"He should be here in an hour or so," Lia sighed, hugging her pillow to her pyjama-clad chest. She was sitting cross-legged on her bed, staring unseeingly at the laptop screen in front of her. Slater was munching on some m&m's, a thoughtful look on his face.
"That means he's done with Augustine, right?" Slater asked, a small frown on his face at the thought of a research cult that focussed on vampires. He'd had a genuine nightmare, the first since he was human, after he'd got the story of what happened under Whitmore college. He was just glad he'd steered clear.
"Yeah, he's destroyed everything, everyone, and learned all he's needed to about the modern era. He was going to come by next week, but he sounded sad," Lia mumbled into the pillow, her frown deepening. "You'll have to meet him tomorrow. I think he might want a 'siren snuggle,'" Lia grinned cheekily, raising an eyebrow at Slater as he rolled his eyes, throwing a shell-coated chocolate at her. He shook his head as he watched the m&m disappear, only to see Lia chewing. He still couldn't get over how fast she was.
Her words registered and for a moment, they didn't mean much to him. He paused, however, when he thought over all he knew. Eyes going wide, he reached for the MacBook, minimising the show and pulling up his web browser.
"Oh," the sound rushed out on the wave of his breath, wincing as he read further. "I bet he found out about Maggie."
"What?" Lia dropped the pillow and scooted over so she leaned into Slater's side, eyes slowly creeping wider as they flew across the page. "Oh, my poor Loren."
"Yeah. I'm gonna head back to my room. I'll see you in the morning, Lia," with a quick sympathetic smile, Slater nabbed his treats and tech and trotted away.
*TVDM*
Banging on the door startled Zach from his slumber. He jumped up, eyes racing around the room in panic. Banging echoed through the house once more, coming from the front door. He shook off the sleep that threatened to take him again and threw on his plain red dressing gown, walking quickly toward the entrance. His eyes flickered to a clock in passing, frowning in concern as he realised it was only 2 in the morning. Something bad must have happened for someone to be trying to break down his door at this time, or it was something bad. Zach's hands shook, frozen while reaching for the door handle, as the thought crossed his mind.
"Mr. Zach?"
His head whipped around at the vision in white. She wore one of the bath robes over her white cotton nighty that fell just above her knees, white slippers on her feet as she looked worriedly between him and the door. He shook his head, stiffening his spine and opening it just enough for whoever was on the other side to see him, blocking their view of Lia with his body.
Light streaming through the door above him illuminated a man with wild, dark eyes, tangled black hair and reeking of whiskey and despair. Zach was startled by the near-feral appearance that oozed grief and hope.
"Please," the man near-whispered in a, surprisingly, British accent, running his hand through his hair for what looked to be the 100th time that day. "The police said you had her here, I need to see my sister."
"Loren?!"
Zach stumbled as he was pushed to the side, the fey-like creature he'd been living with for over 2 months barging through like her life depended on it. She laughed in delight with tears in her eyes, launching herself at the man who suddenly looked as if the weight of the world had slid right off his shoulders. He held her tight, spinning her in circles as he cried and she laughed.
The pair didn't release each other even as they started talking about their adventures. Zach had calmed down, seeing the tender way that 'Loren' was holding her, and recognising the name as the one she cried for when she thought no one was nearby.
Shaking his head in fond exasperation, he decided he'd better intervene before they spent the rest of the night outside.
"Come inside, you pair. There's still too many hours before daylight for you to stand around out here."
*TVDM*
The pair didn't say anything as they lay cuddling up on Lia's bed. Enzo was on his side, curled around his little sea creature; his arms around her waist, his head on her chest, his knees pulled up and acting as a seat for Lia, who was lying on her back with her legs thrown over his thighs. One of her hands was trailing along the arm across her stomach while the other ran through his hair, a soft song escaping her lips while her eyes tinted the room green as they stared, unseeing, at the ceiling. It wasn't until the sun had come up that the vampire finally fell asleep.
Lia gently extracted herself from the vampiric limpet, kissing his forehead before heading to the bathroom. Enjoying her usual half-hour-long bath and, as always, taking the time to lavish her scales with attention, she finished up and dressed in a v neck, long-sleeved, mid-thigh summer dress. It was pattered like snake skin in whites, greys and beiges, buttoning up in the front with large, chocolate brown buttons. Slipping on a pair of dark brown boots, she exited her wardrobe, rolling her sleeves up just below her elbows as she went. Sending Enzo one last glance, she silently exited the room, navigating the halls until she reached the kitchen.
"Morning," Lia smiled, unsurprisingly finding Zach already up and making breakfast. "Sorry about Loren last night. How did you sleep?"
"Just fine, Lia. How are you?" Zach's eyes were pinched in concern, worried that last night might have been an emotional one for the young girl.
"Oh, absolutely wonderful! My brother is back!" Lia gushed in a near whisper as if afraid that if she said it too loud, she'd wake up and realise it was all a dream. She bounced excitedly over to one of the stools at the breakfast bar, dropping into her chosen seat and smiling her thanks as Zach placed a cup of herbal, read vervain, tea in front of her. "We haven't spoken yet, just slept, but just- he was there, he's here! It's more than I could ever ask for!"
Lia's smile was brimming with genuine happiness at the return of her brother. All Zach could do was smile back, truly happy for her, before flipping the pancakes in front of him.
"Uh, good morning."
Lia froze. Zach startled. Both turned to see Stefan awkwardly standing in the archway, looking like he was physically holding himself back from doing something.
Who knew?
"Stefan. Good morning," Lia's eyebrows were high in surprise before she fixed her expression into a welcoming smile while internally berating herself for not hearing him. She realised, as she stared at the rarely seen immortal, she'd forgotten to ask if vampires could sense other vampires. "It's rare to see you in the mornings." Or at all, silently echoed around the room.
"Yeah, I realised how rude I was being, going out so frequently. I figured I should introduce myself properly, seeing as I'll be starting school with you next month," Stefan smiled, a gentle thing that was lovely to look at, though the emotions rolling off him were turbulent to say the least.
Her fingers twitched toward the buffet of emotion that was essentially trapped behind siren-proof glass because ugh, vampires, Lia waved him over to the bench. "Don't be shy, then. Take a seat and let me get to know you!"
He walked almost too-fast over to the stool next to hers, his attention turned fully in her direction as he rushed over his basic story as his 'uncle' served them their food; military kid, travelled a lot, settling down for his last few years of schooling, birthday early November.
"Enough about me, though," he grinned, grabbing her now-empty plate and taking it to the sink. "How are you?" his easy grin faded as worry pinched his eyes, a worry so genuine it surprised Lia. "How are you coping?" he asked softly.
"It's very nice of you to ask, but I'm fine. It's hard, I'll admit; not rememberingmy parents, but knowing they're now dead," Lia smiled sadly as Stefan finished stacking the dishwasher. "Still, not all has been lost." Lia beamed as she jumped up from her seat, encouraging a matching one to creep onto Stefan's face. "I have my Loren back!"
Lia started walking toward the front door, planning on getting Enzo's bags out of the truck he'd pulled up in. Stefan quickly joined her, smiling in her direction.
"I heard the commotion last night. I'm happy for you, really."
"Oh." Oh! "I didn't realise you were home last night."
"Yeah, I got in some time after midnight."
"I see. I didn't realise you'd been in town long enough to know anyone that well," Lia wiggled her eyebrows, giggling as the vampire spluttered out a quick denial. She reached into the bed of the Dodge Ute, only able to take one bag as Stefan rushed in to grab the other two before the pair headed back inside to where her faux-brother still slept.
"Are you looking forward to school?" Stefan asked with a raised eyebrow as he glanced down at Lia.
"I am," Lia admitted, throwing an excited, albeit nervous smile in Stefan's direction. "I can't wait to see Caroline every day. I love having a friend. I may not remember much, but I do remember being a bit of a loner." It wasn't even a lie. A side effect for being more concerned with excitement instead of a siren's ever-favoured intellect was being left to her own devices. She hadn't even really had a proper conversation with her parents in near a millennium; not since she had made her wind-manipulation technique known. They were simply the leaders of the choir, merfolk to be respected and never questioned, especially with a Seer at the right hand of the Conductor. Lia was the odd one out, but she wasn't going to change for anyone. She liked what she liked and an eternity would be hell if she had to act her way through every day. Screw them all. "I just wish it wasn't so close; I'd love to spend more time with Loren."
"Is Loren his actual name?" Stefan questioned curiously as they came to a stop in front of their door. It swung open before she could answer.
"Lorenzo St. John, mate. My friends call me Enzo," the vampire smirked, dressed in his slacks and button-down navy shirt he'd arrived in, the fabric looking a little worse for wear. Grabbing one of the bags from the Salvatore in one hand, he shook his hand with the other. "Stefan, right?"
"Yeah," Stefan blinked in surprise, not having heard any movement from behind the door. "Nice to meet you. I'm sorry about your parents," Stefan's forehead creased in sympathy, his forest green eyes pools of honesty.
"Thanks, mate. Just glad I could find my little songbird," Enzo smiled softly at Lia, earning a beaming grin in return.
"I'll leave you guys to it. I'll be seeing you at dinner if you're here. I still haven't met our newest resident, either," Stefan nodded his head toward the door across the hall, confused as he heard a muttered 'oh my god, oh my freakin' god, its him!' and the sounds of stumbling and fabric rustling.The two behind him quickly shared an amused glance before the Salvatore turned back to face them.
"Well, thank you for your help and escort, kind sir," Lia dipped into a perfect curtsy before looking up at him with mischievous eyes. "Perhaps I can convince Mr. Zach to whip out some of your old baby photos over our meal this eve. They say nothing helps get to know a person better than nostalgia and embarrassment."
Stefan laughed, rolling his eyes as he bowed. "It's been a pleasure, Miss Lia. I must depart, places to be, people to silence, photos to burn, you know how it is. Who did you say 'they' were, again?"
A tinkling laugh followed him down the stairs as he aimed for the front door, the smile unable to be wiped from his face at the sound.
Enzo casually strolled back into the room with Lia on his heels. She quickly closed the door, dropped the bag and spun faster than any living or unliving thing could see. She beamed.
Taking a running dive, Lia tackled the man in a cuddle, sending both straight onto the mattress and stealing the breath from Enzo's lungs.
"It's so good to see you, Loren!" Lia gushed as she squeezed him tighter, her small frame lying on top of his and her chin on his chest. Her smile dimmed, turning understanding and sympathetic as she looked into his dark eyes. "How are you?"
Arms came up, one around her back and the other on her head, turning it so that it was her cheek that rest on his chest, his hand carding through her long locks. With her eyes averted, his tears prickled once more, not falling, but there all the same.
"I've been better, gorgeous. It hurts that Maggie never lived the life I wanted for her, but she'd been gone for years. She was my first love and she'll always be in my heart, but I'll be alright." He held her tighter, almost whispering. "I'm not alone."
Lia closed her eyes and smiled softly, humming her agreement as she let herself relax under the gentle ministrations of her brother.
"Oh, before I forget," Lia murmured, not wanting to disturb the tranquil mood, as she cracked an eye open. "Can vampires sniff each other out?"
"Ah, it's more to do with their heartbeat rather than any scent we give off, so if they're listening in..."
Lia hummed in thought, letting her eye close softly before they snapped back open with a squeak. Enzo's fingers dug into her ribs, sending her into a fit of giggles.
"Now, little angel, before I forget," Enzo grinned before he flipped them over, tickling her until tears sprung to her eyes. "What's this 'Loren' business, huh?"
"No! Stop! I surrender! I'll talk! Have – nooooo! – have mercy!" she wailed, her laughter loud and musical as she struggled to get away from wriggling digits.
"Alright, gorgeous. Explain, 5 words or less," he raised a challenging eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest as he rested back on his calves as he channelled his inner Buffy, making Lia snort and roll her eyes.
"It's a sister's privilege," Lia held up each finger, playing along. "Duh." She crossed her own arms over her chest while trying to look at haughty as possible while lying flat on her back, her hair a mess, her cheeks pink and her eyes glistening.
"Hmm," Enzo pretended to consider her words carefully, rubbing his fingers across his chin. Internally, though he'd never admit it, he was a warm, gooey mess. Being accepted so easily, so readily, by someone that genuinely wanted to be a part of his family was…
It was indescribable.
Enzo still had trouble believing it.
"I have processed your response. It's been accepted as valid. You've been given permission to continue to utilise this name, however, no sharing," his eyebrow raised sternly, his finger booping his songbird on the nose, holding his smile back as she tried to follow his finger with her eyes.
He had the cutest sister, ever.
"I accept your terms!" Lia shouted valiantly, Enzo barely pulling back in time as her arm swept out in front of her, the other holding her heart. "I shall let no other wield the name I have selected! Here that, Slater? Or are you too busy fangirling over the Salvatore boarding house and omigod Stefan you're so freakin' cool! Have my babies! No! Let me have your babies!"
"Oi, shut up," Slater hissed from across the hall a second before the bedroom door opened, revealing a sheepish Slater dressed in a new shirt with the same pair of jeans and hoodie from yesterday, his feet only clad in socks. "I hate how well you've adapted to teen-talk. I'll have to limit your pop-culture exposure."
"How's the ring treating you, mate?" Enzo asked, pulling Lia back into his arms and flipping around so he was leaning against the pillows on the headboard, completely ignoring her indignant spluttering at Slater's words.
A childish grin split Slater's face as he shuffled onto the bed and dropped down cross-legged on the end corner. "It's the bomb, dude! I cannot believe how much I missed it! Tempered glass is one thing, but sun bathing is so much more fun than I remember! I have a collection of sunglasses!"
Lia's lip curled at the thought. "No way. Sun bathing sucks. Ugh, it's so bad for my scales. They get all dry and just no. Give me the bottom of the sea any day," she grumbled before turning thoughtful. "I do agree that sunglasses are an excellent accessory, though."
The three spoke about nothing and anything for the next hour, on top of Enzo's plan to talk to the Sheriff about what really happened to his sister as a hopeful segue into joining the vampire council and also to a realtor about buying a house in the area as 'they had nothing left of their family home, he'd just graduated from his last year of study and Lia has a real friend here,' plus, after hearing what Lia had said about the supernatural council in town, he wanted in, especially since the fact that Stefan was here meant Damon was sure to follow some time in the coming months.
"What's the deal with Stefan, anyway?" Slater asked, munching on his m&m's that he'd pulled from one of his hoodie pockets because of course he did. "He hasn't been in the house for more than an hour at a time since I've been here. Today was literally the closest I've ever been to him, and now he wants to be buddies?"
"Ah, about that," Lia grinned sheepishly as she tugged at the end of her hair. "He's branded himself."
"Branded?" Enzo frowned, familiar with the term but not in this particular context.
"Wait!" Slater scurried away, coming back seconds later with his open MacBook, logging in as he walked. Lia rolled her eyes and waited for the go ahead before she started to explain.
"Stefan's branded me, or really my song, on his Ionad Troika. It's not common, but not really rare in my old world. You remember I told you why sailors were so willing to walk off their ships? Yeah, it's because they took a siren's song so deeply into themselves that it left a mark on them; mind, body and soul. Normal marks, stains, lights – whatever you want to call them – of emotion that litter a soul are up for grabs. A brand, however, is permanent, irremovable." Lia paused, looking between her two vampires with a thoughtful frown. "Have you ever loved something so much, so fully and completely that you sometimes have to just sit back, close your eyes, rewatch it over and over again until you know it by heart, feel it so deep that you can practically taste the nostalgia? That is branding. It is you actively, even if unknowingly, etching everything you recall onto your Ionad Troika; the absolute centre of a person, where the brain, heart and soul connect and the part of you that leaves to the afterlife when you die, or – for the supernatural – the Other Side," Lia's lip curled heavily in distaste. "The Ionad Troika is essentially your spirit. Stefan had his feet in the water when I was singing a send-off for the Gilbert's spirit, a song literally meant to sooth at the end of a mortal's life; the ultimate peace," Lia flicked her hair over her shoulder with her chin up, her siren vanity shining through. "If I do say so myself, it was quite the cocktail of serenity. Add to that, that Stefan's vampire life has apparently not been a walk in the park and you have a little Stefan ducky desperately searching to get that feeling back." Lia's eyes widened in shock as she thought that sentence over. "Uh, wow, actually, that might explain where he's been. He must have been searching that river up and down trying to find the source. Now that? That is not commonplace because normally when someone brands themselves, it's with a song that was meant for them. They don't normally have to go looking for the song because it does its job. Stefan listened to someone else's death song; he felt an insane amount of peace but got no closure because there was never an ending for him. He didn't die."
"And he knows it was you?" Enzo tightened his grip on her at Slater's question. "Should we be worried?"
"He's in too deep to tell anyone for fear of me leaving," Lia immediately soothed, catching the m&m sent her way with a grin. "But yes, he does know it's me. I didn't realise that he was in the house and I sang Loren to sleep. I-uh," Lia tugged on one of her looping curls sheepishly. "I've been actively ignoring anything to do with him, to be honest. He is a literal smorgasbord of emotion but, because he's a vampire, I can't take anything from him. I swear, you vampires are temptresses. Your feelings are so amplified. I'd be screwed if I actually needed to consume soul memories, because if I kept hanging around you guys, I'd be starving."
Slater left shortly after saving – and backing up – the recording session, planning on going back to Richmond to speak to a couple of his contacts and organise for his stuff – furniture, computer things, more backups - to be moved from their current warehouse to a warehouse a little closer because paranoia and convenience, of course.
Lia sighed, her head nestled in the crook of Enzo's neck as she sat across his lap, her eyes closed and a soft tune unable to be held at bay. Her lyrics gently conveyed her joy at having Enzo back. Talking on the phone just wasn't the same. She'd barely had any contact time with her new brother, a fact that she was going to spend as much time as she could remedying.
"I missed you too, angel," he kissed the top of her head, slouching down further against the headboard. He'd had his own adventure while away from Lia; he'd tortured all the scientists he recognised, learnt how to operate a computer and a phone, met Slater who taught him more still in return for getting every piece of information he could out of him about Augustine. He'd gone shopping and learnt how to drive and all sorts of nifty things. He'd also learned the fate of his Maggie, and mourned her loss all over again. It was while he'd grieved that he realised he wasn't alone, that he didn't have to suffer the heartache by himself, and hurried himself over to Mystic Falls a few days before they'd planned.
"Right then, my little canary," Enzo kissed her temple before setting her aside, smirking at her squawking protests and rolling out of bed. He quickly changed his clothes for a black T, an army green button up left unbuttoned with its sleeved rolled up and a pair of dark grey jeans with his newly acquired combat boots. "Shall we go down to the Sheriff's department? We'll buy that house the other side of town, if it's still free. It only went up for sale last fortnight; 5 bed, 3 bath if memory serves."
"That sounds wonderful, brother mine!" climbing to her feet and linking her arm through his, Lia offered an impish grin. "Even if your true purpose is to introduce the ridiculously attractive brother-sister duo new to town. Ladies look out, boys run away."
"Oh, gorgeous," Enzo sighed fondly, patting the hand settled in the crook of his elbow as they exited the bedroom. "You know me so well."