Shadow Self
Title: Shadow Self.
Author: dela26
Rating: Mature, warning for dark themes and bloodplay.
Summary: Oh, the things I would do for you. Strain you, twist you, stab you 'til you bleed. Caroline/Tyler.
Author's Note: Based off I dream I had….and then I read the perfect prompt on LJ TVD Comment Ficathon, and viola, my muse has returned!
Tyler Lockwood's thoughts always drift back to her.
Caroline Forbes would always be a neurotic, insecure, little twit. But she had heart. She stood by his side, during his darkest hour. Caroline didn't leave, no matter how hard he tried to push her away, and that made her different then the rest. Being supernatural monsters fostered instant bonding. She didn't judge him, and he accepted her. He will always remember her small cold hand on his forehead, whispering soothing words into his ear during his first transformation. And after that, Tyler embraced her like she was his lifeline.
But things changed. Lies were revealed, trust was broken. And the vampire-werewolf war started in the tiny town of Mystic Falls. Caroline was forced on one side, he on the other. There was seemingly never-ending drama, double-crossing, manipulation, and heartbreak. And in the middle of the war, Caroline Forbes grew tired of the pain and destruction, and straight up disappeared.
It took him over a year, but he was finally able to track her down.
Tyler found himself in a dark alley in New York City. Her scent was everywhere. Lavender, with a hint of exotic spices. Her perfume filled his daydreams, and haunted his nightmares.
The young alpha pounded his fist against a cold metal door covered in bright graffiti. After a long pause, the door opened to reveal a man with cold eyes. The guy looked like muscle, dead muscle. The smell of old blood and death hit Tyler like a battering ram.
The werewolf cleared his throat, and decided to take the direct approach. "Caroline Forbes is in here."
The vampire made no response and stared blankly at him.
A low rumble escaped Tyler's lips. Any level of irritation, anger, or rage will trigger the curse to show itself. Not the full transformation - that only happens on the full moon, but heightened emotions will stir the beast below the surface. And Tyler doesn't want to lose control. Not now with her so close. He immediately swallowed the beast back down. But even with his attempts to calm the darkness, his voice came out two notches deeper, "I need to speak to her."
The large vampire raised an eyebrow, surprised by the cockiness of the young werewolf. He pressed his hand to his ear, and Tyler realized that he was listening to someone through an earpiece.
"Come in." The man had a faint accent that Tyler couldn't place. The vamp flashed him sharp fangs as he opened the door, "Good luck trying to get out."
Tyler glared at the man and cautiously walked by him. He slowly moved down an empty, decaying hallway until he found himself in front of a black shiny door.
The werewolf's eyes took a moment to adjust to the bright flashing lights within. A vampire club. The lone wolf decided to storm head on into the room before his better judgment kicked in.
His dark eyes scanned the room ever so slowly. The ornate wallpaper design and wooden floors had a quality to it that made him think the room was really old, probably created during prohibition. The rest of the room was modern. A large sleek black bar with a large mirror filled one side of the room where patrons were crowded together laughing, drinking, and ordering mixed drinks and rare blood.
There was a large dance floor in the center of the room. Bodies were dancing to the deafening-loud techno music. The vampires moved with liquid smoothness, grinding up on each other. There were vampires of all shapes and sizes on the dance floor. Their humans were dancing and laughing, unaware of their open veins or the dead around them.
The humans did not pay him any attention, too compelled to see anything other than their heavenly captors. A number of vampires took notice of him and watched him with neutral predatory eyes.
The dancers parted for a moment, and Tyler could see that directly on the far wall there were large white leather couches, filled with vampires talking, fucking, or feeding.
And then, he saw her.
Caroline Forbes was lounging on a couch, ignoring the scene and appeared more interested in the olives in her martini glass. She looked bored, a strong contrast from the lively crowd around her.
The dancers moved to close the gap, and he lost sight of her.
"Are you lost, little one?" A female vampire purred in his ear and he instinctively tensed. He didn't bother responding and instead continued to move through the dancing bodies. Icy cold hands stoked him as he passed by, and Tyler felt that the majority of the room saw him as their next meal. A few kept their distance like he had the plague, probably worried that it would suddenly turn the full moon and he'd snap his lethal bite.
Tyler had a brief moment of panic, not because he was surrounded by hungry vampires, but because he thought that when he'd get through to the other side, that she'll be gone.
When he finally pushed through, Caroline was still on the couch, seemingly unaware of his presence. He walked towards her like he was in a dream. Everything around him dulled down. His vision was fixed only on the petite blond vampire, and all he could hear was his heartbeat, pounding violently within his ears.
Caroline didn't look a day older since the last time he saw her. It was both a gift and curse of the undead. She would forever be seventeen. Though, from the looks of it, she was trying ever so hard to look much older. Smoky dark charcoal speared around her green eyes, the color was dramatic next to her porcelain white skin. A sheer gray dress draped loosely around her body and to him it looked like she was five again and they were playing dress up in his parents' closet. Her hair was longer than he remembered, falling pin straight to her waist. Thick blond bangs brushed against her long eyelashes and he felt the urge to brush it aside, to feel her silky mane between his rough fingertips. Her deep red lips were pouted, as if she were upset about something. Her rouge matched her thigh high leather boots. Caroline's eyes were still fixed on her martini glass in one hand, and he wondered what she was thinking so hard about. A man was stretched on the couch, his head lying in her lap and her perfectly manicured black nails were mindlessly stroking his brown hair.
Green eyes suddenly lock onto his.
"Tyler Lockwood." His childhood friend draws out his name, carefully rolling each syllable around her mouth.
She takes a casual sip of her drink. "I'd never expect to see you in a place like this."
The man lying on her lap turns his head to look at Tyler, and the wolf can see the damage done to him. The man's neck is covered in bites, the thick metallic liquid slowly draining down his chest. He was bleeding to death, but looked pleasantly calm. Caroline slowly moved her fingertip across the man's chest, creating little designs out of fresh blood. He noticed that the Safire ring was no longer decorating her pointer finger, revealing that Caroline was no longer a daywalker, bound to roam only in the shadows. She brings her finger to her mouth and sucks it clean. Her green eyes stayed connected with his the entire time, sparkling with amusement.
Tyler internally cringed, but his voice was steady, calm. "Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing."
"I almost didn't recognize you..." Her eyes glaze over and become distant, only for the briefest moment, then become dark and cold, matching the venom in her voice. "But, the filthy stench of werewolf gave away once you walked into the room. Are you looking for a death wish, coming into a bar filled with vampires? What could you possibly want?"
Tyler has so much he needs to say to her. His mind is suddenly flooded with racing thoughts, heart overflowing with conflicting emotions. But Tyler has never been good at expressing himself, let alone offer apologies or share his feelings. He could blame it on the Lockwood genes, or even being a werewolf, but deep down he knows that he is just stubborn and has too much pride.
"I'm here to take you home." He keeps it simple. It's easier that way.
"Oh?" Her lips twitch to a smirk. "And what makes you think that I'd wanna leave? The party just started. And nobody likes a party pooper. Isn't that right, Charlie." She coos to the man snuggling against her lap.
"Who's your friend?" Charlie murmurs softly. He was obviously heavily intoxicated, compelled, or weak from the loss of blood, probably a combination of all three.
"A lycanthrope actually, can you believe it?" She claps her hands enthusiastically together like she just won Miss Mystic Falls again.
"Let me taste him, Caroline, please." Another man begged. "I've never had a wolf before."
"Where's your manners, Lawrence?" Caroline lashed out with rage, slapping the vampire across the face hard, drawing blood with her nails. The other vampire hisses out in surprise and retreats in a blur of speed to a neighboring couch. Lawrence murmurs an apology, keeping his eyes fixated on the concrete floor.
She turns back to Tyler, the cheerful mask firmly back in place.
"Will you perform for us, Tyler? Show my friends a glimpse of the wolf." She wiggles her eyebrows playfully, baiting him. Caroline knows how hard he tries to be human. He feels the stir of the animal below the surface, irritation growing in his chest.
This was not the Caroline Forbes he expected to find.
But…she was still Caroline, and he had promised to always be there for her, no matter what. And now, more than ever, Caroline needed him. She just was too blind to see it.
Tyler grabbed her arm and his large fingers completely encircled her small bicep. "We're leaving. Now."
The vampires began to circle around the scene they were creating.
"Wake up, Tyler, I am home." Caroline easily frees her arm from his grasp. "Here, I can embrace what I am, encouraged even. And it feels so good, Tyler."
"Take my little human toy. Charlie obeys, like a good little pet. Supplies me with entertainment, food, and sex." Caroline softly strokes that man's cheek. "And I bet that you're little head is racing full of dark, rage-filled thoughts. Your beast wants to show this man, me, and everyone in this the room who is really in control. Am I right?"
Tyler's body shakes violently during her little speech as if he was on the verge of a seizure. He is internally fighting the urge kill the pathetic man, wipe off that condescending smirk from Caroline's face, and to drag her out of the room and take her to claim her as his own. She can see his darkness so clearly.
"I'll take your silence as a 'yes'." She beams triumphantly.
"Stop it." Tyler practically barks. He feels his skin flushing hot, eyes tingling from the changing color.
She throws her head back and laughs, flashing fangs. "And I know, deep down, that you're just as dark as me. Come on, Ty, rip out this man's throat out. Let the beast come out to play."
Tyler shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the cravings and urges. He tries so hard to be human, suppress the animal inside of him. Caroline taunts him, hanging a juicy bone within his reach.
"Fine, if you won't show me yours...I'll show you mine."
She pulls Charlie up roughly with one hand, and strikes him at the throat. The man doesn't even fight back as she engulfs every last drop. And all Tyler can do is watch. Both horror and need fill his chest, the conflicting emotions disgust him. The human in him wants to cover his eyes, the wolf is begging to lap up the spilled blood and sink teeth into the flesh. Caroline drops the man after a number of heartbeats, the body falls to the ground limp and lifeless. She smiles wide from ear to ear. Blood stains her teeth, lips, and chin.
"Take a bite." Caroline pressures him, "I've done all of the dirty work, we don't want to waste. I know you desire to join in the fun."
"What I desire and what I do are two very different things." Tyler's voice is raw.
"Everyone carries a shadow, Tyler" Caroline purred, "Supernaturals like us- we have a more direct link to the darkness."
"Just because we are monsters, doesn't make killing right. It's evil, Car."
"That's what the human says, but what does the beast believe? It's in your nature, your very core." Caroline inquires, "The shadow is a part of you. To ignore it is to deny your true self."
Blood from Damon, death by Katherine… being the child of two of the most unstable vampires Tyler has ever come across- poor Caroline never had a chance. One moment, Caroline was cool and controlled, then suddenly she was hot tempered and impulsive. She no longer seemed flooded by guilt, shame, or embarrassment from her vampire urges or cravings like before. The newly turned had the ability to separate themselves from their humanity, like turning off a light switch. Tyler had just always hoped Caroline never learned that trick, or had enough strength to resist its temptation. The shadow was always there in her, but she managed to fight it off for awhile. Hell, she taught him how to control his own darkness. But now, now she was lecturing him on how to embrace it. The human, rational part of him rejects her words, but deep down the other half craves to taste the forbidden fruit she is offering him.
Caroline is suddenly standing painfully close to him. She moves up onto her tiptoes and brushes her lips ever so softly across his own, sharing the blood from her kill. Tyler lets out a shuttering sigh, his body responding to her.
Her mouth moves to his ear, her breath is warm as she whispers, "Oh, the things I would do for you. Strain you, twist you, stab you 'til you bleed."
Tyler slams his eyes shut.
"And all you have to do is give in, have a little taste," She rubs her cheek slowly against his own, as if she were marking him with her scent. Low noises escape his throat. "I won't tell a soul. It'll be our little secret."
They've shared so many secrets. What's one more? His eyes snap open, her gentle face fills his view, and he feels like he's falling down the rabbit hole.
His large hands wrap around her dainty shoulders, fingers digging in sharply. She purrs in response to the pain. Tyler is on the verge, the tipping point before the beast breaks free. It's taking all his self control to not give in.
"Don't." He pushes her away.
A number of emotions move across her face, too fast for Tyler to decipher. The blond vampire brings him suddenly to his knees without warning.
"The big, bad wolf. I hear the rumors… they call you alpha now. But I know better. Tyler Lockwood is really pathetic. Weak."
She kicks him twice in the stomach with all of her strength. And before he's able to strike back, she moves with her superhuman speed and throws him across the room. His body slams into the large mirror and as he tumbles to the floor, shards of glass rain down upon him, piercing his skin.
Caroline's actions have stirred up the crowd. They sigh in unison at the smell of his exotic blood. He tries to stand up, but hands caress him. He bats them off, struggling to break free from the blood thirsty mob.
"Nobody fucking touch him." Caroline voice booms from across the room. The vampires freeze around him, reluctantly loosening their grip. Tyler is breathing heavily from the pain and adrenaline and growing darkness.
She stalks within his view.
"He's mine."
The crowd backs away, and Tyler realizes that they feared her. She moved with liquid grace, like a large predatory cat.
Caroline kneels down next to him, stroking his forehead with her hand lightly, and for a moment he's back with her alone in the cave during his first transformation. Her face softens, and he wonders if she's sharing the memory.
"Go away Tyler." Her voice was suddenly tired, and she sounded almost sad. "The Caroline you want…she isn't here anymore."
"Car-" Tyler starts, but she interrupts him.
Her fist connects with his face sharply, and everything goes black.
Tyler wakes up alone in the alley. It was light out, early morning. He sits up and lightly touches his cheek, and hisses in pain. Caroline Forbes broke his jaw. It was healing, should be back to new within a few hours, but it still hurt like hell.
He wanders back into the club, but the bar is deserted.
She was gone. Again.
Tyler falls to his knees and pounds his fists into the concrete floor. Over and over and over again, until his hands are covered in blood. Tyler is breathing hard and fast. If he was human he'd be worried he was hyperventilating.
He ignores the stinging in his eyes.
Tyler collapses onto the concrete floor. He focuses on slowing down his breathing, quieting the beast.
He pictured her as he remembered, before she left, and wonders if she's right. Is she truly gone? Caroline Forbes did not appear to be a neurotic, insecure, little twit. And it was questionable if she even had heart anymore.
Tyler shakes his head to clear the defeating thoughts, and focuses instead on tracking her down.
He takes in a slow, deep breath. Lavender, with a hint of exotic spices. Her perfume filled his daydreams, and haunted his nightmares.