4. Stefan
He'd had a lot of thinking to do since he regained his humanity; not just about what he'd done while off the rails, but who he'd done it with. Even with her humanity off Caroline had remained so- Caroline. Unlike him, who was entirely different with it off. He was an awful person like that, and he'd done awful things, but what he felt worst about was making her do awful things. He remembered feeding and then wiping the blood from his victim across her mouth, enticing her with kisses, what he knew she wanted, as if it were a past life. The memories were both blurry and pin clear at the same time.
He glanced down at the list he'd been writing and then threw it down on the table, grabbed his keys and headed out to his car. Soon, he found himself in front of her door. He was gathering up the courage to knock when she came down the stairs, them towards him. He smiled at her and she returned it. "Hey," grinned Caroline.
"Hi," he smiled back at her, and she led him into the living room. They were both sat on armchairs before he cleared his throat, though his voice still came out throaty and deep with emotion. "Yesterday, you told me you'd made a list of all the ways that loving me had ruined your life." She opened her mouth as if to say she was sorry, but he shook his head. She was right. He had ruined her life. He had ruined all their lives. If he hadn't come back into town for Elena, none of this would have ever happened; Damon wouldn't have followed him back and hurt her, all these people wouldn't have died, all these people that she loved. She wouldn't have to suffer with the burdens of losing everyone, and still being there, still being seventeen. "But I made a list too," he continued. "Of all the ways that loving you has changed mine." Her eyes went up to him in shock and he nodded minutely. She'd been so many things to him; his girlfriend's friend, his ally, his friend, his sober sponsor, his best friend. It had been such a shock when she'd told him about her feelings that he'd just stood there, unsure of his own feelings. He hadn't had a chance to even think about if if he felt that way about her. So he'd told her now wasn't the right time, and it had let her to lose her humanity. It had been the final push off the edge.
Once he'd gotten his own humanity back, he'd slowly come to the realisation that he did have feelings for her, and he was coming to accept them. She was by his side when he needed a friend. She made him laugh. When they danced, she told him that he would find love again. "And I understand if you need time to heal, and to live your life without me. I understand if I have to wait for you. And I will," he nodded. "When you're ready for me, I'll be waiting for you."
He stood up slowly and before he moved away he bent down and kissed her cheek. Oh yes, he was in love with Caroline Forbes.
AN: Thanks to everyone who has supported this story so far! Hope you're still enjoying it :)