Hello again.

Sorry I took awhile to update . . . been far from my laptop and had no chance.

But here you go, an extrafluffy chapter as apology!

Damon yawned languidly and mussed his hair with a lazy hand. Elena was snuggled up to his bare chest, her hand thrown haphazardly around his waist. She looked cute when she slept, her nose was scrunched up as though she was concentrating on something really hard in her sleep. He would say she looked beautiful when she slept but the fact was that she was always beautiful. Damon wondered, in an offhand manner, when he'd got so soft and affectionate about her. He didn't mind being soft over her; just so long as no-one else ever found out. Afterall he had a reputation to maintain! He adjusted his body so he was sat up slightly and watched her sleeping form, affectionately.

Elena shifted in her sleep and she rolled onto her front so she was flopped over Damon's chest. Sleepily she began to wake up. She was warm and comfortable and she didn't want to let her dream slip away. It was a nice dream . . . Her parents were in it, and Jer, and Damon. Damon . . . . Mmm! She smiled sleepily and then that she heard his voice, that beautiful voice, "Morning Sunshine!" She remembered the first time he'd woken her up like that, when they were headed to Georgia. It had been during that trip that she had realised she had feelings for him but had refused to analyse them.

Her eyes couldn't stay closed any longer. She caught a glimpse of dark hair and jewel-like eyes before she was flipped over onto her back.

"Oh!" She gasped, shocked and her eyes flew open. Damon was smirking down at her, playfully. Before she could complain, he was kissing her. Soft, warm kisses that were never quite on the centre of her lips. He left a few seconds between each kiss to allow the feeling to linger. "You tease!" She laughed when he paused for a second. "Me? A tease?" He replied mockingly. She laughed at how cute he looked when he pulled that face, like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. But his demure, innocent look didn't fool Elena. She leant upwards to meet his lips. The kisses changed in tempo and became more fiery and passionate. Their mouths met in a collision of need along with something that was very much like love. It was the sort of kiss that made you realise that kissing other people was nothing in comparison and that you never want to stop kissing each other. Elena pulled him down closer to her and then in seconds she rolled them over so she was on top.

Damon blinked, 'when the heck did that happen? And how?' Elena was smirking above him; her dark hair falling as a curtain around them, almost hiding them from everything in the outside world. "You're spending to much time with me," he joked, "You're even picking up my quirks!" He pulled her down into another searing kiss; their tongues duelled with all-consuming passion. She ran her hands through his tousled dark locks, desperate to pull him in closer. His hands joined in the games, circling her back and bottom, pulling in closer to his body; revelling in her touch.

Elena opened her eyes and pulled away, her dark eyes sparkling as she stared at Damon. He watched her carefully, he could see the tears glimmering in the corner of her eyes. He waited for a few seconds giving her time to process her thoughts. Then she rewarded his patience by cupping his cheek with her hand. "I think I'm love you . . . For real!" She said, her voice barely a whisper but she knew he would hear. For Damon, he knew he wouldn't hear the words any better if she'd shouted them at him. Internally he was struggling because this was like being at the edge of a precipe waiting to jump. He loved her, God knows her loved her more than he'd ever felt with Katherine. But admitting it, saying those 3 little words was terrifying. It would make everything real if he said them and if she ever left, it would completely destroy him. Elena was watching him, her eyes on his face, almost waiting. Then she sat up and murmured, "It's ok Damon. I don't expect you to say anything. I just wanted you to know." He could sense a tinge of sadness colouring her voice. She obviously thought he didn't feel the same, he thought in surprise, and then he knew he had to explain himself. "Elena?" He whispered, pulling himself up and closer to her. She wouldn't look at him so he took her hand, "It's not that I don't want to say them or that I don't feel the same. It's just hard." She raised her eyes to look at him, puzzled and he continued, "The only people ever said that to was my mother and . . . Katherine. My mother died and Katherine betrayed me. I can't say it because everyone leaves after I say it. I can't put my heart on the line again incase-" His face looked so pained as he explain that she pulled him to her and held him in her arms before whispering into his hair, "I'm not going to leave you I promise. And I'll wait for eternity till you're ready to say them." He held her tighter before whispering back, "Thank you. I do feel that way I just cant-" "Ssssh!" She murmured.

They stayed that way for a few minutes before she let him go and headed for a shower. He stayed sat cross-legged on the bed and watched her disappear through the door before whispering quietly, "I love you too."

Thankyou so much for your reviews so far, you amazing people! :)

Reviews make me very happy! lol

I'll try to update asap but the nursing placement now owns my soul for the next few weeks so updates make be slower than usual!