Inspired by the 1927 film Sunrise directed by F.W. Murnau. With Damon playing the young farmer who was tricked by the seductive City Woman Elena and devises a plan for him to kill his wife Caroline so they can be together.
Disclaimer I do not own TVD or Sunrise because if I did the last three-ish seasons (seriously heretics, sirens, hell, a bunch of time jump drama no Elena, no originals, don't get me started on the Steroline wedding!) of TVD would have been different.
Anything in BOLD and Italic are direct quotes from the film. Anything in just Italics are flashbacks/thoughts. For more info on film look at A/N at the end.
Enjoy the story!
This song of the Man and his Wife is of no place and every place; you might hear it anywhere at any time. For wherever the sun rises and sets in the city's turmoil or under the open sky on the farm life is much the same; sometimes bitter, sometime sweet -Sunrise, 1927
It was just a simple one pony town in the countryside. There were farms and ranches. The local watering hole. A bed and breakfast for travelers. A small church for evening mass. A small square where farmers and fishermen could barter and trade. The silence wasn't exactly silent as the sound of wild critters could be heard. A night owl hooting, a frog ribbitting, the chirping of crickets and grasshoppers, howl of a wolf far off. The clucking of chickens the 'Oinks' of piglets. Not much to do in the country, besides farm work or fishing. For there was also a beautiful pier overlooking the water and if you looked far enough you might even be able to see the twinkling lights of The City in the distance.
The City was loud filled with life. The rumbling engines of the new automobile machines, the murmur of people walking in the middle of the street, the squeaking and neighing of horse drawn carriages. The low tones of the brass instruments and the melodious saxophones being played by the jazz musicians, on the streets, in the clubs were women and men danced till they dropped. The City where businesses were flourishing, and the middle class made do with their trifling lives. Barber shops, Florist carts in the streets, the photography studio where families and couples could go to get their pictures taken, restaurants to dine in, the county fair. There were so many options. So many things to do and go see in The City.
Yet despite this The City People liked to escape. Liked to go out and see how the other side lived and fared. Liked the peace from the rumble and tumble that city life could be like. They liked the allusion of the country, the peace it could provide them. They liked being able to look up in the sky and watch the twinkling stars that were always overlooked or not nearly as visible in the city.
Among the vacationists was a Woman of the City. Several weeks had passed since her coming and still she lingered.
There was one woman named Elena in particular who wanted to visit the countryside. Why a City Woman like her would want to be in the country was anyone's guess, but there she was in the country. She had been there for several weeks already and yet she hadn't left.
She had short dark chestnut brown hair that fell in beautiful curls up to her shoulders. Upturned milk chocolate eyes that any man would be able to get lost in. Beautiful olive toned skin. A small fair nose and thin plump strawberry red lips that could seduce any man with a simple smile.
There was also a small family in the countryside. Not particularly a happy one at times but a family nonetheless. There was a wife Caroline, a husband Damon, a beautiful little baby daughter named Bonnie, and an Uncle Stefan who stuck around in the family farm to lend a hand.
Stefan sighed as he looked at his beautiful blonde sister in law and best friend as she was grooming the horses. She seemed good from a distance, some would even say happy, but he knew she was far from it. She could see the sadness in her green eyes. How her enthusiasm drained from her every day. How she cried herself to sleep at night because his stupid brother was off elsewhere instead of taking care of her.
Stefan turned to the sweet baby girl in his arms and bounced her on his lap as she let out a soft giggle. "They used to be like children, carefree… always happy and laughing…" he told the baby thinking of happier times.
He could remember the first time his brother fell for the woman and she for him. She had come with him to the farm after their day at school, which was practically just a classroom being led by Missus Sommers at the local church, when his brother had come into view on a beautiful brown horse with white over one of its eyes and some blotches on its body. He was wet and covered in dirt and had a bag filled with fish he managed to barter at the pier for a couple of eggs. Yet somehow the way she gawked at him you would have probably thought he was some prince or mythical being. What with his ebony hair and deep dark blue eyes and dashing smirk?
He had just finished leaving his horse in his stall and was heading inside for a glass of water when he saw them.
"Brother how was school?" Damon asked his younger sibling ruffling up his hair like he was still five years old when really, he was nearing seventeen.
"Ugh Stop! You stink." Stefan said taking a step back and giving him what would forever be known as his brooding look.
Damon laughed ruffled his hair once more and then turned to the blushing young blonde besides his brother.
"Who is this?"
"I'm Caroline. Caroline Forbes." She said softly smiling at him.
Damon smiled at the girl she was beautiful. Wiping his hands on his brother's shirt he stuck his hand out to her while Stefan glared letting out a whine at his brother dirtying his clothes.
Caroline let out a giggle at Stefan before taking Damon's hand and blushing as he laid a kiss on her knuckle.
"Bill's daughter well... Pleasure to meet you, Caroline. Would you like anything to drink I doubt Stef here has bothered to offer you anything like a proper gentleman."
"I have actually, she declined and what would you know about being a gentleman."
Damon shushed him as he turned back to the girl still holding her hand, "Ignore him."
"We're fine here. You should go and take a bath."
"I don't think I smell that bad do I?" He asked letting go of her hand and sniffing his shirt. He winced a little.
"Alright so maybe I do. How about I go change and then we go do something fun?"
"Fun?" Caroline asked at the same time that Stefan said "We?"
"Of course, when left with my dear brother here you'd probably die of boredom and the last thing we need is to have the dear old Sheriff to come in here guns a blazing cause we killed her beautiful girl."
Once he came back, he with a new shirt and pair of trousers he clapped his hands together. "Well any ideas?"
His eyebrows narrowed as he saw the pair smirk at each other before they both shoved him yelling "You're it!" then heading of in a sprint in opposite directions.
He laughed as he raced after Stefan first before switching his mind and heading for Caroline missing her each time she came into reach.
"You can't catch me." She said slightly out of breath as she ran away from him laughing slightly.
"I could, but then the game would be over." He said giving her a wink.
Eventually she finally stopped to catch her breath. "Just catch me already. I am getting tired of running."
He let out a deep laugh before sweeping her up in his arms and spinning her.
"Got you." He said softly as he set her down staring into her eyes with a smile.
Coming back to the present he looks at Bonnie and brushes back the curls on her head. Continuing what he was saying a bit of anger seeping into his tone, "Now he ruins himself for that woman from the city ". While, she works to keep the farm from going under."
The moon was already up in the sky as Damon chased after The Woman. They reached the bank near the water before he caught her and brought her to the ground to lay on top of him. He kissed her cheek, her lips, her breasts, with enthusiasm as she brought her palm up to his face gently pulling him from his thoughts kissing him deeply before breaking for air and reaching for his shirt a smirk covering her lips.
...
Caroline smiled as she looked at her beautiful little girl brushing her hair back after her bath. She was holding a small stuffed teddy bear out to her so she could play with it. Noticing the moon outside before turning to look at her empty bed. A tear slipping from her eyes and rushing down her cheeks, before turning to the little baby and hugging her. The baby being aware of the sadness trying to pat her mother in comfort which only caused the mother to let out a sharp cry of pain, before clearing her throat pushing away the tears and starting to tell the babe a story to put her to sleep.
...
Damon smiled dazed as the beautiful woman kissed him after coming back to reality. He grabbed at her waist pushing her closer to him.
"Damon?" She says out of breath nuzzling her head to his bare chest.
"Yeah." Damon replies brushing back her hair with his hands petting her.
"Tell me! You are all mine?" She asks as she leaves small kisses to his neck and chest.
Damon looks away in the direction of home before feeling a sharp jab.
"Well?"
He nods at her. "Yours."
She continues her kisses as she crawls up towards his lips.
"Sell your farm… come with me to the City." She tells him finally reaching his lips and kissing him deeply.
Blonde hair and green eyes pop into his head and he gulps guiltily,
"… and my wife?".
Elena looks away towards the water a wicked smirk befalling her lips, "Couldn't she get drowned?"
Damien could picture it as she explained how he could trick her on to a small boat and take her deep into the water. Far enough from shore so no one would see.
He could picture the look of betrayal on her face. How her eyes would widen in shock and her mouth would be open yelling for him to stop, could almost picture her scream and the loud splash as he pushed her into the water never to see her again.
"…then overturn the boat… it will look like an accident." Elena finishes as she draws her hand lower on his chest towards his waist.
Damon wasn't paying attention though as he could still see his wife in front of him. 'What am I doing?' He asked himself as his expression turned angry. 'I'm here. I shouldn't be here.' He looked at Elena reaching for her in a rage hands going to her neck choking her. 'This woman is the devil.'
"Da-mon. St- stop." Damon let go as she hugged him trying to calm him down. Kissing his lips again trying to bring him back under her spell. It was a push and pull of wiles but eventually he fell for her tricks.
"Leave all this behind… come to the City!"
"Come to the City!"
She tells him of how wonderful city life would be with her. About the cuisine, culture, the music. Getting up to her feet and reaching for him to get up as she lays her arms around his shoulders and sways from side to side. Damon smiles before kissing her again. A laugh spilling from his lips as Elena smirks at him again wrapping her legs around his waist like moments earlier.
...
Elena is dragging Damon along to the shallows where several bulrushes were. "… after the boat has capsized, save yourself with these bulrushes." She tells him breaking off several pieces before reaching for more. "The rushes will hold you up. Scatter them before you reach the shore and tell everyone she drowned by accident."
Damon stumbled as he made his way up the path to his house. He could see the faint light coming from his shared bedroom with Caroline and quickly hides in the darkness and makes his way towards the farm where he ties the large bundle with some rope lays it on some hay and then throws a tarp over it.
He tries to sneakily make his way in through the back door, but almost jumps a foot in the air as he opens the door and comes face to face with "Stefan! What are you doing?" Damon whispered loudly going inside and closing the door and locking it behind him.
"Where were you?"
"Out." He says moving to the fridge to grab a bottle of beer before bed, ignoring how his brother is shaking his head at him.
"You can't keep doing this! Not to her."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're wet. You have dirt all over your clothes. There is some grass in your hair. Wonder what you were doing? Who you were doing it with?"
"I was out. That's all you need to know. The rest that's my business."
Stefan scoffed before punching his brother in the gut making him wheeze in pain.
"Hell!"
"You stink."
"Yeah well being outside does tha-"
"You stink of perfume." Stefan said cutting him off glaring.
"Whatever you're thinking. Stop." Damon said growling at his brother glaring back.
Stefan shook his head his eyes showing both anger and hurt for his friend who had fallen asleep, yet again alone waiting for his brother.
"Why do you hurt her?"
"I've never hurt her." 'Yet' he thought looking away.
"You have. She's here taking care of you. Loving you, Lord only knows why, taking care of your child… and you do this. You go behind her back. You bastard."
Damon didn't see the second punch coming but he felt the pain in his jaw.
"Get out."
Stefan sighed before making his way to the door. "Take a bath. She shouldn't have to…" He trailed off shaking his head and leaving.
Damon let out the breath he was holding and took a seat on the small kitchen table picking up his bottle and finishing it.
After finishing the six pack of beers in the fridge Damon finally decided to make his way to bed. He frowned sadly as he saw her. Her blonde hair all around her like a halo. Her brow furrowed and her lips in a grimace. He didn't fail to notice the book beside her. He scoffed. 'The Bible'. He picked up the book and shoved it into the drawer by the bedside table on her side. He moved to turn of the light, close the window, make sure to tuck little BonBon in her crib with Mr. Teddy beside her then made his way to his side of the bed. He laid down gently making sure not to wake her. Then he fell asleep dreaming of dark waves crashing ominously and a dead blonde with pale white skin and bluish lips.
The sound of the church bell, which is also the town bell, wakes Caroline up. She burrows herself into her pillow tuning away from the window away from the light seeping through. She hears his breathing and opens her eyes. He looks softer like this. She reaches up to his forehead wiping the hair from his face. It's been a long while since he shaved or cut his hair.
She frowns slightly as he notices his clothes and there is a sickly-sweet rotten smell coming from him. She looks at him sadly before placing a kiss to his cheek and getting up. She looks at how the blankets have bunched up around his waist and she picks it up to cover him with it.
Turning to look in the crib she smiles at her baby before making her way downstairs to get breakfast ready.
Damon wakes up soon after 'regret' clear on his face as he gets up and looks out the window to see Caroline collecting eggs for their breakfast the chickens running amok around her. How could he even think of hurting her? The brunette from last night pops into his head and he tries to smile slightly nodding. It's for Elena. All for her.
The small cry from the crib makes him move to pick up the baby bouncing and blowing a raspberry in her face to make her stop. The baby looks at him and smiles as he carries her down the stairs where he sees his brother setting the table.
"Can you hold her for a bit?" Damon says handing the baby to her uncle and making his way out to where Caroline was finishing up throwing the chicken feed to the ground.
"Hey Blondie." He says smiling tensely.
Caroline looks at him putting the bucket of feed down. "Hey? You're up. I was just finishing up here, I didn't want to wake you."
"Thanks."
"I can go get started on breakfast if you go muck the horse stall and feed Tyler?" She says just at the shepherd barks. She had wanted a puppy a while back long after a lot of trying and failing for a baby. He eventually gave in adopting one for her. The police dog seemed like a good idea to honor her father. She however refused to name a dog after her dad saying that he would have slapped him over the head for even suggesting it and finally decided on Tyler.
"Okay."
"Okay." Caroline repeated nodding and made to go inside. Most of their conversations pretty much went like this: brief.
Damon reaches for her arm turning her to him. "Wait. I. We should talk."
Caroline's eyes narrow suspiciously before nodding.
"What's wrong?"
Damon sighed and shook his head. "I haven't been a good husband to you, have I?"
Caroline looks at him her suspicion turning to worry. He was going to leave her. She could feel it.
"You have been good to me. Always. We're just going through a rough patch, but we will get through it…" "Caroline." "There's just so much work around here and taking care of Bon. Stef is really great being able to help out." He winced slightly he knew she didn't say it to hurt him, but it did. His brother would have made a better husband. That really pissed him off. "…And I know your busy too. But I still lo- "
"Caroline." He says a bit louder stopping her from finishing what she was going to say. He couldn't hear that and go through with this. "I want to take you out. We can go across the water go have dinner. Spend time together." He was nervously playing with his hands and looking away. She thought he looked shy and sweet.
"You want to go on a date?" She asked softly she had to make sure. They had been living together, but they haven't been together as a couple for a long time. She also suspected he was straying but didn't want to look into it. She already had a mountain of insecurities she didn't want to think of him like that. Even if it was true, she still believed that he loved her. A date would be good for them. They would be together just the two of them and get back to how things were. She would bring him back to her.
"Blondie, will you go on a date with me?"
A bright smile lit up her face and he did his best not to turn away from her as she let out a shriek of happiness and hugged him. He flinched but played it off by wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead.
"When are we going?"
"We can go after breakfast."
"I'm not ready and we still have to- "
"We can put the work off for a day. Go get ready I'll get started on breakfast and while we're gone Stefan can take care of Bonnie."
"Okay." She nodded happily before kissing his cheek and rushing off inside to get ready.
Stefan almost dropped the jam as he heard the door slam and Caroline squealing.
"Care?" Caroline looks at him and smiles going to hug him before taking the baby from her highchair and spinning her in her arms.
"We're going for a trip across the water. I may not be back for quite a while."
"What? Why? Where are you going?"
"Damon is taking me out. Will you take care of Bonnie please? I don't think we'll be out for that long we will probably be back by tonight. Maybe in the morning. Oh gosh Stef were going to The City. Should I take a bag? No that's… but it has been a while and…"
Stefan winced pulling a face that said he really didn't want to know what her and his brother would be doing. Before smiling and telling her that he would take care of the baby and the farm while she's away.
Damon looked at his wife a mourning look on his face. Flashes of the waves from his dream on his mind. A body going overboard. A splash. He shook his head thinking of throwing Caroline overboard again.
Once he managed to shake the dark thoughts, he looked at Caroline holding their baby kissing her before putting her back on her chair heading over to get ready.
We shouldn't be back for too long." He heard Caroline say to Bonnie as she was saying goodbye. She was saying goodbye to their daughter. The next time he saw his little bundle he would be alone. His eyes watered. He couldn't do it. Could he?
"Damon?"
"Yeah."
"Tell me! You are all mine?" She asks as she leaves small kisses to his neck and chest.
He nods at her. "Yours."
Caroline grabbed one of her sun hats and said a final goodbye to Stefan and Bonnie. Laughing as the child's small hands grabbed at her hat and put it on herself before putting it back.
As she was making her way out the door starting to walk on the way to the docks near by the farm Damon was already on board. He had already hidden the bulrushes earlier and was getting the rowing paddles in place.
She heard a loud bark and smiled at Tyler patting his head and waving goodbye as she carefully stepped onto the boat. Damon tensed as he felt the boat shift for a second. Her falling followed by a splash. He shook his head smiled at her as he untied the boat, more like a small dingy from where it was tied to and started rowing away from land.
He turned back to look at the row paddles paying attention to his arms as he rowed and then when he heard a splash he played it off thinking it was in his head, but then he heard laughing and more splashing and he looked up to see Caroline laughing in wonder as Tyler doggie paddled his way towards them.
"Come here, boy!" Caroline yelled cheering the mutt on till he was right besides the boat. Caroline leaned over and pulled him in laughing in content.
"Someone wants to come with us." She said jokingly but stopped laughing as she noticed the look on Damon's face as he sighed and turned the boat back to shore. She frowned at him and brought Tyler onto her lap. Something wasn't right.
She wanted to ask, but he wasn't even looking at her. Now that she thought about it, he hasn't said anything since she got on the boat.
"Damon?"
Damon sighed and looked to the water around them. Luckily, they weren't that far from the shore since he only managed to paddle for a good five minutes. He grabbed the rope making sure to tie it before grabbing Tyler by the collar and carrying him off the boat making sure to put his leash on so he wouldn't run back into the water.
Caroline was starting to get worried. Something wasn't right with Damon. Remembering this morning when she saw him disheveled and wearing the same clothes as the night before smelling like- She shook her head no. She wouldn't go there. He wouldn't take her on a date to tell he was leaving her. He wouldn't. As for ch- the other thing as long as she didn't see it and he didn't tell her its fine. She has forgiven him. This was her chance to get him back to her. Then he wouldn't leave her or come back in the middle of that smelling like a skank rubbed itself all over him.
She looked up as she heard the gate open and saw Damon walk back a serious solemn look on his face. He quickly untied the boat pushing away from the pier and started rowing again. The silence threatening only for her to jump a little in her seat as the town bell struck again for afternoon mass.
She let out a small breath before looking at him and taking him all in. He was wearing a nice black suit with a blue tie with lighter blue polka dots. A grey coat and a grey hat.
She wasn't sure how to break the silence. They were already a fair distance away. She could see the blue green waters everywhere. She could make out the city lights way in the distance probably about thirty or so more minutes of rowing.
Caw! Caroline turned towards the loud caws from the seagulls as the ones on the water flew into the air all cawing. She wondered if it was something to do with the full moon. She remembered learning from Miss Sommers that sometimes the full moon affected animals. After a while they finally calmed down some returning to the water. She could feel Damon slowing down and looked at him. His eyes frightened her. He had never looked at her like that. His lips were tense. Then he was rising slowly making his way towards her. One foot after the other slowly to not tilt the boat and fall till finally he was looming over her.
Caroline tried to back away slightly leaning back and grabbing onto the boat in fright.
"Damon."
He didn't reply just kept on getting as close as he could. He was going to kill her. She looked at him and shook her head her shock gone. She put her hands together fingers intertwining and started pleading.
"Please. Damon stop!
Damon's hands rose from his sides ready to grab her.
A/N
Did you guys like that cliff hanger lol.
Hi everyone, (oh gosh why does it feel like I'm posting on BB Discussion Board lol) so after watching the film Sunrise I knew I wanted to use the plot with a TVD twist. I am a major Klaroline fan, but I didn't think they would be a good fit. Then after going through various paring and threesomes (Klaus Caroline Tyler, Klaus Tatia Caroline, Damon Elena Katherine, Damon Caroline Katherine) I finally decided on Daroline with some Delena. Why well The Man screams Damon to me, The Wife is innocent and blonde and I wanted her to be Caroline, and I was stuck between Kat or Elena and well I like Kat more than Elena and so it'll be fun to write her, but if y'all want just read Katherine every time I write Elena's name.
Some Background info for the ones who don't really know about the film. As mentioned in the summary the film Sunrise was filmed in 1927 it's a black and white silent film about a farmer (The Man) who is, let's say, persuaded to sell his farm and move to the city by a beautiful woman (The Women From The City). However, the farmer is married and as the woman is persuading him to go the husband remembers "Hey I have a wife!" Which I was like "No shit you jackass!" Any way so he remembers he is married, and the woman is like "Just kill her. You can drown her say it was an accident and we can be together." The Man agrees and decides to take The Wife out onto the water (idk if it's a lake or ocean or what but anyways so he takes her out) and when he is about to kill her she figures it out and he has like a break through like WTH was I about to do this is my wife but it's too late she's scared so they make it to the city's shore and she makes a break for it. He catches up to her gets her to forgive him and they fall in love with each other all over again. Yada yada it sounds a bit cheesy and dumb but like it's the late 20's anyway there is more to it than that, but I already gave away like half the plot so yeah. This is based off of that.
I only wrote up to the attempted murder IDK if I will continue this so for now It's complete but that is likely to change. Probably… No promises yet. If I don't continue this though you guys can follow the canon events from the film or just go with Damon killing Care and going off to be with Elena.
Anyways please let me know what you think. For those who have actually seen the film how was this in comparison to that? Did you guys like it? Or hate it? Should I continue?
Thank you all for reading.
Till Next Time!
~Agent C.