AU: I know, I know. I'm crazy. I mean, who starts another story with two others still unfinished, right? But don't worry, I'm not abandoning anything. It just didn't feel right putting this as a chapter of Sunshine because this is going to be a two-shot. YEY ME! Finally, something I can finish soon.

Anyway, I was nursing a horrible, horrible hangover last weekend. My first hangover in my entire life, if I'm being totally honest. So, yeah. I hope you like it!


"Caroline, baby, you're making me dizzy."

His back is against the headboard, his book on his lap. He's watching her make a fuss about tonight's big party at her college. He laughs in amusement as she tries another outfit, leaving several pieces of clothing sprawled on the foot of their bed.

"Whaaaaaaaaaaat?" She draws out the question, turning to face him at the other end of the room.

"It's that bad?" Her lips jut out in a little pout, her eyes wide.

"Honey, you know you look good in anything," he says getting up from the bed and making his way to her.

He wraps his arms around her from behind, positioning them so they're facing the mirror. He rests his chin on her shoulders and rubs his thumbs on her bare sides.

The dress she has on is still unzipped so he slips the strap off her shoulder and plants a lingering kiss on her porcelain skin.

"You know what'll definitely look good on me?," she says turning in his arms so they're face to face.

She wraps her arms around his neck as he rests his lips on her temple.

He inhales her sent, flowers and sunshine.

"What?," he answers, closing his eyes.

"You," she closes the distance then, hugging him to her.

They stay like that for a while, entwined in each other's arms, swaying to the music only they can hear.

"You know what?," she says, pulling back a little to meet his eyes.

"I'm not going. Let's stay in. I can help you study."

Her eyes are bright and earnest and he can feel his resolve slowly fade. He hates that he can't go with her, partly because he knows there are a lot of guys who would be all over her. But also because he loves to see her have fun.

He loves to watch her just let loose and enjoy after all the stress she's had to deal with in the past few days . Spring break officially starts tonight for her entire college and they've setup a bonfire to celebrate. He, however, still has a buttload of work to do.

He has two exams tomorrow and a paper to pass the day after so even though he would rather spend the night with Caroline, he knows he should stay and get on with his studying.

"You know I'd gladly spend the night under the starts with my girlfriend of forever, right?," he says, giving her a final kiss and making his way back to the bed to pick up his book.

"And we both know what we're actually gonna be doing if you stay," he adds with another laugh, winking at her reflection at the mirror.

"But I miss youuuuuuu," she does it again. "And I'd rather not go than leave you holed up in these for walls reading the constitution."

Her arms travel down from his shoulders to his chest. She crosses them on his stomach and rests his hands on his hips, her cheek against the side of his head.

"You should go, love. You deserve this. Besides, I'm sure you're gonna have loaaaaaaaads of fun." He mimics her playful tone and she laughs in return.

"But I have nothing to wear." Her exasperation is evident in her tone even though he knows she has more than a dozen new purchases from her retail therapy several days ago.

He understands that she really wants to stay, but she doesn't want her to miss the fun because of him, even though he'd much prefer her safe in his arms than in a bonfire surrounded by men.

He gets up from his seat, holds her hand in one of his and helps her pick a dress even though he honestly likes her in anything.

They settle for faded jeans and a plain white tank.

She twirls around in front of him. And when she stops to face him, her lips are on his suddenly but he responds in time, tangling his fingers in her hair. She unbuttons his flannel and he shakes it off, allowing it to fall to the floor.

A knock on the door breaks their kiss and she picks up his fallen clothing, shrugging it on.

"I like wearing your clothes," she says in defense as he raises his eyebrows playfully.

He wipes the side of her lips and she laughs at his touch. "You're lucky you're a good kisser. You ruined my lipstick."

She makes her way to open the door, swaying her hips a little.

He groans from the study table. "You're gonna be the death of me."


Bonnie is helping her decide between her favorite pair of Chucks or the sexy knee-high boots while Matt and Stefan share some scotch.

"Let me know if you need me to run interference," Stefan says, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, I'll watch her."

Matt sets his glass on the table as the girls finally settle on a pair.

"Text me when you need me to pick you up, okay?"

Caroline is fixing her essentials in her bag and takes a final glance at the mirror.

"Call me if you need anything."

"Yes, dad," she says, teasing.

They share another long kiss and when they break apart Bonnie shouts from the door, her hand held out for Caroline.

"God, if you ever kiss your dad like that, you're sick."

He can hear them laughing even after the door is closed.


He's fallen asleep on his desk when his phone vibrates.

I mis you,, babyyyyuuuu

He gets up laughing at the message, making his way to the kitchen for more coffee. As the coffee maker churns, he types in his reply.

Have fun, baby. Let me know when you need to be picked up.

Not two minutes after he's hit send, his phone rings and her face lights up his screen.

"First of all, I'm not drunk. I just really miss you. But I'm not drunk!"

He smiles at her tone. She's clearly had more than her share of drinks.

"Honey, where's Matt?"

"I texted you several minutes ago but you didn't replyyyyyyy."

He can hear the characteristic chanting of college boys on her end and he can't help but worry. She wouldn't be calling if she had Bonnie or Matt with her.

"Baby baby babyyyyyy, you're not talkiiiiiing"

"I'm here, hun. Where're Matt and Bonnie?"

He's contemplating whether or not he should start driving to the bonfire.

"Wait lemme just…"

He hears some scratching and then a little whoops!

"Are you okay, Caroline?"

The scratching continues and he's about to pick up his keys and drive when he hears her reply.

"Yes, hun, I'm here. I just.. I may have slipped and haha yeah."

"I'm gonna kill Matt," he says more to himself than anyone else, pocketing his keys and walking out the door.

"Matty is making out with a freshie and Bonnie is... here… somewhere."

"Alright, love. I'm on my way. Can you go find Bonnie? I'll call her and let her know you're looking for her."

He was just about to disconnect the call when he hears her whine "Stefannnnnnnn"

"Yeah, I'm here." He can't hide the worry in his tone. She's alone and a not drunk in a campus full of testosterone fueled college dudes who are most likely more not drunk than she is.

"Talk to me, how's it going over there?"

He needs to stay on the line so he can keep a figurative eye on her. Turning the keys, he begins backing out f the parking lot.

"Are you gonna stay on the line while driving? Are you sure you're okay to do that?"

Even though she's really the one who needs to be looked out for at the moment, he can't help but smile at her concern.

"Yes, Care. I'm gonna put you on speakerphone. It'd be just like we're both in the car."

He takes a deep breath as he starts on the highway, trying not to go over the speed limit.

"Alright, just don't go too fast." She does that a lot, voices out the exact thing that's on his mind. It's weird and a little unsettling but he's grown to like that connection.

"Have you found Bonnie yet?"

It's a twenty-minute drive but he'd rather have someone physically there til he can take over.

"Nope. I think I'd rather stay where I am."

He tries to listen to her background, tries to figure out where she is from the noises on her end.

"Alright. So tell me. How's the party?"

There isn't much traffic left as should be expected on a 1am drive so he leans back and rests his head a little.

"Nothing much, really. Beer pong and shots and dancing, that sort of thing."

He listens intently to her voice, trying to picture her sitting on the grass, talking animatedly.

Before long he's craning his neck looking for parking space, smiling at her little yey when he informed her he's arrived.

He can't stop himself from picking up his pace when he finally spots her against one of the tree, a little rumpled but in one piece.

A big curve shapes his lips as she watches her form – nodding off and lips apart. He bends his knees so that his eyes are level with hers. Picking up one of her hands, he plants a kiss on her open palm. They smell a lot like alcohol and dirt but there's a trace of her vanilla scent. He picks at the dried leaves on her hair as she opens her eyes.

"God, you're so beautiful" are the first words out of her mouth. Even though he's almost sure she's a hundred percent drunk, he feels his insides warm at the tone of her voice.

"You're not so bad yourself." He tries to pull her up by the elbows but she shakes her head.

"I'd rather not move right now, if that's alright." Caroline pulls him down beside her and he gathers her in his arms so her back is on his chest. She tips her head back and plants a kiss on the bottom of his jaw, whispering an almost unintelligible love you.

"Sorry, I couldn' t come with you tonight." His lips are hot on her neck and he laughs as she feels her breath hitch.

"You better be!" she says playfully. Even though her back is to her, he's sure she has that adorable frown on.

"It was fun at first but some handsome, broody, smokin' hot dude kept poppin' into my head."

"I was afraid that would happen." The smile is evident in his voice as rubs his hands up and down her arm, warming her pale skin.

She hums in agreement and she feels his chest shake with a laugh.

He rests his lips on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

"You're gonna have one helluva hang over, Ms. Forbes."


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