Young Gods (A Klaus Mikaelson Fanfic)

Chapter 11- Meet-Cute

The day of the sacrifice, Klaus had decided to be benevolent and allowed Alaric to go free in order to deliver a message that the sacrifice would happen that night. Now, despite his claim of kindness, he had really done it to psychologically torture the doppelgänger. He had thought that he disliked Katherine, but at least she understood familial loyalty. Even after her family had banished her to England, leaving her alone and vulnerable to him, she had returned to them after turning in an effort to save them.

Elena was the complete opposite. He had witnessed her behavior towards her sister firsthand and he despised her for it because she had actually cared when he went after Jeremy. Maybe that was why he felt so drawn to Bella. She was misplaced within her family as well and despite how awful Elena was to her, she still did whatever she could to protect her because she had the same sense of familial loyalty the Mikaelsons possessed.

It was thoughts of her that drew him to the Mystic Grill that day. He told himself that he needed to warn Damon off of doing anything stupid, which was probably a good idea. Yet, admittedly, too late, not that Klaus knew that or really cared given he had already planned for him to do something he would regret. But deep down, he knew that he was hoping to catch a glimpse of her vibrant blue eyes. The eyes that were as blue as the Lazuli stone that adorned daylight amulets. Perhaps he just craved her. As soon as the thought comes, he shuts it down.

He's there for Damon, to stop him from interfering so that he can break his curse and then ditch this one-horse town. He didn't have time for attachments and he couldn't afford any weakness. But every time Belladonna's eyes literally light up as she puzzles together a new mystery, he feels himself wanting to hear all about it. To covet her for himself. No, he snaps at himself. Not her, her knowledge.

All the thoughts of the brunette woman have begun to offset his temper, so he's in a bad mood when he enters the grill. This only increases when he runs into someone who barely manages not to spill the milkshake she's holding all over his front. He growls under his breath and goes to snap at her--despite it being his fault--when she speaks first. "Oh my god, I am so sorry," she apologizes. "I was trying to go around you but I'm so clumsy sometimes."

The sincerity and self-derision in Bella's voice calm him immediately and he gives her a charming smile, doing his best to woo her, thoughts of weakness forgotten. "That's quite alright, Love. It was all my fault. I should've been watching where I was going." For the first time since meeting her, he takes in her features other than her eyes. Maybe his fascination really is becoming something more. Or perhaps it's just because they're up close now.

She had delicate features. Her eyes looked soft up close and her entire face gave off a sort of...childlike innocence. They were a complete contrast to what he had learned of her history, yet he could see the compassion Katherine had spoken about shining through as she looks at him kindly.

"It's okay, really. As I said, I'm pretty clumsy. Are you new to town?"

"Why do you ask?" He retorts, instantly suspicious. After all, he knew how smart she was, but all she did was giggle.

"Well you have an accent and I've lived here my whole life and never seen you. Ergo, you're either new to town or a hermit who's finally decided to get out into the world." Klaus finds himself laughing along with her. Finally, she holds out a hand to him. "I'm Bella." Klaus takes her hand and brings it to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss that he would scold himself for later.

"A beautiful name for a gorgeous woman." Bella blushes, unsure how he could think she was beautiful. She was currently sporting jeans and a cheerleading sweatshirt that she had bought from Caroline as part of some fundraiser. Her hair was a mess because her curls had gotten all tangled as she slept, likely because she shared her double bed with Ellie instead of staying at the Salvatore Boarding House and sharing her king bed. She couldn't brush it or her hair would get poofy so she just left with her hair as it was to pick up food for the two besties with the hopes that it would work itself out.