Elena paced back and forth through the foyer of the boardinghouse. Her fingers created waves in her hair from running through it so much. She almost jumped when Damon finally came bolting through the doorway.
Before she could get out a word to ask him what happened, he took her up in his arms tightly and nuzzled her neck as if he couldn't get enough of her scent.
"Damon?" She asked as she pulled her face back to meet his eyes with hers. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said with a tormented face that also held happiness, if that were possible. "Nothing at all."
He pulled her against him again and kissed her. His usually warm lips were hot, and it set every nerve she had on fire. His mouth ministrations were slow, but there was a heat there that Elena hadn't seen-or felt-in a long time, if ever.
He suddenly pulled away, and his blue eyes gazed into her chocolate ones with a fierce emotion.
Damon couldn't seem to form the words, but he didn't necessarily want to, either. He wanted to express his love for her in his actions because they were always louder than words.
He wouldn't take her to his bed, though….
Especially since he'd broken his promise.
He loved her too much to take advantage, if that was even what it was.
"I love you so much, Elena," he said as he stroked her hair. "I'm so sorry. I tried to keep Amara alive long enough, but I got there too late."
"Damon," she smiled and took his hands from her face to hold them with her own, "it worked. Bonnie's back!"
"She is?" he asked as he let out a sigh of joy and dropped to his knees in front of her. "You're both here. We won."
"Of course," she smiled and knelt down with him. "Damon, please tell me what has your mind all over the place?"
Two single tears escaped from Damon's piercing blue eyes and ran down his cheeks, "Amara died in my arms, Elena."
"It's what she wanted, Damon," she said to comfort him. "It wasn't your fault."
"I know that," he said with a playful smirk as he wiped his tears away.
"Then why are you so upset?"
"Because in that moment," he began, "when I saw the light leave her eyes, for a miniscule moment, they became your eyes. Elena, it was like you were the one taking your last breath as I held you. She looked so innocent, so helpless, but so peaceful at the same time, and it did something to me. Elena, if that ever happened, I wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Well, it wasn't me," she said as she cradled his head to her neck. "You don't ever have to worry about that, Damon. You're mine, so don't ever think you're going to lose me."
Damon couldn't help but collapse and kiss her. What was he thinking? Of course he'd make love to her because he loved her.
Also, because it wasn't Elena who died in his arms. She was right here…alive and in all of her beauty. They had forever, and he'd make the most of it.