klaroline story

chapter 2

Caroline stood on the balcony of the Mikaelson compound, overlooking the city of New Orleans as the moon cast a silver glow over the streets. The air smelled of jasmine and rain, mixing with the distant sounds of jazz playing somewhere in the Quarter.

Her hands instinctively rested on her stomach.

Twins.

She still couldn't wrap her head around it.

It had been a whirlwind—leaving Mystic Falls, confessing to her mother, discovering the impossible, and now... here.

In Klaus's world.

In his home.

The compound bustled with life beneath her. Elijah, ever composed, was talking with Freya about some supernatural disturbance. Kol was likely scheming, and Davina, though polite, clearly didn't know what to make of Caroline yet.

And then there was Hayley.

Their conversation earlier had been tense, but Hayley had relented—for now. She didn't trust Caroline, and Caroline didn't trust her. But that was fine.

They didn't have to be friends.

They just had to coexist.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her turn.

Klaus.

He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Enjoying the view, love?"

Caroline exhaled, shaking her head. "It's a lot to take in."

Klaus stepped closer, his presence grounding her. "You're handling it better than most would."

She let out a small laugh. "You mean better than most people who just found out they're pregnant with the Original Hybrid's children?"

His smirk widened. "Something like that."

Caroline looked back at the city, her expression growing serious. "I don't know how to do this, Klaus. I wasn't planning on leaving Mystic Falls. I wasn't planning on... this."

His voice softened. "Yet, here we are."

She turned to face him. "Why aren't you freaking out? You don't exactly have a good track record with family."

A flicker of something—pain, maybe regret—crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. "Because this is different."

Caroline scoffed. "How?"

Klaus stepped forward, placing his hands on her waist. "Because it's you."

The words sent a strange warmth through her, but before she could say anything, Freya appeared in the doorway.

"Elijah needs to speak with you," she told Klaus, eyeing the way he stood so close to Caroline before disappearing back inside.

Klaus sighed but didn't move just yet. "Get some rest, sweetheart. Tomorrow, I'll show you more of the city."

Caroline nodded, but as he walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming.

A Tense Breakfast

The next morning, breakfast at the compound was... awkward.

Freya, Elijah, and Kol sat at the long dining table, while Hayley held Hope, keeping a firm distance from Caroline.

Caroline wasn't exactly expecting a warm welcome, but she wasn't expecting this level of tension either.

Kol was the first to break the silence. "So, you are the lucky girl carrying my brother's devil spawn."

Caroline shot him a glare. "Charming."

Freya gave Kol a warning look before turning to Caroline. "I know this is new for you. It's new for us too."

Caroline hesitated. "I get it. I wasn't exactly planning on joining the Mikaelson circus."

Kol snorted. "No one ever does."

Elijah, ever the peacemaker, finally spoke. "Regardless of how it happened, we will ensure you are safe here, Caroline."

Hayley scoffed under her breath. "Safe? With Klaus? That's ironic."

Caroline met her glare with one of her own. "You and I both know that if there's one thing Klaus would die for, it's his family."

Hayley's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue.

The air was thick with unspoken words when Klaus finally entered the room, greeting them all with a smirk before taking the seat next to Caroline.

His presence alone seemed to shift the mood—Kol looked amused, Freya unreadable, Elijah observant, and Hayley still on edge.

Then Klaus casually said, "Caroline and I will be attending a gala tonight."

Caroline blinked. Excuse me?

The Gala

Hours later, Caroline found herself standing in front of a full-length mirror in one of the many extravagant rooms of the compound, staring at the deep red gown that Freya had helped her find.

A gala.

Because apparently, Klaus Mikaelson had an entire city to impress.

The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, the fabric silky and smooth beneath her touch. She barely recognized herself.

The knock at the door made her turn.

Klaus stood there, dressed in an all-black suit, looking like something straight out of a fairytale—or a nightmare, depending on who you asked.

His eyes roamed over her, something dark and possessive flashing behind them. "You look stunning."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

Klaus smirked. "And yet, here you are. In my city. Wearing my colors."

She crossed her arms. "Why are we even going to this thing?"

Klaus stepped closer, brushing a loose curl from her face. "Because, love, tonight is about more than just appearances."

There was something else behind his words—something he wasn't saying.

But before she could press him further, he offered his arm.

"Shall we?"

Caroline hesitated only a moment before slipping her hand through his.

Tonight, she'd play his game.

But she had a feeling that whatever Klaus Mikaelson was planning... it would change everything.

Meanwhile...

Elijah leaned against the railing of the courtyard, his gaze fixed on Hayley.

"You're worried," he noted.

Hayley sighed. "I don't trust her."

Elijah tilted his head. "Because she's with Klaus?"

"Because she's pregnant with his children," Hayley said bitterly. "What happens when it all goes south? What happens when Klaus does what Klaus always does?"

Elijah's expression softened. "Then we protect her. As we always have."

Hayley exhaled, glancing at the city beyond. "I just don't want Hope to get hurt."

Elijah hesitated before placing a hand on her shoulder. "Neither does Caroline."

And deep down, Hayley knew that was true.

But that didn't make any of this easier.

Because Klaus Mikaelson was falling in love.

And love, in their world, was always dangerous.