DISCLAIMER:

I do not own The Vampire Diaries. If I did, Elena would be with Damon and Caroline would be with Klaus. -nods- Thank you.

Stefan said it as if he were revealing to an innocent man that they were getting the death sentence. Damon said it as if he were frustrated, but trying to be optimistic (in that "let's go get drunk" kinda way).

Elena closed her eyes. "It's been a long day."

"It's been a long year." Stefan mumbled.

She nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It has." she stretched and yawned. "I'm pretty tired…"

Damon stood. "Let me carry you upstairs."

"No, no, I can walk." she grumbled, standing with him.

Stefan stayed seated, watching the two in interest.

"Aw, c'mon Elena, I wanna help." Damon pouted.

She scowled. "I'm fine, really."

"You just transitioned from a high school teenager who was going to die somewhere in her late 80's to a high school vampire who's going to be 18 for eternity. And you're fine?" he asked, but there was a hint of amusement behind his voice.

She rolled her eyes. "Ass."

"A sexy one." he smirked.

She chuckled. "Sure, whatever makes you feel better about yourself."

"Oh, it makes me feel great about myself. I bet it makes you feel better about yourself, too." he winked.

She laughed. "Suuure."

"Ooooh, sarcasm. I'm wounded." he laughed, as well.

Stefan smiled sadly at the scene. He could already tell…as much as it saddened him…

Damon and Elena belonged together.

Damon and Elena walked upstairs together, with note from Stefan that he was going to go check on Matt.

Elena followed Damon into what she thought was the room she was staying in. She went and lied down on the bed.

After a moment, Damon cleared his throat. "Elena?"

She looked at him. "Yeah?"

"You realize that this is my room, correct?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

She blinked. "…Oh."

"But if you want to stay in here, go ahead. But you're sharing that bed with me." he smirked.

She rolled her eyes and moved to get up.

He shook his head. "I was kidding. Stay in here, if you want. No catch." he gave a small smile, but she could tell that he was still hurt from what was said earlier.

"Damon…" she mumbled, sitting up.

He sat next to her and stared at the wall.

"…" Nobody spoke. Silence rang through the room.

Elena looked at him. "Damon, I-"

He shook his head again. "You don't have to say it, I already know. 'It's Stefan. It's always going to be Stefan.'" he said with a touch of misery in his voice.

"Damon-" she tried again.

"Don't worry." he mumbled bitterly. "I'm leaving town as soon as you get accustomed to your new life."

"What?! Damon-!" she stood.

"Stefan and I made a promise. If you chose me, he'd leave town, and if you chose him, I'd leave town. You made your decision." now, he just looked sad. "So, I guess this is-"

Just to shut him up…

She kissed him.