It didn't take long for Mel to get her and Mark's things. And Beau didn't have much to begin with so they were in and out in a matter of minutes. Once everything was packed and ready, they drove off to Octavia's safehouse to pick up Mark. Mel pulled up beside Octavia's car in the driveway. Ivan and Beau stayed in the car, but Mel made her way into the apartment. She found a place to sit next to her brother while Octavia and her son moved things in the back rooms. Mark had told her that they were packing the more important items for the road.

It wasn't long before Octavia emerged from the back room, carrying a dusty, old box. "Here," she said, placing the box on the dining table.

"What's this?" Mel asked, walking over to inspect it.

"Some of your parents' things." Mel looked up at her, then Mark. He's just as intrigued as she is. He rushed over to see what's in it as she opened it. "It's mostly some spells your dad taught me. Basic stuff, really."

Melori picked up one of his grimoires and flipped through it. When she looked over to her brother, she saw him holding some kind of old notebook. She quickly recognized the handwriting as her mom's, though, she almost didn't because it's been so long since she's had something of hers that was written.

"I have no idea what that is," Octavia said. "I only looked through Blake's things. They're how I learned magic. Lori's books, however, I figured they were far more personal. For your eyes only."

"When did she give you these? And why?" Mark asked, shaking his head as he closed the notebook.

Octavia shrugged. "I didn't ask questions. After the first attack, she came to me with these to give to Mel, in case something happened to her and she couldn't hand them down herself."

"What's in it, B?"

"I…have no idea. None of it makes sense. Some of it's in some weird language. Nothing I've ever seen before."

"Well, whatever it is, it's important enough for your mother to want it preserved. Of course it's only right for me to hand it off to you two, so…" They placed the stuff back in the box and closed it. Melori thanked Octavia as Amir came back in with two duffle bags in tow.

"There wasn't much I could fit anymore," he sighed. "But I got just a few clothes for you like you asked."

"Thanks, baby. Maybe you can stop somewhere and get you some more clothes on the way to the Salvatore school. Where you'll be staying."

"What? Mom–"

"It's not up for discussion. It's safer there."

Mel scoffed, "That's debatable actually–"

"Mom, we just got each other back! I'm not going anywhere without you."

"Amir, I have made too many enemies trying to survive and get you back to me. I need to take care of some things before we can find somewhere to live in peace."

"But–"

"No buts, Amir." Octavia took one of the bags and checked its contents. Once she determined which one was for her, she hauled it over her shoulder. "You'll go with them, when they're ready to leave. That amulet I told you to pack will protect you if needed, and you can use it to contact me at any time." She didn't give him a chance to respond again, kissing the top of his forehead and walking off to collect some more things.

Mel and her brother shared a look of sympathy. She stood from her spot to... poorly... comfort the younger boy. "Plus side, Amir, you won't be surrounded by people who'll wanna murder you for any reason at all."

"But my mom will be off chasing the people who want to murder her."

She glanced at Octavia as she moved off into another room. "Do you really think she'll let herself get hurt now that she's got you? Of course not. She's just making sure no one's ever gonna take you away again and in the meantime, you'll be with me and my friends back at the school where we'll keep you alive and well."

"Why?"

"We're good people, that's why. Now say your goodbyes. We have a few stops to make and about a day's trip to Mystic Falls. Not to be insensitive but I'm ready to sleep in my own bed again."

Mark grabbed the box with their parents' things as well as Amir's bag and followed Melori down to the car. He put the bag in the trunk, placed the box on the floor of the front passenger seat, then leaned against the hood of the car. "What do you think Mom's business was with that weird stuff in her…journal, or whatever?"

Mel shrugged lazily, "Beats me. The last time either of us saw her, we were five and clueless, remember?"

"Yes, but we know she wasn't fully American. You think there's something she wanted to tell us about where her family was from?"

She shrugged again. "Perhaps. I think Dad had some secrets too. Some connected to Mud Man and Alice of Nothingland."

"Your nicknames are so terrible, they're amazing. But you're right, considering the whole… ahem, 'Mud Man' thing."

"Ha! It's fun and catchy and you, my dear brother, can't even deny it."

Amir left the building after a good few minutes with his head hung low. Anyone could guess that he was upset. Anyone would be too if they had to leave their parents behind after reuniting with them a few hours prior. He didn't say anything, or look at anyone; he just got into the backseat with his frineds. The siblings didn't say anything about it as they did the same.

"So what's the school like?" Beau asked dreamily. "I've heard the place was this old boarding house, right? Owned by one of the original founders of Mystic Falls- it's massive, right?"

"Beau, darling. I promise you'll find out in due time, okay? Patience," Mel sighed, shaking her head. She turned the engine to the car and pulled out of the driveway.

"Are you excited to go back? After having to hunt Zane down, I mean."

"Of course she is," Mark smirked. "She gets to frick Hope when we get back."

"Ooouuu, there's a lady involved?"

"No! Bailey, I swear if you say anything else about that, I'm gonna burn your black ass at the stake. Got it?"

"She gets this way when I tease her about her future wife," he said to Beau with a wink. "But I'll stop for now because I really want to be there when she realizes she's in denial," he teased, whispering the last bit loudly.

"Drop dead, dick."

---

-

"Okay, this is officially the best place I've ever been in my life," Beau said as they pulled into the driveway. "You get to live here!"

"Mel does. Me? I get to stay in a dungeon."

"They're not gonna throw you back in there, Markus."

"We'll see."

The lot of them exited the car and went to grab anything they could to limit the amount of trips back. Melori took a second to take in the view of the front door. It's unexpected for her to miss something so much. Especially after being gone only a few weeks. It could be just the poeple and not the place, of course. Either way, they're home now. With new friends to spend time with.

Amir stood next to her to look it over as well. "It's certainly bigger than anything I've ever lived in."

"Oh, me too," she chuckled. "I was born into a conserved werewolf pack. The best thing we had was a trailer out in a bayou. And this cabin, but that was mostly for the pack leaders and little meetings they'd host."

"That actually sounds nice."

"It was. Til your captors came along and ruined everything." Mel nudged Amir with her elbow. "Hey, at least we've kinda upgraded now. This place can be like a playground or something... especially since it's so damn... quiet. Empty."

"Yeah, that feels weird," Mark said. "Why's it so quiet again?"

"Wish I could explain it in detail, brother, but I'm a little confused too. I hear literally nobody."

"So... we have this place to ourselves for a while?" Beau gasped. "Best. Day. Ever!!!" Beau sped into the school before anyone could stop them. Mel started to call out and tell them not to touch anything but of course she was far too late.

"I'll get them," Mark sighed. "You should get Amir settled in. We'll... watch Beau." He patted Ivan's shoulder and the two went off to follow the wild child.

Mel shook her head and hauled her bag over her shoulder. "Well come on."

"Actually, if it's alright with you I'd like to be alone right now."

"Oh... yeah, that's fine. Just... pick any room that looks uninhabited."

Amir nodded and headed off in search for a private space. Melori ran off in an almost opposite direction to the room she shared with Hope. She wasn't the least bit surprised everything was as in order; Hope's easel in it's usual place in the sun's rays, canvases tucked away in different corners. Mel's side of the room was how she left it. And sweet, beautiful Gwenivere was safe and sound on her stand. The only concern Mel had was the sizeable dirty clothes pile on the side of Hope's dresser. It meant she's barely keeping herself together with everything happening with Landon. She's usually more careful with how and where she puts her more personal things.

She can't be blamed, though. Imagine your lover being a vessel for some evil mud monster and they just disappeared for an extended time. It's definitely something that could take priority over simple daily tasks.

Mel sighed and tossed her luggage onto her bed. She grabbed Hope's hamper and scooped up the clothing pile, then dragged it near the door so she didn't forget to take it with her when she did her own laundry.

She closed the room door, undressed, tossed her clothes into her own hamper, then ran to the bathroom to finally have a nice, hot shower. One thing about taking long trips sometimes is the cold showers you have to suffer in cheap motels. The last one she stayed in was warm enough, but the pressure wasn't great. Needless to say, Mel was very happy to be back at the Salvatore school, where the showers are bound to be just perfect.

After showering until the water went cold, Mel wrapped herself in a towel and danced her way out of the bathroom. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she saw someone bent over Hope's canvases, but it quickly calmed itself when Mel realized who it was.

"Beau! Dude!" Beau jumped slightly and turned to face Mel. "Why are you in here?"

"Oh, well, I was exploring and lollygagging and whatnot and I was just gonna peak in to see what's up in here but I got distracted by these really pretty paintings and— wow, you're naked."

"Yeah, I totally didn't know that," Mel said sarcastically. "Can you like, turn around or leave or something?"

"Right, yeah." Beau smacked their forehead and turned to the corner. Mel rolled her eyes and went to find some clothes. "So I've peaked in almost every room I found— every single room has like, two to four beds in them..."

"Duh. It's a boarding school," Mel huffed as she dried herself off and slid on some underwear. "Most kids don't have homes elsewhere so they live here while they do their studies."

"I've never been in an actual school, let alone a boarding school. I've always been homeschooled."

"This isn't much different than that," Mel said. She found an old pyjama crop top to put on, then went to find a pair of shorts or sweats that were clean.

"Yeah, but it's like, huge and there are teachers who aren't your parents so it's super awesome. To me, anyway."

Mel shrugged while nodding. "That's fair. Though, one of my magic teachers is like... an aunt to me, so does that really count as it not being homeschooled by your parents?"

"Mmm... no, not really."

Melori closed the last drawer she could search for pants. "Ah, screw it. Pants are a limitation anyway," she mumbled. Mel hopped onto her bed and scooted herself to the head of the bed. She invited Beau to sit at the base. "So how are you loving the place?"

"Massively. These legs are a bonus," they smirked, glancing down. "Only half joking, but seriously, I can vibe with this place. If I stay, do I get a roomie too?"

"I couldn't tell you," Mel shrugged. "Last I heard of what's happening here, the school's shut down. Clearly other students aren't staying here, apart from a selected few."

"Aw, why?"

"Some shit's going down. I'd explain it in detail but it's tiring. You're gonna have to be confused for a while."

Beau accepted that as an answer for now, and allowed their body to fall back. "So where's this selected few?"

"I'd love to find out. But I'm being lazy right now. It's been a long few weeks."

"Is your roommate one of the people still staying here?"

"She is. And I'm very concerned as to why she and the others aren't here." Melori sighed as she sunk further into her pillows. "Maybe they're chasing a lead, I don't know."

Beau turned their head towards Melori. "Why don't you call this girl you supposedly don't have feelings for. Assuming I'm correct about your roomie being this 'Hope.'"

Ignoring Beau's comment regarding Mark's accusations, she shrugged her shoulders and mumbled, "I don't know. Guess I don't wanna bother her while she's trying to find her man child."

"Ohhh, I get it now. She's involved. That's the problem, huh?" Beau "tsk-tsked", smirking and shaking their head. "You're respecting her relationship's boundaries and I respect that but you're causing yourself some problems."

"Dude, not you too..."

"All I'm saying is this look on your face while worrying about Hope gives vibes of love in a non-platonic way." They threw their hands up in dismissal before Mel could say anything. "But hey, since you won't accept it, I'll leave you be. Your brother will likely still test you, though. Can't blame him, either, I mean I'd never not tease my sisters about something like that. Also," Beau propped themselves up on one elbow, facing Melori. They looked directly at Mel and took a short breath in, "til you come to the conclusion Mark thinks you should come to, do you think...maybe, I could... be your not-lover lover?"

Mel sat still, staring at Beau in complete shock. She thought they were joking at first, but the hopeful glint in their eyes was enough to determine they weren't. After staring for a few seconds a smile slowly formed on Melori's face; right up until she burst into laughter. Beau's hopeful smile dropped and their brows creased.

"Why're you laughing? Do I really have no chance with you?"

"No, Beau it's..." Melori sat up and quickly composed herself. "Literally five seconds ago you were just telling me my brother's right about my supposed feelings for Hope and now you want to...what? Hook up or something?"

"Actually, I wanted to do that when you choked me. But, like, not because you choked me... actally, maybe a tiny bit but it's really because you're very hot. Respectfully, of course."

Mel squinted at them and thought about the propositition for a good minute. There had only been two times before where she's done what Beau's suggesting; both times with somone she met briefly in Fort Valley. It's not like it'd be new or awkward to have a one night stand, and it's definitely not like both parties won't benefit from having a good time. The only thing Mel hopes to avoid is attachment.

"One time, right?"

"Unless we agree otherwise," said Beau.

Mel nodded slowly, only thinking for a second longer. Without saying much else, she grabbed Beau's collar and dragged them further up the bed in one motion. It caught them by surprise- especially when Mel went straight in, kissing them hungrily on the lips, then their jaw and finally their collarbone. Melori reached down to remove Beau's belt and threw it in some random direction in the room.

She pulled back from Beau in the middle of planting kisses in their neck, earning a very disappointed look from Beau. "Just to be clear... no attachments." Beau just nodded their head vigorously. Mel, satisfied with the lack of dispute, tugged at their jeans. "Good. Now take these off."

"Don't gotta tell me twice."

: aaaaaand cue weird ending because I am WAY too awkward to write any type of smut :D not that this is that kind of book, but still.

use your imagination, mmkay?

so obviously I'm kinda back. for those who know why there was such a long hiatus.. that situation is only partially solved, but it is better. kinda. just know we're finally moving on the 2nd of next month :)

moving on from all that, I'll probably be writing a tiny bit more because school's starting again and more often than not, I'm gonna get tired of doing schoolwork and writing is a good way to redirect my attention. having that alternation is a very good thing for my brain. though it will be slightly annoying to attempt while at school because for some genius reason, they keep cutting off the school wifi. like... how are we to do our work? .....or write about gay supernaturals on wattpad...? just plain dumb and evil, I tell ya.

ANYWHO, I thank your patience and support, as always. you're awesome, homies.

also, who accurately guessed that Beau was gonna be a fling? someone did I think.. I'm too lazy to see who it was..

but it was obvious, right? O_O