EYES HAVE PEELED themselves open much earlier than his had, elena stealing this moment of peacefulness to herself to lay beside him && listen to the steady beating of his heart, to bask in the comfortable silence shared in early morning hours. a deep breath is drawn into lungs, exhaled quietly though her nose while hazel hues peer outside through his bedroom window to which let in warm, filtered streams of early morning SUNLIGHT. it dances against her skin, warming it in the slightest while causing the metals in her daylight ring to SHIMMER━hands remained draped over his chest until resting against damon’s side, cheek pressed against his chest comfortably while, at the feeling of him stirring, eyes glance upward. ❝ good morning sunshine, ❞ teased elena with a soft giggle, head shifting to lift off of his chest && instead lay against the crook of his arm that expanded against the pillow. ( how the pair tended to regularly sleep ) ; ❝ i love you, damon. you know that? i love you so much. && no, i’m not saying this for any specific reason i just━ ❞ pause comes, eyes adverting away for a second before returning. ❝ i just want you to KNOW. ❞ smile returned, but widened && filled with happiness which was something she always held when looking at the eldest salvatrore. hand rises, slender fingers grazing the skin of his cheek tenderly before resting there. / @puerdeos liked this !! ♡