Midnight Love

Summary: Off-Canon from mid Season 3. With Stefan back in Mystic Falls, Damon knows that whatever chance he had with Elena is gone, and in a dark moment of anger and desperation he turns to Bonnie. For him, it's just sex; but she slowly starts to develop deeper feelings.

Guys…I'll be honest. You're not going to like Damon at first…but I promise he's not a dick forever. lol

Warning: Will contain some smutty scenes. Rated M

Song Inspiration: Midnight Love – Girl in Red

…

I know I don't want to
Be the one that you run to
When you got nowhere else to go
When you need some love
I know I'm the last one
You try to call but
I always give in
To give you it all

Oh, oh
I can't be your midnight love
Oh, oh, oh
When your silver is my gold
Oh, oh, oh
In this light, I swear I'm blind
Oh, oh, oh
In this light, I swear you're mine

…

Bonnie sat up, clutching the sheet to her naked breasts. "Are you leaving?" she whispered in a small voice. Of course he was…he always left after, but it didn't mean she'd hope one day he wouldn't.

"Yeah." He grumbled back, slipping his shirt over his head, and yanking on his jeans where he sat on the corner of her bed.

Taking a deep breath, she rolled on her side, propping herself up on her elbow and letting the sheet drop to her waist, exposing her chest sensually. "You don't have to. My dad's gone all weekend."

He didn't glance back. "I can't."

When he stood, she reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Damon…" She had no idea how to articulate all the things she wanted to say, but the look she gave him said 'please don't leave'.

He offered her a weak smile, almost sympathetic, as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow." He mumbled brushed the loose curl from her face. It was moments like this, when he was sweet, and gentle that made her hope for more than what this was, but the nights that he was distant, and cold, and just out of her reach killed that hope.

Bonnie knew he was still in love with Elena, and she didn't know if that was ever going to change, but somehow, amidst the dangers of the Originals and the angry hate-sex that started off as a way to escape the reality they were facing…she fell for him. Hard. It was getting difficult not to get lost in his eyes, or resist touching him in front of the others, but that's all she wanted to do. So, she hid her feelings from everyone, including him, because Bonnie was terrified that if he knew the truth, he'd end it in an instant.

So, for now, she'd take what she could get; the frantic couplings between her classes, the hot slow grinds in his shower with her back against the cool tile, the late nights he'd slip in her bed while she slept, whispering nasty things in her ear as he took her from behind. It was the only thing she had going for her these days. With Jeremy skipping town, and her dad barely around she didn't have much.

Watching him go was always the toughest part, and this time she had to fight to keep the tears at bay, as he whooshed out her bedroom window.

…

Bonnie and Elena were flipping through photocopies of driver's licenses at Elena's kitchen table, trying to find a face that she recognized. "It's surreal. Having to track down a woman, who bailed on her own kid."

Elena sighed, levelling her gaze on Bonnie's with a compassionate look. "You know you don't have to, right? Let Stefan obsess over opening up the coffin. It doesn't have to fall on you." Her tone turned bitter at Stefan's name; she was still mad at him for nearly driving her off the bridge, regardless if he truly intended to or not.

"The coffin is spell shut. That makes it a witch problem. So, it does fall on me. I was bound to see my mother again sooner or later." She shrugged, looking back down at the paperwork.

The front door opened, and shut loudly, as Damon sauntered into the kitchen holding a folder. "Sooner. Abby Bennett Wilson, Monroe, North Carolina. Born in Mystic Falls Hospital, graduated at Mystic Falls High...blah blah blah." He gave her a secret smile as he handed her the folder and she returned it gratefully looking at the driver's license inside. "A little compulsion helps sped up the research process."

"This is her. Thank you." She did her best to keep the usual soft tone she shared with him out of her voice while in front of Elena, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Yep. Road trip. I call shotgun." Damon announced.

Elena scoffed, but avoided his gaze as they collected their belongings. "Yea-No. You're not coming, Damon."

Damon balked. "Why? I'm the one who found her."

Elena turned to him exasperatedly. "Okay, Damon. Look. Bonnie hasn't seen her mom in over fifteen years. We don't need your snarky commentary narrating the experience."

They held each other's stare for a long time; long enough to make Bonnie uncomfortable.

"Fine…" Damon bit out, forcing a smile. "Have a great trip." He walked out the front door, and Bonnie raised a brow at her friend.

"What was that about?"

Elena was quiet, debating on whether or not she wanted to even bring it up, before finally letting out a suffering sigh. "We…kissed…now it's weird. Please don't give me a hard time about it…I'm having a hard time processing as it is." She pleaded tiredly, running a hand through her hair.

Bonnie's heart dropped. "Oh…no, yeah. It's fine." she hung her head, letting her hair curtain her face. "Um, I'm going start packing the car."

Elena nodded. "Okay, I just have to grab a couple things. I'll meet you out there."

Bonnie stormed out, needing a few minutes to collect herself but found Damon leaning against the driver's side of her car. "What do you want?" she snapped.

He smirked. "Are we fighting? You get so feisty when you're mad at me."

"I have no reason to be mad at you, Damon. You don't owe me anything." She retorted evenly, avoiding his eyes as she walked past him to the trunk.

His eye narrowed, trying to figure out what happened between the grateful smile she gave him in the house and cold shoulder he was getting now. "Did I miss something here?"

She slammed the trunk closed and planted her hands on her hips. "No, Damon, I did. I missed the fact that just because we're sleeping together doesn't mean you aren't still trying with Elena." She paused, letting out a sharp huff, and running her hand over her mouth. "The night you kissed her…did you come to me afterwards?" He didn't say anything; instead, he just stared at her guiltily. Bonnie rolled her eyes and nudged him out of the way to get to the driver's door.

Damon closed the door and glowered down at her. "I've never lied to you, Bonnie. I told you where I stood, and you opened your door," his eyes slid down her body. "Among other things, to me anyways." He ignored her scoff of disgust and caught her hand when she shoved him. "If you want more, I can't give you that."

She ripped her hand out of his grip, narrowing her eyes at him. "I don't." she hissed.

"Good."

"Great." She plastered on a fake smile.

He released a tension filled exhale as he opened the door for her, and leaned on it. "Hey…be careful out there, okay." He told her gently, staring into her mossy green eyes.

Bonnie nodded resignedly. "I'll make sure Elena is safe."

"I wasn't just talking about Elena." They both heard the front door shut as Elena walked down the porch steps, and Damon straightened. "I'll see you when you get home."

…

When Bonnie got back from North Carolina, it was a few days before she even spoke to Damon. She was trying to be strong, but as frustrated and as hurt as she was…she missed him. So, when she saw him waiting outside her house when she got home from school, she felt her heart leap into her throat.

"What are you doing here?" she asked walking up the steps to the porch.

"You haven't answered my calls." He responded, his eyes flitting over her curiously as he watched her unlock the door.

"I've had a lot on my plate." Her tone was low and clipped but she allowed him to follow her in. That was an understatement. Meeting her mom was drama enough, but helping her get her magic back the last couple of days had been just as difficult.

He grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him. "Hey, I'm…" he sighed uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, okay." She was surprised to say the least. Sorry wasn't a word that he said often. "I upset you…and I've come to realize that I really don't like doing that. I don't know what this is…but I do care about you, Bon, and I…I didn't mean to hurt you." Damon explained himself carefully and he could see he was breaking through her resolve. "So, are we good? Can we kiss and make up now?" he joked with a small crooked smile.

Ugh. She was a sucker for that smile. Her lips pulled at the corners, and he tugged her towards him. "Fine…but only because I've been very sexually frustrated." She caved, snaking her arms up his chest and around his neck.

He nodded, a coquettish pout on his lips. "Mhm. Me too." He leaned down, kissing her neck.

Her whole body wept in relief at having his hands back on her. "You have a few days of making up to do." She whispered back breathlessly.

She could feel him smirking against her skin. "I've got no where to be."

"Then what are you waiting for?" He scooped Bonnie up and sped her up to her room, dropping her onto her bed with a bounce and earning a bubble of laughter from her. Damon crawled up her body, lithe and predatory like a panther, his eyes looking down at her wolfishly.

Bonnie couldn't help but give into him. She would have given him anything he wanted when he looked at her like that. She was surely a lost cause; totally in love with a man she once despised, and helpless to let him go, even if that's what was best for herself.

That night, Damon stayed. He didn't leave after the first time, or the second or the third…instead he played her body like a Spanish guitar well into the night, certainly living up to his promise of making up for lost time. Her whole body was humming and she watched him ardently as he slept. Damon didn't look dangerous this way; he looked human and innocent, the pout of his parted lips, the rhythmic rise and fall of his bare chest, the mussed-up raven locks against her white pillows. He was beautiful.

She heard her phone buzz on the nightstand, and rolled over checking her text message. It was Stefan.

Come outside.

Silently, Bonnie slipped her robe on, and padded to the window, mindful of Damon still sleeping in her bed. Stefan was standing in her front yard. She headed down stairs, pulling her robe around her tightly and opening the door to see Stefan walking up her porch. With one last glance behind her, she stepped out, and closed the door. "What are you doing here? It's almost 2 in the morning." She whispered.

"I've been texting and calling you all night, Bonnie." He eyed her curiously. "I need you and your mom to open that coffin."

She scoffed. "What, now?"

"Yeah." Bonnie shot him a disbelieving stare. "Well, I would have liked to have done this hours ago, but you never responded. So, I came to you." He finished plainly.

Ever since Stefan was released from Klaus' compulsion, he was operating on anger and rage alone. Gone was the compassionate, level-headed Stefan, and in his place was this other person who she didn't recognize. Bonnie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Even if I wanted to, I can't. Abby isn't strong enough to do the spell yet."

Stefan stepped closer, intimidatingly. "Then get her strong enough, or I'll have to find something to motivate you. You have until tomorrow night." His head cocked, and his brows furrowed for a moment, before they smoothed and he stepped back. "Hm." He chuckled to himself, giving her a little nod before whooshing off into the night.

When Bonnie got back to her room, Damon was standing in the middle of her floor, half dressed. "Why is my brother at your house in the middle of the night?" There was a slight edge to his tine, that told her he didn't like that.

"He wants me to open the coffin. Tomorrow night." She decided not to tell him about Stefan's thinly veiled threat.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Bonnie nodded. "I am…but Abby isn't. She can barely float a feather, Damon. What's wrong with him? Stefan's not himself…he's is obsessed with whatever is inside that coffin. After what he did to Elena and how he's been acting…" She raked her nails repetitively over her forehead, a nervous habit. He walked up to her, soothingly running his hands over her arms, and it eased her worry if only for the moment.

"Stefan is focusing all his energy on one set of emotions right now. Hatred. Rage. Revenge, and its all pointed toward Klaus. He doesn't care who he has to hurt or what he has to do to get it." His eyes darting back and forth between hers. "I'll keep him busy tomorrow while you work on opening that coffin." He smirked. "We have dinner plans." She frowned, her head turning speculatively. "I brokered a meeting with Elijah. Stefan and I are going to sit down with him and Klaus and set some ground rules."

Panic immediately rippled through her, and he could feel it. "Damon, this sounds like a trap."

"It is. Only we're the ones setting it."

Her hand found it's way to his naked chest, and she didn't dare look into the deep ocean of his eyes. "Please be careful." She mumbled, gnawing on bottom lip.

Damon tipped her chin up and stole a heated kiss that made her stomach flip like she was on the downswing of a rollercoaster. "I'd say I will, but you know I'd be lying." He sing-songed against her soft lips as he swayed them slightly. His fingers deftly loosened the tie of her robe, and pushed it from her shoulders, and lifting her into his arms. "So why don't you give me a little incentive to come back to, huh." He spun, and laid her out on her bed with a smirk.

…

Damon waited impatiently for her to wake up. When he went to the cave after his meeting with Elijah and Klaus, he found her and Abby unconscious on the ground and the coffin empty. After relentlessly pounding on the magically barrier, he demanded Stefan go get Alaric to pull them out. And now, he waited.

Her eyes fluttered open, and he sighed in relief, moving from the chair to the edge of her bed. "Damon?" She looked around confused. "What happened?"

"You did it. You opened the coffin." He explained tensely.

She pushed herself to sit up. "Well, what was in it?"

"I don't know…when I got to you, you were both passed out." He shook his head. "I thought…" He exhaled through his nose sharply, his eyes darkening. "I thought something terrible happened."

She couldn't help the little smile. "Were you worried about me, Damon?" she teased.

He narrowed his gaze at her playfully. "I just didn't want you to die before I could yell at you for almost dying." He softened. "Are you okay?"

Bonnie nodded. "I'm okay. Is Abby…?"

"She's fine. She's down the hall." He paused thoughtfully; his brows knitting together. "Are you surprised that I worry about you? You shouldn't be." He shot her a weak smile, and stood, patting her hand gently. "I have a few things I need to deal with…but if you need something…" he left it hanging in the air, and all she could d was smile back and nod.

Bonnie watched him reluctantly leave her room, giving her one last look before he tapped the door frame and slipped out the door.

…

Bonnie forced herself to concentrate in history class a couple days later, but it was hard focusing on school when there was so much going on. The Mikaelson's were throwing a ball tonight, courtesy of the one and only original witch; occupier of the infamous coffin, and everyone was going...except her. It shouldn't bother her as much as it did, but who didn't love to throw on a beautiful ballgown and feel like Cinderella for a night. She scoffed. At least Cinderella had a Prince Charming. Damon was far from that.

Her phone buzzed, and she looked down at it subtly in her lap. Come over. Speak of the devil himself.

I'm in class.

When has that ever stopped you before?

Bonnie sucked in a deep breath, debating how to respond. She always ended up going to him; she just couldn't resist, but making him work for it made her feel like she had a choice. I can't.

I wasn't asking, Bonnie.

That sent a shiver right down her spine and between her legs. The dominance he had over her was an incredible turn on, though she would never admit that to him. I'm coming. She texted back a minute later.

Oh, you will be.

Her thighs clenched, and she let out a shaky breath as she silently packed up her books and slipped them into her bag. Elena shot her a look of concern and Bonnie smiled in reassurance, as she slipped out the back door while the teacher's back was turned.

…

Damon fucked her hard. Something must have set him off because he was channeling it all into her with his brutal pace; not that she was complaining. She was whimpering into the pillow as his deep strokes filled her from behind, his large hands gripping and slamming her hips back into him with rumbling grunts.

"Louder." He moaned, coasting one hand up her back and tunneling it in her hair. He loved drawing out all the different sounds her body made for him, especially when she was actively trying to be quiet. It was like he got off on her inner struggle of reigning in her inhibitions. "Louder." He repeated, punctuating his words with a hard thrust and yank of her hair and it made her cry out, long and loud, spasming around his length and coating him her essence.

He let out a heated growl, quickening his pace as he approached his own climax. Damon snaked his fingers under her, rubbing her clit furiously and bringing her to another shuddering orgasm, nearly sobbing her release as he followed her over. Her arms slid forward, as she sunk into the buttery soft Egyptian cotton sheets. Damon pulsed inside her, leaning forward and pressing breathless kisses over her shoulders and exposed neck.

Bonnie's lips pulled in a drunken smile; she hummed in contentment, and her body warmed, as he covered her with his. She enjoyed the afterglow while she could because she knew moments later, he would slip out her warmth and the tenderness he usually displayed after sex would leave with him.

"Aren't you glad you came?" he rumbled huskily in her ear, nibbling it gently.

She let out a chuckle. "Aren't you?"

He chuckled back, slipping out of her reluctantly and rolling onto his back with a satisfied sigh. "What are you doing tonight?"

Bonnie rolled onto her side, looking at him curiously. Usually he was quick to move, leaving her in cold sheets, but this time, he made no effort as he stared up at the ceiling, one arm tucked behind his head. "Nothing nearly as exciting as our friends." She let out a little huff, trying to minimize the minor sliver of jealousy she felt towards them. Elena was invited by Esther; Caroline was invited by Klaus…even Matt was going as Rebekah's date. Bonnie bit down on her lip, tracing tiny circles in the duvet. "I don't know…probably just stay home; try to figure out who's trying to kill council members. A usual Friday night." She joked.

Damon turned his head, looking up at her with a ghost of a smile. "Oh…so you don't want to go to the ball then?"

"Why would I want to go to the Mikaelson ball? I mean, besides the fact that I wasn't invited." She asked him casually with a shrug.

"Well, I wasn't invited but that's not stopping me from going." His lips pulled in a self-satisfied smirk.

"You're going to the ball? Why?" She demanded with a curious frown.

Damon rolled to his side. "Elena is being reckless. I can't just let her walk into the lion's den by herself."

Bonnie resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and sucked in a tense breath. "Of course…you're going because of Elena."

He pinned her with a warning look. "She's up to something, Bonnie, and so is Stefan. They're both being secretive and dodgy." Flipping the covers off he gracefully rose from the bed, to his walk-in closet, naked as the day he was born, and Bonnie couldn't help from appreciating the muscular form of his backside.

"Gee…can't imagine what that's like." She mumbled sarcastically. "You know there's no stopping her, right? When she sets her mind to something there's no changing it back." She called out pushing herself into a sitting position.

"That's why I'm going…" he came back out, jeans hanging low on his hips and his shirt still unbuttoned, showing off his chest and abs to her hungry eyes. Damon smirked, catching her gaze. "And that's why I need you to come with me."

That was the last thing she expected him to say. "What?"

"If I show up solo it's a giant red flag to the Mikaelson's that I've got an agenda."

"Which you do." She cut in.

His eyes rolled skyward. "Well, of course I do. But if I show up with you, then I can slip under the radar."

Bonnie let out a sharp laugh. "Slipping under the radar is nearly impossible for you to do, Damon. And showing up with me isn't going to do anything but raise more questions I know you don't want to answer." She said pointedly raising a brow.

He nodded, his brows knitting together. "So…should I take that dress back then?" As her eyes widened, the grin grew on his face.

"Dress? You got me a dress?" she asked breathlessly.

He nodded in the direction of the closet, and let out a genuine chuckle as she clamored to her feet, wrapping the cashmere throw from the bed around her shoulders and skipped to the closet in excitement.

"Oh my God…" she whispered to herself, admiring the beautiful ball gown hanging on the back of the door. It was probably the most elegant dress she'd ever seen in person, and she was having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that Damon bought it for her. It was an off-the-shoulder, sweetheart neckline gown with an A-line silhouette, in a stunning peacock blue and adorned with intricate patterns of tiny rhinestones across the bust. It wasn't puffed with tool, instead it was light and flowy like smoke on the water. Her fingers caressed the delicate fabric. "You got this for me?"

Damon leaned in the entry to the closet. "Well…it was selfishly motivated." He teased. "Mostly looking forward to taking it off."

Bonnie let a reluctant smile pull on her lips as she looked at him. How could she say no when he was looking at her with that lopsided grin? The one that turned her insides to jello. She couldn't help but wonder what changed in the last week or so. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"

He reeled back. "What do you mean?"

"The dress, the ball…the post coital conversation. You and I both know that's not usually how this goes." She gestured between them, as she slipped passed him to get dressed.

Damon turned around to face her, his eyes narrowing. "What, you rather me be mean?"

Bonnie scoffed an ironic laugh as she dropped the throw, and slipped into her jeans sans panties…they usually didn't survive anyways. "It sure makes whatever this is clearer." She snatched her bra from the other side of the bed and tugged it on hastily, followed by her shirt. Suddenly she felt the need to flee this time, for fear that she'd say more than she should. When Bonnie was dressed and had her bag over her shoulder, she walked over to him. "I'll go with you tonight. I don't think anyone will buy that you aren't up to something but…I'll go."

He zipped the dress up in a garment bag and handed it to her. "Thank you." He nodded once and he rolled his shoulders uncomfortably, breaking her gaze. "Look Bonnie, this isn't-"

"I know. It's not a date." She agreed dejectedly. "You're there for Elena." She offered him a weak smile. "Pick me up at 7." She patted his chest and let her hand trail away as she walked out of the room.

…

The whole time she was getting ready Bonnie had to remind herself that this wasn't a date. This wasn't Damon telling their friends about whatever it was they were doing. This wasn't him showing her off, or doing something to display how much he cared…this was conniving Damon; this was him working an angle.

When she heard the knock on her door, she gave herself one last look; a silent promise that she would handle tonight like business. She wasn't going to let him charm her, or sneak her away to some hidden corner of the mansion so he could take what he wanted. She opened the door, forcing down the desire that rose in her seeing him dressed in a tuxedo. Damon swallowed deeply, his eyes raking over her hungrily; from her bust to the high slit that exposed one leg to the peep-toe heels that showed off the pale pink of her toenails. "Bon…you look…" His mouth parted, lost for words.

"Don't." she uttered. "You don't have to give me some generic compliment. It's not a date…remember?" she snapped as she closed the door behind her and walked to his car. "Let's just go."

Arriving to the ball with Damon had the effect she expected; Elena was surprised, if not a little wary, and Klaus and his siblings immediately suspicious. As they entered to main foyer, Bonnie felt Damon tense beside her. Elena was standing with Stefan, in what appeared to be a hushed and serious conversation. Bonnie watched as he scowled at them letting out an aggravated grunt. "Where's the bar in this place?" he slipped away when he noticed Elena walking over.

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" She demanded in concern.

Bonnie forced a smile. "Everything's fine. I'm just here to keep an eye on him." Her gaze darted to Damon across the room, watching them as he sipped his bourbon. "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Elena followed her gaze. "And what's he doing here?"

The witch scoffed. "Keeping an eye on you. What are you doing, Elena…what makes you think you can trust her?"

"I don't. But I have to know what she wants from me, Bonnie." Elena lowered her voice; even over the music and the mass of people talking, she was fully aware she was in a room full of vampires. "I need you to distract him when I talk to Esther, okay? I can't have him screwing this up." She pinned her friend with a pointed look.

"Yeah…I'll find a way to keep him busy."

Across the room, Stefan approached the bar, mimicking Damon's lean on the counter and crossing his arms. "What are you up to Damon?"

"What am I up to?" Damon shot him a cold glare. "I'm not the one sneaking around behind your back plotting and scheming, Stefan."

Stefan's expression stayed neutral. "Then what are you doing here?"

"I'm trying to protect Elena. What, you thought I was just going to let her walk into a house full of vampires by herself without any back up? I don't trust that witch any more than I trust you right now, brother. What are you up to?" Damon demanded, narrowing his eyes.

Stefan ignored the question and turned his gaze back to Bonnie who was standing alone now, until Kol sauntered up to her. "So, is Bonnie your date? She's a bit out of your league, don't you think?"

Damon turned away facing the bar. "She's only here as a cover."

Stefan nodded. "Hm. So it doesn't bother you that Kol is over there laying on the Mikaelson charm?" Damon's head glanced over sharply, and Stefan couldn't help the scoffing laugh. "I can smell her all over the house, Damon. I can smell you all over her too. Who exactly do you think your fooling?"

"It's just sex." He grumbled finishing his bourbon. "Doesn't mean anything." But still he found himself glaring daggers into Kol.

The younger Salvatore clapped him on the shoulder. "Right." He finished his drink and slinked away.

…

Bonnie eyed Kol warily as he waltzed over, with a smirk and two glasses of champagne. "You must be the lovely Bonnie Bennett." He handed her the glass. "I'm Kol Mikaelson."

She took the glass hesitantly. "I know who you are."

He pointed at her fondly. "My brother warned me about you. Quite the powerful witch you are."

Bonnie's lips pulled in a confident smile. "Then you know not get on my bad side."

He laughed, his eyes squinting with amusement. "Oh no, I wouldn't dream of it, darling. In fact," he stepped closer, running a finger down her exposed arm. "I wouldn't mind getting on your good side."

Her heart rate picked up, feeling uneasy by his proximity, but also flattered. "Is that so?" she found herself responding, sipping her champagne and looking at him over her glass.

"I have a thing for witches, and you, my dear, are just my type. You look ravishing." His eyes raked her body up and down. "Are you here alone?"

Suddenly, Damon was at her side, his arm snaking possessively around her waist. "She's here with me." He held Kol's stare arrogantly, marking his territory.

Kol was clearly bothered as they landed on the younger vampire. "Damon…well, I hope you're up for a bit of unfriendly competition. I don't give up easily." He smirked, but it softened as his gaze swung back to Bonnie, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I'll be seeing you around, darling." Kol sauntered off back into the crowd, satisfied with himself as Damon glared into his back.

Her face flushed, and her heart rate increased, catching Damon's attention and with a frustrated glance around, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into a secluded room, closing the doors behind him. "What the fuck was that?" he demanded rounding on her.

"What was what?" she shot back trying to collect herself.

"He was flirting with you Bonnie! And you just…stood there, letting him charm you right out of your dress." He bit out, contemptuously.

She reeled back, anger at his tone taking over. "And why exactly do you care? This isn't a romantic evening…we're not a couple. You've made it very clear what this is to you, so why does it matter if someone else shows interest?"

Damon's jaw clenched and his eyes were wild and possessive. "I don't like sharing what's mine."

She threw her arms up exasperatedly. "But I'm not yours, Damon! You were the one that wanted it this way. Is that how this works now? You don't want me, but no one else can have me? Explain to me how that's fair?" her words choked in her throat.

He closed the distance on her, and his voice dropped to a husky rumble, his hands coasting over her shoulders. "You know I want you."

She pushed him back gently with her hands on his chest. "That's not what I meant…you don't want me. Not like you…want Elena." He looked down at her sympathetically, and behind his eyes she could see the fear there. For the most part, they kept their conversations light, and free of emotion, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. "You know how I feel about you; even if I deny it to the bitter end. I know that it would be naïve of me to think you could love anyone the way you love her…but I guess I can't help but hope one day you will." She finished softly, stroking his cheek.

Damon held her deep stare and did the only thing he'd wanted to do since he saw her in that dress. He crushed his lips down to hers hungrily, backing her into the wall behind them and planting a palm against it while the other cradled her face. Suddenly, all rational thought left her mind, and Bonnie eagerly pushed the suit jacket from his shoulders. He shrugged it off just as eagerly, moaning when her hands yanked on his belt, undoing it with practiced ease, slipping a hand in his pants to grip his length. His tongue duel with hers, swallowing her whimpers as he wedged his knee between her legs and let his finger tips trail up the inside of her thigh to her already wet panties.

Damon ripped them off her, tucking them in his back pocket, and hooking her leg around his waist as he lined himself with her centre, entering her with an appreciative groan. He craved her lately; like he needed to be inside her just to feel whole. Bonnie's mouth parted, emitting soft gasps with every thrust. He couldn't look away from the deep, open, pools of green, as he took her in a slow and deliberate grind. Her hands gripped his back and shoulder, rotating her hips against his faster as she hurtled to her climax. Her whimpers increased, and he rested his forehead on hers, hushing her gently, not wanting to be interrupted.

And when she shuddered and shook around him, Damon muffled his own moan in her shoulder, and filled her with his seed. He took a few moments to collect himself, pulling back to look down at her with a tender smile. But it fell as he saw the tears pool in her eyes, as she extracted herself slowly, avoiding his gaze.

He turned, frowning in confusion, tucking himself away as she brushed past him. All he could see was her back, as she straightened her dress. "What's wrong?"

She closed her eyes, biting down on her lips, doing her best to hold herself together. She broke her own promise. "I can't do this anymore, Damon." Her words tightened in her chest.

"Bonnie-" He started, stepping towards her.

But she cut him off, turning to look over her shoulder. "No…that was the last time. That was goodbye. I can't be your second best." She whispered, pulling every ounce of strength she had left forth. He was staring at her with this look – this troubled, and wounded look that cut right through her. She crossed to him leaving a chaste kiss on his cheek, before she rushed for the door. Damon sped in front of it, effectively blocking her path. "You have to let me go, Damon…unless you can give me a reason not to." He didn't say a word, nor did he move, so she slipped around him and out the door, praying that no one saw her sneak down the hallway and out the back door of the mansion.

…

The room was filled with tension. It was only a couple days after the ball that Elena gathered them to the boarding house to discuss what Esther had needed from her. When Bonnie followed Elena through the front door, Damon's head immediately snapped up to land on her, but she remained indifferent, purposely avoiding his gaze.

It was torture for both of them; with him trying to have a secret conversation with her from one side of the room, while she uncomfortably sat in his presence, fighting the urge to fidget under his scrutiny. So, when Elena and Stefan went up to his room to talk privately, and Bonnie headed for the door, he was quick to stop her, grabbing her arm gently.

"We need to talk, Bonnie." He stated in a hush tone.

"I think I said all I needed to say." She responded, pulling her arm out of his grip, and wrenching the door open, only to have him slam it shut.

He towered over her. "Yeah, but I didn't."

She shifted her weight to her hip, crossing her arms and tipping her chin up. "Fine…talk."

Damon's jaw tensed, and a vein bulged in his forehead. "You drive me insane; you know that?"

Bonnie shot him a sarcastic grin. "Great. This is off to a good start."

"This was a bad idea from the beginning. You hated me and I tolerated you at best; we fought, we argued, we resented each other and that was working for me. I knew where I stood with you." He snapped at her, heat behind his eyes.

Her eyes narrowed to stormy slits. "Is that it? Is that what you wanted to get off your chest? Thanks, I'm glad I stayed around to hear it." She grumbled moving to the door again, but he stopped her.

"No this is what I wanted to say." He took a deep breath, standing entirely too close; she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch him. "I used to know where I stood with you, Bonnie. Now everything is different; I'm not in control…."

"Bonnie, can you call your mom, we're going to need-" Elena started as she came down the stairs and into the front room, stopping she saw Damon turn away with annoyance on his face. Elena's eyes swung to Bonnie, who looked mildly uncomfortable, rubbing her forehead nervously, then back to Damon. "What's going on with you two?" she uttered suspiciously.

Stefan snickered behind her as Bonnie mumbled back. "Nothing."

"Apparently." Damon breathed in frustration, sauntering over to pour a drink, slamming back half of it before topping it off again.

Elena walked over to Bonnie. "Well, we should really call your mom. Esther has a plan to kill Klaus and the others, but she said she needs the help of the Bennett lineage."

"And you believe her?" Damon sneered sipping his bourbon.

Elena turned to him. "I helped her link them. Finn is going to sacrifice himself. When he dies, they all die. And I can't help but feel a little guilty about that including Elijah." Her head hung regretfully.

"Why? He's done his fair share of backstabbing." Damon retorted sharply.

"He's also helped us…more than once." She returned. "Look, she just needs enough time to get the ritual started. Can you two, I don't know…find a way to keep them occupied?"

A sly smile pulled on Damon's lips as he hummed thoughtfully. "Hm…I could practice bouncing Kol's head off the pavement. That would bring me an immense amount of joy."

Stefan smirked, catching the deadpanned glare Bonnie sent his brother's way. "You sure that's wise, Damon? I don't think you made the best impression the last time you saw him."

Elena jumped in. "Yeah, the last thing we need is a repeat of whatever the hell that was." She looked at him sternly. "I still have no idea what possessed you to do that."

Bonnie frowned, looking between them. "Do what?"

The younger Salvatore gestured for his brother to share and Damon kept his eyes on Stefan, challenging his smug expression. "I snapped his neck and threw him off the balcony." Then he turned to face Bonnie's face of gaping disbelief.

She shook her head with a drained shrug. "Why would you do that?"

"Something ticked me off. I lashed out." He sniped back, pointedly.

Rolling her eyes exasperatedly, she canted her head, oozing attitude. "Of course you did, because you can't just use your words like a normal person!" she bit out in irritation.

He glared down at her. "I'm not a normal person, Bonnie! I'm a vampire. When I get mad, I kill things, when I'm upset, I lash out!"

She squared up with him, completely forgetting that they weren't alone. "And one of these days it's going to get you killed! Then what…how do you think the people around you are going to feel, huh?"

"I'm sure they'll be just fine." He responded briskly, brushing it off.

"Yeah, you would think that. Fine. Whatever…" she grabbed her bag off the couch, and stormed out, and when Damon heard the door slam shut, he smashed him glass into the fireplace and stalked off upstairs.

Elena stood motionless and her mouth dropped open. "What…just happened?"

Stefan ran a hand over his face and dropped to the couch. "That was Damon and Bonnie having their first fight." He said casually.

Elena spun around. "What? No, they've fought before this. It usually involves fire or a blinding migraine-"

"They're sleeping together."

Elena's eyebrows shot up her forehead. "What?!"

…

The next few days flew by in a whirlwind. Despite thwarting Esther's plans to murder her children, they were all still on thin ice with the Mikaelson's. But Bonnie did her best to distract herself with tending to Abby, who was struggling with her new vampire abilities. Stefan turned her to break the Bennett lineage in an effort to save Elena's life, and it was just one of the many things Bonnie had to deal with. Luckily North Carolina was far enough away that she didn't have to add Damon to that list.

She heard the familiar roar of an engine, and peeked out the kitchen window curtains to see his powder blue Camaro pull into the driveway. "You got to be kidding me." She mumbled to herself as she watched him hop out, with a determined stride. She stormed out, meeting him by the garden before he could get to the door. "I'm not inviting you in."

He swallowed. "I'm not asking you to. I just have to say something."

"I think it's best you didn't."

"Well, I'm going to say it anyways. Because I think you need to hear it." He took a cautious step closer. "The night you told me it was over changed something for me. I realized how lucky I was to have someone as amazing as you want me the way no one ever has. And I took that for granted. I have done nothing to deserve a second chance with you, Bonnie and I'll understand if you won't give me one…" She took in a shaky breath, tightening her sweater around her. "But I will say this…I'll never make you feel second best again. We can give this a real shot…if you want that." He finished softly, with a sliver of insecurity. His hand came up to caress her cheek, and he released a happy sigh when she leaned into it.

Her glossy green eyes penetrated into his. "I do. When I'm with you, I'm happy…even though you drive me crazy." They both laughed, and he dropped his forehead on hers.

"You drive me crazy too, but that only makes me like you more." He kissed her sweetly, and she melted against him. "Come home…let me take you out."

She pulled back. "Like a date?" he nodded. "In public?" she teased.

Damon pulled her close to him, kissing the crown of her head. "I don't care if the whole town sees."

Bonnie couldn't help her cheekiness. "Even Kol?"

He growled playfully, leaning down and nipping at her neck. "Especially Kol. That was cruel…I'm gonna have to punish you for that. How about rethinking that invite." He suggested wagging his brows glancing at the house and pulling her towards the door.

She laughed, pulling him back. "We can't…my mom's in there. Vampire hearing, remember?" She glanced back over her shoulder at his car, then back to him with a sassy smirk.

Damon's eyes lit up. "Oooh…we haven't done that before." He picked her up, swinging her over his shoulder as he carried her, relishing in her giggles and squeal as he slapped her ass.

For the first time since they started sleeping together, they both felt this heavy weight lift off their shoulders as they allowed themselves to finally succumb to each other without the fear of what came next.

…

AN: Hey! Sorry for the long wait! I got totally caught up in this show 'Yellowstone' and it basically consumed my hole life for a week haha. Anywaaaaay! I hope you enjoyed that! I sure did. Please let me know what you think, and thank you to my steady readers/reviewers for brightening my day with your lovely comments! - Vanessa