What is this? An update that spans the period of less than a few months?
I want to thank all of you awesome readers for your reviews.
A special mention to:
redbudrose for reviewing since the beginning
easytoimagine for giving me good feedback
And, a particular guest who said "Yea! the chapter was great finally some romantic moments, I must say I was suprized to find the story updated but its very good. Its going well- the story, don't see the role of rebekah in all this, but yea, the relationship is rational, he isnt in love with her yet and she still tries to escape, some other person would make them madly in love by now- Its good you didnt"
There are so many other reviewers I would like to thank for their feedback on the story, and I will thank more as the chapter come along.
As for now, here's a little Christmas special, I guess you would say. And as for others who are waiting, and waiting for the Klaroline romance to build up, be patient. I want to make this as realistic as possible :)
Enjoy!
Caroline slowly opened her eyes, and found herself again, safely in her room.
"I see you are awake".
Caroline quickly turned towards the voice, to find Niklaus staring at her.
"Drink" he said, biting his wrist, then holding it up to her lips, encouraging her to drinking the drops of crimson running against his light skin.
Caroline turned her head away in disgust.
"It will heal your bite." He said again, like a parent to a child.
"I know, it was...instinct."
She then forced herself to drink the liquid, wincing at the sharp, metallic taste. Niklaus noticed her distaste for blood. It struck him how truly human she was, that she recoiled from what he savored. Caroline averted her eyes, unable to face the hybrid, and unsure of how to act with him. She decided to be amicable, a temporary truce as an unsaid thank you to the hybrid for saving her life, once again.
"This situation looks awfully familiar, don't you think?" Caroline said softly, off in the distance-anywhere but his eyes.
"Yet so different." Niklaus said, softly, understanding the temporary truce. The pair drifted off into silence, both unsure of what to say to the other.
In the uncharacteristically peaceful setting, with the feeble sunlight feeding through the window, and the snow falling softly outside, Caroline allowed herself to drift to sleep. When she woke, she found Rebekah by her side instead, wrinkling her nose at the pungent smell of nail polish.
"It's about time you've woken up" Rebekah said, without looking up. "Fetch me that cloth to your left, will you".
Dumbfounded by the Original's nonchalant attitude, she handed the cloth to Rebekah.
When she finished painting her nails, she turned towards Caroline, and stared at her for an uncomfortably long time. Caroline shifted in her bed, as she felt the Original's eyes scan her. Finally, Rebekah let out a shrug.
"You're quite pretty, I'll give you that. But my brother has seen far finer than you. What makes you so special?"
"How should I know what your brother thinks? He's as bad as a teenage girl on her period times ten!" Caroline thought, before realizing that she had actually spoken out loud.
Rebekah burst into laughter, which only confused Caroline more.
"You're a feisty little maiden, aren't you?"
"Uh…"
"Interesting. Well, nice chatting" Rebekah said dismissively.
"Great! Yeah..." Caroline replied weakly, as Rebekah stood up and walked out the door.
It was Christmas. Caroline stared at her reflection in the mirror, inspecting herself. Had she really changed at all during her time in the house? She thought not.
Where she had accepted her fate before with horror, she now looked at it with determination. She was done feeling sorry for herself, and while she had been in this house for the past year, she had victimized herself, and rightfully so. Any normal person would have been broken at her fate. But not her, she would be stronger than this, and it was her choice whether she spent the rest of her days in resigned misery or in optimism.
And as for the hybrid. She was determined to break down the enigma that was Niklaus Mikaelson. Because she believed that everyone possessed a fraction of humanity inside them. Besides, she had her whole life to figure it out.
Caroline looked at herself in the mirror once more, and for the first time in months, smiled.
She walked down to the living room to prepare breakfast when she was greeted with the sight of Rebekah.
"Good morning, Rebekah. Would you like something to eat?"
Rebekah raised an eye at her smiling face.
"A parfait would be nice, thank you."
Caroline opened her mouth.
"And," Rebekah continued, noticing Caroline's move to speak, "If you're wondering where my dear brother is, he's gone hunting for the day," she raised her hands in the air. "I don't know where, I don't know why, and I wouldn't want to anyways."
"...Oh. Alright then." Caroline replied meekly. Rebekah seemed to make her speechless whenever they interacted.
Rebekah responded by rolling her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh.
Keep positive Caroline. "So...are you visiting your brother for any special occasion?"
"He's my brother. Is their any other reason needed?" Rebekah scowled.
"Here's the question." she said, leaning forward eyeing Caroline like a predator at its prey. "How in God's name did you end up a maid for my brother?"
Caroline felt as if she was interrogated. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
"Well...you see...there was..."
"Get on with it!" When she saw Caroline's eyes widen in obvious fear, her eyes softened.
"Go on"
"I've been hunting my father for weeks, and I found him here, with Niklaus. And I…" She paused as tears started to fill her eyes, making her vision blurry. "I took his place." She finished in a whisper. Caroline was unpleasantly surprised at the sadness that punched her in the gut as she talked about her father."
Caroline felt Rebekah's eyes on her, before she got up, carrying her plate herself.
"Don't cry on me."
"I'm...I'm sorry. But he's my father."
"A father that abused you, Niklaus says."
Caroline turned suddenly, brows furrowed and eyes widened.
"He talked to you about my father? Then why are you even asking me!"
"To get your side of the story." Rebekah sat back down, inspecting her nails nonchalantly.
"I'm sure you would agree with me when I say that my brother's views can be a little...skewed."
Caroline nodded, understanding. "He didn't abuse me, though. He would get a little drunk, and mad, but he loved me."
Rebekah's eyes narrowed. "Its hard to love someone who beats their own child, drunk or not. It's foolish!"
Caroline threw her hands up into the air, giving into her tears. "I know, I know. I'm the foolish, naive girl in the village who loved too much and too openly. But I know for a fact that my father loved me-and I don't regret my decision to liberate him for my life."
Silence.
Needless to say, Rebekah was touched at the revelation. She saw a little bit of herself in Caroline, she supposed. The girl who loved too much.
Looking at Caroline, she had seen that she was close to pushing Caroline too far.
"That's all I need to know. You may proceed with your other chores."
Caroline let out a soft smile, then cleaned up her dish. Rebekah resisted the urge to roll her eyes again. Although she was touched, it was annoying how happy and optimistic Caroline was. She let out a loud sigh and proceeded to go to her room. When she came out a few hours later, she perked her ears, picking up a noise.
"I really can't stay-
baby it's cold outside.
I've got to go away-
baby its cold outside
I wish I knew how-
To break this spell-"
"What the bloody hell are you doing!" Rebekah said, letting out a gasp as Caroline shrieked and nearly fell.
There were decorations all around the house, old ornaments that belonged to Niklaus, old relics of the past that hadn't been used in a century. Glistening bulbs, stockings, angels, stars.
"I found them!" Caroline spoke quickly, eyes wide with fear as she quickly spoke to defend herself.
"I thought it would be nice to brighten up this house. Its always so dark and depressing" Caroline spoke, watching Rebekah carefully.
Rebekah glanced at her surroundings. It really was beautiful, to see all the decorations lighting up the house. They hadn't celebrated Christmas in ages. All of the Originals had seen it unfit, as they were petty human traditions.
"I'll take them down, if you want." Caroline quickly said, misinterpreting her silence of awe for anger. She quickly began to unravel holly off the staircase.
"Wait…" Rebekah faltered. "They can stay. Just for tonight. I'm sure Niklaus can endure some brightness."
Caroline's face lit up in a smile, eyes twinkling. Both girls stood there, not sure what to say. Rebekah looked around haughtily, trying to seem unaffected and nonchalant, as she usually did.
Caroline raised an eyebrow, hesitated, then decided to ask.
"I still need to put up a Christmas tree...would you like to help?"
Rebekah turned around, flipping her hair. "As if! I said that I would condone Christmas, not prance around like a common servant."
Caroline studied Rebekah, who clearly wanted to join. "What would be the harm? No one would see. Besides," Caroline added. "I need to go fetch a tree outside. Shouldn't you make sure I try to escape again?"
Rebekah turned back to face Caroline, rolling her eyes, thought Caroline could see them twinkling. "Fine, if you are going to keep insisting!"
She stalked out the door with Caroline following behinds.
"Baby its cold, outside-"
"But If you think I'm going to sing with you, it's not happening!"
O~O~O~O~O
It had been too long, he decided, since he had shifted into the wolf to simply hunt. It was therapeutic to feel the soft snow between his paws, the primitive and carnal state of mind, the rush of the kill. What he chose to ignore was the fact that in his carnal mind, his wolf self hunted and killed the remaining wolves that had harmed Caroline.
Why?
Niklaus walked through the doors of his home, then stopped. The house was lit up in the brightest christmas decorations, with a christmas tree in the center of the living room full of ornaments, spreading the smell of fresh pine.
Inspecting the decorations, he heard Caroline's voice.
As he entered the room, he almost blinked. Caroline sang enthusiastically while playing the piano, while Rebekah laughed and sang along.
"Oh the weather outside is frightful,
but the fire is so delightful
and since you've no place to go
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"
The hybrid stood there, mouth hung agape. He never realized how much he had missed out on, not seeing Caroline smile for the past few months. She looked like an angel, with her blonde curls cascading down, bathed in candlelight, her face lit up in joy.
He turned to Rebekah in surprise. He had never seen her sing in a long time, especially to Christmas music. He almost wanted to yell at the pair for changing his whole house, but he liked it. Just a little, thought he would never admit it to anyone. After decades of living alone in his house, it was so different to have company.
And Caroline, she was starting to look a little like the girl he had first met. Full of light. Something he wanted to be part of and join.
But when Niklaus decided to make his presence known, it seemed as if all the light and cheer suddenly vanished.
Both Caroline and Rebekah stopped singing, as the music trailed off. Caroline looked down at her hands, eyes averted, as Rebekah just looked plain embarrassed at the fact that she had been singing at all.
Both starred at him with an uncomfortable silence.
It was then, that Niklaus realized that he had sucked the happiness out. What was he thinking? He was not part of this.
What saddened him was the fact that Rebekah had managed to become more friendly with Caroline in days than he had in months.
And why did he care so much about Caroline's opinion?
He was an outsider, in his own home. And Rebekah had betrayed him by fraternizing with Caroline.
Yes, it was Caroline's fault. It only made sense. But for some stupid reason, he couldn't find the will to kill her. Or even taste her blood for the matter. He had been nicer to her than any other non-family member that he knew, and she took it for granted. But yet, he couldn't kill her.
He was weak, and he was angry that he was weak. He was angry that he let Caroline affect him, and he was angry that for as long as he lived, he would never become as happy as Caroline and Rebekah were before he made his presence known. Most of all, he was angry at himself, because he knew that he had created his own reputation.
They expected him to be evil. Fine.
"What...the bloody hell did you do to my house!"
Caroline shrunk away, but Rebekah stayed put.
"Nik, the house is always so cold. It's Christmas, for God's sake!"
"...I thought it might be nice, Niklaus. I thought you might like it." Caroline spoke, quietly.
"Take it down." The hybrid said, dangerously quiet.
"ALL OF IT!"
As he turned around, he caught a glimpse of Caroline's face.
Her face, which only a moment ago was full of light and joy now had fallen. Silent tears falling down the delicate curve of her cheek.
The sight tugged at the strings of his undead heart, and he hated that it did. He hated that he was the one to cause her pain, but he hated himself more for caring.
With this thought, he stormed out of the room, down the decked halls, and disappeared in search of solace.
"That, that monster!" Caroline grumbled angrily, as she took the last of the ornaments off the Christmas tree. She was trying her best to be positive, she really was. But Niklaus enraged her. He saved her, and then when she tried to improve their relationship, he threw her efforts back at her face.
"My brother is an idiot. That's for sure!" Rebekah replied.
"But, Caroline, I've only known you for a few days. You have an open mind, and an open heart. Hopefully, you will one day be able to discover Niklaus as a whole. He has a dark past, and though I condemn the things he does, I can sometimes see why."
"What, exactly, made him so horrible!"
"Thats not for me to say, really. But again, you do have a lifetime to learn."
Rebekah turned to Caroline, and held her hand with both of hers.
"Please, give him a chance. If anyone can uncover the man behind the beast, it would be you."
"Why are you so invested in me getting to know your brother?" Caroline asked.
"As much as I hate my brother, I do love him sometimes. And I do care for his happiness. He will be stupid. But I do believe that one day he can become a better person. Perhaps you can help him with that."
"Thank you" Caroline said sincerely. She never thought that she would become so close to Rebekah within the course of a few days.
The original merely smiled, holding up the wooden snowflake that Caroline had carved out of the bark. "Thanks for the present! Its...lovely"
Caroline resisted the urge to laugh. Rebekah, obviously used to finer gifts, would probably throw away the gift the first chance she got. But at least she tried to pretend she enjoyed it.
"Merry Christmas, Rebekah."
Caroline smiled. "Merry Christmas.
Caroline turned and stared at the wooden wolf she had made, and took a deep breath.
Niklaus sat in his room in the west wing, glowering into the fireplace when he heard her call.
"Niklaus? Where are you?" She paused, then rolled her eyes. "I know you can hear me! You have sensitive hearing." Caroline paused, then took a deep sigh. "Please?"
The hybrid was determined to ignore her this once. To prove that he was in control of his own home. Caroline did not mean anything to him, and he would be damned if he obeyed her calls like a dog. But then he heard her take a deep breath. "Please?" She called. Niklaus furrowed his brows. She was never like this to him. He flashed forward to Caroline, was stood in front of her room. When she saw him, she gave a high shriek.
"You have got to stop doing all your supernatural stuff!"
He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, face remaining cold and impassive.
Caroline noticed the hybrid's expression.
"Well, um, I know you don't like Christmas an all but-"
"Who says I don't like Christmas?"
Caroline resisted the urge to roll her eyes once more. Did he seriously just say that?
"Alright then" She continued, deciding not to anger Niklaus further.
"I...um, well" She stammered.
"Yes?" Niklaus replied, coldly. What on earth did the woman want?
"I...made a gift for you earlier." Caroline said nervously. She quickly pulled one of Niklaus' hands forward and put in it a small wooden wolf.
"I carved it for you, because its Christmas and all and I thought you would like it but I don't know if you do, I mean you can throw it away if you want." Oh dear God, she was rambling.
The hybrid remained silent.
"Anyways, um, I just thought that making a wolf would be cool because, well,"
She faced the Niklaus, and calmed herself. "You're vicious, and I see you do terrible things."
She felt the hybrid's cold gaze harden.
"But...you also protect me. Like you did against other wolves."
Niklaus was surprised at her change of attitude towards him. Perhaps it was the feeling of Christmas that created the change. He knew that when Christmas faded, so would her current attitude towards him, so he savored the temporary amicableness. She stared at him, pulling up a smile that seemed to light up the room.
He was honestly touched. He hadn't received a gift since he was a child. He had made too many enemies, and no friends.
The girl in front of him seemed to realize that she was still hold his hand, and stepped back, letting it go.
"Well, um, Merry Christmas Niklaus." She said. There was an awkward silence between them, Caroline nervously twiddling her fingers and Niklaus impassive in demeanor. If only she had looked into his eyes at that moment, Caroline would have seen the flurry of emotions behind his eyes as he struggled how to conduct himself in the situation.
She smiled again at him, before opening the bedroom door behind her and scampering inside.
She felt the hybrid's presence still at the door, and she sat in her bed, frozen, unsure of what he was going to do.
She heard the hybrid make a strangled sound, then hesitated, as Caroline perked up her ears.
The hybrid said the words so softly, that Caroline was almost sure she that she imagined it. Almost.
"Merry Christmas" Niklaus said, before he vanished back into his room in the west wing.
Well? What do you think? Review! It honestly makes my day, and will help me become a better writer in the future.