Here’s a prompt - Klaroline have a one night stand but klaus being all “love is a weakness” for 1000 years doesn’t really understand the rules
Klaus watched her shimmy back into her discarded jeans, his throat tight with restraint. After all, he’d been the one to make a promise, to walk away and leave her to some semblance of peace. And he would soon return to New Orleans, where peace was in short supply and especially poised to be broken - violently.
No, as much as his hands itched to reach for her and whisk her off to the world he once offered, he didn’t want to break his promise to her. Not so soon, anyway. Klaus could admit to having plans in the most abstract sense. A decade or two down the road, Caroline wouldn’t be so beholden to her human life and the motley crew of friends she showed such loyalty. As she picked at the scraps of their clothing strewn among the leaves, though, it took heavy convincing for him to stay put. “Need to borrow my shirt, sweetheart?”
Caroline glared over her shoulder, and Klaus found himself savoring the bite of her voice, softened ever so slightly by the affection neither of them expected her to foster for him. “Nope,” she said, popping her lips. Instead, she reached for her intact jacket, zipping it up haphazardly while her eyes darted from his still bare form. “I’m good.”
A dark mood fell between them as Klaus couldn’t help but imagine any number of scenarios in which she might be very, very far from good. And he wouldn’t be there to stop her from doing anything too rash in the name of heroism. Biting back a growl, he forced out a low breath. “If that changes-”
“I have your number.” Caroline gave a small smile, like she’d expected the possessive tone and didn’t entirely mind. Considering his teeth marks were still visible just under her collar, Klaus felt slightly justified in the less than rational emotion. Even states away and embroiled in complicated supernatural politics, he knew his mind would wander to her often. It was a weakness - she was a weakness that he needed to walk away from. “But contrary to the extenuating circumstances of the last few hours, I’m not a huge fan of danger. My plan is to go back to school and keep my head down. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with our small town emergencies anymore.”
Frowning, Klaus stood and slipped on his own shirt. “Feel free to call anytime, emergency or not.”
Caroline hesitated, chewing her lip in consideration as she stepped closer to him. Her hand landed on his chest and gently stroked the soft cotton. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Klaus didn’t either. He’d had lovers that rolled in and out of his life, others still who tried to make the most of their brief interlude for power or influence. This…connection he felt with Caroline, he wasn’t sure how to move forward. The romantic in him sighed, and he brushed a light kiss to her lips. “It’s your choice,” he vowed. “Always.”
Her hand slid up to his neck, warm as her thumb traced the line of his jaw before she pulled him in for a more indulgent kiss. “Thank you,” she murmured. Then, she was gone.
Closing his eyes, Klaus focused his hearing and waited until he heard her enter the safety of the boarding house. He swallowed as the door slammed behind her.
