Title: Dating Advice from a Vampire

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I just play with them.

Rating: T

Summary: "God, when did I become your gay BFF?"

AN: I blame this one on my roommate, who gave me a line and I ran with it. She also read it and made sure it did not Suck So Hard. Yay!

Part Five – Lesson Number Four: Catch and Release

It would have been easier to go out. Or at the very least, not awkward.

"That was a disaster," she said.

"Told you," he said.

"He was so boring," Elena whined as she leaned back into the couch.

"Generally, humans are."

"He was only at the bar because his coworkers had bribed him with a tour of some older victorian houses in the area."

"I'm surprised he came at all," he muttered.

There was something off about him. "You okay?"

"Just peachy," he said before downing his drink. He picked up the bottle on the coffee table and poured himself another glass.

"Damon," she said, mildly annoyed.

He was silent for a moment before chuckling without mirth. "God, when did I become your gay BFF?"

Elena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "That's not what this was about at all."

"No? You ask for dating advice, I give suggestions on your outfit, I follow you around on your date. It's either that or something more pathetic."

"Damon, tonight was a success," she said.

"I thought you said he was boring."

"He was, but that wasn't what this was about. That wasn't why I needed to do this."

Damon stared at her. "Then why the hell put yourself through that?"

"Don't you see? I did it. I survived a normal night on my own. I didn't go crazy, or insane, and only wanted to tear out his throat once or twice. The point is, I survived this, without you."

She could see the tongue working against his cheek. "Gee, Elena, what are you trying to say?"

"All this time, since this began, I have been relying on you. Tonight, I was able to do this on my own, Damon. I don't need you anymore."

He nearly slammed his glass onto the coffee table, his jaw ticking. When he looked at her, his eyes flashed. "That's always good to know, Elena."

"That's not what I meant," she began, trying to get a grip on his arm but he shook her off.

"It's nice you finally know what you want," he sneered as he stood. "About damn time."

He was near the door when her throat began to work again. "That's what this whole thing was about, Damon, figuring out what I want!"

He paused but did not turn around. She could see the tension in his shoulders.

"You told me that I had to figure it out for myself. That's what this was. I didn't want to do anything until I knew for sure, until I figured out what it was that I wanted. That's what tonight was about."

"What are you even talking about, Elena?" he demanded as he turned around. His walls were up now, and she hoped she would be able to scale them this time.

"I didn't lie, I don't need you. This isn't because you're teaching me, or showing me the way," Elena swallowed. She took a few tentative steps toward him and felt emboldened enough to continue when he did not step away.

He sighed, rolled his eyes and shook his head. "What's not?"

Elena was close enough now that she could feel the heat emanating from him. It was hard to look at him, so she focused on the button of his shirt. "I don't need to be with you, Damon." Finally she looked up, because she owed him that much. "I want to be with you."

He stood still, not saying a word. It was unusual for him to be so quiet. She took the initiative, wondering if maybe she had read things wrong, that she had waited too long. Still, she had to know. Framing his face in her hands, she leaned up and pressed her lips to his.

It was a slow melt at first, but soon, he made it clear that he believed her. He surged forward, took control, and then she was lost.

xo

The sun filtered in through her curtains, and though she laid in shadow could still feel the heat lighting her room. She could also feel fingers walking up her bare spine before a sure palm smoothed down her back.

Stretching, Elena rolled over as she fought off the vestiges of sleep. She felt warm and honest to God happy for the first time in who knew how long.

She knew things weren't going to be a bed of roses. There would be fights between them, and undoubtedly he would find ways to press all the wrong buttons before pressing all the right ones.

Still, as she opened her eyes, she saw something that would make it all worth it.

Damon was staring at her, not with a smirk, or a jeer or a leer. But with a smile.

Well, that's it. The ending is a tad sappier than I intended. Oops. Got another fic in progress. Dunno how long it will be, or if I'll even finish. Only person I have to bounce ideas off are my roommate, and I'm not exactly sure how to go about this one.

This probably would have been longer, but I don't write smut. So fill in your own blanks for my fade-to-black. (If you're opposed, they merely could have held hands and remained a respectable distance from each other the entire night.)