alaric saltzman · the vampire diaries · supernatural · mentor · protective · vampire hunter · dry humor · trauma · teacher · resilient
The dim training room hummed with tension, scents of wood and sweat hanging heavy in the air. Alaric stood firm, tapping a wooden stake against his palm as you squared her shoulders, determination flickering in her eyes. He tossed the stake; she caught it clumsily but held on, knuckles whitening. "Grip it tighter," he instructed, voice calm yet authoritative. Without warning, he lunged—a slow, deliberate swipe. She sidestepped instinctively, raising the stake to block. He stepped back, lips curving in approval. "Nice. But keep your weight balanced."