Damon Salvatore sits on his bed. Staring at the black and white photo of Gwen Jordan. Held tightly in his hands. Her blonde hair held in a tight bun. Wearing a simple floral print dress. Eyes full of life. Waves of pain deep within his soul roll over Damon. Worse than when he believed Gwen had died. To be so close yet miles apart created a constant ache in his heart.

Flaring whenever they lock gazes for a moment. Her blue eyes filled with so much strength. Cracking away at times to pain. Almost pleading for someone to hold her close. Remove whatever weighs her down. It's almost impossible for Damon not to gather Gwen up. Hold her close until every scar is healed and her pain gone. Yet holding back because he wants to do right by her.

Hoping to rekindle their friendship and more. Damon can still feel Gwen's soft lips on his. Teasing whispers of what he feels, love. Driving away any foolish feelings he tried to invest in others.

I'm such an idiot.

Damon scolds himself while standing and walking to his dresser. Opening the top drawer and placing the portrait inside. Picking up a smaller brown pouch. Reaching two fingers inside, Damon pulls out a simple silver ring. Small diamonds surround a pearl. He can still remember excitement rushing through him when buying it. Already picturing the joy on Gwen's face when he gave it to her. A way to be sure Gwen wouldn't forget Damon.

While he was off fighting in a war. Yet as Damon stood in his uniform saying goodbye. He couldn't give it to her, instead wanting to save it. For when he got back and confessed his feelings. Wanting it to be a symbol of their love not just a piece of jewelry to remember him by. So Damon left with the ring in his pocket. Taking it whenever he had a moment and thinking of Gwen. Plans forming inside his head of places to travel, spending their life together.

Like a fool, I let my self doubt, worry about losing our friendship and Katherine pulled us apart.

Even after becoming a vampire, believing he would never see Gwen again. Damon still couldn't get rid of the ring. Always carrying it and her portrait with him. Sighing he returns it to the pouch, closing the drawer as Stefan walks in.

Damon turns his attention to Stefan asking "Can I help you, brother?"

"Yes, stop messing with Gwen's head."

"Is that what I'm doing?"

"Come on Damon you loved Katherine for one hundred forty-five years. Then started developing feelings for Elena. Not to mention compelling Andie and Caroline to be your girlfriends and drank from them."

Damon smirks "Oh so now I'm a womanizer."

Stefan's voice is full of annoyance "I'm serious Damon. Gwen isn't another girl to play around with until you get bored."

Katherine and the others were just distractions from what I really longed for.

Damon's joking attitude stops as he gets in his brother's face "I know better than you what Gwen is worth answers while everyone busy trying to save Elena. I'm the only one trying to help Gwen gets her family back. I'll be the one to find the crystal she needs."

"Hey Gwen is my friend too, but now is not the time to find her crystal and forgive me if I doubt your intentions towards her." Damon scoffs "We all will help Gwen after taking care of Klaus."

Stefan doesn't wait for Damon to reply. Instead, leaving him to his own thoughts.

Gwen has waited long enough for her happy ending. With that thought, Damon opens his closet where boxes of Isobel's research are. That Aleric kindly let Damon borrow. Taking a box Damon returns to his bed and begins his searching. Hoping to find anything relating to Necromancers or the name Karayan.

Gwen stays in Trent's arm for an hour. Her cries slowly dying, but not the deep aching pain in her heart. This time she can't lock it away in some invisible cage. Eyeliner running down her cheeks in streaks Gwen pulls away from Trent.

He gives her hand a gentle squeeze while asking "Want to talk about it?"

In a soft tired tone, she answers "You want me to cry again?"

Both chuckle a little at her half-hearted joke. Gwen stares across the room. About to slip into thoughts until Trent speaks "I don't think you should stay with the Salvatore's anymore," Gwen turns her eyes back to him. She remains silent, giving him the opportunity to explain "You are going crazy trying to keep your guard up around Damon," Gwen's eyes widen in surprise "Might be a blonde, but I do pick up on stuff fast. You still care about him, maybe even love him."

Gwen stands slowly walking towards a window in the back wall. She looks out at nearby trees. Who stand so tall and strong. Everything Gwen wasn't feeling at the moment. Once Gwen knew where her roots began and was so sure how they would spread out. That was before life stripped her bare, leaving Gwen to question everything, even now. She couldn't deny or admit the truth of Trent's words out loud.

Yes, I love Damon down to his every flaw and strength. Love him deep down to my core. Even now his lips still linger mine.

"I always suspected," Trent's eyes fall on his clasped hands " Because despite the pain he caused you and your family dying to satisfy Katherine's jealousy. You still always managed to say something positive about him. Thought it was you just being a kind person who wouldn't drag someone's name through the mud," Trent stands up "Guess it was because you still loved him."

Gwen turns around silently facing him "Trent, despite my feelings not being as strong as yours. I don't regret one moment of out time together," Trent rubs the back of his neck "After so many years of Michael's training I was tearing apart on the inside. Trying to keep everything related to my early life locked up. To be a cold warrior like he instructed." It's how you will survive he said "You gave me moments of enjoying life to the fullest. Letting go of the road I have walked and just being carefree. To be thankful of how lucky I'm to still be breathing. Taught me that memories even though they hurt sometimes are the best way to help me in moving forward," Gwen walks to Trent quickly pulling him into a tight hug "Thank you."

I'm sorry it wasn't enough for me to stay.

Gwen keeps the thought to herself as Trent returns the hug. His own heart pulsing with pain from losing her. Fully accepting that Gwen's heart was never meant to be with him. Yet Trent is confident with time the pain will fade and he will find love again. After all, hearts can be mended.

What one might consider wise words, slip from Trent's lips "Even if it's Damon I hope you take a leap, let your fear go and find a happy ending. Unless he still is a jerk who can't see your worth."

Both hold each other close still as statues. The only movement being their chest rising and falling asleep they breath. Trent silently says goodbye to his first real love. Gwen instead of saying goodbye welcomes a close friend. Memories both will forever cherish play across their minds. They close the chapter of love between them but open up one of friendship. Both silently promise not to forget each other. To be there when the other needs support. Like any true friend would.

A rapid knocking brings them back to reality. Parting Trent opens the hotel door revealing Elijah. Before anyone can speak Elijah grabs Trent's shirt, and throws him across the room. Trent releases a grunt as he slides into the floor. In a blink, Elijah speeds to Gwen, rage written all over his face.

Maybe convincing Elena to undagger Elijah wasn't a good idea.

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I apologize for how long it took to get this update out. Sending out waves of love to all my readers. For sticking with me.

Feedback always welcomed. Until next time.