Love (𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕖 𝔻𝕚𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝔽𝕒𝕟 𝔽𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟)

Chapter 3

Author's Note : Not every chapter is going to be up as quick as these three ! I'm just really motivated right now!

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The ride to The Grill was a bit... uncomfortable for Damon. While he drove, Love sat huddled in the farthest corner of the passenger seat with her legs curled into her chest. After she'd gotten dressed, she let him brush her hair for her. It was nerve wracking to have a vampire so close to her neck but if Ric trusted him... she had to trust him too. He didn't over spray her with water like Ric did to re hydrate her curls. And after every stroke of the brush, he made sure to lay a gentle hand on the scalp he'd just brushed. It almost felt like he'd done this before. Maybe he'd had a sister before he was turned, maybe he still does. No, he has a brother, she remembered Ric mentioning that.

Maybe he brushed girlfriends hair... Yeah, maybe that explained it.

When they arrived, Damon was quick to shut off the car and get out, the door closing behind him just as he flashed to Love's side to open her door for her. If it wasn't for her seat belt, she was sure she would have fallen out of the car from sheer shock. She didn't expect him to use vampiric speed out in the open. Sure, there was no one outside to see it seeing as some kids were still in school for after school activities, some at their after school jobs, others doing activities with friends in the small town. It was only 4:12 in the afternoon after all.

Her shaky hands were quick to undo her seat belt, legs unfolding from her chest and stepping out of the car with reluctance. She kept her arms folded over chest, somewhat covering the Kirby cartoon on the front of the sweatshirt Damon had given her. She was a bit disappointed when it was a sweatshirt and not a hoodie because now her neck was still open. But it still covered her arms well, so she was grateful for that. She could tell he was trying his best to try to shield her from the world as best he could. The way he squared his shoulders more than before when she stepped out, it sent a small wave of safety through her. She really had a good vampire helping her.

"Do you think they have french fries here?" She whispered up to Damon once he'd closed the door for her and began to lead her to the entrance of the Grill. The corner of his lip twitched a bit, fighting off his usual smirk. Instead, he opted for giving her a slow nod, a hand reaching out to be placed on her head for a quick pat like he'd done before. His usually snarky response was settled in the back of his throat for the next person.

Upon entering, Love only paid attention to how Damon analyzed the room. The way his blue eyes scanned over the room, every face that occupied it. Even when familiarity flashed in his eyes when he'd caught the eye of a few faces, he remained a bit stoic. Not even offering a smirk like usual. Again, he simply led her. He led her to the bar for a seat, closest to the levers for beer because that seat seemed to have the best view of the room, she guessed.

"Matty, great to see you. Can I have some fries, aaaand how 'bout my regular glass, yeah?" Damon drew out as he took his seat beside Love. The way he twirled his head a bit to add dramatic flair to his words had Love covering her mouth to conceal a poorly hidden cackle. Especially when in response to Damon, Matt simply offered an unimpressed once over before disappearing into the kitchen.

"He loves me, really." Damon uttered dejectedly, one foot settling firmly on the ground while the other was set on the bottom of Love's stool. He used his foot to keep her stool from spinning where he didn't want her to see. But also, he was using his leg as a bit of a very poor shield just in case any unsavory characters decided to show their face. Mainly Katherine.

"I bet he does." She whispered with a reassuring nod, giving Damon not so comforting pats on his leather covered arm.

"Damon! New face?" This voice, she didn't recognize. But this time, instead of freaking out like she'd done previously, her body tensed and the hands that were once giving Damon comforting pats were now seeking comfort by gripping the sleeve of his jacket. This went unnoticed by the stranger. Well, the stranger to her.