Notes: I've been a bit blocked lately so I challenged myself to do little mini sequels the other day. And here's the results! Some might get polished up and make it into longer drabbles someday, we'll see. A million thanks to klarolinessecondbreakfast for my pretty new cover!
You're Better Than Normal
(Takes place in the same universe as the first drabble in Chapter 16. The one where Caroline and Bonnie wake up in the future, trapped in a cave).
She paces, waiting for Bonnie to wake. It's been at least twelve hours, and Caroline had been worried since she'd woken up (with Klaus, but that was a whole other ball of anxiety to be unpacked at a later time) and informed that Bonnie had not stirred. She'd been assured that it was normal, that witches sometimes needed rest after big spells to recharge, ("She's not a freaking battery!" Caroline had snapped. And she's pretty sure that it was only the warning look Klaus had leveled at Kol that had kept the volatile younger Mikaelson from snapping back. Or snapping her neck).
She'd left the breakfast table, and it's weird, unidentifiable, array of food-like things, in a huff and made her way to the room they'd deposited Bonnie in last night. She'd been soothed by Bonnie's strong, regular heartbeat, by the steady rhythm of her breaths. She'd relaxed enough to accept the glass of blood Rebekah had dropped off, had even remembered her manners and muttered a thanks.
Rebekah had left quickly, after muttering something about yelling if Caroline was too dim to remember how to work the shower, leaving the door ajar.
She'd downed the blood quickly, rinsed the glass (managing just fine, Rebekah), since Bonnie was still a little uneasy about the whole blood drinking vampire thing. Better then she had been, but Caroline took care to hide the monster as much as possible.
And then, unable to sit still, nervous energy thrumming through her body, and a whirl of thoughts that needed to be worked out, she'd started to move.
Fourteen strides, from wall to wall, and she'd never been more grateful for Klaus' penchant for opulence. She's making lists, in her head, of all the things she still needs to know, and all the things she'll need to do. Like, how's she going to go about getting a driver's license? Do people still have those? Or is there a retinal scan, or some creepy microchip implanted in your body? Caroline had never been much for sci fi movies, something she deeply regrets now that her life has kind of become one.
She's got her ears focused on Bonnie, however, and recognizes the little annoyed noise Bonnie always makes when she's about to wake up. Caroline's in the chair beside the bed in under a second, legs pulled up under her, trying to look casual and like she's not freaking out.
But Bonnie's known her forever, and it only takes a second before her green eyes sharpen, and focus on Caroline, a look of resignation in them, "How bad is it?" she asks.
Caroline chews on the inside of her lip, for a second, considers how to answer. She can't lie, won't lie. But a little stalling won't hurt, "Honestly? It's not great, Bon. But we're alive. We're out. But I think it'll be better if you shower before we get into everything."
Bonnie sits up, pushing the covers away, makes a disgusted face at the grime covering her body and the bed, "Ugh, I can't believe I fell asleep like this."
"You were right out," Caroline tells her. "Rebekah tucked you in, and you didn't even notice."
"Yeah, that's weird. And I wish you hadn't told me that."
Caroline cracks a smile, at the mildly disgusted look Bonnie wears, "Don't worry. I have it on good authority that Nice Rebekah will be a fleeting presence. We'll probably miss her once Bitch Rebekah rears her ugly head."
"I heard that!" Rebekah bellows, from several rooms away.
Caroline has to look away, from Bonnie, because she knows she'll start giggling, if she doesn't. And that will likely not endear either of them to Rebekah. Once she's swallowed down the urge, she stands, brushes her hands together, "You'll have to bear with me, cause everything in the bathroom is crazy fancy, and I've only been in it once. I'm pretty sure there's no boil humans alive setting though."
"Are you sure?" Bonnie asks dryly. "You're aware of just who lives here? Might be something they do for fun."
Klaus, with his impeccable timing, chooses that moment to poke his head in the door, "Now why would we overcook a perfectly good meal?"
Bonnie glares, dark and deadly, and Caroline hastily steps into her line of sight, just in case she starts throwing magic around. "He's joking, Bon. Klaus just doesn't realize that he's not actually funny."
She shoots him her own quelling look, more exasperated than upset, and he merely smirks back, leaning against the open doorway. "Nonsense, my sense of humor is delightful, everyone says so."
"People you're attempting to kill, I'm guessing? I think that counts as duress and you should assume they're lying."
Klaus places a hand over his heart, his face dropping into an exaggeratedly wounded expression. Caroline rolls her eyes, "Did you need something?"
He straightens, turning serious in an instant, "Yes, actually. Our guests will be arriving within the hour." Klaus' eyes flit over to Bonnie, and Caroline glances over to find her friend looking puzzled at Klaus' words. And no way is she going to start explaining with Klaus right there. There are things Bonnie needs to hear from Caroline. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to see them," she says.
He nods once, in acceptance, rocks back a step, before turning to leave. A thought occurs to Caroline, one she's kind of ashamed hadn't before. "One sec, Bon," she says, before darting out the room after Klaus. He turns, a brow raised, and she kind of invades his personal space, to speak quietly. He doesn't protest, and Caroline tells herself she's only doing it because she doesn't want to get Bonnie's hopes up. "Bonnie's mom was a vampire. Can you find out what happened to her? If she's still around?"
"I can," he says. "I even have a reasonably good idea of where to start looking."
"Good. Thank you. Let Enzo know what I'm doing, and that I'll find him as soon as I can."
"And our other guests?" Klaus asks mildly. "Any specifications for how I treat them?"
She knows what he's asking, wonders what it says about her that her first instinct is to ask for a little bloodshed, Damon's in particular. "Are their memories still gone?"
"Yes. It was a clever spell. I've reason to believe that your little witch friend is the only person who can break it."
Caroline's not surprised. Of course Damon would craft the tiniest loophole possible. "Then we wait. They should know what they're paying for, shouldn't they?"
Klaus' eyes gleam, a slow, pleased smile tugging at his lips, "I have always enjoyed the way your mind works, love?"
She remembers, had always found it flattering, his intrigue with her brain when so many had only seen a pretty face or attractive body. What does it mean that it's endured, that he still looks at her like that?
Klaus tips his head, gestures to the room behind her, "You'd best return, it sounds like someone's getting impatient."
She can hear Bonnie moving around, now that he mentions it, "Right. I should," but still Caroline hesitates. She wants to say thank you, again, but she feels like she's already said it so many times. Knows she'll probably need to say it more, over the coming days and weeks.
"I'll send someone with a tray of food, in a bit. And you may find me, if you need anything."
"Klaus…" Caroline murmurs, trailing off helplessly. But she can't find the words, not something she's familiar with. And hey, she's always been good at actions, too. Before she can second guess herself, she puts her hand on his shoulder, rises and brushes her lips over his cheek. He stiffens, and his eyes are slightly wider when she pulls back, trained on her face. She feels a momentary surge of satisfaction, at having caught him off guard.
Surely not many people can claim the same.
Caroline lets her hand slide down his arm, before she steps back. Throws him on last smile, before she turns on her heel.
Because Klaus and all the things between them will keep, he's proven that. And Bonnie needs her more, right now.
Magnets Pull Me In
(Follows the Hogwarts!AU, in which Klaus has suffered a Quidditch injury. The first part is the second drabble in Chapter 11).
It had been three days since Caroline had been tasked with Klaus duty, and things were definitely not back to normal. Things were… weird. And it was freaking her out. He'd been confined to the hospital wing, for most of Sunday, and when Caroline had popped her head in to check on him (because it was her duty, of course) he'd been surrounded by his younger siblings and an appalling amount of chocolate frog wrappers.
She'd slipped out before they'd noticed her, telling herself that she was not disappointed. Not at all.
He'd made an appearance at dinner, but had quickly been surrounded by the rest of the quidditch team, and they'd loudly talked and laughed and replayed the match. And she'd had a final draft of a potions essay to finish.
God, she would kill for a laptop and a printer sometimes.
But that day hadn't been weird. It had been a little Klaus-light, sure, but it's not like she'd missed him, or anything.
But the next day, at breakfast, he'd slid in next to her and used his good arm to hand her a pitcher. And she'd been just about to pass it along (because she'd never quite gotten a taste for pumpkin juice), when his hand had stopped her. He's poured a glass, without saying a word, and Caroline had been shocked at what had come out.
Orange juice. Actual orange juice.
"Stopped by the kitchens, and requested it. The elves were happy to oblige," he'd said casually. As if it wasn't the nicest thing he'd ever done for her. As if it wasn't the nicest thing Klaus had done for anyone, save possibly his sister, that she'd ever heard of.
And it had only continued from there. He'd opened doors, offered perfectly charming, not at all lecherous compliments. He'd agreed with her, even when she'd gone out of her way to be confrontational.
And Caroline was flattered, don't get her wrong. But also kind of confused. Because she'd told him to be nice, not an entirely different person.
And it's on the third day, when she snaps. They're in the common room, and it's late. Klaus has been scratching away at a sketchbook, and he must have some kind of charm on it, because she can't see what he's drawing and she'd tried. Repeatedly. Caroline's supposed to be writing her proposal for her final Arithmancy project, but she's mostly been sneaking furtive glances at Klaus.
She decides to call it a night, because if she's not getting any work done she should at least try to get some sleep. He looks up when she starts throwing her things in her bag, "Heading to bed, then?"
"Yeah," Caroline mutters.
"Pleasant dreams, love," he returns, tone mild and almost sweet.
Sweet. Klaus Mikaelson. Maybe he had some lingering brain damage after all?
Fed up, Caroline drops her stuff, "What is your problem?" she hisses, planting her hands on the table.
Klaus blinks, confused, "My problem?"
"Why are you being so…" she waves her hands for a couple of seconds, struggling for the right words, "bland? You're like a freaking pod person!"
"You said…"
"I know what I said! But I didn't mean…"
Suddenly, Klaus grins, tossing his sketchbook aside, and leaning back in his chair, "Ah, I see," he says slowly, looking smugly pleased with himself.
And it might be the first hint of the real Klaus that Caroline has seen in ages, so she's not as annoyed with it as she should be, "What, exactly, do you see?"
"You like me, Caroline Forbes," he replies, brimming with confidence. "More than you want to admit. Even the bits you claim to find insufferable."
Caroline feels her face heat, even as she sputters, because he's right, damn it. The dry sense of humor, the quick wit. The snobby little asides and the long suffering expressions he wore when talking with people he considered intellectually inferior (which was basically everyone, save for her, and a handful of his friends). "Shut up," she manages to spit finally, fumbling for the bag she'd dropped.
She throws it over her shoulder, and turns to leave, but Klaus speaks, before she's made it very far, repeating his previous offer, "Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me, Caroline?"
This time she says yes, even if she's not exactly happy about it.
Pocket Full of Stones
(A little follow up of the mermaid!Caroline drabble. It's the second one in Chapter 18).
She's a stone-faced little thing, this mermaid, cold and complacent and unwilling to cower. Warlords, generals, presidents and centuries old vampires alike have flinched under the force of his gaze, occasionally fallen into blubbering hysterics. But not this girl. She barely blinks. Merely watches him, because she's obviously not stupid. It's impressive, and that's not something that Klaus feels often.
She'd refused to speak again, had retreated to the exact center of the pool. Klaus can't reach her, without getting in, and he suspects that water would give her a slight edge she'd not have on land.
He needs to get her out of the pool. But first he needs more information.
Kol's retreated to a lounge, has an arm thrown over his face to block the sun, bored with the staring contest between Klaus and the girl in the pool. Klaus kicks the chair over, and Kol rolls neatly out of it, landing on his feet, "Rude, Niklaus."
Klaus ignores the rebuke, "You're certain she can't leave the pool, without the bracelet?"
"She can, but she won't get far. Starts to suffocate. S'not pretty."
Klaus finds his eyes narrowing, glancing between his brother and their guest, "And you'd know that, how?"
"I took it off her after she killed the ship's second engineer. Took a while to get her into a tub. She turned a bit grey and made the most awful sounds. Had to compel the whole crew, after that."
And that little tidbit certainly explained why she was not the least bit cooperative. Though the kidnapping, and being brought across the world, likely didn't endear Kol, or Klaus, to her either.
She's dipped low in the water, little more than her eyes visible, once more. They remain alert, calculating, and Klaus would bet a considerable chunk of his possessions that she's a half a dozen plans for escape in that pretty head of hers.
And that she'd be perfectly content to make her getaway whilst covered in his blood.
Tearing his gaze away from her, with some difficulty, Klaus issues a terse order, "Watch her, Kol. Do not touch her, or try to speak to her. I think you've helped more than enough."
Kol mutters something about not being an underling, but he rights his chair again, settling onto it with more quiet complaints. Satisfied that his brother's going to listen to him, at least for now, Klaus retreats to the house, heading back to his office.
Klaus turns his options over in his head. There's several witches, in New Orleans, whose loyalty he's confident in. The ambitious types, the ones that recognize that being in his favor can bring them advantages, and then there's a few whose interests are more… personal. He's hesitant to make the call to one of the first group, in case Kol's correct, and the mermaid is a source of power, one they might think to exploit. And there's a risk, in reaching out to one from the second group. A little flare of jealousy is the last thing he needs. He suspects that the mermaid can hold her own, use claws and teeth, if threatened, but he'd rather not risk it. And a dead witch would be a nuisance to explain away.
His other option, the one he's leaning towards, is to go right to the source and Naxos Coven. It's sooner then he'd like, but Klaus needs answers, and they'll surely have them. He'd rather do it in person, of course, because few things were as satisfying as watching as you instilled fear, the scent of it, heady and thrilling, in the air.
He'll call a few of his contacts in Greece first. They'll be a bit perturbed, by the damage Kol had done, but that one vampire's arm would grow back, eventually, and a handsome bonus would smooth away any hurt feelings. They'd still be in the area, or could be persuaded to return, should the coven leaders prove difficult to persuade, over the phone.
Outsourcing violence wasn't ideal, but Klaus had more pressing matters to deal with close to home.
The Things We Laid
(An Enzo POV that follows the events of The Things We Laid, which I wrote for an exchange. That one's a separate doc, and can be found on my profile!)
Enzo hears the footsteps on the stairs before Caroline does – perks of the century or so of age he's got on her. And he's heard stories of the great Klaus Mikaelson, mostly from Damon and a few from Caroline's own mouth, when she'd been drunk enough. And he can't wait to finally make his acquaintance.
Caroline had been issuing orders as soon as she'd stepped into the sitting room Enzo had staked out – feet off the table, use a glass, do not antagonize the hybrid, that sort of thing. She'd assured him that Klaus had promised not to kill him, but that he likely could think of all sorts of ways to make Enzo wish he would.
Enzo doubted it. He was, after all, excellent at withstanding torture. He'd always thought it a pity that wasn't a more marketable skill.
Caroline's bustling around the room, pulling down the sheets that cover the furniture, wrinkling her nose every time she gets a face full of dust. She's distracted, and not aware that they're about to have company.
Enzo snags her arm, as she walks past the couch he's staked out, and pulls her down next to him. "Gorgeous, relax," he orders, handing her his glass. "I'm exhausted just looking at you."
She grumbles, but settles back into the couch, taking a sip of the most excellent bourbon that Enzo had helped himself to. He was reserving judgement on Klaus but the man knew how to buy liquor. Enzo throws his arm around Caroline, just before the hybrid himself enters the room.
He might be ignoring the rule about antagonizing Klaus. Just a smidge. Enzo finds he just can't help himself. He wants to know what Klaus is capable of, and what's between him and Caroline. Because Caroline's the sort of girl who'll do anything for a friend, had flown halfway around the world, and made her fingers bleed, for Klaus. And Enzo's not sure the bloke's worthy of that.
Enzo's got his attention on the doorway, but Klaus only has eyes for Caroline, at first. He looks far better, than he had when Enzo had left him in his bed. Alive, for one. There's an air of determination about him, a tenseness to his frame.
It eases, somewhat, when he sets eyes on Caroline. Enzo wouldn't call it softening, but there's something in the way he looks at her. Something Enzo will have to dig into further.
Caroline moves to get up, when she sees Klaus, but Enzo lets his arm lay heavier on her shoulders, and she squirms slightly, sending him a dirty look. He ruffles her hair, smirking down at her. And gets a very pointy elbow in his side.
"Ouch. That's not relaxing, Caroline," he chides.
She opens her mouth to retort, and he guesses it'll be ear blistering, and possibly not suitable for small children, but Klaus speaks first, "I believe introductions are in order."
It's phrased like a suggestion, but the steel underneath, the way Klaus' hands are gripping the back of the sofa he stands behind, make it clear that it's one he expects to be obeyed.
"I hardly thing that's necessary," Enzo drawls. He hefts his glass, "I'm Enzo, you're Klaus. We both know Caroline. We're almost ready for friendship bracelets."
Caroline groans, and this time when she moves to stand, he lets her up, flashing her a grin when she plants her hands on her hips, looking supremely irritated, "Seriously. Are you trying to get temporarily dead?" She turns to Klaus, without letting Enzo get a word in, "Try to ignore him. He's not great at people."
Klaus gives her a nod, a smirk tugging at his lips, as he rounds the couch, settling himself onto it. "And how did you two come to be… friends?"
He weights the last word, his gaze on Enzo assessing. If Caroline notes it, she doesn't react. Her phone buzzes, and she digs it out, speaking absentmindedly as she taps out a text, "He's kind of an old friend of Damon's, but don't hold that against him. We had to do a little murder, to save Stefan this one time, and then Enzo just kind of stuck."
"I do that," Enzo adds, helping himself to more bourbon. He shakes the bottle, in Klaus' direction, because he sort of suspects that he's now stuck with Klaus too, if the way the hybrid's entire head turns to Caroline, when she speaks, the way he focuses on her, is anything to go by.
Klaus accepts a glass, takes a sip and raises an eyebrow. "Not sure it's polite to help yourself to the most expensive bottle in the cabinet, mate."
Enzo shrugs, unconcerned. "I helped dig that lovely coffin of yours out of a meter and a half of ice, mate. I'd say the bourbon's fair recompense, wouldn't you?"
"Perhaps," Klaus allows.
And Enzo can't resist pushing his luck. "And I offered to help with the bathing, like the good friend that I am. But Caroline said that she had it handled."
Caroline makes a noise, high pitched and embarrassed, "Oh my god, shut up Enzo. I'm going to need people to stop bringing that up."
"Don't be so prudish, Caroline. What's a little nudity between friends, after all? I've seen you naked, you've seen me naked. We've both seen Klaus naked. And he's seen you naked. Perfectly natural."
She's grinding her teeth, and he'd bet that the tips of her ears are red, under the thick fall of her hair, "Does that mean you'd like me to leave you two alone?" she bites out. "So you can strip, and close the circle of nakedness, or whatever?"
"Not necessary," Klaus says dryly. "I assure you."
"Right, these things can't be forced. I'm sure it'll happen, while we travel the world together. Collecting imperiled family members and righting wrongs and all that."
He looks directly at Klaus, when he says that. Because it Caroline's set on helping Klaus, Enzo's set on helping Caroline. And he'll not have Klaus thinking he'll be dissuaded or threatened, by anyone, no matter if they're an indestructible ancient vampire or a regular old human.
Klaus' head tips to the side, and his regard intensifies, eyes narrowing as his expression turns considering. Enzo doesn't flinch, and takes a calm sip of his drink. Klaus gives the barest of nods, after a few seconds.
Caroline huffs, snapping her fingers between the two of them, "Oookay, there is way too much testosterone-y weirdness flying around. Do I need to separate you two?"
"No, I think we've reached an understanding," Enzo tells her.
Klaus raises an eyebrow, but doesn't disagree. And perhaps Enzo had exaggerated, and surely there will be rough patches. But as long as Caroline wants Klaus' presence Enzo's willing to endure it.
Though he'll make no promises in regards to being on his best behavior. Because Kol will be arriving soon, and Enzo quite likes the younger Mikaelson. Surely they'll have to do something, to liven up the dull bits. Caroline might even appreciate the levity. Someday.