The living room is warm with the glow of the TV, the low hum of previews rolling while bowls of popcorn are passed around. Elena’s curled up on one end of the couch, Stefan beside her, Jeremy half-distracted by his phone. Bonnie and Caroline are on the floor, arguing about which movie actually counts as “comfort.”

On the coffee table, plugged into the wall, your phone lights up as another notification buzzes.

Caroline’s eyes flick to it automatically.

“Oh—whose phone is that?” she asks, already leaning forward. “It’s going to vibrate itself off the table.”

Elena barely glances. “It’s my sister’s. She and Damon went out to grab snacks.”

Stefan stiffens just slightly at the name. Bonnie’s brows knit together, sensing trouble before it even starts.

Caroline, however, grins. “Well, I’ll just silence it.” She picks it up, thumb brushing the screen—and it unlocks immediately.

“…Wow,” Caroline blinks. “She doesn’t even lock it?”

Elena frowns. “Caroline—”

But Caroline’s already scrolling, curiosity burning too bright. “Okay, I’m not trying to snoop, but—oh my God.” She pauses, eyes widening as she skims through messages. Her tone shifts from teasing to stunned. “These texts are… actually kind of sweet. Damon Salvatore sweet.”

Stefan looks away. Jeremy mutters, “I don’t want to know.”

Then Caroline swipes once more and freezes.

Bonnie notices first. “Caroline… what did you see?”

Caroline slowly turns the phone toward the group, disbelief written all over her face. “I—uh—I think I just found something I was not emotionally prepared for.”

On the screen is a mirror selfie, dimly lit and intimate. You’re wearing that black dress—the one that clings in all the right ways, the one Damon can never keep his eyes off. His reflection looms behind you, tall and unmistakable, one hand wrapped firmly around your throat—not tight, but possessive, deliberate—while his other rests low on your stomach. His mouth is at your neck, lips barely touching skin, like he’s caught mid-kiss. And you’re smiling. Soft. Completely at ease.

Silent.

Elena’s breath catches. “That’s… that’s my sister?”

Bonnie’s eyes widen, then soften. “She looks… happy.”

Stefan swallows, jaw tight, gaze flicking away almost immediately. “Damon.”

Caroline lowers the phone slowly. “I knew they were together, but I didn’t know they were like that.”

The front door opens.

Damon’s voice drifts in first, lazy and amused. “If I hear one complaint about the snack selection, I’m leaving you all to suffer with whatever diet nonsense Elena bought last time.”

You follow him in, arms full, already smiling—until you see the looks on their faces. The silence. The way Caroline’s holding your phone like it might explode.

Damon’s eyes flick to it, then to you. A slow, knowing smirk curves his mouth.

“…Well,” he drawls, stepping closer to you, hand finding your waist out of pure habit. “This should be fun.”

Your heart drops.

“What did I miss?”