Fortune Favors
(For klarosummerbingo. The square I'm filling with this one is "swimsuit model." Rated T)
"Bekah, these are amazing," Carolinegushes. She 100% means it, but she's laying it on a little thick. She's seen pictures, mock-ups, and was fitted with prototypes. Now, with the line entirely constructed, all the details finished, Caroline's impressed.
Rebekah, however, seems frazzled, her usual rock-solid confidence nowhere to be found.
Totally understandable. It's a big day for her.
Rebekah's working on launching a swimwear line, is funding a big chunk of it herself. Caroline would have agreed to help out even if she didn't owe Rebekah a favor. Caroline continues flipping through the garments until she finds the tag with her name on it.
She pulls the first hanger off the rack to look at the suit more closely. It's a white one-piece with a deep-v neck, a belt slim black belt, and ruffled straps. Rebekah fidgets, "We're styling this one with red lips and heels, a big hat. We're going to try to shoot this one on the rocks."
"Sounds good to me." The shoot seems far more professional from the ones they'd managed to pull together for school projects. They'd done the best they could with the facilities available to students, but the house they're using today is by far the nicest one Caroline's ever been inside of. It backs onto a private beach which seems unnecessary considering the freaking gorgeous pool in the backyard. "Who's the photographer?"
Rebekah grins, clearly pleased with herself. "I managed to convince my brother to donate his services."
Well. Now Caroline's nervous. "Your brother Klaus?" she asks, kind of hoping she's wrong. Klaus Mikaelson is a big deal. He's shot major covers, A-list celebrities, million-dollar international campaigns.
He's used to models who know what they're doing, and Caroline's definitely an amateur.
"Yes, Klaus. I've forbidden Kol from coming within a five-mile radius. Can't have him harassing the models. And Elijah's been a gem, but his expertise lies more in negotiating with suppliers and nagging me to mind the expenses."
Caroline takes a deep breath, tells herself it'll be fine.
She studies her next look, a sleek black bikini and a sheer black robe covered in floral details. "Love the appliqués. Did you bead this yourself?"
"Till my fingers were bloody. But I think it'll photograph well."
Caroline hums in agreement. "Is this one on the beach too?"
"No, by the pool. Chaise lounge, martini glass, one of the male models in the background. Think rich divorcee seducing the help."
Caroline hopes it's a real martini. She might need it.
She flips to the next hanger and has to bite back a distressed groan. Rebekah's concept leans retro, so the yellow polka dot bikini in her hand is skimpier than Caroline had anticipated.
"Probably should have skipped breakfast," she mutters.
Rebekah scoffs, "None of that. You'll look smashing in it. I have impeccable taste."
Caroline's distracted by male laughter, a new person slipping into the tent. "So you've insisted your whole life. I distinctly recall you sneaking into the family albums and burning most of the photographic evidence of the unfortunate style choices you made in years 7 through 9."
Ordinarily, Caroline would exploit the opportunity to get a little dirt on Rebekah, but she's annoyingly tongue-tied and intimidated. She's pasted on a polite smile, more out of habit than anything.
She may have google stalked Rebekah once upon a time, way back when they'd been rivals at school. And if during Caroline's research, she'd read several articles and poured over dozens of pictures of Rebekah's very talented and successful fashion photographer brother, that was her business.
Know thy enemy and all that, she couldn't have known that rivalry would shift to friendly competition, then to actual friendship.
She'd noted he was attractive, of course, as anyone with eyes and sense would have. Most people don't manage to live up to photos taken by professionals.
Klaus Mikaelson does, and it's not helping her insecurities.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Nik."
He walks further in, offering Caroline his hand. "You must be Caroline. It's lovely to meet you. I'm Klaus Mikaelson.
She swallows, is relieved when her voice sounds normal. "You too. I'm excited for today. I love your work."
He nods, appearing pleased. "It's been ages since I've done this kind of shoot, but you must know how Rebekah can be. Wouldn't stop haranguing me until I agreed."
Rebekah glares, piqued, and Caroline presses her lips together to hold in a laugh that threatens, knowing it would not be appreciated. "I can't blame her for doing what needed to be done to ensure the desired outcome. It's only good business."
Rebekah nods firmly, "Exactly. Thank you, Caroline. At least someone here appreciates me." She picks up the last hanger that had been in Caroline's section and hands it over. "This one's first since the set-up is the simplest. Bonnie should arrive while you're shooting. We'll do her first look while you go back into beauty, then rotate throughout the day. Put this on. I'll send hair in first."
She knocks into Klaus' shoulder when she leaves, hard enough to have him swaying. "That's why you're not allowed in my house!" he calls to her retreating form. "Just had the floor redone," he tells Caroline. "Can't have her stomping all over them if she has a tantrum."
"She's stressed. You might want to be nicer." Caroline regrets the words immediately, glances away under the pretense of studying the bikini in her hand. He's donating his time and apparently his house. Their family squabbles really aren't her business.
But Klaus isn't offended, "Perhaps you have a point, though Rebekah's never more productive than she is when she's angry. Failure's not an option when she's fueled by spite."
Hmm. Caroline has similar ideals. Maybe that's why she and Rebekah came to understand each other.
She realizes she's been twisting the bikini top's strap, hurriedly straightens it out. "I feel like I should warn you, my modeling experience is limited to pitching in with other student's shoots at school. So, I'm far from a professional."
He shrugs. "You have nothing to be worried about."
That startles a laugh from her. "You only say that because you don't know me. I am a world-class worrier."
He takes the suit away from her, setting it aside. His knees bend, until their eyes are level. "Caroline. You're beautiful. Rebekah's created lovely things. I'm very good at my job. I have every confidence the final product will be spectacular, and I'll be able to enjoy reminding Rebekah that she owes me a favor down the line."
Caroline blinks at him in surprise, some of her nerves having drifted away when faced with his absolute and unwavering confidence. "That's… actually very reassuring."
"Was it? I confess that's not a strength of mine."
She's not sure if he's joking or not, but she picks up her first outfit again. It's another bikini, a tropical print on a pink background with a halter top and a high waisted bottom. "I should change," she says. "Something tells me Rebekah won't appreciate it if we fall behind schedule."
Klaus nods, rocking back a step. "Of course. I just wanted to introduce myself. Please feel free to let me know if you need or want anything at all."
She thanks him again, and he lets himself out of the tent.
Caroline takes one more deep breath and then ducks behind the screen in the corner and strips out of her sundress.
Once she's dressed in Rebekah's design, she begins to feel like everything might just go okay. The suit fits like a dream, propping up her breasts and perfectly hugging the curve of her hips. By the time hair and makeup work their magic, leaving her curls full and her lips slicked bubblegum pink, she feels freaking fantastic.
When she steps out onto the set, Klaus' eyes widen when he spots her, lingering in a way that's slightly unprofessional but not at all unwelcome.
He walks over, paying not the slightest bit of attention to anyone on the crew, even when an assistant tries to wave him over. Klaus offers his arm to help steady her as she steps into the matching pink pumps, leans in close, and tells her she looks incredible, his lips brushing her ear and sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
She might be in trouble.
Will Rebekah kill Caroline if she flirts with Klaus? Probably.
Caroline thinks she's willing to risk it.