He is standing by the window, staring at the night sky. She can see the brilliant light of the moon illuminating his face. His face, the perfect sketch of an angel with gray eyes and pale skin, has a dark kind of beauty that still shocked her. A monster, a beautiful monster, always there and protecting her. She wondered now what was hidden beneath that calm mask.

"Elena, I know you're attracted by my immense perfection, but what do you really want?"

He turned to face her. She was surprised, although of course, she knew that she shouldn't be. She felt irritated. She can't fully grasp how this guy can be such an asshole at this kind of situation.

"Damon, I heard about the bite."

"Oh come on, I don't need your concern. It's a werewolf bite. The next thing you know, I'm off to meet God or Satan, whoever is there on the other side. Heaven. Hell. Whatever," he said, rolling his eyes. He said this with so much nonchalance that Elena wondered if he really is prepared to die.

She lingered with the thought for a moment but stopped. She hated this guy. He almost caused her to become a vampire and killed a lot of people. He wanted Klaus dead, so much that he never cared if Bonnie died in the process. How can she feel sorry for what happened to him? The thought that he might die soon pained her. It's as if something was crushing her heart, a feeling that surprised her. Is he even worthy of all this emotions she felt for him?

"Damon, I.."

"What? You don't want that to happen? I'll be alright and you'll find a cure? Please don't waste your time. You saw what happened to Rose. Bitten, then a couple of days hallucination. More crazy stuff for a few days and poof. This will be over soon, so go look for my brother and celebrate you're back-to-human experience."

"Damon please don't do this. You know that we want to help you. We don't want to lose you."

Did she just say that? Why on earth is she saying things like this? She was mad at Damon. Angry about everything he impulsively do. But deep in her heart, it's the truth. She can never forgive herself if Damon died. She was part of the reason why he's suffering. He did everything he can because he wanted to protect her. But she can't understand why.

"Elena, do us both a favour and just go. I know what will happen to me. I don't care. This was what I wanted the day I realized what I was becoming."

Elena took a step closer. She can see that the mask he's keeping is slowly melting away. She wanted to know the truth. She wanted to see everything he's keeping.

"No, I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want. All I know is that I have this bite and in a few days, I'll be off."

"Damon we care for you. You can't just die. After everything that happened, we don't need to grieve for another one."

"Well I don't know. I don't think there would be a lot who would mourn over my grave. In case you haven't noticed, I pissed off a lot of people here."

"That not true."

"Is it? Please Elena, I'm begging you. Just let me be. Let me spend quality time with my oh-so-awesome self."

"Why are you being like this. Stefan is worried about you. I am too."

"You. Worried? About me? Are you trying to make me laugh or is it that all this time, you've fallen for my wonderful wits and very pleasing personality?"

Elena was taken aback. Sure, she is worried and she cared for him but this topic is off limits. She knows fully well that Damon was in love with Katherine and that did not do any good. She don't want the same thing to happen again. The last thing she want is Stefan and Damon going against each other again.

"Damon," she touched his arm, "we can do this. We'll find away. Bonnie will help. This isn't over yet."

Damon took her hands and pulled them to his face. This wasn't a good idea, Elena thought. But his face, it was so sad all of a sudden that she can't seem to look away.

"Elena. I don't want you to be hurting again but there's nothing we can do. It's too late for me. Deep inside, you know that."

Elena did not want to admit, but it was true. Damon had been close to her. She even considered him his friend. She never wanted him to die despite his actions.

"I can't. I.."

"Shh."

Damon pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. She was supposed to pull away. She can hear her mind screaming that this was all wrong and that she needed to step back but her body won't just listen. Her heart was pounding too much. Is it possible that she love Damon? She son't understand why she's feeling all this. Not now. Not after everything she and Stefan had been through.

She felt Damon pulling away. He was looking intensely at her that she could hear herself breathing hard. Damon was leaning down towards her. He was about to kiss her.

"Damon don't.."

"Please Elena. Just this once."

There was so much pain in his voice as he uttered those words. Elena closed her eyes and let him. His lips felt so soft and gentle. She kissed him back. It was slow and passionate. She felt a sudden burst of emotion as the kiss hardened. She never felt like this. It was strange. She knew that what she was doing would hurt Stefan, but she can't help but feel that this was right, perfect.

"Elena, I love you. I have loved you for so long. I know you can't love me back because I am a monster. A repulsive monster that caused you so much pain."

And then she saw the tears in his eyes. Those perfect eyes was now drenched in tears.

"I never wanted any of this. I tried to be different, I wanted to protect you. But then all I did was to make you suffer. I cannot forgive myself. I don't know why I'm letting myself feel this. I can shut it off but I don't. I'm so sorry for everything Elena. I never wanted to see you cry."

"Damon. Please don't."

"I know you hate me, especially now after what I just did. I just can't hide it anymore. It's too much for me. I love you so much but I can never have you. I know that it's Stefan you want. It hurts me but I can't do anything. I'm sorry for all of this."

"Damon.."

"What? You think I'm a fool? You pity me now?"

"No."

"Please just go. I don't know what I might do. The bite makes me hallucinate and do more stupid things. So please keep away from me. I don't need you to get hurt anymore."

"I love you too, Damon."

"What?"

"I said, I love you too. I don't know why and when this happened but I am certain now. I love you."

"Shut up. If this is your way of luring me into looking for a cure then, just stop. I told you, I don't want your help."

"I'm not Damon. What I said is true."

"You're getting better at lying to my face Elena. Got a little help for Katherine, I suppose?"

"This is not an act Damon. I really love you."

"Please tell me you're not taking drugs Elena."

"Damon, stop. I know I'm stupid for doing this but I can't really force myself to pretend anymore." And with that, she took his face and kissed him. He was shocked at first, thinking that it's was not really happening. This must be because of the werewolf bite. He's already hallucinating, imagining things. But her lips, it felt so real against his. It was so soft and full. He responded to the kiss, not caring if all this was just a dream. He pulled her face closer as if he wanted all of her.

"Please don't tell me this is a dream. Or if this was, then maybe getting bitten by a werewolf isn't that bad."

"This is real Damon," Elena said.

"I love you. It's wrong, but I do."

At those words, he relaxed. He can die now. But he won't. Not now that he has every reason to live. He will hold on for a little longer. He would try. Even at the last minute. It would be worth a try.

"Let's find Bonnie, I need a nasty little witch trick to keep me alive."

Elena smiled. She don't know how she's going to explain this, especially to Stefan. It would be difficult. But now, all that mattered is Damon. She will do everything to keep him alive. It's her turn to protect him.

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. It's my first time to write a fanfic, so please be kind to me. :)

Please do review. I want to know if you like it enough for me to write a sequel or something of that sort.

I am planning to write after watching the season finale.
Sorry if it takes me that long.
I just want to see if something happen during the last episode.
Don't worry, I have things in mind. :)