Never Means Forever

“Let me down, you jerk!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I beat against Damon’s back, but it was no use. I groaned as he just increased his pace, refusing to ease his hold around my waist. “you’re the worst,” I said, annoyed. Damon just laughed. He finally released me, and I fell to the floor, landing on my back. I closed my eyes, wincing in pain.

I stood up, brushing off my damp clothes, and walked past Damon, ignoring his calls. Somehow the walk to my car was a lot shorter, and I grabbed the keys from Damon’s hand, unlocking the door. Everyone, especially Damon knew I hated to be touched like that. Tickling was one thing…but throwing me over his shoulder was so not cool. But to be quite honest, I don’t know why I was reacting the way that I was.

“Aria,” Damon said as I turned the car and the engine purred.

“Just shut up and get in.” I said, harshly. I backed out, and turned the car, heading back to Mystic Falls, the tires screeching and leaving dark skid marks behind. Damon opened his mouth. “I don’t wanna hear it, Damon. At least now.” We arrived at my apartment a short while later, Damon completely speechless. I sprinted out of the car to change, and after about five minutes I returned, slamming the metal door shut.

“Damn that was fast.”

“Damon, shut up,” I said turning to look behind me, so I could reverse out of my designated parking space. “Actually never mind. Are you still staying at the boarding house?” I asked, speeding towards the old Salvatore house. He nodded, fumbling with his hands. I pulled up in a matter of five minutes. “I’ll see you later.”

I tugged at my Finding Nemo tee, as I went into the Grill, walking inside slowly. I didn’t clock in, just sat at a table, waiting for Stefan to arrive. When he got there, he sat quietly, shaking his head at me as I tapped my painted fingernails against the table, impatiently. “So what’s up?” I asked, leaning my head in my palm.

Stefan reached into his pocket wordlessly and pulled out a chain, with a familiar flower pendant on it. “I want you to take it back.”

“No,” I answered. “I don’t need it.” I crossed my arms over my chest, frowning at Stefan.

“Take it. Damon is going to use compulsion on you. Trust me. I know.”

“No, you don’t.” Stefan grimaced.

“No, he won’t.” He groaned.

“Just take it.”

“Fine, but only if Damon gives it to me.” Stefan crossed his arms. “Otherwise, just forget it.” I stood up, going over to clock in. I heard Stefan get up to leave, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I just wanted to get my work done and get the hell out of the Grill to take a long bath in steaming hot water.

Xoxo

My bedroom was way too quiet when I entered it a couple of nights later. I sighed, as I unbuttoned my jeans, letting them drop to the floor, pulling off my shirt as well, throwing it to my bed. As I turned on the shower, I let Enrique Iglesias’s ‘Takin’ Back My Love’ flow through my apartment.

Go ahead just leave, can't hold you, you're free
You take all these things, if they mean so much to you
I gave you your dreams, 'cause you meant the world
So did I deserve to be left here hurt?

I soaked for at least half an hour, leaning my head against the bathtub, before I stepped out, water droplets falling to the floor. I closed my eyes, grabbing a towel and when I looked up, a loud scream escaped from my mouth. Damon was standing right in front of me, staring at me.

“Get the fuck out, Damon,” I harshly said.

“It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before,” My cheeks flushed in embarrassment, as I wrapped the towel around my torso.

“The only reason--,” Damon cut me off.

“Only because I snuck up on you. I know.” His voice sent shivers down my spine and he moved closer to me, barely an inch away from me. I turned away from him, heading towards my closet to grab my pajamas. Damon’s body pressed against mine, his arm wrapping around me. He forced me to close my eyes, and the moved my hair to the side, fastening a chain around my neck. I ran my fingers across the familiar pendant, opening my eyes slowly.

“Damon,” I whispered. I turned in his arms, shocked with his behavior. “What are you doing?”

“I want you to be safe, Aria. I almost compelled you today.” I sighed.

“But you didn’t, Damon.” I wiggled out of his arms, trying to comprehend what Damon had just done. He barely ever showed emotion. And there he was, feeling guilty about something he usually never thought twice about.

“I know, but Raya, you’re my best friend. And Stefan didn’t want me to tell you this. But…actually never mind.” I rolled my eyes.

“What did he say?” I asked, going into the bathroom to change. “Don’t come in,” I said, closing the door partially.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”

“Like Hell you will. Tell me,” I exclaimed, jumping onto my bed, next to where he was laying.

“Nope.” He rolled over to look at me, his blue eyes boring into mine.

“If you were my best friend, you’d tell me.”

“Raya, no emotional blackmail, please.”

“I thought you didn’t have ‘emotions’.” I said, making quote-marks with my fingers. He scoffed.

“I choose not to have emotions. Big difference.” I shrugged my shoulders, sitting up and fixing the strap of my top.

“Whatever.” I got up turning off the light. “You can stay the night if you want. If you don’t, don’t forget to close the door when you leave,” I murmured climbing under the covers.

“I’m staying,” he said, taking off his shirt. I shook my head, but grinned at him as he got under the covers next to me. “Stefan’s being a jackass about the whole necklace thing anyway. He almost didn’t give it to me.” I groaned, turning over and burying my head into my pillow, breathing quietly.

“He’s such an ass sometimes when it comes to us being friends,” I muttered.

“Isn’t he always?” I giggled, pulling the covers closer to me, feeling Damon’s slightly cool body touch mine as he shifted around on my bed. “Come on, you’re not gonna hug me like you used to before going to sleep?” he asked, pouting, an adorable look taking over his face. I wrapped my arms around him, and he pulled my frame closer to me. “You still smell like strawberries,” he mumbled against my hair. I relaxed into his arms, soon falling asleep.