Waiting For You

Prompt: 'Were you planning on kissing me?'

He's here again. He promised he wouldn't come. He swore he'd stay away. She wanted time, she wanted space, and he'd had full intentions on giving her just that. He said he'd wait. It was a decision he'd assumed was right at the time but it was killing him. Each moment he spent away from her was killing him. Not that it made any difference if he was with her, he felt the same.

She's doing that thing again. That thing where she pretends she doesn't notice him staring at her. She's gotten so used to ignoring it, he has too. The music is blaring and everyone is on the dance floor. Everyone except the two of them. He'd told Damon that he didn't want to come, but all the older Salvatore had to do was say that Caroline was going to be there and he changed his mind before he could blink.

She was standing alone on the other side of the bar, downing drink after drink. He was doing the same, but not as vigorously. He stood there for almost an hour, just watching her like some sort of lovesick puppy. (He was one.) He couldn't stop staring. Like opposite poles of a magnet, he was drawn to her and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She wasn't helping much by wearing a skirt so short that it barely covered anything. Her blonde curls were cascading down her shoulders and onto her pink tank top.

She was around her 6th shot when she saw a guy coming towards her. He seemed like a shitty frat boy who only wanted one thing from her. "Someone's looking smokin'!" Was all that left his lips before he raised his hand to touch her arm. She raised her own, and it collided with his face. The sound was so loud it attracted the attention of a certain Salvatore she had been trying to avoid all night. "Bitch." The boy sassed before putting a hand to his face and walking away.

He couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped his lips. She started rounding the corner, each step closer hitched his breath further into his throat. "Is this funny?" She asks, shoving him playfully.

"Of course not." He lies, too concentrated on her lips to even pay attention to anything she was saying. She laughs because she knows he's lying. He smiles because she knows. It's this weird dance they've been doing. Tip-toeing in circles for 153 days, waiting for the other to crack. (153 days!)He's doing most of the waiting. But they've gotten so used to dancing this dance, that it's the most natural thing in the world now.

Her eyes are darting between his lips and his eyes. He sees it. He pretends he doesn't. The air is getting thicker. They're saved by a tall brunette who walks over to Stefan, her chest half out of her shirt and flirtatiously places a finger on his chest. "Dance with me." She says, grabbing his hand and pulling him onto the dance floor before he can answer her.

Somehow her eyes find him in the sea of college students...they always do. The girls arms are around his neck and he seems to be, reluctantly, enjoying himself. She laughs when she realizes that doesn't even make sense. She's seeing green. It's not fair, she can't make him wait forever. That doesn't stop it from hurting like hell. "Another one." She tells the bartender.

The song ends and he's next to her again before the brunette can even think of asking him for another dance. "Why are you all alone?" He asks flirtatiously. He's treading dangerous waters but they're both drunk enough.

"Why are you?" She retorts, pretending to not notice the tone he's using, because she can't do that. Not tonight.

"Can't a guy just get a drink with a pretty girl?" He laughs and she's fighting the urge to place her lips on his right there.

"Stefan-" she warns him.

"Caroline.." He's mocking her. No ones laughing.

"Not tonight." She whispers but he stays silent and still. It's infuriating. "I can't do this tonight,Stefan. Let's just have some fun."

"Okay."

"Okay? What do you mean okay? Just, okay?"

"Caroline." He laughs. "Just shut up and dance with me."

It's harsh. She gasps because it shocks her, but she bounces back quickly because he knows her, and she needs harsh right now.

"Fine." She smiles, taking his hand as he lead her to the dance floor.

It's their sixth song. The music is blaring and their bodies are moving. She's so close he can feel her breathing. Her hair smells like vanilla, and it's intoxicating. He closes his eyes to heighten his sense as he memorizes this moment. Her throat is dry when she speaks. "We can stop if you want."

She doesn't want to. She wants this moment to never end. Like her favorite song playing a loop. "I don't." He whispers.

Their eyes meet as he reassures her and she feels butterflies in her stomach and a chill go through her veins. His eyes fall to his feet and she quickly looks away, but they don't stop dancing. Not until they're the last people there and they're dancing to the sound of their own broken heartbeats.

"Can I ask you something?" She whispers, finally pulls away. He feels empty now. He nods. "Were you ever planning on kissing me tonight?"

He smiled and places a hand on her cheek. "Of course I was." He whispers.

"Why didn't you?"

"I didn't know you wanted me to." He says. "I said I'd wait, and if you're ever ready, then I'll kiss you."

"When." She assures him but he's still confused.

"When what?" He asks.

She laughs, it's a gentle laugh. One that makes his insides flip and puts a smile on his face. "When I'm ready.. Not if."

He's smiling again. That big goofy smile that makes her die a million times inside. "When you're ready." He whispers, kissing her cheek and goosebumps appear on her skin at the touch.

"I will be." She says. "Not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday I will be ready."

"I'll be here waiting for you."