flashback } { hurricane drunk

[arrogantandglib]

Damon knew he was going to both love and hate the Founder's celebration this year.

He'd love it because, hey, big party in honor of his family, and the families of some of his closest friends. Who could ask for anything better?

He'd hate it because he'd have to see Stefan and Elena being the ridiculously cute couple they were.

He loved his brother and wanted all the best for him, but it always seemed to be about him, didn't it? He was the favored son, the one who did everything he was supposed to do, got everything he wanted, including the best friend who became his girlfriend who Damon might have accidentally developed feelings for.

Not that he'd tell anyone.

Actually, all the young couples at this party seemed to be unintentionally stabbing him in the gut, even Lana and that one stable boy--what was his name? Claude? Not that it mattered what his name was. The point was there was no one looking at him that way.

So he did what Damon does best--he ate and drank and he danced, and had as good a time as any lonely person could while trying to distract themselves from their loneliness.

And of course once he found Lois in the crowd, he had to have a dance with her.

He excused himself from his former dance partner and stepped her way, bowing a bit and offering his hand with a smirk.

"May I have this dance?"

Comments

[all_thecavalry]

Fortunately for Damon, Lois happened to be on the same page for this. All of her friends around her were happy and she couldn't manage to keep a decent guy for five minutes. It was annoying. It made her want to kick something's ass.

She'd settled for drinking instead.

She wasn't drunk yet. But she would like to be.

When Damon was suddenly at her side, however, she couldn't help but smile. If there was anyone that would enjoy mocking the happy couples in the room with her, it was Damon. She reached out and took his hand before letting him pull her away to the dance floor.

"I wonder what it says about me that you're the first person to ask me to dance all night."

[arrogantandglib]

"Clearly they have no taste," he answered as he pulled her close to him. He meant every word. Lois was a beautiful, not to mention powerful woman. Who wouldn't want to dance with her?

[all_thecavalry]

Regardless of whether or not he meant it, he always seemed to know what she wanted to hear. This was why they were friends -- well, that and the fact that they both seemed to get just as restless in Mystic Falls.

The thing is, most men in Mystic Falls didn't like a powerful woman. They wanted a woman who would do as she was told, and only wanted Lois because of her founding family status. Needless to say, she was having none of it.

"Clearly. Though you seem to be having a pleasant evening."

[arrogantandglib]

Like he said, the men of Mystic Falls have no taste.

He shrugged at her comment. "You know me, never met a party I didn't like." He happened to glance in the direction of Stefan and Elena and his face soured a bit. "Though I could do without the dreamy stares of the rest of our generation."

[all_thecavalry]

"Oh, they'll get over it. Eventually." She glanced over to Stefan and Elena, and made a face. "God, I hope they'll get over it."

[arrogantandglib]

He shakes his head. "Not my brother. He'll bring her flowers and chocolate and write her poetry until the day he dies." He says it all in a very dramatic yet sarcastic tone, after which he spins her out and pulls her in again, back against his chest. "And you and I will be best man and maid of honor at their spring wedding."

[all_thecavalry]

"So that's where all the romance in the Salvatore family went," she grins as she gets pulled back against his chest. "Nice to know that someone got it."

[arrogantandglib]

Damon smirked and lowed his head to mumble in her ear. "I just think seduction's more fun."

[all_thecavalry]

She tried not to let her breath catch at that. Get it together, Lane. This is your best friend. "You would," she fired back, before spinning out again.

[arrogantandglib]

"And you don't?"

[all_thecavalry]

"I think there needs to be a balance of both." Her hand landed on his shoulders again, and she moved in closer. "You can't have one without the other."

[arrogantandglib]

He grinned at that. He never knew she was in any way a romantic.

"Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me."

Yes, Damon Salvatore can rattle off poetry too. Take that, Miss Lane.

[all_thecavalry]

... And yet he kept surprising her. She raised an eyebrow at that, but she couldn't actually admit she was impressed. That wasn't part of the game.

"That line usually work for you?"

[arrogantandglib]

She was totally impressed and he knew it, no admission necessary.

"Can't let little brother get all the credit, can I?"

[all_thecavalry]

"I guess not."

The music trailed off, and they all turned to clap for the musicians, and then she turned back to him with a sigh.

"I think I could use another drink -- how about you?"

[arrogantandglib]

"I say we grab a couple of bottles and start our own private party elsewhere."

There was no swagger or innuendo in his voice, just the desire to leave as soon as possible. The most exciting part--that being the dancing with Lois, by the way--was over and he was tired of watching Elena make googly eyes at Stefan.

[all_thecavalry]

She had known Damon long enough to know the difference between Damon being Damon, and Damon being her friend. She didn't hesitate to nod. "Please. Lead the way."

She was just about as done with this set up as he was.

[arrogantandglib]

He did just that. He made his way to the table with said drink, grabbed two bottles and made a quick survey of the room for his father before heading out. The last thing he wanted was another lecture on his drinking habits.

When they were clear, he offered one bottle to her, and after she took it, he placed a gentle yet protective hand at her back. "I'm guessing your place would be a bad idea."

[all_thecavalry]

"Very," she sighed as she took the bottle from him. "My father bailed as soon as he could. He hates balls." She paused for a minute, drumming fingers against her thigh. "What about yours?"

[arrogantandglib]

"I think we could get away with it without any shots being fired."

As amused as he sounded, that would have been his main concern with her place.

[all_thecavalry]

As it should be, Damon. As it should be.

She smirked a bit at that, before nodding. "Let's go. The sooner I get out of these shoes the better."

[arrogantandglib]

His bottle switched hands before he pushed it toward her. "Hold this."

[all_thecavalry]

Her brow furrowed a bit at that, but she took the bottle anyway. "Going to make the lady do all the work?"

[arrogantandglib]

He answered her by lifting her into his arms bridal style, after which his eyebrows briefly twitched upward and a smirk spread across his face.

[all_thecavalry]

She laughed a little as that happened, her arms sliding around his neck to help support her weight. "I take it back, Damon. You do know how to treat a woman. Which makes me wonder why you have to open your mouth sometimes."