I remember

Soooo I took part in this TVD contest on Tumblr during the hiatus and I won! Since writing is the one thing I do better than average, I went for it, made a random gif to go with it and viola! Gonna post it up here for fun 😀 Please do not repost anywhere or any part of my entry. I won 54% of the votes (total of 4 entries) so thank you everyone who voted!! 😀 Actual entry here.

“Damon. I have something to say to you. I’m afraid that if I don’t, I might never get the chance again. That’s what I realized after what happened at Homecoming. You could have died if Stefan had not intervened.

Remember the night when you and Stefan saved me from Rose and Elijah, and then brought me home? I remember what happened after that. I didn’t have my necklace but I had vervain in my pockets because I was afraid something similar to that day might happen again. I heard what you say and I still remember. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier because I didn’t know how to deal with it. But I remember. All of it.”

Damon’s eyebrows rose in astonishment, surprised by her revelation. “Elena –” he started to speak, his voice gentle, only to be cut off by her.

“No, let me finish. I just have to say it once. You just need to hear it.

We had a rocky start, I admit. You thought I was judgmental, self-righteous and downright annoying. I thought you were ruthless, callous, unfeeling and cold-blooded. Many occasions you could have killed me and yet you didn’t. You taught me to take a break from life, let my hair down and have fun. I started seeing a glimpse of humanity in you, even though you repeatedly tried shutting it out. We had an understanding. We became friends.” Her tone was light and a slight smile played on her lips, as if she was looking back on those fond memories she had shared with Damon.

“Over time, this friendship grew into something special. You were constantly there for me; saving and protecting me. With you around, I always felt safe. Yes, we had both ups and downs, but the good always outweighed the bad. I started feeling things I shouldn’t. I guess all my friends could tell something was up, but I was in denial. I didn’t want to admit that I had feelings for you, feelings that got stronger and stronger. Because if I admit it, even if just for a second, what does that say about me?

I didn’t want to be like Katherine. However, I could lie to everyone but myself. With Stefan away, I found it increasingly hard to fight the feelings I had for you. Had Katherine and Rose been right all along – that it was possible to love both you and Stefan?

And what with everything’s that been going on these few weeks, I realized many things. I realized that I care about you more than as just a friend. I realized that the Stefan I knew, the one I’d loved, was slowly slipping away from me. To be honest, he seemed happier being his ripper self, with Klaus and Rebekah as friends. It hit me after my confrontation with him in Chicago. Stefan and I were truly over, for we could never go back to how we were ever again. And I could accept that, I was ready to move on.

Now that Klaus, Stefan and Katherine have all left Mystic Falls, I guess it’s time to finally face up to the feelings I have for you.

I love how selfless you can be when it comes to the people you love and care about. I love how you never fail to look out for me, for my family and friends despite knowing that you are putting yourself in danger. I love how you bring laughter and fun into my life despite all the bad things going on, I love how we can bicker and argue but never stay mad at each other for long, I love how we don’t have to pretend with each other or put on a facade, because we always know exactly what the other is thinking.”

The whole time, Damon listened earnestly, absorbing every syllable that she spoke. There was no trace of that smug look he seemed to wear so often, nor any hint of his signature smirk, just an unreadable expression. Elena inhaled deeply, as if to prepare herself on what she was about to say next.

“I love you, Damon.”

A hushed silence fell onto the room. Elena looked away shyly, surprised at her own confession. And now she was tense at how Damon would react. Would he laugh and mock her? Would he gently let her down because he had realized that they were not suited for each other? What if he no longer reciprocated her feelings? What if, what if…

Damon closed in the gap between both of them. He reached out and stroked her cheek lightly, his gaze intense. Once again, Elena found herself getting lost in those smouldering midnight orbs of his. Damn, she thought to herself. How could someone have such a beautiful pair of eyes? If only he knew the effect every gaze and touch of his had on her. It simply wasn’t fair.

Their foreheads touching, he started to speak. Elena hoped that he could not hear how rapid her heart was beating.

“You’re not Katherine. I was obsessed with her. But I love you.”

“I –”

But she never got to finish her sentence. For words were now redundant, as Damon’s lips found hers.