Thanks to my writer's block with WTFD, I was able to work on this one and have it finished pretty quick lol.

Hope you guys enjoy :)

Elena's POV

"Brown can't be your favorite color," I laughed, pushing my sunglasses higher up on my face.

Damon turned onto his side and grinned at me, "Why not?"

"No one likes brown," I pointed out, "It's boring."

The mid afternoon sun shone down on us as we laid out on the hood of his camaro, the autumn breeze keeping us from getting too warm.

"It's the color of your eyes," he said in that way of his, "And they are anything but boring."

I blushed, not for the first time that afternoon, and smiled at his words, "You're such a flirt, you know that?"

He reached for me, and pulled the sunglasses from my face, "Doesn't make the facts any less true."

I rolled my eyes, but pushed him over onto his back so I could kiss him.

He had no problem with this, and his hands moved to grip my waist, holding me against him.

It had been two weeks since the night we'd first slept together; since that God awful bout of a stomach bug that had followed, and I had to say that Damon was nothing like what I'd been expecting.

Love em and leave em, maybe, a flirting walk-away-joe, sure, but to my surprise the hook up excuses had never come, and if anything he seemed more and more devoted each time we saw each other.

Which was all the time, lately.

He was always there when I finished class, waiting for me with either coffee, lunch, or just a desperate kiss that made me feel as if we'd spent weeks apart, instead of hours.

I couldn't deny that I loved the greetings.

But I'd never been with a guy like him, and a part of me was still trying to figure out where we stood, what we were.

Damon hadn't bothered putting a title to it, and usually his body was distracting mine before I could think about it too much.

It was easier to just not think at all.

However, I was curious.

In so many ways, Damon was still a mystery to me, despite the amount of time we'd spent together these past weeks.

One moment I would feel close to him, comfortable, and in the next, it was as if I didn't even recognize him.

He had this odd sort of authority about him; a dialect to his being that made my body tremble when he touched it.

As if I needed to obey his every whim; as if some part of me was relinquishing control to him, without my consent.

I didn't understand the surge of emotion that burned through my veins when I was around him, and had certainly never felt this level of chemistry in any of my past relationships.

Damon was special...different.

His family, which I'd only encountered one other time since the falls, had acted strange around him, cautious, as if afraid of pissing him off.

I didn't entirely blame them, because I'd often felt as if there was something darker behind the private glances he'd throw my way.

Damon had been nothing but kind to me, but I wasn't naive enough to believe that there wasn't another side to him.

I'd catch small glimpses of it, when his phone would ring and he wasn't happy with whoever was on the other end, or when another guy would show me a little too much attention.

Part of my brain warned me that maybe this was a cause for concern, that maybe it wasn't normal for someone who'd known me for such a short time to be as attached to me as Damon seemed to be.

But the caution was easy to ignore when I was staring into those blue eyes.

Besides, after feeling alone for so long, it was nice to be wanted so badly, to be worried about, to be protected.

And that's how Damon made me feel.

Even when his more possessive side came out and his eyes would flash at the thought of me talking to another guy, I wasn't afraid.

It felt oddly natural that he would want me all to himself, and that's how I wanted him to have me.

Pulling away from our kiss, Damon hopped off the hood of his car, and the cool air brought my mind back to the present.

We were parked out by the falls, close to the clearing where we'd met, only now it was empty and silent.

"What do you say we take a dive?" Damon asked, glancing back at me over his shoulder.

I propped myself up on my arms and rose a brow, "I'd say that it's almost October and that we'd freeze our asses off."

He laughed, but began stripping his clothes anyway.

I frowned, "Damon, I'm serious. That water is going to be really-"

But he had already taken off, and launched himself into the river before I could finish my protest.

I jumped off the hood, staring at where he'd gone under.

Seconds passed before he broke the surface, and my chest unclenched.

"Are you okay?" I called over to him.

He was smirking, "I'd be better if you joined me."

I crossed my arms, "You know the campus has a heated indoor pool, right. If you wanted to go swimming, we could have taken a date night there, instead of all the way out here."

"And missed all this?" he asked, waving an arm.

I looked around to the scenery he'd indicated, and had to admit that it was quite beautiful.

The leaves of the woods that surrounded us were changing color, coating the ground with an array of reds and yellows.

The river and falls ran peacefully with the sounds of nature, and the solitude was freeing.

"Well, it would still be warmer," I defended.

Damon chuckled, before swimming to the edge of the bank and lifting himself.

Then he shook his whole body, like a dog, shaking the water in all directions.

"You're getting me wet," I accused, holding up my hands to fend off whatever I could of the droplets.

Damon chuckled, "You haven't seen anything yet."

I heard the playful threat in his voice, but before I could figure out what he meant, he'd scooped me into his arms and was running towards the water.

"No!" I screamed, fighting him, "Damon, no! It's gonna be so col-"

SPLASH!

I kicked as my body was submerged in the water, every inch of my skin feeling as if it were on fire from the chill.

I could feel Damon's arms on me, pulling me towards the surface, and I followed his lead, finally breaking through the top.

"OH my god," I spat, "You asshole!"

He only laughed and pulled me tighter against him, "It's not bad once you get used to it."

"It's freezing," I insisted, and he frowned, "Is it really?"

I could feel my teeth trying to chatter, and nodded, "Pretty damn sure."

I felt bad after the words left my mouth, because Damon's face fell in disappointment.

To make it up to him a little, I wrapped my arms around his neck, molding our bodies, "Sorry. But I'm not as warm blooded as you. How about we get out and you can warm me up?"

He nodded, and helped me out of the water, his mood still deflated.

The guilt flipped my stomach again, but I couldn't help it.

It really was freezing, and I apparently wasn't as equipt to handle the cold as he was.

"Sorry," he said as I began peeling my wet clothes from my body, "Sometimes I forget that you're just a…"

He cut himself off, and shook his head.

I narrowed my eyes a little, "Just a what? A girl? Is this some sort of macho argument about guys being tougher, because I'm pretty sure I could kick your ass if I really wanted to, and the sexism of that line is just-"

His lips were against mine then, and my words died off.

I kissed him firmly, taking comfort in the heat of his body pressed against mine.

Then he pulled away and grinned, "I love that about you."

"What?" I breathed, trying not to shiver at the fact that he'd said "love" and "you" in the same sentence.

"You breathe fire," he said, cupping one of my cheeks, "When you're angry, when you're fucking, when you're happy…"

I smiled at him, "Don't tell me that FireBreather is going to be my new nickname."

He chuckled, kissing my forehead, "I'm not ruling it out."

Damon liked changing the nicknames he's given me.

It was one of the most amusing parts of our time together, and had continued since that night at the falls.

First with "Red" which had evolved to "Scarlett" after I'd made a Gone With the Wind reference, then "Bright Eyes", which had lasted a full week, and now apparently I was a dragon.

I didn't mind though, because listening to him explain these nicknames for me gave me a rare glimpse into that head of his.

It also seemed to make him happy, and on that note…

"Come on," I told him, pulling him to the car, "I know the perfect way we can warm up that doesn't involve any kind of fire."

He took the hint easily enough and kissed me, so that we stumbled backwards to his car.

Separating for just a moment, we climbed into the backseat, and as soon as the door was shut, the temperature definitely rose.

I was glad that we were already naked because the time it would have taken to remove our clothes would have annoyed me.

Instead, I was free to sink myself down onto Damon's hardening erection without hinderance, and we both hissed at the tight fit.

The water on our skin turned to sweat as we moved together, gripping hair and moaning against each other's lips, we found ecstasy.

"Fuck," Damon growled, his entire chest shaking with the word.

I rode him harder, in love with the way he fell apart beneath me, that awed look on his face when he did, as if I were some sort of goddess, sent for his pleasure alone.

The very thought brought me to the edge.

"Mmhm, I'm close," I told him, knowing that he could get me there.

Sex was one area that Damon had down to an art, and my body was an open canvas for him to work into a masterpiece.

Sure enough, his fingers slipped between us, stroking me, and his hand tangled in my hair, angling my jaw so that his mouth could latch onto my jugular.

He didn't bite down; he hadn't since our first time, but he did suck hard enough to leave a mark that would show for days.

A perfect match for the other three he'd given me this week.

He played my body like an instrument and it had no trouble singing for him, going exactly where he urged it, and I was swept along in the landslide of pleasure.

My climax rolled through me, and I buried my head into Damon's neck, holding onto his shoulders as his hips thrusted him deeper and deeper.

"God," I moaned, sinking my teeth into his skin, which was all it took to throw him over the edge.

He came hard, his fingers leaving bruises with the force in which they gripped me.

I lifted myself enough to see his face, and he smiled at me while drawing in a deep breath, "Warm enough now?"

I smirked, "Definitely getting there."

I knew that he could go multiple rounds in short periods of time, and I wasn't ready to have this part of the evening end yet.

"The sun will set soon," I told him, leaning in to nip at his ear, "So I was thinking we could head back to town, maybe get a motel?"

His brow raised as his lip curved, "You were the one who wanted to leave the room for the date this time, remember?"

I grinned, "Maybe I changed my mind."

He chuckled, his head falling back to rest on the seat, "Whatever you say, baby, whatever you say."

The manor was mostly quiet, now that I'd completed a third round of "We're thirsty", "I have to pee", "When will daddy be home", and "Can you read us another story".

Daniel and Skylar had finally dozed off, and given that most of the others in the house had gone to bed, there were no voices, no little echos of life to sound off the walls that proved the place was inhabited.

I usually enjoyed these moments.

It was the time I had to relax; to shower or crawl in bed and just destress from the day.

However, tonight my bed was too big, too cold, for me to be able to sleep comfortably, and all the silence did was remind me of Damon's absence.

He'd only been gone two days and I already missed him achingly.

Usually, I could handle the distance, but tonight it just made me think of the past, of how many times I'd come to almost losing him.

And the memories only made me miss him that much more.

Tears pricked at my eyes as I recalled the day that Giuseppe had taken me, and how the same fear had filled me.

I didn't know if I was ever going to see Damon again, and I couldn't think of a worse way to die.

And I'd been so sure then, that death was what waited for me.

I was nothing more than means to an end, after all.

A small piece of a much bigger picture.

I thought of my children, their tired, sleepy eyes, and felt the tears fall down my cheek at the thought that there might still be a threat out there.

That they may not be safe, and something still wanted them, just because of what they were.

I was overwhelmed with my love for them, my worry for their protection, and I prayed that Damon found answers.

A knock sounded on my door, and I jumped a little, not expecting it.

"Uh, yeah," I called out, unable to catch a scent yet.

I sat up as it opened, and Daniel's little face stared up at me.

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked him, moving my feet to the side of the mattress, "Why are you out of bed?"

"I had a nightmare," he told me, his voice small.

I ran a hand over my face quickly, catching all hints of tears, and waved him over, "Here, why don't you come crawl in bed with me?"

He smiled, as if this was exactly what he'd been hoping for, and quickly joined me under the blankets.

I moved to make room, then pulled him against my body, so that his back pressed into my chest.

He snuggled against me and I smiled, "Is that better?"

He nodded, "Yes."

I brushed some of his hair back with my spare hand, and kissed the top of his head, "Do you want to tell me about your bad dream?"

He shrugged.

"It might make you feel better," I encouraged.

He was silent for a moment, and I wondered if he was going to answer me at all, but then he spoke.

"It was about Daddy."

I frowned, but kept my voice level, "What about him?"

"He got hurt," Daniel said quietly, the words causing him to shiver, "Uncle Mason tried to help him but couldn't."

I smiled softly at my sweet boy, "It was just a dream, sweetheart. We talked to Daddy before bed, remember? He was perfectly fine."

"But it felt real," Daniel insisted, "He got hurt real bad."

"I dreamed it too," a voice called over, and I glanced up to see Skylar coming into the room.

She didn't hesitate before hopping up on the bed, "Daddy was bleeding out of his eyes."

I swallowed harshly, trying not to let concern show on my face.

"Is that what happened in your dream too?" I asked Daniel.

He nodded.

I sat up and pulled them both to my side, "Okay look, we'll call Daddy right now. And after we check on him, you two have to go back to sleep, deal?"

"Can we sleep in here?" Skylar asked.

I nodded, reaching for my phone, "Sure, sweetie."

I felt a little nervous as I dialed Damon's number.

It worried me that the twins were having the same dream, and that said dream involved such gory detail.

This wasn't a normal nightmare, and I'd had my fair share of future predictions happen in sleep to doubt that the same might happen to my children.

Thankfully, Damon answered before the voicemail caught, "Elena?"

"Hey, baby, did I wake you?"

"Not really," his voice sounded tired though, "We've been taking turns scoping the area. I've got a few minutes before I have to be back out there."

"Well the kids had a bad dream," I told him, not wanting to go into detail yet, "Would you mind talking to them, reassure them that everything's fine?"

"Of course," he said, and I put the phone on speaker, "Alright, they can hear you."

"Daddy!" Skylar announced.

"Hey baby girl," he answered her, clearing his throat, "You feeling okay?"

"We had a scary dream," she admitted, and Daniel injected, "You got hurt and you were far away and we couldn't help you."

I heard the slight smile in his voice when he answered them, "Is that right? Well I'm fine and dandy, I promise."

"You're not hurt?" Skylar clarified.

"The only thing that hurts is having to be away from you guys," he said, "Are you being good for Mommy?"

"Yes," the both chorused.

"Good deal," he chuckled, "Keep it up."

I let them talk for a little while longer, before urging the phone away.

"Alright, remember the deal. It's time for bed now."

They "awwed" a little, but didn't put up too much of a fight when I pulled the thick comforter up over them, and they snuggled into the pillows.

"I'm gonna run downstairs real quick," I said, "I'll be right back. Now, try to sleep."

They nodded curling further into the blanket, and I stepped out of the room.

I waited until I was down the hall and out of earshot before addressing Damon again.

"You really are okay, aren't you?"

His laugh reassured me, "Having nightmares of you own, Kitten?"

"No, but the twins have been practicing their magic more lately. Daniel mentioned Mason being with you whenever you were hurt, and they said you were bleeding from your eyes in their dreams. You don't think it's strange that they'd have the exact same dream where something as dark as that happens? It could be a warning, Damon."

He was silent for a moment, then asked, "You really are worried?"

"Yes," I told him, "Daniel said it felt real. When I have visions, they come the same way, in dreams. I don't like that they are seeing this, but it scares me that it might actually be more than a nightmare."

"I'll be careful," he promised, "Just try not to worry."

"That's impossible," I muttered, and he chuckled, "Well, I'll keep you updated, and if blood starts running from any part of me, you'll be the first to know."
"You aren't funny," I shot, but smiled anyway.

"I love you, Kitten."

I sighed, "I love you too. Just hurry and get back to us."

Three showers, numerous orgasms, and a change of sheets later, Damon still wasn't done with me.

We'd hung the Do Not Disturb sign on the door of our hotel room hours ago, and he'd been relentless in seeing how much pleasure he could draw from me.

Even now, he was planted firmly between my legs, his dark hair all I could see as his tongue worked over my clit, causing another climax to rise up in my body.

I moaned out his name, and he smiled against me, "That's right, kitten, purr for me."

I came for the...who knew how many times, and when the tremors had passed, Damon crawled back up my body, and settled into me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and held his gaze.

The look in his eyes wasn't one I recognized, though it screamed of tender contentedness.

"Thank you," he said, almost reverently.

"God, I should be the one saying that," I laughed, relaxing into my pillow.

He shook his head, "You've let an animal into the purest part of you. The gratitude is mine."

My smile fell away a little at his description of himself.

It wasn't the first time he'd made a comment like that, and it was baffling to me that he could have an ego the size that he did, yet still think so low of himself.

I lifted my hand to his cheek, stroking it, "You aren't an animal."

His expression held no change at my assurance, but he leaned forward to kiss my forehead.

Then he held moved so he could hold me against his body, the silence of the room jarring.

Minutes passed as we laid there, wrapped up in each other, not saying anything.

Damon's fingers once again traced my skin, up and down, in a petting motion.

It was as if he was starved for the contact and was trying to soak up as much of it as he could, while he could.

I leaned into his touch, enjoying it almost as much as the sex.

Then he spoke.

"I know what I am, Elena...and it's not... good."

I was confused at first by the statement, until I recalled what we'd been talking about.

I looked up at his face, hoping I could make out his eyes in the darkened room.

They were already staring down at me when I found them, and there was an odd sort of sadness about them.

I swallowed, "What you are isn't always who you are, you know."

That brought a little smile to his lips, "Alright then, who am I?"

Quite an intimidating question, when the answer was so broad.

"I'm still figuring that out," I decided, staring up at him, "But here's what I know...I care about you, hell, probably more than I should. These past few weeks have been unreal, and whatever this is between us...it's the strongest thing I've ever felt in my life. It terrifies me; it excites me, and I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if you feel the same, or if this is all just an elaborate game, but I'm happy. I feel safe with you, I feel wanted, and I don't want to lose that. So I'm taking a chance on the person you are, on the person I've gotten to know these past few weeks, and I don't believe that person is bad. I have more faith in you than that."

His hand was cupping my cheek now, his eyes blazing.

"You shouldn't...but it's not a game," he said first, and the conviction in his voice did more to convince me than his actual words, "This, with you...I don't know what this is either, but it's real for me. More real than anything I've felt before, and yes, that's terrifying. Because every bone in my body is telling me you're mine, but I have no right to you. I don't deserve you, and I'd be a fool to think otherwi-"

"Shh," I pressed my finger against his lips, "Stop."

He swallowed and I lowered my hand, "This isn't about who deserves who. And trust me, I'm not perfect by a long shot, but I like being with you. Whatever this is...we don't have to figure it out tonight. So let's just enjoy being together, okay?"

He nodded slowly, as if uncertain he should be agreeing.

I sighed and leaned into his embrace, "Just hold me, Damon."

There was no hesitance in his movement this time, and I was pulled against his chest.

We laid still for minutes before Damon's hands began trailing over me again.

I nearly moaned under his touch, sounds of yearning being pulled from my chest against my will.

He chuckled quietly in the dark, "You have no idea what that sound does to me."

I smirked and looked up at him, before asking with a teasing tone,"What sound?"

"This sound," he said, brushing his hand over my sensitive skin to get the response he wanted.

"That purr," he elaborated, "It suits you."

He kissed me, letting his fingers draw even more sounds from my throat.

I pulled away a little breathless, "Is that why you called me a cat earlier?"

He chuckled softly, a hand lifting to stroke my side, "One of the reasons. There's also the fact that you're adorable when you're pissed. Like a kitten that thinks it's a lion."

I thwacked his arm, "Excuse you, maybe I am a fucking lion."

He laughed, the noise filling the room, making me smile.

"You're right," he teased, "What was I thinking, doubting your ferocity?"

"Damn straight," I nodded.

"Perhaps I should make it up to you then," he offered, his tone taking on a sexual nature.

I groaned as his mouth found the skin of my collarbone, his teeth grazing it slightly, "How are you still up for more?"

"For you, I'm always up for more," he stated, his lips moving to my neck now, "The question is, little lion, are you?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, torn between the exhaustion of my body and the wanting warmth rising in my stomach.

"Little lion is actually more offensive than kitten," I said, instead of answering him.

He smirked against my skin, "Kitten it is then.

I was rolled onto my back then, and Damon was hovering above me, his body hardening, but his head nuzzled into my neck.

"Just relax," he told me, kissing his way to my face, "I've got you."

I did as he suggested and let him take my body to where we both needed it to go.

And despite the fact that I was sure he'd found a new nickname to tease me with, the moment was worth losing some rest for.

Lots of smutty goodness in the beginning of their relationship lol.

Let me know what you guys think! :)

Now to start on the next chapter of WTFD!