The Bourbon Diaries ✢ The Vampire Diaries FanFiction ✢ TVD FanFic ✢ TVDU FanFic

Author Note, Fandom Glossary & Content Warnings

Author Note

This is a post-canon, dual timeline, action-packed spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, featuring a host of new characters, including Stefanie Salvatore, daughter of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert. Featured characters from the CW series include Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert, Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennett.

The story continues twenty-eight years after the events of The Vampire Diaries. Familiarity with the series isn't necessary to enjoy this story, but awareness of the supernatural abilities of vampires and witches in the show can help.

I have included a glossary of fandom terms, characters and abilities below as a reference for those who haven't watched the series, though hopefully it's still possible to infer much of this information from the story while reading.

Thank you for reading!

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Fandom Glossary

Alaric Saltzman (human): former history teacher, and friend of Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert, Caroline Forbes, and Bonnie Bennett.

Bonnie Bennett (witch): powerful witch born in 1993. Friend of Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert, Caroline Forbes and Alaric Saltzman.

Caroline Forbes (vampire): born in 1992 and turned at seventeen years old by Katherine Pierce. Friend of Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert, Bonnie Bennett and Alaric Saltzman. She was briefly married to Damon's brother, Stefan Salvatore, before he died. She was a surrogate for Alaric's two children, who she raised like her own. Currently runs a boarding school for young supernatural beings.

Compulsion: a mind-control ability used by vampires, performed though close eye contact.

Damon Salvatore (human, former vampire): father of Stefanie Salvatore and husband of Elena Gilbert. Brother of Stefan Salvatore (deceased). Friend of Bonnie Bennett, Caroline Forbes and Alaric Saltzman. Born in 1839 and turned into a vampire in 1864 by ex-lover Katherine Pierce. Was cured of vampirism after 'the cure' (see below) was taken from Elena Gilbert's blood supply and given to him. The cure remains in his blood supply and he will die if it is removed since he has lived beyond a normal human lifespan.

Daylight Jewelry: lapis lazuli gemstones enchanted by witches and worn by vampires to allow them to walk in the daylight.

Elena Gilbert (human, former vampire): mother of Stefanie Salvatore and wife of Damon Salvatore. Friend of Bonnie Bennett, Caroline Forbes and Alaric Saltzman. Born in 1992 and turned into a vampire at 18 years old after dying in an accident at Wickery Bridge and unknowingly having vampire blood in her system. Was cured of vampirism after taking an original dose of 'the cure' that was created by an ancient witch. When the cure was extracted from her blood supply and given to Damon, she remained mortal, but her age increased according to her original lifespan (which added only a few years, since she was not a vampire for long).

Humanity Switch: a mechanism inside vampires that allows them to turn off their ability to care or empathize with others.

Katherine Pierce (deceased vampire): born in 1473 and formally known as Katerina Petrova. Her family was killed by Klaus Mikaelson after escaping his plan to sacrifice her to break a curse on him. Ex-lover of both Damon Salvatore and his brother Stefan Salvatore, both of which she turned into vampires in 1864. Escaped Mystic Falls in 1864 after being exposed as a vampire and the town attempted to burn her alive (along with other vampires) in Fell's Church. Was eventually killed by hellfire, along with Stefan Salvatore c.2018. Is the main antagonist throughout The Vampire Diaries series due to her jealousy of her doppelganger, Elena Gilbert.

Mystic Falls: the town in which The Vampire Diaries is set. It is roughly located between Lynchburg and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Sire Bond: a rare supernatural bond whereby the sired is under the influence or control of their sire, even if they still appear to have free will.

Stefan Salvatore (deceased vampire): brother of Damon Salvatore, ex-lover of Elena Gilbert, late husband of Caroline Forbes, and friend of Bonnie Bennett and Alaric Saltzman. Born in 1846 and turned into a vampire in 1864 by ex-lover Katherine Pierce. Sacrificed himself to save Mystic Falls and was killed by hellfire, taking antagonist Katherine Pierce with him.

The Cure: a single-dose potion that cures immortality/vampirism. Once taken, if the cure remains in their blood, they age at a normal pace. If the cure is removed from their blood (often with the intention for it to be ingested/injected into another vampire to cure them), they will age according to their original lifespan, i.e. if they have been a vampire beyond a normal human lifespan (e.g. 500 years), they will die.

Vampires: immortal supernatural beings that were once human but were turned after dying with the blood of a vampire in their system. They have the supernatural abilities of super strength and speed, compulsion, heightened hearing, increased pain tolerance, accelerated healing (both themselves, as well as others by feeding them their blood), and hallucination projection. Their weaknesses are vervain, fire, decapitation, heart extraction, weapons made from wood (e.g. stakes), sunlight, and the inability to enter homes without invitation (this does not apply to public buildings). Breaking a vampire's neck renders them unconscious, but does not kill them.

Vervain: a herb that, when touched by vampires, burns them. If a human wears or ingests vervain, a vampire cannot compel them.

Witches: supernatural beings who have the ability to use magic and practice witchcraft. There are some rare witches, called Siphoners, who have the ability to siphon magic from other beings and spelled objects through touch. Witches are still human and share similar weaknesses, however they are immune to compulsion. While they age at a slightly slower rate than humans, they are not immortal. If a witch is turned into a vampire, they lose their magic.

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Story Content Warnings

• Sexual content/references (content in chapters 30, 35, 45; sexual references throughout) • Blood/biting/blood drinking • Harassing/obsessive behaviour • Abusive past relationships • Alcohol use • Swearing • Physical violence/fighting/injury • Gun violence • Car chases/accidents • Fire/smoke inhalation • Kidnapping • Attempted drowning • Execution • Death

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