"We're here." Stefan's arm was coiled around my waist, holding me upright. My vision had begun to blur by the time we had arrived at the boarding house. The young man's emerald gaze caught sight of the crimson stain on the side of my neck, his attention drawn to the substance. I placed my hand over my wound, shielding his gaze from it, he had done enough damage for one night and I didn't need him snapping again. Stefan looked down guiltily, he hated that he had been the one to cause this. He lifted me bridal style into his embrace, carrying me into the house. Gently, I was placed on the couch. That was when I felt it… that presence, His simple existence calling to me from across the room. He was here. I could feel my heart ache as my curious eyes found those deep cerulean ones that had been a loss to me for centuries. Damon Salvatore. I could feel a darkness over-taking me, and the over-whelming urge to close my eyes, I had no choice but to give in, soon I lay unconscious.
-Hours previously-
"What did she mean?" Stefan's eyes were practically burning into me, awaiting the answer I wouldn't give. His voice rose, as he clenched his jaw. "What did she mean, Katie!?" I flinched, staring down at the hardwood flooring. I was thankful my raven locks were covering my face like a curtain, so that he couldn't see my tortured expression. How was I going to explain this? "Stefan… I…" I inhaled a deep and calming breath before even attempting to continue. "I didn't meet you in 1901. I met you … when you were still human… you were thirteen…I was already a vampire by then." I glanced up, searching his expression, It was clear I was about to get scolded yet again, when he finally broke the silence between us, his voice was a lower tone, but the venom in his words still existed. "Why can't I remember ever knowing you? How does Katherine Pierce know you? What did she mean she would like to see the look on Damon's face when he saw you again?" Question after question was being tossed at me, I didn't have time to answer each before another was asked. I sighed heavily, trailing my fingers back through my hair, I had known the moment I made the decision to erase the Salvatore brothers memory of me, it would haunt me forever. "Stefan, please give me a moment to explain," His eyes narrowed, but he silenced, giving me the spotlight. "..Thank you. I met Niklaus Mikaelson when I was a child. I was no older than 7. He was a bit older than me of course, as were his siblings… but they each adored me, except the youngest…Rebekah." I trailed off, a smile tugging at my lips as I remembered the rivalry with her. "Both my parents and theirs were working together to find a way to make us immortal and by the time I was 20 each came up with something different. That's how the originals and different species of vampires came to be. I was changed into a monster against my will, as was Klaus. Due to Rebekah's stupidity about finding the cure and being in love with a human… we were forced to kill everyone. Klaus wanted me to be safe, so he set up a deal where I would travel to Mystic Falls and stay with the Salvatore family. That's where I met you."
Stefan looked bewildered, but he was craving to know more. He couldn't seem to form any words; he simply sat down on the couch next to me, giving me his full attention. I took that as my cue to continue.
"I met Damon on the same day I met you, your father introduced us. Damon and I spent every day together; it didn't take long for us to fall in love. He found out I was a vampire because I ended up having to feed off him. Your father had eyes out on everyone. He was searching for the rumored towns vampires and It was getting harder and harder for me to feed. That was the effect. He tried to help me keep my secret, but your father was suspicious and poisoned me with vervain to test his theory. When I collapsed on the floor proving his theory right, he locked me up with the rest of the vampires and planned to kill us. Damon saved me that night, but I knew I could no longer stay in town, He knew I couldn't. Damon wanted to leave with me, but I couldn't put him in a life of danger and running, especially when he was just a mere human. I said my goodbyes and erased his memory of me. I found you before I left, and did the same to yours and your fathers. I found you in Chicago in 1901 and was bewildered you were alive, only to found out how and why. Katherine Pierce knew my every step, she met me when Klaus had taken interest on her, she was human as well. Katherine loved me, and she followed me over the years after she turned into a vampire. That's how she knew about Damon and I. Her plan was to turn him for me, so that he could find me and we could live happily for eternity but she fell in love with you, Stefan… and she couldn't help but toy with Damon. Once you were vampires, she fled for her own safety. That's how we got to where we are"
Piece by piece, Stefan began to put the puzzle together. Figuring out every step that had got us to where we were now. His brows furrowed, "You were in Chicago in 1901 when Klaus and Rebekah were there…I got that you knew them I just didn't know you knew them that far back," He trailed off, his body stiffening as he went back over my speech in his head. Stefan seemed to stiffen, his jaw clenching once more. "You were supposed to be the one person I could trust… What else are you hiding?" The young man's tone was accusatory. My lips immediately shaped into a frown, I stood as he did. He began pacing back and forth. I couldn't help myself, I found myself reaching out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, only for him to shrug away my touch. My brows furrowed in determination, I reached out to touch him again.
"Hey…Stefan, talk to me."
In seconds, my back was shoved into the wall, his hand wrapped around my neck.
"Katie, Stop! Just fucking stop it! What more are you going to tell me?! Did you have a child you put up for adoption too!?"
I glared at him, he was being ridiculous. I understood him being angry but this was too much.
"It's the past, Stefan. There is nothing we can do about it"
"Everything that has ever happened to my brother and I started with you, including us becoming vampires."
"I'm s-sorry. Stefan, I didn't mean for all of this to happen…when I erased your memory I was trying to protect you. I didn't know what Katherine would do."
His fangs protruded, his anger was getting the best of him. Spidery veins manifested on Stefan's face, he then dug his fangs into the sensitive flesh of my neck and drank deeply. The taste of my blood was addicting, and he found himself gripping my arms to tug me closer. I became limp in his arms and he immediately pulled his fangs from my flesh. Stefan's eyes widened as he realize what he had done.
"K-Katie? Katie! I'm so sorry…I…"
His voice trailed off as I slumped against him feeling weak, the only thing he could do was to get me to somewhere that had blood bags. This guest house held nothing but furniture. It was a place for Stefan to stay to get away from his brother. He helped me stand, his eyes full of worry.
"It's going to be okay, I'm going to get you to the Boarding House and get you some blood"
-Present:Damon POV—
The girl had been unconscious for about fifteen minutes. It was very aggravating. I just wanted to speak to her, to hear her voice. To find out what asshole would ever hurt her. I was waiting for Stefan to get his shit together and get bloodbags up here. Stefan stepped foot in the livingroom and my voice was snarky.
"Finally"
Stefan simply looked down, the guilt written on his expression, my brows furrowed as I idly wondered. No, not baby Stefan. After all, this was his friend. I was at her side, placing the bag to her lips, after she got enough I placed them on the table
"Careful"
I spoke softly, reaching out to hold her arm, one hand on the small of her back to support her as she tried to stand. I wasn't sure if she would be strong enough. I helped her slowly sit up, brushing back her raven curls, (did I just do that?) her eyes opened and I felt my mouth go dry. Caramel swirls in chocolate, her eyes were the perfect ecru. She looked at me as if I had pained her in some way. I glanced behind me to find Stefan, but he had already left the room, as if giving them…space?
Why did I have this feeling inside of my stomach, telling me something was wrong here? That look in her eyes was tortured, and I could have sworn her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Fuck, how long had I been sitting here staring at her?
"You want to tell me what happened to you?"
I felt giddy as she replied, I almost expected her not to.
"It's…complicated. Stefan and I …got into a small fight,"
She shrugged, as if trying to toss away the sadness, but it was held in her eyes, she continued.
"It's really nothing." She forced the smallest of smiles. "Everything's fine now."
Stefan peaked in through the doorway, hoping not to interrupt, but nothing was really being said. He spoke up quickly as we each turned our attention to him, only to stop looking at one another
"Uhm," Stefan spoke, flickering his eyes to Katie. "Are you staying here with me, tonight?"
I hated how he added "with me" almost as if claiming her as his. Did I really feel jealous over this girl? I felt better when she spoke up, making it clear.
"Yeah, Which spare bedroom will I be staying in?"
Stefan simply gave a small smile, his eyes showing his disappointment. He gestured toward the stairs and she went with him. I shook my head, not paying any attention to where he had placed her. I poured a glass of bourbon, knocking it back fairly quickly. With her around...this should be interesting.
