A/N: Hi, guys! So AP testing is done for me (thanks to anyone who wished me luck!). So here is the next chapter!
Also, a few people had questions about why Klaus spoke to Caroline in previous chapters where it seemed like she already knew he was a vampire. Klaus says these things, not because Caroline knows, but because he's a big fan of word play and it's kind of his way of dropping hints to Caroline of what he is without blatantly saying he's a vampire. Hope that clears stuff up for people. I can go more into detail if more people need/want it.
Thanks so much for all the reviews, faves, alerts! Your enthusiasm fuels me!
Anyways, I hope you guys like :)
Chapter Fifteen: Our Family
Caroline slowly lifted her eyes. The bright sunlight burned her eyes, and she quickly pulled the pillow over her head.
She groaned. Her head was killing her. She didn't know why and she had a feeling she didn't want to know.
All she wanted to do was lay there and not have to think for a long while.
She felt the bed shift and Klaus's hand warm her shoulder.
"Caroline, love, it's time to get up."
She whined in response and clutched the pillow even tighter to her face.
He gently stroked her hands, coaxing her to drop the pillow. His hands felt so good on hers, she couldn't help relaxing into his touch.
"What?" She sat up and pressed her hand to her throbbing head. "Why are you so chipper this morning?" She grimaced at the way he beamed at her.
"Well, for one, Caroline Forbes is naked in my bed."
He flashed her a smug smile.
Caroline's heart leapt. She hadn't even noticed how soft his sheets were against her bare skin. She even lifted the covers to verify he was being truthful. Her cheeks immediately became hot. She felt the urge to look under the covers again to see if the situation was mutual for him as well, but restrained herself.
"We had sex last night, that's right," Caroline breathed out.
"Well, it wasn't something you could easily forget." His voice was dripping with smugness as his fingers walked across her arm, sending shivers up her body.
The memory of Klaus fucking her up against a house came rushing to the forefront of her mind. It was so hot that her body was flushing all over again. He was massive inside of her. She could still hardly believe that he was all hers.
The corners of her mouth curved up slightly as she met his eyes.
"Well, I'm sure that you're very excited that your crusade to getting into my pants is finally over."
She rolled her eyes.
"Who says it's over?" he challenged. "I distinctly remember announcing that I wasn't through with you." He pressed his lips against hers, thrusting his tongue inside, and finding her throat.
She hummed against him, pulling him on top of her as he climbed on top.
"You're distracting me," she said between kisses.
"Good."
Klaus's hands roamed down her naked body, squeezing her ass and her breasts when he found them.
"Klaus… come on, we have to go to History. We haven't even started the project you forgot about."
He halted his motions and gave her a questioning look.
"I forgot? What makes you think that I forgot?"
"Well, you didn't remind me so you forgot."
She pushed him off of her and swung off the bed. She walked towards the bathroom completely naked. Klaus's stare bored into her bare back and she smirked.
"Oh, by the way." Caroline leaned against the door frame of the bathroom, facing Klaus, who was still tangled in his white sheets. "If we don't finish half the project tonight, you're not getting any sex from me. Think of it as your motivation."
She grinned at the determined expression on his face and closed the door behind her.
From that face, they would finish the project before breakfast.
Klaus recoiled when the door to the hall flew open.
"Good morning, Nik! I hope I'm not interrupting any scandalous activities." Kol strolled into the room, as enthusiastic as an actor from a musical singing about the morning. His eyes fixed on Klaus and then flew around the room, setting his phone down on a desk and egregiously searching for Caroline.
"Leave, Kol." Klaus glowered at him. "Before I throw you out. And this time I won't be nearly as gentle." He threw the sheets off of him, moving to slide into his pants.
The younger Mikaelson's brow arched with intrigue as he took notice of his brother's lack of clothing. "I take it that you have properly defiled the new queen, or do the two of you always sleep naked together?"
Klaus's body stiffened and his jaw locked. He was repulsed by the way Kol spoke of Caroline, like she was some common whore. What happened last night was not an act of desecration; it was an act of worship, of reverence. She was worthy of far more than simply having humans as subjects. She deserved to have a kingdom of vampires to rule over.
Klaus turned to Kol, grinding his teeth. "I thought I warned you not to mention Caroline to me. Why don't you mind your business and tell me the real reason you came here."
The corners of Kol's lips lifted into a mischievous smile. "I thought I would reclaim my bed, considering Caroline hasn't been using it." He gestured to the neat, unused bed on the other side of the room. "Plus, Rebekah is quite the nasty little brat. I don't know how Stefan puts up with it."
"Very true," Klaus agreed. "Love is blind, and, apparently, biased." He saw the eagerness on Kol's face, and, though, they did have a copious amount of fun together, he wasn't willing to give up alone time with Caroline- not when he had her right where he wanted her. "I pity you, Kol, but you're not moving back in."
"What? Why? Because you're afraid you won't be able to properly shag Caroline while I'm around? Nik, I'm hardly here during the day and I don't return for bed until the early hours of the morning, if I return for the night at all. Besides, you and Caroline can perform whatever filth you wish to do to each other. You know I'm not one to judge." Kol flashed him an innocent look.
Klaus rolled his eyes and pulled on a new shirt. "If Rebekah is so terrible, go stay with one of your meals. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to take you in. You'll have a ready storage of food at your disposal and a lewd teenager ready to be conquered."
"Oh, but you know how tiring humans quickly become. Once they've served their purpose, what is the point? They don't understand us like we do each other. We understand the desire of usurping power from others, from feeding from the weak. Don't tell me you don't miss it. The hunt? The feeding?" Kol goaded him. "I'll make you a deal: let me move back in and I will help you when Caroline turns. If you're true to your word about turning Caroline, it's going to take a lot of time and effort to convince the others to welcome her into the family, especially Rebekah. Let me help and things will go a lot more smoothly if there are two of us vouching for her."
Klaus looked at his brother warily. He did miss his nights with Kol, but Caroline was his priority. He could see Kol whenever he wanted, he's spent the last centuries seeing far too much of him, in his opinion. However, Kol did bring about a significant point. "Alright, you can sleep here. But, you will live under my terms." Kol nodded blithely. "You call me before you return. If I do not answer the phone, you are to find a bed elsewhere. You are not to return before 3AM and should be gone by 9AM. You will not ever disturb me and Caroline while we are still in bed. And you will obey whatever command I give you. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Father." Kol grinned and relaxed against his bed, folding his hands behind his head.
Klaus grimaced at the jab. "Shouldn't you be off playing matchmaker?"
Kol flashed him a knowing smirk. "I almost forgot, I have news to share with you. That is no longer a problem." He pushed off the bed.
"What do you mean it's 'no longer a problem?'"
"Have a look yourself." Kol pushed the curtain open, and blinding sunlight poured into the room.
Klaus cringed at the brightness until his eyes adjusted to the new lighting. He peered outside to see a massive wall of flames looking to devour the entire school. His heart sped up and panic soon settled in.
"You're going to have to explain to me how exactly this does not constitute as a problem, Kol. If memory serves, that is the exact scenario we are trying to avoid here."
"Yes, but you're missing the point. We're heading into winter, yet that wall of fire should not arrive until spring."
"So we're all going to be burned alive all the more sooner?" Klaus spat. "You're brilliant."
"Nik, don't you see? This is not a sign of our inevitable doom, it's a window for survival. The riddle stated that our clock starts when the love story does. The fire has commenced because we have entered into our time slot. Something happened last night that triggered it."
Klaus's eyes widened. "Are you saying that you've found it? That this is the beginning to the end of the curse."
"Well… I can't say I can name the pairing, but I have a feeling they are right under my nose. And what matters is that they have done what we needed. Now we go on to phase two: revert the sins to virtues.
Lukewarm water sprayed down Caroline's face, trickling down her chin.
Images from last night sprinted across her closed eyes. She remembered Klaus's hands all over her, his mouth between her legs, and then thrusting powerfully between them. It was incredible. Her nails began to claw against the tiled, moist wall as a new explicit memory resurfaced.
Just thinking about Klaus hard and naked allowed a familiar burning sensation between her legs to settle. He was so masculine and strong. He was the most dangerous person she had ever met, yet when she was in his arms last night, she couldn't have felt more at ease. He was so dark and sexy, and no one else had ever made her feel more wanted.
She couldn't explain what happened when they were together; they were absolutely cosmic. They were an apocalypse, a nuclear bomb, leaving the world in its wake.
She grinned sinisterly, ruminating just how much destruction they could cause.
Caroline hopped out of the shower and tucked a towel around her damp body. Running a comb through her dripping locks, she stared into her reflection in the mirror.
Her mind was assaulted by an image of blood, distorted limbs, and two deep punctures that had never actually left her mind.
"Taylor…" She dropped her comb, letting it fall to the floor with a clatter. Caroline threw the door open, charging straight for a surprised Klaus. "What happened? Last night… Klaus, is Taylor dead?" She heaved.
It wasn't like she would be devastated by the girl's death, but what she saw the prior night rattled her. She had grown accustomed to the sight of death by a human's hand by now. It would be a daunting task to not know, considering her current circumstances. Although, what she had seen last night was not human, it was a monster. Caroline, herself, was a monster, but this was an entirely new level.
Klaus's head snapped to the other side of the room, sneering, and she followed his eyes. Caroline nearly jumped back at a gleeful Kol Mikaelson, closing her hand securely around the towel hugging her body. Klaus moved in front of her like a guard dog protecting its master, shielding her scantily clad body from his brother's prying eyes.
She couldn't see Klaus's face, but she could already tell that he was shooting Kol a murderous gaze. From the looks of it, it worked since Kol didn't break his staring contest with Klaus.
"Please, don't stop on my account," Kol offered.
"Get out before I change my mind and let you spend your nights in a coffin instead," Klaus bit out.
Kol raised his hands above his head, surrendering. "You might want to get a lid on that temper, Nik. Caroline might not find you so irresistible if you keep that up." He winked at Caroline when she peeked over Klaus's shoulder.
The hybrid reached for the lamp on the nightstand, and Kol was out the door.
He growled and turned his attention back to the human behind him. "I apologize for my brother. It won't happen again."
"Just forget it- he didn't see anything. And if it still bothers you later, I will take care of him," she promised. Klaus's brows shot up with interest, and she smiled haughtily. "But, first, tell me what happened last night."
"Well, it's quite difficult to do anything when you smell like that and are greatly lacking clothing-"
"Klaus." She looked at him impatiently. He stared at her hungrily and it was making her skin hot. "Come on, just make it quick."
"Fine." He sighed. "After I generously pleasured you, I wasn't quite done so I took you back to my room. That was when we stumbled upon the girl's body. It reeked of a foul scent and then your stomach ended up emptying itself on the floor. Though, I get the feeling that the scent of death wasn't the cause for that outburst…"
Klaus eyed her suspiciously, and Caroline suddenly felt like she was pressed up against the wall again, this time not nearly as pleasurably.
"Then what?"
"I held your hair back until you passed out in my arms. You woke up a few minutes later and I carried you into the room. You maintained consciousness to clean yourself off and then you were out like a light again."
Caroline slowly nodded as she digested the fact that she has both puked and passed out in front of the guy she likes twice now. "Okay… now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go back to sleep and hopefully never wake up."
Klaus yanked her back to him, chuckling, when she moved for the bed. "Caroline, I don't want you because I believe you are infallible. Quite the opposite, actually. I don't care about how many times you get sick. What I care about is helping you put a stop to it, but I can't do that if you're not honest with me."
Caroline stared into Klaus's deep blue eyes. They were studying her, trying to read the secrets she refused to say out loud. She hadn't forgotten the promise she made to Klaus when she first entered his room. She had promised no secrets between them when she had absolutely no faith in him. Now she was trusting him with both her life and her heart and she was still holding back. It wasn't that she didn't trust him enough, it was that she wasn't ready to talk about it with anyone.
"Klaus, don't."
"Why?" He protested. "You are miserable, Caroline. I can help you."
"Stop," she warned. "I just get really sick sometimes. I have to let it out. There is nothing you can do to help me, now drop it." Caroline moved to the opposite bed that had her uniform neatly spread. She dropped her towel and quickly threw her clothes on.
Turning around, she felt relief wash over her. Klaus seemed a bit dazed from the distraction of dropping her towel.
Predictable.
She turned for the door, and Klaus stepped in front of her.
"We're not done talking about this," he informed her.
"You know what I wanna talk about? How about the fact that you didn't tell me about Taylor? You don't get to ask me to open up when you're just as bad as me."
Her eyes stared into Klaus's intensely.
"I have always been honest with you, Caroline, and the truth is that Taylor's death was news to me as well."
She searched his eyes for any dishonesty and found none. "You're right… I'm sorry. It's just- the body was right across from your room and you're you, so I-"
He shushed her gently and steadied her shoulders with his hands. "I understand your skepticism, and I understand your reluctance to share your secrets with another. But I am not just anyone, Caroline, I am not like the rest of those savages out there." His eyes flicked towards the door. "Caroline, I can help you if you would just let me in."
She let her eyes relax as she leisurely closed them. Her body took in the feeling of Klaus's hands, strong and protective. She felt safe.
Caroline met his eyes again. "Can I have some time to think about it? And can we talk about this after I relieve myself of some of the stresses weighing down on me? Like this history project that Collins is judging me so hard for?"
"What do you mean?" he inquired, ignoring her previous questions.
She flashed a guilty smile. "Collins totally caught me when I nearly forgot we had the project to do. He probably thinks it's all your doing." She threw her bag over her shoulder.
Klaus grinned arrogantly, and Caroline rolled her eyes. He then proceeded to remove Caroline's bag from her shoulder and tucked it under his arm.
She smiled. Just because she had a boyfriend now didn't mean she had suddenly lost the ability to function properly, but it certainly was nice. One of the many perks of being queen. She found it extremely sexy when they walked down the halls, Klaus carrying her things was just another representation that he belonged to her.
It felt amazing.
"And what exactly is it that he thinks I'm doing to you?" He raised his brows suggestively, leaning in so that his lips hovered above hers.
"Okay, please don't ever flirt with me while we're talking about a teacher ever again. Seriously." She giggled, brushing her lips against his.
Klaus covered her lips with his hot ones, his tongue licking her bottom lip.
She moaned against him and cupped his rough face with her hands.
"Okay, now, stop distracting me. I want to get breakfast before people start accusing me of doing the walk of shame." She stepped back from him, increasing their breadth slightly.
He interlaced their fingers together and held the door open for her. His breath was hot against her ear as she was forced to brush past him before crossing the threshold. "I see no shame in sharing a bed with your king."
Caroline quivered against him, and her lips fell open. They were burning to take his into her mouth. "Then, I suppose, I should embrace having a king." She kissed him deeply, thrusting her tongue deep into his mouth. The sharp stubble surrounding Klaus's lips scratched her tongue and ignited her mouth into ardent movements. He purred against her and pressed her hard against himself. "I want everyone to know that you're mine."
The blonde left one more fierce kiss on his lips before leading him down the hall, pulling him by the hand.
Caroline had taken great pleasure in flaunting her new relationship off both in the halls and in the cafeteria. During that morning, she had truly learned what desire mixed with envy looked like.
She maintained self-control by remaining sophisticated. The last thing she wanted to do was become Rebekah by letting her boyfriend completely maul her in front of half the school. She allowed Klaus to kiss her, but did not tolerate him sticking his tongue down her throat. Although, she did permit him to kiss her neck briefly, mostly because he was very good at it.
They had shared a table just for the two of them at breakfast, the table to the right of the center. It was in perfect view of the Mikaelson's. They had paid no heed to the entranced stares belonging to every student within the area. They spent the entire half hour exchanging words that were only meant for the other.
During history, Klaus was relentless in finding a variety of ways to get Caroline's attention. Whether he was getting up to sharpen his seventh pencil, testing Collins's sanity, or texting her: all of which never failed to make her smile.
Once the bell rang, Klaus was beside Caroline as she rearranged her books inside her locker.
"You know, I almost feel bad for Mr. Collins," Caroline mused. "You gave him a really hard time in there. His hair is already thinning. You could possibly be the reason he goes bald."
"That sounds a lot like a compliment, love." He draped himself over the door of her locker, a lazy grin on his lips.
"When don't you take everything I say as I compliment?" She giggled.
"Touché." He captured her lips again firmly. "I want to show you something." He closed her locker and took her by the hand.
"Where are we going?" She increased her pace to match his as they cut through the mass of students, watching them jump out of their way.
"Somewhere I've been wanting to take you for some time now."
Klaus led Caroline into the cafeteria and he paused to analyze her countenance.
Her brows knitted together and her eyes seemed puzzled.
"I've been to the cafeteria, Klaus. We were here this morning. It's very nice."
He smiled, amused. "Caroline, I'm inviting you to have lunch with my family."
Her blue irises doubled in size. "What? Are you insane? How can you just spring this on me?"
"What? I invited you."
"An invitation qualifies when you give it to me when we were in your room, not when we're a yard away from them! Besides, your family hates me."
Klaus gaped at her, offended. "They do not hate you."
"Rebekah does."
"Well, Rebekah is in no state to join us, fortunately."
"Then why is she here?"
He halted. He would have sworn that he had heard Caroline wrong. But he followed her line of sight, and, sure enough, he found his sister's bright blonde head conversing intensely with Stefan.
Things had just gotten a bit more complicated.
No matter.
He could handle Rebekah. If she had any sense left, she would figure out exactly where she would end right back up, were she to cross him again.
Klaus brushed his hand against the supple skin of Caroline's cheek. "You have nothing to fear from Rebekah. The only reason she loathes you is because she fears you. Now, I don't believe you would let Rebekah, or anyone else dictate what you choose to do with your life."
She gripped onto the back of his hand and brought his palm to her lips, searing his skin. "Of course not. But I'm not doing it for her." She smiled mischievously and guided him towards the table.
Klaus shook his head.
Caroline Forbes.
They reached the table, and all eyes were directed towards them. Caroline's hand twitched slightly and he squeezed it, and she immediately relaxed.
"Well, don't be rude, Nik," Kol started. "Introduce us to the lovely girl you have there."
Klaus ignored him. All of their eyes appeared inquisitive, aside from Rebekah's, whose appeared unapologetically annoyed, although, it was much better than exuding blind rage like he had assumed. "Caroline, you know my siblings and their significant others. Everyone this is Caroline. She is a part of the family now. You will treat her as one of us."
"Is that a direct order?" Rebekah spoke up, nonchalantly picking at her nails.
He tensed. "Yes."
"And if we don't?"
"We promised each other that family was 'always and forever.' We promised to look after and protect one another. Caroline is family now. Break that oath and you are no longer mine."
No one knew how long Klaus and Rebekah remained locked in their fiery stare, but no one moved a muscle in between. Rebekah was the first to yield and slumped her shoulders down, leaning into Stefan.
Klaus and Caroline took their seats at the end of the table beside Katherine, as everyone silently accepted his conditions. He had sent one of the humans to retrieve their food for them.
"So, Caroline," Elijah broke the tension. "My brother has taken a fancy to you. I hope you know how seldom that is. Niklaus is not the type whose interest is easily peaked."
He watched her precariously and took pleasure in the rose color that swept across her cheeks.
"I assumed as much. I assumed he was a spoiled brat when I met him," she teased.
"Well, at least we know you have a type." Klaus wrapped his arm around her waist securely.
The others rolled their eyes at Klaus's smugness.
Katherine turned to Caroline. "Honestly, how do you deal with that all day?"
Klaus narrowed his eyes.
Caroline shrugged. "He's just lucky that he has a sexy accent, or I would have drowned out every arrogant thing he's ever said."
Katherine nodded in agreement.
"I'll remember that for tonight," he said with indignation.
Caroline raised her brow at his challenge.
"Caroline…" Kol grinned. "Please, tell us about yourself. We are all eager to learn more about the hum- girl that is the core of Niklaus's obsession."
"Kol," Klaus bit out.
"It's fine, Klaus." She rested a hand on his knee. "There's not much to tell. I'm from a small town called Mystic Falls. My mom owns an empire in the city, so she wasn't around that much. Most of my memories of her consisted of her and my dad screaming at each other and her pulling me in and out of school and mental facilities. My parents are divorced now, as you could guess. I was an only child, so my best friends were all I had. Well, during the times I was allowed to see them. But they had no idea about the secret I was holding inside, so it makes you really wonder, how well did they really know me."
"Tell us about these friends of yours." Rebekah stippled her fingers and leaned her elbows on the table.
Caroline's eyes flicked over to his and he stared back at her, signally that she didn't have to tell them anything she didn't want to. He didn't trust Rebekah. She was up to something.
"Their names were Matt and Nadia. I'd known them since childhood. Matt was the perfect child, perfect friend, perfect student, and perfect boyfriend, or so I thought. I loved him like any naive teenager would. Nadia spoke Czech, she was beautiful, and every girl wanted to be her. And they were the two people that I'd never thought would betray me.
On the night of prom, last year, Matt was my date. We all got wasted at the after party and I helped trash the hotel with some of my other friends. I didn't even know how much time had passed. But I realized I hadn't seen my best friends in some time. I went back up to the suite to check to see if they were there. I heard some noises and walk into my room to see the boy I loved, sweaty, his limbs tangled with my best friend's, while he was fucking her brains out."
Caroline's voice sounded shaky.
Klaus squeezed her shoulder, signally that she didn't have to go on if she didn't want to. But Caroline knew that she couldn't stop now. It would be the first time she's ever talked about what happened that night. She needed to say it out loud.
"Then what happened?" Rebekah asked inquisitively.
"I did what any rational psychopath would do… I killed them... and I loved every second." Adrenaline coursed through her slender body, the sound of her swift heart drummed in her ear. She remembered the way they screamed and begged for mercy. They had the nerve to sound innocent, like she was overreacting. They had been her world, the two people she genuinely trusted.
That was the day she learned that her trust was worth more than the two adulterers she carelessly wasted it on.
Loyalty is earned, not given.
"Everyone saw me for what I was that night… a monster, an aberration of nature. They loathed me and wanted to see me hung for my crimes."
Rebekah's face was a hard expression. "So… you killed the two people you loved most in the world, yet you walked into this school acting like a saint? Well, aren't you the little hypocrite."
Caroline pressed her mouth into a hard line. Her temper was beginning to simmer, but she kept it at bay. "I loved them… but they didn't deserve my love. Love can blind you when it comes to the people who only drag you down. When I killed my friends, that was the first time I was seeing things clearly."
"I completely agree." Rebekah's eyes drifted from Klaus to Caroline. "Love really can blind you."
"Enough, Rebekah," Klaus growled. "Green really isn't your color."
"I am not jealous of her, Nik."
"Love must have a lot of tolerance, too, if Klaus continues to put up with you." Caroline displayed a tight-lipped smile.
Several snickers sounded around the table.
Rebekah glared at her with an icy stare. "What did you say?"
"Were you always this mean, Rebekah, or were you just born a bitch?" Caroline quipped. "I applaud Klaus and the rest of his family for putting up with your bad attitude, but I will not tolerate it. You don't like me? Well that's just too damn bad. Because I like your brother, so the least you could do is pretend for one second that you're not a selfish brat."
Rebekah's mouth hung open, completely stunned by the human's audacity.
Klaus gaped at Caroline, the corners of his mouth formed a proud smile. The others had a similar expression on their faces.
They sat in silence, Rebekah and Caroline staring each other off.
The hybrid placed his hand on Caroline's soft one. "Sweetheart, why don't you go fetch us something cold to drink?" He leaned into her ear. "Meet me outside. I'll me there in five minutes."
"If they talk shit, I want all the details," she whispered and then pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, before departing.
Klaus stippled his fingers on top of the table as he watched Stefan and Finn restrain Rebekah from going after Caroline. Just watching the act was exhausting. "You're not going near Caroline. Now sit down before I ensure you're bedridden once more."
"Klaus is right," Stefan confirmed, giving Rebekah a knowing look. "You know why Caroline is off limits."
Rebekah seemed to yield then. "Did you hear what that little strumpet said to me?"
"The truth?" Kol laughed.
"You will not disrespect Caroline." Klaus's tone was just one volume level lower than a blatant scream. "She is mine. And she is a woman of high esteem. Remember that, always."
Rebekah sank back down into her seat, which pleased him.
"If you are my sister, you will make the effort, for me." Klaus met her with honest blue eyes.
"Are you really going to pull the big brother card? I just don't see what is so special about this one."
"Yes, you do," he answered. "And if you didn't spend so much time fearing her, you wouldn't have to. Don't think I don't know that you initially wanted to befriend her before Elena tried to poison her mind."
Rebekah's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't."
Klaus rose from his seat and wiped his mouth with a cotton napkin. "Remember what I said, little sister."
Caroline had procured herself a freezing water bottle from the icy bin on her way out of the cafeteria. She needed something to distract herself from the heated conversation she was certain was taking place.
She took a long, languid gulp, feeling the cool liquid flow down her throat.
She couldn't care less what Klaus's family thought of her, but the fact that it was Klaus's family made her care.
"Hey, Caroline!" A group of familiar girls approached.
She plastered a fake smile on her face, a bit irritated and relieved for the interruption of her thoughts. "Hi."
"What are doing?" a lanky girl asked.
"Waiting for someone. He should be here any minute."
"You mean Klaus?" Another freshmen grinned salaciously. "God, you're lucky."
Caroline was really beginning to get irritated now. The desperation in the freshmans' voices were making her uncomfortable.
One of the girl's friends chastised her for her recklessness. After all, they were in the presence of the queen, not to mention the most recent addition to the Mikaelson family.
"What was it like?" the rather naive freshmen continued. "I want a Mikaelson."
Caroline stared at the freshmen, her eyes filled with repulsion. "Go away. Before I slit your throat."
The girls scurried away, muttering amongst themselves. "Okay… he better not have gotten her pregnant though."
She grimaced at the last phrase she heard them say. Then, the memory of last night flashed across her mind. Her eyes widened instantaneously. "Son of a bitch, no, no, no…" Her fingers massaged her temples as if it would convert the memory into a more pleasing one.
"Caroline?"
She jumped, turning on her heel. "Klaus! Hi… where have you been?"
"Convincing my sister to behave. You haven't been waiting long, have you?"
"No." She shook her head. "I'm just- excited to see you. That's all. Um… I missed your mouth." She pushed her lips against his and her hands leaned his back into the wall, gripping his collar.
Klaus smirked against her mouth and set his hands on her hips.
His lips were smooth and forceful against her. She sighed into his mouth, reveling in the burning sensation.
Caroline suddenly tore her mouth away, panting intensely.
Klaus looked up at her with hooded eyes. "I am going to do so many terribly filthy things to you, love." His thumb brushed her lip, and she shivered.
Caroline ran her hands down his hard torso, making note of the feral glint in his eyes. "Good. Because I get hot just thinking about you naked."
Klaus licked his lips. "Take my hand and I'll make you scream." His nose hovered over her neck, inhaling her rich, sweet perfume.
She took a sharp intake of breath, goose bumps forming along her delicate skin. "I have class."
"You still have time."
"Let me rephrase that: I don't trust you to keep track of time, nor do I intend to walk into class without any panties."
"I'll be gentle," he promised, leaning his head in, seductively.
Caroline laughed. "Funny."
He chuckled. Klaus Mikaelson being gentle; it certainly was an absurd notion.
She slipped out of the cage Klaus had built around her with his limbs. "Keep your pants on and maybe I'll let you bend me any way you want tonight."
He pulled her hips onto his groin, letting her feel just how sexually frustrated he was. "I am ruthless, Caroline."
She breathed heavily. "Good. I like it hard." Whipping her body in the other direction, she headed off in the opposite direction. Her back was moist from her close encounter with Klaus. She wanted to jump him so badly, but now, especially, was the worst timing. She was proud of herself for maintaining her hold on her desires, though.
The clock on the wall told her that she had about five more minutes before the halls would be flooded with impulsive teenagers once more.
Yeah, she definitely would have been late to class if she took him up on his offer.
She didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but she found herself striding down the hall with celerity. Pausing, she spotted Katherine Pierce admiring her own reflection at her locker.
"Katherine!"
The brunette smiled deviously when she saw Caroline approach. "Oh, hey, Barbie. I was wondering where you went. I was starting to think you tried to hang yourself after telling Rebekah off. It wouldn't be the first time."
"Well, that would be unfortunate and a waste. Rebekah doesn't scare me."
"I can tell." Katherine reapplied her red lipstick. "I knew there was something about you I liked. So was there something you needed?"
Caroline's eyes flitted to the left and then the right. "Can we talk somewhere private?" She didn't wait for the other girl's response and headed for the nearest bathroom.
She pushed the door open, finding the immaculate room filled with obnoxious underclassmen, chatting away about the latest gossip. She wasted no time in dismissing them all, embedding several threats in her chastisement.
The students were out the door in haste, leaving no M.A.C products behind them.
Katherine nodded at her in approval. "No wonder Klaus likes you. It's like looking in a mirror."
"What?"
"Nothing." Katherine leaned against the pristine sink. "Anyways, what was so classified that you had to make the bottom feeders cry?"
"Okay… I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone. Katherine, please. You're the only one I know who can help and who might keep this to yourself."
Katherine looked at her skeptically. "Me? And you can't tell Klaus? What did you do, Caroline?"
"Promise me first."
"Fine. I solemnly swear not to tell a single soul." She raised her hand in the air mockingly.
"I had sex with Klaus last night-"
"I am so disappointed in you, Caroline. Did you let Klaus take your flower?"
"Shut up," Caroline spat. "It occurred to me just now that we didn't use any contraceptives." She averted her eyes, shame washing over her face. "Is it possible for me to get my hands on the day after pill?"
Katherine looked at her stoically before erupting into unrestrained laughter. Her face colored a light red as she heaved. "Oh, my God! What the fuck did you just say?"
Caroline glared at the other girl, her fists tightening in a punishing grip. "It's not funny. Do I look like a human incubator?" She shivered at the mere thought. "Now are you going to help me fix this catastrophe, or not? Because I'll fix it myself if you refuse."
Katherine's raucous laughter was reduced to almost drunken giggles. "Relax. You're fine."
"No. I'll be fine when I know for a fact I don't have Rosemary's baby inside me."
"You're not getting it," Katherine clarified. "Caroline, Klaus is sterile. You're not pregnant."
Caroline froze. "He told you that?"
"All the Mikaelsons are like that. It… runs in the family, you could say."
Caroline knitted her brows together. It shouldn't be surprising to her. What would a serial killer do with a baby aside from use it as a dart board? But if their entire family had the same benefits, it must have been hereditary. She made a note to ask Klaus about that later. "But… he didn't wear a condom. Klaus doesn't have any…"
"Okay, ew," Katherine shuddered. "But no. Klaus is too much of a prick to get an STD." Caroline gave her a puzzled look. "I thought they already gave you the rundown. Klaus is a sadistic killer, but he's not a slut. He's an elitist. You couldn't pay him to touch a dirty whore. He'll take the skanks with more class and they'll either end up dead, or at the bottom of the hierarchy. So basically dead or better off dead." Caroline looked at her warily, and Katherine took notice. "What? Are you doubting prince charming already?"
She rolled her eyes. "But he usually wraps it up, right?"
"Well, I don't know from personal experience, but I'm going to assume Klaus knows how to rub two sticks together. God knows how many of these leeches would kill to get their claws into a Mikaelson... Satisfied?"
Caroline grimaced at Katherine's sarcasm and relented. She marched out of the bathroom as she heard the bell sound, with Katherine's voice calling to her about gratitude.
"You are reckless, irresponsible, and a dishonor on my name," Klaus seethed. He pressed his phone into his ear while his hand gripped his hair, resisting the urge to tear it out.
He had been arguing with Kol for the past half hour and he was so tempted to march down to the locker room just to split his head open. He should have just done it when he had seen him in the morning, but Caroline had been in the next room.
"I don't care when you meant to dispose of the body. The point is that Caroline saw it- nay- she found it," he continued to scold Kol. "I know Caroline and she will not rest until she unravels the mystery… Because I will not lie to her face… I will tell Caroline the truth because it's right, not because your bloody mistake forces my hand… what is done cannot be undone… when Caroline finds out-"
"Find out what?" The perky blonde pushed his door open, asking nonchalantly.
Klaus tensed at the sight of her and hung up the phone immediately. "Caroline… you are a marvelous sight to behold. I wasn't expecting you. I assumed you had other matters to attend to."
"Yeah, well, I canceled practice because we need to talk." She seated herself on his bed, gesturing for him to join her, and he did. "Speaking of which, what is Caroline going to find out?"
He blamed Kol. He needed to remind himself to wring that wanker's neck. "Kol wants to move back in."
"With us?" she questioned. "Isn't that weird, though? Why?"
"Apparently Rebekah hasn't been treating him well. And he claims to yearn for the days of our debauchery."
"He does have my sympathy there." Caroline shrugged.
"So you're consenting to this?" Klaus was stunned. He had predicted that she would have more opposition.
"I didn't say that."
He grinned.
"Because I'm not very good at sharing." She gripped the collar of his jacket, her eyes glancing down at his full lips. "I don't like the idea of giving up the freedom of getting you out of your pants whenever I want."
Klaus grew hard at her lustful words. "What's wrong, love? Can't control yourself around me?" His lips curled into a devilish smile.
"You have no idea."
Klaus's lips attacked her neck, his mouth opening wide to light her skin on fire with hot, wet kisses. His body pinned hers to the bed, his hands trapping hers against the mattress. Caroline was gasping as her body arched beneath him. She tasted so sweet and clean. His groin rubbed against her pelvis bone and the blood in his body surged straight to his erect cock.
"Klaus…" she moaned. "Klaus wait…"
"I've been waiting all day," he growled.
She sobered up and Klaus reluctantly rolled off of her.
Caroline sat up, pushing her skirt back down, and Klaus emulated her.
"Are you sterile and are you STD free?"
Klaus's face dropped. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or grimace. "I beg your pardon?" He chuckled.
"Okay, seriously, why does everyone think this is funny?"
"Who else finds this humorous?" he inquired.
Caroline opened her mouth to speak and paused. "I asked Katherine first because I didn't want to freak you out if it was nothing… but I see that I was going to be freaking out by myself no matter what I did."
"I should have told you."
"No, no… I should have interrogated you about your junk. My fault."
Klaus threw his head back in laughter and marveled at her. "I sincerely regret to inform you that demons cannot procreate. It would upset the balance of nature. I knew you were really looking forward to it."
Caroline playfully slapped his chest, only fueling his mirth. "Don't think I won't get back at you for letting me suffer alone and then laughing at me."
Klaus ceased her wrists, pressing her flush against him. "However can I acquit myself?" He expressed a look that appeared like he was pondering intensely. "Although, you can't argue that this newfound knowledge makes sex immensely more convenient..."
Caroline's cheeks flushed and she looked at him coyly.
He pulled her into his lap and brought her lips to his. He stuck his tongue inside her mouth, sucking on her lips intensely. She was absolutely delectable. The effect she had on him was maddening. She was dangerous, he knew that, but what was even more alarming was that he didn't care.
She had allowed his lips to ravish hers for several heady minutes until she broke away and landed back on her feet. "No, no, no. You are not seducing me tonight. I have an A calling my name and it's calling yours too."
He nearly collapsed on the bed out of frustration, and bitterly followed her to the desk. "Fine." He leaned over her, his arm wrapped around the back of her chair and his other one pressing down onto the desk, caging her in once again.
"If you so much as breathe a flirtation, I'm finding another partner," she warned.
"We don't get to choose our partners, love. There is no switching."
"That's what you think," she challenged.
He smirked.
Weeks passed by as they surprisingly used their time efficiently. It wasn't that surprising considering that Caroline created a strict, detailed schedule for them to follow, although, Klaus made certain that their attentions were diverted elsewhere most nights…
Presentation day was fastly approaching and Caroline was relieved that they were nearly reaching the end of the assignment. It was a heavy grade weight and doing well would secure her for a good portion of the semester. Despite Klaus's crusade to seduce her at every turn, he did prove to be a beneficial partner. He was clever and possessed a boundless imagination; perhaps being a serial killer did that to you.
"Okay, so, do you think this slide needs more details?" She pointed to her laptop screen.
"No," he assured her. "You have more than enough bullet points on there. Besides, all the information you need is already in here." He brushed his fingers against the crown of her head, feeling the incredibly soft threads of her hair.
She wore a half smile on her face. "Okay, but-"
"Sweetheart, you've been asking me what's wrong with the presentation for almost twenty minutes now. It is infallible. Believe me, if there was something that could be rectified you would have disposed of the mistake by now. Our presentation is going to be the best in the class, I guarantee you." He tilted his head down at her.
"Fine," Caroline huffed. "Then do you want to practice? Show me how awesome our presentation will be and I'll be satisfied."
"Very well, then." He flashed her a wolfish grin and began elucidating the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He ran through her background, including information on the former queen's illegitimacy and then succeeding her half-sister, Mary, to the throne. All the while, Klaus was staring at Caroline with a naughty expression, like his eyes were trying to burn through her clothes.
She squirmed in her seat and her hand flew to her heated neck. For some reason, it felt as if the rest of their class could see the way he was looking at her even though they were safe in Klaus's room. "Yeah, so, just for the record, you're going to be saying all these things in class without imagining me naked, right?"
He chuckled. "You can't expect me to say the word 'queen' without thinking of my own, can you? Besides, Collins says that enthusiasm goes a long way."
"Here's some advice, don't bring up our teacher when you're trying to flirt," she quipped. "Especially not Collins. I've been feeling pretty weird around him since he came up to me the other day."
"He what? When? What did he say to you? Did he put his hands on you?" Klaus's hands were a steel grip on her shoulders, rage rolling off his shoulders.
"What? No, of course not!" Caroline answered. "He was concerned about our relationship. He thought it might interfere with the project."
"I'm sure," he muttered.
"What?"
"What else did he say?"
She hesitated for a moment. "He tried to warn me off from you. Apparently, he doesn't trust your intentions. He thinks I'm fish food. Shocking." Her eyes darted off to the side and she tried to ignore the bone-chilling voices echoing in her head, the ones that planted doubt in her mind.
Klaus grasped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. He searched her blue pools for a sign that she didn't believe the teacher's words. "Caroline… no. Do not tell me that you believe that poppycock for even one moment. We have come too far for this folly."
She wanted so desperately to tell them that he was right and there weren't still lingering traces of fear that he was toying with her. But how could she not still have reservations when she knew the things he did? He was a killer and so was she, but that was why neither of them should be trusted so recklessly.
"Klaus… I… I'm not sure."
"You're not sure?" He appeared offended. "I invite you to live with me, provide my protection, and welcome you into my family. You are my family. These are pleasantries that I extend to you only."
Caroline's heart clenched at his dejected countenance. She hadn't intended to harm him. He had to understand her perspective in risking so much to be with him.
"Klaus, look, you can't expect me to not wonder things, at least, not when there's still so much I don't know about you."
His face softened.
"You never asked."
"I didn't want to pry if you didn't want to tell me on your own."
He was staring at her like he was seeing everything that she wasn't saying out loud. It made her shudder and she wondered if he actually did know her secrets.
"I want you to know everything there is about me, Caroline, the same as I want with you," he admitted. "If you prepare yourself for bed, I'll tell you whatever you want to know before you go to sleep."
Her lips fell open as she stared at him and then nodded.
She had known that he ardently wanted her to yield to him completely, but she didn't expect him to be that open. Klaus wasn't the type to divulge his secrets easily, so she figured that he would only allow her to know him gradually. Then again, everyone seemed like an open book compared to her.
Caroline disappeared into the bathroom to change her clothes, brush her teeth, and wash her face. When she returned, Klaus was already in bed, patiently waiting for her.
She slid under the soft covers with him, and Klaus pulled her flush against his body as he laid down with her.
"So bedtime story, or scary story?" She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Perhaps both," he mused. "What do you want to know?"
Caroline pondered the question, reaching for the one question she was burning to ask him.
"Tell me about your family, the infamous Mikaelson's. How did you all come to be the most feared British psychopaths in all the land?" she teased.
She noticed the moroseness clouding Klaus's blue eyes and instinctively pulled him closer. She recognized it, having seen it staring back in her reflection far too many times.
"Many years ago, there was a boy who loved life more than anything. The only thing that could compete for his affections aside from that were his siblings. He did love life… until it turned on him. He soon realized that his father beat him, not because he loved harshly, but, because he did not love his son. In fact, he wasn't his son at all." He swallowed bitterly. "He had a slattern for a mother, who was cruel beyond reason. She loathed the bastard, but refused to terminate his life. No, she wouldn't sin for his blood, he was not even worthy of that.
"But when the children discovered their true power and the destruction they were capable of, their parents were abhorred by what they had created. They were true monsters. The parents wanted them dead, every last one of them. The parents hunted them like wild canines… until the children strung up the father like a slaughtered boar and lacerated his decaying body. The mother swore vengeance by imprisoning them in a school fit for eternal misery."
Caroline was at a loss of words. She didn't even know how to begin. Klaus's story was really hitting it close to home and she suddenly realized, he did get it- got her.
"I don't understand. You said that your mother sent you here as revenge. I thought that this place was supposed to be a better alternative to prison."
"That depends on how you look at the situation." He tightened his hold on her slightly. "My mother controls this school."
"Wait what?!"
"It may seem like life is serene, but, there are things that even we cannot control."
"What does she do?"
He paused. "She takes the lovers of my siblings. They are forced to watch those they care for die at the hands of my mother. She leaves us alone to wallow in our own misery. And she does it again and again like an endless loop."
Caroline cringed.
"And you? What does she do to you?"
He simply stares at her with burning intensity.
"I had never had lovers, at least, none with sentiment attached, so she did what she could. She killed anyone I had left for dead, or left alone once I was through with them. All in the hope that it would hinder me in any way, but it never did."
She didn't flinch that time. Instead, a weight of anxiety was built on her chest.
Klaus saw the trepidation on her features and cupped her cheek.
"She will never touch you. You have my word."
Caroline scanned his face skeptically. "But I thought-"
"Never mind that. We're getting out of here one way or another and I will not leave without you."
His voice was so honest. Her heart was squeezed inside her chest.
"I believe you." She nodded urgently. "I believe in you."
Klaus crushed his lips against hers, rolling them over so he laid on top of her. His lips were like matches that ignited into a scorching flame that spread all the way to her cheeks. The hot friction between their mouths were turning the flame into a conflagration.
Every time their lips met, she was reminded over and over again of the desire she had for him, one that never wavered. Even when she was focused on other activities, that need for him was just below the surface.
She craved him like nothing else she has ever tasted.
Their foreheads met as they panted, their lips merely grazing each other's now.
Caroline gripped onto his bare shoulders. Holding onto Klaus then seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Their eyes reconnected, and any of the usual arrogance had dissipated.
Klaus was really letting her in.
"Go on a date with me," Klaus entreated. "Please."
"What?"
"I know that I may have overestimated my advanced skills in the art of seduction." He flashed her a dirty smile. "But I wish to spend an evening with you. This is what you deserve."
She rolled her eyes at his first comment. "Hm… a date? With my super sexy, blood-thirsty, British boyfriend…? I might need to check my calendar." She giggled.
Klaus was on top of her, pinning her hands beside her head, and applied merciless kisses along her jaw.
"I believe a slot just opened up, sweetheart."
Caroline's giggles radically shifted to moans of pleasure; her entire neck was aflame.
"You're so lucky you're this hot."
He laughed.
She pushed him off of her and shifted into his warm body. He wrapped his arms around her, and all the muscles in her body unwinded.
She's never felt so calm, yet so anxious in her life, because for the first time in her life, she wanted to tell someone all her secrets and she wanted them to know them.
And she wanted that person to be Klaus Mikaelson.
She could imagine telling him and not being afraid of ridicule, or revulsion.
Klaus understood.
His head rested beside hers, and she titled her head up to whisper in his ear.
"I'll be expecting sex on the first date, just so you know."
He smirked, his eyes remaining closed.
"Well, since it's not a secret anymore, I advise you to stretch first. Wouldn't want to pull a muscle. I don't intend to be gentle."
Caroline gulped and attempted to get back to "sleep." However, her entire night was filled with various reasons why she definitely needed to stretch for the entire morning.
Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you thought in a review.
I have about half of the next chapter written, so hopefully I can get that out soon. And feel free to let me know your predictions/what you would like to see happen.