◆ EPILOGUE ◆

"What do you think?"

"It's- hm, it's nice. From like a certain angle. In the light. If you stand all the way over here."

"You're a bad liar."

"Sorry. I'm sure it was nice back in the 1800s."

"It was. It's my childhood home. I've been thinking of restoring it someday."

The couple had taken a trip to Italy a few months after Bonnie graduated college, one they felt they both deserved after all the chaos and studying.

Bonnie observed the ruins of Casa di Salvatore, no longer standing in all its former glory, remembering the story about the fire which took place years before.

"That's a great idea. It'll look good whatever you decide to do with it. No offence though, we're not staying here for our vacation, right?"

"None taken, Bon-bon. And no. Our hotel isn't here. I just wanted to visit this place. Don't worry. I won't leave you to die in ash, dry rot and woodworms."

Bonnie sighed in relief but Damon looked deadpan, staring at his old house.

"What is it?"

He locked eyes with a steady, apologetic gaze that made Bonnie feel like they were the only two people left in the world.

"Nothing, I- sorry, I'm an ass. Death jokes aren't funny. Especially with everything that's happened here too. You've already died because of me."

"No, I died because I stupidly decided to park along the highway and listen to voicemail."

"It was my voicemail though."

"You're going soft on me again."

"Am I? Wait. Now that I think about it, you were a damsel in distress and I was your knight in shining armour after all."

"Oh no. I spoke too soon."

"Think about it though! I was technically the only person who could save you."

"Mmm, that's not exactly true," argued Bonnie, counting people in her head. "Elena could have or Caroline or even Enzo-"

"Enzo, ugh, that bastardo, figlio di puttana, pezzo di merda-," muttered Damon under his breath.

"You're doing that thing again where you transform into an angry Italian motormouth."

"With good reason! He tried copping a feel at our going-away party, Bonnie. He ain't allowed to do that to my girlfriend."

"Okay, a) he was super drunk and b) did you just call me your girlfriend?"

"Maybe."

"I like the sound of that."

"Come closer, I'll say it again."

The crisp autumn leaves crunched under the witch's boots as she pranced towards the vampire.

She peered up at him as he snaked his arms around her petite waist.

"Bonnie Bennett. I am so lucky to call-"

She held her breath, waiting for this new title to roll off his tongue.

"-myself your hero! All praise Ser Damon Salvatore, Saviour of Mystic Falls maidens."

She let out a groan and let go of him. "Unbelievable."

Damon laughed at his own mischief and pulled her body towards him rather symbolically to kiss her.

Bonnie couldn't deny that Damon's little ego trips and his softer side actually made him more charming than she ever thought possible.

And likewise, Damon couldn't deny that Bonnie's penchant for exasperated remarks and her tougher side made her more endearing than he ever thought possible.

All in all, Bonnie and Damon knew they fit like two lonely souls in a prison world, two raised hands in a witch's spell, two fangs in a vampire mouth.

And that, was all that mattered.

AN: Dun dun duuuuun! *roll the credits*

Now the story has officially come to an end. The last few updates were a bit of a whirlwind in the way I came up with ideas to wrap it up and edit everything so I hope it was satisfying. I know I keep repeating myself but thank you again. It was fun while it lasted.

- SuburbanSherlock