Chapter 16 - Word is Bond

Two days of silence, two days of recovery. Honestly, I couldn't even remember the last time I'd actually let myself rest this long. I was too used to constant motion, too used to being immersed in something anything other than my own mind. Even the team... I wondered if they'd noticed my absence. I hadn't even checked in.

Not that it mattered. I went to practice to pass the time, to kill the boredom. It kept my head from feeling like it was slowly imploding from the weight of magic and the bumbling theories that never seemed to stop cycling through my brain. A few hours of running around, tackling people, and was the perfect distraction.

A quick shower was all I needed to shake off the last of the lethargy. I ran the warm water over my face, the cool air in the bathroom hitting my skin in sharp contrast as I worked through my face care routine. My skin still felt tight from the strain of the ritual, but I wasn't about to let myself look like I'd been through hell. Plus, maintenance is the least of my worries. 

For example, Vicki Donovan had Damon turn her yet?

I run the thought through my head a few times. In the original timeline, it had to happen. Damon bites her, and she becomes one of them, all part of the bloody chain of events. But then, there's me. I've been here, alive, no dead weight holding me back. Which means nothing's certain anymore. Hell, things hadn't been certain since I moved to Mystical Falls and went grave robbing and the occasional thieving. If things hadn't been off the table, they are now.

But what if this moment Vicki turns into a vampire is a fixed point? What if it's inevitable, no matter how much I screw with everything? A piece of this tangled mess that always has to happen, no matter who's alive or what I do.

I shake my head, smirking a little at the absurdity of it all. What is this the Flash?

I threw on a black fitted top, a charcoal hoodie, grey sweatpants that were starting to fray at the hems, and my black Air Forces. Nothing special, typical gym goer/stay at home fit.

Enjoying the sound of my bike roaring to life, I kicked the stand up and sped off, the calm wind biting at my face. Heading my way to the Salvatore Estate, I have no use for Emily's talisman anymore. Plus, everyone knows word is bond; they should have my stuff ready for the trade by now, and if they don't, well, I'll just take what I'm owed and give the dam thing to the Bennets.

Thinking about it, I thought about Emily, watching me from the other side through the use of her talisman. And the thought unnerved me to no end. Like, is she watching me now? To be fair, I should've had the foresight to think about such instances, but hey, you live, and you learn.

Stefan Pov

Hunter had promised to come through. Well, no, scratch that. He more or less accepted my plight out of pity. He'd listened, sure, and I could tell he was weighing the consequences. But when it came down to it, after I'd practically had to give away things that were precious to me that could be considered a part of me, what about Damon jack shit.

As a matter of fact, thinking of Damon, he didn't seem to care either way. He sat in his usual spot in the boarding house, drink in hand, every bit the picture of someone who couldn't be bothered. But I knew better. Beneath the smirks and the flippant attitude, he was waiting, too. He wouldn't admit it.

I exhaled slowly, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Every moment we waited felt like another step toward the unknown. 

Would Hunter hold up his end of our deal, well, my deal, or had we just set something worse into motion? We would have given him time to plot whatever godforsaken plan he has in that little witchy mind of his. I am feeling paranoid, sure, but when it comes to witches, especially those who feel wrong, they can be quite vindictive. 

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the uneasy knot twisting in my stomach. How many times had I cleaned up after him? How many times had I overlooked his selfishness, knowing damn well he'd just throw my efforts back in my face when it suited him?

And yet, here I was. Still hoping.

I didn't want this to get worse. I didn't want things to spiral beyond where they already had. Because no matter how pissed I was, no matter how many times I told myself Damon deserved this, I couldn't bring myself to imagine life without him.

I must've been quiet for too long because Damon finally looked up from his drink, his gaze sharp under that carelessly indifferent mask he liked to wear.

"What?" He drawled like my anxiety was just another one of my ridiculous concerns. "You look like you're about to have a heart attack. Impressive, considering."

I met his gaze. "You don't care about what's happening, do you?"

He smirked. "Not really."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "That's a lie."

He took another lazy sip, then tilted his head. "Maybe. But what's the point in stressing about it? Either Hunter comes through, or he doesn't. Either he gets his revenge, or he follows through, Worrying won't change a damn thing."

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up. It was maddening, how easily he brushed everything off, how little he seemed to care that we were standing at the edge of something we might not be able to come back from. But that was Damon. Always reckless. Always pretending like none of it mattered even when it did.

Even when it could kill him.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice so only he could hear me. "You think this is just about revenge? You don't get it. We're not in control anymore. If Hunter decides this isn't enough, if he decides to go further… do you really think I can stop him?"

Damon's smirk faltered just for a second but it was enough. He knew. He just didn't want to face it.

"I think," he said, his tone lighter now, "that you worry too much about things you can't fix."

I leaned back, exhaling slowly, trying to push away the tightness in my chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe I did worry too much. But I also knew that if I didn't, no one else would.

---------------------------------------------------

"Hey everyone, I'm back! But I wanted to be upfront I'll be uploading a little less frequently for a while. I've been re-watching the series to improve my chapters and make sure the story evolves in the direction I really want. That, and I have to admit, I slightly fell out of love with it for a bit.

That said, if you're interested, I've also started another TVD fanfic! From the very beginning, the quality is a big step up still carrying some of the same tones, but with a more methodical and philosophical approach. I'll probably be updating that one more frequently, and I really hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for sticking around I appreciate you all!"