Elena curls into Damon's side, relishing in the fact that he's still here. That he's the only one that can make her feel as alive as he some how does.
Elena thinks that she should fucking hate Damon, but she knows that with out a doubt she loves him more than she thought she ever could. And on top of loving him, she needs him, as much as he needs her.
She knows that Damon loves her more than he thought he was capable of. He thought he was a cold heartless monster. That all that mattered was revenge on Stefan and getting Katherine back. (And that was all true, until he got to know her.)
She knows that Damon worries that she will question her choice, that she will regret it and go running for the hills. She also knows that everyone questions her choice, but for some reason it doesn't seem to bother her.
Elena knows that no matter what Damon will never leave her side. Only if she asked him to. (That would never happen.)
As Damon holds her and tries to soothe her sobbing with loving words, at the same time he tries to hold his own tears back.
They each shed tears for those lost, those hurt. Collateral damage or not they meant something to them. To her.
Elena brought out every bit of him that he thought he had buried so deep he could never find it even if he tried.
Damon told her that loving her has made him into who he's always wanted to be, but never had the faith he could be. He knows how much she needs to hear things like that. And he also wonders if one day she will wake up and blame him for all the things she should have never forgiven but inevitably did.
Afterall, he was good at skrewing things up. He was everyones go to bad guy. Except this time they all saw it wasn't his fault. Even Bonnie and those judgy ways of hers couldn't find a way to put this on him.
He wonders why it all had to end this way, but he can't dwell on that because he has to be strong for her.
They both silently thank God that they have each other.
"Will you come to the funeral with me tomorrow?"
"You know I will."
"Damon, I can't go back to that house. Not after this."
"You can stay as long as you want. I'll get your things tomorrow. Nothing past that has to be decided anytime soon." He has this uncanny ability to always know how to take care of her, what to say when she needs to hear something. How their connection runs this deep she doesn't know, but she is beyond grateful for it.
"What about Stefan?"
"Don't even think about him. He's a big boy."
"Damon."
"I'm not saying it in a dick way. He still loves you, and he knows what you are going through. He will understand."
"I never wanted to come between the two of you like she has."
"Hey, listen to me." He tilts her chin up so their eyes meet. "You brought us together, and we are different now. I hate to break it to ya babe, but not even you could break our unbreakable brother bond now, even if he hates me at the moment." She can't help but smile at him. He was right, they were brothers, still willing to die for each other.
"I'm glad Damon, he's always needed you. He loves you just as much as you love him, even if you won't say it out loud."
"Enough about me and baby bro, lets get you to bed." She can see how tired even he as a vampire is. This whole war with Klaus wore them all out.
They take each others hand, make their way to the stairs and start to climb.
1-They find white oak.
2-They come up with a plan, and successfully take out one original.
3-Rebekah takes Damon.
4-Klaus bargains with Damon's life.
5-Killing an original takes out the whole line of vampires they created.
6-Damon and Elena go to see Jeremy.
7-Rose tells them who turned her.
8-Elena admits her feelings for Damon.
9-They bring Jeremy home with them.
10-The decade dance turns deadly.
11-Elena tells Stefan the choice she makes.
12-They kill another original.
They stop before climbing the last step and look at each other as if they knew what each other was thinking.
13-Now they deal with the ramifications of everything. Together.
They climb into Damon's ridiculously huge bed and they get as close as they can and hold onto one another, as if nothing can touch them. Because when they wake up they know what damage they have to face.
"We will survive this Elena, we always survive."
"I know."
"The worst is over. That I can promise you."
"The way it ended makes it so hard to enjoy the victory."
"One day we will. One day we will all be able to be happy without feeling guilty. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be long."
"I love you Damon."
"I know. I love you."