Claimed

AN: Hi i know its been some time since I was on this site, but I was watching the new netflix show On My Block, and inspiration hit. For the five people who read my previous stories, I apologise but I don't think I'll be ever finishing them :/
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I did in my head (and I promise to actually try and finish it)

Disclaimer: I've taken creative liberties with how gangs actually operate, and the geographic locations of Mystic Falls and NYC; pls bear with me I have only ever been to the US once

(New York City, May 1st 2016)

Matt shuffled back and forth through his- their (he had to keep reminding himself) apartment waiting for her to return. Running his hands through his hair, his blue eyes darted constantly between the floor and the antique clock hanging precariously above the door.
Any minute now; Any minute now.
His heart beat erratically against his chest as he silently willed the musty door to open and for the brunette to fling herself at him, but to no avail. Finally giving up on pacing, he spun a chair around and plopped himself on it, arms resting against the back as he stared at the door. She would be here soon; she had to be here soon.
Where else could she be?
He glanced at the clock again- 6:00pm.
She was due hours ago- where was she?

Reaching for his phone on the counter, he punched in her number again, groaning when he caught her dial tone for the fifth time. For a split second, he toyed with the idea of throwing his phone across the room; but decided that the repairs on the wall were not something he- they could afford right now.

Matt closed his eyes, trying to ascertain her location. 'I'm just going to get a few groceries for dinner,' she whispered; but that was 4 hours ago. Where could she have gone that was taking so long?
Opening his eyes again, he let out a long breath and resolved to go out and find her himself if she didn't materialise within the next 5 minutes.
Tick, tick, tick; he watched the second hand with a passion- willing the time to go faster so that he could leave. Why he hadn't left immediately escaped even him, but he'd silently promised her 5 minutes, so 5 minutes he would give her.

He jumped out of the chair violently when the minute hand hit the 5 marker, wincing slightly as he heard a crash. He would deal with that later. Right now he had a brunette to find. Grabbing his coat, he shoved his phone into the back pocket of his jeans and flung the door open-
to see Elena walking up the stairs, rummaging through her purse as she looked for a key.
She looked up to see him near the door and gave him one of those smiles that left his knee weak, holding out numerous shopping bags in a sheepish apology.
All his frustration and worry left him in a whoosh, gasping for air as he wordlessly took the bags and followed her into the kitchen, where she was talking. He was aware she was talking, but he hadn't the faintest idea about what. He watched her dart around the kitchen, filling cupboards and fridges until he finally found his voice and managed out,
"Where the fuck have you been?"

Elena turned around in surprise, stilling at the anger in his eyes.
"Matt, I just told you, I was getting groceries and-"
He slammed his hand down on the counter and she fumbled back instinctively.
"For four hours Elena? You've been buying groceries for four fucking hours?"
Elena backtracked, "No Matt," she said calmly, "That's what I wanted to explain to you over dinner, I was buying groceries when-"
He laughed harshly, cutting her off again.
"Save it Gilbert," she stiffened at the use of her last name, "I don't care where you've been, or who you've been with," Elena didn't miss how his eyes narrowed when he said who, "But today proved that I was right."
Elena looked at him closely, her heart thundering in her chest, "Right about what Matt?"
He gestured between them, "About this. Us. I got offered a place to play professionally next month, in San Diego, and I'm going to take it."
"That's so amazing Matt I'm so proud of you-"Elena leapt to throw her hands around him, but stopped when he raised his hand.
"I'm not finished."
Matt shoved papers towards her, but she barely looked at them.
"I leave tomorrow."

Elena felt her heart stop in her chest. "Don't you mean, we leave tomorrow?"
He raised his blue eyes to meet her brown, "No I mean I leave tomorrow," he says shortly.
"We're done Elena. You and me? It's over."
"Why?" she whispered, eyes brimming with unshed tears, "What did I do? How can we fix this? Matt please!"
She reached out to him, letting out a small gasp when he recoiled like she's burnt him.
"I can't do this anymore," he said stoically and a part of her wonders if he's rehearsed this, "We had a good run, but now I need to focus on myself."

And then she realised the bags near the bed. And the tears started falling.
They fell as he got up and pressed his lips to her head, and mumbles out a sorry. They fell as he picks up his bags and says that he'll be staying in a motel for the night, and the place is hers. They fell as he removed his key from the keychain she brought him at a carnival. They fell as he walked out of the door and she hears him calling out for a cab.
They fell as she mutters into an empty apartment, "I was late because I was at the doctor's. I'm pregnant Matty.

(New York City, September 1st 2016)

"Are you sure about this?"
Elena untangled her from the old man, and tiptoed to kiss away to frowns on his wrinkled face.
"I haven't been more sure of anything in my life Uncle John," she said smiling, her hand resting on her swollen belly "this is the right choice, for me and the baby."
"But you hate Mystic Falls," he implored, "You know that I'm happy to more than happy to support you until you get on your feet."
She laughed and threw her hands around him again, "I know Uncle John, and that's precisely why I need to leave. I'm nobody's charity. Besides, maybe this time around I'll have a better experience."

Looking at the determined glint in her eyes, John changed tactics, "New York is much safer, for the baby. Much less violence and murder."
She gave him an amused expression, "We read about a mugging yesterday that happened 2 blocks over. I will be fine Uncle John, and if I need anything you're just an hour away right?"
He smiled, but she could tell it was forced, "Just an hour away," he confirmed as he pushed the last of the suitcases in her trunk.

"That's the last of them," he said, in an attempt to delay her leaving by a few minutes. But she had already slipped into the driver's seat and was turning the key into the ignition. Popping her hand outside the window, Elena gave her uncle a wave and pressed her foot down. After 5 long years, Elena Gilbert was finally returning to Mystic Falls. The thought left a shudder in her spine.

(Mystic Falls, September 1st 2016)

Elena climbed out of her car, making a mental note to get it checked out after it sputtered to a stop; and took in the all too familiar house. The same un-assuming white paint, the same swing that creaked softly, the same (wilted) bushes around the house, the same gravel pathway to the house. All the same, and yet it looked different. She was home, and yet she felt like she was a stranger, seeing this house for the very first time.
"Five years can do that to you," a voice split through her musing, echoing her thoughts.
She turned in surprise, and her lips stretched into a wide smile at the dusky woman standing in front of her.
"Elena Gilbert, in the flesh," Bonnie paused, noticing the swollen belly, "and company I see."
"I've missed you Bonnie," she whispered, tackling the petite girl into a hug that was returned with the same ferocity.
"Don't let it ever be said that 5 years doesn't change you," Bonnie replied, leaning back to fully take in the brunette, "I suppose the- extension is why you finally turned your car homeward bound?"

Elena's palms rested on her belly, "Matt left me before I could tell him," she whispers, noting Bonnie's wide eyes, "I had no choice."
The raven haired girl whistled, "Well, I won't say I told you so; because Caroline will inadvertently make her way over to do just that, but I will help you unpack," she thrust the trunk open with a grunt, "This all your stuff?"

"There's no need Bonnie; I can manage," Elena said, trying (and failing) to pry the first box from Bonnie's hands, "Its fine, honestly I can do it. I'm pregnant not disabled."
But her protests fell to deaf ears. Bonnie hauled the first two boxes inside as Elena helplessly watched, and then bent to reach the suitcases stuffed at the back.
And that's when Elena saw it, peeking through the waistband of her shorts as Bonnie's shirt rode up. Black ink curled into a signature raven, it was unmistakeable.
"You joined the Salvatores," Elena said hoarsely, and Bonnie froze next to the trunk, suitcase in hand.

"She did. We all did. Well, most of us anyway."
Elena whipped around to greet blond curls, and she forced down her hands.
"Caroline."
The blond stretched her face into a thin lipped smile, and while there was no malice, there was no love either.
"Welcome home Elena."

And there you have it!
The first chapter. There's a lot of unsaid history between the girls, and obviously Elena and Mystic Falls.
As I mentioned eariler, this is loosely based on On My Block, so the Salvatores are the name of an italian gang that has its homebase in Mystic Falls. Which means obviously, we'll be meeting our favourite brothers soon enough
The title of the story will make sense soon enough, bear with me please
And review!
The main reason I stopped writing is because I felt like nobody was enjoying my stories, and trust me- its not a nice feeling. So i hope this one doesn't end up like hte others, leave a review!
-A