crack_van | Life in Plastic by unoshot (pg13)

Hello, everyone! I'll be driving The Vampire Diaries van this month and I am very excited about getting to share some of my favorite fics. I ship Stefan/Elena more than I breathe, but I tried for an even spread in characters and ships. There should be something for everyone.

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries
Pairing: Caroline (Stefan, Matt, Damon, Elena, Liz)
Length 3700 words
Author on LJ:

unoshot
Author Website fic masterlist
Why this must be read:

Caroline Forbes was undeniably the break-out star of second season and this story captures all the many pieces of her -- the neurotic control freak, the bloodthirsty killer, the insecure teenage girl. It gives great insight into Caroline's life and friendships in the latter half of second season (when, sadly, the narrative left her behind a bit). All the voices are pitch-perfect and each relationship (particularly the Caroline-Elena and Caroline-Damon) feels so utterly real.

An Excerpt

"It's hard," he says, slowly. "But you can know right from wrong even if you can't feel it. That's where you start."

She can hear insects chirping half a mile away. The rustle of a squirrel. A fox, its heartbeat rapid, the rush of blood through its veins as it dashes fifty yards to the left. Beside her, Stefan is soundless and still. Caroline leans her shoulder against his. "I don't want to be like Damon," she confesses. "I want to be like you."

"Not me." Dark regret wends its way through Stefan's tone; he's staring at the stars again. He doesn't meet her eyes. "Don't be like either of us. You can do better." Moonlight carves shadows from his cheekbones, leaving his gaze in blackness. It's a death-skull, an accidental rictus; Caroline shifts, uneasy.

She offers him her brightest laugh. "Well, I can't be me. I've got bunny blood all over my shoes and I'm thinking about gym decorations."

Life in Plastic