Hey everyone! I have been loving the comments and reviews, please keep them coming! I am super excited about where this story is going and am glad everyone has been enjoying it so far!
Bonnie Bennett – Kat Graham
Damon Salvatore – Ian Somerhalder
Stefan Salvatore – Paul Wesley
Lexi – Arielle Kebel
Caroline Forbes/Salvatore – Candice King
Katherine Pierce – Nina Dobrev
Disclaimer: These Characters Belong to LJ Smith/CW Network. No Copyright infringement is intended.
Bastien Archambeau – Jesse Williams
Emeline Archambeau – Whitney Peak
Lana Gilbert – Sophie Thatcher
"I want to be extremely upfront and let you know that you are just as intimidating as my Bonnie, the older one, so forgive me if I ramble or if I-" Lana started, her voice tinged with nervousness. They were alone in the room, though they both knew the rest of the group was observing through a hidden camera.
"Yeah, like what you're doing now. Got it," Bonnie cut in, her tone sharp and unamused.
Lana nodded quickly, trying to regain her composure. "Right, exactly. So, how do we do this? You ask, I answer?"
"That's how it's going to work. I ask, you answer," Bonnie reiterated. Lana responded with a quick nod.
"Alright. You mentioned the 'older version' of me. I'm 18, so how old am I here?" Bonnie inquired.
"Not exactly sure, but around 100, give or take a few years," Lana replied, noticing Bonnie tense up slightly at the response.
"So, I'm still around, and so is Caroline. What about Stefan and Damon? They look older, almost like they're in their late twenties or early thirties?" Bonnie probed further.
Lana explained, "They both died and came back, apparently to protect you and your daughter. They made the wise choice not to return as teenagers."
"Daughter?" Bonnie's eyes widened in surprise.
"Uhm yes, she's my best friend, almost like my sister" Lana continued which made Bonnie look at her with confusion.
"You're kind of young to be her best friend, if I'm 100 or whatever she'd have to be – "
"Older? Not really, your aging process significantly slowed down, almost to a halt once you and Bastien, you're uhm dead and alive again powerful..husband shared each other's blood" Lana carefully explained trying not to overwhelm the young witch in front of her.
Bonnie leaned back, deep in thought. "I need to get back. I've been here too long."
"We'll do everything we can to help," Lana assured her softly.
"There's something familiar about you. How are you mixed up in all this? You're not a vampire," Bonnie observed, "Definitely not a witch either"
"Uhm, well, I'm Jeremy's granddaughter and a huntress, so spoiler alert, I don't know if you two are dating at this moment or what, but you both end up having very fulfilling separate lives," Lana explained, noting Bonnie's shocked yet not surprised expression.
Bonnie chuckled the more she thought about the situation seeming almost too absurd to be real. "And Elena? Did she make it?"
"She did. Died a human, had two kids, and became a great doctor. And yes, she ended up with Damon, who turned human – not by choice," Lana revealed.
"Typical. I bet Stefan had to die for that to happen," Bonnie mused.
Lana bit her cheek, hinting at a deeper story. "Not exactly. Between you and me, I think they both settled. People should be with the ones they love."
"Am I happy? Do I get everything I wanted?" Bonnie asked, turning to face Lana.
"It seems like it. You run a magical empire, but things are… complicated," Lana replied, just as Damon burst through the door.
"Complicated how" Bonnie asked, ignoring Damon's entrance.
"Hey, it hasn't been an hour!" Lana protested as she turned to face the blue-eyed vampire.
Damon brushed past her. "Time's up. I'm stepping in, blondie needs you" he declared, taking Lana's place in front of Bonnie.
Lana scoffed and walked towards the door before looking back to give a friendly smile to Bonnie, who returned a half smile.
"So, you got the girl, the kids, the human life….who did you screw over for that deal" Bonnie folded her arms in a challenging stance as she faced Damon who smirked back.
"You have no idea judgey, would you believe me if I told you that in a way, I was forced?" Damon stated with his familiar arrogance.
"No, and I really would like to get back to my life and out of this cage" Bonnie retorted, her annoyance palpable.
"I didn't get the girl, if you wanted to know" Damon stated as Bonnie rolled her eyes.
"Damon, do I strike you as someone who would genuinely care? I have been sent to an unfamiliar time, to an unfamiliar place, and somehow I am still a part of the Damon, Elena, and Stefan show, at least Stefan makes a point to treat me as a person with real feelings and not just a warm body with magic, so imagine my surprise that after everything, somehow, you always get what you want, and this weird overprotective thing you're doing with me, can stop because I doubt Elena is even alive to care" Bonnie started to feel exhausted to the point of tears.
Damon's gaze intensified. "Bonnie, you have always been the center of our universe. All roads always lead back to you. And the girl I wanted... well, she's a stubborn witch, with an unreachable pedestal."
Bonnie's laughter was tinged with incredulity and exhaustion, her emotions teetering on the edge. "That's a new low, even for you," she said, her voice breaking slightly as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Damon, witnessing her reaction, felt a sharp sting of remorse. He had given her far too many reasons to doubt his sincerity over the years.
"A few hours ago, we were wrapped into each other so much so that our scent is still filling half of the corridor, I know at this point in your life I have fucked up in more ways than anyone can, and I have piss poor way of showing that I care about you, but all the moments where you have felt that feeling between us, the one you try to hide, that's real and I felt it too," Damon said, his voice laden with a gravity and earnestness that left no room for doubt.
His gaze held hers, conveying a depth of feeling that went beyond mere words, Bonnie could tell he was being sincere which made her heart race as she was putting pieces of the puzzle together.
"Caroline, I need to see her, now," Bonnie insisted, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and desperation. She needed the comfort and clarity that only her best friend could provide.
Damon, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded reluctantly. "Alright, she's coming in."
No sooner than he had spoken, Caroline burst through the door, her presence like a burst of energy. "About time!" she exclaimed, motioning for Damon to leave them to their privacy.
Damon's smile was a hollow echo of his usual charm, his eyes lingering on Bonnie with a mix of concern and unresolved emotion before he exited.
Caroline, now alone with Bonnie, softened her demeanor. "I wish I could let you out, Bon, but it's not safe yet, and I can't risk you trying to escape. We'll sort this out, together, okay?" she said, her eyes full of empathy.
Bonnie, her anxiety palpable, hesitated before asking in a hushed tone, "Caroline, are Damon and I...together, in this world?"
The sympathetic look on Caroline's face said it all. "Officially? No, however, when two people are in love, and express that love in disgusting and borderline violent ways for everyone to hear, it's hard to deny. You and Damon, you're something else – a complicated and tumultuous epic love story, especially with your husband back from the dead," Caroline admitted, almost in disbelief herself. Caroline felt a sense of relief to get that off her chest and almost laughed seeing Bonnie's jaw drop.
"What?!" Bonnie's voice was a mix of shock and confusion.
Caroline continued, "It's complicated, Bonnie. Your ancestors were against it and put a stop to any feelings you might have had for Damon... until he died and came back."
Bonnie struggled to process this tidal wave of revelations. "I... what?!"
Caroline's mind raced, sensing a potential solution to the more pressing issue. "Wait, Bonnie, you can still reach your ancestors, right?"
"Caroline, please, I need to get out of here," Bonnie implored, her voice trembling at the edge of panic.
"Yes, but Bonnie, I am so sorry, I'll let you rest, with me next to you to watch you of course, but we will have to overwhelm you a little more because we need your daughter's and Bastien's help" Caroline nervously stated hoping Bonnie wouldn't have a breakdown.
With a heavy sigh, Bonnie briefly closed her eyes, nodding in resignation to the overwhelming task ahead.
"Unlock cell B13, Luna," Caroline commanded.
The door finally opened with Bonnie placing one foot out the door.
BBBB
Bonnie and Abby were meditating in the woods after their initial meeting with Esther and Finn to come up with a plan on what to do first. Esther had told Bonnie that her ancestors were not happy about her presence and would help Esther focus her efforts on sending Bonnie back to their world as the spirits and Bonnie's ancestors confirmed that this Bonnie was from a different timeline entirely which made Bonnie feel a little more relaxed that she was not disrupting the future of her timeline. Esther could not stay long, but they agreed to meet again in a day.
"Anything?" Bonnie asked as she opened her eyes to see if Abby found anything of importance during her meditation.
"More questions than any answers, I've never had our ancestors focus on me as much as they have been since confirming who you are and questioning why you've cut them off" Abby stated, still not understanding what exactly had happened to Bonnie that had made her so incredibly powerful but also angry at her ancestors.
"Your grams in particular would like to have a word with you" Abby continued; Bonnie raised a brow in thought as she looked beyond Abby at the wind blowing through the trees.
"I miss these trees, I don't visit as much as I'd like, too much has happened in these woods in my time, they remind me every time I visit." Bonnie slowly got up and brushed off the dirt from her leggings. Abby did the same.
"It doesn't matter how long you live, how powerful you are, even the love that you find, some wounds just never truly heal" Bonnie continued as she walked next to Abby on the way to her car.
"I'm sorry for any contribution I have given to your wounds, it will always be my biggest life's regret," Abby said with sadness in her tone.
Bonnie folded her arms and rubbed them to warm her body up as there was a slight chill in the air.
"If the wounds of a mother were my only ones at this point in my life, I'd be doing quite well I think" Bonnie responded with a light-hearted smile, not to comfort Abby, but because the statement was true.
Before Abby could respond, they both sensed a vampire nearby, Bonnie knew immediately which one it was.
"Head back to the house, Dad is at some convention for a few more days, when your Bonnie comes back she'll need you, so don't leave" Bonnie reached out to grab her mom's arm and rubbed it. Abby smiled at her mature and powerful daughter and was proud that Bonnie had grown into the woman she was.
"I'll be seeing you," Abby said before driving off.
Bonnie waved at Abby as she drove off before turning around and walking towards the visitor.
"You have about ten minutes before I get quite hangry" Bonnie announced waiting for the vampire to show themselves.
She first heard the familiar chuckle before turning around to face the vampire.
"My mother has kept a tight lip about you, and because neither myself nor my siblings have been attacked by you or your friends, I'm going to assume that you're finally going to play nice while we work out our..family issues," Klaus emerged from the shadows, his usual cocky demeanor in place.
"Fortunately for you, you are nowhere near on my top 10 list of priorities, unless you plan on taking me to lunch" Bonnie countered. Klaus stood for a moment and studied the witch in front of him. There was an air of sophistication and beauty that was amplified in Bonnie.
Klaus, his curiosity piqued, stepped closer to Bonnie, his voice low and measured. "You're different from the Bonnie I remember. Care to enlighten a bored, curious hybrid?"
Bonnie, acutely aware of his proximity, could feel the rhythm of their heartbeats in sync. She sensed an undeniable attraction from Klaus, a realization that amused her. She pondered if this magnetic pull was something he had always felt towards her, hidden beneath layers of their complex history.
"I want the most expensive cut of steak for lunch and a bottle of the finest wine, I also seem to not have brought any form of cash with me" Bonnie smiled as she stepped closer to Klaus.
Klaus brought Bonnie's long thick braid over her shoulder and ran his fingers over it.
"My treat" Klaus smiled before stepping away so Bonnie would follow.
As Klaus and Bonnie made their way to his car, their conversation flowed surprisingly easily. Klaus found himself uncharacteristically open, sharing details about his siblings. Unbeknownst to him, Bonnie was subtly influencing his emotions, gently steering him towards a more forthcoming demeanor. She considered this information potentially useful for Hope once she returned to her own timeline.
"Why haven't we interacted like this before? You've always been the intriguing one in your group," Klaus remarked, casting a sideways glance at Bonnie as they drove towards Mystic Falls' most expensive restaurant.
"More interesting than Caroline? That's a first," Bonnie responded playfully, her gaze lingering on Klaus's features, a sharp contrast to their usual antagonistic interactions.
At the mention of Caroline, Klaus's expression shifted, a hint of bitterness surfacing. "She's made her choice. And now, I'm making mine," he said, accelerating the car.
Bonnie, amused, realized Klaus was entertaining the idea of her as a potential romantic interest. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm spoken for, and this," she gestured between them, "isn't going to happen. Especially since I'm not the Bonnie from your timeline."
Klaus digested her words, his expression thoughtful. "So, the ball was about meeting my mother, not an assassination plot?"
"Correct. But don't think for a second the Bonnie you know wouldn't take a shot at you if given the chance," Bonnie said, gazing out the window as they approached their destination.
Klaus smirked, a touch of his familiar arrogance returning. "Then I suppose I'm fortunate she's not here. And who knows, there's always a possibility, especially when you're sharing a meal with me."
Bonnie couldn't help but be slightly amused by his confidence and his lack of interest in her revelation. To her, the power dynamics were clear; she held the upper hand, a fact that made interactions with beings like Klaus far more interesting than intimidating.
As Bonnie and Klaus shared lunch, the atmosphere was unexpectedly light, filled with laughter and stories from Klaus's numerous escapades. Bonnie, however, couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, wishing Hope could experience these lighter moments with her father, away from the turmoil that often surrounded them.
"Klaus, when you're not playing the role of a sadistic tyrant, you can be quite—" Bonnie began, a playful edge in her tone.
"Charming? I knew a simple lunch would convince you," Klaus interjected with a smug grin.
Bonnie chuckled, sipping her wine. "Yes, charming. And you know, you don't need to resort to brutality to make friends," she pointed out, watching Klaus's smile falter into contemplation.
Klaus's demeanor turned slightly defensive. "Is that your perception of me? Just a desperate man seeking friendship? It's ironic, considering your group's numerous attempts to end me."
Shaking her head with amusement, Bonnie decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"This is an argument neither of us will ever win, so to switch topics, I'm surprised you haven't delved more into why I'm here and what my world is like" Bonnie asked with curiosity.
"It does not matter if your stay here is temporary, but since you brought it up, go on then" Klaus' smile had returned.
"Well, I still don't quite know why I'm here, but my world is in trouble, with a threat bigger than you if you could believe it" Bonnie revealed, her expression serious yet open.
Klaus chuckled. "Hard to believe, but I'm sure you and your relentless allies will handle it, probably by summoning their mother."
Bonnie laughed genuinely. "That's one strategy I haven't tried yet. There's more, though."
Klaus leaned in, intrigued. "Do tell."
"Well, to cut a long story short, I find myself torn between Damon, who's undeniably in love with me, and me with him, and then there's my resurrected husband, who I also deeply care for" Bonnie admitted, watching Klaus's reaction.
Klaus nearly choked on his wine; his interest visibly piqued. "Please, continue."
"My husband and I are a bigger deal than your family, no offense and my place in my world, as powerful as I am, is on some serious thin ice, I don't know how my allies will react if I chose a vampire over my husband, they wouldn't understand nor care about the nuances of it all " Bonnie blushed, realizing the oddity of seeking advice from Klaus Mikaelson.
Klaus's expression grew earnest. "You, Bonnie Bennett, are an exquisite, formidable force. You should have the freedom to choose, without concern for anyone else's opinion."
Bonnie, suddenly aware of their closeness, gently pushed back. "I should get going. I have a meeting with Abby. Let's keep this conversation between us, okay?"
Klaus nodded as he stood up and held out his hand to escort her back to his car. As they left, Bonnie felt a mix of gratitude and bemusement at the unexpected turn their interaction had of Form She found herself momentarily caught off guard as Klaus halted their walk to his car, turning to face her with an intensity in his eyes.
"Power is an intriguing thing, isn't it? Use it, embrace it. Don't just control it, enjoy it," Klaus advised, his hand gently caressing Bonnie's face.
He continued, his other hand finding its way to her waist, drawing her closer. "Being powerful is one thing, but where's the fun if you don't indulge in a bit of carefree enjoyment now and then?"
Before Bonnie could process his words, Klaus leaned in, his lips meeting hers. The kiss, unexpected yet not entirely unwelcome, was simple and passionate but devoid of the fiery passion she knew with Damon. It was a moment of uncomplicated pleasure, and Bonnie found herself leaning into it, fulfilling a curious thought that had once crossed her mind.
As they parted, Bonnie's senses immediately picked up on another presence. Turning, she saw Damon, his posture rigid against his car, a look of mixed disappointment and complexity etched on his face.
Klaus, with a mischievous grin, broke the silence. "Power is Power, Bonnie Bennett, everything else, does not matter." He then nodded towards Damon, a knowing look in his eyes, before slipping into his car and driving away, leaving Bonnie to face the aftermath of their encounter.
Damon's voice cut through the tension. "Get in the car. Now." His tone left no room for argument.
Bonnie, still reeling from the kiss, nodded silently, and walked past him, sliding into the passenger seat of his car.
BBBB
Bonnie didn't waste any more strength by talking with anyone else and took Caroline up on her offer to sleep with her for the night.
Bonnie could tell that the room they were in once belonged to Stefan, she was quite impressed with what Caroline and Alaric had built but didn't want to delve into too many specifics as it was all overwhelming.
Bonnie stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash over her as she mulled over the events of the past day and what Damon had said. Damon, she stayed on her thoughts of him for the rest of the shower trying to make sense of it all. She still felt that a part of her may be dreaming as there wasn't a universe she knew of where she could ever allow a relationship with Damon to form. Was he handsome? Devastatingly so, was he funny? Subjective, but Bonnie cannot deny that she'd often laugh to herself about different things he would say. Did he have feelings for her in her world? She had to ponder on that as she revisited different interactions. The attempts to harm her however were difficult to get passed, and she didn't know how she, in any universe could forgive him. She thought how maybe it wasn't fair to label Damon as a monster when she was surrounded by them and had done things to harm other people herself, for self-preservation, and Elena. Elena, she thought of the recent kiss Elena and Damon shared and how Elena tried to downplay the intense feelings they had for each other. Bonnie wanted to just turn her brain off for a moment and said a spell to dry herself off to test her magic. 'It worked' she thought to herself with a smile as she changed into the clothes Caroline had placed on the bathroom counter.
Dressed in a cozy Mystic Falls cheer t-shirt and sweats, Bonnie felt a sense of safety and familiarity wash over her.
"I brought you your favorite snacks, well, the future version of them I guess, our Bonnie helped the government make processed foods healthier and affordable for everyone so these are not the Cheetos and Reese's you will remember," Caroline said with a half- smile.
Caroline, Bonnie thought, she was glad that she had her Caroline in any universe and at any age, a perk of her friend being a vampire, and a badass one at that.
"Thanks Care," Bonnie said as tears began to form again.
Caroline's concern shone through when she noticed Bonnie's tears. "I can try to find some old-school junk food if you prefer," she offered, her face creased with worry.
Bonnie, chuckling, reassured her. "No, it's not that. I'm just exhausted. It's comforting to have you here."
Settling into the cozy bed with Caroline, Bonnie felt a comforting sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of her situation. Caroline, ever the candid friend, pulled back the covers, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability. "Honestly, I don't know what I'd do if it were Elena that came to our world and not you. Just... don't tell her I said that" Caroline half-joked, half-confessed as they snuggled under the covers.
Bonnie, raising an eyebrow playfully, responded, "I'm not sure Elena would take that well. Especially if she knew about her winding up with Damon instead of Stefan. That implies something serious must've happened to him," her voice tinged with concern.
Caroline's expression faltered slightly. "Bonnie, there are some things you should know before we officially turn our brains off for the night," she began, her tone turning serious.
"Stefan and I... we're married. And Elena, after a marriage more convenient than passionate with Damon, ended up playing second fiddle to you. It's a lot for her, or anyone, to wrap their head around," Caroline admitted, her eyes searching Bonnie's for understanding.
"Wow, yeah, she would kill us" Bonnie joked which brought a smile back to her face.
"She would have an aneurysm and try to convince them that their feelings aren't real, and they must be under some sort of spell" Caroline continued still laughing.
Bonnie, trying to contain her laughter, added, "That's a bit unfair to Elena, she's not here to defend herself."
Their laughter filled the room, a welcome relief from the weight of their conversations. As Bonnie pondered her unlikely connection with Damon, she couldn't help but giggle. "So, Damon and I, huh? He's my lobster?"
Caroline nudged Bonnie affectionately. "He's been crazy about you, Bon. What you go through together... it's going to bring you closer. He's definitely your lobster."
"Let's watch 'Friends' then," Bonnie suggested, reminiscing about the times they used to binge-watch the show during their rough days.
"You read my mind Bonnie Bennett" Caroline smiled as she grabbed her remote.
BBBB
Damon's tone was laced with a mix of irritation and curiosity as he started the car, his eyes fixed on Bonnie. "Explain yourself," he demanded, his hand gripping the clutch tightly.
Bonnie, unfazed by his intensity, shot back with a hint of sarcasm, "Last time I checked, you hadn't magically become my father."
Damon, undeterred, pressed on. "So, are you and Klaus a thing in your world? Because if so, the universes must be doing you a favor by sending you here, at a time when you actually had some sense." Bonnie couldn't contain her laughter at the absurdity of his suggestion.
"Absolutely not. But I've always been curious what a more affectionate Klaus would be like, rather than the murderous version I know. Turns out, it's quite nice. No regrets there," she said, deliberately provoking him. She didn't need her empathic abilities to see the jealousy boiling under Damon's surface. Damon, visibly agitated, shook his head in disbelief.
Bonnie seized the opportunity to turn the tables. "Hey, didn't you just have a fling with a certain blonde vampire who looks a lot like the guy I just kissed?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
Damon's response was a mixture of defensiveness and resignation. "That's different. I'm known for making idiotic choices when I'm bored."
Bonnie smirked, playing along. "Ah, I see. Well, I was bored too, so why not enjoy a kiss from an Original after a delightful steak lunch?" She casually patted Damon's leg, her smile widening at the thought of their playful banter.
An action that finally made him look at her as she quickly drew back her hand. The car came to a sudden stop, prompting Bonnie to look at Damon with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"What are we doing?" she asked, unsure of his intentions.
Damon's voice was firm, his gaze intense as he turned to face her. "You're way too comfortable around me. You've touched me more in the past 24 hours than in all the years I've known you. I'm not moving this car until you explain what's going on," he declared, his eyes locked on Bonnie, who exuded an allure that he found almost overpowering.
Bonnie felt a rush of conflicting emotions, her body responding in ways she hadn't anticipated. "Damon, you know I could just use magic to get out of this car," she pointed out, her eyebrow arching in a silent challenge.
"Then do it, witchy," Damon shot back, the wildness in his eyes meeting hers in a fiery exchange.
Their intense standoff was interrupted by the shrill ring of Damon's phone. Bonnie noticed Elena's name on the caller ID, but Damon promptly ignored the call, sliding the phone back into his pocket.
"You're not going to answer that?" Bonnie asked a hint of surprise in her voice.
"This conversation is more important. I'll call her back," Damon replied, his focus unwavering.
Bonnie exhaled, her gaze drifting momentarily to his lips before meeting his eyes again. She could feel a magnetic pull towards him, her thoughts racing with unspoken desires. "You really won't let this go, will you?" she asked, her voice a mix of frustration and intrigue.
"No. And whatever plan you're thinking of, I've got a counter for each one until you open up to me," Damon said, his determination clear.
Bonnie let out a small sigh, a mix of resignation and anticipation. "What if I showed you instead?"
Damon's expression softened slightly; his curiosity piqued. "Fine, show me. But do you promise to let me remember what you show me?" he asked earnestly, his eyes searching hers for a hint of sincerity.
Bonnie pondered on the thought, and realized fuck it, why not, at the end of the day it will be up to their Bonnie to decide what to do with whatever Damon decides to tell her.
"Come here," Bonnie instructed gently, her voice a soft command. Damon moved closer, and she tenderly placed her hand on the side of his head.
"Close your eyes," she continued. Without hesitation, Damon obeyed.
Through her touch, Bonnie shared with him a montage of their shared history: the intensity of their time together during the decades dance, the trials of the prison world and their lives together after, a night they shared in Kyoto, her marriage to Bastien, and the moments leading up to her departure from her world. Damon absorbed each memory, his emotions fluctuating with the unfolding scenes.
As they both opened their eyes, Bonnie tried to withdraw her hand, but Damon caught it, covering it with his own. His eyes brimmed with tears, revealing the depth of his feelings. After a moment, he released her hand and leaned back into his seat staring out the windshield, lost in thought.
Bonnie, respecting his need for space, remained silent beside him. Damon started the car and drove towards the Salvatore Boardinghouse. The tension in the car was palpable as they each lost themselves in their thoughts.
Arriving at the boarding house, which appeared significantly different from the one in Bonnie's world, they continued their silent communion. Damon opened Bonnie's door, and they walked side by side to the front door. As Damon fumbled for his keys, Bonnie effortlessly unlocked the door with a flick of her wrist, prompting a heavy sigh from him.
Inside, Damon headed straight for his liquor cabinet, pouring himself a glass of bourbon. Bonnie lingered in the foyer, unsure of her next move.
Stefan descended the staircase, his eyes immediately finding Bonnie. "Bonnie, hi," he greeted her warmly, careful not to overwhelm her.
"Hi, Stefan," she replied, her smile tinged with a blend of familiarity and uncertainty.
"Where's Damon?" Stefan inquired, glancing around the room.
"In the study, with the good bourbon," Bonnie answered, her voice carrying a note of apprehension.
Stefan read the situation intuitively. "Something either went very well or very badly," he remarked, noting the subtle changes in Bonnie's demeanor.
"Something like that," Bonnie responded with a nervous chuckle.
"I'll go see him. Make yourself at home, Bonnie," Stefan offered kindly before turning towards the study.
"Thanks," Bonnie responded, making her way to the nearest bathroom to gather her thoughts.
Stefan found Damon in the study, his brother's eyes tearful. As he approached, Damon suddenly pulled him into a hug, a rare display of vulnerability that took Stefan by surprise.
"I love you, Stefan. And I'm so sorry," Damon choked out, his emotions raw.
Stefan, slightly taken aback, managed a light-hearted response. "I'm thinking we should keep this Bonnie," he joked, trying to lighten the mood as he stepped back to look at a visibly shaken Damon.
"Bonnie, god, Bonnie fucking Bennett," Damon said as he quickly inhaled a gulp of air.
Damon paced to the window, hands on hips, his gaze lost in a distant thought. The weight of Bonnie's memories hung heavy in the air.
"Should I be worried?" Stefan's voice was tinged with concern as he watched his brother grapple with his inner turmoil.
Damon turned around with a mix of resignation and resolve in his eyes. "Stefan, whatever was happening with Elena, it's done. I shouldn't have kissed her, I am jealous, stubborn, manipulative, and I….I knew better, it won't happen again, whatever was happening between us is over" Damon said as he turned around to face his confused baby brother.
Stefan eyed Damon, sensing a profound shift. "What's changed since this morning?"
"I want our Bonnie back, I want to hold her, I want to protect her, more than I already have been, I want to love her, I want to just feel a fraction of what Bonnie showed me. Love Stefan, real love, and not like the love I thought I had for Katherine or Elena, but love that, keeps you warm, keeps you fed, the only love that has come close or even surpassed my love for you" Damon's voice cracked with emotion as he brought Stefan in for another hug.
"I…wow, Damon, okay you can let go" Stefan pulled away again.
"Where is she?" Damon asked. "Don't answer I'll find her" Damon vamp-sped down the stairs to find Bonnie.
His senses led him to the kitchen where Bonnie was unwrapping a Reese's while sitting on the kitchen counter. Their eyes locked as he entered. "Come here," Damon beckoned, his voice barely above a whisper.
Bonnie quickly popped the Reese's in her mouth and hopped off the counter. Bonnie slowly made her way to Damon who was looking at her with the most wild-eyed look as if he were using every amount of restraint to not consume her.
"Yes?" Bonnie asked innocently after finishing her snack.
Damon enveloped her in his arms, spinning her around in a moment of joyous release which made Bonnie giggle in relief that he wasn't upset with her.
"Can I kiss you?" Damon asked as he slowly put Bonnie down.
Bonnie thought about it for a moment and nodded yes, as she looked up at him.
Damon immediately crashed his lips into hers taking in the feel of her lips as well as the taste of her, Bonnie responded with pleasure, taking mental note of the fire she felt being intertwined with Damon, something that she had not felt before with anyone other than him. She would seek him out in any universe she thought to herself.
Damon picked up Bonnie mid-kiss and sat her back on the counter so they could be at a more even height. Damon didn't quite know where he could grab or how far she would want to go, so he let Bonnie lead the way. After a moment, Bonnie pulled away to catch her breath.
"Damon, we have to stop ourselves," Bonnie said still trying to catch her breath, not wanting to cross the line any further than she already has.
"I will never look at this kitchen the same way," Damon muttered as he looked around at the kitchen and recalled the memory Bonnie gave him which made her blush.
"It's kind of our thing at this point" Bonnie responded as she laughed softly.
Damon cupped her face, his eyes searching hers as he took in the beautiful witch in front of him. "God I'm so stupid, I am so so so stupid Bonnie…we're going to get my girl back,"
"Damon" she whispered, her emotions a whirlwind, gently lowered his hands.
"I can't let you keep those, I'm.. I'm so sorry" Bonnie felt the distance as Damon took a step back.
"No shot, not after what Emily is currently doing to my Bonnie, you don't get to take that away" Damon frowned with disbelief that Bonnie would even consider taking away those memories.
"Damon, so much of that may not happen if you both don't grow into the people you need to, to properly love each other and I….you saw my daughter Damon and you know she's not yours" Bonnie almost hated herself for saying that.
"We'll go to a sperm bank Bonnie I don't know," Damon said wishing he wouldn't always say the first thing that came out of his mouth.
"Damon, I.. I'm here right now at this age because of Bastien, I have what I have because of what I went through, the same threat I am facing there may come for you both here, I…she will need to prepare for that" Bonnie continued as she realized what she was saying.
"You sound just like them" Damon retorted with a scowl. Bonnie couldn't say anything because he was right, she was essentially going to play a part in robbing Damon and Bonnie of what they could have a lot earlier in life which meant years of pain that this Damon and Bonnie didn't have to experience.
"Okay, you're right, I'm sorry," Bonnie said as she looked up at Damon apologetically.
Damon walked over to wrap his arms around Bonnie as he placed his head atop of hers, taking in her scent, a familiar scent that he often tried to push to the back of his mind.
Stefan didn't want to interrupt their moment, but he had to let them know both Caroline and Elena were coming over.
Stefan walked through the door and was genuinely shocked at seeing the tender interaction between two people he thought would never be standing this close to one another without purposefully pissing the other off.
"I'm sorry but you have about 10 minutes before Caroline and Elena get here, and we need to tell them so we can get our Bonnie back," Stefan said as he eyed the hugging pair.
Damon finally stepped away to face Stefan.
"Fine, all hands-on deck, this takes priority over anything" Damon continued.
Bonnie smiled, already thinking of ways to break Emily's spell from their Bonnie's mind.
BBBB
Bonnie slowly opened her eyes hoping it was all a dream but was quickly disappointed when she saw she was in the same room she slept in the night prior. A particular photo caught her attention - her own image beside a man with soft blue eyes, freckles, and brown skin, flanked by an older Damon and Elena. Bonnie pondered on the photo as she plucked it off the wall and studied the people in the picture, she let out a deep sigh and placed the photo back on the wall.
She then made her way to the bathroom to find a toothbrush and start her morning ritual with Caroline's expensive face wash and moisturizers which was comical to Bonnie, since Caroline would forever have the youthful skin of a teenager.
After freshening up for the day, Bonnie made it to the large walk-in closet, thankful that Caroline and Bonnie could still share clothes. Bonnie opted for a sports bra and sweats from what looked like Caroline's sporty section of the closet. Bonnie then grabbed a cropped tee to throw over her sports bra. She wanted to be as comfortable as possible in a very uncomfortable situation.
Stepping out, Bonnie wandered through the transformed corridors of the boarding house. Descending the stairs, she spotted Damon in a common area, engrossed in a book titled "The Mystic World of Mystic Falls." The sight of him stirred a strange blend of familiarity and curiosity. This Damon seemed different - more mature, somehow more profound, his beauty more pronounced, a beauty she had often dismissed for the complex man it belonged to.
"Planning to haunt the shadows in silence all day?" Damon's voice cut through her reverie, his eyes still on the book. He sensed her tension, the timidity of her presence.
Bonnie slowly approached, her voice tentative. "Where are Caroline and Stefan?"
"How bad do you want to know?" Damon smirked as he placed the book on the side table next to him to look up at her.
"Ahh, yes, she told me they're married, weird..how everything has worked out," Bonnie blushed as she put the pieces together, still standing, not sure if she should take the seat next to Damon or not.
Damon's gaze, intense yet cautious, met hers. "Without the full picture, I suppose it would seem so."
Gratitude tinged with sadness laced Bonnie's words. "I can't thank my Damon, so... thank you, for bringing me home safely, that night we opened the casket"
"Don't give him, or me to much credit, it was half Stefan's idea. I believe the seat next to me is unclaimed." His invitation was light, an attempt at humor to ease the tension as Bonnie was still standing.
Bonnie wanted to decline but since her friend was…occupied she thought this would be a good time to ask questions she wouldn't be able to with her Damon.
"Why did you kiss Elena?" Bonnie curiously asked, gathering intel for her Caroline as she sat, a cautious distance maintained.
"Which time?" Damon countered as he scrunched his face, wondering why that would be the first question she asked.
"When you both went to find Stefan, at the motel." Bonnie continued to press Damon for answers.
Damon's expression contorted with a hint of self-reflective humor. "Impulsive, selfish, emotionally underdeveloped - that was me. I only reacted to her wanting to kiss me, despite how she tried to spin it"
Bonnie rolled her eyes at his seemingly evasive answer, dancing around responsibility.
The conversation shifted abruptly as Bonnie decided not to ask any more questions about Damon and Elena. "How close are you to sending me back to my world?"
Damon's response carried a playful edge, yet his eyes held a deeper emotion. "You're the witch. Doesn't seem like you're rushing to leave."
Frustration and confusion welled up in Bonnie as she stood abruptly. "This is pointless."
Damon moved with vampiric speed, a flash of concern evident. "Wait, there is a plan. Lana and Lexi are coordinating with your daughter and Bastien now, we all wanted you to rest."
Bonnie's face reflected a storm of emotions, a whirlwind of thoughts about meeting significant figures in her life yet unknown to her.
Sensing her turmoil, Damon's suggestion was gentle, an offer of respite. "Let's take a break, and grab some food. I'm starving, and you... you could use a breather."
Bonnie laughed which confused Damon.
"How are we going to pay? I doubt my bank account works if those are even still a thing, and I heard you only recently came back from the dead" Bonnie said with a smile that warmed Damon's heart.
"Between a witch and a vampire, I think we can manage" Damon smirked which made Bonnie happily nod in agreement.
Bonnie quickly went upstairs to swipe a pair of Caroline's sneakers, a jacket, and a baseball cap, before heading back down to meet Damon. When she saw Damon waiting for her by the door she wanted to curse herself for feeling a little shy as this was a Damon that was in love with her in his world, still a concept that was difficult to wrap her brain around.
"Ready?" Damon asked, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he looked at the young witch in front of him.
"I guess" Bonnie shrugged with a side smile.
"After you" Damon returned as he opened the door.
Bonnie eyed the front of the boarding house and how different the exterior looked, still amazed at the logistics of a school for magically gifted adolescents.
They climbed into Caroline's futuristic Lexus, and Bonnie couldn't help but marvel at the dashboard, which looked more suited to a spacecraft than a car. Damon noticed her fascination and smiled.
"It's self - driving, however, one thing that Caroline and I have in common, is our need to be in control" Damon smirked as he pressed a button that brought out the steering wheel and stick to make the car manual.
"This is incredible. I'm almost afraid to see what Mystic Falls has turned into," Bonnie said, a mix of awe and anxiety in her voice.
"A few updates but largely the same, thanks to you, well our Bonnie, the perfect marriage of electronics and nature" Damon continued.
Fiddling with the dashboard, Bonnie attempted to find music to help fill the inevitable silence.
"What did you listen to back then? Or currently" Damon asked, almost with guilt as their interactions during that time were on a magically needed basis.
Bonnie hesitated, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Don't laugh, okay? I mean, I love the classics, but…"
Damon raised an eyebrow, his expression curious and unexpectedly gentle.
"Teenage Dream," Bonnie admitted, scrunching her nose.
Instead of his usual snark, Damon simply nodded and set the song to play, a silent agreement to her unspoken request for not judging her music tastes.
"Don't tell anyone," Bonnie half-joked, half-serious.
"Our secret," Damon assured her, his eyes widening playfully as he pulled out of the driveway.
As Katy Perry's voice filled the car, Bonnie's gaze was fixed outside, taking in the familiar yet changed scenery of Mystic Falls.
Damon had to constantly remind himself that the Bonnie sitting next to him was not the Bonnie that was his best friend, let alone lover, and was not sure if the spell from Emily and her ancestors reached her where she was currently. He had to make sure not to do or say anything that could upset her as well, so he was happy to let her take the lead in their interactions, even if that meant listening to Katy Perry.
"So, we know a few things, your Bonnie is most likely in my world, and I am in hers", Bonnie began during the car ride.
"Most likely," Damon replied, his voice tinged with his typical sardonic charm.
"My magic works here, so hers probably works there" Bonnie continued.
Damon couldn't resist a quip, his smirk evident in his tone. "Ever considered joining the FBI, Bonnie? Your detective skills are top-notch."
Bonnie's response was a mix of annoyance and amusement as she folded her arms. "Forget it, you're impossible" she scoffed, dismissing his teasing.
Damon's tone shifted, a blend of seriousness and genuine curiosity. "Hold on, don't get all judgey on me yet. You're a psychic witch, even if you haven't fully tapped into your powers, they're there. Are you telling me your spidey senses haven't picked up anything at all?"
Before Bonnie could answer she looked at the familiar restaurant in front of her, Mystic Falls Bar and Grill, and smiled at the familiarity of it as Damon parked the car.
"I figured you needed something familiar, the layout hasn't changed in decades" Damon said out loud as he looked at the restaurant in front of him.
Damon and Bonnie emerged from the car; their movements synchronized yet cautious. As they approached the Mystic Grill, Damon, ever the gentleman in this peculiar dance, held the door open for Bonnie. She blushed subtly, a reaction to this unfamiliar yet familiar version of Damon.
Bonnie, feeling a mix of hunger and nervous energy, declared, "I'm starving," as they settled across from each other in a booth. Damon's response was soft, his gaze lingering on Bonnie with a mix of admiration and restraint, "Same."
Bonnie nervously returned his smile and quickly busied herself with the menu, trying to hide her fluttering heart.
Their moment was interrupted by the waiter's enthusiastic greeting. "It's a mystical day at Mystic Falls - Bonnie, welcome back!" His nervous fumble with the tablet betrayed his excitement. Bonnie glanced at Damon for guidance, receiving a subtle nod to play along.
"Yes, good to be back," she replied with a smile that seemed to light up the room.
"The usual?" the waiter inquired, to which Bonnie confidently agreed, playing her part.
"And for you sir?" The waiter turned to ask Damon.
"A vein" Damon replied with a smile, Bonnie looked at him with horror.
"Yes, uhm, sorry - Bonnie, you usually let us know when you have guests with a certain appetite, would you like your private room?" The waiter nervously asked. Bonnie not knowing what to say looked at Damon who had a smirk on his face.
"Yes, please" Bonnie responded still eyeing Damon before looking up at the waiter. Damon and Bonnie both got up from the booth to head to the private room.
"Follow me" The waiter smiled and walked Bonnie and Damon to a room that was dimly lit with no windows and had enough room for a large roundtable paired with a rounded leather bench area and a refreshment table that had a mini bar and blood bags.
"We will be right back with your orders, just press the button on the tablet if you need anything else," the waiter quickly left the room.
Bonnie's eyes widened at the sight of the intimate, dimly lit space, adorned with black and white photos of a life she didn't recall living. Damon noticed her shock as she observed the room around her.
"I've only been in here once, at the time I wasn't a vampire, and it shocked me too," Damon said eyeing Bonnie who was still focusing on other things. She noticed a smart tablet in the middle of the table that was unlocked with her facial recognition.
"Welcome Bonnie Bennett Archambeau, would you like us to resume your playlist?" The AI asked,
"Yes" Bonnie responded. Moments later 'On Call' by Kings of Leon filled the room.
"This is insane," Bonnie said as she looked up at Damon who was enjoying Bonnie's reaction.
"There are very few establishments that are run by supernatural beings and humans who are allowed to know of our world, this is one of them, a werewolf clan, distant relatives of Hope Mikaelson" Damon explained.
"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Bonnie asked, genuinely inquiring.
Before Damon could respond, the waiter and a tall redheaded waitress came in with a plate of wagyu steak, a salad, and a glass of bourbon.
"Thank you" Bonnie eyed the food and glass of bourbon before turning her attention to the waiter who made eye contact with Bonnie, smiled, and then left, while the red-headed waitress stayed behind.
"Right or left?" the waitress asked.
"Right" Damon responded.
"I'm sorry, in what world would I be okay with compelling staff so they can be fed on?" Bonnie questioned as the red-headed waitress, named Sabrina eyed Damon up and down.
"Compelled? No, you know we wouldn't allow that" Sabrina turned to look at Bonnie taking in her youngish appearance.
"We had some of the good stuff before coming by, she's still adjusting to the come down, she knows that there are consenting adults who take pleasure in being fed on" Damon widened his eyes at the waitress in front of him as she brought up her wrist.
'Sweater Weather' by the Neighborhood was now filling the room as Damon's veins showed on his face before biting down on the waitress's wrist, both clearly enjoying the experience. Bonnie gulped as the smell of blood filled the room, Damon, fangs still deep in the waitress's wrist looked up and made direct eye contact with Bonnie to watch her expression. He could sense her heart beating faster and finally let go of the wrist.
"Let me know if you need another bite" The waitress cooed, before taking a pill that was filled with vampire's blood to heal her bite mark.
"Just a bourbon, neat" Damon smiled back before turning his full attention back to Bonnie, the waitress's jealousy was clear as she smiled back and left the room.
Bonnie took a bite and moaned slightly at the taste of her food, a sound that caused Damon to exhibit as much restraint as possible.
"I may not agree with what, your Bonnie allows, but her taste in food?Amazing," Bonnie said in between bites, trying to hide the attraction to Damon she was feeling, now understanding what Elena tried to deny. Speaking of..
Damon, lost in his own world, snapped back to the present as Bonnie's voice broke through. "Why me?" she asked, her voice a blend of curiosity and vulnerability.
Damon raised an eyebrow, playing coy. "Why you, as in...?"
Bonnie's gaze was piercing, determined. "Don't play dumb, Damon. I'm not that naive. Why choose me over Elena, or even Katherine?"
At the mention of Katherine, Damon's expression soured, but he quickly masked it with his trademark smirk. "You're hot and powerful, Bonnie. A lethal combination in my book," he teased, but the smirk belied the depth of his true feelings.
Bonnie shot back a half-smirk, trying to hide her intrigue. "Seriously, Damon. You died, came back, and now you're here, protecting me and my daughter. We've both lived separate lives, yet here we are, supposedly in love. I need to understand."
The arrival of the waitress who eyed the pair before placing the glass of bourbon in front of Damon interrupted them briefly.
Damon took a thoughtful sip, considering Bonnie's words. "What if I showed you how it all happened?" he offered.
Bonnie's curiosity was piqued. "How?" she pressed.
Damon's voice lowered to a seductive whisper. "Come here, Bon-Bon, and I'll show you."
A blush crept onto Bonnie's cheeks, her laughter tinged with nervousness. Damon's intense gaze urged her to take him seriously. Reluctantly, she moved to sit beside him, his arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. The proximity made her tense, but also ignited something within.
"Do we really need to be this close?" she asked, her voice a mix of jest and genuine nervousness.
Damon's reply was a blend of flirtation and sincerity. "There are closer ways, but for now, this will do."
"Okay, continue," Bonnie said, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Close your eyes," Damon instructed gently. Bonnie complied, biting her lip in anticipation.
Damon delved into her mind, unveiling the tapestry of their relationship from his perspective – lingering glances, moments of protection, fear, and vulnerability, intimate connections both physical and emotional, and the painful realization of his love for her. They both sat there for at least an hour, Bonnie's food growing cold as Damon took her through each moment. The journey was a revelation for Bonnie, an emotional rollercoaster that left her in tears. Damon finally let go and Bonnie didn't realize she had been crying until she opened her eyes.
"Oh my god" Bonnie said as she got up from the seat next to Damon.
Damon tried to decipher how she was feeling.
As Bonnie came back to reality, tears streaming down her cheeks, she stood abruptly. "Take me back to the manor, please," she requested, unable to meet Damon's eyes.
Damon, regretting his impulsive decision, started to apologize, but Bonnie cut him off. "No, Damon. Just don't," she said, her voice breaking.
"There's an option to add the meal to my tab, press it and I'll meet you outside, I just need some air" Bonnie said as she tried to swallow back tears. Damon nodded in agreement and watched as she quickly left the room.
Bonnie on the verge of a panic attack rushed out of the restaurant to catch her breath, Bonnie stepped outside for air, her emotions overwhelming. She leaned against the car for support, she struggled to process what Damon showed her and the betrayal of her ancestors.
Suddenly, Caroline's voice broke through her thoughts which caused her to quickly open her eyes to see Caroline, Stefan, and two figures she had only seen in pictures, her daughter and husband.
"I'll go find him before he comes out" Stefan said softly to Caroline before heading inside, knowing his brother would not like Bastien showing up, and that Caroline would accost him for taking Bonnie outside of the school.
"Bonnie" Bastien said softly as he made his way toward the teary-eyed – witch.
Before Bonnie could respond there was a big explosion that knocked everyone to the ground.
Bonnie completely blacked out and had woken up in the back of a driving car. She sat up and slowly started to open her eyes and eyed the long brunette curly hair of the driver.
"You're awake, good, I don't care which Bonnie you are, my end of the bargain will be met regardless" the familiar figure snarked.
Bonnie eyed the person driving the vehicle in shock.
"Elena?" Bonnie asked groggily.
"Oh please, she wishes" Katherine smirked as she turned to eye the bloodied witch in the backseat.