two. the devil himself

.

BEING AROUND MATT IS BOTH soothing and excruciating. The past few days have been hell as Elena was no longer only carting around the grief of her parents' death, but now the jagged shards of her torn-up heart too.

She knows that she doesn't love Matt anymore, but the sight of that yearning gleaming in his puppy-dog eyes soothes the ache just a little bit and Elena's a horrible person, she knows, but by God does she need this.

( She needs to feel wanted, to feel loved; she was not made to be cast aside. )

"Did you get in touch with your mom?" Elena questions the day after the party and Vicki's hit-and-run with death. Elena doesn't want to remember the moment she and Jeremy stumbled upon Vicki, death clinging to her ghostly-white cheeks. It reminds her all too much of looking at herself in the mirror at the hospital, newly resurrected and newly informed of her status as an orphan.

( She cannot go back. There's no guarantee she would return. )

Matt chuckles bitterly and shakes his head. "Called and left a message. She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend, so we'll see how long it takes her to come rushing home."

Elena's heart burns for Matt. Even before they were dating, she was privy to some of the most excruciating details of Matt's relationship with his absentee, delusional mother. He stopped expecting her to step up, but it never meant that he never stopped craving for a mother that cared.

"Vicki's lucky that she's okay," Elena says in a poor attempt at consolation.

"I know. And now there's some talk of some missing campers."

"Did she say . . . what kind of animal it was that attacked her?"

Matt's reply is full of disbelief, "She said it was a vampire."

Elena scoffs. "What?"

"Yeah, she wakes up last night, mutters 'vampire' and passes out."

"Okay, that's weird."

"Think she was drunk," Matt waves it off, and his gaze swoops out over their surroundings, "So, what's up with Caroline and the new guy?"

Elena's heart burns for an entirely new reason this time as her gaze whips to Stefan, broad back facing her as he stares off into the distance. She swallows down the pain that rises in her throat and forces a smile onto her features. "I'm not sure, but Care's really happy. Seriously, she couldn't stop smiling last night until . . . y'know."

She can't say it; the knives dig too deep.

Maybe Matt and her were never meant to be, but it never stopped him from peeling back her layers and masks and shields. He peels them back now and she can see in the way his jaw clenches and his eyes soften that he knows and that he understands.

Somehow, it makes Elena hurt all the more.

Elena sucks in a sharp breath and turns her gaze away from Matt, her dark eyes searching for Stefan almost instinctively, but finding nothing. It takes her a moment to register the absence of Stefan's broad back, but when she does, her brows furrow and her lips dip.

She could've sworn he was there just a minute ago.

THE SCENT OF CHEMICALS AND disease sits heavy on Stefan's tongue as he walks through the halls of the hospital, eyes and ears keen for the sound of Vicki Donovan, Damon's unfortunate victim. The wind to blow Stefan's fragile house of cards down.

Stefan's moral compass stung as he eavesdropped on Elena and Matt's conversation, but he's relentlessly glad he did. If he didn't, he might've never have known that Vicki remembered what had happened until it was far too late.

And he couldn't leave Caroline.

Stefan ducks into the shadows as he spies Matt, his sister's bodyguard, trekking over the linoleum, ducking into Vicki's room. Stefan muffles a growl.

"Vick. Vicki, hey," Matt says, his heartbeat picking up in fear momentarily before it settles, "Vick, it's Matt. Hey, what's wrong?"

There's a sudden shrill scream of "No! No!"

"Hey, Vicki! Vicki! It's me, Vicki. Stop."

"No! No!"

"Nurse!" Matt goes pelting out of the room, searching desperately for something to soothe Vicki's frazzled nerves. All the display does is cement Stefan's decision.

Vicki can't remember. Not only for Stefan's safety, but for her own sanity.

He whips into the room and catches Vicki's instantaneously. She stops screaming and falls into the trance Stefan's purr demands. "It was an animal. It came out of the night and jumped you. You blacked out. That's all you remember."

"That's all I remember."

"Animal attack. You blacked out. That's all you remember."

"It's all I remember."

Stefan flies out of the room, preparing to leave, to vanish, but there's the heady scent of blood and Stefan can't help how he instinctually runs towards it, mouth watering, veins crackling and eyes blackening.

His eyes root on the scarlet bags, filled with his ambrosia, his downfall. He makes a move towards it and then recalls torn-out throats and bloody hands and glazed-over eyes.

His guilt makes the decision for him.

AS MUCH AS BONNIE DENIES her possible psychic abilities, she also can't seem to deny the call of them. That much is evident when she, Elena, and Caroline sit outside their favourite cafe, the September air still warm and pleasant, rambling on about the comet.

"Well, I was talking to Grams and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity."

Caroline hums in disbelief. "Mm. Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens. Bonnie, there's no way you actually believe this?"

Bonnie shrugs, but doesn't say anything. It says everything. The brunette takes a sip of her drink before she turns dark, piercing eyes on the blonde. "Fine. Enough about all this voodoo crap. What's going on with you and Stefan?"

Elena's heart twists her chest; a tell-tale blush skitters across Caroline's features. "What? Nothing happened! No sloppy first kiss or touchy-feely of any kind." Her voice holds a wistful quality.

Elena feels Bonnie's gaze landing on her, but she refuses to meet her eyes, instead fixing her attention resolutely on the table, pretending like the dips and grooves worn into the metal is the most interesting sight ever.

Bonnie asks, "And was this his decision or your decision?"

Caroline sniffs imperiously. "Mine."

Elena can't stop her snort. Caroline squawks and hits Elena good-naturedly on the arm. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm sorry, Care, but you're also the one who said boy likes girl, girl likes boy: sex."

"I take it back."

"You're also the one who said no take backs," Bonnie points out drily.

"I take that back, too."

Bonnie groans, flinging her head back, her hair gleaming in the sunlight. "Oh, come on, Care! What's stopping you?"

"Because . . . oh, I don't know," Caroline whines, dropping her head into her hands morosely, "He's different from all the other guys, y'know? I want to do this properly."

Elena's smile is small, and her heart feels like it's ripped in half. One side wants nothing more than Caroline's happiness because after all the shit she's gone through, Caroline damn well deserves this. The other side just wants to tear her best friend apart because, by God, does Elena want Stefan all to herself.

( This is the problem with humanity: it burns. )

CAROLINE SHOULD REALLY KNOW BETTER than this — can already hear Bonnie and Elena's scolding tones in her ear — but she's far too stubborn to back out now as her hand raps on the large oak door of the Salvatore Boarding House.

She gasps as the door gives way under her hand, creaking as it opens, revealing an opulent hallway that has her salivating. She peaks in, foot shuffling nervously on the hardwood floor. "Stefan?"

She treads further in when nothing but silence greets her, blue eyes zipping over the mahogany walls and glowing lights. It smells rich here, she notes.

"Stefan?"

Caroline comes to stand in front of a luxurious living room, bedecked in large windows, antique lamps and plush couches. Still, silence.

Silent as the grave.

The door creaks behind her and Caroline whirls, heart beating rapidly. Some part of her is telling her to run, but she doesn't know why she should and Caroline is no coward—she can stand her ground.

( But not against this. )

The door is wide open and Caroline is certain that she left it half-open. Must be the wind. But still, she moves forwards to investigate, some part of her certain that it wasn't just the wind. For her troubles, Caroline is paid by the screeching of a crow as it flies into the house and Caroline screams in surprise.

She pivots and comes face-to-face with the devil.

Maybe not, but he could be with his wide shoulders and his sharp features and electric-blue eyes that spell danger and thrill and hedonism.

"I-I'm sorry for barging in," Caroline stutters, heart pounding, "The door was . . . open."

Not anymore.

The devil smiles. "You must be Caroline. I'm Damon, Stefan's brother."

"He didn't tell me he had a brother," Caroline says and can't stop those old insecurities from curling around her ear and whispering: wouldn't he mention he had a brother? Wouldn't that be something he told you if he really liked you?

"Well, Stefan's not one to brag. Please. Come," Damon urges and guides Caroline into the living room, "I'm sure Stefan will be along any second."

"Wow," Caroline breathes, "This is your living room?"

"Living room, parlour, Sotheby's auction," Damon quips as they tread into the opulent room, "It's a little kitschy for my taste."

They descend into a momentary pause and Caroline ignores the prickling of her raised hairs and her human instincts whispering at her to run. Damon doesn't let the silence rule for long. "I can see why my brother's so smitten, Caroline. It's about time. For a while there, I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."

"Destroyed him?" Caroline repeats, crossing her arms and peering at Damon inquisitively, "Who was the 'last one'?"

She says it like it's an accusation. Ignores the evil coiling in Damon's eyes.

"Dorothy," Damon says, and she can detect the change in the room, the history layered in that one word, "His girlfriend. Oh, have you two not had the awkward exes conversation yet?"

"No," Caroline spits out between gritted teeth.

"Ah," Damon says and winces. It seems exaggerated, "Well, I'm sure it'll come up now. Or, maybe he didn't tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound . . . we all know how those relationships end."

"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end."

"I'm a fatalist." Damon's smile grows wider. "Hello, Stefan."

Caroline gasps and turns and comes face-to-face with a broody, glowering Stefan. His face softens somewhat as he moves his stare to Caroline. "Caroline. I didn't know you were coming over."

Caroline clears her throat. "I should've called—"

"Oh, don't be silly," Damon scoffs and Caroline can't help the small flinch that wracks her body, "You're welcome any time. Isn't she, Stefan?"

Stefan remains eerily silent, glowering at his smirking brother. His body is lined with aggression. Damon doesn't let it deter him.

"Y'know, I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies. But, I have to warn you, he wasn't always such a looker."

"Thank you for stopping by, Caroline," Stefan intrudes, voice hard as stone, "It was nice to see you."

The dismissal is clear. Caroline's humiliation burns bright and clear across her cheeks. "Yeah, well, I need to get home anyway. Mom's probably wondering where I am. It was nice to meet you, Damon."

"Great meeting you, too," Damon says and Caroline doesn't bother to say goodbye to Stefan as she walks past, leaves him to his weird fucking rivalry he has with Damon and leaves.

( She tells herself she won't come back, but some part of her says she will. )

THE NIGHT OF THE COMET is bustling with people. It sets Stefan's teeth on edge, his gums aching as his fangs beg for freedom, to slash and cut and rip. Ever since he visited the hospital, his once quiet craving has turned into full-fledged addiction. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to come out here so uncontrolled, but Stefan wasn't willing to leave Caroline to simmer in her anger any longer.

( He's been waiting for over a century and a half—there's no way he'll let her slip through his fingers again. )

He slips through the crowd, the night clinging to him like a second-skin, eyes keen as he seeks out Caroline and her tell-tale head of blonde hair. He finds her easily, some invisible string tugging him towards her.

A candle clutched in her hand, Caroline jolts as she turns and comes face-to-face with Stefan. Her mouth drops open in shock and he catches how her heart skips in her chest before her mouth shuts with a clink and her face screws up in resentment.

"Stefan," Caroline says, his name like a curse in her mouth. He disguises a wince.

"Caroline," he says and it's heaven on his tongue, "I wanted to talk."

"You've talked. I have to go."

Caroline attempts to move past him, but Stefan grabs her arm and his blood boils with desire at the feel of her skin against his, but he tamps down on it as he tugs her gently to face him. "Please. Just five minutes to explain myself. If you still don't forgive me after those five minutes, I won't bother you again. Please?"

Her blue, blue eyes consider him with a frightening intensity no teenage girl should possess, but her heart melts just enough for her to nod. "Alright, five minutes. But just five, okay?"

Stefan smiles and this is probably the closest he's felt seventeen in decades. "Okay. Five minutes."

Caroline pulls herself from Stefan's grasp and every step she puts between them tugs at his heartstrings, but he betrays none of his pain and instead directs his gaze up to the stars, the bolt of light streaming between them like a ribbon.

"Y'know, that comet . . . it's been travelling across space for thousands of years. All alone."

Caroline huffs out a light chuckle. "Bonnie says it's this sort of 'harbinger of evil'."

"I think it's just a ball of snow and ice trapped on a path it can't escape. Once every hundred-and-forty-five years, it gets to come home."

Stefan tears his gaze from the comet and turns it to Caroline, who stares at the comet up above with sadness haunting her eyes and Stefan is amazed by the girl standing before him: the girl with the heart so big and wide she can feel empathy for a boulder careening through darkness.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," he says past the lump in his throat, "I wasn't myself."

Caroline's eyes fix on Stefan and he sees something cold and hard in them. The look of a veteran soldier. "Look, Stefan, I like you. I really do, but . . . you spend a lot of time apologising and I can't do this. I can't be with you, be anything like that with you if—"

"Yesterday wasn't about you," Stefan cuts in and swallows the taste of lies.

"But you still didn't tell me you had a brother," Caroline points out, "And if you didn't tell me something so simple, what else haven't you told me?"

A lot. Too much. But it's not something he can confess—at least, not right now.

"Damon and I—we're not close. It's complicated."

Caroline's lips twist. "Why? Because of Dorothy?"

Hearing her name in her mouth—Stefan nearly loses it right then and there. But, he manages to regain control swiftly enough to say: "What? What about Dorothy?"

"Damon told me about her, when I was over at yours yesterday. She's your ex, according to him. Someone you loved enough that apparently, I'm the rebound. I refuse to be your rebound, Stefan. I won't put myself through that."

Stefan swallows. "It—she was a long time ago."

Caroline considers him, blue eyes digging into him almost like how Dorothy did over a century ago. "Elena likes to say when you lose someone, it stays with you—always reminding you of how easy it is to get hurt."

Stefan steps forwards, but Caroline keeps her eyes rooted on the stars. "Caroline."

Caroline takes a step back, clenches her eyes shut to hide the tears shining in her cerulean irises. "It's okay, Stefan, I get it. Seriously. God knows how many times I've been in your position. I know how you feel—and I know we can't be together. Like you said, it's complicated. And it was fun, but it's over now. But . . . I can't let myself get hurt—I'm sorry."

She walks away and takes Stefan's heart with her.

WHEN VICKI IS FOUND, ELENA breathes a sigh of relief on Matt's behalf. The Night of the Comet had started out okay if she had to describe it—Caroline had been down, fretting over Stefan and his one-that-got-away ex and Elena had to force on a smile the whole time to not betray her pain.

Then, night had descended and as the comet arced across the night, Caroline and Stefan talking under it and Elena was struck by how unfair this all was. Orphaned and outcasted, this year was meant to be hers and when she collided with Stefan, she really did believe it.

Now, the rug's been pulled out from under her and Elena is left floundering.

Elena groans, head sinking onto the table in the Grill, Vicki examined by Matt nearby and Bonnie's hand rubs over Elena's back in sympathy.

"I hate this," Elena says and Bonnie hums.

"Excuse me. Hi."

At the sound of his voice, Elena goes rigid. Slowly, she raises her head from the table. Her heart beats thunderously in her chest, pumping agony and bliss in equal parts through her blood.

"Hi."

"Uh, have you guys seen Caroline?"

Of course. Swallowing, Elena says, "I think she went home. She looked upset."

Stefan wilts and Elena's teeth sink into her lip as she watches him turn away. Bonnie suddenly calls out, "I'm gonna give you Caroline's cell number and her email. She's big on texting and you can tell her I said that."

Caroline's scribbled number and email is handed over to Stefan with a smile and Elena's heart skips as she sees how he brightens, before deflating as she remembers why ( not her, not her, not ever her ). He reaches for the paper and as he does, his fingers graze with Bonnie's and as soon as they do, Elena freezes.

Something shifts in the air. Something goes still and silent.

There's the scent of rain and something wild on Elena's tongue and Bonnie blinks, her face falling. She snatches her hand away like Stefan burns her. She looks at him like he can't believe he's standing right there.

Stefan frowns. "You okay?"

"What happened to you?" It's quiet, soft, gentle. It's chilling.

Stefan's face goes carefully blank and Elena can't even think of anything to say before Bonnie sprouts from her chair, moving suddenly like she's just woken up. "That was so rude. I'm sorry. Excuse me."

Bonnie vanishes from the scene and Elena's face is screwed up in concern—never in over a decade of friendship has she ever seen Bonnie so rattled. It worries her.

"Bonnie's fine," Elena says abruptly, yanking Stefan's gaze from Bonnie and to her. She can't deny the thrill that races through her at the feel of his eyes, "She hasn't been feeling great lately. I hope you and Caroline make up."

( No, she doesn't. )

THE NIGHT IS DARK AND LOVELY and Caroline's falling in love.

She should know better—know far, far better, but by God, there's just something about Stefan Salvatore that has her abandoning all common sense and running straight into his arms.

She doesn't know quite what changed her mind since earlier that night—what made her throw all her hard-won insecurities out of the window and just breathe ( maybe it was the picture of her parents' wedding she dug up, maybe it was Cinderella playing when she got home ) but she does.

Caroline finds herself climbing out of her window, sneaking past her mother who would throw a fit if she knew Caroline was sneaking out to meet a boy of all people and racing to the Boarding House where she knocks on the door.

The door opens and there's Stefan, backed by the light of the hallway and his bronze hair gleaming like a halo. Her mouth opens like she's going to say something—and she was, honest—but Stefan's there and he's smiling and hopeful and—

Caroline leans up and kisses him.

Nothing has ever felt so right.

( They will look back on this and weep. )

ELENA IS TIRED. TIRED IN a way someone so young has no right to be, but she feels it weighing down on her very bones. She just wants to go home, dive under the covers and hope to God they swallow her whole and that she has no chance of recovery.

She meets Damon Salvatore instead.