I am so sorry that it took this long to update this. I've had three family/friend deaths during covid, along with my parents' divorce and working and law school. It's been busy! Thank you so much for sticking with me through this time. This fic was a joy to write because of the Baroline friendship in particular, and I hope that you guys enjoyed it (and the ending) as much as I enjoyed writing it.


"Hey!" Caroline said when Klaus opened the door, pecking him on the lips and grinning when he immediately pulled her closer once she began to pull away. He kissed her again, deeper this time, his hands squeezing her waist gently.

"Hello, love. How was your day?"

She shrugged. "Can't complain. April is finally getting the hang of the whole hosting thing, and we're on track for ending this month in the black, which is new and different."

"How exciting," Klaus said, pecking her on the lips again. It sounded like he genuinely felt it too, like he was proud of her.

Her heart warmed, and she kind of hated it. "So, what are you up to?"

"I've been thinking," he started, trailing off to look at her face when she smirked.

"Sounds dangerous."

He scoffed before reverting to a more serious expression. "Thinking about us."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she clenched her hands so that they didn't shake. "Us?"

"Yes. Us."

"What about us?" she asked slowly.

Klaus shifted his weight slightly, and she couldn't help but zero in on the twist of his lips, the way his hands were stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. She'd never seen him nervous before, but if she was a betting woman, she'd put a significant amount on saying that this is what he looked like. It was kind of adorable. "You keep saying that we're friends with benefits," he began, his tone surprisingly smooth. "I just want to know whether you're committed to remaining that way."

"What do you mean?"

"I enjoy you," he said simply. "I've grown...attached since I've arrived here."

"You like, want to date me?"

"I do," he said, the words coming so easily from his mouth that she couldn't fight down a smile. "And I should warn you, Caroline, that I don't intend for this to be a simple fling. Be sure that's what you want before you agree."

She laughed. "I enjoy you too," she teased, reaching to sling her arms over his shoulders and press a light kiss to his lips. "And I'd totally be up for being more than friends. Like, in a serious way."

"Excellent," he murmured, his hands landing on her hips to steady her as he bent to give her another kiss, this one fiercer, more serious. "I'm pleased to hear it."

She grinned at him when she pulled back, her hands sliding down the front of his shirt to fiddle with one of the buttons on his henley. "Do you want to do something tonight?"

He grinned, dimples cutting into his cheeks. "What did you have in mind?"

She kissed him lightly, just brushing their lips together, sliding her palms to rest on his shoulders and humming in contentment when his hands moved to grab her ass over the fabric of her sundress, squeezing lightly. She could feel the sharp angles of the counter pressing against her lower back, but she couldn't find it in herself to care as his fingers danced along the backs of her thighs and up to curl a finger around the string of her thong, tugging back lightly to create friction against her pussy.

She gasped into his mouth, her lips falling open and he used the opportunity to press his tongue into her mouth, curling it against hers. His hair was soft between her fingers as she tugged on it gently, moving her thigh to brush against his half-hard cock, satisfied when he groaned into her mouth, low and guttural, his fingers flexing against her skin.

She reached down between them to unbuckle his belt, tugging the strap out of the loop and making quick work of the button and fly to free his cock from the confines of his jeans, wrapping her hand around it and stroking it gently, feeling him harden further in her hand. He pulled away, pressing soft kisses to her cheeks and her nose before pecking her on the lips, the sweetness of the brushes of his lips against her skin contrasting sharply with his low growl ordering her to get on the bed.

She grinned, pulling away from him and tugging the dress over her head as she walked, letting it fall to the floor and leaving her in only a bra and thong, and she could feel his eyes on her as she made her way to the bed, adding a little extra swing of her hips and giggling when he swore out her name under his breath. She could hear the rustle of clothing as he stripped, and glanced behind her, lingering in the doorway to watch him undress.

He smirked when he saw her eyes on him, and she didn't think she'd ever get tired of how his eyes raked over her form like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Drinking her in.

She flopped down on the bed and shimmied out of her thong, reaching behind her to unhook her bra and moaning when Klaus followed her and immediately bent down to lick and suck at her nipples, feeling them pebble from the brushes of his tongue and teeth.

He dragged his lips along her chest and shoulder then, slowly making his way to the sensitive skin of her neck, the one spot that made her go weak in the knees if he touched it in just the right way. She felt the scrape of his teeth followed by the soothing brush of his tongue and tangled her fingers in his hair, desperate to keep him exactly where he was, while the other hand gripped the bedsheets. She could feel him hard against her thigh, but he didn't seem to mind waiting, instead patiently licking and sucking to make her melt. She knew there would likely be marks later, but she couldn't bring herself to care.

She arched her back when his other hand moved down to play with her nipple, rolling it and tugging it between his fingers before trailing his hand further down her belly to the apex of her thighs, brushing his index finger along her already wet slit and making her squirm.

"That feels so good," she breathed, widening her legs to give him better access. "Fuck, Klaus...Don't stop."

She heard him chuckle against her skin before he pressed a single finger inside of her, teasing her by curling it against he walls, his fingers frustratingly far from her clit. "Please," she gasped out, tugging gently on his blonde curls. "Touch me more."

"Spread your legs, sweetheart."

They both groaned when he finally sheathed himself inside of her, his cock stretching her out perfectly and hitting her in all the right places as he began to move. He cupped the backs of her thighs with his palms and pressed them back, raising her hips and allowing him to go even deeper. "Fuck, Caroline."

Her hands scrambled for purchase, her nails digging into his back just the way she'd found he liked. She loved the way he filled her, the way he groaned low in his throat when she lifted her hips to give him just the right angle. She could hear his heavy breathing and the slap of skin against skin in the silence of the air around them, and she laughed at his satisfied smirk when she moaned a bit too loudly when he hit her in just the right spot. It was so nice to feel wanted. The way Klaus looked at her made her feel like she was the only person in the world that he could ever want, his eyes dark and centered on her face.

It wasn't long before she fell apart around him, her breathing heavy and fast as she clenched around his cock. She heard him groan a few moments later, his movements speeding up before he slumped on top of her, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek and rolling away to lie beside her.

She reached to tangle her fingers with his, inching closer to rest her cheek on his chest. The movement felt so natural despite her insistence that they were friends with benefits. She'd longed to have that easy intimacy between them where he pulled her close and let her rest against him, but she'd been fighting it off, knowing that he was leaving someday. It hurt to know he might leave at anytime, but leave her behind, and she was trying as best she could not to get too attached. Now she didn't have to worry about it.

They laid there in silence for awhile, Caroline basking in the feel of his skin beneath her cheek and the scent of him. Abruptly he gently moved her away, pushing her hair out of her face with his fingers and grinning at her still-flushed cheeks.

"I'll just go pick us up dinner, shall I?" he asked, pressing a brief kiss to her lips before rolling out of bed, reaching for his boxer briefs and jeans. "Wait here, love. Television remote's in the coffee table drawer if you'd like to use it."

"I know," she said, turning lazily in bed to admire his form as he pulled on his clothes and grinning as he bent down for one more kiss before he left, the lock clicking in behind him. She let herself bask in the afterglow for a few more minutes before she resigned herself to getting up again.

After retrieving the "extra" toothbrush she'd begun using on her visits from under the sink and grabbing the makeup wipes she'd stowed in his bathroom drawer, she freshened up a bit and pulled on her underwear and one of his shirts, rubbing the soft fabric of the hem between her fingers as she wandered out of his bedroom and made herself comfortable on his couch, reaching for his remote to see if he'd DVR'd anything interesting.

She flipped through the choices until she found something that seemed okay enough, and she turned it on before going to grab a glass of water for the kitchen. On the way back she spied a thick envelope sitting ripped open on the counter, a colored logo with the name of a hospital stamped underneath it was the return address.

Next to it was a single page, folded into thirds but open enough to catch the text of the letter.

She knew she shouldn't, but it was right there.

Maybe she'd just look at it really quick? Just to see? He wouldn't have left it out if he had wanted to keep it private, right?

She picked it up with shaking fingers, the sound of paper unfolding seeming to echo in the silence.

Dear Niklaus Mikaelson,

Congratulations! You've been selected for a fellowship...

She slapped the letter down on the counter, her heart racing. She shouldn't have looked, but she had, and now she wasn't sure what to think. He'd basically just admitted to wanting a relationship with her, and he had the acceptance letter for a fellowship he'd desperately wanted for months just lying around?

Was he just playing with her feelings? He'd just said he wanted to be serious. Why would he keep this from her?

She looked up when she heard the key turn in the lock, feeling her eyes grow hot as tears began to bloom when he walked in with a paper bag clutched in his fist.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw her face, his brows knitting in concern. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Why didn't you tell me about the fellowship?" Caroline asked in a rush, trying not to get choked up.

His eyebrows shot up. "You were looking through my mail?"

"I...I know. I'm sorry. But it was out on the counter," she began before shaking her head, clearing it. She was apologizing? When he had been the one to ask her to be his girlfriend when he knew he was leaving? "But the point is that you just asked me out. Like, in a relationshippy-serious way."

"I did," he agreed. "And I meant it."

"But you got the fellowship," she repeated, feeling even more upset when he just nodded. "Why would you ask me out if you got the fellowship?"

"I wasn't sure if I was going to take it," he said quietly.

"But that's what you wanted. It's the whole reason you came here! You've basically wanted to leave ever since you got off the plane."

"I did," he agreed, his tone carrying a lightness that felt forced. "And then I met you."

"Oh," she said softly, the air rushing out of her lungs. "But...but you wanted it."

"And I want you," he said firmly. "I want to be with you, and you want to be here."

She swallowed, feeling her chest grow tight. "I can't ask for you to give up your dreams for me," she said firmly. "You hate it here."

"But I love you," he said, as though the words were as easy as breathing. "I love you, Caroline. I want to stay. For you."

"That's insane," she said. her voice growing a bit shrill. "That's...you can't do that, Klaus! You just said you wanted to try dating like, an hour and a half ago and now you're saying you love me?"

"Caroline, we've essentially been dating this entire time," he pointed out, and she knew that was a reasonable observation, but it hadn't been official. It scared her that he was being so open with her, and logically it was too much too fast. It scared her even more that a part of her wasn't even surprised. If she let the little voice in her head get a word in edgewise, she might even admit to herself that she reciprocated.

And wasn't that terrifying.

"Yeah, but like...not officially!"

"Caroline..." he began, his tone almost placating, and she pushed on, undeterred.

"This is insane. You'll just resent me for screwing up your future, and it'll make me feel terrible, and-"

"Do you think I hadn't thought about it?" he asked, his eyebrows raised. "That I haven't considered all the angles? Caroline, I've made my decision, and my decision is you."

She took a deep breath, reaching to wipe the tears away from her cheeks with a sweaty palm. "And what if I don't want you to stay for me?"

"What?" he asked, the word slightly choked. "What do you mean, love?"

"I can't let you give up this opportunity for me. That's bonkers. You've known me like, six months. You've wanted to be a surgeon your entire life!"

"I'm aware," he said tightly. "I don't know how many times you want me to reiterate that you're my choice, Caroline."

"None! No more times! Because that's...Oh my god, Klaus. I can't let you do this. Not for me."

"Caroline," he began, but she shook her head, already walking to his bedroom, everything feeling like too much around her.

She reached down to grab her jeans, pulling them on and zipping them before grabbing her phone and stuffing it in the purse she'd left by the door. "I should go," she choked out, squeezing her eyes shut and feeling a tear escape before she took another shaky breath and stared at Klaus's ceiling. "And so should you. To New York."

"I can't-"

"You can," she said firmly. "And you should. There's nothing here for you anymore."

"Caroline," he whispered, looking every bit like she'd kicked him in the stomach, and she shook her head, pulling her purse over her shoulder and backing out towards the door.

"I'm sorry, Klaus."

XXX

[Bonnie]: So i heard Klaus is leaving for new york next week

[Caroline]: yep.

[Bonnie]: are you okay?

[Caroline]: why wouldn't i be?

[Bonnie]: i don't know caroline maybe because you're IN LOVE WITH HIM

[Caroline]: yeah so i'll un-love him. people do it all the time.

[Bonnie]: at least you're admitting it now.

[Caroline]: That's not the point, Bon

[Caroline]: it's a huge opportunity!

[Caroline]: I'm not letting him give it up to stay here

[Caroline]: in a town he hates

[Bonnie]: so uh quick question

[Bonnie]: just to throw it out there

[Bonnie]: as a thought experiment

[Caroline]: uh huh

[Bonnie]: have you considered telling klaus how you feel?

[Bonnie]: Since you apparently ran out on him before you said it back

[Caroline]: Again, not the point

[Caroline]: i always knew he wasn't going to stay forever

[Caroline]: And seriously bon he HATES it here

[Caroline]: why would i get involved when he's just going to leave eventually?

[Caroline]: which he is. literally he is leaving.

[Bonnie]: you could always go with him?

[Caroline]: you think i should move hundreds of miles away from Mystic Falls with KLAUS MIKAELSON?

[Caroline]: did the body snatchers come for you or something?

[Bonnie]: no, but you've always wanted to travel

[Bonnie]: As I said before, I don't get why you like him.

[Bonnie]: Tbh I think he's a huge jerk.

[Bonnie]: But he's your jerk. He likes you. A lot.

[Bonnie]: It is so, SO obvious.

[Bonnie]: I think you might be getting in your own way.

[Bonnie]: Hypothetically

[Caroline]: Do you think I should tell him?

[Bonnie]: I think you should do what you want

[Bonnie]: What do you want?

[Caroline]: I want to be with him for real

[Caroline]: I want to hold hands and make each other very specific spotify playlists and text about our days and cuddle while we watch compromise movies on netflix. Even if it's in New York.

[Caroline]: But I'm scared he doesn't want that

[Bonnie]: Caroline he literally TOLD YOU HE WANTED THAT

[Bonnie]: And he was willing to stay here to get it.

[Bonnie]: Something tells me that you going to New York with him would be his best case scenario

[Caroline]: But we broke up

[Caroline]: Plus what if I can't find a job in new york

[Caroline]: I'd be leaving all my friends and everyone

[Bonnie]: Don't avoid things you want because you're scared Care

[Bonnie]: It's not fair to you and it's not fair to him

[Bonnie]: and also for what it's worth i haven't seen you this happy in a long time

[Caroline]: but what if he says no?

[Bonnie]: then he's a jerk and since he's moving you'll never have to see his face again anyway.

[Bonnie]: But i don't think he will

[Bonnie]: hypothetically speaking

[Caroline]: right

[Bonnie]: And if you like him enough to compromise on netflix movies then that's a sign.

[Caroline]: ha

[Caroline]: fair enough I guess

XXX

Caroline ran a hand through her hair as she shifted from foot to foot outside of Klaus's door, her fingers twisting together. She could hear movement inside as he came to the door, and she felt her entire body stiffen when he turned the lock. His face melted into a determinedly neutral expression when he saw her. "Caroline."

"I have a question," she said quickly.

"All right," he said warily.

"Just as like, a thought experiment," she continued. She felt breathless, the rush of nervous adrenaline making her shake.. "Do you maybe have room in your New York apartment for a roommate?"

His eyebrows flew up. "A roommate?" he repeated, his tone incredulous.

"A girlfriend," she amended, taking a shaky breath before she continued. "Me. Do you have room for me in New York?"

"You want to move to New York with me?" he rasped, his eyes wide.

She couldn't tell if it was a good sign or not, but she valiantly pressed on.

"Yes?" she half-asked, faltering at the way his eyebrows shot up. "I mean, unless you don't want-"

"I want you," he interrupted, grabbing her hand and lacing their fingers together in an uncharacteristically tender gesture. "Of course I do."

"Okay," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face. "I want you, too."

"Are you certain, love? New York's very different," he began, hurriedly continuing at the look on her face. "Not that I think it wouldn't suit you. You'll thrive there, I'm sure. But you have your bar, and-"

"Matt owns half the bar, anyway. He said he's okay hiring somebody else to do the food and keeping me as a silent investor," Caroline said, smiling slightly. "I asked before I came."

"You're giving that up for me?" he asked. "I don't want you to regret-"

"Are you sure you want me to come? You don't sound super sure."

"No, no. Of course I do. I just don't want you to regret choosing New York over the life you've built for yourself here."

Choosing me.

"I won't regret it," she said quickly, squeezing his hands. "I can try to get into a patisserie school, or maybe get a job...What was holding me back was being afraid, and now I'm not."

Not with you.

His smile was bright and boyish, and he looked happier than she'd ever seen him. She pressed on, not willing to lose her nerve when he'd already told her he felt the same. "I know you told me you loved me, and it hasn't really been a long time, and I don't want to freak you out or anything, but think I love you too. And I'm not just saying that. I really-"

And then Klaus's lips were on hers, his hands steady on her waist as he pulled her close, kissing her fiercely.

"I love you, Caroline," he said when he pulled back, slightly breathless, his lips swollen. "I'd like nothing more than for you to come with me."

"Okay," she breathed, her smile so wide that her cheeks hurt. "Great. Okay."

"Okay."


Well, that wraps that up! Please review and let me know if you liked it. Hopefully I'll have more updates coming later on this year. Finals are about to be upon me, but I've been working on a NaNo fic that's VERY niche, but I won't post it until I'm done with it. For updates on that (and my other fics) go ahead and follow me on tumblr at thetourguidebarbie.