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Mystic Falls
High School
A Week Later
Early Morning...
The petite witch yawned behind her hand while her other hand pressed the taped mini-banners around the locker. Bonnie blinked away her tired tears and shook her head. She has been staying up late studying on her newest spell from her mentor's order. The Bennett witch wishes she could curse him however, he does have an excellent idea where she could start practicing her new spell at her current level of magic skills.
Bonnie silently shook her muse away and focused on decorating Caroline's birthday. Her olive-green eyes observed the locker for a moment and picked up a small cardboard that she made with glitters, hearts, and flowers with happy colors of 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE!'. Bonnie made sure the tapes were on the back and pushed it on the locker.
"Hey, sorry I'm late!" Elena called out as she arrived while carrying a small handful of balloons.
The Bennett witch sends her friendly smile at the doppelganger. She hasn't hung out with Elena in a while since she was so busy studying her spells and spending time with Caroline and Lexi. "It's alright. I think we have plenty of time to finish this locker before Care comes." she assures.
Elena smiles weakly at her. She grabbed a scotch tape from her book bag and taped the strings of balloons around the lockers. Bonnie stepped back while watching with satisfied that the surprise birthday locker was perfect for a cheerful vampire. "So, what got you running late?" Bonnie quesitoned, curious.
The brunette paused for a hesitant moment then glanced over her shoulder at Bonnie. "I was working out with Alaric." the petite witch hummed with acknowledgment. "...and there is something I need to tell you. You're not gonna like it." she said with a nervous frown.
Bonnie raised her questioning eyebrow at Elena.
"Jeremy is gonna be leaving town for a while. He'll be staying with some old family friends in Denver, until this whole Klaus thing blows over." Elena explained, solemnly. She turned around and faced the witch with a serious face.
The Bennett witch's eyebrows furrowed, confused."Jeremy wouldn't just leave you to deal with Klaus on your own." she pointed it out. After all, the young Gilbert would do anything to protect his family and friends.
Elena bit her lip nervously and then sighed. "I know—I...I asked Damon to compel him." she admitted.
"You what?" Bonnie whispered, stunned.
The brunette stepped forward and grabbed Bonnie's hands, anxiously. "I know, Bonnie. But it's not safe for him here anymore. Leaving will give him a better life. The only reason I'm telling you is because I know you two haven't really worked out your stuff. And I thought that maybe you'd wanna say goodbye."
Bonnie jerked her hands away from Elena's and glanced over at the distance when she saw Jeremy chatting happily with his friends. Her eyes shifted back to Elena who looked very guilty. "You already know that I broke up with him weeks ago. There is no need to make this uncomfortable and awkward for us, Elena." she said, coldly.
"Bonnie—" Elena opened her mouth but the tiny witch shook her head with a disapproving face.
The petite witch turned her head back to the birthday locker to double-check to make sure everything was in order. "Caroline should be here soon so, let's make sure everything is ready for her." Bonnie changed the topic. She ignored Elena's sad face and slumped shoulders.
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Only You
Chapter Fifty
"Our Town"
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Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Caroline's Bedroom
Moment Later...
Kol stared at his darling vampire with worry. Ever since she woke up this morning, she has been moping and sulking which he finds rather concerning. The wild Original was expecting to see a happy-go-lucky cheerful vampire because today is her birthday. He recalled last year how she believed that her birthday was everyone's favorite day. Kol thought it was rather amusing.
However, it seems that Caroline isn't in the mood. The transparent Original steps forward to where his darling girl is sitting on the cushioned stool, facing the mirror of her vanity. "Darling?" Kol gently brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek, featherlike touches that made Caroline close her eyes. "Why the sullen mood, sweetheart?"
Caroline released a dejected sigh from her lips. "I'm sorry, Kol. I just...I don't wanna—" she stopped herself, thinking deeply for a brief moment then shook her head. The blonde-haired beauty pushed herself up to her feet, ambled her way to her bed, and flopped on the side of her bed.
Kol frowned deeply with concern. He sauntered his way to the other side of the bed, laying on his spot next to her. "Talk to me." he muttered, featherlike touching her arm. Caroline turned to lie on her back and stared at the ceiling with slightly dazed in her blue-green eyes.
"I'm dead." the blonde-haired beauty blurted out. Kol blinked at her, turned on his side, and propped his elbow. He leaned over her, studied her sullen face. Kol doesn't like seeing her so...dispirited. He poked her forehead which made her wrinkle her nose. "It's just a reminder, Kol. I don't like seventeen. I'm supposed to be able to feel like I'm eighteen today but... it's a filler year. I'm stuck in a filler year." Caroline whispered, sadly.
Kol's eyes soften with sympathy and understanding. Being stuck in an immortal nineteen-year-old body for a thousand years got him used to it. However, he just needs a reminder that his darling girl has been a vampire for months. Not even a full year old yet. He almost forgot because Caroline acted like she had been a vampire for years.
"I am sorry that you are feeling this way, love." the transparent Original said, wishing he could give her a hug since the blonde-haired beauty looked like she needed one. Kol lightly strokes Caroline's cheek to her jawline back and forth with his fingertips. Silently letting her know that he's here for her.
Caroline displayed her fake small smile. "I will be fine."
Kol frowns at her false smile. He poked her forehead as a childish way to disapproval. "Fake. Smile. Why?" he repeated a few times to get his words across her head.
The blonde-haired beauty made a face and then sighed softly. "Sorry, Kol. It's just...putting up a fake smile is so much easier than explaining why I am sad." she mumbled.
The wild Original shakes his head. "Be. Real. With. Me. Not. Fake." he repeated once again, even though it was a pain in the arse while he observed her thoughtful face until a tiny but real smile appeared.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Kol." she whispered, lovely.
"Of course, my darling girl." Kol is never going to leave her side no matter what. For as long as she still wants him in her life.
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Forbes' Residence
Kitchen
Later...
Kol is currently leaning on the counter as he watches Caroline preparing herself a meal for lunch by making a simple sandwich since she wasn't in the mood to make actual food on the stove. The blonde-haired beauty put the creamy peanut butter and strawberry jam with some blood on the breads, together and started eating it.
Prince Original is fascinated by how his vampire always experiments with foods and drinks that add some blood. He has truly wondered if they ever taste good or not. It seems that Caroline actually liked it.
The doorbell rang through the empty house.
Caroline frowned while chewing her food. She placed the sandwich down on the paper towel and patted the crumbs away from her fingers. The blonde-haired beauty sauntered out of the kitchen area, to the corridor, to a foyer, and reached the front door while Kol followed closely out of warily and curiosity.
She extended her hand to the doorknob, unlocked it, and opened it inward. A perplexed frown appeared on her face when she noticed there wasn't anyone at the door. "Wha—"
"Surprise!" Caroline jerked back in shock when a mix of voices shouted as five familiar faces appeared in front of her on her porch.
Kol's lip twitched with amusement at Caroline's stunned face.
Elena, Matt, Bonnie, Lexi, and Ray are all wearing party hats, and carrying balloons and a sign. "Happy birthday!" Matt said, happily.
"What are you guys doing here?" the blonde-haired beauty asked, with a small surprise smile on her face. Bonnie stepped inside and hugged her vampire best friend who happily hugged back.
Elena smiles at Caroline while playing with the strings of balloons. "Well you blew off school and missed our work of birthday art, so..." she trailed off with a playful shrug.
"Nini texted me about how you didn't come to school so I suggested to her that she should just skip and celebrate your birthday at your home." Lexi explained, staying outside of the doorway with her adopted son. Since Ray doesn't have an invitation to Forbes' house, she stays close to him.
Bonnie breaks a hug, stepping aside for Matt who walks over and hugs her warmly. "I'm sorry for not being able to spend time with you, Caroline." Matt said, guilty.
Kol narrowed his eyes at the Quarterback and grumbled under his breath. "I rather not see you anywhere near my vampire."
"Oh, it's fine!" Caroline assured her friend before they broke their friendly hugs. A warm smile appeared on her face. "I know you are busy with your job, schooling, and sport. Not only that, you also trying to spend much time with your girlfriend—Amber, right?" she is making sure that Matt is still with the same girl.
Matt smiles shyly while nodding his head. "Yeah. I'm with Amber." his blue eyes brightened with so much passion and love when he thought about his girlfriend. "She also texted me earlier to tell you that she wishes you a happy birthday."
"Aww, tell her I said thank you." Caroline appreciates it.
Elena carefully took the fake silver tiara with purple feathers out of her book bag and placed it on Caroline's head. "Here you go, birthday girl."
"Change into warmer clothes, we are going to the Falls. S'mores, campfire—" Bonnie said with an excited smile.
"—cake!" Elena interjected with a wide smile. "Like when we were little."
Matt chuckled warmly as he held up the tequila bottle. "Except for the tequila." he handed it to Bonnie who grabbed it not unkindly. "Which I am envy however, I cannot stay much longer." he said before he took out his cell phone from his back pocket. "I really want to stay and spend your birthday, Care but I have an extra shift and I really need the money." he explained, remorseful.
"Oh, no no no!" Caroline shook her head, walked to Matt, and gave him another hug. "It's alright! I get it. Just—thank you for taking your free time to see me no matter how short the visit is."
Matt hugged back tightly and placed a friendly peck on her cheek. "Again, happy birthday." they exchange a friendly smile.
Kol bristled, not liking the human kissing his vampire's cheek. He glares at the popular jock leaving the house before he waves his farewell to the others.
When Matt is farther away out of hearing shot, Caroline's smile falls and sighed. "Guys... thank you, really." the blonde-haired beauty brushed the strands of her long bangs away from her face. "Umm... I'm just not feeling my birthday this year."
Bonnie and Elena exchanged surprised looks while Lexi and Ray looked sympathetic.
"I'm sorry, what?" Bonnie's furrowed her confused eyebrows with a perplexed smile. "You've already claimed your birthday as everyone's favorite day of the year."
The blonde-haired beauty sighed loudly. "Yeah, and now it's just a reminder that technically, I'm dead." she blurted it out, uncaringly how she sounded. Kol frowned at her, worried. "Look, I didn't even like seventeen. And the only point of being seventeen is to get to eighteen. It's a filler year, I'm stuck in a filler year." she said, disappointed.
"You're not stuck, Caroline." the brunette doppelganger said, trying to comfort the young vampire.
Caroline huffed out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, I am. But it's okay. You know, it's all good. I'll be fine. But I just need some time to wallow in it."
Bonnie reached forward and grabbed Caroline's hand with a soft face. Elena frowned, feeling awkward about this situation.
Lexi cleared her throat which caught everyone's attention. The dark-blonde vampire lifted her hand with a playful smile. "In that case, instead of celebrating your birthday. We could do a funeral?" she suggested.
"Now that is a bloody good idea, Lexi." Kol approved, believing that is exactly what his vampire needs.
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Mystic Falls
Fell Crypt
Later...
An old stone of a crypt stood in the middle of the cemeteries. An elegant with ornate decorations of the stone along with an iron-made gate with a broken lock. It took a quite short hike from the road when everyone arrived.
Kol cocked his eyebrow at the burial chamber. "My darling deserves better than that disgustingly small crypt." he blunted, judging harshly at the chamber.
"Now this looks perfect." Lexi approved at the burial chamber which made Kol make a face, silently wondering about her taste in a cemetery.
Bonnie pushed the iron gate inward, stepped inside with a lantern, and made a judging face. "This is creepy, even for us."
Elena walked past Bonnie and carefully put the white box down on the stone bench. Lexi and Ray stepped inside the chamber while observing the interior with neutral curiosity. Kol stands next to Caroline who hasn't been smiling the entire time.
"Lexi has a good idea. Since Caroline was right..." the brunette doppelganger spoke up while opening the box. "...technically, she's dead. You need to say goodbye to your old life, so that you can move on with your new one."
The blonde-haired beauty glanced at each of her friends who gave her a supportive smile. The mischief Original silently fondly poked her forehead. Caroline breathed intake for a brief moment in surprise then released a light chuckle. "...okay." a small smile appeared and carefully removed the fake tiara from her head. She set it aside on the angel statue's hands.
Her blue-green scanned around the chamber for a moment. Her eyes slowly brightened up which caught Kol's attention. "Here lies Caroline Forbes—"
"—cheerleader, Miss Mystic Falls, third-grade hopscotch champion—" Elena interjected with a smile while putting candles in the cake.
Bonnie's lip twitches with a soft smile. "—friend, daughter, overachiever—"
"—sweetest thoughtful and stubborn girl—" Lexi spoke up with sparkles in her hazel-green while leaning on the brick wall with Ray who just smiled.
"Lovely, confident, intelligent, and beautiful both in and out." Kol muttered with tenderness and affection filled in his dark eyes as he stared at his darling vampire.
Elena took out a cake from the box that was full of candles. She stepped forward to Caroline and finished her words. "She was seventeen, and she had a really good life. So rest in peace, so that she can move forward." she held up the cake in front of the blonde-haired beauty who looked touched and happy.
Lexi, Ray, and Bonnie moved forward while Kol lightly touched her hand, sending her shivers by the icy-cold touch. "That's what you really need." the brunette doppelganger added, solemnly. "What we all really need. Amen, or cheers or whatever." she glanced at the tiny witch. "Bonnie?"
The Bennett witch waves her hand over the candles almost lazily and the candles lit up magically. Kol smirked approving of her magic skill, he was glad to see how easy it was for her to use her power almost effortlessly.
"Nice." Lexi praised the tiny witch with a friendly smile. Bonnie thanked her with a smile in response.
Elena carefully moves the cake closer to the blonde-haired beauty. "Make a wish."
Caroline stared at the fires for a few seconds and slowly closed her eyes. Kol silently wondered what kind of wish his darling girl wanted to have come true.
It took a full minute for Caroline to make her silent wish. When she opened her eyes, leaned forward, and extinguished the fires by blowing. Her friends cheered for her and Bonnie went to the box, grabbed paper plates, plastic forks, and a large plastic knife. "Now time for the cake!"
Ray helpfully cut the pieces of cake with a knife and put them on the paper plate. Lexi passed it around to the others. Caroline got her own cake and accepted the plastic fork from Bonnie.
Soon, everyone sits on the bench while eating and chatting inside the burial chamber. Caroline, who is sitting next to Bonnie, plays with the cream with her fork while thinking deeply in her own world. The wild Original leaned against the wall across from his vampire and mentee.
The transparent Original wishes he could see her smile and laugh more on her birthday but he understands. This is her first time to ever truly realize that she will never be age. It's hard for a lot of first-time vampires—even the ones who want to stay forever young.
Lexi excitedly hands over the bottle of tequila to Bonnie however, Elena snatches it from her hand.
"I need it more than you do, trust me." the brunette said when she saw Bonnie's exasperate face. Elena took a good long sip from the tequila and then glanced at Caroline who had been in a daze for a while. "Caroline, you in there?"
Caroline blinked, snapped out of it, and shifted her eyes up at the others. "What? Sorry, did you say something?" she said with an apologetic smile.
"Why aren't you involved? You don't need to sit all quiet and be all so-sober." Elena held up the bottle of tequila to Caroline. "Here. I know how much you love drinking."
Kol frowned in disapproval. He knew for a fact that Caroline was not in the mood to drink alcohol. Luckily, Bonnie is aware of it as well. "Leave her alone, Elena." the petite witch shifted her body, blocking her vampire best friend while staring at the brunette with hardened eyes. "You can't control what everyone does all the time."
Suddenly, intense awkward silence appeared.
"Wow." Elena scoffed, a mix of hurt and offended.
The transparent Original whistled with intrigue.
Lexi raised her eyebrows at her witch friend. "Ouch, Nini." she commented while Ray just silently watched and ate his cake at the same time.
The blonde-haired beauty tilted her head with a confused and worried frown at Bonnie. She knew something had upset the Bennett witch.
"Sorry, I know it's Caroline's birthday, funeral, or whatever but—" Bonnie gently grabbed Caroline's hand as their talismans bracelets shimmered. "—I just feel it's really wrong that you compelled Jeremy to leave town."
Elena put the bottle of tequila down near her boots. "I'm doing it to protect him, Bonnie. I want to give him a chance to have a quiet normal life." she protested.
"He should be able to choose how he wants to live it, you're taking his choices away." Bonnie argued, clearly upset.
"Bonnie, you can't tell him." Elena begged.
The Bennett witch raised her eyebrow at her. "Why? Are you gonna compel me not to?" she sarcastically said.
Kol glanced at the doppelganger and his mentee back and forth with interest. Lexi and Ray exchanged awkward looks and Caroline leaned her shoulder against the petite witch's shoulder, wordlessly offering her comfort.
Bonnie sighed loudly while shaking her head when Elena didn't respond. She turned her head to Caroline and smiled softly at her. "I'm sorry. I'm just gonna go sleep it off or something." she squeezes Caroline's hand with sisterly affection. "Happy birthday, Care-Care." she whispered, then released her hand from Caroline's and stood up.
The Bennett witch grabbed her bag and bid her friendly farewell to Lexi and Ray then walked out of the crypt without a word to Elena.
Silence appeared once again until a voice uttered out.
"More cake?" Lexi asked with faux-innocent smile as she grabbed a white box of cake. Ray's lip twitched as he glanced at his mother who was attempting to break the awkward silence.
Kol snorted humorlessly with dry amused eyes. The blonde-haired beauty put the paper plate with the unfinished cake on the bench next to her. "Umm... I'm going to go for a walk." she stood up and smiled at her friends. "I'll be back." she assures them.
"You sure?" Lexi asked, just to be sure with a worried glint in her eyes.
Caroline nodded and stepped out of the burial chamber to the cold air. Kol quickly followed her.
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Cemetery
The blonde-haired beauty rubbed her arms with her palms while striding in the cemetery. Her breath is visible in the air as she takes in her surroundings. The trees are bare, their branches reaching up towards the sky like skeletal hands. The moon casts an eerie glow across the graveyard, and her shadows seem to dance around her as she continues on her path.
The ground beneath her feet is damp and cold, and she can feel the chill seeping through her shoes. Despite the darkness, she feels strangely at peace. Maybe it's because she has her ghost friend with her. "Kol?" Kol touches her cheek with his featherlike fingertips.
Caroline concealed her shivers by a familiar wintery-touch. A cute smile appeared on her face. "Just checking." she softly joked, even though she knew that he could not put himself distance from her because of his curse.
The transparent Original half-smirked at her with fond eyes.
Unexpectedly, a familiar voice called out. "Caroline?"
Caroline paused, turned her head to her left and was surprised to see Tyler. Kol scowled angrily at the Lockwood hybrid. "Why the bloody hell are you here?" he grumbled.
"Tyler?" the blonde-haired beauty pulled her sweater close to her chest and folded her arms. "What are you doing here?"
The Lockwood hybrid approached her. "I just wanna say happy birthday." Tyler said while shoving his hands in his jacket's pocket. Kol narrowed his eyes at him with suspiciously.
"Oh...thank you." Caroline gave him her weak smile.
Tyler cleared his throat. "Here. I got this for you." he took out a small pouch and gave it to Caroline.
Kol watches his vampire accept the gift not unkindly, untied it, and open the pouch. It was a charm bracelet which surprised her. "It's nice." Caroline said, a bit awkward while examining each of the charms that represented her.
"I can give you a better gift than that." the mischievous Original sniffed, believing that his vampire deserves the best gifts.
The Lockwood hybrid opens his palm out, silently gestures to offer his help for her. "Allow me?" Caroline hesitated for a few seconds and lifted her bare wrist at him. Kol made a sour face while watching the scene in front of him. He wishes he could kick this nasty hybrid's arse.
Tyler unlocked the clasps, and gently put them around her wrist while leaning forward.
"WHAT THE BLOODY FUCK YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU MANGY ARSEHOLE?!" Kol exploded with fury when Tyler rashly bit her wrist. Too angry to even think of trying to use ghost force.
"Ouch!" Caroline shoved Tyler's shoulder away from her with her free hand in pain and jerked her injured wrist close to her while the charm bracelet fell onto the ground. "What the hell?!"
The Lockwood hybrid touches his bloody lips in bewilderment and shock.
"Did you—did you just bite me?" Caroline said, astonished disbelief, betrayed and hurt that Tyler bit her.
Tyler's face turned guilty. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"
The blonde-haired beauty stumbled back, hit the tree, and fell to her backside. Kol rushed to his vampire's side and fretted over her with worry and anger. "Darling! Please!" he watches hopelessly at his vampire who is cradling her bloody wrist closed to her chest.
"Caroline—" Tyler stepped forward however, he paused when Caroline glared coldly at him.
"G-get away from me!" Caroline warned him as her blue-green eyes shifted to red-crimson and fangs emerged. "Get away from me!" she screamed at him, angrily and scared.
The Lockwood hybrid watches her in horror and remorseful. He awkwardly steps back, whirled around, and vamp-speed away through the woods.
Once she was alone, her red-crimson orbs faded to blue-green as her eyelids fluttered rapidly. "K-kol..." her head is starting to feel lightheaded and disoriented. Her vision is slowly blurry while leaning heavily against the hard trunk of a tree.
"I'm here, sweetheart." the transparent Original touches her jawline with his fingertips while inwardly shouting, he couldn't believe this was happening again! Why does it have to be his vampire who is always the target of pain and torture!? Why does it have to be Caroline who is always in danger!? She has been through so much peril ever since she was forced to be introduced into the supernatural society.
Kol silently darkly vowed he would make sure that his vampire was covered with hundreds of protection spells. And then, he will fucking murder that git soon-to-be-dead hybrid.
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Mystic Falls
Cemetery
Moment Later...
"Did Elena actually left?" Lexi uttered with a perplexed frown while squinting her eyes through the darkness of the wood. She and Ray decided to search for the doppelganger and the young vampire. "I thought she was going to find Linnie and bring her back." the dark-blonde vampire said while skipping over the fallen branches.
Ray shrugs his shoulders, unsure while scanning around the surroundings.
They continued searching until they found the blonde-haired beauty. "Linnie!" Lexi cried out in shock. She instantly rushed to slump to Caroline's side. "Oh my God, what happened to you?" the dark-blonde vampire quickly observed the young vampire's appearance.
"L-lexi..." Caroline whispered, tiredly as she blinked very slowly, attempting to see her.
Lexi's hazel-green eyes spotted the injured wrist. Ray lowered down in front of her, reached out, and carefully grabbed Caroline's forearm. "I'm just going to take a look." he assures Caroline, gently while Lexi rubs the blonde-haired beauty's shoulder.
The hybrid's face changed to blank when he recognized the wound. "It's a werewolf bite." he announced, gravely.
"No!" Lexi shakes her head, refusing to believe but she knows Ray is telling the truth. "But how?!"
Ray narrowed his eyes sharply with thoughtfully. "A hybrid did this. I need to figure out who had done this to her."
"Right now, we need to bring her home." Lexi said with worry. "I'll call Nini. Maybe she knows what to do."
The hybrid nodded his head and carefully picked Caroline up in his arms. The blonde-haired beauty whimpered in agony as she curled closer to Ray's chest. Lexi grabbed her phone from her leather jacket's pocket and started to dial a certain witch's phone number. "Let's go!"
Unaware that Kol has been watching the entire time with a blank face yet his fingers are curled tighter into fists at his sides.
Why? Why does this always happen to Caroline?! Kol mused, enraged.
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Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Meanwhile...
Sheriff Forbes smiles warmly while holding the handmade birthday card that was obviously made by Caroline's friends. Liz finally finished her shift and just recently returned. She wanted to spend some time with her birthday daughter.
'I think she will enjoy watching a movie night tonight. Maybe even have a bunch of her favorite junk foods.' she mused, proud yet sad. Her baby girl is growing up so fast. Liz also wondered if her daughter would like her gift.
Suddenly, a voice shouted through the door. "Sheriff Forbes!"
Liz jerked her head to the door when it slammed open. She recognized Lexi who is standing at the doorway with wild worried eyes. "You need to invite Ray in!" she urged the human woman.
"W-what?" Sheriff Forbes doesn't understand what just happened until her blue eyes land on Ray who is carrying Caroline in his arms. "O-oh my God! Caroline!" she ran toward the door. "What happened?!"
Caroline whimpered while tears ran down her cheeks.
"Invite him in, please!" Lexi pleaded.
"O-of course. You may come in." The dark-blonde vampire looked relieved and gently pushed her adopted son inside the house. Ray steps forward to the stairs where Lexi is guiding him to the blonde-haired beauty's bedroom. "Please tell me what happened to my daughter?!"
Lexi glanced at Sheriff Forbes with sympathy and concerned eyes. "A hybrid bit her." Liz's eyes widen in horror.
Soon, Ray arrived in Caroline's bedroom and he placed Caroline on her bed very gently. When Caroline's head touched the pillow, her blue-green eyes were foggy and she lifted her hand to her mother. "Mama." she whined which broke her mother's heart while Lexi covered her mouth with teary eyes.
"Oh, honey. I'm here." Liz grabbed her daughter's hand as she sat on the edge of the bed. Caroline opened her mouth and started apologizing to her which confused the woman. "Shh, there's no need to apologize." she attempts to comfort her daughter, brushing the hair away from Caroline's face.
Lexi turned her teary eyes at her adopted son. "I'm going to talk to him. He is the one with the cure." Ray barely whispered, not wanting to give false hopes for Sheriff Forbes. The dark-blonde vampire nodded her head understanding and watched him leave the room at his super speed.
"I called Nini—Bonnie about this. She is on her way." Lexi informed the human mother softly. Liz nodded her head, acknowledging Lexi's words while staring at her poor daughter.
Caroline closed her eyes while choking in sobbing when her body wracked with pain. Let out a sharp cry when she felt like her heart was being ripped to shreds. Her heart is aching and her body is trembling with anguish. 'Is this what a werewolf bite felt like? It sucks...' she idly mused, trying not to focus on the torture her body is going through.
The blonde-haired beauty's mind went to her ghost friend. "Kol." she whimpered, calling out for him.
"Who's Kol?" Liz turned her puzzled eyes at Lexi who stared at Caroline with a heavy contemplative.
The dark-blonde vampire shifted her gaze to Sheriff Forbes. "...her best friend." then she tilted her head at the door. "Ray is going to talk with Klaus. Hopefully, he will come and cure her. So, let's get the blood bags prepared." Lexi opens her palm at the human with a kind and understanding smile.
Liz is hesitant and Lexi pushed it a bit more. "Bonnie will be here soon so, Linnie—Caroline won't be alone for long." The mother sighed, nodded her head, and pecked her daughter's forehead. She stood up and let Lexi grab her hand and walked out of the bedroom.
Lexi took a last knowing glance at the bed where the blonde-haired beauty was lying. She hopes the ghost boy is taking care of Caroline for a bit. After all, she knew that Kol was important to Caroline.
When they both left Caroline alone. Kol stepped forward with apprehension and fear hit his undead heart. "Darling..." he sat on the edge of the bed near his vampire. He gently touches her wet cheek from tears.
Caroline shivers almost violently. "Kol." she cried weakly.
"You are going to be alright, my sweetheart. You will survive this. I know it." Kol consoled her with soft ice-cold touches.
The blonde-haired beauty opens her misty eyes which are full of wonderstruck. "...I-I heard you. I can hear you, K-kol." she stuttered, amazed and pleasant surprise.
Kol blinked at her, startled by her answer. "Truly?" he asked, reluctantly hopeful. Caroline briefly nods her head. "Blimey!" he blurted it out, astonished shocked yet delighted.
Caroline released a dry chuckle but winced in agony. "...so I w-was right... you do have an acc-accent." she coughed lightly.
"If I recall it correctly, you have a thing for my accent, don't you?" Kol raised his eyebrow at her. "Prepare yourself because I will become so cheeky with you to the point that you'll be so cross." he flirted with a weak smirk while his eyes filled with worry.
The blonde-haired beauty snorted. "W-why am I not surprised that y-you sounded so m-mischievous."
The transparent Original leaned forward close to his lovely vampire. "And your force of nature can handle me, my darling."
Caroline hummed with a fragile smile as her watery eyes were still in pain. Kol moved his fingertips to stroke her cheek to her jawline back and forth in a soothing manner. There is so much he wants to tell things to Caroline, but she is in too much agony and he isn't sure how much longer she will be conscious and aware.
Her breathing started to slow as her chest was almost still. Kol could feel the familiar near-hysteria and dread strike in his undead heart. How many times must he have to watch her close to death door? Just how much longer does he have to be so hopeless and useless to help his loveable sweet girl?
His panic mused was snapped out of it when he heard the running footsteps approaching them. Bonnie halted in the doorway as she was panting heavily while her worried eyes found Caroline. "Oh my God! Care!" the petite witch rushed to her vampire best friend, and slammed her knees on the ground uncaringly the pain while leaning on the side of the bed. "I-I felt the cold. My talisman bracelet, it's cold and it's getting dull before Lexi called me and told me what happened!" Bonnie babbled, distressed.
"B-Bon..." Caroline whispered, lifting her hand which Bonnie immediately grabbed with her hands. "...it hurts. Really hurts." her lips quivered as another tear shed.
Bonnie exhaled a disblieved sigh when her olive-green eyes stared at the bite on Caroline's wrist. "I can't believe this...who did this to you?" she practically demanded as the furious lit in her eyes, shifted from olive-green to emerald dramatically. Caroline just shook her head in response which made Bonnie frown at her.
Kol narrowed his eyes at the blonde-haired beauty. "Even if you won't tell her. I already know who to kill." he hisses, fuming at the thought of a soon-to-be-dead hybrid who had harmed his vampire.
"Kol..." Caroline mumbled, a mix of agony, worry, and slightly scolding in her tone which made the wild Original raise his baffled eyebrow at her while Bonnie blinked in confusion.
"What? Don't you scold me with that kind of tone, darling. That arsehole deserves it!" the wild Original protest.
The blonde-haired beauty huffed weakly. "V-violence is n-not answer."
Kol stared at her blankly. "On the contrary, violence are perfectly good answer. Especially for those who are on my Must-Kill list." he argued, plus he's a fucking Viking. It's in his blood. Being violent is part of him.
"Care?" Bonnie questioned, hesitant with concern. "Is something wrong with Kol?" she attempted to hide her worried tone about her mentor.
Unfortunately for her, Kol caught it and smirked at his mentee. "Aw, you do care about me!" he jokingly said.
"Don't t-tease her." Caroline whispered with a small weak smile.
Bonnie's eyes filled with questions for a brief moment until realization hit her. "Oh my—are you hearing him? Like, actually hearing his sentences?" she whispered in awed and wondered. Caroline weakly nodded her head which made Bonnie's jaw slack in surprise. "How is that possible?" Caroline half-shrugs, unsure.
Unaware that Kol is studying the wound while pondering. Is it because she is near the death door? Or was it because of the bite?
The doorbell rang throughout the house.
A couple of minutes later, Klaus appeared at the doorway of Caroline's bedroom. Kol scowled angrily at his brother while Bonnie jumped up to her feet and protectively stood in front of her vampire best friend. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded with caution.
Klaus cocked his eyebrow at the petite witch with a sly smirk. "I have come bearing a gift for a birthday girl." he surrendered his hands faux-innocently. Kol scoffed while Bonnie's fingers slightly twitched, preparing to use her magic. "You know, any longer you prevent me from giving her my cure, the higher the chance she'll greet the death very soon." Klaus reminded the tiny witch, haughty.
Bonnie and Kol glares furiously at Klaus. The Bennett witch stepped aside but kept her eyes on the Original Hybrid while the wild Original moved away but stayed protectively close to his vampire.
Klaus ambled toward her, glanced down and examined the bite wound on her wrist. "That looks bad. My apologies, you're what's known as collateral damage. It's nothing personal." he ignores Bonnie's heated glares at his head.
"Collateral damage?! One day I will fucking show you what collateral damage is!" the Prince Original snapped, seething while glares hatefully at his brother.
Caroline gulped anxious. "A-are you going to k-kill me?"
"On your birthday? You really think that low of me?" The Original Hybrid said, softly.
"Yes." the blonde-haired beauty replied, without thinking.
"Yes." Kol blunted while glaring at his brother.
Klaus lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed. Kol bristles when his brother gets too close to his vampire. "Not too close bastard!" the transparent Original smacked his brother's head and groaned with frustration that he couldn't physically harm the Original Hybrid.
"Do you want to be healed?" Klaus questioned, neutral curious.
Caroline cocked her eyebrow at him with a bit of sassy. "S-should I die in-instead?" she coughed lightly.
Amusement sparkles in his blue eyes. "If that's what you want." he leaned forward with a smirk. "You're too close!" Klaus opens his mouth. "If you really believe your existence has no meaning. I thought about it myself, once or twice over the centuries, truth will be told. But I'll let you in on a little secret. There is a whole world out there, waiting for you. Great cities and art and music, genuine beauty. And you can have all of it. You can have a thousand more birthdays. All you have to do is ask."
Kol stares at Klaus with the most flabbergasted and astonished look. "What the bloody hell are you playing, Nik?" he questioned, suspicious.
Caroline stares at the blue eyes for a moment. She thought about the future. Her future. There are so many things she wants to do. Her mind went to the wish she made before she blew her birthday/funeral cake. Caroline had wished for her future to be filled with love, happiness, success, and joy. She wished for a life full of adventure and passion, for the strength to stand strong in the face of challenges, and for the courage to take risks and create something amazing. She wished for enough money to live comfortably and pursue her dreams, for meaningful friendships and relationships, and for wisdom to be kind and generous. She wished for the opportunity to give back to her community, to help those in need, and to make a positive difference in the world.
She did make herself a promise that she would work hard and do her best to make her dreams come true. And to do all those things that she wished for, was to have important people stay by her side. Especially with Bonnie, her mom, Lexi, Lee, Elena, and others who she treasures in her life. And most of all, she wants to have a future with a certain mischief Original with her.
The strong resolve gleams in her blue-green eyes, making them so beautifully bright that nearly made Klaus intrigued. "I d-don't want to die." Caroline has so much to do in her life and what she wants to do in her future.
Klaus offered his wrist toward her lips before he helpfully lifted her weak head. "There you go, sweetheart. Have at it." Caroline leaned forward and opened her mouth as her fangs emerged and bit into the Original Hybrid's wrist. "Happy birthday, Caroline."
Kol doesn't know why but he has a bad feeling about this as he narrows his mistrustfulness toward his brother who is uncharacteristically too gentle to Caroline.
.
.
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Forbes' Residence
Outdoor
The Original Hybrid sauntered out of the Forbes' house with a confident smirk on his face. He adjusted the sleeve to cover his healing wrist. He descended the stairs but paused when he saw Lexi who was standing next to Ray in the front yard. "Well, if it isn't lovely Lexi." Klaus greeted the dark-blonde vampire.
Lexi lifted her chin, bravely with a determined glint in her hazel-green eyes. "I would like to talk with you." she went straight to the point.
Klaus strode down the path to the sidewalk while causal hummed. "That is right. Ray told me you wished to have a talk with me about your sick werewolf." he said, coolly.
"Yes. His name is Mason Lockwood." Lexi replied, cautious as she didn't want to ruin any chance for her werewolf friend if he could finally be healed.
The Original Hybrid paused and turned his head to her with an attentive and interested glint in his blue eyes. "Lockwood, you say?" Lexi nodded her head. A wide smirk displayed on his face. "Please, allow me to guide you to somewhere more private and comfortable." he is interested to learn more about this werewolf Lockwood.
Lexi glanced at her adopted son who gave her a supportive look. Ray wordlessly lets her know that she won't be alone with the infamous Original Hybrid.
"Ray, of course, will join us." Klaus added with a knowing smirk. He is very aware of how protective his Second-in-Command was to his mother.
It's very natural for a child to be protective of their parents, after all.
.
.
.
Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Caroline's Bedroom
Early Morning...
The golden of ray sunlight shines through the window as the sun is just beginning to rise, and the sky is painted with a beautiful mix of colors red, orange, and pink. The birds are singing their morning songs from the trees outside. Near the window, is the transparent Original who has been watching over his girls for any danger as their silent guardian.
Caroline and Bonnie are both hugging in their sleep on the bed. There are dried tears on Bonnie's cheeks as her arms wrap around Caroline's waist. Kol watched quietly last night after he witnessed Bonnie burst out in tears of relief when Caroline was fully healed just a couple of minutes after Klaus left.
The Bennett witch just climbed onto the bed and hugged the blonde-haired beauty tightly for hours. Caroline, still weak at that time, tried her best to return the hug as well. It had really scared Bonnie so badly that she thought she was going to lose her best friend.
Kol knew that Bonnie was not going anywhere without Caroline anytime soon. And the blonde-haired beauty wouldn't mind because she loves Bonnie with all her heart and soul. After all, his girls are sisters in all but blood.
The soft hummed which catches his attention as his dark eyes dart to his vampire. Caroline slowly drifts out of her peaceful slumber as she can feel the warmth of the morning light on her face. Her eyes fluttered open to reveal her bright blue-green eyes.
"Darling." the Prince Original immediately went to her side and hungrily observed her healthy and alive appearance. His undead heart filled with relief.
Caroline perked up when she heard her ghost friend. "Kol." a lovely smile breaks on her face, excited that she can still hear him.
"You can hear me?" Kol didn't want to have his hopes up just in case it was a fluke. However, he is happy to be wrong when Caroline nods her head.
"Every word." Caroline beamed and Kol released a disbelief chuckle from his lips. He can finally communicate with his darling vampire.
Then the door opens which catches the vampires' attention.
Kol's eyes instantly dart sharply at the intruder but relax when it is only Liz. The mother smiles warmly at her daughter who is awake while Bonnie is sleeping. The Sheriff of the Mystic Falls tip-toed to the bed. "How are you feeling?" she asked, concerned.
"Much better." Caroline assured her mother who sighed with relief.
Sheriff Forbes pecked her daughter's temple. "That's wonderful." then she smiles with maternal love shining in her eyes. "I have to leave for my early shift." Caroline nodded her head, at least she wouldn't be alone because she had Kol and Bonnie. "And here, this was found in the mailbox."
Caroline accepted the object when her mother handed it to her. "I will see you later, okay? I love you."
"Love you too, mom." the blonde-haired beauty watches her mother leave the room quietly and shut the door behind her. Then her blue-green eyes glanced at the object with careful examination—it was a little navy-blue rectangular velvet-covered box with a white ribbon bow.
"What's that?" Bonnie tiredly muttered as she lifted her head yet her eyes were still closed. Caroline and Kol glanced at her with amusement.
The blonde-haired beauty pushed herself up into a sitting position while Bonnie released her arms from Caroline's waist. The Bennett witch mumbled under her breath but shifted her body to sit up as well. Bonnie wipes her sleeping eyes and opens halfway while scanning around the bedroom out of protective instinct to make sure they are safe.
Satisfied, the petite witch turned her gaze to the mystery box in Caroline's hands. "A gift?" she guessed it.
Caroline just shrugs yet there is curiousity sparkles in her eyes. She untied the bow and noted that there was a white card lying on the box underneath the bow. Caroline flipped the small note and read aloud. "From Klaus." Bonnie raised her perplexed eyebrow while Kol stiffened, not liking where this was going.
The blonde-haired beauty carefully opens the box and gasps in shock while Bonnie's eyes are wide speechless. Inside the box, is a beautiful and expensive silver-gold bracelet with diamonds.
"Oh, hell fucking no!" Kol snapped, fully aware of what his stupid paranoid bastard brother was planning to do. "Not my vampire, you bloody tosser!"
There is absolutely no fucking way is he going to let Niklaus take Caroline from him!
Caroline flinched in surprise at hearing her ghost friend's angry words. Bonnie frowns at her. "What is it?"
"Kol is pissed." the blonde-haired beauty stated, both bewildered and perplexed. Her blue-green eyes glanced at her witch best friend. "Like, really pissed."
Bonnie's eyebrows furrowed, thinking. "Is it because of this?" she waved her hand over at the diamond bracelet.
"Yes!" Kol scowled angrily as he darkly glared at the jewelry. It was a pre-courting gift. His brother is thinking about getting to know Caroline before Klaus officially court the blonde-haired beauty. However, Kol will not let anyone, included his brother, to steal Caroline's heart.
Her heart is his to take, to hold and to love. No one else.