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⸻⸻⋅☾ 🪐 ☽⋅⸻⸻

CLARKE

               𝗧𝗛𝗘 beat up converses that looked like they were ready to walk themselves to the trash, walked their way down the carpeted stairs of the house. It had been a week since the first day back and a week since the announcement of her estranged cousin coming to live with them. She now knew that he was about a year or two older than her and a grade above her thanks to the gossip train that was Bellamy Daniel's.

Her feet dragged herself to the kitchen where she knew her father would be. She was on her way to tell him of the fact she'd be attending the comet festival tonight. It was a comet that hasn't passed in over 145 years and the towns people decided to make an event out of it. And Clarke was not one to miss out on such a historic event.

Her foot about to step around the corner and into the room that was the kitchen she was met with the sound of her father speaking... and another voice responding. Her brows found themselves frowned as her ears appeared not to recognise the voice of the other. It was rare that someone would join them in the mornings. She stepped closer in order to hear the second voice a bit clearer. It was a man voice, of that much she could tell. And he sounded young.

Her heart rate suddenly increased as her mind wondered to just who this person was. This must be her cousin, Stefan. The one she had yet to meet. It appeared that the young man had decided to finally show his face.

The sound of those old white shoes squeaking against the wooden planks caught the attention of the two men that stood present in the room of the kitchen. The Salvatore girl was met with looking at the back of an unfamiliar leather jacket man that sat on one of four of the barstools that connected to the counter on which her father stood on the other side nursing a cup of coffee in his hand.

Once her father looked up he noticed his daughter standing there starting at the back of the unknown person.

"Clarke." Her father said prompting the mysterious man sitting to turn his head in her direction. Clarke noticed the face of a young man no more than eighteen with tussled light brunette and green eyes that reminded her of the forest grounds that stood behind her home. His tall muscular build began to rise from the stool, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Clarke – this is the man I was talking about... Stefan this is..." He trailed off as Stefan took a few respectful steps closer to the hesitant girl. Clarke looked at him almost studying him. His pale pink lips formed into a smile of comfort.

"Clarke... yes it's really good to see you." Stefan spoke in a tone of almost excitement yet with a soft gentle undertone. Clarke found herself almost frowning at his choice of wording. Good to see her? What had he met her before?

"It's really good to... meet you I've heard a bit about you. I hope you're liking it here so far." She said in a rather poor way of making small conversation. Her eyes remaining on the boy in front of her failed her in realising the stiffness her father's body took on at the exchange at hand.

"Clarkie, there's some breakfast here... why don't you sit down and eat before heading off to school." Her fathers voice cut off the silent exchange. Her eyes moved to meet those of her fathers as they narrowed.

"You...made breakfast?" She confusingly asked. She loved the man to death but his cooking skills would send you to the grave. Her father's eyes rolled while his face formed into a knowing look.

"Relax kid I didn't... turns out cousin Stefan's a cooking genius." Zach said earning a throaty chuckle from the man himself. Both Stefan and Clarke moved towards the bench with Stefan returning to his original seat and Clarke occupying the one on the right leaving a chair between them. Zach walked to the stove grabbing a plate from the nearby cupboard and dishing up something with a spatula.

When he turned around he revealed a plate with two buttercream pancakes accompanied by a small serving of scrambled eggs. Her eyes sightly widen at the plate of delicious food. Her father placed the plate in front of her walking away towards the fridge where he grabbed out a can of whipped cream. Along the way the man opened a set of draws grabbing out a knife and fork for the girl to eat.

Clarke watched her father open the can and smiled as he placed a small swell of the delicious cream on the pancakes. The man gave a knowing smile before turning away to place the cream back in the fridge. Clarke found herself grinning as she began digging into the plate of food. This was the best tasting breakfasts she'd ever had. The pancakes were made just right, the eggs were cooked just right. Everything on the plate in front of her was just right.

"I hope it's alright I cooked." Stefan soft spoken voice said snapping Clarke from her food trance. The girl immediately shook her head, mouth still full of egg.

"No no you can cook anytime, this is amazing!" She exclaimed swallowing the food in her mouth. She didn't want him thinking they didn't want him cooking, if anything Clarke wanted to hire him as their personal chef. The boy smiled lightly looking over at the girl with what could only be described as pure happiness.

"Aw well thank you Clarke but I'm sure your dad is just as good." Clarke almost choked on her food at his words.

"No he sucks." Her blunt voice spoke earning herself a look from the older man behind the counter. Her father scoffed.

"Excuse me missy i do not suck at cooking... I just have some improvements I need to work on."

"I'm sure he's not that bad." Stefan said looking at Clarke with a smile. The girl looked at the boy shaking her head wiping her mouth with the napkin she'd been given.

"One time dad set the oven to 80 degrees instead of 180 and gave me salmonella. I was sick for a week from it." She revealed causing Zach to roll his eyes and Stefan to widen his.

"A common mistake one would make – they really should have made the 1 bigger." Zach defended raising his hands. Stefan held back a laugh as Clarke glared at her father. Yeah, the week of non stop throwing up and sore stomach were all because the man couldn't read a recipe properly. Changing the subject Clarke remembered her previous reason for coming down.

"Hey dad, ah Bells asked if I wanted to go to the comet tonight and I was wondering if I could go?" She asked giving a sweet smile. Zach looked at her a moment before giving in. She knew that because Bellamy would be their and it was in town that he would let her go.

"As long as you're home before curfew it's fine by me." He sighed out causing Clarkes features to brighten. Zach smiled at his daughter's face loving the way those pink lips smiled. One smile from that girl always seemed to brighten his day. His features lit up as he remembered something from the previous day he had yet to tell his child of.

"So I have some news." He spoke aloud catching the attention of both Clarke and Stefan. Both turned to look at him in anticipation. He smiled.

"Sheriff Forbes decided to offer me a promotion and I said yes, so starting today you are looking at the newest assistant sheriff of Mystic Falls." The man proudly stated looking in the eyes of his now excited daughter. Her orbs widen as she let a breathy chuckle out. Leaping up from her seat she threw her arms up rushing towards her father.

"Oh my god dad congratulations! I'm so happy!" She said throwing her arms around his neck holding him tight. This was about time if you asked her. Her father had been working for the police department a little over fifteen years and had made massive changes and improvements to the department. He had never asked to be promoted, never asked for anything at all really, even though it was more than deserved. Everyone knew officer Salvatore to be a kind and genuine man who was never in it for the money but rather in it to make the town a better place. He had worked from the ground up and everything he didn't he earned with great stride.

"Congratulations Zach." Stefan said smiling at the older man who held his daughter. Zach offered him a kind smile nodding his head in thanks. Clarke smiled against her father's shoulder over the moon about his new job. Sheriff Forbes couldn't have chosen a better candidate.

"Thank you and with taking this job means I have more control of my hours and can even do more work from home meaning I get to be home more with you." He said fulling the girl with even more excitement. She loved her father and always hated it whenever he had to work late which was mostly all the time. She always missed him so hearing this practically made her day. It was also nice to see her father happy and smiling about something that was for him instead of for her. She loved seeing his happy face whenever something good would happen for him because she knew that it was absolutely deserved. Even if the man himself didn't think so.

Her father looked at his watch before back at her her and Stefan, his face forming into one of sight panic.

"Shit I'm going to be late – do either of you need a ride to school on my way to the station - I've got an early morning meeting with the sheriff ..."

"No dad don't worry you go I can walk." Clarke said trying to ease her panicked father. He gave her a look.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now go Minster before the Sheriff kicks your ass for being late." Clarke smirked. Her father rolled his eyes grabbing his keys off the bench before walking around the place a kiss on the crown of her head.

"Alright be good I love you." He called out, walking at a fast pace towards the kitchen doorway before disappearing down the corridor. Hearing the sound of the door slam close Clarke sighed turning back towards her close to empty plate of food. With her father gone she was now reminded of the fact she was now alone with a boy she'd meet just ten minutes ago. Her heart rate picked up sightly not knowing what to say.

Standing up from the stool Clarke made her way towards the sink placing her dish in and reminding herself to wash them later when she came home. She could feel his eyes on the back of her head. She bit her lip slowly turning around. She began to play with her finger tips picking at the nails giving him a half glance.

"Hey umm... did you maybe I don't know... wanna walk to school w-with me... only i-if you l-like wanted too i don't kn..."

"I would love to." His warm voice suddenly interrupted giving her a gentle smile. She found herself returning the gesture.

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Her heart felt as though it was in her throat as she walked along one of the many side streets leading into the heart of Mystic Falls. Surrounded by bush and trees, Clarke allowed herself to take in the view hearing all the sounds nature had to offer. It was one of the reasons she liked to walk. Hearing and listening to nature was a good way for her to feel grounded, calm. Unfortunately, given as to who she was with, nature didn't exactly cure her nerves.

She was now walking down the road and walking a few paces next to her was Stefan. She was now officially alone with him. It was not that she felt scared or worried about the boy no he seemed to be sweet and kind having a nice smile to his face. It was just she felt anxious. She knew the boy had been through something traumatic and she wanted to make him as comfortable as possible for however long he stayed with them.

With her right hand clutching the strap of her bag a little tighter she managed to turn her head in his direction. They had been walking around ten minutes and still had about twenty more to go so taking a deep breath the girl decided to strike up a conversation.

"Are y-you liking your t-time here i-in Mystic Falls?" She awkwardly asked cringing at herself for how the question sounded. Stefan turned, looking almost surprised to hear her voice and nodded his head.

"Yeah i like it." His gaze moved to look at the tree line "it's always so peaceful here." He said in almost a nostalgic tone which made Clarke frown sightly but she shook it off. She decided to give another question a go.

"So have you m-met anyone at school yet?" She asked this time with a little more confidence in her tone. She watched his lips turned into a soft smile almost like he was remembering something good.

"I have... her names Elena." He said in a soft whisper voice, half his lip curling up at the mention of her name. The girls face scrunched up, a single brow raised in his direction.

"Elena as in Elena Gilbert." She almost sheepishly asked. He nodded now fully looking at her.

"Yeah – why do you know her?" He asked in an almost hopeful tone. Clarke shook her head, her lips curling in as her hand began to play with her bag strap.

"Not personally but I've seen her around... I know her brother tho." She admitted in a tone of almost shame.

"Why do you say it like that?" She heard him ask followed by a small chuckle from him. Like he found it amusing. She bit her lip thinking about the Gilbert boy.

"We have... kind of a past... it's complicated." Was how she summed up her relationship with Jeremy Gilbert. She found herself again cringing at her choice of words and how shy and sheepish she sounded. Her eyes moved to the ground causing her to miss the way Stefan raise a brow at the tone and words she spoke. Thankfully for her he didn't push any further.

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With the sun fully set and the dark midnight sky covered in stars shining in the sky, Clarke stepped over the curb of the parking lot making her way towards the wooden glass doors that led into the Mystic Grill. Entering, she was met with the feeling of warmth and chatter as the grill found itself pack for the night of the comet. That was to be expected. Being a small town there were only so many places one could go out to and the grill just happens to be one of the only ones. It was a popular place amongst her peers and others around her age to seat and eat and enjoy one another's company.

It also happened to be the place that served Clarkes favourite. She had been stood outside with Bellamy simply talking before both had decided they were hungry. So while Bellamy held their candles and spoke to a few of their peers, Clarke decided to quickly run into the Grill and get them both an order of cheesy bacon fries and a large coke for them to share. Bellamy was always up for sharing a drink but never her food, it was a rule Clarke had become well acquainted with hence the two orders.

Stepping up the two steps to the bar, she found the bar surprisingly not busy with only having a few people sat at. Happily, Clarke strolled up to the bar placing both her arms on the counter as a girl she recognised from her school took her order. She didn't know her name but she knew her as one of the stoners and one that Jeremy often hung out around.

She was a few years older than her and had a bandage that was wrapped around the right side of her neck. She found herself sightly curious about the bandage but made no move to question it as she placed her order. The girl, Vicki, based on her name tag, offered her a smile saying it wouldn't be to long as she walked off to put it in.

Giving a nod Clarke decided to take a seat in the stool in front of her as she began waiting patiently for her food and drink.

"Busy night tonight ha?" A gruff sounding voice said sparking her attention. She jumped lightly at the sudden voice and sharply turned her head to the right. Sat three stools down was a muscular pale brunette man who looked to be in his mid thirties. He wore a black jumper hoodie and jeans that looked to have seen better days. He offered her a smile that set a shiver up her spine.

"Oh yeah b-but it's a festival what can you expect" Clarke couldn't help but blurt out sightly awkwardly wearing a fake smile. She didn't want to talk to the man but she didn't want to be rude or ignore him. She hoped by answering him he would go away but apparently the man took that as his get go to keep going.

"So... what's a pretty lady like you doing all by herself at a bar?" He asked, his eye brows moving up and down. She felt her heart beat against her chest as the man moved from his seat and walked not away, but towards her, sitting on the bar stool right next where she sat, just inches away from her. The man was uncomfortably close to her.

"Umm... I-I'm just w-waiting for my food, m-my friends just outside" She mumbled not looking at him but instead towards the kitchen, praying that they would hurry up on her order so she could leave. She felt his hand move to lightly touch her arm causing her to shutter lightly and move her arm away. She heard the man let a breathy chuckle out and in the corner of her eye saw him shake his head in the way a parent would shake their head at a disobedient child.

"Oh come on princess don't be like that - how about I buy you a drink?" He spoke softly in what sounded like a pouting voice. Feeling frightened the girl couldn't look him in the eye as she shook her head faster than what she would have wanted too.

"I'm fifteen - so please leave me alone." She said in a sightly louder voice than before - hoping to achieve her goal of getting rid of him. Unfortunately, luck was not on her side. His eyes changed to one's that could only be described as hunger like him knowing her age and it being younger had somehow made her more appealing.

God finally decided to pick up the phone and answer her prayers as Vicki soon came out holding two boxes of fries in one hand and a large coke in the other.

"There you go." Vicki said in a customer service voice wearing a small smile. Clarke thanked the girl quickly slamming down a ten dollar bill as a tip which Vicki took very kindly too before she stood up. She almost smiled as now was her get away where she could run back to the safety of Bellamy. But as she was turning around she suddenly felt a rough hand wrap around her arm. Her heart jumped up to her throat beginning to pound rapidly.

She was met with green eyes of hunger and rage that looked at her dead in her frighten browns.

"Don't be a bitch I'm just trying to be nice." The man snarled in her ear. A shaky breath that almost sounded like a sob escape her mouth as her body began to lightly shake.

"I-I'm s-sorry, p-please let m-me go." She stumbled out softly trying to remain calm in hopes he'll just forget about her and walk away or someone would notice and intervene. The man's grip tighten slightly causing her muscles to shake more and her face look close to sobbing.

The hand that once felt so tight around her arm was suddenly ripped off. Without a second thought the girl stumbled back holding the boxes against her chest and her drink tighter in her hand.

Her eyes met with the back of a tall muscular raven haired man who wore what appeared to be a black leather jacket. The man held the creepy man's wrist in what looked to be a tight grip based on creepy man's face.

"I'm so sorry does that hurt." The raven haired man replied in a monkish manner sounding like he was almost enjoying the look of pain from the creepy man. Clarke found herself staying stationery as she watched the raven haired man lean down and whisper something into creepy man's ear. Her eyes widen sightly as her saviour let go of the man's wrist and stepped back, allowing him full view of the shaking teenager. Creepy man looked at Clarke not moving a muscle as almost in a robotic voice said.

"I'm sorry I hurt you. It won't happen again." He spoke. Clarke couldn't muster up any words as she watched the creepy man turn around and walk down the steps walking out the wooden glass doors. Her mysterious saviour turned to face her. He slowly approached her looking down at her in what was either curiosity or concern; she couldn't tell.

"You ok sweetheart?" He softly asked, his blue orbs that she discovered he owned looking down at her. She found herself feeling lost in his concern still trying to process what had just happened. She was only snapped out of it after feeling a light touch on her arm. It was the mysterious saviours hand.

"Umm... y-yeah I'm ok. T-thank you sir." She stumbled out still trying to control her shakes and heart rate. She felt the thumb of the hand that held her arm move up and down in a comforting way as the man spoke up again.

"Why don't I walk you to where ever you and your friends are hm?" The man offered. Clarke felt herself feeling calm in his presence and managed to offer up and halfway smile. Her head nodded, he voice not feeling confident to show. The man gave a tight lipped smile and nod as Clarke led the way to the exit.

"I'm Damon." He introduced as he opened the wooden glass door. Clarke softly thanked him walking through. The man, Damon, walked through the door closing it on his way out.

"Clarke." She said finding her voice. Damon eyes looked to have widen sightly as something shone in them that Clarke couldn't quite understand. Damon shook his head gesturing for Clarke to continue walking, to which she did.

The pair walked over to the field where Bellamy stood along with a few people Clarke didn't know. They seemed too be wrapping up a conversation as Bellamy was laughing at something a boy with blonde hair had said before she turned locking eyes onto Clarke and Damon.

"Clarkie there you are I was about to send a search party out for you." Bellamy quipped tone said but with an underlining tone of concern only Clarke could read. The Blake girl soon locked eyes with Damon who stood just behind Clarke. Before Bellamy could say anything Clarke felt a touch on her arm.

"Are you ok from here?" Damon asked. Clarke nodded her head offering her saviour a genuine smile.

"Yes and thank you again for that... I-I really appreciate it." She heartily said. Damon gave a small smirk smile before turning around and beginning the small trip back over toward the grill. Clarke smiled, her eyes watching the man for a few seconds before turning back to her wide eyed best friend. Clarke laughed sightly her hand reaching up to grab the top fry box and handing it over to Bellamy. The Daniel's girl took it as she asked.

"Who was tall, dark, and husband over there?" Clarke giggled lightly at the nickname as she took a slip from her coke, eyes turning back to watch just as Damon entered back into the grill. She flipped her head back to look at her confused best friend before letting a small chuckle leave her throat.

"Don't worry about it."

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╰┈➤ authors note!!

Finally updates yay! Hope this long chapter makes up for my absence

Zach, Stefan and Clarke acting like a cute little family is seriously something I am living for

For Zach character I have changed him a lot. He still doesn't like vampires but he's on good terms with Stefan. He's an assistant sheriff which is kinda like the step under the sheriff

Your gonna see a lot more of Zach because I'm really excited to expand on his character