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"i wonder if we ever overthink each other at the same time"
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THE PROSPECT OF CRUSHING WAS'NT ENTIRELY NEW to Belle. She had countless crushes over her childhood years, the only problem was they were fictional. As we've come to realise Belle found fiction easier to navigate than real life. The characters were perfect and even their flaws just added to their attractiveness, the main character never really crushed on the male lead for more that a few chapters and from then on it was smooth sails and happy relationships (unless the main character was part of the mafia or some underground organisation they never had smooth runnings)

Reality, Belle has to come to realise, differed. Having a crush was not as one sided as they made it out to be. To be honest Belle was confused as to if she even had a crush on the alluring vampire that was dozing off next to her or if she was just enraptured by his supernatural beauty. She has always found him attractive, without a doubt. But yesterday when he looked at her like that— like she was poetry.

and Belle hates it.

Ah, perhaps that was lie but she hated how he made her feel beautiful. She knew better than to believe that, yet..

"You're staring, Princess" The redhead released a small yip, jumping up slightly as she completely forgotten about the vampire next to her (even though he was the subject of her internal debate.) she pinched her lips in embarrassment and she heard him chuckle deeply "No need to be embarrassed,Princess. If I looked like this I would stare too."

Belle cheeks enflamed although the cause itself was unknown, it may have been because of the vampires morning voice which she swore was more compelling than his ability of compulsion or if it was because of the man's arrogance (although she couldn't really blame him for loving himself, in fact she only wished for him to share his secrets because gods knows she was unable to do so)

Thankfully before she can say something utterly embarrassing as a lame form of defence the sound of a phone goes off. The vampire groans seemingly unhappy with the interruption (it seemed he enjoyed seeing Belle flustered) he removed the younger girls bedcovers and walked slowly to her table, where he had dropped it last night. He let out another irritated groan upon seeing the caller ID

"What do you want, brother of mine. I'm busy" Belle sits atop her bed watching in fascination as Damon's previous frustration melts away into curiosity, suspicion before melting away again into his signature smirk (she wondered what he looked like when he genuinely smiled if he looked that hot when he smirked.)

Eventually the call ended after he childishly pretended that the call was breaking (Stefan had requested to speak to Belle and Damon didn't feel like battling the unnerving feeling in his stomach that always seemed to appear when ever the two were around each other) he placed his phone into his pocket and sent the awaiting girl a wink.

"Get ready, it seems like Steffo has finally given up."

Belle knew what the sentence meant, it meant Katherine. The vampire was certainly an equasion in Belle's love pilgrimage. Damon loved her. Or would the correct term be love, Belle was sure she wouldn't go through all this trouble for someone he loved. Perhaps it was a sign of god, telling her to get her head back together even if she did have a crush on him, he didn't like her back. He never would.

Guys like that don't go for girls like me

IN HER WHOLE LIFETIME BELLE HAS ONLY BEEN TO A PARTY three times (the birthday parties that she was forced to go to didn't count) yet she could clearly state that they weren't her thing. The music was too loud and the kids were too drunk. She couldn't help but think back to the classic film "Animal house" which perfectly personified the scene right now.

Although the party seemed a little more bearable than last time, perhaps it was due to the fact she knew she wasn't forced to socialise (not that Belle hated to do so, she could talk your a whole damn ear if you let her. No it had to do with the fact none of this people liked her anyway so what would have been the point.) Damon stood next to her, with that goddamn smirk on his face although it seemed softer, but that might have just been her.

"You seem to be staring at lot these days, Princess. Kinda mad you're not staring at me though." Belle laughed off his arrogant words softly hoping that her cheeks weren't bright red (they might as well stay that colour as they seemed to do so whenever he spoke to her or if anyone spoke to her.) " 'm not staring, just find it fascinating that's all."

He hummed letting his eyes linger on her for a moment longer before quickly reverting his eyes to the front of him "I'm guessing you don't get out much?" His question leaves her giggling, the answer was obvious.

Have you seen me? And have you seen the people in this town. I doubt I could go out peacefully if I wanted to.

But before she could retort something dorky, she was interrupted by a someone calling her name. Belle's eyebrows furrowed. Who would be calling her? She didn't have any friends. Her eyes searched for the culprit and once she had found them she rubbed her eyes. Belle's mouth gaped, perhaps her eyes were worse than she thought because there was now way in hell that Caroline Forbes was running to her.

The blonde lands in front of the duo with Matt in tow, her mouth fixed into a large grin. Belle isn't skilled enough to know if it's fake, but it must be, right? "Belle, oh my god, where have you been?"

What in Dumbledore's name is going on.

Belle finds herself clinging on to Damon's arm (who glanced at her in concealed concern, he didn't know the dynamics between the two but he was pretty sure Caroline was one of Belle's main bullies) in fear, her eyes wide as she gaped at the blonde before her "I was at home.. like always." She managed to get out, and then the strangest things happened. Caroline Forbes laughed. But not at her like usual no she threw her head back as though Belle has just told her the funniest joke.

"Aw, Belle your adorable."

Okay is she drunk? She has to be.

Belle shifted uncomfortably her gaze drifting to Matt who seemed to have wondered if Caroline had hit her head. It's not that Matt encouraged what his friends did to Belle (it's not like he did anything to stop it either) and in fact a small part was happy she was attempting to get along but a much bigger part was concerned at the fact she was attempting to get along with Belle, this whole situation just screamed not Caroline.

Damon was the only one who laughed, throwing a hand around the redheads tensed shoulders "She really is, isn't she?" Belle's head was spinning now. Was he flirting? No he couldn't have been.. not with her at least. Dammit why was everything so confusing today, she just wanted to stay at home and read some Shakespeare (she had just started King Lear and was excited to know if Lear would get his karma that he deserved)

Caroline stopped laughing and she sent Damon a vicious glare "I wasn't talking to you." She grumbled. The vampire simply shrugged raising his hands in mock surrender"Oops, sorry for providing you with my opinion." Caroline released a growl and Belle's eyes drifted to her harshly clenched fists.

Matt must have seen it too as he stepped it hoping to clear whatever animosity in the air "We haven't met. I'm Matt." Damon stares at the teens hands with obvious disgust. The vampire could tell Matt was supposed to be the nice guy in this town, the boy next door, the ideal husband. He had met several Matts in his time. He hated Matt's.

"Matt, there's a reason we haven't met." The younger boy reels in his hand, taken aback from the elders belligerent attitude. Caroline jumps back in with that freakishly large smile of hers "Since you're at the party, why don't you hang out with us Belle" She pauses glancing up at her ex-fling briefly before adding "Someone much nicer" (and less likely to abuse you, is what she wanted to say)

Perhaps it's a shapeshifter, or an Auton or a leviathan but that sure as hell is not Caroline Forbes.

Unlike Belle who was still reeling from the personality switch Caroline was showing, Damon understood what she was trying to do, Caroline sought him dangerous and she was right to do so, but her lame attempts to 'protect' Belle were found irritating, he hurt Caroline because she was suffocating but Belle was tolerable (although in a deeper part of him he knew she was more than tolerable to him.)

"You and I are going this way." Grabbing her hand and pulling her away from the two blonde teens, ignoring the blonde as she furiously glared at him before softening her look (which one should do before staring at Belle, Damon would kill anyone who dared to look at her with harsh eyes) "Be careful, he's not as nice as he may seem" Belle had half the mind to remind her that neither was she, but she was much to nice to do so and muttered a small thank you before stumbling after Damon who tugged her hand slightly harder than before.

Does Caroline have a secret twin sister because there is no way in Midgard that Caroline Forbes showed concern to me.

STEFAN SALVATORE LIKED TO THINK THAT HE WAS A SMART PERSON, he never acted rash (he didn't count when he was being the ripper, the ripper wasn't Stefan nor would he ever be) he knew how to rein in his feelings, stop them from plaguing his mind. But Stefan Salvatore was so tired. He had tried dealing with his elder brother but Damon kept coming back and normally he would convince himself he deserved the mental torture, but not this time.

Mystic Falls seemed like a fever dream. Everything was so perfect, they were kind and friendly. And then he met Elena and dare he say he fell for her. And Belle. He had never had a friend before, like a genuine one, (Lexi was more of an elder sister) until he met her. It might sound cliche but Belle was the light of his life. He never believed in soulmates but he felt it when he came over to the Gilbert residence, their souls intertwined (in a platonic sense of course, he didn't think he could think of Belle in any other fashion.)

But like always Damon had to ruin it, it started with him flirting with Elena and then he began doing the same to Belle. But it was different with the redhead, he wasn't flirting with her to annoy Stefan but it seemed like he was actually fascinated by her, and that was even worse. Damon Salvatore didn't have girlfriends he had toys. So Stefan Salvatore gave in and decided to give Damon Salvatore his toy before he moved on to his best friend (Or was Damon Katherine's toy?)

Damon announced his presence in his usual loud obnoxious way, but Stefan paid no mind instead focusing on the redhead next to him, who in true Belle fashion had just tripped over a small rock. He walks towards her and immediately pulls her into a hug "You okay?" He murmurs into her hair, he could feel her giggle lightly in his chest "I'm fine BooBear." He smiles at his given nickname, he was sure if it was anyone else he would have felt insulted but with her, he just found it so endearing.

He removed himself from her hands, placing his hands on her shoulders and checking her briefly for injuries. Once he was satisfied he let her run to Elena who stood with awaiting arms. His smile slipped as he caught sight of the gold chain that hung around her neck. His eyes drifting towards his brother who was chatting with the two witches(who by the way looked like they wanted to strangle him) Damon was getting way to fascinated for his liking. The sooner they returned the toy to its master the better.

The trio (Stefan, Elena and Belle) has huddled to the side to watch the witches do their thing. Damon has migrated away slowly just enough to give the witches space but not far enough that if something goes wrong he could snap their necks. Damon needed this, it was no longer because of his unwavering love for Katherine but now he needed to prove to himself that he hadn't grown fond of Belle Sommers. He was just bored and liked playing with her, right?

Sheila walks over to one of the torches perched on the ground and places a match over it, smiling satisfied with herself upon seeing it light magnificently. Behind them Belle squeals with delight, being involved with the supernatural was not as fun as the books made it out to be but seeing things like this made it feel worth it. Bonnie shook the water bottle and her grandmother it and sprinkles it on the ground (quite anti climatic after fire and air)

"Everything changed when the fire nation attacked." Everyone's eyes moved towards the now blushing redhead, she laughed uncomfortably while attempting to hide herself in Elena's arms "it's just a reference." She mumbled and they all looked away although the redhead was slightly upset none of them caught her reference, it's like they never read or watched a show in their damn lived and it was honestly frustrating.

"What's that." Stefan says pointing the flashlight at the object in his brothers arms. Belle's eyes widen slightly, it sounded pretty stupid but she's never seen an actual blood bag, they were always on TV but no one in her family had been hurt enough to need them. She started to wonder what it tasted like, sometimes if she was bleeding she would lick it and never tasted that bad to her, so maybe blood tasted like juice to them or something.

She's so caught up in her mental spiel that she doesn't even realise that the witches had started chanting her attention only making appearance when the flames suddenly grew bigger causing her to shout in shock "Holy shit! Satan is that you?" Her words cause a few chuckles to escape from the group and Elena to smile fondly at her cousin. Trust Belle to clear out any tension in a room.

"No Satan, dear. Just me." Sheila quips smilingly proudly that the spell worked (Not that she doubted it would fail anyway, she was a Bennet after all.) Damon smirks and he acts like a little child finally receiving a treat after being told he couldn't have one, he bounces on the balls of his feet and his smirk is taunting as he speaks to his younger brother "You have some fires to build."

Stefan, of course, hates this. He wants nothing more than to be just as childish and tell Sheila to close the door, ridding Damon of his only form of happiness since his older brother had been taking his for all these years. Perhaps it would teach him a lesson after what he did to Lexi. A loved one for a loved one. But Stefan can't let his emotions control him more than they already are so he simply pecks Elena briefly and bends down to give Belle a kiss on the forehead "I'm gonna go get the gasoline, I'll be right back."

Damon watches carefully as Stefan exits and once he's sure that his younger boys are far away he turns to the human girls "You girls ready?" The two girls tilt their head in confusion, they didn't recall this being part of the plan. Elena eyes narrow and her grip tightens around her cousin. Elena didn't like Damon that was no secret, she also didn't like how comfy he was with Belle which just added more to how much she hated him. His current actions were not helping either (not that Damon cared what Elena thought of him, she wasn't Belle.. wait, what?)

"For what?" Belle questions.

I'm not going into the deep dark cave full of hungry vampires just so I can go missing and become the next Georgie. I wouldn't be surprised if the vampires are actually Pennywise.

"You think I'm going to go in there by myself so they can seal me in." The vampire elaborated gesturing to the angry witches. He grabs each of their forearms and Elena attempts to struggle while Belle.. just let it happen.

I'm a pro kidnappee by now

Sheila doesn't know Belle very well but she's aware of Elena's importance to Bonnie and she's pretty sure Belle had somehow landed there too, wether it was because she was Elena's cousin or because of the kidnapping her grand baby wouldn't talk about was unknown to her but from the look of concern she held while gazing at the redhead (who much to Sheila's confusion didn't seem to bothered with this development) Sheila could tell this one was important. So she attempts to warn Damon. "Take them in and I'll bring the walls down."

It didn't seem to work as Damon scoffs out a laugh "You'll bring the walls down if I don't. You think I trust you." He shoots at her and with that he pulls the girls into the tomb

Guess I'm Georgie after all, I'm coming Pennywise.

Damon has immediately released Elena's hand once the entered, although Belle's still remained in his grasp. Not that she really cared she was more concerned with the heart wrenching groans that emitted from the vampires. The logical part of her thought that she shouldn't feel pity for them she didn't know them and she was being ridiculous but Belle wasn't a logical person.

She thought with her heart and only her heart, which was probably why she blurted out "Do you think I would die if I fed all of these poor things my blood." Elena sighed rubbing her temple, growing up she had learnt Belle tended to be too emphatic, while it was mostly sweet it was really annoying at times like this, her selflessness would get her killed one day.

Damon just sent the girl a funny look not stopping like Elena had but slowing his pace "Yes I'm pretty sure they would suck you dry." He said bluntly.

Belle digested the answer pursing her lips slightly before filling the silence once more "But if I only gave them a little?" Elena rolled her eyes truly wondering how Belle's brain worked. It seemed as though her cousin looked at the world through rose coloured glasses as she had half the mind to break them. That needed to change especially because of the world they were dragged in to. "Belle stop being stupid, you would die!" She snapped.

Although she immediately sobered up her anger upon seeing her cousin pouting slightly. Elena sighed once again rubbing her temple, she murmured out a meaningless sorry deciding to slow her pace silently.

Damon glanced at the pouting redhead and he felt his heart do that thing- it seemed to do it whenever Belle showed any form of displeasure, he truly hated that thing because it made him feel. He wasn't supposed to feel. "Why do you always wear dungarees?" He questioned causing the pouting girl to peer up at him "Is that the only thing in your closet besides your Star Wars merch?" She could feel her cheeks flame with the familiar shade of pink but managed to shrug,

"Anything else but dungarees, makes me look more fat than I already am." She said dismissively. Damon remained his cool disinterested demeanour but inside he was raging. How dare she. How dare she think of herself than perfect just because this damn town manipulated her to think like that. He wanted to tell she was beautiful, he wanted tell her that every curve, every roll, every piece of her was bodacious. He wanted to tell her that she was so attractive that she ran through his dreams at night and plagued his mind. He wanted to tell he loved holding her the other night, that it felt right.

But he couldn't

So he just kept quiet and let her self hatred devour her.

BELLE COULD'NT PINPOINT WHERE THIS WHOLE THING HAD GONE TO SHIT, perhaps it was when they had lost Elena, or maybe it was when Damon found out this whole thing had been for nothing, it could have been when they heard Elena scream for help and Stefan had rushed off. It was hard to tell but to be honest, it didn't really matter did it. Chaos ensued.

They had made it out successfully, Elena was currently nestled in Stefan still recovering from the event (Belle didn't really see the big deal, Anna wanted her mother and it wasn't like she killed the brunette) the redhead stood next to them, not really effected from the whole event, if anything she was just really tired. Mindlessly her eyes drifted to where Damon stood gazing at starless sky. His eyes were dull and empty yet she could see the story of absolute sadness they held. It killed her.

Belle had been a sad child when growing up. It was safe to say depression was her default mood, it was terrifying to her always being in that state but then she found the magic of fiction and she started to lose her sadness in the books that she read. She realised being sad wasn't the way she wanted to live her life or anyone should live their life. So when she saw the familiar emotion on Damon's face, her feet moved before her mind could comprehend it.

She lands in front of him and he watches her warily, she gives him that shy smile of her - that damn smile and her hands clasp around his, pulling him into a slow luxurious hug. He freezes at first, it's fair to say no one had hugged him like this since his mother died so it was weird to him. But the warm feeling that flowed through him made slowly relax winding his arm around her waist and snuggling her face into her neck, slowly crying.

She held him, not speaking but yet letting him know that she was, she would always be there.

The prospect of crushing wasn't entirely new to Belle, however, the prospect of crushing on Damon most certainly was.

HAMEEDA SAYS
[y'all this chapter is 3902 words, I know that might not seem much to you but it's a big deal for me and i'm really proud of myself.

i hope y'all enjoyed the chapter, i certainly enjoyed writing.

bye you beautiful human beings

stay safe 😘 ]