Elysian: def. beautiful or creative; divinely inspired; peaceful and perfect

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Chapter 10: We Bennetts Look Hot in Bikinis

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So, I'm pretty sure this is the most comfortable I've ever been.

Bending down to add more soapy water to my sponge, I realized that I would be completely comfortable wearing this purple bikini for the rest of my life.

I wish being a nudist was socially acceptable.

Me and Bonnie are tag teaming this guy's Chrysler, and I'm happy to do it for the fund to find the 'missing' Mr. Tanner— but the dude behind the windshield is being a total creep. I look up to start on said windshield and the weird old guy winks at me. Caramel eyes roll hard as I mentally decide to personally blame Care for this and that she will owe me a milkshake.

I've gotten seriously addicted to the frosty beverages since the last time me and Damon hung out.

Speaking of which... I spot Tiki walking away from the car wash altogether, in a bit of a trance.

I had thought that originally, I'd have to get Damon out all by myself since he was 'dating' me— but, I was ever so grateful that he'd been using Tiki as a juice box right before he got put down. I didn't know quite how compulsion rules worked, so I didn't want to assume at first glance that he'd have a mental link to her after just biting her twice. Apparently it was a 'one and done' type of deal.

Huh, l wonder how long that link is sustainable. It's been, like, five days already.

Oh well, I have no qualms about it.

I just hope for her sake that Tiki's as fast as Caroline was.

Realizing I had spaced out while bending down to renew the soap on my sponge; I continue washing, spreading the suds around the sleek hood of the car. I turn to ask Bons for the hose, but stop when I see how hard she's glaring at the creepy guy in the car.

A rush of magic leaves her, and I'm momentarily stunned at the intensity of it before I jump back away from the car.

Flames appear out of thin air from the underside of the vehicle, and I see everyone start to turn around and notice, starting a crowd panic.

Bonnie's in a trance as the doors suddenly all lock the old guy in, who's banging on the windows very enthusiastically, and I hear more than see Stefan rush over to the car. He starts trying to pull on the handle, but the metal has gotten too hot.

Rushing over, I turn Bons away from the car, gripping her shoulders tightly as I yell at her, "Bons!! Not the time! Snap out of it!"

She stays still with that glazed eye look, and determination sets in— making me smack her hard across the face. Blinking olive eyes regain their clarity, and the flames go down. The creep is grabbed from the car by Stefan and ushered away to safety by a few of the other football guys, including Tyler.

My sister's large watery eyes look at me, pleading with me to tell her that it wasn't her fault, and I pull her into my arms. She responds immediately, clutching me tightly.

"D-Did anyone see?" She asks quietly, and I shake my head, smoothing down her hair in the same comforting motion I've had since we were kids.

"Nah, Bons, we're all good," I whisper back, and I feel her shoulders tremble slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she cries quietly, "I could just see him looking at you like that— and it was so gross— and I just got so angry. I'm sorry."

I hush her, releasing her before wiping at her eyes, "Calm down, Bons, it's alright. He didn't get hurt, and you were just looking out for me, everything is gonna be fine. But, we need to talk to Grams."

I know just how bothered she is by this, because she doesn't even argue when I mention talking to Grams. She just lets me drive us straight home.

I feel a small twinge of anger, because I already know how preachy this conversation is going to get.

———

"Grams, we're talking about this now!" I call out as I usher Bonnie into the house.

I plop her down on the living room couch as I hear Grams' slippered feet creak along the floorboards towards us. When Grams comes in and sees Bonnie's tear-stained face, she freezes; her withered gaze slowly turning sad and sympathetic.

"Oh, Bonnie," she sighs, her tone sad and humble, "I knew this would happen at some point."

Olive green eyes snap to her, bright in their anger.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you make Lessy not tell me?!"

Her voice is raw, and the sadness and hurt I hear in her voice nearly breaks my heart.

Bons had hidden just how bad Grams' secrecy had gotten to her, how much betrayal she had felt that I had neglected to see. Anyone could hear also just how hurt she was that she couldn't hear it from me for so long.

I knew she didn't blame me for it— but, god, it hurt me all the same.

Grams retreats back to what I called her 'sage' face.

She specifically used this look on me when she wanted to sound wise, but usually wasn't; like when I had first started using magic and she told me how it wasn't fun and games, how I could seriously injure somebody.

The issue with that lesson is that there is a balance.

Magic is a powerful entity, a line directly to Mother Nature, and while nature is as fierce as they come, it also had it's silly nuances. For every hurricane, there's a baby horse trying to learn how to walk; for every volcanic eruption, there are animals at play. Nature is funny in how it can swing from purposeful, to completely purposeless, and Grams didn't realize that while magic was somewhat a serious art— it was also a very fun one, and one that witches shouldn't be afraid of.

"You weren't ready, child."

Bonnie stands in anger, and I see the candles around the room light up along with the fireplace.

So proud.

"No," she denies, strong and fierce like a Bennett should be, "YOU weren't ready! You weren't ready to raise us, you were never ready to quit drinking, and you were never going to be ready to teach me magic! You were going to let me flounder until I came crawling to you, when you've never been reliable enough for me to trust you! I almost killed someone today, and Lessy was the only one there to help me!"

She points at a very emotional me before continuing, "Lessy was the one who tucked me in at night. Lessy was the one who made me dinner while you were passed out drunk. And it was Lessy who would stay up late to help me finish my school projects! You, Mom, and Dad, none of you tried for us. It's always been me and Lessy, and it'll always be me and Lessy!"

I have tears running down my cheeks at this point, and I wanna smack myself for being so emotional, but god, I needed to hear this. I needed to hear that my work hadn't been for nothing. Needed to hear that Bonnie would always be by my side.

Grams is very clearly crying for a different reason. Bonnie never really got to confront Grams like she did Mom in the original timeline. Bons had to reconnect with Grams out of desperation back then. To be frank, I was happy to see the change.

Bonnie's eyes are watery once again, cheeks red in anger, as she starts looking coldly at Grams.

"I love you, Grams. But, I don't need you."

She moves over to my side, linking our hands, and I look at Grams with pity, because I knew she should've talked to Bonnie sooner, and now she was losing her over it.

"We don't need you," she whispers, a new wave of tears rolling down her face, and I squeeze her hand to comfort her.

I'm right here.

Her hand squeezes mine back twice, and that's when I realize that we can't stay here tonight. At least not after this mess. Taking a deep breath, I wipe at the runaway tears under my eyes before looking at my repentant grandma, my gaze sad but unwavering.

"We're gonna stay at Caroline's. Bonnie will message you when we're ready to talk."

And with that, I guide Bonnie upstairs, where she rushes to start to go pack her things. I pick up my phone and call Care. She, of course, picks up on the first ring.

"Hey, Aless! You would not believe what I just heard!"

I sniffle and she pauses, before asking, "Code Red?"

"Code Red."

———

It's early the next morning when my phone rings, and Bonnie and Care groan from next to me.

Rolling my eyes, I reach blindly for it on the corner table, of course, knocking it off. I have no energy from crying yesterday, and so instead of standing, I promptly roll myself off the bed, landing hard on the floor.

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be that lazy.

I feel my phone buzz again under my butt, and see a cosmic level shit ton of messages and missed calls, several being from the police. Guess Tiki didn't make it out. I start scrolling through the rest, seeing several from Doppelena, Tyler, and the Eternal Stud, himself.

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From: Doppelena

Msg: HAV U SEEN BONNIE? SHES NOT PICKIN UP

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From: Tyler Ma Boi

Msg: Hey did the cops call u?? Tiki and Vicki r MIA

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From: Eternal Stud

Msg: We need to talk. Boardinghouse in 2 hrs

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Ughhhhh... What a headache. My eyes feel puffy, and I'm tired still, so I decide to wait to answer the calls to action till later. It was Saturday, I couldn't be blamed for sleeping in, and I had like an hour and a half before I had to see Damon. I'd call the po-po back when it suited my needs.

And with that last thought, I went back to sleep for a bit longer.

———

I had clearly forgotten that I was on the floor when I went back to sleep, and now my neck hurts like hell. I start to rub it harder as I pull up to the Salvatore boardinghouse, stalling the car before walking up to the entrance.

Raising my hand, I knock hard on the large oak door.

Total silence. Huh, weird. Then, I listen closely and hear music blaring further within the house, but it's suddenly disrupted by Damon's playful voice calling out from within.

"Sun is in the way, can't open the door at the moment. Use your magic, Glinda."

I quickly use the same spell as before, opening the door to hear Anberlin's "Enjoy the Silence" cover.

Not bad music taste. Oh, wait I need to act like I dunno what happened to him.

I glance around the empty foyer as I close the large door behind me, calling out, "Any particular reason why your daylight ring is out of commission, or..?"

Suddenly, a half naked Vicki Donovan appears from around the corner.

Oh yeah. Forgot about her.

She glares at me venomously, "What the hell are you doing here, homewrecker?"

Ugh, knew the janitor's closet meeting would bite me in the ass.

Damon picks that spectacular moment to walk into the foyer with his shirt unbuttoned SWEET JESUS-

He mockingly gasps, pretending to be offended, "Aly Cat— is it true? Did I lose you to the arms of another during my involuntary staycation?"

I blink hard, desperately trying not to look at his abs, but then I realize that looking at his pretty face with that shaggy black sex-hair he has going on doesn't help much either, so I just roll my eyes, turning back towards Icky Vicki.

"Oh yes," I say monotonously, "I'm having an affair, Damon, with my best friend. But, sweetie, in all fairness, I was informed that you were dead."

His blue eyes harden slightly at that, even though he smirks at my reply, "And leave my lovely lady all to her lonesome? I would never."

Vicki stomps off, saying something about getting a drink, and I move my gaze up to the paintings so I don't look at Damon.

"Enough word play," I demand while rubbing my tired eyes, "I've had a long night, and don't have the patience to go tit for tat with you. What the hell happened to your day ring?"

He smiles, before directly vamp speeding into my personal space, and it takes every ounce of my self control not to jump and hit him.

"Dear old Stefan took it after locking me in our cellar for a few days. I was starving, Aly Cat. Got that little cheerleader to get me out since I was at the end of my rope," his icy gaze is intense, pinning me as he speaks further, "So, I went and snacked on some kids— ya know, the usual— and then, called Stefan to let him know if I don't get my ring back very soon, then I'm going to turn Elena into a human juice box."

I nod, following his train of thought before my brow furrows, "And you kept Vicki alive because...?"

He shrugs his broad shoulders, a blasé expression on his handsome face, "This is like the third time I've fed off her and she hasn't died. Also, I was bored."

"Alright," I sigh nonchalantly, "and why'd you invite me here with the girl who hates me?"

He spins around, tucking my arm into his like he did at the Founder's Party, before leading me into the main living area. Damon starts dancing a little as we get closer to the sound of music, before full-on spinning me into a chair. He continues the hypnotic sway of his hips, bobbing his dark head along to the music before turning back towards me.

"You think you could make me another ring if Stefan has shipped mine to Timbuktu?" He asks over the music, and I cross my legs in my jean shorts.

"Totally, if you paid me. But, I don't have any lapis lazuli back at home so it'll take me a couple days to get it."

He does a fist pump, continuing to dance, and I can't help but laugh a little at his drunken exuberance, "Perfect. I am partial to mine, but, I'm not a very patientguy."

I'm well aware.

Vicki comes back into the room, bottle of expensive bourbon in her hand as she dances to the beat. Damon waves for her to pass the bottle, which she does with a flirty smile, then he turns and extends the bottle to me with an eyebrow raise.

Eh, what the hell. When in Rome.

I grab the bottle, taking a large, burning swig before standing up and starting to dance with them. It hits my stomach hard and fast, making me feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy already, and I know a few more sips from that and I'll be the dancing queen.

———

I AM THE GODDAMN DANCING QUEEN!

Dunno how long I've been dancing, and I also don't know where my shirt went— but, I don't care.

I'm dancing on the dining table with Damon while Vicki throws plates into the walls while spinning. Shaking my hips as we listen to "Mamma Mia" by ABBA, me and Damon sing along to all the words while holding our individual bottles.

"Just one look and I can hear a bell ring!" I shout drunkenly as I strike a pose.

"One more look and I forget everything!" Vicki yells back, hopping up and down along to the song.

Damon laughs at us, before downing the rest of his bottle. He gives me a mischievous look, and suddenly I'm lurched over to the dangerous end of the guard rail on their enormous staircase.

Damon's dance moves suddenly become more sensual in nature, practically oozing 'rock n' roll sex god.'

I can do that, too! I think obstinately in my very drunk mind.

The world's a blur outside of the beautiful Damon Salvatore, and I am loving it. I start banging my head, becoming much more freelance with my dance moves, when I see Damon genuinelysmiling at me.

It takes my breath away, honest to god.

He slowly dances closer to me, moving more like we're at a club than at the edge of falling.

Icy blue eyes look deep into mine, as he moves closer, his hands finding purchase on my hips as the song changes to a slow one.

Is that 'Twenty One Guns'? It sounds so sweet and soothing.

Suddenly, it feels like I've blinked, and we're back in the living room.

Maybe I'm getting used to the vampire speed.

A smile works it's way on my face as I look up into Damon's teasing eyes.He moves my arms around his neck, and we slowly sway back and forth to the music like we're at the prom— instead of half naked and drunk in his living room.

Laying my head on his chest because I'm woozy, I vaguely hear Vicki plop down on the chaise longue, and per the norm, complaining loudly.

"My mom spends most of her time in Virginia Beach with Pete. He drives trucks," her voice cracks slightly as she continues, and I feel Damon's shoulders stiffen in annoyance, "I don't remember my dad, but from what I gather, he's not worth remembering."

Same, sis.

Damon glances up at Vicki from his tucked position in my neck, "Your life is so pathetic."

Brutal.

She just nods, taking another swig before tearily acknowledging, "Yeah. I mean, I'm the screwed-up one. Matt's got it so easy. He's the golden boy. I mean, he's gonna get a football scholarship and marry Elena, and have a lawn mower, and have some babies. And when I think of my future, I just come up blank."

I roll my eyes in irritation at her self pity. As if Matt didn't have to deal with the same shit she did.

Pulling my head off of Damon's warm chest reluctantly to look at her, "Matt doesn't have it easy. He's got a lot of pressure on his shoulders being the 'golden boy,' and you don't help with all your bitching. You don't have a future because you don't plan on having one. You just want everything easyand are desperate for someone, anyone to pay attention to you. It's why you keep running back to Jeremy when you actually want Tyler; it's why you do drugs; and, it's why you're such a bitch."

Oof, mental note: Drunk Alessia is brutal.

Vicki Donovan glares hard at me.

"You'd know wouldn't you, Alessia? God, I've always hated you. You always act like you're so much better than me. And, I hate you even more for taking Tyler from me, you home-wrecking cunt."

I stop swaying immediately, pulling fully out of Damon's arms, much to his apparent irritation.

"I'm not better than you, Vicki. You could choose to be a better person— start taking care of your younger brother, who needs you more than ever— but, no. You decide to snort coke in graveyards."

And that was the heartof why I couldn't stand Vicki.

My greatest purpose in life was to watch out for my sibling, take care of her, and Vicki alwayscasually tossed Matt aside like yesterday's garbage. With Damon and Stefan, I could understand their anger with the other—moreso Damon's than Stefan's— and that's why they always were on each other's throats.

Vicki, however, treated Matt in a similar way to how their mom treated them, and I couldn't stand her for it.

She stands drunkenly from the chaise longue, a slight inebriated sway to her narrow hips as she marches over towards me with fury twisting up her face.

Suddenly, Damon's in front of me, boxing her into a hug when she tries to take a swing at me.

"You seriously don't have one ounce of self-esteem," he sighs, nearly cooing at her as she looks up at him with soft eyes, shaking her head, "I think I know what can help you."

Where do I remember this from?

My head is too woozy to tell.

"What's that?" Vicki whispers, gripping his shoulders tightly. I squint my eyes, trying to remember whatever is causing the fire alarm to go off in my drunk brain.

"Death."

Her neck suddenly snaps to the side with a wave of his hand, and my eyes widen.

Oh yeah, whoops.

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A/n: Hey guys! Thanks for all the love and support from my last post! Hope you enjoy this chapter!