Title: Under Our Skin

Rating: M

Genre: AU/Supernatural/Romance

Pairing(s): Bonnie/Tyler, Mason/Katherine, Mason/Lucy, Katherine/Lucy, Lucy/Mason/Katherine, Caroline/Matt, etc.

Summary: A one night stand brought on my grief and comfort reveals the secret of Bonnie's heritage to Tyler and the Lockwood curse to them both when Tyler's wolf is triggered by something unexpected resulting in a magical bond that has permanent consequences if it remains unbroken. AU from 2x01.

Warnings: Language, Sexual Content, Violence, Dub-Con, etc.

Author's Note: Reminder there is no vamp Caroline in this fic. Also a rant really quickly and please skip if this doesn't apply to you: Please do not message me asking for updates. That goes for here or at Tumblr. Messaging me for updates does not help. Its honestly kind of irritating and puts unwanted pressure on me to finish things and makes me not want to write these stories. If you want to show a particular fic love you are more than welcome to do so. Feedback I love. But please don't ask me for updates and don't comment asking for another fic to be updated on a fic that has nothing to do with the fic you are requesting to be updated and please don't comment on my fics with fanfic request. Reviews are meant to give the authors some feedback and can do wonders with helping momentum and giving support. Those of you who review THANK YOU! But if you are not commenting to support or give feedback please keep the commentary to yourself. I do take request but keep and those can be messaged her or on tumblr if you have an idea you want me to execute but there's no place for them in fic reviews. Seriously guys I am trying to get stuff done when I can. Support I appreciate but there's a difference between support and pestering. I work full time and am in Grad school these fics are not my priority and some of them I never intended on updating but shared because people wanted to see them back up. So please be patient and leave it at that. There are over 30 stories on here and majority of them are in progress, this isn't all I do all day so updates will take time. Rant over. No editing here. Anyway enjoy the update.

Part Three || Carnival

"Why should I be ashamed to describe what nature was not ashamed to create?"

— Pietro Aretino

Eventually they separated and were forced to face the reality of the situation. They sat on the couch, side by side, and Bonnie explained to him what she had found. Her body was stiff and her voice was subdued, both of which Tyler didn't fail to notice.

Everything that she was saying made sense in relation to what Mason had told him but he was still confused. Logically he understood what was being said but there was no logic in any of this. Just a day ago he had been happily oblivious to all things supernatural and paranormal and now he had become immersed in it all overnight. He didn't know what it all meant because he wasn't familiar with it.

The mythology was interesting but he still hadn't even processed fully what Mason had told him. He still hadn't fully accepted what he was and what that would mean for him. It was another thing altogether to accept the bond and what that would mean for both of them. The full extent of it all, just on paper, was insane. He didn't know how to handle it or the first thing to do to make it alright for either of them.

Bonnie caught the thought as soon as it occurred and frowned. "I know that this is overwhelming," she sighed, "I get that. I do. I remember when I found out what I was and before I could even wrap my head around it Elena and Stefan started coming to me for help, when I didn't even know what I was doing. So I got my grams involved and then after she died I still didn't know what the hell I was doing and I had lost the only person who cared enough to help me figure it out. So…I get it. I'm not going to let you go through this alone, Tyler. I know that probably doesn't mean anything because we kind of don't have a choice but to be around each other now but …even if I did have a choice I wouldn't leave you alone in this because I know what that feels like."

Tyler reached out and took her hand in his, threading their fingers together. "It does mean something," he whispered, "I don't think I could be this calm about this even now if I was going through this with anyone else. I know I'm not anyone's first pick to spend an eternity with. I don't have the best track record when it comes to relationships."

Tyler scowled as he thought about Vicki. "I…," he hesitated as he looked down at their joined hands.

He didn't like being vulnerable, but if he could be that with anyone at this point it was Bonnie. Even if she judged him, which he doubted that she would, she couldn't leave him.

He felt like an asshole for even thinking it but he couldn't help the part of him that was satisfied to have something good in his life and have it be permanent. He had never been good enough for his parents and he didn't know how to be there for people because he was used to high expectations and emotional distance.

Now his father was dead and after learning about Vicki's actual fate after how he had treated her, he didn't feel comfortable going to Matt. Besides he couldn't go to Matt even if he wanted to, not about any of this.

The wolf was his curse to carry and Bonnie was his to protect. There was no room for outsiders in any of that.

Tyler turned to find Bonnie looking at him expectantly. Waiting patiently for him to say whatever it was that he needed to say.

"I don't know how to treat the people I care about without fucking everything up," he said finally, "You and I are connected now in ways that normal people could never imagine and I don't really know what to do with that. My parents didn't exactly have a model marriage and we never really talked about anything except for what was expected of me and the things I wasn't living up to. I didn't even know about this huge thing that's cursed my family for years. I haven't been a good friend to Matt. Not as good as I should've been. Vicki cared about me and I treated her like crap when we were together because I knew that my parents wouldn't think she was good enough and I didn't care about how anyone else felt but me. I don't want to make the same mistakes with you. This is bigger than anything that's ever happened to me and if I mess this up there isn't going back from any of it."

Tyler waited for Bonnie to pull away from him but it never happened. Instead she said, "You won't. I'm not worried about that. The fact that you realized the mistakes you made and don't want to repeat them means that you're not as bad of person as you think you are."

She turned to him completely, leaning her head on his shoulder before she continued. "I mean your father just passed away and you just learned that you're a werewolf and you can still manage not to lash out long enough to worry about me. Part of that is probably this bond or whatever but part of that is you."

She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You kept me grounded this morning. You went to confront Mason by yourself because you wanted to protect me. Last night you reminded me of what it was like to feel something other than grief and anger. It's been a day and you make me feel more wanted and safer than I've felt since I could remember my whole life. I wouldn't want to be going through this with anyone else either. Besides…this happened for a reason. I don't know what it is yet, but if nothing else we have each other now right? Neither one of us has to go through this alone."

Tyler nodded and Bonnie smiled. He knew she didn't like being vulnerable any more than he did, but she wanted to reassure him. She was the first person that he had met that put his needs before her own. It wasn't hard for him to want to return the favor.

His whole life he had been made to live up to who everyone wanted him to be and he had built up a cocky façade around himself in order to protect himself. No one really knew the pressure that he felt or where all of the ugliness and anger inside of him came from. He hadn't ever wanted anyone to know.

However, Bonnie made him feel different. She seemed to balance things out. She had made up for so much that he had lacked in such a short time. He wanted to do that for her. He wanted to give back as good as he got. Maybe that was what the bond was really about, not so much what was on paper but what they were building together slowly, minute by minute, and hour by hour. He wondered, if they were getting this close this fast now, how close they would be in a week, a month, a year or ten years from now. It was weird to even think about. He had never imagined having anyone in his life forever. It didn't seem likely, but here it was, staring him right in the face.

"And anyway," she said interrupting his thoughts, "You're not exactly winning the lottery with me. In case you've forgotten my parents are divorced and I don't know my mom so I don't really have any examples as far as a loving marriage goes either. Before last night I had little to no experience with guys as the first time I put myself out there it ended in me getting kidnapped. While I'm good a pretending most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm only a good friend because I am afraid to lose everyone and I don't know if that makes me selfish or insecure. Probably both. I'm not used to talking about my feelings. My dad isn't ever home and even when he is we don't talk. The only person I talked to was my grams and after she died I started to hold everything in, which is how I ended up dealing with the Gilbert device in the way I did in the first place. I make mistakes too. I'm not exactly a catch."

Tyler laughed, shaking his head. "I don't know how you could say that," Tyler whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head, "You're kind. You're smart. You're beautiful. You see the good in people. You've been braving all of this alone. I can't even imagine how strong you would have to be to do all of that after everything you've lost. Yesterday at the wake you were able to reach me when no one else could. You listened to me when you didn't have to. I want to be there for you like that."

Tyler gently pulled Bonnie into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. She came with no resistance her own arms coming to wrap around his middle.

"I want to be someone that you can come to," he continued, "I want to be someone that you would want to be with. A part of me wanted that before the bond happened. Being with you isn't the problem in all of this. It's the only good thing. It's the bond that scares me and what it means. It's what I am that scares me. It's what you are and what could happen to you, to both of us if I can't protect you. It's the lack of choice in this that bothers me, but I don't doubt what I feel for you. The bond that we shared tied us together in ways that I'm not ready to think about yet, but I don't think it created these feelings between us. It just magnified what was already there with us and with the parts of us that aren't exactly human."

Tyler didn't have time to regret the admission because he could feel the way that she reacted to it. He felt the warmth radiating from her and directed at him. She was glowing again, her skin shimmering and ethereal. She smiled and he was a bit dazed. He was beginning to understand what the glow meant, now that he could feel all of the positive emotions it was associated with even more.

"You're smarter than you let people think you are you know," Bonnie replied. She lifted her head and looked up at him. "I feel those things too," she said, "About the bond. About what we are and what all of this means. About you. We both have dealt with all of these secrets and loss and isolation. Maybe we should just start with promising to not keep things from each other, to trust each other and be there for each other. We probably won't get through this if we don't. It doesn't have to be anything more than that for now."

"What if I want it to be more than that," Tyler said, seriously, "What if I want to be with you? Its where this thing is headed. I don't see the point in delaying the inevitable. I know this is fast and I admit that I'd rather be able to ask you out on a date like a normal person but we're not normal and that doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can be whatever we make it. I don't want to just be your friend that helps you through this. I want to be able to kiss you and touch you whenever I want to. We don't need to tell anyone about the bond. It would be better if we didn't and no one would ever fully understand, anyway. We don't even fully understand yet so I want that to stay between us. But I want to be able to tell people that we're together."

Bonnie bit her lip and looked unsure of whether or not she wanted to believe him. "Are you sure?" She said, voicing the thoughts that he could both see and feel.

"Yeah," he answered, "more than sure. It's what I want. Is it what you want?"

A part of Tyler expected rejection. Even with the bond. He could feel her hesitance. Her doubt. Her uncertainty. Her fear. However, he could also feel the hesitant happiness thrumming beneath the surface. The longing. The desire. The anticipation. All of that gave him hope.

After what seemed like an eternity to Tyler, Bonnie nodded. "It's what I want too," she said out loud finally.

Tyler leaned down to kiss her and then stopped as a thought occurred to him. He thought about all of the times Vicki had begged him to go on dates, and all the times that he had been ashamed to be seen with her in public because he was afraid of what his parents and everyone else would think. He didn't want to go down that road again. He didn't want that regret.

With Bonnie it was different and so he had to be different. He wasn't ashamed of the bond that had formed between them as much as it scared the shit out him. She was his and he was hers and every part of them was intertwined. It was in their nature to be together. Not just because of the fact that all the information they could find on it said so. He could feel it.

A part that he suspected was his wolf had been telling him of the fact since the bond had happened. There was no use in trying to suppress it. It was a part of who he was now. It could help him protect Bonnie and his mother from the dangers that he had only just learned were out there. Not only that but it was what had brought him and Bonnie together in the first place. He couldn't hate the wolf. He was the wolf. The sun. The alpha. Bonnie was magic. The moon. His mate.

"Tyler?" She looked worried and he knew part of her concern was regarding whether or not he was backing out of his previous declaration.

"I'm fine," he said, quickly, "I was just thinking that since we're together now. Dating. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Supernaturally married. Whatever you want to call it…."

Bonnie rolled her eyes but her lips twitched upward in amusement. "Get to the point, Lockwood," she said gesturing with her free hand, the other arm still wrapped around him and clutching his side.

Tyler gave her a mock glare before he continued. "I just thought that maybe we could go on a date," he said, "I mean…the carnival is tonight…so if you wanted to go…"

"You mean the carnival that I was supposed to help Elena set up, but ditched out on in order to go through old grimoires and creepy occult text books?" Bonnie grinned. "I am pretty sure that if we run into Elena it won't exactly be fun. Besides that I wasn't there and twenty minutes ago when Caroline got out of the hospital today either. They're both probably going to be pissed since I was also avoiding their calls. Not only that but we both skipped school today so is that really a good idea?"

"You had your reasons for ditching school and your friends today," Tyler sighed, "You don't have to feel bad for ignoring them to deal with what happened last night and this morning. It's kind of a big deal for both of us. You don't have to feel bad for taking time to yourself to deal with your problems or just to take time to yourself or to hang out with hot guys at carnivals."

Bonnie knew it was the truth but she didn't trust her friends to see it that way. Still she loved hearing the words. "You're not that hot," Bonnie joked with a laugh.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said I was beautiful," he grinned.

When Bonnie blushed and looked away at the reminder of the memory Tyler took pity on her. "Look, gorgeous," he said, "I know that we have to figure out all of this stuff with bond and what it means for us. I have to figure out this whole werewolf thing and deal with Mason and get the Salvatore brothers uninvited from my house somehow. But we've dealt with enough today I think and I for one don't want to spend the rest of the night looking through books and worrying about things we can't decipher or change. We can do that when everything has sunk in and we're more prepared to deal with what happens next. Until then what's the harm in spending time together and having a little fun. You do remember what fun is don't you?"

Shaking her head Bonnie laughed. She leaned in, separating the distance between them to place a soft kiss on his lips. "Okay," she agreed, as she pulled back, "You're right. I'm done feeling guilty and after today and yesterday we deserve some fun. Let's go."

:::

Bonnie watched as Tyler took the hammer and walked up to the High Striker game at the school carnival. It probably wasn't the best place for a first date if they were trying to lay low, but it was a small town and everyone would likely see them together sooner rather than later anyway. She knew that soon her friends would likely run into them but at the moment she just wanted to enjoy being with Tyler.

She still couldn't really wrap her mind around everything, but at the very least the one good thing that had come out of the bond, was that she and Tyler were happy. For the time being. Bonnie wasn't sure how long it would last, but she would ride out the feeling. It was still strange to think that he wanted her, not just because of the bond. That he saw the bond as an opportunity to act on feelings he had had before to some extent and for them not to go through dealing with everything that was weighing down on them alone.

Bonnie smiled as Tyler brought the hammer down and wasn't surprised as the chaser shot up to the top causing the bell to ring loudly. Bonnie clapped along with the crowd and laughed as Tyler gave her a wink as he went over to pick out a prize. It felt good to smile and laugh and have fun. For a moment she was able to forget about everything else and live in the moment.

Bonnie's phone vibrated and she was brought out of her temporary high. Sighing she pulled it out of her purse. Looking down at her phone she sighed when she saw that it was a text from Elena. She knew that Elena might have been worried as she hadn't been at school but she also knew Elena was likely going to complain about or obsess over one of the Salvatore brothers once Bonnie told her that she was alright.

She and Tyler had agreed not to tell anyone about the bond or his heritage. It was for the best. They had the right to keep the secret. It was even in their natures to keep their private lives from the outside world. The witch keeps the secrets of her coven the books had said. The wolf held the secrets of his pack. The alpha guarded and protected his mate.

It was fine if everyone thought they were together, because they were in every way, even if the circumstances were unusual. It was better for Tyler as well, for everyone to know she was taken. To has his claim acknowledged and flaunted. The wolf deemed it necessary not just for the bond but to discourage any competition for Bonnie's affections, though Bonnie assured Tyler there was none, he had claimed more men were interested than she believed.

So Bonnie didn't mind having the romantic aspects of their relationship be public. She felt good about being wanted and someone being proud to show her off. But there most intimate secrets would remain between them. Bonnie liked the thought of keeping the others in the dark. When Elena and the Salvatore got involved things got messy and never ended well. Besides that she was for once the one with the power and able to put herself and the person she wanted to be with over everyone and everything else.

However, Bonnie knew that the Salvatore, especially Damon, wouldn't stop until he found out exactly what secret the Lockwoods were keeping and so she thought it best to stay clear of Elena for now, as if there was Elena one or both of the Salvatore brothers would be close behind. It wasn't just Tyler's job to protect her and her interest, she was to protect him and his as well. If that meant going head to head with Damon or Stefan or both and withdrawing from Elena then so be it. She wouldn't lose anyone else by acquiescing to them and ignoring the threat that they posed to her and the people she cared about.

"For you, mea luna." Bonnie looked up at the sound of Tyler's voice and her smile returned as she saw that he was holding a stuffed plush wolf.

She smiled at the nickname as well. The sun and the moon. Polar opposites but still residing in the same sky. She rubbed the magical mark that was covered up by her blouse without thinking. A part of her still felt like she had somehow trapped him, but there was no going back from it. Even if she didn't understand exactly what was happening to them, she wasn't sure that she wanted to go back either.

Tyler reached out and grasped the hand that she had placed over her mark and brought it up to lips and kissed the back of it. Cleary he was trying to keep her out of her own head and she was grateful for it. "We'll figure it out," Tyler whispered, "Just not tonight." He held out the stuffed wolf again.

"Thank you," she said. After putting her phone away she took the wolf from his hands and hugged it to her chest. "You were pretty impressive by the way," Bonnie grinned, "Very strong and manly."

Bonnie was sure that she sounded silly. This was different than anything she had experienced before. This wasn't just flirting. He wasn't using her like Ben had been.

It wasn't just because of the bond, having someone wanting to be with her without any ulterior motives was something new. Just like having someone return her feelings and having a boyfriend. Because that was basically what he was, though it was a lot more than that with the bond involved, that was what Bonnie wanted to call it at the moment. It was all that she could handle.

Bonnie felt less embarrassed as Tyler grinned. She remembered when she had been researching werewolves before looking into the bond. The books had said that wolves liked to display for their mates. Prove themselves. Show that they could protect and take care of them better than anyone else. The displaying happened both consciously and subconsciously.

Bonnie blushed slightly at the thought of the word mate, though she wasn't really sure why. She could feel the pride and pleasure at her praise coming off Tyler in waves and she smiled wider as he puffed up his chest slightly.

"You liked that, huh?" Tyler asked, his own smile blinding. As she nodded, his arms wrapped around her waist. He looked smug, but Bonnie fought the urge to roll her eye because he looked happy at the compliment as well. "I was holding back you know. If I had really been trying I probably would have broken the thing."

Bonnie was going to respond with a smart remark, until she realized he was probably telling the truth. He had been strong before, he was an athlete after all, but now that his wolf was out everything was enhanced and coupled with her powers…

"Stop thinking so much," Tyler frowned, "We're supposed to be having fun." Bonnie had forgotten that he was able to see into her mind and what thoughts that he didn't catch, he could feel or sense. It would probably become easier for them to delve in and out of each other's minds over time. Bonnie wondered what it would be like once they got the bond settled into something they could manage. If the intensity would be same years from now.

"What do you want to do next?" Tyler asked, deliberately interrupting her train of thought.

Bonnie bit her lip and looked around. Her eyes settled on something across the crowd of people. "Photo booth?" She asked.

"We're supernaturally married so I guess we should get some pictures taken," Tyler shrugged.

Bonnie grinned in amusement and tugged him forward by the shirt. She walked backwards through the crowd as he walked forward, his hands on her hips guiding her path, knowing that he would keep them from running into anyone. She trusted him without thought or second guessing. It was a rare thing for her to be able to have complete faith in anyone anymore, even with the small things. Even herself. She had faith in him and their bond even if she didn't understand it fully and that was something she wanted to hold onto.

Drawing the curtain back once they got to the booth, Bonnie pulled Tyler inside. The booth was cramped and so she had to sit on his lap. She waited, her arms around his neck as he put money into the machine and they picked out settings.

After the first couple of pictures Bonnie began to feel restless. Even if her body hadn't really fully recovered from the previous night she couldn't stop herself from reacting to him. He smelled good. Their bodies were pressed tightly together in the close quarters and she was beginning to feel the now familiar heat where their skin touched. She could feel his breath tickle her neck and her pulse quickened as he placed a kiss there. She wanted him and it hadn't gotten any better than it had from the night before. If anything it was more intense.

"You know, luna," Tyler whispered, smirking, "I can feel what you want even if you don't say it out loud. There's lust coming off of you in waves, I can taste it. Feel it. Hear it in that honeyed voice of yours."

One of his hands left her hip to grip her thigh and Bonnie shivered as it slid up, just under the hem of her skirt. Bonnie turned her body towards him and faced him completely. As she squirmed in his lap she felt his hardness press up against her. "If you know what I want, then kiss me already," Bonnie whispered.

Bonnie didn't have to wait long for him to comply. His lips were warm and soft and she found that she didn't mind the possibility of kissing him and only him for all eternity.

The flash of the camera in the photo booth going off had Tyler pulling away in spite of Bonnie's moan of protest. "I forgot about the camera," Tyler murmured against her lips.

Bonnie smirked as she threw one of her legs over his lap and straddled his hips. "Are you making a point?" she asked.

"What if we get caught?" Tyler asked even as he kissed her neck. He honestly didn't care either way. If it were up to his wolf he would display his claim on Bonnie to every guy on campus not just once but at least twice for good measure. He wanted the world to know that she was his and he wanted her to feel the same way about him.

"There's already photographic evidence and we are supernaturally married," she replied, "So who the hell cares?" Tyler could feel the joy along with the lust coming from Bonnie and his own joy increased at her next words. "Besides I want everyone to know you're mine. If this is how they find out then at least we get to have fun before it happens right?"

"I did say that we should have fun," he laughed. Tyler gripped her thighs as Bonnie's hands slipped under his shirt. "I guess I'm rubbing off on you."

Bonnie rocked her hips against him in answer and kissed along his jaw as his eyed began to glow. "Not in the way I want you too," she whispered once her lips reached his ear.

He could feel what she felt and it made what he was already feeling that much more intense. If this was what it would be like with her every time, Tyler knew he would spend an eternity not being able to keep his hands off of her and not giving a damn about it enough to even try. "I think I can rectify that," Tyler told her and kissed her again as another flash went off.

:::

Elena Gilbert attempted to smile as Stefan Salvatore wrapped his arms around her shoulders. While she had talked a good game about them having a normal evening at the carnival there was too much going on for that. Katherine had returned. Damon was off the rails. She had had a death scare with both Caroline and Jeremy. Thankfully they had both made it out unscathed. However, now Bonnie was missing and with Katherine lurking around and Damon being Damon at his worse, Elena knew that she would need her best friend now more than ever.

Matt and Caroline walked hand in hand at Elena's side and she found herself grateful that at least one of her friends got to have a happy and normal night. After Caroline had been saved by Damon's blood, Elena was glad to see that she and Matt had been able to pick up where they left off without any issues and seemed to be stronger than ever. She wished that she could say the same about her in Stefan.

With Katherine's return Elena's insecurities were surfacing in spite of herself. She wished that she could talk to Bonnie about all of her relationship woes, in spite of her lack of experience she always helped Elena feel better about herself.

"Stop thinking so much," Stefan said from beside her, "Maybe Bonnie didn't want to come and be around two couples. She missed school today, yes, but she did just encounter Katherine. Maybe she just needed a break from it all."

Elena nodded, reluctantly. "Yeah," she sighed, "Maybe."

Elena was brought out of their conversation by Caroline's excited squeal. "Look, a photo booth," she beamed at Matt, "And here I thought Elena wouldn't be able to manage this carnival without my planning expertise."

Matt laughed and Elena watched as Caroline pulled him along towards the booth. Elena and Stefan followed close behind.

When they came upon the booth there was already a couple of couples waiting impatiently out front. "What's going on?" Elena asked.

"It's occupied," one of the girls standing on the outside stated and Elena didn't miss the double meaning of her words. "We tried knocking on the side but some guy just stuck his hand out and flipped us off."

Elena frowned but before she could respond, Caroline beat her to it. "Seriously?" Caroline spat. "I am not waiting in line for some asshole to get off."

Matt moved forward to intervene as he and Elena already knew what this would lead up to. "Care it's not that big of a deal," he tried, but Caroline was already marching forward and grabbing a hold of the curtain hiding the couple on the inside.

"Pardon the interruption but-" Caroline started and Elena was sure there would be a not so nice tantrum that would follow but Caroline stopped talking as she pulled the curtain back and when she spoke again she said the last thing Elena would have expected. "Bonnie?!"

Elena pushed her way through the crowd to get a better look and sure enough once she did she got an eyeful. Bonnie was crammed into the small photo booth with none other than Tyler Lockwood, his hands up her skirt and hers under his shirt as she straddled his lap. Bonnie's eyes were wide and her lips were swollen and it was clear what they had been up to.

Elena blinked several times not sure she was seeing things right. Bonnie had barely even kissed a guy and here she was dry humping in some photo booth with Tyler Lockwood, who had a reputation as an asshole and a player, even if Elena did consider him a friend. Elena's first thought was that Tyler in his grief was taking advantage of her friend and she wasn't going to let it happen.

"Sup guys," Tyler said his tone dripping with nonchalance as Bonnie climbed out of his lap, her cheeks on fire. Tyler gripped Bonnie's neck and pulled her down for a quick kiss before he adjusted his shirt, though he made no move to hide the state he was in as he adjusted his jeans well.

As he helped Bonnie rearrange her skirt his hands lingered on her butt longer than necessary and Bonnie made no protest as she ran a hand through his hair. The cheers and hoots from the other patrons didn't seem to bother Bonnie as she laughed and Tyler grinned up at her looking smug and satisfied.

"What the hell is going on here?" Elena said.

"It's kind of self-explanatory, Elena," Matt grinned as Tyler and Bonnie climbed out of the booth, Bonnie clutching a stuffed wolf in one hand and Tyler's hand in the other. "If you're that confused we could maybe ask to see some of the photos they got. Should be interesting if nothing else."

Elena was able to comment that she didn't find the situation at all amusing when Caroline spoke to Matt cutting her off, "I told you Tyler was trying to flirt with her at the Founder's Day parade," Caroline said, "She was just too oblivious. But clearly she got caught up."

"Clearly," Bonnie agreed, causing Caroline to giggle and request details.

This time Elena felt the need to cut them off. "What I would like to know is why you felt the need to not answer your phone all day and then when we find you you're hauled up with Tyler of all people-"

All of the smugness left Tyler's face as Elena spoke and Bonnie's eyes narrowed dangerously causing Elena to pause. "Be careful what you say next, Elena," Tyler warned.

Bonnie leaned into him and squeezed his hand and Elena watched in surprise as Tyler's noticeable anger seemed to deflate. "Listen Elena," Bonnie frowned, "I'm sorry I ignored your calls but Tyler and I have kind of been busy." At that Caroline giggled again but Bonnie ignored her. "We connected at the memorial. You all know we both have had reasons to grieve in the past few months." Bonnie looked pointedly at Elena and Stefan. "We got to talking and other things and we found that we have more in common thought. So here we are. I didn't mean to make you worry but you know how it is when things are new and you really like someone."

Elena wanted to protest. There were hickey marks all over Bonnie's neck that were clearly visible and one large mark that was covered by Bonnie's hair that reminded Elena of the ones on Caroline when Damon had first come to town. She knew that Tyler had reacted to the Gilbert device and Bonnie acting so out of character so suddenly just seemed off.

"Of course we understand," Stefan was saying before Elena could retort, "Elena and I happened fast and we wanted to spend all of our time together. Still do. We get it. We wouldn't begrudge anyone of that, least of all you Bonnie."

Bonnie's eyes seem to soften some but Tyler glared as he wrapped an arm around Bonnie's shoulders. "Great," he said, "Now that that's all cleared up, I have to report to the wrestling team's booth. Arm wrestling. Bonnie was just talking about how strong and manly I am so I've got to prove her right. Right, Bon?"

Elena tried to look for any signs of compulsion of some sort as Bonnie laughed and rolled her eyes. Her friend seemed normal but who knew what Tyler was or what he was capable of. Damon didn't think he was a vampire and neither did Stefan but something was definitely off.

"Not in those words," Bonnie said, breaking into Elena's thoughts, "But if you want to show off for me I think I could pretend to be impressed long enough to make you feel good about yourself."

"Ouch," Tyler frowned letting go of Bonnie and holding his chest, but he was laughing a moment later and turning to retrieve the photos from the booth. He scanned them as he held them up. "I'm getting at least three of these blown up and framed," he said as he showed the pictures to Bonnie.

"You're insane." Bonnie giggled as she took the pictures from his hand and Tyler wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"And you two are adorable," Caroline said, "Seriously you have to tell me everything."

Elena watched as her four friends walked off in the direction of the wrestling teams display. She turned back to Stefan and shook her head. "Something isn't right," she said.

Stefan nodded. "Don't worry we'll figure it out," he said.

:::

Damon Salvatore watched as Tyler Lockwood took down opponent after opponent at the arm wrestling table. Lockwood didn't seem to have to try very hard either. The strangest thing of all was Bonnie Bennett being at the boy's side.

Damon had overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between Tyler and his uncle Mason when he had met with Carol Lockwood that morning. Nothing that would make sense to an outsider but enough to give Damon pause. He had heard Bonnie's name brought up more than once before the two had gotten wise and take the conversation somewhere more private and Carol had politely shown him the door.

As he watched Tyler take on another challenger his eyes drifted to Bonnie. The arm Tyler wasn't using to arm wrestle was wrapped securely around Bonnie's waist and Bonnie had one arm around Lockwood's shoulders and the other over the arm he had around her, their fingers threaded together. Damon thought perhaps Bonnie was lending him some of her power but he doubted it very much. Usually they could tell when she was using and she wasn't reckless enough to risk outing herself to impress some boy. Never mind the fact that Lockwood was looking way too smug for the display of strength not to be all his doing.

After each match he would look to Bonnie as if seeking approval of some sort and the witch would comply giving him a kiss on the cheek or the lips or along his jawline and Lockwood would give a shit eating grin before calling for the next challenger.

The sight irritated Damon to no end. It wasn't just because he was sure that the Lockwood family was hiding some kind of secret. That they weren't exactly human. Tyler and the former mayor reacting to the Gilbert device was proof enough of that. No, his irritation stemmed from Bonnie being involved.

The witch was still hell bent on judging his every move and taking him down and yet she was all over Lockwood, whatever he was. He noted too that there were marks on the expanse of exposed skin that he could see on Bonnie's body that were reminiscent of his time with Caroline upon his arrival. He scowled, the idea of Lockwood taking advantage of Bonnie making him want to expose whatever secret the family was hiding even more.

"That's new," Damon said as his brother walked up to stand beside him, "How long has that been a thing."

Stefan stopped next to him just as Mason Lockwood came up to challenge his nephew. "Bonnie and Tyler?" Stefan asked, "Not long. Elena is suspicious. So am I."

"So am I , little brother," Damon said as he went on to explain what he had overheard. Stefan made a joke about Damon's suspicions but stopped laughing as they watched Mason struggle before Tyler took him down and there was a look of utter shock on Mason's face and then the look turned to one of pride.

"The champ still reigns," Mason declared patting Tyler on the back, "Who do we have next? Who's brave enough to take on my nephew?"

Damon volunteered Stefan without much thought. He watched as his brother walked up to the table and took Tyler's hand. Damon looked on as Bonnie smirked across the table at Stefan and then whispered something into Tyler's ear.

Lockwood took less than two minutes to take Stefan down and when it was over his brother walked over to him shaking out his hand. As the crowd around Lockwood cheered Damon chastised his brother for not trying.

"That's just it," Stefan said, "I did." He held his hand up for Damon to examine and he was surprised to find that one of the fingers on Stefan's hand was dislocated and two were broken.

"What the hell?" Damon hissed. Damon looked back at Lockwood in time to see him kiss Bonnie hard on the lips and he had no qualms with compelling the next big guy that passed to kick Tyler's ass and it only had a little to do with wanting to know the Lockwood's secret.

:::

Bonnie and Tyler walked hand in hand towards his car. She held the wolf he had one in one hand. She felt happier than she had in ages. Tyler had not only managed to intimidate the Salvatore brothers but he had told anyone who was within earshot that he and Bonnie were now and item and had no issues with showing them as well.

Bonnie felt like she was walking on air and even the concerned looks Elena was giving her and the calculating look she had seen on Damon's face couldn't kill her mood. They could come up with as many theories as they wanted, they would never understand the bond that she and Tyler had and Bonnie was grateful for it. It was something that was all her own that no one could touch.

As they reached the car Bonnie wasn't all that surprised when Tyler pressed her up against it. "You have no idea how good it feels to feel your happiness," he whispered into her ear, "Or how hot it was when you told me to knock Stefan down a notch."

Bonnie laughed into the kiss Tyler initiated. She had gotten more satisfaction than she probably should have from watching Stefan walk away with broken fingers and wounded pride. "It was hot to watch," she said as he pulled back.

"You can't say stuff like that an expect me not to pull you into the back seat," Tyler said.

Bonnie knew he was serious. They had gone way farther than intended in the photo booth so she wouldn't have been surprised if that was where they ended up next. However, before she could respond a voice coming from behind them caused them to separate.

"Hey beautiful," a deep voice called out, "Why don't you drop him and come see what a real man can offer?"

Bonnie frowned as Tyler pulled away from her. She looked over his shoulder in time to see one of the carnival workers she had seen in passing walk up to them.

Tyler rolled his eyes but Bonnie could sense the wolf stirring beneath the surface as the guy gave her a once over glance. "Walk away man," Tyler told him, "She's spoken for."

"By who?" the guy asked, "You?" Bonnie watched as the guy stopped too close to Tyler for either of their liking. "Couldn't be. She doesn't look like she's into bitches."

"Walk away," Tyler repeated, this time the threat in his tone clear.

The guy response was to push him and as Tyler pushed back, Bonnie caught a look in his eye, a hesitance. "Tyler wait," she said, gripping his shoulder, "Something isn't right." The guy kept goading him but Bonnie's presence kept Tyler from the brink even as she felt his instincts screaming at him to pulverize the guy and protect her.

The guy moved to punch him and this time it was Mason who intervened. He came out of nowhere it seemed, grabbing the guy and throwing him to the ground. The guy didn't stop he came at Mason trying to get to Tyler.

"Do you remember what I said about vampires being able to manipulate the mind?" Bonnie asked.

Tyler nodded even as he kept his eyes on the fight to make sure both men stayed out of Bonnie's range. "Yeah, compulsion," he replied.

"I think that's what this is," she said, "The Salvatore trying to get you to reveal what you are. I can stop it but I need you to trust me enough to let me do it."

Tyler hesitated but nodded once. "Mason," he called out, "Stop feeding into it. It's a set up. Bonnie's going to handle it."

Bonnie was surprised that Mason didn't put up a fight until she remembered what Tyler had mentioned about being an alpha. The Alpha. Their Alpha.

Bonnie stepped forward as Mason stepped to the side. She was wary but Tyler's faith and trust in her made her feel stronger. It didn't take much to knock the man unconscious. Not even a whispered spell. Just a thought and a gesture of her hand and he was falling to the ground.

Tyler was at her side seconds later. He grabbed her hand and began to pull her in the direction of the car but Bonnie stood her ground. "Come out, Stefan," she called, "I know you're there."

There was a moment when she, Tyler and Mason stood waiting in silence. Mason growled and Tyler stepped slightly in front of Bonnie as they heard a rustling in the bushes nearby before Stefan appeared.

"We didn't mean any harm Bonnie," he said, "We just wanted to make sure that whatever was going on, you were safe."

"Her safety isn't for you to worry about," Tyler spat, "Its mine to worry about and she'll always be safe with me. Which is more than I could say for you or your crazy eyed shithead brother."

Stefan opened his mouth to speak but Bonnie cut him off. "Nothing about the Lockwoods or between Tyler and I is any of your concern," she said, her tone firm.

"I know you don't think so but I still consider you a friend Bonnie," Stefan started but stopped as Tyler left Bonnie's side to approach him.

"You heard what she said Stef," Tyler scowled, "Stay the hell away from Bonnie and stay the hell away from my family. Stay out of our way and we'll stay out of yours. You'll regret it if you don't."

Without acknowledging Stefan any further, Tyler announced that they were leaving. Mason got into his car first, giving Stefan a warning glare. As Tyler opened the passenger's side door of his car for Bonnie she glanced back in Stefan's direction. It was clear that he was going to ignore the warning and Bonnie would need to make sure that they were prepared for whatever came next regardless as to whether Stefan would take Tyler's warning seriously or not.