Author's note: Written for Klarosummer Bingo, this is Part 2 for Chapter 77 (Prompt: Tiki Bar). It's the day after the disastrous fundraiser and Klaus is determined to fix things with Caroline.

Prompt: Sidewalk chalk art

Warning: Some angst.


"Neglect me, lose me. Only give me leave,
Unworthy as I am, to follow you."

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare


It was an abundance of penises. Klaus raised an eyebrow, studying the crudely drawn chalk outlines as he overheard Caroline praise her art class with, "These um...rockets look amazing! What a great way to celebrate our space exploration chapter!" The children all preened under her praise — how could they not? She possessed a sunshine heart and you were the luckiest of bastards when she shared it with you.

And then he foolishly threw it away.

"Agreed. Surely some of the finest sidewalk chalk art in all the land," he said, hating how her body immediately stiffened at his voice.

Caroline's smile was overly bright as she clapped her hands to regain her students' attention. "Great job, everyone! Now, finish putting away your chalk and follow Miss April back to the classroom. We're going to spend the afternoon working on paper-mache planets for our solar system mobiles!"

As the students filed past Caroline, laughing and pausing to give her hugs, Klaus' heart gave a funny little tweak at the genuine warmth he saw in her expression. How he missed her light. When she finally lifted her gaze, he attempted to diffuse some of the cold fury he saw there. "These drawings are quite...robust. Dare I say virile?"

With an annoyed huff, she continued scooping up the brightly colored buckets of chalk, loading them onto a cart. "They're rockets, Mr. Art Critic."

He delighted in her signature flare of temper, and for a moment Klaus let himself pretend this was like their spirited discussions from before. That any moment now, she would burst into giggles and he'd kiss away whatever remained of their argument. "Yes, well, it's widely known that sidewalk chalk art is highly subjective."

She impatiently glanced at her watch, asking sharply, "What do you want, Klaus? I'm pretty sure we said it all last night."

It didn't surprise him that she was still furious about the last night's fundraiser. He'd foolishly thought that delivering the news that Tyler was using her would somehow make her so grateful that she'd forgive his own dimwitted behavior. "I didn't mean to cause you distress. I just wanted—"

"You just wanted to ruin my relationship with Tyler because you're jealous," Caroline interrupted, clenching her fists angrily. "And even if it's true that Tyler is using me to solidify his ties to the human factions, it's not like he's the first."

What a magnificent creature he'd chosen for himself. Her insult stung more than Klaus would've liked, and his temper overcame reason. "Of course I'm jealous — how could I not be?! I'm in love with you and have to watch you choose someone who doesn't deserve you. You're wasting your time on that upstart wolf, throwing away what we had!"

"No," she shouted, pointing her finger at him, "you threw us away! You let your brothers tell you all about how a relationship with me will strengthen alliances with the other factions and make you more powerful! And you agreed with them!"

Her pain was raw, and it scored his skin. He'd just confessed his love and she dismissed it. No, she ignored it. She didn't understand what it meant for a creature like him to love. One day she would. He flinched as though she'd struck him, but did his best to curb his bite. "You don't understand our world and the precarious balance of power each faction represents. Not to mention the vicious infighting. My brothers are bloodthirsty, ruthless bastards and if they knew what you meant to me, they would see it as a weakness to exploit."

Where they'd take her to turn or kill as it suited their schemes. He couldn't risk her. Soon, his safeguards would be in place, and his family as well as his enemies would never threaten her again. He just needed to earn back her trust.

Caroline's skeptic expression encouraged him to keep going. She must believe him. "I'd intended to spirit you away to safety and then handle my brothers' impertinence. I'd never use you, sweetheart."

She opened her mouth, and then closed it just as quickly. Turning on her heel, she began pushing the supplies toward the school, shaking her blonde head as though trying to rid herself of whatever images he'd invoked. Unperturbed by her rough exit, he called out, "I have proof of Tyler's treachery."

The meetings with various factions he'd carefully concealed before he sought Caroline out, the countless advisors he'd strategized with on the best way to navigate a successful relationship with such a valuable human — Mason Lockwood's tongue loosened quite nicely around the ideal mix of escorts and expensive scotch. Tyler was a bloody idiot not to realize his lieutenant was such a weak link, easily driven to distraction and ultimately would spell his pack's downfall.

A hint of a smile touched Klaus' lips when her steps faltered. There's my girl. "I have to get back to my class," she told him briskly, "if you keep bothering me, I'll...I'll..."

"Put me in a timeout?"

Caroline let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm done having this conversation. And even if I wanted to see whatever bullshit proof you think you have, I'm busy for the foreseeable future." At his questioning brow, she explained, "Some pretentious asshat donated an obscene amount at the fundraiser and commissioned a portrait. In oils. Seriously, who even does that these days?"

Klaus valiantly fought his smirk as it was doubtful Caroline would find the humor in the situation. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out the tell-tale red ticket he received for his donation, a hint of dimples appearing as he asked, "Perhaps you'll allow this pretentious asshat to show you that proof?"