Damon was looking out his window drinking a glass of bourbon, thinking of how he could find a way into Elena's heart. He has always been competeting Stefan it seemed like. His father's love, Katherine's love, and now Elenas. But this will be the one thing he will not lose to.
Damon felt tired of drinking by himself so he left for the Grill. When he arrived he found that the Grill was the place to be. Elena was there. She was with Bonnie, Caroline, and Rebekah- Damon still thought that having Barbie Original as a friend was strange. He walked up and ordered his usual whiskey, sat down and twisted in his seat to watch the girls laugh and play pool. After downing his drink and ordering another, he walks over to the pool table. Elena was the first one to look up at him. He gave her an award-winning smile and comes up to her.
Damon. She didn't even notice that he was at the Grill. When he smiled her breath caught. What was she thinking? This shouldn't be happening; she loved Stefan. Even if he was wherever he was with Klaus being the "ripper". She was still loyal to him and thought about him every second of the day. But she couldn't stop the racing heart and the heat that was working its way up her body as he came closer to her.
"Hello Elena. Enjoying your night out with the girls?"
"Hey Damon, and yes I am. Thank you for asking. What are you doing tonight?"
"Oh ya know, just having a drink and scoping the scenery," saying this as he was eying her up and down. Elena noticed and felt her ears heating up.
"How eventful. Hey, Bonnie it's your turn.''
"Well my dear Elena, are you going to play another game after this?"
"Um... I don't really think I am. Why?''
"Well I was thinking if it was alright I would like to steal you away from your girly friends for the rest of the night. Give you a ride home maybe?"
Elena looked at her friends and saw that they were so wrapped up in their conversation. She thought to herself, "They wont miss me. I bet I could tell that I was tired and don't want to put a damper on their evening and they'd understand." Afterall, they all wish Stefan was still here so Damon would have less of a chance to swoop her off away from him. Like that would happen. Damon was just a friend. But after weighing the pro's and con's she decided to leave with Damon. So she went up to the group and said, "Hey guys, I'm really tired so Damon is going to give me a ride home. And I'll text you tomorrow so we can do something."
"Alright, sleep well. We'll talk to you tomorrow," said Caroline with a smile.
Elena walked up to Damon, "Alright. We can leave I guess.''
They walked out to Damon's car and he opened the door for her and she got in. Damon started the car right as Elena was asking, "So , what do you have planned now that you have me here?"
"I don't know really. I just wanted to get away with you."
Elena blushed and looked out the window. Damon smiled to himself knowing he made her blush as easy as that. Right at the time a perfect idea popped into Damon's mind. The perfect place to take Elena. A soothing, calm, and quiet place to be in the middle of the night. He was going to take her into the perfect place of the woods where he knew it would be safe. A spot overlooking the river.
Elena and Damon remained quiet the rest of the drive but every now and then they would catch each other staring and when they would they would smile and quickly turn away. They both were relieved when Damon finally pulled into a spot in the woods and turned off the car. Damon got out of the car and quickly ran to open the door for Elena.
Elena was impressed by Damon opening the car door but was not so surprised; he was born in the erra when chivilary was at its best. When she got out she looked around admiring the whole scene.
Finally breaking the silence Damon said, "I thought this place would be perfect for clearing the mind and getting away from the stress that is in Mystic Falls."
"You were right. It seems like it's perfect up here. Quiet, serene and much better than Mystic Falls the past few weeks."
"Yeah I bet so... It has been pretty crazy lately. I will most definetely agree with you on that one." Thinking to himself about all the problems they have had the last few weeks. Such as Klaus turning up, taking uncontrolled Stefan, Barbie Original staying and being a tyrant. Quite a busy year it has been.
" well. It's atleast very peaceful out here. Thank you for taking me here, Damon."
"You are more than welcome. I'm just glad you came with me."
Elena didn't know what to say after that so she left things silent. They sat there on the hood of Damon's car, looking out of the river, and listening to the sounds of the crickets chirping. Elena felt more relaxed than she has ever felt in a long time. It felt like she didn't have to worry about her friends, her brother, and especially not Stefan. She liked being worryless.
Damon knew she liked being out here and it made him relax knowing this. But he wanted to let her know how he felt about her. He wanted to just let everything out; let the chips fall where they may. At the same time he didn't want to let her know everything because he didn't want to ruin the moment she was having. He kept waiting until he couldn't take it any longer so he started by saying, "Elena, I know you love Stefan and I know you miss him and that it is tearing you up. But I want you to know that I am here and I will always be here. I want you to know that I love you and I will try everything in my power for you to love me too. I'm sorry for all the times I have hurt before but know this now, I will try to not hurt you. I have waited and waited to tell you that and now that it is out there I am going to kiss you."
Then he went for it. He pressed his lips against hers gently.