1864 - Mystic Falls, Virginia
Elena paced in front of the window, occasionally stopping to peel back the curtain to view the front lawn. Katherine sat idly by with a copy of Great Expectations open in her hands. "Sit down," she commanded without looking away from her book. "You are making me nervous."
Elena stopped in her tracks, looking to the floor with red cheeks before finding a seat in the chair next to her aunt. Jeremy smirked, "Whatever could have my dear sister acting such a fool? Is she expecting someone?" He and Katherine shared a smile.
"Of course not," she denied. "I'm only growing tired of being cooped up in this house."
"Would you like me to accompany you on a walk?"
"Oh, yes," Katherine agreed. "I'll join you; some fresh air would be lovely."
"No!" Elena jumped up again, looking out at the green lawn again. They knew exactly who she was waiting on, of course. Every Tuesday Damon Salvatore would stroll up the walkway with some small task he needed to do in town. Saying he knew how Elena liked the fresh air, he would casually ask if she could accompany him. It was very clever; this way they could have alone time together, but still be accountable and therefore, trustworthy.
When she finally saw him approaching the house, her heart skipped. He wore a contented smile as he eyed the pink and orange sky in the distance. "John!" she shouted, bouncing up the stairs.
She turned the corner to find John sitting at her father's old desk, an unmarked book in his hand. "What is it, dear?"
"Nothing," she shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I- I think they need you downstairs. I will be in my room if you need me."
John smiled slightly, setting down his things before heading down the stairs. Even though his family was still so unfamiliar to him, it was not lost on him how good they were. Elena was fair and sweet. She would have to calm herself before she could marry, but even with her hyperactivity she was very marriageable. A number of families would gladly welcome her into their home, and with the undeniable beauty her mother left with her, she would indeed find a good one. Jeremy, on the other hand, was rebellious and felt no inclination to follow his father's footsteps into the medical field. Still, he was well built and handsome. His will outweighed every obstacle in his life and John hoped he would have the sense and luck to bring honor to his family somehow.
Just as he reached the bottom of the staircase, there was a loud knock at the front door. Once opened, Damon Salvatore greeted him with a smile. "Good evening, sir," he began, holding out his hand.
"Damon, come in."
"Oh, I'm afraid this isn't a social call. I was on my way to the post office," he lifted up a package wrapped in brown paper and secured by a string. "I thought Elena might want to join me on the walk there."
"I don't know," John sighed, casting a smirk to the floor. "It is a little late."
Damon tried to mask the defeated look in his eyes, holding on to his faltering smile as hard as he could. "Of course. I suppose I should have come earlier."
Katherine came up behind him, smiling. "Don't be so mean, John. You'll scare him off."
Damon looked up at them both with wide, questioning eyes. "I don't understand."
"He's only joking with you, right John?"
The older man laughed, taking Damon's hand once again. "I suppose, though I do prefer you bring her home before sundown. That killer is still on the loose, you know."
Damon sighed, relieved. "Of course, sir."
"Elena!" John called. "You have a caller!"
As John had his back turned, Damon looked at Katherine gratefully, though she was already staring intently at him. She took one of his hands in hers and placed a small envelope in his palm. Before he could question what was happening, he realized he could not look anywhere but her eyes. "Give this to Stefan when you return home," she said quietly. He slid the paper into his pocket casually. He mustn't forget that he had a note to deliver to Stefan once he got home.
Elena finally came out from her hiding place behind the wall, descending the stairs as gracefully as she could manage. She kept her chin high and her chest out, but she still stumbled a little on the top step. Damon's face didn't give away that he noticed. She knew her face should only show a note of reserved happiness to see him, but she could feel it looked more like she was chomping down on her bottom lip to keep from smiling too broadly. She couldn't help it. With Damon, she felt a tightening in her chest that made it hard to breathe, as though all the happiness he gave her was trying to be felt at once. He looked so handsome, waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. His navy blue suit fit just as it should, but his hair was disheveled, with the whole mess of it brushed off to the side.
He took her hand to assist her down the last few steps before pressing her fingers against his lips. "Miss Elena," he smiled.
"Damon," she replied.
"You look lovelier than the time I saw you last."
"Or perhaps your eyesight is getting better."
He chuckled, taking her light blue shawl from her hands and draping it over her shoulders.
After they left, they walked silently for a moment while the Gilbert estate was close, looping their arms through the other's and enjoying the beautiful colors in the sky.
Damon broke the silence. "How did my gift suit you?"
"A flower that never dies," she said, glancing at him. "You are clever."
A sideways smile took over his features, "I suppose you bring it out of me."
Her cheeks flushed and she looked down at the package in his hands. "What is it you are sending?"
"It's a box of rocks," he laughed. "I'm sure I'll find somewhere to send it."
Elena scoffed, pulling the package from his hands and shaking it next to her ear. Indeed, she heard the heavy shapes colliding with each other inside, "Tis a scoundrel speaking!"
He laughed, trying to snatch the package from her hands. "Are you calling me a Tartuffe, Miss Gilbert?"
"A scoundrel!" she squealed giddily. He was very near her now, wrapping his arms around her waist and then up by her head. She was quick and her long arms easily kept the package out of his reach. Finally, he was able to grasp at both of her arms to stop her movement, they stood like that for a moment, faces inches from one another's. He found himself running his thumb along the inside of her wrist and considered the consequences of stealing a quick kiss right then. She glanced down at his lips only momentarily before meeting his gaze, and he realized he had released both of her arms to hold her slim waist. Her face grew ever closer to his, until suddenly she broke out with a dastardly smirk, easily breaking free and taking off up the dirt road. Damon smiled, though disappointed he hadn't taken a chance when he had the opportunity, and ran after her.

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Forever Is Not Enough
FanfictionAH/AU. DELENA. 1864. Just as virtuous romance begins to bloom between the polite Damon Salvatore and the beautiful Elena Gilbert, he is forced to leave her behind in a town that is haunted by its own shadow. Suddenly, an innocent courtship is rocked...