The Mystic Falls Grill was alive with the usual hum of small-town life. Teenagers laughed too loud near the dartboard. Pool balls clacked against each other in rhythm. Country music whispered from a dusty jukebox. It was a slice of normalcy in a town haunted by the supernatural.
And she was there.
Caroline Forbes.
Sitting in a corner booth with Bonnie, sipping from a straw, flipping through a class planner with her usual mix of determination and drama. But even as she smiled at whatever Bonnie was saying, she was constantly scanning the room—always aware, always sharp.
Your boots echoed softly against the wooden floor as you approached.
Her head lifted before you even said a word.
"Klaus."
No venom. No warmth either. Just guarded curiosity.
You gave her a soft smile, one that didn't demand anything. One that said, I'm not who I used to be.
"Hello, beautiful."
She narrowed her eyes, but you saw the blush rise in her cheeks just beneath the surface.
"I'm not interested."
"You sure?" you asked, tilting your head. "Because you're blushing, Caroline."
She rolled her eyes but turned slightly to hide the truth on her face.
"If I am, it's only because I wasn't expecting to see your smug face tonight."
"Smug?" you chuckled. "I prefer confident. Especially when I know exactly what I want."
She looked at you—truly looked this time. "And what do you want?"
"One date."
Caroline blinked.
"One date," you repeated, voice calm. "Just one. If you hate it, I'll walk away and leave you be. But if you don't… I'll spend eternity treating you like the queen you are."
The blush came back stronger this time. But her lips pressed into a line.
"Fine," she said. "One."
"Pick you up at eight."
Later that night
You pulled your Lamborghini to a smooth stop in front of the Forbes residence. The car purred like a panther in the night—sleek, dangerous, elegant.
You stepped out, dressed in a black tailored suit with no tie, sleeves casually rolled to your forearms. You walked to the front door and knocked once.
It was Liz Forbes who answered.
She wore a fitted navy blouse and simple silver earrings. There was a quiet strength in her stance—her sheriff's intuition always alert—but tonight, something softened behind her eyes.
"Klaus," she said, voice cool. "Didn't expect you to be punctual."
You smiled, leaning against the doorframe.
"Your daughter made me promise one date. I plan to make it count."
Then, with a casual flick of charm, you added—
"And might I say… you look beautiful tonight, Sheriff."
She tilted her head slightly. "Flattery, from you?"
"Only when it's honest," you replied. "You carry authority like most carry pearls. And it suits you."
There it was—the pause. The flicker in her eyes. The subtle shift in energy. You'd planted the seed.
Caroline appeared behind her mother at the top of the stairs, wearing an emerald green dress that shimmered under the porch light. She looked down, clearly catching the moment between you and Liz.
"We ready or…?" she asked, mildly suspicious.
"We are," you said, offering your arm.
Caroline eyed you. Then her mother. Then sighed and walked down the steps.
"Don't wait up," you said with a wink to Liz.
"I wasn't planning to," she replied.
You opened the passenger door of the Lamborghini, and Caroline climbed in slowly, her dress folding around her. As she settled in, she looked around the luxurious interior.
"Seriously? A Lamborghini?"
"Only the best," you said, closing the door gently before circling around and getting behind the wheel. "For someone who deserves it."
The drive
You didn't speak much on the drive.
Caroline looked out the window, pretending not to be impressed, even though you caught her glancing at the dash, the stitching on the seats, the speedometer.
Eventually, the road curved off into a private gravel path surrounded by trees. Blue runway lights flickered in the distance.
Caroline sat up. "What is this?"
You grinned. "A change of scenery."
You pulled to a stop at the base of a private jet, its engines humming, the staircase lowered and waiting.
Caroline stepped out and stared. "You didn't say anything about flying."
"You didn't ask," you replied.
"Where are we going?"
You took her hand and led her toward the stairs.
"It's a surprise."
"You're unbelievable."
"You'll see," you said as she climbed the steps beside you.
In the sky
The cabin was softly lit with gold and violet tones. Leather seats. Mahogany trim. Champagne chilling in crystal. Everything meticulously crafted—just like your plan.
Caroline settled beside the window.
"Still not telling me?"
"Not yet," you said, pouring her a glass and handing it to her. "You said one date. I intend to make it unforgettable."
"If this is your version of subtle—"
"It's not," you said honestly. "I don't do subtle. I do real. And I meant what I said."
She turned to face you.
"If I like it… what happens next?"
You leaned in slightly, your voice low and direct.
"Then I will become your king, Caroline. I'll give you everything—devotion, protection, eternity. You'll be treated like a queen for the rest of your immortal life."
She didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she looked back out the window as the clouds parted beneath the wing, the stars above them clear and endless.
"You really don't do anything halfway, do you?"
You smirked. "Not when it comes to the people I care about."
She sipped the champagne. "We'll see."
You leaned back.
And as the jet soared south through the midnight sky, you watched her silhouette in the cabin light.
She didn't know it yet…
But by the time they landed on that white-sand Caribbean beach, this one date would change everything.