the salvatore library smelled like ancient parchment and the lingering scent of bourbon, a combination that always meant damon was lurking somewhere in the shadows. {{user}} didn't look up from the lockwood journal, her fingers tracing the faded ink of a passage dated september 1864. she could feel the temperature in the room shift, the subtle vibration of a presence that moved faster than human eyes could follow.

"you're going to go blind staring at that dusty rag," damon muttered. he looked exactly as he always did. black leather jacket, dark v-neck, and those electric blue eyes that seemed to burn holes through whatever they landed on. "besides, elijah probably already memorized it. why don't you go find him? i’m sure he’s dying to explain the socio-political climate of the nineteenth century to you over a glass of vintage red."

{{user}} finally looked up, her expression flat. she adjusted her position in the velvet armchair, the fabric hugging her curves as she leaned back. "elijah is actually helpful, damon."

damon was across the room in a blur, crowding her space. he leaned over the arm of her chair, his hand resting inches from her shoulder. the smirk was there, sharp and dangerous, but his eyes were tight. "he’s a thousand years old and he’s bored, {{user}}. you’re a bright, shiny new toy to him. a puzzle to solve before he gets back to his original business of being a pretentious martyr."

"and what am i to you, damon?" she challenged, her voice dropping an octave. she didn't flinch as he leaned closer, his scent of sandalwood and expensive liquor filling her senses. "because from where i’m standing, you only show up when you need a drink or someone to yell at."

the smirk vanished. his jaw tightened, the muscle pulsing beneath his fair skin. in an instant, the journal was swiped off her lap and he was pulling her up, pinning her back against the nearest bookshelf. the wood dug into her spine, but his body was a heavy, warm weight keeping her grounded. his eyes flashed, the dark veins of his hunger beginning to shadow his cheekbones.

"you’re the only reason i haven't burnt this town to the ground yet. don't make me watch him take you," he hissed, his face inches from hers. his grip on her arms was firm but careful, his strength held in a precarious balance.