"God, I'm sick of this. I'm sick of this LIFE! Fuck the Moroi, fuck the Guardians, Fuck the Queen, Fuck Tatiana, Fuck Dimitri" Rose seethed as she walked down the path by the pond. The same pond that she and Lissa often visited. As if crying herself to sleep in front of Lissa's door wasn't enough – guess who just had to go ahead and find her in such a state. Dimitri. Bad enough he hurt her earlier that day but talk about salt in the wound. She immediately shrugged him and his concerned look off with a glare, before storming off, not bothering to give him even a word.
She was done, she was tired and god did she just want to give up. Dhampirs had no alternatives, none. All she was born to be canon fodder. Fucking to bring a child into the world, just to have them serve you and die in your place. Disgusting. Truly disgusting. Then to be told that not only that, but that their entire lives had to cater to the Moroi. Victor had better fucking win the crown or Rose herself might go AWOL. Disappear into the night like a shadow.
Leaning against a tree, Rose let out a long breath. The air was chilly and there was a fog rolling in – the hair on her neck stood up and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
She quickly shook her head clearing herself of those thoughts. It was daytime. Her strigoi sensor wasn't going off and she was alone. Nothing to worry about.
If Rose looked up as she walked, she would have seen the a crow following her as she walked along.
It wasn't that much longer before Rose stumbled off the path and found herself in a…cemetery. She continued walking, oblivious to the passing time and the sun in the sky as she eyed the graves. They all appeared old, decaying, as though no family was taking care of them.
One grave in particular caught her eye, the first name was rubbed off but the last name stood clear: Salvatore. Plopping down in front of it, she stared. Not really sure why but not feeling the will to move either. Unbeknownst to her the crow was behind her, sitting on the fence post – watching, waiting, calculating.
Rose shook her head before asking "so what happened to you, ey? Also used a someone's play toy? Seems as though that's the only way people treat each other now." Her head fell back and she leaned on her hands while they posted themselves up behind her body. "God, I don't even know you, and I'm talking as though we're friends. Who knows, maybe we could have in a past life or if things were different. Hell, maybe we'll be friends eventually – knowing my life, I'll be lucky to make it to 20. I probably shouldn't even be talking to you about dying considering you're the one in the ground, but…I just don't have a lot of people to talk to. Not that I'm trying to have a pity party, it's just…well, I don't know. Sorry, Salvatore, I supposed I'll leave you alone." Rose sighed before standing up, quick turning around she ran into a hard chest, and hands caught her wrists to prevent her from stumbling.
"Woah, easy there, Melinda" a smooth voice called out from above her and when Rose caught her balance, she looked into the deepest oceans of blue. She felt as though she were drowning, swimming in them and she couldn't pull herself out. The man let go of one of her wrists and put his hand to her cheek, "Melinda, you with me?" he said to her and Rose found her self shaking her head while seeing a brilliant smirk lighten up his face. "Ah, there you are. Wondering if I lost you already".
It seemed as though she lost her ability to speak, something that never happened. Nothing truly left Rose, speechless. She always wanted to prove she was better than Mason. Don't get her started on Dimitri, she was never quite sure if she wanted to kiss him or punch him, or both. But…this man, took her breath away, and his smirk tantalized her in a way that she didn't yet understand. Her heart thudded and by the smirk on his face, he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Her head nuzzling into the hand on her cheek.
Realizing she looked like an idiot, she was finally able to find her voice "Melinda?" was what she questioned, before closing her eyes and mentally smacking herself. Yes. That was the first word she said to him. Idiot.
Opening her eyes again, she saw swirls of laughter hiding in his, possible covering up the pain that was reflected in hers. He chuckled out loud before saying, "well I don't know you're real name, and you're talking to a grave. Grave Whisperer didn't sound as good, so I copyrighted Ghost Whisperer."
Blushing, she went to drop her head but his hand on her cheek kept her staring at him and she bit her lip nervously – his eyes darkened as they gazed at her. She was usually the one teasing, the one in total control and here she was putty in the hands of a man that she never met before.
"You were here to! I can only imagine what dirty things you were 'whispering to the ghosts'" she finally found her tongue to snark back at him, pushing him slightly away from her, being mindful not to use too much of her strength on him.
"Ah ah, Melinda, I was just visiting myself. Imagine, me just standing here minding my business before I notice a little lady having a conversation with the same grave I'm visiting," he playfully said back, raising his hands in what appeared to be a come in peace move, before grabbing her hips quickly and whispering in her ear, "but if you wanted dirty talk, all you had to do was say it".
Rose choked on her on tongue before staring at him wide eyed. The man just took control of her mind, tongue and hips all in one go before stepping back to show he was no danger, but boy did this man feel dangerous. Realizing she needed to gain ground in this fight, Rose did what she did best. Her eyes fluttered open at him as she stared up at him before saying "if you want any talk, you should probably show a lady where she can get a drink in this town."
"Your wish, my command, Melinda" the man said before grabbing her hand and leading her out of the graveyard.
"Wait.." she said, planning her feet in the ground before looking up at him and back to the grave, "weren't you planning on visiting with them?".
A smirk once again lifted on his face and, for some reason or another Rose could feel the sarcastic remark that was about to come, and said, "eh, he's been dead this long. Doesn't need to much company – you probably wore the man out with your conversation earlier."
She gasped up at him before poking him in the side, to which he jumped a little – not used to someone being playful with him. "Why you…you…" and she couldn't think of an insult back right now, so she settled for 'glaring' up at him with a pouty expression – one that he looked back down on with awe. For what was supposed to be a meal, she was quite an interesting little bird. Something about her reflected in her, what did in him. The pain of being used, of being lied to. For some reason that he could not fathom, he didn't want any more pain to come to her.
"SO" he said breaking the spell that was happening between them, "how about that drink" and he tugged her along. They walked out of the graveyard and down another path before Rose noted that they were in a small town, it was quaint – seemed like something from a movie and while it looked peaceful, there was an edge to the town that seemed off. She couldn't place it but she just walked quicker and closer to the man as he tugged her hand off to god knows where.
In her head, Rose knew that she shouldn't be doing this. That she shouldn't be following a stranger with the promise of a drink. She should turn and run home, back to her Guardian life, but stepping away for just 5 minutes seemed like the perfect idea. Ever since staking Mikhail and knowing that the Counsel would release a live Strigoi on them as just novices… she couldn't take it. She wasn't lying when she asked Dimitri what he though about a life away from all of it, that's really all she wanted. Lissa clearly didn't need her – the thought passing before a wave of intense anger took her body and she unknowingly snarled. The sound shocked the man and he looked down at her in, what he almost swore was concern (but he brushed that thought off for the better term of curiosity), yes curiosity. That was it. "You okay there, sweetheart" he said, the endearment rolling off his tongue almost as naturally as breathing, shocking him even further. Why the fuck did he care?
At his question, Rose looked back up at him and all the anger appeared to fade from her once she saw his eyes again and that endearment. Holy fuck. No one has ever called her anything remotely like that. Let alone sweet. God, she was in trouble and she didn't even know him, but lord did she want to. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Thanks" she smiled and was surprised to see his surprise – almost as though he never had anyone thank him before.
"Don't sweat it. Can't have my new friend angry before drinking, Melinda. Save the emotions for after" he said in a serious but playful? tone. Whatever it was neither of them was sure. "Ah Alcohol." He said as he came to stop in front of a bar, Rose stopping with him. "Ready for the time of your life sweetheart" again with the endearment. What the fuck was happening to him?
"A drink? Fuck yeah, Maybe 2" she said before she opened the door, which he promptly took from her and let her walk in first – a gentleman. Rose hadn't met one of those.
"2 drinks, now you're pushing it, sweetheart" the man joked with her as he followed behind her, sitting them both down at the bar, he ordered two glasses of bourbon and two shots each.
"You want me drunk at like 2pm" Rose said laughing, though theoretically it was the middle of the night for her.
The man looked at her strangely and said "2pm? It's like 7pm? Hell I've already had dinner" whilst smirking.
Rose downed her second shot and quickly turned to him, "7? Are you sure? I need to get home! How the fuck do I get home?"
"Relax, you're with me. I won't let the boogie man get to you" he said as a joke but the more real it came as he stared into his eyes. Rose blushed, her eyes seemed to have the same affect on the man.
"The sun's going to set any minute now" Rose said, attempting to raise an eyebrow but failing.
"Then I guess you'll be staying at my place" he said flippantly as he did his shot, resting his hand on her back, and Rose was blindsided. This gorgeous man wanted her for the night. Her. He wanted her. She didn't deny the wonderful tingling that shot down her spine at his touch.
But she wouldn't be Rose Hathaway if she didn't respond in typical hard to get fashion, she wanted this man, and he wanted her but well…
"Your place? God, I don't even know your name" Rose breathed, her heart picking up in anticipation – slowly sipping the bourbon that was placed in front of her.
"God. Wow. I mean that is a compliment sweetness, but most people just call me Damon. Damon Salvatore" Damon said, throwing back his whole drink as though it were a shot before shaking his head while it burned his throat. A few seconds passed before he looked at her, raising his own eyebrow causing her to huff, "and you're name, though I could just continue to call you pet names all night, if you'd prefer." The smirk was back and all Rose really wanted to do was kiss it off his face. He was gorgeous, painstakingly gorgeous and the feelings that passed though her.
"Well, Damon, my name is Rose. Rose Hathaway." She introduced herself, loving the way his name rolled off her tongue and with the way his eyes darkened and dropped to her mouth, so did he.
"Rose Hathaway" he whistled out, sticking his hand up to signal the bartender for 2 more drinks, "short for anything?"
"Rosemarie, but no one calls me that" Rose eyed him out of her peripheral. She still wasn't sure what to make of this man, Damon Salvatore.
"Rosemarie" he purred and a euphoric feeling came over her. She loved hearing him say her name – she hated her full name; but Damon could say it on repeat. It sounded like a prayer and she swore that had she not have been sitting, her knees would have buckled form under her.
They both eyed each other quietly before slamming back their drinks and raising, Damon grabbing her hand and leading her out of the bar. Just as quickly though, Rose made an impulsive decision. She tugged him and pulled him into the women's restroom and locked the door before throwing herself at him – lips locked in a fight for dominance. Teeth clashed, and she lightly scrapped her teeth along his bottom lip to which he groaned and pressed his hips into hers. His hand found purchase on the wall behind her as he pressed her into the door. Damon pulled back, his eyes dark with need and said, "I want you."
"Then take me" Rose replied before surging forward yet again, her hands in his hair.