“It’s good to be home!” You smiled, immediately sitting on an arm chair by the fire place. “Which one?” Stefan smirked as he passed by you. “We just left the our home to go to this one.” You narrowed your gaze on Stefan. “You know exactly what I mean.” Stefan let out a quiet chuckle. “I think (Y/N) is playing favourites.” Vladimir said as he entered through the front door. “Now how could you do such a thing to our divine Russian abode?” Stefan teased. “I’d like to point out I made a general statement and you two are teaming up against me for it.” You said as you stretched, arms above your head. “Oh my love, you know very well that this isn’t us teaming up. When Stefan and I work together, you know that there is significantly more damage.” Vladimir said sitting on the couch next to Stefan, Vladimir’s eyebrow raised whilst the pair wore matching grins. “Oh but how could we to our little (Y/N)?” Stefan teased. “You were so quiet and sweet for the longest time. When we ruled, we could barely get a word out of you.” He continued. “First of all, you two were two oftwelve and believe it or not, you’re still intimidating!” You said in defence, although unable to hide your grin. You nodded to Vladimir. “You were known for your brutal methods and you, Stefan, were known for being a perfectionist. Not to mention, you were basically a walking trap with a charming smile that gave everyone a false sense of security!” The two looked very proud of themselves to say the least. Stefan stood up. “Then we have our little (Y/N),” he moved behind you, wrapping his arms around you as best he could given the chair you sat on had been in the way. “who stood quietly in the corner hoping none of us would notice you.” “Again, you’re very intimidating. All of you were for your own reasons.” You replied, placing a hand over Stefan’s conjoined ones lightly. “You were one of the good ones though.” Vladimir pointed out. “One of those who didn’t give us any bother.” “If I recall, Magnus was very fond of you.” Stefan said in thought. “As was Darius and Cyrus.” Vladimir added. “Cyrus was the one who brought little (Y/N) to us.” “Cyrus used our own mates against us to keep (Y/N) in a higher rank.” Stefan reminded. “They loved (Y/N) dearly.“
You were used to the two talking about you like you weren’t there, it had been more pleasant that way when they were ruling and the habit never broke even after the coven was overthrown. You recalled the time the two were referring to. Cyrus brought you to the coven and many of the leaders, like Stefan and Vladimir, originally saw you as a waste of space. That was until your loyalty and obedience was undeniable.
Vladimir’s mate simply adored you. She thought you were sweet and was very protective of you. She deemed you incapable of protecting yourself from others of the coven so everyone had been put in their place. You weren’t to be mistreated. You remembered how desperately she wanted Vladimir to approve of you. She’d be overjoyed to know you remained with Vladimir to this day. Eventually you had met Stefan’s mate who was a much more charming woman. She was probably one of the nicest in the whole of the coven. When there was doubt about how useful you’d be to them, the two were quick to try to convince Vladimir and Stefan to keep you around. Not to mention, Cyrus with the reluctant support of Darius. You hadn’t known what kept you around in the end until the two made it clear you were loyal and obedient. "It could be argued that you grew to love me in the end.” You smirked. “You keep me around to this day.” “Or it’s out of pity. It might have been appealing to abandon you.” Stefan smiled playfully. All three of you knew that wasn’t true.
Smoke and fire was everywhere. The Volturi, gone just as quickly as they had arrived. Many were dead. With this second attack, Vladimir had lost his mate. Vladimir let out cries of rage and agony. “It’s all gone!” He screamed. The two couldn’t believe it. Out of their whole coven, only Vladimir and Stefan were left. “We need to go!” Stefan yelled.
Suddenly there was a movement in the corner of Vladimir’s eye that caught his attention. His gaze snapped towards it. There was a large pile of rubble and wooden planks. The planks were singed and littered in small flames. Once again something underneath it moved. “Stefan!” Vladimir yelled and Stefan also looked at the pile. Vladimir rushed forward. “By the gods…” Stefan said quietly his eyes wide.
The smell of smoke completely consumed the scent of whoever it could have been. Vladimir threw away plank after plank. Tearing at the rubble. It was then he found a hand. It tried to grab onto anything. Vladimir continued to uncover whoever was under the pile. Finally a head, emerged. It moved and Vladimir was met with your pained, black eyes. “(Y/N)!” Vladimir he said loudly in disbelief before he felt a newly found determination. That was when Stefan rushed toward you to help. Vladimir tried to pull you out when you suddenly cried out in protest.
As Stefan tore away further at the rubble he found the issue. Your right arm from your shoulder to half way down your ribs was completely ripped open. Cracks completely down your side, your arm nearly completely off. Seeing the damage made you cry is in horror. You had never had such an injury before.
Once Stefan had you completely uncovered, Vladimir sat back, pulling you into him. “You’re going to be alright.” He said hurriedly before pulling your arm back to your body. It was clear you were afraid. “It’ll heal, little one.” Stefan also reassured you before keeping an eye out for any other signs of movement, friend or foe. You may have been inferior in their eyes but they cared and that was clear since that day. The two always being slightly protective of you ever since.
“So generous of you, gentlemen. Perhaps I’ve over stayed my welcome.” You teased. “Oh, you wish you could be rid of us so easily.” Vladimir responded as Stefan pulled away. “Better face it now, little one. You’re stuck with us just as we are stuck with you."
"Vladimir still hasn’t returned?” Stefan said as he walked towards you. You shook your head. “He did complain he was feeling extra thirsty.” You replied. Stefan hummed. “Well, it can’t be helped. Come walk with me. We must blend in.” You nodded in agreement. “You’re doing it again.” Stefan chuckled lowly. “Doing what?” You asked. “You won’t look at me. You’re acting as you did when I ruled.” You paused. “Shouldn’t I? At the end of the day, you were my master once, as was Vladimir. Has that changed?” “I think you know very well that our bonds go far beyond master and servant by now…don’t you?” Stefan smiled slightly. Wrapping an arm around you, hoping to blend in further as you both walked down the street. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to make such a statement.” You replied. “I think that is determined by you two.” “Well, you haven’t had to refer to us as your master for a very long time now. It’s not just because we are no longer ruling, my dear.” With slight uncertainty, you wrapped an arm around him, completing the illusion of a couple passing by. Stefan didn’t protest or make any kind of comment. He knew you still saw them as authority figures deep down. “Furthermore, I think you see us differently just as we do you.” Stefan continued. “What do you mean?” You asked quietly, growing slightly nervous. “I know you better than you think I do, my dear.” Stefan’s grip on you tightened ever so slightly, a comforting squeeze.
Suddenly you caught on to what he was referring to. “You…you know?” Your eyes widened. “I didn’t for a long time but, I figured you out eventually.” Before you could break away. Stefan’s grip tightened. “Don’t do that. Your secret had been safe with me for a century and it will stay that way. Come, you mustn’t cause a scene.” You let out an unnecessary breath. “You haven’t told him?” “I haven’t. I see you struggle greatly. It wouldn’t be very kind of me to do so without your knowledge.” Stefan responded. “How long has this went on?” He asked. “It’s a long story.” “We have all the time in the world.” Stefan said. “We have until Vladimir returns.” You corrected. “Come on. Answer.” Stefan shot back. You sighed in defeat. “Longer than you’d think. I’m not proud of it.” You responded. “Tell me, did this happen when we were still ruling?” You flinched but nodded. “So you’ve had feelings for Vladimir even before the battle with the Volturi. Since he had a mate?” You flinched slightly with a nod. “After all this time and you’ve never said anything.” Stefan said somewhat solemnly. “Because it’s not my place and it’s wrong. Especially given how close I was to…” You trailed off, unable to say Vladimir’s mates name.
The same had went for both Vladimir and Stefan names. None of you had been able to utter their names. Not without reliving an agonizing pain. “You have shown respect. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Stefan assured you. “It’s wrong that I had feelings for him then and it’s just as wrong now.” You retorted. “You should tell him.” Stefan said surprisingly soft. You shook your head. “No. He can never know. It’ll ruin everything. He’ll never look at me the same again.” You said quietly. “I’d never tell you to do that if I didn’t know think you’d benefit. I know him. You’d be surprised.” “I’d have to leave. That would be the only way I could-” “No, that I wouldn’t allow that and I’m certain Vladimir wouldn’t.” Stefan responded firmly. You stiffened when you saw Vladimir heading towards you. Stefan gave you one last comforting squeeze of reassurance before breaking away.
