"Take him and cut him out into little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night, and pay no worship to the garish sun." - William Shakespeare
21: The Last Day
She'd woken up to the sound of voices, low and muffled. Nuzzling into Damon's chest, she kissed him softly, before yawning, raising her eyes to his, "Morning," she murmured with a smile.
His hold tightened around her, worry and concern flooding through their bond, "Morning Angel."
Thea frowned slightly, looking up at him, and adjusting her position so she could stare into his icy-gaze. "What's wrong?" She questioned softly, "Why are you so worried?"
"The full moon's tonight." He murmured in reply, "You could die tonight, and I…I can't let that happen Thea. I can't lose you."
Sensing his growing panic, she pulled him closer, laying his head on her chest, right over her heartbeat, "Hey, hear that?" She whispered, "That's my heart. Still beating, only for you, but it beats. And come tomorrow, it will still beat. You said it yourself, Klaus isn't planning on killing me, or hurting me in any way. It's gonna be okay, I'm gonna be okay baby."
"But you don't know that for sure. You don't know that you'll come out of this alive for sure. He could change his mind at the last minute, anything could happen."
"Damon… any number of things could happen at any time. I could be walking down the road and get reamed by an oncoming truck, or fall down the boarding house stairs and break my neck." Inhaling softly, she added, "But if it helps, I want you to feed me your blood later today, so that if anything does happen, I'll come back to you, guaranteed."
He tensed, head rising form its previous position on her chest, eyes looking deeply into her own, "You want to change? But what about your magic?"
The blood-witch shrugged, a small smile on her face, "I've been thinking about it, and honestly, I was just scared of being powerless. But I'll never be that. The enhanced strength alone would prevent that from happening. Plus, I'd get to be with you, forever, and I really want that, Ace. I know nothing is risk free, but this way, if the worst happens, I'll be back."
"And if it doesn't?" He questions softly, tendrils of his hope tying around her heart. Smiling, she took his hand, placed back over her heartbeat, "Then, we'll do it together, and I'll be back. And this heart? It will still beat for you."
"You really want this? You want to become a vampire?"
"I want forever with you, in whatever form that takes. Do you want this? Are you still going to love me when my emotions are all out of whack, and my self-control is reduced to none?" She asked, biting her lip.
His thumb reached out, pulling it from between her teeth, before grabbing it with his own, kissing her lovingly. Leaning their foreheads together, he mumbled, "I will love you no matter what. Control or not, human or witch or vampire." Placing his mouth next to her ear, he whispered, "I will love you until this entire world is over, and maybe a little beyond that."
—
About an hour later, there was a knock on the door. Raising her head off of. Her bonded's chest, the blood-witch called out a soft, "Come in,"
Her uncle's face showed through the crack in the door, as he questioned, "Are you both decent? I do not wish to witness the aftermath of your extracurricular activities."
Giggling, Thea gestured for him to come in, as Damon commented sarcastically, "yes, because I would totally be down to having sex with my bonded when her uncle is in the house, very willing to rip my heart out if he begins to feel even the slightest bit protective."
Looking at him with a grin, the witch said, "Don't lie Ace, you'd probably take the risk too." As she saw the challenge rise in his eyes, she chuckled, "And before you say something that may provoke uncle E into at least snapping your neck, I'm gonna beg you to not."
She turned back to the man, smiling at the pout she witnessed on Damon's face, before asking, "So what brings you in here, uncle E? Tired of the moping and longing uncertain stares exchanged between the teenage couple?"
He laughed, taking a seat on the chair facing them, "Should I remind you that technically, you are also a teenager?"
"Yes, well, I certainly don't act like one, do I? Life has done a good job of teaching me how to become an adult much earlier than I wanted to. Besides, Damon and I don't need to exchange longing glances, we already have each other, it would just be redundant drama at that point."
"Indeed." He nodded, before growing quiet, introspective. At this, his niece sighed, "Stefan didn't take the reveal of the elixir very well, did he? He's finally beginning to question Elena's ability to make decisions, at the worst time possible."
"No, he did not. The doppelgänger has managed to convince him of its authenticity, however, as she should. I know you do not wish her dead, and therefore, we've given her every warning possible. She made her choice."
"Ironic, isn't it?" Chuckled the blue-eyed vampire. At Thea's questioning glance, he elaborated, "He's been so convinced that she should decide who gets to live or die, until it involved her, and now suddenly, he's rejecting her own agency. He's making a fuss about the only decision Elena should have been allowed to make."
Giggling slightly, she nudged him softly with her elbow, "What's the saying again? Grass is always greener on the otherside. Now that the decision doesn't factor into his own wishes, he's reluctant and against it."
"Well regardless, the sacrifice will more than likely take place tonight, Niklaus will not wait any longer once he has all the ingredients. Once his werewolf side has awakened, that will be the moment the witch will strike, when he will be at his weakest." Interjected the original.
Looking at him, Thea tilted her head questioningly, "Any ideas as to why he wants me there too? Since he's no longer planning on sacrificing me and all? Becasue I don't know, and I don't like not knowing."
"That I do not know. I wouldn't worry though, I've told you multiple times, no harm will come to you."
"Regardless, I'm gonna have Ace give me his blood beforehand, just in case. If something does happen, I'd like to come back and kick the ass of whoever did it." She responded, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. She could feel Damon tensing behind her, and discreetly reached for his hand under the covers, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles soothingly, sending her reassurance over their bond.
Meanwhile, her uncle simply raised his brows, before nodding his agreement, "That is a good idea. I should like you to outlive me, not the other way around after all."
Snorting, she replied, "You're a thousand years old uncle E, I don't think anyone could quite live up to your fossilised age."
The original chuckled, before standing up and making his way to the door, looking back at the couple before leaving, "Do not worry, Mr. Salvatore, I value her life and wellbeing as much as you do. She will not be harmed."
"Yeah," Damon sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest tighter, "That's the only reason I'm slightly reassured."
As Elijah closed the door behind his retreating figure, she turned to her bonded with a mock-hurt look, "Why do none of you trust in my ability to take care of myself?"
"Maybe because so far you've had multiple seizures, brain bruises and two brain haemorrhages? Oh, or maybe because we both know you'd throw yourself in line of fire to protect someone else in a heartbeat."
Leaning her forehead against his, she giggled slightly, before pressing their lips together, allowing their thoughts to merge. Promise, the only person I'll be thinking about is you, and how quick I can make it back into your arms.
I'll hold you to it, Angel. His voice whispered into her mind softly, before he deepened the kiss, laying her back into the bed, hands roaming, clothes being tugged off. Moaning beneath him, Thea threw her head back, allowing him access to her skin, and closed her eyes in ecstasy.
No matter what, it was the both of them, forever.
—
The doorbell had apparently rung during their shower, but Damon had elected to ignore it and not inform her. When he announced that Alaric had arrived once they'd both gotten dressed, she questioned his decision, to which his only answer was to chuckle, and pull her into his arms, "You were naked and in the shower Angel. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse galloping in wouldn't have been able to pull me away."
Smirking at him, she pressed a quick kiss to his chin, before pulling away and heading towards the door, dragging him behind her. As they made their way downstairs, they could hear everyone talking over each other, with Rick's voice being the loudest.
"It's me, Elena, I swear, okay? He let me go. Klaus let me go." He pleaded loudly.
Pulling Thea behind him. Damon descended the stairs quickly, announcing their presence by saying, "prove it."
The man nodded, before turning to Jenna and admitting, "Okay, uh, first night you and I spent together, Jeremy walked in right when I was about to…"
"Okay, it's him." Interrupted the woman, lowering what Thea realised was a crossbow. Tilting hr head curiously, she cleared her throat, and once sure she had everyone's attention pointed to it and asked, "Don't mean to interrupt your little Law and Order moment here, and we'll get back to why daddy dearest let Ricky here go in a sec, but I just gotta ask, Jenna, do you even know how to use that thing?"
The woman shook her head slowly, and while the witch's eyes widened in frustration and amusement, she chose to ignore that particular disaster, looking at Rick instead with a raised brow, "Well? Why'd he let you go? Did he finally realise you outlived your usefulness? Or did he notice you were a bit of bleeding heart, who also happens to have no loyalty whatsoever, and is incapable to keeping his word?"
The teacher's eyes saddened, but he simply answered, "He had a message to deliver. The sacrifice happens tonight, and Thea is not to be harmed in any way, shape or form."
Nodding her head, she watched as the entire group headed into the living room, feeling the waves of worry, anger, concern and sadness flowing through the bond, engulfing her entire being.
Pulling on Damon's hand, she began leading him back to their room, sitting him down on the chair and straddling his lap, cradling his face softly as she asked, "What is it?"
"I can't lose you," he whispered painfully. Swallowing, his eyes met hers, tear-filled crystal blue to strange and saddened green/gold. "Just the thought that I could tears me in half. I can't lose you Thea, I don't…I don't know what I'd do, how I'd deal."
"You won't baby. You won't lose me." She whispered slowly, leaning their forehead together, sharing precious oxygen. His hand came to dig in her hair, holding onto the strands as though he could keep her in his lap forever that way. Away from anything and anyone that could harm her, safe and encapsulated within their bubble.
"You don't know that." He murmured, closing his eyes, a single tears trailing down his cheek. She wiped it clean, rubbing her thumb over his cheekbone slowly, before pressing her lips tenderly on the spot, kissing it. "I do know it, because if the worst happens, then I'll awaken, and you'll give me a blood-bag, and teach me the art of snatch, eat, erase, and how to compel people properly, and deal with the heightened emotions and senses. You'll teach me how to vampire properly, and we'll have the rest of eternity together."
"You really want to do this? It wasn't just a heat of the moment kind of thing?" He whispered, looking into her eyes.
Smiling softly, Thea shook her head, "No. I wasn't lying when I told you I'd been thinking about it. Granted, this situation probably hastened it a little, but I was going to ask you turn me once I'd graduated anyway. I want this, I want the chance of forever with you. An eternity of travelling the world, and loving each other through it all."
"But what about your magic? You're a witch Thea, an incredibly powerful one. Are you sure you're willing to give that up?"
Biting her lip, she thought her words over in her head, wanting to get her point across as clearly as she could, to explain her point of view in a way that would leave no doubt as to her decision-making process. Cupping his cheek, she explained, "I've been hunted my entire life for my powers, for what I am. I'm tired of running Damon. Would I miss my magic? Yeah, but the flip side of it is even better. I'd get you, forever. And I'd finally be free. No more Pura-Sanguinis and all the damage they cause, no more scars and bloodshed to feel even a hint of the power I carry. I'd be free to just be Thea for once. Not Thea the blood-witch, or Thea the prophesied Chaos-Wielder or even Thea the abomination. Just Thea, Damon's Salvatore's bonded, and a girl who's finally free. I never really got to know who I'd be, if I didn't have the weight of the universe hanging over my shoulders, and honestly, I'm a little excited."
He pulled her closer, tilting his head, and splaying his lips over her own, kissing her with all of his might. Drawing back, he lowered her face to his neck, inviting her to split the skin open, to take him into her. Laying open-mouthed kisses onto the skin, she whispered, "Not without you. If I'm gonna turn, then one last time as I am now, before my blood changes, and then I can finally experience what it's like to do this as a vampire."
He didn't respond, simply kissed her neck, soft and open-mouthed, as though he was savouring the taste of her skin, rejoicing in her humanity for what may be the final time. She adjusted her position on his lap, sinking into him, hearing the small groan he made against her skin as she did so.
"I love you," she whispered, before biting into her tongue, tasting the copper of her blood in her mouth, and whispering two very familiar words "sanguine dimittere". The minute her lips landed on the open wound, she felt his fangs sinking into her carotid.
They both moaned simultaneously, taking in everything they were giving. She could see their bond from the corner of her eyes, growing and glowing, the crimson wisps enveloping them, becoming stronger and more visible, pulling them closer together. She could feel his love, overwhelming and all-encompassing, filling every nook and crevices of her, healing every crack and fracture she'd encountered throughout her life.
His teeth released her with a small 'pop', and she felt his tongue flowing over the skin, picking up every spot he'd missed. His arms tightened their hold on her, and she heard him whisper a pained, "I need you, so you better come back to me. No matter what."
Raising her face, she met his eyes with her own, knowing her fierce determination was showing through, "I will. I promise you, on everything that counts, I'll come back to you. Immortal or human, witch or vampire or even werewolf, I'll come back."
"So what do you want to do? For your potential last day as a human, I mean." He asked suddenly, disrupting the bubble of silence and peace they'd previously been encapsulated in.
Raising her head from its previous position on his neck, she bit her lip softly, an idea making its way into her mind. Looking up at him, she thought out loud, "I want to see my parents. I have an idea, but I think we need to go back to my apartment for it to work. I'm gonna need an object of sentimental value."
Damon raised a curious brow, "What exactly is it that you have in mind, Angel?"
The girl shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I've taken you into my memories before, right? I figure it shouldn't be too hard to visualise another one, but I'd like something of my dad's to ground me, just in case. Plus, as much as I love our room here, I really just want to be surrounded by my things, you know?"
The icy-eyed vampire nodded, before standing up suddenly, smiling at the screech she let out at being lifted into his arms. Tightening her hold around his neck, she giggled, "Are we speeding there?"
"Yeah. I don't want to let go of you until it's absolutely necessary." He replied, placing a tender kiss into her hair.
"Okay, Ace."
—
Walking into her house, she headed directly towards her records collection, opening a box and pulling out a faded disk.
"It's Abba." She explained, a nostalgic smile making its way to her face. "Dad loved them, a little too much I'd say. But this way the first record of their he bought with his own allowance, I think he was around 7 or 8 years old at the time. And when I began showing an interest in music, specifically older songs, he gave it to me, told me it could be the start of my own collection."
Her bonded walked towards her, looking around the various disks and albums she had stacked along the shelf, before laughing, "I'd say he was correct."
"Yeah," she chuckled, "he always was. Used to drive mom and I crazy. He'd give a warning, and we'd ignore it, until it turned out that he was correct a little too late."
She looked at Damon, before raising her wrist to his lips, "Help me out, please?"
The vampire smiled, complying with the request. His fangs sank into her skin softly, and after a small pull, he released the limb, watching as she clutched onto the antique disk and began muttering a spell under her breath, keeping the image of her smiling father in her mind.
She didn't have a particular memory she wished to revisit, just one where her family would be present, each and every one of them. She wanted to see them, one last time, before her vision changed. Before she changed. Feeling her magic spread around them, the air shifting under its weight, she opened her eyes as she heard her father's distinctly accented voice.
Music could be heard, loud and echoing throughout the family's New York brownstone. Matthew Emmanuel Montgomery streaked his hand through his thinning hair, before turning to his wife in mock-frustration, "This is your fault. I taught her the appreciation of fine music, and you taught her to love this…this cacophony of sounds!" His voice was accented, American with a twinge of British, remnants from his days back in England, and his high-brow education.
The blonde woman across from him grinned, "Yes, it would seem we have raised a rebellious savage for a daughter…" her smile became mischievous, eyes twinkling with glee as she continued, "I have never been more proud."
The man chuckled, shaking his head as he walked towards his wife, wrapping his arms around her from behind, and laying his face in the crook of her neck, "She will be the talk of New York by the time she's fifteen, I guarantee it."
"You say that as though it's a bad thing, Ace." Giggled the woman back, "I personally think it's a good thing our child is so unique. Everyone is so banale around here, Ally however, is a breath of fresh air."
"Could you two keep your hands off of each other for two seconds, I'd like to maintain my eyesight for the time being please." Came an annoyed sounding voice from the doorway. The culprit was a blond girl, or rather young adult. She was around twenty-three years of age, and her name was Andromeda.
The parents looked at their eldest daughter, before the mother, Eleanor, chuckled, "Well bébé, we tolerate you loving on your girlfriend whenever she'd here, I highly doubt you're in a position to complain."
Thea had chosen this moment to walk into the kitchen, leaning against the doorway and observing her family with happy eyes. She hadn't changed very much from her older years. Still those high cheekbones and dark hair, as well as those strange, enticing eyes. The only difference however, was the look in them. They were warm, happy, not filled with fear or anticipation, not flitting with thoughts of survival and the need to outsmart her foes to survive.
Innocent.
"Well, seeing as I'm still thirteen, I'd appreciate it immensely if y'all could keep from turning our home into a brothel." She snarked, walking into the room, and pulling herself on the breakfast bar, sitting criss-crossed in front of her parents. At her dad's open mouth, she raised a single finger, interrupting him before he could begin, "or…I could keep playing my music at full blast. Duran Duran's biggest hits, over and over again until you forget your own name, daddy-dearest."
Matthew tilted his head, in a manner that was eerily similar to his daughter's current mannerisms as an adult, before saying, "Duran Duran? Which era are we talking about exactly?"
Thea returned the gesture, narrowing her eyes slightly, "Hungry Like the Wolf, papa. All day-long, every second on the clock. On repeat, highest volume."
The other two's eyes were moving back and forth from the father-daughter duo, observing them as though they were a tennis match.
"Althea, I have taught you better than to listen to Duran Duran's 'Hungry Like the Wolf' and enjoy it!" He screeched, shaking his head. "It is an objectively bad song."
"Well I happen to like it. So what do you say, papa, have we got a deal? No more PDA at home, and I'll keep it to Abba and the disco era around you?" She volleyed back, raising her hand for a handshake, staring directly into the man's eyes.
He went quiet, before conceding, "Alright, you win. I can never say no to those eyes, they're powerful." He whined, shaking her hand and looking at his older daughter, who was giggling.
"Hey, don't look at me," Meda argued, raising her hands in mock-innocence, "I can't say no to her either, she'd weirdly convincing. Like magic."
"Nothing magical about it, folks. I'm just better at arguing than any of you, except for mom, who literally taught me everything I know, so if anything, you should totally blame her for my manipulative tendencies." Laughed the thirteen year old girl, before stealing her mother's mug, and sipping at the scalding hot coffee inside.
"Well, ma petite, one day, you'll find yourself a man who will be able to stand up to those eyes of yours, I promise you." Stated the matriarch, ruffling her daughter's hair fondly.
Thea shook her head, "Nope, I'd still be able to work my magic. Besides, why stay with one person, when I can keep it commitment-free and have anyone I want?"
"Okay, Ally-cat, you're too young to become a player. Not happening. Also, where the hell did this fear of commitment come from? It's not like you don't have the single most loved-up example at home!" Argued the eldest girl in bewilderment, gesturing wilding towards the older couple, still wrapped up in each other's arms.
"I don't know," mumbled the young witch, "I just have a feeling that no one is going to matter, until I meet the one. And not in the fantasy romantic notion, but literally he's going to be the one for me."
"Hmm," Andromeda stared at her, before adding, "Knowing you and your type, he'll probably have dark hair, kinda long so you could run your fingers through it. And light eyes too, you like those."
"Blue," mumbled the young girl, "Icy-blue, like the bottom of an iceberg."
"What else?" Wondered Matthew, explaining sheepishly at the women's incredulous stares, "What? I wanna know who she sees herself with. Have to give my seal of approval preemptively after all."
Thea giggled, before adding, "Alright, well, he'll probably have good bone structure. You know, like a good jawline and cheekbones. God, I love a sharp jaw. And he'll be taller than me, by some godly miracle." Closing her eyes, her voice lowered, become more factual than wistful, as though she were speaking the truth, as opposed to simply stating her wishes, "More than than, he'll fit me. Every aspect and nook and cranny, like a missing puzzle piece. As dangerous as I am, as volatile too, but together, it'll be like magic. And he'll be stubborn too, strong enough in his convictions to push back and argue my decisions, not just allow me to do whatever I want. Challenging. And mysterious too, enough to keep me guessing, but still allow me to know him better than anyone, give me access to those places no one else ever sees. Tender and loving, but funny. Dark humour, like me." Snapping her eyes open, she bashfully looked back into her lap, "I don't know, it's just guessing. This game's stupid anyway."
A small finger raised her head, and she found herself staring into her mother's eyes, "I think you'll find exactly what you're looking for bébé."
"And I approve, at any rate." Interjected Matthew, causing the entire little group to laugh.
Thea smiled wide, eyes roaming over her family's faces, rejoicing in their laughter, not knowing that this would be one of the final times they would all be happy like this again.
The blood-witch looked back at her bonded, open-mouthed, before shaking her head and mumbling, "God, I hate it when my precognitive abilities act up on their own."
Damon smiled in return, eyes crinkling with happiness as he drew her into the circle of his arms, "You've always known. You've always known it would be me."
"See? So when I tell you I have absolutely zero doubts, you better believe me. Because deep down, whenever I pictured myself with someone, it was always you, even before I knew you."
He laughed, head thrown back, before guiding her to the couch, sitting and placing her on his lap, straddling him. His hands came up to her cheeks, cupping them softly, as he whispered, "When I was young, before I met Katherine and got forced into the war, I used to tell Stefan that the woman I would marry would complete me, balance out everything I was missing, challenge me in the best of ways. She wouldn't just be a society lady, she'd want more. More than marriage and kids and piles of dresses and hosting duties. We'd travel the world, and go on adventures and see everything we hadn't before." His forehead leaned against her own, sharing the same breath, "She would challenge me and intrigue me and drive me mad, all within the same breath, and she would be the only one who knew me, understood me. She was you, and I didn't realise it, until Stefan reminded me of it a couple of weeks ago, but when I pictured my future, I always pictured you."
Their lips met in a loving kiss, slow and steady. And as he smiled against her, she asked, "What?"
"Nothing, it's just…your mother called your dad Ace, and its what you call me."
Nodding her head softly, she looking into his eyes, lips pulling onto a loving smile, "I think that was when I knew. The moment that nickname slipped past my mouth, I knew I'd fallen for you so completely, it consumed me. Because my parents, they were the biggest example of love I had growing up, so for me to subconsciously think of you as my Ace…" shaking her head, she giggled slightly, pulling his lips back to hers, "I knew you would be my forever." She whispered, kissing him again.
He responded with gusto, hands tightening their grips on her hips, pulling her deep into him. Hers raked through his hair, running through the soft strands, tugging on them.
He flipped them, and she found herself laying on the couch, with his form above her, as he softly mumbled, "I need you. I need you right now Angel."
Raising her arms, she allowed him to remove her shirt, as she whispered, "You have me, Ace. You'll always have me."
His cold fingertips were running over her skin, and he smiled smugly as goosebumps appeared in their trail. Reaching her pants, he made quick work of them, throwing the garments over the back of the couch, before returning his fingers to her lace thong, running over it softly.
"Don't rip it," she murmured, staring at him with wide, lust-blown eyes. Damon shook his head, as his lips descended on her neck, "Wasn't planning to."
She began frantically tugging on his shirt, attempting to remove it, before he complied, the black material floating over the back of the couch, joining her clothing on the floor.
Her hands were running over his chest, scratching at the skin tenderly, rubbing over the marks her nails were making. She made her way to his pants, fumbling with the belt buckle, before gasping out a moan when his fingers slowly reached her middle, tugging the lace aside, and splaying her open.
Throwing her head back, she murmured, "God, Damon…"
"I know," he whispered into her skin, as he slowly began running his finger through her, spreading the wetness gathering at her opening to her clit, before circling back and repeating the process.
"I love you," he mumbled, pressing soft, unhurried kisses to her neck. Her arms came to wrap around him naturally, and she responded in kind, words becoming a moan when he finally made his way into her, finger pumping slowly, leisurely.
Their lips met, slow and languid. A kiss to end all kisses, filled with love and passion and unspent emotions. It was language of its own, a declaration of adoration with no sounds, only mouths moving together, tongues tangling with each others'.
"Please…" she pleaded softly, feeling the coil tightening in her stomach, but knowing she needed more, knowing this wouldn't be enough.
Damon pulled away, watching her every expression when a second finger joined the first, and his thumb began softly rubbing her clit. Her mouth opened in ecstasy, meaningless murmurs and moans escaping it, and he smiled softly. "This is my favourite view," he whispered, voice tinged with reverence, "You, moaning for me. The sound of your voice when you come, and the way my name sounds coming from your lips in the second before you let go. How every inch of you is hanging on the edge, knowing I'm the one of who's making you feel that way, knowing you can feel how much I love you, how much I adore every inch of you as you do."
She nodded, eyes snapping open and staring into his, "I do. I love you, so much. Nothing…God, Ace." She closed her eyes again, his name leaving her lips in a moan, before she inhaled and tried to continue, voice quivering with need, "Nothing has ever felt like you, no one has ever made me feel the way you do."
His nostrils flared, a possessive glimmer entering his icy-gaze, as he murmured, "Good."
She could feel him probing at her opening, hard and long, and she wiggled her hips suggestively, pleaded murmurs leaving her lips.
His hands gripped her hips, before he pushed into her, slowly, savouring every moment, her name like a prayer on his lips, until he stopped, fully sheathed inside of her.
The two stared at each other, love flowing through their bond, accompanied with their shared desire, intensifying everything they felt. Damon began moving, thrusting into her slowly, making love to her, memorising the way she felt under him, before everything changed.
She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck as they both tightened together, and just before they fell, she heard his voice whispering across her mind, I love you, and no matter what happens, I'll still love you.
—
She woke up in her own bed, feeling a strange discomfort on her arm, but shrugged it off, knowing it was time. Looking around her room, she tried to find her bonded, but he wasn't there, and she sighed slowly, knowing he was interfering, that his fears had driven him to make an impulsive decision that would likely end with him getting hurt.
She couldn't blame him, had the situations been reversed, she would have done everything she humanely could to save him, to keep him alive and well. She just hoped he kept himself safe, safe and as far away from harm as he could get.
Her doorbell rang, and shrugging a hoodie over her underwear, she padded her way to the door, opening it with a grumble, "I'm probably dying today, whoever you are, this better be fucking good."
"You are staying alive, little one. Couldn't kill my daughter before properly getting to know her, now could I?" Replied at snarky British voice, one that she had never heard before, but had spread a shiver of awareness through her veins. Swallowing heavily, she opened her front door wider, waving her father in.
"Back in your own body, huh? Hear Rick wasn't up to your liking." She commented casually, making her way to the couch, picking up her pants and pulling them up her legs along the way.
The man looked around the space curiously, before turning his blue gaze back to her, and tilting his head, "Been busy, have you?"
She tilted her head back at him, unknowingly heightening their similarity, as she hummed, "So this is what I look like when I do that, huh? I can see why it scares the rest of the sheeple around here, it does look mildly threatening."
He chuckled, before taking a seat on the couch behind him, and gesturing for her to join him. Complying, she start at him, before smiling a little, and nodding her head, "I can see what uncle E meant when he said we looked alike. You're like a lighter, more masculine, British version of me."
"Yeah, I believe he also mentioned similar personalities, which worries me more than it should." He agreed, eyes roaming over her face curiously, a small smile playing on his mouth.
Thea shrugged, "Apparently, we both have a tendency to land ourselves in dangerous situations. But I mean, I'm powerful, and people seem to really enjoy pushing my buttons. Who am I to deny them the pleasure of experience the height of my anger?"
Staring at him, she quieted down, before asking, "Are you here to bleed me over a stone? Make sure you're as powered-up as you could be?"
Klaus shook his head, "No. I told you before, I will not harm you, not a single hair. I was simply curious about who you were, Katerina seemed to praise your accolades, so I just wanted to see it for myself."
"And do you? See whatever it is she told you about me?"
He nodded slowly, smiling at his daughter, eyes shining with a simple kind of joy, the kind a parent gets from watching their child flourish, from the pride that accompanies it. "I do. You're strong, even without your powers. It emanates from you, the kind of strength born from persecution, from the need to survive. And although I wish you hadn't needed to develop it, I can't help but be filled with a certain pride at it." Smiling softly, his voice dropped in timbre, become more sincere, "It would be the greatest of shames to extinguish that flame for my sake. And regardless of anything, I would like to get to know you, my daughter."
Thea smiled, chuckling in disbelief, "You know, when my parents told me I was adopted, I spent years trying to figure out who my parents could be. I knew one of them was a blood-witch, because genetics, but we made so many jokes about who the other could be. What they could be, but the reality of it is crazier than even my weird brain could have imagined."
They grew quiet, rejoicing in the strange peacefulness they felt in each other's company, before he questioned, with faux-curiosity masking his protectiveness, "What is your relation with the elder Salvatore? I couldn't help but notice how close the two of you were, during my stint in the teacher's body."
She groaned, throwing her head back slightly, "Okay, I'm gonna stop you before you descend into full overprotective dad mode, which is a role I have a feeling you'd excel in, but Damon and I are together. Not dating, or in a typical relationship, but bonded. He is my blood-bonded and I am his, so whatever torments you have planned, keep him out of it. Or you will literally hurt me as well."
He hummed, nodding his head, though that protective veil was still thrown over his eyes, "Understood. Blood-bonds are sacred in our world. Rare, beautiful and completely sacred. Though I may not like it, I understand, and accept it. It fills me with joy and relief to know that someone takes care of you, loves and protects you as efficiently as I, or any member of your family could."
"Why do you want me here, today? If I'm not being sacrificed, if you don't intend to bleed me for power, then why do you want me there?" She asked suddenly, voice lowered into a whisper.
"Whatever curse was placed upon me, I wager is in your blood too. I want you there to give you the option, to give you the choice I was stripped from. Unlock your full potential, have access to all of your powers, or remain as you are, werewolf gene buried in your DNA." He explained softly. His hand floated over hers, before hesitating, afraid of her potential rejection. Sighing, she grabbed onto it, laying it over the couch, before looking up into his eyes, different colour, but so similar to her own. So familiar to her own reflection.
"What do you think?" She questioned indecisively. "Putting aside your own wishes, you must have heard how powerful I already am, without the genetic upgrade, so what do you think I should do?"
"I think…I think any tools that could help you protect yourself, and those you deem as being yours better, could never be remiss. I think you are already spectacular, but this, this could make you even more so. But it is your decision, your choice. And I will respect whichever one you make, regardless of my own beliefs."
She nodded, thinking it through. In a way, he was right. Any extra layers of protection could not be bad, especially in this world, where she was constantly hunted. She could keep herself, keep Damon safe. On top of that, if he was right, then this was a part of her, a piece of her she could never access, but would now be available to her. But on the other hand, it may lead to more persecution. More people coming after her, more people coming after her for her powers, for her strength.
But in the end of the day, curiosity won out, and opening her eyes, she looked at her father, 50% of who she was, and nodded resolutely, mind made. "I'm in. Let's go unlock our dog-shifting abilities, that way, when I become crazy angry, no one can complain."
—
They made their way to the first, walking throughout the clearing, and towards multiple figures. Coming closer, she could see Elena standing in place, next to two prone figures laying on the ground, and another one standing straight.
Turning to the vampire walking beside her, she asked softly, "Is this your witch of choice? Along with a new vampire and werewolf, assuming my bonded threw a wrench into your plans?"
He nodded, chuckling slightly, before looking at her, "His determination to keep you safe is commendable, even if you are in no danger. It's reassuring me, if anything. Should your will to keep everyone safe or ride your will to live and be safe, he will put a stop to it."
"Oh yeah. He'd lock my in his cellar and stand guard at the door willingly, if it came down to it." She agreed, smiling slightly.
The smile however, dropped straight from her lips when she noticed who the supposed vampire was. Closing her eyes, she shook her head in regent when she saw Jenna laying across the floor, clearly in transition. She could hear Elena crying, and pleading with Klaus to spare her aunt, but she knew it was futile. This was his revenge against the doppelgänger and her boyfriend's efforts to thwart him, as well as for hurting her, a guess that was confirmed when he said, "I would quiet down, were I you. I'm not nearly as kind as my child, but learn the lesson, should you ever hurt my family again, the price will be yours."
The girl cried, shaking her head, while Thea simply looked to her feet, feeling unexplainable guilt flood her.
Unwilling or not, this was her fault.