AN: Chapter one is set somewhere between the Mikaelsons coming back and November 6/7 when Elena dies in canon when Matt drives off the bridge. No Mikaelson drama aka Original parents.
Elena looks at him with wide eyes, biting her lip as if they weren't just kissing, like he's not inches away.
"I can't. I can't do this. Not now. I have so much more to do and I don't want to ruin this because I-" Elena stops. He can hear her heart pound furiously in her chest, and he reaches a hand out to touch her face. She leans into it and bites her lip harder.
"Elijah-I can't. And you're going to New Orleans and you're going to be happy. That's what you said, right?" Elena asks and he nods, eyes darting to her lips.
"I'm human. And you have to go," Elena murmurs and he kisses her again before he pulls away.
"I know," His voice is heavy. Elena closes her eyes and his hand leaves her face and waits for the sound of movement, but he kisses her forehead, tenderly.
"Always and forever," Elijah murmurs and she keeps her eyes closed as she waits for the wooshing noise she's gotten used to hearing from disappearing vampires.