"...And I just think it's a bad idea for you two to be so far away, especially with Stefan sick and everything..." Damon grimaces at his mother's frantic sobbing.
"Mom!" He interrupts. "First off, don't have a nervous breakdown! And second... Jeez mom, may I remind you that me and Stefan are in our twenties? Neither of us needs you or dad looking over our shoulders." He takes a deep breath. "This is the best situation for everyone."
A screeching sound comes through the phone. "How is this best? I'm always scared something's gonna happen to one of you! At this rate, I'm gonna have a heart attack!" Damon has to move the phone slightly away from his ear.
"Mom, I get it. But this really is better. There's less pollution, so that should help Stefan out." He says pleadingly. "I know you want to look after us, but keep in mind that every time you or dad moved out, I've taken care of him. And I've been taking care of him for most of the past year. I know what's best right now."
He can almost see his mother's glare. "Oh, so I don't have any idea how to take care of you two?"
Damon pinches the bridge of his nose. "Mom, that isn't what I said!" He hears sounds of stirring down the hall. "Mom, I think he's waking up, so I gotta go." He hangs up before she can respond, walking into his brother's room. "Okay, literally the best timing ever." He states, shaking his head.
Stefan gives him a confused look. "Hmm?"
"I was talking to mom. It's apparently one of those days." Damon says, rolling his eyes. Stefan chuckles breathily and shakes his head. "Not funny!" Damon protests. "Honestly, sometimes I think she has a clone or something. Or spilt personality disorder." And then concern flickers onto his face. "So. You need anything?"
Stefan shakes his head. "No, I'll b-" He's cut off by a coughing fit, which sends Damon practically flying over. The older brother immediately helps Stefan sit up, hoping to ease his breathing. It works, of course. "Well, I was going to say I'd be fine... Guess that ship's sailed." Stefan's voice strives for cheery.
Damon rolls his eyes and ruffles his baby brother's hair affectionately. "Dork." He mutters.
"I'm not a dork!" Stefan protests. Damon ignores him.
"I'm gonna go make some breakfast, and then, as long as you'll be okay by yourself, I still have some canvassing of the down to do." He stands and leaves, rolling his eyes again as he hears Stefan's aggravated mumbles that he is "Perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you!" But not making the obvious comment.
Elena was at the park -walking her black Labrador, Maggie- when she saw him again. He was sitting on a bench, rubbing the back of his neck and contemplating his cell phone, which balanced on his knee. "Hey!" She cries, hurrying over with Maggie barking happily beside her. His head snaps up, and she stops, a few feet away. "Uh, Damon, right?" She asks, yanking out her one earbud.
He smiles a little. "Right. Elena?" She nods, grinning. His smile widens and he pats the bench beside him. "Sit with me?" He wonders. She nods and plops down, Maggie following and sprawling across her sandaled feet. They both laugh as the dog appears to smile up at them. "Well now who is this sweetheart?" Damon asks, reaching down to pat her.
"This is Maggie, and she's hardly a sweetheart." Elena responds, ruffling the silky black fur. "You silly little puppy. Tell him, you are a very very bad girl." She says, talking as if to a baby. She looks back up at Damon. "My brother's dog. He's at college, so I'm stuck with her."
Damon looks as if he's going to reply, but a pretty, middle-aged woman in a tan uniform comes up. "Hey Elena. Who's this?" She tilts her head at Damon.
"Damon Salvatore." The man in question replies with a crooked smile, glancing quickly at his phone again before turning his attention back to the woman.
"Salvatore? Don't tell me, Giusseppe's son." She declares with a laugh. "I remember when you were just a little kid! How've ya been?"
He raises his eyebrows. "Liz Forbes?" He asks incredulously.
She frowns. "That's sheriff to you, buster! Now answer my question." She responds in a mock-stern voice.
A snort. "I've been good, actually." He states firmly.
She nods. "That's good. How 'bout your brother?"
Elena raises her eyebrows. "Aha! So I get to learn more about that mysterious brother you mentioned yesterday." She says excitedly.
Liz snorts. "Mysterious? What changed in the last twenty years? That kid was always an open book." She shakes her head.
Damon smirks. "Nothing's changed. He's still annoyingly honest and can still twist me around his little finger." He looks at his phone again. "But yeah, same kid. Been a bit sick lately, though. Hence the move." As if triggered by his intense gaze, the phone beeps. He picks it up and looks at it for a moment. "Speak of the devil." He says, shaking his head. He stands. "See you two later." He waves and hurries off, leaving Elena with the feeling that another piece of the puzzle has just slotted into place.
Liked it? Eh, whatever. I know it sucked... LOL PUN INTENDED REVIEW NOW.
