The birds were quiet that morning.
It wasn't unusual — Mystic Falls often had lazy sunrises, especially in the early summer. But today, something hung in the air. Tension. Like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.
Malik felt it before his boots even hit the ground outside the Bennett cottage.
He looked up at the sky. Blue. Clear. Deceiving.
Salvatore Estate – Late MorningStefan stood in the garden, shirt sleeves rolled up, hands buried in soil. He was tending to a dying rose bush — one of his mother's favorites.
Malik approached in silence, boots crunching over the gravel path.
"You're not the gardening type," he said.
Stefan didn't look up. "People change."
"You didn't kill the last one, did you?"
Stefan smirked. "No. Damon did. Poured bourbon on it when he was drunk."
Malik crouched beside him, reaching into the soil without hesitation. "Seems on brand."
A pause.
"You've been distant," Stefan said.
"So have you."
"I don't like secrets."
"I don't like pretending," Malik replied, voice quiet. "But that's all we do here."
Stefan dug deeper, fingers trembling slightly. "She's going to do it, isn't she? Katherine. She's going to turn us."
Malik didn't answer.
"You knew."
"I suspected."
Stefan looked up at him. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because it's not my choice to make," Malik said. "And you're not a child. If you don't want it — fight it."
Stefan's jaw clenched. "And if I do want it?"
Malik met his gaze. "Then be honest about that too."
Bennett Cottage – Early AfternoonEmily's hands moved steadily as she crushed herbs into a bowl, her movements precise. The room smelled like lavender and iron.
Malik leaned against the counter, arms folded. "You're prepping protection again."
"I'm preparing for war," she said without looking up.
"I've seen the way you watch her. You regret saving Katherine."
Emily stilled.
"I don't regret saving her," she said. "I regret believing she'd stay human."
"She made her choice."
"Yes," Emily said, more to herself. "And now she wants to take mine with her."
Malik tilted his head. "You think she'll ask me to turn?"
"I think she already has," Emily said. "Or will soon."
Malik didn't respond. His face gave nothing away, but Emily saw the storm behind his eyes.
"I want you to promise me something."
"No."
"Malik."
"I don't make promises I can't keep."
She softened, coming around the counter to rest a hand on his cheek.
"You're better than this town. Than her. Than any vampire she's turned or ever will."
He held her gaze. "That's not the same as saying I don't belong with them."
"I know," Emily whispered. "And that's what scares me."
Town Square – TwilightDamon leaned against a wooden post by the well, swirling whiskey in a glass he clearly didn't buy. His eyes tracked the sun lowering behind the trees.
Malik approached slowly, hands in his coat pockets.
Damon smirked. "Here to lecture me again?"
"Didn't know I had to make an appointment."
"You should. I'm very popular with the townsfolk."
"You mean the women you compel and the men you piss off?"
"Tomato, tomahto."
Malik stepped beside him, watching the children play across the square. "You're afraid."
Damon snorted. "That's rich."
"Of becoming something else. Something worse."
Damon's grip tightened on the glass. "Is that what you think I am?"
Malik turned to face him fully. "I think you want to change. I think you've wanted it for a long time. But I also think you don't believe you deserve to."
The smirk on Damon's face cracked just slightly.
"She makes me feel like I matter," he said. "Katherine. Like I'm more than just Stefan's shadow."
"You already are."
Damon looked at him. "You mean that?"
"If I didn't, I'd let you drown in that bourbon instead of dragging you out."
Damon chuckled, genuinely this time. "You know, you're my least favorite person to drink with."
"Because I tell the truth?"
"Exactly."
Katherine's Room – Salvatore Manor – NightKatherine was brushing her hair when Malik entered without knocking. She didn't flinch.
"Bold," she said. "But not unexpected."
"You're going to turn them soon."
She smiled into the mirror. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It is."
"They love me."
"They think they do."
Katherine stood, crossing to him slowly. "You're angry."
"I'm disappointed," he said, voice low.
Her fingers touched his chest, sliding upward toward his collar. "You're still afraid of your power. Of who you are."
"I'm not afraid," Malik said, eyes flashing. "I just haven't chosen yet."
She leaned in. "You don't have to choose. That's the beauty of it. Vampires don't belong to anyone. Not magic. Not fate. Just… freedom."
Malik stared at her. "Freedom built on blood isn't freedom. It's delusion."
Katherine stepped back, eyes cold now. "You think you're better than me."
"No," he said. "I think I'm not done becoming who I want to be."
Salvatore Manor – Later That NightMalik sat in Stefan's room, the two of them nursing drinks that neither of them touched.
Stefan finally broke the silence.
"She asked me to go with her."
Malik nodded.
"She wants me to die for her. So she can bring me back."
"Do you want that?"
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do."
Stefan looked down at his hands. "I don't want to lose her. But I don't want to lose myself either."
"Then make your choice before she makes it for you."
Malik stood.
"Where are you going?" Stefan asked.
"To get some air."
"Will you be back?"
Malik paused in the doorway.
"I always come back."