I don't understand it. I will never understand it, I decide, even with millennia to try and reason it out.

I was a man of action, and vampiredom only magnified the trait. Even when I am still, my stillness is an action. There is purpose and intent behind it.

And so it is with her. Elena is not one to dream aimlessly. She takes what she wants with ruthless abandon, which is something I've always admired about her. Yet, she has chosen to spend an eternity with my brother. She is a falcon on the wing, but she pretends to be a dove of peace.

It takes all my concentration to keep my frustration from showing through as I make my way to the cathedral. I hear the whispers of a group of school girls trailing behind me as they chatter excitedly about the handsome, wealthily-dressed boy walking ahead. The girls are beautiful, tender, and young; I could have any of them, but the one I want will be forever out of my reach in an hour's time.

I watch Stefan watching me while we wait in the library, though I feign interest in some ancient book. I probably should have read it when I was a student, but I didn't care for it any more then than I do now. The book is dusty and heavy, and probably worth a small fortune, but it could be a tabloid newspaper for all I care.

A better hunter than my brother would see past my charade, but of all the things I've called Stefan over the centuries, a skilled predator is not one of them. He's a terrible excuse for a vampire, but I suppose he'll make a fair enough husband. Assuming, a wife were interested in a lifetime of boredom and predictability, that is. I can't see how it will satisfy Elena.

Perhaps, she will change her mind in the eleventh hour. In my mind, I see her, turning to me, the desperation in her eyes confirming what I already know. That she loves Stefan, but she also loves me, and she cannot say the words that will keep us apart. The balcony she chose is high, but I could still carry her from it, if she gave the sign.

I want it with every fiber of my being, but I know that Elena will not change her mind. That one thing, I understand all too well. I'm not here to be her savior. All I can do is smile and offer my support.

If the situation were reversed, I wonder if Stefan would be as gallant.

After longs minutes of watching my brother unnoticed, the cathedral's bell tolls the hour, and I snap the book shut. I want to strangle him in frustration, and after centuries of doing exactly as I please, my hand reaches forward of its own volition.

Elena, I remind myself, will be angry if you do that.

I smoothly change the motion to dust at his lapels, "Look at you, covered in dust." I speak to Stefan as though the last four centuries hadn't made enemies of us, as though Katherine hadn't wrecked our lives.

Impulsively, I kiss him each cheek, a gesture of affection that is not often used in the modern world, and I am surprised when he embraces me in return.

Slowly, we make our way up of flight after flight of stairs. I follow Stefan's lead, but it seems reasonable to me that he wouldn't want to rush through even the boring parts of the day. A quick glance at my watch assures me there is plenty of time.

On the balcony, Stefan leans across the balustrade, surveying the view. I notice when he clutches his trembling hands before him, in an attempt to hide his nervousness, and I smile at the thought that maybe a fraction of his nerves are at the thought that Elena might yet come to her senses.

Then, I see her. In that moment, our eyes meet, and I see everything I need to see. I inhale sharply at the emotion in our locked gazes, then my brother turns to see what I've already spotted.

And the world stops.

The look between us was enough to make me want to carry her away, but it was pale and weak next to the look she and Stefan share. That look ignites the air around them, and the weight of it is nearly crushing.

I understand. Light burn me, but I do.

So, I step forward, and offer her my arm, which she takes with a smile. I may not have a traditional tie to Elena to give away, but as I put her hand in Stefan's, I lay down my claim to whichever part of her heart I may have held.

The words are spoken, and I look again to my watch. "Perfect." I say, just a half second before every bell in the city begins pealing. It took more than a little doing, this gift of mine. Some people were happy to help; we Italians have always been a bunch of romantic fools. Some people had been bribed, others I'd had to use the Power to convince, but every single bell was ringing.

Elena and Stefan turn to me, their smiles questioning. I raise an eyebrow, and lounge against the railing. What do they want from me, hugs and kisses? Smiles and proclamations? I'm happy for them, but my touchy-feely quota for the decade's been met.

Then, I figure, why the hell not? It's not like this day will come twice, so I shake Stefan's hand in congratulations and ask him if I may kiss my new sister.

Sister. That'll take some getting used to, I think with a pang of regret. But, then, Elena reaches for me with the hand Stefan doesn't hold, and a feeling of peace creeps over me as the night envelops my family.

A/N:

Thanks for reading. I got several messages from people who were interested in more of this little ficlet, and today just seemed like a good day for it. The finished version of this is a lot shorter than the rough draft. What can I say? Damon just isn't as wordy as Stefan. I weeded about fifteen percent of it out to make it sound more like him, and still think I was a little pen-happy.

This one I very well may make some changes to over the next few days, but I wanted to publish it now. Otherwise, I'd have kept second-guessing myself and never done it.

If you have just a minute, I'd love to hear (well, read) your thoughts. Reviews are food, oxygen, and cookies for writers, you know. ^-^

Edited to add: Apologies to those who are waiting for the next chapter. I wrote "Bonnie" last week, but have actually managed to lose the file, so now I have to start over. I believe I will have it posted before year's end, though. Also, I fixed a very important typo in this chapter; I wonder if anybody will catch it?