#like damon cares** despite what he would have you think

[blueepink07]

My interpretation of Diana's character

(spoilers for chapter 1 and fte!!)

I find it interesting how many people believed that Diana is the mastermind, when the prologue released, and still believe that she is hiding something, especially since we see the events from Damon's perspective. And for me it's really odd, because I feel like Diana doesn't act with other ill-mannered intentions in mind, but out of consideration for others. So much so that I think that she has become a people pleaser. 

Starting with her animal motif, the chameleon, everyone knows it for its ability to change its appearance as a form of protection, in order to survive. Many people tied the chameleon with her ultimate talent, because as the ultimate cosmetologist she can change others and her appearance with make-up. But I think it goes further than this. Her personality is rather unpredictable. Of course, she is usually bubbly, and very talkative, however, it seems she cares a lot about what others think of her. 

At the end of chapter 1, after the trial, the conversation she has with Eva, highlights some interesting details about her character as a whole. She wanted to make both Wolfgang and Eva happy. However, these two had contrasting beliefs, two sides of the same coin. She was forced to choose between two different points of views… But she wasn't able to. So she tried to support both of them, the best she could.

In the end, this choice led Eva to not trust Diana's kindness at all, because she knew Diana was never fully on her side. She would still agree to what Wolfgang said, which implied going against her. What comes next is more concerning, however. And I’m not talking about the fact that Diana might become the antagonist in the future chapter, but strictly about what it will become of her character. To throw away your sense of self so easily and to state that you will live to fulfill somebody else's wish, that she will change to become more like Wolfgang and continue on his footsteps…

And then, I've completed her two fte's and realised that her decision to continue Wolfgang's legacy makes sense. Damon, in the second fte, asks her why she never told anything about herself, but insisted for him to open up more. From Damon's perspective, of course he finds her behavior suspicious, because considering the context and the fact that they are in a killing game, Diana is at advantage, not sharing information about herself.

So I've decided to look again at Diana's first fte and this part was truly interesting. 

She asks if Damon wants her to become his follower. The report card summarizes the conversation by stating that Diana asked Damon what he wanted her to be.

Considering all these aspects, I have reached the conclusion that Diana doesn't really have a "sense of self". She is always seen changing the way she behaves in order to please the person she has a conversation with or is seen asking how she can improve in order to meet the expectations. The reason why she even went to the boiler room was also because she didn't want to disappoint Wolfgang. Diana's always thinking about how others perceive her, so much so that, with time, it seems she has lost her sense of self.

That’s why, the moment when Damon wants Diana to talk about herself, she is restless. Diana has no idea what to say. The only thing we learn about her is the fact that her family is nice and supportive and she never had to worry about money. But she didn't continue on with the conversation, because she felt like she was bragging.

Moreover, she always seems to see the good in people, but is harsher on herself.

Despite Eva being the culprit, Diana considers that it is solely her fault for not saving both her and Wolfgang. Even after the way Eva treated her, she can't see her as a bad person. Diana acknowledges that nothing will ever be the same, but is still standing strong, wishing that her actions will give hope to others. She hasn't just  covered the wound that she received from Wolfgang, but, indirectly, also her trauma and her negative thoughts about herself by stating that she will change, in order for others to not suffer anymore. 

Maybe I'm just biased, but I can't see Diana having any bad intentions. She is just a 17 year old, who experienced something very traumatic, and is trying her best to help the people around her by putting her own needs aside, changing the way she behaves so the others can feel comfortable around her. 

[starlightandfairies]

Hiiii I hope you don’t mind me requesting again! I love the one you did for me! It made me incredibly happy.

May I request a Lorenzo St. John x female reader? This time I was thinking of a lot of fluff and hurt/comfort? If that’s okay of course. Again, human reader please. This time reader is very stubborn and always acts tough. She dislikes supernaturals a lot. She’s friends with Elena and her group.

One day reader gets kidnapped and threatened by an enemy vampire if the Salvatore’s. The brothers save her, but once she gets home she starts to panic and cry because she’s had enough and doesn’t know if she can take anymore of the supernatural drama. But Enzo stops by her house to ask for a favor and the reader acts like she’s fine but it’s obvious she’s been crying and he tries to comfort her, despite her not liking him much.

Ahhh sorry this is long again! I just have so many ideas….um ignore this if it’s too much. I hope you have a wonderful full day and night!!

Description: The reader is kidnapped by an old enemy of the Salvatores and as tries to pretend that everything is okay but fails at doing so.

Warnings: she/her pronouns, fluff, swearing

*Requests are open, please send through as many requests as you want, check my character list and requesting rules.*

I honestly got so excited when you requested Enzo! Thank you for requesting again and yay! I'm so happy the other one made you happy. I'm glad! I'm honestly not happy about how this one turned out but I hope you still enjoy it regardless.

Key: Y/N = Your Name, L/N = Last name, POV = Point of view

Word Count: 1,358

First Person's POV

Once I turned 18 I promised I would leave Mystic Falls for good. This town is a goddamn beacon for chaos and danger. I wouldn't even be surprised if a hole to the end of the world opened right in the centre of town. One thing I hated more than maths was the supernatural beings that thought the world revolved around them. Of course, I loved Caroline, Bonnie and Elena. I tolerated Stefan and Damon but the others... the others it depended on who they were and what they've done. I tried my best to stay away from the chaos that the group got themselves into, sometimes it was relatively easy and other times it was damn hard. 

Every day I make a bet with myself about if it's gonna be an easy day or a damn hard day. I made a bet that it'll be a damn hard day. I don't know what gave me that feeling, it was just that uneasy feeling when I woke up this morning and considering that the Salvatores had been kidnapped and beaten the last few days, I just assumed that the streak of unpleasantness would continue. 

Heading towards the town square, I stood, waiting for the girls to show up, putting myself on edge due to the sudden paranoia that someone would be out to get me. 

I don't know how it happened, or when it happened but I woke up, tied up and sitting on a mattress laid across the ground. I refused to cry, I would not let myself be seen as weak and give whatever asshole decided to use me as fish bait. 

"Y/n... Y/n... Y/n..." I stared angrily at the figure, recognising the person as a Traveller, I rolled my eyes and stared at the figure flabbergasted as he slapped me. 

"I need the Salvatores to come here, I see them with you, so here we are," I grunted through the rag, groaning as he pulled it from my mouth and went to speak but was literally hushed by the twit. He put his damn finger on my lips with a tut to silence me. 

"Listen here... I don't care about how you want to run your damn mouth, I don't have the time, all I care about is bringing the Salvatores here and following the plan." 

"And that would be?" 

"Noneya." 

"Oh, how mature," I muttered, hissing in pain as his fist collided with my face, I took another breath and smiled at the man showing that I didn't care and that it didn't faze me at all. I grunted as he shoved the rag back in and proceeded to pace the room. I couldn't help but flinch as the door slammed open and within the blink of an eye the Salvatores easily dealt with the guy and the adrenaline seemed to take away my thought processing and I ended up back home without really realising it. 

I took a shower, got into my pyjamas, plopped down on the couch and that's when it all came out. I could feel my hands begin to shake, a tightness in my chest formed that made it hard to breathe. The tears came cascading down, the whole room seemed to spin and I couldn't stop my sobs from escaping. I do not want to go through that again, I do not want to be kidnapped and hurt. I can't go through that, this is all too much, maybe I should just move away? Get away from the town of death and suffering. 

I couldn't tell you how long I had been crying for, I couldn't even tell you how the panic attack stopped or if it even stopped. I was sitting in a pool of tissues, I had already nearly gone through an entire box, I don't think I've cried this much before, I can't think of a time when the pain has been this bad. 

I jumped hearing a knock on my door, I quickly and roughly rubbed my eyes doing my best to make the tears go away and hope that whoever it was wouldn't need anything from me. I forced a smile to my lips as I opened the door, surprised to see the lovely Enzo there, he was a vampire I liked and I will admit there are times when I prefer him over the Salvatores but also just like most of the supernatural my tolerance normally ran low. 

"Enzo- hi."

"Hello, gorgeous... listen I need a favour-" The vampire cut himself off, he glanced around to the living area and then back at me. I did my best to keep smiling, not wanting to let my guard down. 

"Gorgeous, what's going on?" 

"I'm fine Enzo, listen I've got a busy day tomorrow and as much as I'm sure the favour cannot wait I cannot help you today." I tried closing the door on him, groaning as he easily stopped it and slipped into my home. I bit the inside of my cheek, finding it harder and harder to continue pretending that I was okay. 

"You've been crying..." 

"N-no I haven't. I said I am fine." I tried to make my words more pointed, hoping he'll truly believe that I was 'fine' but Enzo is smart and it was clear that my bullshit lies weren't enough to convince him. 

"Talk to me, please." I wrapped my arms around myself, shaking my head, the tears inevitably coming, I could feel my lips quivering and my body shake as the sobs escaped my lips. I could feel Enzo leading me to the couch, he brushed away the tissues and sat beside me. 

"Y/n... what's going on? What happened." 

"I- one of the travellers took me and used me as bait to draw in the Salvatores... I can't deal with the supernatural any longer... I don't want to go through that again. This- this anxiety, I can't... I won't go through that again. I'm so scared Enzo, I can't keep pretending that I'm fine because everyone looks to me because they think I'm tough but the truth is-" I let out a sob that would prevent me from going on any further without struggling to voice my concerns. I shook my head, angry with myself for blubbering in front of Enzo. 

I felt him wrap an arm around me, he lightly rubbed my shoulder, against all my wishes, I let myself curl against him. At that moment I didn't care about who was comforting me, all I cared about was seeking someone who would offer me the comfort I clearly needed. 

"I can make it easier for you- I can... if you're comfortable, I can compel you... I can make it go away." I considered, that maybe it would make it easier to just disappear... make it easier to get away from all of this. I was about to allow him to do that but then I thought of Bonnie and Caroline and Elena... I couldn't do that to them. 

"N-no, no. Thank you." 

"If you ever change your mind... I know we aren't close, I think you don't like me at all but I'll make it go away. If you ever want." I took a few deep breaths, nodding and appreciating that Enzo would do this for me even after knowing that I wasn't his biggest fan. 

"I don't not not like you but- it's not important right now." 

"You know, you know gorgeous... I still think you are pretty tough, you know it's okay to cry and it's okay be worired." It felt reassuring to know that, I never wanted to let anyone down and I wanted them to know that I am strong and I am tough. That these things won't bother me or effect me.

"Means a lot to me."

[questh]

Damon Sees Ghosts - Entry#2 !Ch1 Spoilers!

Here we are again... Oh and heads up- Entry 3 will be a YT video. I made an unlisted one for the Discord, but I decided to make a public version with a few tweaks to the dialog.

Chapter Thoughts:

I knew Wolfgang never had a chance at surviving the game. His talent, personality, and all made me think that he'd be the first target a would-be culprit would think of.Honestly, wouldn't ask for any other 1st chapter victim.

The choice was perfect.

The AU:

Wolfgang is the second ghost Damon meets. Their first interaction would be in the boiler room, where the students would have made a memorial for Wolfgang, and upon Diana's request, Eva as well.

Just like how Eva's ghost struggles with dying as the Ultimate Mathlete, Wolfgang struggles with... Well, dying before proving himself. I assume he was trying to prove he wasn't like his father, or trying to prove that he could achieve what his mother had as a lawyer.

With this, I believe Wolfgang would be quite sentimental as a ghost. He left people he cared for behind, he never got a chance to prove himself, and all his efforts to keep the group together were in vain. Since he can't interact with the living, save for Damon, I believe the isolation would have made him feel quite hopeless.

Damon, though disappointed in how Wolfgang coped, humors his questions and company. As for Eva... She still holds a grudge against him.

The Design:

Though his design isn't exactly my favorite, I like the little details I was able to cram in. The knife arm is my particular favorite despite it being a last-minute addition. It will serve as a constant reminder of one of his greatest regrets, pretty much traumatizing Diana.

Another aspect I like is how with his head tilted down, he'll always get a good view of his reflection in the puddle of water beneath him. He faces the fact that he's dead, constantly... I wonder how long it would take him to accept it.

Additional Thoughts:

I want to write a confrontation between Damon and Wolfgang about the blackmail motive... It would probably be too deep to be suited for a journal entry. Perhaps after that confrontation, Damon could accept that he, as a human, feels sympathy, which leads to him gaining the courage to talk to Eva.

Wolfgang Akire... You will always be famous.

View Eva's Entry

[insomniamamma]

By Starlight Alone: Ezra x F!Reader

Warnings: Lots of kissing, trespassing? Alcohol consumption. Implied smut. Ezra running his mouth. Like seriously, that guy could read the ingredient list on a cereal box and I would drop to my knees. Reader mentions early adulthood insecurities. No age gap. Reader is the same age as Ezra.

A/N: This was a funny one for me. If you've been looking at my blog you know I've been Going Through Some Shit. I found this story in my WIP folder with about the first third written. I had no memory of writing it. I'm going to look at it as a gift from the universe. In my mind this is the same reader as the Liminal AU but this can stand on its own.

“We suffer, I think, from a lack of stars.” “A lack of stars.” First time you’ve been able to enjoy the fire pit in months, the ground bone dry for so long, and now the air smells of rain and wet earth and worms and the smoke of the low embers. Cee ate her weight in s’mores and hotdogs toasted on sticks, and then retreated to her room to game. You look at Ezra, laid back as far as his battered lawn chair will allow, expect a smirk, but his face is grim. “You’re serious.”

"When’s the last time you saw a proper sky of stars? When’s the last time you saw the Milky Way?” You frown. “I don’t know really. Probably not since I still lived at home. I used to go and stand in the driveway and smoke when I couldn’t sleep. You remember the comet?” “The one that hit Jupiter?” “No the other one. I was home for Easter Break. It had two tails—“ “That was Hale-Bopp! Me and Damon dragged a couple of lawn chairs and sleeping bags into Ma’s back field. Damon filched some cigarettes and a bottle of some gruesome fruit wine. Wild Irish Rose if I recall correctly.” “Oooogh,” You shudder, recalling your own experiences with Wild I, namely being hauled back into your dorm room by well meaning friends, waking the next day with puke crusted in your hair. Ezra chuckles. “Me and my friends thought it was some kind of omen. My back home friends, not my college friends.”

Not sure why that distinction popped out of your mouth, brings back the judgement flickering in their eyes, the sense that they were all smarter than you despite your grades. Not smarter, but maybe better? More worldly at the very least. That small town dumb hick shame clings even now, decades from there, people closest to you then now facebook profiles that haven’t updated in years.

“You okay, honey?” You turn and Ezra’s eyes are fixed on yours, low cherry red glow of dying coals, ugly sodium street light shining them. “Yeah. Just thinking about back then. It’s funny, you know? We could’ve been watching that comet at the exact same time, couldn’t we?” Ezra stands suddenly, rusty lawn chair creaks in protest, squeal of metal and soft slither of wet grass and he hoses the coals, steam hissing and billowing up into the black. “Ez?” “Let’s go for a ride. Let’s go see some stars.” “What about Cee?” “What about her? She’s so embroiled in, what’s it? Baldur’s Gate? She likely won’t even notice we’re gone. She’s nearly grown. She’s not gonna burn the house down. How bout it, Sunny-girl? Take a ride with me.”

Drive a little ways out of the city in Ezra’s rattlebox truck, warbling AM station tinny through the speakers, I fall to pieces, Ezra’s rough voice threaded through with Patsy Cline’s, each time someone speaks your name, soft slither of slide guitars, soft glow of the dashboard lights ghosting him against the dark outside. You frown. “I thought there’d be more fireflies this time of year,” you say, thinking of late Sunday nights in the back seat, watching the fields light with green fairy fire, background noise of grown up conversation, your folks just talking about the week to come without any care for the green stars stuttering in the grass, so many, driving so fast that the light pulled into elongate streaks like hyperspace in Star Wars. “Haven’t been as many lately,” says Ezra, “Not like it used to be growin up.”

He steers you down a narrow gravel road that opens up onto a wide field, pulls off into a bit of mowed berm bordered by row on row of corn, blade-like leaves stretching skyward, smell of ripening, a bit like the smell of come. Signs posted every few feet with the brand and variety. Ezra kills the engine and hops out. You hook the sweaty sixer from the foot well and follow him, climb up in the truck bed beside him. Pop a beer and hand it to him, clink your bottles together and drink. “Close you eyes,” “Why?” Ezra smirks, that slow smile that you sometimes want to slap but more often want to kiss off his face. “If we’re gonna really see the stars, we’ve got to get our night eyes on. Close ‘em. I’ll set a timer. Three minutes should do.” “Hmmm, you’re just going to get up to shenanigans while my eyes are closed.” “Oi! I am an honorable man! I am offended that you think I would use your temporary lack of sight to my advantage!” You hear the smile in his words. “I’m counting on it, handsome.”

You are the least surprised person in the world when his lips find yours, tender press and prickle of his mustache, tongue licking languid into your mouth, your Ezra who can always kiss you breathless, that slow way of his that makes you ache for him, a soft cry when he withdraws but then he nuzzles into the column of your throat, grazes his teeth against that one spot that makes you squirm and break into gooseflesh. “You don’t have your eyes closed, you jackass,” “I do not,” he says, nibbles at the join of your neck and shoulder, “My need to make love to your under the stars has eclipsed my desire to see them clearly. You can describe them to me. If you can keep your focus on the night sky, that is.” “You, sir, are a fucking menace.” “I am indeed. Open your eyes and help me with these buttons.”

[arctickat2400]

Jealousy Doesn't Suit You <> Damon Salvatore

Not sure if this is how I wanted this to turn out or not. My writing isn't how it used to be, but I hope y'all enjoy it anyways.

Request: The reader and Damon could be playing hard to get and is too stubborn to admit they both fancy and love each other so one day the reader flirts with a guy knowing that it’ll really make Damon annoyed and he gets all jealous. But maybe one night Damon cooks the reader a romantic dinner and tells her he’s been in love with her since the first time they locked eyes on each other.

~ ~ ~ ~

When Damon wants something, he gets it. However, with you, it’s easier said than done. He was so in love with you, but that was the last thing he would admit to you, let alone anyone else. 

This week had been a disaster. Your constant attempts at getting Damon’s attention have all failed miserably. You would never admit to liking him. Okay, that was an understatement. You had a fiery passion for this man, but that’s not something you would openly tell someone as news around this town travels quite fast. 

So now, you were drowning out your sorrows at Mystic Grill, sparking up conversations with Matt as he was working the bar this evening. When he wasn’t serving other customers, he was cleaning glasses and talking to you. 

“What’s gotcha down, (Y/Nickname)?” Matt asks, using your favorite nickname that only your closest friends use, as he leans forward on the counter across from you. 

“Oh, nothing,” You answer, leaning your head on your fist, your arm bent across the bar. You held a toothpick between your fingers as you traced random lines and shapes around the wood. “Just the usual. Work, mostly, among other things.” You shrugged, continuing your invisible art.

You always thought Matt, as one of your best friends, had this intuition, as if he knew almost if not everything about you. What you didn’t know was that he knew the one thing that you hadn’t told a single person, the one thing you didn’t want anyone to know. And, although he didn’t like the certain fact, he vowed to always be there for you, despite the situations you refused to tell him or anyone else about.

That’s why when he glances over at the door to see Damon waltzing in, Matt continued to keep up the conversation, keeping his eyes on the man that stole your heart without even knowing.

Damon immediately spotted you at the bar, his brain sensing your presence the second he walked in. He noticed a melancholic expression adorned your face as he made his way over to his usual booth in the corner. Damon didn’t show his emotions on the outside, but whenever he saw you, his emotions went wild on the inside. He wanted to know what made you so sad. He wanted to comfort you. When it came to you, every part of him that anyone has ever known is thrown out the window, replaced by a sweet, kindhearted man who wants to love and be loved by you. 

“Can I get you something to drink? Maybe (your favorite cocktail), your favorite?” Matt smiled your way, making your eyes flick to his, a smile crawling onto your lips. Somehow, you came here not wanting to be home alone doing nothing, just wanting to be out and about, and thought you’d see if Matt was working. So, when you came into Mystic Grill, you didn’t even think about drinking oddly enough, only looking for some friendly convo with your friend.

Matt’s suggestion pulled a laugh out of you, it coming out louder than you intended, but you didn’t care. “Oh, Matt, my friend, you know me so well,” You smiled sheepishly, getting one in return from him. 

You spin around in your bar stool, facing the restaurant to people-watch as Matt made your drink, only to be met with the piercing blue eyes of the one and only Damon Salvatore. Of course, he would be here. How had you not even noticed until now?

Your smile falls and you panic as you quickly spin back around to face the bar, your cheeks burning, most likely red as rubies. Just then, Matt slides your drink in front of you, pulling your attention to him. You meet his eyes and he already had a knowing look on his face. How did he know? You thought questioningly. Matt offered you a smile and a wink, and you decided to take matters into your own hands.

Damon’s POV

Watching Y/N with Matt, or any other guy for that matter, is torture. I should be the one to make her smile, to make her laugh, to make her feel anything at all. But, no. With Y/N, I’m a coward. I’m usually so confident, but with her, I can’t control myself. Why can’t I just go up to her and tell her how I feel? 

Because I’m not that kind of person. I can’t outwardly express my feelings. I don’t deserve her anyway. I can’t be the guy she deserves. But watching her laugh like that with someone who isn’t me makes my blood go cold. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve always been selfish. And if being selfish is what it takes to have her in my life the way I want, that’s how it’s going to be. And I know exactly how to make it happen. 

I stand and rush out of the grill, just barely missing what seemed to be a longing glance from Y/N as I storm out, her eyes glued to my retreating back. I pass by Stefan and Enzo on my way out. I was supposed to meet them, but the matter at hand is much more important. I speed home to get everything prepared. 

* * *

I’d say Y/N knows me better than I know myself. We’re inseparable and that’s why I can’t hold back anymore. I can’t handle not being able to hold her and kiss her and just show the world how much I love this woman. 

Damon: I need you to come over. It’s an emergency…

Y/N: What? Why? What’s going on? Is everything okay? Are you okay?

That’s a big reason why I love her so much. Always making sure everyone is alright, doing everything in her power to fix things and make everything okay. 

Damon: No, questions. Just get here as soon as possible.

Y/N isn’t a vampire. She’s so purely human that it makes me love her more. But, that’s also why I’m so surprised by how fast she got here despite not being able to run at an inhumane speed like me. 

“Damon!” She screamed through the house. I didn’t answer back, just waiting for her to find me in the kitchen. “Hello?” She called out again. 

When she did finally reach the kitchen, skidding to a halt, she seemed out of breath, naturally, and panicked, as she did at the bar, but different. Her cheeks were flustered as her eyes widened and she made her way towards me quickly. 

“Damon, what’s going on? What’s the emergency?” She attempted to catch her breath as she looked around at the large kitchen island that was covered in the ingredients of her favorite dinner. She may know me better than I know myself, but I also know every little thing about her. 

“Oh, nothing. I just wanted you to get here as fast as possible. Great timing by the way. Dinner’s almost ready,” I said in my normal nonchalant tone, turning to the oven to take out the main course. When I turned around, however, Y/N did not look happy. Stunned, maybe, her eyes still wide in disbelief as she stared at me. I froze in my tracks, staring right back into her beautiful blue eyes. That’s when I noticed what she was wearing. She’d changed from what she had on at the bar. It looked like she had gone home to get comfy and relax in her black lace cropped tank top and matching pj shorts. I couldn’t help but glance down at the stretch of tummy she was showing off. I couldn’t get enough of it, I couldn’t hold back a small smile, hoping she wouldn’t notice. 

She had thrown on a jacket and boots (as it was Winter), and she didn’t waste a second getting here. A twinge of guilt ran through me, but the selfish part of me was just glad she was here and looking gorgeous in spite of the casual attire. 

“Damon Guiseppe Salvatore!” Y/N started as she made her way toward me, stopping as she leaned toward me against the island. “What the hell is wrong with you?! You think it’s okay to just tell me there’s an emergency when there isn’t? To tell me to get here as fast as possible without a single reason?” She finished, her eyes burning with anger. I could see another emotion in there, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. 

“I did have a reason. I want to cook you dinner, that’s what I’m doing, and I wanted you to get here ‘cause I cook fast.” I shrugged as if it was obvious, getting back to the last of the food. 

“Damon…” She sighed in exasperation. The guilt was getting stronger the more negative emotion she showed, although I tried to ignore it. “You can’t… you can’t just…” I looked up after hearing her hesitation to see her eyes getting red and tears building up before they spilled over all together. The anger washed away as something completely different took over. She held her hand up to her throat, leaning down against the counter, attempting to hold herself up. I dropped what I was holding, not caring what it was, and sped over to her, pulling her upright and holding her against me. Every wall I’ve ever built came crashing down, and it was all for her. I held her close as she cried into my chest.

“Baby, why are you crying?” The nickname just slipped out, and if she noticed, she didn’t let it show. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would affect you like this.” She pulled away, something that looked almost like hurt evident in her eyes. 

“Damon, you know how I am,” Her voice didn’t sound as angry, but there was still a lot of emotion in her tone. “You tell me something’s wrong and I’m there within minutes. It doesn’t matter what it is. But you go and do this, especially after the week I’ve had. But, of course, you wouldn’t notice. No one ever does. No one ever notices the sadness, the depression, the anxiety. Why do I even try? Why-?” I couldn’t let her go on like this anymore. I leaned forward, taking her in my arms, and captured her lips with mine in the most passionate kiss, the one I’ve been waiting for since I first met her. 

I pulled away, holding her face in my hands, her hands latched onto my wrists. “I notice everything,” I begin, my tone firm as I stare intently into her eyes. “I notice every little thing about you because I love you!”

She gasped, her eyes that were frozen to mine widening in shock. “What?” She was barely able to let out a whisper of a word.

“How could you not see it? Every time we went out, I would notice your nervous ticks. I would notice how you tried to hide it with a smile so no one else would see. I would take your hands, calming you down. Every time you came here looking all sad and broken, I could see the tears and I would talk to you. Every time you had one too many drinks or you were just so tired that you couldn’t stand on your own two feet, I was there to help you and take care of you. And I do it all because I love you. I love you so much, Y/N, and I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. And I hate that I haven’t told you ‘til now, but I thought you’d be better off without me. I know you deserve better than me, but I’m too selfish to stay away. So, I’m taking you and I’m making you mine.” I stared into her ocean eyes, trying to gauge a reaction, an emotion, anything, but came up empty.

Until she stood on her toes and pressed her lips to mine and I welcomed them with all the emotion that I had built up for her. I bent down so she didn’t have to reach up anymore, her hand reaching up to curl around the back of my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her tight against me as she arched her back to mold her body with mine, and she fit perfectly.

“It’s about time.” I chuckled at her words, almost missing her lips. “Ya know, jealousy doesn’t suit you,” She giggled, her face just centimeters from mine. I groaned, leaning my forehead against her, my thumbs brushing over her bare waist.

“Oh, darling, I can’t tell you how much I wanted to punch every single guy that touched you, let alone those who even looked at you. You’re mine and if anyone else sets a finger on you, I-” She interrupted me by placing her finger against my lips, hers turning into a sly smile. 

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you, my love. You have nothing to worry about. I am yours and I love you.” She admitted sheepishly, her cheeks turning red. I’ve always loved making her blush, even when she didn’t notice it happening. “But I will get you back for what you did. You just wait,” She tried to be menacing as she fisted my shirt in her hand. I found it quite adorable. I just smiled mischievously, leaning down and picking her up in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist as I take her lips in mine once again. Oh, how I’ve longed for this magnificent woman. 

~~~~

Taglist:

@elenavampire21

[thequeenofneverland1]

Damon and Stefan Salvatore////In the shallow of Katherine Pierce Part Four

Warnings: Emotional Manipulation, Violence and Threats, Grief and Loss, Character death, Emotional Distress, Romantic Conflict, Psychological Manipulation , Supernatural Elements, Alcohol Use and Identity Crisis

The morning sun streamed through the windows as you sat in the kitchen with Elena, sipping a cup of coffee. You’d hardly slept after everything that had happened with Elijah, the kiss still playing over and over in your mind. Knowing you couldn’t keep it in any longer, you decided to confide in your sister, hoping she’d help you make sense of the chaos swirling in your heart.

“Elena,” you began hesitantly, setting your mug down. “I need to tell you something. But you have to promise not to freak out.”

She raised an eyebrow, already intrigued. “That depends on what it is. But fine, I promise… no freaking out.”

You took a deep breath, avoiding her eyes. “Last night, I bumped into Elijah.”

Elena’s brow furrowed, but she stayed silent, waiting for you to continue.

“And he…kissed me,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Elena’s jaw dropped. “What? You kissed Elijah?”

You immediately shook your head, correcting her. “No! He kissed me. I mean, we were talking, and I wasn’t expecting it, but then he just… kissed me.”

Elena leaned back in her chair, eyes wide. “So… did you like it?” she asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in her voice.

You hesitated, running a hand through your hair. “I don’t know,” you admitted. “I’m confused. It caught me off guard, and I wasn’t sure how to feel. But…” You trailed off, trying to put your feelings into words.

“But what?” Elena pressed, leaning forward intently.

You sighed, staring at your hands. “When I’m with the Mikaelsons or one of them. it feels different. It’s intense, almost like they see a part of me that no one else does. But when I’m with Damon or Stefan… it’s just…”

Elena tilted her head, studying you closely. “It’s just what?”

You met her gaze, your voice soft but certain. “It just feels like home. Like no matter how complicated things get, or how lost I feel, they’re always there to pull me back. It’s not just one of them; it’s both. They understand me in a way that no one else does. And despite everything, it’s always them. It’ll always be the Salvatores.”

Elena blinked, absorbing your words. “Wow,” she said finally. “That’s… a lot. So, what are you going to do about Elijah?”

“I don’t know,” you admitted, shaking your head. “I think I need to set boundaries with him. Whatever that kiss was, it can’t happen again. My heart and everything belongs with Damon and Stefan. Even if I don’t fully understand it yet.”

Elena reached out, giving your hand a supportive squeeze. “I get it,” she said gently. “But you need to be careful. This love triangle or whatever it is has the potential to get messy fast. Just make sure you’re honest with everyone involved, okay?”

You nodded, feeling a little lighter after sharing your feelings. “Thanks, Elena. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She smiled, her usual sisterly warmth shining through. “You’d be lost, obviously,” she teased. “But seriously, you’ll figure it out. Just trust yourself or maybe don’t go kissing any more Mikaelsons.”

You rolled your eyes, laughing despite yourself. “Noted. No more Mikaelson kisses.”

As the two of you continued to talk, you felt a renewed sense of clarity. Whatever was happening between you and the Salvatores and now Elijah. you’d find a way to navigate it. One step at a time.

The night air was cool against your skin as you walked through the quiet streets, your thoughts swirling. You needed space, time to process everything. your hybrid revelation, the kiss with Elijah, and the undeniable connection you felt with Damon and Stefan. It felt like your world was spinning out of control, and for once, you just wanted silence.

But, of course, silence wasn’t something Katherine Pierce would ever allow.

“Ah, there she is,” came her familiar, taunting voice from behind you.

You froze mid-step, your heart sinking as you turned to face her. Katherine emerged from the shadows with her signature smirk, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

“What do you want, Katherine?” you asked, exhaling sharply.

She took a slow, deliberate step closer, her heels clicking against the pavement. “Oh, I just wanted to check on my darling daughter,” she said mockingly. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”

You crossed your arms, glaring at her. “I’m not in the mood for your games. Just say what you came to say and leave me alone.”

Katherine chuckled, tilting her head as if studying you. “You know, it’s fascinating watching you. You think you’re so different from me, but you’re not. In fact, you’re exactly like me.”

Your jaw tightened. “I’m nothing like you.”

“Really?” she drawled, arching an eyebrow. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re following in my exact footsteps. First, you kiss Elijah. What’s next? Damon? Stefan? Maybe both? You know, it’s only a matter of time before you do more than just kissing.”

Your cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. “You don’t know anything about me or what I feel.”

Katherine laughed, a sharp and cold sound. “Oh, sweetheart, I know everything about you. You’re my daughter, after all. You crave attention, just like I did. You want them all to love you. And guess what? They do. The Mikaelsons, and the Salvatores are all falling for you. But let me give you a little spoiler: it won’t end well for you. It never does for people like us.”

You clenched your fists, your anger boiling over. “I’m not you, Katherine. I don’t manipulate people, and I don’t destroy lives for fun. Whatever choices I make, they’re mine. not yours. So stop projecting your twisted life onto me.”

Katherine’s smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her expression turning icy. “Keep telling yourself that, Y/N. But one day, you’ll realize I was right. And when that day comes, I’ll be waiting to say, ‘I told you so.’”

She stepped back, her figure melting into the shadows as quickly as she’d appeared.

You stood there, shaking with frustration and disbelief. Katherine’s words lingered in your mind, poking at your insecurities. But deep down, you knew she was wrong. You weren’t her. You could never be her.

Taking a deep breath, you turned and continued walking, determined to prove to everyone and to yourself that your path would be different.

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Salvatore kitchen as Damon whistled a tune, flipping a pancake with a flick of his wrist. The delicious scent of batter and sizzling butter filled the room, making your stomach growl. You wandered into the kitchen, still in your pajamas, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

“Morning, Princess,” Damon greeted with his trademark smirk. “You’re just in time for a culinary masterpiece.”

You raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. “You? Cooking? Should I be worried?”

“Ha, ha,” he said dryly, pouring more batter onto the skillet. “I’m an excellent chef when I want to be. You’re about to experience breakfast art.”

As he flipped another pancake, you noticed something unusual about the stack already on the plate. Picking one up, you stared at it, then burst out laughing.

“Damon, not again with your vampire pancakes.” you said, pointing to the pancake. It had two berry eyes, a bloody red syrup mouth, and jagged whipped cream fangs.

“Excuse me, Princess?” he asks, pretending to be offended. “You like them so don’t lie and besides don’t they look cute?”

You laughed harder, clutching your stomach. “It looks like a deranged cartoon character. And what’s with the syrup? Did the vampire eat a victim or spill its lunch all over itself?”

“Excuse you, this syrup represents lifeblood,” he quipped, taking a dramatic tone. “Art must provoke emotion.”

“Yeah, my emotion is confusion,” you teased.

Stefan walked into the kitchen at that moment, eyebrows raising at the scene. “What’s going on here?” he asked, glancing at the stack of vampire pancakes.

“Damon’s Picasso phase, apparently,” you said, showing him the pancake.

Stefan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Damon, can’t we just have a normal breakfast for once?”

“Normal?” Damon scoffed, gesturing toward his creation. “Normal is boring. This, dear brother, is art. And Y/N appreciates it. Don’t you, Princess?”

You smirked, holding up the pancake for closer inspection. “I mean… it’s definitely something. But I’m not eating this one. It looks like it’s judging me.”

Damon snatched the pancake from your hand, mock-offended. “Fine, I’ll eat it. You don’t deserve the brilliance of Vampire Pancake Damon.”

Stefan rolled his eyes and started pouring himself some coffee. “Why do I even bother? I’ll make normal ones for myself.”

Damon leaned closer to you with a wink. “Don’t worry, Princess, I’ll make you another. Just wait till you see the vampire bat pancakes.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Only you, Damon. Only you.”

As you sat at the table, watching him create yet another pancake masterpiece, you couldn’t help but smile. Moments like these reminded you that, no matter how complicated your life had become, there was still room for laughter and pancakes. in your little vampire family.

The autumn air was crisp as you strolled down the main street of Mystic Falls, your arms looped through Damon’s and Stefan’s. Damon walked on your left, his typical smug smirk in place, while Stefan was on your right, offering his usual calm and reassuring presence. The brothers had insisted on accompanying you, claiming they wanted to “keep you out of trouble,” though you suspected Damon was more interested in flaunting the bond you shared.

“I’m just saying,” Damon was saying as he looked over at Stefan, “if she’s walking with both of us, it’s clear who the town’s favorite brothers are.”

“You mean me,” Stefan countered, shaking his head with a small grin. “You’re just here for comic relief.”

You laughed softly, looking between the two of them. “If you two keep bickering, I’m going to start walking by myself.”

Damon leaned closer to you with a smirk. “You wouldn’t dare, Princess. You love us too much.”

Before you could respond, you heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps. Your heart sank as you looked ahead and saw the Mikaelsons brothers. The three of them stopped in their tracks, wearing matching smirks that instantly set Damon on edge.

“Well, well,” Klaus drawled, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “If it isn’t the Salvatores and their charming companion.”

Kol’s grin widened as his gaze landed on you. “Ah, Y/N. Fancy seeing you out and about. Taking the brothers for a stroll, are we? How domestic.”

You felt Damon’s grip on your arm tighten slightly as he muttered under his breath, “Great. Just what we needed. The Originals on parade.”

But it wasn’t Klaus or Kol who had your attention. It was Elijah. His expression was more controlled, but you could see the flicker of something in his eyes. something he didn’t bother to hide. The memory of the kiss you shared just days ago flashed in your mind, and you quickly looked away, your cheeks warming despite the chill in the air.

Elijah, however, kept his eyes on you, his usual poised demeanor softening for a fraction of a second. There was no smirk on his lips, only a subtle intensity that made your pulse quicken. Damon noticed and stepped slightly in front of you, his posture protective.

“Enjoying the view, Elijah?” Damon quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Elijah didn’t rise to the bait, his gaze still locked on you. “I was merely admiring the company you keep,” he said smoothly. “It seems you’ve developed quite the attachment to them.”

Kol chuckled darkly. “Oh, I’d say it’s more than that, wouldn’t you, brother? She seems to have a talent for charming all the wrong people.”

You shot Kol a warning look, but it was Klaus who stepped forward, his grin as sharp as a blade. “Careful, Y/N. Too much time with the Salvatores, and you might end up just as tragic as them.”

“Enough,” Stefan said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. “Why are you even here? Looking for someone else to torment?”

Klaus shrugged innocently. “Torment? Us? Never. We were simply passing through.” His eyes glinted with amusement as they flicked between you and Elijah. “Though it seems some of us might have other motivations.”

Damon narrowed his eyes. “Whatever game you think you’re playing, Klaus, it’s not going to work. She’s with us.”

Klaus’s smirk didn’t waver. “Oh, I don’t doubt that. For now.”

You could feel the tension radiating from both sides, and you took a small step back, your stomach twisting. Elijah’s gaze softened just slightly as he noticed your discomfort, but before he could say anything, Damon spoke again.

“Unless you’ve got something important to say, why don’t you all run along?” Damon said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Klaus chuckled, clearly amused by the hostility. “Very well. We wouldn’t want to overstay our welcome.” He looked at you one last time, his smirk fading into something more calculating. “But do remember, Y/N, alliances can shift. Don’t let these two convince you otherwise.”

As the Mikaelsons walked away, Elijah glanced back once, his eyes meeting yours for a brief, heart-stopping moment before he turned and disappeared with his brothers.

Stefan let out a slow breath, his hand resting lightly on your arm. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” you said quickly, though your heart was still racing.

Damon tilted his head, studying you with a knowing expression. “You’re a terrible liar, Princess. Want to tell us what that was all about?”

“Not really,” you muttered, looking down at the ground as you tried to steady yourself. But deep down, you knew this wasn’t over not by a long shot.

The Mikaelson brothers were gathered in the grand living room of their estate, the crackling fireplace casting shadows across the ancient walls. Kol lounged casually on the arm of a chair, his playful smirk firmly in place as he tossed a coin between his fingers. Klaus stood by the fireplace, swirling a glass of bourbon, his sharp blue eyes narrowed as they focused on Elijah, who sat stoically with his hands clasped in front of him.

“Elijah,” Klaus began, his tone dripping with suspicion, “care to explain why you were staring at Y/N like she was the Mona Lisa come to life? It was… noticeable.”

Kol’s smirk widened as he leaned forward. “Oh, come now, brother. We all saw it. The long, lingering looks, the softening of those usually stiff features of yours. Quite unlike you.” He arched an eyebrow, his tone teasing yet sharp. “So, care to enlighten us? Or shall we just assume you’ve joined the club?”

Elijah adjusted his posture, his face calm and unreadable as ever. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” he said smoothly. “I was merely observing. She was walking with the Salvatores. Naturally, I was… curious about her condition.”

“Her condition,” Klaus repeated, his tone dripping with disbelief. He took a sip of his drink before shaking his head. “That’s rich, even for you, Elijah. Admit it. you’ve developed a… fondness for her.”

Kol laughed, flipping the coin in the air before catching it. “Fondness? Oh no, Nik, it’s more than that. Did you see the way he looked at her? Like he’d just seen the sun after a thousand years of darkness.”

Elijah’s jaw tensed, his hands folding neatly in his lap. “You’re both mistaken,” he said firmly. “I have no such feelings for Y/N. I was merely ensuring she wasn’t being manipulated by the Salvatores. We’ve seen how their… attachments can spiral into disaster.”

Kol rolled his eyes, clearly not buying the explanation. “Oh, please. You think I don’t recognize that look? It’s the same one Nik gets when he’s plotting how to win her over.”

Klaus shot Kol a warning glare but didn’t deny it. “Careful, Kol,” he said coolly. “You’re not exactly subtle yourself. I’ve noticed how you’ve taken to conveniently showing up wherever Y/N happens to be.”

Kol raised his hands in mock surrender. “Guilty as charged. Can you blame me? She’s enchanting. But this isn’t about me, is it? It’s about Elijah.” He turned his gaze back to his older brother, his smirk sharp and probing. “So, Elijah, tell us are you planning to woo her with your endless speeches about honor and morality?”

Elijah stood abruptly, his calm demeanor finally cracking just a little. “Enough,” he said sharply. “Whatever you may think you saw, it’s irrelevant. My interest in Y/N is purely protective.”

Klaus arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a sly smile. “Protective, is it? That’s an interesting word, considering you kissed her.”

Kol’s grin widened in delight. “Oh, now this is getting good! Tell us, brother was it a chaste little peck, or something more… passionate?”

Elijah’s expression darkened, and he turned to leave the room, clearly done with the conversation. “Believe what you will,” he said over his shoulder. “But I suggest you focus less on me and more on how you intend to handle your own feelings for her.”

Kol and Klaus exchanged a glance as the door closed behind Elijah. Kol’s playful smirk softened just slightly, and Klaus swirled his bourbon thoughtfully.

“Well,” Kol said after a moment, “this just got a whole lot more interesting.”

Klaus chuckled, though there was an edge to it. “Indeed it has, brother. Indeed it has.”

As you walked your mind was swirling with everything that had happened. the secrets, the lies, the strange attraction you felt toward both the Salvatores and the Mikaelsons. It was all too much to handle, and you needed some time alone to think. You weren’t paying much attention to where you were going as you rounded a corner, and then—

You collided with something solid.

“Whoa, careful love,” Klaus’s voice came, smooth and tinged with amusement.

You stumbled backward slightly, but strong hands gripped your arms, steadying you. Looking up, you met his piercing blue eyes. He was standing just a few inches from you, his presence as commanding as ever. A faint, teasing smile played at the corners of his lips.

“Sorry,” you muttered, stepping back to regain your balance, though your heart was racing from the unexpected contact.

Klaus’s gaze never wavered, a knowing look passing between you as if he could sense the turmoil inside you. “No need to apologize. It’s not every day I get to run into someone as… distracting as you.”

You raised an eyebrow, not sure how to take that comment. “Distracting?”

He shrugged, his expression more serious now, though the playful glint still lingered in his eyes. “You are, aren’t you? With everything that’s happened recently… the Salvatores, my brothers and me, the confusion. It’s only natural that someone as fascinating as you would be caught in the middle.”

You narrowed your eyes, the weight of his words settling heavily on your chest. “What do you mean by that?”

Klaus’s hands slipped into his pockets as he leaned slightly closer. “I’m just saying that, whether you like it or not, you’re a part of all of this now. And let’s be honest, Y/N,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “it’s not just the Salvatores you’re thinking about. It’s us, too. You’re torn between two worlds. And honestly, I can’t help but wonder what choice you’ll make when the time comes.”

You took a step back, startled by his directness. “What are you talking about, Klaus? I’m not… torn between anything. I–.”

He interrupted you with a soft chuckle, his voice almost a purr. “Oh, but you are. I can see it in the way you hesitate when you’re around me. The way you look at me when you think no one’s watching. It’s like a dance, Y/N. and I’m sure you didn’t expect, but one that you’re caught in all the same.”

Your heart was racing now, and you hated that he was right. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he made you feel seen something that made your emotions all the more complicated.

Klaus tilted his head slightly, studying you with an intensity that made your breath catch. “I’m not here to make things more difficult for you. But if you ever decide that you don’t want to be tangled up in all of this… You know where to find me.”

His words hung in the air like a promise, and before you could respond, Klaus turned and walked away, his movements as graceful and assured as always. You stood there, frozen in place, feeling the weight of his gaze even after he was gone.

What was it about him? What was it about them all? You didn’t know how to answer, but one thing was certain: your world was changing, and the Mikaelsons were at the heart of it.

As you walked away from the spot where you had just encountered Klaus, still processing his cryptic words, you turned a corner and nearly collided with Kol. You hadn’t heard his approach, but then again, it wasn’t surprising. Kol was as stealthy as he was charming.

You froze, heart racing slightly. “Kol,” you muttered, startled.

He flashed a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I don’t bite darling well, not unless you ask nicely.”

You rolled your eyes, attempting to regain some semblance of composure. “Don’t you ever watch where you’re going?”

“Not really my style,” he said with a wink, leaning against the wall casually, arms crossed. “Though, I’m starting to wonder if it’s fate that keeps bringing us together.” He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving yours. “Every time I turn around, there you are, looking all… mysterious. Are you always this evasive, or are you just playing hard to get?”

You gave him a look. “I’m not playing anything. I’m just… trying to get through this mess.”

Kol tilted his head, his expression shifting to something more thoughtful. “Mess? I’m not sure I’d call it that. It’s a fascinating little game we’ve all found ourselves in. But I can see it’s taking its toll on you.” His voice softened, though it still carried that signature teasing tone. “You’ve been acting distant lately. Something on your mind?”

You hesitated. How much should you tell him? Was it wise to open up to a Mikaelson, of all people? They were unpredictable, dangerous. but there was something about Kol. Something that made him seem… different from his siblings. Still, the last thing you needed was to let him get too close.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, brushing off his question. “Just trying to figure things out.”

Kol’s smirk didn’t falter. “Ah, yes. That old ‘I’m fine’ excuse. We both know that’s never the case, darling.” He took a step closer, his voice dropping lower, softer. “You’ve got something on your mind. You’re always thinking, always questioning. It’s written all over your face.”

You clenched your jaw, not wanting to give him any more than he already knew. But there was something about the way he said it. so disarming, so genuine that made it harder to keep up the walls you’d been so careful to build. Kol wasn’t like Klaus or Elijah, with their heavy stares and intense, brooding nature. Kol was more… playful. And in some ways, that made him even more dangerous.

“I’m just… confused, OK?” you finally admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what to do anymore. There’s too much happening. too many people involved, too many emotions flying around. I can’t make sense of any of it.”

Kol’s expression softened, just a hint. He stepped closer, and for a moment, his playful demeanor disappeared, replaced with something else. something that looked almost like concern. “It’s alright to be confused, Y/N. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Life’s not like that, especially not with us. We’re all… tangled up in things we didn’t ask for.”

You looked up at him, your heart racing. His words were strangely comforting, but at the same time, they only made everything feel even more complicated.

Kol reached out then, his hand brushing against yours in an almost casual manner, though there was an undeniable spark in the touch. “You don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re all in this together, whether you like it or not. And who knows? Maybe it’ll all make sense eventually.”

Before you could respond, he flashed that devilish smile again, the playful Kol you knew, and took a step back. “But, for now, I’ll let you think it over. After all, I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with all this charm.”

you found yourself at a loss for words. Kol was right about one thing: he had a way of making things seem… simpler, even if they weren’t.

“Just think about it,” he said, his voice lingering in the air. “We’re not all bad, you know. Some of us might even surprise you.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, your mind reeling once again.

As the evening settled in, casting long shadows across Mystic Falls, you wandered through the quiet streets, needing time to think. The tension between the Salvatores, the Mikaelsons, and everything else in your life was weighing you down. You turned a corner, only to stop short as you found yourself face-to-face with Elijah Mikaelson.

“Elijah,” you said, your voice a mix of surprise and hesitation.

He stood with his usual composed demeanor, hands tucked neatly into his pockets. His dark eyes studied you, and for a moment, you thought you saw something flicker behind them. regret? Concern? It was hard to tell with Elijah; he was always so carefully guarded.

“Y/N,” he greeted, his voice warm but measured. “Out for an evening stroll?”

You nodded, unsure of what to say. His presence always made you feel a strange mixture of comfort and unease. He had a way of looking at you, as if he could see right through the walls you tried so hard to keep up.

“I needed some air,” you admitted. “Everything’s been… a lot lately.”

Elijah took a step closer, his gaze softening. “Understandable. Your world has been turned upside down, and you’ve had precious little time to adjust.” His voice carried that calm, soothing tone he always seemed to have, and it eased some of the tension in your chest.

You looked away, feeling vulnerable under his watchful eyes. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. Everyone has these… expectations of me. The Salvatores, you and your brothers, and Katherine. It’s like I’m being pulled in a hundred different directions.”

Elijah tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. “And what is it that you want, Y/N? Have you allowed yourself the chance to consider that?”

His question caught you off guard. You hadn’t had much time to think about what you wanted, caught up as you were in everyone else’s agendas. You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “I don’t know,” you said honestly. “I just want some peace. Some clarity. But it feels impossible.”

Elijah stepped even closer, his presence steady and reassuring. “Peace is not easily found in a life such as yours,” he said gently. “But clarity… that is something I may be able to help you with.”

You looked up at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

Elijah hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. Finally, he said, “I see a strength in you, Y/N. A resilience. It’s what sets you apart from others. But I also see the weight you carry, the doubts that plague you. You don’t have to bear it all alone.”

His words struck a chord, and for a moment, you felt the urge to lean on him, to let him take some of the burden. But then you remembered the kiss, the lingering feelings of confusion it had left behind. Being around Elijah was complicated, no matter how comforting he seemed.

“Elijah,” you began, your voice uncertain. “About the other night—”

“I was out of line,” he interrupted, his tone sincere. “I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment, and for that, I apologize. I would never want to cause you any distress.”

You blinked, taken aback by his candor. “You didn’t—well, it’s not that. It’s just… everything feels so tangled right now. I don’t know what to think or feel.”

Elijah nodded, his expression understanding. “Then take your time, Y/N. You owe nothing to anyone, least of all me. Whatever path you choose, it should be one that brings you peace, not more chaos.”

His words were like a balm to your frazzled mind, and for the first time in days, you felt a small spark of clarity. “Thank you,” you said softly, meeting his gaze. “I mean it.”

Elijah inclined his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Anytime.”

As he stepped back, giving you space to continue your walk, you couldn’t help but feel a pang of something unnameable. gratitude? Fondness? Whatever it was, it only added to the complexity of your already tangled emotions.

You watched as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows. And as you turned to head back home, you couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, Elijah understood you better than you realized.

The evening had grown heavy, and so had your heart. After much deliberation, you decided it was time to come clean to Damon and Stefan. The weight of your secret. the kiss with Elijah and it was eating away at you, and though you didn’t want to hurt them, you knew they deserved the truth.

When you arrived at the Salvatore house, they were sitting in the living room, their usual playful banter filling the air. Seeing their carefree smiles only made the task ahead more difficult.

“Hey, princess,” Damon greeted, his voice as smooth as ever. Stefan looked up from his book, offering you a warm smile. “Everything okay?”

You hesitated, shifting on your feet. “I need to talk to you both. It’s… important.”

Their smiles faded, concerned about taking over as they exchanged a glance. Damon gestured to the couch. “Alright, spill. What’s going on?”

You took a deep breath, sitting down across from them. Your hands trembled slightly, and you clenched them together to steady yourself. “There’s something I need to tell you. And before I do, I just want you to know that I never meant to hurt either of you.”

Stefan leaned forward, his brows furrowing. “Y/N, what is it?”

“I kissed Elijah,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

The silence that followed was deafening. Damon froze, his signature smirk wiped clean from his face. Stefan’s expression crumpled into something between shock and pain.

“You what?” Damon finally said, his voice low and strained.

“It just happened,” you explained quickly, your words tumbling out in a desperate rush. “He was talking to me, and… it wasn’t planned. I didn’t mean for it to happen, and I—”

“You kissed Elijah?” Damon repeated, his tone sharper now, laced with disbelief.

“Actually,” you corrected softly, “he kissed me.”

That didn’t seem to help. Stefan stood up, pacing the room, his jaw clenched. “And you didn’t think to tell us sooner? Or were you just hoping we wouldn’t find out?”

“It wasn’t like that!” you said, your voice breaking. “I was confused, okay? I didn’t even know how I felt about it until—”

“Until now?” Damon cut in, his voice cold. “Well, thanks for letting us know where we stand, princess.”

His words stung, and you felt tears prick your eyes. “Damon, please, it’s not like that. I—”

“Save it,” he said, standing abruptly. “I think we’ve heard enough.”

The room felt suffocating, the tension unbearable. Stefan avoided your gaze, his expression one of quiet devastation. Damon wouldn’t even look at you.

“I should go,” you said, your voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Neither of them stopped you as you left. The weight of their pain followed you as you stepped outside, your heart feeling heavier with every step you took.

As you walked aimlessly through the dimly lit streets, your phone buzzed in your pocket. Hoping for a distraction, you answered without checking the caller ID.

“Y/N,” Elena’s voice came through, choked and panicked.

“Elena?” you said, immediately alarmed. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Jeremy,” she sobbed, her words barely coherent. “He’s gone. He’s… he’s dead.”

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. “What?” you whispered, stopping in your tracks.

“It happened so fast,” Elena cried. “I couldn’t save him. He’s gone, Y/N. Jeremy’s gone.”

The phone slipped from your hand, clattering to the pavement. Your knees buckled, and you sank to the ground, the tears you’d been holding back finally spilling over.

First Damon and Stefan, now Jeremy. It felt like your world was shattering piece by piece, and there was nothing you could do to stop it.

You stayed there on the cold pavement, sobbing into the night, the weight of your choices and losses pressing down on you. The sound of Elena’s cries echoed faintly from the phone, a heartbreaking reminder of just how much had been lost in a single, devastating moment.

The night was eerily quiet, save for the soft crunch of leaves beneath your feet. Your heart felt like it was breaking with every step you took, tears streaming down your face as Jeremy’s death and your confrontation with Damon and Stefan replayed endlessly in your mind. Every breath was a struggle, every beat of your heart a painful reminder of everything you’d lost.

You barely noticed the familiar presence until a voice cut through the stillness, smooth and calculated.

“Sweetheart, why are you torturing yourself like this?”

You froze, turning to see Katherine standing in the shadows, her arms crossed and a knowing smirk playing on her lips. She stepped closer, her dark eyes glinting in the moonlight.

“Katherine,” you muttered, your voice hoarse from crying. “What do you want?”

“Me?” she said, feigning innocence. “I just want to help my darling daughter. You’re clearly falling apart. It’s written all over your face.”

“Don’t,” you snapped, trying to walk past her, but she moved swiftly, blocking your path.

“Don’t what?” Katherine said, tilting her head. “Don’t tell you the truth? Don’t remind you that this pain you’re feeling? It doesn’t have to be like this.”

You glared at her through tear-filled eyes. “I don’t want to hear it.”

She sighed dramatically, stepping even closer. “Of course you don’t. Because you’re stubborn, just like me. But let’s face it, baby. you’re drowning. Jeremy’s gone. The Salvatores are heartbroken. And you? You’re carrying all of it. It’s going to destroy you, Y/N. Unless…”

You didn’t ask her to finish. You didn’t want to hear it, but she continued anyway.

“Unless you do what I do sometimes,” Katherine said, her voice softer now, almost soothing. “Turn it off.”

Your stomach twisted at her words. “No. I won’t do that.”

Katherine laughed lightly. “Oh, but why not? What’s left for you here? Pain? Heartbreak? Guilt? Why carry it when you don’t have to? You’re a vampire now, Y/N. You have the choice to shut it all out. No more tears, no more hurt, no more weakness.”

You shook your head, stepping back, but her words burrowed into your mind like a poison. “I can’t,” you whispered.

“Can’t or won’t?” Katherine challenged, her tone sharpening. “You’re scared. You think holding onto this pain makes you better than me, but it doesn’t. It makes you weak. And you know what’s worse? All this guilt you’re carrying for other people. Damon, Stefan, Jeremy. it doesn’t matter. They’re not here. You’re the one suffering.”

Her words hit a nerve, and fresh tears spilled down your cheeks.

“Stop it,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “Just stop.”

Katherine leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “Turn it off, Y/N. Do it, and you’ll finally be free. No more heartbreak, no more crying yourself to sleep, no more pain. It’s all just… gone.”

You clenched your fists, trying to fight the temptation. But her words lingered, and the pain in your chest felt unbearable. Katherine was right about one thing. you were drowning. And in that moment, the idea of escaping it all, of not feeling anything, seemed almost… merciful.

“I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” you admitted, your voice cracking.

Katherine’s smirk returned, triumphant. “Then don’t. Just let it go. Turn it off.”

You hesitated, the war inside you raging. Part of you wanted to fight, to hold onto the part of yourself that still cared. But the other part. the part that was tired, broken, and desperate was louder.

With a shaky breath, you closed your eyes and let go. The emotions that had been suffocating you. the grief, the guilt, the heartbreak began to fade, replaced by a cold, numbing void. When you opened your eyes again, the tears had stopped.

Katherine stepped back, studying you with approval. “There it is,” she said, a satisfied smile on her lips. “Now you’re ready to really live, Y/N.”

You didn’t say anything, your expression now blank and unreadable. The pain was gone, just as she promised. And with it, the weight of everything that had once mattered.

As Katherine turned and began to walk away, she glanced back over her shoulder. “You’ll thank me for this one day.”

You didn’t respond. You simply stood there, staring into the night, the world around you feeling strangely distant and hollow. For the first time in days, you felt nothing.

The moon hung low in the sky as you wandered aimlessly through the woods, your once vibrant demeanor replaced by a chilling indifference. The wind rustled through the trees, but its soothing whispers didn’t reach you. You weren’t the same anymore; you couldn’t feel the ache, the pain, the crushing grief. All that was left was a cold emptiness, and you welcomed it.

“Y/N.”

You froze at the sound of a familiar voice and turned to see the Mikaelsons stepping out of the shadows. Elijah, Klaus, and Kol stood before you, their expressions somber, each of them carrying an air of hesitation.

“We heard about your brother,” Elijah began, his voice gentle, as if he was treading carefully. “And we wanted to offer our condolences. If there is anything or anything at all that we can do, we are here for you.”

You stared at them for a moment, then burst into laughter. Not the kind of laughter that brought joy, but one that was hollow, biting, and unnerving. It echoed through the woods, cutting through the quiet night like a blade.

Klaus frowned, stepping closer. “Y/N, are you all right?”

“All right?” you repeated, your laughter dying abruptly as you took a step forward. “Oh, I’m better than all right. I’m finally free.”

Kol’s face darkened, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “What does that mean?”

Elijah studied you intently, his gaze sharp and assessing. Then it hit him. He took a step forward, concern etched on his face. “You turned it off, didn’t you?”

You tilted your head, a wicked smile creeping onto your lips. “And here I thought you were the smart one.”

“Love, no,” Klaus said, his voice firm, though there was an edge of worry. “This isn’t you. You’ve let Katherine get inside your head. Turn it back on. You need to grieve properly.”

“Grieve?” you scoffed, pulling out a stake from behind your back. The sight of it made the brothers instinctively tense. “Why would I want to do that? All grief does is hurt. And I’m done with that.”

“Y/N,” Elijah said softly, his calm demeanor unwavering despite the weapon in your hand. “We understand your pain. Losing a sibling is—”

“Don’t you dare talk to me about pain!” you snapped, your voice like venom. “You have no idea what I’ve been through. No idea what it’s like to have everything ripped away from you and be left with nothing!”

Kol tried to step closer, his tone gentle but wary. “We’re not your enemies, darling. We just want to help.”

You laughed darkly, spinning the stake in your hand. “Help? That’s rich. If you’re so concerned, then leave me alone. But if you insist on pushing, I’ll happily remind you why they call me dangerous.”

Klaus’s jaw clenched as he exchanged a glance with Elijah. “Y/N, you don’t mean that.”

“Oh, don’t I?” you said, your voice dropping to a deadly calm. “Try me, and you’ll find out just how serious I am. You’ll end up just like anyone else who gets in my way will end up dead.”

The Mikaelsons stood frozen, a mixture of shock and heartbreak on their faces. The warmth they’d always associated with you was gone, replaced by a cold, detached version of yourself that they barely recognized.

Elijah’s voice cracked as he spoke, his composure slipping. “This isn’t who you are, Y/N. Please, don’t let this define you.”

You tilted your head, smirking cruelly. “Maybe this is exactly who I am. Maybe you just didn’t know me as well as you thought.”

For a moment, silence hung in the air, the tension suffocating. Then, without another word, you turned on your heel and disappeared into the night, leaving the Mikaelsons standing there, their hearts heavy with the weight of your transformation.

“Did you see her eyes?” Kol whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

“She’s gone,” Klaus muttered, his tone unusually soft.

Elijah straightened, his face resolute despite the pain in his eyes. “No. She’s still in there. We’ll bring her back.”

The Mikaelsons watched the direction you’d vanished into, determined but broken. They knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but they weren’t ready to give up on you. not yet.

The night was alive with music, laughter, and a carefree energy that felt almost foreign to you. You found yourself in one of Mystic Falls’ more discreet underground venues, the kind of place that Katherine knew all too well. Neon lights flashed in rhythmic patterns, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the crowd. The air buzzed with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and exhilaration.

You were seated in a plush booth, leaning back with a glass of bourbon in your hand, watching the chaos unfold on the dance floor. Katherine was beside you, dressed to kill figuratively and, knowing her, probably literally. She looked like she owned the place, her smirk as sharp as ever.

“See, darling,” Katherine said, sipping her drink with a satisfied grin, “this is what life should be about. No strings, no guilt. Just fun. No one to judge you, no one to hold you back.”

You tilted your head, your lips curling into a smirk that mirrored hers. “It does have its perks. Though I didn’t peg you for the ‘mother-daughter bonding night’ type.”

Katherine laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, please. I’m not that sentimental. But I couldn’t resist showing my baby girl how to truly enjoy the perks of being… well, us.”

She gestured to the scene around you and humans laughing and drinking, oblivious to the vampires in their midst. You could feel the pulse of their blood, the intoxicating allure of it calling to you, but tonight wasn’t about hunger. It was about indulgence in a different form.

Katherine suddenly stood, pulling you to your feet. “Come on. You can’t just sit there looking pretty all night.”

You raised an eyebrow, amused. “What exactly do you have in mind?”

Her grin widened as she led you to the dance floor. The crowd parted for her as if they instinctively knew not to get in her way. The music thumped loudly, and before you knew it, you were dancing alongside her.

At first, you felt a bit stiff, the weight of everything still lingering in the back of your mind, but Katherine wasn’t having it. She spun you around, laughing, and leaned in to shout over the music. “Loosen up, Y/N! You’ve already turned off your humanity. This is your chance to let go and have some real fun!”

As the beat picked up, you decided to follow her lead. You allowed yourself to sway to the music, to feel the energy of the crowd around you. It wasn’t long before you were laughing alongside Katherine, caught up in the wildness of the moment.

After a while, you found yourselves back at the bar. Katherine ordered another round of drinks, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re getting the hang of it,” she said, nudging you with her elbow.

“Guess I had a good teacher,” you quipped, earning an approving nod from her.

As the night went on, you found yourself genuinely enjoying her company. Katherine might have been manipulative and self-serving, but tonight, she felt almost… human. She told you stories of her wildest escapades, some of which had you rolling your eyes, others that made you laugh so hard your sides hurt.

But the fun wasn’t without its edge. Katherine occasionally shot predatory glances at unsuspecting humans in the room, and you knew she was testing you, waiting to see if you’d follow her lead in a darker way.

When a particularly bold guy tried to flirt with you, Katherine’s smirk turned deadly. She stepped in, placing a protective yet condescending arm around your shoulders. “Sorry, sweetheart,” she told the guy, her tone dripping with fake sweetness, “she’s out of your league. Run along.”

You burst out laughing as the guy scurried off, and Katherine shrugged. “What? I can’t have anyone ruining our night.”

As the hours ticked by, you started to realize what Katherine was doing. She wasn’t just showing you how to have fun. she was pulling you deeper into her world, the one where consequences didn’t exist, and pleasure came before anything else.

For now, you let her, because it felt good to forget. But somewhere in the back of your mind, a small voice whispered that this wasn’t who you were.

For tonight, though, you silenced that voice.

The Mikaelsons entered the dimly lit club, their sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Klaus led the way, his jaw set with determination, while Kol followed close behind, exuding his usual air of mischief. Elijah, as composed as ever, trailed them, his eyes darting through the room in search of you. They had heard rumors of your activities with Katherine and were determined to find you, whether it was to bring you back or to confront you.

Suddenly, they spotted you standing by the bar, a glass of bourbon in hand. Klaus stepped forward, his voice commanding. “Y/N.”

You turned slowly, a sly smirk spreading across your face. “Oh, no, no, no, handsome,” you purred, your tone dripping with mockery. “I’m not Y/N. I’m Katherine.”

Klaus raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Do you take us for fools? We can tell the difference between you and your mother.”

Before you could respond, another figure emerged from the shadows. Katherine herself. She sauntered over, her smile identical to yours, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “No, my sweet daughter,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, “I am Katherine. Oh wait… no, I’m Y/N.”

The two of you burst into laughter, your voices blending into a perfect harmony that only added to the Mikaelsons’ confusion.

Kol folded his arms, leaning casually against the nearest surface. “Well, this is entertaining,” he drawled. “A game of Who’s Who. Tell me, ladies, how long do you plan to keep this up?”

You exchanged a glance with Katherine, your smirks widening. “As long as it takes for you to guess,” you said in unison, your voices perfectly synchronized.

Elijah’s patience was already wearing thin. “Enough of this,” he said firmly, his eyes narrowing. “We’re not here for your games. Y/N, we need to talk.”

Katherine placed a hand dramatically over her chest. “Oh, Elijah,” she said, feigning shock. “You’re breaking my heart. Can’t you tell it’s me, Katherina?”

You mimicked her gesture, your tone dripping with mock offense. “No, no, Elijah. It’s me, Y/N. Don’t you recognize your favorite human-turned-vampire-turned… well, whatever I am now?”

Klaus’s temper flared. “We don’t have time for this nonsense!” he snapped. “Enough with the charade. Y/N, since you have your humidity off, you just have made a grave mistake. And as for you, Katherine—”

But Katherine cut him off, stepping closer to Klaus with a playful smile. “Oh, Niklaus, you always did take everything so seriously. Relax. Enjoy the show. It’s not every day you get to see a mother-daughter duo working together, is it?”

You tilted your head, meeting Klaus’s glare with your own defiance. “What’s the matter, Klaus? Feeling a little out of control? You’re used to everyone bowing to your whims, aren’t you?”

Kol laughed, thoroughly enjoying the chaos. “I have to admit,” he said, his grin widening, “I quite like this side of Y/N. Spunky, unpredictable. Very… Katherine-like.”

Katherine clapped her hands together, beaming. “Finally, someone with good taste. Thank you, Kol.”

Elijah stepped forward, his tone sharp. “This isn’t a game, Y/N. You’re playing with fire, aligning yourself with Katherine. You’re better than this.”

You rolled your eyes, your smile fading for a brief moment. “Am I? Because right now, it feels pretty damn liberating to not care. Maybe Katherine had the right idea all along.”

Katherine smirked, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “See? She gets it.”

But before anyone could respond, you both started walking toward the exit, leaving the Mikaelsons standing there, visibly frustrated.

As you disappeared into the night with Katherine, Kol chuckled softly. “Well, that was fun.”

Elijah sighed, rubbing his temples. “Fun isn’t exactly the word I would use.”

Klaus clenched his fists, his expression dark. “We’ll get through to her. One way or another.”

Elena stormed into the Salvatore boarding house, her face pale and frantic, but her words were met with silence. Damon and Stefan were sitting in the living room, Damon swirling a glass of bourbon while Stefan stared out the window, lost in thought. Neither of them looked at her when she entered.

“Really?” Elena snapped, throwing her hands in the air. “You’re both still ignoring me? I get that you’re mad at me for not telling you about the kiss with Elijah, but right now, I don’t care! I’ve been calling you all day, and neither of you is answering!”

Damon glanced at her briefly, raising an eyebrow, but then went back to his drink without saying a word. Stefan didn’t even acknowledge her.

“Fine,” Elena said, her voice shaking with frustration. “Be mad at me all you want. But if you actually care about Y/N, you’ll stop sulking and listen to me!”

At the mention of your name, Stefan’s head turned slightly, though he didn’t fully face her. Damon’s grip on his glass tightened, his jaw clenching.

Elena stepped closer, her tone softening. “I can’t find her. She’s not answering my calls, and she hasn’t since I told her about Jeremy.” Her voice cracked, tears welling up in her eyes. “She was devastated, and now she’s just… gone. I don’t know where she is.”

Damon’s head shot up at that, his cocky demeanor replaced with worry. “What do you mean, gone?”

“I mean, she’s disappeared!” Elena cried, her desperation spilling over. “She walked out of here after you two didn’t stop her, and now I can’t find her! She’s not at her usual spots. She’s not with Bonnie or Caroline. and you know that’s not like her.”

Stefan finally turned to face her, his brows furrowed in concern. “You think something happened to her?”

“I don’t know!” Elena admitted, her voice breaking. “But I told her that Jeremy died, I thought maybe she’d call me back, maybe she’d yell at me for not telling her sooner. But nothing. It’s like she’s completely shut down.”

Damon stood up abruptly, his glass clinking against the table as he set it down. “She wouldn’t just disappear. Not without a reason.”

“And what if the reason is us?” Stefan said quietly, guilt evident in his tone.

Elena shook her head. “No, it’s not you. It’s Jeremy. She’s grieving, and she’s doing it alone because none of us were there for her. I should’ve been there. You two should’ve been there. But instead, we’ve been wrapped up in our own drama while she’s been falling apart!”

Damon cursed under his breath, grabbing his jacket. “Well, sitting here isn’t going to fix anything. Let’s split up and find her.”

Stefan nodded, already heading toward the door. “We’ll check the usual places again, and then we’ll expand the search.”

Elena followed them, her heart heavy. “Please, if you find her, just… tell her I’m sorry. Tell her we’re all sorry.”

Damon glanced back at her, his expression softening for a moment. “We’ll find her, Elena. And when we do, we’ll make this right. Somehow.”

With that, the three of them headed out, each of them silently praying they weren’t already too late.

Damon and Stefan had been searching tirelessly for you all night, and when they finally caught your scent leading to an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town, they didn’t hesitate. The moonlight barely lit the crumbling structure, but they moved with purpose, their hearts heavy with the weight of guilt and determination.

They found you in the main hall, lounging in an old armchair with a glass of red wine or was it blood? in your hand. The flickering candlelight cast a mischievous glow on your face. Your mother, Katherine, was seated elegantly on the arm of your chair, her smirk a mirror of your own.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” you said, your tone dripping with mockery. “My knights in tarnished armor.”

Katherine chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, darling, don’t be too hard on them. They probably got lost chasing their tails.”

Damon rolled his eyes, stepping forward. “Really, Y/N? This is what you’ve been doing? Playing house with Mommy Dearest?”

You raised your glass in a mock toast. “Why not? She’s a lot more fun than you two. No lectures, no guilt trips, just pure, unfiltered freedom.”

Stefan’s jaw tightened, his eyes pleading as he spoke. “Y/N, this isn’t you. Turning off your humanity doesn’t make you free it traps you.”

“Oh, spare me the lecture, Saint Stefan,” you replied, standing up. “You and Damon think you know me so well, but guess what? I’m not your precious little Y/N anymore. I’m Katherine 2.0.”

Damon let out a dry laugh. “Katherine 2.0? Please, you’re barely a beta version. At least Katherine had an original act.”

Katherine gasped in mock offense. “Rude, Damon. And here I thought you liked my original act. You know, back when you were my little puppy.”

Damon shot her a glare. “Let’s not rehash ancient history, Katherine. We’re here for Y/N, not for your stroll down memory lane.”

You tilted your head, your smirk widening. “Oh, but Damon, you’re forgetting the most important part: I’m the one who decides where I go, not you.”

Stefan stepped closer, his voice softening. “Y/N, I know you’re hurting. I know turning off your humanity feels like the only way to escape the pain, but you don’t have to do this. We can help you.”

You rolled your eyes, stepping toward him until you were inches away. “Help me? Like you ‘helped’ me by hiding everything? Like you ‘helped’ me by not being there when Jeremy died? No thanks, Stefan. I’ve got all the help I need right here.” You gestured to Katherine, who gave an exaggerated wave.

Damon crossed his arms, his expression shifting from frustration to a sly grin. “You know, Stefan, I think she’s right. She really is just like Katherine.”

Katherine raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“Yeah,” Damon continued, his grin widening. “She’s got the whole drama queen act down, the condescending smirk, the superiority complex. it’s uncanny. It’s like you cloned yourself, Katherine. Bravo.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, but before you could retort, Stefan chimed in, playing along. “You’re right, Damon. But there’s one thing missing.”

“Oh?” Katherine said, crossing her arms. “And what’s that?”

Stefan smirked. “The charm. Y/N’s got her own charm. She’s not you, Katherine, and she never will be.”

Katherine scoffed, but you could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. You stepped between them, glaring at both brothers. “Nice try, boys. You think you can just waltz in here, throw some clever insults, and fix everything? Not happening.”

Damon’s grin softened into something more genuine. “We’re not trying to fix you, Y/N. We’re just trying to remind you of who you really are. The girl who would never turn her back on her friends. The girl who cared, no matter how hard it got.”

Stefan nodded, his voice steady. “We’re not giving up on you. No matter how long it takes, we’re staying right here.”

You hesitated, their words cutting through the walls you’d built around yourself. Katherine placed a hand on your shoulder, her grip firm. “Don’t let them get to you, sweetheart. You’re better off without them.”

But for the first time since turning off your humanity, doubt flickered in your eyes. You pushed it down, plastering on your smirk again. “Nice speech, boys. But I’m still not coming home.”

You turned on your heel, Katherine following you as Damon and Stefan exchanged a look. They weren’t giving up. not yet. They’d find a way to bring you back, even if it meant facing every wall you put up along the way.

The tension in the room was suffocating as the Salvatores and the Mikaelsons stood in a rare alliance, strategizing their next move. It was a surreal sight. two rival factions united with one goal: to bring you back. Damon leaned against the fireplace, his arms crossed, while Stefan sat in deep thought. Klaus, Kol, and Elijah loomed nearby, their expressions varying between irritation and determination.

“This is ridiculous,” Klaus finally said, breaking the silence. “If we want Y/N back, we need to cut off her anchor. Katherine. She’s the one feeding into this madness.”

Damon scoffed. “Trust me, Original, we’re not big fans of Katherine either. But Y/N’s loyalty to her is on a whole new level right now. She’s not going to just let us walk in and take Mommy Dearest.”

Kol smirked, clearly relishing the chaos. “Then we don’t walk in. We take her by force. Y/N’s dangerous, but she’s not invincible. If we get Katherine, we can use her to snap Y/N out of this delusion.”

Elijah’s voice was calm but firm. “We’ll do it carefully. No unnecessary harm to Y/N. She’s still under the influence of her mother’s manipulations. If we can remove Katherine from the equation, Y/N might begin to see clearly.”

Stefan nodded. “Agreed. Let’s move before they relocate again.”

The plan was set, and the group tracked Katherine and you to a secluded estate. Night had fallen, casting an eerie glow over the place. The Salvatores and Mikaelsons moved stealthily through the shadows, their combined power a formidable force.

Inside, you and Katherine were enjoying what seemed to be an evening of indulgence. Katherine was reclining on a luxurious sofa, sipping wine, while you stood by the window, gazing out at the moonlit landscape.

“It’s quiet tonight,” Katherine mused, swirling her glass. “Too quiet.”

Before you could respond, the doors burst open, and in stormed the Salvatores and Mikaelsons, their presence commanding the room. Katherine didn’t even flinch, a sly smile curling on her lips.

“Well, well,” she drawled. “The cavalry has arrived. Took you long enough.”

You turned, your gaze icy as you assessed the group. “What is this? Some kind of intervention?”

Stefan stepped forward, his voice gentle but resolute. “Y/N, this has to stop. We’re here to help you.”

Damon, as always, added his signature sarcasm. “Or at least stop you from turning the world into your personal vampire playground.”

Katherine laughed, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, please. Do you really think you can just waltz in here and take me? You’re outnumbered, and I dare say outmatched.”

That was when Klaus made his move. In a flash, he had Katherine pinned against the wall, his hand gripping her throat. “You’ve meddled enough, Katherine. Time to see how long you last without your daughter to hide behind.”

“Let her go!” your voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

Everyone turned to see you standing there, a stake in each hand, your expression deadly. The room fell silent as your words cut through the air. “Let my mother go, or I’ll give you something to scream in pain for.”

Klaus raised an eyebrow, amused despite the situation. “Is that a threat, love?”

You took a step forward, your voice dangerously calm. “No, it’s a promise.”

Elijah, ever the diplomat, raised a hand. “Y/N, this isn’t the way. We only wish to help you—”

“Help me?” you interrupted, laughing darkly. “The only thing any of you want is to control me. Newsflash: I don’t need saving, and I certainly don’t need any of you.”

Katherine smirked from her precarious position. “That’s my girl.”

Kol stepped forward, his playful demeanor gone. “Y/N, if you want to pick a fight, you’re outnumbered.”

You tilted your head, your smirk matching Katherine’s. “Outnumbered doesn’t mean outmatched. You want to see just how far I’ve fallen? Try me.”

The room bristled with tension, the factions standing on a knife’s edge. Stefan’s voice broke the silence, his tone filled with quiet desperation. “Y/N, please. We love you. Don’t let Katherine destroy the person you are.”

For a moment, something flickered in your eyes. hesitation, doubt. But you quickly pushed it aside, your smirk returning. “The person I was is gone. You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.”

With that, you took another step forward, daring anyone to challenge you. Damon and Stefan exchanged a glance, the heartbreak evident in their eyes. Elijah’s jaw tightened, while Klaus and Kol prepared for whatever came next.

But before anyone could act, Katherine spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension. “Enough. If you want me, come and get me. But be warned. Y/N won’t let you take me without a fight.”

The standoff continued, the room a powder keg ready to explode. It was clear that no one was leaving unscathed, and the battle for your soul had only just begun.

The sun hung high in the sky as you and Katherine strolled through the quiet streets of the small town. The two of you were practically mirror images, from your perfectly styled hair to the way you carried yourselves with effortless grace. Katherine had insisted on a girls’ day out, and while you were still reveling in your humanity-free lifestyle, you went along for the fun.

“Let’s grab a drink,” Katherine said with her signature smirk, gesturing to a cozy little bar tucked into the corner of the street.

You shrugged, your voice light but laced with mischief. “Why not? Let’s see if these humans can keep up with us.”

The two of you walked inside, your heels clicking against the wooden floor. The atmosphere was warm, the smell of whiskey and chatter filling the air. Katherine leaned against the bar, ordering two drinks with a wink to the bartender, who was clearly smitten.

But just as she handed you your glass, the door slammed open with a gust of wind. In the blink of an eye, you were yanked backward with an incredible force, slamming against the hard chest of Klaus Mikaelson. His iron grip held you in place, and his piercing blue eyes bored into yours with a mix of anger and desperation.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Klaus growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Behind him, Elijah and Kol stepped forward, their expressions a mix of tension and curiosity. A few paces behind them were Damon and Stefan, their eyes filled with heartbreak and frustration.

You smirked, the same dangerous glint in your eyes that Katherine often wore. “Oh, handsome,” you purred, tilting your head. “I’m not Y/N. I’m Katherine.”

Katherine chose that moment to step out from the shadows, her arms crossed and her smirk wide. “No, no, no, sweetheart,” she drawled. “I’m Katherine. You’re Y/N.”

Your smirk deepened as you adjusted your posture to mimic hers exactly. “No, darling, I’m you.”

Katherine raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the game. “Nice try, but everyone knows I’m the original queen of deception.” She took a step closer to Klaus, her smirk a carbon copy of yours. “Care to test me?”

The room fell silent, the two of you standing side by side in identical outfits, hair styled the same way, even wearing matching lipstick. both the Salvatores and the Mikaelsons looked between the two of you, utterly baffled.

Kol let out an exasperated sigh. “Oh, this is bloody fantastic. It’s like a vampire version of ‘Who’s Who.’”

Damon’s jaw tightened as he glared at both of you. “Enough games. Y/N, if you’re in there, cut the crap.”

You chuckled darkly, stepping closer to him with a mocking smile. “Oh, Damon, always so serious. That’s why I prefer Klaus.”

Klaus’s grip on your arm tightened slightly, and he gave you a warning look. “Don’t test my patience, love.”

Meanwhile, Katherine took a step closer to Elijah, placing a hand on his chest. “Elijah, surely you can tell the difference between me and my daughter.”

Elijah’s jaw tightened as he looked between you and Katherine, his normally composed demeanor faltering for the briefest moment. “Both of you stop this nonsense. Y/N, if you’re in there, you need to remember who you are.”

Katherine rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, come on, Elijah. You’re supposed to be the smart one.”

Stefan, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward cautiously. “Y/N, if you’re really there, think about Jeremy. Think about Elena. They need you.”

You froze for the briefest moment, but then your smirk returned, sharp as a knife. “Jeremy’s gone. Elena will survive without me. I’m finally free, Stefan. No more guilt, no more pain.”

Katherine let out a triumphant laugh, throwing her arm around your shoulder. “See? She’s finally starting to see things my way. You should all be proud of her.”

The boys exchanged glances, their frustration mounting. Kol broke the tension with a sarcastic clap. “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. We’ve officially lost the plot.”

Klaus, however, wasn’t ready to give up. He leaned in closer to you, his voice a low whisper meant only for you to hear. “If there’s even a shred of you left in there, fight this. You’re not Katherine, no matter how much you want to be.”

For a split second, your eyes softened, a flicker of something genuine breaking through the icy exterior. But it was gone as quickly as it came. You pulled away from him, your laughter filling the room.

“Nice try, Klaus,” you said, tossing your hair over your shoulder. “But I’ve made my choice. And it’s not you, not Damon, not Stefan. It’s me. Just me.”

Katherine grinned, clearly proud of you. “That’s my girl.”

As you and Katherine walked out of the bar, leaving the stunned and helpless group behind, a chilling silence settled over the room. The war for your soul wasn’t over, but it was clear bringing you back would be harder than anyone imagined.

The Salvatores sat in the dimly lit living room of the boarding house, the weight of the recent events pressing down on them like an unrelenting storm. Damon leaned against the mantle, a tumbler of bourbon in hand, while Stefan sat slouched on the couch, his head in his hands. Both brothers wore the exhaustion of the past few days on their faces, their expressions tight with a mixture of pain and frustration.

Elena burst through the door, her face pale with worry. “Where is she? Did you find her?” she demanded, her voice shaking. “Tell me you found Y/N and she’s okay.”

Stefan looked up at her, his expression hollow. “We found her,” he said softly. “But she’s far from okay, Elena.”

Elena froze, her heart sinking. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Damon downed the rest of his bourbon in one quick gulp before slamming the glass down on the mantle. His voice was sharp, almost bitter. “Your sister has officially gone full Katherine 2.0. She’s turned off her humanity, Elena.”

Elena staggered back as though she had been physically struck. “What? No… no, she wouldn’t do that. She…she wouldn’t.”

Stefan shook his head, his voice breaking. “She did. And she’s not herself anymore. She’s cold, unfeeling. She doesn’t care about anything or anyone. We tried to get through to her, but it’s like she’s a completely different person.”

Elena’s legs gave out, and she sank into the armchair, her hands trembling. “Why didn’t you stop her? Why didn’t you stop her before it got this far?”

Damon let out a hollow laugh, pacing the room like a caged animal. “Do you think we didn’t try? She’s not just a regular vampire, Elena. She’s a hybrid, with magic she doesn’t even fully understand yet. She’s stronger than both of us combined. And on top of that, she’s got Katherine whispering in her ear, encouraging her every move.”

Elena’s eyes filled with tears. “This is my fault,” she whispered. “I told her about Jeremy. I…I thought she deserved to know, but I had no idea she would spiral like this. If I hadn’t told her—”

“Don’t do that,” Stefan interrupted gently but firmly. “Don’t blame yourself. Y/N’s pain was inevitable. We all loved Jeremy, but she… she loved him in a way that shattered her. She lost him, and she felt like she had nothing left to hold onto. Katherine just swooped in at the right moment to take advantage.”

Damon turned to face Elena, his usually confident demeanor replaced by raw vulnerability. “She hates us, Elena. She blames us for not letting her die when she was turned, for not giving her a choice. And now she’s punishing us for it. She’s not Y/N anymore. She’s… something else.”

Elena buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. “She’s my sister,” she choked out. “I can’t lose her. Not after losing Jeremy. I can’t lose her too.”

Stefan crossed the room and knelt in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. “We’re not giving up on her, Elena. She’s still in there somewhere. We just have to find a way to bring her back. But it’s going to be hard. She’s not making it easy.”

Damon scoffed, though the pain in his eyes betrayed his attempt at indifference. “Hard is an understatement. She’s playing games with everyone. us, the Mikaelsons, even herself. She’s spiraling, Elena, and if we don’t stop her, she’s going to cross a line she can’t come back from.”

Elena wiped her tears, her jaw tightening with determination. “Then we stop her. Whatever it takes. I don’t care how long it takes or how hard it is. we get her back. We save her.”

Damon and Stefan exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They had already made that vow to themselves, but hearing it from Elena solidified their resolve.

“Whatever it takes,” Stefan echoed softly.

Damon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Then let’s hope we’re not too late, because if Y/N keeps going down this road… we might not recognize her when we find her.”

The night was heavy with tension as you and Katherine, both dressed to perfection and armed with devious smirks, stepped out of the car. The Mikaelson mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur accentuated by the moonlight.

Katherine turned to you, adjusting a strand of your hair like a doting mother. “Remember, darling,” she said with mock sweetness, “it’s all about confidence. Channel me. After all, you’re me tonight.”

You rolled your eyes but smirked. “And you’re me. Just try not to ruin my reputation more than you already have, Mother.”

Katherine laughed, a sound that sent chills down spines. “Oh, sweetheart, ruining reputations is what I do best.”

With synchronized steps, you entered the Mikaelson mansion. The brothers were scattered in the grand living room. Klaus lounged in an armchair, his glass of bourbon untouched, while Kol leaned against the fireplace, tossing a coin in the air. Elijah, ever the composed one, stood by the window, lost in thought.

“Ah, Katherine,” Klaus drawled, his piercing gaze locking onto you. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

You cocked your head, channeling your inner Katherine. “Oh, don’t look so sour, Klaus. Can’t a girl visit her favorite originals without it being a crime?”

Kol snorted. “Funny. Your ‘visits’ usually come with strings attached.”

Elijah turned, his sharp eyes narrowing as they scanned you. Something in his gaze lingered, a flicker of doubt. “You seem… different,” he noted, stepping closer.

You kept your smirk intact, despite your heart pounding. “Different? Maybe I’ve just missed you, Elijah.”

As he studied you, Katherine, disguised as you, sauntered in, mimicking your softer demeanor. “Elijah, Klaus, Kol,” she greeted, her tone almost shy. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Kol’s coin dropped. Klaus sat up straighter, his suspicion palpable. “And who, exactly, are you supposed to be?” he asked sharply.

Katherine-as-you widened her eyes, feigning innocence. “What do you mean? It’s me, Y/N.”

Klaus’s gaze darted between you and Katherine. His jaw tightened as realization dawned. “A game,” he hissed, rising to his feet. “You’re playing games.”

Kol, ever the mischief-maker, looked amused. “Well, this just got interesting.”

Elijah stepped forward, his composure fraying. “Enough,” he said coldly, his eyes locking onto yours. “Who are you?”

You let out a slow laugh, dropping the act. “Oh, Elijah, you always were the perceptive one. It’s me. Katherine. Did you really think Y/N could pull off my charm?”

Katherine dropped her mask as well, her smirk widening. “And did you honestly think I’d let my daughter have all the fun? I just had to see your faces when you couldn’t tell us apart.”

Klaus growled low in his throat, his temper flaring. “Get out, both of you. Now.”

But Katherine only laughed, grabbing your arm. “Come along, darling. Let’s leave the boys to their sulking.”

As you turned to leave, you couldn’t resist looking back at Elijah. His gaze burned with a mixture of anger and… something softer. You held it for a moment longer than necessary, then smirked, walking out with Katherine.

Hours later, you and Katherine pulled the same stunt at the Salvatore boarding house. The brothers were sitting in the living room when you entered, Katherine striding in first, playing your part.

“Stefan, Damon,” she greeted warmly, her tone sweet. “I just wanted to check in.”

Damon raised an eyebrow, suspicious but intrigued. “You’re being awfully polite, Y/N. What’s the catch?”

You followed a moment later, wearing Katherine’s signature smirk. “The catch, Damon,” you purred, “is that you have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Stefan stood abruptly, his eyes narrowing. “Katherine.”

Damon groaned, running a hand down his face. “Of course. Should’ve known.”

Katherine laughed, dropping her facade. “Oh, come on, boys. Don’t act so surprised. You know me. always up for a little fun.”

Stefan’s gaze shifted to you. “And you’re…?”

You tilted your head, biting back a laugh. “Y/N. Or am I? You tell me.”

Damon rolled his eyes. “Great. Double trouble. Just what we needed.”

The brothers exchanged a look, their frustration evident. But before they could act, Katherine grabbed your hand. “We’ve had our fun, darling. Let’s leave these poor men to their misery.”

As you walked out, you caught Damon muttering to Stefan, “She had it to be Katherine’s daughter.”

You and Katherine burst out laughing as you disappeared into the night, leaving chaos and confusion in your wake.

[noobiestnoober]

Shadows of Destiny (Kai x Reader)

The story is set during when Kai escapes from the Prison World with the Heretics. Y/N, being a close friend of Kai, who had developed feelings for Kai in Prison World - 1994, found out he escaped and was planning to commit mass murder at Alaric and Jo's wedding, decides to confront and stop him. But she gets restrained by Kai instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're going to regret this," Y/N snarled, jerking against the restraints with all her might. The friction of the ropes would scrape her chafed wrists, but she didn't even give a damn; the fury inside her was burning far more than any literal pain. Kai Parker stood before her, his smile infuriatingly calm, "Regret the time spent with you? Never!" His voice was smooth, almost tender, a stark contrast to the malice in his eyes.

Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had known Kai for months. She had seen his cruelty and moments of vulnerability. But this was different; she'd always been able to keep herself cool around him, but this time, the stakes were up. Too many lives depended on her getting out of there and stopping him.

Their history was a complicated one. Y/N first met Kai in the 1994 Prison World, where she was stuck with Bonnie and Damon. Then, he was the charming sociopath who thrived off chaos and destruction. But in those quiet moments, away from Bonnie and Damon, there had been something else. Kai had a way of making Y/N blush with his relentless flirting and teasing. He had a way of getting under her skin, making her feel things she didn't want to acknowledge.

"Y/N, come on," Kai would say, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "You know you like having me around. Admit it." He'd lean in close, his breath warm against her ear, and she would feel her cheeks flush, despite herself trying to stay stoic.

"You're insufferable," she would throw back, drawing herself up and shooting him a look, but inside, she was thrilled with every fiber of her being when he did that. Faced now with the reality of his actions, those memories felt like a distant dream. The boy who had made her blush was also the man who was capable of unimaginable cruelty.

"You think this is a joke, Kai? You think you can keep playing your twisted games and get away with it?" Her voice shook with her fury, but she made herself meet his eyes steadily.

Kai tilted his head, his smile widening, "Y/N, you don't understand. It's not a game; this is beyond my control. This is destiny. This is what I was put on this earth to do."

"Destiny?" Y/N spat out, eyes blazing, "To hurt people, to cause chaos? That is not destiny, Kai. That is madness."

He took a step closer, his expression darkening, "Madness? Perhaps. But it is madness with a purpose. You see, Y/N, I have spent my whole life being told I was worthless, an abomination. But now, finally, I have power. Finally, I am in control."

Her heart ached for the pain she saw flicker across his eyes. For a moment, she saw the boy who had been discarded, who had been made to feel like nothing. But she couldn't allow herself to pity him. Not now.

"Kai, listen to me," she said, her voice softer but no less urgent, "You don't have to do this. You can choose a different path. You can use your power for good."

He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound, "Good? There's no good left for me, Y/N. Just survival. And the only way I survive now is by winning this fucking game."

Y/N's mind raced for something to say to him, "Kai, if you do this, you'll be alone. Completely and utterly alone. Is that really what you want?"

His smile faltered for just a fraction of a second; then it was back, colder than ever, "Better alone and powerful than surrounded by people who will never understand me."

Y/N felt a surge of desperation. She had to break through to him, had to find a way to make him see reason, "Kai, please. I know you. I know there's still a part of you that cares, a part of you that doesn't want to be the villain."

Kai's eyes narrowed, "It's too late for that, Y/N. It's too late for anything but this." He turned away, and for the first time, Y/N saw a hint of uncertainty in his movements.

"Kai, wait!" she cried, struggling against her restraints, "You don't have to be alone. We can find another way. Together."

He paused, his back to her, and for a moment, Y/N thought she had reached him. Then he shook his head, shoulders stiffened. "I'm sorry, Y/N. But this's the only way I know how to be."

And with that, he walked out of the door, leaving Y/N bound and desperate in the cruel world. Her heart went heavy, knowing she had come so close yet so far from being able to save him. As the door closed behind him, she vowed she would not give up. She would find a way to stop him, to save him, even if it were the last thing she did.

__________________ __________________ _____________

Read Part 2 here >>> Part 2

[starshipsofstarlord]

“I’ve changed. Give me another chance.”

Summary-> Kai returns from Hell, realising that he has a lot of making up to do with the woman that he loves, although she doesn’t want to give him her forgiveness, he isn’t deserving of it after the destruction that he released (1.6k)

Warnings-> angst, mentions of death, loss of magic

kai parker works other tvd works main masterlist

He could feel the judgement through her eyes, it made him feel sick - guilty. There was nothing he could do take back his past actions, but he could be better for his future ones. She was always the one that claimed that he wasn’t an abomination, but now she was looking at him as though she had never thought that, as though she was like everybody else.

“Damon, how could you?” Her voice was hoarse as she squinted towards the vampire, exasperated by the situation before her very eyes. It showed that she was far past caring and had finally fallen down the hole of thinking Kai Parker was a monster. She’d been there at the wedding, she saw the destruction that he had caused, the carnage that had came from his endless chaos. There was bitterness on her tongue as she looked at him.

“Y/n, this isn’t about you and him,” it never had been, Kai thought, “we’re all trying to stop Cade. Mister lactose intolerant here included,” Damon cringed as he remembered Kai’s stomach problem in the diner, “so we might as well work together. It’s nothing personal and he’s the only one that can bring Elena back.” Of course, he had to be getting something out of it other than defeating the most dangerous enemy that they had faced.

Y/n was friends with Elena, but that had obviously never mattered to Kai, he only wanted to cause an outrage of pain, and she was the one still suffering from it. Her y/e/c eyes rolled as she crossed her arms, the only emotion boiling in her body being outrage. “And what, he’s going to be the one to turn me human again after I died along with his sister and countless others? You saved me Damon, and for that I am grateful, but this… this I’m sure as hell not.”

Kai’s eyes widened from her words, staring at her. Not only had he massacred the last of his coven and snapped the necks of vampires, but he had killed the only person he held any emotion for. It felt like he were being staked in the heart, he knew how it felt to be a witch without power, but now y/n wasn’t even that. She wasn’t a witch any longer because she had no time to heal, and she had succumbed to death with poison in her system. She’d turned, and he hadn’t even been there to hold her for her final moments.

“Y-y/n…” there was a lump within his throat, making it rather unbearable to even breathe. He had told her that she shouldn’t have gone to the wedding of Alaric and Jo, but she had never been one to listen. And then she had tried to stop him… It was all his fault, their powers collided as she grew weak, blood pouring out from the wound in her stomach from the splintered roof, and then she watched Damon kill him.

There wasn’t a single thing that he could do to make things right, he realised that. She should never have trusted him, otherwise dying from his fault wouldn’t have pained her so much. They’d been the Romeo and Juliet of the present, sneaking into the forbidden depths of romance despite the resent that her friends held towards him. And now that was over, and Kai knew that it would be a tough road to even get close to where they had once been.

“Save it heretic, there’s not a single thing that you could ever say to fix the damage that you caused. But we can all work together for the greater good.” A scoff escaped from y/n’s mouth at Damon’s words, followed by a roll of her y/e/c eyes. Damon was always so selfish, thinking of his closer circle of his brother and his lover rather than those that he called his friends. He should have understood y/n’s angry despair, he had experienced the same new bloodlust that chipped at his humanity.

But he had never experienced his entire beliefs ripped away from him; y/n’s magic was gone, and there was not a single route that she could go do to resurrect it. It had been the biggest part of who she was, and it was gone, much like how she wanted Kai to be. He’d betrayed her, broke her heart, and worst of all, caused the downfall of her existence. She had to hate him, otherwise she couldn’t stand herself for feeling anything else for him. “The greater good would be detaching his head from the rest of his body again.” She said ferociously, nostrils flaring as her breaths were laboured from her fuelled aggression.

“Ouch.” Kai muttered, feeling a pang in his heart from her words. He’d never wanted to harm her in the slightest, but for the majority of his life he had never gotten what he wanted. He wanted to beg her for forgiveness, and whilst he knew that he didn’t deserve it, he couldn’t help but allow the plea to fall from his lips. “I’ve changed. Give me another chance.” For a moment he wished he had said not a single thing as y/n sped towards him, boiling tears restrained within her eyes. She were vulnerable in his presence, Damon knew that as he stood in the background as a watcher. He wanted to intervene, to protect his friend who had become heartbroken because of this monster, but he understood that she had to do this - had to put him in his place.

“Damon, could you give us a moment?” What?! Y/n had to be delusional if she thought he would willingly leave her alone with Kai Parker, the man that had caused him to turn one of his best friends into a blood sucking creature. She’d supposed to have fulfilled the closest to a human life out of all of their friends, but all because of him she hadn’t gotten the luxury that they had all wished for. He was worried to leave her alone with Kai, she’d either fall down into the depths of her unreasonable emotions for him again, or kill him, and as much as Damon hated to admit it, they needed him at the moment.

“Are you sure?” He tried to read her eyes but she wouldn’t meet his eyes, instead her glare was directed at the heretic that had broken her heart all over again. Y/n was always and had always been one stubborn girl, she’d defended her relationship with Kai when it had first become knowledge to all of her friends, but she had always been loyal to those that cared most about her. Damon wouldn’t allow her growth after her death to be jeopardised all because of a sociopath that had feelings for her. Finally her eyes reached his, they were drenched with the pain and sorrow that her old lover had caused, and Damon finally understood that whatever she wanted to say to him or do to him was necessary. “Okay.”

Damon sent her a comforting smile, before finally and adamantly leaving the room. Kai felt a swell of hope rise in his chest when she looked at him, perhaps he could redeem himself in her eyes one final time. Kai took another dangerous step towards her, craving her personal space to be wrapped around him. “Can you ever forgive me?” His voice cracked, she had been the only person not to see him as a monster and he had messed that up to. It was the reason why a person dared not give a cat a mouse, it was life threatening, and she had died all because of him. She frowned, staring up at him with her stunning y/e/c eyes, shooting daggers into his form as though he were the enemy instead of Cade.

“Not in a million years.” She answered hun truthfully, gnawing on her lip as she held back the tears that had formed in her eyes. “It will take forever for me to ever want you back in my life, after what you did, I lost myself. You’re so damn selfish,” her hands pounded on his chest, in her attempts not to break down from the sheer anguish that his presence made her feel. “If you had just let bygones be bygones, there may have been a chance for us, but you couldn’t just let it go for once in your life, or for me. I know that I couldn’t have stopped you from killing Jo, when you set your mind to something it’s a fixation, and it doesn’t matter who gets in your way.”

“I’ll wait then.” Kai spoke seriously, daringly holding her elbows in his hands, staring honestly into her face. His eyes traced every crease that her confused frown burdened her face formed, taking in every detail even though she would never age again. “Forever will be here before I know it, and until then, I’ll do whatever you want, just to ease the pain that I have caused. I never had the intention to take anything from you, much less your reason to live, but I will try my best every day, just for you.” He should have known at the wedding that she would have entangled herself in the crossfire, and that she would have tried to stop him.

Y/n deserved so much better than the pain that he had given him, but as she had stated, he was selfish, and he needed her. He missed every fibre of her being that had tried to send him on the right track, but here they both were, monsters in their own flesh, mixed emotions moulded between them like a wall. If he’d had any sense, he would have understood that y/n’s stubbornness and loyalty had enhanced, and neither laid towards him, not after his murderous schemes. But he was adamant to change that, and fix himself into a better man for her along the way. He’d make her death have reason, so that after forever, they would have their fresh chance together.

[so-long-soldier-writes]

When a Good Plan Backfires

kol mikealson x reader

summary: elena had it planned to a T. she was going to lure kol to her house where jeremy would be stationed to kill him, not only ridding him from their lives, but also completing the hunter's mark. most everyone was in on the plan, too, and had their own roles. well, everyone, except for you. she had left you out on purpose, fearing you'd interfere to protect the original. what she didn't know, though, was that not warning you would make her whole plan backfire miserably.

tags: major character death, angst, no happy ending, secret relationship, sire bond, TVD s04e12

word count: ~1.9k

Stefan revs his motorcycle before asking Elena to repeat herself. He’s almost in disbelief at her plan. “What did you say?”

“I want Jeremy to kill Kol. He just attacked Bonnie at the school, but now the three of us are planning this out. Bonnie can hold him down, and she can distract Klaus, too. We just need you to dagger Rebekah so she doesn’t come after us.”

“You want to kill an original?”

“I think Jeremy can. Plus, it’s the fastest way to grow this mark so we can find the cure. Just… tell me you’ll handle Rebekah?”

“I can’t dagger her, Elena.”

“Well, why not?”

Stefan doesn’t answer her question.

“Just distract her somehow, please.”

“I’ll try. Hey, does Y/N know about this plan?”

Elena sighs, “we haven’t told her.”

“You really should. Not that I care about Kol, but we all care about her. I think she deserves a warning, at least.”

“I know,” the girl bites her lip, “but I don’t want her to sabotage this to save him.”

“I’m not going to interfere with your plan. If you want to kill Kol and not tell Y/N, fine, but know she might never talk to you again.”

“I don’t want her to hate me, but… he’s going to kill Jeremy, and will try to kill Bonnie again if we don’t do this. And killing him would break Damon’s compulsion, too. Plus… we all know she’ll be better without him in the long run. He’s not a good influence on her; she’s only going to get hurt. This is better for everyone.”

“I agree with that part, I’m just worried about her heart. I’d hate to break it by killing her best friend, especially without her knowledge. She’s still human, it’s not like she’d be able to turn off her humanity to deal with it.”

“Maybe that’s for the better, too. The less bloodthirsty vampires around here, the better. Which is why this needs to happen. Damon needs to be free, Rebekah needs to be handled, and Kol needs to be gone. I’m going to call Matt next and have him try to keep Y/N at The Grill tonight past closing. We can reveal everything afterwards.”

Stefan takes a deep breath, “alright.”

When Matt gets the call, he understands Elena’s point of view. He’s never liked how close you’ve gotten with Kol, and shares the same fears that he’ll hurt you eventually and you, who always loves so deeply, wouldn’t be able to survive it. That, or worse, Kol would snap one day and kill you. So when the girl begs him not to tell you, he agrees with the plan. 

“We’ll all ask for forgiveness after,” he tells her. Elena likes this thought, then hangs up the phone. 

“Hey, Y/N, can you help me a little later tonight? I want to make sure everything is cleaned and stocked well for the morning. I was a little slow by myself last night.”

“Of course! I don’t mind,” you smile, eyes sparkling. You usually get off at eight, but with the plan in effect, Matt wants to keep you at least an extra hour. 

“Cool, thanks!”

◇◇◇◇

Despite agreeing with Elena, working with you that night and knowing what’s about to happen is killing him. The fact that your best friend is about to die - not only just daggered - and you can’t say goodbye to him feels so wrong. He takes a deep breath every time you smile at him, trying not to break. 

Though at nine-thirty, he starts to crack. 

“Hey, Y/N?”

“Mhm?” You turn to face him, dish in hand. 

“Are you and Kol still… friends?”

You smile at the mention of his name, and Matt feels a pang of regret. “Yeah, why?”

“No reason, just curious.”

A giggle escapes your lips, “I actually was with him this morning. He came by early and we made pancakes.” Matt doesn’t answer, though you continue. “I know he’s been a little shit lately, going after Jeremy, but I just… I know how badly everyone wants the cure, but if Silas is as bad as Kol says he is, I don’t blame him for wanting to prevent them from finding it. And I know going after everyone who threatens to raise Silas is wrong of him, but he’s really scared and doesn’t know how else to deal with it. You know how dysfunctional that whole family is; they’re like the vampiric version of mine,” you joke. 

“You really think he’s being honest about how bad Silas is?”

“I do. Especially considering that the dude’s been cemented for so long, he’ll probably go on a killing spree just to feel alive.”

Matt shifts uncomfortably. “Y/N… I have to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Elena-”

He’s cut off by a series of coughs from you, “sorry. I think I might’ve inhaled some pepper,” you mutter, hitting your chest for relief.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” you clear your throat. It helps a little, but there’s still a bothersome tickle. “You were saying?”

“Elena and Bonnie are-”

There’s a loud crash as you drop the plate you were holding. It shatters into pieces on the ground. You’re not far behind, falling to the floor, but you catch yourself on the counter with a weak grip. 

“Y/N?!” Matt rushes to your side, “are you okay? What’s happening?”

“I don’t know,” you cough some more, “I feel dizzy. Everything’s blurry. I,” a third series of coughs take over. They strain your body, making it harder to stand. Matt panics when you lose your grip and fall to the floor. Your body starts to shake, almost like a seizure. “What’s wrong with me?! Oh my god, help!”

“Stay right there! Let me call for help.” He grabs his phone, “shit! I’m calling 911!”

“No, please! Call Kol. Matt, I need him. He can help me.”

“Y/N, I can’t.”

“Why? His number’s 70-”

His lip trembles, “I can’t, I’m sorry.”

“A doctor can’t help me, please, you need to call him! Matt, I’m… he…” 

“I’m going to call Elena, okay?”

“Why? What’s going on? Why can’t I see Kol?” More coughing stops your questioning. 

“Elena?”

You hear her voice over the phone, “it’s over, Matt, K-”

The blond cuts her off, “Elena, wait! Stop! I need help, Y/N’s coughing and shaking. She just collapsed on the floor, I don’t know what to do!”

“Call 911, get her to the hospital!”

“She’s asking for Kol, Elena. She’s saying a doctor won’t help. I… I don’t know. I think-”

“Oh god,” she whispers. “Um, shit… bring her here.”

“But if he’s still-”

“Matt, just bring her here. Please.”

“I’ll get there fast.”

As soon as he hangs up, Matt carries your limp body into his truck and speeds off to the Gilberts’ house. You’re too weak to ask questions, and he’s too afraid, making for a silent trip, aside from your coughing. Your limbs are still shaking, jittery, as if you’ve had too much coffee. Though something tells him coffee’s definitely not the problem. When he pulls into their driveway, he turns to you.

“Y/N?”

“Yes?” Your voice is fragile. It honestly sounds like you’re dying.

“Close your eyes for me, please? You’ll be okay. I’ll guide you.”

“Okay.”

He helps you walk, calling for Elena as he nears the doorway. She opens it right as you reach the threshold. Immediately, your state pales her, “oh my god! What’s wrong with her?!”

“I don’t know! She said not to call the police, and she’s been coughing the whole way here.”

“Bring her inside, let’s-” Elena drops her sentence as she watches the scene before her. Matt had tried to bring you into the house, but an invisible barrier is keeping you out. “Y/N?”

“I’m sorry,” you mutter. “I…”

Matt tries again, but the doorway refuses your entry.

“Y/N,” Elena clears her throat, “please come in.”

This time, when Matt takes a step, you’re able to follow. 

“No,” the girl is hit with a sudden, horrible realization. “No, no, no, no… it can’t. You can’t.”

“Elena, I’m sorry.”

“When?”

You take a deep breath, “this morning.”

Matt, Elena, and Jeremy all stare in shocked silence. 

“Who turned you?” Jeremy finally asks. Matt already knows; tears fall from his eyes. “Matt?” The boy questions his friend. 

Before you can answer, a voice from behind interrupts, “love?”

Your heart jumps when you hear your nickname. Unfortunately, though, the sudden change in your heartbeat makes you even weaker. “Kol? Are you here?” Against Matt’s wishes, you open your eyes. 

“Love, I’m here. I’m sorry.”

“Oh my god!” You use the last bit of your energy to make it to his side. He’s on the floor, shallow breaths keeping him alive. You can tell, though, that he’s nearing his last. “Baby, what happened? What’s-” you look around for answers, but receive none. In a last ditch effort, you put your wrist to his lips, “come on, feed. Please.”

“It won’t work, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have…” he tries to take a deep breath, “shouldn’t have been selfish. Should’ve left you alone. Human.”

“No, no, no… Kol, I wanted it. Wanted you. I still do, and I always will. You can’t die on me. Please.” You bite your wrist anyway and let a few drops fall, “come on, please! You can’t die, and I don’t want to die, either.” Panic is taking over your body; tears fall faster, coughs are more frequent, hands shake violently. 

Elena’s the first to intervene after the three piece the puzzle together. She rushes over to you, grabbing your shoulder, and biting her wrist. “Y/N, drink.”

“If it won’t work for me, it won’t work for her,” Kol mutters.

“Y/N, I’m sorry,” the girl pleads. “We didn’t know. I’m so sorry. Somebody call Stefan, now!”

Matt starts to fumble with his phone again, while Jeremy mutters that he’s going to call Bonnie. 

You don’t answer either of them. Instead, you cup your best friend’s cheeks and lean down to kiss his lips. “I need you, Kol. I love you.” He kisses back, but he’s so weak that it’s as if he’s a ghost. “I’ve had this fantasy, I’ve wanted to share with you… us leaving together. Let everyone here find their stupid cure, raise Silas, whatever, because we’d be thousands of miles away. We could keep each other safe, and we wouldn’t have to deal with all the drama here anymore. I wouldn’t have to live in fear of losing you, and we could just be happy.”

“Love…” he blinks back a tear, “look at me.” You do, and he continues, “take a deep breath. Relax.” Immediately, you calm down until you’re content and listening to him. “I love you so much. I promise I’ll find you wherever we end up. If there’s any afterlife at all, I won’t stop searching until we’re together. But for now, I want you to be at peace, just until your spirit can move on. Let it rest, love. We’ll be okay.”

You nod, all panic eased, and lay down beside him. “I love you,” you repeat.

“There you go. I love you, too. We’ll find each other again.” He kisses your hand, and then his chest rises and falls one last time. 

“Kol?” You know he’s gone, but can’t help but ask anyway. The silence tears your heart in two, but you don’t cry. You don’t cry, you don’t yell, you don’t even move. You just stare, stone cold on the outside, yet with a heart full of emotion. 

“Y/N?” Elena gets your attention, “are you alright?”

“I’ll be okay.” You smile up at her, then look back down at Kol. “We’ll be okay.” A second later, you too, draw your last breath. 

[andreal831]

For all the main TVDU ships, what ship do you think they’re most similar to in another movie/show?

I couldn’t think of a better way to word that, so I have no idea if that makes any sense. An example would be darvey in suits = chenford in the rookie

This was kind of hard to think of, but I did my best.

Haylijah and Deckerstar (Lucifer)

I think this one goes without saying. Lucifer and Elijah have a lot of similar characteristics. They both are deeply problematic and do terrible things, but they don't want to be that person. While Hayley and Chloe are both intelligent, badass women who don't deal with other's bs. In both these ships, we have men who are used to getting what they want being challenged and they love it. I could definitely see Deckerstar being a AU of Haylijah.

Freelin and Kanej (Shadow and Bones)

Both these ships start out fairly problematic. Freya kidnaps and holds Keelin against her will, while Kaz essentially has to buy Inej and treats their relationship as nothing more than a contract. Both Kaz and Freya, because of their past trauma, are unable to allow themselves to truly be with the other, forcing Inej and Keelin to essentially give them an ultimatum. Both ships need each other despite how independent Kaz and Freya pretend to be.

Marbekah and Clace (Shadowhunters)

Not only do both ships have weird incestual undertones, but they both go through their ups and downs due to familial alliances. Jace and Rebekah for a while both struggled to find their footing in their romantic lives with their family (Klaus and Valentine) manipulating them away. They both have to learn to choose themselves and their loves over their family. It doesn't help that both of these ships' families are so entwined that it's hard to separate their relationships from their family drama.

Klamille and Clexa (The 100)

Both Klaus and Lexa both viewed themselves as rulers who thought love was a weakness. They were ready to go to war and kill anyone who stood in their way until a smart, blonde entered their lives. Cami and Clark are both from different worlds, Clark was from the "Sky People" and Cami the humans. Clark and Cami convince their significant others to see humanity in their people.

Kolvina and Supercorp (Supergirl)

Both ships meet with one of the partners concealing their true identity. Kol was hiding who he was to get close to Davina, while Kara was hiding that she was Supergirl to protect her identity. Despite Davina and Lena being hurt by the betrayal, they grow to understand it and still care for the other. While Kara and Kol both have the advantage of strength, Lena and Davina don't mess around when it comes to being protective. They may not have the physical strength, but it doesn't stop them from using their talents.

Jaiden and Malec (Shadowhunters)

Both ships started out as star-crossed lovers, Alec was sworn to fight demons like Magnus, while Aiden was taught not to trust vampires like Josh. Despite this, they have one of the purest ships in both shows. Them standing up for their love, despite people not fully accepting it, helps bridge the gaps between the factions.

Stelena and Bangel (Buffy)

You'll never convince me that Stelena wasn't based off of Bangel. Even how Stefan sees Elena and "just has to know her" is similar to Angel following Buffy to Sunnydale in order to protect her. Both Angel and Stefan battle their inner demons. They become monsters when they give into vampirism, but they are "cursed" with a soul that torments them. Elena takes on some Buffy characteristics when she begins to learn to fight vampires, but really it is her compassion and ability to see Stefan through his vampirism that makes them most similar.

Delena and Darklina (Shadow and Bones)

Of course, both these ships are enemies-to-lovers. Similar to Damon and Elena, the Darkling is the first person to make Alina feel seen with her powers. Or at least he makes her believe that, very much like Delena. The Darkling becomes a mentor to Alina, making her feel that he is the only one who can guide her, just as Damon, because of the sirebond, is the only one who can guide Elena through her transition. Both ships don't necessarily bring out the best in each other, rather they fall into the darkness together.

Bonenzo and Peraltiago (Brooklyn 99)

While these two shows are completely different genres, these two ships remind me of each other. You have the sensible, intelligent, badass woman who is used to having to take care of everything on her own and the goofy, charming, but intelligent man who will do everything for the woman they love. Enzo and Jake teach Bonnie and Amy that they don't need to be so independent. We get to see them finally be able to rely on someone in their life and it allows them to relax. They truly bring out such good sides of each other.

Steroline and Olicity (Arrow)

These ships are both friends-to-lovers, or more accurately, partners-in-crime-to-lovers. Both were incredibly slow, slow-burns that seemed to not be a possibility early in because of the canon source material. But they were each other's best friends. They trusted each other more than anyone. Oliver and Stefan struggled with their own darkness and Felicity and Caroline pulled them back.

Parkwood and Percabeth (Percy Jackson)

While Percy Jackson is still in the early seasons, if you've read the books, you know where it is headed. Parkwood even looks like the book version of Percabeth. But it's not just the looks. Liv is similar to Annabeth in the way she doesn't trust Percy at first. Percy has to prove himself to her. But once he does, Annabeth would never let anything happen to him. Liv is the same way with Tyler. The start was rough, but once she is loyal, that's it. Tyler, like Percy doesn't always come off like the most intelligent person, but he really is. He is loyal and brave and would do anything for those he loves. The ships are both based in trust and friendship.

Thanks for the ask! Let me know if I missed any ships <3

[starlightandfairies]

Helloooo :) i hope you’re having a wonderful day or night! Or just both lol. Anyways, is it okay if I ask for a Klaus Mikaelson x Female reader one-shot? For me, I don’t like where the reader just falls in love with him so quickly, despite everything he has done. I was thinking of something with fluff and he has to work for her love? So basically, reader has been friends with Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline since childhood, but she’s still human. And she hates Klaus for what he has done to her friends and family, but despite everything he has done he hasn’t don’t anything to harm her physically in any way. (Hint hint, cause it means he likes her lol). And because of this, he tries to show he genuinely cares about her. It takes her a long while to eventually warm up to him.

Sorry, this is a lot -_-…uh, and not very detailed lol. I wanted to leave it up to your imagination, but totally fine if you can’t cause writers block and other things. Anyway, an idea: maybe reader gets saved by Klaus and he admits he likes her but she kinda plays hard to get. of course, she can’t help but to be flattered by his accent, his flattery, his looks, etc. And because she is human, being tortured or just kidnapped by supernatural beings is genuinely terrifying and he comforts her? I hope this is all okay! Of course you can change or add whatever you’d like. I love Klaus so much, and I love your writing!

Description: If the great Niklaus Mikaelson wants to become closer to the reader then he would have to push through thick and thin to do so.

Warnings: she/her pronouns, fluff, swearing

*Requests are open, please send through as many requests as you want, check my character list and requesting rules.*

Thank you for requesting this! I hope you enjoy it! I really tried my best to show this eventual bonding that is more realistic, while also not rambling on for a story length.

Key: Y/N = Your Name, L/N = Last name, POV = Point of view, F/fs = favourite flowers

Word Count: 1, 915

First Person's POV 

Niklaus Mikaelson drove me insane, I do not understand how he thought he could follow me around, begging for my interest like he hasn't done anything wrong to those around him. The great Klaus Mikaelson was many things but he wasn't the type of man I would bend over backwards to show that their past didn't matter. I won't lie, there were times when it was hard to really show my distaste for the Hybrid due to that accent, his looks and his charisma but I do like to pride myself on my stubbornness and the fact that I'm not that easy to charm. 

Besides Matt, I was the only other human, sure Bonnie was in a sense human but she had her magic to protect her and I had nothing. I didn't have any of that. I was just a straight-up human who could die at any second or become permanently injured if tossed around too harshly. The girls have grown to somewhat like him and every now and again will remind me of the fact that not once has he ever tried to hurt me, not once has he ever used me as bait or tried threatening me in any way shape or form.

Bonnie, Caroline and Elena have all expressed their hatred for the man and it only fueled mine. I have no clue what it would take for me to show any sign of sympathy for the man or any sense of forgiveness considering what he's done. There were times when I even disliked Damon and Stefan for what they've done. Sure, it might be contractionary of me to like the Salvatores and not hate them like I did Klaus... but still. 

It's at least been a good two years of having the Mikaelsons in our lives. Rebekah and Elijah were tolerable. I felt for Rebekah and Elijah seemed true to his word, even if he was sometimes conflicted between his family and his morals. Klaus was 

"Hey, Y/n!" I huffed, stopping in my tracks, knowing there was no use in continuing on when he could easily Casper the ghost right in front of me. I crossed my arms over my chest, raising an eyebrow, not impressed by his persistent attitude. 

"What do you want Niklaus? 

"Well, love... I was hoping I could treat you to some dinner. Show you some of the best places. Things you couldn't possibly comprehend seeing." I rolled my eyes, shook my head, sucked my lips into a straight line and raised an eyebrow.

"Really, Niklaus? Every time it's been a no. What makes you think this will be a yes?" 

"I saw your play last night, I think you are a pretty amazing actress." I didn't believe him, I think that he's making stuff up, trying to show that he's a good guy. 

"Prove it, what happened when the actor playing Stanley threw his chair." Klaus chuckled lightly, licking his lips for a moment before he walked closer and leaned in for a moment. 

"You tripped over your own feet, fell over... you worked it into your performance, no one in that audience would've known any different. I think skill like that is pretty talented. I have seen many performers across my lifetime and not many could do that." I rocked on my feet, biting my lips and huffing for a moment. 

"You came to my performance?" I questioned my tone soft for a moment, surprised that Klaus came. The girls weren't able to due to supernatural issues happening again, I didn't want to show any sign of falling for his charm.

"Yes, I did. I don't know why you sound so surprised..." I shrugged, taking a breath, glancing away for a moment trying to remain as stoic as I could.  

"I have to go, goodbye, Klaus." I carried on my way, going back to doing what I originally planned on doing before. Tonight was the closing night of A Streetcar Named Desire the girls were meant to show but once again due to the new big bad in town, they didn't show. I stood in my dressing room, wiping off my makeup before the tears could come. I was just about to open the door before I was stopped by Klaus.

"K-Klaus... what, what are you doing here?" He handed me a bouquet of my F/fs, I took them with a small smile and stepped aside to allow him into the dressing room. 

"You got your own dressing room, that's pretty neat..." The Hybrid trailed off, glancing at the desk that was covered in tissues, I moved to clean them up but he moved in front of me before I could. 

"Why are you crying...?" 

"I'm okay Niklaus." I turned to him hearing his chuckle, I raised an eyebrow in question, how dare he laugh at me!

"I promise, I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing at the fact that when I'm getting closer to breaking down your walls, you call me Klaus but when you realise that you're dropping your walls you go right back to calling me Niklaus." I sat back down, staring at him surprised that he picked up on something that I hadn't actively been aware of doing. 

"My friends couldn't come. They promised that they would but because of the new big bad in town... they couldn't and because I'm human-" Realising I was sharing my than I would like to Klaus, I bit my lip trying to remind myself that I couldn't get close to Klaus. 

"Let me read you something." He pulled out a newspaper, I gave him the benefit of the doubt, just for once but turned my attention to continuing to remove my makeup. 

"Y/n L/n's performance as Blanche DuBois has been spectacular on all nights of the production. In my years as a critic, I have never seen this much dedication and accuracy similar to the vision Tennessee Williams had when picturing Blanche DuBois. I admire Y/n greatly as a performer and know that she is an actress highly dedicated to perfecting her characters' mannerisms and hope that she goes far with her acting journey." I stared at Klaus surprised, I jumped to my feet, staring at Klaus with intrigue and took the paper from his hands. 

I read the words, staring at them in shock that this was actually true, the author's name is what shocked me the most. Klaus M

"You wrote this?" 

"I did." 

"And you mean it?" 

"I do." Maybe... maybe if a man who didn't know me could make the time to watch all of my performances... maybe he wasn't so bad. 

"Thank you, Klaus... it means a lot." 

It took two years, four months and 18 days for Klaus Mikaelson to get me to warm up to him, I think I deserve a trophy for just how long I've made him work to get to know me better. The truth is, I am terrified of getting killed, kidnapped or tortured by the supernatural me, I mean what if someone worse than Klaus comes into town and because I am one of the very few humans left in town I get used as collateral? 

I was walking home from the Grill, minding my own business until everything went dark and I finally came to find myself tied up in a chair, blood dripping from my nose, head and stomach. I cried out, looking around terrified of who could be hurting me and what they would do if they didn't get what they wanted. 

"Hmm, you're awake again. Try not to pass out this time... the blood loss will really be screwing with your head. I would apologise but I really don't care I just need that damn hybrid to come forward and save your ass-" 

"Who are you?" I cried out, trying my best to not show weakness but the pain in my limbs and the fear that was coming in made it impossible to think of anything but my pain. 

"Who I am isn't important, I tried to keep your face pretty but you know." The unknown figure shrugs, leaning in closer and grabbing my face in his hands with a glare forming and with a snarl he reveals his fangs. I shake my head, feeling his breath on my skin and whimper feeling his fangs pierce my neck. 

It fades away swiftly, the tears cascade down my cheeks, and I stare in shock seeing Klaus standing there and dropping the man's heart onto the floor. Within an instant I was in his arms, I grabbed onto his shirt letting out a sob and whimpering as the pain seemed to increase. 

"Shh, love, it's okay... you're gonna be okay. I've got you." Klaus reassured, biting into his wrist, he gestures to his wrist and I slowly suck on his wrist. 

"I won't let anything happen to you, love. I am very fond of you, I will not let anything happen before I can tell you just how fond I am of you." I stared in fascination as my body healed instantly, it always surprised me and always made me curious to realise how lucky these supernatural beings were. 

"Please, please don't let them hurt me. Don't let them get to me." 

"It's okay, love. I've got you." 

"I'm so scared, every day, I'm scared that I'm going to be kidnapped or tortured... being human, I know I'm nothing compared-"

"I won't let that happen. Love, I won't let anyone hurt you, not again. I swear to you." He hummed lightly, rocking me in his arms and whispered over and over again kind and soothing words. I decided to bring it back to his starting words, once I felt okay and able to move on from what just happened. 

"You're fond of me? Nothing new-" I stated, with a shrug, biting back the smile I wanted to show, Klaus chuckled and helped me to my feet. I stared at him, surely making a weird expression as I hid my emotions. 

"I am fond of you, I like you, quite a bit and I want you to know, love I will do anything to keep you safe. Even if you hate me for the rest of eternity, I will do what I can to keep you safe." My heart skipped a beat, it made me feel special knowing that someone cared for me that much, I nodded and sucked in a breath gradually letting a smile come through. 

"Thank you for saving me... "

"You're welcome, love. Love, I hope you know how gorgeous you are." I blushed, scrunching my face up as his normal charm got to me more than normal. 

"Flattery only gets you so far." 

"Yet, it got me to becoming closer to you." I shrugged, smirking for a moment and sucked in a deep breath. I grabbed his hand, smiling happily and tried my best to not focus in on the blood on my clothes, his clothes and the floor from the attacker. 

"Well, then, perhaps I'll let you in closer." 

[captainsophiestark]

Witch's Intuition

Mason Lockwood x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for Fictober 2023!

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries

Day 2 Prompt: "Don't worry, I got you."

Summary: What if Mason Lockwood had somebody who cared about him when he came to town, somebody who could keep him from his canon fate? Alternatively, I really love Mason Lockwood and the show didn't do him justice, so I wanted to. Reader is described as a girl.

Word Count: 10,445 lmao

Category: Angst, fluff, humor

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

I sighed and stared straight ahead, hands still gripped tight on the steering wheel as I tried to psych myself up to get out of the car and go inside.

Damon Salvatore, my best friend in the entire world despite my better judgement, had asked me to come to a barbecue that Jenna Sommers was hosting. Her connection to Damon was ridiculous and confusing, and the entire barbecue was just a front for Damon and our mutual friend Ric to try to get a feel for the newest supernatural creature in town. And he wanted me here to help.

Mason Lockwood, the newest supernatural in question, had apparently gone to high school with Jenna and had recently returned to Mystic Falls. Damon felt confident he was a werewolf. As a witch, I knew for sure he was a werewolf, but absolutely no part of me wanted to get involved in the supernatural drama by telling him.

I should've known staying out of it would be impossible as long as Damon Salvatore remained my best friend.

At the sound of a knock on my window, I jumped so hard my head hit the roof of my car. I whipped around to find the werewolf I'd been thinking about standing outside my door, looking at me with a grin as he gave a little wave. I mentally cursed myself, then shoved open my door and climbed out.

"Hey," he said, giving me a bright smile that made butterflies explode in my chest. "I didn't realize you were coming to this, too."

Mason and I had met about a week ago at the grill, when he'd come over to the pool table and called winner on my game. I won, and we quickly hit it off the bat over the course of our first game, enough so that we ended up playing two more. He still didn't know I was a witch, and we'd only hung out a handful of times so far, but I still found my heart racing when he looked at me like he was looking at me now.

"Damon dragged me," I replied. "Although, I actually am excited to get to know Jenna a little better. And... others, at this party."

"Others?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. The grin took on a more flirty edge, and I couldn't help my heart speeding up a bit.

"Yeah, others. Other than Ric. I already know him."

"Okay," laughed Mason, fully throwing his head back as we started heading for the house together. "And I guess 'others' doesn't apply to Elena or Caroline either?"

"No, I know them too. I've heard all about the high school angst and then some."

"Did you tell them how much better it gets after graduation?"

"Oh yeah, I covered all the existential dread and challenge of trying to figure out what the hell to do with the rest of our lives."

"Okay good. As long as they know."

Mason and I shared a smile as we reached the door and he opened it for me, motioning for me to go ahead. I smiled, and we held our eye contact a few beats too long to be casual. Damon was going to kill me when he got here.

We quickly found Jenna and Elena in the kitchen, and I chatted with Elena a bit while Mason and Jenna caught up. I'd only gotten to Mystic Falls a little after the Salvatores, having graduated from college three years ago. At first, I'd come back to try to track down and record witch history, since so much of it was based here. But it didn't take me long to get sucked into the bullshit Damon and Stefan had found themselves neck-deep in as soon as I arrived.

For the first time, with Mason, I didn't totally mind it.

Within a few minutes of arrival, Mason decided it was time to go hunting for shot glasses and alcohol. Jenna pointed him in the right direction, and then he turned to me with a lopsided smile that made my heart stop in my chest.

"Come help me?"

"Sure thing."

I followed Mason through the house, leaving Jenna and Elena in the kitchen while we waited for everybody else to show up. He ducked into a closet, and I hovered just outside.

"Let's see here... Jenna's trying to be a responsible adult nowadays, but I bet I can still find where she stashed her old shot glasses..."

"I've spent too long finding cool shot glasses that I like to ever shove them all away in a closet forever," I mused, leaning against the door frame. Mason chuckled.

"I know what you mean. I've got different ones with the patterns of every surfboard I've ever owned."

I nodded. "That's nice, but I've got you beat. I've got supernatural-themed ones. For witches and vampires and werewolves."

Mason paused his searching to turn around and give me an appraising look. I shrugged, giving him a sheepish smile. He shook his head, but to my relief, he was smiling too.

"I should've realized you knew, with you being Damon's friend," he said, turning around to continue searching.

"Hey, I'm a born and raised witch. I knew about the supernatural long before Damon Salvatore ever came into my life, and I recognized what you were before he did too. Vampires have shittier senses than witches."

Mason snorted a laugh, then, pausing his search and half glancing back at me again, asked, "Did you tell him about me?"

"No. Damon can be a little... dramatic. I had no interest in him starting up a fight with my new favorite pool opponent."

Mason nodded, and thankfully, I caught a small smile on his face again.

"...You use some of that magic to cheat at pool?"

"Ha! That's also a no. I'm just a better player than you."

"Or maybe I just let you win," he said, turning to hand me a nice bottle of vodka that he'd dug out of the closet, a grin on his face.

"We can pretend that's what happened if you really want. But we both know the truth."

He sighed, then turned back around to grab the shot glasses he'd finally managed to find, shaking them to show me triumphantly.

"I guess we're just gonna have to go back to the Grill soon so you can teach me your ways."

"...It's a date."

Mason grinned and shot me a wink, then led me back through the house to the kitchen to rejoin Jenna and Elena. Elena, understandably, left when we started doing shots, and it wasn't much longer before Ric and Damon showed up. Jenna hated Damon, and after a few moments, Damon made it clear he wasn't going to be particularly friendly to Mason. I tried to ease the tension, but clearly, this barbecue wasn't going to be as fun and relaxing as the first ten minutes had been.

It didn't help that, every time I shared a moment with Mason, judgement absolutely radiated off of Damon. Lucky for me, I'd had a few years of practice ignoring those looks from him.

He'd told me today was a fact-finding mission, after all. And I was finding facts that pointed me towards liking Mason.

"I'm just saying, it doesn't take that long to set up Guitar Hero-"

"I will leave the party, Jenna," teased Mason, shooting her a smile as he plopped down on a loveseat in the living room next to me. "What else do we have? And by that, I mean literally anything else."

Jenna chucked a pillow at him, which Mason leaned into me to duck. I cackled, continuing to ignore the hell out of Damon staring at me from across the room.

"How about charades?" asked Alaric, bravely standing between Jenna and Mason even as Mason grabbed another pillow and cocked his arm back to throw it. "Or pictionary?"

"Pictionary sounds good to me!" Damon chimed in with an eagerness that made me incredibly suspicious. "I'll go get the board."

Low and behold, a few rounds later, Damon was using it to make ridiculously obvious werewolf references at Mason. The one silver lining was that Mason was as irritated with him as me, so we bonded a little as we gave him deadpan answers for things like Dances With Wolves as a pictionary clue. Jenna, the only one in the room completely out of the loop, also helped immensely by criticizing Damon's art every chance she got. I loved him, but he absolutely deserved every dig. Besides, his ego could take it.

After many rounds of various party games (although not Guitar Hero, at least not yet), we made our way to the table in the kitchen for some dessert. Elena and Caroline had left, which just left the adults. If Damon hadn't been dragging Mason into a pissing contest, it would've been the perfect party.

Alas, instead, Damon decided to continue to poke the bear, so to speak.

"Mason! Why don't you start us off," Damon said, bringing the pie to the table with a silver serving knife and setting it down directly in front of Mason. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

Mason looked at Damon, then turned the pie until the knife faced away from him before grabbing a slice with his bare hands. Damon and Ric shared a triumphant look.

"What?" said Mason, a slight edge to his tone as he stared right back at Damon. "I apologize. I'm an animal."

I shook my head, turning my attention to Jenna instead of the two of them staring each other down as she joined us at the table.

"So Mason, you and Jenna never dated?" asked Ric, apparently trying to break the tension between Mason and Damon. A valiant effort, but knowing Damon, I doubted he'd succeed.

"She was always lost in Logan Fell-land," Mason replied. Jenna huffed a laugh.

"Oh, my first mistake. Mason was a catch. He had girls lining up."

"Really?" said Damon, that fake-friendly tone in his voice that I knew meant trouble. "Huh. I always pegged you for a lone wolf."

"I'm sure I wasn't half the lady killer you were," Mason shot back without missing a beat. I snorted into my drink, completely failing to keep a smile off my face. Mason cut his eyes to me, the edge in his own smile fading for the briefest of seconds, before he looked back at Damon and raised his glass in toast. "To new friends."

He and Damon didn't take their eyes off each other once as we all clinked glasses and cheersed. When Damon kept doing his stare-down and looked ready to keep it up for the duration of pie, I kicked him under the table as hard as I could. He turned to glare at me, but their stare down was broken, and with Jenna's increasingly tipsy help we managed to turn things back into a mostly-friendly barbecue.

As the night went on, I found myself getting a new best friend in Jenna, with each joke she made and wink she shot in my direction when I sat particularly close to Mason. We moved back into the living room, sprawling on the couches with another round of beers. Jenna was much, much tipsier than I was, but I was having enough fun that I decided to lean into it more than I actually felt it. We cackled together as she told high school stories about Mason, then cheered like maniacs together when she finally pulled out Guitar Hero, against the protests of Mason and Ric.

"Alright, I'm gonna need another drink if we're really doing that," Mason sighed, a smile on his face all the same. He stood and headed into the kitchen, where I knew Damon was. I wanted to ignore it and get my literal groove on with Jenna, but I couldn't. I stood with a sigh and moved to follow him.

"Go get him girl!" Jenna called after me with a little 'whoop'! I whipped around, face burning, but she just grinned at me and winked. I shook my head, but found myself grinning back as I turned and left the room.

By the time I got to the kitchen, I could already hear Damon and Mason talking. Rather than interrupting to immediately change the topic or insert myself into the conversation, however, I decided to listen in. That way I could gauge just how hostile Damon and Mason were being to each other, and react accordingly.

"Come on, man, you don't think I know what this barbecue is about?" came Mason's voice.

"How do you know about me?" Damon, demanding, any of the fake-friendliness gone. "Your brother was completely clueless."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not your enemy, Damon."

"You tried to kill my brother." I fought back a scoff. That was a stretch, and we both knew it.

"That was a mistake."

"Really?"

"There was confusion. I couldn't chain myself up in time." Their voices had started coming closer, but I stayed put. "I have no control once I shift."

"What, no obedience school?"

"I'm serious. Let's not spark some age-old feud that doesn't apply to us."

"You expect me to believe that you're in Mystic Falls planting peace trees?"

"I lost my brother. My nephew lost his father. I'm here for my family."

And with that, I'd heard all I needed to hear. Damon, my best friend, as usual, was the aggressor. Thankfully, this time, it sounded like Mason might've made an argument that convinced him. We had bigger problems than one generally chill werewolf, after all.

I left, returning to Jenna and Ric and Guitar Hero. She smiled at me, clearly thinking I'd had a conversation with Mason I hadn't really had, and I leaned into it as she passed me a plastic guitar. Mason returned to the room a few moments later, followed by Damon. I ignored them both as I pretended to shred, and to both their credit, they cheered me on.

The rest of the party was a blast, with Mason much more relaxed after his conversation with Damon and Damon finally dropping all the stupid wolf jokes. Jenna and I acted ridiculous and had the time of our lives doing it, and whenever I wasn't shredding the imaginary guitar, Mason and I leaned against each other, laughing and talking the night away.

Finally, once I'd sobered up more and the sun had long-since gone down, and Jenna and I had finished half the songs on Guitar Hero, we wound up the party and all headed home. Damon stayed a moment longer to talk with Ric, so after giving Jenna a goodbye hug, I headed for my car without him. To my delight, Mason came with me, walking me to my car.

"You know, you're a little too good at Guitar Hero, I think," he said, bumping his shoulder into mine as we walked. I chuckled.

"And you're a little too ridiculously set against that game," I teased back. "What's the matter, you don't like fun?"

"I don't like watching Jenna butchering Black Sabbath. Watching you was... a little more fun."

I paused as we reached my car, smiling up at Mason with a glowing feeling in my chest. He smiled back at me, leaning against the front panel of my car.

"It was great getting to know you better tonight," I said, smiling at him and stalling the moment I'd actually have to leave. He grinned at me.

"You too. And I'd love to keep getting to know you better. Maybe at Volunteer Day tomorrow?"

"I was already planning on going, but it'll be much more fun with you there."

"Great." He flashed me a heart-stopping smile. "It's a date."

I was practically floating as I drove away, replaying the end of the night with Mason in my mind over and over again. The last time I'd felt anything like what I was starting to feel now... well, it hadn't ended well. I'd gotten Damon as a best friend out of it, which was a net positive no matter how much he annoyed me sometimes, but everything else had been an absolute nightmare. For the first time in three years, I found myself wanting to risk the heartache and get close to somebody in a non-friendship way again.

I'd been staying with Stefan and Damon since I got to town, and I expected a long lecture about 'flirting with the enemy' from Damon when I got home. But, blissfully, the house was empty. I wandered upstairs and fell into bed, thoughts of seeing Mason tomorrow letting me drift off with a smile on my face.

I should've known nothing in this town, in this world of supernaturals, could ever go that smoothly.

****************

The next morning, I woke up bright and early, unusually excited about Volunteer Day. A certain werewolf definitely had something to do with that, but thankfully, neither of the Salvatores was around on my way out to grill me about the grin on my face.

I'd gotten Mason's number last night, so I quickly shot off a text saying I was making a pre-volunteering coffee run and asking if he wanted anything. I took my time heading to my favorite coffee place, and the line was long enough that I waited at least ten minutes, but I didn't hear anything back from Mason.

I tried not to let it get to me as I ordered my usual, then an iced latte for Mason. Hopefully he would like it, and if he didn't, then at least it wouldn't go to waste, since I was always down for an iced latte.

I ended up arriving a little late to the event, but I wasn't complaining too much, since it meant I missed Carol Lockwood's speech. I scanned the crowd for Mason, then smiled when I noticed him under a newly-built picnic awning. Instead of smiling back, he looked away like he'd barely noticed me, continuing his conversation with Sheriff Forbes. I frowned.

I caught up to him walking away from the picnic awning, not too far into the newer part of the park that we were supposed to be fixing up today before its official opening. He walked quickly, and was apparently pretending not to notice me.

"Hey. Hey, Mason!"

He stopped and turned around with a frustrated sigh, his hands on his hips. The coffees lowered in my hands a little, and part of me suddenly wanted to run back the way I'd come from.

"What do you want?" he asked, none of the warmth or flirtiness from yesterday in his voice.

"I... brought you a coffee..." I said, holding it out to him slowly. He just stared at it. "Is something wrong?"

He huffed a humorless laugh. "That has to be a joke, right?"

"No, actually, it's not," I said, my temper flaring. "You're acting like a dick and I have no idea why, so-"

"You have no idea why?" He looked at me like he absolutely didn't believe me, and I just stared right back as I shook my head. Slowly, the anger fell from his face, to a more cautious confusion. "You don't know where your best friend, who you live with, went last night? Or what he did?"

"Oh God," I shook my head and dropped Mason's gaze, muttering to the leaves more than to him. "I knew I should've been worried when he didn't come home last night. Why can't he ever be out late for normal reasons?"

I sighed, shaking myself out of my thoughts and steeling my resolve as I looked at Mason again. The anger, at least, had gone from his face.

"I have no idea where Damon went or what he did last night," I said. "But... I feel like I should start by offering an apology on his behalf anyway? Maybe in the form of this iced latte I brought?"

Mason huffed a laugh and looked into the tree line, but I caught a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The relief washing through my body almost took me to my knees.

"Yeah, alright," he finally said, taking a few steps closer and taking the latte from me. He looked me up and down as he sipped it, holding my gaze for a few long moments afterwards. I didn't look away once. "Damon stabbed me with a silver knife last night."

My eyes went wide, and a second later, dropped to Mason's chest to scan for any lingering sign of injury. Thankfully, he seemed to be fine.

"I thought... I thought you guys made peace last night?" I finally asked, meeting Mason's eyes again once I was satisfied he was healthy.

"I thought so too. But apparently Damon doesn't want peace. Stefan started the morning out with a little extra threat today, too, to try to keep me from getting revenge."

I sighed heavily, closing my eyes and shaking my head. I could feel a headache coming on.

"I'm so sorry, Mason," I said. "Ugh, I wish you would've told me when it happened. Or that Damon would've mentioned his stupid little plan, or Ric-"

"Why? You think the Salvatores would listen to you telling them not to come after me? You think Damon would listen to that?"

"Damon is... well, he's a lot of things. But if I talk to him, he'll back off."

Mason raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I don't understand how you're friends with him. Except maybe a dangerous level of delusion. He doesn't care about anybody but his own agenda. I've barely known him a day and I can already see that."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, debating my options. I had some very good reasons for trusting Damon as much as I did, but I wasn't totally sure I wanted to get into them, especially not with someone I'd only recently met. But that someone was starting to become important to me. I sighed, then knocked back the rest of my iced coffee. Decision made.

"Alright, listen. I don't owe you an explanation or a justification of my relationship with Damon. But... I like you. A lot. So I want you to know, so you can maybe understand."

Mason nodded, his expression thankfully more curious and open than anything else. We moved a few more feet away from the rest of the volunteer activities happening behind us to sit on a bench together, and I tried not to let our proximity and touching knees distract me.

"Okay, so, in college... I dated this guy."

"Don't tell me it was Damon."

I made a face. "Uck! Never."

"Okay, good," Mason laughed. "Sorry, I promise that'll be my one and only interruption.

"Honestly, it's probably better that we got that cleared up right away. I love him very much, but I would absolutely never date him."

"Good."

Mason held my eyes for an extra second, a little bit of that flirty behavior returning, and I felt heat rising to my cheeks. I cleared my throat and tried to refocus.

"Anyway, I dated this guy for a while. He wasn't Damon, but he was a vampire. I'm a witch, as you know, and I was raised knowing about my powers and everything else, so I knew a good amount about the supernatural world. I actually had class with him—his name was Andy—my freshman year, and we sat next to each other. I clocked him as a vampire immediately, and I don't think he was used to that.

"I wasn't sure about him at first, what with the whole vampire thing, but... we saw each other a lot. Same classes, all that. He was always nice, and funny, and when he eventually asked me out, I said yes.

"I'll skip to the important part, but basically, we dated for three years. By the time we were graduating, I'd fallen head over heels in love. I knew what he was, I knew the thought of 'together forever' brought a lot of problems we'd have to work through, including whether I could stand to stop being a witch and whether I could live with the curse of immortality. But... I knew we'd figure it out, together. I was convinced he was the love of my life."

I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to brace myself for what came next. This was only the second or third time I'd gone through it in the few years since it'd happened. Mason, to his credit, stayed quiet, letting me take my time.

"Right around graduation, when we were supposed to be doing ridiculous Senior Week activities and getting rid of the last of our assignments, taking pictures and getting ready to walk... all the supernatural drama and danger you can imagine came crashing down on our heads. Brought to our doorstep by Andy."

I shook my head, angry at myself as much as at Andy as the memories replayed, as vivid as the day they'd happened.

"He'd gotten involved in some ridiculous scheme with some other vampires, trying to prove some lore was real or something, and they needed a powerful witch. Without asking, Andy had volunteered me. When I didn't want to help, he threatened me, and left me to the wolves—no pun intended, sorry—left me to the vampires when they tried to force me to help. Damon stepped in and stopped them.

"Don't get me wrong, I know it was a completely selfish move," I said, finally looking at Mason again. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he moved a little closer, stopping just short of putting us shoulder to shoulder. "He wanted to stop the plan and the ritual and the spell, it had nothing to do with helping me. But once Andy and everyone around us was dead... I just fell apart. Damon, for all he acts the bad guy, didn't ditch me. I've asked him a couple times and he always brushes it off like it was nothing, but... he saved me in more ways than one that night. Since then, we've had each others' backs. It's kind of a weird friendship, but he's put his own life on the line to protect me more than once since then. I've done the same. I trust him completely, for the things where it really counts."

Mason sighed through his nose, looking away from me finally to stare at the ground. I watched him, watched his eyes dart around as he thought, until he met my eyes again.

"I get it. The people that pick you up and carry you through stuff like that... it's a special kind of bond. If you have that with Damon... I get it." We held eye contact for a few more moments, a wordless heaviness passing between us, and then Mason grinned. "So, what you're saying is I count as the important stuff for you?"

I bit my lip and looked away, fighting a smile and quickly losing to it.

"I... yeah, I guess I am saying that."

Mason and I laughed and worked together for a while longer on our various cleanup duties, until he told me he needed to go do trash duty in the woods, since the Sheriff had asked him to. I gave him my empty latte cup as a start, watching him with a smile as he walked away.

I tried to busy myself with volunteer work, the thing I'd actually come here for today, to keep my mind from running wild about Mason. I only half-succeeded. I hadn't felt anything close to this for somebody since Andy, and it scared me and thrilled me at the same time. The needle pinged back and forth between the two, but when Mason came back out of the woods looking rumpled, guilty, and glancing over his shoulder, it jumped all the way to scared.

"Mason?" I called, hurrying over to him. He shook his head, trying to duck past me again, but when I put a hand on his arm he stopped. "What happened?"

"Y/N..."

"Mason, what happened?" I pulled my attention from him, quickly scanning the gathered volunteers and then doing it again. Damon and Stefan were nowhere to be found. "What happened?"

Mason met my eyes and hesitated. Then, finally, "They tried to kill me. In the woods. They surrounded me, and Damon told me he'd give me a running head start before they ripped my heart out of my chest."

Immediately, my eyes darted to the woods behind Mason, scanning for my best friend. Ready to stop him. Until Mason continued.

"They're not coming back."

My eyes snapped to his again. "Explain."

"I told the Sheriff what they were. She's taking care of it."

I sprang back from Mason like touching him had burned me. He winced, but didn't do anything else.

"Are you kidding me? After everything I told you, everything we talked about?"

"I didn't have a whole lot of choice, between them and death. Besides, I told the Sheriff before I talked to you."

"Mason, you should have told to me! I would've talked to them, I would've made sure they didn't go after you if I knew it was such a pressing thing! We could've figured out the issue with the Sheriff together! What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry. But it was kill or be killed-"

"This! This is why I hate this supernatural shit!" My voice had risen to a yell, but I didn't care. We were far enough away from everyone that they probably still couldn't hear me. And what did it matter, anyway? The Council already knew. "This is why nobody ever finds any lasting peace or happiness in this stupid, ridiculous world. Everyone is so fixated on revenge and killing anyone they feel even remotely threatened by. If you'd come to me, I could've kept you safe. Instead, you might've just gotten my best friend killed."

My voice broke on the last word, and I pushed past Mason and started for the woods before he could catch me crying. Unfortunately, he caught my arm before I could get away and turned me to face him, immediately dropping his grip when I tried to pull away.

"I am sorry. I really am. But I didn't know they would follow me into the woods. And they were ready to kill me. When I saw the Sheriff's people over Stefan's shoulder, it seemed like my only way out. I'm sorry."

I took a deep breath, giving him a curt nod before turning again and taking off into the woods, hoping against hope I could get to Damon and Stefan before it was too late. Things had gotten so out of hand, so fast. All I could do was focus on putting out one fire at a time, and hope we all came out of this alive.

I started at the Lockwood cellar, but found it empty. The floor had fresh blood on it, though, and with a little magic I traced Damon and Stefan back to the Salvatore Boarding House. That felt like a good sign.

I pulled into the driveway and sprang out of my car, slamming the door to the house open. I could see Caroline passed out on the couch, which didn't entirely make me feel better as I sprinted up to Damon's room.

I slammed the door open without bothering to knock, only to come face to face with my best friend, unharmed, shirtless, and staring at me like I was insane.

"Don't you ever knock?" he demanded, sounding exasperated as he pulled his shirt over his head. A hysterical laugh bubbled out of me, and I rushed over to hug him.

"You're one to talk," I shot back, wrapping him tighter in my embrace as I did. After a second, his arms came around me too and squeezed back.

"What's wrong?" he asked. I shook my head.

"I thought... I thought you might be dead."

"Well, I'm not." Slowly, gently, he pulled away. He grabbed my arms, looking intently into my eyes for a few long moments. "I'm not. Alright?"

I nodded, the adrenaline fading and leaving exhaustion in its place. I plopped down on his bed as he moved to shut the door.

"Can't have you getting me all sappy in public and ruining my reputation," he explained. I huffed a laugh, but quickly sobered as he sat next to me. I watched him, neither of us speaking for a minute, until he raised an eyebrow. "So... was that it, or...?"

"You can't go after Mason anymore."

"What?" he cried, shooting up and glaring at me. "What the hell are you talking about? He tried to kill me today. The Sheriff is in our basement right now while we wait for the vervain to work through her system because he exposed us. That mutt is dead."

"No. Damon, no," I said, standing too as I spoke. A strange calm had washed over me, and I met Damon's wild eyes with it. "Not Mason."

"Oh, gross. Really? Him?" He raised his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes at me. "Besides being a werewolf, he's a surfer. Are you serious?"

"Damon, come on. Just let it go. Just this once, end the cycle of revenge. You stabbed him, Stefan threatened him, he exposed you to the Sheriff, you tried to kill him, he tried to kill you. You're even, sort of. Just let this one go."

"How about, instead... I kill him?" The inappropriate brightness in his tone usually just made me roll my eyes or sigh while still sort of endearing him to me, but not this time.

"No! Damon, I'm not joking! This isn't some stupid thing where you can just turn around and break promises and it's fine! I never draw a line in the sand, but I am this time! I haven't felt anything close to this, not once, since Andy. And I am not going through anything like that again! You were right the first time. I'm glad you killed Andy, you saved me doing it. But I don't ever want to live through that again. This time is different, he's different. And I know I haven't technically known him very long, but just... please. Not Mason."

Damon held my stare for a few long, long moments, assessing. I stared right back, leaving every single thing I felt clear as day on my face, an open book for him to read. Finally, he sighed and rolled his eyes, in that exaggerated way he did whenever he gave in.

"Fine. I promise I won't kill Mason."

"Or try to kill Mason?"

"Yes, alright? If you're that convinced he's different... then fine. This one's different."

I flung myself forward and wrapped my arms tight around his middle before he could stop me. He grunted and grumbled, but hugged me back after a second anyway.

"Thanks, Day."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get out of here and get some sleep before someone catches me hugging you, alright?"

I pulled back with a grin. "Deal. Softie."

Damon narrowed his eyes at me, but I just cackled and bounced out of the room. It had been a long, stressful day, but things were looking up. Tomorrow, I'd talk to Mason. And this time would be different.

I passed out in bed as soon as my head hit the pillow. Today had been a long, emotional day, and I still had a few supernaturals to talk to tomorrow, since Stefan needed to be looped in too. I'd need all the rest I could get.

I got up the next morning a little later than I'd planned to, then dressed quickly to head over to the Lockwood's. I was helping set up for the upcoming masquerade ball, and I needed to talk to Mason. After getting coffee, of course.

As I headed down the stairs, I heard voices from the living room. I listened more closely as I approached, and I heard Damon say something like "this changes things" before they stopped at my arrival. I found Damon and Jeremy both looking at me like I'd interrupted something.

"Good morning..." I said, slowly reaching to retrieve my keys as I stared at them both suspiciously.

"Good morning," said Damon, flashing me a smile that didn't reach his eyes as Jeremy gave me a little nod.

"Everything okay in here...?"

"Completely."

I narrowed my eyes, glancing from Damon to Jeremy, then finally sighed.

"Alright, I have places to be and not enough willpower to involve myself in whatever this is. Just... don't do anything over the top stupid, alright?"

Both boys just gave little signs of acknowledgement as I slowly backed towards the door. I kept waiting for one of them to break, or for some obvious thing to jump out and catch my attention, but nothing came. I reached the door and finally turned my back on both of them, just hoping I wouldn't regret it.

I never got a moment of peace in Mystic Falls. Witch history and best friend or not, I might need to ditch this place sooner rather than later. Damon could come visit me somewhere with less supernatural drama.

This time, I only got one iced latte at the coffee shop before heading to the Lockwood's. As soon as I parked my car, I started scanning for Stefan, so I could talk to him and get him on the same page as Damon. The last thing I needed was the calmer Salvatore brother ruining the progress I'd made.

Thankfully, it didn't take me long to find him, or to convince him to leave Mason alone. He'd apparently only gotten on the same page as Damon about killing Mason after Mason had made a few threats of his own, and he said if I believed peace was still an option (especially one that I could sell Damon on), then he'd be happy to support me.

That left me with one last supernatural to work things out with. I had to do a few laps of the venue to find Mason, even though it was sort of his house. I finally managed to track him down outside, by a big pond a little distance away from the rest of everyone. He gave me a small smile when he saw me coming.

"What? No coffee for me today?"

"Coffee is only for people who haven't tried to kill my friends in the last twenty-four hours." The smile immediately dropped off Mason's face, his whole demeanor sobering.

"Look, Y/N-"

"Lucky for you, that timer expires tomorrow," I continued. "So... if we get roped into a third volunteer thing in three days, you can count on coffee for that."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth again, this time a little more cautious.

"Does that mean we're okay?"

I took a deep breath, then nodded.

"As I'm sure you've noticed, Damon and Stefan are alive. I've talked to both of them. They both agreed to drop it. The three of you have done a bunch of mutual threatening and murder-attempting in the past forty-eight hours, and Damon understands that this is one of those important things he can't just brush off. They're willing to make peace, and actually mean it, from now on. For me. Can you do the same?"

Mason frowned and looked away, his eyes scanning the grass, pond, trees, and everything else while he thought. He shook his head, presumably to himself, then finally met my eyes again. He squared his shoulders, and through all of the emotions I'd experienced from him since I'd met him, he'd never been this serious.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can do the same. I don't want to get killed by a vampire, or get mixed up in trying so hard to kill one, let alone two. If they back off, for real... I'm happy to do the same."

I smiled, not as bright and full of joy as the first few times Mason and I had spent time together, but just a little ray of hope shining through after the storm I'd just weathered.

"Thank you."

He nodded, then that easy smile that had gotten a special place in my heart so quickly returned.

"So... this masquerade stuff, there's a ton of people here to help with it. Do you want to go for a walk instead?"

"I'd love that."

We took our time doing a full lap around the pond at turtle-speed, laughing and talking the entire time. We eventually did rejoin the rest of the workforce, but I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would. We sorted masks and hung decorations together, which made it better. Mason even gave me a better introduction to his nephew, Tyler, who I'd only vaguely known before.

"Hey, pay attention," teased Mason, nudging me with his shoulder as we stood together, untangling a frankly ridiculous amount of lights with Tyler's help.

"I can't," I whined. "I'm falling asleep at the wheel. One coffee isn't even close to enough caffeine to wake me up."

"I could go on a coffee run," he suggested. I turned to him with wide eyes and an exaggerated gasp.

"You would be my hero forever."

He laughed. "Alright, alright, I'm on it. I'll take any excuse to get away from these lights. Ty, you want anything?"

"Sure. Black coffee."

"Alright. I'll be back in a few."

I smiled after him as he jogged up the lawn, only looking away when he finally disappeared from sight. As I turned back to the lights, I found Tyler staring at me with a raised eyebrow. I cleared my throat.

"You really like him, don't you?"

I sighed. "Yeah. Yeah, I really do."

Tyler nodded, first to me then to himself, as he returned to working on the lights. I watched him for a minute, then continued.

"I know we don't actually know each other that well, so this might be over the line, but... I can tell he really cares about you. He talks about you a lot. I think he'd walk through fire for you. And I think he'd want you to know that."

Tyler glanced up at me, jaw tight, but he nodded all the same. He muttered a "thanks", and then we went back to our work, mostly in silence except for long strings of expletives for this Gordian Knot of a light string.

The glowing happiness in my chest kept me going without the coffee for a while, until I started to notice just how long it had been since Mason left. Tyler had moved on due to frustration with the lights, and now stood across the lawn, but Mason was nowhere to be found. Even if the line had been out the door, he should've been back by now.

I scanned the crowd again, looking for a few specific people and only finding one of them. Stefan was still here, but Damon and Jeremy were conspicuously missing. I started walking to Stefan, picking up the pace when I noticed Bonnie missing too.

"Stefan," I said, my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I tried to keep my panic under control. "Where is Damon?"

"Listen, you have to stay calm, alright-?"

"No, not alright! Where is Damon? Or, actually, no. Where is Mason?"

"He's dating Katherine. Bonnie touched him, and she had a vision about him. He's got the moonstone, and he's with her. He's been lying to all of us. Things have changed since this morning."

"Things have- fuck. That's exactly what Damon was saying to Jeremy this morning," I shook my head, mentally kicking myself for not putting the pieces together faster. "Where are they, Stefan?"

"Did you not hear me? He's working with the enemy-"

"Stefan Salvatore. I will ask you one more time, and then it'll be my turn to cross some fucking lines. Where. Are. They."

Stefan watched me for a moment, considering. Then, finally, he said, "They're at the boarding house."

I barely waited for him to finish his answer before I took off running. My lungs burned as I raced through the people swarming around Lockwood Manor, towards where I'd left my car. Apparently, Damon had decided that Bonnie's vision of Mason and Katherine, whatever else it meant, gave him a pass to change the rules. To break the promise he made to me last night. Which meant, if I didn't move fast enough, I might never see Mason again.

I flung myself into the driver's seat of my car, then took off for the Salvatore Boarding House. I barely managed to stay on the right side of 'safe driver', and made it there in record time. I screeched to a stop in front of the house, and as soon as I stepped out of my car, I heard Mason scream from inside. My heart dropped to my feet as I raced forward, flung the door open, and rushed inside.

I could see Damon hovering over someone, presumably Mason, in a chair with it's back to me. Jeremy hovered off to the side, looking horrified but refusing to do something or leave. I shoved past Jeremy roughly, flinging out my arms and using a burst of magic to send Damon flying into the nearest wall and away from Mason.

"What is WRONG with you?" I cried, raging at Damon, feeling an anger like I'd never felt towards my best friend before. "Did everything we talked about mean nothing to you? I know you have some crazy need to do everything the violent way, and I've never let it get to me before, but you've also never backstabbed me before! How could you do this to me?"

"You don't understand-"

"I understand perfectly."

With one last shove of my magic at Damon, I whirled around to look at Mason. He was bound to a chair from the dining room, covered in his own blood, a hopeless, broken look in his eyes. I tried not to break with him as I dropped to my knees and started working to untie him.

"It's okay, it's okay," I said, talking to keep myself calm as much as to keep Mason calm. "Don't worry, I got you."

Mason didn't respond, and I spared a glance up at him to see him watching me, his face contorted in pain. I did my best to speed up, but it was harder to work the ropes and chains with how badly my hands were shaking.

"He's in love with Katherine," came Damon's voice from behind me. There was no fight or victory in his words, and I still trusted him enough to leave my back to him, even as I ignored him. "He told me himself before you came in. He doesn't love you, he loves her. Like every other poor sucker she's brainwashed and ditched over the years."

I huffed a breath through my nose as I finally managed to remove the last of Mason's restraints, then stood to face Damon. He was still a good distance away, not threatening, just watching. Posture relaxed, face pressed into a concerned frown. Jeremy stood over his shoulder, watching us like a tennis match.

"Is that supposed to make me willing to let you torture and kill him?"

Damon shrugged, an insufferable look that I knew very, very well crossing his face.

"This isn't a joke, Damon. Just because you get some new information doesn't mean everything we talked about last night ceases to be important. You should have talked to me. Like a rational person! Not done... this," my voice broke a little on the final word as I pictured Mason again, those empty eyes that had been so full of light and joy before. "Tell me something. If I hadn't shown up... were you going to kill him?"

Damon looked away, and I had my answer. I snorted, then turned to help Mason stand, slinging one of his arms over my shoulder. He was incredibly heavy, and he wasn't strong enough to be much help either, but I could manage.

"I would've been doing him a favor," Damon finally said, calling after me as I helped Mason limp towards the door. "I've been where he is. I know what it's like to be lost in Katherine land. There's no hope for him."

I just raised my middle finger back at him as we continued to the door. I didn't look back as the front door shut behind me and I loaded Mason into the passenger seat of my car, then climbed into the driver's seat. I started the engine, but just kept staring straight ahead, a thousand different thoughts and noises racing around in my mind all at once. I tried to focus on one, to process things slowly, but I couldn't. So, I forced all of it out, instead keeping my eyes locked on the road ahead and pretending nothing else existed. I could do that, just long enough to get out of here.

Mason didn't speak, move, or make a sound for the entire drive back to the Lockwood house. It wasn't the safest place for him, but I didn't know where else to take him. I stayed silent, too, focusing entirely on trying to fight the wave of everything threatening to crash over me in the middle of evening traffic.

Thankfully, when we got back to the Lockwood house, all the volunteers had gone. I helped Mason out of the car, then continued to be his crutch as we limped through the front door. He broke his silence long enough to point me towards his room, and I helped him up the stairs and through the door. As gently as possible, I helped him ease down on the bed. His super-healing would fix the physical injuries fairly quickly all things considered, but Damon had spent the afternoon torturing him. That wasn't as easy to get past.

"Are you okay?" I finally asked. I knew it was a stupid question, especially with everything else floating around in my head, but I needed to know what he'd say. To gauge how close he might be to okay.

Mason sighed and ran a hand through his hair, refusing to meet my eyes.

"I'm fine. Or at least... I guess I will be."

I nodded. "I'm glad." And I meant it.

Mason huffed another heavy, heavy sigh, then finally looked up at me.

"Thank you. For saving me."

"Yeah, of course. I... I'm sorry I was wrong. That Damon went right back to... that."

Mason waved me off, rubbing the back of his neck and staring holes in the carpet. The silence hung between us, and I took a shuffling step backwards before deciding I couldn't leave without a few answers, even if Mason clearly felt like shit.

"Is it true?" I asked, still hovering by the doorway. Mason flinched, and I knew he knew what I meant, but I continued anyway. "What Damon and Stefan said... are you with Katherine?"

Mason grimaced and ducked his head, not meeting my eyes. I took a few more steps across the room towards him.

"Mason. Please answer me."

He huffed a hollow laugh, then looked up at me, pain written all over his face.

"I'm sorry."

I shook my head. This time, it was my turn for the hollow laugh.

"I'm so, so sorry. I was trying to help her. I... I love her. Or at least, I did... I thought she loved me too..."

"Katherine doesn't love anybody," I spat, my voice full of venom. "I watched Damon wrestle with that realization for a few years. Did she ever tell you? She played him and Stefan against each other, dated and toyed with them both in 1864. Escaped from being trapped with twenty-six other vampires and never looked back, all while she let Damon chase after her, knowing full well he was trying to find a way to save her from a trap she wasn't in. For almost a hundred and fifty years. She's ditched and killed and betrayed everyone she's ever been with, Mason. Think about that long and hard before you really decide to stick with her."

With that, I turned on my heel, the first tears starting to fall as I wrenched the door open. It slammed closed again before I could get through it, and I turned to find Mason standing before me, one arm extended to keep the door shut. He looked torn and pained, even more so when he noticed the tears I failed to hold back.

"I need you to know... it was real. I wasn't... faking it, or whatever, all those times we hung out. I... really do like you." I scoffed, but he continued before I could tell him off. "It's just... Kath was there for me after I triggered my curse. My friend kept coming at me, trying to beat me up because he thought I was sleeping with his girlfriend, which I wasn't. I pushed him too hard, and he fell, and... and he died. I killed him. That same night was the first night I transformed. Kath was there for me then, and for every minute after. She's... my Damon."

"Ha!" I shouted, shoving Mason's chest and pushing him back with all the force I could muster. He stumbled back more than a few steps, apparently still weak from whatever Damon had done. "Don't you ever, ever compare them. Damon sucks, and does bad things that hurt the people he cares about. Don't think I don't know that. But the difference is, he actually has people he cares about.

"And before you go running back to Katherine, after I saved your life, you should really think Mason: Katherine wants the moonstone. You got her the moonstone. If she knew you could get it for her, then what might she have done to make you want to get it for her?"

Mason shook his head, slowly at first and then faster and faster.

"No. No, she can't compel me. I know she can't."

"Sure. But I bet she could compel your friend. I mean, did you ever figure out why he thought you'd gone after his girlfriend? Or why he wouldn't listen to you or to reason, just came at you until you were forced to defend yourself? The best way to make you do her dirty work for her was to give you a vested interest in getting the moonstone. What better way than a ray of hope to try to break your new curse?"

Mason sat down hard on his bed, head in his hands and shaking. I opened the door again, never taking my eyes off of Mason, my heart shattering in my chest.

"Think long and hard about the truth and who you can actually trust, Mason. Following Katherine will only lead you down a road of pain and death."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked out of the room. This time, nobody stopped me. And I didn't look back.

I got in my car and drove, no destination in mind, trying to process. I'd been falling for Mason, hard, and he'd betrayed me. Damon, who I'd always been able to count on, had done the same. Everything had come crumbling down in less than an hour.

I didn't go back home, to the Salvatore house, until sunrise the next morning. I'd stayed out all night, wandering aimlessly with my car, driving around and slowly working through everything. And when I walked through the doors of the boarding house again, I'd found a new clarity.

"Hey." Damon stood in the hallway, arms crossed and looking concerned. I gave him a weak smile.

"Hey."

"...Everything okay?"

"No. No it's not. You crossed a line, Damon, and even if you never crossed it again... the supernatural drama just doesn't stop. So I'm done with it."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm leaving. I'm leaving Mystic Falls, and everything that comes with vampires and werewolves and even witches, before it destroys me. It's not worth it. I booked a flight to San Diego on my phone a few hours ago."

Damon tried to convince me to stay, but I wasn't hearing it. I'd made up my mind, and now, I wasn't changing it. He hovered as I packed my bags, my anger still simmering but fading now that I'd spent time processing. By a little after noon, I was ready to go.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" Damon finally asked as I stood on the threshold of the house, my bags already loaded into the car.

"I'm sure. I meant what I said, Day, I'm done with this stuff. But I'll make you a deal."

"...And what kind of deal would that be?"

"Don't kill Mason, and you're welcome to visit me any time."

Damon scowled. "All that, and you're still protecting him?"

I shrugged. "I'm over it, all the death. And I think Mason might be having a wakeup call of his own now. Just... please, Damon. Consider this a second chance. Don't kill Mason. Or torture him, or hurt him. No matter what you learn, or how the circumstances change. He's off limits."

Damon just looked at me for a long, long moment before finally nodding, slowly.

"Fine. And if he asks where you went?"

"You can tell him. I don't think he's gonna chase me all the way to San Diego, especially not if he's still hung up on Katherine like you said he is. And like I said... feel free to come visit. Or call whenever."

Damon nodded once, lips pursed in a tight line. I gave him a smile and a little salute before turning and climbing into my car. I took one last breath to steel myself, then turned the key and left Mystic Falls in the dust behind me.

****************

Two and a Half Months Later

I smiled from the porch of my new house (really closer to a shack) on the beach as I sipped my morning coffee. Watching the waves crash over the shore in the early morning light had become my routine, and I swear my blood pressure had dropped beyond belief as a result.

I hadn't had any supernatural visitors yet, but I knew it'd only be a matter of time. Despite everything, I hoped it would be Damon. There were a lot of things I didn't miss about living in the same sphere as him every day, but it had been nice to be so close to my best friend, even if he was a jackass a lot of the time.

Once the sun was a little higher in the sky and my mug was empty, I went back into the kitchen. The house had a thousand projects, and I'd only just started on the first one or two. I'd been doing those mostly by myself too, with little magical help, and it was nice. I could feel a little bit more of myself in this place with every change I made.

I set my mug in the sink and started to grab eggs out of the fridge when I heard a knock on the door. I wandered over to open it, then stopped dead when I saw who was on the other side.

Mason Lockwood. Iced latte in hand and a sheepish grin on his face.

"Hey," he said, holding out the coffee as a sort of offering. "I, uh... I hope it's okay that I'm here. Damon told me where you'd moved to, and I figured he'd never tell me if it wasn't alright with you. Even then. Honestly, I half expected to open this door and find an axe murderer or a random old man."

Despite myself, I snorted a laugh, and a small smile tugged its way onto my face. I reached out and took the coffee.

"It's good to see you," I said, and meant it. "I'm glad you're okay. Honestly, I think Damon probably sent you here as proof that he didn't kill you. I told him that was a condition of him being invited into my house."

This time, a small smile made its way onto Mason's face. We just looked at each other for a few minutes, hopeful smiles and an electric energy snaking between us, until I finally cleared my throat and took a half-step to the side.

"Do you... want to come in?"

Mason smiled, somehow still looking slightly pained.

"I... can't." I raised an eyebrow, and he rushed to continue. "I'd love to, for the record. It's just... I might've dragged Tyler out of Mystic Falls with me. And he might be waiting in the car."

For the first time, I glanced over Mason's shoulder to see Tyler sitting in the front seat of Mason's Bronco, arms crossed as he pointedly didn't look at us. I laughed.

"That's why it took me so long to get here," Mason continued. "You were right about Katherine. About everything, really. When I ditched her... she compelled a friend of Tyler's to get him to trigger the curse. Like she did to me."

My eyes widened in horror, and I took a step forward to rest my hand on Mason's arm before glancing over his shoulder again.

"Oh my God. Is he okay?"

Mason shrugged. "As okay as he can be. We're figuring it out. But I needed to stay to make sure he was okay, and that Katherine and the other supernaturals didn't get him killed. A lot went down after you left, but... we made it. So did Damon and Stefan. But we needed to get out, so I convinced Carol to let me take Ty for a little while."

I nodded. "I'm glad you did. Do you guys have a place to stay?"

"Yeah. I actually got a place down the beach from here," he said, blushing a little as he glanced away and rubbed at the back of his neck. "We just got into town, and I might've dragged Tyler here first without warning."

I laughed, then stepped fully out of my house, shutting the door behind me. Mason smiled, and my heart raced at our newfound proximity. I decided to let that impulse win and leaned up to give him a soft kiss on the cheek.

Mason looked shocked as I pulled away, then grinned a wolfish grin (pun intended) as he swept me into his arms and kissed me, for real. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, hard, completely indulging for a few long seconds before pulling back.

"Tyler's in the car," I said. I was a little breathless and smiling like an idiot, an expression Mason shared.

"He's fine, I left the window cracked."

My laugh was muffled as Mason leaned in and kissed me again, but this time I pulled away fairly quickly.

"I love that you're making vague dog jokes now, but I really don't want him to have to just sit there while we make out on my porch. Let me help you guys get settled in your new place, and then maybe we can go on a real date tonight?"

Mason beamed at me, pulling me close to his side and resting his forehead against mine.

"Sounds like a plan."

He gave me one last peck on the lips, then took my hand and tugged me down the stairs after him. I laughed, feeling freer and lighter than I had in a long time, as I opened the back door of his car and Mason hopped back in the driver's seat.

"Hey Tyler," I chirped. "It's nice to see you again."

"Yeah. Hi."

I caught Mason's eye in the rear view mirror, fighting and almost failing to hold back a laugh. His blue eyes sparkled like the ocean on a beautiful, clear day, and somehow I just knew we were at the start of something special and wonderful. Call it a witch's intuition, but I felt good about what the future held for me and Mason in San Diego.

****************

TVD Taglist: @elenavampire21

[pascaloverx]

Hit The Road

Chapter One

next chapter

Summary: You are a hunter of supernatural beings who is forced to experience a new reality: being a vampire. The only thing stronger than your thirst for blood is your thirst for revenge.

Author's note: the characters mentioned here were created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name by author L. J. Smith. They don't belong to me. That said, this fanfic will be short. This fanfic may address scenes of violence, inappropriate language and adult content. Minors should not interact with this story.

"A hunter shouldn't act with the heart instead of the head" said the leader of the hunters' clan, which gathers in a different town every six months. On the other hand, they also say that you shouldn't let a vampire take what's yours without a fight. Here you are, lost in a new town, hoping to find the one who took everything from you without even thinking about the consequences. The cursed one with blue eyes and fangs that can pierce even your soul.

You feel the weight of the leader's words as you wander through the new town, determined to find the blue-eyed vampire who took everything from you. Each step you take is laden with the determination to seek justice and reclaim what was lost. As night falls, you prepare for the impending battle, reminding yourself that as a hunter, your courage and determination are your greatest weapons against the shadows lurking in the darkness. You must kill Damon Salvatore at all costs. But you know you're going against your clan's rules. It's like a double-edged sword. You wound and will be wounded. Your clan is against hunting alone. Well, that's not the only reason your clan doesn't want you around anymore.

"Does anyone know where the hell I can find a man with blue eyes and a pretty shitty sense of humor?" You say as you enter a place called Mystic Grill. This small town seems like the type where everyone knows everyone.

"I think you're looking for Damon Salvatore. May I ask what you want with him?" A tall human with blonde hair speaks to me. He looks strangely ordinary.

"Just some personal matters with him. Nothing major." You reply to the tall blonde human, trying to sound casual despite your true intentions running much deeper. He looks at you for a moment, seemingly assessing your answer, before finally stepping away.

"I think he's big enough to take care of himself, but if you want, I can take you to him." What a kind person this is standing in front of you.

"Would you do me this favor?" You say, trying to feign friendliness, although something inside you has changed significantly. That repugnant vampire has changed you and simply left as if it meant nothing.

"Of course, you seem to need to settle something with him. Just need to grab my coat." The stranger picks up his coat from the chair and heads towards his car. It makes sense why the vampires here get along so well. A friendly face, and humans are already willing to help you. The car ride was quick enough that you didn't have to explain much about the reason for being in Mystic Falls.

"A piece of advice, talk to Stefan if you don't get what you want with Damon. Stefan tends to be more reasonable. Maybe even Elena. Right there at that mansion, you'll find what you're looking for." The man who identified himself as Matt during our journey became increasingly helpful to you.

"I appreciate the advice, and in return, I'll tell you, you should stop being so kind. People in general don't deserve that much kindness, especially people who stopped being human a while ago." You say as you look deeply into his eyes. If he doesn't take vervain, he'll probably take this advice to heart. He looks confused, but you're already in front of a mansion. I guess you've reached your destination. You grab the backpack you brought with you and bid farewell to the human.

You knock once, and there's no answer. How irritating it is to wait for someone to grant you entry. You knock again, still no response. How frustrating. You decide to try once more, knocking on the door with a bit more force. It's when you hear footsteps behind you.

"Can I help you?" Says a man behind you. He's so close that you end up attacking him. He's definitely not human, but he's not Damon either. He falls to the ground, unfazed due to his supernatural nature. I bet he's a vampire. Perhaps he's the reasonable one Matt was talking about.

"I'm sorry, I'm not used to being caught off guard. Need a hand getting up?" You say, reaching out to the stranger who is still on the ground.

"You almost offend me by offering help, but thank you for the consideration. If you don't mind, I'll savor my humiliation a little longer." He replies.

"Is it humiliation because I brought you down, or because you're still on the ground?" You don't want to gloat over other people's misfortunes, but you end up smiling.

"Humiliation because I was brought down, of course." He retorts with a hint of sarcasm.

"Don't feel bad, it happens to the best of us. I heard the more recent the transformation, the more ruthless you become. Or maybe not. Are you sure you don't want help?" You say as you watch him slowly get up. You can bet he hasn't fed in a while.

"You couldn't have come here just to make me fall at your feet, what brought you here?" He says looking at you, it seems like he doesn't find it strange that I talk about vampirism so casually.

"Indeed, it was a man named Matt, but my goal here is to reunite with an old friend." You say as you intertwine your arms in front of your body. He seems to understand.

"What did Damon do this time?" He asks, as if he's already accustomed to seeing people looking for that idiot.

"I hope you won't be upset by what I'm about to do; it's nothing personal. I just need to get his attention and then I'll leave. Once I take from him what he took from me." You say as you take the stake from your backpack and drive it into the man in front of you. There's a bit of vervain on the tip of the stake, enough to incapacitate the vampire before you, but not to kill him. That's why you don't aim for his heart. I'll make Damon come to me no matter what it takes. Get ready, Salvatore. You've messed with the wrong hunter.

[lizzaneia-elizalde]

Hi, Goodmorning/night! how has your day been? :3 i hope it went well!

If its okay, can I request mermaid reader (preferably fem), dropping some stuff down to Viper? It can be small jewelry she doesn't quite like or anything REALLY shiny — because she thinks sending him stuff would make him less interested in her and more on the stuff she drops. Basically her doing an offering and praying Viper would take the items instead of her

Always rest! And can I be "🦪" Anon? Im mostly a huge fan of Viper and Damon, so i might ask a lot about them! Again always rest and take care of yourself!!

Yandere! Male! Deep sea creature x mermaid! Fem! Reader: Viper route 1

That's so cute! Okay cuz I think Viper has like some similarities to Orion. He's also a collector! So I just let my hands flow and see where it takes me. Also, welcome 🦪anon! It's so nice to have more familiar faces here!

Also a bit sick, so I'll probably slow down a bit till i'm healed. Sore throat plus a runny nose, plus A FEVER WHAT LIKE LET ME BREATH????

Writing puts my mind at rest from being sick anyways...

You pursed your lips and looked down at the void below the trenches.

It's been quite a while since you escaped Viper's grasp, and Viper has continued to try and fail to seduce you back to him with that dang light of his.

You're a curious fish, but not that curious.

You're even deliberating on moving out of the trenches and back to civilization again, but something's telling you to don't do it.

Deciding on taking your mind off of the deep sea merman, you dedicated your time in talking to Orion and knowing more about human technology. He's happy to oblige too, anyways.

But you can't help but glance back at the deep, dark void down below, telling you, whispering that you belong there.

Surely you don't.

You're a creature of light, someone who enjoys the sunrays reflecting on the blue, tranquil sea. Someone who loves looking at the boats passing by, cleaning up trash, finding little treasures that you stock up and design your little pod inside the trenches...

You're satisfied...

Are you?

You can't help but remember how cold yet warm the darkness was. How Viper coiled his long tail around yours, his body heat enveloping yours. You can still feel against your back, your skin, the way his torso pressed against yours flush and fit. Significantly stronger, can kill you with one bite and yet...

You shook your head as you shivered away the daydream. No. No no no!

Slapping your face, you grabbed your bag and zoomed back to the trenches to start your little... Littering.

You've been sprinkling these little gems, trinkets, and jewels down below to him. Sure, you might need them as it's currency, but you're self sufficient enough with a farm and an aquatic ranch. You rarely even go to civilization anymore to really use these.

So, as valuable as these treasures are, and would literally make you rich, you decided to dump them on Viper.

Sweet, little naive you thinks that this counts as littering. You really didn't want to throw down actual trash-- you're environmentally friendly, you don't want to do that. And Viper is still a merfolk despite how um, scary he is. Hope he sees it as a bribe too. Who knows? Maybe he'll leave you alone if you make him rich enough?

But then again, you're sweet, you're little...

And you're naive.

Didn't you really thought that this practice looks like you're giving him gifts?

No, a wedding gift specifically?

He did propose to you to be his mate, his eternal partner.

And you're doing this?

Oh, little one. You're too cute! Acting all shy and bashful-- you're so upfront at wanting to marry him by giving him what's equal to a dowry!

Viper collects them meticulously. Putting them in a giant pit that's slowly but surely making him richer by the second.

Should you and him move out of the trenches and back to civilization with this money? With all of these riches, both of you are basically at the upper crust now.

Then, he'll show to those pesky upperdwellers that one of them is his, and only his.

He'll show them how he owns you, loves you, and will have a family just to piss them off.

Oh, how it makes him shiver just thinking about it.

So yes, continue giving him the dowry, little one.

Sooner or later, he'll snatch you up and drag you back down to the abyss,

and live happily ever after.

That's what you wanted, right?

[white-wysteria]

How do you feel about Asa's work ethic? Do you think he's a good medic? Also, seems like Asa is a popular topic for you now

"Damon's work ethic? Well... He does a lot for the other boys. Despite his rather aloof attitude, there is an aspect of care to him. The dark haired one, Miike, came to him with a bloody nose. How tragic. I wonder how that happened. Must have run into a tree. It wouldn't be the first time. Simon has done it as well.

He has been keeping a rather watchful eye over Miike and Wilbur since they came to him complaining about random insignificant illnesses. Maybe an excuse for the two of them to go off together. I have never quite seen two boys behave like they do. I must look into where they get off to.

Why do you care what I think of Damon? Can't you assert your own opinion on his work ethic yourself? I'd much rather discuss things that I like rather than keep the conversation on the boring, dull, island medic. Yes. I do think he is a good medic. I think he could set a bone straight if it was bent backwards. Does that mean something to you? It means nothing to me. Although it is a good trait to have.

A popular topic. Pssh. I can guarantee you that Damon means nothing to me. Franklin simply pokes and prods where his nose does not belong and ends up chest deep in a mess he created. Franklin's assertions of me are nothing more than a broken mirror reflecting himself back to him.

I would never dare get attached to someone as trivial and insignificant as Damon. I simply do not wish for the only person who could ever dream of tending to - God Forbid - my own wounds, injured. He is snarky, and he does not trust easily. And yet, that Wilbur boy seems to have nestled rather close. I will have to ask him how he did so.

Now, I do not wish to discuss the topic any further. Damon is... Interesting. Nothing more, nothing less.

I wish to see him off of this island. That's all.

Alive. Preferably."

find asa: @ask-asa-damon-lotf

find franklin (mentioned): @ask-franklin-shepherd

find wilbur (mentioned): @wilbur-holland-lotf

find miike (mentioned): @ask-miike-don-lotf

[alloftheimaginesblog]

Headcanons of being a witch who specialises in healing magic and what falling in love/dating Stefan Salvatore would include...

Your family and the Salvatore family has always been familiar with each other but that didn't mean your ancestors liked them. Witches and vampires weren't meant to be friends... and then you met Stefan.

Stefan was different. He wasn't like any other vampire you'd come across. His brother Damon was horrific, you hated him and you suspected Stefan would be the same but when you met him he was... kind. He was respectful.

He had come to you asking for help to defend them and their friends. He knew about the history your ancestors had with him but he thought that you would see he was different than his family and you did see that.

After you'd helped, after using your magic to heal various friends of his, he takes you home and gives you a very sincere and grateful thank you.

From there, you can't shake him. He's under your skin and you often find yourself thinking of the younger Salvatore brother.

He comes to you for help more often and one day, the two of you get trapped in a cellar, which you cannot get out of. Stefan knows that his brother will get you both out of there but it would take a while so... you start to talk and start getting to know each other.

You find out that he drinks animal blood not human blood but he also tells you about his Ripper past. You don't judge him, you actually respect that he knows about his addiction and actively doesn't partake despite his nature.

You find yourself opening up to him. He listens and he doesn't judge you either.

When you finally get out, you find your mind wandering to Stefan more and more often.

You become closer to Bonnie, making a connection with another witch was helpful. Becoming closer with Bonnie means that you're around Stefan a lot more.

It's Bonnie that nudges you one day and asks you outright if you like Stefan. You deny immediately but she eyes you curiously. She doesn't drop it, she becomes convinced that you do have feelings for him and tells you at every possible minute.

You and Stefan spend more time together and you find yourselves laughing and joking, surprising a few of your friends how close the two of you seem to be. He's the one you go to when you need help or advice and he comes to you when he's stressed about something.

Bonnie is convinced you fancy him but it's not until she sees the two of you together that she realises he likes you too. She then does anything she can to make the two of you be alone together.

This ends up being not so subtle, she literally locks you both in a room together and uses a spell to seal the door shut, not even you can break out of it.

At first you and Stefan just awkwardly sit down but after a while, he starts to talk.

"She won't let us out until I come clean so... I've been hiding my feelings from you for a while. When I first came to you for help, I never realised what I was getting myself into. I knew of your ancestor's history with us and I didn't think you'd give me the time of day but you're different. You have opened up my world, (y/n). I wasn't planning on falling in love but... here I am."

You don't speak for a long time, you're just processing the fact that he just told you that he's in love with you. It isn't until he touches your hand that you snap back into reality. You confess your own feelings for him, telling him that you feel the same. "I came into this with an idea of what vampires were like, my family always warned me about them but meeting you... you're different. You care about everyone you meet... Why wouldn't I fall in love with you, Stefan?"

He kisses you passionately, hand cupping your cheek, and the seal on the door fades away meaning that you're both free to go. Neither of you move though, instead you stay in the room kissing and cuddling.

Your relationship develops quite quick from there. Stefan takes you out, taking you for dinner, taking you to see his favourite sites, dates to the bookstore to pick out books for the other. He likes spending time with you no matter what it is that you're doing.

He likes seeing your magic and your powers, he finds you and your powers so interesting.

Stefan is really protective over you but he knows that you can handle yourself. You're his vice, the one thing he would kill for. He loves you and would do anything to keep you safe even if that means putting himself in harms way.