11. Bloodlines

"Did you have to steal my car to go to Georgia?" Damon asked through the phone.

"Yes" Brayden replied, "And could you speak quietly, Caroline's asleep and you're on speaker".

"Aren't you caring" Damon said sarcastically, "Why is she with you again?".

"I didn't want to go on a road trip alone" Brayden replied.

"Sure" Damon said, "It has nothing to do with the fact you didn't want to leave her alone in Mystic Falls while you were all the way in Georgia".

"Do you ever shut up?" Brayden snapped.

"No" Damon replied, "Anyways, I didn't call you to argue with you about your feelings for Caroline, I called you to inform you that Stefan and Elena know that you took Caroline with you to Georgia, and let's just say they are not happy about it".

"Who the hell told them?" Brayden asked.

"Well when Caroline Forbes, the girl who never misses school, doesn't go to school one day, people ask questions Brayden" Damon replied, "Just like Stefan and Elena did, so Elena asked the Sheriff where Caroline was, and she told her that you took Caroline on a road trip, you know I'm surprised you took permission from her mother".

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't take Caroline on a road trip with me, without informing her mother, the bloody Sheriff" Brayden said sarcastically.

"Who knew one day I will see my brother be responsible" Damon said.

"If you're done with you're bullshit, then hang up" Brayden demanded.

"Yeah, yeah" Damon said, "But don't come back to town until you figure out how to open the tomb".

"Goodbye Damon" Brayden said, hanging up on his twin.

After a few minutes of silence, Caroline finally woke up.

"Morning princess" Brayden said, seeing Caroline stretch her limbs.

"We are still not there yet?" Caroline asked.

"We are nearly there" Brayden replied, "How was the sleep?".

"Much needed" Caroline replied.

"Any reason why?" Brayden asked, giving Caroline a cheeky smile.

"Shut up" Caroline replied, her cheeks turning red, making Brayden's smile grow.

"Here" Brayden said, grabbing a packet of chips from the backseat and handing it to Caroline, "Eat, you're going to need your full energy for the day ahead of us".

"I have full energy" Caroline said, but nonetheless took the packet of chips from Brayden.

"Really?" Brayden asked, "I just figured after our night together, you would be exhausted".

 "Is this going to be a thing all day?" Caroline asked.

"Most likely" Brayden replied.

"Oh god" Caroline mumbled, looking out the window, but a small smile forming on her face, she turned back to Brayden when she felt his hand slip into hers, she looked at him to see him staring at the road infront of him, with a small smirk on his face, Caroline didn't say anything, just tightened her grip on Brayden's hand and looked out the window, this time with a huge smile on her face.

***

"We are here" Brayden informed, stopping his car infront of Bree's bar.

"Bree's bar?" Caroline asked, getting out of the car, "You realise I'm underage, right?".

"And I'm overage, princess" Brayden said, coming next to Caroline, "Who cares?".

"They aren't going to let me in" Caroline replied.

"Princess, this is Bree's, everybody is welcome here" Brayden said, grabbing Caroline's hand and leading her into the bar.

"No, no, it can't be" Bree said, as Brayden and Caroline entered the bar, "Brayden?".

"Hey Bree" Brayden greeted.

Bree jumped off the bar and pulled Brayden into a hug, "It's good to see you Brayden".

"It's good to see you to, Bree" Brayden said, as Bree broke the hug.

"Listen up, everybody!" Bree announced, gaining everyone's attention, "This man's brother broke my heart, crushed my soul, destroyed my life and ruined any and all chances of happiness".

"Damon dated her?" Caroline asked shocked.

"Damon dated half of the female population" Brayden replied, "Come on".

Brayden and Caroline sat on the bar and Bree placed shots of alcohol infront of them, "Drink up" she said.

Brayden downed the shot, and when Bree's back was turned, tried to steal Caroline's drink but she stopped him.

"Hey!" Caroline complained, taking the drink back from Brayden, "That's mine".

"You're underage" Brayden reminded.

"And you're overage" Caroline retorted, downing the drink.

"So how'd you get roped in the Salvatore twins business?" Bree asked.

"She's my girlfriend" Brayden replied simply.

Caroline looked at Brayden in slight confusion, she didn't know if he was being sincere or was continuing their act.

"So you're whipped" Bree realised, "Enjoy the ride then".

"So, did you both meet through Damon?" Caroline asked, changing the topic.

"Me and Damon both met Bree at collage" Brayden replied.

"You and Damon went to collage?" Caroline asked, slightly shocked.

"By collage, I mean collage campus" Brayden replied, causing Caroline to laugh.

"About twenty years ago, when I was a sweet young freshman, I met these two beautiful men and I fell in love with one of them" Bree explained.

"Damon" Brayden clarified, "She fell in love with Damon".

"Well you were never interested in me, or in any girls for that matter" Bree said, "Which is why I'm surprised to see you actually dating someone".

"She's special" Brayden replied.

Caroline looked towards Brayden to see him already looking at her.

"You're being extra flirty today" Caroline observed.

Brayden shrugged, "Just trying to be a nice boyfriend".

"So, how's he in the sack?" Bree asked, causing Caroline look at her wide eyed.

"Sorry?" Caroline asked.

"How's Brayden in the sack?" Bree repeated, "I was always curious, never had a chance to find out myself".

"He--um--we haven't done it yet" Caroline lied, not knowing what else to say.

"Really?" Bree asked, not believing the blonde.

"Bree, can we have more shots?" An amused Brayden asked, finally stepping in to save Caroline.

"Sure" Bree said, walking away to grab more shots for both Brayden and Caroline.

"You know, if you've forgotten our night together we can always go for round two" Brayden whispered into Caroline's ear.

"I'm going to go call my mom" A flushed Caroline said, quickly standing up and running out the bar, making Brayden laugh in amusement.

"So" Bree said, placing the shots infront of Brayden, taking his attention off of Caroline, "What is it that you want from me?".

"What makes you think I want something from you" Brayden replied, downing the shot.

"Because you're you Brayden, you don't visit people unless you want something from them" Bree said, "So I'll ask again, what is it that you want?".

***

Caroline stood by Brayden's car, trying to calm her racing heart down before going back inside the bar, while Caroline was outside her phone started ringing, taking it out she realised it was Elena.

Caroline sighed, she was in no mood to have an another argument with Elena, but she also knew she couldn't just ignore her call otherwise Elena would make a bigger deal out of it and somehow blame Brayden for it, so against her better judgement, Caroline answered the phone, "Hey".

"Caroline" Elena greeted, "Did you know?".

"Excuse me?" Caroline asked confused.

"Did you know that I look like Katherine?" Elena asked.

"So Stefan finally spilled?" Caroline asked.

"So you knew?" Elena asked.

"Yeah, Brayden told me" Caroline replied.

"And you didn't think to tell me?" Elena asked shocked.

"Yeah, I didn't Elena" Caroline replied, "Just like you didn't tell me about Brayden being a vampire".

"Caroline--".

"Is there anything else or can I hang up?" Caroline interrupted.

"Your mom told me that you're on a road trip with Brayden" Elena said, "Are you okay?".

"I'm fine" Caroline replied.

"If you want Stefan can come pick you up" Elena suggested.

"No need" Caroline said, "I'm fine and I'm having fun, you should hang up and go talk to Stefan, seems like you guys have some serious talking to do".

Before Elena could say anything else, Caroline hanged up on her, not wanting to hear a lecture on how bad Brayden was for her.

***

"Think Bree" Brayden said, "There has to be another way to get into that tomb".

"After all these years, it's still only Katherine and Kaitlynn for you two brothers" Bree said, "Why date the blonde out there, if you are still in love with Kaitlynn, why lead her on like that?".

"I'm not leading Caroline on" Brayden snapped, "And I'm not getting Kaitlynn out of them tomb because I'm still in love with her, I'm getting her out of that tomb because I owe it to her, she's trapped in that tomb because of my father, I need to get her out of there".

"What happens when she comes and excepts to start right where you guys left off?" Bree asked curiously.

"I'll be honest with her, I'll tell her that I was in love with her for centuries, she was my first love, she taught me how to love, but I fell in love with someone else" Brayden replied honestly.

"Have you told this to Caroline?" Bree asked.

"She knows" Brayden replied.

"You men are so stupid" Bree said.

"What?" Brayden asked confused.

"Brayden you can't just assume Caroline knows that you're in love with her and not Kaitlynn, you need to tell her that, otherwise her insecurities will get the best of her" Bree replied.

Brayden sighed, "I'm not good at speaking about what's in my heart".

"Well if you're serious about that girl outside, then you need to start speaking your heart out, without assuming she will just know what you're thinking about" Bree said.

"Fine, I'll talk to Caroline" Brayden said, "Now can we get back to the main topic, help me and Damon get into the tomb Bree, please".

"I already helped you both, twenty years ago, remember?" Bree reminded, "Three easy steps, comet, crystal, spell".

"Yeah well, we no longer have the stupid crystal" Brayden replied.

"That's it, Brayden" Bree said, "There is no other way, it's Emily spell".

"Come on Bree, can't you look into your many grimoires, there has to be another way" Brayden said.

Bree sighed, "I can't promise you anything Brayden, but I'll try to find another way".

"Thank you" Brayden said genuinely.

***

"God, I'm so hungry" Caroline said, sitting on the bar with Brayden, and eating her burger and curly fries.

"I could tell" Brayden said, looking at Caroline amusement.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Caroline asked.

"Anything" Brayden replied, eating some of Caroline's fries.

"If Elena descends from Katherine, does that mean she's half vampire?" Caroline asked curiously.

"Vampires can't have mini vampires, princess" Brayden replied, "But that doesn't stop them from trying".

"Brayden" Caroline warned.

Brayden chuckled, "Fine, and if the evil bitch and your not so great friend were related, it would mean Katherine had a child before she died and turned into a vampire".

Caroline nodded, taking all that information in, while Brayden stole more of her fries, "You know you could have ordered your own fries".

"But me stealing your food is also our thing princess" Brayden teased.

"I will share anything with you, just not my food" Caroline said, taking the fries back from Brayden's hand.

"Anything?" Brayden asked, he pulled Caroline's chair closer to his, "Even your heart?".

Caroline looked at Brayden, "There's no one else I can give my heart to" she whispered.

Brayden smiled, "You have my heart too".

"You're lying" Caroline said, trying to get up, but Brayden grabbed her arm and pulled her on his lap.

"I'm not lying Caroline" Brayden assured, tightening his grip on her waist, "I don't lie, not to you".

"I need to talk to you" Caroline said suddenly.

"Then talk" Brayden said, kissing Caroline's shoulder.

"Did--", before Caroline could ask her question, Bree walked over to the couple and placed two beers infront of them.

"Here you go" she said.

"Thanks" Brayden said, grabbing the bottle, while Caroline sat back in her seat, "Cheers?".

Caroline gave Brayden a small smile and clinked her bottle with Brayden's.

***

"First to drink four shots, gets to make the loser do anything they want" Caroline said.

"Anything?" Brayden asked.

"Anything" Caroline replied.

Brayden smirked, "You're on".

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Caroline asked.

"Most likely" Brayden replied, as Bree placed six shots infront of Caroline and Brayden.

"Bree, give us a count down" Caroline said.

"Alright" Bree said, "Three, two, one!".

Both Brayden and Caroline grabbed the shots and one by one downed it, Brayden finishing the last shot just before Caroline.

"Guess who won?" Brayden teased, "And guess who lost princess?".

"You're a sore winner" Caroline said, trying to look upset, but seeing Brayden being so happy and carefree, she couldn't help but smile.

"That I am" Brayden agreed, "Now, where's my prize?".

"What do you want?" Caroline asked.

"Kiss me" Brayden replied instantly.

"What?" Caroline asked, not sure if she heard Brayden right.

"Kiss me princess" Brayden replied, "I won, and for my prize, I want a kiss".

"Fine" Caroline said, standing infront of Brayden, she slowly started to lean in, and just as Brayden and her lips were about to touch, Caroline turned her face and kissed Brayden on the cheek, "There".

"No" Brayden said, "That's not what I asked".

"You asked for a kiss, and I gave you a kiss" Caroline replied, slowly backing away.

"No, you know this is not what I asked for" Brayden said.

"Well next time, be specific" Caroline said, running away.

"Where are you going!?" Brayden asked.

"Playing pool!" Caroline yelled back, "I bet I can beat you on pool".

"Oh you're on" Brayden said, running after Caroline, "And this time, I'm getting that kiss".

***

"Yes!" Caroline yelled, jumping up and down, "I won, you lost, I won, Brayden lost, woo!".

Brayden watched in amusement seeing Caroline do her little victory drunk, "You're drunk".

"No" Caroline said, "I'm not drunk, I'm a winner".

"And you say I'm a sore winner" Brayden said.

"You are" Caroline said, "But so am I".

Brayden shook his head at the Forbes, before he could say anything, his phone started ringing, "Hello?".

"Brayden" Damon greeted.

"Hold on, I can't hear you" Brayden told Damon, he turned to Caroline, "Stay here, I'll be back".

Caroline nodded, "Take your time".

Brayden walked out the backdoor, "Can you hear me?".

"Yeah, I can hear you" Damon replied, "Are you still at Bree's?".

"Yeap" Brayden replied.

"Does she know how to get in the tomb?" Damon asked.

"She's looking into it" Brayden replied.

"Do you need me to come there?" Damon asked.

"No" Brayden replied, "We both know how much Bree hates you, she called you the man who took all her chance of happiness away from her, you coming here isn't going to help, it's just going to make her angry".

"It's been twenty years" Damon said, "She needs to get over it".

"You were her first heartbreak Damon, you don't just forget that" Brayden said.

"Yeah, yeah" Damon mumbled, "Just hurry and come back, I can't deal with Stefan any longer".

"I'll be back before midnight" Brayden assured.

"Alright, see you" Damon said.

"Bye" Brayden said, hanging up.

Brayden turned around to go back into the bar, but the door was blocked by someone Brayden knew all to well.

"Lee?" Brayden asked shocked.

"Hey Bray" Lee greeted, giving Brayden a small smile.

"Where the hell have you been?" Brayden asked, pulling the vampire into a hug, "I called and texted you so many times, but you didn't call back or even reply to my texts, I thought something happened to you".

"Something did happen to me" Lee said, "The love of my life died".

Brayden sighed, "I'm sorry Lee, I'm so sorry about Lexi".

"Why are you sorry?" Lee asked, "You didn't kill her, your brother did".

"Why didn't you answer any of my calls?" Brayden asked, changing the topic, Damon killing his best friend was still a sore subject for Brayden.

"I needed some time to myself, when you called me about Lexi, my whole world stopped, I couldn't function properly" Lee replied, "But today Bree called, telling me that you're here, and I knew I had to meet up with you".

"I'm glad you came" Brayden said, "Want to drink some beer? On me".

"Like old times?" Lee asked.

Brayden chuckled, "Like old times".

***

Caroline, Brayden and Lee sat at the bar.

"So how did you two meet?" Caroline asked.

"Through Lexi" Brayden replied, "She told me and Stefan that she found someone, and we had to meet that guy who managed to make our crazy best friend fall for him, and we met right here actually, and had a wild night together".

"It was definitely wild" Lee said, "It ended with Brayden and Lexi dancing on top of the pool table".

"For some reason, your boyfriend was dancing on top of the pool table, shirtless" Bree interjected.

Caroline laughed, "No way".

"Yeah, whenever me and Lexi met up, things got out of hand" Brayden said.

"She loved you and your brother" Lee said.

"She loved you more" Brayden said, "So much that she turned you so both of you could be together forever".

"If you wanna be with someone forever, you have to live forever" Lee said, making Brayden and Caroline glance at each other for a moment, "Anyways, how's life in Mystic Falls treating you?".

"Amazing" Brayden replied, looking at Caroline.

"Oh that reminds me" Bree said, "I found a solution to your problem Brayden".

"You did?" Brayden asked, Bree nodded.

"You need to find Emily's grimoire, if she wrote the spell down, the reversal spell will be in that too" Bree replied.

"Where can I find her grimoire?" Brayden asked.

"That I don't know" Bree replied, "All I know is that if you want to open the tomb to free Katherine and Kaitlynn, then you need to find Emily's grimoire".

"Great" Brayden mumbled.

"I need some air" Caroline said, suddenly standing up and walking out the bar.

"What happened to her?" Brayden asked confused.

"God, you are such an idiot" Lee said.

"What?" Brayden replied.

"She's hurt Brayden" Bree said, "She thinks you're still in love with Kaitlynn and not her".

"That's not true" Brayden said.

"Have you told her that?" Lee asked.

Brayden sighed, "No".

"Like I said, idiot" Lee said, "You need to go out there and set things straight, take it from someone who just lost the girl he loves, finding someone you love is hard, and once you find them, you should never let them go, because you don't know what the future holds, or how much time you both will get together".

Brayden looked at Lee and let his words sink in, without wasting another moment, stood up and ran out the bar to talk to Caroline.

Brayden walked out and saw Caroline leaning against the car, without wasting a second, Brayden walked over to her, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a kiss, shocking her.

"I love you" Brayden whispered, breaking the kiss, "I know there's a lot of questions in your head, but I know what I feel Caroline, and I love you".

"But Kaitlynn--".

"Kaitlynn was my past, I'm not opening the tomb because I want to be with her, that was the case before I met you, but now things have changed, I owe it to Kaitlynn to take her out of that tomb, but I want to be with you, not her, I love you Caroline Forbes" Brayden said.

"People are going to say it's too soon" Caroline whispered.

"Screw the people" Brayden said, "It's you and me against the world Caroline Forbes".

"Promise?" Caroline asked.

"I promise" Brayden replied, pulling Caroline into another kiss.

***

"You look happy" Damon commented, as Brayden came and sat next to him at the Mystic Grill bar.

"That's cause I am" Brayden replied, taking Damon's bottle of bourbon.

"Where's Blondie?" Damon asked.

"I dropped her home" Brayden replied.

"Is she the reason you're so happy?" Damon asked.

"Maybe" Brayden replied, downing his drink.

"Did you finally confess your feelings to her?" Damon asked curiously.

"Maybe" Brayden replied.

"You're starting to piss me off" Damon said.

"Good" Brayden said.

"So if you and Caroline are a thing, does that mean we get to leave Kaitlynn in the tomb?" Damon asked.

"Absolutely not" Brayden snapped, "We are still getting her out of the tomb, she doesn't deserve to be in there".

"Debatable" Damon said.

"Let's not get into that Damon, because then I will say shit about Katherine and then the people of Mystic Falls will see a brutal fight between us brother" Brayden said.

"Fine" Damon said, "Pour me a drink".

"Do it yourself" Brayden said.

"Useless" Damon mumbled.

"I heard that" Brayden said.

"That was the plan" Damon retorted.

While Damon and Brayden were arguing between them, they failed to see the new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman look at them in shock, he recognised the two brothers as the vampires he saw in his house the night his wife disappeared.

***

Presenting 1x11 of The Vampire Diaries . . .

How was the chapter?

Thoughts on Brayden and Caroline's road trip to Georgia?

Thoughts on Brayden and Bree's talk regarding Kaitlynn and Caroline?

Thoughts on Brayden and Lee's friendship?

Thoughts on Brayden finally telling Caroline that he wants to be with her and not Kaitlynn?