Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries nor its characters. They belong to L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, The CW Network, and whoever else.
Note/Warning: I apparently have a very bad masochistic streak that makes me write angsty Anna stories. Oh, well. Feedback greatly appreciated! Warning - references to Beremy.
I Feel a Heartache in My Hollow Breast
There are others she could go to; places she could visit, sights to see. It wouldn't be too difficult, he's not the only hold she's tied to.
Centuries spent over there, as part of the living, it isn't as if she never made any friends.
But Anna remains by Jeremy's side. She watches him follow Bonnie around, and whispers advice he'll never hear when Luka intervenes. She lays on his bed while he draws vicious werewolves and seductive vampires.
He never hears her or sees her. He doesn't talk about her or draw her. There are moments - brief and fleeting but precious in her eyes - where he stares at the compass, finally returned to him, and his eyes grow glassy and wet.
Then he wipes them and puts the invention away.
Sometimes she sits on his bed, screaming his name. Begging him to somehow feel her, hear her - anything. Sometimes she settles in the corner, hugging her legs to her chest, while Jeremy and Bonnie flirt and smile and laugh.
Anna remembers playing video games and watching movies, and she notices that Jeremy doesn't do those things with Bonnie.
It cuts her to her core when they kiss, or when their hands seek each other's out, just to touch.
It twists her gut when she sees them fight, or when Jeremy is unhappy, no matter the reason.
He deserves to be happy; Anna tells herself that over and over and over. So when he hurts, she hurts. When he cries, she cries. When he smiles, she tries, and when he laughs, she savors the noise. He deserves to be happy.
Even if it keeps the pain of dying alive in her silent, empty chest.