~Gilbert Residence~
Several days after the Founders Council Celebration, the Younger Salvatore Brother had decided to organize an impromptu Dinner Date for he and the Younger Gilbert Sister to amend for his absence while he had been dealing with his Elder Brother. Once darkness had descended across Mystic Falls, the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had found themselves in the Gilbert Family Kitchen as they enjoyed their peaceful Dinner Date while affectionate smiles and loving glances were exchanged as they conversed with one another.
"You would like to know more about me, would you not?" Stefan Salvatore rhetorically questioned as he briefly glanced towards his Fae Girlfriend, causing the Doe Eyed Girl to nod her head in affirmation with an enchanting smile directed towards her Vampire Boyfriend. "We'll begin with Katherine."
"Stefan..." Amaya Gilbert whispered with an expression of uncertainty etched across her features as she remembered the immense discomfort that discussing his Previous Lover/Sire caused Stefan.
"She was the most alluring woman that I had ever encountered... Until I had been fortunate enough to have found you, of course." Stefan paused as he glanced towards the Doe Eyed Fae with an affectionate smile, causing Amaya to tilt her head with an expression of endearment directed towards the Green Eyed Vampire. "Though... Despite her apparent beauty with her unblemished Olive Toned Skin and immaculate Mahogany Ringlet Curls... Katherine's imperfections eventually became blatantly obvious. For instance... She was very impatient. And entitled. And selfish. And impulsive... But regardless of my displeasure with her behavior, I had been unable to resist the attraction that I seemed to have to her-"
"That is not your fault, Stefan..." Amaya interjected with an expression of sympathetic reassurance as Stefan glanced towards her with furrowed brows of confusion. "The Ancestral Witch that had been responsible for the Creation of Mortal Shadowselves had bewitched the Petrova Bloodline with what is known as the Allure of the Petrova Doppelganger which could ensnare Humans with an uncanny desire to protect the Doppelganger... The mere incentive behind such an Enchantment had been to prolong the Birth of Human Doppelgängers since their very Essence could be used during Rituals and Spells to enhance the effects of their Witchcraft... But once you had Transitioned and the Compulsion had been broken, your recovered memories had allowed you to remember her True Nature which inevitably caused you to become immune to the Allure of the Petrova Doppelganger. Hence why you were unaffected by Elena's mere existence when you and she met."
"I think you may have had something to do with that as well, Amaya..." Stefan muttered with an affectionate smile etched across his lips as he gently threaded his fingers through Amaya's Mahogany Brown Hair. "I had been so entirely focused on meeting you that I had barely even noticed your Twin Sister... Though I will admit that I do owe her for being the one to have guided me to you... If I hadn't followed Elena to the Hospital after rescuing her from the Accident at Wickery Bridge... I never would have seen you. I never would've decided to remain in Mystic Falls to meet you... And I honestly don't want to know what would have become of me if I didn't have you..." Stefan paused as he leaned forward to brush a tender kiss to Amaya's forehead as tears gathered in the depths of her Navy Blue Eyes at his passionate admission. "However... Regardless of my displeasure with Katherine... I admit that I had done some things that I am none too proud of... And I do regret not having been able to make amends with Katherine before her Death."
"You regret having unintentionally exposed her Vampire Nature to your Father..." Amaya surmised with an expression of understanding as she tilted her head to the side as Stefan nodded his head in affirmation of her assumption. "Stefan, you are not responsible for your Father's actions... Giuseppe manipulated your trust in him as your Father to obtain access to the creatures he believed were plaguing this town. His actions and beliefs were his own. You should not feel guilt for having fallen victim to your Father's unethical Faith. Just as you should not feel guilt for the premature Death that Katherine suffered at the hands of the Founders Council."
As silence descended between the Forest Green Eyed Salvatore and Navy Blue Eyed Gilbert, Stefan grasped either of his Fae Girlfriend's flushed cheeks between his palms as he pressed his lips against her own in an undeniably passionate kiss, causing an audible sigh of contentment to filter through her lips as Amaya seemingly melted further into her Vampire Boyfriend's embrace. And once the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had withdrawn from the passionate moment, Stefan and Amaya resumed their previous tasks of preparing the various ingredients for their dinner as their conversation shifted through several different subjects while they maneuvered throughout the Kitchen in tandem with one another.
"The first of my Fae Abilities to have been activated... Had been Death Perception." Amaya admitted once the conversation had shifted towards her Awakening as she perched herself on an idling Bar Stool with her Navy Blue Eyes averted to the Kitchen Island in remorse. "On the Morning of the Accident at Wickery Bridge... I remember waking to an overwhelming Sense of Death permeating the very air that I was breathing... And I remember that the longer I was around Grayson and Miranda, the worse the sensation would become until it was nearly unbearable..." Amaya paused as the tears that had gathered in the depths of her eyes caused her vision to blur, causing Stefan to appear at her side as he wrapped his arms around her in an effort to offer comfort. "I had hidden myself away in my bedroom for the majority of the day with the excuse of not feeling well... By the time Mom and Dad had gone to retrieve Elena from the party she had gone to that Evening, I was too relieved for the much needed reprieve to realize that the sensation had disappeared with their departure... And then Aunt Jenna had received word from Sheriff Forbes about Elena having been rushed to the Emergency Room after having nearly drowned when their car had veered over Wickery Bridge into the lake. We were so worried about if everyone were alright that it hadn't occurred to us that Liz never once mentioned Mom or Dad..."
For several moments, the Green Eyed Vampire remained silent as he merely tightened his arms around the Doe Eyed Fae as she begun sobbing at the remembrance of the Accident at Wickery Bridge that had created Orphans of the Gilbert Siblings. And despite having been informed that her Fae Abilities had been activated months before their initial encounter, Stefan had never thought to consider that Amaya had been forced to suffer through the guilt of unintentionally allowing the Deaths of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert to occur.
"Baby..." Stefan whispered as he pulled away from his distraught Fae Girlfriend enough that he could glance down upon her tearstained features, only for Amaya to lower her head in an effort to conceal her heartbroken expression as her thoughts whirled with memories of the day her Death Perception had emerged. "Amaya. Look at me, Baby..." Stefan urged as he brought the palms of his hands to grasp onto either of her cheeks as Amaya eventually allowed her Navy Blue Eyes to connect with his own Forest Green Eyes. "Their Deaths were not your fault... And you know that... There had been absolutely no way for you to have known what were to happen. You have to come to terms with that, Baby... Or the guilt could potentially destroy you... Neither of your Late Parents would be upset with you for not having done something since you hadn't known that you could... You need to forgive yourself, Amaya... That's what they would have wanted for you. Not for you to bury yourself beneath the misery in their absence. If you cannot do so for yourself... Do so for their sake."
With an expression of somber acceptance, Amaya nodded her head in acquiescence of her Vampire Boyfriend's insistence that she should not continue to consider herself liable for the untimely demise of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert since she truly had not known about her Death Perception at the time of the Accident at Wickery Bridge. Therefore, the Doe Eyed Fae could not have prevented the tragedy even though she desperately wished she could have. And with an affectionate kiss to her forehead, Stefan wrapped his arms around his Fae Girlfriend once more as Amaya relished in the comfort offered to her in the embrace of her Vampire Boyfriend.
Eventually, the conversation between the Younger Salvatore Brother and Younger Gilbert Sister had shifted to more appropriate topics as Stefan and Amaya continued their romantic Dinner Date without further discussion of the Supernatural Matters that seemed to surround them for the remainder of the Evening. And before much longer, the peaceful ambiance seemed to make another appearance as the Green Eyed Vampire and Doe Eyed Fae enjoyed the impromptu Date Night.
"I'm an avid reader. Major Fitzgerald Fan... The Great Gatsby. His Masterpiece... But I am by no means prejudice. I'm impartial to some good Grisham..." Stefan admitted as he glanced towards his Fae Girlfriend, causing Amaya to eagerly nod her head in agreement with an encouraging smile. "I think Seinfeld is the Best American Television Show in the prior 50 Years. But I Love Lucy is the absolute best over all. In my opinion, The Loving Cup Episode was the best... Huge ScorseseFan. I could watch Taxi Driver over and over again..."
"Here..." Amaya whispered with an endearing smile as she urged Stefan to hand her the Chef Knife that he had been dicing the Garlic Cloves with. "Allow me."
"As for Music... It's more or less across the board." Stefan admitted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he leaned against the Kitchen Island beside Amaya. "Dylan. Hendrix. Patsy. Willie. Kanye. You know what...? I even like that one Miley Cyrus song..." Stefan admitted with a short chuckle before pausing as he noticed the taunting smile that graced Amaya's features at his admittance. "Easy."
"Mmm..." Amaya hummed with an innocent smile as she glanced towards her Vampire Boyfriend with an arched brow before focusing on dicing the Garlic Cloves once more. "This is for the Garlic Bread, is it not? Because I'm not eating Garlic unless you agree to as well...?"
"You need not ask, Baby... I love Garlic." Stefan agreed with a pleasant smile as he leaned forward to brush an affectionate kiss to Amaya's forehead before making his way towards the refrigerator to retrieve the Wine Bottle he had brought from the Salvatore Wine Cellar.
However, the Green Eyed Vampire was suddenly distracted from his task as an audible gasp of pain sounds from the Doe Eyed Fae as she dropped the Chef Knife to the Kitchen Counter, causing Stefan to appear at Amaya's side in the blink of an eye as he grasped her injured hand within his own while assessing the minor incision on the tip of her delicate finger.
"You're alright..." Stefan whispered with an audible sigh of relief after having determined that the minor injury would not warrant immediate Medical Attention. "It's nothing serious."
And as the Green Eyed Vampire brought the tip of the Doe Eyed Fae's index finger to his mouth, Stefan emitted an audible sigh of contentment at the Cherry Twinged Taste of her Mystical Blood on his tongue for the first time since the Morning of the Founders Council Celebration, causing an endearing smile to appear on her features as Amaya noticed the immediate smoothening of his expression into that of calm satisfaction.
Once the admittedly intense moment between the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had come to an end, the Dinner Date continued as naturally as any Human Date would from that moment onward while occasionally exchanging longing glances and affectionate smiles between themselves before returning to their individual tasks of preparing the intricate Italian Pasta Dish. And as the Evening had drawn to an inevitable end, Stefan bid farewell to Amaya with an affectionate embrace as he brushed his lips against her forehead before taking his leave from the Gilbert Residence.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
The following Morning, before the Green Eyed Vampire was due to meet the Doe Eyed Fae at the Gilbert Residence to prepare for the Sexy Suds Car Wash that Afternoon, the Younger Salvatore Brother visited the Vampire Resistant Cellar in the basement of the Salvatore Boarding House where his Elder Brother had been imprisoned since the Founders Council Celebration.
"Where's my Ring?" Damon Salvatore muttered from the ground of the Salvatore Cellar as his head lulled to the side until his Icy Blue Eyes connected with the Forest Green Eyes of his Younger Brother.
"Somewhere safe... You won't be needing it anytime soon." Stefan responded with an emotionless expression as he observed the weakened state of his Elder Brother.
"How long have I been in here...?" Damon questioned with furrowed brows as his eyes continued to flutter between consciousness and slumber.
"Going on eight days..." Stefan answered with a nonchalant tone of voice as he crossed his arms before his chest.
"I suppose you're feeling quite proud of yourself, are you not?" Damon questioned weakly as he struggled to remain conscious while under the effects of the Vervain.
"Not particularly." Stefan admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as he placed his hands into his jeans pockets.
"Why are you doing this?" Damon demanded with narrowed eyes directed towards the seemingly unbothered Green Eyed Vampire.
"During the Dark Ages of Society, if the actions of an Individual Vampire threatened exposure or harm for the Entire Species... That Vampire would be punished accordingly. The Ancients had sought to enlighten their Fellow Brethren of less harmful methods of fulfilling Eternity rather than renounce their Kinship." Stefan explained with an emotionless tone of voice as he glared down upon the troublesome Ravenette Vampire.
"You know damn well what will happen if I don't Feed." Damon sneered with a harsh glare directed towards his seemingly righteous Younger Brother.
"You'll continue to steadily weaken the longer that you're denied blood... Eventually you'll be incapable of moving or speaking... Within the oncoming week, your skin will begin to desiccate until you've mummified... A Living Corpse. Unable to harm anyone else. Ever." Stefan declared with narrowed eyes of discontent as he glowered down upon his Elder Brother's weekend form.
"And what...? You'll just leave my body imprisoned in the basement...? Forever?" Damon questioned with an arched brow as he averted his attention from Stefan towards the ceiling.
"I've injected you with enough Vervain to weaken you... Once your circulation ceases, you'll be moved to the Family Crypt. And in 50 years, we can reevaluate." Stefan explained with a nonchalant tone of voice as Damon lulled his head to glance towards him once more.
"You've won... You've caught the Monster... Now, nothing could possibly come between you and Amaya... Nothing but the truth... I need not remind you that your deceptions will continue to haunt you as long as you insist upon denying your True Nature..." Damon taunted weakly with an accomplished smirk as he lulled his head towards Stefan once more with an arched brow. "You cannot elude reality forever, Stefan."
"Benefit of your imprisonment down here, Damon...? Is that I don't have to listen to you if I don't want to..." Stefan whispered with an accomplished smirk as he turned to make his way towards the Basement Stairs, pausing momentarily when his Elder Brother's hoarse tone of voice sounded from within the Vampire Resistant Cellar.
"I'm stronger than you think." Damon muttered with a taunting smirk directed towards his confident Younger Brother.
"You always have been... But you're not stronger than the Vervain... And we both know that." Stefan retorted with an arched brow as he glowered down at his Elder Brother as he crossed his arms before his chest once more with an apologetic glimmer in his Forest Green Eyes. "I am sorry, Damon. It didn't have to be this way. But you gave me no other choice."
Without further comment, the Younger Salvatore Brother walked away from the Vampire Resistant Cellar as he made his way towards the entrance of the Salvatore Boarding House, nodding his head in farewell when he happened to have crossed paths with his Distant Nephew before disappearing through the Front Door as he made his way towards the Gilbert Residence at Vampire Speed.
~Mystic Grill~
That Afternoon, the Green Eyed Vampire and Doe Eyed Fae had decided to visit the Mystic Grill for Lunch before making their way to Mystic Falls High School for the Sexy Suds Car Wash per the Forbes Daughter's instruction. And while the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple enjoyed their peaceful Lunch Date in a secluded Corner Booth, the Elder Gilbert Daughter and Donovan Son could be found biding their time until the fundraiser with a friendly game of pool.
"And there's Vicki. All nonchalant in the Bathroom like it's no big deal they're hooking up..." Elena Gilbert complained as she bent over at the waist to align her Pool Cue with the scattered formation.
"Yeah, I'm not gonna lie... Your Brother and my Sister... That's weird." Matt Donovan admitted as he briefly averted his gaze with an apparent grimace before focusing his attention onto his Ex-Girlfriend once more.
"Yeah." Elena commented with an affirmative nod of her head in agreement as she straightened her stance, immediately noticing her Younger Twin Sister cuddled against the Younger Salvatore Brother's side in a secluded Corner Booth across the crowded Bar & Grill. "Random question..." Elena muttered with furrowed brows as she averted her attention towards her Ex-Boyfriend with an expression of thinly veiled discontent. "What do you think of Stefan...? I mean, do you think he's a good guy?"
"Amaya's Boyfriend...?" Matt retorted with furrowed brows of confusion as he briefly glanced towards the Doe Eyed Fae and Green Eyed Vampire before returning his attention towards Elena. "Why? What's he done?"
"Not any one thing... He's just so secretive all the time. I think there's something that he doesn't want me to know, which only makes me want to know all the more." Elena admitted with an expression of frustration as she glanced towards her Younger Twin Sister, the enchanting smile on Amaya's features visibly brightening as Stefan lowered his head to press an affectionate kiss to his Girlfriend's forehead as the arm around her shoulders brought her closer to his broad chest.
"Like what? Like he's a Serial Killer and he keeps a Clown Suit in his trunk?" Matt questioned with a humorous chuckle as Elena continued to glance towards her Younger Twin Sister and the Salvatore Son with an apparent envious glimmer in her eyes.
"No. Of course not... But what do we know about him, really?" Elena denied with an audible sigh of annoyance as she approached the Pool Table while Matt continued to observe her behavior with furrowed brows.
"He's great at Football. A little bit of a loner. And he seems to make Amaya happy... Happier than I've seen her in a long time. Maybe ever." Matt admitted as he leaned his upper weight against his own Pool Cue as he glanced briefly towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter with an expression of thoughtful contemplation before directing his attention towards her Elder Twin Sister once more. "Shouldn't this be something you bring up with Amaya...? You know, since she's dating him?"
"This is just a bit of sisterly concern." Elena assured with an unconvincing smile as she glanced towards her Ex-Boyfriend, causing Matt to nod his head in affirmation despite his glaring suspicions. "So, you think I'm just being paranoid?"
"I think you should say something to your Sister if you're so worried. But otherwise I'd let Amaya handle her relationship with Stefan." Matt admitted with an affirmative nod of his head towards Elena as he observed her reaction to his suggestion with vigilant eyes.
"Yeah..." Elena muttered with an absentminded tone of voice as an expression of thinly veiled annoyance appeared across her features as she glanced towards her Younger Twin Sister as she and Stefan prepared to make their way towards Mystic Falls High School. "I'll just do that."
Having noticed the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo making their way towards the entrance of the Mystic Grill, Elena hastily excused herself from her game of pool with Matt as she made to follow the Doe Eyed Fae and Green Eyed Vampire, pausing when an Elderly Man approached the Young Couple with an expression of astonishment written across his features as he unblinkingly stared at Stefan with widened eyes of disbelief.
"I know you..." The Elderly Man muttered with furrowed brows as Stefan and Amaya paused to glance towards him with confusion. "My God."
"Pardon...?" Stefan retorted with furrowed brows of confusion as his arm remained wrapped around his Fae Girlfriend's shoulders.
"I know you." The Elderly Man declared with more confidence than he originally had as he observed Stefan with calculative eyes. "You haven't aged a day..." The Elderly Man whispered with an expression of bewilderment written across his features, causing Stefan and Amaya to exchange alarming glances between themselves. "How can it be?"
"I think you may have me confused with someone else, Sir..." Stefan admitted with an apologetic nod of his head towards the Elderly Man as his grip on the Doe Eyed Fae tightened ever so slightly before guiding Amaya towards the entrance to the Bar & Grill without another glance backward.
Once the Vampire/Fae Couple had disappeared from the Mystic Grill, the Elder Gilbert Daughter glanced from the Restaurant Door that her Younger Twin Sister had disappeared through with the Salvatore Son towards the Dining Booth that the Elderly Man had joined his Family at with furrowed brows of confusion for the tense interaction that she had witnessed moment earlier.
~Mystic Falls High School~
Upon arriving to the Mystic Falls High School, the Younger Gilbert Twin had immediately joined the Forbes Daughter at the Money Station before being approached by the Elder Gilbert Twin and Monroe Daughter to report for their appointed positions as Money Clerks for the Sexy Suds Car Wash as assigned by the Co-Captains of the Cheerleading Squad.
"No Friend Discounts. No Freebies. No Pay-Ya-Laters. We are not running a Charity here." Caroline Forbes declared with narrowed eyes as she crossed her arms before her chest while towering over the Money Station with Amaya merely observing her Childhood Best Friend's domineering behavior with an amused smile.
"No, we are not." Amelia Monroe agreed with an affirmative nod of her head in confirmation while Elena remained silent in response to Caroline's instructions.
"Hi, Baby." Stefan greeted as he approached his Fae Girlfriend at the Cashier Station with an endearing smile.
"Hi." Amaya whispered with an enchanting smile as she leaned forward to brush an affectionate kiss to the Green Eyed Vampire's lips.
"You know the event is called Sexy Suds. Right?" Caroline taunted with a suggestive smirk directed towards her Lifelong Best Friend, causing Amaya's cheeks to acquire a familiar rosy hued tint as the Forbes Girl walked away from the Money Station.
"Were we just scolded...?" Stefan questioned with an arched brow as he glanced from the Forbes Girl's retreating figure towards the blushing Gilbert Girl.
"Mhm..." Amaya hummed with an affirmative nod of her head as she and Stefan stepped away from the Cashier Station before pausing as she grasped onto the fabric of his jacket with a flirtatious smile etched across her lips. "I'm sorry, but I think you'll have to take this off, Darling."
"After you, Baby..." Stefan urged with an amorous smirk as he stepped towards his tempting Girlfriend with hooded eyes, causing the charming smile on Amaya's features to brighten as she reached for the edge of her own covering.
In mere seconds of attempting to remove the covering that she had worn over her Bathing Suit, sounds of frustration escaped from the Doe Eyed Fae as she immediately becomes caught within the fabric of her blouse, causing Stefan to smile fondly at the adorable sight of his Girlfriend ensnared within her twisted covering as he reaches forward to effortlessly disentangled the blouse from the struggling Gilbert Girl.
"So. Not. Attractive." Amaya muttered with an adorable pout as the blush tinting her delicate features merely darkens as Stefan grasps either of her cheeks between the palms of his hands with an affectionate smile.
"I disagree." Stefan assured with an expression of adoration as he leaned forward to brush his lips against Amaya's own.
Not much longer after that, the Younger Salvatore Son and Elder Gilbert Daughter had eventually been assigned to Washer Duty by the Co-Captains of the Cheerleading Squad as the Forbes Daughter decided to manage the Money Station with the Younger Gilbert Daughter, causing Elena to take advantage of the situation in order to interact with Stefan without having to witness the sickeningly adorable affection between he and Amaya.
"You're getting soap in that." Elena commented as she noticed the Signet Ring on Stefan's hand that had accumulated an extensive amount of soap suds while washing the vehicles.
"Hmm? Oh. It's fine." Stefan assured with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders after briefly glancing towards the Elder Gilbert Twin before returning his attention to his previous task.
"I noticed Damon has one, too. Is there a story behind it?" Elena questioned with furrowed brows of curiosity as she attempted to subtly make her way towards Stefan.
"It's the Family Crest from the Italian Renaissance..." Stefan answered with an awkward nod of his head in affirmation as he immediately recognized Elena's attempt at subtlety.
"Hmm... What's the stone?" Elena questioned with an expression of feigned interest as she grasped onto Stefan's hand, causing the Green Eyed Vampire's entire form to stiffen as he refrained from attacking his Fae Girlfriend's Elder Twin Sister for her audacious behavior.
"It's known as Lapis Lazuli." Stefan responded with an expression of thinly veiled agitation as he gently removed his hand from Elena's grasp before someone were to notice the inappropriate proximity between he and the Elder Gilbert Daughter.
"Oh..." Elena muttered with an expression of disappointment as she noticed Stefan distancing himself from her once more. "You should really take it off. I could put it in my bag."
"If I do decide to remove it... I'll ask Amaya to hold on to it for me." Stefan commented with thinly veiled displeasure as his Forest Green Eyes searched for his Fae Girlfriend before connecting with the Navy Blue Eyes of Amaya from across the Parking Lot. "Thank you, though."
"Okay." Elena muttered with an apparent dejected tone of voice as she noticed Stefan's attention had been diverted. "I'm gonna get some more towels."
"Alright." Stefan acknowledged with an affirmative nod of his head as an expression of relief appeared across his features with the Elder Gilbert Girl's departure.
"Hey, we're out of towels and those shimmy things." Elena announced as she approached the Money Station that Caroline and Amaya could be found seated with Amelia.
"We'll get some more. Mind the money." Caroline commented as she immediately noticed the tension between the Gilbert Twins, leading Amelia away from the Money Station as they made their way towards the School Entrance.
"Would you care to explain what the Hell you thought you were doing with Stefan...?" Amaya demanded with narrowed eyes as she crossed her arms before her chest while glowering at her Elder Twin Sister.
"What do you mean?" Elena questioned with an expression of uncertainty as she glanced towards her Younger Twin Sister. "I wasn't trying to do anything, Amaya. I was only asking-"
"Enough with the lies, Elena!" Amaya declared with such animosity that Elena flinched at the mere tone of voice that the Younger Gilbert Girl exhibited. "I don't even know who you are anymore... What kind of person are you to be flirting with your Twin Sister's Boyfriend...? What would you have done if someone had noticed your blatant disregard for boundaries with my Boyfriend...? What would you have done if someone came to me with the belief that Stefan was cheating on me with my own Twin Sister...? Are you willing to destroy what little remains of our relationship for someone that does not even care for you?"
"What?" Elena retorted with furrowed brows of shocked disbelief as she stared at her Younger Twin Sister with widened eyes. "He told you that?"
"Seriously?! Is that all that you heard?!" Amaya exclaimed with an expression of resentment directed towards her Elder Twin Sister as her harsh glare darkened considerably. "But to answer your question... No. Stefan has been none too fond of you since the moment he met you, Elena... So, do the both of us a favor... And stay away from Stefan and I."
Without further comment, the Younger Gilbert Daughter disappeared into the crowd of Student Volunteers as Elena remained rooted to her seat with an expression of shocked disbelief at her Younger Twin Sister's uncharacteristic behavior as well as the Younger Salvatore Son's apparent contempt towards her. Meanwhile, the Doe Eyed Fae had momentarily been consumed within her thoughts, having not wanted to believe that her Elder Twin Sister could be as selfish and narcissistic as Petrova Doppelgängers were known to have been until this moment.
Once the Younger Gilbert Daughter had disappeared from the Car Wash Fundraiser to compose herself in the aftermath of the argument between she and the Elder Gilbert Daughter, Stefan had eventually found Amaya leaning against a neighboring tree as she tilted her head backwards against the rough bark while inhaling soothing breathes in an attempt to quell her agitation.
"Baby...?" Stefan whispered as he approached his Fae Girlfriend with an expression of concern written across his features as Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes fluttered open to connect with his own Forest Green Eyes.
"Hi." Amaya muttered with an apologetic smile as she absentmindedly leaned towards her Vampire Boyfriend in search of comfort. "I'm sorry about Elena... I hadn't known that she would corner you in such an audacious manner... Much less at such an event as this."
"There's no need for you to apologize..." Stefan assured as he grasped either of Amaya's flushed cheeks between his palms with an endearing smile. "I had suspected that she would attempt something of this manner at some point... I'd actually expected her to be more brazen than she had been."
"Nevertheless... I cannot believe that she would-" Amaya responded before pausing as an audible gasp of alarm filtered through her slightly parted lips as she is suddenly consumed within an unexpected vision of unknown origins.
As the Doe Eyed Fae wavered ever so slightly as though she were about to collapse, Stefan caught Amaya with his arms wrapped firmly around the curve of her slender waist in an effort to restore her equilibrium that had been disrupted by the spontaneous activation of another of her Fae Abilities, causing her Navy Blue Eyes to become encompassed by an iridescent Pure White Vortex as the Mental Vision appears within her subconscious.
~Vision~
At the Cashier's Station positioned at the entrance to the Mystic Falls High School Parking Lot, the Elder Gilbert Daughter could be seen politely accepting payment from various customers that had come to support the Charity Fundraiser when the Elderly Man that had approached the Younger Gilbert Daughter and Younger Salvatore Son at the Mystic Grill earlier that Afternoon appeared before the Money Station with his wallet in his hand.
"That'll be $20..." Elena voiced with an absentminded tone of voice before glancing towards the Elderly Man as an expression of recognition appears across her features. "I know you... I saw you earlier... Talking to a friend of mine...? At the Grill?"
"Well, I-I thought it was somebody I knew." The Elderly Man commented with uncertainty as he shook his head with furrowed brows of confusion.
"Stefan Salvatore." Elena suggested with an affirmative nod of her head directed towards the obviously hesitant patron, causing the blatant confusion displayed across the Elderly Man's features to broaden at the mention of the Younger Salvatore Son.
"Nah... It can't be. It's just my mind playing tricks on me." The Elderly Man denied with furrowed brows of uncertainty as he shook his head from side to side once more.
"Where do you think you'd seen him before?" Elena questioned with genuine curiosity as she leaned forward until her forearms were resting against the surface of the Collapsable Table.
"When I first moved here... I stayed at the Salvatore Boarding House." The Elderly Man explained with furrowed brows as he attempted to remember the details of his arrival in Mystic Falls. "Stefan was just passing through to visit his Uncle. I mean, none of us even knew he was here until the attack."
"The attack?" Elena questioned with an expression of confusion written across her features as she searched her memories for an attack that pertained to the Salvatore Family.
"His Uncle got killed. Mauled by an animal in the woods." The Elderly Man continued with an affirmative nod of his head towards the curious Elder Gilbert Twin.
"His Uncle...? Zach?" Elena questioned with an arched brow in response to the Elderly Man's memory, becoming slightly frustrated as her knowledge continued to contradict what she was being told.
"No. Joseph." The Elderly Man corrected with another gentle shake of his head in response to the Elder Gilbert Girl's inquiry, causing Elena's brows to furrow further as she had never heard Stefan mention having another Uncle by the name of Joseph Salvatore.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I don't think I'm familiar with the story." Elena admitted with an expression of avid confusion etched across her features, causing the Elderly Man to chuckle in response to the Teenage Girl's admission.
"How could you? I mean, this happened years ago." The Elderly Man commented absentmindedly as his Teenage Granddaughter approached he and the Gilbert Girl.
"Grandpa, you gotta go. Mom wants you home. Okay?" Tiki Williams gently advised as she gazed at her Elderly Grandfather, causing the Elderly Man to nod his head in affirmation before turning to make his way towards his vehicle as Tiki glanced towards Elena with an apologetic smile. "He wasn't bothering you, was he? He got a touch of Alzheimer's."
"No, he was sweet..." Elena assured as she stood from her chair behind the Cashier's Station before following after the Elderly Man. "Hey, Sir. I'm sorry. Um, are you sure that the man you saw... That you knew... His name was Stefan Salvatore?"
"Yes. I remember his Ring. And his Brother-" The Elderly Man paused as his mind reeled in search of the name of the Elder Salvatore Son.
"Damon...?" Elena offered with an arched brow when she noticed the Elderly Man struggling to remember the name of Stefan's Elder Brother.
"Yeah. Stefan and Damon Salvatore." The Elderly Man agreed with an affirmative nod of his head towards the Elder Gilbert Daughter.
"When was this?" Elena questioned with furrowed brows as she struggled to remember having encountered any prior members of the Salvatore Family before Stefan and Damon's arrival.
"It was early June, 19... 53?" The Elderly Man muttered with an expression of avid concentration before nodding his head in affirmation of having remembered the correct date of the incident. "Yeah. June, 1953."
At the admission, the Elder Gilbert Daughter remained rooted to the spot as she observed the Elderly Man making his way towards his vehicle without another glance backwards before averting her attention towards the gathering of Student Volunteers as she silently searched through the crowd for her Younger Twin Sister or the Younger Salvatore Brother without much success.
~Vision Scene Change~
Towards the edge of the Mystic Falls High School Parking Lot, the Elder Gilbert Twin approached the Sommers Woman as she lounged at an unoccupied Picnic Table that was suspiciously near where the Broadcast Crew had parked the News Van in preparation for their segment on the Sexy Suds Car Wash Fundraiser.
"Your car was done an hour ago." Elena comments with an amused smirk as she makes her way towards her Aunt/Legal Guardian that had long since settled herself at the Picnic Table.
"And you're saying that out loud because...?" Jenna Sommers questioned with an arched brow directed towards her Elder Niece as she stood from the Picnic Bench.
"Hey... Elena, right?" The News Reporter, Logan Fell, rhetorically questions as he approached his Ex-Girlfriend and her Elder Niece. "I think I met you and your Twin Sister when you were 9."
"Your Emotional Maturity Level when we were together." Jenna commented with a taunting smirk as she crossed her arms before her chest.
"Ouch. And here I thought we were making progress." Logan retorts with an amused smile as he glanced towards the Strawberry Blonde Woman with an expression of genuine fondness.
"Hey, is he enough in your good graces that I can ask him for a favor?" Elena asked with furrowed brows of uncertainty as she clasped her hands with an apparent pleading smile.
"If I do her a favor, will I get back in your good graces?" Logan interjected with an arched brow as he and Elena simultaneously focused their attention onto the Sommers Woman.
"Uh... A very reluctant maybe to both." Jenna responded with uncertainty as she glanced from her Ex-Boyfriend towards her Elder Niece.
"Done... Wait." Logan paused as he focused his attention onto Jenna with a suggestive smirk written across his features. "One condition. Dinner. Tonight. Your place."
"Fine. But you're eating leftovers." Jenna acquiesced with a nonchalant tone of voice as she crossed her arms before her chest with a triumphant smirk.
"Ooh..." Logan taunted with a flirtatious glimmer in his eyes as he glanced down upon his Ex-Girlfriend before focusing his attention onto the Elder Gilbert Twin with a polite smile. "What do you need?"
"Do you have access to old News Stories...? Say, Fifties..?" Elena questioned with an expression of genuine curiosity etched across her features.
"Yeah. At the station. Between the Archives and the Internet, we pretty much have everything..." Logan admitted with an affirmative nod of his head in confirmation towards the Elder Gilbert Girl.
"Perfect. I have this Research Paper. Way Past Due. You'd be a lifesaver." Elena explained with thinly veiled accomplishment as she clasped her hands before her chest with a pleading smile.
"Heading there now. Let's go." Logan suggested with an affirmative nod of his head as he gestured towards the News Van before making his way towards the Driver's Seat while Elena turned her attention towards her Aunt/Legal Guardian.
"If anyone asks, you don't know where I went... I don't want Caroline or Amaya to know that I left." Elena advised with an expression of appreciation as she gathered her Shoulder Bag from the Picnic Table where she had placed it earlier that Afternoon.
And with one final glance towards the bustling Car Wash Fundraiser in search of her Younger Twin Sister or the Younger Salvatore Brother, Elena made her way towards the News Van after having been unsuccessful in locating either the Doe Eyed Fae or Green Eyed Vampire amongst neither the Student Volunteers nor the Car Wash Patrons.
~Mystic Falls High School~
With an audible gasp as she emerges from the unexpected vision, Amaya's balance wavers once more from the spontaneous activation of another of her Fae Abilities, causing Stefan to tighten his grasp on his Fae Girlfriend with an expression of concern written across his ageless features as the Doe Eyed Girl glances towards the Cashier's Station where her Elder Twin Sister was politely attending to customers.
"Amaya...?" Stefan whispered with furrowed brows of confusion as Amaya continues to brace her weight against his broad chest. "What happened?"
"I'm not entirely sure..." Amaya responded with an innocent tilt of her head as her Gift of Infinite Knowledge was suddenly activated, offering the Doe Eyed Fae an explanation for the spontaneous vision that she had been startled by mere moments earlier. "My Foresight has been activated."
"Foresight?" Stefan voiced with furrowed brows of confusion as his thumbs absentmindedly caressed the tender skin of Amaya's slender waist. "As in the ability to perceive events of the Future?"
"Mhm..." Amaya hummed in confirmation as she glanced towards Stefan with an apparent frown of concern etched across her features in regards to what she had witnessed during the vision. "It would seem that Elena is on the verge of discovering the Supernatural."
"How so?" Stefan retorted with an expression of discontent as his jaw clenched at the mere notion of the Petrova Doppelganger having knowledge of either of their secrets.
"I cannot say for certain..." Amaya muttered with furrowed brows of concern as she glanced towards her Elder Twin Sister, not entirely sure when exactly her vision would come to fruition. "An incident at the Salvatore Boarding House during the early 1950s..." Amaya mentioned as her thoughts whirled with the memory of what the Elderly Man would come to reveal to Elena as she glanced towards Stefan with an apparent somber frown. "Your Distant Nephew, Joseph Salvatore... He was allegedly mauled to death by an animal in June of 1953... Which I know is an innuendo for Vampire Attack."
"And you would be correct..." Stefan admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as he vividly remembered the specific event. "He had been murdered by Damon... For reasons unknown."
"Well... That Elderly Man that approached you and I earlier this Afternoon at the Mystic Grill...?" Amaya mentioned with an arched brow while Stefan nodded his head in affirmation of her silent reminder of the earlier incident. "It would seem that Elena had overheard the conversation... She'll learn of the incident in 1953 at some point this Afternoon before asking permission from Aunt Jenna's Ex-Boyfriend, Logan Fell, who also just so happens to be the Local News Reporter, to use the News Station's Archives to research the incident... That's all that I've foreseen as of yet, though."
Less suddenly that her initial experience with her Foresight, the Doe Eyed Fae was once more immersed within another vision while managing to remain upright for the most part as she leaned against the Green Eyed Vampire's broad chest as he observed with avid fascination as her Navy Blue Eyes were immediately encompassed by the swirling Pure White Vortex once again.
~Vision~
At the News Station, Logan Fell makes his way into an office with the Elder Gilbert Daughter silently following behind him as she clutches onto the strap of her Shoulder Bag with an obvious expression of uncertainty as the News Reporter guides her towards the computer with an encouraging smile directed towards the nervous Teenage Girl.
"We digitized all our Archives last year. You can pull all the Remote Footage right up on screen." Logan explained with an encouraging smile as Elena settled herself into the Office Chair before swiveling towards the Desktop Computer. "What exactly is it you're looking for?"
"An incident from 1953. If it even happened..." Elena commented with an apparent nonchalant tone of voice as she glanced towards the News Reporter with a casual shrug of her shoulders. "At the old Salvatore Boarding House-"
The Elder Gilbert Daughter's explanation is suddenly disrupted by the shrill tone of the Fell Man's cellphone, causing Logan to gesture for the Teenage Girl to wait as he answered with an expression of serious consideration while Elena momentarily averts her attention towards the Desktop Computer.
"Yeah...? Fire? Alright, I'll be right there." Logan responds into the speaker of the cellphone before focusing his attention onto Elena once more as he prepares to take his leave. "I gotta go. Can you believe there's actual news to cover in this town...? Alright, use keywords to search the database. It's pretty easy to navigate. And Brady down in Tech will help you out with anything you need."
"Okay." Elena retorted with an affirmative nod of her head in understanding of the basic explanation of how to navigate the News Station Archives.
"Alright...?" Logan questioned with an arched brow directed towards the Gilbert Girl as he stepped towards the Office Door before pausing in the doorway with an expression of curiosity. "Hey, could you put in a good word for me with Jenna?"
"You got it." Elena agreed with an affirmative nod of her head in acquiescence as she glanced towards the Fell Man with an apparent smile of agreement before Logan disappeared through the Office Door without another word.
Without further delay, the Elder Gilbert Daughter focused her attention onto the Desktop Computer as she navigated the Archive Database's Search Engine, pausing momentarily to input the keywords of Salvatore Boarding House + 1953. Almost immediately, the Reference Link to the News Station Segment of the incident appeared on the Computer Screen, which had prompted Elena to access the Video Clip with another click of the Computer Mouse.
"This is Franklin Fell reporting to you from the Salvatore Boarding House where another brutal Animal Attack has ended in tragedy." The News Reporter from 1953, Franklin Fell, announces as he stands before the Salvatore Boarding House as the Town Coroner appears in the background. "Okay. They're bringing out the body. See if you can get closer." The Anchorman instructs the Camera Man as the video enhances to display the Body Bag being loaded into the Coroner's Van before panning towards the shadowed figure standing at the entrance of the Salvatore Boarding House. "Is that the Nephew?"
As the Camera continues to gradually enhance on the shadowed figure hidden within the darkness, Elena leans toward the Desktop Computer as her eyes narrow onto the blurred image on the Computer Screen until she could barely recognize her Younger Twin Sister's Boyfriend, causing an expression of bewilderment to appear across her features as she begins to consider the numerous abnormalities that she had noticed about the Salvatore Brothers while her eyes continued to widen as her thoughts whirled with the distressing possibilities.
~Mystic Falls High School~
As the Doe Eyed Fae emerged from the vision once more with more grace than her previous experience with her Foresight had allowed, an apparent frown of concern appeared on Amaya's features as she glanced towards Elena, relief flooding through her senses as she determined that her Elder Twin Sister had not yet crossed paths with the Elderly Man.
"What is it?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows of concern as he tightened his arms around Amaya's slender waist at the obvious unease that the vision had caused his Fae Girlfriend.
"The News Report of the incident has Video Footage of you..." Amaya explained with an apprehensive frown etched across her features as she averted her gaze towards her Vampire Boyfriend while silently considering her Elder Twin Sister's reaction to the impending discovery. "From what I could gather from the vision... I would wager that she will know of the truth before darkness is upon us."
"What do you want to do?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows as he gazed down upon his Fae Girlfriend with curiosity, wondering how exactly the Younger Gilbert Daughter would feel with her Elder Twin Sister knowing the truth.
"Nothing to do..." Amaya admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as she leaned her forehead against Stefan's broad chest while allowing her Navy Blue Eyes to flutter closed as the Green Eyed Vampire massaged the tender skin at the back of her neck. "With Elena being the current Human Doppelganger of the Petrova Bloodline... She was bound to discover the truth sooner or later... And I would prefer to ease her into the Supernatural World rather than allow her experiences to be negatively influenced by the newest Bennett Witch."
"You honestly believe that Bonnie would do such...?" Stefan questioned with an arched brow of curiosity as he had not expected Amaya's disapproval of the Bennett Girl to be to such an extent.
"My opinion does not pertain only to Bonnie, Stefan..." Amaya corrected with an apparent shake of her head in denial as she glanced upwards at Stefan with an expression of discontent. "As an entirety, Ancestral Witches are infamously known for their conceited pretension and judgmental attitudes because of the misguided belief of their being the alleged Servants of Nature... When in actuality, Mother Nature does not require the assistance of mere Mortals to maintain the Natural Balance. And to believe otherwise is absolutely outrageous."
As the Green Eyed Vampire considered the Doe Eyed Fae's comment, Stefan could understand the notion that Amaya had indicated as he silently considered the utter absurdity of the mere notion that Mother Nature would require interference from the Ancestral Witches to maintain the Natural Balance. And the more he thought upon his previous interactions with Ancestral Witches, Amaya had been correct that the entire Species seemed to possess an unearned arrogance that he had been witness to on several occasions since having Transitioned.
"I think we've had enough excitement for today..." Stefan commented with an exasperated smile as he gently caressed the delicate skin of either of Amaya's cheeks between his palms. "Why not retire to the Boarding House for the Evening and I'll cook dinner for us."
"Mmm..." Amaya hummed with an enchanting smile as she tilted her head ever so slightly with an expression of contentment at the mere notion. "Sounds wonderful."
Once the Green Eyed Vampire had brushed an affectionate kiss to the Doe Eyed Fae's forehead, Stefan guided Amaya away from the Mystic Falls High School Parking Lot after having gathered their belongings while endeavoring to avoid Elena to the best of their abilities before making their way towards the Pristine White Chevy Camaro belonging to the Younger Gilbert Daughter as the Salvatore Son wrapped an arm securely around his Girlfriend's shoulders.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
Upon arriving to the Salvatore Boarding House, the Vampire/Fae Couple were immediately concerned upon noticing the Front Door having been standing wide open, causing Stefan and Amaya to exchange glances between themselves before making their way towards the darkened manor with tentative footsteps, the Doe Eyed Fae grimacing when they happened across the corpse of an undeniably familiar Black Crow on the Entryway Carpet.
"Zach." Stefan whispered with an apparent worried tone of voice once he had noticed the Black Crow had been drained of blood, causing the Green Eyed Vampire to sprint towards the Basement Door with the Doe Eyed Fae following behind him.
The Younger Gilbert Daughter followed her Vampire Boyfriend as he descended the staircase into the basement with hurried footsteps, the Salvatore Son nearly leaving her behind as he flitted through the darkened corridors. However, as the Green Eyed Vampire suddenly rounded another corner with the Doe Eyed Fae on his heels, an audible gasp of horror escaped from Amaya's lips as she and Stefan found Zach Salvatore collapsed on the ground in an awkward position.
"Zach!" Stefan shouted with an expression of combined horror and anguish as he lowered himself to the ground beside his Distant Nephew before pressing his fingers against the Human Salvatore's neck in search of the nonexistent pulse. "Oh, Zach..."
"Oh my God..." Amaya whispered as her dainty hand came to cover her mouth at the nightmarish sight before her, unsure of what to do in this situation to comfort Stefan.
With the descent of silence between the Doe Eyed Fae and Green Eyed Vampire, Stefan slowly raises from the ground with an apparent murderous glimmer in his Forest Green Eyes as he momentarily disappeared into an adjacent room before returning with an aged Wooden Stake grasped within his hand as he makes his way towards the Basement Stairs with dark determination written across his features.
"Stefan!" Amaya exclaims with an alarmed tone of voice as she hurriedly followed Stefan as he ascends the staircase into the Main Corridor. "Stefan! Wait! Please!"
Once the Younger Salvatore Brother had emerged into the Downstairs Entryway of the Salvatore Boarding House, Amaya grasped onto the sleeve of Stefan's jacket as she forced the agitated Vampire to pause in his journey towards the Front Door before placing herself in his path as she grasped either of his tearstained cheeks between her dainty palms.
"Stefan..." Amaya whispered with an anguished tone of voice as her Navy Blue Eyes connect with his own tearful Forest Green Eyes. "Oh, Baby."
As the Salvatore Son's resolve begun to crumble, Amaya wrapped her arms around Stefan's shoulders as his entire form started to shutter with silent sobs for the death of his Distant Nephew. However, mere moments after the distraught Green Eyed Vampire had surrendered himself to his Fae Girlfriend's embrace, Stefan and Amaya were disrupted from their intimate moment by the sound of frantic knocks echoing throughout the otherwise silent abode, causing the Vampire/Fae Couple to exchange glances between themselves with the knowledge that the Elder Gilbert Daughter had arrived at the most inopportune moment possible.
With an audible sigh of resignation as he separated himself from the Doe Eyed Girl's comforting embrace, Stefan made his way towards the Front Door with Amaya clutching onto his hand in silent support as the ornate Wooden Door was opened to reveal the obviously frightened Elder Gilbert Daughter.
What are you?