Notes: This one comes with some WARNINGS: Caroline's a succubus who runs into Katherine, there's a bit of dubious consent (Caroline using her powers) and some brief Katherine/Caroline. Also, some smut.
Come In and Cause Trouble
(For klarosummerbingo, prompt: Amsterdam's Red Light District. SMUT)
A group of sailors nearly stumble into Caroline, wide-eyed and tipsy. They've just left one of the brothels, their uniforms disheveled and stained with rouge. She smiles coyly and skirts them, listens with amusement as they begin whispering frantically to one another.
Taunts fly, and wagers are bandied about as they try to work up the courage to follow her and inquire about her wares. They seem unsure if they can afford her.
They likely couldn't afford, if coin were her motivation.
Caroline smirks to herself, regretful that she has such a pressing matter to attend to. She hasn't fed yet today, and such young men are usually tasty. Their energy wouldn't be enough to sate her for long, but there's something to be said for eagerness and a light snack.
Caroline cares little for payment, though she accepts it to avoid questions. Her accounts are full to bursting, her chemise the finest silk, and the sapphires around her neck are genuine, not paste. She feeds carefully, takes enough to sustain her but not enough to alarm those whose company she chooses. They leave her assuming she's an exceptionally skilled courtesan.
Which isn't technically untrue.
Caroline's called De Wallen home for nearly a century, but not for the reason most people do.
She pauses at a corner, her eyes fluttering shut to savor the intoxicating energy in the air. It's early, the sun just setting, but already there are crowds. People stop to gawk at the windows, at the scantily clad men and women there to entice them inside. Music spills faintly from a dozen different places, various melodies and rhythms melting into a unique harmony. Laughter, movement, and life surround her. It's in the nervous excitement buzzing from those who have never experienced all that the district has to offer, in the eager anticipation of those who have.
Caroline can feel faint wisps of lust from the humans, the odd tinge of guilt or shame. The lust will thicken as the night grows darker and inhibitions lessen.
For a succubus, every night is a feast.
That she can live without pesky inquiries is an additional attraction. Few humans stick around for long, and those who do are circumspect. They understand that asking questions invites more. They wouldn't dare ask Caroline why she barely bothers with food or how she manages not to age, as they prefer their business ventures not attract undue attention.
In return, Caroline does the odd good deed, such as the one she's doing tonight. Caroline usually hunts for meals, but tonight she's got different prey in mind.
A vampire arrived a few weeks ago, one with unacceptably sloppy habits. They seem disinclined to move on, and they risk attracting the wrong kind of attention.
The authorities are easily bribed, but they can only ignore so much.
It's not uncommon to find a body or two when dawn breaks, victims of a brawl or their vices. When more turn up, or when the deaths are undeniably unnatural, problems can occur. Plenty of vampires feed in the area. Caroline's even friendly with a few. Those vampires are smart enough to be discreet, to recognize and appreciate accessible hunting grounds.
This one is either new or selfish, possibly stupid. Caroline will determine which before she decides their fate.
Caroline cannot risk whispers traveling and have visitors grow nervous about visiting. Her diet depends on it, and she's quite fond of many of the humans who make their living on these streets.
Tonight she'll find the vampire and ensure they learn to mind their manners.
Luck is on Caroline's side.
She spies red eyes, made more vivid by red light. The vampire is a woman with dark hair and a shapely form, her laugh husky and sensual. She leads a besotted man into a private nook. He's very tall, painfully slender, with nondescript features and thinning hair—easy pickings for a beautiful woman.
Caroline follows them, her steps silent, remaining cloaked in shadows while she observes. The man wastes no time in filling his hands with the vampire's breasts, tugging clumsily at the laces of her bodice. She can hear him breathing in heavy pants.
The vampire appears bored, head tipped back against the wall, obviously faking her sounds of enjoyment.
Caroline feels a touch of sympathy – sex and sustenance are twined for her. She can not feed without pleasure. She imagines how tedious it would be if that were not so.
Still, vampires have other means to bend humans to their will. "Why not compel him?" Caroline asks, stepping closer to the pair. "Or at least offer direction?"
The vampire's eyes flash, her fangs descending, and she grips her prey tightly to her chest. The man doesn't seem to mind, his mouth moving eagerly over the flesh his hands had previously been exploring.
Poor, simple creature.
"I'm not afraid of you," Caroline says, reaching out to run her fingertips teasingly over the man's shoulder. His head twists, blearily taking her in. She smiles at him softly, pets his hair, feels him sway in her direction.
The vampire makes a harsh noise, "He's mine. Leave us."
The man protests in slurred Italian. Caroline's not sure if his drunkenness is making him brave or if he's just the sort of man who has an overly high opinion of his own appeal.
Caroline moves until her shoulder rests against the stone wall they're crowded against, her breasts brushing the pair's arms. The man's eyes drift to her, to the scandalous neckline of her chemise. The vampire's are on the jewels at her neck, but she inhales sharply when Caroline's hand skims across her stomach.
Excellent. Caroline's magic, contrary to the legends, only requires that her prey feel some attraction. She can manipulate women just as easily as men, provided they find her appealing.
The vampire obviously does, but that's no surprise. She's young, was turned a few scant years ago, Caroline would bet. She's not yet learned to manage her cravings. It explains why she has no qualm with leaving a trail of bodies behind.
Caroline can use that to her advantage.
She presses closer, licks her lips. She holds the vampire's gaze and brushes a kiss against her shoulder. "I'm Caroline."
The vampire swallows audibly, "Katherine."
Caroline drags her mouth to Katherine's throat, letting her tongue dart out to taste her skin. "I'm not the least bit interested in drinking his blood," she murmurs. "My cravings are a bit more…" Caroline lets the word trail off suggestively, lifts her head until her lips are just a breath from the vampires. Her hands drift down, gathering up Katherine's skirts. "Well. It may be easier to explain."
Katherine's very pretty, with dark eyes and lovely skin. She's also succumbing to Caroline's magic beautifully, her full breasts heaving, nipples peaking under her dress.
If only she'd found Caroline before the bodies had begun piling up, they might have been able to enter into a more cordial relationship. Caroline tugs at the connection she feels, siphoning Katherine's energy gently, probing for a way to ease into her mind. Vampires, even young ones, are much trickier than humans.
"It's lovely to make your acquaintance. I confess I'm quite fond of your kind."
Only a handful of vampires pose any threat to Caroline, just The Originals and perhaps a few of their progeny. She'd recognize all on sight, and she's careful not to cultivate enemies she cannot handle.
With Klaus and his family, Caroline's ensured she's more valuable alive than dead or on the run. She hears all sorts of whispers from those who wander into her little port, searching to lose themselves in sex. She's perfectly willing to pass along pertinent tidbits to Klaus. She's fed from him enough times that she's able to find him no matter the distance, though he doesn't sleep enough to make it easy.
While their relationship had been merely mutually beneficial once upon a time, it's morphed some over the decades.
Klaus is her very favorite meal, and Caroline genuinely enjoys his presence. He's indicated he feels the same. Klaus has whispered fervent promises in the throes of desire about the plans he has for her once he's free from the threat of his father.
Vampires are always a treat, but Klaus had been different from the start. Vampires cannot be exhausted, and the magic that sustains them adds a headiness to Caroline's experience, something like what she imagines intoxication to be.
With Klaus, it's even better – his mother might have locked his werewolf away, but even the most powerful witch can't take away that sort of blood magic. Caroline can still feel the strength he can't reach, the edge of wildness, when she samples his energy.
Feeding on him is blissful, the only time she ever feels full without killing.
Caroline's trip into her memories makes her magic stronger and Katherine's lashes flutter, a soft moan spilling from her full lips. She leans in, pressing her open mouth to Caroline's
Caroline surges forward, deepening the kiss, sucking brandy from Katherine's tongue and slipping her under her skirts. She glides her hand along Katherine's smooth thigh, enjoying the faint trembling of her muscles. "Drink," she urges, pulling back. Katherine's prey has remained where he is, gaping at them, stupefied. "But not too much."
Katherine's eyes narrow, "Who are you to tell me what to do?" she asks haughtily.
Caroline laughs, slips her fingers through the slit in Katherine's drawers, finds her hot and wet to the touch. Caroline explores, and Katherine's breath catches, throat moving, but she can't quite swallow the moan she makes when Caroline's thumb teases her clit. "Be a good girl for me," Caroline taunts. "And you'll be rewarded."
Katherine's hips move restlessly against Caroline's hand, and she glares her displeasure, but her head dips, fangs sinking into the man's throat.
He seems to like the pain, which is lucky. Caroline closes her eyes, concentrates, consuming the energy their both providing greedily. Caroline reaches out, searching anew for a weak point in Katherine's mind. She's guarded, this vampire. Caroline quickens the slick circles she's tracing on Katherine's clit, leaning in to suck on her pulse point. Katherine quakes against her hand, a needy whine muffled in the human's neck.
It's just enough of a distraction.
Caroline begins sifting through Katherine's thoughts, easing her fingers into her slick entrance and curling them. Katherine rocks against her palm greedily, unaware that Caroline's learning more than just the secrets of her body.
A familiar face gives Caroline pause, and she doesn't hesitate to dive deeper into those memories.
Well. It appears that the time for games is over.
Caroline stops abruptly, pulls back, yanking the human away from Katherine. Katherine's eyes blink open, hazy with confusion and aborted pleasure. "Run along," Caroline says, tone leaving no room for argument. The human stumbles away, hand clasped to his bleeding neck.
Katherine snarls, "I'm still hungry."
Caroline shoves her back, trapping her against the wall with a forearm to her throat. Katherine struggles, eyes widening, a hint of fear leaking in when Caroline's hold remains fast. Her lips twist into a seductive smirk then, and she moves, a lithe roll of her hips, eyes growing heavy-lidded.
It's almost impressive.
Katherine licks blood from her lips. "So I got a little carried away," she rasps, obviously unrepentant.
"You have a lot to learn, little vampire," Caroline says. Katherine doesn't get a chance to reply; her neck swiftly snapped between Caroline's hands. "Pity you won't get the chance."
Three days later, Caroline steps out of a carriage in front of the country house Klaus and his family seem to have commandeered. She's both pleased – Katherine's been rather irritating, alternately attempting to bargain and shrieking her outrage - and miffed. He'd been so close, just a scant sail away on the eastern shore of England, and he hadn't thought to visit?
Perhaps Caroline had overestimated his regard.
She drags the trunk Katherine's resting in behind her up the stone pathway, doesn't bother to knock. "Klaus!" she calls as she enters, spinning absently to take in the finely decorated foyer. There's a charming vase near the stairs, and she wonders if he'd mind if she were to steal it. She opens her mouth, about to call out again when her hips are grasped tightly, and she's backed into a wall.
Klaus' hand cradles the back of her head, protecting it from impact. "Whatever are you doing here?"
He sounds curious, not displeased. Caroline's still offended. "I brought you a gift, the least you could do is offer me a drink.
"You said you don't leave Amsterdam."
Caroline rolls her eyes, recalls the conversation they'd had the last time he'd wandered into her city. "No, I said I wasn't ready to leave Amsterdam. I'll get bored eventually."
Klaus' blue eyes turn calculating, and Caroline wonders if she should be alarmed. "Interesting," he drawls. His hands leave her hips, making leisurely work of the clasps on her traveling cloak. "I'm pleased you've made the journey for me."
She ghosts her hand over the front of his trousers, his growing pleasure evident. "I can tell."
His head dips when her neck is bared, and he inhales deeply, "Tell me about this gift you brought." Her cloak hits the floor, Klaus' hand gets lost in her hair, tugging until she tilts her head back. He finds a sensitive spot immediately, dragging his teeth over it.
Caroline swallows, trying to hide just how affected she is. "A vampire started killing a few too many people. I decided to investigate."
He laughs, and she hears a rip, feels his stubbled cheek rasp against the slope of her breast. Caroline's glad she'd had the forethought to skip the bulk of her usual undergarments. "You've always been an inquisitive little thing."
She pokes his side sharply but doesn't resist when he lifts her, his body sliding between her thighs. He shoves her skirts up, his lush mouth teasing the tip of her nipple. "Don't be condescending," she admonishes, though she imagines the hitch in her breathing lessens the effect of her scolding.
She slips her hands under his shirt, taking the barest taste of his energy. Klaus shudders in response, hips grinding into hers.
Caroline had expected more conversation, but she's not complaining. They can talk after they sate their need. She'll just have to get through the initial explanations. Klaus must have something to secure Katherine – then they can continue getting reacquainted at their leisure.
"Katherine Pierce," she blurts out. "Or, Katerina, I suppose. In the trunk."
Klaus stills, pulls back. His eyes gleam with satisfaction. "And it's not even my birthday," he rumbles.
He whirls away from the wall, grip tightening to keep her pressed against him. He speeds up a flight of stairs, tosses her down onto a huge bed. Klaus grasps her face, descending until his lips cover hers roughly. He kisses her deeply, possessively, his hands greedy for her skin. He shreds the top of her dress, and Caroline arches up, rubbing her nipples, still wet from his mouth, against the rough linen of his shirt.
He moves away just as her thighs begin to climb his sides, presses her back down to prevent her from following. "I'll be back in just a moment," he says placatingly.
Caroline pouts and collapses into the mattress as he rolls off, wriggling until she can lift her skirts. Klaus' eyes are heated as he watches her. Caroline parts her thighs and draws her knees up, baring her slick folds to him. "I expect you'll hurry," she says, hand dragging up her thigh. "And that you'll thank me for my assistance."
Klaus makes a pained groan, grabbing her thighs and yanking her to the end of the bed. He lifts her to his mouth, tongue swirling against her clit tauntingly. Her stomach tightens, and her toes curl for a too-brief moment before he's gone. "You are maddening," he murmurs.
He blurs away before Caroline can reply.
He keeps his promise of speed, though, returns while she's still building herself up.
Judging by how many times he makes her come, he's very grateful for Caroline's gift.