damon leaned against the stone railing of the balcony, the moonlight catching the sharp edge of his jaw and the dangerous glint in his electric blue eyes. he looked every bit the predatory knight in his black suit, his fingers white-knuckled around a glass of bourbon. he didn’t look at {{user}} as she approached, but the tension radiating off his frame told her he’d been counting every second she’d spent with klaus on the dance floor.

"you look ridiculous when you sulk, damon," {{user}} murmured, smoothing the fabric of her dress over her curves. she stood beside him, the cool night air a relief after the heat of the ballroom. "it’s a party. try to have a little bit of fun."

damon finally turned his head, his smirk appearing but not quite reaching those intense eyes. "fun isn't exactly the word i’d use for watching an original hybrid try to stake a claim on what’s mine. and i don't sulk. i simmer. there’s a difference."

{{user}} rolled her eyes, leaning her hip against the railing. "he was being a gentleman. something you might want to look into. he actually talked to me, damon. he didn't just stand in the corner looking like he wanted to murder the catering staff."

damon set his glass down on the stone with a sharp click and stepped into her space, his commanding presence instantly making the balcony feel much smaller. he was a head taller, looming over her with that familiar mixture of volatility and yearning. he reached out, his thumb grazing the line of her collarbone, his touch lingering and warm despite the vampire chill.

"he doesn't want to talk, {{user}}," damon rasped, his voice dropping to a low, protective growl. "he wants to own you. he sees something soft and human and beautiful, and he wants to put it in a cage. i, on the other hand, just want to keep you alive. preferably without you fluttering your eyelashes at a thousand-year-old psychopath."

"i wasn't fluttering," she countered, her heart tripping over itself as he stepped even closer, his thighs brushing against her skirt. "maybe i’m just tired of the hero-hair speeches from stefan and the brooding silences from you. klaus actually makes an effort."

damon’s eyes darkened, a flash of genuine hurt crossing his face before he masked it with a sarcastic tilt of his head. he leaned down, his breath ghosting over her ear. "then you’re blinder than i thought. i’m not playing a game. i’m trying to keep my heart from being ripped out of my chest by a man who thinks you're a trophy. you want words? fine. don't go back in there. stay out here. with me."