CAROLINE'S POV:
Stefan had gone to the grocery store, leaving me resting in front of the TV after starting my new chemotherapy treatment when I heard the front door open, Elena's name calling mine…
"I'm in here." I informed her as I reached for the TV remote and switched it off
"Hey, you wanted to see me?" she questioned
"Yeah, I did." I replied "What you did was uncalled for."
"What?" she inquired "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't bullshit me, Elena. Damon told Stefan that you asked him to come and find out if there's something going on between us, and I don't know how many times I have to tell you but there isn't. Why can't you accept that and the fact that I'm telling the truth? Is it that hard to believe?"
"Honestly, yes," she admitted "you and he are meant to be together."
"Obviously he doesn't see it that way." I replied
"Doesn't he?" she asked "Then why is he still here looking after you and taking care of you?"
"Because he's my best friend," I informed her "and he promised my Mom."
"Would he make that promise to your Mom if he didn't feel the same way about you that you did about him?" she questioned
"I don't know," I admitted "you'll have to ask him that."
"Okay, I will." she informed me as I heard Stefan's car pull into the driveway
STEFAN'S POV:
I grabbed the grocery bags from the boot of my car and made my way into the house, Elena opening the front door for me…
"Thanks. What are you doing here?" I questioned
"Caroline asked me over," she informed me "and whilst I'm here, I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay, what?" I inquired
"Why are you continuing to stick around for Caroline?" she asked "Isn't it a bit strange given her feelings for you?"
I glanced at Caroline and shook my head… "No, I don't think so."
"Really?" she asked "So it doesn't bother you that she's in love with you and you don't feel the same way about her?"
"Should it?" I questioned
"Yes, Stefan, it should!" she proclaimed "You two are meant to be together. Why can't you both see that?"
"Elena, I think it's about time you went…" I admitted
"What?" she asked
"You heard," I replied "Caroline needs to rest and I want to get started on dinner."
"Fine, whatever!" she scoffed, glancing at the both of us before storming out of the house, slamming the front door shut behind her
"Thanks…" Caroline sighed
"Don't." I proclaimed as I made my way through to the kitchen
"What's wrong?" she asked as she followed me through
"What's wrong? You're seriously asking me that?" I questioned
She nodded her head… "Yeah. What is it?"
"It's like you're ashamed of me…" I admitted "Of us. Of the fact we're in love."
"You know that's not the case." she replied "You know my reasons."
"Yeah, and I'm getting pretty fed up of them." I sighed as I began to unpack the groceries
"What?" she inquired
"I think it's about time we came clean." I informed her
"But yesterday you said…" she began
"I know what I said yesterday, but I'm allowed to change my mind." I replied "I'm fed up of hiding this, Caroline. And I don't think I can do it much longer."
"What're you saying?" she questioned
"Either you tell them, or I will." I informed her
"You're giving me an ultimatum?" she inquired
"Have you really given me any other choice?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her
"Stefan…" she sighed
"Look, I get why you don't want to tell them, I do," I admitted "but you're not thinking about me in this. Do you know how hard it is for me not to wrap my arm around you or kiss you when we're with them?"
"Yeah, I do," she replied "because it's just as hard for me."
"Then coming clean is surely the best option?" I inquired
"Yeah, it is." she sighed "But Elena's gonna get all melodramatic about the fact that I didn't say anything to her, I just know it."
"She is a Drama major, Caroline, like yourself. It's sort of her thing." I replied
She smiled at me warmly… "You know what I mean. And think about how she's gonna be with Damon when she finds out he knew too."
"It'll be okay," I assured her "and if Elena's angry with you, she'll come around. You'll just have to give her time."
"Time's the one thing I might not have…" she sighed
"Caroline, I thought we'd stopped all this talk?" I asked
"You know it's a possibility, Stefan." she replied
"Okay then, well if it is, I want to be able to tell everyone that I'm in love with you." I informed her
"Why?" she questioned
"Why what?" I inquired
"Why are you in love with me?" she asked
Smiling at her warmly, I moved some hair from her face… "You're kind, you're caring, you're beautiful but also sexy as hell and don't know it, you're strong and you're determined, but you don't hide behind that façade. You're able to show me that you're scared and you allow your walls to break down around me which I really appreciate. It shows how much you trust me but most of all, I love how much you love me."
"Go on…" she replied
"You've always been there for me," I sighed "through everything. Even when I've pushed you away you've still been there, and some times I've treated you like crap and you've still been there when most best friends have walked away. After the Damon thing, it made me realise how much you cared about me and how much I cared about you, and then when you told me you had cancer, I felt as though my world was crumbling around me. I knew I had to be there for you, even if you pushed me away because there was a possibility I could lose you. So I'm glad you didn't push me away. I'm glad you let me in and I'm glad you're letting me look after you and take care of you, because it's what I want to do for the rest of your life."
"Really?" she questioned
I nodded my head… "You're everything to me, Caroline, and I want to be able to show our friends that."
"Okay." she replied "We'll tell them."
"Yeah?" I inquired
She nodded her head… "How could I say no after that?"
Smiling at her warmly, I cupped her cheeks in my hands and pressed my lips against hers…
Would never guess I've been awake since 2am with an allergic reaction to my antibiotics, would you? Hope you enjoyed; I wonder what's next…?