Stefan Salvatore was not exactly what people would call a nice guy. In his eyes, at least. He used to be nice, though. Compassionate, always worrying about other people, listening to their problems and trying to be the best version of himself. But when you're nearly 170 years old, your definition of "nice" can get a little mixed up after so many places, people and betrayals.
Stefan had three major disappointments during his - long - existence. First, Katherine Pierce. Then, Damon Salvatore. And when he thought he was finally free from all these ghosts from his past reminding him of how painful it is to be betrayed by someone you love, Elena Gilbert happened. He knew that Katherine truly loved him and not Damon, but as much as she loved him, she loved herself more, and would do anything to protect herself - even lie to him for over a century, making him think she was trapped somewhere, dead - instead of putting him and their relationship first. He knew Damon was damaged, lost without Katherine, angry at Stefan and as much as it hurt him, he could do nothing but accept his brother's hatred. But Elena... what she did was more painful than both Katherine and Damon's betrayals combined.
He had done everything for her. Everything. He loved her more than he had ever loved Katherine, more than he even loved his brother and himself. He would die for her without thinking twice. But she chose Damon. It was fitting, really. Katherine chose Stefan, but Stefan wanted Elena, and Elena wanted Damon. It was what he deserved - karma even - and he knew that, and a part of him knew Damon deserved happiness at last, but he still gave himself the right to finally be a little selfish and regret the fact she didn't choose him; she left him. Things were going the way he wanted. They were happy. That's all he ever wanted, really - happiness. But life happened and then, suddenly, he found himself all alone again, watching Damon and Elena's relationship from afar, holding on to the memories of a time when Elena loved him, when he thought he had finally found his happiness.
He got to a point where there was nothing else for him in Mystic Falls. His brother got the girl, Rebekah started dating this new guy in town named Caleb, as human as they come, Jeremy and Bonnie decided to leave town hoping for a better future far away from all the vampires and the werewolves and the hybrids, and everyone else just didn't care anymore. They had lives, and he did not. So when Klaus decided to get the hell out of that stupid little town that had turned into the newest supernatural beings' hot spot, he invited Stefan to go with him, and even though he meant to say no, what actually came out was a yes and two weeks later they were in New York, reliving the good ol' days - minus the Ripper thing. That wouldn't happen.
He had one condition: Klaus had to behave. No killing, no feeding off innocents, no turning random people into vampires and hybrids and whatnot, and, again, because he felt like saying it only once wouldn't be enough, no killing. Absolutely no killing. Soon he realized Klaus wouldn't obey him even if he threatened to leave (because, really, Klaus didn't give two craps about him; he just didn't want to be alone), so he decided to follow his own conditions without Klaus, making sure no one died by Klaus' hands because despite all the pain and the suffering he had endured, he still had some decency left, and he was sure as hell not leaving it at the door when he had Klaus Mikaelson as his vampire companion.
He still thought about her sometimes. He often wondered what Mystic Falls had become after he left. He hadn't talked to Damon for a year now, and in all honesty, he missed his brother. When you're a vampire, five years isn't really a long time, but apparently it was enough for him to finally find a way to understand and forgive both Elena and Damon. He would never stop caring about Elena, though, he would never stop loving her. He forgave her, yes, but he still loved her. There were days he felt like he couldn't do it anymore, like he needed her beside him again, like he was about to collapse and die if he didn't hear her voice one more time. But things were different now. Stefan had lived too long with and for Elena and it was time to live for himself, no matter how hard, unfair and unpleasant it looked like.
It was late one night when Klaus decided it would be fun to go to a nightclub and find someone to feed on, because he was bored and he had fed off of blood bags for the past 5 days and he needed some fresh, warm, straight out of the vein blood. Stefan, as usual, went with him, to make sure he wouldn't get carried away and end up killing any poor, innocent young blond girl - his favorite type.
"Don't hurt anyone." Stefan said, raising an eyebrow at Klaus.
"I am not sure if you understand how this works, dear Stefan. I am going to find someone and feed on them. I'm positive that is going to hurt a bit, don't you think?"
Stefan rolled his eyes. "Then don't kill anyone."
Stefan decided to hide somewhere he could watch the car to make sure the girl didn't get hurt while still going unnoticed by the other people walking around the parking lot, because, well, it would certainly look weird to people passing by to realize this man was alone, staring at a couple while they made out in a car.
He even got distracted with a game on his phone at one point, because vampires are allowed to get bored too, but then he started smelling blood and he knew Klaus was feeding already. He started listening to the whole thing, as a way of making sure he would be ready to act would anything happen, concentrating mainly on the girl's breath sounds and heartbeat. When he could clearly sense she was passing out, he ran quickly to the car, tapped on the window and leaned over.
"Klaus, stop it, you are going to kill her."
Klaus let go of her neck, sighing and rolling his eyes. "Damn it, Stefan. Always a buzz killer."
"She's dying, you idiot."
"Yes, I can see that."
Stefan breathed deeply. "Move."
Klaus got out of the car, letting Stefan sit on the driver's seat, while a blonde girl was lying on the passenger's seat, passed out. Typical. Stefan fed her his blood and the color came back to her face, which made Stefan sigh, relieved. Klaus got in the backseat and closed the door.
"Let's go."
Stefan furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean, let's go? What about her?"
"I think I can feed on her one more time."
"Are you insane?" Stefan raised his voice.
"No?" Klaus replied, sarcastically. "I'll just compel her to forget later."
"I can't let you do this, Klaus." Stefan stared at him.
"Well, it's a good thing I don't need your permission for anything. Now drive."
"No!" Stefan answered, louder.
"Yes! If you don't want to do this, then just don't. But she's pretty. And a good kisser. Oh, and her blood... it tastes amazing. So yes, Salvatore, I will feed on her again. I do not need your permission, all I need is for you to drive, but if you do not want to do that, go away already."
"You are not going to kill her."
Klaus rolled his eyes. "No, Stefan, I am not going to kill her."
"Fine." Stefan gave in. It was useless to argue. The girl would have better chances of living if he was there. "Let's go."
So Stefan drove off. He didn't dare to take a single glance at the girl, since he could already feel guilt creeping up on him, his mind screaming at him to protect her, to not let Klaus hurt her. But he also knew that Klaus was Klaus - he didn't ask for permission, never had, never would. So all he could do was stick around to make sure she got out of all that alive and well.
Sometimes he wondered why he still did that. He could walk away, leave Klaus to his business, find somewhere else to live. It would be so much easier. But doing all that, saving people and keeping Klaus from doing anything stupid, that sounded like the punishment he deserved. What else could he do anyway? Stefan Salvatore wasn't a nice person anymore, but he could still be useful.
Stefan's POV! What did you think? Now I won't be revisiting any event twice, it'll just flow naturally, alternating between Caroline and Stefan's point of views. Hope you like it! Review, please!