"So…what you're trying to tell me-ha- is that you went to this new –heh-Chinese restaurant and Bonnie read this fortune cookie like-like Freaky Friday and you and D-Damon switched places. And right-hah- now, you're not really-ha- Damon, but really Stefan trapped in his body."
Stefan stared stone faced at Caroline, who was doubled over in laughter. "Yeah that's pretty much it." He said.
Caroline straightened up and wiped elegantly under her eyes. "Oh. You're serious." She said. Stefan nodded grimly. "Well, I guess anything is possible nowadays. We're probably going to have to fight off a horde of leprechauns next." Stefan's mouth quirked. "But how can I tell that you're really Stefan, and this isn't some huge prank to trick a dumb blonde?"
"Well…remember when at the carnival, I went with you in the bathroom after…everything, and I promised that I won't let anything happen to you?"
Caroline's face softened. "It is you."
They were both interrupted by the sound of the door opening, once again revealing a very confused Bonnie, a bag slung over her shoulder like she was about to leave. "What's going on here?" she asked.
Stefan looked at Caroline who pulled at her hair nervously. "Well...you see..."
Bonnie lifted her chin slightly and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Don't worry Caroline. I'll take care of it." she said with determination.
Stefan only had enough time to arrange his face into one of horror before it hit. The pain was more intense this time. Stefan fell to the floor, his body convulsing in pain."Bon- nie!" he cried painfully.
Caroline put her soup on the floor and placed her hands on Bonnie's shoulders, shaking her slightly. "Stop! It's really Stefan, Bon!" Confusion once again came upon Bonnie's face and she released Stefan, who let out a big sigh and stretched out on the floor and held his head.
"What?" Bonnie asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah." Stefan breathed. "I'm Stefan."
A tense silence followed as everyone stared at each other. A couple minutes, or maybe seconds, later, Caroline broke the silence. "I know it sounds strange, but it's true." she said quietly.
"I was thinking that the fortune cookie you read last night was maybe a spell." Stefan added quietly from the floor.
Bonnie stared at Stefan thoughtfully and bit her lip. "That is possible...Well I believe you Caroline. But even then why should I fix it?"
Stefan sat up, still methodically massaging his head. "For Elena." he said. "And for me. Please. I really can't take another day like this. As...him. I really need to be myself again. And who knows what Damon is doing to Elena..." He shuddered. Stefan never thought he would have to resort to begging, but he'd go on his knees if he had to.
Bonnie frowned. "Elena doesn't know?" she asked. Stefan flinched.
"I don't think she needs any more stress..." he explained, twitching nervously.
Bonnie narrowed her eyes. "Don't you think she'll want to know that it's actually Damon she's screwing?" she said, her voice rising in anger. Stefan twitched again. "What were you thinking?"
"I...I..." Stefan stuttered, clearly taken aback.
"Bonnie, calm down. I think Stefan trusts and knows his brother." Caroline said. Stefan threw her a thankful look.
Bonnie sighed. "Fine. I'll try to fix this. But only for Elena." She sighed, suddenly looking exhausted. Stefan felt a twinge of guilt. "I'm going to find the fortune. Be right back." She disappeared into the house.
"Thanks for sticking up for me." Stefan said quietly.
"Why wouldn't I?" Caroline said with a smile. "Here. Let's get you off this floor." She held out her hand and Stefan gratefully took it. She pulled up and Stefan was yanked up suddenly and quickly. He stumbled into Caroline, pushing her against the wall next to the door. The two laughed, but it quickly died when Stefan realized how close he was to the beautiful blonde. Without thinking his eyes flicked to her lips. The sweet smell of her perfume surrounded him and he unconsciously leaned forward, with full intent of capturing those lips with his own. Caroline's eyes fluttered with indecision before narrowing with determination.
She put a small white hand on his chest, stopping him. "No, Stefan. Elena." That name sent a shock through his body. He still wanted to growl 'I don't care!' and kiss her anyway. Damn it, he wanted it. He could feel the connection between the two, stronger than…anything. What the hell was wrong with him? Was it an effect from being in Damon's body, taking on his whole 'if I want it, I take it' policy? But sense and reality set in and he knew he couldn't. Weight seemed to settle back between his shoulders as he backed up, freeing Caroline. "Plus," she added, her face suddenly lighting up with her always optimistic grin. "You're Damon. So…ew. Been there done that." She wrinkled her nose. Stefan grinned. She was like his personal sun, and he could feel her warming him even now.
The door swung open cheerfully. "Ok so I think we should go back to the restaurant. This spell is no coincidence."Bonnie said with authority, studying a little white slip of paper in her hand.
"Four different souls and four different destinies.
Denial could lead to eternal love or heartbreak.
Be not afraid in what you do,
Love who's right or you could be trapped evermore."
She read aloud. "What the hell could that mean?"
Stefan blinked hard. He had a couple ideas, and none of them seemed good. "Um...yeah, we should go." his voice was strangely husky and unused sounding. "But I think we should wait for Damon."
"Okay...where is he?" Bonnie asked.
Stefan stared at the dark sky, suddenly worried. "I dont know..."
XXXXXXXXXX
Damon was currently grinding on Elena, both of them totally and utterly drunk.
They swayed on the dance floor, loudly singing the song Low. Elena downed some drink Damon was too drunk to focus enough to identify. "I thought you didn't dance or drink cause…you were like boring. Or like…you can't dance. Damon can dance waaaay better." She slurred. Damon smiled. This all brought back pleasant memories of Georgia. And being Stefan, his alcohol tolerance was extremely low.
"Oh, I can dance." He said with a cocky smile. He cleared a circle on the throbbing dance floor. And, with a dramatic grin, began to break dance. The crowd gaped as he spun on his head, did a handstand, and a no hand back flip. He ended with a sudden split, causing the crowd to go wild. Elena, awestruck, recorded the whole thing on her phone. He lazily walked back up to her, guys clapping his back and girls giggling at him. He grabbed Elena's hips.
"Your turn." He whispered.
"No thank you, Steffi." She laughed, tapping his nose.
"I think you owe me an apology."
"In your dreams." She said, giving him a playful shove. "Come on, I neeeed another drink." Damon eagerly went after her. Then, his phone vibrated again.
Reason seemed to rush back to him and he winced. He had to get Elena out of here. What time was it anyway? He grabbed Elena and pulled her the other way. "Let's get out of here. It's getting late."
"But whyyyy? I don't wanna go." Elena whined. "You're not supposed to drink and drive anyway." She added as they got into Stefan's car.
"Vampires don't get drunk." Damon said. He tried to insert the key into the ignition and missed three times. "I think…"
They drove in silence, the only sound Elena's humming. Damon unconsciously pressed on the accelerator, his mind wandering and his vision blurring. Where was he going again?
"What's wrong with you today?" Elena shot out suddenly. "If I didn't know better I'd say you're turning into...Stefan look out!" Damon's eyes whipped back to the road, and suddenly jerked the car to the side. The car swerved, violently spinning . Elena screamed, and Damon threw himself over her as the car jolted to a stop with a sickening crunch. He breathed in relief when Elena said she was fine. The two carefully got out of the popping car and Damon winced at the sight. Stefan's little car's front was completely smashed into a large oak.
"Oopsies." Damon said, swaying slightly. "Stefan is not gonna like this."
Elena cocked her head. "Aren't you Stefan?" she asked quizzically.
"Oh…um I talk in third person when I'm upset." He said. Elena nodded, drunk enough to buy it. "Stefan thinks we should call a tow."
"Okay." She agreed.
Damon called quickly. As he was talking he saw his reason for swerving: A bunny. Figures. "So…what do you want to do? Call Goldie Locks, Sabrina, Cool Aunt, Mr. Buffy, or Stef- Damon for a ride? Or walk to the boarding house with me?" Crap. It was hard to not use his sarcastic jokes.
Elena didn't seem to notice as she ran a hand through her hair. "I'll walk. I don't feel like talking to any of them." Damon nodded, glad with her choice.
The two set off at the night. It was silent at first, both of them enjoying the cool wind that helped clear their heads. "It's nice out." Damon commented without thinking.
"It is." Elena said, throwing him such a beautiful smile that Damon almost hurt. He knew somehow that Stefan found a way to reverse what happened. So this would be the last time that Elena would look at him without revulsion or hate in those big brown eyes. He savored every second of it. They reached the boarding house when Elena suddenly grabbed his arms, holding him in place.
"You really are different tonight." She said, and Damon held his breath. "I like it." He exhaled silently.
He felt pressure on the back of his neck and realized that Elena had wrapped her arms around his neck, and was slowly pulling him down. To her. Her eyes were fluttering close. With a jolt, Damon realized she wanted to kiss.
What now?
His first urge was to laugh hysterically. His second to grab her and carry her up to his bedroom. Neither were plausible.
He had dreamed of this moment, and now that it was happening, it was surreal. He didn't even care that he was really Stefan. A voice appeared in his head. Just kiss her, it taunted. No one will know. This is your only chance. But another voice rose against it, one that sounded suspiciously like Stefan. Stefan trusts you. If he or Elena found out…
Damon shook his head swiftly. It was just one kiss. And wasn't this how he, Damon Salvatore, lived his life? Taking what he wanted with no regrets? At one time it wasn't like that, but he just didn't care. He needed this.
He slowly leaned forward, and ever so softly, brushed his lips with hers.
Nothing.
No flames burning through him, no electricity, no redeeming passion. Nothing. He pressed his lips harder against hers, desperate to feel something rather than this plain familiarity. Nothing.
He pulled back, and Elena made a small sigh. Not one of contentment or happiness, but one of disappointment. He felt it too. So this was what it was like for Stefan to kiss Elena. It was…boring. Like routine.
He opened the door, and the two went in. At the fireplace, a chair suddenly swung around, revealing a very pissed off Stefan.
"Where have you been D- Stefan?" he growled, jumping off the chair.
Damon chuckled as Stefan tapped his foot impatiently. " Sorry mommy. I just lost track of the time. Did I pass my curfew?"Stefan clenched his jaw, and Damon laughed. "Seriously. All you need is a pink fluffy robe and matching slippers and you'd be perfect."
His eyes widened when Elena came through the door. "Elena! My poor little love! Are you alright?" He rushed forward and grabbed her, studying her. "Did he hurt you? If he did I swear…"
Elena jerked away from him, looking extremely alarmed. "Damon. Now is not the time to be sarcastic." She looked at Damon. "Mind if I stay here tonight?"
Stefan's head jerked up. "Oh no you aren't." he practically yelled. Elena 's eyes widened.
"He's my boyfriend. I can do whatever I want with him, Damon." Elena shot back. Damon flinched. He hoped Elena was too drunk to want to do anything besides sleeping. He was sure Stefan would jam a stake through his heart. "Stefan, why don't you go upstairs? I want to talk to Damon. Alone."
Stefan looked horrified and turned to Damon for help. Damon shrugged and mouthed "Be an ass," before retreating up the stairs.
Elena took a step towards Stefan, and he resisted the urge to take a step back. Now that he and Elena were alone, he felt…strange. Almost hot and uncomfortable. Instead, he sat down on the couch, and Elena sat next to him. Butterflies were fluttering in his stomach. What was wrong with him? He never felt this way around Elena. "Damon…I've been thinking for a while, and…there's something I want to you."
Uh-oh. This did not sound good. "What is it sweethear-" Be an ass. "I mean bitch?"
Elena's eyes widened. "What?"
Ok, maybe he was being too much of an ass. "I said itch. Got one…hehe." He scratched at his arm sheepishly.
Elena rolled her eyes and steadied herself. "Damon…I forgive you."
Stefan blinked, confusion washing over him. "What?" he croaked.
"For…" she swallowed hard. "Killing Jeremy."
Stefan suddenly felt sick. "Why?"
"Stefan told me how…what Katherine said. That she only loved Stefan. And how I said the same exact thing and you…just snapped."
What the hell was going on? Stefan wanted to say something, but he found his voice was gone. That was what happened? No. How could she forgive him so easily?
"I understand." She said quietly. "I don't take back what I said…it is the truth…." As she was talking, Stefan saw something that made his heart go cold. He knew his girlfriend. He knew when she was tired or upset, or when she wanted to be alone. Right now, she was lying. Stefan could see it clearly as she averted her eyes and pulled nervously on her hair. Lies.
"I miss you being my friend. And...I'm probably going to be sticking around for a while, and I'd rather not fight the whole time. I'm sorry." She said finally, giving his knee a gentle squeeze. Stefan felt fire flare up from it. It was Damon's body reacting around Elena he decided. He never felt like that. He watched as Elena walked away. He sat there for what seemed years, absorbing the information and putting pieces together.
After all his thinking, one thought stood clear in his mind: He had to talk to Damon. Stefan quickly shot upstairs and quietly entered his own room. There he found Damon and Elena, both thankfully dressed, curled up together. He watched his girlfriend sleep and felt a pang of guilt. They both looked peaceful, and what he had to say would change everything.
He backed out of the room and climbed onto Damon's bed, too alert to even close his eyes.
Maybe tomorrow.
XXXXXXXXXX
Well, sorry. Crazy holiday time+ Cracked laptop + slow typing skills=slow update. Haha. Hope this chapter made up for it. I'm kinda nervous about it, but it's one of my favorites so far. It was also extremely hard to write, and I wasn't even sure I wanted to put in the kisses or drunk scene. I looked at my fortune and I was like, what the heck is that supposed to mean? I don't even really remember….lol! Thanks and review!
Happy Thursday! sighhh...
