Your Silence

A/N:

Thank you for the continuous support! I appreciate it, greatly.

Hopefully, you've now gathered that updates will be done every other Thursday!

So once a few weeks.

This was a long chapter for me to write- let me know if it dragged a little bit. Hopefully, not, I think it showed a little bit of background on Marco so hopefully you enjoy Lydia's 'little friend' ;))

Anyway, read on!x


Last time:

After leaving Vicki in the hands of Stefan, Lydia was sure that her day would end calmly, at least in some aspect. Boy was she wrong. Pulling up into the Salvatore House, Lydia frowned at the familiar silver porsche in this town. Biting her tongue, Lydia shut off the engine, grabbing her purse before stepping out of the vehicle- just to be hit with the smell of a vampire besides herself, Stefan or Damon.

Lydia stepped towards the door at a leisurely pace and without a moment of hesitation; she opened the door to see the one person she had hoped not to see. Marco. Sitting comfortably on the rich, blood sofa not facing her- he looked casual, too casual.

"I think we've got quite a bit to discuss, don't you think, Lydia?" He asked, his musky eyes looking at her beneath his lashes for the first time since a few months ago but it still made her insides flutter and so did his god 'awful' voice.

Lydia groaned. "I would say so."

Lord damn this town.


Lydia shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her hands pushing against each other as a tense silence filled the space between them- it was morning now. Last night, Lydia and Marco agreed to have a conversation in the morning; Lydia was exhausted from the day and Marco was simply not denying the luxury of sleep which did not come easy for both. After burning sage, texting Frederica- Lydia drifted; only to face Marco when she woke up and here they were. Awkward.

Marco was an older guy, one that mothers would warn their teenage daughter not to get involved with. His aged, musky, dark grey eyes pulled you in like cigarette smoke; unhealthy but addicting. His jaw line was sharp and curved like he was some kind of god- he was surreal and every time Lydia glanced at him, she drooled. Not literally... not always. The stance he was standing in was wide, 'alpha male'- showing his control meanwhile Lydia cringed pitifully. She was well aware of the contrast between them at this moment.

"Let me cut to the chase. Frederica shouldn't have told you to come back." He said, his slightly deep but gruff voice pulling Lydia towards him as he spat- he was unforgiving but that's why he was who he was.

"It seems like trouble finds me?" She shrugged, Lydia wasn't going to be serious until he snapped and knowing Marco- that wouldn't be long.

The morning sunlight streamed into the living room, contrasting the way in which Marco and Lydia felt- soft and gentle contrasting hard and dark. Devils and Angels staring right into each other.

Marco shook his head with a gruff laugh. "You see, I think it's the other way around." He paused, searching for liquor. "You're wards are down and the coven is getting closer."

Ah."Well, that's not good." Lydia's breath hitched in her throat, she bit her lip- looking Marco up and down as he continued his search. Rolling her eyes, she pulled out bourbon out of the cabinet at the side- handling him the bottle as she took out two crystal glasses.

Marco guffawed, his eyes crinkling meanwhile pouring them both a considerable amount of the alcohol. "Not good is an understatement. They still don't consider your payment- as payment. Now that Damon is involved... it complicates things."

Lydia nodded, she understood what that meant- if she didn't pay up or if Damon got too involved then things wouldn't go too well. "What do they want this time?" Lydia asked, slightly fearing the answer she was going to get.

"They want a necklace. Emily Bennett's talisman, little amber thing?" Marco revealed, taking a sip of the dark liquid in his glass; he didn't understand why or what they wanted with it but nevertheless- wished Lydia would just give it to them.

"Emily Bennett's talisman?" Lydia frowned. Was that all? Marco nodded, shrugging his shoulders. "I've got it here, Damon gave me it once, a long time ago- told me to keep hold of it until he asked for it?"

There was something missing or Lydia wasn't connecting the dots?... Why would the Coven want a necklace that belonged to Emily Bennett? Unless, it somehow payed back the debt which Damon had made for himself.

"Marco?" Lydia called after a few minutes pause and he looked up- eyes inviting. "I don't think I'll give him the necklace."

Whatever Lydia would do, Marco would stay by her, and Frederica. "Must be important if the Coven wants it." He considered.

Lydia shrugged, it was obviously precious but she didn't quite know why; what did Damon ask the Coven for? "I think it's about time we talk to Damon about this." She paused, thinking of the best way to approach it. "This won't be a smooth conversation."

Marco grinned, his eyes on Lydia's as she paced around the room. "This is why I'm glad my bloodline died out with me."

"Oh stop it." Lydia groaned, her lips pulling softly as she smacked him passingly as they flashed away to the grill, their drinks left on the small table; only a remainder of their scent remaining in the empty room.


The grill was bustling with energy despite it being a school day- people were chatting happily and bartenders were struggling with orders for food or drinks. The busy but smooth atmosphere of the grill was calming to Lydia- knowing that it would help her achieve her goal of keeping the conversation to at least a decent level of security.

Marco looked around the grill, impressed with the vibe of the place but, not that impressed. He took Lydia's hand, wrapping it around his arm as they walked further in- he ordered a drink. Looking around for Damon whom he found in less than a minute, sitting further down the bar, his eyes on the drink in front of him as he thought.

"Damon." He spoke, Lydia's eyes followed his- finding her brother and smiling softly at him despite the already building tension between the two dominating men. It was weird, the testosterone in the room made her want to freak.

"Marco, pleasant surprise." Damon didn't even lift his head, his lips pulling into a faint smirk as Lydia looked between the two with unconcealed surprise. "Did you think a guy like Marco would go unseen, Lydia?" He snorted, shaking his head- his sister would never change, still so... oblivious to everything.

Lydia's eyes turned to Marco, her lips pursed as he just shrugged- his expression innocent as he moved towards Damon, clapping his back in passing. "Let's just get straight to the point." She poked, moving towards Damon as well, compelling the girl sitting next to him to move.

"Which is?" Damon asked, his eyes flicking between Marco and Lydia with unconcealed amusement. "I'm trembling out of excitement." He further stated, glinting with sarcasm.

"The Coven- what's your purpose with them and stop with the bullshit you gave me yesterday." The situation was getting serious and she was getting sick of being chased. Marco looked between the two older siblings, they were so similar but so different- it was a shame they could not see it.

"I told you. You'll find out." Damon shrugged the question off, his expression sour- he was also sick. Sick of being pestered about something which he was going to disclose with time, when it would make the most impact.

Lydia glowered at Damon, sniggering once she remembered about the crystal. "How about a certain... Talisman? Emily Bennett's talisman?" She paused for effect, her lips pulling at the corners mischievously. "Must be important if the Coven wants it for payment."

Lydia could see a reaction; his eyebrows pulled down, hands tightening around the transparent glass containing swirling, amber. "Good of you to mention it, I need that back." He played off cool, finally turning to meet her eye as she giggled sweetly turning to Marco.

"Did you hear that Marco? He needs it back." Lydia grinned, her ocean eyes moving to him. Marco simply smiled, his eyes darkening. "Over my dead body." She winked, flashing him that sickly smile again before gesturing to Marco that they were going to leave.

She didn't see Damon's movement until it was too late, the hand he held his drink with sprung out, clasping onto hers. "I would reconsider that decision, Lydia." His eyes moving from her's to Marco who was ready to tear out the limb.

Lydia shook her head, ripping out her hand from his hold. "I don't think so." She sneered, gesturing to Marco that it was time to leave.

Lydia was more than happy with the result; Damon was now bated, she could manipulate him to her liking and she enjoyed it all the while. Despite Damon's incessant bs about 'finding out in time', Lydia was satisfied and no one was going to take away this small victory from her.


The next day

The shining rays of the sun streamed into the room, illuminating every object with a sheen that only the sun was able to achieve. In the background walked in Lydia, her body and hair covered in a comfy towel as she searched her closet for an outfit to wear. "Another day, the same problem. " She grumbled, her sapphire blues shimmering.

The day started off well, Lydia dressed in a satin, cream cami and paired that with some rust red flared, professional pants- she felt great. Sexy but professional especially with her pinkish heels. She went downstairs, poured herself some blood from a blood bag she stole the other day and sipped casually- walking towards the living room, it was strangely quiet. No sight of Stefan, Marco, Damon or Zach.

"Anyone home?" She wondered aloud, calling to see if anyone was actually home- it was early, Lydia was surprised that everyone was busy doing whatever they were doing.

Plopping onto the couch, Lydia took out a book from the wall- Anna Karenina, a classic, and read quietly, occasionally sipping on the bloody liquid in her glass.

"Stefan's outside, 'preparing for his big game'." Marco laughed, sliding the outside doors shut as he walked towards her, a smile on his aged face.

"Oh really? Hasn't he got to go soon?" Lydia finished up her meal, putting down the book that she had read a chunky bit of already and strolled towards the kitchen, her heels tapping as she walked. "I'll talk to him in a little while, let me mask the smell." she smiled, somewhat awkwardly as Marco nodded understandingly.

"Call me when you're ready to go, I'm going to the grill." He touched her arm in passing, telling her good morning- you look great though his body language and then he went off, his leather jacket clad body disappearing.

Strolling past the kitchen and back into the living room, Lydia opened the sliding doors to the vast back garden, coming in contact with him almost immediately as he threw the ball towards her. "Stefan!" She squealed, the ball landing in her hands all because of her quick reflexes.

Stefan smiled, at ill ease; he still wasn't sure how to behave around the runaway sister but nonetheless- he was trying and Lydia appreciated it, a lot. "About Elena..." He started, making the situation worse for himself as Lydia watched him.

"Stefan, seriously... it's fine." Lydia stopped him, her eyes glinting in the bright sun as she played around with the football- chucking it back to him although her throw was... bad.

Lydia saw Stefan mulling over something before he threw the ball back to her."She's not Katherine, she's good; she's pure." There was a flicker in Stefan's eye, Lydia smiled- he was already falling in love with her.

"I just want to make sure you won't be hurt again, you or Damon." Lydia looked down, the ball in her grasp once more as she turned it over in her grasp.

The expression on Stefan's face darkened, he looked down; his eyes understanding. "Why do you blame yourself? None of us were at fault. Katherine was manipulative"

Lydia raised her eyebrows, a giggle escaping her lips as she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she was but Elena isn't so go ahead, little brother, I give you my 'blessing."

There was something light in the air, a lightness that immediately transferred to the two siblings; their relationship seemed to be on a path of redemption, a path that would see their closeness being restored all because of one Elena Gilbert. Wasn't that ironic?


The light, crisp morning was a far fetched fantasy now as the dark sky rolled in. Marco sat in the living room, waiting for Lydia as she retouched her makeup in her conjoined bathroom. He deliberated the current situation; Damon had an ulterior motive and the coven was in some sort of relation to it. The Coven consisted of 20 witches; male and female. It was led by Nikolai and he was... unforgivable, but not as powerful as some of his coven members thought.

Nikolai depended on the whole Coven, and his power derived from taking source from the members. They were all oblivious to it, however. Marco was a mitigator of some sort between Lydia and the Coven. He initiated change in their relationship; be it for good or for worse.

All in all, besides being the key man in Lydia's and Frederica's disposal; he had a team of people tailing her brothers and sometimes, he was there himself. It's true that he was a noticeable man, Marco had broken cover and got to know each brother despite what Lydia told him.

Finally, Lydia trailed down stairs, her hair secured in a loose bun that added to her earlier outfit; her lip stood in a proud blood red, she loved her look. "So, are you ready?" Lydia asked, her soft lips pulling into a smile as she smoothed herself down despite being in the bathroom for more than half an hour.

"Nervous?" Marco cocked is eyebrow, noticing her mannerism- she had nothing to be nervous about, she was looking great. "You don't need to be." He snorted

Lydia shrugged, a bad feeling stirring in her stomach. "I dunno? I have a bad feeling." She mulled her words over and shrugged again, dismissing the feeling for nerves.

"Let's go watch Stef play football." Marco circled his arm around her waist as they got into his car, driving off into the 'sunset'.


The football field was packed with teens, adults and few children who came to support their brother or sister. It was great, Lydia found herself right in her element; walking hand in hand with Marco and smiling at everyone, Lydia was beaming. She loved excitement, or used to- but, in this moment; she was her old self. The Lydia who smiled and made funny jokes just to piss off Damon or make Stefan laugh.

Marco chuckled, his eyes alight with affection for the woman who was skipping around the teens, positively beaming- it was a breath of fresh air. "Shimmer down, cowboy. The game hasn't even started."

Lydia shrugged, impatient but happy to some extent. Something was wrong though, it was time and there was no one on the field apart from cheerleaders who seemed to be confused. "Marco, does something seem wrong to you?" She asked, as they sat in their seats.

Marco looked around, cautiously. "No?" He disagreed, his tone questioning. "Maybe they're getting the 'warm-up-speech'?" He wondered aloud.

Shaking her head, Lydia was sure of something being wrong- especially since they arrived late. "Why don't you stay here and I'll go try and find Stefan." She smiled at him when he protested and patted his hand. "I'll be right back. I'm just going to find Stefan, no biggie."


The back of the locker room was darkened by the black sky, the fresh air having a bite to it that Lydia certainly felt and so did her brother. Lydia closed in on them, hearing every word- what has this come to?

"-you hate me because you loved her, and you torture me because you still do. And that, my brother, is your humanity." Stefan spat, his eyes a raging fire that was ready to explode but in his depths laid pity, pity that his older brother could not get over that one certain woman.

Lydia shook her head, her bun becoming loose as she neared her brothers. "Please, stop." She whimpered, her eyes trained on Damon as soft as a cashmere sweater. "Please, please, please." She hated seeing this, hated the way Damon's eyes rested on her's with no remorse but the morbid truth was; it was simply too late to ask for anything.

"Salvatore! What the hell? We've got a game to play!" Stefan's football coach walked out, his strained face masking the inner happiness for the game, Lydia could see that he wanted football team to do well.

There was an opportunity in this because Damon obviously saw it. "If that's my humanity... then what's this?" Damon sped towards the coach, without a second of hesitation savagely ripping into his throat causing tears to trickle out of Lydia's eyes as she froze in shock watching her brother's disregard of human life. "No!"

"I want my talisman, Lydia." He teared his face away from the dead coach, his transformed eyes resting heavily on her's. Anyone, anytime, any place." He added, furiously spitting at Stefan who looked on with remorse and disgust.

"Get over it Damon! Katherine's dead!" Lydia screamed, her eyes desperate for some kind of signal in her brother's eyes but she found nothing- only death.

It was quicker than she knew it, Damon's hands tightened on Lydia's neck, his hands kneading the soft tissue which restricted the flow of oxygen into her brain. "Where. Is. It." He emphasised, the remainder of the coach on his breath and tongue.

"Somewhere safe." In truth, Lydia had given the talisman to a special friend of her's as some in this town may know as 'crazy lady'. It was safe with her now, Damon would not get it.

The strain of Damon's hand on her neck was suddenly gone, he was ripped off her in a flash of dark red; Marco swooping in on him with no mercy, Stefan shocked to silence as he caught her in his arms- murmuring words of reassurance as she sobbed.

Lydia now realised; whatever it took, Damon had to be stopped. He just had to and that was the hardest thing.