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The clinking of a wine glass cut through the din of tables, chairs and the various conversations lingering in the air.

“Pleasant evening, everyone!” Damon rose his flute to be acknowledged by the other guests gathered at the table. “I would like to take this moment to celebrate with my dear friend Stefan, in light of his recent engagement!”

A round of cheers and clapping followed as Stefan rose from his seat, beaming with pride. He had only been engaged for a month and already he was prepared to wed the love of his life.

Elena's smile faded when Stefan kissed her hand, his lips cool and dry against her skin. He wasn't just a vampire anymore; he was a vampire who spent most of his time locked up in a tomb with another vampire. They had an entire room to themselves, left alone for months at a time; she knew that Stefan could have bitten Elena at any time during those months and he didn't.

Stefan sat back down beside her with a small smile on his face. He entwined his fingers with hers under the table, squeezing lightly when their eyes met.

The waitress came over and took their orders before disappearing again into the crowd of people milling about the restaurant. The lights were low throughout the place, save for one spot near their table where candles flickered alive in a corner where Elena could see someone sitting at it alone, staring out into space.

He was beautiful, Elena thought as she observed him from afar. His hair was dark brown and fell perfectly into his eye line without unkempt strands or split ends anywhere to be seen. His jaw was sharp and defined from what she could see from here, and even though he had no lips to speak of she thought he looked soft somehow.

She wondered if he spoke often in that case; if he whispered sweet nothings into the ear of a lover before biting down on their skin...if he bit down on her skin...if he bit down on *her* skin. Her heart rate quickened at the thought but before she could sink further into thought she felt Stefan's hand tighten around hers under the table once more, forcing her eyes back to him where they belonged. She quickly began nodding along as Stefan described details of architecture and history around them when she really didn't care what kind of stone these columns were made out of or why they were there in the first place. All she cared about right now was how soft this person's hair looked and how innocent that face seemed despite being surrounded by vampires all night long...and how much she wanted him to bite her so hard that her blood would spill out across the floor like someone else's had done many times before...

One Year Later:

"Damon!" Meredith called as she strolled inside, closing the door behind her softly before locking it with the key hidden beneath one of the windowsills. "You left your door unlocked."

[Damon] It was quite careless of me actually…but I’m home now anyway so you can rest easy knowing I’m safe from intruders…unless you count yourself as a threat? *wink*

[Meredith] Don't tempt me while I'm walking through your living room looking for you! I might bite you… [laughs] …yeah right! As if you'd ever get past my immaculate defense system! You know how strong I am! [sighs] I’m running out here every week for you because El is worried sick about you after our last meeting so you better start treating me well or I won’t be able to stop myself from throttling you! [walking sounds] Where are you? [walks closer] Nearby? [near panting breath] Aha! Underneath your bed? [gasps] No wonder I couldn't find you…you sneaky little rascal.

As Meredith searched for Damon, a burst of laughter erupted from him, revealing his hiding spot. He emerged from beneath the bed, grinning.

"What's the matter, Meredith? Did you think I turned into a vampire and was going to bite you?" he teased.

Meredith playfully shoved him. "You wish!" she exclaimed, laughing along with him. "Now, come on, let's get back to the living room and catch up. El sent me here to make sure you're doing alright after all."

The pair walked back into the living room, their laughter filling the house as they shared stories and enjoyed each other's company in the warm, candlelit space.