Beauty And The Beast // Klaroline AU

Chapter 25

Caroline's POV

My thoughts race wildly, a sigh escaping my lips.

"Are we almost done?" I question.

"It's been two minutes," Klaus informs me to which I groan, "now tell me about how you felt after the incident."

I roll my eyes, "I don't know."

It's Klaus's turn to let out a sigh, "Caroline, if you don't talk to me I can't help you with training."

I finally start speaking up, "okay, okay. I was mostly scared, I thought you were going to kill me like you did him."

"And after you had time to process it all? How did you feel then?"

I find it difficult to tell Klaus my feelings for some reason. Maybe it's because I fear he'll use it against me in the future out of anger when I finally leave this house, but I know deep down he would never do that.

"Empty," I state, the word being the only thing coming to my mind.

I remember falling onto the floor, crying for hours until my throat hurt. I stayed up night after night, unable to sleep, the images of his hands roaming my body as I stood, defenseless against him.

"And why empty?"

"It's like he took something from me. I know you stopped him before he could truly do anything to me... but still, he touched me and I didn't want to be touched. He kissed me and I didn't want to be kissed. He violated me, Klaus. I felt like I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move, I couldn't call out for anyone. I was completely helpless."

Klaus takes in a sharp breath, "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Caroline. Truly, I am."

I hide my face in my hands, crying softly on the couch. Klaus moves over to me and I feel as his hand gently takes mine.

"Hey, don't cry. You're not weak, love. You're strong, so incredibly strong. I just want you to know that no matter what, I will never let anyone touch you. You're safe now," he comforts me and for some reason I let him.

His words are oddly soothing, his much larger hands holding me and letting me sob into his shoulder. It takes a few minutes before I'm able to catch my breath, wiping away the tears from my now tear stained cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I shake my head.

Klaus smiles, "don't be. It's okay to cry in front of me. I won't ever judge you for doing so. You've been through a lot, Caroline, and I know it's hard to talk about it, but I'm glad you decided to. It'll help you in the long run, trust me."

"I got your shirt wet," I frown, looking at his now damp shirt from where I was previously crying on.

"Don't worry about it. I think we're done for today. You should get some sleep, love," Klaus stands up and I follow, running a hand through my hair.

"Klaus?"

"Hm?"

"Will you... will you stay with me tonight?"

His eyes lock onto mine and I gulp, instantly regretting the question. I don't know why I even said it in the first place, but something came upon me and I felt the need to have him by my side.

"Of course. I'll be up in a few minutes, okay?"

"Yeah," I nod, walking quietly upstairs, careful to not wake Emily.

I fall back onto the bed, waiting for Klaus. I don't know what it is about him, but he makes me feel safe.

The door creaks open when he enters.

"I just wanted to let you know that I think you did really good today. I get it's hard to talk about stuff, especially to me, but it will get better. Talking about it does help," he tells me as he changes his shirt.

I look at his many tattoos as he does so, wondering their meanings and the story behind why he got them in the first place. They suit him well.

"Thank you," I smile, getting under the covers.

Klaus nods, climbing in after me. He stares up at the ceiling for a few moments before looking over to me.

"Do you still hate me for killing him?" he asks suddenly.

I look over to him, pondering the question for a second before answering, "I don't hate you, Klaus. Maybe before I knew you I did but- look, I get why you did it. Do I agree with you? No, but I'm not angry anymore. I'm trying to get over everything. I know you were just trying to help."

"Well I'm glad. I just want to make things right with you. I know we got off on the wrong foot and I don't want to ever fight with you. That's never my intention, Caroline."

I look over at him, "I know. I'm trying to work on understanding you better, it's just hard when you do things like you did that one night-"

"I said I was sorry for that. I was out of line-"

"That doesn't make it right," I sigh, sitting up.

"Why are we arguing? This is what we always do, Caroline. We say something and then the other turns it into something it's not and we up in a fight, losing all progress we just made," he sits up as well, clearly frustrated. Maybe with me, maybe with himself, I can't tell.

"It's not like I want to fight with you all the time, Klaus."

"Well it sometimes seems like it."

I roll my eyes, "look, maybe I should just sleep in a different room tonight. I shouldn't have asked you to stay with me."

Immediately his expression changes, "no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I just- I'm trying really hard here to fix my mistakes. If I could take back everything I did I would, trust me. I just don't want you to hate me, that's all. And I especially don't want to fight, not tonight. Not with you."

"Will you train me in the morning?"

He pauses before nodding, "yes."

"Okay. Goodnight, Klaus."

"Goodnight, love."

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