Title: An Act of Compulsion
Summary: Following a nearly fatal occurrence, Damon removes Elena's memory of his love for her. Their lives as they know it changes after the compulsion but Damon can't seem to forget the past. What happens when Elena realizes she doesn't want to either? Based off of Lianne's photoset [delenawhore(dot)tumblr(dot)com/post/18616370988] and a youtube video [jaybunzy0(dot)tumblr(dot)com/post/18739835071/fatallyxfragile-damon-elena-the-vow-style-by]
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.
"It looks like a tornado came through here."
Elena looked up from under her bed to see Caroline standing in the doorway. The blonde vampire lifted a heel clad foot and precariously placed it in a rare open spot amidst the mess. Caroline was right. The room looked as if a bomb had gone off. Elena's bed was haphazardly knocked off the bed and clothes from inside her drawers were strewn all over the floor and dressers. Even some of her knickknacks from her bookshelves were on the floor. With a loaded sigh, Elena placed her hands on the box spring and let her head fall atop it.
Vile coated her voice as she screamed, "He took it! He stole it from me!" Her hands balled into fists as she slammed them against the rebounding fabric.
"And who stole what exactly?"
"Damon," Elena seethed as she moved to sit on what was left of her bed. "Damon stole my diary. Not only did he take away all my memories but he was thorough enough to make sure I wouldn't figure it out for myself."
Caroline nodded. "So, he finally told you."
"You knew!"
Making her way towards the bed, the blonde held her hands up in surrender. "It seems he wasn't as thorough as you think. He just told me yesterday… right before you were kidnapped. He realized that the rest of us would remember what happened between the two of you."
Elena groaned. This was all so very confusing and the moment Stefan had hinted at what Damon had done everything seemed to fall into place. She had a reason for her feelings towards Damon now all she wanted was the memories. When she had saw Caroline making her way up the stairs to handle Stefan all she wanted to do was vent and yell and scream, but she knew she needed to remain calm. She would need those memories to figure out her next move. So, instead of yelling and screaming at him in usual fashion she kept her voice steady as she asked for her memories back.
However, Damon seemed sure of his decision and refused to give them back to her. After an argument on the porch, Elena stormed into her house irritated with the situation he had put her in. That irritation had been lifted slightly at the notion of her diary. But as the room before her filled her version she remembered how that had been short-lived. Now she was just irritated and annoyed with Damon Salvatore.
"So, it's true then," Elena sighed. "There was something going on between us."
Caroline reached out and grabbed hold of her best friend's hand. "I think something is going on between the two of you. Ever since Stefan left and for some time before that we noticed you were growing closer to Damon and without the safety net that Stefan provided you weren't hiding your feelings."
"Did we…." Elena wasn't sure how to phrase it but, as usual, her friend seemed to understand.
"As far as you told us, all you've done is kiss."
Another sigh made its way out. "This is so surreal. Hearing about my life from someone else. I don't understand why he would do this?"
"In a weird way he was trying to protect you. The thought of you and Damon wasn't sitting well with Stefan. He went off the deep edge. So he took away your memory so that you wouldn't chase him when he left. The only thing Damon loves more than you is his brother."
Elena's eyes opened wide as the shock of what Caroline just said resonated within her. "Damon loves me?"
"I shouldn't have said that."
Before Elena could answer there was the telltale sound of the doorbell. Moments passed as Alaric's footsteps made his way towards the door and then there was some muffled speech before ascending footsteps made their way towards them. Seconds later, Matt appeared in the doorway holding a folded piece of parchment with Elena's name written on the front in elegant script. Matt's eyes widened as he took in the state of disarray in front of him.
"What happened in here?"
"I was, uh, looking for something." Elena responded. She stood and gestured to the parchment in his hands. "What's that?"
Matt handed it over, stating, "It was on the porch when I walked up."
Elena opened the parchment to find an invitation inviting her to the Mikaelson family's ball later in the day. It wasn't until she recognized the unique spelling that she realized who exactly the Mikaelson's were. They were the children of Mikael. In other words, the Original family. Dread filled up inside her at the prospect of tonight's ball. There was no other choice she had to attend. She quickly filled in her friends and asked, "Were you invited, too?"
"I haven't been home yet but it seems like a town event so it very likely," Caroline answered with a pout.
With a pointed look, Elena asked, "Klaus?"
Caroline visibly shivered. "Very likely."
"What about you, Matt?"
Matt shook his head. "I have to take up an extra shift at the grill anyways."
"You sure?" Caroline asked. "I could use a date."
"I guess," Matt stated with a quick glance at Elena. She felt the guilt rise up within her. Up until yesterday she would've been the one asking Matt to be her date. But now with all this uncertainty around her memories she couldn't put him through that.
Caroline narrowed her eyes. "Well, don't sound too excited about it. Our breakup wasn't that horrible."
"I'd love to go with you, Caroline."
With a brilliant smile, Caroline replied, "Perfect." She stood up and placed her hands on her hips, surveying the room. "What do you say we get this room cleaned up and then go shopping for some dresses for tonight?"
"I say let's get started," Elena smiled for the first time all day.
Damon threw on his leather jacket and headed towards the door when he felt Stefan's lingering present behind him. He turned around with his brow arched in question. Stefan had a familiar invitation between his fingers. His own had arrived hours prior and after a quick chat with Caroline he had errands planned for the day before an impromptu visit to the Gilbert house.
"Did you get one of these?" Stefan asked to which Damon nodded. "It's the Original Family's coming out party. We'll finally get to meet the Original Witch."
"I think Mama Klaus is up to something. If Klaus survived a reunion with all hid newly woken family then things aren't going as we hoped. I'll let you worry about that though. I have some shopping to do."
Stefan eyed him curiously. "This doesn't have anything to do with Elena, does it?"
"Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn't. For me to know and you to, well, dot, dot, dot." Damon smiled and opened the door before walking outside and shutting it behind him.
He hopped into the comfort of his Chevy and let the engine purr beneath him as he pulled out of the driveway and veered onto the roadway. He knew his best chance of getting what he wanted was out of town, so without hesitation he hopped on the highway and drove to Richmond. As he entered the shopping center, he noticed all the high end boutiques and picked one that had the most young girls entering it.
As soon as he entered, one of the sales associates approached him and without letting her get a word out he stated, "I'm looking for a ball gown. Preferably in a dark color and perfect for a young woman of about eighteen."
"You've come to the right place. I think I know just what you're looking for."
Damon smirked. "I thought so."
It was still early afternoon when he returned home. He placed the neatly packaged ball gown on his bed and sauntered over towards his desk. Easily finding a piece of parchment, he began to write upon it.
Elena,
I figured you would need something to wear tonight and I hope you will consider the gown inside. The instant I saw it, I thought of you and all I had hoped we could have in our future. Now to the arrangement. Since we have to both attend, and I wish to protect you, I have a proposition for you. You want your memory of our time together back so I will give you one night with my guards down. It'll be a do over for us minus all the angst of the past year. If by the end of the night you still want your memory back, I'll do you just that. Your choice.
I'll by over tonight at precisely six thirty. Hopefully, you'll be waiting there.
- Damon
Sealing the letter with his insignia, he secured it within the gold bow wrapping the box. He carried it downstairs with him, placing it carefully in the trunk of his car. Parking his car near the Gilbert house, he stealthy flashed to the tree that resided beside her window. He heard the sound of Elena in the shower that adjoined her bedroom and Alaric, Matt, and Caroline discussing the upcoming ball in the kitchen. Stealthily, he climbed into her bedroom and placed the package atop her bed.
He remained outside on the tree as the sound of the shower turned off and Elena's wet footsteps made their way to her bedroom. He heard the slight falter in her steps as she saw the package and then her quickened footsteps as she approached it. The sound of her tearing open the envelope and her silent breathy words as she read it to herself was enough to put a smile on his face. She was smiling between the phrases, anticipation causing her heart to gallop within her chest.
Damon waited only a moment for her to tear open the package as he heard her gasp at the beauty of the dress he bought with her in mind. With a skip in his step he returned to his car and drove quickly home to get ready. After all, he would have to look his best. He had a date with Elena Gilbert tonight.
