Hi! I've set this chapter out a little differently to my previous ones, hopefully this will make it easier to read for you. It's also longer, hope you enjoy!
Only 30 seconds had passed, and yet when Caroline finally uttered a word it felt like hours had gone by, allowing her and Klaus to simply gaze at one another, utterly undisturbed.
"You shouldn't be here, Klaus." Caroline muttered icily, succumbing to her growing despair.
Hurt flashed across Klaus' face quickly, visible only to Caroline by her vampire senses. Before she could acknowledge it, he had recomposed himself, arranging his face back into a wall of calm. The sadness in his watery eyes lingered, however.
"Where else should I be?" His words and intent gaze conveyed such innocence and intense emotion that Caroline found tears forming in her eyes. She would not be sad, she'd brought this reaction on herself and now here was the consequence.
"Caroline, let me take you somewhere." He continued, taking advantage of her silence. The amount of passion in his gaze sent electric shocks through her body, drawing her to unknowingly move closer to him. Their two bodies were like the strongest of magnets, the chemistry and attraction was too strong for her to even attempt to resist it, and she found herself not desiring to even try.
Caroline took a moment to think about his offer uncertainly. If Tyler found out, it would surely push him over the edge. But Klaus was good. She knew it was naïve of her to think that after the torment he had brought into Mystic Falls, and yet she felt and knew, to the bottom of her heart, that it was true. She found herself wondering how this Klaus, her Klaus, could have possibly committed the monstrous acts that he had. There were two extremely different sides to him, and Caroline appeared to be the edge of the blade on which he balanced. If he lost her, he would surely be provoked into resuming his act as the bitter and vengeful villain. That's what it was; an act.
Klaus misunderstood her silence for a refusal, and charmingly attempted to persuade her.
"Only for one evening; just while Tyler calms down." He whispered, suddenly chuckling in spite of himself. "I promise I won't kidnap you, if that's what you're worried about."
She smiled sheepishly back at him, attempting to disguise the irregular beat of her heart. How foolish he was. She could never be kidnapped by Klaus, as long as she wished to be wherever he was. Just the two of them, alone some place. At the ball, he had told her he would take her anywhere. She found herself revelling in the idea of leaving Mystic Falls with Klaus, but pushed the feelings aside. They were getting more and more difficult to repress.
He was watching her intently, eagerness clear on his features. His stance was desperate; as though the moment Caroline consented he would whisk her from the room. Caroline squashed down the feelings bubbling inside of her, and whispered; "I don't think that's such a great idea, Klaus."
She lowered her eyes guiltily to stare at the fidgety hands in her lap. He drew in a deep breath, as though bracing himself for a challenge. He spoke in the most gentle and passionate of voices, tilting her head up slightly to make eye contact with her. His fingers trailed her jaw line, causing her to release an involuntary shiver. He smirked. "Caroline, let me do this. Let me show you my good side, my human side. Just spend one evening with me, and I promise you'll be glad you agreed."
Caroline was fighting a losing battle. The aweing determination in his eyes was irresistible to her, and she found herself nodding her head in consent. Where was the brash, haughty Caroline from the ball? It seemed Klaus had succeeded in charming her, and now she was just like every one of his successions.
"You're still unsure about the truth of my feelings, aren't you?" He smiled sadly. "I know I have a lot to compensate for, but how can I make you realise that you are the only person I see? The only person I will ever want to see?"
Her breath came quicker; palms beginning to sweat. She knew how good a deceiver Klaus was, but he had a point. How could she think the way he felt about her was a lie when the truth lay so clear in his eyes? He hadn't compelled her, either. That would have made things much easier for him. She finally realised that he wanted to earn her love, to deserve it.
A wild smile flashed across her face as she finally succumbed wholly to her feelings for him. It was reflected in his handsome face.
"So, where are we going?" She asked excitedly.
"You heard me. I asked; where is Klaus?" Tyler repeated venomously to a silent Rebekah. He could see the debate on her face, as though she was deciding something. Calm restored her features, and she replied softly; "He's not here, Tyler. What do you want?"
Tyler knew immediately that she was lying. Of course she was going to lie, no matter what the Original family did to one another, it didn't matter; they were family.
"I want to know what is going on between him and Caroline." He insisted, forcing his way through the door.
Rebekah's hand quickly clasped him around the throat, pinning him against the front door. His feet dangled a foot above the floor. It didn't hurt him, but he couldn't move an inch. She was far too strong.
"Don't you dare come in here and act like you own the place. I told you; Klaus isn't here. And as for what is going on between him and Caroline, don't make me laugh. You must realise Klaus only uses people, and I don't doubt your precious Caroline will be dead by the end of the week." She laughed bitterly, and threw him out of the house.
Once she had her back to the door, she inhaled sharply. She realised that she cared about her brother, after all. He was her family.
Klaus and Caroline were walking through the most beautiful of parks. She didn't know where exactly they were, all she knew and all she needed to know was that she was with him. She felt him stealing glances at her through the corner of her eye and embraced the warm feeling it gave her, smiling to herself sweetly.
"So; why a park?" She asked curiously, stopping to watch him as he answered.
He pondered his answer carefully for a moment. He had initially considered taking her on a boat, his boat to be precise, but Caroline had made it clear that she was much fonder of ideas that spammed from the heart, rather than the wallet.
He chose his reply, answering simply; "It's naturally beautiful, just like you."
She chuckled sheepishly, but he knew it was not with malicious intent. She was flattered. She averted her eyes shyly, observing the park around her.
She was so damn beautiful that it hurt him, and in that moment, watching her, he knew that he loved her deeply.
"Hey, Klaus-" She began, turning towards him once more. She was muted immediately when witnessing the look on his face. It was a look of heart-breaking vulnerability.
"What?" She asked worriedly, watching him intently. He was most definitely keeping his promise of showing her his human side so far this evening, she thought.
He cupped his hands around her face and willed her to understand how truly important she was to him.
"It's been a thousand years since I've experienced love. If you're going to hurt me, please just do it now." He muttered slowly, intensely, lowering his head. It was Caroline who raised his head to look at her this time, smiling sadly. She wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly. She breathed him in, letting his musky, hypnotising scent flood her nostrils. She felt her knees weaken slightly as his fingers wound themselves through her hair, where her hand caught his and interlocked their fingers as one.
"You don't have to worry about that Klaus, okay? I'm just as trapped as you are." She whispered lovingly into his ear, and felt his indrawn breath as she trailed her lips gently from his ear to the corner of his lips, where she hesitated.
They stayed there a moment or two, connected as one in body and mind. He felt her gentle breath against his cheek, her fingers willingly interlocked with his and her body circling him. It awoke feelings inside him that he thought he'd lost millennia ago. He brought his lips to hers eagerly, embracing her. Her golden hair tickled his cheek softly, and he kissed her harder still, pulling her even closer to him. She whimpered in surrender, moulding herself to him.
It was in that moment that Caroline finally admitted to herself what she had been repressing for so long. She was falling for Klaus, and he had already fallen deeper than he could have ever imagined or thought possible.
If you've read this and liked it or want to offer any advice, please review. I appreciate each and every one :)
I can't seem to stop updating this story so there will be another chapter very soon!