chapter fourteen.

Matthias spent the rest of his day drinking at the Grill, he had gotten a text from Klaus telling him that he was arriving, and it was enough to kill his mood. He just wanted to be rid of Mystic Falls already, but now that wasn't possible.

Every inch of his body burned for her, he wanted her, but he didn't want to lie to her either. He hated lying to Elena, but he knew that when she found out everything then there was no way that she would want to be with him.

With a sigh, he downed another shot before looking around.

He hadn't realized how packed the place had become, hell he didn't even notice that the sun had gone down at this point as well. Shaking his head, he ordered another drink before standing and moving away from the flooding people there to see the live band.

He froze in place when he spotted Elena in the crowd with her friends and Aunt. His heart sunk at the thought of having to speak to her but when their gazes met, he simply raised his glass before downing it and moving out of her eyesight.

"Was that Matthias?" Bonnie asked her.

Elena nodded with a sigh, "I know that he lied to me, to all of us, but I can't ignore what I feel." She told her best friend. "He makes me feel like no matter what I do, no matter what choice I make no matter how bad or crazy it is, he's going to be there every step of the way." She confessed to her. "I just... I wish it was easier."

"I say go for it." Caroline said as she listened in. "Elena, I know that you love Stefan but with Matthias it's different. Even Bonnie and I can see that it's different." Bonnie nodded her head in agreement. "So, I say go for it."

Elena was about to say something when Jenna spoke up, "I need a drink." She muttered before walking off after spotting Alaric.

The three girls watched her walk off before Caroline spotted Matt and a large smile appeared on her face. "Hey, Matt." She greeted only for him to walk past her.

Silence and awkwardness engulfed them, and Caroline felt her heart sink at the fact that he was ignoring her. She knew that she loved him, that she wanted to be with him, but this secret was something that could either make or break them.

"Things just got real awkward." Bonnie commented as they watched the band from their spot before she looked to Caroline. "He said the ball's in your court."

"Yeah, but I can't do anything about it." Caroline told her dejectedly.

"Why not?" Bonnie questioned her, "All you do is talk about how much you care about him."

"Yeah, but I am still keeping so many secrets." Caroline told her.

"Alaric's in the same boat with Jenna and maybe that's our mistake. We're trying to protect the people that we love by keeping them out of it, but in the end, we're hurting them anyway." Elena told her after glancing at Alaric who sat at the bar alone.

Caroline remained silent for a moment, allowing Elena's words to sink in as she glanced at the band that was ending their set. She knew that the idea forming in her head could end badly but she was willing to take that risk.

She glanced at Elena and Bonnie before shaking off her jacket. "What are you doing?" Elena asked her confused but took the jacket from the girl anyways. "Where are you going?" Elena called after her when she took off towards the stage.

"What is she doing?" Bonnie asked Elena but the two were both just as confused.

Caroline climbed up on stage and took the microphone. "Hey, everybody." She was greeted with silence. "Let's hear it for the band!" Everyone cheered and started clapping.

Jenna returned to the girls and noticed Caroline on stage. "This isn't going to end well." She commented before downing her shot.

"So, there's this guy. And, uh, he told me to tell him how I feel about him. Like it's so easy. Um, you know, just cause I talk a lot doesn't mean I always know what I'm actually talking about. Ah, like now, I'm feeling loopy, and I don't really know how to express myself." The singer grabbed the mic and Caroline knew that she had to act fast. "I can sing. Yeah! Yeah. You know what, I'm going to sing."

Matthias watched from his spot as Caroline compelled the band to let her sing and smiled softly. He thought it was funny, but then again he was drunk, and everything was funny at this point. Suddenly the familiar tune of Eternal Flames began to play, and Matthias found himself staring at Elena as Caroline sung.

Elena and Matt met gazes and she nodded at him, which was all he needed before giving himself an internal pep talk. When Caroline sang the high note, Matt went onto the stage and kissed her, prompting the crowd to go wild and cheer for them. The group of girls all cheered for Caroline, slight laughter leaving their lips as they watched Caroline get the guy.

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

Matthias was leaning against the wall when he spotted a determined looking Elena Gilbert walking towards him after sharing a hug with her best friend.

Elena felt hot under his gaze, he was staring at her, and Elena didn't understand how a single look could make her entire body feel as if it was on fire.

"Elena." Matthias greeted as she was standing in front of him.

"Matthias." She greeted back and found herself at a loss for words. "I-I completely forgot what I was going to say."

Matthias nodded and finished off his drink, "Then enjoy the rest of your night." He went to leave but Elena grabbed his arm and made him look back at her.

"Kiss me." She demanded and Matthias felt every trace of drunkenness leave him at the demand. "You didn't kiss me this morning so kiss me now."

Matthias felt his self-control flickering when he was with Elena, and while that wasn't a bad thing, it was just new. Everything with Elena was new.

"Elena, you know that we could never work." He told her softly while approaching her. "Do not make this harder for us."

Elena shook her head, "You don't get to make that decision on your own." She told him. "I know what I feel for you, and I know that I want you." Elena took a deep breath. "So, I want you to kiss me."

"As you wish." Matthias told her before closing the distance and kissing her.

Elena could taste the alcohol on his tongue, but it didn't bother her, instead she wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Matthias' hands were cupping her face before they moved to her waist and he held her tightly, almost as if he was afraid that she would slip through his fingers.

Suddenly before anything more could happen, Elena's phone started ringing and they both groaned in annoyance. Elena took a step away from Matthias before pulling out her phone, Stefan's name appearing which prompted her to sigh before she answered the call. Matthias' eyes widened when she pressed her back against his front and used her free hand to grab one of his hands and placed them on her waist.

Matthias could hear her racing heart and he wondered if she could feel his own as she was pressed against him. Suddenly Elena was linking their hands together before pulling him with her as she tried to hear what Stefan was saying.

Once they found Stefan, he filled them in on what was happening. Matthias frowned when he told them that the Martin's had made a move against them, because he assumed that they would go to him since he was the one who could contact Greta with ease. Then he realized that Elijah probably didn't even tell them who he was, so it made sense.

The three found Caroline in the bathroom after Matt had left her so he could go and help fix the lights that shattered. Elena then burst into the bathroom with Matthias and Stefan behind her.

Caroline spun around and said, "Hey."

"We have a problem." Elena panted out.

Caroline looked concerned. "What's going on?"

"Jonas is here and he's after Elena." Stefan told her.

Caroline's eyes widened as she looked at them. "Oh, my God!"

"We have a plan, but I need to get Elena out of here." Stefan added in.

"Well, what can I do?"

After filling Caroline in, they all rushed out of the bathroom when the screaming started. Everyone was pushing and screaming to get out when Dr. Martin started a fire with his magic after knocking out Bonnie.

"Dr. Martin!" Elena called out to him, and he spun around. "I'm so sorry about Luka. I never wanted that to happen, but... at least let us help you get your daughter back." She pleaded with him.

Jonas shook his head, "Only Elijah can do that."

Elena shook her head as well. "You don't need Elijah."

That only seemed to make him angrier as he looked to the bar and started another fire. Matthias was impressed with his magical strength and almost wanted to applaud him if the man wasn't after his girl.

He looked back to them but before he could attack, he was jumped by Caroline which allowed them a chance to leave. Matthias didn't know why Stefan wasn't the one to risk his life since it was his brother's fault that Luka was dead, but he didn't say anything. Instead, him and Elena climbed into his car while Stefan got into his own and they drove to her place where the plan was set up.

Matthias then realized that there probably wouldn't ever be a quiet day in Mystic Falls with all of them around.