Whether it be sparring in the living room to make sure Elena can handle herself should she need to stake a vampire, or during a quiet conversation in the bedroom as she gently falls asleep, Elena and Damon continue to steal the show every chance they get. Sparring is never just about learning to defend herself as Damon sneaks in a few quick, teasing nuzzles; nor is a late night conversation just a conversation to catch up on the day’s events when Damon plants himself on Elena’s bed and refuses to move so that she ends up just climbing in and going to sleep while he is still there.
Each moment is a subtle breakdown of Elena’s emotional and physical barriers. Damon is not forcing himself on her, but he is forcing his way into her life. No longer content to just be at her beck-and-call, the watchful guardian, Damon is finding small ways to insinuate himself into her normal life. To make himself such an ingrained and integral part, that she will never even notice that he has slipped into her heart and perhaps one day usurped his brother’s place. Love is sneaky that way. It can hit you over the head, or it can creep up like a thief in the night. Stefan may have swept Elena off her feet and she fell head over heels in love. But Damon, he has found a more persistent way to steal Elena’s love. Just by being there, being the one she turns to for fighting lessons, being the babysitter when Stefan is out of line, or being the guy she talks to about her daily struggles.

Once upon a time, Elena would have quivered with rage and indignation that Damon had invaded her privacy and her bedroom, let alone had the audacity to lie on her bed, refusing to move. But, by now, Elena’s resistance has weakened. She has lost Stefan and most of her family. Damon is the one constant. She needs him and, whether she admits it or not, she loves him on some level. So watching their lives become more and more intertwined and rooted in normalcy, the bonds between them are growing. For those of us watching, it is intoxicating. It is like drinking from the forbidden fruit. One sip is ever so delectable, but you can’t just stop with one. Now Elena’s defenses are now so low that she does not view Damon as a threat, she can practically fall asleep in his arms. That kind of trust and intimacy is seductive. Damon may already be in love with Elena, but seeing her fall slowly in love with him, is breath-taking. Step by step, slowly falling. Just beautiful.

Avots: - TV Watchtower