I am so sorry! I know you guys probably worry I'll disappear when I don't update haha. I hit a little writers block; more so just got caught up in another story I am writing on here.
Hope you guys enjoy it! sorry its shorter than usual but I'm just working out some of the kinks. If anyone wants to consider maybe being my sounding board or plot point talk-through person, feel free to let me know!
Nearly a week had passed from the little explosion his wife let loose in the living room and things were… tense to say the least. Elena had yet to come back to the boarding house, Stefan had told Damon she didn't plan to until the 'situation' was taken care of. Because of Elenas absence the house's visiting traffic slowed to a snail's pace with only Caroline stopping by once to speak with Stefan and Jeremy leaving a bag of 'necessities' he claimed Bonnie had charged him with bringing to Bella. He had the good sense to simply leave it at the bottom of the stairs, only texting Stefan to let him know it was there.
Amidst the quieter days, Bella and Damon had settled into an unexpected routine. Bella would stay up late with Damon, sitting and skimming the books and various trinkets he'd collected over his existence in his study and peppering him with questions of their origin. Another night She convinced him to go for more strolls in the woods. He would tease her about how it was no wonder everything supernatural came to her when she spent so much time wandering the outdoors alone at night. They even on several nights simply stayed in and lie in Damon's bed, letting each other ask questions that they had decided were too intimate and personal for the harsh light of day.
Mostly Bella asked him things about his human life, about if he had ever turned off his humanity – thank you Stefan for that- and they even touched briefly on who Katherine was and why exactly it was important Elena looked just like her. He usually asked about the dynamic of her relationship with the ex, about the family she had in forks and the members of the coven in Washington she missed. She seemed particularly convinced Damon would get along well with the one named Rosalie.
"She'd haughty and dry, like you, but it's all for show. Like you." She had commented when he asked why she was so decided on that friendship flourishing.
Damon especially like the nights they spent in his bed, for they all but one of the three nights had led to him inevitably unable to keep his hands to himself, and her all too excited for him to roll them so he was hovering above her, pressing her down into the lush mattress and kissing her until her lips were flushed and swollen, and her neck and chest bore the marks of his affection.
Despite the escalating passion, Damon was always mindful of her boundaries. He never pushed her towards consummation, understanding that the slow burn of their connection was something she valued. The heat between them would gradually cool into a tender intimacy, and she would eventually fall asleep for most of the day; Damon himself only needing half the amount of sleep as she did, leaving him to feed, shower, and rotate the belongings on his study shelves so she would see new things that he was willing to answer her questions about.
Damon finished arranging the last of the trinkets on the shelves in his study, grinning to himself as he thought of all the questions she'd likely ask and could practically see the way her eyes would be zeroed in on whatever she was asking about. He paused to admire his work, a small, rare smile playing at the corners of his lips. The room, once a museum of his past, now felt like a carefully curated space meant to delight and engage Bella.
He had never been one for sentimentality, never one to plan for another's enjoyment. Yet here he was, arranging his collection with a thoughtfulness that surprised even him.
The sound of movement upstairs jolted him from his reverie. The soft thud of footsteps and the rustling of bedding signaled that Bella was waking up. A brief pang of anticipation shot through him. He straightened up, a hint of a grin curling his lips.
Bella upstairs meandered into the large restroom in Damon's room, yawning and stretching as she did so. The afternoon light flitted in through the shades he kept drawn for her in the room. It had originally felt odd for Bella to flip flop her schedule; however, after their kiss in her room Damon and she had ended up staying up to the wee hours of the morning about nothing and everything mundane they could think of. It helped her feel better, and when she finally fell asleep only to wake up late in the afternoon starving the routine had stuck.
She had enjoyed their time together in normalcy. Loved the way he would tell her stories of how he came to own the various trinkets she found in his study. The sheer number of them had assured that she found new things every night. Their walks in the woods were so nice, so peaceful and calming. They'd usually go until Bella fell, or the first yawn hit her and then he would turn them around or take them down a shorter path that circled back to the house, not that she would ever complain.
She did, but only half heartedly since every night since she ended the day in his bed. She could feel her skin growing hot, and a warmth spreading over her cheeks as the memory of the nights that he'd stretched out over her, nestled between her thighs as he marked every inch of flesh he could reach without moving from their position.
The way Damon's touches had left her skin flushed, and the marks that decorated her throat now stood out clearly in the afternoon light. She tilted her chin up to examine the fading bruises while brushing her teeth, her cheeks-tinged pink with the memory.
Suddenly, as if summoned by her thoughts, he appeared behind her in the mirror, casually perched on the edge of the tub. He watched her with a bemused smile, his appearance disheveled in shirt and worn in jeans.
"Yes, they do go under your jaw," he said, his tone dripping with smugness. His eyes roamed over her with an appreciative gaze.
She made a startled sound, nearly choking on her toothpaste. Then, spat it out quickly, turning to face him with a mock scowl. "You could announce yourself; you know. You give me a heart attack every morning."
Damon's grin widened, and he chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. "Where's the fun in that? I enjoy catching you off guard."
Bella rolled her eyes and turned back around, rinsing her mouth with mouthwash. She tried to focus on the mundane task, but she could sense Damon's gaze lingering on her, and his presence made it difficult to keep her composure.
When she finished, Damon came up behind her, placing his hands on the edge of the sink on either side of her hips, effectively boxing her in. His proximity was electrifying, and Bella felt a flutter of anticipation as he leaned down, his breath warm against her neck. He nuzzled along the edge of her jaw, his touch light but intimate.
"We should get dressed for the day," Damon murmured, his voice low and soft. "I've got something fun planned for us."
Bella turned her head slightly, catching his gaze in the mirror. "Oh? What's the plan?"
Damon's lips curled into a teasing smile, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "If I told you now, it wouldn't be a surprise."
It should have been alarming at how quickly and easily she'd fallen into this comfortable routine with Damon but, deep down, if she had to be honest with herself it was so easy to see herself with Damon. Edward she of course loved, but Damon didn't treat her like she was fragile. The opposite in fact, Damon had made Bella feel more independent and confident than she had in years.
Sure, she could see how everyone might fall for the rough exterior he put forth so that he could keep himself safe but on the other hand, she'd barely even tried to peel back the surface over the last few days, and it was as if all of his pent up affection and emotions were let loose on Bella; and she had zero complaints.
As it turned out, Bella had one.
Damon and Bella continued through the vibrant streets of Mystic Falls, the excitement of the Miss Mystic Falls event palpable in the air. Bella glanced at the various booths and displays, her nervousness barely concealed. The colorful array of gowns and accessories seemed to overwhelm her.
"Damon please, I've only been here 6 days, and you want me to put on a showy dress and have everyone gawking at me all evening?" She grumbled, though had to admit the dresses currently on display were lovely.
Damon noticed her hesitation as they approached a boutique showcasing elegant dresses. "What's the matter, Bella? Can't decide on just one pretty dress for a pretty girl?"
His tone was light and teasing, but he corrected his expression when he realized she genuinely seemed upset by the day he had planned to surprise her with.
Bella shifted uneasily, looking over the selection with a hint of apprehension. "It's not just about picking a dress," she said quietly, trying to avoid his gaze. "Alice…" Bella paused, picking up a beautiful red dress to study it before putting it down. "Alice likes to play Bella Barbie…. And she … well, let's just say I haven't really picked out my own clothes in years."
Damons's jaw tightened momentarily before he shoved the flare of anger back down in his chest. Every single thing he learned about her life before him only made him want to take the first plane to forks and rip the exes and the sister-in-law's heads off. She'd basically been strung along with the false promise of whatever love Edward was pretending to give her, and Alice had just been excited for a new friend... or a barbie doll Damon was just now finding out.
"Well, Lucky for you your husband is an excellent judge of dresses. But I refuse to pick any for you." She couldn't help the grin that split his mouth at her panicked look as she stared up at him "You have to pick them yourself."
The pair wandered through the quaint shops, his arm draped casually over her shoulder. Bella found herself increasingly intrigued by the various stores, though she was still a bit self-conscious about the whole Miss Mystic Falls event. They paused in front of a boutique window, admiring the display of elegant dresses.
Damon noticed a flicker of something in Bella's eyes—perhaps a hint of an actual spark of interest for once. Before he could comment, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Damon!"
Bella glanced over her shoulder to see a Sheriff approaching. Her face was friendly, but her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of Damon's arm around Bella.
Bella's brows knit together in momentary confusion. Not many people had been introduced to her outside of Elena's friends; could she already be offending someone?
"Elen—" The Sherriff broke off suddenly, chuckling to herself. "I'm so sorry dear, I thought you were someone else."
Bella smiled tightly, nodding "It's alright, I think I know who… and I get it a lot."
Damon, sensing Bella's discomfort, stepped in, his arm around her tightening to pull her flush to his side.
"Sherrif Forbes, I m surprised Caroline hadn't said anything. I know how news travels around here." His easy smile made Bella feel more at ease, her smile more genuine toward the officer. "I'd like to introduce to you, my wife, Isabella."
The smile on Bella's face became less forced and a blush, that she knew she'd never hear the end of it from him later, crept up the back of her neck and tinged her whole face spectacularly. It was the first time that he'd ever actually introduced her as his wife, let alone to anyone, not Elena and her group of friends.
Sheriff Forbes's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and delight. She quickly recovered, extending her hand to Bella. "It's so nice to meet you, Isabella. I'm hopeful Damon may have finally found the one to keep him in check."
Bella shook hands with the sheriff, her smile warm but still tinged with a hint of lingering discomfort. "Nice to meet you too, Sheriff Forbes."
As the sheriff made her excuses and continued on her way, Damon turned to Bella, trying hard to suppress a laugh. "My god, the sun isn't even out and already you're burnt. Good thing you won't need any blush."
She said nothing but shoved him to the side, determined now to make him not only regret the comment, but regret taking her here to shop.