Beauty and the Banshee- Ch 5

The next morning, Damon was up early. The sun was just pushing itself up over the horizon, casting the sky a beautiful orange-red. He smiled and looked at Elena, who was snoring softly at his side. Her dark hair was splayed across the pillow, soft and gleaming, and her lips were slightly parted. Damon wondered if they were as soft as they looked. He sighed. She most likely didn't return his feelings, so why bother, even though he wanted to. She was beautiful, strong, and he thought that maybe he could pull her from her shell, make her smile. Damon's gaze wandered her body and he blushed slightly as he settled upon her chest. Her shirt was tight at the breasts, cleavage visible. He quickly looked away before his mind got too carried away. Just then, Elena stirred and started to open her eyes, looking up at him.
"Why are you staring at me?" She asked. Damon tried not to blush.
"You.. Looked so peaceful. And I didn't want to wake you.." He said. Elena blushed a little. Damon was surprised that she wasn't attempting to beat him up.
"Oh... Well... It's creepy.." She said, some of her usual mean finally making its way into her voice. Damon sighed.
"Why are you always so angry?" He finally asked, not exactly thinking. She bit the inside of her cheek, looking down. Usually she'd only get angrier, but something inside her was telling her to trust him... Perhaps it was time to learn about each other. They were going to be around each other a while after all..
"Well, if I tell you about me, you have to talk about yourself too.." She insisted. Damon was reluctant. He didn't like talking about his past, but he gave in and nodded.
"Fine.." He replied. "But you first."
Elena thought for a moment.
"Well... I was born in a small town called Terrace... And my parents were strict, strongly enforced the rules that were set. I suppose that's part of my seriousness, I'm used to being alone and keeping to myself. The other part of it is that I don't like opening up to people. I prefer to keep to myself. But... You're different. You make me feel less lonely, happier.." She finished with a blush, sitting up and giving Damon a look that insisted it was his turn. He sighed.
"Fine... But it's not a pretty story..." He said.

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Damon was in his bedroom, sprawled out on his tummy surrounded by books. His tiny legs swung back and forth as he read, fascinated by each word on the page. Just then, he heard a scream. It was his father.
"Melinda!!!!! Melinda snap out of it, it's me!" He called out, and there was the sound of breaking dishes and a thump. The six year old quickly stood up, books forgotten, and ran downstairs. His mother was in full banshee form, hair wildly flowing around her. Her back was to Damon as she cornered her husband, growling and snarling. His fathers green eyes were wide with fear and his usually strong form shook.
"Mommy!!!!! Mommy stop it, that's daddy!!!" Damon cried, reaching to pull her away. Tears were streaking their way down his pale little cheeks, blue eyes wide. She whipped around, hissing. Her soulless black eyes didn't recognize him any longer, her needle like teeth bared at him. Damon whimpered, and he realized his mother had lost herself to her hunger. She'd gone too long without feeding... and her father was within her range. Damon tried again.
"Mommy, stop it! That's daddy!! You can't hurt daddy!!" He cried. His mother ignored him and turned back around, reaching for her husband. The next thing Damon saw was the splatter of red hit the walls, and his mother tear into his fathers throat without hesitation. Hunger had taken over.. She no longer remembered her love for her previous husband.. What they had been through. The memories of their life.. Not even her own son. Damon ran out as fast as he could and hid under a tree, sobbing into his knees. He was alone.

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Elena covered her mouth in horror, a few tears making their way down her cheeks.
"T-That's.... That's awful... How do you stay as happy as you are..?" She asked. Damon reached out without thinking and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"For the longest time, I wasn't... I was miserable, and terrified. But I eventually began to feel better, and realized I can't suffer over that forever. Yes it makes me sad, but there's other things in life.. I deserve to be happy. I mean.. I found you, didn't I?" He said with a blush. She looked away.
"I thought you said I was mean.." She mumbled sadly. Damon rubbed her cheek again, wiping away the rest of her tears.
"You can be.... But I understand more now. Besides, you're a beautiful and strong woman... I've enjoyed being with you more than I had thought," he said. Elena blushed.
"I have too... I feel different around you, my stomach gets all funny.." She said. He smiled and leaned close.
"That would mean you like me.." He teased. She blushed. He grinned and gently pressed his lips to hers. Elenas eyes widened, then closed and she tilted her head to get a better angle, kissing him back. Damon smiled.
"I was right.. They are soft."