Chapter 33: Ashes and Tears

A suffocating tension had gripped the Salvatore house. The charred remains of Elena's house stood as a grim testament to Katherine's wrath, a constant reminder of the escalating conflict. While Jenna and Jeremy were thankfully away, the loss of Elena's haven, filled with irreplaceable photographs and childhood memories, tore at her heart.

Meanwhile, Damon remained a silent storm, his icy indifference directed squarely at Bella. Three days of the cold shoulder had chipped away at her resolve. Despite securing Mason's alliance and wielding a secret weapon against Katherine, the guilt gnawed at her. She felt like she'd failed them all.

Stefan, caught in the crossfire, found solace in an unspoken truce with Alaric. Nights were spent drowning sorrows in shared drinks, while Stefan strategized a way out of this mess, offering Elena a shoulder to cry on in the process.

One night, Damon stumbled through the front door, his steps heavier than usual with intoxication. He figured Bella would be asleep, but a soft, muffled sound reached him – her choked sobs. Shame washed over him. He'd hurt her this badly? The question echoed in his clouded mind. Why was he still punishing her?

Upstairs, Stefan, alerted by his brother's arrival, intercepted him halfway down the hall. "You need to talk to her, Damon. Forgive her."

Damon squeezed his eyes shut, the alcohol doing little to numb the pain in his voice. "I know, I'm a dick, alright? I just..."

"She's not Katherine," Stefan interrupted, his words cutting through the haze.

Damon's head snapped up, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. Stefan elaborated.

"She's not some puppet master, controlling your life. You wouldn't have betrayed me if you weren't compelled. But you still haven't dealt with Katherine's betrayal, have you? All this anger… you never allowed yourself to grieve the end of that relationship. It wouldn't be a betrayal to Bella. You just need to talk to her. This silent treatment is worse than confronting what happened."

Stefan's words hit a raw nerve. The truth stung, bitter but undeniable. The anger he directed at Bella was a misplaced shield, a defense mechanism against his own unresolved pain. Shamefaced and with a newfound clarity, Damon entered their bedroom, ready to face his wife.

He made his way across the room where Bella was curled up on the bed, her body wracked with sobs. Gently, he sat behind her and pulled her close, holding her silently as she cried.

"I am so sorry," he murmured, the words heavy with remorse.

Bella shook her head, a muffled denial. "No, Damon, it's my fault. I should've talked to you, explained why I didn't want Mason hurt. I was afraid to tell you... afraid of your reaction. I went through a lot with Katherine, and I just couldn't bear talking about it. You've been brave enough to tell me terrible things, and I'm sorry for avoiding vulnerability and discomfort. Those are things I'd rather feel than think you hate me, even for a second. Betraying you would be the last thing I'd ever do. I was just trying to protect myself, but this pain... it's unlike anything I've ever felt." Her voice hitched between sobs.

"Shh, shh, shh," Damon held her tighter, hating the self-blame echoing in her words.

"You don't have to tell me anything you're not ready for, okay? But I want you to know I'm always here for you. How about we have a safe word? A word you can use when you need me to back you up, no questions asked. You can explain things later, on your own terms."

Bella looked up, surprise flickering in her tear-filled eyes. "Really?"

Damon nodded. "You might be a century and a half old, but you've only been living as a vampire for five months. It's hard. Everything is heightened – fear, sadness – and so far you've mostly experienced the good emotions: fun, excitement, passion. I shouldn't have been so harsh. I think... I was just afraid too."

"Afraid of what?" Bella asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Damon looked away, a sliver of shame coloring his cheeks. "I don't want you to hate me."

"I could never-"

He cut her off, his voice firm. "Just like I could never, ever hate you. Don't you ever think that again, okay?"

"Okay," Bella agreed softly.

"I know I didn't choose Katherine or even love her, but the way she played us, Stefan and me... how she betrayed us both... it hurt, and it messed me up." He couldn't quite admit the deeper hurt of her betrayal, so he included Stefan.

"Wow, I..." Bella didn't know how to respond to that raw vulnerability.

"I know I'm awful and an idiot," Damon continued, his voice low. "I think I was punishing you for things I never dealt with. I'm the worst."

Bella shook her head. "No, you're not. She ruined you and Stefan, made you distrust everyone and everything. Of course that affected you, and it still does. Where do we go from here?"

"We weren't at our best," Damon admitted, "but let's just consider this a bump in the road. Every marriage faces them. We can do better, love and trust each other more from now on. Deal?" He extended his hand towards her.

"Deal," Bella agreed, taking his hand in hers.

Damon didn't let go. Instead, he pulled her closer. "But you know what we do right now?"

Bella shook her head, a flicker of curiosity replacing the sadness in her eyes.

Damon grinned. "Make-up sex," he said, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. A soft giggle escaped Bella's lips, a beautiful sound that chased away the echo of her tears.

Damon let his left hand glide down Bella's body, tracing the edge of her nightgown as it met her thigh. He slipped his hand beneath the fabric, slowly drawing it up her body, revealing the skin he adored. Breaking their kiss, he moved his lips to where his hands had just been, kissing the newly exposed skin. Bella's head fell back against the pillows, savoring her husband's touch on her thighs. As he neared her sex, he inhaled deeply. With a deft move, he used his teeth to gather her panties and pull them down her legs, then licked his way back up her luscious limbs.

Bella felt like she was in heaven; nothing compared to the bliss of making love with Damon. Four days apart felt like an eternity.

Damon's kisses reached her clit, quick and soft, drawing a smile from Bella. He then lifted her legs over his shoulders, becoming less playful and more sensual. Bella gasped as his wicked tongue delved into her, spreading her wetness. She threw her head back, gripping Damon's hair tightly. He raised her hips, adjusting the angle, and quickened his pace, pushing his tongue deeper. When he wiggled his nose against her clit, she giggled. He pulled away to finish undressing both of them before returning to his ministrations.

Bella moved to reciprocate, but Damon stopped her. Tonight, he wanted to focus solely on his love for her, to worship and thank whatever power had blessed him with her, and to vow never to take her for granted again.

Bella pushed Damon back, switching their positions, and sank down onto him. She paused, savoring the feeling of being connected. Slowly, she started moving, creating a rhythm they both followed. She gazed at him, admiring his handsome face.

"I love you so much," she whispered.

Damon's smile was radiant, making him look years younger. "I love you so, so much," he replied with absolute conviction. Bella leaned down, kissing him, her hair forming a private curtain around them.

Damon's hands roamed up and down her body, finally pulling her hair back as he kissed down her neck. He rolled them over so he was on top, looking deeply into her eyes. "It's only ever been you, and it will only ever be you."

Tears welled in Bella's eyes as Damon kissed her more forcefully, communicating the depth of his feelings. He increased their pace, thrusting harder into her warm, wet heat. He hoped never to leave his wife's warmth again.

Bella's grip tightened on Damon, signaling she was close. He buried his face in her neck, whispering his love over and over as they both reached their climax.

Afterward, they lay entwined, content to finally feel at home again in each other's arms.