Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Note: Keep reading and reviewing and commenting and being amazing and I'll keep writing. =)
Following the guy wasn't at all difficult, nor was it the least bit interesting, he mainly spent his time going to random stores, getting little things—probably for his dorm—but nothing out of the ordinary. Damon started to think it was a pointless trip until Felipe made an unlikely stop at a florist; maybe there was chance he could bust the guy for flirting with Bonnie and then turning around and giving his girlfriend some flowers. Okay, calm down killer, it's not like he's the only guy that's gonna be flirting with Bonnie. He reminded himself as Felipe came out with a dozen red roses and half a dozen yellow tulips wedged randomly in between. Lame, he thought to himself though he felt the slightest twinge of guilt for not going in and getting Bonnie something. Maybe he could even get a card saying congratulations on passing the twenty four hour mark and not being caught up in something. The occasion was almost like an anniversary he thought humorously to himself as the guy got back in his car and pulled out.
Half an hour later they were back on the campus; absolutely nothing out of the ordinary, the guy hadn't even taken any phone calls. Damon watched as the guy joined a group of other guys and a couple of attractive blondes. The girls seemed to admire the flowers but neither of them were handed over the bouquet. Weird. Damon thought; maybe his girlfriend wasn't blonde, he concluded as his phone made a noise.
Staying the night, I'll see you tomorrow. Love you.
Damon made a face at the text message, sure he was being selfish but he wanted Bonnie to stay the night with him again, and again, and again. But he knew it was never a good sign to keep her away from her friends, so with a slightly saddened heart he texted back.
Okay, have fun, don't do anything naughty without sending me a picture. Love you too.
He smiled as Bonnie sent him a wink face. At least she'd still be safe, he thought trying to sound at least relieved about that. Caroline was a vampire and she was great at protecting her friends. At least he could go off searching a little more by himself. Pulling out of the parking lot he pulled out Bonnie's copy of the list. Even if it was just a simple matter of her not having the list it might do a little bit to protect her. It would make it seem like she knew less. Though at the same time, it would seem like she was being manipulated to help him. The father shit was bad enough. Still, once Klaus had the ingredients they'd be done with it, it would be him everyone was after, they could just secretly steal it after. Make some kind of bargain.
He weaved in and out of traffic as he stayed in deep thought, only glancing at the list. They had made quite a progress in getting things, and there was no sign of anyone taking anything from the hiding spot. They were in luck. But that was always short lived. Besides the werewolf attack Damon wondered when the next attack would be. "Let's see…" he said pulling over to a weird looking shop. He knew they carried at least one of the potions required.
As he walked in he noticed the pungent smell, it was certainly the typical witchy looking shop as well as typical looking witchy items. Bonnie would love it here, he thought to himself as he scanned the various shelves.
"Is there something particular you're looking for?" one of the witches, the tall dark skinned model one with the afro styled hair asked from the counter.
"Just browsing" he said causally.
"Well look faster, we don't like your kind here" she said in a tone that was obviously dislike and distrust. He couldn't blame her. He continued looking, another witch stood off to the side, she too was a model looking lady, but she looked older, a little darker, her hair in dreadlocks and more attentive, more focused. Her bright hazel eyes stayed trained on Damon, as if waiting for him to suddenly go all dark and tear up the place.
"I won't hurt anyone" he told her but she didn't ease up on her expression. "Promise" he added with his signature smile but still it did nothing to help. "Listen, maybe you can help me" he said moving up toward the counter as he unfolded the list. "Do you have Sweet Nikko Mehoes?" he asked quickly folding the paper up again and sticking in his jean back pocket.
"Over there, what do you want it for?" dreadlocks asked.
"It's a surprise" he said sarcastically for lack of anything else but mainly to be defensive.
"Well we keep it locked up and require customers to sign that they're purchasing it" she said crossing her arms over her chest as she stared down Damon.
"Alright, that doesn't mean I have to tell you what I'm using it for" he told her as she gave up staring and moved toward the glass cabinet as Damon followed her.
"How many do you want?" the lady asked. "They run kind of pricey," she added as she waved the little purple tubes at him.
"Two" he said as the lady put the third one back and then walked over to the counter so Damon could pay. As she ran up the total Damon scribbled his name, though neither witch bothered to check, not that he would make it obvious he was Damon Salvatore
"Don't know what you're getting this for, you don't know how to use this stuff" she said in an icy tone. Clearly she didn't approve of a vampire being in her store, least of all a vampire buying anything from her store.
"It's personal," he said feeling slightly irritated by all the questioning.
"Whatever you say" she said as she showed him the total, well over a hundred dollars. Damon grumbled and handed over a wad of money, mumbled a thanks and made his way out. Before getting back in his car he checked off the item, only four more things left, counting the body of a witch. He laughed as caught note of 'blood of a pure' in other words virgin; typical, he thought, though thankfully it didn't say to drain the body.
He traveled a few other places, but only managed to one more item, which wasn't bad considering, and Bonnie had no involved and no one had come after him. Was he that bad of a person that people need to kill those they thought he was manipulating he wondered as he pulled up to the house, a little smile on his face, glad that Stefan's car was there.
"You're back" Stefan said as Damon walked into the living room.
"Yep, and I brought gifts" he said as he tossed the bag on the couch for Stefan to look through. "Where are the others?" he asked realizing it was kind of quiet. "Is everything alright?" he asked suddenly becoming more alert.
"Elena went to join Caroline and Bonnie, Jeremy went out with some friends and Rudy is talking with Sheriff Forbes. What's left?" Stefan asked looking at he bag and then the list.
"Ah, you know the typical stuff, blood of a virgin, sacrifice from a witch and some weird ash I can't pronounce" he said with a shrug as Stefan chuckled.
"Shoulda held off on your night with Bonnie" he said as Damon shot him a look.
"First off, it has to be completely human; secondly, why does everyone assume that's what happen last night?" he asked though he sounded light hearted about it. As if knowing that Stefan laughed again and handed Damon a drink.
"I'm glad things are going well for you Damon, I really am; cheers" Stefan said holding his glass to Damon as Damon nodded.
"Cheers to twenty fours hours of not fucking up" he said with a smile as they clucked their glasses together.