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It was almost too easy for the Mikaelsons to situate themselves into Caroline's life.
One day she knew nothing of them, and then the next they were setting up camp in Mystic Falls, every single one of them buzzing around her incessantly like bees. Caroline wasn't even sure how they transitioned so seamlessly into her days, but they did, filling up a Mikaelson shaped hole in her life she didn't even know was there. She knew too that she should probably be wary, maybe a little pissed, like Bonnie, or maybe even suspended in disbelief like Elena.
It was kind of hard to be upset about it though, not when they were all such fantastic kissers.
*
Rebekah was first, and that only surprised Caroline because she figured Rebekah liked her the least.
She knew all about the looks, of course, the blazing kind of fire that was always burning in Rebekah's eyes whenever she looked at her, but Caroline had half convinced herself that was all it would ever amount to. Just Rebekah staring at her from across the room, not knowing whether she wanted to kiss her or kill her.
Then she made up her mind one afternoon.
They were arguing about something, because they were never not arguing about something, and Caroline had said something like "Okay just because you're fifty thousand years old-" exaggerating as usual, and never at the right times, "-doesn't mean that you're any better at this than me. In fact it should make you worse. You've like only just learnt how to use emojis in your texts! But me? I have a gif keyboard installed, and I can copy paste things on the computer with keyboard shortcuts instead of having to use right click like an elderly person, so if anyone's the expert here it's clearly me-"
Whatever dumb thing Caroline was going to say next gets pushed back into her mouth when Rebekah suddenly leapt forward. For a second Caroline braced for the familiar feeling of having her neck snapped again, but Rebekah, against all expectations, kissed her instead.
She just grabbed both sides of Caroline's face and then smashed her mouth onto hers. It was rough, and shocked her into stillness, and it hurt. But then Caroline decided to channel her anger into the kiss instead, because even though she couldn't talk, that didn't mean she couldn't still argue. So she pushed back, slanting her mouth against Rebekah's properly and then turning so that she had Rebekah pressed into the wall.
Apparently, Rebekah hadn't expected it. If she had, Caroline was sure she would've never let her take charge like that.
She's proved right when a moment later Rebekah flashed them over to the bookcase, Caroline's back slamming into the shelves and knocking books everywhere. Caroline's response was to move her hands up to Rebekah's hair and tug. That, paired with the way she bit down onto Rebekah's lip, had the Original snarling into the kiss, gripping Caroline's waist with a strength that was sure to leave bruises, before pushing her even harder against the shelves.
Caroline never knew that kissing could be like that, so similar to fighting. She was pretty sure they still were, actually. Only instead of scoffing and rolling her eyes dismissively, Rebekah instead dug her fingers into Caroline's hip and kissed her so hard she drew blood. And Caroline, instead of giving fake smiles and poorly disguised barbs, fought back by taking control of the kiss whenever Rebekah got too distracted to remain dominant, relishing in the frustrated noise Rebekah would make in the back of her throat whenever she remembered she wanted to be in charge.
Eventually, it wasn't much of a kiss anymore, and just turned into furious making out. Not that Caroline really minded, though she was vaguely aware she was definitely going to have to clean up the mess they made when they were done.
"Caroline," Rebekah said eventually, sounding as breathless as Caroline felt, "awful technique. Five out of ten."
Caroline was so dazed Rebekah's words didn't register for a good long minute. It wasn't until Rebekah was already halfway out the door and walking away from her that she came to her senses and screeched, "Five?! That was at least an eight and a half you ungrateful bitch!" loud enough for anyone within a two mile radius to hear.
*
Caroline had expected them to leave within the week, at first. The curse was broken, so there wasn't exactly a good reason for them to stay in town, but then for some reason the hybrid army Klaus was trying to start wasn't really working out, so they stayed while they tried to figure out what was wrong.
(Obviously, she knew part of it was also that they were reluctant to leave her, but part of her still hated thinking about that for too long, so she didn't.)
Elena came back into the equation then, much to everyone's displeasure. But that problem had been more or less dealt with, and quite quickly too. Klaus needed her alive now, so at least they were all assured he wouldn't suddenly go and decide to murder her on a whim. So what if Elena had to 'donate' a bit of blood every once a while? Caroline thought it was a small price to pay, everything considered.
So, Klaus got his hybrids, Elena got to keep continue being alive, and in celebration, Tyler decided to throw a party at his house.
Everyone was there. And by everyone, Caroline meant everyone. Bonnie and Elena were off in their own corner, whispering semi frantically about something serious, something about the Salvatores if Bonnie's pointed and not so sneaky glances were anything to go by. Damon and Stefan were having their own conversation, and Caroline gathered it was as unpleasant as the frown on Stefan's face looked. After having seen that, she decided she wanted none of it. None of whatever drama Elena had brewing, none of Stefan's gloomy moods, and certainly none of whatever mess Damon had decided to drag their way, so she pushed through the crowd and headed for the kitchen.
She was hoping for alcohol, and lots of it, and hopefully no one there to question the amount she'd be drinking. What she found instead was Kol, leaning against the kitchen island, smiling slow and easy at her through his sunglasses.
"Sunglasses? Really?" Caroline couldn't help but ask. "We're inside."
Kol lowered his sunglasses until they were perched on the tip of his nose, just enough for her to catch the not so subtle gaze he was directing her way. "Makes me look mysterious, and just a touch more dashing, don't you agree?"
Caroline scoffed as she snatched one of the vodka bottles from behind him. "I don't think it's working as well as you think it is."
She decided she really wasn't in the right headspace to deal with Kol either, so didn't bother with continuing conversation, instead popping the cap off the vodka bottle and lifting it to her lips. She was practically chugging it, and ignored the burn as it slid down her throat, as well as the appreciative noise Kol made.
"Drinking your troubles away, darling?" He asked, curious, but not concerned.
She shrugged, not entirely sure what she was feeling. "Not exactly. I'm just kind of... I don't know, waiting for the other shoe to drop? Things have been going kind of smoothly, and things are never going smoothly, so I'm a little suspicious, and being suspicious means I cannot enjoy this party whatsoever, even though I really want to. So I'm trying to drink until I'm distracted enough that I'm not really thinking about anything anymore, and then I can be fun, reckless Caroline again. I've missed being fun, reckless Caroline."
She brought the bottle to her mouth, about to take another swig, when Kol suddenly flashed in front of her. Momentarily surprised, Kol was able to take the bottle from her hand, where he then tossed it carelessly at the wall, the sound of glass shattering bringing Caroline out of her brief shock.
"Kol, what-"
Then he was grinning, one hand resting on the counter behind her, the other placed gently on her waist. He'd effectively boxed her in, pressed in until she had no choice but to look up at his eyes, that were now sans sunglasses and openly admiring her.
"If it's a distraction you want, I can give you that."
He gave her just enough time to attempt an escape, or to push him away, but when she did nothing more than blink up at him, he leaned down to capture her lips in a tentative kiss.
Caroline gasped a little, because she would not have expected Kol of all people to be gentle, but then she started to kiss him back and that's when he decided to kick things up a notch. Lips still firmly attached, he hoisted Caroline up onto the counter with no warning, so that she was sitting and he was positioned comfortably between her legs. Caroline's arms automatically ended up around his neck, her legs wrapping around him almost by instinct, the sudden movement jostling her into latching onto him.
He kissed her languidly, like he was savouring every moment. Caroline found herself at a bit of a loss, she was much more used to hard and fast, and couldn't help but whine impatiently when all he did was take his time. He laughed into her mouth, and Caroline thought about whether it would be a good idea to bite him or not, before she felt one of his hands start to slide up her shirt.
"Kol." She hissed, as his fingers reached the clasp of her bra.
Caroline wasn't really sure if that was a Kol, no or a Kol, yes, but he seemed to make the decision for her when his hand retracted. Caroline almost thought she was a little disappointed, but then she realised his other hand was making its way up her thigh and slowly disappearing up her dress.
All the while, he was still kissing her, still achingly slow and driving her crazy. But as much as she wanted to speed things up, to get things more heated, more intense, she was enjoying it too. She liked how thorough he was, how he kissed her like they had all the time in the world. It made her dizzy, in a good way, and was actually doing a pretty good job at chasing away the weird mood she'd found herself in since earlier in the night.
Just as she was beginning to think, okay, yeah, she was totally going to let him fuck her right there on Mrs. Lockwood's granite countertop, he pulled back. Pupils somewhat blown, breaths heavy, he grinned unabashedly at her. "That distracting enough for you, Sweet Caroline?"
Caroline huffed. "Not nearly enough, actually."
Kol only chuckled, and when Caroline was about to say enough and just drag him back down for another kiss, he winked at her before disappearing through the door. Caroline could only gape at his exit, hearing his cackling echoing through the halls as he fled. He knew exactly what he was doing to her, and left her pent up and frustrated, very much on purpose.
The last thought Caroline had before storming out the kitchen was that she was definitely going to get him back for this.
*
"Welcome to our home." Elijah said, as he invited Caroline inside.
She could only silently follow after, mouth open in awe as she took in her surroundings. "This is a mansion."
Elijah smiled, a little proud.
Caroline hadn't been sure what to expect when she'd received an invitation to their home, but she wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to tour the Mikaelson house. Though it definitely wasn't just a house. Mansion didn't even seem to do it justice. Caroline's eyes darted around frantically as she tried to take everything in. From the expensive rugs to the tasteful paintings to the giant, glittering, hanging chandelier.
At first she simply let Elijah show her around, oohing and ahing at the right places, but once he'd lead them into the kitchen, Caroline stopped.
"I know this really nice chocolate cake recipe..." Caroline said, a question in her eyes.
The second she'd set eyes on the oven, she knew she wanted, no needed to bake here. When Caroline was eight and fantasising about the kind of life she'd be leading as an adult, the picture always included a nice, big kitchen, and the perfect oven for baking. Housewife Caroline was a dream that she'd thrown away the moment she became a vampire, knowing that she could never be that image of a mother, apron on and whisk in hand. But as she stood in front of what could only be described as her dream kitchen, she wanted so badly to make the dream come true, even if just for a moment.
Elijah was surprisingly okay with the idea of simply spending an afternoon baking with her. She was surprised to learn that he was even kind of a natural in the kitchen, as if he'd been cooking his entire life.
She didn't start crying until the cake was in the oven and she was standing there, in an apron that she couldn't believe the Mikaelsons even had, whisk in one hand, the other on her hip, flour and cocoa in the air, and sticking to her hair and skin. She didn't even realise she was crying until Elijah suddenly turned the tap off, slowly approaching her before swiping a thumb under her eye, his eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"Caroline?" He questioned, looking so lost, completely confused as to why she was sobbing in the middle of his kitchen.
Caroline laughed a bit, realising how ridiculous they looked. There was a cake in the oven, she had flour in her hair, and he was standing there in front of her, concern in his features, smudges of cocoa powder over the front of his suit. "Sorry. I'm fine. I'm fine. I just- I'm being ridiculous."
"I highly doubt that." Elijah continued wiping at her tears, even though they weren't stopping any time soon. "What's troubling you?"
"I..." Caroline huffed out a breath, a little frustrated. "I had it all planned out, you know? My entire life. I was going to conquer high school, earn valedictorian, be brilliant and beautiful and amazing. Then I would go to college and kick its ass, earn as many degrees as I want, to do whatever I want. After that I would get my dream job, whatever that was going to be, and I'd be just as amazing at it as I am with everything else. And... and after I get tired of working, I meet the love of my life, we get married, we settle down. Start a family. I become a mother. Like, the sixties movies cliche kind of mother. I stay home and take care of my kids, I cook, I clean, I bake. I had this picture in my head, of like, of me, with my hair up, a pretty dress on, a cute apron on over it, and I would be baking cookies for my kids as I waited for them to get home from school. It was just- it was perfect, you know? Or at least, my version of it. And I guess, doing this now is just reminding me..."
She trailed off there, unable to continue, but Elijah knew what she wanted to say. "...It's reminding you that those dreams are unattainable now."
"Yeah." Caroline exhaled a breath, feeling weak and a little embarrassed that Elijah has to see this side of her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all- you know all of a sudden. I probably look like a mess right now."
Elijah leaned down, surprising Caroline by pressing his lips gently against her skin, just under her eye, as if he was trying to kiss her tears away. "You're beautiful, Caroline. Even now. And you have nothing to be sorry for, least of all your feelings."
Caroline wanted to say thank you, but her throat was choked up and she was sure her voice would just crack anyway, so instead she stood up onto the tip of her toes to give him her thanks through a kiss instead.
She grabbed him by the lapels of his suit to pull him closer, his hands reaching up to cup her face as he deepened the kiss. The kiss tasted of chocolate and sweetness, and a little bit of salt from her tears too, but it was also kind of perfect.
Even though Elijah was the gentleman, always the gentleman, he definitely didn't kiss like one. With all the emotions still fresh on the surface, there was an intensity to the kiss that she didn't expect. He kissed her with reassurances on his tongue, even as he nipped and teased. She kissed him with urgency, a desperation for comfort, to be held, until it all melted away into nothing but pure need.
She stopped crying at some point, no longer feeling so vulnerable and raw, though she kept tugging at him, trying to pull him closer despite the fact that they were already pressed up tight against each other.
"I'm not going anywhere." Elijah murmured against her lips.
"I know." She whispered, pulling back to look at him, noting the small smile on his face, amongst other things. "You've got flour on your nose, by the way."
Elijah didn't look bothered at all, not even trying to get it off, he simply stood there smiling down at her, and Caroline felt her heart stutter, if that was even possible. Just how was it that the Mikaelsons could get her feelings tied up in such knots all the time? It was infuriating, the effect they all had on her.
The spent what felt like a small eternity like that, simply looking into each other's eyes. Caroline would've been perfectly happy ignoring the rest of the world and just spending the rest of the day in that one moment with Elijah, but then her nose picked up on something and her eyes widened when she realised they'd forgotten something.
"The cake!" Caroline shrieked, as she practically jumped out of Elijah's arms and opened the oven door in a flash.
The cake was burnt.
Caroline almost started crying again right then and there, but Elijah sighed, half fond and half exasperated, before pulling Caroline to him again and kissing her until she had nothing in her mind but him.
*
Though most of the town (the supernatural portion at least) knew that Caroline Forbes was strictly off limits to anyone who wasn't an Original, there were still some who remained unaware.
Ignorance is bliss, sometimes. In Mystic Falls, however? Ignorance was a death sentence. Especially when said ignorance lead to endangering Caroline.
She wasn't even sure how it happened. One minute she was at the Grill, chatting with Matt about something unimportant (for once), then the next she was being hit on by some guy she didn't recognise. New people were somewhat rare for Mystic Falls, but given the amount of unknown hybrids flittering in and out of town, Caroline simply figured he was one of them. That was why she didn't reject him too hard, not by Caroline standards anyway, but she still made it clear that she wasn't interested.
Then he bit her.
Caroline discovered he wasn't a hybrid at all, apparently he was just a regular werewolf, who didn't know much of anything turned out. Nothing about the Originals, and certainly nothing about what Caroline meant to them. So he bit her, because he asked her out and she said no, and then Matt found her already half delirious near the Grill's backdoor and called Rebekah.
Her consciousness started to flicker in and out after that. She was vaguely aware of being driven somewhere, then being deposited on a soft surface. At some point she thought she could hear Rebekah and Klaus arguing about something, but she was seeing things at that point so she thought maybe she just imagined it. Things don't start becoming clear again until she realised Klaus was beside her, and that she was biting into his wrist, drinking his blood.
"Uh." Caroline said, eventually, after she was healed and her regular thought process returned to her.
Klaus looked over at her, for a moment looking like he wanted to laugh at her lack of words before deciding better on it. "What am I going to do with you, Caroline?"
Caroline frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Wh- hey, it's not like I asked to be bit! I didn't even know werewolves could do that when it wasn't a full moon! I thought he was just another one of your hybrids or something..."
"Yes, well, now you do know, and you should take care to remember. Next time there's a werewolf near, do not even bother to give them the time of day."
She was aware that he'd only said it because he worried about her, and he cared about her well being, but it still came out sounding far too much like a demand for Caroline not to bristle at his words. "Unless it's you, you mean?"
Klaus only smirked, which just made Caroline roll her eyes and turn away.
Though she wasn't dying anymore, Caroline still felt exhausted. The near run in with death drained more of her energy than she thought, so she yawned and asked if she could go back home. At first, Klaus seemed hesitant, like he wanted nothing more than to just keep her there and lock her up so that she couldn't get harmed any further, but at Caroline's pout, he agreed to let her go, though he insisted on accompanying her on the way.
When they got to her front door, she lingered for a moment.
"Um," She started, cursing how ineloquent she always seemed in his presence, "thank you... for saving me."
Klaus quirked an eyebrow. "You're welcome, love."
Unsure of what else to say, Caroline decided not to bother with words at all anymore. She stepped forward to press a chaste kiss on Klaus' lips. Just a quick kiss goodnight. Of course, Klaus wasn't satisfied with just a goodnight kiss, so he wrapped an arm around her back to keep her close and kissed her back, harder.
Caroline couldn't say she didn't expect it, and she couldn't say she hadn't secretly been hoping for it either. She simply let herself lean into Klaus fully, putting all her weight into him as she kissed him with equal fervour. She'd been tired and ready to get a good night's rest a moment earlier, but now that she was kissing Klaus, she felt she possessed an endless amount of energy. His kiss was electrifying like that, spreading a pleasant tingle throughout her body.
Her goodnight kiss turned hot and heavy fast, and before she knew it, he was backing her up against her front door, hands wandering, as she moaned into his mouth. Her back hit the door with a loud thud, but she couldn't find it in herself to care, not with the feel of Klaus all around her, his tongue in her mouth, his hands everywhere.
"God." She breathed, entirely unintentionally.
"Close enough, love." Klaus couldn't help but remark, eyes dancing with mirth and thinly veiled lust.
Caroline pulled away then, rolling her eyes. "Way to ruin the moment."
"Not to worry, love, I'm sure there'll be plenty more moments from now on." Klaus was back to smirking again, an expression Caroline was beginning to think was his default.
"Goodnight, Klaus." Caroline said, before going in for another kiss.
This time, he let it remain brief, which she was glad for, because her exhaustion had crept up on her yet again.
She didn't wait for a reply before turning to head inside, but she heard a soft "Goodnight, Caroline." right before she shut the door.
All in all, almost dying from a werewolf bite aside, Caroline had a pretty fantastic day.