💘( Six Feet Under! )✨

THREE

[ 500 Years of Solitude ]

( 🧙‍♀️🗡🧛‍♀️⚰️🐺⚜️ )

" Last I checked, this was my house. And seeing as you are no longer dating either of my brothers, I will gladly escort you out of it. "

~ VIVIENNE SALVATORE to ELENA GILBERT 

☆《》¤

VIVIENNE'S OUTFIT 

VIVIENNE STEPPED INTO THE SALVATORE BOARDING HOUSE, only to be greeted by the clinking of glasses and laughter rolling out from the living room. The sight of everyone drinking and celebrating caught her attention, a twisted smirk curving her lips.

"Whoa, wait, hold up," Vivienne announced, sauntering in with an air of confidence that made everyone turn to look at her. "Why wasn't I invited to this party? If anyone's drinking to Katherine's last days, it's going to be me." Without hesitation, she reached out and snatched a shot glass from Elena's hand, downing it in one smooth motion.

Silence settled over the room as stunned eyes followed her every move. Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, Jeremy, and Matt exchanged wide-eyed glances, all clearly shocked to see her standing before them. 

"Viv?" Elena's voice dripped with cold disdain, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of hatred and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

Caroline and Bonnie both nodded along, their expressions mirroring their best friend's disgust.

Vivienne tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she surveyed the room, "Last I checked, this was my house. And seeing as you're no longer dating either of my brothers, I will gladly escort you out of it." She took a menacing step toward Elena, their faces now mere inches apart, tension crackling like a live wire between them.

"All right, all right, simmer down," Damon intervened, his usual smirk in place as he pulled Elena back down onto the couch. "We're supposed to be celebrating, remember?"

Elena shot back to her feet, a skull-piercing glare plastered across her face, "No, she killed my brother, Damon!" 

"Technically, so did Damon," Caroline interjected, earning herself a glare from Elena.

"What?" Caroline raised her hands defensively. "I'm just stating facts."

Vivienne's gaze shifted back to Elena, her tone dark and biting, "Yeah, and yet he is sitting right there, alive and well. Something I can't say about Kol. You remember him, right? Original vampire, my best friend, murdered pointlessly by you and your brother?" 

Elena's expression faltered, guilt briefly flickering across her features, before she masked it with annoyance, "How many times do I have to say I'm sorry for that?"

"Actually," Caroline cut in again. "I don't think you ever did apologise."

Elena spun around, eyes blazing with fire as her eyes narrowed on the blonde, "Caroline, enough!" 

"What? I'm just saying!"

An awkward silence descended over the room until Matt cleared his throat, "Well, anyway," he said, a small, tentative smile breaking through the tension. "I missed you, Viv."

Vivienne's hardened expression softened as she glanced at Matt, the corners of her lips lifting in a genuine smile, "Awe, thanks, Matty."

Matt grinned and slung an arm around her as she settled on the armrest next to him, "So, are we done with the drama? Can we get our drink on now?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes but let out a resigned chuckle, "Fine. Whatever."

Elena took another shot as she muttered, "She impersonated me repeatedly. Made Aunt Jenna stab herself in the stomach," she downed the drink, her voice cracking. "And cut off Uncle John's fingers."

Vivienne's gaze sharpened with a glint of wicked amusement, "That man deserved that. He was a dick."

Damon's chuckle was the only sound that followed, echoing through the room as the two Gilberts shot his sister a glare. 

Bonnie leaned forward, grabbing a shot glass from the coffee table and raising it into the air in a cheers motion, "My Grams died trying to close a tomb she wasn't in," she said, downing the shot. 

"Tyler's werewolf curse got triggered because of her," Vivienne said, downing the shot she already gripped in her hand. 

"Klaus followed her to Mystic Falls and because of that, we lost Jenna," Elena said, grabbing another shot and downing it, her head snapping back in process. 

"Don't forget Alaric," Vivienne shot Elena a look, her eyes narrowing. "You know the man that looked out for you after said aunt died," she sneered, a smirk stretching across her lips, before she took another shot, earning a sharp glare from the two Gilberts in the room. 

Damon nodded, taking a shot for their drinking buddy, everyone else doing the same. 

Alaric and Vivienne's friendship was unexpected, forged in moments of quiet understanding and shared pain. While most people only saw Vivienne's sharp tongue and reckless spirit, Alaric looked beyond the veneer to see the fiercely loyal and caring woman beneath. He was one of the few who recognised that her wit and wildness were shields, a defence mechanism against a world that had left her scarred and wary.

In Alaric's eyes, Vivienne wasn't just the unpredictable vampire who lived for chaos; she was a beautiful soul who would go to any length for the people she loved. He saw it in the way she would sit silently with him over glasses of bourbon, their conversations drifting from bitter jokes to the grief they both knew too well. He noticed it when she stayed up late to help him research ancient texts, eyes alight with curiosity, her sarcastic commentary somehow comforting in the dead of night.

Vivienne, in turn, found in Alaric a rare kind of friend—someone who didn't expect her to change or hide the darker parts of herself. He accepted her exactly as she was, seeing through her bravado and embracing her with an unwavering loyalty that matched her own. Their friendship was built on mutual respect and understanding, a steady anchor in a town where trust was fleeting.

Even on her most reckless days, when she pushed boundaries and acted out, Alaric was there, ready with an exasperated look and a gentle reminder of who she truly was. He believed in her goodness, even when she doubted it herself, and in doing so, became someone she trusted without hesitation. Their connection was an unspoken promise that, despite the darkness that surrounded them, they would stand by each other, come what may.

"We're going to need more booze," Matt muttered, picking up the empty bottle of bourbon, before heading off to the cellar. 

"She tried to kill me at least twice," Elena raised a shot glass in the air, before downing it once more. 

"She did kill me..." Caroline went to take a shot but ended up lowering it, placing it back down on the coffee table. "Although I'm weirdly better off." 

"My life was linked to hers for a decade," Vivienne said, snapping her head back and downing another shot, the burning liquid crawling down her throat. 

Damon reclined in his chair, a smirk etched across his face, twirling a shot glass between his fingers, "Rumour has it, she burnt down the entire city of Atlanta once." 

Vivienne's lips quirked into a wicked grin as she raised another shot glass, "That might win," she replied, before tossing back the liquid fire. It burned down her throat, but she welcomed the heat—it matched the blaze simmering inside her.

The room fell quiet when Stefan entered the room, his face carved with disapproval. He took in the sight before him—empty bottles littered across the table, smirks exchanged like daggers, and the sharp edge of cruelty in every word, "Alright, knock it off or take it somewhere else. You guys are being insensitive," he said in a condescending tone. 

Vivienne rolled her eyes and stepped forward, a challenge sparking in her gaze, "Come on, Stef. Don't let the sight of her frail, human body cloud your memories of the manipulative psycho that she is." She crossed the room with lazy grace and pressed a full shot glass into his hand, eyes locked on his, "Here, I'll even start you off. In 1864, Katherine moved into our home, compelled you to love her, seduced our brother, fed you both full of vampire blood, and started a war that got you both killed."

Damon chuckled, raising his glass as if in mock reverence, "Exactly. Bottoms up." He tipped the  drink back, letting the alcohol scorch away whatever guilt might have lingered.

Stefan's jaw clenched as he looked down at the shot glass in his hand. He hesitated, memories warring behind his eyes, before he slowly raised the glass, "You're absolutely right, Viv, but centuries before that, she was just an innocent girl, shunned by her family. So, for five hundred years, she lied and manipulated and did whatever she had to do to survive. And she did. She's a survivor. Sound familiar?" The weight of his words heavy in the room as his eye bored into his sister's. "I don't know about you, but that's the girl I will drink to today. Cheers." He downed the shot, throat bobbing as he swallowed.

Vivienne scoffed, a flicker of pain darting through her expression, before she smothered it, "Oh, please. One night of hot sex with her and you're brainwashed?"

The silence that followed was shattered by a simultaneous gasp from Elena and Bonnie, "What?!" they both blurted out, eyes wide, a hint of betrayal flashing in Elena's glare that was aimed at Stefan, which only made Vivienne smirk, knowing the hurt this information would cause Elena. 

"Oh my—" Caroline smacked her own forehead, the realisation dawning too late. "I forgot to tell you."

Stefan's face flushed as he reached for the empty bottle, looking for an escape, "Bottle's empty...I should—"

Damon snorted and got to his feet, rolling his eyes, "That's why you never send a busboy to do a man's job."

Before anyone could react, the room shifted, tension coiling tight as a figure appeared behind Stefan. Nadia's eyes swept the room, a predator assessing her prey.

Damon's smirk turned dark, "Nadia...the devil's spawn. Caroline, did you remember to tell Elena that?"

Caroline let out a frustrated sigh, smacking her forehead once more.

"I think my mind just exploded," Elena whispered, reaching for another shot and downing it in one go.

Vivienne leaned against the back of the couch, a dangerous gleam in her eye, "I wish," she muttered, shooting Elena a pointed look that earned her another glare.

Nadia's voice cut through the room like a knife, "I found a way to save my mother and I need some help."

Damon's expression hardened, and he took a step closer, "Uh-uh. No way. Even my biased brother knows I will kick his ass from here to Kentucky if he helps Katherine Pierce live one more day on this Earth." He glanced around the room, daring anyone to defy him. "No volunteers."

A wry smile curved Nadia's lips, "I figured as much, which is why I found that old safe your brother spent the summer drowning in and buried it on this property with your friend Matt inside of it. Oh—without this." She placed Matt's Gilbert ring on the table with a thud that echoed through the stunned silence.

The change in Vivienne was instant. Her vampire visage emerged, eyes dark and feral, as she lunged forward in a blur of speed as she pinned Nadia to the wall, her hand wrapped around her neck tightly, "What did you do?!" she hissed in her face, baring her fangs. 

***

The afternoon sun cast its warm, golden light over the sprawling Salvatore estate, the long shadows of trees stretching across the ground. The air buzzed with the sounds of cicadas, and the leaves whispered softly as a light breeze swept through the air. Vivienne walked ahead, her eyes narrowed as she focused on using her vampire hearing to detect any sound of Matt. Behind her, the others trudged along. 

Jeremy ran a hand through his hair, eyes darting nervously, "I don't see any freshly dug ground."

Bonnie frowned, glancing around at the seemingly endless expanse of the estate, "This property is massive," she said, frustration lacing her voice.

Caroline huffed, hands on her hips, "Hello? Is no one going to comment on the fact that Stefan slept with Katherine? I mean, that's kind of a big deal."

Vivienne rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. The mere thought of her brother tangled in the sheet with Katherine Pierce again made bile rise to her throat, "Who cares," she muttered under her breath. 

Caroline's eyes narrowed as she shot Vivienne a sharp look, "Excuse me?"

Jeremy, sensing the tension, spoke up, his voice light with forced casualness, "It doesn't matter. We've all made our fair share of bad choices."

"No offense taken," Bonnie chimed in, looking completely offended. 

Jeremy turned, his gaze softening as he turned to her apologetically, "No. Obviously not you."

Caroline suddenly stopped, her eyes widening with realisation, "Bonnie Bennett! Wait, did you two..." She motioned between them, eyebrows raised.

Silence met her question, but Bonnie's slight, embarrassed smile was enough of an answer. 

Caroline gasped, hands flying to her mouth, "And you didn't tell me?!"

Bonnie sighed, exasperation creeping into her voice, "I didn't think I was obligated."

"Of course you were obligated! You're my best friend! Oh, my God. Does Elena know that her little brother—?" 

"No!" Bonnie and Jeremy interrupted, voices blending in perfect unison. 

Caroline's eyes sparkled mischievously as she folded her arms, "Oh, scandalous sex! Even better! God, how am I the only person on this planet that isn't having scandalous sex?"

Vivienne's patience finally snapped. She let out a loud, aggravated groan, spinning around to glare at them, "You know what? Why don't we split up?"

Before any of them could respond, Vivienne turned on her heel and stormed off, her frustration blending into each determined step.

The others exchanged glances, the tension palpable in the cool air, before Jeremy sighed in relief and turned to the others, muttering under his breath, "Well, my day just got a whole lot better." 

This earned him amused chuckles from the girls. 

***

The woods surrounding the Salvatore property were dense, with sunlight filtering through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves filled the air as Vivienne moved swiftly, her heightened senses straining for any sign of Matt.

"Matt!" she called out, her voice echoing through the trees. "Matty, I'm coming for you. I'll find you!" The desperation in her voice cracked slightly, the urgency driving her forward.

Suddenly, she froze, a shiver running down her spine as if the temperature had dropped. The silence around her thickened, and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She knew this presence, the unmistakable mix of power and danger that sent a chill through her.

Stepping out from behind a large willow tree, Klaus emerged, a smirk playing on his lips, eyes gleaming with mischief, "Hello, love," he said, voice smooth and laced with amusement. "Miss me?"

Vivienne's breath caught in her throat as their eyes met. The tension between them crackled in the quiet of the air of the woods. Vivienne's eyes flickered with a flash of irritation, "Sorry. Matt's buried alive. No time to chat."

Without missing a beat, she supersped around him, the wind whipping past her as she pushed ahead. But Klaus' chuckle reached her ears just as he blurred into motion and appeared beside her once more.

"I see we're not over our little tantrum yet," he teased, keeping pace with her effortlessly.

Vivienne's jaw clenched as she halted abruptly, shooting him a glare, "What are you doing here, Nik? I told you I wanted space."

He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips as he stepped closer, "And I respect your need for space. But Damon informed me that Katerina Petrova has taken a tragic turn—"

A bitter laugh escaped Vivienne's lips, "So, you're here to gloat over her corpse-to-be? Delight in the closure of five hundred years of revenge. Great. Have fun with that."

In a burst of speed, she was gone, weaving between the trees, leaving Klaus standing alone for a mere second, before he appeared beside her once more. 

"Well, perhaps you'd be more interested in talking about Tyler?" he suggested, his tone taking on an edge of seriousness. "He's been causing quite a bit of trouble around the Quarter." 

Vivienne stopped in her tracks, eyes narrowing as she turned to face him, concern flickering across her expression, "What did he do?"

Klaus' expression softened slightly, his mocking demeanour slipping, "He outed Hayley to Marcel. I guess the little scolding you gave him before you left didn't work." 

Vivienne's eyes darkened, suspicion lacing her voice, "And what did you do?"

Klaus' eyes widened in mock surprise, a hand splaying theatrically over his chest, "Nothing. I merely sent him off with a little more than a bruised ego. I'm a little offended you thought otherwise. After all, I gave you my word no harm would come of him. I know what he means to you."

The tension in Vivienne's posture relaxed just a fraction, but not entirely, "Never stopped you before," she muttered, eyes full of the weight of their shared history.

This time, when she moved to speed away, Klaus stayed where he was, watching as her form disappeared deeper into the woods, a wistful, unreadable expression shadowing his features.

***

Vivienne's voice rang out, raw and desperate, cutting through the dense woods, "Matty! MATT!" Her chest heaved as she paused, closing her eyes to focus. She strained her superhearing, searching for any sound—any sign of Matt's heartbeat or voice. But the only sound that reached her ears was the unwelcome interruption of Klaus' drawl, "All right, love. Enough of this petty nonsense. It's time to come home."

Vivienne's eyes flew open, narrowing at the sight of Klaus stepping into view. She crossed her arms defiantly, "I'm not going anywhere with you," she sneered with disdain. 

A muscle in Klaus' jaw twitched, his smile hardening into a thin line, "Oh, you most certainly are. Now, let's go." His hand shot out, gripping her arm firmly as he began to tug her away.

"No!" Vivienne yelled, yanking her arm free with a force that sent a shockwave through the forest floor.

Klaus' eyes darkened, amusement fading into irritation, "Yes, you are!" He seized her arm again, but this time Vivienne was ready. With a burst of strength, she shoved him in the chest, sending him stumbling backward.

"I said, no! You can't just show up and demanding I return with you when my friend is missing and in danger!" Her voice cracked with rage, eyes blazing with defiance.

Klaus took a moment to regain his footing, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips, "You know, while you've been darting around in all the wrong directions, I heard Matt's distant, desperate screams."

Vivienne's heart lurched, "Where?!" she demanded.

A chuckle rumbled from Klaus' chest, low and taunting. Before he could speak another word, Vivienne's patience snapped. With a feral growl, she launched at him, pinning him to a tree, her vampire face fully manifesting as her fingers clamped around his throat, "Tell me where he is, Niklaus Mikaelson!" she hissed, eyes wild with fury.

Klaus' blue eyes glimmered with amusement, even as her grip tightened, "My, my," he said, voice smooth despite her hold. "You really do have quite the temper, little dove." He tilted his head slightly, a devilish smile playing on his lips, "Don't worry, love. I've got it covered. Trust me, he'll be quite happy with his rescuer."

The assurance stilled her for a moment, confusion furrowing her brow. But before she could process his words, Klaus' hand shot up, breaking her hold and flipping their positions with an effortless surge of power. In an instant, she found herself pinned against the tree, his hand clasping her wrist like a vice.

"Well," he whispered, leaning close enough that his breath brushed her ear. "Now that your friend is safe and sound, it's time to go." He took hold of her arm once more, his grip unrelenting as he started to lead her through the woods.

"Klaus, let go of me! Klaus! You're hurting me!" she shouted, digging her heels into the dirt in a futile attempt to slow him down.

Klaus ignored her pleas, his jaw clenched as he pulled her toward the clearing where his car was parked. 

"Nik, Enzo's alive," Vivienne blurted, desperation cracking through her voice like a whip.

Klaus halted, his whole body going rigid. He spun around, his eyes narrowing with shock, "What?"

Vivienne's heart raced as she took in a shaky breath, "Before I got here, my car broke down—"

Klaus groaned, exasperated, "I've been telling you to get a better car. It's just so unreliable."

"All right, I know!" she snapped, throwing up her hands. "Now, can I continue my story? So, I get attacked by this mysterious figure, turns out it's Enzo. He was a little pissed, so he tossed me back into the Augustine cells, where aother doctor wanted to tear me apart in the name of science."

Klaus' expression shifted from shock to seething anger, his eyes darkening, "Who?" His voice was a low, dangerous growl.

"It doesn't matter. I got free. He can't use Enzo as his little minion anymore. It's all good, except for the part where Enzo hates me."

Klaus' icy eyes met hers, recognition glimmering as he recalled their long talks over wine and vintage bourbon—the dark nights when she had poured out stories of her captivity and the love of her life. 

"Well, that's great that your vengeful ex-boyfriend has come out to play," he said coldly. "I just think that's more of a reason for you to leave town." He reached for her arm again.

But Vivienne yanked her arm back, stepping out of his reach, "Klaus, I'm not leaving Mystic Falls until I know he's okay."

Klaus scoffed, "You said it yourself, he hates you." 

"I don't care!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with determination. "I owe him, Nik."

"You don't owe anyone anything," Klaus snapped, trying once more to drag her away, his patience thinning.

Vivienne dug her heels in, eyes locked with his, "What about my brothers? They're both going through some stuff right now—I can't just leave them."

Klaus' grip on her tightened as he pulled her closer to his car, "Sure you can," he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.

"Klaus!" She jerked her arm back again, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest.

"Don't 'Klaus' me," he snapped, the sharpness in his voice cutting through the tension. His gaze softened for a brief moment, exposing a vulnerability that only Vivienne ever seemed to draw out of him, "They're going to break your heart again, and this time, I won't be here to pick up the pieces."

The Mikaelson Mansion 

2011

The room was heavy with silence, a taut, breathless pause before the storm. Rebekah stood near the window, arms folded tightly against her chest, eyes shining with unshed tears. Elijah was by the mantel, his usual calm fractured by a deep, solemn grief. They both watched as Vivienne stood in the center of the room, the weight of Kol's death pressing down on her like a suffocating shroud.

Neither of her brothers had called to check in. Too consumed with the search for the cure. Now that Jeremy's hunter's mark had been completed because of the death of Kol Mikaelson, and thousands of other vampires that had died along with him. 

But they didn't care. No one gave a shit about the innocent lives they took. No one gave a damn about Kol Mikaelson, because in their eyes he was just a paranoid, psychotic trouble maker, who God forbid threatened Elena Gilbert. 

This angered Vivienne, and her scream ripped through the air, raw and guttural, as she grabbed a crystal vase from the table and hurled it against the wall. The sound of it shattering resonated through the room, each piece scattering like fragments of her broken heart.

She didn't stop. Her hands swept books from the shelves, overturned chairs, her rage and sorrow bleeding into each movement. It was as if destroying the room could somehow express the chaos inside her, the unbearable loss.

"Vivienne, stop!" Rebekah pleaded, her own voice trembling. But Vivienne didn't hear her, didn't see anything beyond the blinding grief that had consumed her.

Elijah took a cautious step forward, his expression pained, "Vivienne, this is not—"

Before he could finish, another crash filled the room as Vivienne flung a lamp to the ground, the sharp sound splintering the tense air. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the fury that fuelled her.

"Enough!" came Klaus' voice, low and commanding. He moved past Rebekah and Elijah, his eyes locked on Vivienne as she stood, chest heaving, hands clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.

She turned to him, eyes wild and glistening with grief, "I couldn't save him, Nik. I couldn't—"

In a heartbeat, he closed the distance between them and gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes, "Viv, look at me," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "This rage, this guilt—it will devour you. And I will not let that happen."

For a moment, they stood there, a storm meeting an immovable force. Rebekah's hand flew to her mouth as a sob escaped, and Elijah's stoic mask cracked with raw emotion.

Vivienne's chest heaved as she stared at Klaus, her vision blurring with tears. The fight drained from her limbs, leaving only the hollow ache behind. Klaus' expression softened, and he pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly as she broke down, her sobs muffled against his chest.

"It's not your fault," he whispered, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "We will survive this, as we always have. Together."

Vivienne's expression shifted, the tension in her features relaxing as she saw the worry, the care in his eyes, "I can take care of myself, Nik. I know you're worried, and I really do appreciate the concern, but I'm not leaving."

Klaus sighed, shoulders slumping as he relented, "Fine," he said, voice thick with reluctant acceptance. "But before you run off again, at least let me give you a parting gift. The only person I trust will put you first, no matter what."

Vivienne's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

The Mikaelson Mansion

2011

The front doors burst open, and Tyler stormed into the room, his presence electrifying the air. Rebekah's contorted in disgust, while Elijah's expression remained stoic. Klaus spun around, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"What are you doing here, Tyler?" Klaus' voice dripped with menace. "I should rip your heart out for even stepping foot in my home." 

Tyler's jaw clenched, but he didn't flinch. He stepped forward, eyes resolute, "Go ahead, Klaus. Rip my heart out if you want. I'm here to see Viv." 

Klaus' eyes flickered with surprise, before narrowing again, assessing. For a tense moment, no one spoke. Then, with a flick of his hand, Klaus silently allowed Tyler to pass.

Tyler didn't hesitate. He crossed the room in long strides, his gaze softening as he approached Vivienne, who was hunched over on the floor, trembling. But the sound of his voice broke through the storm of her grief, "Vivi," he whispered, his eyes full of empathy and unspoken words as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

Vivienne's tear-streaked face looked up at him, and for a moment, the room held its breath. Without waiting, Tyler pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she wept anew, her grief spilling out as raw as the shattered glass at their feet.

Rebekah looked away, eyes glistening, and Elijah exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment pressing down on them all. Klaus watched, his expression torn between irritation and something softer. 

Klaus walked over to the car, popping the trunk. Inside was Tyler, bound and gagged, looking both angry and relieved. Vivienne's eyes widened, and she rushed forward.

"Tyler!" she breathed, relief and shock mingling in her expression as she reached for him. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared into the car's open trunk. Tyler's  eyes met hers, a mix of relief and embarrassment flickering across his face as he struggled against the ropes binding him.

"Vivi," Tyler's voice was strained, frustration evident as he tugged at his restraints. "Klaus is completely insane!" 

Klaus smirked, folding his arms over his chest as he watched the scene unfold. 

Vivienne shot Klaus a withering glare, her eyes blazing, "You kidnapped him?! Are you out of your mind, Nik?!" 

Klaus tilted his head, his smirk morphing into a look of condescending calm, "I prefer to think of it as temporarily relocating him for your benefit. He's safer with me than wandering around causing trouble and risking his life." 

Vivienne turned back to Tyler, gently brushing a strand of hair out of his face, "Are you okay?" Her voice softened, the tough exterior slipping for just a moment.

"Yeah," Tyler muttered, eyes flickering with guilt. "I'm sorry, Vivi. I shouldn't have—"

"Shh..." she interrupted, cutting him off as she reached for the ropes. Her fingers moved with urgency, untying the knots and helping Tyler to his feet. 

"Consider this Tyler's freedom. As long as he never steps foot in New Orleans again. He no longer has anything to fear from me. Now, I suggest you get him out of my sight, before I change my mind."

Vivienne didn't waste another second, she grabbed Tyler and vamp sped off with him.

***

Vivienne pushed open the grand front door of the Salvatore Boarding House, the creak echoing through the hall. She stepped inside, her eyes darting around as she felt the familiar mix of tension and exhaustion saturating the air. Moonlight seeping through the windows, casted a golden glow over the old wooden floors. Tyler's hand was warm in hers, his grip firm but hesitant as if unsure of how everyone would react to seeing him again. 

Voices came from the parlour, where the others had gathered after the chaos of the day. Matt, sitting on the edge of an old armchair, looked up as Vivienne stepped into the room. His eyes widened in disbelief, as he shot to his feet when he saw who followed behind her.

"Tyler?" Matt's voice cracked, eyes full of relief and disbelief.

Tyler offered him a crooked smile, his eyes softening as they met Matt's, "Hey, man," he said, a hint of emotion betraying his typically confident demeanour.

Before Matt could respond, Caroline's gasp cut through the room. She was perched on the sofa next to Bonnie, who looked equally shocked but more reserved. Caroline stood up slowly, her eyes glued to Tyler. The weight of a thousand unspoken words filled the space between them. This was the first time they'd seen each other since their painful breakup. The awkwardness crackled like static electricity, leaving everyone else unsure of what to say.

"Tyler..." Caroline's voice was barely a whisper, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as if holding herself together.

"Care," Tyler acknowledged, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment, before flicking away, unable to hold her gaze.

Vivienne felt the tension radiating from them both and squeezed Tyler's hand gently in comfort. 

Matt's face broke into a grin, and without another word, he stepped forward and pulled Tyler into a tight embrace, "Man, you have no idea how good it is to see you," he said, his voice muffled but full of emotion.

Tyler patted his back, a small smile playing at his lips, "Yeah, well, I heard you needed saving."

The room was silent for a moment, everyone watching the reunion unfold. Bonnie's eyes softened, and even Damon, who leaned casually against the fireplace, looked away as if giving them a sliver of privacy.

Caroline finally broke the silence, clearing her throat, "Well, welcome home, Tyler," she said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Tyler nodded, catching her eye for another brief moment, before turning back to Matt and Vivienne, "So, what did I miss?" he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Vivienne smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall, "Oh, just the usual— ancient curses, near-death experiences, and a whole lot of drama. You know, Mystic Falls."

A small laugh rippled through the group, tension easing just a fraction. For a moment, with Tyler back and the familiar banter resurfacing, things almost felt normal.

Almost.

***

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