Hurt and Heal

Chapter 14: Pain Fades With Time

Caroline was home. Caroline was crying. Caroline remembered. There was no longer a hole where the last seven months had been, four since that night. She recalled the rape and abuse, she cherished the memory of the letter she'd written and sent, she cringed at the sight of Bonnie's head bleeding because of her, she felt the always there and always healing lacerations on her wrists and ankles from where she'd been tied, she remembered why that had happened. She remembered Damon, his pain, his abuse, his recovery – their friendship. She could vividly recollect every bit of lost memory and feeling and action and pain and sorrow. And it hurt! She'd thought it would, when – if – it happened, but she had never imagined this. Not this!

She was shaking and sobbing and laughing and completely fucking still all at once. She felt alive, yet wanted death. It made no sense seeing as she'd almost died several times since the Salvatore's return to Mystic Falls and she'd fought for her life every single one. Now she just wanted the peace and calm and not hurting, can't breathe! can't breathe! CAN'T BREATHE! It hurts too much, make it stop, make... make –

"Caroline! Love, calm down. Caroline you have to calm down, sweetheart!" someone was shaking her, calling her name and hugging her. Someone... warm and safe and... Klaus! It was Klaus holding her, Klaus' strong arms around her stopping her crying and giving her strength. The strength she no longer seemed to have, the power she needed to move away from this and come out on the other side stronger still. She wasn't sure if she could do it, not as the feeling of him moving over her was vivid in her mind, not when she could feel every single kick and punch and scratch. Not when she was close to shuddering in Klaus' arms in shame and filth, she wanted to hide in her shower, let the water running at burning hot and stay there forever, or until her skin fell away and she could finally find some semblance of clean. Shaking her head, she swallowed, clearing her throat. She wasn't about to let him win! That monster would not break her, not again.

"Caroline." She heard Klaus utter into her hair, his lips against her temple so she felt the warmth of his breath. She shivered, not from cold, not in fear and remembrance. She raised her hands from where she'd buried them in her lap and put them on his shoulders. Gently, trying to convey her need and reassure him she was slowly calming, she rubbed up and down his sleeve-covered arms, feeling the hard muscle beneath. Sighing, her head fell forward, nestling into the crook of his neck, her lips brushing past his pulse. She added a hasty kiss there, before her courage left her. She did however revel in the gasp he could not help or hold back, her feminine pride swelling up with joy. A small, lazy and pained smile graced her lips when she drew back, her eyes finding his. She swore her heart gave an extra pump when she noticed the yellow flash through them spasmodically.

"Klaus..." a whisper, a plea, a promise. His eyes darkened, his body tensed, but he was confused. She remembered now, how could she even think about this, when not five minutes ago she had been crying and afraid. He was about to ask, but his mind went perfectly blank as she brought his head down harshly, merging their mouths in a frenzied kiss that left both moaning and panting for air despite not needing it. His hands found her shirt and carefully, as though to not startle her, his fingers lightly caressed her lower back, itching for more. She broke free, her lips reattaching to his neck, her teeth biting into heated flesh, though not drawing blood. He let his head fall backwards with a sharp breath. She let herself be surrounded by him, his scent, his caress, his breath and his kisses, his gentle yet firm hold. She felt safe and she wanted a distraction almost as much as she loved him. She felt as if she would drown in his body, and never did she want to escape. Another hiss of pleasure was ripped from her as his hands found more flesh. Before she knew it, her shirt had been discarded and her hands were fumbling with his belt buckle frantically. The night was but a blur, a rise of steam in a sea of so much fire that consumed them.