The Vampire Diaries Imagines

s e v e n ; john

note: this used to be a kol imagine! that one has been now deleted, however, and replaced with one for john (:

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There was no place worse for keeping secrets than small towns. When those particular secrets happened to be relationships meant to keep under the radar, things got even more complicated — how was one supposed to sneak kisses around vampires and werewolves with super senses, or lie right in the face of a witch?

Apart from trying to keep your newfound feelings low-key, there wasn't anything difficult about your relationship with John Gilbert. It was beyond unexpected, but through a handful of lucky accidents and lingering gazes, you had wound up realizing just how much you had in common. And so the cliche went: one thing led to another, and before you even fully comprehended it, waking up next to him was the new normal and you wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Well, to John, there was one little detail he would have changed, and that was having to keep his hands to himself in public. There was no denying that he deeply enjoyed pulling you into a loving embrace behind closed doors, crashing his lips onto yours whenever you were alone, but he wasn't a teenager anymore. While you did make him feel giddy in almost childish ways, he was too tired of climbing through your bedroom window at ungodly hours — he wanted to hold your hand on the streets, take you on dates, be wholly a part of your life.

The worst punches were when some douchey womanizers titled you their latest conquest and tried to gain your attention with crude pick-up lines and way too much alcohol. And in John's opinion, Damon Salvatore fit the bill just about word to word.

"Drinking alone on a Sunday? Ouch", the raven-haired man's snark bled through the air as he seated himself next to you by the counter at the Grill. In reality, you were picking up food for you and John while the latter visited the bathroom, but you couldn't very well mention that to Damon. Instead, you turned to him with a weak smile and hummed.

"Says the expert", you returned with equal sarcasm, all in good spirits, and accordingly, the Salvatore snorted approvingly.

In all honesty, you were running short on excuses to hide your budding relationship with John. At first, it had been to go with the flow — life in Mystic Falls was hectic already, there was no need to pile the stress of a new couple on everyone. Then it had become about the danger of exposing new vulnerabilities to the villains rampaging your town. Now, you couldn't help but admit that maybe you were just scared. It was, after all, a big deal to be together with someone, and when that someone was a man with very few friends and allies, you weren't exactly leaping with confidence. You weren't ashamed, but you didn't need the judgment of others, either.

"Since we're both here, looking amazing by the way, won't you let me buy the next round?" Damon suggested softly, his tone smooth and suave but still blatantly seethrough. Somewhere hidden along the words was a silent invitation to his arms, his bedroom, and that was precisely why you were opening your mouth to let him down gently.

Or, you tried.

"Oh, I would love a drink", John piped up from behind you, and nearly jumping from your seat, you twirled around to find the man glaring daggers at Damon. Nevertheless, there was a tight-lipped smile gracing his face, and while you were tempted to lean into him and appreciate the protectiveness shining in his tense jaw, you hastily turned back to Damon.

Before you got a chance to say anything, however, he had already spoken. "Not looking for a threeway, John", he remarked in a sing-song tone, one that undoubtedly dug under the Gilbert's skin. Huffing out, you tried to intervene once more, but when John's arm snaked around your waist and his fingertips pressed into your hips, you choked on every syllable and simply stared at Damon with caught eyes.

"You're right, we're not", John stated bluntly, and you didn't even have to look at him to hear the smug smirk curling his lips. Damon, on the other hand, fell into stunned silence as realization dawned on him — and the look that followed was a mixture of shock and disgust. Your cheeks flared with heat, but you didn't try to argue, though you suspected that any attempt would have been pointless.

With perfect timing, the boy behind the counter arrived with your food and John didn't hesitate to grab the paper bag proudly. "You ready, babe?" he questioned after turning back to you, playing innocent but the way he hushed the words into your ear and left a kiss on your cheek spoke on his ego's behalf.

But, supposing you had nothing to lose, you broke into a smile and took his hand. "I'm ready", you assured, not only talking about the French fries in the bag, and in response, John gave you the most radiant smile you had seen in a long time. Grateful and joyous, he leaned down to close the space between your lips and give you a soft kiss, the kind that clutched your chest and filled your stomach with butterflies. Carefully, his thumb ran across your cheekbones, and as he broke into a grin against your lips, he couldn't help but give Damon a look.

"Don't worry, we'll give you a call if we're looking for a third party", John comforted sarcastically, and although you made sure to give Damon a look, you failed to suffocate a laugh. Happily, hand in hand, the two of you left the bar and traipsed over to the front door with shared courage and enthusiasm to test the waters — even after all the time you had spent together, it now felt new and exciting all over again.

It wasn't until you arrived at John's place with the warm food and interlocked fingers that the gravity of your decision settled in.

You were quiet and careful in opening the front door, but as soon as John had stepped in and led you in his footsteps, you found yourselves under the curious stares of the rest of the Gilbert family. No doubt, it was going to be a long night of answering questions like when, how, why — to which you had a very simple answer: you had fallen in love.

John's answer, however, was something about his unwillingness to let a scoundrel like Damon Salvatore charm you first.