Vampire Diaries Imagines

His Watchful Eye - Alaric Saltzman

As I flipped through yet another thick textbook, the room's silence felt like a weight, oppressive and absolute. The soft hum of the old ceiling fan overhead was the only sound accompanying my scribbling notes. My eyes flitted over the pages, but I could barely register the words anymore. It was late, and I was exhausted, running solely on the fumes of caffeine and sheer willpower.

I had locked myself in Dad's old office since morning, just after my shift at the bookstore. My mind was a whirlwind of historical dates and events, and though I was seated, my mind raced like I was still on the cheer mat learning a new routine. Elena was out, probably unwinding with Stefan and Bonnie, and Jeremy... well, best not to think about what trouble he might be finding without me hovering.

The door creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Alaric leaning against the doorframe, a sympathetic smile on his face and a to-go plate from Patty's Cafe in his hand-my favorite.

"You know, I always hated when a final was on Mondays," he said, stepping into the room and placing the plate on my cluttered desk.

I couldn't help but laugh, a sound more weary than I intended. "Ric, you're the one who set the schedule," I teased, but the gratitude was evident in my eyes. He knew just how to lift my spirits.

"I did, didn't I?" Ric chuckled, taking a seat in the chair across from me. His eyes, so often filled with a mix of concern and determination, scanned my face. "You look like you're about to keel over, YNN. When's the last time you got more than a few hours of sleep?"

I shrugged, unwilling to admit that a few hours sounded like a luxury at this point. "Can't remember," I mumbled, picking at the food he brought. My stomach rumbled, betraying my nonchalance.

Ric's frown deepened. "YN, you're doing too much. Between work, school, and cheer, when do you rest?"

"I don't know how to anymore," I confessed, setting my pen down. It felt heavy, suddenly. "Someone has to keep it all together, right?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "And who keeps you together?"

I met his gaze, and something in his earnest concern cracked the armor I'd meticulously built around myself. "Guess that's where you come in," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, reaching out to gently squeeze my hand. "That's exactly where I come in. I might not be your dad, but you can always count on me to rescue you, especially from yourself."

I nodded, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. It was hard to let someone else carry part of the burden, but if there was anyone I could trust with it, it was Ric.

"Now," he said, standing and stretching his arms, "how about we call it a night? You need sleep more than you need to ace that history final."

A genuine smile broke through my exhaustion. "Maybe just a few more minutes," I bargained, picking up my fork.

Ric rolled his eyes but chuckled. "Alright, ten more minutes. But then I'm coming back in here and personally escorting you to bed. We both know you'll just keep going otherwise."

"Deal," I agreed, knowing fully well he'd keep his word.

Alaric kept his word, and exactly ten minutes later, he was back in the doorway, a firm but gentle expression set on his face. I was still buried in my notes, the margins filled with tiny scribbles and bullet points. I could feel his presence, a steady comfort that seemed to fill the cramped space of the old office.

"Alright, YN, pens down," he announced, reaching over to gently pull the pen from my fingers. I looked up, ready to protest, but the resolve in his eyes stopped me.

"Just a few more minutes, Ric?" I tried, my voice a mix of pleading and fatigue.

He shook his head, placing my pen down on the notebook. "You need rest more than you need perfection," he reminded me softly. He knew me well enough to understand that leaving my pen there wasn't just a practical gesture-it was a concession, a promise that my work could continue, just not tonight.

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, finally feeling the toll of the long day. My eyes were gritty from reading, and my brain felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Ric was right, as usual. The information wasn't going to stick any better at this point.

He extended a hand to me, and I took it, allowing him to pull me up from the chair. My legs felt shaky, my body heavy with exhaustion. As we walked out of the office, his hand rested lightly on my back, guiding me gently but firmly toward the stairs.

"You know," he began, breaking the silence, "I'm really proud of you, YNN. Not just for how hard you're working, but for how you're holding up everything else around here."

I smiled weakly, touched by his words. "Feels like I'm not holding up much of anything, Ric."

"You're holding up more than you realize," he assured me. "Elena and Jeremy, they look up to you. And, honestly, so do I."

We reached my room, and he paused at the door, giving me a moment to turn around and face him. "Try to get some sleep," he said, his voice softening. "I'll handle breakfast in the morning and make sure those two don't burn the house down."

I chuckled, the sound light and more relaxed than it had been all evening. "Thanks, Ric. For everything."

He nodded, his usual stoic mask slipping to reveal a warm, fatherly smile. "Goodnight, YNN."

"Goodnight," I replied, stepping into the solace of my room.

As I changed into pajamas and crawled into bed, the weight of the day began to lift slightly. Thinking about how the notebook and pen on my dad's desk were reminders of the tasks ahead, but for now, under the soft sheets, I could let go. Ric's presence in our lives, his steadfast support and quiet understanding, gave me permission to rest, not just for my sake, but for all of ours. With that comforting thought, I finally closed my eyes and let sleep take over, the worries of the day fading into a peaceful oblivion.