Aches And Smiles❤

~1~ Homecoming

Breath in, breath out!

Breath in, breath out!

Mr. Damon Salvatore,a leading businessman renowned all over the world for his early success, fame and looks , reminded himself again and again that needed to calm down. After a few minutes he felt better, and without taking any risk, he popped a pill, and decided to sleep through the journey. That was the best he could do.

Hours later, as the plane finally landed, Damon wore his shades and dragged his luggage through the overflowing airport making his way towards the exit, his hands sweaty in anxiety already. Homecoming had never been a good decision, but this time, fate had not left him a choice to avoid it either.

His heart constricted at the sight of the once familiar lanes of Mystic Falls he had left ten years ago, as he walked out, his eyes scanning the entire exit section finally resting on a board that had his name in big bold letters. He walked towards it, expecting a chauffer or something, but when the board came down, his eyes were locked with a certain pair of brown eyes that had the world fading around him. It had never happened with him before.

"Hi...It's Elena ...Elena Gilbert", her smile was vibrant, and the pastel purple top she wore, with white pants only highlighted her complexion. Her hair were down, a few locks falling in front of her eyes, and the remaining cascading down her shoulders.

"Ahhh....I know....I don't think it's the first time we are meeting... Elena?", he shook her hand, and surprising, the warmth of their handshake made him feel comfortable immediately.

" I know. Damon Salvatore. We were classmates , then you left the town and never came back until today.", she mocked indicating to him the way to the car.

He nodded, still not sure about the relationship she shares with his baby brother.

"You didn't recognize me, did you?" She chuckled when she saw his demeanor silent, and at her question, he only frowned a little more.

"What if I say I never actually forgot you Elena", he said involuntarily and sheooked at him at little more strangely as she opened the door of the driver's seat.

"I mean...I used to get your whereabouts from Stefan quite regularly.", Damon said as he settled on the passenger seat, when Elena ignited the engine.

Will you prefer going home, or meet Stefan first?" She enquired, suddenly conscious. Damon was somehow mesmerized with her voice. Last time he had heard it ,it was the day when her world was torn apart but today it felt so relieving as if it pulled some cord of his heart.

Took him her smirk to come out of his own trance.

"He is not yet discharged?" Damon frowned.

"His wounds are deep. Will take a few more days to heal", Elena sighed audibly as the image of a wounded Stefan crossed her mind. She still didn't know what would have happened if he wasn't admitted on time post the accident.

"How many days had all these been going on?" Damon asked, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Eversince Katherine left. Six months, maybe." Elena muttered,
mildly cursing the guy who took a wrong cut just in front of her beloved car.

"Is he okay?", he inquired again.

"Yeah, Doctors say he'll recover in a week or so! "

"Hmm....",Disappointment and guilt of leaving his lil one alone was evident on Damon's face.

"He was in his room this time when I found him, and he had so badly hurt himself that I did not have an option but to call for help",Elena answered, her eyes cloudy with the horrific images, once again.

"I'm glad you were here for him. Thank you."

"It's okay Damon. I haven't done anything great. He was there for me after my parent's demise. He did everything in his power to make sure I come out of that trauma.And so I'll. I'll be there for him always even when you leave us again after a week".

Damon was numb to hear her. She stopped the car with a screeching sound bringing Damon out of the trance. He realised they were already in the parking of the hospital. She sent a prayer to the almighty, thankful that her journey with him ended. Hopefully, they won't cross paths, again any time soon.