Hello darlings! I'm glad you all seem to like this story so far and I absolutely loved reading all of your amazing reviews!

Thanks so much for the support and I hope you'll like this even though I think I'm gonna go a bit off canon from now…well I already did, but I just couldn't help adding that smut scene where I think it belonged in the show…

Okay…so here you have it! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner, but after watching the last few episodes I didn't know where to take this story and I had a hard time coming up with ideas for happy Delena moments. This one shall be a bit of a filler, just to set some things straight and maybe there are a few scenes that I thought needed to be addressed in Damon's POV!

Chapter 7: Broken promises and decisions

The day had started off great, incredibly great actually and I should've known that it was all too good to last. As Elena and I had arrived at her lake house, I found out that Dr. Shady Pants had been invited to our small gathering to help. Of course I was more than against the idea, but whoever listens to me?

There was a tense atmosphere as we had waited for Jeremy to invite Elena into the house and he surely didn't make it a warm welcome for Elena. He had tried to stake her the moment she was next to him, which, obviously, made me seriously doubt the decision to even have Elena near him.

Sure, he was her baby brother and she loved him and all that fluffy stuff, but he was not himself right now and I really didn't want to know how Elena felt about all that. Her feelings were already all over the place with her heightened vampire emotions and all and she didn't need any more drama and angst in her very complicated life.

Things had gone from bad to worse when my baby bro decided to check in on me. I told him that I would break up with Elena, that I would let her go and, instead I simply got her in my bed again and fucked her senseless. And when he asked me how it had gone, I just played it coy and told him that it hadn't gone well…

That stupid phone call had made the guilt spread through my like wildfire but I couldn't say that I regretted it.

Elena had really put all her faith into Bonnie and Shane's idea of reprogramming Jeremy's mind which turned out totally wrong. Elena had been crushed by the outcome of their first session and now here she was, sitting down on the wooden dock.

I didn't know exactly what to do to cheer her up, but at least I could try to distract her even for a bit. So I grabbed a bottle of booze and headed towards her, already thinking that I have no idea how to actually make her feel better. It's not like I had that much experience at comforting people especially when it came to brother problems, but I knew I needed to give it a shot…for her.

"You're not allowed to feel this sorry for yourself unless you're sitting on a barstool. Fortunately…I travel with the bar." I smirked at her as I stood down next to her, handing her the bottle of strong alcohol. It seemed like my charm hadn't actually worked on her because Elena was still looking down and she didn't even take the bottle.

"It didn't work…" She started, looking out onto the water as I assumed she kept replaying Jeremy's words in her mind. It had to have been really hurtful and Elena didn't deserve that. I knew that she had always been a great big sister and had taken care of Jeremy…even making tough decisions to keep him safe.

In a way she and I were so similar, both playing the older sibling role and taking decisions that were difficult in order to keep the younger brother safe. I had been always looking out for Stefan even when he thought I was halfway around the world. And Elena was the same, looking out for little Gilbert even now that he had a killer instinct.

I tried to comfort her, telling her that we'll find another way and that we were not going to give up until we'd solve the problem because I really believed that. She simply smiled and leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, afraid that all of this will end soon.

She was still sired to me and I didn't know if I could live with that. Especially now that Stefan had practically ordered me to let her go, I was constantly wondering if all of this was real. And Elena was constantly making it more difficult to stay away.

At least for now I decided to push those thoughts out of my mind and focus on the task at hand: find a solution to Jeremy's problem. Seemingly that was not so hard to manage and the witch and her meditating professor had figured out that little Gilbert could take a detour on his killer instinct if he attached his warm and fuzzy feelings to Elena. Well…'surprisingly' that hadn't actually worked and Elena kept sulking around.

"You know…maybe you can find someone else to attach you warm and fuzzy feelings to." I told them, knowing perfectly well that I was referring to Bonnie and apparently I wasn't that specific so…

"Gee…I wonder who that could be" I rolled my eyes exaggeratedly and made it more than obvious that I was talking about Bonnie. Jeremy had this grin on his face as he and the other two promised to get to work on that connection right away. I simply went out to Elena.

Seeing her like that made me want to try to comfort her, but I found her on the dock with the shady professor so I just had to go all menacing again. I wanted to know what this guy really wanted and why he was acting so mysterious. I might've gone overboard just a little bit by threatening him with an old axe, but hey…it made him talk…

He told me and Elena that he knew where the cure was because he had been there, he told us the story about this Silas immortal guy who supposedly was the most powerful being on the earth and he was buried with the cure. Shane even pulled out a nice little rock to convince us that it was some kind of key to the cure and that the hunter's mark was a map and a witch would need to figure out a spell from the marks.

It was now the third time that I've threatened to kill him as he so kindly pointed out and he claimed that the knowledge of the location of the cure was his only leverage. And to be perfectly honest…it really was. I didn't like this Shane guy, not one bit and I still thought he was the one responsible for the fire at the Young farm.

Of course, Elena had to be more trusting than ever and, not having an alternative I had to let the poor professor live. For now. At least he seemed useful with the witch's magic. Bonnie had actually managed to help Jeremy control his urges to kill Elena and finally she could go hug her little brother.

The reunion was touching and I had to admit that there was something about watching that that made me feel sad because I knew that Stefan and I didn't really have what the Gilberts had. Not anymore.

That brought back memories from when we were kids and when there was no vampire drama and no Katherine. I always loved my little brother and I looked out for him, taking care of him after our mother died even though I was suffering from her loss, too. I stood up to father because I couldn't stand seeing Stefan hurt and I always took the blame for every stupid thing he did, which led to me being beaten by Giuseppe.

Stefan was little and I didn't want him to know what it was to have your own father despise you. Even as we grew up, I was the one that went to war being forced by father, while Stefan was the perfect daddy's boy and got to handle business back home. Still, I wasn't jealous at Stefan and I'd do it all over again for him because he is my little brother.

Yeah…the melancholy took over me as I stood outside, a glass of bourbon in hand and I watched as Elena, Jeremy and Bonnie were rummaging through a big box filled with old Christmas decorations and memories. I liked seeing Elena like this…smiling and talking about better times, when her parents were alive and when there was no vampire drama.

Now, if she wanted a normal, human life, we'd have to get her the cure. I couldn't say that I wanted her to turn back, but I knew that it was for the best and that she never wanted to be a vampire in the first place. I wondered what would happen once she'd take the cure and go back to her old life…with the sire bond broken. Would she still be with me? Or would she hate me even more for taking advantage of her…and not only once, but three times now…

I couldn't help but think about that even though she had told me in the morning that she wanted this, I just couldn't stop thinking about what Stefan said. I promised him I'd let her go and still, she was here with me and I was the coward that couldn't do the right thing.

I really did try to let her go, I just didn't want to. I wanted to be selfish for once and simply make her happy because she seemed happy with me, like that. But I probably let thing go too far and I was the only one to blame for that and so I should do the right thing even if it meant losing the woman I love.

I kept watching her as she looked up at me and motioned for me to go inside and join them, but I knew that once I'd have to talk to her I'd have to set her free.

I saw as she snatched a piece of old mistletoe and stood up, walking over towards me. I wished I had more time to watch her before I'd have to talk to her, but this was the opportunity and I needed to do it. I couldn't feel guilty about it anymore and I knew I was being unfair to her and selfish and it had to stop.

Her bright smile would be forever etched onto my brain as she finally stepped out and stopped right next to me. I had to take a deep breath and mentally brace myself for the inevitable separation.

"With all the drama you're missing the actual fun part…" Elena smiled, holding the mistletoe over our heads as she looked at me, her sweet expression making me smile a bit, knowing that I have missed touching her, but that I couldn't do that anymore.

"Elena…we can't. I can't…" Her smile faltered and I shook my head, looking down, not being able to see the disappointment that invaded her beautiful features. The conflicting emotions within me were driving me insane already.

"Damon, you can't keep telling me that this isn't real. I know how I feel and that you feel it too so stop fighting it!" Elena went on, her tone turning her demand into a plea and I didn't know what I was supposed to do now so I decided to deflect. I was good at that, avoiding the problem at hand as I looked back to where Bonnie was with Jeremy and pictured her back there, smiling.

"It's good to see you like that…all normal with your brother. I want that again for you. Christmas was always mine and Stefan's favourite holiday when we were kids. Not that I've celebrated it since. Kinda miss that..." I admitted, knowing that at least I was still honest with her and I could share these kind of things with her and that even though I wanted that for her, I still liked her just like this, too. I didn't really care that she was a vampire or a human, but the stupid sire bond ruined it all.

I would've loved to take her to feed like we did back at the frat party. Still, it would've been good to know for sure that she had enjoyed that and it wasn't all because she wanted to make me happy. And after witnessing how literal and strong the bond was with Charlotte, I couldn't not think about what it meant for me and Elena.

"You're thinking about how upset he'll be when he finds out that you and I are together." Elena concluded and I knew that it was wrong for me to have my heart accelerate when she said that we are 'together'.

"I've been lying to him all day!" I managed to get out, feeling the guilt nagging at me again. I was lying to Stefan and I simply didn't want us to be hiding behind his back. He deserved to at least know what a coward I was. And Elena making up excuses for my selfish behaviour wasn't helping.

"No, you were helping me with Jeremy." She stated boldly and I love her even more for standing up to me even now at least a bit...

"Point is not what I was doing; point is that I'm here with you. I was supposed to invoke the sire bond, Elena...send you away. I was supposed to do the right thing by my brother..." I continued, knowing that this was finally it. I had to do it and I had to do it now because I couldn't afford to change my mind about it.

"Which is what I'm gonna do right now..." I concluded, seeing that confusion was clouding her eyes and she looked at me questioningly.

"You're gonna go home..." I started, seeing that her eyes had widened in pure shock and it was really hard to continue, but I had to.

"What?! NO! Damon..." She looked into my eyes fearfully, her hands coming to grab my leather jacket as she pleaded with me.

"I'm going to stay here with Jeremy. I'm going to help him complete the mark. I'll teach him how to hunt. I'll protect him and we'll kill vampires without you."

"Damon, please!" Elena cried and I felt my heart cripple at her broken voice. I tried really hard to convince myself that she was pleading with me only because she wanted to take care of her brother, but the look in her chocolate eyes made my resolve crumble.

"I'm setting you free, Elena..." I didn't know if I could continue with the little speech that I had ready in my head. The utter despair that was written all across her features and disappointment made me reconsider, but it was already done and I couldn't play with her like that. It was for the best...especially with Jeremy having control issues I knew I wouldn't want Elena to be near him like that.

"Don't do this, Damon...I thought we already settled things. I love you damn it!" Elena practically yelled at me and I could feel the wetness gathering in my eyes. This morning I thought that even with all the sire bond drama we'll manage somehow, but now with the whole hunter ordeal I really didn't want to put her in danger.

"Elena..." I whispered, not being able to utter anything else as I let her words sink in. She had told me she loved me this morning when we were in bed, but I decided to blame it on the fact that we were having sex at the moment, but now there was no denying that she had said the words.

"No! Don't fucking do that! I trusted you not to use the sire bond against me and now you want to force me to leave you! I'm not going to accept that, Damon!" Elena continued, the fire in her eyes burning hotter than ever as she lashed out. I knew that what she was saying was right and I wasn't even thinking that I was betraying her trust by using the sire bond against her will.

I couldn't care less about the promise I made to Stefan. The promise I made to Elena was definitely more important and I had broken that and I felt completely stupid for not thinking that Elena would feel like that.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered brokenly, at a loss for words as I saw a tear slid down Elena's cheek and I reached out to wipe it away with my thumb. She let me do that and looked up at me again, seeing that I had come to my senses.

"We'll get through this, Damon...together. Just stop sending me away because I won't leave you!" Elena's soft voice and loving words made me crack a smile as I took her hands in mine, intertwining our fingers as I brought them to my lips and gently kissed her knuckles.

"I love you, Elena...I promised I wouldn't leave you and I won't." I concluded, seeing that her smile had returned and the glimmer of hope in her eyes shined brighter than ever before. She was happy and that was enough for me for now.

I leaned closer, closing the distance between our lips as I'd wanted to do since this morning and I kissed her softly. I could feel her smile against my lips as she slid her tongue past my lips devilishly. She was always so unpredictable and I loved that about her because one second she was perfectly innocent and all sweet and the next she was pulling me closer, biting my tongue and kissing me urgently.

The thing was that she hadn't really changed since becoming a vampire, it had only amplified and taken her emotions to a whole other level, and she was funnier, sure and more demanding and seemingly kinkier, fuck yes! But she would still kick my ass if I'd try to screw things up just like I was about to do now.

It was really hot to see her like that and I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist, holding her as close as possible. The day had gone by so incredibly slow and I hadn't been able to touch her like this so now I was making up for it.

We were both too caught up in the intimate moment to notice that Jeremy and Bonnie were shaking their heads and chuckling as they witnessed our fight and our kiss make up. If we hadn't heard Jeremy clear his throat dramatically, then we would've probably given them a free show...that would've truly been awkward.

"Come on inside..." Elena smiled as she pulled back, taking my hand and dragging me into the house. I didn't know what was going to happen next, but I knew for sure that there was nothing I would do to send Elena away again.

"Let's enjoy a nice Christmas themed night!" Elena said excitedly and I chuckled at her, knowing that she had actually been paying attention at what I told her about Christmas and how I haven't celebrated it in a while.

"Alright, but I'm cooking!" I called out as Elena playfully punched me in the arm and now with her vampire strength it actually hurt a bit. But knowing that Elena was not that much of a cook I had to step up and take care of the food at least not to poison poor Jeremy.

"Fine, mister vampire master chef..." Elena stuck her tongue out at me like a child and I laughed at that, placing a quick kiss on her temple as I headed towards the kitchen. Maybe things were complicated, but I was even more certain that we'd manage.

So…what do you think?

And I was wondering if you wanted the smut that is to come…(soon but I don't know how soon) to be written in Damon's POV or a general POV…:D I'd also like to know your ideas about where could they have sex next because I don't know how being in such close quarters with her brother would make her feel.

Anyhow...thanks for reading and feel compelled to leave a review!

xo Rose