It was around four in the mourning before Elena was able to drag Stefan to his feet and up the stairs to his bed. He was emotionally crippled. After his humanity came back, he couldn't bring himself to move, speak or even look at Elena. So, instead he remained slumped in her arms until she decided to take him upstairs. Elena watched as his body surrendered to sleep, he must have been physically and emotionally exhausted after hours of sobbing. However, she felt wide awake. She had been waiting for this moment for months, even when Stefan returned to Mystic Falls after the summer had ended, he still wasn't really back. But, now, now he is. Although she knew she should be feeling over the moon with relief, there was this gnawing feeling that this wasn't the end of their troubles. They were probably only half way there. Elena knew it would be easy to give up on him, in fact, it would have been easier to give up on him when all of this began. Looking over at him though, and seeing his peaceful sleeping face, that wasn't tainted by guilt, she knew there was no way she could let him go. Even if it took the rest of her lifetime, she wouldn't stop until she got her Stefan back.

Waking up hours later, Elena opened her eyes to find Stefan lying there frozen in position staring at the ceiling, identically to how he'd be laying there when his humanity was off. It seemed to be some sort of coping mechanism for him, he needed Elena's presence but couldn't look at her because everything would become too real and overwhelming. Now his face wasn't blank though, it was strained and worn down. Desperate to offer him some comfort, Elena reached over to caress his cheek and at first, he flinched but then closed his eyes and relaxed into it. Elena was compelled by his acceptance to go further, so she shuffled closer and ran her fingers through his hair. While she was doing so Stefan released a breath he didn't even know he was holding. As their proximity became closer and closer, the air around them started to get hotter. One thing led to another and Elena was pressed against his side whilst one of her hands grazed against his chest. Finally directing his gaze towards her, not quite looking her in the eye though, Stefan watched with wide eyes as she edged closer. Slowly but surely, Elena leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips, and when he didn't back away, she kissed him again but with more conviction. This wasn't a great idea, Elena knew that much, but she couldn't help herself, especially when he started kissing her back. Every second that passed, their make out session became more heated. All sense of rationality flew out of the window and Elena threw one leg over the other side of him, so that she was straddling him. Intensifying the kiss, Stefan ran his hands down to her ass and she ground against him. But just as she was about to grab the hem of his shirt, he rolled her off of him and backed away to sit on the edge of the bed, not facing her. Internally, Elena cursed herself for letting things get too out of hand too soon. She glanced over and saw him with his head bowed whilst he was breathing heavily.

"Stefan. I'm sorry. It's just…I'm just…" Elena tried to say but just sighed. "I'm gonna head downstairs and make some breakfast. Feel free to join me whenever you're ready. Okay?"

In response, Stefan just nodded.

Entering the kitchen, Elena began making her breakfast. A few minutes had passed, and Stefan still hadn't joined her. Despite holding each other for hours last night and having their heated moment this morning, he still hadn't spoken a word to her other than his small initial apology. Elena couldn't help but wonder why? Obviously, she was aware he was feeling serious guilt and was struggling, but no matter what they had faced in the past, they were always able to talk to each other. He hadn't even looked her in the eye yet. That was probably what she missed the most the times they would just lay there and talk. They spent hours and hours talking about anything and everything, she would talk about her childhood and memories with her parents and he would tell her about all of his adventures in all the different countries he's been to. She could have listened to him all day, especially when he talked about Europe with so much passion and promised her that once she was done with college he would take her away and show her the world. It was to the point now, where she even missed the time they would vent to each other about every little thing. When times were simpler, and there only worries were Damon being a jackass and Elena not understanding her math homework. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Stefan coming down the stairs, rather than heading to his usual spot on the table, he went straight onto the balcony and sat outside. Oh, so now he was going to avoid her completely? Elena thought. This wasn't going to get them anywhere, but she also couldn't force him too soon. So, she decided to start off small. Opening the fridge, she picked up a blood bag and deposited some into a small glass. Controlling his blood lust was another battle for a different day. She joined him outside and placed the glass on the table whilst taking a seat.

"Here, I thought you could use something to eat." Elena said offering a smile.

Stefan's gaze passed over the glass, but he didn't pick it up and down it like she expected, instead, he just shook his head and turned his look back to the LA horizon.

"Stefan. You need it." She urged him, but still he gave nothing response. "Listen I know this is hard Stefan. I'm not gonna sit her like some deluded young girl and expect everything from now on to be perfect and that things are gonna return to how they used to be between us. The truth is, is that this is going to be really hard. We're going to have to struggle and fight every day. But if that's what it takes to be with you, then I'm going to do it without a second thought because I love you and I know if things were the other way around, you wouldn't give up on me. You may think that after everything you've done, you've pushed me away and lost me forever. But in reality, I'm certain that I'm so in love with you that no matter what you do, you could never lose me. I love you Stefan and I believe in you, all you need to do is try."

Stefan's eyes flickered over to her and they held so much pain and conflict, Elena wanted to cry. But she had to be strong, so she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and went about her day.