Crumbling Hearts and Shattered Minds

Chapter 26: Content But Still Not Even Close To Home

Damon POV

I was shaken, quiet rudely, awake by an unknown owner of a very annoying hand. I tried bating the hand away and turning away from it, but they were persistent.

"Come on, we can't stay on the plane all night." A smooth accent said in a sort of sing-song voice.

I opened my eyes slightly and glared groggily at the hybrid who was standing in the aisle smirking.

"Why not? After a while the plane actually might take me home." I said while standing and trying to work the kinks out of my back and neck. I rolled my head and shoulders then looked to Klaus, who was watching me.

"Staring is considered rude. I know I'm hot and incredibly sexy, but still." I said with all the mocking-ness I could muster in my tired state.

"Actually, I was staring at the amount of drool that gathered on your chin." Klaus replied, completely unfazed.

I wiped at my chin to find no drool. I looked up and glared at the snarky older vampire. He simply smiled and turned on his heel and sauntered to the front of the plane.

I glared at his back then followed him out.

We made our way through the tunnel thing that went to the airport and walked strait out.

The waiting area was huge and the airport itself was amazing. I looked to a nearby map and saw that its bigger than the Seattle airport.

I smiled and looked around.

I guess I had a thing for good architecture, because the design, the shop placements, and the sure feel it emanated fascinated me.

I sighed and then jumped when a hand was placed on my shoulder. I looked over to see Klaus admiring everything much like I just was.

"Better than most airports back in the states, huh?" He said while leaving his hand on my shoulder. I flicked my gaze down to the hand and raised a brow. I huffed out a breath and continued to admire everything.

"Yeah. I guess." I said with a shrug, even though I new good and well that this was much better.

"I painted that you know." Klaus said while pointing to a big beautiful piece of art that was hanging on the wall in front of us.

"No you didn't." I said, though I had a feeling he wasn't lying.

"Yup. Back in the 40's. I came to visit and they asked me to paint something for here after they saw one of my other pieces." Klaus said in a voice that made it sound as though he was watching that very day play out in his head. I smiled a bit and shook my head.

"Okay. Whatever you say." I said while stifling a yawn half way through my sentence.

Who knew dying and coming back to life would be so exhausting?

"Come on, lets get to the hotel. You, my friend, look like shit." Klaus said while gripping my shoulder tighter and steering my towards the airport entrance.

"Jee thanks. Hotel? How long have you been plotting this kidnapping? And you know what? Dying is very exhausting, I'll have you know." I blabbered on while trying to blink the tiredness out of my eyes.

"I've been planning this since the day after I cured you. I'm a quick thinker, and yes, I do now how exhausting dying is." Klaus replied, still steering me out of the airport.

He glanced around and then pulled me behind him at full speed in another gut churning race.

We stopped outside a very big, nice looking hotel and I doubled over and fought the urge to pass out right there.

Only because I didn't want to live through the humiliation of Klaus carrying me into a hotel room.

Which I kinda knew he'd do, just to embarrass me.

I let out a shaky breath and stood up strait.

Klaus gave me an amused look then strode into the hotel.

I glanced around to the new scenery and took it all in for a few minutes before walking through the entrance to the hotel. The lobby was, sadly, a very stereotypical hotel lobby.

I sighed and shoved my hands in my pockets as other guests bustled about. Big crowds of families, old married couples and businessman swarmed about, heading to elevators, the entrance and to the desk.

I hate crowds with a burning passion. I'm fine in them if its a party, but random chaos makes me feel severely out of place.

Klaus finally came over to where I was standing and gave me the amused smile that I've been seeing for most of this 'trip'.

He motioned with his head to follow him and we headed towards the elevator.

We walked in and a small family of five joined us. Klaus hit the button for the 7th floor. The top floor, of course. The family hit the button for the fourth floor and we all stood in silence.

I felt someone staring but it wasn't Klaus. I looked down to see a five year old gazing at me questionably. I looked back towards the front of the elevator and chose to ignore him. A ding sounded out and the doors slid open and the family left swiftly.

"Creepy little kid." I muttered to myself and I heard Klaus laugh under his breath.

I glared at the side of his head and moments later there was another ding. The doors slid sluggishly open and I walked into the hallway of rooms.

Klaus turned and walked to the right until he stopped in front of a room on the left side of the hallway.

He produced a key card out of his pocket and opened the door with a click. He walked into the room and I stood in the hallway with my brows furrowed. Moments later, Klaus' head pops back out the door.

"What you waiting for, a formal invitation?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.

"We're sharing a room?" I asked after a moment. Klaus smirked and nodded.

"Can't have you running off, now can I?" He said with a smug look.

"But... You know what? whatever. As long as there's two separate beds." I said while walking past the hybrid into the huge room.

It did have two beds, and a flatscreen TV, a small kitchenette, and a another room I assumed would be the bathroom. On the far side of the room was a wall with a huge window that looked out to the balcony. I opened my mouth to comment but I couldn't seem to form words.

"I'm going to go take a nice, refreshing shower. You get some sleep." Klaus said before slipping into the bathroom and locking the door.

I snorted and moved to the bed closest to the door to the balcony and plopped down over the covers.

I let out a content sigh and drifted off into sleep.

I didn't know what Klaus had planned, but I knew it could very well wait till the morning.

I fell into a content slumber as I dreamt off Better times, my brother and home.

Well, I guess the last two are pretty much the same.