BONUS STORY

Day Ninety

There was an effortless rhythm to their daily routine. In fact, the pair had worked it down to a basic science. There was a three step process- morning, afternoon, and night. The morning consisted of watching the daybreak, breakfast, and household chores. The afternoon lead to Bonnie working on spells and doing a bit of yoga, while Damon usually went for a run around the neighborhood and grocery shopping. Then, there was nighttime. Their favorite, preferred step of the day. When nighttime fell upon them, as it did repeatedly, it was almost as if they could shuck off their insecurities and troubles of the day and let themselves truly become children of the night. Bonnie could always feel her magic sparking at the ends of her fingertips the minute the sun lay to sleep behind the hills. Damon would gratefully stretch his muscles and pour a tall glass of bourbon to admire the moon. Nightfall, almost acting as a magnifying glass, amplified the innate relationship between a witch and a vampire. In regards to history, such a match could never be made. Vampires tended to be ruthless and sociopathic, while witches are so much more in tune to nature and empathy. Exact opposites. Yin and yang. Some, may even go so far as to say, mortal enemies. But with the cloak of darkness, Bonnie and Damon could be anything they wanted. It relieved them of their duties. Like a flip of a switch. Damon no longer chastised himself for indulging in domestic actions as he thought only Stefan would be dumb enough to do. Bonnie didn't take a second thought before taking a swig of bourbon and following Damon out the door to do God knows what. In the darkness they weren't lost. Everything looked so clear. It was just- them. A boy and a girl. It felt nearly human.

Bonnie pressed a finger to her temple, battling a headache. She softly bit her lip, wondering if it would still feel like that when they went home. Would the masks come back on? Would they be strangers again?

"Will this all feel like a dream?" she whispered, fiercely gripping the strings on her tennis shoes as she struggled to tie them.

"Hey, what are you mumbling about over there?" Damon called, craning his neck out of the kitchen. "Where are you going? It's after midnight."

Bonnie sighed.

"I'm well aware. Thank you Father Time."

"Funny," he smirked, emerging in the living room. "That still doesn't answer my question."

"It seems like a good time for a run," she answered, crossing her arms. "It's a nice night for it."

Damon raised a brow.

"Yeah, it's always a nice night for it. Though, the only time I've known you to take a night run was when I pissed you off the first week we were brought here. What's up, Witchy? Did I do something wrong?"

Bonnie was quick to scoff.

"No, Damon. Of course not. We're good. I just need-'' Bonnie exaggeratedly waved her hands around, "to clear my head. I need a run."

"Ah, I see," he nodded, slowly circling her. "Hitting a wall in the magic department again?"

Bonnie winced, turning away from him and facing the front door.

Damon, realizing he hit a sore spot, gave a few pats to her shoulder.

"Listen, I didn't mean to accuse you of anything, honestly," he insisted, his posture slumping. "It's just when your magic's off-''

"I start acting like a lunatic. I know." Bonnie gave a small smile as she glanced at him.

"Hm, yeah, no comment there," Damon nodded, a sly grin gracing his lips.

"Besides, why do you care if I'm going on a run? What's gotten into you?"

Damon stuffed his hands in his pockets and casually began to mess the buttons on his shirt after a minute or two.

"I don't know," he sighed. "I thought we could go for drive!"

"Oh," Bonnie laughed, slowly circling him as he did to her. "You're saying you want to spend time with me?"

"Why are you looking at me like I write about you in my diary or something?" Damon snickered, stepping away from her. "It's a drive. Not a proposal."

"Uh huh. Sure. Do I get to drive?"

"You?"

"Yes?"

"My Camaro?"

"Am I speaking Latin?" Bonnie let out an uproarious laugh. "We've been living together for over ninety days and I haven't drove the thing once."

"Bonnie, no one drives it once," he sputtered, waving his finger. "Never ever."

"Fine, then I'm not going. Enjoy your drive!"

Bonnie swerved on her heel and threw the door open, only to have it slam in her face. Damon's arm loomed over her head. She turned, meeting those vibrant blue eyes, nearly nose to nose with him.

"What if I let you park it when we come home?"

"Excuse me?"

"That's my best offer, Bon Bon."

"I don't accept," she huffed.

Damon gritted his teeth.

"Fine. I'll let you drive it down the street and then park it."

Bonnie shook her head.

"Nope. Once around the block or no deal."

"What are you, a politician?"

"Damon."

"Alright, alright. Deal," he relented, shooting her a faux glare, his breath hot on her face.

"Remember, this was your idea," she grinned, nudging him.

"Whatever. All I know is you spent dinner staring into space and you seem a little off. I just thought we should get out of here. Sue me."

"Shush, Damon," she sighed, affectionately pinching his cheek. "You're sweet. I just like giving you a hard time."

Damon took a deep breath and stepped away, realizing the energy was shifting, and they had been in each other's personal space a second too long.

"So," he began. "We're going for a drive? You're not going on a run?"

"I didn't say I'm not going to run," she shrugged, retrieving her jacket that was thrown over the couch. "But yes, right now, we're going for a drive."

Damon narrowed his eyes, surveying her closely.

"Mhm. Why don't you grab the bourbon before we head out?"

"Seriously? We're going to drink and drive in your precious Camaro?"

"No, Bonnie," he shook his head with a smirk. "I am going to drink and drive in my Camaro. Who's going to throw me in jail? The Fun Police? Trust me, I'm a professional. Besides, how else am I supposed to tolerate you attempting to drive and park the thing?"

"Oh good God," she grumbled, swiping the bottle in question. "Why are you always such a drama queen? At least it takes four full bottles of that to get you drunk."

Damon's grin spread across his face as he opened the door and ushered her out into the chilly night air.

"I know, bummer right?"

…

The lighthearted mood Damon attempted to put her in only lasted as long as the car ride. The minute Bonnie threw the Camaro into 'park' and exited the vehicle, her headache returned. Damon was continuing to ramble on about something, but she was only catching bits and pieces.

"So, that wasn't terrifying," he mused, tipping the bottle of bourbon to his lips. "You did a good job. A fairly good job."

Bonnie didn't respond as she followed him inside the boarding house, nibbling on her nail.

Damon, finally realizing she wasn't interacting, sat the bottle of liquor down to study her.

"Are you mad I'm under-selling it? Should I have said you were impeccable?"

Bonnie blinked, being shaken out of her thoughts.

"What? Did you say something?"

Damon frowned.

"Uh, yeah. I've been saying a lot of somethings." He worriedly took her arm. "Okay, Bennett. Tell me what's up with you."

"Please," she grumbled. "It's nothing to be concerned about. I have a headache and I'm tired. I'm thinking I should just run it off like I wanted to do earlier."

"Absolutely not. I can't let you go out there and pass out on the side of the road!"

"Damon-''

"Nope. No discussion. You're going to bed."

"You're not my father."

"No, I'm your friend. A friend who's concerned about you."

Bonnie defiantly crossed her arms.

"I would really like to go for a run. It would make me feel a lot better. Can you please calm down and let me do this?"

Damon was silent, pondering whether to end the conversation or escalate it.

"Fine, you win," he surrendered, hands up. "I'm not going to pretend I'm happy about it."

Bonnie nodded, zipping up her jacket and opening the door.

"If it makes a difference, I won't be gone more than an hour," she started, aware Damon was annoyed with her. "I'll be quick."

He huffed, noisily plopping on the couch.

"One hour, five hours, two days- I don't care. Either way, you'll find me right here. Have a nice run."

Bonnie cast a look over her shoulder and didn't stop the quirk of her lip at his words. He was nervously picking at the fabric of his jeans, eyes downcast.

Bonnie's gaze lingered as she shut the door behind her and went out into the night.

…

There was tightness in her throat as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom, the after effects of her run heavily present in her weakened knees. A cold bead of sweat ran between her brows. Bonnie had broken her promise. The hour long run turned into nearly three, the last hour being a slow crawl back to the boarding house. When she arrived, her heart sank when she saw Damon wasn't waiting for her on the couch. The lights were left on, as if they expected her, but her roommate was nowhere to be found.

The door to her room was left slightly ajar and she brusquely shoved it open, wiping her face with her sleeve. The bed looked welcoming, but she knew she couldn't, a hot shower was the next step before a slumber. Bonnie closed the bedroom door and flipped on a lamp, dimly lighting the space before her. She wordlessly stripped off her sweaty clothes and clambered to her bathroom, turning the shower on to the hottest setting possible. She stood there, under the waterfall of steam, the droplets practically searing her skin. She pressed her forehead into the wall and sighed. Bonnie hoped the water would cleanse her pain and wash it away. Maybe it might even heal her wounds.

When the temperature reached the point of becoming excruciating, suffocating, she shut it off. It took several minutes for Bonnie to gather herself and wrap a towel around her body. It took several more minutes for her to dry off and clothe herself in a simple sweatshirt and jogger outfit. She stood staring at her bed, her arms wrapping around her body. Then, her lip quivered. Bonnie squeezed her eyes shut, fighting off the uninvited emotions. A warm sensation rose from her throat, to her nose, to her eyes, and then her cheeks. And then a sound. A sob. She flung herself on the bed and covered her head with a pillow, unwilling for Damon to hear her cries. As if summoned by thought, she heard the door swing open and hit the wall.

"Bonnie?" he yelled, his footsteps thumping to the bed. "What the hell is going on?"

Bonnie shook her head, hiccups escaping her throat. She felt a hand lay on her back.

"Bonnie, I waited for you. I just got up to go the bathroom and by the time I came out I heard you in the shower. Are you upset? What's going on?"

His voice was on the brink of fear but Bonnie could do nothing to quell it.

Without permission, the vampire took her by the shoulder and yanked her to a sitting position, the tear soaked pillow tumbling to the ground. Bonnie's wet, freshly washed hair stuck to her forehead.

Damon took her hands in his and squeezed.

"I haven't seen you like this, in a long time," he whispered, eyes ablaze. "And I don't like it. It's my fault, isn't it? What do I do? Tell me, Bonnie, please."

"N-no," she stammered, covering her crumpled face with her hands. "D-Damon, stop-''

He took a seat next to her on the bed, stealing her hands back into his.

"You gotta talk to me, Bonnie," he demanded, though his voice was soft. "I'm not going to make fun of you. I wanna help you. Talk to me."

Bonnie nodded, attempting to gulp in air to find a voice.

"I'm sorry," she croaked. "I haven't told you but I've been having nightmares again."

"Okay," he encouraged, his attention locked in. "Good, this is good. Stay with me. You're having nightmares again. What are the nightmares about?"

"The door is locked downstairs and- and we can't get out," she explains, her eyes wide. "We're stuck in here. Days go by, years go by. We grow old here and we die after a while."

"Alright-''

Bonnie covered her face again, unable to look him in the eye for the next part.

"The next one is about you," she cries, her body trembling. "I had a nightmare you got to go home and I didn't. I was here all alone."

"Bonnie," he soothed, "that'll never happen-''

"I don't care! It felt so real. So empty. I wake up in a cold sweat and for the rest of the day my magic isn't right."

"This has been happening for a while, then? Why on Earth didn't you tell me?"

"Over a week. I'm sorry. I thought it would go away but-''

Bonnie broke down again, sobs shaking her core. Damon panicked, pressing her head to his chest.

"What if we never make it home?" she whispered. "What if- this is it?"

He swallowed hard, a chill shaking his spine.

"Hey," he replied, a reluctant smile playing at his lips though he wasn't happy. "I'm the one who is supposed to have the paranoid meltdowns, right? That's my job."

Bonnie didn't respond as she continued to tremble and sob uncontrollably in his arms.

Damon wanted it to stop, he needed it to stop now. If he had a soul to give he would gladly sell it to the highest bidder to bring happiness back to the witch. He'd give anything. The foundation of his world was crumbling and he could nothing to make it cease.

Bonnie continued to spiral, with no hopes of slowing, and Damon's mind began to race.

Her head was bent as she wept, tears flowing from her cheeks and splashing to her lap. Without her knowledge, Damon swept himself from the bed and unceremoniously dropped to his knees in front of her without a sound.

With no warning, a pair of sturdy hands with pillow soft skin grasped her tear soaked cheeks. Bonnie sniffled, her eyes snapping up. There was no time to calculate her next move as Damon, whilst cradling her face, desperately pressed his lips onto hers.

Her cries were stifled, not only due to his mouth, but an overwhelming sense of bewilderment. The kiss wasn't filled with passion or lust. His tongue refused to slip past her teeth. With her mind clearing and coming back to the present, Bonnie realized the kiss he was presenting her with was sincere and urgent. She hadn't recognized she was gripping his arms so tightly her knuckles felt numb until he released her, his lips parting from hers as he rocked back on his heels. Bonnie sat frozen in shock, absentmindedly licking her lips as forgotten tears escaped down her neck.

Damon appeared to be in a similar state. His electric blue eyes were wide as saucers as he ghosted his fingers over his own lips, as in disbelief of his actions. Silence engulfed the pair as the tension grew thicker in the room with every passing second.

"Are you-'' Damon began, but stopped to clear his throat as his voice cracked. "Are you okay?"

Bonnie blinked.

"Yes." She meant her voice to be clear and decisive, yet it came out weak and mangled.

Damon remained knelt in that position for some time. Tasting his lips, scratching his head.

"Well this is embarrassing," Bonnie finally mumbled. "I'm really sorry, Damon…"

As if she hadn't spoken, Damon leaned in and held her hair away from her eyes.

"You think they're visions, don't you?" he said, referring to the nightmares. "You think you've been looking at different versions of the future?"

Bonnie could feel a lump forming in her throat though she didn't act on it.

"Yeah. Yeah I do."

"Bonnie," he sighed, his hand falling from her face to her arm. "We've talked about this. You can't take every dream you have to heart."

"If you had those horrible thoughts flooding your mind every time you close your eyes you would be a little messed up too," she growled, though there was no bite. "Both of those are no win scenarios."

Damon chuckled, laying his hand on her knee and squeezing.

"What? You're saying growing old with me would be the end of your world? Harsh. Very harsh, Bon."

Bonnie wiped nearly dry tears on the back of her hand and smirked.

"That's not what I meant. Cut it out."

Damon grinned with satisfaction he could get a rise out of her after all the waterworks.

"Listen to me, okay? One more time," he said. "I am not going anywhere. I'm right here. We're going to get our supernatural asses out of here any day now. Together. In fact, pack your bags if you think it'll make you feel better! Don't forget a souvenir."

Bonnie shook her head with a smile, reaching out and taking his wrist.

"You're unbelievable," she said. "I'm sorry I'm such a broken record, by the way. I must be driving you crazy lately."

"Seriously?" he chided, raising a brow. "After all the shit I put you through? No, don't even mention it."

She nodded, clasping her hands together with a calm expression. She could feel the tightness in her chest dissipating. Her headache had eased to a dull throb.

Damon finally rose to his feet and eyed the door, unsure of whether to leave just yet.

"Should we call it a night? I'm sure you want some rest."

"I do," Bonnie agreed. "Um- I'll see you at breakfast then?"

"Don't you always?" he smirked, his eyes traveling over her face. "Good night, Bon."

Bonnie watched as he swiftly left the room and shut the door behind himself, leaving the witch utterly alone to digest the whole situation. She flopped onto her back, releasing a long breath she had been holding on to. Her mind was yelling at her to sleep but her body was too livened to listen. Her foot began to tap restlessly. Her heart beat was deafening. And her lips? They were the most awake of all. Prickling and sizzling with energy.

The problem was, Bonnie determined, was for the past twenty nights or so the pair had either fallen asleep cuddled up on the couch or tucked into Damon's bed- which nearly gave Bonnie a heart attack the first time she awoke there after a long night of drinking and dancing. She wasn't quite sure when or why they had fallen into such a routine, mostly because it didn't seem to bother Damon, but it had also kept her nightmares at bay. She still had them, but they were shorter. Less effective. She didn't mean to wind herself up about it and lose control, but it happened. It was done. And now she was left with awkwardness- and a line that had been crossed. The kiss. She didn't want to think about it, even entertain it. But his face was in her mind. His crystal blue eyes. His voice. His touch. Bonnie shut her eyes and remembered every place Damon had touched her. It was as if, in the chaos, he was attempting to bandage and heal her with every placement of his hand. To ground her somehow, to bring her back. In her revelry, Bonnie knew he was the only person who had the power to do that. Not once, but many times. She knew she acted as an anchor for him, as well.

Suddenly, her brows began to furrow as a tidal wave of flashbacks assaulted her thought process. One image showing true in her mind's eye was from a dream she had, many nights ago. The sound of flapping wings rang in the distance like an incoming storm. It was ravens. Ravens flying high in the sky above her. The night she first saw those ravens made Bonnie wake up in a cold sweat with a name scrolling endlessly through her mind. Damon. She bit her lip at the recollection, so hard she swore she tasted her own blood. Bonnie had gotten ahold of her nerves after that night and every night since, harshly pushing any out-of-sorts feelings to the side. But now…how could she deny it?

A frown etched itself on her face as the room she lay in grew cold and unwelcoming. As much as she hated to admit it, Bonnie wanted to be close to him tonight. She needed reassurance. But there was that damn line again! The line that was once straight and true and clearly drawn was now crossed. How could she avoid it? Would it be there every time she was around him as a warning? A red flag? Could she manage to throw caution to the wind and turn a blind eye?

Beyond that, Bonnie knew if she was seeking answers so was Damon. He wouldn't actively approach the subject so she knew she would have to be the one to take the plunge. If they had any remaining hope of leaving this place, where they stood with each other had to be addressed whether either of them liked it or not.

Bonnie was on pins and needles as she tip-toed her way out her door and into the hallway. Her mind was currently in a battle of wills, one side being okay with forgetting the whole thing and climbing into bed with him. While the other, more logical, side was preparing for the worst conversation of her life. Bonnie knew she could very likely lose her best friend tonight. She felt an ache in heart growing as she forced herself to lift her knuckle up to the bedroom door of Damon Salvatore and knock loudly.

As if he was somehow waiting for her arrival, he immediately called to her from a distance.

"I'm sorry, I don't need any more Girl Scout cookies! Thanks though."

Bonnie's face contorted in agitation, though his response was classically 'Damon'.

"Knock it off! Uh, listen," she hesitated, her fight or flight reaction kicking in. "I think we should talk."

There was silence on the other side of the door.

"I thought we decided it was time for bed?" he eventually replied, his voice losing humor.

"Uh- yeah. We did. But I can't sleep, and we need to talk about what happened."

Silence.

"Bonnie," he sighed. His voice sounded louder than it had, as if he was now leaned against the door. "I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Damon, why can't you just open the door? It won't kill you to look me in the face and talk to me." Bonnie pressed her forehead to her side of the door and lightly shut her eyes.

The door had a significant purpose. It was a force field, a barrier. With it came safety and security. Without it, meant disaster. Oblivion. The truth.

"I don't know what will happen if I open this door, Bonnie. Don't you understand?" his voice was so soft she had to strain to hear it.

"Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise," she assured him, her palm lying flat on the wood of the door. "We just need to clear the air."

Silence.

Finally, after several grueling minutes, the door softly clicked open. Damon didn't pull it ajar, but left it so Bonnie could invite herself in. With a shaky breath, she did so, and found him staring out a window nursing a glass of bourbon. His eyes flicked to her, once, and then turned their attention back on what was outside.

"Wow," she said, fidgeting with hair. "I never thought I would ever have to talk about this with you. I didn't want to-''

"You don't have to mince words with me, Bon," he cut in, his voice on the edge of annoyance. "Say what you have to say. Spit it out."

Bonnie raised a brow, her back straightening.

"I beg your pardon? Exactly why are you copping an attitude right now?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Damon sucked in his cheeks and turned his back to her, stalking to another side of the room. He then slammed his drink on top of a dresser.

"I told you I didn't want to talk about this and you're giving me no choice."

"I'm giving you no choice? You're throwing this back on me?" she scoffed, using his own words against him. "You're saying you're fine with sweeping everything under the rug and washing your hands of this? We're going to pretend nothing ever happened?"

"Isn't that what you do best?" he yelled, turning on his heel.

Bonnie jumped, slightly startled at his tone.

"How many times have I tried to pull something like this out of you, hm? How many times have you brushed me off and come up with lame explanations for everything under the sun?"

Bonnie opened her mouth but nothing came out. She briefly scratched her head to gather her thoughts.

"I don't know what you mean," she sputtered, slightly backing away.

"You're lying," he said, eyes narrowed as he stepped towards her. "You forget that I'm a very old supernatural creature and I'm pretty damn perceptive."

Bonnie could feel her fingernails dig into her arm.

"If I'm lying why haven't you called me on it before now?" she exclaimed, her heart racing. "Why didn't you make me sit down and talk to you?"

"Because I respect your boundaries, Bonnie!" Damon's eyes were as bugged out as she had ever seen them. "I know how worked up you get and I didn't want to set you off! Now look what you've done."

Bonnie took three, quick long steps in his direction, her face hot.

"What I've done?" she shrieked. "I'm in here right now because of what I've done?"

Damon went silent, raking his hair until it stood up on end.

"Please elaborate, Damon," she continued, gesturing wildly. "What did I do exactly?"

He didn't respond immediately. The vampire slowly, and methodically approached her. They were nearly nose to nose. The smell of his skin was almost intoxicating. She saw his jaw clench.

"Nothing," he whispered. "You didn't do a thing. Are you happy now?"

"No," she breathed, her eyes shakily locked on his. "I want to talk about what you did."

In recognition, Damon's eyes fell to her lips, then back up again.

"I didn't mean to," he said, his voice barely audible. "I don't know why I did it. It was a mistake."

Bonnie ignored incoming tears and the tightness in her throat as she continued.

"Okay," she nodded, her voice soft. "You did it to shut me up then, is that it? You took pity on me?"

"No," he said, quicker than he would have liked. Desperation briefly flashed through his eyes before they went back to neutral. "It wasn't like that either."

"Then what?"

"If you want me to declare my undying love for you right here and now, Bonnie I can't!" he snapped, arms reaching out to take hold of her shoulders.

She stopped breathing.

"We have so much we need to work on here, we have to figure a way out. Then there's Elena," he continued, voice rising several notches, almost frantically.

He loosened his grip on her shoulders, finally realizing Bonnie was frozen.

"I can't do this right now," he whispered, releasing her and backing off. "I can't handle it. And I don't want to hear that you can," he said, pointing at her. "I know you're not ready either."

Bonnie could vaguely feel wetness on her cheeks and she brushed her hand across, wiping away tears.

"You don't know that." Her voice was quiet.

"I do," he said, his features softening. "Why do you think I haven't had this talk with you before now?"

Bonnie bit the inside of her cheek, trying to avoid crumpling into a ball before him. She bowed her head and turned away from him, new tears spilling.

"God damnit," she bawled. "Why did you do it? Why the hell did you do it?" She was facing the wall, no longer directing the questions at him. "Why could you do something like that and ruin everything? I don't understand."

"Nothing is ruined," came Damon's voice, now soothing.

Bonnie could feel him approaching her from behind, his shadow looming on the wall.

"How can you say that?" she sobbed, unwilling to face him. "Nothing will ever be the same. We can't go back. You just had to kiss me and ruin it."

And there it was. The elephant in the room now out in the open. Bonnie could swear she felt the air still.

Wordlessly, Damon laid his forehead on the back of her neck, sending a chill down Bonnie's spine. With her arms dangling at her sides, Damon took each of her hands in his own.

"I know," he sighed, his breath tickling her skin. "I'm so sorry."

Bonnie wanted to pull away from him and create space, yet, she seemed to be melting into his touch instead.

"Damon," she replied, her voice low. "Please don't ever be sorry about that."

"Bonnie-''

"No," she interrupted, squeezing his hands. "I don't care if we aren't friends anymore and you never speak to me again but I will not let you apologize for that. I won't accept it."

He was silent for a while until Bonnie felt him shift his weight and step away from her, though he still held one of her hands in his.

"Do you still want to be friends?" he asked, his voice unsure.

Bonnie used her sleeve to wipe the remaining wetness from her face and turned to him, a small smile finding a way to her mouth.

"Of course I do." She gave a nod.

"Even if everything has changed?"

Bonnie couldn't stop her heart from skipping a beat. She looked down at their fingers, still familiarly intertwined.

"Yes. Even so."

"Okay then," he nodded in return, as if they had made a deal.

The pair stood lost in silence, drowning in each other's eyes, as a trickling light began to pour through the window.

It caught Bonnie's attention and she gasped, being drawn back into reality.

"Oh my God," she said. "It's the sunrise."

"It must have known we would be up to watch it," Damon smirked, sliding up beside her to take in the view.

The sunrise never disappointed. Bonnie swore the magnificence of the reds and oranges it radiated were more brilliant each time.

Once the show was over, and it was officially daybreak, the witch let out a long yawn.

Damon seemed to notice as his smirk grew larger.

"Come on. This time it's really time for bed."

Bonnie frowned, momentarily confused as he swiftly shut his curtains as if snuffing out a light. She hadn't realized they hadn't let go of each other's hand until she felt him guide her through the dark.

Without a moment's notice, Damon hoisted her onto his bed and then made his way to his respective side.

"What's all this?" Bonnie demanded, flustered. "I think I can make my way back to my room just fine."

Though it was pitch dark, she heard Damon chuckle and only imagined the amused look on his face.

"I don't need you having another nightmare after getting so worked up," he explained, settling under the covers. "Besides, I thought you liked having sleepovers? Am I wrong?"

Bonnie was grateful of the darkness that concealed her blush.

"I do," she agreed sheepishly. "I just thought after tonight…I don't know."

"We agreed to still be friends, right?"

Bonnie could feel him tucking her into the covers as he always did.

"Well, yeah."

"Then this is what we're gonna do. Along with board games, picnics, dancing- am I forgetting anything?"

Bonnie laughed a little, the tension between her shoulder blades releasing.

"We kick some ass together too!"

"Damn right we do," he replied. "We're a team, Bon Bon. Nothing is going to change that."

Bonnie took a breath, relief finally hitting her like a wave. There they were again. In a blanket of darkness, in the comfort of each other's presence. Their favorite place. Just a boy and a girl. Masks off. Their true selves.

She sank deeper into the vastness of the mattress, silk sheets caressing her skin. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she let herself go, with nothing more to fear.

Damon usually kept his distance, but now, she sensed him growing closer. Her back was facing him as he situated himself behind her, the weight of his head flattening out the pillow they were sharing. His breath ruffled her hair.

Then, out of nowhere, Bonnie clearly saw a white line out in the distance. As it drew closer it became more obscured until it strangely disappeared altogether. Bonnie frowned, wondering where it had gone to or if it would ever come back. She felt out of place now, lost and alone. Then, it started to rain. Thunder rumbled and lightning cracked across the sky, and she shivered, staring at the rain clouds that were causing water droplets to bathe her face. Bonnie should have ran for cover, but for some reason she didn't, as she let the rain soak her hair and her clothes. Then she saw a flash of movement that distracted her. Wings. Hundreds of ravens were flying overhead, away from the rain clouds to some place new. She blinked. A smile grew on her face. She no longer wondered what happened to the mysterious white line as her feet carried her forward, following the ravens on their adventure. Bonnie wasn't lost anymore, and where she was going she knew she could never be alone.

Bonnie was going home.

POST A/N:

I don't know about ya'll but this story made me a little emotional! It was honestly a compelling and powerful thing to write and I loved every agonizing second of it. Just to see these characters from day 1 to day 90 is a full circle moment. I can't believe it. I hope you all caught on to all my metaphors and symbolism I love to use so much! Especially how I describe Damon. He will always be my little grumpy rain cloud/ raven boy who I will love to the ends of this earth. And Bonnie will always be my bright, warm beautiful sunshine of a woman who deserves more than anyone could offer. I'm fairly certain this story will be my last update to this series, which makes me sad. But it's been so fun and I appreciate all your lovely reviews and support! It's the only reason I kept writing this story, so I thank you endlessly. If anything, I might add quick drabbles to this if ideas pop into my head. Otherwise, if you have any suggestions for a new story, send me a review and let me know! Give me ideas. I love to brainstorm. For now, I will leave you with this. Thanks again. Until next time.

-Katie. xx