The time passed by way too fast for both Stefan and Elena's liking. Their time together was limited and the closer the date of her departure came, the faster the days went. Their time together had been short and neither one of them were prepared for what would happen next. Throughout the summer, whenever one of them would bring up the future, the other would shoot it down. Soon enough, both Elena and Stefan came to realize that it was a box that was meant to stay closed until they had no more time left.
The couple had decided to spend a day at Elena's parents' lake house. Just the two of them with no distractions coming from anyone. Although it was summer, there was a constant breeze on the pier, forcing Elena to bring a blanket outside with her. She sat on the edge with her feet dangling off the sides while Stefan was making her a cup of tea. A few minutes later, he stepped outside with a steaming mug in his hand.
"Your tea is served madam," he said teasingly while handing Elena her drink. She gladly accepted it and placed it next to her after taking a small gulp.
"Perfect," she answered.
Stefan sat down behind Elena and placed his legs either side of her so she was sitting between his legs. She quickly unwrapped herself from the blanket and shivered from the sudden cold. Stefan wrapped the blanket behind him and then gave the ends to Elena to cover herself. She was nestled between his strong torso and the warm duvet. He met her hands under the covers and intertwined their fingers together before placing them on her stomach. She leaned her head back ever so slightly so it was resting on his shoulder and contemplating staying there forever. Staying with the man she loves. Away from Mystic Falls. Away from everyone. Away from all the drama. Away from reality. As if reading her thoughts, Stefan looked at her before leaning down and capturing her lips into a soft kiss.
"Stef, I think it's time," she said against his lips.
She heard him sigh before saying "I know…"
Something about Elena and Stefan's relationship was that they seemed to always be on the same train of thoughts. No matter how vague their statement or question was, the other would always know what they were on about.
"What happens next? I leave after tomorrow, then you leave and the next time we'll see each other is maybe during Thanksgiving if both you and I come back home."
"I can travel to Toronto and sometimes you can come down to New York."
"I'm scared Stefan," she confessed. Ever since their date roughly two weeks ago, her thoughts kept drifting back to when they would have to separate. "The distance scares me. What if it's stronger than us? What if it creates a riff between us?"
"We'll make it through 'Lena. We always do. We're going to figure something out. It's all going to work out in the end. I promise"
Elena only nodded because she knew that if she opened her mouth, the tears would start to flow. Stefan tightened his hold around Elena and kissed her gently on her temple. He too was scared of what the future held for them but decided not to show it. He decided to be strong for the both of them. They stayed in silence while sitting on the pier, while Stefan gently rubbed his thumb in Elena's palm.
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Before they even had time to blink, it was already the day before Elena was leaving. Caroline was leaving a couple of days later and decided to throw a pool party for the both of them. "Not because we've all graduated and going to college that it means that we'll be forever apart"- that was her excuse to get everyone to come to her house. But even without her persuasion, everyone would have come anyway because a party thrown by Caroline is not one to be missed. Ever. It wasn't a normal party where everyone came either for lunch or for the evening. Caroline wanted to mix things up a little, break away from what she calls tradition. It was a daytime get together that would end up as an evening party.
Stefan and Elena arrived at Caroline's place together at about noon. Ever since the couple had come clean to Caroline, she couldn't help herself from smiling whenever she saw them. Anyone could see that there was so much chemistry between the two. A quick glance was filled with unsaid words, a language that they were both fluent in. As the couple went to greet Caroline, she hugged them both so tight knowing that it was the last time they were all going to be together. As Elena was leaving early the next day, her and Stefan had agreed that it would be best to say goodbye at the party. A rule that both of them had agreed to was that none of them were to say the words 'last time.' There was no need to hear someone say 'last time in Caroline's pool' or last time having lunch together. It's already hard as it is, no need to make it worse. Yes, tears were going to be included, she knew that, but it's almost as if it has become a ritual. Elena had spent a lot of her time trying to compose her emotions but with Elijah and Damon, she always broke down. Sometimes it was because of what was happening between Caroline and Stefan at the time, others, it was simply because she got a whiff of her mom's perfume that instantly made her heart clench. Finally, sometimes, it was just because saying goodbye to the people you love was damn hard.
"Want anything to drink, babe?" Stefan asked Elena, breaking her from her thoughts.
"I'll have a beer please," she answered. He placed a soft kiss on her lips before walking towards the coolers that Caroline had conveniently placed by the pool.
"You guys are adorable together," Caroline blurted out as soon as Stefan had left. "Seriously, if we were still in highschool you guys would no doubt have been voted 'cutest couple of the year.'" Elena didn't know what to answer, so she simply shook her head but couldn't stop a goofy smile from forming. Elena loved the fact that she was able to talk about her relationship with Stefan to Caroline without any of it being awkward.
"What are you thinking about," Caroline didn't hesitate to ask.
"It's good to be able to talk to you about Stefan and I," she admitted.
"Hey, what are best friends for right?" she answered before embracing her one more time. Guests kept on coming so Caroline had to leave to welcome everyone. Stefan made his way back with two drinks and handed one to Elena. She thanked him as he slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her on her forehead. She looked around and could see Elijah from where she was standing. She thought that for the first time since her childhood, she would be separated from him. He was the goofy little boy who grew up in the same block as her in Bulgaria and now he's off to college as well. Elijah caught her eyes and waved. She smiled and raised her beer a little as if saying "cheers" from a distance. She was going to walk up to Elijah if she hadn't caught the sight of Nate in her peripheral vision. Nate, who Elena thought was meant to be long gone was still lingering around Mystic Falls. He walked towards Elena with a smile on his face and she could already tell that he was going to say some witty comment. As if jealous, Elena felt Stefan ever so slightly tightened his hold around her waist and she couldn't help but giggle a little bit.
"You know you don't need to worry, right?" she asked, while reassuring him at the same time.
"He's had his eyes on you all summer and everytime you guys are together you're always laughing. AND you've got inside jokes, I worry a little," he teased her. She gently nudged him in the ribs and wrapped her arm around his waist just to secure him a little, although he really shouldn't need any.
Ever since the first day that Elena and Nate met at Elena's 18th birthday party, their "Points Game" had started. There was always one of them ready to do something for the other to have an upper hand. However, this time around, Nate surprised Elena.
"Shake my hand," he said while extending it. Elena looked at him with her eyebrows arched, questioning him with only her look. "Trust me", he ended up saying with a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Elena hesitated slightly before finally reaching out to shake his hands.
"Game over," he simply said. He then went on by adding, "Everything I do, I do it to gain points. However I just want to be able to do those exact same things without thinking about points. I want to give you a seat, hand you a drink or just come and talk to you because I feel like it. I'm done doing things just to have more points than you. We've become a game; everything goes back to those damn points. And what is it leading us to? I mean, it was fun at first… It still is, but I just want to stop. So you won, but game over."
"Game over," she repeated. They tightened their grip on each other's hands, shook it once before letting go. Nate turned around and was about to start walking away when he abruptly turned back and asked Elena, "Do you want anything to eat?" She chuckled slightly and he winked knowing exactly why she had laughed.
"I'm fine, thanks. Maybe later," she answered with a smile.
"Damn that cousin, such a flirt," Stefan said jokingly while rolling his eyes.
"Meeh, too bad I'm already taken," she answered as she looped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick peck. "By a beautiful, loving, caring, selfless, adorable man… You, "she added.
"I love you, babe."
"You've been calling me babe today. I like the sound of it." Stefan simply answered by tightening his grip around her shoulder and hugging her one more time before letting her go. They made their way to Elijah who was talking to Tyler, Matt and Rebekka. All four of them were sitting by the side of the pool with their feet inside the water. Such a classic and cliché scene to define summer, she thought to herself as she approached them.
"Hey 'Lena, you mind putting my shirt on the chair furthest away from the pool please?" Elijah asked as he handed her his shirt that was on the wooden boards next to him.
"Yeah, I do mind. But since I'm a nice person, I'll do it," she answered cheekily.
"Stefan, Tyler, I think Elena here deserves to be dunked in the pool" said Elijah with a wide smile on his face.
"What? No! No, no no no no!" she answered while backing away from the pool. She didn't have time to get anywhere before Elijah had both his arms around her waist and threw her over his shoulder.
"You can't do that!" she shrieked while kicking her legs into the air. "Let me at least take off my shirt. My phone ! My phone is in my pocket!" she shouted begging Elijah to put her back down.
"Good try. It's with me 'Lena," Stefan answered shaking Elena's phone for her to see it. The other guests who were around were amused by what was happening. Some were feeling sorry for Elena, others laughed at how Stefan and Elijah really didn't seem to care about what she was yelling. Either way, they all knew that Elena had the required humour and there was no way that she was going to get mad once that she's in the pool. As Elena figured that there was no ways that she was going to be able to free herself, she latched her arms around Elijah's waist. If she was going in the pool, he was going in with her.
Within seconds, they were both in the pool laughing and splashing each other. Soon enough, more or less everyone was in the water. Games of volleyball and water polo were being played while food was being served. It wasn't a seated lunch either; there were snacks everywhere meaning that you could eat whenever and whatever you wanted. As late evening and early afternoon approached, people were getting out of the pool and started helping Caroline prepare everything for the rest of the evening. Although they were all guests, it didn't mean that they had to be served. More or less all of them were keen on helping out. Caroline started playing some dancing music and she moved all of the furniture from her living room to the side so that it created a dancefloor. The music playing was a mixture of slow songs followed by upbeat ones and then some old songs that people secretly still love. Rebekka, Katherine, Bonnie and Caroline were already dancing and having a good time. Jeremy and Elena were having a conversation, having some sibling bonding time while the rest of them talked in a circle with a drink in their hand. Bonnie had raised the volume of the music a little bit so that people would be more eager to dance.
When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there's so much they hold
Upon hearing those words, Stefan and Elena immediately stopped the conversation they had to turn around and lock their eyes together. That song spoke to them in so many different ways. It was on that song that they danced to and realized how much they meant to each other without saying anything. It was those lyrics that Stefan had whispered to her when they had officially gotten together.
"May I please have this dance?", he asked as he walked to her and extended his hand. Elena turned back to look and Jeremy as if asking for permission.
"Go," he said with a smile on his face.
Stefan twirled her once before pressing their bodies together. His hand securely on her waist while hers was on his shoulder. Their other hands were clasped together, charging the electricity between them.
Cause even the stars, they burn
Some even fall, to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
But god knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up
As if it was a déjà-vu, Elena had slipped both her arms around Stefan's neck and he was holding her tightly, nuzzling her neck. She kissed his neck lightly and then smiled against it. His smell was intoxicating but she felt like she needed to breathe it in as much as she could because she knew that she wouldn't be able to do that for months to come.
Elijah, who was still sitting wished that Damon were with him right now, just so he could witness both Stefan and Elena's happiness. He did remember Damon once telling him that their best friend and Stefan had danced similar to how they were now and on that exact same song… only difference was that he was with Caroline and if it wasn't for Damon distracting her, it could have ended badly.
As the song ended, Elena and Stefan had their foreheads pressed against each other, both of their eyes closed.
"We didn't give up," he whispered to her.
"It wasn't even an option for me," she answered which made him smile. They pecked each other before going for a hug. Elena could see Elijah over Stefan's shoulder making a heart shape with his hands and waving it in the air as if at a concert. She rolled her eyes and gently shook her head as a response.
The music didn't stop playing and everyone was on the dancefloor. Elena who was getting slightly tired made her way towards the pool deck to get some fresh air but someone held onto her wrist, stopping her. Just by the electric jolts she's feeling, she knew without a doubt that it was Stefan.
"I'm noticing you're getting tired, but I also know that you love to swing-dance and you haven't done that in a while," he said. As soon as she heard the words 'swing-dance' her eyes immediately got its spark back.
"You don't like to dance though. I don't want to make you if you don't want to," she answered.
"Elena Gilbert, it will be an honour to dance with you," he said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it before leading her back to the living room. Not even after the first twirl that people had already made a circle around the couple to watch. People in general knew that Elena was a good dancer, but when she dances with someone she's got chemistry with- it's a whole other level. There's a smile that never leaves her face and you can sense that energy coming from her. Whereas Stefan, he looks like a living Greek God. Everyone could see that, it wasn't just Elena. Now, a Greek God who knows how to dance. It's quite a show. Stefan and Elena hadn't danced in a while, but that didn't change the fact that she could anticipate his every move and she trusted him whenever he picked her up. After a good 10 minutes, they were both out of breath and everyone applauded. They made their way to the cooler boxes to get some water when Elijah came.
"Seriously, one of you have GOT to show me how to dance. It looks freaking incredible. I mean, I knew you guys could dance, but like that?! What the hell? Like you freaking flipped her. You literally flipped her, you picked her up and then she was in the air and just what the hell?!" Stefan and Elena couldn't help but laugh at how surprised Elijah was.
"Yes, I'll teach it to you someday," she said while still breathing heavily.
"Well next year, cause you're leaving tomorrow."
At those words, both Stefan and Elena tensed and she forced out a smile.
"Next year sounds good, Elijah." Just as he walked away, he placed his hand on Elena's arm and squeezed slightly. As a result of growing up with him, she knew exactly what that was for. It was his way of saying "I'm sorry I brought it up" without using any words. Elena smiled and nodded slightly; her way of saying "it's okay, don't worry about it."
Elena was ready to go back to the dancefloor but Stefan pulled her hand the opposite direction.
"I'd like to spend some time alone with you, if that's okay," he said.
"Of course, Stef. You don't even need to ask my permission," she answered and tightened her hold on his hand.
"I just thought that since it was your last night you would have wanted to be with your friends."
"What happened to the rule of not saying things like that? I spent the entire day and most of the night with my friends. I want to spend time with you too. And I feel like I didn't spend enough time with you at all, so I'm more than glad that you decided to pull me away," Elena reassured him. They were at the side of Caroline's house where it was darker, quieter and isolated. As soon as they stopped walking, as if they were both reading directions from a script, they let go of each other's hands and embraced one another. His strong arms around her shoulder while hers around his waist.
"I love you, Stefan. Remember that," she said against his chest.
"Always," he answered as he kissed the top of her head.
They slowly released each other but didn't break eye contact. Stefan cupped Elena' face and gently leaned in. Elena closed her eyes anticipating the feel of his lips over hers. As soon as the came in contact, electricity was shooting through them both. The kiss was sweet and gentle but it didn't stay like that for long. Stefan wrapped his arm around her waist and backed her up against the wall. As soon as her back made contact, he deepened the kiss. He licked her bottom lip asking her for permission which she immediately granted. Her hands flew to his hair and she started playing with it. He let go of her waist and took one more tiny step towards the wall, completely pinning Elena. His hands found hers and he grabbed them. He pulled them over her head and once again pinned it with one of his. His free arm snaked back around her lower back pressing their bodies even closer together. His lips left hers to travel down her neck and collarbone which caused Elena to moan slightly. As good as his kisses felt, she needed to keep on kissing him but with her hands pinned above her head, she could only use her words.
"Kiss me, Stefan," she half whispered half moaned.
On command, his lips met hers again. He let go of her hands and placed both of his on her waist before lifting her up and wrapping her legs around him. With her hands clinging around his neck and her legs around his waist, she felt like a koala bear. Their kiss reminded them both of the one they had shared when they had first gotten together last summer. However rough it was, there was pure and raw passion between them two. Stefan gently sucked onto Elena's bottom lip before completely releasing it, both in need of air.
"Woah," was all she managed to say.
"My thoughts exactly," he said as he let go of her legs and hugged her tightly.
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It was past midnight and people were starting to leave. Elena and Stefan have been at Caroline's for 12 hours straight.
"Hey Stef, did you bring a hoodie by any chance?"
"Yeah I did actually, you can use it, I'm fine," he answered.
"Thanks, it's freezing outside."
"I think you're just a little tired, and maybe a little overwhelmed with emotions?" he asked as he placed his finger under her chin to lift it up.
"That too," she answered before walking away to where he had placed his bag. She found his dark blue hoodie that he got when he went to Florida with his family as a vacation holiday. It also said 'Salvatore' on the back. It was a thing their family did all the time. They would go on holiday and have a hoodie with their surname on the back of it. Stefan wore his a lot during the summer and she knew that it was his favorite one. She put the hoodie and loved how large it was. It reached down to her mid-thighs and her arms were lost somewhere in the sleeves.
"You look adorable in that hoodie," Caroline, who had a little too much to drink, said. "It's a shame that people have already left and some more are about to leave." She continued.
"We've been here for more than 12 hours. But I can assure you that everyone is having a really good time, otherwise people wouldn't have stayed until this late." Elena wanted to change the conversation and she also didn't want the night to come to an end.
A good hour passed and Caroline, Elijah, Stefan, Elena and Jeremy were the last ones there. All four of them were helping Caroline cleaning everything up before heading back to their own houses. The atmosphere was heavy as each and every one of them knew what was going to follow once the cleaning was done. The goodbyes.
Elena didn't know where to start; Caroline was her best friend, Elijah her brother from a different family and Stefan her boyfriend. As Caroline was closest to her, she said her goodbyes first.
"Thank you, for everything. Just like I'm sorry for everything," Elena said as she fell into her friend's arms.
"Stop apologizing, you didn't do anything wrong. Thank you for an amazing summer and kick ass in Toronto. You're going to be great!"
The girls let go of each other, Caroline was already full out crying while Elena was trying to hold back as much as she could, because she knew that the worst was yet to come. She hugged Elijah next. She would miss his protectiveness, his parted brown hair and his ability to make her laugh.
"Take care of yourself little sis. I'm just going to be a Skype call away." She nodded and pulled away. Finally, it was time to say her goodbyes to Stefan. One look at him and her first sob came out. It broke his heart to see her in such a state. She threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Caroline, Elijah and Jeremy had discretely all moved to the kitchen to give them some privacy.
"This is for you," Elena said while grabbing the hem of his hoodie. He caught her wrist and shook his head.
"Keep it," he said as her brown eyes met his gently green ones.
"There's no way I'm keeping it, Stef. It's your favorite one."
"Which is the exact reason that I'm giving it to you. You're my favorite person."
"Oh, and this is for you too," she said as she handed him a folded piece of paper. "Don't read it until I've left please," she asked him. He nodded and she could see him tightening his jaw to keep control of his emotions. As Elena handed him the paper, she felt her hand trembling. She didn't understand why, this had never happened to her before. He took the paper from her trembling hand and then hugged her. They both knew exactly what they wanted t say to each other but none had the courage to do so. They wanted to wish each other goodluck with their new lives, to tell each other how much they mean to one another, but most of all, they wanted to reassure each other that everything will be okay. Without realizing it, she tilted her head so that her nose was in the crook of his neck and she silently sniffed him. She wanted to remember his smell even though she could have recognized it anywhere. He held onto her and she could feel that he didn't want to let go.
"I hate goodbyes, so I'm just going to say see you tomorrow," he said silently into her ear. Elena held on tighter and barely nodded.
"See you tomorrow Stefan," she choked out while her tears continuously streamed down her face. "I love you"
"And I love you"
He gently kissed her on her cheek and then on her lips. Just then Jeremy came back out followed by Elijah and Caroline.
"Ready?" Jeremy asked Elena
"Yeah…"
The siblings walked away from the group with a heavy heart. Jeremy put an arm around his sister's shoulder as a sign of comfort, just to let her know that he's there.
By the end of summer, Elena was left with his hoodie; Stefan was left with a folded piece of paper.
AN: I'm sorry for the hiatus. I haven't been feeling well for a few months now and all motivation and inspiration was gone. Hopefully it will come back to me... I hope you enjoy this chapter- let me know what you think :)