Damon sees it all. He knows her so incredibly well after all, and he reads everything that she is saying in her expression. Damon sees the way the flame rises up to her cheek, the way she understands even before that anyone has elaborated exactly what he had mentioned to Ethan. It wasn't mentioned to him in an attempt to make her feel bad when it came out (it would hurt him if she did feel bad about it even if he is perfectly aware of why he would be someone she'd be ashamed to have made out with). It was mentioned because he knew it would bother Ethan to think about, because it was one more time Ethan wasn't around and one more time where Damon was and they are so, so much closer than Ethan realizes. He's lashing out, trying to grab hold of what-- trying to grab hold of what he never had to start with.

What he can never have not with Elena, not with anyone, because of who and what he is. He is a terrible, damaging thing who doesn't know how to love.

Damon sees it all. He sees the betrayal and the fury both of them crossing over her face (and yes, he sees the hurt too and it hurts like every single time he sabotages himself, like every single time he destroys what he wants, the relationships that he has with people that he loves.

He will never stop destroying.)

And it's been decades, but he's ruined this in the shortest of times, hasn't he?

Damon meets her gaze, and he doesn't look away even with the strength of all his emotions (upset and anger and hurt and loneliness). and I don't get hurt. This is not the Elena she was when they first fell through into Chicago. She's changed and grown (and he will never grow enough).

His voice is low when he speaks, "Yes."