Damon kneads into the expanse of Elena's naked back. Exhaustively satiated, she admires him through heavy-lidded eyes. She sighs at what she is about to do.

"Now, let's talk about how you've been a terrible person," she teases with seriousness.

"I just gave you the best orgasms in the history of orgasms. Don't I get a 'get out of jail free' card?" he whines and pouts.

"Damon ..."

"Elena ..."

"Fine, I'll start. Damon, I've done horrible things too. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hit you. I'm sorry my dad hit you and Vicki and said all those nasty things. I'm sorry I focused all my anger on you, to the point that I never confronted my dad until recently. I'm sorry I didn't take the time to understand your side, your insecurities. You've always been so strong and amazing, ever since we were little, that I expected way too much of you, for you to just already know how strong and amazing you are without me or anyone else having to say it. I was too stupid to realize that maybe you actually believed what my dad said and needed time away to sort yourself out. I convinced myself that you leaving showed you don't care about me or love me. That couldn't be further from the truth. I know you aren't some vampire that can heal instantly from my words alone, but you have to know this: You are strong and amazing. Thanks. For looking out for us. For me. Dad told me why he did what he did (and believe me that's a story for another time), and I still hate what he did and think he's a first-rate jackass. But I realized, as fucked up as it sounds, that he really thought what he did was right for me, had my interest at heart. And in the same way, you really thought what you did was right for me, had my interest at heart. I still hate the deal you made with Elijah. But I understand why you did it. Damon, don't put me up on some pedestal thinking you don't deserve me because you're deaf. You love me and take care of me in a way that nobody else can. And believe me, they've tried. Look Damon, we all make mistakes. My dad says he wants to try to make things better. I wanna try to make things better. You seem like you wanna try too. Which leads me to Kat. Why don't you tell me what was going on there? I have a theory, but I want to hear your side first."

"God, I feel like I'm on Dr. Phil. Ooh, maybe you can put on a nurse outfit later..."

"Damon ..."

"OK, OK! Your dad fucked me up, Elena. He ran a long fucking pity con on me. I don't want your pity. I don't want you to be pity-bonded to me. I don't want you to find out down the road that your love is really pity, just like him ..."

"Damon, I promise you I won't. When it's real, you can't walk away."

"Elena, your words aren't going to magically heal me overnight. I'm fucking insecure, that shit'll take time, maybe forever. But I wanna be who you think I am. I'm trusting you that he's in here somewhere. Being friends with Kat helped me start finding him. We didn't fuck. I didn't treat her like a creepy blow-up doll. Even if she's your rival, she's a person, and I think, one worth knowing. Just hung out with her and was myself. Don't get it wrong, she wanted a lick of my candy cane. Sure, she's beautiful. She's also very complicated and selfish and at times not very kind but very sexy and seductive. But I love you. And I realized substituting empty, casual sex just wasn't enough anymore. I'm sorry for all the times I fucked you over."

"I actually have to fuck you to get a real apology out of you ..."

"There's an idea."

"You had Kat drooling all over you and your marshmellows on UFC Primetime. I was furious until I took a closer look. You got her a hamburger. Two weeks before a fight! A freaking hamburger! You made me the most delish healthy food every morning at 2 am. That's how I knew you love me and not her. Also, Ric and Jeremy SWORE up and down that you and Kat were just friends."

"There's my smart girl."

The gym lights flick on, and Damon and Elena struggle to adapt to the sudden intrusion.

"Damn, no show?" the gym owner grumbles upon seeing their sheet-covered bodies.

"Sorry man, didn't think we'd be here till morning. We'll get out of your way," Damon apologizes.

"No need. The ultimate fighter baby might have just been conceived on my gym floor! I'll be famous," the gym owner muses.

Author's Note: Thank you for the feedback, follows, and favourites. Special thanks to vamomoftwins and zikae218.

Fear not, if you feel that there are still some major loose ends. I am working on a sequel to this story. Keep your eyes peeled!