InsaneJournal

Who: Elena and Klaus
What: Running into each other
When: After Klaus went home
Where: Beach
Status: Complete
Rating: Low


Since Finn had found him in the bar, Klaus knew he had to return home. He couldn’t hide out at Tyler’s forever. It had only been a matter of time before his siblings found out he was back. Not to mention Tyler’s place was much too small for him. So he went home, resuming his life as usual. He returned to his duties at the gallery. However, he still indulged himself in the evenings.

Today though, he was taking some time to himself. Time to paint. The beach always provided inspiration for him. Not to mention he needed a break from being around his sister. As much as he loved Freya, he didn’t want to explain what had happened. Being around her and keeping that from her just felt like lying. Especially since she was the only one who knew where he had gone.

He had his easel set up on the beach, was lost in his painting. It was almost done, Klaus was just putting the finishing touches on it, when he spotted someone familiar. “Hello, love,” he greeted making his way over to her, abandoning his easel for a moment.

**
With the onset of summer and a much lighter course load, Elena had been able to take advantage of more free time than she ever had during the normal school year. And, as it was a sunny day, she’d thought that the beach would be the perfect place to go. She looked better with skin that had been warmed by the sun. Too many months inside and she started to look a bit sallow, truth be told. Of course she hadn’t thought that she would run into the man who had dismissed her so easily the last time they had met.

The voice made her head turn, hand shading her eyes in the bright light. “Klaus.” He seemed to be in a better mood today. What did it mean, though, that he had such drastic mood swings?

“Hi.” Not as warm a greeting as he might have hoped for. But then his comment about saving lectures for those who cared had stuck with her.

**
Klaus had practically forgotten his last encounter with Elena. There had been so much going on that week, that snapping at the pretty brunette hadn’t even phased him. So when she seemed a bit cold he had no idea why. “Everything alright?” he asked with a raised brow.

**
“I could ask you the same,” she returned. “The last time we met you all but slammed the door in my face.” That he didn’t even seem to remember that was a bit of a red flag.

Eyebrows rose expectantly as she looked up at him. Hopefully there was a better explanation to be had.

**
Right. Klaus vaguely remembered that. She had come to see Tyler. And Klaus had not been in the mood for visitors at the time. He still wasn’t much in the mood for talking, not that he ever really was.

“As I recall you were there to see Tyler, love,” Klaus replied casually, clearly not phased by the comment or the incident.

**
“As I recall I told you Tyler could wait,” she returned evenly. “Because you seemed upset.” She’d been ready and willing to put her friend on the back burner because he had seemed to need someone.

“And you were at Tyler’s house. I can be forgiven for thinking that Tyler might be there.”

**
“How I seem or where I stay in none of your business,” Klaus replied that growl back in his tone. While he may have enjoyed Elena’s company on occasion that didn’t mean she knew anything about him. Had the right to assume he was upset, or that she could help.

**
Brow furrowed at that, Elena standing up. “I didn’t come looking for you,” she reminded him. “I don’t care enough to keep tabs on your whereabouts. And whatever we are, we have had some fun together. You seemed like a nice guy. So forgive me for caring and trying to do something to help. I won’t make that mistake again.”

He seemed determined to keep her at arm’s length. It was fine. But she couldn’t keep doing this back and forth. Couldn’t pretend like everything was great until she crossed some invisible line and he snapped.

“I’ll let you get back to your painting and you won’t have to worry about me bothering you again.” Even if he had been the one to come over to her this time.

**

Klaus and nice guy never went in the same sentence. He couldn’t help but smirk at the comment. “Well then,” Klaus replied smirk still on his face, clearly amused by Elena’s little outburst. “Looks like we’re done here,” with that he walked away and returned to his painting.