AN: Sorry it took so long! I had the worst case of writer's block. For all my stories. I hope you'll forgive me.
Warnings: mentions of abuse, and suggested non-con.
Damon POV
"Who's James?" Dean asked from where he stood in the middle of the kitchen, still holding the box of lucky charms in front of him with both hands, looking much like a worried child. I glance at him and knew I'd have to open that old wound.
"He's..." I paused, wanting to avoid this topic more than anything.
"What? You can tell us, Damon, especially if he had something to do with you being tortured." Sam said while standing from the kitchen chair and moving next to his brother who stood a few paces in front of me and Cas.
Stefan walked over to my side and put a hand in my shoulder.
"I'll tell them." He murmured while giving me a sympathetic look. I nodded and leaned a bit more into Cas. The Angel's grip had tightened around my waist and he had straiten up more than when we had entered the room.
"James is Damon's Ex. He was one of the more scum like ones." Stefan said with venom clear in his voice.
"Stefan-" I started but didn't get to finish.
"No, Damon. He was an abusive dick that didn't know the meaning of the word 'No'. You and I both know that we should have killed him back in the '80s." Stefan said sharply. I sighed.
"I should have ripped him piece by piece and buried him under three tons of concrete." Stefan growled.
"Wait, so this James guy, he beat you?" Dean asked while looking shocked.
"He had a very short temper and I was never one to listen." I said while studying the ground.
"That isn't all he did." Stefan grumbled but simply crossed his arms and went silent afterwards.
"How do we get rid of him?" Alaric asked while jumping off the counter and walking to stand in between Stefan and Dean.
"We kill him slowly and burn the remains." Castiel said from next to me.
"Wow, Cas, how about being a little more specific?" Dean said sarcastically.
"I will not stand for James touching or bringing any harm to Damon." He replied darkly. I looked up to him and saw how serious the Angel was. I looked back to the ground. I was very uncomfortable talking about James, even after twenty years.
"Okay. So... Are we just gonna hunt the guy?" Sam asked while scrunching his eyebrows together and looking genuinely curious.
"He is not a guy. Not even close to being human. But we are going to hunt him down like the animal he is." Stefan responded shortly. Sam nodded and Castiel's grip on my hip tightened. Not of anger, though. It felt more like he didn't want to let me go.
"I agree. The sooner he's gone, the sooner everyone will be a little safer." Castiel said moving his hand to my shoulder and squeezing gently. I put my hand on top of his. I looked up to the group and found them all staring at me.
"Are you okay Damon?" Alaric asked while looking deeply concerned.
"I haven't seen James for over twenty years and now he's trying to pull me back into that routine..." I trailed off with my thoughts.
"Wait, routine?" Sam asked while looking a little shocked.
"James was a sadistic Bastard. Couldn't go without having his "fun". You seem surprised that it wasn't my first time being tortured." I answered with a humorless grin.
"It will be the last time by James. I can assure you that." Stefan said while glaring at the ground. Everyone nodded.
I looked around and felt a little overwhelmed. They all were going after someone who wouldn't even come near them if it wasn't for me. It was my fault James was here and I'd be damned if I let Sam, Dean, Alaric, Stefan and Castiel clean up my mess.
"I agree that he needs to be staked, but I'm going to be the one that drives it through his heart." I said and they all went silent.
"Damon, we all can do this-" Dean started.
"No. I am going to do this. My mistake, my mess, my problem." I stated with my usual confidence, which I wasn't feeling.
"It's just as much our problem, Damon. I won't stand by and watch you get hurt. And I doubt anyone else wants to either." Cas said while letting me go and facing me, so we were inches apart but not touching.
"Really? I'm pretty sure our hunters are fine with one less vampire in the world." I said while turning to face him. I didn't want to fight with the Angel, but he should now that suicide missions tend to be my specialty. He must of read my mind because he suddenly looked utterly pissed.
"I agree. But that one less vampire will be James. We will kill him and will not lose anyone in the process." He said while crossing his arms in front of his chest. I stared at him for a moment. I wanted to hug him, but I had to do this.
"You think he's just gonna stand still and let us run him through with a stake? As soon as he thinks we're close, he'll run. But he won't stay gone. As soon as we are vulnerable, he'll make his move. And someone will be hurt. But if he thinks I'm playing along..." I trailed off, trying to get them to see my plan.
"Damon, No." Cas stated soon after I stopped talking. He dropped his arms to his side and took a half step forward.
"It's the best shot we have." I reasoned. He started shaking my head before I even finished.
"We can find another way." Dean said and I turned to him.
"Like what? Wait till he tortures someone else?" I asked incredulously.
"No. Like we finish this together. We can end him without any skin off our own noses. We just have to be careful about it." Dean said while trying to be convincing yet seemed to be fighting the urge to slap me for being ridiculous. I let my shoulders deflate and I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand.
"Okay. We'll try it your way. But when someone turns up dead because I couldn't get rid of James, then we do this my way." I said seriously. I was actually glad that I didn't have to go near James alone.
"Okay. But good thing it won't come to that." Dean stated confidently with a half smile. I nodded slightly.
"Um hey Cas, can I talk to you upstairs?" I asked while turning and walking out before I got an answer.
I was in my room for about two seconds before I heard the Ruffling wings that sent a shiver down my spine.
"What is it, Damon?" Castiel asked once he showed up in front of me. He seemed more concerned than anything.
"Why do you care for someone like me? You're an Angel! And I'm just a mess up that is haunted by his past for the last century." I asked while hoping he didn't suddenly realize I was just wasting his time.
The Angel stared at me for a moment and I was actually scared he was going to leave me. For good.
But he just sighed. He took the last step that separated us and enclosed me in his arms. He hugged me tightly and turned his face into my hair.
"I have been watching over you since your mother passed. I have protected you and tried keeping you alive. I don't know when or why, but I do love you, Damon Salvatore." He said while running his hand through my hair in a comforting manner.
"I still don't see why." I sighed while putting my forehead against the Angel's neck.
"Then I guess you're going to have to trust that I need you." He hummed into my ear. I nodded slightly and we just stood there.
I could live with that for now. Plus, it's been a while since someone actually needed me. Though I doubt anyone does now either.