As soon as Elena sees the threat in Damon's expression, however fleeting, she places herself directly in between them; her hands extend at either of her sides to keep them as far away from each other as possible. She is determined to keep this from escalating any further, and she is vigilant of every movement, every word. It's why, when Damon mentions striking a nerve when dredging up the past, Elena immediately grows still, as though something has struck her.

The flame rises to her cheeks. She doesn't need to ask for an elaboration. She knows what he is talking about. Her eyes close briefly, her jaw already setting, and when she opens, she doesn't mask the fury or the betrayal that crosses her features. Whether he acknowledges the hurt or not, he is going to see it. Growth or not, this is still Damon.

He isn't snapping her brother's neck but he's still doing something that hurts her. If Ethan was ever to find out about that night, it was supposed to be through Elena, but once again, Damon has made the decision for the both of them.

The truth is she has nothing to feel bad about, so she refuses to. Elena was single during her whole stay in Chicago, and she was free to do what she pleased - free to learn from her mistakes and free to own them, as well. She has felt bad and guilty for things that are her fault and for things that are not her fault for far too long. She isn't seventeen, this isn't her bedroom, and she isn't holding her dead brother in her arms. She is standing and she is facing him - facing her own choices - and she is not letting him get away with it.

"Are you done?" she asks flatly. Yes, she is speaking to both of them still.