Caroline made a perfunctory knock and then opened the front door of the boarding house. She's been there practically everyday, she knew she could just enter whenever she pleased but she knocked anyway out of habit. She didn't bother calling out for Stefan and just tried to listen or feel his presence if he's there.

Bedroom.

She crossed the hall and went up the staircase then paused midway.

Bonnie.

She smiled. She could hear her heartbeat. Strong, consistent, and powerful.

Ooh, she was eager to say hello first before she'd see Stefan. Lately, it was getting harder for her to have a moment alone with her best girl. Either they were all busy protecting themselves from whatever supernatural being is attacking them recently, with Bonnie usually leading the protection squad, or Damon was circling around like a lost hyena.

To a certain extent, Caroline understood how the two have become close after coming back from the Other Side. It was four months and they only had each other to protect themselves from a psychotic killer warlock.

She shivered at the thought of Kai.

She would've probably lost her mind in less than the time Bonnie and Damon were there. Caroline could only imagine how it felt like for Bonnie who had to endure more terrifying days with him. Their chances were slim, especially Bonnie's, when she sacrificed herself yet another time for someone else and that someone else was the one person she relied upon for four long months. But they made it, for some inexplicable reason, they both made it through and Caroline knew whatever bond they forged during those months defending, guarding, and protecting each other, this was something Bonnie and Damon may have difficulty letting go.

The library was at the end of the hall, the ajar door confirming Caroline's suspicion that Bonnie was there. A shaft of yellow light sliced through and as she came closer, she realized Bonnie wasn't alone.

She sighed. She should've known. Of course, Vampire Douche would be there.

She couldn't even remember seeing them apart since after coming back from the prison world and temporarily saying goodbye to Elena. Again, she kind of understood why they were whatever they were now, but she wouldn't be Caroline if it didn't make her curious as to what to make of their relationship - if you even called it that or if they would admit there was anything for that matter.

This wasn't something she was seeing on her own. Caroline knew at least Stefan was wondering about it too. They've exchanged enough meaningful glances whenever Bonnie and Damon interacted. She didn't think the two noticed since they tend to exclude everyone once they started discussing anything (or arguing - this *is* Bonnie and Damon). It seemed that they would make sure they were on the same page first and then get back to the group with a solid front. Even when there was no plan, strategy, or group brainstorming needed for whatever is threatening them at the moment, it felt like they always fell into some routine. It kind of gave Caroline a glimpse as to how they were when they were in that purgatory.

Take this scene she stumbled upon.

Bonnie's on the couch, knees up with a grimoire over her lap. She was leaning to her right, her knees slanting towards the armrest, the grimoire angling at the same direction as her head which she propped up with her fist. Caroline can only see half her head as Bonnie seemed totally engrossed with a specific spell. Her perpetual shadow was on the other end of the couch facing the witch, his feet partly under her bottom and the space between Bonnie's feet. He was sipping his endless supply of bourbon and was simply staring at Bonnie.

Bonnie was either oblivious or she didn't mind the ogling. Ever since Caroline noticed that something was intense and different in Bonnie's and Damon's interactions, she assumed that Bonnie was used to this behavior.

To Caroline, it was just weird. Creepy even.

She vaguely wondered if Bonnie ever called Damon on it and had already resigned to whatever bullshit reason Damon came up with, or she was just aware and had let him be.

"Come on, Bonnie. The night is young and there's plenty of time to make more trouble." Damon swirled the bourbon slowly, impatiently waiting for the young witch to notice him.

"Damon, you're already drinking with I'm pretty sure, better alcohol than what the Mystic Grille may have. Your need to go there is beyond my comprehension." Bonnie replied without so much raising her head.

"Because apart from continuing my alcohol consumption, one of us also needs some meat, plant, or grease for sustenance." Damon replied.

This garnered a reaction from Bonnie, raising her head and giving Damon a cool glare. Damon mimicked the look back.

Caroline had to raise her eyebrow at that. She never really thought about it but she did notice Bonnie was leaner now. Caroline didn't think there was a problem. Apparently, Damon did.

"I already had a sandwich, pops. I'm surprised you didn't notice the smell of onion lingering in my breath." Bonnie replied, returning her attention to the old book.

"Oh I noticed." he replied with exaggerated sniffing. "But if I would take a calculated guess, it was half a sandwich and that was three hours ago. It doesn't count as dinner."

No reply.

Of course Damon, the stomping bully that he was, did not like being ignored, especially by the diminutive witch. He gave her a couple of seconds, then wiggled his toes under her.

"What the f...?" Bonnie jumped catching the grimoire before it fell from her lap because of the sudden movement. Damon smirked, finishing off his bourbon.

"Pfft!" A rainbow spray came from his mouth. "Motherfucker!" he shouted, gagging and spitting his drink.

Caroline smelled hot cocoa. She grinned. Score one for the witch.

Bonnie tried to jump out of the way, but failed to avoid the shower of scalding cocoa she switched Damon's bourbon to. Shaking her head, she knew it will most likely leave a stain on her shirt and jeans.

'Ew.' Caroline winced. 'Maybe half a point?' she thought.

Damon took this opportunity to move things along and put down his glass with finality like he's had enough. Sauntering towards Bonnie who was distractedly brushing off where the chocolate drink got to her, he slung his arm around her shoulders and steered her towards the door. Bonnie wouldn't be swayed though and squirmed away, ducking from under his arm. But Damon was fast and caught her hand, holding it firmly. It was a complicated dance of push and pull and they're the only ones who knew the song.

"Come on, Bon-Bon." Damon was not letting go, looking at Bonnie intently. Methane orbs bore down on subdued moss greens and Caroline wondered if he was convincing Bonnie of something else.

'Huh.' Caroline thought. She couldn't tell if Bonnie was aware of it but by the way she took her time replying, she was careful with her words.

Bonnie looked back, her eyes somewhere off to Damon's left ear, rubbing her thumb over the pale knuckles as if trying to ease his firm grip. It didn't.

"I'll find something to eat here, Damon." she pacified "I'll dig under the blood bags." adopting Damon's trademark smirk.

Caroline felt Stefan come up behind her before he spoke to her. "How long have you been spying?"

"Long enough." she replied, watching Damon's eyes narrow. Caroline was sure that if he could compel Bonnie at the moment, he would've. Even Caroline was getting uncomfortable with the blatant scrutiny.

"And I'm not exactly spying." she hedged.

"Says the girl who's hiding behind the door." was Stefan's quick counter.

They both watched as Bonnie made a move away to get back to her grimoire, but Damon pulled her back to him until her right shoulder was against his chest. He gave her a half hug and leaned over to kiss the side of her head, his eyes closing briefly.

Caroline's eyes went just a tad wide while Stefan's eyebrows inched closer to his hairline. Bonnie was never known to be open with her affections, even when she was with Jeremy. She had always been self-conscious about PDAs and was just a naturally private person. Damon, on the other hand, always wore his heart on his sleeve. Seeing how this was playing out in front of them was like coming across a daytime soap opera. They wanted to flip the channel but they couldn't help be enthralled with the unfolding drama.

"If you change your mind, you know where this stud will be." Damon reluctantly released her.

"Yeah, I'll look for the obnoxious loser trying to enjoy cheap bourbon." She said, rolling her eyes and flopping back on the couch.

Damon snapped his fingers at that and pointed towards the witch. He turned around and stared directly at Caroline and Stefan through the door crack.

Caroline jumped, realizing Damon had been well aware the entire time she was snooping. She had always hated the perpetual smirk that Damon wore and this was no different, even when he had due reason for it.

"Bonnie!" she burst through the door before giving Damon the satisfaction of outing her. Stefan followed close behind, hiding his amusement with a small smile.

"So, how are you, B?"

Caroline had joined Bonnie on the couch as Stefan offered to go with Damon to Mystic Grille, trying not to be offended with Damon's backward glance which looked like he preferred someone else's company. He thought he had reached his brooding Stefan quota for today. Yet since Bonnie seemed surprised and glad to see Caroline, he sighed and pushed the younger Salvatore to the door and left the girls to their inane girl talk.

Bonnie cocked her head, thinking how honestly she should answer. "I'm...good." was all she could come up with. Of course, Caroline wasn't satisfied with that.

"Really, Bonnie? Is there a reason you're losing your appetite?" She pursed her lips as soon as she blurted that out, giving away she had been watching them before she announced her presence in the library.

The witch raised an eyebrow and tried to figure out if she should be annoyed or if she'd let the faux pas go. She wasn't sure what to say to Caroline or what she wanted to hear. Sometimes she hoped that if she closed her eyes and stayed still, the world would stay still for her too. Unfortunately, she would open her eyes and the world seemed to have moved too far ahead and she'd yet again, go for a sprint. Sometimes she just wanted to be left behind.

'Oh. Been there, done that.'

She looked down and picked a loose thread on her jeans. "It's just that...I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Caroline only knew too well how she felt and reached out to cover Bonnie's agitated hand. "You do know I'm here for you, right? I can understand how you feel because we're constantly on alert status because something new or old will come and wreak havoc in this town again." She released her, leaning back. "But you should know you're not alone in this. You don't have to think you're the only one fighting."

She watched Bonnie and she isn't sure if her words were reaching her so she continued with something that she thought would. "So is Damon."

The way Bonnie's eyes squinted, her green eyes snapping to hers. Caroline was no longer sure if mentioning Damon was a smart thing to do but she's been burning to have this conversation so she kept her eyes steady on Bonnie's, not backing down.

"What? Isn't this..." she gestured around the Boarding house library in general, "what all this about?"

Bonnie was practically living there. She still has her house and Grams' house, but she's claimed one room across Damon's. Damon's suggestion, mind you, not Bonnie's.

"He is helping you somehow, right?" Caroline fished further.

"Of course he is." Bonnie answered matter-of-factly. "Damon is...Damon." she sighed. "He is still annoying as hell. The urge to turn him to ash still happens at least once a week. But he has my back, so yes, he helps."

Bonnie watched Caroline nod her head, trying to be satisfied with her reply and failing miserably.

"Spit it, Care." she said, cringing at the thought what this discussion would lead to.

"So...is he helping you in...other ways? Does he have your back and has he had you on your back?"

"Oh my god, Caroline. I can't believe that just came out of your mouth!" Bonnie groaned as she covered her eyes with a hand, inwardly chastising herself for allowing Caroline to continue.

"Is it really a surprise that I wonder about it? I'm not the only one noticing that you guys act like a couple."

"We do not!" Bonnie was quick to deny. Caroline had to smile and had to admit Bonnie in particular wasn't really guilty of this. But...

"Okay, okay!" Caroline pacified, her hands up. "But I have to say, Damon seems to be very protective and..." she held a finger up when she saw Bonnie try to explain. She was trying to find the most appropriate word that won't have her friend give her an aneurism. "...attached."

"As he is with Stefan!" Bonnie reasoned.

"AND affectionate." Caroline tossed back, her raised eyebrow daring Bonnie to deny it.

This effectively stopped Bonnie and made her re-think how Damon was with her. She didn't really think anything of it. She wasn't uncomfortable with the way he acted around her but looking at it in Caroline's perspective, she just realized other people may not see it the same way she did.

"I don't know what the big deal is. Why aren't you questioning how Matt is around me?" Matt was their oldest friend and had been always fond of her.

"Because he does not circle around you like a dog marking his territory." Caroline easily countered. "And when was the last time you've seen Matt anyway?"

"Caroline..." Bonnie knocked back her head against the sofa, already tired of the conversation. "I think you're reading into this too much."

"Or I'm reading it just right."

"Or this danger lull we currently have is boring you and you're craving for drama." Bonnie faced Caroline so that she could make an important point. "And have you forgotten Elena?" she asked, her eyebrow raising.

"Not in the least, which is also why I remember that she told Damon to move on."

"She did but I don't think she meant to move on with me!" Bonnie shook her head and then raised a palm up at Caroline when she looked like she had a ready argument.

"No, Care. Please. I don't want to talk about this anymore. He's my best friend in the whole world apart from you right now. I already lost one. I don't want to lose another because I'm second guessing what he is to me."

Her shoulders slumped. "I don't want things to get awkward when they shouldn't be."

'Thanks, Caroline.' she inwardly groaned, knowing fully well that it would.

The vampire brothers were sitting side by side at the bar, their backs turned from the rest of Mystic Grille's regulars. Damon stared absentmindedly at the drink in his hand, numbing his mind with the slow swirl of bourbon inside. Stefan wasn't used to his brother brooding and had to end the heavy silence. Besides, Mystic Falls has need of only one brooding Salvatore and he's already filled that job.

"You miss her." he guessed.

"Don't you?" There was no doubt who Stefan was referring to and Damon didn't miss a beat.

Stefan nodded since this was the most honest he could be about it. There was a time that she was his whole world and you don't just forget that feeling.

Damon knocked back a shot then rested his forehead against the raised cool glass. "Sometimes...I wonder if I made the right choice."

The younger Salvatore stilled, not expecting Damon to mention the one thing he'd been wondering ever since they left Elena in a coffin. He slowly turned to his brother, not sure if there was an appropriate way to react. How do you console someone who had to choose between his best friend and the love of his life? Stefan can only imagine the torment of having to face and act on that impossible decision.

"Do you regret it?" he asked carefully, knowing he was treading on very dangerous ground.

There was a loud cheer from the pool tables, followed by shared hard slaps between teenage jocks. The music changed to something upbeat and a group started to dance near the jukebox. There was a continuous sound of glass clinking from all the booze flowing in the bar. Yet Damon's silence seemed to expand beyond their little bubble, thick and overwhelming. Stefan felt his reliable calmness slip and had to keep himself from fidgeting as he waited, not knowing if Damon would actually answer.

"Sometimes." Damon stared at his empty glass, immediately regretting saying it out loud. The words passed through his mouth like a hundred papercuts soaked in vervain.

Stefan watched intently at the corner of his eye, not giving any indication that he was stunned by Damon's answer. He has seen Damon with Bonnie and knew there was something...more. That was the best way he could describe it. More than allies. More than best friends. More.

And by what he has observed so far is that he has never seen Damon behave with anyone else like he has with Bonnie. Not Elena. Not even with him. Damon has always been governed by his emotions. Anger, hate, love, all easily read, translated and passionately acted upon. Yet with Bonnie, he seemed to be more restrained, sometimes unsure. Always, always careful. All under the guise of sarcasm, wit, and asshole behavior.

So for Stefan to hear Damon speak of regret towards choosing Bonnie went against his speculation of Damon's deep feelings for the resident witch. It didn't add up and if this regret is eating away at his brother, it is with good reason to feel worried. The first thing that came to mind is how this will affect Bonnie once this implodes.

Although Stefan didn't show any reaction, Damon can feel his brother match his brooding. It was difficult to explain and even harder to accept.

If he had chosen Elena, it would be understandable. She would've been the obvious choice. He had chased her for years and although not everyone would agree, they'd understand if he had chosen Elena instead of Bonnie. And he could see how his life would play out because of that choice.

He could see the bliss of their new beginning, the lure of finally having that ever after. Making love whenever, wherever, and in every position imaginable. Eating breakfast nude, serving vampcakes, and ignoring the slight pang when Elena chooses to eat waffles instead. He would pass her the ice cream and would waggle his eyebrows with tacky sunglasses on with the price still attached. He would pass by a jewelry shop and would ponder a present that would fulfill his and Elena's dreams. He would skip it because his best friend wouldn't be there to help pick it out with him. When they would opt to watch a movie at home instead of going out, he would never suggest 'The Bodyguard.' He would watch it alone after Elena has gone to bed and he would eat popcorn for two. He could see himself holding the hand of the prettiest girl in a party, stopping the urge to sweep the crowd for a tiny brunette who can mimic his smirk from across the room. He would swallow his disappointment with a charming smile and remember who he was with. He could see himself visit Bonnie's grave on her death anniversary, hold Elena's hand, and try not to feel guilty. He would assure himself that it was understandable. It was the obvious choice.

He could see himself, leaving Elena in random times of the day, visiting his best friend's grave and imagine that she's listening attentively, like they were the only ones in the world. Like it was 1994. He would raise a toast for her with a flask that would have a permanent place in the right inside pocket of his leather jacket. He would assure Elena that it was nothing when she notices his absences and increment distance. The smell of alcohol in his breath would be persistent and Elena would become something he would resent when she would ask once again if there's something wrong. He would reassure her with a hug that doesn't feel quite right because she's too tall and she didn't smell like earth and cinnamon, like Mother Earth baking a fresh batch of rolls.

He could see Elena ask and ask and ask what's wrong and he would say nothing . He could imagine asking if there's someone else and for the first time, he'd like to hurt her. He chose her didn't he?

He could see himself sitting comfortably beside his best friend's grave, giving in to the numbness, fiddling with his ring. He would wonder if the burn would help warm the cold numbness in his chest.

"But Bonnie..."

Damon dropped down the glass a little too hard after Stefan mentioned her name.

"...is not going to die. Not on my watch."

And any doubt Stefan had on how Damon felt about Bonnie was completely erased by the conviction and purpose in his voice.

He sighed. Talk about complicated.

Bonnie took a moment as soon as she parked her car in front of the Mystic Grille. The urge to have her fill of alcoholic beverage was overwhelming as soon as Caroline left the boarding house. She wanted to clear her mind from all the things Caroline implied and just forget the entire conversation.

She got out of the car and quickly chanted a cloaking spell once the doors were locked. She has been doing this lately. It was good practice - a small spell that shouldn't exhaust her but good enough to help with endurance, letting her body get used to constant use of magic. She followed a couple who unknowingly opened the door for her and quickly scanned for the Salvatores.

'The bar of course.' Bonnie thought, quickly making her way towards them.

She frowned when she was in hearing distance, noting the twin somber expressions the brothers had.

"Do you miss her?"

"Don't you?"

Bonnie hesitated, not sure if she would be welcomed in the conversation about Elena. These two loved the same woman, epically. Painfully. Joining in to say that she missed Elena too seemed inappropriate.

"Do you regret it?" Stefan asked.

Bonnie's heart was in her throat. She knew instantly what he was asking. She didn't want to know the answer but couldn't walk away from them. She waited.

"Sometimes." Damon answered quietly.

Her palm flattened on her chest and she felt like she was shot straight through by the same arrow Kai used. Her vision blurred but she fought hard to contain the spill. She knew they couldn't see her, sense her, but she tried her damnedest anyway.

For some reason, Damon had the sudden urge to look at the Grille's entrance. All he could see that the door was swinging close, as if someone had just left.

He turned back and ordered another drink.