Title: StrengthNotes: Written for femslash100100(zeroes table, prompt 082 "Strength"). See the full table here. Also available on AO3.

Caroline was new to teaching someone how to be a vampire, but she liked to think she was surprisingly good at it. Being a vampire had come naturally to the blonde, and it felt good to share her knowledge with someone else. Even if she knew Elena hated being a vampire in a way Caroline didn’t.

Which is why, when she got to the Gilbert house and saw Elena was frantically vacuuming the living room, she grabbed the other girl and said “Hey, slow down. What’s wrong?”

Elena turned off the vacuum and sat down on the couch, trying not to fidget. “I feel like everything is wrong and I can’t do anything right. I tried to wash the windows this morning and put my hand through one scrubbing too hard.” She gestured to the window, which was covered in a piece of cardboard.

Caroline sat down next to Elena, then said “I remember that learning my new strength took a while to adapt to. I know you never wanted this life Elena, but it isn’t all bad.”

Elena scowled. “Really? Because I hate it. I hate not being in control of my own life.”

Caroline reached out to wrap Elena in a hug. She said “I know. But I’m going to help you learn to get control back.”

After a moment, Elena allowed herself to relax into Caroline’s arms. “I’m glad I have you to help me.”

Caroline kissed Elena on the forehead. Whatever happened next, they were together.