Runaway Gilbert

Chapter 16

While I wasn't a snob by any means I had to admit that the Mikaelson life of luxury was certainly one that I could use too. On arrival into the house Klaus had promised to treat me like a king and he was certainly delivering. I lay back into the warmth and bubbles enjoying the way that my muscles relaxed and all the muddled thoughts slipped away from me. The cherry on the top was the delicious smell that was drifting from the kitchen downstairs. The original had quickly herded him into the bath after a quick tour around the house and a discussion of where we both stood with the whole 'destined to be together thing', which I believed would be awkward but was surprisingly filled with reassuring words and encouragement from Klaus. We had come to the conclusion of taking things slow, an unusual area for me to venture into though everything about this felt different. I had never felt the way I did about Klaus with anyone else, the idea of being in a relationship with someone usually made me want to run in the other direction but this was different. Klaus was different. Whenever I was around him all I wanted was for him to wrap his arms around me and hold me close the same way he did just hours ago when I had met him for the first time. He'd explained that it was all a part of what I was and what we were meant to be. It was somehow comforting to know that there was someone I was meant to be with.

As the water shifted from a calming warmth to an unbearable cold I pulled myself out quickly picking up a large fluffy towel to dry myself with off before I pulled on a pair of baggy sweatpants and oversized shirt that I'd stolen from one of the dressers. I drifted my way downstairs feeling comfier than I had in a long time making a B-line to the kitchen. However, I didn't get the chance to make it in as suddenly there was a gust of air and Klaus was in front of me.

"Jesus christ." I shrieked, stepping back with my hand on my heart that was beating out of my chest at the sudden appearance.

"Not quite, love." Klaus chuckled, I felt an arm snake around my waist keeping me up straight as he led me away from the kitchen. I didn't have time or feel the need to question it as we headed through to the kitchen.

"Give me a warning next time before you give me a heart attack." I demanded, feeling my breathing begin to settle slowly. "Was there a reason for that or do you just enjoy watching me jump?"

"Well you are very cute when you're scared," My face lit up and I quickly averted my gaze, finding more interest in the walls than in the original. "You don't need to be in the kitchen. I have everything sorted so just sit back and relax." I didn't have any room to argue as I was pushed to sit on the sofa, Klaus moved to the coffee table picking up the wine that was already on the table and pouring it into a wine glass. He handed it over once the glass was half full reluctantly I took the glass.

"But you've done so much I can at least help." I protested, making another attempt to get up, but didn't make it far as I was pushed back down.

"I will compel you to this couch if I have too."

"Fine." I relented, crossing my arms with a small huff. Watching as he wandered back to the kitchen. "God you're dramatic." I moaned quietly after he left, reluctantly I let myself relax as I sipped my wine. I took time to let my eyes drift around the room falling on the bookshelves that were tucked under the window seat. After placing my glass down I wandered over, having to bend down to look over the variety of books available. On inspection I saw that they were mostly an accumulation of classic books. With some consideration I settled on rereading a clearly well loved copy of Emma by Jane Austen, whoever lived here before us clearly had good taste. Slowly, I migrated back to the sofa curling up in the very corner of the sofa with my book in hand as I threw myself back into Austen's writing for the hundredth time. I couldn't tell how long I spent lost in pages, but apparently it was long enough for Klaus to finish dinner as he came into the living room placing his hands on my shoulders. This time I didn't jump instead relaxing into his touch moving to lean my head against one of his arms with my gaze still firmly on the book.

"What are you reading?" Klaus questioned softly.

"Emma by Jane Austen,"

"Well I hate to interrupt but dinner's ready." Klaus announced, I perked up at the mention of food quickly folding the edge of the page and placing it on the coffee table with the forgotten glass of wine. I let myself be led by a hand on the small of my back through the halls to the dining room. From what I had experienced from the Mikaelson family I was expecting fancy, but I wasn't expecting the sight I walked into.

The entire dining room was lit up with the flickering light of candles, casting a warm glow around the entire room as shadows danced along the walls. I couldn't speak, couldn't find the words to describe how gorgeous the sight was. In the very middle of the room the table was laid out for two, with plates of what looked like pasta and next to it two already poured bottles of wine. Still in a daze I barely registered that I was being moved as I was forced down into one of the seats and tucked into the table.

"It's beautiful." I managed to force out as I glanced around the room, trying to take in ever detail. "No ones ever done anything like this for me before." Klaus sat down on the other side of the table with a.

"Well that's their loss." Klaus retorted a loving smile plastered across his face as I met his gaze with a dopey grin of my own. None of this seemed real. It all seemed like something out of a romance movie or some cheesy love story that I would read about. Things like this never truly did happen to me, I couldn't even recall a time going out for a meal with someone I was interested in never mind having them cook and decorate an entire room for me.

"I feel really underdressed for this."

"You look great," Klaus assured. "I'm no professional chef but I know the basics, I hope you enjoy it." With permission I picked up my fork twirling a fork full of spaghetti and pancetta on to a fork and digging in. I couldn't stop the moan that forced itself out of my throat as the taste hit my tongue.

"This is amazing." I groaned out. "But I'm also embarrassed that I have no idea what it is."

"Its traditional Italian carbonara." Klaus filled in the blanks as he took a bite of his own food.

"You're going to have to teach me how you made it, my cooking abilities don't go past microwaving things."

"You don't need to learn, I don't mind cooking for you or I could get someone to do it for us." Klaus brushed it off.

"I always forget how convenient compulsion is." I hummed, being mindful to at least make an attempt to eat in a dignified manner despite the urge to just scoff everything down as fast as possible.

"It's a fun little trick," Klaus agreed, there was a moment of silence as we both ate. "Don't worry darling you never have to lift a finger again if that's what you want." I grinned at just the thought.

"I like the sound of that."

The two of us talked through the whole meal, I couldn't help but spill my guts to him about everything. Everything just seemed to flow between the two of us, so I just let loose telling him all about my parents and the Elena situation. It was nice to have someone that was truly on my side for once. We both managed to talk way after we had finished our meals and instead found ourselves sitting in front of two empty dishes for longer than they should have till Klaus decided the best idea was to move into the living room instead of sitting in the dining room all night. I spent most the night learning all about him, his family, his life and was surprised to find out about the more personal things like how once took in a boy he thought of as his son. I don't know what point I fell asleep that night, whether it was in between the laughs of shared memories or when we decided to move to the window seat to watch the sunrise. All I knew was that I was falling in love with a man I barely knew and I didn't car in the slightest.