"I love you."

I smiled lightly as she breathed the words into the crook of my neck. I flicked an eyebrow nonchalantly, my hand smoothing down her bare back and pulling the covers up to the middle of her back. I left her upper back naked, preferring to keep her shoulders exposed. I've always had a thing for those damn shoulders.

"I love you."

I promised, my free hand coming up to trace her jaw. I brought her face out from the haven of my neck, brushing a languid kiss past her lips. I hummed happily, a smile pulling at the corner of my lips. These are the mornings I like the best, where everything is relaxed, slow. Our kisses are lingering, our hands always anchored to the others' body. It's just the way I've always wanted it to be.

"What're the odds of you letting me take you out?"

She brushed her nose past mine, a light giggle escaping her full lips as she burrowed back into my neck. Her hand found mine, bringing our laced fingers to her heart.

"Never would've thought Damon Salvatore was the dating type."

A laugh rumbled deep in my chest.

"That's because I've never met a woman worth speaking to."

I muttered with a playful eye roll. I was met with dull teeth against my carotid artery, but as per usual tongue followed teeth, soothing the bite.

"You wound me."

I teased with a kiss to her hair.

"I already kissed it better."

I felt her pout against my collarbone.

"A few times actually. My man pain knows no bounds."

I agreed with a tell-tale smirk.

"Am I allowed to wear a sleeveless dress to said date or will you assault my shoulders before I make it out of the closet?"

I flicked an eyebrow, an uptick forming at the corner of my mouth.

"I'll try to exhibit some self control, so long as you don't jump me if I wear that new suit you love me in."

"Not fair. You're irresistible in that."

I sighed dramatically, brushing her hair from her forehead

"Life's hard that way."

I grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. I rolled out from under her, ignoring her groan. In all my naked glory I made my way to the bathroom, throwing a look over my shoulder.

"You coming, Gilbert?"

"Asshole."

I smirked, tossing a wink at her.

"We going to keep naming anatomy or are you going to come shower with your boyfriend?"

I laughed as she buried her face in the pillow, disappearing into the shower. I turned on the warm water, cracking my neck.

3, 2, 1...

Sure enough, I felt delicate hands meet my shoulders, beginning to work the tension from my muscles.

"Don't say a word."

I shrugged my answer, glancing back at her with a small smile.

Words weren't needed. We spoke with looks more than anything else.

"I expect something along the lines of dancing for this date, I hope you know."

I nodded lightly. Dancing with my girl. Not exactly terrible.

"If you don't quit tilting your head at people your neck will be knotted forever."

I chuckled dryly, shaking my head with a ghost of a smile.

"Elena, just enjoy the calm."

I breathed the words out, turning in her hold to drape my arms around her waist. I pressed a kiss to her lips, my thumbs tracing over the dimples at the base of her spine.

A slow, relaxed breath escaped her lips, a smile appearing on mine at the sound.

"See, better."

I murmured, drawing her into my arms. I rested my chin on top of her head, my hands tracing patterns on her back.

"I tilt my head, you raise your eyebrows. We both could use less stress, Elena."

She nodded lightly before pulling back to look me in the eyes, her forehead falling against my own.

"It doesn't matter, Damon. Stress or no stress, you've taught me to dance in the rain."

"When did you become so philosophical?"

"Since I met Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1800s."

She rolled her eyes with a laugh.

"Old man."

"Teenager."

"Fact not an insult."

I smirked, shaking my head.

"Just shut up and kiss me."

And she did, and all was right in the world.