A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Hope you all had a great Easter!
Enjoy!
A hand was running gently across my back and my neck felt extremely cold, but it felt good. My hair was stuck to my sweaty face, and it was pressed against… a body? What happened?
I stirred trying to push the hair from my face.
"Easy," I heard Damon's voice. It was eerily close. I could feel the vibrations on his chest.
I sat up and my eyes met his. I pushed my hair away. It was quiet besides the faint sound of music behind the doors. "What… Where am I?" I looked around.
"Were in the back," he said it like I knew what he was talking about.
He was sitting on a bench and I was partially sitting on him. My head had been resting on his chest.
"You passed out," he informed me. "You're lucky I caught you on time. Could've had a gnarly gash on your head."
I felt the back of my neck. Why was it so cold?
"It's just an ice pack. I think you just got over heated," he removed it from my neck and placed it, next to him.
"Where are we?" I asked again.
"It's just the back," he said again. "You know… where we keep all the extra booze and other stuff."
I looked around in the dark room and noticed all the bottles of liquor.
The door suddenly burst open, and the loud sound of music flooded the room. "Dude!" The same bartender from earlier looked pissed. "You done playing Hercules to your girl? It's fucking insane out here."
Before Damon could reply the door slammed shut. It was then that I realized I was still cuddled up on his lap. My legs were laying across him, as his hand rested on top of my thighs. His other arm was casually draped across the back of the bench we were sitting on. It was odd how it didn't feel odd.
He scooped me up quickly and effortlessly, setting me on top of a counter. He walked away for a second before coming back with a sleeve of crackers. "Eat, and I'll come check on you in a bit."
He was gone before I could blink. I opened the sleeve of crackers feeling hungry. I shoved a cracker in my mouth as I thought about how the night unfolded to this. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Stefan and Damon now that I knew him a little better.
Stefan was obviously kind. He would do anything for anyone. He went out of his way and made sure to treat people with nothing but respect.
Damon was different in the fact that he didn't give two shits about what people thought of him. If that made him a dick… then so be it. But maybe there was a kindness to him. Just a little.
I hopped off the counter and immediately swayed in a dizzy haze. "Woah," I grabbed on to the counter. Maybe I was still drunk. I shoved another cracker in my mouth before pulling my hair up into a mock ponytail. I was still hot. I fanned my face with my hand.
I wobbled as I walked back and forth in the dark room. I bent down to pick up the cold ice pack and I pressed it against my cheek. It felt good. I moved it to the other cheek. My knees were shaky, thanks to the stupid side effect of alcohol.
The door opened, and Damon walked in with his leather jacket on. "Come on, I'm taking you home."
"Don't you have to work?" I asked.
"Cody can suck a dick," he shrugged. "I cover for his ass all the time."
He gestured for me to follow him out another door. "Got your purse," he held up my clutch.
We walked out into the brisk winter air, and I suddenly wasn't hot anymore. I shivered, as I tried warming up my arms with friction.
Damon peeked over at me, before shrugging out of his jacket. "Here," he threw it over me.
I suddenly tripped over my own feet.
"Jeez Elena," he grumbled as he caught me. "You're a mess."
I knew he meant that I was too drunk, but I took that more literal. I looked up at him with a sadness, as I continued to walk. I was a mess.
He seemed to realize the weight of his words. "I didn't mean it like that," he said leading me around the corner. "You just can't hold your liquor."
"It's been a while," I said quietly.
We finally reached a car, and he opened the passenger side, gently guiding me down to sit. He closed the door before walking to the driver side.
He started the car and turned on the heat immediately.
"I had fun tonight," I said out loud.
He half smiled, as he turned out of the parking lot, "looked like it."
"So, what happened? Between you and Stefan?" I had the courage to ask. Drunk courage.
"Neither of us are drunk enough for this conversation, honey," he messed with the controls of his car.
"I like when you call me that. Or sweetheart... Or any pet name really," I blurted. I leaned back in the seat and smiled as my heavy eyelids closed. I knew I'd probably be humiliated by that confession, but right now I didn't care.
I heard him chuckle softly.
"Tell me something," I said quietly, my eyes still closed.
His velvety voice was soothing as he asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Anything," I hummed. "I probably won't remember tomorrow anyways."
"That dance that you did tonight…" he paused, and I opened my eyes to look at him. "I liked it."
"Creep," I teased.
"Not because of that… Although that was certainly enjoyable," he smirked before wiggling his eyebrows at me. "I meant… You were having fun. And I thought I knew you. Thought I knew the kind of girl you were," his boyish smile faded just a bit. "I was wrong."
"Is that a bad thing?" My voice started to sound raspy.
"No," he shook his head. "You just surprised me."
"I'm not usually like that," my eyes fluttered closed again.
"Maybe you just haven't had someone bring it out in you yet," he suggested.
"Maybe," My voice was barely above a whisper. I was tired. But I also felt relaxed.
I woke to the sound of the car shutting off and the heat, was gone suddenly. I opened my eyes, and after I focused, I saw the lights from my house.
I heard Damon unbuckle before he reached over and undid my seatbelt. I opened the door and he met me on the other side.
"Keys?" He held out a hand.
I fished my house keys out of my clutch and handed them over to him. "You don't have to walk me inside," I said as we walked to the door.
"I'm going to make sure, you make it all the way up to your bed," he unlocked my front door.
We stepped inside the house, and I flicked on the lights. I pulled off my heels and I sighed at the feel. I walked up the stairs as he followed behind me.
"I bet you've never done this before," I said as we entered my bedroom.
"What's that?" He asked turning on the light.
"Taken a girl home and not end up screwing her," I looked at him and twirled my finger gesturing for him to turn as I unzipped my dress.
He turned around to face my wall, "Haha," he said without humor.
"Am I wrong?" I giggled, as my dress hit the floor.
He was quiet, as I found a t-shirt and shorts in my drawer, sliding them on. "Thought so."
I picked up his leather jacket off the floor, handing it to him. "Thanks for the jacket. And the ride home."
He turned around and grabbed the jacket from me.
I turned to crawl in bed, and he followed me sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked as I snuggled under the covers.
"Because you probably won't remember this tomorrow," he moved the fallen hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
"Careful Damon," I looked up at him, my brain still foggy from the alcohol. "I might actually think you care."
"In your dreams… sweetheart," he smirked.
My eyes fluttered shut but I smiled. I felt him leave and the lights shut off.
"So, when are you going to ask Bonnie to marry you?" I casually asked Jeremy as I sat at the center island at my parents' house.
He stopped chopping the strawberries in front of him. "It's a little soon, don't you think?"
"Not really. You've been dating for like six years," I pointed out.
"Seven," he corrected. "But we also started dating when I was 17. I'm only 24."
I stole a strawberry from his plate. "Stefan and I only dated for 2 years before we got engaged."
"Well, you guys are different." He went to the fridge to grab some other fruit. "Why did Bonnie say something to you?"
"No," I shook my head.
"Are you going to help me?" He handed me a knife and a pineapple. "Mom and dad want this done in time for their dinner party."
I hopped off the bar stool and walked around the center island to help him cut up the fruit. "I'm so glad I don't have to stay for that." My dad had some pretty boring colleagues. They had dinner parties quite often, and they always invited me. I was glad to help, but thankfully it was Giuseppe's birthday, so I was going to bring him dinner, and visit with him for a little bit.
"Lucky," Jeremy shook his head.
"How much longer are they going to ask us to come to these?" I giggled.
"Until we die of boredom," he groaned.
I ate half of the pineapple as I cut it up for the guests.
"You seem like you've been… better lately," Jeremy noted.
I shrugged, "It comes and goes in waves. Somedays I feel totally normal, and I feel like myself. Other days I feel totally paralyzed by sadness and I can hardly get out of bed."
"Are you going to go back to work soon?" He grabbed a watermelon out of the fridge.
"Yeah, I told them I would start back on the first of April. That gives me another 6 weeks."
"Do you feel ready?" He asked.
"I think I'll enjoy the distraction," I said honestly. I stole a piece of watermelon that Jeremy had just cut. "I have to get going." I popped the watermelon in my mouth. "Tell mom and dad I will call them later. And try not to die of boredom tonight."
"Thanks," he rolled his eyes as I left.
I stirred the soup I was boiling on top of the stove at Giuseppe's house. It was just him and I, hanging out in the kitchen.
"You didn't have to come over Elena," Giuseppe sat at the tiny kitchen table, watching me cook.
"I insist," I sprinkled some salt on the soup. "It's your birthday, of course I'm going to spend it with you."
He was a quiet man, but I knew he enjoyed my company. He picked up the paper in front of him, finishing his crossword from this morning.
"So, did you do anything special today?" I turned the soup to a simmer.
"I got some coffee with a buddy," his gruff voice sounded bored. "Damon was supposed to come over…"
I could slap Damon into next Tuesday for being such a dick. It was his dad's birthday for goodness sake. I could feel my muscles tense with anger. I had to refrain from saying something really mean about his only remaining son.
"I'm going to use the bathroom," Giuseppe slowly stood up, and walked out of the kitchen.
I quickly searched for Giuseppe's phone. I was going to give Damon a piece of my mind.
I found his phone on the kitchen table. I scrolled through his small contact list and pressed call when I found his name.
He answered after a couple of rings, "Sorry dad. I meant to come"-
"You better get your ass here now," I spit into the phone. "You are such a fucking dick! I can't believe you'd ditch your dad on his birthday. He's lonely."
"I"- he tried speaking.
"No excuses," I hissed. "Get someone to cover your shift or pull your dick out of whatever skank is in your bed, and get your big fat smug face over here. Or I will personally tare off your precious jewels and make you eat them." I clicked end call before he had the chance to respond.
After Giuseppe returned from the bathroom, I served us some dinner. We ate quietly occasionally exchanging things about our week. It was a comfortable silence. He was a man of few words most of the time, but he was a great listener.
While Giuseppe and I were chatting at the table after we ate, I heard the door open.
"Hey pop," Damon walked into the kitchen.
"Damon," Giuseppe sounded surprised, but you could hear the happiness in his voice. "Happy birthday!" He clapped Giuseppe on the shoulder. "I brought you dessert."
I turned to see Damon holding up a small container of cupcakes.
"Elena," Damon smiled teasingly at me. "I didn't know you'd be here."
I grabbed the cupcakes from his hands, "someone had to," I said quiet enough for only him to hear.
I opened the cupcakes and put them on a plate. I dug through his drawers and was surprised when I found candles. They were probably from the late 70's, but I shoved one in a cupcake anyway. I found a grill lighter and lit the candle.
I placed the plate down in front of Giuseppe, "make a wish."
He flushed, hating the attention. He was probably so happy to have both of us there, but he didn't like the attention on him, so I refrained from singing happy birthday to him. He quickly blew out the candle.
Damon and Giuseppe chatted at the table while I cleaned up. I did the dishes and packed my bag of groceries I had brought over. I grabbed a cupcake and peeled back the paper and bit into the cupcake. I had a huge, sweet tooth. Dessert was by far my favorite.
"That reminds me," Giuseppe stood up. "I have something for you. I'll be back."
Damon stood up walking towards me with a smirk on his face. "I'm glad my jewels are still intact."
"For now," I grimaced. I took another bite of the cupcake.
His face was amused as he just stared at me.
"What?" I snapped.
"You have-," he pointed at my face. He extended his hand to wipe what I can only assume was frosting off my bottom lip. The way his thumb glided across my lip was gentle and caring. So opposite of his asshole persona.
When he pulled his hand away, I licked the remainder off my lip and flushed with embarrassment.
He took a hold of my hips, his thumbs pushing into my hip bones, as he slid me over, "Move over, sweetheart." He opened the cupboard to grab a plate. He grabbed a cupcake and set it down on the plate.
Giuseppe came back into the kitchen and handed Damon something. "I was going through your mother's things and I found this. I thought you might want it."
Damon set down his cupcake and opened the little box. His eyes widened, "moms ring?"
"Yeah, I figured you could use it someday… You know… if you ever meet a special lady," his dad rubbed the back of his neck. "It's no use for me now."
"Dad," Damon shook his head. "I can't."
We both knew Damon would probably never get married, let alone find a woman he cared enough about to stick around long enough.
"Please take it," Giuseppe begged. "If you never use it, that's fine."
Damon seemed hesitant to take it, but he put it in the pocket of his leather jacket anyways, "thanks," Damon mumbled.
I grabbed my bags from the counter, "I'm going to get going."
"Thanks for dinner," Giuseppe thanked me as he hugged me.
"Of course," I smiled. "Happy birthday."
He blushed smiling again.
"Damon," I acknowledged him with a tight smile.
"Have a goodnight… Honey," he playfully smirked.
I rolled my eyes before leaving
A/N: What'd you think? Please leave a review, and I will see you next week :)