You X TVD // Passion And Danger

To do the right thing for love

"Nora, it has been around a week since our epic kiss. I wish the circumstances were different: Kai out of our life and having you all to myself. You are already a girl with a fragile heart; situations like this will take a toll on you. I hate to leave you to figure your feelings out on your own, but I'm afraid you are going to find excuses to distance yourself from me. 'Joe, this is not the right time! Joe, I'm sorry for kissing you! Joe, I'm a terrible person!' There is no end to your excuses, but I'm willing to put up with anything because what is love if it's not worth fighting for? I didn't have to remove Kai from your life, but you still found me amidst all that. That's enough at the moment. But for now, I'll focus on the losers who have made your life miserable—for you." Joe lowers his head, shielding his identity under the infamous blue hat. The Barricades perform at a local bar & restaurant, and Joe monitors them from a distance. They finish their songs and disperse in the area like an air-borne virus. Liam and Dove cackle and chug a few glasses of beer. "Wasted scoundrels! Not even five minutes passed by, and they are already on the loose! " Joe wrinkles his nose and drinks another shot of wine to blend in the herd of alcoholic sheep. Joe's phone gets notified, and he sees a new video of Nora playing one of her songs. "Nora, you should be out here playing for an audience, but that's impossible because you trusted these drunkards, and now you are playing in front of a regular phone camera. I wish I knew how to help you with your anxiety. But, I profoundly believe that someone you know—within this circle—is responsible for your failure." Joe sets his cap and inches towards Liam, who seems to be chugging an enormous quantity of beer. Dove checks her phone and snickers, making Liam hover over her screen. Dove bursts out giggling, and Liam shares her humour. Joe focalises a little to hear Nora's voice in her new post. Liam and Dove appear to be drunk-mocking, and fury courses through Joe's blood.

"I just can't believe I took Nora's place. I mean, I'm not even on the same page as Nora, but still, I'm glad that I got to play today along with you, Liam." Dove smirks.

"Please, Nora was an ungrateful bitch. Don't compare yourself to her. You are amazing and talented, Dove. I'm glad that Nora got fired after her shitty performance at the Salinger's." Liam drinks another shot. "You deserve everything!"

"I didn't think you'd pull such a drastic stunt, Liam. I thought you were joking." Dove pauses to mooch her head a little closer and mutters. Joe pretends to focus on his mobile phone and scoots a little to hear them.

"You got her fired for me, Liam! Thank you so freaking much! My heart's swollen with gratitude!" Dove squeezes Liam's palm, and he kisses her forehead.

"I was so into her for some stupid reason. She isn't like you, Dove. You are a far better guitarist than she'll ever be."

"You fucking losers. You almost killed Nora with your imperfectly planned scheme." Joe impatiently waits, tapping the countertop and flitting his eyes over them until Liam and Dove check out. They flounder and dilly-dally in the alleyway, too drunk to be walking alone in the dark. Joe's feet carry him out, and he peeks near the edge of the restaurant. "I've got to make this right, Nora. You've suffered too much in their hands. They will pay, for I have no trouble doing bad things to bad people."

Joe rambles, hiding in the shadows cast by tall dumpsters and board signs. Liam drops his wallet and chuckles. "It's so dark in here. Dove, hand me your phone."

"Use yours."

"Forgot to charge, babe."

"Right now, you are asking to be taken away, Liam." Joe flicks to the opposite side, retrieving his mini hammer. He puts on his mask and lynches toward Liam, who ducked to find his wallet. The loud thud on Liam's head whips Dove around, and she calls for Liam.