Of all the emotions Tyler has ever felt he thinks guilt is the worst. It is caustic, eats away at any positive feelings and leaves you feeling empty. It consumes you, debilitates you and makes you painstakingly comb over all your choices and wish desperately out could take them back. He tried to try cling onto any positives, like the fact Elena hadn't been captured to alleviate the corroding feeling. However, any feigned silver lining got obliterated as Tyler watched her work in the kitchen. Any normal human would not have seen the way her movements slowed, they wouldn't have seen the subtle shaking of her hands or the tension in her lithe body. No, anything you try telling yourself to wash away the guilt is destroyed as the acidic feeling of guilt bubbles in your body. Something that Tyler knows all too well in the current circumstance.
He hadn't known that she would've had to die in the sacrifice to remove the curse. He had expected… well he didn't know what he had expected but it wasn't that. He was new to the world of the supernatural and he guessed he had thought maybe a pinprick of blood was needed to break the ancient curse. He mentally berated himself for being so stupid. If that was all that was needed Elena, being as selfless as she was would've happily gone through with it instead of being protected at all costs. That was just who she was, he had known her all her life and knew for sure that despite her hurting Matt- which he was still a bit resentful about- she was the one of the most selfless and protective people in Mystic Falls and would've helped if she could. Especially if it meant stopping others from feeling agony and feeling their organs liquify every full moon.
The sound of a cup being set in front of him broke him out of his musings. Elena gave him a watery smile as she sat back in the couch and closed her eyes, letting the tension drain from her face as she clutched the cup so hard her knuckles whitened. Tyler couldn't believe how old she seemed at that moment. Gone was the playful carefree cheerleader with a heart of gold that was enamoured with his best friend. Instead occupying her body was a stranger who was aged beyond her years and had the haunted expression of a person who looked like they knew their death was immanent; much like he assumed a person on death row would look like.
She opened her eyes and sighed as she brought the mug to her lips, a small content smile appearing on her face as she sipped the beverage. He followed suit and cautiously sipped at his hot chocolate. While he doubted, she could place it with wolfs bane for revenge in his drink, she was too forgiving for that usually. A small smile slid across his lips as he remembered the time, he and Matt has read her diary. Sure, she was fuming however after she spoke to them and figured out, they were just wanting her attention and time she forgave them fully, although with a stern warning to never do that that. This situation was different however, he hadn't invaded her privacy he had done worse so as much as he thought she wouldn't have hurt him he didn't know- Afterall he had indirectly tried to kill her for his own selfish benefit. Sending her a small appreciative smile as the drink warmed his core the two sat his silence, only the sound of them drinking and their thoughts laced the air.
Elena set her mug down and tucked her feet under her and pulled the blanket over her body. It was like she was putting a shield between them to prevent herself further harm and the thought made the ever-present guilt surge in his chest.
"How are you doing Tyler?" Elena asked breaking the silence and causing him to balk.
He had almost caused her death and she was asking how he was? Only Elena Gilbert would ask that question. Instead of replying her let out a disbelieving chuckle and shook his head, trying to piece together an answer for her amid his turbulent thoughts.
"I think I should be asking you that" he finally settled on, retuning the small smile she sent him.
" Ty I am used to people trying to kill me" she began, "you however were used by people you trusted, that is something that leaves a mark" she finished, her voice calm as if they were discussing test scores.
"Elena… you shouldn't be used to that" Tyler finished, his voice breaking off as he tried to formulate the sentence.
"I know that, but we can talk about me after, right now I want to talk about you and find out how you are" she stated, tailing of "like the old days" she finished, sending him a small but genuine smile.
He couldn't help but smile back as the memories rose through the guilt like a new shoot in spring. Memories of her finding him on her porch as the others chatted animatedly inside. Memories of her sitting there with him, not speaking and just enjoying the silence. Memories of them at founders' parties, trying to make the dull evenings more entertaining. Memories of them hanging out just them for the first time. Memories of their laughter and innocence only shared in children. Memories of secrets exchanged in the cover of night, as if the carpet studded with stars would absorb their secrets and keep them safe. Memories of their fights, of her growing relationship with Matt that severed their bond. Memories of drifting part while still caring for each other. They all flooded back and just rode the wave, feeling all the emotions again as each memory resurfaced.
"We have a lot of history huh… I think I am the only guy that hadn't tried to get you in bed" Tyler started thoughtfully before ending with a teasing lilt to his voice.
She rolled her eyes and told him to shut up, poking her tongue out at him playfully as he laughed, guilt fading slightly as he glimpsed the old Elena peaking through. The old Elena that he used to pull pranks with, used to help with boy problems that made him pull a disgusted face at the time and looked out for like a big brother should.
"I missed you El" Tyler said, smiling sadly at the shell of his former friend.
"I missed you too. Why don't we start from the beginning huh?" She stated, pulling the blanket away from her chest as she began to open- up to him.
That night they spent the time rehashing old memories, she explained her breakup with Matt, apologising from distancing herself from him. He explained how his dad hurt him and she moved over and held him as he finally let out the emotions he was holding back. She explained how she got involved in the supernatural and told the fantastical story of her doppelganger and the Salvatore boys that made her head hurt and her heart sing and everything else that crossed their mind. together they complete the puzzle that was their life until ache fragment they held made the full picture. He told her about the werewolf curse and his choices until that moment, finding relief when she explained she wasn't involved in the death of Mason and how Jeremy had fought to keep him alive. She told him about the journals and said he was welcome to peruse them with her and they can find information out about werewolves from them and figure out a way out of the shambles of her life. He was delighted, his thankfulness expanding when she offered to help him find his ancestors ones. He teased her about journaling being in the family and she teased him about Caroline, making him blush and the two start a friendly jabbing session reminiscent of their youth.
When Stefan returned, he found Elena asleep on her brother figures shoulder as he kept his arm protectively around her. Gently untangling himself from her and tucking her under the blanket he followed Stefan out the door, gently shutting it behind him.
"I want to thank you for saving Elena tonight." He began, " I know it must be hard, especially since her death can give you your life back but I can't thank you enough" Stefan finished, his expression raw and his eyes showcasing every fragment of his love for her.
"I didn't know she had to die if I had… well id have mad different choices. She was my childhood best friend, the only one of the girls that paid me any genuine attention and kindness and weirdly enough this whole mess has bought us closer to that again" Tyler said, his voice reflecting the seriousness on his face.
"You have my word I will help protect her. No further harm will come to her on our watch" Tyler said, the seriousness ever-present.
Stefan smiled and gave Tyler a firm handshake. They both knew this wouldn't be easy and wouldn't be the end of the mess Elena had ended up in, however they both knew that they loved he, albeit in different ways and both owed her. Stefan owed her as she saw something in him that only one other vivacious long hair blonde vampire had seen centuries ago and had brough love back to his cold undead heart. She was his reason for living, for trying to enjoy his eternity and being the best mad he could be. She was his light, her name fitting her as she brought light to all their lives. Tyler owed her for obvious reasons and unknowing agreed with the vampire in the way that she brought light back to his dark and furry world. She was helping him to accept who he was, and he knew between her and Caroline, he would be embracing his new life soon once the pain had faded to a distant memory. He knew it would take time, that he couldn't change from being resentful and fearful of the shift every month, but he knew that between the stubbornness of both females he wouldn't exactly have a choice. He hoped his new life would include a beautiful kind hearted brunette as his best friend and a lively, slightly neurotic, loving blond vampire as his lover, but hey who knows how thing would turn out in their new supernaturally charged world.
Both men were creatures of the night, cloaked in shadow with only the moon their to light their way. This had changed when Elena entered their lives, for one the first time and the other the second time, despite being there all along. She was their guiding light, the person that would keep them on course through her love and kindness. She was an inspiration, an example of how love and forgiveness can change the world and replace the hatred with something better. For Tyler, it was her pure sisterly love that helped him to see his true potential and the beauty of his situation, and for Stefan the kind of love romance stories are based on. Both kinds of love were powerful and protective forces on the two men and both silent vowed that they would let nothing happened to her, as without her, they would both be lost in the dark.
Hey all, I hope you enjoyed this once shot. It is based on the episode Crying Wolf in the second season, episode 15. After Tyler figured out Elena would have to die if figured they would need to talk about it more to try and understand what happened and Tyler's motivation. They grew up going to founders parties' things, and I wanted to make them have a richer history than what is shown in the show. I could see them being close friends and wanted to reflect that. There are absolutely no romantic feelings between the two, only pure friendly\sibling style love. I hope you all enjoyed it, I wanted Elena to have one male friend that she didn't have a romantic history with and figured Tyler fit the bill. Let me know what you think below.