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𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐋’𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐚

species: divine goddess

born: on a full blue moon, one a.d.

“My dear Stefan, there's no need for you to prove anything to me. I find you utterly perfect just as you are.”

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞

species: vampire

born: november first, 1846

“I'm completely enamored by you, Freesia.”

supporting characters..

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐬

(best friend)

species: siren

born: 500 a.d.

“If you'd like, I can kill her for you, love.”

𝐅𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞

(best friend)

species: fairy

born: 250 a.d.

“Nea, shall we check on Damon?”

𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧

(best friend/half sister)

species: witch

born: 222 a.d.

“And just who does this baby witch think she is, I wonder?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stefan was, for lack of a better word, tired. He was tired of the way his past haunted him, tired of the way he couldn't control himself whenever he fed, tired of the guilt he felt when he thought of his brother, tired of pretending to be someone he wasn't. He longed to be free of it all; he wanted to rid himself of this suffocating pain, and he didn't want to carry these burdens on anymore.

He dreams every night of a beauty.

No, that term was far too simple for someone of her nature. She was ethereal, like the sunlight peeking through the leaves of trees. She was immensely radiant, so completely captivating. In Stefan's dreams, she gives him a feeling of freedom and peace just for being who he is.

He's been searching for her since the dreams started, the night he turned, going off pure intuition alone.

He feels so unnaturally connected to this celestial woman. Her voice makes him physically weak and her face..

God, her face. He often wonders if he's been personally blessed himself. How is it, he gets to see such a striking face every night as the deep pull of slumber takes him over?

He's done all he could genuinely to find her, at some point he thought she wasn’t real.

Witches were always so lovely to him; they actively cared for him when the things he did as ripper would wake him with breath-shaking nightmares. But even they failed to find the woman who consumed his mind on an unruly basis.

He finds himself back in Mystic Falls. His intuition led him back directly to the home he used to share with his brother. Despite preferring Stefan over his blood, Zach has been acting very hostile. Though reluctant, he didn't mind it when Stefan stayed for a day or two. But that day turned into two weeks and he still wasn't leaving.

In Stefan's mind, he wasn't going to. His intuition wasn't letting him.

“So, you've been here for a while,” Zach breaks the silence he and Stefan shared in the empty living room.

“Do you need something? You seem pretty eager to get me out of my own house,” Stefan's eye twitches a bit as he responds quite pointedly.

He was, for the undead life of him, trying his best not to rip through his jugular. He sensed Zach's hostility for a while, and the urge to kill was juggling at an all-time high.

“Well, I- I mean, this is the longest you've stayed,”he wanted peace again. The peace that came when he didn't have to worry about a blood-sucking vampire sleeping under the same roof as him. I mean, he's a vampire. He's killed people.

“You do know this is my house, right, Zach? You are the guest here. My brother and I are the ones that own this place,” Stefan starts, fixating his intense gaze on the man as he starts to circle around him. Zach has never seen this look on Stefan before; the look of pure craze and calculation, the look of a killer, frightens him. Was this his end?

“So, uh, let go of that hostility you have,” he continues, feeling the fear that radiates off his human relative. His lip twitches upward a bit, a slight smirk itching to make its way on his lips. Stefan finds that he likes this feeling.

He walks and stands face to face with Zach; his eyes flash green, similar to the leaves he sees in his dreams. He breathes out, “Or I will kill you.”

At that, the wooden floorboard creeks a minor tune as Stefan makes his way back into the comfort of his room.

No, he didn't care to see the pure shock on Zach's face. Stefan didn't care for the way his heart was beating twice as fast, the way he felt holes burning in the back of his head as walked. Stefan was much more interested in the enchanting being he had the pleasure of speaking with in his dreams.

He plops onto his bed, slight exhaustion taking over his body. Stefan fell asleep with a smile that night once again; the promise of seeing her was more than enough to drown all the guilt he felt. He remembers her honeysuckle voice as she would whisper, “You're a vampire, sweetheart; embrace it.”

He couldn't wait anymore, and his intuition was telling him that he soon wouldn't have to.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"Freesia, would you kindly refrain from playing in that man's dreams," Came a soft, southern, silky voice amid an enchanted forest.

A beautiful forest it was. Majestic oak and towering pine trees stretch towards the heavens, their branches glittered with clusters of shimmering dewdrops and flowers that glint like precious gems in the soft light. A chorus of bird song fills the air, accompanied by the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional flutter of wings.

"Ah! S'il vous plaît, Bella. I am not playing. I am merely teasing," The goddess giggled, a delicate smile adorning her features. She opened one chestnut-colored eye to take a peek at her sister.

Belladonna stood stoically, her captivating face betraying no emotion, clad in a cream-colored strapless gown that gathered slightly at the forest's edge. Meanwhile, Freesia was adorned solely in vines and a kaleidoscope of blossoms, her usual attire in the confines of her woodland abode.

"You're well aware we're seeing him tomorrow, hun. Why such teasing antics-" A melodic voice cuts the ancient witch off.

"Is Freesia inserting herself in Stefan's dreams once again? You're making him doubt your existence, sweets. That is if he hasn't already. You know-" The fairy addressed her best friend, a soft fluttering accompanied her statement.

"Yes, thank you, Fi. That's what I was just telling our lovely best friend here." Belladonna quickly cut off the fairy before she could start rambling. A habit of hers. She only gives a sheepish grin before she settles down on a log a few feet away from the pair.

Freesia gives a pout to the two women. Did he really doubt she existed?

Her voice trembles, "I just want to give him some hope. He's been burdened for so long, and it pains me to see him like that."

There's a soft whistling the trees emit at the end of her statement as if comforting her. She gives a sad smile.

"I know, sweets. And he won't feel that way anymore because we're headed to Mystic Falls tomorrow, yes?

The ancient fairy quickly utters. And almost as if the goddess was never down in the first place, she gives a bright smile, birds tweeting around her at the sheer aura it gave off. "Yes! Oh, I'm so excited. Is Nea coming with us?"

This time, Belladonna answers, the green leaves moving in a tornado-like motion under her whim, "Of course, she wouldn't leave us alone in that supernatural-infested town. She's feeding right now, so she'll likely meet us tomorrow at the house."

The house, a beautiful one it was. It was abandoned when they first stumbled upon it, vines and leaves taking over its walls. Freesia saw the perfection in it, and so she insisted on renovating it. It wasn't too far from the Salvatore boarding house; besides, it couldn't be viewed by any non-human creature. Thanks to a lovely spell by her sister.

It was simply a way for them to blend in, they didn't really need it. Selenea lived in the ocean, and the other three girls were found solitary in the forest. It was the source of their power, and they never felt more safe. They figured that since they were newcomers to the small town, a ball seemed suitable to introduce themselves. And that's precisely what they were going to do.

"Allons-y, d'accord? After all, we have a ball to prepare for; we haven't even gotten our dresses yet." Freesia abruptly stands, her vine dress still holding tightly onto her skin.

"I know a wonderful dress store in Italy." Is all the ancient witch says before she opens a portal with a wave of her hand.

The tiny fairy squeaks at the prospect of shopping, and Freesia enthusiastically claps. They both follow her into the shimmering light, giggles and laughs following after them.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Dear Diary,

Today felt different somehow, aside from the fact that I started school.

I didn't want to, but I figured people would start asking questions if I didn't go. Uncle Zach is still hostile towards me, and I swear I was so close to snapping his neck. Drinking from blood bags every day has been working for me. I've been doing so well this week that I fed from the vein, I even stopped myself before the girl died. My compulsion worked on her, too.

She

would be proud.

Most of the day went uneventful, except I saw someone who looked identical to Katherine. It's actually crazy how similar they are, almost like doppelgängers. Her name is Elena. I didn't need to ask, her friends were gossiping so loudly it was impossible not to hear. She's not particularly interesting, plain looking, really. But kept staring at me, and I tried my best to ignore it. I could feel some weird possessive energy over me. Maybe it was her. Anyway, she didn't seem to get the hint because she spoke to me after our history class. Actually, she bumped into me after storming out of the boy's bathroom. What a weird girl. I walked away before she could explain herself, though.

She invited me to the Grill with her friends. I would've said yes out of politeness, but I received something in the mail today that made me decline. I was inexplicably drawn to it. It was an invitation to a ball, and I can't remember the last time I went to one. It was for tonight. Could it be from her? Could I possibly see her tonight? Am I even that lucky? God, I hope so. What would I even say to her?

Stefan drops his pen abruptly and looks at the time on the clock near his mattress. Shit. He had an hour until the ball started, and he hadn't even started getting ready. Amid his panic, he hears the doorbell ring.

"Zach? You gonna answer that?" He yells out, his voice echoing in the quiet mansion. No response. So he sighed and sped downstairs, he didn't have time to waste. Upon opening the door, Stefan couldn't have been more shocked— Damon?

"Hello, brother." The older Salvatore brother utters out in the foggy night, a smirk on his lips.

"...When'd you get here?" Stefan's voice held a hint of longing, nervousness, and, admittedly, a bit of fear. He wasn't afraid of his brother, but more so what his brother thought of him now.

"Well, I couldn't miss your first day at school. That Elena girl seems to have a thing for you. Ring any bells?" He pushes past Stefan and stomps into the house, all the more cocky.

Damon continues on, " I mean, the resemblance is just uncanny, Stefan. Y'know, for a distant ancestor, Katherine really nailed the gene pool."

"I suppose, but I'm not really interested. It's been fifteen years, Damon. I-" Stefan pauses, recalling the comforting words of his angelic beauty. He had to be honest and understanding. "..I missed you."

Damon falters. What? This was definitely different from what he was expecting. He expected brooding, reluctance, hatred even. He clenched his jaw, "No need for flattery, brother. I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word."

"I deserve that. You disappeared before I ever got the chance to apologize for.. for turning you. I am deeply sorry. I just didn't want to be alone, and you were all I had." He pauses, tears trembling from his eyes. Stefan could feel his throat clogging up, the emotions and the pain from that day resurfacing his mind. "I didn't want to lose you, Damon."

The door was still open, and the wind blew profusely against his skin. Comfort. Safety. That is all he felt as he finished his declaration. The wind was whispering in his ear, telling him everything was okay. That it was proud. One of the tears bubbling on his eyelid finally fell, cascading down his defined jawline.

Damon watches, his face softening briefly before his smirk pops back up. There's a hint of vulnerability and a lingering bitterness in his eyes when he finally responds, "Oh, spare me the melodrama, Stefan. You didn't want to be alone? Join the club. Took you long enough to admit it. Don't worry, forgave you a while ago. Besides, we both know you couldn't live without me."

Understanding, Stefan reminds himself. He needs to be understanding.

"I know you felt the same loneliness I did, Damon. Despite everything, I know you couldn't bear the thought of losing me either. We're in this together, whether you like it or not."

A strained smile meets the older Salvatore's lips, "Poetic. Care for a drink? I know we've got that aged bourbon waiting for us down in the cellar."

"As much as I'd love to, I have a ball to get ready for. Speaking of, you should come with."

A scrunch in Damon's face, "A ball? What is this, the 1600s?" He gasps, pretending to look disappointed, "Don't tell me you've got a powdered wig hidden away in your closet, Stef."

A roll of Stefan's eyes. He missed this, the banter that only the siblings would have. He's so happy. He's so glad he's got his brother back.

"Ha-ha." An entirely dry laugh with an amused expression. "You coming? I don't really know anyone there."

Damon pretended to think, but his little brother already knew what his answer was when he started ascending the long stairway, an infamous smirk dancing across his lips, "Why not? I'd never miss an opportunity to embarrass you in front of a crowd."

He stares at his brother for a moment,"You seem different, happier even. Find a new species of bunny to snack on?"

"If you could call humans bunnies, then yeah, I guess so."

Stefan chuckled as he sped past his brother to his room, feeling that he successfully caught Damon off guard when he hadn't heard a response. He looks at his still-opened journal, then pen sitting idly next to it, and he figures... He can spare one more minute.

I got my brother back tonight, and I couldn't be happier. For some reason, I feel like that's another big step closer to feeling complete.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Walking along the misty street of Mystic Falls was, ironically, a mystical woman. She walked without shoes, relishing the sensation of the ground beneath her feet. Her white dress flowed with the movements of the wind. Belladonna has just returned from the deep woods, where she had spent time practicing and creating new spells. Resurrection of the dead was her latest discovery, and that was over a hundred years ago. Her boredom was existentially intense.

She thought to herself as she walked. She could create a new species. Do banshees exist? She put a stop to her walking as she thought of an answer to her own question. They do, she remembers encountering an offspring of her first creation.

Ghouls? Since the fifth century. Demons? Been there, done that. Unicorns? Despite being on a different level of consciousness, they still exist.

She wanted to continue contemplating, but something else caught her attention. She walked by a boy who was sitting on the ground in front of what seemed to be a restaurant. The Mystic Grill? How original. Belladonna is not very fond of human interactions, but this boy seemed far too young to have that lost look in his eyes. It caused her stomach to churn, and she couldn't stand it for some reason.

She stopped right in front of him, but he didn't even seem to notice her.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice you were alone. Would you like some company?"

His eyes brimmed with tears as he finally looked up. He gave a shrug and shifted himself from his spot on the floor, allowing her to sit. They remained silent for a moment. Belladonna didn't force him to speak until he felt ready to do so. He was grateful for that, for the motherly vibe she exuded.

He broke the silence, albeit defeatedly, "Why are you willingly keeping me company? Is there something you want? Because if you're looking for drugs, I'm all out."

She snorts, "Sweetheart, I have access to drugs you don't even know exist."

Jeremy gives his own laugh, thinking she's joking.

She actually wasn't.

He started up at her with anticipations, and so she sighed, giving him an honest response.

"You appear as though you could use some uplifting. I thought I might be the one to provide that for you."

"Why?" He doesn't ask this offensively but out of pure curiosity. Why? Why him?

"You remind me of someone I once knew. He had that same look in his eyes, a gaze lost and empty. You seem far too young to carry such a weight in your expression." She leaves it at that.

Jeremy is aware that she won't go into detail, but truthfully, that was enough to make him cry and lean against her shoulder without delay. How comforting. He has never had such a feeling before. She wraps her arm around his shoulder, and in that split second.. she feels it. She sees it, actually. She has a vision of his entire life flashing across her mind, like a T.V. show. Strange.

The hardships this boy has gone through, his attempt to numb everything with useless pills, and his depression. She can feel it- see it all. She couldn't handle the fact that this boy was not happy.

"Believe it or not, I know exactly what you've been through." She whispers against his ear, arms tightening around him.

"How?" There's a crack in his voice when he questions her. She finds it unbearable.

Belladonna ponders an answer. She has a feeling that she can trust. So she doesn't hesitate much before responding.

"Do you believe in the supernatural?" She hums.

"Been interested in that stuff my whole life, really. What, are you gonna tell me you're a witch or something?"

He smiles as if he were telling a joke, but it slowly dissipates when she doesn't offer any rebuttals. Silence. Certainly noticeable. When Jeremy gazes up at the woman, he sees her struggling to prevent an endearing smile.

"..You're a witch?"

"The very first, if we're being specific." A smirk graces her full lips.

His surprise makes her release a beautiful laugh, and Jeremy can't help but follow after her.

"But you look.. no offense, no older than 20. How is that even possible?"

"That is the furthest thing from offensive. I am immortal, which means I am untouched by the passage of time and therefore cannot die."

"How long have you been alive?" Jeremy never once separated himself from her shoulder during their conversation, as he feels truly at ease in her embrace.

"For eons now. I was born in the A.D. period, somewhere around the year 222, if I recall correctly. The exact date has, admittedly, slipped my mind a few times." However, by her expression, Jeremy noticed she didn't seem too bothered by this.

Jeremy pauses before responding, taking in the information she just shared with him. Sitting next to him was an anchor immortal witch. You don't see or hear that every day.

"May I pose a question to you?" She whispers, slowly lowering her head to lean on his. Belladonna feels incredibly protective of this kid she's met less than thirty minutes ago.

"Sure."

"Why are you sitting here, alone and seemingly on the verge of tears?"

Jeremy's breath shook, and he suddenly recalled the exact reason for being outside the grill in the first place. He was surrounded by loneliness. Today was his first day back at school, and he has a strong dislike for it beyond words. He had a habit of reliving his sister's overbearing and judgmental behavior toward him because of his coping choices, as if it was a broken record. He longed to end it, and he longed to get rid of the strange ache in his heart. It appears to him that he has no will to keep living.

He breathes out, steadying his thoughts as he responds, "Today was really exhausting for me.."

Knowing it was safe to do so, he proceeded to tell her everything. In their brief twenty-minute encounter, he felt seen, more than he's ever been ever since his parents died. Belladonna merely listens, rubbing his shoulder to provide comfort, humming to reassure him that she is here and not going anywhere. To reassure him that she's not making judgments but rather just listening. She thinks that's what he needs—someone who is willing to listen.

"Thank you for that." He finishes off.

"For what?"

"For not saying anything. For just listening." It feels like it's only the two of them right now. The steps and the chatter from the people coming in and out of the grill are almost nonexistent.

"Of course, Jeremy."

"Y'know, I never told you my name."

"Witch, remember?" Bella chortles. She looks up at the stars, and they immediately tell her that she needs to leave. The ball was happening soon; she had to get ready.

"I should take my leave now, but I must say I enjoyed your company." She begins, and she can feel the tenseness Jeremy is now harboring at her words.

"Or, you could accompany me to my destination. It's a ball, an event I presume you have yet to experience." She continues with a light, teasing tone.

"It's the 21st century, and people still have formal balls?"

"Now, that is something which I find offensive." She utters with a smile as Jeremy wipes his tears and gives a hearty laugh.

"My sisters and I are of the belief that this town could benefit from a touch of refinement, so we decided to host one."

Jeremy slightly lowers his head in embarrassment, " I don't think I could. I don't actually own a suit."

"Nonsense. I'll procure one for you en route. Now, up you go. We have but an hour to ready ourselves."

Jeremy heeds her words and rises onto his feet at the same time she does, and just before they start walking, he speaks once more, "You may not look ancient, but your way of speaking sure gives it away."

"My, aren't you perceptive. It seems even the youngest among us can recognize the weight of centuries in one's words. How charming."

"..Was that your attempt at sarcasm in ancient speak?"

"Truly, your perceptiveness knows no bounds."