Work Text:
“My brothers are annoying.”
Katerina looked up from where she sat on the swings. Next to her was a teen, he was about 15 years old. 7 years younger than her. She recognised him as Kol, her now ex boyfriend’s little brother.
“And stupid, and oblivious.” He added, judgement filing in his tone.
She chuckled, hands gripping the metal loops on the swing. Her heels, Prada probably, were now muddy and wet from where they were digging into the grass. She looked up at the darkening sky, hoping her makeup wouldn’t go worse than it already was.
“Yeah, they are,” she smirked, “they can’t even see when they lost someone to their utter stupidity.”
“That and the fact that you are a hottie.”
She couldn’t help laughing, grinning toothy at him as he joined her.
“I think your brothers’ll get mad if they find out you came to me” She snickered, slowly rubbing her eyes.
“Nah, I’ve stayed out longer before and they didn’t even realise I left.” He sighed as he kicked a pebble away as he swung. She frowned.
“That must be unfair.”
“I’m used to it, I guess.” He slowed, down dating his face and grimacing.
“Yeah, I guess we feel similar then.” She huffed, resting her head slightly on metal. He tilted his head, eyes wide and curious. He looked so much like Elijah it was uncanny. But he wasn’t. “I grew up in a big home, two older sisters and a younger sister and brother, I was always left by myself. My younger siblings were my half sibling and kind of step sibling on Isobel’s side. She, despite already having 3 kids and being remarried to this nice history teacher, decided to hook up with some teen. Said teen’s older brother took Elena in and offered us a place to stay whenever we needed it. Dr. Gilbert’s a prideful guy. My siblings always had eachother still, Amara and Tatia, Elena and Jere, the Gilbert kid. I was the black sheep, the lone wolf.”
He listened, didn’t interrupt, didn’t mention how he was in Jeremy’s year. Just listened. It was a moment before he spoke. “Does your lone wolf maybe have the decency to share its space with my lone wolf?”
She giggled, curls splaying across her face. “Humm,” she looked him up and down before snorting and putting an arm over his shoulder. “I think she wouldn’t mind, they say two’s better than 3s or 1s anyways.”
He leaned into her, gazing out at the street.
It was about half an hour before they left. Him walking her home, her ruffling his hair and chuckling as the reached her terrace house. She remarked, shakily, “Jesus, it’s past 1, are you gonna be ok getting home?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. They won’t notice!”
They didn’t.