Author's Note- Hey! Thank you so, so much for everyone who reviewed, followed and favourited! It means so much! Seriously! I love getting feedback, especially long reviews, but who doesn't! The longer, the better I always say. You guys rock! Anyway, some notes before I go on. First, I'm going to try to go off of season 4, episode 10, After School Special, as close as possible, so if you go hey, that sounds familiar, yeah it is. I'm going to put them in bold so it's not overly confusing. There's a few parts I like from the episode that I want to use. I also feel like I should apologise for how boring this chapter is going to be, I mean if you've seen the episode, you'll know what's coming. But I'm adding my own flavour, with Eric, and Elena and all that drama.
A lot of you thought Damon should tell Klaus about the stake, and them wanting to kill one of his siblings. I wasn't going to add that, I imagine Klaus not taking the news well, but I figure, I could add it. Doesn't change my plotline. Though some of your other suggestions go against my plotline, and I hate to upset anyone though. So I'm going to apologize now.
Chapter 5- Love is a Fickle Mistress
Hey Damon... It's Elena. Again. I hope it's okay that Stefan gave me your new number. You never got back to me about our dinner plans. I know you're busy with Jer, and I appreciate everything you are doing for him. For all of us. But I'm free tomorrow after Carol Lockwood's service at the school, and I was wondering if tomorrow at 7 works for you. Let me know-"
Damon paused the voicemail, not wanting to hear the last of it. It had been three days, and after pondering the events that transpired the night he ended up in this hellhole, he decided against seeing Elena. There was something wrong, with Elena. With Stefan. Elena was constantly harassing him with text messages. And voicemails. Meanwhile his brother actively avoided him, not giving him the time of day. Maybe speaking two words to him since he left the Gilbert lake house.
Was all this due to the night that transpired between them the night he left? Maybe he needed to sit them both down, and explain to both of them the year he spent away from Mystic Falls. How he ended up drunk, on a deserted highway in Louisiana only to be found by a man he'd been with for over 50 years. And how he let go, and let Eric take him. Hard. Against a tree.
Okay maybe he could leave that part out. But tell them how he got back together with the viking. How he pieced his heart back together, and how, thanks to Elena rejecting him that night, he was able to find his way back to Eric.
Most importantly, he should tell his brother he was done chasing Elena. She was all his.
"Alright, go ahead. Make a move,"
He looked ahead of him, to see little Gilbert and Quarterback still training. Maybe he would take Elena's offer of dinner- he needed to escape Camp nowhere. Anything was better than watching the little hunter that could- couldn't. What was his brother doing all this time with Jeremy? Teaching him how NOT to kill a vampire. One would think coming from a line of mystical hunters, one would actually be good at hunting them.
He moved away from the water, and walked up the deck toward his present company.
"I drove up here to be your wingman, not kick your ass."
Damon rolled his eyes at Matt's remark, as he watched, a bit impressed when Jeremy easily grabbed Matt, flipping him over, and onto the ground, pulling his arm what looked quite painfully behind his back.
Maybe there was still hope for little Gilbert.
"Okay I get it, I get it. You're a badass." Matt laughed, Jeremy smiling at him before letting go, helping him up from the ground.
Jeremy turned to acknowledge him as he took a seat on top of the picnic bench. "Did you see that?"
The smugness, and pride that lingered in the little hunter's eyes was uncalled for. Sure, he could take down a human. "You couldn't miss it. It was in slow motion."
Little GIlbert's face fell, and he felt slightly guilty but the bitter disdain that replaces it makes him bored again. "Then teach me something useful. We've been here for days, and so far, all you've done is bark orders while playing with your girlfriend, and texting non-stop,"
His eyes narrow, how many times does he have to repeat Lydia is not his girlfriend? If Jeremy wanted to test his nerves, and his abilities, then he'd prove to the little hunter that couldn't, he has a long way to go. "Okay"
He slid off the picnic bench, turning to face the bag that sat next to him, filled with various weapons, and stakes. He grabbed a random one, throwing it into the air and catching it as he turned toward his pupil.
"Take a seat at the bench quarterback, Karate Kid wants a shot at the title," He said, motioning for Matt to take a seat at the picnic bench.
Matt didn't move, instead pulling off one of his boxing pads and turning to face little Gilbert. "Jeremy, you're not ready for this,"
He scoffed, glad someone here knows their limits. He tossed the stake to Jeremy, who catched it, moving into a fighting stance while twirling the stake between his fingers.
Showoff.
"Well," He mocked, raising his hands up in the air, not showing an inclination he was about to move anytime soon.
He smirked as Jeremy came charging after him, the movement obvious, and slow. At the last second he moved, grabbing hold of Elena's little brother, and pulling him into his chest, his hand firmly wrapped around his neck. "Now, all I have to do is apply a little pressure on your jaw."
His fingers dug into the underside of Jeremy's jaw, and he squirmed, trying to move away from the pain, but he doesn't let go, even when Jeremy digs his fingers into his arm.
He hears a familiar car engine, only to see a dark blue, slightly beat up pickup truck pull up to the side of the house with a Lakeside Pizza sticker plastered on the side of it. He leaned over to look at Jeremy, giving him a questioning look. "Really? Again?"
Little Gilbert kept tapping him on the arm, and he finally let go, studying the young, blond girl who came walking out from in front of the pickup truck with a sizable pizza box in her hands, giving Jeremy an appreciative smile.
"Double pepperoni, three days in a row. You guys eat anything else?"
He moved in a flash, so he was standing behind the pizza delivery girl, appreciating the light blonde colour of her hair. "Why? Are you offering?
She wiped around to stare at him in shock, but her gaze wavers as he smiles wickedly down at her. The colour reminded him of Eric's hair. And his blue eyes.
He shook the thought out of his mind as he dramatically pulled out a stack of folded bills from his leather jacket pocket, passing it to the girl. "That's something extra to cut off the pizza pipeline for a couple a days. No matter how much they beg, don't come back."
She glances at the hundred dollar bills, and back at him for a moment before giving him a huge smile as she turned to face the two boys.
"Sorry, guys."
He smirked, glad she took the bait as she walked back to her car, and slowly pulled away.
"What? You're going to starve us now?"
He snorted, tempted to reply that only winners get pizza. But he stopped himself. "If that's what it takes to make you into a hunter. Now, run around the lake... twice."
Jeremy didn't reply, just took off running, glaring at him as he passed. He looked over at quarterback, giving him an expectant look. "Keep him company,"
"I don't have to listen to you,"
"You do if you want to eat,"
Matt snarled at him, throwing his boxing pads to the ground and took off running after Jeremy. He smiled, making his way into the Gilbert lake house, putting the box of pizza on the circular wooden table in the kitchen before he made his way back to the living room.
He jumped slightly as his phone vibrated softly against his thigh, and he wiped it out, as he fell onto the nearby couch, laying down to stare at the white ceiling, closing his eyes.
"You're up early,"
"It's nearly sunset," Eric replied. He was surprised not to hear some sub genre of metal in the background and he wondered if Eric was in their bedroom. "I have some business to take care of here, and then I'm off to see the Queen. The magistrate is here, and wishes to speak to all the sheriffs,"
It never failed to make him laugh when Eric called himself a sheriff, and he convulsed into a dark chuckle- an image conjured up of Eric in some ridiculous western costume came to mind, with a cowboy hat and all.
"It's weird to hear you call yourself Sheriff. Your entire vampire subculture is confusing. I still don't understand how you're sheriff, but Sophie Anne is Queen. She's younger than you. A lot of the royals are. Why aren't you king?"
"It's not about age Damon, it can be, but honestly it is those who seek power. Or those who truly believe in the vampire authority, and the friendly coexistence of vampires and humans. I'm neither. I don't play well with others, and the title does not appeal to me. But it does not matter anyhow, being given the title of monarch has been decided for the Queens and Kings long ago. Honestly vampire monarchism has superseded the vampire authority. Sophie Ann has been Queen since the French took control of Louisiana or La Louisiana named after King Louis XIV of France in 1682. She was few among the first vampires who immigrated to the colonies, and the vampire authority saw her fit to rule the area. Though the Spanish and Great Britain took the colony a century later after the seven years war- though what is today Louisiana was ceded to the Spanish. Then sold to the United States, and made a state in 1812. I think you know the rest of Louisianian history, being in the civil war for the south. She controlled a vast amount of land centuries ago, but now it's less land, but more humans, and more vampires. Either way, I can't see her giving up her territory for anything. From her stories, she wasn't keen on giving up her territory when the humans continuously carved it up and sold it to different countries.* But vampire monarchism traditionally follows that of human civilization, as usually the monarchies that are established, are by vampires who traditionally come from the area itself," Eric lectured, and he stifled a yawn.
"Jee wiz Professor Northman, is there going to be a quiz after?" He quipped sarcastically.
"You know, many would find my vast knowledge of human and vampire civilization fascinating as I've lived first hand through much of it,"
"Good thing I'm pretty," He teased, hearing the viking snort indignantly. "If she meets the true death though, would you replace her? Or one of the other sheriffs?"
"No, usually they choose one who has strong, and old ties to the area, and one they see will make a loyal ally to the Authority. Though sometimes they choose one who is well known in the area, and respected as the King of Mississippi was in the prohibition era. If I ever wanted to be King, I'd be King of Sweden. I've only been in the Americas since 1800s, and I've never stayed. Not long enough to qualify anyway. You know of my fondness for Europe,"
"I do. Remember the forties? Those were good days. I miss fascism. And World War. Ah the bodies. The blood. The mayhem." He could vividly remember the forties as if they were yesterday. Eric, in the iconic Nazi Schutzstaffel officers uniform, that made him look so deliciously dangerous. He still has his own officers uniform, but he posed as an Italian soldier, and their blue uniforms were nothing compared to the Germans. He gave credit to Hugo Boss, he knew how to make a well crafted, and sexy uniform. "So why have you called me Eric? I hope it's not just to inform me of your bizarre vampire laws. Usually you and I just text. It's been nonstop for two days now. Miss hearing my voice?"
"I just thought I'd check in, see how you were. I admit, I do miss the warmth of your body next to mine in our bed," He knew the feeling all too well, he missed the chill of Eric's body wrapped around his. "How is your pupil. May I say, again, training a human to kill vampires goes against every fibre of my being,"
"Usually I'd agree with you, but it's for the cure. For my brother. For the scooby members who want to be human again,"
"Do you have any desire to be human again?"
"Do you?" He deflected, angry that Eric would ask such a ridiculous question. "Of course I don't. I like being immortal. I like being a vampire,"
"You once wished to be human, when we first met. You'd be able to have children, and age,"
He cursed Eric's eidetic memory, wishing the viking didn't remember the weak, pathetic mess he was in the twenties. He was a shell of the great vampire he was now.
"And die? In like forty years. No thanks. Why would I want children? I have you."
"But with the human emotions you possess, I would gather being human again is a tempting thought. There would be no more blood lust," Eric pressed, and he was beginning to wonder if the viking actually wanted him to become a human.
"I happen to enjoy the blood lust, thank you. You taught me how to enjoy my immortality, how to enjoy being a vampire. If I was human, I'd age, and you'd stay the same. And let's face it, you'd leave me after ten years because I'd start to become wrinkly, and old. You wouldn't be my Edward, to my Bella,"
"I wouldn't be Edward period. Sparkling? Really?" He laughed at the thought. "And of course I'd stay with you Damon if being human is what you desired. I'd even let you have a wife, and children if that is what you wished. Or for me to leave you,"
"I'd only want you Eric," He said, a thought occurred to him. "Would you consider taking the cure?"
For a long moment, neither said a word, and he wondered if he'd offended the viking, though he couldn't imagine how. It was a legitimate question. If Eric considered being human again, he'd reconsider. Growing old, and dying with Eric didn't sound like the worst thing in the world.
"Being human is something I've never considered. When I faced death, Godric gave me the choice, and I chose to leave my humanity behind. And I have never regretted that decision. But you. You never got a choice. Vampirism was thrusted upon you, guilt tripped by your brother who all but abandoned you in his bloodthirst, as did your maker," Eric paused, and Damon realized this was the first time he'd heard of Eric's transition in some detail. "Besides, the cure is of magic. And though magic can affect us vampires, as it does your kind, I have doubts it would have any effect upon me. From the stories, the cure was made for immortality which was created by magic. As is your vampirism, unlike my own which, if you believe the word of the true vampire bible, Lilith the first vampire of my kind was created by God. Not magic. And vampires have sought after a cure since before my time, and none have ever been able to conceive one, even by witches. Even if we were able to take a cure, we'd surely perish. My kind does not have the same human anatomy anymore. We have no use for a stomach, lungs, liver, kidney, so it becomes unusable,"
"There's a vampire bible?" He said, bewildered. But then, another question came to mind. "Wait, how do you know so much about the cure?"
"It's an old wives tale. There was a story of a powerful witch named Silas, who created an immortality spell with his friend, another witch in order to be with his one true love. Though after taking it, his witch friend got jealous, and murdered his true love before he was able to make her immortal. Now, cursed to live an eternity without his true love, he creates a cure, but before he can take it, his former friend buries him, and the cure to rot for all eternity. He's believed to be the first immortal being, but as we both know, that is incorrect. I know vampires older than Silas, hell, Godric would be around his age if he existed." Eric explained.
"Do you know anything about the vampire hunters then? And the mark?"
"Now you want access to my vast knowledge,"
"Yes! Shut up. This is important. I know little about any of this,"
"Fine," Eric sighed, before he continued. "From what I know, Silas' former friend, Qetsiyah, created the other side for supernatural creatures, to trap Silas in limbo for eternity without his true love, that's why she buried him with the cure. But he never took it, instead choosing to desiccate I suppose, so her descents created the brotherhood of the five, a group of vampires, with a mark that would lead to the cure, and Silas. Once completed, by slaying vampires, they would be lead to his grave, and their duty was to shove the cure down Silas throat, and murder him. But from what I heard from my sister Nora, from rumors from the Vampire authority, they attempted to subdue the entire Original vampire line but were unable to destroy Niklaus, and he slaughtered their entire line. Until now, I assumed the brotherhood of the five was all but dead, and there was no way for anyone to find Silas' body. Though now I suppose this is untrue."
"Yeah. I guess so. Not that I can see this mark, so who knows if any of this is true. But Jeremy does possess more strength, and heightened reflexes, but does he know how to use any of it? No. Looks like the brotherhood of the five has really failed since a couple of centuries ago if Jeremy is a candidate." He snorted, wondering how Jeremy Gilbert out of anyone, was destined to be a hunter.
"Is it that bad?"
"Worse. I have no idea how I'm ever going to complete my promise to Klaus. Jeremy is not going to be ready in a week."
"I do not understand why you'd offer your assistance to Niklaus anyway,"
"What other choice did I have? Elijah didn't give me specifics, and I knew if my brother was in trouble- trouble is always Klaus. Besides case in point, Klaus just killed Tyler's mother because he betrayed him. I'm my brother's only living relative, and Klaus wouldn't hesitate to use me. Or kill me. And I didn't want that, or for him to hurt you, or anyone else because of my brother,"
"I can protect myself Damon and you, my strength is nothing compared to theirs,"
"I know. But I wasn't risking anyone. It was just easier to come back,"
He heard Eric outwardly sigh."Damon, I've let this charade go on long enough, and honestly I can't tell if you are blatantly lying to me, or yourself too, but we both know why you are there. And it's not because of Niklaus, or your brother,"
"What?"
"It's because of Elena,"
How many times did he have to tell Eric he didn't want Elena?
"Not this again. I do NOT want Elena. She broke my heart. She chose my brother,"
"Exactly. You loved her Damon, and a part of you always will. You heard danger, and you ran back to protect her,"
He didn't have to see Eric, to know the viking was hurt. They'd been here before with Katherine all those years ago. He hated himself for the amount of grief he put the blond through, but he wished he'd trust him. He didn't want Elena. Or Katherine. Or any other doppelgänger. What he had with Eric was all he needed.
"I love you Eric. Not her. I didn't come back for her," He pleaded.
"I believe you love me Damon, but I think you also have to face the conflicting feelings you have for her. She closed the door on your relationship, not you. And that pains you. And though I do not think you want her anymore, you want closure. And that's fine Damon, it's to be expected. You haven't seen her since she broke your heart that night, when she told you over the phone, while you both thought you'd meet the true death that she loved your brother." Eric said, and Damon couldn't stop the distressing thought of why Eric bothered with him. "Like I told you the first night in Fangtasia, you need to figure out who your heart belongs to."
"It's yours Eric. Always yours,"
"And mine will always be yours."
Hearing Eric say that made him smile, but a small part of him bated at him, that he didn't deserve it. "Then know Elena means nothing,"
"Your words would be more credible if you weren't in her lake house, training her brother how to hunt vampires for a cure, that likely she will take to be human again." Eric sighed again, and his guild festered. "But it does not matter, I trust you to figure this out Damon, and come back to me,"
"So… does that mean I should take up Elena's offer to have dinner with her tomorrow?"
"Do whatever you think is necessary. Besides, she's with your brother, is she not?"
He bit his lip, wondering if he should tell Eric his suspicions.
"I'm not sure,"
"What?"
"I think so. But there's something wrong. Elena is acting...off. She agreed to my plan too quickly. I caught her trying to slap my brother, and it's clear there's something bothering them. And Jeremy and Matt have been suspiciously quiet when I mention them, and what's happened this year. There's a secret everyone is keeping from me, but I don't know what."
"Maybe she's in love with you, and broke up with your brother,"
He couldn't help himself as he snorted, which resulted in him laughing.
"Ha funny Eric. You didn't hear her. She loves my brother. Forever and for always. They'd never break up. It's most likely due to the cure, or something. Maybe it's about Ric,"
"I nearly forgot about your departed friend. How are you dealing with that?"
"I went to his grave last night when I couldn't fall asleep. We had a drink, or I had a drink, and set one on his tombstone. I miss him, but I'm glad he's gone. He'd hate to be a vampire, that would be worse to him than death,"
"I would have liked to meet him. He sounds interesting for a human. How one could forgive someone for turning their wife. It's quite fascinating." He wondered what Alaric would think of Eric. If they would get along. Alaric was a hunter, which Eric despised. And Eric was a thousand year old other vampire, a species of vampire Ric hadn't even heard of. It would have been interesting, to say the least. "Did you ever have romantic feelings for him?"
"For Ric, no way. He's a little old, or young for me? Not my type. See I have a thing for blond thousand year old viking vampires. And surprise surprise, there's few of those,"
"We are in short supply,"
He smiled, his ears perking up as he heard the screen door open, and he glanced over to see Matt and Jeremy walk into the lake house, covered in sweat. He wrinkled his nose, narrowing his eyes, they were back early. He saw Jeremy mouth where's the pizza and he pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
"Well it's a good thing I found the sexiest of them all. And maybe when I come home, said viking can fuck me so hard into the mattress I forget this horrible week,"
"I think that can be arranged…" Eric chuckled, and in the background he heard a door open and Pam's irritating voice in the distance. He ignored them as they spoke in old Swedish as he reached for his stash of bourbon that sat on the coffee table, pouring himself a glass. "Pam wishes to speak with you," Eric said in English, and he rolled his eyes as he heard the phone being passed off.
"Damon?"
"Pam," He said flatly.
"How's Lydia? You better be looking after her," Pam snarled at him, of course that's what she wanted.
"I miss you too," He retorted in a simpering voice.
"I mean it. She's my favourite. Kill her, and I'll kill you,"
"I know."
"Oh and if you go back with that skank doppelgänger, it won't be Eric who destroys you, it will be me,"
"I love you too Pam," He said, with false affection.
"I'm serious. You will face the true death,"
"Elena means nothing to me Pam. I'll be back before you know it,"
His attention was drawn elsewhere for a moment as he watched little hunter, and quarterback coming back into the living room with their box of what he could only imagine held luke warm pizza as they made their way back to the rear door.
"Eugh maybe you should just stay there," Pam's voice brought him back into the conversation.
"Aw Pam, you know just what to say to make a guy feel special. I can't wait to see you too," He goaded, his voice a few pitches higher to overemphasize the sentiment he was mocking.
Quarterback and little Gilbert raised their eyebrows at him, and he waved them off with a hand. They snickered at him as they went back outside. They'd run more laps after he got off the phone he decided.
"Fuck off Damon. But seriously, Eric may seem to you like he's fine, but he's hurting. He took you back Damon, and he loves you, more than anything. And if you break his heart, again, I will find you, and skin you alive. And then your cunt of a girlfriend."
"I would expect nothing less,"
"Good," Pam snarled, and he heard the phone being passed off again.
"I do apologize for Pam, you know loyal she is," Eric said, that was an understatement he thought.
"Your the one I want Eric, not her. If you want, you can come to Mystic Falls. Might make this week go by faster," He suggested.
"Maybe I'll come pick you up at the weeks end, and we came make a road trip of it. Eat out for awhile. And have sex without any distractions,"
"Now you're talking. Can we make it a month long road trip. And maybe go to France. Or Italy. Or Sweden, I'd be okay with going to your farm in Öland Feast on foreign blood. I miss the taste of Europeans."
"I do too. Southern blood just isn't the same" Eric said thoughtfully, and he licked his lips, tasting it already. "You're the only one who I know likes my farm in Öland"
He didn't quite understand Pam's hatred for the property. The weather wasn't always ideal, the woman was used to warmer nights, and little snow, unlike Öland which had milder, and colder weather. But it was beautiful all the same. It was a massive property spanning a couple kilometres, with a large farmhouse on the property, which overlooked the Baltic sea.
"It has a distinct feel of you. It's quaint, and by the sea. And still has some semblance of viking ancestry to it. It almost smells of you,"
"And how do I smell to you Damon,"
"Like the ocean in the winter. And you feel just as cold."
"Hm," Eric said fondly. "I wish you could have seen it when I was just a boy. It's beauty is nothing compared to what it used to be. There were less people, and no tourists. It was just open fields, and friends. My family."
"I'd like to have seen you as a viking. I imagine you this powerful being, with long blond hair, and a beard, covered in thick furs, and a horned helmet,"
The sound Eric made was one of pure disgust, and he inwardly laughed. "Vikings did not wear horned helmets. I swear, humans have gotten our ancestry wrong for the past few centuries. We wore iron helmets, but with no horns. There is no practical use for horns Damon. And my people were well kept, not dirty, and unclean, and unshaven like those drawn in your history books. My hair is the length that is now, but I used to keep it held back, so it would not shield my eyes from an attack from an enemy. Though we did wear furs, that part you have gotten correct. And I was a powerful, when my father was slaughtered by those werewolves, he gave me the title of King. And though I did not hold it long, it is still something I am quite proud of, though I wish I'd had my fathers crown, instead of being stolen by those werewolf bastards. And their master,"
"You always fall for that. I know you didn't wear horned helmets Eric. Though if anyone could pull one off, it would be you," He teased, though quickly he turned serious again. "We'll find those werewolves someday Eric. I promise. We may not have been able to find them during operation werewolf in world war II, but we will find them again. And we'll slaughter them all. And their leader. You shall get your revenge, and we'll find your crown, and when we do, I'll fuck you on your throne, while you wear nothing but your crown, my king,"
"That is something I'd enjoy far more than you imagine,"
"Anything to please my liege,"
All he could hear on Eric's end was a soft growl. "I must go before I fly there, and fuck you into oblivion,"
It was his turn to growl, hundreds of possibilities flashing through his dirty mind. "I say skip your little meeting with the magistrate and come fuck me. He's a creep anyway. The lingering stares at my ass. The constant remarks of being called an abomination whore. For someone who thinks me, and my entire vampire line are disgusting parasites who are a loathsome stain on vampirism, he sure has the inner desire to fuck me on the nearest piece of furniture,"
"I don't think you realize how much effect you have on others. You're a stunning creature Damon Salvatore. There's a uniqueness to you. I've never seen another human, vampire or any other supernatural creature with the shade of blue your eyes have. Or rigidity of your cheekbones. And your ass is quite pleasing,"
"Baby I know it!" He said confidently, but a blush dusted his cheeks all the same. "You're the only one who gets to be anywhere near, or inside of my glorious ass,"
"And I love having the privilege,"
"You better."
"I must be going Damon. I'll text you later?"
"Maybe sext later?"
"Goodbye Damon,"
"Bye Eric,"
He heard the viking laugh as their line was disconnected, seeing he'd received a new text message, and his guilt came rushing back.
Message Received: 8:30pm
From: Elena Gilbert
Please call me, or text me back Damon. I want to see you. Did I do something? I bought your favourite bottle of vintage bourbon, just for the occasion.
Stefan shrugged off Rebekah's grip on his arm as they made their way into the library of Mystic Falls high school. He was satisfied having a day to himself at the Mystic Grill, drinking away his sorrows. It was practically a Salvatore family tradition. But no, someone undaggered Rebekah and now she was threatening the life of his ex girlfriend. And as much as he wanted to stay, and let Elena deal with the Original herself, he knew this was his fault. He'd conspired against her with her own brother and Elena didn't deserve to face the consequences. All for the cure.
Besides, a part of him would always love Elena, and that part of him would do anything to keep her safe, and happy. Even if that meant giving her up to his brother. But he'd prefer Elena choose between them once she was fully human again.
As they moved further into the library, past a few bookshelves, he noticed Caroline, Elena and April sitting around a circular wooden table in the middle of the library.
That answers who undaggered Rebekah he thought as he his eyes lingered on April for a moment. He knew from Caroline while they're was the whole disaster with the hybrids, she'd thought she compelled April after she found her 'dead' in the girls bathroom after having her neck snapped by Tyler's werewolf friend Hayley, only to find out later she was wearing Jeremy's vervain bracelet. She must have heard of the location of Rebekah's body, and undaggered her. April had no idea who her friend really was, he felt a little sorry for the girl being dragged into this mess unknowingly.
"Stefan" Elena exclaimed, jumping up, a worried expression plastered on her beautiful face. For a brief moment a part of him glimmered with hope, but Rebekah quickly took his mind away from it.
"Did I say you could move?"
Elena's face fell, and she begrudgingly sat back down.
"Class is in session. You've all been compelled; you know the rules. Answer my
questions honestly, no disobedience, no one leaves. April, my sweet, take notes. This is how you get answers in this town." Rebekah nattered on, he barely listened as he took a seat in the only vacant chair next to Elena, and across from April. He watched as the girl scurried to find a notebook and a pen from her bag. "Let's start with a little quiz. In the year 1114, my brother learnt, thanks to yours truly, about a brotherhood of vampire hunters with tattoos that grew with each kill. These tattoos revealed what, Elena?"
Elena didn't even turn to acknowledge Rebekah, instead staring right in front of her, a sigh escaping her lips. "A map."
"Which led to... Caroline?" Rebekah continued.
"A cure for vampirism."
"Perfect, so we're all caught up. Stefan Salvatore, the last time we saw each other, you had a vampire hunter, but in order to decode the map, you needed the location of the hunter's sword, which you got out of me using some very dirty tricks." She paused, smiling at him for the briefest instant. For all the atrocities he'd done to her, she still had some semblance of feelings for him. He wished in this occasion Rebekah could be Elena. "Assuming you found the sword, you also found the cure, and yet, you're all still vampires, which means something went wrong."
No one spoke up as Rebekah turned to face April "What are you doing?"
April looks perplexed as she stared at Rebekah, and back at her notebook. "Oh, you asked me to take notes."
"I wasn't being literal, darling. But now that you mention it... a flow chart would be nice, which means index cards and push-pins. Go, fetch." Rebekah teased, clearly wanting the girl to leave the room so she could torture them without the judging eyes of her only friend.
April nodded once, before scampering away.
"You're wasting your time. We don't know anything." He spat, wanting to get Rebekah's interrogation over with.
Rebekah began to take a turn around the table, her eyes never leaving his. "So, you just gave up? I thought you would do anything to save Elena?" There was a pause as a wicked gleam sparkled in the blond Original's eye. "Even if it meant taking the cure yourself, so you could grow old and die with her?"
There was a deafening silence as he flinched, regretting ever telling Rebekah his plan with the cure. She didn't know the heartbreak he'd recently been through. The fact that Elena no longer loved him. That there was no possibility of a future, because Elena will or has already, proclaimed her love for Damon, and his brother has taken the girl he'd been coveting for 3 years with open arms. There was no possibility of anything else.
"Why do you look so surprised?"
It took him a moment to realize the blond vampire was speaking to Elena. His eyes met hers, and his heart constricted as he saw the flurry of emotions flash over her face. Surprise. Guilt. Sadness. Guilt again. And then sadness. She tried to smile at him, but the curve of her lips couldn't be forced upward, and she chose to look at her fingers instead.
He needed a drink.
"I'm missing something. What is it?"
The secrecy continued, and his eyes darted to Caroline who looked devastated for all of them. It was clear she couldn't continue sitting in the stillness.
"They broke up, okay?!"
Caroline smiled sadly at him before glaring at the Original. "Now let us go."
"Broke up? Wait, I'm confused. I thought Elena was your epic love, Stefan?"
There was a clear amusement in her words, as she gracefully took a seat across from him in April's vacant chair, her focus entirely on him. He didn't answer, instead staring straight ahead, pondering how much bourbon he had left at home.
"I asked you what happened. You have to tell me." Rebekah exclaimed, an almost whine pouring from her lips.
He sighed, crossing his arms as we willed the heartbreak not to encompass his face. He would not show his inner turmoil. Not now. Not to Elena. And especially not to Rebekah. "She's in love with my brother,
Damon leaned against the rickety picnic bench that sat outside of the Gilbert lake house, near the dock, as he watched Jeremy load a 9mm with wooden bullets. They'd been doing this for almost a half an hour, and he'd almost rather have vervain soaked needles poked in his eyeballs instead of watching little Gilbert load a gun in slow motion. There was no way he'd be able to load a gun before a vampire caught his scent, and ripped him to shreds.
But he'd lie to make him feel better.
"Good," He began to unload the weapon, tossing him back the magazine while the bullets rolled back toward Jeremy. " Now, do it like your life depends on it, 'cause it does."
"Don't act like you care about my life." Jeremy exclaimed, jumping up from his spot as he came charging toward him. "You only care about your own ass. And having the hunter's mark completed so you can run home to your girlfriend in Louisiana."
Girlfriend?
Oh how wrong that assumption was. At least Matt and Jeremy stopped calling Lydia his girlfriend, though he was still perplexed on how they came to the conclusion his boyfriend was his girlfriend.
"Both require you to be alive." He said simply, not bothering to correct the little hunter. "Which is why I updated our relationship status to 'it's complicated.' " He teased, Jeremy just stared at him disapprovingly. Little Gilbert never appreciated his sarcasm. "Speaking of women, have you talked to her at all? Elena?"
"Maybe. Why?" Jeremy asked, his eyebrows narrowing. "Leaving your girlfriend for my sister?"
He snorted, as he leaned forward and placed his hands on the picnic bench as he let out a short laugh. He'd been asked this earlier from Matt when he inquired about Elena. Was everyone being hostile toward him because they thought he'd come back for Elena Gilbert. Even his so called girlfriend Eric thought so.
"I'm sorry. Did I interrupt play time?
Ah captain buzzkill, right on time he thought bitterly as he watched Klaus approached them, with his shit eating grin, and cocky swagger. He'd give anything to see Eric take on Klaus, and rip his fucking head off, so Klaus could for once in his life fear for the immortality that made him so undeniably overconfident.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jeremy snarled, puffing out his chest as if Klaus should fear him, and his new hunter abilities. Not that he had any of course. Though he supposed the only thing Jeremy had that kept him protected from Klaus' wrath was the mark that they currently hadn't made any bigger.
"I'm simply appreciating the sights and smells of nature," Klaus drawled as he kept coming toward them, his face falling into his usual bored grimace as he inspected the area. "Neither of which presently include rotting vampire flesh, so I'm a bit concerned. How many vampires has he killed?"
He sighed. He hadn't expected to see Klaus at all, he figured the hybrid would be too busy with other things to bother with him. "If we throw Jeremy out into the real world right now, he's chum."
Klaus shook his head at him, a mock disproving look directed at him, as if he was being scolded by a parent. There was a clear darkness in the hybrid's eyes behind the playfulness though. "Yeah, see, that's not a number. Twelve—that's a number. That's how many of my hybrids I slaughtered with my sword. Three—that's how many days it took to quell the urge to kill your brother after he knowingly watched as I walked into a death trap." He smirked at the thought, Jeremy and Matt had filled him on the events of the past week. Too bad Tyler didn't succeed, then Klaus would be in a box, desiccating, and far away from terrorizing him and the residents of Mystic Falls. "One—that's the number of purposes you serve. You are here to grow Jeremy's mark, so I'll ask again…" Klaus came toward him, Jeremy moved right out of the way and stood between them as Klaus halted inches away from him now. "How many vampires has he killed since he's been here?"
There was that smile again and a dark part of him itched to punch the hybrid in the face. "Zero." He replied, giving Klaus his own smart ass smile.
"That's a pity." He shrugged at the Original, not giving a damn about what Klaus wanted. He promised a week. He still had three days left. "I'm going to need that cure sooner rather than later. Hybrid shortage and all. How can I help?"
He paused looking down at the abandoned 9mm pistol sitting on the picnic bench, and a thought came to him. It was his turn to smile as he picked up the the gun's casing and already loaded magazine.
"You know, now that you mention it…" He said, shoving the magazine in the bottom of the handle, hearing the familiar click as it was loaded. He switched off the safety, and dramatically pulled back the top of the barrel to load the bullet into the firing chamber. "Jeremy, watch and learn."
Without any regard, he aimed and fired two wooden bullets in the hybrid's heart with key precision. He watched, more satisfied than he thought as he watched Klaus fall back, clutching his chest, as he supported himself on a tree. Even Jeremy seemed impressed. "That's for Carol Lockwood."
The blond snorted, reaching into his chest cavity to pull out the bullets as he came toward the both of them, the amusement gone from the hybrid. He stopped to face Jeremy, tossing the bloodied bullets onto the ground. "Run along hunter, the vampires need to talk now. Unless you want to stay, and endure the pain I'm about to inflict on your trainer"
Jeremy looked between them for a moment before stalking off toward the back door of the Gilbert lake house. He didn't blame the hunter, Klaus had that murderous look in his eyes.
"Are you really going to hurt me? So I shot you! Aren't people trying to kill you on a daily basis. You should be used to it by now, I mean do you have any friends?"
With the months he'd spent with Eric, he was able to see Klaus strike though it did nothing to prevent himself from being taken and thrown into a tree, a hand gripping his throat so tight he swore he could feel the bones in his throat begin to bend. "Damon, I'd watch what you say. Like I said, you serve one purpose, and you can be easily replaced."
He tried to open his mouth to respond, but the air that he was able to suck in, was forced outward as the Original's grip tightened and he tapped his arm trying to explain his dilemma. Klaus realized he couldn't speak, so his group loosed, ever so slightly. "By who? You know I'm the only one who will do this your way. Why do you think my brother called me back home? It's pretty clear my brother wasn't looking overly hard for me this year, and yet now he wants me to come back. Think about it,"
For the first time, the hybrid looked genuinely confused, and he relaxed his hand on his throat, letting the oxygen he didn't need fill his lungs again. "Speak. Fast before I get are you talking about?"
"You think my brother betraying you the other night, is the first time? Stefan, and the whole scooby gang wanted to use the white oak stake to kill one of your siblings so Jeremy could complete the mark. My guess, is Rebekah. And I'm the last person who knows the location of the one weapon that can kill you,"
"I nearly forgot about the white oak stake," Klaus said thoughtfully, taking a step for a moment, and like that, he was pinned roughly against the tree again. "Where is it?"
"In Louisiana," He wheezed, clawing at the Original's hand, but he didn't loosen his grip in the slightest. "It's safe."
"Hm" Klaus pondered, as he began to see white, feeling the life slip away from him. And like that, it was over, and he fell to his knees, panting for air. "You can guess I want it. Preferably as soon as possible."
"Look I have no way of getting it right now," He lied. "Why would you want anyway? I'd think having the white oak stake in another state is good for you. What happens if the scooby gang becomes human. They'll want to kill you. And that's not good for either of us. I'm the only one who doesn't want you dead. You're my sire, you die, I die. And it also means none of your siblings can hurt you."
"You do make a good point. I suppose I can wait until I have the cure in my possession and have gotten my hybrid blood." Klaus said thoughtfully, but in the next instant his eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "But know this Damon, if you are lying to me about the stake and you try and turn on me and my family, I will kill you,"
"Is that your catchphrase? Because I swear it's getting old." He quipped, rolling his eyes dramatically. Klaus didn't look amused. "You know if you want to make friends, they say showing a little kindness goes a long way."
"I find people abuse my kindness. Threats and intimidation are the only way to get the things you want in this world." Klaus sounded a little sad, and as old as he was, but it garnered no sympathy from Damon. "Besides I have family,"
"Who you dagger, and threaten. Stefan and I may have our differences but when it comes down to it, we'd die for each other."
"They haven't told you, have they?"
He raised his eyebrows. "Who?"
"Stefan. Elena. What's happened this year. If you knew, you wouldn't be saying those words. I do not think your brother cares for you as much as you think. But then again, Elijah and I have been where you have both been, and still remain loyal towards one another."
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"Ask Elena. She'll tell you what you need to know." Klaus said as he walked away. He thought for a moment that was it, but the hybrid turned back. "I do look forward to the aftermath. It may be you who will need a friend. And we psychopaths should stick together, besides you're starting to become my favourite Salvatore.
"So vampire Elena is a trollop who likes bad boys, which explains why Stefan reeks of alcohol. But what doesn't explain is why sweet, innocent Elena could be so heartless towards Stefan."
Stefan was tired of playing 21 questions with Rebekah as he, Elena and Caroline sat in the high school library. He wanted to go home, or to the Mystic Grill and drink it's supply of bourbon.
It seemed however he wasn't able to escape Rebekah and her questions as she came closer to him. "How could she hurt you like that? Answer please"
"I don't know. When Elena first transitioned, and chose to become a vampire, I thought we'd get to spend eternity with each other. But while she transitioned, memories Damon had compelled from her, returned, and she saw Damon vulnerable. And how selfless he tried to be with her. As the months passed, her feelings for Damon grew. I can only assume it was because of her heightened emotions gave way to feelings she'd kept inside for my brother. It didn't help that my brother vanished, not returning any of our phone calls. Or texts. Or emails. When his phone was finally disconnected, she'd thought the worst. And she tried to leave Mystic Falls, and go find him, but I convinced her to stay. That if Damon wanted to be gone, he'd stay gone. But we both knew a part of me was lying, that I didn't want Damon to come home and she resented me for it. But she stayed, only to graduate with her friends, and help find the cure. Though soon after, she broke up with me, claiming she couldn't deny her feelings for Damon anymore." He explained bitterly, hating compulsion. Hating the sinister smile spreading on Rebekah's face and most of all hating that he had to relive this nightmare, without alcohol, and his ex girlfriend sitting just a foot away from him.
"But I thought Damon was still gone. How can you know your feelings are genuine Elena?" Rebekah asked, her attention turned to Elena. "I asked you a question"
"Because I do." Elena said simply.
"You're hiding something. Fess up."
"I didn't have to see Damon, to know I want to be with him. But it doesn't matter now, he's here now. He came back to help us find the cure. And everything that I felt for him, that I feel for him, just grew. I love Damon, nothing will change that. Not the cure. Not anything. He's the one I want to be with."
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as everyone stared at Elena, who seemed to not want to meet anyone's gaze as she stared into her hands. The spell was broken as a faint buzzing could be heard and Rebekah helped herself into Elena's purse, fishing out her cellphone.
"Speaking of your epic love, he left you a voicemail. Play it." Rebekah commanded.
Elena looked panicked as she glanced at him, but she did as she was requested anyway.
Hey Elena, it's Damon. Sorry I haven't called you back. I've been busy with your brother, Matt and Klaus. May have taken a few days, but your brother is making some progress with his hunting ability. Listen, if it isn't too late, I'd like to take you up on your offer for dinner tonight. You know I can't say no to vintage bourbon. Besides I'm getting sick of camp nowhere, and singing kumbaya with my campers. I think i can leave quarterback and the little hunter that could for the evening, as long as they don't eat the town's pizza supply. Anyway call me back, or text me as soon as you can. Let me know if I can bring anything, though I think the only thing I have at the moment is bourbon, but I could pick up dessert along the way. Anyway see you soon.
"Sounds like you haven't told Damon how you feel?" Rebekah commented, he was surprised as she was. He'd expected her to have told his brother already. Though knowing they were going to have dinner together, alone, most likely in her house- made him sick with heartache. "Here let me text him back. I'd hate for him to worry about you." Rebekah mocked, her fingers breezing over Elena's iPhone. "Sounds great Damon. Maybe bring some wine, and we can split a dessert. Is 10 okay? I'm a little tied up at the school right now, but I still want to see you. Add some emojis, and I think we're good."
"What does any of this have to do with the stupid cure?" Caroline snarled, but Rebekah was too focused on Elena's phone to hear her.
"Oh he got back to me, he seems eager" Rebekah teased, winking at him. "Wine and dessert it is. I'll see you at 10, your house right?" Rebekah read to them, Elena had a little smile on her face. "Yes, we'll have the place all to ourselves. Can't wait to see you! More emojis. And send."
"Stop it!" Caroline cried.
"What oh. Right." Rebekah said, as she put Elena's phone away. "We got off point. Stefan, how do I find the cure? Unless you want me to continue talking about Elena and Damon all night, "
"There's a professor. He know's where the cure is." He said simply, his eyes cast downward, not bothering to put up a fight.
"Thank you. And uh, where do I find this professor?"
Text Received: 7:47pm
From: Elena Gilbert
Yes. We'll have the place to ourselves. Can't wait to see you! :) :) :)
Damon stared at the screen of his iPhone for a few minutes, puzzling over the context of Elena's text message. And the one before it. Wine and dessert. Alone. It sounded like a date to him. It couldn't be, could it? Maybe he was just thinking too much into it. I mean, Elena loved Stefan. She'd always love Stefan. Besides, he'd been away for a year, and she'd never came looking for him. This is was just Elena being Elena. Nothing else.
But was it? Klaus' words still rang through him, what secret could his brother and Elena be hiding from him?
God damn, stupid drama. Four days, and somehow knee deep in Original drama. Elena and Stefan drama. It was as if the entire year never happened.
...When you came in the air went out. And every shadow filled up with doubt. I don't know who you think you are, but before the night is through, I wanna do bad things with you...
He grinned as he heard Eric's customized ringtone, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Hey Eric. Wasn't expecting to hear from you so early tonight."
There was no response, all he could here was indistinguishable metal music, and the muffling of voices. "Eric?"
"You're seeing her tonight,
"Elena? Yeah." He said. "You told me to!"
" I know I did,"
"Are you jealous?" He teased, though he was beginning to wish he'd never called her. Especially since her last two text messages.
"Of Elena Gilbert? No I hardly think not." Eric snorted.
"Then why are you calling? Worried?"
Eric didn't make a sound, and the music, and the muffled voices were all he could hear.
"You don't have to be worried Eric. You know, I decided not to see her last night, but Klaus said something peculiar today and I'm only seeing her to get some answers."
"Peculiar?"
"Yeah, he said my brother and Elena are keeping secrets from me."
"Didn't you already deduce this?"
"Sure, but Klaus made me curious. What would Elena want to tell me, but not my brother? It will apparently tear us apart. I think Klaus is just trying to make less competition against him for the cure, but it peaked my curiosity. So I figure I'll go see Elena. I don't think I can avoid her forever anyway. And like you said, I need closure right?"
"You really don't see it, do you?" Eric scoffed, and he was puzzled at what the viking meant exactly.
"See what?"
"Nothing. So when do see her?"
"Soon. At 10. But I have to leave here in about an hour, so I can pick up a bottle of wine, and dessert at Elena's request."
"Wine and dessert?" Eric asked, his voice almost too calm.
"Yeah don't ask. I thought the request was odd too. But maybe she doesn't have any at her house?"
"Mmmhmm. They've really done a number on you,"
"I'm going to choose to ignore that." He said lightly, shaking his head. "So why did you call Eric? If it wasn't jealousy or worry,"
"You have an hour correct?" Eric asked, making him look over his shoulder for a moment as if Eric was going to appear.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"Good, I want you to touch yourself. I want to hear it,"
Damon paused, wondering if he'd heard Eric correctly. Touch himself. Not that he hadn't done that before, and in front of Eric too, but over the phone. That was new. "You called because you got lonely with just your hand?"
"Indulge me,"
"Fine" He huffed, getting up off the ground, from the tree he was leaning against that overlooked the lake. "I swear the things I'll do for you," He went on, as he made his way back to the Gilbert lake house. "Least valuable player and the little hunter should be leaving."
He opened the screen door, walking into the living room to see Jeremy and Matt sprawled out on the one couch, watching tv, while Lydia sat on the other, focused on something on her computer. Neither of them acknowledged him.
"Why are you both still here?" He asked, annoyed. He could hear Eric laugh at him in his ear but he ignored the blond.
"You told us we couldn't leave, because Jeremy would die if he didn't keep training and you wouldn't save his useless ass." Matt said, giving him a dark look.
He'd forgotten about that.
"Oh right, well I change my mind. Here," He said, taking out his wallet and throwing a few bills on the coffee table that sat in front of the two boys. "Go. Have fun. It's on me."
"There's five hundred dollars here Damon. What's the catch," Jeremy asked, bewildered as he stared down at the hundred dollar bills as if that was the largest amount of money he'd seen in his life.
"No catch, I'm just rewarding you both. Why? Do you not want the five hundred dollars?"
He asked, both boys shaking their heads vigorously.
"No, it's just you're not a generous person Damon,"
"Contrary to popular belief, I'm a nice guy. Besides, I've been charitable to train your useless ass, I think that counts big time." He snorted, as he gestured toward the front door. "Now go, before I decide to change my mind and make you run… ten laps around the lake,"
Little Gilbert and quarterback took off, headed for the door.
"Make sure to come back tonight," He yelled after them as he heard the door close a grunt of yes following behind them.
"What was that all about?" Lydia asked as she looked up from her computer.
"Nothing. Stay here Lydia, I need some privacy with Eric," He said, gesturing to the phone, and Lydia just nodded, turning back to the laptop that sat on her lap.
"Subtle Damon,"
"Shut it, or I hang up this phone," He said, as he made his way up the stairs and toward the master bedroom, unbuckling his belt as he went. He heard a scream, and laughter, the music still blaring in the background. "Where are you?"
"In Fangtasia."
He couldn't help but roll his eyes as he stepped out of his jeans, kicking them to the side with his boxers a moment later. He felt guilty for a moment as he strutted to the king size bed, knowing it was Eric who killed the people who used to occupy the bed he was about to defile himself on. But he shook the thought away as he crawled on top of the deep purple duvet, settling himself in the middle of the bed.
"You're sitting on your throne, in the middle of the bar, about to listen to me jack myself off,"
He pressed the speaker button as he threw the phone next to him, tossing his black shirt to the other side of the bed.
"Yes, does that bother you?"
He picked his phone up again, pressing it to his ear, as the other hand ran lazy along his chest. The question was clearly rhetorical, but it begged to be answered.
"No," He said simply, as his hand went southward, running along the ridges of his muscles, and then lower, his fingers encircling around his half hard cock, a soft gasp escaping him. He hadn't been touched in a few days, and the need was beginning to show itself, as his head fell back onto the pillows, his eyes staring lazily onto the ceiling, picturing instead the ceiling of Fangtasia. "I like knowing you're sitting in a room full of vampires, none of them knowing what I'm doing, and you'll just be sitting there, your face unreadable but so painfully hard."
"Good, my älskling," Eric purred in his ear, using a nickname he only used when they were in the bedroom, when Eric wanted him to give himself over to the viking completely. "Are you touching yourself,"
"Yes," He breathed out, his hand fumblingly slow, waiting for instruction.
"Spread your legs wide like the little whore that I know you to be," Eric's voice was just a husky whisper, but he complied, planting his legs wide, his hand still firmly on his cock. "Now, I want you to use the other hand that's not wrapped around your cock, and stick your fingers in your mouth,"
He pressed the speaker button again, pressing the phone into the curve of neck, switching hands so not to dislodge the phone. He then, leaning closer to the speaker, licked along three of his fingers. He knew exactly where these were going. "Didn't I say in your mouth Damon?'
"Yes," He opened wide, stuffing them in, swirling his tongue around the long digits.
"Good," Eric's voice was rough, and he knew the viking was becoming hard. "Now stick them in deep, I want to hear you gag on them,"
The idea of choking on his own fingers sounded asinine, but he complied, shoving them in further along his tongue, and down his throat until he felt the familiar feeling of gagging, his eyes watering as he continued to choke, waiting patiently for Eric.
"Stop,"
He gasped as he pulled them out, a string of saliva followed. "That was for your benefit alone. They wet?"
"Yes,"
"Inside, älskling. Only one until I say so,"
He spread his legs a little further, his thighs splaying, the slick fingers now reaching his entrance. He paused for a moment, mentally preparing himself before he breached himself. The first finger was nothing compared to what he experienced hundreds of times before, but it draws a soft moan from him anyway, and his other hand stills on his now hard erection as he enjoyed the peculiar feeling of being filled. "Feel good?"
He exhaled out deeply, his breath shaky as he moved it around, as his other hand began to start a slow rhythm, rubbing the head of his length, teasing the slit with his fingernail. "Add another finger,"
He didn't need to be told twice as he added another, opening himself further. "Talk to me älskling." Eric's voice was low, rough and demanding and his imagination conjured up Eric's fingers inside of him, the viking looming over him, naked in all his viking glory. "What do you think I'll do to you when I see you again,"
"You'll hurt me," He moaned out, as he took a deep breath, arching his back slightly as his two fingers brushed over his prostate. "You'll play with me. And hurt me because I deserve it for leaving you." His words were just pants, his body becoming slick with sweat as he speed up his pace, with both his fingers inside of him, and wrapped around him. "Maybe you'll whip me," The thought of leather biting my skin, leaving water lily bruises in its wake along my back, brought out a soft cry.
"Add a third finger,"
He worked the third finger into himself, pumping them in and out. "Or you'll cut me. Stab me, you'll make me bleed," The idea of blood trickling over his now what would be bruised and broken body made his breathing heavy, and rushed- almost sobbing for air. "Maybe spank me for being naughty…ah fuck," His toes curled against the soft cover, closing his eyes as he moaned out like a cheap whore. "You'll push me. As far as you can, to show me that you're in charge. That you own me. That I am yours,"
"Are you close? Add another,"
The fourth finger worked itself in, and he brushed his prostate again, his other hand working wonders on his cock. "Yes. Please. I need it."
"I'm going to chain you in the barn in Oland Damon, in the middle of the room. And I'm going to whip you, spank you, cut you until you are so painfully hard. But I won't allow you to come, so I'll put a cock ring on you." The words made him cry out in ecstasy, as if Eric was there himself, fucking him with his fingers, his voice whispering sweet nothings in his ear, his sweat soaked skin on his. "I'll watch you suffer as I continue to hurt you. And when I know you're on the edge of insanity, I'll fuck you. And you'll scream for me to let you come, but I won't. And god, your pleas, and cries will be the only thing I'll ever want to hear for the rest of my immortal life," His hips were now buckling into his hand, as he was just a panting, moaning animalistic beast, his fingers continuously pushing onto his prostate. "And finally, when you think you're about to pass out from the constant denial, I'll rip the cock ring off of you as I come inside of you, and you'll scream. And come, and god, you'll be so goddamn beautiful, I'll never want to unchain you again,"
His eyes, still closed, had him seeing white but he held on. "Eric...please… please…"
"Come for me älskling"
His orgasm convulsed through him, coming out in a long burst, and all he saw was blackness. He forced every last drop out, Eric's name on his lips as he screamed out in delirium.
"I think even my patrons heard that one Damon,"
His breath was ragged as he came down, easing his fingers out of himself. "Lick the cum off your fingers,"
He brought his clammy, trembling hand toward his mouth, strings of cum weaving through his fingers like the find strands of a spider web. "Now I want you to think about that while you're with Elena. And remember who YOU belong to,
No one spoke, as they all sat around the circular wooden table in the middle of the library. Stefan supposed they could, Rebekah hadn't compelled them from talking. But what was there to say? He wasn't sure how much more he could take of hearing who he still believed to be his epic love, confess her undying love for his brother.
He hated Damon. And he loathed himself for it. Yes, Damon pursued Elena for years while he was with her, and attempted to seduce her but when he left, he seemingly gave his blessing to his brother- he'd been utterly grateful to him. But somehow, his departure, and his blood was his best enticement. But that wasn't Damon's fault, per se. But he wanted to blame someone for his misery. No he needed to. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to accept that Elena didn't love him. She was his everything.
"Still glued to your seats? Ahh, it's thick with tension in here. Let's spice things up a bit."
He heard Rebekah before he saw her as she made her way back into the library. She must have left Professor Shane with her brother Kol, to be tortured to gain the location of the cure. He felt almost bad for the man, but he was shady. And clearly hiding something.
Rebekah stopped at the space between him and Elena. "Elena, truth or dare?"
"We're done playing your stupid games Rebekah," He spat, wanting nothing more to be at home, nursing an overflowing tumbler of bourbon.
Rebekah ignored him. "Truth or dare, Elena. You're compelled. Answer."
"Dare"
The smile that appeared on the Original's face was venomous as she leaned on the table, facing toward Elena. "I dare you to tell Stefan the truth about how you felt when you saw Damon again,"
"Seriously!" Caroline pleaded but he knew her pleas would go unheard.
Elena sighed heavily, her eyes glued to her hands. "Seeing him again made me happy,"
Rebekah snorted, clearly not satisfied with Elena's answer. "Made you happy? Clowns make you happy, Elena. Dig a little deeper."
A smile threatened to expose itself as Elena sat there for a moment in silence, not saying word. She then came to, looking over at Rebekah. "Seeing Damon again, was surprising. But incredible all the same. It was if I found a lost part of myself. And he looked at me, like the first time he met me, with love and affection and all the despair, all the worry, all the heartache of this year disappeared when he smiled at me. Because I knew Damon would make everything okay, like he always has done for me."
He felt his heart literally break hearing those words, because that's how he felt with Elena. Could a vampire die of heartbreak?
"And how do you feel when you're with Stefan?"
"Stop" Caroline cried.
Rebekah just smirked at her. "She can't. She's compelled."
Elena sighed again, her eyes focused on nothing. "I feel like I'm a project, like I'm a problem that needs to be fixed." She looked at him then, sorrow in her beautiful brown eyes. "I think I make him sad, and I can't be with someone like that, because when he looks at me, all he sees is a broken toy."
It felt as if the air around him was sucked away, and he couldn't breathe. He tried to remain unfazed but her words felt like a stake to the heart, and all he wanted to do was to flip the switch. And rip again.
"Do you still love Stefan?" Rebekah asked, the question keeping him grounded for a moment.
"Yes," His eye shot up to look at her.
"Are you still in love with Stefan?"
She paused, looking down. "No"
He knew that's how she felt, but hearing it was so much worse. He could see out of the corner of his eye the guilt plastered all over Elena's face but rage consumed him nevertheless. Not at her. But at Rebekah. And Damon. And Elena's vampirism. And everything else in between.
"Did that hurt? Having someone you love drive a dagger through your heart?"
He grinded his teeth, unable to do what he wanted to, which was stab Rebekah through the heart with the white oak stake. "Go to hell!"
"Did. That. Hurt." Rebekah emphasized as he knelt in front of him.
He felt the compulsion nag at him to reply, and he looked away. "Yes,"
"Welcome to the last 900 years of my life." He faced her again, his rage toward her dimmed a little, hearing the obvious pain behind those words.
He didn't get a chance to remark as Tyler came busting into the library, like he was on a rescue mission. He'd almost forgotten Rebekah had called the hybrid earlier, for what purpose. He was unaware of.
Rebekah was clearly pleased as she turned around to face Caroline's boyfriend. "Ah, good, you're here. It was just getting depressing."
"What the hell is going on?" Tyler asked, looking around the room, just as confused as them.
Rebekah turned on her heel to face them once more. "Listen to the rules carefully. Stay in the building, no vamp-running in the hallways."
"Vamp-running from what?" Caroline asked.
The Original just gave them a predatory smile as she walked up to Tyler who stood his ground. "Turn"
"What!" Elena exclaimed.
"He can't! He'll lose control," Caroline pleaded.
A slow panic descended on him as he could easily gather Rebekah's ulterior motive. She was a Mikaelson after all.
"That's the whole point. I've exhausted all your knowledge. Now I have the professor to help me find the cure, you're just competition. Whoever finds it first, gets to decide what to do with it. Use it, share it, destroy it, save it. I want that to be me."
"But if I turn, I'll kill them" Tyler exclaimed bitterly.
"Yes, you will," Rebekah said, leaning closer to Tyler. "Turn,"
Rebekah didn't give them a second glance as she walked out of the room. He looked at Caroline, Elena and then Tyler who seemed to be a bit preoccupied trying to hold in his wolf. What they hell were they going
Elena heard a soft knock on her door, as she placed a spoon next to the knife, as she finished setting the table. Her heart fluttered, as she rushed toward the door, throwing off her apron. She paused turning to admire herself in the mirror, making sure her hair was in place. She'd finally made it out of the school a little after 9, and she barely had enough time to put the food in the oven, curl her hair ever so slightly, fix her make-up and throw on the white, lace dress she'd bought for the night.
The door creaked open, and Elena appeared, leaning against it as she smiled at Damon. Alarm bells rang inside his head as he took her all in in, the short, tight, sleeveless white lace dress left nothing much to the imagine as it hugged her delicious curves in all the right places, black stiletto heels making her eye level with him. He felt under dressed as he came clad in only a wrinkled black t-shirt, and ragged jeans.
"You look nice. I feel like I should have dressed up," He laughed, wanting to break the thick tension between them.
"Oh this," Elena gestured, biting her lip. "The day I had, I wanted to wear something different. I've worn enough black to last me a lifetime. I wanted something bright. And light,"
"It's definitely not black," He felt immediately stupid for even saying that. He laughed awkwardly as he handed over the red wine and two squares he'd brought. "You asked for wine and dessert,"
"Right, that wasn't me. Long story, but it was Rebekah who was texting you. But wine and dessert sound nice," Elena said, as she took the red wine and what appeared to be chocolate tarts from Damon, and gestured to follow him inside. She praised herself for choosing this dress, clearly Damon liked it. Now on to the dinner. And the talk. She'd fantasized about this moment for months, but now that it was here, she could barely keep two thoughts straight, her nerves getting to her.
"I thought Rebekah was daggered? Or so I was told by Jeremy," Damon called out, as she made her way into the kitchen.
She first placed the tarts in the fridge, and then headed to the nearest cupboard that held the wine glasses. "She was, but a friend of hers, April, undaggered her. And she was out for blood,"
"I didn't know Rebekah was capable of making friends. So why was she texting me from your phone?" Damon asked, and she flinched, startled as Damon's voice was much closer. She turned around, pouring a generous amount of red wine into a wine glass, as Damon leaned against her kitchen cabinets, his trademark smile taking her breath away.
"She compelled Caroline, Stefan and I, and trapped us in the library, forcing us to play 21 questions," She replied, as she handed Damon the glass, then pouring herself her own glass of liquid courage. "Texting you was just another tool to torture me,"
"Sounds awful," He said, though he was puzzled on why.
"It was," She downed a generous amount of wine. Damon just gave her an impressed look, as he sipped his own. "But it's over now, and I'm here with you and that's all that matters,"
Damon's eyes widened as he paused, his lips still firmly on his wineglass those words having little innocence in them. He was definitely going to need something stronger if Eric's suspicions were right. He then downed the rest of the wine in his glass.
"Another glass?" Elena asked, and he just thrusted his over to her. "This is really great wine,"
"Apparently it's Mystic Falls' best seller, or so the clerk told me," He replied as he took his now refilled glass from Elena.
"Please Damon, sit. I'll dish up, and then we can talk. There's so much I want to ask," Elena exclaimed as she ushered him toward the kitchen table.
He took a seat at the head of the table, noticing the table was set so they would be sitting next to each other, not her being on the other side. He wasn't sure how to act. To think. He didn't want to even imagine the possibility Elena felt anything for him but friendship, but how could he not? It's not like, a small, minuscule part of him didn't want Elena to reciprocate the love he'd once held for her. A part of him that he'd shunned. Suppressed.
"Are you okay?" Elena asked, she placed a plate in front of him, which appeared to be roast chicken, and pomme frites. "Sorry it's not much, I had more planned, but I didn't have the time. I hope this is okay,"
"It's perfect," He smiled, only for her sake. "And I'm fine,"
"Good," Elena said, as she took the seat next to Damon, picking up her fork. There was something off about Damon, as if he was uncomfortable. She supposed she deserved it, she'd unceremoniously broke his heart a year ago, and left for a whole year to get away from her. Or so she surmised. Would Damon forgive her? He came after all, at least that was a start. Would he take her back was her bigger question. After everything she put him through, and the year they'd spent apart, could Damon love her again?
She realized then they'd fallen into an uncomfortable silence as Damon sipped his wine, eating the meal she prepared. "So where were you? All this time? You never called. You never texted. You never told us if you were okay!" She gasped, surprised at herself as those words came out. She'd been holding those thoughts in for a long time though.
"I know," Damon simply said, his fork stilled, as he met her eyes. "And I'm sorry about that. But I had to leave, you out of all people should know why,"
His words were bitter, filled with anger, and they stung. But she deserved it. She knew that. "I know Damon, and you deserved better. I should have went to you that night,"
"But you didn't. And here we are,"
The silence resurfaced, and the soft clank of their forks on the china was deafening to her. Damon's expression was unreadable as he kept eating, his eyes unfocused. Clearly deep in thought. "I'm sorry,"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she knew he'd heard her. She let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding as Damon's hand rested on hers that sat on the table. "I forgive you Elena. I did a long time ago. You love my brother, you always will. And I'm happy for you both. "
This was her opening, as she pushed her plate to the side, taking Damon's with her other, intertwining their fingers together. "I don't love Stefan anymore. We broke up a couple of weeks ago."
Damon's lungs constricted as he froze, his eyes transfixed on his hand in Elena's, her words washing over him like a tsunami. Eric warned him. Klaus warned him. His own damn little voice nagged at him, but he'd suppressed this thought. Having Elena was something of his wildest dreams.
A nightmare now.
He slipped his hand from Elena's, taking her finished plate, and his own and went back into the kitchen. He needed space.
"Are you going to say something?" Elena pleased with him as he put the dishes into her dishwasher, his back to her.
"What is there to say?" He exclaimed, closing the dishwasher door a bit too harshly as he turned back around. "You two broke up. I'm sorry to hear that."
"I broke up with Stefan because I'm in love with you,"
Elena felt time slow, and come to a screeching halt as she stood there, in front of the man she'd give anything to be with- waiting for his response. The seconds ticked by, the silence becoming a slow acting poison.
"It's too late Elena," And she felt the tears welled up, giving anything for Damon not to complete his thought. "A year ago, this would have been the greatest moment of my life. But I moved on. I have someone now."
"But you loved me Damon. For three years. It's me, Damon. Please," She pleaded, as rushed at him, pinning him to the countertop. If words wouldn't convince him, maybe something physical would. "You love me Damon, remember?"
"I used to love you Elena," Damon whispered, his mind screaming at him to leave, but his hand instead brushed through her hair, cupping her face. "You belong with Stefan. Not me. How do you even know your feelings aren't guilt because I left?"
Elena's fingers brushed over his jaw, her chocolate brown eyes delving into his own. "This is the most real thing I've ever felt Damon." Her body continued to move forward, as she pressed herself into him- their lips inches apart. "I'm yours Damon, forever. Just give in,"
And Elena closed the distance between them.
Ahhhhh! I'm done! 24 freaking pages! Can you believe it? This has to be the longest chapter I've ever written! It was originally going to be longer, but I had to cut it down. And stop here, it was going to stop somewhere else, but who would I be if I didn't leave my chapter at a cliffhanger.
So… what did you think? Like it? Hate it? Love it? Oh Damon, you can only live in denial for so long.
I hope Eric and Damon's conversation wasn't too confusing, it's my way of adding Damon into Eric's past. If you watch True Blood, it shouldn't be I don't think. If not, you should know Eric is a Sheriff of an area in Louisiana, which means he controls the area, and has authority over the vampires who live there. He answers to the Queen of Louisiana- Sophie Ann, who answers to the Vampire Authority, which is exactly what it sounds like. They'll be mentioned later, so I won't go into much detail here. The magistrate of North America, is sort of like a judge. He has final rule over decisions made by sheriffs, and monarchs. Again, he'll be mentioned later again. Also mentioned, Eric has a sister named Nora (she's related to Eric not by genetic blood, but she's Godric's progeny.)- she's a chancellor of the Vampire Authority. Hope that explains anything that was confusing.
Well please review if you have time, and let me know what you thought. Or follow. Or favourite. 'till next time :)
* I put this asterisk here, because I don't actually know how Sophie Anne became Queen of Louisiana, so I created a little back story. I know she came from France, but when she came to the Americas, I'm not sure.
älskling- means pet, or darling in Sweden. Or at least that's what translations from two different websites told me. If I'm wrong, let me know. I don't speak a word of Swedish.