Notes: Haven't had much luck with writing in the last week so I asked for mini drabble prompts to get me motivated. Here's the two that I wrote last night.
Just One Taste
(Prompt: "kc + 'every morning you walk in and inhale deeply then walk back out seriously just buy something already' bakery au." Rated T.)
He doesn't think much of it, the first time he sees her do it, too captivated by her, the way she'd moved, to be bothered by her strange behavior.
Klaus had been sitting by the window, a cup of tea at his elbow, waiting on a client who was going to pay him an exorbitant amount of money to design her wedding cake. Not his favorite activity but it more than paid the bills. He'd seen her walk in, noted the blonde curls bouncing about her shoulders picking up the morning's sunshine. Admired the shapely form in a slim fitting blue dress.
She'd paused, before joining the queue, taking a deep breath, her lashes fluttering and something like bliss crossing her face.
And if Klaus' imagination runs a little wild, thinking about how she'd look spread out on his sheets, wearing that expression, well, he's only a man. She inhales again, eyes flitting over to the display case, to the freshly baked cinnamon buns, dripping with icing, that Kol's piling on to a tray. She bites her lower lip, and it's ever so slightly pinker when she's done. Klaus has a fleeting wish that it had been his teeth doing the nibbling.
She licks her lips, flickers of indecision crossing her face. Klaus watches with great interest as she tears her gaze away from the pastries, her lips forming around a silently uttered curse word. And then she spins on her heel and leaves the bakery.
Klaus watches her go, until she crosses the street and melts into the crowd of pedestrians, contemplating the oddness of it, the way she'd denied herself something she'd clearly wanted.
Until his client arrives, overbearing mother in tow. And he's sufficiently distracted. And more than a little aggravated.
Still he makes a point to be on the shop floor at around the same time for the next few days, his mind having wandered back to her, wondering (hoping) he'd see the blonde again. It's only expedient, Klaus tells himself. It coincides to the time Kol and the rest of the bakers are busiest, running trays back and forth, prepping for the lunchtime rush. The bustle and the clanging disturbs Klaus, and his more delicate work, that's all.
Three days later his persistence is rewarded.
She's wearing trousers this time, her hair piled on top of her head. But the blouse she wears is sleeveless, and ever so slightly diaphanous, hinting at the curves underneath. Klaus' eyes are drawn to the length of her neck as he thinks about what her skin will taste like.
She only has eyes for the food on display, probably a good thing as Klaus' attentions aren't subtle, if the eyebrow wriggle Kol favors him with is anything to go by. She's breathing deeply and Klaus gets it. There's few things that smell better then cinnamon and sugar and freshly baked bread. She makes it to the line this time, and Klaus is interested to see what she'll order.
He's almost disappointed when she walks away with nothing but a paper cup and one last longing look at the cupcakes.
Klaus watches her go again before making his way to the back. "What'd she order?" he asks Kol, unable to resist.
Kol blinks at him like he's confused, but the hint of a smirk tells Klaus that his brother knows exactly what he'd meant, "Who?"
"You know who, Kol. Don't be an arse," Klaus snaps.
"Same thing she always does, brother. Coffee. Black, one sweetener. It's a damn shame as she's clearly lusting after the goodies."
Klaus makes a noise, to signal that he'd heard, before turning to leave. "Her name's Caroline," Kol calls after him, "by the way. She works around the corner."
Klaus faces his brother again, eyes narrowing suspiciously, "And how do you know that?"
"I know a great many things," Kol replies, irritatingly superior.
Klaus flips him off as he leaves, and Kol's chuckle follows him back to the kitchen.
She comes back. Every Monday and Thursday, just before noon, like clockwork. He's made a study of her expressions, of her likes and dislikes at least when it comes to food. The closest she's ever come to ordering something to eat was the day they'd featured chocolate cake with a salted caramel glaze. Her eyes had closed briefly, a real struggle evident in her features. Blueberry gallettes got a nose wrinkle but strawberry tarts had left her clutching the strap of her bag, like she'd been desperate not to reach across the counter and snatch one.
And so Klaus plots. And makes use of the fact that, as half-owner of Tasty Little Things, he has some control over the day's menus.
Kol's the only person who could overrule him but he doesn't, seemingly amused by Klaus' infatuation.
And so one Thursday, a few weeks after Klaus had first set eyes on Caroline, the display cases are filled to bursting with all the things that had made her eyes widen and her lips part, when she walks into the bakery.
She takes her first customary inhale, mouth falling open, and Klaus wants to hear the moan she'd held in. Wants to feel it rumble through her when they're pressed together in a more private location. He sidles up to her, clears his throat. She startles, just a touch, too wrapped up in her fantasies about food.
But Klaus is aiming to change that.
"Are you going to order something, love?"
Her head tips, and she studies him, "I'm just here for coffee."
"Black, one sweetener. I know. It's all you ever order."
She shifts away from him muttering, "Ookay, creepy," in an undertone.
Klaus winces internally because perhaps seeming like a stalker was the wrong play here, "I work here. Own the place, actually. And you've been coming in for ages, and you never order anything to eat, even though you want to. And I'm wondering why?"
"Oh," she relaxes, just the smallest softening of the line of her shoulders. "Do you know how many calories are in this stuff? All the real butter and cream and sugar? I have a bridesmaid's dress to fit into in a month. Elena's too freaking nice but her twin's a nightmare. Picture the scariest bridezilla you've ever met. Kat's worse, trust me."
He can't help but let his eyes slip down her body, the body she has absolutely nothing to worry about. He tells her as much, "You're gorgeous, love. And surely one little dessert won't kill you?" He lowers his voice conspiratorially, "I made them myself."
She rolls her eyes, a retort swift, "No you didn't. Kol does the baking. You do the decorating."
Klaus' brows rise in surprise at her knowledge, "And you'd know that how?"
"Kol's dating a friend of mine. I know all about you, Klaus." Her lips curl into a teasing smile, and Klaus is even more intrigued. She leans forward, voice dropping to a murmur, "In fact, I'm supposed to seduce you into agreeing to do Elena's cake. She tried to get an appointment but you have a waiting list."
Klaus chuckles, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but telling the mark what you're on about kind of defeats the purpose of a seduction, does it not, love?"
"I'm not really great at subtle," Caroline informs him, with an unconcerned shrug. "Plus, I'm totally aware of your plan to tempt me via baked goods, so at least we're even."
Klaus looks over behind the counter, throwing a menacing glare Kol's way. They'll be having words later.
But Caroline draws his attention back to her, fingertips tracing his bare forearm. His skin prickles at the contact a dull ache for more beginning in his gut. "Now why don't you go get me something chocolate filled and we can chat about how we can both achieve our aims?"
Klaus has no objections, but he thinks that pushing her buttons will become one of his very favorite things, "What about the dreaded calories?"
Caroline lets out a hum, throaty and amused, her eyes dropping to his lips. Klaus' pulse picks up, and he's very aware of the heat of her hand on his skin, "I'm counting on negotiations going well. We'll come to an agreement, and then you can help me burn off what I eat after you take me out to dinner tonight."
Great Surprises
(Prompt: "KC: My pet tarantula/snake (etc) escaped and I forgot to warn the guy below me who is terrified of snakes/spiders." I went with iguana instead! Rated K+)
After a long day at work Caroline was really looking forward to a bath and some quality time with her couch. But alas, it was not to be. She spies a piece of paper on her hallway floor, when she walks in. She picks it up, brows rising at the angry pencil slashes. The paper's heavy, edges ragged like it had been hastily torn.
'3B. Collect your loathsome excuse for a house pet before 6PM or I WILL call animal control'
She curses, eyes darting to the clock. "Stupid Klaus," she grits out. She's pretty sure he's bluffing, but she's not willing to take the chance. It's 5:58 PM and the building's elevators are notoriously slow leaving her with only one option. Caroline hastily kicks off her heels, and tugs her pencil skirt up a few inches. And then she sprints for the stairs. She narrowly avoids mowing over a neighbour (but she doesn't recognize the guy, which means she doesn't see him often, which means she doesn't need to apologize) but she makes it, slamming her fist against the door to 3B with seconds to spare.
It's thrown open quickly and the angry look on the apartment's occupant's face fades as he takes in her disheveled appearance. Caroline fights to keep from shifting awkwardly, suddenly very aware of how much leg her rucked up skirt is showing.
Yeah, she probably should have taken a moment to adjust before knocking.
"Where is he?" she demands, shoving past Klaus.
"Safely corralled," he answers, nodding to his living room.
Caroline lets out a gasp, shooting Klaus a glare when she sees what he's done. Her iguana's under a laundry basket, several thick books piled on top. She kneels next to it, crooning softly, "Shh, you're okay. We'll get you home and under your lamp and I'll bring you some blackberries, okay? We'll forget all about the nasty man."
Klaus snorts, and sounds highly offended when he speaks, "'Nasty man?' Surely you cannot mean me, sweetheart. I was attacked in my own home by your evil beast. For the third time. Surely that makes me the wronged party?"
Caroline scoffs, "Oh please. He did not attack you."
"Maybe not," Klaus mutters resentfully. "But he could have."
She's probably rougher with the books then she should be, considering how old and expensive they look. But Reptar was the sweetest and it wasn't his fault that he hadn't adjusted to apartment living. "And yes, I meant you. Do you know how scared he would have been had you called animal control? Strangers and cages." Caroline lifts the basket, reaching out to stroke Reptar's head. He shuffles closer, allowing Caroline to pick him up and cradle him to her chest. She stands, turning towards Klaus. He cringes away, kind of violently, putting several extra feet of space between them. Caroline stops short, a piece of the puzzle clicking into place. Klaus had been pretty friendly the few times they'd met up in the elevator, dryly funny and a little flirty. She'd been mystified by his brusqueness the last two times she'd had to collect her adventurous pet, "Oh, I get it. You're scared."
He makes a derisive noise, avoiding her gaze. "I most certainly am not."
Feeling a little mean, Caroline steps forward. Klaus mirrors her with a step back. And then another, when she closes that distance. Until he's backed into the wall.
"Wanna quit lying?" Caroline asks dryly.
But Klaus is a stubborn one, clenching his jaw before making another denial, "It's not fear. It's perfectly reasonable to be startled when a large lizard drops onto your couch."
"Did you let out a perfectly reasonable scream?" Caroline teases. "I'm sorry I missed that."
He reddens slightly, his hands balling into fists at his size. And Caroline realizes that she's being kind of an ass. She takes a few steps back, depositing Reptar on a chair before approaching Klaus, hands held out, "Look, I'm sorry. It's cool if he freaks you out. I totally wanted a cat but my mom's allergic to anything remotely furry. We compromised and I wouldn't want anything else now."
Klaus' eyes stay focused behind her, like he expects her iguana to catapult across the room and gnaw his face off. He clears his throat, "It's fine, love. But perhaps you could keep him enclosed?"
"Nope. He's a free range iguana. Gets moody in a terrarium. I'm slowly narrowing down his escape routes however."
Klaus looks distinctly unimpressed, "Marvelous," he drawls. "So I can expect more visits, I suppose?"
"You should feel flattered," Caroline tells him. "He obviously likes you. And Reptar has excellent taste in people. Did not like my last boyfriend. At all. And he turned out to be a cheating dirtbag, so I trust his judgement."
"Really?" Klaus asks, finally looking at her, a new tinge of interest heating his gaze. And Caroline suddenly realizes that her skirt situation has not been improved by kneeling on the floor. "So if I were to ask you to dinner…"
"I would say yes," Caroline answers. Because she's enjoyed their brief conversations, and Klaus has appeared in a naughty dream or two so she can't say she's blind to his attractiveness. But still, she needs to make some things clear. "So long as you understand that Reptar and I are a package deal."
Klaus swallows hard and nods, "I guess I'll have to make his acquaintance at some point then."
It's more then she'd expected, and she feels a tiny flutter of warmth at the fact that he's willing to try, to step out of his comfort zone, for her. Caroline returns to the chair she'd set the lizard on, "I promise you he's never bitten anyone in his entire life," she tells Klaus seriously. "The jumping down from shelves thing just takes some getting used to. He likes to feel tall."
Klaus drifts closer, within touching distance, though his eyes remain wary and locked on Reptar, "Your choice in animal companions isn't a deal breaker, love. My brother once dated a woman who insisted that unicorns were extinct, and not mythological which is far more egregious."
Caroline laughs, and Klaus smiles with her, setting his hand on her back to lead her to the door, "So tomorrow? Dinner at 7."
"It's a date," Caroline confirms, her anticipation growing. "I'll pick you up, save you the trouble of facing the dragon."