Pairing: Jenna/Jeremy-April (F/mf) rubber spatula
Prompts for (Damon coming home) & horse prompt for Jazmine F.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Gilbert Lake House
Dunham Lake
Night
"It's so freaking cold!" April gasped, as she came up from Jeremy dunking her in the cold lake. The pair had abandoned the movie, shucked off their clothes and dared each other to plunge into the lake for one last time.
Jeremy had submerged his own head and shook water from his face. April flushed, he looked so handsome.
"Yes, but it's also kinda bracing," Jeremy said, shivering. "You ever skinny dip before?"
April covered her chest with her arms and gave Jeremy a skeptical look.
"What do you think? I never even w-wore a mini-skirt before I came here," April added, shuddering.
"Your dad was really strict, huh?" Jeremy commented.
"You can say that again," April mumbled. "He sent me to boarding school for getting caught with Twilight. I never had a chance to even do anything bad like drink or skip. Do you think he knew about the real vampires of Mystic Falls?"
Jeremy shrugged. "I don't know, April. I mean, he wasn't on the Founder's Council and they knew, but maybe he found out from others. I'm sure he was just trying to protect you?"
"Yeah," April said dryly. "Or maybe he just wanted to get rid of me?"
Jeremy frowned in the darkness, the only lights coming from the house and a dim bulb on the dock twenty yards above them.
"Hey, sorry to bring it up," Jeremy whispered. "Come here. You're shivering."
Jeremy pulled April into a hug. She looked up at him, suddenly aware that she was naked, but too cold to care. The stars were so bright here. The night felt like a dream.
A second later, they were kissing.
April pulled away. "Oh my gosh!"
Jeremy gulped, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
April giggled and kissed him again. It was her first kiss. She felt fireworks going off in her head and body. It was divine.
"Sorry, April. I can't. You know, Annabelle and I...," Jeremy started to explain. "But I really like you also. You are someone really special, April. You deserve someone who can get you all their attention, you know?"
"It's okay," April said, now feeling ashamed. Then, she heard something in the darkness. The lights from the dock and house were dim. "Is someone out there? Jeremy, maybe it's Jason!"
"It's not Jason, he's not real," Jeremy said, holding April to him close. He looked up on the beach and gasped, "Shit, but it is Jenna!"
Two minutes earlier
Jenna woke up thirsty. She had drank the bottle of water by her bed, as Ric snored beside her. She was relieved that Elena knew the truth, but wondered if it would hit her niece later that her parents had lied. At least John Gilbert was gone. An Augustine? What the hell was that man thinking? He was so smug and arrogant, nothing like his kinder older brother, Grayson. How could they even be related? Jenna wondered.
Jenna walked into the open kitchen expecting to see Jeremy and April slumped over sleeping, but no one was there. The tv was still on, as were the lights.
Jenna noticed the back deck door was ajar and walked out onto the dark. She squinted and saw shadows of the two teens in the water.
"It must be freezing out there," Jenna noted, glancing at the clock. Plus, it was almost midnight.
She went back inside, forgetting about getting a drink, grabbed a big rubber spatula from the holder and marched out to the water line.
Present
"Get out of that lake this instant," Jenna hissed. "You two are going to freeze to death!"
"Ahhhhh," Jeremy said, looking down. He really didn't want to leave the lake naked, but also didn't want to mention that they were skinny dipping.
"Jenna! We were just taking a last dip," April exclaimed.
"Last dip? Did you do this last night, too?" Jenna demanded. "You could drown out here if you get caught in a current! Out this instant!"
Jeremy didn't think there were strong currents this close to the shore, but Jenna was stomping in the water now. Her long robe was dragging in the water.
"Wait," Jeremy said walking out closer to sure but still waist deep in the lake, but then he noticed the spatula. "Don't spank us!"
"Oh, I'm going to light up your behind, mister," Jenna warned, coming closer and grabbing him. She dragged him a few feet ahead.
"You're naked!" Jenna shouted, suddenly paddling his bared behind with the flat rubber side of the spatula as Jeremy covered his front.
"Ow! Ouch! Stop!" Jeremy shrieked, but Jenna intensified the spanking. "Not on the bare! OWwwwwwwww!"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
"I can't *whack* believe this! *Whack!" Jenna fumed.
Jeremy threw his head back as Jenna spanked him a minute longer, the spatula making a loud sound on his wet cheeks. He stomped in the water, splashing Jenna's robe with cold water. She didn't even feel it.
"Get in the house, take a shower and go right to bed," Jenna demanded.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Jeremy grabbed his stinging butt and ran off.
Then, Jenna turned on April, who was cowering in the chilly water.
"No!" April wailed, starting to cry as she backed up, her arms still tightly around her chest.
"If you make me get anymore soaked, I am going to give Ric's paddle and really give you something to cry about," Jenna threatened.
April sniffled and came forward, allowing Jenna to drag her out of the water. She vaguely saw Jeremy putting on his pants and going quickly into the house.
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
April shrieked as she felt the first blows from the spatula on her wet behind. It stung and caused her to forget about protecting her modesty.
"Ah! Ohhhhhh," April wailed as her hands danced behind her.
"Move your hands," Jenna snapped, peppering April's thighs with two stout whacks. "I never *whack!* thought I'd have *whack!* to spank you! *whack!* On vacation no less!"
Crack! Crack!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
"Uhhhhhhh," April cried, as she made fist with her hands and struggled to make it out of the lake as Jenna soundly swatted her.
Crack! Crack!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
"No, get your wet butt into the house and wash up. I can't believe you two. You know no one is supposed to be out here alone and at night," Jenna ranted.
April clutched her stinging behind and cried, "Sorry! Owwwwww."
Jenna realized that April's clothes were still by the lake. April was shivering and hopping up and down rubbing her spanked backside sobbing. It was the first time Jenna had even swatted her and she was horrified.
"Okay, that's enough," Jenna said, grabbing a towel that had been drying on the deck. "Here, upstairs. We'll talk about this tomorrow. I'll get your clothes."
"Jenna? Do you h-hate me n-now? A-Are you s-sending me a-away?" April hiccuped, as Jenna tossed her own soaked robe on the deck chair. The edges of her night gown were wet and she tried to rung them out hastily.
Jenna looked at her in confusion, her face softening. She pulled April inside the kitchen, which was warmer.
"Oh April, of course not," Jenna soothed, wrapping April in the towel as the teen sobbed. "I just don't want you to get hurt out there. Shhhhh...You'll all forgiven. It's okay."
April looked up at Jenna. "He k-kissed me, but he l-likes Annabella. Oh Jenna, you s-should j-just dump me in f-foster care. I s-screwed up everything! I-I'm pathetic."
Jenna lifted the towel in the back and popped April's pink behind with the spatula three times.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
April wailed and clutched at her freshly stinging cheeks frantically.
"Stop that right now. We love you and you are welcome to stay with us forever!" Jenna said in a low, but intense voice. "We all make bad relationship mistakes. Someday I'll tell you about the idiots I went out with before finding Ric, but tonight you need to know that you are allowed to mess up. Now, just like the other kids, you will be punished, but that's okay. No more talk about you being pathetic or I'm really going to get the paddle."
April felt Jenna drop the towel back down and pat her rear as they hugged.
"Okay, I won't," April said, wiping at her eyes and rubbing over the towel with her other hand to rub her bottom. "I-I'll h-head up."
"Go on, honey. I'll be up to tuck you in," Jenna said, putting the spatula down on the counter. "I'll bring you some tea, you are shaking."
April wrapped herself in the towel and went up to the room she shared with Bonnie and Elena. Her butt was blazing, but she couldn't help but remember what Jeremy's lips felt. She knew he felt something for her, she could feel it. It was worth the spanking.
But this wasn't how she pictured her first kiss to go down, not at all.
Damon and Enzo's Room
Ten Minutes Earlier
Enzo had returned to the bedroom whistling, just as Damon had settled himself in the bed. Damon felt much better after speaking his his uncle. Uncle Elijah, it felt more natural now, to his surprise.
"What? You'd get lucky or something?" Damon asked, lifting his head up. It had been a long time since he heard Enzo whistling that particular happy tune.
Enzo grinned, "Nay, but I did get Lucy agree to let me take her out next week?"
"Really?" Damon said. "That's great, man. Now, we gotta get you your license so you can pick her up. I'll even lend you my car."
"Wow, thanks, Damon," Enzo said, then he narrowed his eyes. "You are jesting with me. I know you don't even let Stefan drive your 'baby.'"
Damon guffawed, "Caught me, but I'm sure Dad will let you take one of the other cars. Or Lucy could just pick you up. It's not a big deal. You know, modern woman and all that. Hell, have you ever been to a nice restaurant? We have a lot of ground to cover."
"Aye, now you are freaking me out. What if I make a mistake or-," Enzo started, when they heard a ruckus from outside. Damon scrambled out of bed to look out the window at the lake. Enzo joined him.
"What do we have here?" Enzo laughed. They saw Jenna yelling at Jeremy and April who were still in the water.
"I saw those two in the lake. Oh, whoa, Jenna's mad," Damon snickered.
Enzo joined him. "Aye, she has a spoon! A big one. That's gonna smart. Oh, they are...naked!"
The two watched Jenna spank Jeremy out of the water and send him into the house and then paddle April.
"I can't watch," Enzo said. "She's like 14!"
"Yeah," Damon agreed, turning away. "How come it's funny watching others' get it? We were in that position with Ric last night? Christ, I hope no one watched us."
"Oh, it was much later, everyone was fast asleep, I reckon," Enzo commented, slipping out of his pants and getting into bed in his underpants. "But I'm now tired."
"Could you please put on freaking pants, Enzo? It's bad enough sharing with another guy...," Damon complained.
Enzo chuckled and nodded, "You are so sensitive."
He got out and slipped sweats on over his briefs.
"Thank you," Damon said, getting back in his side of the bed. "I talked to Elijah."
"You did?" Enzo said in surprise.
"Yeah, um, there's something I wanted to tell you," Damon said softly.
"Oh bloody hell, did that witch visit you again?" Enzo hissed.
"No, nothing like that, but um, sometimes I get these urges," Damon started, staring at the while ceiling. The sounds of Jenna and April evaporated and all they could hear was the lapping of the lake.
"Like for drink?" Enzo asked, eyeing Damon critically.
"No! I'm not an alcoholic," Damon said. "Well, maybe I am a little, but this goes back to when I was human. Sometimes I feel the urge to hurt myself. To cut myself..."
Enzo didn't get it. "What do you mean? Cut yourself? Didn't the Augustines do enough of that to us?"
"This is different. Since I became a...witch and a wolf, I feel all the magic boiling under the surface. I always felt the restlessness from even when I was a kid. Riding helped and I guess the drinking, but now I can't control it. When I first became a vampire, blood helped. Then, later Stefan and Elena helped...Then, the alcohol numbed me. But when I can't rely on those things, I want to feel pain, see the blood seep out of my veins. It's hard to explain," Damon said, drifting off. "But it can be the only thing that calms me, but I know it also could weaken me."
"Sorry, Brother, but I don't get it. I get tied up in my revenge fantasy of killing Wes, of making him hurt like I hurt," Enzo replied. "But I never wanted to hurt myself. Do you feel it now?"
"No, Elijah walked me off that cliff. He caught me before this trip and made me promise to call him. I did tonight and somehow it helped. I don't feel so alone with it," Damon said softly.
Enzo put an arm around him.
"Hey, you aren't alone, Damon. I'm here," Enzo said. "Just like I was before when there was a wall between us. You kept me sane, even after you left me, thoughts of killing you also gave me a reason to stay alive. I'm here for you."
Damon smiled, "Ha, but here we are. Do you still think about killing me? You know, after I got our asses beat last night?"
Enzo laughed, "No, Klaus told me to look after you. I'm not going to tangle with the big, bad wolf! Are you daft?"
"What? He told me to look after you?" Damon interjected. "That's not fair. I've been a vampire longer!"
"Aye, but I'm older so technically I'm the big bro," Enzo corrected.
Damon nodded, "Fine. Good luck with that. It can be kind of a pain in the ass at times, being the big brother. All the responsibility and worry. Stefan didn't even answer my call tonight."
"He must be busy," Enzo said snidely.
"With Caroline? Oh Stefan wouldn't do that. He's too damn honorable," Damon commented, covering a yawn. "Let's go to sleep. I'm sure we have a long ass day ahead of us tomorrow."
Mikaelson Mansion
"Stefan, do you have to go?" Caroline asked, her eyes wide.
Stefan looked around the depressing cell.
"Ah, no, I'll just sleep in the chair again. I think you'll be fine to go home tomorrow. Just keep steady on your blood diet and keep your emotions from boiling over like I showed you," Stefan said lightly.
"Oh, stop being such a gentleman," Caroline said, moving over on the cot. "I'm not that big. There's room here."
Stefan swallowed, he had slept in the chair for the last two nights and it was kind of miserable.
"You sure?" Stefan said.
"Yeah," Caroline said brightly. "I am. Come on, we ran around all day. I still can't believe Ty and Matt and those frogs. You did warn them not to help those idiots on the team, right?"
"Yeah, I did. I mean, I guess it might have been funny, but those kind of pranks never work out the way you think they will," Stefan said, stiffly getting into the bed after flicking over the overhead lights.
"I don't think it would have been funny. The committee has been working hard on the dance and those boys were going to ruin it," Caroline scoffed. "Sometimes I wonder what goes on in Tyler's mind. He never even considered me in this whole thing. You know?"
Stefan cleared his throat. "Yeah, he's young and full of piss and vinegar. It's been a crazy week and I guess they were trying to blow off some steam."
"But you aren't like that," Caroline said softly, rubbing Stefan's arm. "Maybe I need to stop playing with boys and find a real man?"
Stefan bolted out of the bed, not liking where this was going.
"Caroline, you love Tyler! What are you doing?" Stefan asked standing.
"Oh, um, I do love Ty, but...Oh God, I don't know," Caroline said, bursting into tears.
Stefan knelt by the bed.
"Hey, Caroline look at me. I think I know what's going on here," Stefan said, brushing back her blond tresses.
"What? I'm a terrible girlfriend?" Caroline asked, tears streaming down her face.
"No, I think it's the sirebond," Stefan reported. "You were turned with my blood and now you are feeling things for me because my blood made you a vampire. But they aren't real. It's just a trick of nature, I think."
"But this feels real. You saved me, Stefan! I owe you everything," Caroline said, seeing his concerned face in the darkness.
"No, you don't. I would have saved any human in that situation. I have actually," Stefan shared. "Did you notice how you are listening to everything I have to say? Doing everything I asked of you?"
Caroline paused, considering. "Yeah, I have, but it's all been good advice. I need to get home and get back to my life."
"Yes, I think this is helping you, the bond right now. But it's not real," Stefan explained gently, taking her hand. "Look, I've seen this before and my friend Lexi warned me about it. I know it must seem real to you, but it's not. It should lessen in time, but for now, you can't act on these feelings. The romantic ones..."
Stefan looked at Caroline with compassion and a flicker of guilt. He had enjoyed looking after her these last few days, it gave him a purpose and took his mind off his brother being with Elena. And Caroline was a beautiful, vivacious girl, but he knew her feeling for him were a result of the sirebond. They weren't real.
"Okay," Caroline said. "I'm sure you are right. I'm sorry for overstepping."
"See? Would the human Caroline Forbes have agreed with me so easily?" Stefan teased. "It's the sirebond!"
"You're right. I do love Tyler, but all these new feelings are overwhelming," Caroline admitted. "Maybe you better head up to your own bed? I'll be okay here."
Stefan paused. "You sure? I'm happy to sleep in the chair again."
Caroline pulled back her hand.
"I'm sure, my sire. You go. I'm good, but can we never mention this to Tyler?" Caroline inquired shyly.
"Oh, you can bet on that," Stefan said. He leaned over and kissed Caroline on the head.
"Go to sleep, Caroline. And have sweet dreams. Tomorrow, we'll get you on your way home," Stefan said tenderly.
"You're a good friend, Stefan Salvatore," Caroline retorted. "Night."
Stefan trotted up to the bedroom he shared with Kol and found the Original vampire sleeping. He found his phone plugged in and saw that he had missed a call from Damon. He'll see him in the morning anyway, Stefan thought as he got ready for bed.
Elijah's Room
Elijah pushed the file to the side of his bed as he heard the knock.
"It's open," he called out. To his surprise, both Rebekah and Klaus came in.
"Oh, what do I owe the pleasure?" Elijah inquired.
"Our sister wants to speak to us," Klaus said, pulling out a chair for Rebekah and himself up to Elijah's bed.
"Hmm," Elijah said. "We haven't had much time to speak, just the three of us. Is this about my upcoming trip?"
Rebekah took a deep breath. "No, it's not, though like I said, I hate the idea of you going with the Strix alone. You all know how dangerous the Trinity can be!"
The Trinity was Elijah's sireling Tristan, Klaus's Lucien, and Rebekah's offspring, Aurora. They had turned them almost a thousand years ago and managed to avoid them ever since, but they were almost as powerful and cunning as their sires. That made them dangerous.
Klaus patted Rebekah's arm.
"You are not wrong, Sister. I think I would like to try to sneak into New Orleans, just as a back up," Klaus said.
"Niklaus, we have talked about this. It's too dangerous with the witches wanting revenge on you. The French Quarter coven is perhaps more dangerous now than ever. We cannot risk it," Elijah said tiredly. "But Rebekah, what it is you wish to share? It is getting quite late."
Rebekah nodded and took a deep breath.
"Ah, it sounds silly, even to me," Rebekah started, looking at both of her older brothers in turn. "But you know that the girls and I took a bath tonight..."
"Ah yes, Julian was very proud of himself for showering," Elijah smiled, remembering his son's boast as he put him to bed. "The girls didn't indicate that anything was amiss, though."
"Nothing was amiss, per say," Rebekah continued. "But we were pretending to be mermaids and talking about the selkies."
Elijah laughed, "Yes, I told them some of the old stories."
"Well, during the bath, we were playing in our swimsuits and imagining ourselves to be mer and...I got a finn! A real tail. Elijah, Niklaus, I swear to you that I felt it with my own hand. It was real for a moment or felt real!" Rebekah confided. "I slipped under the water and felt like I was a mermaid. I was terrified when I emerged and the girls seemed perplexed, like they had done it before."
Elijah and Klaus looked at each other.
"Ah, sister, whatever do you mean?" Klaus said finally.
"I spoke to the girls and this is not the first time it happened. I think that Indy has the ability to either make you think what she thinks is real or shapeshift others. I cannot be sure," Rebekah confessed. "But something happened. I am sure of it."
Klaus stood up and paced, "Shapeshift? Have we ever seen that before? I think, like Julian, she may have the ability to make others believe things. You know the way he has mind control?"
Elijah gulped, "She's never mentioned this to me. Ava either. I mean they love to play pretend, but they are children...Are you sure you really...had a tail?"
Rebekah now stood. "I knew you wouldn't believe me! That's why I waited to say something...Don't treat me like I'm a hysterical girl, Brothers."
Klaus put his hands on the chair he had been sitting in.
"You may have poor taste in most of your lovers, but you are not prone to flights of fancy," Klaus said firmly. "We do believe you. Don't we, Elijah?"
Elijah blinked. "Yes, we do. I'm sorry, Sister. It's just a bit of a shock. I thought Julian's powers were amazing, but to find that Indy can do such things is nothing short of mind blowing."
Klaus let go of his grip on the chair and walked over to the balcony, lifting the curtains to peer out.
"There are great dangers out there," Klaus said in a hollow voice. "These powers the children have may turn the tide on this battle we fight now. I hate to say it, but maybe they should accompany me to New Orleans..."
Elijah vamped out of the bed and was at Klaus' side in a moment.
"No, Niklaus, I don't want any of you there. It's just too dangerous," Elijah scoffed. "I shall not allow it."
Rebekah clenched her hands together.
"What if they kidnap you and use you to get to the rest of us? You of all people know how ruthless Tristan can be. For heaven's sake, your own deception taught him that! Then, who will protect the children?" Rebekah demanded.
Klaus let the curtain fall. "She's right, Elijah. You cannot do this alone."
Elijah's lips turned up. "I made a deal with Aya. You need not worry about me. I aim to end this nonsense and be rid of the Strix altogether, but I can't share the plan. You must trust me."
"More Strix secrets?" Rebekah complained. "I can't. It's too late for that. Niklaus, talk some sense in him. I am going to bed."
"Good night, Rebekah," Elijah said, not looking at her. He turned to Klaus. "Niklaus, I would tell you if I could, but I am sworn to remain silent. Please, end your plans to accompany me. I cannot worry about you and implement my own plan."
Klaus knew when Elijah was standing firm.
"Fine, Brother. You win this time," Klaus said wryly. "I know better than to argue with you while you are in this mood."
"I am in no mood, Niklaus. Just tired. Now, if I may, I was hoping to retire," Elijah said, indicating the door.
"Of course," Klaus said stiffly. "Until the morrow."
"Indeed," Elijah said, softly, but Klaus was already gone.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Next Morning
Lake House
Jeremy dragged his suitcase down and left it at the door. He had slept through breakfast, not able to bear facing April. The girls were out on the deck having coffee.
"Jer, is that you?" Ric called out from the main bedroom.
"Yeah. Coming," Jeremy said. "Hey, what are you doing?"
Ric was hauling out boxes out of the closet.
"Hey, heard you and April had quite a night," Ric said, smiling.
"Yeah, we went skinny dipping," Jeremy admitted. "You aren't mad?"
Ric stood and brushed off the dust on his jeans.
"No, bud. I don't think that current could wash you guys away like Jenna thought, but I also don't like you being out there alone at night," Ric stated. "Not with everything going on. I hear you got a taste of Jenna's spatula?"
"Yeah, honestly, it was pretty cold but she warmed up my butt good," Jeremy said, eyeing the boxes. "Is this the stuff from the secret room?"
"Yup. I thought we should haul it back and go through it. There's a reason everyone is hankering to search through those old Gilbert journals," Ric answered. "And the historian in me is just nosey as hell. But really, this stuff belongs to you and Elena, so if you want me to leave it alone, I will."
"No, that's okay. Take it all," Jeremy said, relieved that Ric wasn't angry about last night. "But Ric, something happened in the water last night."
Jeremy looked down, unsure of whether he should continue.
Ric put a hand on Jeremy's shoulder.
"What is it, Jeremy? It's okay. You know you can talk to me," Ric said encouragingly. "Come over here."
Ric led Jeremy to the bed and sat him down, waiting patiently for the teen to start.
"Um, I kissed April last night," Jeremy muttered. "It was an accident...I like her, but I also like Annabelle!"
Ric sighed, "Oh boy, that's a tough one...How did April react?"
"That's the worst part," Jeremy moaned. "I think she likes me. Is it possible to like two girls are one time?"
"Oh yeah, I think it is possible," Ric said calmly. "But you risk losing them both if you aren't honest with them and yourself. I think that's the mark of a mature relationship, being honest."
Jeremy didn't want to hear that.
"I told April that I did like Annabelle, but do I have to tell Annabelle that I kissed April?" Jeremy inquired, hating the thought of hurting the dark haired vampire.
"I can't tell you that," Ric started. "But if you want to have a real relationship with Annabelle, you probably do need to share this. Don't expect her to be happy. Also, it will take time to build up trust again."
"I don't even think Annabelle is my girlfriend," Jeremy confided. "I mean, are we exclusive?"
"Those are all things that you need to talk about with her. Maybe she is seeing other people. These are things that you need to communicate with her," Ric said. He put an arm around Jeremy. "Don't beat yourself up. Just learn from it and move on."
Jeremy nodded. "But what about April. I feel weird around her now. Like, what do I say?"
"That's a tough one," Ric agreed. "Again, be honest with her. But living with someone and dating them probably isn't the best policy. Then, there's the possibility that April will stay with us. And she'd kinda be your..."
Jeremy grunted, putting his hands on his head. "My sister? Oh gross."
Ric laughed, "Sorry, bud. I wish I could make this less painful for you, but yeah, that could be awkward as hell. Now, help me with this boxes and let's get on the road."
"Don't we have vampires how could do the heavy lifting?" Jeremy said, getting up to heave up the heavy box.
"Nope. Damon and Enzo got on the road early," Ric said, as he went to grab a box. "We'll take care of these and then get all the luggage."
"Great," Jeremy muttered. "But thanks for the advice."
"Anytime," Ric said. "Anytime."
Mikaelson Mansion
"Whoa, slow down! You almost took out the fence," Damon screeched.
It took everything inside Damon to let Enzo drive, but he did.
"Sorry," Enzo apologized. "I just thought you were eager to get back."
"I am, but I don't want to go back in a neck brace," Damon murmured. "Just park outside. I thought since I let you drive, you could give 'Baby' a wash and wax."
Enzo grinned, "Aye, I knew there would be a catch, but you got it. Thanks again, Damon."
"Yeah, yeah," Damon said, looking at the big white mansion. He felt a pang thinking of the Boarding House. That was home for so long, but this felt like home now.
Damon waited until Enzo parked and then got out and turned to get his bags. He felt a blur behind him.
"Son! You are home," Klaus said, enveloping him in a huge hug.
"Dad, jeez," Damon squealed, unable to breathe for a moment.
"Enzo," Klaus called. Opening his arm to the other vampire. "He let you drive?"
Enzo laughed, "Aye, but he scolded me the whole way home. Too fast! Too slow! I couldn't bloody win."
Klaus hugged the boys tightly to him.
"I heard you had some dramatics there at the lake?" Klaus said, pulling away.
"Ah, I'll take the bags in," Enzo gulped, disappearing into the house.
Damon looked at Klaus with his bright blue eyes shining.
"Yeah, a couple," Damon said, looking down. He felt a torrent of emotions wash over him. It felt good to be back, to be with Klaus.
"Oh, Son," Klaus said, pulling him into his arms again. "I am glad to see you."
Damon broke down in tears, letting everything out.
"I'm sorry I didn't t-tell you," Damon whispered. "A-About the c-cutting."
"Shhhh," Klaus soothed. "It twasn't your fault. I'm here now. Elijah wouldn't let me come up. He assured me you were okay. Daddy's here."
Klaus held Damon until they heard voices.
"Brother!" Stefan called out, jogging up to the pair. Damon hastily brushed the tears out of his eyes.
"Stefan, man, don't you answer your phone anymore," Damon teased.
Stefan hugged Damon. "Sorry, I was with Caroline. How was the trip?"
"Oh, it was...a trip alright. I'll tell you guys more about it. I need some blood and a valium to recover from Enzo's driving," Damon announced.
"Wow, you let him drive? I'm impressed," Stefan said, his eyes wide.
"Yeah, he had a date with Lucy," Damon said. "We don't want to have to drop him off."
"Oh, I could drive them," Stefan said proudly.
"What?" Damon and Klaus said together.
"Yeah, Finn and Elijah said my punishment was over. Aside from the safety driving classes, I got my keys back," Stefan said with a smile.
"Finally. Where's Caroline?" Damon asked, as they walked back to the house.
"Home," Stefan said. "She's doing really well. The sheriff is prepared to call if anything comes up. Caroline's on a strict schedule with her blood, but she seems good."
"Nice," Damon said. The younger kids bombarded him with hugs when he came into the entryway. "Hey guys, what'd I miss?"
"Nothing," Indy said mysteriously.
"A lot," Julian said with a grin. "Did you look in the back yard? Let me get Daddy. Uncle Finn and Aaron are out there now."
Klaus picked up Ava. "We have a little surprise for you."
"For me?" Damon asked, eyeing everyone. "Oh, I love surprises."
"You actually hate them," Stefan whispered with a wink.
"Shh, don't tell the kids," Damon said, as Klaus got him a cup of blood and then walked to the back of the house.
"Come on out," Klaus said, indicating the back door.
"Should I be scared?" Damon asked, tickling Julian.
"Yes! Really, really scared," Julian giggled.
Damon looked out several hundred yards from the back door and stepped out, sipping on his blood. He shielded his eyes with his free hand.
"It looks like a stable," Damon said, looking at Klaus.
"It's not completely ready yet. You boys were a little earlier than we expected," Klaus explained.
"Aye, there's more," Stefan smiled.
Finn came out and waved.
A young woman was chatting with Aaron.
As they got closer, Damon saw it.
"It's a blue roan," Damon gasped.
Klaus put an arm around him. "He's yours."
Stefan smiled, "Like your old horse, Azul."
Damon walked up and the woman smiled.
Finn said, "Damon, welcome home. He's all yours."
The blue roan nuzzled Damon and he closed his eyes. "Hey, pal."
"What are you gonna name him?" Ava asked, hopping up and down.
"Azul II, I think. Thank you guys," Damon said, his eyes filling with tears.
Elijah came out and patted the horse.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Damon, this is Hayley Marshall," Elijah introduced politely. "She shall be our head groom, she'll be staying in Wes' room until we get her accommodations."
"Nice to meet you," Damon said, transfixed by his new horse. He turned and hugged Klaus. "Thank you. I love him."
"We got horses, too," Indy chirped. "But they aren't here yet."
"They are getting Shetland ponies," Elijah explained, going back to chat with Hayley.
Stefan patted the horse, "You okay, Brother?"
Damon wiped at his eyes again. "Yeah, this is amazing. Thank you, everyone. Uncle Finn? I can't believe you built this so fast."
Finn pointed at Aaron. "I had some help."
Aaron laughed, "Not me so much, there was a whole crew of guys here. Damon, are you going to ride him?"
"Not yet," Damon said. "We need to get to know each other first."
Julian went up and looked at the horse.
"He said it's okay. He wants you to ride him," Julian chuckled.
Hayley broke off the conversation. "Come on, let's get him saddled. He's very gentle. Aren't you, Azul?"
Azul neighed and Damon patted him again.
Elijah said, "Go on. We'll head back to the house. I think it's time for Mr. Slither's lunch."
"We found more rats in the attic," Indy said matter-of-factly.
"And what were you doing in the attic, young lady?" Elijah asked, crouching down.
"Spells," Indy said. "Just a couple, Daddy."
"Hmm, we'll speak of this in the house. Come now," Elijah said. "I hope you children didn't tamper with that lock..."
Klaus watched as Damon rode and waved goodbye.
"He seems happy," Stefan said. Klaus put an arm around Stefan.
"Yes, he does," Klaus replied. "This was a wonderful idea, Stefan. Damon is lucky to have such a brother."
"Thanks," Stefan said. "And thanks for getting me my keys back. Finn and Elijah let it slip that you said I had been punished enough. I had another week to go."
Klaus grinned, "I know you dislike the bus. Plus, Miss Caroline will need you looking in on here from time to time."
"True," Stefan said, as they watched Damon ride off. "Well, I'm going to go help Enzo wash and wax the cars. If there is a streak, Damon will re-do it."
"I'm not so sure that car is his only baby right now," Klaus responded.