Updating over here, I do have this crossed post. I been re inspired with writing
"Would you stop," Rebekah muttered under her breath.
"What?" Klaus inquired.
"Stop staring over there." She tapped Klaus on the head. "I already have enough with Stefan wanting to go over there. I don't need to deal with you too."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Besides, the jealous look has never suited you," Klaus quipped.
"Enough, Rebekah," Stefan intervened, placing the cue stick down.
"Caroline is a capable woman; she doesn't need you to rush to her rescue," Rebekah retorted, running a hand through her hair.
"Caroline is independent, but just as you have family who cares for you, Caroline does too. You can't expect Stefan to be indifferent to her well-being," Bonnie chimed in, trying to defuse the tension between the couple.
"Well, she seems to be enjoying her time with her ex, if you ask me."
"You know it's not about that, Rebekah," Stefan replied.
"If you say so," Rebekah said, turning her attention away from him as she took a sip of her drink.
" I'll ease everyone's tension and invite them over for a drink?" Klaus suggested smoothly, pushing away from the pool table and striding toward the bar.
Amidst the sounds of his name being called from the group he had left behind, Klaus couldn't help but overhear the conversation he was walking towards.
"I already told you, Tyler, no."
"Come on, Caroline. I was helping you out by not charging you rent."
"And I've already paid you back, Tyler. All I'm asking is that you reconsider."
"I could reconsider if you had more to offer," Tyler reasoned, reaching out to hold her hand. However, Caroline pulled her hand back. "No."
"Caroline," Tyler called out, frustration in his voice.
"I think she said no, mate," Klaus interjected.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Tyler exclaimed, his voice tinged with frustration as he threw his hands in the air.
Caroline took a deep breath before answering, keenly aware of Tyler's volatile temper. "Klaus is Elijah and Rebekah's brother, Tyler. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think we've discussed enough for today," Caroline said, turning away from him.
Tyler's gaze flickered to Klaus, a warning gleam in his eyes. "Just so you know, mate," he added, emphasizing the last word, "she belongs to me, no matter how hard to get she plays."
"It doesn't look that way," Klaus remarked, watching as Tyler drowned his drink and slammed the glass on the bar. "Watch your back," Tyler said, pushing past Klaus.
"Already meddling where you shouldn't?" Vicki sneered as she approached Klaus. He arched an eyebrow at her remark.
"Let me enlighten you: steer clear of Tyler Lockwood drama. It's a whirlwind you don't want to get caught in," she advised, leaning in closer to the bar. Klaus, intrigued, asked, "And what drama might that be?"
"The ongoing saga of Tyler Lockwood and Caroline Forbes. They were inseparable in high school until she left town, leaving Tyler with roving eyes and hands," Vicki explained, smirking at Klaus. "The catch for Caroline is that his family owns the property where her studio sits. You can only imagine the chaos."
"The latest word is they're trying to rekindle things. It's Caroline's best bet, considering Tyler's contemplating selling the lot her studio stands on," Vicki added with a knowing smile.
"You seem to be in the know," Klaus observed.
"People tend to spill their secrets to me; I'm a great listener," Vicki said with a coy smile, lightly touching his arm. "Want to get out of here? Let's have some fun."
Klaus glanced back at the group by the pool table and agreed, "Sure, why not." Vicki took his hand, and they departed the bar together.
Klaus nursed a hangover as he made his way to pick up Sophia, trying to put behind the terrible night he'd had. Matt walking in on him and Vicki had been a close call, stopping Klaus from making a regrettable mistake. Right now, his focus needed to be on his niece and getting his life back on track. Klaus ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he double-checked the directions Jeremy had texted him to find the Salvatore boarding house.
Donning his sunglasses, Klaus exited his car and approached the imposing mansion, finally appreciating why Stefan and Rebekah had always raved about the house. The grandeur and history of the Salvatore boarding house were truly remarkable.
"Come right in," a voice called from inside as Klaus rang the doorbell. He stepped inside, where his eyes took in the high ceilings and wooden floors.
"Is that Klaus Mikaelson I see?" The voice that had invited him in now belonged to a dark-haired man who approached Klaus.
"Damon," Klaus greeted him with a one-armed hug. "Good to see that the bourbon didn't take you down last time."
"No, but I couldn't leave my hotel room the entire next day. Elena almost had my head for all the drinking we did."
Klaus had initially found Damon's company unbearable when they'd first met during a visit to Mystic Falls. However, after a couple of drinks, they realized they had much in common, just like Stefan was the voice of reason for both of them. Damon had become Klaus's go-to companion whenever he visited the town, and they'd always find time to catch up or annoy Stefan.
"You're a man of the law now?" Klaus teased, having grown accustomed to seeing Damon in casual clothing rather than the uniform he was currently wearing.
Damon rolled his eyes. "I'm the sheriff in this town." He donned his hat and added, "Now, we need to catch up over drinks. Sophia and Elena will be done in twenty minutes. So make yourself at home," Damon told Klaus. "And if you need anything, Caroline here will help you."
"Is she everywhere?" Klaus muttered under his breath.
"It's a small town," Caroline said as she reached the last step of the staircase.
Klaus cleared his throat. "I meant no offense, sweetheart."
"Sure," she said dismissively, moving past him.
"Are you always this cheery in the mornings?" Klaus inquired as Caroline served herself coffee.
"Well, I'm not the one with a hangover," she responded while handing him a cup. "How do you take it?"
"Black," Klaus replied, reaching for the cup. Their fingers brushed slightly, creating a hint of tension between them.
Caroline quickly withdrew her hand, turning to the refrigerator. "That explains a lot," she mumbled to herself, adding milk to her coffee.
"Excuse me?" Klaus raised an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee.
"You can tell a lot about a person by how they take their coffee," Caroline informed him, adding sugar to her cup.
"Well, then, it's a good thing I don't drink it too often. I'm more of a tea man. You don't need that much sugar in the morning," he teased, watching as Caroline poured more sugar into her cup.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "So, you live with Damon and Elena?" Klaus finally asked the question he'd been dying to since he saw her come down the stairs.
"It's none of your business," Caroline responded as she stirred her coffee. "My place is getting remodeled," she explained, setting the spoon aside. She took a sip of her coffee, emitting a contented moan as the caffeine woke her up. Klaus coughed and tried to ignore how that sound made him feel.
"You and Vicki must have had a fun night," she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Sorry, love, I don't kiss and tell," he replied, taking another sip of his coffee. "But if you must know, nothing happened between us."
"Hey, you're right; it's none of my business," she said with a shrug. "I should be going; I need to pick up stuff for the Christmas show," she explained, running a hand through her blonde curls.
"About that," Klaus started, "I noticed you still need help with your backdrops."
Caroline nodded eagerly. "Well, I have some free time," Klaus offered, causing Caroline to smile. "So if you're okay with it, I'd love to help out with the backgrounds."
"Really?" Caroline asked, barely containing her excitement.
"Really. I can't have my Sophia's dance show with mediocre backgrounds," Klaus remarked, smirking.
"Thank you," Caroline said, hugging him.
"You're welcome, sweetheart," Klaus said a little by her hug.
"Sorry," Caroline said pulling away, Klaus gave her a small smile and nodded.
"But, really Thank You." She told him again.
"Uncle Nik." "Caroline?" both their names were called out turning the brunets walking into the kitchen.
"I should go get ready," Caroline said as she rushed out of the kitchen. Klaus couldn't help but laugh as Sofia and Elena looked at him with questioning expressions.
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