Anon request from tumblr: Klaus and Caroline have the cure and question if they will take it.

It rested there in the open palm of Klaus' outstretched hand, so innocent and harmless. If only it was known the hundreds of thousands of humans and vampires that died for it. A small crystal vial with dark liquid, the infamous cure that had torn apart the friendships and families of Mystic Falls' residents was now sitting waiting for Caroline in Klaus' hand, his face unreadable. Klaus eyed the blonde with great trepidation unsure what she was going to do, he knew his choice is was never a question in his mind. He was going to destroy the cure and never let it be in the hands of others to use against him.

The only exception would be for her, if she wanted to take he would let her. His baser emotions were telling him to eliminate the threat, keep her immortal because he was selfish in that regard. But the way she kept quiet this entire ordeal gave him pause; no one had ever asked what she wanted. He had been afraid to ask, fearful the answer that would fall from her lips would be the one he so desperately did not want to hear. This was Caroline, she wanted the human life with the white picket fence and ideal family, and he knew what her answer would be. She and her dog would run off and have the life they wanted.

Klaus genuinely thought that the past couple weeks had changed her though. She had fallen away from Tyler, resulting in the mutt running away. In fear of losing her friends she and Stefan had come to him and in that time Klaus had never been happier. The light he enjoyed so much danced in her eyes just for him, the lingering looks, and unnecessary excuses to touch had been addicting. Klaus had been a fish out of water, awkward with her because deep down handling a woman with respect was unknown to him but something he wanted.

So he would offer her the chance to live just like he had all those nights ago when she lay beneath him dying of a wound that he would be forever ashamed of and grateful for. Reaching out with his other hand, he enclosed her shaking fingers and held them. Tearing her eyes from cure she upturned them to his lifeless ones. Keeping his face perfectly emotionless he could not stop the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, "I could let you, if that's what you want."

Caroline's eyes widened at his statement, the choice words so nearly like the ones he had said so long ago even spoken with the same severity. She drew a sharp gasp of breath and held her eyes there searching for something in his but she didn't know what. A choice, he was giving her a chance to make her own mind about the rest of her life; something that had been robbed of her. Tugging on her captured hand, he let it lose as if were a burning ember, his face crestfallen.

Digging her hands into her pockets, she stepped back from him and watched him clench the vial. "I need to go take a walk-I'll come back," she stuttered out.

Abruptly turning away from him, Caroline hurried off along the rocky coast line to gather her thoughts. Deep gasping breaths came out in pants realizing that of all the people, Klaus was giving her a choice. She had been sure that he would never let her see the cure, let alone offer it to her. It had always been about Elena and getting it for her, then Stefan wanting in for Rebekah, and then Tyler wanting it so he would never be associated with Klaus again. Tyler never once asked her what she wanted; it was just assumed Caroline would take it.

Caroline aimlessly wandered until she reached a point of the coastline, stepping to the edge of the cliff and looking down into the rocks and violent waves of the cold Arctic waters below. The wind furled in the air dancing through her loose waves whirling about her head and kissing her face with harshness. She closed her eyes listening to the pounding of the water on the rocks scold the rambunctious wind their voices the only sounds she could hear and they let her drown in her thoughts.

Teetering on the edge of the cliff she rocked back and forth, trying to sort her tumultuous thoughts. Klaus was so infuriating, he kill without thought in retaliation, he was broken on the inside, made her feel safe when others ran away. Now when everyone pushed for her to become human again he stood there waiting for her to choose her own life. Why did he have to be so confusing? She didn't know what she wanted to do anymore, the plan had been to take it, be with Tyler, and bury the feelings Klaus ignited in her.

Now she was unsure, his small act of kindness rocking her world. As a human Caroline was neurotic and insecure, nothing more than a plaything for Damon and a pawn for Katherine. As a vampire she had been in control of her life something she needed to be, she was confident with herself, there was just the problem of being a monster of nightmares. Live a life where she'd be normal until some death stole her away or live a life where she could eventually explore it all? It was single most confusing question of her existence.

The wind rushed by causing Caroline to draw her coat closer around her, not that she felt it but the muscle memory was automatic. The wind brushing past carried a familiar scent, his scent. She attempted to turn her head to see him but the wind had other plans for her, covering her face with her curls. Klaus' warm hands helped her as she tried to hold back the gold wave, growling in annoyance. Finally grasping the hair, she held it in place and looked at him, the mirth in his eyes falling into lifelessness again.

"May I have it please?" Caroline asked holding out her hand.

Klaus' face lost all control, down trodden. He really had hoped she wouldn't take it. He stood in his black coat buttoned up, unable to follow through with her request. Caroline's face was stern, "Klaus, seriously, hand over."

The ice in his heart spread to his extremities, fine if this was the way she wanted to throw away her existence so be it. Furrowing his brows he stiffly pulled the blasted vial out of his pocket and dropped it into her outstretched hand. He would give her death sentence but he wouldn't watch it be carried out. He attempted to walk away her but Caroline's small hand grabbed his arm in a steely grip.

She wouldn't let him go, the pain on his face evident from the choice she was making. Choosing a mortal life meant there would never be a chance for him, mortality meant Tyler. Caroline vaguely realized there was a tear sliding down her face but she remained focused on the task at end. Dropping the vial to the ground Caroline crunched it under the heel of her boot, the liquid seeping into the cold earth under her feet.

The incredulous look on Klaus' face made her smile from ear to ear. His lips parted as small breath left his full lips with unshed tears in his eyes, the finality of her action sinking in. Caroline let her hand slide down his arm and slip it into his hand, their fingers entwining. Staring at their clasped hands for a minute she rejoiced in the wonderful feeling of security and warmth.

"Too many have died for this; I refuse to be the next one. You gave me the choice and I made mine," she said with a shrug of her shoulders.

Klaus stared unmoving before grabbing her and crushing her into his arms, overcome with an emotion he didn't know that only she seemed to spark in him. She had chosen immortality, she had chosen him.