The girl sat there, silent, staring through the bars at her unconscious boyfriend.
Damon looked at her again, gave short sigh, then rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
"Ow."
Elena glanced at him.
"Well, I'm getting a neck cramp, so since you insist on sitting here on the cold, stone basement floor, I'm going to at least get something more comfortable to sit on," he pondered, "and maybe something to eat. You hungry?"
"No. Thanks." Elena was looking at Stefan again.
"Well, good, because I don't think we have any people food at the moment." Damon quipped, lightly.
That got a half-hearted eye roll.
"Well then. Away I go."
He got to his feet and started making his way up the stairs.
"Damon."
At the sound of Elena's voice, he stopped.
"Thank you."
He turned; an exasperated look on his face.
"What for?" He asked, impatiently.
Seeing his face, Elena almost changed her mind.
"Nothing. Never mind." She shook her head.
Suddenly, he was in front of her, squatting so that they were at eye level.
"What for, Elena?" He asked, more softly.
She looked at him.
"Helping me out. With the contest. And the dancing. I couldn't have done it without you." She gave him a little smile. "I'm surprised you knew the dance."
He gave her his smirk in return, "Well, a long, long time ago, I was taught never to let a beautiful lady be publicly embarrassed. Unless, you know, she deserved it. Which you," He poked her forehead with his finger, "didn't."
"And besides, I was there when this dance was created. I was the best they had." He shrugged, "Time does not diminish awesomeness."
"Pfft." Elena laughed weakly into her hand while Damon grinned at her.
Suddenly, tears fell from her eyes.
As she buried her face in her hands, Damon looked on, alarmed.
"Uh…"
She turned her face away from him.
"Sorry. Sorry," she apologized as she rubbed her eyes hastily, "I'm just tired and stressing over everything that's happened."
"Yeah, well. Your vampire boyfriend's a junkie, your witch best friend's not talking to you, and you just lost a beauty pageant. You deserve to let it all out once in a while." He patted her on the head.
When she didn't react Damon thought that was the end and got up, when Elena abruptly stood up as well and threw her arms around him.
Surprised, worried and a tiny bit pleased, he froze, before wrapping one arm around her waist. Then, pushing her gently away he asked faux-concerned, "Are you feverish? Actually," he paused, "Never mind I said that. I understand. This is just you finally realizing how wooonderful I am."
Elena gave him that Look; the one she learned to give him so well. The one with the head tilt slight to the side, with one eye narrower than the other, and that was half-glare, half-amusement.
"Oh please. Dream on."
She looked at Stefan again.
"But in all seriousness." She looked back at Damon, nothing but appreciation and earnestness and care in her eyes, "Thank you."
And he knew that she was talking about the contest and the dance and Stefan and Georgia and the rose and keeping her safe. And all the little signs that there was still humanity left in him.
Signs that she believed in. That he wasn't a doomed monster, roaming the world, completely alone. No joy or peace or love or friendship. He looked at this girl, whose face looked so much like Katherine, and seeing her faith and empathy in her eyes, knew. Absolutely knew that she was nothing like Katherine, nothing like he'd ever seen before, and that he'd make very, very sure Stefan got his act together before he, they both, lost this girl. This girl who knew him in a way he thought he'd lost a long, long time ago.
He had no words.
Instead, Damon took her chin into one of his hands and softly kissed her forehead. Then turned away.
"I'll be right back with some stuff."
He was half way up the stairs when he heard Elena's stomach growl.
"And I'll grab some people food for you!" He called down to her.
Elena smiled.
She turned and looked at Stefan, who still hadn't woken from the vervain dart.
She sat back down slowly.
And touched her hand to her forehead.
A/N: Got into this show about a week and a half ago. Binged on it till I got caught up.
Like whoa.
Seriously, words can't describe my feelings for this show. It's practically painful having to wait for the episode next week.
Guys, I haven't written fanfic in over two years. Then suddenly, at about 11:52 PM, when I'm about to turn off my computer and go to sleep, this idea just hits me. Smashes into my chest. Seriously. Whoa.
That, and while I'm a fan of Damon/Elena, I realize that Stefan and Elena are endgame and I'm okay with that. Stefan's cool too. And, for some reason, I've recently become a sucker for unrequited love stories. In this case Damon to Elena.
ALSO (okay, okay, I'll stop after this), if and when Katherine shows up in the present day show, I'm seriously hoping Damon chooses Elena over her in an epic, mind-blowing way. This is my wish.
One more thing. Last one, I swear. Tell me any grammar or spelling mistakes. And please leave a review!
And let me know if I got Damon and Elena in character! I'm not snarky enough for Damon, I fear.
That's all! *meep*