Who: Tyler & Caroline What: Tyler tries to take Caroline out for Valentine's Day When: February 14 Where: Caroline's place Rating/Warning: Low Status: Complete
It had been four days since Tyler’s humanity turned back on. Four days of apologies, and trying to mend relationships that Tyler wasn’t sure could be mended. He had, after a couple of days, gotten over Caroline and Klaus kissing. In retrospect, he should have never been angry about that in the first place. She had only done it to help him, to bring him back to normal. And Klaus had only done it because…
Well, who knew why Klaus did anything?
Tyler wasn’t sure how to begin making everything up to Caroline, but he thought Valentine’s Day was a good place to start. He’d booked them couple’s massages, made a reservation at Caroline’s favourite too-expensive restaurant, and had even booked a room at five-star hotel for the two of them, the last two only being possible with this last-minute timing through the powers of compulsion.
Then, a large bouquet of flowers in one had and a box of chocolates in the other, wearing a suit, he went to Caroline’s house, and knocked on the door.
Caroline hadn’t seen or heard from Tyler since his birthday. It hurt, there was a constant ache in her heart, but she also knew it was for the best. After everything that had happened the past few weeks she knew she could never be with Tyler again. She could never forgive him for turning off his humanity, hurting innocent people, hurting her friend. Yes, there was a part of her that wanted to be there for him, help him navigate all that he was feeling. But she couldn’t. It would only end up hurting her and she needed to take care of herself right now. Besides it wasn’t like Tyler had reached out anyways.
Caroline threw herself into her work. Which of course meant working Valentine’s Day. She was at home in the process of getting ready for the event when there was a knock on her door. Caroline answered the door barefoot in a red dress, hair in it’s usual golden curls, make up only half done. “Tyler,” she said not even attempting a smile. Though her heart twisted when she saw how handsome he looked, saw the flowers and the chocolates. “What are you doing here?”
Tyler had had a whole speech prepared, but seeing Caroline now, all of that disappeared from his head. All he could do for a moment was look at Caroline, both beautiful and obviously not happy to see him.
“It’s Valentine’s Day,” Tyler started lamely, and then cleared his throat. “What I mean is, I’m not ready to let this go. Let us go. I know that I screwed up. More than screwed up, really. I don’t really have a word for it. But I was hoping I could start making it up to you. Starting today, maybe?”
How many times had Caroline wished she would hear those words from Tyler? Ever since he broke up with her she had been hoping he would change his mind. Tell her he wanted her back, that he still loved her. But she had meant what she said, if he walked out there was no turning back. Of course now she knew that hadn’t been his choice, but well her heart had still been broken. She couldn’t go through that again. Not to mention all the horrible things he had done since then.
“Tyler… I,” she paused swallowing the the lump that formed in her throat. “I can’t.”
Tyler should have been, had been expecting the rejection, but it still hit him hard. It felt like his heart had plunged right into his stomach. “Caroline,” Tyler said, reaching out his hand to place on her arm. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry for breaking up with you, and I’m sorry for everything else. But that wasn’t me. None of that was me.”
Caroline would be lying if she said she didn’t miss Tyler’s touch. How safe she always felt in Tyler’s arms. But she couldn’t have that anymore. She couldn’t have him anymore. Even if he was on her doorstep right now, wanting her back.
Caroline pulled away, stepping back enough to allow him inside. While she knew this was the end, the conversation could at least be had inside. Not on her doorstep under the eyes of prying neighbors.
“I know,” she said shutting the door behind him. “I know you couldn’t control breaking up with me. But you did.” That last sentence came out colder than she meant for it to. “You broke my heart, Tyler.” Another lump formed in her throat, she swallowed before continuing. “I can’t go through that again.”
Tyler hesitated for a moment before stepping into the house. “I know,” he said, and only narrowly managed to stop himself from saying that he didn’t have a choice. Caroline knew that, and saying as much wouldn’t help his case. “I didn’t want to,” he said instead. “I told him no, but then on my over I thought… I thought I’d be protecting you. In case Klaus got angry.” He took a breath. “But it won’t happen again, Caroline. I’m not sired to him anymore.” As terrible as turning off his humanity had been, at least that had come out of it.
“That doesn’t matter,” Caroline replied her voice cracking. “Don’t you get it, Tyler? You have hurt me too many times. You’ve hurt my friends. I can’t just go back to how everything was before. I can’t put myself in that position again.”
Tyler wasn’t able to hide the hurt in his eyes. He couldn’t even blame Caroline for this. He had put her through too much, more than she should have to endure. He had thought he’d be different from the dreams, that this time, he and Caroline would really work out. But maybe there wasn’t a universe where they were meant to stay together. “I’m sorry,” he said, a final effort, though he knew it was futile, to get her to change her mind.
“I know,” Caroline replied softly. “And I forgive you for breaking up with me.” Sort of. She knew it wasn’t his fault. That she shouldn’t hold him accountable for what Klaus made him do. But it was hard for her to get past. But what she could never forgive him for is turning off his humanity. Killing innocent people. Hurting one of her friends.
“But we can’t go back, Tyler.” Caroline went on, tears forming in her eyes. “As much as I love you, as much as I wish we could… too much has happened. I meant it when I said if you walked out we’d be done for good.”
Tyler opened his mouth to protest. Things were different. For the first time since Caroline had come back, he wasn’t sired to Klaus. He was his finally his own man.
But she was right too, about all the terrible things he did. It wasn’t the first time he’d killed people, but he couldn’t blame Klaus this time. Klaus hadn’t told him to go on an evening bender. It had all been Tyler.
“Alright,” Tyler said, putting the roses and the flowers down on a nearby table. “I…” he started, didn’t know what to say, and then left the house in a blur.