Chapter 2

Elena.

Elena Gilbert turned off the shower and stepped into a bathrobe. She sensed that this was going to be the beginning of a long day. It was only morning, and yet she already felt tired and ready to go to bed.

After she blow-dried her hair and brushed it into its usual sleek sheet, she rummaged her closet for something to wear. She was halfway through her blouses when she heard the shuffling of wind usually made by Stefan or Damon when they came into her room. She straightened up and tightened her bathrobe. Looking self-consciously around the room, Elena hoped that it was Stefan who came.

"Stefan?" She asked in a small voice.

Suddenly she felt another swish of air and felt hot breath on the back of her neck. Elena inhaled sharply and jumped back-straight into Damon.

"Boo." Damon said playfully.

"…What are you doing here?" Elena demanded, feeling very exposed at the time even though the bathrobe was securely in place.

Damon stepped back to give her space. It seemed like every time he's here, she greeted him with "What are you doing here", "Why are you here", or "What do you want". He was getting tired of it, but he supposed he'd miss these encounters. This might be the last time he sees her before he leaves. He couldn't help but ask himself if it was worth it or not. A part of him really wanted to leave this place, and leave all the feelings he had for Elena behind. But another part of him just wanted to be here for her, to protect her, to just be with her.

"Damon?" Elena asked again when Damon didn't answer her. Her annoyance subsided, and she felt a little hostile for her previous demanding.

Damon smirked, looking like his old-self again, "I need to borrow you for a while."

"For what?"

"Weeeeell," Damon continued grinning as if nothing made him sad, "since you got me under your little spell, I figured the least you can do, is help me break it."

Elena frowned, trying to read between the lines, "What are you talking about?"

A lazy smile crept up Damon's face as he took in how serious she looked. She was so beautiful that he wondered whether Bonnie was even powerful enough to manage to cast the spell. It would take a lot to make him stop loving her.

"Just get dressed and come with me." He said, attempting to sound soothing.

Shooting him a doubtful look, Elena grabbed a pair of jeans and a tank top and made her way to the bathroom. She closed the door gently behind her and dressed slowly. She wasn't sure exactly why she was procrastinating, but she knew that whatever Damon had planned, it wasn't something she'd look forward to.

But weirdly, she trusted him. After everything that's happened, it would be unnatural to not trust him. A part of her was even relieved that it was Damon who was here, not Stefan. It was just so much easier to talk to Damon, someone who never looks like he's taking anything seriously. It was…comfortable to be around him. It was easier to be herself.

Elena shook her head, wondering why she's thinking all this all of a sudden. She pulled on her jeans and tank top, and walked barefoot out of the bathroom. Damon was settled comfortably on her bed, his hands tucked behind his head and her teddy bear on his chest. Even though he's frequently in this position in her bed, it seemed a bit different this time. He was still smiling lazily, but it looked somehow…sentimental.

Damon got up swiftly and put Elena's teddy bear back gently on her pillow. A second later, he was at the front door, waiting for Elena. He looked around the house that he'd never set foot in again as Elena slowly came down the stairs. It seemed like everything he was going to miss contained Elena. Again, he wondered whether he should continue with this spell or not.

He convinced himself it's all for the best. After all, Elena belonged to his brother. And he didn't deserve her.