Forever Is Not Enough

Sharing

1865 - Mystic Falls, Virginia

The thing about sharing blood with vampires is that it's cohesive. A vampire taking blood from the same living source, the same soul, bonds them to that person, and even more so when they give their own. This isn't some oddity only displayed in vampires who become overly attached within a minute of meeting someone either. This is a hard fact every vampire can and will fall victim to.

Any human is good to feed on, no matter their taste or their looks, and a vampire proves that by going through so many in such a short time. Feed, kill, let them live - none of it matters as long as there is fresh blood making its way to the heart. It is different, however, when the same veins sustain a vampire for a long period of time. Like a child at the breast of its mother, a vampire develops deeply rooted attachments to their source of life.

Generally, this happens when a vampire falls in love. The emotions have become so strong, and love, lust, and hunger are so hard to distinguish from each other that they become the same thing. Though vampire and human relationships are rare and often short-lived, it is even rarer to come upon a couple who do not co-mingle like parasite and prey.

It is very rare that a vampire shares its blood with a human. The erotic and animalistic nature of these beasts leads them to activities such as feeding on one another, especially during sex. The elevation in mood and stimulus combined with the carnal knowledge of the other being who shares the same strength, emotional vulnerability, and euphoric pleasure drives many to treat blood sharing as a drug. With humans, though, sharing blood is a much greater risk. Those vampires who are aged and well versed in the nature of their kind know the risk of feeding a human blood. One small thing goes wrong and suddenly they risk exposure from some insignificant fledgling who can't control himself. Not only that, but blood is the last living part of a vampire. Without it, the creature is truly dead. Some instinct deep within a vampire tells them to part with it sparingly. They still do so for many different reasons. Some like to recreate the intoxication of blood sharing. There are a few who are aroused by the sight of a human enduring the high. Others, deeming themselves some sort of dark heroes, do so in order to help those in need. They will roam war camps or hospitals waiting for someone who is worth saving. Mostly, however, their blood is used to cover tracks. Those feeding on someone they don't intend to kill will return the favor in order to avoid exposure.

Damon Salvatore had a mix of these habits. When he and Elena originally left Mystic Falls, they avoided any trouble longer than one would expect. When they arrived at the inn in Grove Hill late at night, Katherine and Stefan immediately detected something wrong with Elena. Stefan couldn't even stay in the room. Though he had displayed better use of self-control in the last weeks, the sound of two heartbeats in one body proved too much for him. He promptly excused himself to find someone more appropriate to feed on.

Katherine was furious with Damon. He had taken her niece away from her home without her permission, and worse, impregnated her. In her rashness, she threw him against the fireplace, breaking his arm and leaving a significant dent in the sturdy brick. She vowed to take Elena back as soon as Stefan returned, but as they waited, she began to think about it. In this situation, everyone got what they wanted. Elena was happy, Damon could live, and more importantly Katherine would have an heir.

She briefly considered the possibility of Damon harming either Elena or the child, but quickly decided it wasn't possible. He was too soft, even as a vampire. He could protect Elena and the child, and as long as he didn't harm her while pregnant, then everyone would be happy. All she had to do was keep an eye on them both, and maybe kill Damon if he became a problem in the future.

Instead of sending Damon away, then, she decided they should relocate to the next town over in case there was a search for Elena. Reluctantly, Katherine allowed Damon and Elena to stay in their own room next to hers and Stefan's. Stefan had finally earned enough trust to get his ring, and he and Katherine spent most of their days and nights in town, looking for mischief and perhaps a bite to eat. When they returned, Katherine would anxiously go straight to Elena to ensure she was well, and she always was. Elena was forbidden to be out of her room after dark, and if Damon ever made Katherine doubt even for a moment that he couldn't control himself around her, he would be removed, so to speak.