Epilogue.

I

The season of vivid colours began. Fires were crackling from the small chimneys, leaves were soaked in the rainy day puddles, the remains of their radiant colours tramped over by firm boots, tea was consumed in pints and a certain stillness had taken over the city. There was no longer the cheerful bustle of summer excitement. Now, all had retreated to their snug abodes and with a warm beverage regarded the conditions outside. Even though Elena and Damon did that most days as well, this particular day, something had driven them outside the confines of their house and into the parks of Paris. The sun was shining partly in sharp rays, through clouds, as if cutting them apart with its keen beam; dusk was approaching. Elena and Damon walked in graceful silence, while Damon quietly inhaled the warm smoke from his cigarette. They were both dressed in black, minimalistic and elegant, and both were tired of being coped up in their small apartment, due to the cold harsh wind and the rain. Although the air outside was graced with a cutting chill, the sun brightened their minds and for once they successfully escaped the gloomy notion of the approaching winter. Even though winter might be deemed quite the romantic season, for Damon and Elena it came with a cold and harsh conclusion that they will have to go to great lengths not to freeze to death.

Their apartment, as charming as it may be, was in an old house and since they did not have money to spend here and there they did not have proper heating, electricity was expensive and overall after they spent their funds on rent and food not much was left. Their extravagant summer trip, as much as it might have been needed, had erased all their savings. It was nothing that hadn't happened before, but now as winter was coming along with its dreadful glare, they became more conscious about the problems facing them. Damon took Elena by the hand and led her to the bench, where as he sat down and put out his cigarette, she sat down upon his lap. They sat there mesmerized by their sombrely colourful surroundings and were sure they would fall asleep if it wasn't for the cold. Elena's button nose hid deeper into the scarf that was wrapped thrice around her petite neck as she curled up in Damon's arms. They loved the fact that the air was chilly and that the sun didn't warm them. It seemed refreshing.

They kicked the leaves and slowly walked back to their apartment. Upon entering their skin had turned a soft and smooth pink and their eyes were glowing bright with ice cold freshness. Elena immediately put the kettle on and put two tea bags in two cups. They both then undressed and got into their pyjamas, as they were determined to be lazy. They still felt the cold upon their skin, so while they waited for the slowly boiling water, they got under the blanket in their bed, where the view of the window seemed to be emitting a perfect haze of golden smoke.

"Elena,"

"Hmm?" Elena mumbled with her eyes closed in a dreamy cosiness.

"I have to tell you something. I don't know why I've kept this from you for so long. I suppose I didn't consider it to be too worthy of telling or quite the opposite," Elena rustled under the blanket and sat up in bed attentively. Her eyes expressed a quality of fear, "How I got to know of you wanting a roommate for this apartment was purely accident, as I found it on the internet, but I must say I was drawn to this place for a certain reason. We went to the same lycée together. Though I was in a year above you. Even though I was in the most dramatic time in my relationship with Katherine, I took a liking to you. I honestly did ask your name from one of your classmates, like they do in films. But I never made a move, because of Katherine and because I perceived our characters to be so very different. I could immediately see your energy, even though you were always reserved and rather drawn to solitude and your writing, but your eyes, they always gleamed with what I now know to be your impulsiveness," Damon stopped for a moment, but as he saw that Elena was too lost for words and her stare so confused he went on.

"I will keep the honest truth to myself, so here it is; as I now describe it my affection might seem poetic, but when I came here to see the apartment and finally talk to you, my intentions were of course not so innocent. I saw that you blushed with my flirting and I was drawn in even more, so I decided to use the opportunity. However, what I didn't account for was that we would become such good friends, purely because I did want you as a friend and so I resisted my wish to make a move on you. Though I was waiting for something more all along. And here we are now. As friends and lovers, and anything else that one can possibly say is positive,"

The steam from the kettle rose fiercely, but for a moment still, the water would remain boiling. Elena gazed with profound astonishment at the even more confused Damon and after taking a deep breath said;

"Why did you tell me that?"

And after a befuddled pause Damon said with wide eyes; "I don't know,"

Elena got up and went to the kitchen, poured the tea and then returned to the bed with their cups, still not glancing at Damon. She quietly slurped her hot drink and pondered on what to ask, because it seemed appropriate to have questions in such a situation, however she lacked imagination as to what to ask. Damon stirred his honeyed tea and looked at Elena intently, waiting for something – a response, an emotion. He hadn't realized that this story had many sides to it. It was poetic in a way, that they had met earlier on, that he had liked her then, however there was also the aspect of him honestly admitting that his only intention had been to sleep with her. Damon feared Elena's reaction, he awaited it in cold sweat as he knew that he had not expressed himself in the right words or with the emotion, the profound emotion, which he was capable of when it came to anything to do with Elena.

"Damon, I think that we best forget this. As much as I in some way feel happy to know that our relations go back further in the past, than I had thought, I don't think I want to dwell on that too much,"

"I just want you to know and trust the notion that with time I fell in love with you and in some ways, it might have even been love at first sight, though I never understood it,"

"You don't have to make excuses. It's all in the past,"

"Elena, stop this," Damon put down her cup and looked straight into her eyes with an icy look, mimicking the one she was gracing him with, "You are hiding behind your own words. That's not how you feel. You can't lie for the life of you and your attempt shines right through you,"

"Do you want me to be mad? Do you want me to be offended? I don't understand you, Damon!" Elena's eyes grew larger by the minute and the raven black turned a shiny, watery hue, "I am very simply avoiding the subject and I thought you would do the same. Let us just stop talking and go to sleep. I am so very tired,"

Without further words Elena drank the rest of her tea and got under the blanket, closing her eyes, her mind uttering words of encouragement for her to be lulled into a deep sleep. She knew Damon was still sitting upright next to her and looking at her and it made her feel embarrassed, although there was no reason to be. Hushed by the warmth and her profound desire to sleep, Elena was soon breathing quietly next to him, with her eyes tightly shut. Damon, trying his best not to disturb her, went out of the room, closed the door and then stood against it for a moment. He realized he had nothing he wanted to do. It was a frightening revelation, as it showed his lack of incentive to in fact do anything in life. With passive, slow steps he went into the kitchen and poured a glass of whisky for himself, then sat down on the living room sofa and sat there until the light in the room began to grow dim and then turn entirely dark, leaving him in the still of night.

II

Elena awoke with shivers. She rushed to the window of their room and shut it tightly. The air in the room seemed to be foggy and every surface was cold to the touch. After covering her with the duvet her eyes glanced around the room and regarded the chilly, cutting near winter air sit still above her. It was nearly 6 o'clock in the morning. Damon was nowhere in sight, so she hoped that he was at least on the sofa in the living room, not outside wandering in the terrible cold. Her eyes turned to the window and even though the early morning sun could not be seen, she knew it was there as the hint of light breathed through the milky fog. Elena put on a coat, leaving on her bordeaux pyjama bottoms, and quietly sneaked out into the living room, where she found a resting Damon. Taking the duvet she covered him with him, feeling the same iciness in the air as in the other room and then tiptoed out for a morning stroll in the autumn consumed city.

After making a stop at her favourite café, Elena strolled the streets with a coffee in hand. She walked through the most beautiful pathways, where leaves were falling around her in already prominent piles and the leaves, colourful and bright as they were, were the size of two hands put together. To this already charming view was gracefully added the soft light, that passed through the branches of trees, into Elena's eyes, blinding her, but making her feel wondrous. There are few pleasures in life that we now appreciate, so it is no use letting such insignificant, but truly marvellous moments pass by. Elena was glad she had gone outside, not only for the walk, which was much appreciated, but to clear her head. The morning was silent. Very few people walked the quiet, small streets of the Latin Quarter. Silence is a favourable aspect, because in a world so loud, the mind loses its ability to be quiet and think. Think about all we want and all we truly need. Things which might seem important, but after consideration can be soon forgotten. Elena was satisfied with her life. She had never dreamt of great wonders, of becoming someone notable and important. For her it sufficed that she had her small apartment in the heart of Paris, the man she could relate to and loved by her side and that she was studying what she wanted and she was writing with the utmost of inspiration and creativity. Material pleasures had never been truly important, so she did not fret that she could not afford much. Elena still worked some nights at the café, where people grew not to like her more and more, because she never left to drink with them after work, because she preferred Damon's company and even her own, more to that of the people there, who worked hard as she did all week, but threw away the money on alcohol once they had their hands on it. There are different manners of living of course and Elena had a clear view on hers.

Walking and thinking as much as she did Elena worried she would make her usual and common mistake of turning things into something worse than they are. She did have the tendency to overanalyse and exaggerate, even with her impulsive personality, because she herself had always known, that her conflicting personality was a burden rather than a blessing. She was quiet and reserved, calm and composed, but within her was a bright fire that sparked the spontaneity and the impulsiveness, that people so admired. She was not pretending, Elena was just tired. Tired of herself. Of being incapable to stop pondering about things, which were already settled. Things which were supposed to be already forgotten. Deep in thought Elena finally came home, her cheeks a warm berry colour. Upon entering the apartment, she already saw Damon - he had just woken up and was rubbing his eyes.

"Elena?" He turned towards the door and saw her take her coat off and stand there in pyjamas, "What time is it?"

"Now I think it's about half past seven. You've always been a late riser,"

"You can't possibly be telling me, that you've already been out for a walk?" Damon looked at her tired and bemused.

"I can and I have," Elena said brightly and then went into the kitchen putting the kettle on to boil, making herself a cup of calming camomile tea and strong black coffee for Damon, "It will be pancakes this morning so you'll have to settle for that,"

"I don't mind," Damon said a bit confused, because Elena truly was so cheerful, "Can I ask, without spoiling it, what is the reason behind your charming mood?"

"I thoroughly enjoyed my walk and also I just knew it was going to be a good day," Elena worked in the kitchen and gathered up all she needed for the pancakes, "Eggs, eggs … I know you have forgotten Damon, because I myself had forgotten this, but we are supposed to go to my parent's today,"

"Uh-oh. That is today?" Damon felt a sting in his heart.

"Mmmhm. You really have nothing to be nervous about. They are really nice people and they will adore you. As soon as you tell them that you are an artist and paint my mum will not leave you alone and my dad will ask too many questions about how you plan to materially support yourself, but don't answer them, it's a trick,"

"You are inspiring, Elena,"

Elena put down her bowl: "I'm sorry. Don't worry. They are really calm and friendly. You'll see. I need to finish breakfast. Then we should go to the store and buy them a bottle of wine or chocolate or something for the gesture, I don't see them that often,"

"If I would buy flowers for your mum, would they see it as a nice gesture?"

"I think anyone would,"

"Elena, yesterday, we didn't end the day on good terms," Damon said cautiously and saw Elena stop mixing the batter. She turned to him and as he came towards her, she took his face in her hands.

"Damon, yesterday our argument was all for nothing. What is in the past should stay there. I know that I am a nostalgic by nature, but I tend not to look back, if only to learn from my past and not repeat my faults," She turned on the stove and put oil on the pan, "I admit, I thought too much today about where I am and who I want to become, and everything that follows along those lines. Honestly, you can never decide, as determined as you are, what you want to be like or what you want your surroundings to resemble, but whenever there is something good around you that should be kept and nurtured and I think that us, we just flow along the stream of life flawlessly," Elena said with determination and then playfully touched his cheek leaving small sparkles of flour upon it.

"It does sound like you thought too much. The next time you go for a walk, take me with you. We can then collect our chaotic thoughts together," Elena smiled, mirroring Damon's happiness. It was going to be a beautiful day, because a day primarily turns either for the best or the worst, depending on the attitudes of people and at times very particular events. The autumn cheer they both felt radiated through the day and we can say that their evening would bring not change, but a definitive conclusion to the questions they each have.

III

Arriving in Chartres, Damon could not possibly feel more nervous. With wine and blooming pink camellias in his hands they came up to the cottage, where Elena's parents lived. It was a rather worn house, but it had a sense of cosy shabbiness about it. It had been in Elena's family for generations and so it was dear to her. The house itself was found a little outside Chartres itself – white with dark brown cherry wood detailing and ornaments it looked rustic and almost well preserved. The house had a small garden in front and a rather more prominent in the back. When Elena rang at the door, it became clear to Damon where they were and that he would have to make a good impression otherwise he would never forgive himself.

The door opened swiftly and in front of them stood a very attractive man of about forty years old, wearing a blue button down shirt and khaki trousers. He had sandy blond hair with streaks of grey and was smiling light heartedly.

"Hello, my darling," He said as he embraced Elena tightly. Elena's heart was overflowing with joy, seeing her father so happy and overjoyed, "And who is this young man?" He turned to Damon with the same smile and enthusiasm.

"Damon. Damon Salvatore, ,"

"Oh, hush. Grayson, please. Sweet, they are here, come say hello!" He said loudly across the hall, "Come in, come in,"

"Oh you both look lovely, you must be hungry as a pack of wolves by now, though," Elena's mother came out from one of the rooms and approached them with a smile, whilst taking off her apron, "Ooh, hello, hello, my love," She embraced Elena and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "And hello …"

"Damon," Grayson added.

"Damon! Well what an interesting name," She spoke with delight as she embraced him too. Damon gave her the flowers and the red wine and they were pleasantly surprised by his kindness. After they had taken off their coats all of them retired to the living room where they all shared a glass of wine and then went into the dining room to have luncheon. By the dining room there was the garden – the long, high French window accentuated the view outside, which was of clear autumn. There was a large maple growing just beside the house, so naturally the green lawn was entirely covered with vivid leaves and the sun crept in through the window illuminating the room, whilst they enjoyed a home-cooked meal, made from the most delicious recipes. The conversation flowed easily and after a second glass of wine and the generally open and carefree atmosphere of the room, Damon no longer felt under pressure and enjoyed the time there.

"So, Damon, you and Elena go to the same university?" Grayson began.

"We do. I must admit it is an amazing place and I don't want to leave it,"

"Elena already has told us a lot about you, so we cannot remain completely ignorant of that, but all she has said has been kind and praising,"

Damon shot a glance at Elena who was sipping her wine, apparently embarrassed and so he smiled and said;

"She has probably praised me too much. But I have to say she is like nobody I have ever met,"

"Oh, Grayson isn't he just as charming and sweet as we thought he'd be!" Miranda called out light-heartedly.

Elena saw Damon blush lightly and so she knew the evening was going well.

After a couple of hours of chatting away, Damon and Elena announced that they had to leave, because the last train was going in half an hour. Elena's parents offered to drive them to the station and in a little while they were there and saying their goodbyes. Grayson shook Damon's hand and then embraced him and by his eyes one could tell that he considered Damon as one of his own. Miranda embraced Damon and kissed him twice and then told him quietly to look after Elena. Then, as Damon and Elena went off to their train, Miranda and Grayson headed home, both mutually agreeing on Damon's good character.

Elena and Damon took their seats on the train and after a while felt it begin to move gently, pulling them back to Paris. Elena's head of chocolate hair fell upon Damon's shoulder as she sighed deeply.

"This day has been wonderful, but it's been so long. I just need to rest,"

"I know. Through this nerve wracking experience I have lost all my strength,"

"You exaggerate! It wasn't that bad,"

"I was worried the entire time. Trust me; I am usually prone to saying something stupid. Today I simply lucked out," Damon muttered, "I've also never met a girl's parents before. That was not a breezy experience,"

Elena sat up: "What? You never have?"

"No. I've never been in a something serious before. Not only that, nobody I've ever been with has ever asked me to meet her parents, so it wasn't entirely my fault,"

"That is strange, but I am not that surprised about it. You so have this bad boy ambiance about you, so that is usually not someone you take to see your parents, but I think those girls underestimated your actual personality,"

"Elena, I think you forget that before you I wasn't all that charming. I won't deny the fact that you changed me. Something about you made me become a better person. How can one regret that?"

Elena took Damon's hand in hers and held it tightly: "Damon, I didn't change you. I just brought out the good that you already had within you. And I love you just the way you are. Don't ever change!"

Damon's lips immediately found hers and they felt the desire for each other build up in them. It was late afternoon. The sun burnt flaming orange far away near the horizon. The train moved at a steady speed. Damon and Elena sipped coffee taken from the bar. Outside the window they could see the birds begin to migrate south. The view remained the same – partially bare trees, slopes consumed with leaves. This is where we come to an end of what might be a romance or perhaps something more. This particular scenery deserves this ending. They are on a journey once more. Even this one will end in a very short time; it is no less of a journey than any other. The emotional bumps and the dramatic turns have led them to something incredible and that is what anyone and everyone deserves. Elena and Damon are two people madly in love, people who will never let go from what they have learned and what they have gained. Even though they look back at their past as they are both nostalgic they do it cautiously as to not fall back into undesirable conditions. Friendship and love is a challenging and usually unenviable problem, but they have survived it bravely and have set their own terms.

Sitting now by the moving scenery, regarding the disappearing sun, listening to 'Feels Like Heaven' from the same headphones, they know they have made the right decisions up to this moment and await the upcoming adventures, because they both know that with their exploding personalities they will lead a mesmerizing life. As they arrive in Paris and walk out of the station, they once again feel the cool autumn air. The city is silent. The streets are taken by lonely cars. They walk the boulevard and see the lights inside the cafés and feel the lights warmth within them. In a moment rain droplets begin to drip slowly upon them. Having nothing to hide under they promenade further while others rush inside buildings. The rain hits powerfully upon the pavement. They are alone.

The end.