Title: After Dark
Summary: Elena can't sleep and Damon is dying to find out why…
Rating: M, eventually
Disclaimer: I don't, in any way, profit from this story. All creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator(s) – no copyright infringement is intended.
2:07am
It was the second time this week that she had found herself wide awake for no reason at all at this precise time, and the sixth over the last three weeks. Stefan lay soundly asleep beside her, his hand tucked behind his head, his legs tangled in the bed sheets. He didn't stir at all as she crept from the room, slipping one of his t-shirts over her head before stepping out onto the landing.
2:09am
He smiled to himself as he heard her footsteps pad down the staircase. She would be heading to the living room. He hadn't made her aware that he knew about her nightly excursions but he knew that increasingly, she couldn't find peace at night without a shot of his favourite Bourbon. He had been taking pleasure in the fact that she used his favourite glass to, the taste of her lips adding that extra kick to his own nightcaps.
2:13am
The Bourbon burned her throat as she swallowed a sizeable mouthful. She coughed a little, covering her mouth as the liquid warmed her from the inside and settled pleasantly in her stomach. She couldn't fault Damon in his choice of liquor - not that she was an expert... She wondered briefly how he would react if he knew that she was pilfering from his prized bottle - he made enough references to its cost and his distaste at anyone who dare attempt to drink any in his presence. But then again... needs must. She eyed Damon's leather jacket draped over the arm of the couch. She knew she shouldn't, but she just couldn't help herself.
2:16am
Her muffled cough amused him. He wondered if she drank it because she liked it or because she needed it. He had noted that her nightly wanderings usually coincided with the evenings that she made love with Stefan, an event which he would hazard a guess would be enough to drive any woman to drink. He smirked at his own joke and then refocused his attention on the sounds coming from downstairs.
2:30am
She settled on the sofa in front of the still burning fire. Damon mustn't have been asleep long... She realised that that meant he had likely heard her, with Stefan. A blush flooded her cheeks as she mentally scolded herself for forgetting that vampires had super hearing. She wondered then if he had heard other things, like her nightly trips to the living room. Bolt upright now, she twisted the hem of Stefan's t-shirt, replaying her recent conversations with Damon. Sure, he'd been his usual arrogant self but he'd not said anything to indicate he knew anything about her night time walkabouts. She sighed and closed her eyes as she settled back into the cushions. Content that he had no knowledge of her after dark activities, she drew his leather jacket around her and revelled in the fading taste of Bourbon on her lips.
2:45am
Content that she was soundly asleep, Damon made his way to the living room. He couldn't contain his curiosity anymore. He knew he was walking a dangerous road but he had to see for himself what was keeping her up at night. He peered through the living room doorway. The sight of Elena curled up on the couch blanketed with his leather jacket and smelling of his Bourbon stole all coherent thought from his mind.
My, my Miss. Gilbert, what have we here?
Hi guys – this is my first attempt at Damon/Elena fanfic, hence why Chapter 1 is so short! I'd be glad to hear your thoughts so far and also welcome your views on what you'd like to see happen next (that is if you think it is worth continuing!). All feedback greatly received.