Graduation scene – the vampire diaries 4x23
Caroline looked out to the football field; a sense of finality overtook her. This wasn't exactly how she'd imagined her graduation day to be, she'd pictured both her parents smiling proudly as she accepted the certificate. But they had all made it to the end of high school together, that's what mattered most. Regardless of their troubles, both personal and supernatural, the Mystic Falls gang was still together and, for the first time in the longest time, she was convinced they'd stay that way.
Caroline chuckled as she sorted through the remaining graduation gowns. What was her plan? What would she do now that she wasn't held in this town? The town she had grown up in and had grown to love despite all the dangerous secrets it held. Or, perhaps she would stay, she reckoned her friends would need her, whether they liked to admit it or not. The last four years of her life she committed to being the best student she could be. She had gone through ups and downs, lost loved ones and learned to let go. Ironically, perhaps letting go meant she could also hold on.
At last, her thoughts fell on Klaus, the big bad hybrid. He had shown up for her graduation and even saved Damon who had done nothing to deserve it, finally realisation hit her, he did it all for her.
Klaus … he had returned, she thought she would never see him again, considering he didn't say goodbye in the first place. Caroline knew they had a connection, chemistry if you will. They pushed and pulled, and got lost along the way, but they knew where they stood with each other. At first, she hated him, she truly did. He was simply a killer and someone who could never be trusted. But somehow, he broke through all her walls of hatred and let her see the real him, she had learnt to understand what he was feeling. Perhaps his actions could be justified as evil and cruel but deep inside he was just a broken man. Klaus told her the things she wanted to hear, treated her like she was more than just an annoying blonde girl who couldn't stay out of other's businesses, she felt adored.
As if on cue, Caroline heard Klaus approach her. A thousand years or so of existence made him harder to detect than other vampires, but she knew – she always knew when he was coming. Smiling to herself she took in his scent, His scent was intoxicating; a strong mix of masculinity, scotch and the Woody forests that surrounded his home. She turned to face him, taking in his form. Klaus had always been an attractive man, with his sandy locks and heavenly dimples. His face suggested seriousness but his body language made her feel comfortable in his presence, a combination only Klaus could pull off. "How did you get here so fast? "she asked, thinking back to the panic she felt earlier when he wasn't answering her calls. "I was already on my way" he said confidently. Confused, Caroline began to worry about what business would have brought him back, all the way from New Orleans, praying it had nothing to do with her troublesome friends. She tilted her head slightly, urging him to go on. "I received your graduation announcement. Very subtle!" He continued as he pulled the invitation out from his pocket. As much as she loved to deny the effect Klaus had on her, she couldn't deny he made her feel special, feel wanted and feel loved. He had flown back to this deadbeat town just for her graduation. Embarrassed by her internal monologue Caroline smiled awkwardly and waited for him to continue.
"I assume you're expecting cash," he continued as She felt his gaze sweep over her. "That… or a mini fridge," Caroline joked, shaking her head slightly as she criticised herself for the lame joke.
Klaus looked off to the distance, a move he made when he was most vulnerable. Caroline had seen it many times before; she prepared herself for what he was going to say next..
"I had considered offering you a first-class ticket to join me in New Orleans" Caroline's mind was working a mile a minute, trying to react to his statement. She should have been angry; He turned her world upside down and made her doubt everything she once deemed true. "Stop it Caroline", she told herself, as she centred her emotions and put on her Miss Mystic Falls smile. Would a first-class ticket to a new life, a new exciting life be so bad?
"...But I knew what your answer would be, so I opted for something I knew you would accept." The intensity of his eyes made her breath hitch. He looked so vulnerable with the innocence of a young child, a side only she ever saw. She knew this side was the real Klaus and that the rest was a charade. Nervousness overtook her as she contemplated his possible gift choices. She knew he had a fondness for beautiful jewellery, or perhaps he had captured her so beautifully in his art, once more.
"Tyler Lockwood is now free to return to Mystic falls" Klaus offered with great sadness in his eyes. Caroline's face dropped. Had she heard him, right? Tyler was the love of her life, so why did she feel disappointed? She loved Tyler, he loved her, but still she felt that she was convincing herself. Caroline stared into his eyes unsure of what to say.
"What?" She finally managed to breathe out, her heart racing. Klaus looked off into the distance once more and Caroline took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"He was your first love; I intend to be your last," he sung. On his last words Caroline looked into his eyes, she saw his sincerity and his admiration. He truly does love her, and this was his declaration. The man in front of her: he was a man, a lost, broken and truly lonely man. She had seen it in his eyes whenever she rejected him. She thought this was her humanity or her compassion but it was something more. Was her heart aching because she was not only breaking his heart but her own too?
Klaus awoke her from her thoughts when he added " However long it takes".The words sent her into a panic. Not only had he not given up on her when she had given him every reason to, but he was willing to wait. He had implied that he would wait forever. He truly loved her, she thought to herself again. Did Tyler love her? She thought she felt it; he said he did. But, with the intensity of the love in front of her, she doubted everything. Klaus was always there when she needed him. One phone call was all it took and he was there in a blink of an eye. He had saved her over and over again. Granted he had put her in some of the situations to begin with!
Klaus' face slowly started coming towards her, waking her from the rollercoaster in her mind. She closed her eyes and felt his luscious pink lips caress her cheek softly. She had not expected that. He hovered in front of her; she could feel his warm, sweet breath on her face, before he leaned back with," Congratulations Caroline." Caroline let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. The intoxication of his presence clouded her mind and left her thoughts scattered.
Caroline heard all the unspoken words and understood. She was overjoyed that the petty feud between Klaus and Tyler was coming to an end, but she also felt something else. She felt disappointment, disappointment in Klaus and in herself. She was disappointed in Klaus for not kissing her. She knew he wanted to; she wanted him to. But she was also grateful, so so grateful that he lowered his pride to save Damon and to some extent even forgive Tyler. And most of all she was disappointed in herself. How had she never until now appreciated how much Klaus had done for her and her troublesome friends? She knew she was guilty of using Klaus' feelings for her gain.
With that Klaus turned and began walking away, not once turning back. Leaving Caroline to her thoughts as she reminisced in his scent that clung to the air. Maybe one day, when she gathered the courage, Caroline would take him up on his offer…however long it takes.