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MYSTIC FALLS - PRESENT DAY
Upstairs Damon waited patiently for Athena to finish showering. The girl had been reluctant at first, not knowing what a shower was, but after discovering that it was like a warm rain she could control she seemed more at ease. He had grabbed some clothes that Elena had left there at some stage and put them in a neat pile next to him.
The water shut off and Athena exited the bathroom soon after, a fluffy white robe adorning her enviable figure.
"Here, I got you some stuff," he handed her the pile. "I don't know if it'll fit, but it's the best I could do."
"My word! These garments have certainly changed a lot through the years. Is it really acceptable for a person to wear this?" Athena asked as she turned around to change into the clothes Damon had given her. "But I must thank you, Damon, I truly do appreciate all that you have done for me."
"Ah, it's nothing, really," the older Salvatore waved it off with a shrug.
"It's more than Silas ever did," she mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," the girl gave him a kind smile. "You remind me of someone I know. Well, I suppose he's long dead now, but to me it feels as though I saw him only yesterday."
"Tell me about him," Damon motioned for her to take a seat next to him on the bed.
"His name was Tobias. He was there for me when Silas was not. I think a part of me might have fallen in love with him," her dark chocolate eyes looked up into his sapphire ones. "You look exactly like him. It's remarkable, really."
"You lied," Damon's eyebrows furrowed together. "You remember Silas, you just mentioned him. So why'd you lie and say you didn't?"
Athena bit down on her bottom lip, her palms becoming sweaty due to her nerves.
"You can't tell him. Please, don't tell him," she begged, tears in her eyes.
"I won't. But you're gonna have to."
"Damon, please don't make me."
"Look, he didn't tell us much but he made it very clear that he loves you. And at some point, you loved him too. I don't think you ever stopped," Damon let out a deep sigh. "The only way he's going to leave my life forever is if he knows the truth. If you come clean, everyone wins."
She was silent, nervously chewing on her thumbnail as she considered her options.
After a moment she nodded, "Okay, I will tell him."
