Their Raven

Chapter 7

Light seeped through the curtains, teased apart by a gentle morning breeze. Damon shifted, turning away from the unwelcome intrusion, trying to cling to the remnants of sleep. It was rare–peaceful moments like this–but, as always they didn't last.

A sharp, insistent knock shattered the silence, followed by Elena's all-too-familiar voice. "Damon!"

Groaning, Damon threw the blanket off and appeared at the door in a blur of irritation. He swung it open to find Elena glaring at him, her arms crossed like she was ready to lecture him. "Well, good morning to you, too. Didn't expect a wake-up call from Miss Sunshine at–" he glanced over his shoulder at the clock "–9:00 in the morning. Really? Leave me alone. So what's the emergency this time?"

Elena ignored the sarcasm, stepping past him without invitation. "What's with you and the Mikaelsons? Why are were talking to to them after everything they've done to me?"

Damon sighed, leaning against the doorframe for a moment before lazily following her downstairs. "Because I enjoy good conversation, Elena. You should try it sometime."

Her voice rose in frustration. "Don't play stupid! They tried to kill me–multiple times! My aunt is dead because of Klaus. I had to send Jeremy away to keep him safe and Stefan–"

Damon's pace slowed, her words grating on him. By the time they reached the living room, his patience was wearing thin. "Ah, yes, let's make this about you again. How shocking."

Stefan, sitting on the couch with a mug of coffee, looked up with a tired expression. "Morning, drama already?" Damon smirked, ignoring Elena's simmering fury. "Banshee copycat here woke me up. Lucky for you, I won't suffer alone."

Elena shot Stefan a desperate look. "You're seriously letting him talk to the Mikaelsons? After what they did to you?" Stefan's eyes darkened for a moment but didn't lift from his coffee. "Tell us what you want, and if it's about last night forget it–Damon won't tell me anything."

Elena's glare shot between the brothers, her face red with anger. Damon made his way to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself a generous glass of bourbon. As he raised the glass, he caught their incredulous looks. He shrugged. "It's 5 o'clock somewhere."

Elena rolled her eyes, crossing the room to face him. "Why were you willingly talking to the Originals, after everything that's happened?"

Damon took a slow sip, savouring the burn before responding. "I can talk to whoever I want. And as far as I can remember, nothing has happened to me. They haven't tried to kill me, and I haven't tried to kill them recently. So, we're good."

"Damon!" Elena's voice cracked, her hands trembling as anger and frustration spilt over. He set the glass down and turned to her, his gaze piercing. "You're upset. I get it. But let me give you a reality check–what Klaus did to you, to your family, to Stefan–none of that is going to change because I had a chat with him. And here's the kicker: I don't owe you an explanation."

Her eyes welled with tears "How can you be so cold? After everything–"

"Everything?!" Damon's voice sharpened, his usual sarcasm giving way to something colder. more dangerous. "You mean everything you caused by selfishness! Your aunt's dead because of Klaus, sure–but her death is on you, Miss Everything-Is-About-Me"

Elena's breath hitched, a tear slipping down her cheek. "How could you say that?"

"You should've told her about the supernatural the moment you found out, and the same goes for Jeremy. You've been romanticizing everything, Elena. People have died, and more will die. Stop thinking about yourself for once." Damon's voice turned colder, his eyes hardening. "I wish I never came back. I wish Stefan had stayed away from you."

Elena choked on a sob, her face crumbling as she looked at Stefan for support, but he only stared at the floor, conflicted and silent. Her shoulders shook as she turned and stormed out, the front door slamming behind her. Neither brother watched her leave.

Damon sighed as the front door slammed. "Do you still want to leave?" He asked Stefan, his voice softer now.

Stefan looked up, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I don't know, Damon. I want what's best for us. I finally have you back, and I'm not planning to let you go or leave you again."

Damon nodded, relieved and wrapped his arms around his brother, pulling him into a tight hug. "If you want to leave, I'll go anywhere with you. But I know you want to stay. This is our home."

Stefan's shoulders relaxed and Damon felt the small smile form against his shoulder. He smiled too.

Damon walked into the Grill, spotting Bonnie and Alaric at the bar. He grinned as he made his way over. "My favourite people. Why the day drinking?" He strutted over and sat next to Bonnie "So," Damon said, "Elena's newest crusade is me being compelled by the big bad Originals. Thoughts?"

Bonnie gave him a sideways glance. "Elena called and said you've been compelled and that since I'm a witch, I have to help. I told her you drink vervain, but she didn't listen."

Damon huffed, nodding to the bartender for his usual. "And you, old man?" he asked, glancing at Alaric.

Alaric scowled into his glass. "Elena barged into my apartment, going on about how the Mikaelsons are using you to get to her."

Damon rolled his eyes. He took his drink, raising it in mock toast. "Cheers to getting an aneurysm because of Elena!"

"Cheers!" Bonnie and Alaric clinked their glasses with his, downing their drinks in unison. A rare peaceful silence settled between them, broken only when Bonnie's phone buzzed on the bar.

She huffed as she answered. "What Elena? No, yes, he's here. No, he's not compelled." Damon downed another drink, smirking at her frustration. "No, I don't think he wants to see you, Elena! No. I don't care, bye." She hung up, slamming her phone down.

Damon leaned in, his smirk widening "Take it that went well."

Bonnie rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "She's coming here." Damon sighed, rising from his seat. "Well, this was fun. I'm off home to pack–Stefan and I are considering a little vacation."

He threw some cash on the bar, but the door opened just as he turned to leave. The Mikaelson brothers stepped in, Klaus, Elijah and Kol strode in with the confidence of kings, their sharp gazes scanning the room before settling on Damon.

Damon's heart fluttered involuntarily at the sight of them, "Can understand the day drinking now" he muttered, gesturing for more bourbon. Before the bartender could return, Elena swept into the Grill, her arms crossed. "You or Stefan weren't at the boarding house. Caroline is with Stefan for some reason, so I knew you'd be with Bonnie or Alaric."

Damon turned, raising an eyebrow. "Well, you did phone Bon. So now what? Becoming my stalker now"

Her gaze shifted from glaring at him to the brothers and she scowled. "I've found a way to break your compulsion." Damon frowned, tilting his head. "I'm not compelled, Elena–"

Before he could finish, she blew a fine red powder into his face. He stumbled, coughing, he head ringing. He heard Bonnie shout and Alaric's voice, but their words became distant echoes. His vision blurred, and he felt arms catch him as he swayed.

"We've got you, love. I promise," came Klaus's voice, low and urgent in his ear. Damon clung to the familiar touch, his legs giving way as nausea washed over him. He barely registered Elijah;s warning to Elena. "If I see you again before we heal Damon, or even after that, I'll rip your head off."

Damon's world faded into black as the pain overwhelmed him, the voices around him dissolving into silence.

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CHAPTER 7 IS DOWN! Been sitting on this for awhile just haven't got around to editing till now. Hope you all like it and merry Christmas my darlings