Crimson Fate

by MaNiQ1

Destiny has a funny way of intertwining with Fate. They were ALWAYS off limits to each other... AH

14. At Your Best (You are Love)

Crimson Fate (R-M)
Chapter 14 - At Your Best (You are Love-Aaliyah)

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Standing on sidelines cheering in a red and black uniform, Bonnie, Caroline, and Elena tried enjoying. Their last homecoming game. Sometimes Bonnie forgot she was a teenager until she put this uniform back on. Typical girl, never, but still a teenager none-the-less. The teeny tiny red fly away skirt flipped colors as the girls tumbled out of a stunt and moved back into position to continue ycheering.

The crowd was excited tonight because the homecoming game wasn't only going to showcase homecoming court nominees, but it was the game which would put them in first place for CIF if they won tonight.

The crowd was juiced and so were the cheerleaders. In fact Bonnie hadn't felt so much like a teenager in long time.

R-E-B! (Clap clap clap)

E-L-S! (Clap clap clap)

R-E-B!... E-L-S!... RED & BLACK YES YES YES!

R-E-B! (Clap clap clap)

E-L-S! (Clap clap clap)

R-E-B!... E-L-S!... RED & BLACK YES YES YES!

Her face lit up with enjoyment as her senior year was proving to be the toughest both in and out of school. Cheering was the happy place she got to pretend so hard to be happy that she was actually really enjoying it tonight.

When the cheer came to a hault, Caroline looked at a gleaming Bonnie and refused to let her slip through the cracks of their current reality. The promise they all made to each other was broken.

"What Care?" Bonnie asked knowingly.

"You know what? Tonight was supposed to be OUR night. We promised each other last year."

"I know but I've been busy. I'm sorry."

"Homecoming court was supposed to be all of us."

"At least you still have Elena."

"Whose head is in the clouds lately." They both turned to look at her realizing she was already texting on the field mid game. "Hello, What are you doing? We're in the middle of a game."

"Checking if my rides coming."

"Wait! What? It's tradition. All the cheerleaders and foot ball players meet at the drive in diner after the homecoming game."

Homecoming was coming up and this was the last game before Homecoming and Thanksgiving break.

"Why act like you care? You two have been hanging out without me for weeks?"

"Seriously, when?" Bonnie asked.

"Two weeks ago."

"Yeah. Well I was Bonnie's alibi. We weren't together. We said that to Stefan because we couldn't let Marcel find out Bonnie went out of town."

"The older guy Bonnie?" Elena rolled her eyes. "So I'm guessing you're not a virgin anymore. Great what else don't I know?" She crossed her arms irritated.

"Number one, I'm every bit a virgin as your asshole is. And two, whenever we try to have GT with you, you'd rather be in Stefan's asshole raping him of his breathing room."

"Bonnie don't be a bitch!"

"I'm not. That's real talk."

"It's true Elena. We try to do things with you, and you ditch us out for Rip every time." Caroline sided with Bonnie, which felt like a pattern to Elena.

"His name is Stefan. Not Rip."

Caroline threw her arms up rolling her eyes. "Classic Elena deflection."

"Listen Elena, we are heading to the diner. It's tradition to have milk shakes tonight if the team wins. Because it's good luck for CIF. Now, I'm asking you to go with us, we miss you."

Elena felt bad, but not bad enough to comply when she felt they'd been hanging out without her. "Sorry guys, I wish I could but I made plans."

"With Who?"

"Davina."

"Who is that?"

"See, you two snobs are so far up each others ass you don't know. She's a junior. The new girl, a transfer from Saint Mary's. I met her in the pageant I'm in."

Bonnie and Caroline both crossed their arms reflecting Elena's behavior and waiting for her to act normal again. "So, you're breaking tradition?"

"Caroline you think if Lexi was here, Bonnie would still be your bestie?"

"What a low blow. Elena, Caroline and I are friends because we are. Not because of yours or Lexi's absence." Elena and Caroline were much closer before Lexi left. Lexi and Bonnie were always best friends, until the very end when they lost touch and Lexi moved.

"Elena why would you say that when you're pushing yourself away?" Caroline asks.

"I'm sorry. Seriously I wasn't trying to be mean it's just, you two act like besties and who the fuck am I? What do you expect?"

They both knew it was a lie. Especially since before Stefan and Elena got together she and Bonnie weren't very close. But Elena realized that in order to keep from having drama she had to befriend her boyfriends best girl friend. And Bonnie didn't always enjoy Elena, but she tried to be supportive of Elena and Stefan's relationship because she thought it meant a lot to Stefan and she would hate for Elena t think she and Stefan had anything beyond friendship like the rest of the school always thought.

"You're right." Caroline bit the bullet. "If we've made you feel left out we are sorry."

And before Bonnie could offer a fake apology they turned to hear the roaring of Harley's strike the student parking lot behind the bleachers.

"Didn't know the guys were making an appearance tonight." Caroline looked to Bonnie who shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't look at me. Haven't spoken to Marcel since... the incident. And I haven't seen Damon since before that."

With midterms and helping her mother prep for the Club dinner Bonnie had been busy. All she and Damon had were a few texts. She felt him pull away after he spent the night, because she knew he was conflicted with everything happening around both of them.

They turned to Elena, "Maybe Stefan is here. It's been a few weeks since the incident."

Suddenly Elena felt paranoid. She didn't realize Stefan may show up for her homecoming Introduction of the court. "Fuck!"

"What?"

"Uh, nothing just... never mind."

Both Caroline and Bonnie shared an amused stare and Elena's recent behavior went beyond babying Stefan. She'd been acting strange for weeks.

At that point a few of the guys popped up at the fence before the crowd fighting their way through the girls. Marcel stopped a few minutes but Stefan walked right through calling for Elena. "Elena!" He yelled out, forcing her to search the crowd for not only him but maybe someone else she'd thought was there. When her and Stefan made eye contact she smiled coyly. "Hey baby!"

"Hey babe!" She hollered.

Caroline and Bonnie both astonished he was there with his healing injuries. Almost in utter shock he made it out of bed. When they saw all the other guys in the club they realized he was with back up just in case, since he wasn't a hundred percent. He and Bonnie were still annoyed with one another, but they spoke briefly when Bonnie walked to the fence. "Hey. Glad to see you walking asshole."

"Well I figured I'd come see you guys' homecoming introduction."

"You guys?"

"Yeah. You and Elena. Aren't you guys on homecoming court together?" He asked. Just then, as Bonnie tried to explain she saw a familiar set of boots heading her direction. She glanced up and Damon was right beside his brother.

"Uh... no. I'm not on court." She said nervously. Suddenly Damon's presence made her feel shy.

"What? You guys were excited about this? What happened B?"

"Forget about me, what about you? You look better." She couldn't run for homecoming court because she was spending all her time with Damon after school.

"Yeah. No thanks to you coming to see me or anything."

"Well I supplied you, with the shit that kept the pain at bay."

"And that substitutes my best friend coming to see me after I get jumped?" He asked.

"Wow. Stefan, why would I come sit on a bed next to Elena all day? She never left your side. I mean can I have a moment with my friend, alone? Oh no. Well... you don't make time for me Stefan. Every time I called you, she answered your phone."

"She's my girlfriend."

"And I needed to speak with you. Not her."

"You still should've come to see me."

"I couldn't and I'm sorry for not showing up, but I got your meds."

"Yup. Appreciate it." He spoke flat and monotoned.

"Plus the club denied me."

"I know the club denied you. But when have you ever listened to the club?"

She couldn't very well say Damon kept a close eye on her every night to the point he slept in her room and woke up with her. That he only didn't have eyes on her while she was at school and some weekends the club had too many runs.

"I tried to come the moment I found out. And I was stopped." She looked at Damon, who stare at her.

"By who?" At this point Stefan turned to see Damon next to him and watched as Bonnie's eyes attended to his presence shyly. "Him?" He asked of her before turning his attention to Stefan. "You stopped Bonnie from coming to see me? That's fucking low."

"Wait. Wait. The club has rules. You already knew that."

"I'm sorry I was busy being stitched up in pain to care about why my best friend couldn't see me when I was waiting for her to show up to the apartment."

"Stefan-"

"Rip."

"Stefan. I will not argue with you about a club decision here. The rules were set in motion the moment you stole a bike."

"So, this whole thing about not Bonnie coming to see me is my fault?"

"Did you steal a bike after I fucking warned you?"

"Can we forget about the fucking rules for a minute, I was fucking bleeding-"

"Stefan I'll put you back on house arrest. I said not here. Besides she's my priority when shit happens. Deal with it."

Stefan grit his teeth annoyed. He could've said more but he was at battle with Damon since he was weeks away from turning eighteen and patching in.

"Whatever." He turned back to Bonnie. "Point is, I thought my best friend would say "fuck rules," when she realized I was jumped and stabbed."

"Your face still looks good. Still have that Greek god thing happening." She grinned.

"Don't sweet talk me B."

"Stefan, I tried. What do you want me to do?"

"Make it up to me."

"Fine. I owe you."

"It's been a while since I stayed the night at your house. Maybe I should come over and we watch movies on the couch til we fall asleep like we used to. And you can literally wait on my hand and foot, since I'm broken."

"Deal. We need a long over due slumber party." She grinned.

Damon's jaw ticked at the thought. Suddenly his brother doing something he used to do as routine didn't sit right with him. He didn't like the idea of Stefan falling asleep with Bonnie, under a blanket on a couch. He tried to stay out of it but he didn't realize watching Bonnie and his brother fight like that would bother him. He knew their relationship was always brother and sister-like. He also felt like his brother expected more out of Bonnie than his own girlfriend at times. At that point she made eye contact with him for the first time since she'd woken up on top of him over a week ago.

"Hey Damon."

"Bonnie." He nodded his head.

She looked back at Stefan then back at Damon before walking away. "Well, I gotta go. Big game." She grinned out of nowhere.

Stefan looked between the two, who'd called each other by their birth given names, act if they were still nobody to each other. But there was something about the way they looked at each other, that Stefan didn't like.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"You two?"

Damon acted confused. "You mean saying hello to someone?"

"No, I mean that fucking look she gave you. Bonnie hates the club. She roles her eyes at you whenever she sees you. You think I don't pay attention. She just stare at you and you stare right back at her. Not over her or through her but AT her."

"Stefan shut the fuck up." Damon walked away before he had to lie, or bullshit his brother about anything. Marcel walked up at that point looking at Damon walk away.

"What's good, you good bruh?"

"Yeah. You notice anything different about B?"

"Like what!" Marcel asked nervously remembering their altercation a week ago.

"I don't know. She just seems different."

"I'm the last person who should be focusing on her right now." He admitted.

...

Bonnie was nervous Damon was there. For the first time his being at a game didn't annoy her. It made her want to avoid looking out into the crowd hoping he'd disappeared behind the bleachers like he usually did. Finally the bikers disappeared and she got more comfortable on the sidelines.

The band started playing Shake Ya Tailfeather and the cheerleaders had a routine which went to the popular theme song. The Drum majors started to hum the "LOW" theme loud in the background.

Bonnie quickly forgot the King's were there, when she called the drill routine. And the cheerleaders got in formation. The refs were reviewing a replay and all eyes were on the cheerleaders when the girls continued dancing.

Within seconds they were dropping it low and coming back up turning around and shaking it for the crowd. Even the football players on the sidelines turned to look, before the song was over.

Bonnie looked over her shoulder to toss her hair before she turned back around and pop pop popped her backside up in the air and saw him watching her. He didn't disappear with the other guys. Instead, he found a spot in the bleachers among the crowd and watched her. Something he never did.

He knew he could get away with it too, since the guys always occupied themselves with the groups of people who congregated behind the bleachers. Tyler's people were also here since it was a big game for him, which included the Howlers. And if they were there they were probably talking business with the MC. Keeping them busy, allowing Damon to hide out and watch the girl he wasn't supposed to be watching as closely as he was.

Bonnie almost lost her concentration, so she quickly found someone else in the crowd to distract her. A small girl trying to do the dances with them.

She danced her ass off avoiding him but she could feel his eyes burning through her skin from the left of her. When the song was over, they cheered and Bonnie quickly turns back to the game, pretending Damon didn't actually find a seat in the bleachers for the first time to watch her.

"Hey we gotta get ready to get dressed for half time. You good?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah. Good luck." Bonnie hugged Caroline and Elena. When they both walked to the locker rooms to get dressed Bonnie had to call the halftime cheer to buy the girls time to get dressed.

Bonnie turned back to her spot calling the cheer, and there he was, moved right in front of her on the bleachers. She asked herself several times what he was doing and why he was so crazy. But the truth was, for the first time she had someone to cheer for. Typically, Elena cheered for Stefan while he sat on the sidelines. Caroline cheered for Tyler while he played. And now Bonnie stood in front of Damon while he watched her in amusement.

She didn't know if she should take the moment seriously or laugh at herself. Either way he didn't move or blink until she was done. After her cheer the half time production continued with the homecoming court introductions. Bonnie cheered for her friends and watched Stefan give double the cheers for Elena.

But after it was all said and done, Caroline was crowned.

Bonnie was bummed for Elena but Caroline was who she thought deserved it more in her opinion. Especially since Tyler Lockwood was crowned King. After congratulating Caroline Bonnie went back to the sidelines to check her phone before halftime was over when Damon called.

"Hey, meet me behind the bleachers."

"What? I can't."

"Come to the East side of the bleachers. They're practically empty. No ones there."

She looked around making sure no one was watching her.

"Fine." She quickly hung up and ran to the furthest side of the bleachers. She made it before he did and waited in a dimly lit area until she saw his shadow walking up. "Oh my God. Why are you watching me?"

He shrugged his shoulders smiling.

"Stop doing it."

"Why!"

"I don't know. It's weird." She laughed feeling the pit in her stomach crowd with butterflies again. His leather jacket let off a familiar fragrance that reminded her of his bike and how she felt riding behind him. She quickly forgot about wanting her own bike when she fell in love with being on the back of his.

"Don't let it be weird."

"Easy for you to say. I'm not watching you perform. It's nerve wrecking."

"I didn't realize I made you nervous."

"Don't flatter yourself, Damon..."

"Damon? No. I let that "Damon-stuff" go when Stefan was there. That's not what you call me when it's just us." He lifted his arm and leaned it onto the concrete of the bleachers in the hallway at the furthest end of the empty side of the bleachers, prompting Bonnie to lean her back against the wall while he towered her. "What's my name?"

"Damon Giovanni." She joked.

"The other one." His lava blue eyes were soft right now and they followed her from head to toe and back up to her lips. "Baby girl..."

"Papi. There. Are you happy?" She pretended to be unaffected by him and his smirk, as much as both affected her. This rough older guy, acting somewhat soft when no one was looking.

Damon realized quickly Stefan and Marcel's mistake when they stopped watching Bonnie so closely. When they kept thinking she was the girl who was still unaffected by the opposite sex. And now, his eyes were trained on her, and not moving anytime soon. Yes. Marcel and Stefan messed up when they unknowingly let him step into the picture. And Damon wasn't going anywhere if he could help it.

"Can I ask you something?"

"No." She grinned.

A heavy sworm of eye flirting continued. Neither of them knowing what to say. The reality was they shouldn't have been talking behind everyone's back but the secrecy of it was as inviting as the inappropriate staring. "What are you thinking?"

"I said no questions Papi?"

"Fine. I'm not asking. Tell me what your thinking."

"That if I don't go back I'm gonna get caught being missing. And-" she thought a minute, realizing she'd never gotten caught doing anything irresponsible when it involved school because she was always doing what she was supposed to be doing at school. "And...?"

"And what?"

"It's a big game. I should get back."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"What are your plans later?"

"There's this tradition that we have to follow after tonight's game. I'll be with Caroline."

"Oh."

"And she drove me, sooo."

"Got it."

"So, I should get going."

"Will you be home tonight, before curfew? Or am I to expect one of those... nights you just don't show up and don't answer your phone excursions?"

"It all depends on Caroline. She may meet Tyler. And they may hang out after the diner."

"I hope you let me know, so I'm not waiting on you, like a jack ass."

Neither realized they spoke to each other as if they were in a relationship already.

"I'll call."

"I'll wait." He whispers, into her ear, forcing her to hold her breath.

Bonnie peeled her back of the wall slowly until her body hit his again. He didn't move, when she ran out of space either. The closeness was enough to hear him inhale through his nose and wait watchfully to see where he'd exhaled from. Her eyes traveled like cat eyes to his pink lips, whilst maneuvering his face to hers surpassing the boundaries they kept attempting to create. Finally he exhaled in the form of speaking against the open space in front of her lips. Acting as if he was going to kiss her.

Bonnie still, held her breath nervously.

"Ask me what I'm thinking."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"Ask me." He said inching closer and closer. The moment she felt like his lips would kiss hers a school proctor came from around the corner with a flashlight.

"Hey!"

"Shit."

"Get the hell out of here you stupid kids." Damon's face turned up at the man.

"What did you say to me?" Damon's lip snarled.

Bonnie quickly pushed Damon backwards until they were no longer under the tunnel urging him to leave before the proctor called back up bringing attention to the MC.

"Go, before he calls the other ones. They usually don't hesitate to pepper spray and taze people, since that shooting the Mongrels did."

"Fuck him."

"Please. I don't want you getting in trouble for me."

Bonnie's arm wrap around him in a hug until she hears the cheerleaders cheering. Damon wrapped all of his body around hers, hugging her back. They pull up and stare for a few seconds before letting go.

She nervously pulls back and he finally agree to release her. "You should go." And suddenly separating from him was the opposite of what she wanted or needed. Bonnie walked away, for a few feet before turning and seeing him watching her walk away.

"Hey!" She called out. "Why are you here tonight anyways? Stefan? Or some bullshit going down as usual?"

"Neither."

"Well then..."

"I just got what I came for." She grinned and rolled her eyes playfully forcing this tough Crimson King to blush. "Be good tonight."

"Always."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

He watched her twirl away catching the color of her black bloomers. And the hardest part would be pretending the uniform didn't affect him in some cliche way forcing him to keep his libido in check. Pretending nothing was happening was a formality of torture he had to endure because of the life he was born into and chose to let take over his existence.

He didn't disappear until she did.

And he watched her the rest of the game.

...

Caroline and Bonnie laughed over their milk shakes. It was custom to have black cherry milk shakes after the homecoming game. The King and Queen enjoyed the thrown a while with the rest of their classmates cheering them on.

High school was debaucherous. Anyway the teenagers could birth a tradition into some crazy good luck/bad luck customary monarchy headed by the popular or cool kids, it was suddenly Bible to the rest of the school. At least other teens who hoped to be in the same position as heads of the school.

Tyler stood on top of his lifted tricked out Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. The crowd stood around him waiting for him to finish his milk shake, because once the captain of the football team finished the rest of the school could proceed to drink their milkshakes and move on to beer funnels.

"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!"

Bonnie laughed with Caroline. They were over this tradition. In all actuality ice cream before beer was the stupidest thing high school kids could do the day before Homecoming. Yet somehow, asinine traditions ensued.

"God, I'm so done. I can't finish this milk shake."

"Bon you have to. And you have to eat the cherry."

"I hate Maraschino cherries."

"Traditions."

"Should die."

"Speaking of... Where's Elena?"

"Where else? Stefan showed up so, I'm guessing with him." Bonnie continued drinking her milkshake watching them get that beer funnels ready for Tyler to chug. "Tyler's going to be barfing later. I guess no Royal sex sessions tonight!"

"Pft. The only royal thing about our sex is my bowing at the knees to give him a blow job."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, sex is getting stale. Don't rush into it okay. I actually admire your rule to never fuck a high school guy." Caroline smiled on the outside but Bonnie felt a shift in her attitude with Tyler since the day she tried on dresses for his thanksgiving dinner. Mason Lockwood lead the charge on the beer chugging, to set the tone for little Lockwood.

"Oh my God is that really happening."

"Yeah. I should totally take over but we both know if Tyler sees me at the other end of a beer funnel, he'd flip."

"He's definitely not an equal opportunity drinker." Bonnie laughed. "Can't believe the Mayor is cool with this."

"She turns her head to everything. You know that. Tyler does no wrong. Little Prince Lockwood. And with my mom on her staff the cops don't look twice."

"We grew up here. This place works under the constructs of bribery and money."

"And yet theres still a hierarchy."

Soon after finishing her shake Bonnie saw Elena get dropped off with Davina from an unknown car that drove shortly. She pinched her eyes looking for Stefan who was nowhere in sight.

"She's so salty."

"Did she ever congratulate you?"

"Ehh. Typical hug on stage that everyone saw. Then, she we went back to cheering. The whole squad hugged me and she finally walked over and said my dress was beautiful. Ten minutes after I took it off. Then the game was over and I haven't seen her til now."

"Maybe she's right."

"Whata you mean?"

"We exclude her from things."

"Now, Yeah. But before she chose not to come around. The bonfire months ago, when Marcel embarrassed you, she left with Stefan."

"True. And about what she said about Lexi. It's not true. Sure you and I became closer after Lexi left, but I know you and Elena were the best of friends. I really had the plan to be a third wheel and get through the school year. But, you helped pull me out of my shell. And, you saw more than just Bitchy Bonnie Bennett. Like Lexi always said, 'Bon the boys won't come to you, you gotta go to them. Fuck traditions be a modern woman.' Oh god." She laughed to herself. "She was so boy crazy. Then there was you and Elena who had boyfriends. I just thought you guys would do all the boring couple stuff together and call me when it was time to hit the mall or something. And I was totally cool with that."

"Really? Lame!" Caroline laughed.

"Exactly. See. You just pulled me out of my shell. You didn't push me to the side when you were with Tyler. In fact, you've invited me to hang with you and him. Which is fucking weird." Bonnie admitted. "But it meant you were genuine."

"Totes." Caroline grabbed a joint from her purse and sparked it. "Come let's go to a corner, I don't want Elena trying to free lip my shit." They hopped off someone's car and walked to the side of the building. "Bonnie, to be honest, I've come to learn more about who I am with you. You bring out a side of me that makes me feel like I'm being myself. Not being what my mom and carol wants."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She coughed out some smoke, padding to Bonnie.

"That's cool. I think we both just needed each other."

"Totes." Caroline waited patiently while Bonnie took a few hits. "Damn babe, you've gotten better at this. I mean, you hold it like a pro."

But her pro luck ran out when Bonnie laughed it out losing her hold on it. "Fuck. I'm done. I'm so good."

"Me too." Both girls walk back to the group continuing to be ignored by Elena. But it didn't change the fact that they had a good time.

...

A couple hours went by that everyone in the group was getting rowdy. Bonnie and Caroline each shared a couple of beers when Bonnie's mother called her. Bonnie stood up and walked to a quiet area. "Momma?"

"Bonnie where are you Bonnie?"

"Party momma. I'm almost done."

"You need to get home. It's after midnight."

"Momma, it's Friday night. I never hang out too late."

"I don't care. Get your ass home!"

"Have you been drinking momma? You're voice is slurred."

"Excuse me Bonnie Jade. Don't question me!"

Bonnie sighed heavily. She realized she'd had a couple smoke and drank tonight, and she needed to sober up before seeing her mother. Especially since Caroline was her ride, they were both out of it. She glanced up looking for Caroline who was now making out with her boyfriend at the side of his Jeep.

Fuck. She thought this would be difficult. "Okay momma. I'll be home."

Abby hung up in her daughter's face, forcing Bonnie to bite back anger. "Caroline." She called out walking back to the group. "I have to go. My momma is pissed."

Caroline stumbled out of Tyler's arms confused. "What?"

"My momma called me and told me to get my ass home."

"She knows it's homecoming game tradition right?"

"She doesn't give a shit about it Care."

"Okay. Uhhmmm let me have like twenty minutes to sober up. We can grab a coffee from the diner."

"Babe. Don't leave. You are staying the night with me." Tyler whined.

"I am Bonnie's ride. I have to take her home."

"Ya know it's cool, I actually can get a ride I think."

"No Bon. Don't call James."

"No. Not James. You should stay. I will call Stefan."

"You sure? I know he's on your shit list."

"Yeah But he'll always give me a ride." Bonnie walked away and dialed Stefan's number. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I need a ride."

"Alright. Where are you?"

"The diner parking lot."

"Is Elena there?"

"Yeah she got here a couple hours back."

"So, you guys didn't take her?"

Bonnie quickly felt caught in a cross fire. "No... she came with Davina. Some girl she's been hanging out with."

"Why do you sound unsure?"

"I'm sure. I saw with my own eyes. I was just shocked is all. Anyways can you give me a ride or not?"

"Of course I can give you a ride. I'm at the club house, it'll take me a few minutes okay?"

"Wait, Stefan have you been drinking?"

"Not much a couple beers."

Sigh of instant relief. "Oh good, because-"

"And a couple shots, but- I'm good!"

"Stefan?" She heard someone call from the back ground. "Who's that?"

"B..." he called to her ignoring the person in the background. "B, are you there?"

"Yeah. Stefan it's okay. I'll just walk okay."

"Do not walk home! I repeat, do not walk home. I'm on my way."

"Ohh never mind. I see my ride. Thanks Stefan. I don't need a ride anymore." Bonnie lied.

"Don't lie to me. Do not walk home I'm coming."

"Stefan Caroline is taking me it's call you tomorrow."

She could here him slurring almost as bad as her mother. What was in the air, that had everyone drunk on the night? Time wasn't on her aide and overthinking it was putting her behind in her walk which was gonna be the key to sobering her up before she got home. "Caroline Stefan is on his way, I'm heading to the corner to wait."

"Wow, I hate that you're mom is calling you home at 12:15 but, if it makes you feel better I'm done for the night. It's no fun without you. I'm gonna grab a coffee and leave in an hour."

"Just enjoy it. I'm fine." Bonnie's Mom put a damper in her night. Things had gone calmly. Her best friend was home coming queen and Damon saw her cheer. On a sobering walk home she text James to say goodnight, and within minutes he texted back. She could tell he wanted to chat but she lied and said she was in bed already. She then scrolled to Damon's name and text him too. A simple goodnight. And he immediately called her back. Her fingers hovered over the green button to answer it. But if she ignored it, he'd know she ignored him purposely.

"Hello."

"Hey."

"Uhh, why are you calling me?"

"Why are you texting me?"

"I was just saying good night."

"You're supposed to be with Caroline I thought."

"Uhh Pft. Yeah I am. Which is why I texted you."

He stare at his phone smiling. "Baby girl what are you doing?"

"Talking to you. Duh."

"Well, I overheard Stefan already so."

"Oh, you're at the club house too? With her?" She asked boldly. Damon felt a difference in her tone.

"You drunk?"

"No."

"High."

"What's with the twenty-one?"

"You still partying? Where are you?"

"Okay Daddy Damon. I'm getting off now. Back to the party I go."

"Go onto your text messages, and click info on my name. Then click share location."

"No." She laughed. "What do you think I'm stupid?"

"It's okay. I'll ask Stefan where you are. Stay put! I'm on my way to you." He hung up the phone. Bonnie quickly called him back. "What Baby?"

"Please don't come get me."

"Why?"

"I don't know." She sang out. "I just... don't want you to be mad."

"Why would I be?"

"Because, Just... I'm fine. I'm walking home now and sobering up. My momma is pissed at me, so I decided to walk home and sober up."

"From where?"

"The diner."

"Stop walking I'm coming."

"You can't. We can't be seen together."

"I'll be discreet. I'm not letting you walk home, drunk. Go back to the diner."

"Fine." She hung up the phone and walked back to the corner, attempting to hide out from everyone. Less than ten minutes he was there. She heard his bike and peaked her head from around the corner. Signaling him to cut off his engine before he came all the way around the corner to the parking lot. She quickly tossed her bag over her shoulder and jogged to him while he strapped his dome on her. He quietly turned his bike around and when he felt her gripping him he started it, taking off quicker than she could even say thank you.

By the time her fingers found their way underneath his shirt, he was wrapping his Palm around both of her hands in his own quick way of saying hello to her. Bonnie lay her head on the back of his shoulder and just enjoyed the ride. Because he never took her straight home. He always took a detour so he could feel her arms around him longer.

...

After discovering her mother was highly drugged on pain medication and probably hallucinating during her phone call to Bonnie, she was quickly able to overlook her mother's hanging up in her face. Bonnie saw the pills by her mother's bed, and a bottle of wine.

Damon snuck into her house quietly removing his boots and locking her door behind him.

"So, you sober?"

"Uhh, getting there."

"Can I be honest with you?" He asked in a serious tone, which wasn't I like him. But somehow it felt like it was going deeper than normal.

"Sure."

"I don't like you getting drunk like that without thinking about how you're going to get from point A to point B."

Bonnie gave a slight head nod, in understanding but in true Bonnie fashion tried making excuses for herself. "I didn't think I'd have to go home so early. My mom, had taken some pain meds I'm guessing after a couple glasses of wine and dialed me."

"So what? You were going to just drink until you were drunk and pray to sober up? Why did you drink like that?"

"It was a couple beers. No big deal."

"More than a couple beers. You're eyes are red. And you're staring at me as if you're zoning out."

"Okay, I did one beer chug. But if I'm being honest, never again." She laughed. Slowly she brushed her teeth holding herself up in the bathroom losing her balance. She wanted to disguise the fact that she was also high as best as she could. That is until she looked up through blurry vision and saw him standing behind her. "Little space?"

"You smoke too?" His eyes squinted in disappointment.

Her whole body tilted to the right, when he caught her with his right arm and held her as she brushed her teeth. Bonnie wouldn't talk with a mouth full of paste so she held her fingers up and pinched them together signaling she had a "little bit" to him.

"Spit."

She bent down and spit while he held her. "Rarely. Okay, I rarely do it."

"If you don't have a solid ride, from someone you trust who is sober, don't do this again." They began having a staring context in the mirror as he stood behind her. Her challenging eyes were heading in the direction of the defensive. "Don't look at me like that."

"What, Like you're pulling a Marcel or a Stefan."

"Stop. Okay. Don't be a brat Bonnie. Can you blame them for worrying?"

"All the bullshit they pull and me drinking and smoking some weed is suddenly making me the worst person? They do ten times the damage I do when they drink."

"Are either of them here right now? No. I am. Don't compare me to them. Because regardless of what you think I'm not trying to run you. I care about you. You're better than this shit."

"Everyone drinks and smokes. You do it."

"That's different. I'm at the club house. I can sleep there."

"Right. You sleep there. And fuck random females." Damon's neck snapped back in amusement, ready to shake her. "Yes, I said it. I'm not fucking random guys. Hell I'm not FUCKING anybody. I drink or smoke and I laugh or dance. Truly I'm just letting go."

Slowly Damon's hands crawls up the sides of her arms gripping her softly... for now. "And what happens when you're so wasted, someone takes advantage of you?"

"It won't happen. I'm always in a big group."

"You sound childish."

"You think I haven't thought about that? I watch myself around people. I do. What about the groupies that hang around the club waiting to Turkey baste your little swimmers into their blown out twats. Unless you're the not wearing condom type, buy her a plan B type. Pathetic!"

Damon took a deep breath and squeezed her arms slightly just enough to watch her face when she winced in the mirror at him. "Don't be jealous." He whispered. Bonnie snatched away from him quickly. He was sobering her up, forcing her to think too much, again.

"I'm still mad at you."

"Why?"

"You know why? Last weekend you text me at one in the morning with some bizarre scenario."

"It wasn't bizarre. It was realistic."

"But why? Why ask me? Ask her. The woman you spend your nights with." Bonnie said thoughtlessly.

"I spend most of my nights... with you."

"you know what I meant." She snapped.

"You're funny when your jealous."

"Pft. Never."

"It's okay. I like it."

"Well, don't flatter yourself. I couldn't be jealous if I tried."

He smirked at her again. Watching her spill some tea while she was still tipsy. "If you say so."

"Further more... you ruined my night. I was hanging out with... Caroline and you asked me that. And I thought to myself, what happens if Damon dies? Who's going to look out for me, and make me feel safe?" She said borderline emotional, borderline confused by it. "Seriously, why would he get in my head, and scare me like that. The thought of losing him, I mean you-" she looked up, "scares me. And I know, if it came down to it, I'd get you to help. However I had to do it. Whether I had to do it myself or find a way to get help to us. I don't know, but what I do know is I can't lose you. And I won't."

He stare at her piercingly. "You won't. It was just, hypothetical."

"Well, hypothetical, role reversal. I'm dying in a ditch, what do you do? Go for help, or stay with me until I die?"

Damon's face softened when she asked the serious question, not liking how she flipped it on him. "As long as I'm alive, you're not dying."

"That's not answering my question."

"It is. Trust me."

"And I don't except that answer."

"Tough."

"No. Answer me!" She demanded.

"Shhh. You'll wake your mom."

Bonnie bit back frustration. "Papi, something can very well happen to me, when you're not around. You're not Superman."

"No. But I'm not afraid to die. So, if somehow a bullet came in our direction and we happened to be at the same place at the same time, I'd gladly take it for you."

"Oh. Wow. So... You'd-"

"In a heartbeat."

Bonnie sighed and shook her head biting her top lip. "I don't know how to stop a bullet, but I wouldn't let you die." His stating became frightful to her. "No more one am hypotheticals okay? Not over the phone. At least give me the courtesy in person."

"Why?"

"So I can smack you!"

They both gave a slight laugh. It was getting easier to be around each other. Today was the first time they didn't argue with each other.

When she walked out of the bathroom and into the room, he watched her remove her tennis shoes but still eye molested her in her uniform. Bonnie looked up and Damon caught a glimpse of her busted lip in the light now that she wasn't talking. He walked to her face and kneeled in front of her.

"What happened?" His fingers gently stroked it.

"Cheerleading stunt." Named Marcel.

"Don't lie to me. Who did that?"

"Her name is Tanisha, and her head hit my lip when I was practicing a stunt with her." She had a week to come up with that lie, in case he asked. "Honestly, And when it happened, my lip wouldn't stop bleeding. You gonna beat her up?" She joked.

His eye squint let her know he was on to her. "When you lie to me you stare at my forehead when you talk." Bonnie's eyes eyes fell casually from his forehead wrinkles to his lips. Which was when she noticed they shared a common flaw.

"Well, what happened to your lip?"

"Tanisha." He joked.

"I hate you. I'm serious, what happened?"

"Well one of us should be honest, I guess. Truth is I got into a fight."

She suddenly stopped laughing and looked worried. "Oh my God, When? Why?" Her small hands reached up and touched his lip. They were both surprised not to have noticed earlier after heavily eye gawking each other.

"I'm fine Mom." He twisted out of her grasp. Bonnie caught herself in her embarrassment. "It was a joke. I can't believe you care. You normally look like you want me to get punched in the mouth."

"Damon, That's not true. I care sometimes." Slowly he undressed himself of his jacket and shirt. Bonnie caught herself off guard watching him from behind and being more and more curious about all of the art work he'd had done.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just... You have so much ink."

"Started when I was fifteen, or fourteen. I can't remember."

"I always wanted a tattoo."

"Of what?"

"For a long time I wanted my daddy's name on my wrist. But... I'm not sure I still want that. You got anybody's name on you?"

"Fuck no."

"Oh."

"Usually tattooing someone's name on you means the relationship is either fucked up, or will be fucked up. It's bad luck."

"Oh." She sighed. "I also like the idea of symbolic tattoos."

"Don't mark up your body."

"Why?"

"I don't know. You don't need it."

"Neither did you."

"These are lifetime monumental moments and achievements. See you, will go off to college. You'll get a high school diploma. A college degree or two. Job promotions to show for your hard work. These tattoos on my body, are my trophy's, and diplomas." Bonnie reaches up and started tracing the maps of his skin with her fingers. She saw one on the front of his shoulder. A small red heart, with the typical M-O-M written across it in ribbon. No name, just MOM.

"Cute." His eyes watched her fingers crawl over his skin and absorb his energy. Every tattoo let off a different form of energy, and Bonnie looked like she tried to imagine his mindset when getting each tattoo. Her fingers finally make it to the top of his shoulder where she sees a large gash hidden under his tattoos. "What the hell Papi?"

"Told you, I got into a fight."

"This isn't stitched up, it can get infected."

"It was stitched up, but they were itching so I took them out."

"Idiota." She whispered. "You removed them? Who does that?"

"Have you ever had stitches?"

She had for think back, and sadly not that far. "Yeah. Once. And I didn't dare remove them. And- Why are you suddenly fighting?"

"Suddenly?"

"Yeah suddenly! Is this normal?"

"Yeah." Bonnie saw some bruising under his painted skin around his wound and now that she was closer, more on his stomach and ribcage.

"God. How hard did he hit you?"

"He cheated. His tape was cemented."

"The hell..." she covered her mouth to keep from waking Abby. "CEMENT? Why?" She appeared angry. "You asking to be locked up or what?"

"Hey, I'm not just out in the streets fighting randoms. It's all contracted. In a ring. I make money."

Bonnie could tell his body had to be in pain. She quickly grabbed a couple of regular sized bandages and some peroxide. "Get up! Vente conmigo." She pulled him by the hand made him stand in her bathroom like a child while she cleaned his week old cut and bandaged it. "What a fucking joke." She laughed. "These tiny bandaids won't do a thing."

"A for effort." He added while watching her focus solely on him, caring for him and taking care of him.

"I tried." She admitted staring at a tatted set of boxing gloves on one side of his chest. And his last name across his stomach in large letters. SALVATORE. Her tattoo gazing may have been convincing enough to make him believe she was adoring his muscles. But it didn't stop him from flexing the areas she touched. "You look sore."

"I'm always sore. I barely sleep. I'm constantly on runs. I don't remember if I eat every day. And my diet consists of bourbon and cigarettes."

"Disgusting."

"You know what-?"

"No! I'm serious. Why aren't you taking better care of yourself?"

"This is me."

Bonnie sighed realizing he already had a mother and she wasn't it. She hadn't felt like she had to ever mother anyone. And somehow in these moments, he needed it. "I made some coconut bread. I can warm it up and butter it. I'll be back up with some warm milk and buttered coconut bread. And you can eat it, then I can give you a massage."

"What are you my girlfriend?" He joked.

"You'd be so lucky. Does your girlfriend even look out for you?"

"For the last time, I don't have a girlfriend."

"Booty call?"

"Stop it. No one claims me. Or my manhood."

She smiled at the insinuation.

"Whatever. Lay down." Bonnie disappeared for a few minutes. In this time Damon looked at his phone seeing Rose's name in missed calls and messages. He left her at the club house, to pick Bonnie up. And told her he wasn't coming back. He could've made Bonnie jealous a little like last time, and responded. But he didn't actually like to play those kind of games with women. He didn't talk about another woman when he was with one. What he did do, was distract himself from time to time by texting Rose while with Bonnie when he needed to seriously avoid crossing a physical boundary with her. This time, he turned his phone off. And tossed it in his boot. Before he knew it Bonnie walked back in ready to give him some more of her precious and rare attention.

Could it have been his comments about not being on lockdown that got to her or maybe she just felt bad how alone he actually was. It didn't matter. She sat warm milk next to him and two slices of warm buttered coconut bread.

"This the same Coconut bread your grams made when we were younger?"

"Yeah."

"Damn I missed that bread. But the idea of you cooking is hilarious though."

"Ya know, don't get it twisted. I can take my coconut bread back." Damon bit into the coconut bread and she could read the satisfaction on his face when his eyes closed and he quickly slid another bite into his mouth devouring the first slice within seconds. She watched like a satisfied grandma when the kids loved fresh baked cookies. Her eyes lit up silently. Then he hummed and she knew she'd served a distinct purpose.

"I don't deserve this."

"You do. For looking out for me. For stopping what you were doing and bringing me home. And, teaching me how to take care of myself. You're like the big brother I haven't had." Those words almost hit him in the gut, and she didn't mean to word it so cavalierly. It just came out of obligation, because he took over that role in her life. The protector. The guardian. He sat and listened and sighed quietly. "I don't really trust many people. Let alone guys. Like you my list is three, maybe four people. Anyway I'll stop rambling. Go ahead and eat. I'm gonna change clothes."

Damon lay on the floor with his food thinking about her words. They didn't often say nice things about each other. Flirt, maybe. Have attraction, sure. But Bonnie kept a lot of her own feelings to herself unless he brought her to the point of emotional out burst. This time was just, her calm words.

When she immersed from the bathroom. She didn't bother showering. She tossed on some comfortable clothes and maneuvered herself across the floor and onto his back. Slowly she opened a bottle of lotion and starts rubbing his arms and back.

Inside Damon felt wrong. He felt like he was taking advantage of the situation. If she saw him as a brother type, why was he allowing her to touch him behind closed doors? Or even treat him like they were more than friends. He couldn't handle the idea of them crossing a boundary they couldn't come back from.

"Stop."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know. It's weird. We can't, I can't keep coming in your bedroom at night. I should be a better judge of shit." He attempted to get up and she placed her arms back into his shoulders and rubbed gently avoiding the large gash. He attempted to grab her hands and she wouldn't let him.

"I want you here. This is the only time you sleep decent. And the only time we actually are calm with one another."

"Yeah But if I'm your brother figure, this feels wrong."

"No." She smacked her lips. "Brother figure as in looking out for me creep. You don't remind me of my brother. I meant, you took on the role Marcel casually takes advantage of. I mean he disappears for weeks then comes home and starts pushing me around like some bully."

"Pushing?"

She misspoke mistakingly. "Uh, you know what I mean. He starts barking orders. And Stefan is so caught up in Elena and club life, he kind of forgot about me too. Same with Lexi. So, I have no idea where I'd be without you and Caroline this year."

Her small hands kneaded several areas of his back that had tension. Damon grunted under his breath easing into the massage, which surprisingly felt heavenly. "Damn." He breathed into the air.

"That feel okay?"

"Fuck... yes it does." His eyes closed as his forehead pressed into his forearms as they lay on the carpet, and Bonnie dug deeper. "Got damn. That spot always feels like I got sucker punched in the kidneys."

"You know why?"

"Fighting?"

"No. Bourbon. My daddy drank so much, he got kidney stones all the time. You don't take care of yourself Damon. I can't even imagine how you fight when you eat like shit."

"I eat Baby, sometimes. My ma cooks for me a couple times a week. But she and my pops have been gone a couple months and so I eat when I can cook. Or when I can stop and grab something."

"You cook?"

"A little." He laughed. "Enough to survive. But I remember when the club used to have get togethers twice a month for the families. And I was a kid, and we ate good. And I looked forward to those dinners every other Sunday."

"Yeah. I remember a little. Not much."

"Well, let's just say grams made this coconut bread. Your moms threw down on some Mac, and Ribs, and greens, my ma came through with the Italian food. Your pops made the best Salsa. We always had every ethnic food you could think of. Such a mixed up bunch of fucks who's dads were in the army together. We had, Korean food, Pacific Islander food, Soul food, Dominican food, Italian food, everything. Family was big back then. It's so different these days."

"Wow, I wish I remember more of those days."

"Yeah I mean you got the shit end of just being a little girl who wanted her daddy. I'm sorry." Bonnie kept massaging at his ribs and kidneys. "Nowadays, Vin is so set on expansion. Like, we do stolen goods. It's our thing. My pops said they did dope back in the day. But stopped when they realized the Cartels were starting to fucking merk women and children. We stayed on stolen merch, protection, and fighting. We always did the underground shit and made so much fuckin money. Owning that shit."

"Why'd the club stop doing fights?"

"Politics baby. It's a long ass fucked up story."

"Some other time I guess." She said sullenly.

"I promise to tell you one day. But other than that, we do other shit for money. Shit you don't need to worry about."

"Why?"

"Because the less you know the better."

Bonnie and Damon continued conversing while she massaged his back, making him forget he felt guilt about it.

...

She rubbed away until her fingers got soar, which was when she started inquiring about his art work.

"So what is roman numeral ten or is it an X?" She asked looking at his back, deciphering his tattoos.

"It's Roman numeral ten. Which is the age I was when I learned to shoot, and it's also my lucky number."

"What about the chest pieces?"

"Self explanatory. I'm a King. Literally. Maybe not of a country, maybe not even of a small colony. But my MC is my domain. It's in my blood. I'm a King til I die. I have my pawns, my rooks, my knights, my bishops... just don't have the most important piece."

"Which is?"

"My Queen."

"Oh. I see. Well, don't they say the King is the most important piece, in chess?"

"Anybody that says that don't know shit about the game of chess. And if it was so easy picking a queen, I'd have one by now. A queen is the most important piece. She protects the entire kingdom. Not just the King, but the pawns, the rooks, the knights, and bishops. She is loyal to them, and therefore, without question they are loyal to her, thus loyal to the King. The Queen is the real shot caller. And any smart King who knows that knows "He, who gives his life to his Queen, has life." Because, "The castle does not exist, without a her."

James said something similar. And even if from totally different backgrounds, Bonnie was beginning to realize, that, James and Damon had the same mentality. Both had a an admiration for women. Though Damon's was more hidden. Both wanted loyalty more than anything. Both tried to give her money and both made her feel like no other female was around when she was with them.

For a girl who didn't date high school boys or care for the politics of high school dating, she'd be lying if these two men didn't make her feel some type of way.

Bonnie's legs spread over the back of his with one on each aide as she sat up and straight and held his sides to keep her balance.

"Seems like being a Crimson King, who bleeds the Crown, you can't have that type of life, in this MC." She went back to kneading his upper shoulders. "It would be too hard to have a Queen."

"Hard, does not equal impossible. One day I'll have a queen. She will be my everything, and she will know as much about this life as I do."

"I thought you guys wanted women far out of the picture?"

"In terms of danger? Yeah. But at some point, a woman has to fully grasp what I deal with in order to accept me and my life. Who can you trust more, than the person you love?"

"Good point."

"Plus, in a court of law, a wife can't testify against her husband if she doesn't want to. And vice versa."

Bonnie paused to read the joke in his face. But the more she stare the more she realized he was serious. "Well you just have it all figured out. Don't you? So, what... your future woman, has to be a part of this life?"

"I really don't see another way. I can't leave it, and she'd have to accept it, if she wants to be with me."

"And if she didn't? What if you fall for a woman, who wants no part of it?"

"Then I'm screwed."

"Yes, you'd be limiting yourself. Someone great can be out there for you, but wants no parts in this backwards ass way of life."

He lay silently, because he didn't know how to come back from that. She just, ignored herself, and how she sounded protesting her own beliefs about the MC in the regards to his future wife. Self inserting without realizing it. All the while, massaging and looking at tattoos.

"What's the D12 tattoo? My daddy had this one too?"

"Baby girl, I think this is too much for you. I should stop, because this life, isn't for you? You're way too good for this shit."

"What? Stop being stupid. I'm just curious, is all."

"No. I think the more you know, the angrier you'll become."

If there was one thing Bonnie hated, it was someone telling her what she could and couldn't handle. Even if she clearly kept making it a point to disregard everything the club was by tearing it apart as she defended her anger to retaliate against her disdain for it.

"I can handle it. Just tell me what D12 stands for?"

"Dirty dozen."

"Oh. What is dirty dozen?"

"It's an exclusive club."

"Don't be short with me. Just tell me Damon, I can handle it!"

"It's a status. You get it, when you kill your first twelve, before the age of twenty-one." She sat up, and stopped rubbing his back again. The shock on her face, spoke volumes, and he was glad he couldn't see it. He had the blood of more than twelve people on his hands. Which was what he meant with the holy water comment weeks ago. He felt her sit up and stop. He knew she tensed up at the words, that he'd killed over twelve people. Or at least that many.

Without hesitation he turned over abruptly, catching her body while she sat on top of him. He was now laying underneath her, but facing her now. "You gonna judge me now?"

"When did you reach that number?"

"Answer me woman!"

Still ignoring him, she kept demanding more. "When did you reach twelve?"

"Why? Why do you need to know? So you can judge me?"

"When did you reach twelve kills, Papi?"

"Why, Baby? Why does it matter?"

"It just does. Answer me. When did you reach twelve kills?"

"When I was sixteen. I reached twelve kills at sixteen. Which is why membered in so young. You happy?" He yelled.

"Shut up, you're gonna wake my momma." Who was drug induced on pain meds and wine, heavily sedated in her dark room with the music turned on.

"Why do you need this information?"

"Why would the club ask so much of you when you were so young?"

"Sometimes, I didn't have to be asked. Okay? Sometimes, I was perfectly okay with killing somebody. Just because, I knew I could."

Bonnie shut her eyes in shock and couldn't look at his face for a few seconds. At seventeen she couldn't imagine killing one person, and he'd already killed at least twelve at her age. AT THE LEAST! By the time she opened her eyes she couldn't stop herself from being so curious.

"If you reached dirty dozen status eight years ago, then..."

"Yes. I've killed a helluva a lot more than twelve people. I'm not going to tell you how many. And the fact that you, can sit here, and stare at me like you feel sorry for me, is making me want to kill someone else." He growled.

"You don't mean it."

"I do. I told you Baby. I'm a King through and through. I was born into this, and I will die a King." Some other side of him had come out, she'd never before seen before. He was cold, and crass, and callous. Which reminded her of one of his club patches. Savage Sal.

"Savage Sal? Is that your club name? Your full club name? It's on your cut." She lifted off of him, but he grabbed her by her wrists, and yanked her back down.

"Yes. "Savage" is also an exclusive membership. Would you like to know what it means?" He asked sarcastically.

Bonnie hesitated a while and stare at him. Finally, he figured she be done asking for more reasons to judge him. But she shocked the hell out of him when she said, "Yes."

"Really? You sure, baby?" He raised a brow.

"I'm sure. Now fucking tell me."

"It means, I've killed another club's president."

Bonnie's hands tensed up again and he clamped down on her wrists harder. They were too far into this conversation for her to decided she couldn't handle it. And he wasn't letting her run away.

"What club?"

"Don't worry about it. Just know, that I'm not one of the good guys. I'm the club's previous enforcer, Baby." Somewhere lost in translation tonight he never called her "baby girl," and she just became "Baby."

"Wow. So, that's the enforcers job."

"To be able to kill on command. Yes. But, I am no longer the enforcer."

"Who is?"

"Cel." Bonnie shook her head no, in disbelief. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want her brother becoming more psychotic than he already was. Maybe that's why Marcel had become so psychotic and abusive. Knowing Damon used to be the enforcer, had her thinking hard about everything. But Damon never projected an ounce of psychotic behavior into her. "Yeah. He is... and I am responsible for him. You see why you and I are complicated? Because, if anything happened between you and me, he would go on a reckless killing spree. He's already spiraling out of control. He's already a hot head. And, I am responsible for him, solely. If he fucks up, I'm also on the chopping block. And now, I'm responsible for you. Which makes my life a complicated mental fuck!"

Bonnie looked further down his chest from his harsh eyes that intimidated her in these moments. She kept asking questions to keep herself from thinking to hard.

"What is the Iron Fist ink for? I've also seen the patch on your cut."

"One fist means, I'm undefeated. And two fists means, I've killed someone in the ring. Underground boxing." She looked at his fists, which were always so bruised up and rough looking. She grabbed his hand, and rubbed her fingers over his fists softly. His tense body tensed up more underneath her. Which made her body temperature rise abruptly. "What are you doing?" He questioned.

"Seems your hands have been through a lot." She finally allowed herself to calm down, realizing he didn't need her to judge him.

Damon let her massage his hands until he softened up some. Slowly he dropped his guard while the tension in his body took a rest.

"Sometimes I look at you, and wish I was someone else, Baby."

"Why?"

"Because, I don't deserve to be in your world, Bonnie. You were right about club members. I'm a no good killer. I kill people, and I take things, and I make money illegally. There is no good inside of me, except you."

Those words hit her surprisingly powerfully.

"I'm a part of you?"

"Hell yeah you are. You are this weird extension of me, and somehow I got this second chance to be a better person, in order to help you, and watch out for you."

"You're a good man. Stop selling yourself short."

"I've done too many bad things, baby."

"What about how you do things for the community? The Kid's Clubs, and the Battered Women's shelters. You also do the semi-annual cookouts to raise money for the community. You keep all of the club families financially stable, and you also offer protection, to people in the community." She winced at his grip on her wrists. "Papi, this hurts my wrists."

He looked at his grip on her small wrists, and loosened it. "Sorry."

"It's okay.

"You still think I'm a good man after all the shit I've told you?"

"Yeah."

"I don't deserve to know you."

Bonnie grabbed Damon's hands again and looked at his knuckles, holding the roughness like a small child holding a gun. Her finger tips rubbed over busted knuckle scars and beat up hands, and she looked him in his mysterious oculus eyes and asked, "You know what I want more than anything, that I NEED more than anything?"

She could've said anything and he'd probably give it to her. But her answer not only shocked him, but made him want to give it to her.

"What do you want and need more than anything?"

"To watch you fight."

Those dirty under ground scenes were no place for her. But somehow, her NEEDING to be there, meant everything to him.

"I don't know about that."

"What? Why?"

"The places I fight are grimey and filled with gutter mutha fuckers. There's some awful shit happening sometimes."

"I want to be there with you."

He sighed and gave it a short amount of thought.

"Okay. My next fight, I want you ringside."

"For real, Papi?" She lit up.

"Fuck Yeah Baby! Who better to see me in action, than you?"

Both grinned. She more than happy to see him fight up close, and he more than happy she actually wanted to be there.

When it became too quiet, he took a look at her as she sat on top of him. He relaxed enough to finally feel her body pressed into his again, and realized what she was wearing. A barely anything tank top and sleeping shorts set. He couldn't help how he felt in this moment.

Damon sat up abruptly, as she relaxed on top of him, facing him. His arm wrapped around her back, and she stopped smiling when he was face to face with her breathing her air.

"What did I do? Why'd you sit up?"

"You umm," He looked away, unable to help the way his body felt underneath hers. Every nerve ending alert as he felt her flesh touch the very lower half of his abs. "I have to go to the bathroom."

"Oh... okay." Bonnie moved off of him nervously, and stood up, as he stood up. He hurried into the bathroom locking the door behind him

Bonnie put her hand over her mouth, and giggled to herself. She's never had this affect on a guy like Damon. Months ago he was almost too tough to handle. Now, she felt like she found some key that unlocked the one and only soft spot, inside of his heart. And she knew, it was slowly, reserving itself for her.

---

Damon will find things out slowly, first part of this story is about he and Bonnie developing. She's become such a good liar, but over time, everything comes out piece by piece. I hope you guys liked this BAMON chapter and learning more about Damon through Bonnie's eyes and ears.

Hnina- Black velevet isn't on Hiatus. I'm going to get back to those stories after a Crimson Fate is ALL posted. Thank you all for supporting!