Recap:
"Get out of my way, I'm tired." I grit, shoving him slightly so I can get to my door and open it. I slip into my room, trying to close the door behind me, but Damon beats me to it, closing the door for me - only with him inside of my room.
"Wrong side." I mumble in frustration.
"So what now?" He grins, flopping onto my bed and reclining, propping himself up on one elbow so he can still see me. "I'm all yours."
Goodbyes
"You have some nerve." I sigh, mentally prepping myself for what I want to say to Damon.
"Thank you."
"Not a compliment." I deadpan.
"I know."
"You're so frustrating! You know that right?"
"It's all part of my charm Rosaline."
"Charm? Pfttt... Sureeeeee. Why are you here."
"I live here."
"As in my room smartass." I rub my temples in frustration already feeling a headache coming on, no doubt induced by this idiot.
"Technically this is my room..."
"Damon! I swear. I'm not in the mood for your games."
"Fine! Ok, ok." He raises his hands in surrender. "A little birdie told me you were leaving! And I actually came to say goodbye."
I examine his face carefully for any signs of betrayal or guilt. Who knows why though, it's not like he's an upstanding citizen so I'm not sure why I'm expecting to find any such markers. "I wouldn't call you a little birdie... more an egotistical asshat."
He tilts his head slightly at me. "You're implying it was me?" He raises an eyebrow.
"I know it was you."
"And what if I said it wasn't?"
"I wouldn't believe you."
"Well then it must have been me." His words are annoyingly vague. He seems to neither to confirm nor deny what he's done, only avoid it and it just frustrates me more. Not that it matters. I know it was him. Rolling my eyes I exit the room and head into my bathroom. Closing the door, I decide to take one last relaxing bath before my final night in the palace. Hoping Damon will get the hint to leave, I close the door behind me - making sure to lock it - before running myself a bath, stripping and then stepping in.
Almost an hour later, I feel refreshed. Ready for bed and ready to leave. Sighing in content, I slip on my silk shorts and cute as hell T-shirt with a teddy bear on, before returning to my bedroom whilst rubbing my hair dry with my towel.
"Cute, I like it." A man's voice makes me scream in surprise. Looking up at the bed I see Damon lying just as I left him.
"Damon get out!" I screech, instinctively chucking my towel at him. Unfortunately, he manages to catch it before it hits hit face.
"Wet... lovely."
"What are you still doing here?" I growl. "Go away!"
"But I want to spend time with you." He pouts, smirking at me.
"I thought you hated me? Go back to hating me."
"I don't hate you." He frowns. "I hate Stefan."
"Well could you hate me? Atleast I'd get some peace and quiet." I grumble, plopping myself down next to him on my bed. I refuse to be kicked out of my own bed by the likes of Damon. I mean technically it's more his than mine, but that's not the point. It's a point of principle.
"Why do you hate me?"
I tilt my head at him at his question. "You don't know?" I blurt in surprise.
"Indulge me." Sighing I decide I may as well get comfy as it's clear he isn't going anywhere soon.
"Stefan." I respond simply.
"Stefan?" He responds, arching an eyebrow questioningly. I'm surprised at his genuine ignorance.
"He blames himself. He just wanted what was best for you; and yet here you are driving a stake into his heart every chance you get."
"What does that mean?" His voices seems eerily even; not calm but something else. I just can't place what exactly.
"He's spent years blaming himself. Blaming himself for you running away, for you disappearing from your family's life. And you've let him."
Damon seems to click. Sitting up he moves closer to me leaning in and bringing his face to a few inches from mine, causing me to flinch away slightly. "I guess you think you've got it all figured out. Golden boy could never do wrong right?"
"You've hardly shown me you're better than him." I stand my ground. I believe Stefan.
"Then you deserve each other." He stands abruptly. "You shouldn't point finges until you know all the facts." He spits, storming out of my room. I'm left sat with my own thoughts. I know I've been trying to get him to leave all evening; but now he has I can't help but feel bad. And like I'm missing something? He seemed hurt...
But then what nice thing has he ever done for me? What has he ever done to make me think otherwise? Why am I sat here feeling bad for Damon? I trust Stefan and what he told me; but I can't help the niggling feeling telling me maybe, just maybe, there's a little more to the story, that Stefan chose not to share.
Shaking the feeling, I slip under the covers to finally go to sleep. I'm gone tomorrow and I can leave all this behind me. Finally - long overdue.
➰➰➰
A scratching noise wakes me. Glancing at my clock, it reads 23:45. Wrapping my duvet around me securely, I reluctantly stand to try and identify what the noise is and track down where it's coming from. I end up at my window; slowly opening the curtains reveals that the noise is coming from small stones hitting the glass? Confused, I open the doors and step out onto my balcony.
Unfortunately, whoever is throwing them hasn't registered me and throws another three that each hit a different part of me; my forehead, chest and right arm. "Ow!" I yelp, now at the railing.
Looking down, I'm surprised to see it's Stefan. "Oops! Dammit, I'm sorry!" He's stood below my balcony looking a little sheepish, dressed in a dashing black suit - the very same from dinner earlier. "Rosaline Princeton, would you do me the honour of spending your last night with me?" He smiles.
"I don't know if that's a good idea..." I bite my lip hesitantly.
"Please?" He pleads. "Tonight, we're just two teenagers in lo-who like each other as much as I like you." Taking a deep breath, I ignore his stumble knowing there's no point pushing it when I'm leaving in 12 hours. What good would that do me?
"Okay Stefan." I breathe. I'm going to do it, what's the worst that can happen? It's my goodbye to Stefan, and England. "Okay."
"Thank you. I'll meet you at your door." He grins.
Returning into my room and closing my close my windows. Rummaging through my wardrobe, I settle on a cute black and white striped top, grey jeans, white flats and a greeny brown jacket (pictured below).
"You look perfect." Stefan greets when I open the door to him. "Almost as perfect as you looked this evening. Everyday I think you look perfect, and yet you manage to blow me away even more everyday."
"Thank you cheesy, I feel grossly under dressed though." I gesture to his suit. "You know you could have just come to my door to start with?"
"That would have ruined the ambience!" He protests. "I'm romance personified tonight, hence ..." he gestures to his suit sporting a cheesy grin.
"Well in that case... your majesty." I offer a curtsey, holding an imaginary skirt in the air. "Where to?"
"Follow me my lady." He extends an arm; linking my own in his I let him lead me from the palace. He takes me for a stroll through the gardens, visiting all the most beautiful areas. We avoid talking about my departure tomorrow and his future with Matilda, instead sharing stories of the past, of our families, even of our feelings for each other. I let myself forget this is the last time we'll see each other and am determined to just enjoy the moment.
"I have a surprise for you."
"You're not going to murder me are you?" I smirk.
"Not this again. Just close your eyes."
Rolling my eyes dramatically, I do as he requests. "If you do kill me, just know I'll be mightily annoyed!" I call.
"Just be quiet. Are they closed?"
"Yeah yeah, they're closed."
"Ok." It goes quiet for a couple of moments and I wonder if he's just left me when I takes my hand and lifts it so my palm is facing towards the sky. Then he places something in my hand. I can't tell what... it's smooth but solid? Long and thin... like a stick but not a stick... it's flexible and bends. Maybe some thick string?
I feel a kiss on my cheek. "Open your eyes my love." Stefan murmurs in my ear.
Opening them, I'm shocked to see Snow Storm. She's stood patiently infront of me, and in my hand is the lead rein attached to the halter she's currently wearing. And tied around her belly is a bright red ribbon, with a large bow tied atop her back. I look at Stefan in shock. "You're not giving me Snow are you?"
"In fact, I am. She is your leaving gift." He smiles.
"Stefan! I can't accept her!" Storm nudges me with her nose is if knowing I'm turning her down. Stroking her nose, I give her a little rub to let her know she's done nothing wrong. "It's too much Stefan. I don't even live in England! No... I can't-"
"Yes. You can. It's the least I can give you after... everything. Besides. She won't behave for anyone else. It seems you're the perfect team. She basically saved your life the other day, bringing you back to the stables. If it wasn't for her... save your fever you returned unharmed. Not a even a scratch in sight... she took good care of you. I figured the least I could do was save her life as a thank you. I think father would have lost his patience within the next few weeks..."
"Stefan! I don't know what to say." I throw my arms around him. "Thank you so much." I pull away before throwing my arms around Storm's neck. "Thanks girl." I murmur into her neck. "I promise you'll always be safe."
"How'd you like to go for a moonlight ride? I know the perfect place."
Stefan leads us on quite a long trial. Almost 2 hours later, we arrive. I gasp at the beauty of where he's brought me. There's a lake in front of us, at a lower down. We're stood on a cliff that extends over part fo the water. Trees and flowers of all colours surround us and the lake. Dismounting, we tether the horses nearby so they can graze and Stefan pours some water for them into the bucket attached to Maximus' saddle.
Then, extending a hand to me, he leads me right to the edge of the cliff above the water, where we sit side by side, my head on his shoulder. Our legs dangle and he leans back, his hands behind him to support himself. "It's so beautiful." I breathe, resting my head on his shoulder as I look out onto the sea which is still as a statute - not so much as a single ripple. And there's a beautiful reflection of the moon as it shines down brightly. "Thank you. For everything."
"I want you know it was real Rose." I turn to face him at his words. "I never lied to you, I really did... fall for you. I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you deserve. I know I'm being selfish telling you this now, but I can't stop myself. You just have to know it was real."
"I know Stefan. Thank you." My voice is quiet, yet it sounds so loud against the silence of the night. But I don't say it back. I refuse.
We sit side by side until sunrise. The view is breathtaking. A sunrise on its' own is beautiful, but a sunrise above water, and where I am now - with Stefan? Nothing beats that; the moment is beautiful. And I feel content. I'm ready to leave. I've reached the end of my journey, my time with Stefan has come to an end. And I finally feel ready. I'm still sad, maybe even heartbroken. But now the time has come, there's nothing else I can do. And so I must face my reality.
"We should head back." Stefan looks out over the water thoughtfully, his face dressed in a frown.
"Ok." I sigh, getting to my feet. Offering a hand down, he takes it. I'm about to pull him up when he pulls me down. Letting out a gasp of surprise, I land on top of him.
"Well isn't this familiar." He smirks, lifting his hand to tenderly brush the hair from my face. Before I can react, he lifts his head and connects our lips.
And that was how I spent my last night in England. With none other than the Crown Prince of England in our own slice of idyllic paradise.
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Word Count: 2243
Cute right?
Stefan: Sure! If you weren't sending Rose home. Bittersweet much? But way too much bitter.
Hmmm....
Thanks all,
-ashling-