Chapter Text
Caroline Forbes: Captain of the Cheer Squad™, Miss Mystic Falls, Chair of the Mystic Falls Beautification Committee, 4.9 grade point average, taking all honors and AP classes, and one of the most popular girls in school along with her two best friends Bonnie and Elena.
Klaus Mikaelson: Mysterious New (he’s been there for three years but okay) Guy™, Loner Boy™, Tampon Guy™, Rebekah’s Older Brother™.
A love story for the ages.
It began on a spring day of her junior year. Caroline was leading her squad through their end of practice stretches when she noticed him for the first time. Elena had come back from the bathroom irritable and quietly asked if anyone had an extra tampon.
“I have one,” Rebekah declared before sprinting over to a boy sitting on the bleachers. She said something to him, and he dug through his backpack and handed one to her, immediately refocusing on his sketchbook once she skipped away. “Here.”
Elena awkwardly thanked her before sprinting back to the bathroom.
“Who is that?” Caroline asked when Rebekah sat next to her.
Rebekah was a sophomore, but she was the most promising on the team, like Caroline had been her sophomore year, so she was training Rebekah to be her Vice Captain and the actual captain once Caroline graduated the next year.
“That’s Nik, my older brother.”
“I didn’t know you had another brother besides Kol.”
She laughed as she reached for her extended foot. “I have five brothers and one sister. Freya, the oldest, then Finn, Elijah, Nik, my twin Kol, whom you unfortunately know, and Henrik. Henrik is in seventh grade, though, and everyone else but Nik, Kol, and I have graduated.” Rebekah swapped legs. “Do you have any siblings?”
“Left leg out!” Caroline called to the group, following Rebekah’s actions. “Nope, just me and my mom. Dad left when I was twelve.”
“Wanker,” she spat. “Anyway, have you gotten your dress for prom? Can I see?”
Caroline laughed loudly. “Butterfly,” she told her team. “I don’t have a dress. I don’t even know if I’m going to prom.”
“But you’re on the prom committee!” Rebekah sounded positively scandalized.
“Yeah, but I was supposed to go with Tyler, and I just found out he was cheating on me with this girl he met over the summer in Louisiana.”
“You’re joking!”
“Nope. I got this message on instagram a few weeks ago from her, saying that he told her he didn’t have social media and that he was single. One of her friends, this girl named Cami or something, combed through every app you can think of, and they found my account which clearly stated that Ty and I were together.”
“What happened?”
“Stretch what you need!” Her voice quieted. “Well, the girl and I exchanged phone numbers, and we cried on the phone together, and then we Facetimed and took a screenshot, which I posted on my snap story.”
“And Tyler saw.”
Caroline nodded deviously. “He told me that it was a mistake and that he’d leave her for me, but Hayley–that’s her name, by the way–Hayley told me that he told her the same thing! We both dumped him, and now I have a new friend.”
“I can’t believe he would do that to you two. I can ask Kol to beat him up if you’d like. He’s got a new bat he’d love to break in by breaking Tyler’s ribs.”
“You do realize my mom is the Sheriff right?”
Rebekah stood and pulled up Caroline with her outstretched hand. “So, Kol and I are throwing a party, and we wanted to invite you and your friends.”
“Oh, Rebekah, I don’t know. I’m really trying to focus on school right now, and–”
“Please! If you all come, so will other upperclassmen. Please, please, please!”
Caroline laughed and conceded. The two parted ways, and Caroline watched her sprint over to her brother, who was slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“He is so creepy,” said Elena, startling Caroline.
Elena Gilbert: Girl Next Door™, a bit judgemental but everyone can excuse it because at least she’s not freshman year Caroline, defensive, indecisive, friend of Bonnie and Caroline, girlfriend of Stefan or Damon (depending on the day).
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, he just sits on the bleachers every single cheer practice.”
Bonnie snorted. “He needs to drive Rebekah and Kol home, idiot.”
“Why can’t he watch Kol at lacrosse?”
“Kol doesn’t play lacrosse, Elena,” explained Caroline.
“He doesn’t?”
“No,” Bonnie said. “That’s your brother. Kol is exempt from all sports for boxing. Enzo says he’s really good. But he also goes to the batting cages a lot with Jeremy, which you know.”
Bonnie and Enzo: It Couple™. Bonnie was a cheerleader and an artist; Enzo was a football star who went to the boxing gym weekly. He was the reason Bonnie and Caroline got into kickboxing.
“I thought all the sophomore boys did lacrosse.” Elena shrugged. “And, I mean, what kind of guy carries around tampons?”
“Clearly the kind of guy who doesn’t want his little sister to bleed out if she doesn’t have one?” Bonnie joked. “He’s not so bad once you get to know him. Enzo says he’s a really cool guy.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be getting all your information from Enzo, Bon,” Elena chastised. “I mean, does he even have friends?”
Bonnie nodded. “Enzo, Stefan, Katherine Pierce, Marcel–”
“First of all, Katherine and Marcel are the worst, and I’d know if Stefan was–” Her voice trailed off as Stefan walked over to Nik and tossed his car keys at him.
“They carpool sometimes,” Bonnie informed smugly. “And Katherine may be a major bitch sometimes, but she’s honestly a quality friend once you get to know her. Apparently, they used to hate each other, but now that she’s dating Rebekah’s other brother Elijah, forced proximity made them BFFs. And Marcel is awesome.”
“How do you know Marcel?” Caroline asked, picking up her stuff.
Bonnie shrugged. “He’s in the Students of Color club with me.” She held her head in the air. “They said they want me and him to be the leaders next year.”
“Oh my god, Bonnie!” Caroline cheered. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I don’t know, it didn’t seem that important. Besides, no one can live up to Gia and Vincent or Aya and Greta from sophomore year.”
Caroline shook her head. “Of course you can, and of course it’s important. I declare that the three of us shall celebrate this weekend!” She grabbed her friends and grinned. “Bonnie Bennett and Marcel Gerard, heads of SOC!”
The three of them laughed as they walked to their cars.
“Oh, by the way, Rebekah invited us to a party. She said that if we come other people will, so I said yes.”
Elena groaned. “Rebekah? Really?”
She put her hands on her hips. “What do you have against her?”
“Not her but Kol. He’s a bad influence on Jeremy.”
Bonnie laughed. “Because they got high and made out?”
“Exactly! I just want the best for Jeremy. With our parents gone, Jenna needs all the help she can get.”
“You’re not going to like this, but I think that Jeremy needs to grieve in his own way. He’s back in class now, and he actually talks to Kol when they hang out. That’s good news, isn’t it? That he’s being social?” Caroline shrugged and opened her car door. “Bye!”
It was three days later when Caroline finally spoke to Klaus.
Friday Night™. Rebekah and Kol’s party, which ended up being one of the best days in Caroline’s life.
Marcel had accidentally knocked his beer on Caroline’s shirt, and she politely declined his offered jacket, joking that he should offer it to Rebekah (She had seen the looks, okay?), and got permission from the Mikaelson girl to borrow a shirt from her room.
Not knocking first, Caroline barged into Nik’s room, and he abruptly yanked his earbuds out, staring at her like a deer in headlights.
“Can I help you?” Nik asked, putting his sketchbook down.
“This isn’t Rebekah’s room.”
He smiled, and Caroline tried to take her eyes off his dimples. “No, it’s not. Do you need something?”
“Right,” she said softly, swaying a bit. “Because you’re the Tampon Guy.”
“I’m the what?”
“That’s what the girls on the squad call you.”
He stared for a moment before mock-fist pumping. “Yes! The cheerleaders are talking about me!”
“Ha ha.”
“Seriously, sweetheart, what do you need?”
She gestured to her beer soaked white shirt, her white bra extremely visible. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Nik walked over to his closet and tossed a hoodie at her. “Sufficient?”
“It’s not as cute as my shirt.”
“It’s big and fluffy and warm.”
She smiled. “Perfect. Could you turn?”
He stared at his feet as she changed. “You’re Caroline, right?”
“You know my name?”
“Um, yeah, well, we had chemistry together last year?”
Caroline cackled. “Then why didn’t you ask me out?” She doubled over laughing.
“A bit of a comedian, aren’t you?” He turned back around, happy to see his shirt fully over her head. “You probably shouldn’t drink anymore.”
“But I wanna,” she pouted.
“Hm, I can see that. However, you just made the worst joke in history and laughed . Clearly you need medical attention.”
She crossed her arms. “And you aren’t drunk?”
His grin faltered briefly. “Oh, um, no. I don’t drink. Would you like me to drive you home?”
“Mom says not to trust strangers.”
“I’m not a stranger,” he insisted. “I’m the Tampon Guy. Besides, I’ll help you share your phone location with your mum, Elena, and Bonnie. Deal?”
Caroline giggled and jumped up and down. “Yay!”
The drive back was noisy. Caroline sang all the songs on the radio exceptionally loud, and Nik laughed the entire time.
“Oh no,” she exclaimed when they reached her house. “I forgot my key, and my mom is home! Do you think she’ll notice I’m drunk?”
Nik took in her zig-zag walk, messy hair, and the strong stench of cheap beer before smiling sweetly. “Of course not.”
He helped her up the steps and rang the bell, letting Caroline lean against him for balance.
Liz opened the door quickly. She took one look at her daughter and sighed. “Thank you for getting her home, Klaus.”
Nik nodded.
“Wait,” Caroline slurred, “Rebekah said your name was Nik. Did you lie to my mom?”
“Klaus is my name. So is Nik.”
“Is it Nik Klaus or Klaus Nik?”
“It’s Niklaus, one word,” he explained, practically carrying her inside.
Liz gestured up the stairs. “I’ll show you her room.”
“Carry me!” Caroline demanded happily, jumping into Nik’s arms.
He staggered slightly at the sudden weight but easily managed to get her up the stairs. Liz watched him like a hawk, but he still took a sticky-note and wrote his phone number on it, placing it on her phone, which he plugged in to charge. The Sheriff gestured for him to follow her downstairs.
“Thank you for driving her back, Klaus.”
“It’s really no problem. It was Bekah and Kol’s party, so I felt a bit responsible.”
She nodded. “And were you drinking?”
He gravely shook his head. “No.”
Liz reached out to his shoulder. “Good. I know it’s been rough, but you should know that even if no one else is saying it, I’m proud of you.”
“Eight months in a week.” He took a deep breath. “Father told me I wasn’t allowed to tell any of my younger siblings about it. Says they might spread it around, and then everyone would know he had a son that went to rehab.”
“I’m here if you need someone to talk to.” She laughed. “I’m sorry about Caroline.”
“It’s alright. I don’t mind.”
“I didn’t realize you two were friends.”
“We’re not. She went into my room trying to find Rebekah’s, and I decided to give her a lift home.”
Liz raised an eyebrow. “That’s not her sweatshirt, Klaus, and I think I recognize it from last summer.”
He blushed. “I’m letting her borrow it.”
“Nik!” Caroline screamed from upstairs. “Come say hi!”
The Sheriff laughed and motioned for him to go upstairs. “She wants you to say hi.” When he started to leave, she stopped him and gave him a bottle of water. “Make her drink it.”
He nodded and raced up the steps, eager to see her again.
“Hi, Nik,” she giggled, huddled into his hoodie. “This is really comfy.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart.” He handed her the bottle, and she handed it back for him to unscrew the cap, claiming her hands were possessed.
“You’re really flirty, you know,” she told him after taking her first gulp. “You don’t even know me, and you’re still flirty.”
“Of course I know you,” he countered. “Freshman year, I was new, and you told me how to get to my first class. Then last year, Bekah joined the cheerleading squad, and I got to hear all about you every day.”
“She didn’t even tell me she had another brother.” She sighed. “Elena doesn’t like you, but Bonnie says you’re okay. And you’re pretty, so you can’t be that bad.”
“You’re pretty, too.”
Caroline patted the empty part of the bed next to her, and he sat down. “Take off your shoes so you can put your feet up. Unless you have gross feet. I know a lot of guys who don’t wash their feet.”
Klaus laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ve learned basic hygiene. Clean feet.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “We should be friends. Is it true you’re friends with Stefan, Enzo, Katherine, and Marcel?”
“I am. Marcel is my best mate, Katerina is my older brother’s girlfriend–I know you know her because she’s Elena’s cousin–Enzo and I used to live in the same town in the UK, and Stefan is just a great mate, so I keep him around.”
“Well, add Caroline Forbes to the list! From here on out, we are friends. So that means you have to hang out with me at lunch and stuff. Deal?” Caroline picked her head up. “Oh, and you and Marcel should hang out with us tomorrow!”
“You sure you’ll be walking tomorrow?”
“If you say yes, you can carry me.”
“A dream come true.”
“Perv,” she teased, placing her head back to his shoulder. “Anyway, Bonnie told us about how she and Marcel are going to be the leaders of SOC, and we’re celebrating. Apparently she and Marcel are good friends, and I think he should be at the celebration. And if you two are best friends, you should come.”
He wrapped her arm over her shoulder and leaned his head on hers. “Would that upset Elena?”
“We’re not celebrating her. Who cares? I might need to ask Bonnie, though.”
“If Bonnie is alright with it, we would love to come. However, Marcel might want to sleep off his hangover instead.”
“That’s fine,” she said softly before falling asleep.
Klaus smiled at her and shook her awake. “No sleeping yet, love. You need to finish your water first.”
“But I drank most of it!”
“One more sip, okay? Then you can go to sleep.”
“What if I throw up in my sleep and die?”
“Then you’ll have learned your lesson about drinking.”
“But I’ll be dead.”
“Ghosts can still learn lessons.”
Caroline tugged on one of his necklaces–the rosary he always wore. “I like this. Where did you get it?”
Klaus thought back to the rehab center and the nun who worked there. He had explained that he had stopped believing in God years ago and he was pagan, but she placed it in his palm and told him to keep it anway, that he should wear it to remind himself that someone out there believed in him, that even if he didn’t believe what she did, she still would ask the Lord each night to protect him and each of his siblings. He remembered the first time he almost relapsed, when his mother came into his bedroom a week after he got discharged and told him she had been in a car accident, and he responded by breaking into his father’s liquor cabinet and staring at the bottle of vodka he had grabbed until Finn pulled it from his hands unopened as he sobbed.
“I’ll tell you another time, love.”
She shrugged and finished the bottle. “You should get rings, too, and bracelets. I think you’d look nice in more jewelry. Goodnight, Nik.” Then Caroline fell asleep again, and Klaus got off her bed and went home, kindly saying goodbye to the Sheriff.
Rebekah was asleep on the couch, and Marcel slept on the floor next to her. Her hand hung off the couch, and he held in his sleep. A year ago Klaus would’ve been angry that his friend was going after his sister, but Klaus just gently put a pillow under his friend’s head and pulled blankets over the both of them.
He spent the next half hour cleaning up all the empty cups, pouring empty beer cans in the sink, and spraying air freshener everywhere. After that was done, Klaus checked on Kol, who was fast asleep on his bedroom floor while Davina Claire was passed out in his bed.
“Gentleman, are you?” Klaus whispered, more to himself than his brother, smiling gently.
Then Klaus knocked on Henrik’s door and quietly entered, sitting beneath the window seat with his brother.
“I finished my Minecraft castle. Do you want to see?”
“Of course I want to see.”
Henrik showed him each room, taking great pride in the stable he, Kol, and Jeremy had built. Klaus remembered the amount of time Jeremy had been there after his parents died and how much Henrik had been able to help him by taking his mind off it. His brother then stopped in a bright pink bedroom and laughed.
“This is Bekah’s room. She told me that we could make her an account on Sunday, so I hope she likes it.”
“I’m sure she’ll adore it. She loves everything you do, little brother.” He kissed the top of his brother’s head and stood. “I have to go to bed. No one bothered you tonight, right?”
He shook his head. “Jeremy and Kol came in to see how I was doing on the castle, and I showed it to Marcel, too, but no one was mean or anything. Everyone likes me, Nik, unlike you.”
Klaus laughed and ruffled his brother’s hair. “Careful, Henry, or I’ll log on and blow your magnificent castle to bits.”
Henrik let out a shriek. “I’ll tell Elijah!”
“Tattle.”
He slapped his brother’s leg. “Wanker.”
Klaus let out another laugh. “Who taught you that?”
“Bekah, Kol, you. ”
He just shook his head. “Go to sleep, Henrik. It’s late.”
Henrik nodded and plugged in his laptop. He climbed into his bed and looked over at Klaus. “Where did you go?”
“A friend needed a ride home.”
“Which friend?”
“You don’t know her. Her name is Caroline.”
“Is she your girlfriend?” Henrik yawned.
“No.”
“Do you want her to be?”
“Maybe,” Klaus said, turning off the lights. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Can you make the Star Wars waffles?”
“Of course.”
“Love you,” he said sleepily.
Klaus smiled in the darkness. “I love you, too,” he replied as he shut the door.
When he got to his room, he entered the bathroom, picked up his shirt, and inspected the knife wound that was healing on his chest. The stitches he had done were healing poorly, and the skin around the wound was red and developing pus. Klaus sighed and pulled out the bottle of rubbing alcohol he kept in the cupboard, dabbing at his skin and clenching his teeth to keep from screaming.