Previously

"Stefan, what are you doing?"

"You will stand here and don't make a move until I tell you what to do. We'll play little game, 'Lena..."

"...I want you to know that I'm doing him a favor, you know Elena.. I just can't see him in so much pain"

"What I want is for you to stay away from him and for Damon to continue his life..."

"I care for her, Stefan, why you sound like a jealous boyfriend?"

"I know you love her too, Damon, and I want you leave this town if you want to see her happy.."

Stefan

I decided to take a walk back to the boarding house, it gave me time to think about everything. My hands were still trembling since I left the hospital but I did a good job for threatening Elena, thought it wasn't my intention, still, I did it.

I still can't believe that Elena would do anything, anything, to save my brother, even if she had to be with me, a true monster, just to save his life.

It hurt knowing that Elena chose him instead of me, her boyfriend, her lover. I realized that I was far from perfect but I'd do anything to make her happy. Never in my undead life that I've wasted her, I was the one who always loved her unconditionally...but apart of everything, I can't never change the fact that I was a vampire, a monster who never stop craving for blood. I had wished I could turn back the time. I had wished that we'd met in different occasion where there was just me and Elena.

Sometimes, I had wished that my brother never existed but I can't change the fact that I was the one who forced him to turn. Yes, I admitted I was selfish, I didn't want to be alone but I just needed my brother. Back in our lives as human, he was the one who never stop caring for me after mother had passed away but then he'd changed. He lost his humanity, he spent his whole life to find a way to free Katherine. He didn't even care if it take everything to bring her back, he just wanted her back.

I'd seen enough proof of his cruelty, killing without remorse while I spent my life to control it which eventually made me weak and easy to be defeated, but there was always be Damon who came up to save me. I know he always save me, maybe it was his nature but it was also the greatest weakness of a vampire. Katherine was right, no matter how easy to turn it off, it'll always find away to back in and sometimes I let it in.

I was standing in front the mirror, looking at my reflection. I looked exhausted, my hair was messy and there was dark circle under my eyes.

The fact that Elena might have developed feeling for Damon was bothering me, I can't just sit here and enjoy the show.

No, Stefan, you did a good job, you do things that you should do. Keep Elena with you if you want her for eternity.

How? by threatening her like I just did? She was freaking out!

Yes, that was the only way to keep her with you. Remember Stefan, no remorse, that's what you are, who you are, never forget that!

I can't, Elena will hate me forever, forever, she'd dismiss me and my brother will hate me, he's the only family I have.

Your brother is nothing but a burden, Stefan, his existence is a mistake, he shouldn't even exist. You hate him, Stefan, he stole Katherine from you and now he just let the history repeat itself. He promised you eternity of misery, don't forget that.

No, he was so good to me, he's never really hurt me...and Elena..I love her but she..with my brother...ugh!

You're being weak, Stefan, it's up to you now. You want to keep her or let her go, it's on your hand now..

Italy, 1853

"Stefan, you have to go back! Do not follow me!" he had to stop to tell his little brother who had not been tired of following him.

Stefan only shook his head, his hand clutched to Damon's coat, unwilling to let his brother go.

Damon knelled in front of him, trying to explain to his little brother. "It's cold outside, you have to stay in the house. I'll be fine, I promise"

"but it's snowing out there, you can't go outside. I will be with you, you don't have to be alone.."

He gripped Stefan's arms firmly. "No, Stefan, you can't come with me.."

"Why?"

"Because your brother is being punished, Stefan, now go to your room" the third person joined the party with deep dreadful voice.

Stefan can do nothing but obeyed his father and Damon threw hatred look to him before he walked out.

2 hours later...

Damon was crouching on the corner of the warehouse that Giuseppe built outside of the house. It can't really protect someone from cold, his palms clutched tightly to keep them warm but it was no different. The punishment will be end by the evening, he just needed to hold on for few hour but his stomach was already growling.

He missed the lunch and he lost of track of the time. He can only hear the sound of the wild wind and the snow wouldn't stop in anytime soon. Damon know that it was useless if he keep thinking about the worst condition of himself, so he think about something else, but what should he think of?

food? his mother? he had no idea what to do, his brain started to frozen and he let himself rest.

"Damon.. wake up, Damon" he opened his eyes only to see who had disturbed him.

"Stefan? What are you doing here?"

"I brought you some breads, you have to eat"

He looked over to Stefan, waiting for agreement and without hesitant Damon took the breads and ate them greedily. There was no doubt that he was starving but Stefan only watched his brother.

"What?" Damon questioned him when he noticed.

"You must be so hungry"

"Well, I missed my breakfast and lunch and I don't know what time it is now, I think I'm pretty starving"

Stefan only smiled and he continued to eat.

"Thanks, Stef.. but you should come back inside before father notice that you're missing"

His little brother moved closer to him and wrapped his arms around Damon.

Damon was surprised, he was too confused but he returned the gesture.

"I want to be here, I have no friend to keep me company" Stefan looked up to meet his brother's eyes and asked him for agreement. "You're the only friend I have in here and you're my brother, please.." Stefan gave him a puppy dog eye look which was so not possible for Damon to deny but this was different occasion. He wouldn't let his little brother get sick for being too long outside.

Damon was at war with himself, in fact he wanted his brother to come back because Giuseppe would punish him when he find out about this and most importantly it was so cold in here, Stefan just can't be here, he needed to be somewhere warm or he would end up with fever. On the other hand, Stefan was true, he had no friend since they their house was almost 1 mil away from another house and he needed a company, they both needed a company from each other.

Decision had been taken and Damon let his brother stay there, hoping that Giuseppe won't notice Stefan's absence.

They spent the next hour by playing some games and Damon told him about their mother since Stefan had no clue of her.

Their eyes grew heavier each time passed and Stefan was already laying beside him. His lips were blue.

"Stefan, don't fall asleep, wake up!"

He was thankful that Stefan was okay. Damon gave him some bread to keep him awake.

"Don't fall asleep or I have to ask you come back home, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Here, put this on" Damon took off his coat and wrapped it around his brother.

He can survive with his long sleeve, he just needed to hold for another minutes, he thought.

Stefan didn't protest, he needed to be warm but he didn't want to be alone so he stayed.

The snow was getting heavier and now Damon didn't have his coat to keep him warm, so he snuggled closer to Stefan who seemed sleeping.

"Stefan, are you awake?"

His eyes fluttered open and he nodded.

Stefan was fine and that was enough for him. "Good, it will be over soon" he told him, well, he actually convinced himself.

Stefan extended his arms and wrapped them around Damon.

"It'll be over soon, you will be okay, Stef.." he whispered again to assure his brother.

Another hour passed, he looked down at his brother and touch his rosy cheek. Stefan stirred and it relieved him to know that he respond.

He can't feel his legs and his teeth was chattering now but his mind keep telling him that it'd be over soon, he just needed to think about good things to keep him survive.

Last time he checked, Stefan was still alive but now he had to keep himself conscious. He know if he let himself sleep, he might not wake up again so he think about his mother. Her beautiful smile, her laugh, everything about his mother. There was a vivid memory when Isabella taught him riding horse, she sat behind him. It was fun and he won't forget that. And then when they spent Christmas, Damon was 5 year old. It was also snowing outside but he felt safe, he felt warm as Isabella took him in her lap and tell him story. He missed her so much. Isabella was the only person that care about him, she never let him down and she was the one who calm him after father hit him. So he keep that memory with him, a memory when he felt safe and sound.

He recalled his memory when he opened Christmas present at the front of the fire, it made him warm. Isabella helped him opened them, they played together and spend the next hours to sing 'till Damon grew tired. His mother took him in her arms and began to sing. She had wonderful voice and he stopped fighting, for once, he let himself enjoy her voice.

"I love you, mother, let me be with you.."

Isabella answered him by smiling, she had the most beautiful smile and he let himself fall asleep in her arms.

2 hours later...

"Damon! Wake up! Come on, boy!" Dr. Mario Lucca was trying to bring his life back after he found no pulse.

His body was out cold, his lips turned blue. He looked like a corpse that ready to be buried.

"Stupid boy, why did you take your coat off?" he kept rubbing his palm to keep make him warm.

"Nana, please prepare warm bath for Damon"

"I'm sorry for disturbing, Dr. Lucca, but what about Stefan? He's still not waking up" Giuseppe suddenly interupped.

"Mr. Salvatore, Stefan will be fine, I've checked on him, there's nothing to worry about his condition" there was assertiveness in his tone, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone, he continued to bring Damon back.

Dr. Lucca had seen enough evidence of Mr. Salvatore's viciousness toward his eldest son, Damon. Just a moment ago, he found some bruises on his left arm and some fresh cuts on his back. He thought that maybe, just maybe, it was better if Damon to leave this world, he could have a better life than here but of course he didn't deserve that, Damon deserved better than this.

"Come on, Damon, you can fight it" he checked on his wrist where there was no pulse.

of all people, what it should have to be my brother? Why she should fall for him?

"ARRRGGHHH!"

I clenched my fist and brought it the the mirror cause it to shatter in million pieces.

Why did he always good to me? I have to hate him, I wanted to hate him, I needed to hate him!

I stood back and let myself dropped to the floor. My back was leaning against the wall and I can feel my hands started to heal.

Tears started leaked from the corner of my eyes and I let them fall freely. I didn't even notice Katherine walked inside, wrapping her arms around me firmly.

"Ssshh, it's okay, Stefan, let it all out.."

This was insane. Katherine was soothing me? I thought she could care less but I didn't know anymore. I didn't know what to think, I just needed someone to be there for me, like my brother always did to me.

"Damon.. it's time to wake up, il mio amore.."

I recognized that voice, the most beautiful voice I've ever heard in my existence.

I can feel she caressed my hair gently, trying to wake me up.

It was pass 11 pm when Elena decided to stay at the hospital. Stefan had told him that he would keep Damon safe but she wasn't sure what his plan.

It had been 2 hours since Stefan had left and now she was sitting on her chair and watched him sleep peacefully.

She extended her arm to caress his black raven hair.

"Come on, my handsome boy, wake up, it's Christmas Eve, you wouldn't miss that, would you..."

but I wanted to stay sleep, I loved hearing her voice. It'd been too long since I heard that.

He could hear she was giggling.

"Damon Romeo Salvatore, you have to wake up or you'll really regret missing this moment.."

Elena touched his cheek, and for once again, she was talking to him.

"Damon, please wake up.. I've never thought that I could miss you this much, I miss your blue eyes, I miss the way you always tease me, I miss everything about you.." Another strike of tears dropped to his hand but he still didn't wake up, instead she decided to lay down next to him, to feel him closer.

Her hand rest on his chest and she was close to him now, that was what she needed.

"You really are a sleepyhead, aren't you.. Come on, sweetheart, if you don't wake up, you'll disappoint someone.."

What was she talking about? Who was that someone?

Elena moved closer to him to kiss his eyes and she noticed his eyes started to flutter.

"Listen to me, I care about you.."

"You have lost me forever.."

"You and I, we have something, an understanding.."

Elena, I miss her voice, where are you 'Lena..?

There was a bright light hit me and I tried to open my eyes again when I heard my angel called my name and I felt home.

"Damon.."

Italic (at last part) : Damon's POV

I have to cut at that part, well, I know it's a cliff.. hang on tight in there! and I know it's been a while since the last one but I want you to know that I love you guys and I appreciate for any comments, reviews that I've got so far and mark it as story alert or fave story, thank you sooo much for that! I'm hoping that I will read more of your reviews because that's the only thing that keeps me writing.

btw, I'm not really sure of what's Damon's middle name, so I think it's pretty good to add Romeo in it, besides I love that name and it sounds match with Damon, what do you think..

XO