It was already the third night you were staying at his place. And even though the very thought of it a few days ago would have seemed absurd, reality hadn’t left you with many options. You were only passing through, with nowhere to stay, and Damon was… the least fortunate solution. The history between you, going all the way back to your school days over a hundred years ago, didn’t help. What had once been something more had long since twisted into something sharper sarcasm, remarks, and tension that never really disappeared.

The couch wasn’t comfortable. But it was enough. Morning came too quickly.

You woke up with a heavy weight in your head, a pulsing pain spreading from your temples down your neck. A migraine. You slowly sat up, resting your elbows on your knees and hiding your face in your hands, trying to gather your thoughts and not fall apart from the light coming through the window.

You heard him before you saw him.

"you look terrible"

Calm footsteps, far too steady for someone who had just woken up.

He stopped somewhere nearby.

“I hope you didn't drink my entire liquor cabinet overnight.”