And They Were In Quarantine (Oh My God They Were In Quarantine)
So I came up with this little one shot at like 4am the other day, (cause what else would I be doing during that time during a quarantine), and I just had to write it down.
I present to you…. And They Were In Quarantine (Oh My God They Were In Quarantine)
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“No, no, no, no, no! This isn’t happening! This can’t be happening!” Caroline frantically rushed into the living room of the Salvatore house, distraught by something on her phone.
Damon looked up from his book. “What’s going on, Locks?” He set the book down on the coffee table as soon as he saw her face. She looked like a ghost.
“I just got an email from work. They’re closing the offices due to COVID. They said they’re going to try and get us to work from home, but considering that the Fashion Advertising industry isn’t exactly a, quote unquote, ‘essential service’, I shouldn’t hold my breath.” Caroline plopped down one the couch next to Stefan, across from Damon and Bonnie, the other half of their weird Scooby Gang.
The group had decided to take an impromptu trip down to Mystic Falls to surprise Lexi for her birthday amidst all the Corona craziness. Stefan said she could do with some friendly faces, so they had invited Tyler and Kai to tag along with them. Well, they invited Ty, whereas Kai just appeared on the plane in the seat next to Bonnie and Damon and no one questioned it.
Bonnie quickly glanced at Damon, who shrugged. “Well, I mean it could be worse. At least you’re getting paid,” Bonnie said, trying to comfort her best friend.
“Yeah, for now! I mean could this get any worse!” Caroline threw her hands in the air.
As if on cue, both Damon and Stefan’s phones buzzed.
“Kay, that was creepy,” Bonnie said, pointing at the phones.
“It’s probably just Kai in the other room trying to freak us out,” Damon said, placing a reassuring hand on Bonnie’s knee as he reached for his book again, when he looked at Stefan. “I don’t like the look on your face there, brother.”
Stefan looked at the others. “It’s work. The offices are closed until further notice.” He threw his phone down into the table, “Apparently a coworker had a confirmed case.”
Bonnie rubbed her hands down her face. “Oh my God.”
“I just had to go and open my big mouth,” Caroline said, staring blankly at Stefan’s phone.
“Do I even want to look at my phone?” Damon said sarcastically as he read the text from his boss.
“Well?” Caroline and Bonnie said in unison.
Damon looked between them. “Give you one guess,” he said, putting his phone down after sending a reply.
“Corona,” they all said together.
“Yup!” Damon punctuated the P with a pop.
“So only 1 out of 4 of us is working,” Bonnie said, “and that 1 is me.”
“You just had to go to medical school, didn’t ya kid.” Damon picked his book back up and continued reading.
“At least you’re working,” Stefan said, draping his arm over Caroline’s shoulders. “Bex has been going crazy since they closed campus for the year.”
“Yeah,” Caroline agreed, placing a hand on her boyfriend’s knee, “at least we aren’t fully trapped indoors.”
“I could not do that again,” Damon said, not looking up from his book.
“Agreed,” the other three said in unison.
And as if the world was playing some sick twisted joke on them, Stefan’s parents walked through the door.
Stefan’s parents, who had just been on a work trip to Italy.
“Mom! Dad!” Stefan shot up out of his seat at lightning speed, rushing to the door to help his mother with her bags.
“Aren’t you guys supposed to be in Italy for another 2 weeks?” Bonnie looked nervously at Damon and Caroline.
“Oh, we got home as soon as we could before they closed down the country,” Marie Salvatore said, shrugging her coat off.
“Got on the last flight out of there,” Joe said as he set his keys down. “Where is Lexi? I need some help with the bags.”
“I can help you, Joe.” Damon stood up quickly, walking over to where Joe was lugging in another large suitcase.
“Oh, thank you son, the rest are in the car.”
Marie stepped further into the house. “Well, I hope you four have made yourselves comfortable, because you’re going to be here for the next little while.” She took a seat on the couch next to Bonnie.
“What do you mean?” Caroline fired a quick glance at the others.
“Haven’t you heard dear? Anyone who has travelled outside the country has to self-isolate for at least two weeks. And since you dears have been in contact with us…”
“That means we’ve been exposed,” Bonnie finished, exasperated.
“That’s right,” Marie said, placing her hand in Bonnie’s knee.
Damon and Joe walked through the door with the last of the bags. “Well, that’s all of them,” Joe patted Damon on the shoulder. “Thanks again there, son.”
“No problem, sir,” Damon said, waving Joe off.
“Well!” Marie stood up, clapping her hands together. “As of now this house is officially under quarantine!” Her tone made her sound almost excited. “It’ll be a wonderful chance to get to know you two better,” she looked at Damon and Caroline, smiling. “Now, where are Lexi and Bekah? I brought them back something I think they’ll love!” And with that, she walked away.
“That wife of mine,” Joe smiled. “I am sorry about this kids.” Joe patted Damon on the shoulder one more time, and went to follow his wife.
“What did I miss?” Damon looked at the others, hoping for answer.
“It’s happening again,” Caroline said, staring blankly into nothing.
“We’re stuck inside for the next two weeks,” Stefan added, sitting down next to Caroline.
“Why?”
“Self isolation.” Bonnie put her head into her hands.
“But why? We didn’t leave the country.”
Damon placed his hands on his girlfriend’s shoulders, rubbing soothingly.
“No, but my parents did,” Stefan threw his head back.
“And we’ve been in contact with them,” Caroline added.
Damon’s eyes widened as it fully hit him. “No.”
“Yep,” Bonnie said, placing a hand overtop his. “We’re trapped inside together, again.
“Only this time with my sisters,” Stefan grumbled.
“And your parents,” Caroline pointed out.
“And my brother,” Damon added.
“And Kai,” Bonnie finished. “Where is Kai anyways? I get nervous when I haven’t seen him for a few hours.”
That’s when the house shook, as an explosion from the far end of the house rocked down the halls.
None of the four even flinched; they had all gotten used to it by now.
“Well,” Damon said, making his was over to the drink cart, “if we’re gonna do this again, I’m going to need,” he popped the lid off the decanter, “a drink.” He looked up at the others. “Anyone else?”
Three hands immediately rose into the air.
“Thought so.”
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Reply: ohhhhhhhhh my God, I loved this so much! I was honestly laughing since the title and then it just kept getting better and better. Kai just showing up on the plane and no one questioned it? Perf. The whole thing mirroring the original scene where they all find out about the blizzard so perfectly except with an added layer of ‘not again’ panic/defeat? Chef’s kiss. Bonnie being the only essential worker and Damon calling her kid? Brava (although thankfully in real life they sent med students home - we’re easily the least essential people on the planet). I loved this so much, and LOOOOOOOOL the idea of making it literally everyone this time is hilarious - the core four are going to be so used to it whereas everyone else is going to be losing it. They’ll have to show them the ropes - step one is find someone to have unresolved sexual tension with and let that distract you for most of the time. Step two is drink a lot. Step three is learn how to not react to Kaisplosions. Voila, survival. This was so great, girl, thanks so much for sending it my way!!!! I’m unfortunately not really off during this time because I have my Step 2 exam in a few weeks so I can’t really be writing but submissions like this make the world go round, y’all are awesome.