chapter 36 (part one)

You know that I'm obsessed with your body
But it's the way you smile that does it for me
It's so sweet, knowing that you love me
Though we don't need to say it to each other, sweet
Knowing that I love you, and running my fingers through your hair
It's so sweet

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

         KLAUS WAS NEVER one of those heavy sleepers, no. His early years were spent in the confines of a small, overcrowded hut where the proximity of five siblings and the ever-looming presence of his parents made quiet nights a rarity. In fact, about any at all, when Mikael was coming back after━no matter whether successful or not━hunting or viking raids and his hands were just itching to vent some frustration on his favourite punching bag.

It was a miracle in itself anyway that he stopped sleeping with a knife under his pillow. A thousand of summers ago, when he was still a teenager, he carved himself a knife in his father's absence━he had breathed his whole soul into it, worked on the blade itself for days to make it perfect, so that it would help him easily do what he wanted so badly.

A patricide.

He imagined it millions of times, maybe more. How that blade would plunge right into Mikael's neck, a simple in and out the next time he slept. Or between his ribs, several times then to make sure his sleep would be eternal. Or just straight into his heart, his little pitch-black heart that didn't beat for him even once.

He parted with it somewhere during his first century of life, reminding himself that he now had fangs. A pair of sharp teeth that were far more deadly than a silly wooden knife, accompanied by perfect hearing and sight. He didn't need it a few days after the transformation, yet he couldn't part with it, a stupid piece of wood he trusted far more than his new abilities.

His sleep was always light, the slightest creak of floor or door, a whisper that could be mistaken for a breeze could wake him up. He could not say the same about the woman lying next to him.

Klaus had been lying awake for perhaps half an hour when one of the first streams of sunshine met his eyes. Jade had been motionless since his eyes had only opened, in a position that lay on the border between normal and professional acrobatic. At first Klaus turned gently towards her, too frightened to wake her, yet when the loud slam of the door echoed throughout the house and the blonde still hadn't even twitched an eyebrow, the hybrid realised that she had no desire to wake up. 

A breath, a sigh, and Klaus surrendered to the silent spectacle before him. He lowered himself onto the pillow, captivated by the living canvas laying motionless nearby. His arm found solace beneath her neck, and a subtle smile graced his lips as she, unconsciously, welcomed the subtle change. With a small sound that threatened to split the hybrid's heart in two, her head nestled on his chest, arm draped over his stomach, and a slender leg intertwined with his own.

With his free hand, he combed her blonde hair, gently and tenderly pushing it away from her face. There were remnants of her make-up from yesterday, little black smudges smeared at the corners of her eyes, her lips bright and natural, a dramatic contrast to her usual dark and glossy ones that yesterday he had been more than happy to lick off.

Klaus' gaze softened as he observed her sleeping form nestled against him. Her long, wavy blond hair cascaded around her face, partially obscuring her features. A gentle smile graced his lips as he traced his finger along the curve of her cheek, marveling at the freckles scattered across her skin like constellations. It was in these quiet moments that he saw a vulnerability in Jade, a side of her that she rarely showed to the outside world, as if ever. It was a sight that captivated him, making him long to protect her from the chaos and turmoil that consumed their lives.

And long for the chaos and turmoil that she would wreak.

As his fingertips traced the delicate strands of her hair, he couldn't help but imagine a future where he would wake up to this scene every morning. A future where there would be no white oak, no murderous parents, where his family would be safe and at peace, the worries and burdens of their world temporarily washed away. The thought filled him with a warmth he hadn't known existed within him before she entered his life.

A whisper of a question lingered in the recesses of his thoughts, as if an inquiry from the universe itself━what have you done to him, sweetheart? When? Why you?

He knew why.

Because no one else made sense.

Falling, what a funny little word that was. He was more than familiar with it, he was used to falling down, falling apart, falling behind and short. Although, he didn't know the meaning to that one he moved past, the one little word he always presumed as weakness.

Funny, he thought. Maybe a doppelgänger wasn't what he was supposed to find in Mystic Falls at all.

The rising and falling of her chest against his own brought a sense of calm and contentment, grounding him in the present moment. There was a certain comfort in waking up next to her, knowing that she was right there, at arm's length, so close, nestled between the arms what would shield her from any kind of harm, even if she didn't know it yet.

She would figure that out. After all, he admired her for her intelligence from the very start.

As the morning light began to filter more and more through the curtains, Klaus leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Jade's forehead. Allowing her to continue sleeping, the hybrid smoothly slipped out of bed, throwing on some sweatpants and a t-shirt from the wardrobe and quietly exited the bedroom, heading towards his art studio, suddenly dripping with creative verve.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Two or three hours later, Jade rolled on her side with a groan, her eyes still clumped firmly shut. As she draped her arm forward, she furrowed her eyebrows at the empty space. Cracking one eye open, she sighed with disappointment as she realized she was alone. Did he ditch her in his own house? Rude much?

The vampire let out a long and weary sigh as she rolled onto his side of the bed, burying her face in his pillow. Absorbing his scent, she felt a strange lightning of warmth spreading through her chest, and she couldn't help the smile that begged to be let out.

Damn.

Jade had sex before, lots of it, men or women━it didn't matter. But whatever the fuck happened last night━that was definitely a first.

Whatever happened over and over again.

Her lips quirked upward at the memory.

It was so different that the woman didn't even have words for it. When she thought of her previous partners, they were boys. Klaus, he was a man, in the best sense of the word. He had awakened something within her, something she hadn't known she was capable of feeling, something she wasn't sure she dared to admit. He had touched her in ways that went beyond the physical, igniting a fire that she hadn't known existed. It was as if he had somehow reached into the depths of her soul and awakened a dormant desire for something more. It wasn't just the physical pleasure, though that was undoubtedly mind-blowing, it was the way he had made her feel━cherished, seen and...

Dare she say it?

No, not yet.

Although if it is what she think it is, oh my, how awful it feels.

Her soul have been pierced. With him, with his brilliant mind, with his delicate touches and exciting stolen glances. Its dying, but not in the way you'd think, it's dying for more.

Oh, look at her, how mad she'd gone.

She blamed him.

But as the warm glow of the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, a flicker of doubt passed through her mind. Would this feeling, this intense connection, last? Or was it simply a fleeting moment, a temporary escape from the realities of their lives?

Does he even feel the same way?

Jade frowned, not being able to deny the slight hint of fear that tickled the edges of her consciousness. She had become accustomed to a life of detached encounters, not worrying her pretty head with something as mundane as feelings. But with Klaus, with that stupid half-dog, it was different. He stirred something inside her, making her question her own walls and defenses.

Yet, in this fleeting moment of clarity, as she inhaled the lingering scent of him on his pillow, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. The scared feelings that had plagued her seemed like a distant echo, drowned out by the sheer intensity of him. This man, who had whisked her away to another world, had made her feel alive in a way she had never experienced. And perhaps, just perhaps, there was a chance that this feeling, this connection, whatever this was, could last.

She kinda liked the idea.

But just a little.

Don't tell anyone or she's going to kill you.

With a sudden huff, Jade pushed herself upright, her eyes scanning the room that was so ridiculously Klaus', she couldn't help but snort, her head shaking. It exuded power, with scattered sheets of paper on the desk, unfinished sketches and plans that hinted at the complexity of his mind. Glasses with half-drunk whiskey stood as remnants of the previous night's indulgence, just as her clothes, which were literally everywhere.

Her gaze then fell upon the wardrobe, its doors slightly ajar, inviting her to explore its contents. With a playful twinkle in her eyes, she rose from the bed and opened it, revealing the carefully arranged collection of clothes. A myriad of suits, well-tailored and stylish, but it was the casual attire that caught her attention. Her fingers danced across various fabrics, until finally, she found a well-worn, dark blue Henley shirt that seemed more intimate and personal.

With a mischievous smirk, she pulled on the shirt, its fabric brushing against her skin, carrying with it a hint of Klaus' scent. She may have or may have not sniffed it, you have no evidence.

Pulling on her underwear along the way (she'd rather not flash chief Gino, she still wanted a breakfast—and with him seeing her, he wouldn't live to cook it) she ventured out of the room, her movements filled with a newfound sense of purpose. Her bare feet padded against the polished floors as she made her way through the maze-like corridors of the mansion. Along the way, she passed by pieces of art that she only ever seen on pictures, wondering how and how bloody was Klaus' way of getting his hands on it. She followed the sound of soft jazz and paintbrushes echoing from his art studio, inwardly rolling her eyes at his never satiated artist soul, trying to stifle the annoying voice inside her that whispered how adorable it was.

As she entered the room and leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest, Klaus' gaze immediately found hers, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of surprise and delight. His gaze turned slightly possessive as it traced the contours of the Henley shirt that hugged her frame, a small smile starting to stretch on his lips the longer he looked, his painting left forgotten for a few seconds.

Jade leaned her head against the wall, her eyes lingering on Klaus, who stood by his unfinished painting, wearing an oversized splattered-in-paint shirt and sweatpants. His ruffled hair and his fucking necklaces too.

Manslut.

As she silently recounted how many times she pulled on those necklaces last night, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fierce attraction towards him, her gaze drinking in every detail—the smudges of paint on his hands, the intensity in his eyes, the way he commanded the room effortlessly.

And may she remind you, he was in fucking sweatpants.

She needed some new meds.

Klaus' voice, laced with a smoldering tone, broke the silence, tearing her away from her less-than-saint-thoughts. "Well, well, love, aren't you a sight to behold." He purred, his words filled with an undeniable magnetism as he wiped his hands on a rag.

Jade raised an eyebrow as she unfolded her arms, stepping away from the doorframe and sauntering toward him. "Well, well, aren't you an asshole." She mocked, cocking her head to the side as she walked.

Klaus rolled his eyes, reaching for a larger paintbrush and dipping it in some paint. "You sleep like a bloody bear, I got bored." He shrugged, although whatever he wanted to paint in that moment came out like a giant blob, a result of her swift smack up his head. Scowling, he looked down at the now smiling with satisfaction woman. "What was that for?" He asked, already on his way to fix the mistake.

"Sorry, twitch." Jade said sweetly, her face angel-like-innocent, causing him to shake his head, although there was a little smile on his lips now. "Whatcha' working on?" She asked, taking a step towards him, but the hybrid swiftly tilted the easel, hiding it away from her curious eyes.

"I'll show you when I'm done." Klaus said with a cryptic smile.

Jade narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Is it me with my tits out?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Klaus let out an exaggerated gasp and his face bore a very disturbing resemblance to that one grandma she politely told to fuck off when she was driving during their little roadtrip couple of months ago. Jade's eyebrows shot up to her hairline as she watched his dramatics. "Sweetheart, I would not paint you that way without your say in it." He said, one of his hands placed upon his heart to emphasize his offense.

As Jade hummed, Klaus nodded and wiped his hands off on the dirty cloth. Glancing towards her, he spoke once again, one of his eyebrows raised in question. "So, what's your say in it?"

Jade's laughter echoed through the room and Klaus' grin widened at the lovely sound, his eyes sparkling as he looked down at her. After a moment, she pursed her lips, a thoughtful look on her face. "Sexy." She decided on saying, nodding to herself. "Although being still for couple of hours sounds incredibly boring." She scrunched her face, one of her shoulders shrugging as she looked up at him.

Klaus smirked and threw the dirty rag away, taking a deliberate step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. Inching closer, he leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them. "Ah, I think I'd have a reward in mind." He replied, his voice low and velvety as he twirled one of her hair strands between his fingers.

Jade's hand moved unconsciously, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "Well, maybe I'd say yes, then." She breathed with a matching smirk.

Klaus couldn't help but lower his voice to a whisper, his eyes glued to her lips as he responded. "Maybe."

A second later, his hand shot up to grasp hers, which was sneakily outstretching to grab his painting. "Ah-ah, not finished." He tutted with amusement, placing a sweet kiss to her knuckles before he let go of her hand.

Or rather—before she snatched it away.

"Dick." Jade huffed under her breath, eyeing him in annoyance.

When she watched him laughing to himself, she narrowed her eyes, an idea already forming in mind.

Without wasting another second, she abruptly dipped her whole hand into his paint palettes, smearing the vibrant colors across his face with a mischievous grin, stunning him into momentary silence. The room filled with a heavy pause, broken only by the stifled laughter attempting to escape Jade's lips.

Klaus staggered back, his hand instinctively reaching up to wipe away the paint from his features. The once-confident hybrid found himself momentarily lost for words, his eyes narrowing as he registered Jade's audacity. "Don't start what you can't finish, love." He warned after a moment, his voice taking on a slightly threatening edge as he regained his composure.

The clear threat in his tone didn't faze the blonde in the slightest, especially with him looking like a long lost member of the Blue Man Group. She leaned in closer, her grin widening. "Actually," She whispered, her voice a tantalizing melody. "I always finish."

Klaus' eyebrows rose at her words and, before the blonde could lean back, she felt the cool sensation of paint as he smeared it across her own face, mirroring her artistic attack. Jade gasped in offense and slapped his hand away, although her lips were still twisted into a smile.

Without hesitation, Klaus poured more paint onto his hand, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and determination. "No." Jade shook her head as she pointed at him with her finger, already backing away.

"Yes." Klaus said with a nod, taking a few, determined steps towards her, his face absolutely serious.

Jade knew she couldn't stay in one place for long, her laughter fueling her escape. She bolted from the room, her bare feet padding against the floor as she headed down the hallway.

a/n: i literally dropped the smuttiest smut of smuts and said bye y'all 🤪 for two months

soooooo this little thing up there is what i've managed to scrap in that time on my phone, i figured since i THINK i'm getting my laptop back this week (let's fucking hope and pray) i might just as well post this, 3k words are better than nothing, right?

i just wanted to thank all of you who reread this fic in my absence, it just really warms me up seeing that you didn't forget about our girl 😭

also—414k views??????? what in the goddamn mother fuck???? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU