Her honey brown orbs stared back at him while her brain racked for responses.
What do you say to someone when they say they love you in the middle of an argument.
Elena knew she wasn't making a single sound and her brain was shouting at her to form an answer.
' Say anything! Anything would help!'
Apparently she took too long. And it added fuel to fire.
"Why are you so surprised?" He asked in the same loud tone. But it seemed like he was surprised too by what he said, like he just spat out his best kept secret on accident.
"Because-" she cleared her throat, "You said that."
"I said that." He murmured to himself, "And you said nothing."
"Damon I am still processing the news that you're in business with someone who put your life in danger, how you sabotaged Matt and now this." She stepped back holding the handle, " And on top of all that we still have secrets, I also have to learn to somehow back-off from everything about you, your company, your family because apparently you're allowed to be concerned for me but I am not."
He sighed, "Lena-"
"I am going home." She shook her head and went out the door, dialling a number on her cell phone as she took the stairs.
...
...
Damon was confident that Katherine would never do what his father was accusing her of, because if she did she wouldn't be in business with him. Besides he remembered what really had happened.
He was at a party, with another girl. Not Katherine when that happened.
Sure he was sleeping with her at the time, but just that weekend they had called it quits.
But here he was, putting his partnership at stake because Elena didn't trust her. Though he did see her point that if he could go after Matt in retribution, Elena also deserved to know that he was being safe in business.
It was also going to be a big 'In your face' to everyone doubting him.
"Damon." Katherine acknowledged his presence as she looked up from her phone. He sat down across from her, and ordered them a coffee. "Hey, I really wanted to talk to you about something. And this is- I don't want you to think that I am backing away from our deal."
"Hmm." She frowned, "Why have I been summoned on emergency then?"
"My girlfriend is really worried after Giuseppe poisoned her against you. Apparently they both think that your ex-husband is out for my blood." He pursed his lips.
Katherine's lips parted in surprise before she shook her head, "What? Trevor wouldn't-"
"I know, it's Giuseppe trying to ruin our deal or maybe my relationship. I just need you to talk to Elena, tell her its fine, you don't even know the accident I am talking about."
She looked around as she put a hand on her neck, cupping the back of it in nervousness, "What accident?"
"I got shot. Three and a half years ago. But I am fine. It was someone from Giuseppe's enemies." He told her with a shrug.
She looked up at his face, the furrow between her arched eyebrows deepened, "You got shot? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Kat, come on. Its all in the past."
"No. No. No. Damon." She palmed her face, "Look- Trevor did know about us, and he threatened me then, but I warned him against going after you. I had blackmail on him, and he promised me he wouldn't but maybe he did. Oh my god- that bastard shot you." She held his hands over the table, "Why didn't you tell me this?"
He was as shocked, "You're saying that little bitch-boy shot me?"
"It could be true. We had a very rough divorce. And you know he was violent." She bit her lip, "Give me some time to get my info on him, its in my safe in New York. I promise you if its Trevor, he'll pay for it."
"Kat you're not getting involved with that guy, this is my issue." He firmly said, "I am going to make that son of a bitch pay."
"Damon, look I have to be sure. I don't even know if he was the one who hurt you, he threatened me once but after I told him about the blackmail, he fled the country." She sighed, "Or maybe he just fled because he shot a fifteen year old but look, lets have the feds deal with him. If you had told me about this sooner, he would be behind bars for hurting you."
He looked down at the table as she continued, "Don't get involved in bloodshed now, our company goes public after the summer, we can't have scandal on the menu."
"Company? Elena's never going to support this." He knew that their relationship was fairly new for them to be making decisions like this based on each other but he loved her, he wanted forever with her. How was anything going to work if his partner wasn't happy.
Katherine rolled her eyes, "Isn't this too soon to be so co-dependent?"
"Its not that. Look, whatever I've done in the last few months or even high school was because she was there, she's challenged me to become a better version of myself and she supported me all summer, I can't leave her out of this now." He explained a bit hesitantly, speaking his heart wasn't his best suit.
Katherine looked at him as if he was pathetic, "Fine. Why don't you arrange for Elena and I to have a little chat? I can tell her the whole story and I am sure then everything will be fine once its out in the open."
"Couldn't hurt to try." He raised a brow, "And by the way, if he threatens you again, you tell me."
"Aww that's adorable." She said in her usual condescending tone as she picked up her clutch purse, "Look let me know when she wants to talk. And please don't go after my husband. Its not worth it."
He huffed nodding as she pat his shoulder and left.
...
...
"Why did you call me?" Stefan asked Elena when she opened the door to her house, "Because you and I need to talk about something." She stepped out and saw the Mercedes in distance, "Can we drive? My mother is not a fan of your family."
"And I am not a fan of being called by you in my very busy day." He said opening the door for her anyway.
"Oh you had nothing better to do, we both finished home work on Thursday."
"I have other commitments." He said with a grin as he started the car.
"Commitments- and obviously Caroline."
He snorted, "What about her?"
"I saw you both together. Literally together." She said with a scrunched up face. Stefan laughed, "Elena you must be seeing things because I haven't even talked to Caroline since before the summer."
"I didn't say you talking- I saw you both hooking up and I know its a regular thing." She squinted her eyes with a mischievous smile as Stefan drove. He gave up, "Fine. Caroline and I are hooking up. Its casual. And we like it so its harmless."
"Harmless as in you're going to lose your mind when you find out she's going to prom with Tyler." She tutted. She saw as Stefan gripped the wheel a bit tighter, "That's her business."
"So that doesn't bother you?" she raised a brow. He gave a painfully obvious forced smile, "Nope. Like I said, its casual."
"But Stefan, we both know you didn't want that?" she stared at him, analysing him almost.
Prying was wrong, but Stefan and her had really became friends over the last few weeks after he was at rehab all summer. Elena was trying to help him be as level-headed as he was when he first came back.
"You're right, I did like her but things got complicated and right now I am happy with how everything is." He shrugged. Elena sighed knowing this was headed for disaster but then what relationship wasn't.
Holding her pendant, she hoped her wasn't.
"I called you because I need your help. Your brother is blindly trusting his business partner who I have concerns about, I need to know if he's betting on the right person."
Stefan gritted his teeth, cringing at her tone, "You know Damon doesn't like you and I as a team."
"I know. I don't care if he ends up hating me. I can't let anything bad happen to him." Elena pulled her hair away from her face, looking out the car window, "I love him."
"Yeah that's why I am here." He looked at her with surety, "I am going to help you but what do you want me to do."
...
...
Damon had been texting and calling her all day. Now she felt bad because her boyfriend had told her he loved her. And her response to it was freaking out and ignoring his calls.
So despite having no idea what she was going to tell him, Elena was at his house now and after contemplating it for fifteen minutes, she rang the bell.
When Damon opened the door and saw her, he looked relieved. "Elena. Hey, thanks for showing up."
"Well you only called thirteen times." She stepped inside and seeming uncomfortable so he quickly told her, "Giuseppe's not home."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Elena. I am sorry, you were right. I confronted Katherine and well she says its possible that what Giuseppe told you actually happened." Her eyes widened so Damon quickly added, "But Katherine had no clue. And its true, I didn't tell her about the accident."
"She could be lying." Elena didn't care if she sounded absurd, "Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why this woman is investing so much in you, after all you are new in business. Why is she being so generous?"
He narrowed his eyes, "Well I think its because she thinks my ideas have potential and has faith in me. Something I guess you don't."
"I didn't mean it that way. God- I just, I am worried about you. Everything you have is on the line. Plus-" she stepped ahead cupping his face, "Your life. And I can't lose you."
Her voice was so soft and her eyes truly did tell him that they cared for him. Elena still caught him off guard with her prioritising him over everything. It was something he had never felt before. Her answer melted all and any doubts he had. She did love him and she'd say it too. He just had to wait.
He held her wrist, and planted a kiss on her the palm of her hand that was cupping his jaw, "You won't. I know this is frustrating but believe in me. I've got this."
She still looked unsure when he pulled her into his arms and hugged her, "You have a habit of worrying too much about nothing, Elena Gilbert."
Elena smiled when he tipped her chin up to look at her, "Not about nothing. It's you. Damon I-" she looked down
"You don't have to say anything if you're not ready." His lips brushed against her forehead and she met his eyes by moving her head up.
"I am sorry, you just caught me by surprise." She bit her lip wishing she could just say it to him now.
But would he think of it as her making up for it?
She wasn't lying, she did love him.
This needed to be perfect.
"Look there's no pressure. I know that while this might be my first relationship, it isn't yours, you've been hurt in the past and I know how deeply that scarred you. Obviously my track record with women doesn't help" He said above a whisper, she shook her head, "Damon, I trust you."
"That's all that I need. Just trust me on this. Look, how about you talk to Katherine and she can tell you everything, will that put your heart at ease?" he brushed her hair with his fingers. Elena sighed, "Yeah sure."
"Perfect. I'll let her know." He was turning around to go upstairs but she held his hand and stopped him, "She can wait, I eh wanted to ask if you're interested in spending the rest of the weekend with me at my lake house, My dad gave me the keys." She excitedly told him.
"That sounds like fun." He leaned in to kiss her cheek, "Okay, but the meeting in Richmond got rescheduled so I'll have to be there first. We can go tomorrow."
"but you're staying the week?"
"Yes."
"Ergh you have no idea the amount of couple activities you're in for." She held his collar and tugged, he raised his eyebrows, "That's fine as long as one of those activities is us upstairs in my bedroom."
She pulled away, still holding his hand, "No- no, dad gave me the key because he wants us to have dinner with him and you're going to be your charming self."
"When am I not charming?"
"Like eighty-three percent of the time." She said dragging him out of the door.
...
...
Elena normally got along with girls just fine, well with the exception of Rebekah, but having 'brunch' with Katherine topped all her awkward moments.
The only thing she was looking forward to was spending the rest of the day with Damon in her family lake house.
"I thought Damon was going with you to Richmond."
She twirled her straw in her drink, "He'll handle it."
"Can you be honest with me about the accident? Damon says you didn't know."
"I didn't." She shrugged, "I might look like I don't put anyone above me but Elena I'll never hurt him like that." She put her hands on the table, "I met him when I was in a very dark place, I'd just lost a baby. My husband wasn't a good man and Damon was so- good at distracting me."
Elena's face scrunched up. Katherine snapped out of her thoughts and puffed out air.
"But the moment I was over my loss, I knew it was a huge mistake because if my husband had found out about him, he'd hurt him and then he did. But I warned him against going after Damon. And he promised me that he wouldn't hurt him." She pursed her lips as if regretting it, "In exchange for me not giving proof against him to FBI."
Elena looked at her with a calculating gaze as if scanning her for lying.
"I am sorry you went through that."
She shrugged, "The problems of marrying rich. You never know the kind of man he can turn out to be when you're too young. I married him when I was eighteen, exactly your age." She grinned.
"How can you guarantee it to me that your involvement with my boyfriend won't affect him like that again?" she couldn't even picture Damon to be hurt, let alone say it.
"I can't. That's why I am selling my shares in the company to a buyer that I just got. He will be a silent partner and Damon can buy him out as soon as he turns out profit." She tucked her hair back, "Damon doesn't know that yet, but I wanted to meet you to convince you of something else."
She raised a brow waiting for her to say it.
"Elena your relationship with Damon isn't the best thing for him and for you." She pressed her tongue against her cheek, "I know I am overstepping here."
"Yes you are." Elena was ready to leave but Katherine stopped her by putting her on top of Elena's.
"Damon is going to be all over the world. And its going to get hard. It did for my marriage too. It got really toxic. I wasted so many years being the pillar of support for my husband too. I loved him. But love isn't enough. This is your time too. I heard about your scholarship crisis." She pulled out a card from her bag, "Damon told me how you wanted to go to Whitmore but your last year's accident has made you a less sparkly applicant. Here, call this number and schedule your interview. I've put in a good word for you. Don't stay in this town to wait for your boyfriend just so you can spend a weekend with him every few months."
Elena frowned as she took the card, "Why would you do this?"
She shrugged, "Because I saw what happened at the airport and I've been that girl."
"Katherine, I don't need your handouts."
She rolled her eyes, "Its not a handout, from what I've heard you've worked all your life for this, if you end up at a community college after all the work you've put in, that's real tragedy. This is an opportunity. I gave one to your boyfriend for the same reason but this is something I can relate to, so don't think you don't deserve this." She got up, "You can be a girlfriend all your life, you can be a college girl once." Katherine said wearing her sunglasses leaving Elena at the table holding the card.
...
...
"Weren't you going with Damon?" Jeremy asked as he saw her in her room, in a very sulky mood. Elena was clutching her teddy bear, looking at her laptop.
He sat down with her on the bed and peeked to see what she was looking at, "You're such a nerd, why are you on Whitmore's website? It makes me feel dirty that I am sitting with my sister as she scrolls through nerd porn."
Elena hit his arm with a pillow, "Damon cancelled so I am just passing time at home since I've been kicked out of society clubs and Its not a hospital volunteering day either."
"He cancelled?" Jeremy hissed knowing Elena was upset.
She read out his text in with her poor impression of his voice.
' Have to stay over night. Really sorry but let's delay that trip! I'll make it up to you. Love you.'
"Oh well at least he sounds nice." He raised a brow. Elena shook her head resting back on the pillow, "I had the perfect date planned, I was going to tell him that I love him."
"Elena, ah-"
She interrupted, "I feel like I have nothing but Damon. And while that feels nice , it makes me feel like a failure."
"You're not a failure." Jeremy got ahead and hugged her, she rested her head on his chest, "My SAT scores from the first test were exceptionally high yet no acceptance letters."
He sighed, "I am sorry."
"Its not your fault. Its no ones fault. My record is not good enough." She sniffled, "Everyone is moving forward, and I have nothing. My life was supposed to be better than this."
"It will be, college doesn't mean success, look at Damon, he isn't going to any college and yet he's doing well." Jeremy reasoned.
"Yes but he wasn't forced out of that choice." She licked her lips, "Jer, If I go to Atlanta for college, will it affect my relationship?"
He looked down at her, "I didn't know. But you love this guy so you'll make it work, you've always put effort in to things."
"Yeah." She smiled.
"Okay stop feeling sorry for yourself. Lets go and watch a movie." He held her elbow making her sit up, "Why are you so chipper?" Elena asked with suspicion.
He shrugged, "Can't a brother be there for his uptight nerdy sister."
Elena poked her tongue out, "Loser!"
"Wait, let me get my jacket." He ran to his room quickly, Elena picked up her purse and followed him to his room.
"What's this?" she squinted when she held up a burgundy sweater from his study table, "I've seen this before. Oh my God- JEREMY!"
She had seen this sweater on Bonnie on Tuesday.
He squeezed his eyes shut, "Before you squeal-"
And she did, "You and Bonnie?"
He huffed, "Yes. Look we've been together since the summer and-"
"Since the summer!"
"We didn't want to tell you because we knew you'd do all this." He walked back to her holding her hands, "We really like each other."
"What?"
"Yes. Bonnie apologised to me and she was the one who asked me out." He grinned, "She said that she wanted to make up to me with a real but a platonic date. But well guess who couldn't keep it platonic." He winked.
Elena scrunched up her face, "Ewww."
"The correct answer is Bonnie, apparently she couldn't help it." He looked like he was quoting her.
Elena shook her head, "I can't believe this. I knew she wouldn't date that douchebag Mason Lockwood but- I also didn't expect her to date you."
"Hey, she's lucky she locked me down in time, Jessica Fell and her girlfriends are fighting over me ever since I got these bad boys." He flexed his biceps "Though now that you know maybe I can call Bonnie and we can catch that movie together."
"Uh no, I am going to my room and watching the notebook on my own. This is all a bit too much information for me to process." She said walking back to her room and closing the door after herself.
Her mind was all over the place. People really were moving forward. Relationships , colleges, businesses and here she was stuck in her life with recurring text of 'I am so sorry, I'll make it up to you.'
...
...
Stefan had texted her earlier that she needed to be at the boarding house. She asked what it was about but he didn't say anything other than it was necessary.
So she showed up and to her surprise Damon was pacing in the living room, talking on his phone furiously, "You can't do that! My assets are in jeopardy. If he's a part of this, I am no longer going to be."
When he saw Elena he held up a finger as if telling her to wait, she was a bit scared when she saw him so angry.
"No! Don't fucking hang up on me. You know what, I'll sue you. You're going to be penniless when this is over." He growled and hung up, walking towards her, "You won't believe what happened."
"What?" she asked holding his shoulders to calm him down.
"Katherine sold her shares, but she didn't just sell it to anyone, she sold it to Giuseppe's representative. My grandfather's assets are now collateral for my company that is within his reach!" he spat.
"Katherine sold to Giuseppe?" she gasped
"No, my father somehow with his pesky ears found out about the sale. And he used his agent which as now we speak is transferring everything to him." The veins in his neck showed from how he bit out each word. "He took advantage of our little problem, I told you he wasn't father of the year."
"Damon." She cupped his face, "Its going to be okay."
"Okay? Its not going to be okay, my new start-up is half his! And I am the one in debt. How is this- Elena I just need to figure this out, okay? Baby. I promise I will make it up to you but right now, I need to make some calls and try to salvage my sinking ship." He gave her a quick peck and headed out as he dialled a number on his phone.
She looked up at the staircase and saw Stefan standing there. He gestured her to come upstairs.
Once they were in his room, he spoke, "I did what you said and talked to Steven and yes Damon did put the property as security. I asked Zach when you told me Katherine was selling her shares to get them for Damon but I think he told Dad and Giuseppe's agent made a better offer."
"You asked Zach?" she spat.
"Well I didn't know more billionaires!" he cursed back, "Look- I'll talk to Dad."
"Your dad didn't do this for any good, he needed that property. Stefan we ruined it. Damon's going to kill me if he finds out that we meddled." She panicked.
"Then don't tell him! Let me confront my father." He insisted but Elena shook her head, "No, if you want to shout at him get in line because I'll do it first."
...
...
Elena went past Giuseppe's blond and bubbly assistant who was asking her to wait because he was in a meeting but Elena barged in to his office anyway. Giuseppe was talking to some people when she walked in, "I need to talk to you. Right now!"
He stood up from his seat, "This is nor the time or place"
She walked across the table, "You lied about caring for Damon, its not some toy you took away from him, its his damn dream."
He dismissed his visitors, gesturing his assistant to close the door.
"It wasn't easy to acquire but if he wants he can stay and work. I am not buying him out or anything."
She gritted her teeth, wanting to scratch his eyes out.
"You knew he'll never work for you. I bet the whole Katherine's husband thing was full of shit too." She spat, he grinned sitting down on his seat and looking up at her, "That part was true. Well half of it was. He did call me to threaten me and I told him that I couldn't give a shit."
"He is your son." Elena felt angry hot tears in her eyes, "How can you hate him?"
"I don't hate him. He needs to slow down and go to college, not overstep his boundaries. He thinks he can cross me and take from me what I deserve." He flinched, "Lily should have inherited those assets but that bastard Ronan Campbell knew that she'd hand them to me so he poisoned my own child against me."
"Your child is trying to make something of himself and this was not about you." She leaned lower to shout in his face, "I am going to Damon and telling him how much of a pig you are. How you used Stefan to-"
"Hmm look at that." He chuckled, "You know you're a head I should have cut off sooner. But don't worry I will now." He moved forward and clutched the back of her head, "Go and do your worse but before you do anything against me, I'll let him know who has been my prime PI in my little operation."
She frowned, her hair ached from his grip, "What do you mean?"
"Get out of my son's life or I'll tell him that you were the one who told me about Katherine's sale." He threatened, "Because you did talk to her. And guess who the circumstantial evidence will point towards? A jealous little bitch who would do anything to get rid of his ex-girlfriend for good or his father who just seemed to be at the right place at the right time."
She winced when he pushed her out of his way, Elena touched the skin portion of her head and got up on her feet, "You are going to hell."
"And you are getting out of my office." He pointed towards the door. Elena spat on his face which made him grit his teeth but he didn't move and glared as she picked up her bag to leave.
...
...
Damon was at his home bar, drinking his bodyweight in liquor. His efforts went down the drain, Katherine was constantly calling to apologize for not doing her due diligence on her buyer but he knew that she had done her best.
His dad was just undefeated.
He had seen that man take from everyone and deep inside he knew that he would take from him too, his father had contested for that property time and time again. But it was insane how his father found out that the security was that property and then later about Katherine selling her shares.
"Hey." he heard Elena and looked over her shoulder to see she was standing beside him.
"Hi." His voice was weak, which he hated.
Elena wrapped her arms around him, while he was sitting there, so the side of his face pressed against her chest. "I am sorry, Damon."
"Yeah me too."
Elena caressed his face, her other hand brushed his hair back, if only she could take his pain away she would.
"It was too fast, Ruth told me its suppose to be slow and steady." He murmured.
"Baby, you did your best- and you haven't lost anything. You will get your company back, he can't take your assets unless you pay him back."
"I'll have to do that within this year, or I lose everything." He moved his face so now his whole face dug into her chest, "You know one door closes, another opens. Elijah's expanding and wants me on board."
She felt relieved that at least he wasn't completely ruined.
"But even if make a profit there-"
"You will. Don't lose hope please." She kissed the top of his head, "I am so proud of you for being so strong."
He nodded, "Some would call this a major failure."
"No, Damon. I am proud. And not because I am your girlfriend but because I actually believe it. You're amazing and you can get whatever you put your mind to." She felt him shift. He got up from the bar stool, "Well I got you and that was probably the hardest thing I've ever done." He tried to smile but she could see how wrecked he was.
"Come on upstairs. You look really tired and I've missed sleeping next to you."
"Me too."
...
...
Elena couldn't sleep even though she was in his arms, maybe because she felt like an equal murderer of his dreams. How could he trust her? He didn't blame her for anything.
She ran her hand down his jaw, "I am so sorry, Damon." He was peacefully sleeping and leaned into her touch. She shook her head, Katherine was right.
She unconsciously ruined his dreams. And even if he forgave her after finding out the truth, he would resent her, forever.
Besides she knew Giuseppe would break it to Damon in a much worse way.
It was not right, the timing- the circumstances. Damon needed to pursue his future without her. She damaged him because of her fears.
And she would again.
She was sure of that.
Those thoughts kept rolling back and forth in her head. Up until sunrise.
She felt him shift next to her. He lied back on his back, his hand began tracing up and down her side, "Why are you up so early?"
"Huh." She looked over her shoulder and shook her head. "No reason."
"Well I have news for you, since I am working with Elijah I am going to be in this town for a while. Fire your prom date, full time boyfriend is back." He winked. Elena giggled, "I can't imagine you at prom."
"I look great in a suit." He smirked.
"I am sure you do." She chuckled, he reached to tuck her hair behind her ear, looking at her so lovingly.
She pressed her lips together, "Damon, I went for an interview to Atlanta, I got accepted into Whitmore. Well, if I pass high-school."
"What?" he sat up, immediately excited for her, "That's amazing. Why didn't you tell me that before?" he cupped her face and pressed a hard kiss to her mouth, Elena kissed him back, holding on to him a bit tighter because what if this was their last kiss?
When they parted, he was smiling "Wow. Baby that's- I am so happy. You know what? This came at the perfect time. Since everything is ruined here anyway. We can get an apartment near campus and I can handle Elijah's business from there. I mostly have to get the right people anyway."
She shook her head, "No, no, Damon we can't move." She knew this was everything she wanted but she couldn't damage him further.
Elena got up from the bed, he frowned and also got up to find out why she was so panicked.
"Why?"
"Because its too much too soon. I can't have you move with me. You can't change your life around me, same way I can't around you."
He looked confused, "What are you talking about?"
She cleared her throat.
"We need to take a break. I can't do this right now."
"A break?" he chuckled, "You're kidding right?"
But when she didn't refute, his face hardened, "Why?"
"Because." She huffed.
What could she tell him?
That your dad is blackmailing me?
That I ruin everything for you?
That we are holding each other back.
"Because I almost denied this opportunity for you. I didn't want to miss your occasional visits. I think we're way too serious too soon. Its just not ideal for both of us." She turned around so he wouldn't look at her face and tell she was lying.
"If- you feel that way then fine go to college, we can do long-distance. We've been doing that for months now." He walked around to face her.
"I don't want to do long distance." She took a deep breath, "The timing is not right. And long distance doesn't work for me."
"It worked for almost an year!" he shouted in frustration. "College is different. I have to be there constantly, form new friendships- meet new people. I can't swear loyalty to you." She spat back.
He snarled, "Oh yeah? Then why the fuck did we do that when I was all over the world. I know that's not the problem. Just tell me."
"Its too much, Damon." She cried.
"I am too much for you."
"No. This is. Damon- you have no idea how much this hurts me but I need to do this, without you."
He swallowed thick as if even saying a word hurt him, "I don't want to take a break Elena, a break is just gently tugging the rug from underneath. So either we end this or we make this work."
A tear rolled down her eye and she choked up, "Damon don't end it like this."
"Then don't do this." He stepped forward and held her hands in his, looking into her eyes, "I love you."
She gasped as more tears escaped her eyes.
"I know you didn't say it but I know you love me too and If you do, you'll not leave me when I need you most." He cupped her face, Elena couldn't take it anymore. She leaned up and captured his lips, holding his face as she kissed him, pouring all her love into her goodbye.
He pulled her up, raining kisses down her neck, she sighed as he put her down on his bed, kissing down her body while uncovering her skin. She clutched his hair bringing him back to her mouth, and kissed him while unbuttoning his black shirt. Her heart was jumping out of her chest at the thought that this might be the last time. And maybe he understood because he kissed her back with so much passion, doing his best to convince her to not leave. Even as she unzipped his pants , the thought that it would be over was like a dark shadow consuming her.
He sunk into her and she enveloped him fully while he murmured his confession, "I need you, baby. You're all that's keeping me sane." His nose brushed against her tear-stained cheek, lips brushing the contour of her jaw.
"Damon. This is hard for me. You have no idea how much it hurts." She sniffled, "But it doesn't have to end, we will find our way back to each other if the timing is right."
He shook his head, kissing her with the intent to make her forget everything.
By some miracle he will make her change her mind, they would make it work.
She lied back on the pillow as he moved inside her, slow and savouring, hard and demanding, deep and marking. She was crying for it to not be over, kissing him for the last time again and again. But eventually it was.
It ended.
He pulled out of her and lied back on his pillow, just the way he had woken up.
Only worse. More devastated and empty. He lost everything.
Elena was sobbing quietly, and he knew those tears meant she didn't change her mind but he didn't as well.
"I'll leave for college after the summer, we don't have to break up now."
"No. This is it. Now or never." He huffed.
"So no kiss goodbye?"
He shook his head, " Elena, I don't need your summer, I need your forever. You promised me." His eyes were planted on the ceiling .
Elena didn't even recognise his voice, as he pleaded- he sounded so broken, so hurt.
She gulped and sat up, putting her clothes back on. But there was one thing she took off.
His mother's necklace.
She put it on the bed, "I am sorry."
He looked down at emerald jewel that shone in the sunlight, he too sat up, "If you leave now, this is over for good. I won't wait for you. I won't love you and I will never see you again."
She cupped her mouth, his voice was so cold, so harsh.
"Take care, Damon." She reluctantly walked out of his room. He gulped down the tumour that was forming in his throat, hurting his whole body. Picking up the necklace from the bed he threw at the wall with full force.
...
...
"Hey! Wake-up." Damon heard his brother's voice that annoyed him more than his pounding headache.
"Mhmm fuck off. Jackass."
"Damon its been a week. Your assistant thinks you're dead." Stefan now was pulling him to sit up. He did, but his eyes were still closed.
Stefan shook his head as he looked around his brother's room, though his brother was known to keep things tidy, his room looked like a tornado had wrecked it.
There were no sheets on the bed, he had flipped the couch, the curtains were torn, every painting was split.
It was safe to say he wasn't taking the break-up nicely.
"Elijah also called-"
He interrupted, "Not even offering any breakfast?" he rolled his eyes and reached under the bed, "There. Now what is that you wanted to say." He said opening the vodka bottle.
Stefan took his bottle away, "Okay enough, you need to get your shit together."
"My shit is in place Crackhead Salvatore." He ran a hand through his hair, "This is not a break-up, this is a wake-up call." He stood up a bit shaking, "Lesson learned. And you should know too while you can, love is painful, pointless and overrated."
Stefan huffed, "You're drunk."
"And you're judgy. Honestly, she did me a favour, the boyfriend look doesn't suit me." He walked to his closet and picked out a shirt, then rubbed his face.
"You're hurt but being so self-destructive is no form of break-up therapy." Stefan had a look of concern on his face.
"What is break-up therapy? Since you're such good friends with my ex girlfriend now why don't you tell me? Should I follow her 5 steps to re-discovery?" He said sarcastically, Stefan shook his head with q sigh, "No, you can talk to me if you-"
Damon interrupted with a scoff, "Yeah let's talk? And later we can paint each other's nails. I am moving on just okay, I don't need you to babysit me. What I need right now is my property that I was robbed off because I have nothing left to lose and probably some more bourbon from the bar downstairs."
...
...
Elena was lying in curve ball under her covers, looking through their pictures from the last year.
Her mother said it wasn't the end of the world but it really did feel like it. She couldn't eat or sleep, though the rest of the family was happy that she got into her dream college.
Especially her dad.
He had been checking in on her regularly since the break up because she had almost fainted when she first got home from breaking up with Damon.
"Elena?"
And there he was again. She sniffled peeking over the cover, "I am fine."
"Its okay if you're not." He sighed and sat down on the bed over the covers, "Break-ups are rough."
She murmured, "I didn't want to break up." Elena put her head in her father's lap, "I really do love him. But it was like everything was against us."
"Yeah. You tried your best, sweetie and I know it was hard but you're going to be in college now, if this is the decision you've made then this is best for you." He brushed her hair softly, "If you're really meant for each other, you'll get back together."
She whimpered, "Even if the universe wanted that, Damon won't. He hates me. I broke his heart and now he'll always hate me."
"He doesn't, you know our heart is really tricky like that, it doesn't just flip the love-hate switch to our convenience. Your mother and I've had a rocky relationship, at times she did things that were downright unacceptable but my heart wanted what it wanted. I still love her." He raised a brow.
Elena whined, "Dad that is so not a good example of a healthy relationship."
"The healthy relationship or the perfect relationship doesn't exist, sweetie. People work to make it work. Trust me when I say this, people don't like their partner 100 percent of the time." He pat her back.
"Do you think that maybe in a few years I'll be able to get him back?" although in her heart she knew that would never happen.
"Let's wait to see what you want in a few years." He coughed and sat up with her, "Now that I've got that out of the way, I am here on official Dad business too."
She weakly chuckled.
"We're going to Atlanta to see your new college, your mom suggested that you need a mini vacation to look into your future and I agree."
Elena shook her head falling back on her pillow "I am going there anyway. I don't need to see it right now."
"Oh but you do. Whitmore is your future Elena I need you to focus on this now that you've been given the opportunity. He stood up from the bed, "So pack light, we might stay there at your aunts, besides you've been off school after your midterms."
"I have to go back in eleven days." She cursed.
"We'll be back by then, come on now you can sulk on the way there."
...
...
Damon hadn't missed one night of it. Usually he'd drink at home, take a bottle and somehow end up in front of her house. Well it had only been a week to the break-up.
She hurt him. Left him completely empty inside. And the only thing he wanted was to never think about her. Hate her, remove her and prove it to her that it made no difference to him that she wasn't in his life.
But it did make a difference.
He was pathetic because he desperately wanted a glimpse of her, wanted to hear her voice, most of all he wanted her back.
One of the things that reassured him every night was when he came by her house, he'd see that her bed-room light was always turned on.
She never slept with the lights on.
So he knew, she was up. Sleepless like him, maybe thinking about him, crying over him.
It was sick that he wanted her to be that way but it kept him sane that he wasn't alone in his misery.
Though day eight when he came by and looked up, her lights were off.
He clutched the bottle thinking she was asleep.
'So that's how long she missed him? 8 days? That's all it took to move on?' He thought.
He felt disgusted. "You have no right to sleep so peacefully when I am like this." He gulped from the bottle.
"Elena." He got out of his car, "Turn your fucking lights on!" he threw the bottle in her front lawn, right under her window, missing his aim because he was absolutely drunk.
"What? You're out of tears? You cried more over the jock! How can you turn into such a complete bitch?" He kicked the wall under her window.
The loud silence in response was taunting him. He growled, "Fuck you! You hear me? Fuck you- your fucking college, your apologies, fuck your lies!"
He groaned when he heard a car stop by, following Stefan's voice as his brother ran towards him, "Why did you take the car when you were so drunk! What the fuck are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?"
Damon looked up at the still dark window, "Nope, just seeing how she manages to sleep after breaking every promise she made to me."
"Damon lets go home." Stefan tried to pull his drunk brother away from the property.
He snorted, "I am not a child, I can take care of myself."
"Not right now." Stefan forcibly dragged him to his car, "We have to get out of here before someone calls the cops."
Damon chuckled, "Let her call the cops on me. I'll tell them too- she's the one who ruined my life."
"Hey. She's not home. Okay? She's with her family in Georgia." Stefan tapped his face to get him to sober up, "Can we go home now? She's not up there."
Damon frowned trying to focus on Stefan's words and making sense of them, "Fine. Take me home. No-take me to Georgia, I should check the lights there." His speech slurred as he closed his eyes and rested his head back.
"Sure." Stefan took the keys from his car and closed the door, getting in his driver's seat. "I loved her, Stefan." He murmured in sleep.
His brother was a pathetic drunken mess without his first ever love. The shock from losing so much had messed him up and Stefan couldn't see the his only family so depressed and self-destructive.
He had to do something.
...
...
A/N: I KNOW YOU HATE ME!! But the angst is back!! (Story is named after it lol) so couple of things.
Whitmore is located in Atlanta in this story and is a ivy league type college.
There are some inconsistencies with contract law in this chapter- but it is mostly based on where I live (Hungary) not the U.S. (unless there aren't in that case sorry)
This chapter was so difficult to write because I wanted a perfect mix of drama and angst but happy how it turned out.
What do you think Elena should do? Will they ever fix things? And even if they do- will Damon trust her again?
Also major Steroline development in next chapter with angsty Delena. (They will meet!!!)
Please leave a review. I love hearing what you think.
Thank you to the guest reviewer who reviews on every aspect (so fun to read the reactions)
Thank you so much and Merry (whatever is that you celebrate) Christmas.
Review please.