#angelicallyelena

[ text ] Of course. On my way.

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Ray narrowed his eyes at his niece, his lips twitching as he fought an amused smile. “What am I supposed to speak about? What time is this?” He crossed his arms across his chest and sighed. “There’s no way for me to get out of this, is there?”

He laughed, just a little, because while the articles that had led to him buying out or suing the tabloids had been offensive, he could now look back on them with much less anger. Ray’s amusement faded into something gentler as she spoke, and the smile on his face was a little sad. As much as he loved his kids, he did wish that the Gilberts had never lost their parents. He had tried to do his best by them, and it was heartwarming to know Elena appreciated it. “I love you, kiddo. I’d do anything for you and your siblings, you know that.” He reached out, grin spreading slightly as he tugged her into a hug. “You’re the best adoptive oldest child I could ask for.”

Ray snorted disbelievingly, poised to actually answer her before she hastily corrected herself. The right side of his mouth curved into a little bit of a smirk. It was not that he did not trust Elena, because he did. He knew she would be careful, but he also knew that the tabloids would look for anything to write about her. Their family was a favourite for the tabloids, had been since he had taken the Gilberts in, and while Ray would do everything in his power to protect his kids, it was not always possible. “I know. But the tabloids can and will twist anything to make a headline. So let me know if you need me.”

He huffed out a laugh that was only partially bitter. God, but how their lives had changed in just a few years. “Never thought you would need to know anything beyond self-defence, but with everything that’s happened? It’s gotten important.” It was something Elena already knew, but he had to still voice the thought. He focused on his goddaughter, narrowing his eyes at her. “An event?” There was a skeptical tone to his voice, but he also knew she was old enough to be safe. “Try not to do anything that’ll splash you on the tabloids. Especially nothing that’ll bring up the supernatural or metas. And if anything happens, call me.”

He had to concede to her point, sighing a little heavily as he nodded. “Yeah, you do that. But keep in mind that their fighting styles may have become coloured by their supernatural abilities, so it might not work for you.” Ray spread his hands and shrugged. “Same with Barry. I’m sure you’ll be able to put together a fighting style all your own from training with all of them.”

His lips pressed together in a tight line when she brought up the older Salvatore brothers. He had never liked Damon, and after finding out what he was, and what he had done, he never would. But he knew Damon would protect Elena, would not betray her friendship. It was the only reason he put up with the vampire. Ray would have preferred she suggest Stefan if she had to train with a vampire. He pressed the bridge of his road when she finally landed on more sensible suggestions. “I’d go with Meredith. She knows you well enough to train with you, though you should probably occasionally train with Barry too, so you can let loose with your abilities.” And then he shrugged wryly and shot her a look, adding, “But what do I know. You’ll do what you’re comfortable with.”