Vampire Diaries Imagines

Since the Day - Alaric Saltzman

The fire crackled softly in the fireplace of the Salvatore Boarding House, casting a warm glow over the expansive living room. Y/N sat curled up on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her and a book resting on her lap. The storm outside raged, rain pattering against the windows in a rhythmic lullaby.

She was deep in thought when she heard the front door creak open. Footsteps echoed in the foyer, and moments later, Alaric walked in, shaking droplets from his jacket. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, but his eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Hey," he greeted, dropping his bag by the door. "I thought you'd be in bed by now."

Y/N smiled softly, closing her book and setting it aside. "Couldn't sleep. The storm's too loud."

Alaric crossed the room and sat down beside her, his presence instantly warming her. "Long day?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"You could say that," she admitted. "Damon's impossible to deal with when he's bored, and Stefan was no help keeping him in check. But enough about me. How was your day?"

Ric shrugged, his smile turning wistful. "Uneventful, but I couldn't stop thinking about something."

Y/N tilted her head, curious. "What's on your mind?"

Instead of answering, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. Her breath caught as he placed it in her hands.

"What is this?" she asked, staring at the velvet box. Her heart raced as she opened it, revealing a delicate silver bracelet adorned with tiny charms: a book, a quill, and a small heart-shaped locket.

"It's for you," Alaric said, his voice soft but steady. "I found it in this antique shop last week, and it just... felt like you."

Y/N ran her fingers over the charms, her lips parting in surprise. "Ric, this is beautiful. But... why?"

He laughed quietly, his eyes meeting hers. "You really don't know what today is, do you?"

Her brows furrowed as she thought. She sifted through her memory, searching for something she might've forgotten, but nothing came to mind. "I don't... What am I missing?"

He leaned closer, his lips quirking in a tender smile. "Y/N/N, it's been exactly a year since the day we met."

Her eyes widened. "What? No, it hasn't-wait..." She paused, counting backward in her mind. Realization dawned on her, and she gasped. "Oh my god, you're right. I didn't even-" She covered her mouth, laughing in disbelief. "I didn't think you would remember the day, much less keep track."

Ric chuckled, taking her hand in his. "Of course I remembered. How could I forget the woman who turned my life upside down in the best way possible?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at the bracelet again. "I feel so awful. I didn't get you anything."

"You don't need to," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "You being here-choosing to be in my life every day-is more than enough."

Tears prickled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "You're not allowed to make me cry. It's against the rules."

"I'm sorry," he teased, leaning in closer. "But you make it way too easy."

Y/N laughed through the lump in her throat and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her, grounding her in his warmth.

"I don't deserve you," she whispered against his shoulder.

Alaric pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his hands cupping her face. "You deserve everything, Y/N. And I plan on giving it to you, one day at a time."

She smiled through her tears, leaning in to kiss him softly. The storm outside raged on, but in that moment, everything felt calm and perfect. They sat there, holding each other, knowing they had found something rare and irreplaceable in a world full of chaos.