Author's note: Thanks for the thoughtful responses so far :) The second chapter is always harder than the first! I had some trouble getting it to be not ridiculously short (I'm an incredibly slow writer) and I'm also having a lengthy inner debate on how to handle the pov of the chapters after this one... Well without further ado, I'll leave you to the story!

Bitter Warmth

Chapter 2

Elena

What am I doing? What am I doing? The thought twitches in my mind. Incessantly. I'm nearly halfway to the tomb. This is where the main path meets the edge of the old woods. It's not the darkness of the night but the reflection of the snow that makes the familiar forest look foreign. The smidgen of warmth I managed to built up during my brisk walking pace quickly evaporates while I'm standing still.

And with it so does most of my determination. Still, I walk onwards. If only to keep myself moving.

I'm surprised I made it this far, not because of the cold. But because everyone around me has been keeping me on such a tight leash. They won't let me go near the moonstone either.

For the past week Bonnie has been dropping by so often it almost feels like before. While Caroline insists on watching romcoms at night. Even Alaric keeps hovering around the house. Though I bet he sees spending time with Jenna as a bonus.

Then there's Damon. He's been strangely absent. I've only seen him twice after our argument at the tomb. And never alone. I saw him drinking at the bar in the Mystic Grill. His back turned away from me. And at my house for five minutes while he talked to Alaric.

He left without looking at me.

The forest is an ever silent companion. The thick layer of snow insulates the immediate area like a soundproof box.

I spot one of the stone markers and turn left. The tomb is close. Most of the snow reflects the waxing quarter moon and gives me a better vision than usual at night, but knowing what secrets hide beneath these layers of earth makes me thread carefully.

I look for the hidden gap in the rocks and earth, leading downwards.

There it is.

I've gone out, it's cold and now I'm here, alone. And they are in there, together.

I stand and stare at the dark gap while my thoughts fracture and fall apart.

What am I doing? What am I doing?

Damon

She seems to move with single-minded purpose. For a short moment I pretend I'm walking with her instead of following. I wonder if she'd notice my presence either way, if she is as aware of me as I am of her.

Elena's cheeks are red, her fingers pale. She has tucked her hair into the collar of her coat. She's tougher than she looks. Knowing her she'd try to challenge Death, win - and kill herself in the process.

I did not sign up for this. I made a promise. To protect her, yes. But I'm sure the job description never said I'd actually have to pretend to be the hero. Yet here I am, chasing after Mary-Jane.

Being around Elena, knowing Stefan can't touch her, knowing I can't touch her either - not the way I want to.

It's agonizing.

A part of me - a very substantial part, doesn't understand why I'm letting this happen. With Stefan out of the picture, things should be easier. But this isn't some random girl I can just flash my eyes at - compulsion or not. This is Elena. And he's still my brother.

We're...- she's getting closer to the tomb. The snow has provided the small clearing with an immaculate blanket. Deftly hiding the traces of everything that has happened the past week.

The upper entrance to the tomb used to be nothing more than a large hole in the ground, dug out further since the numerous previous occupants escaped. Now it's inconspicuously marked with some well-placed rocks and there's a clear route down if you know where to look.

Elena obviously knows where to look. She's standing still now. Looking at the rocky hole.

And she's shaking.