Closer than Most 3
Since he became human he realized pretty quickly that he no longer had the good fortune of being eternally fit. The morning he woke up and realized his glorified abs were disappearing, he almost had a fit. So he quickly signed up for a gym membership and worked out religiously.
He saw her the second she walked in, wearing little spandex shorts and a tight fitting tank top with her hair pulled into a high pony tail. He saw the way the guys stopped and stared as she walked by. She didn’t notice any of them. His mind drifted to the brief moment she was his. He would do anything to get his hands on her again, to feel her body react to him, to kiss her lips, to taste her skin, to be in her, to be one with her. He ached for it. His whole being ached for her.
He watched her settle in next to one of the punching bags before putting her earphones in and letting loose on the bag. She was fascinating and clearly tough as ever. She clearly taken her love of beating things up with her to college. Her form was near perfect and she was sure letting off some steam. Sweat was soon pooling on her brow and making her skin glisten. He would give anything to lick those little droplets off her chest or follow them into the confounds of her tank top. God, he missed her.
He couldn’t sit and watch her any longer, so his feet guided him to where she was engrossed in taking out all frustrations on the punching bag. He snuck up behind the bag and held it as she beat into it. The girl was strong, he could feel her punches vibrating through the bag. It took her a few minutes to realize someone was there and she instantly froze. Her chest was heaving and she had sweat pouring down her face. He tried as hard as he could to not get distracted by her breasts rising and falling only an arms length from him.
She pulled her earphones from her ears and gave him a pointed look.
“Good morning,” he purred.
“Hi, Damon,” she said, irritation slipping into her tone, “Can I help you?”
“Just wanted to tell you that you looked good,” he said simply with a shrug. A small smile started forming on her lips and he couldn’t figure out why.
“Are you...,” she stopped to giggle, “flirting with me?”
“What? No,” he said quickly trying to backtrack, “I meant your punches. They look really good and tight.” He could feel blood rushing to his cheeks and he cursed that part of being human, embarrassment was not an emotion that boded well with him.
She stifled her giggles before speaking again, “Well thank you.”
“So, how are you adjusting to the move?” He asked conversationally, he was desperately trying to keep her there talking to him.
“It’s pretty good, the transition has been smooth for the most part,” she explained, “I’m actually doing some job hunting today.”
“Well that’s good to hear,” he smiled at her. He wanted so badly to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless right then and there.
“Ya it’s been nice,” she said, bending down to gather her things, “We’ll I should get showered.”
He nodded at her and watched her walk away. Before his brain could catch up with his mouth he blurted out, “What are you doing this weekend?”
She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him with an amused smile on her perfect lips.
“Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Salvatore?” She asked flirtatiously.
“Well that depends,” he smirked at their easy banter.
“Depends on what?” She asked with a confused look.
“If you’re saying yes,” his smirk only got deeper with the way her cheeks started turning red.
“Well what if I said no?” She asked with a small smile.
“You won’t,” he said confidently though he didn’t feel it. He was worried that she may really say no. She left him for a reason, he couldn’t help but think she’d reject him again.
“Cocky are we?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Rightfully so,” he said with a shrug, “So what do you say?”
“I don’t do relationships,” she said seriously.
“Change is the only constant,” he responded with a cocky smirk, “But I didn’t ask if you wanted a relationship.”
She was quiet for a few seconds and for a brief moment, he thought she was really going to say no.
“Ok,” she said with a small smile.
“Good answer,” he said with a cheeky smile before he turned and headed out of the gym. He could feel her gaze on his back until he disappeared from her sight.
---BREAK---
“I have absolutely nothing to wear,” Elena muttered to herself as she stood next to a pile of her clothes wearing nothing but a jean skirt and a bra.
“For a date that is- and I quote- ‘no big deal.’ You’re sure freaking out,” Caroline said with a laugh from her spot on Elena’s bed.
“It’s not a big deal, but I still want to look nice,” she said as she compared two tops in the mirror before turning to face Caroline again, “I told you, I don’t date it just leads to heartbreak”
“Oh right, I forgot you swore off guys. Why is that anyway?” Caroline asked while she eyed the two tops in her friend’s hands, “Go with the blue, definitely the blue.” Elena removed it from its hanger and slipped it over her head.
“It’s hard to explain, Care. I just need to focus on me, especially now that I’ve moved back. I feel like after I left I lost sight of who I am. I always feel this constant need to look over my shoulder and that if I fall for someone or if I care about someone, they’ll just be ripped from my grasp and put in danger,” She explained as she rummaged through her closet to produce two pairs of shoes, “Which one?”
“My vote goes to the boots,” Caroline said after a moment of contemplation, “I still think you need to let your walls down a little and you’d be surprised how good it feels to feel.”
“Even if I wanted to, it’s easier said than done,” Elena said with a sigh as she maneuvered her foot into a boot. She did like the prospect of letting someone in after being alone for so long, but she couldn’t stop the panicking feeling that swelled in her chest. She could almost see them being ripped from her hands just because she cared for them.
“Well your date is the perfect time to start,” Caroline said with a smug smile as the doorbell rang.
“And there is your prince charming now,” Caroline laughed as Elena shot her a look that could kill- if she wasn’t already dead.
“It’s one date, Caroline,” Elena repeated, more to herself than to Caroline.
Elena grabbed her purse from the top of her dresser before shooting Caroline one last smile.
“You better call me as soon as you get home,” she said before adding, “Unless you don’t come home tonight,” with a suggestive wink.
Elena just rolled her eyes before shutting her door behind her and venturing down the stairs. Her breath caught in her throat when she opened her door and caught sight of him. He was wearing very well fitting jeans, black boots that matched his black button up shirt. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his hair sat perfectly against his forehead.
She had to take a moment to settle her heart before flashing him a small smile.
“Hey,” she said a little breathlessly.
“Hi yourself,” he smirked at her, “You ready?”
“I am,” she responded as she stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her. The night was perfect, it was warm, but there was a light breeze that ruffled her hair a little and sent his scent right into her nose. It was intoxicating and almost knocked her clean off her feet. He smelled like nothing she’d ever smelled before and all she wanted was more.
He led her to his Camero and opened her door for her, she mumbled her thanks before sliding onto the cool leather. Even the car smelled like him. The sound of the driver’s side door opening jolted her from her thoughts.
“So where are you taking me?” She asked playfully.
“I would tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” he responded with a wink.
“Wow, very original,” she laughed.
Elena’s jaw dropped when they pulled up outside a large old-looking mansion. It looked like it was fresh out of another century.
“Where are we?” She asked in wonder as he helped her out of the car.
“My house,” he said simply, leading her up to the door with his hand on the small of her back.
“You live here?” She asked incredulously. He just chuckled at her awestruck expression as he pushed open the large wooden front door. The inside was even bigger than she’d imagined. It was all decorated in an old European style. She was absolutely stunned.
“How old is this place?” She asked in wonder as he led them through the long wooden hallway and into a magnificent kitchen. The walls were dark wood, and the tile was a dark tan, there were granite countertops covering every inch of counter space. It was like a kitchen from a magazine.
“Yes, it’s been in my family for ages. I, personally, don’t love the style,” he said nonchalantly.
“Well this kitchen is gorgeous,” she said turning around the large space.
“It’s the one room I’ve actually remodeled,” he said. “That and my bedroom,” he added while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. She couldn’t stop the blood that flooded her cheeks. She tried to laugh it off, but her laugh sounded forced and shaky.
“So what are the plans for the evening?” She asked, desperate to change the subject.
“We,” he started while walking over to a large walk-in pantry and pulling out two aprons, “are cooking.”
His smile made her heart skitter before a smile found its way to her lips.
“Sounds great, but fair warning, I’m a terrible cook,” she laughed as she went to take the apron from him, but he immediately pulled it back as she grabbed for it.
“Allow me,” he said with a smirk.
He moved behind her and gently tied the apron around her neck, his fingers gently brushing against her skin as he pulled her hair out from under the ties. She thought she would fall over from just his touch. He was driving her crazy. Then he tied the strings around her waist and his hands gently caressed her hips and lower back as he tied a knot in the strings.
“There we are,” he mumbled before slipping his own apron on and tying it around himself.
He moved across the kitchen to retrieve two wine glasses from a cabinet. He walked over to the wine rack and carefully looked over the impressive display of fine wines before he chose one. He poured the dark liquid into both glasses before smiling and handing her one.
“Now starts the fun stuff,” he said with a wink and walked to the fridge and filled his arms with various ingredients. She admired the way his jeans hugged his backside just so and the way the muscles in his back flexed when he moved. He seemed so comfortable in the kitchen and it was... sexy. She mentally slapped herself for that thought. She was supposed to just be on a normal date with a normal person. But she knew that was a bold faced lie.
In a few short minutes he had a concoction on the stove already cooking and filling up the kitchen with a divine smell. They had been asking questions back and forth the whole time while he told her what to chop and occasionally had her taste whatever he was making.
“Backstreet Boys or Nsync?” He asked.
She pretended to put a lot of thought into his question before answering, “Neither. I was all about the Spice Girls.”
“Spice Girls, really?” He asked, stifling a laugh.
“Don’t laugh,” she whined as she bumped him with her hip as she cut the tomatoes, “They were amazing! Girl power and all that!”
“Ok, I’ll take your word for it,” he said in mock-seriousness while he cut some onions next to her on the counter.
“Hobbies?” She asked him, sneaking a glance at him out of the corner of her eye.
“You mean other than being a stud twenty-four-seven?” He asked with wide eyes.
“Better watch yourself, I’m wielding a knife, mister,” she joked with a laugh.
“Ok, ok, down kitty,” he held up his hands in surrender, “I like to play the piano.”
“I would have never pegged you for a piano player,” she said thoughtfully. “Where do you want the tomatoes?”
“Just dump them into the sauce pan,” he instructed, “Favorite sport?” He asked as they continued their impromptu game.
“My favorite sport to watch is hockey, I enjoy some good violence now and again,” she said while scraping her chopped tomatoes into the sauce pan he’d pointed out to her, “To play, that would have to be soccer.”
Damon thought that over for a few moments before responding, “Interesting.”
“Interesting?” She asked as he walked over to scrape his chopped onions into the sauce pan and stirring around the contents. “How is that interesting?”
“It’s just interesting,” he said with a shrug.
“Damon,” she emphasized each syllable as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Elena,” he said back to her in the same way. He held her gaze for a few heated moments before he broke the tension with a wiggle of his eye brows. A shiver went straight down her spine and made her tingle all over. She didn’t like it. Not one bit. She rolled her eyes and walked back to the large island before taking a sip of her wine.
“So what do you need me to do now?” She asked after she got a grip on herself.
“Go ahead and chop the peppers while I get the noodles finished up,” he instructed.
She picked up her knife and started cutting the large red pepper on her cutting board.
“So why was my answer interesting?” She asked, it was easier to talk to him normally when she wasn’t looking at him.
“I just didn’t peg you for a soccer player,” he said simply.
“I played when I was younger and then I played for fun when I was at NYU,” she explained. She wasn’t a sports person, but something about soccer pulled her in. Maybe it was because her father was the one who taught her to kick a soccer ball. She swallowed back the emotion in her throat quickly.
“Why did you leave Mystic Falls?” He asked, his voice was suddenly serious.
She sighed and concentrated on chopping the pepper, rather than his gaze burning into her back.
“I’m not entirely sure. I was running from something, I guess. Running from myself, I don’t know,” she said. She’d never fully tried to explain why she left Mystic Falls so suddenly, it didn’t make sense in her head so why would it makes sense when she said it out loud? She sighed, “All I know is I just needed out. I needed to find myself again. If that makes any sense.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What she was saying was so close to the truth it was frightening. He was glad her back was to him so she couldn’t see him pick his jaw off the ground.
“It makes total sense,” he said softly. He watched her carefully as she slowly turned to face him. She had an unreadable expression, but her eyes were vulnerable.
There was something in his voice that struck a chord with her. Something about how soft and gentle it was made her think she had heard it before. Then her mind wondered to her dream man, it was his voice. She turned slowly to look at him. It couldn’t be. There was no way. She eyed him carefully and told herself that she was being silly.
She was stunned by the way he was looking at her. It was the look a husband would give his wife on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. It scared her. It excited her. It made her a little dizzy. She opened her mouth to say something, but before any sound could come out, a voice cut through the room.
“Isn’t this cozy?” Both of their head snapped toward the voice to see Stefan lounging against the wall on the far side of the kitchen.
“Stefan,” Damon almost snarled through clenched teeth. He moved himself so he was standing between Elena and Stefan. She had that same feeling she got when she met him at the store the other day. She did not have a good feeling about him.
“When did you get back into town?” Damon asked, his voice was as tense as his body. His heart was pounding in his ears. He was no longer stronger than Stefan and it had never bothered him until now when he needed to protect Elena.
“A few days ago. Aren’t you happy to see me, brother?” Stefan asked with a side smile. His eyes raked over Elena’s body and her whole frame stiffened. She distracted herself by continuing on her pepper. The air in the room was thick with tension. Clearly, there was some bad blood between the brothers.
“Well as much as I’d love to chat, Elena and I were just putting the finishing touches on our meal, so you can leave,” Damon said bluntly. There was no sense in beating around the bush. Elena avoided eye contact the whole time, trying to focus on her pepper, but the sound of Damon’s clipped voice distracted her and she sent her knife right across her hand.
She hissed and jumped while she clenched her hand around the other to try and halt the bleeding, but it was no use, blood was already pooling in her palm.
Damon turned to see what happened. “Elena, are you-” he was cut off by the sight of her blood. His head snapped back to Stefan and she followed his gaze. She gasped when she caught sight of Stefan’s darkened eyes with veins protruding all around the sockets, but the moment she blinked he was gone. For a moment she wondered if she was just imagining him standing there. He must have left right before she cut herself, but something still didn’t sit right with her.
Damon turned back to her immediately and held his towel to her palm applying a slight pressure. He pulled her over to the opposite end of the kitchen and sat her in one of the chairs around the kitchen table.
“Sit here, and keep holding that towel to your hand,” he instructed as he moved around the kitchen, gathering first aid supplies.
He placed the items on the table and then knelt between her knees. He gently took her hand in his and removed the bloodied towel. He gently prodded the cut and the skin around it.
“Doesn’t look deep enough to need stitches, thankfully,” he sighed with a small smile, “It’s be awful if our first date ended with you in the ER getting stitches.”
She giggled at his joke, relieved at how it instantly eased the tension that still hung in the air after Stefan’s appearance. He cleaned and dressed her wound quickly before rising and putting away the supplies. He told her to stay put because their food was finished.
Dinner passed quickly, it didn’t take long for them to fall back into their easy banter from earlier that evening. He laughed at the stories she told about her years in college and she asked him all sorts of questions about his past and his family, which- to her surprise- he answered easily.
She was almost sad when his car pulled up to her house and he helped her out. She didn’t want the night to end. She enjoyed his company and the way he made her feel. She felt alive with him, she felt happy, she felt like herself again. The thought terrified and excited her all at the same time. She knew she shouldn’t let him in, she was damaged goods, but somehow he’d torn down all her walls that evening without even knowing it.
“Thank you for tonight, Damon,” she said when they reached her doorstep. His eyes were captivating, even in the dim porch light. She couldn’t help but get lost in them.
“Believe it or not, you are not the worst company in the world, Elena,” he said with a smirk pulling up the side of his mouth. Her eyes flicked down to his lips, they looked so soft and inviting, she wondered what they’d taste like.
Her eyes flashed up to his and he was looking at her the same way she had just been looking at him. He reached a hand up and gently tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as he leaned in closer to her. She was so lost in his eyes that she wasn’t able to pull away, even if she wanted to. His eyes searched hers for any sign of hesitation, when he saw none, he leaned in further to press his lips to hers. Until the door swung open when his lips were mere centimeters from hers. They both jumped back like they’d been shocked and their gazes snapped to the intruder.
“Oh!” Ric’s face went red, “I’m sorry, I thought I heard something out here. I’ll just... go now.” He awkwardly closed the door and they were alone once more.
“I should probably get inside,” Elena said after a few quiet moments, her heart was still pounding and her hands were shaking at the thought of him kissing her. He’d been so close. So damned close. She cursed RIc to the fiery pits of hell for that one.
“You’re right,” Damon said awkwardly, “Goodnight, Elena.”
“Goodnight,” she mumbled, still in a daze, as he walked away and got back into his car. She watched him drive away until he disappeared from sight. As she closed the door and leant her back against it, only one thought circulated in her mind.
“I’m so screwed.”