This story literally just popped into my head, and I HAD to write it down. I couldn't help myself! It's just a short piece, but that's because I'm working on something a lot bigger than this – it's actually a multi-chapter story, one I intend to finish! I'm writing it all out now so that I can make sure I'll finish. Look out for my next story, Come Back To Me.

Until then, enjoy this tiny little one-shot. I wrote this very quickly, so I don't know how good it is. Still, I thought I might as well post it. Enjoy!

xXx

Game of Chess

Sometimes Stefan thinks he's just a pawn in their game of chess.

It didn't start out that way; when Elena and Stefan first met, their love was real. It was not a burning fire of passion – no, it was more the flicker of a candle. But God damn, it was real, and Stefan holds on to that thought, that memory, hoping that he can salvage something of their relationship.

But when Elena met Damon, everything changed. Invisibly, though almost immediately, Elena began to belong to Damon. Stefan feels stupid that he didn't see it in the first place.

The thing is, neither of them will admit it. Stefan's not sure which of them is more stubborn. And yet, as soon as he thinks that, he remembers his brother has changed. He's beginning to admit his feelings – everyone in the vampire world, even Klaus, seems to know that Damon is in love with his brother's girlfriend. Really, Stefan chides himself, what did he expect when he was dating an exact copy of Katherine?

Elena though... Elena is either blissfully in the dark or simply ignoring her feelings. She never admits that she loves Damon, no, she would never do that. But subconsciously, it's another story...

Like the time they were saying goodbye, when Damon and Elena were going to Duke with Alaric. Elena sent Damon a furious glance before kissing Stefan passionately, making it clear who she had chosen. Stefan couldn't help but feel guilty when he saw Damon look away, as if the pain was too much for him. But he felt another emotion, one he hid well from Elena but couldn't ignore; he felt angry. He loves Elena, but it was unfair for her to use him like that, to hurt Damon. He doesn't want a passionate kiss because she has to prove her relationship to Damon; he wants that kiss because she honestly loves him.

It's getting harder and harder to believe that.

Instead, it is more convincing to believe that he is simply a pawn, being positioned in Elena and Damon's great game of chess. A battle of wills, of emotion, to see who will give in first. Elena has Stefan, and Damon had Rose and Andie. They are waiting to see who can outdo each other; who will win.

Stefan knows who will win – no one. In the end they will both surrender, the flame of their passion overwhelming them, forcing them to roll over and beg for mercy. He is stupid really, to even fight it.

With Katherine, Stefan won. He finally realises that karmic price he will pay for that win.