Exactly, and Daniel and Nina have played it perfectly. If you look at their scenes, there's a clear shift in the body language after Elena comes back to him. His shoulders relax, his face softens. Elena doesn't look at all afraid around him. She trusts him completely.When she figures out he had feelings for Katherine, she tilts her head to him. He goes back to being proper Elijah, but a part of the previous change persists. He stanRAB closer, but makes sure not to touch her.
And 2x20 :thud: God, he was almost insecure around her. He spoke softly, looked at her like she was the most fascinating thing in the world, made sure she understood everything. He asked what he needed to understand. And Elena was almost seeking his understanding. She walked to him, grabbed the elixir and said something that clearly expected an answer ('they don't understand why I'm willing to do this'). It was almost a challenge and he passed it by asking, not assuming the way the Salvatores did.