AN: This story is a sequel, it follows on from Anything For You. All the same warnings apply- swearing, violence, slash, incest- you know, all the good stuff. Since I wrote Unsettling and Anything For You I've watched Season 4. As this verse is AU from the end of Season 3 I've used a lot of the lore from Season 4 but only very vague plot points. Enjoy!
The atmosphere is electric, it's Jeremy's first game in the majors tonight. All the gang have come from Mystic Falls to watch.
"This is great," Rebekah says enthusiastically through a mouthful of hotdog.
"Sure is," agrees Stefan, who is sporting a backwards baseball cap. It just goes to show how into this Stefan is, his hair's totally gonna be flat when that cap comes off. Kol himself is wearing a cap signed by none other than the Braves new hitter, Jeremy Gilbert, and a jersey. Someone asked him about his hat on the way in and when he'd said it was Jeremy's signature they'd just given him a blank look. Well, they'd see. Elijah's wearing a jersey too, and he's got himself a giant foam finger. Even Nick is wearing a jersey and a cap, it's so cool that everyone is getting involved. Elena's gone all out, she is covered from head to toe in red, white and blue. She's even painted her nails and is wearing face paint, and she's roped Damon into wearing face paint too.
"Where are Matt and Caroline?" Kol asks Elena.
"They'll be here soon," she tells him. "Matt still hasn't got a daylight ring, so they're just waiting till dark." Ah yes, it was the only downside to killing Bonnie; daylight rings aren't so easy to come by anymore. "Oh my God! This is so exciting," Elena all but squeals with delight. Kol gives her a grin, it is exciting. It something he's wanted for Jeremy, a chance to make his mark on the world.
The players run onto the field and a cheer comes from the crowd. They all join in, Elena, Rebekah and Elijah are the most enthusiastic in outwardly showing their support. The girls cheer loudly and Elijah waves his foam finger about. It's an amusing spectacle to see a thousand year old immortal so excited about a giant foam finger. The smirk on Nick's face says he thinks so too, but there's a fondness in his eyes that says he thinks Elijah's being completely adorable as well.
Jeremy steps up to the plate. Kol has complete confidence in Jeremy's ability. Kol's pitched to Jeremy hundreds of times, not to mention he wouldn't have been drafted straight out of high school if he wasn't good enough to be here. He's been in training camps and played a few games in the minors since last June, he can do this. The pitcher sends a fast ball at him and Jeremy's swing is perfect. He sends the ball into the crowd, and it's a home run. The crowd cheer wildly, themselves included. They've all just witnessed a star in the making.
xxx
It's midway through the fourth innings.
"What'd we miss?" Matt asks before his ass even has a chance to hit the seat.
"Well," Elena begins in adoring-yet-clueless big sister mode, "Jeremy's doing really well, he hit the ball and everything."
"Shoosh Elena," Matt says impatiently, cutting her off. "Let Kol tell me properly." Elena doesn't look too impressed by that but Matt is looking at Kol rather intensely so Kol fills him in. He's not taking sides, it's just basic survival instinct; don't get between a jock and sport.
"These are great seats," Matt comments now that he's got the lowdown on the game and calmed down enough to actually take in his surroundings. "I'll be able to catch a foul ball from here for sure."
"Maybe," Caroline comments.
"There's no maybe about it," Matt tells her. "I don't care if I have to push babies and grandmas out of the way, if that ball comes this way, it's mine," Matt finishes, rubbing his hands together in anticipation and with a maniacal glint in his eye. Caroline shoots Elena a worried look, they've both known Matt since they were kids, so Kol can only assume from the looks on their faces that they believe he means it. In fact none of their group seems to miss how much Matt wants this ball. Kol's attention is drawn back to the field, Jeremy's just stepped up to the plate again. The first pitch gets past him, and the second, but not the third. He hits it hard and it's another home run. Again the crowd go wild and Kol couldn't be happier.
xxx
It's the seventh innings stretch and that means some entertainment. The big screen comes alive with kiss-cam which is a real crowd pleaser. They pick random couples from throughout the audience and eventually the Mystic Falls crew is drawn into the fun. The camera lands on Elena and Damon and they don't hold back. It earns them a cheer from the crowd and that's when Kol notices the look in Rebekah's eye; she won't be outdone by Elena. Rebekah gets to her feet and pulls Stefan up too and they make a real show of it. The crowd around them cheer louder, something the camera operators don't fail to notice and they frame the shot so both couples are on the screen. Embarrassingly Kol can see himself on the screen sitting with Nick and Elijah in between the kissing couples.
It's then that Nick gives Elijah an evil grin which Elijah answers with a knowing look and a devilish smirk of his own. No, they wouldn't...yes, they would. It's mortifying and Kol buries his face in his hands. Luckily the camera operators have the presence of mind to cut to another shot pretty quick. The saving grace is that no one knows they are in anyway associated with Jeremy.
xxx
The ball sails towards them and Matt's out of his seat ready. As the ball comes closer it's clear it's heading a few seats to the left of Matt. Desperately he pushes past Caroline, Elena and Damon, just like he said he would. His determination is clear on his face and the people around them cheer, some of them standing in the hope they'll be the one to catch it, but the ball heads straight towards Nick. In the moment before it reaches him he throws a challenging look at Matt. Matt considers his options for a split second and then the determined look slides from his face and is replaced by one of reluctant acceptance and maybe a touch of fearfulness too. Nick reaches up and plucks the ball from the air with a satisfied smirk.
"Nice catch!" Stefan declares, slapping his best mate on the back to congratulate him.
"I rather thought so," Nick says with a smile and then tosses the ball to Matt, "did you want this?" Matt catches the ball and looks at Nick who has a challenging look in his eyes. It's clear from the look on Matt's face that he's not sure how to play this. In the end he shrugs and says, "sure, thanks."
The Braves have this won, but Jeremy's got one more chance at the plate. The pressures off, they can't lose now and Jeremy's proved he's good enough to be here. The pitcher sends a nasty splitter at Jeremy and he misses it. The next pitch is a curve ball that Jeremy doesn't fail to hit. He sends it flying for his third home run of the game.
xxx
As they leave Kol feels something tug on his sleeve, he looks down to see a child.
"Hey Mister, who signed your hat?" Kol is not accustomed to dealing with children at all and he looks at Rebekah for support, but she just gives him a smile. It's an amused smile that says she's interested to see how Kol will handle this, but there's an affectionate warmth there too.
"Jeremy Gilbert," Kol tells the boy whose eyes grow wide with excitement. The child turns to where another boy is standing and calls to him.
"Hey! It's Jeremy Gilbert's autograph!" The second child starts towards them as the first child turns back to Kol, "can I see it?"
"Umm, ok..." Kol says, taking his hat off and handing it to the kid. The kids huddle together examining the hat and talking in excited whispers. Surprisingly Kol kind of likes them and he realises it's because these are Jeremy's fans.
"Thanks," the kid says, offering the hat back to Kol.
"Keep it," Kol says, he's pretty sure he'll be able to get another one.
"Really?" the kid asks disbelievingly.
"Really," Kol answers with a smile.
"Thanks!" the kid says and then he runs off. Kol doesn't miss the wistful look on Rebekah's face as she watches the children go.
"That was-" Nick begins but Kol tells him to shut up. They are all looking at him with varying degrees of disbelief or sappiness, which is making Kol very uncomfortable. He's slowly coming to terms with being a, dare he think it, nicer person, but heaven forbid anyone else think of him that way.