They lounged in the tub for what seemed like hours. These were the times where being a witch was pretty handy. A flick of the wrist, a thought, or a push of will could fix the cracks and keep the water comfortable. They spoke about those fears that nibbled on the outside of their reality. This wasn't the path of least resistance for them. They knew that - it would be ignorant for them to not contemplate the difficult happiness at their fingertips.

Kai knew how her friends felt about him, initially. He had a long way to go - but he would never be sorry for anything he'd done. Developing trust with phony apologies would do none of them any good. What was done was in the past and he was willing to work toward the future that Bonnie wanted - that she deserved.

The night deepened outside the windows before Kai finally moved them to the shower. He couldn't help himself and he took her again in the shower. Her body pressed into the marble as he spoke devotion with bruising fingertips. He wanted to possess her, to mark her as his. As if he could continuously rub himself against her and it would create a magical mark. Something that others would recognize and steer clear for fear of their lives.

He swallowed her cries as their combined energies swirled and cracked marble and glass around them.

Bonnie managed to escape his grasp as he took the time to patch up the damage. He scooped her up once more and carried her down a rose petal littered hallway. It led to a room decorated with candles, (thankfully the battery operated kind) and more rose petals. It was something like a dream of wispy fabric, the subtle shock of color from the rose petals and the soft glow of ambient light.

Kai tossed her onto the bed with a laugh. The petals fluttered in the air and to the ground as she stretched amongst the plush bedding. He nibbled his way up her body, crashed his lips to hers and called her name as his back arched in another orgasmic rush.

He loved this.

He loved her.

He loved this feeling.

And when they were fully satisfied? They drifted into deep and needed sleep. Or at least she did. Kai's overactive mind caused him to linger in the dark with his eyes open. He could see his father's defiance. He could hear Jo's concern already ringing in the back of his mind as Olivia criticized him. He honestly didn't care.

He told Jo and his father before he became Coven leader. It was his life to live and he would do it how, and with whom, he saw fit. Bonnie's fingers intertwined with his as she nuzzled into him with a faint huff of air. Kai finally closed his eyes and drifted off.

If all else fails?

No, it wouldn't. This had to work. His sanity depended on it.


Bonnie woke with a stretch, her arms extending outward as her clean and naked form seemed to cling to the pale silk sheets of the bed. Her hair was no doubt a mess. Her mind was a mess and she knew that there were marks all over her body from where Kai had pressed, nipped and suckled across every inch of her. His possessive need to mark and claim and brand her probably would have scared most women. There were the few percentile that got off on that sort of overshadowing presence.

She was part of that small percentile.

There was something absolutely sensual, exciting and enthralling at knowing that she had a semblance of control over a person like Kai. Reformed sociopath or not, anyone who got to know the Gemini witch knew that he was a scary force to be reckoned with. He dished out his punishments with ruthlessness and his intent could borderline the malicious side of the spectrum. She had seen for herself his collection of "oddities" and while she hadn't seen them in two years, it didn't change the fact that he still had possession of them.

Kai Parker was a calculating and cruel individual. While merging with his younger brother Lucas had changed him, there were parts of him that had remained the same. Those parts were sides of him that no one needed to ever cross. Ever. There were the smiles she received - filled with warmth, teasing, and lust. And then there were the smiles he passed on to others; the smile that never met his eyes.

He would let nothing and no one ever stop him from obtaining what he wanted. And if anyone ever even dared to touch or hurt something or someone that he considered to be his?

Well, Bonnie could only pray for their souls.

Wiggling a measure, Bonnie felt Kai's warm, steady breath along the nape of her neck. His large arms encased her in a safe bubble and she sighed from happiness. Drawing her hand up to her face, her eyes lingered on the ring on her finger. Her eyes danced with a giddy light and she had to muster every ounce of self-control she had not to squeal in delight all over again.

She'd said yes.

She had said yes to his proposal.

She had said yes to becoming Mrs. Bennett-Parker.

After a moment of looking at the engagement ring, Bonnie's smile slowly started to fall.

Becoming Mrs. Bennett-Parker meant entangling herself further with the Gemini Coven. Something she had ardently avoided having to do for the last two years. Joshua Parker had stayed off her radar and, as a result, she had stayed off of his. Kai made sure never to involve her in coven business because she was so focused on school and rebuilding her life and the new her. Now that she had agreed to this, it meant an entirely new set of problems were going to be arriving on the horizon.

Maybe it wasn't too late to change her mind?

Lifting both of her hands to her face, she quietly patted her cheeks while squeezing her eyes shut tightly. No. I can't think like that. Hands still on her cheeks, she opened her eyes as the morning sun began to spill into the room and cascaded across the floor. Green orbs narrowed as brows furrowed harshly. After two years, where else was this supposed to go? Did you think that Kai was just going to let you walk out of his life without a second thought? C'mon girl!

That would have been wishful thinking two years ago - before they were trapped in the 1903 prison world together and she got to see the changes he'd undergone firsthand. She never wanted to see him again after she freed herself from 1994 and had heard he was walking around, free as a bird. But it was mostly for her own self-preservation that she wanted him to stay away. Because she knew she would have succumbed to that darkness and the need to set him ablaze.

But now?

Shifting gently, Bonnie turned her body around so that she was facing Kai's sleeping face. Despite how chiseled his features were, as well as the light dusting of stubble around his lips and jaw, Bonnie always thought Kai looked the most innocent when he was asleep. She had to wonder if he always looked this way while asleep, recalling when she'd seen him passed out on the couch back in the 1994 prison world.

Her fingers traced his brow, her nails gently scraping at the skin just below his eye before they trailed down his cheek and rested at the corner of his mouth. His lips were slightly parted and Bonnie resisted the urge to let out another giggle before she leaned forward and nuzzled into his chest instead. She mewled out a happy noise, wriggling against him more as she took in the feel of his body and his smell.

She heard him shifting slightly, a groan issuing from his chest that rumbled along her face. She laughed when he inhaled deeply, his chest expanding across her cheek. "Morning," Bonnie mumbled against his skin before she lifted up to see his eyes fluttering open a measure. When they seemed to focus on her, she gave him a sleepy smile. "Did you sleep well?"

His eyes were like slits taken in the streams of light. An arm tossed across his face as he attempted to stretch with Bonnie's body draped across his. "I hardly slept. It's nothing new." There were the obligatory grunts before he turned back to her. A sleepy smile blossomed and lit his eyes. "How'd you sleep? Not too sore I hope?" Oh, he was lying and she knew it! He wanted her sore so she'd remember and wear those marks proudly. He was such an exhibitionist.

Bonnie pursed her lips together which resulted in him laughing heartily at her expense. It was always at her expense. She repeatedly smacked his shoulder, albeit lightly, which culminated into more laughter. "Boy, don't play," she blurted, gesturing out across her body. "Just look at me!" Bonnie thrust her shoulder at him where a cluster of bruises were. "Look! Look at it! Look!" With each declaration, she jerked her shoulder that much closer to his face to showcase the bite marks and hickeys he'd left behind.

"Ow, hey, wh-what! It's just a little mark." He laughed innocently as his hands rose to shield from her attack. "You can do makeup for that right? That's what girls do, right? You put some...concealer? Foundation? Spackle?" His head tilted as he gave her all the horribly obvious cover-up options. She didn't know whether to be impressed or appalled that he even knew what those were. "It's not that bad! I'm sure they won't notice." Ooooh, he was still lying.

She puffed out her cheeks while she hovered over him, her hair cascading about her shoulders in disarray. "I didn't bring my makeup bag, Kai!" Bonnie rolled off of him, flopping onto her back and then kicking her legs and arms up and down - throwing a mini fit before she curled her knees up and covered her face with her hands. "Caroline is never going to let me live this down!"

Kai couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of him. He was holding onto his sides as he curled on the other side of the bed. She reached behind her with one hand to try and smack him again.

She could see it already. The minute even one mark was visible to her blonde friend, she would be tormenting her over it for the entire day. It was no secret that Bonnie was the more "tame" one of the trio when it came to sexual exploits. If they knew how wild Kai and she got?

"Woman! You're a witch for fuck's sake! Illusions work great, you know?"

He was just too tickled by this. Of course he was. But he was right. Makeup bag? What need did she have for a makeup bag in the long run?

Bonnie stopped trying to swat him from behind and resumed covering her face as he continued with his laughter, shaking the bed in the process. "Hey, when you show them the ring? I think they'll be too busy squealing over being a part of a wedding than the hickeys." He turned to face her as she threw a glare over her shoulder, watching him bracing his head in an upturned palm.

She turned back over, covering her face again. A muffled groan mixed with embarrassment and misery expelled from behind her palms before she flipped over onto her side, shaking her head rapidly back and forth while curling herself into a ball. "They're going to hound me all weekend. All weekend long!"

"Good thing I have us scheduled for brunch today. I hope you have something with sleeves." He tried to crane his head in a curious tilt. "...we could just wrap you in a sheet? Like a ghost - just pop your head through. Everything will be covered. Problem solved." That impish grin appeared.

Bonnie lunged forward and bit him right in the middle of his chest. He cried out, more from surprise than actual pain. She knew this well enough about him.

So she wriggled up his body and bit him again; this time on the shoulder and then on the neck. "Problem solved?" Another bite. "Problem solved, huh?" Bonnie bit his ear. "I'll show you a problem solved!"

"Hey! Wait a- ow?!" He tried to grab at her shoulders to hold her and her teeth at bay. "Bonnie Bennett, I am not that kind of man! You can't just go giving a guy hickeys like that!" The look of mock shock on his face. He deserved an award for this.

"I thought you were the adult between the two of us. Apparently, I was gravely mistaken." There was a slight haughty accent on that gravely. Kai rolled her until she was underneath him. He waggled his brow as he pinned her while snapping his teeth. "Maybe I'll give you a new one. One right underneath your ear. I'll make it super dark too."

There was a slightly maniacal, playful, laugh as he threatened to make her job even harder.

Bonnie's eyes widened slightly, a light squeak issuing from her before those green pools narrowed into slits at the threat he was making against her. One that she knew she shouldn't take lightly.

"...hoe, don't do it."

Bonnie had called him many a thing over their time together. But when that word left her mouth? There was a genuine wide-eyed, open mouth, deep chest rising gasp that left him. "Who you callin' a hoe?!"

And that's when she lost it completely. Bonnie sputtered a laugh so loud and so hard that it shook the entire bed. Her eyes squeezed shut, tears springing at the corners immediately, and when she felt his hands on her sides, ready to unleash his deadly tickle torture attack, she barked another laugh and attempted to flail away from him.

"You!" Bonnie yelled, trying to wriggle from him and failing miserably. "Hoe!"

"How dare you!" He gasped again, running his fingers deep into her sides. "That's it. You're getting that hickey now!" The tickle torture commenced as he leaned down and planted a big, sucking kiss on her neck. He rumbled a laugh against her skin.

Kai was milking this for all it was worth. Because he knew he would pay for it by the end of the day. She would make sure of that.

"Noooooooo!" she half wailed and half laughed, throwing her arms in every direction to break free of him.

This wasn't fair! He wasn't fair! Bonnie tried to grab at his face in order to pry his lips from her neck. She finally managed it and planted a hard kiss on his lips instead.

She kissed him and it stopped everything. "Ah! Not before we're married. We're engaged now. We have to remain chaste and save ourselves." He leaned in, speaking those lies between little kisses - the only move she could successfully dish out against him and halt his assault. He managed to eye the clock and grumbled. Bonnie did the same and groaned right along with him.

"I know if we keep this up, your friends won't see the ring or these wonderful bruises I left all over you." He grabbed her by the hips and pulled her against him. "We really need to stop meeting like this."

Rolling her eyes, her fingers trailed delicate lines down his neck. "Really?" Bonnie leaned in a bit, her nose pressing up against his as her green eyes darkened ever so slightly. "Should we really stop meeting like this?"

Now it was his turn to narrow his eyes down at her. "Look, woman. If you don't want to turn into living body camo, we need to go! Or I swear I'll bite my initials into you." He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss onto her lips. The way he backed away, you'd have thought she was contagious and this caused her to pout. "I don't know what's gotten into you - but I'm too tempted to get in there and join it. We should eat, woman."

Bonnie lifted a finger up to his face, her nail right at the bridge of his nose. "Call me woman one more time," she warned, eyes narrowing.


"I wouldn't dare, my love."

Oh, he was milking this. She then untangled herself from Kai's limbs and slowly sat up, stretching her arms across her body and then over her head. Out of his grasp, she knew that he was watching her. He always did.

She stood up slowly, twisting her body in a provocative angle as her hair fell delicately along her shoulders and back. Bonnie took a moment and stretched fully, a high-pitched noise of satisfaction issuing from her before she glanced at Kai over her shoulder. She scrambled from his grasp and he watched her. He couldn't help but lick his lips at the view. They looked at each other for a long moment before a very, very devious expression painted over her features.

"I'm going to shower," she announced, placing a hand on her hip as she pivoted on her heel to look at him. That brow of his ticked upward as she faced him in all her au naturale. "Alone."

He was going to follow her. She knew him too well. He was preparing to spring upward but she timed it perfectly. "I mean I could jo-oof!"

He was ready to turn and then a mystical weight changed his trajectory. Before he could make another move, he watched her throw her hand out and issued a spell. Kai was planted to the bed. A look of surprise crossed his features and Bonnie blew a kiss at him before scampering off to the bathroom. She laughed softly at first as the door locked and then he felt light and relieved of the burden as the shower turned on.

Bonnie didn't even bother covering up her raucous laughter from the other side of the door.

Malachai Parker lost his composure and burst into the most intense giggle fit known to man. Thankfully, it was covered up by the shower on the other side. He wiped the tears from his eyes and stared up at the ceiling.

"God, I love that woman."


True to her word, Bonnie showered alone. Because she knew that if she gave Kai an inch, he would go a mile and they really would have wound up being late. After she finished up, she gave Kai free reign of the bathroom and he kissed her in passing - a playful smack on her ass issuing soon after and she pinched his back in return. Seriously, they were adults. Truly.

Bonnie took a moment to collect her thoughts and gather up her magic and began to fix all the little marks, scratches and bruises across her body. Kai was right. They were witches after all. A little magic did wonders and it certainly went a long way.

Wishful thinking was had on her part as she perused the wardrobe, expecting only to find a couple of bathrobes. To her surprise, there were actual clothes hanging from the hangers inside. Bonnie's expression softened when she realized the true lengths that Kai went to in order to ensure that everything was prepared perfectly.

Next to Kai's outfit that he laid out for himself for the day, Bonnie's favorite tattoo-ink design shirt was hung, along with a pair of black skinny jeans and a dark gray, sleeveless cardigan. Her dark brown, shin-high leather boots with the stack heels were also inside of the wardrobe. She took note of his attire that he'd picked and saw how the colors also complimented her own look.

Shaking her head, a wistful smile played on her lips as she pulled open another drawer where it was assumed that underwear and socks would be. Bonnie almost laughed when she peered inside, her lips parting in wonder at the brand new lingerie that was laid out for her: a pair of dark green panties with lace accents and a matching bra. She clicked her tongue against the back of her teeth and shook her head, indulging Kai even if he couldn't see.

He certainly wasn't subtle about his tastes.

It took her about fifteen minutes to get dressed and she was in the middle of brushing and styling her hair when Kai finally emerged with a towel draped around his waist. She was slipping on a pair of modest-sized silver hoops and adding the finishing touches to her hair when he brushed his wet lips against her cheek. Bonnie swatted him away as he backed off, laughing while fishing around in the wardrobe for his own clothes.

Kai was dressed in just about the same amount of time it had taken her to get dressed. She had stored away a small amount of "touch up" makeup in her purse - eyeliner, lip gloss, and mascara - and was applying it when he stepped out from around the corner of the room to reveal himself. She eyed his reflection in the mirror and quirked a brow as a low whistle of approval issued from her.

Clad in a black leather jacket with silver accents on the cuffs and collar, the dark gray Sleeping With Sirens logo peeked out from the lapels. A pair of dog tags hung from his neck and he wore his trademark rings - two on each hand. His dark jeans were faded out on the thighs, the bottoms stuffed into a pair of freshly polished combat boots. The sleeves of the jacket were rolled up to the elbow and he wore a leather wrist cuff with a large, metal plate adorning one side.

He turned around slowly, his arms extended outward as Bonnie rose from her seat at the vanity. He finally stopped, flashing her that damn, impish grin of his. "You like?"

Bonnie did a show of circling around him as if she were inspecting his ensemble. Afterward, she paused in front of him and surveyed him with a thoughtful expression. A low hum rumbled in her chest. "It'll have to do." Suddenly, Kai grabbed her around her waist and lifted her off the ground, causing her to dissolve into a fit of giggles as he nuzzled his stubbled face against her neck. "Okay, okay! You look fine! Satisfied?"

"Very," he replied, planting a loud, wet kiss into the crook of her neck. He set her down gently and grabbed her hand. "I already called the others. They should be downstairs wondering where the hell we are."

Gripping onto his fingers, Bonnie felt Kai giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before she hopped up to plant a swift kiss on his lips. "Well, we better not keep them waiting, huh?"

It was going to be another long day. Bonnie could feel it. But as her thumb glossed over the ring on her finger, she couldn't stop her smile from widening further.

Regardless of how long it would wind up being, it was going to be another good day.


"OH MY GOD!" Caroline gripped onto Bonnie's hand, holding it up to her face to eyeball the ring. "Did he?!" She paused, both she and Elena looking at Kai. "Did you?!" He merely shrugged and flashed a smile at them which caused Caroline to gasp even further. "SHUT. UP."

Both Caroline and Elena screamed without abandon in the main lobby, all but yanking Bonnie from Kai's side to pull her into a bouncing, estrogen-filled group hug. Kai hung back, Damon and Stefan sidling up on either side of him as the girls continued to drown Bonnie in congratulatory squeals and giggles. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, ignoring the passing gazes of onlookers as the girls seemed to have forgotten they were in public.

Fidgeting just a bit, Kai moves his hands from his pockets and clasped them behind his back as the Salvatore brothers boxed him in. Stefan leaned over and offered his hand. "It's about time someone scooped her up. Congratulations." Kai offered a gentle shake in return.

Damon on the other hand? Well, he scowled watching the girls scream like banshees. "I think she could have done better." The typical snark as the corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk.

That caused Kai to laugh. It surprised him how quickly it tumbled out. He clapped a hand on Damon's shoulder, leaning in to speak softly, "You had your chance, Old Man. Don't worry. I've done fine protecting her so far. Don't gray your hairs over it."

Damon grabbed that hand and removed it from his shoulder. There was a muscular pissing contest as their biceps flexed and bulged with the pressure of the seemingly friendly handshake. "The moment you screw up, Kai? I'll be here to escort her back to Mystic Falls. Where she belongs."

There was a sudden darkness in the depths of Kai's eyes. He gave that listless smile, the one that curved the lips but strayed far from the eyes. "Bonnie isn't a possession, Damon. She will stay where she's happy. Whether that's with me until we're old and gray or whether that's away from me and still away from Mystic Falls."

Kai leaned in just a little closer as his eyes narrowed. "Whatever her decision may be, if you try to disrupt whatever peace she's found?" His voice lowered to a vehement rush of words. "I'll stick you in a hell of my own design and make the world forget you ever existed."

He smiled again using his other hand to pat Damon on the shoulder. As if to accentuate this tender friendly moment. That smile reached his eyes this time. "I promise."

Stefan moved between them with a sigh. "Can we not do this today?" He looked at his brother with a frown. "You've just gotten back in her good graces. This is about her - not you." Damon growled under his breath as he and Kai finally released their holds on each other.

Kai smirked as he approached the still squealing females. "Hey, can I get in on this? I mean, I did order you ladies mimosas for the morning."

Caroline rounded on Kai, the light dancing in her blue eyes. "Oh, you did?" She clapped her hands on his shoulders, giving him a firm shake. "You're speaking my language!" Her grip tightened slightly as a flicker of something caused her blue eyes to glow. "As happy as I am for my best friend, you do anything to hurt her, I'll bury you alive. M'kay?" Another hard pat. "M'kay!"

"Caroline!" Bonnie nudged the blonde and she laughed, looking back at her.

"What?" Caroline batted her eyelashes. "I'm just doing the obligatory do-not-hurt-my-best-friend-or-I-will-murder-your-face spiel. It's a necessity!"

Bonnie wiped a hand over her face. "Oh my God…"

Elena laughed while shaking her head and looking up at Kai. "In all seriousness though? I'm happy for you, but please don't make us come snap your neck. You're starting to grow on us just a little bit."

Kai laughed as he hugged Caroline and dragged Elena in as well. His arms around their shoulders as he smiled full and bright. Like a big brother holding onto his long lost sisters. "Ladies, ladies! You're growing on me too! Progress, right? But…" He leaned down just a smidgen; that smile still on his face.

"Let's not ruin the day with threats, ok? Because I'd drop you on the other side of the planet before you got close enough to sneeze in my sphere of existence." He gave them a happy little squeeze before letting them go.

"Kai Parker!" Bonnie's wide-eyed look as he shrugged and released her friends.

"What? I'm just doing the obligatory don't-threaten-me-with-bodily-harm-because-I'm-not-going-anywhere-so-deal-with-it-or-bring-it-and-get-wrecked spiel!" He offered an innocent look as he held up his hands in defeat. "I don't want people thinking less of me for laughing at a threat to me. Hell, what do they think if it was a threat to you?" He laughed tossing his head back as he slid an arm around Bonnie's shoulder.

"You just try it," she said, narrowing her eyes at him but he noted her smirk. "I will turn your bones into jello."

"Hey, they threatened me first!" He offered a pout. But he leaned in for a conspiratory whisper as Bonnie grabbed the hand draped over her shoulder. "Plus, I don't think you'll do that. You'll miss one of my bones eventually."

She gave a shrill noise and pinched his ribs, eliciting a bark of laughter from him. "Boy, if you don't shut that mouth of yours!" Curious glances were given all around at the two of them before Kai leaned in to nuzzle kisses into her neck, to which she started pushing at his face to get him away.

Kai moved back with a laugh. Caroline and Elena's sour looks morphed by the time he had his arms around them again. "Look, I love her too, okay? You have nothing to worry about. If I cause the apocalypse, we promise to call you first."

"Kai!" Caroline, Elena, and Bonnie looked at him and said his name - in unison.

"I'm joking, jeez! Good lord, you are all so tight this morning. Come on, let Daddy Kai get you all blitzed and happy. We can do some shopping too. Maybe you can pick wedding colors, or whatever it is girls do when their friends get engaged."

The morning was filled with laughter and lots of drinking. There was a part of Kai that was relieved to see Bonnie laughing so freely. The pettier side of him pouted over how she was so carefree at that moment. But he knew it was because she could finally relax without the stress of school and work hanging over her head. Kai knew that it had nothing to do with not being able to open up to him. She'd just stressed and worried herself into various emotional highs and lows over the course of two years.

She was a stubborn and determined woman after all.

When they were all good and buzzed, Kai and Bonnie both showed the Mystic Falls gang all the hot spots in Portland. Some places were Kai's favored and others were solely Bonnie's haunts. They had mutual hangout locations and were able to show the four vampires a good time. More drinks were had around lunch, the non-alcoholic and alcoholic kind, and they all chatted mindlessly as they meandered through downtown.

During the early afternoon, a group was screaming Bonnie's name from the other side of the busy street. Kai released Bonnie long enough so she could run across the street to greet a few of her own friends she'd made while attending Portland State. There had been a moment of mumbled chatter before screams of delight echoed across the downtown area when he and the others spied Bonnie showing the engagement ring. They yelled to Kai their congratulations as he watched Bonnie bid them farewell while minding the crosswalk.

Kai didn't miss the put-out expressions on the faces of the Mystic Falls group. He snorted as he wrapped his arm around Bonnie's shoulder once she was reunited with him. Did they think she came all the way out here and hadn't made other friends? Surely not.

The Gemini witch declared that food needed to be had. Caroline firmly voiced her opinion against his suggestion. When asked why, she rolled her eyes as she looped her arm through Bonnie's and pulled him beside her. "You can't expect any of us to fit into anything cute after stuffing our faces, do you?"

Well, it was hard to argue against that.

The boys were dragged through various boutiques, Caroline and Elena both attempting to shove Bonnie into various bridal stores and the witch fought against them. They finally relented, choosing to enter a high-end department store instead.

Entering Mario's, the girls split off from the boys and were immediately attended to by one of the employees - showing off all the latest fashions that were in from various brands. Caroline squealed at the Prada collection while the others just looked on with amazement. Kai was just amused as many "help me" faces were made at him from his fellow witch. He merely shrugged and motioned for her to run along and enjoy herself. Caroline took this as her cue to pull her friends further into the store while his eyes fell on the Isaia Napoli collection. He'd been meaning to swing by and pick up another suit.

"Oh, che bellezza!" He made a beeline for the section of poshly tailored suits. Stefan and Damon just looked around at price tags that had them rolling their eyes. Stefan saw Caroline plucking multiple things from racks.

Damon clapped his brother on a shoulder with a grin. "Maybe they'll let you wash dishes, eh brother?"

Stefan leaned in with an equally amused smile. "Then I suppose you'll be mopping the floors." His head dipped in a nod toward Caroline and now Elena whose hands were just as full.

"Dammit," Damon grumbled as he turned to look at Kai. "I suppose none of this phases you?"

Kai held up two suits against his profile in a mirror. He made a duck face as he moved from one suit to the other. "Who me? Worry?" He stopped to look at the girls, then back to the Salvatore brothers. He offered a shrug and a shake of his head. "Not particularly, no. I mean, your hotel rooms should have proven that much." He frowned unable to make a choice. The gentleman that had been waiting nearby offered to take them while he continued to look around.

Kai dumped the suits into the rep's arms before turning back to Damon. "How was that Presidential suite, by the way?" There was that loud clap on the vampire's shoulder as the Gemini witch breezed over to another rack.

"Surely this lavish show doesn't impress Bon-Bon," Damon mused as his fingers danced over several silk ties. He lifted up a mahogany one that was decorated with an intricately designed tie pin - a cross embroidered at the bottom in an eloquent black flourish.

"Nah! You know Bon doesn't care for this kinda stuff. But, that doesn't mean I won't spoil my fiancée." Kai offered a light smile as he flicked through more suits. "What impresses her, though? My unfaltering dedication to her peace and well-being. The nights I stayed up helping her study. Letting her bounce speeches and presentations off of me at 3am the day it was due. Oh, and the constant of me nagging her to eat some fucking food while she's on a study binge."

Kai turned away from the rack to give finger guns in Damon's direction. "This is just a perk. Why don't you pick something nice for yourself if you're feelin' a little jelly, Damon?" He had a mock pout as he moved toward another suit rack.

"Ha, as if I'd willingly let you foot the bill for my threads." Damon saw Stefan rolling his eyes before making his way over toward a different section of suits. Meanwhile, the older Salvatore fingered through a rack just across from Kai. "She had all of that before you showed up," came the vampire's easy response. "The girls did all of that and then some, if I recall." Damon eyed a three-piece suit of charcoal gray with a soft silver shirt and matching tie. He saw Stefan eyeing a few pieces himself out of the corner of his eye.

A bubble of laughter drew all the boys' attentions as they saw the girls darting through another set of clothes from a different brand. Kai caught Bonnie's gaze and he quirked a brow at her before she twirled on her heels with a few clothes and a couple of shoe boxes in her arms as the girls dragged her into the dressing room. Shaking his head, he smiled more to himself as he continued to peruse through things.

"Marriage is a big step, Kai," said Stefan gently as he lifted up a pair of platinum cuff links with skull designs. "Are you and Bonnie really sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?"

"Nobody is ever ready for anything, boys. But what we did is agree to go forward into the future with each other and have each other's backs." He stopped his shifting of hangers for a moment. "Which, I shouldn't have to mention you all did a shit job of." He pulled out a peacoat and checked it's interior.

"Now wait just a minute, you little-" Damon started but was halted as Stefan firmly grasped his shoulder, holding him in place.

"I simply opened the door, gentlemen. All things that have happened are at Bonnie's behest. It's her choice. It's her life. She happens to like me in it. There's no games, no spells, and no tricks. She gets me in a way I thought no one ever would. I've shown her she's more than what she was stuck in Mystic Falls." He sighed heavily and turned to face them both.

"Again, it's not about me. It's about her. If you seriously think you're going to change my mind? Or hers? You're sorely mistaken. Please reflect on your own performance report cards before bringing up mine." That listless smile spread across his face again. Then time it was Stefan who narrowed his eyes, but Kai could tell that it wasn't out of hostility. He could always count on him to be the more reasonable of the two.

"No journey is ever easy. But we want to take it. And since most of the males in my family are assholes? I'm forced to ask you guys to be groomsmen, again, for her sake. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life proving myself to you. I've proven myself to her. She trusts me. So should you."

Stefan stepped between his brother and Kai, squaring up just a measure so he could look him in the eye. "Kai, I didn't ask that to try and put you on the spot, alright? It's no secret that we screwed up. You've been there for her when she needed us to be there for her and I respect and appreciate that. Believe me, we all do."

Damon scoffed slightly. "Speak for yourself."

"With that being said," stressed Stefan as he cut his eyes to his brother, "we just want her to be happy and it's pretty clear that she is. All we wanted to know is that you both are ready for this big step. You're both still young and can take as much time as you want for some things, that's all."

That dark gaze leveled on Damon as Stefan stepped between them. God, who was really the child between the two of them? Surely, you would think it was Kai. Oh, how the tables have turned. He scoffed as he continued to look over the coat. There was a moment of pause when Stefan clarified his stance.

"You know, when I asked her? I said 'You just graduated. You don't know what life has in store for you. I don't know either. But, I'd like to stick around for a bit and find out'." He laughed softly, draping the coat over his arm. "'You can call it a promise to think about it'. That's what I said. I don't want to let her walk away from me into the world. I'm tired of watching her walk away from me. But, she didn't say 'I'll think about it'."

That rare, fond, smile that only thoughts of Bonnie could bring. "...she said yes, Stefan. She...just said yes." He offered a haphazard shrug. "I know youth and all that, but when you've been through shit like we have? Why waste more moments when you've had so many wasted for you?" His brow furrowed as he turned away. There were flickers of that old hurt rising to the surface.

"It'll probably be a few years before we do get married anyway. So, who knows? You might be right. I might fuck it up." That made Kai laugh.

He caught the empathetic look from Stefan - a man who had his own demons and guilt that he carried around on his shoulders. A wistful smile of reassurance spread over the vampire's lips as he gripped Kai's shoulders and squeezed them gently. Kai's brows rose slightly at the sudden gesture.

"You'll be fine," Stefan said easily. "Like I said, it's clear she's happy and Bonnie deserves it more than any of us. She's suffered enough on all fronts."

There were a few blinks of surprise from Kai and Damon both. He hadn't expected that. At all. But it didn't stop the slight grin from spreading over his features. Stefan gave his shoulders another pat before he vacated the space he'd occupied between Kai and Damon, leaving them to go check on the girls. Their laughter and squeals had peeled off and it was too quiet in the store now.


"I still can't believe it," whined Caroline as she twirled in a pale yellow dress with soft sleeves that flare out over the shoulders. "Bonnie Bennett is getting married." She spun around, rounding on both Elena and Bonnie as they sat in the plush chairs - their confused expressions reflected in the array of mirrors halfway around the pedestal. "It's not fair!"

Bonnie sputtered a laugh. "Wait, what?" She shook her head back and forth as she sipped on a bottle of water that one of the rep's had given to her. "What's not fair about it?"

The blonde stamped her feet in a mini tantrum before pivoting back around to survey her figure in the full-length mirrors. "I always said that I was going to be the first one to get married out of the three of us."

The witch rolled her eyes, leaning back in the chair a bit more comfortably. "Oh, good Lord."

Elena laughed along with her. "Oh come on, Care! Let Bonnie have this one thing, would you?"

Sighing in resignation, Caroline stepped off the pedestal and sat down on the other side of Bonnie. She looped her arm through hers and rested her head on the witch's shoulder. Bonnie patted her cheek in playful comfort and Elena dissolved into another fit of giggles when Caroline wiggled her shoulders while whining.

"You know it's only a matter of time before Stefan proposes," Elena said through a smile. "You just have to be patient."

"He's so old-fashioned!" Caroline sat up and pouted. "We've been going out for almost two years now! Where's my romantic proposal under the moonlight?"

"Really, Care?" Bonnie snickered. "Moonlight? How cheesy can you get?"

"Let me have my cheddar!"

The girls all burst into laughter, hugging each other tightly. Bonnie had really missed this closeness. With Caroline and Elena absent in her life, it was like she had to start all over again. While she had made new friends and had acclimated herself fairly quickly to Portland, she still missed the people who had grown up with her and seen her blossom into the woman she was now. Or at least partway. Bonnie admitted that she'd done even more growing up since she'd left Mystic Falls. It was all for the better.

"So," cut Caroline through her thoughts, "have you guys planned a date? A venue? Catering? Anything at all?"

Bonnie barked a laugh, her eyes wide as she leaned back a margin. "I just got engaged last night, Caroline! Give me a minute to breathe and soak that feeling in, will you?"

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're not pregnant are you?"

"Caroline Forbes!" cried Bonnie and Elena both.

The blonde blinked in surprise at them yelling at her. "What? It's an honest question? And it's information I need to know?"

Bonnie sighed slowly. "And why is that?"

"Uh, because as your wedding planner, I need to know what kind of timeline I'm working with here, that's why!" Bonnie blinked at Caroline's extremely serious expression. For a moment, all the blonde could do was mirror Bonnie's shocked look. "What? Were you seriously considering trying to plan this without me, Bonnie Bennett?"

Bonnie held her hands up in surrender, shaking her head rapidly back and forth. "No! No, I wasn't-"

"Good." A firm nod was issued from Caroline. "Because if you think otherwise, you're dead wrong."

Elena lightly nudged the witch before wrapping her arms around her in an affectionate hug. "We're seriously so freaking happy for you, Bonnie!" Bonnie's eyes misted slightly with the onset of tears and she quickly tried to chase them away. Elena squeezed her shoulders again in reassurance. "Kai has changed. Like, a lot. I was worried in the beginning, but not anymore."

"Really?"

Both Caroline and Elena nodded and the blonde flashed her a smile while poking Bonnie's cheek. "And when I see you two together? It makes my fangs want to fall out."

Laughter sputtered out of Bonnie as she recalled what Caroline had said to her just after she'd withdrawn from Whitmore two years ago. About how she had wanted nothing more than to see Bonnie so happy that the sight would make her fangs fall out from how sweet it was. And it was true. Bonnie was happy - happier than she'd been in a long time.

And while she knew that there were still a lot of obstacles that she'd need to overcome in order to maintain that happy feeling, Bonnie didn't feel like worrying her friends over that sort of thing. Especially since it was regarding matters of the witch variety. Gemini coven business that Kai hadn't involved her in yet for her own sake more than his. But she knew that there wouldn't be any getting around it now.

There was a sudden knock at the door, causing the girls to jump slightly.

"You ladies alright in there?"

It was Stefan.

They all let out a sigh of relief before dissolving into another small bout of laughter.

"We'll be right out!" called Caroline before she stood up to draw Bonnie out of the chair. "Now, before we go, you need to try on this dress. You've got a rockin' bod, Bonnie, and Kai would be an idiot not to have his jaw hit the floor when he sees you in it."

Bonnie pursed her lips together before groaning slightly as both of her friends began shoving her into a room and demanding she strip.


Kai opted to keep the peace that Stefan had drafted between them for the moment. He caught the understanding from Stefan. Perhaps this was just always the way it would be with Damon. He could learn to be cordial. Damon was barely getting back under the umbrella of friendship. He seriously doubted the vampire would jeopardize his, possibly last, opportunity to get settled with Bonnie.

Even if he was banned from the wedding? He knew Damon would find a way to skulk about the outskirts. There was an uneasy silence as the sound of hangers and fabric shuffled between them.

"Look, let's let bygones be bygones. When I fuck up? Feel free to try and tear off my head or something. I don't want this tension in the air around Bonnie. You know she'll pick up on it and start fretting." Kai rolled his eyes as he eyed another suit.

Damon hummed softly under his breath. Kai had a point. Bonnie would pick up on the bad vibes and they'd never hear the end of it. Damon plucked out a very nice, very expensive, suit and whistled under his breath. "Fine. You're right. I don't want her threatening to wring my neck. But, I'll definitely take you up on that offer."

Kai arched a brow as he looked up from his search. He gave a look of approval at the suit choice. "What, to buy the suit for you?"

Damon smiled as he laid the suit over his arm. He passed by Kai and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, no. I was talking about the offer to rip off your heart if you fucked up." He gave Kai a good shake as he breezed on by. Turning as he moved away pointing at the suit. "...and yeah, the thing with the suit too. You're tops, man." Damon winked and sauntered off to find his brother.

Kai stared at the back of Damon's head and silently counted to ten. It would cause a scene if Damon's neck was to break inside the store. He sighed heavily because he knew Bonnie would break all his bones. Starting with his favorite one first.

"I fucking hate that guy."

He mumbled to himself after plucking a coat from the rack. He finally turned to follow the brothers and check on the girls. He'd be in ruins if he left Bonnie alone with Caroline for much longer. He joined up with the brothers finally.

"Are they still in there?" Kai groaned.

Stefan held up his hands with a shrug. "You know how it is with girls and clothes." He offered a slight smile.

"Ladies, I am but a weak specimen of a man. I'm hungry. Can we play dress up back at the hotel?" Kai whined playfully. "Or, we can stick our heads in there and just say whether you look good in whatever expensive thing you have plucked out?"

"Just a second!" said Elena on the other side of the door.

"Yeah," chimed Caroline. "We'll let you in, calm yourselves!"

The men all took a step back, looking between each other and shrugging. It wasn't until they heard the door unlatch and slowly open that they relaxed since they were now being allowed entrance. Kai gestured for the brothers to go in first as he made a vain attempt to stave off the hunger from his insides. What awaited him when he finally crossed the threshold, however, he was not prepared for.

Caroline spun on her strappy, stiletto heels - her blonde curls bouncing in every direction before she paused long enough to let the boys have a look. Her bright blonde hair was a stark contrast to the black leather jacket she wore over a royal blue, handkerchief dress that clung modestly around her entire person. However, the hem of the dress stopped at mid-thigh, showcasing a provocative amount of leg. A laugh was issued when Stefan's jaw went slack and Damon gave a low whistle of approval.

"Lookin' good, Barbie," complimented Damon as he clapped his hands.

Kai nodded, giving her a single thumbs up. It was a nice choice and it suited her.

Elena revealed herself around the corner, clad in a red dress with a black, sheer layer over the entirety of the garment. Tiny black sequins adorned the dress in a decorative flourish - the hem of the dress stopping just above her knees. The sleeves reached down to her elbow and the beading continued all across the back. On her feet were a pair of ankle, stiletto boots with peep toes to show off her perfectly pedicured nails.

This time it was Damon whose jaw hung loose. Stefan flashed his brother a knowing grin, rolling his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest. The older Salvatore brother quickly got a hold of himself, flashing a wicked grin toward Elena who shyly tucked some of her hair behind her ear before walking in a small circle to fully show off the outfit.

"I think I see some drool right there, Damon," Kai said as he pointed toward Damon's mouth.

"Shut up," he snapped, reaching out for Elena and she came to him just as Caroline crossed over to sidle up beside Stefan.

The witch looked around, taking note that his own significant other was nowhere to be found. He pouted. "No fair hiding, Bonster," he called throughout the room. "Don't make me come looking for you."

"You better not!" she called from behind the wall of full-length mirrors.

"Bon, I'm dying of starvation. I'll wither away into nothingness before I even get to see you."

He heard her laugh. "So melodramatic."

Whatever words Kai had prepared next had been knocked out of his mouth because nothing had prepared him for what he saw. Bonnie stepped around the corner of mirror wall, the soft brown boots the first thing that caught his attention. However, his eyes traveled up the length of them and he realized that they went all the way up her thighs. The pointed toes and stiletto heels of them gave her an extra boost in height, but the dress was what had him almost dropping the coat in his hand.

Dressed in a form-fitting, forest green dress - her waist hugged tightly by the lacy material. The actual dress portion flared over her hips and fell in little ripples just above her thighs. Dark green chords were crisscrossed against her chest, her brown skin accentuated by the color and making her breasts that much more alluring with how little was actually peeking from behind the material. The rest spread out in a "V" and the sleeves just barely hung on her shoulders, the lace snaking down her arms and nestling securely around her wrists.

Bonnie's hair was fitted into a modest updo, her curls falling freely around her face while the rest had been pulled back so that it wasn't hanging across her neck. Around her neck was a simple gold chain that rested just at the dip of her collarbone - the silver and gold triangle sparkling as it dangled from said gold chain.

She walked in a small circle of her own, peeking at him just over her shoulder as she flashed him a smile. "What do you think?"

He must look like an absolute idiot. His mouth had fallen open and maybe his heart missed more than a few beats. He opened his mouth and expected the manly sounds to come out. It started as a squeak that had him clearing his throat. The bass finally kicked back in as he spoke. "I think I'd rather take you home instead of going to eat."

Leave it to Kai to let his inner thoughts out.

Now it was Damon and Stefan who rolled their eyes. "You look..." Good enough to eat. "...fantastic." He crossed his arms in front of himself. Letting the coat act as a protective apron of sorts. It just looked as if he were resting the garment against himself.

"Ladies, you all look fabulous. And I absolutely insist on making sure this fabulousness isn't put to waste." He flicked his wrist to check the time. "I think we'll make it in time for dinner after all." Damon rolled his eyes again as Stefan shot Kai a quizzical look.

"Hey, I've known you guys were coming down for months now. I know Bonnie would be too concerned with preparations for the graduation ceremony. So, I took the liberty of setting some things up. So, gentlemen?" He waved an arm toward the dressing area. "I suggest we get sharp. I don't want to look like hobos next to these diamonds."

The rep that had been holding Kai's picks appeared with one of the suits. The boys escorted the girls to the sitting space.

"No peeking." Damon wagged a finger as they disappeared into the changing area. Thankfully, the boys were pretty simple and quick in their decision making. It took maybe twenty minutes of waiting before the girls grew restless.

"Oh my god, how long does it take for boys to get ready?" Caroline whined playfully.

Elena and Bonnie smirked. "Yeah, come on out or we're coming in!"

"Patience, ladies," Stefan chided from the other side.

Thirty minutes total before the door clicked open. Damon stepped out first in a silver-gray textured suit covered in multiple thin vertical and horizontal pinstripes of a contrasting darker gray. He chose his shirt and tie as the accent. The mauve shirt and crimson silk tie were a nod to Elena's color palette. Italian leather shoes clicked as he jammed a hand in his pocket.

"Well?"

Elena's eyes went wide as he stepped out in full view.

"Whoa." Was all she could get out.

Caroline and Bonnie laughed as they waved their hands in front of her face. Damon smirked, satisfied with the result.

Next was Stefan who stepped out in a suit that was as blue as Caroline's dress. He had chosen a dark blue silk tie with a paisley pattern and a lighter blue pocket kerchief. He also chose black Italian leather shoes to accompany his set. He adjusted the cuffs with the links he plucked out - the skulls glinting in the light of the room.

Caroline's mouth fell open as he struck the same pose as Damon. "I take it you approve?" He smiled as those blonde curls bounced with her nod.

Saving the best for last - Kai finally stepped from behind them. He chose a highly tailored dark gray suit. The material had a sheen that caused the material to seem lighter in the shadows, but darker in the light. It was a double-breasted affair equipped with a vest of a slightly lighter color. His tie was a green so dark, it seemed to fit the gray color tones.

"Well?" He held his hand out before stuffing it into the pocket of his trousers.

Bonnie joined the dropped jaw club. The boys actually had a good laugh together as the girls had to compose themselves. They approached the ladies with a chivalrous bow and offered their hands. The girls gave coquettish smiles as they stood.

They were like glittering supernatural magnets of cool, grace, and sexy. Kai had rang up a ride, their original clothes were boxed. They spilled out onto the streets of Portland arm in arm. The limo was waiting for them, trunk and doors open.

The boys made sure the parcels were tucked away before joining them inside. Another bottle of champagne popped, glasses poured and raised. Kai flashed a knowing grin to everyone. "To new beginnings."

Something they agreed on - for once.

The trip back to the hotel was leisurely and Kai was amused by the looks of confusion. Bonnie looked even more confused than the others as she exited the limo - as did the rest of them. "Why did we get super fancy just to come back to the hotel?"

That impish grin spread as he took Bonnie's hand and placed it on his forearm. "Ladies and Gentlemen, our reservation is up there." He pointed to the top of the hotel. "Follow me, if you will." He strode back inside, the late night weekend lookers couldn't keep their eyes of the trio. They stepped into the elevator and went to the rooftop floor.

Departure was an award-winning pan-Asian restaurant inside the hotel. It was hard to get a seat, let alone the rooftop patio. When Kai gave his name? That's exactly where they were escorted. The sun had barely set - painting the sky in multilayered hues of orange, purple and blue.

They were seated with the best view of the city. The menus were placed in front of them as their water glasses were filled and wine was ordered. Bonnie started to chuckle softly at first. Then it spiraled into a laugh. Kai's brow shifted upward as Caroline and Elena joined in.

It was all too crazy. This whole day. This whole weekend. This whole life had just reached a maximum level of insanity. The ladies apparently had given up trying to quantify anything that had happened. It had been too long since they had been together.

It had been two years since they last were together like this.

Damon and Stefan couldn't help but chuckle along with them. Kai seemed to lag behind in the emotional comprehension of the matter. He just smiled, watching them get a case of the giggles. The first round of wine was poured.

Kai stood up and raised his glass. "To more of this."

The others stood, raising their glasses in tandem while echoing his sentiments.

It looked like it was going to be another good night and the party was just barely getting started.


AN: A world where magic isn't at the forefront of their lives? Say it isn't so! Lol! I love this though. Like, it's not quite domesticated Bonkai, but it's close enough where I can squeal about it. We can ALL squeal about it, okay? I know you guys were wanting this. Or maybe it was just me. I don't know. I just know that I needed this. This fluffiness because lord there is going to be a roller coaster of days to come so I want to let you guys bask in as much fluff as I can muster. Because when I tell you that the drama is coming? The drama is coming guys! But yes, I love you all! Please continue to read and review and I'll see you in the next chapter! MUAH!