No One's POV
The sun was shining through the bare, leafless trees branches of the forest beyond the Mikaelson manor, weak rays of the winter, and a cold, brisk wind whipped what was left of the fallen, lifeless, brown leaves and pine needles on the forest floor outside.
Inside, Eliza sat curled up in front of one the large bay windows of the Mikaelson mansion, cradling a cup of warm coffee, a fuzzy blanket over her lap, gazing outside in quiet and content contemplation, a book also carelessly in her lap while the hearth blazed, roaring heat; it couldn't be more peaceful or calm.
Elijah and Niklaus were both out, wreaking some sort of havoc on the town in attempts to track down the White Oak stakes, Olivia and Luke were studying at Alaric's apartment (set to come over later), and Alaric was at school teaching, as it was technically school time for Mystic Falls High School, which also meant that the Scooby gang should all be in school, along with the youngest Mikaelson, Rebekah.
"Am I disturbing you?" Finn asks politely, breaking Eliza out of her quiet musings.
"Oh, Finn…" Eliza startles. "No, no, not at all." She turns to look at the eldest Mikaelson.
"May I ask what you are reading?" Finn inquires, walking further into the living room. "I am a bit behind the times, as you would guess."
"Oh…" Eliza looks at her book, flipping over the cover almost a little embarrassed. "It's called Beautiful Chaos, by Kami Garcia. This is the third book in the series. I've been waiting to read it. It just came out. It's a- sort of a- it's a supernatural book… Dark versus light sort of plot. Demons, witches, destiny, falling in love with the wrong person… Umm…" Eliza definitely looks embarrassed at that admittance. "The plot is well-written, though…"
"Do you like reading?" Finn simply inquires further, sitting down on the edge of the nearest couch.
"I love reading. I don't have a lot of time. Or- didn't… Because of work. I'm catching up now." Eliza offers, waving a small hand at her book; the clear statement that Elijah keeping her cooped up within the Mikaelson mansion (even if it was for her safety) left unsaid.
"I have some-" Finn hesitates only a moment, gathering his thoughts and words carefully before asking. "Perhaps, my collection is not quite as collective as my brothers, but I believe I have some things even my brothers may not. You may find them interesting… If you'd like to see?"
Finn was rewarded with a radiant smile.
"I'd love to Finn." Eliza replies.
Elijah returns to the Mikaelson mansion, frustrated, his inner animal wound tight and anxious from being gone longer than he had anticipated and for all his work left unproductive; despites his façade of propriety, decorum, and sophistication, and part of Elijah craved the small and quiet moments at home, particularly with Eliza.
She was everything, after all, and calmed his inner animal within him.
Elijah stopped short, gaze landing on Eliza and Finn together talking and laughing.
"Eliza." Elijah greets, his voice already shorter and tenser than desirable; a sort of rage and fury building up inside him.
"Elijah." Finn looks up, gaze unwavering as the two siblings merely eye one for a brief moment, as if sizing each other up.
"Finn." His brother's name came out like a growl, before in another moment, he charged.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
P.S. I've got to say... This was not at all where I thought my story was going... Alas, plot bunnies drug me along this trail. Haha!
Polkadottedgiraffe11