A/N~ First story without the Mikaelson's! Elena's character is going to be a bit OC, I find it difficult to write her character as a vampire: S Just a short story I thought of whilst watching Damon clips, hope you enjoy!

Fall like Roses

Damon sat quietly at the bar staring aimlessly down at his empty glass, the only thing on his mind was the simple decision to make. To get a refill or not. He noticed how the barmaid was becoming more and more frustrated with his indecisiveness; he couldn't help but crack a smile.

The grill was lifeless and there wasn't even any music playing, in all his honesty he didn't know why he was still here. He could be getting free alcohol at home, and his entertainment? Annoying whoever he pleased.

"That seats taken" He muttered as he saw a young woman sit beside him where Alaric once sat. He growled as she just laughed at him.

"Two beers please" His eyes widened as he recognised her voice. He turned his head slowly and dropped his mouth as he saw her.

"Aria?" She smiled brightly at him

"Hello Damon"

He jumped up onto his feet and pulled her into a tight hug, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he spun her around, they both laughed hysterically. He finally placed her down once their drinks arrived.

"Where have you been!" He asked with a wide smile as they retook their seats at the bar.

"Everywhere. Anywhere. But I've been watching you" She took a big gulp of her beer and chuckled "And of course Katherine" She laughed even harder. "The big bad Katerina gaining greys, how comical"

"Trust me; you didn't have to deal with her when she had a sinus infection"

"I'd hate to imagine" She wrapped her dark hair over her shoulders and shook her head with amusement. He watched her for a while, she'd always interested him and he'd always found her attractive. But there was never a right time, and there still wasn't.

"So…who's your latest catch?" She rolled her eyes towards him with a smirk.

"Elena" He replied quietly before taking a sip of beer.

"Ah" She looked down "Wait…" She spun around and narrowed her eyes "The Katherine lookie likie?" He nodded slightly "Damn Damon…Well I hope she's not like her personality wise"

He didn't reply, he didn't need to. She knew that if Elena was he'd never be anywhere near her.

"Well I think we should get utterly wrecked" Aria chimed cheerfully as she patted his leg

"Like the good old days?" He raised an eyebrow

"Which days are you on about?" She frowned sarcastically

"The ones where it was acceptable for women to be publically drunk…."

"Ahá, the best days" She smirked as they clicked their glasses together "Now let's go whilst the night is still young"

He wrapped his arm around her neck and led her out, just as they reached the door Elena stormed in, her mouth dropping at the sight of Damon. As quickly as she entered she exited, Damon sighing and running after her.

"Elena wait!" He called out after her.

Aria rolled her eyes, doppelgängers, such sensitive creatures. She appeared in front of the girl and sarcastically smiled.

"Going somewhere?" The veins under Elena's eyes grew as she went to slap her, she sighed and caught her wrist. "Try that again baby vampire and I'll make those pretty little brown eyes of yours, not so pretty" Elena shook her hand free and scowled at her and Damon.

"Who's this?!" Elena pointed at the casual looking Aria.

"She's just a friend…"

"Except for that one night in 1903…" She butted in with a smirk

"Aria you're not helping things" He tried to reason with her but she just folded her arms

"What's to be helped? Is a friend reunion so atrocious these days?"

"Shut up" Elena barked

"What do you see in her Damon?" She laughed and walked away and leaned against the nearest car.

Elena looked towards her as Damon tried to explain, Aria waved, oh how she'd enjoy tormenting this little girl. She looked at her watch and sighed, she really couldn't be bothered with this anymore. She appeared beside the couple and placed her hands on her hips.

"Look, lets postpone fun for the little green monster" She wrapped her arms around Elena's shoulder making her squirm. "Someone's touchy…Chuck some blood or alcohol down this one Damon. See ya around"

She disappeared off making Damon sigh and begin to walk away, Elena grabbed onto his arm.

"What Elena?" He barked "Was you like this when Lexi first turned up? Because I'm damn sure that Aria wasn't wearing just a towel"

"I just…"

"You just what? I haven't seen her for almost 20 years and you ruin it"

"Damon please!" He shook his head.

"I'm with you Elena, you have nothing to worry about"

Aria entered her hotel suite; damn she needed a drink, any she didn't care. She called room service and within minutes a young woman was at her door holding the tray of drinks she orders.

"Where do you want this?" They woman politely asked

"Anywhere I don't care" Aria shut the door behind her and without another word plunged her fangs into the innocent human. She drained her victim and let her fall to the ground before wiping her mouth clean. Stepping over the fresh corpse she grabbed the bottle of wine and drank. She'd get wrecked anyway, even without Damon, it had been her ritual for 5 months now. Maybe one day the pain would go away…

Her head spun as she finished all the drinks and like every night they tears began. She threw the bottle against the wall and cried out for Joseph, but like always there wasn't a reply. She flopped onto the bed and scrunched her eyes closed, she'd find revenge.

****5 months before****

"Joseph!" She squealed as he tickled her viciously "Please stop!" He continued and laughed at her struggle. "I swear if you don't stop you'll get it" Aria gave him a serious look despite her body wriggling hilariously.

"You are no fun Aria!" He pouted as the sunlight shone onto his hazel eyes.

"Oh I beg to differ!" She protested as she pushed him onto his back "I'm the most entertaining person you've ever known" She smirked before planting a kiss onto his soft lips.

"Not to mention beautiful" She smiled as she buried her face into his neck, he lifted her hand and locked their fingers together. "I love you Aria" She smiled and sat up.

"Not as much as I love you" He smiled and stoked her cheek

"Then kiss me" She giggled before leaning in, their lips connecting. She'd never loved anyone as much as him, he was her soul mate.

His body tensed up so she pulled away quickly, blood trickled from his nose.

"Joseph?!" He sat up and began to throw up blood. "Joseph what's happening?!"

"Aria…" He gasped before more blood projected from his mouth. He looked into her fearful eyes as his face turned grey. "Tell me you love me…"

"I love you…" She whimpered as he fell onto his back, she jumped to his side and shook his body. "Joseph please! Wake up! Joseph!" Her body shook with heartbreak and shock…what had just happened? Her tears fell onto his face as she closed his eyes. "Please don't leave me..."

A/N~ So there's first chapter! I hope you enjoyed it :) Please review and let me know what you think, much love x