I stood there frozen waiting for a response but she never looked up at me. She sat there on my bed curled up in a ball with my drawing book at her feet. I slowly maneuvered to the bed afraid that any sudden movement would scare her away.
"Caroline?" I whispered
She buried her face in her knees and started to cry. In that moment I forgot what she had said to me earlier that evening and I even forgot that we were both soaking wet from the rain.
I grabbed a blanket off a nearby chair and wrapped it around her shoulders while I slowly lifted myself onto the bed and pulled her in close to me so that she was lying her head on my chest.
We sat there like this for a long time until her crying turned to whimpers and her whimpers became quiet.
"Do you want to talk about it Love?" I asked
She wiped her hand across her face clearing any remaining tears before she answered "I never wanted this."
"Never wanted what Love?"
She gestured down her body and answered "Being a Vampire, it wasn't my choice. I never would have chosen this."
I inwardly kicked myself for thinking she was thinking about me. Of course not, she was upset about being a Vampire. Something I would never understand because I relished in being a Hybrid and the power it gave me.
"My first experience with a Vampire was when I was human and one used me for sex and as a blood bag. He physically and emotionally abused me and it scared me to know there was more of him out there."
My whole body went rigid at her comment and my jaw tightened as I snapped out "WHO, WHO DID THAT TO YOU?!"
Caroline pushed off of me and recoiled to the other side of the bed and snapped "Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters Love, I will kill anyone who has hurt you or even thinks about hurting you." I snapped back
She laid her back against the headboard and pulled her legs up in front of her.
"I am not telling you things so you will take care of them for me, I am telling you because I need someone to talk to."
She wanted to talk to me? She needed someone to talk to and she chose me?
I moved closer to her till our elbows were touching and said "I am sorry Love, please continue."
In the back of my mind I shoved the Vampire who hurt her, I would find out later who it was and he would be dead.
"When Katharine killed me and I woke up a Vampire I was alone and scared."
"KATARINA DID WHAT?!" I snapped and then shook my head "I mean, go on" I said pressing my lips into a tight line.
Two Vampires now I had to take care of being pushed to the back of my mind.
"She did the same; she used me and made me feel like a pawn in her game. No, I WAS the pawn in her game."
I reached out and placed my hand on top of hers and gently caressed the top of her hand with my fingers as I kept my eyes on her face. She didn't shy away from my touch but actually relaxed more against the head board.
"I got to thinking though, Vampires…Men..they all treated me like a pawn or some game."
She said lifting her fingers up as mine fell into hers and we intertwined them. She didn't speak for a few moments just analyzed our hands together and I was lost in her touch.
"You though" she said and scrunched up her facial features while still staring at our hands.
"You're arrogant, proud, take what you want and never think about who you might be hurting in the process."
"Please, be honest with me Love." I said pulling my hand from hers
She turned and finally looked up at me, her expression soft and kind.
"You are also though, determined, courageous, strong, and fight for what and who you believe in. You do not give up, even when the object of your affection is begging you too." She said smiling up at me
My chest tightened at her words as I searched her eyes for confirmation that she truly felt this way.
"Monster's do not change, Men though…Men they do change." She whispered
"So you think I cannot change the things you hate about me?" I asked afraid of the answer
She scoffed and then said "I don't hate you Klaus, I was complimenting you."
"How so Love?"
"Do you remember at the Ball when I told you that you don't connect with people because you don't try and get to know them?"
I shook my head yes not taking my eyes off her.
"The next night you applied what I said to you. You sat there on the bench and said you wanted to talk about me, you wanted to get to know me."
She reached up and gently touched my jaw and I closed my eyes branding to memory her soft touch.
"You changed" she whispered and without notice I felt her soft lips brush against mine.
It took me only a second to kiss her back and I did so slowly. Taking in the feel of her lips caressing mine. She tasted like honey and I wanted to stay here with her forever tasting her.
She gently pulled away keeping her face close to mine "I want to take a chance" she said taking her fingers and caressing my bottom lip.
"I would like that" was the only coherent thing I could say
She traced her fingers along my jaw and then over my stubble. I closed my eyes feeling entranced by her touch. She gently caressed over my eyes and my forehead and then started playing with my ears spreading heat wherever she touched.
"My turn" I said as I opened my eyes and gently touched her lips with my fingertips watching her close her eyes this time. I traced the outline of her face and then ran my fingers through her golden hair still taking everything in and branding it to my memory.
She reached for the bottom hem of my shirt and pulled it off scanning my body with a smirk on her face.
"Like what you see Sweet Heart?" I teased
She didn't respond as she took off her shirt and moved even closer to me as she traced the outline of my chest and abs.
I played with her belly button and then dragged my fingers up to her shoulder as I traced the outline of her body. It moved me how perfect she was and not just her outside appearance but her, who she was. Strong and full of light, she was forcing light into the darkest places of my soul.
She pulled herself on top of me and laid her head on my shoulder while she continued to run her fingers along my chest.
This was the first time in decades I felt like a Man instead of a Monster.