TVD: Equilibrium

The Salvatore Boarding House loomed in the distance, its Gothic architecture bathed in the soft light of the early morning. I pulled into the long driveway, the roar of my bike cutting through the silence before I killed the engine. I knew by now they'd heard me pull up vampire hearing and all. Judging by the sound of their footsteps rushing through the house, I figured they were probably doing some last-minute touch-ups. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Gosh, I loved these runes, definitely giving myself a mental pat on the back for this one.

The Salvatore Boarding House loomed in the distance, its Gothic architecture bathed in the soft light of the early morning. I pulled into the long driveway, the roar of my bike cutting through the silence before I killed the engine. I knew by now they'd heard me pull up—vampire hearing and all. Judging by the sound of their footsteps rushing through the house, I figured they were probably doing some last-minute touch-ups. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Gosh, I loved these runes—definitely giving myself a mental pat on the back for this one.

(Damon Pov)

"Stefan," I called, my voice low and casual, though I couldn't hide the irritation in it. "He's here."

"Yeah, I know," Stefan replied, that calm but urgent tone of his cutting through the air. "I can smell him from here. Did you double check everything?"

"Of course I did," I scoffed, already moving through the house, my steps a little unsteady thanks to the blood I'd indulged in last night. "But you might want to box up the stuff, just in case. Make sure we don't leave any evidence."

I could almost hear his eye roll from where I stood. Stefan and his perfect, composed ways. "I'll get to it. You open the windows looks like you drank half the town last night."

I grinned, unapologetic. "I was thirsty. But fine, I'll air this place out." Noticing the room reeked of bourbon.

(Hunter Pov)

I took my time walking up to the door, letting my feet move slowly over the familiar path I'd seen only through a screen. The morning sun was soft, casting long shadows across the yard, and for a moment, I let myself really feel it the cool air, the gentle rustling of the leaves. It was a rare moment of calm. Normally, I was always running through thoughts, plans, and everything I needed to do. But right now, everything was still, and I almost didn't want to disturb it.

I thought about Emily's grimoire. It didn't hold the power I needed anymore. The idea of trading it for something more useful was tempting Sheila's grimoires. The thought of getting my hands on even one of them was enough to make me smile. I could feel the weight of it, the promise of what I could do with an expanded repertoire of spells . It almost made me giddy. 

But then my mind shifted. Vicki. The silence in the house was too much, besides the two running around. I couldn't hear anything. Nothing at all. Was she locked away somewhere, unconscious, waiting for whatever transformation was coming next? Or had she not been turned at all? I thought back to the morning, all the tiny details flashing in my mind like a film I could rewind as many times as I wanted. The quiet stillness of the house, the absence of movement. Something was unsettling about it like I was missing something big.

"Perfect recall... gotta love it," I murmured to myself, the words feeling strangely comforting. It was one of the few things I could now count on, my mind never forgetting, go me.

I finally reached the door, I knocked once, then again, a little louder. No answer. The silence stretched longer than I cared for. I didn't have all day, you know. Got school, I thought, my patience wearing thin

"Hey!" I called, louder now, leaning in toward the door."As if on cue, the door creaked open. 

(Damon Pov)

Opening the door, I had to fight the urge to just lose it. Everything inside me wanted to rush forward and rip Hunter's throat out for all the trouble he'd caused. The guy didn't deserve to breathe, not after everything that had happened.

But I wasn't stupid. I'd already tried that before, and it had backfired spectacularly. So, instead of charging in like the impulsive idiot I usually was, I took a breath. I needed to keep it together. For now, at least.

Hunter was holding all the cards right now, and as much as it pissed me off to admit it, he was the only chance I had left to get Katherine back. That was the reality of the situation, no matter how much I wanted to tear him apart.

I leaned against the doorframe, forcing a grin that was equal parts charming and a little dangerous. "Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Come on in, Hunter. We've been waiting for you."

I couldn't stop the bite in my tone, but I was trying to hold it together. I had to. I had no other choice. If I lost control now, it was over.

But god, I hated how he was standing there, looking so damn smug. I wanted to punch him, wanted to make him feel every ounce of my frustration. But the thing was, he wasn't wrong. He had the talisman, the one thing that could give me what I wanted—her. Katherine. The one person who had twisted me up for centuries, who had me wrapped around her finger and didn't even care.

I could still feel her, even now, like a ghost in my mind. Her laugh, her smirk, the way she could make me feel like I was everything, only to tear it all down when I wasn't looking. I hadn't let myself think about her in years, not properly, at least, but now she was all I could think about. Every time I thought I'd moved on, there she was, taking up space in my head.

And now, he had my shot at her.

I knew I needed to keep it cool. I wasn't about to let him see how much this was eating me up inside, but it was hard. Everything in me wanted to lash out, to remind him who I was and what I could do. But if I did that, I'd lose. And I couldn't afford that. Not with Katherine's future hanging in the balance.

I didn't need to turn around to know Stefan was behind me. His voice was calm, just like I expected. Too calm, considering everything we were dealing with. "Well, come in. I'm gonna bring the stuff down," he said, his words laced with a politeness that felt almost rehearsed. Like he was trying to distance himself from the tension in the air, or maybe from me.

I stepped aside, letting Hunter pass by, but I kept my eyes on him, trying not to let the frustration show. The guy just stood there, smug as ever, like he was in control of everything. And maybe, just maybe, he was. At least for now.

Stefan's footsteps echoed as he made his way to the stairs, and before I could do anything else, he spoke again, his voice soft but pointed, aimed straight at me. "Play nice," he said, and I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn't telling me to be polite. He was reminding me that everything and I mean everything was on the line here.

I didn't need to acknowledge that. But I did anyway, letting it simmer in the back of my mind. If I messed this up, if I lost my temper and let my emotions get the best of me, I lost my shot at Katherine. I could feel that truth like a weight pressing down on my chest. Hunter had the power. He held the cards, and right now, I was just playing along.

I turned to face Hunter, the irritation bubbling up, but I swallowed it down. I forced the grin I knew I had to wear, the one that felt more like a knife than a smile. "You're not gonna tell me what this little tour consists of?" Hunter asked, looking at me with that all knowing smirk. "Maybe a crash course in controlling emotions or just a peek into your little warzone?"

------------------------------

Power Stones!!!!

Hope you enjoy 

I have committed to re-watching the show to improve further chapters/plot points