❰ when she rewards him with the eye roll he was expecting, his grin gets even wider. it's nice to be able to predict elena, to know her so well that he can anticipate her reactions to him. much as stefan likes to imagine that damon is incapable of caring about people enough to read them, damonis more observant and empathetic than he is given credit for, and it's nice to put those skills to use for elena's happiness rather than as threats.

he stiffens a little, though, at that claim of hers, and frowns deeply. ❱

If people saw it they'd expect it, ❰ he says eventually. ❱ If they expect me to be an asshole, I can be both. It's easier to be an asshole who occasionally does good than a good guy who does something terrible.