Anastasia Salvatore (Vampire Diaries fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-Three

*Elijah's POV*

As I leave Anastasia alone; I begin to worry as a hint of betrayal runs through me. What if Nicklaus doesn't show? What if he wants me to suffer by watching someone I love die in front of my eyes. I get the class of water that I had promised Ana, as I make my way back to her room. I listen carefully as I could hear her soft breathing become shaky as if she was shivering. She was still crying though it wasn't as bad. I return placing the water on the bedside table, before sitting on the edge of her bed. Her eyes open as she looks at me.

"Hi" she whispers with a surprising weak smile.

"Hi" I return the whisper.

"I've missed you" she mutters as her eyes wander my face. I was confused as to what she meant as she had only seen me moments ago. 

"I'm so sorry my father wanted you dead" she says quietly as she sits up; placing a hand on my cheek. That's when I realised, she wasn't talking to me. She was talking to who she thought was Benjamin. Another side affect to the bite; hallucination.

"I loved you" she begins crying again.

"I know..." I whisper closing my eyes for a moment.

"You were always there for me. When I thought I had no one, I had you. You made me who I am" she tells me through her sobs.

"It's my fault my father wants you dead" she suddenly hugs me tightly; her arms wrapped around my neck.

"Have you ever thought about moving on?" I ask her. She sits back, staring at me with her bloodshot eyes.

"How can I? I never got the chance" she whispers to me. A feeling of guilt rushes through me as I begin to feel bad for something I didn't have anything to do with. I feel guilty over the fact that when her first love died, she didn't have time to grieve or to move on. Stefan turned her keeping her emotions trapped inside. As soon as her emotions were switched back on, I didn't give her time to heal. I was selfish. I am selfish.

"Suffered enough?" A voice causes me to turn to see Nicklaus there is a glass of blood.

"Thank you" I say as he passes me the cup.

"Don't mention it. Ever" he mutters as he leaves.

"Drink this" I give Ana the blood as she slowly begins to drink the liquid.

"I know now... that you being with me is causing more pain" I whisper as she drinks the blood of my brother.

"I know you won't admit it but every second you're with me you're reminded of him... of that boy you once loved and never got to properly say goodbye too" I whisper as she relaxes into the pillows, dropping the empty glass onto the floor.

"How do you feel babe?" I question her.

"So much better" she breathes softly, her eyes closed as I smile.

"I know now that I've been selfish. You need time... and I'm going to give it to you..." I mutter as I place my hand on the back of her head.

"Open your eyes" I beg her as she flutters her gorgeous brown eyes open.

"You will forget you ever met me. You will forget all the times we spent together. You don't know me" I compel her as the urge to cry shakes through my body. She stares blankly at me as I remove me hand from her. She closes her eyes out of pure exhaustion as I stand from the bed.

"I love you Anastasia Lily Salvatore." I whisper before leaving the house.

*Anas POV*