twiceasdeadly

[twiceasdeadly]

@dasalvatorebros

Katherine’s lips twitched into a sly smirk as Damon slid the coffee in front of her and took his seat again. Behind the alcoholic haze it was harder to deny; The ease with which he moved, his effortless charm, and the subtle concern in his eyes—it was all so very him. She didn’t touch the mug right away, instead resting her elbow on the counter and propping her chin in her hand as she studied him, her dark eyes glittering with amusement.

“Well,” she drawled, her voice smooth and teasing, “for someone who doesn’t remember signing up for the job, you seem awfully dedicated. I’d almost think you were enjoying this... domestic side of things.”

Her words were playful, but there was an edge to them, a deliberate test. She wanted to see how far she could push him, how much of his calm façade would crack. But as she leaned back slightly, her fingers grazing the counter for balance, the room tilted just enough to remind her how drunk she still was. She cursed inwardly, straightening herself and reaching for the coffee in an attempt to appear composed.

As she took a sip, the bitterness grounded her, though it did nothing to ease the growing tension between them. His hand had lingered on hers for a moment too long earlier, and she could still feel the ghost of his touch. It unnerved her in a way she’d never admit—especially not to him.

She set the mug down with a soft clink, tilting her head to the side as her smirk widened. “You know, Damon,” she began, her voice dropping into something softer, almost conspiratorial, “if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you actually cared about me. But we both know that’s not true, don’t we.” She scoffed, her pout swinging on mockery as she beat him to the all too familiar excuse. “you’re only taking care of you sweet innocent Elena.”

Before he could respond, a voice cut through the tension like a blade “Elena!” As if an echo to the last word she said. Katherine’s brows furrowed, her breath hitched in her throat as she turned towards the sound, her body tensing involuntarily as a young blonde woman stepped into view. The stranger’s face lit up with recognition as her eyes landed on Katherine—or, rather, Elena.

“Hey! I didn’t expect to see you here,” the woman said, her voice bright and friendly.

Katherine’s hand instinctively shot for Damon’s across the table, a discreet plea for help despite not knowing whether or not Damon recognized the woman to begin with.

“You must be Damon; I heard a lot about you. I’m Sarah” the woman said, politely offering her hand in introduction. Oh, great, Damon doesn’t know this woman either, the doppleganger’s heart sank with the realization. the girl’s easy familiarity was only unnerving her further.

Katherine blinked, her mind scrambling for context. She offered a small smile, careful not to let the confusion show. “Oh, well... surprise?” she said lightly, tilting her head in what she hoped was a convincingly casual gesture.

The woman laughed softly. “You told me you weren’t coming to Mystic Falls. But I’m glad to see you two together. Whatever the issue was, it looks like it’s all worked out.”

Katherine’s stomach churned. Her hand tightened slightly around Damon’s, though her face betrayed nothing but mild curiosity. She leaned forward slightly, feigning interest.

“the.. issue?” she asked with friendly confusion, her voice smooth, though her heart pounded in her chest.

The woman hesitated, her smile faltering as she reminded. “Umm Yesterday? you said you wanted to come see Damon but that he’d been... pushing you away. You were upset. You said he’d been blowing you off.”

Katherine’s pulse skipped. She blinked once, her expression momentarily blank before she let out a soft, airy laugh. She leaned back in her chair, her fingers tracing idly over Damon’s hand.

“Oh, that,” she said, dismissing the comment with a wave of her hand. “That was just a misunderstanding. As you can see...” She glanced at Damon, letting her eyes glimmer with something mischievous. “He’s clearly not pushing me away.” She emphasized the word me with deliberate smugness, tilting her head slightly as her lips curved into a sly smile aimed at man she’d brought nothing but troubles so far as if to rub it in his face how his girlfriend has been feeling lately due to Katherine's secret return to his life.

The woman frowned, her brow furrowing slightly. “You don’t seem like yourself,” she said, concern creeping into her tone. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Katherine forced another laugh, though the sound felt tight in her throat. God, these do-gooders are exhausting. “I’m fine,” she said smoothly, her voice warm but firm. “Just a little tired, that’s all. But really, everything’s great. Thanks for asking.”

The woman smiled back although she didn’t look entirely convinced.

below the surface, Katherine's nerves simmered, but outwardly, she remained poised. Katherine’s fingers brushed against Damon’s hand, willing the skin to skin contact to keep her grounded. “I gotta run now, but I’m staying for week so I'll see you around. I guess” The woman sweetly informed. “and nice to meet you, Damon.” She politely offered as she walked away in the direction she came from.

Katherine watched intently, her bright, oblivious smile leaving a bitter taste in the air. The brunette forced herself to sit still, even as her fingers itched to grip the coffee cup tighter. The moment the girl was out of earshot, Katherine exhaled deeply, her shoulders sagging in a rare display of genuine relief.

Her hand slipped from Damon’s, still slightly unsteady, wrapped around the coffee cup. She took a long, deliberate sip, letting the warmth of the drink work through the lingering haze of alcohol clouding her mind. She knew her performance as Elena had been far from flawless. The girl’s curiosity and concern had been a little too sharp, her questions a little too probing.

Katherine’s mind raced through the interaction, pinpointing every slip she’d made, every hesitation, and every glance that could have been too Katherine and not enough Elena. But she wouldn’t give Damon the satisfaction of pointing it out.

Setting the cup down with exaggerated calm, she turned to Damon, her expression smug and defiant despite the nerves prickling under her skin. “See?” she said, leaning back against her chair with forced confidence. “I told you—I’ve got it all under control.”

Her voice carried a cocky lilt, as if daring him to challenge her. She even allowed herself a small, knowing smirk, determined to steer the conversation before Damon could throw any blame her way for drinking or nearly unraveling her façade.

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, she let that smugness linger, trying to project an air of absolute control. But deep down, her thoughts churned. She’d barely gotten through that without giving herself away completely, and the last thing she needed was Damon harping on her mistakes. Yet she knew if he wanted to comment on it, there was very little she could do beside denial.

“But,” she added, her tone sharp yet deceptively light, “I guess now you’ve got less than a week to come clean to Elena.”

Her fingers traced the rim of her cup lazily, her voice carrying just the right mix of amusement and pointedness. “I mean, it’s going to be... awkward... when Sarah goes back to Whitmore and asks Elena how her weekend with her boyfriend went.” She smirked smugly. “with whom she's been having ''issues” She mused in mockery as she faked concern, hinting at Damon’s betrayal, careless to how heavy that must be on his conscience.