Ruins (The Vampire Diaries x Reader)

Chapter 8

You snuck out of the harvest dance, Damon following close behind you and Stefen reluctantly on your heels, still trying to convince you to go back. 

“We shouldn’t be here,” Stefen whispered as you approached the town center and began picking the lock. 

“How do you know how to do that?” Damon asked, admiration in his eyes.  He would never admit the hold you had on him, but this dangerous streak he loved even more. 

Stefen on the other hand kept looking over his shoulder, he would do almost anything for you, but this was reckless and he feared what they would do to you if you got caught. 

You smiled as the lock clicked and you pushed open the door.  “I have my secrets,” you whispered with a smile, placing the hair pin back in its place. 

You carefully crept into the town center, Damon guiding you to the office space where the records are kept.  Surprisingly the door was unlocked, they must not have expected anyone to get inside.  

“So what are we looking for,” Damon asked, turning on a small desk lamp so you could see.  

You shrugged, “anything interesting.” 

“We really shouldn’t be here,” Stefen repeated.  

“If you’re scared, Stefen, just keep watch,” Damon said over his shoulder, already opening filing cabinets.

You weren’t exactly sure what you were looking for, but you knew there had to be something in here if Niklaus and Elijah were ever in this town. You shuffled through file after file or suspected monsters and mystery encounters.  

You came across one with Pearl’s name on it.  You opened it out of curiosity and read: 

Suspected vampire, unaging but appears in sunlight

Idiots, you thought, were they so behind that they thought vampires had not found a way around the sun curse?  It was true that most vampires could not be seen in sunlight, but once you’re a vampire long enough, you learn a way around it. 

You stopped for a moment, letting the cool metal of your daylight ring comfort you.  Niklaus had it made for you the day he turned you, promising you that it would keep you from suspicion.  Only a witch could make one, which means Pearl knows a witch, which means you needed to find them.  

You discreetly grabbed a pen and marked confirmed not a threat on Pearl’s file and placed it back in the cabinet.  You needed her help, this was your way of getting it. 

“This is a cool one,” Damon whispered, snapping you back to reality. 

You moved closer to him, reading the paper: 

Original Vampires ? how does it work ? 

Suspected they came here in 1752 and left in 1785

The page continues, but Stefen’s voice interpreted your reading, “someone is coming!” 

“Shit,” you whispered. 

“Come on, we gotta go,” Damon said, pulling on your arm. 

“Wait,” you said, grabbing the paper and tucking it in the bodice of your dress.  

“What is so important about that?” Damon asked, “we need to go.” He quickly switched off the lamp. 

You said nothing instead following Damon in the darkness.  “Who’s there?” the familiar voice calls. 

It was Guiseppe, he looked around the corner suspiciously, “I know you’re in here,” his fingers twitched on a pistol that you hadn’t realized was hanging on his hip. 

You looked at Damon in the darkness, wide-eyed, before Stefen stepped out of the darkness, “father, stop, it’s me.” 

You sucked in a breath, you were relieved you were not found, but your heart ached for Stefen knowing he didn’t even want to come here. 

“Stefen, what the hell are you doing in here?” Guiseppe asked. 

Stefen looked back, trying to come up with an excuse that wouldn’t get him in trouble, but he sighed, “I overheard Will Forbes talking about monsters in the town,” he said, his head hanging in shame, “I didn’t believe them, but then I got curious and know that the council keeps records here.” 

Guiseppe crossed the distance and slapped Stefen across the face.  You winced silently at Stefen’s pained look.  “You know better than this Stefen, I expect this from your brother, but not you,” Guiseppe said angrily, “I could lose my seat on the council if they think I cannot keep a secret.” 

Stefen hung his head, “I know father, I am sorry.” 

“You’re lucky it was just me,” Guiseppe said, “get out of here, and don’t let me see your face in here again.  I don’t want to see you speaking to any of the other councilman, do you hear me?” 

“Yes father,” Stefen replied. 

“Now get out,” Guiseppe said, landing another blow to the back of Stefen’s head.  Without another word Stefen ran out the front door, Guiseppe following behind him. 

“Come on,” Damon whispered, pulling on your arm and leading out a back door.  

You were about halfway home when you finally caught up to Stefen, “Stefen, you didn’t have to-” 

Stefen held up his hand, “I told you that was a bad idea.”  his face wasn’t angry, it was sad. 

“Come on, Stefen,” Damon tried to cheer him up, but Stefen looked away.  

“Did you at least find what you were looking for?” Stefen asked. 

You cocked your head, “I was just intrigued by-” 

“Save it,” Stefen said, “I just took the blame for you, you could have been run out of town if you were discovered.  Don’t I at least deserve the truth?” 

You sighed but said nothing.  “I know you were looking for something specific,” Stefen continued, “and I know you took some pages from the records.  We risked everything for you and would never compromise your secrets, don’t we deserve your trust?” 

You finally nodded, motioning for them to follow you a little deeper into the trees, off the main path back to the boarding house.  “I am looking for monsters,” you replied, you decided to tell them half truths, and nothing about who you were.  “Evidence of a specific kind of monsters.  We heard about them in Bulgaria, but everyone thought I was crazy for believing them, so I left in search of them.” You sighed, mustering all the fake emotion that you could, “I just want to prove that I am not as crazy as everyone thinks.” 

You hang your head, and your emotional state fooled the brothers, they each placed a hand on your arm.  “You're not crazy,” Damon responded. 

“And we'll help you,” Stefan added, his words surprising you. “As long as we do it together - no more secrets.” 

You nodded in agreement and pulled the brother into a tight hug.  Despite lying to them, you felt relieved to have their help and one step closer to finding Klaus and Elijah.