It's a longun, 6K wowza. Hope it's worth it

Read away...

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Despite Caroline's insistence that I speak to Damon about our relationship status (if such a thing existed), I didn't see him once over that weekend. Nor did I see him on Monday morning because apparently he was absent from school. In response to my text he simply joked he was taking a 'personal day' which made me laugh at the reference to 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist' and I left it at that. I wasn't about to bombard him with questions on his whereabouts...

Tuesday…well, on Tuesday Caroline decided that I was attending cheer practice. So by the time the bell rang to signal the end of the school day, I found myself on the field, dressed in some black ¾ length sports leggings and a tank top (luckily the uniforms weren't necessary for practices), listening to Caroline order everyone around and rant about routines. She really was in her element. But I may or may not have zoned out for a bit, sitting on the grass with Bonnie and Rebekah with my legs crossed in front of me and leaning back on my arms. The cheers were fairly straight forward and it hadn't taken long to pick them up after an hour and a bit of Queen Forbes demanding we practice over and over. Now, just past five o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was beginning to set and the chill that accompanied the night was setting in but still we weren't done. We wouldn't be done until Caroline had finished her speech on what needed to be done, when for, how…blah, blah, blah.

The sports field was just beside the parking lot and my car, just visible from where I sat, was a persistent temptation. Like a magnet drawing me in, every once in a while I'll look towards it longingly. I was pretty sure I had a pair of gloves in the suitably named glove compartment. Had I put them back in there last time? I couldn't remember. Why hadn't I brought a jumper today? My leather jacket wouldn't keep me warm for a second. In fact I didn't even have that! I'd left it in my locker. Idiot.

My thoughts came to a halt when I felt eyes burning into my skin, moving my gaze from my car to-…A smile curved my mouth up before I could stop it, seeing Damon leaning against the side of his Camaro, arms crossed and watching us. From the distance I couldn't see him clearly but there was that smirk on his face…there always was.

When Caroline let us go a few minutes later I said my goodbye's quickly, waving off their amused expressions as I picked up my bag and started across the field to the parking lot where he stood. It only took a moment to reach him, a strange nervous feeling in my stomach. We hadn't actually spoken since the last time I saw him which had been at his house on New Year's… "Hey stranger." he greeted with a smile once I was within hearing distance.

Hooking my bag over my shoulder, I couldn't keep my own smile from showing, stopping in front of him, "Hi back…"

He raised an eyebrow in a sort of amused confusion, perhaps expectant as well as he seemed to wait for something, "You alright?"

Why would he ask that? "I'm fine…you?" I responded, equally confused but it seemed not for the same reason. This was weird…but somehow funny at the same time. Why was it awkward? It had never been awkward before.

He laughed, shaking his head, "Fine, c'mere," Before I could do anything he caught my arm, pulling me closer and kissing me. Making a small noise of surprise, it only turned to a smile as he laughed quietly, my hands slid up his chest as his moved around my waist. The nerves lingering in my stomach were quickly overwhelmed by that warm fuzzy feeling that I got every time he kissed me. God dammit I was such a girl. Breaking away at the sound of wolf-whistles from somewhere behind me, I felt myself blush, burying my face in his chest and more feeling him laugh that hearing it, not letting me go, "That's more like it,"

Aiming a poke to his side, I straightened up, ignoring that teasing look in his eyes as I looked over to where Bonnie and Caroline were passing, obviously the ones who'd whistled. "See you tomorrow Elena."

Rolling my eyes at their pointed looks, "See you," I responded, equally pointed, then turned back to Damon who was watching me with that entertained glint in his eyes, a small smirk on his face. "Why'd you look so smug?"

He just laughed, leaning back against his car and pulling me with him, pressing against him as if it was perfectly normal. It felt perfectly normal...if I was his girlfriend. Yes, I admit; what Caroline had said had been bothering me but I just had to ignore it. We didn't have to talk about it yet. "I have my reasons. You looked miserable over there."

"I wouldn't say I was miserable…just cold."

Giving a mock-exasperated shake of his head, he pushed me back a step, taking off his jacket before I could stop him and slinging it around my shoulders, "Better?"

Fighting a smile, I stuck my arms through the oversized leather jacket, shrinking into its warmth and forcing myself not to bury my nose in it, "Much, thank you."

"What is it with you and stealing my clothes…"

"Hey! You always give them to me, I just don't complain."

"No, you never do that."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I tried to figure out what he meant by that. The look on his face was his typical 'innuendo' face but…I was just too slow for it today, "Urgh, I didn't even get that. I'm tired, I need caffeine."

With a laugh he nodded in agreement, "Clearly, I'll drive."

"But my car-"

"-Can stay here. I'll pick you up in the morning."

I didn't bother arguing, not seeing any point as he opened the passenger side door for me to get in, doing so without a fuss, "When did you get so nice?" I teased as he sat beside me, closing the door and pulling out of the space in a matter of seconds.

With one unimpressed look in my direction I had to hold back the grin on my face, "We've talked about this Gilbert. Nice I am not."

"To me you are."

"That's different."

"How so?"

Pause. I glanced over at him to see the almost thoughtful expression on his face. Of course his answer wasn't serious…it never was, "Because you're not the worst company in the world, believe it or not."

Playing along to disguise the slight disappointment, I smiled instead, "Oh Damon, I'm flattered."

With a grin, he gave a shrug, "I was just as surprised, I guess I took pity on you because you were ill."

"Oh I expected no less. You are that much of an asshole."

"There you go calling me an asshole again."

"Self-proclaimed, you can't argue, you said it yourself. Where are you taking me?" I asked, suddenly noticing that we were going in the complete opposite direction to my flat and his house.

"The Grill."

"Why?"

"Because you wanted caffeine and I want food."

"And I have both of those things at my flat. In fact so do you…"

The smirk on his face widened as he glanced over at me, "Yes…but I've decided that this is going to be a date so it can't take at home."

Sue me, I was surprised. A date! "Have you already forgotten my definition of a date Salvatore?" I teased, pulling my knees up to my chest, "It has to be labelled so before the event, otherwise it's just a fancy meal with someone you may or may not like."

He rolled his eyes for the millionth time, laughing under his breath as he pulled into a space outside the Grill, "You are so difficult to please. In that case we'll get a take out and go back to yours."

Laughing as we got out of the car, I walked around and fell into step beside him as we made our way inside. But just before we reached the door he did something unexpected…as our hands brushed, walking so close together, he caught mine, linking his fingers through my own as if he'd done so a thousand times before. Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the simple gesture, glancing up at him but he seemed oblivious, holding the door open for me and not letting go as we walked in. All I could think was that Damon Salvatore was holding my hand. I was being a girl, I know, but he was meant to be the notorious 'bad boy' of the school (perhaps the town considering his reputation wasn't exactly glowing) and he was holding my hand, in public. And then, brace yourself for the classic teenage-girl-with-a-crush question...

What did that mean?

"What do you want?"

Shaking myself out of my thoughts as we stopped by the bar, I didn't even think before speaking, "Burger"

"Okay, two-"

"-No wait," I interrupted, making the guy behind the bar falter and look back at me expectantly. I could feel Damon's eyes on the side of my face, see his smirk out of the corner of my eye as I added to the order, "A cheeseburger, with no pickles…and chips."

"Leave the pickles in, I'll have the same."

"But I hate pickles!" They were honestly the worst thing in the world, why would he make me eat them?!

He laughed at my annoyed expression as the waiter took his order over mine and disappeared. Gently pulling my face up to meet his amused gaze, warm shivers ran down my spine as he combed his hand through my hair before settling it at the nape of my neck, his thumb gently stroking the sensitive skin there, "And for that you're a complete freak. More for me. Obviously,"

The annoyance was gone in a second as I melted a little instead, "On the contrary you're the freak. No-one likes pickles."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night Els, you're a weirdo."

Giving in, I agreed to disagree. I would've said as much if my body hadn't taken that moment to release a full-body yawn and stretch, earning a laugh from him but I couldn't even care, just dropping my head onto his shoulder as it passed, letting my eyes fall shut as his arm slid around my waist as if on instinct. I couldn't help but lean on him, sure that if he wasn't there I'd fall over, "I'm tired."

"You don't say. How was practice?" he asked quietly.

Shrugging, I took a moment to answer, suddenly wanting nothing more than to sleep. "Just as I expected; energetic and painful-"

"-Painful?" He asked immediately, concern in his tone.

"Not literally, just draining painful. Apparently they're going to start throwing me around."

"I'm sorry…?"

Managing a quiet laugh, I opened my eyes and lifted my head to meet his gaze, finding a mixture of confusion and shock there. He clearly didn't like the sound of that, "Cheerleading, you have to do flips and shit. And then there're all the lifts and throws…apparently I have to do some of them."

He raised an eyebrow, thinking about that, "How about no…?"

"It's fun when they catch you."

"But not when they don't."

"No…no I can't imagine that's very enjoyable."

"Here's an idea…" Looking up at him expectantly, mirroring the smile on his face, "Why don't you not volunteer…?"

Laughing out loud at just the idea of suggesting such a thing to Caroline, I shook my head, "I've done it before, I'm not a total novice."

"Why don't you tell me that after you've broken your neck?"

Spotting the waiter returning with our bag of food, I reached out to take it from him while Damon paid, "Well firstly if I break my neck I highly doubt I'll be saying anything. And second, chill out! When did you get all cautious?"

Paid and leaving, he slung his arm over my shoulders as we walked, meeting my eyes with that smile shining in his eyes, "Probably a bit after finding out you had cancer. Forgive me for not being entirely happy with the idea of you being thrown thirty feet in the air and the only thing to break your fall being a group of idiot jocks. Not even jocks; male cheerleaders...eugh"

Sue me, I laughed. He had a point about the catching thing, though not the bit about the male cheerleaders. There he was just being mean, "Oh in that case I'll be sure to refuse the position. Will that make you happy Salvatore?"

"Ecstatic. Now get in the car before the food gets cold."

.

.

"I will never understand how it is that you don't like pickles."

Grimacing at the sight of the slimy green thing as he picked it out of my half eaten burger, I shook my head, "Eugh, they're gross; I'll never understand how you like them."

"Simply by being normal."

With a pointed roll of my eyes, I took a bite out of my burger, shifting to sit with my knees folded under me, then leaning forward on my elbows, head propped up on one hand with the burger in the other. He told me I'd be in big trouble if I spilt anything on his Egyptian cotton sheets…I hoped crumbs didn't count. "Guaranteed more people in the world don't like them than do." I argued, not ready to let this one go this time, "I should like them, because I love vinegar…but no, never."

"Weirdo."

"Freak."

"Child."

"You started it." Both of us breaking off into laughter, I set the last few bites of the food down, suddenly feeling full but sure he'd eat it for me. We'd ended up going back the Boarding House rather than my flat. I couldn't tell you why, we just got halfway there and I didn't bother to say anything, preferring the big, warm mansion in the woods over my small, freezing flat. So that was why we were here; sat on his bed eating burgers with the radio on in the background and bickering…just bickering about anything and everything.

Pushing away the wrappers, I rolled onto my back, kicking my legs out until my feet rested on the pillows, stretching my arms out above me and releasing a loud sigh, "That was good."

He was quiet for a moment but I could feel his eyes on me, finishing off my burger before answering, "Always is, not that you finished it." he commented with a slight smirk on his face.

"Full, thank you though; I enjoyed our impromptu not-date."

"Oh my pleasure,"

Biting my lip gently at the look in his eyes, I laughed quietly as he flicked a crumb in my direction, "Oi, you said no mess or trouble."

"My bed, my rules"

"Well in that case…"

Off the bed, my rules? Forgetting the scar that had healed (I think), I pulled in my legs and pushed my body upwards into a bridge position, "What're you doing?" he questioned, watching in a mixture of confusion and amazement.

"I haven't done this in months…" I mused, glancing behind me to where the end of the bed was less than a foot away, then just more than a metre drop to the floor.

"Done what? Lena…"

"Wait a-…" Kicking my legs up one at a time, I held myself on my arms before slowly, carefully, flipping over and ending up standing facing him on the floor at the end of the bed, arms up and a proud look on my face, "Ta-da!"

The flash of panic disappeared, only to be replaced by that typical sarcastic look of his, giving a slow clap and shaking his head as he sat up, "Very impressive Els."

Waving off his sarcasm, I stepped back, glancing at the door, "You still haven't given me a tour…"

"I showed you downstairs."

"And how many floors does this house have?"

… "Fair, I'll show you this floor. There's not much there though."

Grinning in achievement as he stood up from the bed and walking towards me, "And then next time I'll see upstairs…"

"What makes you think there'll be a next time?" he teased, catching my hand as he passed me in the doorway, pulling gently until I fell into step beside him. Go away butterflies! Get used to it! Should I get used to it?

"Well you do keep finding excuses for me to come over so I can only assume."

Smirk still in place, he didn't say anything in response, guiding me through the various rooms. "Guest room, guest room, guest room, toilet, guest room-"

"-How many guest rooms do you have?!"

"It's a Boarding house Els…the clues in the name." Oh and there was that 'you're being an idiot' look, 'stop asking stupid questions Elena'. Els…I liked that; I don't think anyone had ever called me Els before. The tour continued through various rooms, most of which not holding any significant purpose. He showed me Stefan's room; the polar opposite to his own, littered with all things personal and sentimental. It was almost funny how different the two brothers were.

I hadn't expected the house to be so big though, even though I'd already seen a lot of it. They had a library for god's sake! And when I say library I mean proper, big room, huge walls of shelves with those fancy slidy-ladder things, full of books that were only gathering dust. With huge windows overlooking the garden to one side and a fire place in the corner, a few big armchairs here and there, it was the huge shiny black grand piano to the side of the room that caught my attention. Homing in on it, I dropped his hand and walked over, stroking my hand across the keys, taking note of the fact that this was the only item in the room that wasn't coated in a layer of dust. So someone must be playing it, and it'd have to be either Damon or Stefan considering his parents were rarely around...

Looking over at him, I motioned towards it, "Do you play?"

He gave a shrug, digging his hands in his pockets, "Sort of." he paused, scuffing his foot against the bottom of a cupboard, "Mum insisted that we needed some skill other than sport when we were younger. One instrument and one language or no presents at Christmas."

Cracking a smile, I turned back to the instrument. He was lucky for that...god knows my parents never pushed me to do anything. "Play something then." It wasn't really a question, but at the same time it wasn't an order. He didn't say anything, but he did cross the floor to stand beside me, hesitating a moment before sitting down on the single piano stool, resting his fingers on the keys but he didn't press down like I expected him to. Like I wanted him to.

"Do you play any instruments?"

Leaning on the top, I gave a shrug, "Piano, but poorly. And a bit of guitar."

"Ah, well I'd much rather hear you play."

"Nope! That wasn't the agreement."

"My house…"

Sigh, "Your rules…"

Grinning, he shifted back in the seat and motioned to the keys with both hands, "Play away."

For a second my mind flashed back to that night just last week when I'd said the same thing, only one word different…what that lead to and then – stop it. Not the time or place. I let out a sigh, stepping around, looking at him with an expectant look in my eyes, "Are you going to move?"

Cue an eye roll, he just grabbed my waist, laughing as I let out a squeal at the move, only to join him when he settled me on his lap, his arms winding tight around my waist and his chin rested on my shoulder, "Play."

Bidding the warm flutters gone, I shook my head, "I can't…"

"Why not?"

Aiming a gentle elbow backwards into his ribs, I gave another little shrug, "One I'm not good, I taught myself. Not to mention I haven't so much as seen a piano in about six months. Two, I don't know any songs…apart from the Rug-Rats theme-tune but that's nothing."

He scoffed and I felt him shake his head a little, taking my hands in his and moving them to rest on the keys, "Once you know it you won't forget; just like riding a bike, or sex." Bursting out laughing at the comment he carried on before I could say anything, "What was the last song you were listening to?"

"Caroline was playing something awful and poppy at lunch...I think it was Katy Perry" I mused, then smiled at the look on his face and fell quiet to think. Casting my mind back to this morning when I had my iPod plugged in the speakers, it took a moment for me to remember the song.

"You're expecting a lot from my weak musical talents if you think I can just play a song off the top of my head."

"What can I say? I have faith in you."

Laughing quietly, I ran my hands slowly across the keys as his slid back to my waist, "To be fair I did used to be able to play it…"

"Then what's stopping you! Get playing or I'll withhold all privileges." Only taking a second to consider what those privileges would be, I let out a sigh, letting the first chord ring out, a couple more until I found the right place and then… "See…you know what you're doing." It was barely a whisper in my ear as the familiar notes of the song sounded through my hesitant fingers, slowly becoming more confident.

Opening my mouth for a second, I glanced over my shoulder to meet his eyes, smiling with him, "Leave your home…" I began playfully, soft and unsure.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, the smile widening a fraction, "She sings?!"

My cheeks warmed slightly as I pushed my shoulder gently back into his, the smile holding strong, "Change your name…" Biting my lip, I pressed down on the pedal by my feet and decided that if I was going to do this I may as well do it properly. I was by no means a confident person when it came to music and singing, but I could sing. At least, I had days where I could. Sometimes I tried to hit a note and only succeeded in imitating a dying cat but, not today. "…Live alone, Eat your cake". What strange lyrics these were...

He didn't say anything but I could feel his stare against my skin, his arms tightening slightly around my waist. I kept playing, turning my head slightly to whisper, "Should I-"

"-Keep singing."

Taking my orders, I did as I was told

"Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Though the waters are risin'

Still no surprisin' you

Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Man its all been forgiven

Swans are a swimmin'

I'll explain everything to the geeks

Hesitating again as I debated whether or not that was enough, I felt him smile against the bare skin of my shoulder and carried on:

"All the very best of us

String ourselves up for love (x4)"

Pausing a moment before the chorus, I thought about the notes before playing them, not quite coming naturally to me after so long having not played but I figured them out after just a second…

"Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Though the waters are risin'

Still no surprisin' you

Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Man it's all been forgiven

Swans are a swimmin'

I'll explain everything to the geeks

Hangin' from chandeliers

Same small world

At your heels"

"Are you going to make me sing all of it?"

"Stop stopping!"

Jesus

"All the very best of us

String ourselves up for love,

All the very best of us

String ourselves up for love,"

Skip a bit, he'll never know...

"Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Though the waters are risin'

Still no surprisin' you

Vanderlyle, crybaby, cry

Man it's all been forgiven

Swans are a swimmin'

I'll explain everything to the geeks

I'll explain everything to the geeks

...

I'll explain everything to the geeks"

I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding as the last note rang to silence. And as that silence rang on I dropped my hands, suddenly feeling a rush of something like embarrassment and looked down to where his hands were pressed gently against my stomach, a blush growing on my cheeks as he let out a sigh, "Well…I sure wasn't expecting that." Making a face, I moved as his hands guided me to turn slightly to face him, a smile on his face but I didn't meet his eyes, "Lena…" he chuckled gently, ducking his head to find my eyes and I made a little noise, something between annoyance and awkwardness. "It was good-"

"-Shut up-"

My refusal was only met with more laughter, "No seriously Els…why didn't you tell me you could sing?" Raising a reproachful eyebrow, I shook my head but he cut me off before I could object, "Don't say you can't. That was amazing."

Looking down again, I bit back a small smile, "Don't exaggerate Salvatore."

"Don't be modest Gilbert, no matter how cute you look when you are."

"I'm not cute!"

He laughed, proud of himself for finally getting a reaction it seemed, "Oh I beg to differ. What was the song?"

Sigh, I settled with a frown, "The National, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks. I love them." Apparently he was enjoying himself, that smile on his face not going anywhere as he brushed the hair out of my face.

"I only like one album."

Sue me for being surprised at that, "And here I was thinking you only ever listened to Deadmau5 and Chase and Status and…" I said, reeling off names of some of our shared favourites.

"Hey, I'll listen to anything…excluding country…and opera…and pop…"

Laughing I nodded in agreement, "Fair, anything with a beat you can dance to, right? Or is it anything with a decent drop?"

"Naturally, but that's not to say I don't listen to more…you, type music."

Smiling, I cast my mind back to the time I stole his iPod for a day and found all the 'mellow' on it. "I do like my chilled stuff…"

"You are a pretty mellow person."

"I prefer calm. But right now I'm neither…just tired."

He smirked, nodding in agreement, "Bedtime then. Come on…"

He got me a shirt when we reached his room again, immediately assuming that I'd be staying the night. To be honest it barely crossed my mind that I'd be leaving, perhaps because my car was at school. It was weird…everyone else had their parents to make sure they came home or did their homework…I just didn't have that. Aside from a short text from Jeremy, no-one really cared whether or not I stayed at home or not. Just me and my bank balance… Then again it had always been like that, hadn't it.

Typically, by the time we were in bed and the lights were off I didn't even particularly want to sleep anymore. Well that was a lie, I did and I knew I'd regret it in the morning if I didn't. But there was something on my mind…something that just wouldn't let me fall asleep, something that Caroline had said.

"Damon…?"

My voice seemed to echo in the darkness of the huge room, the super-sized bed seeming bigger and colder than usual. I couldn't tell you why. He didn't reply for a moment, I thought he may have fallen asleep but then, "Yeah…?"

Breathing in, I rolled onto my back, staring up at the darkened ceiling, "What're we doing…?"

The silence drew on and even with at least two feet between us I could feel him tense, "You're confused again?"

He got it, almost immediately. I let out the deep breath, nodding before verbalising it when I remembered he couldn't see, "Yeah." Swallowing thickly in the quiet that followed, I let out the millionth sigh of the night, "I know I'm being ridiculous. I mean, you can ask anyone, hell, ask Dom! I am never this much of a girl; even he'll tell you that. I just…I don't know."

Biting my lip to stop myself from rambling, my muscles tensed as I heard him rolling over onto his side. I felt the mattress dip and that familiar tingling sensation running down my side as he was almost close enough to touch. He pushed himself up onto his elbow, the moonlight shining through the windows casting a bluish glow on his face, making his eyes stand out even more than usual, "What do you want to know?"

Why was he making this so difficult for me? I looked everywhere but at him, unsure of whether or not he could see me in this light, "Well we slept together," I began for lack of any other starting point.

A smile pulled up the side of his mouth as he nodded, "That we did. Do you need me to refresh your memory?"

This was not the time to make me laugh. That's what my look was meant to say but I couldn't quite help the quiet giggle that escaped, "Maybe later. Just-…" That wasn't the point right now. Though it was a relief to hear that he didn't regret it. Be serious Elena, get this out… Worrying my bottom lip as I struggled for the words, I dropped my arms onto the mattress and let out a little noise, "Well I don't do things like that and I know you do, but I don't. You know that. I just-" I cut myself off again, taking another deep breath to calm myself down before I worked myself into a state. Speaking more clearly when I began again, I tried to ignore the confusion that stemmed from the fact that the smirk on his face was only growing, clearly taking enjoyment from my distress, "I just wanted to know what it meant. What you thought it meant. If it did mean anything. Because we always take these steps and I always seem to be the only one who's confused."

"Els…"

"What?!" I retorted, frustrated by his coolness.

"Do you want to go out for dinner on Friday?"

I would've melted inside if I hadn't been in such a state, "Don't do that! Yes but answer the question first!"

"I just did!" he laughed, shifting a little closer and I jumped a little as I felt his hand flatten against my stomach, sliding around to pull me closer and onto my side, "I don't do dates Els, I don't do relationships, I don't do any of it. I'm asking you out on a date this Friday."

"And I said yes but that doesn't-"

"-Listen to me! Elena," he sighed, amusement in his tone as he brushed the hair from my face with a gentle touch, "I'm asking you to be my girlfriend. I don't do dates or relationships. I want you to be my girlfriend."

Stunned to speechlessness, there was little I could do but stare at him, eyes wide and…oh my god. Did he really just-? No…what? "You want me to…?"

"…-be my girlfriend? Yes." He finished for me, clearly trying to hold back his laughter at my reaction, "Now how about you give me an answer before I kick you out of my bed for embarrassing me when taking a leap of faith."

Blinking a few times, I opened my mouth, then closed it, then- "Yes…"

Sigh, "Yes what?"

"Yes I'll go on a date with you."

Pause… "What about the other bit?"

Biting back a rejoicing smile, I shuffled a little closer, "That depends on how the date goes."

"Lena…"

"What?" I said with faux-innocence, quietly enjoying this all of a sudden.

"For god's sake! We've slept together already, just answer the question!"

Laughing, I pushed myself up to mirror his position, "Well isn't this a funny turn of events. A few seconds I was begging you for an answer."

"I'm not begging-"

"-I'm not into open relationships."

Now at that he was stumped to silence, choking out a laugh, shaking his head a little as he stared at me in shock, "Okay…?"

"No, I mean…if we are going to do this then I'm not into that. I've been cheated on before and I don't like it. Just-"

Suddenly serious, a frown creased his brow as he pushed himself up, turning to look at me straight on, "Lena I'd never cheat on you." His voice was almost cold…I didn't expect it. Quietly regretting my choice of words, I followed suit to sit up, "I can't believe you'd say that."

"No I didn't mean it like that. I know you wouldn't. I just meant that if we were to be in a relationship I'd want it to be-"

"-Exclusive." He finished for me in a tone that said so much was obvious. "Of course…"

Guilt shot through me like a bullet for doubting him, looking down at the covers, "I didn't mean it to come out like that, I know you wouldn't…" Closing my eyes for a moment, I shrugged feebly, "Caroline just mentioned that you weren't great with the whole 'exclusive' thing in the past and she told me to make sure…she knows you better than I do…" He didn't say anything, just watching me with an expression I couldn't quite place and I suddenly began to get angry at myself for saying anything. Idiot…you're such an idiot. Now you've gone and ruined it all. Idiot-

He interrupted my thoughts before I could voice an apology, "Els I've never been in any form of relationship where I've so much as mentioned the word 'exclusive'. But if I say I will be then I will. I want to be with you, I have for a while. Trust me, if we're together I promise not to so much as look at another girl and you'll promise to not look at any guys."

Laughing quietly, I looked down to my hands in my lap, "You don't have to promise that."

The smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he tilted his head to the side slightly, "But I will. So can I call you my girlfriend now?"

Waiting a moment, I fell back onto the mattress, flinging my arms up above me as he moved closer, one hand moving up to rest on the mattress by my shoulder so he was hovering over me, one leg slipping in between mine, "Can I call you my boyfriend?"

He nodded, a smile in his eyes as he leant down to press a kiss to my neck, sending shivers down my spine at the contact, "You can."

Unable to hold back the wide grin, my hands moved to run through his hair, linking loosely behind his neck, "Well in that case…" Pulling him closer, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to mine, smiles on both as my hands slid across his back. Losing myself in him, I barely had the headspace to acknowledge just how happy I was in that moment. But I was…I definitely was. Because Damon Salvatore was my boyfriend and we were exclusive and that was that. I'd achieved the impossible in the eyes of so many it seemed by that feat. It didn't matter though, not right now...

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Well that was a long one. A couple of cheesy moments in there but tell me what you think. Listen to the song as well; it's beaut

M