STEFAN'S POV (4 HOURS BEFORE)
"The guests will be arriving soon Katherine" Stefan panted in protest. He wasn't sure why. Being with Katherine is all he ever wanted to do. He guessed it was because he didn't want to get caught, it would be a disgrace to Katherine's honour.
"We have time" she urged, placing kissing down his throat. Stefan hummed with pleasure.
"We might get caught" he said hesitantly.
"The doors locked right" Katherine said. Unbuttoning his shirt.
"Yeah."
"The we have nothing to worry about" she reasoned.
"What about Madeline, i should probably check up on her. Tonight is a big deal" Stefan said hesitantly. Katherine leaned back, a frown on her face.
"Are you seriously worrying about your little sister right now?" she said impatiently.
"Well i-" Stefan couldn't finish the sentence. Katherine's expression suddenly changed and a sweet, adoring smile appeared on her face. Stefan couldn't help but feel privileged.
"It's so sweet, how you care for your sister. I love how kind and loving you are" she said, gliding her hand down the side of his face. Stefan's eyes fluttered shut.
"It's good to worry, but she's becoming a women. Surely she doesn't want her big brothers hovering over her shoulder for the rest of her life" Katherine reasoned. It made sense, but Stefan still felt he ought to check up on her. He knew Madeline hated how tonight was about her father practically offering her up for auction.
But before he could say anything Katherine had her hands ether side of his face, staring at him intently. Stefan was immediately hypnotised by her dough brow eyes.
"Stefan, we can check on your sister later, but for now, let's finish what we started" Katherine soothed, her words washing over him. Stefan slowly nodded, any urges to check on Madeline diminished. All his attention was on Katherine. He started kissing her, slowly trailing kisses up her throat.
"Mmm" Katherine moaned. And Stefan closed his eyes, letting his urge to be with Katherine take over.
STEFAN POV (3 HOURS LATER)
Stefan watched enviously as Damon led Katherine down the stairs . He followed them into the kitchen and forced a polite smile as Damon sat down next to her.
However he forced his envy away when he saw his little sister. He should probably be supporting her, he knew father had some terrible news for later on. Stefan felt terrible, his father was going to force Madeline to leave her partner, Zachary Dawson.
Stefan especially wasn't looking forward o his sisters certain tantrum that would follow after being delivered the news. The only reason she'd been allowed to be with him for so long was that Giuseppe had hoped she would leave him of her own will.
He had always wished his children would share his greed, but non of them did. Even Damon, who Stefan sometimes accused of being greedy and selfish.
"Hello sister" Stefan said as Madeline entered the room. Her offered her his arm and she took it reluctantly. Stefan knew his sister despised all the polite mannerism Stefan did when their father was around.
But he wouldn't dare anger his father by showing a lack of respect, especially with Miss Pierce around. Stefan was still beaming from earlier when she'd said she loved how kind he was.
Stefan lead Madeline over to the table and took his seat beside her. Giuseppe was deep in a conversation with Katherine and Damon so Stefan took the opportunity to talk to Madeline.
"How has your pre-birthday been?" Stefan asked. Madeline have him a side ways glance and shrugged.
"From the looks of things, you've been having a better time than me" Madeline said. Stefan blushed crimson and looked away for a moment.
"I don't know what-" he started but Madeline cut him off.
"Brother, you know i hate lies. And anyway, it's written all over your face" Madeline said. Stefan smirked. He'd forgotten how observant Madeline was. Now that he thought about it, he had forgotten a lot of things about his sister. He hadn't really been spending much time with her.
"Sorry" he mumbled as his father turned his attention to Stefan.
"What do you think Stefan?" Giuseppe asked. Stefan sat up straighter.
"About what sir?" he asked. He hadn't even been listening.
"Would you introduce Madeline to some of the people at the dinner?" he asked. Stefan hesitated. He had been hoping to escort Miss Pierce, but he wouldn't mind introducing Madeline to some people if he had to. What he did mind though, was Damon escorting Katherine to the ball.
Surprisingly Katherine to the ball. "My deepest apologise Mr Salvatore, but Stefan has already offered to escort me to the party" she said. Stefan's lip twitched in the form of a smile.
Giuseppe nodded and gave Stefan an understanding look. "I understand Miss Pierce, Stefan shall escort you then. I'd just been hoping my more responsible son would introduce Madeline."
Stefan felt a lump rise in his throat. He did enjoy his fathers praise, but not at the expense of his brothers feelings. Stefan cast Madeline a sideways look. He could tell from her tense jaw she was trying very hard not to react. Damon had flinched but his face remained empty of emotion.
He gripped Madeline's hand under the table, silently begging her to remain calm. Madeline gripped his hand painfully but, much to Stefan's relief, remain silent.
"I'm sure Damon will do as he is told" Stefan said calmly. Damon nodded slightly.
"I wouldn't want to embarrass our dear sister on her big night" Damon added curtly. Giuseppe glared at him but said nothing else. They ate in silence until, half way through the meal, Giuseppe got called away.
"I hadn't realised you would be escorting Miss Pierce brother" Damon said once Giuseppe had left. Stefan shrugged.
"I asked and she said yes" Stefan said. Damon's jaw tightened and Stefan saw Madeline shoot him a glare. Stefan knew she hated it when he and Damon tried to one up each other, especially over Katherine.
Katherine smiled sweetly at Damon and said "You can take me to the dance tomorrow Damon." That made Damon smile smugly.
"It would be my honour and pleasure Miss Pierce" he said. Stefan had had enough of this by now and quickly excused himself. As he left the room he heard Madeline make an excuse to leave and follow after him.
Stefan stormed outside and sat down on the steps. He rested his head in his hands and took deep breaths. He barely noticed as Madeline came and sat down besides him.
When he didn't say anything Madeline wrapped her arms around him. Stefan relaxed into her embrace. And they just sat there for what felt like an eternity, staring up at the stars.
"I hate having to compete for her" Stefan muttered after a while. He saw Madeline nod from the corner of his eye. And that's all he said about Katherine for a while. He didn't wish to burden his sister with his romantic problems.
"I'm sorry for how i acted inside" he said.
"That's okay" she mumbled.
"The guests will be arriving soon" he said. Madeline nodded, she was still hugging him. Stefan had missed this, their closeness, their friendship. He felt the same way about Damon.
"I guess you should know that father's throwing this dinner party to let people know he's ready for you to be married off" Stefan said, looking down at Madeline. She was staring up at the sky.
"I figured" she said, "That's why I'm not going."
"What?" Stefan said, leaning back. She had to go. His father would be furious if she ran off. He would think she's trying to embarrass him. Not to mention he would get angry at Damon for not keeping an eye on her.
"I said i'm not going" she said again, looking Stefan straight in the eye.
"But you must, everyone will be there, and father will be most furious if you aren't" Stefan urged. Madeline just shrugged and looked away.
"I don't want to marry any of the men who've been invited" she said simply. Stefan frowned.
"You must understand Stefan, i do not believe in our father running my life, making my decisions. I let him get away with so much to protect you and Damon. But i wont let him give away my heart and my body for money, to expand his family among other wealthy men of Mystic Falls."
Stefan didn't have anything to say to that. "I know who i want to spend the rest of my life with, and it's not someone father has chosen. I know it will make him mad, but if i have to, i will leave to be with someone i love."
"What about Damon and I?" Stefan protested "We'll miss you." Madeline nodded.
"And i you, and i will try to stay. But i won't stay here if our father doesn't let make my own decisions. You must understand Stefan, I love you and Damon, you are my brothers and i will miss you every day i'm gone."
Stefan had to fight back tears and he saw that Madeline's eyes were glassy. "Please don't go" he whispered. Madeline shook her head.
"I don't want to go" she said. Stefan held her tighter. His little sister was set on this, he knew it.
"You mustn't tell anyone" she whispered. Stefan shook his head.
"Stefan, please, you mustn't tell anyone" Madeline urged, her blue eyes meeting his. Her gaze was almost too intense to hold.
Stefan couldn't speak so he just nodded. Madeline smiled sadly.
"I will write frequently, i promise" she said. Stefan looked away as a tear streamed down his cheek.
"I'm leaving tonight, I'm taking a carriage to the station two towns over. I can't tell you where i'm going, i know you might crack under pressure, and i can't have father find out. Even Damon" Madeline explained. Stefan was shaking now. He didn't want her to leave. Even now, after months of having this odd distance, she was still his best friend.
"How am i supposed to look after you from so far away?" he argued, his voice wavering.
"I can take care of myself" she said "And anyway, i'll have Zac."
They sat there silent, slowly regaining composure. "We should go inside, the guests will be here soon, and it would be best if you aren't here when they arrive." Madeline kissed his for head.
"Thank you" she whispered before getting up and going inside. Stefan stayed outside for a while until eventually Katherine came out.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Stefan shook his head.
"Is this about dinner?" she asked. Stefan shook his head again. Katherine tilted his head up so that he was facing her.
"Stefan tell me what wrong, i want to be here for you" she urged, her gaze intently on his. Suddenly Stefan had the uncontrollable urge to tell her what was wrong, even though he'd just promised Madeline he wouldn't tell anyone. Katherine will keep his secret if he asks.
"You mustn't tell anyone Katherine, please promise me you won't say anything" Stefan urged. Katherine nodded.
"I promise" she said. Then the words came spilling out and Stefan told her the whole thing. He was so over come with emotion he didn't notice when she smiled at the part of Madeline running away.
When he finished she had a sad look on her face. "Oh Stefan, that's horrible, we must stop her. She's making a terrible mistake" Katherine urged.
Stefan shook his head "No, we can't, i promised i'd let her go. She needs to do this."
"She said she'd stay in contact didn't she?" Katherine asked.
"Yeah"
"Well that's good" she said, but she sounded distracted. An angry shout boomed from inside the house, causing Stefan to sit up. It was his father, he was looking for Madeline.
"Do you think she's already run off?" Katherine asked. Stefan shrugged, probably.
"I'll go inside and talk to father" he said. Katherine placed a kiss on his lips as he stood up. Stefan smiled gratefully and walked inside.
"Damon, Stefan, where in gods name is you sister?" Giuseppe demanded.
Damon was already standing at attention in front of their father as Stefan walked over.
"I haven't a clue father" Damon admitted.
"Stefan?" Giuseppe asked.
Stefan hesitated before finally answering "Not a clue father."
"Are you sure you don't know?" Giuseppe asked impatiently.
"Yes father" Stefan and Damon replied in unison.
"Well, I want you to check every room in the house. We have guests and i won't let her embarrass this family, again."
Stefan saw Damon roll his eyes as Giuseppe turned away. Just like Madeline, Damon despised Giuseppe. Damon gave Stefan a questioning look which Stefan ignored. Damon had seen Madeline follow him outside.
Stefan and Damon both walked in different directions, pointlessly searching the house for someone who probably wasn't even in it.
And might never be again- Stefan thought bitterly.
Hey! I hope you enjoyed this. Has everyone been picking up where Katherine has been compelling Stefan? I hope so. I hope y'all are enjoying. Please leave some reviews, i'd love to know what you guys think. Also, if there is anything anyone wants to happen in particular outside of the memories, just let me know in a review :D
Cheers!