CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: Daddy Issues
WARNINGS: mentioned/implied g!p (if you don't like it... sorry??), coming out, john gilbert *sigh*, damon, stefan, tyler(?), jules🙄, torture, kidnapping, temporary character death

ELENA FOUND HERSELF AT DAMON'S house again, She and Rose sitting in the living room, Elena eating and Rose drinking some blood. Elena had left before John could say anything else and had pretty much yelled at Stefan to fuck off.

Rose's phone went off for probably the fifteenth time in five minutes. The vampire glanced at it, taking the phone in her hands and typing something out. Once she was finished, she dropped the phone back beside her.

Elena raised an eyebrow. "Who are you texting?" She asked, confused. Sometimes Rose would be smiling, sometimes she'd be giggling. It was throwing her off.

The front door opened before Rose could answer, Athena striding in like she owned the place. "Good morning, ladies," the redhead greets.

"Good morning," Elena said before biting into her toast.

"Morning," Rose greeted, half-distracted. She was typing on her phone again, a smile pulling at her lips.

Athena cocked an eyebrow. "Seriously, who are you texting?" Elena wondered, frowning.

Rose glanced up at her and then back down at her phone. "Just Alice," she said offhandedly.

Elena's frown deepened. "Slater's girlfriend?"

"Ex," Rose corrected, "since he's, you know, dead."

Athena's eyebrow raised higher, smirking. She nudged Rose's leg causing the woman to look up. There was still a hint of fear in her eyes, but it was overwhelmed greatly by gratitude. Athena held out her hand, a beautiful lapis ring sitting in her palm.

Rose's eyes widened. "Is that...?" She whispered in awe.

"Yes," Athena said as if she wasn't giving Rose the one thing that she's wanted for over 500 years.

"For me?" Rose asked, her eyes never straying from the ring.

"No, for Elena," Athena commented sarcastically.

Rose hummed and took the ring gently, as if afraid she'd break it. She slowly slid it onto her finger. She didn't feel any different. She frowned a bit, maybe it hadn't worked because she'd been out of the sun too long. Maybe she could never be in the sun—

"AHH!" Rose screamed, curling into herself when Athena suddenly yanked the blinds open. The woman paused when she realized her skin wasn't burning. She slowly uncurled herself, staring down at her hands which were covered in the rays from the sun. She could feel the sun's heat—maybe dimmer than a human could, but there.

Tears welled in Rose's eyes as she quickly moved to stand in front of the window, letting the sun wash over her. She closed her eyes, breathing in deeply.

Elena grinned as she watched her, happy for her friend. "Now you can go anywhere you want," she said.

Rose laughed, inhaling deeply with a grin so bright even Athena smiled. "This is... this is extraordinary. I can feel its heat... I can't believe..." She turned to Athena, "thank you. So much. This is..."

Athena nodded. "The least I could do for having my brothers chasing you forever," she shrugged. "Go live, Rose. Do what you always wanted to do. You're free."

She turned to Elena and the girl nodded, getting up. Time for training.

Rose laughed in delight, spinning around in the sunbeams. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"I'M DROPPING YOU you off at Elena's and then dropping you off at home, then I'm heading to school... am I forgetting anything?" Caroline asked as she locked the door.

Neither of them responded which made her turn around. Tyler was standing by the lawn, staring at the three of them with some unreadable emotion.

Lorelei looked very awkward.

"Oh, uh, hey," Caroline greeted the boy since it seemed like Hayley and Lorelei wouldn't. Lorelei was looking at anything else but him while Hayley was glaring. The hybrid had told them what had happened while getting ready for the day.

Tyler didn't respond to her greeting, just staring at the three of them.

"Okay," Caroline muttered. The blonde nudged Lorelei who jerked up in response.

"Tyler, hey, how's it... uh, how's it goin?" She asked, walking down the steps, but keeping her distance.

"We need to talk," he replied.

Lorelei scratched the back of her neck, "yeah, we do." She crossed her arms and stared Tyler directly in the eye. "Listen, that kiss and anything more will never happen again. For one, I'm gay so that whole kiss was like... sandpaper? My insides just shriveling up and dying? It's—" Hayley snickered while Caroline smacked the back of Lorelei's head "—anyway, I also don't have the, uh, parts that you'd want me to have... so. Just. Never again." She gave Tyler a nod.

He looked a little confused at what she was talking about, but his face was also filled with realization. He frowned a bit, giving her a nod.

"Good, now that that's settled. I'm sorry, Ty, but we have to go," Caroline said, setting her hands on Lorelei's shoulders and gently beginning to steer her toward the car. Hayley followed them, amused with the whole conversation.

"What happened to my Uncle Mason?"

All three of them froze.

"What?" Caroline asked, turning back toward her friend.

"He's dead," Tyler said, slowly advancing on them, "and I want you to tell me what happened."

Hayley stepped in front of Caroline before Tyler could get too close. "Uh, Tyler, I don't..." Caroline shook her head, playing confused.

"Then let me tell you. Stefan, Athena, and their brother Damon killed him. Because Stefan and Damon are also vampires... just like you and Athena."

"Who told you that?" Lorelei asked, her brows furrowed.

"Is it true?" Tyler demanded.

"Let us explain," Caroline said, holding her hands up and stepping around Hayley.

"Did you know he was dead this whole time?" Tyler asked, his eyes filled with livid anger.

"Please," Caroline said softly, trying to calm him down. She knew werewolf tempers. Her girlfriend happened to have it, her—Lorelei has it.

"Did you know?" Tyler demanded.

Caroline slowly nodded, her face screwed up in pain and sadness.

He snarled, lunging at her. Caroline hit the car, but he didn't stay on her for long. Hayley tackled him off and Lorelei slammed him to the ground. He quickly got up, but the second he was on his feet, Lorelei had a dagger to his throat.

"Don't ever do that again," Lorelei said, her eyes glowing, "I'll put you down. Friend or not. She's my family."

Caroline pushed off the car, rolling her shoulders back and glancing around. She brushed off her arms, fixing her clothes. Then she turned to Tyler, setting a hand against Hayley's back. "I'm sorry. That I kept it from you," Caroline said honestly.

"What about killing him?" Tyler spat, glaring at Caroline. The dagger pushed harder against his throat and he gulped.

Caroline didn't say anything, glancing at Hayley. "He tried to kill Athena," Hayley said with no remorse, "he started a war. They ended it."

Tyler stared at them in anger and shock. "How could... he... I trusted you!" He growled, staring between the three with golden eyes.

Lorelei pulled the dagger away, twirling it between her fingers before she put it away. "Sorry," she said.

He frowned and was quick to walk away in anger.

Caroline sighed, "shit." 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ELENA SNUCK BACK into her room, waving to Athena who was watching her climb the tree with thinly veiled concern. She dropped onto the floor and quickly went for a shower.

They had trained until about thirty minutes ago. It was rough and Elena definitely needed to train a lot more and maybe go on runs, but she was better than before.

Athena had told her that, for some people, fighting comes naturally to them because of their instincts. Elena agreed mostly because of that night at the carnival. She had no idea what she was doing but did it anyway.

She got ready for the day, combing her hair up into a high pony. She put on a red shirt and some jeans.

She headed downstairs where seeing John was inevitable. She had no idea why Jenna had let him stay in the house. Well, she also had no idea where Jenna was at the moment.

"Morning," John said after he paused the news that was on TV.

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked, wanting to get this over with and maybe convince him to leave.

"Coffee?" John asked, holding up a cup.

"We're not doing that," Elena dismissed, "don't avoid. Why are you here?"

"Didn't you avoid me last night?" John challenged, raising an eyebrow.

Elena stared at him dryly, unimpressed. "Why are you here?" She repeated.

"I'm here to protect you," he said honestly, "that's all I can say for the moment."

Elena blanched a bit, staring at him incredulously. "What do you mean that's all you can say?" She demanded.

"I'll tell you more when I'm convinced I can trust you." John shrugged, staring back at her like she was a child and not someone about to be used in a fucking sacrifice.

"Oh, God, I'm late!" Jenna exclaimed, rushing in, not looking up from where she was frantically grabbing things and shoving them in her purse.

"That's what you get for hitting the snooze three times," Bianca snickered, walking in. Jenna looked up, her whole body freezing as she stared at John in shock. Bianca slows to a stop, staring at the man as well.

"What the hell..." Jenna said, running her tongue over her teeth.

"Good morning to you, Jenna," John said stepping up beside Elena, smiling at her. He glanced over at Bianca with annoyance. "Bianca. I didn't realize you two were back together."

Elena stared at John in shock. He didn't even tell Jenna he was coming here?

"It's okay I'm confused, right?" Jenna looked at Elena, her anger seeping into her tone, "because we were not expecting you, like, ever."

"Well, I got in late last night. Elena let me in—"

"Nuh-uh!" Elena immediately argued, looking frantic, "don't drag me into your bullshit." She quickly turned to her aunts, "I didn't do this. Stefan did this." She quickly hugged Jenna, "make him leave."

The phoenix hugged Elena back, glancing at Bianca who was hiding her amused expression. The hybrid stepped up behind Jenna, slipping her hand underneath her shirt to calm her down.

"She doesn't want you here. I don't want you here. You're not wanted," Jenna told John with an annoyed expression, "get out."

John rolled his eyes, taking a sip from his coffee. "I decided to come back and stay a while."

"Not here, you're not," Jenna said seriously.

"Actually, you can't stop me from living here," John argued.

"Actually, I can. As legal guardian," Jenna said. She also did not want him to see Katherine dropping by to check on Elena. Or see Elena talking to Katherine like it was a natural thing. That's the last thing they need.

"Yeah, about that," John drawled. Jenna and Bianca glanced at each other. "Um, Elena, you want me to explain the situation or would you like to do the honors?" He looked at Elena.

Elena shook her head, resting her cheek against Jenna's sternum. "You're acting like she didn't already know," she muttered. Bianca brushed her hand over Elena's head.

"You being her biological father means nothing," Jenna told him, running her hand up and down Elena's back, "I'm still her legal guardian. You can fight me in court on that. You're not getting her custody without a fight. You signed your writes away to her when you gave her up."

John blinked, confused. "How did you know—?"

"Because Miranda wasn't pregnant?" Jenna scoffed, staring at him incredulously, "Isobel was. I pieced it together, dumbass."

Elena and Bianca snickered.

"I think the ladies want you to leave," Bianca said, smiling at him fakely.

John glared at her, "you don't understand—"

"We do. She's got enough people protecting her. She certainly doesn't need you too," Bianca dismissed as Elena pulled back from Jenna to stand beside her aunt.

Elena grinned smugly, her arms crossed.

John frowned at them, but mostly at Elena. "You told them?"

"They knew before I did," Elena said dismissively, rolling her eyes, "just go find a hotel or something. Nobody wants you here."

John shook his head. "Stefan and I—"

"Stefan shouldn't have brought you here. At all," Elena deadpanned.

John grits his teeth. "I'm staying and there's nothing any of you could do about it."

Elena opened her mouth to argue that point when she heard the front door open. The three of them turned to see Lorelei walking in. Elena's eyes lit up.

Lorelei walked into the kitchen, pausing when she felt the animosity in the room. She glanced between her sister, sister-in-law, and Elena then at the man standing in front of them.

"Uh... good morning," she greeted, confused. Elena slipped out from between Bianca and Jenna, hugging the girl. "Hey, you okay?" Lorelei whispered, staring at the man for a moment before looking at Elena as the doppelganger pulled away.

"Mhm," Elena hummed, her hand resting on Lorelei's bicep and smiling a little. She was better now.

Lorelei nodded. "Can we talk?" She asked and now that Elena looked, really looked, she could tell Lorelei was a little frazzled.

"Yeah, of course," Elena agreed, concerned.

Lorelei smiled at her. Jenna and Bianca glanced at each other with knowing looks but said nothing. John cleared his throat, unfortunately reminding the four women that he was still there.

Lorelei looked at him, blinking. "Oh. Right. Hello," she stepped forward, holding her hand out, "Lorelei Castillo."

John clasped his hand around hers, "John Gilbert. Elena's father."

Lorelei blinked once more, confused. Her head slowly turned to Elena who had an unimpressed expression on her face. She released John's hand, pulling it back, and gave him a nod. "I get the sense we don't like you," she said.

Elena scoffed, her hand sliding behind Lorelei's neck as the hybrid's hand slid around her waist. "Well, this has been a great morning. You guys figure this out, I'm going to go take a nap," Elena smiled sarcastically before dragging Lorelei upstairs. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ATHENA LET HERSELF into Caroline's house after getting the 911 message. It had taken about two seconds to get to the door when she got the message, scared that she had mistracked Claire's movements and had gotten to Caroline, Hayley, or Lorelei.

"Baby?" She called, closing the door behind herself and locking it.

"Living room," Caroline said. Athena appeared at the doorway watching her girlfriend pace. Hayley was sitting on the couch, looking uneasy.

"What's wrong, my loves?" Athena asked. They didn't seem to be hurt or in any danger which sent relief through Athena. "Where's Lorelei?"

"Elena's," Hayley said, "and Tyler knows about Stefan, Damon, and Mason being dead."

Athena cocked an eyebrow.

"I didn't say a word!" Caroline quickly defended, not that Athena thought she did. "Neither did the girls. He just showed up here this morning—"

"Relax, relax," Athena said, grabbing Caroline and gently sitting her beside Hayley. "There's a woman here. Jules. She had a run-in with Damon. Ended up biting Rose." She rubbed her forehead. Great, now she had to worry about that stupid werewolf and the pack she was probably gonna bring.

She hated having to go after werewolf packs. Maybe she could talk them down, and explain that it was self-defense or something.

"Tyler was so upset," Caroline sighed, "the look on his face he was so betrayed."

Athena nodded, sitting down on the table in front of them.

"You're not going to tell Damon, are you?" Caroline asked, her eyes wide.

"No, no. Honey, I'll handle it—"

"Why don't I handle it?" Hayley asked, sitting up and looking between her girlfriends. Athena looked at her. "I mean, I'm a werewolf. Maybe it'd be better coming from me, rather than a vampire. No offense, babe."

"No, no, that's good," Athena nodded, rubbing Hayley's knee, "maybe I'll talk to Tyler. Make sure he doesn't do something stupid. Maybe I should take Lorelei—you said they were friends, right?"

"Oh, no," Caroline quickly shook her head while Hayley rolled her eyes, "no. That's probably over and not coming back. He kinda—"

"He kissed her. She freaked. She told him she was gay and that she didn't have the right 'parts'," Hayley deadpanned. Caroline set her hand on her girlfriend's thigh, squeezing it gently.

Athena stared between them for a moment. She tilted her head, "why do people keep kissing my daughter without consent?" Athena exclaimed.

Caroline's cheeks pinked in both shame and embarrassment. "I kissed both of you without consent. And cheated," she said.

Athena and Hayley glanced at each other. "I mean... I kissed you back," Hayley shrugged, "and I didn't mind. We were kind of... courting? Each other..."

Athena nodded, pointing to Hayley. "And I did tell you during the summer that you could kiss me at any time. It was a tease, but I was always kind of serious about that. I also kissed back..." She shrugged, not looking bothered by it at all, "and I already told you the kiss between you two was fine. "To be honest, I was just mad I missed it."

Caroline shook her head. "Still wasn't okay. I should've asked."

Hayley smiled at her, kissing her cheek. Athena squeezed Caroline's thigh gently.

"Alright, so. Hayley will talk to Jules, I will talk to Tyler," Athena summed up. The other two nodded.

"I just... I don't want Tyler dead. He was the first person to know I was... not straight," Caroline said, "he was my best friend for a long time. Someone I went to when I felt like I couldn't go to Bonnie or Elena."

Athena nodded, pressing a kiss to Caroline's forehead. "I'll be nice. Probably," she promised. Caroline snorted a bit and smiled at her. "Did anything else happen this morning that I should know about?"

"He tried to attack Caroline," Hayley said before Caroline could say 'nothing'.

"What?" Athena demanded.

"Wait!" Caroline yanked Athena back down when she stood up, "wait, wait, wait. It's fine. Lorelei and Hayley handled it. Besides, I could take him. He was just upset."

Athena sighed, "alright." 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

LORELEI BRUSHED HER fingers through Elena's hair, watching her sleep. The brunette wasn't kidding when she said that she was going to take a nap. They talked for a little bit.

Elena rested her head on Lorelei's chest, staring out her window. "What did you wanna talk about?" She asked, her fingers messing with Lorelei's.

"Tyler, actually," Lorelei sighed. Elena tensed and hummed. "He just... you know how I was helping him during the full moon?"

Unfortunately, Elena thought, rolling her eyes. "Yes," she said.

"Well, he got the wrong idea, I guess. He kissed me last night, like out of the blue. I've never been good at picking up signals like that. At least, straight couple signals. If it was a gay couple? I got it. 100 percent."

Elena turned her head, looking up at Lorelei. "He kissed you?" She asked, her stomach turning. A heavy feeling settled into her chest. "What did you do?"

"Oh, I pulled away. It was—we barely know each other! And, seriously, do I look so straight-presenting? I mean, Caroline and Hayley didn't even bat an eye when I was talking about hooking up with girls going to college. Maybe it's just a guy thing..." She frowned, "do I seem straight?"

Elena raised an eyebrow. "No," she said honestly, "but that might just be because I know you. I don't know. I'm not very good at the whole gaydar thing. Do you like boys at all or is it just girls?" She frowned, a little confused. If it was just girls, she was going to be really embarrassed for being jealous.

Lorelei looked up at the ceiling. "Just girls. It'd be weird if I didn't... don't really have the right parts to like a guy well a straight guy anyway. I always thought about that, like with bisexual guys." She was speaking to herself, Elena could tell. She was muttering her words, answering herself.

Elena tilted her head, confused. "What?" She asked, laughing a little and tapping Lorelei's chin to bring her back to the present moment.

Lorelei blinked and looked down at her. Elena could see the fear building in the girl's eyes which made Elena turn around to see if someone was in the room. When she saw no danger she looked back at Lorelei with a confused frown.

"What's wrong?" She asked worriedly, taking Lorelei's hand and squeezing it gently.

"Uh, I..." Lorelei stammered, cheeks flushing a bit, "I have to tell you something. And—and it might weird you out and you might never want to speak to me again, but I need to—tell you."

Elena nodded slowly, kind of worried about what was about to come out of Lorelei's mouth. "I don't think anything will ever make me not speak to you again..."

"This might," Lorelei said quietly, tilting her head back to look at the ceiling.

Elena tilted her head, turning Lorelei's head so she was looking at her. "Tell me," she said softly, rubbing her thumb over Lorelei's chin.

Lorelei stared at her for a minute. Then she swallowed and nodded. "Um, okay, so... I was created with magic. And it kind of messed with my biology... a little bit. So I, um, kind of have a..." Lorelei blushed at the intense look Elena was giving her, "penis?"

Elena raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Was that a question? Are you asking me if you have one?" She teased lightly.

Lorelei groaned, "stop it. It was a statement."

Elena laughed a bit, kissing Lorelei's cheek. "Honey, I knew that," she said, amused more than anything, "but thank you for telling me." She brushed her fingers over Lorelei's jaw.

The hybrid looked confused. "What do you mean 'I knew that'?" She asked with a frown and furrowed brows.

Elena stared at her for a second. "Honey... we've slept in the same bed. I know what happens in the mornings," she chuckled a little at Lorelei's bright red blush, "we end up cuddling. It's kind of hard not to notice. I just didn't say anything because I didn't care. You would tell me in your own time." Elena shrugged, resting her head back on Lorelei's chest.

Lorelei blinked, taking in the information just given to her. "Oh," she said, "I just thought... I mean it's not very common so I just—"

Elena hummed. "I know," she interrupted, closing her eyes and wrapping her arm around the hybrid's stomach, "I used to read my dad's anatomy books he had from med school."

"Thanks," Lorelei said, blinking back tears. She's never really told anyone, well, other than Caroline and Hayley. They didn't care either, accepting her as she was and continuing on like Lorelei was normal. They treated her like she was normal. She usually didn't feel normal.

Elena nodded. "Of course. You're still you," she shrugged, her voice laced with tiredness.

Lorelei smiled a bit.

The hybrid felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She probably should've thought about the whole sleeping and waking up thing before, but she thought she had handled it. Covered it up. Apparently, she did not.

She felt her feelings for the older girl grow. She didn't know if it'd end well, for all Lorelei knew, Elena was straight. She was also worried about Stefan. He wanted Elena back and it didn't seem like he'd stop any time soon.

Elena groaned slightly, turning further into Lorelei in her sleep. Her fingers twisted into Lorelei's shirt. The hybrid frowned worriedly, rubbing Elena's back softly.

Elena huffed, her brows furrowing. She was sweating a little now, her heart beating quickly.

It was concerning Lorelei, wondering if the girl was having a nightmare. "Elena," the hybrid said, shaking her gently. Elena didn't stir, muttering something that Lorelei couldn't make out. "Elena," she said, this time louder.

The doppelganger woke with a start, sitting up. She was panting now, her cheeks flushed and her eyes slightly wide. Lorelei sat up with her, setting a hand on her back.

Elena jumped a bit, turning to stare at her. Lorelei's cheeks flushed at the blown pupils and dark look of desire in her eyes. Elena swallowed. "Oh," Lorelei said, realizing what she had just woken Elena up from as the room slowly filled with the scent of arousal.

"No, shut up. Shut up. Don't say anything," Elena said, sprinting into the bathroom and slamming the door.

Lorelei raised an eyebrow, laughing a little. She heard Elena moving around in there and patiently waited for her friend to come out. When Elena did, her hair was back up in a ponytail, her cheeks were less flushed, the desire in her eyes was gone, and she smelled of very strong vanilla perfume.

Lorelei's eyebrow raised higher, smirking at her. Elena shot her a glare, "don't."

Lorelei raised her hands in surrender. Elena left the room and the hybrid quickly followed after her. "Can you at least tell me who it was about?" Lorelei asked, the two of them walking down the stairs.

Elena's cheeks flushed, not that Lorelei could see. "No," she said.

"Aww, come on, bella... I thought we were friends," Lorelei whined.

Elena grits her teeth, going to the door when the doorbell rings. "I'll punch you," she threatened then turned toward the person on the other side of the door.

Damon brushed past her. "Where's John?" He said in greeting.

Elena frowned. "Hello to you too," she said sarcastically, "he left. I don't know where he went. He just blew in, tried to take custody of me, tried to announce that he was my father, and then, took off." Damon spun around, blinking at the hostile tone.

Lorelei raised her eyebrows. "Oh, that's... fun," she muttered.

Damon's brows furrowed, "that's public knowledge now?" He asked, confused.

"Apparently," Elena shrugged, throwing her hands in the air.

"You okay?" Damon asked, noticing her slightly flushed cheeks and her increased annoyance.

"Oh, she's great," Lorelei smirked, leaning against the railing. Elena grabbed the pillow off the couch, chucking it at Lorelei's head. The hybrid laughed, catching the pillow before it hit her.

Damon raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. Lorelei shot him a look and realization fell on him. He smirked at Elena. "Oh, my Gods," Elena groaned, walking past Damon.

The other two were quick to follow. "Was it about Rose?" Damon asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"NO!" Elena shouted, covering her face with her hands, "no. Shut up. It was nothing. I hope you both trip and crack your heads open."

"So aggressive," Lorelei tsked, coming up behind Elena and wrapping the doppelganger up in her arms. Elena groaned, rolling her eyes, but leaning back into the girl. Lorelei kissed her cheek, grinning.

Damon smirked. He knew exactly who the dream was about. "Did John say what he was doing here?" Damon asked, coming around the counter to be in Elena's eyesight.

Elena shook her head. "Nope. You know, Stefan thinks that he's telling the truth about wanting to help me," she said, giving Damon a look.

"You believe him?"

"No," Elena scoffed, her brows furrowed, "I don't believe him for a second."

"Me neither," Damon agreed.

"What are we gonna do?" Elena asked, linking her fingers with Lorelei's.

"Kill him," Damon replied, leaving the room.

Elena hesitated for a moment, thinking about it, then quickly went after the man. "Wait, hold on—"

"I'm joking," he said, turning and giving Elena a look. Then he says, "okay, I'm a little serious."

"Damon!" Elena whined.

"I'm not gonna hurt him, Elena. I'm the good guy now, remember? You and Rose won't let me fucking forget it," he said, walking toward her with a sigh.

"What does that mean?" Lorelei frowned.

Damon shrugged. "I'm gonna have a civil conversation with her father," he explained.

Elena's face scrunched at the term 'father'. He wasn't her dad. He was her uncle, one that she barely tolerated. Her dad was Grayson Gilbert. "Wait. We're coming with you," she said as Damon walked out the door.

"We're?" Lorelei repeated. She yelped when Elena grabbed her collar and dragged her along. Elena grabbed their jackets off the door handle and Lorelei closed the door behind them. "We're," she muttered, huffing. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

TYLER WALKED INTO his father's study, going to his laptop. He opened it up, searching through it for a moment. That's when he felt a presence on his left side.

His heart sped up immediately and he tried to sprint toward the exit. Athena appeared in front of him, smirking at him. "I'm not gonna hurt you," she said, "I just wanna talk."

"Then why did you break in?" Tyler shot back.

Athena tilted her head. "Funny coming from the boy who broke into my girlfriend's house to talk," she countered easily, cocking an eyebrow.

"Tyler?" Carol called.

Tyler's eyes flicked behind Athena and the redhead raised a finger to her lips, giving him a warning look. He tried to make a run for it, but Athena grabbed him, pushing him against the wall with a forearm in his throat. "Shh, shh. Not a word," Athena whispers, her eyes shifting and veins protruding underneath her eyes.

"Tyler? I'm leaving for the memorial," Carol called. She left a minute later and Tyler quickly tried to get away.

Athena sighed, holding him against the wall effortlessly. "Easy, kid," she said, pulling away when she was sure Carol was gone, "I want to talk. That's it."

"What happened to Mason?" Tyler asked.

Athena exhaled, crossing her arms. "We have a lot to talk about," she said. Tyler tried to run again, but Athena grabbed him, yanking him back. "I really wouldn't," she said seriously, "without a full moon, you're not even close to a match for me."

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"DICK IS TRYING to use the sperm donor card on me," Jenna muttered spitefully, "as if I didn't help her cope with her parents deaths. Jackass."

Bianca smiled a bit at her wife. Her hate for John Gilbert was always so funny and valid. "Elena doesn't want to be in his custody. Besides, if it does come down to court, you'll win. Easily."

Jenna hummed, taking Bianca's hand and threading their fingers together. Bianca kissed the back of her hand. Jenna's eyes flicked to the man who just entered and groaned in disgust. "Great," she said.

John walked over and Bianca sighed, leaning backward. "Hey, you two," John greeted, "you think I can, um, join you?" Bianca gave him a 'what the fuck?' look.

"Do you have to?" Jenna asked, looking at the menu instead of him.

"I guess, I don't have to but might as well," John laughed. He glanced up, watching Damon, Elena, and Lorelei walk inside the restaurant. "Look who's here."

Elena grabbed Damon's arm, forcing the man to look at her. "We just need answers. Please don't do anything stupid," she pleaded as she and Damon looked at John who looked back at them with a small smirk.

"Yeah, but stupid's so much more fun," Damon said, smiling at Elena before trying to walk away.

Lorelei grabbed his arm to keep him from going anywhere. "Damon," she warned, giving him a glare, "listen to Elena."

Elena pointed to her, nodding at Damon. "All I'm asking is you try to keep it together," she said, "be the better man."

Damon looked down at her and then at Lorelei. He tsked. "Okay then," he agreed, reluctantly. The three of them walked over to the table. "John, buddy," Damon greeted with a smile, "how have you been?"

"I've been alright, Damon," John said, smiling as he looked between Elena and the vampire, "it's good to see you."

Lorelei's brows furrowed. "When is it ever good to see Damon?" She muttered, grabbing Bianca's water and taking a sip. Damon flicked the back of Lorelei's head.

"Oh, yes, take a sip, dearest," Bianca said sarcastically.

"Thanks," Lorelei grinned, handing the cup back to her.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"LOOK, ABOUT CAROLINE, Hayley, and Lorelei... when push comes to shove, you're gonna want those three girls on your side. Caroline's your friend, one of your only friends from what I've seen. Stop being a dick to her. And don't ever kiss Lorelei again," Athena said, staring down at Tyler who was sitting down on the back of the couch. He gulped, backing up a bit.

"I thought vampires hated werewolves," Tyler said, tilting his head.

"Some do. We're predators, we don't want anything to make us prey. But a lot of them just mind their own business. Most werewolf packs keep to themselves anyway. I know tons of werewolves who work with vampires every day," she shrugged, "it doesn't have to be that way anymore. You and Caroline go to the same school. Share the same friends. Keep the same secrets. This can work, Tyler. It's your home, but it's my home too. I want this to work."

Tyler nodded, breathing in deeply. Suddenly, his phone began ringing. They shared eye contact. It kept ringing. Then he was reaching into his pocket, answering his phone and saying, "help! Help!" into it.

Athena takes the phone, ending the call. She glanced down at the unknown number, frowning. "Whose number was that?" She asked. He didn't respond. She sighed and set the phone on the table. "Dammit, Tyler... I'm trying to keep you alive, kid. Can't you see that?" 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"SO, JOHN, RUMOR has it you know a lot and won't say anything," Damon said as he came up behind John.

"How do I know you can be trusted, Damon?" John asked, "Originals can compel vampires."

Damon lit a match. "Only if there's no vervain in your system," he said, "my brother and I are chock-full." He lights a candle and then blows out the match. He smirked at John who looked confused.

"You guys are drinking vervain?"

"It's an acquired taste." He stepped toward John. "I don't see that magic little ring on your stitched finger so if you know something about Klaus you better start talking or I will kill you in your sleep."

John raised his eyebrows, looking unimpressed with the threat. "Now, is that any way to convince me that you and I are on the same side?" He smirked a bit, "first, I need to know that I can trust you, Damon. That I can count on you. Then we'll talk." He steps back and glances over to where his daughter is standing with that girl from earlier.

Lorelei was hovering behind Elena's chair, leaning on it and whispering things to her that were making Elena laugh.

"What's up with those two?" He asked and Damon turned to see what he was talking about.

He smirked a little at the sight especially when he heard how fast their hearts were going. They were so smitten with each other yet neither of them knew it. He turned back to John, smoothening out his face. "I'm not going to air Elena's dirty laundry. Find out your information another way," he dismissed. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

CAROLINE WALKED TO her car. She had come to pay her respects to the people who had died in the last week. Hayley was trying to find Jules and Athena was handling Tyler.

"Hey," called a familiar voice that made Caroline groan, "hey." She turned around, sighing when she saw Matt jogging toward her. "I haven't seen you."

"That would be because I'm avoiding you," Caroline said boredly, "you know, 'cause we're not friends."

Matt frowned a little. "Why won't you just hear me out?"

"The last time I tried that, you confessed your love to me," Caroline said, "then you tried to convince me that we were good together..." She gave him an awkward smile. "I thought I told you to give up. I don't want you. At all."

"I can't give up, Caroline," Matt said, smiling a little at her, "you're a girl worth fighting for. I want to fight for you."

Caroline's face grimaced. "I don't want you to fight for me," she said, frustrated with this boy, "does the word 'no' mean anything to you?"

"It does, but... come on. Athena and Hayley are older than you. Do you really think your relationship is going to work?" Matt scoffed a bit like he was in disbelief that she was so blind.

"I think it will, yeah," Caroline said, raising an eyebrow, "the only thing that could part us is death, really. I'm not leaving either of them, Matt. I don't care if you think I'm insane for that. Your opinion doesn't matter to me. At all."

"Which means, leave her alone," said a new voice from behind Matt. He turned around while Caroline's eyes met Lorelei's. She was glaring at Matt, looking annoyed. "Seriously, you're like a cockroach. Beat it."

Matt scoffed and turned to Caroline, "you have another girlfriend?" He asked incredulously.

Caroline's eyes widened in disgust. Lorelei looked horrified. "God, no! Ew!" Lorelei gagged, shuddering.

Caroline shifted. "Never say that again... ever. Gross," the blonde muttered, shaking her head. "She's a family friend of Athena's. She's family. Fuck off," she told the boy.

He glared at her and then quickly walked away realizing he was late for work.

Lorelei walked over to Caroline. "You okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine. I'm used to it," she waved off, "I swear, if Athena didn't swear off killing children, he would already be dead." Lorelei hummed, nodding. Caroline pointed to her car, "do you need a ride, honey?" She asked as she walked over to the driver's side door.

"No, I, um, I'm actually—"

"Going with Elena," Caroline finished, smirking a bit as she unlocked her door.

Lorelei frowned. "Why'd you say it like that?" She asked.

Caroline scoffed through her nose, "have fun with Elena, sweetheart. I have to go find Hayley. See you tomorrow?"

Lorelei nodded, "yeah. Bye, Caroline!" She waved and Caroline waved back, smiling.

Caroline unlocked her car, smiling. It dropped when she felt a presence walk up behind her. "Excuse me," said a woman's voice. Caroline turned around. "Caroline, right?"

The blonde slowly nodded, "yeah."

"I'm looking for Tyler," the woman said. This was Jules. "You haven't seen him, have you?"

Caroline shook her head. "No. Not since earlier," she gave her a nod, "sorry." She opened up her car door.

"I know you're lying," Jules said, her voice hostile now.

Caroline sighed heavily. So they were doing this. She set her bag on the seat and turned. "Really? How?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, "is that one of your little wolf tricks?" She smiled sarcastically.

Jules smiled back. "Actually, it is."

"Well," Caroline said, turning around and closing her door, "I have a trick too." She spun around, her eyes red and black. She growled, showing off her fangs.

Jules lifted her hand, spraying something on her face.

Caroline cried out, her face burning as the vervain sunk into her skin.

"Caroline!" She heard Lorelei shout and heard her running back.

"No! Lorelei, run!" Caroline shouted back, giving her a sharp look as her face healed. Lorelei slowed down a bit. Caroline's fingers crackled with electricity and she spun around to get rid of this fucking wolf only to be shot in the head.

"NO!" Lorelei yelled, tackling the man. They fought for the gun, wrestling on the ground for a moment. Jules came out, grabbing Lorelei. The hybrid snarled, throwing her head back and connecting with Jules's face. The wolf cried out. Lorelei moved to disarm the man but he shot her in the chest. Lorelei gasped, her hand going up to the wound.

She crumbled to the floor, coughing up blood that pooled in her mouth. 

AN: chapters are probably going to be posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from now on unless something drastic changes it. thank you for reading!! hope you enjoyed

edited:
finished: 01/28/24
wc: 6698