'I work at a 7/11 and you always come in at 3 am' AU fluffy klaroline please

Awesome idea, nonnie! I hope you like it. I picked the title partially because of the lyrics, but I just remembered that iconic scene from Reality Bites where the gang are dancing around in the convenience store.

My Sharona

Sunday 3AM

"Ooh, my little pretty one, my pretty one

When you gonna give me some time, Sharona."

The first time he came into the store was 3am on a Sunday morning. Not that this was surprising to Caroline, it was probably their busiest time of the week, when people stumbled drunkenly out of the nearest bar looking for food to soak up the alcohol they'd consumed.

He wasn't alone, he was joking with two other guys, all with distinct English accents. They were good looking, that was for sure, but there was something about the blonde in particular that caught her eye. She pretended to busy herself stacking the shelves, managing to overhear their discussion.

"She was so not interested in you, Kol."

"That's where I beg to differ big brother," the tall, brunette argued. "She was checking me out all night, you noticed it didn't you, Enzo?"

"She was, until you had to go over there and try to pick her up with some cheesy pick-up line that hasn't been used since the 1950s."

"I'll have you know GQ says that line is making a resurgence. Plus, I'd hardly take advice from you given you date Rebekah, of all people."

"I don't often agree with Kol, but he has you on that point."

"Wonderful brothers you two are."

"Hey, you didn't have to grow up with her and all that incessant yammering," the guy she now knew as Kol, groaned. "I do have to give you points for patience. I'm actually surprised she let you out tonight."

"Well, even with all your bitching, Rebekah knows you'd kill me if I even looked at another woman. So for her it's a win win."

"She's always been a smart one," the blonde replied. "Don't tell her I said that of course."

"Speaking of smart, how did you manage to score four phone numbers?" Caroline rolled her eyes thinking that sounded about right. The one thing she hated was a player and this guy sounded like the epitome of one, even if he was gorgeous.

She walked towards the register purposefully, hoping to serve them so they'd leave. It was at that point she noticed some dark blue eyes trained on her, madly trying to ignore the sensations they were causing.

"Hello, love," he murmured, joining her at the register, flashing some very disarming dimples in her direction.

"Can I help you with something?" She replied, trying to hide her disdain at him for using a pet name which he probably used on every other girl.

"I was just saying hello, no need to bite my head off, love," he murmured, obviously not expecting her terse response.

"Don't call me, love. I have a name you know."

"And I would love to hear it," he smirked, leaning in closer. She closed her eyes momentarily trying to ignore the sexy stubble across his cheeks.

"How about buying something this century?" His mouth was now agape, those crimson lips still taunting her mercilessly though. Before he could respond his two friends she knew as Kol and Enzo stepped forward placing an array of food on the counter.

She set to work, scanning them and placing them in a bag trying to ignore his confused expression. The rejection must have been unfamiliar to someone like him. Caroline had no intention of being the fifth girl to give him her number tonight.

They left soon after, with Caroline wishing her shift would hurry up and finish whilst trying to forget that dejected look in his eyes. It was all part of his act obviously.

Caroline's favourite number had always been twenty three and as a little girl dreaming about growing up she figured she'd have everything sorted by that age. Although real life had to shatter that dream and here she was twenty three and working at 7-Eleven.

Granted she was studying towards her MBA, which was taking far too long for her liking and meant she had no time for anything, except the middle of the night. Hence why she was pulling the dreaded graveyard shift at her local convenience store and had been for a year now. Caroline just kept telling herself that it wasn't forever, thankfully.

Monday 3AM

The bell above the door jingled, causing her to look up, annoyed someone had disturbed her from catching up on her gossip magazines. What she wasn't expecting was looking into those blue eyes that, if she was being honest, had haunted her dreams.

His hands were stuffed in his pockets, his gaze downward as he found his way down one of the aisles. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he searched the personal products aisle, grabbing some painkillers in the process and taking a bottle of water from the fridge.

He approached her slowly and Caroline could sense his hesitation as he placed them on the counter. She proceeded to scan them as he spoke.

"I'm Klaus."

"Well, I didn't ask but hello, Klaus," she murmured, nonchalantly. "Would you like a bag for these?"

"There's no point, I'll be taking these straight away," he answered. "You know for the hangover."

"Twenty four hours later, it must have been quite some night."

"So, you do remember me?" He asked, cocking his left eyebrow. Damn, why did she have to go and say that?

"I might recall something."

"So, what exactly do you recall?"

"You said hello, I bagged your groceries, end of story."

"I also asked for your name."

"You did," she said, having no intention of sharing it with him. "I'm not sure why you are so desperate to know my name given we're complete strangers."

"Call me curious, plus I figured if I told you mine, you'd tell me yours."

"Well, you figured wrong."

"If you don't mind me saying, you seem awfully uptight." She balled up her fists, trying not to react, who did this idiot think he was?

"And you're extremely rude," she shot back. "Didn't your mother teach you any manners?"

"She tried, I just have this habit of not doing what I'm told."

"Why am I not surprised," she mumbled. "That's $8.75." He handed over the money, his hand grazing hers briefly causing her palm to tingle. Why did it always have to be the players? She willed herself to ignored it, giving him his change and then busying herself at the register hoping he'd get the hint.

"Thank you, love," he smirked, walking out of the shop. He certainly didn't seem hung over, so why the hell did he need drugs, especially at this time of the morning? She shrugged her shoulders thinking it was probably best not to question it, even if he was gorgeous.

Wednesday 3AM

Caroline would be lying if she hadn't checked her watch a few times. Three o'clock seemed to be taking its sweet time. Not that she cared of course. It was just the fact that he'd been there the past three nights and she was wondering if he'd make another appearance.

She really should have found it creepy but for some reason Caroline enjoyed the company. Last night he'd stocked up on soup, apparently he needed it for lunch the next day. He'd asked how her night was going and they'd debated whether minestrone was better than pumpkin.

The one thing he didn't ask was her name and Caroline was a little disappointed because she actually would have told him this time. She looked over at the water streaked windows as the rain fell heavily outside, figuring the chances of him braving the weather were probably very remote.

"How did I know I'd find you here?" He asked, breaking her from her thoughts, her eyes flickered over towards the clock, he was right on time. You certainly couldn't say he wasn't punctual.

"Because I work here?" She drawled, trying to ignore how gorgeous he looked at the door in his grey jumper, black coat and his hair saturated from the rain.

"You don't say?" He asked, shaking his head as the water droplets fell on the floor. "How's business?"

"Quiet, but given the weather that's hardly surprising," she answered. "Should I ask what you're doing out in the rain?"

"I needed an umbrella and I figured the 7-Eleven could help fill that request."

"I'll probably regret asking this but why are you walking around in the rain in the middle of the night?"

"It helps me think," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders.

"At 3am?"

"What can I say? I don't sleep that much and if I can get some work done, why not?"

"I suppose that makes sense," she agreed. "They are over in the back corner."

"What is?" He asked, his eyes gazing deeply into hers, making her stumble briefly.

"The umbrellas, that's what you said you wanted, right?" She asked, unable to break eye contact.

"Uh, yeah," he faltered, finally tearing away his gaze and walking towards them reluctantly, Caroline trying not to focus on his taut ass fitted snugly in dark denim in the meantime, but failing miserably.

"So, no plans this week?" She asked as he approached, against her better judgment.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, given all those phone numbers, I figured your schedule would be pretty fully booked." It was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

"Sounds like someone has been eavesdropping on my conversations."

"No, your brother just has a really loud voice."

"I was minding my own business, they gave me their numbers voluntarily," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not being arrogant, just honest. I have no other plans this week." Caroline wasn't sure whether to believe him but for some reason she wanted to.

Friday 3AM

"I need some help," he asked, holding up two packets at the register. She regarded him curiously, trying not to smile he looked that adorable and helpless at the same time.

"Do you really need to ask?"

"Obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have asked."

"Skittles," she replied, confidently and without wavering.

"But M&M's are chocolate," he argued.

"Would you prefer chocolate or to taste all the colours of the rainbow?"

"Maybe I should get both," he conceded. "I hate having too many choices. What are you doing anyway?"

"Studying, I have finals next week," she offered, feeling like she kind of knew Klaus after six visits so it was okay to share. He'd turned up the morning before looking for gossip magazines of all things, that's when the Angelina vs Jennifer debate had begun. She should have known he'd go for Angelina, typical male.

"Corporate strategy," he said, knowingly as he looked over her books. "I know it well; it does get easier."

"You have an MBA?" She asked, curiously.

"Why do you seem so surprised?" He asked, flashing her those damn dimples again.

"Well, between the minestrone soup, Angelina and the M&M's…"

"Very funny," he chuckled. "I happen to own my own business, but if you need anything I'd be more than willing to help you study."

"Don't you have some thinking to do?" She asked, remembering is comment from the other night.

"The best thinking happens when it's raining," he replied, those crimson lips curved into a knowing smile. "Now, what are you up to?"

Sunday 3AM

"What did I tell you about the peanut M&M's?" Katherine whined from the candy aisle. "Just because you prefer Skittles, doesn't mean the rest of us do."

"I get enough complaints from the customers, Kat."

"I am a paying customer, so is Bonnie," she argued nudging the brunette in the ribs.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. It wasn't like she didn't appreciate a visit from her besties but it was almost 3am and Caroline hoped Klaus would be walking through that door.

Ever since he'd offered to help her study they'd struck up a rapport and he'd returned last night willing to assist again. They'd eaten raspberry licorice, studied and talked about pretty much everything, funnily enough he hadn't asked for her name again. She was hoping tonight would be the night.

"Visiting our best friend and hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr 3am," Bonnie replied. "I don't stay up this late for just anyone."

"You guys," she huffed. "I didn't tell you about Klaus so you'd embarrass me!"

"We're not going to embarrass you, Caroline," Katherine murmured, just as he entered flanked by his brother and a tall dark and handsome stranger in a suit she didn't recognize.

"So, the mystery girl's name is Caroline, then?" Klaus asked, walking purposefully towards the register. "It's only taken a week to find out that bit of information."

"What can I say, I like to play hard to get."

"And make me a complete insomniac in the process," he chuckled.

"I thought you liked to think during the night?"

"Truthfully, only about you. I tend to think about work only during working hours," he admitted. "I hope that didn't come out as creepy as it sounded."

"Well, you did help me study, so I'm willing to overlook it," she smiled. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Tatts Lotto ticket please, I think tonight might be my lucky night."

"So, do you have any numbers picked?"

"Not really, my only favourite number is twenty-three."

"That's your favourite number?" She baulked in disbelief, shocked he liked it too.

"Maybe we have more in common than you think? Does this mean you might consider a date?" She was momentarily silent weighing up her options as only Caroline could do. Katherine and Bonnie were sending her approving glances, they always were so easy!

"I think I might."