I SURRENDER.
With the days becoming shorter and the air becoming colder, it was now absolutely clear that winter was coming. A week had passed quite peacefully with Damon arranging everything with his new apartment and Elena focusing only on school. The two had barely seen each other and were now missing one another. To Elena's surprise Klaus had stopped harassing her and everything appeared to be going wonderfully. And this fine Saturday morning, with the clouds finally not so dark and the rain not so strong Elena was having an enjoyable walk through the Place de la Bastille with her cinnamon tea in hand. It was hard not to smile, seeing all the colourful nature around you and the incredible French garments fluttering around Elena on so many different people, after all Paris was the city of style. Elena approached a very excited Damon and immediately noticed that he was holding something in his hand.
"Good morning," He said with a kiss on the cheek and a gentle embrace. Elena beamed with happiness.
"Hello," And with this Damon handed her two tickets. The tickets were for a train to Chartres that was leaving in an hour. Elena's eyes widened in surprise and with nothing to say she evinced her thanks. Damon took her in his arms and with an over imaginative and dreamy look said;
"Believe it or not, but I have rented a lovely cottage for us near Chartres and I do believe that a week-end away is just what we need," He pecked her lips and waited for a response, but Elena still stood silent. It was clear that she was overjoyed, but unlike other times she was now doubting whether she should accept this invitation. What she worried about was money, because once again Damon had done something that should have been out of his price range. To her best efforts in her head to decline, Elena decided that she should just let Damon decide what he wants to do, because as far as she knew for the moment he was not in any money troubles.
"I think that it's absolutely lovely what you've done," Elena said quietly, but still feeling quite bad about being the reason why Damon spent so much. It should not be this way, because although Elena was just a student, she could take care of some things herself and what Damon was offering was the most extravagant of lifestyles and it was never Elena's intention to be a part of that. But off they went to the train because apparently Damon had taken care of clothing and other necessities too, which again surprised Elena because she could not imagine Damon buying clothes for her. On the train Elena quickly fell asleep, resting her head upon Damon's shoulder, who was looking wonderingly out of the window and observing the French countryside. When they arrived, almost an hour later, they discovered that even though the sky was full of darkness, sunshine was beaming over them and it finally made Elena forget absolutely everything and smile peacefully.
Elena had once again underestimated Damon's capability to be modest. When they arrived at their supposed cottage, it turned out to be a villa and Damon took no notice of it and neither did he correct his mistake to Elena. However, the place was absolutely stunning. It was truly heaven. An impeccably restored 17th-century mill house, decorated with 18th-century antiques in a pastoral setting of tall trees, meadows and a lake. With a wonderful view and a cozy atmosphere this was an excellent place for a week end retreat. As they walked around the villa Elena admired every piece of furniture or art that was placed there as well as the view from every window. Damon dropped down on the sofa and regarded the exquisite ceiling. In a mere moment Elena was beside him and had her head placed on his chest. The couple enjoyed some minutes in warm silence and complete decompression.
They went out for a slow and romantic walk around the grounds and near the lake. The evening was now beginning to approach and the previously radiating sun had now disappeared leaving the couple stranded in darkness. After finding their way home, Damon gave Elena a shopping bag that looked to be from a very high-end shop and went to change in one of the bedrooms, first motioning the other one to Elena. Upon opening the bag Elena discovered it was an exquisite evening dress; backless, black and with lace embroidery. It was utterly perfect and when Elena put it on, she felt more beautiful than ever. When they both reappeared Damon was dressed elegantly too and they set out to a restaurant.
The restaurant they came upon already had a table reserved for them, which was obviously Damon's work. The setting was perfect; a barely lit room, which was full of antique furniture and very ornate flower arrangements. With a three course meal and a bottle of champagne and a glass of wine, Elena felt incredibly happy and satisfied. They talked and talked, again mostly about Elena, but Damon put in his share when he described his experience in the Nordic countries. Apparently Damon had traveled first to Norway and after spending a week in the Fjords had moved on to both Sweden and Finland afterward. As Damon stood up to leave Elena did the same, but only then did she feel that despite her previous condition, she was now slightly drunk. Trying not to show Damon this, she acted as calmly as possible, but walking was definitely a challenge, but they were still able to get back to the villa, even though Elena held tightly onto Damon's arm, who probably thought that it was simply an act of devotion.
Once they were back, Damon lit the fireplace and made tea, while Elena sat comfortably on the throw pillows that were now carefully arranged on the floor and wrapped herself in a blanket. It was quite chilly even indoors and the fireplace was only helping slightly, and the tea had absolutely no affect. Elena moved closer to Damon, positioning herself in the nook, he had created with his arm. Now she felt better and as they stared into the crackling orange flames, Elena knew that this was it. Her head turned to face Damon's and as they looked each other in the eyes, Damon clearly saw what she was feeling. Without another sound he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the floor as if she were a feather and carried her all the way to the bedroom, which was candle lit and had the most charming feeling about it. As Elena's feet touched the floor she began stroking Damon's hair and they locked lips in a fiery kiss. Elena could feel Damon running his hands all over her back and moving down lower and every time they moved upwards Elena felt she could explode with anticipation and regret. Finally Damon's hands moved up to her shoulders and she could feel him pull the straps of her dress downwards. Still engaged in a kiss, Elena could feel that she was now completely exposed. When Elena began undoing the buttons on Damon's shirt, she could feel them moving closer to the bed; taking steps backwards Elena tried desperately not to fall over and when the back of her knees finally touched the bed, she let herself be laid down upon it. Her heartbeat out of control and her breathing now worryingly fast, Elena managed to get Damon's shirt off and when she felt his back with her hands, she couldn't wait any longer. All the while Damon was thinking only about whether this was right or wrong, but the longer they kept their passionate kiss alive, he couldn't think straight and when he had finally removed her dress and felt her naked and luscious body against him, he lost all reason. Damon's trousers were off in a second and when they were under the covers, Damon longed to feel her at last.
Elena moved beneath him, anticipating his move and when Damon finally entered her, she felt him gasp with pleasure. It was now so incredibly hot, that Elena felt she couldn't breathe and the more Damon moved, the dizzier everything seemed to become. His hands grasped hers and he placed them behind her head and placed a lustful and aroused kiss upon her wet lips. Their shadows moved along with them on the wall and as the window blew open with the night wind, Elena enjoyed the breeze and regained her nearly lost consciousness. Damon now released her hands and caressed every part of her with them. Running them through her hair, he could hear Elena gasp slightly and when he moved one hand down from her neck to her stomach her intake of breath was sudden and loud. Their bodies engaged and devouring each other, they made love as if it were the last thing they had left and the only way they could express their love. The dark look in Damon's eyes as he approached his release and the pleasant utter that Elena expressed when she attained hers, made the other sure of the pleasure of the experience. When Damon ultimately was capable of words, he whispered deep into her; I love you, Elena Gilbert, and with that, they tightened their hold on each other and descended once again into the act of before.
Elena woke first and saw rain pouring in from the open window. Rushing to close it, she nearly froze to death. Covering herself with a blanket Elena walked into the living room. The fireplace was still burning and was a perfect contrast to the dark and cold of the outside. Elena sat down in front of it and reflected upon last night's events. She could feel her head hurt slightly and realizing it was from the alcohol immediately regretted the fact that she had drunk so much. As for what had happened between her and Damon, Elena had no idea what to think. Being glad that they had finally made love, was overcome with fear of how things would progress now. However, it had all been so romantic and so unexpected. It had been everything that Elena had wanted, but she suddenly felt strange and different. Elena found the tea and managed to make them both a cup. Elena carried it to the bedroom and felt comfortable again. After placing the tea next to the bed, Elena climbed underneath the covers and tried to warm up. Without warning she felt herself being slightly pulled and kissed. Damon released her and smiled. Elena couldn't help but smile back. Despite their evening being nothing short of romantic she couldn't help but feel that this situation was a bit amusing. Trying to hold back a laugh, Elena placed a short kiss upon Damon's lips and then kept teasing him with them, until he finally kissed her fully. They enjoyed their tea in bed, Elena twirling his hair with her delicate fingers.
After they were both dressed they went out into town once more. Walking side by side, Damon couldn't resist taking her hand into his. To his surprise he wanted everyone to know that Elena was with him. While they walked he kept embracing her and touching her hair, and kissing her at every chance he could get. They walked into a small patisserie and had their incredibly sweet breakfast there, both literally and metaphorically. After that, Elena managed to persuade Damon to take a stroll through the town, to see the cathedral and other potential beauties. They were approaching a street with what appeared to be a lot of shops, when from one of them appeared who Elena dreaded the most. Surveying the couple, he only snickered, but then with a powerful strut approached them.
"Professor Salvatore, Elena," Klaus bowed his head in an ironic politesse. Elena only rolled her eyes and gave Damon a quick look. Klaus ignored that and continued, "Who would have thought we would meet here of all places? When I came here to my family's cottage I had no idea that I would meet the two of you," His smug grin once again irritated Elena to no end.
"If you don't mind, we are actually expected somewhere so we will see you back in Paris," Elena spoke confidently and looked at Damon, who appeared overly serious and even furious.
"But don't leave! Let's at least have a lovely dinner together; otherwise I will have nothing to tell the others of my experience here over the weekend," Klaus said jokingly, and Elena scoffed.
"What will it take for you not to mention a word to anyone about our meeting?" Damon demanded forcefully. Elena's head immediately turned to him and her heart nearly stopped, when she realized that whoever was speaking she was afraid of. The Damon that now stood in front of Klaus was not the Damon she loved, it was a distinct person.
"Well, we could have that dinner," Klaus said with a grave expression, "Or lunch even, if you prefer," Elena looked pleadingly at Damon, because she honestly didn't care if anyone knew about them, but it was obviously important to Damon. He grasped her hand tightly and Elena felt her heart tighten.
"Of course. Let's have lunch," Damon uttered. Elena couldn't understand neither Damon's true feelings nor her own now. It had really seemed more appealing to Damon to lunch with Klaus than to fight for their love. Not realizing how it could be possible, her mind became even more confused when the three of them walked side by side, to a seemingly splendid restaurant on the same street. They sat down and for a moment or two there was nothing but uncomfortable silence until Klaus began to blather on about the country side and the culture of Chartres, but Elena didn't hear a word of that. She just stared at one of the walls and tried to hold back tears. But when the conversation turned more serious, Elena opened her ears.
"So I assume that you two lovebirds knew each other back in America?" Klaus said with an abysmal laugh.
"We did, but I don't see how that's important in any way to you," Damon replied in an enraged tone.
"I assume that you were not a teacher at her school then," Damon now sat in silence and remained outwardly raged. Klaus's mouth flew open in surprise. Damon's silence was practically an answer.
"Klaus, what do you want?" Damon asked through closed teeth and gave Klaus his stare, but instead of a reply, Klaus excused himself and left for the toilet, at this, Damon turned to Elena.
"Elena, are you all right?" He asked concernedly. Elena just shook her head in laughter and looked at him with teary eyes. Damon's body shivered and he tried to touch her, but she pulled away. "Why are you so angry?" Still no answer from Elena, but Damon could tell that the girl was absolutely heartbroken. "So you want people to know about us? Do you realize that it will make our life a living hell? This jerk can be silenced; I know it and we can remain in our calm life,"
"You know that I despise him more than anything and you didn't even respect that, when you decided that it would be better for us to have a nice lunch with him," Elena exclaimed, "I won't bootlick just to remain in a secret relationship with you. It's not me and I thought that it wasn't you either," With this Elena stood up and rushed out of the restaurant. Damon didn't even consider anything else and immediately followed her. He walked behind her down the street and when he managed to reach her, he was mesmerized by how furious she seemed. Damon wrapped his hand around her stomach, stopping her in her tracks. Elena fought back, but every effort she made, Damon's strength seemed to be double hers.
"Let me go, Damon!" Elena cried in anger, but Damon held her and when Elena ultimately lost all her strength she fell against him and cried, pressed tight up against his chest. Damon rested his head upon hers and held her with all the love he had. It was not others who could make their live a living hell, Damon himself was responsible for making Elena's life a living hell. The problems their relationship or rather he had created were not problems one should be working through at such a young age. They stood in the Place des Épars and didn't let go. Elena let her heart out and even though she was in Damon's arms, who she had previously been so mad at; Elena couldn't help but feel better. At that moment she realized that it truly was a thin line between love and hate and it was not only thin it was absolutely nonexistent. The rain began to pour and they were forced to return home and as they sat on the sofa, each wrapped in their own duvet, each with their own tea, Elena still felt upset, Damon still felt guilty. They were dark and lifeless, but when Elena's head touched Damon's shoulder, he hurried to wrap his arm around her and draw her closer. He placed a kiss upon her head and they both smiled. Even though it was a sad smile it still meant forgiveness. Damon placed his cup on the floor and with his other hand drew Elena even closer. Arguments were bound to happen, but both Elena and Damon knew that it only meant that they still loved each other, because they cared and they weren't able to let things go. It was now completely dark in the house and the fireplace illuminated only the two of them. In his arms Elena fell asleep and Damon thought to himself that he was willing to do anything to keep her his.
Note/ I don't know what to really say this time other than, I hope you were pleased with this chapter and I will update soon!