It's The Way We Love
Hey there! Remember me? I'm the one who wrote that SK story 'Our Love's The Perfect Crime' which got quite an attention and I'm so glad for that. Really, guys, thanks so much! :)
Also, some of you might remember that I promised another SK story, a multi-chapter one, right? Well, this story is not that story I promised. But don't worry guys, that story is still on its way and I fully intend to upload it sometime, but you see, some things just got in the way...
Anyways, this is also an SK story, a collection of short drabbles, one shots. I've always wanted to do one of these...
Here's the first one!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Freedom
Timeline: Set in the future. Kind of AU.
Rating: T
A decade.
10 years.
120 months, 520 weeks, 3650 days, 87600 hours, 525600 minutes and 31536000 seconds.
That's how long he's promised to be in Klaus' service in order to save his brother's life, that's how long he was Klaus' personal little bitch, a true ripper.
It was a hard 10 years.
But now those years have passed by and Klaus, however reluctantly, had to let him go because a deal's a deal and he always keeps his word.
Stefan couldn't have fled from him faster.
He's free, finally free.
He hears that Elena's a vampire now and she and Damon got married. He can't bring himself to care.
Yes, he loved her once, but he's realized a long time ago that their love was never meant to last forever. Whatever feelings he used to have for her... Klaus wiped them all out.
He could go and visit them, see how they're doing, tell them that he's got out of Klaus' grasp, but he doesn't. He sacrificed everything to save Damon and he got nothing in return. Neither of them bothered to find him, save him. They gave up on him.
They didn't care then and they don't care now.
He starts a new life, forgets about his past and everyone he used to know and care about. It's easier than you'd think.
But of course, there's one person he can never leave behind.
He finds Katherine in New Orleans three weeks after he parted ways with Klaus. Well actually, she finds him.
She's casually leaning against the wall in the motel room he's rented when he arrives.
He isn't surprised by her appearance. Actually, he's been expecting it. Somehow, he knew she'd be the only one who'd bother to come.
But now that she's here he doesn't know what to say and she doesn't help the situation either with her persistent silence and silent looks.
What are you doing here? He could ask her, but he knows what she's doing here.
How did you find me? Pointless question. Katherine has her ways.
(She keeps staring. He stares back.)
Where were you in the last ten years?
He'd like to be mad at her so much. He'd like to resent her for not helping him like he resents Damon and Elena and everyone else, but he can't. He's spent too much time hating her and he's tired of it.
"Katherine."
In the end that's all he says. Just her name.
But it's enough.
She strides over to him, stands right in front of him, kisses him fiercely and he doesn't fight it. He kisses her back eagerly.
When she breaks away from him a few moments later, she looks him directly in the eye. "Elena didn't wait for you. I did. I waited for you."
I will wait forever, Stefan, she had said once. And she did, didn't she?
"I don't care about Elena." He needs to make that crystal clear.
"Well, do you care about me?" she whispers against his lips, fighting the urge to kiss him again. He doesn't answer her right away, even though there's no doubt in his mind about his feelings for her. Klaus may have managed to burn away his love for Elena, but he could never make him forget Katherine.
"I do," he nods eventually.
"I love you," she tells him seriously, no trace of lie in her voice.
"I believe you." He's long past all the denial and confusion when it comes to her. He doesn't want to waste anymore time now. 157 years was enough and more.
A soft, genuine smile lights up her features at his words before she leans in for another kiss. "Tell me you love me too," she demands suddenly.
"I love you too," he declares and he's telling the truth. "I really do. Just you."
Freedom has never seemed so sweet before.
So, I know it seems out of character that Damon and Elena didn't try to look for Stefan, but bear with me, it had to happen this way for the sake of the story. And that's why I said it was kind of AU in the beginning.
By the way, this line: "I will wait forever, Stefan." is from the deleted 2x11 scene. I'm saying this just in case somebody hasn't seen it yet, and if you haven't then go and watch it immediately! I'm not kidding! It's an amating scene, and I'm still pissed they deleted it. Here's a link:
http : / www . youtube . com / watch?v=VH2EfJwxRg4
Watch it, guys!
Love,
Kathy