"You know that's not going to work, right?" Damon said with a smirk. Elena glared at him from across the room.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Elena replied. For the last 20 minutes, Elena had been trying to open a drawer from an old cabinet that Stefan found earlier that day. It was so stuck that even with the added strength of a vampire, it would not open. The drawer was not important, but with Katherine dead, there wasn't anything better to do than to look through old journals scattered throughout the house. The one in the drawer was supposed to be Damon and Stefan's father's journals.
"It's not about how much force you put into it, it's about finding the right spot to pull at." Damon said while walking towards Elena. Damon stepped behind her and lifted the drawer slightly up, then pulled. With minimal struggle, the drawer finally pulled loose. Damon didn't move, but rather stayed behind Elena. Not because when her body touched his it felt like electricity was slowly climbing up his body, but more because simply being in her presence was comforting. Elena's breaths gradually became heavier and less sturdy. A shiver went up Damon's spine as her moved all of Elena's hair to her back. Elena turned her head to find Damon with a black felt box. "Even though we aren't together anymore, I kind of bought you an anniversary present." Damon said sheepishly. Elena softened her expression, showing slight confusion. Before she could reply, Damon said "I know that it's weird, but I thought that you might like to have it." Damon turned Elena's back to face him and and took a beautiful necklace out of the box. He slowly lifted the chain to her neck and closed the clasps. Elena slowly turned to face Damon. Her eyes studied features. His strong jaw, his sharp smile, and his messy hair.
"Thank you, Damon," Elena said with a hint of sadness. Damon looked down quickly, then up again. The silence grew, creating some awkwardness. "Do you really not want to see me?"
"Elena, I desperately want to see you. I feel as though I will die if I don't see you," he responded.
"You can still see me, Damon, you know that," Elena replied.
"That's just it, Elena! I can't see you! It hurts too much! Every time I look at you, it's as if I'm being shot! Knowing that you are in my grasp, but I just can't reach you, is killing me," Damon replied fiercely. Damon pushed his hand through his hair and looked directly into Elena's eyes. "I just want you to know, that if we're together or not, I'll always be in love with you." Elena smiled, because that was all she could do. She wanted to do so much more, it hurt.
"Damon, you know that I love you, right?" Elena replied. She looked into his blue eyes, seeking an answer. Seeking an understanding. Elena wanted him to know that even though they could not be a couple, they would always be together. They would always be in love, and they'd always be there for each other. He looked down as if to avoid saying anything back, but Damon knew how he wanted to respond. He loved the way she made him feel, but he hated it at the same time. Damon was usually so confident, so sure of himself. Elena made him feel like a shy kitten. He was not at a loss for words, but at a loss for confidence. Damon would never be short of love for Elena.
He finally spoke, "I know."