The Celestial Accord

Chapter 5 The Truth Between Us

He says “the cabin’s not far. Just...let yourself relax for once, yeah? I’m here. Evie wraps around him and grips firmly as she warns, “Don’t hurt my baby,” she says, teasingly settling more into his backside with her arms around his waist, ready for him to take her to the cabin where safety awaits. Damon revs the engine gently, a low growl of power beneath you both. “Don’t worry, her baby’s in good hands, sweetheart”. He leans into the curves of the forest road with practiced ease, the bike responding like an extension of himself.

The night air rushes past as he navigates the winding path toward the cabin. Ever watchful and dense is the forest as they pass by trees, and after about 10 minutes, the trees open up to reveal a small, secluded cabin nestled against the tree line, hidden from the average view; one must be looking for it to see it.

Warm light spills from the windows-Stefan must have called ahead to have it prepared. Damon thinks to himself, slowing as he pulls up to the porch and says, "Home sweet home. For the night anyway.” He kills the engine and turns slightly, his hand covering hers where it is still connected to his abdomen, and he asks, "Are you good?”

She shakes her head, feeling the weight of the road ahead, and says, "No, I’m not, but that’s normal she giggles softly, trying to defuse the situation with humor. She gets off the bike, walking around to the saddlebags, getting her clothes and bathroom stuff together. Damon watches her move, that dark satisfaction still lingering in his expression. He dismounts the bike with fluid grace, his leather jacket catching the cabin’s warm light as he leans against the bike, arms crossed. He states, "Not good, how? Klaus, good, or just... everything catching up to you?”

He follows her toward the saddlebags, his presence close but not crowding as he grabs her hand and says, “Come on...the baths upstairs. Hot water actually works-Stefan made sure of that. There’s towels, soap, everything you need. His voice drops lower, more intimate, and after? You’re sleeping real sleep. Not the kind where you’re listening for danger in the dark, for I am here and I will protect you completely.

There’s a quiet, authoritative presence in his manor now, worried about her well-being, not just his needs; he finds this to be new and strangely comforting territory. Evie moves up the stairs and heads towards the front door as she looks over her shoulder and asks, "But what if I don’t want to sleep?” She walks through the threshold and winks, turning her head towards the room.

Damon’s eyes darken immediately. He drops the casual lean against the bike, his entire body shifting into something predatory and focused. His voice drops into a dangerous whisper as he moves toward her, closing the distance with deliberate slowness. His hand reaches out, fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face, forgetting what he just said about her sleeping as he takes a step back, saying, ”And who said anything about sleep?” A cocky grin on his face.

Damon’s voice drops, seductively rough and low. “You’re still covered in blood and ash, and all I can think about is getting you wet and warm and”...he pauses, that smirk returning. ”Mine… Again, but fully mine…”

Evie smiles as she steps towards the stairs leading up to the second floor, not paying any attention to the rest of the cabin as she states. “Yes, I do believe we do have unfinished business, don’t we? It was interrupted by truth telling, if I recall then unwanted visitors.” She smiles as she turns her back to him and starts to ascend the stairs one at a time, slowly but confidently sashaying her ass as she steps. Damon’s hand slides down her arm, his touch electric against herr skin.

His voice thick with want as he confirms. "Interrupted. Yeah.” He guides her toward the cabin’s bathroom as they reach the top of the stairs. They can see down below; the interior is warm wood and firelight-a stone hearth and open floor plan. The fire burns below as the lovers’ desire fills the room clear and undeniable.

His fingers interlace with hers as he leads her into the bathroom, a deep soaking tub visible through the open door. He moves to light the candles and turn the faucet on to warm the tub. The towel warmer sits off to the right, and through the large picture windows she can see the dark mountaintops illuminated by moonlight and brightly shining stars giving off a calming feeling that envelops them completely.

Damon says, "Yes, Bryon was a distraction I didn’t appreciate. I could have done without my brother and Elena as well. So no more interruptions tonight, Evie. Just you. Me and whatever this is between us that keeps pulling me under willingly, more and more.” He steps closer, his hand reaching for the zipper of her jacket, sliding it off with practiced ease.

Evie moves to do the same and says, "Very well then, maybe I do need to rinse off before climbing into the tub.” She looks down at herself, a bit self-conscious, and she slowly starts to pull off her clothes as she looks up at him through her eyelashes and licks her lips. Damon shakes his head, saying, "You’re killing me, sweetheart.”

Damon’s breath catches as she sheds her clothes, piece by piece. His eyes track every movement-the curve of her shoulder, the strength in her frame, the confidence radiating from her despite the self-consciousness. His voice is rough, almost reverent as he steps closer, his hand reaching out to cup her chin gently, forcing her eyes to meet his as he redirects her. "Don’t do that. Don’t hide from me. You just obliterated a man with cosmic energy. You’re the most powerful thing in this cabin right now, and you’re…”

His thumb traces her jawline as he breathes out, “….you’re beautiful. His lips descend toward hers as the water continues running behind him, steam curling through the bathroom air like a steam room. As he pulls away, she studies him closely and asks. "Is that all you see? The power I hold?” She turns around, starting the shower to get the residue off her skin. Damon follows her into the steaming shower, the hot water cascading over both of you.

He watches the blood and ash wash away, revealing unmarked skin beneath. His voice is low, almost vulnerable, as he reaches for the soap. He says, "I see someone who’s been running for 20 years and still has fight left in her.” His hands move across her shoulders with surprising gentleness despite the intensity in his eyes as he washes the grime away. He continues. "I see a woman who could burn the world and chooses not to. That’s not weakness, Evie. That’s strength most people will never possess.”

The water streams down his face as he steps closer, his body nearly touching hers as he says. "I see someone I want to keep. Not use. Keep. Someone I want to learn everything about. And someone I want to love," and he smiles as he looks deep into her eyes, hoping that she feels the same way.

She looks back with a grin and says “You know, I know who you are. Your reputation predecease yourself. I’m friends with Lexi; I know that must come as a surprise to you, but what you just said, I don’t think I have heard you saying to anyone other than the one we don’t mention.” Damon goes very still under the hot spray. The mention of Lexi hits him differently than anything else tonight.

Voice tight, he says, “Lexi?’ He turns away slightly, running a hand through his wet hair. The vulnerability he just showed hardens back into something more guarded as he says. "She was...different. She saw something in me I didn’t think existed. Then she died because of me. Because I wasn’t careful enough, wasn’t good enough.” Water streams between you both as he turns back, his dark eyes searching hers.

His jaw clenches. "So yeah. Maybe I don’t say things like that to people. Because the last person I said them to got her head ripped off by Claus.” Evie takes his head into her hands and says, "No, it wasn’t your fault she... she had her own agenda as you most likely know, but still want to punish yourself, and now here I am in much the same place as she was. Are you sure it’s me you want and not redemption? No hiding...I can take the truth.”

Damon goes still. The water pounds down between you both, and for a long moment, he doesn’t speak. His jaw works-the internal war playing out across his face as his voice breaks through, barely audible. "You want the truth?" She nods; he steps closer, his wet hand gripping her chin, forcing her eyes up to his.

"I’m terrified. Of losing you. Of this being real and then having it ripped away like everything else I’ve ever wanted. Voice cracks slightly-ray, unguarded. "But yeah. It’s you, not Katherine. You. Not because you’re a conductor. Not because of your power. Not because of redemption. It’s you-the way you laugh, the way you ride that bike like you own the damn world, the way you look at me like I’m not a monster.”

Water streams down his face. "I want you alive. Safe. Mine, and I’ll burn this whole town down to make that happen.” The electricity in the room doubles, and she smiles up at him in awe, feeling nothing but desire as she says, "Oh, Damon… then you shall have me...let’s go to that bath; it’s warm and waiting.”

Damon shuts off the shower, water still dripping from both of them. He reaches for a towel, but doesn’t bother drying off-just wraps it loosely around his waist and takes her hand, leading her toward the steaming tub and says, “Come on. Careful. It’s hot.” The bathroom is thick with steam now, the water surface rippling slightly. Candlelight flickers across the tiles as Damon steps into the tub first, sinking into the heat with a low groan, then extends his hand to help her in and settle between his legs.

Damon rubs her back with gentleness and care as he says with a voice full of rough desire. “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” He settles back against the porcelain, his dark eyes never leaving her skin as the water envelops them both.

Evie rubs the tops of his thighs and moans softly. "Hmm, now this is what I needed. My old bones don’t really like the forest floor as much as it used to; that’s for sure.” She giggles and pulls his arms around her waist as she settles further back into his chest.

Damon pulls her back as she moves towards him, her back settling into his chest. His arms wrap around her waist as she directs. Holding her close as the hot water works its magic on tired muscles. A voice warm, teasing against her ear. 'Old bones? You’re more dangerous than half the vampires I know.” He presses a kiss to the curve of her neck, his lips lingering.

Besides, your body’s doing just fine from where I’m sitting. His hands drift across her ribs, tracing the strength there. The water laps gently around them as he says, " Stay like this. Just for a while. No running. No Klaus. No hunters.” His chin rests against her shoulder as he says,” just us.”

Evie moans again, Ummm. Hmmm, yeah...she rests her head back onto his chest as she states. I feel like things are right now, for you know everything I am… and who I am and who I know; there’s no secrets between us.