Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Mommy?" The girl's mother hummed in response to show that she was listening. "What happens after we die?" A young Kiara Hayes asked her mother.

Her mother paused before turning to her daughter. "Well uh— no one knows. Some believe that they'll go to the angels."

"Do you believe that?" She asked her mom, curious.

Her mother nodded before giving her daughter a gentle smile. "Yes, and I think you'll go there too."

"Really? Do you think the angels will like me? When will I be seeing them?" Kiara asked with a worried frown. She didn't want the angels to hate her or be upset that she didn't see them as soon as possible.

Kiara's mother laughed. "I think that they'll love you. But you have many many years until you see them." She said as she ruffled her daughter's hair.

"I guess I'm about to find out now. Here's to hoping they like me." Kiara thought in her last moments.

Jenna looked at John in offense before slapping his arm. "I'm not that bad." John shook his head with a laugh. "You remember 1980? I was in the hospital for more then a week."

"I apologized!" Jenna said with a blush coating her cheeks. John chuckled. "I'll do the cooking, Jen." Jenna just huffed in response.

Kaylus raised an eyebrow at the two of them before looking at Jeremy, who shook his head. Kaylus nodded before turning back to Aunt Jenna and Uncle John, giving them a smile. "What's all of this?" She asked, getting their attention.

The two of them smiled. "Well, we can't just not celebrate your birthday!" Aunt Jenna said to the two of them.

"I know it's not as big as Elena's parties but—" John started but was cut off by Kaylus running to his legs, hugging them. Jeremy doing the same thing to Jenna.

John looked at Kaylus in surpise. "It's perfect." She said as she looked up at him with a big smile.

Jeremy nodded in agreement. "We love it." He said before the twins switched so Kaylus was hugging Jenna and Jeremy was hugging John.

The two adults laugh before picking the children up.

"We got you ice cream cake." Jenna said as she started walking to the kitchen with Kaylus in her arms.

"Ice cream cake!" The twins cheered but then they both paused. "No presents?" They asked.

Jenna and John were unbothered by the twins speaking simultaneously, both of them too used to it.

"After we eat cake, we can go out and buy anything the two of you want." John said as he started to tickle Jeremy making him squeal loudly.

Kaylus started laughing at her brother, not wanting to be in his place, when she saw her Aunt Jenna's smirk and her laughter stopped. "No... Jen Jen, please don't! Ple—" Kaylus didn't get to finish begging since Jenna was already tickling her.

They were at the store. Jeremy was dragging Jenna around, pointing at everything he wanted despite the cart Jenna was using already being full.

Kaylus was holding John's hand, not moving.

John looked at Kaylus before crouching down. "You don't want to look around?"

Kaylus shook her head. "No, not really."

John hummed. "Well, is there anything you want? Anything else that I can get you or do for you?"

Kaylus' eyes shined. "Anything?" She asked and John nodded. "Anything." He confirmed.

"I want a bow and arrow." Kaylus said, completely serious.

John blinked. "You want a bow and arrow." He said slowly, questioning if he heard right.

Kaylus nodded excitedly. "Yeah, I saw it on a show. It was super cool. They had it in their hand and then fired, and it went woosh into the air and then bam when it hit a tree. I need to learn how to do that. I want to be that cool." Kaylus rambled and made arm movements, really selling it.

Kaylus' eyes lit up at another thought. John, seeing that, was quick to ask. "Is there anything else you want?"

Kaylus nodded. "I want to learn how to fight like that guy did in the show we watched with Jeremy. He looked amazing! He went like this and then he did this. And the guy he was fighting against cried in so much pain!" Kaylus imitated fighting movements while she was speaking.

"I need to know how to fight up against vampires and the sooner I train my body, the better." She thought as she waited for John's answer.

John chuckled before ruffling her hair. "Okay, kiddo. Whatever you want." He said causing Kaylus to beam. "Yay!" She yelled loudly before giving John a quick hug and running to Jeremy and Aunt Jenna to tell them.

John chuckled as he watched her squeal to Jeremy and Jenna.

"Great job, Kaylus!" She heard her Uncle John say while Jeremy and Jenna cheered.

Jeremy and Kaylus were now ten. Jeremy had begun showing an even bigger interest in art so John and Jenna signed him up for art classes, bought him sketchbooks, and bought him lots of art supplies.

Kaylus took her training very seriously. She had bow and arrow lessons every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She went to martial arts classes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Sunday was her rest day.

Currently, they were in the woods. Kaylus was firing arrows into the trees while John, Jenna, and Jeremy watched from behind her.

Kaylus raised her arm, wanting to see how high she could fire an arrow.

Her eyes went wide when she saw how far the arrow went up.

Jeremy and Jenna's cheers got louder while John came over to her. "That was amazing." He said before he picked her up and spun her around.

Kaylus laughed loudly in response.

Kaylus had an excited grin on her face making Jeremy look at her weirdly. "Kay, it's just game night. Why are you so excited? Uncle John won't even be here." Jeremy said.

Kaylus rolled her eyes. Miranda and Grayson had finally noticed that her and Jeremy prefered John over them. They didn't like it so they stopped letting John come over. If anything, that made the two of them hate their 'parents' more and so Miranda and Grayson thought having a family game night would fix things.

But Kaylus was excited despite that.

Elena has become much more of a brat and she snuck out of the house to go to the party by the falls.

And that only meant one thing.

Her 'parents' were dying tonight.

Kaylus let out a squeal before grabbing Jeremy's hand. "But Aunt Jen is coming and it's been a while since we've seen her."

Miranda and Grayson had also started inviting Jenna over less. Miranda had said that she felt Jenna was overstepping her boundaries and acting like the twins' mother. It made both Kaylus and Jeremy roll their eyes.

Kaylus didn't hesitate to tell the woman that Jenna had to step up because she was doing a piss poor job.

It got her smacked and grounded by Grayson but it was definitely worth it. The look of absolute hurt on Miranda's face made her day.

Jeremy's eyes lit up at the reminder that Aunt Jenna would be here.

Kaylus and Jeremy excitedly came into the living room, smiles on their faces.

Miranda and Grayson smiled back at them, assuming the two were smiling at them. Both their smiles fell when Kaylus and Jeremy yelled "Aunt Jenna!" And tackled the woman into a hug.

Miranda and Grayson scowled which went ignored by the other three.

"Where's Elena?" Miranda asked.

Kaylus pulled away from Jenna to answer. "She had told me that she was tired and was going to sleep in."

Miranda and Grayson sighed, upset that their favorite won't be there.

"Ready to start game night?" Jeremy asked.

Hours later, Miranda got a call. She looked at the phone confused before answering. Her eyes widened before she turned to Grayson. "Elena needs to be picked up. She snuck out to that party we said she couldn't go to."

Grayson was quick to grab their coats and the car keys. "Let's go."

Kaylus beamed. "It's finally going to happen!"

Later that night, Jenna got a call that Elena was in the hospital while Miranda and Grayson didn't make it.

Kaylus celebrated.

Chapter Text

"What's wrong?" Caroline asked.

Kaylus frowned. "I don't know. I suddenly felt... Uncomfortable." Kaylus looked around her room for anything that could be the cause.

Her eyes eventually stopped at her open window. "It felt like I was being watched." Kaylus said as she continued to stare at the window.

Caroline was quick to get up and shut her window. After pulling the curtain, she turned to Kaylus with a smile. "Don't worry, if anyone is out there I can protect you." She playfully says before she 'shows off her muscles.'

Kaylus couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out.

Kaylus came back down a moment later.

Chapter Text

"Once our home state of Virginia joined confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the union." Tanner droned on.

Elena looks back at Stefan, who was on his phone. She frowned a bit and kept hoping that he would notice her. When he didn't, she grabbed her phone to text Bonnie.

Elena: HOW CAN I GET HIS ATTENTION?

Bonnie: IDK, MAY-B TRY SPEAKING TO HIM AFTER CLASS?

Elena read the message and nodded.

Stefan ignored the looks he was receiving from across the room as he typed on his phone.

Stefan: THANKS FOR SHOWING ME AROUND.

Caroline: IT’S NO PROBLEM.

Caroline:   : )

Stefan chuckled.

Caroline: THERE’S A MEET UP @ THE GRILL LATER

Caroline: WANNA JOIN?

Stefan: YES, I WOULD LOVE TO.

Caroline: YAY!!!

Stefan smiled at his phone.

When class ended, Elena turned around only to see that Stefan was gone. She furrowed her eyebrows and wondered how he left so quickly.

"How's Elena doing?" Matt asks Jeremy and Kaylus.

"Are you talking about the break up or the dead parents?" Kaylus asks in return, her blunt tone making the other four splutter (Matt), laugh (Tyler and Jeremy), and spit out their drinks. (Caroline and again, Tyler.)

(Tyler was choking a bit but everyone ignored it. If the guy can handle eating a spoon full of mustard and expired caviar on a dare, then he can handle the consequences of drinking and laughing.)

"Uh I was talking about her parents." Matt says.

No one at the table believes it.

But the Gilbert twins answer anyway.

"She moped for a bit—" Jeremy started.

"—it was so peaceful for us." Kaylus interrupted. "She stayed up in her room. Wasn't bossing us around, wasn't demanding us to do things and then snitching to mom and dad when we didn't want to."

Kaylus sighed, clearly missing it.

Jeremy snorted. "Yeah, and then she bounced back and suddenly decided she wasn't going to be sad about it anymore."

Kaylus nodded, unhappy about it.
"I honestly don't know what you saw in her."

Matt shrugged. "She was pretty."

Caroline snorted. "That's why I you dated here? Seriously?"

"There are so many other pretty girls at school, why not date one of them?" Tyler questioned, genuinely confused.

Matt opened and closed his mouth.

The others just kept going.

"I mean, yeah looks are great but you should have went for personality." And it means a lot more since Caroline was saying it.

"Elena's basically like a trophy. Nice to look at, maybe nice to show off, but doesn't have much use outside of that." Kaylus said.

Jeremy laughed. "Or like one of those decorative pillows. Looks nice, but gets annoying and uncomfortable."

"I honestly don't understand how you could date her for so long." Tyler said.

"You could have dated Stacy from Cheer, or Jessie from Choir, there's Regina in our English class, Mabel from Science." Caroline said, naming all the girls on her fingers.

Matt groaned. "I get it! I get it! I have horrible taste."

Chapter Text

Mystic Grill

"I honestly don't know what you saw in her."

Matt shrugged. "She was pretty."

Caroline snorted. "That's why I you dated here? Seriously?"

"There are so many other pretty girls at school, why not date one of them?" Tyler questioned, genuinely confused.

Matt opened and closed his mouth.

The others just kept going.

"I mean, yeah looks are great but you should have went for personality." And it means a lot more since Caroline was saying it.

"Elena's basically like a trophy. Nice to look at, maybe nice to show off, but doesn't have much use outside of that." Kaylus said.

Jeremy laughed. "Or like one of those decorative pillows. Looks nice, but gets annoying and uncomfortable."

"I honestly don't understand how you could date her for so long." Tyler said.

"You could have dated Stacy from Cheer, or Jessie from Choir, there's Regina in our English class, Mabel from Science." Caroline said, naming all the girls on her fingers.

Matt groaned. "I get it! I get it! I have horrible taste."

The others just laughed at him. 

Matt just rolled his eyes, trying and failing to hide his fond smile. “What about you guys? How are you?” He asked the twins. 

Before they could answer, Tyler snorted. “I asked them earlier, they’re as happy as can be. Not that I blame them.” Tyler muttered the last part, something they all ignored. 

They were all quite used to his mutterings about wishing his father gone from his life. 

Kaylus nodded to confirm, “It’s great, honestly!” 

“We get to see Aunt Jenna and Uncle John more, too.” Jeremy said with a grin, those two had always been the parents that they wanted.  

“Speaking of seeing people more…” Tyler said with a nod in the direction opposite of them, making everyone turn as Stefan Salvatore walked in. 

Matt blinked, “What’s he doing here?” He asked since most newbie’s never know where the grill is, much less that it’s the hangout spot. 

“I invited him.” Caroline said, face red. 

The group turned to look at her in surprise. 

Kaylus and Jeremy looked at her, a slight frown on their faces. “Wait—” but they never got to ask. 

Caroline, sensing their questions, quickly got up from the table. Rushing away from them to greet Stefan. 

“You made it!” She said with a smile, one that he returned. 

Moments Later

“How’s it been living here so far? Was it a big adjustment?” Matt asked, ever the polite boy. 

Stefan gave a small smile, “I’ve been here before when I was younger, actually. So, it feels like coming home.” 

Tyler snorted, much to Stefan’s confusion. 

“Ignore him, it doesn’t have to do with you.” Kaylus said with a smile before she elbowed Tyler and whispered, “Can you not mention your daddy issues for five minutes?” 

Tyler rolled his eyes and whispered back, “I didn’t say anything!”

“You didn’t need to!” She responded before turning back to Stefan. “So, based on your last name, I’m assuming you live in the Salvatore boarding house?” 

Stefan, who had heard their conversation, hid his amusement as he replied. “Yeah, I live with my uncle, Zach.” 

The group nodded, none of them asking about his parents. 

“Any siblings?” Caroline questioned. 

Stefan grimaced before replying. “None that I talk to.”

Kaylus let out an ‘ah’ noise. “So a crappy sibling then?” 

Stefan nodded, “Damon. My older brother. I haven’t spoken to him in years.” 

Jeremy winced, “We know what that’s like—having a sibling that you don’t like, I mean. You're lucky you don’t have to talk to yours.”

Kaylus snorted, “Wish we didn’t have to talk to ours. ” 

This time, Tyler elbowed Kaylus. “If I can’t mention my issues then you can’t mention yours!” He whispered.

Kaylus rolled her eyes but slightly agreed not to talk about Elena. 

“Do you know about the party tonight?” Caroline asked, turning Stefan’s attention to her. “It’s a back to school thing. Wanna come?”

“Are you going to be there?” Stefan asked instead of giving a reply.

The others watch as Caroline blushes and then turn to each other, all of them smirking. 

“I am.” Caroline confirmed with a smile. 

“Then I’ll go.” Stefan said and the conversation moved on. 

The entire time, Bonnie and Elena had watched the group. 

“I don’t understand why you don’t want to go over there.” Bonnie said, a confused frown on her face as the two girls keep staring at the others. 

Currently, it seemed as if Kaylus had told a joke, making the entire table laugh. 

“You know that Kaylus and Jeremy wouldn't welcome me. Besides, Matt’s over there too. Things have been really awkward since the breakup.” Elena said, her doe eyes looking sad. 

Bonnie nodded in sympathy. 

“How are you going to get to know Stefan, then?” She asked a moment later. 

“I’ll go to the party at the falls and if he’s there, we can talk. I’ll have to make sure Caroline doesn’t interrupt.” Elena answered, withholding a glare at the blonde. 

“How about I come over and help you pick out an outfit? Something to catch his eye.” Bonnie suggested, making Elena beam at her. 

“You’re an amazing friend, Bonnie.” She said, reaching out to hold the other girl’s hand. 

Falls Party

Kaylus stood, talking with Jeremy and Caroline. Or well, just Jeremy, since Caroline seemed distracted. 

It appears Jeremy noticed too if the look he threw her was anything. 

Kaylus gave the same look back with a nod and Jeremy turned to Caroline. “Everything okay, Bombshell?” He asked, making Caroline snap out of it. 

“Uh yeah!” Caroline said. “I’m just thinking about my outfit for school. I can’t decide if I want to pick the black blouse and pink skirt or if I should go with a pink dress and black heels.” Caroline had her usual ditzy smile in place. 

Which made both Gilbert siblings frown.

“Care, that act may work on Bonnie and Elena—” Jeremy started

“—Which isn’t a surprise. They're both stupid.” Kaylus interrupted. 

Jeremy continued, not upset at the interruption. “But it doesn’t work on us.” He finished. 

“Tell us what’s wrong, Bombshell.” Jeremy said, his eyes showing his sincerity. 

“Stefan..” Caroline said after a moment and then her eyes went wide as Kaylus and Jeremy looked murderous. She quickly explained before they could try hunting him down. “He hasn’t done anything! I just haven’t seen him and he said he’d be here.” 

The two calmed down and Caroline, seeing this, continued. “I looked for him earlier before meeting up with the two of you and I still haven’t seen him.” 

“How about we help you look?” Jeremy suggested. “He may be on the other side.” 

And so, the three of them began walking around. Looking for Stefan. 

“I think I see him!” Kaylus said to the others, bringing their attention to the direction she was pointing to.

And she was right. There was Stefan Salavtore. Leaning up against a tree, drink in hand. 

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Jeremy asked, and the twins nudged her in his direction.

Caroline gave them a glance before walking forward. However, before she could get to him, someone else did. 

Caroline, and the twins, watched as Elena Gilbert came up to Stefan, who smiled at her arrival. 

Jeremy and Kaylus shared a look before pulling Caroline away. 

Not glancing back as Elena continued to talk to Stefan.