Orion's eyes fluttered open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. The darkness that had consumed him for what felt like an eternity lifted, replaced by a strange and unfamiliar space. Confusion flooded his senses as he tried to piece together what had happened. Had he been dreaming? No, that didn't feel right. There was a sensation of weightlessness, and then...nothing.
As he struggled to make sense of his surroundings, Orion's gaze fell upon a wooden crib, and he blinked in disbelief. Was he...in a baby's room? That couldn't be right. He was a grown man, after all. And yet, there was no denying the truth of what he saw.
He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, his movements awkward and unsteady. His limbs felt unfamiliar like he was controlling them for the first time. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers experimentally. They looked...smaller. And smoother. Almost as though they belonged to a child.
With a tremendous effort, Orion pulled himself up to a wobbly standing position, his little legs quivering under the weight of his small frame. He steadied himself with a hand on the crib rail, taking a few hesitant steps toward a nearby mirror.
As he drew closer, the reflection staring back at him was unexpected. Instead of the tall, broad-shouldered man he had been, a chubby-cheeked, three-year-old child looked back at him. His jaw dropped in shock as he took in his reflection, eyes wide and disbelieving.
The child in the mirror had curly, tousled hair the color of chestnuts, framing a cherubic face with bright, curious eyes. He wore a striped onesie that hung loosely on his small frame, emphasizing his chubby belly and plump little arms.
Orion was wholly absorbed in the reflection staring back at him, his little hands reaching up to touch his chubby cheeks as he tried to make sense of the situation. He was so focused on himself that he didn't even hear the door creak as it opened nor the soft footsteps that followed.
Suddenly, a sweet, melodic voice filled the air, causing him to spin around in surprise. A beautiful woman stood in the doorway, her dark skin glowing in the soft light. She smiled wide, warmly as she took in sight before her.
"Aww," she said, giggling softly. "This is the cutest thing I've ever seen you do."
Orion looked up at Abigail and saw overwhelming love and affection in her eyes. Her gaze transfixed him, and he couldn't help but feel safe and secure in her presence. As he studied her features more closely, he realized that she was Abigail Bennett - the woman who had brought him into this new life.
As he continued to take in her appearance, he noticed her belly protruding, and he realized she was pregnant. His mind raced with excitement and wonder as he guessed that the growing baby inside of her must be Bonnie, his new sister.
Abigail's face glowed with maternal radiance, and her eyes sparkled with joy as she looked down at him. Her delicate features were accentuated by the soft light filtering through the window, and her curly hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves.
Orion raced as he thought about his newfound identity as a Bennett witch. He realized he was now part of a powerful lineage of witches that could be traced back to his ancestor Qetsiyah, the creator of the Other Side and the very first immortals.
Abigail scooped Orion into her arms, and he couldn't help but giggle as she planted kisses all over his face. He felt a sense of warmth and comfort as she held him close, and he buried his face in the crook of her neck, enjoying the soft scent of her perfume.
He looked around as she carried him out of the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The house was spacious and airy, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were painted a soft shade of blue, and photographs and paintings were hanging on them, adding splashes of color and personality to the space.
Orion's eyes widened with wonder as he took in the details of the house. The floors were made of dark hardwood, and intricate rugs and carpets were scattered throughout, adding a sense of luxury and elegance. Lush sofas and armchairs were scattered throughout the living room, and a large fireplace with a crackling fire cast a warm glow over the area.
As they made their way through the house, Orion noticed that there were other rooms, too - a spacious kitchen with gleaming appliances and a large island,
Orion was too busy looking around that. He didn't notice that Abby had him in his feeding chair. When he snapped out of his thoughts, he saw a plate of food
Orion watched Abby grab a spoonful of pureed vegetables and bring it to his mouth. He opened his mouth obediently, savoring the taste of the smooth, creamy texture as it hit his tongue.
As he ate, his thoughts drifted toward his future. He knew that he was now the older brother of Bonnie Bennett, the martyr witch of Mystic Falls. He was determined to bear a heavy responsibility with grace and honor.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards his little sister. He knew that Bonnie had been through so much in her life, sacrificing herself repeatedly for the sake of her friends and loved ones. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like to carry that burden on her young shoulders.
But he also couldn't help but feel frustrated at times with Bonnie's selflessness. He had seen how she had given up so much for others, often to her detriment. And yet, the people she had sacrificed for didn't always appreciate it or even notice it.
Orion couldn't help but feel frustrated at how things had played out in Bonnie's life. He knew that she had always been the one to put others first, even when it came at the cost of her own happiness. He had seen firsthand how she would go out of her way to help her friends, even if it meant putting her needs and wants on the back burner.
But even more frustrating to him was how others seemed to take her for granted. He had seen how her sacrifices often went unnoticed or unappreciated, especially when compared to the constant attention and care that was given to Elena. Bonnie would tirelessly help Elena with her supernatural problems, sacrificing her safety, well-being, and life multiple times. Yet, if she decided to prioritize her needs for once, she was quickly labeled selfish and uncaring.
Orion couldn't understand why it seemed like Bonnie's problems were always deemed irrelevant compared to Elena's. Her feelings and desires didn't matter as long as she was there to support and protect Elena. He wanted Bonnie to know that her feelings were valid and that she deserved happiness and fulfillment in her life, just like anyone else.
Orion knew he had a unique opportunity to make a difference in Bonnie's life. He wanted to ensure she would never have to sacrifice her happiness for others as she had done. He also wanted to prepare her for the harsh realities of the world that they were living in so that she would be better equipped to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Orion decided that he would help Bonnie become more selfish . He would encourage her to take care of herself first and foremost and not let others take advantage of her. He wanted her to say "no" when she needed to without feeling guilty or ashamed.
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