Vampire Diaries Imagines

Timeless Walk - Damon Salvatore

Mystic Falls, 1862

I never imagined this would be my life.

Being orphaned at sixteen wasn't something I'd planned, and finding myself a boarder in the Salvatore household was even further removed from any future I'd envisioned for myself. Yet, there I was-in a strange home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and too shy to speak beyond a whisper.

At first, I was invisible, tucked away quietly in my corner of the grand home. The Salvatores were cordial, of course-polite even-but I kept my distance. I didn't want pity or comfort, and I certainly didn't want to burden anyone, least of all strangers. Besides, the Salvatore brothers were often surrounded by friends, laughter, and life-things I was still too heartbroken to embrace.

Most days, I spent alone in the gardens or curled up by the window with a book. Books had become my only company, the only way to escape from my reality.

One morning, I found myself quietly seated by the windowsill in the parlor, a book resting in my lap, though the words blurred into meaningless lines on the page. I was lost, staring out the window, watching the breeze shift through the tall oak trees that lined the property.

A soft knock at the open doorway broke my trance. Startled, I turned my head, my heart fluttering nervously.

Damon Salvatore stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. He looked charming as always, dark hair slightly tousled, blue eyes twinkling softly with curiosity. Until now, I'd hardly spoken two words to him.

"Miss YLN," he greeted gently, stepping into the room, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"No," I said quietly, feeling my cheeks flush softly under his gaze. "Not at all."

He smiled, stepping slowly into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "You've been here nearly a month, and we've barely exchanged more than a greeting. I felt perhaps we had been doing you a disservice."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Mr. Salvatore. I have been rather withdrawn, I suppose."

"Damon," he corrected gently, his eyes kind as he tilted his head, studying me thoughtfully. "Just Damon."

I nodded shyly. "YN."

"I know," he smiled warmly, then paused, carefully watching my reaction. "Would you perhaps accompany me to town today? Father asked that I pick up a few things, and company would be greatly appreciated."

Surprise must've shown clearly on my face because Damon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Forgive me-I realize this is rather sudden. You don't have to come if you'd prefer to stay behind."

"No," I said quickly, surprised at my own boldness. I hesitated, taking a small breath to steady myself. "I'd... I'd like that."

His smile softened, something sincere in his eyes as he extended a hand toward me. "Good. Then it's settled."

A few moments later, I found myself walking beside Damon down the bustling street of Mystic Falls. He spoke easily, filling our conversation effortlessly with anecdotes and playful teasing, gently guiding me from my shy silence into smiles and quiet laughter.

As we wandered through the small shops, Damon's presence felt warm and calming. It was easy to see why so many adored him-he was effortlessly charming, but beneath it, there was kindness. Genuine kindness. A kindness I'd desperately missed since losing my parents.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," he observed, pausing to watch me carefully with those piercing blue eyes.

"I am," I admitted softly. "More than I thought I would."

His expression grew softer, his voice quieter. "I'm glad."

I stopped, glancing down nervously at the basket of goods I carried, before slowly raising my eyes to his. "Damon, I know this may seem odd to say, but thank you. For today. For... pulling me out of my sadness, even if only for a little while."

He reached out gently, lightly touching my shoulder. "It's no trouble, YN. I've rather enjoyed myself too."

My breath caught slightly, my heartbeat quickening at the sincerity in his voice. Around us, the townspeople bustled past, unaware of the fragile new bond forming between us. Damon smiled gently, offering me his arm again.

"Come," he said warmly. "We should start heading back."

Mystic Falls, Present Day

It was strange, how everything and nothing had changed.

Walking beside Damon through the familiar streets of Mystic Falls, I couldn't help but notice how different everything looked since I had come back into town after over a century of avoiding it. The dirt roads had become smooth pavement, horse-drawn carriages replaced by sleek cars, and quaint storefronts had turned into modern cafés and boutiques. Yet, despite all that, the warmth of his presence beside me felt exactly the same as it had back in 1862.

"You're quiet," Damon said, nudging me gently with his shoulder. "Thinking about something?"

I smiled softly, glancing up at him. "Just how surreal this is. Us, walking here again, like we used to."

He smirked, eyes twinkling with that familiar mischief. "Yeah, though back then you blushed every time I even looked in your direction."

Rolling my eyes, I nudged him back playfully. "I was sixteen. You were kindly intimidating."

"Intimidating?" He feigned surprise. "I'd say charming."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Fine, maybe a little charming."

We continued strolling, passing through the heart of town, the sunlight warm on our faces. Damon's hand brushed lightly against mine, a subtle reminder of the comfort we'd built over the decades. Our bond had weathered every storm, every tragedy, and had only grown stronger.

"I've missed this," I said softly, looking around at the familiar yet changed surroundings. "Though, things seemed simpler back then."

"They weren't," Damon said gently, his voice more serious. "We just remember them that way. But it wasn't easy then either-especially not for you."

I glanced down, nodding slightly. "Maybe you're right. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't pulled me out of that slump I had let myself get pulled into."

He stopped walking, turning fully toward me. His gaze was soft, thoughtful. "You would have gotten out of it. It might have taken you some time. Grief often does. But you would have got out. You've always seemed to after that."

My heart fluttered softly at his words, the sincerity in his voice catching me off guard. "Because I've always had you. No one had ever cared to go out of their way to even try to get to know me before you. Let alone, pull me out of the shell I had crawled into the way you did. Not even your brother."

Damon smiled warmly, reaching out and gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face. His fingers lingered there for just a moment, tender and reassuring, his eyes never leaving mine. "I figured you needed a little normalcy. Not to be left alone until you figured it out on your own like my father thought you would. Would you have got to the point where you engaged with us a bit more if I hadn't dragged you out of that book that day? Maybe. But if you ask me, doing just that was the best decision I had ever made." He explained with a smile causing one of my own to appear.

A comfortable silence settled over us as we continued on with our walk. It felt easy, natural, like we'd never spent a day apart. Around us, the world moved forward-people living their everyday lives, oblivious to how much history walked between us.