Vampire Diaries Imagines

Out of Place - Jeremy Gilbert

Y/N Y/L/N leaned against the windowsill of her aunt's guest room, staring out into the glittering Chicago skyline. The city lights blurred slightly as a small tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away. Her phone was clutched tightly in her hand, and Jeremy's contact pulled up on the screen. A deep breath in, and she hit the call button.

It only took a couple of rings before his warm, familiar voice answered. "Hey, Babe."

"Hey," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips despite her mood.

"What's up? You okay?" he asked, his concern evident.

Y/N hesitated momentarily, unsure how to put her feelings into words. "I just... I needed to hear your voice," she admitted finally.

"Rough day?" Jeremy asked, the sound of him shifting around coming through the line. He was probably at the Salvatores' again, helping clean up after yet another rogue vampire crisis or whatever else could have happened in the time she had been gone.

Y/N/N sighed. "You could say that. I love my family, Jer, I do. But these particular relatives? Ugh. Every time I'm here, I feel like... like I don't belong. Like I'm some kind of outsider crashing their perfect little lives."

"That's ridiculous," Jeremy replied firmly. "They're your family. You belong wherever you are at that point in time. They don't just get to diss you because you don't live in said 'perfect little life' twenty-four-seven."

"Do I, though?" Y/N muttered. "It's like they're all living in this alternate universe where they don't have a black sheep in the family. It's exhausting pretending I don't care about their thinly veiled judgment or their constant digs at my life back at home. Sandy definitely thinks she has the upper hand now that Mom and Dad are gone. And don't even get me started on Aunt Hetty, with her jabs at my clothing and whatnot. To be honest I don't know why I still make it a point to come out here every year. They think they're so much better because they're up here in their fancy Chicago penthouses."

Her boyfriend was silent for a moment, letting her vent. Then, his voice softened. "Y/N/N, listen to me. You don't need their approval. You've got people who love you for exactly who you are. And in a few days, you'll be back here, with me. We'll binge some bad movies, order way too much pizza, and you can pretend your less-than-lovely Aunt and cousin don't even exist if you want to."

She couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "That does sound nice."

"Because it is," Jeremy said, his tone lightening. "And you're way more than they, or even yourself, give you credit for. Don't let them make you feel small, okay?"

Y/N smiled, but before she could reply, a thought struck her. "How are things back home? You know, Mystic Falls-level chaos?"

Jeremy chuckled. "Surprisingly, it's been quiet. No new supernatural-related disasters-yet. Damon's been paranoid, though. Says it's the calm before the storm."

"Sounds about right," Y/N replied, rolling her eyes. "What about you? How's Elena? Is she still trying to micromanage your life?"

Jeremy snorted. "She hasn't been that bad actually. Wait, actually..."

Y/N heard a faint knock on the other end of the call before Jeremy spoke again. "Speak of the devil. She's right here."

"Who are you calling a devil?" Elena's teasing voice came through, growing louder as she joined the conversation.

"Y/N/N's on the phone," Jeremy told her.

"Hey, Y/N!" Elena called out brightly.

"Hey, Elena," Y/N replied, smiling for the first time all day. "How's my favorite overprotective sister-in-law?"

Elena laughed at the words coming from the speaker of her brother's phone. "Flattered at your phrasing, but probably driving your beloved boyfriend bat-shit crazy. He keeps insisting he doesn't need me hovering, but someone's gotta make sure he's not jumping into danger every five minutes."

"Uh-huh," Jeremy muttered. "Says the girl who will run in front of a speeding train to save literally anyone given the chance."

"Fair," Elena admitted with a laugh. "Y/N/N, how's Chicago treating you?"

Y/N hesitated. "It's... fine. It's nice seeing everyone, but, you know, family can be a lot sometimes."

"She's being polite," Jeremy added. "She hates it there."

Y/N laughed. "Okay, maybe a little. But it's only for a few more days, and then I'm home."

"Good," Elena said warmly. "We miss you here. And don't let them get under your skin for the rest of your trip. If they can't see how amazing you are, that's their loss."

Y/N felt a lump rise in her throat at Elena's kindness. "Thanks, Lena. That means a lot."

"Anytime," Elena said. "Okay, I'm leaving you two lovebirds alone. But, Y/N/N, don't be a stranger while you're out there, okay? Call if you need to vent-or need reinforcements."

"Will do," Y/N promised.

After Elena's footsteps faded, Jeremy spoke again. "See? Told you. You've got people here who think the world of you."

Y/N smiled, her heart feeling a little fuller. "What would I do without you, Jer?"

"Probably survive just fine, but life would be way less fun for both of us," he joked.

"True," she teased back. "I love you, you know that?"

"Yeah, I know," he said with a grin in his voice. "Love you too, Y/N/N. Now go get some sleep, alright? You'll feel better in the morning."

"Goodnight, Jer."

"Goodnight, Y/N/N."

As she ended the call, the tension in her chest eased. She wasn't alone in this, not really. Jeremy's words-and Elena's-echoed in her mind as she climbed into bed, already counting down the days until she could return to the place-and the people-she truly belonged with.