"Do you?" His question hung in the air, lingering between us. His voice was full of vulnerability but his eyes contained something else entirely: hopefulness. He had left himself wide open and we both knew it. I had almost forgotten this side of him existed, hidden beneath the snarky comments, sarcasm and anger. I hadn't seen him like this since the night he told me he loved me when he thought he was going to die. Beneath his confidence and his swagger, I often forgot the most elemental truth about Damon- he was still just a man.
"I told him I don't know how I feel" I answered bluntly. I knew it was an unacceptable answer before I'd even said it and judging by his face, he wasn't buying it either. "Elena..." he said in a low tone, taking a step towards me so his face was barely inches away from mine. I looked downwards, avoiding his eyes, but his hands softly cupped my chin, tilting my face upwards towards him so that my brown eyes bore into his green. "Do you?" he asked again, patiently, pleadingly. Now it was my turn to feel vulnerable. I could feel myself trembling, and hoped desperately that he couldn't feel it too. It had been easier to deny my feelings for him with Caroline, Bonnie, even Stefan, but now, with my eyes meeting his, I knew I couldn't lie to him. Not anymore. "Yes" I said, with a shaky voice. "I do".
A rush of emotion swept over his face, but I wasn't finished yet. "But I'm confused Damon", I quickly added. "I still love Stefan...but I can't deny that there's nothing between us because there is. I just...I need time to figure things out". I studied his face for his reaction, for disappointment, but to my surprise, his eyes were full of understanding. He nodded and when he spoke, it was in a gentle whisper. "I get it Elena. Take all the time you need."
I nodded, acknowledging his words, and turned away to leave but before I did, he spoke again for the last time, leaving me with parting words that took my breath away.
"Elena, I will wait for you...forever."