A small drabble about Stefan's thoughts when he sees the kiss between Damon/Elena at the end of 3x10.
It is not a surprise, really. Stefan has been expecting it for a while now. Strangely enough, it hurts him. But not so much. Just a little. Just enough to make him realize that there's a part of him that still cares. It's for the best, he thinks. She made it pretty clear that she wouldn't wait for him forever. At first, he thought that was just a way to make him come back. That she would in fact fight for him. But he was wrong. She had said the truth. And here he is, watching her melting into the kiss his own brother was giving her.
"I won't love a ghost for the rest of my life."
She's moved on pretty quickly, indeed. Stefan can't help the bitterness that fills his mind. That's what you get for wanting to protect the people you love. That's why a real hero is always a loner. He never considered himself as a hero; but Lexi always did.
"You're a real hero, Stefan, whether you like it or not."
He fights the urge to leave his hidden spot in the shadow of the trees in front of the Gilbert's house and to confront them. That would not end well. Instead, he decides to turn around and go away. If Elena wants to be with Damon, then so be it. At least he knows that his brother will protect her with his life, just like he did.
The shadows. That's his world now. He no longer tries to fight the darkness within him, he embraces it. Elena gives up on him ? Fine. Another person he doesn't have to care about now. After all, he still has Katherine, somewhere. She's the one who stole the coffins for him. She's saved his life plenty of times, just like he saved Damon's.
In the end, Stefan thinks as he walks away silently, Katherine is the real hero in this one.
Did you like the episode ? I really think we need more Stefan, more bad Stefan ! And give Paul Wesley some more screentime, for f*ck's sake !
OTH-FOQ