Damn Elena, he cursed for the umpteenth time. How the hell was it that she could willingly kiss his younger self, yet backed away in fear the second he got too close? He knew why. Elena wasn't scared of his seventeen year old self. No, that naïve, innocent, child, was a saint. He, on the other hand, was damaged goods. He was broken and sharp, and Elena was afraid of getting cut. He knew this well. But somehow, he had to ease her past that fear of being slashed; because in the rough, always lies a diamond. The million dollar question, though, was how to go about accomplishing this. She knew his tricks; knew his quirks. She had a bias view of him. Stefan had crammed all of Damon's faults into Elena's head, and they seemed to be sticking there well. Damon had been on the verge of breaking the barrier, but then he had to go and snap Jeremy's neck, taking Damon back to stage one. Damon leaned back in his chair, pondering this. He was thankful the rest of the group had gone on what they called 'group hunting'. It was one of Rose's hopeless attempts at getting the team to work together.

Damon's mind began to digress through ideas of how to win Elena, until his mind felt like it was spinning out of control in a cyclical motion. Sighing deeply, he lulled the churning of scrambled ideas that swam in his head. Damon took a sip of his bourbon to clear his head; swipe the slate clean. Damon's mission was not an easy one: convince Elena that he was the right man for her. Not his brother and certainly not his seventeen year old self. How the hell was he going to do this when they were centuries apart? The only connection they had was through the mind. The mind. A mischievous smile spread across Damon's face. The mind was a very powerful thing. Yet, so gullible and so easy to reform. All one had to do was plant a seed, an idea, into the mind, and then watch as it grew and thrived. That was Damon's ticket to success, or at least progression. More specifically, dreams. Dreams have always been described as influential, whether subconscious or not. Damon rubbed his hands together naughtily. Tonight, Elena was going to have the experience of a lifetime…

1861

Elena's eyes fluttered open lazily when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She looked up, to see Damon glancing at her. The magnificent blue sky was swiftly shifting into the blackness of night. Elena displayed a look of confusion on her face.

"You fell asleep, Elena. I did not have the heart to wake you up." Damon gave a small smile.

"O-oh," she replied, taking her head off of his shoulder. She ran an embarrassed hand through her hair.

"I would venture to guess it is time to retire home. It was a very delightful day, Elena, and I pray we do it again soon," he smiled, and slowly began to get up. He clasped his hand around hers, and pulled her to her feet as well. Elena straightened out her dress, before looking back into Damon's cobalt eyes.

"It was a delightful day indeed. I too, hope we can do it again soon." She gave a small smile, as she bit her lip. Goddamn, was she falling for this boy hard. "Send Stefan my farewells, if you will. I am quite tired," again, she smiled.

"Of course, I will pass your goodbyes along. Have a wonderful night, Elena," he said, and kissed the hand he had been holding. Elena let a cute smile pass her lips. On the inside, though, all she could think of was when she had first met Damon and he had kissed her hand. It was a wonder to her, how everything somehow linked to a memory of Damon. He surely was a very addictive topic for her mind to digress to. The seventeen year old led Elena back to the house silently. It was a nice silence, though. The type of silence that transpires when one wishes to stroll down memory lane; and Damon and Elena's kiss certainly classified as a worthy memory to relive. All too soon, they reached the massive house. Sighing sadly, Elena turned to face Damon.

"Thank you for a wonderful time, Damon," she smiled, as she slowly began to climb the small stairs that led to the entrance.

"You're quite welcome. Until next time, Elena Gilbert." He gave a light bow, and headed for the carriage that was parked by the entrance. Elena lingered on the final step, just watching as Damon sped away into the night. She gave a satisfied sigh, accompanied by a smile, and walked through the door. Heading for the stairs, Elena couldn't suppress a yawn.

"Elena, you have had a very long day. You may go to sleep now, if you wish. Jonathan and I can eat alone," Florence smiled, catching Elena right before she made her way up the staircase.

"Thank you, Florence," Elena smiled gratefully. Florence nodded in return, saying that she would send up Lavi.

Elena slugged up the stairs slowly, out of exhaustion. It is quite amazing how a catnap in the sun can drain one's strength. Walking into her room, she noted that she had arrived before Lavi. Elena sat on her bed, and fell back onto it, placing the backs of her hands over her eyes. Her mind was whirling. How is it, that such a magical day could have an overlay of guilt? Elena knew not the answer. Hearing the creaking of the wooden floor, Elena removed her hands from her eyes, to see Lavi standing in the doorway.

"Is it okay, if I enter, Miss?" Lavi asked.

"Of course, of course," Elena replied, sitting up and gesturing with her hand for the girl to enter. Lavi gave a light curtsey of appreciation before entering the young Gilbert's room. Elena stood to allow Lavi to undress her. Tonight, the process seemed to take a millennium. Elena could not wait to crawl into bed, and just sleep. Finally, Lavi finished, and placed Elena's silk white nightgown over her.

"Thank you, Lavi," Elena said, before dismissing the young girl. Lavi gave a curtsey, and exited the room, closing the door behind her. Once the wooden door had shut, Elena let a sigh of relief escape her lips. Crawling into the large bed, she placed her head on the pillow, and was swiftly asleep.

Elena found her wrists tied to the bedposts of a lavish bed. Looking down, she realized she was in a tight black blouse and a pair of dark skinny jeans. She had to admit, the outfit was quite cute. A sudden howl of the wind tore her from the inspection of her attire. Looking to the window, she realized how large it was. It was perfect for admiring the storm outside. The rain came so fast and hard, it appeared to be a fog or mist. It pattered on the roof with a constant tap, tap, and tap, as if the rain was trying to tattoo the roof. Thunder pounded so piercingly, Elena could feel it in her chest. Lightening struck like fireworks; bright and vibrant; illuminating the room completely. Staring out the window, Elena couldn't help but wonder why she was here, tied to a bed. Suddenly, Elena heard the turning of the door knob. Her heartbeat suddenly picked up frantically. Out of fear? Excitement? All seemed plausible. All Elena could focus on, was what was about to enter through that door. The door slid open gradually, only intensifying Elena's anticipation. Finally, the figure made its way fully through the door, shutting it behind him. The figure approached her slowly. Suddenly, a flash of lightening struck, illuminating the figure. Sharp blue eyes became electrified, as a much toned, bare-chested body became accentuated. Messy ebony hair shined.

"Damon," Elena breathed. Damon smirked in return, and continued his advancement on her. Elena could feel her heart beat even quicker, and felt her breath become hitched in her throat, as he made that final step to her. Damon was no more than an inch away from her. His breath smelled of peppermint, while his body radiated a musky pine scent. It was quite alluring. Elena felt the in between of her legs begin to throb. Fuck. She was turned on. Really turned on, she decided, when she felt herself become wet. Slowly, Damon reached a hand to her tussled hair, and began to spin a stand of it around his finger. Again, Elena's breath became hitched and she felt herself grow wetter. This was not going to be good.

"What are you doing?" Elena asked in a hushed voice, which was slightly panicked. He gave her a slight smirk.

"You don't play with gas, Elena, if you're not prepared to mess with fire," he said seductively, putting himself a smidge closer to her.

"Wh-what?" Elena choked. Her mind was not functioning. It kept short-circuiting every time Damon twirled his finger around her chocolate hair.

"Why would you flirt with the boy, Elena, when you can do the man?" he raised a flirtatious eyebrow.

"Damon," Elena warned. The point was moot, though, as Damon put his free hand on her lips.

"You played with gas, Elena. Ready to mess with fire?" He provided her with a smirk. Elena couldn't find her voice. Damn her short-circuiting brain. Damon unwound his finger slowly from her hair, subtlety tracing Elena's face and neck as he went. The sensation of his skin on hers, sent shockwaves down her spine, and she felt her panties grow wetter. With both hands free, Damon gradually began to unbutton Elena's black blouse. He unbuttoned each button almost harshly, letting it come open with a 'pop'. Elena felt her nipples begin to harden. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! She was almost melting in ecstasy. When he popped the button just below her breasts, he tauntingly traced a finger in between her breasts. The cold finger against her sweating skin, caused for a taunting tickle. She wanted more; and fast. He continued his journey down her torso, subtlety tickling the skin as he went. When he got to the last button, he took his careful time undoing it. He popped it open with one finger, while the other traced her lower stomach, sometimes tauntingly tracing over her hip bones. Elena's eyes rolled back in pleasure. Taking the blouse in both hands, Damon thrust it to either side, so her whole upper body was exposed. Her breasts were pointed and as hard as rocks, from the chill in the room, and Damon's taunting tickles. Her taut abs were clenched tight, anticipating Damon's next move. Starting at the waistline of her low-cut jeans, he walked two fingers up her torso. Elena's breathing became sporadic. She wanted more. She wanted him to touch her. Really touch her. Enough with this anticipation.

"Please," Elena pleadingly croaked. A smirk found its way onto Damon's lips. Keeping the two finger s in between her throbbing breasts, he slowly leaned into her.

"Please what?" He whispered seductively into her ear. His breath sent chills down Elena's spine, and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck perk up.

"Touch me," she mumbled. He replied with tracing his finger slowly down her torso, until he found his finger once more at the waistline of her jeans.

"As you wish," he whispered into her ear, before slowly kneeling to the ground. Elena's heart picked up pace, again, and she felt a steady throb begin to dwell in her womb. Couldn't he just touch her already? She felt hands touch her waist. Her breath hitched again in her throat. Yes. Yes. This was it. Damon slowly; agonizingly slowly, unbuttoned her jeans. When it popped, he traced a finger over the newly exposed area. Elena shivered at the contact. He was getting dangerously close to the area that had been desperate for his attention the second he had walked into the room. Allowing a year's worth of pent up feelings escape her, she grew wetter, and the constant throb grew stronger. Damon played with the zipper of her jeans for a moment.

"God dammit, Damon," she wheezed huskily. "Touch me!" she clenched her eyes together tightly. Damon let out a chuckle, and slowly unzipped the jeans. Walking his fingers up the sides of her legs, he shoved the tight jeans to her ankles. The swift motion had pulled down her underwear a smidge, revealing a midriff of pubic hair. When Damon removed his hands from her, she let out a whimper. She needed him; right now. Slowly, Damon stood and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. He was going to make her wait as long as possible. He bit the bottom of her lip seductively, before breaking contact. He returned to his kneeling position, and began to fiddle with the waistband of her undies. Elena's desperation was surfacing fully now.

"Touch. Me." she commanded harshly in a husky voice. Complying, Damon slipped his hand underneath her underwear. A pleased smile found its way on Elena's lips, as the much ignored area of her body, finally got the attention it had been craving. His finger hovered over her entrance momentarily, before moving on to her clit. He tickled it for a moment, allowing Elena some gratification. Elena's eyes fluttered shut in pleasure. Her legs were becoming weak, and her body was in utter pleasure. Not allowing Elena too much time to enjoy the sensation, he abandoned her clit. Elena let another whimper escape her. He could not stop there. Stiffening two fingers, he thrust them up her entrance. He began to move them rapidly. Shocks of pleasure filled Elena's body and she grew weak. He thrust faster, and her head rolled back in gratitude. Never, in her life, had Elena been done so well. What Damon had accomplished in just touching, others had not even done with full out sex. Moving his fingers even more rapidly, Elena felt herself so close to an orgasm.

"Yes," she mumbled. "Yes," this one came out as more of a cry. She was so close; so, so close. Suddenly, the pressure and rapid movement ceased. Damon removed his fingers from inside of her, and slipped them out of her panties. Tracing the two fingers, which had done the marvelous work on Elena, up her torso, he stood up. Elena's throbbing lower half would not hush. It was a constant reminder, of the almost orgasm she had. It taunted her; it was utterly torturous, but in such a heavenly way.

"Why did you stop?" She begged in a raspy mutter.

"Why?" Damon replied huskily, taking his taunting fingers from her body. "To show you."

"Show me?"

"Elena, this is what it's like when I'm around you. You taunt me, and tease me. You allow me so much hope, but stop the second before it becomes reality. This is what it feels like."

Elena could only reply with a shaky breath.

"Not only that. I did this to show you what you're missing out on. I took away the blindfold."

Elena still could not form words. Her body was still in recovery mode.

"But tell me something, Elena. Now that I've removed the blindfold, will you still choose to close your eyes?" Damon raised an eyebrow. Not allowing her to respond, he kissed her hard, while rubbing a hand over her panties. Biting her lip, he broke apart their lips. Clicking his tongue, he exited the room.

Elena was left there, tied to a bed, her shirt spread wide open, and her pants at her ankles. Her body was throbbing for one last touch, but it would never come. All she could do, was stare at the closed wooden door, and ponder Damon's words…

Elena shot up in bed with a start. Her heart was racing, and she was drenched in a cold sweat. That pounding throb that had been so dominant in her dream was still there. Elena let out a shaky breath to calm her body. She couldn't stop replaying the dream in her head. In this moment, she thoroughly wished she was back in the present; that would mean, she could experience that dream for real with Damon. Suddenly, a knot formed in her stomach. She was still with Stefan. She shouldn't even be having these dreams or thoughts about Damon. Remembering what a horrid person fifteen year old Stefan had been, she allowed herself to momentarily forget about Stefan Salvatore. Reflecting back on what Damon had said, she couldn't help but wonder: now that he'd removed the blind, would she still choose to close her eyes? Elena didn't know the answer. All she knew, was the she desperately wanted to give it a try. If Damon was even half as good in real life as he had been in her dream that would be enough. In that moment, Elena Gilbert decided she would try to look at Damon with clear and open eyes.

2010

A smirk found its way onto Damon's face, as he lingered in her mind. She was willing to look at him clearly now. Who knew, all it took, was some dream touching?

~Okay, so that was chapter twelve. I know this chapter didn't have much content, but it's important to the story! This is the turning point of Delena. Also, this was my first try at writing smut, so please don't kill me if it's awful! I wanted to test out this type of writing for both this story and for "Always the Wicked" (which I will be updating very soon). Hopefully you enjoyed the smut? Oh god, I hope so! Oh, and check out my new one-shot "All I've Ever Wanted"! I would love your opinions on that (:

Remember, reviews are love, people! ;)