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bellaxgiornata · 1 year

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Falling For the Devil [Part thirty-four: "The Ex Encounter"]

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Fem!Reader

Summary: Your Sunday morning coffee date certainly doesn’t start off as you’d planned.

An uncomfortable run-in with an ex causes tension between you and Matt.

[Series of one-shots about Reader meeting, falling for, and dating Matt Murdock.]

Warnings: 18+ for this series; contains humor, fluff, romance, angst, smut (like...a lot of it later in the series), language, some violence

Word Count: 3.1k

a/n: This is a light angst installment, friends! Who's ex do we run into? Read and find out! You can find the list of all of these installments on tumblr here as well! Enjoy!

The smell of freshly roasted and ground coffee beans surrounded you as you waited in line at the coffee shop. Hands fidgeting with your purse strap, you glanced down at your pocket. For a moment you debated on not checking your phone and just continuing to wait, but then your overthinking mind forced you to slip your phone out of your pocket and glance at the screen. No calls or messages from Matt still. You sighed, slipping the phone back into your pocket. He was supposed to have been here ten minutes ago to meet you, but you figured you’d give him a little longer before trying to call him. Maybe his alarm wasn’t set for this morning or he’d gotten slowed down by the mid-morning foot traffic.

Absently, you chewed your thumbnail as you stared vacantly ahead, beginning to wonder how many minutes you had spent standing in lines ever since you’d moved to Hell’s Kitchen. The number was probably something that would leave you appalled. Then you began curiously people-watching the coffee shop patrons seated at the tables. A few were here in groups or pairs, but even for it being a Sunday morning, a handful of people were alone at a table staring at a laptop screen or typing furiously on a phone.

With a sigh, your mind began to drift as the line moved forward, wondering what was taking Matt so long. Usually he was the one who arrived ahead of time for your coffee dates. You found yourself internally contemplating calling him–how early would be too early to check in with him?

Gnawing on the inside of your cheek, you slipped your phone out of your pocket again. He was fifteen minutes late now. And there still were no messages or calls from him. Shoulders sagging, you pulled up your contacts and searched for Matt’s name, but abruptly halted, brows furrowing when you swore you heard someone calling your name behind you. And then you heard it again–your full name. Confused, your hand lowered as you spun around behind you towards the voice.

Your eyes instantly grew wide. It was your ex, the guy you’d dated shortly after you’d moved to Hell’s Kitchen a couple of years ago. You had met him at another coffee shop quite a few blocks over–one you intentionally had steered clear of after your breakup to avoid an awkward, emotional run in with him. Eventually you’d found other coffee shops you preferred, including this one, and you’d forgotten all about the one that had always been his go-to spot.

But now, there he was, staring at you with a warm, familiar smile on his face as he gazed down at you. You awkwardly smiled back, greeting him politely in return.

"It's been so long since I've seen you!" he exclaimed. "What, like almost two years now?"

Nervously you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and nodded, shooting him a tight lipped smile. "Yeah, uh, something like that I guess?" you answered.

Honestly, after you'd gone through your usual breakup routine–crying a lot, drinking a little, binging some really bad television–you'd moved on. And then ran into Matt a little while later and spent a year pining over him before somehow dating him.

"You still work at The Bulletin, right?" he asked. "I often read your articles. They're amazing. You've always been a great writer."

You followed the line forward, now the next in line to order. And you were still wondering where the hell Matt was. "Uh, yeah, still there," you told him. "Didn't work my ass off all that time to just leave it," you half-joked.

Your ex laughed. Hard. As if somehow what you'd said was far funnier than it was. Your eyes narrowed suspiciously at him.

"Yeah," he said when he recovered, nodding. "I remember how much you were always out chasing stories. Sort of was our downfall, huh?"

"Yeah," you agreed, smiling a little awkwardly.

Discussing the cause of a breakup with an ex unexpectedly years later was certainly strange and a little weird. And also not particularly how you planned to spend your Sunday morning.

Turning back around, the woman before you finished ordering and stepped aside. You greeted the barista and quickly ordered your and Matt’s lattes. You figured you could grab the coffees and a table and call Matt if he still hadn’t shown yet. After you paid, you stepped out of the way, glancing back down at your phone in your hand as you waited for your order. Still nothing from Matt as you looked at the screen.

With a rough exhale you pocketed your phone, attention focusing on the baristas behind the counter making various coffees. A moment later something caught your eye out of your peripheral. It was your ex; he’d come to stand beside you, waiting for his order, too. He smiled down at you again when you glanced at him. Internally you cringed–you did not feel like playing catch up with your ex.

“You won that Pelman Award recently, didn’t you?” he asked.

You nodded your head, eyes returning to your drinks being made. “Yeah, I did,” you replied.

He lightly nudged your arm with his hand, your eyes drawn to the place where he’d touched you. You stared at it for a moment, wondering what the hell that was about.

“Congratulations, that’s a big deal, isn’t it?” he questioned.

“Uh, yeah, it is. Thank you,” you replied, eyes slowly making their way back up to his face.

“Hey so,” your ex began, his tone changing a bit as he leaned a little closer, “I was wondering if maybe you’d want to grab coffee sometime? Like we used to?” He laughed lightly, shooting you a smile as he shrugged a shoulder. “Feels sort of like fate bringing us back together over coffee, right?”

The barista behind the counter called out your order and you gratefully spun on your heel, grabbing both cups of hot coffees in your hands. This was uncomfortable and you desperately wanted to find a way out of the entire situation. Gathering your courage, you turned back to face your ex with a tight smile, both coffees in hand.

“I’m actually seeing someone,” you told him, watching as his smile fell. “Have been for a bit. I’m waiting for him to show up–” your ears caught the sound of Matt’s cane and you internally screamed in delight as you glanced towards the coffee shop entrance to find him standing there with a slight frown, “–and he actually just got here.” You cleared your throat awkwardly, trying to figure out how to run away from this uncomfortable situation faster. “So uh…have a good day?”

Cringing at how weird that was, you quickly made your way around the line and over towards Matt who was waiting by the entrance. Of course you knew he knew exactly where you were, but for the pretense that he was just a blind man without extra senses, he was pretending to be waiting for you to approach him.

“Hey, Matt,” you greeted him brightly despite the sour look on his face. “Already got your coffee. Should we grab a table?”

“Sure, sweetheart,” he said, tone a bit off.

You frowned but offered him your arm which he quickly grabbed. Without a glance towards your ex, you led Matt through the shop towards a vacant table near the window. You set the coffees down as Matt pulled out a chair.

“So what was the delay this morning?” you asked curiously, lowering yourself into the chair across from him. “Normally you’re here before me.”

“My watch broke,” he said.

You slapped a hand to your forehead remembering how he’d told you about that the other day. He’d been in a rush to get into his Daredevil suit and completely forgot to take it off. Someone had smashed it with a broken pipe under his suit–and you weren’t too thrilled to be picturing someone hitting your Matt with a broken pipe when he’d told you.

“Couldn’t find my phone for a bit to figure out what time it was. I apologize,” he finished stiffly.

“No need to apologize, Matt,” you said quickly. “I was just wondering. I almost called you–”

“But then you got distracted,” he cut in, tone slightly bitter.

Eyes narrowing at him, you tilted your head curiously to the side. He was still frowning a little beneath the dark lenses, his lips thinned a bit. As he brought his coffee to his mouth, you saw one of his fingers tapping rapidly along the wood table. He also wasn’t quite looking in your direction. Which meant Matt was…frustrated? You knew him well enough to usually gauge his body language–or rather, you’d stared at him enough over the year and a half you’d known him to be able to gauge it.

“Something else happen this morning?” you asked nervously. “You seem…upset.”

His jaw tightened noticeably, one of his hands rubbing along his forehead roughly. His finger was still tapping anxiously along the table beside his coffee cup.

"Maybe you should be with someone like him," he muttered.

Matt's voice was so quiet you had to strain to hear him over the noise in the coffee shop. Your brows drew together as confusion washed over you once you’d registered what he did say. You also felt a jolt of nerves shoot through your body immediately after.

"What?" you asked him carefully. "What are you talking about?"

"Your ex," he answered simply.

Your mouth opened and closed a few times, brain trying to catch up to what Matt was saying. He must have overheard that entire interaction with your ex. Immediately you shook your head, pushing your coffee out of the way and leaning forward towards Matt across the table. His covered gaze was still focused away from you, the muscle in his cheeks twitching.

“Matt, I wasn’t flirting with my ex if that’s what you’re thinking,” you told him earnestly. “That was an incredibly uncomfortable and unfortunate encounter. I haven’t even thought about that guy in years.”

“Judging by the fact that I can practically feel him staring at you still,” Matt ground out, “I’d say he’s definitely thought about you.”

You opened your mouth, about to respond with a comment about how you couldn’t control what your ex did or didn’t do, but then quickly shut your mouth again. This wasn’t like Matt. You’d seen him jealous before, that night when you’d been hit on at Josie’s and you’d been far more cordial to that guy than you’d just been to your ex. Matt had practically wanted to fuck you in the hallway in front of the bathrooms because of it, not give you the cold shoulder. No, he was acting weirder. Angrier.

But the anger wasn’t at you, was it?

“This…isn’t really about my ex, is it?” you asked hesitantly.

“What do you mean?” he questioned back, his focus shifting to his coffee cup.

“You’re angry,” you answered him slowly. “Or frustrated. And you’re taking it out on me but you’re not actually mad at me, are you?” Licking your lips nervously, fingers drumming along your own coffee cup, you recalled what he’d just said about how you should be with ‘someone like him.’ Leaning forward a bit more, you whispered, “Did…me running into my ex dredge up all those fears I know you have about me leaving you?”

He flinched, gaze still focused downwards. Your face fell as he remained silent. Clearly that was a yes. Sliding your hands across the wooden table, you grasped onto his own hands firmly.

“Matty,” you whispered, “stop whatever self-deprecating train of thoughts that are going through your mind right now. Focus on me.” The corner of his lip twitched further downward as you continued. “Hey, I love you. I’m not going to leave you and–”

“But maybe you deserve someone who can handle shopping at a grocery store without having to wear noise-reducing ear plugs,” he cut you off, his tone still bitter. “Or someone who can catch a flight to Chicago when you visit your family for the holidays. Or doesn’t lose track of time and end up leaving you waiting for them because they’re blind and their options of telling time are so limited. Someone who isn’t out at night doing what I do and making you worry.”

Your jaw dropped as you blinked rapidly, trying to process everything he'd just thrown at you. "Matt, what–"

"You deserve better than me," he said sharply. "Someone normal who leads a normal life." His jaw tightened visibly. "It's only a matter of time before you realize it," he muttered.

Eyes narrowing, you squeezed his hands a bit harder. “I deserve someone who makes me happy,” you countered firmly. “Someone who loves me and treats me with respect. Someone who challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and knows how to make me comfortable enough to do so.” You leaned forward onto your elbows, drawing his hands towards you. “And I already have that with the compassionate, intelligent man sitting across from me right now, the same man I spent a year daydreaming about asking me on a date. Even after discovering your nighttime hobby of Rooftop Surfing.”

His head shifted just a bit, his covered gaze rising from the table towards you finally. The corner of his lip twitched again, though this time faintly upwards at yet another ridiculous name you’d come up with for what he did.

“I don’t care that your senses make certain situations difficult other than the fact that I hate how difficult those situations are for you,” you continued earnestly. “I wish I could find ways to make things easier for you. But Matt, I don’t mind that you have to wear noise-reducing ear plugs to make some places more bearable–that’s why I got them for you in the first place. And I don’t care if I can’t really ever fly in a plane again–personally I hate flying. I’m looking forward to our little winter road trip to Chicago for Christmas,” you admitted. There was a sting of tears in your eyes as you barreled forward. “And I’m sorry things in this world aren’t more accessible and functional for you, like clocks, for example–but I don’t have an issue with any of your senses, heightened or otherwise.” Your hands gripped Matt’s tighter as the words continued to spill out of you. “Yes, I worry about you when you go out at night, but you’re a goddamn superhero ,” you harshly whispered. “What you do is incredible. You are incredible. And you’re–you’re–” you paused, biting your lip, your heart thumping heavily in your chest, “–you’re like my other half, Matty,” you whispered nervously.

His hands squeezed yours back instantly at the admission, the expression on his face completely changing in the blink of an eye to something far softer. “Sweetheart–”

“So don’t,” you continued, shaking your head roughly, “do that thing where you try to tell me what you think is good for me, Matt. Don’t try to push me away because you’re over here tearing yourself down and thinking you’re some sort of burden, or that you’re not good enough, or that you’re bringing me down. Because Matthew Michael Murdock all you’ve ever done is help raise me up since the night I met you. And I have never once regretted staying for that drink despite how fucking embarrassed and nervous I was that whole night. Not a number far enough away from one, right? We’ve always said that for a reason.”

Breathing a bit heavily, you quickly turned your head, brushing your cheek against your shoulder to wipe away a stray tear that had fallen in the heat of the moment so you wouldn’t have to release your death grip on Matt’s hands. When you focused back on him before you, there was a smile on his mouth that was only getting wider by the second. After a few moments of him just silently staring back at you with a massive smile on his face, you began to feel a little self-conscious about the long-winded rant you’d just gone on and heat rose up to your cheeks.

“What?” you asked him nervously.

“I was just thinking,” he answered slowly, leaning towards you, “about how I owe Katy a lifetime supply of those yogurts she likes for forcing you into that uncomfortable situation.”

You snorted out a laugh, Matt’s warm chuckle accompanying the sound. He leaned even further across the table towards you, the smile still on his lips as he managed to untangle his right hand from your firm hold. Immediately he grabbed your chin, drawing you towards him.

“Don’t you dare think I’m not going to kiss you for saying all of that, either,” he murmured.

Your eyes closed just before his lips landed on yours. For a long moment you forgot that the pair of you were sitting in a busy coffee shop. All you could focus on was the faint taste of his usual vanilla latte on those perfect lips and how much you loved the feel of them every time they were kissing yours with so much love.

When he finally pulled back, his mouth rose just a fraction, placing a gentle kiss to the tip of your nose that had you briefly giggling. His lips remained curled up in a smile as he sat back in his chair. And as you sat back in your own seat, drawing your coffee cup to your lips, you decided you never wanted to have a coffee date with anyone else ever again. You wanted Matt to forever be your coffee date.

Instantly your heart sped up at that thought, your mouth going dry despite the sip of coffee you’d just drank. From across the table, Matt’s head very slowly tilted to the side as he studied you curiously behind his own cup of coffee.

“What was that spike in your heart rate for?” he asked softly.

Trying to wet your lips, you shyly answered, “Just thinking about how much you mean to me.”

He smiled again, that little dimple returning to his cheek. “I love you, sweetheart,” he said, giving your other still entwined hands an affectionate squeeze.

“I love you, too, Matty,” you quickly replied.

But your heart only beat a bit more wildly in your chest, Matt’s covered gaze dropping down towards it curiously.

“Now I’m wondering exactly what you’re thinking about,” he mused quietly.

“And I’m sure glad you don’t have mind-reading abilities,” you teased back with a nervous laugh.

Because you sure as shit weren’t going to tell him you’d just now started mentally sounding out how your first name sounded with his last name.

#matt murdock x reader #matt murdock x you #matt murdock x fem reader #matt murdock series #matt murdock fic #matt murdock fanfic #daredevil x female reader #fftd #matt murdock angst

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dontbeallupinmyfriesdawg · 7 years

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Ooh I've got a cute idea. What about a little reunion between Caroline, Bonnie, Elena, Tyler and Matt, a few years after TVD and they're all alive and happy and talk about their relationships (KC, KB, Stelena back together, Liz is revived and Matt can either be with Bekah or a human OC). Elena could be a writer and someone could be engaged... I just want all my babies to be safe and happy and for my ships to live.

A/N: A thousand apologies to the person who sent me this prompt ages ago. This is pure and beautiful and I’m honoured you sent it to me. I’ve just had so many exams and I only got around to writing this. I hope I’ve done your vision justice.

*For argument’s sake were gonna say that Klaus didn’t kill Tyler’s mom. Just the hybrids.

Thank you @purestheartslove for being my beta.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it!” Caroline exclaimed happily, nearly over-pouring Tyler’s glass of champagne in her excitement.

“Well your invitation was both heartwarming and semi-threatening so it wasn’t like we could say no,” Tyler teased, earning him a half glare from Caroline.

“All that matters is that you’re here,” she chided him. Raising her voice over the buzz of chatter in the living room. “Not my methods,”

“‘Car’s parked,” Both of them turned at the sound of Liv’s voice behind them. “What did I miss?”

“Caroline has alcohol as promised on the fancy invites,” Tyler smirked, looping his arm around Liv’s waist as she drew closer.

Caroline smiled softly at the couple. Thinking back to years ago, nearly a decade now. After she and Tyler had ended things and they were still raw and uncomfortable between them, he’d broken her heart and she’d shattered his in return. Never in a million years did Caroline think she’d be able to talk and joke amiably with him in her living room - the in the house she shared with Klaus no less.

They had both moved on and were living happy lives with other people, whom they respectively adored. Caroline had always inwardly taken pride in the fact, that she’d had a hand in bringing Tyler and Liv back together.

Despite what Tyler claimed.

Okay so, maybe it had had something to do with the fact that Liv’s brother had risen from the dead, hell bent on making Jo’s big day the wedding from hell and threatened everyone’s lives but somewhere along the lines, Caroline was certain Tyler had caught her memo about being adults and talking through his problems. So she afforded herself a pat on the back all the same.

After both reapplying to Whitmore and graduating, Tyler and Liv had decided to New York. They’d also decided to elope. Liv detested any sort of large scale function that involved her whole family - especially after the last time - and Tyler equally hated any kind of fuss and frills so, of course, it had seemed like the obvious solution.

Caroline had been thrilled for them, despite the party planner inside of her mourning the missed opportunity of arranging a spectacular ceremony.

At the mention of alcohol, Liv’s face perked up with interest.

“Good, I hope it’s something strong. That plane ride was hellish,”

“Just champagne,” Caroline replied, holding up the bottle and shaking her head. “How bad are we talking?”

“Try the fact that we were trapped between this sweaty-ass guy, who weighed about 300 pounds and a newborn that spent the entire flight screaming its ass off,”

“I got the screaming baby,” Tyler interjected, smiling humorlessly.

“If that wasn’t enough, our pilot decided to fly us through a tornado,” Liv deadpanned.

“The turbulence wasn’t that bad,” said Tyler, taking a swig of champagne. “She’s being dramatic,”

“Psssh, that’s easy for you to say. You, we’re snoring like crazy through the entire flight,”

“I didn’t snore!” Tyler protested.

Liv snorted.

“Why do you think the baby was crying?”

“Okay, well, drinks will help! Strong ones.” Caroline said, cutting into the couple’s playful bickering. “I think I have something better than this in the kitchen, I’ll be right back,”

“Oh by the way!” she added turning back around. “Is Luke coming?”

Liv chuckled and rolled her eyes.

“Luke is with his new fitness instructor boyfriend in The Cayman Islands- But he sends his best.”

Caroline nodded and headed out of the room, leaving Liv and Tyler to continue their spirited debate about who had the worse experience on the plane.

She wagered that antisocial hybrid of hers would be in their kitchen somewhere; lurking about, attempting to hide from what he described as a deplorable mixture of his relatives and Caroline’s friends. No doubt, he’d gotten through half their supply of bourbon already, Caroline mentally decided to stake him if he’d ignored her instructions and opened the good scotch she had been saving for the toast.

A smile formed on her face, as Caroline drew closer to the kitchen and she could distinctly hear the deep undertones of Stefan’s voice mingled with Klaus’ raucous laughter.

“You’d better not be up to no good in here,” Caroline called out, rounding the corner and coming face to face with a smirking Klaus and a slightly guilty looking Stefan.

“Are we ever, sweetheart?” Klaus grinned, knocking back the glass of brown liquid in his hands.

Seeing Caroline’s intent stare Klaus grabbed the near empty bottle of 1978 brandy from behind and showed it to her.

“Worry not love, it isn’t the good stuff I promise,” He strolled over to where she stood and placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead.

“I was just making sure our old friend had something substantial to drink while the two of us caught up.”

At the mention of Stefan, Caroline turned and flashed him an apologetic look.

“I am so sorry I haven’t had time to catch up with you and Elena since you arrived, I’ve just been so busy trying to get everybody comfortable that I just completely spaced. You guys must think I’m so rude-”

“Care, Care, slow down okay?” Stefan interjected. “Nobody thinks you’re rude, I’m sure it’s not easy playing hostess, especially to a bunch of vampires.”

“Ugh, you have no idea,” Caroline said, slumping down into one of the stools by the counter. “Where is Elena, anyway?”

“Uh, the last time I saw her she took off to go find Matt. Probably to grill him about his new sweetheart,” Stefan answered, taking a sip of his drink.

“Ooh, have you met her yet?”

“No, but considering we’ll only be able to see her two, maybe three more times before she gets suspicious that none of us are ageing, I’d better do it while I can.”

Caroline shrugged. “So we’ll compel her not to notice,” Noticing the pointed look Stefan was giving her she added. “With Matt’s permission… obviously.”

Klaus, who was rummaging around in the fridge for another bottle, laughed at that, prompting Caroline to glare at his muscular back.

“So how are you and Elena doing?” Caroline asked, changing the subject swiftly. “I hear her books doing well.”

“Number 1 New York times best seller,” Stefan replied, beaming proudly.

As Caroline had predicted, Elena saw sense and gave up on her ‘dream of becoming a new-age Meredith Grey, instead reverting back to her first love; writing. Under the pseudonym L.J Smith, Elena had released the summer’s hottest teen novel ‘The Vampire Diaries’. The story of Helen, a teenage girl struggling with the knowledge that vampires exist, while attempting to juggle school, family and love.

Was it predictable? Yes. But Caroline had to admit, Elena was a good novelist. In fact, she’d purchased a copy out of pure curiosity and found herself completely hooked and anticipating the next instalment, which Elena (or L.J) had promised would be released in the Fall. Caroline’s favourite character in so far had to be Carrie, Helen’s blonde, tenacious, fearless, best friend who reminded her of a certain someone. Although Klaus was less than impressed when informed of one of the story’s main villains, Nikolaj. A fearsome vampire hybrid, who could turn into a fire breathing dragon at will.

Caroline, needless to say had found that particular part hilarious.

“I haven’t had a chance to congratulate Elena in person,” Caroline mused, pouring the remaining bit of champagne in her hands into a glass.

“Hmm, yes nor have I,” Klaus interjected closing fridge. “Especially considering all the suggestions I have for Elena’s next book.”

Caroline turned and shot Klaus a warning glare as Stefan snorted in amusement.

“Well I’d love to sit here all afternoon and chat but I have a party to host,” Caroline said, swinging her legs off the stool and sweeping her hair out of her shoulders, exposing the diamond earrings Klaus had purchased for her birthday to the fluorescent light of the kitchen.

“And also the hostess with the mostess needs to tinkle so-”

“Okay, well we’re glad you invited us Care,” Stefan said coming towards her for a hug. “Hopefully you and Elena see each other at some point she’s been dying to catch up with you,” he hummed placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Hmm I hope so too,” Caroline smiled pulling back. “Hey, keep him in line the rest of the evening for me okay?” she asked pointing over to Klaus.

Stefan glanced at him over his shoulder and laughed.

“I’ll do my best.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

As Caroline headed up the stairs, she idly wondered if it was time to change the wallpaper in the foyer. Coming to a stop at the top, she frowned, hearing voices from the bathroom.

“Hello?” Caroline called out in confusion.

The voices stopped abruptly and then to Caroline’s surprise Bonnie emerged from the bathroom.

“Bonnie! Oh my gosh. When did you get here? Where have you been? I’ve been texting you, Bonnie!-” Caroline half chastised, half squealed pulling Bonnie into a tight hug.

“Oh!- Wow, hey Care. Yeah, I know I’m so sorry. I got here and I needed to freshen up so I just went straight to the bathroom,” Bonnie said, hurriedly attempting to answer all of Caroline’s questions.

“I’m so glad you came!” Caroline exclaimed, proceeding to hug the life out of her best friend.

“Are you kidding, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” Bonnie beamed, easing herself out of the hug.

“So where is he?” Caroline asked, a knowing glint in her eyes.

“Where is who?” Bonnie asked, shifting slightly on the spot, a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Kol, obviously,” Caroline said. “I know he’s here, he told Klaus on the phone last night he would be, he also said something about us preparing to have our entire liquor supply drained.”

“Mmm, well… you know Kol,” Bonnie chuckled, nervously rubbing the back of her neck.

“Bonnie are you okay?” Caroline asked, eyeing her, the tone of her voice shifting into one of concern. “You look weird.”

“Jetlag,” she replied quickly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, definitely- uh, do you wanna go downstairs and get a drink?”

Before Caroline could answer a voice sounded from the other side of the bathroom door.

“Does that mean I can come out of here now?”

“Kol!?” Caroline said incredulously. Bonnie winced as she turned to look at her.

“What is he doing in there wh- what were you doing in there Kol?” Caroline demanded as Kol pushed open the door. Inexplicably, Caroline’s eyes were immediately drawn to the zipper on Kol’s jeans he was frantically attempting to do up as he emerged from the bathroom.

Only then did Caroline take notice of Bonnie’s rather dishevelled appearance; Caroline’s eyes darted between them and the widened in shock at the realisation.

“Were the two of you in there…. doing it, in my bathroom?!”

Judging by the smug look on Kol’s face and how embarrassed Bonnie looked in comparison, Caroline knew she had her answer.

“Seriously!?”

“I’m sorry, we got carried away, we’re sorry aren’t we Kol?” Bonnie insisted, elbowing a very un-sorry looking Kol in the chest.

“Ow! Bloody hell, fine I’m sorry. I promise Bonnie and I will replace everything we broke during our rampant love-making.”

“You’ll do what!?”

“Kol!” Bonnie shouted, scandalized.

“What’s all the screaming about up there?” A shrill voice demanded from the bottom of the steps.

Rebekah’s long legs, encased in a pair of ten-inch heels came into view. Looking up at the three of them with an unimpressed look she held up an empty bottle.

“You’re out of champagne Caroline. If I can’t drink I’ll be forced to socialise which if I remember correctly you insisted I didn’t do.”

“And I still am.” Caroline deadpanned, throwing Kol and Bonnie one last disparaging look before heading down the stairs, pointing her index finger at them threateningly. “I’ll deal with you two later.”

“Really?” Bonnie hissed at Kol, “You couldn’t have stayed in there three more seconds!?”

“What can I say,” he shrugged mischievously. “I like to make an entrance. Besides you weren’t complaining while we were in there.”

“Where’s your useless boyfriend,” Caroline asked Rebekah. “I sent him to get more drinks ages ago.”

“Honestly Caroline, if the responsibility of hosting is too much for you, perhaps you ought to leave this sort of thing up to the professionals.” Rebekah sang-song patronisingly.

“Oh, and that would be you I suppose.” she said dryly, eyebrows raised slightly.

“All I’m saying is, at my parties the guests are never dying of thirst.”

“At your parties, you compel a bunch of people to do all the work for you,” Caroline fired back.

Before Rebekah could fire a response the door was flung open and Enzo walked in holding ice and a large crate in his hands.

“Champagne on ice, just as her majesty ordered.” he quipped.

“Yeah, well, ‘her majesty’ ordered it about an hour ago so good job,” Caroline answered sarcastically.

“Lorenzo I could murder you,” Rebekah grumbled.

“Wonderful,” Enzo said. “Between the time I left and now, I’ve somehow managed to anger both of you.”

“You left me here, for God knows how long, with Caroline’s insipid guests-”

“-Don’t insult my guests!” Caroline gritted out.

“Women eh?” Kol interjected, strolling nonchalantly down the stairs. “There’s no pleasing them.”

“For my own safety, I’m not answering that,” Enzo replied as the two men shared a conspiratorial grin.

“I have other guests,” Caroline said, exasperated. “Enzo put that in the kitchen, Bonnie keep Kol away from people and Rebekah-”

Caroline angled her head towards the blonde original, her voice on edge and demanding. “-A smile wouldn’t kill you.”

______________________________________________________________________________

“Oh my goodness it’s beautiful!” Caroline squealed admiring the sparkling engagement ring, encased in a red velvet box in Matt’s hand.

“D’you think she’ll like it?” Matt asked, referring to a petite, honey blonde women in the middle of the room, making small talk with some of the other guests.

“I think she’ll love it.” she confirmed with a smile. “You know I’m really happy for you Matt and really proud.”

“Thanks, Care, I just hope this goes well,” he paused and flashed Caroline a bashful smile. “I really love her.”

“I can tell.”

“So does she know about us?”

Matt face contorted in confusion. “Caroline that was nearly fifteen years ago?” he whispered.

She nearly choked on her drink attempting to hold back her laughter. “No, Matt. I don’t mean us us. All of us.” Caroline said, gesturing to the scattered figures of their friends.

“Oh. No. No way.”

“Matt-” she began.

“It’s safer this way Caroline.” he insisted, stuffing his hands defensively in the pockets of his jeans.

“That’s a pretty big part of your life to withhold from someone,” Caroline gave him an imploring look. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Matt nodded. “I love you guys but I don’t really want her involved in all of this. I just wanna live a normal life, y’know?”

“Sure,” Caroline nodded “I understand,”

Although it was a lie, really. If Caroline was honest, she hadn’t thought about the prospect of living a life anywhere near normal in a very long time. Honestly, there wasn’t much about being human that she missed. Certainly not ageing. At that thought and seeing the laugh lines beginning to form in the corner of Matt’s eyes now that he was entering his thirties was a particularly surreal wake-up call. Eventually, Matt would settle down, lead his perfectly normal life and have kids.

And age.

And eventually, die.

Like all humans did.

One day, so would Bonnie and even Tyler. Even her immortal friends like Stefan and Elena may be living such different lives in 50 maybe 100 years from now. Who knows the next time they’d all be in the same place together.

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“Excuse me,” Caroline called out, tapping her spoon daintily against her glass. “Hello, can I get everyone’s attention please?”

“Here we go,” Rebekah muttered, downing her 3rd glass of champagne in the last hour.

“Vampire hearing, Rebekah,” Caroline whispered under her breath, invoking an eye roll from the Original.

“I would like to thank all of you for coming.” The attention of nearly all occupants of the room turned to Caroline.” Some us in this room have been through so much together and although a lot has changed and our lives have definitely panned out differently than we imagined I’m really proud of the people we’ve become and what we’ve managed to accomplish. I love all of you so much and hope that whatever happens next, I hope we’ll always remain a part of each other’s lives. So… here’s to us. Cheers.”

As a chorus of the same sentiment echoed around the room Caroline looked up and noticed Klaus smiling at her from across the room. She returned it and tilted her flute of champagne towards him, smiling at the irony.

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