AN: this will only be two chapters unless someone convinces me to further this fic, and even then it'll definitely be under 10 chapters.

His mother is burning sage, he can smell it. That means she doesn't want to be overheard. Damon Salvatore walks over to where he is standing, like he deserves the Original's attention. He does not. However, give his enamored looks at Elena, he knows the talk is in inevitable. He tells Damon he is Elena's soulmate. They both know there is no way to fake it.

"Would you die for her?" Damon asks roughly.

"I would save her without dying." He says honestly. Damon looks infuriated but they both hear Elena coming out of his mother's room. They both smell the blood, it's from one of her fingers, although he doubts the Salvatore can tell that.

"If you'll excuse me." He says, and walks to her, at human speed.

"How was your talk with my mother?" He asks, quiet in the almost empty hallway.

"Intense." Elena says honestly.

"She was very intense." She continues and he agrees.

"Yes, and I'm looking forward to the champagne." She tells him as the hall is empty. She shakes her head at the mention of the champagne. She gestures for him to just pretend to drink it.

"I am as well." He tells her with a nod. Yes, understood. She shows him the spot of dried blood on her finger. He pretends like he has received a text message and texts his siblings, save Finn. She shakes her head at adding him on the text. He tells them not to harm Elena, she is his soulmate and in the same sentence, plans a meeting where he says will tell them something important. He adds not to tell Finn or their mother, and to only text their replies. He sends the text and he and Elena resume walking. He plans to take Elena home, she tells him she was dropped off.

They walk downstairs where champagne is being passed out. Elena takes a sip of her champagne and looks at him. He fakes a sip or two and they hand their flutes off to a waiter. He leaves her alone for a moment to tell Kol that he is taking Elena Gilbert home. By telling Kol, the rest of his siblings hear, and he sees Rebekah shoot a disapproving look, but he walks Elena out anyway. He will talk to his siblings about it later. He wants to get Elena home, away from his plotting mother. They need to talk anyway.