A/N: After a decade of reading fanfiction, I haven't written a thing. This wouldn't leave me after rewatching 3x14 (for the thousandth time). It wasn't really shown but what Klaus says, I think, would have struck a chord with Caroline. Anyways, I hope it's not complete crap.


"I fancy you. Is that so hard to believe?"

Yes. The answer is most definitely, without a doubt, yes. Because if her short years of existence have taught her anything, it's that she is not picked first (for dodgeball, for a daughter, for anything). She is the last resort when a certain doe eyed dark haired girl is unavailable, too busy deciding between her two protectors who would do anything to save her.

So excuse her for thinking that thereisnowayinhell this man (monster? She doesn't know anymore) before her is actually being so earnest and outright with his affections. It is hard to reconcile that he has lived through 1000 years of bitterness, betrayal, and coldblooded murder and mayhem, yet has the audacity to stand in front of her looking sheepishly at the ground, his boyish (yes, boyish) dimples appearing beneath hooded lashes.

But maybe that's just her luck. Of course the most evil vampire to ever walk this earth would be the one flirting with her, wooing her with gifts, and making her feel like she's actually fucking worth something. She is smart enough to put up a front, scoff, and walk away though because after all ohmygod what would her friends say?

Caroline, you're better than that.

Well guess what? Maybe she isn't because truth be told, girly-girl, prim and proper, Caroline died in that hospital bed with a pillow to her face at the hand of an evil bitch wearing her best friends face. She should have stayed that way but nature has a way of being well, unnatural, and this is the hand she has been dealt.

She has disappointed every single person in her life. Her dad did not stick around, her mom can't look at her, and every boy who made her think maybe this is the real thing, has casually tossed her aside. Even Tyler is gone and here she is with the guy who made him leave. She has started building a wall that surrounds her from every angle. Brick by brick she will shut out every disappointed look, side-eyed glance, and worried sigh because hello she is a vampire and she can take care of herself thankyouverymuch. If she wants to travel the world with a psychotic original hybrid than that is her choice. Not that she will because that would be crazy. Crazy like the way her cheeks flush with borrowed blood and her dead heart beats when his voice drops lower, just for her. Genuine beauty, full of light, and I fancy you.

She is a seventeen year old girl (forever) and she has, like, a bajillion years ahead of her if she's lucky. She will not spend it playing second fiddle, okay? She wants to be wanted. Is that so hard to believe?