A/N: This is a series of delena one-shots from all three seasons (well, till season 3 episode 9 to be more precise but you know that). The word limit is 100-200. Reviews will be greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: The Vampire Diaries and its characters have been created by L.J. Smith as portrayed in the TV drama series of the same name by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. No copyright infringement intended.


CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

*Prologue*


It was out of mere curiosity that he kept her live.

That's what he initially told himself anyway. Curiosity over the extraordinary likeness they shared: the pitiful mortal and Katherine.

He told himself that every day. He chanted it like a mantra. He repeated it over and over again each time his humanity slipped in and mocked him for his lies, each time she smiled and said something nice and actually meant it.

For months he kept saying that: curiosity, curiosity, curiosity. He could kill her in the blink of an eye, he could snap her neck, rip her heart out, drain her dry and the only reason none this had happened yet was because he was curious.

He was curious and that was why he hadn't killed her; why he let her breathe, why he wished to be around her, why he was developing a liking to her company, why he saved her life one faithful night, why he couldn't bring himself to compel her, why he opened himself enough to trust her, why he wanted to protect her, why he began to see a friend in her, why he let his humanity back in, why he was willing to die for her…why he fell in love with her.

Yes, he was curious. Curious indeed.