Colleen! So excited you're doing KCVday! I'm you're gift-er and I have a few ideas but I was wondering if you'd prefer supernatural or AH? I'm thinking MateFic with magical shenanigans if you want to go supernatural and organizedcrime!AU OR popstar/grumpy producer AU if you'd prefer AH (though feel free to toss me something else!). Also, any smut likes and dislikes?
aww thank you! i’m excited too! :) and okay, to be honest i’ve been grappling with this choice for like over an hour now and they’re both SOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOOO right up my alley, that i’d be ecstatic with either one?! so maybe we can go with whichever you find easier/inspires you the most? :D
and in re: to smut likes/dislikes, i’m not very picky? i guess if i had to narrow it down, maybe no threesomes or anything where the power differential is highly skewed toward either one of them? i like anything with an equal push and pull on both sides :3
gah, i’m sorry if this all sounds so vague- i promise i’m not trying to be, it’s just that those were such great prompts i can tell i’ll trust your muse wherever it takes you and that it’ll be great! ♥ ♥ ♥
And here’s the round up of everything that was posted over the weekend! Thanks to all that contributed, whether you wrote/created or just liked and reblogged! I think I got everything that was in the kcvday tag buy please let me know if I missed anything!
FIC:
Petting Zoos and Uniforms by @theoriginalcheeesecake
Faking It (Fic Preview) by @these-dreams-go-on
Deafening (Fic Preview) by @these-dreams-go-on
Best Friends (Fic Preview) by @these-dreams-go-on
Untitled by @undeadqueenselenakatlove
Like A Family (Part Two) by @theoriginalcheeesecake
Valentine’s Surprise by @accidental-rambler
The City of Kings by @cupcakemolotov
Perfect Fits by @lalainajanes
Baby Talk: The Wedding (Fic Update) by @she-walked-away
Untitled by @theoriginalcheeesecake
Which Road (Part Two) by @lalainajanes
Valentines To A Heart Not Yet Mine by @austennerdita2533
A Girl In Red; A Poppy by @lclrgsl
Her Secret Valentine by @klarodrabblequest
Endless Possibilities by @hissaviourqueen
The Devil Took Your Breath Away (angst) by @klausandforbes
Oh How Strange (Part Three) by @lalainajanes
Flower Delivery by @honestgrins
A Huge Favour by @thetourguidebarbie
Drive Me Crazy (Outtake) by @she-walked-away (smut)
Burning For You (Chapter Three) by @hissaviourqueen (smut)
Klaus - Riddled With A Capital F by @austennerdita2533
Her Smile (Her Lips Part Two) by @accidental-rambler (smut)
The Cure For This (Part Two) by @lalainajanes (smut)
Rushing Through You by @klausandforbes (smut)
Tinder by @thetourguidebarbie (smut)
Work Hazards by @honestgrins
Your Skin Speaks Up by @lalainajanes (smut)
ART:
A fearsome wind... by @klarolinessecondbreakfast
Happy Klaroline Valentine’s Day Weekend by @queenvampirebarbie
In some other life... by @klarolinessecondbreakfast
ℳY ℋEARTℬEATS ℱOR KLAROLINE 💘 💋 by @eriberry89
ⒸAROLINE ⓀISSES ⒻROM ⓀLAUSY 😘 by @eriberry89
Happy Valentine’s Day KC family! 💖 by @klarolinessecondbreakfast
DISCUSSION:
accidental-rambler
hissaviourqueen
my-light-into-the-darkness
theoriginalcheeesecake
Next fandom event is being hosted by the lovely people over at @klarolineshippersclub the week of the crossover (which is only eleven days away!)
Klaroline + "We just had a moment and we were going in for the kiss and I panicked at the last second and blew air in your face" please ❤️
Hey! Thank you for this prompt! It’s short and (hopefully) sweet! Was meant to be for KCVDAY feels day, but what can you do?
A Bee, Indeed
Their laughter was a sound to behold as their limbs tangled into knots on the floors beneath them. Caroline’s head was thrown back, her shoulders shaking, and her curls framing her face, features alight with joy. She was beautiful.
“I told you roller-skating in the house would be a bad idea,” she panted, as the laughter subsided a little. “I think we broke my tailbone!”
Caroline melodramatically rubbed her butt, and looked over at her best friend.
Klaus was still laughing as he pushed himself into a sitting position, “It’s not all we broke, love, look.”
He pointed over his shoulder to the smashed vase, and laughed a little more as her face paled.
“Oh my god, Nik!” she screeched. “Your mom’s gonna kill me!”
Caroline tried to scramble to her feet, apparently forgetting her feet were encased in wheels, not shoes, and she promptly fell on her ass again.
Klaus howled with laughter, and Caroline fixed him with her most withering stare.
“It’s not funny,” she pouted.
“I know, I know,” he said, attempting to school his face back to nonchalance, but failed.
“Then stop laughing!”
“How can I love?” he asked, grabbing her wrist before she could try and get to her feet again. “It’s a little bit funny, and mother won’t mind.”
She gave him a small ‘harrumph’, but a small smile had crawled back onto her face.
Still intertwined in one and other, the two best friends lay back the giggles overtaking them once more.
After a few moments, they collapsed into a heavy silence. It had happened once or twice over the years. They would be just laughing then the silence would come, and it would be comfortable, until they both tried to understand why silences between them always felt so… right.
“What are you thinking about, bestie?” Caroline asked, linking her arms with his, before turning her head to look at him.
She’d looked at him many a time in the same position, but she’d never seen the intense look that was currently etched into his face.
He didn’t answer, but his eyes suddenly flicked to her lips, and she became aware of exactly how close they were. Their faces were mere centimetres apart and she could feel every bit of his exposed skin on her, she rued the parts covered in material. She could feel where one of his arms was resting on her stomach, and where the other was linking with hers. She could feel her hands clearly, one sitting on one of his hands, and one sitting close to his abdomen.
She hated that she could feel her heart pumping, and she hated that, even though the intensity of his gaze was rendering her temporarily immobile, she wanted to move forward and capture his lips with hers, taste his tongue and feel all he had to offer her.
She’d never consciously taken note of how she felt until now, and the unplanned feeling terrified her control-freak mind.
So she panicked.
She puckered her lips up and began funnelling air through them, blowing a breeze onto his nose, because, for some reason she thought she could cool the heated moment with her breath...
“What on earth are you doing?” he asked, his gaze questioning rather than intense.
Then she realised what the hell she was doing, went the colour of a fire truck, and began yammering.
“There was a bee, you see, this bee that was black and yellow, just like all the cartoons. It was on your face, so I was blowing on you to get it to go away. Wouldn’t want that handsome face of yours to be swollen like a balloon at your mom’s party tonight! She may not hate me for the vase, but she’d certainly hate me if you looked like the elephant man for the photos and…”
But her rambling was cut off as Klaus closed the distance between their faces, and pressed his lips to hers.
Caroline had fantasised this many times in her dreams, but nothing her imagination could have thought up was as blissful as the reality. His lips were softer than she would have thought possible, and, when she opened her mouth to let his tongue explore, she moaned at its dominance.
Still lying horizontal on the floor, she raised one of her hands to bury in curls at the nape of his neck, as his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her impossibly close to him.
They stayed that way for many stolen minutes, until he pulled away.
“You sure know how to ramble, love,” he smirked, his face red, and his lips extra plump. “A bee, indeed,” he added, incredulously.
She giggled, a little abashed, a little exhilarated, not quite processing what was happening, but knowing that even after she did, she wouldn’t regret it.
“Why can’t you stop all my ramblings like that?” she laughed.
“Well, we’ll see what we can do in the future but for now…”
It was Caroline who cut off his words this time, instigating another mind-bogglingly overdue kiss.
xxx
Esther had heard the crash, but hadn’t investigated straight away, not really wanting to deal with which ever child had caused it. When she walked into the hall around ten minutes later, she’d found a broken vase, and her middle son tangled up, on the floor, with his best friend – or as Esther liked to refer to Caroline ‘Klaus Future Wife’.
She gazed upon them disapprovingly for a moment or two – did they have to work out they were perfect for each other in the middle of her hallway? – before turning on her heel and muttering, “Well, it’s about time.”
"Mistaken identity and now things are weird" Klaroline AU.
From the ‘based on a Trash Romance’ section of my brain! Loosely inspired by a Lisa Kleypas historical in which the heroine’s depressed about turning thirty and hires a man to take her virginity. But, mistaken identity shenanigans ensue, and it turns out he’s actually her new boss.
Your Skin Speaks Up
Later,looking back on the incident and cringing, Caroline blames the booze. Becauseshe had been drunk. Drunker thendrunk. Completely and totally wasted.
More sothen she’d been in at least a decade. And the time she’d previously reachedthat level of intoxication had involved a cocktail heavy on the absinthe,recommended by a smirky vampire whose name she’d never caught. He’d been kindof a perv but a lot of fun (completely non sexual fun. Making your intro usingthe words ‘tasty little thing’ was not endearing, in Caroline’s book).
Thank godher liver could heal itself.
She’d takenthe first shot to work up a little courage to make the call, starring at the numberon the card that Gia had slipped her.
Fun factabout New Orleans: it catered to allof a vampire’s needs. Not just sustenance.
Apparentlythere was a discrete little escort service that had been running for centuries.Caroline probably wouldn’t have been told about it, being so new to the city.But Gia had connections to the Mikaelson’s, the vampires who ran the city’ssupernatural affairs. And she’d taken a shine to Caroline, having heard hersinging along to an old song on the radio in the little shop that they’d bothbeen rummaging in.
Caroline’scurrent occupation, interior decorator, meant she spent a lot of time on herown, so her social life had been pretty nonexistent since her move. It wasn’texactly challenging work, brain wise. But a lot of fun and an excuse to shop,check out off the beaten path second hand stores, to see what treasures shecould unearth. And fine, maybe she bought a few too many things for herself.But she had three residences at the moment and she was only 113 years old. Whoknew how many places she’d have to decorate by the time she hit the big two –oh – oh?
Meeting Giahad been a stroke of luck. They’d become fast friends, finding they had much incommon. Turned within years of each other they’d both run away from small towns(though Gia as a human and Caroline as a brand new vampire once she’d foundthat the sleepy little hamlet of Mystic Falls, Virginia was far from welcomingof her kind). Caroline found out that Gia had been turned in New Orleans, justa few years after Caroline herself had been, and had used the city as a homebase ever since. She knew all about how supernatural politics worked in thecity, though she’d had little patience for the pretentiousness of it. “Have youmet the ‘king’ yet?” she’d asked one afternoon, the title said with a derisive rollof her eyes.
Caroline’seyebrows had crept up in confusion, “What king?”
“He runsthis place. Has forever. He’s a little mellower now then he was a century ago.”
Thatcertainly sounded foreboding.
Perhapsreading Caroline’s unease Gia had rushed to reassure her. “It’s really not thatbad. Follow the rules and you’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll get his summonsbefore too long.”
Carolinehad, of course, grilled Gia on the rules she was supposed to be following. Theywere simple enough and she could see the logic in them, how they’d keepvampires hidden and allow them to live without pesky questions from humanauthorities.
That didn’tmean she was entirely sure about the ‘king’ business Gia had mentioned.
It wasanother of her and Gia’s conversations that had led to Caroline’s current stateof drunkenness. The other woman had been aghast to find out that Caroline hadbeen single for more years then she’d cared to remember, and celibate for goingon ten months. “That’s just not normal,” she’d said, wide eyed and shaking herhead. “How have you survived?”
And it’snot like Caroline had been happy with the state of events. But she’d beentouring a particularly unpopulated corner of South America. Certain sacrificeshad needed to be made. Gia had been joking when she’d offered Caroline thecard. It was simple, no business name. A deep burgundy color with a phonenumber printed in black.
And atfirst Caroline’s reaction had been a hard no. She was forever seventeen andpretty damn hot, thank you very much. Finding a guy interested in taking her tobed had never been a problem. But the idea lingered, in the back of her mind.What would be the harm? She wasn’t sure if she was staying or leaving NOLA.She’d never lived in a place with so many vampires, had yet to decide if thebenefits outweighed the downsides. She could have a fling with a random vampirebut that might make things awkward, if she decided to stay. No one likes to behaunted by a one night stand.
A couple ofdays later she’d caved and asked for the card. Gia had grinned, and handed itover, sing songing, “Have fu-un!” as Caroline had left with it tucked away inher bag.
And staringat her phone, thumb hovering over the keypad, one shot of truly excellenttequila had turned into two. Then three. And then she’d downed the entirebottle before dialing. The voice that answered had been a woman, her drawlsouthern, sweet and courteous. She’d been polite enough to ignore Caroline’sslurring as she answered questions about her preferences.
A man.Attractive but not too pretty. And that’s about as far as she’d gotten beforefloundering. The woman had rattled off a list of options that had made Carolinefeel distinctly warm, even if she’d turned them all down. Better to keep itbasic for the first time, and file things like ‘roleplay’ and ‘spelledrestraints’ away for later contemplation.
She’d beenquoted a price that made her wince, and mentally resolve to hustle up a newclient or two. But she’d agreed, and been told to expect a visit from a ‘Jack’within the hour.
Which hadled to a minor freak out and an unsteady dash to her closet. Just because shewas paying for it didn’t mean her bra shouldn’t be cute.
There’dbeen a knock on her door when she was still naked and debating between blacklace and purple silk, less then fifteen minutes from the moment she’d hung upthe phone.
Geez, thosepeople did not screw around.
Carolineshrugged, tossing her lingerie options back into the drawer, and slipping onher slinkiest robe. Maybe it was a sign. She pads to the door, schooling herfeatures into a cool mask. No need to let the guy know she was a nervous wreck,right?
She takes adeep breath before throwing open the door. She smiles, fingers twisting in thebelt of her robe. The vampire on the other side of the door is dressedcasually, in jeans and a dark grey Henley. And the agency had definitely nailedher request. He was very attractive, full lipped with a hint of stubble on achiseled jaw. Not much taller than her and no trace of gym rat pretty boy,something Caroline had long since lost her taste for.
Sherealizes that she’s been staring at him for way too long without speaking. He’sraised a brow, and seems to be waiting patiently. Caroline swallows back anervous giggle, “Hi. Sorry, come in. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
A flickerof surprise crosses his face, maybe a little confusion too. But he stepsforward, passing her in the doorway. “That’s quite all right, love.” He surveysher apartment, eyes narrowed and assessing and Caroline wonders what he’sseeing. She’s neat in general but her apartment reflects her travels, an oddmix of old pieces and new. She likes colors and textures and comfortablefurniture, even if it’s not exactly trendy. But when he turns back to her andsays, “You’ve a lovely home,” he seems sincere.
“Thankyou,” she replies. She hesitates, unsure of how to proceed. “Would you like adrink?” she offers. “I might have finished the tequila but I’m sure I’ve got abottle of wine somewhere.”
His gazesharpens and he studies her face for long moments. “Been having a bit of aprivate party, have you?”
It’s saidwith a tinge of amusement and Caroline bristles slightly, turning away. Andpromptly stumbles into a table she’d forgotten was there. Oops.
It tips,but luckily her visitor has crazy quick reflexes and he snatches the lamp thathad been knocked askew before it can hit the floor. He sets it down and graspsher elbow, leading her to her couch. “Right. Why don’t you just have a seatbefore you destroy any more antiques, hmm?”
Carolineflops down onto the cushions, her robe splitting over her thighs. Her guest’seyes linger, unmistakably appreciative. Caroline smirks, because it never hurtto be reminded that you were attractive. She crosses one thigh over the other,letting the silk creep up even higher. But her guest is way more gentlemanlythen she would have expected, averting his eyes and turning away.
“What’syour name, love?” he asks, wandering over to a wall where she’s hung severalframed photographs. It had been a career, a couple of decades ago, one of her favorites.She’d even won some awards and it’s totally a job she plans to pick up againsomeday.
“Caroline,”she tells him automatically. And then she wonders if she should have lied.Surely she hadn’t been given his actual name? “And you’re Jack, right? I thinkthat’s what the lady on the phone said.”
He stills,his back tensing. He’d leaned in to examine a shot of Salto El Sapito, but heturns slowly to face her, his head tipped to the side. He prowls forward a fewsteps, “And which lady was that?” he asks softly.
And maybeit’s the alcohol but something in the silky tone makes her pause, a littlechill in the air. Caroline leans forward, groping for the square of paper sheknows she’d left on the table. She holds it up and his eyes zero in on it. Heseems to relax, and his lips curl with something like humor. “Oh, that lady. Ofcourse. And it’s Nick, actually. Not Jack.”
Huh.Caroline could have sworn it was Jack. Stupid tequila.
She shakesher head and sits up straighter. “Oookay. Now that we’ve got that out of theway. How does this usually work? I’ve never paid for sex before.”
He turnsback to the photographs for a moment, and Caroline thinks he’s hiding a smile.And she’s not sure she likes this guy. It’s been awhile since she’s toiled awayin customer service but she knew better then to laugh at a client who thoughtwood paneling was a good idea. Should he really be mocking her right now? Wasthere a comment card she could fill out? She’d have to look into it.
Maybe she’dimagined it because when he turns back any hint of laughter is gone. He pullshis phone out of his pocket and types something quickly. She’s about to ask,but thinks better of it, assuming it’s a safety thing. Just in case she was aserial killer after hot vampire prostitutes. He joins her on the couch, facingher and laying his arm along the back. She can’t help that her eyes are drawnto his hands, the big palms and long fingers have her squeezing her legstogether as flashes of where she wants them flit through her mind.
It reallyhad been too long.
He watchesher do it with interest, and she thinks she sees him inhale deeply. The blue ofhis eyes darkens a few shades and when he speaks there’s a brand new husky notedeepening his voice. “There’s no agenda, love. And no rush. Why don’t you tellme about yourself? Perhaps it’ll help you relax?”
So he hadpicked up on her anxiety. Kind of embarrassing. She ducks her head, letting herhair shield her face, groping for something to say. He helps, asking gently,“How long have you been a vampire for?”
“Almost acentury,” she answers.
“And wherewere you turned?”
“MysticFalls, Virginia.”
He smiles,lets out a short laugh. “What I coincidence, so was I.”
Carolinenarrows her eyes, looking for a hint that he’s messing with her, “No way.”
“Yes way,”he echoes playfully. “Long before you, however. Before electricity and runningwater. Before it was really much of a town. I was there again, not quite acentury ago. Taking care of an old associate, ran into some old friends.Perhaps you knew them? Katerina Petrova and the Brother’s Salvatore.”
It’s beenmore than a lifetime since she’d last seen any of them, and she hadn’t thoughtof them in years. Still, hearing the names makes her freeze, a kick of fear landingdeep in her gut, breath catching in her throat. He shifts forward minutely, hisinterest obviously peaked. “I take it you are familiar,” he says, and it’s nota question.
“Toofamiliar,” she spits out, her hands balling into fists so hard it hurts.
“So you’dnot be upset,” he continues conversationally, “if I told you that I’d killedthem?”
Air comesout of her mouth in a rush, and she’s shocked at the relief she feels. She’sprobably a terrible person, but she finds she’s not even the slightest bit sad,not even about Stefan, who’d managed to be kind to her, once she’d turned. Buthe’d only done it for Elena, hadn’t cared much when Caroline was just anotherdefenseless human girl his brother was going to use up and throw away.
He’swatching her, his absorption plain, and Caroline shakes her head. “No,” shetells him finally. “No I wouldn’t be. And this is really not going how Ithought it would.”
The lastwas said under her breath, almost to herself, but he hears it. “And how did youthink this would go?” he wonders, with an air of genuine curiosity.
Carolineshifts. “I didn’t think small talk was going to happen, let alone deepconversation about murdered mutual acquaintances.”
He throwshis head back and laughs, “Well, such is the life of our kind.”
She findsherself smiling, and rolling her eyes. “Don’t let this ‘king’ guy hear you saythat. I’ve heard he’s kind of controlling. Picky about who gets murdered when.”
If anythinghe laughs just the slightest bit harder. “Oh, have you not met our esteemedking, then?”
Carolinewrinkles her nose. “No. I’m told it’s a you get summoned kind of deal. Show up,kiss the ring, or lose your head.”
“Ah, yes.He’s a bit temperamental, to be sure. But I’m sure you’ll be fine. Pretty thingthat you are. Perhaps you should mind your sharp tongue though, love. I find itdelightful, of course. But he might not be in the mood for it.”
Shesmothers a yawn with her hand, sinking further into the couch. “I might be introuble then. Mouthy is kind of my default setting.”
“You don’tsay?”
Caroline’stempted to throw a pillow at him, because he’s clearly once again mocking her, buthe reaches over, wraps a hand around her calve, and stretches her legs outacross his lap. His fingertips stroke the skin along her shin, occasionallytrickling up and tracing her knee. It feels nice, and she relaxes further.
She’sfighting to keep her eyes open, because what kind of person falls asleep on ahooker, but he makes a soft shushing noise. “Sleep, Caroline,” he urges. “Itwas very nice to meet you but I’m afraid you’re not in a fit state for thethings I’d like to do to you.”
She fightsit but between his touch and his low, coaxing tones she finds herself slippingaway, limbs going heavy.
Her lastthought before sleep claims her is that Gia was never going to let Carolineforget how unbelievably lame she was.
Caroline’s abruptlyawoken by a knocking at her front door. Her eyes dart around her apartment,confirming that she’s alone. She sits up, noting that she’s covered in the quiltfrom her bedroom, and there’s a pillow underneath her head. Her mouth’s alittle dry but there’s no headache or nausea (perk of vampirism) and she get toher feet without trouble.
Short termmemory loss brought on by her over imbibing would have been fantastic though. Carolinekind of wants to hide under the blankets until she desiccates remembering just whatshe’d done last night.
There’sanother knock, louder this time, and she can hear someone shifting outside.Looking down, she notes her robe’s askew so she unbelts it hurriedly and tiesit more firmly around her body before making her way to the door. She checksthe peephole, and the man on her welcome mat is familiar.
“Marcel?”she asks, once she throws it open. “What are you doing here?”
She’d methim once or twice, as he’d been the one to turn Gia and they’d remained goodfriends. She liked him, found him charming and easy to talk to, though shedetected a hint of something cunning underneath and had been careful not to betoo free with information about herself. At least until she knew him a littlebetter. He grins at her, keeping his eyes respectfully on her face, and holdsup a cream colored invitation. “Klaus is having a party tonight, wanted me toinvite the newest members of our little vampire community.”
Carolinetakes the envelope, rubbing the thick paper between her fingertips. “So I’vefinally been summoned, I guess?”
“Yep,” heconfirms easily. “But don’t worry, it’s just a formality. Gia’s vouched foryou, and Elijah takes her word seriously. And Elijah’s about the only personwho Klaus occasionally listens to. You’ll be fine. And I promise it’ll be ahell of a party.” Marcel takes a step back, without waiting for Caroline toreply. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She wavesas he leaves, tears into the invitation before she’s fully back inside theapartment. Scans it, notes the time and address. She’s surprised to find anote, scrawled by hand in neat, flowing script, at the bottom.
‘I look forward to officially making youracquaintance, Caroline. - K.M.’
Carolinesets it aside, puzzled at the personal touch. She’d been led to believe thatKlaus wasn’t the friendly type. That he kept a small circle of confidantes,mostly consisting of his family, and that he preferred those around him notincluded in it to speak only when spoken to.
But thenagain, Gia was her only point of reference and she wasn’t exactly fond of theguy. Apparently the nicest thing he’d ever said to her, in almost a century,was, ‘You’re slightly more tolerable then my brother’s last few brunetteobsessions,’ and had seemed to think it a great compliment. So basically, amega douche. Not the type to bother leaving notes of welcome to vampirenobodies like her.
She goes tothe fridge to pull out a blood bag, because maybe things would seem clearerwhen her gums no longer ached. Her phone’s sitting on the counter and she picksit up to charge, surprised to see she has a voicemail. And once she’s listenedto it she’d confused for an entirely different manner. She recognizes the voiceas the woman she’d spoken to last night in her drunken haze.
‘Good evening, Miss Forbes. We’d like toapologize that the meeting we arranged was not to your tastes. We prideourselves on the satisfaction of our clientele. Please feel free to give us acall if you’d like to arrange something else.’
Carolinelistens to the message three times, still at a loss for what exactly it’sabout. Eventually, she disconnects, plugging her phone in with a huff. Shechugs a portion of B+, not bothering to warm it up. This day’s too weirdalready, she decides, once she’s finished.
It’s nother usual style but she is still kind of tired. And a little extra beauty sleepnever hurt anyone.
She takes acab, gawks at the grand façade of the house the address on the invitation haddirected her too. She’s been in her share of mansions, even back when she’dbeen a human teenager partying at Mayor Lockwood’s house. But this one isgorgeous. White washed, tall columns on a big wraparound porch, several storieshigh and brightly lit. The door’s opened as soon as she steps onto the topstep. A man in a suit with a clipboard gives her a once over. “Name?” he asks,sounding bored.
She clearsher throat. “Caroline. Caroline Forbes.”
Recognitionlights his eyes, and he doesn’t even glance at his list. “Come right it. You’reexpected.”
She smilesher thanks, takes a shaky breath. She walks past him, takes a step to the left,in the direction she can hear music emanating from. But the door attendantclears his throat. “To the right, Miss. Third door down. Klaus wishes to speakwith you.”
Carolinehopes her gulp isn’t audible. She changes direction. Begins to ramble, becausethat’s what she does when she’s freaking out. “Probably wants reasonable doubtif he kills me, right? Can’t have me disappearing from his lordship’s party.”
She’smostly joking but the servant doesn’t crack a smile. Not exactly comforting. Hepoints again, “That way. Third…”
“Door down.Gotcha. Thanks.” Caroline throws her shoulders back, and keeps her chin up. Noreason to meet her possible doom like a coward. However, her steely countenancedoesn’t last long, once she crosses the threshold to the indicated room. “You!”she spits out, first laying eyes on her old absinthe pushing club friend. “Andyou,” she continues, more softly, a note of horror slipping in. Because theother man in the room is Nick. The man who’d been in her apartment last night.
AndCaroline’s not a stupid individual. She can do math better than most. One ofthese two men is the King of New Orleans, and she only hopes it’s not the onewho knew she’d hired a prostitute.
“My, my,”the darker haired man begins, with a leer at the length of her legs. “Such asmall world. Whatever was your name, darling? I’m afraid I didn’t catch it.Despite the fact that our last encounter was so… memorable.”
‘Nick’s’ face turns stony, “And how doyou know Caroline, Kol?”
Carolinewinces, as a puzzle piece snapped into place. If the dark haired man was Kol,the youngest of the Mikaelson brothers, that meant the other man was Klaus.
And wasn’tthat just her luck?
“Oh, youknow how it is, Brother. A girl and a boy and plenty of liquor. Hot bodies, aburning attraction. Things just happen.”
Carolinefeels her face twist in revulsion, and she lets out a scoff. “Funny, that’s nothow I remember it.”
He onlygrins, leans back on the sofa he’s sprawled on, setting his boots on the table.“Only joking. But perhaps fate is trying to tell us something. You look everybit as tasty as I remember.”
And then Klausis moving, almost faster than Caroline can catch, hauling his brother up out ofhis seat and shoving him towards the door. “Out, Kol. And mind your mannersamongst my guests.”
Kol makes ashow of brushing off his jacket, “Yes, of course. I’ll be on my very best behavior.”
SomehowCaroline doesn’t believe him. Kol leaves, slamming the door behind him, andCaroline’s left alone in the room with the last being on earth she wants tohave a conversation with. She looks anywhere but at him, trying to think of areason to excuse herself. It would be so much easier if she could fake anattack of cramps right now. He speaks solicitously, “Can I offer you a drink,Caroline?”
She shakesher head immediately, “No. Pretty sure I’m never, ever, drinking again.”
“Not on myaccount, I hope?” He sounds way too innocent and Caroline can’t help but lookat him, note that his dimples are on full display as he smirks at her.
And itmakes her so very angry.
“Is thisfunny to you?” she spits. “Are you getting off on my humiliation right now?Jesus. I heard you were a dick but come on.”
He sobersslightly, swirls the bourbon he’d helped himself to around the glass as hestudies her. “You weren’t exaggerating about mouthy, were you?”
Carolinesighs, crosses her arms in front of her, “Are you going to kill me?”
“Do youreally think that low of me?” he wonders, searching her features intently.
She refusesto squirm under the weight of his gaze. “Right now? Yeah, I kind of do.”
A low, “Hmm,”rumbles out of him, but he makes no further comment.
“Am Iexcused?” she asks, tone dripping with acid. “Your highness?”
Her plan isto leave. To walk out the door, back her bags, and get the hell out of NewOrleans. She’ll text Gia tomorrow, keep in touch. Maybe they can meet upsomewhere else. But Klaus thwarts her, “To enjoy the party? Feel free, love.Save me a dance.”
It’sphrased like a suggestion but Caroline hears the underlying steel of an order,loud and clear. She nods tightly, spinning on her heel, resisting the urge tostomp her way to the door.
God, shewas so freaking screwed.
It takes agreat deal of effort to walk into the party like nothing’s bothering her. Tosmile at Gia, accept compliments on her outfit (which was great, and such a shame that it was wasted on this) and liethrough her teeth that everything had gone perfectly fine. She’s finallyintroduced to Elijah, finds him a little stiff, but nice enough.
She firmlyturns down the Aunt Roberta that Kol had instructed the bartenders on how tomake, much to his disappointment, ignoring his taunt of, “But I remember youbeing much more fun, darling.” Her liver would survive it be she has no desireto go down that road again.
Klaussaunters into the room about ten minutes after she had and the buzz of thecrowd grows louder. People seem eager to talk to him, and he makes his wayaround the room, seemingly the consummate host. Caroline’s careful to be on theopposite side at all times, tracking his movements. She expects him to make amove, to corner her. She’s dreading it, knows can’t be rude to him in front ofall these people. That she’ll grit her teeth and act like she’s happy to speakto him, because as prideful as she is she’s self-preserving too. But Klausleaves her be and gradually Caroline relaxes.
And ofcourse that’s when he pounces.
There’s a tapto her shoulder and she turns automatically. Stills when she sees who it is. He’sadded a tie, since their private meeting, his collar neatly closed. Looks justas good in the perfectly tailored suit as he had dressed down, damn him. “MightI have this dance?” he asks, offering his arm.
The manCaroline had been talking too steps back immediately, eyes dropping to the floor.He’d been cute but the genuflecting was kind of a turn off, pretty much reducedhis attractiveness, in Caroline’s eyes, to almost zero. She hands him herglass, not bothering to say anything, and takes Klaus’ arm, letting herself beled on to the dance floor.
He sweepsher into the dance with a practiced motion, expertly leading in a way thatmelts her stiffness almost immediately, her body following his steps easily.She keeps her eyes averted, even when he murmurs, “I feel as though we’ve gottenoff on the wrong foot, love.”
“I don’tlike lies,” Caroline snaps.
He doesn’tseem to mind her anger, his reply even and calm. “I didn’t lie. You madecertain assumptions, I merely didn’t correct them.”
“Spokenlike a true liar.”
He’s silentfor a moment. “I suppose I am that. But I told you more truths then anythinglast night, Caroline.”
Her headsnaps to look at him, “Oh really?” she says incredulously. “You told me thetruth, Nick?”
“My givenname is, in fact, Niklaus. That was not a lie. And I was turned in Mystic Falls.And I did kill Katerina Petrova and the Salvatore brothers. And I do find yoursharp tongue delightful.”
Carolinelooks around, sees more than a few pairs of eyes looking their way. “I can’t getinto this with you, right now. There are too many people here.”
“An easyfix,” Klaus tells her mildly. He catches the bandleader’s eye, makes a slashingmotion with his hand. The music halts immediately and he raises his voice, “Everybodyout,” he orders. “Now.” There’s a few murmurs of confusion, but everyonedutifully makes their way to an exit.
“What?” shesputters in protest. “Klaus, you can’t just…”
But he’sgot a hand on her back, his palm warm against her skin, making her seriouslyregret the cropped top she’s wearing, ushering her in the opposite direction ofthe flood of people streaming from the house. “I can. You’ll find there’s notmuch I can’t do, love.”
He leadsher up a staircase, then another, and finally into a room, dominated by a hugedark wood bed frame. It’s unmistakably his private bedroom. Caroline wrenchesherself away from him, her earlier anger bubbling up once more, “Seriously? Couldyou be more presumptuous? Just because I was willing to sleep with you lastnight doesn’t mean I’m going to now.”
He shutsthe door, slipping off his jacket and tossing it aside. “I’d never presume,Caroline. But you didn’t want us to be overheard, correct? The bedrooms arespelled, making it the ideal place for this conversation.”
She throwsher hands up stalking away. “I don’t want to have this conversation! I want toforget I ever met you!”
“Hard todo,” Klaus counters far too reasonably, “when you live in my city.”
“Um, duh.Have you not been paying attention? Last night was a disaster. I made a totalass of myself. I’m moving. Immediately. I hear Seattle’s nice.”
“It’s not.It’s rainy and filled with werewolves.”
She letsout an aggravated noise, “Well as long as you’re not there I can deal.”
Klausspeeds several steps forward, until they’re toe to toe, her heels putting themat an even height. She refuses to back away, stands her ground and holds hisheated gaze. “No,” he says simply.
Carolinelets out a harsh, disbelieving laugh, “’No?’ No, what?”
“No, you’llnot be leaving.”
She feelsher jaw drop, “You take this king this really seriously, don’t you? But I’m notabout to kneel and accept you as my ruler, or whatever. And unless you’replanning on ripping my heart out I’ll be going.”
Carolinemoves to brush past him but he stops her with a hand on her throat. But it’snot a threat, his thumb softly stroking her wildly fluttering pulse. She bitesher lip, shocked at just how good his touch feels, “I’ve no plans to kill you,love. I find you far too intriguing. But perhaps I can persuade you that youwant to stay.”
And then hekisses her, before she can snarl something about that being impossible, andmake herself a liar in the process.
She’llcurse herself for it later but she doesn’t even think about not kissing himback, opening her mouth automatically under his onslaught and stroking into hismouth aggressively. He moans against her tongue, hands sliding down her body.He lifts her easily by her thighs, and she wraps them around his waist. Shebites down on his lower lip, ripping his shirt away and digging her nails intohis shoulders. He grinds their hips together, taking long strides forward anddropping her on his bed.
Klausstands over her, just beginning to pant, a ring of gold bright around his irises.His hands glide up her legs, shoving up her skirt and tearing her underwearaway. “This doesn’t mean I like you,” Caroline tells him, even as she wrigglesout of her top. “It’s not my fault that you’re stupidly hot.”
His eyesglitter, the twist of his mouth viciously pleased as he drops to his knees. “I’lltake the compliment, of course. But let’s see what I can do to change your mindabout the rest.”
She grabsthe bedding as his head ducks, closes her eyes and tries to keep her breathseven as his fingers part her folds. She’s waiting, body tense and jaw clenched,for the first touch of his tongue. But nothing happens, so her eyes pop openand glare down at him. Which seems to be what he was waiting for, as he raspshis tongue over her clit. Caroline swallows the moan that builds, her toescurling into the edge of the mattress.
It getsharder, as he slips two fingers into her, and licking becomes sucking. Her hipsstart to move, shoving up into his face one moment and trying to get away thenext, when it becomes almost too much. But Klaus stays with her, reading herbody’s cues perfectly, until her head’s thrashing and her skin’s slick with sweat.
Still, sherefuses to make any noise, even if she wants to beg him for more, unwilling togive him the satisfaction.
She’salmost there, her thighs shaking under the hands he’s pinned them with, ridingthe edge of something big.
And hestops. Pulls back and stands up, looming over her.
Her whimperof protest is mortifyingly loud. She’s reaching down to touch herself, knows it’llonly take a few circles of her fingers to get herself off. But Klaus is faster,catching her hands and crawling over her, pinning them over her head. He slantshis mouth over hers, and Caroline lets out another little moan, upon tastingherself on his tongue, hitching her thigh over his hip and rocking against him.
“Better,”he rumbles. “You can be angry with me Caroline. Because you think I deceived you.But don’t try to deny that you want this.”
She twistsher wrists, and Klaus lets go, lets her flip them over. Caroline shakes herhair out of her face, sitting up and reaching for the clasp of her bra. Sheflings in aside, and Klaus eyes drop to her breasts immediately. It’s a tinydistraction but she’ll take it, reaching between them and ripping off his belt.She slides down, rakes her nails down his torso, watches the red lines fade asshe tears open his pants. He helps her shove them down, groans, “Fuck, Caroline,”when she wraps her hand around his cock. She strokes him firmly, watches himclench his jaw and try not to force himself harder into her grip. She rises upslightly, straddles his hips and positions him where she’s dripping, “I thinkthis will go better if you don’t talk,” she tells him, before sinking down inone swift motion.
Klaus gasps,hands tight on her hips, before he rolls them again. He pulls out and thrustsback in, and Caroline’s back arches at the pleasure of it. But he stills,buried inside of her, circles his hips in a way that leaves her moaning at thefleeting pressure on her clit. She can barely focus on the words he rasps out, “Idon’t know, sweetheart. I think, under certain circumstances you’d very muchlike to listen to me talk. What if I told you about all the ways I want to fuckyou? How good you feel wrapped around my cock? How incredible you look, flushedand spread out on my bed? How I can’t wait to take you in yours?”
She opensher mouth to tell him to shut up again, but he begins moving, and the stranglednoise that comes out isn’t anything that resembles words. It’s a quick climb,given how worked up she’d been, and soon she’s clinging to him as her climaxtears through her. His motions turn erratic, rocking into her and chasing hisown high, his hips finally pinning hers as he shudders, her name a hoarse groanas he comes.
He rollsoff of her quickly and they both breathe harshly, staring at his ceiling.
Carolineswallows hard, turning her head slightly to look at him, “I still don’t likeyou,” she states. Just in case he thought one round of great sex was enough tosoften her.
Klaus seemsunbothered, “Few people do. I’ve mostly gotten over it.” A sly look crosses hisface, and she’s pulled across the bed, tucked underneath him, before she canblink. He props himself up on his elbows, staring down at her, “Have Iconvinced you to stay?”
She feelshim hardening against her thigh, feels her body heat in reaction, her arousalbuilding in response to the lean lines of him pressed against her. He must readher hesitance favorably, because his head lowers, mouth tracing her throat andmoving lower. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry, cataloguing her reactions,testing her with lips and tongue and teeth.
It’sdifferent, from the angry round of fucking they’d just finished, and she knowsthat’s dangerous. Because she has a sinking feeling that she could like him.Maybe. Someday. If he was a little more like the man who’d seemed to want toknow her last night.
He’shovering over her breasts, gently tracing a nipple with his thumb, when hespeaks again, “Well, Caroline?”
It takesher brain a moment to remember the question. She lifts a shoulder, feigningnonchalance. “I still don’t think I’ve found the best beignets, so…”
It seems tobe enough for Klaus, because he’s soon got his lips wrapped around her nippleand his hand between her thighs. And he might have been right about the dirtytalk thing.
Carolinestays the night. Has no regrets.
Makes himwait two months before she agrees to let him take her out for dinner.
about your "flower delivery" drabble: it was so good! i suspected as i read further that caroline knew the flowers were from klaus. would it be greedy to ask for a drabble showing what led to klaus & caroline falling for each other &/or a drabble where elena & bonnie find out who caroline's "secret admirer" is?
Ummm…it’s smut day, and I don’t really do smut. So this happened instead, and I hope you like it! It seemed like a nice way to cap off KC V-Day. This can be read as a part two to “Flower Delivery.”
Work Hazards || Klaroline
Panting, Caroline rolled off of Klaus to settle next to him on the bed. “Best Valentine’s ever,” she whispered, laughing hoarsely as she tried to catch her breath.
“No arguments here, love,” he said, pulling her closer. Their dinner had been wonderfully intimate, hidden inside her apartment. Secret rendezvous had their advantages, including the freedom to give into the game of footsie Caroline had started under the table. Klaus took that initiative and left their half-eaten pasta when he carried her to the bedroom.
“Like you’d know,” Caroline scoffed playfully. “I seem to remember several speeches over the commercialization of romance contributing to your hatred of relationships.”
Klaus placed a sweet kiss on her temple, smiling into her tousled hair. “I know that we’ve had this conversation before,” he answered. “You seemed to believe my change of heart then.
Late nights at the office were the norm for Caroline, always needing to clear her to-do list before heading home. Klaus usually had client meetings to maintain a steady stream of investors for the company, so she was surprised to find his office still alight.
“Klaus,” she called, noting the executive suite was otherwise deserted. “I hope it’s you in there, because this place looks post-apocalyptic in the dark.”
“No zombies coming for you, love,” Klaus said, waving for her to enter when she reached his doorway. He tossed a notebook on his desk, giving her the full force of his attentive smirk. “You’re here late.”
“Look who’s talking,” she countered with a smile. “Big project I should know about?”
Actually looking sheepish, Klaus glanced down. “Hiding from my sister,” he admitted. “I begged off a double date she set me up with, and I wouldn’t put it past her to call my office.”
“To check if you’re really working,” Caroline asked, incredulous. “That’s cute. You’re scared of your sister.”
“I’m not scared of her,” Klaus clarified, expression darkening. “Bekah’s just a bit petulant when we don’t blindly follow her instructions for life.”
Caroline nodded, pouring them both a drink from Klaus’s personal stash. “Hence the date?”
“A friend of hers that I would just adore,” he said mockingly, accepting the glass Caroline handed him. “She thinks I need a wife.”
“Do you,” Caroline asked with a teasing smile. She sat across from him, but leaned back to place her feet on his desk as she sipped her own drink. “I’ve never seen you with the same woman twice.”
Klaus shrugged. “Why bother with a relationship when I know it’s not the right woman,” he mused.
Frowning, Caroline narrowed her eyes at him. “You say that like you already have someone in mind,” she accused.
“Don’t I, sweetheart?”
Eyes wide, Caroline gripped her glass. “Klaus-”
“You never did take me up on that dinner invitation,” he pointed out, remembering his dogged persistence in asking her out when she started working for the company years earlier.
Rolling her eyes, Caroline felt on familiar ground. “Because dating the boss is always such a good way to start a new job,” she said, looking down at her glass. “You haven’t brought that up in a while.”
“Just biding my time, love,” he answered.
She glanced back up, only to find his expression so soft and focused entirely on her. He had all but admitted that he only wanted a relationship with her. “We work together,” she said, coughing delicately as she righted herself in the chair. “You’re technically my boss.”
“And I’d really like to take you to dinner,” he said, unconcerned. “What do you say?”
Her tongue dragged across her lips unconsciously, and she quickly finished her drink with a final gulp. She dropped her glass on the desk as she stood.
Worried he had pushed too far, Klaus tried to backpedal. “Caroli-”
Rather than storm out like she feared, though, Caroline just walked around his desk to kiss him in his chair. Nearly four years of unresolved tension had Caroline straddling him quickly, the kiss taking on a life of its own as Klaus finally processed and reciprocated.
Pulling back, Caroline licked her lips again. “Maybe,” she panted, “we should keep this between us. For a while, at least.”
Nodding, Klaus stole another kiss. “Fine with me,” he whispered against her lips. “I just want you.”
Caroline shrugged against him, peppering kisses on his neck and shoulder. “Honestly, I still wasn’t sure you wanted a relationship with me,” she said.
Frowning, Klaus pulled away to look at her. “And you still let me take you home that night?”
“What can I say,” she teased, rubbing her nose against his. “You were really cute, hiding from your baby sister.”
Biting his lip to keep from smiling, Klaus shifted to tickle her waist. “That’s it,” he muttered. “You asked for it.”
Laughing, Caroline squirmed out of his reach until she could catch his lips with hers. Resting her forehead against his, she beamed up at him. “I love you,” she whispered, a bit hesitant.
Klaus paused, his expression of shock melting into a shy grin. “I love you, too,” he whispered back. Frowning again, though, he tenderly stroked her hip with his thumb. “Does that mean we can go public now?”
Pressing a kiss to his nose, Caroline giggled. “It really bothered you that Bonnie and Elena sent the flowers, didn’t it,” she asked. “You just want people to know I’m yours.”
“I just want you,” he corrected. “Though, it would be nice for others to know you’re spoken for.”
“Would it make you happy,” she asked softly, watching him carefully.
“You make me happy,” he answered shyly. For someone so shamelessly naked in her bed, Klaus Mikaelson was a big softie when it came to real emotions. “I don’t want to hide that anymore.”
“Okay.”
Klaus looked up, looking positively shellshocked. “Really?”
“Really,” she affirmed, happily accepting his immediate kiss. They took a breath, and Caroline smiled widely. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Klaus.”
hey hun! your giftee here... for some reason my gift hasn't been posted on AO3 yet so I figured I'm just gonna send you the link.. I don't want you to think I didn't get you something. hope you like it! www(.)vimeo(.)com/155263319
AMAGAD! That was amazing, I love it so much! Thank you!!!!!!!
Seriously, the editing was incredible and I love the voiceover and song choice.
Thanks also for sending this message, I was starting to feel a bit like a wallflower there! :D
I’ve been writing a lot of angst lately, so here’s some Klaroline texting fluff. Totally goofy and lighthearted with slight Cami shade. Happy KCVDAY! Enjoy. :)
Also here: (FF.net)
xx Ashlee Bree
Klaus-Riddled with a Capital “F”
—Saturday 12: 48 A.M.
Klaus: F is for…?
(12: 50 A.M.)
Klaus: F is for…?
(12:51 A.M.)
Klaus: ?
Klaus: ??
Klaus: ???
Klaus: ????
(12:52 A.M.)
Klaus: *sobbing emoji*
Caroline: OMG you’re infuriating! WHAT.
Klaus: I know you are, but what am I? ;)
Caroline: FREAKING FRUSTRATING!!!
(12: 53 A.M.)
Klaus: Good guess, but nope. Care to try again, love? *cheeky emoji*
Caroline: *glaring emoji* x 3
Klaus: F is for…?
(12:55 A.M.)
Klaus: Do you want a hint?
Caroline: No.
Klaus: That’s my girl.
Caroline: I want you to leave me alone.
(12:56 A.M.)
Klaus: Impossible. I cannot do that, sorry.
Caroline: You’re not sorry.
Klaus: Astute, very astute. That’s what I like about you. *kissy emoji*
(12:58 A.M.)
Caroline:“Bugger off” or whatever it is you Brits say.
Klaus: No hablo inglés.
Caroline: Soy fluente en español, también, señor. ¡Y estoy enojada y pesada!
Klaus: ¡Qué magnifíco! Disgruntled, irritated Caroline is one of my favorites…en culaquiera lengua.
(12:59 A.M.)
Caroline: ¡Imposible! *dejected emoji*
(1:00 A.M.)
Klaus: *heart emoji* *heart emoji* *heart emoji*
Caroline: I hate you right now.
Klaus: Mmm. Sass me, baby, and sass me good…*devil emoji*
(1:15 A.M.)
Klaus: [inserts YouTube link for “Talk Dirty” music video by Jason Derulo]
Caroline: GO AWAY.
Klaus: Never.
(1:16 A.M.)
Caroline: Officially ignoring you now.
Klaus: *frowning emoji*
Klaus: I never did anything to deserve such ignorance.
(1:17 A.M.)
Caroline: Excuse me? You’re joking—please tell me you’re joking.
Klaus: I am not.
Caroline: *laughing emoji* *applause emoji*
(1:20 A.M.)
Klaus: Ah, I see.
Caroline: What?
Klaus: You’ve reverted back to denial.
Caroline: Huh?
(1:21 A.M.)
Caroline: What in the hell are you talking about? Denial about what?
(1:29 A.M.)
Caroline: Klaus?
(1:35 A.M.)
Caroline: Hello?
(1:59 A.M.)
Caroline: Just FYI: you’re annoying.
—Monday, 2:56 A.M.
Klaus: “…When you sleep/ I will creep into your thoughts/ like a bad debt/ that you can’t pay/ take the easy way/ and give in…
Klaus: “The more you ignore me/ the closer I get. You’re wasting your time/ The more you ignore me/ the closer I get…”—Morrissey
—Tuesday, 11:38 P.M.
Klaus: F is for…?
Caroline: You’re funny.
(11:39 P.M.)
Klaus: Who’s trying to be funny?
Caroline: It won’t work, Klaus. Not tonight.
Klaus: Just answer the question.
Caroline: I don’t have time for this.
(11:40 P.M.)
Klaus: Sure you do. All I’m asking is for you to answer a simple question, to complete an unfinished sentence. It’s not that hard. Please?
Caroline: Oh, really? Is that all?
Caroline: Let me think. How about…
(11:41 P.M.)
Caroline: …NO. *winky emoji*
(11:45 P.M.)
Klaus: You’re just afraid to guess wrong.
Caroline: Am not!
Klaus: Prove me wrong, then…
(11:47 P.M.)
Caroline: Look, I’m busy. It’s getting late and I’m swamped. College is more important than solving hybrid riddles, okay?
Klaus: *thumbs down emoji*
(11:49 P.M.)
Klaus: Where’s your spontaneity?
Caroline: I don’t have any.
Klaus: I beg to differ, sweetheart. I beg to differ…
(11:52 P.M.)
Klaus: If I close my eyes, I can almost taste the honey redness of your blood against my tongue…
(11:53 P.M.)
Klaus: …I can almost feel the silky curves of your skin as I unbutton you with my quivering, passionate lips and expose you to the moonlight of my body…
(11:54 P.M.)
Klaus: …I can almost hear the soft purr in your chest as the leaves envelop us in Fate’s blanket, see the disgust in your eyes dissolve; and instead, sparkle—glisten—engorge with ecstasy.
(11:55 P.M.)
Klaus: If I close my eyes, your heart still hums and thrums against my bare chest, pattering in arrhythmias too pronounced to be mistaken…
Klaus: …because you want more, because you want me.
(11:56 P.M.)
Klaus: Blushing yet?
Caroline: Ha!
(11:57 P.M.)
Caroline: What was that? Oh, it was the sound of me scoffing through the phone.
Klaus: Pretty good though, right?
Caroline: Smooth.
(12:00 A.M.)
Klaus: Damn, I was going for poetic. :-( :-(
Caroline: lol
Caroline: Crap—crap. Okay, seriously, stop trying to distract me! I have to go now.
(12:01 A.M.)
Klaus: *heartbroken emoji* x3
(12:03 A.M.)
Caroline: Stop. You can’t make me feel guilty for picking homework over texting. I don’t have time for you.
Klaus: *sobbing emoji* x10
Klaus: You know just how to cut a man, don’t you? #Heartless #Heartbreaker #BeStillMyStakedHeart
(12:07 A.M.)
Caroline: Dramatic much? lol
Caroline: #YouWillLive
Caroline: (You have no choice—you can’t die!)
(12:10 A.M.)
Klaus: Not true. I could die of boredom. How would you like to be responsible for that?
Caroline: Goodnight, Klaus.
(12:15 A.M.)
Klaus: Hm?
(12:20 A.M.)
Klaus: Hmmm?
(12:25 A.M.)
Klaus: You can’t leave me to die in a ditch of boredom, Caroline. It’s cruel and insensitive. Where is your big, beautiful soulllllll?
(12:31 A.M.)
Klaus: *music note emoji* Why can’t you be my sunshine on this cloudy dayyyy. When it’s cold outside and I’m in such dismayyy. *music note emoji*
(12:32 A.M.)
Caroline: OMG! Isn’t there anyone in New Orleans you can annoy?
Klaus: Nope.
(12:33 A.M.)
Caroline: No one? No one at all?
Klaus: Nope.
Caroline: You know, somehow I find that incredibly hard to believe…
(12:34 A.M.)
Klaus: There is this one bartender…
Caroline: Good! Great! Go and bug him while I study. Great idea! *thumbs up emoji*
Klaus: She’s pretty.
Caroline: Who is?
(12:35 A.M.)
Klaus: Cami. Tall, blond, long legs. Sensuous lectures.
Caroline: Who in the hell is Cami?
Klaus: The bartender. She prattles on a little too freely about psychology, mind you, but there’s something pleasant about her face. Understated, pensive…and she reveres me like a king. Always absolving me from my past atrocities. It’s wonderful.
Caroline: *eye roll emoji*
Caroline: She sounds like an idiot. “Absolving” you…pfft! You can’t be absolved!
(12:36 A.M.)
Klaus: It makes me feel better!
Caroline: Then you’re an idiot, too.
Klaus: *glaring emoji*
Caroline: Please tell me you’re not dating this chick?
(12:45 A.M)
Klaus: What does it matter to you?
Caroline: Are you?
(12:57 A.M.)
Caroline: ???
Klaus: You’re in Virginia; I’m in Louisiana. Sorry, but you can’t prevent me from dating potentially-idiotic bartenders, Caroline.
Caroline: Seriously, are you?
(12:59)
Klaus: Why do you care?
Caroline: Because I do, dammit! Because I wanna know!
(1:01 A.M.)
Caroline: KLAUS.
(1:16 A.M.)
Caroline: KLAUSSSS.
(1:23 A.M.)
Caroline: I’m just trying to be a good friend here, why won’t you answer me?
(1:25 A.M.)
Caroline: You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?
(1:33 A.M.)
Caroline: I know you’re still awake. You’re probably sitting somewhere sipping bourbon and scrolling through my messages all smug, thinking to yourself, “I’ve got Caroline on the hook;” “She’s dyinggg to know.”
Caroline: Fine. Think it. Go and twirl your half-twit little psychology bartender around New Orleans, see if I care.
(1:42 A.M.)
Caroline: Asshole.
(2:15 A.M.)
Caroline: You can do better than her—than Cami, I mean.
(2:16 A.M.)
Klaus: I know. ;)
Caroline: SERIOUSLY? Now you respond?
Klaus: *angel halo emoji*
—Wednesday 8:45 A.M.
Caroline: You freaking suck, you know that?
Klaus: When you speak to me like that, I find myself wanting to bow in surrender. *heart eyes emoji*
Klaus: What have I done to offend, Queen Caroline?
Caroline: You’re in my damn head! F is for…f is for…f is for…Blah!
Klaus: Ah—I see. Did you finally work out the riddle?
Caroline: Umm…NO.
(8:46 A.M)
Caroline: Why in the hell do you think I’m texting you? Not knowing is driving me nuts! *dejected emoji*
Klaus: Haha
Klaus: Well, what do you think it means?
Caroline: Friends? Fun? Flipping the switch? Follow your feet? Feel, feel, feel?
(8:47 A.M.)
Klaus: Although I find your use of alliteration immensely entertaining and impressive, no. Try again.
Caroline: F is for…flimsy flirting? I don’t know!
Klaus: *laughing emoji*
Caroline: Tell me that’s not it!
(8:50 A.M.)
Caroline: Klaus?
(8:55 A.M.)
Caroline: I swear, if this whole “riddle” thing is about flirting, 1) Unkillable or not, you will die. 2) You will pay for the lack-of-beauty-sleep bags under my eyes. 3) For the love of God, my sanity, and your dignity, find a new form. Puh-leaseeeee!
(8:57 A.M.)
Caroline: I can’t guess anymore.
Caroline: I’m too impatient, just tell me. Please, please, please!
Caroline: Pretty please with a thousand hybrid cherries on top? *cheeky emoji* *prayer hands emoji*
(9:00 A.M.)
Klaus: (…is typing…)
(9:04 A.M)
Caroline: How much longer are you going to keep me in suspense?
(9:05 A.M.)
Klaus: Forever.
(9:06 A.M.)
Caroline: Rude!
Klaus: *embarrassed emoji* No, no—you misunderstood haha.
(9:07 A.M.)
Caroline: Explain? #ConfusedCaroline
Klaus: #PrepareYourself
Caroline: #BornReady
(9:08 A.M.)
Klaus: F is for forever—
Klaus: —because that’s how long I’ll be here for you.
