RARITY - A Damon Salvatore Fanfiction

Chicago

"Magical".

That was the word that my brother chose to describe Chicago in 1922. In the pursuit of hedonistic desires and decadent revelling, perhaps it was magical. Even I could admit that the parties were occasionally worth it. The jazz music and the style was intense and strikingly gorgeous. And yet, the city was full of destruction, all the glitz and glamour covering the pain and darkness of a society gone awry.

One place that I never imagined I would wind up at again is Gloria's bar. My brother turned to face me when we entered, smirking until he saw my own face. A silent, understanding exchange as I looked from him to the empty bar. My breath caught in my throat slightly as I thought of the last time I was here. I glanced to my brother, his smirk now gone as he looked back at me. A look I hadn't seen in a long time. His face hardened once more upon seeing the witch approach. The face of the all powerful hybrid taking centre stage.

I stayed to the side, quietly listening to their conversation. Until, I heard her name. Rebekah. I had only recently learnt that she wasn't daggered and gone, Klaus had her with him the entire time. The thought of seeing her again after ninety years made me look up excitedly, glancing between the two of them. It was then that Stefan interrupted, holding a photograph. Him and Klaus in 1922. He wanted answers. The younger Salvatore glanced from me to my brother demandingly, desperately seeking an explanation. I was aware that the two of them knew eachother back then... but to this extent? Only Klaus could answer this.

The three of us arrived at the warehouse some time later. I could feel the excitement welling up inside me as we drew nearer to the coffins. And yet, Stefans bewildered state was still concerning. He had a right to know, didn't he?

Klaus opened one of the coffins, the familiar girl inside had greyed skin and a dagger protruding from her chest. He reached out, stroking her cheek gently with a soft smile. My heart ached seeing Rebekah like this. Yet, the softness that my brother regarded her with shook me to my core... reminding me of the boy I grew up with, all those years ago.
"I don't recognise her", Stefan noted, squinting at her curiously.
"Well don't tell her that, Rebekah's temper is worse than both mine and Grace's combined" Klaus replied, amusement running through his voice. I couldn't help but grin at that.

"Time to wake up, little sister" Klaus paused, standing there impatiently. "Any day now, Rebekah", he turned back to Stefan then, who was watching the scene with curiosity. "She's being dramatic".

It was then that Klaus finally decided to give Stefan some answers. Much needed answers. He shared a brief story with him, about the ripper of Monterey and his particular talents. The younger Salvatore seemed to barely believe it, however, so the two of of them decided to visit Stefans old apartment.

As I headed back to Gloria's, I had a feeling that there was a reason for my brother choosing to leave me behind. He wanted to drive a wedge between Stefan and I. I imagined he was almost envious of our close bond. It seemed that they had considered one another brothers, all those years ago. I decided not to mention it, however. If Klaus was still fixated on this friendship, this desperate grasp for a companion, then perhaps there is still hope for him, after all.

Elena

The doppelgänger sat in Stefan's old apartment, waiting for Damon to return. She flicked through the pages of the diary, her eyes focusing in on certain parts.

April 1922
Grace found me last night. Dragged me off the train tracks. Thinks she can make me care again.

Elena squinted in confusion, she never quite understood the extent of Stefan and Grace's friendship, perhaps these pages could offer some insight. She turned the page again, finding an entry from several weeks after.

She was still here. Still trying to get in my head and make me care. I said the one thing that I knew would get her to go. With any luck, she won't come back.

I was half right, it seems. Lexi showed up today, apparently Grace sends her regards.

It was difficult to imagine this, to Elena atleast. She couldn't help but wonder what Stefan said to Grace to get her to leave. But she was thankful that she never abandoned him entirely. She went to Lexi. The one person who always manages to haul him back onto the rails. Elena flipped ahead a few pages, her eyes skimming various lines.

June 1924
Lexi's driving me crazy. More animal blood. What misery.

1935
Cravings are there, but it's easier. Grace even came to see me, surprising considering what I said to her. Lexi's onto her next project now – getting me to laugh.

A smile tugged at Elenas lips. This was proof it was possible to bring him back, and she was determined that she would. Her eyes shot up then, voices and muffled footsteps were approaching. This was bad. Very bad.

Grace

I pulled a stool up at the bar, sitting down heavily with a sigh. I was due to meet Stefan and Klaus at the warehouse in an hour, the least I could do was get a drink in that time. It was then that I felt a shiver run up my spine, cold and unfamiliar.
"Can I help you, Gloria?" I drawled out, not bothering to face the witch. I could tell she had been watching me with curiosity for some time. She walked around to the bar, grabbing a whiskey bottle off of the shelf.
"We didn't get properly introduced earlier" she said casually, pouring me a glass.
"We didn't, although we've heard plenty about one another, I'm certain" I noted, catching the glass as she slid it across to me.

"True... but I do have to ask how you know a certain Mr Salvatore". I squinted at her then, taking a sip of the whiskey.
"Stefan and I have been friends for years, Gloria, we never-"
"I actually meant his brother" she paused, tilting her head slightly, "Damon?". I froze then, looking up at the witch.
"What? Damon?" bewilderment washed over my face.

"I always did like him better than his brother... yet, while he's understandably lookin' for Stefan, I can't help but wonder why he'd wanna find you". Gloria leaned forward then, a smile tugging at her lips as she watched me carefully.
"We... go a long way back" I said, choosing my words with caution. "Wait" I stood up, realisation hitting me. "Did you say he's looking for us? Here?" I asked.
"Indeed..." she noted. "I see it, I'll be honest" she concluded, nodding with a shrug.
"See what?" I scrunched up my face, confusion running further through me.
"Why you love eachother". My eyes widened in shock, a breath hitching in my throat as I turned back to Gloria. Loving Damon was something I hadn't considered in over a century.

"You both have good hearts".