Their Raven

Chapter 22

A week had passed, and Damon had been actively avoiding Bonnie. The guilt of snapping at her during their lesson still lingered, a weight on his shoulders that he wasn't ready to address. He knew she and Stefan had been spending more time together, and a part of him wondered if there was something between them. He wouldn't blame her; Stefan had a way of being steady presence in people's lives, something Damon had never been good at.

Instead, he had immersed himself In the Mikaelson brothers' world. He found an odd comfort in their presence, even if it was laced with tension and unspoken emotions. There was something about the way they looked at him, the way they gravitated toward him, that made his chest tighten in a way he couldn't explain.

One evening, he found himself in the garden, standing among the overgrown hedges and ancient statues. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he tried to connect to the magic humming beneath his skin. It was still wild, still unpredictable, but this time, he didn't fight it. He let it flow. Felt a warmth slowly entrap his body and soul. When he opened his eyes, the entire garden had transformed—flowers of every kind and colour bloomed around him, vines crept up statues in elegant patterns, and the once-dead patches of grass were now lush and thriving. He exhaled sharply, hands trembling at the sheer power thumping inside him.

"Beautiful," a voice murmured from behind him. Damon turned to see Klaus watching him, his expression unreadable.

"You're not terrified? I'm a freak." Damon asked, trying to mask his nerves with a smirk.

Klaus stepped closer, eyes locked onto him. "I think you're extraordinary."

Damon's breath caught in his throat as Klaus reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over Damon's wrist where his pulse thrummed. The touch was brief but sent a spark of something down his spine.

Before he could respond, they heard raised voices inside the house. Damon sighed, pulling away from Klaus only to give him a longing glance as they made their way back inside.

The source of the commotion became clear as soon as they stepped into the main hall. Elena was standing in the middle of the room, her eyes wild with frustration and fury.

""Why has on one been answering my calls?" She snapped, her gaze jumping between Stefan, Bonnie and Damon before settling on Bonnie with thinly veiled disgust. "I should've known. You're sleeping with Stefan, aren't you!"

Bonnie looked baffled. "What?"

"And let me guess," Elena continued, voice rising.  "Damon, you're just letting them manipulate you! The Mikaelson's are just using you to hurt me, can't you see that?"

Kol, who had been lazily leaning against the staircase railing, let out a dark chuckle. "I could always torture her a little, just for fun."

Klaus, however, looked less amused. "Or we could just kill her now and been done with it. I don't need her blood I've got plenty of it."

Elijah stepped forward, his presence commanding enough to silence the room. "Elena, I suggest you leave before you say something truly regrettable."

Elena's gaze flickered to Damon, desperation creeping in. "Damon, you're mine. You always have been. They don't care about you the way I do."

Damon clenched his jaw. "Elena, go home!"

She hesitated, eyes flickering with something that resembled heartbreak before she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The silence that followed was thick, but Kol unbothered as ever smirked. "Well, that was entertaining, delusional cow."

Damon sighed, rubbing a hand over his face and avoiding Stefan's stare. Before he could dwell on anything, Elijah stepped closer, tilting his chin up slightly so their eyes met.

"You are not hers to claim, Damon." Elijah said softly, his touch lingering longer than necessary. "You are more than someone's possession."

Damon swallowed, suddenly feeling the weight of Elijah's words settle in his chest.

Later that evening, as the tension from Elena's outburst faded, Damon found himself sitting across from Kol, a glass of bourbon between them. Kol watched for a long moment before speaking.

"You're more than what they made you believe you are," he murmured. "One day, you'll see it for yourself."

Damon didn't reply, but felt the truth of those words settle deep within. He wasn't sure where this path would lead, but with the Mikaelsons at his side, he was starting to think he might not have to figure it out alone.

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New chapter, I would have liked it a bit longer but I didn't want to drag it out unnecessarily, I hope you like it anyways