prompt: "Promise me you won't let anything happen to him."
word count: 1,488

just like (old times)

A stream of blood dripped from Bonnie's nose, caught in the cupid's bow of her lips, and hung suspended for a moment before falling to her chin. She wiped at it hastily, smearing it across her skin, her breathing a loop of rough pants.

At her back was a cave wall, jagged rock scraping against her with any movement. Her arms, heavy with exhaustion, were wrapped tightly around a prone figure, her fingers dug into him as if that might keep him still and safe. Not for the first time, she found herself unexpectedly disappointed that he was so very human, and susceptible to all that meant. If he were a vampire, all it would take was a little blood to bring him back. Instead, she had to worry about concussions and blood loss and infection. They were far away from any medical help, hidden in a dirty cave; not exactly the best conditions for a person suffering from a head wound.

She shouldn't be here.

Not only because hiding had never been her forte— she had always been more of a 'risk her life for the safety of others' type of person— but because he wasn't hers to protect anymore. He hadn't been for a very long time.

It was Stefan that had brought her home. A newly resurrected Stefan that had begged her to come running home to Mystic Falls to clean up a mess she had no hand in. And she'd wanted to say no (didn't she always?), but Caroline's life was in danger. So, she'd caught the next flight out, grimoire tucked under a collection of souvenirs from everywhere she'd traveled to these last six years, and had put on her 'sacrificial savior' cap.

Of course, she wasn't the only one.

A human Damon had been called in, too. Maybe it was nostalgia for his old life or love for his once dead brother, but he'd come in guns a blazing, ready to fight whoever and whatever was at the gates. Only it wasn't that easy. And not just because he was human. Bonnie had the bumps and bruises and exhausted magical headache to prove it was more than that.

Stefan had helped her drag Damon's unconscious body to a hole in the cave wall, promising he could handle it on his own, and asking her, begging her–

("Promise me you won't let anything happen to him… Bonnie, please. I just got back." He shook his head. "I know it's a lot to ask. I know you aren't speaking. But, if you could just–"

"I will." Bonnie raised her chin. "Now go. Get Caroline and… kill that thing."

He nodded, looking a little more sure of himself, and then backed away, hero-hair at the ready.)

Bonnie didn't regret staying behind. Her well of magic was basically on empty and, frankly, it was nice to not be the one who saved the day. Of course, she wouldn't be surprised if a battered Stefan came back unsuccessful and they only ended up retreating to try again tomorrow.

She wasn't used to this anymore. She'd distanced herself from all the problems that Mystic Falls was built upon. But, when her friends came calling, it was hard not to answer. She'd promised herself that she would help save Caroline and then she would leave. Hit the road running and catch a flight to somewhere, anywhere. But she was getting tired of that. Of going from place to place, searching for something and never quite finding it. She'd grieved for Enzo, for her family, for a life she'd wanted but could never have. And now it just felt like running. Escaping. Avoiding.

A muffled groan caught her attention and Bonnie felt her heart dip. Her gaze dropped and she searched Damon's face. His eyes were squeezed shut and a wince tore across his cheeks.

"Hey… You're okay." She loosened her arms around him, but couldn't let go entirely.

He took a deep breath and raised a hand, searching sightlessly. Eventually, his fingers wrapped around one of her wrists.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Blood isn't going to help you. You're human, remember?"

"Bon-Bon?" He cracked an eye open and stared up at her searchingly. "How hard did I hit my head?"

"Not hard enough." She pursed her lips. "You'll be fine… Just as soon as Stefan comes back, we'll take you to a hospital."

"Stefan…" He blinked quickly. "He's alive. He—"

"Your memory's a little fuzzy. Just stay still and take some time to adjust. You–"

"How? How's he alive?"

Bonnie sighed. "It's a long story. Look, what's the last thing you remember?"

"Bits and pieces." He closed his eyes again and breathed out through his nose. "We were at the boarding house… You didn't bring any luggage. Said you weren't staying long."

"I'm not." She paused. "Or I wasn't planning to… But, that was three days ago."

His mouth hitched up faintly. "You were wearing one of my shirts."

"I had to do laundry." Her lips flattened. "What do you remember besides me?"

"A lot. I'm just focusing on the important stuff."

Bonnie shook her head. "Damon…"

He hummed. "I missed that judgy little voice of yours." His eyes flashed open again and peered up at her. There was a time when Bonnie wondered if that unnaturally bright blue was because he was a vampire, but it seemed he was just blessed that way, vampire or not. "You know, if you wanted to get me alone…"

Bonnie sighed. "Try to be serious. This is a life or death situation."

He shrugged a little. "Seen my fair share of those. I find a sense of humor helps get me through it."

"Not all of us are that lucky." She cast her gaze toward the opening of the cave, where the setting sun was creeping away. "Stefan's been gone for almost thirty minutes. Now that you're awake, maybe we should try to get out of here. Find a car, get to the hospital."

Damon's brow furrowed. "He's on his own?"

"If he did like we planned, then Caroline should be safe. She'll help him."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Usually you're the first one to jump in, witchy powers activated."

"I'm running a little low. And someone needed to make sure you didn't die, so…"

"So, you volunteered?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "Didn't know you still cared."

"Like I said… I haven't used my magic in a while. It took a lot out of me."

Unconvinced, he cocked his head. "That's never stopped you before."

"Yeah, well, I'm trying to take care of myself a little better than before. Okay?" She frowned. "And stop moving. You took a hit to your head. Which is why I think the hospital is–"

"It can wait."

"Damon—"

"I'm fine." He pulled himself up and out of her lap. Gingerly, he reached behind to probe his head, winced, and then wiped the blood from his fingers onto his shirt. "Head wounds bleed, all right. Trust me, I'll live. Now, why don't we get out of here and save my brother?"

"Stefan will be fine. He—"

"He just came back from the dead. After six years…" Damon looked back at her, his expression taut and serious. Gone was the teasing and cockiness of before. In its place was very real fear. "I'm not going to lose him again, Bon."

A part of her wanted to argue, wanted to convince him to stay behind and let Stefan fight this on his own. After all, it was Stefan's fault this creature had come around in the first place. He was the one that released it when he'd resurrected. But… Bonnie knew that look. That was a 'nothing is going to stop me, so you might as well come for the ride' kind of look. She knew it all too well.

"Fine." Pushing up from the ground, she dusted herself off. "But for the record, head injuries are pretty serious. So if you suddenly die, I'm not going to bring your stubborn ass back to life."

Damon grinned slowly. "Liar."

Bonnie shot a withering look back at him as she walked to the cave opening. "Are you coming or what?"

Standing, Damon took a deep breath and nodded. As he stepped up beside her, the setting sun cast a purple glow at his back. "Just like old times, huh, Bon? You, me, and a rescue mission." He winked at her. "I missed this."

Without waiting for a response, he walked ahead, not entirely sure where he was going but willing to walk into just about anything if it meant getting his brother back. A resigned and relieved Bonnie followed after him. She had no doubt they were about to run head-first into a fight they were only vaguely prepared for, but… They did always find a way out of those, didn't they?