AN: Thank you guys soooo much for the reviews! Yall are so sweet and they're so motivating! Knowing I have such strong readership is pushing me to get these out as quickly as possible! Some of you have made hypotheses on whats to come and all I'll say is that you're definitely on track (in some way or another, haha). Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Bunny Wabbit
The school day was finally over and like the uproarious yells that took over the halls spilling out into the parking lot, The Grill was just as loud with a gaggle of teenagers running amuck. With only one more day left of the semester, you couldn't tell these high schoolers anything. They connected tables with their friend groups, played pool, and shot darts. Waiters and waitresses were left scrambling to take orders and bring drinks as regulars looked on in annoyance sipping alcohol at the bar or trying to calm their family of equally rambunctious kids at the table.
Bonnie sat next to Caroline as she flirted with their school's favorite junior varsity football player and the mayor's son, Tyler Lockwood, and across from Stefan and Elena who were in the middle of their own flirty conversation. In an unfortunate twist of events, she was the odd one out of the couples. Matt had called off from going to the Grill and instead hung back to keep an eye on his sister, afraid that she would go through another one of her drug spells after being humiliated once again in front of the school. The group had understood and each person gave Matt their regards and sentimentalities to send to Vicki.
Bonnie would have been annoyed at being the fifth wheel if not for her mind spinning over and over with what happened between her and Damon during Lunch. It brought depressing memories of the night before.
One thing she could always count on since her first memories in life were understanding Damon, however once they hit puberty and high school dynamics took over their lives, what she thought was a fact of life turned into uncertainty. She no longer understood him as she once thought. He was growing so much faster than her. They were best friends, joined at the hip at one point, but as he grew and gained experience that distance between them grew wider and wider, and she wasn't sure where they stood. As Damon walked ahead of her, she stumbled and fell trying to catch up to him. She wanted to be where he was, she wanted to grow with him but he wouldn't let her, he just kept pushing her back.
Boisterous noise broke Bonnie from her thoughts.
Speaking of the devil…
Damon and his group of friends burst through the door of the family restaurant. Bonnie watched as they laughed and stole everyone's attention. Damon, undoubtedly more so than the others. It wasn't often that he smiled anymore, not since what happened with Lily. But tonight he had a carefree and honest look on his face; it wasn't a smile but close enough. The sight made Bonnie smile as well.
The boys strode confidently through the establishment. There weren't any tables open since they showed up so late but that didn't seem like a problem when a blonde jock that Bonnie recognized as the star wide receiver—and a massive bully, strolled ahead of the group and slammed his fist down on a table of underclassmen. The kids sitting there said nothing, they just quickly got up and packed their things before shuffling away.
The rest of the guys including Damon took their abandoned seats.
Bonnie shook her head. Damon was never this much of an asshole before, even he had his limits. But ever since Lily left them, his asshole meter was at a record high. He was even hanging out with the jocks and other varsity players that he always said he hated. She remembered what he'd said last night about wanting to quit the football team, seeing how he hung out with the boys now would make one think that was all a dream.
Pensive green eyes watched as Damon kicked his legs up on an empty chair before flagging down a pretty waitress that tried to walk passed them. She looked like she was in the middle of rushing to put down an order but with just one look at Damon, she faltered and completely stopped what she was doing. Almost like a one-eighty, the girl relaxed her stance as she listened to him, even going so far as to twirl a strand of her strawberry blonde hair between her fingers. Bonnie watched disbelievingly, even though she should be used to it at this point, as the girl completely abandoned her duty to take the food to the table by giving her tray to an errant busboy and headed back to the bar, notably with an extra sway in her curvy hips.
It was almost astounding the power Damon had over women as if something preternatural was giving him control over them. He was just a teenager now, the thought of him cultivating it after becoming a fully grown man made Bonnie shiver.
Damon laughed with his friends, one of them slapping his shoulder as she walked back with a large pitcher of beer and empty glasses. The girl leaned over when Damon beckoned her, whatever he said got her to giggle loudly enough for Bonnie to hear, and then she discreetly pushed a piece of paper into his leather jacket.
"He's so shameless," Bonnie turned her head to similarly green eyes. Stefan looked annoyed, contrasting his easygoing mood before Damon walked in.
"You know things have been hard on him recently."
"And it hasn't been for me? C'mon Bon." Stefan glared, hurt flashing in his eyes. In his mind, no matter how close she and he became, she would always think of Damon first.
Bonnie sighed, she hated being in the middle of them.
"Man I can't wait until I join Varsity, they have the most fun." Tyler groaned, staring at the group of guys cheers-ing their beers. The generic-looking family in the booth next to the boys looked even more befuddled than before as the mom with a blonde bob sharp enough to cut, tried flagging down the suddenly oblivious waitress, most likely to ask if the boys behind her were old enough to drink. Luckily for Damon and his group of friends, the father seemed to be able to calm his wife down enough, urging her to gather their things and help their kids so that they could leave instead.
Caroline giggled, "Yeah just wait until Bonnie and I take over Varsity cheer. Bonnie's a shoo-in for Flyer thanks to ballet and gymnastics, they need someone that flexible and bendy on the squad and everyone knows Sandra hasn't been appealing to the crowd since she got on the team. Her stunts barely get height, she's an absolute snooze fest." The blonde rolled her eyes. "Meanwhile, I've been memorizing the school's chants since I could talk and as the head cheerleader of JV it only makes sense for me to take on the Captian role next, sayonara Kathy," Caroline waved her hand with a smirk, "they won't know what hit them. Isn't that right Bon?"
"Right," Bonnie smiled awkwardly, distracting herself by picking at her food.
Stefan kicked her gently under the table.
She looked at him questioning the action.
What's wrong? He formed the words with his lips.
Bonnie shook her head.
"Oh, hell yeah." Tyler spoke up, "Y'all are so hot in your little cheer uniforms, if it was up to me you'd get Varsity based on that alone." The dark-haired boy smirked at the two girls on his side of the table before throwing a wink at Caroline.
"Tyler chill out." Stefan turned his stern glare onto his teammate who responded with a shrug. Bonnie didn't have to ask to know he was reprimanding him because he grouped Bonnie into that comment as well instead of just referring to Caroline.
"My bad man."
Rolling her eyes, Bonnie spoke, "No, you're right Ty, we are hot. I'd fuck us."
Tyler spat out the gulp of coke he was sipping down.
"Ew!" Caroline screamed, dabbing any drops that landed on her.
Elena looked bug-eyed at the scene and Stefan…Stefan was glaring bloody murder at Bonnie who stayed busy still picking at her salad wishing it was chili cheese fries instead.
"Bonnie…"
The small girl tensed, choosing to ignore what was sure to be a brooding glare and a disapproving remark.
When Bonnie didn't respond Stefan got up from his side of the booth and walked out.
"Bonnie, what's going on why are you trying to get under his skin like that?" Elena breathed.
The young beauty squinted her eyes, "I'm not trying to get under his skin Elena, I'm just tired of him and Damon always stifling anyone from ever talking to me. I'm literally going to be a junior in high school and a boy can't say I'm hot, even indirectly? It's ridiculous! Tyler obviously meant nothing by it, so why not. Why don't I just say what he thinks Tyler wanted to say instead of what he actually did." She huffed.
"Still…Stefan is really protective of you," Elena looked uncomfortable, either from being put in the position of nagging at the girl who was her friend long before she started dating the boy or for something else, "because he loves you. You should try to respect that."
Bonnie bit her lip while considering what the girl was saying. Maybe she was in the wrong. Maybe she was letting her mounting frustration with everything going wrong in her life get the best of her. But sometimes she couldn't help it. She'd never held her tongue for calling out unfair treatment before and Stefan was clearly overstepping his bounds. If he truly meant it when he said he would step back and allow her room for growth, he was going to have to stop stepping in when the sterner sex gave her attention. He was going to have to stop speaking up for her as if she couldn't put up with simple flattery or turn someone down on her own. "I get it. You're the older sister in your relationship with Jeremy and you feel like you have to look after him. That's probably why you and Stefan bond. But I can't grow if he suffocates me."
Elena finally nodded toward the end of Bonnie's statement, probably thinking of the times Jeremy got upset with her crowding him as well, but instead of verbally amending like she looked ready for, she could see the tall brunette get distracted by whatever was coming from Bonnie's side. Bonnie raised her brows at the girl when she started pulling strands of her hair back and straightening her spine. She was primping obviously, but for what?
There wasn't much room in the booth they were in so when the large hulking body sat down next to her, he basically sat on top of her. "Heya, BonBon." A sinful baritone whispered teasingly in her ear before quickly nuzzling it.
"Damon!" Bonnie screamed, already knowing who would be stupid enough to do such a thing.
His dark leathery scent flooded her nostrils at his close contact and made her head feel airy. Her fists and thighs involuntarily tightened from his presence.
He leaned over and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek that she quickly wiped off, wet from beer.
"What's got you in such a good mood besides the obvious illegal drinking." She tried to frown but the giggle that bloomed in her chest couldn't be stopped at his goofy expression and too-close face.
He smirked, blue eyes on her lips a moment too long before they connected with hers. "Eh, that's the guys. They wanted to let off some steam. You know me, I'm a giver ."
"Oh really? I thought it was you who was the one talking to the waitress. Giving a little too much don't you think?"
"Jealous?" He grinned cockily.
Bonnie groaned, "Try disturbed," she retorted, pulling her leg from under him and scooting the scant inches left closer to Caroline.
The boy narrowed his hauntingly blue eyes at her pretty face knowingly. As if the truth as well as all her secrets she thought she could hide from him were right there in front of him and that it was a matter of time before he had her spilling them in his eagerly awaiting arms.
As always, Bonnie was able to ignore him and his intensity. At least, her face gave nothing away. Nothing of her inner turmoil, and the way his expression made her innermost parts quake.
"Damon how are you, we haven't seen you all day. You normally come to say hi sooner." Interrupting the moment, Elena smiled softly at the darkly handsome boy.
Bonnie lifted a brow.
"Since when do you care?" Caroline spoke out loud, what everyone was thinking.
Elena gave the blonde a perturbed look but didn't say anything.
Damon wrapped his arm around the small of Bonnie's waist, bringing her lithe form close again and removing the small space that she created a moment ago. Right as she gasped from the feel of his fingertips on the small band of skin under her shirt, Damon answered. "Yeah Elena, since when do you care?" He spoke in a low purr while giving her a devilishly flirty look, his white teeth spread as his lips rose but his blue eyes were sinister. It was a look that's only goal was to explode ovaries but for Elena, it was supposed to get under her skin.
Blushing, Elena brushed some of her hair behind her ear while avoiding Damon's eye contact. Within seconds she was scooting out of the booth, "I've gotta go check on Stefan."
"You do that," Damon egged on with a wink. His favorite pastime was to get under people's skin, especially those who claimed to not like him.
"You're terrible." Bonnie shook her head, she never agreed with his mean streak. It wasn't necessarily due to moralizing his behavior, especially since how she handled Stefan earlier wasn't completely benign, and sometimes his target even deserved his caustic demeanor, but she never understood the pleasure he derived from pushing people's buttons. Elena also didn't deserve it.
Damon shrugged, picking up her abandoned fork and playing with her salad. "They don't pay me to be nice, in fact, I don't get paid at all. I should really speak to my manager about that." He joked spearing a cluster of lettuce, cucumber, and carrot on the fork before stuffing it in his mouth. "This rabbit food is making me think of that old nickname I used to give you." He made a face as he swallowed. It wasn't so much the healthy salad as it was the quality of the produce. People didn't come to the Grill for a plate of vegetables for a reason. Everything including the toppings was probably damn near expired. Who knew how long the dressing they'd mixed with the salad had been sitting in the fridge.
"Please, don't even think about it." Bonnie groaned, putting a hand over her eyes to hide his amused face from view.
Damon snickered, "What you used to love being my little bunny wabbit."
"Yeah, back when I was five, and hopping on your lap was appropriate." Bonnie snorted, dropping his hands back into her lap, her lips twitching up at the fond memories.
"I mean you could still do that," He hummed like a rumble in his throat, spreading his arms and legs as he leaned back so that her eyes trailed over the pleasing way his clothes hugged his skin, "but I can't promise to keep it PG."
"Gross," Bonnie laughed, used to his crudeness. She picked up her fork that he threw back on the plate and started eating again.
He watched her eat fondly. Seeing some of her hair get in her way, he brushed it back behind her ear. Noticing the movement, Bonnie's pea-green eyes beamed at him lovingly.
Tyler and Caroline watched it all right from when he shut Elena down.
"Their relationship is so weird, seriously. I thought Bonnie and Stefan were close but those two act like lovers every time I see them." Tyler whispered to Caroline low enough that the other couple couldn't hear.
"You don't know the half of it."
Tyler looked at the exasperated look on Caroline's pretty face before leaning closer, deciding to tell her something. "I know a couple of guys on the team who are really interested in Bonnie. Like she has this cute, hippie earth girl thing going on most of the time but after today in the quad…" Tyler shook his head his gaze distant as if he remembered it all again and Caroline looked at him with pursed lips, "Who knew that was what little Bonnie was packing, you know? You wouldn't know with the way those Salvatores hulk over her like a couple of damn dragons protecting their horde."
"What's your point?" Caroline whispered, wondering how she should feel about the way Tyler was talking about her friend. Her blue eyes glanced back at Bonnie and Damon still in their little bubble laughing with each other.
"Well, I know you two are going to the party tomorrow night. How about you help me hook Bonnie up with one of my guys," Tyler emphasized the next part with his eyes, "without the overbearing older brothers…"
"I don't know, who even is it that you're talking about? I don't want some skeev annoying my best friend."
Tyler smirked, "It's not like that Care, they're really cool. Nice guys. The one, in particular, he's kind of a square. Like Stefan." He gave her a knowing look.
Caroline snorted, her attitude sudden, "Stefan is not a square."
Bonnie and Damon looked up and Caroline blushed.
Tyler wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her closer. "Just do it for me," he whispered kissing her ear. Caroline shivered at the feel, instantly remembering how good his lips were against hers.
"What's in it for me?"
Tyler gave his best seductive look, but he just came off as a sixteen-year-old fuck boy—which was exactly what he was. In Caroline's young teenage mind, it worked regardless and as his lips nibbled on hers she completely forgot about what he asked in exchange for feeling his lips on hers.
Damon looked up hearing a smack. Frowning with distaste, he pulled on the hem of his bambina's clothes. "C'mon, let me take you home."
Contrary to what Bonnie had believed this morning, Damon did not get a ride to school from Jenny. His car was fixed and as good as new. She would have known this information, even would have received a ride this morning allowing Grams to relax, if she would have checked her messages from Damon. However, those texts had been judiciously ignored until that afternoon as her hurt feelings gradually alleviated toward him.
"Already?"
The ebony-haired boy leveled her with a look, "Yeah, I told you we need to talk."
Bonnie fidgeted nervously, "Didn't you drink Damon?"
The older boy sighed while pulling out his wallet and throwing a couple of bills down on the table to cover everyone's meal. "I had a couple of sips Bon, I didn't even finish the glass once I saw you sitting over here."
Bonnie stared at him, noting that he seemed fine, not even tipsy.
"I can hold my liquor a lot better than you can squirt." He nodded his chin at her friend. "Plus, I'm not in the habit of taking up unwanted space."
"Haha, since when?" Bonnie obliged as he pulled her out of the booth. She turned to say goodbye to Caroline and get the rest of her things when she finally noticed why Damon was in a hurry to leave. Feeling her stomach turn at the shameless way Tyler and Caroline were going at it, her leg now wrapping around his hip over the booth, Bonnie felt less hesitant to leave.
"Let's go," Damon pushed her by the small of her back until she started walking ahead of him to the entrance. He quirked a brow at her cheerleading uniform, idly thinking it looked tighter on her than before. The short hem of her skirt was certainly gaining more attention than usual.
Bonnie pulled out her cell phone from the pocket of her bag and sent a quick text to Caroline and Stefan to let them know where she was going.
Damon walked into her from behind, and before she knew it his jacket was over her. Her neck snapped up and she was quick with a snarky remark on her tongue, "Un-uh, with the way every guy in here is looking at you, you're going to have to wear this until we get to the car unless you want me to go to jail for mass homicide." He growled into her ear.
Bonnie pouted but refrained from arguing once she got a glimpse of the deadly serious look in his eyes.
.oOo.
Jacket thrown in the back, top-down and 80s rock playing, Bonnie and Damon screamed the lyrics of the song at the top of their lungs as he sped down the street.
"Woaaaah! We're halfway thereeee, aaaaah living on a praaayer!"
Bonnie turned her phone into a mic and put it under Damon's lips, "Take my hand and I'll make it I swear," she passed it back to herself, smiling bright and happy in Damon's direction as he smiled back, "Ahhhhhh! Living on a praaayer!"
Removing his hand hands from the steering wheel, Damon played the air guitar solo.
"Damon!" Bonnie laughed, leaning over him to take the wheel. Luckily it was eight o clock at night and a weekday. In their small town, there was barely any traffic during this time so they didn't have to worry about running anyone over. Still, the sharp thrill of danger that zipped up her spine and pebbled her nipples could not be ignored.
Most people saw Bonnie as quiet, somewhat shy, even a prude, but those were people who didn't know her. When she was with Damon the real her shined and they had fun; spontaneous and sometimes reckless the two were a force to be reckoned with.
Damon laughed loudly, brushing her hair back with one hand until he gently fisted the roots and with the other grabbing back hold of the steady wheel. Bonnie wanted to purr at the feeling of his hand in her hair like that but instead, she pouted, her lip poking out more when he removed his hand completely.
"Where are you taking me? I thought we were going to Grams'."
"You not at Rudy's tonight?"
Bonnie sighed, finicking with the dash and changing stations until she decided on just turning down the volume of the music, she was aware that she was the only one who could do that without getting the taste punched out of them, before leaning back into the passenger seat, "Not tonight…he won't be back until Sunday."
Damon glanced at her from the side of his eyes. "I'm taking you to the drive-thru."
Bonnie gave him a look.
"I know you're not full after seeing that appetizer on your plate. Going to The Grill for a salad is like seeing a hooker for a hug," He chuckled, "I'm going to get you some chili cheese fries and a shake."
Just from the words on his lips, Bonnie could feel herself drooling. "I can't…I'm on a diet." She said unconvincingly.
Damon snorted, "Right, you weigh like eighty pounds bambina, you want to disappear or something?"
"Not even," Bonnie laughed. She stretched her body out in the seat, making her maroon halter top lift and bare the smooth expanse of her flat stomach and tiny waistline. Her back was to the door as she gently placed her socked feet onto his lap, tennis shoes removed after kicking them off a minute into the drive. "Alright, if you insist make it a strawberry shake thi—
"Thick with extra whip cream, yeah I know." Damon looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. He loved seeing her like that, relaxed in his space, in his car.
A couple of minutes later they pulled into the drive-thru, ordered their meals, and received their food. Damon parked in the lot as he chowed down on his burger and fries. He watched as Bonnie ate her food slowly and cleanly, a remarkable act considering she was eating one of the messiest foods known to man. There was a grace in the way she ate, one fry at a time with soft sips on the straw of her drink, he knew exactly who taught her that and it formed a lump in his stomach that he tried hard to wash away with his coke.
"I'm happy we're not fighting anymore."
"Yeah, it's weird," Bonnie spoke softly, staring over the dash before bringing her pretty eyes to his. "We never fight. I'm usually the one breaking up yours not adding to them." They banter, they quip, they tease (well he teases her mostly) but they rarely fight.
"I just don't like it..." He stared pensively.
Her doe eyes looked up curiously as she finished chewing on her food. "What?"
"You…growing up." He stiffened, clearly gearing for her negative reaction.
Rightly so, she felt irritation fan at her soul but she pushed it down, understanding that he was just being honest. "I can't stay young forever, Damon. You have to understand that."
"I know it's just…when Abs passed away," His watchful eyes saw her tense but he kept going, "I remembered what she asked me right after you were born." Bonnie furrowed her brow, she'd never heard this before. Finishing the majority of her fries, she gave Damon her full attention. "She made me promise that I'd take care of you, that I'd protect you. I'm never going to break that promise, Bonnie."
Bonnie felt touched, warmth flooded her chest and her eyes tingled. "You don't have to stop me from growing to protect me." She searched his blue eyes, "You don't have to see me as a kid sister to take care of me either. That's not what I want."
Damon's jaw clenched and she wondered if he understood what she truly meant. She ignored the urge to wipe away the burden put on him to take care of her. He was a child, a baby himself when Abby asked him that and Bonnie was sure the woman never meant him to make it his life's goal. However, knowing Damon as she did she knew he wouldn't care about that, he was a man of his word no matter what.
"You're right, I'll work on it."
Bonnie instantly brightened, her cheeky grin lit up the car and Damon couldn't help but chuckle. "You are so spoiled."
Bonnie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, "Love you Damey!"
"Ugh, I told you to stop calling me that!"
"We're alone, no one's around it's okay!" Bonnie laughed. "Zero damage to your bad boy reputation Salvatore."
Damon balled up his wrappers and threw them and Bonnie's trash into the bag the food came with before tossing it in the back to get thrown away later. "C'mere." He leaned back opening his body up for her.
Bonnie looked suspiciously at him.
He rolled his eyes, "I promise I won't tickle you now bring your cute little ass over here."
Bonnie bit her lip but did as he said and slowly slid in under his arm. As soon as she settled she squealed from his devious hands against her sides, "Nooo!" Bonnie tried to get away but he held her down at his side before quickly stopping his hands. Just as soon as he started he finished.
"Alright, alright, calm down." Damon laughed against her hair.
As her breathing evened out they stared into the night, thoughtlessly watching cars go through the drive-thru and people walk into the restaurant. Eventually, their breathing twined each other. "I hate that you're leaving for school."
"I won't be too far away bambina."
"Too far for me." And you're not the only one leaving.
Damon lifted the side of his lip, his fingers once again playing with the hem of her shirt. The wandering brushes of his fingers against her skin caused her to shiver which he seemed to ignore. Or maybe he liked what he did to her, she still couldn't decide.
Peering up at him from under his chin, Bonnie studied his expression. "I'm going to miss you like crazy." She paused, "Remember? Ti amo più di chiunque altro." (I love you more than anyone)
"E ancora ti amo di più," (And still I love you more) Damon answered huskily, his cerulean eyes shifting to her right as he said it. Bonnie was not immune from the power of that statement. More tempted than ever to push the boundaries of their relationship again, she fought hard against the thrum of desire and instead decided to look away.
"I have to tell you something…I…"
"Yeah?" Damon gave her an open coaxing expression. His gentle face like this, patient and soft, was one he only shared with her.
"I…" Bonnie looked between his eyes trying to find the courage, "I'm thinking of perming my hair."
That soft look froze changing slowly as his eyes squinted. "You mean like permanently straightening it?"
Bonnie froze like a deer in headlights, that's not what she meant to tell him, but at this point, she had no choice but to go with it. It was something she was thinking of doing, but not what she planned on telling him at the moment. "Y-yeah…"
Damon gave an incredulous laugh, "Do it and I'll cut your hair off." He threatened.
"You wouldn't dare." Her heart skipped a beat at the tone in his voice.
"Don't play with me, little girl." His grin was shark-like and Bonnie didn't like it.
"There you go trying to control me again."
"There you go, needing to be controlled." He parried back.
Huffing, Bonnie pulled away from him sitting back in the seat with her arms crossed. "That's it, take me home."
Damon shook his head, staring at her petulant actions for a moment before starting the car with a wry chuckle, "Spoiled. Just like I said."
AN: So this chapter we see Mystic Falls' high school dynamics as well as that between the group. Stefan is still overprotective even though he told Bonnie he'd try, naturally it's hard to suddenly stop learned behavior and Bonnie isn't making it easy due to her rising frustrations with life and it crumbling as she knows it-more on that next chapter. Elena's acting weird around Damon, Tyler wants to hook Bonnie up, and Damon's actions (and words) towards Bonnie aren't necessarily brotherly even though he seemingly deludes himself into believing it is. Bonnie certainly doesn't want any brotherly interaction with him. Bonnie wants to get a perm, do you think she's just saying that because she was afraid to say what she really wanted or is she ready to experiment with her hair and looks and shed her youthful appearance?
Next chapter we'll get flashbacks to their childhood and and understanding as to how Bonnie fell in love with Damon. We'll also finally understand what happened last night that has Bonnie so hurt.