TVD: Beyond the pale moon

Damon pulled up in front of a weathered bar named Bree's. It looked homely, the kinda place where you'd come back from work and drink with your friends while getting pissed drunk. Tom parked just behind him and turned to Vicki slouched in the backseat.

"Try to get some shut-eye," he said curtly. "I'll be back when the sun goes down."

Vicki groaned, her head lolling against the window, and Tom smirked. "Not so fun tagging along now, is it, missy?"

Before Vicki could muster a response, Damon banged on the hood of the car, startling both of them.

"Come on," he barked, impatience dripping from his voice.

Tom clenched his jaw but shoved his irritation aside as he got out. Elena climbed out after him, pausing by the open car door to glance at Vicki.

"How come she's not burning to cinders?" Elena asked, nodding toward the bar's windows.

"Special glass," Tom replied, jerking his chin toward the building.

Elena frowned. "It's a good thing we're at a bar, then."

Tom raised an eyebrow at her. "You'll see."

The pair entered the dimly lit bar just in time to catch Damon's face attached to a woman's neck, his lips pressed against her skin like some sort of alien parasite.

"Good god, Damon," Tom muttered, shielding Elena's eyes with his hand. "For the love of god. There are children present. Do not look your eyes will melt out of your sockets."

Elena wriggled free, glaring up at him. "I'm not a child."

The woman, now aware of the intrusion, pulled away from Damon and fixed Tom with a curious smile. "You're not Stefan, are you?"

"Nope," Tom replied flatly.

"It's Tommy, isn't it?"

"Tommy is for people I like," he said, crossing his arms. "So, Tom."

Her smile widened. "Well, we've got the whole night to change that."

Elena stepped forward, clearly uncomfortable with the exchange. "I'm Elena," she offered awkwardly, cutting the tension.

The woman, Bree, looked her over with faint amusement before leaping over the counter in a single, practiced motion. "Listen up, everybody!" she called to the bar patrons, raising her voice. "Here's to the man who broke my heart, crushed my soul, and ruined every chance of happiness I ever had!"

She grabbed a bottle and poured shots for everyone within arm's reach. The room erupted into cheers.

Tom wasted no time, tossing back his shot with a practiced ease. Without hesitation, he reached over, grabbed Elena's untouched glass, and downed it as well.

"Really?" Elena said, scowling.

Bree smirked, pouring another round. "So, how did you get roped into all this?" she asked, gesturing toward Elena.

"I'm not… I'm dating his brother" Elena stated.

"His other brother," Tom interjected dryly.

Bree laughed, pouring herself a drink. "If you're not roped in, then you're whipped. Either way, sweetie, learn to enjoy the ride."

Elena looked ready to protest but instead asked, "So… how did you and Damon meet?"

Bree chuckled, a hint of nostalgia softening her sharp demeanor. "College. About twenty years ago, back when I was a sweet, young freshman, and this one—" she nodded at Damon, who was nursing his drink—"was lurking around campus like the heartbreaker he is. Told me his little secret, and instead of running for the hills, I fell harder. Funny how that works, huh?"

"You went to college?" Elena asked, incredulous as she turned to Damon.

"I've been to a college campus, yes," Damon said with a smirk.

Bree laughed bitterly and poured another drink. "It was a bad love story. The kind that changes your world but leaves a bitter taste in your mouth."

"I rocked your world," Damon said, his smirk turning predatory.

Tom leaned back in his seat, watching Bree carefully. The way her smile faltered for half a second didn't escape him.

"He's good in the sack," Bree said lightly, "but mostly, he's just a Walk-Away Joe. So, Damon, what is it you want?"

"You know I wouldn't have come to you if I had other options," Damon replied smoothly.

Bree's smile didn't reach her eyes. She grabbed another bottle, topped off her glass, and drank deeply before turning to Tom.

"Do you own this place?" Tom asked, gesturing to the bar.

"Of course I do," Bree replied.

Tom smirked and pulled out a sleek black card. "Then until we're done here, drinks are on me!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, lifting their glasses in thanks. Elena shot Tom a look, her eyebrows raised.

"How much is on that card?" she whispered.

"Enough," Tom replied with a shrug. Then, turning back to Bree, he leaned forward, his tone shifting to something more serious. "We've got a little problem. It's about the tomb—you know the one I'm talking about."

Bree's smile faded. She studied Tom for a moment before nodding. "I'll hear you out," she said.

She gestured for Damon to follow her into the back office. As they disappeared through the door, Tom motioned for the bartender.

"Jack's, neat," he said. "Keep 'em coming."

Elena watched him curiously. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" Tom asked, taking the drink and downing it in one go.

"Buying everyone drinks," Elena said.

Tom smirked. "Because I like being liked. And another thing—you'd be surprised how far a little generosity goes in greasing the wheels."

Elena frowned, leaning back against the bar. "You're kind of a cynic, aren't you?"

Tom chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "That's terrible…" He held up his glass, examining the amber liquid as if it held answers. "But yeah. Live for as long as I have and seen the shit life throws at you everyday, and before you know it. You'll be one too."

Elena crossed her arms. "That's a terrible way to live."

"Maybe," Tom replied. "But the good thing about being a cynic? Nothing surprises you."

She looked at him with a judgemental look on her face, Tom looking into the glass asked, "What about you?"

Elena raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Last night, when you found out the truth—what did you do?"

He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "That's different. He lied to me. He lied about Katherine, it was a breach of trust"

The bartender poured another drink, and Tom took it without hesitation. "It's not the first time he lied to you. But it didn't matter then, now did it? You waited for him to explain."

She looked at him realising he was kinda right "If you'd waited, if you'd listened, you wouldn't be here now," he said, his tone calm but pointed. "I get it—it hurts when someone you lo… care about lies. But you owe it to them to listen. Cause believe me, relationships as as fragile as this glass."

Elena's jaw tightened, her hands clenching into fists. "I have to make a call," she said abruptly, pushing off the bar and heading outside.

Tom watched her go, his expression unreadable. The bartender leaned in, pouring another drink.

"That was nice of you," she said softly.

Tom scoffed, taking a sip. "Yeah, I'm nothing if not nice." He grimaced at the taste and set the glass down. "Got anything that doesn't taste like dog piss?"

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