She had told Matt the truth.
She had thought that he would love her anyways.
Even though she was a vampire.
But he didn't. Instead he freaked out
(You killed Vicky! played over and over again in her head. She wished there was an off button.)
She had to forcefully pin him down and compel him to forget.
It hurt.
Matt didn't remember. All he remembered was passing out during the fire, and that Caroline pulled him out of the fire, and she found someone to bring him over to her house.
He smiled at her. Kissed her, just like he used to.
It was just what Caroline had wanted.
But it felt so wrong.
Because she knew he wouldn't love her anymore if he knew the truth.
Tyler cared.
She doesn't know why this passes through her head.
(False. Of course she knows. But she can't say it aloud.)
Maybe he hesitated. But he cared.
But he left.
Caroline breaks up with Matt.
She can't stand to see the look on his face when she does.
Because he doesn't understand.
And it hurts a lot. It hurts both of them.
It's almost a full moon again.
Caroline thinks of him whenever she sees the moon. Him and his dark eyes and wonderful voice.
Tyler needs to come home. Because she misses him.
(She can admit it to herself. Though she'll never say it aloud. To anyone. Ever).
She was upset when she told him to leave. She hadn't understood the weight of her words. She hoped that he would come back soon.
"Come home, Tyler,"
She whispers to the moon, hoping somehow he'll get the message.
There's a full moon that night, and Caroline comes home after school. She wants to curl up on the couch and drown her sorrows in some bourbon (her personal favorite). She pours herself a glass.
The doorbell rings. She sets down her glass and goes to the door.
And there he is.
The first thing he says: "It's a full moon tonight."
The second thing: "I'm so sorry."
Caroline nods, and lets him in the house.
He traveled a bit with Jules. He didn't like it (she was weirdly over-protective and pushy). Caroline smiles to herself. He tells her that he didn't know if he could make it through a full moon without her.
So he came home.
Caroline smiles softly and hugs him.
In his ear, she whispers "Thank you for coming home."
They make it through the night. Caroline comforts Tyler.
It was so like that first night. The first time he changed.
It was terrifying.
When it was over, Caroline was so proud.
When they get back to Caroline's the next morning, Tyler surprises her.
He kisses her. Again.
This time she actually responds, with something more than "Everyone just needs to stop kissing me!"
She pulls away from him, taking his hand and smiling slowly.
"Why don't you come inside?"
He practically trips over his own feet in eagerness.
They're an odd couple. And they're okay with that.
Matt's pissed, no surprise there. But he'll get over it.
Elena and Stefan smile when she tells them. They're supportive (When aren't they?)
Damon calls her an idiot for shacking up with a werewolf (No surprise there, either)
Bonnie questions her judgment, but doesn't say anything more than "If you're happy, I'm happy."
They're certainly not typical
(Because, duh, they're meant to be enemies)
But it's ok with them.