Ron was just about to use his rabbit talisman spell to sprint straight to Caroline's house when, the moment he opened his door, he came face to face with Elena. Worse, she had seen him using his supernatural ability.
"Ron?" Elena gasped, startled. She had been coming over after finding strange reports online about Stefan's unaging appearance and other odd details. She hadn't even knocked before seeing Ron vanish before her eyes.
"Elena? What are you doing here?" Stefan appeared from inside as soon as he heard her voice.
"What are you two?" Elena stammered, stepping back in fear when the open door revealed two lifeless bodies on the floor.
"I've got something urgent to handle. Stefan, you better explain everything to her yourself."
Knowing Stefan couldn't hide it any longer, Ron darted off — no car, just his enchanted speed.
"Caroline, are you home? Good. Stay there — I'm coming over. There's something important we need to talk about." Ron said into his phone while running.
Moments later, he arrived beneath Caroline's apartment window. Since she lived with her mom and their relationship wasn't exactly steady at the moment, he couldn't just walk in. So, he knocked and waited.
"Ron, what's going on?" Caroline asked, leading him up to her room.
"I'll explain everything, but don't be scared," Ron said, sitting on her bed.
"Scared? Ron, what happened?" Caroline sat beside him, concern filling her voice.
Ron took a deep breath and told her everything — Damon's escape, Sarah's impending transformation into a vampire, and how Elena had likely discovered Stefan's secret.
"Elena probably knows now. Tomorrow, we'll all meet and figure this out together. Even though Damon's never been invited into your house, I think it's safer if you stay close to me for a while," Ron said, wrapping his arm around her to offer comfort.
Caroline nodded quietly. "Okay…"
Later that night, Ron called Stefan.
"How's Elena?" he asked, wanting to coordinate for tomorrow.
"She just found out what I am… she's terrified," Stefan said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "We agreed to meet tomorrow — I'll explain everything then."
"Good. I'll bring Caroline along. It might help them both," Ron replied.
"Thanks, Ron. See you tomorrow."
As Stefan spent the night keeping watch near Elena's place, Ron held Caroline close, letting her fall asleep in his arms.
The next morning, Ron and Caroline waited at the agreed spot.
"We'll just sit and wait for them here," Ron said, pulling out a chair.
"Caroline? You're here too?" Elena asked in surprise when she arrived. "I thought— this conversation isn't really for others…"
"Hey, Elena," Caroline smiled awkwardly. "I came with Ron."
"It's fine," Ron said. "Caroline already knows most of it. Whatever you want to know, Stefan will tell you soon."
"Sorry I'm late," Stefan said as he arrived. Seeing everyone there, he sat down, calm but wary.
"You said you'd explain everything," Elena said directly. "When I searched for 'vampires' online, all I found were myths and fiction. What's the truth?"
"Ask me anything. I'll tell you everything," Stefan said sincerely.
"Can you eat garlic?" Elena asked.
"Yes."
"And sunlight doesn't hurt you… why?" she pressed.
"My brother and I wear enchanted rings for protection," Stefan explained.
"So Damon can't go out in daylight right now?" Ron interrupted — his tone sharp. He realized Stefan had been holding back a lot, and this detail could be crucial.
"That's right," Stefan admitted, glancing at Ron.
"I've tried crosses, silver, holy water — none of that works. So what does kill a vampire?" Ron asked.
"A stake to the heart. Or decapitation," Stefan said after exchanging a glance with Elena.
"And vervain," Stefan added. "It's poisonous to vampires. Injecting it weakens us, and humans who drink or wear vervain can resist vampire mind control." He nodded toward Elena's necklace.
"Do you have any left?" Ron asked. "I want Caroline to carry some."
"Yes. I'll get you some later," Stefan promised.
"Let's go," Stefan said, standing. "There's something I want to show you. We can talk on the way."
Since Ron hadn't brought a car, they all piled into Elena's. They drove until they reached the ruins of an old manor.
"Why are we here?" Elena asked, stepping out.
"I want to show you something," Stefan replied, his tone solemn. Clearly, Ron and Caroline were just extras in this emotional reveal.
"In the middle of nowhere?" Elena looked around.
"It wasn't always nowhere," Stefan said softly. "This used to be my home."
He guided them through the remnants, explaining his century-long life and the tragedy that had made him and Damon what they were — brothers divided by love for the same woman, Katherine Pierce.
"Is that Damon's ring?" Elena asked as Stefan lifted a cloth-wrapped bundle from beneath a stone — a ring and necklace inside.
"I took them from him," Stefan admitted. "But I have to return them."
"No! Stefan, don't," Elena pleaded. "Don't give them back."
"If I don't," Stefan said quietly, "he'll retaliate — in the only way he knows how."
"What way?" she asked, confused.
"By hurting you," Stefan said, eyes filled with worry.
"Sorry to interrupt your heartfelt moment," Ron cut in. "But if I'm around, maybe Damon would think twice before showing his face again."
"I can't take that risk," Stefan said firmly. "Not when Elena's safety is at stake."
Ron crossed his arms. "You keep saying it's for Elena — and yeah, I get that. But part of this is about Damon, isn't it? You're afraid that without that ring, he'll stay in Mystic Falls long enough for me to find him."
Stefan didn't answer, which told Ron everything he needed to know.