The Awakening-Salvatore Brothers Soulmate Story

by Angelcake1998

For Story Summary, Refer to Main Character Introduction.

4. Friday Night Bites

Italics-William Tanner

Bold & Italics-Stefan Salvatore and Amaya Gilbert

~Mystics Falls High School~

The following Monday Morning, the Younger Gilbert Sister and Forbes Daughter were accosted upon their arrival to Mystic Falls High School by the Bennett Daughter as they made their way across the School Courtyard towards the Front Entrance. And suffice to assume, the Doe Eyed Mortal Fae had been less than pleased when her Elder Twin Sister's Best Friend had immediately started to ridicule the budding relationship between she and the Green Eyed Sired Vampire.

"I'm not saying don't date the guy. I'm just saying take it slow." Bonnie Bennett advised with an imploring expression as she followed the Gilbert/Forbes Duo across the School Courtyard.

"I thought you were going be more supportive, Bonnie." Caroline hissed with an angered tone of voice as she glared at the Bennett Daughter, who seemed to have suddenly developed an unjustified distrust of the Younger Salvatore Son.

"Yeah. Well... Now, I'm saying take it slow." Bonnie retorted with an expression of indifference as she glanced from the agitated Forbes Daughter towards the confused Gilbert Daughter.

"What are you withholding from us, Bonnie...?" Amaya questioned with an arched brow as she and Caroline paused in their journey to focus their attention onto the Bennett Girl.

"I'm not... Look, you've never had any interest in relationships before you met Stefan. I'm just saying, its the perfect time to play the field." Bonnie commented with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as she focused her gaze onto the Younger Gilbert Sister.

"That's not who I am, Bonnie..." Amaya responded with an offended glimmer lingering in her Navy Blue Eyes at the rude insinuation of her character as she stared at Bonnie with furrowed brows.

"Seriously. What are you not saying?" Caroline demanded with an annoyed scowl directed towards the Bennett Daughter, her prior anger having merely escalated at the unwarranted slander against her Lifelong Best Friend.

"It's stupid." Bonnie muttered with an expression of uncertainty as she attempts to resume her journey towards the School Entrance, only for Caroline to halt her tactful retreat by blocking her pathway.

"Bonnie." Amaya urged with an arched brow directed towards the obviously hesitant Bennett Daughter.

"Spit it out." Caroline interjected as she crossed her arms before her chest with an apparent glare directed towards the Bennett Girl, causing Amaya to glance towards her Childhood Best Friend with an amused smile at the Forbes Daughter's protective instincts surfacing.

"I accidentally touched Stefan and I got a really bad feeling..." Bonnie admitted with a sigh of resignation, causing Caroline to arch an unimpressed eyebrow in her direction.

"Is that it?" Caroline questioned with a dismissive shrug of her shoulders as she and Amaya exchanged brief glances between themselves.

"Bonnie." Amaya urged once more for the Bennett Daughter to elaborate further on her previous statement with the recently discovered knowledge of the Ancestral Witch Heritage that lingered in the Bennett Family History.

"It was bad bad!" Bonnie exclaimed with an expression of desperation as she glanced between the Gilbert/Forbes Duo.

"Does this have something to do with what your Grams has been telling you about your Family History...?" Caroline questioned with an arched brow directed towards the Bennett Girl, causing Bonnie to glance towards the Forbes Girl with a prominent scowl etched across her features.

"You know what...? I'm just concerned..." Bonnie asserted as she glanced from the Forbes Daughter towards the Younger Gilbert Twin. "This is me expressing concern for your New Boyfriend."

"And I appreciate the sentiment of it. I do..." Amaya responded with an expression of reassurance as she smiled towards the obviously distressed Bennett Daughter. "But I feel better than I have since the accident. These last few months have been extremely difficult for not only myself but what remains of my Family as well. But I no longer feel as though I am drowning in an unending Sea of Darkness. And the truth of the matter is... Stefan is the main reason for that."

With an uneasy nod of her head in acceptance of the Younger Gilbert Daughter's truthful assertion, Bonnie allowed herself to consider Amaya's desperation for even the most primitive semblance of happiness since the unfortunate loss of her Late Parents. Not to mention, the Younger Gilbert Twin having to constantly act as intermediator between her Elder Twin Sister and their Younger Brother. It could only be expected that Amaya coveted for even the most rudimentary sense of normalcy that she could possibly find for herself.

"Hey, I have to meet Tiki at the office to turn in this year's Cheer Roster..." Caroline mentioned as she glanced at her wristwatch before focusing her attention onto her Childhood Best Friend as she prepares to make her way towards the School Entrance. "I'll meet you in First Period, Buttercup."

"Okay, CareBear." Amaya responded with an affirmative nod of her head as she and Caroline embraced briefly before the Forbes Daughter made her way across the School Courtyard.

"Good Morning, Amaya..." Stefan Salvatore greeted as he approached his New Girlfriend and the Bennett Girl as they made their way towards the School Entrance. "Bonnie."

"Hey. Um... I gotta find Elena. She said she'd meet me at my locker since she needed to stop by home to change..." Bonnie explains with an expression of discomfort as she glances between the Younger Gilbert Sister and the Younger Salvatore Brother. "So. Um... I'll see you later, Amaya..."

Without further indication from the Bennett Daughter, Bonnie made her way across the School Courtyard without another glance backwards at the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo with the excuse of searching for the Elder Gilbert Daughter, who had not returned to the Gilbert Residence since the Comet Festivities due to an altercation that had occurred between she and the Gilbert Son after the Younger Gilbert Daughter had taken her leave for the Evening, meaning Amaya had not been present to act as intermediator between her Elder Twin Sister and their Younger Brother.

"I feel as though she's none too fond of me..." Stefan mused with an expression of confusion written across his features as he averted his gaze from the Bennett Girl's retreating figure towards his seemingly Human Girlfriend.

"Because she doesn't know you... But once she does... She will adore you." Amaya corrected as she glanced towards the Younger Salvatore Son with an elegant smile as she and Stefan made their way towards the School Entrance. "This is what we'll do... Are you available this Evening?"

"Hmm..." Stefan mused with an expression of feigned thoughtfulness as he averted his gaze from the amused smile on Amaya's features for the briefest moment before returning his attention to his seemingly Human Girlfriend once more. "Yes."

"Fantastic... Dinner. My House. 8 O'Clock. You, Bonnie, Caroline, and I... You and Bonnie will spend the Evening getting to know one another and she will come to realize what an amazing person you are... Mission Accomplished." Amaya announced with a triumphant smile etched across her features as Stefan gazed down upon her with an expression of amusement.

With an affectionate smile displayed across his ageless features, Stefan settled his arm around Amaya's shoulders as they resumed their journey towards the Front Entrance of Mystic Falls High School, causing many of their Fellow Classmates and Faculty Members to glance towards the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo with varying degrees of curiosity and fascination.

As the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo made their way through the crowded High School Corridors together towards their shared History Lesson, their conversation had veered to the subject of Extracurricular Activities as Amaya makes her way towards her locker to retrieve the necessary Coarse Textbooks that she would need for the duration of the Morning.

"I had not known you played Football..." Amaya commented with an arched brow as she glanced towards the Salvatore Son while absentmindedly gathering the materials that she would require for her Morning Classes.

"When I was younger... Not so much anymore." Stefan responded with an easy smile as he leaned his shoulder against the wall of lockers beside Amaya's own.

"Why not Try Out for the Varsity Team...?" Amaya suggested with an encouraging smile directed towards the Younger Salvatore Son.

"Probably not the best idea..." Stefan responded with an expression of skepticism written across his features as Amaya closed her locker to focus her attention onto her Vampire Boyfriend.

"And why ever not...?" Amaya questioned with an innocent tilt of her head in curiosity as she and Stefan resumed their journey towards their Advanced Algebra Lesson.

"While I enjoy Football tremendously... In this particular case... I don't think Football is too fond of me..." Stefan admitted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, causing Amaya to glance towards him with furrowed brows of confusion. "Tyler Lockwood seems to have an issue with his authority being challenged... And I think it would only serve to agitate him further if I were to join the Varsity Team after having been here for no more than the previous week."

"Tyler doesn't know you. To everyone here... You're the Mysterious Loner... Couldn't possibly hurt to become apart of something... Make Friends." Amaya commented with an encouraging smile etched across her rosy hued lips as she and Stefan paused before entering the History Classroom.

"I'll consider it..." Stefan acquiesced with an amused smile as he gazed down upon his seemingly Human Girlfriend with an expression of curiosity. "And what of yourself...? Any Extracurricular Activities that I should know of?"

"As matter of fact... Yes... I'm on the Varsity Cheer Squad. Co-Captain with Caroline." Amaya responded with an innocent smile as she entered the History Classroom without another glance backwards, causing an animalistic growl to escape from the Younger Salvatore Son's chest as he made to follow the Little Temptress that was his Doe Eyed Girl.

Amidst the classroom of Junior Students, the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo continuously exchanged flirtatious glances between themselves while simultaneously listening to the detailed narration of World War II, oblivious to the blaring resentment that was etched across the Elder Gilbert Daughter's features as she observed the affectionate interactions between her Younger Twin Sister and the Salvatore Son.

"World War II ended in... Anyone got anything...? Miss Juan...?" Tanner paused as he glanced towards Julia Juan before deciding to answer the question himself as it became apparent that the Juan Girl was clueless as to the answer. "1945."

"Psst." Amaya whispered as she leaned towards the Salvatore Son with an innocently secretive smile, causing Stefan to glance towards her with an expression of fond affection written across his features. "FYI... Our Varsity Team is in desperate need of an improvement... They could only benefit from your joining."

"Perhaps. But let us not forget..." Stefan whispered in response with an amused tone of voice before pausing as he directed a taunting smile towards his seemingly Doe Eyed Girlfriend. "I'm the Mysterious Loner."

"Miss Gilbert...?" Tanner voiced as he scowled in response to the hushed conversation between the Younger Gilbert Daughter and the Salvatore Son, causing Amaya to avert her attention from Stefan as she glanced towards the History Teacher with an innocent hum. "Pearl Harbor?"

"December 7th, 1941." The Salvatore/Gilbert Duo answered in tandem with one another, causing Stefan and Amaya to exchange amused glances between themselves before returning their attention towards the glowering Tanner Man.

"Thank you, Miss Gilbert..." Tanner retorted with a sarcastic tone of voice as he glanced between Stefan and Amaya with an expression of disapproval.

"You're welcome." The Salvatore/Gilbert Duo responded in synchronization once more with identical coy smiles directed towards their Asshat of a History Teacher, as coined by the Gilbert Siblings' Aunt and Legal Guardian.

"Mmm... The Fall of the Berlin Wall-" Tanner continued as he averted his attention towards the remainder of his obviously amused Junior Class.

"1989." The Salvatore/Gilbert Couple chorused in tandem with one another, causing Tanner to focus his attention onto the Salvatore Son and Gilbert Daughter once more.

"We're good with dates, Sir..." Stefan commented with an amused tone of voice as he glanced briefly towards the smirking Doe Eyed Girl.

"Are you...? How good?" Tanner questioned with an annoyed scowl as he noticed the avid enjoyment displayed by his students, causing his jaw to clench in agitation of having been outwitted by the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo once again. "Keep it to the year."

"Civil Rights Act."

"1964."

"John F. Kennedy Assassination."

"1963."

"Martin Luther King."

"1968."

"Lincoln."

"1865."

"Roe vs. Wade."

"1973."

"Brown vs. Board."

"1954."

"The Battle of Gettysburg."

"1863."

"Korean War."

"1950 to 1953."

"Ha! It ended in '52!" Tanner exclaimed with an expression of smug triumph as he stalked towards the Salvatore Son and Gilbert Daughter with victory evident in his eyes.

"Actually, Mr. Tanner... The Korean War ended in 1953." Amaya corrected with an arched brow in response to the History Teacher's immature behavior.

"Look it up! Somebody!" Tanner demanded with an expression of unadulterated anger as the prominent scowl reappeared across his features at the notion of having been made such an embarrassing mistake in front his students in the heat of the moment. "Quickly!"

"It was 19... 53." Caroline chimed from her position behind the Younger Gilbert Twin with an apparent smirk etched across her features as Tanner visibly deflated in embarrassment.

With the echoing of applause throughout the History Classroom, Stefan and Amaya exchanged brief glances between one another as their classmates jovially celebrated Tanner's publicized humiliation. However, the prominent scowl etched across the Elder Gilbert Twin's features expressed her obvious discontent with the interaction between her Younger Twin Sister and the Salvatore Son.

~Mystic Falls High School Football Field~

That Afternoon, the Younger Salvatore Son had made his way towards the Mystic Falls High School Football Field after having considered his seemingly Human Girlfriend's suggestion that he join the Varsity Team. From the Bleachers, Stefan observed as the Football Team executed Formation Drills across the Field under the observant supervision of their Team Captain, the Donovan Son.

"Nice job! Nice job!" Matt Donovan announced as he removed his Football Helmet while his Teammates made their way towards their Starting Positions once more.

"Mr. Lockwood... Is there anything you're good at? 'Cause it isn't History. And it sure as Hell isn't Defending the Ball!" Tanner shouts with an agitated tone of voice as he addresses the Lockwood Son, causing Stefan to hesitate before he descended the Metal Bleachers to approach the Varsity Coach.

"Yes, Coach." Tyler Lockwood responds with an expression of frustration written across his features as he made his way towards his Starting Position to continue with the Practice Drills.

"Now do it again!" Tanner demands as he returns to his previous position on the Field Sidelines, where Stefan Salvatore could be seen waiting patiently for the Varsity Coach.

On the Practice Field for the Varsity Cheer Squad, the Gilbert/Forbes Duo could be found amidst their Squad Mates as they were executing their Practice Warm Ups with the Bennett Daughter in anticipation of the First Cheerleading Practice of the School Year while awaiting the arrival of the remainder of the Cheer Squad.

"Oh. Before I forget..." Amaya commented with an expression of sudden remembrance as she glanced towards the Bennett Girl. "You're invited to Dinner at my house tonight."

"I am...?" Bonnie questioned with furrowed brows of confusion at the spontaneous invitation from the Younger of the Gilbert Twins.

"Mhm... You, Caroline, Stefan, and I..." Amaya responded with an amicable tone of voice before scowling at the expression of hesitation that had appeared on Bonnie's features at the mere mention of Stefan. "You cannot continue to be wary of Stefan, Bonnie. He has done nothing to warrant such behavior."

"Tonight's no good... Have you seen Amelia? I texted her like a hundred times..." Bonnie commented in an attempt to divert the conversation, causing the Gilbert/Forbes Duo to exchange glances between themselves at the mysterious absence of their Squad Mate.

"Don't change the subject, Bonnie Bennett! You're going to be there." Caroline declared with finality as she averted the attention away from the Monroe Daughter's absence for the moment in an attempt not to assume the worse.

"Fine. I'll go." Bonnie acquiesced with an expression of discontent etched across her features as the Gilbert/Forbes Duo resumed their stretches.

The Younger Gilbert Daughter had been focused on her Pre-Practice Warm Ups when an exclamation from the Bennett Daughter diverted her attention, causing Amaya to glance towards Bonnie from where she and Caroline were stretching together. And as her Navy Blue Eyes gravitated towards the edge of the Practice Field, Amaya furrowed her brows at the sight of her Elder Twin Sister dressed in her Spandex Practice Attire from the year prior as she made her way towards the gathered Cheer Squad with an easy smile etched across her lips.

"Oh my God! You're here!" Bonnie exclaimed with an overjoyed tone of voice as she and Elena embraced while Caroline and Amaya warily approached the two of them.

"Yep. I can't be sad girl forever. The only way to get things back to the way they were... Are to do things that were." Elena commented with an exaggerated flourish of her arms before lowering herself to the ground as she began to stretch in preparation for Cheer Practice.

Back on the Football Field, the Younger Salvatore Son could be found unsuccessfully attempting to convince Coach Tanner to allow him to join the Varsity Football Team but was having no such luck since the Tanner Man had developed an avid dislike of Stefan after his and Amaya's earlier demonstration of their knowledge during History Class.

"Varsity Trials were Last Spring, Mr. Salvatore." Coach Tanner commented with an expression of disinterest as he continued to observe the Football Team's Practice Drills.

"I'd not been here at that time, Sir..." Stefan responded as he glanced from the Football Field towards the stubborn Varsity Coach.

"And you're not here now, as far as I'm concerned." Tanner retorted without bothering to glance towards the Salvatore Son as an egotistical smirk appeared across his lips at his own petty actions.

"Mr. Tanner... I understand that you and I have not had the best interactions. And I would like to apologize for that..." Stefan declared with feigned sincerity edging his tone of voice, causing Tanner to glance towards him with an unimpressed demeanor. "I've played Football before. Predominantly Wide Receiver. And I would like to think that I know what I'm doing."

"Well... I won't be asking you who won the Super Bowl in '71." Tanner commented with an expression of smug amusement as he averted his attention towards the Football Field once more.

"1971 had been..." Stefan made to respond before pausing abruptly at the glower that Tanner had directed towards him. "Sorry... I understand, Sir."

"Just to see you get knocked on your ass... Borrow some gear... Go! Before I change my mind." Tanner instructed as he glowered at the Salvatore Son before averting his attention to the Varsity Team once more as Stefan made his way towards the Locker Rooms. "Let's run it again!"

Across the Football Field, Amaya and Caroline glanced towards their wristwatches once again to notice that Cheer Practice should have commenced ten minutes earlier if not for the absence of the Monroe Daughter, who had failed to attend her Coarse Lessons for the duration of the School Day and had yet to arrive for the First Cheer Practice of the New Season.

"Seriously. Where the Hell is Amelia?" Caroline demanded with an annoyed tone of voice as she glanced towards her Childhood Best Friend.

"I don't know. This isn't like her." Elena commented from her position on the ground beside the Bennett Girl as she and Bonnie observed Caroline and Amaya as they seemed to consider their options.

"We have no choice. We'll have to start without her." Caroline surmised with an audible sigh of frustration as she glanced towards Amaya with annoyance written clear across her features.

"I suppose we could run through our Regular Routines without the Game Day Playlist..." Amaya suggested with an expression of thoughtful consideration as she glanced towards Caroline with obvious hesitancy. "Will the Squad be able to perform without the tempo to follow...?"

"I don't know..." Caroline admitted with frustration as she threaded her fingers through her Honey Blonde Hair as she considered whether or not the Cheer Squad would be able to perform without the tempo of the predetermined music since having become accustomed to following the beat of the Team's Playlist, which the Monroe Girl had been tasked with updating with more current material during the Summer Break.

"I'll try her again." Bonnie offered as she retrieved her Cell Phone from her Gym Bag before pausing as the Elder Gilbert Twin grasped onto her wrist to divert her attention.

"Um..." Elena whispered with an expression of curiosity as an expensive Blue Convertible appeared in the Parking Lot and, after kissing the Driver farewell, the Monroe Daughter emerged from the Passenger Seat with a decorative scarf wrapped around her neck.

"Oh my God." Bonnie muttered with utter disbelief etched across her features as she and Elena stood from the ground to observe their Squad Mate as she made her way towards the Practice Field.

"Who's that she's with...?" Caroline questioned with furrowed brows of confusion as she had never before seen the Mystery Man that had accompanied the Monroe Girl.

"That would be Damon Salvatore." Amaya answered as she crossed her arms before her chest while glowering at the Elder Salvatore Brother, only for Damon to smirk in response to the Younger Gilbert Daughter's prominent scowl before winking in her direction.

"Salvatore? As in Stefan?" Elena questioned in bewilderment as she glanced towards Amaya with arched brows, having not been aware that her Younger Twin Sister's New Boyfriend was related to such an Adonis.

"His Elder Brother..." Amaya admitted with an absentminded tone of voice as she merely arched her brow challengingly in response to Damon's flirtatious behavior, remaining oblivious to the apparent smirk that had appeared across her Elder Twin Sister's features as Elena attempted to garner the Elder Salvatore Brother's attention with an allegedly sultry smile that did more to annoy Damon than attract him.

"Sorry I'm late, Girls. I was... Busy." Amelia Monroe commented without an ounce of remorse as she approached the Co-Captains of the Varsity Cheer Squad.

"We'll discuss your issue with punctuality after Practice, Amelia." Amaya declared as she crossed her arms before her chest while Amelia made her way towards the Digital Stereo, connecting the MP3 Player with the Team's Playlist before pressing Play.

"Alright. Let's start with the Double Pike Herkie Hurdler. What do you say?" Caroline announced as she and Amaya assumed their positions in front of the Cheer Squad as the Practice Session commenced.

"And 5, 6, 7, 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8." Amaya voiced over the sound of the upbeat tempo of the Team Playlist, counting the steps of the New Dance Drills as she and Caroline demonstrated the First Routine for the gathering of Varsity Cheerleaders.

Unbeknownst to the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Damon had hesitated momentarily before taking his leave as his Icy Blue Eyes remained fixated on Amaya, who had long since allowed herself to become consumed with her Cheer Routines as the manner in which her body moved seemed more erotic than had been intended. And for the briefest moment, the Raven Haired Vampire wondered if the Doe Eyed Girl were attempting to seduce him with her sultry Dance Moves. Though only once she had begun to make her way through the gathered Varsity Cheerleaders had he been freed of the trance that ensnared his mind ever so effectively.

Once having ensured the entire Cheer Squad were performing the First Routine as instructed, Caroline and Amaya slowly made their way through the Team Formation with the intent of correcting the Team Members that needed assistance as they made their rounds, ignoring the Blue Convertible that seemed to flee the High School Parking Lot within seconds of their having moved from the front of the gathering. And fairly early on into the Practice Session, it had become glaringly obvious to the Co-Captains that one of their Squad Members had been far less than prepared upon arriving for their Afternoon Practice.

"Elena? Maybe you should just observe for today? Okay?" Caroline suggested as she noticed the Elder Gilbert Twin had fallen behind on the steps of the First Routine. "Keep going! Okay. Do it again from the top!"

"And 5, 6, 7, 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8." Amaya voiced once more as she continued to narrate the steps of the New Routine as she refrained from glancing towards her Elder Twin Sister as Elena made her way towards the back of the formation for the remainder of their Practice Session.

Without further disturbance, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo continued to guide the Cheer Squad through the First Practice of the School Year. Midway through the Rehearsal, Amaya noticed that Elena had seemingly lost interest in committing the many steps of their New Cheer Routines to memory per instruction as she threaded her fingers through her hair with an expression of thoughtful consideration. And in that moment, Amaya knew that Elena would come to the conclusion that she would not remain on the Cheer Squad for their Junior Year of High School.

~Salvatore Boarding House~

After Football Practice had come to an end, the Green Eyed Vampire had returned to the Salvatore Boarding House with the intent to shower and dress for the Dinner Party that his seemingly Human Girlfriend had orchestrated for that Evening. As he emerged from the Ensuite Bathroom into his Attic Bedroom, Stefan found his Elder Brother poised behind his Antique Desk as Damon thumbed through his Younger Brother's Personal Journal.

"How were Varsity Trials? Did you make the team?" Damon inquired with a taunting tone of voice as his Icy Blue Eyes followed his Younger Brother's elegant penmanship. "Very Emerson of you... The way that you express your thoughts with such... Passion."

"Why are you in here?" Stefan questions with an annoyed tone of voice as he instantaneously appears before his Antique Desk, ripping the Leather Bound Journal from his Elder Brother's grasp.

"I've come to apologize... I've been doing some thinking... Some Soul Searching. And... I think the time has come that we lay this feud to rest..." Damon declared with an expression of feigned sincerity as he made his way around the Mahogany Desk, settling his hands onto his Younger Brother's shoulders. "You're my Little Brother. And if you want to continue with this Human Life that you've created for yourself here... Then that is what I want for you... Perhaps I could even do the same... Perhaps there is hope for the both of us."

As silence lulled between the Salvatore Brothers, Stefan examined his Elder Brother's behavior for any indication of whether the Ravenette Salvatore had been truthful or not. However, as the expression of feigned sincerity that Damon had managed to maintain eventually shattered when the vast amusement he had been suppressing finally registered across his features until his laughter seemed to practically echo through the otherwise silent Third Floor Bedroom.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Damon..." Stefan comments with an audible sigh of resignation as Damon makes his way to his Bedroom Door.

"Of course not... Oh! Before I forget... It may interest you to know that I happened to have seen Darling Amaya earlier this Afternoon..." Damon admits with an apparent smirk as he pauses in the doorway to glance over his shoulder at his Younger Brother while his thoughts filtered images of Amaya through his mind against his own restraint. "She'd been at Cheerleading Practice... She'd looked absolutely delectable in the petite Spandex that she'd been wearing..." Damon mentioned with an expression of avid enjoyment before hesitating when he noticed the Ripper Persona his Younger Brother usually fought to contain having made an unexpected appearance at the mention of the Younger Gilbert Daughter. "Calm down... I hadn't even gone near her. I have my own Cheerleader as of recently. Oh, that reminds me... I wouldn't want to be late for our date... Wish me luck."

Without further agitating the Chestnut Haired Vampire, the Elder Salvatore Brother promptly vacated the Attic Bedroom before Ripper Stefan decided enough of his Humanity had been demonstrated as of late towards Damon, meaning an inconceivable amount of pain being induced upon the Raven Haired Vampire that would prove near impossible to recover from if prior experiences were any indication. Once the Elder Salvatore Brother had taken his leave from the Third Floor Bedroom, Stefan ignored the normally alarming ease with which his Alter Ego had emerged from the confines of his mind as he resumed his previous task of preparing himself for the Dinner Party that his seemingly Human Girlfriend had orchestrated for his benefit this Evening.

~Gilbert Residence~

In the Kitchen of the Gilbert Household, the Gilbert/Forbes Duo were behind the Kitchen Island as they transferred the Pasta Dishes that Amaya had made onto Stoneware Platters before she and Caroline carried them to the Dining Room Table where the Gilbert/Bennett Duo had long since settled themselves. And as it so happened, Bonnie had invited Elena to the Dinner Party after Cheerleading Practice, oblivious to the fact that Amaya had deliberately excluded her Elder Twin Sister due to her knowledge that Elena desired Stefan for herself.

"You explain it. Last Night, I'm watching Nine-O. A Commercial Break comes on and I'm like 'I bet it's that Phone Commercial.' And sure enough, it's the guy and the girl on the bench. He flies to Paris...? And he flies back...? They take a picture...?" Bonnie explains as she and Elena folded Cloth Napkins at the Dining Table, seemingly ignoring Caroline and Amaya's mere presence as they continue to prepare Dinner.

"Oh, come on. That commercial's on a constant loop." Elena laughingly comments with a dismissive shrug of her shoulders as she glances towards her Childhood Best Friend with obvious doubt.

"Fine. Well, how about this? Today, I'm obsessed with numbers. Three numbers. I keep seeing 8, 14, and 22. How weird is that?" Bonnie admitted with an arched brow directed towards the Elder Gilbert Twin, causing Amaya and Caroline to exchange glances between themselves at the confirmation of Bonnie having unintentionally accessed her Ancestral Magick.

"Maybe we should play the Lottery..." Elena suggested with an amused smile directed towards the Bennett Girl, causing Bonnie to tilt her head with an eyeroll at her Lifelong Best Friend's dismissive comment.

"Have you mentioned this to your Grams...?" Amaya inquired with an arched brow as she glanced over her shoulder towards the Bennett Daughter at the glaringly obvious notion that she should have opted to speak with the Elder Bennett Woman long before now.

"She's just gonna say it's because I'm a Witch..." Bonnie retorted as she glanced briefly towards the Younger Gilbert Sister before returning her attention to her Elder Twin Sister once more. "I don't wanna be a Witch. Do you wanna be a Witch?"

"I don't wanna be a Witch." Elena denied with furrowed brows of distaste that had not gone unnoticed by the Gilbert/Forbes Duo.

"Okay. Serving Spoons." Caroline muttered with an expression of hesitancy as she whirled around in circles behind the Kitchen Island. "Where are the Serving Spoons?"

"Middle Drawer on your left." Amaya and Bonnie responded in tandem, causing the two of them to exchange curious glances at one another.

"Okay..." Elena muttered with furrowed brows of confusion as Caroline retrieved the Wooden Serving Spoons from the Kitchen Drawer that had been suggested. "So, you've been in this Kitchen like a thousand times."

"Yeah, that's it." Bonnie retorted with an expression of doubt etched across her features as Caroline and Amaya exchanged knowing glances with one another yet again.

Once the Gilbert/Forbes Duo had settled the Stoneware Dishes onto the Dining Room Table, the echoing of the Front Doorbell sounded throughout the otherwise silent Gilbert Household, causing the expression on Amaya's features to brighten at the arrival of the Final Guest for their impromptu Dinner Party this Evening.

Once Dinner had commenced, silence had inevitably descended across the Dining Room of the Gilbert Residence with the Younger Salvatore Son seated at the Head of the Wooden Table, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo having settled on his Right Hand Side while the Bennett/Gilbert Duo were seated on his Left Hand Side.

"Did Tanner give you a hard time today?" Caroline questioned as she glanced towards her Best Friend's New Boyfriend with an expression of genuine curiosity.

"Well... He allowed me to join the team. So, I must have done something to impress him." Stefan answered with an appreciative smile directed towards the Forbes Daughter for her attempt at lessening the tension that had encompassed the Dinner Guests.

"I would consider that an accomplishment unto its own... Considering what happened during History Class." Amaya commented with an amused tone of voice as she glanced towards her Vampire Boyfriend.

"You should have seen Stefan and Amaya this Morning, Bonnie. Tanner-" Caroline announced with an excited tone of voice as she glanced towards the Bennett Daughter with an enthusiastic smile.

"Yeah, I heard." Bonnie interjected with a dismissive tone of voice as she glanced towards the Forbes Daughter with an unimpressed expression.

"Bonnie, why don't you tell Stefan about your Family?" Elena urged with a coy smirk as she tilted her head with feigned innocence, causing Bonnie to glower in her Best Friend's direction for the suggestion.

"Um... Divorced. No Mom. Live with my Dad." Bonnie admitted with an awkward shrug of her shoulders as she purposefully avoided the subject of the Bennett Family Heritage.

"No. About the Witches." Caroline interjected with an arched brow directed towards the obviously hesitant Bennett Girl.

"The Bennett Family has an Extended History of Ancestral Witches in their Familial Bloodline. Quite interesting, is it not?" Amaya explained as she glanced towards her Vampire Boyfriend with an enchanting smile, causing Bonnie to avert her gaze to the Dining Table with an expression of genuine doubt.

"That's not the word I'd use." Bonnie denied in a whispered tone of voice as she avoided making eye contact with the other Dinner Guests.

"Well... I admit that it certainly is intriguing. I'm not too versed on the subject... But I do know that Mystic Falls had an Undocumented Migration of Celtic Druids that immigrated here during the 17th Century as detailed by the Founders Archives after the Town Founding in the Early 19th Century." Stefan explained with furrowed brows of thought as he focused his attention onto the Bennett Daughter, causing Amaya and Caroline to change brief glances between themselves at the uncommon information that were often obscured from Public Viewing.

"My Family came by way of Salem." Bonnie corrected as she glanced towards the Salvatore Son with an expression of intrigue etched across her features in response to his knowledge of such an obscure matter.

"Salem Witches...?" Stefan questioned with an arched brow directed towards the Bennett Girl before receiving an affirmative nod of the head in response to his inquiry. "Well, I would certainly consider that interesting."

"Really?" Bonnie retorted with furrowed brows as her intrigue seemed to only heighten at the Salvatore Son's comment.

"Why?" Elena interjected with an expression of confusion as she glanced towards the Green Eyed Vampire, causing Caroline and Amaya to glower towards the Elder Gilbert Twin for her obvious disregard.

"Salem Witches are heroic examples of individualism and nonconformity." Stefan admitted with an affirmative nod of his head towards the Bennett Girl, causing an expression of pleasant surprise to appear across Bonnie's features.

"Yeah, they are." Bonnie agreed with an expression of genuine pride as she smiled appreciatively towards Stefan, causing Caroline and Amaya to exchange victorious glances between themselves.

Once conversation had lulled between the Dinner Party Guests, the echoing of the Front Doorbell through the otherwise silent Gilbert Household startled those gathered around the Dining Room Table, causing Amaya to make her way through the Entrance Corridor with Elena following behind her. And as the Doe Eyed Girl opened the Front Door, an expression of genuine surprise registered across Amaya's features at the appearance of Damon Salvatore and Amelia Monroe on the Front Porch.

"Surprise! Elena said you were doing Dinner. So, we brought dessert." Amelia announced with an enthusiastic smile as she crossed the threshold into the Entrance Corridor while Amaya glanced towards her Elder Twin Sister with furrowed brows, immediately taking notice of the accomplished smirk on Elena's lips as she examined the Elder Salvatore Brother appreciatively.

"Hope we're not intruding..." Damon commented with an enigmatic smirk as he glanced between the Gilbert Twins before settling his Icy Blue Eyes onto Amaya for longer than could be considered appropriate.

"What are you doing here?" Stefan demanded as he appeared before the Front Door of the Gilbert Household after having heard the sound of his Elder Brother's voice.

"Waiting for Amaya to invite me inside." Damon admits with a flirtatious smirk directed towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter, causing Amaya to glower at the Elder Salvatore Brother for using her presence to agitate Stefan.

"Oh. Yeah, you can-" Elena agreed with a nonchalant gesture of her hand for Damon to enter the Gilbert House before being interrupted by her Younger Twin Sister, who knew precisely what the implications of granting the Elder Salvatore Brother verbal invitation would have been.

"Elena." Amaya interjected as she grasped onto her Elder Twin Sister's forearm to avert her attention from Damon, causing Elena to glance towards her Younger Twin Sister with furrowed brows of confusion.

"No. No. No. He can't-Uh-He can't stay... Can you, Damon?" Stefan questioned as he directed a threatening glower towards his Elder Brother, causing Damon's smirk to broaden at the obvious alarm that had registered with his Younger Brother.

"Get in here." Amelia demanded with furrowed brows of confusion as she glanced between the Salvatore Brothers before focusing her attention on her Vampire Boyfriend.

"We were finished with Dinner, as it is..." Stefan assured as he glanced towards the Monroe Girl before leveling Damon with an intense warning glare.

"It's fine... Just come on in." Elena urged as she glanced from Stefan towards his Elder Brother with an inviting smile, causing Amaya to stiffen as Damon stepped across the threshold of the Gilbert Family Home.

"You've an absolutely beautiful home, Amaya." Damon compliments as he pauses beside the Younger Gilbert Twin, causing Amaya to nod her head in acceptance of the Elder Salvatore Brother's flattery.

"Thank you." Amaya responded with an unconvincing smile directed towards the Ravenette Vampire.

Once the Elder Salvatore Brother had made his way through the Entrance Corridor towards the Dining Room, Amaya glanced towards her Vampire Boyfriend with an expression of hesitancy that had not gone unnoticed by Stefan as he pressed an affectionate kiss to her temple in reassurance before the two of them made to join the other Dinner Guests in the Dining Room.

Later that Evening, the guests of the Dinner Party had gathered in the Living Room as conversation shifted to the Younger Salvatore Son having joined the Varsity Football Team. The Salvatore/Gilbert Couple having settled on the Living Room Sofa with the Forbes Daughter while the Love Seats had been occupied by the Salvatore/Monroe Couple and Bennett/Gilbert Duo.

"I can't believe that Mr. Tanner let you on the team. Tyler must be seething. But good for you. Go for it." Amelia commented with an enthusiastic smile from her position perched on the arm of the Love Seat that Damon currently occupied.

"Just as I have been saying to him... You have to engage... You cannot merely wait for life to come to you. You must have the courage to aim for what you crave." Damon comments with feigned sincerity as he smirked in his Younger Brother's direction, the double meaning behind his statement glaringly obvious to the Chestnut Haired Man as well as the Doe Eyed Girl and her Honey Blonde Haired Best Friend.

"Yeah, Elena hadn't been so lucky today." Amelia commented with an expression of feigned sympathy, causing the Elder Gilbert Sister to glower at the Monroe Girl for mentioning the mistakes she had made during Cheerleading Practice. "It's just because you missed Summer Camp. I don't know how you're ever going to learn the routines. I mean, Amaya probably would've been just as lost if she hadn't been practicing with Caroline all week."

"I'll work with her. She'll get it." Bonnie urged as she narrowed her gaze at the Monroe Girl for her insensitivity to the Elder Gilbert Twin's difficulty with learning the Cheer Routines.

"I guess we could move her towards the back of the formation until she's learned the routines..." Caroline suggested absentmindedly as she glanced briefly towards her Lifelong Best Friend for confirmation.

"And reassess should the moment present itself." Amaya agreed with an affirmative nod of her head in acceptance of the Forbes Daughter's suggestion.

"You don't strike me as the Cheerleading Type, Elena..." Damon commented with an arched brow as he briefly glanced towards the Identical Replica of his Vampire Sire before averting his gaze towards her Younger Twin Sister as the memory of having seen her during Cheer Practice flitting through his mind brought him to the opposite conclusion concerning Amaya.

"Oh, it's just cause their Parents died. Yeah. I mean, she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fun..." Amelia commented with a dismissive shrug of her shoulders before pausing at the intensive glares that were directed at her from every direction for the insensitive comment. "And I say that with complete sensitivity."

"You have my condolences, Amaya. Elena... I know how debilitating the tragic loss of your Late Parents must have been... In fact, it seems that every person that Stefan and I have come to care for have succumbed to Death by some means-" Damon commented with feigned sympathy as he glanced between the Gilbert Twins before settling his gaze onto the Younger Gilbert Daughter once more.

"We shouldn't be discussing that tonight, Damon..." Stefan interjected with finality as he leaned forward slightly to glower darkly at his Elder Brother in warning.

"Mmm. Of course. The least of my intentions had been to mention her..." Damon apologized with an expression of feigned remorse written across his features, causing Amaya to examine the Ravenette Vampire with an arched brow of disapproval.

Once the conversation between the Dinner Party Guests had lulled once more, the Younger Gilbert Daughter excused herself from the Living Room with the pretext that the Kitchen needed to be straightened before their Aunt had returned home for the Evening.

"One more..." Damon announced as he approached the Kitchen Sink with an empty Glass Tumbler extended towards Amaya as she continued loading the Dishwasher.

"Thank you." Amaya responded with an appreciative smile as she made to accept the Glass Tumbler from Damon, only for the Ravenette Vampire to allow the object to slip deftly through his fingers.

With the anticipation of the Glass Tumbler shattering against the Tiled Flooring, Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes fluttered closed as she awaited the echoing sound of glass cascading across the Kitchen Floor. And for the briefest of moments, Damon allowed himself to observe the Younger Gilbert Daughter with avid fascination for the almost otherworldly beauty that had originally drawn his attention to her before averting his wandering gaze to the fluttering of her Navy Blue Eyes as she realizes that he had caught the Glass Tumbler before it could have shattered on the ground.

"Impressive Reflexes." Amaya commented with an amused tone of voice as she accepted the Glass Tumbler from Damon's extended hand.

"I must admit... You intrigue me, Amaya..." Damon confessed with an expression of thoughtful consideration as he continued to observe the Younger Gilbert Twin with furrowed brows.

"Is that so...?" Amaya responded with an arched brow as she paused to glance over her shoulder towards the Ravenette Vampire with curiosity.

"Mmm... You're nothing like I had expected you to be... You are much more... Enticing." Damon continued with genuine honesty twinged in the very tone of his voice as he tilted his head with an expression of contemplation.

With the Elder Salvatore Brother's uncharacteristic admittance, silence descended between Damon and Amaya as they seemed to become consumed within their own thoughts for several moments. However, as the Forbes Daughter appeared in the threshold of the Kitchen with an expression of curiosity for the sudden proximity of her Childhood Best Friend and the Ravenette Vampire, Amaya dislodged herself from her reverie as she created distance between she and Damon before averting her attention towards the the Dining Room Entryway as Bonnie and Elena appeared.

"Want some help?" Caroline questioned as she glanced between Amaya and Damon before stepping further into the Kitchen with Bonnie and Elena following.

"Of course." Amaya answered with an appreciative smile directed towards her Best Friend as she resumed her previous task of loading the Dishwasher.

Once the group of Teenage Girls had lulled themselves into casual conversation, Damon politely excused himself from the Kitchen before returning to the Living Room as the sound of the conversation between Stefan and Amelia filtered into his sensitive ears. And once having dismissed the Monroe Girl's presence by Compelling her to make herself useful in the Kitchen with the other Teenage Girls, Damon had directed his attention towards his Younger Brother as Stefan glowered at him with such resentment that he could practically feel the Wooden Stake in his Undead Heart already.

"She may be Human, Damon, but that doesn't make her expendable... She does not exist solely for your entertainment. Nor for you to Feed from at your own leisure." Stefan admonished with an expression of resentment directed towards his Elder Brother.

"That may be your philosophy, Brother... But not mine." Damon retorted with an egotistical smirk etched across his features, causing Stefan's agitation to heighten further at his Elder Brother's blatant disregard for Human Life.

"Alright. You accomplished what you came for... You've exploited Amelia. You've seen Amaya... Now, you need to leave." Stefan demanded with finality as his glare harshened at the accomplished smirk on Damon's lips.

"No problem. Because... I've been invited in. And I'll return tomorrow night and the following night... And I'll do what I please with your Darling Amaya... Because that is what is natural for me." Damon taunted with an expression of dark amusement as he leaned forward in his Love Seat until his words were nothing more than a whispered threat.

And as the Elder Salvatore Brother made his way towards the Kitchen, Stefan allowed himself to recline further into the Couch Cushions as the unspoken threat that Damon had inferred towards his seemingly Human Girlfriend filtered through his thoughts, causing his concern to escalate further more so for Amaya than either of her defenseless Elder and/or Youngers Siblings as well as their Aunt.

~Mystic Falls High School Football Field~

Over the course the ensuing days, the Younger Salvatore Son had fallen into routine with the Varsity Football Team in preparation for the Kick-Off Game that would take place on Friday Night while the Younger Gilbert Daughter had been thoroughly distracted as she and the Forbes Daughter ensured the Cheer Squad had the techniques perfected. And once darkness had descended across Mystic Falls that Friday Evening, the Varsity Football Team and Cheer Squad had gathered together as the Annual Tailgate Party for the First Game of the New Season commenced in the Parking Lot of the Mystic Falls High School Football Field.

When the Elder Gilbert Twin had arrived at the Tailgate Event in normal clothing with her Cheer Uniform in hand, Amaya and Caroline had been less than surprised after having seen how miserable Elena had been during the Afternoon Practices that she had attended over the coarse of the week. And with the notion that she hadn't been enjoying Cheerleading as she had before the Wickery Bridge Accident, Elena had admitted that she thought it best for herself and the Varsity Squad that she not continue.

However, with the prominent Sense of Death that the Younger Gilbert Twin had been feeling since earlier that Morning, Amaya could not seem to bring herself to dwell on the matter for much longer. The Mortal Fae could not understand why her Death Perception had alternated from coming during unconsciousness to wakefulness. Though, she had regrettably noticed that she sensed the darkness the most when she had been in the same vicinity as Coach Tanner.

"Wait. Wait. Wait. Let's be honest here... In the past, we used to let other teams come into our town and roll right over us!" Tanner declared as he looked across the assembly of High School Students that had gathered while the resounding 'boo' that echoed across the Parking Lot in response to the Football Coach's statement caused laughter to escape Amaya despite the dread she had been plagued with as she and the Cheer Squad jostled their Pom Poms enthusiastically. "But that's about to change. We've got some great new talent starting on the Offensive tonight. And I'm gonna tell you right now, it has been a long time since I've seen a kid like this with hands like these. Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!"

With the echoing of the Younger Gilbert Daughter's cheering at the mention of her Vampire Boyfriend, an amused smile appeared on the Younger Salvatore Brother's features as he glanced towards his seemingly Human Girlfriend from his position with the Varsity Team. However, as the Lockwood Son unexpectedly disappears through the crowd, the Co-Captains of the Cheer Squad exchange confused glances between themselves before focusing their attention onto Coach Tanner's speech once more.

"Hey, Babe. What's wrong?" Vicki Donovan questions Tyler Lockwood as she notices him walking away from his Varsity Teammates with agitation written clear across his features.

"Nothing." Tyler responds with a shake of his head in denial as Vicki wrapped her arms around his neck before he suddenly noticed the Gilbert Son across the Parking Lot. "Is that Jeremy?"

"What?" Vicki retorted with furrowed brows of confusion as she glanced over her shoulder at the Tailgate that the Mahogany Brown Haired Boy had perched himself on with his Stoner Friends before returning her attention to Tyler as he began to make his way towards the Youngest Gilbert Sibling. "Wait, Ty! No! Leave him alone."

"Oh, what do you care?" Tyler hissed as he glanced towards Vicki with anger in his eyes before returning his attention to his intended target as the Gilbert Son stepped away from the Tailgate at the Lockwood Son's approach.

"What do you want, Asshole?" Jeremy Gilbert demanded with barely suppress hatred lurking in the depths of his Navy Blue Eyes as he glowered darkly at the Lockwood Jock.

"Oh, don't look so down... You can have her when I'm done." Tyler taunted with an enigmatic smirk etched across his lips as he stopped within arms reach of his rival with his bulky arms crossed before his broad chest in an attempt to intimidate the other boy.

With the Lockwood Son's undeniably asinine comment, Jeremy's restraint seemed to have disappeared as he lunged for Tyler with an uncharacteristic amount of resentment as he landed the initial punch with far more strength than should have been humanly possible, causing Tyler to stumble backwards before retaliating by shoving Jeremy into the Tailgate behind him with enough force to knock an empty Tequila Bottle to the ground until it had broken into jagged halves.

With the continuous echoing of the Donovan Girl's futile begging, Tyler throws Jeremy to the ground with an abnormal amount of strength before kneeling over his opponent as he continued to deliver Body Blows. Hearing the desperate shouting of the Elder Donovan Sibling, Amaya disappeared through the crowd of teenagers with Stefan following her lead as the two of them made their way towards the source of the disturbance.

And as the Younger Salvatore Brother emerged from the crowd of onlookers, Stefan immediately rushed towards his short-tempered Varsity Teammate as Tyler continued to ruthlessly pummel Jeremy in the ground. Without an ounce of hesitation, Stefan grasped onto Tyler's wrist as he made to deliver another Body Blow while his opponent was relatively defenseless beneath his muscled form.

"That's enough, Tyler! He's down!" Stefan shouted as he prevented the hotheaded Lockwood Son from landing another blow to the Gilbert Son.

At the unexpected interruption, Tyler had risen from his kneeling position as he bowed up against Stefan while his agitation seemingly heightened after having been forcefully pulled away from his unfortunate opponent. And without truly considering his actions amidst the Adrenalin fueled moment, Tyler rears back and punches Stefan with as much strength as he was physically capable of before pausing abruptly with utter disbelief registering across his features when his brute strength proves entirely ineffective.

However, as the Younger Gilbert Daughter notices her Younger Brother reaching for the broken Tequila Bottle, an audible gasp of unbridled horror emitted from Amaya's lips as Jeremy made to attack Tyler with the impromptu weapon. Mere seconds after discerning what the Gilbert Son were on the verge of doing in the heat of the moment, Stefan shoved Tyler until he collided with the Donovan Son as the jagged edge of the Glass Bottle connected with the palm of the Green Eyed Vampire's hand. And with the sudden realization of what he had done, Jeremy dropped the weapon as he stared at his unintentional victim with widened eyes of horrified disbelief.

"Jeremy!" The Gilbert Twins exclaimed in tandem with one another as they stared at their Younger Brother with widened eyes.

As the Elder Gilbert Daughter rushed towards their Younger Brother, Amaya approached Stefan with tentative footsteps as she refrained from startling the obviously distracted Green Eyed Vampire as he continued to stare down distractedly at the severe wound on the palm of his hand that were currently gushing blood.

"Stefan." Amaya whispered as she gently placed her hand onto his shoulder with furrowed brows of concern, causing Stefan to clench his injured hand to avoid his seemingly Human Girlfriend from witnessing his Enhanced Healing.

At the Younger Salvatore Brother's futile attempts to maintain his secret, Amaya allowed an expression of reassurance to appear across her delicate features as she forcefully pried his clenched hand open with the knowledge that the wound would have healed in mere seconds. An expression of confusion registering across the Chestnut Haired Man's features as the Doe Eyed Girl silently removed the smeared blood from the skin of his palm with the Wet Wipe that the Forbes Daughter had provided.

"What the Hell, Jeremy?" Elena demanded with narrowed eyes as she shoved Jeremy away from Tyler and Stefan. "Put your head up, you're bleeding."

"I'm fine!" Jeremy hissed with an agitated tone of voice as the Adrenalin continued to coarse through his veins even as his mind whirled with the thought of what he had done.

"Yeah, you smell fine." Elena retorted with a derisive scoff as she noticed the heavy scent of Alcohol on her Younger Brother's breath.

"Just stop. Okay?" Jeremy demanded as he shoved his Eldest Sister away before storming away from the Parking Lot of gathered onlookers, needing silence to process the horror of what he had done in the heat of the moment.

Once the Youngest Gilbert Sibling had disappeared into the darkness that surrounded the Tailgate Party, Elena diverted her attention towards the Doe Eyed Gilbert Girl and Green Eyed Salvatore Man as Amaya continued to gently wipe the blood from the palm of Stefan's hand while he merely stared down upon her with an indiscernible expression written across his handsome features.

"Oh my God. Your hand..." Elena muttered with an expression of concern as she approached her Younger Twin Sister and the Younger Salvatore Son.

"No. No. No... I'm fine." Stefan assured as gently pulled his hand away from his allegedly Human Girlfriend in an attempt to prevent her Elder Twin Sister from seeing something that she should not.

"Is it deep? How bad is it?" Elena questioned with furrowed brows as she attempts to wrench his wounded palm open to assess the severity of the injury.

With an affirmative nod of the head from the Younger Gilbert Twin, Stefan allowed Elena to wrench his previously injured hand open to reveal the unmarred skin of his palm, causing an expression of utter bewilderment to register across the Elder Gilbert Twin's features.

"He missed... This is not my blood. See? I'm fine." Stefan insisted assuredly as he flexed his hand to alleviate the concerns of the Elder Gilbert Daughter.

"No. No. No... I-I saw it. The glass cut your hand. It was-" Elena muttered with furrowed brows as she continued to examine the palm of Stefan's hand with shocked disbelief.

"He's fine, Elena..." Amaya whispered with an expression of gentle reassurance directed towards her confused Elder Twin Sister. "Kick-Off Time is almost upon us... We'll see you afterwards... Alright?"

Without bothering to wait for the Elder Gilbert Daughter to respond, Stefan and Amaya stepped around Elena as they made their way in the direction of where their teams had gathered together, knowingly leaving Elena to become consumed within her thoughts as she turned to watch them walk away. And once the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had created enough distance between themselves and possible eavesdroppers, Stefan paused as he focused his attention onto Amaya with an expression of somber acceptance.

"You know..." Stefan whispered with furrowed brows as he gazed down upon his seemingly Human Girlfriend with curiosity.

"Yes..." Amaya admitted with an affirmative nod of her head towards her Vampire Boyfriend in acknowledgment as she absentmindedly tucked the loose stands of her Mahogany Brown Hair being her Diamond Pierced Ear. "I've known since before the Comet Festivities."

"Why had you never come to me if you've known for for so long...?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows of confusion as he stared down upon Amaya, wondering why she would feel as though she had to withhold such knowledge.

"I hadn't known how to explain the circumstances..." Amaya confessed as she bowed her head in remorse for having hidden this secret from Stefan when such information had pertained to himself and the history of his Eternal Afterlife. "It had been an aftereffect of my Awakening... And I hadn't known how to explain my unforeseen influx of knowledge. Especially in regards to my sudden awareness of the existence of the Supernatural Factions."

"Your Awakening?" Stefan retorted with furrowed brows of confusion as his head tilted in consideration, having not sensed any semblance of Magical Energy when near the Younger Gilbert Twin.

"I'm of the Fae Species..." Amaya admitted with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as she observed her Vampire Boyfriend carefully for his reaction while Stefan's eyes merely widened at the revelation that he had unknowingly attached himself to an Immortal Fae. "My abilities had been activated prematurely by the presence of Supernatural Beings in Mystics Falls."

"Oh, Amaya... I'm so sorry..." Stefan whispered with an expression of somber realization as his thoughts whirled with the possibility that he and his Elder Brother could have been responsible for triggering her Awakening. "If I had never come home-"

"No, Stefan." Amaya declared with such finality that Stefan immediately ceased his apologetic dialogue, noticing the instantaneous anger that had registered across Amaya's features at his unnecessary remorse. "Neither you nor Damon were responsible for the triggering of my abilities. Regardless of whether you had decided to return to Mystics Falls or not... My Awakening had been inevitable."

"I don't understand..." Stefan admitted with furrowed brows as he continued to gaze down upon his Fae Girlfriend with curiosity and confusion, not having learned much about the Fae Species since he had discovered their existence due to the rarity in which their kind interacted with the Alternate Species.

"Regardless of the presence of Supernatural Beings in or around Mystics Falls... My Awakening would have been activated between my Seventeenth and Eighteenth Birthday as is traditional with members of the Fae Species... Our abilities are individually triggered as we approach the Eighteenth Anniversary of our Mortal Birth so that we are thoroughly adjusted to our gifts before our Immortality is activated at the precise moment that we achieve Maturity at Eighteen Years of Age..." Amaya explained with an expression of reassurance etched across her delicate features as she grasped onto Stefan's hand with an endearing smile. "Besides, you and Damon are not the only Supernatural Beings in Mystic Falls, Stefan... You're not even the only Vampires in Mystic Falls... I attend High School with an Untriggered Werewolf. I interact with an Ancestral Witch on the daily basis. Not to mention, my Elder Twin Sister is the Current Human Doppelganger of the Petrova Bloodline... You and Damon had nothing to do with my Awakening, Stefan. And... Truthfully... My abilities had been activated months before you and I had even met."

As silence descended between the Green Eyed Vampire and the Doe Eyed Fae, Stefan had not hesitated to embrace his Fae Girlfriend as his lips connected with her own at the discovery that Amaya were not the mere Human Girl he had believed her to be. The mere notion that he had sought to protect someone of the singular most powerful Supernatural Species to ever exist would have been inconceivable if not for the immense relief that he felt in that very moment. And as her Navy Blue Eyes fluttered closed at the mere sensation of his lips against her own, Stefan and Amaya allowed themselves to become consumed within one another as his arms tightened around her slender waist.

During the brief discussion about what their Alternate Statuses amongst the Supernatural Community would mean for their relationship, Amaya had been forced to assure Stefan that with her Gift of Invulnerability having been activated as soon as the first of her Fae Abilities had manifested, there was absolutely nothing that Damon could have done to cause her to leave the Earthly Plane before Eternity had come and gone. Something of which had both shocked and relieved the Younger Salvatore Brother since he knew that the same could not be claimed for the Vampire Species.

After having concluded their conversation for the moment as Game Time approached, Stefan and Amaya had eventually parted ways with one another to return to their respective teams in anticipation of start of the Football Game. With Kick-Off Time almost upon them, the Mystic Falls High School Cheer Squad had gathered at the entrance to the Football Field as they made their final preparations for the First Game of the Season.

"Hey, Tiki, it's uneven. Can you stand up straight, please?" Caroline demanded with an annoyed tone of voice as she surveyed the Timberwolves Banner with calculative eyes.

"Could someone help, Tiki?" Amaya suggested as she glanced towards the gathering of Varsity Cheerleaders that were executing their Pre-Game Warm-Ups.

"Hey! Where you been?" Bonnie exclaimed with an enthusiastic smile as she noticed her Lifelong Best Friend approaching, causing Amaya to glance towards her Elder Twin Sister with furrowed brows of curiosity.

"Can I ask you a question and you give me a serious no-joke response?" Elena questioned as she approached the Bennett Girl with an expression of urgency, causing Amaya's suspicion to heighten at her Elder Twin Sister's tone of voice.

"Of course. What is it?" Bonnie responded with an expression of confusion as she provided Elena with her undivided attention, the Gilbert/Bennett Duo remaining oblivious to the Younger Gilbert Twin as she eavesdropped on their conversation.

"The bad mojo... When you touched Stefan and you had that reaction...?" Elena questioned rhetorically with uncertainty apparent in her tone of voice, causing Amaya to stiffen at the mention of the Bennett Girl's Witch Intuition.

"You know what, forget I said that." Bonnie retorted with a dismissive gesture of her hand in response to the Elder Gilbert Sister's comment. "Amaya's little Dinner Party plot totally won me over."

"No, Bonnie. Seriously. What was it? Did you see something? Or..." Elena urged with an impatient tone of voice as she stepped closer to her Childhood Best Friend, having developed her own suspicions concerning her Younger Twin Sister's New Boyfriend.

"It wasn't clear like a picture..." Bonnie admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as she acquiesced to Elena's persistence on the matter. "Like today... I keep seeing those same numbers I told you about... Eight. Fourteen. Twenty-Two...?"

"Yeah?" Elena agreed with an affirmative nod of her head as she noted the Bennett Girl's expression of hesitancy with apparent intrigue.

"When I touched Stefan, it was a feeling. And it vibrated through me. And it was cold. And it..." Bonnie explained before pausing momentarily to consider her thoughts on the darkness that she sensed when near either of the Salvatore Brothers.

"And what?" Elena retorted with an urgent tone of voice as she observed the Bennett Girl's behavior with skepticism.

"It was Death... It's what I imagine Death to feel like." Bonnie admitted with an expression of discomfort etched across her features, causing Elena to nod her head in acquiescence of the Caramel Eyed Girl's admission.

Unbeknownst to either of the Bennett/Gilbert Duo, Amaya averted her gaze to the ground beneath her feet as her thoughts whirled with the ramifications of the conversation that she had overheard between her Elder Twin Sister and the inexperienced Bennett Witch.

In anticipation of Game Time, Amaya had excused herself from Squad Warm-Ups as she made her way towards the Parking Lot to retrieve her Makeup Bag from her vehicle with the intent of amending her appearance before she and her Squad Mates were meant to assume their place on the Football Field Sidelines. And as the Younger Gilbert Girl closed the Passenger Side Door, the sudden Sense of Darkness that had appeared within the vicinity alerted the Mortal Fae to the approach of someone that posed Potential Threat.

"Is there something I can do for you, Damon?" Amaya questioned without having to glance towards the Elder Salvatore Brother to know that he had leaned himself against the trunk of her car.

"Nope... Merely hiding from Amelia." Damon responded with an amused tone of voice as Amaya finally turned her attention towards the Ravenette Vampire.

"And why would you be doing that...?" Amaya questioned with an arched brow directed towards the Elder Salvatore Brother.

"Truthfully? I needed the reprieve... She speaks more than I care to listen." Damon admitted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, causing Amaya to smirk at the impulsive Sired Vampire's inability to handle the talkative 17-Year-Old Monroe Girl.

"Perhaps that's an indication of incompatibility." Amaya responded with an innocent tilt of her head as she made note of the Raven Haired Vampire's unexpected interest in her presence.

"Well... She is young." Damon commented with an amused smirk as he crossed his arms before his broad chest.

"Not much younger than you appear to be." Amaya retorted with an arched brow as she crossed her arms before her chest as well.

"Well... To be entirely honest with you, Amaya... I am beginning to think that Amelia is merely too immature for she and I to progress further than we have. And... Perhaps I have found interest in another. Someone more... Mature. Sensible. Intelligent... Beautiful." Damon whispered as he approached Amaya until he had her cornered against her Pristine White Chevy Camaro as his hand came to gently thread through her Mahogany Brown Hair almost reflexively.

"And spoken for..." Amaya commented with an expression of disapproval as she glowered at the Elder Salvatore Brother.

"Mmm... Duly Noted... I apologize if my presence causes you discomfort, Amaya... That had not been my intention." Damon conveys with an unconvincing expression of remorse as he released Amaya from her perch against her vehicle.

"Mayhaps I would be more inclined to believe you if there were not an alternate meaning behind every word that leaves your mouth." Amaya declared with an arched brow as her annoyance with the Elder Salvatore Brother seemed to heighten the more she interacted with him.

"You know what...? You're absolutely correct... I do have other intentions..." Damon acquiesced with an affirmative nod of his head as he stepped closer to Amaya once more until their chests brushed against one another. "As do you..."

"Is that so?" Amaya responded with an arched brow as she tilted her head with an expression of challenge directed towards the Ravenette Vampire.

"Mhm... I've seen it in your eyes, Amaya... You want me." Damon declared with an egotistical smirk as he brushed away the Mahogany Brown Tendrils that framed her delicate face.

"Excuse me?" Amaya retorted with an expression of incredulous disbelief as her Navy Blue Eyes darkened considerably at the Elder Salvatore Vampire's audacious comment.

"I intrigue you. You've found yourself drawn to me despite your efforts to avoid such. You think about me when you shouldn't. I would even wager that you've dreamt of me... And in this very moment..." Damon paused as he gently grasped onto Amaya's chin until her Navy Blue Eyes connected with his own Icy Blue Eyes. "You want nothing more than to kiss me."

And as the Elder Salvatore Brother lowers himself to brush his lips against the Younger Gilbert Daughter's own, Amaya had promptly withdrawn from the reverie that Damon's declaration had caused her to enter. However, with the Mortal Fae's immediate comprehension of the Ravenette Vampire's intention, Damon were suddenly startled by the unexpected stinging sensation that registered across his cheek as his head snapped to the side at the sheer force of Amaya's backhand.

"What the Hell? I do not care for the conflict that exists between you and Stefan. Such matters do not pertain to me and I will not be involved in such... And I don't know what happened in the past. But allow me to make this distinction... I am not Katherine." Amaya declared with such ferocity as her Navy Blue Eyes narrowed onto Damon with an expression of animosity.

Without further indication, Amaya made her way towards the entrance to the Mystic Falls High School Football Field where the Cheer Squad were undoubtedly awaiting her arrival while Damon stared after her retreating figure with an expression of disbelief and evidentiary intrigue written across his ageless features. Admittedly, Damon had not expected Darling Amaya to have such an effective backhand. Yet, he could not deny that his cheek still stung from the power behind her hand.

Shrouded within the darkness that had long since descended across Mystic Falls, Damon awaits the approach of his Younger Brother as Stefan made his way towards the Locker Rooms to prepare for the First Game of the Season while conversing with his Varsity Teammate, Matt Donovan, as as they rounded the corner of the Gymnasium Building.

"No excuse..." Matt denies with an expression of remorse as he extends his hand towards the Salvatore Son after having apologized for his lack of intervening when the Lockwood Son had directed his ire towards Stefan during Football Practice for overshadowing his hotheaded Best Friend. "Good luck tonight. We're lucky to have you."

With an affirmative nod of the head from the Green Eyed Vampire in acceptance, Matt disappeared into the Locker Rooms as Stefan made to follow him inside before being distracted from doing so when his Elder Brother emerged from the darkness with a taunting smirk.

"Isn't that wonderful? Stefan joins the team. Makes friends. Truly the 'Rah. Rah. Go Team!' kind of moment." Damon comments with an amused tone of voice as he approached his Younger Brother, causing Stefan to roll his eyes at his Elder Brother's immature behavior.

"Not tonight. I'm done with you." Stefan announced with an expression of annoyance as he turned to make his way towards the Locker Rooms, only for Damon to appear before him with an unconvincing smirk of confidence etched across his lips.

"Impressive tactic with Amaya. Allow me to hazard a guess... Vervain in the Family Locket? I will admit, I hadn't been expecting her to be Immune. It's been awhile since someone has resisted my Compulsion to such an extent. But what I would like to know is... Where had you found the Vervain?" Damon questioned with an expression of thinly veiled agitation as he leveled his Younger Brother with an intense glower.

"Does it matter?" Stefan retorted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he stepped around Damon to continue on his way towards the Locker Rooms, silently marveling at the fact that the Vervain he had given Amaya had not actually been liable for her resistance to Compulsion.

"I suppose not... I guess I could just seduce her by traditional means. Or I could just... Devour the Little Temptress." Damon threatened with an accomplished smirk as Stefan paused to glance at the Ravenette Vampire over his shoulder.

"No. You won't harm her, Damon..." Stefan asserted with an arched brow as he turned to face his Elder Brother once more.

"No?" Damon retorted with a challenging glimmer shining beneath his Icy Blue Eyes as the Green Eyed Vampire stepped closer to his Elder Brother.

"No... Because even I have noticed since your initial encounter with Amaya... That there's some semblance of yourself... That craves her attention in the most basic manner. And no matter how much you deny that... You cannot suppress it forever." Stefan declared in a whispered tone of voice as Damon's Icy Blue Eyes darkened considerably at the reminder of his uncontrollable fascination with the Doe Eyed Girl. "I had been worried that no degree of Humanity had survived within you. That you may have become the Monster that you pretend to be-"

"Who's pretending?" Damon interjected with an expression of thinly veiled resentment written across his features as he glared at his Younger Brother.

"Then kill me." Stefan urged as an uncharacteristic taunting smirk stretched across his lips, causing Damon to hesitate at the suggestion as his expression faltered ever so slightly.

"Well... I'm tempted-" Damon commented with an unconvincing smirk of confidence as he averted his gaze from Stefan for the briefest moment.

"No. You're not... You've had Lifetimes to do so. And... Yet, here I am. I'm still alive. And there you are. You're still haunting me... After 145 Years..." Stefan declared with an expression of frustration etched across his features while Damon merely glared harshly into his Younger Brother's Forest Green Eyes. "Katherine is dead. And you hate me because you loved her. And you tortured me because you could not bring yourself to stop loving her... But if I've noticed the interest that you seem to have for Amaya... Then I know you have as well. And you hate yourself for allowing the attraction you feel towards Amaya to weaken your loyalty to Katherine's memory... And that, My Brother, is your Humanity."

Unbeknownst to either of the Salvatore Brothers, Amaya had been guided away from where she had been gathered with the Cheer Squad as her Death Perception urged her to follow the Sense of Dread that had been plaguing her since earlier that Morning. And as the Mortal Fae became shrouded in the darkness that surrounded Mystic Falls, Amaya had been more than astounded to overhear the conversation between her Vampire Boyfriend and his Elder Brother.

"Salvatore!" Tanner voiced as he emerged from within the Locker Room in search of the Younger Salvatore Son, causing Amaya to avert her attention from the Vampire Brothers towards the Football Coach that had been emanating an everlasting Sense of Death for the entirety of the day. "What the Hell?! We've got a game to play!"

"If that's my Humanity... Then what's this?" Damon retorted with an expression of sinister intent as he lunged for the unsuspecting Football Coach until his Elongated Fangs embedded themselves in the Tanner Man's Jugular.

"No!" Stefan shouted with an alarmed tone of voice as he stepped towards his Elder Brother with the intent to intervene, his exclamation unknowingly overshadowing the sound of Amaya's horrified gasp.

Without an ounce of remorse for his actions, Damon dropped Tanner's lifeless body to the ground as he turned his attention towards Stefan, his Vampiric Facade evident on his features as blood dripped from his lips onto the cement pavement beneath his feet.

"Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere." Damon declared with an accomplished smirk as he stared into his Younger Brother's widened eyes.

However, moments after the Ravenette Vampire had disappeared from the vicinity in the blink of an eye, Stefan had been thoroughly horrified when Amaya deftly emerged from the encroaching darkness with prominent teartracks trailing across her delicate cheeks, causing the Green Eyed Vampire to promptly stumble backwards with slightly widened eyes that had long since focused on the obviously traumatized Doe Eyed Fae.

"Amaya?" Stefan whispered with an expression of concern as Amaya stepped towards their deceased History Teacher.

"Stefan...?" Amaya responded with a quivering tone of voice as she forcefully averted her gaze from Coach Tanner's crumpled form.

When heartwrenching sobs suddenly wrenched themselves from the Younger Gilbert Twin, Stefan had not hesitated to embrace his distressed Fae Girlfriend as Amaya came to the sudden realization that the sense of impending darkness that she had unknowingly been feeling was an omen for Tanner's gruesome demise. And while the Younger Salvatore Brother could not discern what had caused the Mortal Fae such distress, Stefan knew that he would have to choose between disposing of the Football Coach's deceased body or consoling the distraught Doe Eyed Girl.

With his decision having been made as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, Stefan swept Amaya into his arms before disappearing into the darkness that surrounded the scene of the murder of the unfortunate Varsity Coach. And once the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had arrival to the Gilbert Residence, Amaya had forced herself to calm down enough that she could manage coherent sentences once more.

"Amaya...?" Stefan gently voiced as he gazed down upon his obviously terrified Fae Girlfriend as she clutched onto the fabric of his Football Jersey. "What were you doing at the Locker Rooms, Baby?"

"My Death Perception guided me to where I needed to be..." Amaya admitted in an agonized tone of voice as Stefan lowered them onto the mattress of her Sleigh Bed without bothering to release his hold on her. "I could sense that Tanner's death was approaching, Stefan..."

When the Mortal Fae's voice cracked ever so slightly during her admission, Stefan wrapped his arms around Amaya in an embrace that provided her the comfort that she desperately needed in that very moment. The Younger Gilbert Daughter had witnessed the Elder Salvatore Brother murdering his previous victims during her nightmarish visions while unconscious but this had been the first instance that she had been present for the traumatizing act. And that mere fact had been enough to cause her tears to flow once more.

"Shh..." Stefan muttered as he cradled his Fae Girlfriend against his broad chest as Amaya allowed herself to become overcome by another onslaught of tears.

Once the Doe Eyed Girl had utterly exhausted herself, Stefan could immediately sense when Amaya's breathing evened as she succumbed to an unsettling slumber, causing the Green Eyed Vampire to settle his Fae Girlfriend beneath the sheets of her Sleigh Bed as he pressed an affectionate kiss to her forehead mere seconds before disappearing from the Upstairs Bedroom.

I had hoped that there was some semblance of Humanity that may have survived within Damon... Some sense of Mercy. Compassion. Warmth... But I could not have been more wrong... There is nothing Human that has lingered within Damon... No Empathy. No Kindness. No Love... Only the Monster that he has become... The Monster that I must destroy... That is the only way I can protect HER.

Long after his Younger Brother had taken his leave, Damon Salvatore found himself towering above the slumber Younger Gilbert Daughter as brushed the tips of his fingers gently across her tearstained cheeks with an inexplicable fondness that he could not suppress for much longer in her presence. And once he had taken several moments to indulge in the feeling of merely being near her, Damon disappeared from the Second Floor Bedroom without another glance towards the Doe Eyed Girl even as the Bedside Lamp flickered off with his departure through the Bay Window.