Kismet | Damon Salvatore

Chapter 24

Damon slammed him into the wall.

"What the hell did you do?" he demanded as Maribel ran in to check on Jo and Alaric.

Jo and Alaric were perfectly fine (though Jo looked like she was about to throw up and cry at the same time). "What happened?" she asked. "Are you okay?"

"We're fine," promised Jo. "He came for my magic."

"Your magic?"

"He said he was dying... I don't know, I gave it to him and told him to get the hell out."

"And I'm trying to leave," Kai called out dramatically. Maribel stepped out, almost pleased with the sight of Damon's hand around his throat. "But your boyfriend won't let me go."

Damon and Maribel shared a look. The vampire loosened his grip, letting Kai fall to the floor.

"Thank you," coughed Kai. "Here." He reached into his jacket pocket and handed them a notebook. "I think you'll find something of interest there."

"What the hell is this?" asked Damon.

"Why don't you read it and find out? Catch you later, Jo. Congrats, again."

Maribel waited until Kai left to inquire, "Congrats about what?"

"Nothing," said Jo softly. "Um, I need to talk to Alaric alone."

"Sure," said Maribel. "We just wanted to check on you... my sister is administering the first injection on Liz to see if the mets in her spine shrink."

Jo nodded. "Thanks for letting me know."

Maribel found it odd that Jo closed the door in her face.

"That notebook better have something worthwhile in it," she said as she followed Damon back out. "Is it just me or was that really weird?"

"I'll tell you what's weirder," said Damon, craning his neck as if he was eavesdropping, "the fact that Ric managed to knock someone up."

"Shut up."

"I'm not lying. She's saying that Kai told her she's pregnant."

"And since when is Kai an OB/Gyn?"

"I don't know, but she seems pretty sure he's right. Yuck. I didn't need to know that."

"Ever found it odd that pregnancy announcements are just people admitting they did it raw?"

Damon snorted. "This is why I date you. So you can make weird comments like that and I can laugh at them."

Maribel smirked. "Is that all I'm good for?"

"You are also good with your mouth and hands, where it matters."

"That's the response I was looking for."

He stopped her before they could exit the apartment building. "Wait, wait, Beli, you know you mean more to me than that, right?"

"I know, Damon," she promised. "I know it's a tease and we both care for one another for reasons beyond sex and our senses of humor. We don't need to constantly reiterate it. I trust you, and I hope I've shown that you can trust me. I don't need you to tell me outright all the things you like about me to know you like me and feel something strong for me. In all honesty I can do without all the sappy comments and nicknames and the constant need for validation. You treating me with respect is enough. Making me laugh is enough. Being gentle and sweet is enough. If I ever need you to reaffirm it because I'm feeling insecure for whatever reason... I'll tell you. And ever so often I'll make sure to tell you all the things I like about you."