This is...depressing. Uh, the song is Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones.

I don't own The Vampire Diaries or the song

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black

With flowers and my love both never to come back

I see people turn their heads and quickly look away

Like a newborn baby it just happens every day

I look inside myself and see my heart is black

I see my red door and must have it painted black

Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts

It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black

He watches from the roof. They don't know he's there. He's made sure of that, even though Stefan is looking for him, he's sure of that too. Stefan, who is already in his black suit even though it won't start for another hour or so. Elena's there too, dressed in her black dress. She's crying, resting her head on Stefan's shoulder. He can see her shoulders shaking with the force of her sobs. He can see the way she's clutching the front of Stefan's shirt. Caroline's standing not far away, all decked out in black and crying as well.

He's wearing it too. His whole wardrobe is filled with black. He's always thought it was appropriate for what he is. Now, today, it's never been more so.

He hasn't cried. He doesn't think he has the ability anymore. He's pretty sure he lost it when she fell. He's been heading towards this place, he figures, since returning to Mystic Falls. Seeing her fall would be the last he suffers. It's mind numbing. He's so exhausted. He can't take the looks on their faces whenever they turn in his direction. He can't take the pity in his brother's eyes or the way Elena wants to cling to him, wants him to share in the grief that she feels.

He can't do any of it. All he sees is her fall. It's the same in his head as it was in reality. It's quick, allowing no time for speech or for attempts at being the savior. He's never been too good at that role. He can still see that moment, that brief flash of surprise in her eyes before she falls and takes everything in him with her. Like punching her fist through his chest as she's going down. He feels it every time he sees it.

He doesn't have anything left to do. He's already literally ripped the hearts out of the ones who caused the fall. He doesn't have it in him for anything else. He remembers wanting to die once before. Nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, he remembers it. He remembers thinking Katherine was dead and telling his brother that he had chosen to die rather than change. Stefan had taken that decision from him then. In fact, Stefan has done that twice but he won't be able to now.

He twists the ring still on his finger and stares at his brother. Stefan is the only one he has left, with her gone. Maybe it's a selfish decision, like Stefan's decision to force him to turn, but he's been a selfish creature for nearly the entirety of his existence and he doesn't feel the guilt he should. Elena and possibly Caroline will hate him for it. He doesn't think Stefan will. He's pretty sure Stefan knows. Stefan does, after all, know him better than anyone.

Taking the ring off is easy and he rolls it in his fingers a moment. The burn doesn't start, won't until he takes the final step and drops it. There's nothing left to do. He's said his goodbyes. To her, to his brother. Finally, after everything that's happened since returning to Mystic Falls, he's reached his breaking point. He wonders a moment, after everything that has happened, why he didn't see it coming.

When he finally lets the ring drop, he feels the pain but all he sees is her and all he hears is her voice.