The Night of the Comet
Tonight I'm heading into the woods to feed. There are plenty of campers around waiting for the comet and I'm just too conflicted to want to feed the way Katherine taught me. I should feel excited that the comet is almost here but I still don't have the damn crystal. And then there's my anger at Stefan for being invited in. I shouldn't feel angry, I shouldn't even care what Stefan does with her. But I do. Hence, conflicted. And it's making me agitated, so I need to have some fun and feed tonight. I pause at the first tent and listen for heartbeats. Only one. I'm not interested in a snack tonight so I keep walking silently through the woods until I come to a second tent. This time I can hear two heartbeats racing. Sounds like they are enjoying themselves. Why should they get all the fun? I generate a little fog, it's probably not necessary but will be more fun if they start to run. I hear a male voice saying something about heading to the car. They make it too easy sometimes. Now do I wait until he is gone and eat her first? Or eat him when he comes out? Decisions, decisions. While I'm deciding her voice breaks through complaining about rain. There's none around but it does give me an idea. Him first it is then. As soon as he steps out of the tent I grab him and jump up into the tree above us. I drive my fangs deep into his flesh and let the sweet exhilaration flood through me. I leave enough in him so that he begins to drip blood onto the tent below. I know it's a little wasteful but I'll have her in a second so it won't matter. I watch her come out of the tent and she is looking around for rain. Instead she sees the beautiful red trail I've left for her and she does what they all do… she looks up. When she sees my gift she gives me the reaction I wanted, she screams and runs. Have I mentioned how much I love it when they run? Now she stops running and is furiously trying to open the locked car door, yelling at it to open like that will somehow magically help. I take the car keys from her boyfriend's pocket and launch myself into a closer tree. "Beep beep". Okay, NOW she looks freaked. She wanted it open, I opened it. What's the problem? Some prey is just so ungrateful… so I love playing with my food, what's the point otherwise? She turns around now looking for me I guess. I drop silently from my position in the tree and drain her completely. This time not a drop is wasted.
When I woke up this morning I still felt satisfied. I considered hanging around the hospital to see if Stefan tried to fix the problem I left for him but seriously, why bother? Even if he tries it won't stick. He just isn't strong enough. So instead I'm hanging around the house growing more bored and agitated by the second. My plans for tonight are already set and there is nothing I can do about getting the crystal yet so I'm just frustrated. Right now I'm trying to read in my room but I swear I've reread this page at least 10 times and I still have no clue what it says. My thoughts keep drifting to her. And then I feel guilty for thinking of her and shift my thoughts to Katherine. Which then reminds me of my current predicament and frustrates me that I have made no progress on the crystal. So then I try to read my book again. And repeat. For the last freaking hour. What is wrong with me? I can hear a vehicle coming up the driveway. Maybe it will be Zac, I haven't fucked with him yet today. I could really use the entertainment. I look out my window and freeze when I see who it is. It's her. Why is she here? Does she even know where HERE is? I cannot pass up this opportunity. It is time for her to meet me. The real me who isn't tongue tied by her existence. The predator who plays things his way and always knows the right thing to say. The… ah crap that was the doorbell, focus moron! I vamp downstairs and unlatch the front door as quietly as I can. As she knocks on the door it swings open slightly. She takes a first step inside and I have to hold back a groan as she calls out HIS name, "Stefan?"
She takes a few more steps before calling out again "Stefan?"
I'm watching her intently as she surveys our house. First she looks to the parlour, then she turns towards the open kitchen door. As she keeps turning and looking I keep watching. When her back is to the front door I open it fully and move back behind her. Hearing the door open she turns back to it and tentatively begins walking back towards it. I have her right where I want her now. She is on the edge of running, but I don't want her to leave. I need her to turn around again so I have my crow fly in through the open door. It scares her and she turns away from the cawing sound. Straight into me. I feel a thrill course through my body standing this close to her. I can hear her heart racing and I want so much just to drop my head to her neck and taste her. Instead I hold it together and stare at her as she stares at me. I feel much more in control this time, rather than the bumbling moron who couldn't string a sentence together like I was the night we first met.
"I…I'm sorry for barging in, the door was," She turns to look at the front door and I can see confusion on her face when she finds it closed "open…" Yeah I'm not going to lie, I love my vampire tricks.
"You must be Elena, I'm Damon. Stefan's brother." Stefan's hotter, older brother. You know, the better choice.
"He didn't tell me he had a brother." Of course not. That would require honesty, something my baby brother isn't very good at.
"Well Stefan's not one to brag. Please come." I put my arm behind her back to guide her into the parlour. Just before we step into the room I touch her shoulder and a tingling sensation shoots up my arm. I immediately drop my hand from her. I'm just going to pretend like that didn't happen. I wonder if she felt it too? If so, she doesn't react, maybe it's just me losing my mind again. Okay, focus, where was I heading with this game? Oh that's right! Undermine Stefan's relationship so I can get her back to being my human again. "I'm sure Stefan will be along any second."
I'm watching her closely as she looks around the room. It's obvious she has never been here before. The thought that I am the first one here with her is thrilling, another first over Stefan. "Wow. This is your living room?"
"Living room, parlour, Sotheby's auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste." While I speak I look around the room, trying to see it for the first time like she is. All too quickly my eyes find her again. "I see why my brother's so smitten." Where the hell did that come from? Smitten? Really? Am I a vampire or a teenage girl? Oh, but I get a smile from her. Worth it. "It's about time. For a while there I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him." She isn't smiling now. And as much as that had been my goal, I'm a little saddened by that, I like it when she smiles. Especially at me.
"The last one?" She seems hesitant to ask. Now I'm not really sure how far I want to push this. I don't want to upset her. Why? Why do I give a fuck?
"Yeah, Katherine. His girlfriend." Yeah, his girlfriend, my girlfriend, our sire. She looks at me and shakes her head no. Of course he hasn't said anything, how do you tell your new girlfriend she is a carbon copy of your REALLY old girlfriend. "Oh, you two haven't had the awkward exes' conversation yet?"
"Nope."
"Oops. Well I'm sure it'll come up now." If Stefan wasn't man enough to tell her that's his own fault. Let's light this match and see what burns. "Or maybe he didn't want to tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end." You know, stabbed in the back by your brother, shot by your father, and having your girlfriend locked in a magical tomb for 145 years. No big deal.
"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end." You haven't known my brother very long…give it time.
"I'm a fatalist." Considering how often the universe fucks me over, how could I not be? Case in point, right now. I hear him walk inside but she doesn't know he is here yet. I hold her gaze as long as I can, knowing I'm about to lose my playtime with her before I say, "Hello Stefan." She turns to look behind her at Stefan. The moron barely even acknowledges her. How can he ignore her when she is standing right in front of him? I can hardly force myself to look away from her, how does he do it? This is so helping my case right now. Surely she can see what he is really like? That his shy, awkward teen façade hides a boring, broody, insecure little monster.
"Elena." That's all he says. He barely glances at her before he returns to death staring me. Good thing that's not a vampire ability, I'd be so screwed right now! "I didn't know you were coming over." Oooooh he speaks! And he can use sentences of more than single words. Of course he didn't know she was coming over, he wouldn't have left his precious human alone with his depraved brother. Poor little human!
"I know I should have called. I just…" See what you did Stefan? You upset my human. Why is it that I really can't handle her being upset? I have to fix this.
"Oh, don't be silly, you're welcome any time. Isn't she Stefan?" Seriously brother? You are just going to keep glaring at me? Ah screw you, let's see how far I can push this, "You know I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies, but" I pause to look over at Stefan to make sure he notices how she keeps looking at ME while I'm talking to her, "I have to warn you; he wasn't always such a looker." She smiles at my joke. That stupid tingle goes through my body again. Grrrrrrr. Why does it keep doing that?
"Thank you for stopping by Elena, nice to see you." Seriously shut up brother. Can't you see I'm having a moment here? Oh right, of course you can. That's why you are still glaring at me instead of paying attention to your girlfriend. Ugh even thinking the word makes my skin crawl.
"Yeah, I… should probably go." As she says this she turns back to face me again. I win! "It was nice to meet you Damon."
"Great meeting you too Elena." I'm not sure how she'll react but the risk is worth the reward so I take her hand and lift it to my lips so I can lightly kiss it, I smile this time as I feel the tingle travel from my lips throughout my body. She turns away from me and I feel the loss of her presence immediately. She walks slowly over to Stefan who is still glaring at me over her head. What a loser.
She tries to get his attention, "Stefan?" The dickhead is still ignoring her. What is wrong with this idiot? "Stefan?" He finally glances down at her and for a moment I want to gouge his eyes out for looking at her. He steps to the side so she can get past but says nothing to her. I'm glad, he gave her no reason at all to think he is worthy of her time. I watch as she walks out and closes the door behind her. I want to follow her, but I know that is wrong. Why do I keep feeling like this?
Riling Stefan up should make me feel better, so I whistle at her departure, "Great gal, she's got… spunk." I flash him my biggest smirk. I really enjoyed playing with her and I want my broody little brother to know it. "You on the other hand, looked pooped." This time I drop the smirk and return his boring little glare. This finally gets him to react and he goes to step past me so I follow him to continue the taunting, "Did you overexert yourself today? Let me guess…hospital?"
"Someone had to clean up your mess." Oh brother, just see how easy it is to get you to do exactly what I want.
"Well, were you successful? Did the powers of persuasion work? Remember if you don't feed properly none of those little tricks work right." Of course not, in fact I'm counting on your continued failure.
"How long was Elena here?" Wouldn't you like to know? How would you react if only you knew how long I've known her, how much time I spend near her, how much I want her all to myself?
"Are you worried Stefan? Scared we may be doomed to repeat the past?" I chuckle as I bait him, I need to do something to distract me from my traitorous thoughts. "Isn't that why you play your little game, I'm a high school human?"
"I'm not playing any game."
"Of course you are." I step towards Stefan and lean over so I can whisper into his ear. "We both know the closest you'll ever get to humanity is when you rip it open and feed on it." And they say I'm the bad brother, we both know the truth.
"What kind of game are you playing, Damon?" Right now it's the I got to play with Elena game. You know I don't like sharing my toys brother. I'm done playing with you for today, I'm bored now that she is gone.
I shrug at him and act like I don't care about any of it. I won't let him see how much it bothers me that he spends time with her. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see won't you." I give him a trademark smirk, step back and walk away. I need to clear my head, get these thoughts about Elena out of my mind. She is clouding my judgement. The comet is tonight, I'm so close to getting Katherine back, that's what I need to focus on. Not some human carbon copy. I'm going to go and find some other entertainment.
I head out to the park in town. It's where everyone is setting up for the comet later. I see the girls handing out flyers and watch a while. Witchy is telling Elena to ignore Broody's issues and give him a shot anyway. How is she even considering this right now? He acted like a complete brain dead, moronic douche bag this afternoon. Argh! So much for clearing my head. What am I doing? I need a distraction. Like that one right there. It's the blonde one I started working on. I stand in her line of sight and wait for her to notice me. She sees me and smiles before heading my way. Just as I figured, she's hooked. It's laughably easy to reel in the insecure ones. Just as she gets within range I vamp away. Can't have her thinking I'm the easy one. I need to land her on my own terms, that gives me the power to do with her whatever I want. Right now she's is intrigued by my mystery, I'll change that for her soon enough. Now to drink until the sun goes down. Nothing else to do around this hell hole anyway.
I don't know how long I've been sitting here drinking. Obviously not long enough as my thoughts keep swirling around the two brunettes that constantly invade me. I'm going out of my mind here. I'm so close to getting Katherine out but I still don't have that freaking crystal. I know there is a Founder's party soon so if I can snag an invite I'll be fine but I'm not exactly a patient man. And then no matter how hard I try I can't keep the other girl from her sneak attacks on my mind. I keep seeing her the night we met, so full of life. I see her in the cemetery by her parent's grave, and I see her standing in front of me as I kiss her hand. The last image is the one that makes me smile until I'm pulled from my musings by a voice I recognise. It's the one I left alive for Stefan bait the other night. "I know you."
I turn to look at her. I wonder how little brother went with his clean up attempt. Let's see how this plays out, "Well that's unfortunate."
"Umm. I don't… I don't know how but… your face…" I keep staring at her without further comment. It unsettles her, "uh excuse me, sorry." She walks away. I think I can use this situation as a nice little distraction tonight. I follow her to the bathroom and watch as she swallows some pills. Eeewww, not gonna eat her now. Although I think I can still salvage this. As she lifts her head back up from the tap I attack with my scary vamp face and then speed her outside and onto a nearby rooftop.
I'm standing on the roof with her. She won't stop screaming so I can listen to what is going on down there. I can only hear snippets of the conversation between Stefan and the ex. I can hear enough to realise my moronic brother was spotted when he went to the hospital. Perfect, this will help me out immensely. My god she needs to shut up, her screaming is disturbing my thinking. Hurry the fuck up Stefan I can't take this noise much longer, "You really have to stop screaming."
"Stop, please." Stop what? I'm not doing anything… oh you mean the you holding on the edge of a roof thing? Yeah, not gonna happen.
"Shhh. I got you." So just. Shut. Up. I can hear Stefan walking over to us. Finally! "I got you. I'm not gonna drop you." If I dropped you Saint Stefan couldn't come to rescue you and my plans would be ruined. I'm trying to speak to her in a light calming voice but her screaming is driving me bat shit crazy right now. It's taking everything I have not to snap her neck and give my ears a break. Stefan appears on the roof. It's about fucking time brother, "Not bad. Have you been eating bunnies?"
"Let her go." Did the idiot really just say that? This should be fun.
"Shhh. Really?" I look over the edge at the drop below to ensure my brother gets my intentions loud and clear, "Okay." I slowly start to release her over the edge.
And BINGO! Stefan freaks out, it's funny how tragically predictable he is. "No! No, no, no, no, no." He wants her, he can have her. I hurl her at Stefan.
"Relax." Yeah let's chill and have some fun.
"What's happening?" She is groaning and probably half wasted from those pills she took.
"I don't need her to be dead but… you might." I give Stefan my smirk face before turning my attention back to the girl, "What attacked you the other night?"
"I don't know. An animal." Well that was some vague compulsion. Bravo Stefan.
"Are you sure about that?" I bend down to her level so she can focus on me, "Think. Think about it. Think really hard. What attacked you?" I can see the shift in her eyes when she breaks through Stefan's compulsion. She lunges backwards away from me. Bingo!
"Vampire." Good girl.
"Who did this to you?" I really need her to remember everything for this to work.
"You did!"
"Wrong!" I can see she is confused by this.
Stefan begins to look panicked, "Don't."
I talk to Vicki again, "Stefan." Vicki looks up at Stefan.
"Don't."
After his second attempt to get me to stop I pull Vicki from the ground and turn her face to me. I need to make sure this compulsion sticks, "Stefan Salvatore did this to you."
"Stefan Salvatore did this to me." Yes! This is fun.
Now to drive it home, "He's a vampire, a vicious, murderous monster."
"Please Damon, please don't do this." Well maybe if you hadn't been such a dick to me I wouldn't have felt the need to fuck with you tonight. Ah, who am I kidding, it's all for my entertainment!
"You couldn't fix it before. I don't know what you're gonna do now." I rip away the bandage from the girl's neck and this causes the wound to reopen and begin bleeding. Surely this will tempt a reaction from my dear sainted brother. I push her at him just to make sure. Stefan has hold of her and is looking at the blood. Finally, we are getting somewhere. Maybe he just needs one more push, "Your choice of lifestyle," I throw the bloodied bandage at him, "has made you weak. A couple of vampire parlour tricks, it's nothing compared to the power that you could have, that you now need." If you want to have the slightest chance against me anyway. Stefan's face finally vamps out, he has better control than I expected but nevertheless it has happened. "But you can change that. Human blood gives you that." I watch as Stefan pushes Vicki away to the ground. He is really trying to resist this, what the hell is his problem? I can see him trying to gain control over his vamp. Surely he realises that this control is a delusion, "You have two choices. You can feed and make her forget. Or you can let her run screaming vampire through the town square." At this point I'm honestly happy for either, at least my life would no longer be boring.
"That's what this is about? You want to expose me?" Well that isn't Plan A, but…
"No! I want you to remember who you are!" And while you're at it stop being such a self-righteous pussy.
"Why? So, So what? So I'll feed? So I'll kill? So I'll remember what it's like to be brothers again? You know what, let her go. Let her tell everyone that vampires have returned to Mystic Falls. Let them chain me up and let them drive a stake through my heart. Because at least I'll be free of you." Ouch. That was… unexpected. And a lot less fun than I thought.
"Huh." I shrug at him like I don't care what he says, but I have a tiny feeling deep, deep, deep down that says I do. "Hmm." I walk over to the girl fully intending to compel her to spread the word about Stefan. "Wow." When I crouch down something changes, I feel like I don't want to. If I do that then I can't stay around. And yeah I could come back later for Katherine, but I've already waited so long. And if I'm being completely honest I can't stand the thought of never seeing Elena again. I change my tactics, "Come here sweetheart."
"No." I'll give her points for fighting back, but still she keeps whimpering.
"It's okay." I whisper into her ear telling her that she won't remember any of this and that Stefan found her wandering around after she took some pills and tripped out. It's almost true so it'll stick easily enough. I pat her hair to calm her down and smile at her. She doesn't freak out so we're all good. I stand back up and head over to Stefan. I look at him and point at the girl. Ta Da! Looking at Stefan I think he's more confused that I fixed it. It's like he thinks I'm evil or something. Hehehe.
"What happened? Where am I? Ah, I ripped my stitches open, ugh."
"Are you okay?"
"I took some pills man, I'm good." She rises to her feet like nothing happened and she begins to walk away. Unlike with Stefan, I know my compulsion will stick.
"It's good to be home. I think I might stay a while. This town could use a bit of a wakeup call don't you think?"
"What are you up to, Damon?" Why would he ever think I would tell him?
"That's for me to know and for you to dot dot dot." I laugh derisively at him with the contempt he deserves and say the one thing I know will bug him, "Give Elena my best." With that parting comment I'm done with using him as my distraction. I turn away from Stefan and jump off the roof in search of something a little tastier.
I see the blonde I've been working on as she leaves the Grill. I think it is time to reel in my little fish. Maybe she can distract me from darker eyes and darker hair that I can't get out of my head. I use my vamp speed to get near her then move away again, just enough to put her a little on edge. I love hearing their hearts race, the anticipation of that same blood pumping from them into me makes me alert, aroused, ready. I'm standing across the road watching her walk to her car, I know she can feel me watching her. She looks around but can never quite see me. I've played this game far too long to be caught out by her. I vamp speed past her again and she reacts by walking quicker to get in her car. I know I've won when she is so distracted that she drops her car keys. That's my cue to make my move. I wait until she retrieves her dropped keys and stands back up, then I kick a nearby bin to divert her attention. I'm in position behind her before she even begins to turn around. I would be so bored without my supernatural speed!
"Oh, oh, oh."
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." If you believe me then you are an idiot. Exactly what I need tonight.
"No. It's fine. I was hoping I'd see you again." Stupid AND easy. No effort required, I'm getting laid and a meal, no compulsion necessary. I love my life.
"I know." That's how I played you little girl.
She laughs, "Cocky much?"
"Very. Much." And for good reason, which you will soon discover. This would be a night to remember, If I actually let you remember it in the morning of course. I suggest we take her car back to her place and she doesn't even hesitate. While she drives her car, I drive her crazy. My hands wander up and down her thighs, while I brush my lips up and down her neck listening to her pounding pulse. As we get out of the car I pin her against it and kiss her roughly. She is moaning against me and I almost take her right there but I want the invitation so I start walking her towards the front door. While she unlocks the door I stand behind her pressed up against her, roaming my hands all over her and nibbling along her collarbone. She pulls away as she walks inside and I'm left standing at the threshold.
"Aren't you gonna come in?" she asks with a sly smile.
"Oh absolutely," and I flash her a knowing smirk as I step into the house. I make quick work of removing her dress while she drags me to her room. As she pushes my jacket to the floor I pull my shirt over my head and throw us both onto her bed. I'm kissing my way down her torso, enjoying the sounds I'm pulling out of her. My lust and bloodlust are fighting for control, it's instinctual but unnecessary, I learned long ago I don't need to fight myself, I can satisfy the urges of both the man and the demon. Her heart is hammering and it's driving me insane. I don't want to delay any longer. I need the oblivion. I feel my face shift and my fangs extend. She screams as I drive my fangs into her, followed closely by my cock. I pound into her as I drink from her and her screams soon shift from pain into ecstasy.