𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃
there is peace. there is wild. i am both at the same time

TYLER AND MATT opened up the front door while Caroline and Tori helped Elena inside, their arms wrapped around her. Godric and Eric followed shortly behind, making sure nothing were to happen to them.

"Couch," ordered the blonde and they started to make their way towards it.

Putting up a fight, Elena said, "I'm fine. I just... I want something to eat first." 

"We're on it, as soon as we make sure no one is lurking in the closets," Tyler joked slightly. Him and Matt then walked upstairs while the two best friends led Elena to the couch. The vampires lurked behind them, watching them with protective eyes, especially Tori.

Elena huffed as she glanced between them. "I told you I'm fine."

While Victoria continued to carry Elena to the couch, Caroline walked away to grab a blanket off of the chair. "Doctor says rest, you rest."

"Or else i'll beat your ass," Tori teased as Caroline came over and covered Elena with the fluffy blanket.

Caroline placed her hands on her hips as she looked down at Elena as Tori started tucking her sister in. "Now, what can I get you? Do you want some tea, maybe some vodka? Both will help you sleep." Both twins turned to look at Caroline with raised brows. "I know, I'm being smothering. It's what I do." 

"No, it's — it's nice," Elena told her honestly.  

Smirking, Caroline said, "I'm thinking-maybe tea with vodka." They all three laughed at that with small smiles.

Eric rose his brows as he looked between them. "Who knew a bunch of teenage girls would be so fun."

"Childe," Godric warned with slightly narrowed eyes which made the girl's laugh again.

"So, like, you're his sire, right?" Caroline asked as she pointed at Godric who simply nodded. "Vivi told me how old you were and is it true that you're two thousand years old?"

"I am," Godric said and then watched at his Childe walked over to Victoria who sat down on a chair. He picked her up and placed her on his lap which had her chuckling. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Victoria."

Everyone turned to the eldest twin who sheepishly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to talk about it, Godric, if you're uncomfortable."

He shook his head and took a seat on the loveseat.lI was willing to give-up and meet the sun, but she stopped me before I could burn, and saved my life."

Caroline's eyes widened as she sat down beside him. "Oh, my god. Are you okay?" She laid a hand on his that laid on his lap. "If you ever need anyone to talk to, I am here for you. Alright? I would never judge."

Godric smiled softly at the blonde and glanced at Tori who smirked over at him. He chuckled and then nodded at the vampire. "I appreciate that, Caroline, and I might take you up on that offer."

IT WAS A few hours later and Elena was lying on the couch still, while Matt and Stefan were cooking in the kitchen. "I'm being over coddled. I feel completely fine," she said, pouting like a child which made Tori chuckle. Elena stretched out her leg and kicked her off of the couch which made the older twin shout out in surprise.

Eric laughed at her as she pouted. But, he regretted it when she stood up and flicked him on the forehead. He growled playfully and pulled her down onto his lap again, and wrapped his arms around her.

While Matt set the table for the seven of them, he asked, "Wouldn't it be smarter if we just got you and Victoria the hell out of town?" 

Victoria rolled her eyes. "And do what? Go on the run for the rest of our lives? No thank you, I'm not Katherine Pierce, I'm not a runner. Plus Klaus is gone, he's not coming for Elena anymore." She then glanced at Godric who was playing some soft of card game with Caroline. "Plus, why would we run when we have two powerful vampires who can take anyone who comes after us?"

Elena pushed the blanket off of her. "And I'm not an invalid. I'm done with the couch." The younger twin got up and walked out of the room, leaving Tori watching her with concerned eyes.

Once she was gone, Matt asked, "So, you're just gonna let them call the shots?" 

Eric growled at the human. "I want Victoria safe just like everyone else, but she is safe as long as she's in my arms. So shut up before your head begins rolling."

Before anything else could be said, Elena's shaky voice interrupted, "Tori!"

The six of them looked towards the front doorway. The front door was wide open, and Elijah was standing in front of Elena with an unreadable expression.

"Elijah," Tori breathed out.

"Hello again," he greeted with a small smirk.

THE GROUP WAS together in the kitchen, and the suit wearing original said, "All we need is to take that stake away from him. Once he's been disarmed, the weapon's in my possession, my family will scatter to the ends of the Earth and Alaric will follow us." 

Stefan crossed his arms and asked, "And you'll just run?" 

Elijah simply shrugged. "We've done it before. Klaus and Rebekah spent the better part of a thousand years evading my father. What's another half century while Elena and Victoria will be able to live out the rest of their natural lives?" 

"We've finally stopped him, Elijah. After everything that he's done to us, to Jenna, I can't just let you bring him back," Tori argued with him. "I understand family is everything, and I would do that with the people I love, but he's just hurt us time after time."

Elijah turned to her with soft eyes. "I give you my word, Victoria, I will not revive Klaus within yours nor even within your children's lifetimes. Perhaps that will finally teach him some manners," he promised her as he adjusted the plate setting in front of him.  

As Matt walked up behind Elena, he asked, "Why should she trust you? All you've done is screw them over." 

Elijah sighed and fixed his cuff links. "And for that, I am deeply ashamed. But know this, she could have been dead the instant I walked through that door tonight, so Elena, and Victoria, I leave it to you to make the decision whether to trust me or not." 

Suddenly, Damon responded from the phone that was on the table, "Not! Hello? Did that concussion give you brain damage?! His lunatic siblings will kill you the first chance they get!" 

"Rebekah and Kol will honor the terms. If you return Klaus' body to us, neither twin will come to no harm," Elijah replied to him as everyone in the room shared looks. "Do we have a deal?" He watched with analyzing eyes when Eric gripped Tori's hip, and Godric stand between Caroline and Elena. He knew they were safe either way, but this deal was something that will ease their minds further.

Stefan turned to the twins. "It's up to you both".

"Oh, come on," Damon groaned. "Victoria!"

Curious, Elena asked him, "Why do you want Klaus' body?" 

Elijah simply gave her a look. "He's my brother. We remain together." 

Elena sighed, looking to Tori who nodded and said, "We have a deal."

ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR later, after Matt led Elena to safety, Victoria stayed at the house where Godric and Eric watched over her, along with Caroline. The blonde wanted to protect her best friend, while also get to know Godric more, because weirdly enough, they complimented each other more than they both previously thought.

"So, you were a viking prince, huh?" Tori turned to Eric as she sat on the island in the kitchen. She was eating some grapes while listening to some music.

Eric chuckled as he stood between her legs, his hands on either side of her. She was a little tense still when he was close to her or touching her on her legs, but she was slowly getting over her fear. Either way, he wasn't going to force her to do anything she wouldn't want to do. "Is that all you heard in that?" He has previously been explaining his human life.

"That and also the fact that you were an asshole who used women for sex," she commented and popped a grape in her mouth. "I do not like the fact that you did that to them, but like I said last night, you aren't going to change my opinion on you."

Eric leaned closer to her until their lips were inches apart. "Good." He brushed her hair away from her neck and breathed in her scent. "It's too late for you to push me away now."

She shivered as his breath hit her neck and she licked her lips. "You're never getting rid of me either."

He grinned and moved his lips closer to hers, and right when their lips were about to touch, her phone went off. She jumped in shock and then reached over, answering her phone. "Damon? Why are you calling me?"

"Vic—" His voice cut off and she could hear him sobbing which made her jump off the counter, ignoring Eric's concerned look. "They're dead. I don't — I can't — I don't know what happened," he rasped out through tears.

Tori's whole body froze and the phone fell from her grip before she fell to her knees, and began crying loudly.

"Tori!" Caroline shouted as her and Godric sped into the kitchen to find Victoria on the floor with Eric pulling her into his chest. "What happened?!"

Tori looked up at Caroline through her wet eyelashes and sobbed out, "they're gone."

IT WAS LATER, and they were all gathered around in the hospital's hallway. Jeremy was holding Tori who was still sobbing. Godric was trying to comfort Caroline while Eric watched Tori closely.

"You can come in now," Meredith said as she came out of the morgue, interrupting everyone.

Tori started crying again and buried her head into Jeremy's shoulder. But, the boy pulled back and said, "come on."

"Elena died with vampire blood in her system..." Damon whispered as he pulled the younger Gilbert into him. He wrapped his arms around her and laid his chin on her head, keeping her close. She was silently crying, praying that she wouldn't lose anyone else. "She'll be back."

Eric narrowed his eyes at Damon's hand on what was his before she left his arms and went to the blonde. He pulled her into him, and comforted her as best as he could even though it was out of his range.

"She'll be alright," Godric muttered to Caroline who was holding his hand for comfort.

And that was when Elena woke up with a gasp.