Chapter twelve – A softer side

Disclaimer; I own nothing

A/N: So I hope you all enjoy this chapter, this is the one where some progress happens and a little drama so I hope that you do all like this one and drop a review! Just a quick side note, don't forget to check out my new fic because I did after all decide to make my greaser idea so don't forget to take a look the first chapter is up. Lastly, can I just say that I know when Damon sings for Elena his songs seem really soft but Elena brings that softer side out of him, when he's with his band he brings out the more rough and damaged side but with Elena she helps him to see that he's not just broken.

~~DE~~

Damon looked at Elena slightly shocked but suddenly broke into a big smile "you're going to sing for me?"

Elena nodded shyly "I trust you Damon, I feel like we're just two kids again and I want to do this for you."

Damon smiled then stood from the piano motioning for Elena to sit "do you play?"

She nodded her head and sat on the piano stool "just promise me you wont laugh."

Damon rested his hand on Elena's shoulder "I promise you Elena, but I already know that there is no reason for me to even consider wanting to make fun of you."

Elena smiled slightly then took a deep breath as she studied the keys, she began to play but then nervously hit a wrong note "dammit" she muttered "Damon, I can't do this."

Damon shook his head then bent down so he was eye level with Elena "You can do this Elena, just take a deep breath okay?"

Her hands steadied on the keys as she closed her eyes, it was only Damon, sweet blue-eyed Damon the little raven haired boy that she had always known, before she knew it words were flowing from her mouth.

Come on skinny love just last the year,
Pour a little salt we were never here,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my...
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer.

Tell my love to wreck it all,
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my...
Right in the moment this order's tall.

And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And in the morning I'll be with you,
But it will be a different kind,
'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets,
And you'll be owning all the fines.

Come on skinny love, what happened here?
Suckle on the hope in light brassieres,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my...
Sullen load is full, so slow on the split.

And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And now all your love is wasted,
Then who the hell was I?
'Cause now I'm breaking at the britches,
And at the end of all your lines.

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
And who will fall far behind?

Come on skinny love,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my...
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my.

Damon grinned as Elena opened her eyes "why don't you go to a record company Elena? I'm sure that I could find someone."

Elena stood up so she was opposite Damon and shook her head "I can't, every time I think about it I just choke up. When I went to college with Caroline and Bonnie I wanted to go with them to do the singing options but I couldn't find the courage so I just went to the piano courses instead. Watching Caroline and Bonnie get famous then hearing about you I just didn't know what to do, I didn't feel jealous but I felt weird inside knowing that I may possibly have the ability but I was just to self conscious. Not just about singing but also seeing everyone becoming sex idols and the 'sexiest of the year' then I was just plain old Elena."

"Is this why you self harmed Elena?"

She nodded looking down as Damon brought both of this hands up to cup her cheeks "you are not plain old Elena, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met and I don't understand how you could ever doubt yourself. You have an amazing voice and so much talent Elena.." He looked at her lovingly as he leaned in closer to her lips.

Elena watched as Damon leaned in closer, she knew he wanted to kiss her and with everything he had just said she could feel her heart beating 100 miles a minute. Elena slowly brought her hands around his neck and leaned in so that their lips barely touched.

She let her lips mould with his in a tender kiss, Damon responded but didn't try to deepen the kiss just relaxing in the tender acting of both their lips connecting intimately.

Elena tilted her head so that Damon could pull her lip with his teeth, she slowly pulled away before it got too heated and looked into his sky blue eyes "Elena, I think I'm falling in lov-.."

She cut him off as she placed her finger on his lips silencing him then pulling away "don't say it Damon."

"Why not? You know that you feel something for me."

"Damon, I can't do this I don't know what I feel but, this is just to much." Elena exclaimed as she walked around him to the door.

"Elena" he called out her name but she didn't turn back, it was too much.

~~DE~~DE~~DE~~DE~

"Oh my god!" Bonnie screamed out in joy as she ran toward Jeremy.

"Bonnie? What is it? Has something happened?" Jeremy called out worried.

"No, it's not that. Cosmopolitan called, they said that their gonna feature me and Caroline in an article featuring the top 25 hottest women or something and they want us to do a photo shoot!"

"That's amazing Bon, did you agree?" Jeremy questioned.

"Of course I did! Jeremy I really think that Caroline and I are getting more and more noticed."

Jeremy smiled then grabbed Bonnie's hand "I talked to Josette Parker the owner of Parker Records, she said she wants to meet with you and Caroline next Friday she thinks you have a lot of potential and I think she wants to look into getting you a an agent."

Bonnie squealed with excitement and pulled Jeremy into a hug "I don't see how this could get any better!"

Jeremy smirked, "there is one more thing, follow me."

She looked at him curiously but followed anyway, he lead her outside and Bonnie let out a gasp.

The garden was filled with fairy lights and there were red and white rose petals everywhere, there was a newly put water fountain in the centre of the garden and several candles a picnic basket and blanket.

Jeremy walked them toward the fountain he leant down on one knee "Bonnie Bennett, I have known you my entire life and since the minute I asked you out and you said yes I knew then that I would love you forever and always, I'm sorry I don't have a big speech but Bonnie, will you marry me?"

Bonnie tried to hold back the tears but couldn't as she choked out "yes Jeremy, I will!"

~~DE~DE~~DE~~DE~~DE

Elena was sat on a bench at a park near the Eiffel Tower sipping a freshly brewed coffee, everything had completely changed since she first came here on tour with Damon. It was just the two of them going on an adventure as old friends, this wasn't supposed to happen, they weren't supposed to go down memory lane and unearth each other's dark secrets and Damon certainly wasn't supposed to fall in love with her.

She was just sat staring into space when a man came up to her "mind if I sit here?"

Elena nodded her head looking up then suddenly let out a smile "Matt! What're you doing here?"

"My parents moved here a few years back" he said sitting next to her.

"It's been so long" Elena said smiling.

"So, I heard that you've been touring it up with 'Poisoned Minds'" Matt said using quotation marks with his fingers as he said the band name.

"Sort of, how did you know?"

"It's in the papers."

"What? What does it say?" Elena asked curious

"Nothing really, just that an Elena Gilbert is rumoured to be on tour with the growing rock sensation."

She smirked "well looks like I'm famous then."

Matt chuckled "so, why are you on tour with them? Are you dating any of them?" Matt asked curiously.

Elena shook her head, it was complicated "nope, I suppose it's all a little difficult to explain."

Matt's brow furrowed, he cleared his throat before asking "would you like to go somewhere with me tonight?"

Elena sighed, not again "just two friends catching up?" Matt continued.

She couldn't stop thinking about Damon, maybe doing this would take her mind away from him, she knew that Matt would see it as something that it wasn't, he had always had a crush on her. Elena thought it over a little more before nodding "sure."

Matt smiled "I have two tickets to go see Sam Smith tonight" Matt suggested.

Elena hesitated "what time?"

"I think it's somewhere around 9pm?"

Elena smiled, that was right after Damon's band "yeah sure, so I'll already be there but do you wanna meet me like by the hot-dog stands?"

Matt nodded, "that sounds great, so I'll see you tonight Elena" he called out as he stood up to leave.

"See you later Matt" Elena shook her head and took a sip of her not so scalding coffee, it was just a concert, a catch up between two friends, what could happen?

~~DE~~DE~~DE~~DE~~DE~~

Damon walked onto the stage and heard as the thousands of screaming voices increased as he came on stage, he didn't feel his usual fuck it all bad-ass self since Elena had turned him down earlier. It wasn't just the fact that she turned him down, it was the fact that he was so close to saying the infamous 'L' word but she had denied him the right to say it which really pissed Damon off.

He looked around at the thousands of women who he could easily have and not one appealed to him, damn that woman!

"Hey, Paris are we ready to rock?" He shouted out as the crowed roared with more enthusiasm, Damon closed his eyes and smirked, at least this way he could get away from reality even it was just for a little bit. He turned to look at the rest of the band and just nodded also noticing Ric in the corner, they knew the opening number so Damon just turned back and slung his electric guitar on.

When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so fucking special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here

She's running out the door
She's running out
She run run run run...
Run...

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here

Damon sung out the darker than usual lyrics not in the mood to think about Elena or anyone else as he continued on with the remainder of his band's gig.

Damon walked around the back of the stage with a bottle of ice cold water in his hand, it reminded him of the ice that he had left on the piano earlier in the morning no doubt melting in a puddle everywhere. He walked through a small gap looking for the hot dog stand not in the mood for celebrity slimming bars or special vitamin crackers.

He walked to the hot dog stand but stopped in his tracks as he saw Elena with another guy "hey Lena, I got us some great seats" the blonde haired guy said.

Elena just smiled and nodded her head "so what did you want to catch up on?"

The blonde guy turned to look at her seriously "you know how much I've always loved you Elena."

Elena winced and Damon cringed from behind the wall "Matt, today is not the best day I thought we sorted this out years ago?" she questioned.

Matt rolled his eyes "that was so long ago, I thought we could work some things out."

Elena shook her head "look I'm willing to have a good time with you as friends and nothing more, I'm sorry Matt." She said shrugging.

Matt audibly sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets "okay fine, lets go."

Damon frowned ready to follow them, the hot-dog forgotten but he was stopped as he saw Alaric approaching him "so tomorrow we're flying out to England, Klaus and Elijah keep raving about seeing some family members and Rebekah keeps scalding me whenever I mention tea" Alaric said rolling his eyes.

Damon just nodded then suddenly perked up as he realised that Matt and Elena had gone to see another concert "who comes on after us?"

Alaric looked at Damon surprised but answered nonetheless "umm, Sam Smith I think."

Damon nodded his head, he knew Sam Smith and an idea suddenly formed in his head "I'll catch you later Ric" he said patting his buddy on the shoulder before dashing off.

Damon found Sam Smith walking around the dressing rooms "hey man" he said walking up to him.

Sam turned around and smiled "hey."

"So I know this is blunt but do you think you could do me a favour?"

Elena and Matt sat awkwardly in the crowed next to each other, Elena should've suspected that something like this would happen. Matt was a great guy and he had always been a good friend to Elena but she and probably half the world knew that he was in love with her. Elena sighed, any girl would be super lucky to have him as a husband or boyfriend, just not her.

Sam Smith began his fourth song 'Like I Can' and Elena sighed, she knew that she was unfair to Damon but this was all to much, she didn't know if she wanted to be with him or if she wanted to run as far away as possible. Of course she wanted to be with him but her stupid heart wasn't allowed to make decisions for her, she knew that she would only hurt him.

"..- Special guest, so please do enjoy this version!" Sam called out to the screaming crowed but Elena only caught the last bit. Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head as Damon walked on stage with an acoustic.

His eyes immediately landed on hers and even through the tons of people and loud screaming she felt as though they were alone, the second surprise hit when Damon began to sing along side Sam Smith, looking at her the whole time.

He could be a sinner, or a gentleman
He could be a preacher when your soul is damned
He could be a lawyer on a witness stand
But he'll never love you like I can, can

He could be a stranger you gave a second glance
He could be a trophy of a one night stand
He could have your humour, but I don't understand
'Cause he'll never love you like I can, can, can

Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can

A chance encounter of circumstance
Maybe he's a mantra keeps your mind entranced
He could be the silence in this mayhem, but then again
He'll never love you like I can, can, can

Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can

They'll never love you like I can, can, can

We both have demons, that we can't stand
I love your demons, like devils can
If you're self-seeking an honest man
Then stop deceiving,
Lord, please

Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can

~~DE~~DE~~DE~~DE

When Damon left the stage he waited out side the stadium with a cigarette in his hand, he couldn't and wouldn't give up until she would finally realise that he was the one for her. He liked the song that he chose to sing, especially the demons line, it was a soft spot for both of them and he knew that there was still more to be revealed but he didn't care, he was in love and he hadn't felt this way for a long time.

Elena ran around the corner and saw a silhouette in the shadows with a lit cigarette she immediately knew it was Damon and ran over "Damon" she called out.

When she reached him he threw the cigarette on the ground but continued to slouch against the brick wall "as long as we're in each other's life's, I'm not gonna stop." He stated crossing his arms and sitting up straight.

Elena shook her head "you don't want me Damon."

Damon laughed and stopped slouching "yes I do Elena, I want you more than you could ever know and more then I could ever realise."

Elena's breath seemed to hitch knowing that there was an easy or hard way out of this situation.

"I am in love with you Elena, and I don't think I'm ever gonna fall out of it" he said stepping closer.

Elena couldn't take it any more, she leaned in and closed the small distance by kissing him, he sealed his lips against hers and unlike last time tongue and teeth began clashing. Damon tilted Elena's head back as he massaged the walls of her mouth with his tongue and kissed her at a deeper angle, Elena moaned and slowly pulled back feeling a wetness pool in her panties.

Damon slowly opened his eyes and rested his forehead against hers "will you be mine?"

Elena looked at him, his parted lips panting slightly for air as hers "yes, I will." She had chosen the hard way.

A/N: Nope, this is not the end by a long shot these two still have plenty of demons to face as Damon had said. I hope you don't mind the Sam Smith cameo, I wasn't planning on making a cameo but I thought that Damon wouldn't just be able to run up on stage and steal the lime light. I hope you all had a great year of 2014 and I hope you all have a brilliant new year of 2015! Don't forget to review, follow and favourite, remember the 100th reviewer gets to suggest a TVD one-shot, and also don't forget to check out my 60's greaser fic;)

Songs; Skinny Love by Birdy, Creep by Radio Head, Like I Can by Sam Smith

Next Time;- Elena and Damon start to come to terms with how their new relationship is going to be, Bonnie tells Elena the good news and Caroline gets a little jealous. Damon tells Elena a key factor about his haunting past and Rebekah discovers something life-changing.