CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: Lake House Memories
WARNINGS: mentioned/referenced dead parents, drugging, kidnapping, stabbing, blood, threats

A PHONE RANG AS THE FOUR GIRLS slept in Caroline's bed. Bonnie slept on the far left, Caroline was next to her, Elena was next to Caroline, and Lorelei was on the far right. Elena was wrapped around Lorelei.

Bonnie groaned and Caroline whined. "Go away!" She said, stretching and shoving Elena. Lorelei and Elena yelped as they were shoved off the bed.

Elena huffed, used to it and giving Caroline a short glare even though the blonde was already buried back into her pillow. She looked down at Lorelei who she was lying on.

The hybrid looked at her through half-lidded eyes, smiling at her. Elena smiled back, forgetting why they were kicked out of bed in the first place. "Good morning," Elena whispered, smirking a bit at the reminder of their conversation yesterday. The hybrid's cheeks flushed both at the allusion and the sleepy voice Elena had.

"Oh, Elena," Lorelei whined, shoving the girl's head away and burying her face in the pillow.

Elena snickered a little and crawled over to where her phone was ringing. She frowned when she saw Stefan calling her. She answered and put the phone to her ear. "Hello?" She asked, sighing.

Bonnie groaned, this time louder. "Elena!" Caroline whined, looking down at her.

Elena waved them off, crawling out of the room and going down the hallway.

"How was the slumber party?"

"Good. Much needed," Elena replied, rubbing her face, "Lorelei's a great pillow."

Stefan didn't say anything for a moment and Elena checked the phone to see if he hung up. He didn't, unfortunately.

"Why did you call me?" Elena asked, rubbing her face.

"I was just checking in," Stefan replied, clearing his throat slightly, "Caroline and Lorelei seemed in bad shape last night."

Elena hummed. "You could've called later in the day. Or Athena. I was asleep," she said then hung up. She crawled back into the room, tossing her phone back into her bag.

She would've gotten back into bed if it weren't for Athena grabbing her arm. Elena blinked, still slightly tired. Athena gently guided her out of the room and into the bathroom. She closed the door silently and put up a spell so nobody could hear them.

"Athena," Elena whined, "it's too early for this."

"I know, darling, but this is the only time we'd probably be able to talk today," Athena said sincerely as Elena sat on the closed toilet. "Your uncle got his hands on a dagger... that will momentarily... take Elijah out of commission."

Elena perked up at that, her eyes wide. She looked up at Athena, "what?"

Athena nodded. "A group of men created them to kill my siblings and I. Unfortunately for them, they only keep them desiccated until the dagger is removed," she explained.

"Okay, so we don't remove it. We keep him out of commission until the rituals are over with or for however long you want. Whatever," Elena shrugged, rubbing her hands together.

"Yes, however..." Athena looked at the girl.

Elena gave her a look. "No," she said.

Athena hummed. "Jenna and Bianca were supposed to go to your family's lake house today. Except the two of them got roped into the historical society thing at the Lockwoods. I'll be going since Elijah will be. I need you to be out of town," she said.

Elena groaned a bit, rubbing her face. "Great. Family lake house that I haven't been to since my parents died. Yippee!"

"That's the spirit," Athena smiled. Elena kicked her shin, sighing. "I'm probably gonna have to do it with Damon since he's the one with the dagger... Maybe I should call Nik and have him send me the remaining one. That I could give to you in case he shows up..."

"In case he shows up?" Elena repeats slowly, staring at her incredulously, "what do you mean? He's gonna get passed you?"

Athena grunted. "Not likely, but in the turn of events... I'm gonna need you to break your deal," she muttered, squatting down in front of the girl.

Elena hummed, tapping her fingers against her lip. "You think it'll happen?"

"Without a doubt."

Elena groaned, "okay, okay... I'm obviously not going by myself so..."

Athena shrugged. "You get to pick, honey. I'm not gonna argue with you about who you bring."

Elena shifted a bit, crossing her arms. She frowned. "I don't want Lorelei to know about it... the whole killing Klaus thing. She seems to really love your brother."

Athena smiled sadly, "he was there when I couldn't be."

"Maybe I should take Stefan," Elena sighed, running a hand through her hair, "he'll help protect me and I really couldn't care less what happens to him."

Athena cocked an eyebrow, smirking a bit. "Sure, Katherine, whatever you want," she teased. Elena shot her a dirty look. "I never said it was a bad thing," Athena raised her hands in surrender.

"Ugh. Okay... you think I should take Stefan?" She asked.

Athena shrugged. "I mean, I don't know if my daughter will want to be apart from Caroline today... you could totally ask her. It might finally make something happen between you two."

Elena's eyes widen. "What?" She blanched.

Athena snickered a bit, poking her side. "That hug last night? I'm sorry, but you two are so gay for each other," she sighed, shaking her head. Elena frowned, smacking Athena's hand away. "Also, I heard the little allusion this morning. It was disgusting for me to hear, but I can't really turn off my ears. I'm glad she told you. Thank you for... for accepting her."

Elena nodded. "Of course. She's... she's Lorelei. How could I not, you know?" She shrugged.

Athena raised an eyebrow, smiling. "That's true," she agreed. "So, you're going with Stefan?" She asked.

Elena grimaced, "yeah."

Athena laughed, kissing the girl's forehead.

The redhead took down the spell and opened the door. She waved to Elena and disappeared into the house. Elena shook her head and got up, turning off the light and leaving the room.

She paused when she saw Hayley standing a bit away. She looked really confused at seeing Athena come out of the bathroom and then Elena. The doppelganger began to panic, "we weren't—that wasn't—we were talking," she stammered, waving her hands around.

Hayley cocked an eyebrow, smirking a bit. "Did you have to shit really bad? Why were you in the bathroom?" She laughed a little, walking closer.

Elena pouted. "It was quiet in there, plus it was kind of a... private conversation," she sighed.

Hayley hummed, kissing Elena's temple. "I didn't think it was anything," she assured, "why don't you go back to sleep?"

"Actually, I have to go do something..." Elena sighed, her face screwed up.

Hayley laughed a bit and nodded. "Good luck. Seems like you'll need it."

Elena threw an 'ugh' look and nodded. They parted ways.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"OKAY, TELL ME about the witchy plan you've been cooking up," Caroline said, wiggling her fingers as she looked at Bonnie. Lorelei sat next to her, across from Bonnie. She would've been with Elena, but the doppelganger said that she had to do something.

"We still don't know the extent of what Elijah's up to," Bonnie said, glancing between the two of them.

Caroline nodded, "no, we don't."

"So, I'm gonna ask Luka to tell what he knows," Bonnie shrugged.

"Annnd he's not gonna tell you anything," Lorelei drawled, putting her chin in her hand.

"I didn't say he was gonna have a choice," Bonnie smirked.

Lorelei smirked as well, pointing to her. "Yes, Bennett, this is what I'm talkin' about."

Caroline checked her watch. "Mm, we should probably go. We're going to be late if we don't," she told the hybrid.

"Late for what?" Bonnie asked curiously, tilting her head as she looked between her best friend and the younger girl.

Lorelei was packing up her stuff. "We're meeting Hayley for something," she dismissed, getting up. Caroline nodded in agreement, shooting her friend a sideways smile. They weren't technically lying, they were meeting up with Hayley, but it was to start training up again.

"Oh, well, see you later then," Bonnie waved.

They waved back and started to leave. "Hey, what do you think Elena's doing?" Lorelei asked, looking over at Caroline with furrowed brows. She didn't want to seem clingy or anything, but Elena was being stingy. Lorelei didn't understand why.

Caroline shrugged. "I'm not sure. She seems kind of stressed out. I think with John showing up and the whole thing with Elijah... she's rattled," she said sadly.

Lorelei frowned a bit, nodding in understanding. She'd probably be rattled too.

"Lorelei, Caroline," said a voice neither of them wanted to hear for some time.

Their heads snapped toward the owner, finding Tyler walking toward them with desperation in his eyes.

"You stay the hell away from us," Caroline said, grabbing Lorelei's arm and trying to walk past him.

"It's important," Tyler retorted, trying and failing to grab Caroline's arm which knocked the woman's bag off her shoulder. Tyler instantly looked apologetic while Caroline tsked, annoyed.

Lorelei knelt down, beginning to put stuff back into the purse the way she knew Caroline liked it to be. Tyler began to help as well.

"Just stop it, Tyler, okay?" Lorelei said, giving him a hard stare, "you're just... you're just making it worse."

Caroline glanced around at the attention that had been drawn to them.

"Please, Lorelei," Tyler pleaded, "I'm sorry about what happened, okay? But there's so much we need to talk about."

"I said," Caroline grabbed his arm, yanking him up. Her eyes were electric, pulsing with electricity. "Leave. Us. Alone," she spat. Tyler jumped a bit when he got shocked on the arm. Then she spun around, letting him go. She took her bag from Lorelei. "Thank you, sweetheart," she muttered, wrapping her arm around the hybrid and guiding her out of the restaurant. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"READY FOR YOUR isolated weekend?" Athena asked Elena who was finishing packing up her things.

Elena shot her friend a glare, frowning. "Unfortunately. Where's Stefan? I thought you told him not to be late," she grumbled, pulling the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

"Mm, about that," Athena said, moving out of the way as the door opened. Elena's eyes widened.

"Are we leaving or not?" Katherine asked, impatient as ever. She had her arms crossed, staring at her best friend and her doppelganger in annoyance.

"I..." Elena turns to Athena, hoping the woman will explain.

"I don't trust Stefan," Athena shrugged, "I know I said you could pick... but I don't think you'd want to be with him all weekend. Gods forbid, he'll try something and then I'll have to put him in the ground, and ugh."

"Oh, so this is easier for you?" Elena asked dryly. Athena tsked and pointed toward the door. "Fine, whatever. Let's go before John shows up and pretends to be a concerned father."

Katherine rolled her eyes at the mention of the man, taking the girl's things and disappearing out the door. Elena huffed a bit, her arm extended slightly from where Katherine had pulled her bag off. She looked at Athena.

"She's the only one I truly trust with you at the moment," Athena said apologetically, "I could always get Rose to tag along. I'm sure that'll be fantastic for you."

Elena scrunched her nose. "They'd kill each other."

"It's entertainment at least," Athena murmured.

Elena rolled her eyes, pulling out her phone that was ringing. It was Caroline. She tilted her head curiously at the message.

carebear 🐻

Need to talk. Where are you?

I'm headed to the lakehouse. U ok?

All good, never mind. Have fun.

Xoxo

Elena frowned a bit. She was ready to be grilled about going to the lakehouse since Caroline knew it was a place that would be hard for her to be. She felt like something was off, but shook it off. She was paranoid.

Just paranoid.

"Everything okay?" Athena asked, her arms crossed, "is something wrong?"

"Nope," Elena shook her head, stuffing her phone back in her pocket. "Just Care." She walked out of the house, slipping on her jacket. Athena followed after her, closing the door behind her. "So... are we good to go? She filled in?"

"Yes and yes," Katherine said, closing the trunk and snatching the keys from Elena. She got into the driver's seat.

Elena shot Athena a look.

"You'll be fine," the redhead dismissed, flicking the girl's temple gently.

Elena sighed and got into the car. She waved to Athena as Katherine pulled out of the driveway. Elena then turned to Katherine when Athena was no longer in sight. "How do you know where you're going?"

"Don't ask questions."

"Ugh." 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

THE CAR PULLED up in front of the Gilberts lakehouse, Elena staring out at it from the windshield. Katherine didn't say anything, letting the girl take it all in.

Elena didn't really know how to feel. Seeing the lakehouse brought back so many memories. Summers where Jeremy and Elena would mess around in the lake—Bonnie and Caroline stopping by at some points. Winters where they huddled around the fire and played board games. Her parents watched them fondly and bickering playfully. Her parents yelled at them not to go too far when they decided to go into the forest.

"You okay?" Katherine asked after several minutes of Elena staring out at the house.

Elena nodded slowly. "It's just... hard," she admitted.

Katherine hummed, nodding. "We could leave. Athena wouldn't mind as long as you're safe," the vampire murmured, leaning back against the seat and looking around at the place.

Elena shook her head, smiling slightly. "I've always loved it here," she said, "I want it to stay that way, I was just... having a moment."

Katherine glanced over at her. She saw the honesty in the girl's eyes and nodded. "Alright. Then get out," she said, getting out of the car and slamming the door behind her.

Elena groaned slightly, rolling her eyes. "'Then get out'," she mocked under her breath, "fine, I'll get out. Don't have to slam my damn door." She got out and closed the door behind her.

"You know I heard every word," Katherine deadpanned.

Elena didn't look back at her as she walked toward the entrance. "Yep," she said disinterestedly.

"Little shit," Katherine muttered quietly enough that Elena didn't hear.

The younger of the two took out the lakehouse keys, unlocking the door and pushing it open. She took a second to just stand in the doorway, looking around. She exhaled deeply and stepped inside, setting the keys down.

She glanced outside, raising an eyebrow at Katherine who was lingering just outside the doorway. She had Elena's bags in her hands, and a frown on her lips.

"You don't have to wait out there. I said I'm fine," Elena said.

Katherine blinked at her. "One, you didn't actually. Two, I'm glad you're fine, but I'm stuck," she deadpanned.

Elena's face dropped. "Oh, my God. You can't get in," she realized.

"Not gonna be able to protect you unless you, uh, invite me inside," Katherine drawled, cocking an eyebrow at the girl.

"Katherine, I... I can't," Elena said, giving the woman a shocked look.

Katherine tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "What?" She asked, confused and astonished.

"My parents left this place to John," Elena explained, stepping toward the woman, "he's the only one who can invite you in." Katherine stared at her blankly. "I'm sorry. I–I completely forgot."

"I... Child, you are—are you serious right now?" Katherine demanded. They needed to come up with a different plan if—

Elena smirked at the vampire, amusement shining in her eyes. "Katherine Pierce, I hereby invite you into this home." She giggled, walking away from the outraged woman who stared after her in annoyance.

"Very funny, Elena," Katherine called sarcastically, stepping into the house and setting the bags down. "Little shit is gonna be the death of me," she muttered, closing the door and locking it behind her.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"HAVE YOU SPENT much time in Richmond for your book?" Carol asked Elijah as people mingled around, talking and drinking tea. "There's such a wealth of history there."

"No, I'm focusing mostly on, uh, smaller regions of Virginia," Elijah smiled, "lots of research. Strictly academic."

Carol smiled back. "That's fascinating."

Jenna stopped in front of Damon who had just walked inside the room. She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

Andy walked over, looking very happy that Damon was there. "Hi. You came," she greeted.

Damon looked at her, grinning a bit. "Hi," he greeted back, placing a kiss on her lips.

Jenna scrunched her nose. "Bloody hell. Don't speak to me," she told Damon when he smirked at her. She turned on her heel and walked back over to her wife.

"Damon," Carol greeted as he walked over to her.

The man smiled at her. "Carol," he said, kissing her cheek, "hi."

"What a surprise," Carol smiled. Elijah watched him, eyeing him curiously, but also with a knowing look. He knew why Damon was here. "Hi. Elijah, I want you to meet Damon Salvatore. His family is one of Mystic Falls' founding families. Where is your sister?" She asked Damon.

The dark-haired man opened his mouth to answer, but another voice did it for him. "Right here," Athena smiled, stepping between Elijah and Damon. Carol smiled, squeezing her arm in greeting. Athena's smile turned slightly tense at the touch, moving her arm discreetly away.

"This is Athena Salvatore, Damon's older sister," Carol introduced.

"Mm, we've met," Athena dismissed Carol, staring Elijah down with a smirk and a wicked look in her eye. It unnerved him and made him shrink a bit even if he didn't want to. Damon watched the two curiously, deciding that if Athena was with him, he was going to be alright. "Old friends, hmm, Eli?"

Elijah smiled at his sister, nodding a bit. "Old friends, Lilly," he agreed.

Athena sets a hand on the back of Damon's neck, looking over at Carol and giving her a charming smile. "My favorite boys... if I only had Stefan and my other friend... It'd be the best day of my life," she chuckled a bit.

Elijah flinched, uneasy at his sister's words. He didn't know all about what was happening between her and Kol, only that Klaus was angry enough to take their youngest brother out of the equation entirely. Elijah had only known that because of Claire who said it in passing a week or so ago.

Damon glanced at Athena, slightly confused. He set his hand on her side and held out a hand to Elijah. "Such a pleasure to meet you," he said, smirking a bit.

Elijah eyed the hand on Athena's side, his own smirk widening his lips. "No. Pleasure's mine," he said, clasping Damon's hand tightly between his own, "how is it having Athena as a sister? She's quite the menace to me."

Damon took his hand away, eyeing Elijah with slightly narrowed eyes. Athena cocked an eyebrow at Elijah's question, silently wondering what he was doing. If he told Damon that Athena wasn't related to him, everything would turn to shit real quick.

"She's a great sister," Damon said, tilting his head, "she's only a menace to people she doesn't particularly like. I suppose she doesn't particularly like you, huh?"

Athena squeezed the back of Damon's neck a bit and the man winced. "Ironic coming from you," Elijah smirked, looking the younger vampire up and down, "I heard she's not particularly fond of you either."

"'She's' right here," Athena cut in, shooting them both a dark look. Elijah glanced away, unable to meet her eyes. Damon gave her a cheeky smile, clicking his tongue. Athena smacked the side of his head for that. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

CAROLINE EYED JEREMY curiously when the boy appeared at her and Lorelei's table. After their training, they had come back to the Grill to help Bonnie conduct her plan. Hayley had opted to stay out of witch business, her mind having been preoccupied with something. Caroline hadn't asked, she was going to wait until Hayley came to her.

"What are you doing here?" Caroline asked the boy, cocking an eyebrow.

"Bonnie called. I wanted to help," Jeremy shrugged, glancing back at Bonnie and Luca. "How's it going?"

"She's selling it and he's buying it," Caroline replied, also looking back over at her friend.

"She's giving him the sex smile," Lorelei added, her elbow resting on the table and her chin in her hand. She was sipping on a peanut butter blast milkshake with whipped cream on the bottom.

"Alright, Lorelei, I get it," Jeremy said, glancing back at the girl.

Lorelei cocked an eyebrow at the slight hostility. Caroline's eyebrows raised, staring at the boy she watched grow up. Jeremy quickly looked away from both of their scrutiny.

Caroline smirked a bit, looking over at a smirking Lorelei. They both made the same face, amused.

"Time to go," Caroline muttered when she noticed Luca tilting a bit. All three of them were quick to rush over to Bonnie who was holding Luca up.

"I got him, I got him," Jeremy said, pulling Luca's arm over his shoulders, "what kind of witch roofie was that?"

"Perhaps don't say that so loud," Lorelei said, rolling her eyes at the boy, "and it was a strong one."

Bonnie smirked a bit.

"People really are oblivious, huh?" Caroline muttered, wondering how no one thought twice about four people pulling a stumbling person out of the restaurant. Lorelei shrugged her shoulders, taking a sip of her drink.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ELENA STARED OUT at the lake, a blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders.

"Having another moment?" Katherine asked, walking past her and standing at the edge of the dock, glancing down at the water.

Elena sighed a bit. "Jeremy broke his arm diving off this dock when he was six. My dad taught me how to fish right off the edge over there," she pointed to where Katherine was standing, "I would've been eight... weird how I only have memories of that year and so on... nothing before then."

Katherine hummed. "Not everyone remembers their childhood," she shrugged, turning around and walking over to her.

Elena frowned at the woman. "You did something," she stated. Katherine didn't respond, merely raising an eyebrow. "I asked John about it... he was compelled. Plus, this." She pulled the necklace John had given to her last night out of her shirt and showed Katherine.

The vampire's eyes widened slightly at the sight of it though it was quickly wiped away as though she hadn't meant to show anything. Elena's fingers clenched around the necklace.

"And the whole fact that your spell book has my name in it. Well, I'm guessing my real name. Not the one you compelled me to have," she continued.

Katherine narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I learned how to speak Bulgarian from somewhere. I haven't learned it from when I was 8 to now so obviously it had to be from some time before. Coincidentally, I don't remember."

"Elena."

"Every time I try to remember, my head gets fuzzy and I get dizzy. It hurts. So either you cast a spell on me to take away my memories or you compelled them away. Either way, you took a part of me and I want it back," Elena said, staring out at the lake. She was tired of questioning everything when it came to Katherine.

Katherine hummed, turning away. "How are you so sure it was me?"

"Was it?"

Silence.

"Yes," Katherine eventually said, crossing her arms and looking over Elena's shoulders. "It was better. The less you knew, the less danger you were in."

Elena frowned, "how the hell does that even make sense? If I knew all of this—If I knew I could—could do..."

"You can't even say it," Katherine said, tilting her head and looking at Elena, "when you come to terms with who you are then perhaps we could talk. But the memories I took away... it's better that they stay gone."

Elena watched her, the barely concealed pain trapped in the woman's eyes. What had happened? What was so bad that Elena's younger memories had to be stripped away?

"Whatever, Katherine," she muttered, turning away from the woman and focusing back on the lake.

The vampire watched her for a moment before nodding. "Don't stay out too long. You'll get a cold." Then the woman was gone.

Elena's eyes teared up, clutching the blanket tighter around her. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

DAMON OPENED THE door to Richard Lockwood's old study. Athena brushed passed him and Elijah followed her.

John walked over to Bianca who was watching her mother, uncle, and the young vampire. She side-eyed the Gilbert, sighing silently. "What are Damon and Athena doing with Elijah?" He asked.

"How would I know?" Bianca shot back, cocking an eyebrow as she turned to look at the man. She wasn't intimidated by him in the slightest. Not back when they were in 'high school' and certainly not now.

"Because you're Athena's little helper. I've seen you two," he replied, slightly annoyed.

"If you say so, Johnny," Bianca dismissed, disinterested in the conversation.

"Does Jenna know about your extracurricular activities?" John asked, raising an eyebrow as he stepped closer, "or what you are?" Bianca's eyebrows raised. "Maybe it's time we tell her," John smirked a bit, "I mean, she can't stay in the dark forever."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Once a dick, always a dick clearly," she said. Since when did men find the audacity to speak to her like that? She used to have men fall at her feet, in fear or lust either one. She was her mother's daughter through and through.

John smiled. "I don't think you should sleep over anymore," he said, his face smoothening out. Bianca blinked slightly, staring at him blankly. "It's inappropriate with children in the house."

"Well, Elena and Jeremy don't seem to mind. They also like me more than they like you. Also, I do not believe that you have any say over who or what Jenna does in her free time. My wife is perfectly capable of making decisions for herself. And trust me... we don't get much sleep."

She winked at him, patting his cheek.

Then she walked away.

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"WHAT CAN I do for you, Damon?" Elijah asked as he glanced around. He wasn't worried about Athena doing anything. She was mostly there to act as a buffer, perhaps make sure he didn't tell her little secret.

"I was hoping you'd want to have a little chat," Damon replied with a shrug, smiling at him.

"Where's Elena?" Elijah asked.

"Safe," Athena dismissed with a wave of her hand. Elijah looked over at her, watching her for a moment. She didn't give anything away and it annoyed him he could no longer read her.

"Laying low, you know," Damon added even though he had no idea where Elena was. He knew she was safe though. If Athena said Elena was safe, she was safe. "Bit of a werewolf problem."

"Oh, yeah. I heard about that," Elijah nodded, trailing his fingers along the back of the couch. Damon watched his hands and Athena got the feeling she was gonna barf.

"I'm sure you did since it was your witch that saved the day," Damon said, his eyes flicking up to meet Elijah's.

"You are welcome," Elijah said cheekily, looking up with a hint of a smile.

"Which adds to my confusion on exactly why you're here," Damon said, sitting down on the desk.

Elijah glances between him and Athena, acutely aware that she is watching both of them very intently. "Why don't you just stay focused on keeping Elena safe and leave the rest to me?" He gave the man a smile and then shot Athena a small grin before trying to leave.

Damon smirked a bit, appearing in front of Elijah. The original cocked an eyebrow. "Not good enough," Damon told him, his eyes wide with that 'crazy' look.

Elijah didn't look amused though, his hand wrapping around Damon's neck faster than the young vampire could blink. He shoved him into the wall behind the desk.

Damon's eyes were wide, his own hand wrapping around Elijah's neck. Athena sighed heavily, rubbing her eyebrow. Elijah easily pulled Damon's hand off his neck, the bones cracking underneath his grip.

Damon groaned, staring at his breaking hand in confusion.

"You young vampires, so arrogant," Elijah said, his head tilting up in superiority. A small smirk worked its way onto his lips. He pushed Damon's hand down. "How dare you come in here and challenge me?"

"You can't kill me, man," Damon wheezed out, "it's not part of the deal." He was being cheeky and Athena wanted to bash his head in. He had no sense of self-preservation.

"Silence," Elijah ordered, his eyes boring into the bright blue ones staring at him. "It's a pity you're such an arrogant prat... you do have quite beautiful eyes."

Athena's nose scrunched, horror filling her face.

Damon coughed slightly. "I don't understand how that boy could've ever fallen for you," Elijah continued. She remembers Klaus telling him about the dark-haired Salvatore boy falling for the help. It was in passing, Klaus had been too preoccupied with getting Athena something to really know what he was saying. He had met Bellamy twice. A sweet man, truly.

"You haven't had sex with me," Damon rasped out, smirking slightly, "I'm sure your opinion of me would change."

Elijah cocked an eyebrow, a smirk of his own falling on his lips. He grimaced when he felt a sharp pain in his head. His hand dropped from Damon's neck, both of his palms digging into his temple. He groaned, stumbling backward.

Damon coughed a bit, gasping for breath.

Athena unclenched her hand and Elijah blinked away the blurry vision. He glared at her, scowling. "I will kill you both with zero hesitation if you ever flirt in front of me again," she snapped, her face pale with slight horror at what she had just witnessed, "that was the second most disgusting thing I've ever seen."

Damon rubbed his throat, walking over to Athena. "What's the first?" He asked curiously, not fazed by the death threat though he was a little frightened since Elijah seemed to be taking the threat seriously.

"When I found him fucking my boyfriend," Athena replied in a deadpan, looking up at Damon boredly.

Damon blinked. "You had a boyfriend?"

Athena rolled her eyes.

Elijah dusted off his suit. "I'm an Original," he said to Damon, "show me a little respect."

"No thanks," Damon waved off.

Elijah didn't say anything, staring at Damon silently for a moment. Athena moved slightly right before Elijah did. A pencil was inside Damon's neck a second later making the young vampire cry out.

Elijah took out a handkerchief, wiping his hands. Then he held it out to Damon who had yanked the pencil out, his hand bloody. The young vampire snatched the piece of cloth, putting it to his neck.

"The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead," Elijah said seriously, glancing at the man, "so, you should do what I say." He smiled at him, patting his cheek a bit. "Keep Elena safe."

Then he disappeared out the door.

"Thanks for the help," Damon muttered, side-eyeing Athena.

The woman rolled her eyes. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ELENA SAT ON the couch, watching Katherine chop up vegetables. The vampire didn't pay her any mind, continuing to make Elena some food.

"My dad did all the cooking," Elena said after a couple of minutes, her fingers fiddling with the wine glass in her hand.

"And your mom?" Katherine asked, rolling her shoulders a bit.

"She sat right here and watched," Elena replied, running her fingers over the back of the couch, smiling a bit. "She couldn't cook either." Katherine hummed. Elena turned away, looking at the dying fire. "Oh, the fire's dying."

Katherine glanced up and nodded. "I'll go get some more firewood," she said, wiping her hands and moving to leave.

"I can get it," Elena argued, standing up.

"It's cold," Katherine refuted, waving her off.

"So I'll get a jacket. I'm human not glass, Katherine," she said, walking past the woman and to the bedroom. She paused when she got in there, looking around. Her eyes landed on her mother's old vanity. She slowly walked over and picked up one of the perfume bottles. She pulled off the lid, raising it to her nose and breathing it in.

She smiled slightly, sadly. A nostalgic feeling washed over her. She closed the lid and set it down. "My mom's perfume," she said to Katherine who had followed after her.

"Your mom was a good woman," Katherine said, leaning against the doorway and crossing her arms, "despite being part of the council she kept Jenna and Bianca safe... never gave them away even though they were creatures she was made to hate."

Elena listened as she walked over to the dresser, looking at everything that hadn't been packed up. "Jenna never mentioned that my mom knew," she frowned a bit.

"Jenna probably didn't see it was important," Katherine dismissed, shrugging.

Elena nodded. "Jenna was supposed to pack all this up, but..." she shook her head, running her fingers over the surface, "she kept putting it off." She went to the closet, pulling it open. "I don't blame her."

Elena walked in, feeling the clothes and smiling. She knelt down to the boots, accidentally kicking the wall when she did.

Katherine popped in, looking confused.

"What?" Elena asked, glancing up at her.

"What'd you hit?" Katherine countered, glancing around the room.

"I just kicked the wall," Elena frowned, confused, pointing to the wall she kicked.

Katherine's brows furrowed and she stepped forward, knocking on the wall. It was hollow. "Huh," she said.

"What?"

"This is hollow inside," Katherine replied, staring at the wall as if she could see through it. She snapped, pointing behind her. Elena moved so the woman could get to the wall. The vampire ripped off the wood effortlessly, placing the pieces off to the side.

They both stared at the door in confusion. There was a lock on the door that Katherine grabbed. She raised an eyebrow at Elena who nodded. The woman yanked the lock off, tossing it to the side.

Katherine unlatched it, opening the door. She reached toward the ceiling and turned on the light, the room lighting up. Katherine's eyebrows raised almost to her hairline.

Weapon after weapon sat on the walls, stashed on shelves, or resting on a table.

Elena stared in shock at the room.

Katherine whistled. "I knew your family was part of the council but damn," Katherine muttered, looking around the room, "no wonder Athena wanted us to come here. Jenna must've mentioned this room."

"This is insane," Elena murmured, blinking. "My parents were on the council?"

"What you thought John was the only one?" Katherine raised an eyebrow at the girl, looking at Elena over her shoulder.

Elena shrugged. "Well, I don't know! I didn't really think about all the shit that's been happening!"

Katherine hummed. 

AN: damon and elijah will be the death of athena. i think you guys are going to like the next chapter. you're in for a surprise 🤩 hope you guys enjoyed and thanks for reading!

edited:
finished: 02/02/24
wc: 5986