Chapter Eight: All That Remains
Fifteen Years Ago:
There was a party in full swing, some swanky town outdoor garden event that was way out of his league, but all of Bonnie's friends were going and he wanted to impress her. For most of the party, he plastered on a charming smile, played the part and skirted around some questions he didn't have the answers to. Dean had always been able to get away with faking it; just squeaking himself by in uncomfortable situations but when it all got too suffocating, he snuck off to the quarry on the other side of the hill to get some air. The sun was beginning to go down, casting the skies in oranges and pinks.
This was the kind of place he always hoped they could settle down in. Everyone was so nice; the people here embraced him as a community, like he belonged, and then there was Bonnie…it was all more than he was willing to give up. He knew it wouldn't be long now…maybe a month, maybe less; dad would have them packed up and onto the next town and he'd never see these people again.
"There you are." Bonnie's playful melodic voice carried over and he looked over his shoulder and a genuine smile pulled on his lips. She was in a powder blue sundress, a contrast to her dark skin, and she was holding her wedge sandals by the straps in one hand. "I thought you took off on us." She sat down next to him, tilting her head to catch his gaze. "Everything okay?"
It never seized to amaze him how she was able to see through the mask he put up. "Yeah sweetheart, I'm good. Just needed a bit of space from all of that." He nodded up to the house.
She nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry…I know, it's a lot. Honestly, it's not really my scene either. I usually feel out of place at these things. But you made it easier."
Dean wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to rest her head on his shoulder. "How'd you know where to find me?"
"It's where I'd be." She answered back with a shrug, snuggling closer into him. "My dad used to take me fishing here; we'd get up at the crack of dawn and set up our chairs…my mom would have a whole picnic prepared." Her tone was wistful but sad and it made Dean frown.
"You never talk about your mom." He kissed the crown of her head.
"I don't really know her. She left…when I was six. I never knew why; I just remember waking up one morning and she was gone." It happened so long ago that she barely recalled her face, but the sting her abandonment left still burned.
Dean felt a pang in his chest, holding her tighter. "I'm sorry." He was quiet for a moment, unsure how much he should divulge. "I lost my mom." Unlike some others he'd met along the way in his travels, he wanted Bonnie to know him; know a part of him that not many did. "She died when I was four. House fire…Sammy and I, we barely made it out. We've been bouncing around ever since. Nowhere really felt like home…until now."
Bonnie raised her head gracing him with a sad smile, leaning up to kiss him sweetly. She knew how difficult it was to get him to open up, and she felt privileged that he could with her, without question. "I can't imagine what you two went through…it must have been so hard. I know it seems easier to put up this wall and block everyone out, but…you don't have to with me." Her hand caressed his cheek. "I see you."
Dean smiled, grabbing her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist. "I know." The words caught in his throat. The first few drops of summer rain hit her cheeks, and suddenly it began to pelt down on them and the water in the quarry causing them to laugh as they jumped to their feet. Instinctively, Dean shrugged out of the only suit jacket he owned, and draped it over her head and shoulders. "Come on let's get out of here!" he called out over the rain. The motel wasn't far, and he gamble on the chances of his dad being out. However, when they got there, the impala sat right out front. "Just wait here for a second okay." He reassured her, kissing her forehead and making sure she was under cover.
He entered, surprised to see it was only Sammy in the room; laying on his stomach reading a book. "Thought you were at that thing with Bonnie." He mumbled, his eyes never leaving the page.
"I was. She's outside. Where's dad?"
"Bar." He nodded his head in the direction down the street. His gaze followed Dean as his brother searched the table and the nightstands, looking for something. When Dean finally found the keys, Sam scoffed. "He's gonna kill you."
Dean grinned. "I'll be back before he even knows I'm gone." He ruffled Sam's hair before darting off leaving the way he came. He shot Bonnie a bright smile, opening the door of the car for her. She looked so adorable, practically swimming in his jacket. "I believe your chariot awaits." He winked making her blush as he closed the passenger door.
They ended up at the bluffs; a well known teenage make out spot. It was a beautiful evening, the sun setting over the falls, casting the water in purples and blues. He seemed so comfortable behind the wheel on the way over, fingers strumming to the music as he followed the curves of the road. But now, he was nervous; she could tell, and it made her smile. Who would have thought. "This is a beautiful car." Her hands skimmed the bench seat between them. "I'm surprised your dad gave you the keys."
"Yeah, well…he wanted me to make sure you got home safe." He lied gracing her a smile. He knew when he found out come morning there would be hell to pay, but it was worth it. Bonnie was worth it.
"So tell me something about you…" Bonnie turned to him, tucking one leg under her. "I mean, I feel like you know everything about me, but you are still a complete mystery." She rested her elbow on the back of the seat, and her palm on her temple.
Dean turned to her a bit resting his arm on the steeling wheel. "Well, that's all part of the Winchester charm." He chuckled when she pushed him playfully.
"Dean, I'm serious." She canted her head trying to read him. "Where did you come from? Who are you?"
Monster hunter. Drifter. Freak. He wanted to tell her everything; finally have someone that he could confide in, that he could trust, let her in on the world's best kept secret, but that would be selfish of him. "I was born in Lebanon, Kansas. My mom died when I was little. My dad's work tends to pull him away from time to time so…Sammy's always kinda been my responsibility."
She smiled. "I can tell. You're very protective of him." She thought for a moment. "You know, I never see your dad. What does he do, exactly?"
"Pest control." He answered quickly, a well practiced lie. "Yeah, sort of takes him all over. Sammy and I are just along for the ride."
Her tone dropped along with her gaze. "When do you think you'll leave?"
Dean tipped her chin up. "Hopefully not for a long time." He wanted it to be true…but deep down he knew it wasn't.
Bonnie smiled leaning in. "Good." The sweet kiss she placed on his lips soon picked up until her trembling fingers started to tug at his damp shirt, and Dean shrugged her out of his jacket. "I haven't done this before…" she whispered when she made contact with his skin.
He pulled back, brushing her fallen locks behind her ear. "Neither have I." his voice shook, confirming his honesty. "We don't have to do anything you don't wanna do." He reassured.
Bonnie scooted closer. "No, I want to…I want it to be you." She smiled, her heart hammering in her chest.
He sighed in relief. "Me too." His hand ghosted over her shoulder, gently pulling the thin strap of her dress down, slowly appreciating the silkiness of her skin. She kissed him one more time before gracefully climbing in the backseat, giving him a perfect view of her ass as she did. Dean took a moment to relish the vision of her back there waiting for him with an eager look in her eyes before he joined her.
…
That day seemed like lifetimes ago to her now. Bonnie always figured it would be Caroline or at least Elena that would end up losing their virginity first. She was the older out of the three of them having already turned sixteen earlier that year, but even though it wasn't exactly as she planned it, she couldn't have imagined it being with anyone else.
Dean sparked something in her that day, something that when he left, burnt out. It wasn't until he showed up a few days ago that she felt it reignite; and with that kiss, she nearly burst into flames. The feeling was unlike anything she'd ever felt before, mystical or otherwise and it only made her more curious to explore it further. But there were other factors now she had to face; Damon being one of them. Things were about to change between them, whether she liked it or not. What she'd found out would only complicate their already rocky relationship and Bonnie had to decide if it was worth the risk. She had to tell him, that much was obvious, but in truth, she was terrified of what it all meant.
For now, she was happy to put it on the back burner and focus on the plan.
…
Caroline staggered, reaching out for the wall as they were suddenly transported to a familiar place. The streets of New Orleans were bustling, just as it was the last time she was here and she looked up to see they were standing right out front the bar beside the Mikaelson compound.
Castiel held and unconscious Hope in his arms, her head lolled into his shoulder. "I'll find a place inside the compound to lay low. Pray to me when you are ready." In an instant he disappeared and Caroline gave her head a shake, trying to get her bearings. She was just about to enter, when the sound of someone on the other side of the door caused her to dart for cover. What she wasn't expecting was to see herself, clearly emotional, wiping the tears from her face as she rushed off.
She recalled that moment as if it happened yesterday. Knowing it was the last time she'd ever see him, knowing that whatever feelings she had would have to stay deeply buried. It was as painful then as it was now. Steeling herself, Caroline sucked in a deep breath and pushed through the doors.
Klaus smiled, not needing to turn around to know it was her. "Have you forgotten something, love?"
Caroline's eyes misted as she crossed the floor slowly towards him, slipping into the same chair her past self had just vacated. It was surreal, seeing him again in the flesh. All she had to do was reach out and touch him. "I can't believe its really you…" she breathed in awe to herself.
He looked at her then, reeling back in confusion. Her face was the same, but her hair was longer and her clothes were different, and there was something in her blue eyes that told him this was a different Caroline. "You're not her…"
She swallowed. "I was. But that was years ago." She explained where she was from as best she could without sounding like a total crazy person, and waited as he processed. "I don't expect you to believe me, so see for yourself." She flipped through pictures of Hope and herself on her phone watching the relief on his face.
"She's grown so much." He whispered reverently. "The Hollow…she survives it?" He asked desperately.
"Yes." She reassured. "But she needs your help. Klaus…Hope is a tribrid now. When she turned, she had to kill Landon and now-"
"She turned it off." He answered knowingly.
Caroline nodded, her eyes slanted empathetically. "You are the only one that can get through to her. We've tried everything else."
Conviction shone in his eyes. "Where is she?"
…
Hope glared daggers into Cas as she paced the floor restlessly. He stood in the corner of the room silently, straight faced. She had woken from her slumber only moments ago, furious enough to erupt a volcano, but Castiel was able to subdue her with his influence, keeping her calm. She realized quickly that Castiel was stronger than she was, and whatever warding was used to seal the door shut was superior to what she could counter. It was a humbling experience. "You're the angel, right?" He didn't respond. "Is this another trick Caroline, Ric and the gang cooked up? Walk me down memory lane?" She glanced around at her old room with a bit of disgust curling her lip. "Make me feel nostalgic? It's not going to work. This place holds all my worst memories." He ignored her. "In fact…bringing me here was probably your biggest mistake yet." Her head snapped to the door when Caroline walked in. "You just don't give up, do you?"
"When it comes to you? Never." Caroline vowed.
"Aw…" Hope cooed mockingly. "You're gonna make me puke." She noticed the door was open a crack and waited for her moment.
"This ends today, Hope." The blonde promised. "Getting on the other side of this isn't going to be easy, but you have a bunch of people that are going to help you get through it."
For a second, Caroline thought she was getting through to her; she could see the wheels turning in her head, but with a blink that glimmer of optimism was gone. "Yeah, I'll pass." She darted to the door but she was halted; not by the barrier, but by a solid chest. Her eyes rose slowly, widening as her mouth parted open in shock. She staggered back as he stepped into the room, his gaze penetrating right through her. He said nothing, just staring at her while a flood swept her under. "Dad?" Her eyes pooled with tears unknowingly, her lips trembling as her subconscious fought the emotions building inside. "No…this isn't real. You're not real." She pushed it down, regaining control and hardening her scowl.
"My littlest wolf…" he whispered in heartbreak, running down the back of his finger over her cheek. The contact made her gasp. "This is no way to live, sweetheart…trust me, I know first hand."
She shook her head, backing away. "How? How are you even here right now?"
"Actually…" Caroline offered gently. "It's where we are. Hope, we're three years in the past." The young girl's head snapped to her in disbelief and Caroline stepped closer. "Honey, I know that there were so many unanswered questions. So much that has weighed on you…" She glanced to Klaus. "Now's your chance."
The tension in the air was taut as Hope struggled with the words that fought to come out. "You…" she started, a knot forming in her throat. "You left me…" she bit out through clenched teeth. "I begged you not to, and you did it anyways!" The first emotion pushed its way through. Anger. "I needed you and you abandoned me!"
Klaus's face collapsed in anguish. He hadn't even done so yet but he felt her pain as if it were his own. "I'm so sorry. But one day you'll know…the price a parent is willing to pay to protect their child. You are the heart in my chest; my daughter, my heir…no price is too high."
Tears began to flood her eyes as he unknowingly repeated the words she played over in her head thousands of times. She remembered her promise then.
They stood in the hallway, stealing a private moment away from the others, saying their last goodbyes. "I want to go with you." Hope whispered.
"I don't think you should." As much as parting with her hurt, he knew it was best to go alone.
Tears tracked her cheeks as she forced a smile. "I'm gonna make you proud. I can't promise that I won't go through a period where I get irresponsible tattoos and date older men, but I'm gonna go back to school." She teased doing her best to lighten the mood. "And I'll be okay." She added with a deep exhale. "Because I'm a Mikaelson. And I promise you, I'm gonna do right by our name." She promised with conviction.
"I know you will." He squeezed her shoulder, looking directly into her eyes. "I love you." Hope's face crumbled as a new wave of tears fell. "More than all the days and nights, deeper than the oceans and the skies." He uttered profoundly with more love in his heart than he thought was possible.
"I love you, too." She cried.
The floodgate burst and she was sobbing, throwing herself in his arms. "I'm sorry, dad. I'm so sorry!" All he could do was clutch her tight to his chest, resting his chin on her head as he embraced her. "I lied, I thought I could be strong and be who you wanted me to be, what you died for, but I'm not!"
He pulled back cradling her face in his hands. "But you are Hope. You are everything I wanted you to be and more." He cried as he wiped her tears with the pads of his thumbs. "You've helped me feel something that I never thought was possible."
Hope shot him a watery smile. "Unconditional love?"
He nodded with a smile of his own. "I've told you this once, I gather."
"Those words are the only thing that gets me through most days. Knowing that despite all the terrible things we do, that there's hope at the end of the tunnel…that anyone is capable of redemption." She let out a shaky sigh. "The things I've done…" she whispered remorsefully, bowing her head.
He tilted her chin up. "You can make amends for." He finished confidently.
Caroline gestured for Cas to leave the room with her, giving father and daughter some much-needed space. She breathed a sigh of relief, leaning her head back on the door. "Thank you. We couldn't have done this without you."
"You're welcome." He eyed her contemplatively. "She's like a daughter to you, isn't she?"
She nodded. "As much as my own."
"And Klaus…" he probed further.
The blonde's eyes widened the size of saucers, pulling the angel far away from the door and back down to the hallway. "Uh…" she hesitated. "Its complicated."
"But you loved him." He confirmed with a frown.
She released a heavy sigh. "That's…complicated too."
Castiel smiled. "Perhaps you should uncomplicate it while you still have the time to do so." He observed while she got lost in her own thoughts. "I haven't spent much time on Earth, but one thing I have noticed is that humans tend to fear the unknown…almost to a fault. Fear prevents them from following their heart…and regret is all that remains." He proclaimed omnisciently.
She huffed a laugh. "Ain't that the truth. Come on…it's Mardi Gras. It would be shameful of me to let you leave here without letting you experience this." She led him back out to Bourbon Street.
…
Hope and Klaus enjoyed the time they had left playing a strategic game of chess while she caught him up on her life. She snorted a laugh earning a look from him. "You're so old. Your last day on earth and you're playing chess."
"With my daughter…from the future." He flashed his eyes dramatically. "There's no better way to spend it, than with you." He moved his piece.
"You should be spending it with her." She didn't need to specify who she was talking about. "She needs you right now." She moved her piece.
"She is you. And you need me too." He paused. "Darling, you must know my intention was never to abandon you. I'm simply doing what I feel is right…to protect you."
"I know, it's just…" she took a moment to collect herself. "It's been so hard, dad. Without you, without mom…" her voice caught in her throat. "Every day I just pushed through, tried to be strong, protect my friends, my boyfriend and then-" She slammed her eyes shut, remembering the moment that changed everything. "I had to kill someone I loved...and the only way I could do it was to turn it off so…here we are. And the things I did…the people I hurt and killed…" The weight of it lay heavy on her shoulder. "I don't know how I'm supposed to carry that guilt." She wiped at the tear that fell.
Klaus pushed the chess set off to the side, leaning forward on the table between them. "You will make mistakes in your life. That comes with being a Mikaelson. You will go through hard times. For no one with your power always knows how to use it properly, myself included. You will find love and you will lose it." He continued empathetically knowing he too had lost his loves along the way. "Such is the burden of immortality, I'm afraid. But you musn't let that stop you from living the life you have. Yes, the guilt is heavy…yes, we will feel the pain deeper than others, but that spark of humanity…it's what makes us love. And without love, we are truly just monsters."
Caroline knocked on the door to the sitting area and popped her head in with smile. "Hope…I think there's someone downstairs you'd like to see."
Hope straightened as she listened in. "Uncle Elijah." She stood, walking towards her father, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too, my littlest wolf." He whispered, kissing the crown of her head.
"Always and forever?" She asked looking up at him.
"Always and forever." He repeated kissing her forehead once more before she pulled herself away reluctantly. He waited until Hope was gone before directing his attention to Caroline. "He dies with me…doesn't he?"
She bit down on her lips. "You know Elijah…honourable to the very end." Fear prevents them from following their heart…and regret is all that remains. Caroline dropped her gaze to the floor. "You know it's not everyday you get to go back and time and right your wrongs." She joked nervously. "I guess that means I shouldn't waste the opportunity, right?" She exhaled a shaky breath, meeting his eyes again. "I've been fortunate to love more than once in my short life. It hasn't always been easy; loving and losing seem to go hand in hand, and I don't regret my time with either of them." She stepped closer almost trembling as she finally voiced what she had kept bottled for too many years. Klaus frowned, his eyes wide and accepting of whatever she was about to say. "But my one regret…the one thing that eats me up at night, is that I never told you…" her voice broke and she wiped a tear off her cheek.
With two long strides Klaus was in front of her, his hand cradling her face and forcing her to look into his eyes. "Tell me what, love?"
Tyler was her first love, Stefan was a whirlwind love that came as quickly as it was ripped from her but Klaus…he festered under her skin for years, crept deep down into her heart and stayed there. But fear had always held her back. Fear of what her friends would say, of what falling so recklessly in love would leave her with at the end of the day. Klaus was the sort of man you gave all or nothing, and there were many times over the last few years where she thought about taking him up on that offer, he made on graduation day. "You were my last love." She breathed.
"And you will always be mine." He vowed, leaning down to kiss her slowly, but full of passion. It was a hello and goodbye all in one, and he rested his forehead on hers as he soaked in the moment. "I think I can die peacefully now." He teased.
Caroline laughed even through her tears and it was music to his ears. "I wish it didn't have to be this way."
"I know, love…maybe in another life." He pulled back brushing the hair out of her face adoringly. "Take care of my little girl for me. You're the only parent she has now."
She held his hand to her face. "I will. I promise." She stole one last lingering kiss. "Goodbye Klaus…I'll never forget you." She stepped out of his arms and rushed out of the room before she lost the will to do it.
…
One Year Ago:
It was late…or early, depending on how you looked at it. The last of the group left hours ago, all with families and loved ones to get back to, but not them. Nope, whatever loved ones they had were dead or close to it. So instead, Damon and Bonnie sat at her kitchen table, swigging shots from the bottle, the glasses long since abandoned.
"To new adventures." Damon raised to bottle. "To you finally doing something that makes youhappy, for once." He took a sip and passed it back to her.
"To…" Bonnie raised the bottle. "Moving on. Or at least trying to." She scoffed a cynical laugh before taking a healthy gulp, wincing as it went down.
The vampire regarded her perceptively. "You know, for someone about to spend the next year travelling abroad, you don't look too thrilled about it. I mean, I think you fooled Caroline and Donovan, but I know a performance when I see one."
It bothered her that even though she forced a smile for everyone's benefit all night, Damon saw right through it. "It's my party, I'll cry if I want to." She joked dryly. "Look, it's not that I'm not excited about the trip, I am…" she released a heavy sigh before resting the palm of her hand on her temple, leaning her elbow on the table. "I guess I'm just scared. You know, to finally close the door on certain parts of my life." She added solemnly, keeping her eyes fixated on a knot in the wood.
Damon frowned. "Enzo?" He knew she struggled with letting him go, letting his ghost go.
"Among other things." She responded vaguely. "But I have to; for my own sanity." She chuckled ironically. The words began slipping out of her mouth before she could stop them, the booze loosening her lips. "Because there comes a time when you just have to accept that the things you want aren't always within reach." Her downcast eyes finally snapped up to his. She spoke without speaking, and he knew exactly what she was saying.
It had always been an unwritten rule that neither of them would cross that line. There was an obvious attraction there, on both ends; Damon loved their flirty banter, but that's all it ever was. The reason their friendship was so strong was because neither of them were willing to blur the lines. Bonnie was usually the stronger of the two; quick to shut down his suggestive tone when he facetiously tested the waters. But it seemed tonight Bonnie was ready to lay it all out on the table…and he wasn't about to stop her.
"You know what I think?" He drawled, his blue eyes clashing with her green as he leaned forward on the table surface. "If you want something, you should take it. Fuck the consequences." He was challenging her, seeing how far she would let this go. Would she do what she always did, and turn her head away? Laugh and punch his shoulder; call him a perv?
Then she was standing, her gaze never leaving his as she walked around the table, her hips swaying tantalizingly towards him. Maybe it was the fifth of whiskey, but Bonnie's inhibitions had all but left her. Unconsciously, his body turned to her and she slowly stepped between his parted legs. She was looking down at him a lustful stare, and it raptured him. She'd never looked at him like that before; not so openly. His eyes almost rolled in the back of his head when Bonnie tunneled her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck. "Fuck the consequences?" She was giving him an out, and he would be smart to take it; pump the breaks on this whole thing, but hell if Bonnie had him under her spell right now.
He didn't give himself another second to talk himself out of it. He latched his hand behind her neck and pulled her down to him, kissing her zealously. Years of sexual tension and desire fueled them both, unleashing a primal need that was dying to come out. Damon rose to his feet, easily lifting her into his arms as he went, spinning her with his vampire speed and laying her out on the table, knocking off everything on it. Neither of them even heard the glass crash to the floor, or cared for that matter, it was like everything else around them got tuned out. He ripped open the buttons on her thin sweater, revealing her breasts, tucked into a white lacy bra that seemed so bright against her dark skin. Her hands frantically undid his belt before tugging impatiently at the hem of his shirt, forcing him to pull away to fling it over his head.
It wasn't until after, that suddenly the world came back to them. Reality of what they had just done sitting thick in the air, and dread gripped her heart when she was unable to read the look in his eyes. Was it guilt, regret? Did he want this just as badly as she did, or did he just get caught in the moment? Bonnie looked up at him hovering over her, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Even though she was partially clothed, she still felt completely naked under his stare. Her eyes darted between his, wondering what he was thinking. And then he smirked, and his lips connected with hers and for the next few hours she forgot who she was…and who he was to her; Damon wasn't her best friend, or Elena's boyfriend. He was everything she had been wanting him to be for the last few years.
…
The next morning, the harsh truth slapped them both in the face.
"We can't do this, Bonnie." He said regretfully, swinging his legs out of bed.
"Why not?" She sat up, holding the sheet to her chest, watching him walk around her bed.
"You know why." He grumbled yanking on his jeans as he sat at the edge of the bed. He was mad at himself. For doing this to her, to himself. To Elena.
"Because of Elena?" He was silent, confirming her question. "What happened fuck the consequences? To moving on? I'm not the only one who has to, you know." She snapped.
He closed his eyes, before looking at her over his shoulder. She was beautiful even now; hair mussed, lips swollen from his kisses and angry at him. "It's not right." He started gently. "I wish it was…" she could see the conflict in his gaze. "If there is a chance Elena could come back…I need to keep the promise I made to her. That I'd be here for her to come back to."
Bonnie's lips twisted ruefully, averting her eyes to the white sheets as she swallowed down the knot in her throat. "So then what was this?"
He had no idea what he was getting into when they finally gave into each other. He'd thought maybe he get her out of his system, they could have one wild night to kill the sexual tension and go back to the way things were, but what he didn't realize was how deep some of those feelings ran. In fact, sleeping with her did the opposite. It only rooted his feelings for her further…and that was terrifying. "Closing a door." He rasped out painfully. "I'm sorry." He came around, sitting on the edge beside her, caressing her cheek softly with the back of his knuckles. "You deserve better."
She turned her head away, unable to meet the sympathetic pools of blue. "Just go…"
He nodded in understanding. Breaking her heart had broken his too, but he knew that it wouldn't be fair to either of them. Not when Elena was still in the picture. He kissed her forehead, a silent goodbye, and with a whoosh he was gone.
…
Everyone seemed to finally be able to breath now. Hope was back, and now they could begin to formulate a plan to take on Lucifer. Bonnie enjoyed the calm of the last few days, but she shown have known that there was always a calm before the storm.
She got home from the school late, spending extra time with Hope to help her get back on track. The house was dark, and when she flipped on the lights on in the kitchen, her hand flew to her chest. Damon was sitting there drinking in silence. "Geez, Damon…brooding much?" She tossed her keys on the table. "What are you doing here?"
"When were you gonna tell me, Bonnie?" He grumbled.
Bonnie stiffened. "Tell you what?"
Damon tossed back the last of bourbon, dropping the glass on the surface loudly before rising to his feet and walking towards her. "You know what." He snapped. "How long have you known?"
Her heart raced. "How did you find out?"
Damon slapped his hand to the wall beside her. "How. Long?"
She jumped. "A couple months. I didn't know how to tell you…" she whispered.
His hand fell, and he staggered back, a dejected look on his face. It was then Bonnie saw all the research from her travels laid out on the table. "You're sure?"
She nodded sadly. "Damon, I'm sorry. But I've been to every shaman, every witch and warlock I know…she's not going to wake up. The spell Kai said he put on her…it doesn't even exist. He lied." She said with tears in her eyes. "You weren't ever supposed to choose me Damon. He wanted you to let me die. And even if you did…it wouldn't have saved her. I'm sorry…" she reached for him, but he turned his back on her.
"I don't believe this." He paced, running his hands through his hair. "You should have told me." He shot her glare.
"I know." She couldn't deny that he was right about that. "I just-"
The vampire cut her off, seemingly talking more to himself than to her. "I wasted so much time holding onto something I lost a long time ago…" he scoffed bitterly. "And look at what it cost me." Bonnie frowned, not sure where he was going with this. "What I was willing to give up, all in the name of doing what's right, when all I really wanted has been in front of me this whole time." He finally looked up at her, and realization washed over her face.
"Damon…" she warned, but she didn't have time to finish before he crossed back towards her, trapping her against the wall.
"It wasn't right before, Bon…" he rasped eagerly, his eyes darting down to her lips. "But maybe it is now. There's nothing holding us back…nothing to feel guilty about." This was not what she had expected. She had thought he'd throw some furniture around, go on a rampage, be furious at her for keeping this to herself, but not this. She didn't even know what to say, but thankfully he didn't give her a chance to. "Bonnie…" he ghosted a hand over her hair, and down her shoulders, caressing them soothingly, and she trembled under his touch. "You and I have something. Something real, something special…I've felt it for a long time, and I know you felt it too." He swallowed painfully, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I made a mistake…leaving you that day. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do." He whispered through the knot in his throat. "But now's our chance to start over. Give this a real shot." He added hopefully, looking at her with optimism in his eyes.
It was hard to think when his hands were on her this way. She was reminded of that night, and how lost in him she was, how good he made her feel. She'd been waiting years for him to tell her this, and now that he was, she didn't know what to say. "Damon I…" Then the doorbell rang, and her eyes slammed shut. She almost forgot. "That's Dean…" she admitted, seeing the jealous and disappointment hot in his eyes. "Excuse me." She breathed, slipping out of his grasp. On the walk to the door, she took several shaky breaths to collect herself.
When she opened the door, Dean was on the other side, a boyish grin on his face. "Sorry, I'm early. I couldn't wait to see you, honestly. I brought take out." He raised the bag before leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.
Somehow, he was able to ease her worries with just his presence, and she graced him with a smile. "Thank you, I'm starving." She heard the back door slam shut and it made her jump.
"Everything okay?" He asked in concern.
"Yeah, everything's fine." She lied to herself. "I'm glad you're here. Come on in." She opened the door wider, letting Dean walk in and just as she was closing the door, she saw Damon's car ripping off down the street.
…
AN: Hope you enjoyed this long chappie! I'll be back with some more flashbacks I think, because they were fun to write. I do want to make a couple of disclaimers though:
If you watched the Originals, let's just pretend Cami wasn't a thing for this story. I liked her, but I thought it cheapened the Klaroline ship.
I decided not to get too detailed with the Dean/Bonnie flashback because it was too weird for me with them being underaged. But them being each other's first is important to the storyline.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed that, and thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts and where you think things may be headed.
Vanessa