Niklaus kept his hand on the small of Caroline's back, keeping her almost attached to him. Caroline grunted and tried to move away from him, but his hand only slid across her back to the side of her waist, keeping her beside him. They silently walked together, almost not making a sound, both parties pretending to be engrossed by the view around them.
"You know you didn't keep your word," Caroline murmured.
Klaus raised an eyebrow at her, to which Caroline unlatched herself from Niklaus. Which he let her do this time.
"You said that we didn't need to be a couple or at least appear to be one during the party," she tried to put on a serious face, but Klaus could see the smile slightly tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"It wasn't a promise love. It was merely a suggestion, and up to you whether you'd take it into account or not. Which I see you did," Niklaus smirked and continued to walk.
Caroline was left standing there, a frown on her face but soon following after Niklaus' steps. This time they walked side by side without any physical contact, actually aware of each other's pace. Caroline would sneak glances, trying to decipher what the hybrid's expressions meant, familiarizing herself to the unknown emotions she knew was not hers but his.
"I can feel you, you know," Caroline stood in Niklaus' way.
"Can you now, love?" Niklaus had a sarcastic smile on his face. He was not sure if he would like the end of the conversation, or where it would eventually lead to. A debate, another fight, or hopefully a mutual understanding that could lead to a few kisses. He badly wanted to claim her again, but he didn't want to give in so easily.
"I have this uneasy feeling in my stomach and it's really strange because there was nothing in the party that I think I should worry about. What are you thinking Klaus?" Caroline looked at him with those curiously enchanting eyes.
"You know love, sticking your nose in other people's business is rather risky. You've become bold," Klaus gave her a satisfactory grin.
"Who wouldn't, especially with you around," she muttered.
Niklaus smiled with amusement. The way she was so fearless around him and yet so helpless when it comes to the ones she held so dearly irritated and amazed him at the same time.
"I beg your pardon love," he pretended not to have heard her.
"Stop playing dumb. Ugh, let's just go back inside," Caroline turned around to do so but was stopped by Klaus's arms wrapping around her waist.
"I don't want any casualties tonight love. Make sure you reel in that feisty side of yours and choose a more appropriate situation to use it," Niklaus was whispering dangerously close to her ears it made her shiver. Sensing Caroline's sudden urge of excitement, Niklaus placed a soft kiss behind her ear and walked back inside leaving Caroline flustered.
Once inside, the hybrid's eyes scanned the ballroom for his sister, ears perking up for any sign of Rebekah. Hearing a familiar laughter to his left, he turned to see his sister comfortably flirting with red-headed man. His glare was intense as he approached the newly-acquainted couple, hoping to ruin the mood that was already set.
"Care to introduce me to your new friend Rebekah?" Niklaus smiled wryly.
Rebekah narrowed her eyes at him but introduced Niklaus to Craig nonetheless. The redhead smiled widely at Niklaus who was not amused with the man's failure to realize his intention. Niklaus wondered if the man didn't find him threatening, or if the man just knew enough about him.
"So you're the legendary Klaus Mikaelson," the man inspected him from head to toe, irritating him further.
"Am I to your liking?" Niklaus was smiling widely, his expression an obvious threat.
"I just thought you'd be, I don't know, more intimidating?" Craig smiled back at him confidently.
Caroline had followed Niklaus back inside the moment she regained her composure. She could never predict what he would really do next when he was around her, the anticipation growing with every minute they spent together.
She lost sight of Niklaus in the crowd, but a few minutes into searching she felt a sudden hot sensation burn slightly through her veins and into her head. It was a new feeling, but somehow she knew what it meant. Niklaus is angry, ready to kill. Following her instincts she made her way from the middle of the ballroom towards the less crowded part. She breathed a sigh of relief when her eyes landed on NiKlaus' frame, rigid with tension and anger.
Niklaus was just about to jump on the cheeky redhead that dared insult him when he felt a familiar touch wrapping around one of his arms. Looking to his left he saw that Caroline had clung to him and gave him a knowing look.
Rebekah was thankful for her perfect timing and took it as an opportunity to escape.
Niklaus glared at Caroline, furious with the intrusion.
"Don't look at me like that Klaus. It has no effect on me," she chided and guided him towards the center of the dance floor again, taking his hand and placing it at the back of her waist.
"He was a rude young fella'." It was a statement from the hybrid, as if that was enough of an excuse for his actions.
"And you're not?" Caroline looked at him in a quizzical manner.
Her presence was enough to take his mind off certain things, such as the nuisance that came in a bundle of red hair. Klaus chuckled at Caroline's remark and held her tighter against his body.
"I'm offended love. I am not that young and inexperienced," he grinned at her. The slyness of his tone sent shivers across Caroline's body.
Caroline wanted to say that she was perfectly aware of that fact but restrained herself, knowing the hybrid would only be flattered as he was already doing enough flattery for himself. Instead she buried her face in his chest as they continued to dance to hide the smile she had on her face. Sometimes she couldn't help but think how Klaus was missing out on so many things, mostly himself. They continued to sway their bodies gracefully to the tune, until Caroline felt Niklaus relax completely. As soon as the song ended, Caroline excused herself to the ladies room to retouch.
Niklaus watched Caroline's figure disappear as she walked away. Returning his attention to the drink in his hand, he gulped it down in one go. His eyes hastily searched for his sister, torn from ripping the place apart and staying where he was to wait for Caroline to get back. 5 minutes passed, then 10. Klaus grew impatient and wary as more time passed. Deciding he could no longer take the anticipation, he headed towards the ladies comfort room and knocked on the door.
"Caroline, sweetheart you there?" He slightly turned his ear towards the door to make sure he caught the slightest sound but heard nothing. In that instant he stalked away from the area and proceeded to find his sister.
Niklaus found Rebekah in the garden laughing with Craig and without a word grabbed Rebekah's arm and put distance between them and the redhead.
"Caroline is missing," he said through gritted teeth.
Rebekah instantly transitioned from being angry to worried. "I will forgive your interruption for now brother due to the situation. But I'd like to have a social life brother. Let's split up."
Niklaus nodded and the two siblings carefully searched for Caroline, making sure no one noticed them snooping around.
"Looking for something Niklaus?" Sephtis approached the hybrid from behind and noted the stiffness of his shoulders.
"Indeed I am. I believe you know who I'm looking for?" Niklaus turned around, a deceptive smile on his face.
The mysterious man just smiled at him as if he was fully satisfied after a meal. They were situated in one of the balconies on the second floor of the ballroom, a cold breeze passing through them. Niklaus observed how Sephtis enjoyed his wine with languid movements. He felt like he was being caged little by little, the walls closing in on him. He watched as the man held out a small velvet box which he accepted cautiously, as if it was a bomb.
He felt the world go still as he opened the box. With a snarl he looked at Sephtis who was now cackling with glee at his reaction.
"I suggest you takes thing calmly from this point. You wouldn't want your lovely angel harmed would you?" Sephtis sneered at him, tossing his glass over the balcony as he walked away in triumph.
Klaus looked at the box gravely for one last time, his fingers stroking the lock of golden hair laid atop the folds of silk before closing it shut and darted to find his siblings.
