May 10th, 1994.

She'd lived through this day for months now. Some of those days had been alone and the remainder had been with Kai. He was a bit intolerable and could sometimes crowd into her space, but Bonnie didn't truly find him distasteful. If anything, the last few weeks she'd spent in Apocalypse Falls had been fun and eye-opening for her.

But yeah, she was kinda over it now.

Kai had spent most of the morning digging the hole she was now staring into. According to him, this place was the point in which the Eclipse would be at its highest and where the magic would be its strongest. Bonnie told him to take a nap back where they'd set up camp, but he was too excited. Now he was passed out on a nearby fallen log clutching his backpack like a lost child.

Bonnie wondered if he was afraid she'd leave him alone. After all, she had all the necessary components to get out of that place without him. He was a criminal, according to his coven, and they had passed judgment stating that he deserved to be incarcerated.

After spending just a few months in this place, she knew why her Grams wanted her to see it as a "vacation" of sorts. But ultimately, Bonnie knew that it was because of Kai that she was brought there at all. Of all the prison worlds in all the world, her Grams sent her to this one?

What were the odds, really?

Lifting up her wrist, she saw the time. She reached out and smacked Kai to rouse him and he jumped so hard he nearly fell off the log. Bonnie grasped his forearms to keep him from toppling over and, instead, lifted him up onto his feet.

"It's almost time to go."

Kai grunted, dropping his bags down into the hole. Bonnie did the same and she kicked the rope that had been tied to a nearby tree down into the cave. She hefted her bag onto her shoulders and Kai did the same, pulling the Ascendant from his pocket and holding it out for her. Bonnie used one of the edges of the device to slice into her hand, wincing slightly as blood wept onto the cavern floor.

Squeezing her hand into a tight fist, she dripped blood onto the gears and single clear crystal embedded in the center. Kai grasped her wrist and she looked up at him. His eyes were a mixture of excitement and something else she couldn't place. Not fear. Concern, maybe? For her? Doubtful. Maybe for them as a collective?

"We're going home," he murmured, as if he hardly believed it.

"Yeah. Home." Bonnie closed her eyes and concentrated. The Eclipse was darkening the sky as she took a breath. "Sangima Mearma, Ascendarum Cavea."

A cone of light swept down over them, the winds picking up speed and Kai's grip got tighter on her. Bonnie wasn't sure if something was going wrong, but when she opened her eyes she found herself staring straight back at Kai. He was moving in and before she could protest, his lips sealed over her own in a kiss she hadn't been expecting. His arm moved to wrap around her waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss - her lips parting to allow him entrance.

The light swallowed them up, the magic transporting them through time and space as they remained entangled in each other's arms.

"Come with me."

"No."

"Come on, Bonnie. Come with me!"

"I said no."

It was a miniature stand-off and Kai knew that Bonnie wasn't having it. But he had to try. He had to get her to see reason and to come with him. They were back in Mystic Falls, the Mystic Falls of 2012 and while he was beyond elated to be back, he couldn't imagine separating from Bonnie after the last six months they'd spent together.

Call him a whipped puppy. Maybe he just liked her company. Maybe it was something more. But Kai wanted to find out and doing that meant staying close to her.

But she was being so goddamned stubborn about it.

Kai huffed, scuffing the toe of his sneakers against the grass. "Why not?"

She rolled her eyes, as though she'd been expecting this question. "I don't want to."

"Because?"

He knew he was prodding but Kai couldn't see himself leaving unless she gave him a good enough answer. One that made sense.

"Kai."

The way she said his name left him feeling restless. Like this would be the last time they would ever see each other again. And he hated that feeling.

"Bon-"

"I won't stop you from doing what you have to do. It's none of my business." Her brows furrowed as she peered up at him. "You have to survive no matter what, right?"

"Bonnie…"

She adjusted the bookbag strap on her shoulder. "Then go do that. Survive. Just don't bring that shit to my doorstep. I have a feeling that there is a lot of work waiting for me when I get back." Kai watched Bonnie brush past him and saw her stop just as their knuckles brushed against each other. "Good luck, Kai."

And as he watched her heading toward a cluster of trees, soft powder started to fall from above. Bonnie disappeared into the shadows of the forest and Kai barely felt the chill of the air around him. His face lifted to the sky and snowflakes kissed his cheeks and eyelashes. Watching a cloud leave him as he took a breath, he shook his head.

No. This wouldn't be the last time he saw Bonnie Bennett. He would make sure of it.

He would survive. Because he always won.

He would see her again.

One month had passed since Bonnie had parted ways with Kai.

It would be a lie if she didn't feel something. What that something was, she wasn't sure. They'd shared a deep kiss before being transported back to their world. Bonnie could still feel him all over her skin. Was it because he still had her magic before they separated? Probably.

But she couldn't afford the luxury of dwelling on it. Caroline made sure of that when she returned. The blonde vampire saw Bonnie checking the mail and banshee screeched at her. After a tearful reunion, she filled her in on everything that happened during the last six months. The Bennett witch was happy to let her talk, feeling less inclined to divulge her own adventures.

She never brought up Kai. There was never an opportunity or need to.

During her absence, Caroline, Matt and Tyler had been doing their best to battle off any unwelcome visitors from Mystic Falls. But they were missing their resident town witch and Bonnie was more than willing to deliver.

It was Christmas Eve. To celebrate, Caroline insisted on throwing a massive party at the Lockwood manor. Tyler didn't mind and after chasing out the recent riff-raff, everyone was eager to participate. Bonnie had gotten roped into helping decorate the ballroom but she didn't mind. It was something to take her mind off of things.

After finishing up, Bonnie was (thankfully) dismissed by Caroline so that she could rest and prepare for the festivities. She went back to her Grams' home, brewed a cup of tea to relax her muscles and then ran a bath. Bonnie sprinkled a few petals and sprigs of flora from her Grams' garden - hoping the magical properties would help replenish her reserves. Maybe she'd squeeze a nap in.

Just as she was about to step into the bath, the doorbell rang. Weird. She wasn't expecting guests. Wrapping a robe over her, Bonnie hurried down the stairs. She probably should have gotten dressed properly, but she couldn't be bothered.

Opening the door, she was startled to see who was on the other side holding a bouquet of flowers.

Slate blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the twilight and he was dressed in a style that suited the time - better than the 90s grunge gear she was used to him dawning. Silver rings glinted from the porch light and he gave her his trademark finger-waggle wave.

His impish grin was still the same, but there were some noticeable changes too. His jaw was more chiseled, he'd grown taller and had he filled out also? There was even a slight dusting of stubble around his lips and jaw and his hair had grown just a little longer, swept to the side in a modest part.

"Kai?"

"Hey, Bonster."

She must have had a dazed look on her face because he suddenly thrust the flowers at her. Her hands reached for them unconsciously. Bonnie took the time to look at them, admiring the variety and the smell was sweet but subtle.

"Uh, thanks?" She pressed them to her chest, her eyes lifting to meet his. "What are you doing here?"

Kai pouted playfully, tilting his head in a puppy-like fashion. "Really? I haven't seen you in a month and that's all you can say?"

Rolling her eyes, she cradled the flowers in her arm. "What else am I supposed to say?"

"Congratulations? Nice to see you? Wanna come inside?" He laughed, shrugging. "I don't know."

Bonnie shook her head. Same old Kai. "Congratulations for what? Being alive?" She knew he would survive so what was there to congratulate? "I would invite you, but I was about to take a bath. Don't start." She pointed and accusatory finger at him as something mischievous played on his features. "And, well, I guess it's nice to see you again."

He raised a brow. "You guess?"

"Yeah," she said while lifting her chin up slightly, "I gue-mmf!"

She felt Kai's heat pressing into her immediately, his lips falling down roughly on her own as her words were lost to his mouth. Their chests bumped and Bonnie grunted as Kai shoved his way into the house, shutting the door behind him. His boot-clad feet danced around her bare ones and the bouquet fell to the floor.

His hands carded through her hair and Bonnie found herself gripping onto the lapels of his jacket - holding on for dear life so she could maintain her footing. She felt Kai gathering her up in his arms, swinging her body around and pressing her back against the door as little sounds of pleasure murmured between them - their magic simmering against each other's skin.

Kai's hands were all over the place, the warmth of his palms igniting her skin on fire beneath the fabric of the robe as she continued to feel his kisses all over her mouth. They were hot, angry and persistent - as if he had mapped out what he wanted to do but had no way of getting to his destination. But as she slipped her fingers into his hair, opening her mouth to allow him entrance, it seemed that Kai had finally gotten his rhythm.

His hands had taken the initiative to do as they pleased once she'd given her consent - the feel of her robe falling to the ground in tandem with his jacket. Bonnie practically tore the shirt off his body, wanting to feel everything that he was giving. She was spiraling and Kai had been the one to push her off the edge.

Soon the feel of skin against skin met with an eruption of feeling as the cool air touched her back. A shiver snaked down her spine but was only given a moment to do as such. A deep moan burst forth from her mouth that slowly began to transform into a sharp gasp as he pinched her nipple.

They broke their kiss and Bonnie was only able to whisper his name once - a breathy sigh before his mouth captured hers again. Her eyes slowly closed, drinking in his scent as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The flat of her palm slid down between his shoulder blades, her nails gently pressing into his back to dig into his skin. Kai's hands moved over her body, making the heat rise in spite of the chilling bite of his rings on her warm skin.

He lifted her off the ground. The kiss was only deepened through the movement and she tightened her legs around his waist even more as he supported her with his strong arms. Her arms pulled him tighter, bringing him closer if that was even possible. The kisses between them only escalated with hunger. Such an overwhelming form of desire was threatening to take hold of Bonnie that she didn't know what to do with herself.

But Kai had already known what to do, lifting her up and she clung to his form with everything that she had as the temperature climbed to all knew heights.

Bonnie was going to go crazy. She was losing her mind from all the sensations her body was being put through. She wanted to fall against him - to get lost in his eyes as he overtook her with every single bit of raw passion that was contained within them.

"Bonnie."

She heard her name falling from his lips, and as he pulled back, she gently touched the swollen buds as she bit her bottom lip at the corner; her breathing heavy as her chest rose and fell slowly. Kai moved to nuzzle his face into the juncture of her shoulder.

"I survived," he breathed, the air from his mouth hot along her neck. "And there is a whole mess of shit inside of me that I have to deal with. Feelings are hard. I fucking suck at them." Kai pressed his forehead against hers and she could feel the heavy cadence of his heart and it beat like a war drum.

Bonnie listened quietly, waiting for him to finish. He was unsure of where to take this. She didn't know either. He clearly wanted her. They wanted each other. But there was still something holding him back. Even now.

"Give me a chance, Bon." Her eyes widened slightly, her surprised expression reflecting back at her in his own gray-blue hues. "Let me in."

"Kai…"

His grip on her waist tightened, eliciting a soft moan from her and she felt how hard he was beneath his jeans. Whatever she was about to say? Well, it didn't matter much.

"I can't promise you that I'll be the best. That's for you to judge." Bracing her up against the door, he lifted one hand up to clasp her neck. She swallowed against his thumb as he stroked up and down her throat. "But I can promise that you'll always be first."

Kai's words went on and they crashed into her heart like two trains colliding. Her chest tightened up and it felt like she lost her breath. Bonnie cupped his face in her hands, leaning forward to kiss him hard on the lips. She slipped her tongue in between them as she felt the muscle rake slowly against his fangs - a gentle intake of breath filling her lungs as she smelled him. His scent was still the same - even after being apart all this time. Spring rain with a hint of spice.

After taking the time to greedily consume his mouth as he had hers, Bonnie pulled back and moved her gaze from one of his orbs to the other. Her dark hair fell like a silk curtain and covered half her face. She leaned forward, her lips pressing against his ear as she softly breathed against the lobe - her arms snaking over his shoulders to grasp at the baby hairs along the nape of his neck. "Took you long enough, you jerk."

Bonnie kissed his ear, then nipped it while her hands moved across the skin of his bare chest. The heat radiating both from him and her own body was intoxicating. She pulled him into another kiss - the desperate need to feel his body against hers maddening.

There was no going back now. Bonnie was done looking over her shoulder at what was and looking too far ahead at what could be. She would live in the here and now - with no regrets.

Forever.

"Would you stop?" snapped Jo. Kai ignored her and continued his pacing. "You're making me dizzy!"

"Don't care~" came his sing-song reply. Hands were buried in the pockets of his tux pants, his eyes never leaving the invisible trail he had been circling for the last hour.

Three years came and went; encased in dozens of epic fights and hundreds of legendary makeup sex sessions. Kai Parker had asked Bonnie Bennett to marry him. Her eyes and face glowed so brightly that he believed she was casting a spell on him.

Who was he kidding? He'd been under he spell from the first moment he'd seen her.

She'd said yes.

When the news dropped to both her friends and his family, they took it in a variety of ways. Caroline had been over the moon. Lockwood and Donovan? Well, they were happy but felt like Bonnie could have done better. Better than a witch coven leader? Think again.

His twin, Jo, accused him of knocking her up. The barb was still just as sharp over losing Luke after all this time. But she was relenting. She had no choice.

Olivia wanted no part in the wedding. She said she would attend his funeral, however. Fine by him. He'd promised Bonnie he wouldn't bring his bullshit to her door. He kept that promise.

"I don't know what you're so nervous about," she said, cradling Josie in one arm. "We all told her to run for the hills. Yet there she is, down the hall, getting ready to tie the knot with you."

"Or maybe she's preparing to pull a Julia Roberts on me." He paused, staring blankly at the wall. "Or worse. Kill Bill."

Josie cooed sleepily, bringing Kai out of his stupor. Jo gave him a pointed look. "You need to stop watching so many movies." She shrugged. "There's still time for me to get a funeral dress."

Kai was about to match her sass when a knock at the door stopped him. They didn't wait for permission and in popped Caroline, looking flushed and so pleased with herself, you'd think she was the one getting hitched. She moved to sit next to Jo, immediately stroking baby Josie's cheek with affection. There was a part of Kai that was semi-disgusted with a vampire touching his niece, but he actually liked Caroline so she had that going for her at least.

"How is she?" he asked, lifting a hand to stroke through his hair.

Caroline continued fussing with the baby until Jo handed her over completely. "She's fine. Just having a talk with her grandmother."

"Wait, what?" Kai paused from turning back toward the mirror. "She's talking to Sheila? Like, right now?"

The blonde nodded. He moved toward the door, but before he could put his hand on the knob, Caroline had blurred in front of it. He cut his eyes to her and she glared at him, still cradling Josie in her left arm as she gripped his wrist.

"You can't see her. It's bad luck." Her blue eyes sparked with warning but there was a wide smile on her face. "Unless you want to curse this marriage before it's even gotten a chance to start."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I need to speak to her." The witch didn't believe in superstitions like that.

Kai wanted to talk to Sheila. He wanted to apologize for being a little shit those last few years before he'd been banished. He wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay. He wanted to reassure the old woman that he would take care of her granddaughter.

And he wanted to thank her for sending Bonnie to him.

That had to be the only reason he could think of for Sheila to send Bonnie to his prison world. It was the only logical explanation. The only thing that made sense.

"Bonnie is a witch, Kai. Just like you." Jo's voice pulled him outside of his own head. He glanced over his shoulder and saw she was standing up now, an annoyed but understanding expression on her face. "You'll get to talk to her one day. Just let her have this, would you?"

But he didn't want to. Kai wanted to be selfish and throw a tantrum like a child. He hadn't seen Sheila in ages and there were so many things he wanted to know. Things that he felt he deserved to know.

Yet he couldn't argue with his twin either. She was right. There would be time for reunions later. When he and Bonnie were fully settled into their lives together.

Fingers sliding from the doorknob, Kai sighed and stuffed his hands back into his pants pockets. Caroline's stern look melted away into her previous expression of happiness. She patted him a few times on the shoulder in reassurance. "Congratulations, Kai. I really hope you'll be able to make Bonnie happy. She's been through so much."

He gave her a lopsided grin and a half shrug. He had every intention to do just that. Every intention in the world.