A/N: So this idea just popped into my head today, and I couldn't get rid of it! And this is the outcome. This is my version what could happen at the birthday. It's inspired by clips from the promo and all the stills. I hope you enjoy!

Elena was sitting on Stefan's bed, a book in front of her.

"What are you doing?" came a voice from the door. Elena jumped slightly, and looked up.

"Damon," she breathed, "I was just… looking at some old photos."

"While you're having a party downstairs," Damon reminded her.

"A party that I didn't want. You and Caroline organized it behind my back, remember?"

"You needed a party," Damon simply shrugged under Elena's glare, sitting on the bed next to her. "You need to get your mind off of… things."

"You can say his name, Damon, I'm not gonna cry."

Damon looked at her, and she suddenly felt like crying. His gaze was soft.

"I just…" she started, "I just keep hoping he'll walk through the door any minute and everything will go back to normal."

"He's not coming back," Damon said, his voice low. Elena stood up, anger boiling up in her.

"Must you always be such a pessimist? How do you know he's not coming back? Maybe he is!"

Damon stood in front of her, his gaze intense.

"He's not coming back! You need to let go."

"I'm not gonna give up on finding Stefan!" Elena snapped.

"Look, Elena," Damon's voice was softer now, and Elena felt a lump rise to her throat. He took her hands in his and guided her back to the bed. She tried not to look at their hands, and tried to feel no guilt.

"He might come back someday, but it probably won't be in your lifetime. I just don't want to see you get your hopes up and watch them fall later." Elena started to pull her hands from Damon's, but he didn't let go.

"So I'm supposed to just move on?" Damon nodded, his mouth a tight line. "And how am I supposed to do that? With you?" Her voice was rough, but her eyes reflected pain just like Damon's.

"Come," he said, pulling her up. "I've got something for you."

"Wha-"

"Ssh."

Damon guided Elena to the mirror and made her stop in front of it. He stood behind her. She frowned, but he smirked and pulled something from his pocket. Elena couldn't see what it was, but Damon lifted it up, and she could hear herself gasping quietly.

"I thought that was gone," she breathed, "Where did you find it?"

"It doesn't matter," Damon murmured, placing the old vervain locket around Elena's neck and clasping it. Elena looked at him in the mirror, and he slowly met her gaze. She could feel tears welling in her eyes, but she was also painfully aware of Damon's hands on her shoulders.

"You're always bringing this back to me," she whispered weakly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Elena turned around and met Damon's gaze. It was soft and sincere, just like it often was when he looked at her. Forcing back her tears, Elena hesitantly moved her arms around him in a hug. He smiled and, for the first time, he didn't just stand there with limp arms; he put his arms around her in return and stroked her hair. She then pulled back, and he smirked.

"Let's go downstairs?" he suggested. She nodded, and as they exited the room, Damon linked his arm through hers.

As they walked downstairs to join the party, Elena forced the best smile she could muster on her face and let Damon guide her. Everything would eventually be okay, she told herself. Damon was with her.