Chapter 3: He's not an animal

Previously in this story:

He started his car and right as he put the car into drive, his phone started to vibrate. He grunted and without even looking at the screen he answered, "What!?" He barked into the speaker as his blood began to boil from the amount of rage he was trying to suppress.

"D-Damon? What's going on?" She whispered, as she grabbed her car keys and bolted out of her room.

He raked his fingers through his hair and let out a deep breath, "Elena." He couldn't think of anything else to say.

He heard her car engine start up and he felt a wave of peace wash over him, "It's okay, Damon. I'll be there in a few minutes, okay? Just try to breathe and stay calm. Please." She was trying to keep her voice from breaking but all she could think about was what Stefan just told her when he called and how distraught Damon sounded.

A few minutes before Elena called Damon:

Elena came stumbling into her room with tears running down her cheeks. She slammed her bedroom door shut and leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor, "I hate this. I can't keep doing this."

She sobbed as she pulled herself up off the ground and sat on the edge of her bed. Her heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces as she pictured Damon's eyes pleading with her earlier to just love him. It was killing her that she left him while he was in such a vulnerable state, because she did love him, more than she could even explain, but she couldn't hurt Stefan, she wouldn't be another Katherine.

She pulled her shoes off her feet and curled up in a ball on her bed, thinking about how complicated everything in her life had become. Besides the fact that she was falling for her boyfriends' brother, the bigger issue was still Klaus and when he would show up to sacrifice her, killing everyone that stood in his way.

She closed her eyes and began to imagine what her life would be like if none of this supernatural stuff was real. She pictured Caroline as a human still, happy and carefree in her relationship with Matt, Matt never would have lost his sister, Tyler would still have his dad and never have to suffer through transitioning during a full moon, Bonnie never would have lost her grams and would be able to just enjoy her life as a normal teenager, Jeremy never would have went through the heartbreak of losing Vicky or Anna and would actually be happy, Alaric would still be married to Isobel and never would have wasted years searching for her just to find out she was a vampire who didn't care, Katherine never would have even existed, Stefan never would have had to go through being a ripper and all the guilt that tortured him after he killed his own father and forced his brother to become a vampire and Damon never would have wasted his life waiting to save a woman who never loved him, he would never have had to feel alone for so many years, he wouldn't feel like he's a monster.

Elena cried and buried her face into her pillow, thinking of how everyone she loved was going to end up dying trying to save her from Klaus. She knew even though she made a deal with Elijah to keep everyone safe, that it would most likely end with her demise, and her friends would never allow that to happen.

Her phone vibrated on her night table, pulling her from her thoughts and she groaned as she reached over to answer it.

"Elena?"

"Stefan? What's wrong?"

"Listen, I know you left not too long ago, and Damon seemed to have calmed down but he's- he must have left right after you did. He's acting like he did when he first got back into town, I heard him throwing things around upstairs before he left. I can't allow him to run around on a rampage Elena, I'm going to have to lock him up if he starts to get out of control. I know you think he is changing into a better man, but I know him Elena, and I can see that he's on the verge of snapping. I just wanted to warn you, in case he shows up to your house, just to be cautious."

Elena was speechless, trying to process everything Stefan was telling her. She shook her head and quickly jumped up out of bed, "No. You're wrong. He isn't that person anymore, Stefan. He wouldn't do that. He's going through a lot right now and just needs support. He-he wouldn't do that." She stuttered nervously, and then quickly hung up so she could call Damon. She put her shoes on and dialed his number, frantically pacing back and forth while she waited for him to answer.

"What?!" She heard his voice yelling through the phone and let out a sigh of relief.

End of flashback

Damon slid his phone back into his pocket and made his way back into the house, heading directly to his bedroom. He completely ignored Stefan who seemed to be anxiously shuffling around in the living room.

When he got back into his room, he carefully removed the letter from his pocket before taking off his jacket and draping it over the chair next to his bed. He placed the letter down on top of his dresser and began to pace around while waiting for Elena. He was confused as to why she was rushing over to see him, but he would do anything for her without questioning her motives.

He finally calmed his nerves down enough to bring himself to sit down on his bed but then he heard her pull up into the driveway and his heart dropped down to his stomach.

He listened while she got out of the car and swung the front door open, and then he heard Stefan trying to stop her from seeing him.

"Elena, he isn't himself right now. It's not a good idea to be around him. I didn't call you so that you would come here, I called you to warn you to stay away. Why don't you get that?"

Damon jumped up off the bed and vamped over towards the door, he was about to rip Stefan apart.

What the hell is he talking about? Why is he telling her it's not safe to be around me?! Because I threw a God damn lamp?

"Stefan, I don't know what game you're trying to play right now but I'm not going to let you keep me away from him, he needs someone to be there for him, not treat him like an animal!"

Damon held himself back, listening to how Elena was defending him, and it made him smile for a moment.

I never expected her to take my side over his...

"It really doesn't matter what I say, does it? You will never see anything wrong with the way he acts. Did you forget how much he terrorized this town when he first got here? How he abused Caroline or that he killed your brother?! What does he have to do to show you who he truly is, Elena? He's dangerous and impulsive with no regard for anyone's feelings. He puts on a good show, I'll give him that, but it's not real. The only reason he even cares about you or anyone else is for his own gain. He promised me an eternity of misery, and he is living up to that promise. He is playing you, Elena. I'm not telling you this to hurt you, I'm trying to protect you because I know how charming he is, and I can see that you are falling for him."

Damon stared down at the floor, processing everything Stefan just said to Elena and knew that there was nothing he would even be able to say to defend himself. Stefan was right, he was selfish and dangerous. He knew he didn't deserve her, that's why he tried so hard to push her away. He leaned his forehead against the wall next to the door and closed his eyes. As angry as he was at Stefan for going out of his way to hurt him, he understood why he was doing it.

"No, Stefan. Of course, I didn't forget the way he acted when he first arrived here, I'm not an idiot, I remember everything. But if you really can't see that he isn't that person anymore, you must be blind. And you know damn well that when he snapped Jeremy's neck that night, he was distraught because of what Katherine told him before he came to me looking for comfort. I'm not saying he handled it the right way because clearly, he didn't, but he knows he screwed up and I know he didn't just do that because he felt like hurting us. He was torn apart by what she said to him, and I obviously didn't know that at the time, but if I had, I would have told him then how I feel about him instead of breaking his heart even further. I watched him grow into a better person and most of the things he does now are for other people, he sacrifices his own happiness even for you. How can you stand here right now and try to convince me that he's a selfish, heartless person when he has lived in your shadow his whole life, desperately trying to be enough so that someone would love him? I mean, God, Stefan, he hates himself for the way he's acted over the years, and it kills him that he did it all for the love of a woman that never even loved him back. He has more of a heart than you realize, and he has saved my life and almost everyone else's life that I know, multiple times. He may try and act like he doesn't care, and make sarcastic jokes and rude comments, but behind all of that is a broken soul that is yearning to be accepted. Now please, get out of my way so I can go upstairs and make sure he is okay. If you cared, even a little bit about him, you would do the same, instead of waiting and watching while he self-destructs. I'm not going to sit back and watch him suffer any longer."

Elena had tears flowing down her cheeks as she pushed Stefan out of her way and ran up the stairs to Damons room.

Damon heard her approaching so he pulled the door open before she got a chance to knock, "Hello, Elenaa." He smiled as he stepped to the side, stretching his arm out to invite her into his room. She slightly blushed as she brushed passed him and he chuckled. He shut the door behind her and made his way over to his bed, awkwardly sitting on the edge so that she didn't think he was suggesting anything.

"Damon, I assume you heard everything that just happened downstairs and I-um, well I just wanted to-"

"Don't worry about it, Elena." He cut her off and glanced up at her, forcing himself to smile.

She cocked her head to the side and slowly made her way over towards him.

"Stop, just, please don't come any closer. I can't, I just. Fuck, Elena. He isn't wrong! All those things he said about me, he's right and deep down you know it. Before you came back here, I was getting ready to go out and kill some innocent person, I needed to prove to you that I am a monster and that you should just give up on me. I wanted you to see that I'm not the man you think I am and that you would be sacrificing your life for someone that doesn't deserve it. But then right before I walked out, I noticed the letter you wrote me on my pillow, and when I read it, all I wanted to do was run to you. So that's where I was headed until Stefan stopped me at the door and at first, he seemed like he cared but then he told me that you don't care for me the way I believe you do, and to basically keep dreaming, that it's in your nature to want to save people. He laughed in my face and walked away so I ran outside to prevent myself from hurting him. I jumped in my car and was about to leave, I just wanted to leave and stop feeling like this! But then you called, and as soon as I heard your voice my anger seemed to just disappear. Elena, you have no idea the power you have over me, and I, it terrifies me."

Elena was overwhelmed by the words he was saying and the amount of emotion behind them. Her lips slightly parted and her heart felt like it was about to explode as she started to walk over to him. She stopped directly in front of him and ran her fingers through his hair and heard him let out a sigh of relief. She sat down next to him as he turned his head to the side to look into her eyes and she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"He lied. He said you left as soon as I did and that-" She paused and shook her head letting out an aggravated sigh, "He really just doesn't see it."

Damon dropped his eyes down to the floor and cleared his throat, "Elena, I-"

Elena pressed her finger to his lips and shook her head, "Damon, you are the most selfless person I know. I would have to be blind, deaf and dumb to think otherwise. You have bad days, just like everyone else, but that doesn't make you a bad person. And just so you know, I didn't come here because I believed what Stefan said was true. I came here because I was worried that he was going to try and lock you in the cellar, and I couldn't let that happen. Even if you were acting like your old self or seemed off, I wouldn't let him. I just wanted to be here for you and make sure that you were okay. Stefan was right about one thing though, no matter what he tries to say or do to get me to stay away from you, I just can't do it, I care about you too much, Damon."

Damon was staring at her, trying to think of something to say back to her. He let out a nervous chuckle and fidgeted with the ring on his finger as he looked down at the ground. He let out a deep breath to calm his nerves before bringing his eyes back up to meet hers. He parted his lips as he was about to respond and as the words were on the tip of his tongue, she leaned towards him, gently placing her hand on his knee, and pressed her lips against his, erasing any and all thoughts from his mind.

He closed his eyes and froze for a moment in disbelief. Her lips were molding into his and he let out a slight moan as he felt her suck his bottom lip into her mouth. He tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled her closer to him, slightly tilting her head back. He traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, trying to deepen the kiss and she instantly opened her mouth, granting him permission. He let out a low growl as her hand traveled up his thigh and she shifted her body closer to his. She slightly pulled back and grabbed both sides of his face so she could look into his eyes. The corners of his mouth pulled up into a genuine smile as she ran her thumb across his bottom lip.

"Damon, I will never let you feel alone again. I don't want you to feel like you're second best anymore or that you don't deserve to be loved. I don't want you to feel like you aren't enough. Your father didn't respect you and certainly didn't deserve your love and neither did Katherine. You gave your love to people that took advantage of you and you never healed. You have a beautiful heart and I; I just want to protect it."

Damon reached out and wiped away the tears that were trailing down her cheeks and blinked back his own.

"God, Elena, you really know just what to say to make me feel like a hormonal teenager falling in love for the first time." He paused and they both chuckled as he ran his fingers through her hair and rested his hand against her cheek, "I'm supposed to be the big bad vampire, but you somehow always know how to turn me into a sap. I have a reputation to uphold you know, you can't just keep coming in here and knocking the walls down that I've spent my whole life building." He laughed as he shook his head before tangling his fingers into her hair and pulling her towards him, hungrily attacking her lips.

Elena gasped into his mouth as his lips crashed against hers and she threw her leg over his waist to straddle him. He moaned as she gently bit down on his lip and opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. She massaged his tongue with her own as she ground her hips down against him. He ran his hands up her back, slipping them under her shirt, and held her body tight against his.

"Mmm, Damon, I-I uhh, God, I want you." She panted as he trailed kisses down her neck and nibbled on her collarbone. She continued grinding against him as she felt his erection growing under her, making him growl against her skin.

"Fuck, Elena. We can't do this. Stefan is-"

"I don't care about Stefan. He lied and tried to make you out to be a monster when all you needed was someone to show you they cared. Damon, please, just, let me show you." She breathed out as she stared into his eyes while running her hands up his chest and locking them behind his head.

"Elena." He whispered as she leaned into him, stopping inches away from his lips.

She gazed into his eyes and licked her lips, "I know you feel it too, Damon. My skin ignites when you touch me, and right now, my body is up in flames. I need you, just as much as you need me." She purred and the last bit of self-control he had snapped.

He grabbed her around the waist, jumping up from the bed, as he let out an animalistic growl. He threw her down on the bed before he quickly pulled his shirt up over his head and bent down over her body, devouring her with his eyes. He leaned into her, trailing kisses up her neck to her ear and nibbled on her earlobe. She tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck to him, silently begging for him to bite her. He smirked against her skin as he kissed down towards her collarbone and ripped her shirt from her body making her moan and gyrate her hips up towards him as he bit down on her nipple through the fabric of her bra.

"Damon, please." She begged as a thin layer of sweat started to cover her skin.

He unclasped her bra, throwing it to the floor and stopped to stare at how beautiful she was before leaning forward to twirl his tongue around her nipple. She arched her breasts into his mouth and ran her hand down his chest, tracing her fingers over every muscle. He rubbed his throbbing erection against her heated core, making them both moan. He quickly sat up and pulled her pants down her legs, tossing them next to her bra on the floor and then slowly stalked back up her body, planting kisses from her feet up to her mouth, trying to cover as much of her body as possible.

"God, Elena, you smell amazing. I need to taste you." He growled as he attacked her lips while grinding his hips down against her body, looking for any type of friction to relieve the pressure building inside him.

"Do it. I want you to. Taste me, Damon." She moaned as he sucked on the skin behind her ear and she pulled her hair to the side, urging him to bite her. But instead of biting her, he continued kissing down her body.

"I thought you w-wanted to taste me?" She breathed out as he pulled her nipple into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it.

"Mmm, I do. But not in the way you're thinking." He purred as he bit down on her nipple while rolling the other one between his fingers.

She dug her nails into his shoulders as he traveled down her body, stopping to nibble on her hip bone. He peered up at her as he grabbed her lacey underwear with his teeth, tearing them from her body. She gasped at the aggressive action and began to pant as she felt his lips brushing against her core.

"Oh God, Damon!" She reached out and tangled her fingers into his hair, pressing his mouth against her as his tongue drew lazy circles around her clit. She arched her hips off the bed as her eyes pressed shut and she whimpered, begging him to never stop. He sucked her clit into his mouth and pressed his tongue against it, flicking it back and forth as her body thrashed around under him. His cock was pushing against his jeans, begging for attention as the scent of her arousal and the sounds she was making drove him crazy. He moaned against her dripping core when her legs wrapped around his head and squeezed him like a vice and then ran his fingers in between her wet folds, pushing two inside of her, igniting a loud moan that he was positive Stefan heard. She ground her hips against his face and her body started to tremble as her orgasm neared. He curled his fingers upwards and pressed them against her g-spot as he relentlessly worked her clit with his tongue.

"Cum for me, Elena. Let go." He purred as he felt her starting to lose control of her body. He glanced up at her as he sucked her clit back in between his lips while pumping his fingers into her and watched as her climax washed over her.

"Oh God, Damon!" She cried out while she came undone. Her pussy clenched around his fingers and her juices covered his lips as he lapped up every last bit. He pulled his fingers out from inside her and she watched as he sucked each one clean of her cum, moaning at the taste, before kissing his way back up to her lips.

"Mmm, Damon, I, that was amazing." She melted into the bed and pulled him against her, pressing lazy kisses across his chest.

He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows as he leaned down and kissed her neck, "I can make your body sing for me, Elena. I'll worship every part of you." He whispered as he traced the outline of her ear with the tip of his tongue.

She ran her fingers down his chest to the waistband of his jeans and popped the button open. He let out a low growl and thrusted his hips forward as she pulled the zipper down and slipped her hand into his boxers.

"Lay back and let me show you how much I want you, Damon." She whispered seductively as she pushed back on his chest, motioning for him to lay down.

His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he let out a slight moan as her hand closed around his cock. "Let me relieve all the tension that's been building up inside you." She slowly started moving her hand up and down his throbbing erection, running her thumb over the tip to collect the precum that was dripping out.

"Fuck, Elena." He groaned as her other hand slipped into his boxers and gently cupped his balls. He quickly jumped off her and stripped himself of his clothes, his body was vibrating with a need for release. He crawled back up her body and teased her entrance with the tip of his cock, pulling her hips up into him. She raked her fingers through her hair as he pushed just the tip inside her and then quickly pulled back out.

"Damnit, Damon!" She yelled as she sat up and pushed him onto his back.

His body shuddered as she straddled his hips and started grinding down against him in a circular motion. She ran her hands up his chest and lightly pinched his nipples making him throw his head back into the pillows and let out a breathless moan. He dug his nails into her hips and held her tight against his cock while he drove his hips up into her. She leaned down and licked his neck from his collar bone up to his ear and wiggled her ass before sliding down his body, kissing every inch of him. He let out a pleading moan as she reached his aching member and lightly ran her tongue up the length of his shaft.

"Please, uh, Elena." He whimpered as she twirled her tongue around the head of his cock and slowly lowered her mouth onto him.

He gripped onto the sheets underneath him and his muscles tightened as she swallowed him down her throat, sending waves of pleasure throughout his body. He reached down and laced his fingers through her hair as he pumped his cock in and out of her mouth. She hummed around him as she massaged his balls and his body started to shake from the vibration.

"I'm so close!" He cried out as she gripped onto his hips and pushed him deeper down her throat.

She licked her way up to the tip, letting him go with a pop and quickly sucked on her finger before running it over his entrance and slowly pushing it inside him as she lowered her mouth back onto his cock.

"Elena, fuck!" He growled as his eyes pressed shut and his body arched up off the bed.

She pushed her finger deeper into him and he let out a high-pitched moan as she hit his sweet spot. She pressed her tongue firmly against his cock as she bobbed her head up and down and massaged his balls, making his whole-body tremble under her. His balls tightened along with the rest of his body as she added another finger inside him and pumped them against his prostate. He reached above him and held onto the headboard to ground himself into reality as she brought him to a level of ecstasy he never experienced before.

"Elena, shit, please don't stop." He panted as she swallowed him down her throat and stroked his prostate, bringing him tumbling over the edge into his orgasm. His body was shaking as he finally found release. She slowly pulled her fingers out of him and gently ran her tongue over his entrance making him let out a low moan and kissed her way up his body.

"Holy shit, Elena. I, never, fuck." He looked into her eyes and nervously laughed as he tucked her hair behind her ear and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. She smiled and kissed his chest, up his neck and around his face, "I just wanted to show you what you deserve." She whispered as she ran her fingers through his hair, sweeping it out of his eyes. He took a deep breath and pulled her down to lay against his chest, kissing the top of her head.

He lightly ran his fingers through her hair as he started to drift off to sleep.

"Damon?" She whispered as she pressed feathery kisses against his chest.

"Hmm?" He mumbled as he fought to stay awake. She leaned up on her elbow and looked down at his face, running her fingertips across his lips and down his jawbone. He lazily opened his eyes and gazed at her as she traced the muscles on his chest, "What's wrong, Elena?" He cupped her chin and brought her eyes up to his. She shook her head as a single tear escaped the corner of her eye and she took a deep breath to settle her nerves.

"Nothing, I just, I love you, Damon." She paused for a moment and brought her hand up to his face, watching as his eyes filled with tears. "I'm so in love with you that it consumes me, and I was trying to fight it because I didn't want to hurt Stefan, but I can't deny it anymore. Damon, I love every part of you." She smiled and bent down, passionately kissing his lips. He sighed happily as he wrapped his arms around her and rolled her underneath him. He pulled away and gazed into her eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I've waited my entire existence to hear someone tell me that and actually mean it." He ran his hands down the sides of her body and slowly pushed inside her making her arch her hips off the bed, bringing him deeper into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his ass as he slowly rocked his body into her, planting kisses down her neck. She moaned as he gently bit down on her nipple and pulled it into his mouth. He grabbed her legs and threw them over his shoulders, leaning down into her, pushing his cock deeper and hitting a new angle. He started thrusting faster and harder as she dug her nails down his back, crying out in ecstasy.

"Damon, I want you to bite me. Please." She breathed out as he pounded down into her. He growled and dropped her legs from his shoulders so he could tuck his head down into her neck as the veins appeared under his eyes. He ran his tongue over her pulse point as his fangs descended and she dug her fingers into his hair while tilting her head to the side. Her pussy clenched around him as he gripped onto her hips, and he threw his head back growling like an animal. He looked down into her eyes and bent down to attack her lips. She moaned into his mouth and ran her tongue over the tip of one of his fangs, gently pricking it. As he tasted her blood, he sucked her tongue into his mouth and dug his nails into her skin. She pulled back, grabbed the back of his head, and pushed him down against her neck as she thrusted her hips up into him. He ran his fangs across her skin before gently sinking them down into her, moaning as her sweet blood trickled down his throat.

"Yes! Oh God, don't ever stop!" She cried out as her skin ignited and her body tingled with pleasure. He pressed his teeth deeper into her delicate skin as he felt her body trembling underneath him. He thrusted into her as hard as he could without hurting her and ran his hands up her body, pinning her arms above her head.

"Fuck, Damon. Cum with me, I, I'm so close!" She screamed out as he moaned into her skin. He had to force himself to let go of her neck and gently licked the bite marks, healing her wound and collecting any blood that was left behind. She looked into his eyes and reached up to trace the veins underneath them as they slowly faded away and she licked the blood from his lips. He leaned his forehead against hers and grabbed her hand, holding it above her head as he brought them both over the edge. His body shook from the power of his orgasm, and he collapsed on top of her heaving chest. He propped himself up on his elbows after a few seconds and looked down into Elenas eyes while she clenched around him, draining his cock of everything he had. He moaned as he bent down, gently kissing her lips.

"I love you, Elena. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Aww how sweet. That didn't take long. Really, Elena, I figured you had more respect for yourself. I guess you're more like Katherine than you thought."

Elenas eyes popped open, and Damon quickly jumped off her, vamping across the room to where Stefan was standing and threw him against the wall.

Stefan laughed as Damon growled in his face, the veins under his eyes were quickly resurfacing.

"Damon, you're the one that just screwed my girlfriend while I was in the same damn house. Did you suddenly forget I can hear everything just as well as you can? Or are you just that selfish?"

Elena scoffed and jumped out of the bed, drawing their attention to her naked body. Damon let go of Stefan and backed away, never taking his eyes off her. Elena sauntered over to them and stopped inches away from Stefan.

"Did you take notes while you were watching?"

Damons jaw almost hit the floor as the words left her mouth. He cleared his throat and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her back towards him.

"Elena, why are you acting like this?" Stefan whispered as he took a step closer to her.

Elena shook her head and laughed, "Don't. Don't try to make this about what's wrong with Elena. Look, I'm sorry for the way this happened, I shouldn't have gone about it this way."

Damon rolled his eyes and let go of her arm, but she quickly turned towards him and caught him as he was walking away. He looked up at her and shook his head, "It's ok, Elena. I get it."

"No, Damon. You clearly don't." She hissed as she aggressively pulled him towards her. She held onto his hand and looked back over at Stefan, "Stefan, I'm sorry, I, I don't know when it happened but I, you were right. I am falling for him. Or I mean, I guess, I already fell for him." She stuttered nervously.

Stefan laughed sarcastically and nodded his head, "Well, thanks for the memo. I, I really thought you were different, Elena."

Elena looked back over at Damon and a small smile pulled at her lips before she glanced back at Stefan, "I am different, Stefan. I'm making a choice, instead of stringing both of you along."

Stefan blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and let out a deep breath, "I'll stay, to make sure you're safe from Klaus, but when that's all over, I, I can't. I can't watch you two together."

Elena nodded her head and when she opened her mouth to respond, he was gone. Damon was staring blankly at the spot where Stefan was just standing. He shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair, "You see? This. This is why I'm selfish! Fuck!" He growled and threw his fist at the wall, breaking right through it. Elena slightly jumped back as she watched a piece of the wall crumble to the ground and then grabbed both sides of his face, "Hey! This wasn't you, this was me being selfish. Not everything is your fault, Damon. I did this. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me."

Damon closed his eyes and pulled his hand out from the wall. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself down before opening his eyes and looking into Elenas, "Elena, I could never be mad at you for choosing to love me. That would make absolutely no sense." He placed his hands over hers, and gently removed them from his face, "I just don't know what to do now." He looked down at the ground and shook his head, "I, maybe you should go."

Elena stared at him for a second before she let out a sarcastic laugh and swiftly turned around looking for her clothes. He watched her scramble around picking up each piece of clothing that he tore from her body and all he could think of was how badly he wanted to just cuddle up next to her. She was half dressed when he vamped forward and grabbed her around the waist. Tears were building up in his eyes and as he spun her around to face him, he let a few fall. Her face was bright red, and her heart was beating out her chest. She looked into his eyes and gently wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"Please, don't go." He whispered as he tightened his hold around her. "I, I just want to hold you and be held. That's all I've ever wanted."

She cupped his face and placed a soft kiss against his lips, "Come on. Let's go to sleep, okay?" She pulled him towards the bed and removed her pants before climbing in next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and laid his head down in the crook of her neck while he silently sobbed. She held him tight against her body and ran her fingers soothingly across his back. "Shh, it's okay, Damon. Everything will work itself out." She whispered as she kissed his forehead and hugged him tighter. He kissed her neck up to her ear and nuzzled down into her, "I can't lose you. Not to him, not to Klaus, not to anyone. I need you, Elena."

She lightly nodded her head and a few tears rolled down her cheeks into his hair, "I know. You won't. We'll figure it out, I promise. I need you too, Damon. I love you."

He let out a deep breath against her skin, creating goosebumps all over her body, and finally closed his eyes, "I love you, too, Elena."

She kissed the top of his head and they fell asleep almost instantly after that, both emotionally and physically exhausted.

Stefan laid awake, staring at the ceiling, silently sobbing. He always expected this to happen but never actually thought that it would. He rolled over on his side to stare out the window and was startled when he saw Tyler standing outside on his balcony. He jumped out of bed and vamped over towards him but when he looked outside again, he was gone.

"What the hell?" He ran over to his nightstand to grab his phone and dialed Carolines number.

"Stefan? It's late, what's going on?"

"Why was Tyler standing outside my house just now, Caroline?"

Caroline jumped up out of bed and started pacing nervously, "He, I don't know. I think he knows about Mason. He came her accusing me of a bunch of different things and then he stormed off. I don't know how he figured anything out, I swear it wasn't from me."

Stefan let out a low growl and sat on the edge of his bed, "It must have been Jules. Damnit Caroline! Didn't you think this was something you should have warned me about? I have to talk to him, try to explain everything before he does something he'll regret."

Caroline sighed and nodded her head, "I'm sorry. I just didn't know what to say. Should I call him or what do you wana do?"

"No. Let me handle this. Just, don't go near him or Jules until I talk to him. I don't know anything about her, and I don't trust her."

"Okay. Thanks." She squeaked before hanging up and forcing herself to lay back down.

Stefan groaned and put his phone down so he could get dressed. He vamped around the room getting himself together as quickly as possible, grabbed his phone and a few things to ensure his safety before heading towards the door.

He made his way down the stairs and through the hallway when he heard the floors creak in the living room. He spun around and let out a warning growl as he stalked forward, "Tyler, if that's you, you're making a mistake coming in here right now. We're not your enemies."

He heard the floor creak in a different section of the room and turned towards the noise, slowly walking in that direction.

"Let's talk about this, I don't want to hurt you." He warned as he picked up on the sound of a heart beating.

He walked a few more steps before Tyler walked out in front of him, holding a stake down at his side. Stefan stopped and looked at the stake, motioning for him to drop it on the ground. Tyler took a deep settling breath and dropped it by his feet, "I, look, I don't know what's real and what's not but, I don't want trouble either. I just want the truth."

Stefan nodded his head and inwardly laughed at the irony, So do I, "Alright. Let's sit inside and I'll explain everything to you."

Tyler hesitantly walked with him over towards the couch and took a seat. Stefan poured himself some bourbon and offered some to Tyler, but he shook his head, "Nah, I'm good."

Stefan shrugged and walked over to him, "You know, you're lucky it was me that saw you and not Damon. He doesn't take lightly to werewolves breaking into our house, especially after what Jules did to Rose."

Tyler furrowed his brows and shook his head, "Rose?"

"Never mind." Stefan placed his glass down on the coffee table and leaned over onto his knees, resting his chin in his hands, "Alright, what's on your mind?"