CHAPTER EIGHT: I Was Supposed To Protect You
WARNINGS: death, violence, blood, murder, mention of abuse

I COULDN'T SAVE HER. Maybe if I had taken the time to care about Vicki then she wouldn't be dead. Maybe she'd still be here. Maybe if I had stopped focusing on my life I would have been able to stop Damon from killing her and all of this would have been avoided.

Vicki was an innocent soul that got caught in the crossfire between my brothers' stupid little war. I've seen war. I've lived in war. The hatred that lives between my brothers is petty and brainless. Dull-witted. Empty-headed. Foolish and simple-minded.

I could come up with an endless amount of words that could describe the feud between my brothers.

But even in the smallest of wars, there are necessary and unnecessary fatalities—casualties that could have been avoided. Klaus taught me that.

That doesn't mean that I'm not bloody furious.

I'm the eldest, I should have more control. I should be able to tame them—I was able to tame Niklaus and Kol Mikaelson. My two bull-headed brothers shouldn't be any harder.

But I don't want to.

That's the problem.

Something in my head has finally... snapped.

I walked into the house earlier this morning and saw Stefan asleep on the couch in the living room. He looked peaceful and like the seventeen-year-old boy who was oblivious to the world around him.

I wanted to hurt him.

I didn't understand why and the dark thoughts had startled me. Something deep in me rumbled with the desperate need to prey. To get revenge.

Revenge on what?

I have no idea.

I don't know what to think of it. It wasn't the darkness that comes with Dark Magic. No, I knew what that was. That part of me came out a lot but I had a handle on it.

This was primal. Animalistic. Another part of her. A dangerous, reckless, possessive, protective part of me that has only come up when I faced Mikael Mikaelson head-on to give Elijah and Niklaus some time to temporarily knock him out.

I don't know what it is, but I know one thing...

I'm going to figure out why it came up when I saw Stefan.

- A.S. November 1st, 2009

ATHENA FIXED THE cuff of her shirt as she walked into Stefan's room. "I hope your up—and when the fuck did you get here?" Athena stares at her brother's best friend, Lexi Branson. She really didn't need any more vampires showing up, she already had to keep track of her brothers and Luna—one more is just adding more stress to her already stressful life.

The blonde smiles wryly at her, "good to see you too, Athena," she drawls.

The redhead gives her a sarcastic grin in response then turns her attention to Stefan. A pit forms in her stomach as her throat fills with her bile—she came to wish her brother a 'Happy Birthday' but instead she wants to stab the leg of his desk into his chest and watch him desiccate. Time to go, she thought.

"Happy birthday, Bunny," the words slip off her tongue and Stefan grins at her.

"Thanks, Atty," he murmurs, blissfully unaware of the thoughts that were running through her head.

Then, everything goes quiet and she feels like herself again. At least partly. She gives him a genuine smile before turning to leave. She pauses by the doorway and turns to look at the blonde vampire over her shoulder, "do remember to stay out of the sun, dear, you could get a bad burn," she shoots her a wink before disappearing in a gust of wind.

Lexi pouts and turns to face Stefan, "your sister is a bitch," she whined.

Stefan laughed and poked her in the side which made his friend laugh. "You two love each other," he teased, "your relationship is just that of siblings. She makes fun of me all the time—hence the bunny."

Lexi hums, nodding, "right. To be fair, I make fun of your animal diet too... I guess we have something in common."

"Oh, har har," he rolled his eyes, pinching her thigh. Lexi slapped his hand away with a small yelp.

Athena smiles slightly, Lexi was always good for her brother. If she couldn't get through to her, she was glad Lexi could.

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"YOUR LITTLE WITCH friend, Bonnie, has Emily's necklace," Damon said to Athena as he sat down across from her at the dining table.

"Hmm, really? I had no idea—I'm sorry, did you say Emily's necklace?" Athena thinks she got whiplash. Maybe she should listen to Damon more often. Her head snapped up, eyes zeroing in on Damon's beautiful blue ones.

Damon nodded, reaching over and trying to snag a strawberry. She pouted and flicked his hand away but let him take the piece of fruit. "Do you think you can get it back?" He asked, popping the berry in his mouth.

Athena blinked slowly, still trying to get over the part where Bonnie had the necklace she has been looking for since 1864. "The Bennetts are a very powerful family, Damon," she sighed, running a hand through her hair, "it took me forever to get on Emily's good side and only a little less to get onto Sheila's. If I even think about taking an heirloom from the next generation—I'm going to be the one you're gonna bury next."

He pursed his lips, brows drawing together, and his eyes hardening. He tapped his fingers against the wood, "but I need it," he muttered.

"And why is that?" She asked, dropping her chin into her palm as she rested her elbow on the table.

He glanced up into her eyes, suddenly looking a lot smaller than he was. He looked like that scared 19-year-old that walked in on their father standing over a bloody Athena. The shift jerked Athena upright, concerned. "I'm tired of being alone, Athena," he murmured, dropping his head into his hands and tangling his fingers into his hair.

"You wouldn't be alone if you didn't do the things you do, honey," Athena says softly, leaning back in her chair.

His fingers tighten in his hair and she fears he might actually rip it from his skull. "I know," he mumbles, "but it's—it's who I am. I'm not like you, Atty," he looks up at her, his eyes slightly frantic, "or Stefan. You two are so good and kind. That's how it's always been—despite everything..." He trails off, his eyes glossing over as if he was remembering something.

Athena has the sudden urge to go through his mind and try to settle it down, to give him a bit of peace. He seems to be more stressed than she is and that's saying quite a lot. Her fingers twitch, wanting to reach out for her little brother but she doubts he would like that.

"How did you stay so hopeful, so—so good after everything he did?" Damon asked suddenly, his attention back on her. Again with the whiplash thing.

Athena doesn't speak for a long moment, just looking at her brother. Her mind thinks back to the time Damon was seven and Athena was nine. Their father had been teaching Damon how to act like a man.

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DAMON SAT ON the couch, his posture straight as he stared up at his father who was giving him strict instructions on how to properly talk to a girl his age.

Athena stood off to the side, leaning against the wall as she watched silently. She knew better than to get in the way—the hard way. To be honest, she didn't want to be here but Damon had begged both their father to let her be there and for Athena to attend.

So she did.

Because of course, she did. She would never say no to her little brothers. Especially if it meant they had to be alone with their father.

At a young age, she learned that their father was a not-so-nice man. He was small-minded. Athena had heard a word used—bootlicker if she remembers correctly. She didn't know what it meant but it seemed to fit from the context she's gotten from the sentences she's heard.

A little boy, probably Damon's age—maybe a little older—was cleaning the windows. He was one of the maid's children. Athena wasn't sure which one. She thinks it's Angelina's because the boy shares some of her features. He was cute.

A messy blonde mop on his head, a clean pair of black trousers, and a white tunic that had come undone from how hard he was working. Sweat dotted his forehead and above his lips. He looked tired but continued to push on, glancing over at Damon every once in a while and blushing every time Damon caught his eye.

Athena watched with amusement and adoration, her lips quirking up. Her eyes focus back on her little brother as their father's attention diverts to their mother who entered to tell him about some of their cattle dying from some creature of the night.

Damon took this opportunity to watch the little boy who was now sweeping the floor. The boy glances up, meeting Damon's eyes as an adorable flush tints his cheeks. Her little brother smiles when the boy doesn't break eye contact like usual.

Damon gives him a small wave and the little boy gives a shy one back, a nervous smile on his face. Athena feels her heart warm at the sight. The little boy drops his eyes when Giuseppe turns back around after Lillian leaves the room.

Damon turns his attention back to their father. "Now, son, girls like a man in uniform—" Athena frowns, he can't use the word women? "—when they see you in town looking like the young man I know you can be, they'll be at your feet." Athena's frown deepened, Damon was seven. He didn't need girls at his feet yet.

Damon's eyes mistakenly flicked over to the boy who was still cleaning the floors. Giuseppe turns his head, following his son's gaze. Athena straightens, anxiety creeping up her chest when she sees their father's nostril flare and eyes flash with anger.

Giuseppe spins back around, grabbing Damon's shoulder roughly. Her little brother lets out a small whimper of pain. "What are you looking at him for?" Their father snarls, his grip most likely bruising. Athena's fingers twitch as her eyes dance over to the wooden broom that leans against the wall, easily able to picture herself snapping the piece of wood and stabbing her father mercilessly with it. "Listen here, boy, I will not let you be a—a Mary," Giuseppe hisses, eyes ablaze and something akin to madness burns, "I will not allow it."

Damon trembles with fear, shrinking in on himself as tears prickle at the corner of his eyes, threatening to spill. Athena starts forward, "father," she speaks and his head whips towards her, "I think the lesson is over for today." Her voice holds a defiant and confident tone even though inside her insides sink to her toes in fear. "It's late and Damon is tired, that's all."

Giuseppe doesn't release her brother right away. Her fingers twitch once more and then he lets him go. Damon slowly scoots away, as if scared that their father might grab him again, before quickly rushing into Athena's embrace.

Their father levels her with a hard look that she knows means we're gonna have a nice long beating later. She doesn't care, as long as she gets Damon far away from Giuseppe and makes sure the little boy doesn't get harmed then she'd face as many punishments as he'll give.

Turning away from their father, Athena takes Damon back upstairs, leveling the little boy with a lookout of the corner of her eye. His head bobs in a small, understanding nod, and quickly collects his thing, going to find his mother before he is alone with the man.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ATHENA SHIFTS IN her seat, "you two needed me," she shrugs, picking up her fork and cutting a piece of pancake off. She pokes it into the syrup pool that had formed and then puts it in her mouth. She wipes her mouth with a napkin.

Damon stays quiet, just staring at her with an unreadable look. She doesn't say anything either, continuing to eat her breakfast as if this topic of conversation isn't a big deal—which is stupid because it is. When Damon was 19 and found out she had been beaten since she was four... Athena refused to tell him anything and she wasn't going to start now. Damon already had so many grudges, there was no need to add one more if there wasn't one there already.

"You did everything for us," Damon breathes, his brows pinched together. Athena doesn't think he meant to say that out loud based on the way his eyes widen slightly and his lips part in a silent shit.

Athena leans back since she had finished her meal while he was locked in his own head. "Of course I did, Damon," she gives him a small smile. No teeth, just her lips tilting up. "You both were the only thing keeping me sane—alive so to speak."

Damon's breath hitches and his heart thumps loudly. Athena heard it all, her ears having nothing else to tune into except for her little brother.

"Why do you need the necklace, sweetheart?" Athena asked, clasping her hands together as arms rested on the armrests of the dining chair.

Damon shifts at the sudden change of conversation, his eyes leaving hers to stare at the table. He opens his mouth to say something before closing it again. He then lifts his head, "can you come with me down to the sheriff's station?"

Athena runs her tongue over her bottom lip, eyes narrowing slightly. Then she sighed and stood up, "I have to get dressed." She picks up her plate, "give me ten minutes."

He nodded.

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ATHENA FOLLOWS DAMON to the sheriff's office after they were allowed in. Her little brother is holding a box that she is unknown to the contents.

"Mr. Salvatore, Ms. Salvatore, come on in," Liz greets. She points to the door as she nods to Athena, "uh, could you get the door for me?"

"Sure," the redhead grabs the doorknob and pulls it closed.

"So, I understand from Mrs. Lockwood that you two were asking about the council and the vervain," Liz said, "Zach filled you in I suppose?"

Athena winces at the mention of her nephew as Damon gives the woman a nod. "We brought this to you," he walks over and hands her the box—Athena realizes it's probably the vervain in the basement that Stefan used on him.

Liz looks confused and she takes it, setting the box on her desk. She opens it up and Athena is hit with the sudden smell of the poisonous plant. Liz reaches in and holds up a bundle of vervain. She looks up at the two.

"Vervain," she states.

"That's all we have at the moment," Damon explains and grips Athena's hand when she goes to poke him in the back, "I hope it's enough."

Athena smiles, going along with it as Damon interlocks their fingers in a slightly tight hold. She understands what he's doing. He wants to throw the council off their trail, keep the group from suspecting them.

"It's a small circle—Founding Families, a few city officials," Liz explains and the two Salvatores take a seat across from her.

"And your deputies, of course, right?" Athena guessed. Liz stares at the two of them warily, wondering if she could trust them with this type of information. "Are we any closer?"

Liz shakes her head, "I think our facts are wrong," she explains. Damon tilts his head slightly and Athena cocks an eyebrow. "We've always believed that vampires can only come out in the dark—" ah, fuck, the two think "—what if that's changed?"

Damon smiles a tiny bit before he closes his eyes and exhales, "is—is that even possible?"

"We've exhausted every other option," Liz says exasperatedly, "we have to consider the vampire may be walking around during the day right in front of us." Oh, darling, you have no idea, Athena thinks, bringing her hand up to her lips.

Damon hums and Liz stares at him intensely. "So what's the next step?" She asked, successfully breaking the tense atmosphere.

"We're now looking at anyone new to town since the deaths began." Damon nods his head. "Should turn up a suspect or two."

"And I of course will do anything I can to help," Damon says.

Athena sighs when their attention turns towards her. "I guess I'll do it too... best to make sure my girlfriend is able to walk around without becoming a blood bag."

Liz looks a bit worried at the suggestion and Athena thinks that it probably wasn't the best idea to say that in front of Caroline's mother. Damon face-palms, pushing his palm into his forehead.

Athena's nose scrunched, "that's not—bloody hell. Yeah, I'll help, sheriff," she mutters, rubbing the space between her eyebrows.

Damon snickered behind his hand, shaking his head.

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LUNA TILTED HER head as she watched Athena create a daylight ring. She stayed silent because the redhead was using a lot of concentration and the last time she interrupted her... well, Luna's a vampire and her healing still couldn't catch up.

Athena dropped the tweezers onto her desk and looked at the ring closely to make sure she had the right design. It was smaller than the Salvatores rings, not giant and tacky. The band was black silver and the lapis lazuli sat in the middle, carved into a heart. The black silver held onto it like vines on the sides and in the middle of the gemstone were the initials L.B. carved into it.

"Why are you making a daylight ring for your brother's best friend again?" Luna questioned as Athena turned off the light and pushed the magnifying glass away.

"Well, Lexi's a friend," Athena said, clenching her hand into a fist around the piece of jewelry, "she's not like Damon. She doesn't kill—she's actually smart." Athena stood up and stuffed the ring in her pocket. "Besides, Stefan needs friends other than humans out in the daylight," she shrugged.

Luna smiled softly, resting her head on her shoulder as she watched her best friend.

"What?" The redhead asked, raising an eyebrow at the soft look she was getting.

"Sometimes you're too good for this world, baby," Luna said.

Athena smirked slightly, "sometimes," she muttered. Luna grinned.

They both left the room and walked down the stairs. "When are you going to give it to her? I thought it was Stefan's birthday," Luna skipped the last step and Athena smiled.

"I'm not sure," Athena shrugged.

"There's a part at the grill. You'll love it," the two vampires hear Damon say, "banquettes, tacky wait staff. All of Stefan's friends."

"Yeah, he doesn't want a birthday party," Luna said, walking into the living room and crossing her arms. Stefan pointed at her, nodding. Athena leaned against the wall, her hands stuffed in her pockets.

"Well, it's not for him," Damon rolled his eyes, "it's a party party. No one's gonna know it's your birthday." Stefan tilted his head, lips slightly parted. Damon sighed, "Caroline's throwing it."

Stefan, Athena, and Luna's eyes darkened a bit. "Damon, stay away from Caroline," Stefan snapped, shaking his head.

Athena pushed off the wall, eyes narrowing at her brother, "I will tear you limb from limb," she said, nostrils flaring.

"Down girl," Luna muttered, placing a hand on her arm.

"We're friends. It's cool," Damon argued, "it's important for the town to see us out and about like normal folk. We need to blend." Damon looks down at the blood after a moment and makes a disgusted face, "I prefer mine at 98.6."

He waltzes out of the room and Athena sighed, rubbing her forehead. Maybe it's time to check in on Care, she hasn't talked to her all day.

Lexi looked between the three and then smirked, "let's go." Stefan rolled his eyes with a smile. She gave them a look, "please?" She asked mockingly.

Athena grunted, "I have to go. If my girlfriend is throwing the damn party and Damon's gonna be there—I'm not letting her out of my sight."

"Good idea," Stefan said.

"Hold up—girlfriend?!" Lexi shrieked, appearing in front of Athena and grabbing her shoulders, "you have one too? Oh! This is amazing! Did you have sex with her? Sex always works."

Athena stares at the woman, eyes slightly wide at the sudden rise in volume and physical touch. "Um... we did..."

"See!" Lexi points at her as her head swivels around to face Stefan, "sex."

Stefan gave her a deadpan look as Luna giggled.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

AT THE MYSTIC Grill, Athena walks into the bar where a bunch of people are already. She searches the crowd for her girlfriend and finds her in a purple dress, looking quite proud of herself—the Heretic finds it adorable. Damon sits at the bar and when Caroline's eyes find him, she heads over.

Athena follows, keeping her distance.

"Amazing party, right?" Caroline asked sarcastically, leaning against the counter near him.

"Glad you thought of it," Damon said, equally as sarcastic.

"Well, are you having a good time?" She cocked an eyebrow, looking bored.

"Do you have my crystal?"

Athena walked over, "you know, we had a good time this morning. Then you screwed it up," she drawled, wrapping an arm around Caroline's waist. The blonde smiled and quickly turned into her embrace, wrapping her arms around Athena.

Damon rolled his eyes and got up, spotting Lexi who had just entered. He brushed past them and Athena looked down at the blonde, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I haven't seen you all day," Caroline pouted, "where were you?"

"At my house. I'm sorry, I should've called to check-in or something—"

"It's okay," Caroline giggled, leaning up and pressing a quick kiss to her lips, "you're here now, that's all that matters." Athena smiled down at her, a soft glint in her eyes.

She loves you, a voice whispers. Athena whipped her head around, looking for the source. It's familiar, soothing. Safe. A sense of home.

Caroline placed a hand on her cheek, looking concerned, "are you okay, baby?" Athena looked back at her, heart-melting at the pet name.

"Yeah. Sorry—"

Caroline beamed, "Now who's the one apologizing?" She teased.

Athena pouted and opened her mouth to speak when a squeal interrupted her. Athena was suddenly pushed away from her girlfriend, stumbling from the force of it and almost crashing into a party goer who gave her a dirty look.

"Oh, my God! Luna said she was pretty but she didn't do this one justice!" Lexi put her hands on her hips, surveying the girl. Caroline looked confused, startled, and flattered all at once as she stared at the woman in front of her. Lexi then frowned and spun around to face Athena, poking her in the chest, "how did you get her?"

Athena made an offended noise in the back of her throat, "excuse you, Branson, I'm actually quite likable unlike you."

Lexi rolled her eyes and turned towards Caroline, "if you ever murder her, call me and I'll help you cover it up." Athena gawked as Caroline giggled. "Anyways, I'm Lexi Branson, Stefan's best friend."

"Caroline Forbes," the two blondes grinned at each other and Athena suddenly felt fear wash over her.

"Oh, God," she groaned, "you two should not have met."

Lexi smirked at the redhead, nudging her, "what, afraid I'm gonna steal her away?"

"No," Athena muttered, "I'm afraid you're gonna plan my death and drag out my misery." The two women shared a look and the redhead took a subtle step away from them, flashing a smile, "I'm gonna go get a drink. You two... please don't murder anyone."

"You know, there's a lot of talk about us murdering people here," Lexi called after her, getting some weird looks from people near them. Caroline giggled, hiding her blushing face behind her hands as Athena groaned.

The Heretic walked to the end of the bar and ordered water. Drinking for her wasn't very entertaining since her alcohol tolerance was very high and she'd after to drink and drink to feel at least a buzz.

She sat down and took the cup of water, giving the bartender a small smile before taking a sip. She set it down and looked back towards the spot where Caroline and Lexi were but they were gone. She looked around and found the two dancing.

She smiled unknowingly, something settling on her heart that felt a lot like—

No.

No way.

It was way too early.

"There's a thin line between love and hate, Athena... No matter what Nik does, no matter how much I hate him... I love him," she remembers Rebekah said to her back in the 1910s. Athena had witnessed Klaus almost daggering Rebekah and had stopped it before he could, then she and the youngest living Mikaelson had a long chat.

Rebekah does actually say some very smart things, her Darkside said and Athena could easily picture her darker half smirking wistfully at the memories.

But we already love Caroline?

You know when we fall, we fall fast and hard. We've loved the Mikaelsons only months after we met them.

Her Darkside does have a point.

That's different. They are like my siblings—my protectors—

"—hard?" Her eyes snapped up to meet almost black eyes. The young man next to her had apparently been talking to her but since she was so deep in thought, she hadn't heard him. He was attractive and young but Athena didn't have eyes for anyone else but Caroline. He had fiery red hair and an athletic body.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Athena cocked an eyebrow as she spoke not unkindly.

The young man chuckled and Athena could smell the mixture of alcoholic beverages and something else that she couldn't place, "I asked what's got you thinkin' so hard?" He repeated, a—probably what he thought—charming smirk sliding onto his lips.

"Love, actually," Athena leaned against the counter.

"Mm," he hummed, nodding, "yeah, I get that." He turns to face the dancing crowd like she is. "What about love?"

"How thin the line between love and hate actually is," Athena scoffed, taking another sip of her water.

He nods his head, something flashing in his eyes that looked a lot like pain. He sighed, turning to look at her, "you straight?"

"No, I'm bi," Athena gave him a small smile.

"Me too," they clinked their glasses together.

"Are you drunk?" She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm high," he grinned, "I'm checking out the chicks."

Athena smirked and looked back over at Caroline, "so am I." High. That's what she smelt on him.

He raised the side of his fist and she gave him a side-bump. "What's your name fellow bisexual?" He asked, taking a sip of his drink.

Athena took the drink and scooted the glass of water over to him as she threw the rest of it back. He pouted, "weed and alcohol is not a good mix, kid." His eyes widened slightly. She chuckled, "you don't think I can pick out an underage adult when I see one?" She asked, her voice low and quiet so no one heard her.

He smiled sheepishly and took the glass, drinking the water.

"And I'm Athena, Athena Salvatore. What about you, hun?" She rested her chin in her palm.

"Braxton Turner," he said, shaking her outstretched hand, "I'm surprised you're speaking to a commoner like me." She raised an eyebrow. He mirrored her position, setting his chin in his palm, "you live in the Salvatore Boarding house... that place is huge! I'd kill to live there."

Athena scrunched her nose, leaning forward a bit to rub off the dirt that was on the young man's eyebrow, "bigger houses allow a lot of room for pain, Braxton. My name is just that—a name."

She leaned back and gave him a small smile but it came out as more of a grimace.

He tilted his head, "sounds as though you have gone through some things," he observed lightly.

Athena laughed, "you could say that." She then decided to change the subject, "so, why are you drowning you trying to drown your sorrows?"

His face fell as a sigh fell from his lips, "I was seeing this guy—he's a great guy, really amazing—but my parents... they don't know I'm bi and if they ever found out, God, I don't know what'd I do..." He looked terrified at even the thought which made Athena's protectiveness rise. Teens and kids have always been a soft spot for her. "And he wanted to be out, you know? But I wasn't ready and he broke up with me..."

Athena scrunched her nose, frowning, "he's not living up to the 'amazing' standard you mentioned." She reached over, grasping the boy's chin gently and making him look at her, "it's his loss, okay? If he cannot wait for you then he is not worth getting all miserable about it."

He smiled slightly, his cheeks a bit flushed.

"No," a voice flew into her ears—Damon. He seemed angry, annoyed, irritated. "You are the only stupid thing here. And shallow. And useless."

Athena's head whipped towards his voice, seeing him staring at Caroline. She was out of her seat and making her way over in less than a second. He began to walk away, but she wasn't gonna let him go that easily. Not when he just insulted her girlfriend and made that sad, miserable, kicked puppy look appear on her face.

"Damon!" She snarled. He turned towards her, opening his mouth to make a retort about Athena being Caroline's guard dog when his older sister's fist connected with his jaw.

Blood spurted from his mouth as his head was snapped to the side, his body being knocked off balance and crumbling to the ground. He let out a pained groan as everything in the room stopped, silence filling the air.

Her eyes had a tiny, thin line of gold around the iris that was gone as quick as it came. Her lips curled into a snarl, nostrils flared. She was angry—furious.

Damon spat out some blood and stood up, eyes glaring holes into his sister's. He got in her face, the tip of their noses brushing.

Athena wanted to hit him again, wanted to tear into him. There was something feral inside of her, clawing to get out. It was very painful but also so addicting.

She felt a weight on her wrist like someone was gripping it but she knew no one was. She calmed down, the feeling in her chest sinking as her eyes met Caroline's.

Athena looked back at Damon, "walk away," she whispered, "you'll just embarrass yourself." Her eyes turned black then went back to normal when he didn't stand down.

Fear flashed through his eyes but was quickly replaced by hatred. He sneered at her and then walked away.

"What are you looking at?" Lexi asked everyone, glaring, "go back to what you were doing!" Everyone quickly did as they were told.

Caroline went into Athena's arms, resting one of her hands on the redhead's chest, "thank you, but you didn't have to do that," she murmured.

"Yeah, I did," Athena said, her hand finding its way to the back of Caroline's neck, "he's not gonna fucking touch you or come near you again."

Caroline leaned up and kissed her, tangling her fingers in Athena's shirt. "Okay, honey."

The redhead leaned her forehead against the blonde's, "you aren't shallow. You aren't useless. And you're not a waste of space, okay? Don't listen to Damon."

Caroline stared into her eyes, only finding sincerity and certainty. The blonde kissed her again.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"YOU CHEATED!" CAROLINE whined, slapping Stefan's chest after he tickled her, making her miss the shot.

Athena snorted as Lexi sunk a ball in. "Sorry, Carebear," he grinned, "but all's fair in love and war."

Caroline shot him a glare, pouting, "best friends aren't supposed to go to war unless it's over what we're watching—in that case, I will fight you to the death."

Stefan narrowed his eyes at her while Athena sunk a ball in, "we're not watching Harry Potter again."

Caroline gasped, "fine! Then we were not watching I Love Lucy either, you asshole!"

Stefan's eyes widened and his mouth dropped incredulously, "how dare you!"

Athena and Lexi looked at each other and then rolled their eyes. They've had this argument multiple times already. Stefan leaned over the pool table, focusing on hitting the full-red ball.

Just as he was about to hit, Caroline ruffled his hair, taking him off guard and making the white ball hit the striped green ball in. "Ha!" Caroline giggled. Athena and Lexi burst out laughing at Stefan's shocked face. He looked like a fish out of water.

Stefan pouted and shot Caroline a glare. When he saw the three women laughing, the glare and pout slipped off his face, a soft expression replacing it.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"LEXI GOT YOUR girl drunk," Stefan sang into the phone.

Athena, who was outside getting some air after seeing Damon again, scoffed through her nose. "Great. Tell her I'll be there to take her home soon. I just have to grab something from my car," she said.

"Will do."

Athena ended the phone call and stuffed it into her pocket. She walked over to her car and unlocked it, sliding into the driver's seat and opening the middle console. She plucked the daylight ring out of it and stuffed it in her pocket then proceeded to get out.

She locked her car and was about to head inside when her nose caught the scent of blood. Frowning, she followed it and found Braxton in the middle of the parking lot, head back and his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose as blood dripped from it.

His knuckles were bloody as were his clothes. She rushed over, "what happened, kid?" She asked, cradling the back of his head and tilting his head down, "don't tilt your head back with a nose bleed, that makes the blood go down your throat, Luv."

"I like your accent," he slurred, spitting and coughing out the blood that dripped into his mouth.

She brushed his hair back, finding a cut on his forehead but like any wound on someone's face, it bled excessively, coating his hair and the side of his face. "What happened, kid?" She asked, catching him as he tipped over.

"Some—some a-asshole tried to take this—this girl with him even though she said no—no," he stuttered, "believe it or not," he grinned up at her, "I won."

Athena scoffed out a laugh through her nose and shook her head. She could tell he was going to pass out since his eyes looked unfocused. He most likely had a concussion.

Scooping him up as he lost consciousness, she looked around, making sure no one saw her. Then, when the coast was clear, she vamped to the hospital and walked through the doors. "Hey!" She called and a nurse quickly rushed over, "he fought some dude in the parking lot. Bloody nose, cut on the forehead, possible concussion."

The nurse nodded and guided her to a bed where Athena laid him down.

"Do you know his name?" The nurse asked.

"Braxton Turner," Athena replied. She gripped her shoulder, "when you fix him up, call me—Athena Salvatore—and update me on his status." Her pupils constricted as did the nurses.

"I'll call you and update you on his status once he's in better condition," the nurse droned and then quickly went to work after Athena slipped the lady her number.

Athena turned on her heel and walked out, speeding back to the Mystic Grill. She walked into the bar and searched for her girlfriend, finding her sitting next to Matt. Athena walked over.

"Baby!" Caroline grabbed her arm when she saw her, yanking her down next to her. The redhead yelped and Matt threw out his arm to steady her when she almost fell off the bench.

Athena looked over at Matt and he mouthed hammered to her and the redhead nodded. "Hey, honey," she murmured, brushing Caroline's hair behind her ear and pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

"Look! They have curly fries," Caroline lowered her voice towards the end, pulling the bowl close and popping one into her mouth. Athena smiled softly.

"Coffee for the drunk girl," Matt said to his friend across from them.

"I'll get it," Athena said to the guy.

"Nooooo," Caroline whined, shooting Athena puppy dog eyes, "don't leave me."

Athena pressed a kiss to her girlfriend's forehead, "I'll be right back, I promise, baby girl." Caroline blushed and ducked her head, nodding. Athena smiled and got up, walking over to the bar to get a glass of water. "Water, again, please," she told the bartender.

He nodded to her and filled up a cup.

"Taking your girlfriend home?" Lexi asked, leaning against the bar next to her.

Athena hummed, nodding, "yeah. She's hammered."

Lexi scrunched her nose, giving her a smile, "I may have got her one too many drinks."

"Mhm." Athena shot her a look but she had a small smile on her face, "I'm glad you and Caroline get along."

Lexi smiled, "she's a pretty cool girl. At least around Stefan, you, and I. Everybody else seems to be a bit... standoffish too."

Athena licked her lips, thanking the bartender when he handed her the water, "I just think she's been picked second in a lot of things and is over it," she said.

Lexi nodded, "I can understand that. Now, get back to your girlfriend."

Athena smiled at her, grabbed the water, and turned away. She walked two steps before turning back. Lexi raised an eyebrow. "I'm really glad you're here, Lex," she said.

Lexi's face broke out into a bright grin. Athena turned around and walked back over to her girl, setting the water down in front of her.

Caroline grabbed it, tears in her eyes. She took a sip and then looked up at Athena, "can I just go home?" She whimpered.

"Of course," Athena murmured, picking her up when Caroline stumbled after standing. "Ooh, I got you, Luv." She's been picking up one too many people tonight. Caroline laid her head on Athena's chest, wrapping her arms around her neck. "See you around, Matt."

The boy nodded with pursed lips.

Athena walked out of the bar, grimacing when she saw Liz and her other officers. What are they doing here?

Think about it. Damon was angry, he probably killed someone.

Shit.

The door closed behind them as Athena began walking to her car. Liz saw them, concern and worry swirling in her eyes as she rushed over. "What happened?" She asked, jogging over, "is she okay?"

"Like you care," Caroline slurred before slumping against Athena. The redhead was almost face-palmed.

"She's drunk?" Liz gave Athena a death glare.

"As a skunk," Caroline pitched in unhelpfully, burrowing her face in Athena's neck.

"Are they serving her in there?" Liz put her hands on her hips, looking directly at Athena.

The redhead blinked, "I'll take her home. I haven't been drinking, don't worry. She'll be okay," she shot her a nervous smile.

"I would appreciate that, Athena. Thank you," Liz said then turned her attention to Caroline, "you and I will discuss this later."

Caroline picked up her head, staring at her through hooded eyes, "mmm. Can't wait," she drawled. Athena jerked her arm a bit and Caroline scrunched her nose, burrowing back into her.

Liz nodded her head towards the parking lot. Athena gave her an apologetic look and then proceeded to her car. She unlocked her Jeep when she got close enough and popped open the passenger door. She slid Caroline inside and opened up the glove compartment where she kept some water bottles and blood. They were cooled because Athena was a witch and used her powers for random ass shit.

"Mm," Caroline groaned slightly, "T-Tina?" Athena hummed, "don't—don't let Damon h-hurt Lexi, o-okay?" The blonde looked at her through half-closed eyes, "she—she's my—my and S-Stefan's friend!"

Athena chuckled, smiling and resting a hand on her girlfriend's cheek, brushing her thumb over her cheekbone. "Okay, honey," that reminded her, "Hey, I actually have a present for Lexi. I'm gonna turn on the car and blast some cold air okay?" Caroline nodded and tugged on Athena's jacket.

The redhead slid it off and handed it to Caroline along with the water bottle. "Thank you, daddy," the blonde mumbled distractedly, opening up the water bottle.

Athena's lip quirked into a smirk and she closed the door, walking around the car and getting into the driver's seat. She turned on the car and turned up the AC. She plugged her phone into the AUX and started playing the playlist she made for Caroline, keeping it turned down.

"I'll be right back," she promised, pecking Caroline's cheek and then getting back out. She closed the door and made her way back to the grill.

Before she could get inside, she heard gunshots, the scent of Lexi's blood that she had made her own flooding into her nose. Panic washed over her and she sprinted towards the back of the restaurant, hoping she wasn't too late.

"Why?" Lexi whispered to Damon, a stake in her heart.

"It's part of the plan," Damon whispered back. Then he twisted, the stake going through Lexi's heart and killing her.

"NO!" Athena yelled, speeding over and throwing Damon off of Lexi, catching the woman in her arms. Lexi stares up at her, eyes black and body grayed. "No, no, no," Athena sobbed, "I—I told Caroline I'd protect you! Lexi..."

Damon looked panicked, what is she doing?! He looked at Liz who had lowered her gun, shock painting her features. She was staring at Athena with both fear and betrayal.

"You weren't supposed to die..." Athena whispered, the ring in her pocket now feeling like lead.

Damon put a hand on Liz's arm, "you okay?" He asked, diverting the blonde's attention to him.

"Thank you," she told him.

"You were supposed to make Stefan happy again," Athena ran her fingers over Lexi's cheeks, the salty-ness of her tears making its way into her mouth.

"Get it in the car quickly," Liz told Damon and Athena.

The redhead whirled around, snarling at the sheriff, "she's not an it!" She hissed, "she was your daughter's friend!" Liz looked shocked at the outburst and pained at the mention of her daughter.

Liz looked at a loss for words. Athena then sighed, knowing getting angry at the human who didn't understand wouldn't do anything. She looked back at Lexi one more time and then pressed her lips to her forehead. She pulled back after letting her lips linger and stood up, facing Liz.

She raised her hand in front of the sheriff's face. "W-What are you doing?" Liz asked, raising her gun again.

Athena looked over at Damon as she snapped in Liz's face. The blonde's eyes unfocused, body swaying a bit. As Liz's gaze refocused, Athena was gone in a blur of red.

The Heretic got into her car, slamming her door shut. Caroline winced beside her, "did she not like the—what happened?" The blonde reached out, swiping her thumb along the tear trails.

"Damon killed Lexi."

Carolin's hand flew up to her mouth, a choked gasp falling from her lips. Athena pulled out of the parking lot as Caroline began to silently cry. Athena reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ATHENA WALKED INTO Caroline's room, flicking on the light using the blonde's shoe. She had tired herself out with all the crying and the drunkenness was finally catching up with her.

Athena walked over to the blonde's bed and laid her down gently. She then went to work on her boots, shedding them off, before going to get some clothes for Caroline to change into.

The redhead walked back over to the bed as the blonde sat up, stripping off her dress. Athena pulled the shirt over Caroline's head and then helped her shimmy into the sweatpants.

"You're too good to me," Caroline murmured tiredly, laying back down as Athena sat next to her.

The Heretic tilted her head, "I'm a really nice person to the people I care for, Princess," she said.

Caroline blinked, "do you ever feel like there's not a person in the world that loves you?"

Athena breathed out her nose, "more than I should," she admits.

"I just wish..." Caroline paused before speaking again, "wish that life was... different."

Athena sighed, "me, too," she took Caroline's hand in hers and kissed the back of it, "that's why—you and I—we're gonna be each other's lifelines." Caroline tilted her head. "No matter what happens between us—you and I are always gonna be there for each other."

"Promise?"

Athena leaned down and pecked her nose, "promise."

The redhead moved to get up but Caroline caught her wrist, "please... don't leave me alone."

Athena smiled and shuffled in next to her, kicking off her own shoes.

Caroline grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers and setting them on her stomach as Athena turns off the lights.

"You and I against the world," Caroline murmured into the air.

"Damn right."

AN: Okay! I know it's really late but I've been busy decorating for Christmas plus my computer broke and I have to use one of my family members (who were on it when I wanted to right—ugh). I hope you enjoyed it! Constructive criticism is welcomed. Thank you for reading!

Also, happy late Thanksgiving! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving with your families or with your friends or significant other!

Word Count: 7742
Finished: November 27th, 2021
Edited: