25 Days of Klaroline - Day 15 Klaroline +Growing Up

Lean on Me

"It's so good to have you home darling," Liz grinned, pulling her daughter greedily into her arms.

"There's no need to strangle me mother," she joked.

"Well I never get to see you these days," Liz said, finally releasing her from her grasp.

"That's not true I was here…" she trailed off, trying to remember when it was.

"Three years ago," she shot back, sending her a disapproving glance. "If I want to see my daughter I have to come to New York."

"Well my job keeps me busy, you know that," she replied. Caroline was a stylist for New York's social elite and a few notable celebrities, and her services were greatly in demand.

Although it was partially true Caroline knew there was another reason she didn't like coming back to her small hometown of New Hope in Pennsylvania. The memories of him haunted her everywhere but they were particularly stifling there. The one saving grace was that she knew he didn't live in town, so she wouldn't risk running into him.

She was desperate to know what he was doing, but at the same time she was too afraid to ask. Caroline didn't want to hear that he was married or had a hoard of beautiful children. She didn't think she could handle hearing he was happy, given she wasn't. She knew it was selfish on her part, especially given his troubled childhood.

She made her way to her bedroom, Liz insisted on keeping it exactly the same, and she had to admit that she liked the familiarity. She placed her bags on the bed, her eyes immediately drawn to the window. She walked over against her better judgment and stared across the garden into the neighbour's window.

It was a window she knew all too well. She could still remember what happened like it was yesterday.

15 years ago….

Twelve year-old Caroline couldn't sleep, hardly surprising seeing as it was 104 degrees outside and their air conditioner had decided to break down. She could feel the beads of sweat dripping down her forehead; she swiped at them in frustration deciding to grab some much needed water.

She eyed the partially open window, which had provided no relief whatsoever. It was only as she passed by that she could make out some faint voices. She moved closer to the window to try and make out where it was coming from.

The voices only got louder as she peeked her head outside. She could make out an angry male voice and what sounded like a female crying. It was coming from their new neighbour's house.

She hadn't formally met the Mikaelson family yet, they had only moved into the neighbourhood a month ago. However Bonnie had Rebekah in her class and Caroline had seen her brothers around school. They were all quiet, keeping mainly to themselves. Niklaus seemed to have a particularly lonely look in his eyes.

Caroline wasn't sure whether she should rouse her mother, as the voices only seemed to get louder. It was only then she noticed a lone silhouette in the dark, staring at her from the opposite window. She reeled back in surprise, embarrassed she'd been caught eavesdropping.

She couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away. They stared at each other for a while, almost like they were caught up in the moment. She knew she had to do something and turned around switching on her small bedside lamp. Caroline noticed the figure move away from the window and she was worried she'd scared them away.

It was only when their light came on a moment later that she realised it was Niklaus. That lonely look he seemed to have permanently etched on his face was now filled with sadness and fear. She didn't know this lost boy but all she wanted to do was pull him into a hug and tell him it was going to be okay.

She opened her window completely gesturing for him to come over, it was the least she could do. His window opened slowly and he stepped out gingerly onto the grass. She noticed him stop briefly as a strangled cry rang out, his expression changing from sad to scared in an instant and he stood still almost like he was torn about what to do next.

Caroline sent him an encouraging smile, before finally speaking.

"Do you want to come inside?" She whispered into the warm night air. He seemed apprehensive at first which was hardly surprising given what was happening. "You'll be safe here," she promised, hoping she could get through to him. He looked back again and her heart went out to him. No one should have to deal with that in their own home.

He finally moved forward and stood at her window sill, it was only then she could see the unshed tears in his blue eyes. She leaned forward and gave him her hand. "It's going to be okay." She murmured before helping him climb inside. She didn't know if it was going to be okay but it was clear that's what he wanted to hear.

Caroline could tell from his prolonged silence that he didn't want to talk. So she gave him a blanket and pillow hoping that her small act had given him some sort of comfort.

It would become their ritual over the next five years, Klaus, as she came to call him, would climb into her window at night. Sometimes they'd talk, other times they'd just lay there and she'd listen to the sound of his steady breathing. Even though she was supposed to be the one comforting him, strangely enough his breathing became that for her. Probably because she knew he was safe while he was with her.

They became best friends, never venturing past that point even though she was completely in love with him. With everything he'd been through she was hardly surprised by his emotional incapacity. She didn't want to do anything that would risk their friendship so she kept things completely platonic.

She also did everything she could to help him, she even spoke to her mother and tried to get him to do the same but he wouldn't. She was adamant that she would never leave Mikael and Klaus was scared what might happen to his siblings and his mother if he talked. It killed her to see him suffering.

His father had died the day before his 17th birthday, Klaus had told her it was the best birthday present he could ask for. She was glad his bullying father was gone and that Klaus and his family were finally free. The next year he went away to college, leaving her to finish her final year at school.

She'd struggled to sleep most nights without the rhythmic sound of him breathing next to her. The distance between them became too much and one way or another they lost touch. Caroline would always regret that she never told him how she felt. If she had, maybe things would have been different.

She broke out of her trance determined not to let the memories spoil her trip, her mum was so glad to see her after all. She looked up taking one last look towards his window, her breath hitching in her throat at a set of familiar blue eyes gazing into hers.

Was she dreaming? She blinked, determined that she was, but he was still very much there, his crimson lips curving into a shy smile. He looked even more attractive and she didn't think that was possible.

"Honey, do you want to go to the Boat House for a drink before dinner?" Liz asked as she came into the room, breaking Caroline from her thoughts. She turned around, albeit reluctantly.

"Ah yeah sure," she replied, her heart rate only increasing. What was he doing here? She turned around on auto pilot, unable to stop herself if she tried, but he was gone. "Do you know why uh Klaus is here?"

"Well his mother does live next door."

"I know that," she shot back sarcastically. "I thought you told me that he was living in Philadelphia these days?"

"He is, but he's back to see his mother," she replied. "She's throwing him an engagement party this weekend."

"Engagement?" She asked weakly, her mouth suddenly dry. She was afraid of this, why did she ever come back?

"Yes, I think it's Camille or something like that." Caroline nodded unable to speak she was that upset. "I know you two were always close, why don't you go over and say hello?"

"Maybe later," she sighed, thinking she'd rather eat dirt than put up with that awkward situation. As childish as it sounded, Caroline just hoped she was really ugly. "Uh let's go to the Boat House," she murmured, desperate to have something to take her mind off him and his fiancé.

xxxxx

Caroline felt bad, her mum was making such an effort but all she could manage was minimal conversation at dinner, distracted by the news she'd discovered. They returned home and Caroline flopped onto her bed, determined not to look over at his window. It was just too painful.

She'd been laying there for about five minutes when she heard a knock on the window, and turned around slowly, knowing the only person who would do that. He smiled at her hopefully, the dimples she loved only accentuated.

Caroline got up dreading the ensuing conversation. She better just congratulate him, even if she didn't mean it, and get this over and done with. She opened the window partially, plastering on a fake smile.

"Long time no see, love," he grinned. She felt her stomach flutter hearing his pet name for her.

"It has been a while."

"I came around earlier but you were out," he explained. "My mother tells me you're a fashion hot shot in New York."

"Well I wouldn't go that far," she mumbled, feeling a blush cross her cheeks.

"You used to always talk about the plans you had, and I knew you'd do it. You had far too much stubborn determination not to Caroline."

"Thanks, I think. So how about you?" She asked, dreading his answer.

"Nothing as exciting as you," he joked. "You know I always wanted to be a lawyer."

"Corporate law, right? You used to always say that's where the money was."

"Yeah I must have rocks in my head, I decided on the less well-paying area of family law." Her face softened, knowing exactly why he would have made that decision.

"I couldn't think of anyone more suited to family law," she murmured, trying not to get lost in his eyes.

"Thanks," he replied humbly, his eyes searching her face. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course it is," she stammered, unconvincingly. Damn him! Klaus could always read her, even after all these years.

"You just don't seem yourself, that's all," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "That, and the fact you haven't invited me inside, I mean that was our thing."

"Well, that was a long time ago," she said sadly, her face downcast so he couldn't read her further.

"It was," he agreed. "I've missed you so much love." He placed his finger under her chin lifting it up so that her eyes met his.

"We grew apart, I guess it was always going to happen," she said dismissively. "Anyway that doesn't matter anymore."

"It doesn't?"

"Why are you doing this?" She asked, trying to keep her composure, but feeling the last shreds wearing away.

"When I saw you before, it was like seeing a ghost. All those memories from that first night you invited me inside came flooding back." Caroline inhaled sharply thinking she'd done the same thing. "To be honest, I was hoping I'd see you."

"Why?"

"Because there was something I always wanted to say to you but was too insecure," he explained. He opened his mouth to continue before she interrupted too scared to hear what he had to say.

"I know you're engaged," she blurted out. "So really, I think there's nothing left to say."

"How did you know?"

"The gossiping mother's club strikes again," she quipped, trying to lighten the mood. "Look it's okay."

"No it's not okay," he shot back. "Yes, I'm engaged and I know this is probably completely inappropriate but I promised myself if I ever got another chance with you I'd say this. I've never stopped thinking about you Caroline. You were my whole world then one day you were gone."

"Last time I recall you were the one that left me," she muttered bitterly.

"To go to college," he replied. "I called and emailed but you always seemed too busy, I guess I thought you'd moved on without me." Yeah, busy getting over you, she thought.

"I hadn't moved on, it was just too hard to keep in touch."

"Why?" he prodded.

"I don't think the engaged guy gets to ask these questions, do you?"

"Maybe not," he agreed. "Look, I'm sorry I bothered you." He sent her one last glance and walked slowly towards the window, his shoulders hunched over.

"I was in love with you okay, are you happy now?" She cried out, causing him to turn around. He regarded her seriously taking his time to reply, almost like he was trying to work out how to let her down gently. Caroline couldn't believe she'd admitted that, and to an engaged man no less.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, his voice low.

"Because you didn't feel the same, I know you only saw me as a friend and I didn't want to ruin what we had, it was too important."

"How do you know I didn't feel the same?"

"Well you never said anything."

"Neither did you," she groaned in frustration, sick of going around in circles. What did it matter now anyway?

"Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway."

"It does matter," he said coming closer to the window, so that his lips were within inches of hers. "I loved you too Caroline."

"You did?"

"I think I fell in love with you that first night," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "You saved me Caroline."

"I didn't."

"You did," he murmured leaning up so that he could run his hand through her hair. "No one had ever shown me that much love and kindness in my entire life. I don't know what I would have done without you love."

She could feel the tears gathering in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Caroline had been dying to hear these words, but sadly it was all too late now.

"I really wish we'd done this years ago."

"You and me both."

"And now you're getting married," she murmured.

"Well, I can hardly get married when I'm still in love with you now, can I?" He smiled, running his thumb across her cheek to wipe away the tears that had begun to fall.

"You still love me?"

"I never stopped," he admitted. "It was probably wrong to get engaged to someone I'm not in love with but I thought there was no hope for us, and I was trying to move on with my life."

"Tell me about it, I guess there are some things you just can't move on from."

"Or people," he replied knowingly. "As much as I never want to leave you again, I know what I have to do." She nodded in acknowledgment knowing just how difficult it was going to be. "When I get back though I hope you'll invite me inside this time." He said, leaning forward and placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, making her skin tingle in the process. If that was just from a little kiss, what would everything else feel like?

"I'll leave the window unlocked for you," she grinned, excited to finally consummate their feelings for each other. Although she was even more excited just to lie next to him and listen to him breathe.