Capital Letters

six

In the soft morning light that filtered through the curtains, Nathan shifted in his bed, rolling over to face his girlfriend, Caroline. The two of them were tangled in the comfort of each other's arms, sharing a moment of intimacy as the day began.

Nathan's voice, warm and tender, broke the silence. "You gonna talk to your mom today?"

Caroline let out a weary groan, burying her head against his chest as if seeking refuge from the world's troubles. "She said she doesn't want to see me. She made it very clear that I'm not her daughter anymore."

Nathan's fingers moved with gentle grace, tracing through her soft hair as she nestled closer, finding solace in his embrace. He offered both comfort and perspective. "Yeah, well, you, Caroline Forbes, are a very persistent person. I mean, when I came to town, you were like everywhere."

A soft chuckle escaped Caroline's lips, her laughter laced with nostalgia. "Yeah, because you were hot, and I wanted you," she admitted, her tone light and teasing. "I never thought that you'd ever like me. I called you an orphan."

Nathan's own laughter blended with hers, the memory vivid in his mind. "I remember that. That was really funny. It was the moment I knew I was going to like you."

Caroline raised her eyebrows, playfully challenging him. "Really? When I called you an orphan, you knew you'd like me? That was the moment you knew?"

Nathan met her gaze, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Uh, yeah. You said what you thought, sometimes with you, it's not always a good thing, but you made me laugh. And then when you asked me to go with you to the Grill, it's when I knew I would like you more than a friend. I mean, you were the first person I've ever liked after Aria. And that's something. It's everything."

Caroline rested her head on his chest, a warm smile gracing her lips as she looked up at him. She leaned in, capturing his lips with her own in a tender kiss. His hand caressed her cheek, their connection deepening with each passing moment. What had begun as a simple kiss evolved into something more, a beautiful and profound expression of their love.

Nathan had experienced other relationships before, but nothing had ever meant as much to him as this one did. Caroline was his anchor, his guiding star. He thought he had known love with Aria, but it was only with Caroline that he truly understood the depth and breadth of that emotion. She was not just something special; she was everything to him.

Later that day, Nathan and Aria met up with Stefan and Damon at a secluded spot. They gathered to discuss the unsettling revelation Stefan had received from Bonnie earlier – a vision of Mason Lockwood in bed with Elena, but it was actually Katherine.

He should've figured it out before. His brother's calling him Nate was fine, they've been calling him that since they were kids. Katherine was the only other person that called him Nate. He doesn't know why, but she's been calling him that for as long as he could remember.

And suddenly Mason Lockwood, someone he's known for a day called him Nate when no one else has. He should've known then. He also should've figured it out, Mason and Katherine came to town the night of the fire. Katherine showed up first but Mason made an appearance the next day.

"Katherine's with Mason Lockwood?" Damon's voice dripped with disgust, a sentiment shared by all present.

Stefan nodded gravely. "He got into town right after she did. It makes perfect sense."

Nathan chimed in, his frustration evident. "And he called me Nate the first day I met him in human form. Only you guys call me Nate."

Aria nodded in agreement, adding her perspective. "And Katherine."