Damon stepped off the plane and entered the terminal. After two years of absence, he was finally coming…home. After they'd found the tomb two years before, only to discover that Katharine's body was not among the dead-that it never had been-Damon had been so devastated and broken-hearted, he couldn't stand to remain in the place that held so many memories, for a moment longer. But then more trouble brewed as a well-known and deadly vampire appeared in town along with his younger siblings. Klaus Mikaelson was an Original; the most powerful Vampire ever in the history of mankind and he was out for blood. Katharine had deceived him centuries ago and he'd spent 500 years hunting her down to have his revenge. His arrival in Mystic Falls had proven deadly for Stefan, Damon and the rest of them especially when Klaus discovered that Elena was Katharine's doppleganger and consequently possessed the same pure blood that he needed to build his hybrid army. This was only the beginning however. They'd rescued Elena but at great cost to them. Jenna was murdered, caught in the crossfire and it took the Salvatores, Bonnie, Caroline and even Jeremy, almost everything they had to subdue Klaus and his siblings, Rebecca and Kol. Kol's life was sacrificed at the hands of Jeremy and this gave them the leverage they needed to beat Klaus at his own game.
But then, Klaus being the cunning Original that he was, captured Damon-well more like sent Rebecca to capture Damon-and tortured him as a way of getting to Bonnie. Soon Stefan caught wind of it and being the noble Vampire he was, struck a deal; himself for his brother.
This lead to a long drawn out absence of Stefan who fell into Klaus' hands and was once again subjected to the horrible uncontrollable bloodlust of the Ripper. Klaus purposely awakened this side of him for his own pleasure and it led to much bloodshed and the good part of Stefan was riddled with guilt.
Time passed and it wasn't long until finally they managed to rescue Stefan from Klaus' clutches, destroyed his hybrid army and the battle was won. Klaus vanished without a trace but for Stefan, it was far from over.
He had a long road to recovery ahead of him but with Caroline's help as well as Damon, he resurfaced and regained his humanity.
Elena as well had a hand to play in his redemption but because of all the pain and death he'd caused while under The Ripper's influence, Stefan's guilt was multiplied ten fold and his relationship with Elena was never the same. But regardless, it had all been too much for Damon to bear; he hadn't even had time to grieve or try to understand why Katharine had left or why Klaus had a connection with her. As far as he was concerned, he had to get away from it all.
And fast.
On the night he made his decision, he told no one. He left Stefan a note and was gone before dawn the following day. Stephan held no contempt towards his older brother…his heart only ached with sympathy and sincere hope that somewhere, somehow, his brother would finally find happiness and true peace of mind.
And now, two years later, Damon was returning home and no one was more ecstatic than his little brother, Stephan. Damon had gone on a journey of self-discovery and now, as he moved through the airport to the baggage claim, he thought back on how far his journey had brought him. He was still the same charismatic, arrogant and cynical man he'd always been but something had changed deep inside him; he no longer feigned indifference to those around him. Somehow he'd found the courage to bury the memory of Katharine not in his heart but in the ground so to speak-he'd really let her go and for the first time, was truly moving on in his life. He also found that he wanted a different life-other than the one he'd lead of continuous carousing and drunkenness-and he wanted to be surrounded by those few people that genuinely cared for him. He never again wanted to lose that, to go off alone, living his life in dark isolation from warmth, friendship and love. He was ready to live again and this time he vowed to himself that nothing would ever stop him from finding true happiness. Just then, as he cleared the busy crowed, he spotted Stephan just beyond the swinging glass doors with a perky blond bouncing up and down by his side. Caroline. He'd recognize that perky nose and flouncing curls anywhere and despite himself, Damon couldn't hide the smile that crept onto his lips.
"Damon!" Stephan called, raising his hand in a wave.
Damon exhaled shakily when the realization of how much he'd missed his little brother, broad-sided him. Closing the distance between them, he dropped his luggage and engulfed him in a brotherly hug. "Good to see you, little brother…it's been a decade."
Stephan chuckled softly as he returned the hug…a little surprised by Damon's display of affection that was rare. "Yes, two years is definitely way too long, Damon."
Just then, Damon held Stephan at arms length, a mischievous grin played at the corners of his mouth. "And here I thought I was doing you a favor; giving you space so you and Elena could finally have time to yourselves for more intimate activities! Seriously, com'on, Stephan, that girl's gonna leave you if you don't start jumping her bones more often."
Stephan gave an exasperated sigh…some things he guessed, would just never change; no matter how long Damon had been away, there would always be that same arrogant, inappropriate and charismatic way about him. "You're a pig, you know that?"
"Profound." Damon responded with a faux serious expression as he turned his attention to Caroline. "Well well, if it isn't Ms. Beauty queen on steroids-so kind of you to chaperone my little brother to the airport, Barbie…no telling what he'd get himself into without someone keeping an eye on him." He lowered his voice and winked at her as he eyed Stephan in faux suspicion.
Caroline shook her head, and standing on tip toe, she threw her arms around Damon's neck and kissed him firmly on the cheek. "Welcome home, Damon."
Damon gave a quizzical look towards Stephan. "Was I really this missed?"
"Definitely not, I mean God forbid we should miss you when you've only been gone two years!" Stephan gasped sarcastically, holding a hand to his heart mockingly.
Damon rolled his eyes, grinning. "Well it's good to see that you've finally developed some semblance of humor in my absence, little brother-all that gloomy brooding was starting to give you chafing rash and me, a headache."
Stephan shook his head as he hoisted two of Damon's bags over his shoulder and nodded at the two to follow him. They made their way out of the busy airport and loaded Damon's belongings into the back of Caroline's red Lexus.
"Really, Care? A Lexus?" Damon's eyebrow rose as he eyed the blond.
"Hey, I've got a pretty awesome job now, ok? You'll find that a lot's changed in the two years you've been gone." They all climbed in and Caroline started the engine.
"Well please do enlighten me; has our quaint little Quaker town developed a strip club finally?"
Caroline shook her head, smirking as she backed out of the parking lot. "Well you're not far off-casino actually…right off of main street. Complete with hotel, pool and outdoor mini golf course."
"You've got to be kidding me right? I leave and all the good stuff starts to happen?!"
Stephan laughed at his brother's genuine outburst. "Well then it's good that you decided to move back home then…you'll get a share in all the fun. As far as a club, there is one just adjoining the club…it's part of the building but separately owned…kind of a joint-profit business of sorts; two brothers from Puerto Rico actually started the club and now own it as well…their cousin is the hotel and casino manager and owner."
"Ah so sin-city business runs in the family…isn't that just sweet and fuzzy." Damon laughed incredulously but his eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement.
# # # #
An hour later, the group pulled into town and Damon's eyes widened at the few yet surprising changes that met him. There was the casino and hotel that Caroline mentioned and sure enough, right next to it was the night club…the blaring neon sign read "Salsa Mystique."
"Alright so I've definitely missed a lot then; you two weren't shitting me."
Caroline and Stephan smiled triumphantly as they cruised down Main street then rounded the bend that lead to the outskirts of down-town and towards the Salvatore mansion.
"After two years you still live in that museum Stephan? I'm disappointed, I thought that by now you would've chosen something a bit more modern!" Damon faux pouted and Stephan only shook his head as they pulled through the gate and down the long driveway. "Damon, this has been our home for over a century now…you know that."
Damon rolled his eyes at his brother's sentimental musings. "Yeah, yeah save it…I get that you're sentimentality is worse than a bitch but seriously…"
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with a little nostalgia, Damon." Caroline chimed in as she squeezed Stephan's hand and he graciously smiled back at her. "If Stephan feels better with the familiarity of old memories surrounding him and a bit of old-fashioned sentimentalism, I think he should be allowed some leniency!"
Damon's face deadpanned as he noticed the blonde's hand still clasped in his brother's. "O…k so what the hell am I missing; since when are you two BFFs?"
Stephan and Caroline both chuckled. "Caroline and I have grown close since the last time we all…well we're best friends now, Damon…there's been a lot that's…happened and we've all needed each other more than ever before."
Damon's face grew serious as he detected double-meaning behind Stephan's solemn words. "Well yeah, I remember the whole KatharinexKlaus Debacle but clearly you're not talking about that so I'm missing something…what's happened."
Caroline's eyes grew deep with sadness and Stephan automatically squeezed her hand. This had been the plan; they'd recited it over and over again and now was the time to put it into action and hopefully, it worked and Damon would be fooled. Now wasn't the time to let him in on the truth just yet. "Damon…a lot has happened. For starters um…Elena and Stephan have been…having problems and…since….Jeremy's…" Caroline bit her lip as her eyes pooled with a few tears.
"Care, speak up. What's little Gilbert done this time?!"
"He's…Jeremy's dead Damon."
Damon's face clouded over as his eyes stared blankly back into Caroline's. "He…something happened to him; we don't know what…but he was just…different all of a sudden; a lot more withdrawn than usual and then he started disappearing for days at a time and it was driving Elena crazy. Not only that, but Bonnie was being followed. We don't know who but someone's been watching us…all of us and they obviously knew enough to know that Jeremy had been separating himself from the group…we think…we think that he might have been…caught up in something and Tyler…Tyler knows something about it but he won't say anything to anyone…not even to me." at that, Caroline's lip trembled at the thought of her now-ex boyfriend of three months.
"When…when did this happen? Could it be Klaus? We're not stupid, I mean we all know sooner or later he's gonna come back for blood, it's only a matter of time." Damon asked; his voice was thick with tension.
"No. We don't think it's Klaus; it's not his style he always does things like this for sport, it's always been a game to him but this is different. And besides that, it was four months ago and Stefan's been keeing an eye on Klaus' movements through his associates; so far he hasn't made any movements near here. It's been devastating for Elena…she…hasn't been doing too well. Stefan and I do what we can but Elena…she's withdrawing too and it's almost like she…"
"She blames me for Jeremy's death." Stephan finished simply.
"Wait….what?! How the fuck is it your fault?" Damon burst out as they all exited the car, making their way indoors.
Stephan shook his head as he set Damon's bags down in the entry. Damon followed but dropped his bags more harshly. "She feels…she feels frightened, Damon…none of us know what's going on but of course, it has to be something…supernatural…more like someone from our past because how else would they have even come here if it wasn't somehow connected with you and I?"
Damon fell silent…he knew Stephan was probably right but that didn't make him anymore pleased that the doppelganger was now blaming his brother when Stephan had done and always would do anything for her…now he was definitely very pissed off. "This is…bullshit, Stephan and you know it! You've never done anything but look out for Jeremy and Elena fucking knows that!" Damon pointed his index finger at his brother, strongly punctuating his point.
Stephan raised his hands, semi-defensively. "I know…I know that Damon but at the same time I can't blame her for looking at me first…if it wasn't for me, she'd never have been drawn into this supernatural world that's nothing but a constant look over your shoulder…you know this as well as I do that our life…our world is never fully a hundred percent safe; there will always be someone or something out there looking for us; the past will never fully rest…not for long."
"I still call bullshit on her for blaming you of all people I mean…blaming me? Yeah that honestly makes more sense but you? You're her fucking boyfriend, she's supposed to be trusting that you of all people will be working the hardest to find out whoever did this."
Caroline observed Damon's heated accusations at Elena and she couldn't help but partially share in his opinion; Stephan never did anything to hurt Elena…he'd given her everything any girl could ever want and yet, she still always found some stupid reason to blame him or fight with him…it was ridiculous and sometimes, Caroline just wanted to smack the selfish stupidity out of her friend so she could see what an awesome thing she had with Stephan.
Caroline would've given anything to have exactly what Elena had though she'd never openly admit that to anyone.
Damon shook his head as he leaned his back against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. "There's no pleasing her…not completely; she's always gotta be bitchy and nit picky about one thing or another, of course! She's always been this way I mean why should any of us think that it would be any different?" His voice was laced with harsh sarcasm as a knock sounded at the front door.
Stephan stood to his feet and eyed Damon carefully. "Damon I understand that you're upset and I'm…really sorry that this is what you had to come back to; I really just wanted you to be able to live your life with peace of mind for once…" He shook his head sadly. "That's Elena at the door…please just…don't say anything right now; she's upset over Jeremy and like Caroline said, she really isn't doing good at all…but she wanted to come over tonight because she knew you were going to be coming home so…please just try to be understanding…at least for my sake."
Damon threw his hands up in the air in defeat. "You know you're an ass for evoking my brotherly obligation to support you…especially when she's being a complete bitch to you." Damon was not at all happy with this and he sure as hell wasn't even going to pretend to be…but if there was one thing that two years of being absent had taught him, it was that his little brother was the single most important person in his life ever…and he'd nearly screwed that up. Not this time, this time he knew that no matter how much he despised every moment of it, he'd suffer Elena's company…for the sake of his brother. "Fine…but you owe me a shit load of bourbon after this because I swear to God, I'm gonna want nothing more than to drown out this memory before it fries my last shred of sanity."
Stephan shook his head at his brother's dramatic exclamations but he smiled at him in gratitude as he headed to answer the door.
Caroline moved to stand by Damon and she rubbed his arm up and down gently as she gave him a sympathetic look.
Damon looked down into her sad and sympathetic blue eyes and just heaved a defeated sigh with a shake of his head. "This is bullshit, Care…you know it is; I know Elena's your friend but you and Stephan are best friends now-which I still can't quite wrap my mind around but that's beside the point-the point is, you know him like I do and you know this is complete bullshit what she's pulling!"
Caroline nodded sadly as her fingers drifted down to his, giving them a comforting squeeze. "I know, Damon…I know but you know how he is when it comes to Elena…hell, if they were both drowning, he'd let her use him as a life-raft if it meant she'd be glowing with satisfaction the whole fucking time."
"Well, I just hope he knows what the hell he's doing because…something smells so wrong in this situation…and what makes it worse is I can feel it in my bones, Blondie…there's nothing 'rational' or 'understandable' about any of this…aside from her losing Jeremy and even that's a bullshit excuse for her blaming Stephan…he's done nothing but blow sunshine up her ass from the very first moment they met." Damon's jaw flexed and his fists clenched at his sides as he felt more and more rage boiling to the surface…but he kept it expertly controlled, a skill he'd been perfecting for more than a century. Taking the last dreg from his glass of bourbon, he pursed his lips in a hard, straight line and set his jaw as Elena and Stephan entered the living room.
This was going to be a long, long night.
# # # #
Bonnie glanced at her watch and then at the wall clock. It was already six thirty and Elena still hadn't returned any of her texts. The two were supposed to get together that day for a bit of shopping and coffee at star bucks afterwards…but it seemed that her friend had once again, 'forgot' about their little get-together in favor of other plans. Bonnie sighed frustratingly-Elena had never been the most punctual of people but she was getting worse lately…Bonnie knew that Jeremy's untimely death had a lot to do with that and she understood but at the same time, she sometimes felt her friend was withdrawing more than was usual; even after her parents died, Elena hadn't been so far bent on pushing her away this much…she'd needed her space, sure but she'd needed Bonnie's support much more than she appeared to now and it hurt the witch that Elena seemed to forget or not even care that she was trying her best to be there for her. Bonnie had dropped everything, literally in her life; after graduation two years ago, she'd left Mystic Falls to attend NYU and for the past two years, she'd been pursuing her dreams as a professional singer and dancer. Then, almost four months ago, tragedy had struck and she'd put her education and her blooming Broadway career on hold to return to her hometown for awhile in order to be there for her friend. Elena had been like a sister to her in all the years they'd grown up together but now, she wasn't so sure anymore. Just then, her phone rang and she picked it up hurriedly. "Hello?"
"Bonnie, it's Stephan…I'm sorry but I just remembered that you and Elena had plans for tonight…she's here at the mansion…she kind of forgot…"
Bonnie sighed heavily. "Yeah I…kind of figured that."
"Look why don't you come over for a bit-she's been having an especially rough day today but I know she wants to see you…we can order out and just hang out for a bit here tonight…I think it'd be best for her."
Bonnie struggled between sympathy for the rough time Elena was having and the frustration of always having to sacrifice and cater to her needs. "Alright, sure Stephan…just give me ten minutes and I'll be there."
"Thank you, Bonnie…I know she'll love seeing you."
Bonnie rolled her eyes but nodded as she hung up the phone. Bonnie hadn't had a chance to change yet when she came home from work-she worked at the local casino as a beverage server and bartender during the day and then at night, she was one of the lead singers and dance performers at Burlesque. Her sequenced costume still clung to her curves as she pulled out a beige pencil skirt and white, short-sleeved button down blouse from her closet and tossed them on the bed. In less than three minutes, she was dressed and her hair was pulled back away from her face and pinned up in a sophisticated but relaxed bun with a few strands of dark curls framing her face. Her work make-up was a bit over-dramatic for a casual visit to Stephan's but she dismissed it with a huff as she grabbed her keys and flew out the door, locking it behind her.
# # # #
A little over five minutes later, Bonnie was pulling up to the large Salvatore mansion in her sleek black corvette. Turning off the engine, she checked her hair one last time in the rearview mirror then climbed out, slamming the car door behind her. Her beige high heels clicked rhythmically on the smooth pavement as she climbed the steps to the large oak double doors. She smoothed her hair back and knocked three times.
She heard footsteps from within and then the door opened as Stephan's tall slender form appeared in the entrance. "Bonnie, come in!" He smiled softly at her and she returned it as she stepped past him and the sounds of laughter and music met her ears. "Please, come in…we're just relaxing in the living room…the background music was Caroline's idea." He grinned and Bonnie shook her head as a knowing smile spread across her lips. "Ne-yo…yeah that doesn't surprise me."
Much as you blame yourself
You can't be blamed for the way that you feel
Had no example of a love that was even remotely real
…Oh baby if you let me, I can help you out with all of that
Bonnie shook her head as the verse transitioned into the high-beat chorus, echoing through the halls. As she followed Stephan into the spacious sitting area, she suddenly froze in her tracks and nearly choked on her breath when she heard a deep, familiar voice, laced with sarcasm.
"Hey all, look who's joined us." Stephan called cheerfully and all eyes turned towards the doorway. Everyone smiled casually and waved to Bonnie but there were a pair of piercing blue eyes that only stared in stunned silence, shock and surprise were written across the perfectly chiseled features.
Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
And all your trouble
Don't be afraid
Girl let me help
Bonnie couldn't believe her eyes…those intense blue eyes couldn't be staring back into her emerald ones…it had to be a mirage…
But it wasn't. Damon Salvatore's eyes looked right back into hers and even after two years, his gaze still made her skin burn and her heart tremble…something she would never admit.
"Judgey…?" Damon nearly whispered as he stood to his feet. His tall broad form still stood taller than her own, despite her four-inch heels.
After an eternity, Bonnie found her voice and forcing herself into composure, her hands moved to her hips in a confident stance. "Well…that explains a lot." She said as her eyes drifted to Elena who only mouthed an apology, realizing she'd once again, blown off her friend on the account of this present distraction.
For the first time in his life, Damon Salvatore felt genuinely at a loss for words and everyone in the room seemed to notice…especially Stephan. Usually his brother would have had some clever snarky comeback accompanied by one of his signature grins…but the older Salvatore only stood there, dumb-founded…his usual poker face faltered slightly at the sight of Bonnie.
She looked…the same…and yet so different. He couldn't quite pin-point it; from her tall heels that showed off the length of her gorgeous, slender legs to the well-fitting pencil skirt that hugged her curves, she somehow looked much more…grown up than he remembered. Granted, it had been two years but he'd somehow hadn't expected her to look this changed…this…womanly. Her dark hair was still the same, though presently pulled back in a delicate bun…though a few strands of curl had obviously escaped and now cascaded around her delicate face. Her emerald eyes stared back into his, unfaltering but he caught sight of a trace of something other than obvious surprise….there was a hint of regret and possible hurt there…and even a bit of anger that he easily detected along the edges of her emerald irises. It was still Bonnie….and yet it wasn't.
"Damon. Of all the people that I ever expected to see…you were…definitely nowhere on the list." She admitted finally.
Suddenly, Damon managed to snap out of his trance and a snarky grin appeared on his lips as his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well I'm sure it's a pleasant surprise…especially since my good looks have been absent for quite some time." He winked at her and she scoffed with a roll of her eyes.
"Well I see that some things never change…unfortunately." She punctuated the last part of her sentence as she brushed past him and walked towards Caroline and Elena who were sitting together on the love seat near the fireplace.
The smell of her hair was a deep, spicy scent of cinnamon mixed with vanilla that wafted towards Damon's nose as she brushed past him. He noticed how she conscientiously avoided any physical contact as she moved past him and he wondered when she'd become so cautious and self-aware.
"Bonnie, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about this evening…I feel terrible." Elena apologized profusely as Bonnie leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"It's alright, Lena, I understand…It's been a haywire week…obviously." Her last word was punctuated as her eyes drifted back to Damon who still held his gaze on her. The intensity of his gaze affected her in more ways than one and for a fleeting moment, she wondered what was going through his mind at this very moment.
"Well Blondie gave me a hug and kiss at the airport and Elena gave me hug when she got here…So that means you have to top them, Judgey." He wiggled his eyebrows and winked at her seductively which she only returned with a scowl and roll of her eyes.
Damon gave a faux pout but she detected a subtle look of genuine hurt pass through his blue eyes, fading just as quickly as it appeared. "What, no kiss? No hug?…not even a handshake for old times' sake, Judgey?" His hands were spread out in a waiting gesture as his deep blue eyes searched hers for any indication that she'd missed him.
Bonnie sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, she had missed him. His arrogance, cynicism, sarcasm and innuendos drove her up a wall to the point she often times wanted to set him on fire…but after two years of not seeing him or even hearing from him…a part of her had begun to feel empty…incomplete and she had missed being around him in an odd way.
Though deep down, she missed him far much more than she could ever admit to herself.
Suddenly, she felt a lump rise in her throat and knew she had to make an escape…and fast. "I um, I have to go." She blurted suddenly and all eyes, including Damon's, gazed at her confused. "It was good seeing you guys…I've missed hanging out like this." She admitted softly as her eyes met everyone's faces except for Damon's. "Stephan, thanks for having me over." She addressed the younger Salvatore who in turn, gave her one of his signature gracious smiles.
"you're welcome here anytime, Bonnie."
She nodded as she turned and left the room without another word.
Damon stood frozen in the middle of the room, his eyes lingering on the spot where she had stood only five feet from him.
"Damon?" Caroline moved to stand beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
He glanced at her blankly than back towards the door where Bonnie had left. "Leaving without even a goodbye?" He spoke suddenly. "Fuck that." And he was stalking off after her, his jaw set as his eyes squinted in confusion and a hint of irritation.
"Well…that wasn't awkward at all." Caroline uttered sarcastically as she plopped down on the couch next to Stephan.
"There's…definitely tension between those two." He admitted simply. "What I'd like to know is…why on earth would Bonnie's presence suddenly leave Damon fumbling for words."
"Yeah! I mean…I've never seen him like that before! He was practically gaping at every oraphis when she walked into the room!"
"What do you mean?" Elena's timid voice suddenly broke the tension in the room.
Caroline tossed her a careless look then met Stephan's gaze.
"None of us has seen Damon in awhile…maybe they're just surprised you know?"
Elena could only hope that that was all it was but she wouldn't admit her sudden interest in Damon and Bonnie's relationship, to anyone.
"Um no, it's not at all the same." Caroline countered. "There's definitely something different between those two." Caroline answered pensively as her eyes drifted back to where her two friends had exited the room so hastily.
Something was definitely different and she could see it in Damon's eyes when he looked at Bonnie.
# # # #
"Hey Judgey! Hold up." Damon called after Bonnie as he hurried down the steps after her. She made no apparent move to acknowledge him as her heels clicked rapidly across the pavement.
Why was she so determined to ignore him? And more importantly, why was she in such a hurry to get away from him?
Damon wasn't giving up until he found out.
"Bonnie, stop right there." He ordered firmly.
Bonnie stopped abruptly…she knew that tone of voice. It was the side of Damon that was suddenly dead serious…all jokes aside and she knew to ignore him now would royally piss him off; she was definitely not in the mood to deal with the pissed off Damon so she sighed in defeat as she turned around to face him.
He jogged up to her, stopping just a few feet away as his icy blue eyes met her steady emerald stare. "What gives? You show up here…I haven't seen you in two years and then you decide to just walk out without even a 'nice to see you again'…like it never happened?"
She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest and glared at him. "Interesting coming from you since you were the one who left in the first place…and the only one you said goodbye too was Stephan…and even then all you left was a lame ass note. Some way to show your own brother that you care." Her eyes narrowed at him.
"That's what this is about? Because I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye to anyone because I'm not good at goodbye; that's why you're so pissed? Com'on Bonnie, you of all people should know I'm not good at that."
She laughed bitterly, giving him another strong glare. "See that's so typical Damon; it's always excuses with you! You never own up to anything because that's just easier for you-detached, distant and indifferent-it's always worked for you because you're comfortable that way. But when someone else treats you the same way, oh, all of a sudden you're all bent out of shape! Well excuse me if I don't bend over and kiss ass, Damon. Excuse me for not being like Elena who-despite the fact that she had a boyfriend-drops everything whenever you decide to drift back into our lives; maybe she can pretend like everything's always normal but I can't. Sue me."
Damon stood motionless as Bonnie's venomous words hit him like a solid wall-her eyes were fiery and her stance was aggressive as if she'd set him on fire at any moment. Her voice was raised, tense and angry but he heard something else behind her aggravated tones.
She was hurting. He'd left two years ago with no idea how much it would affect everyone…and it was obviously affecting her the most though she'd never admit it.
"Don't give me shit about 'walking out' when you were the one who walked away first!" She yelled at him, her index finger pointing at him accusingly.
"I couldn't be here anymore, Judgey…don't you get that!?" He shot back at her and for the first time in a full ten minutes, Bonnie shut her mouth.
"I couldn't be here and just pretend that everything was normal. It wasn't 'normal' for me, Bonnie. None of it. I had to get the hell out of here…for a while. I had to clear my head because I was already so fucked up. If I had stayed I would've driven all of you beyond insane, don't you get it?
Her emerald eyes softened ever so slightly as she watched the frustration pass through his dark blue ones.
For the first time in his life, Damon Salvatore hung his head in blatant defeat. At length, he raised his eyes again to meet hers and she saw a deep sincerity that he'd never openly admit. "Look, Judgey…I know I left without a word to anyone…and to be honest, the person I most regret not saying goodbye to is you."
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise at his honest confession but she had nothing to say-she didn't know how to respond so she only stared at the ground for a moment, biting her lip.
"I don't expect you to forgive me…hell, you're stubborn about every other damn thing about us so it's not like I expect this to be any different."
She met his eyes again and this time, she couldn't tear hers away as the intensity and depth of his gaze paralyzed her.
She hated how after all this time, he could still affect her in the same aggravating and wonderful way.
"…but I came back because…because I want to…I want to make it up to you…and to Stephan and Caroline." He spoke Stephan and Caroline's names as if they were more of an after-thought…
Or as a way to hide from her what he was really thinking.
"Just…you don't have to forgive me, Bonnie…Hell you can punish me for as long as you want but just know that…know that I'm not gonna give up this time. I'm…I plan on staying for good and I don't care how long it takes, I'll bug you, pester you and annoy the living hell out of you until you talk to me again."
Bonnie tried her best to hide the smile that played on her lips; she knew Damon was right.
He'd fight her and annoy her until the day she died.
She sighed as she resigned herself to that all-too-familiar reality that Damon Salvatore would always be there, whether she liked it or not.
She was a liar if she ever thought she wouldn't need him there always.
She took a long moment to look into his eyes and for the first time in the years they'd known each other, Bonnie Bennett never looked away. She closed the distance between them and stood right before him, looking up into his deep blue eyes as she felt her heart tremble and her knees weaken when he gave her that look.
Damn him and that look.
"Com'on Judgey…you know I'm not going anywhere until you give in." He told her with an arrogant stubborn look in his eyes. "We can go at this for the next century if you want but I wouldn't recommend resisting that long…you don't wanna be grey by the time you forgive me because then I'll make you pay for making me wait that long!"
She scoffed and shook her head but there was a playful twinkle in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Damon and slowly, a smile of triumph appeared on his lips when he realized he was already cracking through her walls.
He couldn't deny how much he loved being the only one that could get to her like that. He secretly hoped he'd be the only one.
Then, Bonnie surprised him by snaking her arms around his neck in a warm-though hesitant-hug. He was momentarily at a loss at her sudden open display but he smiled to himself when he felt her heart rate increase and pound against his chest.
He knew she'd never admit it…but he always had that affect on her and he knew it.
"You're an arrogant ass." She stated matter-of-factly, her chin resting on his shoulder.
He couldn't help the gentle smile that spread over his lips as his arms wrapped unashamedly around her waist. "You know it, Bennett."