25 Days of Klaroline + Work
Who is fired up about our endgame? I had to write this mini drabble because I sure as hell can’t sleep! Pic not mine obviously but isn’t our endgame pretty?
Klaus and Caroline are rival bar owners in the French Quarter but when Mardi Gras begins things are brought to a whole new level.
Monday, 12 February, 2018 - Bar Tonique
“He did not,” she growls from her hiding place by the window, her eyes travelling over the street to Napoleon House. It isn’t terrible to look at inside or out, not that she will ever admit that to the arrogant owner of course.
The bar was 200 years old, previously owned by a former Mayor. Its always been popular with locals due to its historical significance and simple but stylish design but it wasn’t until Klaus Mikaelson bought it a year ago that Napoleon really took off.
The decor is traditional but striking and its antique walls littered with moving, sepia photographs of local places and people. Many taken by its new owner.
“He did,” Katherine confirms as she approaches. Caroline swats her away in frustration.
“How convenient that the day after I advertise drink specials in the window he suddenly announces cheaper deals?”
“It is Mardi Gras tomorrow, care,” Katherine reasons. “Everyone is doing the same thing.”
“Same thing my ass,” she mutters. “His deal is exactly the same. Someone needs to get their own ideas and stop stealing mine.”
Caroline is ruthlessly competitive, everyone in her life, past and present, can attest to that very fact.
After visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras five years earlier, she fell in love. Selling everything she had in Boston and making her way down south. Her friends told her she was crazy and maybe she was but the beignets tasted too damn good to resist.
Caroline owns Bar Tonique, a chic bar in the French Quarter famous for its extensive Gin selection and creative cocktails. It’s always busy but since he’s invaded her territory, Caroline has noticed a lull. Her staff, including best friend Katherine who surprisingly followed her south, say she’s overreacting and things are still busy. Caroline begs to differ and suddenly Klaus Mikaelson is her number one enemy.
He’s extremely attractive, yes, with the dimples, the crimson lips and that accent but Caroline knows he is nothing but a shark trying to steal her precious business. He will pay, one way or another.
Klaus is pleased to see Caroline stressing. Given it is only 11am, he’s impressed he has ruffled her feathers so early in the day. He’s not a horrible person, he just likes winning and if it effects the blonde across the street, his closest competitor, then why not enjoy the show?
He’d come to New Orleans looking for something eighteen months ago. He was lost and desperate for something to save him from his tumultuous life. Klaus wasn’t quite sure what that was until he saw her barrelling alone Rue de Chartres. She’d rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner and shoved him slightly. Klaus should have been pissed but it made him just want to know her. Finding out she was a rival bar owner explained that look and shove and made him even more curious.
She’s absolutely beautiful, she’s also incredibly smart and driven and can rival even the most competitive athlete. He’s intrigued, he’s smitten and Klaus knows that annoying her will soon bring her to his door. He’s counting on it. He just doesn’t think it will happen so fast.
Napoleon House - Tuesday February 13
“You dishonest and shady, ass,” she accuses, making her way upstairs, stomping up each one in frustration. Caroline isn’t one to abuse people but after he’s taken another idea of hers she needs to make her anger known.
It’s first day of Mardi Gras and the streets are packed in all of their green, gold and purple glory. Beads are scattered throughout and the sound of jazz is contagious. If only Caroline can actually enjoy it without her business stealing neighbour.
“Well, hello to you too,” he quips, those lips curving into a knowing smile and his eyes flickering longingly over her body. Caroline doesn’t dress up much, she just happens to be in the most fitted, black dress by absolute chance. “I was wondering when you would darken my doorstep.”
“Only through sheer sufferance,” she growls, making her way into his office, probably against her better judgement. “Stop stealing my ideas, Mikaelson.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he denies.
“Just so you know, that pathetic act isn’t working,” she drawls. “In fact, honesty is actually appreciated.” He pauses, licking his lips briefly before gazing into her eyes. Dark blue focused on light.
“Well, then please enlighten me.”
“You are messing with me but I’m not sure why?” He pauses again, his gaze briefly downcast before replying.
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yes,” she shoots back. “You must have some really messed up family issues to think this is the normal way to act, you know, just saying.”
“You have no idea,” he scoffs. Caroline stills, unable to move, the admission flooring her completely. “The Mikaelsons are an interesting bunch, to say the least. But yet you’re still here and I’m wondering why exactly if I am so messed up?”
“I’m processing,” she murmurs nervously, taking a much needed seat shakily. He’s by her side in a flash, his spicy cologne messing with her already fuzzy brain.
“Am I really that bad?” He’s within kissing distance now, his lips teasing her mercilessly. Maybe it’s the craziness of Mardi Gras or the fact he’s so handsome and smells so good in this proximity but Caroline is crazily considering crossing that line.
“Yes,” she replies, rather unconvincingly.
“So, what’s my worst trait then? We can count back from absolute worst to least bearable.”
“Well, other than your unscrupulous business practices…” she mumbles, unable to hide her attraction to this idiot.
“I can be difficult, I suppose,” he concedes.
“And you’re arrogant, smug, dishonest..”
“I may be arrogant and smug,” he admits. “But dishonest, I’m not.”
“So, what didn’t you lie about exactly?”
“The way I feel about you,” Caroline is melting and is struggling to respond. She’s in free fall, trying to work out how to extricate herself from this situation without showing emotion or capitulating to her feelings.
His lips are on hers before she can reply to the myriad of emotions she is feeling. They are warm, smooth and as his tongue massages hers she begins to lose herself in his kisses. Before she can fully immerse herself though, she spies photographs on his office wall. It’s not unusual, and his sepia theme is well known but she stills, pulling back to inspect the scenes more closely. Her back is to the camera in one, her blonde waves fanned out. In another, she is smiling wickedly into the distance and another, she is talking to one of the local kids.
Caroline is confused. She doesn’t know how to act or react. She rushes out of there in a flash. Too scared too look back at his expression as she does.
Bar Tonique - 15 February 2018
“What are you doing here?” Her voice is low, her gaze downcast as he enters. Klaus has been stewing for days, wondering how to approach her after their last altercation. She is at the forefront of his mind which is why he’s here, possibly against his better judgement.
“Is this how you welcome all your patrons? Because if so I might need to teach you some…”
“The day you teach me anything about hospitality, I will torch my and your establishment simultaneously.”
“You will fit in perfectly at Christmas Dinner,” he chuckles knowingly. “The Mikaelsons wear death wishes and carnage like a badge of honour.”
“As much as I love hearing about your family, you never answered my initial question.”
“That’s not an appropriate answer,” she baulked, her body language telling Klaus that she wasn’t dealing with their unexpected connection.
“Fine,” he conceded. “I think I love you.”
“That’s also not…” she attempts to respond but her vocal chords betray her. Klaus can tell she is struggling. It’s why he moves around to her desk, his finger lifting her chin up so her eyes will meet his.
“I know that I love you.” She is silent, surprisingly, a stray tear making its way down her creamy cheek. He moves fast and wipes it away with the brush of his thumb.
“I capture what inspires me,” he sighs, his thumb catching the last tear before it can fall. “And you inspire me, love.”
“I didn’t know it at the time but you are the reason I’m here. I was lost but now I’m found.”
“Fancy an excursion?” He pleaded, gesturing downstairs.
“And what exactly are we going to do?”
“I thought it might be nice to look at some of the local artwork given we will no doubt have differing opinions on snowflakes and the like, then eat some beignets…”
“It may surprise you but I know you better than you think,” he chuckles.
“Fine,” she concedes, albeit reluctantly. “But I’m going to need many.”
“Whatever you want,” he grins. “You know however long it takes and all that.”
She rolls her eyes but little did they know then those beignets would be the catalyst for the beginnings of their relationship. In fact they are a regular feature in anniversary celebrations forthwith because Klaus knows if his Queen is without her favourite treats, there is hell to pay.
