Elijah stirred, slowly waking up from a deep sleep. Feeling completely relaxed and slightly groggy, Elijah was momentarily confused when he felt the sleeping body pressed up against him. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked down to his chest. When he caught a glimpse of raven black hair he sighed and allowed his head to fall back to its original position, resting comfortably above Damon's head.
They had both rolled on their sides in their sleep. Elijah's right arm lay across the bed, the top of Damon's head resting on his shoulder. Damon had buried his face into Elijah's body, his forehead resting against Elijah's chest just below his chin. Damon's arm was wrapped tightly around Elijah's waist, while Elijah's arm was draped across Damon's back and shoulders. Their legs entwined.
Elijah smiled to himself. It had been a long time since he had woken up with someone in his bed and even longer with someone in his arms. Aware that Damon was still fast asleep, Elijah decided to take a moment to study the sleeping form that was currently tangled around his body.
Elijah carefully pulled his head and chest away, just enough to allow him to look down at Damon's face. Damon's shinny black hair was tousled, his dark eyebrows and long lashes contrasting beautifully with his porcelain white skin. Every detail of his face was faultless. From his cheekbones and jaw line, to the delicate features of his perfect nose, full lips and small ears. Damon truly was beautiful.
Noticing how content Damon looked fast asleep in his arms triggered a strong feeling of protectiveness deep within Elijah. Even more overwhelming however, was the growing sense of possessiveness he felt towards Damon. It was then that Elijah realised that his attraction to Damon was more than physical. Elijah didn't just want to possess Damon sexually; Elijah wanted to keep Damon safe because he wanted Damon to belong to him and no one else.
His primal urges awakened, Elijah pulled Damon closer to his body into a tight embrace. Elijah nuzzled his face into the silky hair on top of Damon's head as he tilted Damon's head with his hand, pressing Damon's cheek into his chest. Elijah placed his other hand on Damon's hip and pulled him close against his body. Elijah arousal grew as he felt Damon's morning erection press against his thigh.
As Damon began to stir in his arms, Elijah found that he didn't want to relax his hold right away. Elijah held Damon tightly for a few seconds longer, wanting Damon to feel the sense of ownership he felt over him, before he loosened his grip.
Instead of pulling away, Damon allowed himself to be held for a moment longer. Damon smiled against Elijah's chest, enjoying the feel of Elijah's nose and lips in his hair and the way his fingers were lightly stoking his hip. When he felt like he'd woken up, Damon moved his head away from Elijah's chest and lengthened his body until he was face to face with Elijah.
Damon looked at Elijah with sparkling, lust filled eyes. His mouth hung open slightly, the corners curving into an appreciative smile as he noticed how sexy Elijah looked. Elijah's normally perfect hair was ruffled and that his large eyes were a honey brown colour in the morning light.
Damon brought his hand up to Elijah face and lightly traced the outline of Elijah's raw with his fingers. When he reached Elijah's chiselled chin, Damon leaned in and placed an open mouth kiss on his lips. Without removing his mouth, Damon teased Elijah's lips with his tongue before slowly devouring his mouth with deep passionate kisses. Lost in sensation of Damon's lips against his, it took Elijah a moment to notice that Damon had pressed their hips together and was slowly grinding himself against him. A short time later, Damon stilled his movements and pulled away slightly, looking at Elijah with a satisfied grin.
"Good morning", Damon announced as he stared at Elijah's dazed expression.
Noticing how pleased with himself Damon looked, Elijah leant in and claimed his lips in another passionate kiss. Elijah ended the kiss by seductively sucking Damon's entire bottom lip before slowly pulling away with his lip still in his mouth.
"Good morning". Elijah replied, with an equally sly smirk.
Aching to possess him fully, Elijah pulled Damon into a series of heated kisses. Wrapping his arms tightly around Damon's back, Elijah rolled them both until he was on to the top of Damon. He moved his arms from under Damon and placed his hands on either side of Damon's head. Elijah pushed his full weight down into Damon's body, hearing him moan slightly against his mouth as they continued to kiss.
Damon's hands ran over Elijah's shoulders and back, before they travelled down to the sides of his hips. As Damon's hands slowly started to caress the firm muscles of his bottom, Elijah rubbed his hips into Damon. Elijah felt Damon's body rock under him in response.
Elijah broke away from Damon's mouth, kissing along his jaw and down to the soft skin of Damon's neck. Elijah placed soft kisses all over his neck, teasing Damon with his lips, tongue and teeth. His excitement growing, Elijah bit down gently on Damon's neck with blunt teeth as he grabbed the hem of the t-shirt Damon was wearing. Just as Elijah was about to pull up Damon's t-shirt he felt Damon's arms suddenly shoot up over his head and his body still and stiffen under him.
Confused Elijah ceased his assault on Damon's neck and rested his head in the crock of Damon's shoulder. As he tried to calm himself, Elijah listened to Damon's rapid breathing and realised that Damon's heartbeat was racing not in excitement, but in fear.
Elijah moved his hands to either side of Damon's head and pulled himself up. His confusion about what had happened intensified as he looked down at the anguished expression on Damon's face. Damon was lying completely still, with his head back against the bed and his hands in his hair. Damon's pale blue eyes were staring blankly at the ceiling, refusing to make eye contact. Elijah rolled off Damon and created some space between their bodies. Turning on his side, Elijah watched Damon silently while he waited for him to calm down.
After a few minutes Damon's breathing returned to normal and his body relaxed. Suddenly aware that Elijah was staring at him, Damon covered his face with his hands in a childish attempt to hide. Knowing that he owed Elijah an explanation, Damon slowly lowered his hands and he turned his head to the side to face Elijah. The anxiety and embarrassment he felt was written all over his face.
Damon's expression instantly triggered Elijah's protective side. Elijah reached across to Damon, placed his hand on Damon's waist and gently pulled him on to his side. Even though they were lying side by side, Damon found that he couldn't meet Elijah's eyes.
"Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Elijah asked softly, as he rubbed his hand over the side of Damon's body.
"Were you worried that I was going to hurt you?" Elijah asked seriously after a little time had past and Damon still hadn't answered.
Elijah thought the only logical explanation behind Damon's sudden reversal of mood was that he had inadvertently scared Damon. That he had have been more forceful than he realised when he was play biting Damon's neck and that's why Damon panicked.
"No. It's not that", Damon replied quietly.
"Then what is it?" Elijah asked encouragingly, even though he was visibly confused.
Damon tilted his head down further towards the bed, his eyebrows furrowed. Damon's reluctance to answer his questions only served to make Elijah more curious.
"Talk to me", Elijah said as he gently placed his hand under Damon's chin, tilting his head up until it was once again level with his.
Damon looked at Elijah, a worried crease between his eyebrows. Elijah could tell that Damon wanted to tell him why he had panicked, he just didn't know how.
It suddenly occurred to Elijah that perhaps the reason Damon couldn't confide in him was because he 'himself' was the problem. Processing the thought further, Elijah could understand why Damon may have felt intimidated and had second thoughts. It wasn't like they were on equal footing. Elijah was an Original, the oldest Original at that.
Regardless of his reasons, Elijah knew Damon having doubts wouldn't change anything. Elijah had already decided he wanted Damon and Elijah was accustomed to getting what he wanted. Persuading Damon just made the game more interesting.
"Is it me?" Elijah asked with a slight look of concern on his face.
The hurt undertone in his voice was just barely detectable, but he knew it was enough for Damon to notice. If one thousand years had taught him anything, it was how to manipulate a situation to achieve his desired outcome.
"No, it's not you. You're awesome", Damon responded reassuringly.
Damon immediately realised he answered too quickly and that he hadn't left himself enough time to think before he spoke. Regretting what he said, Damon rolled on to his stomach and buried his face in the bed embarrassed. When Damon finally turned his head and looked up at Elijah, he frowned when he saw the smug little smile on Elijah's face.
"Awesome?" Elijah asked raising one eyebrow as his smile broadened.
Elijah's reaction made Damon smile despite himself. Damon couldn't help but chuckle when hearing Elijah say the word with his ascent. Deciding to take advantage of the lightened mood, Elijah pulled Damon into his arms and kissed him softly against his lips.
"So tell me Damon, if I'm so 'awesome' what exactly is the problem?" Elijah asked with a smile, jokingly acting more impatient than he actually was.
Damon sighed and shook his head, his smile gone. He looked at Elijah's expectant eyes and decided to come clean. Damon took a deep breath and braced himself before he spoke.
"This is all a little new to me", Damon said visibly embarrassed, hoping it was enough.
"What is?" Elijah asked, still confused.
"Being with a guy", Damon answered, slightly exasperated that he had to say it out loud.
Elijah's confused expression remained intact as his mind processed what Damon had just said. His expression then changed to shock before he shook his head and started to laugh.
"You're not serious?" Elijah asked, his mind refusing to believe Damon's admission.
Damon looked at Elijah with mixture of anger and frustration. He already felt embarrassed enough as it was and now Elijah was laughing at him. As Elijah watched Damon's expression, his smile quickly disappeared.
"You are serious", Elijah said, not bothering to hide the shock he felt.
"Why is it so hard to believe?" Damon snapped, clearly annoyed at Elijah's reaction.
"Because you're Damon Salvatore. You portray yourself as someone who has tried every sexual experience imaginable and perhaps a few that aren't", Elijah replied honestly, while trying to keep his response playful.
"Well I haven't", Damon answered angrily. "I like women. I've always liked women".
"If the way a certain part of your body was responding while I was kissing you is any sort of indicator, I think it's safe to say that you also like men." Elijah pointed out as he smirked.
"Or I like a certain man", Damon challenged. His compliment masked slightly by his defiant tone.
Elijah was visibly taken back by Damon's words. He opened his mouth to speak and then shut it again, not quite sure how to respond. Damon's smirk returned as he watched Elijah, pleased that he had momentarily rendered Elijah speechless.
"Just so I'm clear, are you telling me you no experience with men?" Elijah asked after regaining his composure. He refused to accept that he was the first man Damon had ever been attracted to.
"I didn't say that", Damon responded smiling sheepishly, causing Elijah to smile.
"What have you done?" Elijah asked, clearly enjoying the direction the conversation was headed.
"I've kissed guys before… but I didn't really like it. When I've made out with guys, it was hard and rough. It almost felt aggressive, like they had a point to prove", Damon replied.
Damon decided if he was going to talk about this with Elijah he may as well be completely honest and not hold back. Damon looked into Elijah's eyes before he continued.
"It's not like that with you. I like kissing you. It's… hot". Damon added, a small smile playing across his lips.
"Have you done anything else besides kissing?" Elijah asked, raising one eyebrow quizzically.
"I've let guys… you know. Pleasure me", Damon replied coyly, breaking eye contact.
Damon looked up at Elijah with a sly grin when he heard Elijah laughing at his choice of words. Damon had considered using more modern terms to describe what he meant but felt 'suck me off' and 'blowjob' were a little too modern to say to a thousand year old vampire.
"Pleasure you?" Elijah asked forging ignorance, hoping to force Damon to elaborate.
"There are certain things that guys are better at than women. They're more familiar with the equipment. And they're not shy", Damon answered, knowing full well Elijah understood his meaning.
"Have you ever returned the favour?" Elijah asked, very curious to hear his reply.
"I've touched… that and kissing is the sum total of my experience". Damon answered, feeling more relaxed about the conversation than he ever expected.
"I never met a guy I wanted to do anymore with. Until now", Damon added with a genuine smile on his face as he looked at Elijah.
Elijah returned the smile feeling flattered. He also felt aroused by the prospect of what Damon was implying. His was about to let his mind wonder, when a new thought entered his head.
"So nothing has ever happened between you and Alaric Saltzman?" Elijah asked mischievously, watching Damon carefully.
Elijah had always been curious about Damon and Alaric's supposed friendship. They had a strange dynamic. They fought and bickered yet they were also fiercely protective of one another. Elijah suspected that there was more to Damon and Alaric's relationship than just friendship, often wondering if they shared a fondness for more than just bourbon.
"What? No!" Damon answered angrily. "Why would you think that?"
"You do spend a lot of time with him", Elijah continued, as he pressed him further.
"He is my friend. That's all! I mean it's Ric! Come on? His all… stubbly… and furry… and has that musty brut man smell going on. No, definitely not!". Damon said, protesting adamantly.
Elijah couldn't help but laugh out loud at Damon's insistent rambling. His reaction was hilarious. Damon only stopped looking confused and disgusted when he realised that Elijah was laughing at him.
"You weren't being serious", Damon said venomously, giving Elijah an evil look.
"Actually I was, but judging by your reaction it seems I was wrong", Elijah answered still laughing.
"Damn right, you were wrong! You know Ric would be more pissed than me if he found out that anyone thought him and I were… God, I can't even say it", Damon replied indignantly.
"Ok, I get it. You've made your point. I apologise." Elijah replied holding his hands up in mock defeat, indicating he would drop the subject.
When Damon stopped feeling outraged he noticed Elijah's cheeky grin and couldn't help but smile himself. He shook his head at Elijah thinking to himself that he would find a way to wipe that smile off his face soon enough.
"How are you feeling now?" Elijah asked seriously after they both calmed down.
"Better. Now that you know", Damon answered honestly.
"Why didn't you tell me before? You must have realised where this was heading last night. I wasn't being particularly subtle", Elijah asked curiously.
Looking back, Elijah realised that the hints were there. Damon's hesitate and apprehensive behaviour the night before made perfect sense, knowing what he now knew.
"I don't know. I guess I thought that once I got going I'd be ok. But then things got heated and I started thinking that I'd do something and you'd know and that I'd stuff it all up. And I freaked", Damon answered truthfully as Elijah nodded in understanding, listening intently.
"I guess I'm not who you thought I was", Damon continued with a serious expression, after a moment had pasted and they were both silent.
"You're right. You're not." Elijah replied, before he leant in and kissed Damon tenderly.
Elijah pulled Damon a little closer into his arms. He rested his forehead against Damon's and started playing with his hair. Elijah found that the more he discovered about Damon, the more he liked him.
"So what's with your obsession with my hair?" Damon asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
"It's silky. It reminds me of a pet cocker spaniel I once owned", Elijah responded wistfully, making Damon laugh.
"I guess I deserved that", Damon said as he continued to smile.
"Yes, you did", Elijah agreed before pulling Damon to his chest and smiling into the hair on top of his head.
Elijah knew there was little use in him trying to anticipant or prepare for what was going to happen between himself and Damon. From the start, everything that had happened had been far from predictable. Elijah realised that moving forward, everything that was going to happen would continue in a similar vein. To Elijah's surprise he found the uncertainty of the situation refreshing as well as exciting. There was one thing that Elijah was certain of however, he was enjoying himself. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so hard or had as much fun.