Disclaimer. Characters not mine.
I remained sitting on my rock, so long as he stayed back I could avoid an drastic moves, like starting a physical fight, biting him...Or anything else my fuzzy brain could think up. "What was what? You were harassing me like always, and I was looking for something" I answered snippily, seriously not wanting to speak to him, especially in the middle of a forest...Even though he hadn't moved, the smell of his blood was slowly working its way towards me, and here it was worse, in the forest where the smell of his blood wasn't being diluted by a bunch of humans and alcohol…It was almost like being tortured, only it smelled to good to count as torture. I cursed loudly ignoring his surprise over the sudden cuss, ignoring his further remark about how un- lady like it was, as I realised I was getting hot for his bloody blood. Giggling when the reality of my thoughts hit me, Klaus held no attraction...But apparently his blood did... Also the fact that I had thought the phrase 'bloody blood' tickled me slightly, I know it not that funny, but hey, anything to take my attention away from that dark spicy smell, and the tingling of my tongue which demanded the taste…Worse being my fully extended fangs...And that wonderful feeling of my inhibitions lowering again.
He quirked one eyebrow and I silently begged for him to leave "Caroline, you know what I'm talking about so why deny it?" His voice was almost caring and soft, I hated it...It would be far easier to detest him if he treated me as he did everyone else. I looked at him blankly, and stubbornly shook my head, refusing to admit what was going on...Or what I suspected was going on. "I would only be denying it if I was lying, and I'm not, I genuinely don't know what the hell is going on" I snapped pissed, even more pissed that there was a part of me that was actually enjoying this little game of cat and mouse...The way I always kind of enjoyed it. Damn bloody inhibitions, the smell got stronger the longer he stood there, and I knew it was making me stupid.
His eyes flashed silver for a second "Fine." he snapped, easy charming smile gone. His face a mask of pure seriousness "let me tell you what I think…" he started, taking a few steps closer. Making me stiffle a groan as the smell got stronger and more enchanting, making my mind sink further away from reason. I barely managed to stay focused on his voice "I think you smelt something you liked, something totally natural considering the circumstances…Something you're ashamed to admit to" he answered in a low deep voice that would have had any other girl pinned on the floor in a matter of seconds, but not me, unable to stay where I was I walked a few metres away, needing distance, the smell of him becoming almost unbearable. "You're insane, and wrong" I threw back, tossing my head snobbishly, he smirked at me and chuckled "fine I'm wrong, but first a little experiment" he said challengingly, then before I could even move, or ask what the hell he was on about, he had grabbed a stick and sliced his hand with it, then in an even more dangerous move he held it out as if in offering. The sight and smell of blood overpowered my senses, my eyes zeroed in on the deep, shiny red, my nose started breathing in long deep breaths of the scent, and my feet started carrying me forwards of their own accord, my stomach erupted in sudden seized hunger... The small drops of blood getting closer and closer, until I was right in front of him. My mind screamed as I realised what was happening, and how wrong it was... How wrong this whole thing could go, and briefly I thought of backing away, only to have those thoughts extinguished when the pool of blood was bought up and hovered centimetres away from my lips. Shaking my head, trying to break whatever was happening, only snapping out of my inner turmoil when a smooth gentle finger tilted my head so that I was looking into his eyes.
Strangely they were genuinly filled with warmth, and compassion, and something else... Acceptance, very akin to permission. Strange, I had almost forgotten what those emotions looked like, I caught glimpses, when the Savatore's looked at Elena, or Elena was in danger, or when Elena was having a meltdown...But not for me, not lately anyway...Not till now at least. I closed my eyes as I tried to resist, not trusting that permission had been given until he murmured what I needed to hear. "Go ahead, love. You need it...It's all yours". Then I stopped thinking, I wasted no time before gently latching onto his hand and drinking from the wound, letting the dark, spicy rich liquid flow into me, letting out a small moan as my body was finally given what it needed. Somehow despite my sinfully low inhebriation I had sense enough to keep my hold and bite gentle, not wanting to hurt him, letting myself go and drink even more when he pulled me in and tucked me against his side. Stroking my hair the same way he had both other times I had fed from him, feeling something I had only ever really felt twice in my life- both times when I had fed from him...Protection. I felt protected and valued, like I meant something for once, like someone cared enough about me to make themselves vulnerable and put me above themselves…I felt safe, knowing no one would be able to touch me whilst he held me. He wouldn't let them.
Feeling full, I gently retracted my fangs and watched his hand heal. I continued letting him cradle me to his chest, even though I was no longer feeding, but still feeling the things I had felt during the feeding... And not wanting them to fade, I knew when I left, those feelings wold once again be reserved for Elena...For once, I wanted one moment, one moment that wouldn't get ruined…Like the way every other time seemed to get ruined. Feeling wet tears trail down my cheeks, quickly turning into full pelt sobs, and having no clue why I wierdly enjoyed it when he pulled me closer and held me, hearing him shush and soothe me...A rare moment of pure, caring affection. "What's going on?" I queried once I had quietind down slightly. He pulled away enough to gaze at me, an unreadable expression on his face as he gently stroked my cheek with his thumb, I dont know why, but my body instantly relaxed under his touch "I think I know, but I will need a few days to confirm it, okay?" He asked, I knew he was being honest, I dont know how...But I instinctively knew that I would know if he was telling me the truth or not. I nodded slowly, just enjoying the soothing touch on my cheek. "In the mean time, you've had an long day, and you need rest. Allow me to walk you home?" he made the statement into a question, and I nodded...Noticing how he seemed relived and calm when I agreed, accepting the arm he offered me, I started walking, not having the energy anymore to question anything that was happening, my mind focused on sleeping... In my exhausted, drained state, i could just enjoy the feelings of safety surrounding me as he escorted me home.
When i woke up the next morning, the last memory I recalled was passing The grill. Turning over I found a folded piece of paper on my nightstand-
Caroline
You were more tired than I had guessed. You literally fell asleep whilst walking, I carried you from The grill onwards. It was only arond eight, so I called Your Mother and told her you had passed out...Expect to be slightly more pampered than you would have expected.
Klaus