Chapter 10: Necessity

It was the fact that they were running and blurring through the streets at top speed and upwards on the Buda hills that stopped Elena from jumping on Damon and claiming him as hers as she knew fine well he was. Somewhere in the back of her mind she was aware that it was carnal desire aided by her vampire heightened senses that were guiding her right now, but his scent and the sight of his beautiful physique was engulfing her awareness so much that her desire consumed all other thought. Never had she been so dominated by and full of need for another. Elena felt drunken by him, by his presence as well as his whole existence and she was so intoxicated by desire it was starting to become physically painful for her to restrain herself, not to reach out with her other hand not in contact with him, stop him and pull him to her, experience his closeness and full-fill the sense of belonging that tortured her, wanting completion. It scared her how much she ached to see him naked, to make love to him and she had to realise that she had wanted nothing more, that her being a vampire only unleashed her previously forcibly contained emotions. Surrendering to it felt so natural.

Elena didn't understand why they were still running, but melting into him like the shadow to its owner, it somehow felt wrong to question the object of her desire. Distracted by her memories elicited by their earlier embrace, she already felt her body warming a degree to every flashback and recollection of how he stood before her naked, awkwardly and shy, so unlike how he'd openly behave, proud and cocky about his perfect, eternal stud body otherwise. That they had arrived at destination she had hardly noticed.

Up on top of the ancient castle wall on the hills overlooking one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, Damon turned her around to face away from him, holding her from behind, "the Paris of the East," he pointed in the direction of the illuminated sights of the spectacular Chain Bridle, the promenade and the parliament, all reflecting in the Danube, along with the many world heritage buildings embedded between five star hotels, criss cross tram lines and casinos. It was a clear night and despite her mind being elsewhere, the view took hold of a portion of her soul. "I didn't know you were so romantic, Damon," she whispered.

"It looked almost, just like this, a hundred years ago. Only with not as much luminosity coming from the gas lamps."

"You were here? With Christina?" Elena found that jealousy was ripping at her with so much more force now as well.

Damon shrugged, "we spent a few enjoyable evenings together." From his tone of voice, it didn't matter to him much one way or another and Elena sensed every nuance in his voice like never before, she realised. Not fair, she mused, no wonder Damon was better at detecting lies than she had been as a human. Every moment of her new life was a new discovery for her.

He moved a little to her side, not breaking body contact and lifted her chin so he could look into her deep brown eyes, a pair of beautiful pearls he'll never be able to compel her through again. "Do you want tonight to be our night, amore?"

Revelling in the sensation of being one with him, his body wrapped around hers, she smiled and kissed him gently, shyly, knowing that he loved her without confessions needed, amazing herself with her own gentleness and control of her raging and unruly newborn vampire emotions. But Damon deserved the effort, her care. Her lips lingering on his, breaths tingling, her tongue slowly, but slipped forward, exploring his mouth.

His response surprised her. Her showing her affection openly towards him had been something he had always dreamed of, yet he still pushed her back a little so they made eye contact once more. The push was soft and his expression strained and she didn't understand. A pout formed on her lips as she stared and she felt tears prickling her dark eyes. It was so easy to be offended in your pride if you were a vampire too, apparently.

Damon gave her a little apologetic smile and kissed her forehead, brushing a hand against her cheek with a trembling finger. He was nervous as so much depended on the next minutes, but that was exactly why he had to question her. Just like with Katherine, if Elena wanted to make love to him, it had to be for the right reasons, not just cause she couldn't reign in her new vampire horniness. "One moment," he placed a finger on her lips, "I know its hard for you to hold back, but I need to know. Do you love me?" He asked quietly, his blue eyes burning with a fire the ocean they mirrored was not capable of. The Salvatore was cognizant of the weight his question carried and completely aware of the fact that he would spend the next century in despair if the answer was unfavourable.

Elena's mouth opened in disbelief at the vulnerability in his voice. This was Damon, like he let no other person on earth see, apart from Katherine perhaps. First the romantic view, and now this. Damon could be so fragile, gullible and needy when it came to the love of a woman. Tears now overflowing her eyelashes, she was captivated by the tender, insecure expression on his face. Swiftly as to not to keep him feeling tortured anymore, she replied with as much honesty as she could muster, her gaze deepening into one of love and affection, randiness forgotten for the moment, "I have always loved you. My heart was already yours from the beginning. I just didn't know it."

The rest is history. Have Alaric tell you one day.

The End