Damon hated to see Elena cry. Hated that he was the one that caused her to cry. He felt like a complete and utter dick. More than usual, anyway.
"Just, hear me out. Please." He said, as his eyes continued to examine her face, for every twitch, every emotion, every reaction she had to what he was telling her. "I bailed then, and now because I was terrified of ruining you. Because you are literally the best person I have ever known."
Damon reached out to cup Elena's face in his hands, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I was miserable here without you. I tried not to be, for the three months that I thought..." His voice broke slightly, as he remembered the pain he'd felt, when he thought she thought he was a monster. "But, I missed you. You are the best influence on me. And, I need you."
He pushed a stray strand of hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. His face inches from hers, trying to gauge her reaction to his words.