"'Lena why are you in my closet?" Stefan
"Looking for something. I'll be right out."
She came out with her favorite shirt of his. The chambray one.
"What are you doing with my shirt," he asks with a smile in his voice, leaning against the headboard stretching from their post-training workout sexy times.
She stands in front of him only wearing one of his t-shirts and a smile that melts him."I love this shirt. When you were... (her voice goes low)...gone I wore this shirt all the time. It sounds creepy but it smelled like you and it just made me feel close to you. Like you were giving me strength." She loses the smile as her mind recalls that period when Stefan left her.
"Doesn't sound creepy at all. Especially from the girl who stares at you while you sleep," he jokes with her trying to bring her back and get her to smile.
It works. Within moments she's returned to the present with him and all the memories they've been creating together. "So funny, Stefan," she says with playful sarcasm. She could never explain how much joy she got from being playful with him. "In any case, both memories show just how much of a head over heeled romantic I am. You should feel lucky."
"Oh but I do feel lucky. Every day I do."
He looks at the clock and sees that Damon will be swinging by to pick her up shortly for their college trip and tries to change the conversation—otherwise, he'd be hardpressed to let her leave without showing her how mutual all her feelings were. And he had ample opportunity as he watched her switch out of his t-shirt and into the dress she was wearing.
"So are you gonna keep my shirt in your bag or something"?
She laughs. "No. I'm going to wear it."
"Why? I'm here now, Elena."
"Because. I made you a promise in the woods this morning. And I intend to keep it. I just need a little help."
"And how is wearing my shirt helpful"?
She pushes her hair back behind her ear and tries to explain. "It's like a talisman that reminds me of what we're trying to do here. And it reminds me of you and of who I want to be. Who I am. And: I love you and want you with me on this."
"I'm sorry I'm not."
She moves to the bed and straddles his waist pointing at the shirt she's wearing over her dress.
"But you are, Stefan. You are."
He nods and smiles at her and kisses her passionately. Kissed her like he wanted to remind her that she was his and he was hers.
Before it got too heavy, Damon's horn blared.
They broke apart, both sighing with unresolved frustration.
"At least we locked the door today."
"We have learned that lesson."
She kisses him once more before sliding off of him and the bed.
"Elena?" Stefan calls to her once she gets to the door.
"Yeah"?
He opens his mouth to tell her but it gets stuck. So many things he wants to say.
"I will remember. I promise." And she's gone before he blinks.
