#nikmik

I am all for motivation, I’ll be your buddy! To be completely honest, I struggle with the idea of “ruining” notebooks, so I’m really proud that I’ve managed a daily blurb journal for going on a year and a half now. And I do mean “blurb”:

Welcome to my brain. I had to add a gratitude journal to end the day on a positive note (I can get a little pessimistic), but it works for me. And yes, I tend to color code entries based on the either the topic or my mood for the day. I think it helps me to get a grip on my mental state, and I agree that it takes blunt honesty to make progress. As you can see, I struggle with social situations, but it won’t improve until I make more of an effort to understand why they’re going poorly (this is also a pretty low self-esteem entry, obviously).

Hey luv, apologies for the delay. Hope this is okay : ) 

Star NFL Quarterback Klaus Mikaelson is a well-known womaniser but then he meets team cheerleader Caroline Forbes and everything changes.

U Got It Bad

I’m your man, you’re mygirl…

“That game was off thechain, Mikaelson.” It had taken a while to get used to American terminology butKlaus knew that meant he’d done well. Of course he had, he was Klaus bloodyMikaelson.

The locker room wasbuzzing with tired but excited players, coaching staff and journalists millingaround. It wasn’t unusual to hear such praise or feel one of his teammatesslapping him on the back post-game for Klaus Mikaelson but this time it wasdifferent. They’d made the playoffs with that win and were set to face the NewYork Jets in the first round.  

For an English guy who’dgrown up with a different kind of football altogether, being drafted to the SanFrancisco 49ers and becoming the star quarterback and a national sensationpractically overnight was a surreal experience. 

First, there’d been theconstant media attention then the flurry of female admirers he’d taken fulladvantage of at the time. That was until he’d met her.

She was unlike anyoneKlaus had ever known.

Beautiful.

Smart.

Feisty. She didn’t carewho he was and she made that clear on a daily basis with the way she rolledthose expressive, blue eyes whenever he attempted to make conversation.

Caroline Forbes was vice captainof the team’s cheerleading squad. There was no denying she met all the strictrequirements. 

Beautiful. 

Athletic.

Perky. Although only whenshe wasn’t conversing with him.  

Klaus wanted to pretend hedidn’t care, but he did. Way more than he was willing to admit. He shook hishead determined to remove her from his thoughts as he had to do more often thannormal.

“Mikaelson,” his coachbarked, gesturing to the treatment room down the hall. His shoulder had beenplaying up and they weren’t taking any chances on him heading into the finals.

Klaus made his way towardsthe door, pushing it open familiarly, not expecting what met him on the other side.

I’m your girl, you’re my man…

Of course she knew he was coming but it didn’t stop her heart from skipping a beat as the knowing player entered in all his post-match glory. 

Most people looked average after exercise, especially those playing at such an elite level, but from what she could tell the dark blonde curls (albeit damp) were still perfectly in place, his lips that sinful shade of crimson and those dimples annoyingly disarming. 

Bastard.

It was the only description that seemed to calm the tingling he was causing below. She was a professional and wasn’t going to let him mess with the job at hand. 

“On the bed.” He baulked at her unexpected demand, Caroline only realising just how untoward her request sounded. She decided to blame it on the fact he was basically naked bar the shorts leaving not much to the imagination. 

“If you say so,” he murmured, lying on the bed face down as requested. “Not to ruin the moment but last time I checked you’re not George or possibly qualified…” 

Before he could finish, Caroline had administered the requisite amount of oil which she was slowly working into his injured shoulder. “You think they’d let me do this if I wasn’t? I’m a fifth year physiotherapy student.”

“And you choose right now to tell me that fact?”

“I didn’t think it was important,” she muttered. “But if you must know, the team let me do work experience in exchange for cheering. As much as you think it’s the case, cheerleader isn’t my only role here.”

Caroline had nothing but respect for cheerleaders given the physical toll it took on them and their bodies but Klaus Mikaelson was a conceited ass and she had no intention of falling at his feet like his groupies did.

He’d made multiple efforts to speak to her but given his womanising reputation, Caroline had no intention of being just another notch on his belt, she had her pride after all. 

“I didn’t mean…” he faltered.

“I’m not one of your groupies,” she muttered, realising she’d blurted it out before thinking. 

“And that’s why I like you,” he breathed. “But given you have a death grip on my injured shoulder, I hope you know I’m sincere.”

She loosened her grip, albeit slowly, allowing him to turn over and face her curiously. “It’s supposed to go towards my credit this semester.”

“What for? Bedside manner?” 

“Cute,” she growled, trying to ignore just how annoying he sounded. “You realise I could kill your arrogant ass with my Darth Vader death grip from this angle?”

“A Star Wars fan too? Although, as much as I’d love to see that, the team’s management might not take too kindly to that given the whole play-off thing,” he offered.

“Fair enough,” Caroline said, her hands leaving his skin prematurely. “So no need to massage your lazy self further then?”

“I deserved that, right?”

“You bet your ass,” she growled.

Asshole. 

“Any chance you’d like to maybe talk instead?” 

“I’m too smart to be seduced by you, Mikaelson.” 

“That’s why I like you,” he murmured. “Now, any chance I could get something to cover up, I’m suddenly feeling extremely self conscious.” 

“That cold air not doing you any favours?” She teased looking below, knowing it was just another excuse but that it would mean so much more than expected.

“I was going to say this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship but it’s going to take longer to convince you of my intentions I’m assuming, right?”

not a full story, but how about a mini-sequel (to this)? also tagging @adelindschade for the original prompt

It was a quiet Sunday night, the last bit of their weekend before Caroline sat up in bed with her planner to set her strategy for the week ahead. Klaus cuddled her close to him as they sprawled on the couch, his fingers playing in her hair. His mind wandered to their conversation the day before, an invitation to their high school reunion having brought forth memories he thought long-buried. Of course they were going, Caroline had already scribbled on their shared calendar and picked out a dress. “If someone had told me ten years ago that I’d be sitting here with you, in a home we shared,” he murmured, “I wouldn’t have believed them.”

She raised her head from his chest, slightly disgruntled to tear her attention from the TV but she could hear the weight of something in his voice. “What are you talking about?”

His lips lifted in a small grin as a finger traced the edge of her jaw. They were passing ships throughout college, both having moved up to Providence - him for RISD, her for Brown - and accidentally frequenting the same coffee shop. It took Klaus three run-ins to finally ask her out, only for her to turn him down. Fresh off her breakup with Tyler the summer before, Caroline fully embraced singlehood and a stark desire to remain unattached while she figured out life away from Mystic Falls.

Still, Klaus greedily took advantage of every chance meeting, even as he dated his way through the art crowd and hangers-on. “The night you kissed me,” he mused, “I was so surprised, I thought it might have been a dream because I’d wanted you for so long.”

They had been at a bar, nearing graduation. His friends wanted to see some local band, whose drummer just happened to be Caroline’s best friend. “You were tipsy and beautiful, lights darting across your face. And when you looked up at me, you…smiled.”

“And you’re sappy tonight,” she teased, reaching up to poke one of his dimples.

He captured her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Only for you, love.”

Sitting up, she brushed her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. A flash of concern tugged her lips downward. “Seriously, what’s going on? You’re kind of freaking me out.”

“I was thinking about the reunion,” he admitted. “Stefan and I once chatted about you, you know, way back when.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Duh, you were obsessed with me.”

“I always said,” Klaus continued, running a soothing hand down her leg, “that if I ever had the chance, I’d be your second husband in a heartbeat.”

Narrowing her eyes, she at least recognized the familiar joke. “What happened to the first?”

Unlike the mischievous smirk she’d grown to love over the years, Klaus’s mouth strained into a fearful frown. He patted his jean pocket for the small box he’d taken to carrying around, waiting for the perfect moment. “He probably dropped dead of fright before actually asking,” he answered. With a slight tremble in his fingers, he managed to pop open the box to reveal the diamond ring inside. “Caroline Forbes, will you marry me?”

Her hand pressed to her mouth, Caroline nearly stopped breathing. About to break her neck nodding, she spread her hands across his chest to hold herself up. “Are you sure? This better not be just to prove to Tyler and Stefan that you won the long game, Klaus, I swear to-”

Laughing, Klaus hauled her up for a kiss, holding her face like she was precious to him. She was. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips. “I don’t have to prove anything, not if you say yes.”

“Yes!” she said, over and over as she pressed kisses to his face. “I love you, I love you, I-”

Their quiet night was lost to kisses and celebratory calls to her parents and his siblings, to the overwhelming plans already snagging in that brilliant brain of hers, to the love he looked forward to sharing for the rest of their lives.

NikMik: i really liked their take on a 10 year challenge

I’m so sorry!! I was saving your asks for when I listened to the pod during my Tuesday workout, but the stupid weather blocked my safe access to the gym. I literally just finished this ep, and couldn’t wait to tell you how much I loved it, too!

Seriously, their inside jokes, the memories, the way they would imitate each other, it was such a cute discussion. I think it cements the idea that episodes are better when they truly connect, know, and love the guest. The ten year challenge was an excellent theme, and I appreciated the thought they put into the answers. I really liked Candice sharing that she actively reflected on her goals and hopes, and that she does that with her husband to make sure they and their family are all on the same page. It’s definitely something I work on, which is nice to relate to.

I still have no desire to watch Roswell, but I am glad Trevino is enjoying his time, enriching himself and his career. That’s something I’d like to hear Candice and Kayla talk about more, how they’re navigating the industry now that they’re older and still figuring things out. They mentioned auditions, so that’s something, I guess.

I was definitely more like Kayla growing up (pretty sheltered), and I definitely wouldn’t have been allowed to hang out with a Candice. Watching MTV and going to teeny bopper concerts??? Nooooo. Although the slumber party DRAMA was real, and I do not miss those days for anything.

I think BSB was my first foray into pop music, we were raised on golden oldies and country music radio. Funnily enough, my brother was the first one to play me any BSB (and he does his damnedest to continue that music education to this day), and his wife still thinks they only went to the BSB/NKOTB concert for her.

But yeah, the Spice Girls craze? Way over my head except for the Barbie collection (I WANTED). I did not have my SG Renaissance until college, unfortunately. My “borrow that power” music was always Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody and Another One Bites the Dust) and ABBA (Dancing Queen nonstop), then eventually Broadway tunes (Wickeeeeed!). I regret nothing.

NikMik: in contrast to last week where i talked about nostalgia & wasting time wishing i could go back to the “good old days”, kayla said we should look back on who we were, learn from it & be a better version of that. i really felt candice’s point about being excited when you were younger to grow into who you were supposed to be & now that we’re older…feeling like we have to have it all together. but it’s okay to not have it all figured out! (pt2)

I thought that was a really nice tie-in, and it plays into the “supposed to be” not necessarily being what’s best for us. As my mom would say, things happen for a reason (both as a coping mechanism and a bolstering hope for what comes next). 

NikMik: i also really related to candice always wondering if she was being an annoying friend. but i didn’t quite agree with kayla saying “your friends will love you anyway.” i think it depends on what the behavior is. to sum up this episode…own who you are. (pt 3).

Agreed, I’m definitely the annoying one in my office and I hate it. It’s so upsetting to second guess every interaction, then grade myself poorly as a result. My constant goal is to shut up and listen a bit more, but that strategy has yet to come to fruition. And absolutely, some behavior can’t and shouldn’t be tolerated. I think there’s a line between being supportive (“I’m sorry the guy you like isn’t texting you back, that really sucks”) and enabling (“I’m sorry the guy you like - who has already told you he’s not interested in a relationship and continues to dick around with your feelings - isn’t texting you back - after you told him to block you so you get some space and perspective on the nonrelationship where you’re being used - that really sucks - for me, because I’m sick and tired of hearing this for the hundredth time and the third bad relationship you’ve fallen into, headfirst”). With some friends in some situations, tough love is the only way to go, and I’m not here to waste my time with constant and repeated poor decisions. Mean? Maybe. But they know that…and still love me. Go figure.

NikMik: also a question they asked during the podcast - do you journal?

I do! It’s a little obsessive at this point, but I love Erin Condren products. I keep a daily diary (mainly yelling at myself or general whining), a gratitude journal (something positive from the day), a wellness log (healthy eating and activity progress), and a writing tracker (I’m doing pretty well with my 444 word goal each day, but there’s always room for improvement). Reflection is something I take seriously, even if it’s to acknowledge where I can do better. 

What I find interesting is that I don’t think my voice has changed over the years that I’ve kept a journal. Candice talked about her younger self with fondness, but noted how she’s grown. I’m still just as self-absorbed and dramatic in tone, I just think I’ve grown to appreciate that aspect of my personality and have even gotten better at keeping it in perspective. Or I’m wallowing in a bubble of my own making, none the wiser. 

Let’s not decide which is true, we’ll just keep the mystery alive.

What about you??? Do you journal/has your voice changed over the years? Was BSB your power-borrowing phase? Do you have any idols that you’ve outgrown/collected as you’ve grown (I’ll admit, I couldn’t think of any)?