Xenia Pierce of 1850 (Vampire Diaries)

Sacrifice

"Damon, hush... hush..."

"Xenia..."

I shook my head at him, amused to find such a large, strong, brave man being cradled, crying at the same time. I almost found it hilarious. Except for the fact that he was in pain.

I stroked his hair gently as he bled, his lips, his face, and his strong muscular chest. He stared up at me. "How can you still love me?" He groaned, the pain kicking in. "I... I've been so terrible to you..."

Even though I was crying, I looked down at him and smiled. "No, you haven't. You let me find love, didn't you? Isn't that what matters?" I tuck his silky black locks behind his ear, and he weakly does the same for me.

His wounds are beginning to heal, but it is only a matter of time before Klaus comes to fetch for someone. And then everything will happen all over again.

"What are you going to do now?"

I put on a courageous smile. "I'll do what I have to do."

"No-- Xenia-- he's not worth it--" he groaned again, clutching his side.

"He needs a doppelganger. I'm a doppelganger. It's that simple."

"No, it's not."

He holds my face in his hands, and I see sadness pooled in his eyes. "What about me?"

I gently pull his hands away from my cheeks. There is an aching in my chest, but I do it anyway. "You love Elena, not me, Damon. I'm the sacrifice. And I'll do it willingly-- for you."

A tear rolls down his face.

"For you to be happy."

I'm crying now, two constant streams coming out of my eyes. He cries along, but I'm the braver one, so I kiss him on the forehead, close his eyes, and leave the room.

To Klaus.

For my sweet, sweet Damon to be in love with another girl. The one he's destined to be with.

But I still cry, because that girl is not me.