Heey. You know, adding two chapters in the middle of the old mix kind of made the slow-burn a bit longer, but I'm glad I did, it's fun to write them being domestic.

Plus, I wanted to keep my word and post quicker this time so I haven't answered you guys yet, but I will before the next one comes. Pinky promise.

Anyway… Shall we?

I hope you like it!

Chapter 08: Hamlet sends his love

ELENA POV

It's the second day this week I've slept barely three hours before work. Last night, by the time I finished reading the books Shane had emailed me it was way past two 2 a.m. so I dropped dead in bed, exhausted, and stupidly forgot to charge my cell phone; which surely explains why the damn thing didn't ring. But you know what woke me? My interns. They didn't want to bother me in case I was sick, but apparently there had been several crashes on Amsterdam Avenue, so the New York Presbyterian was a chaos and they needed all the help they could get.

And there's a reason why I'm always too early for everything: I just can't function when I'm in a hurry. Between showering and picking up my stuff I let my strawberry shampoo fall, only then remembering I didn't really have the time to wash my hair, and I stumbled on my feet twice. Then, of course, while I was texting my interns and my attending to let them know I was already on my way I realized I was walking towards the living room without the backpack with my uniform.

— Shit, shit, shit. — I cursed nervously. But, all the sudden, Damon appeared by my side, holding the backpack for me. I looked at him confused because I could have sworn he would be at the Grill by now, this is usually the day he's cooking breakfast there.

He smiled knowingly. — Elijah and Katherine are showing up there at night, so I change my schedule to cook dinner instead.

I nodded, accepting the backpack from his hands and unzipping to check the contents one last time. He chuckled. — Don't worry, it's all in there. I saw your calculator was missing and put it in the small compartment. Oh, and your phone charger, I figured you could use it.

He ran his hands through the fabric of my jacket, fixing it on my body. I watched him bewildered. — You're amazing. Do you know that, right?

Damon grinned, as if my gratitude was the only thing he needed in return. I don't think he realizes how perfect he actually is, or how much he means to me. — Come on. — He tilted his head to one side. — I'm driving you.

I gave him a look. He's not even working in the morning, I'm not making him take the Camaro off the garage just to take me. — Damon.

He rolled his eyes and said playfully. — Elena. — But noticing I was still going to protest, he sighed. — You're late. If we don't leave now, it would take the Millennium Falcon for you to make it on time.

— Since when do you make Star Wars references? — I teased, giving up and following him outside of our apartment. If he insists on driving me, fine, I don't really have the time to argue about it now.

Damon turned the lights off, closing the door behind us. — Since when do you understand them?

— I have a younger brother, remember?

He laughed, calling the elevator impatiently. It's cute how he's so worried about me making it in time. And, surprisingly, or maybe not that much, just having him around is easing my nerves.

We got in, and he quickly selected the hall floor button. — Little Gilbert is my brother too. And I have Stefan, of course. — He smiled fondly. — Plus, a six years-old patient who also loves all this sci-fi crap.

— How is he, by the way? — I asked, genuinely curious. I had so much fun with Adam the other day we went to the park. Without mentioning the fact it's kind of impossible not to think about him when I'm researching childhood traumas in my thesis.

At the speed of light, we got out of the elevator and walked towards the parking lot of the building. Damon opened the passenger door for me, and once we were inside of the Camaro, he answered. — He's good. It's easier to get him to talk when I'm using geek references, so I'm taking advantage of it.

He pointed to the backpack resting on my lap. — There's a few Arab sandwiches in there, if you're hungry.

A few it's definitely one way of putting it. There were enough to feed an army, but since I've a twelve hours shift today I'm not complaining. I picked up one of the Chicken Shawarma sandwiches and took a bite. God, this is marvelous. The sauce attacked my taste buds and I moaned in delight.

I glanced over my best friend. — Did you eat one of these before we left?

Damon shook his head. — Nope. I was running to help you. And I can't really eat while I'm on the phone with both my secretary and my bartender.

— Can you eat while you drive? — I asked, and when he turned to me questionly I was holding mine for him to take a bite.

He did, smiling with a full-mouth. — Thank you.

Has he always been this beautiful? I know for a fact he's my most attractive friend and it's crystal clear to anyone with eyes he's a good-looking guy, but… Ever since that day we dropped Adam at the orphanage, I've been looking at him differently. And, trust me, I'm trying to ignore it, I really am, but it's difficult when we are living together and Damon is the kind of guy who likes to parade shirtless around the house.

I feel his hands on my tights and I'm pulled back to reality. He squeezes it reassuringly. — You're only fifteen minutes late. It will be alright.

Yeah, like my sudden silence had something to do with me being late and not with the fact I can't stop thinking about how adorable you look when you're being this sweet.

I placed my hand above his, squeezing back. — I don't know what I would do without you, Damon.

He smiled, winking charmingly. — Best roommate, huh?

I laughed. — Definitely.

My interns were right: this place is a complete chaos.

As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I ran to the changing room to put on my scrubs, then ran all the way to the emergency hall. The ambulances were arriving one after the other. I watched Liv helping Bonnie with an old man whose bones were coming out of his arm. April was assisting Kol with two fractured teens. And all of our attendings were either running to the OR or already there saving lives. So it really didn't take long for me to find someone needing help.

— I think we need to intubate her. — Tyler said.

I looked at the woman who indeed didn't seem capable of maintaining the airway. And when I saw Tyler grabbing a bag-ventilation with supplemental oxygen, without even waiting for me to say a word, I smiled. Yeap, that's the exact reason he's my guy this year.

Luke was coming right behind me, quickly setting all the equipment ready for me to use. — Alright. — I took the BMV from Tyler's hands and gestured for Luke to hand the stuff for him instead. He hesitated for a moment, but did as it was told. I didn't think instructing other doctors would come so naturally, but I kind of just fell into the role at the moment I became a senior resident.

Tyler used his left hand to place the laryngoscope and blade in the correct position. And, after taking a quick look to check the woman's vocal cords, epiglottis and glottis, he inserted the tip of the ETT, advancing carefully.

Once the cuff had passed through and beyond the glottis, he stabilized the tube by holding it in place. Removing the styler and attaching the CO² detector to the ETT, he inflated the cuff. Luke stepped in to remove the mask from the resuscitator bag as Tyler ventilated through the CO². After the correct placement was reached, Tyler secured the tube with a commercial tube holder.

He looked at me in expectation. — Well done. — I told him sincerely, then turned to Luke to smile at him as well. — Both of you.

— Should we ask for a chest radiographic? — Luke questioned.

I agreed, fixing the stethoscope on my neck. — You should. Take care of that, Dr. Parker. Lockwood, you come with me. There are still plenty of injuries needing our help.

Six hours later I was sitting exhausted in a corner outside of the hospital with Kol by side, the Arab sandwiches Damon prepared for me in both of our hands as we ate the faster we could.

My Original boy got home from Paris two days ago. Apparently, there's been some family issue he needed to deal with and that made him come back earlier. I choose not to mention the incident with Mikael to not stress him further since he seemed to be in a very bad place with his parents. It's good all of the siblings get along, because in the mom and dad department, they certainly ain't lucky.

I also took this moment to text Jeremy. Although living with Damon has been perfect, I would be lying if I said I don't miss my little brother. Ever since our parents' death, we had never spent more than two weeks apart. So it's strange having to call to remind him that he needs to eat more than junk food every now and then, instead of, you know, just dropping a full plate of real food in front of him.

— Oh, there you are. — Bonnie said, smiling at the two of us, and getting the vacant place next to Kol. It doesn't matter how long has passed, it will always feel like the old days when we are together like this.

She took a deep breath, relaxing her shoulders and letting the tiredness of the day make its appearance. — I'm worn-out. Like, utterly and completely worn-out.

Me and Kol smiled in understanding. I picked up one of the sandwiches I had packed and handed into her. — Take it. We still have six more hours to go.

Bonnie gladly accepted, moaning the second she gave it the first bite. — This is the best Arab sandwich I've ever tasted.

— Courtesy of Damon Salvatore. — I said with a smile, already finishing my own sandwich and reaching for the box of apple juice I bought in the cafeteria.

Bonnie and Kol exchanged looks but didn't say a word.

I rolled my eyes. — Ok, can you two stop with the judging look? — I pleaded, getting innocent shrugs in response.

Honestly, I can't understand why they are all so against the idea of me and Damon sharing an apartment. I've already repeated the whole "He's my best friend" speech a million times by now, it's getting old. I really don't know what else I can say to convince them they have absolutely nothing to worry about.

— I just don't think you thought this through. — Bonnie said, trying to sound nonchalant but I knew her statement was anything but.

— I don't know what there is for me to think it through. — I admitted, so tired of having to repeat myself. — It's Damon. He's been my best friend since forever. And he's literally the one person I go to in every possible scenario. Shane is driving me crazy with my thesis? I'm at the Grill. I'm worried about Jeremy? It's him who calms me. Today, after this rough shift we're having? It's him I will want to spend my night with.

Bonnie sighed. — And the same goes for him, I'm sure.

— Yeah, it does. You know it does, Bonnie. And I still don't see what's the problem.

— The problem, cupcake, — Kol said, speaking for the first time since Bonnie brought my best friend's name to the conversation. — It's that you two sound too much like a couple without actually being one.

I opened my mouth to protest, but his comment caught me so off guard that I wasn't fast enough to speak before Bonnie could cut me off. — Don't deny it. — She said softly. — You know it's true.

— We are friends. — I argued stubbornly. — This hasn't changed and it won't. Living with him won't alter anything.

— So, are you saying there wasn't a moment, not even one, since you two started living together that you didn't think this might be too much? — Bonnie asked, skeptically.

I opened my mouth again to fire back a response, but this time I didn't know what to say.

Is living with Damon too much? No.

I like coming home and having someone there to talk with me about my day. Or to listen about his day, while we watch a movie and eat dinner. I mean, normally we would call each other or hang out together during our free time, so it's nice to do it without needing to leave the house or without hearing his voice filtered by the phone.

If anything, living with Damon feels… right.

And maybe, just maybe, that's what she means.

— You are reading too much into it. — I tell them firmly.

Then, as if God was playing games with me, my phone buzzed and his name flashed on the screen. I looked at my friend's faces guilty.

Bonnie sighed. — It's him, isn't he? — I nodded. And she was definitely giving me the "I told you so" look I hate immensely. — Well… — She trailed off. — If there's nothing going on then you won't mind reading it to us so we can judge by ourselves.

I groaned, sliding my thumb to unblock the screen and opening the message. — "I'm covering up for Rose tonight, she called in sick. Don't wait up" — I looked at them smugly. — See? It's just roommate talk.

Bonnie squinted her eyes. — Read the rest.

— What rest… — My voice faded as my phone buzzed again and another message appeared on it. How the hell does she do that? Kol must be right about her being a psychic or something. — "You're free to have dinner with me after your shift, though" — And I'm barely whispering when I read the next words. — "I think our rooftop misses us"

— So what? He flirts with everyone! — I said, knowing, deep down, they might have a point. Because if this message really means that we're acting like a couple, then I don't know what conclusions to take, because this is the way we've always been with each other, since as long as I can remember.

— This isn't flirting, cupcake. — Kol argued.

I sighed. — Yes, it is! It's Damon, we… — But Bonnie interrupted me.

— Elena, he's saying he doesn't want to spend the night away from you! Not one single night. Even though he sees you every day. Are you really telling me that we are the ones reading too much into it and it's not you who's not seeing what's right in front of you?

The door next to us opened abruptly and April appeared, her eyes focused on Bonnie's. It was clear we were in the middle of something, but the hospital doesn't wait for our dramas to end, so neither can April. — Dr. Bennet, we have a twelve years-old girl needing heart surgery. She arrived along with the last remaining victims of the crash and Dr. Laughlin wants you to assist her.

Bonnie nodded. — I will be right there, Dr. Young.

The intern smiled shyly at us and went off. Bonnie finished her sandwich as fast as she could, chewing everything in one last big bite. She cleaned the bran from her hands. — I need to go. — She told me, silently apologizing for having to leave.

I waved her off, it doesn't matter how much of a mess I am right now, I know better than anyone what it is to have an emergency like this. — It's ok. Good luck with the surgery.

Bonnie smiled, turning her gaze to Kol. — Can you take care of her heart while I go fix that little girl's? — She said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Kol winked. — I've got her. Don't worry.

The cold wind of the night kissed my skin and I shivered. Somehow, the sky felt heavier now; the clouds were covering the moon and hiding its brightness. Everything in the panorama above us seemed black, numb, and yet, a thousand times clearer than my heart.

Kol put his hands around me. — Elena… — He said, and I was so wrapped in my own thoughts I didn't realize he had used my actual name, which he rarely does.

I looked at him with big confused eyes. — Is it true? Do you really think Damon feels something for me?

He smiled. — He does. And, honestly, cupcake, I think so do you.

— No… — I shook my head. — This can't happen, Kol. You don't understand, he's the most important person in my life besides Jeremy. I can't risk our friendship.

But, instead of comforting me, he just kittened his eyes at me and laughed softly. — I think you're asking the wrong questions.

I frowned. — What do you mean?

He flashed that boyish toothy grin. — Whatever it is that he feels for you… Is it a one-sided thing? Forget about what Bonnie and I think, or even what you believe Damon might feel, you need to ask yourself what you feel about him. And, if you happen to find something else in there… — He touched my heart lightly. — Then, you need to figure out a way to deal with it.

991, state your emergency.

I think my best friend is in love with me and I don't know what to do about it.

However, the world doesn't turn, it overturns.

And it's not just the patients in the hospital that need my help, after our shift was over, me and Bonnie got a call from Caroline Forbes asking if we could have a girl's night. We were really going to say we couldn't make it today, but the desperation in her voice was so concerning it was impossible to say no.

The problem was she didn't want to meet us at my place because of Damon or at Bonnie's because of Enzo. So, it took both of our efforts to convince her to go at Kol's apartment.

And, once Caroline gave up on sending him away from his own place, she made him swear on his mother's grave he would keep it a secret. — You need to promise me that everything I say won't leave this room! — Kol just smiled at her bossy tone and she glared at him. — I'm serious!

He laughed. — Hey, I will just rub on Nik's face that I'm your new BFF.

— Kol!

— I'm kidding. Although the idea is very appealing, I know how to keep my mouth shut, Caroline, so, don't worry I won't tell a soul.

Just to be sure her eyes searched for mine's and Bonnie's and we both nodded reassuringly. The years she spent travelling all around the world to build off her career, Bonnie and I spent bonding with Kol through the endless nights of our interns days, as we studied and drank together after every rough week of exams. Kol is an eternal frat boy, as Damon is always teasing, but we would trust him with our life's deepest secrets.

Caroline sighed and blurted out. — I slept with Klaus.

My jaw dropped, Kol's eyes widened and Bonnie's mouth went agape. What. We were so not expecting this to be her girl problem.

It was Bonnie that made the move of asking further. — Caroline… — She started, trying to hide the judgment without succeeding. Yeah, I know from first hand she sucks at pretending.

— Ugh! I know, okay? — Caroline groaned. — It was a mistake.

Kol cleared his throat. — I didn't know you two were still friends or something.

— We are not. — She quickly defended herself, sucking her breath. — After I started dating Stefan, your brother was beyond mad at me because I answered his love outburst by declaring my feelings for the friend he had introduced me to.

Although Damon had already told me all the gossip involving the Steroline-Klaroline drama, as he likes to call it, he never mentioned this particular detail. So I'm guessing it was something that she and Klaus kept to themselves, as they seem to be keeping a lot of things, actually.

— Do you guys remember that event I was organizing in Paris? — I nodded. Stefan was staying at Damon's at the time, it was on the week one of his patients committed suicide and he showed up drunk at my doorstep.

Bonnie surely remembers too, as it was confirmed by her gestures. After Caroline got into the Salvatore circle of friends due to Stefan, the three of us started to get together every now and then to go shopping. And, since it's really difficult to make real friends in the business she works on, we instantly became the ones Caroline relied on the most. On this date she's mentioning, they had gone to the mall so Bonnie could help her find the right clothes to travel.

Bonnie sighed. — He was there, wasn't he?

— The event was an exposition with Nik's paintings… — Kol clarified, looking much more chill with all of this than I expected him to be. I mean, it's his brother and his friend! Though I know for a fact he's not that close to the Salvatores; if anything he's our boy, mine and Bonnie's, more than their buddy.

— I didn't know it was his work! — Caroline exclaimed, reaching for the mug of coffee that was now trembling in her shaking hands.

As soon as we got to his apartment, Kol opened his kitchen doors for us while he showered. However, given his lack of food, all we managed to do was warm up some coffee and fill the center-glass table of his living room with cookies.

Caroline took a sip, placed it back at the table, and continued. — All they told me was that this museum was hosting a party to this great masterpiece that got accepted into their collection. Then, when I looked at the paintings, I recognized his color patterns and… — Her voice faded quietly.

Bonnie sighed. — I can't believe this is happening.

— Klaus used to call me "sweetheart", you know. — Caroline continued, sort of daydreaming while speaking. — It used to be his silly nickname for me, one that he gave me seconds after we became friends.

An image of me and Damon exchanging silly nicknames, on the day we first talk on the rooftop of the NYU, flashes in my mind. I don't know what kind of friendship Caroline used to have with Klaus, but if it was anything like me and Damon's, then I can understand why these displays of affections could still affect her this much.

— No one knows. It was our thing. — She looks back at us, "guilt" written all over her features. I've never seen Caroline Forbes this insecure. — He dedicated one of his paintings to me, writing that stupid pet name right at the bottom of it.

A silence fell upon us. Not that we had any idea of what we were expecting when Caroline blurted out the thing that "has been eating her alive for weeks," as she had described it. However, having Klaus painting a masterpiece for her never even crossed our minds.

Bonnie and I looked at each other, and, without saying a word, we both knew exactly what the other was thinking: this was too much. It didn't justify her cheating Stefan, of course it didn't. But, after the way things ended with Klaus, it must have hit her pretty hard to see that particular nickname in one of his artworks.

I noticed Caroline was purposely avoiding Kol's eyes the whole time. Which is understandable, I can't imagine talking with Stefan about his brother's feelings for me, or about what I may or may not feel for him in return.

And I really don't have the time to duel on it now, but this new information will also put me in a very messed up situation. How am I supposed to come home tonight and keep such a huge bomb from Damon? We tell each other everything! And, if the roles were reversed and this was something that involved Jeremy, just like it involves Stefan, he would've told me without thinking twice about it. But, at the same time, Caroline chose to place her trust in me and I don't want to betray her either.

While I'm debating the whole "to say or not say" dilemma in my own head, Bonnie is impatiently waiting for Caroline to explain the rest of it. And I have to say, no one can be as judgmental as Bonnie Bennet when she wants to be; and that's exactly what seems to be the persona she's impersonating because she's squinting her green eyes, determined. It's no wonder she's the one who wears the trousers in her relationship with Enzo, he wouldn't stand a chance with this look.

— Ok, what are you not telling us? — Bonnie asked, bluntly.

Caroline's eyes widened in shock. — What?

— Cupcake, you wouldn't have slept with my brother just because of this, no matter how shaken you must have been. — Kol stated.

— Which means you are leaving something out. — Bonnie finished for him. — So, come on, tell us.

Knowing there was no way Bonnie would let her off the hook so easily, she sighed and confessed. — Stefan and I… We're not in a good place. He's been shady, acting weird and distant, keeping things from me.

— Do you think he might be cheating on you? — I asked, cautiously.

But she waved off. — No, whatever it is, it has to do with the company. — We all looked at each other confused by her statement, and she wrongly misread our expressions. — I know what you are thinking, but I'm not being nosy.

— Care, that's not what… — But that girl was just super hyped that she just kept on talking like I had not even said a thing.

— Or maybe I am being nosy. But it's difficult not to be after I've found out he has been digging to find dirt on Giuseppe for a year!

— What?! — Me and Kol exclaimed in unison. I know Damon's dad is no better than Kol's, but he's definitely committed to that company, and, as far as I'm concerned, he doesn't do anything illegal!

— I heard him speaking with someone in a call when he thought I was sleeping. — She explained. — And when I confronted him about it, he lashed out on me. The night we had an argument was before my departure. Eventually, I called to apologize, but he wouldn't take it. I was at the event, and Klaus, who I happened to be ignoring the whole evening, heard me crying and… He used to be my best friend.

Caroline had tears in her eyes now, and I think I can understand. I can't imagine my life without Damon in it, just as I can't imagine myself denying his comfort arms either.

Bonnie and Kol were sympathetically, but still judgy, so I was the one who took her hand, gently squeezing it to calm her down. — Hey, it's ok, Care. It's going to be ok.

— I shouldn't have slept with him, though. — She swallowed, looking at the conjoined hands in her lap. — He offered me a ride back to my hotel, which I thankfully took because I was a mess. And I asked him to come inside, just because I was needing my best friend that night, you know. Then he kissed the tears that were falling on my cheeks, so sweetly, so much different from the way my boyfriend had screamed at me, and… — Her voice faded, and neither of us needed for her to continue, we knew.

— But… You still love Stefan, don't you? — I asked kindly.

She agreed, the water pouring from her eyeballs. — I do. I do. I still love him.

— But you also have feelings for Klaus. — Bonnie completed, saying what we were all thinking. And, given the fact Caroline started to cry even harder, I guess our assumptions were correct.

Kol got up from the armchair he was sitting on, walked to the couch where me and Caroline were; Bonnie being on the floor next to us. He sat next to the crying girl, put his arms around her and pulled her to a hug. — I'm sorry. — She let it out against his chest. — God, I shouldn't be talking about your brother like this.

He smiled. — I'm also surprised that you would fall for him from all us Mikaelsons.

Caroline laughed, recomposing herself a little bit and sitting straight again. — I don't know what to do. — She admitted shyly.

— Stefan deserves to know, but I understand if you don't want to tell him just yet. — Both Caroline and Bonnie looked at me shocked. — It's been weeks already, he clearly has a lot going on in his life too, and Damon told me he's going to China.

Bonnie focused her green eyes on me. — What exactly are you suggesting, Elena?

— That Caroline should take this time to figure out what her feelings about my brother actually mean. — Kol answered for me. — And… I agree with her. Which is why, — He took Caroline's hands in his. — I think you should spend the weekend at my family's mansion.

— Kol. — Bonnie started.

He stopped her. — Look, both of my parents are travelling. Elijah spends most of his time with Katherine when he's not working. I'm already going there, anyway, and Caroline is my friend now. It will give her an excuse to talk with Nik and I will be there in case she needs me to talk her out of making other mistakes she doesn't want to.

By the look on Bonnie's face I knew that even she needed to agree it wasn't the worst idea in the world. Kol took our silence as encouragement and concluded. — This way when Stefan comes back from China you will have a better idea about where your heart is.

— I don't want to cheat on him anymore. — Caroline whispered.

— You won't. — Kol promised her. — I will be with you the whole time if that makes you feel better. It will be just two days, Care, and I really think you both need to clear things out.

She shifted her nose, nodding. — Alright.

— I will pick you up tomorrow, Friday night, after my shift in the hospital. — He said, sighing; then his expression shifted and he smiled. — Now, can we please drink something? 'Cause knowing that the pretty girl sitting on my couch slept with my brother definitely asks for lots of alcohol.

Incoming call: Damon Salvatore

"Hey, bad boy"

"Hey. Just calling to check on you. Are you home yet?"

Closing the door of the guest room I got in to answer his call, I replied, sounding a lot sadder because of the fact I wouldn't be coming home tonight, even if he probably won't be there himself.

"Actually, I'm at Kol's. Caroline summed up a girl's night, so me and Bonnie drove to his place after our shift. That's why I haven't showed up at the Grill''

"Tsc-tsc, Elena. I can't believe you're doing a slumber party without me!"

"It's boy talk; with your brother as the main topic of it. Are you sure you would want to be here?"

"Absolutely. You know I'm a sucker for gossip. And… I didn't know they were having problems in paradise"

I laughed, he's so transparent when he's fishing. "I will tell you everything tomorrow, ok?"

"Oh, so you want to talk in person! If it's a bomb-gossip I'm going to piss Stef until the end of time"

The "to say or not to say" dilemma just got solved. Yes, I will share the not-so-great news with Damon, making him promise that he won't tell his brother until Caroline does it herself, of course. It will be difficult, but I can always bribe him with a night at our rooftop, or with a pair of tickets to a U2 concert.

"I will tell you tomorrow"

"Alright. I'm assuming you're crashing at Peter Pan then?"

"Yeah. He may have served us with a few shots of tequila, so the three of us are staying"

"Good. I wouldn't be able to pick you since I'm stuck here at the Grill. And I wouldn't trust you in the cab of a stranger with alcohol in your system. It's for the best"

"You're so sweet with me"

"You're my girl, Lainey. I will always be nice-ish with you"

I laughed, that low soft laugh it's only his. "Oh, I just remember. I'm going to college in the morning, then Bonnie and I will have lunch together, so I'll probably come home by night…"

"Bonbon is really determined to save you from me" He teased, amused. "Did you know she accused me of making you a prisoner?"

"She didn't!"

"Yeap"

"God, she's clearly spending too much time with Caroline. She's being way too nosy about us living together"

And I only realized my mistake when he asked. "What do you mean? Did she mention something to you too?"

"Hm, nothing worth repeating. Damon…" I hesitated for a second "Do you mind? That I'm staying at home all the time?"

He puffed. "Lainey. You live with me now. And I love it. So, don't worry. Whatever BonBon said that got you concerned, it's bulshit. Don't stress that beautiful head of yours with it, 'kay?"

"You mean the world to me, Damon. Do you know that, don't you?"

"Yeah" And hearing his smile on the other side of the phone made me giddy. "If it's half as much as you mean to me, then I've got an idea. And you're my nakama, soulmate, twin flame and whatever cheesy name you may call, Lainey"

Oh no. No, no, no. My friends are right, aren't they? There is something going on between the two of us. I'm not sure if he'sin love with me, I think a part of me will forever doubt it, I will never believe for real until the actual words leave his mouth. But… There is something. I know there is now. Which brings me back to Kol's earlier question: Is it one-sided?

To find or to not find?

To love or not to love?

To open that hidden box or not to open?

"Well, then you're lucky I'm going to be less than a day away from you" I teased, trying to hide my nerves.

"Like you could stay away longer than that" He teased back.

"I love you, Damon" I found myself saying it, wondering if it meant more this time, if it ever meant more and I just never realized it. "And I might miss you a little bit"

"Oh, I will miss you, Elena. Good night"

"Night"

I turned off the call, holding the phone in my hands so strongly I'm surprised it's not breaking nor hurting me. I look at the nothingness of the white-painted wall in front of me and let my mind wander.

My mind goes back to us laughing on the floor of my old apartment and dancing to Elton John together. It goes to him blushing when I unconsciously impersonated Elizabeth Bennet while we cuddle at our rooftop; or to all the references we have been making to the couple that invented romance. My mind goes to the day we met. It goes to the Christmas he flew at my aunt's home in Mystic Falls just to spend the holiday with me. It goes to the day we hung with Adam at the park. It goes to everything we have been sharing since I moved in with him.

And I don't know if I will find something in my heart that means more than friendship. I'm not even sure if I should be opening this box. But I want to. I want to find out what I actually feel for him.

So, Hamlet, here goes nothing.

To open.

Yeah, so… She knows, finally!

Some of you asked about the Steroline-Klaroline-Stebekah drama and all I can say is that it's up to my little sister. I can end one way or the other, but since she's the one that talked me into writing this story, she's my biggest advisor in all of this.

Thank you for reading. The next one is almost done, so I will post it soon.

Have a nice weekend!