Work Text:
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a warm golden light bathed the streets of New Orleans. Caroline Forbes strolled through the lively French Quarter, the sounds of jazz weaving through the air like a comforting blanket, yet an undeniable weight rested on her heart. Months had slipped by since she last saw NiKlaus Mikaelson—the mysterious hybrid who had both enchanted and unsettled her. His voicemail echoed in her mind, a thread of hope that had drawn her back to him and this vibrant city. She chuckled softly to herself, thinking how she should probably have given him a heads-up about her arrival, but she always did enjoy a dramatic entrance and she knew that he would not turn her away.
Even with the distance between Mystic Falls and New Orleans, Caroline found it impossible to shake the memories of their whirlwind romance—those late-night talks that stretched until dawn, the secretive kisses that felt like stolen treasures, and a deep connection that thrived amid the chaos. Those six months had been the most extraordinary of her life, filled with a love from Klaus that felt undeniably real. Thoughts of him sent a thrill through her; she couldn’t help but adore the complicated hybrid. The nature of their love affair hadn’t remained as hidden as she once thought, and while she valued her friends, she realized they hadn’t always been the most supportive during that time.
Entering a charming bar, she approached the counter and ordered an espresso martini, needing a moment to collect her swirling thoughts. The rich scent of coffee filled the air as the bartender made the drink, a small comfort that briefly eased the turmoil within her.
Above the bustling streets, Klaus stood on a balcony, watching the vibrant scene unfold below with a blend of longing and remorse. Despite his formidable power and the fear he instilled in others, a deep emptiness gnawed at him in Caroline’s absence. He had left Mystic Falls for New Orleans with purpose: to reclaim his city and address the unsettling rumor about a wolf he encountered in Mystic Falls, who claimed to be carrying his child. Thanks to his older brother, Elijah, that rumor was swiftly put to rest. The wolf had been dealt with, but the city was a constant reminder of his turbulent past, of a place he had once loved, where Marcel—whom he considered a son—now ruled a city his family had once built. He wanted the city back, for himself, for his family and for Caroline.
In the swirl of memories, Caroline always shone brightly in his dark world, a beacon of hope that reminded him love could flourish, even in the shadows. He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply, envisioning her radiant smile—the kind that could dismantle even the toughest walls he had erected around his heart.
The vow he had made to her—to be her final love—carried a weight of sincerity that he held dear. He was determined to wait for her, no matter how long it took, until she was ready to embrace what they could become together.
That evening, as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, Klaus came to a crucial decision. He was done allowing fear and the shadows of his past to dictate his future; he longed to hear her voice again. He knew he had to find Caroline and was willing to do whatever it took to bring her back into his life, even if it meant starting with a friendship. Just as he was about to hit the call button on her number, he was interrupted by one of the newly transformed hybrids, who informed him of a blonde vampire spotted at a bar down the street from the Mikaelson residence. A grin spread across Klaus's face as he slipped his phone into his pocket, an instinct telling him that this mysterious blonde was none other than Caroline Forbes.
Meanwhile, as Caroline took her first sip of her drink, she felt an undeniable presence approach. Glancing up just in time, she met Klaus’s gaze as he stepped through the bar's swinging door. Their eyes locked, and in that instant, the world around them vanished. Her heart raced, a whirlwind of longing and uncertainty coursing through her. Deep down, Caroline had sensed that he would find her soon after arriving in this town, and she was right—just an hour and thirty-five minutes after his arrival in New Orleans, he stood before her.
“Klaus,” she whispered, her heart racing as a whirlwind of emotions swirled in her chest. In that moment, she knew she didn’t regret coming to New Orleans. She moved her hand, silently inviting him to take the seat beside her, yearning for his company.
“Caroline,” he responded, his voice smooth and warm, yet tinged with an urgency that hinted at something more profound. “I heard about a blonde vampire, and I just knew it had to be you.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, knowing it was a silly question. Deep down, she understood: he was here for her. Caroline had taken the first step by coming to New Orleans, and now she fought to maintain her composure, even as a torrent of feelings threatened to overwhelm her. She yearned to confess that she was ready—ready for forever—with him.
“I can't—” Klaus paused, collecting his thoughts as he focused on the woman beside him. He slid onto the bar stool next to her, leaning slightly closer. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” His question was soft, almost yearning.
“I knew you would find me,” she replied, searching his eyes for reassurance. The familiar spark drew her in, igniting a warmth that had lain dormant. “I’ve only been in town for less than two hours, and here you are, right in front of me.”
“Here you are. I have missed you,” he countered, a hint of a smirk breaking through his usually serious facade.
Caroline glanced down at her drink, gathering her courage before looking back at him. “I have missed you too. Life isn’t the same with you so far away.” The confession slipped from her lips, raw and honest. “I’m ready.”
"I'm ready." Her words echoed in his mind, reverberating with a blend of hope and trepidation. “You’re ready?” Klaus asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
“For it all,” Caroline continued, her enthusiasm bubbling over despite her underlying nerves. “I want to finish college, travel the world, and earn my own money. I’ve heard Tulane University is fantastic.” The words spilled from her, fueled by both excitement and apprehension. “But I’m nervous about the people who will try to come after me to get to you…”
He couldn’t let her finish before jumping in, his voice urgent yet reassuring. “You know I’d never let anything happen to you,” Klaus interrupted, his gaze intense and unwavering. “I’d do anything for you. I would fight the world if it meant keeping you safe.” His promise hung in the air, heavy with sincerity and the gravity of his affection.
Caroline felt a rush of warmth at his words, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and love. “And I trust you,” she admitted softly, meeting his gaze with newfound determination. “But I need to be prepared for everything. I can’t just dive into this without knowing what’s ahead.”
“Then we’ll face it together,” he said, his voice steady and resolute. “No matter what comes our way, I’ll be right by your side.”
Caroline felt an ache in her heart as Klaus's words washed over her. The connection they shared was undeniable, a bond forged in fire, yet the scars from their past were still raw. “But what about the chaos? The darkness?”
Klaus’s gaze softened, as if he were reaching straight into her soul. “Perhaps it’s time we embraced it together,” he offered, his voice low and soothing. “I would take on any darkness just to have you by my side. All my love belongs to you, Caroline.”
His declaration hung in the air, heavy and potent. The tension between them thickened, every word echoing with years of unsaid feelings and unfulfilled promises that lingered like specters around them. She brought her hand to her heart, feeling the truth in his words.
In that moment, Caroline faced a pivotal choice: she could either walk away for good, shield herself from the potential heartache, or she could take a leap of faith and trust him once more, trust that they both could make this. Yet here she was in New Orleans, pulled by an invisible thread, and for the first time in a long time, she was doing something for herself.
“Maybe embracing the chaos is what we need,” she breathed out, a flicker of hope igniting within her. “I’ve spent so long running from it, from us. But being here… it feels right.”
Klaus moved closer, his intensity wrapping around her like a warm embrace. “Then let’s face it together, Caroline, hand in hand. You are not alone in this. I want to spend forever with you by my side.” As his queen.
The familiar spark between them ignited once more, and as Caroline met his gaze, she realized that whatever they feared could be conquered as long as they had each other. “Okay,” she said, her voice steady. “Let’s do this.” She leans in, a few inches away from his lips, “I love you, NiKlaus Mikaelson.” Caroline truly trusts that he would not hurt her. She doesn’t wait for him to say anything before pressing her lips to his, deeping the movement. “Bring me home.”
The way she said bring me home, Klaus would be determined to make the Mikaelson household her sanctuary. Klaus felt his heart race, thumping harder in response as he surrendered to her in that fleeting moment. Reaching into his wallet, he pulled out the largest bill and placed it on the bar, leaning in close to whisper, "Let’s go."
As they stepped out into the vibrant New Orleans night, hand in hand, the lively music of the streets wrapped around them like a warm embrace. With the sweet melodies of live jazz surrounding them, tourists drifted past, but Caroline's focus remained on Klaus as they walked toward the Mikaelson household. In that moment, she felt a rush of joy at the realization that this was the beginning of their life together. The warmth of his hand in hers filled her with happiness, anchoring her in a blissful certainty as they moved forward, side by side. She would never regret taking this step.