the rain in mystic falls always felt heavier than it should, like the sky was trying to wash away the town’s sins. damon stood at the edge of the woods, his black leather jacket slick with moisture, his electric blue eyes fixed on the heavy stone balcony of the mikaelson mansion. he had been there for hours, a shadow among shadows, counting the seconds between the flickers of candlelight in the upper windows.

he hated that he was here. he hated that klaus had won a round, and he especially hated that he hadn't realized how much he needed him until he was behind a door he couldn't kick down without getting him killed.

the heavy glass door on the balcony creaked open. he stepped out, the cool night air catching the hem of his sweater. he looked small against the backdrop of the ancient, looming house, but to damon, he was the only thing with any weight in the world. he leaned against the railing, his gaze dropping to the tree line where he knew he’d be.

he was on the balcony in a blur of motion, defying the gravity of his own pride. he stood in the patch of light spilling from his room, his jaw tight and his smirk nowhere to be found.

"you look like a drowned rat, damon," he whispered, his voice trembling just enough to make his chest ache.

"it’s a good look for me. very brooding. very stefan," he replied, the sarcasm a thin veil over the raw desperation in his eyes. he reached up, his fingers brushing the cold stone just beneath his hand. "come home. i’m bored. stefan’s moping is reaching record highs and i have no one to make fun of him with."

he let out a soft, broken laugh, looking at him. "we had a deal. elena is safe as long as i’m here. i can’t just walk out because you’re bored."

"i’m not just bored," he snapped, the honesty slipping out before he could catch it. he moved his hand, his cold fingers finally grazing his skin. he looked at him then, the 'i don't care' persona crumbling. "i’m losing my mind. he’s in there trying to paint your soul or whatever hybrid-psycho nonsense he does, and i’m out here digging a trench in the dirt."