A/N I just wanted to offer a very warm and grateful thank-you to all those that replied to the last chapter. It means so much to me that you guys are digging this story. It was not my intention to make anyone cry but I hope that means I'm doing an okay job with the telling of this tale. This one is a bit long and I'm not entirely happy with it… but it's gone through so many revisions I just don't have the energy to re-write it again. I hope you enjoy!
Elements of an Ill-Fated Romance:
Chapter Ten Part One: Ready for a Fall
Playlist: GoodTo you By: Mariana's Trench feat. Jessica Lee{Just FYI I have deemed this as Bonnie & Damon's theme song for this story and it will show up again before this story ends.} For the Nights I can't Remember By: Hedley
Covet: To desire something that is not rightfully yours…
When Bonnie Bennett was eleven years old her and Elena fell in love with the boy next door. It seemed so harmless at the time that two best friends should want the same guy. They were young, naïve and completely unprepared. Matt Donovan had hair as golden as the sun, eyes blue like the morning sky and a smile that could warm her heart no matter the reason. And he gave the best hugs; strong, secure meaningful embraces that she could feel days later. In her eyes Matt could do no wrong. He was perfect in every way. She had loved him as you do with most first loves, freely and without reservation. It was the kind of love that knew no bounds because it knew nothing of rejection or disappointment and blinded her to all the things that were staring her right in the face. Like the way his eyes would linger on Elena when they ate lunch together, or the way his shoulder would brush her best friend's in the halls at school. If she had taken notice, perhaps she would have been prepared on that warm summer day in the middle of June when her adolescent crush broke her heart.
Lounging around the Donovan's family pool trying to stay cool amidst the sweltering heat, she watched the boy of her dreams stumble through an awkward but no less meaningful admission of his feelings... for her best friend; asking her to be his girl. She had been hesitant to reply, checking in with Bonnie before answering. And although Elena said she never had any indication of Matt liking her that way, looking back Bonnie realized all the signs had been there. And although they both loved him, Matt had belonged to Elena since the moment they met. And the smile that graced his lips when Elena agreed to be his girlfriend was so unlike any of the smiles that he had ever thrown her way… It was more than just genuine… it was full of a quiet admiration and a grateful relief of finally getting what he always wanted. And it was then that Bonnie realized that he had always wanted Elena… right from the beginning. It shattered all those fantastical dreams that resided within her and perhaps fractured a heart that never really put itself back together.
She had learned then and there never to covet something that belonged to Elena Gilbert…
She tried to ignore the feeling of apprehension that was in the pit of her stomach as she arrived at school that morning. She had been hiding out all week. There was no other way to put it. Staying locked up in her bedroom with a severe cold as she studied the Grimoire seemed like the best way to go after her impromptu departure from the Salvatore Boardinghouse. Besides technically she was still grounded even if her father wasn't around to enforce the punishment or aid in her recovery. But being cut off from the rest of the world gave her time to read about her magic… and of course obsess over her growing feelings. But several hours and multiple cups of coffee later she was no closer to discovering why she had been able to see inside Damon's head. It seemed that for all her grandmother knew and did, there was nothing explaining the way in which her powers were manifesting. And the longer she thought about it the more frustrated she became. Because thinking about her powers meant thinking about Damon and that was one topic she couldn't necessarily get a grip on.
She's never wanted anything to do with Damon Salvatore...never given even the slightest thought to feeling anything beyond animosity and tired frustration where he was concerned... and yet... one road trip later and she's all twisted up inside and second guessing her instincts. Everything inside her told her that going down this road could lead to nothing but heartache. Because for all of his sarcastic remarks and lewd innuendoes she was certain that Damon's affections for Elena were very real. His vulgar words couldn't hide the longing looks of hope that seemed to reside in his eyes every time her best friend was in the vicinity, it was the same look that she saw in Matt's eyes that hot summer day so long ago. And she wasn't about to set herself up for the proverbial fall again. She had done that once and she liked to believe she learned her lesson. Heartaches did not fade quickly where she was concerned and she was in no rush to experience it again.
She had no design to fall victim to the charms of Damon Salvatore like her friends before her. Despite Elena's adamant protests about not having feelings for him there was no denying that she liked the attention. Being caught between two brothers seemed somewhat appealing to her best friend even if she kept denying it. But Bonnie couldn't help but feel that perhaps all of Elena's words were just that… words to convince not only the men in her life that needed her with an almost obsessed desperateness, but herself as well. And she had no desire to turn that catastrophic love triangle into a love square; which is why she had resolved not to put herself in a position where she so easily could find her heart broken.
And although she kept telling herself that she was very much content to play the role of the supportive best friend no matter what befell them all in the midst of this inevitable train wreck, it didn't help that there was an ache that had taken up residence in her chest that closely mimicked the feelings of a broken heart. She wasn't sure how to explain the emotions that were coursing through her and if she couldn't explain it to herself how could she even begin to relate the information to Elena?
This was why she had avoided her the entire day at school going so far as to even skip first period altogether. She just needed a couple of more days to get her head back in the right place and talk herself out of these insipid emotions brought on by some misplaced sympathy for a sociopathic homicidal vampire.
So she had taken to eating lunch in her car, avoiding her usual hideouts like the library and music room. It was rather pathetic. Now as she stood at her locker loading up her backpack with textbooks for the weekend she recounted how silly she must look; because she really was being silly. This was high school, and Elena was her best friend! There was absolutely no reason why she shouldn't be able to talk to her about what she was feeling...
'But you know she wouldn't understand. She claimed the Salvatores long before they even knew your name... you have no right to try and lay a claim to one now.'
That's what the little voice in her head kept saying every time she even pondered the possibility of a 'what-if'. And really she shouldn't think about 'what-if's because there was no way to justify the things that he's done; no way to reconcile all the carnage he's left in his wake. So how could she want to be with someone like that?
And yet that didn't stop her from remembering the way his hand felt on the small of her back as he led her through the forest in Maryland, or how she missed the scent of his leather jacket… which was in short his natural male scent…
Groaning she leaned back against the neighboring locker. Cupping her face into upturned palms she shook her head slightly. "Don't go there Bonnie... don't go there." She repeated softly to herself. Closing the metal door she jumped back at the sight of Stefan. Leaning his shoulder against the locker on the opposite side holding his own books in front of him he raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "Did I scare you?"
She rolled her eyes because the merriment that danced in his hazel pupils told her that is exactly what he was trying to do. "Yeah maybe you could wear a cowbell or something." She muttered. "How can I help you?"
"Haven't seen you around lately." He stated pushing himself off the row of lockers, peering down at her with those intrusive eyes.
"Yeah…I've been a little under the weather." She replied stepping around him and walking towards the exit down the hall and trying to fight the urge to groan as he fell into step beside her.
"Elena mentioned that… how are you feeling?"
She looked up briefly in his direction and the sincerity was there. That was one thing about Stefan, he was always sincere. She sighed. "Better than before but still not fully recovered; I'll probably use the rest of the weekend to regroup." She remarked stopping at the double doors. Reaching out he held it open for her as she stepped through and out into the blinding sunshine.
"So then you won't be there to help set up for the Carnival tonight?" He asked.
"Son-of-a…." She smacked her palm against her forehead and ignored the slight raise of Stefan's brow... It had completely slipped her mind about the Mystic Falls annual fund raiser. It was something different every year… this year… a carnival. She had already volunteered her services months ago; back before she knew anything of vampires or being a witch. Back when her biggest concern was making it through cheerleading practice and comforting her best friend. But now everything was different… absolutely everything. "I completely forgot." She mumbled mainly to herself. "I've just had so much on my mind lately." She exhaled noting the way he nodded in understanding.
"Right… you've had to take on a lot…finding out about vampires, being a witch…" He listed off.
She smiled truly grateful that he understood where she was coming from. "Exactly," she breathed out heavily as they made their way towards the parking lot.
"… and your growing feelings for Damon…" he continued and watched her falter in her steps as they neared her vehicle.
"Wait… what?" She shook her head trying to force a chuckle of denial but finding that it was getting stuck in her throat. "I don't have feelings for Damon."
He squinted at her in the midst of her lie and allowed his eyes to travel to her chest. "The acceleration of your heartbeat states otherwise." He smiled.
She turned to him cupping her hand over his mouth and frowned. "Shhhhh!" She admonished frantically looking around to see if anyone was listening. "Okay using your vampire tricks and mojo is completely unfair." She remarked and felt him chuckle beneath her palm. Exhaling deeply she removed her hand and stared at him.
"I just want you to be careful." He stated once his laughter had subsided.
She sighed. "I'm not… I mean I don't…" exhaling deeply she threw her head back trying to get her words together. "What I'm saying is I don't know what these feelings are or where they've come from. They may not even be mine. For all I know they are his feelings for your girlfriend." She remarked and felt regret even before the sentence was fully out of her mouth. She sighed. "I'm sorry that… I shouldn't have said that." She exhaled deeply running a hand through her hair tiredly looking at her distorted reflection in the driver's side door. "Look I know where I stand with Damon… and trust me I know with absolute certainty it's nowhere near his heart." She remarked with more regret than she wanted to feel or show.
"Is that where you want to be?" He asked.
"I just… I'm not into Damon. I won't be into Damon." And she wasn't sure if she were trying to convince herself or the man in front of her.
Cocking his head slightly he stared her down. "You know you wouldn't be the first to say that you were immune to my brother's charms. There's something darkly appealing about him. Damon has a way of getting past your defenses, and before you know it, he's found a way into your life… into your heart, and I think the reason is because he's not all bad…there are still glimmers of the man he used to be… before Katherine… before we became what we are… but you get so caught up in seeing the man he could be that you forget the things he's done… until he does them again. I just don't want you to get blindsided."
She smiles sadly. "Trust me I couldn't forget what he's done…even if I wanted to." Looking out into the emptying parking lot she sighed. Her voice is quiet… contemplative.
He nodded. "He does care about you… respects you… and that's more than most get where he's concerned." She arched an eyebrow, the doubt evident in her stare. He smiled. "I really do believe that my brother has the capacity to change. He just… he just needs a reason to."
She shook her head in amusement. "I don't know if you're pushing me towards him or warning me to stay away." She remarked honestly.
He shrugged. "I think that if there ever was a reason for him to try and be the man he once was… this right here would be it. But I don't want you to get so wrapped up in trying to save him that you forget to protect your heart Bonnie. Because we both know that him breaking it is a very real possibility, and if you're not careful… you won't even see it coming." She nodded and he cleared his throat. "Besides you and I both know you're already half in love with him anyway!" He joked slightly trying to lighten the heavy mood.
Once against she reached out and cupped her hand over his lips backing him up slightly into the side of her Prius.
"You know can we just… not… put the word 'love' in the same sentence as your brother where I'm concerned? Damon has a tendency to be everywhere and listen to everything in case you forgot." She remarked looking around as a couple of lingering students strolled to their cars all the while trying to see if said brother in question was in the vicinity.
She could feel his smile beneath her flesh. Reaching up and wrapping his fingers around her wrist he lowered her hand. "I'll make you a deal. I won't bring up anything concerning you and Damon, if you agree to come and help Elena tonight…I really think she could use you around."
"Did something happen?" She asked truly concerned. It had been a few days since they last spoke, barely communicating through a handful of text messages.
"I just think she could use some normalcy in her life right now. Jeremy has been sort of shutting her out lately and I think seeing you might do her some good."
She nodded. Since Jeremy found out how his sister had his memory erased he had been on edge, blaming Elena for things that were well out of her control. It had been hard on her since they had always been so close. He had a lot of anger inside and nowhere to place it.
"And maybe it will be good for you too… you guys can talk...confide in one another" The implication of what he was stating was clear.
"Have you said anything to her about…" she trailed off barely meeting his eyes.
"That's not really my place, is it?" He asked. "But I think you should… you don't want to have secrets between you do you?"
"Secrets… about what?" Asked Damon suddenly appearing beside them, smirking with his hands in his pockets he looked from one face to the other.
Stefan rolled his eyes and shook his head looking over at his brother. "What are you doing here?" He asked tiredly.
"Wondering what secret rendezvous I just walked in on between you and the witch over here."
His eyes flickered to Stefan's hand still wrapped around Bonnie's wrist before meeting his brother's stare. He had spotted them when he drove up, catching sight of Bonnie first as she leaned in and placed her hand over his brother's lips. He found the action misplaced and felt something like a twinge in the pit of his stomach. He watched them as they continued to speak only catching the last of Stefan's words about secrets because the sight of his brother's hand wrapped around Bonnie's wrist piqued his interest and had him speeding over to them. Looking at them now he knew that something was going on… he just wasn't sure what… but he didn't like it. Arching an eyebrow he smirked. "What would Elena think of this little moment brother?" He asked sarcastically.
"I don't know… let's ask her… Hey Elena." Stefan replied not taking his eyes off of him even as Elena joined them moments later. Folding his arms across his chest he felt Elena come up behind him.
Taking a stand beside her boyfriend she brushed her lips against his cheek in greeting and then looked at the three faces. "Hey…what's going on?" She asked shifting the backpack on her shoulder before setting her eyes on Bonnie. "Hey… how are you doing? How is your cold?"
Bonnie sighed. "Good… better."
"I'm glad. I was really worried about you. You kind of dropped off the face of the Earth and that's not like you." She observed.
Bonnie's eyes jumped to Stefan's quickly and then back to Elena not realizing that Damon was watching her the entire time.
"I was just talking with Bonnie about the carnival tonight. I thought maybe we could drive her over there, save on gas." Stefan stated easily.
"Well I have to stop at home and grab Jeremy but if you guys could go and pick up the helium tanks for the balloons on your way that would save me a trip." She stated with a smile.
"Works for me." Stefan remarked.
"Me too."
"Well not for me!" Damon finally spoke up.
And there was a silence that followed as Damon continued to stare at his younger brother not liking the way this conversation had headed. He wasn't sure why but he had this instinctual reaction of feeling that Stefan was trying to take something from him that was rightfully his… that 'something' being Bonnie… or more accurately Bonnie's time… and attention; which of course didn't make sense because the whole reason for him showing up at the school in the first place was so he could annoy Stefan and impede on his time with Elena. But the feeling remained.
Elena stood between them looking back and forth realizing that something was happening but not sure of what. "Is everything okay?"
"I'm great." Stefan smiled.
"Peachy!" Damon replied his smirk darkening and his jaw twitched.
"So then everything is good?" Elena asked looking at Damon.
His eyes lingered on Stefan's a moment longer watching him raise an eyebrow in challenge realizing that he had played right into his little brother's hands. Finally they shifted to the tall brunette at his side. "Good as sunshine!" He bit out with more sarcasm than he intended. Before he could say anything further his phone rang. Glancing down at his caller ID he frowned. "Duty calls…I'll be back." He said the words as he stepped away his eyes landing squarely on Bonnie before turning away and whispering into the phone.
She watched him, unable to hear the one sided conversation but sensing something in the way his back tensed. And then as if in a trance everything around her slowly went out of focus and darkened until all she could see was him. He drifted further and further away as though through a tunnel until he faded with the blackness. And then flames… a bright burst of orange and red came rushing at her making her inhale sharply waiting for the inevitable impact that never hit.
Elena's hand on her arm brought her back to the present and she turned to her friend with wide eyes. "You okay?"
She nodded looking to where Damon stood completely unaware, and swallowed hard ignoring the curious look from Stefan. "I was just… it's nothing. I'm fine." She cleared her throat trying to ward off the warm sensation in her fingertips, running a hand through her hair and offering a half hearted smile.
Elena's eyes remained on her for a moment longer before letting it go. "Okay… well I'm going to head out and get Jeremy."
"We'll walk with you." Stefan offered, his hand on her lower back.
"Bonnie will have to catch up with you." Damon had come back, reaching out and taking hold of her elbow to stop her from leaving. His eyes were on his brother and Elena but his grasp was firm. "We have some things we need to discuss." He remarked.
"Like what?" Elena asked furrowing her brow in confusion.
Turning to look down into Bonnie's eyes he smiled. "The art of gift giving."
Elena shook her head ready to question whatever Damon was trying to do but this time Bonnie spoke up. "I'll meet you at your car Stefan." She stated softly sensing her best friend's eyes on them.
Stefan sighed before leading his girlfriend away whispering something in her ear.
She turned to him, stepping out of his hold once they were alone. "Can those two be any more sappy?" He asked watching them walk away and rolling his eyes.
"They're in love." He shrugged as a response turning his attention fully on her
"So what were you and my brother talking about?" He asked.
She shook her head. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Something about keeping secrets… I thought secrets were our thing Bonnie."
"What did the Sheriff want?" She asked needing to change the subject. Surprising herself by knowing who was on the other end of his phone call.
He arched an eyebrow. "Someone's been playing Sabrina in her spare time." He mocked. "I thought we agreed no reading minds." He stated.
She shook her head. "I didn't…I just… I just knew." She offered lamely because that was the only explanation she had. "I'm not sure what's happening… it's almost as if my powers are… growing…or something." She looked up and he was staring at her again. "I'm not lying to you!" She defended.
"I believe you." He replied simply coming to stand in front of her and this time it was her turn to search his face because she wasn't sure if he were being serious or not. "Have you looked into it at all?" He asked.
She nodded brushing her hair away from her face in frustration. "Yeah but I haven't found anything… not that I know what I'm looking for. It's not as if the Grimoire has an index." She sighed leaning her back into her car. "I just wish my Grams were here… she would know what to do." She remarks easily not releasing her words until they are already hanging between. Looking up their eyes meet but he offers nothing… no words of apology, no utterance of regret. Not that she expects him to. She's not even sure if that's what she wants from him at this point. Sighing with agitation at her own jumbled thoughts and ramblings she drops the gaze looking away as she brings her hand to her lips biting absently on her fingernails.
"You'll figure it out." His tone is so confident that it kind of grates on her nerves like sandpaper on a chalkboard.
She snorts a sarcastic laugh. "You sure of that?"
Reaching out he pulls her hand from her lips with an ease that is incomprehensible and takes a step in her direction lessening the space between them. "I'm sure of you."
She looks down at his hand holding hers. The way the pad of his thumb is rubbing back and forth across the back of her palm causes a sensory malfunction to her brain and she can feel her heart slamming against her chest. With a slight shake of her head she pulls away and exhales deeply. "So what did the sheriff want?" She asked and watched him take a step back ever so slightly.
He shrugged. "The usual… a few dead teenagers found at the Mystic Falls border…"
"A vampire," She asked.
"Probably."
"Need back up?" She offered but he shrugs her off.
"No… I can handle it. Besides, you have BFF carnival duty. And we know you don't want to disappoint Elena."
And there is something in the way he refuses to meet her eyes that tells her he's lying. "What aren't you telling me?" She asked and when his smirk grows she knows whatever he's about to say will be the furthest thing from the truth. "There's more… I can tell."
"Nothing that you need to worry that pretty little head over okay?" He shot back reaching out to brush a few wayward curls from her cheek. She bats his hand away before he can make contact.
"Don't do that. Don't shut me out… I thought we were in this… together." She fumbles on the last word because it sounds too personal… too… intimate.
He cocks his head to the side. "Together…Is that right?" He asks and there is something in his tone that makes her swallow hard and she can feel his eyes on her, watching her, as she watches him.
"Yes together… that's what friends do… have each other's back."
He quirked an eyebrow. "Is that what we are now; friends?" And it almost sounds like a challenge as he leans a little closer into her personal space. The word seemed strange as it left his mouth and even stranger to her ears because the word doesn't seem to fit…doesn't fully describe what they are…what they are becoming. It's not love… but it is something.
Staring down into her face he followed her pupils as they traveled over his features… from the tip of his chin to his lips where they lingered for a moment longer than he expected before moving up to finally stop at his eyes. The air was charged and whether it's from her magic or something else between them he couldn't tell but he can taste the difference. Licking his lips he watches her not even sure what he wants to happen.
She's not Elena… and yet he can't deny that there is something about her… something as tempting as it is forbidden; as dark as it is pure. And even with the constant pull towards his brother's girlfriend he can't help the push that he feels whenever the witch is in his vicinity. The two feelings co-exist inside him simultaneously yet completely separate. Because even with all the emotions Elena is able to invoke within him it doesn't take away from the growing heat that is being born between him and Bonnie.
They are so different… Elena does not judge him, simply accepts him the way he is, choosing to make excuses for his violent actions and the way he lashes out. She makes him want her…want more of her just because she doesn't demand that he change. As if by standing in her presence he can absorb the goodness that's inside her.
And then there's Bonnie … Bonnie is full of high expectations and unyielding morals; not allowing him to use his broken heart as an excuse to dismantle the lives of others. She demands that he take responsibility for what he chooses to do. He's not given a free pass just because he's gotten his heart broken or an unfair deal. She doesn't make him want more… she makes him want to be more…to be better.
And it's so messed up, much like the history that is his life that he must put distance between himself and what he can't understand.
He chuckles softly, darkly. "One road trip and a few stakeouts does not a friendship make." He replied. "Besides… you don't want to be friends with someone like me."
Crossing her arms over her chest, she swallows hard because for some reason his words sound like rejection and it hurts. "Call it whatever you want, but I know that you have my back and in my book that makes you a friend…and friends don't let other friends run off into dangers unknown just so he can play the hero!"
"But don't heroes get the girl?"
"Elena doesn't need another hero." She remarked quietly.
"Who says it's Elena I'm talking about?" He asked and she can't tell if he's being serious or just messing with her head. "Besides I'm no one's hero. I'm not cut out for it."
"Now who's underestimating themselves?" She asked. "I think you're more of a hero than you give yourself credit for."
"You're just being nice to me because you ditched me on my birthday." He shot back.
"I figured with everything going on, you wouldn't even notice me leave."
"I noticed." And this time there's no playfulness to his words. He is serious and he wants her to know that.
There is a beat of silence before she pulls them back on track because she can't try and decipher what that means… not now. "Are you going to tell me what's going on or not?" She asked.
"Not." He smirked.
She smiled, shaking her head in frustration. Tucking her hand into the pockets of her cardigan she exhaled a tired sigh. "Why do you always have to make things so... complicated? Why can't you just tell me what's going on? And don't say it's nothing because we both know it's not." Watching his face she could see him debating on what to say. "I could just read your mind you know?" She threatened.
"But you won't... because you promised..." He replied holding her eyes for just a moment and they both know he's right. "Those teenagers... the ones I mentioned earlier... they may or may not have been killed by a vampire..."
"I don't understand."
"Well it's hard to tell what's killed you when you're body is ripped into several hundred pieces." His words are flippant but his tone is serious. "I'm just going to check it out... I doubt I'll find anything worth worrying about. Probably just a rogue vamp trying to make a name for himself by mutilating his victims."
"Or it could be something else..."
"...but probably isn't."
"Then let me go with you." She insisted not missing a beat.
"And ruin Stefan's plan to keep you out of my clutches... as appealing as that sounds... the answer is no."
"What do you mean the answer is no; I don't need your permission." She replied.
He groaned deeply in mild irritation. "How about this; I'm going to speak with the sheriff and look at some really gruesome autopsy photos right now... if I see anything that even resembles something that might be a real threat I'll swing by the carnival and get you. How does that sound?" He asked and could see her refusal in the darkening hue of her green eyes. "Besides you don't want to worry Elena and Stefan do you?"
Biting her lower lip she shook her head. "That's low...even for you."
He shrugged without a hint of remorse. "But effective. And believe me, as flattered as I am that you would ditch my over-brooding brother and Elena just to play the Harlequin to my Joker, I really don't think it's necessary."
And she should be insulted that he's comparing their relationship to a dark, co-dependent dual existence of two of the most diabolical villains in comic book universe but strangely enough she finds it somewhat fitting.
"So you're calling me insane?" The smile tugs at her lips.
"I'm saying that I'm slowly but surely corrupting you." He shot back and there is something in his eyes that makes the statement sound explicit. "And maybe... you're a little insane." He smiled. "So deal?"
And there is a heaviness that settles in the pit of her stomach because she has such a bad feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong... but one look in his eyes and she's agreeing with him. "Fine... but if there is anything, that looks suspicious... " She began when he cut in.
"I'll come and get you." He replied crouching slightly to look into her eyes.
She nods and before she can offer up any other words Stefan is honking his horn and breaking the mood. Looking over his shoulder he watches his brother coast up to them in his car. "Seems your driver awaits."
She watches him take a step back and the air that was so charged between them turns cold without his presence. She nods lifting her backpack further up on her shoulder. "Yeah..." Shifting her weight from one foot to the other she doesn't move to leave. "You know… there's going to be skee ball at the carnival…" The hesitance in her tone makes her want to cringe but she feels as if there is something more that should be said between them. As if their time is running out… Looking up she can see the surprise in the rise of his eyebrows but recovers quickly.
"You looking for a rematch, Bennett?" He asked and the smile on his lips is genuine.
Lifting one shoulder, she lets it fall haphazardly back down in a noncommittal gesture. "Sure… I'd like another shot at that leather jacket."
"And what do I get if I win?" He asked softly.
"What do you want?" And she watches his eyes drop to her lips before meeting her eyes again, the indication clear.
She wants to respond but he has stolen the very air from her lungs without saying a word and she knows then… in that moment… it is too late… whatever walls she has tried to build to keep her feelings in check have crumbled at her feet… all her resolute promises to keep her hands off of all things that belong to Elena are thrown to the wind. Because as certain as she is that Damon would follow her best friend to the very ends of the Earth… she's starting to realize there's no place she wouldn't go for him. And it's a scary thought because she knows this somehow will break her heart… he's not hers…
Stefan honks the horn again breaking the spell. She steps back. "I'll see you tonight."
Stepping around him she barely gets three steps out of reach when she feels his fingers on her elbow. The coolness of his flesh seeps through the thin material of cotton and makes her shiver. Looking over her shoulder she watches him as he seems to be struggling with his words. "About my birthday... the taffy..." And he's asking silently:
'Why?'
"It was nothing…." She says… when what she really means is:
'Because you're stealing my heart.'
He nods. "Thank you." And those two words are soaked in a sense of gratitude that he doesn't have the courage to say.
"Your welcome."
He smiled before pulling back allowing her arm to fall to her side once again. "Next year maybe you could spring for a whole box."
Shaking her head she takes the steps to Stefan's car backwards keeping her eyes on him. "Don't forget what I said… This town doesn't need another fallen hero." She calls to him one last time before ducking into Stefan's car. She watches him through the passenger window as he makes his way to his own vehicle, and with each step she feels as if he's drifting away… drifting into a darkness that he won't be able to come back from…
…but that won't stop her from going after him!
To be Continued…