1864
Pairing: Elena Gilbert/Damon Salvatore
Disclaimer: I do not own anything and everything related to Vampire Diaries
A/N: This story is a twist on the season two finale. Chapter two is also pre-2x22. Enjoy!
I would like to thank jadedlily1478, keeka06, lina89, FatSams, delenadreamer, DeathDaisy, LittleFanGirl, MissDelena, delena123, EtherealDamon, and MrsDamonSalvatore98 for the reviews!
Chapter Two: The Reality of 1864
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"Where are we going?"
"Patience is a virtue, my lady." The 1864 Damon did the eye thing that the Damon she knew usually did as he expertly guided her through the forest.
Elena wasn't sure if this version of Damon was aware at the effects of his gesture on her. "Please, just call me Elena."
"My apologies, Elena." He really was apologetic as he weaved them past a large tree. "Aren't you cold?"
"Uh…" The brunette had forgotten that she was very much close to naked, considering the clothing of 1864. "I am quite cold to be honest."
Without a moment's hesitation, he took off his morning coat. Pausing in his steps, Damon gently draped his coat over her shoulders. "That should keep you warm."
Elena smiled as the warmth enveloped her body; his scent awakening her senses. "Thank you."
"Do you still want to proceed, Elena?" He asked politely.
She nodded; the bright smile still on her beautiful face. "I'd love to."
"Good." Damon hesitantly takes her hand in his; the hesitation showing on his face soon after. "I hope I'm not offending you with my boldness."
Elena shook her head, reassuring him by gently squeezing his hand that was holding hers. "I think I would need the help to walking around the forest without stumbling."
"I promise to keep you safe, Elena." The dark haired man promised somewhat solemnly as they began to walk again, headed wherever it was only he knew. She gulped once his words reached her ears. The past Damon just made the same promise to her that his present self made a long time ago.
She had an immense urge to ask where he was bringing her but she wisely chose to keep her mouth shut. Elena still had no idea as to how she ended up in 1864 with the human version of one Damon Salvatore but there was no way she was going to destroy the whole scenario by annoying the living daylights out of him. But then again, she wasn't sure if he would ever get annoyed with her. The Damon that was holding her hand right now seemed to be oozing of patience and politeness.
"Tell me something about yourself." Damon broke the temporary comfortable silence that reigned over them.
"Like what?" She arched an eyebrow, smiling charmingly at him for his benefit.
Then she got a reaction that she wasn't expecting.
Damon Salvatore blushed crimson at the sight of her smile.
As far as she knew – or what she knew of the present day Damon… he never blushed. "Uh… Tell me about your family."
"I have a younger brother… but both of my parents have passed away." The smile on her face was soon replaced by a small frown.
"I didn't know, Ms. Elena… I shouldn't have asked the question. I'm sorry." Damon frowned as well. "I shouldn't have done that… my sincerest apologies."
"You don't have to worry about it." She shook her head. "I've… I've accepted their fate."
The thumb of his hand that was holding hers began massaging the back of her hand soothingly. "But it doesn't mean it's easy to accept. I admire you, Ms. Elena. You're a very strong girl."
It was her turn to blush once more. "Thank you, Damon."
"Though you are profusely trying to insist that I have nothing to apologize for…" He came to a stop, stepping out of the forest and into the sunlight. "I hope this makes up for my insensitivity."
Elena opened her mouth to ask him what he meant but she soon found a reason not to. Before her very own eyes was a meadow so beautiful and peaceful and just plain damn amazing. The green grass stood high and proud, dancing along with the strong cold wind. In the midst of it were different colored flowers sprouting here and there, decorating the whole place just by their existence. Elena never saw a place this beautiful; she felt like she was staring at something only landscape paintings could show her.
"This is where I go when I just want to be alone. I think it's the most peaceful place you'd find here." Damon had to raise his voice so that he was sure he heard her; the jet black haired man
"This is beautiful…" She couldn't help but gasp in awe as she stepped into the meadow.
He smiled somewhat smugly – one of the few times that he acted like modern day Damon – obviously satisfied that she was more than pleased with his surprise. "I come here almost every day since I usually cannot bare my father… I'm usually the only one who goes into these woods. So I was very surprised when I saw you earlier."
Elena bit her lower lip, knowing that he was a very private person regardless of what era it was. "It looks like I invaded your private sanctuary. Would you like me to leave?"
"No, no. Of course not." The jet black haired man jogged towards her, blocking her way before she could even take a step. "I want you here. That's why I brought you here to begin with, Elena."
She nodded slowly. "Then I'll stay."
His face broke out into a genuine smile and she just knew she had to memorize how he looked like when he actually smiled instead of smirking. "I'm uncertain as to if this particular fact would mean anything to you but… you're the first girl I ever brought here."
Elena knew right then and there that even in 1864, he was popular with women. "It's an honor."
"Would you like to walk around with me?" He asked politely. "We could go and pick flowers… only if that is what you wish."
Instead of verbally replying her agreement, she just took his hand. Damon seemed very surprise at the gesture and a part of her mind was reminding her about Stefan. But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside and shot a questioning eyebrow at him. "You're assuming I don't like picking flowers as much as other women do?"
"Sorry if I offended you by making an assumption." A small frown crossed his face. "But I hope you don't mind if I tell you that you're very different from other women… in a very good way, of course."
She had to grin at that, pausing in her tracks to point at a white rose in the distance. "I like flowers."
"Is that so?" Damon gently dropped her hand, heading over to the bush of white roses and picking one out carefully off its stem. Heading over to where she stood, he tucked the flower above her left ear. "Beautiful."
Elena whispered a thank you softly, making sure it was loud enough for him to hear since he was after all the human version of Damon who didn't have his special hearing. "Would you like to play tag with me?"
"Tag?" He repeated the word; his face contorting in way that told her that he was confused. "I've never heard of that. What is it?"
"It's really simple. One of us just has to run and the other one tries to catch the person. If the person gets caught, then it's his or her turn to be the one to chase the other person." The brunette explained, bending down to the touch a bush of morning glories.
"That's what you call that game?" Damon couldn't hide the awe in his tone. "How did you know?"
She blanched a little, mentally kicking herself for not being careful. "Uh… That's what my friends call it."
"Really? That's very smart of them." He smiled again. "I think you should start running."
Elena quickly took that as a challenge, running further into the meadow as a giggle escaped her lips. It felt like it had been such a long time that she felt this free and happy. Gone were all the thoughts of how she ended up in the 1800s, of Stefan, of Klaus and everything else. All she was aware of was how much she was happy and the fact that Damon was running behind her without his vampire speed. But before she knew it, she felt a pair of strong arms around her waist which pulled her against a certain muscular chest.
"You run really fast." She squealed as they both came into a stop with her still in his arms and the both of them trying to catch their breath.
"I could say the same thing for you too." Damon's breath was practically tickling her neck, sending chills up her spine.
She loved being in his arms. It felt like she was supposed to be there to begin with… and that was when her heart seemed to take delight in reminding of her feelings that she tried so hard to hide in reality. She loved Stefan. But she loved Damon too. That was something that she was a hundred percent certain in. It had to take her being transported all the way back to 1864 for her to realize that it wasn't always going to be Stefan; that she loved Damon just as much.
Damon noticed that she was suddenly silent, choosing to turn her in his arms so that she was facing him. "Elena, are you okay? Have I done something wrong?"
She flashed him a smile that melted his heart. "No, Damon… It's nothing. You can never do any wrong."
Her words caught him by surprise. "Why do I feel like I've known you forever?"
"Do you believe in destiny, Damon?" Elena asked in reply.
"I believe we're all meant for somebody." He unconsciously tightened his arms around her waist. "Is that acceptable?"
The long haired brunette nodded somewhat happily. "Yes… very acceptable."
Damon smiled but his face turned serious soon after. "I hope you forgive for my boldness…"
"We should be past evasiveness by now." She reminded him with a ghost of a grin playing on her lips.
"I'm pretty certain we are past that…" The jet black haired human version of Damon conceded; one of his hands leaving her waist to caress her face. "Elena Gilbert, I like you. Even if I just met you, I honestly and sincerely like you."
Elena was sure she was never ever this happy her entire life… not even with Stefan. "Damon Salvatore, I–"
o-o-o-o-o
Elena shot up on her bed, shocked to find herself seated on her very comfortable mattress. She stared wide-eyed around her, realizing that she was looking at the familiar walls of her bedroom. Taking in a deep breath, she recalled everything that she believed was real up until a moment ago. She was in a meadow with Damon, she was in 1864…
It was all a dream.
A dream and nothing more
And she woke up even before she could tell 1864 Damon that she liked him.
Her eyes fell on the open window at the side of her room and she wondered if she would ever find it in her to tell the real Damon the truth.
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Thank you in advance
