Icarus and His Sunshine

Victoria had never been happier.

Damon was effortlessly charming, always knowing how to make her laugh or steal a moment that made her heart race. She still spent time with her group in the common room at night, but her days belonged to Damon. Their relationship was still new, but it felt as though they had known each other forever. And as much as she had worried about how things would change, being with Damon had only made her world brighter.

Yet, in the back of her mind, a shadow lingered—Grayson.

He was back to hanging out with the group, and Victoria had thought things were finally falling into place. But his eyes still held something unreadable whenever he looked at her, and she had a feeling that something was still off. She just didn't know what.

But she tried not to dwell on it. Not when she had Damon pulling her into unforgettable moments, calling her "Sunshine" like it was the only name he knew for her.

Damon had been secretive about their first real date. He only told her to wear something warm and meet him at 8 p.m.

She was expecting a restaurant, maybe a late-night coffee shop. Instead, he took her to the rooftop of one of NYU's tallest buildings.

"I thought we were going somewhere normal," Victoria said, shivering slightly as they climbed the last few steps to the rooftop.

Damon smirked. "Sunshine, normal isn't in my vocabulary."

The moment they stepped onto the rooftop, her breath hitched. A blanket was laid out, candles flickering in the breeze, and a thermos sat in the middle, likely filled with something warm. But what truly stole her attention was the view—New York City, glittering like a sea of stars.

"Damon…" she whispered.

He leaned in, his voice soft. "Surprised?"

She nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the skyline. "How did you even plan this?"

He shrugged. "I have my ways." Then, with a teasing glint in his eyes, he added, "Besides, Icarus had to take his Sunshine somewhere special, didn't he?"

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "You're really sticking with that nickname, huh?"

Damon smirked. "Of course. Sunshine lights up the sky, and Icarus is the fool who flies too close. It fits, don't you think?"

Victoria rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the way her heart fluttered.

They spent hours up there, sipping hot chocolate from the thermos, sharing stories about their childhoods, and just existing in each other's presence. Damon was easy to talk to, easy to be around.

And when he pulled her close to shield her from the cold, she didn't resist.

Their second date was spontaneous.

Victoria had been stressing over a literature assignment when Damon appeared outside her dorm, grinning. "Put the books down, Sunshine. We're going out."

"Damon, I have work to do."

He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "And Icarus has a challenge for you. Unless, of course, you're scared?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Of what?"

He smirked. "Losing."

That was how she found herself at an old-school arcade, standing in front of a row of games while Damon handed her a bucket of tokens.

"The rules are simple," he said. "Whoever wins the most games gets to pick the next date."

Victoria scoffed. "Easy. I'm winning."

An hour later, she was grumbling as Damon cheered after yet another victory.

"You're cheating," she accused.

"I'm just naturally gifted," he shot back, grinning.

Despite losing, Victoria had the time of her life. They played game after game, teasing and laughing until their stomachs hurt. And at the end of the night, when Damon smugly declared he'd be choosing their next date, she found that she didn't mind at all.

Their third date wasn't planned. It just… happened.

It had been raining all evening, the streets slick with water as students rushed to get indoors. Victoria and Damon had been sitting in a quiet café near campus, the aroma of coffee thick in the air, the sound of rain tapping against the window creating a soothing rhythm.

Victoria wrapped her hands around her cup, savoring the warmth. "It's been raining nonstop today," she murmured, staring outside.

Damon smirked, stirring his coffee lazily. "And what's wrong with that, Sunshine?"

She glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, it's just—"

Before she could finish, Damon stood up suddenly, grabbing her hand.

"Come on," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

She blinked. "What?"

"We're going outside," he announced, already pulling her toward the door.

Victoria dug her heels into the ground. "Damon, are you crazy? It's pouring!"

He turned to her, grinning. "Sunshine, what's life without a little madness?"

And before she could protest, they were out in the rain.

Cold droplets hit her skin instantly, soaking her hair, her clothes, everything. Victoria gasped, shivering as Damon let out a laugh, throwing his head back.

"I hate you," she grumbled, but there was no real bite in her words.

Damon smirked, stepping closer. "No, you don't."

She rolled her eyes, wiping rain from her face, but she couldn't deny the thrill of the moment. The streets were nearly empty, just the two of them and the rain. The city lights reflected off the wet pavement, creating a beautiful, shimmering illusion.

Damon suddenly grabbed her hand again, twirling her.

"Damon!" she shrieked, stumbling slightly, but his grip was firm.

"Dance with me, Sunshine," he said, his voice warm, coaxing.

Victoria hesitated for half a second before sighing dramatically. "Fine. But if I get sick, I'm blaming you."

He chuckled. "Deal."

And just like that, they danced.

Damon spun her around, making her laugh as he dipped her dramatically. They swayed to an imaginary tune, their movements uncoordinated yet perfect. Rain dripped from their faces, their clothes sticking to their skin, but they didn't care.

They were lost in their own little world.

Then, out of nowhere, Damon started singing—loudly and terribly.

Victoria's eyes widened. "Oh my god, stop."

But he only got louder, belting out an off-key version of Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Victoria groaned, covering her ears. "Damon, you sound like a dying cat!"

He gasped, placing a hand on his chest. "How dare you, Sunshine? I have the voice of an angel."

She snorted. "An angel that got kicked out of heaven for being tone-deaf."

Damon laughed before suddenly grabbing both of her hands. "Come on, sing with me."

Victoria shook her head. "Absolutely not."

But he was already swaying with her, his grip firm, his brown eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"Sunshine, don't make me sing alone. I'll make it worse," he warned.

She groaned. "Fine!"

And just like that, they both started singing—loudly, obnoxiously, completely offbeat.

They twirled around the empty street, their laughter echoing through the night. Victoria felt alive, every inch of her buzzing with energy.

As the song ended, they collapsed against a lamppost, breathless, grinning at each other.

Damon brushed a wet strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek.

"You're ridiculous," Victoria whispered.

He smirked. "And you love it."

She didn't answer. She didn't have to.

The moment spoke for itself.

At night, Victoria was getting ready for bed and telling Aria about her day.

As happy as she was, the moment she saw the message from Grayson, everything inside her twisted.

Grayson: Tori, I can't do this anymore. I tried, I really did. I thought that if I stopped drinking, if I started hanging out with the group again, I could just move on. But I can't. I can't sit there and watch you with him every day. I won't see you again.

Victoria's heart pounded as she reread the message over and over again.

He was serious.

Panic settled in. She didn't know what to do.

Was this her fault? Had she been too blind to his pain?

Tori sat on her bed, gripping her phone tightly. Her mind raced, replaying every interaction she'd had with Grayson since she and Damon started dating.

He had been distant, quieter. He smiled less. But she had thought he was okay. She had thought they were getting back to normal.

She had been wrong.

She needed to talk to him.

She needed to fix this.

Victoria didn't sleep that night. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts a mess.

She loved spending time with Damon. She loved how easy things were with him, how he always made her feel like the most important person in the room.

But Grayson had been there from the start. He had been her safe place, her friend.

She didn't know what to do.

And for the first time in a long time, Victoria felt completely and utterly lost.