Happy Midsummer!


Disclaimer: I've never been to Philadelphia. I try to write in a general manner about cities, if I do, and try to research if there's something in particular I refer to. Otherwise, I just work with what I've got (a few online searches) and my imagination.


Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries


I ended up heading for Philadelphia.

I had closed my eyes, bit back the pain, and then I had left.

I remembered the last time I saw them. Elena and Bonnie, both with tight-lipped smiles. Caroline's support. Stefan's sympathies. I remembered finding Damon on my doorstep the day I left.

''You need help carrying those boxes?''

Looking down the hallway, I saw Damon leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. I made a strangled noise when I lifted the box I'd clearly overpacked from the floor.

''You don't have to be worried about me,'' I told him. ''I'll be fine. It'll work out.''

''Don't use your mumbo jumbo on me, Moreau.''

''I'm not. I just know you. And you're easier to read than you think,'' I added, recollecting what he had told me before.

''You're fast, I'll give you that,'' Damon grinned, and he looked at me struggling with what I was carrying. ''But you look like you're going to burst a vein or something.''

''I'm sure you'd like that,'' I panted, pushing past him, out, towards the car. Once I was free of the heavy weight in my arms and turned around to get another, I saw Damon already on his way over with a box in his hands.

''You're not moving out completely, are you?''

Shaking my head, I flexed my fingers to try and get rid of the oncoming cramp. When I came out with the next one, he was leaning against the car looking at me.

''I'll be fine, Damon,'' I said, laughing a little.

He nodded towards the house. ''You're not going to miss this place?''

I glanced at the so familiar sight behind me and felt my throat tighten. Swallowing, I forced a smile and turned back to him. ''Of course I am. It hurts like hell.''

Damon widened his eyes and feigned shock. ''Moreau! Now you gotta unpack all of this and find the soap.''

I shrugged, this time with a genuine smile on my face. ''Know your crowd.''

He helped me with the rest of my stuff, and all the while I couldn't stop thinking how much I appreciated his company. And how much I would miss him.

When everything was done: the house locked up, the trunk closed and me seemingly ready to go, but not really, I turned to Damon.

''I know you don't hug because you're big on that mysterious bad-boy-thing, but-''

He surprised me by dragging me to him and squeezing me tight once before he let go. Before I had the chance to change my mind, I got into the car and rolled down the window, filled with mixed feelings, and said:

''Don't be a stranger.''


I was on the road, venturing into the unknown. I didn't have a job, and I was going to a strange city where I'd probably get lost around every street corner until I learned to find my way. With a cracked phone, a key to a new apartment, and a whole trunk filled with emotional baggage. I thought about it a lot when I was driving. I just had to force myself to let go – even if just for now – of things and people I cared about. I had to, if I was to ever move forward. And not hate myself for feeling like I was running, because I wasn't. It had been calm when I left. Most of the drama had settled, for once.

When I finally got there, and turned the key and stepped through the door, I was exhausted. Exhausted enough to not spend the whole night awake, thinking and brooding.

The place was bigger than I really needed. Two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen. Even the bathroom was big. The emptiness didn't bother me right now, but I knew it might once my head wasn't spinning from fatigue.

Curled up under the covers that night, I listened to the strange sounds of a strange city, and when I closed my eyes I drifted off into a quiet, dreamless, sleep.


First order of business was finding myself a job. There were no shortage of restaurants or cafés in the area, and as soon as I was out of bed and dressed I went out to hand out resumés.

While all I could do was wait, I tried to get myself acquainted with the neighbourhood. It was very calm near the apartment. That street and a few more in connection were pretty much only residential properties; in the evenings there weren't many people out.

I couldn't kid myself and say that I was used to city life after just a few rough days in Lafayette. This was different. I couldn't even have tried this two years ago. There would be too many people, too much fear of being overwhelmed. Now, it worked fine. Almost effortlessly.

My mind went to my mother. She would be happy about this, I knew she would. Sucking in a breath at the pain that came with the thought of her, I tried not to cry. She would be happy. She wanted me to be happy. My eyes watered anyway.


I had luck in several places I'd handed in my credentials, so I was set with a job. That's were I spent most of my time the next few weeks. When I could match the deadlines, I'd be applying for college. As normal as I could, for as long as I could. I kept telling myself that, because the more time that passed; the more prominent the constant itch in me became. The itch telling me that something was coming.

I hated that feeling. But all I could do was grin and bear it.


When I came back to the apartment late one day, someone was waiting outside the building. There was no mistaking him.

''Elijah!'' I smiled when I reached him.

''Evangeline,'' he returned. ''Have you settled in?''

I placed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and smiled again, although probably much more tiredly. ''Ask me again in a month. Do you want to come up?'' I asked. ''I mean, it's your place, but, you know-''

Wordlessly, he followed me in the stairwell, but I caught the smile on his face before it disappeared.

After unlocking the door and stepping through, I got a hanger for my coat. I grabbed another one and held my hand out for his.

''It's really nice,'' I said, and hung his coat next to mine. ''So, thank you, again.'

''It was nothing,'' he replied in a quiet voice.

''No,'' I said. ''It was everything. It made this whole thing so much easier. Really.''

''I'm glad.''

None of us said anything for a short while. I felt uncomfortable. Not in a bad way – but this was still so new to me.

''You're here,'' I said finally, after the sight of him in front of me had settled in my mind as something that was actually real. It felt like it had been ages since I last saw him.

He smiled softly. I was beginning to love his smiles. The rare, genuine ones. They didn't seem to be quite as rare anymore.

''I told you I wouldn't disappear.''

''Well,'' I said, returning his smile with a hesitant one of my own. ''I'm glad.''

Our hands found each other. Maybe because that was the most vulnerable part of me. Maybe because we both knew what that touch meant.

He stepped in closer, and I fought the impulse to pull my hands away when I felt my guard drop for a second. My eyes darted from our hands to his eyes. I think he might've felt it, but he didn't look like it bothered him.

Elijah lifted one of his hands and trailed his fingers down the side of my face. His eyes searched mine, and I felt myself lean into him. His lips curled into a smile, then he dipped his head and I met him halfway.

It was hard to say if I could ever get tired of this kind of rush. We fit together so well. Never mind the occasional awkwardness, which I was sure to get over, but once I relaxed into his touch everything was easy. Too easy, perhaps.

''I have to-'' my breaths came out short and ragged when I pulled back. ''I have to stop. Focus, I need to-''

''Okay,'' he said, and I gave myself a moment to appreciate that his voice was as shaky as mine.

When he moved away, I grabbed his sleeves and kept him still. ''Wait,'' I mumbled. One deep breath. Two. Three. I had to breathe, and relax. That was all I had to do. And then it would be alright.

He didn't object when I pulled him to me again.

It was difficult to focus. His mouth, his hands, him. Everything. But I tried, because I wouldn't project onto him. I couldn't.

Then he pushed me closer by the waist, and a finger grazed the bare skin of my low back. Something about it set me off, made me clutch his hair a little tighter, kiss him a little harder – and I had to stop.

I breathed, leaning my forehead against his chest. I thought he was about to say something when I felt him inhale, but he didn't. He closed his arms around me and held me close in a still hug, and rested his chin against my hair.

''All I want for you is happiness,'' he said, his voice muffled. ''But I'm still learning what that entails.''

''I think it's safe to say that we're both learning,'' I mumbled.

''Do you miss them?''

''Yeah. But it's not like I'll never see them again. My intuition tells me, and it's usually a reliable source.''

''What does it tell you about me?''

I leaned back and looked up at him, a smile tugging at my lips. ''Good things.''

He placed a soft kiss on my lips before stepping back. ''Have you eaten?''

Suddenly the image of a half-eaten packet of fries and a plain, white, wall dimly lit by a bedside lamp appeared in my mind. I pushed it aside.

''Light lunch,'' I said, and when he looked towards the fridge, added with a sigh, ''I have to buy groceries. Finally a normal, human, issue, and I can't be bothered.'' The last part made me laugh humourlessly. ''How long are you in town for?''

''A few days.''

I nodded, biting down on my lip. Wondering what to say.

''I'm...'' I began, and tried to form a coherent sentence despite my mind being all fuzzy. ''I'm new to this. This,'' I pointed between the two of us, ''isn't exactly a... standard issue relationship.''

''Does it matter?'' he asked, and I felt myself frown when I picked up the hesitant tone in his voice. He thought I wasn't up for it?

I stepped towards him and reached for his hands, intertwining my fingers with his. ''No,'' I said. ''I'm just... getting used to things. Worrying. I mean, I just packed up and left my friends. I don't do that. I don't leave people I love.'' I felt my hands and arms tensing up, and my guard drop slightly. With a slow and steady breath and forced relaxation I stopped it. ''It's not in my nature. But I had to leave.''

''Nor is it in mine,'' he said. I thought of his family, the one he was so loyal to. The one he loved, in his way.

''Your siblings. Have you heard from them?''

Something hinted in his eyes. Something he didn't seem proud to say.

''Niklaus and Rebekah remain in Mystic Falls.''

Well, that was news. I felt confused, and a little angry. He had said they'd all go. That Mystic Falls deserved some quiet. His words.

''I thought you said they'd leave too?'' I asked and tried to even the tone in my voice. I shouldn't blame their actions on him. That wasn't fair.

Elijah's hands were stiff, and I was beginning to sense the familiar prickling skin on the back of my neck. ''They meant to.''

''What changed?'' I asked, hoping – no needing – to get a straight answer.

''I do not know the whole story.''

''They were supposed to leave.'' I think he saw the desperation in my eyes when he looked at me, because something seemed to change in his.

''I have no control over them,'' he said, ''nor do I wish to... control them, but if they would only listen- I have tried, but there are powers beyond us at work there.''

I pressed further. ''What powers?''

He averted his eyes, giving off the same suggestion of shame as before. I twisted my hands free from his and took a step back.

''Elijah, what powers?''

Dark eyes bore into mine. ''Our mother used the same ancient magic she did when she created us. She made the teacher into an Original vampire to hunt us all down. And it would seem that... destroying an Original vampire would destroy their bloodline. Everyone they turned...''

''Everyone?''

''We believe so.''

''But, Ric was dead, he-''

''He completed the transition.''

I drew a shaky breath, my throat feeling like it was closing up. Moving clumsily to the kitchen counter, I leaned against it for support and stared blankly at the floor.

''Oh my god.''

This was what I'd been afraid of. This was exactly it.

''I have to go back,'' I said, and pushed myself away from the counter, looking around aimlessly, unable to piece together what I had to pack.

''Wasn't the reason you left that you had to step away from such matters?''

With a swift turn, I faced Elijah. ''I just told you I don't leave people I love.''

He bowed his head. ''I'm sorry, I- it was poorly phrased.''

''It's okay.''

I took a deep breath and tried to focus. Alaric was now an Original vampire hunter. Like Mikael had been, maybe. And if one Original died... so did countless others. This was a mess.

I ran my hands through my hair, loosening some of it from the ponytail. I didn't care to fix it.

''Do you know anything else? Is anyone hurt?''

''No,'' Elijah said, more so in response to the second question. ''I keep my involvement to a minimum.''

I frowned at him. ''Why?''

''Because-''

He paused and looked down at his fingers, flicking them like he was nervous. When he spoke again, he spoke in a low and tentative voice, like he hesitated with every word.

''Because I do not wish to do something that would prove to be in vain and only end with you unable to bear my presence.''

I stepped towards him. ''I could never hate you, Elijah.''

''You are mistaken, I'm afraid,'' he said with a small smile. ''I am certain that you could.''

It wasn't a lie. But I was sure that he was so convinced of it that it made it true. Even though I had trouble seeing it, I shuddered at the implication. But if it ever reached a point where I hated him, I was pretty sure he was already hating himself. I knew him well enough to see that in him now.

''I have to call them,'' I said. ''Can you... can I have a minute?''

He nodded. ''I will wait downstairs.''


The second Elijah left I called Damon. Any other time or situation my first choice would've been Elena. That wasn't the case, now. He picked up almost immediately.

''Damon, what's going on over there?''

''They've decided to dig up the gardenia shrubs on Peach Street and plant hydrangeas. All former Miss Mystic Falls contestants above forty are rioting.''

I tuned out as soon as I heard he wasn't being serious. There wasn't time for that.

''Alaric's an Original vampire? If an Original dies, so does their entire bloodline?''

''Yeah, well. Just a regular Tuesday.''

''Damon,'' I chided him. ''This is serious. I-''

''Don't even think about it,'' he cut me off, as if he'd read my mind. ''You're not coming back here.''

''If things really are that bad, then-''

''Ev, listen to me,'' he said carefully. ''Ric knows about your powers. You wouldn't be able to surprise him. There isn't much you could do that we can't. Except, you die a hell of a lot easier. And you're not coming back here to die. You're not coming back here, period.''

He knew exactly what buttons to press. Somewhere deep down I knew that he was right, but it was so hard to accept. I never wanted all of the bad things that had happened. I didn't crave conflict. But I couldn't leave them.

''Damon-''

''Moreau, you promise me. Promise me right now.''

There were few times I had heard Damon sound alarmingly grave. This time was more so than any other time. I was silent, until I said in a quiet and defeated voice.

''I promise.''

I don't know if he heard the lie, but I sure could. With everything in me, I wanted to be honest with him, but I had only promised him so I could have some time to think things through.

When we hung up I felt empty. I waited a while before I called out for Elijah. I knew he could hear me, if he hadn't gone far.

He stepped through the door a few seconds later, looking tense and waiting for me to say something.

I hesitated before I spoke. ''Damon doesn't think I should go back.''

Elijah slipped his hands into his pockets. ''While I rarely see eye to eye with him, I have to agree.''

I couldn't be mad at him for it, because I knew he was just as right about this as Damon was. I just didn't want to admit it. ''I can't...'' I made a face, feeling inadequate and bitter at myself. ''They're in danger, and if there's anything I can do to help, then-''

''What if you go there, and someone ends up hurt for saving you?''

''I'm not completely defenceless.'' I held my hands out, palms up, trying to prove a point.

Elijah moved in front of me and grabbed my hands before I could drop them. ''Do you remember how easily Kol seized you?'' His voice was low; and he loomed over me not only in body but in presence, making me feel small and ignorant. I don't think that he meant to.

''You're right,'' I said, and pulled my hands away. ''I know, it just- It goes against everything, staying away, staying still, feeling useless.'' I let out a groan of frustration and felt the battle in me between right and wrong, want and should, simmer down.

''Give it a few days. You might reconsider.''

I looked at him, frowning in disbelief.

I didn't think that I could.


The next day I was still as hung up on the fake promise I'd made. I had gotten up in the morning and gone to work as I normally would. I did everything I had done every day the past few weeks, but it all felt wrong.

I was walking down the dimly lit streets on my way to the apartment after my shift. It got darker in winter, and it wasn't an irregular occurrence when the only daylight I got was when I went to work. On my way back, it was dark again.

I was two blocks away and had just finished talking to Sarah over the phone. She was blissfully oblivious to everything that was going on in Mystic Falls, and I felt strangely calm and safe talking to her. It gave me a taste of normal that I was beginning to understand I had never completely felt, and probably never would. It made me, for a short while, forget the constant itch at the back of my neck that wouldn't go away. It was worse now, stronger; probably because of me worrying about everyone. I thought of my conversation with Sarah and tried to push it away.

I was just about to put my phone away when the screen lit up. Between the cracks, I could make out Elijah's name and his brief message.

The corners of my lips turned up on their own. I wasn't going to lie. It was lonely here. I didn't know anyone. And even though people at work were friendly, and I never really had trouble making friends if I wanted to, there was still something in me holding back from forming new relationships. Maybe I didn't want anyone else to get dragged into all of this.

I had always been one to make plans. With Elijah... I wasn't sure if that was possible. We hadn't talked about it. And all I had come to the conclusion that there really was no other way than to just be in the moment. For now, at least.

Slipping my phone in my pocket, I drew a breath of cold air. I knew Elijah didn't want me to go back to Mystic Falls, either. I didn't know if he would stop me if I did.

I wasn't completely defenceless. I had powers, and I was so much better at controlling them now. But, I knew I was kidding myself. What could I possibly do? Maybe reach a spot of bare skin on someone moving fast enough to become a blurry line. If a vampire wanted to, they could kill me before I even had a chance to use my powers.

I kicked a pebble harshly, watching it fly over the pavement. Not completely defenceless, sure. The more I had thought about the situation back there the more bitter I found myself becoming. I wished that I could do more.

I was almost at the apartment. The houses lining the street towered over me, concealing a sky I probably wouldn't be able to see any stars in anyways. A few windows glowed with light.

My footsteps were almost soundless on the sidewalk. The itching feeling grew stronger. It crept up my back, my neck, sending a chill throughout my body. Trusting it, I looked around me. I thought I was alone. There was no one there that I could see, but-

An all too familiar whooshing sound reached my ears, and all of a sudden I wasn't alone in the street anymore.

Heels clicked against the pavement, and when I saw who it was I did a double-take.

''Hello,'' she said. She lengthened the word, and looked me over.

Elena – no, Katherine.

''You look awfully ordinary,'' she said. ''Don't really see what all the fuss is about.''

My body went into flight mode. She smirked when she noticed. ''Katherine,'' I managed to get out.

''The one and only.''

I dug my heels into the ground instinctively. Not that a good stance would help against her if she for some reason attacked me. Pressing my lips together, I stretched my fingers out. If I kept my focus, kept that one thought in my head– then one touch was all it took. ''What do you want?''

''Only what was promised to me. And it doesn't involve small talk,'' she sighed, and held her hand up, inspecting her nails. They glinted red in the dim light.

Every fibre in my being was screaming the answer at me, but I asked anyway.

''What does it involve?''

I didn't see the knife until she held it up before her eyes, twisting and turning the blade, the light from the nearest streetlight bouncing off it. Instant fear flooded me, and the thought I had fought to keep in my head slipped away. I couldn't defend myself against her if I wanted to. Not if she was moving too fast. But I had to try. I forced the image of her, unconscious, at my feet into my mind. And I kept it there.

She tilted her head.

She smiled.

''This might hurt just a little bit.''


Feels like it's been a while since a good cliff-hanger :) Also, a note on intimate scenes: Bear with me people, I'm pretty new at writing those so this is me trying.