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THE GILBERT'S HOUSE
"HEY, WHERE HAVE you two been?" Jenna asks as Elsie and Elena walk into the kitchen. However, both girls stop in their tracks upon seeing Damon making dinner and Jenna's almost empty glass of wine. "We're cooking dinner."
"We were studying for a history test at the Grill," Elsie shrugs as Damon raises a questioning eyebrow at the girls.
"Is Stefan with you?"
"He was with us," Elsie nods, slightly curious as to why Damon wants to know where Stefan is since he typically doesn't care about his brothers whereabouts. "But left and said he had something to do. He'll be here later."
Elena escorts her drunk aunt into the living room as Elsie begins to set the table. She moves to the counter beside the sink to grab a stack of plates when she knocks right into Damon. He catches ahold of her arm, pretending to gasp in surprise. "Woah. Mhm."
Elsie shakes her head at him, moving out of his grasp carefully as she picks up the stack of plates. "You shouldn't of done that."
"Done what?" Damon feigns innocence as Elsie begins to set out the plates. She gives him a knowing look.
"You know what, Damon. You did that on purpose."
"Well, yeah, I was purposefully trying to get to the sink," Damon maintains his innocence as Elsie narrows her eyes at him.
"So the bumping into me was an accident?" Elsie questions as he nods. She lowers her voice to a whispers so Jenna can't hear. "I don't believe it. I've seen your vampire senses firsthand."
Damon ignores this comment, focusing on finishing the food. "Speaking of vampires, where's Stefan? He's missing family night, which I am enjoying immensely." Damon then stiffens up, glancing at Elsie with a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. "Is it real?"
"Is what real?" she meets his eyes absentmindedly, surprised to find that he's staring back at her intently.
"This renewed sense of brotherhood. Can I trust him?"
Elsie pauses, having no idea about Stefan and Elena's plan. Stefan told her that he's been spending time with Damon, but he hasn't mentioned his ulterior motives. "I think so... yeah."
She finishes setting down the plates and moves to grab some silverware before Damon moves in front of her, blocking her way. He stares deep into her eyes, studying her in an attempt to tell if she's being honest or not. "Can I trust him?"
She stares back at him for a moment, caught off guard by his close proximity. She takes a step back, only to knock into a chair. He grasps ahold of her arms, quickly steadying her as she sighs. "Are you trying to compel me?"
"No. I just want you to answer me," Damon breathes, being completely honest with her. He's not sure if he can trust Elena and Stefan, but Elsie has been genuinely honest with him since the day that they met. "Honestly."
