RARITY - A Damon Salvatore Fanfiction

Turmoil

I shot Caroline another look, my silence all but confirming my answer.
"I mean, you and Damon haven't done it yet, are we talking about the same person here?!" She asked bewilderedly, receiving only a shrug in response.
"It... hasn't been a priority with everything that's been going on, y'know? The whole, 'my brother's trying to murder everyone' thing hasn't really helped".

I started the engine, wondering if Caroline's confusion was justified.
"I say this, lovingly, as your friend" she said sincerely, "you're both being idiots" the blonde leaned forward excitedly, "you need to jump his bones already!". I snorted at that as I pulled out of her driveway, the two of us laughing together.
"Fine, fine" I managed, "I guess you're right...".
"Oh, I always am when it comes to this" she said with a wink. "You may be a thousand years old, but guys never change and Damon..." she sighed, smiling softly still "Damon loves you... so hold onto that, yeah?".

I couldn't help but smile at that, the same words I said to her echoing back to me.

And yet, I couldn't quite shake the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. A thousand years in this world and I have never been so perplexed over something so seemingly simple.

_________________________

"It's all so weird" Elena sighed, pulling out a chair and sitting down heavily "They're throwing a ball. Like an actual ball".
"Hey, don't look at me" I rolled my eyes, sitting down next to her in The Grill. "I didn't plan this nonsense".
"It's some twisted Cinderella fetish is what it is" Caroline interjected, earning a snort from me in response.

"I just don't know why my mother of all people invited you, Elena... I hope it's nothing bad" I mumbled, chewing my lip slightly.
"I have no idea... There's only one way to find out" she shrugged.
"I thought you told Stefan you weren't going?" Caroline asked, squinting at Elena curiously.
"I did, which is all the more reason why I need a drama free bodyguard" the doppelgänger glanced between Caroline and I pleadingly, clearly wanting one of us to be with her.
"Right, because me hovering over you like a hawk won't look at all suspicious to my Mother" I said sarcastically.
"Well" Caroline raised her hands in defence, "I think Stefan would look a lot better in a tux".

"Ugh" Elena scrunched up her face at that, a pained look appearing in her eyes, before it flashed away once more. "I can't deal with him right now... Whatever Stefan's feeling, he's channeling it all against Klaus" she explained, her eyes meeting mine momentarily. "Anyways... I'm guessing you're bringing Damon, right?" Elena fumbled, attempting to conceal the uncomfortable atmosphere that was weighing down over us.

I smiled gratefully at that. "Yeah" I nodded, "in all honestly I'm just hoping for a drama free evening, is that bad?".
"Ooh, what's that?" Caroline cut in sarcastically, earning a snort from me. "I'm serious" I laughed, "I feel like whenever I manage to catch my breath here, another disaster happens".
"Tell me about it" Elena groaned, knowing all to well what I meant.

It was then however that a familiar figure entered The Grill, making the three of us turn around.

Rebekah noticed us almost immediately, walking up to our table with a glare spread across her face.
"Careful Grace" she said to me, "It's all well and good until she stabs you in the back".
"What are you doing here?" Elena demanded. "I know your mom's rules, No hurting the locals".
"Get over yourself Elena" Rebekah rolled her eyes at that. "It's not all about you".

With that, she left, heading towards the bar determinedly. She reached Matt, who looked up in surprise as he saw my sister approach him.
"Oh my god..." Caroline muttered, watching Rebekah pass him a small envelope, an invitation no doubt. "She's inviting him to the ball. Why is she inviting him?".
"Probably to get this reaction from us" Elena sighed.
Caroline scoffed at that, grabbing her bag from the seat next to her, "What time is this stupid dance?".

_________________________

After dropping Caroline back at home, I picked up my dress and headed back to the boarding house.
"Thought I heard you come in" I heard a familiar voice say, as I sat down heavily on the sofa. "Something bothering you, Red?" Damon asked, noticing the look on my face as he entered the parlour.
"What?" I asked, my head snapping up. "Oh, no... I'm fine" I gulped. "Just dreading this bloody ball".

Damon soon followed my movements, lifting my legs to make room for himself, before placing them back over his own. I smiled for a moment, Caroline's words running through my head as I felt the weight of Damon's hand resting on my leg.

I was afraid. I knew I was. I felt so entirely overwhelmed by what had been happening with my family, that I hadn't even noticed how intense these other emotions had become. I always knew they were there, deep down, but acknowledging them this way would be terrifying on a completely different level.

For a thousand years, the curse of my family has wreaked havoc across the world. I had seen too many people die. Too many to count. And now, admitting that I cared about somebody like this... how could it turn out well?

"Love is a vampires greatest weakness"

Klaus' words were echoing in my head as I chewed on my lower lip. And yet, I still couldn't believe them. Love makes us vulnerable, yes. But it could also become our greatest strength.

Despite the confusion running rampant in my mind, my thoughts trailed back to the ball that was happening tonight. It was too much. It seemed as though all of my other siblings had moved on, accepted what was happening. My family had always been good at adapting to strange situations. And yet, I couldn't shake this uncomfortable feeling that was eating away at my mind. Being on the run for so long had left scars. Being abandoned by the ones who promised to stay with me, always and forever, hurt. Then there was our mother, and Klaus and... no. It was too much.

"We can always just stay here, Grace" Damon said, making me jump slightly. He had been watching me, watching the frown on my face grow as the sun sank lower in the sky. "Have a little party of our own?" He added humorously, as he always did, raising his brows teasingly. Yet, the concern in his tone bit through his words, his gaze still soft as his eyes remained on me.

"She has to go, Damon" Stefan cut in dryly as he walked into the room. "We all do, or Mayor Lockwood'll have our heads". Damon winced slightly at that, noticing my gaze drop to the ground.
"Thanks, Brother" he sighed, "very comforting".
"It's the truth" the younger Salvatore shrugged, picking up the tuxedo that was laying on the back of the chair. "But... uh" he paused, noticing the look on my face. "It'll be fine... If anyone can get through tonight, you can".

His tone was uncertain. Whether this was due to his lack of faith in himself, or the words he was saying I couldn't tell. Even Damon seemed surprised.

"You think?" I murmured, smiling slightly as I looked up at him.
"You're probably the most stubborn person I know, Grace" he replied dryly, "It's annoying, but if it means you'll keep your head when your crazy family comes back from the dead to throw a party... I guess it has it's uses" he said simply, before turning casually to head upstairs.

I scoffed slightly, smiling, unsure of whether to feel insulted or comforted. Damon shook his head, a grin also playing on his lips as he watched his brother leave the room.
"Thanks Stef!" I shouted after him, decidedly feeling slightly better about everything.
"Not a compliment! Don't thank me!" He yelled back in response, making me laugh as he did so.

He was being deflective, and I could hardly blame him. But, his humanity was there. He had empathy. Which for now, was just what we needed.

"It was a compliment" I whispered to Damon, earning a smirk from the older Salvatore, before standing up.
"No it wasn't!" Stefan yelled from upstairs.

Of course he heard me.

"Was so" I replied in a sing-song voice.
"This proves it, y'know" I heard him laugh,
"You're so damn stubborn".
"Good!" I yelled, my gaze drifting upwards, before I looked back to Damon. He was smiling, his eyes soft as he watched me pick up my things.

I opened my mouth to say something. Anything. I needed to say it. He was watching me curiously, expectantly, as I closed my mouth once more. This wasn't the right time.

"Right..." I sighed, "I suppose I better get ready".