AN: Hello! I hope you've all had amazing holidays and I wish you a Happy New Year! I want to thank my amazing beta for helping me out with this so thanks, Britt! These being said, enjoy this new chapter!
No more tears, my heart is dry
I don't laugh and I don't cry
I don't think about you all the time
But when I do - I wonder why
Elena couldn't believe that woman was there again, with the two of them, never giving them a moment of privacy, of happiness. And then she wondered why she would need privacy with Damon. They were just friends and Katherine had been his girlfriend for two years.
"What an unexpected surprise," Damon mumbled, his good mood gone.
"You should expect me here more often now. I just missed my boyfriend." Katherine said and walked in front of Damon, raising her hand and running it down Damon's chest. He stepped back and narrowed his eyes. Elena knew what game she was playing. She wanted to make her believe she was his girlfriend again, just so they would fight. Clearly she had no idea that she and Damon were just friends and she had no intention of changing that if it helped Damon.
"Take your hands off him. What do you think you're doing?" Elena stepped in between them and looked Katherine right in the eyes, again, glaring at how alike they were. Damon seemed to be confused for a moment, but he relaxed and Elena thought that he understood what she was doing there.
"Well, well...Is this my new replacement, Damon? You know, I hate to say this, but she kinda looks like me. She could pass as my younger sister." Katherine sussed, pulling a smirk on her face.
Having her this close, Elena had to admit she was beautiful; beyond beautiful. It was no wonder why he had fallen in love with her and even wanted to marry her. What was unnatural was for her to tell him she didn't love him. How could someone not fall in love with Damon? He was everything a woman wanted. Unfortunately, he hadn't been there earlier, before she met Dylan.
"She is nothing like you, Katherine. You don't even come up to her chin." Damon said and he put his arms around Elena. For a moment she wanted to tell him not to do that because it wasn't right, it didn't even feel right but she had to help him.
Katherine scoffed and shook her head gracefully. Elena couldn't stop staring at her, at her moves. All she has ever wanted to be was there, in front of her eyes. If her parents hadn't died, if she hadn't gotten that wake-up call, she would've been just like Katherine, a heartless woman who didn't care about anyone but herself. But she would've been successful, she would've had it all in a snap of a finger.
"We'll talk again soon. And you...Elena? That's your name, right? I suggest you stay away from Damon. You're no good for him." Katherine hissed the last words and she smirked.
"I think I'm better than you." Elena flat out admitted and she turned to Damon, winking at him to follow her lead. "Come on babe, we're going home."
He nodded shortly and tangled his fingers with hers, brushing her knuckles softly.
"Goodbye, Katherine. I hope I never have to see you again." He mumbled and left, still holding Elena's hand tight until they stopped in front of his car. He opened the door for her and she immediately cuddled inside, making herself comfortable and turning on the music.
"That was...thank you! It wouldn't have ended that way if it wasn't for you." Damon said, still looking confused. Elena thought that it was because she had pretended to be his girlfriend. It was something she did because she cared about him and after all he said to her, she had to make sure he trusted her.
"You're welcome. I would do it anytime." She confessed, dead serious about it. A smile grew on her face. "By the way...did you see her face?" She started to laugh and he did the same.
"Precious! I've never seen her like that before. Good job, Gilbert." They high fived before he started the engine and left.
The drive home was quiet, they only listened to the music and watched how the clouds settled in the sky, rain started to pour and clatter against the windows of the car. It was late October and in a month it would start snowing, a thing Elena loved. Christmas would be there in a rush and she would have her own Christmas tree in her little place, maybe she would even get the chance to finish her book. It was her wish; that and to be happy. To finally have someone she could care about and who would understand her and respect her wishes.
"Don't forget about our plans for tomorrow, Salvatore." She said when she climbed out of the car. He made sure to nod and she smiled, before she walked across the sidewalk and disappeared inside her apartment building.
Elena pulled out her key from her bag and tried to unlock her door but couldn't and she noticed it was already open. She sighed, worried about who might have broken into her apartment and thought about calling Damon. After a few minutes of staying there and not hearing anything, she decided to go inside and see who was there.
The lights were all off, with the exception of the dim light from the lamp in the living room. She slowly walked into the middle of the room and let out a small, startled scream. She ran her hand through her hair and finally sighed in relief.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, leaving her bag on the couch and started to take off her coat.
"I thought we could have a chat." The man spoke with a calm voice and she sat next to him, her legs under her body, feeling comfortable because it was someone she knew, who she trusted and used to love; or still did.
"Dylan, there's nothing else left to say." She sighed and fluttered her eyelashes to push back the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.
"You left me for that guy?" He asked, his face full of repulsion and sadness in his eyes. "Just because he's rich? How could you do that Elena?"
"Wait. What are you talking about?" With a confused face, she stood up and started to pace anxiously around the room.
"I'm talking about the guy that just left you in front of the building. Did you leave me for him, Elena?" He raised his voice and stood up, making Elena face him.
"No! Why would I do that? Damon is a good friend of mine and he has helped me when I needed it the most. So you can't say that about him." Elena tried to explain the best she could but in order to make him understand, she should just tell him about that night, a few weeks ago, when Damon saved her. But that was a subject she wasn't ready to talk about; especially not with her ex-boyfriend.
"Oh, please! It's not like I can trust anything you say. I don't believe you anymore, Elena."
"Then why did you come here tonight? Why did you break into my apartment? To make me feel like shit because I didn't want to marry you now? I told you a long time ago that I want to be known for my work, that I want to be successful. I cannot do that if I let my love life take over everything." Elena said, wiping away the few tears in the corner of her eyes and running a hand through her hair, trying to calm down.
"How is marriage ruining your career? Oh my god, Elena, don't your hear yourself? Don't you see how pathetic you sound?" Dylan laughed ironically and shook his head, disappointed.
"I'm sorry I ruined your life, Dylan. It was the last thing I wanted to do, I swear!" She cried, but it seemed to be useless because not even all the tears in the world could take away the pain she caused him.
"But you didn't ruin it. You opened my eyes. I realize that if I would've married you, I would've had to live in your shadow forever, with a few crumbs of you. Because all you know how to do is work; because your big life dream is to prove to your parents and to everyone else that you are worth it. Wake up, Elena! Your parents are dead. They can't see you anymore!"
That was the last straw she needed to hear before broke into tears. With her last forces, she walked to the door and opened it wide.
"Get out. Get out of here! I don't want to see you ever again!" She yelled at him and it seemed like right now, her words had great power in them because he left without saying anything else.
She began walking to her room but she felt like her legs couldn't carry her anymore and crumbled to the floor. She stayed there, for a few hours, thinking about life and crying. It was that feeling again, that made her want to rip off her skin and not feel anything anymore.
Elena stood up and walked to her bar, taking a bottle of bourbon and with lazy moves, she leaned against the door frame and slid down to the floor. She began drinking and with every drop she took she could see a memory of her and her parents. With every bit of alcohol Elena felt closer to them and she could watch them smile, but she couldn't touch them. She couldn't reach them as much as she extended her hand to caress them. It was impossible.
The hours passed by and she had no idea when she fell asleep but she couldn't wake up from her dream. It felt so real that she even thought she was there with her parents. They were back in their house in the small town of Mystic Falls, playing Pictionary and laughing. Her father was trying to draw something on the board, her mother was trying to convince Jeremy that drawing a pony was a better idea than drawing a fist, like he wanted and Elena was just looking at all of them and trying to figure out how to beat her brother and the woman who gave birth to her.
Elena woke up with a splitting headache, with the bottle next to her; it seemed like that was the only thing that she still had. She tried to get on her feet and find her phone. She walked to the couch where she had thrown her bag last night and fished the phone out, checking it. There were five missed calls from Caroline and a message from Damon. She opened it and a smile appeared on her face when reading its content: Good morning! I can't wait to see you tonight. It was short and not promising much, but for Elena, it was like a breath of fresh air because she knew that tonight, she would have a blast with her friends and she would forget about last night.
Elena found Caroline's number and wrote a short message to her: Tonight, Club 25. You, me, Damon and Stefan. Be sexy! And with that she was done. She wandered through the apartment, as if looking for something, but she hadn't lost anything. She walked to her bedroom and took out some clothes, then turned around and entered the bathroom. Elena turned on the hot water and watched how the bathtub filled up. She took off her clothes and slowly sunk into the hot and relaxing water. She succumbed to the feeling of safety and warmth, allowing her mind to fly free.
Hours later, she was ready to leave her house. Looking stunning like she wanted to, she dressed in a pair of golden shorts and a black top and a pair of Louboutins. Elena felt like a princess. She walked to the closet and pulled out her coat, put it on and opened the door. The taxi was downstairs, waiting for her and she rushed to get inside before she froze. It was late October in New York and the weather was not exactly suited for shorts.
Elena walked inside the club and tried to find her friends through the crowd. She spotted Caroline who was wearing a brown strapless dress. Elena walked to their table, careful not to stumble as she navigated through the crowds.
"Hey guys. How are you?" She put her best smile on, trying not to think about what happened last night. Right now, she was going to party with her friends, get drunk again and forget that life can suck.
"The question is, how are you?" Caroline asked and fluttered her eyes, with that confident smile that showed everyone her decided character.
"Peachy. And how are you, Stefan?"
Stefan just smiled and shrugged. Her glance wandered to the crowd and she spotted the tall, dark-haired man who she'd come to know well.
"Good evening. Stefan, Blondie." Damon glanced and nodded his head shortly before turning to Elena. "Elena," he smiled and she stood up when he grabbed her hand. He put his arms around her and softly brushed his lips against her cheek and she did the same. She couldn't help but notice his cologne and inhaled deeply. She smiled wide when he took a step back to look at her.
"Stefan, do you see that?" Caroline asked in a low voice, not taking her eye off of Elena and Damon.
"Huh?" Stefan mumbled, distracted by his phone.
"Look at them!" She hissed, her face reddening from the anger of not knowing what was going on. Stefan turned his glance to his brother and he shook his head before he looked at his girlfriend.
"What's up?" He asked, faking that he didn't know what was she trying to make him see.
"Those two are too close. What is your brother planning?" The blonde girl asked, but just when the time for Stefan to answer came, Damon and Elena decided to sit and savor their drinks.
"So, little brother, did you talk to dad recently?"
"Of course. Just earlier. Why?" Stefan narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Elena looked at him and for a second, she wished that looks could kill because now she knew that Damon wasn't loved by their father, that Stefan was his favorite. And that answer he gave Damon wasn't acceptable. Not to her.
"Just curious." Damon smiled warmly and sipped from his drink.
"So how's the job treating you, 'Lena?" The blonde seemed to have recovered her original color and now had a sweet smile on her face.
Elena nodded simply. "Good, really good," she said and Damon turned to her and rolled his eyes sarcastically. She playfully slapped him behind the head.
"I love you too!" He shouted through the music and she laughed like she hadn't in years.
"What?" Caroline asked, her face looked like she was constipated. Or like she would just bolt from her place at any time and punch Damon. Or both.
"What what, Blondie?" Damon rolled his eyes annoyed.
"Don't try to mess with my nerves, Salvawhore. You've been warned!" She jerked her finger to him but she was dragged back by Stefan, who was whispering something in her ear.
"Chill. Everyone, chill." Elena came between them and she narrowed her eyes for a second, then smirked amused. "Because tonight...we're having fun." She giggled like a little girl and she wasn't even drunk yet.
Caroline and Damon both stared at each other and then shrugged, accepting the challenge and Stefan...he was just Stefan; calm and collected.
For few moments there was quiet; well, at their table, because the music was still the reason everyone else was on the dance floor, laughing, moving to the beat.
"This is a bit awkward," Stefan began.
"Excuse me?" Damon asked and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, you and Elena have broken up with your partners and me and Caroline, you know-"
"Ugh, but who cares about that, Stef? Me and Elena are single and ready to mingle." Damon interrupted him and winked at Elena who hadn't heard anything.
"What did you say?" Elena asked and came closer to Damon, so she could hear. He shook his head, amused, and glanced to her, that way that their faces were almost pressed together and she could feel his warm breath against her skin and again, there was that scent that dazzled her.
"I said that we're both single and ready to mingle." He chuckled and she rolled her eyes. In the weeks she had known Damon and got so close to him, she had learned that his sense of humor was his top personality trait. He was sarcastic, funny and above all, handsome. She could bet that if Caroline could hear every single thing Damon said, he would be comatose by now.
"I'm sure Elena's not ready to mingle with anyone yet." Caroline said and narrowed her eyes, annoyed.
"Don't be so sure, Care." Elena raised her finger and sipped the rest of her drink. The three of them looked at her confused, and then Damon smirked devilishly.
"If you're ready to mingle, just give me a jingle." He winked playfully and ran a finger along her arm, causing Caroline to frown and send daggers in his direction.
"Oh, come on, I have a better idea." Elena said and she grabbed Damon's hand, trying to pull him up from the couch. He frowned, not knowing what she was about to do.
"Your ideas scare me." He said and stood up, waiting for the plan to be shared.
"We're going to the bar to have a few shots. Don't be such a baby, Salvatore. By the way, why is Caroline calling you Salvawhore?" She asked as she took his hand and began to walk through the crowd, making their way to the bar,
"Now you're talking. And I have no clue what goes on in Caroline's head. Maybe because Stefan told her I used to sleep with a lot of girls. That's not relevant right now. Or any other time, actually. I don't give a damn about her opinion of me."
Elena shrugged, almost indifferently. She sat on a stool at the bar and of course, he took his place next to her and they asked for tequila shots. Damon was amazed that she could do shots and not just cocktails like Katherine used to drink. At least that was what he had said to her and then he said he won't be naming her again.
Half and hour later, Elena's mind was so blurry that she wandered away while Damon was pushing their empty glasses towards the bartender. Caroline and Stefan were talking to Alaric, Damon's friend. As she was moving her hips up and down the rhythm of the music, Elena felt steady hands on her waist, and she recognized the man behind her after his suave touch and the scent that always seemed to grab her attention. From time to time, he would touchthe exposed skin of her thighs or he would run his hand along her stomach, making their bodies move like one.
Being so dizzy and allowing her mind to let go, Elena couldn't stop thinking about how well they coordinated and she would run a hand down his back, starting at the back of his head, stroking his hair and feeling the soft texture of it. From time to time, the small space between them would fade away and their bodies would collide. Elena welcomed his touch and for the first time, she didn't think about anything else but Damon, who right now, was making her float in a way no one ever made her.
"Listen, I have a proposal." Damon's breath lingered on her skin and she closed her eyes for a second, allowing herself to drift into his body.
"What?" She asked dreamily.
"Since we're both single, this means we're not getting sex regularly anymore and I know that sucks. For you and me both," he started.
"So what are you getting at?"
"Well, since we're such good friends, I think we should be sex buddies as well. Whenever we need sex, we should call each other and be there." Damon shrugged as they continued to move to the beat. They'd been doing that for the last fifteen minutes, but it felt like an eternity spent there, on the dance floor.
"That's not a good idea at all." Elena shook her head, not knowing what to do. The alcohol inside of her made her heart beat faster and a part of her was screaming yes, while the other one, the angelic side, said no. "Just think about what your brother would say. And Caroline, oh my god, Caroline! If she found out I'm sleeping with you, she would kill us both. You first, though, because she would torture me." Elena made her point.
"Who cares about what the Blondie thinks? She's irritated by everything. And I think that she's jealous you get the handsome brother."
"Oh, Damon, seriously?" She burst into laughter and playfully slapped him on the shoulder, stumbling over her own two feet. She was about to fall when he, in his drunk state, caught her and their chests collided, their lips met and that was the moment when it all started.
Their lips were burning against each other, their tongues were fighting for dominance, neither one wanted to give up their assault. The room seemed to spin around Elena and she clutched tightly to him, never wanting the moment to end. To regain the equilibrium, they walked back a few steps until they crashed against the wall. Damon's hands pulled her closer, as close as physically possible. The urgency in their kiss was unbearable because she wanted him and she felt-no, she knew now- that he wanted her too. She ran her hand through his tousled black hair and pulled him closer, and she swore she could see fireworks.
They stopped their make-out session a few moments later and Elena felt a flush of regret ripping through her body, because she knew it was wrong, but right now, she wanted more and that's why she couldn't stop earlier.
"What the fuck is going on here?" Caroline's angry voice sounded so close and Elena's eyes opened wide as she turned around to face the blonde girl standing in front of them. Damon smirked and Elena's mind seemed to recover a tad of consciousness because she stomped on his foot, making his face contort from the pain of her high heel.
"Go back to the table, Blondie, we're coming too, in a minute." He rolled his eyes and grabbed Elena's hand, trying to get away from Caroline.
"I'm going to the restroom. Elena, would you mind coming with me?" She asked, her eyes shimmering with something that Elena didn't know what to call; anger, disappointment...could it be jealousy, like Damon said? Elena nodded shortly and smiled to Damon.
"I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't leave!" She said to him and he puffed his cheeks out.
"And why would I leave now, huh?" He asked but didn't get an answer because Caroline had already dragged Elena from the dance floor and into the bathroom.
"What are you doing, Elena?" She asked in a low voice and Elena was sorry that for a second she thought it was jealousy running through Caroline's veins. It was just worry and she noticed that by the look in her eyes and her trembling lip.
"I-I had some extra shots of tequila and I got dizzy and-and then I just woke doing that. I can't help it, Caroline. It's not the first time it happens." Elena confessed and left Caroline with her mouth wide open in shock.
"Elena...You know I love you and that I never doubt your decisions. But this, this is just no good. Damon just wants to get into your pants. Or did he already...?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"No! No, no, no, no, no. We're just good friends Caroline. The first time, it happened by accident and now we were both drunk. Besides, Damon's right. The sorrow that both me and Damon have inside of us cannot fade unless we find new people in our lives." Elena said as she was cleaning her face with cold water. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and arranged her top.
"Okay. I guess I can't tell you to stay away from him. I'll just tell you to be careful. And don't give him what he wants. Not so fast, 'Lena." Caroline winked and her friend nodded shortly.
They walked back to their table in silence and sat in their places. Damon was there, laughing with Alaric and his little brother.
"Everything alright?" Damon asked as he made place for Elena next to him. She smiled and nodded, assuring him that everything was fine.
"Sure. Oh, you've ordered orange juice. Perfect." She grabbed the glass and gulped half of it. Elena started to cough and immediately got a glass of water.
"Yeah, I've wanted to tell you. That's not just a juice. That's orange juice with vodka. I thought we should freshen up a bit."
"Good choice, Damon, good choice." Elena deadpanned after she emptied the water. Like she hadn't had enough already, he ordered another alcoholic drink. Well, last night she had gotten drunk as well, so why not another night? The difference was that tonight, she was with Damon and that could lead to a really bad thing. Then, she remembered Caroline's words from earlier; not so fast.
"Do I have to tell you what you said yesterday?" Damon raised his eyebrows but she didn't understand what he meant, so he continued. "Partying Gilbert style, remember? Drink up...friend!" He winked and grabbed his own glass at the same time as she did, and they gulped down the contents of them.
Caroline cleared her throat and Elena smiled, assuring her that it was all fine, that she won't give it up; not that easily.
"Elena, I almost forgot. This is Alaric. My friend." Damon said and she shook hands with the man.
"Nice to meet you, Alaric. Though can I call you Ric? I mean, it's way easier to say." Elena said and Damon laughed. She turned to him and narrowed her eyes, silently asking him what that meant.
"It's just that I've always told him Ric is better." He explained.
"Nice to meet you too, Elena. I've heard a lot about you." Alaric said, looking over at his friend. Elena turned to Damon and smiled playfully.
"Oh, really?"
"Hello, everyone." A feminine voice spoke from behind them and everyone turned their head to see who it was. "This is my boyfriend, Dylan."
