kc+ "You're a lesser-known artist and I'm hanging out at a small art studio in the city and you catch me staring in awe at your work" AU

The rain had started to bucket down almost as soon as she'd stepped out of the office. Of course, it was just her luck that she'd managed to completely forget her umbrella in her rush to get to work this morning.

Within seconds her hair is plastered to her neck and shoulders, and her mascara is probably running. Her feet squelch quite uncomfortably in her boots, and the feeling of her clothes sticking to her body is possibly the most unpleasant feeling in the world right now.

She makes a dash towards the nearest building, pushing on the door and praying that there's at least a bathroom or somewhere where she can fix up her appearance before she meets up with some old friends later for a drink.

Her feet echo against wooden floorboards, and it's only when she looks up that she realises just what she's stumbled upon.

Art galleries were a fixture in the city, and it wasn't uncommon to have something going on at some of the larger ones. She'd been to a few installations since moving here, and although it wasn't really her cup of tea she could see that it did take time, patience, and an enormous amount of talent.

But this wasn't an art gallery in the traditional sense of the word. The space was a lot smaller, a lot more intimate than some of the larger spaces she'd been in. This was more of a studio, one that a lesser known artist might rent out and display their work in.

She ignores the rain drumming against the floor to ceiling glass windows outside, instead drifting towards a canvas that depicted a gorgeous landscape. The quality of the brushwork is incredible, the detail spread out across the canvas enough to take her breath away.

She notes similar detail on the other canvases scattered around the case, and barely knows where to even begin.

"Can I help you?" An accented voice echoes strangely around the small space, and she whirls on her heel.

A man stands in the middle of the space, arms crossed defensively over his chest. Blonde hair is pushed back from his forehead and his Henley pulls at his broad shoulders. He's looking at her like she's a creature from outer space, and she can't help but cross her own arms over her chest as a defence mechanism.

"Sorry to intrude. I was looking for shelter from the rain and yours was the first place I came across. These paintings are incredible. Are they all yours?" She asks politely, trying not to get on this guy's bad side.

"They are." The man says after awhile. "And thank you for the compliment. It's not something I hear a lot."

She just stares at him incredulously before turning back to the original landscape that first drew her attention.

"Are you kidding? The detail in this painting alone is amazing. There's no way that I could even create something half as good as this." She waves her hand towards the landscape, even as the man comes to stand next to her.

"What's your name?" His voice is low, and even as she turns to face him she can see how handsome he is.

"Caroline. I'm sorry for crashing your space. I'm not used to the weather here yet I think."

She shivers, and it doesn't go unnoticed.

"Lovely to meet you sweetheart. It's Klaus. Here, let me get you a blanket or something, you look cold."

She smiles after him as he disappears into another section of the building, possibly to where he lives. Her suspicions are correct when he appears moments later, a fluffy red blanket held out towards her.

"Thank you." She directs a smile towards him, pulling the material around her. "How long have you been in this spot for?"

"About a year now. I run a larger gallery in towards the business district, but I have quite a faithful following out in this part of town."

So apparently not only was Klaus an artist, he was one of those not popular artists that regardless still had a massive cult following.

"What about you love? What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"I work just down the street actually, as a wedding planner. I just moved here from Virginia." She supplies, anticipating his next question.

Klaus smiles.

"Yes I can see you being good at something like that. I'm not sure if I could deal with fussy clients though. The art business is much more laid back."

She laughs softly to herself.

"Yes I've had a few nightmarish clients. But at the end of the day you're only dealing with them for a few weeks max, and then you just have to hope that you get a less stressed out client the next time around."

She and Klaus fall into easy conversation, and it is surprising just how comfortable she feels around him already. The small space is warm, and she can feel her hair drying in soft curls as the minutes slip by.

She doesn't even notice when the rain stops, but Klaus does.

"I suppose you'll be off now sweetheart." He remarks quietly, jerking his head towards the windows.

Even now she can see the sun coming out, chasing away the storm clouds, reflecting off the water on the road.

"I am supposed to be meeting some friends for drinks later. But if I get a better offer I might be convinced otherwise…" She trails off meaningfully, turning to glance at Klaus with a quick grin.

Klaus openly gapes at her forwardness, mouth opening and closing as if he's not sure what to say or do next.

"Right yes. Well I know a really good Italian place around the corner if you're game for some pasta?" He phrases it uncertainly, like he's not sure if her previous statement was a joke or not.

She pulls the blanket from around her shoulders, folding it neatly and handing it back to him.

"Sounds great. Do you want to go now?" She asks with a smile at Klaus, who still looks slightly stunned at the recent turn of events.

She has to hide her amusement when Klaus scrambles for his keys and wallet, ushering her out of the studio and back into the street.

She definitely wants to know more about this guy.