Force of Gravity • NM

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Damon arrived back at the house after his trip to the blood bank, the dark night outside still and quiet. His usual brooding mood had softened over the past week, and he found himself thinking less about his own problems and more about Naira—the tiny girl who had unknowingly pulled him into something new.

 As he stepped into the foyer, he was surprised to see Naira standing there, barefoot in one of his oversized shirts, waiting for him. Her black hair was slightly messy from sleep, and Bun-Bun was tucked under her arm. Her wide green eyes sparkled when she saw him, as though she'd been waiting for his return all night."Day!" she called out excitedly, running over to him.

Damon's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected her to be up so late. And more than that, he hadn't anticipated her seeing him like this. He hadn't fed yet, and the hunger gnawed at him. He was still in his vampire state—eyes dark, fangs slightly exposed. Instinctively, he turned his head away, his usual reflex when he didn't want others to see his monstrous side.

But Naira, unbothered by his attempt to shield her, approached him without fear. "Why're you turning away?" she asked innocently, craning her neck to look at his face. Damon froze. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him like this—fangs out, veins pulsing around his eyes. He half expected her to scream, to run away in terror. 

He didn't want her to be scared of him, not after everything." Kid, you shouldn't..." he began, his voice softer than usual, trying to steer her away. But Naira wasn't having it. She took a step closer, undeterred, her curious gaze fixed on him. "You look different," she said, her voice filled with awe rather than fear. 

She reached out a small hand and, before Damon could react, she touched his cheek, running her fingers over the faint lines of dark veins. Her touch was gentle, and Damon flinched at first, but there was no terror in her eyes—only fascination. She was in awe of him. "You're ... a vampire," she whispered, her eyes shining as her fingers drifted to his fangs. 

Damon stood stock-still as she traced the sharp edges of them with careful fingers, giggling softly. Damon blinked, completely taken aback. He had no idea what to say. He'd never been touched like this—like he wasn't a monster. His breath hitched as she continued to examine his vampiric features with wonder rather than revulsion." Does it hurt?" she asked, tilting her head to study him. "No," Damon managed to say, his voice rougher than he intended. "It doesn't." 

Naira's eyes lit up. "That's so cool," she whispered, stepping back for a moment to get a full look at him. She giggled again. "How old are you, Day?" Damon smirked, the usual sarcasm returning to his tone. "Old enough to be dust."

Naira's giggle turned into full-blown laughter, and Damon couldn't help but smile. She didn't see him as a threat or a freak. She saw him as something fascinating. "How old are you really?" she asked, still smiling as she tilted her head.

"Over 150 years," he admitted, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes widened in playful shock. "Wow, you're super old!" she teased, giggling again. "Older than my grandpa would've been!" Damon chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, when you put it like that..."Naira shifted on her feet, clutching Bun-Bun. "Is Stefan as old as you?" Damon grinned.

 "Stefan's younger. But yeah, he's a vampire too." Naira's expression lit up even more. "Two vampires in one house? That's so cool!" She hugged Bun-Bun tight to her chest, looking as though she'd just learned the best secret ever. "You think it's cool, huh?" Damon said, surprised by her enthusiasm. "Yeah," she replied with a sleepy smile. "Like a superhero." She walked over and hugged Damon's legs, resting her head against him. "But... you're nicer than a superhero. You're my family." 

Damon felt something shift in him. He crouched down, lifting her gently into his arms, and she snuggled into his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. For a long moment, he just stood there, holding her, feeling an odd sense of peace wash over him. She wasn't scared of him. She didn't care what he was. 

Damon glanced down as her eyes drooped, her breath softening. She was already half asleep. "Stefan's gonna love you, you know that?" he whispered to her, though she was already drifting off. He carried her upstairs and laid her gently on the bed, tucking the covers around her small frame. As Damon gently tucked Naira into bed, her half-asleep voice broke the quiet of the room.

"Day...?" she mumbled, her eyes barely open as she snuggled into the covers, still clutching her bunny like second skin. Damon raised an eyebrow, amused at her drowsy curiosity. "Yeah, kid?"

Her tiny nose scrunched up in thought, and she looked up at him with sleepy but serious eyes. "Does blood... taste like tomato juice?"

Damon blinked, caught completely off guard by the question. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nope," he replied, smirking. "Not even close."

Naira's eyes fluttered as sleep threatened to pull her under, but she smiled in her own sleepy way. "That's good... I don't like tomato juice."

Damon chuckled again, watching her drift off. "Good thing you're not a vampire then."

With that, Naira finally gave in to sleep. Damon stood there for a moment longer, just watching her, a fond smile on his face. This kid was going to change everything.

A/N 

Thank you for all love, please do like and comment to let me know your thought and suggestions.

Stefan Salvatore shall make his appearance in the next chapter!!Get ready for - Hello Brother!