The whole town was buzzing with the events that happened that night. Police had arrived to the Bennett residence and started their rounds of questioning. Stefan, (who had been there the whole time holding her hand) almost wanted to get up and leave. He was angry that some sick freak touched his girl and came close to being inside her. He didn't let those emotions show, he wanted to stay strong for Bonnie and the only way he could do that was to be supportive.
When Bonnie's parents came rushing through the door, they didn't even notice Stefan. They went straight to Bonnie and held on to her as tightly as they could.
"Bonnie I'm so sorry this happened to you. We should've never left."
"It's okay, Stefan saved me."
That's when her parents noticed the boy sitting next to her.
"Is this Stefan?"
Bonnie nodded and her father reached out to shake Stefan's hand, "Thank you."
Before Stefan could answer Bonnie interrupted, "Dad, Vanessa this is my boyfriend, Stefan."
"Boyfriend?"
"Yes when the guy attacked my I called Stefan just in time and he rushed over. He pulled him off just in time before..." Bonnie dropped her sentence.
"I see," her father, Rudy spoke, "Again thank you."
Stefan just nodded and smiled.
After the police and investigators left, Vanessa offered to cook them lunch.
Even though things were at a difficult place, Rudy is still Bonnie's father and as a father it's his job to know just who Stefan is. He's grateful for him saving Bonnie, but he needs to know him more on a personal level. He knew that Vanessa would interfere and tell him to give up on the questioning so he took this as an opportunity: while she was in the kitchen cooking, he would be in the living room questioning.
Bonnie felt bad and even asked her father to stop, but he wouldn't give up. It came to the point where she just pulled Stefan up from the couch and took him upstairs.
"Keep that door open!" Rudy called after them
"Aye aye captain." Bonnie saluted.
Stefan chuckled and Bonnie let out a frustrated noise.
"Sorry for my father."
"It's fine," he pulled her on his lap, "I've been asked worse questions before."
He leaned back until their bodies were fully on the bed. He kissed her forehead and stared into her eyes. They were brighter than before which he took as a good sign, but they still held hurt and pain which he understood.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm just worried about my face." She frowned and touched the bruises.
"Bon"
She sighed, "I'm okay it's still a little weird to talk about and I still see his face some times, but when you're here," she intertwined their fingers, "I feel safe. You saved me, Stefan I can say thank you a million times but it can never compare to how grateful I am."
"I love you"
"I love you too"
"And that's all I need. Nothing compares to those three words that escape your lips. Those words are enough, okay."
Bonnie nodded and snuggled up close to him. He kissed her forehead again and brought an arm around her.
"Close your eyes, you need rest."
Rudy who had heard the tail end of their conversation knew that Stefan was the right one for his daughter. He was coming up to tell then that lunch was ready, but stopped to listen. He smiled then went back downstairs.
"I like him"
"Stefan?" Vanessa questioned.
"Mmhm, that's a good man." He sat down on the table.
"He must be if you left them up there by themselves." Vanessa laughed.
Xxxx
"Can Stefan stay the night?" Bonnie interrupted a conversation going on between Stefan and her father.
They were at the table for dinner chowing down on spaghetti and garlic bread. Stefan and Rudy were having a discussion about politics (bore) so Bonnie decided to spice things up a little.
"Uh what?"
"Can Stefan spend the night? I can't sleep unless he's with me. It's not like we're gonna have sex while you two are down the hall."
"Bon" Stefan warned, "It's fine I understand if I'm not welcome." He looked at her parents.
"I think he should stay." Vanessa was first to respond, "If he helps Bonnie cope, then I think we should allow it."
"Vaness-"
"It's not like its forever, maybe a few days, and I trust that they will be responsible young adults don't you."
All eyes were on Rudy. He sighed but agreed to the terms,
"Fine, but only for a few days then it's back to your own bed Stefan."
"Yes sir."
Bonnie smiled and excused herself pulling Stefan up with her. She all but skipped up the stairs to her room,
"Someone's in a happy mood."
"That's cause you're here and the fact that my dad and Vanessa like you."
Bonnie started stripping and Stefan laid back and enjoyed the show. He frowned a little when he saw scratches on her back but whipped it off his face when she turned towards him.
"I'm gonna take a shower."
When the door closed Stefan made his way downstairs.
"I'll be right back, I should pack a bag." He spoke to Vanessa.
"Okay"
"Thanks for letting me stay."
Vanessa smiled and went back to cleaning.
His house wasn't too far away; he planned to be back maybe a few minutes after Bonnie got out the shower. He knew that she liked to take long ones, so he figured he should be safe.
Heading straight to his room he threw clothes in a duffle bag.
"And where do you think you're going brother?"
"To Bonnie's if you don't mind."
Damon's face got serious, "How is she doing?"
He heard the stories on the news about her getting attacked. He figured that that's where Stefan was last night when he didn't make it back last night.
"She's okay, dealing with everything you know. I should go." With that Stefan left and drove to Bonnie's.
When he arrived he stopped to see if she was in the kitchen but when he noticed that she wasn't he headed to her room. As he walked in the door to the bathroom opened and Bonnie walked out with a towel around her. He chuckled thinking that she would've already been out by the time he got back. He decided to take a shower himself while she got dressed.
Once he was out fully dressed (luckily because Bonnie's father was in the room), he left the room to give Rudy and Bonnie some privacy.
He joined Vanessa on the couch; she was watching Judge Judy and he laughed inwardly because Bonnie loves this show.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" Vanessa asked out of the blue.
Stefan shook his head, "No, I don't think so?"
"Really?" Vanessa studied him a little longer, "Cause I never forget a face especially a face like someone as handsome as you."
His eyebrows drew up to his hairline as Vanessa was inching her way closer. He wasn't sure if there was a God, but he prayed to whoever would listen to help him get out of this situation. Luckily, Rudy's footsteps were heard making their way down the stairs causing Vanessa to pull back. Stefan shot up from the couch,
"Uh good night."
Rudy nodded and Stefan headed up the stairs – quickly. He closed the door behind him and saw that Bonnie was already lying down. He removed the shirt from his skin and wrapped an arm around her pulling her in close. She let out a breath and snuggled closer to him loving the coldness of his chest against the warmth of her body.
"Are you up?"
"Yeah"
"Look at me."
He loosened the hold that he held around her so she could turn around in his arms. The room was dark, but her eyes were shining brightly. He ran his hand along her face and softly kissed the places where she had been hit.
"I'm sorry this happened to you."
"You don't need to apologize, Stefan it's not like you had anything to do with it."
"If you don't mind me asking: why were you outside anyway?"
"I was going to surprise you." She sighed, "My dad had left a note on the freezer that he and Vanessa weren't coming back until morning so I figured that I could surprise you at your place."
"I wasn't thinking I know I could see the look in your eyes." Bonnie pointed out. When Stefan was about to defend himself she shook her head, "It's okay I'm not mad or anything I know I could've took the car, but I was just ready to see you."
"Bonnie you don't have to explain yourself alright." He leaned in and captured her lips.
He feels like he hadn't kissed her in years, he wanted to be sensitive in touching her in any way until she felt comfortable. Never would he imagine something like this happening to her and he promised himself that he would always protect her and whenever she needed it he would be there to save her.
The need for air became urgent so she pulled back. He stole a few kisses on her neck before kissing her lips one last time.
"I love you so much." He whispered.
"I love you too."
Kissing her forehead he pulled her in and whispered that she close her eyes. He waited until she was asleep before he got rest himself.