[Caroline's POV]
The blood is pulsing through my veins. It rushes with every human I see, and there are millions! Crawling around the world, some packing thousands into concert halls and bars, special events. I. Have. To. Avoid. Mankind. I have to avoid mankind! And, well… two fleshy humans are standing right in front of me. My friends. As long as I have a pure motive I won't go reducing them to death. I sip my 'milkshake' I ordered from first, a shabby cafe, then the hospital. I can't go without it. It's holding me together.
"Hey! How are you going?' I ask them.
"Good." Bonnie shrugs. "Not much on, I mean--"
Elena interrupts her, speaking in a moody tone, "I've been better."
She locks eyes with me. Does she know who I am? I mean, I've been meaning to tell them, just… not now. I'm still new to this. Evidently.
"Is it those boys…?" My eyes dart left and right, eventually settling back on her solid face.
"Yeah, that's it." She barges past Bonnie and links arms with me, dragging me aside. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
"You're a vampire!" She whispers, tone filthy. "You could eat us to smithereens. What is wrong with you?!" Her breath is rising and falling rapidly and I take another sip, because with this movement comes her neck. I can feel the lines tattooing themselves under my eyelids. The teeth are forming, not immediate, but I can sense the gaps widening and the canines spurting free. I turn away. It's gone. A sigh of relief is released instead.
"How did you find out?" My voice is meek and shaky.
"Those boys, Caroline! They told me. Why won't you admit it?" She swivels out in front of me so fast that I nearly fall down. I vampire speed backwards, so I'm up against the nearest wall. She's superior and I'm inferior. How did that ever come to happen?
"I was going to tell you. Stefan found out first, taught me a few nifty things. He told his brother and we swore to secrecy, but the cat got out of the bag. They're addicted to you, Elena!" I shift the conversation, "Pick one and be done with it." Her mouth is agape, eyes wide, face stunned in shock. I continue. "I know it all. Stefan's kissed you, Damon's kissed you, they've shared their personal struggles and life stories. He's spoken of countless times where he saw a future with you in it, but understands that Damon's always getting the better of you. I'll say it again. Pick one and be done with it." I stand up on the spot, ready to race out. I do, thank goodness, before she can even process it.
"Caroline!" I hear her exclaim when she does, "Tell me more!" She sighs in disappointment, as if all her hopes and dreams have been crushed. I'm now at home, which I can't tell if it's safe and sound anymore, all thanks to me.
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[Time skip to that night]
I've locked myself in my room for ages, leaning against the wall in a frazzled panic. I can't be let out, because civilisation isn't ready for mass murders committed by yours truly. It's all getting to my head, so I drink my favourite remedy to relax me. I would never have thought of it like this before. It would've just been a helpful hospital tool or something that just runs through my veins. Veins. Frickin' vampire urges! I race over to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror, at the horrible creature I am. Apparently Stefan tells me that I'm great at this, that I handle it like a pro. Sure I do, but not when I'm alone. My eyes are blinking with water, lower eyelid just waiting for me to see blood. Ready to unleash the monster. The window is wide open, a cold chill blasting to knock my senses for dead. A paper plane is shot through there, I find, for it hits me in the leg. I wince and pick it up, going to my bedroom as my eyes follow the neat writing.
I know it's hard for you. I fitted right in, not to brag, but you're beautiful and need time to process it all. Remember that business card? That might help. Anyway, I'll be waiting for you. Dress code is formal. You'll upset my family otherwise.
Klaus.
Well, shit. My vulnerability is his way to pounce on me. I did have a good time with him the other day, but I barely know him. We clicked, dammit! I guess that means something. I grasp the note in my sweaty hands. It seems so… genuine, but everything is conflicted, because I feel like he's hiding something big inside. Something deep. Something consuming. Well, there's only one way to find out. I slip on a plain white dress with flats and vamp speed my way there, for I can sense a barrage of rain coming.
[Klaus' POV]
I'm pretty sure she bought it. I wait in anticipation as my other siblings scurry around the house, Elijah and Rebekah sticking by me for whatever reason.
"So, who's this girl?" Rebekah asks, sitting next to me.
"Why do you need to know?" I scowl back, "Because I could ask the same question about all the guys you end up meeting, like…"
"Don't even say it!"
"He meant Marcel." Elijah smirks, "But that's over, because…" He's interrupted by the doorbell chiming.
"Don't stuff this up!" I put on my nasty voice, which is surprisingly easy to manage, for they smile and usher me ahead. "Hello, love." I say as I open the door, viewing her drenched body. She must've gotten caught in the storm and she's shivering. Poor thing.
"Hello!" Her body shakes some more and she rubs her hands together, "Can I come in?"
I almost forgot about the golden rule. "Of course, love." She releases a sigh of relief and follows from behind. I show her to one of the empty bathrooms because the coldness is becoming unbearable. "You can help yourself in here. I'm sure you'll be able to borrow some of Rebekah's cloth--���
"No chance in hell!" I hear her yell.
I turn my head away from Caroline. "Why not?!"
"My clothes are designer, of course. We aren't letting--"
"I get it!" I screech at Rebekah. After that, I focus my attention back to Caroline. "Alright, alright. We'll work something out."
"Ok." She responds, quiet and soft. I can feel her breath near my face. It's short and overcome by this frozen feeling. She seems to like it, standing there by me, breathing. It's peaceful. She stares into my hybrid eyes and I glint back at her raindrop-like ones. "I better clean up." She says after a while and I concede. I've got to make her happy ahead of time. I head back into the living room, hiding away how bedazzled I just felt.
"Niklaus!" Elijah beams with that particular accent that warps my name, "How was she?"
"A little cold." Is all I say, smirking.
"Well, that's depressing!" Rebekah exclaims, "And why did you even think of letting that girl borrow my clothes?!"
"She needed something…"
"Trying to impress her?" I hear a voice from a distance. It's a man, hanging by the railing. Damn. It's my idiot brother Kol.
"Whatever does it mean to you, Kol? Now why don't you all buzz off before I grab a dagger and stab you!"
"Niklaus…" Elijiah sighs. I give him a death glare, and they all depart. Thank the lord. I recline in a lounge by the fire and Caroline joins me. She changed her clothes somehow, for they are pajamas, which, note to self, look fabulous, and completely dry. She watches me as I'm gobsmacked, and she quizzically stares.
"I brought these, and I used your fancy dryer right across the hall."
I laugh with heart. It's quite surprising. I've never really felt full of this before, but she makes me feel it. I cuddle up close to her and I stroke her hair. We relax for a while, and eventually, her eyes are resting in a position of weariness.
"Do you want me to take you home?" I yawn.
"No, it's ok…" She yawns back, squeezing my hand.
I wince a little because she grips it too tight. Surprising. I shouldn't be affected, I'm a goddamn almighty Original! Anyway, now we know that her strength is quite good for an amateur.
"I'm sorry..." She sits up, "I'm not that good at this. My physical capabilities have been enhanced by a million, same for, well, the whole vampire thing…"
"It's ok, love. You'll be just perfect in time!"
[Caroline's POV]
"It's ok, love." He says with a vibrant smile, "You'll be just perfect in time!"
I can't help but beam. Why is he so supportive? I wouldn't know if the world forced it upon me. His mystery is available to no one.
"Well, thanks, Klaus." I say back in affirmity, "I better go, it's getting dark." The sky was growing starry and magnificent, and I was going to soak myself for sure! I told him that, but he wouldn't let me go. When his grip did loosen, I sped to the door, hand ready to unlatch. He speeds in front.
"You know what?" His accent shines, "Don't go." His eyes are pleading. "Our family is a blast. Stay a while and loosen up, because sometimes you are so--"
"What?" My voice bleeds with control, almost anger.
"Wound up. Take a break from keeping everyone in check." His fingers rest at my forehead, "This house doesn't need order." And before I can even move a muscle he does the unthinkable. Only at the cheek, but still. Unthinkable.
I guess this house doesn't need order after all. It only needs me, and him. Caroline and Klaus. And I suppose his irrelevant, chaotic siblings.
"So, what do you say?" His smile is more radiant than ever, accent more soothing. I have to wait and think. "I can tell you want me. Emotions are heightened, remember?" He taps a finger at his forehead, smirking.
"Fine!" I joke back, stumbling over to the couch. We sit, chat and gossip for hours until sleep finally overcomes me. I can still feel his breath, his hands at my hair. A little creepy but just perfect all the same.