( damon breathes out against her. his thumb slides over her hands as he tightens his hold on her own hands. he knows she likely didn't expect him to say more, but he promised, and he means to keep it. more than that, he really hates not sharing things with her. he went through that for three years, and he refuses to do it again.

his words- they're meant for her like his heart is meant for her too. his eyes burn as she explains, and he nods in understanding when she frames it that way. if her mirror came to him, if she spoke about wanting to genuinely talk to him again, would he turn her away? he doesn't think he could turn her away either. so he understands. )

I understand now. I was just scared as hell. ( he kisses along her shoulder, closing his eyes against her. his eyes burn more. his expression crumples when she gives him those words. would she if she knew it all?

all those things his mirror listed out? his throat locks up so tightly that his voice comes out wrong. for the moment, it doesn't matter. his hatred for himself feels unfathomable in its strength and in its width and depth, and she-

she loves him more than that. )

I believe you, and I love you too, far more than I hate myself, far more than I've felt anything before.