honey and the rest of the repetitive pet names so we're even."
"You don't like them, darling?"
"I love them," Caroline admitted as she teasingly ran her finger across his bare chest. Klaus watched the tip of her finger trail down his abs. "Just like I love you."
He groaned as she wrapped her leg around his lower waist and pulled him back into a messy kiss and down onto the bed. She moaned into his mouth as he bit her lip and slipped her some tongue. Then Klaus heard Kol's words echo throughout his head.
'Your confessions make my darling over here, a bigger target for our lunatic father.'
'You may be her lover for now, but you don't know her like I do.'
'Caroline doesn't want mass murder, she just wants you. What she doesn't know is that the Mikaelsons and mass murder are a package deal.'
Klaus let her take a breath and hovered over her. Their faces were less than an inch away from each other and Caroline's eyes locked with his. He held her face wondering how she could really love him. Did she think Klaus would change his lifestyle for her? He was a murderer with an inability to differentiate right and wrong. He nearly killed Caroline on their second encounter and got a glass thrown at her on the first. Klaus lied to her on multiple occasions, he'd broken her trust more times than he could count. How could she ever truly love him as the monster he was now?
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" Caroline asked softly, her blue eyes filled with concern. When Klaus didn't answer, she held his face carefully. "Hey? What's up?"
"It's Kol. He was making comments about our feelings for each other and they were all painfully true."
Caroline shook her head and kissed his from his cheek to his nose. "Klaus you know Kol. He's can be blunt, a bit pessimistic and is almost always wrong. Last night he texted me and told me he was on edge about the attack. Whatever he said, Kol was probably just worried about your safety."
"Your safety," Klaus corrected her. "And how can I blame him? This is my fault. Every second we're together, I am putting you in danger. The man who tortured me, stole my brother and arranged for you to be kidnapped is only coming for you because of my selfish desires."
"You stopped the TOS agents."
"I killed them all. I killed twenty three mere messengers for you, Caroline. I am aware how you feel about my actions, but I am not sorry. If I can't respect your morals, how can I be the right man for you. I cannot stay away from you and I cannot stop loving you. So you love, must walk away from me."
Caroline gave him a sympathetic look and kissed him. "I can't. Not when my friends do the same work as you. Not when I do the same work as you. We all do bad things, Klaus and I'm not in any way justifying what you did yesterday, but you saved us. You saved TVD. You saved me. And I would much rather have twenty three dead assassins that were trying to kill you and spend my life running from Mikael's henchmen than living without you. Not when you make me feel like this. I love you Klaus, and you're not pushing me away."
Caroline crashed her lips against his, refusing to let go of his face until he melted into the kiss. Klaus gave in and slipped his hand under Caroline's tight tank top as he planted kisses along her jawline on his way to her neck. "Say it again love."
"I love you," Caroline gasped softly.
Those three words coming from Caroline's mouth were music to Klaus' ears. The soft gasps and the held back moans just egged him on. Klaus nibbled at Caroline's ear before kissing her neck while his fingers brushed against the curve of her chest and drummed on her flat stomach. He was ready to take her right there and claim her as his. Ruin her for every other man as long as he had her in his grasp.
"Oh God, Klaus," Caroline moaned softly while stopping Klaus. "I know I said I didn't want to rush you, but right now I really can't help myself and I've got your teasing and undeniable sex appeal to thank for that. Before we start the fireworks, when is Esther expecting us? So I know how much time we're working with."
Klaus chuckled in her ear and sighed knowing Caroline would be angry he had teased her. "I think as soon as possible were Rebekah's words exactly. I'll leave that up to your interpretation, love."
Caroline sat up and pushed him off of her and started whisper shouting. "Are you kidding me Klaus?! Seriously?! You got me all worked up just to leave me hanging? You were really going to have sex with me with Esther down the hall waiting for us?!" Klaus let out a laugh, but attempted to silence himself when she glared him. "Not funny Klaus."
"I know," he chuckled quietly as she got off the bed angrily and stormed towards the bathroom.
"Then stop laughing! You are a piece of shit!" Caroline exclaimed, grabbing a white fluffy pillow and whacking him with it. Not once, but twice before throwing it at him. "Leave! By the time I'm done in this bathroom, there should be clothes for me to wear from Rebekah and you should be long gone. I don't want a trace of your being in here! And put on a shirt!"
"Don't be angry Caroline," Klaus grinned from the other side of the bathroom door that she had slammed shut. "Let me make it up to you, love. We can shower together." Caroline didn't answer as Klaus rattled the locked door handle and he heard the water start running. "You're in love with me, quit the charade sweetheart!"
Though Caroline was ignoring him and he had a deadline to make, Klaus couldn't remember a moment in his life where he was happier.