𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 (3)

                                    

                                          
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written by: AKF_Winchester on a03
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Damon had insisted on bringing you into town with him, he was taking you on a picnic tomorrow for your birthday. He wouldn't tell you where but he did promise there were no surprises, that it was just the two of you, because this was the first year in a long time you had wanted and been able to celebrate your birthday. Damon was asking your opinion on everything which was nice and helped you feel like your voice mattered. Damon was exceptionally good at that, knowing when there were these moments that you needed to be asked what you wanted, what you thought about something, because those moments helped you remember the progress you were making in being able to be confident enough to speak your mind. 
You had stepped outside the grocery store to wait for Damon and were standing by his car when it happened. A voice came from behind you and you froze. 
"What you're not talking to me? Guess you're still not over me huh?" he shouted. You felt tears on your face and heard footsteps. You hoped Damon was on his way back to the car right now too  but you didn't dare turn your head to look. "Yo, you just ignoring me or what?" he said, the panic rose up in you, you needed Damon so badly you were screaming out to him in your mind. "Bitch, I am fucking talking to you!" He shouted, standing right up close to you now. You flinched and immediately scolded yourself for showing him you were afraid. 
"Please leave me alone." You managed to say, your voice quiet and scared.
"I just came over to say Happy Birthday and I'm sorry I don't get to give you your present this year." he laughed before walking away as you slid to the floor and cried into your hands.
A few moments later Damon came out carrying two big bags of groceries and putting them onto the back seat before whooshing around to where you were. 
"Talk to me?" was all Damon asked even though a quick look inside your mind would show him what had happened, Damon had promised you he would never do that and he loved you to much to break that trust.
"I....I...." You tried to speak but even breathing was hard with the tightening panic in your chest. Damon helped you to your feet before pulling you into a hug, he held you close to him as he rubbed a comforting hand over your back.
"I've got you, you're safe now." He soothed. You focussed on his voice letting the feeling of his tight embrace remind you that you were indeed safe again. You didn't how long you stood there, time had lost all concept but suddenly Damon was telling you to get in the car, so you could go back home, back to the safety of the Salvatore house. You knew Damon was going to want to talk with you about what happened, and the part of you that was working on your healing knew that it might help to talk about it.
Back at home Damon was his usual caring self, not pressuring you to talk, but letting you know he was there for you. You sat snuggled into his side as he brushed your hair off your face.
"I've had an idea," he said breaking the silence and stirring you from the thoughts you were lost in.
"What idea?" you asked cautiously, the anxiety clear in your voice.
"Well, if I tell you it would ruin the surprise but...."
"No! Damon. No! Please......" you panicked standing up and backing away.
"Hey, hey! It's okay, I promise you." Damon looked at you full of concern wondering if he should have made you talk about what happened in the parking lot after all. You realised the look on Damon's face and hated that you'd panicked about what his surprise would be. The tears took over as you fell to the floor, Damon was beside you instantly. His arms pulling you into a hug.
"That was really stupid of me, I'm so sorry, I had an idea and..... I'm so sorry. You're safe here my love, I will always keep you safe." Damon held you close to him, his soothing voice bringing you back to yourself.
"I'm sorry I freaked out."
"No, you have nothing to apologise for."
"I should know you would never hurt me."
"But you have been hurt by other people and I know you're going to therapy and working through things but it was stupid of me to be so mysterious like that."
"It's just that...... well, today, in the parking lot. When you found me crying, I saw him."
"Him who?" Damon asked, not quite following what you were saying.
"Him, my ex."
"And you didn't tell me?! I will....."
"Damon," you said sternly, lifting yourself up and looking straight into his eyes.
"What?"
"You will stay here with me so I can tell you what happened today, and so you can keep holding me."
"Yes. I'm not going anywhere. While this douchebag is around though, I'm not letting you wait alone in anymore parking lots while I'm queuing to pay for groceries."
"Deal," you smiled up at Damon who tucked your hair behind your ear affectionately.
"Will you tell me what happened today? I mean, you don't have to if you really don't want to but I do want to help you through this, and I can't do that if I don't know what's going on."
"He shouted something at me first, then he came up to me, he told me he was upset that he doesn't get to give me my birthday present this year." You tried to wipe away the tears that had started to fall but it was useless. You were sobbing in Damon's arms again.
"No wonder what I said affected you so much. I'm so sorry. I would take it back if I could."
"It's fine, I promise. Can you do something for me though?"
"Anything."
"Tell me what your surprise was going to be?"
"I was going to take you on a walk, to this really nice place with a great view, just sit down have a picnic and maybe watch the sunset."
"That sounds beautiful." You said hugging Damon a little tighter.
"We can go tomorrow if you still want to go."
"I don't kn..... what about... I mean....." you stumbled figuring out how to say what you wanted to say, and starting to panic because you couldn't.
"Hey, shhhhh it's okay. Look at me." Damon soothed as you looked up at him. "You are safe, you're safe now. I promise to always keep you safe." Damon smiled as you nodded.
"The picnic sounds like a great idea. Thank you."
"You're sure you want to go tomorrow? I don't want you to feel pressured."
"I want to go tomorrow, I want to be with you, just the two of us." You smiled before hugging Damon.
"Your wish is my command baby." Damon whispered softly into your ear before you pulled back just far enough to capture Damon's lips in a loving kiss.
Today had definitely been a tough day for you but somehow Damon managed to make the fear and the pain melt away. He told you that you were safe and you automatically believed him. He held you and you felt like nothing could ever hurt you. When he kissed you, it felt like you were flying. Although seeing your ex had terrified you there was one thing you trusted in completely and that was knowing that you would heal from the things he did to you eventually and that Damon would be with you through it all.