Disclaimer: They day I own The Vampire Diaries is the day I'll have a heart attack. Therefore I don't own The Vampire Diaries.

Birthday

Chapter 1- The Gift

The room was filled with balloons and gifts scattered all around the floor. Damon sighed. He hated birthday parties, even the ones thrown for him. He would much rather no one knew his birthday so that he didn't have to endure the endless hugs and congratulations. He was a vampire, so for him living for a year was like living for a month in human terms, but still people insisted in celebrating every single year. He sat down, wishing that that annoying music would stop playing. His ears hurt and he was in one hell of a bad mood. He did have a good reason, though. He had been sleeping peacefully until Stefan woke him up with a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!". His brother loved doing that, as he knew the how much Damon despised those irritating celebrations. The day had already started badly, and adding the party that was as entertaining for him as a two-year old's didn't make it any better. "What more could go wrong?" he thought carelessly.

Elena passed by him, carrying in her arms a small bundle, her eyes scanning the room as if she was looking for someone. Damon groaned. He didn't want to talk to anyone, not even Elena. Almost desperate, he searched the room for somewhere to hide, but found none. The party had no doubt been planned by Caroline. It was as pink as pink got and there were so many people that it was hard to move around, so his best chance was to stay where he was and hope that the big crowd hid him. He wondered how long it had taken Stefan, Elena and the others to put this all together. More than a week, for sure. As he pondered, a girl passed beside him and left a conned hat on his head. He sighed, wishing he could just run away from that horrible place. But if he did he would never hear the end of it. He was sure Elena was preparing a rant about that at that moment. After all, she seemed to love it. He didn't mind it too much, so perhaps… He stopped his plotting the second he saw Elena approaching, heading straight for him, the bundle still in her arms.

• Damon! I have something for you! - She shouted, running to his side while carefully balancing the bundle.

He rolled his eyes. Everyone had something for him, and no one seemed to care whether he wanted the gift or not, or whether he liked it or not. He was supposed to smile and nod, pretending that he liked his present and that he was having fun. The complete opposite of reality.

• Yes, Elena? - He asked, glad that at least with her he didn't need to pretend.

• Here. - She said, handing over the small bundle. - Come on, open it!

Damon sighed, wondering if there was anything he could say that would make her give up. Nothing came to mind, so he just unwrapped the tiny warmness underneath the sheets, knowing that Elena's stubbornness could challenge his own and so he was better off doing what she wanted. His eyes widened in shock and slight horror. A black and furry puppy face stared up at him, its tiny tongue coming out of its mouth in an adorable gesture. The dog's blue eyes gleamed at Damon, asking him for love. Damon wasn't all that eager to take care of it. As a matter of fact, having a puppy had never been in Damon's list of things he ever planned to do. When he thought of pets all that came to mind was the work they would give him. They needed water, food, attention and worse of all, they pooped. So having a dog was out of discussion.

• Elena… - He started, not having any idea of how to tell Elena, who was in love with the puppy, that he didn't want it.

• I know, he's adorable! When I saw him I thought of how much he looked like you and I couldn't resist. - Elena babbled, her eyes not leaving the doggy.

• It's a he? - Damon asked, so surprised by her reaction that he couldn't bring himself to peruse the issue.

• Yep. At least that's what the shopkeeper told me, I didn't actually look. - She blushed, though she didn't quite realize.

• Well, Elena… - He started once again, taken out of his temporary shock.

Caroline then passed by them, her eyes immediately locking on the puppy in Damon's arms. Her expression changed in a matter of seconds. Her features softened into a smile and she changed her course, seemingly unable to resist the dog's cuteness. She crouched to be in the same level as the tiny eyes that were staring at her in amused curiosity, though her heels protested. For once, Caroline Forbes, queen of fashion, didn't care. She just wanted to be near the furry little dog. Damon's smirk turned into an amused smile that almost mimicked the puppy's. He couldn't give back to Elena something that everyone seemed to fond of. It looked like he was going to have to keep the little doggy.