Happy Accident [Klaus/Caroline]

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

Caroline Forbes

---

Taking a turn down the cobblestone street, his stride containing both a purposeful and nonchalant sort of nature about it, the Original Vampire shifted his eyes as he walked, appraising his surroundings. As he did so, he couldn't help the twinge of pride he felt, at the mere sight of the city he and his family had built here, at all they had managed to accomplish. While it was true, there were many who disagreed with the system he had set down, even despised it, despised him for establishing it, it had proven altogether effective. That was a thing no one could really contest. It wasn't a perfect system, he was not deluded enough to believe it was--after all, was any system perfect?--but it was a functional system, and that was more than anyone else could say in these troubled times.

Even so, this was all only the beginning. He had great plans for what was to come, great plans for the future of this world, and, if he had it his way, they would soon be able to begin rebuilding. And not just inside the city. No, this was only temporary. They would stretch beyond the walls, they would use the magic at their disposal, from the witches he kept close at hand, to return the vibrancy that had been lost to the world. The humans would repopulate, and the vampires would be able to survive past all this.

Yes...if he had anything to say about this, it would not be the "End Times" at all, but, rather...a sort of new beginning. An opportunity for them to change the world.

So a few people would hate him in the process. Well...perhaps more than a few, but it was just as well. Let them hate him all they wanted, it wasn't as though he was unaccustomed to it. If anything, quite the reverse was true. For the sake of his end goals, for the sake restoring the world to its former glory, he could sacrifice any sort of good reputation for it. It wasn't as though his reputation had ever been anything too glamorous.

Fear was how he had always ruled. And...to be perfectly honest, it was the only way he knew how.

The hybrid came to a halt, both in his steps and his musings, as he reached his intended destination. The Fleur Deli. Glancing over the exterior only a moment, with his assessing gaze, he then entered the establishment. The look of surprise that overtook the hostess' face was not the least bit unexpected. In fact, he welcomed it, and he greeted her with an easy smile.

It was sort of important to venture around the city like this. It helped remind people that he wasn't just off at a distance, somehow disconnected from them, a sort of fear they could only give a name to. No...he much preferred if they knew who he was, so they could give a face to their leader, the one who they would have to answer to. And, moreover, so that they would always remember that he was not far off, so they wouldn't become complacent, start slacking off on those rules he had set down. He was here to enforce them. And the moment any of them stepped out of line...he would know about it.

"'Afternoon, sweetheart," he said conversationally. "I don't suppose it'd be too much trouble to ask for a seat. Preferably," here, he gave a quick gesture, "near the window there?"

When she shook her head quickly and began fumbling over a menu, his smile widened to a grin.

[Caroline Forbes]

The sound of clacking heels upon the cobblestone filled the area, as Caroline Forbes strutted with her head held high and a confidence in her stride. Her eyes were glued to her destination, and her mouth was set in a firm, purposeful line. She had called ahead and the chef at the little deli down the street had begun preparing her favorite dessert. It was off menu, but she'd asked so kindly, and they'd been all too willing to oblige her. Now, it had simply become a regular thing, a part of her daily routine. She would take a moment to sit down, enjoy her treat, and then go about the rest of her day.

With a satisfied spread of her lips into a smile, she flipped her blonde hair behind her as the breeze carried it in graceful wisps. So far, all was going well in her day. No disturbances, or drama, or major annoyances. It was just going to be her and the pastry calling her name.

Descending the small incline, she spotted the cafe and made her way towards it, arm held upward with her purse dangling elegantly from the natural curve her positioning created. She approached the door and then stepped back as a man offered to open it for her. She nodded to him and batted her lashes as his reward of sorts, before inhaling the familiar scent of the delicacies within the marvelous place.

She immediately strode toward the hostess stand and saw, to her dismay, that there was some man waiting in front of her. She just crossed her arms and pursed her lips, before narrowing her eyes critically as the hostess fumbled with the menu. Seriously?

"Hey," she clapped her hands and stared at the incompetent girl, "let's move a little faster, shall we? And tell Lance I'm here for a pre-order."

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

The presence of someone coming to stand in line behind him hadn't been lost on the hybrid for a moment, but, at the sound of the clapping, at her obvious impatience, he couldn't help the amused smile that formed on his expression. It was a smile that only grew fonder when he placed that all too familiar, and admittedly rather loud voice of hers. Glancing over his shoulder then, he let his blue eyes come to rest on the pleasing sight of the blonde behind him, standing there all in a fuss over having to wait a few extra seconds to have a seat.

He really couldn't deny how enjoyable it was to see her getting so worked up over such a petty little problem. Times being what they were, few had the luxury. It sort of brought him outside of himself for a moment, outside of his own head.

She did look rather stunning today, didn't she? The make-up, the outfit, her hair all done up. It was a nice treat on the eyes.

"Sorry 'bout that, love," he told her easily, the smile never leaving his countenance. "It's probably my fault." Narrowing one eye as he observed her, he then gave the slightest inclination of his head as he asked, "Caroline, isn't it?"

Not that he needed to ask. He knew exactly who she was.

[Caroline Forbes]

Caroline's eyes went wide the moment he turned around. It was Klaus! The leader of the Original family, and therefore also the leader of the city. What was he doing here, of all places? However, In the next instant, she composed herself, replacing the surprise and narrowing her own eyes at him. Really? He didn't know who she was? Well, she was determined to make it known that she knew exactly who he was. She huffed loudly and rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in an extra show of aggravation. "Oh, great, it's you. And here I was just thinking that my day was going perfectly." She offered a tight-lipped smile, and tilted her head, "And yes, it's Caroline." There. She dared him to forget her after this.

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

Klaus couldn't help the laugh at her little display, clearly offended by his question, and now going out of her way to make herself stand out a little more. Really, she didn't have to go to all the trouble, but it was quite a funny sight, seeing her do it, all the same. He wasn't sure laughing would do anything to ease that feeling of hers, of course, so he tried his best to rein it back in.

"Happy to hear I had it right," he told her, containing the laugh behind a smile. "I'd hate to put a damper on your perfect day, though. Perhaps I can find a way to make it up to you."

[Caroline Forbes]

Caroline's lips pursed further and she crossed her arms tightly. He had some nerve! She could see the way his lips were twitching, his laughter just barely contained. Her own lips gave an involuntary twitch, a smile tempting her, but she put all her will into forcing it back. "Well, you can start by not laughing. It isn't funny. Well, not unless you actually enjoy ruining people's days." She sighed, "but really, thanks but no thanks. I doubt the person responsible could actually make this up to me."

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

"Oh, come on," Klaus insisted, his smile turning a bit more serious as he gave her a pointed look. "How can you ever know if you don't give me a chance? Look," he held his hands up slightly in a defensive gesture, "I've already stopped laughing, haven't I?"

She may like to talk big, but there was no denying she was already a little interested. He couldn't help but notice the way she fought desperately to hold back that smile, the subtle twitch at the corner of her mouth, and the way her beautiful and admittedly somewhat transparent eyes were belying every word she spoke. It was all a matter of pretenses at this point, wasn't it? Well...that was alright. He didn't really mind having to work a little harder to get the girl to do something they both knew she already wanted.

[Caroline Forbes]

Caroline's eyes narrowed, and the smile she tried to hold back forced it's slight way through, her mouth barely lifting, but softening her face all the same. "Yes, you have." She thought a moment, trying to decide what to do here. It might be interesting to see how he intended to make this up to her. That whole prospect of the unknown, of something left to the imagination like that, it was...intriguing. "Ugh," she said in defeat. "Fine. Everyone deserves at least one chance."

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

"And I'll do my utmost not to waste it," he returned, a grin breaking through as she accepted his proposal. There, now. That wasn't so hard, was it? Taking a step to the side, he then gestured toward the table he had asked the hostess to prepare for him and offered, "For starters, how about a good table and some company?"

Glancing briefly over his shoulder, then, the Original instructed the confused and yet attentive hostess, "Be a sweetheart and send the word to that Lance bloke about her pre-order, won't you?" With that, she was off, and Klaus returned his full attention to the blonde at his side. Giving a slight tilt of his head, he waited for her to lead the way.

[Caroline Forbes]

As Klaus waited for her to take lead, Caroline couldn't help but feel just a little impressed by it. She proudly strode past him and looked to where they were setting up his table. He had even put in that word to have Lance bring out her dessert. He'd been paying attention. She also noticed that quite a few people were staring, as they looked from her to the city's monarch. She beamed, but made sure not to let it show as she reached the table and turned to take her seat.

"You'd better be good company, at least."

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

Klaus followed behind her, hardly noticing the stares, not only because they were a thing he had grown rather accustomed to during these ventures of his into the city, but also because his attention was still strictly focused on the stunning creature before him. As he listened to her snide little remark, he couldn't hide the amusement or the smirk that had formed at the corner of his mouth, and the hybrid slid leisurely into the seat across from her.

"Well, how 'bout I let you be the judge of that?" he recommended, gazing into her dancing, blue eyes, and rather enjoying how pleased she looked with herself.

[Caroline Forbes]

Caroline awarded him a satisfied smile with a perky tilt of her head, "sounds perfect." He just knew to say all the right things, didn't he? A moment passed, and she glanced about the room, wondering where their waiter was, before sighing and impatiently tapping her foot.

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

Noting her rather disgruntled state, the Original found himself fighting another laugh, and he instead merely offered her a somewhat chastising look as he urged her, "Patience, love. I'm sure they'll be out any minute, now." With the faintest tilt of his head, as he observed her a moment more, he then proceeded to lean forward in his seat, folding his hands on the table in front of him as he did so, before suggesting, "However...seeing as we do...have a minute, why not make the most of it? You see...I'd like to get to know the beautiful lady I'm keeping company."

His smile returning, he then said, in a soft, encouraging tone, "Tell me about yourself, Caroline."

[Caroline Forbes]

Caroline sighed beneath her breath as she crossed her arms. What a broad question. It wasn't as if she didn't enjoy being the center of his attention, but she wondered how much of it was genuine. 'No, that's a silly thing to think. I'm definitely interesting enough for him to be genuinely offering me his attention.' It pleased her. But still, her eyes narrowed, and only the faintest smile pulled on the corner of her mouth.

"Is this how you talk to all the girls?" Her eyes then narrowed a little further, "and the first thing you should learn about me is that I'm just so not a patient person."

[Niklaus Mikaelson]

Klaus released a slight chuckle at that, before informing the girl, "Yes. I had gathered that." If the foot tapping hadn't been enough of a dead giveaway, there was also the way she had snapped at the hostess upon arriving, and then dramatically complained he had ruined her day by forcing her to wait. It seemed a prime characteristic of hers, in fact, that impatience.

"Though," he added, a more serious look coming over his eyes as he gazed steadily into hers, "you should know, I actually don't talk to many girls this way, at all. Only the ones I happen to take an interest in. And," here, he leaned subtly closer to her, his voice lowering a fraction, before he confessed, "truth be told...there haven't been that many that have caught my interest, over the centuries."

Sure, he'd had meaningless trysts here and there. For that matter, his own daughter was a result of one such incident. But, as far as romantic feelings went...as far as falling for someone went...he hadn't actually felt that way in a good thousand years or so. He had honestly been a little surprised his feelings for Tatia hadn't been what they once were, when she'd been brought back from the Other Side. All this time, she was the one person he had ever really fallen for, and yet...that had all but diminished when he had been reunited with her. It was almost...a familial sort of affection he harbored for her now, and, on her end...well, that was all it had really ever been, wasn't it? It had always been Elijah... 'Course, with Hayley in the picture now, even that was compromised, and Tatia had not hesitated in taking a step back from all that.

For a time, he had wondered if it was even possible for him to fall for anyone again, or if...somehow, that part of his humanity had been lost over the millennium. Wouldn't surprise him. But, then...seemingly out of nowhere, this little blonde had emerged, and caught his eye. He couldn't exactly put his finger on what precisely it was about her that had initially drawn him in, but the simple fact was, he had been drawn in. He'd been watching her for some time, now, and the more he'd seen of her, the more she had intrigued him.

And, while it was true, this was one of his very first opportunities to speak with her one-on-one like this, the feeling he got, when he so much as looked at her...he couldn't very well deny the striking similarity to when he'd fallen the first time. It wasn't a feeling you could easily forget, no matter how much time had past.