So this story was originally just the frame about Stefan and Caroline years after what The Vampire Diaries (which I don't own any part of, etc) show will probably cover. I love Forwood, but I also think the Steroline chemistry is really compelling so I wanted to explore it. However, I couldn't just pass over the intervening years without explanation. Hints of past Forwood, Delena, Steferine and Stelena.
Stefan and Caroline had not been in Mystic Falls for many years. Who could blame them? The town held nothing except pain and sadness.
Caroline had lovingly stuck with Tyler until the end of his life. Even when she had to tell the doctors she was a distant relative rather than the love of his life. Even when in wolf form his body was so decrepit with age that he could only lay in Caroline's lap and whimper in pain. And even when his mind was so weakened that he no longer remembered their life together. It had been hellish, but she had not regretted loving him—only wished they'd had more time. Stefan had been her friend, her rock. He had helped care for Tyler and comforted Caroline when the pain overwhelmed her. It was the least he could do.
Caroline had helped Stefan come back from the brink of madness once he had finally escaped Klaus by filling the role Lexi had occupied so many years before. After years of succumbing to his ripper side, Stefan could not reconcile what he had done with the life he had left behind. Elena tried to help, but Stefan was despondent. He could not suppress his guilt over the countless lives he had taken and he had changed in their years apart. Stefan had finally come to terms with what it meant to be a vampire. He couldn't love Elena when every moment he was struggling to control the monster within. He would always love her, but he refused to let her stop living while he healed. So he pushed her away and she eventually fell into Damon's arms. Stefan did not begrudge their happiness. Damon loved her deeply and he provided the strength and devotion she needed.
But Elena wasn't the only one Stefan pushed away. He somehow became more introverted and brooding than before, determined to master his bloodlust on his own. He was so afraid his weakness would disappoint the people who loved him that he shut them out. However, despite taciturn silence, pleading and even a threat or two, Caroline would not leave Stefan alone. She accompanied him on every hunt and supplied him with blood bags to build up his tolerance. Most importantly, she gave him her unfailing optimism and caring. She encouraged him when he feared the hunger would consume him and comforted him when he thought he might prefer the release of death to his crushing guilt. With her help, he began to heal. Then Katherine returned.
