❝ you too, you know. you're part of us. a salvatore stallion. we will all overcome it. ❞ josie said, her tone in that a bit more serious, but the worry seemed to melt away when he looked at her, making her heart pitter patter in her chest when he looked at her. walking inside of the school when he opened the door, once it closed behind them she listened to make sure there was no one else in the building, both out of safety concern and for the way the two of them were talking. josie's eyes flutter closed as he pressed his lips below her ear, her hand moving and sliding up and down his back. ❝ you are such a tease, you know that? ❞ smirking at him, one finger looping through the belt loop of his pants to pull him along with her to the class while the other hand balanced the food.

The smile on his lips grew as hues took in the blonde before him, watching as her own smile grew on her lips and the way her nose cutely scrunched, they've been together for awhile but everyday Aiden loved her more. "I've heard a lot about this school and what it's endured in the past." It was a sad fact to say that losing some students wasn't something that was new to them, however old the feeling was though it was still terrible. "If you guys were able to overcome all of that, they'll be able to overcome this. Especially with all of us helping them along the way." The smile is soft upon his lips. Brows rose as Josie visibly checked him out, and he made no secret of it as he did the same thing, lesser lip caught between his teeth before hues shift back up to her own. As they got to the front door, Aiden moved to open it before leaning in ever so closely to Josie, his lips gently brushing over her hear, "I'd be more than happy to give you a private lesson, anywhere, anytime." His voice was dropped to a mere whisper between the two (as if that would stop the eavesdropping from any lingering supernatural creature with enhanced hearing) and just for the hell of it, and cause he could - Aiden pressed a tender kiss just below her ear before he pulls back, holding the door open for her.

a soft smile curled her lips when he teased back and took the bait, sharing the food with her. a laugh accompanying it, her free hand running through her hair to keep it back and out of her face while she ate. ❝ thankfully, i do have the day off tomorrow. so i am all ears, what is it that you think we should do? ❞ the way they were now? it was like the earlier days of when they originally started dating.

It was the one main breakfast item that Damon could cook, but his cooking skills had actually gotten better over the years. "I was hoping you would say that, Gilbert." He mused right back. When she shifted her food in between them, he couldn't help but smile. "Well if you are offering, how could I possibly say no?" Reaching for an onion ring, he took a bite, swallowing his food before speaking once again. "Damn frats, they do like to keep you busy. Hopefully they won't be keeping you that busy tomorrow. Or are you off tomorrow? And if you are off tomorrow, can I suggest something for us to do."

instantly her jaw clenched, most of the time she was pretty even tempered - but when her unhinged door began swinging open, it was like a revolving door. josie's eyes darkened, the wind picking up a little around the two of them. ❝ dont you dare. leave him the hell alone, kai. i'll entertain you instead. ❞

He didn't miss the way her expression changed - that happened a lot in his presence with good reason too. A wicked part of Kai liked it, he especially liked when someone was SCARED of him. But he wasn't here for that, no. Josie was safe. "Oh, I'm not collecting JUST YET." He was waiting for the right time to call in his favor. "That's an easy enough spell to do on my own." He knew she was making a movie reference, one her mother was obsessed with when they were kids. "Can't I just be here to visit my niece? If you're too busy, I could always just go bond with my... what would he be? Grand-nephew?"

josie listened to her mother, she knew what she was saying made sense. aiden had been there for thirty years without fail, anytime she needed him. as difficult as all the thoughts in her brain were, caroline was right and she needed to talk to both of them. ❝ its such a messy situation, and i feel so guilty worrying about this now given all that is going on. ❞

❝ ⸻ all I can say is that Aiden has been with you all these years . Help you with parker . Think about what you want , honey . I can't tell you that either . Lucas also has to understand how long its been . You have to think about your own happiness and TALK it out . One of them is bound to be hurt in the end . there's no avoiding that . you all have to be understanding . ❞

memories of their past were littered in the walls of the salvatore school, they had some of their best and some of their worst memories from this place. ❝ i just wish it could have stayed safe, you know? maybe that was partly my fault, staying in belgium so long. ❞ logically, she knew that wasn't true but she would rather herself, lizzie, hope, mg, kaleb be the ones fighting whatever came their way. ❝ things are - going. can't quite say i'm good in the moment, but i'm not terrible. what about in the world of hope?❞

The school was Hope's home away from home - or well, was it? She spent more time in Mystic Falls than she did New Orleans ; this was her home. And despite the things that've happened at the school all those years ago, it was nice to drop by every now and then and see how things were. In a not so surprising twist, Caroline was doing a better job than Alaric did. The small memory of him shot a small pang of grief through her but she pushed it back and instead smiled over at Josie as they headed into the school. "I mean if they don't take the bait then I certainly will. Pizza and cupcakes? Best combo." She laughs softly. "No, we were always the ones running directly into the line of danger. I suppose it's a good thing they haven't taken after us." The small smirk dances on her lips. Following Josie into the school, Hope looked over to her longtime friend - "How has everything been for you?"

her brows furrowed when he apologized, shaking her head then and felt her own guilt by him taking it as his fault. there were so many things she was feeling guilt for right now. ❝ i know. i wanted to grow old and see grandkids and the whole shabang - at least theres still part of it.❞ shrugging lightly, she then looked up into his chocolate hues with a small, soft closed lips smile. ❝ we should go get you some food, it has been a really long time since you've eaten anything. we can drop this off in my class and go and get you something? the grill here is pretty damn good. ❞

As he held her close the males cheek rested against her hair taking her in. Her words felt to warm to Luke."I love you" After pulling back he listened to josie explaining her attack and in the moment, lukes heart broke. She was supposed to be protected by lucas. Her and Parker were supposed to be okay- protected by lucas and lucks had let them down. "J... I'm so sorry... sorry I couldn't protect you... I should have been there to protect you... protect you both." He sighed. "I always imagined you with some salt and pepper in the hair and still being the most beautiful woman alive..." he laughed a little "but now ypu will forever be my J."

nina: feeling floral 🌸

MADELYN CLINE for revlon

josie was grateful for aiden, in more ways than just him helping her lug things inside of the school. walking beside him, the blonde scrunched her nose when he nudged her and couldn't help but smile when she did. even after all this time, being around him was easy and light. her thoughts then drifted from aiden and to the last twenty-four hours. ❝ you and me both, i know it is hard for them to even be in the school but.. hopefully something we can overcome. ❞ shaking her hair back over her shoulder as they walked, a smirk spreading over her lips and she winked, looking him up and down. ❝ i think i can manage to sneak away and make a little time for my own private lessons. ❞

The air around the school was HEAVY with the two deaths that occurred not mere hours ago. He could practically smell the fear from those who lived within the premises and honestly he didn't blame them. And here she was, a beacon of light as she always had been. "Yeah, I got it." Reaching into the car, he pulled out the box before shifting it to one arm and closing the door. Falling to her side, Aiden ever so gently nudged her shoulder, "They're lucky to have you." He was ALSO lucky to have her. "I can take some of that too, make it easier for you." He offers, "I'm also hoping they didn't send the janitor home. With you feeding them these sweets and me training them... I just hope they don't have weak stomachs." He laughs softly. With the attack, he shifted his lesson plans. Not only were they going to train physically, and much harder than it has been before but also mentally. It would be a long night for them all, Aiden included. "Think they'll notice if I sneak off with one of their favorite teachers?" He was only PARTIALLY kidding, hues looking to her with a playful glint as the smirk fell upon his lips.

what she truly wanted. now that was the million dollar question. once inside her classroom, josie set the stuff down and rubbed her temples before looking up at her mom. ❝ honestly? i don't know. i love them both, i know it is wrong but i do. i dont want to hurt anyone but i don't know... i just don't. and its only been since this morning when i saw lucas. then i think of parker too and its going to be hard for him. ❞ a sigh passed her lips, sitting on the edge of her desk and looking up. ❝ how do i even attempt to figure out what to do. ❞

❝ ⸻ How do you think I feel ? ❞ Caroline lightly laughed . It felt like just yesterday that caroline was changing her sister's and her dippers , running around chasing them . She will always be grateful to have the privilege of experiencing motherhood when she never thought it to be possible . When josie told her about lucas being back , her expression turned worried for her daughter . She knew she was with aiden but she also know how devastated she was over lucas . After him , it was hard for josie to open her heart up to another . Aiden managed to do that . ❝ Oh , honey . ❞ Caroline stepped towards her daughter and hugged her before pulling back and locking eyes with her . ❝ ⸻ I can't tell you what to fell or what to do ... you alone know the answer to that . Have to decide on what you TRULY want . who you want . All I can say is baby steps and talk with them both . Do not run away or avoid it . ❞

a small smile pulled her lips up at mention of parker needing her, in a way he was right because all kids needed their mom no matter how old they were. her eyes closed as lucas held her, her arms wrapping around his larger frame and she breathed him in for a moment. ❝ i love you. ❞ she meant the words still, she did love him but that didn't diminish her love for aiden. only when she could sense the shift, wolves knew the smell of vampires. her teeth bit into her lower lip. ❝ i was attacked, years ago. i was in bad shape and was given blood from someone i trust, i didn't want to leave parker alone. but i am a heretic - forever twenty six.❞

~lucas watched the blonde, their eyes meeting and they world fell from around them, they were alone, and he was lost in her eyes. That proved that some things never changed. Although he was aware time had passed he still hadn't know the full timescale. "Can't say I'm surprised... but I'm glad you are still okay.. Parker needs his momma in his life to grown up with her.." he pointed out. Lucas would never want josie to do anything that would risk her own life. He smiled to her holding her close. " God, I love you J." He stated pulling her into a hug. At that moment the smell came into his mind. The change to her scent. Pulling back, he looked to her. "J?"

vampire pancakes, something she hadn't eaten in years probably. it was like he cracked a little something inside of her, she hadn't been expecting it. ❝ you got yourself a deal, salvatore. ❞ she mused, looking up when the food was finally being brought out to her with the soda as well. shifting in her spot she pushed it to the middle. ❝ you're welcome to share some with me, if you want. work was good, mostly just busy from the frats at whittmore having some kind of event and those with alcohol. always keeps the hospitals busy,. ❞

It could have been a mixture of everything, but Damon was thankful for them not fighting with each other. He didn't want the yelling just conversation with her. Maybe this was the right step in the right direction for them. "Exactly, just like that. And hey, I can always make you some vampire pancakes in the morning." He chuckled softly, looking over at her. "Dr. Pepper, you got it. And yeah, we can certainly have some beers afterwards. Maybe even play some pool." He offered. "How did your day at work? If you don't mind me asking." He was trying his best here, and hopefully she saw that.

elenas brow lifted, she didn't say much when sheila was a child because well, she was a child and she never wanted to rock the boat with bonnie. ❝ then you're free to get your dinner and leave, sheila. you are one of my best friends children, i'm not going to just ignore your existence. even if you don't like me, that's fine. i do not care. ❞

❝ ⸻ I was taught to speak when spoken to . Along with never holding back with how I feel . ❞ Sheila retorted back . ❝ You don't have to offer something just because my mom might do with with stefanie . So , don't waste your breath if you feel anything with me just because my mom would do the same with your kid . Mom is too good to you and the rest . more than what you all deserve , honestly .❞

her heart dropped. somehow, she thought just maybe kai sauntered off to some part of the earth never to be heard from again but no, that wasn't the case. if josie could go pale, she would in that moment. she took a deep breath, her expression fully changed from playful initially to concern and worry. ❝ just get to it kai, what do you want. the small talk is pointless, i owe you and you're here to collect. what is it gonna be? my voice? ❞ her eyes roll in reference to ursula the sea witch.

"And here I thought I met my quota of HUGE HELP." Kai wouldn't admit it out loud, EVER but he rather enjoyed teaching his niece dark magic. He looked forward to the day where he saw the reactions from the newly arisen Gemini Coven when they learned of what's become of them. And a small part, so small that Kai hadn't realized it yet, knew that if the coven were to come for Josie or Lizzie the way they came at HIM for being born a siphon and turned into a heretic - he would take great pleasure in giving them wicked aneurisms until they died, again. They already ruined one Gemini member, no use in ruining two more. Nonetheless, Kai took the box of decorations from her car, "A party for the DEAD or? That seems a little too soon."

her jaw tightened at the sight, eyes rolling deeply and harsh when looking at kai. of all the people who had to come back, of course he was one. ❝ what do you want, kai? what are you doing here?❞

"That's a DANGEROUS thing, Elena. There could be homicidal sociopaths just wandering around waiting to POUNCE on an... innocent being like yourself." Kai didn't wait for her permission before he took a seat next to the doppelganger, "Miss me?"