Their Raven

Chapter 30

Damon didn't mean to be up there alone again, but honestly, when wasn't he? The Mikaelsons' balcony had kind of become his unofficial brooding spot. High up, quiet, good view of the town lights below... and far enough away from whatever tense magical storm was brewing inside him.

He had a glass of bourbon — half melted ice, untouched.

The air around him buzzed, like it had something to say.

He heard the footsteps before the voice. "You do realise every time you disappear, one of us comes looking for you."

Klaus. Of course it was Klaus.

"I was starting to think you'd all just installed a tracking chip in me."

"You wouldn't sit still long enough for that."

Klaus joined him at the railing. Shoulder brushing against his. Damon didn't move away.

He never did anymore.

Then came Kol, sweeping out like he owned the place — which, fine, technically he did. "Oh good. Balcony sulking hour. My favourite." Damon rolled his eyes. "Didn't realise I needed a reservation."

"You're on the permanent list," Kol shot back with a grin that was all teeth and trouble. "We just like to supervise."

Elijah followed, more quietly, carrying a bottle of bourbon that Damon did want to steal. His sleeves were rolled, tie gone. Less politician, more predator tonight.

"Don't mind us," Elijah said, pouring a drink. "We're just worried. Again." "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Klaus said without missing a beat. "You haven't been fine since your magic snapped like a live wire and cracked the bloody wall."

"That was a one-time thing."

"It was two hours ago," Kol pointed out, leaning in too close, eyes glinting.

Damon exhaled through his nose. "Seriously. I'm okay. Just... figuring stuff out."

But they were crowding him now, all three of them. Klaus on his right, Kol practically in his lap, and Elijah leaning against the stone column like he was just waiting for Damon to admit something. Anything. The worst part? Damon didn't hate it.

He hated that he didn't hate it.

"You're changing," Elijah said gently. "We can feel it. Like a storm building in your blood."

"It's not just the magic," Klaus added, voice lower now. "It's deeper than that. Like it's waking something... old."

"I am old," Damon mumbled. Kol smirked. "Not like this."

And then, because of course the universe hated him, the glass in Damon's hand cracked. Not shattered this time — just enough for a sharp line to zip through it with a tiny snap.

He cursed under his breath, set it down on the stone banister in front of him.

Then the air around him shifted. Hot. Charged. Like the moment before light night strikes. Elijah stepped closer. "Don't fight it."

"I'm not fighting it," Damon growled. "I'm trying not to blow someone's head off."

Kol titled his head. "Wouldn't be the worst way to go."

Damon's power lashed out—a pulse of energy, red and raw, whipping across the balcony. One of the outdoor lights behind them popped. A window cracked. Something inside him was pushing at the edges of his skin, looking for a way out.

Klaus was already in front of him, hand hovering near but not touching. "Let us help."

"No. You don't get to play knight in shining Original armour."

"You think we're playing?" Klaus's voice dropped, sharp and intimate. "We're not darling. You're not a game to us."

And then Kol stepped forward—reckless and too curious for his own damn good. He touched Damon's chest, fingertips brushing just above his heart. "What's in you, it's calling to us. Maybe it always was."

Something snapped. Not magic. Not pain.

Tension.

Everything stilled.

Damon's eyes glowed faintly gold.

Kol leaned in. Closer enough for breath to tangle. "We should stop."

Damon's voice was low. "Then stop."

Kol didn't.

Their mouths met like a fuse hitting the flame—not gentle, not slow. It was heat and hunger and finally. Damon grabbed the back of Kol's neck, pulled him closer, let it happen. Let the fire break loose in his veins and crash between them.

Kol kissed like he was starving. Like he's been waiting forever for this and didn't care who saw.

When they finally pulled apart—breathless, unsteady—Damon stared at him.

"What the hell was that?"

Kol's pupils were blown. "That was the start of something new."

Klaus didn't speak. He looked... wrecked. Like he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Elijah's voice came quietly from behind them. "You're not just part of this story, Damon. You're the key to it." Damon licked his lips ignoring all their stares. Still tasting Kol, heart jackhammering. "And what happens when the rest of it catches up to me?"

Klaus hesitantly stepped closer, brushing a knuckle down the side of Damon's face, soft in a way that shouldn't have made Damon's breath hitch. "Then we catch you."

The energy in the air didn't settle. If anything, it burned hotter.

But Damon didn't back away this time.

He just whispered, "You better be ready."

Because something was coming. And they were all in too deep to pretend otherwise now.

∘•········ʚ 🩸🩸🩸 ɞ ········•∘
Wow, 30 chapters are out! I can't believe it! Thank you so much everyone. I didn't think this book would get this big. I'm so happy that you all like it and continue to come along on this journey with Damon.

Little side notes. Would you want Rebekah in this book? And how? Friend for Damon? I don't know how to fit her in.
How long is to long? This book is far from over. But I don't want to drag.
Who would you like to see come into the book or would you like to see someone more often?
Also would you like Damon to be able to have kids? I've been thinking about it for awhile now. But I don't want mpreg personally. If you want it, that's fine I might try it. But I have a few ideas and I just want to see what you all think.