"Weightless
Bonnie breathed softly as she gazed at the room around her; taking in the bright rays of sunlight as they invaded her eyes.
She nestled her head against the fluffy pillow beneath her, and inhaled in the sweet and savory scent of cologne, as it infiltrated her nose.
Elijah's bedroom.
The Original had been enough of a gentlemen to offer her his personal space as he moved to the guest bedroom, and she couldn't thank him enough for that. All of the herbal coffee had her head spinning, and she desperately needed to sleep off the fact that she'd driven all day to see him.
As she shifted against his blanket, she felt like a tiny speck in the sea of things, against his huge mattress. She glanced at the paintings on the wall, and observed the atmosphere of everything around her.
Everything was just so neat, as Elijah organized everything to a T; and somehow, this didn't surprise her.
From the delightfully full bookshelf, to the way he aligned the objects on his dresser, he was a perfectionist. He expected greatness. He didn't settle for chaos.
Bonnie rose in bed, and leaned herself against the mahogany headboard, and sighed.
She hoped that she hadn't made a mistake coming here, and more importantly staying.
Her cell phone had been buzzing all morning with text messages from Caroline, asking her where she was, and why she wasn't answering her doorbell. Confessing to this was more nervewracking than she thought.
"I'm in Maine. I'm here with Elijah. I just need to figure some things out," she replied, and she imagined the look on the blonde's face as she read the revelation.
"Wow, well that was unexpected. But I'm wishing you all of my support. Call me with deets/let me know if you need an out?"
"Deal," Bonnie answered, as she typed hesitantly. "Where's Damon?"
"He didn't tell you? He went to Denver with Elena to get Jeremy. After everything with Klaus, she didn't think it was safe for him anymore. Damon offered to drive with her."
Bonnie ran her tongue along her teeth at that, and scrunched her brows.
"Why not Stefan?" she asked.
"He's with Ric. Apparently he's psycho, again. And Damon's kind of weird about it, so Stefan offered to stay. I think he really just wanted to give Damon and Elena some time alone."
"Yeah, maybe."
Bonnie twisted the pendant on her necklace, and bit her lip.
Should she tell Caroline that she and Damon kissed just yesterday? She didn't know if it was wise to say a thing at all.
She decided she wouldn't.
"I'll text you later with everything," Bonnie offered, and she nearly choked on her own breath when she read the text from Caroline that followed.
"If you can get to it, between all the sex you'll be having. I won't wait up."
"You really think he's expecting to get laid?"
"Bonnie, really? You're staying with him, alone, in a secluded cabin in the woods. You should be having sex as we speak."
Bonnie scoffed in disbelief, and placed her phone on the bed.
Sex with Elijah, really? Was that all Caroline thought this trip to reconnect was about?
Bonnie didn't even know there'd be any sex, whatsoever, to be honest. She and Elijah hadn't ever discussed their sexual lives-or her lack thereof- because, seriously? She hadn't exactly anticipated this, or prepared for it.
Bonnie was the very last virgin left, apparently, and this situation was a bit unnerving. She didn't plan on sleeping with anyone, anytime soon, but as she knew very well that life didn't always go according to plan.
What if Elijah had another idea in mind? Or what if she did, too?
She realized that she was shaking, and she didn't need to be thinking about this, right now.
She was getting way too ahead of herself.
Bonnie climbed out of bed, and she adjusted the buttons on the long dress shirt that she was wearing, thanks to Elijah. She didn't exactly pack a wardrobe to come here, because she didn't plan on staying.
Bonnie ruffled her messy brown hair, and made her way to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, at least. She hated the way she looked in the morning, but the least she could do was look presentable.
After she finished, she glanced at the huge clock on the wall, as the other chimed from the living room, to signal the top of the hour.
9 A.M- it was the perfect time for breakfast. Too bad Elijah probably had a refrigerator full of blood.
Bonnie made her way, cautiously down the hallway, however, and she wrinkled her nose in curiousity when she smelled something coming from the kitchen, as she approached it quietly.
Bonnie let out a sign of shock when she walked in to see a sight she was sure she'd never see, in her entire life: Elijah, with a frying pan in hand, making eggs.
He was cooking. And he was still only wearing boxers. And she was positive that her heart was now in her throat.
"I was wondering when you'd make it here, you've been awake for some time," he commented and she gazed at him in confusion until she realized how he would have known that.
"Oh, right. Supernatural hearing," she said, and he smiled softly before cracking another egg. "I'm... still getting used to the fact that you don't sleep in a suit," Bonnie added and Elijah's look filled with amusement.
"I can't be so serious all the time, Bonnie. Nobody can."
Bonnie stood there, dumbly, as her eyes rolled over his abs, and she gulped softly. Elijah slid the eggs onto a plate, and as he walked over to the table, it was only then that she realized that he cooked a fucking continental breakfast.
Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast, and fruit- it was all freshly prepared, as Elijah busily set the mugs, glasses, and dishes in place.
Was he serious?
Bonnie looked up, and she noticed the smirk on his face as he dusted off his hands, and graciously pulled out a chair- he stood behind it expectantly, and nodded in her direction.
"This is all for me?" she choked out, as she neared him, and he continued to smile.
"As if I'd do so for anybody else," he answered, and she laughed incredulously. "What?"
"This is... wow," she breathed, and Elijah didn't say a word as she finally sat down, and he pushed her in. "You're obviously trying to fatten me up. That's not very nice."
Elijah laughed at that before he sat down beside her, and folded his hands. She was trying her best to stop staring at him, but she couldn't help it; how was it even possible for someone to look this good in the morning?
His short brown hair, his light scruff around his his cheeks; everything about his face was intoxicating.
It didn't help either that his shoulders were so broad, his skin was unbearably smooth, and that chest of his- it was probably really bad news that he didn't see it proper to wear much to bed.
"I believe it's very nice," he said softly, as she bit into a piece of bacon. "If you eat too much, perhaps you'll be too tired to move; even more exhausted to leave."
Bonnie felt her cheeks flush at that, and she inhaled a long sigh when she felt his hand slide onto her bare thigh, and give her a gentle squeeze.
She had goosebumps, easily, as his hand stayed there- brushing slightly against her skin, as he helped himself to a cup of coffee with the other.
Bonnie breathed softly, and turned to look into his charcoal eyes that were transfixed on the table.
Was he completely oblivious to what he was doing to her, exactly?
"So, what do we have planned, today?" Bonnie asked, as she tried her best not to focus on just how hot her skin was becoming just from his touch.
"I figured we could go into town, and go on a bit of an exploration. I take it you've never been here, before?" he asked, and she laughed.
"I've never been anywhere, Elijah. Except for New York, that one time," she said, and the vampire smiled gently at the memory. "What's there to do in town?"
"There are plenty of boutiques. And seeing as you failed to pack much of anything, you're going to need some clothes... though, if I'm honest... I am not opposed to seeing you in my dress shirt all day," he noted, and Bonnie blushed. "There's also history. And beaches. Plenty of places to dine, as well. Perhaps we'll have lunch."
"Lunch, really? First off, I don't think I'm gonna be able fit a peanut in my stomach after this," she gestured to the table. "Besides... I know that you don't really have to eat. You... don't have to keep doing this for me... I guess I just have to ask, though- does it really curb the cravings?"
Elijah glanced into her eyes in a steady way, but only sat up straighter in his chair, to answer her questions.
"That depends," he replied.
"On what?"
"On the type of vampire you're dealing with," he said, and Bonnie perked up to listen. "I, myself, have been around for quite some time, Bonnie, and there aren't many things that can tempt my appetite, at this point. The mere sight of blood barely affects me- the smell of it, too. I believe that because of my age, the cravings have stopped. So, in a sense, eating human food really does nothing at all, to me. I... eat what I like, because I enjoy it. There's nothing more to it."
Bonnie digested his words, and nodded her head silently. It made sense; Elijah's bloodlust was basically turned off, so his attitude towards food was simply because of who he was, and nothing else.
"I've never even seen your fangs, Elijah. And your eyes... they don't do that thing where they turn red, and stuff," Bonnie added, and he nodded.
"I know, and that is widely because of my control... I have to be in a state of rage, usually, for it to occur... Like when I found out what Niklaus did to you," he said softly, and Bonnie remained silent at that. "I almost never bare them, Bonnie. I have no reason to."
"So, you don't... feed on people?" she asked cautiously, and Elijah sent her a faint smile.
"You're quite curious today. Is something plaguing your mind?"
Bonnie inhaled softly, and felt a chill run through her when she remembered that night.
When Damon fed on her blood, and she fed on his.
For some reason, she couldn't get it off of her mind and out of her head as it continuously played on loop, over and over, again. The feeling of Damon's teeth plunging into her wrist and then her neck moved her, in more ways than one. The taste of his blood as it slid into her veins, and healed her of her wounds- it was intoxicating, to say the least.
Just why couldn't she get these images out of her mind?
"I just... have an interest in it, that's all," she said.
Elijah eyed her softly, before finally letting out a deep breath, and holding onto her hand.
"I much prefer to recieve my blood from bags rather than a live source," he started. "I've... always had a problem with just feeding on my victim, and leaving them, compelled and confused, to never know just what happened to them. For that... I have offered them my blood, to help with the healing process of it all. However... the blood bond becomes all too much to handle, sometimes."
Bonnie's eyes widened as she sat up, and peered into his eyes.
"Blood bond?"
"Indeed, you've never heard of it?" he asked, and she shook her head. "It's a simple concept, quite actually, Bonnie. A bond is created when a vampire and a human share blood. The vampire feeds on the human, the human feeds on the vampire, if the times are within close proximity-say a day, of each other- and there you go; a connection has been established between the two."
"Is it like... a sire bond?"
"Well, no. A sire bond happens by chance; and it only requires the being that is turned to feel an overwhelming sense of dedication towards their 'master,' because it is their blood that has made them. But blood never has to be ingested by both beings. The sire bond can also be broken."
Bonnie breathed evenly at that.
"And the blood bond?"
"It can be blurred and weakened over time, once your contact with the vampire or human diminishes but... it never truly stops until one of you is dead. Of all the people who I have shared blood with... I still feel for them, sometimes. I feel their hurt, I understand their pain... I know when they grieve. I've... wanted to find them; be with them, for no reason I can even explain... But it does not haunt so much, anymore- I have not seen any of them since. Contact is the only way to keep it alive."
"It's like oxygen to a flame," she said blankly, and he nodded.
"Like oxygen to a flame."
Bonnie cleared her throat, and exhaled shakily as she thought about Damon, and their night at her house.
They shared blood- he had hers, and she had his, and now, they were connected.
Worse? There was no way to break the bond that she was already beginning to feel the effects of.
Had Damon known, all along, that this would happen? Why didn't he stop her?
"It's not something you need to worry about," Elijah said reassuringly, as he took Bonnie's face into his hands, and rubbed softly. "We can connect in many other ways."
Bonnie nodded, though she felt herself looking away; desperately trying to convince herself that these thoughts about Damon were just in her head, and not because of some freaky blood bond that he failed to inform her about.
But thinking about Damon was a task in itself, as her heartbeat quickened, and she felt herself getting hot, at the mere thought of his face.
"So, are we ready to go shopping?" she asked almost immediately, and Elijah smirked.
"Eager, are we?"
Bonnie put on her best fake smile, and rose to her feet, as she took one last bite of her toast.
"Very," she replied, and Elijah stood his feet, before clapping his hands together.
"Sure, then. We'll get ready, and we'll go."
Bonnie sighed softly, though she was shaking nervously. She needed to fight this blood bond that she had with Damon, and she needed to do it as soon as possible.
And for some reason, she believed she knew exactly how to do so.
"You should probably turn the radio down," Damon said, as he sat in the passenger seat of Elena's SUV. "Or just turn it off, in general. This song is horrendous."
Elena sent Damon glance before turning the volume up even higher, and putting her attention back on the road.
They'd been in the car for hours, on the way to Denver, and Damon's snark had not gone unnoticed.
"Why did you wanna drive, anyway?" he asked curiously. "You know I've got tons of miles, right?... Besides, what's the point in driving if we don't engage in some chit-chat? We've been on the road since yesterday, and you've barely said a thing. So, what gives?"
"I don't like airplanes," Elena revealed, as she kept her eyes on the highway. "I also thought it'd be a nice chance for us to talk. In private. About everything that's going on."
Damon's eyebrow rose as he sat up straighter, and pursed his lips.
"Okay, so talk. What's on your brain, Warrior Princess?"
"You and Bonnie," she said sharply, and Damon inhaled deeply. "Damon, I-"
"Don't even start, Elena," he warned with a firm finger. "Last I checked, you rejected me. That means that you don't get to do this anymore; give me your opinion on something that I never asked about."
"Just because I... was honest... doesn't mean I can't give you my opinion, Damon. I worry about you, okay? I just... I don't want you to get hurt."
"Hurt how?" he asked, with a bit of a bite to his voice. "Did she say something to you?"
"She didn't have to, Damon. I-I just knew-after everything that happened that night with Klaus that you'd just... rebound to the first girl who gave you some attention."
Damon's brows furrowed, as he let out a gentle scoff.
"You did not just say that-"
"I did, Damon; I did. Because you know it's true. You're doing what you always do, and I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna allow it with my best friend. I won't. She's already confused about the Elijah thing, she doesn't need you doing this to her."
There was a long silence in the car as Damon soaked in Elena's words, and she remained quiet, all the while.
She wasn't completely wrong.
Damon wasn't exactly known as a sitting duck when it came to women, as he frequently bounced back, forth, and all over the place.
And he'd done this all his life.
He never really took the time out to get over one interest before pursuing another, and as a result, his heart was all types of fucked up.
Was dragging Bonnie into his messy situation really going to cause more harm than good, despite the fact that he believed what he felt was real?
"She's my best friend, Damon," Elena spoke softly, though her brown eyes never parted from the road. "I know her."
"So, I suppose she told you about our kiss, yesterday?" he asked, and Elena"s eyes widened immediately. "The fact that she actually liked it?"
"You can't just go around kissing everyone while you figure yourself out, Damon. She's deserves more than that, and you know it."
"And you don't think I can be the guy to give her that?" he asked angrily.
"Elijah is the guy to give her that," Elena argued. "You can't be what Bonnie wants, Damon- I know first hand-"
"No, Elena. What you 'know' is that I couldn't be the better man for you. I couldn't change for you, and somehow, even after you've let me go, you're still upset about it. You're upset that instead of really having a choice, I gave you one; I gifted you with the perfect opportunity to go back to Stefan."
"That's not what this is about, Damon-"
"Isn't it, though, Elena? Does it really make you sick to believe that who I want to be doesn't revolve around you, anymore? That somebody else actually sees me for who I am, and hey, they actually kind of accept it?"
Damon watched as a flood of tears filled Elena's eyes, and she suddenly pulled the SUV over to the side of the road, as she erupted into a sobbing fit.
He instantly felt like the worst person in the world as he watched Elena crying uncontrollably, as she covered her mouth with her hands, and looked down to the ground.
"Elena-"
"You don't know how hard it is, Damon; trying to just be friends with somebody that you love. Realizing that no matter how much you may love them, they just aren't the person for you- that they can do so much better."
Damon frowned at her words, as she wiped her eyes, and he remained quiet.
He knew exactly what that felt like; he was going through that with Bonnie, right now.
As attracted to her that he was, in the back of his mind, he knew that it wasn't right. He knew that she deserved so much more than him.
Damon felt the swelling in his heart grow, and his stomach dropped as he looked straight ahead, and shifted uncomfortably.
"So, you're saying that you don't think I can win this; that I can't win her over, Elena?"
"I'm saying that I don't wanna see you get your heart broken, again. I'm-I'm saying that Bonnie knows what she wants, Damon, and she's in Maine getting just that. Isn't it obvious that you've already lost?"
Damon rolled his tongue over his teeth, and he felt Elena take his hand into her own. She slowly intertwined their fingers together, and he had to fight the urge to crush her hand, right then and there.
His life was just one defeat after another, and when it came to Bonnie, the battle was already won.
But not on his side, unfortunately.
"I'm sorry," Elena said gently, as she pulled off again, and Damon didn't say a word, as he let the feeling of his let-down settle within his bones, once more.
He felt sorry, too. But mostly, just for himself.
"I'm really not good at this- OH MY GOD," Bonnie shrieked, as she began to reel her the line on her fishing pole in, and Elijah laughed as he held her around the waist to help her pull in the catch.
Bonnie squealed the entire time, and only began laughing once they pulled the large bass out of the water, and she turned to him in disbelief, as he wore a genuine smile.
"You're not as terrible as you believe," he said gently, as he took the fish out of her hands, and began to unhook it. "You've done excellent for a beginner."
"Yeah, well, it's no wonder I haven't passed out, yet," she replied, and he laughed.
It was Day Two of hanging at Camp Elijah, and she had to say that yesterday had been much more of her speed, as it consisted of shopping and dinner after sunset, on the water.
Today, it was Elijah's turn to pick the activity. He picked fishing.
She'd never even gone fishing before, in her entire life, but according to him, she was a natural. She didn't think so, as she squirmed at the sight of him removing the bait.
She had to admit; seeing him this way, in such a happy, free-spirited state, had slowly begun to unbury all of the feelings she formally decided that she could put away.
She couldn't.
She couldn't pretend like seeing the real Elijah did nothing to her, when it made her feel everything. She felt everything for him, in this one moment, and she was sick of pretending like his happiness didn't phase her.
Like he didn't phase her.
Elijah just had this way about him that she adored, but she couldn't quite describe.
He was layered-so layered- with the most serious parts of his personality resting on top, easy for anyone else to see.
But beneath it all? He was charismatic. He was a joker. He was thrilling.
He was the guy that your mother dreamed of, for her daughter. He was the guy that your father hated to love.
And if she'd have it, he'd be all hers.
Elijah could be all hers.
"Is this really your idea of 'fun?'" she asked, and Elijah smiled softly. "The big, bad, Original Vampire goes fishing?"
"I don't find it appropriate to mock me on my boat, Ms. Bennett," Elijah answered, and she bit her lip as she looked into his eyes.
"And what are you gonna do to stop me?" she asked tauntingly. "Catch a salmon?"
"There are no salmon in this water," he replied. "I can toss you in if you'd like to be sure," he joked and she smiled.
Elijah stood to his feet, and began to pull in the rope that kept the boat anchored, and Bonnie sat behind the wheel, as she followed his direction.
There was something satisfying about watching him, as his strong arms grasped onto the rope, and the focused glare on his face never faltered. Just as he was with fishing, Elijah was determined when it came to anything.
She couldn't say that she hated that he was such a fighter; she was a bit of a fighter as well.
"So, what now?" Bonnie asked, as she turned the wheel over to him, and he began steering them back in the direction of the dock. "Are we going hunting next?"
"Sadly, no," Elijah replied, as he kept his eyes on the path before them, and picked up the speed of the boat. "The rain will be here shortly, and I don't imagine you want to spend the night all... wet," he said with a wink, and she immediately blushed as she turned away.
Honestly? Did he really need to keep doing that?
"Since when are we doing what I want?" Bonnie asked, and Elijah smirked as his hand slid into hers, and he steered with the other.
"We always do what you want," he informed gently. "Which is why we're going to have a nice, quiet night. A little bit of wine, a little bit of music... Me, in an apron..."
"An apron?" she asked in disbelief. "Really? I'm still trying to digest the fact that you didn't break out your best Armani to catch that bass."
"Hm, funny," he said softly, and her eyes twinkled with her smile. "If you don't want to see me in an apron, I have no qualms about you wearing it, instead. I'd always assumed I was the chef between us, though."
Her eyes widened, and she scoffed as she folded her arms.
"You don't think I can cook?"
"You haven't given me any reason to believe otherwise," he joked, as he successfully pulled into the dock, and handed the wheel back over to her.
As Elijah threw out the anchor, Bonnie watched in quiet calculation, as she began to devise a plan that she was believed was probably a little bit crazy, but definitely worth it, if things went her way.
It'd be absolutely perfect.
She only awakened from her senses when she realized his hand was outstretched towards hers, in an effort to help her off of the boat, and back onto the pier.
Bonnie graciously grabbed his hand, and followed him back to his car, where he held the door open for her, and nodded for her to get inside.
When he was finally behind the wheel and they were off, Bonnie impulsively turned to face Elijah, with a look of sheer genius in her eyes, before he finally acknowledged her with a glance.
"I have an idea," she presented. "Why don't... I cook for you?"
Elijah's eyes widened considerably as he continued to drive, and he cocked his head.
"You mean you don't want to be pampered, tonight?" he asked with a slick tone. "Have I not been doing an acceptable job?"
"You've been great," she breathed, and he smiled. "But, like you said, we're doing what I want. And I want the chance to show you what I can do," she said boldly.
The two remained quiet as Elijah drove the last few minutes back to the cabin, and he parked out front before turning to face her. The deep look in his eyes was giving her gooosebumps, and she almost melted when she realized he had a smirk that could stop a World War.
"As you wish, then, Bonnie," he said softly, and she scrunched her brows in surprise at his answer.
"That's it? 'As you wish?' You're not gonna fight me to defend you honour as a 'gentlemen?'" she asked skeptically, and he shrugged.
"As a gentlemen, I trust your judgement," he replied, and she bit her lip. "But above all, Bonnie... I trust you. You may be the only one that I do trust."
Bonnie felt a gentle smile form at her lips, and she watched as Elijah got out of the car to remove the fishing equipment that was in the trunk.
She breathed smoothly, though her heart was racing a mile a minute, and she pulled out her cell phone almost immediately.
Bonnie scrolled through her contacts and stopped when the cursor highlighted over Caroline's name. She began to type a text message, though her hands were shaking uncontrollably.
It was almost a blessing that she completed her thoughts coherently before pressing send, and she gazed at the words on her screen that she so anxiously sent to her best friend.
I need your help. I think tonight is the night.
"I must say, Bonnie, that was quite the exquisite dish you prepared," Elijah said smoothly, and the girl grinned as she cleared the table, relishing in the air of the compliment.
Their dinner had gone off without a hitch, and she could finally breathe a sigh of relief that it was all over.
Almost.
"I've been making Stuffed Chicken Marsala ever since I was allowed to be in the kitchen, as a kid," she replied, as she began to wash the dishes in the sink.
"You've been in the kitchen since a young age?" he asked, and she nodded gently.
"I have. With my mom gone, my father always on business, and my Grams... drunk... I had to do a lot of cooking for myself. I did a lot taking care of myself," she admitted.
Elijah quietly rose to his feet, and Bonnie breathed slowly as he snaked his hands around her waist, and gently relieved her fingers of the sponge and soap that she held onto tightly.
He really needed to stop doing that- being so goddamn hot.
"Not here," he whispered into her ear, and it sent shivers straight up and down her spine. "Here, I take care of you."
Bonnie didn't respond, and he placed a soft kiss against her hair, before immediately easing her out of the way, and beginning to wash the plates himself.
"Sit," he ordered. "Enjoy a glass of wine."
Bonnie nodded, almost mindlessly, before walking back over to the table, and pouring herself a glass. She sipped on it gingerly, as the sound of the running water infiltrated the room.
"So, even on your night off, you still need to be in charge?" she asked curiously, and Elijah never turned in her direction.
"It may be a vice, of mine," he admitted. "It is not that I mind others bearing on a bit of responsibility, but perhaps, I am used to it. I took care of siblings, all my life... Doing for others is what I know. It may very well be who I am."
Bonnie tapped her fingers along the glass, and within moments, he was finished washing.
She couldn't help but be enamored by the simple look in his eyes, and she cleared her throat when she realized she was lost in her stare.
"Well, I still have a responsibility to care of, as well: dessert."
Elijah's eyes brightened at the words.
"Go on; head to the living room and play that music you promised me. I'll bring it out."
"As you wish," he replied. "I'll be out of your hair for all five minutes," Elijah added, as he walked through the swinging door, and over to the stereo.
He was particularily in the mood for some Coltrane, but if she was eager to hear a little Adele, he supposed he could handle that, too.
As he dialed between the satellite radio stations, he heard her footsteps approach, and he sighed.
"Now, when you said you desired for some music, did you mean something old, or ne-" he stopped when he faced her, and she was standing there, silently, in a white lace bra, with a matching set of underwear.
He nearly doubled over in shock when his eyes finally set gaze on the thigh highs and garter belt, that expertly completed the look.
Elijah was floored, actually, and he truly felt as though he was at a loss for words, for the first time in his life.
Her hair that was formally in a bun was loose at the shoulders, and her green eyes were steady on him, while she continued to hold the plate of strawberries- that he just noticed- in her hand.
"Sit," she said firmly, and Elijah did, without an objection, on the couch as she stood before him.
He was mesmerized, and probably would have done anything that she said, at this point.
"When did you..." he trailed off, as she straddled over his lap, and looked deeply into his eyes with a brave glare.
"I bought this yesterday, when we went shopping," she announced, as she set the plate down beside him. "You were busy with that saleswoman who wouldn't let you out of her sight."
Elijah's hand slowly crept onto her waist, and his lips pursed.
"And I assume you had a great deal to do with that?" he asked.
Bonnie smirked as she grabbed a chocolate covered strawberry off of the plate, and observed it.
"My powers came in handy," she revealed, before biting into the fruit, and he licked his teeth, involuntarily.
"Have one?" she asked simply, and he nodded softly.
"I'd be delighted."
Bonnie picked up another strawberry, and held it to Elijah's lips, with a confident look on her face.
She may have looked like a sex goddess, but her heart was pounding. Just being this close to him was sending her into a dizzy, as she inhaled that familiar scent of his cologne that so easily clouded any bit of rational thinking she had left.
Bonnie tried to remain composed as he took a bite into the strawberry, and licked his lips, silently afterwards. His eyes weren't wavering, but neither were hers.
She had to go through with this.
Bonnie smoothed her hands over his shirt, and steadily began to loosen his tie, before heading for the buttons before her.
Elijah only watched quietly, but not without movement of his own, as he ran his fingers through her long brown hair, and drew her body in, closer to him. She felt his hands running along her thighs, and without another word, she grabbed his face and kissed him.
Elijah was taken by surprise, initially, but he quickly assimilated into the movement, as Bonnie continued to kiss him so strongly, he almost forgot his name.
Bonnie inhaled a long breath as she shut her eyes, and his hands traveled along her back in slow rhythm, as he seemed to relax her skin with each touch. They continued kissing longingly, and Elijah felt Bonnie press him harder against the couch, with each firm push.
Her lips traveled down to his neck, and he grasped onto even tighter, as she hastily removed his shirt, with one strong pull.
Bonnie immediately felt herself lifted into his arms, but their lips never broke, as he walked them out of the living room and into his bedroom, where he placed her gently on the bed.
She looked into his eyes silently, and it felt like her heart was in her throat.
She was really going to do this, wasn't she?
Elijah climbed on top of her, and when there lips connected into another sweet kiss, she felt him unhook the garter belt, as he easily slid his hands over her legs.
Bonnie's hands scratched over his bare back before she employed all of her strength, and moved him beneath her.
Elijah may have been a control freak, but so was she, and she needed to take charge when it came to this.
Her hands smoothed over his abs, and Elijah quickly sat up, with Bonnie still on his lap, as she kissed him wildly and uncontrollably. His hands were on her chest, and her lips were against his ear, but somehow, there was just one blaring annoucement going on, inside of his head, though he was trying to ignore it.
He couldn't do this.
Elijah flipped Bonnie beneath him, and he held her firmly by the wrists, as she breathed heavily, and looked up into his eyes, anxiously.
His hand brushed along her hair, as he tried to steady his own breathing, before he finally calmed down completely.
"We shouldn't," he said simply, and he watched as the disappointment rolled onto her face. "Not because I don't desire to-because I do- but... I do not feel as though you are ready."
Bonnie glanced up at him, in pure confusion as she shook her head, and remained focused on him.
"I-I don't understand," she stuttered.
Elijah released her wrists, and sighed as he rolled over onto his back, and looked up at the ceiling. Bonnie propped up onto her elbows and gazed at him as the silence floated between them. She didn't know what the hell just happened.
She followed "Caroline's Guide to Seducing a Guy," perfectly.
She wore sexy lingerie. She got chocolate covered strawberries. She was aggressive. She made the first move.
She did everything she was supposed to, and he still didn't want her. Just what the hell did she do wrong?
"I do not want this to happen, Bonnie, until I am sure that you want it."
Bonnie blinked furiously, and let out an incredulous laugh.
"I'm... in lingerie, Elijah. With stockings, and a garter belt... And I just threw myself at you-"
"But was it just to please me, Bonnie? Was this truly how you intended it to be?"
Bonnie looked away as she ran her fingers through her hair, and shrugged.
She didn't know anything, anymore. She thought she had, but was she alot more confused than she truly believed herself to be?
"I do not mean to upset you, I don't,"Elijah said gently, as he sat up, and moved in closer towards her. "But... this is not how I raised. In my world, sex should not come before love. It has always been that way, for me. And I don't judge you if you believe differently-"
"I don't," she breathed, and Elijah didn't speak as he waited for her to continue. "I-I'm a virgin, Elijah. I just... I thought that this would make things clearer for me."
"It won't," he said, as he took her into his arms, and Bonnie sighed against his skin. "I want your first time to be special, Bonnie. Not a mere lustful decision made in the heat of the moment. Whether it is with I, or somebody else-"
"Somebody else?" she interrupted, and Elijah looked into her eyes.
"Surely, there is possibility that Damon could very well be in my shoes, correct?"
Bonnie rubbed her eye, and exhaled longingly.
"I don't want to think about that," she answered, and he shrugged lightly, before bringing her in tightly.
"Fair enough," Elijah said, as he dropped the subject. "But I will say this, Bonnie; whomever it is that is ever so lucky to share that experience with you... make sure that you love them. Be sure that their love can never be broken. You deserve somebody that will love you for the rest of their life."
Bonnie breathed smoothly as he leaned back against the headboard, and held her so securely in his arms, she'd never know how she felt safer any place else.
With her head against his chest, and his hand in her hair, she knew it-she knew that Elijah was right, and that she shouldn't have felt rushed into doing this with him.
But with the connection growing so quickly with Damon, she just wanted to feel connected to him somehow, too. She shared a huge part of herself with Damon by giving him her blood, and having his. Was she just setting herself up for failure by attempting to give Elijah a huge part of her being, as well?
"Have you ever been in love?" Elijah asked softly, as his fingers trailed across her neck, and Bonnie sighed at that.
"Once," she said. "I thought I was, anyway. I... I did everything to protect him, to care for him. I just... I couldn't stop, when it came to that. I risked so much because of my love for him... Too much."
"What happened?" Elijah asked, and Bonnie shifted in his arms.
"He... loved somebody else," she answered. "He still loved somebody else."
Elijah pulled her in even closer, and Bonnie bit her lip to stop the tears that threatened her eyes. Thinking about Jeremy Gilbert and how much he hurt her was something she promised herself she never wanted to do, ever again. The fact that she still cared about him, after all that they had been through, bothered her.
Why did she still care about somebody who broke her heart?
"What about you?" she asked in a gentle tone. "I assume you're not a virgin, so... how many times have you been in love?" Bonnie questioned, and Elijah brushed his hand along her cheek, before he finally answered.
"Four times," he replied. "Each one more painful than the next."
"Who was your first?"
"A girl back in the old village named Tatia," he said honestly.
"Tell me about her," Bonnie said, and Elijah sighed.
"She was... a joyous girl- the happiest I'd ever met, actually. Her smile... it could light up every place she'd ever went to, and you just... you couldn't help but desire her company. Every boy my age did. Including Niklaus."
"Did you fight over her?"
"Like hell, we did," he admitted. "Neither of us wanted to give up; we wouldn't back down when it came to our courtship. My father encouraged us to fight like men, about it- I truly believe he just wanted me to hurt Niklaus. And my mother? Well, she ended the feud in the best way she knew how."
"How?" Bonnie asked, and he bit his lip.
"She killed her," he said flatly, and Bonnie gasped at that. "Tatia's blood was in the toast the night that my mother turned us all into vampires. She... is the beginning of the Petrova doppelganger line," Elijah revealed, and Bonnie instantly looked into his eyes with widened ones of her own, as she shook her head.
"The original doppelganger? So, she was-"
"Elena's ancestor? Right. It is why I feel so much... compassion, if you will, for Ms. Gilbert. I see a lot of Tatia, in her- her indecision, mostly- but also much more. I've always held a desire to protect Elena, not because I have feelings for her, but because... I blamed myself for not protecting Tatia. I... could have protected her fate, had I just let her go. And it is one of the biggest things I regret."
Bonnie remained quiet, but she took in his words, and formed her fingers against his.
Elijah felt the need to protect her so fiercely because he still blamed himself for Tatia's death. He was quietly dealing with the pain of his regret, though he would never show just how much it crippled him.
It hurt him each time he thought about it.
"I'm sorry," Bonnie began, as she looked up at him. "I'm sorry that your first love was so tragic."
Elijah captured her hand into his, and kissed the top of it sweetly, as his charcoal eyes glowed against hers.
"I apologize for yours being, too," he said and she nodded gently. "Perhaps, our stories will be better the next time around- the next time we fall in love?"
Bonnie smiled faintly as she nodded, and rose a hand to his cheek.
Her thumb grazed along his jaw, and she watched the sharp intake of air he breathed into his lungs, just because of her touch.
"Yeah," she said quietly, as she moved in closer, and bit her lip. "Maybe we will have better luck, next time."
Elijah smiled at that.
"I should get going," he began, as he made a move to leave the bed. "I'm sure you're tired-"
"I'm not," she declared, and he stopped. "I really just wanna talk, more, if that's okay?"
"I haven't bored you with my dire stories about love lost, yet?" he asked, as Bonnie wrapped herself back into his arms, and shook her head.
"Nope," she reassured. "I actually wanna know about girls two through four. I think you have some things to get off of your chest, and if you want... I'm here to listen."
Elijah took Bonnie's face into his hands, and without another word, kissed her lightly against the lips.
It was soft and it was sweet, but it was just what she wanted, right now. It was all that she wanted, ever.
"Fine," he relented, with a comfortable gaze. "Where do I begin?"
"The start," she said, as she snuggled against his chest, and buried herself against him. "I want to hear it all from the start."
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A/N: Hey everyone! So, what did you all think of the latest chapter? I tried to give Team Bonlijah it's fair share of swooning, since I felt like I did a lot of Bamon lately, and im desperately trying to keep this even. How did I do? What do you think of Elijah's attitude when it comes to Bonnie? Is he being smart to slowly reveal each layer of who he is? And what about the steamy almost-sex moment, and his decision to stop it? Does Elijah know Bonnie better than he thinks? And let's not forget Damon's talk with Elena. Is she right to discourage him, or do you think he should put up the good fight? Also, what will happen in terms of that pesky blood bond when Bonnie returns...? As always, thank you SO much for reading this story. I still cant believe this was just a one shot, not too long ago! Ugh, haha. Anyway, review with your thoughts- Im dying to hear them! xoxo :)
