You sat at the edge of the living room in the Salvatore boarding house. As usual, your friends were bickering and you were trying to stay out of it.

"Nobody asked you, blondie," Damon snapped at Caroline cutting off what she was about to say.

Your favorite blonde's shoulders slumped as she sort of folded in on herself. No. That wasn't happening.

You stood from your chair drawing the attention of most of the room. The benefit of rarely getting involved, is when you did, they listened.

"Don't talk to her like that, Salvatore." Your voice was firm but even you had to admit, you didn't sound very threatening.

Damon rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. I'm not going to be nice just because you have a crush on her."

Heat flooded your cheeks as you kept your gaze from glancing at the woman in question. You didn't like being exposed but you weren't going to deny it. Caroline deserved more than that.

You stomped over to him and shoved against his chest. "Listen here, asshole. You're going to be nice to her because she's the sweetest person here. She cares about everyone and takes care of them and she put up with more of your shit than any one person should have to."

You ignored the anger in his eyes and shoved him again. "You used her and abused her just to prove a point with Elena. She should have staked you when she remembered everything you put her through. But she didn't. For Elena. She kept her mouth shut when Elena started flirting with your ass. That's the kind of friend she is.

"And what does she get in return? Friends that lecture her and treat her like shit when she turns. A supposed best friend that dates the guy that practically raped her and we're just all supposed to be okay with that. You drag her into your shit and when she tries to help, you tell her to shut up. I'm only here for her and we're leaving."

You turned to Caroline to find her watching you with wide eyes. You swallowed your nerves and held out a hand. "Come on, Care. We've got better things to do than saving the damsel yet again. She needs to get her shit together."

"Hey," Elena whined but you ignored it as per usual.

Caroline gave you a beautiful smile and let you pull her to her feet. Instead of releasing your hand, she intwined her fingers with yours. Everyone in the room was quiet as the two of you left.

Once you were outside, she tugged you to a stop and turned to face you. "Did you mean it?"

You rubbed a finger across the bridge of your nose and gave her a little shrug. "They don't treat you right. I don't like it."

She smiled again. "And you? Will you treat me right?"

"I'd be honored."

Her lips found yours and your eyes slipped closed as you relished in the softness, the taste of the girl you'd been crazy about since fifth grade.

It was perfect.