Vampire Diaries Imagines

Just Trying to Help - Stefan Salvatore

The Grill was quieter than usual, the mid-afternoon lull leaving the place mostly empty. Stefan sat at a corner table, his hands wrapped around a glass of water he wasn't planning to drink. Across from him, Y/N tapped her nails on the table, a nervous habit she didn't seem aware of.

"I don't understand why you're mad," she said, breaking the silence. Her tone wasn't defensive, just... confused.

"I'm not mad," Stefan replied, his voice even. "I'm just... concerned."

Y/N rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "You sound like my dad."

Stefan raised an eyebrow but didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he leaned forward, his gaze steady. "Y/N, you shouldn't have gotten involved."

She crossed her arms, meeting his gaze head-on. "I was just trying to help."

"And I appreciate that," Stefan said, softening his tone, "but you could've gotten hurt."

The tension between them hung in the air, unspoken but heavy. Earlier that day, Y/N had inserted herself into a situation involving a rogue vampire threatening one of their classmates near the cemetery. She hadn't told Stefan or anyone else-just acted on instinct and a desire to protect her town. It hadn't gone smoothly.

Y/N sighed, her posture relaxing slightly. "Look, I know I'm not some supernatural powerhouse like you or Damon. But I can't just stand by and do nothing while people are in danger. This is my home too, Stefan."

Stefan ran a hand through his hair, the familiar pang of guilt settling in his chest. He understood her drive to protect-it mirrored his own. But seeing her take risks she didn't fully understand? It scared him more than he wanted to admit.

"I get it," he said finally. "I do. But you don't realize how dangerous this world can be. That vampire could've killed you, Y/N/N."

Her expression softened, and she glanced down at her hands. "I wasn't thinking about that. I just... I thought if I could handle it, maybe you wouldn't have to. You've done so much for everyone, Stefan. I just wanted to take some of the weight off your shoulders."

Stefan's heart ached at her words. He reached across the table, his hand covering hers. "Y/N/N, I don't need you to take on that burden. I'd rather carry it myself than see you get hurt."

Y/N smiled faintly, a mixture of gratitude and stubbornness. "You can't protect everyone, Stef. Not even me."

"Maybe not," he admitted, his lips quirking into a small smile. "But that's not going to stop me from trying."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"I've been told," Stefan said, his tone lighter now. "But seriously, promise me you'll be more careful next time. Or better yet, call me before you decide to play hero."

Y/N pretended to consider it, tilting her head. "No promises."

Stefan laughed despite himself, shaking his head. "You're going to be the death of me."

"Pretty sure that's already happened," she quipped, a mischievous glint in her eye.

He couldn't help but smile. Despite her impulsiveness, there was something about Y/N's spirit that reminded him of why he fought so hard to protect this town in the first place. She was brave, even if a little reckless, and her heart was always in the right place.

As they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of the earlier argument dissipating, Stefan realized that while he might not always agree with her methods, he couldn't help but admire her determination.