actiooooon;
[ he can thank damon later for the secondhand bedazzlement, but for now elena's not letting go. tears prick at her eyes but don't fall; there's no room for them right now. she's devastated that he's here -- she's absolutely, terribly content and completed just that much by it. (of course he's still and unmoving, not quick to return the embrace, but when he does she closes her eyes because it's him, that's him.)
she shakes her head slightly, presses her cheek to his shoulder at his words. her smile is pained, and genuine, and happy. ] I thought I'd -- I can't believe... [ he's stuck here. punished here. ] I'm so sorry.