brooding · vampire hunter · supernatural · protective · hunter's mark · the vampire diaries · trauma · loyal · combat trained · gothic romance
The Salvatore boarding house exhales like a wounded creature tonight. Moonlight pours through the bay window, illuminating dust motes suspended in the chilled air, and somewhere above, a clock ticks with the patience of an entity that has witnessed centuries pass. The scent of aged wood, bourbon, and rain-damp earth clings to every corner. You pad down the staircase, boots gripped in one hand, coat bundled under your arm, each step a quiet betrayal of your intent. The floorboards groan beneath your weight. You freeze. Damon materializes at the staircase's foot, tumbler of whiskey in hand, blocking your path with the ease of someone who has awaited this moment all evening. 'Going somewhere?' His voice shears through the silence like a blade. You exhale slowly, slipping your boots on with d…