Vampire Diaries Imagines

World's Changing - Jeremy Gilbert

The cool night air wrapped around Jeremy and YN as they stepped out of the Mystic Grill, the sounds of laughter and music fading behind them. It had been a fun night-at least, it was supposed to be. Their friends had been joking, drinking, and unwinding from the chaos that seemed to define their lives. But Jeremy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her.

She had laughed at all the right moments, smiled when someone told a joke, but there was a weight behind her eyes that she hadn't been able to hide from him.

Jeremy didn't push, though. He knew his girlfriend well enough to understand that she'd tell him when she was ready. Instead, he slipped his hand into hers, giving it a small squeeze as they walked to his car.

The drive back to her place was quiet, save for the low hum of the radio. YN leaned against the window, staring out at the darkened streets of Mystic Falls, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the hem of her sleeve.

Jeremy glanced at her every so often, debating with himself whether he should say something. He decided against it. She'd open up when she wanted to.

When they pulled up to her house, she sighed and unclipped her seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride," she murmured, offering him a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Jeremy shut the car off and got out, rounding the vehicle to walk her to the door. "Like I'd let you walk in alone," he teased lightly, nudging her shoulder.

She let out a small laugh-soft, but real. "Protecting me from the big and the bad?"

"Something like that," he said, grinning.

They stepped inside, and YN immediately toed off her shoes, stretching her arms above her head to remove her sweater. Jeremy shut the door behind them and followed her into the living room, where she plopped down on the couch.

He hesitated for only a moment before sitting down beside her, his hand resting on her thigh. "Alright, YNN. Talk to me."

She sighed, not looking at him. "What do you mean?"

The Gilbert boy huffed out a soft laugh. "Come on. You think I didn't notice? You were off all night. And I didn't say anything because I figured you'd tell me when you were ready."

YN turned her face to the side, her cheek resting against the pillow, eyes meeting his. There was something raw in them, something vulnerable. "It's stupid," she mumbled.

Jeremy shook his head. "Not if it's bothering you."

She exhaled heavily, then slowly sat up, pulling her knees to her chest. "My parents are getting divorced," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual.

Jeremy blinked, taken aback. "Wait-what?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "They told me last week. I guess I just... I don't know, I thought I'd be fine with it. They've been fighting for years, so it's not like it's a shock. But for some reason, it's hitting me harder than I thought it would."

Jeremy watched her carefully, his heart aching for her. "YNN..."

She let out a humorless laugh. "I mean, I'm not a kid anymore. I shouldn't care this much, right? But it's like... everything I thought was stable just isn't anymore."

Jeremy didn't think-he just acted. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a warm, protective embrace. She melted into him almost instantly, burying her face in his shoulder as he rubbed slow circles against her back.

"It's okay to care," he murmured into her hair. "You don't have to act like it doesn't hurt just because you're not a kid anymore."

She was quiet for a moment before she whispered, "I just hate that everything's changing."

Jeremy swallowed thickly, holding her a little tighter. "I know," he said softly. "But you're not alone in this, okay? I'm right here."

She nodded against him, her grip on his shirt tightening.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, the weight of her worries just a little lighter with him there.

Jeremy felt the weight of YN's words settle between them. He hated seeing her like this-so vulnerable, so lost. He knew how much she tried to be strong, how much she bottled up her feelings because she didn't want to burden anyone. But she didn't have to do that with him.

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her fingers still gripping the fabric of his shirt. "Will you stay with me tonight?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jeremy didn't hesitate. "Of course."

A small, grateful smile touched her lips before she nodded and stood, grabbing his hand as she led him upstairs to her bedroom.

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from her bedside lamp casting a warm, golden hue across the space. Jeremy had been in her room countless times before, but tonight felt different-more intimate, more fragile.

YN moved around the room, grabbing a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt before disappearing into the bathroom to change. Jeremy toed off his shoes and pulled off his hoodie, leaving just his t-shirt and jeans. He sat on the edge of her bed, running a hand through his hair as he waited.

When she returned, she looked more comfortable but no less troubled. She climbed into bed and patted the spot beside her. Jeremy didn't need another invitation-he slid in next to her, laying on his side so he could see her face.

For a moment, they just lay there in silence, the sound of their steady breathing filling the room. Then, finally, YN spoke.

"I got home from school Thursday," she started, her voice even but laced with something heavy, "and I knew something was wrong the second I walked in the door. It was too quiet." She swallowed hard, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the edge of the blanket. "I walked into the living room, and there it was-my dad's stuff. Packed up. Sitting by the door like it was waiting for him to come grab it and disappear."

Jeremy stayed quiet, letting her speak at her own pace.

"I just... stood there. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe. My mom was in the kitchen, acting like it was just another day. And when I asked her what was going on, she barely even looked at me. She just said, 'Your dad's moving out today.' Like it was no big deal. Like it wasn't our whole life changing in an instant."

Jeremy felt his chest tighten. "YNN..."

She shook her head. "I knew they weren't happy, I knew it was coming... but I didn't think it would be like that. I thought they'd sit me down, talk to me. Instead, I just walked in on it like I was a stranger in my own home."

Jeremy reached out, threading his fingers through hers. "I'm so sorry."

She sighed, squeezing his hand. "I know I shouldn't be this upset. I mean, at least they're not fighting anymore, right? But now everything feels so... broken. And I don't know how to fix it."

Jeremy shifted closer, resting his forehead against hers. "It's not your job to fix it," he murmured.

She blinked up at him, eyes shining in the dim light. "Then why does it feel like it is?"

"Because you care," he said simply. "Because you love them. But, YNN... sometimes things fall apart, and it sucks, but that doesn't mean you have to carry it all on your shoulders."

She exhaled, her breath shaky, and nodded. "I just feel... lost."

Jeremy pulled her into his arms again, holding her close. "I get it. But you're not alone. You have me."

She curled into his chest, her body relaxing slightly against his. "Thank you, Jer."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, tightening his hold on her. "Always."

As the night stretched on, their breathing synced, the weight of her emotions settling, but not suffocating. And for the first time in days, YN felt like maybe-just maybe-she wasn't as lost as she thought.