Control
How she had gotten to this point was a mystery. To think that one's life could change so drastically in a span of just a few years was mind boggling to say the least. The smallest decision could lead to a tremendous outcome and Bonnie Bennett understood that now. Nothing ever existed in vacuum; it was a culmination of defining moments that led them to where they ended up now.
And yet, she still didn't understand how her current predicament came to be. Not to be misunderstood, she was very aware of everything that had unfolded in the past three years but, looking back, it looked like something out of a horror show. The planning, the plotting, the murders, the bloodshed, the sacrifices – the supernatural – none of it should have been such a normalcy in her world. The rage and the violence shouldn't have been so ingrained in their routine.
And yet, it was. All of it. The brutal, the bad and the worst.
Somehow, her group attracted all of this madness without even realizing it. There were times where Bonnie wondered what it would be like to just be. To wake up and not having to worry about whatever crisis they were going through, or to use her magic just because she felt like it and not because she had to pull someone out of their grave.
She wondered what it would be like to come home and actually get some rest instead of going over a plan to defeat the next villain. Did Elena and Caroline feel like this? They probably did. She couldn't remember when she'd last read a non-magical book just because.
The past three years consisted of plots and spells and that was about it. Sure, they'd had school dances and she graduated on time though none of it mattered now. None of it bared any weight to what should have actually been a life half lived or something close to it. The most crucial years of her life could be easily amalgamated into two little words: Town Witch.
If she were to be completely honest with herself, Bonnie could admit that she had no idea when or how that came to be, but most of all, she also realized how easy it had been to let that role become her entire existence. It was the one thing she had to offer and that couldn't be taken from her. Of course, even that wasn't true anymore.
As much as she wanted to slow down or even stop using her magic altogether, the young witch would find herself thrown into impossible situations and she couldn't really let her friends die, could she? She couldn't help it. Her compassion somehow became her downfall and here she was wondering about a past life in an empty house in a ghost town version of what she used to know. Wondering about how the hell had everything gotten so out of control, so out of script, that she had Damon Salvatore offering her a place to stay at the boarding house.
Sipping on her tea, she shifted in her grandmother's couch and eyed the grimoire in front of her. The replica of the old book that saw her going from bright eyes looking up fun and safe spells to literally desiccating people. Even that felt surreal now. To think about everything she had accomplished with her magic was... indescribable.
On one hand, she had grown so much with her powers and came to a point where she no longer feared being a witch. Once she mastered it, feeling that current move deep within her core, through her veins and guide it with her mind was freeing. Having complete and total command of an extension of herself was good. Liberating. So many aspects of her life belonged to someone else, but this was hers.
On the other hand, though, Bonnie could see why she ended up relying on her powers as much as she did. Besides having people knock on her door every other second demanding her service – her magic – she herself didn't really have time to develop any other defense methods. Sure, Rudy taught her how to shoot but that had been years ago and between all the chaos that went on in Mystic Falls, where would she find the time? Or a partner? It just wasn't feasible, so she'd do what came natural to her. She fulfilled her role and played it to the tee, time and time again.
As a result, she ended up here.
Admittedly, there were a ton of other factors that contributed to it but when it came down to it, the smallest choices would always determine the main course of action. They were usually the ones constantly overlooked and underrated, choices of such small significance that it was way too easy to cross that line.
It happened when she went to Whitmore and met Atticus Shane. At first, he looked like a regular teacher, but he turned out to be a whole headache. Or when Jeremy let Anna manipulate him into opening a door that Bonnie had to close. Or when Damon had the werewolves killed, dooming both Tyler and Caroline to what was sure to be their death.
Every decision had a consequence. She too learned that lesson more times than she cared to admit which was why she needed to weigh her options before coming to a conclusion about Damon's proposal.
Moving into the boarding house meant a lot of things, most of all it meant crossing a line she wasn't completely sure she was ready to cross.
Dealing with Silas was stressful enough; having Damon trying to get under her skin and go against her every chance he got was asking too much of her. He was notorious for lashing out whenever he didn't get his way and she couldn't handle his outbursts anymore. She wasn't willing to put up with his games or manipulations. She was dead serious when she told him she was done. She didn't have a heart of steel; however, it sure had a thick armor around it that she had developed over time.
She was done being pushed around, done being used, done being stepped on, done not being able to make her own decisions without having someone else force their way in. She was done. She was taking back her agency, even if in a small scale, she was taking it and she wasn't giving it back. No one else around her did, so why should she?
Even if tired, exhausted, Bonnie promised Grams she would fight and that meant that she was going to make sure she would make it to her grandmother come hell or high water. If this was her final push, her final act of tribute, then she was going to make sure it was worthwhile. Scars and all, fearful and shaken but she was doing it. Grams' words reminded her of that, they reminded her of what they had.
Inevitably, her heart swelled up and she found her hand reaching out to one of the letters on top of the coffee table. Her elegant fingers traced each letter carefully, almost as if she touched them too harshly, they would cease to exist. She couldn't handle that.
So, her index traced the paragraphs until she came across the one that read:
"A love like ours isn't restrained by the limits of what we perceive to be reality, it is not confined by power or fear. It flows eternally and it's that current that binds us together Bonnie. The love we have for each other. You are my only granddaughter and my biggest gift to the world. We will never be parted, not for long. If you search deep within your heart you'll find me there, and it'll be the best home one could have"
Those were the words that echoed inside of her. They resuscitated her broken soul. The pieces were still scattered and almost unrecognizable, but there was a warmth surrounding some of the isolated fragments and Bonnie chose to lead with that for once. She chose to let herself be engulfed in what could be her potential salvation.
In spite of the hurt and the unceasing pain, the younger Bennett was holding on to hope. She was holding on to what revealed itself to be true. True love never dies. She'd had proof of that. She'd been able to contact the older Bennett witch back when they had to close the door to the Other Side by using Elena's necklace, it happened again when she used Expression magic, and more recently, when the Other Side showed signs of the beginning of its demise.
Granted, those had been trying times. Urgent situations where lives were at risk, but the matter of the fact was, Bonnie Bennett had seen and talked to Sheila Bennett. Their connection ran beyond magic, and it definitely went beyond planes. It travelled through time, and it belonged to them.
"I love you Grams" she whispered.
With a clenched heart, the Bennett girl licked her lips before taking the grimoire into her tiny hands. She palmed its hard cover, letting her fingertips connect with each fiber. A true match. A flux of energy was supposed to travel through her, starting at the contact point and then running through her veins. That was, naturally, when she still had her powers. Every time she would touch the book, she would feel the magic flow through it and to her, almost like welcoming her to what was hers by blood. The family's legacy.
Now, those described feelings were amiss. There was an emptiness – a disconnection – that couldn't really be replaced or ignored, but she was willing to try. It was very similar to when she performed that spell weeks ago by using Emily's talisman and letting her body be a conductor of that energy.
Her brown wrist gyrated as she turned the first page. The hard paper sighed loudly as Bonnie looked for something similar to those pieces she found in the box. Pieces that were also on top of the coffee table. As she went through it, she wondered how her ancestor was able to create so many spells and not be frightened. Emily – from the few things Bonnie knew about her – seemed to be so comfortable and in control of her magic. She was able to create so many devices and so many spells that were beyond her time that Bonnie was actually pondering just how powerful the witch was. She was able to command the spirit magic and bend it to her will, not to mention that their bloodline was powerful as it was.
Did she know about Klaus or his siblings? She was well aware that Emily posing as Katherine's slave was a cover-up but surely Emily had to know some of Katherine's secrets. She had to otherwise that selfish vampire would've disposed of her sooner than she actually did.
Bitch, she thought with distaste. Katherine always left a bad taste in her mouth.
Nevertheless, Bonnie was impressed and found pride in being related to Emily.
With another turn of a page Bonnie grimaced as none of the drawings looked anything like the tiny pieces on the table. To make matters even more disappointing, she couldn't read a thing so any spells that might've helped her with her Silas situation were completely overlooked. Sigh. Casting the book aside, she collected the fragments and placed them inside a smaller box. Even though she hadn't found what they were, it didn't mean they couldn't be handy in the future. Which, speaking of, she had yet to decide whether or not she would be making the decision to live with Damon who was outside.
Damon, naturally, decided to follow her back home since she practically ran away from the boarding house because she needed to think before making a decision. Which she was still debating. And yet, the impatient vampire was pounding on her door like she was some sort of criminal "Hurry up Judgy, you've been up there long enough!"
"Go away then" she replied knowing fully well he'd hear her.
"Stop making this unnecessarily difficult. Grab some shit and let's go" he said clearly annoyed.
"You know, no one's keeping you here" she said through clenched teeth.
Something as big as this shouldn't be done without some sort of careful examination. This was not the time to be rash; there was so much at stake and she couldn't afford to deal with consequences. Objectively, having an ally would benefit her immensely, even more when said ally was a supernatural which meant she could rely on their powers now that she was devoid of hers. The issue was that Damon was the only offer available. That alone weighed a ton. So much of her hurt had been caused by him some way or the other, so much heartache, and as strong as she liked to pretend that she was, Bonnie Bennett was indeed fragile.
Back then, before she was overwhelmed by the dark magic when she brought Jeremy back life, she had her strength; she would find it whenever she had to help her loved ones because she couldn't really afford any more losses. She really couldn't. So, that fear fueled her bravery and allowed her to look at her enemies in the eyes. That fire she had in her kept her alive and kept her going. Bonnie was always ready to fight. Until Silas.
When she wasn't fighting, she would crumble into a million pieces in the safety of her room. Her mind would replay what'd happened and it was like watching a movie. It was like she'd separate from her body and let the magic govern her senses, taking over her body and washing the fear away. When it was done, it all came crashing in and it was overwhelming. She was overwhelmed.
Even now, she was still trying to comprehend what the hell happened at the Old Witches house and what would've happened had Damon not taken her to the boarding house. Silas would surely come back to finish the job. She was sure he was coming back regardless. That sent a chill down her entire body, and she could feel her heart jump in her chest. It was like it was trying to escape the confines of her small body. She too was trying to escape herself.
Closing her eyes, the young Bennett tried to gain some control over her emotions. It seemed as if it didn't matter which dimension she was in, she was always going to feel alone, and now with Silas gunning after her she felt more isolated than ever.
She glanced at the letters and recovered her focus. She'd made a promise and she fully intended on keeping it but she had to make it out alive. Silas had to go. As much as she hated to admit it, Damon was right; she was an easy target now – vulnerable. Damon was the only other option she had in this place and though she couldn't stand the sight of him, she wasn't going to let that thwart her one chance of being reunited with her family. She owed it to Grams and to herself really. She wanted to live so she could finally have that slice of happiness. Damon was only a means to an end, that was it.
Huffing, she rose from the couch and started gathering the letters and the metallic pieces on the table when she heard him "Jesus witchy I know you're slow, but can you move any faster? I'm growing roots out here"
Her eye roll could be heard as she slid her bag onto her shoulder and opened the door "For someone so old you are worse than a child and by the record I didn't agree to anything"
Damon crossed his arms across his chest and eyed the young witch "Don't need to. You and I both know this is the smart decision, maybe the smartest one you've had yet so let's not waste any more time" not waiting for her, he started walking to his Camaro.
"Uh no, let me stop you right there" she started, stopping right by the steps of the house "You're not going to manhandle me or make any decisions for me, are we clear?"
"You do this thing, it's like you don't know–"
Before he ever got the chance to finish his sentence, Bonnie was swooshed back inside the house. Damon flashed to her but the front door was slammed in his nose "Bonnie! Bonnie!" he yelled as he tried to break in but he wasn't allowed inside "Fuck!"
One minute he was staring at her and the next she was gone. Just like that. Fucking Silas. His brain was working faster than the speed of light. He could hear her whimpers; she was fighting whatever it was that psycho was doing to her. If only he could get in... wait "Bonnie, invite me in! Bonnie!" he wasn't even sure she could hear him but he made sure he could be heard "Invite me in! Invite me in!"
Damon was pacing manically – ferociously almost – when he finally heard her faintly "Come... in Damon"
He didn't waste any time breaking the door down and getting to her. She was standing right in front of him, arm stiffly glued to her sides and her gaze void. "Hey, Bonnie? Bonnie?" he tried but she wasn't responding. He grabbed her arms tightly; it was happening again "Bonnie! Snap out of it! Bonnie!"
He looked around trying to sense where Silas was but he could only count one heartbeat which was fading at an alarming pace. He took her out of the house and into the porch "Bonnie, you need to fight back! Bonnie, come on, fight!" he exclaimed frustrated that he couldn't figure out how to break her out of whatever spell Silas had her in.
This was what he was trying to avoid. Bonnie couldn't be alone, not when Silas had so much control over her. It was when her emerald eyes rolled to the back of her head that he felt his actual heart stop. "No, no, no, no, no, no. Bonnie! Bonnie?" he shook her but if she wasn't responsive before, now she was completely gone "Fuck. No, you won't get her" he then bit into his wrist and slammed it on her lips "Drink Bonnie, you have to drink" however, the blood was filling her mouth but not going down her throat, it was dripping from the corners of her mouth instead.
"Shit"
Her pulse was so slow now it was scary. He had to act fast. Angling her head, he bit her neck and as soon as he did so, the smell of her blood intoxicated his senses, clouded them, and he found himself letting her blood fill his mouth. God, she tasted amazing. It was exhilarating. It had been so long since he had fresh blood and Bonnie's was exquisite. It took him on such a high that he almost forgot what was happening right now.
He quickly detached himself from her, bit into his already healed wrist and placed it on her wound. That had to do the trick. "Come on Judgy, you can't let him win. Fight back, Bonnie, fight back!"
As if she heard him, her heart seemed to beat a little stronger now "That's it, you're not done yet Bennett" his cyan eyes glued to her face as his blood found a home in her bloodstream. His breath was shallow, though he didn't even notice that, and he was holding her as if she was about to take flight any second now.
His senses were completely tuned into her, her pulse, her timid breaths and her smell. All he could feel was Bonnie, around him and in him. Her blood was still calling to him like a siren's trap, but he was fighting hard. He had to keep it together. He was Damon Salvatore, he had control over his urges. He loved indulging but only when it was his choice to do so and not because he was so weak he couldn't contain himself. He was better than that, he was stronger than that. Right now, he had to make sure Bonnie Bennett would come back, that was essential.
He wasn't sure how long it had passed but when she gasped loudly and held onto him as if the world was about to end, he let relief wash over him.
She held him tightly unable to say a single word.
It happened again. Silas took over her mind again and she wasn't able to fight back this time. He was so overwhelmingly strong. She didn't even have the time to try and fight his spell; the darkness took control and she unable to use any of her senses. She didn't know how she was able to get out but the fact that she did was still unreal.
"Welcome back witchy" was his strained reply. His tone still had some edge in it. As if sensing her distress, Damon guided her to his car and when he started the engine, he heard her say "My bag, I can't leave my letters"
He was about to tell her they could get them another time but the way she was looking at him with such urgency made him reconsider. He quickly grabbed the bag and drove to the manor, not really caring about the speed. After all he was an excellent driver and Bonnie needed to be as far away from that house as possible.
He kept looking back to make sure they weren't being followed. He then looked at her, she was looking straight ahead and was holding her letters in her small hands. It had been such a long time since they shared a ride. The last time they did, she had been a complete mess, crying and trembling. He swallowed a knot that lodged itself in his throat. The guilt was creeping in again.
Back then, he'd been the one to send her over the edge. That was also when he realized that she wasn't just the strong and conceited witch he casually enaged in banter with, she was also a scared girl. Under those protective layers, resided a fragile Bonnie Bennett tucked away from the world. She wasn't just a soldier or a weapon to be used in battle, she had her fears and weaknesses but chose to hide them from everyone.
That certainly changed some things. He definitely watched over her for two weeks after their argument at Bree's and realized that her pain went beyond the surface. Maybe she'd been like that for a while but this reality had a way to send her deeper into her agony. He too felt those effects. Besides his thirst evading his control, Damon felt on edge all the time. It was like he had an itch that was never scratched properly – or at all – and that made him tick. He liked having control, he reveled in it but in this world he was almost powerless. He couldn't really just take off and leave, not without Bonnie, he chased his Elena-induced hallucination and spent the last week basking in it, he didn't let himself go too far away from Mystic Falls because his guilt over Bonnie wouldn't allow him to, and on top of that fucked up list, was Silas.
He had no idea how or why Silas was here, but he was. To make matters even worse, Damon wasn't sure that Silas was there. Bonnie had been hallucinating since they first got here and even though he saw her getting snatched back into Sheila's house, he didn't see a single trace of the other supernatural. Either way, he wouldn't rule anything out. The one thing he knew for sure was that they needed to find a way to get rid of Silas. That was imperative. After that, then he and Bonnie could find a way to work on their way back to the real Mystic Falls. He figured she wanted to leave this hellhole as much as he did and she could refuse to help him, but he knew she would, eventually.
One thing he knew about Bonnie Bennett, she loved her friends and he was sure she'd want to go back to them.
Right now, she looked focused, like she was trying to figure something out, or more realistically, trying to understand what happened to her.
"You okay?" he asked after turning the engine off.
Bonnie took her hand to her face and rubbed massaged her temple. They were here already; she hadn't even noticed that.
That was a good question. Was she okay? At this point she wasn't even sure exactly how she was feeling. She was relieved, even though she was trying to understand why. It wasn't like this reality benefited her in any way, the letters being the only exception. What she did know was that she was confused.
She was still trying to piece together what happened with Silas, but she couldn't. The moment he completely took over her mind, she went blank. It was like she ceased to exist for a second, like she was floating in a pool of darkness but, for a change, she wasn't scared of it. It was strangely familiar. There was something assuring about the energy that surrounded and she couldn't quite place why. Still, she knew Silas had brief control over her and that was what was worrying her.
"I don't know" she answered honestly.
Damon knitted his eyebrows "You have to find a way to block him out Bonnie"
Taking a deep breath, she said "I know"
There was a moment of silence that followed her statement. She was caressing her letters, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth, and it didn't take him much to see that she was probably lost in her own thoughts. Her demeanor was what surprised him, and Damon Salvatore wasn't usually surprised by anything, but Bonnie seemed to defeat that very statement every now and then. He thought she'd be scared right now, heart galloping, hands trembling and all, but she was strangely calm. Her shoulders were relaxed though her eyes were narrowed as if she was trying to see something.
She was probably in shock, that had to be it. Though, he was positive there was something else going on. Either way, sitting here wondering wasn't going to help matters and he was pretty sure exhaustion would be taking over her pretty soon.
"We have six other bedrooms; you can take whichever one you feel like taking" he started "It's been a long day so you should get some rest"
She nodded and got out of the car at the same time he did. She followed him up the stairs and stared at the hallway "My room's the other way, you have this entire wing to yourself" he attempted at humor.
"Sure" Her green eyes met his and proceeded to walk into the nearest room. It was clearly a guest room, the decoration was the same as the rest of the manor, and like Damon's room, it was an ensuite with a shower instead of a tub. The bed wasn't as massive, but it suited her just fine. She didn't care about any other details; it wasn't like she was staying in here for long.
"There should be towels in the bathroom but if not then I can find you some" he said standing by the bedroom door "We can get your things from that creepy witch house tomorrow"
Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear she asked, "Why are you doing this?"
"I meant what I said earlier" he pinched the bridge of his nose "I don't go around offering help just because and from what happened tonight, you need it"
She furrowed her brow in doubt but kept quiet. She still had her doubts, she didn't trust him, but he was helping her and at this point she'd take it.
They locked eyes before he broke the link and left, closing the door behind him. Bonnie took advantage of that and placed her bag in the dresser before going into the bathroom. She looked around the cabinets and found the towels Damon mentioned, behind the door she also found a bathing robe.
She undressed slowly as if she was processing each action. Top first, then pants and finally her underwear. When she stepped into the shower, she exhaled hard as soon as the water touched her skin. She felt her muscles soften like honey. The water pressure was just right, and she let it wash any trace of Silas off her body. When she was done, she wrapped her hair in one of the white towels and had the robe warming her body. Her naked feet took her back into the bedroom and to the dresser. She shoved her hand into her bag and retrieved the letters and the framed picture of her and Sheila and took it to the bed. As she plopped onto it, Bonnie let out a long sigh and before she could stop herself, she murmured "Grams, I don't know if that was you back there, with Silas, but... thank you"
The young Bennett caressed Sheila's face with her index finger and sighed again. Maybe it was farfetched or maybe it was wishful thinking but maybe Grams had helped her somehow. It wouldn't be the first time. She did the same thing when she was food shopping, so she would surely come through for her when it involved that bastard, right? She had to. Maybe she was being a little too delusional – desperate – but she was going to allow it this time. Whether or not Grams intervened, Bonnie knew that she had a connection with her grandmother, something she could tap into, something concrete. As long as she had that, not much else mattered. They were bonded after all and nothing could break that.
Damon downed the rest of his drink conflicted. Once again, he couldn't stop thinking about the witch. Well, witches if he factored in that asshole Silas. Bonnie was still questioned his motives which shouldn't be surprising at all if not for the fact that irritated him slightly. He wouldn't go as far as telling himself he didn't know why she didn't trust him but, if anything, he had a knack for survival and even if she didn't want to believe him, he genuinely wanted to help. Sure, he wanted to go home. In fact, he'd already started working on the specifics of that plan but more on that later.
Bonnie, as annoying and self-righteous as she was, didn't deserve to live in fear. She was too much of a goody too-shoes to have that kind of fate. If anything, he reckoned he should've been the one having Silas haunting him. But, for whatever reason, Damon was spared from that torture. Instead, his took another shape. Or more accurately, had other consequences that he was sure would fuck him over even more than he already was. And that was part of the reason why he considered the fact that Bonnie might be hallucinating Silas, as crazy as that might sound.
This place had more to offer than it met the eye. It looked regular at first, normal, but the energy in here was definitely something else. He felt it from the second he opened his eyes and before they parted ways, he knew Bonnie had felt it too. There was something lurking in the shadows and under the surface. That, of course, unnerved him. He was the thing lurking, he was the monster, the evil thing. But here, there was something eviler. Wicked. He couldn't really say what it was, but he knew it.
The clearest evidence he had of said wickedness was when he first saw Elena. He had taken off drunk and high on blood and ended up at Bree's. He didn't remember much from that night, but he remembered her. He remembered her sweet face and her doe eyes staring back at him with love and adoration. For days, he thought that had been a figment of his imagination but then he saw her again when he went back to the pub with Bonnie. He saw the traces of her mouth, strands of her chocolate hair and heard her velvet voice. He saw her. Her slim build and delicate hands. He could even smell her perfume faint in the air.
But she was far away, and he needed to be close, he yearned for it, to feel her again in his arms, so he followed her. He'd follow her wherever she went, forever. He'd be by her side for all of eternity, even if it killed him. She consumed him whole and when he was about to touch her face she'd disappear into tiny golden flocks. Just like a dream. Elena would always be his one weakness and his strength all rolled into one. He needed her just as much as she needed him and that was why he had to go back. He couldn't live in a dream for they are bound to disappear.
If dreams can burst into nothingness, so could nightmares and Damon figured that's where Bonnie was. Living her own nightmare. That he could deal with, he could somehow help her fight this battle. If Silas was nothing more than an illusion, a fragment of her own imagination, then that meant they could easily stop it and escape this world. If not, then they'd find a way because he was not staying here.
Inhaling hard, Damon let himself sink in the sofa but then stood up quickly as her scent made its way up his nostrils. She had showered just a while ago, but her smell was still looming in the air. Damon cursed the way his nose deconstructed Bonnie Bennett's fragrance. He picked up on the power oozing from her blood mixed with his own scent. Damn. He didn't even think it was possible but somehow the mixture of his blood and hers made it even more alluring. Instantly, his fangs ripped through his gums, and he found himself having a very serious inward war right now.
Every single fiber in his body was commanding – demanding – him to go upstairs and drain her. The beast took over and was already plotting on how to have her blood. He knew exactly how to tap into a vein and have it flow as easily as a river and down his esophagus. He'd angle her head, just like he did earlier that night, and have her at his mercy. Drowned in the way his body was sending off pheromones to intoxicate her, his hands would make sure she'd crave his touch before she even realized what was happening. Damon Salvatore was an excellent killer and a skilled lover; he could make anyone give him what he wanted; Bonnie shouldn't be different. Especially now that she had his blood in her, it would be way easier to work his powers on her.
He groaned loudly, get a fucking grip! he thought and threw the glass into the fireplace. He couldn't hurt her, he wouldn't. He just needed some blood, and he had plenty blood bags in the freezer downstairs, that had to suffice. Flashing into the basement, the vampire dove into it and soon enough was ripping to blood bags.
When Bonnie woke up, she stayed in the bed looking up at the ceiling. Weirdly enough, she actually managed to have a decent night of sleep. After what happened yesterday, she thought she'd have trouble closing her eyes but to her surprise that never happened. Bonnie Bennett slept okay, which was in its own way alarming.
She knew that Silas was getting stronger and stronger, and she needed to find a way to fight back. Damon was right when he said she needed to find a way to block him out, she knew that she just had to find out how. This time he was able to overpower her within seconds. She really needed to get her defenses back up if she was to survive him. That and find a way to kill him. That was the tricky part, which now that she thought about it, every part was tricky, but finding a way to kill Silas without him taking her with him could be complicated.
Ugh.
Back in their world, Stefan killed Silas, but this was a different reality, could Silas even be killed in here? If so, then maybe she had a good chance at it, although Bonnie knew she couldn't really rely on chances, let alone now. No, this had to be a sure thing and permanent, definitely permanent.
Sighing, she got out of bed and noticed a few clothing items on top of the dresser. Just by the first glance she knew that none of those things belonged to her, not to mention that Damon said they'd be fetching her things today. Though Damon's word was worth a bag of sand. Still, she inspected the clothes and found a t-shirt that was definitely too big for her and a pair of jeans that definitely didn't belong to Damon or Stefan. She noticed because not only were they woman's jeans, but they were also Elena's jeans, at least they had been at one point. How that came to happen, she didn't know but she figured that it was the least strange thing that happened in this reality.
After she was done getting ready, she went down the stairs fully expecting to find Damon nursing a drink.
"Morning Judgy" he said casually "How did you find this fine establishment? I assure you it's unlike anything you've ever seen"
Cocking her head to the side "Yeah, sure"
"So grumpy in the morning Bon Bon" he replied "So unlike you"
"Damon," she started "We don't have to do this, you know. You said you wanted to help, so do that instead"
The vampire rolled his eyes "You take the fun out of everything. This is me helping and for your information I have a theory that I'd like to run by you, but you don't know how not to judge for a second."
She mirrored him "There it is. This is why we don't work. You don't know how to listen, and I don't want to deal with all of this" she said waving at him "Look, with Silas around I don't have the energy for any of this"
He approached her fast "No, we don't work because you can't let your guard down for a second. I don't go around offering my help like I'm charity, so you should know it's serious. I'm not fucking around"
She shrugged "I can't do that"
"I've told you before, I don't care that you don't like me, but I know you're smarter than this. Are you really that stubborn that you can't see that I'm actually doing the decent thing here and help you out?" he asked annoyed "Yesterday was no fucking joke Bonnie. Fuck, I know I'm a monster but give me some credit here!"
She swallowed tightly. Yeah, she was aware of the role he played yesterday but she wasn't ready to be vulnerable with him because that required trust, which she didn't have, hence the issue. On the other hand, though, having Damon backing her up proved to be more than necessary now.
"You saved my life yesterday; I don't know what would've happened had you not been there, and I appreciate that" she admitted lowly after a few seconds of silence "But even you can see just how much we clash"
"So what? People clash all the time" he retorted "It's foreshadowing an epic relationship" he added mockingly.
To that, she had to snort "Relationship? Us?"
"Yeah, well not like that. More like Bonnie and Clyde minus the romantic stuff, though I would totally understand if you fell in love with me, I'm that irresistible" he said with a glint in his eye "You're the wicked witch of the west and I'm the dashing vampire. We join forces to defeat the evil in the world"
"So, we can take over the world? Since, you know, I'm the wicked witch and all"
"Exactly" he said at once "Let's show them what real evil is. I'll compel everyone to obey us, or you'll turn them into frogs"
Rolling her eyes, she said "You're insane"
"Clinically, proudly" he winked at her "But seriously though, as much as we 'clash', we make a somewhat good team, and listen, yeah, it'll be weird and awkward and annoying but that's nothing new. That's just how we roll, and we have a common enemy. That's when we get along the best – fighting the evil guys"
"And then we go back into fighting each other?"
"That's how it usually goes witchy but we can rearrange those terms later"
She licked her lips and breathed hard. He had a point there, the only time they could tolerate one another was when they had to fight the enemy. So as long as they had Silas to defeat, they'd find a way to coexist "This doesn't mean I'll help you with whatever plan you have Damon. We'll deal with Silas and that's it"
"Bonnie" he sang "Not everything's black and white"
She crossed her arms across her chest "Sure, but this is. I don't want to do anything I don't want to. Those are my terms, I make my own decisions"
This time he was the one huffing. She couldn't see beyond what was happening and he wouldn't blame her... much. She was still young and couldn't really see the bigger picture, not yet. Regardless, she was willing to let him help even if she was being all Bonnie Bennett about it, and he could work with that. He'd make sure they'd both get out of here alive but for now, he'd agree to her terms. "Fine, have it as you like it"
"Good" she replied.
"Wanna cheer to it?" he offered her a glass.
She eyed the glass "No, thanks but I'd like to get my things"
"Boo, you're no fun" he shrugged and drank what was meant to be her glass in one go and then his "Let's go then"
"Wait, I didn't say now" she said grabbing his arm "We have to talk"
"More?" he asked with a horrified expression "Now I'm starting to think you actually like me Bonnie and I'd hate to break your heart, but I'm taken" he said placing a hand on his chest.
Shaking her head, she said "About Silas. You said you had a theory, let's hear it"
"Don't you want to have breakfast first? You're still a human and I'm sure you're starving" he said before flashing them to the kitchen "Oh, look at that, we're already here" he added a smile.
Bonnie was still waiting for the rest of her senses to catch up with movement. She really hated vampire speed. "You could've warned me!"
Already getting the things he needed, he said "Yeah, I could but then you'd list all of the reasons why it could wait even though I hear just how hungry you actually are. So, we can talk while I make you breakfast. Here's fresh coffee"
The young witch opened her mouth to deny his claims but then she realized she was, in fact, hungry, sipping the coffee edited her reply "Yesterday at Grams', did you see him? Silas?"
Mixing the ingredients together, the older Salvatore eyed her "No, it was just us"
She nibbled her lip "But he was there" she whispered, "He did– Um... are you sure?"
"Yes, Bonnie. What did he do?"
"He... um..." she sighed heavily "I don't know how to explain it but it's like he took over my mind but this time I just blacked out"
"How many times did he take over?"
"Before last night?" she asked concerned "Well, three times then"
"So, that's what happened when I first found you and again when you were here yesterday." he stated as he poured the mixture onto the pan. Carefully, he asked "When was the first time?"
This time, she looked down from his gaze and into the black of her coffee "When I showed up with my leg busted"
Just like he suspected, but still "That long huh?"
She shrugged "Yeah"
Things were starting to make more sense now. He knew she'd been dealing with Silas for a while but not to the point of him having such an effect on her. If he were to follow the assumption that Silas had indeed power over her, then that could mean that "So, when I came back to tell you about Emily's necklace and you fainted, was that Silas?"
Bonnie thought back to that time and shivered. She still remembered it as if it had happened yesterday "No, but he was showing up in my dreams. It was," she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes "It was horrible. I couldn't really sleep right and I was trying to find a way to protect myself and I guess that took a toll over me"
When she opened her eyes, she found him staring back at her so intensely she wondered if she'd said too much "He's always had power over you, it just got worse over time" as if he'd just realized that.
She knew that but still, hearing it, was worse than swallowing a hard pill. It weighed on her like a ton of bricks. Right then, she could feel her tear ducts wanting to release that saline liquid, but she kept them in their confinement. She didn't want to give him an ounce of herself ever again.
"He won't ever come close to you, not if I can help it"
Her green eyes traveled up into his ocean blues and she almost believed him. She wanted to, for her sake. She didn't say anything, her eyes said enough. They remained locked in this silent conversation. There was an understanding starting to shape between them. Even though they both had their barriers built up, they could find solace in the fact that they were going to find a way to win this battle. At least, that's what Bonnie felt and even that was too much for her. She couldn't let herself forget who Damon was and what he'd done, even if he was helping her right now. So, she looked away.
He took that cue and placed her plate in front of her "Eat up Bon Bon, a starving witch isn't a good witch"
"Not a witch" she reminded him before taking a bite.
"Currently, yeah, but that's not something that can just go away" he said as he fixed his own plate "You're a Bennett, you can't just stop being a witch"
Huffing, she looked at him "Look, I'm not saying I'm never going to be a witch again, I'm just saying that it's not working right now"
"So, we're on the same page – good" he replied "About my theory – and before you start, just hear me out – are you a hundred percent sure Silas is real? You know, considering everything?"
Shaking her head, she said immediately "Yeah, he's real"
"But are you super, absolutely, completely sure?" he pressed
"What? Are you saying I'm making this up?" she asked annoyed.
"No! Not that, no, just listen" he said quickly "We don't exactly know what this place is or the things in it or even the way it's affecting us" he sighed before confessing "I might've – possibly – probably – seen Elena a couple times–"
"–What?" Bonnie reacted surprised.
"–And I'm pretty sure I was hallucinating the whole thing but it felt real" he continued.
"How could you keep this from me?" she asked getting up from her chair.
"Because it wasn't real!"
"Wait, are you saying that Silas isn't real? You've seen what he's done!" she accused shocked.
Oh no, this was getting out of hand "Wait, Bonnie, before you stomp off, I know what he did, and I know it's real–"
"Then what are you trying to say?" she spat through clenched teeth "Are you saying that I imagined the whole thing?"
"No, Bonnie, listen!" he placed his hands on her shoulders "What I'm saying is, we don't know shit about this place so who's to say that Silas is even actually here? I know what he did to you was very real but what if whatever power he's had over you back in our world just magnified in this world? His magic is still somehow in you, but he might not be here"
Well now, that was a theory.
Bonnie blinked a couple times, her brain making connections faster than she was used to "He was destroyed when the Other Side crumbled, but we were supposed to be gone too..."
Now that he had her attention, he released her from his hold "And we were brought here, a replica of our Mystic Falls where Emily's necklace is still in one piece and the town isn't blown to pieces"
"The Witches house... the necklace flew by itself"
"What?" he asked with his brows knitted "What flew?"
Bracing herself she explained, "The necklace flew from the wall to the ground in the basement– so Silas might not be here?"
"It's a theory but what about Emily's necklace?"
"It doesn't matter, not now at least" she said sitting down "He is an ancient warlock; and he basically created the immortality spell, that means that there's a lot more he can do that we don't know about"
Nodding, Damon joined her at the table "Again, there's a lot we don't know about this place Bon, and I'm not saying he can't be here, I'm questioning it"
She ran her hand through her hair concerned "So, how do we stop him? There has to be a way to stop him"
"We'll find out, he can't be unbeatable. No one is" he assured her "We just need to find out more about him"
She definitely agreed with that. Silas was dangerous and even if Damon was right about his theory, she couldn't really let herself relax, she still had to find a way to keep him away from her.
"You need to protect your mind" he said "Keep him out of there, which by the way, how come he can get into your head? You can't even be compelled"
"I thought about that when I thought I got rid of him the first time" she said with a sad face "But I think it's literally because you're a vampire and he's a witch. You were created by us, so it makes sense that even though you're physically stronger than us, you can't invade our mind. Whereas Silas is a warlock and I'm sure he knows more than his fair share of spells" unfortunately, she thought. She usually had to find a way out of his mind control. Right then she thought about last night, so she had to ask, "How did you get me out? I know I was fully under"
Damon sighed readying himself for what was about come "You're not gonna like it but it had to be done. He just didn't have you under his control, you weren't responding at all, and at one point you were gone, so I had to do what I had to do and fed you my blood. It was only until you came back and as soon as you did, I stopped. So don't go around and accidentally die"
Her eyes enlarged to twice their normal size and she took her hands to her neck without realizing it "You what?"
"It was the only way Bonnie, like it or not – and I know you hate it – it was the only way" he was quick to defend his actions "Again, you were gone Bonnie. Gone"
Her breath was shallow; she hated having it in her blood. His blood. She wanted to throw up. "Oh my god" she whispered.
"Look, it's not the end of the world" he started "It'll wear off in, what, twelve hours and then you'll be a hundred percent good ole Judgy again"
Though she was extremely disgusted and had sworn to never have vampire blood in her, she couldn't even bring herself to berate him because that might've just saved her. Fuck. "I don't like it but... I can deal this one time"
A smile graced his handsome features "Perfect. Now, finish your breakfast, we have some things in our agenda today"
Exhaling, Bonnie addressed the vampire in front of her "We need some ground–"
"–Rules, yeah, I figured. I still remember them; I can't feed you my blood, can't keep secrets, can't go in your room unannounced–"
"Wait, what? No, you can't go in there without my permission and it's not my room, it's just the place I'll be sleeping in for the foreseeable future" she interrupted him.
"Anything else you'd like to add?" he asked waving his fork at her.
"Yes, don't be reckless"
Rolling his eyes, he asked "I meant something important"
"That is important in a matter of life or death" she countered "Think for two seconds before you do something"
He groaned loudly "Bonnie Bennett you are so incredibly annoying"
"Part of my charm" she was quick with her comeback.
A.N.: Hey, there! It's been a while but I'm back. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'd like to thank you for reading and leaving a review. It warms my heart right up! I know I normally discuss the character's choices in my author notes but I'm curious to know what your thoughts are and hopefully we can discuss them in the next chapter. Also, thank you for being so patient with me xx
