Notes: One of my writer's block beating strategies – mini sequels! So here's a couple. Some old, some new. Some not so mini and some that will eventually be expanded. Enjoy and as always I'd love to hear what you thought!
Magnets Pull Me In (Part 3)
Prompt: "A continuation of your hogwarts drabble please *puppy dog eyes* when they're officially together?" First part is found in Chapter 11, second part in Chapter 31. Rated T.)
She's biting her nails. Caroline hates biting her nails and has mostly managed to kick the habit. Except when she's exceptionally stressed. Like right now. Then she can't seem to help herself, her flawless self-control nowhere to be found.
Watching quidditch had always been nerve wracking. She told herself that it was only natural to feel uneasy about the safety of her schoolmates, who were often recklessly fixated on winning (though Caroline had to admit she could relate), during games. These days her anxiety levels were off the charts. Was a little common sense too much to ask for? Could Klaus not make more of an effort to keep a firm grip on his broom? For her peace of mind if nothing else?
They would be having words later.
Klaus was the worst of them all, had no qualms about risky maneuvers and aggressive plays. He was the reason her leg hadn't stopped jiggling restlessly, why she was sweating despite the frigid November air and light snow. Honestly it was a miracle he'd only managed the one serious injury thus far.
It's his first game since they'd become more than kind of friendly adversaries and Caroline is a wreck and trying really hard not to show it. Rebekah's not faring much better, pale faced and clutching her friend April's hand every time Klaus takes a dive or a hard turn. She keeps glancing back at Caroline and it's an effort to smile reassuringly.
It's hard not to remember that the last time Klaus had played a match he had ended up with his arm crushed. Things had definitely changed, for the better, between them since Caroline had volunteered to tend him while his bones regrew and they'd managed to come to something of an understanding. That didn't mean she had any desire to repeat the experience.
The Hogsmeade date she'd grudgingly agreed to had gone really well.
At the end of it he'd walked her to her private dorm. Klaus had kissed her cheek at the door (perks of being Head Girl – no tricky boy repelling staircases!), bid her goodnight and moved to walk away. Caroline had gaped after him for approximately five seconds before she'd stomped after him, shoved him into a wall and kissed him properly.
Seriously. She had thought they'd established that she liked when he was nice but not too nice. Clearly he was too thick-headed to take subtle hints.
Luckily, Caroline had always excelled at making a point.
Her blouse had been untucked and his curls a dishevelled mess from her hands when they'd managed to disengage. Klaus had been grinning and Caroline had bitten her lip to keep her own smile in. She'd pushed away from him and crossed her arms haughtily, "For future reference that's how you say goodnight if you want a girl to go out with you again, Klaus."
His lips had settled into a smirk and his body had followed hers, easing into her space once more. Caroline had held her ground and Klaus' hands had landed on her hips, slid up and down her sides in gentle distracting caress. "Noted, love. Does that mean you'd like a second date?"
He'd sounded so very smug and Caroline had fought back a groan. She could not believe she'd walked right into that one. Narrowing her eyes she'd kept her tone casual, "Maybe. Assuming you don't annoy me too much when we're trying to finish out transfiguration project."
Klaus had smirked, "I'll be sure to annoy you the perfect amount. Since you've already confessed to your secret enjoyment of it."
She'd opened her mouth to reply but all that had come out was a stuttered breath when he'd once more brushed his lips across her cheek. He lingered and she'd fought a shudder at the faint rasp of his stubble against her skin. His hands had pressed against her firmly, a fingertip grazing the strip of bare skin where her top had rucked up. His voice had been low, enticing, and a touch gravelly. "Goodnight, Caroline. Sleep well."
She'd half expected some cheesy line about dreaming about him but Klaus had managed to refrain. Had pulled away and taken his leave while she'd still been processing the rapid influx of feelings and urges he'd managed to inspire with a few simple touches.
She had not slept well that night.
The next morning Caroline had been grumpy, snappish and intent on guzzling coffee until she felt like she could interact with other people without casting jinxes. Most of her housemates had taken one look at her and silently shifted over to give her space at the table eschewing the usual chorus of morning greetings.
She'd been ready to snarl at the person who settled in next to her until a blueberry muffin had appeared in front of her face. It was her favorite and smelled heavenly and was cradled in a very familiar hand (the dirty fantasies about that pair of hands might have been the reason for the tossing and turning Caroline had done). Her face had heated once a few had drifted back to the surface and Caroline sent a fervent wish out into the universe that Klaus wouldn't notice.
She did not want to explain and Klaus certainly did not need any ego stroking. At all.
He'd wiggled the muffin, his face questioning and Caroline had reached out to take it. It had still been warm and she'd reached for the butter, suddenly starving. "Thanks," she'd told him.
Klaus had smiled and reached for the pumpkin juice, "You're welcome, love."
She'd expected him to start talking, to tease her about her messy bun and clear crankiness but he hadn't, had merely plated up his breakfast, silently passing her the things she liked and sending the things she didn't (black pudding – shudder) in the opposite direction.
He'd done it deftly, with no hesitation and, like with the orange juice incident, Caroline had been struck by the knowledge that Klaus had been paying attention, that his interest in her wasn't new or superficial. It had sent a burst of warmth through her, and a little giddy thrill.
Caroline had reached for his hand, under the table. Had threaded her fingers through his and squeezed, murmured another soft thanks, before pulling away and digging in.
Her bad mood had evaporated in record time.
Ever since they've made a habit of sitting together at breakfast. Usually at dinner too, but they generally stick with their friends (or Klaus will often sit with his siblings) for lunch. They study together most evenings, and not just for the classes they share.
Though it doesn't always work.
Klaus' grades are excellent but he's not nearly as methodical as Caroline is. She'd been appalled to learn that he had no form of agenda or planner, just relied on his memory and the odd reminder scribbled in his class notes, to track due dates. Caroline had already purchased him one as part of his Christmas gift. She sometimes made him sit on the opposite side of the table from her so she wouldn't be distracted by him in her line of sight (or his tendency to absently reach out and touch her, to stretch out his legs to rest against hers). Klaus usually rolled his eyes but complied for long enough for her to get things done, silently studying or sketching until he sensed Caroline could be coaxed into a break.
Truthfully, he didn't even have to put that much effort into convincing her.
Another perk of being head girl? Access to the restricted section. The breaks she and Klaus indulged in weren't always comfortable (and she'd had to apply bruise paste once or twice when Klaus had pressed her a little too enthusiastically into the shelves) but they were far more time efficient than walking across the castle to her dorm room. They just had to be careful that Madame Pince didn't see them leaving, the flushed cheeks and swollen lips would have been a dead giveaway, even if all other evidence of their amorous activities could be hidden under billowy school robes.
Klaus had officially asked her to the next Hogsmeade weekend, a gesture Caroline had appreciated. She hated it when boys just assumed. She and Klaus haven't officially named what they are, something her friends have been nagging her about. She was resolved to broach the subject tonight, had asked a house elf to deliver a picnic of sorts to her dorm room because she and Klaus had already planned on making only a quick appearance at the after game party and then sneaking off for some quality time. It's looking like it'll be a victorious affair, and not one for commiseration. Slytherin is up by enough points to win even if Hufflepuff manages to catch the snitch (possible, since it's Kol's first year as Seeker).
The crowd lets out a gasp and Caroline's eyes snap up just in time to catch a collision between Klaus and Enzo. Her hands had been twisted in her skirt since the teams had kicked off the pitch and they tighten painfully at this newest near miss. At least Klaus and Enzo right themselves quickly and appear to shake off the incident easily. Caroline might breathe a little easier at the sight but she shoots her best deadly glare at both of them in turn. Enzo's a good friend and Klaus is… well, whatever Klaus is. Enzo catches her eye and grins before tossing her a jaunty wave.
Caroline mentally resolves to slip something embarrassing into his food next time she has the opportunity. Maybe a mild truth potion? She'd do a little research.
Klaus has the grace to look mildly apologetic, softening her ire. Caroline will try to keep her lecture about safety, and not giving her a heart attack, short. Or at least short-ish. She still thought helmets should be a thing.
Caroline resolves to pay more attention to the game and pushes her nagging thoughts away. It was silly to be internally freaking out, she knew. Klaus hadn't done anything to indicate that his answer to the, 'Do you want to be my boyfriend?' question would be anything but an enthusiastic yes.
Besides, he'd put himself out there quite a bit over the last few weeks. It was only fair that Caroline made a leap or two of her own.
She's curled up on the small sofa in her private dorm engrossed in an issue of Cosmo (the U.K. edition was way better than the one from back home) when she hears the soft glide of the portrait allowing someone entry. The number of people who have her password is tiny and she's only expecting one.
Caroline tips her head back over the arm to watch Klaus walk into the room. His hair's still damp and he's wearing sweatpants and a faded t-shirt, his school bag slung over one shoulder. He drops it before bending to press a kiss to her forehead, "Hi," she greets him. Klaus' brows rise as his eyes catch on her magazine and Caroline slams it shut. Of course he happened to walk in when she was reading one of the sex articles. "Party under control?" she asks him.
Klaus grins, and rounds the couch, lifting her legs as he sits and arranging them on his lap. "It seemed fairly tame."
Caroline nods with satisfaction. She'd had some stern words for the prefects, and it seemed like they'd taken her seriously. "Good. I'll have to go check in an hour or two. Make sure the little ones are in bed."
Klaus hums an acknowledgement his hands skimming her bare legs. Caroline shivers when he traces her kneecap, and Klaus looks up as he moves higher, fingers dancing over her inner thighs, his eyes heated and questioning. Caroline kind of wants to slouch down and part her thighs a little more, see where this goes. They've haven't had sex yet but what they have done makes Caroline pretty certain that's a shame. She forces herself to resist the temptation. She had a plan and plans were meant to be followed.
Caroline smiles at him, hoping it reads as reassuring, and sits up, pulling her legs away. She folds them underneath her, resting her back against the arm of the couch so she's facing him. Klaus looks a little confused, his hands hovering for a moment before they fall his lap. "Are you hungry?" she asks brightly.
"A little," he replies, brows furrowed, moving to stand. Caroline shakes her head, and grabs her wand, muttering a spell and floating the small basket their way. It lands on the couch between them and she sets her wand aside before opening it. She hands Klaus a can of butterbeer before digging for the sandwiches she knows the elves had made.
Klaus settles back down on the couch, "Are you feeling alright?" he asks curiously, and she hears a thread of apprehension. "I know we didn't discuss my spending the night. I only brought my things just in case. I know how you feel about preparation. I'm happy to go back to my dorm if you…"
Caroline immediately shakes her head, "No. It's fine, Klaus. Really. I'd like it if you stayed. I just wanted to ask you something. Well, a few somethings."
"Oh," Klaus says, sounding more relaxed. "Ask away, sweetheart."
Caroline tucks her hair behind her ear, glancing up to see him watching her with open interest. "I like you," she blurts out. "And I probably have for a while but just didn't want to admit it because of the douchebag tendencies you were a little too free with."
She cringes, because that wasn't exactly romantic, but Klaus lets out a laugh. "Such sweet talk. I'm flattered."
Caroline sighs, and hands him a sandwich. This was so not the speech she'd rehearsed. "You should be. I'm flattered that you've reined them in and have managed to actually be tolerable. Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Klaus answers quickly, "Yes." Caroline blinks at him in surprise. The look he throws her is disbelieving, "Sweetheart I've made it quite clear that I like you too."
He has. And she's told herself the very same thing. Over and over again.
"What was your other question?" Klaus asks, taking a bite of his sandwich. He's managed to shift over a little bit, her shin pressing against his thigh because of the way her legs are crossed.
Caroline decides that bluntness has worked out for her so far, why not try it again? "Do you want to come home for Christmas with me?"
Klaus is the one left shocked this time, his mouth falling open. Luckily he's already chewed and swallowed. "I…"
Caroline rushes to explain, "I know you were planning on staying here."
A delicate way of putting it.
Klaus had been officially disinvited from the Mikaelsons planned Christmas vacation to Paris. He hadn't seemed too broken up about it when he'd gotten the letter last week but Caroline knew that he and his father did not get along. And that his older brother Elijah had given Klaus a heads up about Mikael's intentions. Apparently, despite the easy access to an improved version of the wolfsbane potion (part of the protections for werewolves found in The Remus Lupin Memorial Act that Hermione Granger had pushed through years ago) that would allow Klaus to change anywhere and pose no threat, his parents insisted that it was too much of a hassle to accommodate his condition in Paris over the holidays.
"I asked my mom last week," Caroline continues, watching Klaus' face carefully. "And she said it would be fine, that she's short staffed anyway and was feeling guilty about not being able to spend much time with me. My dad said changing the portkey is not problem either. There are tons of forests surrounding Mystic Falls so you could go out and run on the full moon. It is a muggle house so I understand if you're not comfortable but I thought…"
His shock had melted away as Caroline spoke, melting into something like awe. Klaus sets his sandwich on the coffee table and reaches for her hand. He tugs and Caroline unfolds her legs. He pulls harder and she finds herself in her lap.
Not that she's complaining.
Klaus' arms wrap around her and he rests his forehead against hers. "I would love nothing more than to spend the holidays with you," Klaus tells her seriously.
Caroline grins and lets out a relieved breath sliding one of her hands into his hair. "Good. Mom says you'll have to sleep in the guest room but I fully intend to sneak you into my room, FYI. I'll show you how to avoid the squeaky spots on the floor."
Klaus' hand glides up her back, under her shirt and Caroline settles more firmly against him. "Looking forward to it," he mumbles, just as his lips brush over hers. Her mouth parts eagerly, welcoming a deeper kiss, and Klaus lets out a low rumble of approval that has her rocking into him. Caroline nods encouragingly as he taps hesitantly on the closure of her bra, leaning back to peel off her sweater.
Caroline totally forgets to check on the party.
She can't be upset that there's a huge mess she has to help clean up the next day. Or even that she's forced to deduct house points which kills her. Not when Klaus pitches in without having to be nagged into it. The sixth and seventh years are shooting the both of them knowing, amused, looks and she's not annoyed by that either. Caroline has to fight a smile every time her eyes meet Klaus'. He doesn't bother trying but then he's not obligated to be disproving.
She's Head Girl. She can't have people thinking wild parties are acceptable, that she'll let it happen again. Last night had been an anomaly. An amazing one, but she'll have to be more responsible in the future. Set an alarm or something.
Kind of unfortunate. Slacking on her duties had never been so fun.
This One's On Me
(Mini follow up to the drabble where Caroline works as a stripper I did for the spring round of klarolineauweek. The original drabble can be found in Chapter 39. It's rated M for smut but this one's K+)
Klaus really should have known that Kol was up to something. He's kicking himself for not recognizing the signs. To be fair acting the nuisance was Kol's default setting so perhaps it's understandable that he'd not seen this particular bit of nonsense coming.
Caroline will likely disagree.
He and Caroline have been seeing each other for months and Klaus has slowly been introducing her to his family. Elijah first since he was the most likely to be polite. Freya second since she was rather more easygoing than the rest of the lot. Klaus had wavered whether Kol or Rebekah should go next and, after much mental debate, he'd ultimately decided on Kol. Klaus had known his younger brother would no doubt go out of his way to embarrass him, and would likely flirt shamelessly with Caroline, but he still thought him the better option. Caroline could more than handle herself, he rationalized. She had plenty of practice, Klaus knew, with what she deemed 'pervs and creepers.' Kol's brand of lechery should be no problem for her.
Subjecting Caroline to Rebekah's doubtlessly condescending vitriol could wait. Bekah had few female friends. Had managed to despise just about every woman her brothers had ever taken an interest in and was not shy about throwing words like 'tacky trollop' around. Had managed to scare off a fair few dates and girlfriends over the years. Klaus knew Caroline was made of some pretty stern stuff but he thought it best not to risk it just yet.
Mind made up he'd invited Kol over for dinner, had been banking on the fact that the level of intoxication Kol had reached that fateful night at the strip club would prevent him from recognizing Caroline as the stripper who'd once performed a lap dance for him.
Caroline had no qualms about him knowing but Klaus knew that Kol's ability to make things awkward meant they'd need to ease into the truth of her occupation. Kol had absently noted that Caroline looked familiar, brows furrowed in concentration. Caroline had played dumb, wide eyed and innocent, telling Kol that she really didn't think they'd ever met and maybe she just had one of those faces?
Klaus had thought that Kol had bought the lie. Dinner had gone well enough, Kol making the expected borderline offensive comments and Caroline parrying them back. She'd been sweetly venomous and Klaus had thought Kol had seemed almost impressed by the time the night was through. He had assumed his plan had been successful.
Clearly a mistake.
The cab he and Kol were in had just pulled up outside the familiar façade of the club Caroline worked at and Klaus eyed the neon lights with a sinking feeling of dread. Kol hopped out before he could say anything and Klaus briefly considered telling the driver to pull away and leaving Kol behind. Immediately decided against it because that was basically throwing down a challenge, inviting Kol to throw one hell of a scene.
Klaus gets out of the cab slowly, "Why are we hear, Kol?" he asks. There's a slim chance that Kol doesn't actually know anything, merely had a night of debauchery in mind. That's what he'd claimed when he'd banged on Klaus' door earlier, demanding Klaus come out with him. "You've gotten so dull, Niklaus," he'd groaned, helping himself to a drink. "Nearly as bad as Elijah. When was the last time you went out on a weekend?"
Klaus had rolled his eyes, wracked his brain for an excuse. It had been awhile. Caroline spent her weekends in the city, and while Klaus had accompanied her once or twice they'd found it worked better if he didn't. She did her shifts, concentrated on her coursework when she wasn't working and he did the same, freeing them up to spend time together during the week.
The system they'd worked out had been going well and Klaus saw no reason to justify himself to his younger brother. Unfortunately Kol had taken the lack of response as Klaus' acceptance to coming out with him, and when Klaus had attempted refuse he'd threatened to call Rebekah and tell her to come over. And bring that one mousy little friend of hers who blushed and stuttered every time either Kol or Klaus looked in her direction.
Klaus would rather rip out his own fingernails than be subjected to the girl's nervous twitching so he'd reluctantly caved.
And now here he was.
"Pay the man," Kol tells him, nodding to the driver's open window, "And I'll tell you, Nik."
Gritting his teeth Klaus dug out his wallet. Of course he'd been roped into paying too. When the cab's gone Kol throws his arms around Klaus' shoulders, dragging him towards the entrance. He attempts to elbow Kol somewhere uncomfortable but his brother's ensured that the angle's all wrong. "None of that," Kol scolds mockingly. "It's a gentleman's club, Nik. I'm quite certain childish roughhousing is frowned upon."
He recognizes the bouncer. Klaus had seen him around often enough back when he came here every other week. His name's Enzo and Klaus knows Caroline considers him a friend. His eyes light up when he sees Klaus, "Look who's here. Been awhile hasn't it, mate? Gorgeous know you were coming tonight? Because you're not on my list."
Kol answers before Klaus can, "Nope! Thought we'd surprise the lovely Caroline. I remember she put on quite the show the last time I was here. Possibly the finest pair of legs I've ever seen."
Well, Klaus supposed that cleared up exactly what Kol knew.
Enzo looks dubious, "Yeah, that one's not real fond of surprises. There's a great little diner a couple blocks over. Maybe you boys should go get a burger. I'll send her your way when she's done for the night."
Kol laughs dismissively, "What woman doesn't like surprises? We'll just…"
"Caroline," Klaus interrupts. "Bit of a control freak. It's part of her charm." He nods at Enzo, "I'll text her but if you could let her know I stopped by I'd appreciate it." He pulls out of his brother's hold, and walks away. He hears Kol attempt to argue with Enzo, weasel his way in the club. Evidently fails because he's soon jogging to catch up with Klaus. He sounds thoroughly peeved, "What's the point of you screwing a stripper if I can't skip the cover at her club? Honestly."
That's Klaus' breaking point.
He stops dead, shoves Kol into a darkened doorway. Kol bangs into the security grate, lets out a yelp of surprise. "Don't speak of her like that," Klaus grits out.
Kol snorts in disbelief, "Nik. Come on. She's certainly tasty, I'll give you that, but she spends her weekends letting other men paw at her. What's the appeal?"
"It's her job," Klaus clips out. He reaches out, smooths the lapels of Kol's jacket, "And don't you think it's a wee bit hypocritical of you, brother? You were the one frequenting her workplace, were you not? You seemed to have no trouble being one of the men doing the pawing."
Kol's eyes widen, turn gleeful, "Hold on, you actually like this girl."
"Obviously," Klaus drawls. "Would I have bothered subjecting her to you if I didn't?"
"Rude, Niklaus. I am perfectly charming company."
"Yes. It was so charming of you to plan to harass a woman in her workplace."
"I wasn't going to harass her," Kol replies indignantly. "I just thought I might ask for the rest of that lap dance I paid for."
"You didn't pay for anything," Klaus points out. "I did."
Kol grins, "Semantics. It was a birthday gift, was it not? Does that mean she's danced for you?"
Klaus leans in, keeps his tone low and even. It's been quite a while since he and Kol had fought in earnest, not since they were teens. But he's reaching the end of his patience, "Ask me something like that again and I'll tear out your liver and make you eat it. It'll make the carousing your so fond of quite difficult, don't you think?"
Kol's always been smarter than he lets on, hears the threat loud and clear, just as Klaus had meant him to. He leans more heavily into the wall, holding up his hands in a placating gesture, "Fine, fine. Message received."
Klaus isn't quite done. "And should you ever say anything to Caroline that is even the smallest bit offensive to her they'll never find your body. Brother or no."
Kol eyes him curiously, weighing his words. Klaus meets his gaze steadily, allowing Kol see his resolve. Finally he sighs, "So dramatic, Niklaus. You're worse than Rebekah."
He brushes past Klaus, muttering something about wanting a milkshake. Klaus hides a grin as he follows, knowing that he's won. And he'd not even had to resort to blackmail.
Three siblings down, three to go. Then he'd need to tackle his parents. A thought that made Klaus shudder. That was going to be unpleasant. At least, once Caroline had run the gauntlet of his family, he could be confident in her feelings for him.
Klaus was certain that no sane person would bother to nod and smile through all that crazy if they weren't serious about a relationship.
As One Wishes To Live
(Mini sequel to the GenieKlaus drabble from Chapter 18. I do intend to do something more expansive for this one sometime!)
Caroline panics when she hears keys in the door. She's taken a couple of sick days, thinking it best to deal with the whole genie situation. She'd sent her boss an email with a sob story about a killer bout of stomach flu. She's never done it before, feels a little bad about lying, but her excuse won't be questioned.
Perks of being a kickass employee.
And hey, the truth would have gotten her locked up on a twenty four hour psych hold, and Caroline does not want to deal with that. Even if Klaus could probably break her out with his freaky magic stuff.
"Care?" Bonnie calls, "are you okay? I brought crackers and Gatorade!"
She just hadn't counted on her friends, and their keys to her place, screwing with her plans.
"Hide!" she hisses at Klaus. His eyes widen, face going blank. He nods once, harsh and jerky, before he immediately does that wispy smoky thing, dissipating before her eyes (and seriously, that was never not going to be weird) leaving his lamp rattling on her mantle.
She feels a stab of guilt, because she'd meant for him to go upstairs, having picked up on the revulsion and wariness he seemed to feel for the little metal vessel that had been his home and prison. She'd been asking questions for the last few days, carefully teasing out his story. Caroline had discovered that he'd been dormant for the last sixty years. She cringed just thinking about it. Sometimes Klaus went cold, his answers becoming monosyllabic. He'd never refused to answer her inquiries, even though he'd obviously wanted to at times, and she suspected the obedience too ingrained for now. She'd been quick to change the subject whenever possible, remembering her vow to not be like all the other women who Klaus had been forced to serve.
He'd mentioned that he was bound to follow her orders, that there would be consequences for him if he did not. He'd gone stiff when he'd imparted that knowledge, the words clipped as he refused to meet her eyes. She imagined he'd tested the limits of the magic thoroughly, as stubborn and prideful as he seemed to be. That whatever the punishment doled out was painful if he dreaded it so heavily.
She'd promised herself she wouldn't give him a reason to endure whatever consequences the magic that made him a genie doled out when he attempted to resist it.
Thinking quickly Caroline ruffles her hair, wraps herself in her afghan and slumps down on the couch. She tries to look miserable and queasy, planning on getting Bonnie to leave as soon as possible.
She's under no illusions that her friends won't have to meet Klaus eventually. She's just planning on easing them into it. Maybe mention that she's looking for a roommate, interview a couple candidates for show.
It'll give her time to make up a reasonable background story. Plus, Caroline needs time for Klaus to get acclimated to the world, so he won't make her friends suspicious. So far things from the twenty-first century are hit and miss. He'd turned his nose up at the Keurig before he'd conjured himself a cup of coffee that Caroline had had to admit was way better then what the machine dripped out. Klaus does seem to like the internet. Caroline had been attempting to explain online shopping, thinking that she really needed him to be clothed. He'd picked things he liked when prompted, but had said ordering them wasn't necessary. She'd felt a little dumb when he'd blinked and had been immediately clad in a pair of dark jeans and a Henley. In her defence, this whole magic thing took some getting used to.
She's also going to need to prepare Klaus for Kat. She suspects he can hold his own, senses steel nerves and an implacable will under the sereneness he exudes but she can't help feeling protective. Caroline had seen Kat cheerfully crush weak men under her stilettos, with merely biting words and a toss of her hair, not exerting the slightest effort. Caroline knows her friend well enough to know that she'll put in serious effort if she thinks she's vetting a potential roommate of Caroline's.
The least she can do is try to spare Klaus the worst of that. Since she'd unwittingly made herself his mistress.
Yep, that was still creepy. And a tiny bit hot in a way that made Caroline want to fidget in shame.
Bonnie's head peeks into the living room, expression soft and sympathetic. Caroline musters a grin, makes a show of struggling into a sitting position.
It's not hard to make Bonnie think she's out of it, as distracted as she is, her mind too focused on Klaus' lamp. She's not even sure how she can get him out, knows she has to try to do it without making it a demand.
She'd read the little flash of betrayal in his eyes clearly, even though he'd masked it quickly. She doesn't want to see it again.
Your Skin Speaks Up
(Mini follow up to the second drabble in Chapter 35. In which Caroline mistakenly assumes that Klaus is a prostitute…)
Caroline checks the peephole (her mother might have died decades ago but years of 'safety first!' Sheriff-y lectures have stuck despite the fact that she's not exactly delicate) after the knock on her apartment door.
It's been a boring day. She'd napped (last night being light on actual sleep, heavy on the exertions), done a little research on a client she had a meeting with tomorrow. Tried to keep her mind from wandering back to the activities that had left her so tired.
Mostly failing, but effort counted, right? It was only natural that she'd been impressed. The guy was 1000 years old. It'd have been weirder if he hadn't had skills between the sheets. And in the shower. And over his very well crafted desk.
Not that Caroline was thinking about it.
When she's greeted by the sight of his royal hybridness himself waiting patiently in her hallway she bites back a curse. She so wasn't prepared to do this so soon.
She'd lucked out – apparently someone had left Klaus' party and gotten a little rowdy in the quarter, something about half a frat house getting eaten – so he'd been called away before the sun was fully up leaving her drowsy and ogling him as he'd hurriedly pulled on clothes. Caroline had been grateful that their sure to be awkward morning after had been cut mercifully short. She'd tiptoed through the corridors intent on avoiding the other Mikaelsons and had made it outside without incident.
She'd flashed home through back alleys and quiet streets telling herself that avoiding Klaus was still an excellent plan.
Caroline should have anticipated that he would be uncooperative. Thwarting her seemed to amuse Klaus greatly.
She makes no move to answer the door, preparing to take a small step back and pretend like she wasn't home. Cowardly? Possibly. But there was not one around to judge her.
The ball of her foot has just hit the floor, the start of her retreat. And then she hears a low chuckle through the wood, amused words following shortly after, "Hybrid, love, remember? I can hear you breathing. Your heart beating. The slick little noise of your tongue on your lip. I remember that last one very fondly."
The annoyed noise spills from her before she can swallow it back. Knowing she's well and truly caught Caroline smooths out her tank top (idly wishing she was wearing something nicer and scolding herself for it), and tries to settle a polite expression on her face, "Can I help you?" she asks him, once she's thrown open the door. "I know I didn't leave anything behind at your place."
"Not strictly true," Klaus counters. "But then there'd be no point in returning your knickers since they were ruined beyond repair."
Caroline grits her teeth because that reminder was the opposite of helpful. "I didn't like those that much anyway," she lies.
Klaus smirks, leaning against her doorframe, "Interesting. I'd be happy to chat about your preferences in that department."
"Creepy. And pass."
He seems amused by the insult, "Not going to invite me in, sweetheart?"
The snort is automatic but it only makes him smile, "No. Definitely not."
"Shame. You were so very chatty last time I was here. I quite enjoyed it. And that silky confection of a robe was delightful. I daresay I'd only enjoy it more now, having touched and tasted all that lovely skin it hinted at.
"Are you seriously going to keep bringing that up?" Caroline asks incredulously. She hates that she's flushed right now but his words, the hungry perusal that had accompanied them, leaves her feeling a smidge overheated.
"I don't see why not. It did work out rather well for me last night. You are magnificent when riled."
"That was a one-time thing," Caroline says firmly. "I still don't like you."
Much like last night Klaus isn't the least bit bothered. "Challenge accepted, love."
Caroline's mouth falls open, "That wasn't a challenge!" she sputters. "God, you're impossible."
"Sentiments my family would likely agree with. Have dinner with me, Caroline."
"Uh, what part of I don't like you makes you think I want to date you?"
He shrugs, holds a finger up in the air, "First, I think you're lying, just a bit. That first night, when you thought I was here to provide a service, you liked me just fine."
"I thought you were kind of an arrogant douche, actually."
"But I made you smile," Klaus argues, annoyingly sure of himself. "And you were comfortable enough to fall asleep in my presence."
And maybe he had a teeny, tiny point there. Still, she's not going to make it easy on him, "I was drunk."
"You're a vampire with some age to you. You can handle a bottle of tequila." She's about to argue but he raises a second finger, "Second, you liked dancing with me."
Also kinda true. Caroline shrugs dismissively, "I like to dance And you're old enough to be really good at it. I remember I liked dancing with your brother that time we got wasted on absinthe. Should I date him?"
There's a flare of annoyance then, hot and fleeting, maybe a hint of yellow in his eyes. "I do need to hear that story, love. From you. As I'm sure you can imagine, Kol's not the most reliable of narrators. But we've veered off topic."
"The topic being the very short list of reasons why you're not as awful as I think you are?"
"Precisely."
"Oh, well, continue. I'm dying of anticipation."
He ignores the heavy sarcasm, leaning forward to tug on a loose curl, "I'm too much of a gentleman to go into detail about the third one. But you must admit you enjoyed my company last night, Caroline. I remember the way you moaned for me all too vividly."
Caroline does too. Which is so totally the problem.
She bats his hand away, takes a step back. Clears her throat, "Yeah, yeah, the sex was kind of mind blowing. But newsflash, we're vampires. It comes with the territory. Now if that's everything…"
Caroline steps back and closes the door before Klaus has the chance to reply. She still hears his softly murmured, "I'll see you around, love," loud and clear.