[ elena can believe that, that rebekah's been through more than they ever took into account. she knows some of the things rebekah's been through - her youngest brother's death, her mother's death, being daggered and undaggered for centuries, chased by her father.
(they had to take it all into account. she had to care to be able to stab her in the back.
it's only been recently it's been to care for her as an ally, if not a friend.)
elena's thoughts of rebekah, of matt feeling so about her, are jarred by the mention of damon. her eyes lift to him. it is a bold question and not one she expected. her lips part. she's never been so frank with matt about her feelings for damon, not that she knows or remembers or even suspects. (and he doesn't know about them now. is she so transparent or does he know something she doesn't remember?
she guesses any of her transparency doesn't matter, not anymore.)
he's right. that's exactly how she feels.
it takes her a moment. she presses her lips together. ] Yes. [ the word is said with conviction and honesty.
she blinks against the fake sun, the reflection of it against the water as she looks at matt. ] Matt, did... something happen between me and Damon?
[ for the first time, she considers if it did. she hadn't considered much it would or might purposefully, despite how strongly she's felt here. because she's felt so strongly.
her breath catches slightly in her throat; she realizes she both dreads and wants the answer 'yes.' ]