A.N. Hey all! I hope you all are having a good weekend! Thanks for those who read and replied the last chapter! I know it was suppose to be stefonnie filled, klonnie took over the chapter and before I knew it, it had reached its end length. This chapter however is dedicated to the stefonnie fans because you deserve a chapter! Be on the look out for the next chapter which has quite a bit of Stefonnie as well. Enjoy!
Special thanks to pepprie and sarahk
xoxo
queena
Chapter 11 Part 2: Flames
The moment we entered the club we were ushered to a V.I.P. section courtesy of Caroline and the mysterious strings she had pulled for us. After getting mind fucked by Klaus and everything else that had occurred within the last couple of months the one thing I wanted to do was just throw caution into the wind. I wanted to be the reckless girl I use to be back home; The girl without a care in the world. And tonight that was who I would be, for once I would be an eighteen year old girl who was just beginning to have fun and nobody could tell me any different.
The club was decorated in black and white with a splash of red thrown in here and their. Black and white diamonds or studs were literally everywhere. The bar area was black with specks of silver and the seating area's consisted of color coordinated chairs and barstool all the colors of red, black or white. It had reminded me of a club that was based in upper east side of New York.
But what had really gotten my attention was the massive dance floor. I was a dancer, I had been dancing since I was a little girl. I had been classically trained in ballet and moved on from that to other types of dances so to see such a beautiful space was glorious to me. Now more then ever I knew that this underground oasis would be part of my life, it would be the one place I could be Bonnie Bennett, eighteen year old girl who loved to dance and I vowed that after tonight I would come back again.
When we finally arrive to the V.I.P. section we're greeted by an attractive man brings over a tray filled with the best drinks that club had to offer. If I weren't in such a rush to get my party on I would've asked Caroline about her connections but the music was speaking to me and who I was to deny myself the pleasure of having a night out with free booze and hot boys. After all, I was still young, sexy and not so single, but hey two out of three wasn't bad.
The four of us each pick up a shot give each other a mock salute and then toss back our first drink of the night as friends. The music is loud got our blood pumping.
And that is the pivotal moment when we know its on.
Within the span of the next few hours we had all finally let our hair down, no more arguments between Caroline and Rebekah, no more sighs from Melissa courtesy of whatever she and Kol had gotten into prior our arrival to the club. And lastly no more mind fucks courtesy of Klaus and his latest mind games he had decided to play with me. After all of our drama was out of the way we had spend our time dancing like it was our last night on earth, laughing like we had known each other for years (and not just thrown together by circumstances Klaus and the Salvatore brothers) and drinking like we were fish. Between the tequila shots, the patron and the best margarita of my life was seriously starting to lose the moral compass that I felt compelled to become since becoming the immortal witch.
When the music drops to a slow tempo I take this as my chance to all but crawl over to the V.I.P. section with Caroline who has lost her shoes. She was smart girl! My wedges were so cute but man were they hurting my feet right now.
"So," Caroline asks while tossing her blond hair to the side. " I know we're not suppose to talk about your husband," she says pausing as Bonnie gives her a nod in approval. "You never said we couldn't talk about the other guys in your life." She says with a bright smile. "You know your guardians the guys that are suppose to change your life, Stefan and Damon." She says as nonchalantly as possibly
I shrugged my shoulders and sipped my drink. I still hadn't figured out anything regarding the brothers. I had been avoiding Damon like the plague and as for Stefan, well he was currently on a male bonding trip with Jeremy, so I guess out of sight out of mine for both of them. "I thought we agreed that we would not talk about my love life and help you and Rebekah fix yours. "I say pointedly.
The blond sipped her drink before placing it down and then fixed the witch with an eager look. "I'm just curious," she says pausing to drum her fingernails on the table. "I mean I totally get why you could be conflicted." She says noting that for the first time Bonnie seems interested in the topic at hand. She watches as the witch tosses her hair over her shoulder and then proceeds to down her drink. "It's easy to get caught up," she continues. "I mean, you have Klaus and that accent, even though I think he's evil, I can admit that his accent is sexy." She says looking down at the wedding ring that adorns the witches ring finger.
I licked my lips and sat up. The buzz I was feeling from our first couple of drinks was starting to wear off at the mere mention of the hazard that was my love life. "I thought we agreed to never discuss my marriage." I say stiffly with a raised brow. "Would you like to discuss your time with my husband?" I ask causing Caroline to nod her head in understanding. I thought so. My relationship with Klaus was simply, my relationship with Klaus, and I didn't like to talk about it because it was very complicated.
Caroline smiles. "Calm your shit, I was just stating the obvious." Caroline says with a tilt of the head. "Besides he who shall not be named, you have Damon, who has this devil may care attitude and eyes that both freak you out and draw you in at the same time." She admits.
I felt my guard slipping, it appeared Caroline had known how I was feeling. However, I continued to play my cards close to me. "So you've noticed." I say with a quirk of the lips. "You talk like you, might still feel the pull" I say nonchalantly while looking across the room at the many patrons of this exclusive club.
Caroline immediately frowns. "Trust me I don't, but I remember the pull." She admits honestly. "And then last you have Stefan." She says with a whimsical sigh. Stefan was by far her favorite person in the world, in fact if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be the cool vampire she was today. He had helped her, and saved her from everything. "He's like what fairy tales are made of." She says with a sigh. "He's good looking, funny, smart," she says whilst mentally checking off all of the best qualities Stefan had to offer.
In her mind she was planning the Stefonnie wedding because she had never seen Stefan so happy in the presence of someone who wasn't Elena. "And he's got the biggest heart," she exclaimed arms flapping. "You can't help but love him!" she finished only to notice Bonnie's astonished look on her face.
Right now, Bonnie was suppose to be fan-girling over Stefan. She was supposed to be admitting that she was crushing on him because it was so freaking obvious! Sure she was heavily attracted to Damon, but what she saw and heard when Stefan and Bonnie were together was more then just lust. Damon was incapable of anything but lusting but Stefan was capable of giving a girl the world.
"Oh" I said suddenly as everything started to click. Without another word I finished off my flute of whatever Caroline had gotten for me and when that didn't seem like enough I went for shots because sometimes you needed something stronger then fruity drinks that looked pretty.
She watched as the petite cinnamon coated girl tossed back her drink before picking up yet another because hey they had glasses all around of the them and endless supply of the finest liquor. "Bonnie" Caroline calls cautiously. Damon had always told her, that her mouth got the best of her and maybe she had scared the girl off which was not her intention. She wanted Bonnie to admit to liking Stefan so she could work her magic and bam the two of them could be together, not scare the girl!
"I get it, you-you like him." I say carefully. I smiled brightly at her though inside I was confused because out of my two guardians I had bonded with Stefan the most. We were, uncomplicated and it seemed like he really got me. Though I guess I couldn't count Damon out, despite the fact that I was still ticked at him. Everyone had two sides to them and I guess he got the other side of me. I could be reckless hence the reason I had hooked up with Klaus in the first place and sometimes I didn't give a shit which had never been a problem till now.
Blue eyes rolled as she tipped over the rest of her glass and started munching on the ice. "Duh, he's my best friend," she says watching at the mint eyed girl continued to look at her like she was an alien.
I shook my head, apparently Caroline had too many drinks. "No, I mean you like- like him." I say as she continues to look my way. "You like him, like- like him." I burst, causing her to finally connect the dots. Its only when I heard the constant sound of giggles do I realize that Caroline isn't put off by my words at all- it appeared she was rather amused.
"You're serious!" more giggles. "You think I want a piece of Stefan?"
I watched mildly amused by her behavior. "Caroline, focus" I say snapping my fingers which only cause her to laugh louder. I would blame it on the vast of amounts of alcohol we had drank tonight but Caroline was a vampire and therefore it would take a lot to get her truly drunk. "Um, not to sound bitchy but you did just spend ten minutes naming all of Stefans good qualities and from what I've gathered you and Damon use to do the dirty." I say pausing. "And now he's your vampire daddy." I say causing Caroline to stop giggling. "And not in the kinky kind of way either." I say stifling a giggle of my own.
It was funny how the mere mention of Damon had always brought Caroline back to the sane world.
Caroline held her hand up stopping any and everything that had to do with Damon. She wouldn't even comment on the Damon aspect-shudders gross. "Stefan, he's like a brother to me, or an uncle." She says easily before scooting closer to Bonnie. This wasn't what she had in mind, maybe she should've chosen a time when Bonnie hadn't been drinking so much to get information out of her, but any other time the immortal witch had been so guarded she thought the drinks would loosen her up which it did but, now she was totally thinking things that weren't true.
With a tired sigh the blond spoke. " Bonnie! "I don't like Stefan!" Caroline says exasperated. "But he does like you, and I think you like him too." She finally admits causing mint green eyes to flash with something she's never seen before. Bonnie could deny all she wanted to, but everyone with eyes knew that something brewing under the surface between her and Stefan. Now it may be friendship but she could totally see down the line the two of them taking the next step after everything else was settled.
I opened my mouth ready to refute her words but stopped short of saying anything. I wasn't blind, I knew that Stefan liked me, and I liked him too-that was the problem. Out of a nervous habit I twisted the ends of my hair before running my hands through it probably ruining the long tousled waves that were cascading down the side of my shoulders. Once again I wondered how in the hell did this turn into confessional? Weren't we supposed to having the night of our lives? Yet somehow we ended up talking about boys?
Momentarily I looked down. I hated talking about my feelings. I was the kind of girl that kept things bottled up from most people well except from Kol and Melissa. I had been keeping my feelings close to me ever since my parents had been killed- it was easier for me that way. However I found myself opening up with more people namely the Salvatore brothers who just made me want to spill my guts.
With an eye roll and a heavy sigh I looked up at Caroline who was waiting for me to say something. She had been right, I had liked Stefan, I liked him more then I wanted to admit. I guess that was why I was trying so hard to keep him in the friend zone. Because anything else would just add to an already screwed up situation and I still had my marriage to Klaus to think about, especially since he was protecting the witches in my hometown. I was legally bound to Klaus and the halo on my finger was a reminder of the vows I had promised for as long as our deal permitted. I also felt this magnetic force that anchored me to Damon. Sometimes I felt like he was in my veins calling out to me, to come to home to him. As for Stefan I felt this connection almost like we were kindred souls. He was someone I could picture myself growing old with. I could see us living in a nice house with a white picket fence, a couple of kids and dog. We could've been living the American dream. And that was the problem. For starters we were both immortal, so no kids for us, we'd never grow old, so we'd never have children, or grandchildren. And lets not forget the fact that the man I did love, had died along with my family possibly because he was linked to me.
"Bon." Caroline calls her voice coming out softer and sincere.
A soft smile forms on my lips. "You're right though, I do like him."I admit quietly. "And I've been avoiding everything that needs to be done." I say just as one of the VIP waitress brings over yet another bottle of the good stuff. I pop the cork and fill my glass before enjoying the way the bubbly taste.
Caroline too took her glass and held it up in a mock toast before she took a tentative sip. She had noticed the way the green eyes had glittered and instantly felt bad. She had over stepped as usual, but she had been doing this for Stefan and for Bonnie. Reaching out, she touched the witch's hand. "I didn't mean to upset you." She says when Bonnie suddenly waves her hand dismissing the apology as if everything is okay. "Or push you," she admits
I shook my head. "You didn't," I say easily. "I wanted a night off from all the drama but really I can't escape it." I admitted. "I have three guys vying for my attention and someone is bound to get hurt." I say fiddling with my wedding ring. " And I don't want to hurt anyone." I say meeting blue. "But I've got to find that man that will be at my side in this fucked up war." I say beyond frustrated.
I felt like since the moment I had moved to Mystic Falls I hadn't been myself. Every once in a while I could see glimpses of the girl that I use to be. I had never been someone who was so easily ruled by my emotions or let other easily sway me yet I felt so vulnerable here. I needed to get back to being me, which meant I needed to take a stand and start making decisions about my future instead of letting everything else get in the way. "And that meant I need to open my heart to the possibility finding happiness." I say fingering my necklace.
Caroline bit her lip. She would never know the weight that had rested on the immortal witch shoulders, the same weight that the witch in front of her would bare until the time when the stars alined and she had found her true love. However she had known what it felt like to break a heart, and what it felt like to be broken. It wasn't fun in either situation. To be honest-it sucked ass.
Rising to her feet the blond held out her arm. "Come on," she says smiling when Bonnie hooks her arm into hers. "We can tease all the boys while looking for a contender to bang the night away with." She says with a bright smile, while Bonnie shakes her head a smile on her lips.
BB-BB
After our intense talk Caroline and I had decided to join in on the fun. Music pumped loud throughout the club, making it pulse with this rush of energy that was so welcoming that you couldn't wait to take part in any and everything the club and the people had to offer. People were dancing on the dance floor enthralled as song sang about life causing everyone to dance and live like it was their last day on earth. My eyes wandered around noticing that this place was somewhere I could definitely get use to. It reminded me of the same feeling I got from being at the Bree's. The people here were my kind of people, they just wanted to have fun and forget everything and that was where I was at in my life. Sometimes you just needed to say fuck everything and throw your hands up in the air, move your body around so that your heart raced, your fangs itched or your body buzzed.
And tonight I was about that life.
My body buzzed as I began to sway to the music and before I knew it my hands were up in the air, with my hair slinging from side to side as my body. From afar I notice that Rebekah and Melissa are doing a bang up job of garnering much male attention. The two of them are dancing so in sync that I was positive that the bartender, Rebekah fancied was going to straight up pull an alpha male and yank her away from Melissa and off of the bar and out of the club to a back room, or ally to stake his claim.
I shook my head and smile to myself, as I let the music overtake me. I had been approached by many men who wanted me to dance with them, men who were overtly good looking, men who offered to show me the world and had declined to dance with all of them. I'd much rather dance by myself, but since Caroline was trying to make up for bringing me down earlier the two of us were tossing our hair back and forth, twisting our bodies around and giving the boys around us quite the show.
"How about him" I say nodding to the guy with the model looks. He was hot, to say the least he reminded me of rockstar with dark hair, light eyes, scruff and tattoos which was such a turn on. Sipping out of my cup I mentally say damn because this dude was smoking hot, and by the fact that Caroline was no longer jabbering away told me so thought he was just as hot!
I watch as my bubbly dance partner pivots in the direction of the cutie with the tattoos before she gives me the famous look whenever a girl spots a really hot dude as if she saying oh my god! Do you see him and he's checking me out look?! Before the two of us are even able to speak, soon the rockstar had motioned for her to come hither and that was exactly what she had planned on doing.
Suddenly she turned in the direction of Bonnie smiled brightly before searching through the crowd for someone familiar and when she made eye contact grinned again, whispered thanks to Bonnie and went after her man for the night!
Immediately once Caroline had left my side I felt the air in the room shift. The air was thick with sudden tension, so much that it made me look around me. I could sense someone, someone different from the rest that was in the crowded club but I didn't know who. I felt eyes on me heating up my flesh but again when I turned to find the source of those scorching eyes they were no where insight. I shrugged my shoulders ignoring niggling feeling in my stomach, and the tiny butterflies that threaten to flutter.
All too soon I felt someone brush against me. The mere touch of this person had my skin tingling, and instead of telling him to go, I let the music take me away as the two of us rocked back and forth. I mouthed the words as my body started to move against the stranger. Tonight I just wanted to have fun.
When the song was over, regretfully I placed my hands on top of his. I hadn't expected to let things get this far with mystery man. I was firm believer that dancing was just that . . . it didn't matter how scandalous it looked, sometimes music just moved you and that was what had been feeling.
The night was still young and I could honestly dance for hours with this guy, but I didn't want him to think this was more then mutual bonding over good music. Too many times men got the wrong idea when I danced with them. Kol had said that when I danced I exhumed sex, he said it was in my pores and radiating off of my skin. He had also said when I moved not a single soul could keep their eyes off of me. Hence the reason I thought this place was perfect, it was big enough so that I wouldn't draw too much attention. I couldn't help that the beat moved me, and that mystery man, felt good against me. It had been way too long since I had been touched. And that alone was reason enough for me to bid mystery man adieu.
As if mystery man heard my thoughts he tighten his grasp around me and I knew then that I needed to put a stop to this dancing affair. "Listen, its been real fun- but I gotta go." I say while trying to unwrap his arms around me. When he refuses to let go I feel my blood pressure rise.
One of the things I hated besides clingy guys, were those who didn't know when their time was up. The last thing I wanted to do was start trouble. Knowing my luck, I would go to use magic against the guy with the hands that were traveling and all hell would break loose. I hadn't used much magic aside from saving Damon and now it was like I was craving to do a spell and who knows what would happen.
I felt mystery man nuzzle my neck and that was when I did the first thing that came to my mind, I sent an aneurysm his way, only he wasn't acting like he was affected by it and that threw me for a loop. "Listen grabby I don't know what your problem is, maybe you're not use to girls telling you to kick bricks but you need to hit bricks now!" I say finally spinning around.
He licked his lips and bit back a smile once he was met with mint orbs.
Turning around I expected to see a guy who thought he was gods gift to women, smug, egotistical and stuck on himself, similar to Kol, Klaus and Damon. Most guys had the theory that if I girl dance rather scandalously with them- that an open invitation to untie the bows on my panties had been granted, but that wasn't what I got. What I got was someone who was handcrafted from the Greek gods. Standing before me he resembled a Greek statue, with a ghost of a smile on his lips. On a physical level he was stunning with perfectly sculpted hair and eyes that were changing before me between grey and green with a hint of mischief.
"Your sure you want to go?" he questioned peering down at her petite frame. She looked delicious and had smelt and felt even better. He had been watching her all night, waiting for his time and finally after so long he had her alone. Her caramel skin was radiating with this brilliant color that kept him drawn to her. He'd bet his day-walking ring that she tasted like some type of candy, perhaps those butterscotch candies that he loved so much as a child.
Without any words I leapt into his arms and hugged him. It had been eons since I had seen him in real time and not over the phone and now he was here! "Stefan" I say as he easily catches me. I hadn't realized how much I actually missed him till he was right here in front of me.
He chuckled at her sudden response! It was a good thing that he went away with Jeremy, it gave him time to sort out his mind and get his shit together. Vaguely he heard Bonnie talking about one thing or another but just kept her close to him in his arms. She looked beautiful tonight, and smelt even better- he wondered how it was possible that every single time he had seen her she had managed to make him feel alive and normal. Normally he would want to stay under the radar but not today not with her in his arms.
With my arms wrapped around his neck I bring her closer to me so I whisper into his ear. "What are you doing here, why didn't you tell me you were back, or that you were the one with the grabby hands?" I say as he finally lets me go, but not before sliding me down his body. Our eyes are locked on each other and I can feel every beat of him as he finally sets me on the ground.
He grasped her fingers and smiles ruefully her way. "I wanted to surprise you." He says with a full-fledged grin because it had worked. Bonnie was something else when she was fired up and the look she had given him before even knowing it was him would have turned a sane man crazy but what had made everything so much better was the look she gave him upon realizing it was him was the most amazing smile he had ever seen.
I couldn't help but bite my lip. Stefan had cleaned up really nice, and it felt good to be with him again. "Mission accomplished!" I say as he places his arm around me. I have so many questions I want to ask him but the first one I ask is how he found me?
He shrugged his shoulders as if noncommittal. He couldn't rat out Caroline because then wouldn't be his ride or die, partner in crime. In reality he had been home since this morning. His initial reaction was to go and see Bonnie but when Caroline had come home talking about going out tonight, he figured a better way to get to the mint eyed beauty would be to surprise her.
"What would you say if I told you I accidentally on purpose ran into you?" he says as a feeling of lightness flows through him. He felt carefree, happy and content while being in her presence.
I raised my eyebrows at him. "I'd say you're much slicker then I thought." I say with a beaming grin.
He bit back another smile. "Just know. I have my ways." He says tugging her on the opposite direction.
I rolled my eyes and pulled at the collar of his button down. "How was your trip?" I asked truly interested. Their was something different about Stefan tonight, he looked so relaxed and laid back, and most of all he was so confidant it was written all over his face.
He kept his eyes trained on her mouth the whole time she spoke and once she stopped he brought his eyes up to meet hers. A curve of a smile formed on his lips. "My trip was good" he says carefully " Enlightening." He says casually.
He had spent a good amount of time with Jeremy out in Denver the two of them had spent the young boys birthday doing things that the average seventeen year old would do. Jeremy had even convinced him to put his high morality away for a night and smoke pot. Which was something he hadn't done since the 70's. And through the haze of much smoke the two had talked about lots of things that may have been buried, about Elena and how it was still difficult without her, about Jeremy turning eighteen without his sister and about Bonnie.
Flashback
They had gone on a road trip like those two brothers on t.v. that traveled the world hunting down monsters and whatnot. They had traveled to every indie show that was available and had even stopped at tourist attracts before finally settling in Denver the place that was suppose to make everything better. And for a while it had worked, Jeremy had seemed up beat, being away from Mystic Falls could do that to a person. It was so easy to get caught up in everything that had came with living in that small town in Virginia. He could tell that a part of Jeremy had loved being away from the drama even if it had simmered down. But like he, the boy had also missed the one place that was really his home-even if it had broken him so many times.
Now they were on their way back home and he felt the same things. He dreaded passing down the roads that reminded him of Elena, he could remember all the times they had traveled just the two of them in his car down the street and it still hurt, just not as much as it use to. He had Bonnie to thank for that. He had to admit she had been heavily on his mind and he was excited to see her sunny smile again.
Tapping his fingers on the window Jeremy Gilbert finally garnered the attention of his brother figure. "Um-thanks for doing this for me Stefan."
Glancing in the direction of the dark-haired boy, he shrugged. "No problem." He says easily. "I told you I'd always be here for you and you needed a change of scenery so here we are with a change of scenery."
"And now it's time that we both face the real world." The boy sighs. In truth he was glad that he did have a home with people that cared for him. Matt was like an older brother as well as Stefan. And of course Caroline had taken over the role of an older sister, he had a family again but he still missed his sister. Sometimes he would see her, she'd talk to him and it would be like old times but then she'd have to go and he wouldn't hear from her for a long time. At times he wondered if her ghost was real, or if the grief of not having her around was playing with his mind.
"Jeremy" he says with a side eye to the boy.
"I guess its time we both stop running from the real world." He jokes as Stefan continues to drive through the interstate.
Thick brows furrowed as he caught onto the underlining tone of the young boy. "What are you talking about?"
Jeremy grins. "I know you think of me as a little brother and I believe you wanted to help me deal" pause. "We both know that Mystic Falls is a death trap, and getting away was good for me it was good for you too because as much as we hate it we love it." He says reclining in his seat.
Pensive he turned back to the road. He was tempted to just ignore the rambling of the boy but something about his earlier tone was eating away at him and curiosity got the better of him. "So Jeremy, tell me why you think I'm running?"
Jeremy popped open his eyes and sat the seat back up. "You like her don't you?" he asked a boyish grin on his face. "Before you try to deny it- it's written all over your face." He says as they sit in silence. "Everytime she sends you a message or you send her a message you smile...or at least attempt to smile which is good for you. You like her." He says simply. "And you feel guilty." The boy admits knowingly.
Without even a span of ten seconds he let out a slew of curse words in both English and Italian. It must have been written all over his forehead, as his brother would say that he indeed had liked Bonnie. Under normal circumstances he was a bit more stealth whenever he found someone to be as captivating as Bonnie. But with her, he found it difficult. Bonnie had got to him with her bright green eyes, her innocence and the fact she felt everything and dealt with everything head on. And the fact that she was beautiful had only added to the nicely wrapped present that she presented. The bottom line was she got to him, she got in his veins...in his bloodstream and he was sure that it was the same for Damon and for Klaus. Their was something about her that drew you in. It was addicting and exhilarating and he wanted her for himself.
Scrubbing one hand over his face he spoke. "Am I that obvious?" he questioned the now 17 year old boy.
Jeremy snickered for his part. He hadn't been as blind to everything as everyone may have thought. He had seen both the Salvatore brothers around the newest imports to Mystic Falls. It seemed that with the introduction of Bonnie, the two were better versions of themselves. They were much different around her then they had been with Elena, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It had ended badly for Elena, and it had been tragic so tragic but Bonnie was immortal and if everything Caroline had told him was true, she was very powerful and thus had what it took to handle anyone especially Stefan and Damon Salvatore.
Chuckling once again the teen spoke. "Yeah- so is Damon for that matter." He admitted as the chuckles died down. If he had learned anything from the hell hole that was Mystic Falls is that life is too short, to not go after what you wanted. Although Mystic Falls had been turned into a supernatural playground and most of its occupants were immortal even they could "die" so if they wanted happiness or at least wanted a chance at happiness they too needed to go out and live life. "Listen Stefan, its ok to move on from...Elena. She's gone." The teen says abruptly. "She's gone and we all have to start to live our lives without-" pause. "I...I guess what I'm trying to say is you should make your move on Bonnie before Damon does." He says sourly. He still hated Damon. "Or before her dick of a husband manages to make her fall for him."
With those final words they had driven home in silence while the young played a game on his phone and the vampire had mused about his current situation.
End flashback
"Stefan" I say waving my hand in front of his face in which he quickly grabs as he tugs me closer to him. We're pressed against each other and the energy in the room in different, as is Stefan. Its in his eyes, on his face he's more confidant then I've ever seen him. "I thought you hated dancing?" I ask as his grey/green eyes dance. "You certainly proved otherwise?" I say with a smirk on my lips. I watch as Stefan tilts his head down low to my ear, his breath tickles the inside and I can't help but shiver.
"I wasn't dancing. I was trying to seduce you through music." He says pulling back with a grin. "Is it working?" he asked confidently as her cheek began to blush.
I felt my face heat up at his words. I had never seen Stefan like this so free from all his demons. Sure I had seen him playful, and flirty but this was different all together. "Maybe" I say with a teasing grin of my own. I had missed him, talking wasn't enough!
Once again he smiles. "Come on, I wanna show you something" he says before the two walked off the dance floor.
Tonight had turned out to be a rather good night. The club was packed and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. He knew somewhere in heaven Lexi was watching this probably with a beer in hand enjoying the view. After all this had been her dream, she had wanted a place where other supernaturals could just have fun and dance. Of course back then it had been the seventies and they had toyed with the idea because it was all about free love and all that jazz. It wasn't till the eighties that they had made the dream become reality and still to this day this place was the underground playground for the supernatural.
With my hand tucked beneath his I let Stefan lead the way as we made our way through the masses. As we made our way to a secluded area I spotted Melissa and Bex still dancing on the bar drinks in hand, and money thrown on the table. I shook my head with a amused grin on my lips if only Kol could see his girl now. I was sure he'd take the next step to make the two of them exclusive, especially if he had seen all the guys that were just about kissing her toes.
What I wouldn't do to snap a quick picture and send it to the original flirt GG style! Kol would literally lose his shit, in a good way. I wanted to but I was trying to stop meddling because quite frankly I had my own love life to figure out.
Almost blindly I continued to follow Stefan, as he raced through the maze that was the club he must have been here a couple of times because he seemed to know the place like the back of his hand. We passed many people, most who seemed really friendly with Stefan. He would always half smile at them and say something short before tugging me along till we reached a red door. "Where are we going?" I asked noticing that nobody was back here.
"You trust me right?" he asked peering down at her. Her green eyes were dancing and so bright tonight, he wondered if she knew how beautiful she looked to him. Her lips were parted , her chest heaving since he basically dragged her from one corner of the club to another.
I winked his way. "Lead the way," I say before he takes me through the red door.
BB-SS-BB-BS
Before I know it, we've made it some secret elevator and it's just the two of us...alone together. Im leaning against the back of the elevator resting my arms on the metal railing while Stefan is inching closer to me with a shy look on his face. He's moved close enough that he's now standing before me, with this look that says so many things.
The air shifted in the tiny expanse of the elevator I felt something cackle as his brilliant grey/green eyes lit up. I swallowed hard as the sound of my heartbeat radiated to my own ears. My heart thumped wild and loud as Stefan and I continued to lock eyes. I felt my body flush at the way he was looking at me. I was sure he had never looked at me the way he was currently looking at me. He had this confidence, this swag that was compelling.
I could handle myself around people like Damon and even Klaus though at times I did get caught up in the game, but with Stefan it was different. It has always been different with Stefan, because when he looked at me he saw me, he didn't just see a pretty face- he saw Bonnie. That alone should've made me want to run in the opposite direction of the tiny elevator yet I kept eye contact just as he kept eye contact with me.
I opened my mouth to speak as I watched as his kaleidoscope eyed flicked to my lips. When he linked our fingers my breathe hitched, something so simple was o profound. For a moment I rendered speechless. The act was so simple yet it touched me so intimately.
"Stefan, where are we going?" I ask just as the elevator dings signaling we had reached our destination.
"Somewhere we can be alone" he says as her tiny hand is eclipsed into his. He tosses a look over his shoulder before the two of them began the small walk to their destination. Silently he leads her to a room where they can be alone. He has had a lot of time to think about his next move with the emerald eyed beauty. He didn't want to come off desperate or too pushy- he just wanted to be honest with her, she deserved that much.
Unlocking the door he stepped in and turned on the lights revealing a spacious office that had a view of the club dance floor. It was similar to that of a sky box but Lexi had taken great precaution so nobody could see inside her office, yet she could see everything that was going on outside. Turning to her he watched as her eyes lit up as she quickly made her way to the glass window watching as everyone danced and writhed against one another.
The look on her face was that of someone mesmerized. He knew that Bonnie had liked to dance, he also knew that she had loved music. She had once told him that besides dance, music had become her safe haven and that it had spoken to her and for her when she couldn't because she was so broken. She said dance had helped heal her because she had been so angry for so long and the but when she danced it made her feel bliss if only for fleating moments.
"Do you want something to drink?" he asked meandering to the bar. Typically he didn't drink much-he was more of a sipper and when he did drink it was to curve the urges he had for human blood. And when he was around Bonnie he found that he had at least had to have a taste of the burning liquid on his palate. She smelt delicious, and he'd be lying if he said he never thought about what she'd taste like blood and everything in between.
Their was something about Bonnie, something that made him want to fight for his chance with her. With Elena it had been different, he had been passive and, maybe too passive that might have been one of the reasons she had gone between he and his brother. He just wanted her to be happy and though he wanted the same for Bonnie, he wanted to fight for his chance to love again, to be happy again. Never in is life had he wanted anything as much as he wanted Bonnie and not just her body or her beauty he just wanted her. And that admission was something he hadn't expected but she crept up on him, and then one day he realize that she was in his thoughts at the oddest times, he could be reading a book and think about what she'd say about a certain line. Or he'd hear a song and think about her singing it loudly and probably off key but it was still music to his ears. He thought about her often, more than often and that had to mean something.
In the back of my mind I had heard Stefan talking though I couldn't really hear him talking. I had been lost in my own head as I realized that we were alone together, like really alone. Gone was the loud music that had been pumping through speakers. Gone were the countless interruptions that usually came along when Stefan and I were hanging out, it was just the two of us.
Cautiously I look up to see him with a glass of dark liquid. "Thanks." I say as our fingers brush. I notice for the first time that Stefan looks almost nervous which was a vast contrast to what he had been earlier. Though I have to give him credit because one look can still make my insides quiver much like he had done in the elevator. I know that something bigger is going to happen tonight I can feel it and as time eclipsed I know Stefan knows it to.
Turning to her he placed the crystal glass on the nearby desk. "You know on my mancation, I did a lot of thinking." pause as he looked down only to look up seconds later. "About you." he says as startled candy apple green eyes meet his. Couldn't she tell, that with every day that he was near her, he was falling over the edge. He could recall every conversation they had whether it was late night phone calls while they watched television together but apart. Or when they were they sent each other text messages- the point was he hadn't felt like this, the butterflies, the rush of seeing the person that would've made his heart beat, had he been alive in a very long time.
I swallow hard at his admission. My gut instinct was to stop him before he said the words, because it was one thing hearing the words from Caroline but if Stefan said them it was totally different. I wanted to live in my ignorant bliss bubble because it was easier for just a few more hours but when I looked at him, I knew it was time to woman up. "And?" I asked swiping my tongue over my dry lips.
The air in the room suddenly is thick with tension as he looks my way and I do the first thing that pops into my mind, which is crack a joke to lighten the mood. After all, this is Stefan and I'm Bonnie and together we are the coolest kids on the block.
"You realized I was totally right, about punk bands?" I say with a smirk as I remembered the last time we spoke which had included a debate on which band was better.
I knew where this was going and I just wanted to make things easier on him and me. I cracked a grin I knew that this wouldn't drastically change our dynamic. I let out a sigh of relief when Stefan smiled my way, it made me feel like everything was going to be okay.
"I like you." he says noticing how her skin flushes slightly. His confession had been easier then he thought. In reality the situation was anything but easy. His friendship with Bonnie had become something that he depended on, that he cherished and he liked having her in his life. She was like a breath of fresh air.
The sound of her heavy intake of breath told him that she had got what he was really saying, he liked her- really liked her more than a friend kind of liked her and now she knew his truth.
Suddenly he used his vampire speed to appear sitting next to her. If he was going to be honest to her and himself he needed to be looking at her. He had to own his admission. Loving Elena, dealing with her and everything that had surrounded their relationship had scarred him - she had broken his heart countless of times and part of him didn't want to go through that kind of pain again, but the other part of him the bigger part of him wanted Bonnie more then he wanted his heart in tact.
For the first time in a long time he was going after what he wanted and that was Bonnie Bennett he liked her, and he didn't care about the repercussions because for once in his life he was going to be selfish just like everyone else.
He let out a small chuckle. He was no fool he knew Klaus was in love with Bonnie, or as much love as Klaus could have for someone. And Damon, well right now he was just projecting his obvious lust for her, but he knew deep down that his brother had wanted Bonnie just as he-which meant he wanted her in and out of bed. And that was a lot to admit especially for Damon. He had never been a selfish person he also put everyone else needs ahead of his own, but with Bonnie he wanted to be selfish.
"I know you have a lot on your plate right now." he says as he begins to pace back and forth. Never in his life had he been so nervous. "Your trying to navigate through your growing power, your married to Klaus." he says pausing as he remembered the days when he lived with the original hybrid. "And we all know he's not the easiest person to deal with." he admits with a furrowed brow. "And then theirs Damon." he admits stealing a glance her way. He would lying if he said he wasn't worried about the Damon factor. His brother had been hand picked as the protector of the Bennett line. He had a connection with them and that included Bonnie.
"Stefan." I say only for him to once again this time pressing a finger to my lips, as he's now in my face.
"You don't have to say anything." he says with a smile as he makes his way back over to her. Once he sits down he takes her hand and smile again. "We wont even talk about it until the day you're free." he says genuinely. He knew that Bonnie was loyal and even if she did feel the same about him, she'd still never go against her marriage because she had made a deal with Klaus, and her word was golden.
I looked at him and said nothing but nodded my head as he had interrupted me every other time I had spoken. When he furrowed his brows I started to giggle. I placed my other hand on top of his. I knew Stefan didn't want me to say anything about his confession but I couldn't just leave things unsaid. "I know you don't want me to talk about it," I say biting my lip momentarily. No more avoiding things, I was going to start facing everything head on, and this was the first step.
"I can't promise you much, I know that I do have feelings for you-but they aren't the only feelings I have." I say feeling shameful for my admission. "I promise you, that I will take the time and figure out my feelings with everything and everyone if you promise that no matter what-we wont lose this."I say motioning between the two of us.
He mashes their foreheads together and runs this thumb over his knuckle. No matter what happened he'd always be here for her. "I promise."
I smiled. "Good." I say kissing his cheek. "Now since I know that you really can dance, I think its time that we take a lap on the beautiful dance floor." I say with a hopeful look as I peered up at him. "What do you say?" I asked grinning up at him.
He licked his parched lips as he peered down at her. She had him wrapped around her tiny little finger without even knowing it. "Anything for you," he say with a kiss to her forehead.
I smiled again. Everything was going to be okay I was going to figure everything out and in the end it would make me a hell of a lot stronger.
"Now keep your hands where I can see them Bennett, I don't do well with grabby hands." he joked as they walked back to the elevator.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "I'll try to resist."
BB-BB
Hours later we had pulled up to the mansion. After many drinks, and many more shared dances- some rivaling the slow and steamy dance we first shared together that night and others as friendly and carefree as only me and Stefan could get. The night had finally ended and now I was back home.
When Stefan killed the engine I gave him a smile. We really made up for not hanging out during his vacation. I don't think I had night like this in a very long time. I peered around the driveway I noted that Klaus car was missing which meant I had the mansion to myself, well excluding the fact that I was sure Melissa and Bex had arrived home.
"Thanks for hanging out with me tonight Stefan." I say bringing my eyes back his way. He sits next to me with bright eyes and a ghost of a smile that I was beginning to think might be permanent. And here I thought after his confessions and my own confession that things might be weird between us, but I think we had more fun because we were both honest.
He looked down and once again took her hand. "Thanks for letting me steal you away from everyone." he says sincerity in his voice.
I winked at him. "No problem." I say unbuckling my seat belt as I prepared to go inside. With the house to myself I could chill out.
"Wait." he says causing her to stop. "Do you really want to go inside to that big empty house?" he asked surprisingly himself and her was well. The only thing he knew was that he wasn't ready for this night to end. He had fun, real fun and what made things even better was the fact that after his confession they didn't have one hiccup over anything.
The moment he saw her face flush and a luscious color of pink that reminded him of the inside of a watermelon, hmm melon- he knew that he had indeed said the words out loud. He had hoped he would've had some sort of filter but nope after two blood bags, and more alcohol then he normally drank words just tumbled out of his mouth.
He let out a soft chuckle. "I mean, we have more than enough room at the manor..." pause. "We have a room set up for you and everything." he says finally.
To say I was shocked by his sudden invitation would've been an understatement. I had stayed at the Salvatore manor before but that felt like eons ago and honestly everything had changed since then. For one Stefan had admitted to liking me, and I had admitted that I had growing feelings for him that needed to be sorted out. And then their was the Damon factor. I had saved him and when I had healed him I felt something plucking at my heartstrings as if a magical force or drawing me to him. And that had scared me because the last thing I wanted to become was like Elena Gilbert. In my time in Mystic Falls I had heard various things about Elena, and her relationship with my guardians but what had really stuck in my head was the fact that in the end she had "died" bitter and not giving a damn about the two brothers who had loved her so much.
I shook my head signaling that-staying at the manor was definitely a no go. "Klaus would lose his mind if he came home and found that I wasn't here." I reminded Stefan who just nodded his head in understanding. "Nice try though." I say thoughtfully. "You're still trying to get me out of his clutches just on the sly now." I say giving Stefan a knowing look.
He chuckles. "Yep that's me," he says pausing.
"You don't have to keep worrying about me and Klaus." I say with a sigh as I remembered calling Stefan crying after having nightmare that Klaus had indeed succeeded in killing Damon. My dream had felt so real, in fact I swore it was real. And only Stefan could calm me down as Kol and Melissa were busy.
He shifted in his seat. It was difficult not to worry about the girl that he and his brother were trusted to protect especially with Bonnie being so far away. He knew that she could take care of herself, she had done it for so long without their guidance. Now however he wanted to make up for not doing his part as one of her guardians. "I don't think that'll ever happen." he blurted out once again.
I bite my lip. "I should go, I'm sure your itching to reunite with your brother and by now Caroline is probably finished getting her fill." I say suddenly snorting at the look of pure horror that crosses his face.
"Uh don't remind me." he says scrunching his face up causing her to dare to laugh at the living horror that was waiting for him back at he manor. He was sure Damon had probably brought back one of his many women as well.
"Sorry." I say causing Stefan to roll his eyes at me.
Licking his lips he spoke. "Sure you are." he says fixing her with a knowing look. "Listen bunny, the only way you can make up the mental images that you've engraved in my head is agree to my terms." he says playfully while leaning closer to her. The corners of his lips hitched up into a half smile as he heard the sound of her heart raging in her chest.
Intrigued I leaned in close as well. "I'll bite," I say with a grin. "What terms."
He cracks a grin. "Well, I was thinking since I'm one of your guardians maybe we should you know, work as a team, and see what happens. Maybe we can work on channeling, training or practicing." he trails off.
I bite my lip from smiling. The prophecy had said that their would be signs of when shit was about to hit the fan and that everything would truly come into place when the known chain of events had occurred. It was too early for the war to began but it wasn't early enough for me to start practicing again. It would good for me to start again especially since my powers were getting stronger, I could feel it with each day that had passed.
"I was watching favorite witch show last night and Cole had helped Phoebe..." he rattles on noticing as an amused smile creeps to her lips. "Anyway your husband is back in town and that means that people are going to want to hurt you to get to him and...I just want to help."
In all honesty I don't know what I find more cute the fact that Stefan had watched anything on tv, or the fact that he actually wanted to teach or at least protect me instead of trying to seduce me on the sly. "I think it's a brilliant idea." I say causing his eyes to flicker with a hint of green.
"Good" he says as his eyes finally take the time to roam all over her. She had smelled simply delicious with her blood pumping and running through her veins calling out to him. He could feel his fangs starting to ache as all he wanted to do was get a sample of her, just one sample of anything she'd offer whether that be her blood, her lips...or her body. He knew he was attracted to her the fact that his fangs were starting to show the more he looked at the butterscotch coated beauty. He wanted her maybe even more then Damon or Klaus. However he was going to give her time, he was positive that she was overwhelmed with Klaus being back home probably lurking in the shadows and Damon no doubt stalking. He wanted to be her friend and if she might possibly end up wanting more then he'd be ready, he could wait he was a very patient man and Bonnie had an eternity to figure out what she wanted in life. He could only hope one day it would be him.
As if I noticed how close are faces are I pull back slowly and fling open the door. In seconds Stefan is at my side with my arm in his and he escorts me to the door as only a true gentleman would do.
"Listen I'll call you later." I say giving him what was supposed to be a quick hug only to have Stefan pull me closer before kissing my temple. "Good night Stefan." I say before finally opening the door as he bids me good night as well.
Before Stefan pulls off he turns up his music for me to hear.
I smile and shake my head as I close the door, and instantly head up to my room. Once I'm alone I sit at my vanity and proceed to take off my jewelry. My eyes drift down as I notice yet another gift from Klaus. I shake my head and soon look back up at my reflection only to see that of Elena Gilbert.
"Well you certainly have some explaining to do don't you?" Elena says from the mirror.
I grit my teeth. "Go away." I say annoyed by her sudden intrusion.
The girl with the dark hair and brown eyes chuckles. "I'm only going to warn you once more, stay away from Stefan and Damon for that matter-or the world you live will come crumbling down around you." she says warning. "And you'll only have yourself to blame."
I open my mouth to tell her to go back to hell when her image suddenly disappears. I knew in that moment had never disliked anyone more than I disliked Elena Gilbert. If anything her sudden appearance had made me really want to figure myself out because I refused to hurt the men in my life the way the way previous women had hurt them.