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'𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰
𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬
𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴.'

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charmed encounter
(1863)

   His eyes flickered open to be met with the sight of the clear, azure sky that was bereft of ominous clouds that usually lurked above the battlefield. The warm rays of the sunlight fell upon him, washing away the remnants of war. His bloodstained uniform had disappeared, replaced with a pristine garment.

   The soothing embrace of sunshine blanketed his skin, contrasting the harsh sting of gunpowder he endured while fighting on the battlefield.

   He could sense the absence of gunshots, screams, and chaos. The scent of corpses that once littered the ground was replaced with bright-colored flowers. His eyes widened with a blink and he finally allowed the breath trapped in his lungs, to escape with his chest heaving in relief.

   Peace permeated the air and the serene atmosphere engulfed him, providing him with an overwhelming sense of peace. The air around him was quiet; the only sound to be heard was the subtly whisper of swaying branches that created a melodic rhythm like a lullaby.

   As he grasped the soothing grass in his hands, he could not have to fathom his location. Yet he felt the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. After taking in peaceful air, Damon rose from his recline in the lush meadow.

  "Where... Where am I?" He muttered to himself and his blue eyes darted around the surreal scenery as he attempted to recall the events prior.

   His thoughts and senses were muddled as he contemplated his whereabouts. Despite his confusion; the warm tranquility of the environment soon pacified it, sending him into a state of peace and tranquility.

   His heart was no longer pounding. There was no longer the metallic taste of sweat and blood in his mouth. Damon surveyed the landscape before him, heart swelling with relief as serenity surrounded him as he took in the sun's rays that bathed his skin.

   He inhaled fresh air, as though his lungs had been deprived of it for days, and a delicate, sweet aroma filled his nostrils. Damon looked about him and saw bright yellow flowers growing on the lush green grass. They were daffodils. Their fragrance is soft and alluring, their beauty breathtaking.

'Am I dead?' He silently wondered.

   He couldn't help but feel a strange connection with this place. He was one with nature at that moment, and it felt like home. This was what he imagined it to feel like.

This was all he ever wanted.

This was all he ever wished for.

This was all he ever desired.

Peace.

   It was as if death became a mere distant illusion and he could finally breathe freely again.

   He wanted to hold on to this feeling and make it last forever. He never wanted it to end.

   After years of enduring pain and suffering that was forced upon him, he had forgotten what peace felt like and now that he had experienced it again, he was never going to let it go.

   The fallen grass crunched below his boots as his feet slowly carried him forward. As his eyes swept across the field, his gaze fell upon a lone figure standing in the distance, illuminated by the afternoon sun. 

It was a woman...

   She was kneeling to the grass while clothed in a white, medieval gown that fluttered against the gentle breeze. She was turned away from him. He watched as she reached out to pluck a daffodil flower from the meadow before running the tip of her slender fingers across its delicate petals.

   He could feel the calming aura that emanated from the figure. As if drawn to some mysterious force, his eyes lingered on the woman in the distance while he cautiously moved toward her.
  
   He was unsure of who this lone figure was. He wasn't even sure if this was all a figment of his imagination. It all felt too surreal. But then again, his mind was also jumbled up. He figured it was best to approach with caution, but his heart still raced in unknown anticipation. 

   He stopped as the woman turned around to face him, and the moment the two of them locked their eyes, their connection was almost instantaneous. Damon stood still, his heart thumping against his chest. 

   She was beautiful and delicate. Her pale, porcelain skin was accentuated by the glow of the sun, and her long red hair seemed to shimmer in its gentle rays as it flowed over her shoulders. Her eyes glowed like emeralds in the sunlight, illuminating the meadow like jewels.

She was almost... enchanting.

   For a moment, he paused to stare at her delicate features, almost admiring the beauty of the woman who moved with elegance and pride. Her eyes glowed like emeralds in the sunlight, illuminating the meadow like jewels, while his

   As Damon took in her striking features, he wondered if she could hear his heart beating rapidly.

   While his bright blue eyes were mesmerized by her beauty, his gaze shifted from her gorgeous eyes to her lips, which were colored a vibrant shade of pink. At the corner of her lips, she seemed to be holding back a smile.

   Damon couldn't help but wonder what could have amused her at the moment especially since he was confused. It was as if the two of them existed in this world alone— Even his breathing had slowed down to match hers. Time seemed to stand still as he took in the beautiful, delicate being before him.

   As his eyes settled on the daffodil in her hand, a familiar feeling washed over him. It was like a moment of deja vu. Damon could have sworn he'd seen this scene before.

   Her elegant fingers ran along the petals with the utmost care and tender love as if it were a rare treasure. She turned the flower between her fingers so that she could admire it from all angles. As she cradled the daffodil in her hands, she appeared almost like a mother caring for her child.

   At that moment, she resembled an angel, a graceful woman of great beauty. Damon was mesmerized by her, and the thought of her left him smitten. Damon never thought he could be swept off his feet by a woman he had never known. A woman he had never even seen before.

   The young woman turned to look at him while holding the daffodil in her hand as she kept eye contact with the Salvatore man.

   "You're here..." She had a gentle smile as she finally spoke. Her voice was warm and sweet like honey as if she had been waiting a million years to meet him.

   Damon's cheeks reddened at her voice, and he cleared his throat before speaking as he tried to gain control over his emotions. The Salvatore man attempted to form a reply, but the sight of her beauty left him dumbfounded. He could only nod, and smile as if he had known her his entire life.

   Damon felt a sense of familiarity from the moment he saw her. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He felt an instant connection as if he had known her before and he didn't want to let go. He took a step forward, unsure of why he was drawn to her, but he could not help himself. Her beauty captivated him as though she were a magnetic force calling him to her.

   "Forgive me for intruding." He could barely muster the courage to speak as he looked at her with a look of wonder in his eye.

   "Oh, you're not intruding at all, Damon. In fact, I was expecting you to arrive." She looked up at him with a playful smile, and he had fallen under the sway of her enchanting gaze.

   Her words had sent a shiver down his spine as his breath caught in his throat. He remained fixated on her as he stood aghast. This merely unfamiliar woman knew his name. How was that possible? Why did she know his name?

   "If you don't mind me asking..." Damon hesitated before continuing, "How do you know my name?"

   The woman grinned as she delicately ran the tip of her fingers across the flower petals. "I've known you for a long time, Damon. Perhaps longer than you may realize," Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked up at Damon.

   Damon narrowed his eyes as he tried to understand what she was implying. Her words had piqued his curiosity, and the intensity of her gaze had him hooked. He couldn't look away.

   "Who are you?" He asked in a low, raspy voice. The sight of her face was so beautiful, that it left him breathless yet nervous.

   As if sensing the tension that crept up on him, the redhead took a step closer but was careful not to scare him off. "That's for you to find out, Mr. Salvatore," Her expression remained calm as she spoke. "But there's no need to fret. You're safe here. You always will be safe, as long as I'm around."

   Damon's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he was supposed to be afraid of her yet, she left him feeling relaxed and at ease.

   "I have a thousand questions yet the words seem to fail me." Damon sighed in frustration as he tried to make sense of his current predicament. "Tell me, did I die? Am I in heaven?" Damon inquired, his eyes darting all over the meadow frantically for answers. "I cannot be here, my brother awaits me."

   Paying no mind to his questions, she walked closer to him and held out the flower with a collected and calm look. "You worry too much," she mused.

   Damon gently took hold of the flower from her palm, his warm hands cradling the delicate petal she had gifted him. His fingers brushed against hers, and he felt a strange sensation course through his veins. It was exhilarating.

   Her gentle touch was like a caress to an ache, temporarily obliviating the pain that had been trapped within the walls of his vulnerable heart.

   "May I ask for your name?" Damon insisted, his mind trying to process the situation.

   "Why ask my name when you already know it?" The mysterious woman's tone was playful, and her smile grew more devious.

   Damon's mind was beginning to swirl and his heart pounded in his chest. The longer he spent with her, the more curious he grew. This wasn't just a dream; there was something else.

   The redheaded woman took a seat on the lush grass, gesturing for Damon to join her. Her eyes sparkled as she fixed her gaze on him, beckoning him to come closer. With each passing moment, Damon found himself swept up in her spell. He wanted to know more about her.

He needed to know more about her.

   As he sat beside her, a wave of peace seemed to fill the air. Damon felt a certain serenity wash over him as he took in the woman's soft features and elegant grace. He was under her charm, and he knew that there was no escaping.

   "I don't understand..." Damon's voice was almost hushed as if he feared breaking a spell that brought him into such a heavenly nature. "Where am I?"

   She remained silent for a moment with her eyes on his, before finally responding, "You will know soon enough, Damon." She shifted her gaze towards the meadow as she let the warm sun wash over her. "In the meantime, you should try to relax and enjoy the scenery. You deserve to breathe freely for the time being."

   The mystery surrounding her only left him with more questions. Damon was confused yet intrigued by her presence.

   "Your heart is racing," She observed as her gaze briefly flickered to his chest before gliding back up to his eyes. "Need not be frightened, my love. Never will I bring harm to you. You will return to your brother soon enough."

Her voice was gentle yet her words held a distinct meaning.

   It was at that moment, that he knew he had no desire to go back to his ordinary life. It was too good to be true, yet so perfect. But despite his confusion and uncertainty of his circumstances, he didn't want this moment to end.

   She giggled softly as a slight breeze kissed the meadow, rippling the grass. Her voice was gentle but her words held a distinct meaning. She turned to look at Damon and gently caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. He could only stare back at her in wonderment. It felt as if time itself had stood still.

   The woman continued in a soft, soothing tone as she gazed at him. Her eyes bore into his soul and he felt as though he was being read like an open book. "We've met in many lifetimes, Damon. This is not the first time we have seen one another, and it certainly won't be the last."

   Damon felt as though his entire world was shifting before his very eyes. The words she spoke held a deep meaning for him and he hadn't a clue what it could have meant.

   "Do you promise?" He whispered as he placed his hand over hers, bringing it down from his face to hold it against his chest.

"Mhm," She nodded with a small grin. "I promise."

   He could feel his heart racing in his chest. Although he was unable to explain or comprehend what he was feeling in that moment, he couldn't shake the feeling of knowing that it was something far greater than himself.

   From that moment, the raven-haired man decided to dedicate the rest of his days to finding the angel whose presence blessed his dream.

   After all, even if it meant searching every corner of the earth until his final breath, Damon Salvatore will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

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