A/N: This one takes place in a different AU than most of the collection. Rather than an AU where Rose lived through the werewolf bite or wasn't killed at that point in time... she did die, and then came back from the dead when the Other Side collapsed. Damon and Rose got back together after Elena told him she didn't want to remember their relationship or ever see him again.
This chapter takes place in the 1903 prison world, and features Damon introducing Rose to his mother.
~ Shards of Sapphire ~
"This is my girlfriend, Venus Flytr-"
The introduction is cut short as Damon covers his mouth and fakes a brief coughing fit in order to suppress his laughter.
"You really have to work on saying that one with a straight face," Rose whispers to him, low enough that the third vampire in the room, who is sitting across from them, won't be able to hear her over Damon's coughing.
Lily Salvatore frowns at her son for a moment before turning her attention to his companion and putting forth uncertainly, "Your name... is Venus...?"
"It's Rose. My name is Rose."
Rose bites her lip and avoids Lily's gaze. Lily is clearly bewildered by this entire conversation.
At this point, Damon has stopped coughing, and he reaches out to take Rose's hand, tangling their fingers together.
"Then, why-" The rest of Lily's question never makes it out of her mouth, although what she means to ask is clear.
"It's kind of a running joke," Rose explains awkwardly. "He thinks it's funny to introduce me as a flower or plant other than my actual name. At first people thought he really didn't remember what my name was, and then he started using more obscure flower names like amaryllis and cereus, or ridiculously long ones like rhododendron and chrysanthemum. Once he called me Coral and I had to tell him that coral is actually an animal, not a plant."
Lily doesn't quite know what to make of the odd nickname joke, but it's clear that the pair adore each other. In fact, Lily is almost embarrassed by how openly affectionate they are with each other.
So she smiles and says, "Well, anyway... it's nice to meet you, Rose."
~oOo~